Weekly Mortgage Review

Mortgage Update

by Marie Funston - Coldwell Banker Mortgage

What Did Interest Rates Do Last Week?

** based on Freddie Mac weekly average survey **

30-yr Fixed – Slightly Lower

Last Week: 4.81%

Previous Week: 4.83%

1yr Ago: 5.05%

15-yr Fixed – Slightly Lower

Last Week: 4.15%

Previous Week: 4.17%

1yr Ago: 4.38%

Highlight of Last Week’s Major Economic Reports

The rise in rates was finally reversed this week, as the final review of 3^rd quarter GDP revealed that the economy grew at a rate of 2.6% for the year, slightly below some projections of 3%. This was viewed by some traders as a sign that the economy isn’t forging ahead as strongly as recently anticipated and consequently brought on some relief for mortgage rates.

The housing market continues to offer glimmers of sporadic hope. Existing Home Sales inched up 5.6% in November, while New Home Sales increased 5.5%. Actual figures are still far below 2009’s tax-credit-inflated levels, but we may at least start seeing some stabilization in demand.

What to Look for This Week

Very light on the economic calendar this week, with the lone highlight being Uncle Sam auctioning off $99 billion in Treasuries. Whether demand is strong or weak will dictate the direction of rates, but we expect rates should remain fairly stable overall.

Open House - Barton Hills Sunday 12/19

Open House 2-4pm - December 19th

**JUST LISTED**

1806 Brookhaven Drive

Come by to see this gorgeous property tucked away in Barton Hills just minutes from Zilker Park, Barton Springs & Lady Bird Lake. This home boasts all new cognac oak hardwood floors, fresh paint & new carpet. The property has a wonderful open floor plan and the vaulted ceilings make it feel even more spacious. Imagine yourself splashing around in the crystal clear pool and having a drink under the covered patio with your friends. This home is HOT and won't last long so swing by Sunday December 19th from 2-4pm or call for a private showing (ML#9071424).

The Barton Hills Neighborhood is highly sought after and a gem like this one doesn't come along very often. This is a great area! Barton Hills Elementary, the greenbelt at your doorstep, and the close proximity to downtown are just a few reasons to call this neighborhood home. Shop and dine at nearby Soco (South Congress) and SoFi (South First). Not to mention walking/jogging/biking around Lady Bird Lake and all the local favs like Chuy's, Shady Grove & Daily Juice.

If you're interested in more homes in Barton Hills, check out www.HanaleiMyers.com or call me at 512-573-1432 to preview properties in the area.

Tis the Season - Austin Style

Austin is a fabulous town to live in for the holidays. From the annual lighting of the Zilker Christmas Tree to the 1st ever Trailer of Lights, there is something happening almost every day. This past week I was able to view gorgeous gems at the Micah Yancey Bon Bon Trunk Show. We gathered at Malverde above La Condessa in the Second Street District. If you haven't seen her amazing jewelry check out her website www.etsy.com/shop/micahyancey and get some beautiful gifts. It was a great opportunity to catch up with friends, sample delicious appetizers, and drool over all of the jewelry I wanted to take home with me. The Second Street District will be having quite a few holiday soiree's, check out their events page www.2ndstreetdistrict.com/events/.

A few other fun season pleasers are the 37th Street Lights, Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, & the Holiday Wine Trail.

So tis the season, enjoy it Austin style!

If you're interested in living near downtown check out what's available at www.HanaleiMyers.com or call me if you'd like to see some Austin Finds 512.573.1432

Gypsy Picnic - Trailer Food Festival

The 1st annual Gypsy Picnic was held last Saturday November 6 at Auditorium Shores which is located near Zilker Park and across from The Long Center. This gathering that was produced by C3 Presents brought together many of Austin's favorite trailer eateries. This event allowed people to sample (good portions) of each trailer's yummy treats. I parked near Zach Scott Theater and walked over because the weather was absolutely beautiful. I arrived a little before noon and the place was already hopping. Apparently I wasn't the only one who thought great weather and lots of food would be an excellent combo. People, families, dogs, bikers, walkers, you name it, everyone was out and about ready to EAT!

