Top 9 New Restaurants that opened in Austin in 2014

Austin welcomed a smattering of great new restaurants to an already thriving dining scene in 2013. From French-, Italian- and Spanish-inspired locales to an influx of Asian-influenced establishments (with a clear ramen trend), to reinstated American fine dining, it’s been a good year in Austin food. And while we certainly enjoyed more than our fair share of newcomers, there were a few in particular that stood out the most.
Arro — I'm a fan of anything French, especially when it's delivered well. And la vie est trés belle at Arro. The third concept from dynamic culinary duo Andrew and Mary Catherine Curren, this vibrant brasserie is my favorite. Serving everything from goat cheese vegetable tart and mussels and fries in sherry wine broth, to steak frites and croque monsieur, Arro does it all— and with friendly service. The exclusively French wine list is also a highlight with a range of unique-yet-approachable wines you won't normally find anywhere else. The $25 three-course menu is a steal, as is their "Cinq a Sept" weekday happy hour which runs from 5-7 p.m. Among the offerings is a Swiss classic raclette and an assortment of cheese, charcuterie and other small plate options for $5 or $7. (Late night loungers will love the salted chocolate-chip-cookie ice-cream-sandwich.)
Bufalina — If there’s an unexpected success story of the year, it’s Bufalina. Owner Stephen Dilley left his career in finance, relocated from New York City and opened up a humble little pizzeria in East Austin. Little did he know he had the makings of a new neighborhood sensation. The Neapolitan-style pizza is good, to be sure. Really good. And though there are only a handful of pizza selections to choose from, the daily antipasti list (made with whatever fell off the local farm turnip truck) is not to be missed. And the wine list is unexpected, uniquely selected — and perhaps one of the best kept secrets in town.
Jeffrey’s and Josephine House —It’s tough putting these two together in the same entry, but considering they share the same lot in Clarksville, it will just have to do. Old school Jeffrey’s fans who feared new ownership and a remodel would ruin the classic fine dining locale were happily proved wrong. While some scoffed at the elevated prices and showy service, there’s little to complain about once you’re seated in one of the snazzy new dining rooms. Table-side cocktail cart, wonderfully prepared steaks and accoutrement, and kid glove service. It’s an indulgence, indeed, but as they say, “you only live once.”
Kid sister Josephine House manages to hold her own as the sunny afternoon happy hour neighborhood hot spot and the quintessential gathering place for ladies that lunch—gentlemen welcome, too. Seasonal menu items are varied and delicious, but a selection from the marble counter artfully displaying salads and appetizers is where I always find a home run. (A choice from the fresh cookies and pastry selection is a must.)
La Mancha — You may not expect much from yet another Tex-Mex joint in a north Austin neighborhood, but a stop into La Mancha is worth a shot. You’ll find your standard velvety bowl of queso and a down-and-dirty plate of “truck stop” beef enchiladas smothered in ranchero sauce and queso. The fajita selection includes beef and chicken as well as shrimp, Gulf snapper and portobello mushroom. (And a handful of other appealing vegetarian items scatter the menu.) In short, the food is good and the vibe is even better. If you’re looking for a good neighborhood joint to share a margarita among friends, La Mancha fits the bill.
Qui — It was only one of the most talked about new openings of 2013 — before, during, and long after it finally opened its doors following a series of delays. While some were determined to marvel at the grandeur of Paul Qui’s very own venture before it even opened, others were quick to poke holes at every little flaw the second they walked into the sleek East Austin joint. Me, I’m just happy he got the doors open and appears to be having the time of his life. The menu impresses with a few shining stars, particularly the indulgent wagyu côte de boeuf and the visually stunning ode to Michel Bras vegetables with chilled turnip broth. Daily specials are where you see Qui and his creative kitchen really come to life. For some, it’s hit or miss. For others, it’s love before first bite. If you can manage to lay aside a preconceived expectation, you’ll no doubt have a really good time.
Ramen Tatsu-ya & Michi Ramen — It seems 2013 was the year of Ramen. Not only did Ramen Tatsu-ya and Michi Ramen make an entry onto the scene, but two new East Side King locations opened at Hole in the Wall and on South Lamar Boulevard serving their own version of ramen. And the trend isn't over yet. In 2014, Whole Foods Market will dabble in the Japanese curly noodle soup at its new location at the Domain. If you ask me, the more ramen, the merrier!
Winebelly — This new South Austin wine and tapas bar was a pleasant find from the same family who owns Vietnamese restaurants, Hai Ky. I originally happened in with a friend to check out the wine list, but was pleasantly surprised by the food menu as well. In addition to tapas such as roasted cauliflower with raisins and anchovy-soaked bread crumbs to tasty grilled lamb ribs with herbed yogurt and vegetables, you’ll find an assortment of cheese, charcuterie and savory bar snacks including shishito peppers with fresh ricotta and piquant French fries with pimenton and chili pepper. The wine list if wonderfully diverse and value driven, with a fair selection of wines by the glass.
And just in case you need a few more to cross off your list, here are a few other great spots we welcomed in 2013:
Barlata
Benji’s Cantina
The Bonneville
The Dojo
East Side Kings South Lamar
Eden East
Goodall’s, in the Hotel Ella
Bob’s Steakhouse
Mettle
No Va
Odd Duck (Not open in time to review.)
Pieous
Salt & Time
Say La V
Schmidt's Family BBQ
Searsucker
Soto
Umami Mia
Weather Up
Winflo Osteria

