Sherry's Austin TX Real Estate Blog: October 2008

I went to school with Philip Donlay. At our first High School reunion, I found out he was a pilot. He still is, but he said he was going to take up writing. At the next reunion, he was in town for our reunion and a book signing.  

I would have never in my life figured this guy for a writer!  But I bought his first book, thinking it would be all about airplanes and storms and boring. Was I wrong! It was soooo good!  I could not wait for the next book to hit the stands. It finally did, and was better than the first!  I am anxiously awaiting the next book. These need to be read in order, so you must first read Category 5. The storyline continues in the next book, Code Black.  The suspense never lets up! It's a high-flying disaster thriller that you will be biting your nails in anticipation of each new catastrophe to befall the beleaguered characters. Full of romance, deception, espionage, thrills, and chills.

If you like to read fiction, I highly recommend both of these books. Category Five is out in paper back now. Code Black has been selected as a Minnesota Book Awards Finalist in the Genre Fiction category.

Note: When I started ready Code Black, I was over three quarters of the way through before I could sit it down. It is that good! 

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!

Anyone who knows me...knows my love for chocolate.  Not just any chocolate...but good... Rich... melt in your mouth like butter chocolate.  My husband loves Milk Chocolate, and I love Dark Chocolate.  Let face it...the stuff is loaded with calories!  If I just went around eating all the chocolate I wanted in quantities I wish I could consume...I would be the size of Hershey PA!  So I am very picky on my chocolate.

Well, as you know, my husband travels the world with his job. He has brought me chocolate from practically every country for me to try.  But it was a lady I met at one of his meetings who turned me on to this one. Debra lived in Canada, and for last Christmas she sent us a box of this "Gift from the Chocolate Gods".  Since I did not need all 5 lbs. (I wanted it, but didn't need it!)  I happily shared with my other chocoholic friends and clients.  They loved it to!  We all mourned when the box was empty.  I know I have to order more this year for me and for my special chocoholic friends and clients.

So if you are a Chocoholic or know one, or need something different for a gift this year, I highly recommend this product.  They have to go through some kind of customs when mailed to the US, so allow extra time for mailing if necessary.

Smoothies are a very mild flavored mint, and a very rich chocolate.

Halloween is going to suck this year for a lot of kids.  With all the foreclosures going on, certain neighborhoods are going to be slim on treats for the kiddies.

Hopefully neighbors will keep an eye on the empty homes, as you know this is a time the older kid's teepee or egg homes, or if they know a home is empty, vandalize it.

Let's all keep our children safe, and our neighborhoods safe.

But lets have fun too!

To search for homes in Austin:  www.Luxury-Homes-in-Austin.com

Dear Buyer,

I have done everything I can do to this point to get you into the home of your dreams. Now it is up to the Mortgage and Title professionals to their job and get the paperwork ready for you to sign. But they will run your credit report again, just before we close. You are not out of the woods yet. So promise me this:

1. You won't stop paying your bills.

2. You won't go out and buy a Cadillac, Mercedes, Motorcycle, Yacht or any other kind of boat or car or recreational vehicle.

3.  You won't go out and buy all new furniture for the home that you haven't signed the papers on yet.

4. You won't decide to quit your job.

5. You won't Co-sign for anyone!

6. You won't get all new credit cards, or charge up your existing credit cards.

By doing any of the above items, chances are you will not be closing on the home you have chosen.  If you would sign and date this for me, as I wouldn't want it said I didn't warn you.

                                                   X   ________________________  Date__________

To Search for Homes in the Austin Area Visit  www.Luxury-Homes-in-Austin.com