Archive for June, 2009
Dos Lagos Community Wide Open House!!!
June 27th, 2009 Categories: Dripping Springs Real Estate News
Hill Country Living at It’s Best!
Open House Sunday June 28th!!!
Don’t Miss This Opportunity to Tour the Finest Homes in Dripping Springs, with Exemplary Schools, on Superb Acreage lots. Dos Lagos is Located Just 4 Miles West of Ranch Road 12 on Hwy 290 West, Take a Left into the Majestic Gates of Dos Lagos.
These homes are highly efficent “Green Built” and the lots are superb!
Call The Steele Action Team at (512) 636-2746 for More Details.
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Does Your Home Beat The Heat???
June 23rd, 2009 Categories: Austin Area News
Hello Readers,
This week in Central Texas we’re predicted to hit 100o. Summer means fun, but it can also mean higher energy bills for your home.
Energy audits are a method you can use to find out how you can reduce your home’s energy costs. In some cases, audits are being required. In Austin, for example, as of June 1, 2009, sellers of homes over 10 years old are required to obtain an energy audit and disclose the results of that audit as a part of the home sales process.
Professional audits are usually available locally. Or, if you are interested in doing some of the research on your own home yourself, you can take the Home Energy Saver Audit online just click here: Energy Saver Audit. There is a lot of detail required, so be prepared!
Keep cool this summer…
Are you or someone you know looking for an energy efficient home or tips to update your current home?
Please feel free to contact:
Jeremy K. Frost~ Realtor & Real Estate Blogster
512-636-2746 or Jeremy@AustinHomeAndLand.com
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Austin Area Green Homes
June 16th, 2009 Categories: Tx Real Estate News
Homebuilders and homebuyers across the country are increasingly interested in green building. But what exactly makes a home green?
Green building means improving the way that homes and homebuilding sites use energy, water, and materials to reduce impacts on human health and the environment. Building a green home means making environmentally-preferable and sustainable decisions throughout the building process-decisions that will minimize the environmental impact of the home while it is being built and over the many years it will be lived in.
Typical features to look for in ENERGY STAR qualified homes include:
- An Efficient Home Envelope, with effective levels of wall, floor and attic insulation properly installed, comprehensive air barrier details, and high-performance windows;
- Efficient Air Distribution, where ducts are installed with minimum air leakage and are effectively insulated;
- Efficient Equipment for heating, cooling, and water heating;
- Efficient Lighting, including fixtures that earn the ENERGY STAR; and
- Efficient Appliances, including ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers, refrigerators, and clothes washers.
These energy efficiency improvements save homeowners money — about $200 to $400 per year on utility bills. More importantly, monthly energy savings can easily exceed any additional mortgage cost for the energy efficiency improvements, resulting in a positive cash flow from the first day of home ownership. As a result, the cost-effectiveness of ENERGY STAR improvements can help offset additional costs associated with other green home features.
What should home buyers look for first in a green home?
Energy efficiency is the place to start. That’s because the energy used in homes often comes from the burning of fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and risks of global climate change. So, the less energy used, the less air pollution generated. And the easy way to make sure a new home is energy efficient is to look for the blue ENERGY STAR mark, the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency.
ENERGY STAR qualified homes are independently verified to meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes save money on utility bills, provide a more comfortable living environment with better indoor air quality, and help protect the environment.
Are you looking for an Austin area Green Home or trying to make your current home more efficient?
Jeremy K. Frost is one of about 350 Central Texas Realtors (out of almost 20,000) that has received extensive GREEN training in new construction and resale homes by the EPA / Energy Star.
Contact Jeremy today for all your GREEN real estate needs!!! ~ Your Energy Star Rated REALTOR!!!
512-636-2746 or Jeremy@AustinHomeAndLand.com
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Austin Texas Real Estate Lookin’ Fine In ‘09!!!
June 10th, 2009 Categories: Austin Real Estate News
Hello Readers,
I am always on the look out for positive and upbeat stories about the real estate market. I sure am glad I live in the Austin area, check out this great article from Yahoo…
With the decade winding to a close, Americans have grown increasingly reluctant to gas up their moving vans. Last year, the Census Bureau’s national mover rate–which represents the percentage of Americans 1 year and older who moved within the past year–hit its lowest level since 1948, when the bureau began tracking the data. And who can blame us? In the face of a terrifying banking crisis, a historic housing crash, and a grueling recession, relocating to a new city isn’t exactly on the to-do list. But despite the uncertain economy, the nation’s diverse topography presents an enviable menu of great places to find work, retire, or just change your scene.
In selecting our Best Places to Live for 2009, U.S. News took a thrift-conscious approach: We looked for affordable communities that have strong economies and plenty of fun things to do. The cities we selected are as distinct as America itself–ranging from a quaint suburb to a live-music mecca. But whether you prefer hiking through the Rocky Mountains, pulling a fish out of the Atlantic Ocean, or grilling hot dogs at a college football tailgate, here are 10 places that will fill up your daybook without emptying your wallet.
If you’re a free spirit, music junkie, or barbecue lover–or if you simply have what it takes to “keep Austin weird”–Texas’s state capital is for you. Considered ground zero for live music, this city of 716,000 residents is home to legions of musicians and nearly 200 performance venues. In addition, Austin hosts the always popular South by Southwest festival. Since its inception in 1987, the event has mushroomed from a local gathering to a 1,800-band, 80-stage extravaganza of music, filmmaking, and interactive activities featuring performers from all over the world. Austin is also a high-tech hub, with companies like Dell and IBM, which employ thousands of residents.
The city’s warm climate offers plenty of sunshine, while the open green spaces don’t provide any excuse for staying indoors. Head over to Lions Municipal Golf Course for an inexpensive round. Wander through the 351-acre Zilker Metropolitan Park until you find Barton Springs Pool, a 3-acre water source fed by underground springs that keep its temperature around 68 degrees all year long. To escape the city, head for the nearby Hill Country. “It’s rolling hills cut with lots of little creeks and streams,” says Tom Beach, a sales clerk at Austin Canoe & Kayak. “It makes for a nice road trip.”
Here’s our list of the 10 best places to live:
2. Auburn, Ala.
4. Boise, Idaho
5. Durham, N.C.
Looking to buy or sell in the Austin area?
Contact Jeremy K. Frost & The Steele Action Team today!
512-636-2746 or Jeremy@AustinHomeAndLand.com
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Sunset Canyon Parade of Homes June 7th!!!
June 5th, 2009 Categories: Dripping Springs Real Estate News
This Sunday June 7th from 1pm - 3pm Sunset Canyon will be holding a Parade of Homes with some great properties in a gorgeous hill country setting!
One of the many homes featured at this event is this stunning property on 201 N Canyonwood.
Don’t miss your opportunity to see this custom beauty built by one of the area’s best builders Haymond Homes.
Exceptional floor plan that features travertine floors and granite counter tops. Amazing wood work everywhere…cedar plank ceilings, custom cabinets and doors. Plush 2 acre lot with a wet weather pond. This stunning estate also has a gorgeous tiled outdoor living with stunning views. Look no further this is it!
Gorgeous Hill Country Views!!!
Looking for more pictures?
Just click here: http://www.FloorPlanHost.com/201canyonwood
For additional information on the parade of homes contact Jeremy K. Frost 512-636-2746 or Jeremy@AustinHomeAndLand.com
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