Alan In Austin: June 2008

 
There are some really great bargains in Round Rocks spectacular master planned community Teravista.

Here is a word snapshot of two such bargains:

1. The above pictured 3128sq ft.  4/3 listed at just 254,000

2. A 3600sq. ft 5/3 and 1/2 listed (build by Highland homes) 3 car garage listed at 272,900.

Want to know more about Teravista: email me at roundrockhomes@gmail.com

-18 hole golf course

-Community pools

-Clubhouse

-Community public Elementary School opens this fall

-8 of the finest national home builders

-next door to the Round Rock Premium Outlets (Nike, Kenneth Cole, Bose, Nautica, Banana Republic, American Eagle and many more)

Few things are more exciting to me than visting a piece of Real Estate for Sale!! I love it! Whither it is just dirt, grass and trees or a home on a small, medium or large lot and don't even get me started on Commercial. I love the smell of potential. Ha

Often I am ask if it is better to buy a new or existing home on the market. New homes are great fun. I have lived in three brand new homes over the past 10 years. All in planned communities. One on a half acre of land and two on 1/3 acre. I have also owned and lived in 3 existing homes. One built in 1957 (small lot and small home) one built in 1978 (1/4 acre 2000 sq ft.)  and one built in 1982 (full acre 2300 sq. ft.).

One of the biggest surprises for my wife and me in buying a brand new home was how much money we spent on the home after closing. Here is kind of a break down on what we spent. Keep in mind that two of the homes we put in swimming pools. One of them we only landscaped.

-Landscaping and pools (20,000 to 75,000)

-Blinds and window treatments (10 -17000)

-Appliances (washer/dryer refregirator) (8000)

-New TV and sound system (10,000)

-Furniture (15000)

-Paint and flooring (10-25000)

-Lighting upgrades and fans for bedrooms and den (3500)

Sounds like a lot of money. We actually got off pretty cheap since I had a number of friends in the building business. Fortunately we had planned and saved for each upgrade we did to the new homes from wood flooring, to painting to outdoor living.

Many people look at new homes like new cars. They like the models but are surprised at the final product they get. Bone white walls, carpet everywhere. A small amount of tile at entry, lamanet flooring in kitchen and bathrooms, no sprinkler system, sparcely landscaped. Don't misunderstand what I am saying, I love new homes and live in one now and would buy another in a minute if I needed too. The point is simply this. Buying a new home can involve more expense than you think.

If you prepare for that it will be a great experience. If you are not prepared for that take a look at existing homes on the current market. There are some real bargains out there that already have secondary paint colors, great landscaping, pools, tile and wood flooring. Often you will pay less than half for these great upgrades in an existing home.

I would be happy to show you some great homes in the Austin/Round Rock Market.

Email me at: roundrockhomes@gmail.com

Austin Civic Orchestra Presents -- H-E-B Zilker Park Pops Concerts

<script type="text/javascript"></script> Jun 13, 2008 - Jun 14, 2008

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The Austin Civic Orchestra finishes up its 2007-2008 season with a rousing adventure of music from the movies. Enjoy Music from Raiders of the Lost Ark, Lord of the Rings and Superman. Explore lost worlds, leap over buildings and fight a duel with sorcerers during the annual Zilker Park Pops concerts. Bring a blanket and a picnic for a night of family-friendly (and dog-friendly) music under the stars. In addition, the opportunity to conduct the orchestra in The Stars and Stripes Forever will be raffled off each evening. Show starts at 8 p.m. Free show.