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June 23, 2015 By Mary Lynne Gibbs

20704 E. Lakeshore Drive, MLS #8301492

Located just 15 minutes from the Hill Country Galleria, 30 minutes to downtown Austin outside the busy city traffic, find this hidden gem tucked away in sought after Spicewood, Texas! Enjoy a private wine tour at one of several vineyards nearby, relax/ entertain on one of the huge outdoor covered terraces or take a sunset boat ride on deep Lake Travis.

20704 E. Lakeshore Drive is the perfect getaway home for the active or leisure lifestyle.

Drive through the serene hill country with flowing streams and whitetail deer to this peaceful and private waterfront estate on almost an acre with spectacular lake views!

Built with craftsmanship, this custom multi-level home is a work of art with upgrades galore!

Enter through the main level foyer to a generous open floor plan which flows to an over-sized family living area and chef’s kitchen with attached formal dining, breakfast bar and island. High-end stainless steel appliances, granite counter-tops, rich wood cabinetry and walk-in Butler pantry are just a few of the fine details that make this kitchen a Chef’s dream!

Also on the main level, you will find a huge utility room across from the half bath which leads to a spacious attached 2-car garage.

Move upstairs to the second level living which boasts an open game room and executive office/ study that favorably overlook the lower level living area. Rich solid wood flooring, custom built-in shelves and wood beams are some of the wealthy touches throughout. The incredible floor to ceiling windows bring in tons of natural lighting and outdoor ambiance. Solid wood work lines the high ceilings allowing for a Rich, organic feel.

The secondary bedrooms are located upstairs, each with their very own full bath! Surprise the kids with the hidden observatory room perfect for stargazing! With over 4,264 square-feet, there is plenty of room for guests and comfortable entertaining.

I saved the best for last – the exquisite Master Suite! Venture downstairs to a designer Suite that takes up the whole lower level. Complete with its very own covered terrace looking out to lake views with gleaming windows, you will never want to leave! The Master Bath Suite boasts lots of cabinetry and drawer space with his/ her double vanities, 2 separate walk-in closets and a massive stone walk-in shower.

Offered at only $955,000, this home is the complete package! With 2 huge outdoor covered terraces, a private boat dock, lush landscaping, large mature trees, sprinkler system and so much more! As if you could want more, it feeds into the exemplary Lake Travis ISD. It doesn’t get any better than this, folks!

Call me or David Haynes TODAY to schedule a private showing! 512.844.0940/ 512.431.2403

June 19, 2015 By Mary Lynne Gibbs

May 2015 Austin Real Estate Review

Austin-area home prices remain high, home sales decrease in May 2015

• 2,767 – Single-family homes sold, 2% less than May 2014
• $271,000 – Median price for single-family homes, 9% more than May 2014
• $348,201 – Average price for single-family homes, 7% more than May 2014
• 42 – Average number of days single-family homes spent on the market, 2 days more than May 2014
• 3,865 – New single-family home listings on the market, 3% less than May 2014
• 6,323 – Active single-family home listings on the market, 6% more than May 2014
• 2,936 – Pending sales for single-family homes, unchanged from May 2014
• 2.7 – Months of inventory of single-family homes, 0.1 months more than May 2014
• $963,472,167 – Total dollar volume of single-family properties sold, 5% more than May 2014

June 19, 2015 – After setting a record in April, single-family home sales dipped two percent to 2,767 home sales in May, according to the May 2015 Multiple Listing Service (MLS) report released today by the Austin Board of REALTORS®.

Single-family home prices remained high, both setting a record for the month of May and increasing at a rapid rate that is outpacing historical appreciation, which is typically four percent annually according tot he Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. The majority of homes entering the market continue to be priced outside of an affordable price range for many residents, with only 25 percent of single family housing options in Central Texas below $200,000.

Barb Cooper, 2015 President of the Austin Board of REALTORS®, explained, “Affordability remains an issue across the region, identifying a need for Central Texas to address the “missing middle” with an influx of diverse housing stock.”

According to the report, the median price for Austin-area single-family homes increased nine percent year-over-year to $271,000 in May 2015, while average price increased seven percent to $348,201 during the same time frame.