I met up with friends who had already enjoyed some Mighty Cone and we coasted from line to line. We started off with the Chipotle Chicken Nacho-dillas which were a huge portion. This was at around 1pm and lines were starting to get a little out of control, winding around in different directions. Next was MMMpanadas where I sampled the pumpkin one with whip cream and my friends tried the Chicken empanada. The sample soy chorizo with brie got mixed reviews. The sun started heating things up and we were wanting some shade by this point. Lucky for me, we were able to check out the inside of one of the refurbished trailers and got to enjoy some lovely AC.

With live music, lots of delicious food & drinks and good vibes, this 1st time festival had all the makings for a perfect day. But the long lines and crowds made it a little more intense than most would like and word on the street is that they'll expand it to make more room for next year.

Short Bus Subs who is a roving trailer (moves from location to location) won fan favorite. I talked with them today while they were at my office, it sounded like they were quite pleased with the whole event.

Check out trailerfooddiaries.com for more fun info on these and other trailer eateries.

And if you want to find cool digs near the Auditorium Shores/Zilker area click on Hanaleimyers.com or give me a call~

Open House- 940 E 55th - Sunday 11/7

Open House 11/7 - $134,950

Come by and see this amazing deal of a house!

2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, huge lot and less than 10 minutes to downtown Austin and UT, you'd be crazy to not want this place! Priced at $134,950, it would make an excellent home or investment property. Swing by, tell your friends....... Spread the Word

Open House this Sunday November 7th

2 - 4pm

Snacks served

You'll get the pleasure of seeing a hip neighborhood, cute house, and talk with a fun knowledgable person (that's me by the way) about real estate!

To schedule a showing at a different time or to look at other property in Austin check out www.HanaleiMyers.com or call 573-1432

Halloween in Austin

There are a million different ways to celebrate in Austin for Halloween! On some years we've gone downtown to 6th street for the ultimate costume viewing experience. Our favorite spot to get a drink and dinner is at Iron Cactus on the balcony which has a great view of everyone dressed up below. You'll take in some wild, creative costumes downtown.

Another popular event this year was the The Zombie Ball which featured live music, a fashion show, light show and DJ's. And of course Austin is filled with Haunted Houses!

If you've got kiddos, each neighborhood usually has their own trick or treat event. Usually it's held at a school or church and it allows all of the kids to come together and have a great time while getting candy in a safe environment.

This year I spent most of my time at Pumpkin carving parties although my husband Merritt was the one to actually do all the carving, thanks honey! Halloween night we had a good group of trick or treaters and my parents brought over some great decorations complete with spooky music. Halloween seems to become a bigger and bigger event with each year!

1st Annual Sportsman Soiree

The Lonestar Cattleman Sportsman Soiree was definitely a true night at the ranch! It was held at the TDS Exotic Game Ranch and I felt like I was in a scene from The Lion King. The Lonestar Cattleman Foundation has raised over $250,000 and purchased livestock for FFA allowing students to plan for their futures in the industry.

They served wild game appetizers while live music played and many were clad in their hats and boots. We decided to go explore the ranch on foot. We came face to face with some beautiful giraffes. These creatures are so amazing and to see them up close was absolutely incredible.

The silent auction was filled with everything from signed sports memorabilia to jewelry to guitars. But the real fun came during dinner at the live auction. In true auction style the auctioneer was rattling off numbers faster than my head could compute them. An adorable lab puppy auctioned for around $4000 and a trip to Colorado perhaps around $300. Everything was happening so fast the only thing I do know is that a lot of money was raised for the Lonestar Cattleman Foundation. The night ended with Charlie Robison playing live and all of the silent auction items going to good homes.

