Austin Real Estate Blog

Local Austin Craft Breweries Guide

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:16:51 -0600

Make room for more craft brews in Austin because Austin breweries are booming even in this economy. With all the new breweries popping up all over Central, South and East Austin, Austin is quickly becoming a craft brewery hub. Most craft breweries in Austin plan to invest in sustainability, using local ingredients and generally being a good corporate citizen - good news for them. Austinites like craft beer, keeping it local and green-friendly, so homebrewers can enjoy the welcoming environment and new movement of craft brewing in Austin, Texas. And being in Texas, you know it's a big movement.

The explosion of new craft breweries in Austin is due to the legalization of brew-pubs by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and the fact that Austinites really like craft brew. So to prepare you for the prime beer drinking months of summer, here's a guide to all the local craft breweries in Austin.

512 Brewing 512 Brewing released a limited amount of “nitrogenated” beer. That is, they’re putting a few of their regular and seasonal beers through a process that allows them to be served on a Guinness-style nitro-tap (a first for Austin AND for a production brewery in the State of Texas)	Location407 Radam, F200 South Austin, 78745
Adelbert'sAdelbert's, the newest Austin brewery, will hold its grand opening Saturday, March 24th from 12-6pm!	Location 2314 Rutland Drive, Ste. #100Austin, TX 78758
Blackstar Coop Black start Coop is the world's first brewery co-op.	Location 7020 Easy Wind Dr #100 North Austin, 78757
Circle Brewing Circle Brewing asserts that all of their beers follow a strict policy of using only the four main ingredients with NONE of the chemicals, cheap additives or adjuncts, or gimmicky fruits or spices.	Location2340 W Braker Ln., Suite B North Austin, 78758
Flying Saucer Draught EmporiumBig TVs hover over the bar, the dining room, and the biergarten. Saucer burgers, build-your-own appetizer plates, and 220 beer varieties round out the night. 2011 Readers Patio/Biergarten Award	Location815 W. 47th St. Central Austin, 78751
Hops and Grains Brewery rooms open to the public each Friday and Saturday. At Hops and Grains there's something for everyone- even man's best friend can enjoy their 'Brew Biscuits', made from the used (and then useless) grains that they use to make their beer.	Location 507 Calles East Austin, 78702
Independence Brewing Independence Brewing joined the 2012 Good Food Awards with their Convict Hill Oatmeal Stout and brewing to be a zero-waste company. Independence hosts free events every first saturday of the month.	Location 3913 Todd Lane #607 Southeast Austin, 78744
Jester King Brewery Jester King Brewery, located on a ranch in Southwest Austin, hosts public tours and tasting events every Saturday 1-4 PM.	Location 13005 Fitzhugh Rd., Bldg. B Southwest Austin, 78736
Live Oak Brewing Live Oak Brewing ranked No. 1 on Beer Advocate's list of Top Beers in the Southwest and named Best Brewery in the Austin Chronicle's Best of Austin 2010 Awards.	Location3301 East 5th St East Austin, 78702
Moonlight Tower Brewing Aiming to be Austin's first all-organic brewery, Moonlight Tower Brewing is in their 'start-up and research phase' of their company. They could use your support and thirst to get things running!	LocationTBD
NXNW Brew NXNW Brew hosts a Beer and chocolate class every month - next one is on Feb. 18th.	Location10010 N Capital of Texas Hwy North Austin, 78759
Real Ale Located in the Texas hill country, Real Ale Brewing Co. is known for its diverse and refreshing beverages, including the recently popular 'Firemans 4' beer. Each Friday they have tours and tastings with unlimited samples, including their weekly "experimental keg" which can get a little crazy -Ever heard of ghost chillis in beer?!	Location 231 San Saba Ct. Blanco, Texas 78606
South Austin Brewing Co South Austin Brewing Company just opened February 11th!	Location 415 East St. Elmo, Unit 1D South Austin, 78745
Twisted X Brewing CompanyThis Tex-Mex inspired brewery just celebrated their one year anniversary this May with interesting craft brews such as their ChupaHopra IPA and the prickly pear Siesta lager.	Location 3200 West Whitestone Blvd C1Cedar Park, TX 78613
Uncle Billy's Brew & Que Located along Central Austin's restaraunt row on Barton Springs, Uncle Billy's offers award-winning beer and barbeque. Visit their second location in Lake Travis to add a view to your experience!	Location1530 Barton Springs Rd Central Austin, 78704 6550 Comanche Trail, Unit B, St 201 Northwest Austin, 78732

