Real Estate Blog

*Updated July 14 at 2:30 p.m. Now that downtown Austin is no longer a deadzone, we've expanded this from the 13 best spots to the 18 best spots. We'll update the map and hotspots daily.

Unless you live under a rock, you're probably playing Pokémon Go in Austin right now. With an unprecedented level of immediate success, Pokémon Go has trainers of all ages braving the heat in search of new Pokémon. Now that downtown and central Austin have finally been filled with Pokéstops, we've compiled a list of the best places in and around the city that will help you catch 'em all.

The Capitol

Hailed as one of the few Capitol buildings in the country larger than the U.S. Capitol, Texas's gorgeous Capitol is also home to a dizzying number of

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

At Pauly Presley Realty, we're always looking for the best ways to improve your home's appeal. In Austin, we're lucky enough to have many species of greenery that make gorgeous additions to both a front and back yard. Here are our favorite Texas native plants, both for their beauty and for their function in your landscape!

American Beautyberry

Photo by Virginia State Park Staff on Flickr.

The American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is perhaps the most versatile native plant on our list. Included because of the fruit's unique purple hue, along with the fitting name, Beautyberry plants act as great decorative shrubs in yards, and provide other topical benefits. For example, the leaves of American

Finding your first home in Austin can be a liberating, but sometimes frustrating experience. We know both the highs and the lows of renting, so we created this guide so you can get a better understanding of what to look for when searching for your first place.

Hi, Brad Pauly here, I was featured in a new article about “Buying or Selling A House With Foundation Issues”. Ram Jack Systems, a foundation repair company put together some great tips and tricks about finding foundation issues in a home. The piece goes through what you should look for on the interior and exterior of a home to spot foundation issues. The thorough graphic then goes on to explain what the buyer or seller should do if any foundation issues are found. The "tips from a realtor" sections are where I shared the best practices for homeowners and seller to know when it comes to closing a sale on a home with foundation issues.

Ram Jack Systems even covers the different soil types around the US and how they can affect your foundation.

Highlights

• Median Household Income: $71,599
• Median Age: 35
• Average Household Size: 2

Rosedale's quaint homes and beautiful old growth trees define this Austin neighborhood. The density of Rosedale is above the Austin average, but still offers a small community atmosphere. The market is diverse with historic homes, remodels and new builds. In the 1800’s the Rosedale community was full of farmsteads and orchards. You can visit the historic Moore-Hancock farmstead that was built in 1850. It is the oldest standing home in Rosedale and the museum offers a perspective on the early settler life in Austin.

Photo Source: Winn Whitman Architecture

Location

Rosedale is an Austin Texas neighborhood located in the zip code

Meet Caroline, Pauly Presley Realty's Newest Agent!

Where are you from? ​Midland, TX (West Texas)

How long have you lived in Austin? ​About 3 years.

Favorite parts on the city (specific areas/destinations)? I LIVE at Zilker Park or The Greenbelt (basically anywhere I can bring my dog) on the weekend days, usually hit up eastside Austin for weekend nights, and usually stick to my south central neighborhood for happy hour.

Why is Austin the best city? I LOVE AUSTIN. Never have I lived in a city so filled with passion and kindness and desire to actually take part in life instead of watching it pass by. The people are creative and inspiring, and the city is growing and expanding to let more of those people in.

Favorite activities?​

Highlights

• Median Household Income: $42,155
• Median Age: 30
• Average Household Size: 2

Hyde Park's housing is widely considered to be the first suburb of Austin and dates all the way back to 1891. The streets of Hyde Park were created in a grid structure in which most blocks take up approximately the same area. It is now one of Austin's most densely populated housing areas, as population per square mile exceeds the Austin average by about 2 times as much. It was originally home to Austin's elite in the 1890s and featured elegant styles of homes that spanned the architectural styles of the 19th century. The neighborhood still stands out among Austin neighborhoods thanks to the unique styles of housing that are reminiscent of early

Highlights

• Median Household Income: $82,159
• Median Age: 36
• Average Household Size: 2

Pemberton Heights is situated on the far side of Shoal Creek in north central Austin. The area was largely untouched until the early 1900s due to the creek's propensity to destroy bridges that connected Pemberton with the rest of Austin. Development began in 1927 before it was annexed by the City of Austin. The neighborhood features some of Austin's most unique homes, including multi-storied houses with modernist architecture and houses engineered like castles that harken to hundreds of years ago. Some of Austin's most affluent entrepreneurs and successful business people own houses in the area.

Photo Source: HomeAway

Location

Highlights

• Median Household Income: $56,900
• Median Age: 35
• Average Household Size: 2

The entire neighborhood of Brentwood was mainly used for cotton farming until about 75 years ago. The city of Austin expanded into Brentwood and built an elementary school and large park in the 1950s. The homes in Brentwood are built in the style of a bungalow, characterized by a low-rise architecture and extra veranda space. They are usually single story homes that require a larger foundation and roof area than standard homes.

Photo Source: Geotheme

Location

Brentwood is an affluent Austin neighborhood located in zip codes 78756 and 78757. The neighborhood is bordered on the west by Burnet Road and on the east by North Lamar

If you were a house, what kind would you be? Do you think you're stylish and hip, like a downtown flat? Or are you refined and genteel, like a Victorian-era cottage? Time to find out!

Take our short quiz below, to find out what sort of house would suit you best. Share with your friends to figure out how well you know each other, too!

Did you like your results? If not, you can always try again. And if you think we've got you spot on, maybe you could even try to find a home in Austin just like your result from the quiz!