Many of the historic buildings in Austin are either privately owned, have been turned into modern-day businesses, or are open to the public in the form of museums. Luckily for those looking to actually live in such a building, even if for just one night, both the Driskill hotel and the Stephen F. Austin hotel are waiting downtown.
In 1886, cattle baron Jesse Driskill purchased the land,...
More times than I can remember I had a buyer interested in a property think that I would be thrilled when I found out they didn't have a buyers agents. I'm not excited. In fact I would prefer that they had a buyers agent. Here are the reasons why:
1) Liability - There is more liability for me if the buyer doesn't have a buyers agent. While some agents prey on unrepresented buyers...
During the subprime crisis we saw the advent of numerous bizarre loan products. In general the new loan products were designed to get people into houses they could not normally afford. As people started to default on their mortgages banks realized many of these loan products were not a good idea. During the subprime crisis we saw most of these new loan programs fall to the wayside. I think...
On March 14th, Bear Stearns, the fifth-largest investment bank in the United States, entered a period of insolvency. As growing lack of confidence in the firm's subprime exposure grew, other banks eventually refused to lend to the stricken company, which has existed for over 85 years.
Were Bear Stearns a commercial bank, (i.e. institutions that loan money to people or businesses) it would...
After weeks of increasingly dismal reports from the financial sector, many regular Americans are beginning to worry that the US may be close to or already in recession. While government intervention in the economy is relatively uncommon in US history, since its establishment in the 1930's, the Federal Reserve has been able to manipulate interest rates, giving them the power to make all real...
One of Austin's oldest and most loved neighborhoods in Austin is Hyde Park. Located in Central Austin just north of The University of Texas, Hyde Park is over 100 years old. Founded in 1891 by the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas Land and Town Company, the neighborhood was designed and marketed as a lush and spacious suburb that included its own streetcar line and an artificial lake.
Today,...
The recent government-sponsored bailout of Bear Stearns, one of the top five lenders in the United States, has shocked traders and left investors cold. Despite the chilly reaction on Wall Street, secretly many are breathing a sigh of relief. While Bear Stearns was mismanaged from its upper echelons, its subprime exposure grew until their recent $30 billion-plus losses had to be reported.
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In the past when the Federal Reserve cut the discount rate it translated into lower mortgage interest rates for home buyers. This was a convenient way for the Federal Reserve to stimulate the economy during economic slowdowns. By making it easier for people to get loans more cash was pushed into the economy.
But the recent discount rate cuts have failed to have a similar effect. In fact...
Real Estate buyers are usually highly focused on the purchase price of a property. This is a legitimate concern. The purchase price is one of the most important considerations in a real estate transaction. But at the same time home buyers too frequently treat interest rates as a secondary concern. Many buyers will stress over $300 or $400 in negotiations over purchase price. But when told...
What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time Bear Stearns had a high flying stock price of $150 a share and a market valuation of 20 Billion. Having been founded in 1923 they were considered one of Wall Streets most venerable investment houses.
Going back to 2005 Bear Stearns was selected as "Most Admired" securities company in Fortunes annual survey a distinction they retained...