New listings for single-family homes decreased three percent year-over-year to 3,865 listings, while active listings increased by six percent to 6,323 listings in May 2015. Pending sales remained unchanged at 2,936 pending sales compared to the same time frame last year.

A combination of a slight decrease in home sales and an increase in active listings caused inventory levels to rise in May 2015. Austin-area housing inventory increased 0.1 months year-over-year to 2.7 months in May 2015, a figure still well below the 6.5 month level the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University estimates as a balanced housing market.

“Unfortunately, the majority of single-family homes can no longer be developed within the region in an affordable price range for most homebuyers. Creating conditions that allow for housing options for all of our residents, such as medium-scale housing options, will help increase housing affordability, improve the tax base and potentially provide income for homeowners,” said Cooper. “Equally important, this type of housing stock allows for greater density and helps residents to live close to where they work and go to school.”

Source: Austin Board of Realtors

June 8, 2015 By Mary Lynne Gibbs

26204 Countryside Drive, MLS# 8657869

Strategically located just 20 minutes to the Hill Country Galleria with tons of dining and shopping, 30 minutes west of downtown Austin inthe exclusive Barton Creek Lakeside community – 26204 Countryside Drive is a home Retreat! This waterfront estate property is perfectly situated far enough out to see all the stars in the sky at night and twilight glimpses of whitetail deer, but still close enough to enjoy all the amenities of Austin, Marble Falls and the surrounding Hill Country.

A home in this sought after community, whether it is your primary or secondary residence, remains one of the finest communities in which to invest your family’s lives and dollars. Barton Creek Lakeside was named “the most beautiful in Texas” and features acre lots, 24 HR manned gated access, award winning championship Arnold Parmer designed golf course, full club house/ restaurant, 24 HR fitness center, tennis courts and much more! It is more than a neighborhood; it is a community and lifestyle where residents are more like family than neighbors.

Take in the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country as you drive to this hidden gem on a secluded hilltop overlooking panoramic Lake Travis and hill country views! Living is easy in this one-of-a-kind custom home that sits on its own acre of land with incredible views & access to your very own Private Boat Dock on Lake Travis!

Arrive at the Grand entrance to an impressive solid wood wrought iron door that opens to an inviting floor plan. Floor to ceiling windows bring in tons of natural lighting and the outdoors to give the whole structure a truly organic feel.

The sun-drenched ambiance flows thru the dramatic double-height Great Room and Gourmet kitchen with all the bells and whistles. Chef’s kitchen features solid Oakwood cabinetry and finishes, granite countertops, breakfast bar, high end stainless appliances and walk-in Butler pantry. Built with craftsmanship, there are a wealth of rich touches throughout the home.

The open Great Room boasts a Grand floor-to-ceiling fireplace, solid wood built-in shelves, recessed lighting, high ceilings with wood beams and Terrazzo flooring. Across from the Great Room is the executive office, a haven for gazing out at the views and complete with sumptuous built-in shelves. The rest of the residence has expansive living space to include an over-sized Game Room, attached 2 car-garage, 4 Bedroom Suites each with their very own private baths and utility/ laundry room.

The airy Master Suite flows to an attached bath that boasts his/her double vanities, a spacious walk-in closet with built-in shelves, walk-in shower, and a garden tub with skylight!

I saved the best for last…imagine relaxing and bathing in the sun all day on the back patio with sparkling pool and spa! The outdoor amenities make this home feel like a vacation getaway! Unwind under the shade of the huge covered terrace and take in the serenity of the outdoors. Enjoy sailing, skiing and boating on Lake Travis via your own private boat dock! Or perhaps, you may decide to go for a sunset boat ride before heading to the neighborhood clubhouse for a first class dinner. Its never too late to experience the good life, and this estate property is the complete package!

Call me today to schedule a private showing! Mary Lynne Gibbs, 512.431.2403

May 26, 2015 By Mary Lynne Gibbs

11251 Pinehurst Drive

11251 Pinehurst (MLS #8477261) – a recently updated home due to the Halloween flooding of 2013 and located in Onion Creek in South Austin – sits on the edge of a cul-de-sac and boasts a large lot with mature trees and a private oasis in the backyard.

Offered at $359,500, this three bedroom and two and a half bathroom home is quite the find.

