A home is a worthy investment that gives you not only a place to live, but also a place for your family to grow and for you to celebrate your milestones in life. Why not improve it as much as you can by using the latest in technology?

Smart home devices have recently become a must-have addition for homeowners who are looking to improve their lives. Thankfully, that is possible now more than ever as a result of a variety of companies who have come up with imaginative ways to improve our lives by using our voice or our smartphones. There are few reasons why you shouldn't already have a smart home system thanks to the multitude of benefits that they provide to homeowners.

Here are but a few of the many devices available on the market and some of

As the spring buying season begins, several millennial first time home buyers are setting their sights on finding the dream home that's right for them. Austin is the perfect place for this, with a bustling city packed full of opportunities for those who are looking to begin their career. Surprisingly, they are not alone. Young professionals have grown rapidly to become the biggest home buyers in the US.

Millennials are a force to be reckoned with

According to The Washington Post, most millennials have rated their own financial situation as fairly good to very good. This figure is a substantial increase compared to three years ago. Millennials today are also the largest group of home buyers according to Ellie Mae. This comes as a direct contrast

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South by Southwest (SXSW) is happening again in Austin, TX. For people new to the area, it's an exciting time where amazing music, celebrities, parties, and a variety of fun activities descend on the city. For longtime residents of Austin, it can be a dreadful time. Bringing in over 400,000 attendees for different events annually makes navigating the Austin highways and downtown area difficult.

That's why the Pauly Presley Realty team has put together this foolproof survival guide for Austin, TX residents and visitors to help y'all navigate Austin during SXSW 2017. Be a champion and a survivor. And have fun!

Which Social Media Accounts to Follow During SXSW

If you're going to do SXSW, you have to do it right. You

Selling a house is pretty normal business: you take photos of every room, set a price, and you're set. However, you often find a gem among the many beautiful scenery photos. Gems that make you question "Why are you trying to sell that house with that photo?" as you browse the multiple photos showing off the beautiful landscape.

Terrible real estate photos, funny MLS photos, or whatever you want to call them, they're impressive works of art that defy explanation. From a random person in the frame to a pet casually walking by the camera, they've delighted and appalled real estate agents for years. Here are some of our favorite funny real estate photos from across the web:

Congratulations to Mrs. Pink Teddy Bear and Mr. Panda on their new home

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. We're sure lots of you already have your dinner plans squared away, but if you've got a sweet tooth after your romantic meal, check out our list of the best places to get some lovely dessert for you and your Valentine.

Big Top Candy Shop

1706 South Congress Avenue
Open 11am - 7pm on Valentine's Day 2017

Big Top has perhaps one of the greatest selections of classic candy in Austin. Plus, they also feature a fully stocked soda bar and milkshake menu to satisfy even the largest of sweet cravings. Just a short (uphill) walk from the famous "I love you so much" painted on the side of Jo's Coffee, it's a great place to take your sweetheart for some sweet treats. According to Big Top's Facebook page,

Image Source: PureAustin.com

5 Fitness Centers in Austin to Help Start Your New Year Workout Plan

Now that its 2017, you might be adopting the motto "New Year, New Me" and working out a plan to hit the gym more often. If you live in Austin, you're in luck: Austin ranked #15.5 (tied with Raleigh, NC) in 2016 for being one of the fittest cities in the U.S., partly due to all of the fitness centers and gym options available.

There's plenty of indoor and outdoor places you can go to get a workout in if you live in Austin. Here's a list of a few of our favorites we've compiled to help with your New Year's motivation.

Go Rock Climbing at Austin Bouldering Project

Looking for an indoor rock-climbing gym in Austin? Austin Bouldering

Image Source: FreeFuninAustin.com

Even though we live in Texas, we do still (sort of) have a winter. With the temperature cooling off, a lot of Austinites are looking for fun winter activities for when the weather outside is frightful. Luckily there is a lot to do! Here's some of our favorite hot spots to hang out when it gets cold in Austin:

Grab a Bowl of Soup to Warm Up

Austin has plenty of places to grab a hot bowl of soup to warm you up. There's Ramen Tatsu-Ya, which offers Japanese soul food in the form of ramen. The No. 1 Tonkotsu Original comes with creamy pork broth, noodles on the side, pork belly, and an ajitama (a marinated boiled egg). It's definitely worth trying.

There's also Gourmands Neighborhood Pub, where you can order

It can be easy to forget how many quirky, lovable spots there are in the great city of Austin. If you're looking to immerse yourself in some great Austin-local businesses with a charm all their own, we hope you'll consider these great mainstays.

1. Violet Crown Cinema

When people think of movie watching in Austin, they think of the Alamo Drafthouse or the Paramount. However, this gem is a much quieter, much more sophisticated alternative to those other Austin staples.

Located in the 2nd Street District downtown, the Violet Crown's film selection might not be as widely varied as at the Drafthouse, but the quality of the films on offer is guaranteed. The Violet Crown leans more towards arthouse fare. It's not uncommon to see catalog titles such

Austin is steadily becoming one of the most desirable American cities to call home. As the market continues to expand, Austin real estate properties continue to increase in value. We decided to see what your money can actually get you in Austin, compared to some other places around the world. Turns out, some private islands might run you a little less than a well-situated Austin home!

1. A Lot on a Fiji Private Island vs. Renovated East-Side Beauty

Fiji Island - Price: $125,000 USD
Island Details

For $125,000 USD, you can purchase a 42 acre lot on Mavuva Island, located within the Great Sea Reef of Fiji. The island is currently being developed into an island community, with plans for a clubhouse, restaraunt, and bar in the near future. Being

Image courtesy of @jimyaria on Instagram

National Coffee day is here: September 29th. If you're looking for a cup, you're in luck. We've compiled a list of our favorite places to grab a coffee in Austin, with a coffee shop for everyone.

The best coffee shop is the one that's closest to you. Next door, down the street or down the block, you're probably close to a coffee shop you know and frequent. If you're close to one of these 23 coffee shops, though, you're in for an even sweeter treat. From locally founded Austin coffee roasters to the most iconic coffee shops in Austin, you're sure to find the perfect place to perk up.

Mozart's Coffee Roasters

Image courtesy of @mozartscoffee on Instagram

There's no better place to relax on warm fall