SXSW  is coming up, when Austin is transformed for 2 weeks into a big city, people everywhere, fun stuff non stop. One of the questions as a Realtor that I get asked a lot in the time leading up to it is if I know of the perfect, close to downtown, sleeps 12, super cheap pad to rent.

You might be thinking right now, that renting out your place for SXSW attendees (or ACL, or anytime) would be a lucrative way to make a little cash. It may be! But it may also be trickier than you think.

The short term rental business has taken off like crazy lately, but before you dive in and become a temporary landlord there are some risks (and some pluses) you should consider.

Ashley Halligan, an analyst for a local software company, wrote this article on the Risks and Rewards of Short-Term Rentals.

In the article she outlines 4 Rewards: Income, Preservation, Tax Break & Community Reweards, as well as 4 Risks: Hidden Costs, Competition, Restrictions & Community Risks.

Everyone in Austin is aware of Home Away, which is the leading short term rental company, I have not looked into the costs of listing with them or any of the procedures but I know it’s super successful

AirBNB is another popular way to find a place to stay. I get facebook ads about it all the time especially around SXSW and ACL, I beleive it’s more casual and “grassrootsy” than Home Away.

And then there’s is cragslist – free, easy, accessable. But definitely use at your own risk and be aware and safe!

Realtors do sometimes handle this kind of thing, it could be beneficial for a client that has a listing languishing, but ultimately it’s who you know and word of mouth.

Please share any short term rental/vacation rental experiences!

*this post was written by Nanette Labastida, REALTOR with Austin Fine Properties

1 bedroom 1 bath townhome like condo listed at Edgewick Condominiums  – 2821 Saville Loop – $144,900

Edgewick Condos are a gated community, close to Downtown Austin, just east of I35 off of Oltorf & Parker. So convenient to 71/Ben White, South Congress, UT, & the airport.  It features a community pool, grills, washer pits & a dog run.

2821 Saville Loop is part of phase 1 completed in 2007 , it has a garage, laundry room & storage on the ground level. Upstairs you find the living area, breakfast/dining area, kitchen, bedroom & full bath.  The large windows let in lots of natural light, there is even a wide window seat in the window by the breakfast area that would be so cozy with some pillows.  You can also use the breakfast bar for dining.

kitchen & breakfast area, lots of light! 

In the living area there is a nook that is ideal for a desk, the entire unit is also wired for surround sound.  The bathroom is spacious & according to the owner has the best shower ever!

Open floor plan 

Why would you want to live at Edgewick? Well it’s 966 sq feet, recent contstruction for under $150k just 1.2 miles from downtown Austin. It’s a quiet upscale community with a beautifully designed pool & well maintained  common areas, safely gated. It has a one car garage, a rarity in condos. Ample storage, full size laundry, beautiful kitchen, great natural light, open floor plan with functional layout.  Affordable convenient living!

Very Private Contemporary Estate On The South Shore Of Lake Travis at 2600 Ranch Road 620 N Austin, TX 78734. Main House Approx 10,109 Sq Ft, Separate 2/1 Guest House Approx 1,187 Sq Ft, Lap Pool Overlooking Lake, Otis Elevator. Designed By Donlyn Lyndon Faia Boathouse W/hoist For 2 Boats. Extraordinary Finishes, With Many Energy Efficient Features. More Acreage Is Available To Be Purchased!

Arthur Andersson Designed And Inspired By Cistercian Abbeys And Monasteries,this Stunning Home Melds Contemporary Architecture With The Striking Perminance Of Architecture From The Old World. This Stone And Concrete Home Sits On 3.6 Acres at 1009 Weston Ln Austin, TX 78733.  Features Include 6 Bdrms,5 Full Baths, 3 Half Baths A 4 Car Garage,swimming Pool ,spa,cabana, Roof Deck, Terraced Gardens,indoor Sport Court,art Studio And A 200 Ft Wood And Steel Suspension Bridge That Spans A Ravine Leading To A Private Boathouse On Lake Austin.

