travis county: Austin Ranks #2 for Fastest Growing US Metro Areas - 04/06/12 03:22 AM
Austin TX ranks #2 for the top 5 Fastest Growing US Metro areas, by percentage.  This includes the entire Austin area and it's suburbs and surrounding areas of Round Rock down to San Marcos. To me, San Marcos is not part of Austin, but the census has included it. It's all of Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, and Caldwell Counties. What does this mean for the Austin area? It means Austin added 67,230 people in a 15 month period from when the last census was done through July 2011.  That's 4482 people a month!  No, not everyone is moving here from other … (3 comments)

travis county: City of Lakeway - Austin TX - Annual Easter Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza - Lakeway City Park - 04/14/11 08:17 AM
The City of Lakeway TX is have their annual Eggstravaganza this Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 2:00pm at the Lakeway City Park. 

There are many activities going on so it's fun for the entire family.  If you're not there at exactly 2pm for the egg hunt, you're going to miss out because they start right at exactly 2pm!!
If you don't want the mad rush of the egg hunt, some of the other activities taking place are a petting zoo, tattoo artists, and a musical puppeteer, Cowgirl Sue.
The City of Lakeway has requested you leave your pets at … (3 comments)

travis county: Speechless Sunday - More Austin TX Creatures - 09/05/10 11:59 AM
This spider has been making its rounds around our house. It started on our master bedroom window. Then is was on the back porch. I guess there weren't enough insects, so she moved to the kitchen window... and her last stop thus far is the side garage door.  Why do I call her a "she"? According to the internet, the females get to be just over two inches whereas the males are barely 3/4 inches.  This one is HUGE!

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®RE/MAX Austin Skylinewww.DonnaHomes.comaDonna@DonnaHomes.com
Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, … (15 comments)

travis county: Do Scorpions Eat Much? - 08/05/10 01:41 PM
The creatures of Austin strike again... look what joined me at dinner...


I thought it was dead as it looked curled up, but I touched it with a knife and it sprinted to the other side frantically trying to get up the wall. This is the fourth one in sixteen months in my house. AND we fumigate regularly!
Where are they coming from? This is disgusting!!
**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®RE/MAX Austin Skylinewww.DonnaHomes.comaDonna@DonnaHomes.com
Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and … (15 comments)

travis county: Austin TX Weather Missed the Record - 09/22/09 06:47 AM
This was a very HOT Summer yet, Austin TX Weather Missed the Record!  But in fact, it was the hottest Summer ever recorded!! The 2009 average temperature for June 1 - August 31 was 89.1 degrees.  That includes the overnight temperatures!  Each and every day was miserable, especially since 2008 had the second hottest average at 86.7 degrees. Within all these hot days, we were trying to break the all time record of 69 days over 100 degrees.  At day 48, it looked like an easy record to break.  At day 60, it still looked like there would be no problem... … (5 comments)

travis county: Austin TX Creatures- Gecko of Luck - 08/23/09 04:44 AM
This lovely, Lucky, creature was found inside my home a couple of days ago.  We let it outside.  It is rumored that if you see geckos in or around your home, it means good luck.  I sure could use some good luck on a lot of issues these days, so I'm crossing my fingers and holding my breath!!
The picture was taken with my camera phone so the image is not the greatest. I tried to make it sharper, but whenever I increased the size, he was very blurry...

(5 comments)

travis county: Austin, TX Restaurants- Mangia Chicago Stuffed Pizza - 08/16/09 08:10 AM
As we make our way around to some of Austin, TX's staple restaurants, this one was recommended by my cousin and his wife, Mangia Chicago Stuffed Pizza.

