russell lewis: Architecture at the Umlauf Series - Thursday September 3rd 7:00PM - 09/03/09 02:21 PM
The next event of the third season of the Architecture at the Umlauf Series season takes this place Thursday, September 3rd at 7:30 pm.
The monthly series was founded and is produced by two of my associates at AvenueOne properties; Scott Harvey and Carla Umlauf (granddaughter of the esteemed sculptor) and is sponsored by our firm, AvenueOne Properties and hosted by The Umlauf Torchbearers. The lectures take place at the beautiful Umlauf Sculpture Garden and the series is now in the second half of its hugely successful third season.  Rick Black is the featured speaker. Catering will be provided by The Steeping Room. There is … (34 comments)

russell lewis: First Day of School - 09/03/09 11:31 AM
Sitting on the low stone wall, our eyes meet and he flashes us a nervous grin and anxiously looks around at the other kids and parents sitting and loitering nearby. The year is 1995 and we are waiting at the bus stop for the big yellow school bus that will take our son to his very first day of school at Forest Trail Elementary. There are several other "first timers" and their parents along with a half dozen students ranging in age from 7 to 11. In a moment, we hear the roar of the bus as it heads around the … (52 comments)

russell lewis: The Real Tragedy of General Motors Bankruptcy - 06/04/09 12:45 AM
General Motors...Bankrupt? Say it ain't so...I have been reading a lot of articles and watching the talking heads go on and on about the fall of General Motors and frankly think most of them have missed a vital and key component as to WHY the company failed. That is until this morning, when I read P.J. O'Rourke's excellent treatise in the May 30th issue of the Wall Street Journal. See the article in its entirety here : The End of the Affair. The commentary reveals that Detroit lost its soul and passion when it allowed the bean counters and corporate bureaucrats … (125 comments)

russell lewis: Lost Creek Open House-6667 Whitemarsh Valley-Sunday,May 31st 1:30-3:30 - 05/30/09 12:58 PM
I list and sell homes in all parts of the Eanes School District but I particularly enjoy working in Lost Creek! Why? Because Lost Creek is where my family has called home since 1992. Lost Creek, situated  south west of the intersection of  Bee Caves Road and Loop 360, is an excellent neighborhood of  homes ranging from $400,000  to $800,000. The neighborhood lies within the acclaimed Eanes School District and which includes Forest Trail Elementary (the home of Healthy Bear), West Ridge Middle School and Westlake High School. Lost Creek is situated  comfortably near plentiful shopping, Lake Austin water sports, Wild … (34 comments)

russell lewis: 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)

russell lewis: Architecture at the Umlauf Series - Thursday May,7th 7:00PM - 05/07/09 12:31 AM
 
The final event of the first first half of the Architecture at the Umlauf Series season (before taking a break from the summer  heat) and will take place Thursday, May 7th.
The monthly series was founded and is produced by two of my associates at AvenueOne properties; Scott Harvey and Carla Umlauf (granddaughter of the esteemed sculptor) and is sponsored by our firm, AvenueOne Properties. The lectures take place at the beautiful Umlauf Sculpture Garden and the series is now in the middle of its hugely successful third season.  Camille Urban Jobe, AIA is the featured speaker. There is a minimal charge of $5.00 … (26 comments)

russell lewis: The Trials & Trepidations of picking a…Business Card? - 05/05/09 11:38 AM
I recently had an agent visit my office to drop off a contract offer. The receptionist called me and I went to the reception area but could not find the agent among the half dozen people in the sitting area. Returning to my desk, the receptionist called me again and said "Russell, are you going to meet with this agent?" I explained to her that I had already been up front but did not see anyone resembling the lady who was supposedly in the lobby. Our receptionist lowered her voice and said, "Well...she does not look a thing like the picture … (108 comments)

russell lewis: WORRIED ABOUT THE SWINE FLU EPIDEMIC? Wash Your Hands...it's NO JOKE! - 04/29/09 01:21 PM
I watched with interest as President Obama during his first hundred days address, state that one of the main things that could help thwart the spread of the current Flu virus was to wash your hands! He said it more than once for a reason. Many people do not take it seriously but it is a FACT! The CDC in Atlanta has determined that the Number 1 way that disease is spread throughout the world is from people NOT washing their hands often and correctly!
Now, I happen to be something of an expert on this particular issue...No Really! Previously I have written … (61 comments)

