Austin TX Real Estate - Hill Country Austin Lakeway Homes for Sale: November 2009

These are the views that people move to Austin TX for...

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@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 everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Speechless Sunday- Austin TX Views * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Discount Tire - Bee Cave Austin TX - I had another great customer service experience, twice at the same store! And it's still clean too!

Back in August, I woke up on a Monday morning with a nail in my rear passenger tire.  Off to Discount Tire.  Last Monday, my husband comes inside and says, "Not only do you have a nail in your rear driver side tire, but I also have a nail in mine."

How did we both get nails in the same tire at the same time?  What a coincidence!!

I called Discount Tire to see what the wait time was, and it was 45 minutes.  We got there, and I introduced myself to Mike, the manager, and asked if he remembered me.  He did and thanked me for my nice blog post.  Luke walked out to my car with me to get the details and mentioned that everyone read it, and they all appreciated the nice write up. It's nice to know people actually read blog posts!

I told them that I would leave my car, come back and get it, and then drop off my husband's car so we didn't both have to wait. Not a problem.  We were in and out quickly.

I wrote about their warranty last time, and how awesome it was.  As of last Monday, they had given away over 100 FREE tires!  Yes, they do stand by their warranties!

Two of my tires have patches in them, and I know where I'll be going again if I wake up on another Monday morning with a nail in one!

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@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 everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Bee Cave Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Discount Tire - Bee Cave Austin TX - Another Great Customer Service Experience * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

When you can't decide, use both!!

I love chocolate, my husband loves vanilla, and Alyssa doesn't care for cake, so she had no opinion either way.  For the people who like one or the other, I made cupcakes with plain chocolate and plain vanilla.

I then took the remaining batter and made swirl cupcakes, which left me enough for an entire cake as well!  Everyone got what they wanted.

YUMMY!! 

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@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 everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Sweet Sunday - When you can't decide... * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

The Holidays with the Family can get a little interesting, to say the least. Not everyone gets along all the time, and I'm sure there are family members that just don't fit in.

Alyssa, Mimi, and I braved Black Friday in order to purchase our new family.  Look at what Alyssa brought home...

And then, the in-laws decided they were missing out, so we had to let them in.

It never fails, whenever there's a decent get together, the distant relatives that no one has heard from in years come along and crashes everything.

Even with Pirate Pete and Crazy Chris, the weekend was fun.

I hope you have enjoyed Alyssa's first attempt at realizing not everyone looks the same and has their own personalities.

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@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 everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Holidays with the Potato Head Family * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

When selling a house, besides price, I would say the presentation is the most important thing, wouldn't you?  When you're selling your house, don't you want to give the impression that you would entertain a quick closing if presented with an offer today, to close in less than 30 days?

I understand we're approaching the Holiday Season, however, the below house has had Holiday lights and decorations up on his house for over three weeks already.  Yes, right after Halloween. I drive by this house everyday, and just shake my head.

When I have a buyer who is looking at houses towards the end of the year, one of the things that they always ask is, "Do you think the sellers would move before the holidays?"  They have their house for sale; they're supposed to want to move as soon as possible, but seeing all these elaborate decorations can turn a buyer off.

I'm not saying a home owner can't decorate for the Holiday Season, but isn't there a conversation home owners should be having with their listing agent about how to keep things to a minimum to show the buyers they're not having to stay put for a couple of more months?

Plus, if you're wanting to move, why unpack boxes that have been packed for a year already when you should be busy packing more boxes to declutter your house for staging??

Presentation is important, and your presentation should always say that you're ready to close and move tomorrow!

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@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 everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Even During the Holidays, Presentation is Important! * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Are the warning labels that manufacturers are putting on products getting a little out of whack?

Yes, I know I should not use a hair dryer in the bathtub. And yes, I know sleeping pills could cause drowsiness. 

Last week, my daughter celebrated her 2 year birthday.  I put a 2 on the top of her Rice Krispie Treat Cupcake.  Can you guess what the label said?

It said, "Ages 3+".

But it's a number 2!!!  It's not like a 12 year old is going to want a glitter number muchless a 20 year old.  The number was found down the children's party isle, and I doubt someone turning any number in their twenties would be looking there.

With that, this #2 must be for a two year old, no?  But why do you have to be 3+ in order to blow out the candle?

Come on!  If you're going to put warning labels on things, make them make sense!!

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@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 everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Warning Labels are out of Control * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Real Estate - Hill Country Lakeway Austin TX Homes for Sale are jumping off the MLS!! That means, houses are selling throughout the Austin TX area!!

