So you missed out on the First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit. I say SO WHAT!?! With interest rates at the lowest rates in years, you will save far more than $8000 in the next few years. Home ownership has many benefits, and when you look at those combined with the low interest rates, it is a great time to buy!

If you believe that you may want to look at buying a home in the Austin area, I would love to help. I am experienced throughout the Austin area and with helping home buyers and sellers alike. Drop me an email with some information about what you are looking for in a home, and I can set you up an easy search website so that you can have a place to save your favorites and make notes, as well as set up showing appoinments.

If you aren’t sure about what you are looking for, or what the prices are like in different areas of Austin, feel free to use the Realbird search map below. You can easily look throughout the area at all of the current listings.

Lastly, I have several listings coming up in the next few weeks. They will all be under $210,000 and are in the following areas:

• Campden Dr in Cherry Creek, Austin 78745 – 3/1.5 with 1500+SF
• Waterlily Way in Creek Bend, Hutto 78634 – 4/2.5 with HUGE yard
• Jadestone Dr in Block House Creek, Leander 78641 – 3/2 single story
• La Guardia Dr in Los Cielos, Del Valle 78617 – 3/2 with 1400+ SF

If any of these interest you, please email me your information, and I will be happy to let you know as soon as they are available.

Today, September 11th, seems like a day to both remember the past and look towards the future, and I love to do that in my garden. My garden is made up mostly of plants that were propagated from other plants, both my own and my loved ones. There are years and years of gardening love in the yard, reminding me of the past. Then there are the sweet little sprouts of newness that can be seen all around – new blooms, new vegetable plants, new herbs. Take a look at what today held for me in my Texas garden!

Heirloom Oxblood Lilies

Althea grown from a bunch of little cuttings from my PawPaw’s yard

Japanese Maple – this was only about 6″ tall when I planted it two years ago.

Budding Beans and Black-Eyed Peas

Dill Weed – Can’t wait to get these little guys in a jar with some cucumbers!

I hope today is a day of reflection and renewal for you. It’s there – you just have to look for it!

This Sunday, September 12th from 2-5 pm, several homes will be open for you to come and see what The Pointe, near the Hill Country Galleria, has to offer. Located in the Lake Travis ISD, The Pointe is a short commute to both downtown Austin and lake recreation.

I will be opening my listing and the following homes will also be open in the area:

• 1420 Palisades Pointe
• 1506 Resaca Blvd
• 1515 Resaca Blvd #8
• 1715 Resaca Blvd
• and again, my seller’s beautiful home at 1715 Palisades Pointe.

Please come out and see us tomorrow, Sunday, September 12th from 2-5 pm in The Pointe. Just take Bee Caves Rd to Resaca and go all the way to the end on Resaca. The gate should be open. If you have questions, please call me directly at (512) 507-5779. I look forward to seeing you there!

Here’s a look at 1715 Palisades Pointe:

Shelley Rowton | RE/MAX River City | (512) 507-5779 1715 Palisades Pointe, Austin, TX Stately home in The Pointe with refreshing pool and lush landscaping. Located in gated community in Lake Travis ISD! 4BR/4BA Single Family House offered at $799,995 Year Built 2000 Sq Footage 4,260 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 4 full, 0 partial Floors Unspecified Parking 3 Car garage Lot Size 0.455 acres HOA/Maint $35 per month DESCRIPTION Stately home with 4-5 bedrooms and 4 full baths in The Pointe in Lake Travis ISD. Gameroom, study, multiple balconies and patios. Refreshing inground pool and spa and lush landscaping in back yard. Sweeping two story entry, formal dining room and formal living room with walls of windows. True entertainers layout with formal living/dining as well as kitchen open to family room, so make it formal or keep it casual! see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Central A/C - Central heat - Fireplace - High/Vaulted ceiling - Walk-in closet - Tile floor - Family room - Living room - Bonus/Rec room - Office/Den - Dining room - Breakfast nook - Dishwasher - Refrigerator - Stove/Oven - Microwave - Granite countertop - Attic - Laundry area – inside - Balcony, Deck, or Patio - Yard - Swimming pool - Jacuzzi/Whirlpool COMMUNITY FEATURES - Playground - Gated property ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Front of House Pool Family Room Living Room Gameroom Foyer/Dining/Staircase Contact info: Shelley Rowton RE/MAX River City (512) 507-5779 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Jul 31, 2010, 10:19am PDT

As is the case most of the time in life you never can tell what the week will bring you. This week brought us Hermine and around 12 inches of rain in a 36 hour period (give or take depending on where you live in Austin). If you live on Lake Travis you know that this means that you spent this week wondering how all this water would affect you and how many times you are going to have to move your dock.

