Buyer confidence is at its highest in five years. Can we maintain a relevant and vibrant real estate industry? Like long-forgotten music to our ears, these are just some of the buzz words peppering the vernacular of the nation’s top brokers as they advance toward further recovery. Even though some significant obstacles still stand in the way—from potentially hazardous changes to housing-related policy to a still-sizeable foreclosure inventory—power brokers believe that positive momentum ... Read more

After all the new additions that have occurred within the Downtown Austin Skyline over the years, there is still more to come! Four new buildings are already in development and 11 others are close behind. This is great news for the Austin economy, allowing it to continue up the ladder of recession recovery. By 2016 there will be establishments such as the JW Marriott hotel and Fairmont Austin bringing in over 1,000 more rooms for Austeniteâ??s and their tourist. It doesnâ??t stop there. The additions ... Read more

At a loss for a place to store your boots? Check out these creative ways to put a kick into your storage! Boots are made for walking, so storing them can be a challenge. After I find the perfect fall boots and spend almost twice as much as I usually spend on regular shoes, they often end up in a pile in the back of the closet or in a hodgepodge assortment by the door. With the arrival of fall and our penchant for booties, riding boots, heeled and flat pairs, cowboy boots and everything in between, ... Read more

There is hope in the housing market with the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extension.   The mortgage industry can breath a sigh of relief with the final fiscal cliff deal bringing back a popular tax break on mortgage insurance premiums and debt forgiveness for borrowers who go through a short-sale or some other type of debt reduction. A topic that is still up for discussion and likely to surface later in the year is whether the popular mortgage interest tax deduction will be ... Read more

Here are some great examples of vibrant patterns and colors for your tile throughout your home. Your walls, floors and countertops will come to life with a whole new flair. Most of us have square, white tile somewhere in the house, usually the bathroom. It's easy to clean, but otherwise, it's kinda of boring. Neither here nor there, designwise. But the world of tile is really a sparkling place, filled with imagination. Once you start to appreciate the patterns and colors and possibilities of ... Read more

Home ownership rates decline and rental vacancies stand steady according to the Census Bureau. The Census Bureau reported the seasonally adjusted homeownership rate fell to 65.3 percent during the third quarter of 2012. In terms of rates across age groups (which are not seasonally adjusted), only those households headed by persons 65 and over registered an increase in the homeownership rate versus the third quarter of 2011. The under 35 and 55-64 householder cohorts saw the largest declines, with ... Read more

Take off your winter boots and hang up your jacket! A bench nestled in the doorway is a nice touch of comfort. An easy way to add comfort and functionality to even the coldest entryway is with a bench. Benches come in every style, color and material you can dream up. They can be upholstered, have storage and help introduce guests to your home's design right when they step in the front door. Here are a few of my favorites, with something for every budget. — Danyelle from Dandee Designs The ... Read more

Here is a simple yet energy-efficient method to circulating heat in your home during these cold winter months. Feeling the breeze from a ceiling fan just may be a step you can take toward greater energy efficiency this winter. You can save as much as 40 percent on the cost of cooling your home because a fan creates airflow that cools the people in the room, reducing the need for air conditioning, says Leslie Killingsworth, director of purchasing for Progressive Lighting/Lee Lighting stores. In ... Read more