Stalled Sweetwater Community Back In Development

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:48:01 -0600

Several reasons account why new developments stall, but in the case of Sweetwater Community – which is expected to take a decade to complete – it was a case of growth vs. nature. Since its inception, the project has stirred controversy. Sweetwater developers wanted to provide housing for a growing city and Save Our Springs Alliance wanted to protect local waterways. With a start and stop pace, the beautiful Sweetwater community in the Texas Hill Country has survived a tumultuous development.In 2004 when Sweetwater's original developer announced plans to develop 3,000 new homes on land with canyons, scenic ridges, and steep hills in western Travis County, Save Our Springs Alliance intervened and sued the developers stating that the development will pollute local waterways. SOS also claimed that the formation of the Lazy 9 Municipal Utility District, established by the developers to oversee services in the Sweetwater development, was unconstitutional.The lawsuit was dismissed and the court ruled in favor of the development requiring the alliance to pay nearly $300,000 in attorney fees to Bill Gunn and his partners. In face of having to pay a huge collection fee, SOS filed for bankruptcy in 2007. For several years, the residential project was left untouched and in 2010, Bank Midwest foreclosed on the Sweetwater project. Posted for foreclosure auction, Wheelock Street Capital acquired the vast property. The new owners offered changes to the Sweetwater plan that would be more protective of Bee Creek and Barton Creek – plans happily supported by SOS. “A lot of Sweetwater will remain wild and have extensive wilderness trails,” Real Estate Marketing Advisor Barbara Koenig, representing Sweetwater, said. “The goal is to keep everything as natural and beautiful as possible.” Construction of the new development began this year and has been approved for 1,800 residences by Travis County and a proposed new middle school. Water retention and detention ponds have been constructed. David Weekley Homes plan to begin building in the 1,400-acre master-planned community of Sweetwater in early Spring 2012. Phase 1 homes will range from 1,600 square feet to 4,500 square feet and make up 225 lots. The first phase will also include a community welcome center and club house near the entrance, a resort pool and pavilion.

Want to live in Sweetwater in Travis County? Check back here in Spring 2012 - once listings hit the MLS, our site have a landing page for all homes for sale in Sweetwater. What is your take on how growth should occur in Southwest Travis County? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Special thanks to Linda Scott of American Statesman for the photo.

Austin Area Farmer's Markets

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:24:32 -0600

Looking for good info on all the Farmer's Markets in Austin? We've got you covered. Here is our compiled list of the Austin Area Farmer's Markets. Lots to choose from, there's defintiely one near you. Get your fresh veggies and Austin-made trinkets! Realty Austin promotes "keepin' it local!" Austin at The TriangleWednesdays, 4 – 8 pm (mid-March – October)Wednesdays, 3 – 7 pm (November – mid-March)Triangle Park, 4600 Lamar, Austin 78756www.sfcfarmersmarketthetriangle.orgAustin Republic Square ParkSaturdays, 9 am – 1 pm (Year round)Republic Square Park4th and Guadalupe, Austin 78701www.sfcfarmersmarketdowntownw.orgSouth Austin Saturdays, 8 am - 1 pm (Year round)El Gallo parking lot2910 South Congress, Austin 78704www.austinfarm.org/safmBarton CreekSaturdays, 9 am - 1 pm (Year round)Barton Creek Square Mall parking lot2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin 78746www.bartoncreekfarmersmarket.orgSFC Farmers’ Market at Sunset ValleySaturdays, 9 am – 1 pm (Year round)Toney Burger Ctr. parking lot3200 Jones Street, 3200 Jones Rd, Austin 78745www.sfcfarmersmarketsunsetvalley.orgRound RockSaturdays, 8 am – noon (April – mid-November)Scott & White Hospital parking lot300 University Blvd, Round Rock 78665www.gtfma.comCedar Park Farms to MarketSaturdays, 9 am - 1 pm (Rain or Shine)Lakeline Mall parking lot11200 Lakeline Mall Dr, Cedar Park 78613http://cedarparkfarmersmarket.orgEast Austin HOPE Farmers’ MarketSundays, 10 am - 2 pm (Year round)Pine Street Station414 Waller St., Austin 78702www.hopefarmersmarket.org

Blog image provided by -Dons

E.A.S.T. Stands for East Austin Studio Tour

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:39:13 -0500

East Austin is known for its eclectic and brightly colored East Austin homes, but did you know it's also known for its art studios? To get the word out about East Austin studios, East Austin artists decided to organize a tour every year called the East Austin Studio Tour in which they open their studiospace two weekends in November in hopes of getting exposure and selling some art. It's one of the coolest things to do in Austin, so in order to prepare you, we've answered some of the most common questions about East Austin Studio Tour.

