A couple of weekends ago,  I was doing an Open House for a new client/listing.  I don't normally do open houses because I end up sitting for a couple of hours walking around someone elses house waiting for potential buyers.  Well, that doesn't work...yes, I put out signs, put it in the MLS, all of the normal things but really don't have much success. 

So, I tried to shake it up a bit. Last week, I put out flyers at the entrance of the community along with the allowed signage, did the MLS stuff, but this time, I advertised Root Beer Floats.  I then went to all the houses I could and left an invitation to join us for the floats and to come see their neighbors home. 

Please bring a friend I encouraged.  Sunday, I rolled up with my goodies, unloaded the car, put out my shingle so to speak.  Opened at 2 and by 2:20 there were 26 people in the house.  WOW!! This works, please share with me some of your experiences. 

Round Rock, Tx home to Dell, Round Rock Premier Outlets, Dell Diamond, the new Texas A & M Health Science Center, Seton Medical Center Williamson, Texas State University Center, Austin Community College, Scott and White Hospital Round Rock is soon to be graced with a proposed research center to assist in the development of medicines, scientific projects and technologies.  This project is called the convergent technology center and will be located on a tract of land just east of the Medical facilities listed above. 

According to a city-commissioned study this center would operate as an "accelerator" for businesses already in a middle or later phase of development whether it be products, medicines or technology and could open as soon as 2010. According to Mr. Avery (who donated the land), It's a combination of medical, bio-life science, physics, biology and chemistry to create a new form of science that merges all of these things together.        

Some of the proposed facilities would include but not limited to are:

Wet Labs - chemicals and biological samples

Dry Labs - more of analyzation of data, storing materials and working with electronic components that all require a constant temperature

Clean room - which is strictly controlled atmosphere against any type of contamination

At this time, the powers at be are looking for different ways to fund this project.  I must say Round Rock has come along way!!  

If you like Bed and Breakfasts, this wonderful property called the Inn above Onion Creek is for sale.  Located just outside of Kyle, Tx, this gorgeous property is nestled on 88 acres in the Texas Hill Country south of Austin.  There are two main buildings along with guest cottages and a couple of additional houses. The property and the main buildings are so gorgeous with over-sized dining areas, antiques, fireplaces with stone facades, rooms with pale neutral colors and comfy beds and chairs.

Dinner is served every night at 6:00 by an Executive Chef who uses fresh vegetables and ingredients from the gardens and markets of surrounding farmers. The Inn has been featured in Southern Living Magazine, cover of Country Living, was featured in an Emeril Lagasse segment and was noted as one of the "most Romantic Valentine's Day Getaway."  Asking price is $4.1 million.    

If you love country living but need to be close to the Pizza delivery guy, then 105 Pecos in Hutto, Tx just outside of Austin and Round Rock is the place you need to be.  This gorgeous Texas style home has over 2,000 sq. ft, 3 bdrms plus study (which could be 4th bedroom), huge formal dining which opens to the den area and to the kitchen which makes the floorplan very expansive and open.  The floors have sparkling wood laminate floors (just installed), rich designer tile in kitchen and baths, recent backsplash, stainless steel appliances, upgraded light fixtures, crown molding, fresh paint and recent landscaping.  Warm and inviting, this home has such an inviting front porch, a gorgeous covered back patio and perugula topped off with an in-ground pool.  Check out this fabulous home MLS# 6366402.  I will have this home syndicated later this morning if you need to go to Trulia or Zillow.    

Yesterday, I got a call from one of my favorite Title Company's Marketing Rep, she said, I have something for you. I will bring it to you, leave it at your office or you can come to the office.  Since I was already out and about, I swung by to pick up what turned out to be a Halloween Goodie bag.  Squeal, goodies, candy corn, chocolate, etc in a cute Orange/Black and Yellow bag.  How nice was that?  On top of that, I was greeted by all the other employees as if it were old home week.  I felt loved. LOL What a wonderful marketing ploy to get me in their office when I wasn't even closing anything this week.

