Alan In Austin: July 2008

Read this:

High-tech, a booming film industry and the University of Texas all helped propel Austin to the top of Forbes' 2008 list of America's Fastest Growing Metros.

Live music capitol of the nation, Austin is a great place to raise your family, retire or just re-start life. The Texas economy continues to out preform the nation in job growth and affordable housing.

If you want to learn more email me at:

roundrockhome@gmail.com

How do you feel about bending the rules?

 Not cheating! Just bending a little so as not to break. Some are not bothered at all. Some a little and others a lot. How about you?

The problem is that rules are usually connected to a greater and higher principal but over time rules get fine tuned and distorted so as to lose touch with the greater principal they were set in place to protect.

For example: The no Smoking sign in front of the filled gas station pump denotes the higher principal that gas fumes and burning paper are a bad combination.

Recently, I have noticed that another sign has appeared on the gas pump that says No Cell Phone usage. While we may not light up at the pump we may still dial up because the larger principal is out of focus.

Our congress and legislators love rules, they call them laws. Some of the principals they protect are so out of focus that the rule or law is no longer even connected to the original principal behind the law.

Here are some thoughts about how to avoid becoming a bender:

1. Be conscience of who you are when no one else is looking. We tend to reveal more about ourselves when we believe we are un-watched. Recognize that who you are in secret is really who you are.

2. Anticipate temptation: If I am honest with myself, I can usually see trouble long before I get into it.

3. Work with Character not characters: My father in law had a saying that has stuck with me that relates to this point. He would say: "If a man will lie to you he will steal from you". Wow! What a revelation. Don't invest your reputation or time into someone of questionable character.

4. If there is any question as to whiter you can do what you say don't say it: I started a small business several years ago and had a few employees. It was a serviced base business and I taught them this phrase by which we would do business: "UNDER PROMISE! OVER DELIVER!"  It worked for us. Every employee took it to heart and we grew quickly. Customers would often attribute their loyalty to an employee who over preformed for them.

At the Mary Moody Northern Theatre you can see the musical Oklahoma this summer in Austin.

Try the Symphonyin Austin this summer. The Austin Children's Museum is a great place to visit in the summer. Here is the link for the Austin Museum of Art http://www.amoa.org/site/PageServer 

There is a lot to do this summer in Austin.

If you are looking for a place to shelter your investments until the stock market settles down check out Austin Real Estate.

Email me at: roundrockhomes@gmail.com

Let me show you why so many people and business are moving to the Austin, Texas area.

The weather is mild year round, the people are friendly, bright and content. You should come see for your self. The schools are some of the best in the nation. There is so much to do if you love living outdoors and housing is extremely affordable.

You will have the time of your life vacationing in the Austin Area. Email me and I will help you set up your vacation here so you will see all Austin has to offer.

roundrockhomes@gmail.com

On August 5th my wife, Michele and I will reach 25 years of marriage. I posted an invitation to the celebration on Aug. 3rd for all our Active Rain friends at Celebrating in Teravista should any of you be able to attend we would love to see you.

I thought it might be interesting to look back at 25 years of marriage and see what I have learned that has been helpful in keeping our marriage fresh and exciting.

Number One: has to be our relationship with God though Christ. Over 25 years our marriage has been tested in a every way possible. The glue is our love of God and commitment to living out the purpose He has for our lives. That purpose brought us together in the first place and we have enjoyed every day of our lives together on Purpose.

Number Two: would have to be the friendship we have. We love being together, working together, seeing new places together and on and on. My best friend ever by far is my wife Michele. We laugh everyday together.

Number Three: We have learned how to compliment each other and not embarrass each other. I can hear her in the other room talking about things I have said as if I were some great author, or philosopher or CEO of a gigantic company. I have never missed one of her birthdays or special occasions. I buy nice appropriate gifts, except the one Christmas when I bought her a gun, she hated it. Fortunately for me it was not the main gift, I was worried for her since at that time, I was traveling a great deal. It is easy to buy the right things, I just listen to what she says all year long and I hear what she likes.

Number four: We are One. We have always had ONE bank account, ONE group of friends, ONE set of homes we own, ONE set of cars we own, ONE set of rules for the children, ONE church we attend, ONE set of goals and plans to reach them. This can be challenging and takes constant work because by nature we are very selfish all of us. Yes, we have individual personalities and expressions of that in our marriage but ultimately we are both willing to compromise so that the two of us can function as ONE.

