South Austin Real Estate Blog

Austin Scoops is a treat for your tastebuds. Austin Scoops is located in the Escarpment Village Shopping Center at 9500 Escarpment Blvd Ste #900. Owned by Susan and Tim Joyner the Austin Scoops is a local favorite. Most often you walk by and see moms and kids enjoying a treat.

At Austin Scoops the Ice Cream is creamy and smooth and really delectable. The consistancy is thick and rich. They also serve Sorbets for a few less calories and feature a sugar free treat also. Plus a SOY treat, for those with lactose or dairy intolerance. At any given time the flavors will change but there is always something good to chose from.

Just out back there is a playground for the kids to enjoy, shared with other local businesses like the Waterloo Ice House for delicious breakfasts and burgers. Just be sure to save some room for a visit to Austin Scoops. Looking for a local treat be sure to stop in and try out the delicious treats.

Looking to buy a new home or sell your current home in South Austin, give me a call and I can help you with your real estate goals. Gail Tassey, Realtor®. 512-217-9482, http://austincomeshome.com

The photo on the left is the skylight painting and its a painting of Austin, The State Capitol and Lady Bird Lake.

It's National Simplify Your Life Week... hey, who couldn't use a bit of simplification in their life? I certainly can. I have files that need to be re-organized, tax records need to be filed, data base clean up and all that doesn't even touch my personal life.

I do not know who comes up with these National designation days, weeks or months but this one struck a chord with me. I found a website that offers some handy dandy tools too.. National Simplify Your Life Week has some interesting tips. Check it out and maybe you can simplify your life too!

I once read a clean desk is the sign of a sick mind. I often subscribe to that but I do feel like too much clutter clogs my thinking too. I'm sure somewhere in between is the answer.

So happy Monday everyone and let's see if we can Simplify our life this week.

Are you ready to simplify your home search? Let me help YOU find the solutions for your Real Estate goals, are you ready to buy a home or sell your home in South Austin? I also work throughout Dripping Springs, Kyle and Buda, call me to chat about your Real Estate homebuying needs or selling goals. Gail Tassey, Realtor®, 512-217-9482 , or visit my website http://www.austincomeshome.com or Sky Realty Austin.

Are you thinking about Buying a Home? Using the $8000 Tax Credit the timeline is approaching.

When Time is of the Essence, we know that is a legalese term that most Realtors® adhere to but do not use much. What does it mean? According to a legalese website... I found this as the meaning.

A phrase in a contract that means that performance by one party at or within the period specified in the contract is necessary to enable that party to require performance by the other party.

Failure to act within the time required constitutes a breach of the contract. The general rule is that time is not of the essence unless the contract expressly so provides. As a result, with respect to real estate transactions, the modern view is that time is not of the essence unless the parties have manifested such an intent. The same is generally true in construction contracts and in contracts relating to the manufacture of goods. When time is not of the essence, courts generally permit parties to perform their obligations within a reasonable time.

West's Encyclopedia of American Law, edition 2. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

So that pretty much sums up what I thought, it means in order to get what you want you must adhere to the TIMELINE set forth in the beginning. Now what does a blog post have to do with this term? Looking at it from the $8000 Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers.. it means the time line is fast approaching when you will not benefit from this Tax Credit.

It is now August 1,2009. Yesterday I heard a lender say, we need at least 45 days to process and close a loan. That brings the date to September 15, 2009.. IF YOU WERE UNDER CONTRACT TODAY. So back that up a bit and say 3 weeks to find and decide on a home, and negotitate the contract. So now we are at mid October. Perfect if you are ready to buy now. IF you are thinking about buying, I would get it done.

The final date for closing and funding and transferring title of the new home to you is NOVEMBER 30, 2009.

Will the Government allow late closers to take the $8000 Tax Credit? I do not know. Right now I would tell you the current IRS website says the deal has to be done and over by November 30, 2009. I would not want to bet anyones $8000 on any other date.

