Betina's Austin Texas Real Estate Blog

Open House in Shady Hollow December 6th, 2009 from 1-4.

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:50:55 -0600

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 also has a Smart Home System: which allows you to listen to Sirus/XM or watch movies in different parts of the house all at the same time. This three bedroom and two bath home has all the comforts of a home in the city, but its just outside the city limits to have plenty of peace and quiet.

DIRECTIONS: From Mopac head south and exit on Slaughter, proceed about 1 mile to Brodie Lane and turn Right, Home is on your right about 3/4 of a mile down Brodie.

Betina Foreman Realtor

Keller Williams Realty 1801 S. MOPAC, Suite 100 Austin, Texas 78746 512-771-6318

www.CentralTexasGreenHomes.com BetinaForemanRealtor@yahoo.com

Member: Texas Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, Austin Board of Realtors,

Active Rain.com- Rainmaker, Trulia- Top Voices/Neighborhood Pros

Snow flurries in Shady Hollow on December 4th, 2009!!

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:04:02 -0600

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 not even a remote chance of any accumulation. Which means no snow angels, no snowmen, no snowball fights. Boo hoo! The ground did not have any visible sign that there was any snow at all! If you were outside walking around in it you could see it, otherwise it was just way too small to notice.

Austin Independent School District decided yesterday that school would be held like normal and let out early if any significant amount of snow showed up. The next time the weatherman claims its going to snow I am going to check with the local schools first. They definitely seem to know what is going on!

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

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

Zilker Tree and the Trail of Lights in Austin Texas 2009! Event Schedule for 2009 tree lighting ceremony.

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:33:07 -0600

The Zilker Tree lighting ceremony is always a big event with tons of people young and old. Every year I go to the tree lighting ceremony with a group of friends this is a long standing tradition. We make hot chocolate for the ride there, as it may take an hour just to get there and then even longer try to find some place to park. Thankfully the kids no longer require strollers or ask to be carried! Here is a little slice of old Austin for you newbies that have just relocated to Austin Texas.

Here is the history of the Zilker Tree and Trail of Lights in a nutshell. It all began in 1965 when they brought a Yule Log to Zilker Park, and it was called Yule Fest. Then in 1967 they debuted the "Zilker Tree of Lights". The tree is crafted from hundreds of old fashioned big lights strung in a spiraling pattern from one of Austin's old "Moon Towers". This is about the time the tradition of spinning in a circle under the Zilker Treestarted. It is amazing to see and can make even the sober folks feel a little tipsy as it is very disorienting! Kids love to spin under the tree and will sleep well after spending the evening on the trail of lights and spinning under the Zilker tree!

They began adding lighted displays in 1968. Many people have worked long and hard to pull together the displays with thousands of lights. The employees of the Austin Parks and Recreation Department are the ones who create this magical event each year. While there are local sponsors like: HEB, Terra Toys, Rudy's BBQ, Lorenz & Lorenz L.L.P. and Dell that help defray the cost of putting together this event, it is ultimately the City of Austin that carries the bulk of the cost.

Ten things to know before you go!

There is a $10 fee to park your car (if you can find a spot!) Walk or bike if you can.
There is NO Fee to enter the Trail of Lights.
Tree is lit on December 6th and will remain lit through Dec. 31, 2009.
December 12th is the Zilker Tree Fun Run.
December 13-21 is the Zilker Holiday Festival-Crafts for sale, Live Music, Santa's House opens,Yule Log, Food, Beverages.
December 21 from 7:00-10:00 Zilker Hillside Theater presents a FREE concert in the park. "Asleep At The Wheel" and "Friends Holiday" performs.
Street closures: Barton Springs Road from Robert E. Lee to Rollingwood Drive, Stratford Drive (AKA entrance to Barton Springs Pool) from Vale to Barton Springs Road. These two streets will be closed from 5-11pm nightly from Dec. 13-21.
Capitol Metro is available, use route 30 to access Zilker Park.
In past years The Trail was on the north side of Barton Springs Road, but this year it has moved to the south side close to Barton Springs Pool.
This year the Trail of Lights is a half mile walk that starts and ends at the Zilker Tree. You will pass by the Barton Springs pool and end up close to the stage where "Asleep At The Wheel" will be playing music!

