Jim Gilbert's Austin Real Estate Blog : Texas, Real Estate

What Home Buyers Want in 2010

Jim Gilbert — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:03:00 GMT

At the January 2010 International Builders' Show in Las Vegas, Rose Quint (an assistant VP for the National Association of Builders Survey Research Economics and Housing Policy Group) shared the results of a survey given to new home builders. The results of the survey point to some current trends in features that will (and will not) be included in new homes built this year. The main result? Buyers want smaller, more energy-efficient homes and lower prices. Builders are adjusting what they offer.

In today's economy, this is not surprising! Higher priced homes have been more difficult to sell over the past year in the Austin area. I visited with a new home sales representative in the Round Rock area recently. Her company was unable to sell homes at their target price level and is not taking up options on available lots in that neighborhood.

Items that builders are planning to include in their new homes this year include some of the common things that are already part of Austin-area new home construction practices: walk-in closets, energy efficient windows, lighting & appliances, and tall ceilings. The survey says (sounds like an old TV game show!) that the demand for some previously popular features will diminish. Expect to see fewer outdoor fireplaces & kitchens, butler's pantries, media rooms and larger kitchens with granite countertops!

This survey results were shared by the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. Click the link to read the whole RE Center report.

If you are looking for a new or a resale home in the Greater Austin area, let's talk! (512.913.1557) I would like to help you with that purchase. We feature a number of Austin area new home neighborhoods on our website.

Jim Gilbert, REALTOR, Heart of Austin Homes. Licensed (#0536692) to sell real estate in Texas.

(512) 342-8744

Walsh Trails Subdivision | Cedar Park Real Estate & Homes for Sale

Jim Gilbert — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:20:00 GMT

Walsh Trails is a new home community being developed on the eastern side of Cedar Park, Texas. To get to Walsh Trails, drive east on Brushy Creek Road from US-183A past Parmer Lane (FM-734) until you see the Walsh Trails entrance sign. Take the left into the subdivision and you will see a neighborhood still in process that already features many very nice homes. I recently had the privilege of helping a family that is relocating to the Austin area to lease a lovely home in this subdivision while they learn the area better.

The homes in Walsh Trails, all of which offer many standard living and energy-efficient features, are being built by David Weekley Homes, Gehan Homes and Wilshire Homes. You can choose from one of nearly 30 plans that offer homeowners from nearly 1,800 to over 3,000 sq. ft. of living space. All of the plans come with upgrade options, which of course adds to their base prices. Walsh Trails homes begin near $210,000 and stretch upward to around $293,000, and are available on 50' and 60' lots.

The Walsh Trails community is located near four publicly owned parks along Brushy Creek Road. These parks offer families many different ways to enjoy and to explore the outdoors. The neighborhood also has its own system of hike and bike trails. If you golf, Avery Ranch and Crystal Falls golf courses are nearby. Boaters are not far from Lake Travis. Students living in Walsh Trails attend schools of the Round Rock Independent School District. BTW, there are plenty of shopping outlets in the Walsh Trails area.

Click the following link for much more information about Walsh Trails and to browse homes for sale in the neighborhood.

If you are considering the purchase of a new or resale home in a Cedar Park, Leander or Austin area neighborhood, I would like to be your Realtor. You can reach me at (512) 913-1557.

P.S. If you discovered Walsh Trails through this blog, and make a visit to the neighborhood, please tell the sales rep that you found Walsh Trails through HeartofAustinHomes.com. Better than that, give me a call before you go.

Jim Gilbert, REALTOR, Heart of Austin Homes. Licensed (#0536692) to sell real estate in Texas.

Park Place | Circle C Ranch | Southwest Austin Homes & Real Estate

Jim Gilbert — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:42:00 GMT

Park Place is a small and very nice "niche" section of Southwest Austin's Circle C Ranch subdivision. The Circle C Ranch real estate development is a well-known and highly desired area for many Austin families who want to enjoy the homes, the parks and green areas, neighborhood schools and other Circle C Ranch amenities, and to live close to Downtown Austin.

