Georgetown, Texas Real Estate Blog      Your Host: Edward Lui

248 Whitney Woods Circle – The Preserve at Lake Georgetown

There are lots of homes in the $500k – $1 Million price range on the west side of Georgetown, Texas. However, every once in awhile, a home comes on the market that offers something truly unique. If you were to put together a wish list of features for a home of this caliber, it could look something like this:

• Lot location – Professionally landscaped; Guaranteed to be no neighbors behind you; A premium view that can’t be duplicated.

This Tuscan-styled estate home was personally designed by the builder, Steve Klein. He hand-picked the best lot in the neighborhood to capture this coveted view of Lake Georgetown and the Texas Hill Country. If you have a teenager, keep them away from the sunset views, the views are liable to make them fall in love. If you’re married, it will be like therapy. These views convey with the home.

• Neighborhood location – convenient to outdoor recreation, shopping, and the best schools; exclusive community
  • Home size – large enough to raise a family in without moving again, multiple living areas for various needs; luxurious in a subtle way, doesn’t make the guests feel uncomfortable.


View Preserve at Lake Georgetown in a larger map

The blue marker with the black dot in the middle of it represents the location for this neighborhood (click the map icons to show what they represent). It’s hard to believe that you could be in such a beautiful neighborhood on acreage, yet within a 5 mile radius of almost everything you need to survive: Exemplary Ford elementary school, HEB Grocery shopping, Scott and White Medical, and a host of other restaurants, retail and banks. What’s really unique is that the proximity to Lake Georgetown and Russell Park is only 2 miles away! You can read more about this unique neighborhood in my recent article on the Preserve at Lake Georgetown.





Many homes in this price range have 4 bedrooms and 4 baths. But in addition to that, this home also has a formal living area, dedicated formal dining room, upstairs Gameroom, private hobby room or playroom, separate air-conditioned storage space (Texas Basement), private home office and a workstation flex space between the kitchen and utility room that is perfect for doing homework or paying the bills. All of the bedrooms are spacious and have private access to the bathrooms. In fact, most of the rooms in this house share the same premium view of the Texas Hill Country out the back windows. One of the guest bathrooms downstairs has access from the garage and also the outdoors to be used as a future pool bath.

If you’re still reading this, and are a serious buyer in this market, stop what you are doing and see this home. There simply isn’t a home on the market with a premium view on almost 2 acres, proximity to Lake Georgetown, and over 4800 SF of luxurious living in this price range. In fact, the last lot in Georgetown with a similar view was just purchased a month ago and construction has already began. They will be your next door neighbors. The home is competitively priced at $718,000.

See below for a gallery of the home and click the pictures to enlarge:















































































248 Whitney Woods – Inspection Report (all repairs completed)

248 Whitney Woods – Sellers Disclosure

248 Whitney Woods – Onsite Sewer

248 Whitney Woods – Survey Map

Looking for information on Georgetown Texas Homes For Sale? Visit my website or call me anytime!! Want the latest updates on Georgetown Texas Real Estate, news and latest developments? Sign up for the blog by clicking the link below:

Austin Toyota Car Dealership Review – Charles Maund Toyota

Look what we have sitting in our garage:

That is our 2010 Toyota Prius.  Used, but new to us.

We just picked it up yesterday and are pretty happy with the car….the dealership? Well, that remains to be seen. You see, when my wife got home she realized they only gave us ONE KEY! I was pretty shocked, since I just dropped $19k on a car and would expect to have at least a key for myself.  Well, needless to say I called the dealership today and our sales guy, Chad, mentioned he would “talk to his manager” and try to work it out for me.

My other beef is their $150 detail job:

SERIOUSLY?!

The first picture is our missing cupholder from the center armrest.  It would have been nice for them to have placed one in there for us.

The second picture are crumbs from my kids when they were eating in the back seat during the test drive.  Or in other words, a strategic test to see if it would be cleaned up in the so-called “detail job” that would follow.  I can always count on my kids for crumbs.

