find austin realtor: Save Valentines Day with these great last minute Valentines Day solutions! - 02/12/10 01:18 AM
Valentines Day is upon us and if your like me you waited until the last minute to do anything. So I am giving you a list of great solutions to your procrastination dilemma! Here are several restaurants that don't require reservations! Also there are some wonderful florists and gift shops that have plenty of fantastic Valentines Day gifts. The ones with * next to the name are my personal favorites!
 
Restaurants: No Reservations Required
Romeo's Italian Grill & Bar*
1500 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 476-1090 / www.romeosrestaurants.com
Treehouse Italian Grill
2201 College Avenue, Austin, TX - (512) … (9 comments)

find austin realtor: Open House in Shady Hollow December 6th, 2009 from 1-4. - 12/05/09 07:50 AM
Please join me at my next Kellywood Estates open house this Sunday December 6th from 1-4. The home is located at 10800 Brodie Lane, about a mile south of Brodie and Slaughter Lane and just north of Shady Hollow.  This updated and quiet home sits in the middle of a huge lot with a deep setback off Brodie Lane. The lot is .573 of an acre of mature trees and a landscaped paradise. There is plenty of room for a pool and still tons of room for: Horse-shoes, pitching washers and volleyball! This home is perfect for entertaining and boasts beautiful Travertine floors through out. This home … (8 comments)

find austin realtor: Snow flurries in Shady Hollow on December 4th, 2009!! - 12/04/09 07:04 AM
The weather man predicted snow in Austin starting this morning and 1-2 inches of accumulation. I got excited because it only snows in Austin every 4-6 years. It is far more likely that we will get an ice storm than a snow storm.So I dug out my winter coat and gloves and collection of scarves. Yeah! Its like going shopping because I never get to wear this stuff!  
Of course he was wrong as usual. We did not get even 1/16 inch of snow in Shady Hollow. We got little tiny snow flurries for about an hour, so sadly there was … (15 comments)

find austin realtor: Something you don't see everyday in Austin; a dinosaur skeleton on the street. - 11/20/09 04:55 AM
OK maybe this qualifies for a Freaky Friday post. While in the car on 4th Street in Austin I saw a dinosaur skeleton on wheels being propelled down the street by a five guys on bikes inside the skeleton. If you look closely you can just make them out inside the ribcage.  You had to see it to believe it. Regrettably I was not faster with the camera, so it does not show the entire skeleton. There are several art studios in the area and I can only assume it must be a work in progress.
 

 
 
If … (12 comments)

find austin realtor: Tips to properly winterize your Austin home - 11/20/09 04:20 AM
Here are some energy saving tips to help homeowners to save more money this winter.
HeatingHeating a home takes two to three times more energy than cooling a home, so the work you do could add up to savings during the winter months.
· Install plug outlet covers on any unused outlet. About 20 percent of the air that escapes your home escapes through outlet openings.
· If you have a fireplace, install a glass fire screen to keep heated air from escaping through your chimney.
· Insulate indoor water pipes in unheated spaces.
· Inspect insulation to make sure it's … (2 comments)

find austin realtor: Help Austin conserve water and protect our quality of our drinking water. - 11/19/09 02:40 AM
As a longtime Austin resident I have long been a strong proponent of water conservation. There is a limited supply and we need to do what we can as individuals to save our dwindling natural resources. Until "water Desalinization" becomes less costly and more widely available we all need to take steps to reduce our water usage. Some people in Austin think because we have had a little rain in the last month that they can stop conserving. This is just plain wrong. One month of rain is not enough to pull us out of a multi-year drought. Conservation is still … (2 comments)

find austin realtor: Once again Austin Texas is in the top five list of places people want to live! - 10/08/09 09:27 AM
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 … (6 comments)

find austin realtor: What does your refrigerator say about you? - 10/06/09 02:03 AM
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 … (33 comments)

find austin realtor: Winterizing your Austin home- Tips to prepare for the cold wet weather to come. - 10/05/09 03:54 AM
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 … (3 comments)

find austin realtor: Memories of growing up on the Texas coast - 10/02/09 03:13 AM
As a fifth generation Texan, I have deep ties to this great state. I love being a native Texan, and apparently with the influx of people moving here we may become an endangered species! LOL I want to share one of my favorite childhood memories with you. Growing up on the Gulf Coast was wonderful.
Sometimes on the weekends my grandparents would take us to go "crabbing". Nana would stop by "The Colenal's" and get a bucket of fried chicken for us to have for lunch. Then we would head for the marshy parts of Galveston to collect crabs.
This was a … (14 comments)

find austin realtor: A tale of two septics, what you should know when buying a home close to Lake Travis or in Austin. - 09/17/09 02:54 AM
It may be a dirty business but it does not have to be a secret. It is important to know what your getting into. Selling homes with septic systems is nothing new. Many communities in the Austin area have homes with septic systems, for example: Shady Hollow, Dripping Springs, Westlake Hills, Lakeway, Hudsen Bend, Bee Creek, Buda, Kyle, and Lago Vista just to name a few. I have sold many of these homes and can help Buyers be aware of what to look for in a functioning septic. There are several reputable septic companies around town that can help you with … (7 comments)

find austin realtor: Market Statistics for Shady Hollow Estates for Summer 2009 - 08/19/09 05:12 AM
As your resident Shady Hollow Realtor I want to let buyers know how our local home market is doing. While the national economy may be down, locally things look great in the Austin home market. According to the Austin Chamber of Commerce there are still 1000 people a week moving into the Austin area. This number has not wavered much in the last eight years.Shady Hollow has long been a desirable Austin community because of the short 15 minute drive to downtown Austin and our large lots with mature trees. Shady Hollow proper has homes with between 1600-2700square feet on about a half … (5 comments)

