It's that time again, Texas! The time of year when we celebrate the coming year with champagne, fireworks and funny hats. Where will you be when the ball drops at midnight? Here are our favorite picks for Austin New Year's Eve events this year.

Gatsby: A Roaring 20's New Year's Eve

December 31, 2014 at 8:00pm- January 1st at 2:00am
Highland Lounge
Admission: $10 at the door; Free before 10:00pm; VIP packages available

Gatsby: A Roaring 20's New Year's Eve is a fun filled night for all guys and dolls. Come dressed to impress and dance the night away at this Great Gatsby themed New Year's Ever party. The night will feature complimentary swing dance lessons at 8:00pm, live entertainment by CHICO CHICO, burlesque performances by Avant Glam Cabaret, and

One of the first things travelers notice when they visit the Lone Star State is the distinctive Texas accent spoken by locals. While it resembles other mid-west accents, the Texas twang is quite unique. It's a Southern accent with a twist, that often leaves visitors tongue-tied.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the pronunciation of Texas cities. Newcomers frequently mis-pronounce local Texas towns, which can be embarrassing even to those with the thickest of skins. Stop sounding like a tourist, and brush up on the local lingo. With our handy pronunciation guide to help, we'll have you talkin' like a Texan in no time.

Boerne (BURN-nee)

The name of this small Texan city southwest of Austin is often butchered in its pronunciation. The name

Negotiating that first commercial lease agreement is one of the most important steps in starting your new commercial enterprise. When it comes time to renew a commercial lease, your negotiating power will depend on how well you negotiated their first lease.

That being said signing the perfect lease takes time, and the right attitude. Here are some key things to consider when negotiating for your perfect space.

Do: Hire a Professional (Not the Listing Agent)

While this may seem obvious, hiring a commercial real estate broker has its benefits. They know the market, and can help you find the right property for your business. Hiring a professional also gives you greater leverage during negotiations. Never have the listing agent or property

Recent awards in the San Antonio architecture sphere have had us thinking of the city’s wealth of striking structures. Stalwart staples such as the Alamo, the Emily Morgan, and the Gunter Hotel come to mind, but architects looking to the future are creating noteworthy blends of Texas’ architectural innovation.

The American Institute of Architects in San Antonio recently recognized a handful of constructed and un-built projects from the city’s best. Here’s a look at the recent award winners, and their modern brand of San Antonio style.

Play By The Rules

In the honor awards category, the aesthetics and design behind the Law Enforcement Training Center won over jurors thanks to an innovative take on a current need in the community. The use of

JB Goodwin REALTORS® was recently awarded the top spot among midsize employers in Austin according to the American-Statesman’s 2014 Top Workplaces of Greater Austin project. The annual report which surveys over 22,000 employees at 159 Austin companies was released last week, and announced the top 100 local businesses.

As it turns out, Austinites are looking for more than just a job that pays well. Factors which ranked high on employees' lists included a balance between work and family life, being valued at work, good company leadership, and professional development.

So what makes JB Goodwin REALTORS® one of the top Austin employers? According to survey, the company's approach to leadership, technology support, and down-to-earth professional

JB Goodwin REALTORS® and associates are making waves throughout the great state of Texas. Even the CEO himself is making headlines. Read all about it in our JBGoodwin REALTORS® in the News recap.

TX Gov. Rick Perry Appoints J.B. Goodwin to TDHCA Post

J.B. Goodwin, founder and CEO of JB Goodwin REALTORS® is bringing his years of real estate expertise to the state level. Texas Governor Rick Perry has appointed J.B. along with T. Tolbert Chisum to the board of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). The prestigious post means that J.B. will be directly addressing Texas housing and community development issues in the state.

J.B. has been involved in numerous high-profile real estate organizations throughout his career. An

Stay connected with the latest happenings in the San Antonio real estate market. Read about the latest news in our city, and stay in the loop and ahead of the competition in this ever-changing market.

This month we feature stories on a San Antonio broker acquisition, the most expensive neighborhoods in San Antonio and more. Courtesy of JBGoodwin REALTORS®.

Lighthouse Realty acquired by Clear Integrity Group, SA Business Journal

Longtime San Antonio real estate broker Lighthouse Realty was recently acquired by Clear Integrity Group LLC, a brokerage firm with offices in Texas and Ohio. Retired owners Charles and Marie Newcomb sold Lighthouse Realty for an undisclosed amount, as they have moved out of state. While the broker change means that

Before you sign the contract and settle into your new home, you should always consider a home inspection by a certified professional. One big thing that these inspectors do is find problems with the home prior to purchase. That being said, some major problems outside the inspector's scope may go unnoticed.

Here are five overlooked areas to add to your home inspection checklist which can be missed, or may not be covered in your overall home inspection. Get the most out of your home inspection by knowing what is and isn't covered by your company. If you're proactive from the start, you can avoid more headaches and costly repairs in the future.

Electrical Problems

Home inspections are visual, which means the inspector can only detect a problem he

Stay connected with the latest Austin real estate news. See what's happening in Austin and stay ahead of the game in this increasingly competitive market. Courtesy of JBGoodwin REALTORS®. This month we feature stories on Fifth & West Residences, the Austin housing market and more.

An Austin housing bubble? Trulia report is nonsense, local experts say, American-Statesman

Agree to disagree? Local Austin real estate experts are not seeing eye to eye with Trulia's recent report which states that Austin has the most overvalued home prices in the US. The report, which was published on Trulia's Bubble Watch blog by chief economist Jed Kolko claims that Austin real estate is 20 percent overpriced. This puts Austin ahead of the likes of LA, Orange County,

Investment properties can intimidating to the first-time investor. When done right however, real estate investment can be very rewarding, and a great source of income. There are several things to consider before purchasing your first investment property. The road to real estate riches is paved with obstacles which can affect your bottom line. Here are some of the things you should and should not do when it comes to purchasing investment properties for the future.

Do: Create a Plan for Your Investment Property

Are you ready to make the investment? In other words, do you have a well thought out plan in front of you? Creating a plan for your investment property can give you more of an idea on what needs to be done. You’re also able to learn whether or