Austin in the hill country of the state of Texas relies heavily on tourism which is one of the largest revenue generators for the city. Hotels in the Austin area serves as the central hub to tourism. The Driskell Hotel is one of the oldest operating hotels in the US and historical by the American National Register and designated as a Texas Historical Marker. Driskell is one of the most well known historical hotels in Texas. It is located in downtown Austin and founded in the year of 1886 and stands as the authentic and iconic hotel of Austin.

This hotel possesses total 189 rooms: single bed rooms, double bed rooms and suites. All the rooms are designed in the classic and traditional manner which is the most striking point about the Driskill Hotel. Austin is the global music point and is considered as hub of live music and the Driskill is located where you can visit any of the famous music halls of Austin by walking a few minutes. The food of the hotel is also famous and people all over the country come here as it is listed among the top most hotels in the world that offer the best food and beverages. The whole hotel gives you an experience of living in the 1800s and early 1900s. A level of elegance that cannot be found anywhere else in Austin so if you are looking for a gold star quality hotel then try the Driskill a landmark in downtown Austin.

Search By Map For Austin Homes For Sale

Austin Texas – Governor of a state has a lot of duties and considered the first person of the state and to show honor to the Governor every state possesses a particular place for the Governor to live. In most cases the place is located in the capital of the state and for Texas the state capital is Austin and the Governor’s Mansion is located on 1010 Colorado Street. The mansion was built in 1854 and from that year every the Governor of Texas has lived in the mansion. The elegancy of the mansion has a long history in Texas. It is a historic landmark and the fourth oldest Governor’s place in the United States. The mansion has been remodeled several times in the course of different governors. There are many antiques present in the mansion including the world famous mahogany bed constructed at the time of Governor Ferguson, the writing desk of Governor Stephen F. Austin and many more museum quality pieces. The mansion is open to visitors and the mansion authority offer several tour programs. The link below has information for tours of the mansion.

http://www.txfgm.org/visitor_info.php

In the year of 2007 the mansion was closed due to the renovation and during the renovation there was a major fire at the mansion. It brought immense damage to the mansion and it is suspected that the fire was started purposefully by an arsonist and the person of interest was the man who resided in Austin that was arrested at the 2008 Democratic for possession of explosives. Many of the antiques were destroyed in the fire and the mansion was almost a total loss. The current Governor of Texas, Mr. Rick Perry with his wife Anita Perry, moved from the house to a private home to start the restoration to make the mansion original to the late 1800s. After 3 years of tough renovation and restoration work the mansion is now complete and Governor Perry and his wife have announced they are again ready to live in the 156 year old house. Tours are expected to resume this month.

Search By Map For Austin Homes For Sale

Pat Roberson Broker at eRealty

(512) 814-8191 Office

email@patroberson.com

Austin Texas: The largest urban colony for bats is undoubtedly the Congress Avenue Bridge in downtown Austin. The bridge is the dwelling place of at least 750,000 bats and in the peak of the bat seasons this number can reach as high as 1.5 million. Congress Avenue Bridge is situated on Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin. Bats have considered this bridge their safe home for a long number of years. But the number of bats has actually increased after the renovations of this bridge in 1980. The particular structure of the bridge especially its deep but narrow openings have made the bridge a perfect dwelling place for the bats. From 1980 when the bats started colonizing in the bridge at a high number the Austin community were somewhat concerned. Later when they learned that these bats consume a large amount of insects every night they were happy to welcome the bats. The large portions of bats start their migration to Austin TX during the start of March and reside the entire time until the birth of their pups spending the whole summer in the bridge. They start migrating back to the south again in November while some of the bats reside in the bridge for the whole year without any migration.

Each evening at sunset the entire colony of bats emerge out from the bridge all at the same time to start hunting for their food. This scene of a large colony of bats emerging out of the bridge in the background of almost dark sky is simply amazing. It seems to be a big bat cloud flying together over the Austin sky. It can take almost forty five minutes for all the bats to emerge out of the bridge. Although this scenery of bat clouds is common all throughout the year, the best views happen in August when the newly born pups join the colony for the nightly flights.  The Lady Bird Lake is considered to be the best tourist place in Austin for bats. People crowd at different points of the lake to watch the bats every evening. The scene can be enjoyed from a large area of the lake and even it is also worth seeing from the bridge too. The common timing of the bat flight is around 8:00pm to 8:30pm but it can happen earlier according to the sunset timing or if clouds are present in the sky in the sky.

Search By Map For Austin Homes For Sale

Austin TX – Hiking in the Hill Country is never a quite comfortable experience. Especially in hot Texas summer, the idea of hiking seems to be somewhat crazy. But if the heat is not much problem for you, than you can safely choose the summer to view Mount Bonnell as you can find this legendary tourist spot free from any crowds. The height of Mount Bonnell is 780 feet from the sea level and the hike is never a problem because the stone steps provide you an easy climb.

