Explore Austin

Explore Austin's local lifestyle, culture and real estate. Be in the know with local guides, things to do, best places to eat and more.

Realty Austin Agents Restore Veteran's Home

More than 30 Realty Austin agents volunteered to repair Bertram’s home — including Albert Allen, who is not only a Realty Austin agent but also an Army veteran, Vice President of Rebuilding Together Austin, and Bertram’s nephew.

Albert said that it was amazing to see two organizations that he’s a part of come together and support a dear member of his family. “The combination of the funding from Veterans United, the partnership with Realty Austin, and then [finding out] that someone I care about was going to get [this] assistance [was] pretty cool!”

In the wake of  Winter Storm Uri, Bertram and his family were faced with extensive damage to their home. “What [Realty Austin] is doing here is something that I really appreciate,” Betram said. He went on…

Back to School Supplies List

This year, make back to school shopping a breeze and check out our list of needed supplies and calendars. By getting it done sooner rather than later, you and your kids will be able to enjoy the rest of your summer relaxing, with no last-minute and stressful school shopping!

DON’T MISS OUT ON TEXAS TAX-FREE WEEKEND

Mark your calendars and don’t miss Tax-Free Weekend on August 6th-8th. Each year, Tax-Free weekend allows shoppers to buy items for the upcoming school year without having to worry about paying sales tax.

The sales tax exemption applies to most clothing, footwear, backpacks, and school supplies that are under $100 (per item). You can save around $8 for every $100 spent and you don’t need to give the seller an exemption certificate to buy…

Agents Share the Four Kitchen Trends That Sell Homes Fast

Keeping your home updated and current with kitchen trends is a smart strategy if you’re looking to sell your home one day. According to a report by Houzz, the median amount spent on a major small kitchen remodel was about $35,000. While that price tag might feel hefty, kitchens are often the room that makes or breaks a buyer’s decision.

We asked Realty Austin agents to share the scoop on what buyers are looking for in their kitchens, and what would deter them from offering a high bid.

2021 Kitchen Trends in Austin

1. Kitchens with More Color
While white cabinets are still all the rage, we’re starting to see a change to more colorful cabinet colors and backsplashes in the Austin area. “Green kitchen cabinets are super trendy,” says agent Gabi Leite.…

LGBTQIA+ Events and Venues

Events

 

IPSlay Beer Release Party, Drag Show, and Vendor Market!

August 1

Kick off Pride Month in style at the IPSLay Beer Launch Party on Friday, August 1, from 7 to 10 PM at St. Elmo Brewing Springdale. In partnership with The Little Gay Shop, this all-ages celebration features live music, a drag show at 8:30 PM, a local vendor market, and the debut of the fruity new IPSLay IPA. Enjoy food trucks, a variety of drinks, and a welcoming atmosphere that supports Equality Texas. Well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome in the beer garden, and free parking is available.

 

Glamelot

August 8

Step into a world of queer magic and medieval mischief at Glamelot, happening Friday, August 8, from 7 PM to 1 AM at Tiny Minotaur Tavern in Austin. This chivalric…

The Best Museums and Art Galleries in Austin

Museums and art galleries in Austin strive to share the diverse and eclectic culture the city is often known for.  Around Austin and Central Texas, you’ll find many options for art and interactive experiences the entire family will enjoy.

The Best Museums and Art Galleries In Austin:

  • Big Medium
  • Blanton Museum of Art
  • Bullock Texas State History Museum
  • The Contemporary Austin
  • Contra Common
  • ICOSA Collective
  • Laguna Gloria
  • MASS Gallery
  • Mexic-Arte Museum
  • Thinkery
  • Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum

BIG MEDIUM

Multiple Locations

Big Medium is a well-known local nonprofit dedicated to supporting local artists in Austin and building an art community through their city-wide art events and local galleries, especially the Big Medium…

The Best Hispanic-owned Restaurants in Austin

Veracruz All Natural

Reyna and Maritza Vazquez, originally from Mexico and now based in Austin, Texas, have nurtured a lifelong love for authentic Mexican cuisine. Their culinary journey began in their family's kitchen, where they learned to honor tradition while embracing fresh and organic ingredients. Starting with a humble trailer on East Cesar Chavez in 2008, they offered snow cones, smoothies, and natural drinks, working tirelessly to build their dream. In 2010, their dedication paid off when they expanded to serve mouthwatering tacos. Today, with five locations in Austin and Round Rock, the Vazquez sisters are renowned for their exceptional Mexican food, and you might even find them in the kitchen, passionately ensuring the quality of their dishes…

The Best Latino-owned Restaurants in San Antonio

San Antonio is known for being full of Hispanic and Latino cultural influences. In honor of Hispanic Heritage month here are some of the best Hispanic- and Latino-owned restaurants all over the city to show some extra love while also enjoying a delicious meal!

Azuca

709 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Rene Fernandez brought San Antonio its first Nuevo Latino Restaurant that incorporates Caribbean, Central, and Latin American cuisines all in one place. Located in Southtown, this restaurant takes traditional ingredients and adds its own unique, contemporary flair to create its delectable dishes. In addition to their food, they also specialize in crafting a wide array of sangrias, mojitos, and other cocktails for patrons to enjoy.

El Bucanero

What to Know About the New HOA Laws

New legislation passed in 2021 will now impact Texas homeowners who live in communities that manage homeowner associations (HOAs) or property owners’ associations (POAs). This change was brought by the 87th Texas Legislature on a Senate bill now coined as the REALTOR Bill. These new HOA laws were created to establish a better balance between property owners and HOAs, as well as give more property rights to homeowners than ever before.

HOAs and POAs are valuable for the communities they serve, but often hold a lot of power over people’s homes. If you’re one of the 6M homeowners in Texas living within a HOA, it’s important to be informed of your protections to ensure your rights are being respected by your association.

Here’s what you need to know:

1.…

Relocation Guide

If you are considering a move to the San Antonio area, we have a free 68 page San Antonio Relocation Guide that is an invaluable resource. This comprehensive guide has information on Major Employers, Public Schools and Ratings, Private Schools, Pre-Schools and Day Care Centers, Colleges and Universities, Places of Worship, Healthcare Providers and many others.

Request Relocation Guide
Woman browsing relocation guide provided by Realty Austin