Are you still on the fence? How could you possibly still be on the fence right now?

I mean, there is FREE money being handed out right and left, if you qualify.

Does $8000 not mean anything to you? How about a potential $6500? With money like that being handed to you, seriously, how could you be on the fence?

Here are two great blog posts that explain the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit along with the Move-Up buyer tax credit.

Now, after reading those two posts, and learning about how your Federal Government is going further into debt to give you FREE money upon buying a new home, could you please speak in English, slowly, and using small words, and tell me the reasons why you're not ready to buy?

I'm listening... uh, huh... go on...

All I'm hearing are excuses and not reasons... yep, another excuse...

Get off the fence, give me a call or shoot me an email, and if we can't get you into a new house before the New Year, let's get you into a new house before this FREE money is gone, which is April 30, 2010 (closed by June 30, 2010).

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@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 everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way.

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Are you Seriously Still on the Fence? Excuses excuses excuses... * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Here is more from Claudia Wicks' book that is coming out, Make the Move.

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@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 everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Real Estate - Austin TX Homes for Sale are Selling Strong * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

I'm not sure this tree knows what season it is.  This tree is in Falconhead Bee Cave TX, but this is what most all the trees look like in and around Austin TX right now.  It's been unseasonably warm, and the trees aren't sure to change colors and drop their leaves yet...

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@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 everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Bee Cave Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Wordless Wednesday - Confused Trees Not Changing Colors * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Seven Oaks - Austin TX- Hill Country Real Estate at its Finest is a very unique community just West of Austin.  Seven Oaks is not within the city limits, sitting between Austin and Bee Cave TX on FM 2244- Bee Caves Rd. 

Because Seven Oaks does not sit within the city limits of any city, there are no city taxes. Therefore, the tax rate is low, only a mere 1.8626%.

What does Seven Oaks have to offer?  Look at these pictures!  Seven Oaks offers topography like no other. There are hills within the hills.  There are views as far as you can see. There are natural stone retaining walls. There is privacy with gates if you want privacy, or there is a community feel if you want to know your neighbors.

The market in Seven Oaks tells an interesting story.  In the average prices in and around Austin TX, most buyers look for new and newer homes along with bigger and more features within a home.  That's not what the multi-million dollar buyer is looking for...

The multi-million dollar buyer is looking for pre-owned and a "deal".  Home owners have been in these homes and paid such and such price for them.  Builders are still building and putting more and more money into the homes, and paying today's prices for the materials, so they ask for more.

In the past six months, Seven Oaks has only sold ONE brand new home and it was in July.  The other six sales were all preowned homes. The average sold home had 4.85 beds, 4.71 baths, 3.14 living areas and 6250 sqft built in 2005. This average home sold for $1,608,057.

Currently, there are 16 homes actively for sale in Seven Oaks.  These homes average 5.125 beds, 5.25 baths, 4.31 living areas and 7625 sqft built in 2008.  This average home is asking $2,790,906.

Yikes!  Can you see the differences?? 

The active listings are asking more than $1M more than the average property that sold.  Granted, in the past six months, there was a property that sold for $2.75M along with another at $2.1M, so there are buyers in the higher range, but for the most part, buyers are toning down what they're buying and are looking for resale homes in this price range.

This is definitely not the norm in Austin TX Hill Country real estate.

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@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 everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Seven Oaks Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Seven Oaks - Austin TX - Hill Country Real Estate at its Finest * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Property Tax Arbitration - Property Tax Values - Austin TX - is the final step to take when a home owner is unhappy with their property tax value. I am an Arbitrator for the State of Texas' Comptroller's office. I find it very interesting to hear home owners' views as to why their properties are valued incorrectly.

Here's an example from a couple of weeks ago of why would you go to Property Tax Arbitration...

These home owners were given an assessment of over $1.07 Million. They went to the Appraisal Review Board at the Travis Central Appraisal District.  Without any kind of deliberation by the panel chosen, they arbitrarily came up with a value of $962k plus some change.  How did they come up with this number?  Who knows, as there is no explanation on the recording, just a 3 second time period where the panel chair said they're going to deliberate, to when the first panelist says $962k followed by a second panelist saying he agreed "exactly".

With that, the home owners knew they needed to take things further, and they filed for Property Tax Arbitration with the State of Texas Comptroller's Office.  The home owners read my blog post about Property Tax Arbitration that explained the process, but instead of choosing me to be the Arbitrator, they chose me to represent them.

