Real Estate In the Know


Austin has something for everyone. Even those who don’t live here can easily find an excuse to visit the 512. Be it our Instagram-able food, waterfront views or our myriad of festivals, Austin attracts visitors like Bats to the Congress Avenue bridge.

But where does it all end? Can’t we have our city to ourselves every once in awhile? Thankfully, there are a few places in the corners and crannies that the tourists haven’t discovered yet. These places offer everything Austin is known for, but they’re a bit quieter about it.

No lines, wristbands or badges, just authentic Austin for locals. So let’s take back our city! But shhh…don’t let anyone else know about it. Here are a few of my Favs!!!!!


Covert Park at Mount Bonnell is 5.1 acre historic linear park with a prominent overlook that is one of the most visited sites in Austin. Mount Bonnell is a 775-foot-high outcrop along the eastern shore of Lake Austin. The peak of the overlook is a craggy limestone outcropping surrounded by a forested area of live oak, ash juniper, persimmon and mountain laurel that spans the slope between Mount Bonnell Road and the trails at the top of the park.
Fun Fact my husband proposed to me on the outer cliffs of Mount Bonell where you are no longer allowed.


Hidden in the Mount Bonnell neighborhood is the hole-in-the-wall bar serving cheap beers. Shoot some pool and spin some tunes on the vintage jukebox, or pull up a folding chair and take in the Viewst over Lady Bird Lake.


Casino El Camino home to "The Best Burger in Town." Juicy and tender, the 12-ounce monsters come topped with everything from cheese and thick-cut bacon to roasted Serrano peppers and Texas-hot buffalo sauce. For a spicy side, pair your burger with Verde Chili Fries and their awesome bloody mary or selection of Beers.


Laguna Gloria is a restored 1916 Mediterranean style villa that was built by Texas legend Clara Driscoll  and is now owned by the AMOA-Arthouse . The home and grounds, located at the end of W. 35th Street, are free to visit. Clara Driscoll married Hal Sevier, the owner of the newspaper The Austin American. After a honeymoon at Lake Como in Italy, they purchased property from Stephen F. Austin. Clara hired an architect from San Antonio to build a home in the Italiante style. The grounds also feature a fountain from Rome and several statues imported from Italy. The lush 12-acre grounds overlooking Lake Austin and it was easy to see why so many weddings are held on the property.


An authentic farmhouse brewery established in 2010, Jester King is an authentic brewer of farmhouse ales connected to a time, place and people. Their philosophy is to work in partnership with nature to create beer unique to our natural surroundings.
Over the years, they've grown into a welcoming destination for people of all ages to enjoy food, drink, friends, family and community. Enjoy all that the brewery, restaurant, farm, event hall and 165 acres of preserved land has to offer!


The Salt Lick was opened in Driftwood in 1967 by Thurman Roberts, Sr. and his wife Hisako T. Roberts. It quickly grew in popularity and went from being open just a few times a year to seven days a week. Roberts and Hisako built the Salt Lick restaurant on the ranch where he was born, using locally quarried limestone. Hisako's Hawaiian heritage inspired the sweet barbecue sauce used in the restaurant.Thurman died in 1981, leaving Hisako in charge of The Salt Lick until 1985, when she passed control of the restaurant to its current owners, Scott Roberts (son of Thurman and Hisako) and Scott's wife Susan.


Austin is notorious for being a dog-friendly city. It’s full of restaurants, bars, and events that all welcome the furry family member. Dog parks are also common, but there is one particular park so unique it deserves its own visit, regardless of where you live.
Red Bud Isle Park is an off-leash dog island. Sound like paradise? Basically. As you stroll along the wide, well-kept walking loop, dogs bound about ahead, darting in and out of small patches of forest.
Red Bud Isle (3401 Redbud Trail), which is run by the Austin Parks & Recreation Department, is 13 acres of leash free fun for your furry friend. It’s like going to Six Flags and Sea World and the Zoo all in one.



Your Dream Home Awaits! Private, tucked away Modern Luxury Farmhouse ! New Construction, Custom details, Light, Bright, Open Floor Plan . Prime South Austin location allows for convenient access to entertainment and dining, or stay in and entertain while taking advantage of the flowing layout. Experience luxury and comfort with an Austin vib e! Call or Text Tina 512 632 3162 for private viewing!




