Betina's Austin Texas Real Estate Blog

Showcasing Local Austin Texas Artists Work

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:32:19 -0600

November 14^th, I attended a local Austin artist's show. The artist Gretchen Gardener is a native Texan that attended the University of Texas in Austin. She received her Bachelor's of Fine Art in 1984 with an emphasis in graphic design. Twenty years later she took an informal painting class, which inspired her to begin painting. Her passion is painting her pets and the pets of friends. She is now painting pet portraits on commission. She says the joy of painting family animals inspires her to keep painting. Clients bring photographs of the family pet and Gretchen creates colorful pet portraits from these photographs. Gretchen also paints still life paintings in a style similar to Andy Warhol on occasion. You may find Gretchen's paintings at various art galleries around Austin. Right now she has an exhibit at The Imagine Art Gallery in east Austin, 2830 Real Street running through the end of November 2009.

If you want to commission Gretchen Gardener to paint your pet's portrait you may contact her at www.GretchenMakesArt.com

If you want to commission Gretchen Gardener to paint your pet's portrait you may contact her at www.GretchenMakesArt.com. She also has select paintings available as numbered prints. Her art studio is wonderfully convenient in south Austin's hip zip, 78704.

If you are in the market for a new home and are not presently working with a Realtor, please call me. I would be happy to help you through the process of buying a home. I specialize in Relocation and make the home buying process easy to navigate. I look forward to the opportunity to earn your business.

Betina Foreman, Realtor

Keller Williams Real Estate 1801 S. Mopac, Suite 100 Austin, Texas 78746

512-771-6318 BetinaForemanRealtor@yahoo.com Betina@KW.com www.ZilkerParkHomes.com

Member: Austin Board of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, www.ActiveRain.com -Rainmaker, Trulia-Top Voices, and Zillow-Neighborhood Pros.

Lake Austin has much to offer if your looking for a place to play on the water.

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:10:49 -0600

Austin Texas is the home of many great attractions both historical and natural. We have the Texas Capitol and two great lakes and Barton Springs. If you don't feel like driving thirty minutes to Lake Travis, Lake Austin might be the place for you. It is a narrow lake that works well for motor boats but is not so great for sailing. If you are a sailor you want to stay on Lake Travis and there are many marinas to choose from: Mansfield Marina, Rough Hollow Marina and Emerald Point Marina just to name a few. There are many waterfront homes with docks on both lakes if you choose to keep your boat closer than the marina.

There are a multitude of parks and docks and restaurants on the lake. Lake Austin runs from Mansfield Dam at Lake Travis down past the 360/Pennybacker Bridge and further to Red Bud Trail. If you go south of Red Bud Trail it becomes Lake Ladybird or Town Lake as the long time Austinites know it.

Lake Ladybird was re-named two years ago when Ladybird Johnson passed away. She was the person responsible for the lake beautification project when LBJ was president. So when you walk or ride the trails say thank you to this great lady for making it possible to enjoy this beautiful area.

If you start at Red Bud Trail and head north you will find the following attractions: Lake Austin Riverboats, Tom Miller Dam, The Hula Hut, Westlake Beach, Motzart's Coffee Shop, Walsh Boat Landing, Laguna Gloria Museum, Lake Austin Marina, Mount Bonnell Park, The Austin Country Club, The 360 Bridge AKA The Pennybacker Bridge, The HWY 360 Bridge Boat Ramp, Ski Shores Cafe, Emma Long Metropolitan Park, Lake Austin Spa and Resort, and lastly Mansfield Dam.

If you are in the market for a new home in the Austin area and are not presently working with a Realtor, please call me. I would be happy to help you through the process of buying a home. I specialize in Relocation and I have a network of experts to make the process easy to navigate. I look forward to the opportunity to earn your business.

Betina Foreman, Realtor

Keller Williams Real Estate 1801 S. Mopac, Suite 100 Austin, Texas 78746

512-771-6318 BetinaForemanRealtor@yahoo.com Betina@KW.com www.ZilkerParkHomes.com

Member: Austin Board of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, ActiveRain, Trulia-Top Voices, and Zillow-Neighborhood Pros.

Senate close to approving more tax credits. A GREAT THING!

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:51:36 -0600

This hot topic has been a daily conversation in our office. Reinae and I share an office at Keller Williams and the opinion that the tax credit extension and modification is a great thing for home buyers. The new version allows existing home owners to get $6500 to move up to a larger home. This segment of the home buying population was over looked in the first version. Now is a great time to buy a home or "move up"!

Betina

Betina Foreman Realtor

Keller Williams Real Estate 1801 S. MOPAC, Suite 100 Austin, TX 78746

512-771-6318 www .BetinaForeman.com

Via Reinae Kessler (rhkessler@aol.com):

So...yes...it appears the looming deadline for our tax credit will be extended! HURRAY. I have to admit I was a bit of a skeptic initially. I knew first hand how the banks were struggling and weren't even able to process the offers they had because of the short sale crisis and foreclosures. But, it appears all but certain after the Obama administration will push Congress to go ahead with a new and improved version of the bill. The new bill will effectively extend the tax credit for new buyers all the way through April. But even better is that you just have to purchase by April and have an additional 60 days to close. The new bill also will allow current homeowners and more affluent buyers to claim a $6500 credit as long as you have lived in your current property for at least 5 years. This is great news for all who were under the time crunch, as well as those who have not been able to find their perfect home. A shortage of inventory has been an issue for many of my clients as folks have just been hesitant to sell in a declining market. I say, if you need to move, or want to move, there has never been a greater time. If you must sell your home for less...you will likely make it up when you buy for less. Buyers and sellers alike will win with this new extended and expanded program. And I say "way to go" to the politicians who are spending our tax dollars on something that can make a difference. Now if we can just get health care on track!

The 34th annual Charity Garage Sale is at Palmer Events Center this weekend!

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:44:45 -0600

The Settlement Club's 34th Annual Charity Garage Sale is not just for people that live in Bouldin,Travis Heights or Barton Hills. The Settlement Club charity Garage Sale is held November 6,7,8, 2009 at the Palmer Events Center on Barton Springs Road. This event raises money and recycles items that would otherwise go into a landfill. The very first garage sale in the 1970's raised $20K, last year they raised $472K! The garage sale has all kinds of items for sale. There are household items and designer clothing and more!

The merchandise categories are: Clothing, Children's items, Toys, Holiday Items, Books, Linens, Collectibles, Arts and Crafts, Shoes, Kitchen Items, Garden Items, Tools, Small Appliances, TV and Business, Sports Equipment and Sports Memorabilia.