We met a couple of times to go over what happened at the Appraisal Review Board, as well as at the house so I could see the condition to be able to compare the property to the ones the Travis Central Appraisal District was looking at.  We then went and looked at three homes that were currently on the market since there wasn't much sales history in the immediate neighborhood.

Two weeks ago, we met with the Travis Central Appraisal Districts' Chief Appraiser to come to an agreement. After meeting for about 45 minutes, I helped these home owners go from $1.07M to $962K down to $850k!  They did the first adjustment on their own, but between the $962k and the $850k, I helped them save approximately $2240 for the year. From the original appraised value, that's a savings of almost $4800.

Some people don't think Arbitration is worth it, but $4800 is not chump change, and neither is $2440!  Because the new value was in favor of the home owner, they got back $450 of their $500 fee for filing for Property Tax Arbitration. They were up over $5200!!!  I would love to have an extra $5200 in my pocket each year!

If you question your Property Tax Values and you can't get a satisfactory result from the Appraisal Review Board, don't be scared to take it to the next level. I can either represent you for the Arbitration, or you can choose me to be the unbiased, mutually accepted Arbitrator to preside over your case.  I work with Property Tax Arbitration cases in the Austin TX and Dallas TX areas. 

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@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 everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Property Tax Arbitration - Property Tax Values - Austin TX - Final Step when Fighting Taxes * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Hey Austin Mortgage People, do you want to grow your businesses or not??

Last week, I received an email from a mortgage "professional" saying that she read my blog and thought it was funny and informative, and would I be willing to meet with her so we could do business in the future.

As always, I responded very promptly with the following email:

Thank you for your email.  I am actually looking to add some new mortgage professionals to my back pocket.  I don’t know how much of my blog you read, but I’m a fairly new transplant from Dallas (Richardson) and gave up a very lucrative business with being the #1 agent in my office, to come here and completely start over.  It’s frustrating and daunting, but I’m working on it…

With that, I’ve met with several different mortgage people over the past few months, and I “thought” I had a good group of three to refer people to, however, that has not been the case.  Yes, they are good mortgage people and have gotten my deals closed, but the most important thing I want in a mortgage partner, besides customer service to my clients and feedback, is reciprocation.

My mortgage guys in Dallas understood this and they always referred me buyers almost as much as I referred them buyers. I understand I would have the bulk of the buyers, but I shouldn’t be the sole source. They had their own marketing and social networking going on and in place that yielded them leads and referrals, and with a “I pat you on the back, you pat me on the back” type of mentality, we exchanged referrals back and forth and helped grow each others’ businesses.

Since coming here, all I’ve done is give give give, and have received nothing.  As I said, yes, they got the deals closed, but they have all looked at Realtors as their source of business and have never put into place a way to generate their own business, even though, during our interview process, each one made it very clear that they had several ways of generating outside business. I even sat down with one of them for two hours to show him some of the ways I utilize the internet and that he could do the same thing. I usually charge $150 a session for those consultations (I’m also a TREC approved instructor and teach prospecting and internet classes for MCE), yet I did it for free as I thought he would take the information and generate new business.

With that brief synopsis of what I expect, if you feel you are a mortgage person who would work well with me as a partner, helping to grow each others business, please feel free to call me.  I see your dad is the branch development manager so I’m assuming there is some kind of marketing in place, but I wouldn’t want to assume.

Warm Regards,

Guess what?  No response!!!

Can you believe I received no response whatsoever?  This mortgage person contacts me, wants to do business, but why do you think she never responded?  Me?  I think she was/is just another mortgage person wanting wanting and wanting more from me, the Realtor. 

Why do (some) mortgage people feel they are entitled to just sit back and make the Realtor do all the work to generate business and then expect them to hand over their business? Take a number and stand in line... and get over yourself!!

Realtors: What do you think of my pre-interview before meeting with her?

Mortgage Professionals: How would you have responded to my email?

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@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 everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Hey Mortgage People - Do You Want to Grow your Business or Not?? Get over yourself!! * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Can you believe it??  I'm 2 years old today!!  Many of you were around when my mommy was pregnant, and she kept you posted about me even while in labor at the hospital. Back in the day, I was known as BabyHarris, but now I'm known as Alyssa Nicole Harris.

I'm writing this today because she's in denial.  She can't believe two years have already gone by.

Seriously, compare me 2 years ago to the me today... I was tiny at just over 7 pounds, and now I'm a big girl at a whopping 26 pounds!

