In Austin, we have been experiencing an incredible drought. Our house has a small front yard with a big tree in the middle so our grass is only suffering around the edges. Our neighbors tree died and now her grass is fried. If El Nino (the weather condition in the Pacific which usually brings a lot of rain in the fall) doesn't bring us rain this year, I think we may have to reconsider the concept of grass as a landscaping option. After all, Texas once experienced a 10 year drought.
Starting today, the city of Austin is implementing a mandatory watering restriction schedule. Violations will be fined starting at $400 for each occurrence.
For single family homes: Odd numbered addresses water on Saturday and even numbered addresses water on Sunday. That's right - only once a week! Best of luck. With temperatures exceeding 100 degrees almost every day, I just don't see how we can keep our grass alive.
In addition there are time restrictions: With automatic sprinkler systems you may water ONLY between midnight and 10a.m. With hose sprinklers and soaker hoses you may water between midnight and 10 am and between 7pm and midnight on your day only. With a hand held hose, you may water any day.
Also consider other water conservation ideas like washing your car less often, turn off the water while brushing your teeth, fill the kitchen sink with water to wash dishes instead of letting the water run. If you have other ideas, please share them here.
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Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Milwood Beauty
In Milwood. With a Pottery Barn look, this home has appealing style. It's a 2-story, white stone 3/2.5/2 with a master downstairs. Special features include laminate floors, recent rood, recent carpet upstairs, sprinkler system front and back, security system and an intercom. Community park, pool, tennis and close to major employers and shopping. 2009 sq.ft. CAD. $210,000. http://www.tourfactory.com/535392
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Tuesday, August 11, 2009
For Sale in Popular Milwood Neighborhood
In Milwood 7708 Earp Way, Austin, Texas. With a Pottery Barn look, this home has appealing style. It's a 2-story, white stone 3/2.5/2 with a master downstairs. Special features include laminate floors, recent roof, recent carpet upstairs, sprinkler system front and back, security system and an intercom. Community park, pool, tennis and close to major employers like Dell, Apple, IBM and Freescale and halfway between Lakeline Mall and the Arboretum or Domain Shopping Centers. Round Rock School District. 2009 sq.ft. CAD. $210,000
For more information visit my Web site at http://www.robinscottrealtor.com and see the virtual tour. Select "featured properties" or call me at 512.589.7988.Search for homes through Austin MLS
Find your home's value
Buying or selling? Hire an experienced professional. Call Robin Scott, Broker at 512.589.7988.
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New Addition to the Family - Our Granddaughter!
My daughter just had a baby girl - Mia Rose. Isn't she beautiful. It's our first grandchild. Everyone is doing well and I'm trying to squeeze real estate into the mix. She's only a few days old in this photo.
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Buying or selling? Hire an experienced professional. Call Robin Scott, Broker at 512.589.7988.
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3 REASONS THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO BUY A HOUSE
YES! This week I've met with three different potential first-time homebuyers. They all seem to feel insecure about whether it's a good time to buy and if it's a risk they want to take. That's understandable after the chaos that has struck the real estate industry.
The good news in the Austin area is that our market has not suffered as much as other areas and according to everything I've read, we a poised to make a market come back before most of the other markets as well. In May we had under 10,000 homes for sale which is less than in year 2000.
3 REASONS TO BUY A HOME
1. To have control over your own environment. To be able to paint a room, have a yard for your pets or kids, be further from your neighbor than a thin wall and be able to control your monthly living expenses.
2. For the income tax deduction. Your mortgage payment is comprised of your principal, interest, taxes and insurance payments combined. Most of the cost of your mortgage will be the interest you pay on the loan and your property taxes. Those two expenses are deductible from your income for the purposes of paying your income taxes. That should be enough reason to own a home but there is more.
3. To build equity. Yes, I know that some people were caught owning more than their home was worth and that's unfortunate. Done correctly that can largely be avoided.The two biggest ways to assure your homes value is to make a reasonable downpayment and plan to keep your house for 5-10 years. Over time the market dips and always returns to a higher position.
3 REASONS THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO BUY
1. Home prices. Home prices have gone down over the last couple of years and are expected to rise again. Buy now while they are low.
2. Interest rates. Interest rates have been historically low. Take advantage of low interest rates.
3. First-time homebuyer $8,000 tax credit. If this applies to you, this is a huge advantage. You must be a first-time homebuyer and the deadline is December 1.
If you live in the greater Austin area and are considering buying a home, I'd love the opportunity to meet with you and help you decide if this is a good time for you or how to achieve your goal of home ownership.
Robin Scott, BROKER. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. Amelia Bullock Realtors. 512.589.7988.
The good news in the Austin area is that our market has not suffered as much as other areas and according to everything I've read, we a poised to make a market come back before most of the other markets as well. In May we had under 10,000 homes for sale which is less than in year 2000.
3 REASONS TO BUY A HOME
1. To have control over your own environment. To be able to paint a room, have a yard for your pets or kids, be further from your neighbor than a thin wall and be able to control your monthly living expenses.
2. For the income tax deduction. Your mortgage payment is comprised of your principal, interest, taxes and insurance payments combined. Most of the cost of your mortgage will be the interest you pay on the loan and your property taxes. Those two expenses are deductible from your income for the purposes of paying your income taxes. That should be enough reason to own a home but there is more.
3. To build equity. Yes, I know that some people were caught owning more than their home was worth and that's unfortunate. Done correctly that can largely be avoided.The two biggest ways to assure your homes value is to make a reasonable downpayment and plan to keep your house for 5-10 years. Over time the market dips and always returns to a higher position.
3 REASONS THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO BUY
1. Home prices. Home prices have gone down over the last couple of years and are expected to rise again. Buy now while they are low.
2. Interest rates. Interest rates have been historically low. Take advantage of low interest rates.
3. First-time homebuyer $8,000 tax credit. If this applies to you, this is a huge advantage. You must be a first-time homebuyer and the deadline is December 1.
If you live in the greater Austin area and are considering buying a home, I'd love the opportunity to meet with you and help you decide if this is a good time for you or how to achieve your goal of home ownership.
Robin Scott, BROKER. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. Amelia Bullock Realtors. 512.589.7988.
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