In 2017, the amount of valuation shaved off of Travis County tax rolls through the protest process was $9.2 billion, as indicated in  Austin American-Statesman . Residential protests accounted for nearly $3.4 billion of that.
The tax-assessed value is what your county believes your property is worth. The county attempts to set their values at a market value. However, they do not evaluate comparables nor do they perform individual market analysis on every home. The county simply values your home according to the area, not the house. Meaning, the value may be too high or too low, depending on the size, location, amenities and condition of the specific home. The County Appraisal Districts began mailing property valuations in early April. Most homeowners should have received their valuation on or before May 15th. Homeowners have until 30 days from the date they receive their valuation to appeal.
If you believe your property valuation is higher than the current market value, you should appeal your taxes. When people don’t appeal, the taxing authority accepts that their value is correct which affects all homeowners in a given area. By appealing the assessed value, we all help keep our real estate taxing authority valuations in line with market value.

The following information can be helpful to present at the hearing:

  • Comparable Market Analysis: A comparable market analysis looks at Market Value and shows recent sales for homes that are similar to yours in size, age, location and type of construction. Contact me for comparables in your neighborhood, here to Help.

  • Documentation Regarding Your Home’s Condition: Do you have foundation issues? Plumbing problems? Anything that would adversely affect the Market Value of your home should be documented. Take photographs and bring them with you to your hearing.

  • Documentation Regarding Your Home’s Location: Once again, anything that would adversely affect the Market Value of your home is evidence that you can use in your appeal. (ie: if home backs up to a busy street - consider printing off a Google map to document your location.)

  • Recently Purchased Homes: If you purchased your home in the last several months, and the purchase price was lower than your appraised value, bring a copy of your settlement statement.

File your protest using the protest form available from the County Appraisal District. After you have filed, it can take several months for the Travis County Appraisal District to schedule your informal hearing.


Things to Keep in Mind for the Day of your Hearing

  1. The Appraisal District is responsible for setting the appraised value, they have nothing to do with the tax rate.
  2. You are not going to the hearing to protest your tax rate or how much you are paying in taxes, you are only appealing the county’s assessed value of your home.
  3. Be polite and courteous.
  4. Bring an extra copy of your supporting documentation to leave with the county.
If you are planning on Buying and/or Selling a Home this year, let’s get together to help you navigate the conditions in your market and set you up for Success. Please contact me anytime for a
Free Market Value Analysis.

Single-family homes sales fall in Austin as inventory remains critically low

A new land development code is crucial for addressing housing market concerns

AUSTIN, TX–City of Austin home sales dipped as the median price of a single-family home rose, according to the March 2019 Central Texas Housing Market report by the Austin Board of REALTORS ® . At the same time, housing inventory remained critically low, and homes continued to spend less time on the market.

"Because Austin’s economy is thriving and the city continues to remain one of the most popular living destinations in the country, the housing market remains extremely tight," Kevin P. Scanlan, 2019 president of the Austin Board of REALTORS ® , said. “In March, new listings, active listings and pending sales all declined, but the median price increased. We need a solution to the ongoing affordability and inventory crisis, which is why a more a more flexible land development code that allows for more housing at affordable price points is imperative.”

Last month, the median price of single-family homes rose by 2.8% to $375,000 in the city and inventory remained flat at 1.5 months, which is well below well below the 6.0-6.5 months of inventory the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University projects for a balanced housing market.
“Austin is growing rapidly and as we look ahead to accommodate existing and future Austinites, there needs to be a plan in place for a more affordable and sustainable city,” Dewitt Peart, president and CEO of the Downtown Austin Alliance, said. “That’s why the Downtown Austin Alliance is partnering with the Austin Board of REALTORS ® and 30 other Austin nonprofits and business organizations to advocate at Austin City Hall for a new land development code that provides enough transit-supportive housing capacity.”



City of Austin
In the city of Austin, single-family home sales decreased by 4.6% to 781 sales in March. During the same period, sales dollar volume decreased slightly by 0.4% to $371,993,004. New listings decreased 10.4% to 1,038 listings; active listings decreased 1.5% to 1,149 listings; and pending sales slightly decreased by 1% to 902 pending sales.


Travis County
In March, single-family home sales decreased in Travis County by 4.4% to 1,309 sales and sales dollar volume also decreased, by 4.7%, to $619,129,042. The median price for single-family homes increased 1.4% year over year to $355,000. During the same period, new listings decreased 4.8% to 1,890 listings while active listings barely increased 0.1% to 2,632 listings. However, pending sales jumped 11.7% to 1,590 pending sales. Monthly housing inventory remained flat at 2.1 months of inventory.


“If you’re planning on buying or selling a home this year, it’s important to enlist the help of a Central Texas REALTOR ® . REALTORS ® are local market experts who can walk clients through the necessary steps of the purchasing or selling process, and we ascribe to a Code of Ethics that requires us to advocate on our clients’ behalf and in their best interest.