Number five: We have set up healthy boundaries. Our children can articulate the boundaries set up for their well being. We also have limited the influence that mean and dysfunctional people can have in our lives even if they are family members from her side or mine. I love my family as Chele does hers but our priority is our immediate family. We want to keep them safe and emotionally healthy and in order to do that we needed to set up boundaries.

Alan

email at: roundrockhomes@gmail.com                         

From a recent article in CNN Money on the Best places to live in America..

No 7: Round Rock, Texas
Population: 92,400
Miles from Austin: 17
Typical single-family home: $192,500
Job growth since 2000: 46.8%
Pros: Affordable homes, loads of outdoor amenities
Con: One employer dominates the economy
When Walter Rock, 49, moved here in 1990, he says, the biggest entertainment was watching people play dominoes in front of the gas station. Now, says the engineer turned real estate agent, "I rarely have to leave Round Rock for anything."
Once merely a bedroom community of Austin, Round Rock today is very much its own city thanks largely to three things: affordable housing, excellent schools and computer maker Dell, which has established its headquarters here.
The city boasts three medical centers and a campus of Texas State University. There's a lot of shopping, from an IKEA to a premium outlet mall, and a minor league baseball team, the Round Rock Express. Residents enjoy more than 800 acres of open space, two golf courses and 64-mile-long Lake Travis, just west of the city.

Round Rock, Texas is fast becomeing one of the Highlights of Texas living. No Starbucks are closing here, the community continues to grow and is actually opening two new Starbucks in the next year. Come and see what the fuss is all about.

FREE ROUND ROCK HIGHLIGHTS PAGE: roundrockhomes@gmail.com

The easiest house to sell is the house that many people want. That sounds crazy even as I write it in this post but it is true. Effective marketing helps showcase the house, staging helps present it at its very best, a good Realtor can point out the features that add value and a resonable priced home can put it on a buyers short list for favorites.

All of us have experienced the fever that accompanies finding the right Home for our family! We can't wait to get it locked up so those "others" who may see it will not make the offer first. Is there a way to create this fever for the listing you now represent?

I think the answer is yes with help. The key is to find out what the original "aha moment" was in the history of the home. Was it price or affordabality, a unique feature of the home or yard, privacy, neighbors, landscape, community life, location to attractions or work, schools, future appreciation opportunity? Find the germ that started the fever and you may be able to re-create it.

A friend of mine is a successful Realtor in Southern California. The recent real estate market there has been tough. He started doing this with his listings. He discovered the charm that drew the buyers originally and capitalized on that with the help of the sellers. His listings are selling faster.

25 YEARS!  Alan & Michele Kirkpatrick

Active Rain:

Michele and I will be celebrating 25 years of marriage. If you are in the area and want to join the celebration you are certainly welcome.

WHEN: AUGUST 3^RD 2008

WHERE: TERAVISTA COMMUNITY CENTER

http://www.teravista.com/location.aspx  Directions: Take I-35 (N. from Austin S. from Dallas) to University (fm 1431) Take University East to Teravista Club dr. Take Teravista Club N. to Clubhouse on E. side of street.

TIME: 6:30PM TO 9PM

There will be some great food, music, memories and a few surprises. Come see what we looked like in the day of big hair! Ha. If you have any questions just call or email.

Alan Kirkpatrick, Realtor

Austin Texas Homes LLC.

fax 512-514-1926

office/cell 512-709-3336

alanmaz1@earthlink.net

WEB http://alanmaz.actris.mlxchange.com/

Never too busy for your Referrals

Round Rock Texas in Teravista is a great place to live, work and play!

A typical Sunday in Round Rock, Texas might include the early service at Gateway Church, a trip to IHOPfor fresh pancakes, coming home to Teravista and your beautiful new home. The above listing is featured at 229,900 is over 2000 sq. ft. tile throughout, beautifully landscaped a corner lot in a cul de sac. Just 2 minutes from golf, swimming, working out or hike and bike trails. Best of all....exit the backside of Teravistin and enter the brand new Round Rock Premium Outlets where you can shop all the top designers and find the best bargains. Tired of shopping? There is a brand new Cinemark theater next to the mall. Sundays are great in Round Rock!

Want to see this listing up close? email me at roundrockhomes@gmail.com