The Park Place neighborhood is located on the northeast side of Circle C Ranch, just to the north of W. Slaughter Lane on Beckett Road. Park Place homeowners live less than a half-mile from Mopac (Loop 1). This means easy access to this major roadway for drives to jobs, shopping, entertainment and other features of the Greater Austin area.

The homes in Park Place were built during the years 2003-2006, making it one of the newer areas in Circle C. These homes have averaged just above $300k in value over the past 3 years. The homes range in size from around 1,860 sq. ft. to almost 3,100 sq. ft. On 11/18/09, there were 2 homes for sale in Park Place.

Click on the following links for more information on Park Place and the overall Circle C Ranch development and its amenities, and to browse homes currently for sale there.

If you are considering the purchase of a new or resale home in the Circle C or another Austin area neighborhood, I would like to be your Realtor. You can reach me at (512) 913-1557.

Jim Gilbert, REALTOR, Heart of Austin Homes. Licensed (#0536692) to sell real estate in Texas.

Buying a New Home in Austin Texas

Jim Gilbert — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:21:00 GMT

If you are considering the purchase of a new home in the Austin, Texas area, you might want to consider having an informed Realtor represent you.

Here are a couple of good reasons why:

The builder's sales agents always seek the best deal for the builder. They represent the builder, not you.
Not all new home sales are recorded in the Austin area MLS. Those that are listed and sold through the MLS tell at least a partial story of what is happening with home sales in new home neighborhoods. Your Realtor can research new home sales in the neighborhood for you, and can tell you what reductions in sales price and other concessions (closing costs, for example) have been granted by a builder. This kind of information can help you as you negotiate a deal on your new home.

Here is an example: While researching sales data for a new home neighborhood web page for HeartofAustinHomes.com, I found one sale that troubled me. Why? The buyer paid the full list price on this home purchase. The other new home sales in the same general price and size range showed sold prices that were $10k-$45k below the list price. While I do not know all the details of this purchase, I wonder if the buyer could have gotten a lower price. In the current Austin Texas area real estate market, getting a lower price from most builders is a difinite possibility.

Check out If you are considering the purchase of a new (or resale) home in the Austin area, I would like to assist you. You can reach me at (512) 913-1557.

Jim Gilbert, REALTOR, Heart of Austin Homes. Licensed (#0536692) to sell real estate in Texas.

Good News for Homebuyers: Tax Credit Extended and Expanded!

Jim Gilbert — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:57:00 GMT

Here is some good news for people who are looking to take that big step of owning a home. This past Friday (November 6, 2009), President Obama signed into law an extension of the up-to-$8,000 tax credit offered by the federal government to first-time home buyers. First-time home buyers cannot have owned a home in the 3 years prior to their purchase.

The new program has also been expanded to offer a tax credit of up to $6,500 for some who currently own a home. Current homeowners must have lived in their home as their principal residence for at least 5 consecutive years out of the previous 8 years.

To be eligible for either of these tax credits, the home being purchased must be a principal residence (no vacation or rental homes), and can be a new or resale home, condo or townhome. The home must cost less than $800k.

The program covers qualifying purchases that are under contract by April 30, 2010. The sales must close by June 30, 2010.

The new law also increases the income that is allowed for home purchasers to receive a full tax credit. The limits are now set at $125k for individuals and $225k for couples. The tax credit is phased out when income reaches $145k for individuals or $245k for couples.

The National Association of Home Builders website provides additional information and answers to some frequently asked questions about these programs.

If you are in the market for a home in the Austin area, I would like to assist you with your purchase. You can reach me at (512) 913-1557.

Jim Gilbert, REALTOR, Heart of Austin Homes. Licensed (#0536692) to sell real estate in Texas.

Texas Homestead Tax Exemption: File It Yourself!

