buyers agent: Lake Pointe keeps calling to me - 07/14/09 02:08 AM
Often we have pondered the possibility of buying a home closer to the lake. We rationalize it by saying if we are living closer to Lake Travis, we will go sailing more. Our sailboat sits on Lake Travis waiting for us in vain more often than not each weekend. So moving closer sounds reasonable right? My sister in law lives and works in the Uplands, which is closer to the lake. They go skiing a lot and love living in the Uplands. Now this is a great neighborhood, but the 4000+SF homes on one acre lots are just too much for … (0 comments)

buyers agent: Another Open House in Shady Hollow! One story stone ranch home on 1/2 acre only $290K!! - 07/13/09 10:05 AM
Here is a little advance notice about one of the homes in the Keller Williams Southwest Market Center property tour for this week. It is my listing and it will be on the tour tomorrow from 10-Noon. This home is in the much sought after Section 2 of Shady Hollow. So it has the larger 1/2 acre lot with many mature trees. It is a one story ranch with four bedrooms and two baths and a 2 1/2 car garage and a separate Studio/man-cave. This is a Randy Morrine custom home built in 1977 that has been partially updated. It has … (8 comments)

buyers agent: Progress is steady on Lakeway's new hospital on RR620. - 07/09/09 03:57 PM
The "Lakeway Regional Medical Center" is now under construction by a private developmentcompany called... what else  the "Lakeway Regional Medical Center Development, LLC". This 54 acre project is estimated to cost $250 million, and it will be 70-80% physician owned. When you drive up RR620 you will see the amazing amount of progress they have made in four short months since the ground-breaking. The estimated completion of the hospital project is 2011.
The development will also have retail stores, restaurants, day care facility, hotel, rehabilitation hospital and various medical offices. They plan to have 25 emergency beds, and 70-80 licensed beds. Their … (3 comments)

buyers agent: Fun things to do outside around Austin Texas this summer! - 07/05/09 04:44 AM
Over the years I have had many clients that are relocating to Austin ask me 'What fun things are there to do in and around Austin?' The list is far to long to write here, but I will leave you with a few of my summer time favorites.
SPLASH Party movie Nights at the Deep Eddy Pool. This event has been around forever and the movies change all the time. This is perfect for kids and or grandparents. To see what the current movies are please vist the website for deep eddy:  www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/pools_special.htm
 
Children's Day for Art in the Park is … (4 comments)

buyers agent: A few quick ideas to update your home for little or no money - 07/03/09 05:33 AM
Are you looking for an effective way to add value to your home? We live in our homes on a daily basis so often we stop noticing the little things around the house. You might ask a friend to walk through your home and make some suggestions as to what would perk up your existing home. Today I will do that walk through with you on a virtual tour. Here are a few suggestions that may breathe life into a tired home.
Add a deck or redo/expand your existing deck. Adding a deck adds a virtual new room to your home … (8 comments)

buyers agent: Good news for Green advocates, electronic recycling options - 06/30/09 02:05 AM
Have you upgraded you computer or monitor lately? Need to know what to do with the old TV, now that you have the new fancy Hi-Def flat panel? There are more new companies that want to help consumers recycle your old electronics. Dell computer was one of the first to offer electronics recycling. If you buy a new pc or laptop from Dell, they will accept your old pc or laptop (any brand) to recycle at no charge. There are now 206 locations in 45 states where you can drop off your old Zenith and Gold Star brand products that have reached … (7 comments)

buyers agent: Market snapshot of inventory and mortgage rates for 2009. - 06/26/09 08:31 AM
With major economic data, large Treasury auctions, and a Fed meeting on the schedule, it was a busy week for mortgage markets. In the end, it was the Treasury auctions which had the greatest impact on mortgage rates. Demand was very strong at the auctions, which pushed mortgage rates lower. Wednesday's Fed announcement and mixed economic data were roughly neutral for mortgage rates.
Much of the rise in interest rates we saw in late May and early June was due to concern about the enormous supply of debt the government needs to issue to pay for all the stimulus programs. The … (3 comments)

