Round Rock Real Estate - A Great Texas City

I've been writing and publishing these real estate city profiles for some time now, but this profile of Round Rock, Texas is a special treat for me. That's because (A) I live in Round Rock and (B) the city is growing in size and popularity.

But don't take my word for Round Rock being a great place to work and live. Here's what some others have said on this subject:

• In 2006, CNN Money published its yearly list of "Best Places to Live" in the United States -- a list of 100 cities that stand out in terms of quality of life, housing costs, education, climate and other factors. The city of Round Rock appeared at #48 on that list.
• In that same year, Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine included Round Rock in its top 25 cities that were a smart investment for home buyers.
• A 2007 survey by CQ Press found Round Rock to be the 13th safest city in all of the U.S. based on per capita crime rates.
• In 2008, Entrepreneur.com published a piece that ranked some of the "Best and Worse Places to Buy a House" in the United States. Here too, Round Rock showed up on the list. This time it was listed right up top.

So what does all this favorable coverage mean? It means that (A) people across the country are recognizing Round Rock as a great place to buy real estate, (B) the city will continue growing as a result of such coverage, and (C) Round Rock real estate will probably remain a solid investment for years to come.

So anyone planning to buy real estate in the Round Rock area has plenty of supporting information to base that decision on.

Round Rock Real Estate - My Own Top 10

Everyone has his or her own preferences when it comes to places to live, work and play. So while this Central Texas city clearly appeals to many, it certainly won't appeal to all. With that being said, here are some of the things I like about Round Rock.

1. The location. The city is located just a few miles north of Austin, the capital of Texas and the unofficial Live Music Capital of the World. Round Rock also marks the start of what's known as Texas Hill Country, which offers rolling hills and beautiful scenery.

2. The real estate prices. Every once in a while Austin will appear on one of those real estate values TV shows, such as "What You Get for the Money." It's usually to show how far the real estate dollar goes in Austin, when compared to high-price cities like San Diego. Round Rock (Austin's northern neighbor) is even more affordable than Austin, so you really can get a lot for the money here when compared to other cities.

3. The activities. There's plenty to do in Round Rock, Texas. You'll find hike and bike trails all over Williamson County, plus an abundance of parks and recreation facilities. Williamson County Regional Park is a massive facility with eleven soccer fields, two softball fields, a football field circled by a 400-meter track, eight tennis courts, six basketball courts and more. And the world-famous Austin nightlife is only a few miles south.

4. The schools. The public schools here are managed by the Round Rock Independent School District, or RRISD. This district has a solid reputation with performance numbers higher than the national average.

5. The bats. The Austin bats under the Congress Avenue Bridge are world famous. But Round Rock also has a large colony of Mexican free-tail bats living under certain bridges. At dusk, it's quite the spectacle to see these bats emerge by the thousands. Thanks to these bats, there aren't many mosquitoes in Round Rock!

6. The climate. Like most of Central Texas, Round Rock has mild winters with snow being a rarity. Spring is a joyous time in Round Rock, with a vast array of Texas wildflowers (such as the bluebonnet) sprouting up along the roads and in fields. The summers are hot but not unbearable, with only mild humidity as compared to coastal Texas.

7. The shopping. When a city has good shopping opportunities, it typically has a positive effect on real estate values. Such is the case with Round Rock real estate values, thanks to the addition of an IKEA store and the Round Rock Premium Outlets (among other things).

8. The highway improvements. Texas spent a lot of money on highway improvements over the last few years, and much of this took place in the greater Austin area, including the city of Round Rock. As a result, the traffic situation in Round Rock (which used to be a nightmare) has improved considerably — and it continues to do so.

9. The people. There's a unique mix of people living in Round Rock, Texas. We have an interesting mix of yuppies, students from University of Texas, politicians who work at the nearby state capital, the computer-minded folks from Dell, the cowboys and ranchers who've lived here for decades ... you name it. In that regard, Round Rock is a cosmopolitan type of city.

10. The water. Living in Round Rock, you'll have easy access to many bodies of water that offer boating, fishing, tubing, kayaking and more. There are lakes all throughout the area, as well as rivers, creeks and streams.

I hope you've found this city profile of Round Rock, Texas both interesting and helpful. It's truly one of America's great cities.

Brandon Cornett is the publisher of City Pages, which provides information about U.S. cities from a real estate and lifestyle perspective. Learn more about real estate in Round Rock and many other great cities at http://www.theagentnet.com

Henderson, Nevada Real Estate - City in the Spotlight

Imagine living in a city that offered easy access to the world-class entertainment of Las Vegas, while retaining the tranquility and vast beauty of a mountainous desert town.

