Austin rentals are on the rise, but that doesn't make the process any easier. So you've found the perfect rental online, but haven't yet sealed the deal. We provide the essential information to help you have a seamless transition into your new home. Here are a few tips for first-time tenants to help you avoid the common headaches that come with renting.

Rental 101

Get everything in writing

Avoid headaches by getting your rental agreement in writing, making sure that you read over it in detail before signing off. In addition, keep a printed version of all the correspondence between you and your landlord, and always follow up oral agreements with a written request. For example if you talked to your landlord about a leaky faucet and he agrees to fix it

This week we are shining the neighborhood spotlight on The Reserve at Oak Bluff Estates in Round Rock, TX. This lovely subdivision consists of 33 custom homes built by Tom Pitt and Rick Edgerly. Oak Bluff Estates homes are all located on 1/2 acre lots and range in size from 3300 square feet to 9000 sq. feet.  The neighborhood does have a mandatory HOA with the annual fees of only $350 a year.  While there are no community amenities, the neighborhood does boast beautifully kept mature landscaping with large trees, native plants and flanked by curbs and sidewalks. The grand entrance to the Vintage Drive street has brick walls with stone art introducing the neighborhood. 

Homes in The Reserve at Oak Bluff Estates

If you're in the market for Round Rock

Did you hear that BOOM?  No, that wasn’t a transformer blowing.  That was Balcones Woods crashing through another price barrier.  We are into the $200/sqft arena now and, in my opinion, any house in our neighborhood could sell for over $300,000, many closer to $400,000 and above.  The Austin real estate market is booming all over and with our neighborhood's great schools, access to 183 and MoPac, proximity to the Domain and lots of new employers like Apple, we are smack dab in the middle of a high demand area.

So why all the craziness in the housing market? 

It really is quite simple.  Demand is significantly exceeding supply.  For the past decade, the Austin Chamber of Commerce has been actively recruiting businesses to move to Austin, focusing

How do you know if you can afford to buy a house if you are renting or living in an apartment?  

Home ownership is the American Dream, and surprisingly it isn't that hard to buy a house.  There are just a few things you need, and I'm going to tell you all about them.

As housing prices rise in Austin, the ability to buy a new house becomes very realistic.  

Sure it might not be the biggest nicest house, but it will be YOURS.  No pounding on the ceiling asking your neighbor to turn it down.  No more having to fight for parking places close to your door.  A place you can paint any color you want (without having to ask permission).  A home of your own.

As a general guideline, approximately 1/3 of your income should go to housing.  So if you are

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®

Karlin, Trammell Crow partner on $1 billion Austin mixed-use project, Austin Business Journal

Los Angeles-based investor Karlin Real Estate in collaboration with Trammel Crow broke ground on Parmer 3.2 in North Austin last week. The 1 billion dollar multi-use development is the beginning of a larger master-planned commercial project which plans to feature millions of square feet of commercial space including multi-family housing, retail, hospitality and office space.

Unlike the estimated 2 million square feet of luxury office space being built in Central Austin,

It all started with the Mueller Airport redevelopment. East Austin was, for so long, seen as a no-go zone for redevelopment. People didn't believe that, in the middle of the city's poorest district, it would be possible to build a brand new neighborhood, where people actually wanted to live and work. But 10 years on Mueller is a triumph. The site, just 3 miles from downtown, successfully brings together the different components of the city—working, living and playing—into one community. The project is now beginning the third phase of the Town Center, which will include shopping and dining options and, rumor has it, movie theater. Construction is also expected to begin on several hundred more homes.

East Austin Real Estate Development

Now the effects

One of my favorite builders in my favorite new community just sent me an email that they are starting construction on another house due to be ready this October.  Highland Homes in Santa Rita Ranch have just announced plans to build a beautiful 1-story 3 bedroom 2 bathroom house as their next spec home.

This is an amazing house, a great starter home, or ideal for a couple that wants to downsize, and priced right at around $300,000.  Sure it's a bit more than the current average price of an Austin home, but for an average Austin home, you only get 2 beds, and a single bath, and with this home you get so much more.

So why should you choose a newly constructed home?  Because all the features you would have to do to an older home to update it are

JBGoodwin.com is now better than ever! Our new responsive website has a fresh new design, and is loaded with helpful features to simplify your browsing experience. On top of the same expert information on our old site, our latest version has improved search tools, more community information, and smartphone friendly viewing.

Navigate the #1 source for Austin & San Antonio real estate today. Learn about our newest features in more detail below, or have a look around for yourself. We'd love to hear what you think!

Responsive Design For Easy Mobile Browsing

Browsing Austin and San Antonio real estate has never been easier. There's no longer a need need to zoom or squint, or download external software to view our listings. With our new responsive

It all starts at the top.

Managers make or break workplaces, says Alex Charfen, CEO of the Austin-based Charfen Institute. Talented leaders motivate, are approachable, offer opportunities for advancement and provide routine feedback. Not–so–skilled bosses often micromanage, rule by fear and spend most of the day locked in their offices, unavailable.

"Morale craters because people don't know what's going on, how to make things better, or what their role is," said Charfen, whose company provides business leadership coaching around the globe. "Human beings, by their nature, want to perform. They want to succeed. They want to be recognized."

Executives at many of the businesses highlighted in the American–Statesman's 2011 Top Workplaces of Greater

Companies on Top Workplaces list took different roads to the same destination: Happy workers

By Barry Harrell
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011

Some are huge corporations with billions of dollars in assets. Others are small startups. There are software makers and restaurants, insurance companies and cleaning services.

The 85 Central Texas employers highlighted in the American-Statesman's 2011 Top Workplaces of Greater Austin special section don't have a lot in common – except that their employees say they are great places to work.

The Top Workplaces of Greater Austin project involved surveys of 15,731 workers from 143 Austin–area employers.

The surveys were conducted by our partner in this project, WorkplaceDynamics LLP,