There's a way to get a loan with less or -0- Downpayment!!!

If you don't have 20 percent to put down on a new home, that doesn't mean you can't buy one. Does that surprise you? Then listen to this: there are all kinds of strategies for prospective home buyers who can't get the cash together for the traditional 20 percent down.

In fact, homebuyers could get a loan with as little as 3.5 percent down through the Federal Housing Administration, says Joe Parsons, senior loan officer with PFS Funding in Dublin, CA and author of "Growing Equity: A Guide for the Hopeful Investor."

If you're interested in hearing more, you're in the right place. Let's take a deeper look into ways you can get a mortgage with a low down payment.

Strategy #1 - Get Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)

Wondering how you could avoid living with Mom and Dad until you've saved up that 20 percent down payment for a home? Private mortgage insurance (PMI), might be the answer you're looking for. PMI is basically an insurance premium you pay each month when you put down less than 20 percent on your mortgage.
"The cost of PMI will depend on the loan to value ratio (LTV) and on the borrower's credit score," Parsons says. The LTV is the ratio between the amount you want to borrow and your home's value. The larger that ratio is, and the worse your credit score is, the more you might have to pay for PMI.
That means that if you put 10 percent down and you have a credit score of 760, you could be paying $99 a month for PMI, Parsons says. But if you put down 3 percent and had a credit score of 760, you could be paying $279 for the same loan. Have a credit score of 700? That premium could jump to $330 a month, he says.
But there is some good news: "Sometimes these [insurance] premiums will disappear altogether once you hit the 20 percent equity mark on your home," says Howard Dvorkin, CPA, founder of ConsolidatedCredit.org, and author of "Power Up: Taking charge of your financial destiny."

That could happen if you pay down the principal on your loan to 80 percent, or if the value of your home goes up and you have 20 percent equity in your home as a result. Be sure to check with your lender on their policies surrounding eliminating private mortgage insurance.

Strategy #2 - Get a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Loan

Since the Federal Housing Administration insures the loan - meaning they take on the risk associated with you possibly defaulting on the loan - you're generally allowed a lower down payment. That can be as low as 3.5 percent of the loan, Parsons says.

Plus, it's typically easier to qualify for an FHA loan than a conventional loan - meaning you can have a lower credit score, for example. Sound too good to be true? Well, an FHA loan does come with some drawbacks.

"The disadvantages are that the mortgage insurance is comparatively expensive and will be there for the life of the loan," Parsons says. That's in contrast to a conventional loan, where as we discussed, you could get rid of PMI after you have 20 percent equity in your home.

