The Gibbs Team

512-431-2403

Austin

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Great Economic Trends Going into 2015

ID-1009183Recently, I read an article in the New York Times (online edition) about five economic trends that we should be grateful for as we enter into 2015.

I know, I know…it’s crazy that 2014 is already over and we are headed into a new year, but it sure has been a good one!!

Here are the five positive economic trends the article discussed.

1. Cheaper Gas Prices – This holiday season has been a great time to take a road trip due to the cheaper gas prices. No one knows for sure how long this will last, but I’m pretty sure everyone is taking advantage while they can!

2. Job Growth – Since 2010, job growth has been improving, but in 2014 it has taken a giant leap.

The best news is that according to the Forbes Best City for Job Growth List, Austin ranks No. 1!! We have certainly had a better economic recovery than most cities since the recession, but to be No. 1 is above and beyond what we ever expected!!

3. More Americans Are Leaving Jobs Voluntarily – This economic trend bodes well with the confidence Americans have that they can find a better job and that there are actually jobs on the market to be had. In past years, people have been much more concerned with layoffs than they are today and that is a great trend to experience.

4. Home Prices Are Rising More Slowly – According to the article, “The Case-Shiller index of home prices in 20 major metropolitan areas was up 4.9 percent in the 12 months ended in September (2014), compared with more than 13 percent in 2013.” A sharp increase of home prices can cause real estate bubbles, which in effect then cause many problems in the housing market because of inflated prices.

Austin, specifically, will be interesting to watch in 2015 as it continues to deal with all areas of development, rising housing prices, population growth, its aging infrastructure and the traffic issues it is currently facing.

5. American Households Appear to Be Done Reducing Their Debt – The article said, “Across the major categories of debt, including mortgages, credit cards and the like, debt levels are now rising again. Not at the kind of rapid rates that would signal a buildup of major new risks, but decisively upward.”

Debt may not sound like a good thing to many, but for the economy it means that people are spending and have confidence that they will be able to pay off any debt they incur. Of course, I would always advise to spend wisely…no matter what kind of economy we are facing.

I hope this information will help you set your goals for 2015 and beyond! Happy New Year!!!

If you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling real estate in the Austin area, please contact Mary Lynne Gibbs at 512.431.2403 or austinluxurybroker@gmail.com. It would be an honor to earn your business!

Photo courtesy of “Pumping Fuel” by Michelle Meiklejohn/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Hill Country Galleria Halloween

ID-100277235Spend the day at the Hill Country Galleria on Saturday, October 25th for a spectacular spooky treat!! There’s a little something for everyone – of all ages – with costumes, candy and games!! Perfect for a Halloween celebration!

This family-friendly event runs from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. with kids’ activities, free face painting, bounce houses, bungee jumping, live music and an absolute must…trick or treating!

Everyone is encouraged to wear their costumes and enjoy the festivities at the Hill Country Galleria and its 100+ participating stores and restaurants!

The schedule of events for this trick or treating extravaganza includes:

2:00p-3:00p – Kids Entertainment and music by The Sassy Spurs at the outdoor amphitheater

3:00p-6:30p – FREE Face Painting, FREE Bounce Houses, Bungee Jump

4:00p-6:00p – Trick-or-Treat at participating locations

7:00p-9:00p – Live Music by The Brewbirds with Warren Hood

The Hill Country Galleria is located on Highway 71, east of Highway 620, in Bee Cave, Texas. For more information on this event and the stores and restaurants that are located in this fabulous shopping center, please go to www.hillcountrygalleria.com.

Additionally, the city of Austin is having a busy weekend with the Texas Book Festival and the Austin Film Festival going on as well! Check out Austin October/November Events for more information on these events!

If you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling real estate in the Austin area, please do not hesitate to contact Mary Lynne Gibbs at 512.431.2403 or austinluxurybroker@gmail.com. It would be an honor to earn your business!

*Image courtesy of “Halloween Tree Represents Trick Or Treat And Environment” by Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

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Austin October Events

As we are in the midst of fall 2014, Austin becomes a destination for many to explore our music scene, history, one-of-a-kind race track and expansive entertainment opportunities. Austin is not just a hotbed of attractions, restaurants, eclectic culture and more…our events are amazing, too!

October is a busy month in Austin. Not only does the weather cool off enough for outdoor activities to be pleasant, but our calendar is filled to the brim with many options each weekend to enjoy our marvelous city!

Some of the events that are happening during October 2014 include:

Austin City Limits Festival – October 10-12 – The second weekend of this festival will again see over 75,000 concert goers each day. Headliners include Eminem, Outkast, Lordes, Pearl Jam, Lana Del Ray, along with over 130 musical guests on eight stages in Zilker Park. www.aclfestival.com

U.S. Vintage Racing National Championship – October 10-12 – Over 600 vintage race cars from around the world will race throughout the three days of competition at the Circuit of the Americas from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. www.circuitoftheamericas.com/vintage/ 

Austin Celtic Festival – October 18-19 – For 18 years Austin has been celebrating with the largest gathering of Celts in Central Texas all things Celtic at this festival held at Fiesta Gardens. Celtic traditions, achievements, dance, music, food and more are highlighted and commemorated throughout the weekend. www.austincelticfestival.com

Senior Deputy Sheriff Jessica Hollis Fundraiser – October 19 – Everyone is invited to a fundraiser at Angel’s Ice House off of Highway 71 in Spicewood to raise money for a monument to honor the life of Jessica Hollis who gave the ultimate sacrifice as she checked on the flooded Low Water Crossing on Fritz Hughes Park Road in Austin, Texas in September. Anyone can donate that day or at any other time at www.100clubcentex.com.