The third picture is some nasty brown spots in the passenger side.  Wouldn’t a $150 detail job include shampooing the upholstery?

A bit disappointed, but I’m hoping they can fix this.  My follow up call is tomorrow, let’s see if they do the right thing….

…..(to be continued)
BTW, Here’s the car we replaced after getting “sandwiched” between two cars after being rear-ended. (bimmer, you will be missed):

Jan 29th Update:

Well, after talking with Chris, he was able to get me the extra key and floormats that were promised.  However, this came at the expense of getting a real detailing job that involves *gasp* carpet cleaning!  So, I took the key and decided to have my friend help with the carpets.  Anyway, my experience is still such that I wouldn’t recommend them to anybody who is looking for excellent service.  Good price, yes, but just be careful and deal with Chris and not Chad.

This home is back on the market!

Say hello to the best value in a home for sale in Georgetown, Texas. 30003 Bumble Bee is located in the Villages of Berry Creek where you can have the benefits of a golf course community at Berry Creek Country Club without paying the high HOA fees. The Berry Creek Golf course is just down the street from the Villages and it’s easy to rub some shoulders to get sponsored by a current member to play golf there. Avoid the high monthly fees and make some new friends! What better way to get welcomed into your new neighborhood!

If that’s not enough, your house will be one of a few on the end of a cul-de-sac. While your neighbors have cars commuting back and forth in front of their homes, you’ll have little kids riding bikes in front of yours. Be careful – they’re friendly and just might ring your doorbell to ask if you and your kids want to play with them!

Lastly, and certainly not least, open the front door to your new home and experience one of the most open floor plans you’ve ever been in. The entrance hallway leads you right into the middle of all the action in the living room. Entertain your exclusive cul-de-sac neighbors and have the freedom of not wishing your house was just a bit bigger. The living room is open to the kitchen with plenty of space for a large informal dining table. Don’t forget about the seamless transition from the living room to the covered back patio with a huge back yard for the kids and dogs to run around in.

The feeling of freedom does not end there. This large 2500-plus square foot home has 4 large bedrooms and a large community game room in the center for all the late night games and movies you’ll experience with your family. And if you’re worn out from the games, don’t worry about cleaning up the same night. It’s all on the second floor and none of your distinguished cul-de-sac neighbors will ever see the mess!

133 Fairfield Court was built in 2007 by Green Builders, Inc. A few of the money-saving features include a tankless water heater, spray foam insulation, and energy star appliances.  As an example of the potential savings, this 2,192-sf eco-friendly home has a 2011 average electric bill of $65/month!  Considering the excessive heat wave that Austin just experienced, that is a significant savings compared to other homes without spray foam insulation.  Most “traditional” homes could have bills 2-3 times this amount and every $50/month in savings is equal to another $10,000 in your loan amount.  Consider this: You can buy an inferior home for $10,000 – $15,000 less, but if you consider the true cost of ownership and factor in your low utility bills, you’re probably going to end up paying the same amount each month.  Prove it to me you say?  Well, here’s an example from Edward, who also lives in a Green Builder home.  Click this link to read the article on his experience.

Other green features include low VOC paint, varnish, and adhesives, upgraded recycled carpet, stainless Tresca countertops, drought-resistant landscaping, rain water collection system, and Low-E windows.  This is a rare find as Green Builders no longer builds in Georgetown Village.  133 Fairfield allows you to enjoy the benefits of enormous eco-saving efforts in this home, and save money on utility bills!

Rare Green Builders home with 24/7 views of the park.

Not only can your wallet feel good about this home, so can your eyes as you look out your window to a beautifully treed park across the street.  Georgetown Village is filled with hike and bike trails, trees, and benches, but not every home has one within ten steps of their front door.  In fact, only nine other homes on Fairfield Court share this park.  It’s no wonder that out of nine total real estate transactions on this street, eight of the homes averaged under 60 days on the market!  This is a great opportunity to own a home in Georgetown Village that is green for the environment and faces a park – a rare combination!