Built in 1890 as one of Austin’s first fire stations-Protection Hose Co. #3, In 1942, 1614 Lavaca then became the legendary Capitol Saddlery. In its next reincarnation this amazing building has become a private residence featuring 3 bedrooms , 3 baths, 2 half baths, a luxurious main living room with 14 foot coffered ceilings, Capitol views,exquisite fixtures, an outdoor terrace with a 1 car carport parking space. The building also includes a 2000 sq ft ground floor retail space. It has just been published in the Wall Street Journal  Home of the Day section…check it out.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703700904575391231744704908.html

Most Efficient Appliances
 
 
1st  REFRIGERATORS
If you are thinking of replacing an old appliance, the refrigerator is a good place to start. New refrigerators consume 75 percent less energy than those produced in the late 1970s. A family replacing a 1980 vintage fridge with one that meets today’s standards will save more than $100 a year in utility costs. Go one step further and buy an Energy Star-qualified model, and your new refrigerator will save you an additional 15 percent or more by employing better insulation, more efficient compressors and more precise temperature control and defrost mechanisms. Energy-Saving Purchasing Tips:
Refrigerators with freezers on top use 10 to 15 percent less energy than a side-by-side model of equivalent size.

Generally, the larger the refrigerator, the greater the energy consumption. But one large refrigerator will use less energy than two smaller ones with the same total volume or a smaller fridge plus a separate freezer.

2nd CLOTHES WASHERS
The energy efficiency of standard top-loading washers has doubled over the last two decades, mostly by decreasing the amount of water used. (Most of a washer’s energy consumption goes to heating water.) Front-loading washers have also become more readily available. They generally use less water than top-loaders because they don’t have to totally submerge clothes. Their tumbling action constantly lifts water and drops it back down onto clothing. Energy Star top-loaders, however, can be just as efficient as front loaders. Look for the EnergyGuide or Energy Star labels to compare efficiencies.
Replacing a pre-1994 washer with an Energy Star model can save a family $110 a year on utility bills. Energy Star washers use 50 percent less energy than other standard models, and only 18 to 25 gallons of water for a full-sized load, compared to 40 gallons for standard full-size washers. Many Energy Star models also advertise lower fabric wear, better stain removal and briefer drying times.
Energy-Saving Purchasing Tips:
Choose the right size washer. A smaller washer may be more efficient for small households. But if you have a large family and have to do multiple loads in a washer that’s too small for your needs, you could lose any possible energy savings.

Look for a washer with adjustable water levels. This gives you the option of using less water to wash small loads.

Choose a washer with a faster spin speed. This allows more water to be removed after the wash, reducing the drying time and your dryer’s energy use.

Use a gas dryer rather than an electric dryer where possible.

3rd  DISHWASHERS
A new dishwasher is not only more efficient than older models, but it’s also better at getting dishes clean. Manufacturers no longer recommend that you pre-wash your dishes. Simply scrape the remaining food off your plates and place them in the machine as is. This will save you time and save money on your water bill.
The most efficient dishwashers use less hot water, have energy-efficient motors and use sensors to determine the length of the wash cycle and the water temperature needed to do the job. The newest Energy Star dishwashers are 25 percent more efficient than the minimum federal standards. Replacing a pre-1994 dishwasher with an Energy Star model can save $25 a year on utility costs.
Energy-Saving Purchasing Tips:
Choose a dishwasher with a “light wash” or “energy-saving” wash cycle. It uses less water and operates for a shorter period of time for dishes that are just slightly soiled.

Look for dishwashers that have an energy-saving cycle that allows dishes to be air-dried with circulation fans, rather than heat-dried with energy-wasting heating coils.

4th  ROOM AIR CONDITIONERS
The most efficient room air conditioners have higher-efficiency compressors, fan motors and heat-transfer surfaces than previous models. A high-efficiency unit reduces energy consumption by 20 to 50 percent. Replacing a 10-year-old model with an Energy Star model can cut energy bills by an average of $14 a year.
Energy-Saving Purchasing Tips:
Remember, the biggest unit isn’t always the best choice, especially for small areas. A smaller unit running for a long period of time operates more efficiently and is more effective at decreasing humidity than a larger unit that goes on and off frequently.

