South Austin Texas Real Estate blog: June 2008

Snorkeling is an amazing adventure suitable for any age group

   Snorkeling in crystal clear blue water where the fish are a sight to behold and the temperature is moderate is an unbelieveable experience.  Be sure to wear enough sunscreen though, and put it on 30-45 minutes BEFORE entering the water.

Kahalu'u Beach State Park in Kona, Hawaii... its a large bay area surrounded by black lava rock with a reef of volcanic rock making it a shallow bay for fish and people.  The park  has multiple shade trees on one side and a pavillion with many tables for your picnic or party. 

 All ages can enjoy this beautiful setting where one can walk out into the mild temp water and just look down and see the incredible bright hues of fish that one normally only sees in small aquariums. Since the fish are in an open sea venue their sizes are impressive also... angelfish I have seen in most aquariums are 3 inches or so were 10 inches in their natural state.  Yellow tang as big as two hands put together.  I was so impressed with the ability to swim in a natural aquarium I'm sure this will be a life lasting memory for not just me but my grandchildren who were equally awed by the sights.

 

Yes, we did take underwater photos and when they are developed I will post a few here. Even an endangered green sea turtle came up to visit the beach.

Mahalo for reading todays post.

With the national average of $4.09 at the pump for a gallon of gasoline this week and the end of soaring prices not in our near future here is a concept .. Vacation at home this year.

Many communities have awesome community centers that are barely used... a pool, a tennis court, a barbeque area... some even have a night of movies in the park. 

Make it a theme day/night..  an idea or two..  and I bet you all could come up with a dozen more..

Aloha night, a luau, with barbequed pork or grilled fish, fresh pineapple slices, coconut cake, Kona coffee or MaiTai's for those adult beverages?  Easy to do and fun.  Give prizes for the best hula dancers.

Fiesta night... tacos, frijoles, Flan, papaya and mango plus Margaritaville drinks ... have a Pinada for all... here an Ideato serve for the whole family...

Chilled Banana Latte  INGREDIENTS

 11/2 Tbsp. crème de banana syrup

11/2 Tbsp. coconut syrup

1 c. Oak Farms Fat Free Milk

DIRECTIONS

 

Mix syrups and cold milk in 20-ounce chilled stainless steel pitcher.  Froth milk with whisk until airy and light. Add a shot of espresso and pour over ice. Serve in two tall glasses and enjoy!    Serves 2.  Recipe courtesy of the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association

So, stay close to home this summer and put some of that savings in a fun time at home...

if you would like help in the Austin Texas area of finding a new home to enjoy that luau call me.. I will help you find the perfect new home or sell  your current home!  Gail Tassey. Realtor, keller Williams SWMC, 512-217-9482.

gailnttexas@gmail.com

When we are kids we look forward to every vacation, every extra day out of school.. Thanksgiving Vacation.. two days off .... yippee.. Christmas Break a whole 2 weeks off then various Holidays thru out the year are an excitement.  The  biggest of all was soon to come  summer vacation. 

It didn't matter if we had any plans to go anywhere, we just knew we would have fun doing nothing for days on end.  Sleeping late, staying up late, I recall sitting outside with a circle of friends looking up at the sky and trying to name the constellations.. the Big Bear, the Big Dipper the little dipper, so on.. and giggling because one of us couldn't find the man in the moon.  Simple times. 

This year for the first time in many many years I'm excited about my vacation, at the end of this week we all are going to Hawaii, now thats not a big deal to alot of folks, but I'm excited, maybe because at dinner every night for 5 weeks now the 4yr old grandson, Bryce, has asked "how long til Hawaii Mom, Grandma?"

Now he sees the suitcases come out of the attic, the swim goggles getting fit, the books of Hawaii destinations, planning tours, his excitement has spread thru all of us.  Truly through a childs eyes!

