Only from the prolific mind of Google could come an Internet search engine that operates 100 times faster than anything in existence, and cities are lining up to get the first crack at the new cutting edge technology. Google has announced that it will make a decision for a market research testing zone to be [...]
Only from the prolific mind of Google could come an Internet search engine that operates 100 times faster than anything in existence, and cities are lining up to get the first crack at the new cutting edge technology. Google has announced that it will make a decision for a market research testing zone to be issued where some lucky residents are going to travel at the speed of thought for their online searches, and Austin, Texas may be at the front of the line.
Google will choose a host community to pioneer their new brainstorm, providing all the necessary cables and phone service to make the dream a reality. Cities across the nation are gearing up for careful consideration to be evaluated as the best recipient for this unprecedented leap into the future of broadband capabilities with a speed of an estimated one billion bits per second. This new fiber network will change the way we use the Internet forever, and the city of Austin is showing a strong candidacy to lead the way. When you want something bad enough, there are no boundaries to gain the competitive edge, and Austin has stepped up to the plate to show Google that they mean business.
The city of Austin has made a stellar effort to woo the executives at Google and win the bid as host community to try out the ultimate broadband experience. Austin officials have co-opted with the University of Texas with a website at BigGigAustin.org to show their enthusiasm and win the nomination from Google. The site has a sign-up and support link enabling Austin residents to state their case as to why their city should be pushed to the front of the line. Site visitors may also write their own news article about how they would use the ultra-broadband system and let Google know that they take this opportunity seriously and are actively putting a plan in motion to maximize the Google project.
This Thursday, April 20th, is Earth Day. While Austin is regarded as one of the nation’s leaders in green energy and environmental responsibility, there is still much to be done. Here are some hints on what you can do to conserve energy, reduce pollution and protect the environment right here in Austin.
Insulate your [...]
This Thursday, April 20th, is Earth Day. While Austin is regarded as one of the nation’s leaders in green energy and environmental responsibility, there is still much to be done. Here are some hints on what you can do to conserve energy, reduce pollution and protect the environment right here in Austin.
Insulation saves money
Insulate your home
Making sure your home is well-insulated will reduce your energy costs year-round, saving you money and reducing your home’s overall energy use. Austin Energy offers free attic insulation, weatherproofing, caulking, and solar screens to homeowners who meet certain income requirements. Your house will be more comfortable and less expensive to heat and cool, and you’ll be making a difference in the environment as well; it’s win-win!
Be a Power Partner
Homeowners who sign up for Austin Energy’s Power Partner plan can receive a free programmable thermostat in return for allowing Austin Energy to cycle their air conditioning off for brief during peak use periods. This allows Austin Energy to better control the demand for electricity during the hottest part of summer days, saving energy and providing more reliable service for everyone.
Reduce your use
Turning off lights, televisions, and appliances when they are not in use seems simple enough. In practice, however, many of us forget; making a conscious effort to reduce your use of electricity can make a big difference in your monthly energy costs and the costs to the environment.
Green lawn care
By applying only organic, environmentally-safe fertilizers and pest controllers and using native Texas plants in landscaping, you can preserve the natural environment and even reduce your water usage. Native plants require less water and stand up better to Austin summers, so incorporating them into your plantings makes good environmental sense.
Bike or hike
For short trips around town, consider biking or walking rather than driving. You’ll save wear and tear on your vehicle, lessen the amount of exhaust fumes in the air, and the exercise will even improve your health. Public transport is another less-polluting option for longer trips away from home.
Do something
Even the smallest changes in your lifestyle can add up. Make a commitment to be more environmentally responsible, and take steps to incorporate green living into your daily routine. By working together, we can create a greener Austin for all of us.
Austin residents will soon have a new green option in condominium living in the downtown area. Designed by the West Avenue Properties LLC, the 904 West condominium development is already underway and will incorporate state-of-the-art green technologies in every aspect of its construction. Additionally, each of the 33 planned units will be designed [...]
