The City of Lakeway TX had their annual Halloween Goblin Glow last night at the Lakeway City Park on Hurst Creek. This was our first time to go, so I didn't know what to expect.  There were five hot air balloons and every so often, they would light their fire and make the balloons glow.  You could go right up to the baskets of the balloons and trick-or-treat. They gave out lots of candy. There was also face painting, hair spraying with colors, people on stilts, and a balloon artist.  Alyssa got her hair sprayed Orange to go with her LongHorn Cheerleader outfit. And, of course, you can't forget the Live Music.  There was a great band, whose name has slipped my mind, but there was lots of dancing from the little ones. Here are some pictures I took of the Goblin Glow balloons lighting up. ... 10/18/2009

Lakeway has many gorgeous waterfront homes for sale. This Market Report shows you the current information on recent listings and home sales for Lakeway. The homes used in this report have at least 3 bedrooms and two bathrooms and are true Lake Travis waterfront properties. 11 Homes Actively listed for sale:   Average Year Built 1986    Average SF 3812    Average Price Per SF $346.09     Average List Price $1,334,545.   Average number of days on market before selling 235. 1 Home Sold in July 2009:  Year Built 1965   3860SF   4 bedrooms 3 bathrooms on .85 acre lot   List Price $1,399,000.                     (Sold Price not disclosed due to Texas laws) Since Lakeway used to be a sleepy, bedroom community an hour from Austin there are still a few lakefront homes that were built in the 1940... 10/11/2009

Lakeway TX Homes for Sale are telling an interesting story in our current Austin Texas market.  I pulled up sales history for the past 37 days, that's September 1st through today.  I wanted to make sure I captured any sales data from closings that were held over from August into the first week of September.Currently, there are 178 houses for sale in Lakeway TX.  This does not include condos, only houses.The houses range from a 1232 sqft 3 bedroom home listed at $164,900 to a 6964 sqft 5 bedroom home listed at $3,495,000.  There are many price ranges in between, but they average $563,038 for a 4 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath, 3112 sqft home built in 1994 with an average days on market (DOM) of 179 days.18 of the currently active properties are over $1 Million.  That's a very small percentage, 10%,... 10/08/2009

Lakeway has a new unique residential development exclusively for the over 55 community and its called Tuscan Village. Tuscan Village is comprised of villas, and townhomes in a quiet community with every imaginable amenity close to Lake Travis. There is a 10,000 square foot club-house with indoor and out door dining and a concierge service to rival even the Four Seasons Hotel. There is a business center, fitness center, and art studio. The Town-homes in Tuscan Village will be 1295-1790 square feet  and pricing starts at $240K. The Villa's are 1662-3220 square feet and prices start at $340K. The final price will be determined by the level of luxury finishes you choose for your new home. These Tuscan inspired homes will have native Texas landscapes creating a peaceful hassle free lifestyle... 10/03/2009

It may be a dirty business but it does not have to be a secret. It is important to know what your getting into. Selling homes with septic systems is nothing new. Many communities in the Austin area have homes with septic systems, for example: Shady Hollow, Dripping Springs, Westlake Hills, Lakeway, Hudsen Bend, Bee Creek, Buda, Kyle, and Lago Vista just to name a few. I have sold many of these homes and can help Buyers be aware of what to look for in a functioning septic. There are several reputable septic companies around town that can help you with the process of pumping and inspecting your septic tank. I want to share  a little about the process with you.Depending on where the house is determines who should inspect the system. If the property is within 2000 feet of Lake Travis, it is... 09/17/2009

Lakeway Texas Activites welcome 3F Fitness, and it's quickly becoming all the rage!  3F Fitness has something for everyone and all age groups. They have wrestling, tumbing, cheerleading, and group fitness classes. They even have a drop off class on University of Texas game days, so you can drop off your kid and go enjoy the game at the stadium, at a friend's, or just enjoy it at home without having to worry about pleasing a child at the same time. Yesterday, I went to a Mommy and Me fitness class, kids ages 1-2 years old.  It was very interesting.  We started out all warming up and stretching together.  Try doing lunges holding an extra 25 pounds!  After the initial warming up, we split up.  The kids got to play with toys and on the trampoline and run around, while the moms had a drill ... 09/11/2009