From your door to this trail in under 10 seconds!

The 2,192-sf home boasts a huge kitchen and living area, three big bedrooms with walk-in closets, a separate game room, detached garage, ample back yard space, front row seats to the park, and a 400-sf space above the garage that can be finished out to meet any of your needs – 4th bedroom or guest accommodations, executive suite or office, media room or home theater, game room or play room, heated and cooled storage, etc.  The huge space makes this home a perfect fit for any buyer.  Finishing out this space can add instant equity to your home!

Uncage your creative self with 400 sf of workable space!

This home is not just designed to save you energy, but also time.  If you have a load of laundry sitting in your master bedroom closet, simply open up the “secret” door that leads to the laundry room and dump it in the washing machine!  These type of features are normally seen in custom homes that cost three times as much!

For just $225,000, you get panoramic park views, an energy-saving home, and a space above the garage that can be easily expanded for an extra 400 sf of living space.

See below for more information, pictures, and video and contact us if you have any questions.

133 Fairfield – Floor plan
133 Fairfield – Annual Utility Expenses for House
133 Fairfield – Lot Title Survey
133 Fairfield – Inspection Report
133 Fairfield – Sellers Disclosure

While many people stood in line with a Black Friday-induced determination to pick up a few deals, the Lui family threw our tent, sleeping bags and cots into the minivan and headed 1 hour north to Elm Mott, Texas. We had a different determination: Eat lots of good food and enjoy the the Homestead Fair while camping with a few friends.

The weather was awesome when we left and I threw up the tent while wearing shorts and a t-shirt.  However, by the time we left, the weather was in the 30′s and I had as many smokey campfire-smelling layers of clothes as I could put on.  Good thing we also packed our friend, Mr. Buddy, to keep us warm at night.

The Homestead Fair showcases a community who want to preserve the timeless values and sustainability principles that used to be soprevalent in our society.  It’s like going back to the “Little House on the Prairie” Days.  I’ve never seen so many people take pride in the things they make:  Fresh cheeses, handcrafted wrought iron and wooden furniture, pottery, quilts and anything else you can think of…all homemade and done in a way that is sustainable.  The thing I like the most is their rain water collection system and gristmill that is powered by a waterfall.

I like the idea of sustainability because it plays an important role in disaster preparation.  The one lesson that is easily missed when visiting the Homestead Heritage is that the community of people is what makes sustainability work.  All of the delicious organically grown food and items made from Master craftsman are only possible because families come together to serve one another.

We came to camp here with some friends in our small group at church.  It’s great that we have a community in our small group and to a larger extent, our church, that will rally around us when a crisis hits.  And if a local emergency affects us all, we won’t be surviving alone.  What’s more important than being able to live “off the grid” and have storehouses of food and water is a community of people that love and care for you.

Would you be prepared in an emergency?  Do you have this type of community in your life?

All the believers were together and had everything in common.  Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:44-47

My Community in Georgetown, Texas:  Hill Country Bible Church Small Group

Got more ideas?  Start a discussion on our facebook page:  www.YourFavoriteHOMEboy.com and share them!

Your Favorite HOMEboy, Edward

Read more articles on the topic “It’s the End of the World as We Know It”

The one commodity you can’t live without:  Water

A Lesson on Community:  Homestead Heritage in Elm Mott, Texas

Green may become your favorite color due to the golf course views spreading from left to right and beyond the horizon in front of you.  And the appropriately-named Greenside Drive won’t let you forget it.   1603 Greenside is home to Hole #1 at the Teravista Golf Course in Round Rock, Texas.  Only the beautiful wrought iron separates you from pure golf ecstasy and some of the best views when you’re not actually teeing off.

If you don't like green grass and blue skies, you're at the wrong home!

