Downtown Austin Blog

downtown Austin's real estate and neighborhood blog

Insider Deals

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My business is Downtown Austin Real Estate.  Not West Lake, not Circle C, not Hyde Park, not Tarrytown – simply Downtown Austin!

Deals are getting done in Downtown Austin.  Sellers are loathe to publicly lower prices.  Instead, they sporadically reach out to a handful of market makers and suggest a price when they need to get a deal done.  I’ve seen developers require a non-disclosure agreement!  Who cares, you just got a great deal because you were in the know.  Recently, my firm has negotiated deals of 30% off asking price.

Are you in the know?

I am opening up my insider deal contact book to prepared buyers that are pre-approved and ready to negotiate.  This is an invitation to join my short list of buyers who receive a heads up whenever a seller contacts me motivated to make a deal.  This goes for condo sales AND apartment leases.

Being prepared to close is the key to negotiating a super deal.  You, or someone you know, can be added to my distribution list by sending me an email including:

-a pre-approval letter from your lender (if you are buying)
-your desired amount of space

Jude Galligan, Downtown Austin Realtor
judegalligan [@] gmail.com
512-226-3414

City Council to Vote on Phase Two of Downtown Austin Plan

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On today’s city council agenda, item #4 is a vote to fund phase two of the Downtown Austin Plan.  The city and downtown Austin stakeholders have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in time and money to design a downtown befitting a world class city.

Laura Morrison, Lee Leffingwell, and Mike Martinez are expected to align themselves against downtown.  After all, if you study the Statesman you’ll realize that it’s en vogue to hate on downtown.  Though, these council members will vote against downtown under the guise of fiscal responsibility.

Dont’ be fooled!

Politically they are posturing themselves to support a comprehensive plan for the city.  Something that could take years, will certainly require more expensive consultants, and just as easily could be thrown out as they seem to want to do with the Downtown Austin Plan.  The City’s shelves are thick with research studies and improvement plans which have never been implemented.

I hope I’m wrong.  We should know by lunchtime how each council member voted.

Austin Community College Purchases Two Downtown Properties

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Thanks to DANA board member Roger Cauvin for the heads up!

ACC has purchased 800 and 812 w 12th Street (Gmap).  Combined, these properties take up a chunk of the Northwest corner of 12th @ West Ave.  This isn’t surprising as ACC’s enrollment has surged in recent years.

From the article:

“The ACC District approved the purchase of two downtown properties this week.  ACC paid $1 million for the sites at 800 and 812 W. 12th Street in Downtown Austin….General obligation bonds paid for the purchase.”

Waller Creek Tunnel – council approves budget for engineering review

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Waller Creek Tunnel project inches forward.  According to the ABJ, “Austin City Council approved an agreement with Austin-based H.R. Gray to provide engineering services for the Waller Creek Tunnel project.  The contract amount is up to $300,000.  H.R. Gray will conduct an engineering review of the Waller Creek Tunnel project’s design and construction plans.”

Baby steps.

City Parking Meters

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City of Austin getting new parking meters
City of Austin getting new parking meters

Rob Spillar stopped by the DANA board meeting this past Tuesday to share his recommendation to replace the existing parking meters.  Quite simply, the recommended system is VASTLY superior (ppt) to the old meters.

Highlights:
1) potential to partner with CapMetro to purchase bus/rail tickets
2) potential for city to compete with parking garages on weekend nights
3) time purchased is transferable to other parking locations
4) free parking for motorcycles and scooters

Today, Austin City Council approved the new parking meters on consent.

-Jude