find austin realtor: Whole Foods whole story or the little guy that grew to be the biggest player in the natural foods business. - 08/06/09 04:54 AM
Whole Foods whole story or how a little guy made a name in the natural foods business. Many of you know that John Mackie and Renee Hardy (owners of The Safer Way Grocery) and Craig Weller and Mark Skiles of the Clarksville Natural Grocery got together and started Whole Foods in Austin Texas in 1980. The first location was on Lamar at 11th Street and had a Martin Brothers Cafe inside the store. In fact my first job in Austin was making smoothies at Martin Brothers in this very store! The big flood in Austin in 1991 covered Lamar Street and flooded the Whole Foods … (2 comments)

find austin realtor: Travis Heights homes for sale and market statistics May/June 2009 - 07/28/09 09:02 AM
Travis Heights homes for sale and market stats for May/June 2009. There were 25 homes listed for sale, 2 Pending (under contract) homes and2 homes that sold during this period. The average home in the neighborhood was built in 1959 and has three bedrooms and two baths in 2476 square feet. The average home listed (for sale) price per square foot is $280.04.
The sold prices stack up like this: High price per square foot is $269.34, Average price per square foot is $234.67, and the low price per square foot is $200.00. Most homes remain on the market about 22 days, … (2 comments)

find austin realtor: Senna Hills neighborhood in Bee Cave, market statistics and history - 07/28/09 08:18 AM
Senna Hills is a little neighborhood between Austin and Bee Cave. Bee Cavewas originally started back in 1850's when Deitrich Bohls moved from the hustle and bustle of Austin. Many of his descendants still live in and own homes and land in and around Austin. During the building boom of the 1980's the residents were concerned that they would get annexed. So they formed a group called "The Concerned Citizens and Land Owners Organization. Then they went to the state capital and stated their cause, thus Bee Cave was incorporated. This area has continued to be popular with both families and retired … (0 comments)

find austin realtor: New clinic by Circle C neighborhood has Grand Opening of the new south Austin Immediate Care clinic on July 25th! - 07/20/09 07:51 AM
Grand Opening of the new south Austin Immediate Care clinic on July 25th from 11-3! There will be food and fun for the entire family. The kids can play on the Moon-walk and grab a balloon while they have their face painted. Mom and Dad can have a free Cholesterol Screening and Blood Pressure check. The clinic will also be giving away free HEB Creamy Creations ice Cream and movie & concert tickets.
This brand new clinic will provide an alternative to a trip to the Emergency Room.  They offer Board certified physicians and ER trained staff. They will offer comprehensive on-site … (0 comments)

find austin realtor: Grand Opening of the new south Austin Immediate Care clinic on July 25th from 11-3! - 07/20/09 07:34 AM
Grand Opening of the new south Austin Immediate Care clinic on July 25th from 11-3! There will be food and fun for the entire family. The kids can play on the Moon-walk and grab a balloon while they have their face painted. Mom and Dad can have a free Cholesterol Screening and Blood Pressure check. The clinic will also be giving away free HEB Creamy Creations ice Cream and movie & concert tickets.
This brand new clinic will provide an alternative to a trip to the Emergency Room.  They offer Board certified physicians and ER trained staff. They will offer comprehensive on-site … (0 comments)

find austin realtor: Recent home sales statistics in June 2009 for Lake Pointe a popular neighborhood in Austin Texas. - 07/18/09 03:57 AM
Recent home sales statistics in June 2009 for Lake Pointe a popular neighborhood in Austin Texas.  Lake Pointe is a desirable neighborhood in Austin Texas. The average home used for these statistics is: 3-4 bedroom, 2+ bathroom home, built from 1990-2007 on a quarter care lot. This neighborhood is very sought after because of its LTISD schools and its close proximity to Lake Travis and the fact that it is only about 20 minutes to downtown Austin. Current prices range from very affordable at $265K-to a spectacular$729K.
In the month of June there were 32 homes listed Actively for sale, 6 homes  were … (0 comments)

find austin realtor: Market Statistics for Austin Texas homes sold in the Lake Pointe neighborhood in May 2009. - 07/18/09 03:34 AM
Here are the monthly market statistics for home sales in the Lake Pointe subdivision of Austin Texasin May 2009. Lake Pointe is a very desirable neighborhood in Austin Texas. This neighborhood is very sought after because of its much loved schools and close proximity to Lake Travis and downtown Austin Texas. Prices range from affordable at $285K-to magnificent $700K.
 The typical home used for these statistics is: 3-4 bedroom, 2+ bathroom home, built from 1990-2003.  There were 32 homes Actively listed for sale, and six home were Pending/Under contract, and four homes sold in May 2009 in this neighborhood. Below please find … (0 comments)

find austin realtor: Market Statistics for home sales in Lake Pointe subdivision of Austin TX for April 2009. - 07/17/09 11:28 AM
Here are the market statistics for the Lake Pointe subdivision for April 2009. Lake Pointe is a desirable neighborhood in Austin Texas. My typical home used for these statistics is: 3-4 bedroom, 2+ bathroom home, built from 1990-2003. There were 23 homes listed Actively for sale during April. Three homes closed or were sold that month. One home was listed at $108.40 per square foot and it sold well above asking price at $111.18 per square foot. This neighborhood is very sought after because of its schools and close proximity to Lake Travis and downtown Austin Texas. Prices range from affordable … (2 comments)