If you are in the market for an Austin area home and are not presently working with a Realtor, please call me. I would be happy to help you through the process of buying or selling a home. I specialize in Relocation and I 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.CentralTexasGreenHomes.com

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

Are you looking for an adventure? Do you like surprises and scavenger hunts? If the answer is yes you have to read this!

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:36:50 -0600

Are you looking for an adventure? Do you like surprises and scavenger hunts? If the answer is yes you have to read this! Great Escape Adventure is hosting a worldwide scavenger hunt. This will be the 6th annual world-wide scavenger hunt. For a mere $9,900 you can participate in the fun and excitement of this globe trotting adventure. As usual participants don't find out the mystery destinations until the challenge begins. This event is a 23 day adventure visiting ten countries. The scavenger hunt begins April 9th and ends May 1, 2010. Your entry fee covers your airfare, first class hotels and about half of your meals. The proceeds from this expedition goes to various humanitarian charities around the world.If you are up for a little spring fling adventure call Great Escape Adventures at 310-281-7809. Make 2010 memorable by traveling the world for charity and have the adventure of a lifetime!!

Betina Foreman- Realtor

Keller Williams 1801 S. MOPAC, Suite 100 Austin, TX 78746 (512)771-6318

www.CentralTexasGreen Homes.com BetinaForemanREALTOR@yahoo.com

When looking for a local real estate agent how do you choose one to help you find the perfect Austin home?

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:37:05 -0600

People find real estate agents in a number of ways. Ask friends or family if they liked their Realtor or Broker that helped them buy their home. You can also look online, thumb through the yellow pages, scan the neighborhood newsletter to see who advertises in the newsletter, or just walk into a local real estate office. Unless your getting a personal referral from friends or family it can be a toss up as to the kind of service you receive. Big real estate companies often hire hundreds of agents and each gives different levels of service. Some are better than others, but all provide the same basic service: helping you to buy or sell a home.

So is it better to go with the biggest agent on the block, who may pass the client off to an associate after the first meeting? Or is the smart choice to go with the Realtor that is with you every step of the home buying or selling process? Personally I take a page out of Avis Rent a Car's philosophy. "We are number two, so we try harder to earn your business." You may ask what does this mean? It means I will personally be with you every step of the buying or selling process. It means I will be here for you long after the sale if you need a service contractor or have questions about relocation, current market values, Homestead Exemptions or anything. I have had clients call me more than two years after our closing to ask questions. I am here for them and I will be here for you too!

To buyers this means I will help you find a lender that suits your needs, find the right home, provide comparable home sales so you know your not over-paying for the home, negotiate a fair price, find a great home inspector, and be there for you during each phase of the purchase. I do not hand off my clients to transacton coordinators or associates, and I do go to the closing with you to make sure that all of your questions are answered.

For sellers this means I will put you in touch with professional photographers, stagers, and handymen if you so desire. I will effectively market your home in a variety of ways. I will: request to have your home in the Keller Williams property tour, I will create flyers to let your neighbors and people that drive by your home know its available. I will hold open houses to allow prospective buyers see your home in person. I will place your home on several websites to allow people searching for a home on-line to view your home. I will help you set the price by looking at recent sales in your neighborhood. I will help you negotiate a fair price and go to the closing with you in case you have questions.

This has always been how I do business. To me selling homes is not just about the home, its about the people and the relationship. I try to set a standard of excellence so my clients are loyal and send me referrals. Referrals are about 50% of my business. My clients know I will do whatever it takes (within the law) to help them find the right home and get a great deal. If you need help buying or selling a home, please call me to see what a full service Realtor is all about.