 

I talk and talk and talk all day.  I say hundreds of words already, and mommy and daddy have to watch what they say around me because I repeat everything! I read books all day, everyday.  I can't get enough of them. Daddy is sick of them, but when he doesn't want to read with me, I have him get me some "Pispashios" and we sit together in his Lazyboy chair and eat them together.

I invited some friends over yesterday.  We went to the park and had a blast!  I'm still finicky with cake, so I got a Birthday Rice Krispie Treat!  I love my MiMi's Rice Krispie Treats! The balloons on the top were from my mommy's baby shower before I was born.

I got lots of new things so I can take over more of the house, which is my mission! I already control three rooms!  Elie Jane also had a lot of fun opening presents with me.

You see my MiMi in the background?  She was a little confused as to why I was standing on the table opening presents, but I was safe.

These two years have gone by fast and I've learned a lot. If you see my mommy, don't remind her that she's getting old. I saw another gray hair, and I don't think that's a good thing...

Happy Birthday to Me, and a pinch to grow a few inches!!

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@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 everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Happy Birthday, I'm Two Years Old Today! Written by Alyssa Harris * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX - has a lot of new construction homes for sale in all different stages right now.  In a series of posts, I'm going to show you pictures and describe a little of what is going on.

Many people will never have the opportunity to build a brand new house, and many who do, never pay attention to the process it takes to get that house to stand there for many years to come.

Falconhead West in Bee Cave TX used to be a Ranch, called Spillman Ranch.  Much of the land was just acres upon acres of trees.

• New Construction Homes for Sale in Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX
            ** Getting the land cleared and ready for construction

• New Construction Homes for Sale in Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX - Part 2
            ** Getting the foundation read to pour the slab
  

Now, we're ready to pour the foundation!  In Falconhead West, where the average sized home is about 3500 sqft, the typical slab pour is approximately six concrete trucks. They bring them in one at a time, pouring the concrete in an even fashion.  The sixth truck is mostly the "top off" truck to make sure it's level throughout.

The slab usually sits for a couple of days before they immediately start putting up the frame.  They measure the house from several different places and then start laying out the wood.

Within a few hours, it could already look like this...

The first floor frame can usually go up in a day or two.  Sometimes it amazes me how I drive by in the morning and there is no frame, and by the time I drive by in the late afternoon, voila, there's a frame!

Check back often as I continue my building series of New Construction Homes for Sale in Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX.

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@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 everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Falconhead West Bee Cave Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* New Construction Homes for Sale - Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX - Part 3 * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX - has a lot of new construction homes for sale in all different stages right now.  In a series of posts, I'm going to show you pictures and describe a little of what is going on.

Many people will never have the opportunity to build a brand new house, and many who do, never pay attention to the process it takes to get that house to stand there for many years to come.

Falconhead West in Bee Cave TX used to be a Ranch, called Spillman Ranch.  Much of the land was just acres upon acres of trees.  Here is my first post in this series about New Construction Homes for Sale in Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX.

Once the fill dirt has had a chance to settle, they go in and start adding where the plumbing and sewer lines will go. It's best to do a soft set first before the slab is poured so you know everything is lined up correctly.  It's hard to move plumbing around after the fact.

Then, they break the footprint up into large square sections.  They wrap each section in what looked like big black trash bags. Around each section are trenches, better to hold the concrete with, my dear... (sorry, bad imitation)

No, the slab is not poured yet... more patience...

Across the sections and within the trenches is where the cables are put. This is called a post tension cable slab.  The cables are actually within those blue tubes running the length and width of the slab and pulled really tight as the slab is poured and dried.  This creates a more sturdy structure.

Check back often as I continue my building series of New Construction Homes for Sale in Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX.

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@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 everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Falconhead West Bee Cave Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* New Construction Homes for Sale - Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX - Part 2 * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX is finally going to get their community park!

A few weeks ago, in the middle of the community, a playscape area was started.  The ground was leveled and the stone barrier was made into a playful shape... and then last month, it all disappeared...

Where did it go?  Why did they stop the construction of our community play area??  No one knew... until now!

Falconhead West has been approved for a 400 sqft Pavilion in addition to two Playscapes, a large one for older kids and a smaller one for younger kids. I guess they originally started building it before final approval.

The only negative is that there will be no parking lot, but I guess street parking will be fine. I live less than a quarter mile away, so we'll be walking or riding bikes!