Now let's look at the cost. There are two components to the insurance on an FHA loan. The first is called Up Front Mortgage Insurance (or UFMIP). It equals 1.75 percent of the loan amount, and it's paid once, usually by adding it to the loan amount.

The second is the Monthly Mortgage Insurance Premium (or MIP), which is an annual premium paid monthly (like you'd pay for your car insurance, for example). MIP can vary from 1.30 to 1.35 percent depending on your loan-to-value ratio (your loan amount compared with the value of your home), paid monthly.

[Click to shop around and find a low mortgage interest rate now.]

Strategy #3 - Get a "Piggyback Loan"

Have you ever heard of a "piggyback loan" when it comes to mortgage financing? This used to be very common, according to Parsons. It basically means a homeowner would get one loan for 80 percent of the value of the house, and then a line of credit on top of that up to the remaining 20 percent of the value of the house.

Because of this, many people got into homes without any down payment at all. But the problem is that not all of them could afford the monthly payments on those loans.

"There were huge losses in the wake of the meltdown, so banks are very reluctant to make these kinds of loans today," says Parsons. "Most lines of credit are capped at a total loan to value of 80 percent, so they will be of little or no help to a buyer with a small down payment."
That's not to say these loans no longer exist, and that there aren't exceptions. But before you go looking for one of these, you might want to speak with a mortgage professional who can examine your particular situation and talk through the pros and cons with you.
Dvorkin warns that while this strategy might get you into a home, the interest rate on a home equity line of credit is usually higher than that of a mortgage, and often increases throughout the course of the loan. "In the end, the final payment is considerably larger than the normal payments. So, while this is a viable solution, it can add up in the long run," he says.

Strategy #4 - First-Time Home Buyer Programs

If you're thinking about buying your first home, you're probably feeling both excited and nervous. And chances are you might not have saved up 20 percent to put down on that first home either. Well, here are some resources for first-time home buyers that could help make the process a little less frightening.

"Different states and communities have different programs to help first-time home buyers," says Parsons. One example he cites is the California Housing Finance Agency (CAlHFA), which has a number of programs for first-timers including the California Home Down Payment Assistance Program.

"With CHDAP, the buyer receives a loan of 3 percent of the purchase price. This loan can be used for a down payment or closing costs, and doesn't have to be repaid until the first mortgage is paid off through refinance or sale." It could benefit you to check into whether your state has a similar program.

"This could be right for anyone who is a first-time home buyer who doesn't have a large down payment," Parsons adds.

