August 2018 Austin Housing Market Statistics

Infographics courtesy of Austin Board of REALTORS®.  Visit www.abor.com/statsaugust18 for more information.  And, of course, contact Floyd Real Estate if you want to buy or sell property in the Austin area.

Austin Realtors: Why Invest in TREPAC?

July 2018 Austin Housing Market Statistics

July 2018 Austin Area Housing Market Statistics

July 2018 City of Austin Housing Market Statistics 

Infographics courtesy of Austin Board of REALTORS®.  Visit www.abor.com/statsjuly18 for more information.  And, of course, contact Floyd Real Estate if you want to buy or sell property in the Austin area.

Crestview Listing

Our latest listing is 1200 Justin Lane (78757), a 2/1 with a 1/1 back house (leased to a tenant) on a .209 acre corner lot.   This house belongs to a good friend and I'm going to miss hanging out in the large hot tub in the back.   Also, this house is an easy bike riding distance to the delicious meats at Stiles Switch.

Check out Floyd Real Estate for more information.

[Note:  This one has sold.]

Cameras

Final Photo from my Nikon D90

After almost 9 years, my Nikon D90 finally bit the dust in March while I was shooting a few photos of the Pirelli World Challenge at Circuit of the Americas.  That camera went from California to Maine and many points in between.  I learned most of what I know about digital photography with it, and it was also the camera I used to get started with photography for Floyd Real Estate. 

I replaced it with a used Nikon DSLR I bought for a delightfully low price at Precision Camera here in Austin.

Austin Area Housing Market Report for June 2018

June 2018 Austin-Area Housing Report

June 2018 City of Austin Housing Report

Infographics courtesy of Austin Board of REALTORS®.  Visit www.abor.com/statsjune18 for more information.  And, of course, contact Floyd Real Estate if you want to buy or sell property in the Austin area.

Pork Chop Friday Update

Pork Chop, at Its Finest

There isn't much more I can say about Perry's Pork Chop Friday ("PCF") special in downtown Austin.  If you live in Austin and are reading this, you've probably been there.  I used to be a frequent flier, though my love for beef has resulting in my becoming a patron of Lonesome Dove's Prime Rib Friday lunches. 

Every once and a while, I do make it back for the magic of PCF.  Last week we joined a friend (as well as fellow Floyd Real Estate agent) for pork and discovered a delicious new side (or at least, new to me). 

Asparagus at Perry's

I enjoy asparagus roasted or steamed.  It tastes great with a topping of chimichurri (a delightful side at ALC Steaks) or wrapped in bacon (because what doesn't taste great with bacon?).   But, I've never had it as good as I had it at Perry's last week: fried and smothered in lump crab meat.   I highly recommend this as a side to your massive (and value priced) pork chop at PCF.

I looked up the nutritional data on the fried asparagus.  You should not (note the absence of a link).  Instead, have a dish with salmon and non-fried vegetables (e.g. the Caesar with jerk salmon at Zax's is good) on Thursday then on Friday head over to Perry's ready to indulge.  

Celebrate National Fried Chicken Day

Hot Chicken Tenders from Tumble 22

Tumble 22 Location Behind Star Bar

Apparently, today is National Fried Chicken Day.  While I think many of these days are silly, I'm going to proceed henceforth with plans to honor fried chicken by eating at Tumble 22.  In case you haven't heard of this place, they serve up delicious chicken at varying levels of heat from "wimpy" to "fire in the hole".   I usually stick with "hot" or "mo' hot".  I've seen people eat fire in the hole (reputed to include ghost peppers) and the struggle has not looked pleasant.  As someone who enjoys a little heat but doesn't want to be in a contest with my food, I stick to the lower spicy levels.  

Generally speaking, the chicken is fried to plump and juicy perfection.  Get whatever heat level you prefer and you'll most likely be quite pleased.  If you need further endorsement: I can report that my brother-in-law, a Nashville resident who is a fan of Prince's Hot Chicken and Hattie B's Hot Chicken, also loves the hot chicken from Tumble 22.  