According to the LCRA website we started the week approximately 17 feet below the full level and we are ending the week at 10 feet below the full level. Which after the multi-year drought we endured over the past couple of summers this is a nice change of pace.

There is always the inevitable clean-up after a deluge such as this, but with the memory so fresh of what is like with no water I think we are all breathing a sigh of relief.

I avoided laboring as long as I could today, but I'll keep it light so maybe it won't count against me! Here are a few pictures from my garden, which is dominated by Texas Native Perennials. From the beautiful Texas Rock Rose to the fast spreading Salvia, all of the natives seem to have an explosion of color waiting for me every morning!

When I moved this Texas Rock Rose to it's new home in the sun, the blooms became a much deeper shade of pink than they had been before.

Just four months ago, this was a lush St. Augustine lawn and a sickly old Red Bud tree. Now it's a sun-loving mix of Texas native flowers and flowering shrubs that the bees and hummingbirds love!

Perhaps my favorite, the Brazilian Rock Rose should continue to bloom well into November!

The guara is peeking through some of the abundant Lady in Red Salvia. The salvia was touted as a plant that would grow 12-15", but mine is pushing 40" right now. It has broadcast seeds and I have countless babies growing afoot!

I hope you are having a beautiful Labor Day, and that my garden of Texas Native Perennials added a little happiness to your day!

One question that always comes up when talking to people across the country is, “Why is everyone moving to Austin?” So I thought a great way to show you one of the reasons, that you can get more bang for your buck here than anywhere else, is to roll out a series much like the national network show that shows you just what you can get across the city for your money.

This post will tackle the $1,000,000 range. Just like everywhere, a million dollars is alot of money; unlike elsewhere, you can get ALOT of house for that money in Austin. You can get several thousand square feet, lots of garage space, infinity or negative edge pools and killer views. Here is a look at a few homes on the market currently for $1,000,000 to $1,050,000:

In the heart of old Tarrytown, you could purchase this mid-century remodel for exactly $1MM. It is listed by Blackburn Properties and is on one of Austin’s most prestigious streets. It features a RARE fully finished basement (we just don’t have many basements in Austin!) as well as a gated entry and Brazilian hardwood floors.

If you prefer a more rural hill country setting, you might like this home in Westlake’s Davenport Ranch near the iconic Pennybacker Bridge over Lake Austin on Capital of Texas Highway (Loop 360, which isn’t a loop at all, by the way).

It is a five bedroom home on nearly one acre of land, and is offered by Posh Properties, LLC. Exposed cedar beams and red oak hardwood floors appoint the interior, while a pool, playscape and sport court await you outside. It’s current list price is $1,049,000.

Also listed at $1.049MM is this new construction classic style Texas home in Greenshores on Lake Austin with over 1,000 SF of outdoor living space and spectacular hill country views. It is a custom home from Waldrop Builders and listed by Waldrop Properties.

That’s a quick look at what $1 Million Dollars will likely buy you in Austin today – here are a few examples of what has recently sold for around $1,000,000 in Austin Texas.

This little piece of history in Bouldin Creek in the popular 78704 zip code was sold recently. It was originally constructed elsewhere in 1890, but was moved to this site and completely renovated by Urban Nature, Inc. They did a great job of working with artist and designer Ivan Spaller in preserving the historic Victorian charm and detail, while optimizing the home to take advantage of the location and views of downtown. Thanks to Realty Austin for sharing this rare gem in the MLS.

Located near Davenport Village in the Westlake area is this beautiful stone home with an outdoor kitchen and living area. It sits on a 1/3 acre gated estate lot. This is a great example of what $1,000,000 will buy in the Austin TX area, and it also showcases Austin’s outdoor living lifestyle.

