Barton Creek Lifestyle

May | June 2011

FEATURED PROPERT Y

As a luxury Realtor specializing in Barton Creek properties, I have the experience and expertise to represent you to the highest degree in your next real estate transaction.

44 PASCAL LANE STUNNING CONTEMPORARY VIEWS Spectacular, sweeping views of Lake Austin and the Hill Country await as you enter into this contemporary styled retreat. Perched on top of the hills in West Austin in the prestigious gated community of Rob Roy, this home was renovated in 2004 and architecturally designed by award winning Dick Clark. The central, open living area was planned for a lifestyle of casual evenings or formal gatherings. Visit www.44Pascal.com for more detailed information on this amazing property.

• Do you want to list your home? Or SELL it? I am a Top Producer in my office for the last three years and unlike other Realtors, I have the knowledge and acumen to successfully sell your home. • Over 87% of homebuyers begin their search on the Internet. That’s why I market my listings with a national and global approach. While other Realtors will put your home in MLS and hope for the best, my extensive marketing plan puts my clients ahead of their competition. • You’ll benefit from my market knowledge. As a specialist in Barton Creek, I know exactly how to price your listing so that you receive the best outcome from the sale. Don’t leave such critical matters to an agent that doesn’t know your neighborhood intimately. I’m proud to be a long-time West Austin resident and a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist. Learn for yourself why clients return and refer to me time and time again.

www.StephanieNick.com

Stephanie Nick,

Realtor®

Million Dollar Guild, CLHMS

512.426.9183

ST.NICK@SOTHEBYSREALTY.COM If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

4624 sf / 3 Bedrooms / 3.5 Baths $2,500,000

Would you like YOUR home featured on the next issue? Call me today.

A SA MPLING OF REAL ESTATE ACTIVIT Y IN

BartonCreek

A C T I V E L I S T I NG S Address 11201 Grazing Deer Trl. 7730 Sandia Loop 9205 Eddy Cv. 2217 Warbler 1932 Wimberly 1409 Mesa Ridge Ln. 8734 Chalk Knoll 8613 Navidad Dr. 1800 Chalk Rock Cv. 7710 Sandia Loop 8501 Navidad Dr. 1200 Barton Creek # 32 8533 Calera Dr. 7720 Escala Dr. 2601 Chalk Knoll Cv. 8408 Calera 3565 Lost Creek 8027 Chalk Knoll Dr. 8809 Calera Dr. 4917 Mirador 7520 Escala 4800 Mirador Dr. 3531 Lost Creek 4609 Mirador Dr.

Sq. Ft. / Bed / Bath 4,753 / 4 / 4-0 3,485 / 4 / 3-1 3,842 / 4 / 3-1 4,814 / 5 / 5-0 4,698 / 5 / 5-0 3,939 / 4 / 4-1 4,766 / 4 / 4-1 5,950 / 7 / 6-1 5,792 / 6 / 4-1 4,500 / 4 / 4-1 5,146 / 4 / 4-2 3,708 / 3 / 3-1 4,694 / 3 / 3-1 5,728 / 5 / 5-1 6,152 / 4 / 4-1 5,852 / 4 / 4-1 5,240 / 4 / 4-1 7,078 / 4 / 4-3 5,752 / 4 / 4-0 6,014 / 5 / 6-1 6,556 / 4 / 5-1 7,142 / 7 / 7-2 6,973 / 5 / 7-1 8,728 / 5 / 6-1

Price Per Sq. Ft. $157.59 $214.92 $194.95 $160.99 $170.07 $239.91 $208.77 $168.07 $172.65 $255.56 $240.96 $350.59 $318.49 $277.58 $259.92 $298.87 $375.38 $281.86 $382.30 $382.44 $358.30 $386.31 $399.97 $400.44

List Price $749,000 $749,000 $749,000 $775,000 $799,000 $945,000 $995,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,150,000 $1,240,000 $1,299,999 $1,495,000 $1,590,000 $1,599,000 $1,749,000 $1,967,000 $1,995,000 $2,199,000 $2,300,000 $2,349,000 $2,759,000 $2,789,000 $3,495,000

S A L E P E N DI NG Address 9209 Eddy Cv. 2225 Warbler 2011 Shallow Stream Cv. 11208 Native Texan Trl. 4016 Texas Wildlife Trl. 1304 Barton Creek 7800 Cava Pl. 7936 Escala Dr.

