WELCOME TO AUSTIN !

Dear Future Austinite:

 Thank you for your interest in Austin , the capital city of Texas .  Fisher & Co. Real Estate would like to be the first to welcome you to our unique and diverse city.

  The influence of the University of Texas, the educational level of many of our high technology employers, along with the impact of our State Government and  Legislature makes an interesting mix of cultural, and social activities.  Austin maintains the small town atmosphere while offering cultural and sporting events expected in larger metropolitan cities.

  The people are warm and welcoming, the climate mild and the Texas Hill Country has tremendous visual appeal.  The Highland Lakes are a spectacular chain of seven lakes, beginning in downtown Austin and winding one hundred and fifty miles through the Hill Country, providing scenic beauty, hunting, hiking, camping, fishing, and all water sports.  And, a proud home town of 6 times world champion of Tour-de-France, Lance Armstrong.

  Fisher & Co. Real Estate is a full-service real estate brokerage firm, privately owned and managed.  Our reputation for stand-out professionalism has earned us a coveted reputation for excellence in the Real Estate industry and in the Austin community.  Because of our affiliation many professional and community organizations, we are able to serve our local clients and customers on a national scale, and connect them with the "cream of the crop" in their areas.  Fisher & Co. Real Estate is a member of Austin Board of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors and National Association of Realtors.

  We are proud of what Austin has to offer and would like to help you make Austin a part of your future.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call me.  Please contact me at my office number 512-266-7500, or my cell phone number 512-694-7010.  I look forward to meeting with you in Austin soon.

  Best regards,  

LyLy Fisher
Broker/Owner

To learn more about Austin, Texas, I will be glad to send you a complimentary:

- Austin Relocation Guide Magazine and/or
- Make Austin Home!  CD-ROM

TEXAS – A UNIQUE STAT E

 Welcome to Texas !  Fisher & Company Real State sincerely hopes you will enjoy living here as much as we do.  The purpose of this greeting is to highlight certain unique areas of Texas law which must be considered when you buy a home.

 Texas Homestead Law usually surprise newcomers the most.  Historically, Texas is a “debtor state,” which means that it was originally populated by people who wanted to get out of a particular location more than they wanted to move to Texas .  Therefore, when the “founding fathers” drafted the constitution they made sure a man’s home would be protected from creditors.

 Consequently, when you invest in a home, as your homestead, Texas allows only three types of liens of be enforceable against this property.  The first is a “purchase money line”, which means “improvement lien,” which means the house can secure money borrowed to build, repair, remodel, or add to the homestead itself.  Liens for unpaid taxes are also enforceable against your home.  A lien for any other reason is unenforceable and a lender is unlikely to take your house as security for such a loan.

 Another are is our “Lien Law.”  Texas provides for a deed of trust in addition to the customary mortgage.  Since the deed of trust permits a non-judicial foreclosure, it is the preferred security instrument in Texas .  In essence, you will convey your property to a trustee who will “hold” it for the benefit of the lender while you faithfully make payments on the note and comply with other obligations.  In the event of a default the trustee will be authorized to sell the property at public sale.  The deed of trust with its non-judicial foreclosure is important to understand when you borrow your purchase money.

 Generally speaking, you will also see the term “Vendor’s Lien.”  This means the grantor (seller) retains the legal and superior title to the property until full consideration is paid.  The grantee (buyer) gets equitable title, or all the rights and obligations of ownership.  The vendor’s lien therefore, would be superior to other creditors of the buyer to the extent of the property conveyed.  As a result, when you close your home purchase, the deed and deed of trust will probably indicate that the vendor’s lien is being retained by the seller, who will assign it to the lender as additional security under the deed of trust.

 Our Community Property laws may be as surprising as our Homestead Law.  Ownership is always governed by the laws of the state in which it is located.  Consequently, when you and your spouse buy a home in Texas , it will be treated as community property with your spouse and you each owning an undivided one half interest regardless of how title is taken.  If, for any reason you desire a different result, the Texas Property Code provides for some variations.  You are urged to consult with an attorney who is familiar with Texas law to achieve a different result.