buyers agent: If you cook it they will come....Field of Dreams Wine & Food Festival. - 06/24/09 04:25 AM
As a self proclaimed "Foodie"I am always on the lookout for interesting wine and food events in the Austin area. I love to cook and shop and I believe in helping others. This upcoming event is the best of both worlds. The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas has consistently produced great events to raise money for various charity's. This years event is going to benefit the Miracle League, Nolan Ryan Foundation and the Wine & Food Foundation of Texas. This event will have a Silent Auction with auction items to include: jewelery, sports memorabilia and of course wine! There will also … (6 comments)

buyers agent: 2008 Annual Shady Hollow Drinking Water Report - 06/23/09 03:12 AM
As a longtime Shady Hollow resident I have always been concerned about our water quality. According to the report our water quality meets or exceeds all Federal (EPA) drinking Water Requirements. There are public participation Opportunities the first Tuesday of each month. The meetings are held at 6:30 pm at 3910 Capistrano Trail. If you need directions give them a call at 512-280-6622. See details below.
                                 Avg.  Low   Max  Limits    Unit of Measure         Source
Total Dissolved Solids   157  152   162   1000     Parts Per Million  Dissolved mineral constituents in H2O
Alkalinity                     63     61    65   N/A         PPM                  Natural soluble mineral salts
PH                             9.4    9.4   9.4   >7.00     units                 Measure of … (4 comments)

buyers agent: Septic System 101- Tips for Austin area home buyers and owners of property with a septic system. - 06/21/09 01:53 AM
Things to know about owning a property with a Septic System
Some people find it odd in this day and age to have homes that rely on septic systems for wastewater removal. However a septic system is really the only way to be fully responsible for your own waste-water and water usage. Instead of paying someone else (the water utility) to remove the waste-water and process and store it, you are doing it all yourself. It sounds like a big job, but its really not. If you can remember a few key points it is very easy.
1. The average … (10 comments)

buyers agent: $8000 Tax Credit for First Time Home Buyers! - 06/16/09 12:44 PM
President Obama has created the $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit to help stimulate the economy. This $8000 credit is available to first time home buyers and people who have not owned a home in the last three years. To receive this tax credit you must purchase a new home or resale home between January 2009 and November 1, 2009. The home must be your primary residence. There are income restrictions and the maximum tax credit is either $8000 or 10% of the homes value, whichever is less. The combination of the tax credit and the historically low interest rates … (0 comments)

buyers agent: Energy conservation tips to save money around your home - 06/16/09 11:36 AM
Now that summer is upon us with the 100+ degree days smothering Austin in the oppressive heat, I thought it was a good time to share some tips to conserve energy. For most Texans the cost to cool and (briefly) heat our homes is the number one home expense after the mortgage. Personally I recall one bill for our home in Northwest Hills that shot up to $900 in one August heat wave. I immediately sought out ways to reduce that horrifying number.
1. Have your duct system checked out by a professional. Most duct-work has probably not been looked at since … (0 comments)

buyers agent: Bridges at Bear Creek has more amazing south Austin homes under construction close to Shady Hollow. - 06/16/09 10:43 AM

As a Shady Hollow resident Realtor I stay on top of the new construction in my south Austin neighborhood. Marbridge Farms sold some of their land last fall to a few distinguished builders. The latest builders to enter this area are: Mercedes Homes and Buffington Signature Homes. They are both building in the Bridges of Bear Creek. These homes are lovely and offer many wonderful upgrades: solid granite counter-tops, extra high ceilings, game-rooms, three car garages, hand scraped wood floors, huge covered patios, built-in BBQ grills and open floor plans.
These tastefully constructed homes offer Energy Star appliances which create many thousands … (3 comments)

buyers agent: Easy and free tips to conserve water from your south Austin Realtor, Betina Foreman! - 06/14/09 06:32 AM
During our normal hot Texas summers, we all need to do our part to conserve water. Clean water is a precious commodity that many people take for granted. Here are a few things we can all do to save a little water. Some are logical some sound kind of silly, but each of them save water.

