All Blog Entries by James Brinkman

Found 27 blog entries published by James Brinkman.

A recent study released by Portfolio.com found that Austin residents are the fourth least stressed out of the 50 largest metropolitan areas in the country. According to the researchers, Austin residents enjoy a low level of stress primarily due to the relatively low unemployment rates coupled with the good health of the city’s residents.

When determining the overall level of stress within each city, the researchers considered a number of different factors. These included:

•    Crime rates
•    Environmental factors
•    Health risks
•    Living standards
•    Local unemployment rates
•    Personal financial data

On the other end of the spectrum, the researchers found that Detroit residents were the most stressed. This was largely due to the city’s

9,309 Views, 0 Comments

According to Newsweek magazine, the “Texaplex” of Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and Houston is among the top ten regions in the country in terms of being poised for an economic recovery. This is largely due to the fact that the Texas metros have a strong energy sector as well as a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

In addition to having a strong energy sector, the Newsweek article found that the state of Texas is also an attractive market for those businesses that are looking for a place to relocate. This was largely due to the fact that the state has a “pro-business attitude” as well as a business tax rate that is relatively low when compared to other states. For these reasons and more, Texas now has more Fortune 500 companies than any other state in the

4,991 Views, 1 Comment

10304 Holme Lacey, Austin - $387,500

4 Bed, 3 Bath, 2,874 sqft. per tax records


EXTENSIVELY UPDATED! Granite Counters in Gourmet Kitchen w/XL Island & All New (11) LG Stainless Steel Appliances * Wide Plank, Hand-Scraped Hard Wood Floors in Dramatic Two-Story Family Room w/Massive Stone Fireplace * Hardwoods in Study/Dining, Hall, Stairwell & Master Bed * Remodeled Master Bath w/recent Granite Counters, Tiled Shower Surround & Backsplash, Vessel Sinks, Faucets * Fresh Paint and Recent Six Panel Doors throughout * 4th bed has closet-could be game/study * Relax on XL decks w/VIEWS!

To schedule a showing contact James Brinkman at 512-698-3525

 hl_640

hl2_640

hl3_640

hl4_640

To schedule a showing contact James Brinkman at 512-698-3525 

9,438 Views, 0 Comments

3746 Galena Hills, Round Rock

5 Bed, 4 Bath, 3,755 sqft - Call James Brinkman (512) 698-3525

vr1_640

5 bedroom, brick home on landscaped lot under a canopy of mature oak trees * Covered front and back porch with extended stone patio in spacious backyard * Open and bright interior with hand-scraped hardwood floors and ceramic tile floors down * Gourmet kitchen with island and recent granite counters open to family room with fireplace and two story ceiling * Master bath w/garden tub * Dedicated office down with french doors * Gameroom plus media room up * Large secondary bedrooms w/walk-in closets

vr2_640_01

vr3_640

vr4_640

Call James Brinkman (512) 698-3525

4,877 Views, 1 Comment

2711 Orsobello in Bella Vista
5 Bed, 3 Bath, 3,915 sqft. per tax records.  Asking $415,000

Backing to a Running Creek & Protected Park/Greenbelt w/Walking Trails & Historic Buildings * White Texas Stone exterior * Recent Gorgeous Wide Plank Hardwood Floors * Full WalkOut Basement w/~800sf Gameroom/Living Area on lower level * Gourmet Kitchen open to Family Room w/Cathedral Ceilings * Three Car Garage * Oversized Master w/Dual Vanity/Garden Tub/Sep Shower * Decks off Every Level w/Exceptional Hill Country Views * Full Guest Bed/Bath Down * Recent Roof * Minutes to Twin Creeks Golf & Lake Travis

ob1_640

Call James Brinkman at 512-698-3525

ob2_640

ob3_640

Call James Brinkman at 512-698-3525

4,504 Views, 0 Comments


According to a report released by RelocateAmerica.com, Austin is the third best city to relocate to in the United States. Austin residents have known this for quite sometime, which is part of why the city and the surrounding area has been growing so rapidly over the last several years. Still, it is good to know that the capital city of Austin is receiving recognition for all that it has to offer to those who are looking for a great city to move to.

Of course, this isn't the first time Austin has been recognized as a great place to live or as a great place to move to. In fact, the city took the number two position in the "America's Top 100 Places to Live for 2010" report. This particular report, on which Huntsville, Alabama took the number one position,…
4,802 Views, 1 Comment


According to a new Portfolio.com/bizjournals study, the Southwest is the place to go for young adults who are looking for a place to work and to settle down. In fact, three of the top ten places identified as the best places for young adults to live are located in the Southwest, with Austin taking the number one position.

Although there are many reasons for young adults to want to live in Austin, there were two main reasons why the city took the top honors. One of these reasons is the fact that Austin actually managed to add 99,200 jobs over the past five years, while two-thirds of the country's major markets actually have fewer jobs now than they had five years ago. With an annual employment growth rate of 2.8%, Austin has enjoyed the fastest growth rate

5,459 Views, 1 Comment

Residents of the Austin-Round Rock area are well aware that the metro area is one of the best places in the country to live, but it is always nice to have these assertions confirmed by those who don't live there. Thanks to the Milken Institute/Greenstreet Real Estate Partners, residents of the Austin-Round Rock area can feel good in knowing that they are residents of the best performing city in the United States.

The Milken Institute/Greenstreet Real Estate Partners recently released its 2009 list of Best Performing Cities Index and the Austin-Round Rock area topped the list. In creating the list, the Milken Institute/Greenstreet Real Estate Partners considered a number of different factors. These included the area's ability to create and sustain jobs as…
3,659 Views, 0 Comments

According to a recent study conducted by J.D. Power and Associates, Austin Bergstrom International Airport showed a strong standing in passenger satisfaction when compared to other national competitors.

Austin Bergstrom International Airport managed to come in the fifth position on a list of the 25 best small airports, which is defined as an airport that sees less than 10 million passengers per year. The study, which was entitled the 2010 North America Satisfaction Study, was based on responses received from more than 12,100 passengers who took flights last year.

Among the small airports included on the list, Indianapolis International took the top spot, while San Jose International airport came in the last position. Among the larger airports that serve 30…
3,543 Views, 0 Comments

Several new laws affecting homeowners went into effect on January 1 of this year. Although there are numerous new laws that Texas residents should learn more about, those that specifically affect homeowners include new laws that are meant to lower property taxes as well as those that are meant to improve the home appraisal process.

Several new pieces of legislation related to property taxes were passed by lawmakers last year. One of these includes legislation that will limit what is known as a "comparable sale" as well as creating a new arbitration process. Additional legislation establishes new requirements for requesting to increase the amount of a property appraisal after successfully completing an appeal.

According to an Austin Biz Journals report, Texas…
16,432 Views, 0 Comments