Georgetown, Texas Real Estate Blog      Your Host: Edward Lui

This home was built with country-living in mind.

Imagine a home that is hidden behind large oak trees and over 6 acres of lush park-like land.  You can have horses here, since the entire property is fenced, and you will have complete privacy from all directions.   Welcome to 50 Double File Trace located in the Durham Park neighborhood of Liberty Hill, TX.  When you drive up from the main road, the only way you will know that there is a house back here is from the house number that is hanging on the split rail fence up front.  Follow the winding driveway into the canopy of trees and you’ll find a lovely 5 bedroom home with almost 2400 SF of living space for just $229,000.

You can look in all directions:  Georgetown, Liberty Hill, Jarrell, etc. and be hard-pressed to find a home in move-in condition, with this much living space and acreage, priced under $250k.  The value for this property is unbeatable.  The current owners are pricing this home competitively because they want to downsize and move closer to Georgetown.

Here’s what all of this land and privacy means to you.  It means you can build a pool anywhere you want and not have to worry about the next-door neighbor checking you out in your bathing suit.  It means you don’t even NEED a bathing suit!  It also means that the lot won’t restrict where to place any future outbuildings like a garage or workshop or barn.  This is really a “blank canvas” just waiting to be developed and personalized by the next owner.  The best news of it all is that homes in this neighborhood have historically sold at TWICE THE PRICE and over $180/SF. At $96/SF, this home is priced at almost half of that, meaning there is tremendous upside to the home and you can renovate and add-on without having to worry about your future resale value.

The Floorplan

One more thing needs to be said about this home.  It’s not your typical modern-day floorplan with a large kitchen/living room combination also known as a great room.  This isn’t a “luxury” farm home that looks rustic from the front, but has a professional chefs-caliber kitchen and a “spa-like” bathroom.  This is about as authentic as it gets. It looks like a country home, and it IS a country home.  If that’s what you’re looking for and you’re tired of seeing the same home over and over again, I invite you to schedule a showing.  The floorplan is very flexible because there are 4 bedrooms upstairs with a full bath and a full bath downstairs with 2 additional bedrooms.  How you use those bedrooms will be determined by your lifestyle.  Check out the gallery of pictures below, you can click on each one to enlarge them:

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

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Here’s your chance to snag up two lots in River Chase for $75,000 a piece in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Georgetown, Texas.

What makes River Chase so popular is the convenience factor.  This is probably the closest custom home neighborhood to I35, the southern entrance to River Chase is about 1 mile away from the access road.  Yet, due to it’s hilly topography, you can barely hear any road noise from within the neighborhood.  Wait a second, aren’t hilly lots tough to build on?  Good question..

123 River Chase and 412 Mason Ranch are prime lots for this neighborhood because even though the neighborhood is hilly, these two are relatively flat and easy to build on.  That means the next buyer can spend less money on the concrete slab and pocket the savings.  Here are some approximations of the size for these lots below.  Everything in River Chase is at least 1 acre in size:

412 Mason Ranch: Notice how the owner purchased the lot that is almost entirely surrounded by trees!  It is conveniently located closest to the northern entrance of River Chase, meaning easier access and hardly any neighbors on all sides of you.

123 River Chase: This lot is a designer’s dream.  The unique shape allows it to take full advantage of the hill country views to the North and there are no shortage of mature oak trees.  In fact, this lot IS owned by a designer and a full set of plans custom-designed for this lot can be made available to the next buyer.

River Chase in Georgetown Texas is also located within 5-15 minutes to the following:

Major Medical Centers:   Seton Medical Center, Scott and White Healthcare and St. Davids Georgetown Hospital

Major Shopping:  Wolf Ranch, Walmart/Home Depot, Round Rock Premium Outlets and the Ikea shopping plaza

Higher Education:  Southwestern University, Texas State University

Recreation:  Lake Georgetown, San Gabriel Park, Georgetown Recreation Center and several golf courses

Here are more pictures of 412 Mason Ranch:

Here are more pictures of 123 River Chase:

Trying to find a home with an in-ground pool in the heat of Texas summer is like the holy grail for real estate shoppers. To get a recently built home, with mature landscaping, and over 2700 SF (according to tax records) at $275,000 is nearly impossible.