Sq. Ft. / Bed / Bath 4,092 / 5 / 3-1 4,616 / 4 / 4-0 4,100 / 4 / 4-1 4,358 / 4 / 3-1 5,428 / 5 / 4-1 4,805 / 5 / 4-1 9,079 / 4 / 6-3 9,501 / 6 / 6-3

Price Per Sq. Ft. $185.48 $173.09 $213.42 $206.29 $182.20 $270.34 $385.51 $384.22

List Price $759,000 $799,000 $875,000 $899,000 $989,000 $1,299,000 $3,500,000 $3,650,500

S OL D Address 11205 Solitary Fawn Trl. 9301 Travertine 2031 Wimberly Ln. 8626 Navidad 8210 Chalk Knoll 8300 Calera Dr.

Sq. Ft. / Bed / Bath 4,162 / 4 / 4-0 4,189 / 4 / 3-0 3,978 / 4 / 3-1 4,166 / 3 / 4-1 5,428 / 4 / 4-2 5,179 / 5 / 5-1

Price Per Sq. Ft. $147.77 $166.86 $179.74 $204.03 $232.13 $289.63

List Price $615,000 $698,961 $715,000 $850,000 $1,260,000 $1,500,000

All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. The properties on this list have been listed/sold by various participants in the MLS.

Produced by UpscaleRealEstateMarketing.com • 877.660.0996

Buying Real Estate?

Exercising Your Option Period

Experience A Palate-Pleasing Adventure Wink’s Grilled Quail Breast

Barton Creek’s

Real Estate Report

Featuring Wink 512.482.8868 | WinkRestaurant.com GRILLED QUAIL BREAST WITH GREEN PEA SUCCOTASH & CARAMELIZED FENNEL This recipe uses boneless quail breast from Texas Quail Farms in Lockhart. This is a relatively simple dish to create, but your guests will love it. The succotash is a great vegetable side to use because it essentially creates the “sauce” for the dish in addition to being the vegetable. The quail can be pan sautéed as well as grilled. Succotash Ingredients: 2 cups sweet green peas 2 cups corn kernels 2 cups carrots, large dice 2 Tbs. olive oil 1 Tbs. unsalted butter 1 cup chopped onion 1 Tbs. minced garlic 1 cup chicken stock 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme salt and pepper, to taste 3 Tbs. chopped parsley

Quail Ingredients: 12-18 quail breasts (Texas Quail Farms-Lockhart) salt and pepper, to taste 1 Tbs. fresh thyme 2 oz. olive oil Fennel Ingredients: 1 bulb fennel, sliced 1/4 inch thick 1 oz. olive oil salt and pepper, to taste

For the succotash: Blanch the peas, carrots, and corn separately until just tender in boiling water. Rinse under cold water. Drain and reserve. Melt the oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook until wilted, about 10 minutes, stirring, adding the garlic during the last 3 minutes. Stir the blanched vegetables into the onions, coating with butter. Toss with broth, adding sage. Season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, over medium-low heat for 7 to 10 minutes. Cook, covered, another 5 minutes. Add the parsley and adjust the seasonings to taste. For the quail: Combine the olive oil, thyme, and a little ground black pepper in a bowl and toss the quail breasts until coated. Grill until done to your preference. For the fennel: Add 1 1/2 more tablespoons oil to skillet and sauté the fennel over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown on the outside (3 minutes), then remove from heat. To serve: Place the succotash in the middle of the plate, along with a slice of the caramelized fennel, then top with two or three whole quail breasts. Spoon a little of the pan juice around the plate and serve. Serves 6

