Here is what a friend of mine sent me that lives in Austin. Any comment? Check www.statesman.com. There's two things going on. State-wide, there is a special legislative session going on to actually reduce the rates. Then in Austin there is a measure going on to limit the max value your house can go up to 5% per year, its currently 10.
And Lake T is "clothing optional'..... On MY boat anyway! Austin is ruined..try San Marcos or New Bransfels for the original "laid back vibe"... I have an old Austin highway City Limits sign from my UT days...I think Pop. was around 300K people.. No 'room for boom' sorry, but a lot of the original TI retirees were taxed right off the lake front, in the day, IIIRC 10%/year is the cap. They bulldozed the houses right into the ground to make room for....I guess it was the 80s....LOL! Heck PeterS let's get together...I have some ol' padners still over there...I stay in Gruene usually when over that way.......
I've got to say WHAT THE #$&#()@*$() how can they possibly limit what your home can be valued at? Or is it just for tax purposes? BTW I love Austin, I know a few people who live there and it's an awesome city. One of the few I would consider leaving Newport for. That and I could buy a nice size chunk of dirt for what homes here cost.
I don't think it's a cap on the value of your home, but rather a cap on the Tax rate. Home values are base on what similar homes in the same neighborhood sale for and then the price is adjusted depending on the square footage, finishes, furnishings and amenities. At least that's how I thought things worked.
Those complaining about Austin traffic are ridiculous. Coming from LA and even Scottsdale, traffic here is amazing! This town could easily fit 5 million more, no complaining.
I think it's ridiculous too. I know all the back roads and I almost never use I35. Mopac can be bad at certain times of the day, but it doesn't even compare to other major cities. 5 Million more and I'm out of here! Brandon, what do you think about the weather so far?
Weather is great! Had one night with super loud thunder, kept me up, but the humidity isn't bothering me. No complaints from the weather. Only thing I can think of is that driving downtown on MoPac, no one seems to speed. I'm used to doing 80 in a 65 in Arizona, but it seems people go 60-63 in a 65 here. Also miss all the exotics, but the Sunday breakfast was nice!
I've lived in big cities and know what traffic is like, I lived here when there wasn't much traffic at all and now its terrible and only getting worse as more and more people move here, its perspective.
It looks like I'll visit Austin the top of November (My ladder fall has put a crimp on travel). I'd like to get some dialog going with a GOOD RE agent. I REALLY like Steiner Ranch and Toll Brothers Homes. My price range is $400K-$500K. I can be emailed at [email protected] by an agent that would be willing to work with me. Thanks in advance.
My padner Jay Stoneburner has an agency.....he lives both here in Houston and up there as well, if that helps.....
I'll pick you up in my truck and put your gimpy ass in the back....... sent a PM ya' prick.......oops.....sorry, forgot this isn't EF........
I FINALLY booked my tickets for10/21 to 10/24. I've hooked up with a RE and will look at homes on Saturday and Sunday, the Lake on Monday with my Neice and off for home on Tuesday. BigAl hooked me up with an RE that seems bored enough to spend a LOT of email time with me regarding new homes. It looks like I'll be in the $500-$550K range. These homes are insanely NICE!!! I'm still freaked out regarding the taxes, but I guess with no state tax, there is some balance there. Melodie wants to look at doing personal catering in the Austn area (That's what she;s great at). I have to think there is an opportunity for her to do that there is we move.
Lakefront in Austin? It must be a man-made lake, right? I've heard there's only one natural lake in all of TX and that's it's shared between Louisiana and Texas. Caddo Lake?
Man, we have LOTS of lakes! LOL! The Highland Lakes around Austin are all manmade but include Town Lake, Lake Travis, Lake Buchanan, and some others.... Oh, yea...the realtors there will have LOTS of time..... We'll check the schedule at Gruene Hall and come to see ya! Fchat party at New Bransfels....Canyon Lake there......
I can work anywhere. I just want to get the hell out of my current Hooterville of a city that has NO food and buy a bigger, new home. As for relaxing, I think I'm in a VERY relaxed city. It's not 'God's waiting room' like a few cities around Phoenix, but it is laid back.
I went the other way... I was born and raised in Houston and moved to San Diego in 2003... I don't miss anything except for the people, even though I think Rancho Santa Fe is the most Republican place in CA. Austin is beautiful though, my favorite place in Texas.
How are most Kalifornian transplants to Texas looked upon? Are we all a bunch of pompus jerks that should have stayed home?