Admission Fees: Friday-10:00-7:00pm $5. Admission

Saturday-10:00-5:00 Free Admission

Sunday-10:00-2:00pm Free Admission

The event has 450 volunteers, and 15,000 attendees. The Box Sale is from 3-5 Sunday. The Box Sale allows you to buy a $3-$7 box and fill it with whatever items you choose that fit in the box.

Happy Shopping!

Betina

If you are in the market for a new home and are not presently working with a Realtor, please call me. We would be happy to help you with the process of buying or selling a home. We specialize in Relocation and make the process easy to navigate. We look forward to the opportunity to earn your business.

Betina Foreman, Realtor

Keller Williams Real Estate 1801 S. Mopac, Suite 100 Austin, Texas 78746

512-771-6318 BetinaForemanRealtor@yahoo.com Betina@KW.com www.ZilkerParkHomes.com

Member: Austin Board of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, ActiveRain, Trulia-Top Voices, and Zillow-Neighborhood Pros.

South Austin has a new wellness provider: Active Life Wellness & Healthcare Center on South Lamar Blvd.

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:58:52 -0600

There is a new wellness and health-care center in south Austin! Active Life Wellness & Healthcare Center opened this spring at 809 S. Lamar. They provide help with low back pain, carpal tunnel, sports injuries, auto accident injuries, and tendon & ligament problems. They offer massage therapy, weight loss clinic, physical therapy, and chiropractic services. They specialize in Graston Technique which is a form of soft tissue mobilization that detects and breaks up scar tissue that would impede normal function of muscles, fascia, tendons and ligaments. If you have back pain, they can treat it with "Floating Decompression" which is a comfortable, effective and natural way to treat disc problems and back pain.

The doctors are: Dr. Cynthia Schade, Dr. Nick Foure, and Cynthia Lara. They also sell supplements from: Standard Process, Xymbgen, Genesis, and Xeenix. They accept most insurance and they take VISA, AMex, Discover. For more information about the clinic please visit their website: www.GetAnActiveLife.com or call them at (512)474-LIFE (5433).

The practice also hosts a revolving art gallery in the waiting area. The art that is on display is also for sale at reasonable prices. This clinic is easy to find due to the amazing sign at the street. It is a huge tile mosaic created by a local artist.

One of the most interesting architectects you never heard of Bruce Goff.

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:11:24 -0600

Great interesting architecture is often hard to come by, so I wanted to showcase one of my favorite architects: Bruce Alonzo Goff. Anybody can build a basic home with four walls and a roof, but this man built dreams that you could live in. Bruce Goff was creative in a way that no modern architect I have seen can match.

Bruce Goff was born in Alton Kansas in 1904. He was considered a child prodigy and had his first apprentice job at twelve years old. He later became a partner with that firm Rush Endicott & Rush. His first famous work was and Art Deco building to house the Boston Avenue Methodist Church in Tulsa Oklahoma.

Goff's design portfolio had over 500 projects and he actually built about 146 of his designs. As of 2009 only 80 of his creations remain. His work was considered to be "organic" and was always very specific to the individual client and project site. Goff loved using recycled materials and unconventional objects. It was not uncommon to find parts of airplanes, rocks, coal, ropes, zebrawood, cake pans or chunks of recycled glass in his designs.

Despite not having architecture credentials he taught at the University of Oklahoma for a period. Unfortunately he was caught up in a scandal involving one of his students in the mid 1050's and lost his tenure and position with the school.

One of his last designs The Pavilion for Japanese Art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art was begun in 1978 but was not completed until after his death in 1988. It is infused with natural light through translucent panels in many places.

Sadly Goff died in 1982. One of his students, Grant Gustavson designed his headstone and even incorporated a piece of glass from one of Goff's works; the Price House.

Here is a link to photos of several of Goff's designs. Take a look at several, as he designed homes with a variety of styles. http://www.narrowlarry.com/nlgoffindex.html

Here is a link to photos of the Duncan House http://www.brucegoff-castle-bandb.com/castleinfo.htm This home is currently functioning as a Bed & Breakfast, so you can experience Goff first hand.

Here is a link to photos of the Durst Home. http://www.narrowlarry.com/nlgoff-durst.html Since I grew up in Houston I had seen this unusual home and always marvelled at its unique exterior. To this day I still wonder what the inside must look like!

Here is a link to the Bavinger house. This is my favorite Goff house and this home is open to the public. Amazingly this link has interior photos! http://www.narrowlarry.com/nlgoff-bavinger.html

Here is an incomplete list of Goff's works in chronological order.

1926: Boston Avenue Methodist Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma
1929: Riverside Studio, Tulsa, Oklahoma
1938: Turzak House, Chicago, Illinois
1939: Cole House, Glenview, Illinois
1940: Colmorgan House, Glenview, Illinois
1940: Unseth House, Park Ridge, Illinois
1941: Bartman House (also known as Triaero), Fern Creek,Kentucky
1947: Ruth VanSickle Ford House, Aurora, Illinois
1947: Ledbetter House, Norman, Oklahoma
1948: Hopewell Baptist Church, Edmond, Oklahoma
1950: Bavinger House, Norman, Oklahoma
1952: Corsaw House, Norman, Oklahoma
1954: Garvey House, Urbana, Illinois
1955: John Frank House, Sapulpa, Oklahoma
1956: Joe D. Price House and Studio (also known as Shin'enKan), Bartlesville, Oklahoma destroyed by arson in 1996
1957: Comer House, Dewey, Oklahoma
1957: Motsenbocker House, Bartlesville, Oklahoma
1958: Durst House, Houston, Texas
1958: Freeman House, Joplin, Missouri
1958: Gutman House, Gulfport, Mississippi (destroyed by fire)
1958: Jones House, Bartlesville, Oklahoma
1959: Collins House, Bartlesville, Oklahoma
1960: Grydor House, Ocean Springs, Mississippi
1961: Fitchette House, Bartlesville, Oklahoma
1961: Adams House, Vinita, Oklahoma
1963: Pollack House, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
1965: Duncan House, Cobden, Illinois
1965: Hyde House, Prairie Village, Kansas
1965: Nichol House, Kansas City, Missouri
1965: Searing House, Prairie Village, Kansas
1966: Jacquart House, Sublette, Kansas
1968: Mitchell House, Dodge City, Kansas
1970: Glen Harder House, Mountain Lake, Minnesota (destroyed by fire)
1974: Barby House, Tucson, Arizona
1978: Pavilion for Japanese Art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, California
1979: Struckus House, Woodland Hills, California
1980: Jacob Harder House, Mountain Lake, Minnesota

I will warn you upfront I am not including photos as I was not able to reach anyone to get permission. You know me, I would rather be safe than sorry. All information was culled from Encyclopedia.com and Wikipedia.com.

