Mary Lynne Gibbs

August 20, 2014 By Mary Lynne Gibbs

Homebuilder Questions

New communities pop up throughout the Austin area on a regular basis with homebuilders ranging from national brands to exclusive luxury builders. I would love to say that all homebuilders are created equal and that they are all honest and ethical, but we all know we might find a few scoundrels in the mix.

It is critical to understand the process and know the right questions to ask when signing on the dotted line for a new home. This protects you in one of the largest purchases you will ever make.

First of all, having a Realtor® is a huge benefit. Why do you ask? Well, it’s because Realtors® can represent you and all of your interests where a homebuilder represents themselves and is looking out for themselves first and you second.

Additionally, Realtors® already know the transaction and building process and can pass this expertise along to you.

I would like to share with you a list of questions buyers should ask their homebuilders before signing and executing the contract. They include:

What business entity or individual will appear on the purchase contract as the homebuilder? Who is this business entity?
Who owns the lot upon which the residence will be built?
Who owns the title company that the Seller (who presumably is the builder) is insisting upon using? How much business does that Seller/Builder give the title company?
What is the relationship of the business entities the homebuilder owns or manages to specialty independent contractors he urges the buyer to use; i.e. custom pools, tennis courts, home entertainment centers, etc.?
Where relevant, who owns the third party financing agent the Seller (who presumably is the builder) is insisting the buyer use?
If the buyer wants any upgrades or allowances tied to an earnest money or other payment in advance of closing, what happens if closing does not occur?
Under what terms and conditions can the Seller/ Builder refuse to close?
If a warranty or assurance is promised, who is issuing it and what does it actually cover?

These are just a few of the many questions that I would ask during the negotiation process if you chose me to represent you in a new home purchase. Once the purchase contract was signed, I then would be on top of the transaction from start to finish.

Don’t be overwhelmed with the questions and process. Let me help with the details! It’s hard enough just to pick out the right paint, cabinets or flooring!!!

If you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling real estate in the Austin area, please do not hesitate to contact Mary Lynne Gibbs at 512.431.2304 or austinluxurybroker@gmail.com! It would be an honor to earn your business!

August 13, 2014 By Mary Lynne Gibbs

Wes Peoples

My listing at 111 Bisset Court in the Bluffs at Rough Hollow, built by Wes Peoples Homes, is one of my favorites because of its intricate design and architecture.

So, you can imagine my delight when I saw that Wes Peoples, the founder and president of Wes Peoples Homes, had been profiled by the Austin Business Journal this past week.

The article covered his over 35-year career, his favorite things like music and books, along with his extensive community involvement. Overall, it was a fabulous read and a great way to get to know one of the best custom builders in the Austin area.

Founded in 2011, Wes Peoples Homes builds luxurious homes in carefully selected sites in the Austin area from lakeside estates around Lake Travis to condominiums in downtown Austin. The homes he builds are technologically savvy, exquisitely designed, environmentally conscious and energy efficient.

Currently Wes Peoples Homes is building in the Bluffs at Rough Hollow off of Highway 71, Boulevard at Lakeway, Edgewick in downtown Austin, Teravista between Round Rock and Georgetown and Shady Hollow in South Austin. Additionally, Wes Peoples Homes is planning to build in River Place, Crystal Falls, Rancho Sienna and 404 West Alpine in downtown.

I encourage you to read the Austin Business Journal article to find out more about Wes Peoples and who the man is behind the builder. You can find it at Austin Business Journal/Wes Peoples Article.

111 Bisset Court is also a great way to see the quality workmanship, elaborate details and high-function design of Wes Peoples Homes. 111 Bisset Court is a 3437 square foot, one-story, four bedroom and three bathroom home situated on the 1800-acre community of Bluffs at Rough Hollow with oversized lots, stone exteriors, tile roofs and glass & wrought iron front doors.