Ever feel like your home is a little hum-drum? A little too beige and white? A little short on drama and flair? Well, go ahead and spice things up with these yawn-defying décor tips. We guarantee if you go for the bright orange throw pillows over the tried-and-true tan just this once, you really won’t regret it. Before long, your abode will feel energized and alive—and so will you! Don’t be afraid of bold and bright colors. The easiest way to get drama in your home is to add some fiery color. Red, oranges, yellows, and even purples and pinks will add that dramatic flair you crave. Don’t want to commit to a red room just yet? Leave your walls neutral and add some red splashes to your room. Think accent chairs and occasional tables that don’t necessarily play center stage, a strategically placed boldly colored lamp or a bright vase. A touch of vibrant color in even the most mundane of spaces will enliven the environment. For those truly color-shy,

try the drama of an all black-and-white or black-and-brown room. Or try going completely neutral on your walls to let your furniture pop. Another new trend? Instead of leaving your ceiling white, add some drama and draw the eye up by painting your ceiling a cool color, such as gray, violet, or powdery blue. It will automatically make your ceiling look higher. Welcome wallpaper into your home. Tired of paint? Bold-patterned wallpaper will add some serious excitement to your rooms, without having to make a very long commitment. The perfect place to try out some bold paper: bathrooms, entryways, and hallways. The bolder the better—here’s where geometrics, iridescents, large prints, and florals play out and give your home the decorator touch you’re looking for. Focus on scale and size (as in supersize!). Think big when you want dramatic décor. Although a collection of small vases on a side table or plates hung on a wall can look beautiful, one or two oversized vases or jumbo plates will pack more power than their tiny counterparts. And don’t forget the visual impact of height. Tall vessels with leggy branches of willow or long natural reeds will draw the eye and focus the space. Although a low tray or glass bowl will look attractive, a tall vase filled with lemons or seashells will create more of a dramatic impact. Select artwork that wows. Never underestimate the power of a very large-scale painting, print, or piece of art hung prominently over a mantle or dining table. The visual impact of one large canvas can provide major drama, often missed with more typically sized pieces. That said, a collection of smaller, similarly framed pieces of art or framed photos can give the same visual punch. And don’t forget that mirrors are a wonderful way to open up spaces and give a room instant brightness. Seek out shimmer. Nothing says drama more than large shimmering candlesticks or a crystal vase. Just remember that a little shimmer goes a long way. Use it as an accent and use it sparingly for optimum impact. Do the unexpected. Really want to add some drama? Go against your signature style now and again. If you usually go for rustic and natural looks, add something a bit more elegant into your mix of home décor. A toned-down crystal chandelier in a more rustic setting is guaranteed to pop, as is an earthy, wooden side table in an otherwise contemporary setting. Don’t be afraid to mix things up and be eclectic— you don’t want your home to look like a catalog or like it all came from one store.

real estate contracts allow time for due diligence Buying real estate can be overwhelming with so many things to consider – including the condition of the property and whether there are any unknown defects that the seller does not know about or that cannot be seen by the naked eye. In Texas, buyers have an “Option Period” or “Contract Termination Option” which gives the buyer the right to terminate the contract within an agreed time period. Let’s look at what the Option Period is and how it affects both buyers and sellers in a Texas real estate transaction. First, the Option Period is specified in residential contracts (see Section 23 Termination Option of the TREC promulgated resale contract). Many builders do not offer an Option Period on new construction properties, so those contracts should be closely reviewed to understand what options, if any, you as the buyer have to back out of the contract if you choose to do so. Second, the Option Period is negotiated at the same time that the contract to purchase the property is negotiated. The buyer offers a nonrefundable “option fee” to the seller. The fee gives the buyer the right to terminate the contract for any reason, at any time during the Option Period. The duration of the Option Period is also negotiated as part of the contract and is typically seven to 14 days, but can be longer or shorter depending on the situation. During the Option Period, the buyer can perform “due diligence” on the property by conducting a general home

