Georgetown, Texas Real Estate Blog      Your Host: Edward Lui

Back after popular demand:  Another “Favorite HOMEboy Testimonial”

Okay, I confess, I’m not sure how popular these are and what the demand is, but many of my recent clients have been rather “video-shy” so I’m glad that Chuck and Fran decided to be such good sports.
They live on my street and are some cool neighbors and I wish them the best in their future as “beach bums.”  The home that was sold was on 133 Village Park Drive in Georgetown Village.

One of the things I always recommend to my clients is to do a pre-inspection.  This is another revolutionary method that my brokerage, Mars Hill Realty Group, integrates into our house marketing strategy.  Here are the top 3 reasons we do this:

1.  Eliminates potential deal-killers

2.  Reduces negotiation leverage of buyer during option period

3.  Attracts the highest offer from the buyer by positioning your home as fixed and well cared for.

Check out the testimonial below and call me to get the same great results on your home!

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


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.

• 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.





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 $864,900.

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


























































































Whitney Woods Inspection Report - All repairs completed

Whitney Woods Property and Septic Disclosure

Whitney Woods Survey

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:

133 Village Park Drive in Georgetown Village

The neighborhood of Georgetown Village has a unique street that’s called Village Park Drive.  I know, because I live on it!  It’s the only street in Georgetown Village that is a one-way street.  It’s the only one that has a park that fronts it with a neighborhood park/playscape and a city-run heated swimming pool.  It’s also the closest park to the exemplary-rated Village Elementary school.

Well, now here’s something more unique then Village Park Drive:

133 Village Park Drive, the only home in Georgetown that has a view of this lovely park from the front and a nice view of the Texas Hill Country from the back:

But, here’s something else that this home has:  A perfect night-time panoramic view of the skies

This custom-built observatory has been crafted to very exacting standards so that the roof slides open and you have access to the skies above.  Imagine hanging out here with your children or grand-children on a cool summer evening looking at the constellations and gazing at the moon with a high-powered telescope.  This isn’t just an educational tool for astronomers, it’s a memory builder tool for families.  Not a fan of telescopes?  Simply turn this into a club house, or workshop complete with electricity.

The home is built by David-Weekly and has 3 bedrooms/2 baths all on one level.  The owners are meticulously clean and the trees and flowers on this property will make the next owner look like a landscaping champ.  This home has approx. 2000 SF and is priced at $210,000.

133-vp-inspection report

133-village-park-disclosure-and-survey

For more pictures, check out the gallery below:

This is from my HOMEOWNER TIMES real estate column:

Camping trips are fun: Start up the grill, turn off the slave-driving cell phone, listen to the sound of crickets at night and just relax with the family while munching on s’mores.  Most people associate camping trips with lots of preparation and driving time before you can actually enjoy those benefits, but not if you live in The Preserve at Lake Georgetown in Georgetown, Texas.  Any resident of this custom home neighborhood could just walk out their front door and be on a campground within a short 30 minute, 2 mile walk.  Imagine being able to escape from the office by simply stuffing your backpack with some food and a sleeping bag, grabbing the kids and a tent, and off you go to Russell Park, just two miles away.  Don’t like to walk?  Take the car and be there in 2 minutes.  Isn’t spontaneity great?

The Preserve at Lake Georgetown is tucked away in Northwest Georgetown and is bordered by the Whitney Conservation Preserve, allowing most homeowners to enjoy panoramic views of the Texas Hill Country and maintain complete protection from anything that might obstruct those views.  Do you remember the days when all the neighbors knew each other by name and enjoyed each others company?  That dynamic is hard to find in most of the mega-neighborhoods you see today with hundreds of homes lining the streets.  However, the developer of this community only platted seventeen 1+ acre lots, creating a sense of community and exclusivity that is rare in most neighborhoods.

You’ll find only custom-caliber homes in The Preserve at Lake Georgetown with a majority of them built by the developer, Steve Klein.  Steve Klein is an experienced builder that has the type of attention to detail that would make an engineer blush.  Whether it’s a custom library, home theater, wine cellar, or a gigantic playroom for kids, Steve Klein can integrate it into your dream home to fit your lifestyle.  Speaking of kids, this home is also located in one of the best elementary school districts in Georgetown.  Ford Elementary received an exemplary rating, the highest possible ranking, by the Texas Education Agency and it is located just 5 miles away.  Besides the school, an HEB grocery store and a host of other convenient shopping is available all within a short 10 minute commute.

