Lisa Tyrrell

Kristian,

I can say a couple of things about marketing jobs here. There are good opportunities, depending upon your field. If you market for high tech or advertising, you are in good company here. GSD&M is here and they are quite a force. There are also quite a few post production video companies that do quite a bit of work for the advertising industry nationwide and there are many affiliated marketing companies with that industry here. The technology field is very influential here and most of the companies have marketing departments to garner more of the market from the competition. Many small, independent companies offer competitve salaries and packages to compete with the larger companies.

I can also say that my clients from Pacifica, Brentwood, San Jose, Milpitas, and more have NO REGRETS about living here. Relocation is a bit stressful so make sure you work with a realtor that has experience in relocation clients. Also, make sure that it is a good time for you to sell there...I have a client that still is waiting to sell because it is not a good market for his location and home in Northern CA.

Best of luck....come to Austin, you will LOVE it...once you adjust to the heat!!! If you want to know more from the perspective of a Native Texan and a former California resident, let me know! - Mon Jul 14 2008, 22:09

Jenn,

I prefer Hancock McGill Attorneys. Call them, they will do phone appointments. You need solid legal advice so that you can determine a course of action on the current home and note. I must say that you don't want a mortgage "out there" with your name on it when you don't live in the property.

Also, you should contact a reputable lender. They can tell you what you can qualify for and what you will need to provide them in order to qualify for a new loan. I can recommend Melanie Hadley with Cornerstone Mortgage or Mark Orr with Colonial National. If they can't help you, I don't know who could. - Mon Jul 14 2008, 21:55

Tracy,

The question about condos is easily answered...do you want to live in one? Do you prefer condo living as opposed to a house? These are easy to answer after a conversation with a realtor that has your best interests at heart. Questions about how you want to live, how you live in your home, etc. can help you determine what type of housing fits with your comfort zone. It is not hard after years of experience with buyers to listen to them and determine what it is they are looking for, then simply presenting the options to them and they select what is best for them.

Lending is also not hard to figure out with a good professional. There are programs for teachers, policemen and firemen. There are programs for down payment assistance in the form of a grant and there are bond loans. I recommend a couple of local lenders that specialize in the best loan for the client and to do that, they participate in many programs that other lenders do not. Mark Orr with Colonial National Mortgage and Melanie Hadley with Cornerstone Mortgage would be a good bet to find out what assistance you qualify for so that you can maximize your money. - Mon Jul 14 2008, 21:45

You would want to talk to Joe Cline, Broker with ReMax in Austin. He specializes in condo conversions and has done quite a few. Most recently he put together a few condo conversions in Hyde Park...one was near 37th street and Guadalupe and the other was in Hyde Park proper. He has others but he is experienced in finding the properties, working with the contractors, getting the permits and helping organize the investors, then he of course lists and markets the properties for sale. One stop shopping and he is honest, easy going and tough negotiator!

Joe Cline
http://www.joecline.com/ - Mon Jul 14 2008, 21:31

A couple of subdivisions, although I don't know what you are looking for in a home/lifestyle/location/amenities:

Wilshire Courtyard Townhomes off Anderson Mill
Several developments off Duval/183
Los Indios off McNeil
The townhomes off Steck and Mopac...north side of Steck
Townhomes near Gracy Farms
there are new developments around the city being built

There are many more, it simply depends on what you are looking for. Portrait homes is building two complexes not far from Twin Creeks at Forest Oaks and Buttercup Creek. I don't know if that is what you are looking for, but a good agent that knows the areas should be able to point you toward several good options once they chat with you about what you want in a townhome. - Mon Jul 14 2008, 21:25