101 Great Things To Do in Austin

1. Ascend all 106 steps of Mt. Bonnell to enjoy Lake Austin and Hill Country views. 478-0098

2. Take a friend to Hamilton's Pool and experience the miracle of Nature. 264-2740

3. Take a moonlight tour of the Wilde Basin Preserve. 327-7622

4. Go for a ride on the long star riverboat or Capitol Cruise. (seasonal) 327-1388, 480-9264

5. Join hundreds standing in line for a chance to see a taping of "Austin City Limits". 471-4811 ext. 310 or write from out of town: P.O.Box 7158, Austin, TX 78713

6. Walk, jog or bike the Hike and Bike Trail along Town Lake. 499-6700

7. In the summer, at dusk, sit on the banks of Town Lake and watch the nightly debut of thousands of bats coming out from under the congress Ave. Bridge. 327-9721

8. Spend an afternoon at Austin History Center. 499-7840

9. On a Saturday or Sunday, take a tour of the Westlake Preserve to view native flower and fauna. 512 825-3442

10. Explore Austin's historic cemeteries where Texas Legends have been laid to rest. 478-8930

11. Stroll through Zilker Rose Gardens and Taniguchi Oriental Garden. 477-8672

12. Drive across the award-winning Penny Backer Bridge. 478-0098

13. View the unique, late 19th-century Moonlight Tower. 478-0098

14. Attend a service at the oldest Protestant church west of the Mississippi  (St. David's Episcopal Church). 472-1196

15. Go to an outdoor concert at Symphony Square. 476-6064

16. Watch the UT Longhorns play at Memorial Stadium. 471-1420

17. Swim in the constant 68 degrees, spring-fed Barton Springs (476-9044) or the heated Stacy pool (477-7273).

18. Play a round of golf on one of the many first-class Austin golf courses. 478-0098

19. Prepare your best pun and participate in the O. Henry Pun Off (May). 472-1903

20.Run in the Capitol 10,000 (April). 445-3596

21. Enjoy live music 7 nights a week in one of the many local clubs. 478-0098

22. Go to Sixth Street on Halloween for a Spook-tabular time. 478-0098

23. Celebrate July 4th by listening to the Austin Symphony and watch the fireworks on Auditorium Shores. 476-6064

24. Take a tour of the Governor's Mansion, weekday mornings. 463-5518

25. Stroll the twelve-acre grounds at Laguna Gloria Art Museum and enjoy an exhibit. 458-8191

26. Spend a few hours experiencing rural central Texas as it was in the 1880's at the Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farm. 837-1215