Henderson, Nevada is just such a city, and it's one of the reasons Henderson appeared on Money Magazine's list of "Best Places to Live" in 2006.

Why Henderson Real Estate?

But what is it that makes Henderson real estate such a good investment for home buyers? Why has the city been referred to as a residential "boom town" in recent years? Well, there are many factors that contribute to the city's growing popularity. So in this article, we will take a closer look at the city of Henderson, Nevada from several angles, to try and determine what makes it such a smart real estate investment.

City at a Glance

• Located about 7 miles southeast of Las Vegas


• Current population (2007) is around 265,000


• Residents of Henderson do not pay personal income tax


• Plenty of college-level educational institutions in the area


• Dry, hot summers and mild winters; very little rainfall

Lifestyle & Entertainment

Henderson, Nevada is close enough to Las Vegas to allow easy access to big concerts and shows. At the same time, it's far enough away to also allow for the peace and tranquility of a vastly beautiful desert setting.

In addition to the world-class attractions of Las Vegas, the city of Henderson offers a variety of concerts, festivals, visual art exhibits and more. There are several facilities in the city to accommodate these events, such as the Henderson Pavilion, Convention Center, and Amphitheatre (three separate facilities).

Henderson Schools & Education

Public schools in Henderson are managed by the Clark County School District (CCSD), which also oversees public schools in Las Vegas. CCSD is the fifth-largest school district in the nation. Several of the schools in this district are have receive top ratings from websites such as GreatSchools.net.

At the collegiate level, there are plenty of educational opportunities in and around the city of Henderson, Nevada. The University of Nevada (Las Vegas) is located in nearby Paradise, Nevada, an easy commute from Henderson. The College of Southern Nevada has a campus located in Henderson, as does Nevada State College.

Tax Advantages for Residents

Residents of the city do not pay personal income tax, inheritance tax, corporate tax, estate and/or gift tax. You can't complain about that! In addition, the property taxes in Henderson (and in Nevada as a whole) are comparatively low. According to Money Magazine, the state of Nevada has the eighth lowest tax burden (when compared to statewide income) in the United States.

The Climate in Henderson, NV

Like much of Nevada, the city of Henderson has a desert climate with very little natural water. In fact, the only natural water within the city comes from washes like Duck Creek. There is very little rainfall in the city -- an average of only six inches per year.

The average high in July is 108 degrees Fahrenheit. The average high the coldest months is 60 degrees. The winters do get below freezing from time to time, mostly in December and January. Like most desert climates, the temperature in Henderson can drop significantly from the high temps of day to the lowest temps at night.

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Brandon Cornett is the publisher of TheAgentNet.com, which provides information about U.S. cities from a real estate and lifestyle perspective. Learn more about Henderson real estate and many other great cities at http://www.theagentnet.com

Birmingham Real Estate - City in the Spotlight

Birmingham, Alabama is a great place to live and work. The city is rich with history and culture, and the consistently strong economy helps make Birmingham real estate a good financial investment.

So in this city profile, we will take a closer look at the city of Birmingham, Alabama from several angles, such as education, lifestyle, real estate and more.

Birmingham's Climate & Weather

Being located in the Deep South of the United States, Birmingham has a humid climate. Actually, in scientific terms, the climate here is considered to be subtropical (meaning hot summers and plenty of rainfall). The city averages about 52 inches of rain each year.

The Birmingham winters could best be described as mild to chilly. In January, one of the coldest months, the average daily high is around 53 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average low is around 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Basic City Stats - Population, Geography, Etc.

Birmingham is the largest city in the state of Alabama. The city lies partly in Jefferson County and partly in Shelby County. Birmingham is the county seat of Jefferson County, Alabama. Geographically speaking, Birmingham is located in the north-central part of Alabama.

To chart the population growth of Birmingham, Alabama, one simply has to compare data over the last few years. In 2000, the population was around 242,000 in the city of Birmingham. Six years later in 2006, the population had actually decreased to about 230,000 in the city.

Today, in 2008, the population has gone back up again and is currently estimated at just over 242,000. So when you consider the last eight years, the population of Birmingham has more or less stayed the same (with a few ups and downs).

Note that these numbers pertain to the city alone, and not to the entire metro area of Birmingham. When you consider the entire metropolitan area of Birmingham, Alabama, the population is well over one million people.

Schools In and Around Birmingham, AL

You can't talk about real estate in a particular city without talking about the city's schools. After all, schools play a major role in property values (in addition to being a quality of life concern). So let's take a quick look at the school situation in this city.