If you are looking for an unusual home in the Austin area, call me. I will leave no stone unturned to find the right home for you! If you are interested in selling your unique home, I can help you find the right buyer to take care of your castle!

Betina Foreman Realtor

Keller Williams Real Estate 1801 S. MOPAC, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78746

512.771.6318 www.BetinaForeman.com

Open House in Barker Ranch at Shady Hollow Sunday Nov 1st 1-4.

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:03:59 -0500

Please join me at the Barker Ranch at Shady Hollow open house Sunday November 1st 2009 from 1-4. This home is an amazing 5 bedroom home on a third of an acre with many upgrades. This home is about 15 minutes from downtown Austin and feeds into Bailey, Barronoff and Bowie High School. This wonderful home was just reduced $20,000 this month! This is currently the lowest price per square foot ($93.85) for Barker Ranch at Shady Hollow.

5 Beds & 3.5 Baths * 1 Bed Down
All Sides Brick
Extensive Tile Throughout First Floor
Study Down & Gameroom Up
Formal Living & Formal Dining Room
Gas Cooktop * Built-In Oven & Microwave
Center Island & Tile Backsplash In Kitchen
Sitting Area & Large Walk-In Closet In Master Suite
High & Coffered Ceilings
Full Sprinkler & Security System
3 Car Garage (2 Side Entry & 1 Front Entry)
Back Covered Patio & Large Yard
Fruit Trees In Backyard (Apples, Pears, Plums, Figs & Pecan Trees)

DIRECTIONS: From Mopac and Slaughter, head east on Slaughter to Brodie and turn Right, Proceed about 1.5 miles to Gatling Gun and turn Right, Turn Left on Gun Metal Drive.

If you are in the market for a new home and are not presently working with a Realtor, please call me. I would be happy to help you with the process of buying a home. I specialize in Relocation and I have a team of experts to make the process easy to navigate. I look forward to the opportunity to earn your business.

Betina Foreman, Realtor

Keller Williams Real Estate 1801 S. Mopac, Suite 100 Austin, Texas 78746 512-771-6318 BetinaForemanRealtor@yahoo.com www.BetinaForeman.com

Member: Austin Board of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, ActiveRain, Trulia-Top Voices, and Zillow-Neighborhood Pros.

For The Dog Lover In All Of Us

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:16:08 -0500

I loved this so much I just had to share it! My friend Gary Wotal posted this initially and I thought it worth sharing. I think my next dog will be an Irish Water Spaniel or a Derriere.

Via Gary Woltal - Associate Broker REALTOR® Dallas Ft. Worth (Keller Williams Realty):

New Dog Breeds

The following breeds are now recognized by the AKC:

Collie + Lhasa Apso = Collapso, a dog that folds up easy for transporting

Spitz + Chow Chow = Spitz-Chow, a dog that throws up alot

Pointer + Setter = Poinsetter, a traditional Christmas pet

Great Pyrenees + Dachshund = Pyradachs, a puzzling breed

Pekingnese + Lhasa Apso = Peekasso, an abstract dog

Irish Water Spaniel + English Springer Spaniel = Irish Springer, a dog fresh and clean as a whistle

Newfoundland + Basset Hound = Newfound Asset Hound, a dog for financial advisors

Terrier + Bulldog = Terribull, a dog that makes awful mistakes

Bloodhound + Labrador = Blabador, not a popular dog with CIA agents

Malamute + Pointer = Moot Point, owned by... oh, well, it doesn't matter anyway

Collie + Malamute = Commute, a dog that travels to work

Deerhound + Terrier = Derriere, a dog that's true to the end

The First time home buyers $8000 Tax Credit deadline may be extended!

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:21:14 -0500

My contacts at Gracy Title of South Austin just shared some great news. Granted this is something we have thought was in the works, but the powers that be had not announced anything until now. The program may be extended as it is today or it may have some modifications, that is yet to be decided. So if your unsure about waiting, the time to buy a home is now. In order to qualify for the tax credit you must: make no more than $75K a year, be a first time home buyer (if you have not owned a home in three years you will qualify as first time buyer in this program), and be ready to buy now. You must be able to close on the home sale before December 1st 2009.

Senate likely to extend homebuyers' tax credit

October 28, 2009 8:36 pm

Washington (CNN) -- Senate leaders have reached a tentative deal to extend the first-time homebuyers' tax credit that was originally passed earlier this year as part of the stimulus bill, Republican and Democratic sources told CNN on Wednesday.

The agreement would extend and expand the credit to include current homeowners who want to move, according to the sources.

The original credit in the stimulus bill is set to expire at the end of November and offers a tax credit of $8,000 to first-time homebuyers.

Senate sources told CNN they have tentatively agreed to extend that $8,000 credit for first-time buyers until the end of April. In addition, they are adding a $6,500 credit for some current homeowners who buy a new residence by then.

To qualify, current homeowners must have lived in their primary residence for five continuous years.

Senators have not agreed on how the tentative deal would come up for a vote, but sources from both parties said they are considering adding the housing credit to a bill that would extend unemployment benefits.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has indicated she also is interested in extending the homeowner credit, but House leaders have yet to endorse any one bill.

Looking for some exceptional mexican food in Austin, try La Condesa on 400 West 2nd Street.

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:40:05 -0500

Living in Austin means residents have a multitude of choices when it comes to great Mexican food. Some of my regular favorites are Chuy's, Maudie's, Jovita's, Manuel's, El Arroyo and Serrano's. There is a new player on the field and they mean business. La Condesa recently opened up at 400 West 4th Street, just across the street from the new W Condos & Hotel and Lambert's. They are really upping the bar for downtown Mexican food.

The space is open and inviting with several smaller intimate spaces for drinking and dining. When you enter La Condessa the bar is to your right up a few stairs. There is also an elevator for those that need it. It has an intimate patio area that has a wall that slides away to open the bar to the street for fresh air and natural light. The space has a very modern feeling with a nod to old Mexico. The mural on the west wall is comprised of a multitude of old vintage Mexican billboards that have been cut into smaller pieces and fanned out to radiate like the sun. (see photo below) La Condesa has won several awards for their modern designed space. The Austin Institute of Architecture awarded them the best restaurant in Austin.