Austin Film Festival – October 23-30 – Founded in 1993, Austin will once again turn into little Hollywood as screenwriters, filmmakers, producers, agents and artists gather to collaborate and share their creativity throughout the eight days of the festival and conference. www.austinfilmfestival.com

Texas Book Festival – October 25-26 – Established in 1995 by Laura Bush, the Texas Book Festival honors authors and their many contributions, promotes reading and serves to benefit public libraries. This premier literary event hosts approximately 250 authors who participate in readings and presentations, panel discussions, book signings. Other activities include cooking demonstrations, live music, food, children’s activities, and literary vendors. www.texasbookfestival.org

I hope you will visit one or all of these great events in Austin over the next month! The capital city offers entertainment for all ages and interests…and this is just one month’s worth of activities!!! Enjoy!

If you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling real estate in the Austin area, please contact Mary Lynne Gibbs at 512.431.2403 or austinluxurybroker@gmail.com. It would be an honor to earn your business!

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Austin Challenges & Opportunities

016Recently, we took a look at the 2014 results of a poll conducted on the city of Austin by Paul Zandan and thought you might be interested in what Austinites are thinking about the current condition and future of our city.

The Voices of Austin Community survey was created and designed by Peter Zandan and was conducted between April 15-29, 2014. The poll surveyed 804 Austin-area residents that were 18 and older.

Ultimately, the goal of the survey was to open discussions on the challenges and opportunities that Austin, as a whole, is facing.

The major concerns found were:

  1. Traffic
  2. Population Growth
  3. Rising Cost of Living
  4. Water/Drought

Traffic being the top concern is not surprising. The solutions to this traffic issue that the survey found were that 85% support improving public transportation, 84% support building more roads, and 69% say the City of Austin should increase urban rail routes into congested areas of downtown Austin.

Affordability was another concern that topped this poll. Two-thirds said they were dissatisfied with housing affordability and 59% were unhappy with the cost of living. Overall, the poll showed that Austin is seen as growing faster than it can handle.

However, 87% of those polled said they were satisfied with their jobs and 71% said they were optimistic that if they lost their job, they could find an equal job in Austin within six months.

Moreover, the poll found that Austin is definitely keeping it weird as 89% believe “Austin is weird” and more than half (51%) say it is unique but becoming more similar to other major U.S. cities.

Additionally, the survey found the following to describe Austin:

  • Fastest growing city (93%)
  • Live Music Capital of the World (92%)
  • Best nightlife (90%)
  • Best dining and entertainment (89%)
  • Best city to start a business (84%)
  • Best city to start a career (79%)
  • Healthiest city (78%)

To see the complete survey go to www.zandanpoll.com.

If you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling real estate, please contact Mary Lynne Gibbs at 512.431.2403 or austinluxurybroker@gmail.com. It would be an honor to earn your business.

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Lake Travis Fire Rescue

ML new 7Mary Lynne Gibbs is pleased to announce that she has been appointed the Co-Chair for the Lake Travis Fire Rescue Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC), which has been established by the Travis County Emergency Services District No. 6 (TCESD No. 6) Board of Commissioners. The role of the CAC is to advise the Board of Commissioners on policy and administrative decisions that guide the operations of Lake Travis Fire Rescue (LTFR). The CAC serves as a link between the TCESD No. 6 Board and the public at large.

LTFR has five fire stations serving an area encompassing over 104 square miles west of Austin, including Bee Cave, Lakeway, Steiner Ranch, River Place (until it is annexed in 2017), Hamilton Pool Road, Hwy. 71 West up until Bee Creek Road, The Hills and Lake Travis.

LTFR’s mission is to minimize loss of life and property through emergency response, prevention and community involvement. This essential public service has grown in the Lake Travis area since the early 1960’s after Mansfield Dam was built, which created the Highland Lakes chain, including Lake Travis.

The vision of LTFR is to be recognized by those they serve as exceptional and innovative. They succeed in this endeavor by putting into practice their commitment to Professionalism, Leadership, Integrity, Respect, Compassion and Safety.

According to Fire Chief Robert Abbott, LTFR attempts to seek continued improvement in their services. They never stop looking for ways to improve. Additionally, LTFR continues to pursue innovative ways to serve the community’s public safety needs.

LTFR is funded through ad valorem taxes, sales tax, building inspections, plan reviews and permitting. Moreover, LTFR Community Foundation, which is in its second year, has been created to provide community awareness, funding and resources for Lake Travis Fire Rescue, necessary to maintain the highest level of service possible, safeguarding life, property and the environment. The Foundation will have its first big fundraiser in October 2014.

Mary Lynne is thrilled to be an integral part of such a top-notch program. She is excited to serve her community in this capacity and is honored to have been chosen for this appointment.

Of course, if you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling real estate in the Austin area, please contact Mary Lynne Gibbs at 512.431.2304 or austinluxurybroker@gmail.com. It would be an honor to earn your business.