New FHA Program Seeks to Give Borrowers Back their Buying Power » KW Blog

New FHA Program Seeks to Give Borrowers Back their Buying Power » KW Blog

FREE THINGS TO DO IN AUSTIN THIS WEEK SEPT 16-20

Monday Storytime at Brilliant Sky Toys & Books – Monday, September 16 at 11am. Ms. Sandy will captivate your child with a variety of stories and related crafts. FREE! Brilliant Sky Toys & Books, The Village at West Lake (360 and Bee Caves Rd), 701 S. Capital of Texas Hwy Suite D-480, Austin. Diez y Seis de Septiembre at Texas State Capitol- Monday, September 16 at noon. Join State Senator Kirk Watson and State Representative Eddie Rodriguez in celebrating Diez y Seis de Septiembre and México's War of Independence at the Texas Capitol Rotunda. Grito by Cónsul General de México Rosalba Ojeda; Invocation by Father Bill Wack, St. Ignatius Martyr Parish. Performances by Mariachi El Romance, Conjunto Los Pinkys, Danza Azteca Guadalupana and Austin High's Ballet Folklórico. FREE and open to the public. Texas State Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave., Austin. Diez y Seis de Septiembre at ACC Riverside Campus - Monday, September 16 at noon. The Honorable Gonzalo Barrientos and ACC invite you to celebrate Diez y Seis the Septiembre. Learn the meaning of el Diez y Seis from historians. Sample tasty traditional dishes. Enjoy the rhythmic steps of Roy Lozano's Ballet Folklórico, plus musical entertainment from Johnny Degollado y su Conjunto, and Boca Abajo. FREE and open to the public. ACC Riverside Campus, 1020 Grove Boulevard, Austin. Rockin Crafts Grade K-5 (Round Rock)- Monday, September 16 at 4:30pm- 5:15pm. Elementary students, come explore a new fun craft project every week. Sessions will last 30-45 minutes. FREE!! Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main Street, Round Rock. Diez y Seis de Septiembre Neighborhood Fiesta - Monday, September 16, from 5 - 7:30 p.m. Parque Zaragoza will be hosting a FREE Diez y Seis de Septiembre Neighborhood Fiesta. There will be live entertainment in addition to tortilla, salsa and pinata making, a jumpy castle, loteria, fun games, prizes, snacks and crafts. 512-472-7142. Parque Zaragoza, 2608 Gonzales St, Austin. Tuesday Literature Live! Presents Jack and the Beanstalk- Tuesday, September 17 at 10:30am. When hungry young Jack trades his family's cow for a peddler's beans, his life takes a magical turn! For ages 4 and up. FREE!! Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Road. Armstrong Community School Storytime- Tuesday, September 17 at 10:30am. Come sing songs with Walter Tragert, one of the talented Early Childhood Development faculty members from the Armstrong Community School. Mr. Walter will engage your child with music and movement, plus he’ll read some stories for you too! This session is perfect for kids up to 6 years old. FREE!! BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar Blvd. Lego Lab- Tuesday, September 17 at 11:15am and 3:30pm. With Legos, you can build anything you can imagine and tell any story you can dream up. Come to the Lego Lab to hear, see, make, and create different stories, all while building with Legos provided by the Library! Recommended for ages 5 and up. FREE!! Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe Street. Music with Mr. Will at Brilliant Sky Toys & Books – Tuesday, September 17 at 11:30am. Rock out with local children’s singer, “Mr. Will” Dupuy. FREE!! Brilliant Sky Toys & Books, The Village at West Lake (360 and Bee Caves Rd), 701 S. Capital of Texas Hwy Suite D-480, Austin. Interactive Storytime (Round Rock)- Tuesday, September 17 from 1:45- 2:15pm. Each week we read a couple fun books, sing songs, play with instruments and have a great time! Join us every Tuesday at 1:45pm for this great story time! This group is perfect for children 18 months and older. FREE!! Baby Earth, 106 East Old Settlers Boulevard, Round Rock. Discovery! Lego Open Play (Bee Cave) - Tuesday, September 17 from 4:30- 5:30pm. The Discovery hands on program explores all sorts of different topics, including science, literature, and much more! Come join us for the Ultimate Lego Building Experience! Recommended for all ages. FREE!! Laura's Library, 9411 Bee Cave Road. Wednesday Creative Drama Class- Wednesday, September 18 from 10-11am. Let's Imagine! Come and use your imagination with Miss Leta (from ZACH Theater) in a fun filled creative drama theatre class for ages 3-5. We will read stories and have fun on adventures that only our imaginations can create. FREE!! Toybrary Austin, 7817 Rockwood Lane. Literature Live! Presents Jack and the Beanstalk- Wednesday, September 18 at 10:15am and 3:30pm. When hungry young Jack trades his family's cow for a peddler's beans, his life takes a magical turn! For ages 4 and up. FREE!! The 10:15 performance is at the Ruiz Branch Public Library, 1600 Grove Blvd., and the 3:30 performance is at the Hampton Branch at Oak Hill, 5125 Convict Hill Road. Tiny Tails Petting Zoo Storytime- Wednesday, September 18 at 10:30am. If you're a fan of chinchillas, bunnies, ducklings, guinea pigs, chickens AND stories then you're in luck! Tiny Tails to You (www.tinytailstoyou.com) will be reading stories and introducing some of the cutest, softest, most adorable little creatures in Austin! What a wonderful way to make new friends. FREE!! BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar Blvd. Barnes and Noble Storytime- Wednesday, September 18 at 11:00am. All ages. FREE!! Barnes and Noble, La Frontera Village, 2701 Parker Road Bldg A Suite 700, Round Rock; 10000 Research Blvd #158; Lakeline Crossing, 14010 US Hwy. 183; Sunset Valley Village, 5601 Brodie Lane Suite 300. Yoga in the Park – Wednesday, September 18, from noon – 1 p.m. A certified instructor from Yoga Yoga will lead this FREE class. The class is appropriate for all ages and skill levels. Bring a water bottle and mat and wear clothing you can move in. Republic Square Park, 422 Guadalupe, Austin. (Round Rock) Baby Play Group- Wednesday, September 18 from 3:30- 4:15pm. We sing songs, play with a parachute and let babies have lots of interactive, social, free-play time. This group is perfect for non-walkers. FREE!! Baby Earth, 106 East Old Settlers Boulevard, Round Rock. Thursday All Ages Storytime- Thursday, September 19 at 10:15am. Storytime for children aged 5 and under and their parents, featuring stories, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, and crafts or other extension activities. FREE!! Little Walnut Creek Public Library, 835 W. Rundberg Lane. Mama Singer Songwriter Series - Thursday, September 19, from 10:30 - 12:30 a.m. Shelley King will perform a FREE concert for families, next to the giant playground at Central Market North. Come out for music, prizes, and good times. Central Market, 4001 North Lamar, Austin. Talk Like a Pirate at Toy Joy - Thursday, September 19 from 3 - 7 p.m. Visit Toy Joy for pirate-themed music, shenanigans and FREE booty! Set your sails to adventure, and feel free to wear your pirate attire. There will be a pirate costume contest (you must visit Toy Joy between 2 and 8 p.m. to be eligible). Toy Joy, 403 W. 2nd Street, Austin. Explorers Club at Cedar Park Library: Crafty Kids (Cedar Park)- Thursday, September 19 from 3:30- 4:00pm. Each Thursday, kids in grades K-5 meet at 3:30 to explore a set of rotating monthly programs. FREE!! Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. Lego Lab- Thursday, September 19 at 4pm. With Legos, you can build anything you can imagine and tell any story you can dream up. Come to the Lego Lab to hear, see, make, and create different stories, all while building with Legos provided by the Library! Recommended for ages 5 and up. FREE!! University Hills Branch, 4721 Loyola. Learn to Talk Like a Pirate (Round Rock) - Thursday, September 19 at 4:00pm. It's International Talk Like a Pirate Day! For those of you secretly wishing the library staff could help with your International Talk Like a Pirate Day festivities, you're welcome to join us for an exploration of pirate communication. Learn the meaning and origin of fascinating pirate phrases! Practice your piratical pronunciation and inflection! Learn interesting pirate facts that will make you happy you are only pretending to be a pirate! The show is best enjoyed by tweens and teens, but welcomes would-be pirates of all ages. FREE!! Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main Street, Round Rock. Family Movie Night: The Witches- Thursday, September 19 at 6:00pm. A young boy stumbles onto a witch convention and must stop them, even after he has been turned into a mouse. FREE!! Manchaca Road Branch Public Library, 5500 Manchaca Road. Brilliant Scientists Class- Wednesday, September 18 from 6-7pm. Mr. Ardee, our local mad scientist, will fascinate your children with classic and new science experiments! Ages 5 yrs+. Registration required. Cost: $6 per class or $20 for 4 classes. Brilliant Sky Toys & Books, The Village at West Lake (360 and Bee Caves Rd), 701 S. Capital of Texas Hwy Suite D-480, Austin. Unplugged at the Grove – Thursday, September 19 at 8pm. FREE!! Join KGSR every Thursday for 24 consecutive weeks at Shady Grove on Barton Springs Road for one of Austin’s longest running free concert series. There’s still no cover charge, $3 Ziegenbock Drafts, and the best music, food, and fun you’ll experience under the clear, warm skies of Austin, Texas! Additional parking is available at the Bicycle Sports Shop right down the street at 517 S. Lamar Blvd. This week, Cahrlie and Will Sexton will perform. Shady Grove, 1624 Barton Springs Rd. Friday Singalong with Staci Gray- Friday, September 20 from 10:30- 11:00am. Staci Gray is an Austin-based children's performer who has mesmerized children all over town. She performs monthly shows at the Austin Children's Museum, BookPeople, Toybrary Austin, and more! Her original music gets children to sing, dance and be just plain silly! Cost: $3 per child. There will also be face painting by Woo Who. Toybrary Austin, 7817 Rockwood Lane. Preschool Storytime- Friday, September 20 at 11:00am. Storytime for preschoolers and their parents featuring stories, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, and crafts or other extension activities. Recommended for children ages 3 to 5. FREE!! North Village Branch Public Library, 2505 Steck Ave. Friday Family Films: Aladdin (Bee Cave) - Friday, September 20 at 4pm. Join Laura's Library on the third Fridays of the month for family-friendly movies. FREE!! Laura's Library, 9411 Bee Cave Road. Catherine Prystup is mama to three kiddos ranging in age from one to 14. Looking for more wisdom on how to spend your days? Head on over to LiveMom.com, a resource website for Austin-area moms (and dads, too!).