If you’re comparing several similar units, choose the one with the highest Energy Efficiency Ratio. You can find the EER on the unit or its packaging. The minimum EER required by federal law is 9.7; the most efficient air conditioners of 2003 have an EER of 11.7.

5th  CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONERS
If your central air conditioning system is more than 10 years old, replacing it with an Energy Star model could reduce your energy consumption for cooling by 20 percent.
Energy-Saving Purchasing Tips:
Look for the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). Old units typically have a SEER of 6 or 7. In 2006, new standards go into effect, raising the minimum SEER for central air conditioners to 13. Energy Star models already meet the SEER 13 standard, and also perform more efficiently when it’s hot.

For maximum efficiency on the hottest days, the air conditioner should have a thermal expansion valve (TVX), and the high temperature rating (EER) on your unit should be at least 11.6.

For optimal performance, buy a matched system of indoor unit, condenser and even thermostat.

Get a reliable contractor to make sure your new unit is the right size for your home, and have it professionally installed. Even the most efficient system can’t make up for the energy loss due to improper sizing and poor installation.

Have your contractor make sure all your ducts are sealed and insulated. Duct tests require a fan and a pressure gauge — they cannot be done by sight.

6th  WATER HEATERS
Water heating is typically the third largest energy expense in your home, accounting for about 14 percent of your energy bill. An old water heater can operate for years at very low efficiency before it finally fails. If your gas water heater is more than 10 years old, it probably operates at less than 50 percent efficiency.
Energy-Saving Purchasing Tips:
Calculate how much hot water your household uses at peak times. Figure that a clothes washer on hot wash/hot rinse can use about 32 gallons of hot water; a shower, 20 gallons. Washing dishes by hand can use 10 to 15 gallons, and automatic dishwashers, about 8 gallons.

Match this figure with the “first hour rating” (FHR) on the EnergyGuide label. The FHR measures how many gallons of hot water your heater can deliver during a busy hour. Don’t be misled by the size of the tank — it doesn’t necessarily correlate with FHR.

Once you’ve found the right FHR range for your household, check the unit’s Energy Factor (EF), which rates efficiency. A high-efficiency gas model would have an EF around 0.8.

A natural gas unit will cost less to operate than electric.

To find Energy efficient homes in Austin Texas go to:

www.austinfineproperties.com

Take a look!

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703866704575224672084917324.html

2800 Stratford Dr. Austin, TX 78746

Contemporary Austin luxury home on Lady Bird Lake in Austin overlooking the ever changing fantastic skyline of the most vibrant city in Texas. Dick Clark AIA designed soft contemporary is one of the most glamorous properties in Central Texas and marketed by Austin Fine Properties.  This home boasts four structures combining a “fusion” of architectural styles including European contemporary and Traditional Asian in a Central Texas vernacular creating a “Texas Fusion” compound.

The compound has over 10,000 square feet of living area, four separate dwellings and seven bedrooms.  The structures are artfully linked with strong indoor/outdoor connections using a three-material palette of cerused white oak, Lueders limestone and Venetian plaster.  The main house features a living room with 20 ft. ceilings supported by large white oak beams that appear to float on steel braces.  Fine craftsmanship and high technology are wedded in the cantilevered stairways, iron and leather capped railings, sliding steel doors, and leather floors in the master bedroom.  The custom kitchen includes Bulthaup, Gaggenau Miele and Sub-zero.  Two of the houses in the compound are just steps from the main house and each have two bedrooms and two baths and have their own kitchens and living areas.  The fourth structure is a cantilevered “Cliff House” which is perched just above Lady Bird Lake with exquisite appointments and city views.  Outdoor spaces include a grilling kitchen, Zen garden, sport court, cabana, and infinity edge pool that cascades down the cliff into waterfalls and water lily pools.

The price of paradise is a  mere $7.9 million a HUGE reduction from it’s original list price of $13 million.

Search for Austin Real Estate .  It’s free and easy to use.  Please call John Teinert 512.731.8884 for more information or fill out our contact form.