russell lewis: Rob Roy on the Lake Open House-1001 Elder Circle-Sunday, April 26 2-4PM - 04/25/09 05:24 AM
Rob Roy on the Lake, situated between Bee Caves Road and Lake Austin, is one of six subdivisions: with the Rob Roy name.  The neighborhood lies within the acclaimed Eanes School District and which includes Barton Creek Elementary, West Ridge Middle School and Westlake High School. Rob Roy on the Lake is comfortably near plentiful shopping, Lake Austin water sports, Wild Basin Preserve and two world class country clubs. Many of the homes sit on estate sized lots with many amenities and the area is definitely one of Austin's premier upscale neighborhoods.
1001 Elder Circle is a lovely "Texas Traditional" of … (26 comments)

russell lewis: 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)

russell lewis: Architecture at the Umlauf - Lecture Series - April 2nd - 03/31/09 06:28 AM
The third season of the Architecture at the Umlauf Series is underway and will the next event take place Thursday, April 2nd.The monthly series was founded and is produced by two of my associates at AvenueOne properties; Scott Harvey and Carla Umlauf (granddaughter of the esteemed sculptor) and is sponsored by our firm, AvenueOne Properties. The lectures take place at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and takes place on the first Thursday of each month during the series.   This month, Burton Baldridge is the featured speaker.  Catering will be provided by The Kimber Modern & Di Lux. There is a minimal donation of $5.00 … (40 comments)

russell lewis: 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)

russell lewis: Staging a Home to Sell, How About Finally Removing that Christmas Tree??? - 03/13/09 06:33 AM
"I will do it BEFORE I go back to school", my son promised as we looked at the once glittering tree lying forlornly in the yard. That conversation took place last December when (almost) everyone else in Austin was in the process of taking their tree to the Zilker Park recycling point under the Mopac Bridge and other places set up by the Parks Department to grind the trees into mulch. The conversation was repeated a couple of days before our son was scheduled to leave on January 9th and again I was told, "Don't worry about it, I have plenty … (84 comments)

russell lewis: Eanes Tour Caravan March, 11th 2009 - 03/11/09 01:58 AM
As tour coordinator for this weeks Eanes Tour, I am posting this for  your convenience. It's a great way to preview several properties at one time and to network with fellow agents about new listings, buyer needs and changes in our market. The tour meets at Thundercloud Subs at Walsh Tarleton and Bee Caves Road Wednesdays. We call for announcements and leave at 9:30 am. 
Eanes Caravan Area D
4920 Barclay Heights Court - 5BR, 5BA, 3Liv & 2Din                 $1,650,000
Marybeth Hubenak, AvenueOne Properties
Private home site! High end finish out, amazing home with breathtaking views of the city! Minutes to Westlake … (21 comments)

russell lewis: Westlake Open House-4510 Rapid Springs Cove-Sunday March 8th, 2-4PM - 03/06/09 05:20 AM
This Sunday, March 8th, 2009 I will be holding open an exceptional home in one of my favorite neighborhoods in the Westlake/Eanes School District. The Westview 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 on a cul-de-sac this home offers the best of everything in the Westview neighborhood to discriminating buyers! The bright open floor plan is conveniently arranged for both living and entertaining.  For those who have been searching for a home that is well designed … (31 comments)

russell lewis: 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)

russell lewis: Dear Diary, My Passion is for Living...and Returning the Favor! - 02/24/09 03:13 PM
Many years ago when I worked in the construction industry, I had a laborer on my crew who used to tell me, "Everyday, when I wake up the first thought in my mind is "thank you for another day" followed by "Damn, now I gotta go to work"! I always thought that was a funny mix of gratitude and resentment but the first part stuck with me and over the years I eventually adopted the same attitude. Each morning when I wake my first thoughts are "thank you for this day" followed by a list of the people and things for … (116 comments)

russell lewis: 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)

russell lewis: Amy's Chocolate Covered Strawberries-An Austin Valentine's Tradition - 02/13/09 03:05 AM
Valentine's day in Austin is like any other place except we are the lucky recipients of some of the best chocolate dipped strawberries on the planet (along with outposts in San Antonio and Houston)! These delicious morsels are locally produced by our own Amy's Ice Creams to celebrate the most romantic holiday of the year. Chocolate is a Valentine's Day essential and it would be hard to find anyone who does not enjoy strawberries. Chocolate strawberries are beautiful to look at and wonderful to eat! Anyone who has ever visited Austin's own, Amy's Ice Creams for their luscious, out of this world … (55 comments)

russell lewis: 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)