Do You Want to Live Near a Data Center?

Today is a good day to be in the news business!

Headlines abound (mostly reporting election results) but one that is making quite the stir within my Compass office is about AI data centers. Headlines such as this one from Austin Business Journal were all but sent out across all Compass offices this morning: "More real estate listings tout data centers even as project opposition increases" by Andy Medici.

He wrote a great article explaining the nuances of the listing information and the change of public opinion on data centers so I highly encourage checking out that article if you haven't already!

I find this news particularly interesting because I had the opportunity to show a home in Cedar Park recently that was built in 1999. The home is 3,059 square feet and boasts of 5 bedrooms and is located in a cul-de-sac. It would seem this home would be a family's dream! And yet it has been on the market for 189 days. There are a lot of contributing factors for this, no doubt, but one sticky element of the location of this home is that the backyard literally has the sound proof wall of the 183 toll road as one side of it's "fence". In 1999, there was no 183 toll road! Just under ten years later, the toll road was complete and has a great impact on moving traffic through Leander, Cedar Park, and Austin. But maybe not so great of an effect on the value on a home that happens to sit right beside it?

So how to navigate the headlines this morning? I am not a fortune teller but one way to protect yourself against future development close to your home is by making sure your agent does due diligence if you ever have the opportunity to purchase land or a home next to... more land. Is the land zoned for residential, commercial, industrial, or mix-use purposes? Does the municipality have future use master plans which show an intent to build public transit, utility grids or... a toll road... in that space? Is there a conservation easement which legally restricts or bans future development? Once questions such as these are answered, you can have more information to know if a home fits your personal goals and then you can know you made the best decision because of the information you had.

Fogo de Chao Announces Investment into Cedar Park

Scheels is in the news again!

But this time the buzz is about what is being built in the shopping center near Scheels: Fogo de Chao.

Fogo de Chao is a Brazilian Steakhouse offering an all you care to enjoy experience at a flat rate per diner. The menu boasts of grilled meats such as picanha, filet mignon, wagyu ancho, and that is just a sampling of the steak! Fogo also offers grilled chicken and sea food as well as a seasonal market table... and dessert 😋

I had the opportunity to eat at Estancia which is also a Brazilian Steakhouse (and will be a competitor of Fogo de Chao in Leander) over the summer. The food was delicious and the service top notch. Some may ask why do we need two Brazilian Steakhouses within a couple miles of each other? Competing businesses close together excited me for a couple reasons!

First, Fogo de Chao is estimating this restaurant build out and development will be an investment of $4.5 million. That investment into Cedar Park shows Fogo is ready to put down roots in Cedar Park and stay a part of the local economy for a long time. The fact that Fogo is wanting to build close to Scheels, the City View development, and the HEB center also shows that the foot traffic and customers that those businesses attract are ideal prospective diners of Fogo de Chao. Finally, having two options of Brazilian Steakhouses also shows there are enough diners to fill both restaurants. Think about how many burger restaurants we have in Cedar Park alone! Competition means there are enough customers to go around and provides variety for diners.

While construction is estimated to begin in early 2027, a defined completion date has not yet been announced. Once Fogo is up and running, I look forward to being one of the first customers!

Multifamily Housing in Circle C?

(Photo credit to The City of Austin)

The Circle C neighborhood in Southwest Austin has long been the "it" community for families. The schools that serve Circle C such as Kiker Elementary, Clayton Elementary, Bear Creek Elementary, Gorzycki Middle, and Bowie High School are some of the top rated in AISD. Circle C residents have access to five pools, 6 playscapes, it's own metropolitan park (open to the public), Grey Rock Golf Club, Circle C Tennis Club, hosts the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the list goes on!

Around 2020, The Cove at Circle C developed 25 condos off LaCross Avenue close to Kiker Elementary School. These condos have full access to the above listed Circle C amenities. The condos offer quick access to MoPac and range from 2-4 bedroom floorpans across 2,000-2,500 square feet. The condos are also located near the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences which attracts health professionals-to-be from around the country.

Circle C continues to make headlines today as land behind the University of St. Augustine and alongside Mopac has been rezoned for multi family housing. As reported by Sean Hemmersmeier of the Austin Business Journal in his article "Austin City Council approves rezoning for huge multifamily project near MoPac", The Austin City Council recently approved a rezoning request to allow for multi-family residential development for up to 1,000 units. This land was previously approved for office development.