Top 5 FREE Weekday Events (Sept 16-20, 2013) Posted: 16 Sep 2013 03:00 AM PDT Welcome to Free Fun in Austin! If you are visiting because you saw our site featured on the KXAN Morning News, here is the recap of our picks for the Top 5 Free Weekday Events: Celebrate Diez y Seis de Septiembre - Monday, September 16. There are three Diez y Seis celebrations happening on Monday, all FREE and open to the public: Texas State Capitol - Monday at noon. Join State Senator Kirk Watson and State Representative Eddie Rodriguez in celebrating Diez y Seis de Septiembre and México's War of Independence at the Texas Capitol Rotunda. Grito by Cónsul General de México Rosalba Ojeda; Invocation by Father Bill Wack, St. Ignatius Martyr Parish. Performances by Mariachi El Romance, Conjunto Los Pinkys, Danza Azteca Guadalupana and Austin High's Ballet Folklórico. Texas State Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave., Austin. ACC Riverside Campus - Monday at noon. The Honorable Gonzalo Barrientos and ACC invite you to celebrate Diez y Seis the Septiembre. Learn the meaning of el Diez y Seis from historians. Sample tasty traditional dishes. Enjoy the rhythmic steps of Roy Lozano's Ballet Folklórico, plus musical entertainment from Johnny Degollado y su Conjunto, and Boca Abajo. ACC Riverside Campus, 1020 Grove Boulevard, Austin. Diez y Seis de Septiembre Neighborhood Fiesta - Monday, from 5 - 7:30 p.m. Parque Zaragoza will be hosting a FREE Diez y Seis de Septiembre Neighborhood Fiesta. There will be live entertainment in addition to tortilla, salsa and pinata making, a jumpy castle, loteria, fun games, prizes, snacks and crafts. 512-472-7142. Parque Zaragoza, 2608 Gonzales St, Austin. Literature LIVE! Presents Jack and the Beanstalk - Tuesday, September 17 and Wednesday, September 18. The Literature LIVE! performance troupe presents Jack and the Beanstalk, a not-so-traditional FREE puppet show recommended for ages 4 and up. Showtimes: Dougherty Arts Center - Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. 1110 Barton Springs Rd., Austin. Ruiz Branch of Austin Public Library -Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. 512-974-7500. 1600 Grove Blvd., Austin. Hampton Branch at Oak Hill - Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. 512-974-9900. 5125 Convict Hill Rd., Austin. Talk Like a Pirate Day - Thursday, September 19. Talk like a pirate to get free doughnuts and more: Toy Joy - Thursday, from 3 - 7 p.m. Visit Toy Joy for pirate-themed music, shenanigans and free booty! Set your sails to adventure, and feel free to wear your pirate attire. There will be a pirate costume contest (you must visit Toy Joy between 2 and 8 p.m. to be eligible). 512-320-0090. Toy Joy, 403 W. 2nd Street, Austin. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts - Thursday, during store hours. Customers who talk like a pirate will be rewarded with one FREE original glazed doughnut. If you visit a Krispy Kreme store dressed like a pirate on September 19, you will receive one FREE dozen original glazed doughnuts. Free Breakfast Item at the New Torchy's Tacos - Thursday, September 19, from 7 - 10 a.m. Visit the new location at 2801 Guadalupe and you can get one FREE breakfast item from 7 a.m. - 10 a.m. FREE breakfast tacos are limited to one unit per person through 10 a.m. on September 19, 2013 only. Also, stop by anytime opening day and enter to win Torchy's Tacos for a year! 2801 Guadalupe, Austin. Mama Singer Songwriter Series - Thursday, September 19, from 10:30 - 12:30 a.m. Shelley King will perform a free concert for families, next to the giant playground at Central Market North. Come out for music, prizes, and good times. Central Market, 4001 North Lamar, Austin.