The Preserve at Lake Georgetown lives up to it’s name: Located in an exclusive location within walking distance to Lake Georgetown and access to some of the best schools and shopping in Georgetown, it truly preserves the type of lifestyle most people only dream of.  Only 7 lots are remaining, so be sure to reserve a spot in the preserve as soon as you can!  For additional links, more information and pictures of this neighborhood, be sure to check out the Georgetown Texas real estate blog at:  www.GeorgetownCustomHomes.com/blog or become a fan on Facebook:  www.YourFavoriteHOMEboy.com.

Here is one of the homes available now!  Click to enlarge picture:

Ford Elementary School district is one of the most desirable in Georgetown, Texas because of its exemplary rating. Desireable, yes. Affordable? Not really.

Consider that the average price of all the homes on the market today, that feed into this school district, is just over $400,000 with an average of $143/SF. Let me introduce to you a home that breaks the trend:  4900 Woodstock Drive

4900 Woodstock is your economic stimulus home. Not only is this home one of the best values on the market today, it’s also a rare opportunity to send your kid to this exclusive elementary school for just $165,000 (~$89/SF). Here’s the best part: This home is also located closer to Ford Elementary School then most of the other homes that cost at least 3x more. You can walk to this school and not cross any major roads. In fact, you can also walk to HEB, a couple of restaurants, the UPS store, a nail store, Blockbuster and more!  That puts new meaning to “Green Home.”  Let your friends brag about their new hybrid…you get the luxury of never even having to start a car to do your errands!  The location of this home is unprecedented and the value is unmatched.

Check out the pictures below and call me to arrange a private showing today!

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:

Do you like horses? Well, here’s the community for you!

Located in NE Georgetown, Texas, Twin Creek Farms is one of the finest custom home communities that caters to people who love horses. Don’t ride a horse, but love looking at them? Well, then you’re welcome here too! The community is beautiful enough that some people move here just for the peaceful, rolling terrain and classic look of white fencing that lines the lot of every home in the neighborhood. Unlike golf course communities, there aren’t any budget-breaking HOA fees here. Just around $55/month will give you the benefits of a community equestrian center, dedicated horse-riding trails and a lake full of fish.

Recently, one of the best lots in this neighborhood came up for sale. The owners decided to move to a different area and they want to sell this coveted piece of property to the next lucky buyer. What makes it so special? Well, for starters, it’s at the end of a culdesac. Which means no cars passing through and safer streets for the little ones. It’s also a large 4+ acre lot that is suitable for 2 horses. The lot is relatively flat and clear so it will keep your building costs down. The best feature of this lot, however, is that it backs to a gorgeous stream that you will have commanding views of from the back windows of your home. Imagine, resting out in the backyard to the sound of soothing water and gentle breezes. Yes, all of this for just $77,000. Where else will you find land this cheap? Let alone land on a premium location with a premium view! I just sold one of the last few lots available that back to a water-feature this past week in Georgetown, so if you’re looking for a unique lot, make sure you consider this in your purchase!

Check out the gallery below and feel free to drive by the lot:

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:

Here’s what I think you’ll like about this home:

Backyard - Home faces West, so the backyard is shaded in the evening and is the perfect environment for grilling and relaxing. The owners take advantage of where the sun is and have built a private garden on the side of the home next to the walking path. Rather then an ugly slab of concrete, the owners opted for a much more natural material, using gravel to form the surface of this patio. No large 2 story directly behind this home, for a much better sense of privacy.

Floorplan - The living room has soaring ceilings (at least 12 feet) and is ideal for furniture placement. Two bedrooms are on the first floor including the Master bedroom. This is convenient for guests or if the next buyer has a small child they want to keep close. This also give you the versatility of having elderly parents live with you and not have to climb stairs. There is a dedicated full bathroom for this second bedroom. The third bedroom is on the top floor and also has access to a full bath. This third bedroom is very large and can be considered a second Master bedroom.

