austin texas living: "Old Fashioned Service" Never Goes Out Of Style - 10/26/10 11:27 AM
I was recently listening to a friend complain about the fact that she could not get good service or even basic attention at many stores and businesses these days. You know what I mean, "Old Fashioned Service" and here is the funny thing, she is only 26 years old. I have been hearing the same thing for years and with the advent of Big Box Retail, Megastores, and Corporate empires along with a lack of personal involvement on the part of many business owners I see this happening at many businesses locally. However, after thinking about it for awhile, I realized that "old fashioned service" … (141 comments)

austin texas living: 7808 West Rim Drive - Open House – Sunday, September 27th, 2-4 PM - 09/24/09 05:15 AM
Sunday, September 27th, 2-4 PM - I will be holding open 7808 West Rim Drive in Northwest Hills; one of Austin's finest neighborhoods. This home is absolutely gorgeous and as someone who does not use that description very often you will have to believe that this is a very special home. Built to high quality standards the home has a beautifully designed open floor plan with high ceilings, wood windows, dramatic family room with two-story fireplace and large living room, beautiful island kitchen with granite and stainless and many other upgrades. Don't just take my word for it. Come by for a visit … (28 comments)

austin texas living: Too Busy to Blog, But I Am Not Complaining... - 05/14/09 12:22 AM
I have been busier than a one-legged man in a butt kickin' contest. (Author unknown)
I finished my morning run yesterday and while resting my "dogs" out on our deck, I had a few moments to relax and contemplate blogging and the real estate market here in Austin, Texas. Last July, when I first started "blogging", the real estate business in Austin, Texas was pulling back and beginning to feel the first effects of the many problems that have plagued real estate, banking and the other financial areas in all parts of the country. Through the fall and the first months of … (167 comments)

austin texas living: 4511 Edgemont Drive - Open House - April 19th 2-4PM - 04/18/09 01:03 PM
Sunday, April 19th2009. I will be holding open another exceptional home in the Balcones area; one of Austin's finest neighborhoods. This is a wonderful and inviting one story brick home that has been renovated and updated. The floor plan offers great separation of bedrooms with the Master and beautifully appointed Master Bath located on the opposite side of the home. The remodeled kitchen features stainless appliances and a huge granite island that opens to the family room. A wall of windows overlooks the spacious backyard and gardens. The home backs to camp Mabry offering quiet and privacy.
Take advantage of this … (29 comments)

austin texas living: Westlake Open House-4312 Rio Robles Drive -Sunday March 15th, 2-4PM - 03/15/09 04:38 AM
This Sunday, March 15th, 2009 I will be holding open another exceptional home in one of my favorite neighborhoods in the Eanes School District. The Westview on Lake Austin community is located along the Westlake Peninsula on Westlake Drive and is one of Austin's finest neighborhoods. The home features quality workmanship and attention to every detail which is apparent throughout this luxury property.  Located at the quiet end of Rio Robles Drive, the home offers the best of everything the most discriminating buyers could want! The bright open floor plan is conveniently arranged for both living and entertaining.  For those who have been … (29 comments)

austin texas living: Keeping it Weird and Fun at Austin’s 81st Annual Zilker Park Kite Festival - 03/01/09 09:08 AM
Today, as a spectator, I took part in one of Austin's annual rights of the coming of spring; The Zilker Park Kite Festival and as usual it was a blast! The event features hundreds of kites of all sizes, shapes, designs and colors swirling and dancing in the sky above the Zilker Park Polo Fields. There is something for everyone; kite flying demonstrations, make your own kite workshops, kite battles, contests with many categories, trophies, and all sorts of food vendors. Kites are incredibly popular all over the world and Austin is no different and as everyone knows we have so many … (65 comments)

austin texas living: Austin Luxury Homes - 5919 Bold Ruler Way - 02/17/09 06:04 AM
The annual "Million Dollar Homes" issue of the West Austin News is out this week and as part of the event, I have featured a premier listing in one the Eanes School District's finest neighborhoods, Davenport Ranch. Located at the intersection of Westlake Drive and Capital of Texas Highway (the Loop 360), Davenport Ranch lies at the east end of the Westlake peninsula and is convenient to downtown (20 minute drive) and the business corridor along loop 360. Davenport boasts some of Austin's finest homes in a community that offers the discriminating buyer every amenity imaginable. Austin Country Club and golf … (37 comments)