Jim Gilbert — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:40:00 GMT

I was reminded today of companies that like to make some easy money. How? By charging new homeowners for something that the homeowners can do themselves: file for their homestead (and other) tax exemption(s) in the county in which they own a primary residence.

An article in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (8/30/09, click to read the article) says that a company based in Chicago charged "at least 1000 Tarrant County homeowners" a fee of $55 to file the form for them. One of the problems addressed in the article is that the company that sent the letters to these Tarrant County homeowners made the letters look "official," but had no phone number. Another problem noted was that many of the exemption applications tracked were sent to homeowners age 65 and older. They also promised to reduce the taxes the homeowners would pay.

The exemption form can usually be downloaded for free on the county tax assessment district website, printed and filled out by the homeowner, then mailed in. The assessment districts will also mail the form to homeowners at no charge.

Some things to remember about property tax exemptions:

The homestead exemption that is in place when you buy a new property stays in effect until the end of the calendar year in which you make your purchase.
The exemption form to establish your exemption must be submitted to the country appraisal/assessment district between January 1 and April 30 to qualify for the exemption(s).
The form needs to be submitted only once. If you continue to live in the home as your primary residence, the initial filing and exemption(s) stay in effect.

As a matter of practice, I mail my clients an exemption form near the end of the year in which they purchased their home. That way they have it early and can get it filed with the county tax assessor on time.

Click here for more information on Property Tax Exemptions in Texas.

If you have questions, or need help in purchasing or selling a home in the Austin area, please give me a call at 512.913.1557.

Jim Gilbert, REALTOR, Heart of Austin Homes

Licensed (#0536692) to sell Real Estate in Austin and in the State of Texas

Independence Park Neighborhood | South Austin New Home Community

Jim Gilbert — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:34:00 GMT

Sometimes called Independence Park, this new home community is commonly referred to as Independence. It is located in South Austin on Manchaca Road between William Cannon and Stassney. If you are looking for a lovely community that is close in to Austin, this may be the one for you and your family.

The Independence neighborhood is being developed by Scott Felder Homes, which recently bought the property from Newmark Homes. Development, which began in 2007, will continue till the remaining 110 homes (of 233 total through mid-August 2009) have been built and sold.

Homes in Independence are built with a "throwback" or classic style. Instead of wooden siding exteriors, however, these homes are built with long-lasting Hardiplank-type concrete board. The homes are painted in a various pastel colors. Inside, these 1- and 2-story homes are thoroughly modern with granite counters, lots of energy efficiency features and much, much more. The six models of homes available (each with elevation variations) range in size from 1,260-2,245 sq. ft. Base prices, which include the multiple standard features, range from $227k to $254k.

The Independence community is set in a wooded area. The many trees, distinctive home styles and water fountain at the entrance add to its visual appeal. The neighborhood has a long walking/running trail and wide streets.

If you have a question or want more information about Independence, please give me a call at 512.913.1557.

Jim Gilbert, REALTOR, Heart of Austin Homes. Licensed (#0536692) to sell homes and real estate in the State of Texas.

Teravista! Golf and New Home Community in Round Rock, Texas

Jim Gilbert — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 02:44:00 GMT

Teravista is a large, 1,500 acre new home development on the northern side of Round Rock. It is located east of IH-35 on the north side of University Blvd, just past some newish shopping developments, including the Round Rock Premium Outlets. Two hospital facilities (Scott & White, Seton) are located nearby, as is a campus of Texas State University.

Teravista is one of two area residential communities developed by Newland Communities. The other, located on the east side of Pflugerville adjacent to the Blackhawk Golf Club, is Falcon Pointe. Both neighborhoods offer much to their residents, including nice homes, nearby golf and a residents' club. These residents' clubs are well beyond what most communities offer in the way of community amenities.

The Teravista neighborhood is built around the Teravista Golf Club, meaning that there are many homes either on the golf course or with golf course views. The course is a championship 18-hole course that measures 7,200 yards from the tips. You can play it from other tee boxes, and still face quite a challenge.