Southwest Austin is fairly notorious for development in that permits and impervious coverage codes are difficult to navigate around. Another roadblocks to development in this area will be the traffic impact analysis the developers will need to hold prior to submitting for permit development. This will be a developing situation locally as no permits have been filed to begin work... yet. While this area could be ideal for multifamily housing because of the proximity to MoPac, the University of St. Augustine, and Kiker Elementary, it will be the dawn of a new day if this project is able to proceed as currently planned.

Austin Samsung Facility in the News

In June I shared that Samsung is expanding to Taylor, Texas but today I wanted to share news about the Samsung Austin Semiconductor fabrication facility in Austin off of Parmer Lane. This site opened in Austin in 1997 and employs roughly 4,500 people. Samsung was able to expand this site in 2007 so the entire facility encompasses 2.76 million square feet of floor space and almost 600 acres. Further north on Parmer Lane we find other big name tech companies such as Dell, HP, and Apple. More and more, this stretch of Parmer Lane that extends from Austin to Cedar Park is referred to as the "Tech Corridor" of Austin.

Apparently Bridge Investment Group based in Salt Lake City has partnered with Legacy Partners to bring multi family housing to the area close to the Austin Samsung site. As reported by Ali Juell with the Austin Business Journal in her article "Apartments Appear Set to Neighbor Samsung's Longtime Austin Factory", this Utah-based firm is planning a project spanning 35 acres and including 22 buildings. The intended project is set to include studio apartments, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments, pools, fitness centers, podcast spaces, and dog parks.

While there is a lot of uncertainty in the tech world as AI is continually introduced, tested, and applied in various sectors, this investment into Austin signals that tech will continue to thrive here. The construction is not set to begin for another year so we will definitely see how this project will evolve until completion. While we wait, don't overlook the apartments that are already available close to Samsung such as Bristol Heights, Parmer Place Apartments and Foxtail by Banyan. Looking to set down roots close to Samsung? Be sure to check out Pioneer Crossing.

Could Bastrop become the next Bee Cave?

Photo Credit: Sendero, a Pearl River Communities development

Sometimes headlines like the one I am about to write about can seem insignificant. But this one caught my eye this week: "Target Eyes Another Austin-area store". Justin Sayers at the Austin Business Journal reported that Target is considering expanding into Bastrop. I showed off the new Target in Liberty Hill on my Instagram channel last week but for Target to expand into both Liberty Hill and Bastrop - two cities once deemed rural by Austin citizens - is news worth talking about!

The Target Corporation has specific performance metrics it uses to evaluate a community in order to measure if a Target would be successful in that community. One such metric is evaluating if a community has enough consumers considered middle to upper income buyers willing to spend a little more for stylish, curated products. For Target to be considering Bastrop means that the local economy in Bastrop is shifting from a rural, land based community to a more suburban consumer based community.

Upon digging into this a little further, I discovered that Target is looking at building close to the Sendero mixed use development that is already under construction. If you haven't seen them, the mockups look an awful lot like the Bee Cave Galleria. The Sendera multi use facility is projected to have "multi-family housing", retail stores, health and wellness stores, restaurants, and a hotel. The restaurants that have already committed to opening are Jersey Mike's, Texas Roadhouse, Einstein Bros. Bagels, and Chuy's with Westlake Dermatology committing their presence there too.

While big box retail coming into an area can make a community feel like it's losing it's past charm, what I see when big box retail invests in a community is that they see a bright and opportunistic future. Could Bastrop or Liberty Hill become the next Bee Cave? I can't wait to find out!

Destination Retail Arrived in Cedar Park

Photo Credit to Austin-American Statesman

Have you heard the news? Cedar Park didn't just get another store last weekend - it debuted a regional destination!

On August 29, employee-owned retailer Scheels opened its Cedar Park location. The opening of this Scheels location marks the company's 35th store nationwide and it's second in Texas. To celebrate, people camped overnight in order for a chance to be first in the store, skydivers landed with an American Flag in the parking lot, and Mayor Jim Penniman-Morin helped cut the ribbon. With opening ceremonies such as these, this store is being recognized as an economic anchor for the city of Cedar Park and the surrounding Austin area. The company hired more than 500 associates for the store, including hundreds of new local full-time and part-time hires. CEO Matt Hanson called it a “true destination” built to bring families together. Store leader Lucas Hachmeister pointed to the welcome Central Texas has already given the team.

