Everything 

Austin 

Texas

In light of the tragic fires devastating California, it’s essential to take proactive steps to safeguard your home and belongings. From 2007- 2009, my wife and I owned an Allstate insurance agency.  Here are some of the tips we learned.  Preparation and documentation are key to minimizing stress and recovering more quickly if the unthinkable happens. Here are nine crucial steps to take: Create a Home InventoryDocument all your belongings by taking photos or videos of each room in your home. Pay special attention to high-value items like electronics, jewelry, and art. Store this inventory in a secure cloud-based system or a fireproof safe. Review Your Insurance PolicyEnsure your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance adequately covers the replacement cost of your belongings and the rebuilding of...

Green Chile Enchiladas Recipe Ingredients: 12 corn tortillas 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (or substitute with cooked beef or beans for a vegetarian option) 2 cups green chile sauce (store-bought or homemade) 1 cup sour cream 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend) 1/2 cup diced green chiles (optional, for extra flavor) 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish) Cooking spray or oil For Serving (Optional): Mexican rice Refried beans Lime wedges Instructions: Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Prepare the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, 1/2 cup of cheese, and 1/2 cup of green chile sauce. Mix well. Warm the Tortillas: Heat the tortillas in a skillet or microwave...

Let’s talk about Austin’s housing market. For years, it’s been the Wild West out here—sky-high prices, bidding wars, and buyers scrambling to grab anything they could find. But guess what? Things are starting to cool off a bit, and that’s great news if you’ve been on the sidelines waiting for your shot. The Market is Cooling! After a red-hot streak, Austin’s housing market is taking a breather. Prices aren’t climbing as fast as they used to, and there’s more inventory hitting the market. That’s right, more options for buyers and maybe even a chance to negotiate—imagine that! Here’s what’s going on: More Homes for Sale: Finally, we’re seeing more listings pop up, which means buyers have some breathing room. You’re not competing with 20 other...

Here’s a traditional recipe for Texas-Mex Tamales, a cherished holiday and special occasion dish in Texas. Making tamales is a labor of love, often done in groups called “tamaladas” to share the workload and enjoy the process. Ingredients For the Masa: 4 cups masa harina (corn flour) 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 ½ cups lard or vegetable shortening (traditional flavor comes from lard) 3–4 cups chicken broth (warm) For the Filling (Pork): 2 lbs pork shoulder, cut into chunks 4 cups water or chicken broth 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon cumin 1 tablespoon chili powder 2 dried ancho or guajillo chiles, rehydrated and blended into a paste (optional for depth) For Assembly: 30–35 dried corn husks, soaked...

Austin’s food scene just hit the big leagues—seven local restaurants have earned Michelin stars in the Texas debut of the prestigious Michelin Guide! As someone who loves everything Austin has to offer (and helps people find their dream homes here), I’m excited to share these culinary gems with you. Ready to add some amazing dining experiences to your must-try list? Here we go! 1. Barley SwineOver on Burnet Road, Barley Swine is all about creative dishes made with local ingredients. Chef Bryce Gilmore takes flavors from Mexican and Southern traditions and turns them into something truly special. It’s Austin on a plate! 2. Craft OmakaseThis hidden gem in North Lamar serves an incredible 22-course Japanese tasting menu. Yes, 22 courses! Chef Charlie Wang and Chef...

Here’s a cozy Pumpkin Bread recipe, perfect for fall! Ingredients 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 1 cup pumpkin puree 1 cup sugar ½ cup vegetable oil 2 large eggs ¼ cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Instructions Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. In another bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, sugar, oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla. Combine wet and dry ingredients, mixing just until incorporated. Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let it cool before slicing and enjoy!   This is wonderful with...

Ever wondered why the real estate market seems to heat up in spring and cool down by winter? Each season brings its own energy and trends to the housing market, and if you’re thinking of buying or selling, it’s smart to know what to expect as the seasons change. Let’s dive into how these shifts play out and how they might impact your plans. Real Estate’s Seasonal Rhythm The real estate market follows a yearly rhythm that’s closely tied to the seasons. Here’s how it typically goes: Spring and Early Summer: The Busy Season Spring and early summer are when the real estate market is buzzing. Buyers are eager, sellers are listing, and competition heats up. Many families want to settle into new homes before...

An inundation easement on Lake Travis is a fancy way of saying that certain parts of private land around the lake can be temporarily flooded during extreme water events. This isn’t a permanent flood zone, but rather a space that the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) can use if Lake Travis rises to unusually high levels—up to 722 feet above mean sea level. Think of it as a flood buffer zone for the LCRA to manage the water safely when there’s too much rain and the lake needs to store more water than usual. Why Is It Important? This easement is crucial for flood control around Lake Travis. It ensures that, during extreme weather conditions, the LCRA has the right to use land around the...

Not quite cool enough, but its getting closer time to Chili season!  If it gets to the 70’s, its Chili time in my opinion.  This is my favorite recipe.  You can add beans or leave them out. That is the biggest argument I see around Chili 🙂 1 tbsp olive oil 1 yellow onion, diced 2 lbs grass-fed 90-10 ground beef 1 1/2 tsp chili powder 1 1/2 tsp paprika 1/4 tsp cayenne (optional, for heat) 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 1 1/2 tsp granulated onion 1 1/2 tsp granulated garlic 1/2 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp sea salt 2 tsp ground cumin 1 cup low sodium chicken stock  Instructions: Mix all herbs and spices together in bowl and set aside. Heat olive oil in skillet and brown ground beef and onions.  Once browned, mix in herbs and spices.  Add 1 cup of chicken stock and its ready to serve.  This usually...

Ah, the classic “water cooler” conversation—or more likely these days, the “Zoom breakroom” chat. Everyone wants to know: will mortgage rates keep dropping? And if they do, just how low can they go? It’s the kind of question that’s top of mind for anyone buying, selling, or refinancing a home. So, let’s break it down. Why Did Mortgage Rates Spike? First, a bit of context. Mortgage rates shot up last year as the Federal Reserve aggressively hiked interest rates to tame inflation. These hikes, aimed at slowing down the economy, drove borrowing costs up across the board—mortgages included. Suddenly, the days of 3% interest rates felt like a distant memory, and the market felt the squeeze. Buyers paused, sellers hesitated, and the housing market cooled...