This tourist spot is related with a number of histories and legends. The place is named after George W. Bonnell who was a commissioner on Indian Affairs under Sam Houston. This particular peak and the surrounding park, known as Covert Park, were gifted to the city of Austin in the year 1939. Some common legends is the myth of a young woman who tried to escape from the Indians by jumping off the peak because her fiancé was killed by the same Indians so the peak of Mount Bonnell is also known as Antonette’s Leap.

Romance is the common element in the air of Mount Bonnell. The common legend says that if a couple completes the climbing on this peak following the long stairway, they will obviously fall in love with each other the moment they reach the top. If the climbs the peak twice, the will become engaged. And if they climb the peak for the third time, there is no escape but marriage. A common Austin date is to see the sunset or watch the stars from the peak of the Mount Bonnell. It is considered that each true couple of Austin has dated on this romantic peak at least once in their coupled life.

Not only as the dating place for couples, Mount Bonnell also famous for a family picnic spot with a pavilion with picnic tables. All you need to pack is some food, a good camera and a cooler for the heat. The mesmerizing views of Lake Austin, West Lake Hills, Tom Miller Dam and landscapes from Mount Bonnell have attracted many tourists for a long time.

Search By Map For Austin Homes For Sale

Pat Roberson at eRealty in Austin Texas

Office (512) 814-8191

email@patroberson.com

20 Years of Real Estate Experience

The Internet Marketing and Home Finder Specialist

The best thing for which Austin Texas can take pride is the University Of Texas which is actually a research university. According to the statistics of fall 2010, this institution secures the fifth position according to the single campus enrollment in the whole nation. The University of Texas can safely boast for its 50,000 undergraduate and graduate students and an odd 16,500 faculty 7 staff.

According to the Morrill Act in the year 1862, the decision was made to establish a University in Texas. From the year 1882, the construction of the main building of the university started and the university finally opened its door in the year 1883. The structure of the main building was according to the Victorian-Gothic. In the year 1934, as an attempt to expand the campus, the old main building of the university was razed for the current tower and main building was constructed. In the year 1910, 500 acres of land was donated to the university by George Brackenridge and in the year 1967, Brackenridge Laboratory was established on this land. During the ongoing of the Second World War, University of Texas was considered to be the one among the 131 universities and colleges which were the part of Navy College Training Program for the intake of students into the Navy.

Currently the total area of the university is spread on 1438.5 acres of land all including the main campus, pickle research campus and all other campuses throughout the Texas. The total number of building in the main campus touches an odd figure of 150. The best construction of the university is undoubtedly the beaux-Arts Main building which includes a tower of 307 foot height originally designed by Paul Phillippe Cret. The light illuminated tower during the night is really worthy view for the tourists in Texas.

The Texas University contains a total of sixteen schools and colleges and two academic units. From engineering to fine arts, from architecture to law, this university deals with almost every branch of education and academy. This reputed institution offers more than 170 graduate degrees and 100 undergraduate degrees and each of these degrees are highly valued in any corner of the world. In the fall session of 2011, the university enrolled around 12000 graduates, 38000 undergraduate and 1200 law students.

Search By Map For Austin Homes For Sale

For more information on home listings in Austin Texas please contact Pat Roberson at eRealty: (512) 814-8191 or email@patroberson.com

Search By Map For Austin Homes For Sale

Austin Texas – eRealty encompasses the most recent and advanced internet marketing technologies that rewrites all the rules to the disappearing days of traditional real estate. In the new millennium real estate marketing is all about the internet, technology and experience. Buyers, sellers and investors need a company that understands the new technology and can maximize the internet marketing platform since the print and paper days of marketing. eRealty has the advanced internet and technology knowledge and over two decades of experience to maximize the new millennium in marketing your home.

If you are a selling your home eRealty offers even more great incentives to list your home with Pat Roberson. He will list your home on the listing side for 1.5% compared to the traditional 3% and it gets better. If Pat locates the buyer for your home the overall commission will be a total of 4% to sell your home unlike other agents that offer 6%. eRealty is a full service broker that allows you to have advanced marketing at a reduced price with virtual tour video, photos and a website created for your home.

If you are a buyer or investor that needs to purchase or invest in residential or income property Pat Roberson has the internet tools and determination to find that special property you are looking to purchase. Pat’s website has an interactive search engine that allows you see homes using Google Maps and detailed information on each home. Pat can also set your parameters and target area and email you new listings the same day the home becomes available.

The Internet Marketing and Home Finder Specialist!

Click CONTACT in the Menu Bar above to call or email Pat Roberson.

Austin Texas – It feels great when a person is finally able to own a property of his own whether it is a duplex or up to a fourplex. But when the matter of first investment is concerned there are some steps which should be perfectly followed before buying a real estate. While choosing a property not only the present value of the property is to be considered but the future chance of the increased price of the property is to be considered cleverly. In Austin a duplex, triplex and fourplex properties usually require 10-20 % down payment. The goal should be to buy a property with high CAP Rate and low GRM so that the loan is easily covered per month.

