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Are you looking for some great places to visit in Austin?  If so, you will find that the city is filled with wonderful buildings and sites of historical significance.  Here is a look at just a portion of what Austin has to offer. 

Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum

This massive museum contains many exhibits and displays that document the history of Texas.  This includes huge objects such as the original Goddess of Liberty that was on the top of the State Capitol building, a full-size windmill, a 1/3 scale model of the Lunar module and more.

University of Texas Campus/UT Tower

The University of Texas is large enough to be its own small city.  Even if you aren’t planning to be a student at the University, its campus located in central Austin is worth…

Located only 20 minutes away from downtown Austin, Cedar Park is a community that is growing quickly.  In fact, within the past ten years, the area has quadrupled its population and currently boasts 52,000 residents.  There are many reasons for the growth of this city, with the main ones being its proximity to Austin, Texas, its location near to the Colorado River, and its unique atmosphere.

Raising a Family in Cedar Park

Cedar Park is a great area to raise a family.  In fact, Family Circle named it as one of the “Top Ten Places to Raise a Family” in 2007.  One reason for this distinction is the city’s excellent school systems.  As a member of the Leander Independent School District, Cedar Park schools are among the fastest growing in the state of… Read Full Post

If you are considering purchasing a home in Austin, it is important for you to understand the community property system and how it affects you.  By understanding this system, you can make better decisions that will ensure financial security for both you and your spouse.

The Basics of the Texas Community Property System

In the simplest terms, the community property system in Texas stipulates that all of the property that a married couple acquires during the marriage is equally owned by both the man and the woman.  According to the system, this applies whether the marriage is by civil law or by common law.  This is because the law is derived from Spanish Civil Law, which looked at married couples as being “as one.”

Although all property is seen as being…

The Greater Austin area consists of five counties and manages to create a fine balance between business services, technology, government, and education.  Of its 1.5 million residents, nearly half are between the ages of 18 and 44.  As such, the median age for Austin residents is actually four years less than the national median.

Austin Education

Austin offers a number of outstanding educational opportunities.  The city boasts eight colleges and universities, which provide educational services to more than 118,000 students.  In addition, Austin is known for being a very well-educated city.  In fact, approximately 43% of the adults living in the city have at least a bachelor’s degree.

Austin’s public school system is also quite massive.  In all, the city…

When you own property in Texas, you will have to pay property taxes on that property.  The tax money the State of Texas collects is used to pay for a number of public services throughout the state.  These include paying for city streets, public schools, police protection, county roads, fire protection and more. Although you may understand why you have to pay property taxes, it is still helpful to understand how these taxes are determined how they affect you.

Determining the Value of Your Home

In order to determine your property taxes, the value of your home must first be assessed.  The amount of property taxes you have to pay for your home is based on the assessed value of your home.  As such, property valued at $200,000 will generally owe twice the…

When you decide to sell your home, you need to do everything possible to make the home as attractive as popular to potential buyers.  After all, if your home is not in good shape, you will be less likely to find a buyer.  And, if you do find someone that is interested in purchasing your home, you might have to accept a lower price than what the house is really worth. 

In order to make sure you get the best price possible for your home, you should take several simple steps that will make it look much better and be more attractive to potential buyers. 

To start with, take a look at the way the outside of your home looks.  Just completing a few basic maintenance chores will go a long way toward making your house look great.  For example, clear out the…

When you live or visit the Austin area, you will be amazed by the numerous things you can do in this great city that are absolutely free to enjoy.  Not only are these attractions free, they are very enjoyable and are considered by many residents to be “must-see” sites when visiting the Austin area.

Texas State Capitol

Whether you live in Texas or not, the Texas State Capitol complex is a site to behold.  The building is actually taller than the US Capitol and was restored in the 1980s.  From the inside out, the complex is absolutely beautiful.

Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum

The Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library is the largest Presidential library in the United States.  It is also the most visited of these libraries and is home…

When looking for a new home, there are many things that you need to consider.  After all, you want to make sure the home you purchase is one that you can enjoy for years to come.  By keeping these five things in mind, you will be certain to find a great home that you can be proud of that will also make for a great investment for the future.

Consider the Neighborhood

Everyone knows that the first rule of real estate is location.  Although it may seem cliché, it is certainly true.  One of the key aspects when considering the location is the neighborhood in which the home is located.  In order to get a good idea of the type of neighborhood you will be moving into, take a drive past the house on several occasions and at different times of the day and…