Austin Common Place

Reviewing a book on how real estate has changed: "...I have felt the tension between Realtor's need to maintain control of information, and the internet's tidal force to democratize it all..."

http://austincommonplace.com/?p=1760

"...it’s the imperfections of our handy work that gives us a deeper sense of ownership—part of me is now part of this “thing” and we have a shared memory."

Bond with your home by making it beautiful | Austin Common Place Real Estate For the last year I’ve been using mismatched folding chairs for my home-office conference table. I decided to step up my game. But when I entered the chair market I was shocked by how expensive things are. And if you want any sort of customization ie. color, forget it.

“Love the quick profit, the annual raise,
vacation with pay. Want more
of everything ready-made. Be afraid
to know your neighbors and to die..." -Wendell berry. I feature this poem in my latest blog post: http://austincommonplace.com/blog/are-you-stuck/

Are you stuck? | Austin Common Place Real Estate “Love the quick profit, the annual raise, vacation with pay. Want more of everything ready-made. Be afraid to know your neighbors and to die.

In six minutes this NPR episode says what I've been trying to say for six years: http://www.npr.org/2013/09/03/218627288/why-being-wealthy-doesnt-lead-to-more-giving?live=1

As We Become Richer, Do We Become Stingier? : NPR A UCLA researcher says science shows that as people earn more money, they become more individualistic and less community oriented. As a result, they seem to donate less of their time and money, proportionally, than poorer people.