Additional companies coming to the complex located near the HEB Convention Center are NFM (formally Nebraska Furniture Market), a full service Marriott with around 300 rooms and a convention center of it's own, apartment buildings, and restaurants such as J. Alexander's and Haywire.

For current home sellers in Cedar Park and Leander, the opening of Scheels adds an attractive listing detail to an already pretty long list of amenities close by. While Scheels is new for Austin and Texas, out-of-state buyers will recognize the brand and factor in the value of living within a close proximity to it.

For current home buyers looking in the Cedar Park and Leander areas, the window for "best prices" for homes nearby is going to be from now until the Marriott and NFM open. Once the commercial space is more built out and the construction in the area clears up, the neighborhoods close to Scheels will become much more valuable.

The “tea” on AISD

Most homebuyers finance their purchase with a 30-year mortgage, which means they are investing into a neighborhood community, a school system, and a city that will evolve over time.

Austin is a strong example of that reality. In 1996, the city’s population was roughly 560,000 to 580,000 residents. Major employers included The University of Texas at Austin, the State of Texas, and IBM. Popular neighborhoods like Circle C Ranch were still in their early stages of development.

Since then, Austin has grown into a much larger and more complex city. Circle C expanded with communities like Grey Rock and Avana, many surrounding neighborhoods were added such as Meridian, and Austin’s population surpassed 1 million in 2025. The city has also become a major technology hub, attracting companies such as Apple, Dell, Google, AMD, Cirrus Logic, NXP Semiconductors, Samsung, Oracle, and Tesla.

That kind of growth places real pressure on public infrastructure, especially schools. As enrollment patterns shift and district needs change, school boundaries and campus assignments often change as well. This is why the news surrounding AISD has caught my attention. Like many large urban districts, AISD has had to adapt to shifting enrollment patterns, changing neighborhood demographics, and long-term budget pressures. In response, the district has been making difficult but strategic decisions to better align facilities with current and future student needs such as recent school closures which resulted in boundary adjustments to balance enrollment across campuses.

For homeowners, school boundaries will always matter because they shape convenience, confidence, and the overall appeal of a neighborhood. Changes to school boundaries can feel significant in the moment, but they are often part of a larger process of growth and adaptation. In a city like Austin, boundary adjustments can help districts better match schools with enrollment trends, strengthen resource use, and support long-term planning. Over time, those changes may contribute to a more balanced and sustainable school system, which is ultimately a positive for communities and real estate alike.

Amazon Moves Forward with Plans to Build in Georgetown, TX

Photo Credit to Meritage Homes. This photo shows the kitchen, dining, and living rooms of their model home.

Amazon currently has a warehouse in Round Rock but has moved forward this week with plans to construct an additional warehouse in Georgetown. They will start constructions next month on a 249,000 square foot facility at 104 Wittera Way in Georgetown, TX. Amazon also has facilities in Kyle, Belton, San Marcos, Pflugerville, and Austin.

Investment opportunities abound near the Georgetown facility! One neighborhood close to where Amazon will be building their new warehouse is Travena by Meritage Homes. Travena is a planned community with amenities such as a resort style pool, a half basketball court, a pickleball court, playground and walking trails throughout the community. Homes start in the $400,000's and floor plans range from 1477 square feet up to 2812 square feet.

Whether you would like to be closer to the Amazon facility, invest in homes for those who may need to be close to the Amazon facility, or would like quick access to 35 from Georgetown to zip down to Austin, this neighborhood offers convenient solutions to any of those needs!

Partly Moves their Headquarters to Austin, TX

Picture credit to the Aire model home in Evelyn by Century Communities

One of the hottest new business move announcements this summer has been from Partly, an AI automotive company that helps to manufacture automotive parts. Partly anticipates relocating their headquarters from New Zealand to Austin, TX by 2027!

Able to raise $50 million, Partly anticipates using that funding to build up their work force in Austin hiring for jobs in the engineering, business development, and product management specifically. When questioned why they would not relocate their headquarter to California, Fawcett reportedly explained that Austin, TX has a proximity to real world businesses and real world people.

While it is unclear where exactly in the downtown area Partly will build their headquarters, one of the closest new build communities is preparing for the influx of people businesses like this one will bring. The Evelyn by Century Communities is a master planned community building amenities such as resort style pools, playgrounds, walking trails, and scenic ponds. The Evelyn is close in proximity to Tesla, Apple, Samsung, and the metro downtown area of Austin in general.