Other home amenities include:

Bosch microwave & dishwasher
Wolf gas cooktop/oven
Rinnai tankless water heaters
Blown-in cellulose wall and attic insulation (100% post-consumer material)
Energy efficient Low E3 vinyl windows with bronze exterior frames to match façade and clay interior frames to accent interior finishes
Upgraded granite & Silestone countertops throughout
Upgraded all-wood custom cabinetry
Hand-trowel drywall finish on all interior walls (excluding garages) and orange peel finish on all interior ceilings (excluding garages)
3Ž4” (nominal) 3-coat stucco system with sand-finish texture
50 year tile roof systems (barrel & flat tile)

If you or someone you know is interested in 111 Bisset Court or in buying or selling real estate in the Austin area, please do not hesitate to contact Mary Lynne Gibbs at 512.431.2403 or at austinluxurybroker@gmail.com. It would be an honor to earn your business.

August 6, 2014 By Mary Lynne Gibbs

Marble Falls Lakefest

The 23rd Annual Marble Falls LakeFest Drag Boat Race is this weekend, August 8-10, on Lake Marble Falls. This three-day boat race festival takes place in Lakeside and Johnson Parks at 307 Buena Vista Drive with the main gate located at the corner of Main Street and Buena Vista Street in Marble Falls.

The boat drag race, which is similar to those of land drag racing, is an acceleration race over a quarter-mile between two high performance race boats. This particular Marble Falls Lakefest includes over 100 boats, three days of racing, and will pay out over $100,000 in prize money to winners. Additionally, boats can reach astonishing speeds of over 260 miles per hour during the races.

Each day, gates open at 7 a.m. with testing and tuning on Friday, qualifying races on Saturday and final races with an award ceremony on Sunday. Friday night will end with a concert by the Luke Williams Band and Saturday will end with a concert by Deacon Willie.

During the Lakefest weekend, attendees will also find a large selection of food, drinks, merchandise, crafts, vendors and much more at Johnson Park between the main gate and spectator area.

Seating is on a first come-first serve basis and tickets can be purchased at www.marblefallslakefest.com or by phone at 800-759-8178. Prices include:

Friday: $5
Saturday: $20
Sunday: $20
3-Day: $40
Kids (Ages 6-12): $5 per day
Kids under 6: FREE

Event parking is along side streets and in the lot at the corner of Main Street and Yett Street.

If you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling real estate in the Austin area, please do not hesitate to contact Mary Lynne Gibbs at 512.431.2403 or austinluxurybroker@gmail.com. It would be an honor to earn your business.

July 30, 2014 By Mary Lynne Gibbs

13411 White Tail Trail (MLS#7599174)

Escape the city life and unwind amid the abundant trees and Texas Hill Country landscape at 13411 White Tail Trail in Austin, Texas between Oak Hill and Dripping Springs.

Listed for $390,000, this ranch-style, one-story home sits on over 3.5 acres to explore and enjoy the native countryside. Wildlife abounds in this natural setting with deer, birds and a wet weather creek that runs along the back of the property.

13411 White Tail Trail is not located in a homeowner’s association; therefore, restrictions are at a minimum for this secluded country home. On the property you will find a lovely gate at the entrance with a partial fence, a side-entry garage, a workshop and storage shed.

The home and acreage are perfect for an outdoor lover and someone who wants to be at one with nature, but close to the amenities of a metropolitan area!

Moreover, the possibilities are endless with the open floor plan of the three bedroom and two bathroom home that was built in 1985. 13411 White Tail Trail is complete with many windows for natural lighting, high ceilings with wood beams and flooring that includes wood, marble and carpet.

The house boasts a large great room in the center of the home has a fireplace with built-in cabinetry flanking one side. Additionally, the master bedroom includes a fireplace to add to the relaxing ambiance in a country setting.

Along with the master bedroom, the master suite includes a large bathroom with a sizeable walk-in closet, garden tub, separate shower, and two vanities. One vanity includes two sinks and the other has a large countertop that allows for many purposes.

