In & Around Austin Blog

Car wash day today! I take my vehicle to Mister Car Wash in Round Rock and am always pleased with the fast, friendly services I receive.

Detail attendants provide personalized service to each and every vehicle that comes through the line. Mister Car Wash offer a variety of full service detail packages, each of which can be completed in about 20 to 30 minutes. Your choice of any or all includes washing and hand drying , hand waxing, carpet cleaning, interior cleaning and conditioning.

The indoor waiting area is clean, cheerful and comfortable. Fresh coffee and popcorn are always on the house. I like to browse the gift shop area that is stocked with a nice assortment of items - auto accessories, books, magazines, toys, stuffed animals, soaps and scents, and greeting cards.

Mister Car Wash in Round Rock is located at 2720 South IH35 near the La Frontera Shopping Center. Their service hours are 8am-6pm Mon- Sat; 9am-5pm Sun.

Visit their website for coupons and specials at www.mistercarwash.com

Interesting Fact:  The very first car wash was opened in 1914 in Detroit Michigan. 

Information provided by Karen Staha, CRS,GRI,ABR, REALTOR - Gaston & Sheehan Realty - 512 217-2435 email: kmstaha@aol.com website: www.karenstaha.com

Easter is right around and corner and, of course, no Easter is complete without an Easter Egg Hunt.

The Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department will host two Easter egg hunts at Old Settler's Park. Come join the fun and hunt for candy, colorful eggs, and chances to win prizes. The Easter bunny will hop on over to say hello to everyone. Don't forget to bring your baskets!

Traditional Easter Egg Hunt:
When: Saturday, April 3, 2010
Where: Old Settler's Park in Round Rock
Cost: FREE
Ages: Up to 12 years old.
Schedule: 9 a.m. infant-4 year olds; 9:30 a.m. 5-7 year olds; 10 a.m. infant-4 year olds; 10:30 a.m. 8-12 year olds.

Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt:
Grab your flashlights and bring the family for this special egg hunt in the dark for ages 3 and up. Please arrive 20 to 30 minutes before the hunt for check-in.

When: Thursday, April 1, 2010
Where: Meet at the Lakeview Pavilion in Old Settler's Park
Cost: $4.00 pre-registration. $5.00 on-site (cash or check only)
Ages: 3 years and older
Schedule: 8 p.m. Parent assisted hunt; 8:30 p.m. Children only hunt

Directions:
Take IH-35 to Highway 79 in Round Rock. Travel east on Hwy 79 about 5 miles. The park is on the North side of Hwy 79, at Harrell Parkway. The entrance is just West of the Dell Diamond. Please leave family pets at home.

For more information and to pre-register for the flashlight hunt:

Call 512-218-5540 or visit Round Rock Easter Egg Hunt

From the little part of me that's Irish, here's wishing you all a day that's filled with lots of luck, green things and may you enjoy whatever the day brings. 

What makes your boat float?  For this event, it's cardboard boxes and tape.  The City of Round Rock is hosting the 3^rd annual cardboard box regatta on May 15^th at the lake in Old Settler's Park.  Pits open at 9:00am and races begin at 12:00pm.

The cardboard regatta is fun to watch and a blast to take part in.  If you're up for the challenge to design, build and navigate your homemade boat, it's time to start preparing.  Two free classes are being offered on cardboard boat construction the following dates and locations:

March 20^th - 9:30am at Clay Madson Recreation Center, 1600 Gattis School Rd.

April 17 - 10:30am at REI in Round Rock, 201 University Oaks Blvd.

There will be two age group events, 8 to 14 years old and 15 years old and up, and three classifications, Class l - 1 to 3 on team, human powered.  Class ll -  4 to 7 on team, human powered.  Class lll - powered by other means - paddlewheel or propeller.

Event organizers will award prizes for smallest boat, largest boat, prettiest boat, best time to finish race, best dressed team, most functional design and the best sinking. 

See details and rules along with pictures of last years regatta at Round Rock Cardboard Boat Regatta

Spring is such an enjoyable time of year here in the Austin area. Everything outdoors is coming alive and the fresh scent of spring is in the air. Today I was watching a few birds in my yard getting their new homes ready for nesting . They were busy carrying twigs and found materials, meticulously placing them just right to make their perfect little home so they can lay eggs for the next generation.

Spring is also a time of year when many homeowner's are wanting to sell. It's not always so easy doing all the right things in preparation for getting your home on the market. Along with cleaning and decluttering, you need to make sure everything is in just the right place, perfectly arranged, and comfortably set so it will appeal to a broad range of buyers.