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

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

Cherrywood Art Fair in Austin TX December 12-13, 2009

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:47:21 -0600

Austin Texas is full of fun events showcasing over eighty local Austin artists. All media are represented: oil paintings, watercolors, pottery, mixed media, clothing, accessories, jewelery and more! The Cherrywood Art Fair is December 12-13 from 10-6 and admission is FREE! There will be: Live Music, children's art activities and artist demos, WonderCraft Workshops and a huge Silent Auction! Joe McDermott and Colin Gilmore will be performing live along with many other musicians!

There will be food from: Pie Fixes Everything, Lucious Pastry, Innocent Chocolate, Mmmpanada, and Travelling Burrito!

Location: Maplewood Elementary at 38 1/2Street and Maplewood Avenue.

For more information please visit: www.CherrywoodArtFair.org

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

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

Looking for a home for Christmas - Animal Rescue in Brevard, NC

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:26:57 -0600

North Carolina is a little out of my jurisdiction in Texas, but I want to help Charlie any way I can. I hope that re-blogging this post will help him find a forever home. Every dog deserves people who will love and appreciate a great dog.

Happy Tails!

Betina

Via Carol Clay, Broker/REALTOR Brevard NC Real Estate Specialist (Keller Williams Realty, Brevard, NC):

My name is Charlie!
Charlie is a boxer/lab mix, approximately 8 months old. Right now he's about 35 pounds of pure love and affection. He's neutered and up to date on his shots. We're working on learning how to walk on leash, but he is very good at sitting, and playing with his squeaky ball. He loves attention and being with people.

But what he really wants for Christmas is his own family.

Charlie is just one of many dogs in the Brevard, NC area who have been rescued as strays and deserve to be adopted into a warm loving home they can call their own. Even if you don't live in the Brevard, NC area you can help Charlie by sharing his story with as many people as possible by re-posting this blog, forwarding it to friends and family, or letting one of your local rescue groups know that he is available. Transportation out of state is possible!

If you are interested in giving Charlie a home, or if you'd like more information,

please contact me at carolclay@kw.com,

or at 828-551-6290.

Thank you in advance!

Carol

Looking for a home for Christmas - Animal Rescue in Brevard, NC

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:26:57 -0600

Happy Tails!

Betina

Via Carol Clay, Broker/REALTOR Brevard NC Real Estate Specialist (Keller Williams Realty, Brevard, NC):

My name is Charlie!
Charlie is a boxer/lab mix, approximately 8 months old. Right now he's about 35 pounds of pure love and affection. He's neutered and up to date on his shots. We're working on learning how to walk on leash, but he is very good at sitting, and playing with his squeaky ball. He loves attention and being with people.

But what he really wants for Christmas is his own family.

Charlie is just one of many dogs in the Brevard, NC area who have been rescued as strays and deserve to be adopted into a warm loving home they can call their own. Even if you don't live in the Brevard, NC area you can help Charlie by sharing his story with as many people as possible by re-posting this blog, forwarding it to friends and family, or letting one of your local rescue groups know that he is available. Transportation out of state is possible!

If you are interested in giving Charlie a home, or if you'd like more information,

please contact me at carolclay@kw.com,

or at 828-551-6290.

Thank you in advance!

Carol

Looking for a home for Christmas - Animal Rescue in Brevard, NC

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:26:08 -0600

Happy Tails!

Betina

Via Carol Clay, Broker/REALTOR Brevard NC Real Estate Specialist (Keller Williams Realty, Brevard, NC):

My name is Charlie!
Charlie is a boxer/lab mix, approximately 8 months old. Right now he's about 35 pounds of pure love and affection. He's neutered and up to date on his shots. We're working on learning how to walk on leash, but he is very good at sitting, and playing with his squeaky ball. He loves attention and being with people.

But what he really wants for Christmas is his own family.

Charlie is just one of many dogs in the Brevard, NC area who have been rescued as strays and deserve to be adopted into a warm loving home they can call their own. Even if you don't live in the Brevard, NC area you can help Charlie by sharing his story with as many people as possible by re-posting this blog, forwarding it to friends and family, or letting one of your local rescue groups know that he is available. Transportation out of state is possible!

