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If you are looking for a nice, comfortable way to get around in the Austin area, you might want to check into Capital MetroRail.  Capital MetroRail’s services just started being offered in 2008, but it has already been quite well received.  These sleek trains strive to be both stylish and comfortable, offering high-back seats as well as overhead racks and bicycle racks.  Passengers can even access the Internet while riding on the train with the available Wi-Fi connections.  Not only that, each train also features tables as well as pull-down trays in some of the seating areas, making it much easier to pull out a laptop and get some work done.

Capital MetroRail currently runs every 30 minutes on weekdays during the peak morning and evening rush hour…

If you love spending time outdoors or getting closer to nature, you will be thrilled by the many opportunities Austin has for you.  Whether looking at flowers, spending time with animals, or enjoying outdoor sports, there is plenty to do in Austin.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

In 1982, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center was founded by Lady Bird Johnson. The nonprofit center was designed to help promote and preserve plants that are native to Austin.

Mabel Davis District Park

The Mabel Davis District Park is the first skate park to be developed in Austin.  The park features both streetscape and skate bowl elements as well as a playscape, an Olympic size swimming pool, and a picnic area.

Mount Bonnell

Mount Bonnell provides plenty of…

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…