austin texas living: 4405 Balcones Drive-Open House-Sunday, February 8, 2-4PM - 02/03/09 08:45 AM
February 8th2009, 2-4PM - I will be holding open 4405 Balcones Drive in the Balcones area; one of Austin's finest neighborhoods.This home is a Classic mid-century contemporary with beautifully updated kitchen and baths. High vaulted ceiling, lots of glass in the huge main living room with a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. The beautifully appointed granite/stainless kitchen with a big island and custom cabinetry, opens to the dining and family room. Split level plan. Roomy study down could be 4th bedroom. Master suite opens to the open landscaped yard with decks, privacy and room for pool. Also included; security system & sprinkler systems, Zoned HVAC, Blue ribbon … (29 comments)

austin texas living: Jackson Pollock's Birthday - 01/28/09 12:40 AM
I had to Google something this morning and saw that the ever-changing illustration on the home page was a painting by this enigmatic master. Pollock always elicits a reaction, no matter who looks at his work. Everyone has something to say and the reactions are over an enormous range of opinions from the indifferent to outraged to praise for his genius. No one seems to ignore Jackson Pollock.
I have to say that I was just a curious observer until I saw his painting, Autumn Rhythm (Number 30) at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The painting is … (48 comments)

austin texas living: Balcones Neighborhood Open House - 4511 Edgemont Drive - 01/25/09 03:35 AM
Sunday, January 25th 2008 I will be holding open another exceptional home in the Balcones area; one of Austin's finest neighborhoods. This is a wonderful and inviting one story brick home that has been renovated and updated. The floor plan offers great separation of bedrooms with the Master and beautifully appointed Master Bath located on the opposite side of the home. The remodeled kitchen features stainless appliances and a huge granite island that opens to the family room. A wall of windows overlooks the spacious backyard and gardens. The home backs to camp Mabry offering quiet and privacy.
                                               AGENTS, this is … (31 comments)

austin texas living: Giving Back to Your Community as a School Volunteer - 01/21/09 06:19 AM
It was 1993 and my previous broker asked if I would consider helping out Patricia Howard, the nurse at Eanes Elementary School with a little of my time on a special volunteer project. We had moved our family into the district a year earlier and though my children were only one and four years of age, I said sure. Little did I know that I would be involved with a volunteer effort that would last fifteen years and entail presentations to thousands of Kindergarten and first grade students at four different elementary schools in the Eanes School District. Patricia informed me … (67 comments)

austin texas living: Westlake Open House-912 Calithea Road - 01/14/09 04:36 AM
This Sunday, January 18th, 2009 I will be holding open an exceptional home in Westlake Hills; one of Austin's finest areas and in the heart of the Eanes School District. Located in the hills of Westlake the home offers privacy, seclusion and exquisite views. Incredible quality materials and workmanship are featured throughout this beautiful home! I will be on-site between 2pm and 4pm this Sunday so please drop by for a tour of this beautiful property and to learn more about the area. If you have questions before next Sunday or to schedule a private showing, I can be reached at my mobile number listed below. Please stop … (38 comments)

austin texas living: The 7 Mysteries of Me, MeMe...who Me? - 12/30/08 07:20 AM
I have been tagged with the 7 mysteries of my life by my friends??!?!?!?!?
Paula Swayne and new pal Sherry Scales
Check out their blogs; Paula writes great Localism posts and Sherry is incredibly funny!
Seven things you may not know about me: 
•1)  I have a love/hate relationship with running. I hate getting started but after the first mile or so my body realizes we are out for a run and I start enjoying the challenge and scenery etc.I have run 6 marathons and 1 ultra-marathon and I am currently training for the Austin 3M ½ marathon in February. I … (65 comments)