Built in 1978, tax records show a square footage of 2226. However, this number does not include the approximately 1400 square-foot, screened-in back porch located on the back of the home, nor does it include an air conditioned/heated office space in the side-entry, two-car garage.

11251 Pinehurst is open, light, bright and airy with a lovely covered front porch to welcome residents and guests alike. Covered with a metal shingle roof, this home contains a variety of exquisite characteristics that you will be delighted to discover.

For example, a dining area just off of the front entrance leads into a sizeable living area that features a massive stacked rock fireplace flanked by built-in shelving units. This main living area has vaulted ceilings and lots of windows, which lends itself to a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. Three windows located at the top of the entrance wall offer extra sunshine in the morning.

Additionally, the entire home is covered with tile flooring, some of which looks like wood planks. The flooring is definitely a sight to behold and a must see!

All three bedrooms are located off of the living room on the left side of the home. The two extra bedrooms are spacious and connected by a large Jack-and-Jill type bathroom, which also possesses a few disability features.

The master bedroom has a vaulted ceiling with a wood beam running the length of the room. This bedroom is suited for a king-sized bed, along with several more large pieces of furniture and the bathroom is absolutely magnificent! Featuring a sizeable shower area, the master bathroom contains his and her vanities, a spacious dressing area and two walk-in closets.

11251 Pinehurst boasts an eat-in kitchen with walls of white cabinets, Corian-type countertops, a convection oven, recessed lighting and an attached table countertop that seats three. The kitchen is connected with an impressive breakfast area that is currently being used as a den.

I saved the best for last! The backyard is truly an amazing outdoor retreat with a salt water pool, hot tub and gorgeous landscaping. The pool is partially covered for those who don’t want to swim in the sun and it is deep enough for a diving board. The covered patio area has space for several seating arrangements and for a dining area.

Right off of the backyard is the screened-in back porch which includes a countertop and sink-station, along with another outdoor living area and dining area – great for entertaining or just relaxing after a long day!

Other features include a sprinkler system, gas dryer connection, gas water heater, and storage building. This area is known for its great golf courses, parks, country club and tennis courts!

If you are interested in 11251 Pinehurst or buying/selling real estate in the Austin area, please contact Mary Lynne Gibbs at 512.431.2403 or austinluxurybroker@gmail.com. It would be an honor to earn your business!

May 16, 2015 By Mary Lynne Gibbs

A Look Into The Backyard at Bee Cave Project

Jon Snyder of International Development Management gave a sneak peek into the future of The Backyard and The Terrace development projects at the LTCAD meeting on May 13th! The $250 million development proposed for the Backyard music venue property received approval from Bee Cave zoning and planning officials last Fall. According to Snyder’s presentation, the development timeline now shows Site Plan Approval in Q4 of 2015, Groundbreaking in Q1 of 2016, and the 1st Building Deliveries in Spring 2017!

Site plans for the project describe The Backyard being redeveloped to house four movie and television sound stages to be known as Supernature Studios, three four-level class A office buildings for a total of 335,000 square-feet of office space, a 125-room hotel, a 500-person capacity private party venue, a 3,410-person capacity Live Oak amphitheater, 16,000 square-feet of restaurants/ meeting space/ retail, a trail system and parking garages.

The Developer told the Austin Business Journal that the first phase of the project would likely be delivered by mid-2017. The second piece – on property adjacent to the Backyard known as The Terrace – would be completed two to three years afterward.

The Terrace property is planned to hold two four-level class A separate office buildings for a total of 250,000 square-feet of office space, three residential condominium buildings with parking for a total of 120 single-family condominiums called “Ethan’s View”, and 6,500 square-feet of assorted restaurants/ retail.

They are expecting Condo Sales Center Grand Opening as early as August 2015!

Regarding the proposed sound stages – Milam said the growth of television, commercial and music recording work in Central Texas will be enough to generate business for the sound stages to keep them booked without having to aggressively market the facility to West Coast studios and film projects. The U.S. Media and Entertainment Industry market reached $546 Billion in 2014. The industry includes: motion pictures, television and commercials, music and audio records, radio, and games and publishing.

To learn more visit: http://www.thebackyard.net/

Source: Jon Snyder, International Development Management, Director of Planning & Development

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