Everything
Austin
Texas
Austin
From the best restaurants to lending advice...our blog has it all.

Ray Mungia
Categories
Ingredients 4 thick slices of bread(Texas toast, brioche, challah, or French bread work best) 2 eggs 1/2 cup milk 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tbsp sugar Pinch of salt Butter for the pan -In a bowl, whisk together: eggs milk vanilla cinnamon sugar salt -Heat skillet or griddle over medium heat. -Add a little butter to coat the pan. -Dip bread into mixture for a few seconds per side. -Don’t soak too long or it gets soggy. – Cook about 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown.
🛒 Ingredients For the chicken 4 to 6 chicken thighs or breasts 2 tbsp honey 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, chopped 2 tbsp olive oil Juice of 1 lime 1 tsp garlic powder Salt and pepper For the avocado lime sauce 2 ripe avocados ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt Juice of 1 to 2 limes 1 clove garlic Salt to taste Splash of water to thin 🔥 Instructions Marinate the chickenMix honey, chipotle, olive oil, lime juice, and seasoning. Coat the chicken and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Longer if you have time. Grill itCook over medium high heat about 5 to 7 minutes per side until fully cooked. You want a little char for flavor. Make the sauceBlend avocado,...
For the past few years, new construction did not really feel like a deal. At least homes that were not specs. Builders were not negotiating much. Incentives were limited. In many cases, buyers were paying a premium just for the opportunity to secure a home before it was gone. That has changed. Today, across Central Texas, especially in areas like Georgetown and Liberty Hill, builders are adjusting. Inventory has increased, buyer demand has slowed, and interest rates have changed how people approach purchasing a home. Because of that shift, something important is happening. The incentives are back. A Different Kind of Market What we are seeing right now is not a crash. It is a shift in behavior. Buyers are more careful. They are taking...
Selling a home is one of the most important financial decisions most people will make. In today’s market, success doesn’t happen by chance. It comes from preparation, strategy, and execution. After years of working with buyers and sellers across the Austin area, three factors consistently make the biggest difference in how quickly a home sells and the price it commands. 1. Prepare the Home for the Market First impressions matter more than ever. Most buyers begin their search online, and the way your home looks in photos will determine whether they schedule a showing. Preparation should focus on presenting the home in its best possible light: Declutter and depersonalize each room Deep clean the entire property Address minor repairs (leaky faucets, chipped paint, loose hardware)...
🛒 Ingredients Chicken Marinade 2 lbs chicken thighs (boneless, skinless) Juice of 2 limes 3 tbsp olive oil 3 cloves garlic (minced) 1 tbsp chili powder 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp salt ½ tsp black pepper Optional: pinch of cayenne for heat Avocado Crema 1 ripe avocado ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt) Juice of 1 lime 1 clove garlic Salt to taste Splash of water to thin Toppings Warm corn tortillas Fresh cilantro Diced red onion Crumbled queso fresco (or cotija) Jalapeño slices (optional) 🔥 How to Make It 1. Marinate the Chicken (10–30 min) Mix everything and toss chicken in.👉 Even 10 minutes works, but longer = more flavor. 2. Grill (or cast iron) Medium-high heat 5–7 min...
You have probably seen a lot of headlines lately about private listings. Companies like Compass, Keller Williams, and Zillow are all leaning into some version of exclusive or off market listings. It is becoming a major talking point across the industry. But here is the real question. In a market like Austin today, does limiting exposure actually help sellers or hurt them? The Austin Market Has Shifted If you have been watching the data across the Austin Board of Realtors region, the market is no longer what it was a few years ago. Inventory levels have climbed back to roughly four to five months of inventory depending on price point. That is a major shift from the one to two months we saw during the...
What Buyers Should Really Think About When Purchasing a Home When buyers hear the word value, most people think it simply means price. In real estate, value is much more layered than the number on the listing. Understanding how homes are valued helps buyers make smarter decisions, avoid overpaying, and feel confident about their purchase, especially in a market that is always changing. Below are the key valuation factors every buyer should think about when buying a residential home. Location and Neighborhood Location still matters, but it is more than just a zip code. Buyers should think about school districts, proximity to work and daily conveniences, neighborhood stability, traffic patterns, and surrounding land use. A quiet street or cul de sac will almost always hold...
Easy Dumpling Soup (15–20 minutes) Ingredients 1 bag frozen dumplings or potstickers (pork, chicken, or veggie) 6 cups chicken broth (or veggie broth) 1–2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp fresh ginger (or ½ tsp ground) 2 green onions, sliced 1–2 tbsp soy sauce 1 tsp sesame oil Optional add-ins: Baby bok choy or spinach Mushrooms (shiitake or button) Carrots (thin sliced) Chili oil or sriracha Instructions Bring broth to a gentle boil in a pot. Add garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Drop in frozen dumplings (no need to thaw). Simmer 5–7 minutes, until dumplings float and are cooked through. Add veggies in the last 2–3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning. Top with green onions and chili oil if you like heat.
We made this over the time we were locked in during the freeze, and will definitely be making it again. So delicious! Enjoy! Ingredients Protein & Pasta 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot; casings removed) 9–12 oz cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated works best) Soup Base 1 tbsp olive oil (if needed) 1 medium yellow onion, diced 3–4 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp Italian seasoning ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional) 6 cups chicken broth 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (fire-roasted if you have them) 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional, but adds depth) Greens & Finish 2 cups fresh spinach or kale (chopped) ½ cup heavy cream (optional but recommended) Salt & black pepper to taste Fresh grated Parmesan (for serving) Instructions Brown...
Home Builders Association (HBA) – 2026 Market Forecast Key Takeaways & What They Mean for Austin Real Estate I had the privilege of attending the HBA 2026 Forecast, and wanted to share several important insights from the speakers—both at the macro (national) and micro (Austin-specific) levels. Macro Economic Outlook The macro perspective was presented by Dr. Julia Coronado, PhD, with the Texas Real Estate Center. One of the most striking shifts discussed was demographic: The average age of a first-time homebuyer has increased to 38–39, up from 31 just ten years ago.This reflects affordability pressures, delayed household formation, student debt, and longer career runways before homeownership. From a broader economic standpoint: The U.S. economy has been surprisingly resilient, but not without disruption. In 2025, GDP...
Loading









