Jim Olenbush

It's no secret that Austin was chosen by Money Magazine as the No. 2 Best Big City in their "Best Places to Live" index, and was also picked from almost 400 U.S. cities by Moody's Economy and was rated #1 for the economic vitality index.

Austin, the "Live Music Capital of the World", is a slogan based on the very essence of this city that is supported by residents and local government alike. There are virtually hundreds of venues where locals and visitors can enjoy every type of live music imaginable.

Yup, its true folks! Austin is not buying that woebegone story that everyone else is reading. The latest reports show that the "Live Music Capital of the World" is proving that it still rates as a residential retreat and a bustling business center.

Well, the latest news should get those buyers moving and out into the market while they still can. The credit squeeze has been predicted to get worse before it gets better.

Every summer night, hundreds of people witness one of the most spectacular wildlife displays in any major urban center. Rising like a black cloud of birds at sunset, the colony of mother bats and their pups take off over Ladybird Lake (Town Lake) and into Texas hill country in search of food.

So you are ready to buy your dream home. If you're serious about buying in the near future, here are a few ways to make sure you'll get a mortgage when you need it.

Never underestimate the importance of preparing your home for showing. If your home is up for sale, staging is of ultimate importance, and can net you thousands in profits after your home sells. A well staged home will attract buyers even if there is a surplus of homes on the market.

When your home is for sale, you probably have mixed feelings. You may be excited to move, and looking forward to what is coming up in your life. Chances are, though, you are also feeling a bit sentimental about the place you've called home for some time. While you feel like you know the home best, and can tell viewers all about it, the truth is, this is a job best left to the Realtor®.

Meeting people is easy - especially on the Internet. In recent years social networking websites have helped blur the line between online and offline socializing, and simplified target audience marketing to a single mouse click. The hard part now is deciding where to meet everybody, and which version of yourself to present.

Though concern for the environment might be why more people are buying green homes today, Austin buyers are definitely falling for the way they save them money on overall operating costs and maintenance.