Austin residents will soon have a new green option in condominium living in the downtown area. Designed by the West Avenue Properties LLC, the 904 West condominium development is already underway and will incorporate state-of-the-art green technologies in every aspect of its construction. Additionally, each of the 33 planned units will be designed to be environmentally sustainable in its own right and offer employment and shopping opportunities in easy reach on foot or by bicycle. Local merchants include Whole Foods Market, Chico’s, OfficeMax, and BookPeople; fitness fanatics can choose among four quality options including Castle Hill Fitness Center, Gold’s Gym, Mecca Gym, and Pure Austin. For those in search of Austin nightlife, numerous bars and restaurants are in the immediate vicinity. In keeping with the green theme, 904 West is located close to several parks including Duncan Park, Republic Square Park, and the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail.
Each 904 West unit will feature a solar power unit to reduce energy costs and lessen the environmental impact of the development; owners can opt for an online monitoring system to keep track of their energy production and savings. Energy-efficient LED lighting will be installed throughout, while high-efficiency Energy Star kitchen appliances, tankless water heaters, and HVAC systems will produce even greater energy savings. Dual-pane windows with low emissivity (low-e) glass let in the light without turning up the heat, and the hardwood flooring meets strict Forest Stewardship Council certification standards. Residents will enjoy convenient recycling services and ample landscaping and green space surrounding the building; specialized rainwater collectors designed to water the landscaping and lawn have been incorporated into the construction plan as well.
The development at 904 West received significant support from the City of Austin, which offered major rebates on the solar systems; since the solar panels are expected to produce almost 140,000 kilowatt hours of electricity each year, the rebates are a solid demonstration of Austin’s commitment to green energy. The first seven of these exclusive units will be completed in April; three are already spoken for. Condominiums at 904 West start in the $160s for a 500-square-foot unit and run as high as $330,000 for the largest 1,100-square foot unit.
This spring Austin will host the annual Central Texas Kids Expo, a two-day gala event featuring live entertainment from a wide array of Austin performers and organizations. Events and exhibits will focus on kid-friendly events and activities, including presentations by Aqua Tots, the Austin Police Department, SeaWorld San Antonio, and the Austin Dance Company. [...]
This spring Austin will host the annual Central Texas Kids Expo, a two-day gala event featuring live entertainment from a wide array of Austin performers and organizations. Events and exhibits will focus on kid-friendly events and activities, including presentations by Aqua Tots, the Austin Police Department, SeaWorld San Antonio, and the Austin Dance Company. The Central Texas Kids Expo is the largest event for kids in the central Texas region and offers valuable safety advice for families and educational activities for children; this year will be no exception, with three separate activity zones set up for kids to explore and enjoy.
The Sports and Outdoor Zone is designed to give kids a hands-on look at various environmental issues and outdoor activities including wildlife conservation, rock climbing and other healthy ways to enjoy an active lifestyle. Representatives from the Austin Fire Department, Police Department, and local healthcare providers will offer useful information in the Health and Safety Zone; presentations will include emergency preparedness, accident prevention, and new developments in healthcare and safety technologies. Finally, the Arts and Education Zone will provide even the youngest Austin residents with a chance to create their own artworks and crafts projects; kids will love the chance to make slime, paint their own unique masterpiece, and listen to the KinderMusik and Silly Science presentations on the Education Stage.
Friday night is devoted to moms, with special focus on work-at-home mothers and entrepreneurs. Mom’s Night Out offerings include live entertainment, delectable food, and even drawings for a hair and makeup makeover, courtesy of local businesses. The Bunny Brunch on Saturday is all about kids, however, with SpongeBob Squarepants, Kung Fu Panda, the Disney Princesses, Batman, and even the Easter Bunny on hand to greet and take pictures with kids in attendance. The Texas American Girl Style Show focuses on Texas fashion throughout the state’s history and offers a chance for girls to attend with their family members and dolls in tow and even go home with a custom portrait of themselves with their beloved dolls.
Admission is free for children with the donation of a can of food for Harvesters. The Central Texas Kids Expo highlights children’s safety and features exceptional entertainment and educational offerings for parents and children alike. The Expo is scheduled for March 26 and 27, 2010, and will be held in the Palmer Events Center. The Central Texas Kids Expo is just one more way that Austin watches out for its most important residents: its children.
Guillermo Ochoa-Cronfel, Owner The Cronfel Firm
The Cronfel Firm is dedicated to serving the greater Austin area with two decades of business and real estate expertise delivered to every case. Senior partner and lead counsel, Guillermo Ochoa-Cronfel, takes a personal stake in each individual client, bringing years of knowledge and experience to [...]