Now, I must make sure I have my clients affairs in order, I have a backup realtor-friend to see to anyones needs while I'm in paradise, Kristen Greenwade, the 2007 rookie of the year for our market center is taking care of business for me...Kristen is so very capable I know I can go on my vacation and feel secure that everyone is being taken care of. 

So, Aloha my friends at Active Rain, I will be back June 29 and probably here June 30... I wish you all an exciting vacation this year, if its a circle of friends sitting on the lawn at 11pm and looking at the stars. OH YES the stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas!!  If you are relocating to the Austin Texas area give me a call.. I would love to help you ..   gail tassey 512-217-9482 mobile, keller williams realty austin texas  gailnttexas@gmail.com

June 14th is voting day... a day that is important for anyone living in the City of Austin Texas, the City has deemed in their infinite wisdom to enact a POINT of SALE requirement for some "energy efficiency" in our homes.

This is a call for Austin Voters to make themselves heard. Its your home, your income, your future.

We need to support those City Council members who are ANTI POINT OF SALE,  hey, I'm not advocating being anti-GREEN.. or enviromentally unfriendly, I'm advocating the requirement that could lead every home owner in the City of Austin Texas to doing multiple costly retrofitting of their homes BEFORE they can sell it and the home would have to be inspected and approved by an official City of Austin Inspector... at a fee of course, before a house could close escrow.

Now if that isn't scary to you let us think about the WHAT IFs of the situation....

Implementing current codes for airconditioners, vents, waterheaters, plumbing, electrical, insulation all sorts of things, could break out banks individually...  how old is your home? Could it meet the standards of environmentially-friendly for today?  Folks, we aren't talking about changing a light bulb here.

Many of the houses in Austin were built pre-1980, most of those downtown , Hyde Park, Clarksville, So-Co and Tarrytown just to name a few are well before that age... how many of these can afford to sell if it requires retro-fitting?  What will a buyer do? Most likely look for some area outside of the city limits. 

So, Kyle, Dripping Springs, Buda,Manor, Pflugerville, Round Rock, Hutto, Cedar Park will all benefit from the City of Austins new demands. Still, many folks want to live near town, for their jobs, the social activities, the lively electic feeling of downtown, but will they be priced out more-so than today? Will a seller be able to sell? at what price?

I know I don't have the answers to becoming environmentally friendly but this is NOT the way to do it people.  Point of Sale? Forced inspections by city official? Added fees for all the above?  Please lets all think about this in another way.

Your vote can count, June 14th.. or early voting now.  Show the city that you do care about this plan of theirs..  the only way you get to vote on it is to vote for or against the members and prospective members of the city council.. they are the ones who will decide how you sell your home in the future.

if you would like to read the resolution please check at the City of Austin's website..http://www.cityofaustin.org/edims/search_results.cfm

this is just one realtors opinion... not endorsed by anyone else... just be informed, look it up.. it could affect your future immensely.

This is a wonderful ready to move into family size home featuring

6 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2 dining (the formal dining has new hardwood flooring), main master suite is downstairs and featuring a walkin closet the size of a boutique!  Living/greatroom has a cozy fireplace and is open to the kitchen and breakfast area, speaking of the kitchen, how many cabinets do you need????this home has enough for the whole block, plus a pantry closet and new ceramic tile floors.  Upstairs are 5 bedrooms with a large gameroom for the kids or homeschooler, and 2 full baths.  Laundry room large enough to put all your mops and brooms!

Sellers are motivated to sell this weekend.... REDUCED to $199,743.  for 2,962 sqft.

Open House Sunday June 8m,2008 11:30am-3:00pm  Harris Branch Area, Austin Texas  11108 Seay St, Austin, TX 78754

Call for directions .. Gail Tassey, 512-217-9482 mobile,    Keller Williams Realty,  gailnttexas@gmail.com

This home is walking distance to APPLIED MATERIALS and a short commute to DELL, SAMSUNG and many other major employers, close to new tolls 130 and 45!!! Easy access to Austin International Airport with 130.