What is E.A.S.T.?

E.A.S.T. stands for East Austin Studio Tour. Artists open their studios to the public the weekends of November 12/13 & 19/20 11 AM - 6 PM and host art parties and demonstrations in which you can buy their art.

When is E.A.S.T.?

E.A.S.T. is only on the weekends from November 12-20, 2011.

Where is E.A.S.T.?

Events and exhibitions are scattered through out East Austin on various hours and dates throughout the nine days of tour.

How much does E.A.S.T. cost?

Events are totally free and open to the public.

If you're new to Austin and thus, new to E.A.S.T., here's a detailed run-down of how to navigate East Austin Studio Tour 2011.

How to Navigate East Austin Studio Tour

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:39:07 -0500

E.A.S.T., an annual opportunity for Austin to peek inside the personal studios of East Austin's vibrant artist community, is celebrating it's 10th year. The East Austin Studio Tour is a unique opportunity to see lots of art, meet the artists in their studio, and purchase great and affordable local art. There are also events at spaces around East Austin featuring music and dance performances. Studios and events occur throughout multiple neighborhoods, from Holly St to the East 6th St Ibiza District to Rosewood. However, your car is not the only way to enjoy this tour. Scooters are a popular option for zipping to many studios in a short period without worrying about parking in car dense residential areas. Plan ahead and choose a cluster of studios in a small area and travel on foot; the opportunity to see more of the neighborhood and stumble across unmarked art studios and performances are endless! By far the most popular mode of transportation during E.A.S.T. is by bicycle. If you live far, drive to the East 6th Ibiza District, park, and continue on bike. East Austin is a relatively flat and low traffic area, so biking is a great way to see more, discover new routes, and make new friends along your ride. Most studios are in artists' homes or in large cooperatives that make it easy to park your bike in a backyard or on a nearby fence. You can rent bikes from Austin Bike Rentals right at 6th and Red River.

If you're overwhelmed by the fantastically large number of studios to visit this year, here are a few highlights where you can see multiple artists in one place!

Starving Art Studios and Showrooms: Home to Blue Starlite driven movies, Starving Art Studios houses many studio spaces and two galleries. Check out the UP Collective and Psychlist Clothing located at 2325 E. Cesar Chavez 78702, between Robert T Martinez and Pedernales.Tillery Arts Complex: Another one-stop shop of so many great artists from Vertalee Letterpress full of the cutest handmade cards and handmade leather books. Last year they were selling hot dogs so bring your dollars. Located at 701 Tillery Street.Splinter Group North & Avalbo Industries: Fascinating woodworked furnitures, sculptures and environmental shade structures all beautifully handcrafted and located together at Springdale and E. 5th St.

Best Austin Haunted Houses

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:49:15 -0500

Austin Haunted Houses

Looking for the best Austin haunted houses to get your terror on this Halloween weekend? We all know Halloween ins't Halloween without a scare, so this year we put together a list of some of our favorite Halloween haunted houses. There are a handful of good ones in Austin to choose from. If you're interested in a mild church-run haunted house or the year-long planned haunted house extravaganza, Austin haunted houses are for every thrill seeker and Halloween lover. Check out our list of the best Austin haunted houses and get your terror on! *Note, these haunted houses may not be appropriate for children.

House of Torment in Central Austin

The most known Austin haunted house is the House of Torment at The Highland mall. ABC ranked it as one of the scariest haunted houses in the US.Website: thehouseoftorment.comAddress: 523 Highland Mall Boulevard, Austin, TX 78752Contact: (512) 407-9449Hours of operation: open to the public now through Oct. 31 from 7 PM to midnight.

Scare for a Cure in West Austin

Celebrate Halloween and support a good cause by attending Scare for a Cure's Austin haunted house in West Austin.Website: scareforacure.orgAddress: 7400 Coldwater Canyon Dr., Austin, TX 78730Contact: generalinfo@scareforacure.orgHours of operation: open October 13 through Halloween from 7:30 PM to midnight.