The Resident's Club at Teravista features a large swimming pool, pavilion, workout center, courts for basketball, tennis and volleyball, a large gathering room with television and fireplace, and more! Check out the neighborhood parks and the miles of hike and bike trails.

Did I forget to mention the homes in Teravista? A number of builders are adding to the collection of fine homes in this community. These include Meritage, Buffington, CastleRock, Ryland, Centex, Lennar, Taylor Morrison and Wilshire. Home models offered in Teravista begin at base prices of around $175k to $370k, and vary in size from a bit over 1,500 sq. ft. to over 4,500 sq. ft. You can likely find one there that meets your dream and your budget. Teravista homes include many wonderful standard features that make them both livable and energy efficient.

Teravista's marketing materials say, "Life comes together at Teravista!" It may be the place that you want to call home!

If you have a question or want more information about Teravista, please give me a call at 512.913.1557.

Jim Gilbert, REALTOR, Heart of Austin Homes. Licensed (#0536692) to sell homes and real estate in the State of Texas.

What's the Rush? Cash for Clunkers

Jim Gilbert — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 20:52:00 GMT

The news is partly good about this government give-away program for trading in a "clunker" for a new car (and the payments that go along with it). Getting up to $4,500 off the price of a new vehicle is great. Response to the new program has been larger than expected. I only wish I had a clunker--neither of my two vehicles qualify!

Car makers and those in the supply chain will be helped by all of the car sales! Why didn't our government propose something like this earlier? Could it be that in the rush to do something to stimulate the economy with $787B in tax-dollar spending that they did not have time to think and evaluate their plan? Could it be that they did not even have time to read the legislation?

Now the news is out that the Cash for Clunkers program has been temporarily suspended by Uncle Sam (USA Today article). Why? The $1B dedicated to the program has been exhausted. Congress is trying to move quickly to add an additional $2B to the program. Here we go in a rush again!

My experience in life is that making hasty decisions often leads to "I-wish-I-had-taken-more-time-to-think-about-that" regrets. Is there any way to slow down the revamp of our health care system ... in the hopes of getting it close to right the first time??

As a side note to this post, home buyers should not rush into buying decisions either. Get your facts, then move forward. If you are a first-time buyer, remember that there is still time to buy a home before the $8,000 tax credit goes away. Home purchases must be closed before December 1, 2009.

Jim Gilbert, REALTOR, Heart of Austin Homes

Licensed (#0536692) to sell Real Estate in Austin and in the State of Texas

Cedar Park Town Center Has Inventory Homes to Sell!

Jim Gilbert — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:29:00 GMT

While I was in Leander and Cedar Park today showing a home and dealing with business for buyers who are relocating to the area, I decided to drive through the D.R. Horton development Town Center. The last time I was there, there were several homes under construction. Today, I was surprised to find at least 2 dozen completed homes with "For Sale" signs in front of them. There were also a number of other homes in various stages of completion.

From my own observations over the past couple of months in new home communities in the greater Austin area, I had noticed that D.R. Horton was doing more building in its communities than other local and national builders were doing. This observation was verified in an article written by Shonda Novak in the Austin American-Statesman on Saturday, July 25: "In the strongest sign yet that the local homebuilding market is turning around, the largest builder in Central Texas, D.R. Horton, is ramping up production by putting hundreds of speculative homes on the ground in its communities across the region. ... D.R. Horton started construction on 162 homes in the first quarter and 398 in the second quarter, which ended in June, said Mark Sprague, the Austin partner for housing tracker Residential Strategies Inc. "They could easily start another 100" this month, he said." Per the article, some see the building by D.R. Horton as a gamble. Time will tell if they are correct, or if D.R. Horton is reading the Austin area real estate market well.