Before you’re ready to list and sell your home, you need to make sure that the functionality and appearance of your home is top notch. It’s important that, when preparing your home to sell, you think like a buyer; turn your home into a home that you’d want to buy. Here are 10 things you need to do before you sell your home.

Outside of your home (exterior of the home (paint/ siding), lawn, flower beds, backyard, driveway, walkways, etc.). Curb appeal is key when trying to sell your home; it’s the first thing buyers will see when they look at your property, so it’s important to make a good impression with the outside of your home.

1. Cut the grass at least once a week, and be sure to water your lawn and plants regularly to keep them looking lively and beautiful
2. Depending on the season: rake up any leaves that have fallen, or clear your driveway and walkway of snow and ice
3. Add potted plants and flowers near the entrance of your home to make the property seem more inviting to potential buyers; look for seasonally appropriate flowers for your area, i.e. ones that will survive the outside weather, to be sure that your plants will enhance the look of your home
4. De-clutter your yard and driveway by removing cars and toys from the area. You want your property to appear clean and well-kept
5. Be sure to repaint, or replace if necessary, any outside trim or siding that looks old or worn

Inside of your home (flooring, walls, systems, etc.). Once buyers are drawn in by your curb appeal, you need to keep them interested and show them the beauty of your interior.

6. Clean all of your carpets and hardwood floors, in every room. Stained carpet and dull or scratched wood flooring are a turnoff for most buyers who are looking for a “move-in ready” home
7. Clean all furniture and fixtures in your home, including chairs, tables, beds, couches, lamps, and ceiling fans
8. Repaint your walls and ceilings, especially if any of the paint is chipping or wearing away. If your walls and ceilings don’t require fresh paint, make sure you still wash them down with a soap water mixture to remove fingerprints or other smudges.
9. Fix any non-working home systems (plumbing, electric, heating/cooling), and update older systems that aren’t as cost-effective or don’t work as well (we’re all about being green and efficient these days!)
10. Make sure your home is well lit for pictures and showings. If you don’t have a lot of windows, add lights under cabinets and in dark corners; this will increase the inviting-ness of your home.

New AREA CODE coming to the AUSTIN area in JULY

Starting in July all new cell phone and landlines in the Austin area will be assigned the 737 area code and we will all be required to dial 10 digits on all phone calls. The continued population increase in the capital has made it necessary to add the new area code.

The main area code, 512, was one of the original area codes established in October 1947. At the time, it covered most of the south-central portion of Texas, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Mexican border. Besides Austin, it included San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Harlingen and McAllen.

Despite the presence of both San Antonio and Austin, 512 remained unchanged for 45 years. Finally, in 1992, the western part of its territory, including San Antonio, was split off as area code 210, making 512 the last of Texas' original four area codes to be split. On February 13, 1999, it was reduced to its current size when the southern portion (including Corpus Christi) was split off into 361.

