Sherry's Austin TX Real Estate Blog: Sherry Scales, ABR,GRI,REALTOR (RE/MAX Austin Skyline)

Beautiful Rustic Log Home, Secluded on 5+ acres. Meticulously maintained Horse Arena.

3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, Office.   Open floor plan.

Fully fenced, Barn, Pond, Tack Bldg complete with electricity to it.   Priced to sell fast at $270,000.

Today my husband and I were out running some errands. He was getting frustrated trying to talk to me between my taking and making phone calls. But I have a deal going, trying to get ready for the holidays and leaving town. So, I am on laundry and packing duty, gift and gift wrap duty, while working and trying to be a good wife.

We had to stop by the bank to get some cash. I won’t say arguing, but discussing how much I was going to withdraw for the upcoming trip, cash gifts, etc. Cool day out, so I am wearing a light coat and walking briskly. Hubby waited in the car while I went in and took care of business.

So, I come out of the bank, walking very briskly….put my purse inside my jacket like I was hiding it, got in the car and loudly said….”DRIVE!!! GO!!! GET OUT OF HERE!! GO!!!! GO!!!! GO!!!!

Well…the look on my husband’s face….PRICELESS!!! He is all “What in the world did you do?” He didn’t even start the car! Well, needless to say, I didn’t do anything! But, I discovered if I ever did….he would not  be my get-away driver! But, we had a good laugh!

I can tell the holidays are getting close. I am just craving See’s Peanut Brittle. If you have never tried it, and you like peanut brittle, this is the best I have had anywhere in the world! It is a cross between Peanut Brittle and buttery toffee!

Last year I started off purchasing a dozen boxes and had to go back for more. When we visit our families for the holiday’s they are licking their chops for the treats we bring. This is one of their favorites! See’s doesn’t have candy stores just everywhere, but here is the link to order on line. “See’s”

These make great gifts to hand out to clients or vendors. Trust me when I say, order the big box size, and order in multiples. Men especially love these, and you know how hard they are to buy for! (Especially the ones who have everything already!)

Let's start your search for a home today!    www.Luxury-Homes-in-Austin.com

Can you believe it? I feel like I just finished cleaning up from the last year! I am getting an earlier start this year. So, I am here to remind you too. All I want for Christmas is your referrals….

Sherry Scales, REALTOR®

RE/MAX Austin Skyline

512.925.8928 

sherry@sherryscales.com

www.Luxury-Homes-in-Austin.com to search for homes.

I am never too busy for your referrals.

Remember after you have stolen examined all your children’s candy. Eaten all the leftovers from your own stash….And everyone is headed to bed in a sugar comma….. Don’t forget to set your clocks back! Perhaps your costume this year could be Day Light Savings Time. A costume and a community reminder!

Need a reason to call someone?  Remind them of the time change this weekend!

Let’s start your home search today. www.Luxury-Homes-in-Austin.com

Are newspapers going to the wayside? So many of us go to the internet now for news, Craigslist for jobs or buys is now the classified ads… and there is a website for almost everything! I know newspapers and magazine companies are laying off people. Companies are doing away with print ads. Even real estate agents don’t advertise like we used to.

Remember how giant the newspaper was the day after Thanksgiving. Took two of us to lift it off the end of the drive way. Last year it looked like the normal Sunday paper.

Both sets of our parents have their noses in those papers first thing every morning when we go visit them. They are not computer folks, they are retired, and the newspaper is something they enjoy as the television just doesn’t give all the local news. These days if you want to enjoy the newspaper with a cup of coffee, you had better drink fast…because the papers have gotten so thin, they don’t take long to read anymore.

What is next to go to the wayside….Magazines? Yellow Pages? Land Lines? Dial up Internet? Answering Machines? Camera’s that use film? DVD players? Video stores?

I was on the web tonight looking for some Christmas ideas and ran across the talking scale. Got me to thinking....How loud does it talk? Does is speak in a whisper?  Is it a male or female voice?  Would weighing in private now have to be done when no one else was home?  When I stepped on it, would it scream "One at a time, Please!"  

Then I see the Electronic Remote Weight Monitor Scale.  I think, my goodness....does it weight you from a distance?  No, you stand on it, and the hand help remote tells you the weight.  I guess this is for pregnant women who can no longer see their feet?   Well, it does go one to say there is a 550 lb weight limit. Well, I am not even going there.  I am just thankful I can still see my feet.  

There are some things one should never give as a gift...This idea is one of them!

Let's get you in a new home before the holidays.    www.Luxury-Homes-in-Austin.com 

Are you a good HOA? Or are you a bad HOA? They are not all created equal. Generally when we sell a home in a subdivision that has an HOA, the buyers don’t get all the HOA rules and regulation until after the closing. Well, they need to see them first. You need to know what you are getting into!

A couple years ago I sold a home to a first time home buyer. He worked for a heating and air conditioning company, and drove a company truck. Well in this particular subdivision, you cannot park a vehicle with advertising on it in your drive way. Well, the truck was about 10 inches too tall to get into the garage with the ladders and etc. on it. We drove around the neighborhood, and seen at least 15 vehicles sitting in driveways. Cable companies, etc. A very clean and nice looking sub-division. They knew going in what the rules were, and they wanted to buy anyway. First week after they moved in, they got the letter! They are still there, so guess they worked it out…but had me thinking.

I totally understand the reasoning behind a HOA. It is to keep the neighborhood clean and appealing to keep the home values up, and some offer amenities that the average home owner cannot afford, such as a swimming pool or tennis court, and keep the common areas looking nice. It keeps your neighbors from having the sofa on the front porch, and the toilet planter at the street, and grass a foot tall.

But saying you can’t work for a company, and drive a company car, that won’t fit into your garage? Remember, we are talking Austin and the surrounding area…Builders don’t build garages large enough for anything except small cars or small trucks generally. I can understand if you drive a semi truck, you can’t get that in a drive way, and I imagine it would block driveways parked in the street… But, I wouldn‘t mind knowing that my neighbor works for the local cable company, or is a plumber…or they know that I am a REALTOR®.

I have a client that lives in a gated community, and they are not allowed to have wreaths on their doors. Now that is brutal! No holiday wreaths!

When builders build a subdivision, generally a HOA group is assigned, and after the subdivision is built out, they will elect officers. This is the time to remember to that this is your subdivision. Rules can be added or taken away if it is put before the board and voted on at a meeting. Get involved in your community! You don’t have to be an officer if you don’t want to be, but the officers always need help, and would welcome your involvement.

Let’s start your home search today. www.Luxury-Homes-in-Austin.com