What does this building "boom" and lots of ready-to-move-into-inventory mean for buyers? If you are looking for a new home and do not want to wait for it to be built, this might be a great time to take a look at what is available in Town Center (or in another of the D.R. Horton communities such as Falcon Pointe, Sweetwater Glen or Avery Ranch). If you can buy now, you can still take advantage of low interest rates, lower prices and the $8,000 federal tax credit (for first-time buyers).

Click on the following link to learn more about Town Center and to browse homes for sale in the neighborhood.

I have helped clients get good deals in several D.R. Horton new home communities (including Town Center) in the Austin area. Having a Realtor on your side is always wise. When you get ready to talk to a Realtor, please give me a call at 512.913.1557.

Jim Gilbert, REALTOR, Heart of Austin Homes

Licensed (#0536692) to sell Real Estate in Austin and in the State of Texas

Client Purchases Home in East Austin

Jim Gilbert — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:45:00 GMT

Yesterday, the dream of owning a home in East Austin was realized by a client of mine. Her home search took a while (including losing another home because of an inaccurate, low appraisal), but she persisted and the process has come to an end!

Many modern home buyers want newer homes with all the bells and whistles that have come along with new building techiques and technology. That is not the case for this client! She knew what she wanted from the start: what I would call a vintage home in a quaint neighborhood, one that is close to what Downtown Austin and Ladybird Johnson Lake have to offer.

This special home (2 bedrooms and 1 bath, built in 1948) has a number of enduring features that helped her love it: original doors and windows, original hard-wood floors, lovely curb appeal, and very nice landscaping. It has some modern updates. It was exciting to hear her talk about her plans to make improvements to the home ... little by little. Keep smiling, Sam!

For assistance in purchasing or selling a home in East Austin or in another Austin area neighborhood, please give me a call at 512.913.1557.

Jim Gilbert, REALTOR, Heart of Austin Homes

Licensed (#0536692) to sell Real Estate in Austin and in the State of Texas

Clients Purchase Home in Kyle's Amberwood Subdivision!

Jim Gilbert — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:29:00 GMT

Today (July 17, 2009) is a special day for a couple of my clients! They closed on a home yesterday, and it funded today. As first-time home buyers, they are particularly excited about moving from the nice South Austin duplex they have been leasing into their own home. It actually took far less time for them to buy this home than we all expected. We looked at homes in several neighborhoods in the Kyle and Buda area, but when they saw this home in Kyle's Amberwood subdivision, their search was over!

The home my clients bought is a lovely Gehan model with plenty of nice features: single-story, 4 bedrooms, over 2300 sq. ft., double-pane windows, high ceilings, crown molding, and large family room. The master suite has a large bathroom with separate shower and a garden tub. The home has great curb appeal, and is located within walking distance to the Amberwood community center and pool.

Amberwood is a lovely community located just off IH-35 between Kyle and Buda. The homes in the subdivision were built in the years 2003-2008 by Lennar Homes and Gehan Homes. The neighborhood is in the middle of a rapidly growing area south of Austin. Evidence of the growth is seen in new area subdivisions (Whispering Hollow, Garlic Creek, Meadows at Buda, for example), and in the retail shopping development to the north in Buda and South Austin, and to the south toward Kyle. If you are looking for groceries, there is an HEP Plus and a Super WalMart nearby. Need home improvement items? Try the Home Depot across the freeway or the Lowe's just south of Amberwood. There is also a new Seton medical center in the area that is scheduled to open in October of this year. Golfers are a short distance from the Plum Creek Golf Club. Those who love hunting, fishing and boating are a hop, skip and a jump from Cabela's outdoor store. The area has a lot to offer Amberwood homeowners, and will offer much more in the years to come.

Click this link for more information on Amberwood and to browse homes for sale in Amberwood.

For help in purchasing or selling a home in Amberwood or in another Austin area neighborhood, please give me a call at 512.913.1557.

My client, Abey Bruce, has an Austin lawn and landscaping business. Click the preceeding link to learn about the services he provides and to read client testimonials.