As you enter the main dining room on your left, you will notice the unusual lighting. There are a number of thin black cords suspended from the ceiling like an octopus with a slender light-bulbs with numerous tiny filaments in each bulb. These lights radiate a soft light that creates a relaxing atmosphere. If you continue out to the patio it is a sleek modern space that is open to the street and allows for wonderful people watching experiences.

The food is divine, simple and yet complex. I know that is a contradiction, but how else can I put it in words. The Pibil pork tacos were perfectly cooked and served on two double corn tortillas with a sweet and spicy pickled Habenaro salsa and pickled red onions on the side. Every taco dish comes with a side of black beans and rice with a smattering of fresh sweet corn, red bell pepper and fresh cilantro. The presentation was beautiful and the service was prompt and kknowledgeable. Our server was Hannah and she never flinched, even when we bombarded her with a thousand questions about the food and drink specials. She suggested their signature cocktail as a starter. This is a Watermelon Martini served up, with two Mellon balls on a skewer instead of olives. This drink also just won an award as Best New Drink in Austin. We will be back often and I hope that if you read this you will take a chance and try La Condesa yourself. I promise you will be glad that you did!

If you are in the market for an Austin home & are not currently working with a Realtor, please call me. I would be happy to help you with the process of buying a home. I specialize in Relocation & I have a team of experts to make the process easy to navigate. I look forward to the opportunity to earn your business.

Betina Foreman, Realtor

Keller Williams Real Estate 1801 S. Mopac, Suite 100 Austin, Texas 78746 512-771-6318 BetinaForemanRealtor@yahoo.com www.BetinaForeman.com

Member: Austin Board of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, ActiveRain, Trulia-Top Voices, and Zillow-Neighborhood Pros.

Betina's famous stuffed Pumpkin Bread/Muffins! A favorite family recipe just in time for the holidays!

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:38:57 -0500

Every fall I make these wonderful pumpkin bread/muffins and everyone asks me for the recipe. So I thought I would share it with my AR friends and family, so you can share them with your friends too! I hope everyone likes this easy recipe.

Ingredients

1 cup oil

1/3 cup water

4 beaten eggs

3 1/2 cups Flour

2 TBSP Baking Soda

3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (hold back 1/4 cup of nuts for topping

1 1/2 TSP. Cinnamon

1 TSP. Salt

1 1/4 TSP Nutmeg

3 cups sugar (I never said this recipe was low calorie!!)

2 cups fresh cooked pumpkin (canned pumpkin is OK too)

12 oz. Cream Cheese- This ingredient does not get mixed into the batter!! This should be held until filling the muffin sheet.

Instructions: Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees. Mix the 'wet' ingredients in a large bowl. Add the dry ingredients gradually into the bowl containing the 'wet' ingredients. Stir well until batter is smooth. Use paper muffin liners in muffin pan. Add one medium spoonful of mix into the cups, then add a teaspoon of cream cheese into the muffin cups. Then add another spoon full of pumpkin batter on top, and sprinkle a few chopped nuts on top. Bake muffins at 325 degrees for 15-20 minutes, If making a loaf of Pumpkin Bread bake for 50-60 minutes. Test to ensure its done by inserting a tooth pick in the center, and then removing the toothpick. If the toothpick has batter on it or is wet, leave it to bake a few more minutes.

Lake Point homes Market Analysis for September 2009

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:47:22 -0500

Lake Pointe is a lovely community in Austin Texas that is just minutes away from the Lake Travis area. These homes typically were built between 1996-2009, with an average of 3298 square feet. Most of the lots are just under a quarter acre, but occasionally you will find larger lots of a 1/3 or 3/4 of an acre. Some have hill country or distant lake views. A few back up to a quiet and serene greenbelt. Below you will find the Comparative Market Analysis for Lake Pointe's September 2009 home sales. The homes used in the C.M.A. are at least 4 bedrooms and 3 baths on at least a .20 lot or larger.

24 Homes Actively Listed For Sale:

Average Year Built 2002 3298SF Average Listing Price Per Square Foot $164.01

Low Listing Price Per Square Foot $99.68 High Listing Price Per Square Foot $241.00

Average 139 Days on Market

2 Homes Pending/Under Contract:

Average Year Built 2004 3385SF Average Price Per SF $151.44 Average 55 Days on Market

4 Homes Sold in September 2009:

Average Year Built 1999 2828SF Average Price Per SF $1o6.41 Average 49 Days on Market

Right now my favorite Lake Pointe home that is for sale is located at 3201 Santee. It backs up to the greenbelt and has an amazing yard. The home has 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, two living and two dining rooms and a 3 car garage. It is priced to move at $315K! If you would like to see this Lake Pointe home or any other please give me a call. I would be happy to assist you with a purchase or sale in Lake Pointe. Of course if you are presently working with a Realtor please contact them directly. Thank you for your time.

Betina Foreman, Realtor and Member of: ABOR, TAR, NAR, ActiveRain, Trulia, Zillow

Keller Williams Real Estate 1801 South MOPAC, Suite 100 Austin, Texas 78746

512-771-6318 BetinaForemanREALTOR@yahoo.com

My private tour of The Austonian Condos in Austin Texas

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:39:10 -0500

Recently while attending another Realtor event in Austin Texas, somehow I managed to beat about 100 Realtors to win a private tour of the Austonian. To say I was excited was an understatement. This new luxury condo property from Momark Development has been in the news a lot, as it will be the tallest residential development in the United States. This property is definitely one of a kind and is making Austin a destination for luxury living on par with New York City.

The property is shaped like an ellipse, so every single condo has a view from every room, powder rooms excluded. There are spectacular views of the UT Tower and the state Capitol, as well as Town Lake/ Lake Ladybird. The building is so tall that on a clear day you can see St. Edwards University and even Round Rock. To say the views are spectacular is an understatement.

The property is still under construction so the photos I have are of this phase. I will go back in April once it is complete and take new pictures. One of the interesting things about seeing it built is seeing how it is built. Since my background is construction I had many questions for the developer Terry Mitchell. One of them was "how will you keep the street noise levels down?" Terry said they are installing all of the glass so that it goes down four inches under the floor and four inches up into the ceiling. Then it has a seal that runs the length and breadth of the glass. This creates a barrier so the sound is totally blocked from entering the unit. These magnificent windows allow for breath-taking floor to ceiling views from every room.