Night Terrors Haunted House in North Austin

Live in North Austin and need a bedtime scare? Check out Night Terrors Haunted House off Research Blvd.Website: txnightterrors.comAddress: 9185 Research Blvd., Austin, TX 78758Contact: anjincomputing@yahoo.comHours of operation: open September 30 through November 1, Thursday - Sunday from 7:00 PM to midnight.

Austin haunted houses not for you?

Got enough haunted house fun to do you in for the year? There's plenty of other ways you can celebrate Halloween in Austin. The Austin parade starts at Auditorium Shores at 9 PM on Halloween and ends up Downtown - definitely a ghoulish site to see! Or catch a scary movie at the Alamo or attend the Whole Foods pumpkin parties. There are plenty of Austin Halloween and family activities to keep you entertained if you do not want to be scared. If you know of other popular or interesting ways to celebrate Halloween, drop it in a comment below.

2011 Best Pumpkin Patches in Austin

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:28:35 -0500

Last year's post on 2010 Best Pumpkin Patches got so much love that we decided to update it for 2011. So get the cameras and the kiddos -- the pumpkin patches are open in Austin! Every October in Austin, churches, groceries and farms display thousands of pumpkins -- big and small ones, orange and yellow ones -- which make the perfect background for a photo opp with the family. While a landscape of orange pumpkins is a sight to see, spotting the pumpkin patches can get tricky if you don't live nearby one, so here's a list of all the pumpkin patches in Austin. We've got locations and hours of operation covered, so all you need to do is make the perfect pumpkin latern to sit outside your home in Austin!

View Best Pumpkin Patches in Austin in a larger map

Pumpkin Patch at Tarrytown United Methodist Church Youth

Proceeds go to help raise money for upcoming youth mission and ministry trips.Location: 2601 Exposition Blvd.Austin, Texas 78703 Hours of operation: October 4 through HalloweenMonday - Friday, 2:00 - 7:30 PM Saturday, 9:00 AM - 7:30 PM Sunday, 12:00 - 7:30 PM Contact: (512) 472-3111Website: tarrytownumc.org

Pumpkin Patch at St. Mark United Methodist Church

70% of the proceeds go to the Pumpkins USA which leases farmland and employs workers from the Navajo Reservation in Four Corners, New Mexico. Location: 601 W Braker Austin, TX 78753 Hours of Operation: October 15th to the 31stMonday - Friday, 9 AM - 12 PM & 5 - 7 PM Saturday, 10 AM - 8 PM Sunday, 12 PM - 8 PM Website: gbgm-umc.org

Pumpkin Patch at Grace United Methodist Church

Location: 205 E. MonroeAustin, TX 78704 Hours of Operation: October 15, 2010, 3 PM to HalloweenMonday - Friday, 9 AM - 12 PM & 5 - 7 PMSaturday, 10 AM - 8 PM Sunday, 12 PM - 8 PM Website: gracemethodistaustin.org

Pumpkin Patch at St. John's Methodist Church

Location: 2140 Allandale RdAustin, TX 78756 Hours of Operation: Now through HalloweenSunday 12-7pmMonday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 10 AM - 7 PMTuesday, Thursday: 2:30 - 7 PMContact: (512) 452-5737 Website: stjohnsaustin.org

Bethany Lutheran's Pumpkin Patch

Proceeds go to support our youth going to the National Youth Gathering 2013 in San Antonio. Location: 3701 West Slaughter LaneAustin, TX 78749 Hours of Operation: Wednesday, October 13 - HalloweenMonday - Sunday, 10AM - 7PM Contact: (512) 292-8778 Website: blcms.org

Pumpkin Patch at ACTS Churcn in Lakeway

Proceeds go to fund mission projects in the Lake Travis area and beyond. Location: Pumpkin Patch is in front of church 1304 RR 620 N.Austin, Texas 78734 Hours of Operation: Weekdays 12 PM - 6:30 PM Weekends 10 AM - 6:30 PM Contact: (512) 263-8175Website: actschurchlakeway.com