Austin City Limits Music Festival

Austin City Limits Music Festival celebrated it's ninth year at Zilker Park with the best weather yet to date. Zilker Park is a huge space near Downtown Austin and sits next to the Barton Hills and Rollingwood Neighborhoods. Past years have soared to temperatures of 108 or more and last year was doused with rain creating one sloppy, muddy mess! So cool weather and temperatures in the high 80's had everyone happy and out in full force. With close to 68,000 people in the park daily it could be a wee bit crowded at times but overall the festival was a huge success with great music, food, and Austinites as well as out of town festival lovers. I am pregnant and took full advantage of the crunchy chicken cones, Amy's Ice Cream shakes, and Sweat Leaf Tea. Me and the baby rocked out to Vampire Weekend (shown above) and a many others such as The Black Keys, Broken Bells, Nora Jones, and Amos Lee to name a few.

On Sunday we grabbed a great spot for our blanket under a tree and my dad found a Sweet Leaf Tea balloon that made for an excellent foot rest! We enjoyed several shows from this spot and found little reason to leave our little island. Also pictured above is my husband Merritt with friends overlooking the Pete Yorn show. We were able to meet up with friends throughout the three days and a fun time was had by all! The festival was closed out by the Eagles (top photo) who did a phenomenal job. Everyone was dancing and singing along to all of their hits. And with a breeze to accompany each song you couldn't ask for a more perfect setting in Austin.

National Night Out

National Night Out is a drug/crime event that is designed to bring community awareness and strengthen the relationship of neighbors and police. So yesterday October 5th, Texans on most streets around the state were out on their front lawns meeting neighbors, talking with the officers, and gaining awareness about things going on in the neighborhood.

National Night Out was held on my street in Allandale and had a great turn-out. The police came by and showed the kids safety tips complete with sirens and even let them talk over the car loud speaker. They loved that!! Officer LaHood explained the different items she carried on her such as mace, a baton, etc. After the police left, we all gathered inside for food and fellowship and discussed any crime or unusual things we'd seen in the neighborhood and caught up on how everyone was doing. It was a great way to bump up the community spirit and we are already planning our next neighborhood potluck!

North Loop Bungalow - SOLD

Yes, there are cute affordable homes in the North Hyde Park area! Well actually this area might be better described as the North Loop Area. The name North Loop refers to 53rd street but actually it stretches east of North Lamar and west of Airport. This neighborhood is a mix of all types of people and the North Loop main stretch leads you past Epoch Coffee and then the cemetery into some wonderful finds on the strip. There's Room Service Vintage, The Peddler Bike Shop, Forbidden Fruit, and Scooter Revolution just to name a few. There's also Phara's restaurant which has a great outdoor area and yummy food (BYOB) and The Parlor, a dive bar and music venue with pizza and much more. The area has tons of nice homes and my client Jason's home is on a great street with hardwood floors, retro bath and kitchen, and a screened in porch. A perfect fit for him!

Going local is easy in this neighborhood and The North Loop IBIZ District puts on events quite regularly. These local businesses are supported by the neighborhood, so help your local economy and try out one of these places. Jason and I would meet up regularly at the North Loop Food Store where there's an awesome trailer eatery out front. Now, he is a proud homeowner, biking distance from everything he could possibly need.

Also check out the Go Local Card and save 10% or more

Search Austin Homes or give me a call to see some great Austin Finds - 512.573.1432

Open House - Sunday 9/17 - 4624 Moose Dr., Austin, Texas 78749

Open House - Sunday September 17 from 2-4pm - 4624 Moose Dr.

http://www.4624moosedr.com/

Don't miss this opportunity to preview this beautiful home. It sits on a quiet cul-de-sac surrounding by shady trees on a nice street! That's right - only 15 minutes from downtown, in a great neighborhood, and at 2666 square feet, it's got plenty of room for all of your needs. It's located off Davis Lane in South Austin.