The property will be very secure, and there is a 24 hour concierge. You may only access an upper floor if you have a Resident key fob, and it will allow you to access your floor and the amenities floor. If you have friends on other floors, your fob may be programed for those floors as well. This is superior in my opinion to the public facilities provided by the W and the Four Seasons residences. Since these two properties are also hotels there may be increased public traffic in the amenity areas of those properties. The only people utliizing The Austonian facilities are permanent residents/owners. The amenities floor is on the 10th level and it has:

A spectacular pool and 12 person spa, as well 24 outdoor living areas and out-door kitchens. The out door living areas have several large planters with landscaping to provide privacy from other residents.
Dog Park/Walking station- This dog park is state of the art and is continually self cleaning and you don't have to pick up the poop! There is no need to go all the way to Town Lake to walk your dog.
Dog washing/grooming rooms. This is one of my favorite services- The concierge can pick up your dog and take them to the Dirty Dog Groomers suite in the building. Dirty Dog will groom your dog and the Austonian staff will return your pooch to your condo when its over.
There is a Media Room with curved wall and IMax style big screen with stadium style seating with leather recliners. This is a great place to watch the Longhorns games.
The Residents Game-room will have: a full service kitchen, pool tables, darts, and several TV's to watch sports events. This room has a view of the UT Tower and Capital. It may be reserved for private parties by residents.
The Residents may reserve a guest suite for their out of town guests. The suite has a beautifully appointed bedroom and a kitchenette. These rooms are located on the 10th floor with the other amenities. These guest suites are provided as a courtesy free of charge to residents that have more guests than their condo will accommodate.
There will be a day spa available to the owners. This spa will offer mani/pedis, facials, massages, etc.
Valet Parking is available to owners that choose this service. You may choose to have your packages delivered to your condo by the Austonian staff.
The elevators are the fastest elevators made and they are totally silent and yet give a gentle ride. No dramimine necessary on this elevator. There is also a dedicated service elevator for all deliveries and moving.

If you are interested in purchasing a luxury home in the Austonian please contact me. I would be happy to arrange a condo viewing for qualified buyers. I want to help you through the process of buying a home in Austin. I specialize in Relocation and I have a network of experts to make the process easy to navigate. I look forward to the opportunity to earn your business.

Betina Foreman, Realtor

Keller Williams Real Estate 1801 S. Mopac, Suite 100 Austin, Texas 78746 512-771-6318 BetinaForemanRealtor@yahoo.com Betina@KW.com www.BetinaForeman.com

Member: Austin Board of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, ActiveRain-Rainmaker, Trulia-Top Voices, and Zillow-Neighborhood Pros.

Market report for Lakeway waterfront homes in July 2009 (waterfront home for sale under $600K)

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 11:27:10 -0500

Lakeway has many gorgeous waterfront homes for sale. This Market Report shows you the current information on recent listings and home sales for Lakeway. The homes used in this report have at least 3 bedrooms and two bathrooms and are true Lake Travis waterfront properties.

11 Homes Actively listed for sale:

Average Year Built 1986 Average SF 3812 Average Price Per SF $346.09

Average List Price $1,334,545. Average number of days on market before selling 235.

1 Home Sold in July 2009:

Year Built 1965 3860SF 4 bedrooms 3 bathrooms on .85 acre lot List Price $1,399,000. (Sold Price not disclosed due to Texas laws)

Since Lakeway used to be a sleepy, bedroom community an hour from Austin there are still a few lakefront homes that were built in the 1940's-1970's. Occasionally one of these older homes is listed for sale. Right now there is an older waterfront home built in 1970 for sale for only $599K. This home has been updated somewhat and has four bedrooms and two bathrooms in 1673 square feet. The lot is very large with .49 of an acre and a new 9x25 dock. It is on a finger of the lake that has water at 659 feet. If your interested in this lake property or any other please give me a call.

Betina Foreman Realtor

Keller Williams Realty Austin and Lake Travis

BetinaForemanREALTRO@yahoo.com Betina@KW.com 512-771-6318 www.BetinaForeman.com

Lake Point Market Analysis for August 2009

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 10:20:42 -0500

Lake Pointe is a lovely community in Austin Texas that is just minutes away from the Lake Travis area. These homes typically were built between 1993-2005, with an average of 2997 square feet. Most of the lots are about a quarter acre, but occasionally you will find larger lots of a 1/3 or 3/4 of an acre. Some have hill country or distant lake views. Below you will find the Comparative Market Analysis for Lake Pointe's August home sales. The homes used in the C.M.A. are at least 3bedrooms and 3 baths on at least a .25 lot or larger.

4 Homes Actively Listed For Sale:

Average Year Built 1998 2997SF Average Price Per SF $121.52 Average 62 Days on Market

3 Homes Pending/Under Contract:

Average Year Built 2004 3385SF Average Price Per SF $151.44 Average 55 Days on Market

2 Homes Sold in August:

Average Year Built 1997 2735SF Average Price Per SF $114,92 Average 28 Days on Market

If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Lake Pointe please give me a call. I would be happy to assist you with your real estate needs. I have a network of professionals to help make the process easy!

Betina Foreman Realtor Austin Texas

512-771-6318 BetinaForemanREALTOR@yahoo.com Betina@KW.com www.BetinaForeman.com

Once again Austin Texas is in the top five list of places people want to live!

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:27:36 -0500

According to the Business Journal, Texas is ranked as number four in the top ten states to live in. Of course if you asked a native Texan they would say Texas is the only state to live in! We have a little bit of everything for everybody: beaches, deserts, mountains, big cities, and small towns. Texas is home to both NASA, cowboys and everything in between. If you can't find what you want in Texas, you are just not looking hard enough! Austin Texas is consistantly in every top ten list of places that people want to move to.

Monday, October 5, 2009, 3:00pm CDT The Business Journal

"The Lone Star State is one of the most attractive in the nation, according to a new poll.

Texas came in at No. 4 on the poll that looked at where people want to live, according to a Harris Interactive poll.

"The most popular states and cities where large numbers of people would like to live tend to attract tourists and business," according to a release from Harris. "They are places where people like to take vacations and where companies like to have their offices and factories."

Coastal states tend to dominate the list. California ranked No. 1 for the sixth year in a row as the place Americans would like to live. Florida came in second and Hawaii was third." (Personally I find this number hard to beleive as I would move to Hawaii in a heartbeat! Well maybe just for a little while.)

If you are in the market for a new home and are not presently working with a Realtor, please call me. I would be happy to help you through the process of buying a home in or around Austin Texas. I specialize in Relocation and I have a network of experts to make the process easy to navigate. I look forward to the opportunity to earn your business.