My husband has been looking for a great place to get a stuffed pizza, but always complains.  Friday night was different as he was all about YUMMY! 
We got there in time for Happy Hour which was $2 pints and specials on their appetizers and since it takes 30 minutes to properly cook a stuffed pizza, we ordered the Spinach and Artichoke dip, and it was great!
We also ordered a side salad … (11 comments)

travis county: The Iron Cactus Restaurant - One Horrible Experience - 08/10/09 12:31 PM
I don't normally post negative things about different places I visit, but I recently had such a bad experience, I'm hoping someone in higher management at the restaurant sees this and helps retrain the wait staff.
I waited tables and bartended through college.  I was a head-wait and also a trainer. That means, I trained people how to treat people when they came into my restaurant.  With that, I never expect to get wonderful service when I go places because no one trains people like I do, but I expect somewhat decent service.
This was my experience at The Iron Cactus … (22 comments)

travis county: Lake Travis - Austin TX - The Lake is Drying Up - 08/08/09 06:56 AM
Lake Travis - Austin TX - The lake is drying up.  This is so sad... look at the below pictures of my In-law's cove on Lake Travis down Hudson Bend. 



They bought a brand new boat this year, and it's been out of the water for 3 weeks already because it would be sitting on the bottom of the lake.  The "hike" down to the lake is getting further and further away.  It used to be right outside their backyard fence.  Now, you can't even see the house from the "lake" as all you see is the mountain … (9 comments)

travis county: Will Austin TX Weather Break a Record this Summer? - 08/07/09 07:36 AM
Today is day 48 of OVER 100 degree weather!  The heat is rather ridiculous if you ask me... and anyone else around here!
Here are some numbers to know:
69 days over 100 in 192566 days over 100 in 192350 days over 100 in 2008
After the weekend, we could very easily move into the third spot.  August is traditionally the hottest month of the year so we have plenty of time to hit another 19 days over 100 to climb to the top of the list.
Do I want to break the record?  Yes, but NO.  I'm sick of the … (10 comments)

travis county: Flowers by Nancy, too in Lakeway, TX - 08/07/09 06:53 AM
I stopped into Flowers by Nancy, too today to get my free "Welcome to the Neighborhood" plant that is offered.  I took this opportunity to get some information about this great, local flower store.

 
The first thing you'll notice when you drive up is that you're driving into a boat dealership.  This is because Donna and Jeff Parker also own Austin Boats and Motors right next door.  Within the boat store, they used to have a flower shop.

Some years ago, the John Deere dealership next door became available, and they moved the flower business over there.  … (2 comments)

travis county: Discount Tire in Bee Cave TX- Great Customer Service - 08/03/09 04:01 AM
How did I start my Monday morning?  With a screw... in my tire!  My husband thought it was just on the surface, so he started to pull it out, however, he heard the hissing sound and immediately pushed it back in.
That left me calling to find some place nearby who patches holes in tires.  My husband's initial reaction was for me to go to Walmart, they do everything.  I called, it was $9.50.  That's not bad, but it's also 12 miles away.  What could happen with the tire in 12 miles?  I pictured myself stranded on the side of the … (14 comments)

travis county: Restaurant Discounts in and around Austin, TX - 07/23/09 05:12 AM
Are you always looking for a good deal when going out to eat?  Do you like to try new restaurants as long as they're offering something for you to stop by?
Here's a great site that I found with a list of all the daily restaurant discounts in the Austin, TX area!!

Some are location specific. Some are hour specific. Look at the address on the right to make sure you're not going to the wrong location or at the wrong time of day.
**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®RE/MAX Austin Skylinewww.DonnaHomes.comDonna@DonnaHomes.com
Austin, TX real estate and the surrounding … (10 comments)

travis county: Austin Energy is Swtiching to Automated Meters - 07/20/09 08:36 AM
Austin Energy is going around to all 400,000 of their customers and replacing their meters with new ones that are automated and very accurate, supposedly.
They sent out a notice in our bills this month giving people a heads up that their electric bills might be higher than usual.
Why?
... Because they've been testing the old meters as they're being replaced, and several have been running "slow". 
What does this mean?  It means people have been using electricity and not paying for it!  They're going to hate these new meters!
Per Austin Energy, if you have any questions about your … (5 comments)

travis county: My New Hummingbird Friends - 07/19/09 12:55 PM
Alyssa got her Daddy a Hummingbird feeder for Father's Day, however we just hung it a few days ago.
Look at the visitor we had!  The Hummingbird is actually blurry because of the speed of the flapping of the wings, but I tried to get a picture as in-focus as possible.
How do they find the feeders?  The internet says they cannot smell it, and to not worry about coloring the water because they can't see it.  How did these hummingbirds know the feeder was there?  They appeared within an hour of putting it out in the tree.