13411 White Tail Trail is 2263 square feet per an appraiser and includes a formal dining room at the front of the home, a breakfast area that sits along a bay window overlooking the backyard, and a fantastic kitchen, which is outfitted with a large island with an electric cooktop, built-in oven and microwave, many cabinets and loads of counter space.

Residents of 13411 White Tail Trail are within the Austin Independent School District and attend Oak Hill Elementary, Small Middle School and Bowie High School. Utilities include septic, well and electric.

If you are interested in this home or any other real estate opportunities in the Austin area, please do not hesitate to contact Mary Lynne Gibbs at 512.431.2403 or austinluxurybroker@gmail.com. It would be an honor to earn your business.

July 23, 2014 By Mary Lynne Gibbs

Sweetwater

Appropriately named “Where Austin meets the Hill Country,” Sweetwater is an extraordinary master planned community nestled among gorgeous canyons, rocky ridges and rolling hills on the southwest side of Highway 71 in Lakeway, Texas.

The Home Builders Association of Greater Austin recently selected Sweetwater to be the “Best Master Planned Community” for 2014 with its 1400 acres of neighborhood, open spaces, greenbelts, recreation facilities, clubhouse and much more.

Approximately 200 homes have already been built in Sweetwater’s six neighborhood villages ranging from the $300s and up. These areas include:

Davenport Summit which is a gated area that offers the largest homesites in the Sweetwater community and boasts fabulous Hill Country views. These homes are priced from the $500s by Drees Custom Homes and River Oaks Homes.
Creekside and Canyonwood villages are coalesced and offer spacious homesites with a selection of homes by Coventry, Taylor Morrison, David Weekley and Ashton Woods. Prices in this area begin in the upper $300s.
The Highland Lakes village offers homes by Ryland and Chesmar with prices starting in the mid $300s.
Stonecreek village includes homes by David Weekley and Ashton Woods and are priced from the upper $300s.
Hillcrest, the newest village, offers a variety of homes by M/I Homes and Coventry Homes.

The extensive Sweetwater property offers residents a resort-like 10-acre complex that comprises of a clubhouse with indoor space for events and meetings, an outdoor pavilion with fireplace, a massive pool area, a splash pad, athletic fields, a sport court, a playground with lots of shade and an events lawn.

Sweetwater’s pool facility is actually three pools in one and includes a space for everyone’s needs from the mom and tot and competitive swimmer to the sunbather and rowdy teenager! The three pools include a beach-entry pool, a large family pool with two regulation lap lanes, and an adult pool complete with a waterfall. Additionally, there is a splashpad bubbling with water fountains, spray hoops and water cannons for the younger kiddos’ pleasure.

All of these facilities are included in the Sweetwater Homeowners Association dues, along with an events manager that plans and implements special events throughout the year.

The surrounding area embraces the Texas Hill Country landscape and offers residents 700 acres of preserved canyons with already more than four miles of hiking, biking and wilderness trails that meander throughout the neighborhood. In fact, the nature trail system is planned to extend to approximately ten miles when it is completed.

Just 25 minutes west of downtown Austin, Sweetwater is located in the Lake Travis school district and is 5 minutes from shopping, restaurants and entertainment at the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave. Furthermore, residents are in for a treat every spring and summer, as Sweetwater has partnered with the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas on a major initiative to restore native Texas grasses and create an abundance of wildflowers (bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, winecups, Indian blanket and lemonmint) on certain areas along their main thoroughfare.

This luxurious neighborhood has changed enormously since cattle herding in the late 1800s and then as the Lazy Nine Ranch from the 1950s to 2007. Sweetwater now caters to the Austinite who wishes to relax, take in the Hill Country view and enjoy the wild life around them.

If you are interested in making your own memories in this year’s “best master planned community” give me a call at 512.431.2403 or email me at austinluxurybroker@gmail.com. It would be an honor to earn your business.

Mary Lynne Gibbs

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