If you need help with your Real Estate Goals here in Austin Texas, Buda, Dripping Springs or Kyle, call me and I can help you. Gail Tassey, Realtor®, 512-217-9482 or visit my web site to begin your search. http://austincomeshome.com

The Salt Lick Barbecue in Driftwood Texas is just a short drive from Austin. Go out FM 1826 and when you get to the corner that smells like the best food you ever tasted... turn right into the parking lot.

The Salt Lick Barbecue is a local favorite and when company comes of course its a definite stop. The Salt Lick was founded in 1969 and started with a one room rock building that has expanded and grown up to several more rooms, the outside music pavilion where a family can sit and enjoy the afternoon under the large spreading oak trees.

Most Saturdays you see live music, many families, groups of gals or guys and some groups of team players. What teams? Depends on the season, in Summer its Baseball, in Winter its Football, in Spring its Soccer and on it goes. The Salt Lick has become a celebration spot for teams and families.

World Famous ribs and brisket and cole slaw and unique flavored potato salad and that awesome spicy sweet barbeque sauce that has made the place famous. There is also a haberno style sauce for the Bravehearts. Not to mention the bread and beans! We like to order the Family style, they keep bringing the food til you holler OUCH!

So when you visit the Austin area you must make The Salt Lick Barbecue in Driftwood Texas a priority stop, you will not be disappointed. Did I mention dessert? no, well its a real Texas Pecan Pie... yummy, we take one home and enjoy it later.

Just across the Road from the Salt Lick is Camp Ben McCullough, a reunion Camp from post civil war days... history abounds in this area of Texas. Check it out online or come on over and visit our gorgeous area of rolling hills and hundred year old Oak trees.

Felicia's Scrapbooks in Southwest Austin is a very cool store, and not just because it has great air conditioning in our record breaking heat wave here in Texas this year.Felicia's Scrapbook store has been around awhile. I have watched it grow and expand until I thought it was going to burst out of the walls.

Felicia's Scrapbooks Southwest Austin is in the HEB Shopping Center at the Y in Oak Hill. Now, all you Austinites know that the "Y" means where Hwy 71 and Hwy 290 W. divide.. so go toward the HWY 71 at the Y and the Shopping Center is on your right.

A couple of years back I was introduced to handmade card making, my daughter is a real scrapbooker, not me, I like simpler and quick. :) Anyway, I stumbled across Felicia's Scrapbooks and found a wonderland of supplies and hard to find items.Felicia's has many items the large chain stores do not carry. Unique stamps some just made here in Texas depicting Texas traditions like bluebonnets and the Lone Star and HOWDY YA'LL. Now that you can not buy at a big chain store!

Felicia is happy to order something for you if it is not on the shelves. There are classes on scrapbooking and cardmaking regularly. A few times a year there are "sidewalk garage sales". I love those, who doesn't love a good sale. Felicia's Scrapbook Store gets an A+ from me.

When talking to Felicia a while back (she is out on maternity leave right now) I found she was from California, the San Diego area, and had a scrapbooking store there... So Felicia has been at this a long time and knows her way around retail store and the whole scrapbooking world.

It'sgreat to have a neighborhood specialist to take my unfinished projects to for ideas, suggestions and otherwise great input. Stop by and check out the large supplies for scrapbooking or card making, I know you will find the store delightful. (It can be busy at garage sale times and crowded but worth the wait).

Check the Felicia's Scrapbooks website for store hours for and information.

Felicia writes a great blog about scrapbooking too.

If you are a home buyeror home sellerin Southwest Austin give me a call, I can help you realize your real estate goals. Gail Tassey, Realtor, 512-127-9482 http://www.austincomeshome.com working in Circle C, Legend Oaks, Village at Western Oaks, Cherry Creek, Brodie Lane, Tanglewood Forest, Hillcrest or near South Park Meadows.