Conversations With Cathy

Temperatures may be cooling but the Lake is still hot! I love this month! Cooler temps, candy corn, college football pandemonium, Bob's birthday and Halloween. Historically, lakefront is one of the most appreciating real estate assets in Austin. And the latest stats suggest that excited buyers are channeling their energy towards lake properties now even more than ever. The continued low inventory is driving property values to new highs. Don't miss out on your opportunity

Building a Home? Here Are 7 Industry Changes You Should Know for 2021 Homebuilders face unique challenges as demand for new construction grows sky-high amid material shortages, lifestyle changes, and record low interest rates. See how the home-building industry is adapting as we edge into a post-pandemic world. Read this great article Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

My favorite Fall mix This is so incredible you won't be able to stop eating it! The recipe is simply equal parts candy corn and lightly salted cocktail peanuts. Goes best with lattes, red wine, beer, Topo Chico, or pretty much anything! Recipe Courtesy of Taste of Home

How Much Value Does a Pool Really Add to Your Home? A pool can be a fun, attractive addition to a house and usually increases its value. But are the costs of installing and maintaining a pool worth it? Here are some things to consider before you take the plunge. Check out this picture from a listing I had in Austin's Travis Heights neighborhood — I just loved this pool! Learn more from this great

Foreign Buyers Spent $20 Billion Less on U.S. Real Estate Travel restrictions associated with the coronavirus kept many foreign would-be buyers out of the U.S. last year - and that kept billions of their dollars out of the housing market. Home purchases by international buyers and recent immigrants plummeted 33% from the previous year, according to a recent National Association of Realtors® report. International purchasers spent roughly $54.4 billion on U.S. real estate -down considerably from

Despite what you might think, improving a home’s curb appeal doesn’t have to cost a fortune. There are many tricks that real estate agents use to make their listings look great and sell faster on a budget. No matter what your budget is, there are ways to make your listing shine. Read more on The Close

Don't Overlook These Hidden Costs When Rushing to Buy a Home in a Hot Market In a housing market where almost half of U.S. homes sell within a week and prices are climbing at a rapid clip, it’s easy for a buyer to overlook hidden costs in the quest to land a new home. That’s all the more reason buyers - especially first-time buyers - should step back, breathe and consider all the costs involved.

Enjoy ACL Radio's Blues on The Green at Zilker Park Austin’s favorite summer tradition is back for it’s 30th season! Pack a blanket and the family and make your way to Zilker Park for a night of music in a relaxed atmosphere. Source: ACL Radio Explore the Museum of Ice Cream - Coming Soon to Austin Opening on Aug. 21, the world-famous exhibition will feature sprinkle pools, retro diners, boozy frozen treats, and more. Source: Austin