Juice Blog
Central Austin Real EstateCarbon Neutral Love
In Germany, where brothels are legal, one brothel is doing its part for the environment by offering 5% off for customers who take public transportation, walk or ride their bike to the “establishment” – more here
Austin Follow Up….
By John Dunham
In follow up to Jason’s post, Austin Still Besting the Nation, the Statesman yesterday released a positive article covering real estate sales statistics for June ‘09. What is more interesting is the banter to follow by online readers. What is your perspective of the Austin Market? Obviously we see many positive market indicators, and feel fortunate to be living and working in Austin.
Austin Still Besting the Nation
A sampling of some key statistics profiling Austin’s prowess:
- Ranked 8th in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance list of the country’s best cities
- Austin was the only major city in the nation to add jobs last year. April 2009 was the 3rd consecutive month that Austin outperformed all other cities
- Relocation.com ranked Austin the top city for relocation
- Austin ranked 9th on the American Fitness Index produced by The American College of Sports Medicine
Neighborhood Amenities Include Organic Farmland?
By John Dunham
Many new neighborhoods today promote the golf course community lifestyle and summer time activities at the local pool. What about a community who’s residents can treat farm land as an amenity and harvest organic crops while offering activities for kids? Read more about developers who are experimenting with the idea….
The Buzz About Home
by Jason Heffron
80,000 bees set up 3 hives in a man’s home in Ontario. You gotta love his outlook on the infestation – “Every one is complaining about bees being short and dying. They’re not dying. They’re at my place. They’re having a great time and partying,” DiFruscio said. More here
Lot Prices to Die For
A cemetary in Indianapolis is offering 2 for the price of 1 cemetary lots – “no one with bad credit will be turned down” – read here
Xeriscaping for Energy Efficiency
Texas is the perfect region, with its semi-arid climate, to consider xeriscaping your lawn for energy conservation and to save on maintenance costs (watering, fertilizing, trimming). Xeriscaping is a type of landscaping using drought-tolerant plants that require little water and fertilization. These plants are typically slow-growing and do not frequently require trimming and disposal. Managing the soil quality and correct watering for xeriscaping are extremely important to the success of the plants used. For some helpful tips and information on how to xeriscape your yard, visit: http://www.eartheasy.com/grow_xeriscape.htm
Feng Shui Tips For Your Home
Enhancing your home with the Bagua Map
By Jules Adams
If you’ve bought or sold with me, you know I am passionate about Feng Shui. I may have even pointed out the “money” and “relationship” corners of your new house to you!
Feng Shui’s Bagua Map is a map that corresponds to 9 different universal life areas. By placing the Bagua Map over the floorplan of your home (click here for directions on how to do this) you can find powerful ways to nurture & enhance different aspects of your life. Read the rest of this entry »
How to Buy a Home in Mexico
Ever wondered how to buy a home in Mexico? Here is a brief summary from The New York Times:
BUYING BASICS
The federal government limits foreign ownership throughout a coastal zone to which Cozumel belongs. Foreigners buying property there must do so through either a Mexican corporation or a bank trust (called a fideicomiso), according to Ms. Edwards. Most buyers use a bank trust, which costs about $1,500 to set up, and which lasts for a maximum period of 50 years — though it automatically renews for 50 years when it expires. Read the rest of this entry »
Why Austin Stands Out…
By John Dunham
NPR broadcasted an interview this week during Marketplace discussing the top 100 cities and their recovery. Not many of them show signs of economic health, but Austin proves again to be one of the few outliers.