27. Visit the George Washington Carver Museum and Library. 472-4809

28. Picnic at Rosewood Park during the June Tenth Celebration (June). 472-6838

29. Take a tour of the University of Texas campus. 471-1420

30. Celebrate Diez Seis y Seid de September at Fiesta Gardens (Sept.). 476-7502

31. Take a Historic Walking Tour of downtown Austin. 478-0098/442-1004

32. Go sculling, paddle boating or canoeing on Town Lake. 478-0098

33. Camp and swim at Sandy Creek. 469-6867

34. "Take a hike" on Barton Creek Nature Preserve. 478-0098

35. Stay in one of Austin's historic bed & breakfasts. 478-0098

36. Go to a play at Mary Mood Northern Theatre. 448-8484

37. Visit the 1840's French Legation, a foreign embassy. 472-8180

38. Follow the Walk of Stars on Six Street. 478-0098

39. Visit the Elisabeth Ney Museum, studio and home to this German sculptor. 458-2255

40. Shop at the downtown Bluebonnet Market Place. 476-3484

41. Spend a morning/afternoon at the Travis County Farmers' Market. 454-1002

42. Tour Austin's local wineries and sample award-winning wines. 478-0098

43. Experience unique shopping at Sixth Street's "West End". 478-0098

44. "and they're off!" Horse racing at Manor Downs. 272-5581

45. Ride the train or fly a kite in Zilker Park. 477-7273

46. Spend some time at Discovery Hall, a hands-on science center. 474-7616

47.Tour our historic State Capitol Building. 463-0063

48. View the spectacular sunset from the Oasis Cantina del Lago on Lake Travis. 266-2441

49. Research your roots in the genealogy department at the Lorenzo de Zavalla State Archives & Library. 463-5463

50. Attend the Austin/Travis Country Livestock Show & Rodeo (March). 4733-9200

51. Spend a day or two at the Old Pecan St. Spring/Fall Arts Festivals. 448-1797 (May & September)

52. Park at Palmer Auditorium, take the "Dillo" and tour 9not narrated) downtown Austin and the UT area. 478-0098

53. Have a western hat made by the famous hat marker Manny Gammage. 441-4287

54. Attend an outdoor theatrical or musical performance at Zilker Park. 397-1463

55. Go boating on Lake Austin and stop at The Pier to listen to a local band. 327-4562

56. Kayak, Canoe and Scull along Lake Austin under the moon light & enjoy the city sky line.  467-7799  

57. Take the children to the Austin Children's Museum. 472-2494

58. Tour a historic home, the 1850's Neill-Cochran House. 478-2335

59. Visit the museum and library of the 36th President, Lyndon Baines Johnson, 482-5137

60. Explore the grounds of the national Wildflower Research Center. 929-3600

61. Attend a performance by the Austin Lyric Opera. 472-5927

62. In May, go to Laguna Gloria's "Fiesta". 458-8191

63. Attend a performance at the Capitol City Playhouse. 472-2966

64. Watch the summer regattas on Lake Travis. 478-0098

65. See a play at Hyde Park Theatre. 452-6688

66. Camp at almost any of the LCRA parks. 469-6867

67. Bicycle on scenic Loop 360. 478-0098

68. Enjoy the Austin Symphony at Bass Concert Hall. 476-6064

69. Attend a concert at the Frank Erwin Center. 477-6060

70. Attend the annual "Spamarama". 280-7961

71. Sail, jet ski or scuba dive on Lake Travis. 478-0098

72. Take in over 400 up and coming bands performing during the annual South X Southwest Music and Media Conference. (March) 467-797973.

73. Browse around the Huntington Art Gallery. 471-7324

74. Buy something unique at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. (Dec.) 447-1605

75. Enjoy legendary Blues music on "the Drag". 478-0098

76. Attend "Safari" at the Austin nature Center. (April) 327-8181

77. Join in the Celebration at the Cinco de Mayo Festival. (may) 472-7142

78. Watch the performance of the Living Christmas Tree Concert. (Dec.) 338-4473

79. Visit the 126-year old authentic German Bier Garten-Scholtz's. 477-4171

80. Watch legendary golfers at the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf PGA Seniors Tournament. 329-1076

81. Take in a show at one of Texas's oldest theatres, The Paramount. 472-5411

82. Take a scenic drive through the Hill Country. 478-0098

83. Play Frisbee Golf at Zilker Park or Pease Park. 477-7273

84. See the peacocks while enjoying Sunday brunch at the historic Green Pastures Restaurant. 444-1888

85. Put on a costume and samba at "Carnival". (Feb.) 476-5461

86. Attend the Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival. (Apr.) 329-0770

87. visit the Austin Garden Center for Florarama. (May) 477-8672

88. Shop early for Christmas at the Junior League's Christmas Affair. (Nov.) 467-8982

89. Sample the best food and drink from some of Austin's top chefs at the annual "Taste of the Town". 4766-2729

90. Watch or play in the "Hoop t Up" street basketball tournament. (Oct.) 474-2255

91. Expand your art collection at the Austin Artists Harvest. 473-3866

92. Watch the best in high school sports at the UIL state competitions. 471-58833

93. Windsurf at Windy Point on Lake Travis. 345-3897

94. See a performance of "Tuna Christmas" or "Greater Tuna". 472-5411

95. Spend the day at Emma Long Metropolitan Park. 346-1831

96. Walk the historic Bremond Block and view several historical homes. 478-0098

97. Enjoy a performance by Ballet Austin. 476-9051

98. Visit the Old Bakery & Emporium - a registered national landmark, now a shop filled with arts & crafts made by local senior citizens. 477-5961

99. visit the Umlauf Sculpture Gardens and Museum. 455-5582

100. Browse through the Austin Antique Mall. 451-5705          

101. Enjoy an evening watching a professional Ice Hockey Team, the Austin Ice Bats. 927-PUCK(7825)