Go forth and enjoy fried chicken tonight.  Tumble 22 has a trailer behind Star Bar plus a brick and mortar on Burnet.  Also, keep at least some energy on reserve as tomorrow is National Dive Bar Day. 

Creative Fund Trivia: July 2018

Dave Floyd, About to Host Some Trivia

Creative Fund Trivia Night is back!  In addition to being an attorney and a Realtor, I also enjoy hosting live team trivia as well as helping to raise money for Austin artists.  

Join us on July 18th at Austin's Scoot Inn for a live team trivia fundraiser benefitting The Creative Fund.  As always, form teams of 4-6 to participate in 5 rounds of questioning and 1 round of picture puzzles.  Come with a team, or come alone and find a team to join.  

Tickets are $20 per person.  Moreover, there will be a raffle during the event.  Proceeds go to The Creative Fund and its efforts to help Austin's performing artists afford rental fees at local venues.  

Tickets are available now.  Buy early, and buy often.

Austin Area Housing Statistics for May 2018

Austin Area Housing Statistics for May 2018

City of Austin Housing Statistics for May 2018

Infographics courtesy of Austin Board of REALTORS®.  Visit www.abor.com/statsmay18 for more information.

Steak in Austin

Bone-in Strip Steak at ALC Steaks in Austin

Last night Sara Foskitt and I went to ALC Steaks (formerly known as Austin Land & Cattle) for a celebratory dinner.  Normally I order the 16oz ribeye or 22oz bone-in ribeye as the main course (and I often have it Oscar Style).  Either one of these steaks, cooked medium rare, is a delicious choice.  You get tender, well marbled meat.  I like the ALC ribeyes enough that I haven't deviated from selecting them in years.

Though I do love the ribeyes, yesterday I was feeling more experimental.  Based on a tip from a steak loving friend, I wanted to try the Oscar Style toppings on a leaner cut of beef.  I was also curious about a dry-aged, grass-fed option at ALC.  Thus I went with the 14oz bone-in strip steak from 44 Farms.   Excellent choice on my part; the grass-fed beef had great constancy and the "meatier" flavor it is known for.  All I can say is that it was fantastic, and if you are looking for a steak in Austin ALC Steaks should be at the top of your list.  Furthermore, I'd love to see ALC put a grass-fed ribeye on the menu.  [note: if fillet is more your style, I sampled Sara's and it was quite good... though not as good as mine]

Other items of note:  the asparagus with chimichurri makes an good side for any of the steaks.  It's flavorful and it won't slow you down later (as a baked potato might when combined with almost a pound of beef).  The new crab cakes with smoked jalapeño remoulade are a great appetizer.  Now, if only ALC will take my suggestion and put bacon wrapped shrimp with remoulade on the menu...

Foskitt Law Office Anniversary

Happy birthday to the Foskitt Law Office!  Sara Foskitt started the firm June 1st, 2009.   In the beginning, she focused on litigation and real estate matters.  In 2014, she added the Fee Attorney for Capstone Title component to the firm.  Today the firm does a robust amount of business providing concierge closing services in Austin and surrounding area. 

"They Took My Show Away"

I immediately thought of this old Late Night with David Letterman skit when I heard SyFy decided to cancel The Expanse at the end of season 3.  Fortunately, Amazon plans to take over the show.

Austin Area Housing Statistics for April 2018

Information from the Austin Board of REALTORS®.  You can get more information at ABoR.com/statsapr18.

Prime Rib Friday

Prime Rib Lunch at Austin's Lonesome Dove

If you are looking for an excellent Friday lunch special in downtown Austin, look no further than Lonesome Dove at 5th and Colorado.   They serve a wonderfully smoked 16 oz prime rib (with twice baked potato) for the generous price of $16.  And, if you are feeling like you need slightly more meat, you can order the rattlesnake and rabbit sausage as an appetizer. 

Prime Rib Friday is a frequent destination for both Floyd Real Estate and Capstone Title personnel.  This special is available only on Friday.  Come at or before noon, because supplies of the prime rib are limited. 

