With every year comes new innovations in smart home technology. From smart appliances to automated home security, our homes are constantly evolving to accommodate high-tech lifestyles of the 21st Century. These smart home devices are designed to make your day to day living easier. Here are five of our favorites.

Amazon Echo

At first glance, Amazon Echo looks like your standard portable speaker, but it's so much more. Not only does it play music with exceptional sound quality, this multi-tasking device has a voice activated feature designed to answer questions. It also relays the news, weather forecasts, creates to do lists and alarms.

Since it's connected to the cloud, the power of the Internet is at your service. The cost for this handy

The University of Texas at Austin has been a mainstay in the city for decades. One of the largest universities in the world, UT has over 50,000 students and employs over 24,000 faculty and staff.

In fact, much of Austin's reputation as a fun, friendly and innovative city comes from its local student body. From Longhorns football to concerts at Bates Recital Hall, there's always something going on around campus.

Here are the latest news and happenings coming out of UT.

UT Welcomes Chancellor William McRaven

Taking the reigns from former Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa, Chancellor William McRaven started his service at UT earlier this month. A retired admiral of the United States Navy, McRaven bravely served his country for 37 years. His service

Are you renting in Austin, and thinking about home ownership? You're not alone. With rising home prices in Austin, many renters feel as though they are being priced out of the market. The median home price in Austin was $238,000 in 2014, and shows no signs of easing up in the near future. First time buyers need not despair. It is still possible to find affordable Austin homes for sale.

Here's a look at what about $200,000 will get you today.

11406 Powder Mill Trl, Austin

Location: Austin, TX
Price: $250,000
Subdivision: Village of Anderson Mill
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 3
MLS®: #6879872

If you have a growing family, you may enjoy this roomy 5 bedroom home in North Austin. For $250,000, you and your family can take advantage of this recently updated

Designers are moving away from cottage inspired bathrooms and are opting for a more contemporary look in 2015. Expect an increase in popularity in zen-like bathrooms, which offer a spa-like retreat for homeowners. Think clean lines and minimalist design. Not sure where to begin? We pick our favorite bathroom trends for 2015 guaranteed to up your home's appeal.

Freestanding Bathtubs

Contemporary basins are reigning supreme with high-end bathroom remodels. Enclosed bathtubs are declining in popularity and making way for freestanding bathtubs in 2015. They offer lots of visual appeal and help set the mood for a self-indulgent soak. The curved lines of freestanding bathtubs also help to soften the overall look of the room.

Gray Tones

Beige is out

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

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 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,

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

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