Sherry Scales, ABR,GRI,REALTOR

River Place on Lake Austin is one of the city's most naturally beautiful master-planned communities. The boundaries of this waterfront/country club community include FM 2222 to the north, the Balcones Canyon Lands Preserve to the west and Westminster/Glen Lake to the east. You can get there by heading west on FM 2222 and taking a left into the main entrance on River Place Boulevard.

It is just a twenty-minute drive from downtown Austin, River Place appeals to both urban dwellers and nature lovers alike. Of the 1,440 acres owned by the homeowners association, half is dedicated to preserved land never to be developed. The natural beauty of the unspoiled land, swimming and boating, fishing, a marina with private slips for non-waterfront residents, rare preserve home sites situated along the hills overlooking Lake Austin, a park with youth soccer fields, tennis courts, fifty acres of nature trails and a fishing pond, close proximity to River Place Country Club featuring Tom Kite Golf Course, nearby shopping, and an active neighborhood association make River Place an estate community that seems to have it all.

River Place is comprised of 1,200 to 1,350 single-family homes. Prices run from around $330,000 to well over $1,000,000 with mandatory membership to the homeowners association, River Place Residential Community Association, Inc. The community includes a diverse group of active people who are drawn to the wide spread of price ranges and home and lot sizes that River Place offers.

In addition to the residential aspect of the community, River Place includes an office park. River Place Pointe, a business/technology office campus, takes up 48 of the 1,440 acres and houses seven buildings right next door to River Place Country Club.

The development is in the Leander Independent School District so children attend either Laura Bush or Steiner Ranch Elementary Schools, Cedar Park Middle School or Cedar Park High School.

Charming Charlie's

Cedar Park is now home to a Charming Charlie's! Ladies, if you have never been shopping here, I promise you will find something. This store is packed high, and all divided out into colors schemes. They carry purses, jewelry, shoes, clothing, candles, sunglasses, and more! And great prices! Get your free card for 5% off all your purchases to boot! Set aside several hours for your first visit. This place is jammed packed with all the things we love. They are located at 1335 E. Whitestone Blvd in Cedar Park. Or as the locals say, in the new shopping center at 183A and 1431 by the Starbucks. They are open Mon-Sat 10am to 9pm, Sun 12-6pm.

Start your Home shopping in the Austin, TX area at www.Luxury-Homes-in-Austin.com

The Dessert Business is Blossoming!

Austinites are eating up a growing segment of the economy. People may not order an expensive dessert at a restaurant, but they might spend a couple of dollars on a cupcake or cookie.

Cookie Lounge, recently opened... a customizable cookie shop and delivery service started by Mark Chapman, the former pastry chef at the Driskell Hotel. They also serve Organic Soy Milk, Milk Shakes, Sodas, and Gourmet Coffees.

Hey Cupcake! A trailer on South Congress Ave. with a cupcake beacon, is expanding to North Austin with a Headquarters that will house it's store, offices, and a large kitchen that will supply both and future locations. They are also selling a line of branded clothing for infants.

Tiff's Treats is expanding its cookie delivery service via a northwest Austin Store on Research Blvd.

Nothing Bundt Cakes, a Las Vegas Based franchise company that specializes in the cakes with a hole in the middle opened its second Texas location in Cedar Park recently-next to the Cinemax Theater at 183A and 1431.

But I wonder...Will anything be as sweet as the cupcakes my granddaughter makes me in her new Easy Bake Oven?

*Remember Stressed spelled backwards is Desserts!

After you are done eating...Look for a new home at www.Luxury-Homes-In-Austin.com Enjoy!