I have not been to a high school football game in over 15 years.  I was in the color guard when I was in football, so that was mandatory to go to all games, and then some.  It was a lot of fun, but I've had no reason to go to one since then. Apparently, Lake Travis High School is very serious about their football team.  To get a guarantee in, you have to have season tickets.  Yes, season tickets to a high school game!!  I've never heard of such a thing. The red and black Cavaliers have won 2 back to back state championships, and they're looking for their third, to threepeat. The game had a lightning delay so we started late.  We took Alyssa for her very first football game ever, and she behaved really well, the people around us were amazed.  It was well past her bedtime, so we left afte... 09/05/2009

Today is the first day back to school for the Austin area, including my district of Lake Travis ISD.  My daughter's daycare is about 5 miles away.  Not very far, right?  It took me 48 minutes to get there and back this morning! Why? It took me 3 rounds of the light just to get out of my neighborhood.  Then, it's fairly smooth sailing to the daycare because all the hundreds of cars are in the left turn lane to get into the schools. The Lake Travis Middle School, Lake Travis High School, AND the Lake Travis ISD Administration building are all right there on the same corner. I drop Alyssa off, and get back in the traffic... However, going South is a different story than going north.  Not only is there all the school traffic, so you would think the left lane would now move smoothly because ... 08/24/2009

Lake Travis -Austin TX - View from the Iguana Grill. On Thursday, I had a Mother's Night Out with some local moms in the Lakeway, Bee Cave, and Spicewood, TX areas.  We went to the Iguana Grill on 620 in Lakeway.  It was hot, but we sat on the patio anyway.  They had misters with fans blowing on us, but it's the view you come for. With record breaking heat this summer and record draught over a 23 months period going on, there are amazing shots you can get today that you probably won't come near to seeing next year. Here is a shot from the Iguana Grills Patio.  You see all the green stuff on the "island".  That's called grass. It's foreign to the island and that's because this island doesn't usually see the light of day.  Usually, boats are going through the water on top of these islands... 08/23/2009

As I sat in the Keller Williams Lake Travis office this afternoon, I heard a noise like something had just slammed into the building.  It turned out to be an extraordinary wind gust followed by tremendous rain and wind.  A tree snapped in half in front of the building and water was blown in under all the doors.  We desperately need rain as we have had about half our normal rainfall over the last two years.  Check out the radar image below from the storm. If you have an interest in Lakeway real estate or Austin homes, give me a call at 512-293-2422. 08/12/2009

I stopped into Flowers by Nancy, too today to get my free "Welcome to the Neighborhood" plant that is offered.  I took this opportunity to get some information about this great, local flower store.   The first thing you'll notice when you drive up is that you're driving into a boat dealership.  This is because Donna and Jeff Parker also own Austin Boats and Motors right next door.  Within the boat store, they used to have a flower shop. Some years ago, the John Deere dealership next door became available, and they moved the flower business over there.  But as you can see, the boat store still has the sign in their window. At the store, I spoke with Amy and she was very helpful.  She said I could choose from a plant or fresh cut flowers.  Fresh cut flowers would only last about a week, s... 08/07/2009

Today was the 1 year anniversary for Hoppin' House in Lakeway, TX.  They are a family owned and operated Bounce House place, the Assini and McCullough families.  Today's FREE party was held at the Lakeway City Park with hotdogs, cake, bounce houses, water slides, and a little train. Here are some pictures from the party today. The faces have been blurred for privacy.     I've taken my daughter to Hoppin' House a few times, and it's great!  Since my daughter is currently only 20 months old, it's good that Hoppin' House has a couple of bounce houses geared towards the younger kids.  When younger kids are playing in them, the older kids are not allowed. The bounce houses include mazes, climbing walls, and slides.  I think I have more fun than Alyssa at times! There is also a foam pit that ... 08/01/2009

If you were to drive into Lakeway on 620 from the south and then turn on to Lohman's Crossing, you would think that things are pretty busy in Lakeway.  That is because you would drive by two large construction sites.  The first is the Lakeway Regional Medical Center, which is going up right by the Lake Travis ISD offices. Then on Lohman's Crossing you would go by what will be Tuscan Village, a retirement community being developed in Lakeway.  But don't let those two projects deceive you, Lakeway home sales are pretty slow.  June of this year saw 22 single-family homes sell in Lakeway.  In 2008 that number was 25 - about the same.  However, in June of 2007, 38 Lakeway homes sold. So is it a good time to buy in Lakeway?  Money is still cheap and there is a lot of competition, so there may... 07/27/2009