Top 10 things to do in April: Karaoke Underground, Texas VegFest, Dog Day Afternoon

 

Winter (if you dared to call it that) is over and spring has officially sprung in Central Texas. This month is not only abuzz with June bugs and blooming flora, but also a slew of festivals, outdoor activities and cultural events.
Hold on to your floppy hats, here are our top 10 picks for April activities in Austin.
Austin Beauty Week
April 1-7
To Austin women (and even some men), the first week in April means big savings in the beauty department. For seven consecutive days, participating local businesses such as Sono Bello, Wet Salon & Studio and Stella & Dot by Whitney Fields, among many others, offer dramatically discounted products and services. How discounted, you might ask? Try a stress fix massage from Hiatus Spa Retreat (regularly $109) for only $69 or 50 percent off Makeup Bar looks from Adore Makeup Boutique + Salon.
Boots, Burgers & Beers
April 4, 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate the April issue of Austin Monthly with a sampling of some of the best burgers in town. The event features meaty selections from the local joints Your Mom’s, The Peached Tortilla, East Side Showroom and Blue Star Cafeteria, as well as seasonal beer from Shiner Bock. For the more daring (and strong-stomached) burger-beer enthusiasts, there will also be a mechanical bull onsite. Local “celebrities” will judge the burgers while guests indulge in diversions from the Billiard Factory and The Traveling Photo Booth. To purchase tickets, visit the Boots, Burgers & Beer Eventbrite page.
Demetri Martin
April 4, 8 p.m.
If you like ‘The Daily Show,’ Comedy Central, and laughing, chances are you love — or will soon love — Demetri Martin. The comedian, actor, artist, musician, writer and humorist (phew!) is currently on tour in support of his second comedy album and returns to Austin on April 4 with a stage performance at the Scottish Rite Theater.
Texas VegFest
April 6, 11 a.m.
Veg-heads: pry yourself away from that wicked, homemade compost pile and get thee to the second annual Texas VegFest! This family-friendly event features live music, vendors, and, of course, plant-based foods, with a special focus on health, the environment and compassionate living.
Karaoke Underground
April 6, 10 p.m.
Scream, cry and croon your way through over 600 punk and indie classics with the April installment of Karaoke Underground. Seriously, you name it — anything from Cat Power to Guided By Voices and Black Flag — and they’ve got it. This month’s hootenanny returns to the Nomad Bar with video karaoke and the requisite selection of drafts, liquor, wine and food.
Austin Restaurant Week
April 7-10; April 14-17
Although Restaurant Week in Austin may be a far cry from that of similar events in New York or LA, the premise is all the same: some of the city’s top restaurants offer pre-fixe menus at a discounted price. Some of this year’s participating restaurants include Uchi, Uchiko, Olive & June, Salty Sow and Swifts Attic, among a selection of over 35 other local dining hotspots.
CultureMap Tastemaker Awards
April 11, 6:30 p.m.
Austin’s Daily Digital Magazine is a local arbiter of gastronomy, which just happens to be the focus of the 2013 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. Guests will enjoy a sampling of complimentary bites and specialty cocktails in the company of the city’s best chefs and mixologists, in an event benefiting the Austin Food & Wine Alliance. At the end evening, the Tastemaker Awards ceremony will honor Austin’s best restaurant, chef, pastry chef, sommelier or beverage director, brewery and craft bartender.
KLBJ Dog Day Afternoon
April 13, 12 p.m.
There are few pleasures greater in this world than watching a gaggle of dachshunds race across a lawn. That is, besides watching a group of Chihuahuas do the same thing. Spectators at the annual KLBJ Dog Day Afternoon will delight in both, as well as a slew of kids' activities, dog-related vendors and animal rescue groups. Admission is free and friendly dogs on leashes are welcome.
Fun Party
April 19, 7:30 p.m.
Cindy St. John and Dan Boehl, hosts of the local literary series Fun Party, return to Tiny Park Gallery this month with a reading featuring the visiting poets Adam Clay, Ada Limón and Michael Robins. The series, which employs literature, art and film mediums, focuses on writers associated with small, independent press publishing. Readings such as Fun Party, along with the recent return of American Short Fiction, have helped to establish Austin as a new bastion for independent authors and artists.
Austin Food & Wine Festival
April 26-28
For two days in late April, foodies will descend on our fair city to indulge in the annual epicurean adventure that is the Austin Food & Wine Festival. Top chef talent, sommeliers and winemakers converge with Austin's emerging gourmet scene for cooking demos, wine and cocktail seminars, tasting lounges and pavilions, and, of course, all out noshing.