inspection and any other inspections pertinent to the situation. Once the general home inspection is completed, the buyer may choose to have additional experts come and examine the property as a follow-up to the inspector’s findings. We typically see additional inspections of stucco and roof, plus any areas where water penetration is suspected. This is the buyer’s opportunity to uncover any unknown defects in the property and to determine how extensive the repairs may be to fix them. The buyer may then negotiate needed repairs or other considerations based on these findings. Since the option fee is nonrefundable, it should be small enough to not be a huge loss to the buyer, but large enough to let the seller know that the buyer is serious. Typically option fees range from $100 to $2,000 depending on the situation. The option fee should not be confused with earnest money which is money that the buyer puts down to show that he is serious about purchasing the property. Earnest money sits in an escrow account until closing. If the buyer chooses to terminate the contract during the Option Period, the earnest money is completely refunded to him. But, the seller keeps the option fee. If the buyer decides to move forward with the purchase during the Option Period, the option fee can be credited towards the buyer’s closing costs.

MAY | JUNE 2011 BOOTS & BLING DIAMOND EVENT Hilton Austin, May 19th 512.462.5750 | TSDFDiamondEvent.com Ready to kick up your heels? The Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) presents their 5th annual fundraiser featuring a gourmet meal, lively entertainment and a celebration of TSD’s hard-working students. Under the direction of Hilton’s Diamond Chef, the meal will be prepared by TSD’s Culinary Arts students. What a treat! AUSTIN WINE & MUSIC FESTIVAL Cru: A Wine Bar, Century Oaks Location, May 28th 512.339.9463 | CMAFest.com Like a little taste of Nashville’s finest with your vino? The CMA Music Festival makes a stop this summer in northwest Austin at Cru’s festival grounds. With equal parts daytime sizzle and nighttime fireworks, this day-into-evening music festival will deliver non-stop, toe-tapping entertainment. MICHAEL BUBLÉ Frank Erwin Center, June 1st 512.471.7744 | UTErwinCenter.com Grammy Award-winner Michael Bublé brings his “Crazy Love Tour” to Austin with a special one-night-only performance that you surely won’t want to miss. Considered one of the best musical artists of today, Bublé will delight the audience with his much-loved hits Home, Everything and the catchy Haven’t Met You Yet. B SCENE Blanton Museum of Art, June 3rd 512.471.7324 | BlantonMuseum.org Mix and mingle among other art lovers at the museum’s bi-monthly art party. You’ll experience live music, DJs, tours of the museum and exhibits, art activities, cocktails and appetizers. Plus, the Blanton Café will be open for late-night drinks and tapas. TEE UP TO CURE DIABETES GOLF TOURNAMENT Twin Creeks Country Club, June 9th 512.343.0663 | JDRF.org/Austin Hit the links and support the all-important mission to find a cure for type 1 diabetes. Enter as an individual or foursome. Green fees, cart, range balls, lunch and dinner, beverages, awards, prizes and gift bags are in store for every participant.

During the Option Period, the seller may negotiate and accept back-up offers, but he is contractually bound to sell the property to the original buyer if that buyer chooses to move forward after the Option Period ends. Buying residential property in Texas is a little less stressful because of the Option Period and the right to terminate the contract. We all know that defects in the property may not always be visible to the naked eye. Texas buyers have an added assurance of being able to perform due diligence on the property without risking their earnest money.

OVER THE EDGE One American Center, June 25th 512.329.9474 | AustinOverTheEdge.com What’s your typical Saturday like? Coffee, newspaper, running errands? How about rappelling down 30 stories of a towering downtown Austin skyscraper?! The first 150 individuals or teams to raise $1500 in donations will have the opportunity for this ultimate adrenaline rush. Benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation, money raised goes to granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.