If you are interested in giving Charlie a home, or if you'd like more information,

please contact me at carolclay@kw.com,

or at 828-551-6290.

Thank you in advance!

Carol

Looking for a home for Christmas - Animal Rescue in Brevard, NC

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:25:53 -0600

Happy Tails!

Betina

Via Carol Clay, Broker/REALTOR Brevard NC Real Estate Specialist (Keller Williams Realty, Brevard, NC):

My name is Charlie!
Charlie is a boxer/lab mix, approximately 8 months old. Right now he's about 35 pounds of pure love and affection. He's neutered and up to date on his shots. We're working on learning how to walk on leash, but he is very good at sitting, and playing with his squeaky ball. He loves attention and being with people.

But what he really wants for Christmas is his own family.

Charlie is just one of many dogs in the Brevard, NC area who have been rescued as strays and deserve to be adopted into a warm loving home they can call their own. Even if you don't live in the Brevard, NC area you can help Charlie by sharing his story with as many people as possible by re-posting this blog, forwarding it to friends and family, or letting one of your local rescue groups know that he is available. Transportation out of state is possible!

If you are interested in giving Charlie a home, or if you'd like more information,

please contact me at carolclay@kw.com,

or at 828-551-6290.

Thank you in advance!

Carol

Something you don't see everyday in Austin; a dinosaur skeleton on the street.

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:55:47 -0600

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.

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

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

Tips to properly winterize your Austin home

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:20:41 -0600

Here are some energy saving tips to help homeowners to save more money this winter.

Heating

Heating 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 not blocking ducts or vents. Blown-in insulation can settle over time and may need to be fluffed up or just more layers of insulation to increase your R-Value.

· Set your thermostat at 68 degrees. For every degree you raise the temperature, you add 3 to 5 percent to your electric bill.

· If your home uses a heat pump, raise the thermostat setting two degrees at a time when adjusting the temperature. This will avoid running the compressor and supplemental heat at the same time.

· Air can enter and escape your home through cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and other areas. Effective caulking can help prevent this heat loss.

· Caulk when the temperature is over 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If the weather is too cold, the caulk may not adhere.

· Caulking should be used only on joints that don't open or close, such as the seam between a window frame and a wall.

· Although most caulk lasts at least 25 years, settling makes it necessary to check your home for cracks in the caulk every few years.

Lighting

· Turn off lights when leaving a room for a short time.

· Keep the dust off lampshades and light bulbs. It can reduce lighting levels as much as 50%.

· Change your bulbs to fluorescent. Fluorescent light bulbs use 70% less electricity than regular light bulbs, give off five times more light, emit 90% less heat and last 10 times longer.

Water Heater

· Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120º.

· During daily use, turn off running water when you're not using it (i.e. soaping hands, brushing teeth).

· Wrapping your water heater with an insulation blanket can reduce its energy use by 10% to 15%.

Refrigerators and Freezers

· Set the temperature between 36o and 38o.

· Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator rather than on a counter-top. Not only is it safer, but the frozen items will help cool the refrigerator as they defrost and help reduce its running time.

· Freezers work better fully loaded, but remember to leave enough room for air to circulate.

· Make sure your refrigerator and freezer doors seal properly.

Cooking

· Microwave ovens use up to 70% less energy, cook food up to 75% faster, and produce much less heat than an electric or gas oven.

· Using covers on pots will bring liquids to a boil more quickly and allow continued cooking at lower temperatures, reducing energy use and heat in your kitchen.

Other Appliances

· Wash/dry full loads of clothes and use cold water as often as possible.

· Never put lamps, TV sets and other heat-generating gadgets beneath a wall-mounted thermostat. Rising heat from these appliances may trigger your conditioning system to overwork.

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

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

Help Austin conserve water and protect our quality of our drinking water.

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:40:25 -0600

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 necessary to maintain our quality of life and the natural gems around Austin; like Barton Springs, Lake Austin and Lake Travis.

