Recap of first trip and a question or two (Austin: foreclosure, leases)

[DMChicago]

Originally Posted by 10scoachrick

So it's not the trainers but the front desk staff out on the roadside dancing in an orange unitard?

LOL...I have not seen that activity.

The one I go to (Four Points) is a few years old so maybe they don't need to do that.

[Independentthinking]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

I know a lady that works in HR at WFs and I can ask her next time I see her, but honestly, with all the turmoil lately, I am not sure that is the best place to start. Between their downsizing (locally as well as nationally) and then getting bought by Amazon, I doubt they have a very 'secure' system in place.

As far as at a public gym - yeah, I know the salesmen trainers. I will say that the Lifetime Fitness seems to separate the 'membership sales' and 'trainer' job functions, or so it appears. Again, have not used a trainer there, but they have dedicated staff that does the used-car sales thing, so I am guessing the trainers don't have to?

That's quite kind of you. Thank you. I'd appreciate that.

DMChicago, I was under the impression that Orange Theory was essentially a spin studio that does heart rate training? Do they actually have personal trainers there?

On the renting side, I was talking to a client of mine this morning who's company owns luxury condos in different cities across the country, and 50% ownership in a couple of Four Seasons hotels. I also talked to another former client that is a retired CEO for a REIT that owned multiple apartments. Both said if I pay one year's rent up front, that I should actually expect a 3-5% discount as I am taking the risk factor out of the equation .

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by DMChicago

LOL...I have not seen that activity.

The one I go to (Four Points) is a few years old so maybe they don't need to do that.

It was mostly during the early weeks here at Avery Ranch; but every now and then the local franchise will go nuts with banners all along the roadside...perhaps in lieu of dancing sign twirlers(or maybe I just missed the performances).

[Independentthinking]

In checking the apartments in Pflugerville, it doesn't look like the lack of employment is going to be a big deal at all. Of the first two I checked (the Mansions), they are more than willing to accept 1 years worth of rent with no verification of jobs and no credit checks. Most of the other ones simply require anywhere from 1 to 3 times that amount in the bank account as the income verification and not having a job is no hiccup whatsoever. Seems to make sense to me. My wife and I are landlords ourselves and to me, getting 12 months of rent in advance on a one year lease is a no brainer. The only reason a property manager does a credit check is to gauge the likelihood of any problem with the prospective tenant paying rent. That risk is mitigated if you have the money upfront. I was glad to see that wasn't going to be an issue.

[DMChicago]

Originally Posted by Independentthinking

DMChicago, I was under the impression that Orange Theory was essentially a spin studio that does heart rate training? Do they actually have personal trainers there?

Right. It's HIIT classes. I do know that several of the coaches at my studio have provided private training to members at their homes or other gyms.

[Independentthinking]

Originally Posted by DMChicago

Right. It's HIIT classes. I do know that several of the coaches at my studio have provided private training to members at their homes or other gyms.

Thank you for clarifying.

[Slickrn]

I am in my 50s and have lived in Austin for most of my adult life. It would be crazy to move here and pay rent for a year up front if you do not know where you will be working. Traffic here is horrible and gets worse every week. My 15 mile commute takes between 40 to 50 minutes if it doesn't rain and there are no wrecks. Also you will find Austin salaries are way out of line with rental costs. Plugerville is not Austin and traffic will likely keep you from enjoying things Austin has to offer.

[Trainwreck20]

Originally Posted by Independentthinking

That's quite kind of you. Thank you. I'd appreciate that.

DMChicago, I was under the impression that Orange Theory was essentially a spin studio that does heart rate training? Do they actually have personal trainers there?

On the renting side, I was talking to a client of mine this morning who's company owns luxury condos in different cities across the country, and 50% ownership in a couple of Four Seasons hotels. I also talked to another former client that is a retired CEO for a REIT that owned multiple apartments. Both said if I pay one year's rent up front, that I should actually expect a 3-5% discount as I am taking the risk factor out of the equation .

Talked to the WF lady. They have a tiny 'gym' (a few machines) and it is not staffed in any way. They do have an in-house clinic, some type of wellness program, and it sounds like some other health benefits, but does not sound like anything you seem to be looking for. I did not get a lot of details, since it was just a quick question in passing as we picked up kiddos from girl scouts :P.

[Independentthinking]

Thanks a bunch, Trainwreck. I really appreciate you checking on that for me.

[Independentthinking]

Originally Posted by Slickrn

I am in my 50s and have lived in Austin for most of my adult life. It would be crazy to move here and pay rent for a year up front if you do not know where you will be working. Traffic here is horrible and gets worse every week. My 15 mile commute takes between 40 to 50 minutes if it doesn't rain and there are no wrecks. Also you will find Austin salaries are way out of line with rental costs. Plugerville is not Austin and traffic will likely keep you from enjoying things Austin has to offer.

I'm not too concerned about it (it's a year...not the end of the world). The more important move will be after that (when we purchase a home). At which point, yes. I'd agree that we'd be crazy not to be closer to work. Admittedly, someone could be in the same situation if they got a better paying job that was further away while they were in a year's lease. It doesn't look like my son is going to join us, so we're talking about maybe $12K to $14k. Our property manager estimates we should get $3900 a month rent for our house in the Bay Area, so in the grand scheme of things, leaving early makes more sense to me.