Lastly is a unique home at Rob Roy on the Lake that was originally built in 1988, but much of that was recently torn down to the studs, renovated and new construction added on increasing the space to 4,786 SF with a beautiful pool and cabana with bar and shower. Balconies and patios lend distant hill country views, and two master suites make guest accomodations a breeze.

These are just a few examples of what $1 million dollars can buy in Austin, but the possibilities are endless. If you are in the market for a home in the Austin area, I will give you phenomenal service at any price level. Give me a call or email me, and I’ll send you a current list of homes available in your price range in Austin or it’s suburbs. You really can get more bang for your buck here, and have some left over to enjoy the sights, sounds and eats of Austin.

The Labor Day weekend is fast approaching and if you’re looking for somethng to do without having to drive a full day to get there look no further than Lake Travis in Austin, Texas. For most people Labor Day weekend is the official end to their summer, so why not have the most fun and make great memories to hold you through the long cold winter. (which in Texas means from January all the way through February)

If you are new to Austin you may not be aware that Town Lake and Lake Austin are not the only lakes that you have at your disposal. These three lakes are part of a larger chain of lakes managed by the LCRA called the Highland Lakes. Resorts, watercraft rentals and public areas abound for you to enjoy the shores of this wonderful area resource.

You can check out live music at Oasis, Carlos N Charlie’s, Cafe Blue, Shades, or Iguana Grill. Or rent a boat at Just For Fun, Daybreak Boat rentals, Lake Travis Boat rentals. There is fun for the whole family at the Daybreak Mini-Golf and Gemstone mining on HiLine Rd. Public access is available to Lake Travis at Mansfield Dam Park, Pace Bend Park and there are many more county parks offering public access for reasonable prices to enjoy the waterfront of Lake Travis.

If you are looking to buy real estate on Lake Travis or sell your Lake Travis property go to my website or call me at 512-560-0293. As a resident of Lake Travis I am available to show you property and am familiar with the inventory.

          If you are looking to buy a home in Hudson Bend or sell in this area please give me a call. The following are detail sheets for real estate for sale in the Hudson Bend area.

Hudson Bend under $500K

Hudson Bend over $500K

Entertainer’s Dream | Lake Lover’s Haven

Lake Austin Lakefront Home

for Sale in Austin, TX

8724 Big View Dr, Austin, TX 78730 | $2,999,500

This lakefront estate on Lake Austin has a gorgeous outdoor entertaining area with waterfall, pool and spa, all with lovely lake views also enjoyed from all the living areas and bedrooms.

• 6,038 Square Feet (Builder)
• Four Bedrooms
• Five and a Half Baths
• Three Car Attached Garage with Porte Cochere
• Two Lift Boat Dock

• Large Gameroom with Wetbarn/Formal Dining/Living Room
• Huge Pecan Trees
• Large Media Room with Theatre Seating

• Central Vacuum
• Sub-Zero Refrigerator
• Gated Courtyard Entry

Served by River Place Elementary, Canyon Ridge Middle School and the new Vandegrift High School.

Community Pools, Golf Course (Private), Tennis Courts, Jogging Trails, Lake Access, Playground, Clubhouse and Gym.

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A RE/MAX River City REALTORS Listing | 8724 Big View Dr | $2,999,500

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If you would like to view this home, or any property in the Lake Travis and Lake Austin areas, please let me know! I would be glad to offer you a private showing.

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Beautiful Lake Travis Lakefront Home for Sale in Austin, TX | 107 Edgewater Cv, Austin, TX 78734 | $1,650,000

This lakefront gem on Lake Travis has a gorgeous outdoor entertaining area with Ibe wood deck and negative edge pool and spa, all with lovely lake views.

• 4200 SF (per Owner)
• Built in 1995
• 4 Bedrooms
• 4.5 Baths
• Panoramic Views of Lake Travis
• Private Dock and Boat Lift
• Recently Renovated Interior
• Refreshing Pool and Spa with Lake Views
• Ipe Wood Deck

Served by Lakeway Elementary, Lake Travis Middle School and Lake Travis High School.

Community Pool, Golf Course (Private), Tennis Courts, Jogging Trails, Lake Access.

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A RE/MAX River City REALTORS Listing | 107 Edgewater Cv | $1,650,000

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If you would like to view this, or any property in the Lake Travis area, please let me know! I would be glad to offer you a private showing.

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