Within the metropolitan Birmingham area, there are three universities, three colleges, four junior colleges, three technical schools, four business schools, and 276 public schools. As you can see, there is plenty of educational opportunity in and around Birmingham, Alabama, which makes a real estate investment much more sound (not to mention boosting the quality of life).

K-12 schools are operated under the purview of the Birmingham Public Schools, which consists of eight elementary schools, a district-wide school for grades 3-8, two middle schools, two high schools, and several alternative programs. In all, these schools serve more than 8,000 K-12 students in Birmingham, Alabama.

At the collegiate level, there are some excellent institutions in Birmingham, including the University of Alabama at Birmingham (also a major employer in the city), Samford University and the University of Montevallo (just south of Birmingham in Montevallo. AL).

Employment & Economy

The largest employers in the city are the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Baptist Medical Centers, BellSouth, and Jefferson County Public Schools. The steel industry also plays a big role in the city's economy, and many jobs can be attributed to steel production and processing facilities.

The Birmingham metropolitan area is consistently ranked as one of America's best places to work, based in part on the salary rates in the area (combined with the relatively low cost of living). In fact, a 2006 study by Salary.com ranked the city #2 on a list of best places to live for building personal net worth!

Should You Buy Real Estate in the Birmingham Area?

Should you buy a home in Birmingham, Alabama? This is a question that only you, as the homebuyer, can answer for yourself. Every city in the U.S. has its pros and cons, with regard to quality of life, real estate values, and other factors. And this applies to Birmingham just as well. Hopefully, however, this guide has given you a better insight into this wonderful southern city.

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Brandon Cornett is the publisher of TheAgentNet.com, which provides information about U.S. cities from a real estate and lifestyle perspective. Learn more about Birmingham real estate and many other great cities at http://www.theagentnet.com

Nashville Real Estate - City in the Spotlight

Nashville, Tennessee is a great place to work and live. It's also a great place to buy a home, and it comes up on a lot of those "best places to live" lists.

For example, in 2006 Kiplinger.com created a list of "50 Smart Places to Live." They used several criteria to create a list of cities there were a good real estate investment. Nashville made the top of the list, ranked #1 by the editors.

Why Nashville, Tennessee Real Estate?

So what makes Nashville a great place to buy a home? Well, lots of things actually. So in this city profile, we will take a closer look at just what makes Nashville tick -- and what makes it such a smart real estate investment.

Lifestyle & Entertainment in Nashville

When you mention the city name of "Nashville," most people immediately think of country music. Obviously, there's plenty of it to be found in Nashville. But the city also enjoys a wide range of musical influences and venues. In fact, if you go downtown on any given Saturday night, you can probably sample some live country music, jazz, rock or R&B, all within a short walk of one another.

The Parks Department of Nashville offers a variety of facilities and programs for the city's residents to enjoy. The Department manages more than 100 individual properties (parks, nature centers, swimming pools, trails, etc.) as well as seven municipal golf courses. Whether you're interested in joining a local sports league, or you just want a nice place to jog or walk the dog, The Metro Parks and Recreation Department has something for you.

Schools & Education

You can't talk about real estate in a particular city without talking about the city's schools. This is obviously an important topic for parents with school-aged children. But it's also important from a real estate investment standpoint, as the quality of schools will play a major role in property values. Fortunately, the educational scene in Nashville is both strong and diverse.

Public schools in Nashville are operated under the purview of the Metropolitan Nashville Board of Education. This school system manages a total of 136 schools -- 74 elementary, 35 middle, 16 high schools, 4 alternative learning centers, 4 special education, and 3 charter schools.

At the collegiate level, there are quite a few educational institutions in and around Nashville, Tennessee. In fact, the city is sometimes called the "Athens of the South" because of the high number of colleges and universities in the area. These include Vanderbilt University, Tennessee State University, and variety of other colleges and training institutions.

Employment & Economy

Buying real estate in a city without evaluating the economy is like driving while blindfolded. So let's take a look at the economy and employment situation in Nashville, Tennessee.

The music industry employs a lot of people in Nashville. Most of the major music labels such as Sony, Universal and Warner have offices in Nashville. Many smaller labels have also set up shop in the music-driven city. So music recording and production plays a big role in Nashville's economy.

While music is the best-known aspect of Nashville's economy, healthcare is actually the city's largest industry segment. More than 200 healthcare companies are located within the Nashville metropolitan area. According to a 2006 issue of The Tennessean, the healthcare industry has contributes more than 90,000 jobs for Nashville residents, a much larger contribution than any other single industry sector.

As a major city of the south, Nashville also enjoys many other types of industries as well, ranging from finance to publishing (and many things in between).

Should You Buy Real Estate in the Nashville Area?

