AUSTIN TOPS FOR START-UPS

AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) – Austin has a longstanding reputation as being one of the greenest U.S. cities, and now it has another honor worth boasting about.

Entrepreneur.com has named the Capital City the best in the country when it comes to supporting start-up companies.

In identifying 50 cities that best promote entrepreneurial pursuits, the publication touted Austin’s innovative spirit, commerce and emerging technology culture.

Austin is home to many successful start-up companies, and in the past year Facebook Inc., LegalZoom Inc. and Host Gator LLC have announced offices in Austin.

This year alone has seen 31 relocations and expansions in the technology-related space, representing nearly 3,000 new jobs, according to the Austin Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office.

AUSTIN REALTORS REPORT 'STABLE' HOUSING MARKET

AUSTIN (Austin Board of Realtors) – Demand for existing homes in the Austin area has remained stable despite the expiration of federal homebuyer tax credits, according to the latest report from the Austin Board of Realtors.

The volume of Austin area home sales in June 2010 was 1,987, down 4 percent from the same month in 2009, the board reported, using the most recent MLS data. The median price of real estate in Austin increased 4 percent from June 2009 to $208,750 for June 2010.

Despite a decrease in the volume of homes sold in June 2010, the total dollar volume of real estate sold increased 6 percent compared with June 2009, primarily from increased demand for properties in higher price ranges.

In June 2010, homes remained on the market an average of 70 days, a 14 percent decrease from the same month in 2009. In the same period, pending sales decreased 23 percent to 1,610, new listings increased 2 percent to 3,287, and active listings increased by 16 percent to 11,749.