We're excited to have Partly join in on the tech scene in Austin and help build the tech presence here!

Samsung Invests in Taylor, TX

Photo credit to DRB Homes

One of the most exciting parts of being a real estate agent is learning about how Austin and the surrounding cities are growing. One company in particular that is investing heavily in the suburbs around Austin is Samsung.

Did you know that Samsung is currently building a semiconductor fabrication site in Taylor, Texas? This project is on track to be completed by the end of 2026 and is anticipated in bringing at least 1,800 jobs to Taylor, Texas.

On top of simply building a plant in Taylor, Samsung has also invested heavily in the town of Taylor itself. According to Samsung's own site, Samsung donated $1 million to Taylor ISD to support career and technical education and related workforce programming tied to the semiconductor ecosystem. Samsung also runs internship programs for Taylor ISD students. Their hope is to buoy educational development to prepare graduating seniors for the possibility of working at the fabrication site.

In preparation for this semiconductor fabrication site being completed, two major builders are already offering new planned community neighborhoods: DRB Homes and Coventry. Castlewood by Coventry Homes is building across from Taylor High School and offering mostly 3 bedroom, 2 bath floor plans in both a “paired cottage” (or duplex) option and a single family option. Spring Creek by DRB Homes is advertising themselves as being 5 minutes from the new Samsung fab site and offers single family floor plan options from 3 bedrooms/2.5 bath and 1640 square feet all the way to a 5 bedroom/3 bath option at 2740 square feet.

Focus on the Current Real Estate Market… Not the Previous One.

Professionally photographed picture of staged living room for our home which we listed on the market May 2025.

When we relocated to Austin from Idaho in 2017, the housing market in Austin was hot! I made a list of homes to tour, sent the list to my real estate agent at the time (Linda Miller now with Christie’s Brokerage), boarded a plane, and checked in to my hotel. By the time I woke up the next morning, most of the homes were already under contract. My list of 6 homes dwindled down to two. The home we ended up purchasing hadn’t even gone on the market but was listed as “coming soon”. Zero pictures on the MLS or on Zillow.

When I toured the home, the sellers were still packing up and preparing to have it listed. I took photos of the house to be able to compare it to the other home I was touring that day but they were not Instagram worthy! Besides the packing aesthetic currently displayed in the home, the floor plan and bedroom to bathroom ratio was exactly what we were looking for at the time so we put in an offer.

Fast forward to 2025 when we were selling that home to move to one that better fit our growing family’s needs. I worked with Lisa Roberts now with the Bramlett Partners brokerage and we spent a full week preparing to list our home. We touched up the paint on our baseboards, filled every nail hole, and only kept basic furniture in the home for staging. The rules of the real estate game had changed!

Similarly, this year the most busy time of home buying and selling has been different from previous hot market periods. In the current Austin real estate market, buyers can by choosy-they do not have to grab a house before it is officially listed on the MLS. Which means sellers have a lot more work up front to do in order to attract buyers. Having lived (and bought and sold houses) through both eras, I can identify with the pain that current home sellers have in preparing a home to sell. But embracing the current housing market and playing by its’ rules will be a lot less frustrating than trying to apply the rules of a housing market of the past. 

Cell phone photo of living room we toured in 2017 before the home was officially listed on the market. The home owners were in the process of packing up the house in preparation to list but were gracious enough to let us tour before it was “show ready”.

Sweet Luxury

For the last five years I have operated a decorated cookie business on my own. And you might ask yourself, what do decorated cookies and real estate have in common!?

I was able to learn leaps and bounds about running a business and marketing a luxury business over the last five years. How do you convince someone to purchase your custom cookies rather than going to a big box store and buying them from a bakery? Besides providing a quality product, providing quality customer service was crucial. I was sure to have systems in place that were easy for clients to use. Finally, I communicated clearly from the initial inquiry, through the design process, and all the way to delivering the final product. Are those qualities you would like to have in a real estate agent?

I have lived in Austin since 2017 and I am excited to share about the city from a local's point of view. Just as there are different cookie flavors and designs to match various client’s perspectives and needs, there are different homes which match home owner’s perspectives and needs. Some homeowners love acreage and space. Some homeowners do not want a large yard to mow. Some homeowners want space to grow in their house while others are looking to downsize. Some homeowners do not actually want to own a home but would love a lease option. Navigating each individual desire within neighborhoods that are familiar to me is a service I look forward to showcasing with each interaction.