Jim Gilbert, REALTOR, Heart of Austin Homes

Licensed (#0536692) to sell Real Estate in Austin and in the State of Texas

South/Southwest Austin New Home Communities Update

Jim Gilbert — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:10:00 GMT

There are still a number of active new home communities in south and southwest Austin below US 71/290. Clearly, the downturn in the US and area economy has affected all of them. Stats reported by the Austin Business Journal show that new home starts are up in the area, but not nearly at the level of 2007 or even 2008. Most of the homes that new home builders are putting up are from contracts with buyers for "to-be-built" homes. There are some exceptions to this "rule," however.

Since my previous blog on new home communities in south and southwest Austin, there have been a number of noteworthy changes. In the update that follows, the links are to neighborhood and or homes-for-sale pages on my HeartofAustinHomes.com website. The updates are mostly for neighborhoods in the 78745, 78748, 78749, and 78739 zip codes.

1. Bauerle Ranch and The Estates at Bauerle Ranch, both developed by D.R. Horton Homes, have been completed.

2. Independence, a "throwback" community of old-style new homes just past Stassney on Manchaca, has been purchased from Newmark Homes by Scott Felder Homes. I have a client who seems genuinely interested in purchasing a home in Independence later this year.

3. In Brodie Springs, builders Taylor Morrison and Grand Haven Homes are both trying to be more competitive in the current market and have introduced some lower priced models. Homes in this lovely neighborhood, located just south of W. Slaughter on Brodie, are still beyond the reach of most home buyers. Grand Haven Homes base prices begin just under $330k; Taylor Morrison's homes begin in the $360s. A client of mine recently closed on a home in Brodie Springs.

4. Southpark Meadows is doing better after a rocky start. It was evident that the timing of the start of home-building by Buffington and Saldana Homes in this neighborhood couldn't have been much worse. Buffington has now sold its six initial homes; Saldana still has 2 or 3 of its homes left to sell. Late last week, neither builder had started any additional new homes.

5. The same five builders are still in play at the Bridges at Bear Creek, located at the southern end of Brodle Lane. Mercedes, Buffington and Lennar have all sold some homes in the neighborhood. Scott Felder has a couple of lovely single-story homes available in the estates section. Randy Rollo has not yet started any homes in the neighborhood.

6. Brodie Heights Condominiums: Though many of these condos (3/unit) have been built and sold, developer D.R. Horton is not doing any building at this time.

7. Sweetwater Glen: These stand-alone, single-family condos have been popular with new home buyers. Builder D. R. Horton recently began development of a new section, and is building some spec homes there. Homes are mostly Hardiplank type siding with muted pastel paint colors.

8. Sage Meadow is one of the new developments in this area. Just opened by D. R. Horton, Sage Meadow features homes ranging in size from 1,299 - 1,856 sq. ft., and in price from the mid-$160s to the low $180s. No completed homes are available at this time.

9. Gabardine, "a tailored pocket of Shady Hollow," is a new development just west of Brodie Lane on Frate Barker Road. It features "flats" and "cottages" built by David Weekley Homes. These units range in size from 1,173 - 1,448 sq. ft., and feature tailoring names such as Poplin, Oxford, Jersey and Woolsey. There are six 2, 3 and 4 bedroom models. Prices range from the $150s to the low-$200s.

10. Enclave at Westgate: My wife and I drove through this new neighborhood last week. Several homes are completed. The builder (CottageCraft Homes) describes the 48 homes to be completed there as "contemporary cottage-style homes." Four floor plans are available in sizes ranging from 1,540 sq. ft. to 1,713 sq. ft. Prices begin in the $200s. If you are looking for a home with "stand-out" color, this subdivision may be for you!

11. The 3 neighborhoods near the south end of S. 1st St. (The Oak at Twin Creeks-KB Home, Meadows at Double Creek-Newmark/Scott Felder, and Ashbrooke-Centex) are still in various stages of development.