Creative Fund Trivia Nights

Dave Floyd, Getting Ready to Host Creative Fund Trivia

Do you enjoy live team trivia and helping to raise money for Austin artists?  If you said yes either count, then you should join us for the next Creative Fund trivia night on July 18th at The Scoot Inn.  Our last trivia night fundraisers have been a blast.  We have five rounds of live trivia (announced by me) and a picture puzzle round.  If you don't do well at trivia, there are plenty of other prizes you can will in the raffles.

Follow The Creative Fund on Facebook to keep up with information about our upcoming activities and to find out when you can buy trivia tickets.

Legal Help for Harvey Survivors

Creative Fund Happy Hour: April 2016

Join The Creative Fund at Dive Bar on April 5 between 6p-8p.  Meet members, artists, and people interested in supporting performing arts in Austin.

The Creative Fund raises money to help selected performing artists pay the rent at venues in Austin. 

ALTA® - News - TLTA Defends Texas Rate-setting Structure

ALTA® - News - TLTA Defends Texas Rate-setting Structure

State comptroller: Oil prices aren’t wrecking Texas budget

State comptroller: Oil prices aren’t wrecking Texas budget

Groundwater companies face off in San Antonio pipeline project...

Groundwater companies face off in San Antonio pipeline project...

What’s next for Uber, Lyft and Austin’s fingerprint check...

What’s next for Uber, Lyft and Austin’s fingerprint check...

Troxclair: Don’t drive ridesharing out of Austin

Check out Austin City Council Member Troxclair's (District 8) defense keeping the status quo on TNC regulations:  Troxclair: Don’t drive ridesharing out of Austin

Third company to join ride-hailing fray in Austin

Third company to join ride-hailing fray in Austin

The Austin City Council will vote on TNC regulations this Thursday.  Uber and Lyft say they cannot operate in Austin under the proposed regulations, but the Dallas based Get Me says it can.

Austin City Council to consider funding for homestead preservation...

City Council to consider funding for homestead preservation...

Austin City Council Survey

Visit the Austin-American Statesman to take a survey about how you think the 10-1 Austin City Council has done in its first year.

Texas State Rep. Naishtat Will Not Run Again

Find out more in the Austin American Statesman.   Rep. Naishtat has served District 49 since the 90's.  The district currently includes Zilker, Barton Hills, Old West Austin, Downtown, Rosedale, Hyde Park, UT, and Pemberton Heights.   The filing deadline is Monday, so we'll know next week who will be running for this seat in the primaries.

Austin Polled on Proposed Uber and Lyft Regs

Two competing polls have determined that in one case 70% of Austinites want the city to require enhanced regulations for Uber and Lyft while in the other case 70% don't want any changed.  Not surprisingly, the wording of the question has a lot to do with results.

I started using Uber in August and Lyft in November.  Both services have repeatedly given me prompt, friendly, and competitively priced service.  Personally, I have always felt safe in Uber and Lyft cars as both the driver's and my whereabouts were being tracked in real time by the ride service app, and because both Uber and Lyft already conduct background checks on their drivers.  

My biggest problem with cabs in the past has been lack of availability.  Considering that Austin has currently issued 750 cab medallions, it should be no surprise that cab service can be quite scare during peak times.  If the city is going to enact regulations that make Uber and Lyft unable to operate here, then something needs to be done in order to provide on demand ride options.   The demand exists, and being able to provide more rides helps to keep addition cars off the road as well as to help reduce drinking and driving.

"Squatty Potty" Ad Is Truly Bizarre

This ad for the "Squatty Potty" is hands down the strangest commercial I have ever seen.  Watch it at your discretion, and be prepared to never think of ice cream the same way again.

I assume that I am doing exactly what the advertisers hoped: sharing this for laughs with friends.  In that sense, the ad is pretty effective.  But, am I going to buy the product?  No.

Update: a surprising number of friends have let me know that they own and love this product.  But, I'm still not buying one.  

No contract steers Austin’s F1 off track

No contract steers Austin’s F1 off track