Mary Lynne Gibbs

Did you purchase a home in 2013? If the answer is yes, it is time to fill out the Homestead form from the county in which you bought and file between January 1, 2014 and April 30, 2014 to receive an exemption on your property taxes.  Saving money is always great news!

There is no fee to file your homestead exemption.  But, please beware that you might receive an official looking letter asking for $25+ to file this exemption for you.  This is not necessary.

Please see the contact information below for Travis, Williamson, Hays and Bastrop counties for the Homestead Exemption forms and instructions on filing.

Travis County – http://www.traviscad.org

Williamson County – http://www.wcad.org

Hays County – http://www.hayscad.com

Bastrop County – Call 512-303-1930 ext. 22

To qualify for the Homestead Exemption in the state of Texas, you must own your home on January 1, 2014 and it must be your principle residence.

Additionally, if you are older than 65 or a disabled veteran, you may also qualify for other exemptions.   Please go to http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo for more information and what exemptions you might be eligible for.

Mary Lynne Gibbs and The Gibbs Team would be honored to help you in any and all of your real estate needs.  Please feel free to contact us for more information at 512.431.2403.

We wish you a very happy and prosperous 2014!!  Happy New Year!

Looking to enjoy the expansive Texas Hill Country views in the privacy of your own little piece of heaven?

2222 Stagecoach Ranch Road in Dripping Springs, Texas (MLS # 4706990) affords you the opportunity to live in the country while being close enough to Austin, Texas to enjoy all the amenities of our great city!

Priced at $416,000, 2222 Stagecoach Ranch Road sits on approximately 10 acres of a wooded Texas landscape with a three bedroom and two bath home that measures about 2250 square feet and offers plenty of space to entertain with the gorgeous wrap around porch, open living area and large kitchen.

2222 Stagecoach Ranch Road is perfect for the car enthusiast, as it has a spacious three car garage and a large workshop to build, tinker with or enjoy any of your projects.

Down the road from Hamilton Pool, 2222 Stagecoach Ranch Road is a secluded getaway with a wet weather creek, a bridge, a garden, plenty of space to roam and even allows up to four horses on the property.

The one-story home was built in 1997 and includes large rooms, all sides masonry and is nestled among rolling hills.

2222 Stagecoach Ranch Road provides a beautiful and secluded retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city with all the comforts of modern day conveniences.

If you are interested in making an offer on 2222 Stagecoach Ranch Road or have questions, please contact Mary Lynne Gibbs with Keller Williams Realty at 512.431.2403 or austinluxurybroker@gmail.com.

Looking for a fabulous investment property with great potential in Central Texas?  625 N. Nugent Avenue in Johnson City, Texas (MLS #8445594) is just what you are looking for!

Priced at $679,000, 625 N. Nugent Avenue is currently being operated as a bed & breakfast and wedding venue, but has the potential for other income producing ventures such as a restaurant, winery and tasting room or as a lodge.  The options are endless and the view is even better!

Situated on almost 6 acres in the Texas Hill Country, this 19^th century style home is located on the outskirts of Johnson City and includes five cabins amid a lavender farm, herb garden, flower garden, winding paths through the woods and a butterfly garden.

Whether you are using 625 N. Nugent Avenue for work or pleasure, the comfortable atmosphere is tough to beat.  The main home is over 3000 square feet and includes two master suites, an office, a great room, kitchen with walk-in pantry and a sun room.  The home is flanked with covered porches and a pavilion that provide a grand view of the beautiful surroundings and Texas landscape.

The five cabins located on the property each have large bedrooms along with refrigerators and microwaves to accommodate guests and are nestled among the large trees for privacy.

This extraordinary piece of property is centrally located to over 18 wineries, Marble Falls, Wimberley, Blanco and Fredericksburg…all within 30 miles.  The area is known as the “The 290 Wine Trail” and draws more visitors annually than all other wine locations besides Napa Valley, California.