Betina Foreman, Realtor

Keller Williams Real Estate

1801 S. Mopac, Suite 100 Austin, Texas 78746 512-771-6318 BetinaForemanRealtor@yahoo.com www.ZilkerParkHomes.com

Member: Austin Board of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, ActiveRain, Trulia-Top Voices, and Zillow-Neighborhood Pros.

Austin's Annual Artisans Showcase October 15th!! Shop until you drop!!

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:21:50 -0500

There is always something fun happening in south Austin!! The Annual Austin Artisan's Showcase is October 15th, 2009. It is presented by the Onion Creek Ladies Associationand the public is welcome! This is a great chance to shop for unique and hand made items. All proceeds will benefit several local charities. There will be: Holiday decor and home decor, jewelery, purses, luggage, shoes, eye-wear, baby items, and much more! The fee to get in is a mere $5 and it goes to charity. There will be live music by Heartstrings to enhance your shopping experience. There will be hourly drawings for prizes and Demaret Grill will have a limited menu if you need some sustenance to keep shopping! So shop with a purpose and shop to support a good cause!

Location: 2510 Onion Creek Parkway Austin Texas 78747

Time: 11:00-7:00

If your in the market for a new home and are not presently working with a Realtor, please call me. I would be happy to help you through the process of buying a home. I specialize in Relocation and I have a network of experts to make the process simple to navigate. I look forward to the opportunity to earn your business.

Betina Foreman-Realtor

Keller Williams Real Estate 1801 S. Mopac, Suite 100 Austin, Texas 78746

512-771-6318 BetinaForemanREALTOR@yahoo.com Betina@KW.com www.BetinaForeman.com

Member: Austin Board of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, ActiveRain, Trulia-Top Voices, and Zillow-Neighborhood Pros.

What does your refrigerator say about you?

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:03:36 -0500

What does your refrigerator say about you? Is your fridge a magnet free sleek stainless steel number, or a basic white model? Is it covered with your child's artwork or recipes and grocery lists? Some people cover this appliance with everything under the sun and others leave it as spotless as the day it was installed. Some prefer French Doors or Freezer on top or freezer on the bottom models. What message does your fridge send to visitors to your kitchen?

I have seen refrigerators that are very dusty on top. Most housekeepers may bypass this area as it is out of sight. I hit the top of the fridge with a duster about once a month. It is a habit I picked up after dating a man that was 6'4". The first time he came to my house I was embarrassed by the look on his face when he walked past the fridge. When I realized why, I vowed to add that spot to the Sunday cleaning schedule.

Personally I think the bare fridge is like a blank canvas. I have a handfull of magnets and the "poetry" set on my fridge. Here are a few photos of various fridges for your amusement. Whats in your kitchen?!? Please feel free to add your fridge to this list in the comments section.

Winterizing your Austin home- Tips to prepare for the cold wet weather to come.

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:54:33 -0500

As a native Texan I have worn shorts on Christmas more often than not. However in Austin we do get some cold weather. Typically we get more freezing sleet and ice than real snow. So I am providing some tips to help you prepare for the upcoming in-climate weather.

Caulk around your windows and doors to seal up any gaps. This will prevent the warmed air from escaping and keep the cold air out of your home.
Insulate you hot water heater. There are thermal blankets available at Lowe's and Home Depot and they are very inexpensive.
Clean out the gutters on your home. Removing leaf debris will allow the heavy rains to be directed away from your home and prevent flooding. When it does rain in Texas it is usually a significant rain event that can cause flooding if your not prepared.
Add additional insulation to your attic, this will help to hold in the warmed air. The ideal R-value is 30 or higher. The older your home is the more likely your existing insulation has compressed and lost R-value. You may choose batt insulation or the new recycled "blown-in" insulation, both work wonderfully to reduce your homes energy consumption both during winter and summer months. Add a few batts of insulation and watch your electric bill drop!
If you have a fireplace, you should have it cleaned by a chimney sweep to ensure there is no creosote buildup and ensure the flue functions properly.
Get your HVAC system checked out by a professional to ensure that it will work when the cold weather hits. Better to be prepared than left in the cold when its too late.
Now is a great time to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and make sure your fire extinguisher is up to date.
Insulate your water pipes and make sure you have faucet covers for all outside faucets and showers.
Trim away any dead branches or tress in your landscape. If a storm comes the weak branches will snap and could damage your roof or power lines.

The key to successful winterizing is simple. All of these things can be done in one or two weekends, or you can hire a service to take care of these things around your home.

If you would like more information on south Austin homes or Lake Travis homes, please contact me. I have lived and worked in Austin for over twenty years. I have spent nearly 30 years sailing and swimming in Lake Travis. My background is construction, both high end residential and commercial. I can assist you with a home or land purchase anywhere in Travis county. My other areas of expertise are Lake Travis/Lakeway, Lake Pointe, Shady Hollow, Granada Hills, Barton Hills/Zilker, Northwest Hills and Dripping Springs. I look forward to the opportunity to earn your business!

Betina Foreman REALTOR - Your best bet in Austin real estate!

Keller Williams Real Estate 1801 S. MOPAC, Suite 100 Austin, TX 78746

512-771-6318 BetinaForemanREALTOR@Yahoo.com Betina@BetinaForeman.com

Member of: Austin Board of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, ActiveRain.com, Trulia and Zillow.

Speechless Sunday- A taste of old England architecture

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 09:38:18 -0500

A miracle in Austin today its raining!! What is a gardener to do today go to a free plant seminar!

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:13:24 -0500

It is raining in Austin today. Thank heavens! This rain will help us greatly as we have been in an Extreme Level Drought for a few years now. Lake Travis is less than 50% full right now. So let it rain! As an avid organic gardener I was at a loss for what to do when it rains. So I found several seminars this weekend on how to plant specific times and how to prepare your garden. Take a look and see if one of these local events interests you. Maybe I will see you there!

Second Annual TX Hill Country Lavender Festival10:00-5:00pm October 3rd 2009 Location Johnson City- No entrance Fees! There will be music, workshops, hand crafted items and plants ready for your fall planting needs. Call the Johnson City Chamber for directions 830-868-7684.

How to Grow Seedlings and Cuttings October 4th at 2:00pm. It's About Tyme Garden Center, 11726 Manchaca Road (Just southeast of Shady Hollow 1/2 mile). This is a free event, for more info go to www.ItsAboutThyme.com. Chris Winslow the owner of Its About Thyme shares his secrets of plant propagation.