CAP Rate:

(rental income after expenses) divided by (sales price) = (capitalization rate)

 GRM:

(sale price) divided by (potential gross income) = (gross rent multiplier)

plus

(gross rent multiplier) X (potential gross income) = (sales price) – Formula for deciding if the potential purchase is appropriate.

The rent collected from the invested property must be enough to pay the tax, the expenditure of repair as well as paying the debt. The 2-4 unit properties have a lower rate of risk of vacancy by tenants because if one tenant is gone there are others to cover the debt. In such case the income of the investor may be decreased for a short time until new tenant arrives. It is a wise decision to make arrangements of paying at least 3 month’s payment beforehand for an unfavorable period. Also these types of properties need routine maintenance and it is helpful to learn the basic rules of maintaining a property. It is often advised to hire an experienced person to manage the affairs of the investment for at least 1 year so that the first time owner can get ample learning time to cope with the new task. Once the investor gains some money in these 2-4 unit properties he usually sells out the property for investing larger income properties that produce more income or wait until the property is paid off for a better return. There are some other factors as well while selecting the property. The property should be located in good school districts so tenants with children will be interested in the property. Another favorable idea are income properties near the University of Texas (UT) campus area in Austin. They usually lack vacancy but normally need more repairs when transitioning to a new renter but a higher deposit helps cover the costs.

Pat Roberson at eRealty can assist you invest or sale your income real estate in Austin.

Austin Area Foreclosures

Austin Texas is such a place where there are different kinds of museums. Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum is remarkable as it is a great place where a glimpse of the history of Texas in Austin. The Bob Bullock Museum is a part of Texas State Preservation Board. This museum is named after the Ex Texas Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock. The multiple floors of this museum are equipped with interactive sites to describe the past and heritage of Texas. The Museum is located at 1800 North Congress in a close vicinity to the State Capitol Complex. Each floor of the museum is devoted to the different aspect of the history of Texas like land, identity and opportunity. There are two theatres in the Bob Bullock Texas State Museum like Texas Spirit Theater and an IMAX Theatre a special effects theatre. One of the special effects theater features the film called The Star of Destiny. The IMAX theatre features a signature film called Texas: The Big Picture. The Bob Bullock Texas Museum also conveys the story of Texas and prior to becoming a part of the United States, Texas was a separate republic. The Bob Bullock Texas museum narrates the days of Texas as a republic and features it’s every unique points right from the pioneers of the place to the cowboys. It is also named as Texas Memorial Museum as it features the natural history of Texas and is located in the campus and has wide collections of the findings in the subjects like geology, biology and paleontology. The specimens discovered from Texas are specifically highlighted along with the fossils, gems and wildlife from different parts of the United States.

The  Museum has the original goddess of Liberty, a full sized windmill and a plane of which belongs to the 1941 AT 6  along with smaller displays and multimedia demonstrations. A 37 foot-tall bronze Lone Star sculpture welcomes the visitors at the entrance of the museum. The vibrant terrazzo floor of the museum features a camp fire scene which reminds us of the past of Texas. The museum is devoted to present before a large population the continuously unfolding history of Texas and shows particular interest to interpret past from diverse points of view to suite the perspective of the visitors. There is a café and a store in the museum periphery.

Brought to you by Pat Roberson at eRealty Austin Real Estate

Austin Texas – Texas State Capitol provides twenty two acres of magnificently landscaped lawns, seventeen monuments, along with spectacular historical structures around down-town Austin that provides an exhilarating view into Texas politics and history.

Development of an Italian Renaissance type capitol was in fact financed as a result of an article from the Texas State Constitution implemented February 16, 1876 that approved the selling of public acreage. In one of the greatest barter dealings of documented historical past and the constructors of the capitol were being compensated with more than three million acres from state public property from the Panhandle area of Texas. This particular area later on was crowned one of the most well known cattle ranch called the XIT Ranch. Value of the particular land coupled with expenditures added onto an overall total expense over three and a half million for the initial building.

The Texas State Capitol in Austin is definitely the highest in gross square footage of all the state’s capitols. It is also next in overall size of the National Capitol building in D.C. although the peak soars almost fifteen feet over it’s Washington counterpart.

During 1993 the seventy million subterranean north Capitol Expansion had been finished and increasing the square footage designed for Capitol residents as well as offering significantly increasing office space. January 11, 2010 at the price of three and a half million dollars the particular dome was refurbished. The actual dome believed to be granite is in fact crafted from sheet metal. The construction workers smoothed away dents and dings through numerous years of hail and wind damage which can be viewed on the outside and they repainted the exterior with similar dark pink color. The goddess statue which has been on top of the dome since 1986 was restored.

The Capitol Visitors Center (PH: 512-305-8400):

Monday- Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sunday: Noon – 5:00 p.m.

The Capitol building:

Free Admittance

Monday-Friday: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday: 9:00 am – 8:00 p.m.

Brought to you by Pat Roberson at eRealty Austin Real Estate