Realtor Profile

Adventurous Realtor proclaims why Austin will always have her heart

Realtor Dru Brown and Ginger the Labradoodle.

Photo courtesy of Wilson & Goldrick Realtors

Though she has lived all over the country and traveled all over the world, Realtor Dru Brown instantly developed a passion for Austin the first time she got to experience its unique character.

But that magical discovery came after trekking through Europe and Asia following college at the University of Kansas, and exploring the globe through her marketing job with American Airlines.

When not jetting off to exotic locales, Brown and her family lived happily in Dallas until 2000, when her now-late husband J.B. Brown's commercial real estate career brought them to ATX.

The Wilson & Goldrick Realtors agent knew immediately that this is where they'd stay — permanently.

Now, Brown appreciates everything that Austin has to offer — from the outdoors to live music to the arts — and shares them with her clients. Being active in the community is also important, and she's involved with several philanthropies.

This adventurous spirit and boundless energy have served her well during her real estate career, where she has racked up the accolades. Not only has Brown been a Top Producer at Wilson & Goldrick, but she's also a frequent member of the Platinum Top 50 and Elite 25.

But all achievements aside, it's the idea of turning real estate goals into reality that keeps Brown going. That covers buying, selling, and leasing — if you have property dreams, she wants to help you make them come true.

When she's not working real estate magic by ensuring transactions go as smoothly as possible, Brown enjoys running, yoga, cooking, reading, and spending as much time as possible with her adult kids and their labradoodle, Ginger.

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See Dru Brown's latest listings here, or contact her at 512-658-5428, drubrown@wilsongoldrick.com, or @drubrown_atx on Instagram.

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Howdy, Neighbor

City of Austin checks in for new short-term rental rule debates

Photo by Jakub Żerdzicki on Unsplash

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Austinites may be friendly, but the city as a whole fosters many conflicting feelings about vacation rentals. A January memo from assistant city manager Veronica Briseño alerts the City Council that some proposed changes are coming regarding regulating short-term rentals (STRs).

The changes will have to go through several filters first: public meetings plus separate Planning Commission and City Council meetings in February and April. The memo says "the changes will apply to a significant number of properties throughout the City."

It's difficult to summarize or forecast concerns associated with STRs, because they vary widely depending on changing factors. It's not just who's visiting and how well they behave, but whether or not the homeowners are properly licensed, what each platform's changing policies are, and of course how well either can enforce these things.

Austin has taken swings at creating a system that works, but some court rulings have rendered them unenforceable. Here are some (not all) topics mentioned in the January memo and attached working ordinances:

Changing STR provisions to make them an additional (accessory) use to all residential uses, in zoning terms
Adding density caps on STR owners and operators
Allowing "existing STRs to continue provided that the STR does not become a nuisance and property ownership remains the same"
Making sure STRs fit into their quiet, residential neighborhoods
Avoiding increasing affordability issues
Giving more options for enforcement
Encouraging preserving rather than demolishing buildings in accordance with the HOME Initiative

Before any public meetings, there will be a virtual info session Tuesday, January 21, from 11 am to 1 pm. There will also be three more in-person sessions (listed in at the same link) January 22, 23, and 27 in various locations.

The first meeting scheduled is for the Joint Planning Commission and City Council on Tuesday, February 4, at 1 pm at City Hall. A full schedule of meetings publicinput.com.

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