So, while I am hanging around as if I needed more, a flyer caught my eye.  Headline "Shop til you Drop!" Whooosh - into my hands it flew...what an event, shopping?  I am there.  On November 10th, they are having wine (ok now I am really there), complimentary chair massages, jewelry, candles, purses, knick knacks and food.  Come one, come all and shop.  Maybe you can pass this on to your Title Company as a great way to get you back in the door.  Enjoy!!       

The National Association of Homebuilders has been tooting a big horn to the White House complimenting them on the excellent results that the up to $8,000 tax credit has created.  I read the other day that it has helped over 357,000 people purchase a home and I am sure that number is higher this week.  Some feel that if the tax credit is not extended, that the housing market will go back into a funk.

From reading the article that was talking about NAHB...it also said that President Obama was considering the extension.  I hope that we all rally around NAHB and the President to make that happen.  I think it would jump start 2010 and the economy.  What do you think? 

As growth has expanded Round Rock, Tx, so has the need for more places of education from all the new public schools going in currently to private schools.  I was eager to learn (maybe for my own curiosity) just how many there were right here locally.

1)  Applegate Adventist Junior Academy has been open since 1986 (I didn't know that) takes PK - 8th grade.

2)  Round Rock Christian Academy opened in 1975 PK - 12th

3) True Vine Christian School newly opened in 2001, K- 8th

Who'duve thunk it.  We also have a bunch of Montessori Schools as well but I will get to that in another blog. 

For all of you boot scooting country western dancers, I thought I would share a few of the new and old best places to go dancing or hear live music in the northern part of Travis and Williamson County, Tx 

Dessau Hall - recently reopened with a new look and a presence.  It is one of Austin's oldest clubs and brings back many memories of when I first moved to Austin.  This month, bands like Peoples Choice and the Texas Unlimited Band brought the house down.  It's a nice informal uncrowded place to hang out.

Hanovers Draught House in Pflugerville is also a great place to check out for fun.  They had Radio Star, Commonwealth, Skyrocket and some Disco thrown one night.  Don't know if you like karaoke but they used to have that also.  In fact, I meet my husband there one night 9 years ago.  He was so charmed by my Etta James rendition of At Last, he chased me down for my name and number and the rest is history. LOL.

If you have never been to a Texas Dance Hall well then the following are two destinations you must go to.  Gruene Hall in Gruene, Tx (just down the road from Austin) is the best.  Touted as the Oldest Dance Hall in Texas, maybe the world, I have seen Willie, Waylon and the boys there.  You can see it in the movie "Michael" with John Travolta.  It is where he dances to Chain, Chain, Chain of fools.  It is awesome. 

Next, you have to go to the Broken Spoke in South Austin.  Talk about an institution OMG!  If you like Ray Benson, music like the Texas Playboys, chicken fried steak and Willie Nelson, it is a must!! So hollar when you are going two stepping I will get my boots.          

Round Rock just got a Sprouts Farmers Market.  I had never heard of this chain before but apparently they have around 30+ stores around the nation.  I had to go check it out because there is nothing better than home grown tomatoes and onions to name a few. 

Sprouts sells organic and natural items from vitamines, veggies, meats and even frozen foods.  I was very impressed when I went to check it out.  They buy from Central Texas farmers and that is a great opportunity for everyone.  In addition, they didn't hike the price up like some of the other natural stores.  I must say it is a nice addition to Round Rock and its residents.  

That's right folks, right here in Central Texas the big city of Pflugerville . This water park is estimated to cost around $16 million dollars, draw as many as 300,000 people annually and create havoc on the Toll Roads. I added that part, it wasn't in the major news announcements.  But it will.

The park is projected to open in May 2010.  It will be situated on 50 acres at the corner of Toll Rd 130 and Pecan Avenue.  Here are some conceptual things to expect: large wave pool, action river, lazy river, 8 to 10 water slides, hot tub and swim up bar (my personal favorite), different areas for toddlers, younger children, pavillions for partys, concession stands (of course), volleyball courts, wet walks, beaches and I am sure a lot more.

Two really good things will come of this:  tourism and jobs.  According to the article I read, it should yield as many as 300 jobs and bring in as much as $6.3 million in revenue.  So, the town with the pfunny name has just become a point of destination. Pfabulous!!