Until now. Let me tell you about 3644 Fossilwood Way located in Mayfield Ranch in Round Rock, Texas:

1.  There are many homes that try to “squeeze” into this price range by offering a pool, but skimping on the landscaping.  From the moment you drive up to this home, your eyes will be immediately drawn to the meticulously chosen native plants that line the front yard in a very natural setting.  This landscaping design not only minimizes the amount of yard that needs to be cut, but also the owner’s water usage.  Landscaping involves more than just well-chosen plants, but also good utility of stones, rocks and pathways that wind through the yard.  This home also has a beautiful walkway made of flagstone laid on top of crushed granite that connects the front and back yard.

2.  If you’re a shopper in this price range, something else you’ll notice different about this home is that it’s only built in 2004 and it’s a relatively new home that has been well taken care of.  What that means to you is that you don’t have to buy a home, and already start planning for your next renovation project.  The floorplan is very modern and all the spaces are well-proportioned and the flooring and paint upgrades have been well chosen.

3.  This isn’t an ordinary pool that was picked out from a catalog and just plopped in the yard!  In fact, the owners had it custom designed for the backyard and you will have a view of this pool from almost every room in the home:  Living, Kitchen, Breakfast, Gameroom and two bedrooms.

When you step out here, your first inclination may be to jump in the pool, so let me point out a few things that this pool may distract you from.  The deepest point is in the middle of the pool and it’s shallow on both ends…this is perfect for a game of water volleyball.  If you have young children or just want to wade in the pool and relax with a good book, there is also a sun ledge, an ultra-shallow wading area.  This pool can be for fun as well as exercise or therapy.  If you want to do laps, you can do that too by just turning on the swim jet and swimming against the current.  After spending hours in the pool, it’s nice to know that your largest organ, your skin, didn’t just absorb lots of unhealthy chlorine.  That’s right, this is a salt water pool, which results in minimal maintenance costs and leaves swimmers with skin and hair softer then when they came into the pool.  Say “good-bye” to smelly chlorine that lingers on your body after you swim.

This home is the entertainer’s dream: A high-end pool set in a natural surrounding with an outdoor kitchen to handle all your grilling needs.  This home isn’t too old, where renovations and updates are in order…on the other hand, the home has upgraded window treatments, flooring and paint to give it a very modern and cozy feel for the next homeowner.

Click here to download disclosure-survey-floorplan

For more pictures of this home, click on the photos in the gallery below:

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North East Round Rock has developed into quite the trendy place. It’s one of those places you can go back to several times during the week and never get bored.

The Lifestyle

For example, sometimes my wife and I will take the kids to the Round Rock Premium Outlets and do some light shopping and let the kids blow off some energy. If it’s really hot outside, we might visit any number of large indoor stores in the Ikea shopping plaza like JC Penny or try out one of the many restaurants that keep popping up there every couple of months. It’s also a great place to meet up with other families. A couple of times, we’ve chatted the night away with friends as our kids would chase each other in the gated playscape in front of Mighty Fine Burgers.

The beauty of living in the Eagle Ridge neighborhood is that you have extremely convenient access to this type of lifestyle. This neighborhood isn’t just 2 miles from the Round Rock Outlets and Ikea shopping plaza, but also two great medical developments by Seton and Scott & White, as well as Texas State University.

The Home

Recently, a large single-story home became available in Eagle Ridge on 3613 Eagles Nest. It’s the type of home that you can move right into, without having to worry about paint, landscaping and window treatments.  The home is just over 2100 SF and has 3 bedrooms with a study and formal dining room.  There are two things that you’ll really love about this home.  The first is the family-swallowing kitchen: When you first walk in, you’ll notice there is a large skylight that floods this room with plenty of natural light.  All great cooks know that adequate lighting is needed to prepare and cook meals optimally and there certainly won’t be any shortage of light in this kitchen! There are also stainless steel appliances from high-end manufacturers, like Kitchen Aid, that the owners have installed to update this kitchen.  The second is the well-landscaped, private backyard with covered patio: If you’ve ever bought a new home before, you know the anguish of planting skinny little trees and waiting for years before they are even large enough to provide shade for your 5 year old.  You probably have to live in the home for 5-7 years before your trees give you the privacy that you want to enjoy and then it’s time to move again.  Well, you won’t have that problem with this home.  Everything is mature and manicured, waiting for the next homeowner to enjoy.

The Finer Details
Here are more pictures of the home (you can click on to enlarge) and a video to guide you through this large 1-story home that is priced at just $175,000 in NE Round Rock.

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:

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!

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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:

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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: