Bastrop State Park – Cool Things To Do In Austin
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You’ll find it all at Bastrop State Park—from canoeing, swimming, golfing, hiking and biking to overnighting at historic stone cabins.
In September 2011 our area encured wildfire that affected 96% of Bastrop State Park. Firefighters were able to save the historic cabins and facilities constructed in the 1930’s.
“All areas of the park are open except the following, which will remain closed until further notice:
Area east of Harmon Road including that section of the Lost Pines Hiking Trail
Gotier Trace and areas north and south of the road
Creekside Camp Ground
Primitive Camping”
Things to Do
At Bastrop State Park you can enjoy camping, canoeing, swimming, golf, hiking and lots of wildlife.
Scenic Road for Driving or Biking – Between Bastrop and Buescher State Parks (on park road 1C) you will find the 12 mile scenic ride through the Lost Pines of East Central Texas. This trail is part of the bike race from Houston to Austin known as the MS-150. Or you can drive the beautiful 12 miles in your car.
Fishing – You can bring your fishing gear and fish from the banks along the lake or rent a canoe and fish in the open water.
Golf – Enjoy the 18 hole golf course when you visit the park. They offer Bermuda grass greens, golf cart and pull cart rental and year round play.
Equipment Rentals – The park rents canoes, and barbecue pits. You can also borrow rods, reels, and tack boxes.
Ranger Programs – Bastrop State Park offers educational opportunities such as special tours and events.
More Information about Bastrop State Park.
We hope you enjoy your retreat to Bastrop State Park! And when you are ready to move home or office we would love to help. Get a free online quote today!
Published in categories: Austin Attractions, Cool Things To Do In Austin
Ideas For Moving Long Distances
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Moving long distances doesn’t need to be terribly painful. With some careful planning and work upfront, you will be in your new home, with all your stuff in one piece, in no time! Here are some ideas to get you going in a sane direction…
Pack Well: Taking the time to go through your stuff and wrap and carefully pack your fragile items is a must when moving a long distance. I have used all the towels and blankets we could spare to wrap and protect some of our things. By lining the bottoms of boxes with a towel or even bubble wrap you reduce the amount of breakage considerably. There will be bumps in the road, pothholes and uneven pavement, and the further your stuff goes, the more holes the truck will find. You might want to go to Goodwill and find blankets and towels that you can use to protect your things as you pack, and after you unpack you can donate them back or give them to a homeless shelter in your new town. Craigslist is a good resource for moving supplies that have been used once or twice. Why not be good to mother earth while you move.
Don’t want to pack yourself, we can handle that for you and we will even insure everything.
Purge (Thoughtfully): It’s always a good idea to let go of those things you no longer use. But, when moving long distances sometimes it makes sense to dig a little deeper. Keep in mind that you will be paying for weight or space, or both. Weigh the value of each piece of furniture you own (both monetary and sentimental value) against the cost and effort to ship it. And wait to purchase anything new until you get to your new home. That way you can save the expense of shipping it.
Drive Your Car: Driving your car makes a lot of sense, you have to move it anyway and you have to get there too. You can make it a road trip and you can even tow a small trailer behind with extra special things you want to move yourself. If you allow some time you can do some sight seeing along the way. And another advantage to driving is that you can take some things you’ll need immediately when you arrive, like your coffee pot and towels and bedding. If you have pets, driving will allow you to keep them with you and save the fee you would spend shipping them to your new home.
Give Yourself Emotional Space: We have all heard that moving is one of the most stressful things we will ever do. So be ready for some stress with your long distance move. You may be in a new town, you can look at it like an adventure, with lots to explore. Give yourself space to feel, you may miss you old home and your new one may be a little scary at first. This is natural and will pass soon enough.
When you are ready to move to that new town far away we would love to help. We can save you money! Get a free online quote today.
Published in categories: Moving Long Distances, Preparing To Move
The Importance Of Good Credit For Home Ownership
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The importance of good credit for home ownership…If you ever want to purchase a home you will need good credit, you might have a nest egg that keeps you out of this loop, but for most of us good credit is of real benefit when you are ready to purchase a home. It really isn’t that hard to establish and keep your credit at a good rating. You will need to follow some guidelines, be very careful not to use too much credit. Once you start getting credit cards you will be offered a bunch of them, and this can be a problem. It is a good idea to make a budget so that you can pay your debts on time. Paying your debts as promised is the most important thing you can do to establish good credit.
I found this article on the Freddie Mac website about The Importance of Good Credit, it is filled with good information, that will help you establish good credit.
If you’re thinking about buying a home, you need to be aware of your credit. Better credit may mean mortgage opportunities with lower rates.
Your Credit Report
Your credit report is a record of money you’ve borrowed, your history of paying it back and how much open credit is available to you.It consists of:
A list of debts and a history of how you’ve paid them, including credit cards, car loans and student loans.Any bills referred to a collection agency, such as utility or medical bills that you did not pay or were significantly late.
Public-record information, such as tax liens and bankruptcies that may be linked to you.
Inquiries made about your creditworthiness, showing how many inquiries were made for your credit and if you were given credit based on the inquiry.
Your Credit Score
Your credit score is a single number that helps lenders decide how likely you are to repay your debts and plays a significant role when securing a mortgage.
A score ranges from 300 – 850 points and is based on…Your payment history and ability to repay your debts on time. Late payments will decrease your credit score.
The amount of total debt you owe, including credit cards, student loans and car loans. If your credit cards are at their limits, this can lower your credit score – even if the amount you owe isn’t large.
How long you’ve used credit and how you’ve managed it. If you show a pattern of managing your credit wisely, keeping credit card balances low and paying your bills on time, your credit score will be positively affected.
How often you apply for new credit and take on new debt. If you’ve applied for several credit cards at the same time, your credit score can go down.
The types of credit you currently use, including credit cards, retail accounts, installment loans, finance company accounts and mortgages.
A general guide to interpreting your score
Credit scores ranging from 770 to 850 are considered very good, and the best credit rates are usually available to borrowers within this range.
Credit scores above 700 are considered good, and most borrowers’ credit scores are within this range. The median credit score is about 725.
Credit scores below the mid-600s may have difficulty obtaining a loan, and will experience higher interest rates and/ or larger down payments.You are entitled by law to get a free copy of your credit report
Every 12 months
Every time you find a mistake and want to make sure it’s been fixedIf you’ve been denied credit and in certain other situations, such as fraud
To get your annual free credit report, go to www.annualcreditreport.com or call (877) 322-8228. For more information about your rights regarding credit and the Fair Credit Reporting Act, visit the Federal Trade Commission Web site.
Helpful Tips To help you build, maintain and protect your credit
Establish credit if you don’t have any. Open a free or low-cost checking or savings account and apply for one or two credit cards but use them carefully. It is important for lenders to verify that you have a credit history to determine your ability to repay your debts.Limit your number of credit cards and try to pay the balances in full every month. Using your credit cards responsibly can help you build excellent credit.
Honor your promise to pay your debts. With good credit, you can borrow for other major expenses, such as a home, car, or education, at a lower cost – ultimately saving you money.Seek the guidance of a HUD approved counseling agency for free, confidential advice if you run into problems paying your bills. The sooner you reach out, the more likely they can help you.
Be sure to protect your private information. Do not provide any personal information (such as your social security number or credit card numbers) over the phone, online or through the mail unless you know the person or company.
By understanding your credit and the important role it plays with securing a home loan, you’ll be on the right path to realizing your goals. Remember, strong credit will provide you with many financial advantages so it’s worth the effort to maintain it.
Original Article by Freddie Mac
Remember, when you are ready to move your home or office we would love to help. Get a free online quote today.
Published in categories: Buying Or Selling A Home
Cedar Park Leander Real Estate Update
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Cedar Park Leander Real Estate Update.
The real estate market in Leander/Cedar Park is seeing its usual increase in home sales for this time of year. There is usually a gradual in crease in the number of homes on the market and sold starting in March and running through August, at which time it starts to taper off. Taking the numbers below into account, Leander and Cedar Park have less than 4 months of inventory.
Generally speaking, 6 months of inventory is a neutral market., and below that is a seller’s market, and more than 6 is considered a buyer’s market. For the first time in more than 4 years we are seeing multiple offer situations. Although, it makes it a little harder when shopping for a home, this is great news for home owners and a good sign with respect to the economy and our area.
Leander and Cedar Park both have lots of new growth both in the business and residential communities. Leander annexed 183 acres of mostly undeveloped land near FM 1431 and Nameless Road, the property known as Crystal Falls West. The property is owned by Lookout Partners and will be mostly residential with some multifamily and commercial around the major thoroughfares with some park use, future schools, and a fire station. The first phase of construction is scheduled to begin in 2014.
The partners of Schlitterbahn are finalizing agreements and the City of Cedar Park says they hope there’s a new time line available in the next 90 to 120 days. Alamo Draft House and HEB Plus will be building in the area of Lakeline Blvd. and 183. HEB Plus has already begun construction. There is no timeline yet for the construction of the Alamo Draft House. Reunion Grille opened this week in Cedar Park. They’re located at 1501 E. New Hope Drive. Check out their link for menus, pricing and live music schedule.
Real Estate Statistics for Cedar Park & Leander
Cedar Park April
Sold April 2011-75
Sold April 2012-87
Active on Market-227
Pending-146
Average List Price-217,319
Average Sold Price-213,422
Average Days on Mkt-56
Leander April
Sold April 2011-88
Sold April 2012-101
Active on Mkt-294
Pending-199
Avg List Price-179,578
Avg Sold Price-175,456
Avg Days on Mkt-74
Cedar Park May
Sold May 2011-70
Sold May 2012-80
Active on Mkt-277
Pending-157
Avg List Price-230,513
Avg Sold Price-226,229
Avg Days on Mkt-43
Leander May
Sold May 2011-80
Sold May 2012-104
Active on Mkt-304
Pending-218
Avg List Price-207,947
Avg Sold Price-202,082
Avg Days on Mkt-63
Information provided by
Lindy Sullivan, GREEN, CNE
Austin Metro Realty Team
Keller Williams Realty
http://www.cplrealestate.com
(512)422-9817
Remember, when you are ready to move your home or office we would love to help. Get a free online quote today.
Published in categories: Cedar Park Leander Real Estate News
How Much Home Can I Afford?
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After you have decided it is the right time for you to purchase a home the next step is deciding, how much home can I afford? Most lenders suggest you spend no more than 28% of your total monthly income on your mortgage, this number should include principal, interest, insurance and taxes. If you don’t include all of these numbers in your figures you may run into trouble.
Other things to consider are increased electric, gas and water payments, if you are moving from an apartment, you may need to pay someone to take care of your yard. If you are moving further away from your work, then there will be more gas and maybe toll road fees. Careful budget planning will always save lots of pain in the end.
Smart Money has created an online calculator to help you figure how much house you can purchase.
Another thing to keep in mind is the down payment and the cash you will need at closing. You will definitely want to speak with a loan officer to find out how much you will need to put down on your home. And there will be closing costs, sometimes these can be added to your loan, this in another thing to ask your loan officer. You can plan on 2% to 3% of the house price for your closing costs. Also, don’t forget moving costs and anything you may need to do to the home you purchase, also there could be monthly homeowners association fees and or maintenance fees.
Now that you have a good understanding of your comfortable price range start looking at the market, drive around and see where you would like to live, make a list of what is important to you, like a big back yard, proximity to schools and work, number of bedrooms, do you want a pool, do you want a lot with trees…
Remember that the price listed on a home is not usually what it sells for, except in certain markets, usually agents and sellers add a little room for negotiation. Agents use comparable home sales within a neighborhood to determine the value of a home. You can go online and search the appraisal district in the county where the home is to get some idea, keep in mind these are usually lower than actual value.
Happy Homebuying!
And remember, when you are ready to move home or office we would love to help. Get a free online quote today.
Published in categories: Buying Or Selling A Home
Finding A Real Estate Agent
When it’s time to buy or sell your home a Real Estate Agent can be very valuable. Finding a real estate agent can take a bit of attention, but it is worth all the effort.
You will want one who works in your market and knows that is going on. A good agent knows not only the market trends, but also knows about roads being built in the area and upcoming changes that will affect your decision to purchase and the real value of your home for sale.
Of course you’ll want to get referrals from friends, neighbors and co-workers. Call the agents and set up appointments with each one. As part of their service, they will each give you a current market analysis and give you an idea of what your home is worth. Be sure and ask for this, it is free.
Most of us don’t know too much about real estate sales. Here’s a list of 15 questions I found to get you started with your interviews…
1. Is this your full-time gig? How many clients have you served this year? An active agent is more likely to be up-to-date on the market and the law.
2. How many sales have you handled in my target neighborhoods? You want someone who knows the local market, with a few recent deals in your target neighborhoods.
3. When clients are unhappy with your service, what has gone wrong? Asking why a client has been a bad fit for an agent can help you figure out if you’re a good fit.
4. Has a client ever filed a complaint against you? If you’re uncomfortable asking, just check with the state licensing board.
5. What’s your fee? The seller pays the buyer’s agent using the money you pay for the house, typically 3% of the sales price. Some buyer’s agents refund part of this fee.
6. What services do you offer beyond negotiations and escrow? Make a list of what you’ll be paying for. Negotiations, paperwork and contingencies are the minimum.
7. When am I committed to working with you? Many consumers start touring homes without realizing this can obligate them to work with the agent, contract or no contract.
8. How many foreclosure or short-sale transactions have you handled? Distressed properties can be great deals, but the paperwork is complicated, and your liability is greater. The best agents have experience closing deals with banks.
9. Who else will be working with me? An agent is often supported by a team. But the person you hire should do most of the work.
10. Will you show me all the properties for sale? Good agents show all properties, even for-sale-by-owner properties that don’t pay a commission.
11. How quickly can you get me into a home? Hot homes move fast. Ask how the agent handles tours on short notice.
12. Do you represent buyers and sellers on the same house? No agent can fairly represent both. You need someone on your side.
13. What sets you apart from other agents? Look for expertise, not just eagerness. You aren’t hiring the neighborhood kid to rake your leaves.
14. What if I’m unhappy with your service? Agents get paid when you buy a house. But most customer complaints occur during the closing process. Ask for a guarantee.
15. Can I get references for your last five deals? Every agent has clients he served well. But the best agents serve nearly all of their clients well. Getting an agent’s last five clients will give you a more balanced picture of his service than letting him choose his most favorable references. Call at least two of the five, asking clients some of the same questions you asked him. Look closely at these last five deals to see how they compare to similar sales in the neighborhood. Did he negotiate a good price for each customer?
Our list credit http://blog.redfin.com
When you are ready to move your home or office we would love to help! Get a free online quote today.
Published in categories: Buying Or Selling A Home
Packing CDs and DVDs For Moving
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Here’s some great information for packing CDs and DVDs for moving. CDs and DVDs are expensive items and taking good care of them extends to how they are treated during your move. I think you’ll find some great ideas here that will keep your treasures safe and sound until they get to their new home. You will need small boxes and some bubble wrap and maybe some packing paper and a marker to clearly identify that these are fragile CDs and DVDs.
CDs and DVDs can be very valuable and most people have significant collections these days. When these items are damaged, they can become unusable. Taking extra care is extremely important when packing CDs and DVDs for a move.
The first step in packing CDs and DVDs is to eliminate unnecessary items. Movies that have gone unwatched for years and CDs that are no longer listened to often enough can be gotten rid of to reduce the amount of items that need to be packed. These items can be donated, sold, or given to a friend. With so many electronic music methods nowadays, CDs can easily be transferred to a digital device to help eliminate the physical items.
When packing CDs and DVDs, it is important to use the proper container. Boxes should be small to avoid unnecessary heavy lifting and minimize potential damage. Marking boxes with their contents helps movers to pay extra attention to which ones need more care, so always properly label boxes containing CDs and DVDs.
When it comes to actually packing CDs and DVDs into a box, make sure that all discs are in their cases. Packing the discs separately can seriously damage them and sometimes cause them to be unusable. Take a stack of about five to ten cases and wrap them all in bubble wrap. For more valuable albums or films, wrap each one individually. If there are any spaces left in the box after it is filled, use bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or wadded up paper to reduce shifting during the move.
Knowing the correct procedures for packing CDs and DVDs can help to protect them during a move. Using the proper containers for both the discs and their cases is essential to eliminating damage. It is important to take the proper steps when packing these items for a move. Read Original Article.
Happy Packing!
When you are ready to move we would love to help. Get a free online quote today!
Published in categories: Home Moving Tips, Packing Tips
Kerrville Folk Festival
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In the heart of the beautiful Texas Hill Country, 9 miles south of Kerrville you will find the famous Kerrville Folk Festival. For 18 days and nights in May and June singers and songwriters and music lovers converge at the Quiet Valley Ranch. The Kerrville Folk Festival has run annually since 1972, making it the longest continuously running music festival of its kind in North America. This festival is known internationally as a home for singer songwriters of many music styles. You will find master musicians as well as those just developing their skills.
“Over 1500 outstanding singer-songwriters have been presented on the Festival’s stages since the beginning. More than just a “folk music” festival, Kerrville offers music of many styles including traditional folk, bluegrass, acoustic rock, blues, country, jazz, and Americana. The common thread is songwriting. The focus of the festivals is to promote emerging artists while giving our audience exposure to both new and recognized, seasoned talent. Major label artists such as Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, Michelle Shocked, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Robert Earl Keen, Lucinda Williams, and Nancy Griffith played Kerrville early in their careers. Through the years, the Kerrville stage has seen other nationally known artists like Peter Paul & Mary, Judy Collins, Janis Ian and Arlo Guthrie, while others such as singer/songwriter/actor Ronny Cox play on our stages any given year.
While many folks come out just to see the evening main stage shows, the heart and soul of the festival is in the campgrounds. This is where you can truly experience and appreciate the abundance of talent we are blessed to have in our midst each year. Impromptu jam sessions can pop up at any time around a campfire or anywhere there are people willing to listen. A 24-hour a day treat for musicians and music enthusiasts alike.
In addition to the live music there are also special concerts and activities for children, songwriting schools, music business seminars, hill country bike rides, canoe trips on the Guadalupe River, Sunday Folk Song Services, and our annual New Folk Competition and concerts for emerging songwriters. There is something for everyone who enjoys music, camping, the outdoors, and making new friends.
So whether you come out for a day, weekend or for the entire Festival, you’ll find that the music, the ambiance, and the spiritual optimism combine to make this America’s most beloved and respected songwriters gathering.”
More Information about the Kerrville Folk Festival.
We hope you enjoy the Kerrville Music Festival!
And remember, when you are ready to move your home or office we would love to help! Get a free online quote today.
Published in categories: Austin Attractions
Sending Out Moving Cards
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What if there was a way to let everyone know at the same time that you have moved and put your new address into everyone’s hands, easily? Moving cards come in a multitude of styles, colors and themes and they are easily available. Sending out moving cards is a lot like sending out Christmas cards, only with preprinted moving cards there is no need for any kind of personal signature or note, you can just make out the envelopes and stuff and send.
Moving is a happy occasion that you’ll want to share with friends and family and don’t forget business acquaintances. You can choose to use the alternate method to let others know you have moved, the one many people use, and that is to just not tell them until they figure out that they don’t have the correct address and contact you about it. Sending out moving cards keeps everybody in the loop and takes the confusion out of your communications.
You might be moving to your first house from apartment life, or into your home with your new spouse, or you might be moving into your dream home on the lake. You can let people know about your exciting news by using cards you order online or purchase at the office supply store, these will have blanks for you to fill in. Or you can have them designed by a skilled professional and include all your information.
Here are some more ideas…
“Regardless of the occasion, moving is a big event; even remote acquaintances need to be informed. If you wish, you can have some really formal and classy moving cards to invite your business associates or office colleagues. Photo moving cards are also available if you are the type of person who loves color. Flashy and modern moving cards with impressive Moving Cards sayings will stand out and also reflect your style and fun side.
You could either opt for the personalized moving e-cards that come free of cost or go for the more elaborate and attractive customized moving cards. If you are known for your love of languages, let the flowery language come out in full flow for Moving. Such preferences could also be intimated to the service providers who will then design Moving Cards just for you.
Your job is not over with the moving cards. If you were sent a moving gift, you can express your appreciation and gratitude by sending them a nice moving thank you note. These cards could be small and simple in wording. Go through a wide collection of various lovely moving thank you cards or let the experts guide you.
There are a few websites where you can order unique moving cards, custom cards for moving and personalized business moving cards, add your own text, type style, ink color and then preview before you buy. This takes the guess work out of buying online!” quoted from Sarah Porter
However you send moving cards, online, by mail, customized or simple fill in the blank cards from the office supply store, your time will be well spent and appreciated by those who want to keep up with you. And next Christmas your Aunt Susie’s Christmas card won’t come back to her. And she won’t need to call or email to find out what your new address is. She will already know!
Happy Moving!
And when you are ready to move your home or office we would love to help! Get a free online quote today!
Published in categories: Home Moving Tips, Stress-Free Moving
Apartment Move Out Cleaning Ideas
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Not cleaning your apartment or rental can be very costly. So you’ll want to follow our apartment move out cleaning ideas to clean from top to bottom when you move. It is so much easier to clean after your stuff has been moved out. Your goal is to have it move in ready like it was when you found it.
The first thing to do is make a cleaning list. You can make your own working your way through what needs to be done in each room, or you can find one online. To make your list start in the kitchen and then the bathrooms. Be sure to add any special quirks that need attention.
Sit down a week before your move and go through the list. Make sure nothing is missing and create a list of supplies you will need.
Buy, borrow or find the cleaning supplies you will need. Think for a moment about what items will speed your task and improve the results and see if you can borrow them. For instance, borrow a powerful vacuum cleaner, two big buckets, a superior mop and a great window squeegee.
Clean an empty apartment. Allow a full day for cleaning after you move out. When you arrange your move out at the end of your lease be sure to include a day for cleaning after the apartment is emply. Nothing is harder than cleaning an apartment that’s filled with junk and packing boxes. Nothing is easier than cleaning one that is completely empty.
Invite some friends. Nothing speeds cleaning like having a few extra helping hands. Order some pizza and maybe some beers and your friends won’t mind helping so much. With more hands there’s lots less to do for everyone, including you.
Be sure to start at the top, dusting ceiling fans and drapes and removing cobwebs in ceiling corners, etc. Then do the kitchen and bathroom cabinets, counters and mirrors. When everything else is done then do the floors.
Just keep thinking about the money you’ll get back from your deposit and how good you will feel knowing you have finished what you started in a responsible way.
Happy Moving! and Cleaning! And remember when you are ready to schedule your move we want to help. You can get a free online quote right now.
Published in categories: Apartment Moving Tips