Guillermo Ochoa-Cronfel, Owner The Cronfel Firm
The Cronfel Firm is dedicated to serving the greater Austin area with two decades of business and real estate expertise delivered to every case. Senior partner and lead counsel, Guillermo Ochoa-Cronfel, takes a personal stake in each individual client, bringing years of knowledge and experience to the round table. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Guillermo Ochoa-Cronfel has assisted new and veteran property owners with guidelines, advice and advocacy to maintain their prophets and progress as a landlord in the real estate market.
A landlord-tenant attorney will assist with understanding renter agreements, rental insurance, landlord responsibilities, screening potential tenants and the laws concerning pets. The property owner must be made aware and act in compliance with federal law to include the Fair Housing Act from the US Department of Justice and Civil Rights Division to understanding the laws pertaining to sex offender registration under Meagan’s Law.
Serving the greater Austin area and the state of Texas, the Cronfel Firm areas of practice include, but are not limited to: General civil litigation and business law, Texas turnover receivership, bankruptcy (representing debtors, creditors and trustees), debt collection for both debtor and creditor sides, insurance litigation, construction/ real estate transactions and litigation, landlord/tenant litigation and entity formation.
Guillermo Ochoa-Cronfel received his B.A. from Stanford University in 1981 and his J.D. from the University of Texas in 1988. In addition to his merit and success in Texas bankruptcy, Mr. Cronfel also has extensive experience in various business and real estate transactions including business entity formation, purchase and sale of stock & asset and 1031 exchanges.
Austin offers a wealth of business prospects and opportunities to all who are bold enough to take their first steps. A vital part of the business process for a fruitful and successful venture is to be armed with facts and figures of the law to ensure your endeavor is legally protected. The Cronfel Firm has assisted thousands of residential and commercial real estate entrepreneurs in English and Spanish to fulfill their goals as a landlord in the state of Texas. Through careful attention to detail and clear communications from Guillermo Ochoa-Cronfel, matters concerning landlord/tenant agreements, contracts and disputes are put into perspective to move client real estate ventures into an ease of operation.
The city of Austin is growing and expanding at exponential speed, welcoming new renters and business owners from all across the county. Now is the time to plan your work and work your plan to achieve financial independence as a property owner and landlord. Never go it alone with the headship of Guillermo Ochoa-Cronfel to get your documents in order and smooth the road ahead. The Cronfel Firm is Austin’s most trusted name for ethics, integrity and personal attention devoted to every case.
Austin offers abundant employment, down to Earth housing prices, and some of the friendliest folk in the nation. Austin residents and visitors enjoy the good life with fine dining, entertainment and an eclectic blend of cultures. Whether you are an experienced landlord or just jumping in with two feet, Guillermo Ochoa-Cronfel welcomes new Austin business owners with the legal and technical know-how to get the job done right.
Why You Should Choose The Cronfel Firm
Interpreting and compliance with a set of laws that are ever changing leaves no room for error. The Cronfel Firm is ready, willing and able to set your feet on a steady course and bring rapid resolution to your case. You are one phone call away from talking to the Austin landlord-tenant specialists that are eager to speak with you and assist you with all your property and business law needs. Property rentals and real estate ownership has long been at the forefront for wealth building tools, and Guillermo Ochoa-Cronfel is the Austin favorite for help.
Spring cleaning is an annual ritual for most homeowners: throwing out the old, dusting and shining up the new, and generally giving the whole house a thorough scrubbing and polishing. Environmental responsibility has added a new twist to this old tradition, however; many Austin residents now choose to go green when they spring clean. [...]
Time to get to spring cleaning!
Spring cleaning is an annual ritual for most homeowners: throwing out the old, dusting and shining up the new, and generally giving the whole house a thorough scrubbing and polishing. Environmental responsibility has added a new twist to this old tradition, however; many Austin residents now choose to go green when they spring clean. Here are some ways to improve your home’s environment while preserving the earth’s environment at the same time.
Downsize and minimize
Most homeowners accumulate a surprising amount of clutter over the years, keeping a wide array of items that are never used. By reducing the amount of unused items in your home, you can more easily keep it clean and organized, allowing your spring cleaning process to go more smoothly next year. It’s important to be realistic. If you’ve only used your elaborate espresso machine twice since you bought it, chances are you don’t really need it after all. By clearing out unused items, you can save on space and minimize your cleaning time considerably.
Don’t toss it, donate it
Used items in good repair are always in demand by various charities. Thrift stores and local organizations often derive a significant portion of their income from these donations. Depending on the specific charity, you may be able to donate:
- Clothing
- Books
- Furniture
- Automobiles
- Large and small appliances
- Tableware and silverware
- Toys
- Home decor
Best of all, you can often deduct the fair market value of donated items on next year’s tax return, making it a win-win situation for everyone involved.
Avoid harsh chemical cleaners
A number of green cleansers are available on the market; alternatively, you can make your own with borax, baking soda, vinegar, and other natural substances. These are gentler on the environment and easier on your wallet as well. To avoid pests, use natural repellents like cedar wood, garlic, and various essential oils and herbs. Mice hate the smell of peppermint oil, for instance; sprinkling a few drops on a piece of cloth will help keep them out of your closet or kitchen.
Recycle
For items that can’t be reused or donated due to damage or wear, recycling is the next best thing. Used computer equipment, appliances, cell phones, plastics, glass, and paper can all be recycled through various companies and organizations. By minimizing the amount of trash that goes to landfills, you can help to keep the environment safe and minimize your environmental footprint.
By incorporating environmentally friendly methods into your spring cleaning routine, you can ensure that your home is a healthier, safer place to live both inside and out.
The State of Texas is prepared to spend big money to lure social networking site Facebook to the Austin area. The $1.4 million incentive package is intended to make Austin even more attractive to Facebook, which has its main corporate headquarters in Palo Alto, California and has recently announced plans to open a national [...]
The State of Texas is prepared to spend big money to lure social networking site Facebook to the Austin area. The $1.4 million incentive package is intended to make Austin even more attractive to Facebook, which has its main corporate headquarters in Palo Alto, California and has recently announced plans to open a national office outside the California area. The new office is expected to provide around 200 well-paying jobs in the sales, customer service and risk management fields, making it a valuable asset for the city Facebook selects. The incentive package offered by Texas will be funded by the Texas Enterprise Fund and is dependent on the city of Austin agreeing to ante up approximately $200,000 worth of local incentives; the proposed incentive plan will go before a public hearing on March 11, 2010.
Austin has long been considered one of the high-tech centers in the region, and the addition of a national Facebook office would add to the city’s well-deserved reputation. Chief Operating Officer of Facebook Sheryl Sandberg indicated that Austin was under serious consideration as a potential site for the office, stating “Austin, with its deep talent pool, would allow us to hire the high-caliber employees we need to properly serve the people, advertisers and developers that rely on our service.” Facebook currently has over 400 million active users, so its presence in Austin would be a high-profile addition to the city’s already vibrant high-tech industry scene.
This is not the first time a major online company has chosen Austin as a site for expansion; Google opened an office in Austin in 2008, but closed it along with several other offices worldwide soon after due to financial cutbacks throughout the company. While only twenty jobs were lost due to the closing, the Austin community felt the blow to its reputation as a high-tech hub. If Austin is able to snag the Facebook office, the effects will be felt not only economically but also psychologically throughout the region.
Facebook’s interest in opening an Austin office follows on the heels of recent announcements by LegalZoom and Pioneer Surgical Technology to open offices in Austin; LegalZoom’s new expansion is expected to bring around 600 jobs to Austin in the next few years, while Pioneer Surgical’s new office will employ around 30 people when it opens in the second quarter of this year. These acquisitions are expected to boost the local economy still further in the latter part of 2010.
Well, it’s been a long time and I have to admit, that I am surprised super happy that REALTORS Property Resource,LLC has shared the Content License Agreement with NAR’s members. I just read about the revamped RPR agreement on Inman News. Seems to be a pretty long document, but as Brian Larson pointed out, the [...]
Well, it’s been a long time and I have to admit, that I am surprised super happy that REALTORS Property Resource,LLC has shared the Content License Agreement with NAR’s members. I just read about the revamped RPR agreement on Inman News. Seems to be a pretty long document, but as Brian Larson pointed out, the more clear and complete the agreement winds up being, the less trouble there will be down the road. I couldn’t agree more.