There are only 12 homes for sale that back to the golf course in Teravista, Round Rock.  Most of them are very large, 2-story homes.  In fact, 1603 Greenside is one of 3 homes for sale that is a single-story home, the only one that is under 2,000 sf, and, somehow, also priced the lowest at $225,000! This is the perfect combination for maintainable luxury.  You can enjoy all the benefits of the golf course views without worrying about high utility bills, cumbersome stairs, and rooms or square footage you’ll never use.  But make no mistake about it  – 1,849 sf is plenty of space for 4 bedrooms, formal dining, living, breakfast nook, big master bedroom and big kitchen complete with granite counters and bar.

Very big home without the usual and unnecessary high utility bills.

At night, witness the sun setting behind the fairways and the breeze rustling the tree tops in your yard while you sip your Arnold Palmer or green tea on the covered back patio.  You are protected from any type of weather, yet able to enjoy the best part of all – the sea of green grass that surrounds your home!

This home and back yard are the reason they named this street Greenside Drive.

See below for more information, pictures, and video.  Please contact us if you’d like to view this home or have questions on other homes.

Greenside – Upgrades
Greenside Floor Plan
Greenside Survey
Greenside Sellers Disclosure

Looking for information on Round Rock Texas Homes For Sale? Visit my website or call me anytime!! Want the latest updates on Round Rock Texas Real Estate, news and latest developments? Sign up for the blog by clicking the link below:

SENDERO SPRINGS IN ROUND ROCK TEXAS –

Check out a recent article I wrote for the official Sendero Springs Newsletter – in honor of the upcoming elections, I’ll call it the State of Real Estate.  Enjoy!

How much is my home worth?  Is my home appreciating or depreciating in value?  What did the house down the street sell for?  Is our neighborhood a desirable place to live? As a real estate agent, these are some of the most common questions I get asked and naturally I’ve wondered these same things for my home so I did a little research.  Below you will find market data specific to Sendero Springs that I believe gives us a snapshot of the value and desirability of our homes.

Home values in Sendero Springs show a declining trend over the past 4 years.  The average sold price per square foot in 2011 is the lowest it has ever been.  In the most recent 3^rd quarter, the average price is about $10 less than the previous 3 years.  On an average 3,000 sf home, that is a loss of $30,000!  The most common advice is to wait for the economy to improve before selling, but who knows when that will be.  In addition, some of us don’t have that luxury.  However, there is data that suggests home values should be rising.

Buyers still perceive Sendero Springs to be a highly desirable neighborhood to live in.  We know this by using the absorption rate to determine the neighborhood inventory.  Absorption rate is the number of homes sold per month in the past 12 months. With 7 homes currently for sale in Sendero Springs, it should take approximately 2 months to sell our entire inventory.  Anything under 6 months is considered a seller’s market!

SENDERO SPRINGS HOME SELLING STRATEGY

This is positive news for all of us at Sendero Springs whether we plan on selling or not.  Having walked through all the current homes for sale and all the homes that sold in the past several months, I’ve made a short list of practical suggestions (easy to do and not too expensive) for homeowners wanting to increase the value in their homes when selling.  If we all do our small part, the home values should see an increase in value immediately.

1. Maintain your lawn (i.e., cut grass, pull weeds, trim hedges) – this is enforced by the HOA so you can kill two birds with one stone
2. De-clutter your home (i.e., pack your knick knacks, rent temporary storage [garage if you must], minimalize your home décor)
3. Keep your home at a comfortable temperature for all showings
4. If it’s vacant, get it professionally cleaned – focus on kitchen, carpets, windows, blinds, and ceiling fans
5. Paint your walls to a neutral color and patch all holes

Looking for information on Round Rock Texas Homes For Sale? Visit my website or call me anytime!! Want the latest updates on Round Rock Texas Real Estate, news and latest developments? Sign up for the blog by clicking the link below:

Anomaly: a deviation from the common rule

508 Copper Lane fits this description perfectly -  a starter home with an amazing view and great privacy at the price of $80,000.