austin texas living: Tale of the Zilker Park Christmas Tree and the “almost” Bad Santa - 12/22/08 06:00 AM
Many years ago, during the Holiday Season, my brother along with some others would rent a bus to tour Austin and look at all of the various holiday lights and decorations. A theme party of sorts and an annual affair, the bus was filled with all types of people in the party mode and stocked with snacks, a couple of kegs of beer and other assorted party favors. I think Wild Turkey may also have been involved. For several years I had the duty of taking the role of Santa Claus and dressing the part. It may seem silly to some of you … (75 comments)

austin texas living: Home For The Holidays! - 12/18/08 03:43 AM
Hurrying through the ABIA airport terminal, I think I have timed this perfectly. Arriving about 5 minutes before the flight and allowing for baggage pickup we should be out and at the parking toll booth in under 30 minutes so it will be free! Glancing at the monitor, I see that the Southwest flight from Dallas is delayed and will not arrive for another hour. #%!*@! in my haste and excitement, I left the house without looking on line to check the status and also left my phone at home...What to do? I make my way to the coffee shop and … (72 comments)

austin texas living: A Pictorial Run at Austin's Lady Bird Lake - 12/10/08 12:39 AM
Lady Bird Lake was known as Town lake for many years and recently was renamed in memory of the late Lady Bird Johnson. The trails around the lake are flooded with runners , bikers, walkers and folks who just want to get outside and enjoy some of  our "mostly" great Austin weather. On any weekend beginning late summer, you will see herds of people training for various runs in the fall and leading up to the 3M half marathon and finally the Austin Marathon in Feburary. I have trained for six marathons and one ultra marathon running on these trails and … (69 comments)

austin texas living: SMITTY"S - A Texas BBQ Legend (LOCALISM FEATURED) - 12/08/08 12:36 PM
On the first Thursday of nearly every month, I meet a small group of people and make a short drive to the town of Lockhart, "The Barbecue Capital of Texas". The crowd varies in size month to month depending on who can make it. Today's group includes the founding members; Dave Bieser, who is kind of a "Big Shot" with Time Warner and Randy Merritt, a successful commercial real estate broker with whom I do business and share referrals along with me and our friend Kelly. When I say "Capital", it is no exaggeration as the town of 5,000 boasts four of … (68 comments)

austin texas living: The Christmas MeMe - Where can Santa be? - 12/04/08 09:42 AM
My friend Paula Swayne tagged me in the newest MeMe, the Christmas MeMe. Here are the rules:
You have to name one gift you would like to have on Christmas. It has to be an object. We all want happiness for Christmas. If you could pick one single gift out for yourself-what would it be? Remember-it has to be something you can touch and hold.... Once you have done this, name five people or more and send this to them for them to name the one special gift they would like to have.
Frankly, I am one of those people who pretty much … (50 comments)

austin texas living: The Rewards of Giving - Honored By The Austin, Texas Board Of Realtors - 12/01/08 02:48 AM
ABoR Press Release
Best of the Best Honored with Industry Awards
The Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR) is pleased to announce the winnersof the 2008 industry awards. Members will be recognized in the following categories: REALTOR®of the Year; Affiliate of the Year; Rookie of the Year; Community Service; and Cultural Awareness.
Community Service: Russell Lewis, AvenueOne Properties
Russell Lewis has been an ABoR member for more than 15 years. In that time, he has donated his service to numerous volunteer organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, the Boy Scouts of America, the Blood Center of Central Texas, the Eanes School District and … (85 comments)

austin texas living: 4304 Balcones Open House Sunday, November 23rd 2-4PM - 11/19/08 10:18 AM
This Sunday, November 23rd, 2008 I will be holding open an exceptional home in the Balcones area; one of Austin's finest neighborhoods. The home has undergone an exquisite renovation by the incomparable Sereno Homes, one of Austin's premier builders. Incredible quality materials and workmanship are featured throughout this beautiful home! I will be on-site between 2pm and 4pm Sunday so please drop by for a tour of this beautiful property. If you have questions before next Sunday or to schedule a private showing, I can be reached at my mobile number listed below. Thanks, I look forward to seeing you there!

If you or anyone you know is anticipating purchasing or selling real … (35 comments)