Comfy Austin

This past Saturday morning, I drove over to Lakeline Mall and was pleasantly surprised to find a Farmers Market in full swing on the south side of the parking lot near FM 620 in North Austin.  There was this one vendor selling different kinds of olive oil and the samples were very buttery.  The produce looked so fresh.   Shopping is not normally my favorite thing to do, especially when there are crowds, but one aspect of the crowded stores that I do like is that those in the know say that it signals that full-on rebound is likely underway with the U.S. economy.

Tuesday, the Census Bureau released its national January Retail Sales figures and, for the seventh straight month, the data looked good. The economy is scratching back after a prolonged recession.  Hopefully, people are buying with budgeted cash and not overdoing the credit card thing.

As the economy gathers steam, the days of 4 percent, 30-year fixed rate mortgages are over. Five percent is the new market benchmark. Unless the economy keeps showing strength. Then, that number may rise to six percent.  Somewhat higher interest rates may be a reasonable tradeoff for a booming economy.  People need jobs more than they need bargain basement loan rates.

Austin Texas has shopping for everyone.  Three of my favorite places to recommend to people who are needing home decor items to dress up their home in preparation for selling it are:  Burlington Coat Factory, 13739 Highway 183, Austin; Pottery Barn, 10000 Research Blvd, Great Hills, Austin; and Next to New Shop in the Allandale area at 5335 Burnet Rd, Austin.  Burlington Coat Factory has some great, affordable, decorative pieces for the kitchen.  The Pottery Barn offers can't go wrong furniture choices and themes with wide appeal for Austin home buyers.  The Next to New Shop is hit or miss, but sometimes have amazing thrift store finds.

If you’re thinking of selling your home and plan to spend money to fix it up, contact me for a professional real estate analysis of where to spend your dollars.