**Are … (12 comments)

travis county: Sailing - Lake Travis- Austin TX - 07/15/09 02:08 AM
Sailing on Lake Travis in Austin TX looks like a lot of fun.  We were out on Lake Travis in our ski boat and so were a bunch of sailboats.  It was almost like they were having their own little race going on as they were everywhere and kept encircling.
Here are some of the shots I got.  Alyssa especially liked the Blue one.






The water is low on Lake Travis, but people are still out having fun and being careful!
As of yesterday, "large" boats are no longer allowed to launch at the last … (7 comments)

travis county: Can You Identity this Creature? - 07/12/09 01:32 PM
Thus far, you guys have been able to name everything I've thrown at you, but can you name this creature?

My husband said it was a dragonfly, but we've seen many dragonflies while on the boat, and this is no dragonfly.
It nicely let me take a few pictures and then as soon as I put the camera down, it flew away.
What am I?
**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®RE/MAX Austin Skylinewww.DonnaHomes.comDonna@DonnaHomes.com
Austin, TX real estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, Westlake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... … (14 comments)

travis county: Barton Springs Pool is FREE for Everyone on July 11, 2009 - 07/10/09 06:23 AM
Barton Springs Pool, inside Zilker Park, is going to be FREE tomorrow, July 11, 2009.  I would say they're doing it just because it's my birthday and I'm special, but they're doing it because it has been HOT HOT in Austin the past few weeks, and everyone needs to cool off.

Why is Barton Springs a good place to cool off?  Because the current temperature is 68 degrees!  Barton Springs is filled from a natural Spring so the water temperature typically remains much cooler than other lakes and rivers where the sun is heating them all summer long.
Granted, you'll … (11 comments)

travis county: City of Lakeway TX Blood Drive- July 11, 2009 - 07/08/09 08:32 AM

On July 11, 2009, the City of Lakeway, TX will be holding a blood drive sponsored by the Greater Lakeway Residents Association.
It's going to be held at the Lakeway Activity Center located at 105 Cross Creek.
It's only Saturday morning from 8am-12pm so schedule your appointment now, Searcy Willis at 512-261-9055
I'm sure they'll take walk-ins.  Who's going to turn away someone wanting to donate?
**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®RE/MAX Austin Skylinewww.DonnaHomes.comDonna@DonnaHomes.com
Austin, TX real estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, Westlake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in … (2 comments)

travis county: How Was Your Weekend? - 07/06/09 09:44 AM
Each week, I've been giving a summary of how my weekends are going.  It's mainly my way of showing off the light of my life, Alyssa. People seem to enjoy the updates, so I continue to post them.
This weekend was a lot of fun. We went out on Lake Travis.  Alyssa actually rode behind the boat in the tube. No, she was not alone... she rode with me.  We want her to know at an early age that the water is not scary.

We also spent some time with friends swimming in their pool.

Alyssa almost made it … (19 comments)

 
Donna Harris, Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator (Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com)

Donna Harris

Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

Austin, TX

More about me…

Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com

Address: 5113 Southwest Pkwy #140, Austin, TX, 78735

Office: (512) 592-7127



This blog is to help educate Buyers, Sellers and even other Realtors across the country.  Each market is different and the way Real Estate is done is different.  Austin Real Estate is completely different than Dallas, California and Florida and everywhere else in between.  Some times there will be other things besides real estate as I like to rant and rave as much as the next!!  Come back often!


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