Heart of Texas Orchid Society Auction October 6th 2009. Preview the orchids at 6:30 and Auction starts at 7:00pm. Location Zilker Botanical Gardens, 2220 Barton Springs Road. This is a Free event, for more information go to www.hotos.org.

For the Love of Trees October 10th at 1:00pm. Location the Old Quarry Branch Public Library, 7051 Village Center Drive. This is a Free event! For more information please call 512-854-9600.

If you would like more information on south Austin homes or Lake Travis homes, please contact me. I have lived and worked in Austin for twenty years. I have spent nearly 30 years sailing and swimming in Lake Travis. My background is construction, both high end residential and commercial. I can assist you with a home or land purchase anywhere in Travis county. My other areas of expertise are Lake Travis/Lakeway, Lake Pointe, Shady Hollow, Granada Hills, Barton Hills/Zilker, Northwest Hills and Dripping Springs. I look forward to the opportunity to earn your business!

Betina Foreman REALTOR - Your best bet in Austin real estate!

Keller Williams Real Estate 1801 S. MOPAC, Suite 100 Austin, TX 78746

512-771-6318 BetinaForemanREALTOR@Yahoo.com Betina@BetinaForeman.com

Member of: Austin Board of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, ActiveRain.com, Trulia and Zillow.

Austin's sought after Shady Hollow neighborhood comparable market analysis for September 2009

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:35:28 -0500

Shady Hollow is one of Austin Texas's most sought after neighborhoods for a number of reasons. We have excellent schools: Bowie, Barranoff and Bailey. The lots are spacious and the homes are comfortable and inviting. The neighborhood is friendly or private, your choice. There is an eclectic blend of homeowners: retired, self-employed, families, and partnered couples. We have several neighborhood clubs: Gardening Club, Book Club, and Kiwanis Club. The Community Center is a big attraction for those who host large party's. Residents can rent the Community Center for $15 when they need space for 50 or more people. We host a fun Fourth Of July Parade every year that draws a big crowd and there are prizes for the most creative decorated cars/floats!

One thing to remember when buying a home in Shady Hollow. Make sure that it is really IN Shady Hollow. If you want the real thing, you need to look for homes in: Shady Hollow, Estates of Shady Hollow, The Enclave Shady Hollow and Shady Hollow West.

There are a number of newer developers that have tried to cash in on the popularity of this wonderful neighborhood. So when you see homes in: Southland Oaks AT Shady Hollow, Barker Ranch AT Shady Hollow or The Village AT Shady Hollow or The Gabardine AT Shady Hollow, please note these areas are not a part of the actual Shady Hollow community. If you purchase homes in these communities you will not be IN Shady Hollow. These newer communities are nice to be sure, but typically the lots are smaller and these home owners do not have access to our pool or community center. For example The Gabardine is a free-standing condo community. They will have their own park and pool once the development is finished. These are lovely condos that are great for a person that does not want to maintain a yard but still wants to have access to a large park-like area with BBQ grills and plenty of space to enjoy the out doors.

This comparable market analysis is exclusively for homes within Shady Hollow. This C.M.A. is for all homes sold between July-September 2009.

There are presently 23 homes for sale, 6 homes are Pending/Under Contract. There were 19 homes sold during this period with prices ranging from: Low $89.86 PSF, Average $112.37 PSF, High $152.82 PSF.
I list the prices Per Square Foot as that is the most accurate way to determine a homes value. The homes with a lower price price per square foot may need to be repaired or updated. The highest priced homes are usually on much larger lots with many upgrades.
The average number of days on the market is 60, the high is 341, and the low was 4 days. That home was a real beauty on a gorgeous enormous lot and priced to move quickly!
These homes have between 1544SF and 3984SF. they were built between 1977 and 2002 by various builders.

If you would like more information on south Austin homes, please contact me. I have lived and worked in Shady Hollow for several years. My background is construction, both high end residential and commercial. I can assist you with a home or land purchase anywhere in Travis county. My other areas of expertise are Lake Travis/Lakeway, Lake Pointe, Granada Hills, Barton Hills/Zilker, Northwest Hills and Dripping Springs. I look forward to the opportunity to earn your business!

Betina Foreman REALTOR - Your best bet in Austin real estate!

Keller Williams Real Estate 1801 S. MOPAC, Suite 100 Austin, TX 78746

512-771-6318 BetinaForemanREALTOR@Yahoo.com Betina@BetinaForeman.com

Member of: Austin Board of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, ActiveRain.com, Trulia and Zillow.

Lakeways latest home development, Tuscan Village is very popular with the over 55 crowd

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:59:06 -0500

Lakeway has a new unique residential development exclusively for the over 55 community and its called Tuscan Village. Tuscan Village is comprised of villas, and townhomes in a quiet community with every imaginable amenity close to Lake Travis. There is a 10,000 square foot club-house with indoor and out door dining and a concierge service to rival even the Four Seasons Hotel. There is a business center, fitness center, and art studio.

The Town-homes in Tuscan Village will be 1295-1790 square feet and pricing starts at $240K. The Villa's are 1662-3220 square feet and prices start at $340K. The final price will be determined by the level of luxury finishes you choose for your new home. These Tuscan inspired homes will have native Texas landscapes creating a peaceful hassle free lifestyle.

All of the homes will have 12 foot ceilings and open floor-plans. There are fifteen floor-plans to choose from, many of them are one story plans. Each home will have stainless steel Kitchen Aid appliances and granite counter-tops! The bathrooms will have natural granite counters, walk-in closets, frame-less shower doors on over-sized showers as well as garden tubs.

The community has 42 lushly landscaped acres with many walking trails providing a relaxed and refined atmosphere. Residents won't need to leave for anything as there will be retail shops, doctors offices, and a library for the residents.

If you want to access Lake Travis you need only join the Rough Hollow Yacht Club and Marina. There is no need to pay a higher price for a lakefront home to enjoy Lake Travis. The marina has: 260 wet-slips, tram to the ship's store and marina. The 4400 square foot open air pavillion has an aamphitheater, negative edge pool and fitness center complete with a cardio room. Another great benefit to buying a home in Tuscan Village is your Rough Hollow Yacht Club membership starts the day you sign the purchase agreement. This allows you to start living the resort lifestyle while your new home is being built!

If you love the outdoors and leisurely athletic pursuits, you should know that purchasing a home in the Tuscan Village places you just moments from Lakeways famous World of Tennis and its many indoor and outdoor tennis courts. Of course if you prefer golf, Tuscan Village is also close to the numerous golf courses in Lakeway: Flintrock Falls, The Hill's, Falconhead, The Live Oak and Yaupon golf courses.