If you are interested in making an offer on 625 N. Nugent Avenue or have questions, please contact Mary Lynne Gibbs with Keller Williams Realty at 512.431.2403 or austinluxurybroker@gmail.com.

 

With the extreme dip in temperature that Austin, Texas has been recently experiencing, Mary Lynne Gibbs and The Gibbs Team thought you would find our Top 10 Winter Tips useful!

The long holiday weekend ahead is a great time to get a few winterizing projects done before the Austin winter season REALLY hits!  Of course, we might be wearing winter coats one day and shorts the next…you just never know!

However, the following ideas can help avoid a disaster from happening, as well as save you money when you turn on the heat!

Top 10 Winter Tips:

Clean the gutters.  Leaves and debris can cause problems if a freeze happens.  They can hinder proper drainage, as well as put unnecessary weight on the gutter if it then fills with ice.

Wrap outdoor pipes.  Any exposed pipes are prone to freeze, so it is best to wrap them with insulated coverings or heat tape.  Hoses should also be drained.

Check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.  Batteries should be replaced and alarms should be tested.

Reverse ceiling fans.  The blades should be turning clockwise in order for warm air to be pushed down during the winter months.

Check the furnace.  Turn on the furnace before the coldest day arrives.  It’s always a good idea to have an HVAC professional inspect the furnace to make sure it’s in working order.

Trim the trees.  Make sure tree limbs are not hanging too close to the home or to electrical lines because they can cause extreme damage during a freeze.

Seal window and door leaks.  Go through your home on a breezy day and see if you feel drafts coming through any of your windows and doors.  If so, you can seal them up with door sweeps, caulking and weather stripping.

Set your furnace temperature on 55 degrees.  When you leave for a weekend or an extended stay always make sure you keep your furnace on in the winter in case a freeze happens while you are away.

Ensure the fire extinguisher is not expired.

Call a chimney sweep.  Chimneys are fire hazards if not cleaned properly.  Make sure a chimney cap is placed on the top of the chimney to keep out birds and rodents.  Inspect fireplace damper to make sure it opens and closes properly.

Mary Lynne would be honored to serve you in all of your real estate needs.  Please let us know how we can help!  You may call us at 512.431.2403 or email us at austinluxurybroker@gmail.com!

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends!

This weekend will start the six-week procession through the holiday season…starting with Thanksgiving next Thursday straight through Christmas and on past New Year’s Day.  YES, the holiday season is upon us in Austin, Texas!!

Doesn’t seem like a great time of year to put your home on the market, does it?

Well, think again!  In fact, Mary Lynne Gibbs and her team, The Gibbs Team, will give you ELEVEN reasons why it is a fabulous idea to put your home on the market in or around Austin during the holiday season!

TOP 11 REASONS TO LIST YOUR HOME DURING THE HOLIDAYS:

11. By selling now, you may have an opportunity to be a non-contingent buyer during the spring, when many more houses are on the market for less money! This will allow you to sell high and buy low!

10. You can sell now for more money and we can provide for a delayed closing or extended occupancy until early next year!

9.  Even though your house will be on the market, you still have the option to restrict showings during the six or seven days around the Holidays!

8.  January is traditionally the month for employees to begin new jobs.  Since transferees cannot wait until spring to buy, you need to be on the market during the Holidays to capture the market!

7.  Some people must buy before the end of the year for tax reasons!

6.  Buyers have more time to look for a home during the Holidays than they do during the work week.

5.  Buyers are more emotional during the Holidays, so they are more likely to pay your price.

4.  Houses show better when decorated for the Holidays!

3.  Since the supply of listings will dramatically increase in January, there will be less demand for your particular home.  Less demand means less money for you.

2.  Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from during the Holidays and less competition means more money for you!

And the #1 reason why you should list during the Holiday….

1.  People who look for homes during the Holidays are SERIOUS buyers!!!!

Mary Lynne and her team, The Gibbs Team, would be honored to represent you in any and all of your real estate needs.  Please contact Mary Lynne at 512.431.2403 or at austinluxurybroker@gmail.com.