If everyone participates in water conservation we can avoid the costly and un-necessary $850 million dollar proposed water treatment plant. To read more about this City of Austin proposal click here: http://www.sosalliance.org/?alerts&id=470

Today the Austin American Statesman reported that a proposal benefiting neighboring cities: Leander and Granite Shoals was narrowly defeated. This proposal would have allowed effluent from those cities to be dumped into Lake Travis. Lake Travis is the drinking water supply for many of the lake area residents. In my opinion this "proposal" should never have been considered. Thank goodness TCEQ-Texas Commission on Environmental Quality saw fit to shoot this proposal down.

You can do your part to help the conservation efforts by attending the Annual Save Our Spings Holiday Party on December 12th, 2009. This years party and Silent Auction will be held at Mercury Hall at 7:00pm. There will be plenty of live music and refreshments to get you in the mood for the Silent Auction. Please join me at the party and help raise money to protect our water. If you need more information or wish to see a list of the auction items follow this link: http://www.sosalliance.org/?page=105

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 I 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.

South Austin original "Batteries Plus has what you need.

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:09:09 -0600

Recently I discovered a great shop on South Lamar. I was looking for a replacement watch battery. I searched online to find a shop that could replace the battery on my watch. I saw several reviews on the Batteries Plus location in Austin Texas on South Lamar. Every reviewer had great things to say about this shop. Fast service pleasant and knowledgeable employees, convenient location, reasonable prices, excellent customer service, etc.

So I gave them a try and I am happy to report it was all true! I stopped into the store and was greeted by Andy within seconds of walking in. Andy took my watch and was installing the replacement battery within two minutes of me walking in the door. He handed it back to me and told me it would be $8.50. I was impressed that I was in and out of the store, problem solved in less than ten minutes! This place is amazing and it is because of the great staff!

Batteries Plus is a locally owned and operate business with several locations around town. I stopped in to the location at 2300 South Lamar Suite 100. This location is just north of Artz Rib House and south of Zygmont Chiropractic. They have been in Austin about fifteen years, and at this location for ten years. The owner is Chris Patel as UT Alumni and longtime Austin resident.

Batteries Plus in south Austin has everything you need for all types of: toys, tools, laptops, cameras, cell phones, cars, scooters, motor-cycles, etc. They also carry battery chargers for many of these items. If your looking for rechargeable batteries, they have those as well in a variety of sizes. Batteries Plus offers a one year "in store" warranty depending on the item.

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.

Mama Fu's Asian House Cafe Woks the Casbah! New Austin eatery is a big hit!

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:50:57 -0600

There is a new restaurant in A-town and its called Mama Fu's. This establishment has incorporated good design and wonderful food for an all around perfect dinner or lunch out. They cater and offer delivery and they have 4 locations in Austin.

Today I went to the Mama Fu's location at The Triangle after visiting a condo in The Lofts. Lunch was spectacular. Everything was hot and freshly made. We would have eaten on the lovely sunny patio but today is very windy. So we stayed inside in a cozy booth.

Inside you will notice lots of fun graphics throughout the restaurant. The aqua circles on the walls had little hidden messages, that are only revealed when you get really close. They have modified lines out of some fine music. For example: "Wok the Casbah" is a play on The Clash song Rock the Casbah. In honor of Johnny Cash they have "I wok the line because your mine" which is a modified version of "I walk the line because your mine."

If you want to try some quick fresh Asian food stop by Mama Fu's. They have happy hour specials and on Sundays the kids eat free. Some locations even offer Free Wi-Fi! There are four Austin locations:

4615 N. Lamar Blvd #307, Austin, TX 78751

100 Colorado Street, Austin, TX 78701

11301 Lakeline Blvd Suite 300, Austin, TX 78717

9600 S. I-35, Austin, TX 78748

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 Gardner 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 Gardner to paint your pet's portrait you may contact her at www.GretchenMakesArt.com

If you want to commission Gretchen Gardner 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 home in Austin 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 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-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 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 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.

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.