Should you buy a home in Nashville, Tennessee? In reality, this is a question that only you, as the homebuyer, can answer for yourself. All cities have certain pros and cons with regard to real estate values, quality of life, etc. This applies equally to Nashville. Hopefully, however, this guide to Nashville will help you move closer to answering that question!

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Brandon Cornett is the publisher of TheAgentNet.com, which provides information about U.S. cities from a real estate and lifestyle perspective. Learn more about real estate in Nashville and many other great cities at http://www.theagentnet.com

Sarasota Real Estate - New Resource Posted

Continuing our efforts to offer more information on of individual real estate markets, we recently added a new resource about Sarasota real estate.

With its beautiful beaches and barrier islands overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota is a wonderful place to own a home. We hope this guide to Sarasota, Florida helps you learn more about this fine American city.

Sarasota, Florida Real Estate Guide

Happy home buying!

Scottsdale Real Estate Blog - Just Launched

In our continued efforts to increase our coverage of hot real estate markets in the U.S., we just started a blog about Scottsdale real estate.

Scottsdale offers a posh lifestyle in the middle of the Arizona desert. It offers plenty in the way of luxury real estate, and it's one of the top resort destinations in the U.S. (thanks to the many golf courses around the city).

There's also rattlesnakes in Scottsdale. Lots and lots of rattlesnakes. At least, that's how it seemed on a real estate show I saw on TLC lately. But hey ... it is the desert. Rattlesnakes and deserts go together like carrots 'n peas!

Happy home buying!

~Brandon

Roanoke, Virginia Real Estate - New Resource Posted

In our continuing effort to provide city-specific resources, we've just added a new home-buying resource page for Roanoke, Virginia real estate.

Okay, so Roanoke does not have the bustling real estate market as the other cities we've covered, such as San Diego. But it has the distinction of being the town where I grew up.

Though I no longer live there, I often think back fondly on Roanoke, Virginia. It's big enough to have everything you need, but not so big that it loses its southern charm and hospitality.

Here some fellow Roanoke natives you may have heard of:

Born in Roanoke:

• actor John Payne
• wrestler Tony Atlas
• twin NFL players Ronde Barber and Tiki Barber
• former United States Secretary of Defense Louis A. Johnson
• NBA basketball George Lynch
• singer Wayne Newton
• NFL football player Lee Suggs
• model and actress Tai Collins

Visit the resource page:
Roanoke, Virginia real estate

Happy home buying!

~Brandon

Phoenix Real Estate - New Resource Posted

We are pleased to announce a new addition to our city profiles. There's now a resources page for Phoenix real estate on the main website.

Phoenix, Arizona is a popular home buying destination. So popular, in fact, that it made Forbes Magazine's list of top-ten places to live in the U.S., and it appeared on a similar list by Money Magazine.

Why are so many people interested in buying a home in Phoenix? Well, visit our new resource on the Phoenix real estate scene, and you'll learn much more about it.

Go there now

P.S. - If you're interested in Phoenix, you might also want to see our resources page for Scottsdale, Arizona. Scottsdale was on the same "top ten" list at Money Magazine, but it outranked Phoenix by landing at #7.

Happy home buying!

~Brandon

Scottsdale Real Estate - New Resource Posted

We've added another city to our growing list of hot real estate markets.

This time it's Scottsdale, Arizona, described by the New York Times as "the Beverly Hills of the Desert." With its posh lifestyle and world-class golfing, Scottsdale draws luxury home buyers from all over the country. It truly is a desert oasis of a city.

Learn more about Scottsdale real estate.

Happy home buying!

~Brandon

Buying a Home in San Diego - New Resource Posted

In my last post, I mentioned that we were building home buying resource pages / city profiles for some of the hottest real estate markets in the U.S.

We started with Austin home buying, which I mentioned previously. Tonight, we finished the next city profile in line -- this one's all about buying a home in San Diego.

The San Diego housing market is hot, and prices continue to climb out there. So a San Diego home buyer needs all the help he or she can get. We hope this page will fill in some of the gaps. It offers information on San Diego geography, neighborhoods, home builders, schools and more.

Check it out:
San Diego home buying page

Happy home buying!

~Brandon

Buying a Home in Austin - New Resource Page Available

We've begun a massive project to offer "city profile" pages for some of the hottest real estate markets in the U.S. First up on the block is Austin, Texas.

So if you or someone you know will be buying a home in Austin, please feel free to direct them to the home buying resource page below.

Learn more:
Austin home buying guide

More city profiles on the way!
We have a long list of city profiles to work on next. So whenever a new resource page is posted, we will blog about it here to keep everyone informed.

Happy home buying!

~Brandon