As a Realtor, I see homes every day and know what's important in the eyes of a buyer. When I work with you to sell your home, I will give you solid advice and a plan of action for what needs to be done before we list your home on the market. Short of you spending a lot of money, I'll recommend repairs, cosmetic improvements and how to set the stage to increase your chances of getting asking price and selling quickly.

It takes time and effort to properly prepare your home and if you're planning to sell anytime soon, now is the time to for us to start preparing. You can do it! I can help!

If your relocating or already here and would like more information about area neighborhoods or assistance in buying or selling a home, I welcome your call or email. I know and specialize in Pflugerville, Round Rock, Austin, Cedar Park, Leander or Hutto. Karen Staha, CRS,GRI,ABR, REALTOR -

The first time homebuyers tax credit is still available but time is running out. In order to take advantage of the tax program, homebuyers must be under contract to purchase a home by April 30, 2010. The purchase closing date must take place by June 30, 2010.

There is no shortage of homes available for those looking to buy in Pflugerville, Round Rock, Austin or surrounding areas. That, coupled with low interest rates and affordable home prices, buyers are able to pay close to or less than renting.

The program is well-known as a first time homebuyers program but includes those who have not owned a home during the past three years - Plus, an existing homeowner who purchases another home can claim a tax credit up to $6,500. To qualify, that owner must have owned and used the same residence as a principal residence for any consecutive five-year period in the previous eight years. There are eligibility guidelines for each of these tax credit programs.

The tax credit is essentially a gift from uncle Sam! It does not have to be repaid provided the buyer stays in the home for at least three years.

If you have questions about the Tax Credit or ready to make a home purchase under the tax credit program, please call me and let’s take the next step together in finding you the perfect home.

Karen Staha, CRS,GRI,ABR,SFR REALTOR - Assisting buyers and sellers in Round Rock, Pflugerville, Austin, Cedar Park, Leander & Surrounding Areas Since 1995 - Gaston & Sheehan Realty - Call me direct: 512-217-2435 email: kmstaha@aol.com website: www.karenstaha.com

Driving through Round Rock today, I pulled off the IH35 frontage road and took this photo. This beautiful Texas Longhorn trophy steer is one of a few who live on the front lawn of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation Plant. The plant is located on the IH35 southbound frontage road between Westinghouse Rd and University Blvd. 

Curious what played the part in the Longhorns living here, I did a little research and learned that when Westinghouse moved to the location, they thought about building a dancing water fountain with lights on the lawn to draw attention to the plant. Instead, they decided to do something ‘Texas style' for the community and put live Texas Longhorn in the pasture. Today, the Westinghouse plant couldn't be happier with that decision. The Longhorn are a popular attraction as people drive by or pull over to get a better glimpse of our pride of Texas, the Longhorn.

Karen Staha, CRS,GRI,ABR,SFR REALTOR - Assisting buyers and sellers in Round Rock, Pflugerville, Austin, Cedar Park, Leander & Surrounding Areas Since 1995- Gaston & Sheehan Realty - Call me direct: 512-217-2435 email: kmstaha@aol.com website: www.karenstaha.com

Recently I read a blog post from one of our fellow active rain members who was asking for views on value - or lack of value - of designations.  He went on to ask if anyone has actually gained a client because of a designation. Today I have a testimpny I'd like to share. I do have the CRS,GRI,ABR designations I've earned over the years. I'm not bragging. For me, it was simply a personal and professional decision to enhance my knowledge as a real estate professional and add value for my clients.

On with my testimony...

This past Monday I received an email requesting a comparative market analysis for a home located in Pflugerville - my hometown city. The request was sent via my website button link "Your Home's Value" . Clicking on that link takes one to a form page that asks for general information on the subject property. The person requesting the home value provided a phone number so, of course, I made immediate contact. Come to find out the couple are relocating, already working out of town and ready to sell now.

As conversation went on, and I scheduled my home preview appointment, I asked the Mrs. who I could thank for referring me. Her response to me went like this... "My aunt is a Realtor and has GRI, CRS designations, so I got on the internet and googled Pflugerville Realtor and included the three letter designations. Your website came up on the search. I went to it and was impressed enough with what I read so contacted you."   Talk about the power of SEO!

Over the years, I've had the privilege of working with many buyers and sellers who connected with me in in many ways - referrals, my website, marketing, networking, and yes - Localism and blogging on activerain. I don't know how many of those clients may have connected with me because of the designations that follow my name, but I do know that more than ever before, buyers and sellers are making informed decisions on selecting their Realtor.

I am pleased to say that today I put my sign in the yard, lockbox on the door and listed the home in MLS with the sellers who found me by my CRS,GRI,ABR.