Our prayers have been answered – cooler weather has arrived in Austin! I have actually needed a jacket for my last few morning walks. I soon had to take it off, but it is a start!

Festival season continues in the Austin area and Halloween decorations are popping up. Weekends are packed with fun opportunities. Let me know if you’d like me to send you a list of events, especially pumpkin patches in the area.

My favorite festival was last weekend at St. Mary Our Lady of the Lake in Lago Vista. The annual Fall Festival is the main fundraiser for the parish. It has evolved over the years in some ways, but what hasn’t changed is how it brings the community and parishioners together.  It is always the 2nd Saturday in October, starting at 10am and ending at 3pm – short as far as festivals go, but packed with fun for everyone.

Our 2^nd annual client appreciation event is coming up fast on the 24^th. We will be back at Villa Antonia, such a beautiful backdrop for family photos by Natalie with My Sweet Pea Photography, my gift to the clients and others who supported my business with referrals.

In real estate news, despite higher interest rates, buyers are taking advantage of the market – they have more negotiation power right now. That is good for sellers, too! Houses are moving again!

Why is it a buyer’s market? Because sellers outnumber buyers. And Austin is now one of the top 10 buyer’s markets in the U.S. We have about 115% more sellers than buyers. So sellers, that means price and condition matter more than ever if you want your house to be the one buyers choose! You have lots of competition! You can read more about it HERE.

Let me know if you are interested in the market stats for your area.

Besides taking care of clients, I finally attended the Texas Women’s Conference for the first time and heard some amazing speakers, and also volunteered at the 10^th Annual Safehorns National Night Out at the University of Texas.

Safehorns is an organization created to promote and safety awareness in and around the University of Texas in Austin campus. For ten years now, they have organized an event for National Night Out, and I am grateful I was able to volunteer and help sponsor it this year. It is such a fun event with food, an awesome band, games, and amazing prizes for the students, but more important, a chance for them to meet the first responders and safety partners who serve the UT community. It is free to students.

Once again, I am finding my biggest challenge is to remember to slow down when possible and relish this season. I hope you enjoy it, too!