Ok, so I’m like a kid on Christmas morning and would love to have more to post now, but I’ve got to grab a glass of wine, sit by the fire (it’s snowing today in Austin), and crank through this baby!
And to RPR, thanks for ruining my funny use of this clip. 
It would have been something like, How RPR Responds to questions…
I’ll be the first to say that technology can be sexy. Especially, when it’s technology that you wished you had. That kind of thinking makes me wonder if NAR didn’t fall in love with the idea of the REALTOR Property Resource and make a mistake by funding it completely alone.
A luxury once tasted, becomes a [...]
NAR makes it rain to the tune of $20MM for the boys at RPR!
I’ll be the first to say that technology can be sexy. Especially, when it’s technology that you wished you had. That kind of thinking makes me wonder if NAR didn’t fall in love with the idea of the REALTOR Property Resource and make a mistake by funding it completely alone.
A luxury once tasted, becomes a necessity. Not sure who coined that, but it’s very true. Use the new iPhone and it’s the next item on the shopping list; buy a GPS and it’s hard to imagine getting around without it. Now put yourself in NAR’s position. There are some awfully talented guys who used to run Cyberhomes. They have been with Fidelity, have been with LPS, and they’re used to selling to REALTORS with sexy looking technology. (LPS is a MLS provider.) Now take these Cyberhomes guys, put them in a room with some REALTORS who run the Association, and the Association’s big fat checkbook and what do you think the outcome will be???
I’m thinking a $20MM company replete with Cyberhomes guys and paid for by Joe and Jane REALTOR. Note that the CEO and a VP are actually brokers, which makes me feel a lot better. Of course, the details are not there for us to see. I mean, sure, there are a few extremely vague agreement drafts floating around there, there are likely some coders integrating data, maybe a few social media evangelists (we met Reggie of RPR in a previous post), and other than that, a whole lot of sealed lips.You can get some great info over at MLS Tesseract if you want to bone up on the current state of RPR. The lack of communication and attempt to get buy in is for some other posts so back to the main thought of this post.
Did NAR fall in love and blow $20 large on RPR? I think they might have.
But why do you think this Joe? Aside from the obvious reasons that we all sell locally (so why do we need a national system) and the fact that the resources they are aggregating are already out there, FOR FREE; Well, I was reading press releases and news stories about the past wonderful experiences that NAR and business partner/related tech companies have had and a few things popped up.
Remember HomeStore.com? Remember the CEO of HomeStore.com who was sentenced to 15 years in a Federal facility for defrauding investors. The outcome, just a little loss of $100 Million dollars to investors and stockholders. No biggie there. I mean it wasn’t Enron and at least NAR wasn’t the sole owner of that baby, who by the way is now called Move.com. Just for your reference that Move stock is now trading at about $1.30 per share down from it’s all time high of something like $102. (Note that Move.com is currently worth less than 70% of LoopNet and less than 50% of CoStar.)
So then I decided to check out what NAR had said about Realtor.com. How was this such a success when HomeStore and Move were disasters less than ideal engagements. Here is what I found interesting that either NAR has forgotten or the fun bunch from Cyberhomes helped them over look. My commentary in blue.
Directly from the Press Release
…
History of REALTOR.com
In November 1996, the Board of Directors of the National Association of REALTORS® approved an agreement between the REALTORS® Information Network (RIN)—NAR’s wholly-owned subsidiary–and RealSelect, Inc. to take over the operations of NAR’s official Internet site, REALTOR.com. At the time, many business models were considered to finance the development of REALTOR.com.NAR’s Leadership Team decided against using dues dollars or asking for a special assessment of the membership to fund REALTOR.com. While Homestore and its investors have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to build and operate REALTOR.com, no NAR funds or NAR member dues dollars have ever been used for the creation or operation of the site.
Remember the fraud guy and the hundreds of millions of dollars. Seemed like a good idea then. With the current load of fraud ala Madoff, Standford, and the list continues, it SEEMS LIKE A BETTER IDEA NOW.