There is still time to take advantage of the "Founder's Program". This will allow the next 30 home buyers to take advantage of very compelling incentives such as: preferred pricing, premium home sites, one year of free Home Owners Association dues!

If you want more information please give me a call and I can take you to see this amazing development. If you currently live out of town and want more information I am happy to mail you a color brochure detailing the community. Just send me an email or give me a call and I will make your second home or retirement getaway a reality!

Betina Foreman, Realtor and Member of: ABOR, TAR, NAR, ActiveRain, Trulia, Zillow

Keller Williams Real Estate 1801 South MOPAC, Suite 100 Austin, Texas 78746

512-771-6318 BetinaForemanREALTOR@yahoo.com or Betina@BetinaForeman.com

Real Estate Agents Working Together. This is For All of YOU!

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 11:36:42 -0500

My friend Lisa posted this, and I felt it was so good it simply had to be Re-Blogged. I am taking everything she said to heart and will be upgrading my next post to utilize her tips. I hope this information also helps each of you to increase your SEO.

Cheers!

Betina

Via Lisa Hill (Daytona Beach Real Estate) (Adams Cameron and Company):

Lisa Hill's Real Estate Blog; "The Smart Choice" for all your real estate needs

OK real estate bloggers; This post is for the sole purpose of helping YOU with your real estate web site's Search Engine Optimization. Yep. You heard right. I'm writing this real estate post, just to help our real estate web site's get better results in the search engines.

There are real estate buyers who need helping finding a house, condo, townhouse, or whatever meets their needs, in YOUR area of expertise! Speaking of which... what is your area of expertise? Where in the world do you work? (literally)

There are also real estate sellers who need your expert advice in helping them to sell their house, condo, townhouse, or whatever type of real estate they need to sell. Can they find some helpful information on your web site? Then they need to know about it! So once again I ask, "where in the world do you work"? (literally)

Have any of you figured out yet how this post can help you? If you haven't, here's what you need to do. In the comment section of this post. (Only this one!) I'm telling you to violate every "rule" of blogging netiquette, and tell me (and your potential real estate buyers and sellers)....

where you work

any awards and/or designations you may have earned

the types of real estate in which you specialize

any other areas of expertise you'd like to share

and embed "deep links" into your web site, within your paragraph-style comment.

In case you still don't get it, take another look at what I've written in this post. I've loaded it with key words and search phrases. It will help you to use some of these key words in your comment! And you'll now have links to YOUR web site, from a blog location that is not your own. It's like having someone else give you an SEO boost.

For you newbies out there... whether you're new to Active Rain, or to blogging in general, feel free to use this post as a guide to how you write your own (although I DO NOT claim to have all the answers!). The very first sentence mentions real estate twice. The paragraph itself mentions it 4 times. The only thing you would need to do differently on your own blog posts is to include the specific area(s) where you work. Location and vocation are important to have in the very beginning, and in closing as well. Can I assume that a call to action is a given?

My second and third paragraphs address real estate buyers and real estate sellers. I do this in my posts because I've created an individual page for real estate buyers, and another one for real estate sellers on my web site. I then include links to these individual pages (deep links). Deep links give you one more little bump in your SEO. One more area where you should focus your attention is to hover your mouse over each of the links in my post. What do you see? You should find more search phrases and key words that MATCH the link, and contents of the page to which those links are pointing.

And that pretty much sums things up here. This mini-lesson in SEO is to help you understand why this post is helpful to you if you phrase your comment, and the links in it properly. Just don't forget, at any other time, what I'm asking you to do is considered rude and inconsiderate! So don't do this anywhere else! But for the purposes of this post; in the interests of promoting community spirit, education, and general SEO, just follow the guidelines herein as you post your comment =)

Good luck in all your real estate endeavors. As REALTORS®, you already know the value of your services. You have valuable real estate knowledge and expertise that the public will never have. Now let's get your web sites out there for your potential customers to find! After that, it's up to you to turn those inquiries into happy, lifetime clients =D So let's see those comments; packed with search phrases, keywords, deep links, your areas of expertise, you places of business, and those deep links into your web sites. Good luck!

**Want to keep this ball rolling? Re-blog and pay it forward! =D

This information is provided by Lisa C. Hill, Daytona Beach Native and REALTOR® with Adams Cameron & Co., REALTORS®. For all your real estate needs, make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa Hill.

Click here ---> to search for real estate in Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Ponce Inlet and all of Volusia County.

Click here ---> to view my Featured Real Estate Listings.

www.DaytonaBeachRealEstateSales.com

*All content is owned by Lisa Hill and protected by U.S. copyright laws, with exception of the little copyright logo at the beginning of this sentence.

Basic Seafood tips to remember

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 11:31:30 -0500

Growing up on the coast I learned many tips or tricks about seafood. When you want to buy seafood there are some basic rules to remember to ensure you are buying only the freshest product. The easiest rule is buy/eat shellfish in months that end in R.

Shrimp:

Size Number of shrimp in a LB Best use

Extra Jumbo 10 or less Grilling or shrimp cocktail

Jumbo 11-14 Boiling, frying, grilling

Extra Large 16-30 Boiling, frying

Medium 31-35 Stir-frying, sauce dishes, casseroles

Small 36-45 Soups, pasta, sandwiches

Look for shrimp with firm flesh
Smell the shrimp, if there is an ammonia odor they are no longer really fresh. You should only smell the ocean.
Most likely if you are more than an hour from the coast, the shrimp will be previously frozen.

Crawfish:

Best in months ending with R. The shells are thinner after they molt and therefore are easier to peel.
You want crawfish that are still alive, they taste better. When dining in a restaurant you can tell if they are alive when they hit the water as their tails curl up. Avoid eating the crawfish with straight tails.
Only buy local. Avoid the pre-peeled, packaged foreign frozen crawfish.

Oysters:

Only buy oysters in months that end in R (September-December). If you eat them raw this is the best rule to really stick to. Why you ask? In warmer weather there is more bacteria in the gulf water. Oysters spawn in warm weather and this ruins their raw flavor. If you have immunity issues or health problems it is best to avoid eating raw oysters.

Betina Foreman, Realtor and Member of: ABOR, TAR, NAR, ActiveRain, Trulia, Zillow

Keller Williams Real Estate 1801 South MOPAC, Suite 100 Austin, Texas 78746

512-771-6318 BetinaForemanREALTOR@yahoo.com or Betina@BetinaForeman.com