A wolf in sheep's clothing - this starter home boasts an amazing view!

In fact, this is the only home in Sonterra priced under $100,000 with a view that can take your breath away.  Nothing but fields and trees in the rear – no buildings, no neighbors, no distractions.  Just you and your thoughts, or dreams if you’re taking a well-deserved nap.  The back yard has the potential for trees, flowers, herb garden, or badminton net, and it’s complemented nicely with a covered patio.

How much is this view worth to you? A lot more than it actually costs.

The interior of the home capitalizes on this expansive view with 3 large windows and both bedrooms facing the rear.   The rest of the interior is an open living space with high ceilings and plenty of natural light.

Check out the rest of the pictures, video, and documents below for more information.

508 Copper Sellers Disclosure

Want to know what’s happening with all the real estate in Sendero Springs?  Here is a complete update for all the previously viewed homes (Gold, Silver, and Bronze).

There are currently seven homes for sale in Sendero Springs.

Gold – 0
Silver – 3
Bronze – 2
New homes (not yet reviewed) – 2

Gold Index

Gold is extinct!  The two available Gold homes have been withdrawn from the market so that leaves buyers with absolutely no opportunity to snatch up a Gold home.  See my review here for the latest Gold homes on the market – 3203 Lazada and 4307 Pasada.

Silver Index

With Gold homes being non-existent, that leaves plenty of opportunity for the Silver homes to get snatched up.  And buyers are not wasting any time.  Two homes (50% of available Silver) are currently under contract.  4004 Arbol reduced the price by $5,000 and is now pending.  3011 Luminoso also reduced the price by $5,000 and is pending.  Both of these homes were slightly overpriced so the price reduction helped them out.  However, price doesn’t solve everything.

4335 Angelico is still selling at a premium $98/sf after a $10,000 reduction.  3008 Asombra is selling at $70/sf after a $15,000 reduction!  You can see my reviews on each of those homes here and here.  Lastly, 4421 Angelico reduced the price by $5,000, didn’t sell, and has now expired.  You may remember this home as the “bed home.” (See my latest review here for the other Silver home.)

Bronze Index

Bronze homes are disappearing fast, but for all the wrong reasons!  Three homes have been withdrawn – 3002 Asombra, 3600 Luminoso, and 4400 Pasada.  That leaves 4106 Pasada as 1 of 2 Bronze homes left (See my latest review here for the other Bronze home.)  Those homes can be found here.

It’s not all bad news for Bronze homes though.  Two of them are actually pending!  You might be asking, how can Bronze homes be under contract if there are still Silver home available?  You can attribute a $15,000 price reduction for the sale of 4419 Pasada.  That puts this home at a reasonable $85/sf.  We still do not know how much they actually settled at either.  A similar $15,000 reduction helped 4303 Angelico also.

5200 Sendero Springs – Silver

This is a very well-kept 4 BR, 2 BA home right along the main street of Sendero Springs. It’s a 1-story home with 2,470 sf, nice granite counters and stainless steel appliances. The floor plan is unique, but makes a lot of sense. It’s rare to see 4 bedrooms, a game room, and an office in a 1-story, but this has it, and it flows well. The master is in the rear, but it isn’t very big. There isn’t a dining room and the breakfast area is only big enough for a table of 4. It gets a silver rating due to the price – $260,000 @ $105/sf! That’s the price range of a new home!

4207 Angelico – Bronze

If I had a category below bronze this would be in it – a 3BR, 2 BA home that is in terrible shape. It’s got a low enough price ($225,000 @ $78.70/sf), however it has too many negatives to more than offset the price. The entire home is occupied by cats. Usually cats don’t have much of an odor and I have to inspect carefully to know they live there (I have cat allergies), but with this many cats in the house (10!), there is a very bad pet odor. The front dining room is carpeted and the landscaping needs work. Did I mention it’s a short sale? This won’t sell, and I think the owner knows it!