…
Key Provisions in the Operating Agreement
The operating agreement negotiated more than eight years ago contained a number of important provisions ensuring NAR’s control over the content and operations of the site. Those provisions remain in full force today and continue to guide the relationship between NAR and Homestore (NASDAQ: HOMS), which owns RealSelect.Homestore operates REALTOR.com as a business. Its separation from NAR allows the company to make decisions that could potentially pose difficult problems for a trade association on business terms. These include the pricing of REALTOR.com products and services to REALTORS® and the development and marketing of new products and services.
Ok. Why has this changed? I mean, I love technology as much as the next guy, but if there aren’t private investors out there willing to provide funding then maybe the NAR shouldn’t step in an fund this start up with member dollars. Are any of the NAR board members technology incubator guys? What about venture capital guys with experience in taking a technology startup from soup to nuts??? I’m sure the guys from Cyberhomes are stoked. “Hey check this Bobby, we got an angel investor and get to play start-up now with other people’s money.” Also, since the exact product offerings are not set in stone, nor are any pricing models for members, what’s the deal here? Before owning the whole enchilada posed difficult problems, now, now sweat.
Outlook for the Future
Homestore has survived the shake-out among dot com start-up companies and complete turnover in its management team. It has undergone major cost-cutting and restructuring to adjust to changing business realities. Certainly, its relationship with NAR has helped see it through challenging times and REALTOR.com has never lost its lead in the real estate space.The two organizations have continued their relationship essentially unchanged because they both benefit. Homestore has access to the best brand in real estate and NAR has a vehicle to provide its members a strong presence on the Internet without incurring the cost or risk of operating REALTOR.com itself. Time and trials have tested the formula, and now it’s poised for new growth, profitability and service to REALTORS®, shareholders and consumers alike.
…
Um. yeah. If I hadn’t sworn off the blink tag long ago, the middle sentence above would be blinking like John McCain at a presidential debate. Why has the time tested formula been changed? Remember what happened when Coke tried that??
So now you see why I think NAR fell in love with RPR and wrote a fat $20MM check. The past taught us as an association what works, why it works, and leave it to NAR to forget the history only 10-15 years in the rear view. As a NAR member, it saddens me. As a technology guy, it frightens me.
I’d love to hear from other agents, brokers, MLS folks, even some of those tight-lipped RPR people are welcome here. Maybe if we knew more about what was going on some of the skepticism would melt away. That remains to be seen.
St. David’s HealthCare recently announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire the Heart Hospital of Austin, Texas from MedCath Corporation, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. St. David’s, one of the largest employers in Austin, has long been considered a leader in the healthcare field throughout the region. This acquisition is expected [...]
St. David’s HealthCare recently announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire the Heart Hospital of Austin, Texas from MedCath Corporation, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. St. David’s, one of the largest employers in Austin, has long been considered a leader in the healthcare field throughout the region. This acquisition is expected to allow the St. David’s HealthCare team to provide an even higher quality of care and increase efficiency throughout the system.
St. David’s currently has twenty-four sites throughout Austin and the surrounding area, making it one of the largest healthcare organizations in Texas. It was the fifth largest employer in Austin before this acquisition, and is expected to move up in rank when the transfer becomes complete sometime later this year. The two companies are awaiting final regulatory commission approval for the acquisition.
St. David’s HealthCare has achieved high marks for employee satisfaction, ranking number one in the 2007, 2008, and 2009 Austin Business Journal’s list of “Best Places to Work” in Austin. It encompasses six of the metropolitan area’s major hospitals and has been awarded the Texas Award for Performance Excellence for its outstanding patient care and quality medical services. The addition of Heart Hospital will allow St. David’s to further solidify its position as the leading healthcare provider in the Austin area; the Heart Hospital of Austin was recently named by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as the best place in the country to be treated for a heart attack.
For Austin residents, this acquisition is expected to further cement Austin’s position as the leading healthcare industry center in the state of Texas and to provide additional employment opportunities in the area. Austin’s already high quality of life is also expected to improve as a result of the St. David’s HealthCare expansion and acquisition. Since the Heart Hospital of Austin will now be under local administration and ownership, the Austin economy is expected to see benefits from the acquisition as well; the streamlining of services and procedures will further improve the quality of patient care in the area and should serve as an additional attraction for businesses looking to relocate to the Austin area.