Lake Travis Market Statistics for waterfront properties for May/June 2009. There have been 36 waterfront homes on Lake Travis listed for salein the last two months. The average number of days on the market is 124, with an average listed price per square foot of $451.36. Two homes have been sold/closed recently. Below please find the details of the market statistics for  Lake Travis homes. Please note these stats do not include condo properties. The most affordable home is priced at $429K. This home has four bedrooms and three baths and was built in 1965, it has 2434SF and sits on a .59 acre lot. The most expensive propertyis listed for $9,500,000. and it has a three bedroom one bath home built in 1958 with 2782SF. The reason it is priced so high ($3414.PSF) is it's on 13 acres with 600 ... 07/26/2009

The new "Tuscan Village" of homes is now under construction in Lakeway, just 30-45 minutes to Austin Texas. While the groundbreaking was back in May 2009, they are moving rapidly.  The Welcome Center should be complete and operational next month (August 2009). Here you will be able to see floorplans and finishes for the homes available. The finishes will definitely be "high end" and custom.  This uniquee subdivision is "Age-Qualified"and is the first of its kind in Lakeway. The goal is to create a resort style lifestyle for the over 55 crowd. The development will have 42 acres with a "low maintenance life-style" homes for 280 home owners. The architecture is the ever popular Tuscan inspired with a strong Texas flair.  Most homes will range from 1200SF to very large homes of 3000SF. The ... 07/25/2009

Tuscan Village is seeing a lot of site work.  Tuscan Village will be Lakeway's first retirement community.  Located on Lohman's crossing almost directly from the Keller Williams building, Tuscan Village is a 42 acre development that will contain 280 townhomes and villas.  The project has been in the planning stages for several years, but site work just started around a month ago.  The community will have a fitness center, walking trails, a park, clubhouse with concierge services and will also be home to the new Lakeway library.  In addition to the amenities at Tuscan Village itself, residents will be able to have access to the amenities at the Rough Hollow Yacht Club.  Amenities at Rough Hollow include Lake Travis access, a fitness center and a restaurant that will soon be open. 07/25/2009

Kids have no fears... She walked right up, planted her feet, and jumped right in...   It was getting out that was the hard part! Hoppin' House in Lakeway, TX turns 1 years old and they're throwing a huge, FREE party on August 1. Hope to see you there! **Are You Packed Yet?** Donna Harris, REALTOR®RE/MAX Austin Skylinewww.DonnaHomes.comDonna@DonnaHomes.com Austin, TX real estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, Westlake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Whether you're buying or selling, I'll be with you through the entire process. 07/19/2009

The "Lakeway Regional Medical Center" is now under construction by a private developmentcompany called... what else  the "Lakeway Regional Medical Center Development, LLC". This 54 acre project is estimated to cost $250 million, and it will be 70-80% physician owned. When you drive up RR620 you will see the amazing amount of progress they have made in four short months since the ground-breaking. The estimated completion of the hospital project is 2011. The development will also have retail stores, restaurants, day care facility, hotel, rehabilitation hospital and various medical offices. They plan to have 25 emergency beds, and 70-80 licensed beds. Their goal is to be a full service hospital, not just an out-patient facility. Lakeway Regional Medical Center will offer cardiac care, canc... 07/09/2009

On July 11, 2009, the City of Lakeway, TX will be holding a blood drive sponsored by the Greater Lakeway Residents Association. It's going to be held at the Lakeway Activity Center located at 105 Cross Creek. It's only Saturday morning from 8am-12pm so schedule your appointment now, Searcy Willis at 512-261-9055 I'm sure they'll take walk-ins.  Who's going to turn away someone wanting to donate? **Are You Packed Yet?** Donna Harris, REALTOR®RE/MAX Austin Skylinewww.DonnaHomes.comDonna@DonnaHomes.com Austin, TX real estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, Westlake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Whether you're buying or selling, I'll be with you through the entire process.  07/08/2009

I was told by many people that the Lakeway City Park should definitely be a place for us to take Alyssa.  Why?  Because it had a nice beach and water front area where you could dip your feet on a hot day, and also feed the ducks. Here is the Lakeway City Park beach... Is it missing something?  Yes, that's a lot of sand with a sign that says to Swim at Own Risk.  How far away is the water?  Mike, Alyssa, and Oscar are walking in the middle of where it should be as you can see the pile of "beach" behind them.  Mike went all the way to the rock area, and there was still no water. He said it was another hundred feet away or so. However, we did find the ducks up in the shade... they're smart!  The ducks were actually very pushy and kept taking the bread out of Alyssa's hand instead of lettin... 07/05/2009