12. La Vid is another cottage-style new home (condo) development by Certified Homes, located at 6708 Manchaca. There are 37 1- and 2-story units to be built in La Vid. I showed some of these homes recently. Nice! It looked like almost half of the development is complete. Prices bening at about $220,000.

13. Some building is continuing in Circle C West/Hielschier by Streetman Homes (Stone Creek), D.R. Horton (Alta Mira) and KB Home (The Enclave, Fairway Estates and Enclave Estates).

14. Rose Glen, a small subdivision being built by Meritage Homes, has one home under construction and 6 more to be built. Prices begin around the $250s. This development is located just south of Ben White and just east of Manchaca Rd.

15. Building by Meritage and D. R. Horton is continuing in Rancho Alto, located on Frate Barker Road between Brodie Lane and Manchaca Rd.

16. For home buyers wanting something a bit further out and maybe a bit more expensive than most neighborhoods in this update, take a look at Meridian (at Circle C), which has a number of builders participating in that development, and Rim Rock, a bit further out on FM-1826 just past Salt Lick BBQ. Lennar, Mercedes and custom builders are building in the various sections of Rim Rock.

17. You might also consider two new home communities just west of Buda: Whispering Hollow and Garlic Creek.

Is it a good time to buy a new home? That depends on your dreams and budget. With the slowdown of sales of both resale and new homes, there is a lot of competition for the buyer's dollar. Builders are typically offering incentives; sellers of resale homes are also finding that they need to be flexible on how much they ask for their homes. Don't expect a miracle, but do look for a good deal. It is also wise to be represented by a Realtor in a new home purchase.

I would love to assist you in your purchase of a home (new or resale). Please give me a call at 512.913.1557, or drop me an email.

4919 Timberline Drive in Rollingwood's Timberline Terrace is SOLD!

Jim Gilbert — Fri, 01 May 2009 02:04:00 GMT

Timberline Terrace, Rollingwood/Austin, Texas - The single-story home on almost half an acre at 4919 Timberline Drive in Rollingwood has been SOLD!

My seller clients had this to say: "Thank you very much for the job you did in selling our house. We feel that everything went very smoothly. You handled everthing very professionally and timely. I don't think we could have found anyone else to care so much and be honest about every detail." (Jim & Mary Shipwash)

If you have a home to sell in Rollingwood or in another part of the Austin area, or if you are looking for a home, I would love to assist you. You can reach me at (512) 913-1557.

Jim Gilbert, REALTOR, Heart of Austin Homes. Licensed (#0536692) to sell real estate in the State of Texas.

"Experience and Heart ... Working Together in Austin Real Estate for You!"

Golf at River Place Country Club

Jim Gilbert — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 21:45:00 GMT

I had the privilege of playing the golf course at River Place Country Club this week. This private country club is the primary amenity of the upscale West Austin River Place subdivision and residential development.

If you want to play some Hill Country golf and at the same time enjoy some fabulous Hill Country scenery, then you will want to find a way to play the River Place golf course. (For some the best way is to become a member of the River Place Country Club.) This 18-hole championship layout, designed by Austin PGA and Champions Tour star Tom Kite and Roy Bechtol, features a large practice range, chipping and putting greens, and a bunker for practicing those menacing sand shots. There are four sets of tees for players of varying skills. The red tees are the shortest at 4,720 yards. From the tips the course measures 6,691 yards.

From the bronze tees, the layout of holes #1 - #9 is just 3,049 yards long, but what a challenge these holes are! Can you say, "Keep it in the short grass?" If you don't, the ravine that crosses and parallels most of the holes can eat up a lot of golf balls! I wondered just how many balls might be "down there."

Local knowledge is helpful in playing this course. Take hole #1, a downhill, 380-yard, dogleg left par 4, for example. You can hit a "perfect" draw, and end up in the ravine that is hidden from view at the tee box and that crosses the fairway in front of the green. My hybrid tee shot ended up about a yard from the ravine! Keeping the ball in the fairway short of the trouble will give a relatively easy second shot to the green.