1 Create a rainwater collection system in your yard. You can get rain-barrels from the City of Austin. Use this water to water your lawn or flowers.
2. Always water your lawn/landscape between 9:00pm-9:00am. This reduces the amount of water lost to evaporation. This means … (8 comments)

buyers agent: New Gabardine neighborhood just south of Shady Hollow-News from your Shady Hollow Resident Realtor! - 06/14/09 05:46 AM
The Shady Hollow neighborhood has had a loyal following of longtime fans. There has been no shortage of builders hoping to capitalize on that. The latest is a combined effort from Momark Development and Benchmark Development called The Gabardine.  Please note these homes are NOT in Shady Hollow and therefore are not allowed to use the Shady Hollow Home Owners Community Center or pools.
 These builders have created a neighborhood of free standing ‘condo' homes unlike anything else in the area. These free standing condos each have a small yard with a white picket fence. The homes are two and three … (2 comments)

buyers agent: Market statistics for homes sold in Austin Texas during May 2009 - 06/11/09 12:46 PM

Please find the most current statistics for home sales in Austin Texas. Central Austin prices have continued to rise however the high number of homes in the many outlying areas have dropped slightly which causes the overall average to show a slight decline. If you are  considering buying a resale or a new home and are not presently working with a Realtor, call me. I would be happy to help you through the process of buying a home. I specialize in Relocation and I have a network of experts to make the process easy to navigate. I look forward to the opportunity to … (4 comments)

buyers agent: Its time to get ready for the Shady Hollow July 4th Parade!! Come join the fun! - 06/10/09 06:24 AM

Most Shady Hollow home owners know that we really throw a whopper of a 4th of July parade in our little Austin neighborhood. The time to plan is now. If you wish to participate in this years parade you need to register. Registration will be taking place at the Community Center any time during business hours. The Community Centeris located at 3303 Doe Run. There are registration forms available in the drop box by the bulletin board at the front door. They will accept registration forms until 8:00am on July 4th.
 
While it is not necessary to register to participate, … (7 comments)

buyers agent: Resort style living just south of Austin on 5 acres- Open House today Sunday June 7th 1-4 at 600 Southern Drive!! - 06/07/09 02:59 AM
If you want to live in a resort style home that is driving distance to downtown Austin, 600 Southern Drive may be the home for you. This amazing home rests on five tree covered acres so there is room to roam. There is a lovely pool with spacious covered porch and tons of patio area around the pool. You follow a winding driveway away from the street so the home feels more private and secluded. There are four bedrooms and a dedicated office. One of those bed rooms is off the master suite so it makes a wonderful nursery or workout … (5 comments)

buyers agent: Austin Texas Gardening Events Spring-Summer 2009 - 06/06/09 03:34 AM
As a Texas gardener we face some challenging weather and soils and critters that want our produce. I have compiled a few local events that may help you battle the elements and wildlife so you can enjoy those home grown tomatoes.
John Droomgoles The Natural Gardener offers a variety of classes every Saturday morning from June to September. 8648 Old Bee Caves Road. To find out what this weeks class is on please call them at 512-288-6113.
The Garden Club of Austin's Spring Flower and Vegetable event will be held Saturday and Sunday June 6-7. THey will be showcasing several exotic … (4 comments)

buyers agent: New private school, The Children's Courtyard soon to open in Circle C! - 06/01/09 06:09 AM
The Children's Courtyardis soon to be opening in the sought after Circle C neighborhood of Austin Texas. This private school will offer classes for Pre-School Children, and Private Kindergarten. The Children's Courtyard will have dedicated and highly trained teachers and provide before and after school enrichment. They will offer a part time accelerated Pre-Kindergarten. They meet the Texas state Pre-K guidelines.
If you wish to take a tour of the facility please call them at 512-891-6500. For more details on the school you may visit their website: www.The ChildrensCourtyard.com. The school is located at 5915 La Crosse Avenue in Circle C neighborhood. … (5 comments)