**Pictures courtesy of the Bee Cave Bee.

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@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 everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Falconhead West Bee Cave Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX - Community Park * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

"I already have a buyers' agent, but I don't like to drag her out to view houses."

HUH?

This is a message I received earlier today.  This guy, as serious as could be, called to ask if I would show him a house that is over an hour away later this week, but "preferably this evening".

What?  Did I hear him correctly?  I actually played the message five times to make sure I wasn't misunderstanding it. 

Why would I show a house where I wasn't the listing agent nor the buyers' agent?  Just for kicks?

I pulled it up in the MLS, I called the listing agent and left a message for him with this guy's name and phone number.  I told him I had no inclination of calling the guy back since he has an agent, and that he was more than welcome to call him on my behalf since he was the listing agent.

Buyers, we have Buyers Agency for a reason, so you are protected and represented.  Utilize your REALTOR®.  Our job is to help you purchase a home, and if that means you have to "drag" us out to look at them, that's just part of our job. Don't go call random agents to show you houses. We have something called Procuring Cause, and if I showed you the house, you liked the house, yet you presented the offer with another agent, you're going to, more than likely, lose in the long run, as you'll be cutting me a nice check in the end.

Don't try to skirt the system...

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@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 everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* I already have a buyers' agent, but I don't like to drag her out to view houses...* was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX - has a lot of new construction homes for sale in all different stages right now.  In a series of posts, I'm going to show you pictures and describe a little of what is going on.

Many people will never have the opportunity to build a brand new house, and many who do, never pay attention to the process it takes to get that house to stand there for many years to come.

Falconhead West in Bee Cave - Austin TX - used to be a Ranch, called Spillman Ranch.  Much of the land was just acres upon acres of trees. 

With that, the first step is to clear out the trees and try to salvage some of the workable trees.  Many communities don't try to save any trees. They just plow down all the trees and start fresh with flat ground and then plant some new trees in the front yards.  Falconhead West does not do that, but they do plow down most, if not all, the Cedar Trees.

When all the Cedar Trees are torn down and put in the mulching machine, the tree mulch is then reused around the community mainly for the flower beds and muddy lots where they're trying to not sink through the mud.

Once the lot is cleared, the builders come and place boards around the exterior footprint of the house to make sure the placement of where the house will be is good and within building lines.  They will then bring in fill dirt and let the dirt sit on the ground for a while.  I've heard many things about why they do this, but mainly it's to let the dirt settle into the ground for a more sturdy building platform while leveling all the imperfections out.

Check back often as I continue my building series of New Construction Homes for Sale in Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX.

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@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 everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* New Construction Homes for Sale - Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

The Kent Cummins Magic Camp at the Hill Country Galleria Barnes & Noble is fun for everyone!  Yesterday, I took Alyssa to Barnes & Noble for their Magic Camp Circus.

It was supposed to be from 2-4pm, but someone got their information wrong, and when we got there at almost 3pm, it was already over... Kent Cummins, the owner of Magic Camp, was right there and I asked him if he was planning another act.  He was a little confused until his helpers did confirm that the flier I saw did say 2-4pm.  Alyssa was taking her nap, which is why we didn't make it at 2pm.

Kent was very accommodating.  He let us play with the puppets, but Alyssa only liked the blue one for some reason.  We tried to get her to put the big clown shoes on, but she would only stand by them.  Those things are huge!

I mentioned that she gets mesmerized by juggling, so he entertained her with some juggling.  He even allowed her to come up on stage and play with the Circus tent.

With all this, kids and their parents started making their way over to "Alyssa's show".  Kent Cummins noticed this too, so he decided to do part of his earlier act for everyone as who doesn't like an audience.

Magic Camp is headquartered in Austin TX with an additional location in Georgetown TX.  The Kent Cummins Magic Camp is a day camp run for kids ages 6-12 and it runs for six weeks.  In January, they are adding a junior group for kids ages 3-5. Alyssa is still too young for that group, but maybe January of 2011.

There are scholorships available for those who cannot afford Magic Camp, and for this week only, November 6 -November 13, 2009, a portion of all your purchases will go to help fund the scholarship fund.  Please use promo code 10048270 when you check out.

By the way, Kent Cummins Magic School is also available for birthday parties! There are more activities going on at The Hill Country Galleria Barnes & Noble throughout the week, so head on over there and have some fun!

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@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 everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Kent Cummins Magic School - Hill Country Galleria Barnes & Noble - Free Shows All Week * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@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 everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Speechless Sunday - What are you lookin' at? * was first published on donnahomesblog.com