#2 is a lovely, downhill par-3 that requires a short iron tee shot over the ravine and water. The green is protected by bunkers short left and long. Key: don't be intimidated by all the ways to find trouble. Take dead aim at the green. A good shot will leave a putt for birdie.

My notes for holes #3 through #9 all mentioned the ravine in one way or another: "don't go left," "tee shot across ravine," "don't go right!" My drive on #4, a 534-yard par-5 was dead center. But, my well-struck second shot went into the unseen wide ravine ahead. A little local knowledge there would have helped to save my Titleist ProV1 from an untimely demise!

Hole #7 is a dogleg right par-4 that requires a tee shot across the ravine, I decided to play a fade off the tee. Since this is a shot I normally do not try, I was pleasantly surprised when the ball left my driver clubface, and faded slightly to the middle of the fairway. With that success, I was encouraged to try that shot again later in the round (#17).

The front nine ends with a trip through a tunnel as the cart path leads to the 10th tee. The view at the end of the tunnel, an overlook across some of the course and neighborhood, is great!

The Hill Country and golf course views really are two of the best features of the back nine! From the bronze tees the last nine measures 3,079 yards. The layout is still challenging, but the ravine does not come into play as much as it does on the front nine. The 12th hole is a 121-yard par 3. That sounds easy, but there is water at the right side of the green and a large sand trap to the left. Unfortunately, I put it in the trap and had a bit of trouble getting out.

The 476-yard par-5 13th hole has a ravine running along the right side, and a well-stocked pond in front of the green. The stock? I did not see any fish, but there were plenty of golf balls! I got the feeling that many golfers had passed by this pond wishing that their balls had avoided this watery grave.

The par-4 15th hole is just 274 yards from the bronze tee. I had a go at it with my driver and ended up on the cart path, hole high, just to the left of the green. If only I had hit that fade!

My best memory of this day's play on the River Place golf course came at the 17th hole. Measuring 553 yards from the bronze tee, I began the hole with the thought that it would take me 3 good shots to get to the green. The hole is a slight dogleg right, so I decided to hit that fade off the tee. The shot came off perfectly! What I did not know is that about 275 yards or so from the tee, the fairway begins a fairly steep slope downward. My ball went far enough to catch that slope and ended up at the bottom, just across the cart path, dead center in the fairway, and about 225 yards from the green. The drive measured almost 330 yards! The 225 yards left to the green were uphill. I pulled my 5-wood and decided to try the fade again. When the ball came off the clubface just as I had planned, I expected it to land short of the green and roll on. There I hoped to have a putt for an eagle. When we approached the green, there was no ball in sight! After a little searching, my playing partner found it in the light rough beyond the green! On further inspection, the ball had left a pitch mark when it landed at the very back of the green. I finally walked off with a par, and am still wondering just how the ball had gone so far twice! Maybe it was that Callaway Tour iX I had found earlier in the round.

The 18th is a nice finishing hole. From the left side of the fairway, I hit a wedge to within 10 feet of the hole and had two more putts. I had trouble getting the speed and breaks of the greens right most of the day!

Overall, my experience at River Place Country Club's golf course was a very nice one. The weather was perfect, the course was challenging, and the views were inspiring. In addition, I was able to hit enough good shots to make me want to play the course again!

In addition to its golf course and fully-stocked pro shop, River Place Country Club has eight lighted tennis courts, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a junior Olympic swimming pool and meeting, eating and banquet facilities. For information on the Club and membership packages, go to Club Info on the River Place Country Club website, or call Membership Director Raquel Hebben at (512) 346-1114 x247. The Club is located at 4207 River Place Blvd., Austin, TX 78730. Membership does not require residence or ownership of real estate within the River Place community.

For information on the River Place Austin subdivision and homes for sale, follow the link at the top of this blog, or give me a call at (512) 913.1557.

Jim Gilbert, REALTOR, Heart of Austin Homes. Licensed (#0536692) to sell real estate in the State of Texas.