Open House this Sunday 9-17 from 2pm-4pm

Check out area schools:

Bowie High School

Covington Middle School

Cowan Elementary

Click here to find more houses in Austin

If you would like to set up a private showing of this property or if you need to make a move, feel free to give me a call at 512-573-1432 or email me at Hanaleimyers@gmail.com

East Austin Trends

You may have noticed that prices on the Eastside have skyrocketed over the past decade. Lots that were once $10,000 are now $80,000 and houses that look like shacks are over $200,000. As Austin has expanded, the desire to be closer to downtown has far out-weighed East Austin's shady reputation of the past. Given there are definitely still some streets you might want to steer clear of, you'd be amazed at the changes that have happened, are happening and will happen over the years. It's a diverse area full of character and it's evolving at rapid speed.

After a major surge in remodels and over-pricing of homes in this area I am definitely seeing more homes available for affordable prices. For example, my listing on 2201 E 11th St., that sold for around $200K. It was on a nice street, great charm, just minutes from downtown and sold in less 30 days. From the East Austin Studio Tour to great eateries and coffee shops such as Eastside Cafe and Progress Coffee just to name a few, there is a lot going on in East Austin. Take a peek, there are a lot of opportunities in this area if you're looking to be closer to downtown. Take part in Austin's evolution~

An Austin Legend Dies - Liz Carpenter

My husband's great Aunt, Liz Carpenter passed away on Saturday. She was a larger than life figure here in Austin and on the Democratic Party scene. Liz graduated from Austin High School and then UT with a degree in journalism and went on to create the Carpenter news with her husband when she was tapped to go work for the Johnson Family as the White House Press Secretary. She worked under four presidents, paved the way for many women, and kept just about everyone on their toes.

My memories of Liz are few having just met her 5 years ago. I'll never forget the first family reunion I went to on the Sutherland side. 250 people! Huge compared to my 6 person family gatherings. The Sutherlands go five generations deep in Texas and even have a relative that fought in the Alamo. I was amazed at all of the documentation, family trees, and more. Merritt and I sang and played guitar after Sid Fly (Liz asked Sid to play at her funeral), we played games, swam in the Uvalde river, and shared a lot of laughs. Liz gave a talk about one of her books and ended with her Democratic flair, you better be voting Democratic!

She also made it to Merritt & I's engagement party at Zilker Clubhouse, a fun gathering with family and friends. We had live music and watched the lights twinkle over the Austin skyline.

I know that she will be missed dearly by her family, friends, and Democrats. But she was a trailblazer and her legacy will continue. Appropriately, her memorial will be held at the LBJ library.

Talent as big as Texas led Carpenter to Washington by Janet Wilson
http://www.statesman.com/news/local/talent-as-big-as-texas-led-carpenter-to-410410.html

SXSW

It's almost here, that time of year where every salon, restaurant, bowling alley, bar, you name it is taken over by musicians. It's SXSW~

Some Austinites flee, renting out their apartments and houses for big bucks. But most buckle down and dive in.

My favorite part of SXSW is finding cool bands in random places. No, I do not splurge for a wrist band when so much can be had for free. I love the showcases along S.Congress and I usually catch a band at Auditorium Shores. The year before last my hubby Merritt and I booked it from Auditorium Shores to a downtown show by Zizek Club, cumbia style beats straight from Buenos Aires. Grant Dull showing us how it's done.

And of course there was the year that the Steep Canyon Rangers made it down. They played an awesome bluegrass show at Threadgills and later my parents invited the whole band over to their house to grill out and go swimming. They're now playing on an album with Steve Martin.

Oh yeah, and there's the year I sang at a showcase downtown on Sixth Street with my brother in our band the SoberThieves. Bro, do you feel a SoberThieves reunion coming on, let's find us a bowling alley!

This year, who knows, there's always a surprise to be found.