Fall Events at Sweetberry Farm

Events: Stuff Your Own Scarecrow, Scarecrow Island Hayrides, Candy Corn Hay Maze for children, The 'Texas' Hayfield Maze for ages 6 and up, Sweet Berry Express Barrel Train, Pick Your Own Flowers, Horse Rides (on October weekends only), Face Painting(on weekends only), Pumpkin Pie Flavored Ice Cream, Pumpkin Grille with the Famous Grilled Corn, Petting Zoo with Horses, Goats, and Chickens Location: 1801 FM 1980Marble Falls, Texas 78654 Hours of operation: September 24 through November 12th (closed Wednesdays) Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat from 8:30am to 5:30pm Sunday, 1 PM - 5 PM Contact: 830-798-1462 Website: sweetberryfarm.com

Austin Urban Rail Project

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:02:30 -0500

Today is the last day to submit written comments on Austin's Urban Rail proposal which would improve Central Austin mobility by reducing traffic and connecting key destinations in Central Austin. The Urban Rail project proposal costs an estimated $995.1 Million dollars and serves Downtown Austin, the State Capitol Complex, the University of Texas, Mueller redevelopment and the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. It also provides connections to current routes along Capital Metro and LSTAR rail services. Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell supports the Urban Rail proposal understanding that Austin is at the heart of the rapidly growing Central Texas Region. He says that "if we fail to deliver easy alternatives to single-occupant car trips, Austin will never be the kind of livable, sustainable city that we all want it to be."Over the next 25 years, Central Austin's population is estimated to grow by 750,000. Austin needs improved mobility to meet the demands of this continued economic and population growth. Several transportation studies helped define a need for the Urban Rail, including the Central Austin Transit Study. The study disclosed several reasons for new and expanded model options, including increasing population growth, changing land uses, insufficient connectivity, increasing travel demand, insufficient network capacity, sustained economic development, and protection of air quality and quality of life.Do you think Austin needs an Urban Rail? If so, at what expense to the city? Let the city know what you think and submit your concerns here or in the comment section below.

Austin Hotel and Hospitality Industry Boom

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:37:02 -0500

2009 was a slow year for the Austin hotel industry, so slow, in fact, that it set in motion a City Agenda to focus on fixing it. When hotel occupancy hit an all-time six-year low in 2009 (dropping from 67.4% to 61.1%) along with hotel pricing (average room rates fell from $112.80 to $104.49) Austin City Council convened to start plans to reverse this downward trend. The agenda included the addition of one large hotel in Downtown Austin, just as large as the 800-room Hilton Austin.Zoning for a new hotel was approved in March. Plans call to keep original building façade in tact by building on top of an existing bar, Sky Lounge. While the hotel only has 130 rooms and limited parking, City Council Members agree that it is one step closer to helping the hotel industry support Austin's tourism and business industries.

Read more about Austin's latest hotel development here.

Art in the City - Austin's Latest Urban Art Installation

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 11:44:30 -0500

Notice anything unusual lately around Downtown Austin? Maybe a jogger playing a street piano on the Pedestrian Bridge? That's exactly what Austin urban-artist Johnny Walker had in mind when he installed over a dozen pianos around Downtown Austin. It's all a part of Austin's latest urban art installation called "Play Me, I'm Yours," currently underway in an intersting way.

"Play Me, I'm Yours" is a world-wide collaborative art experiment started by artist Luck Jerram in London in 2008. Austin was an obvious shoe-in for a test market. Slogans like, "Keep Austin Weird," help attract artists and inspire select projects like these, including the over-sized guitars displayed along Congress Avenue.

For the next month, Austin's "Play Me, I'm Yours" street-art exhibit will provide local Austinites, bystanders, and travelers a chance to play the piano outdoors with a public audience to entertain. By placing pianos out of their element and transforming urban spaces into outdoor living rooms, Johny Walker hopes to transform the sight and sound of the city and encourage Downtown Austin residents to see their urban environment in a totally new way.

From the Statesman: "It is mostly designed to change the way people relate to their urban environments and to instigate a sense of ownership within local residents about where they live."

Austin always seems to uncover the weird and interesting, straying away from the familiarity toward something more unique. "Play Me, I'm Yours" is just one of the ways Austin keeps it weird and keeps us entertained. It's definitely a cool way to take piano lessons. Speaking of which, have you practiced the piano today?

Want to live near the action? Those living in Downtown Austin condos can enjoy the luxury of location being so close to all the action -- bars on 6th Street, music on Red River, festivals at Auditorium Shores, or art installations on Pedestrian Bridge. Make the move. Contact us or call us today: 512.241.1300.