Gameroom - This extra living space is critical to families these days who have such a wide variety of needs. This bonus room is so large you can split it up for multiple uses like the current owner has done. They use one half for a study and the other half for a hobby room. There is even a neat alcove that can be used as a child’s homework area, a TV nook or a small library.

Check out the pictures below and call me if you want to see this home for yourself. Perfect as an investment home or residence!

View Larger Map
4Br/2Ba/2Living/Bonus Building in Backyard (Scroll map to the right to see location of home)

Live Music, Market Days, Christmas Strolls, the list goes on and on….it’s what makes Historic Downtown Georgetown the heart of this city and why people from all over the world fall in love with the city of Georgetown, Texas.

However, the real “magic” of downtown Georgetown isn’t just the “special events,” it’s the unique lifestyle it offers for those who live, work and play here. Now, here’s your chance to be less than 4 blocks from “the square” and own a piece of history on 404 East 8th Street.

The Numbers:

This home is being GIVEN AWAY at $200,000 by the current owners! It’s approximately 2000 SF and that doesn’t include the bonus room that the current owners built in the backyard. If you do a little preliminary analysis, you’ll notice that $100/SF in this part of town, with this type of proximity to the square, is amazing. When the real estate market was appreciating in recent years, the part of town that experienced one of the highest percent gains was downtown Georgetown. It’s not unusual to see these older homes sell upwards of $130/sf to $150/sf.

The Delimma:

So why isn’t this sold? Currently the owners have some college students living in the home and paying rent. If you’ve been a college student before (or have college-aged kids) you know that housekeeping isn’t something they normally choose to major in. When I was at the University of Rochester my priorities were: Fulfilling my ROTC obligations, serving my college fellowship, squeaking by in school and hanging out with my future wife Autumn. Not necessarily in that order. I worried more about how I would get my next chicken wing fix, then I would about cleaning up the place. Fortunately, God blessed me with Josue Padilla, quite possibly the cleanest Puerto Rican man on earth!

The bottom line, staged homes help sell homes quicker. Messy college-boy homes take a bit longer. The other difficulty is finding a buyer who is willing to move in after the current lease is up sometime in May of 2010.

However, if you’re an investor, this is a dream. These types of homes are rarely vacant because college boys just rotate through them pretty automatically. Hold on to the home and sell it when the market peaks.

If you want to take advantage of the tax credits and interest rates, now is the perfect opportunity to snatch this up even if you are an owner-occupant.

12/21 Update: If you’re an investor looking to capitalize on the college rental market here’s a tip. Don’t just get a home with proximity to Southwestern University. Get one that is also close to the square. That way you can attract the college crowd and also have maximum potential for appreciation on your home due to the rare location. As of this date, this is the ONLY home on the market that is in the prime location I just described. There are maybe 4-5 other rental homes close to the University, but they are all about 1/2 - 1 mile from the square and are mostly located across a major street (University Avenue).

Check out the pictures below:

Fran and Linda Roke and their friend, Lorraine, are some great folks.  They moved to Georgetown, Texas from Connecticut and decided to build a home in Sun City, Texas right next to each other!  I had the honor of overseeing the construction of both homes and coordinating for any third party vendors to get into the home.  It’s hard enough to build a home, let alone do it from out-of-state!  We accomplished this through lots of email and phone calls and some occasional You Tube videos of the home’s progress.  Check out the video testimonial below!

The weather is nice.

Walking is good.

Kids need to learn the value of work and earning money.

I need to do real estate marketing.

All of that adds up to our newest monthly LUI FAMILY TRADITION - Deliver real estate fliers door-to-door!

The Task: There are about 400 homes in my neighborhood in Georgetown Village and it takes my family of 5 about 1 hour/100 fliers.

The Method: I am on foot and I carry the fliers in my shoulder bag. Joshua is on the scooter, Chloe is on the bike and Autumn pushes Sabrina in anything that has wheels.  In the newer development, where houses are spread apart, we load up in the minivan.

The Loot: I pay the kids 5 cents per flier.  That’s a ton less then postage!

The Side Benefits: 1 hour of family time, walking in great Texas weather.  Teaching kids about work ethic and simple math.

Check out this month’s and last month’s flier below:

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: