I've decided to start a blog mainly to chronicle our progress in updating and remodeling the house we recently purchased (and eventually our construction progress on our new house). I am a real estate agent in Austin, TX and a self-proclaimed real estate junkie. My husband plays video games...I surf the MLS listings constantly. I intend for this blog to not only include our house details, but I'll also highlight Austin listings that I think would be good "slow-flip" properties, give general real estate advice, post interesting real estate articles, and anything else I feel would be of interest. I also will post frequent polls and I'll open the comments, so please do participate!

My husband and I bought our first house in March 2007 with the intention of owning it for two years, updating it, and selling it. We did this mostly to build some equity so that we can build a house on lot in N. Austin (since construction costs are through the roof). For those of you who have ever watched HGTV obsessively and dreamt about having your own pet project house, this is a good way to get your feet wet. Federal law allows homeowners to be exempt from capital gains tax on the sale of a house up to $250K for a single person and $500K for a married couple, as long as you occupy the house for 2 out of the last 5 years. We are taking full advantage of this law. (Hint: if you need to find one of these "project houses" I would love to talk with you.)

Here's a decent, albeit incomplete picture of the house

(compliments of Ryan via cell phone)