AustinTXEstates

Rivercliff Entry

Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and contemporary interiors create this masterpiece on a bluff overlooking the Pedernales Arm of Lake Travis.

This 6,733 Sq Ft, shake roof home was built in 2008. It has 5 Bedrooms and 5.5 Baths and a cool, contemporary finish with stone floors and accents; rift cut oak ceilings, doors, cabinets and accents, and stone fireplaces.

The 5 manicured acres features a man-made stream spilling into a pond, and flowing under the entry. 

Great Room

The great room, at entry with elevated foyer, has a wood arched ceiling and a granite and stone fireplace with rift cut oak accents. The dining area is open to the great room and has two story ceilings with a stone floor. There is also a wet bar with exotic granite counters, ice maker and refrigerator open to the dining area.

The kitchen is open to the family room also with exotic granite counters, rift cut oak cabinets, stone floors, two sinks and breakfast area with seamless windows looking to the pool and patio.

Master Closet

The two story NanaWall Window System opens to the Infinity Edge pool, patio, and hill country views.

The master bedroom features a stone fireplace, double doors to the patio and NanaWall Window System running the length of the room with seamless corners and folding doors opening to the private, Infinity Edge soaking pool. The master bath has exotic granite counters, stone floors, jetted tub, walk in double shower and doors to the private patio. The master suite also has a huge, custom walk-in  closet with center island and granite countertops.

Kitchen

The private office in the master suite has custom built ins, and door to the private stone patio.

A family room has fireplace with granite , rift cut oak wall accents and window trim. An office or bedroom has full bath, seamless windows and entrance to patio. Two other bedrooms have full bath and doors to patio. The guest bedroom has full bath, walk in closet and private stone patio. The home also has utility room and secondary storage room, and attached 4-car garage with air-conditioned pet room.

Back, Pool

Altogether, 2,210 Sq Ft of stone patios with firepit surround the Infinity Edge pool spilling into overflow pool with spa and fountains.

The covered patio with stone decking off bedrooms leads to tram accessing waterfront.  The stone path leads to arched entry with glass facade and wood ceilings.

The home is located near Austin Country Club in the gated community of Rivercliff in Spicewood, Texas, 10 minutes to the new Hill Country Galleria and 30 minutes to downtown Austin.

Equestrian Center

This home can be purchased for $3,750,000 or combined with a 32 acre horse stables, covered riding arena and 3 bed, 2 bath guest home to create your dream luxury ranch.

 The 32 acres are fenced and cross fenced, with 5 contiguous 6+ acre lots all ag exempt. Electronically controlled stone and wrought iron gates create the entry, leading to 18 stall horse stables with limestone interior, each with doors to turnouts – 4 foaling stalls and 12 day stalls. Can easily be expanded to include additional stalls. Includes tack area, wash stall, store room and high bay doors on both sides for trailer or RV parking. Gates on both ends allow for trucks, trailers and RVs. The covered stone and split rail fenced riding arena is 100 ft x 200 ft.

Guest Home

The limestone guest home was built in 2006 and includes wood and tile floors with stone accents. The large living area includes a stone fireplace and open dining. The kitchen has granite counters and recent appliances. The master suite has a kitchenette, walk in closet, full bath, and sitting area. The home also features attached two car garage and pond at gated entry.

Owner will consider seller financing, call for details.

You can see the home listing here, and the stables/arena/guest home listing here. Call us today!

Still thinking that house prices are going to decline further? Are you still anticipating the “deal of a lifetime” just around the corner? You’re about to be out of luck. It’s natural to look at the national economic news and think that we are going to see a further erosion in home prices but it looks like things are pointing up for Austin’s economy. We have seen a decline in high-end home prices but the average home price in Austin has remained relatively stable. But by far the biggest reason: Interest rates are anticipated to go up and that is going to price a lot of people out of the market. Compared to the week prior to August 24, 2009, the national 30-year mortgage rate is up 4 basis points from 5.14%. Compared to three months ago, the 30-year rate is up 20 basis points from its average rate of 4.98%. Why are interest rates going up? The massive government spending has the potential to lead to long term inflation, causing interest rates to rise. Ted Jones, Senior VP and Chief Economist at Stewart Title explains it best:

“…let’s assume a loan amount today of $100,000 with a 30-year fixed-rate residential loan at 5 percent. Nationwide at the time of this writing, the average 30-year rate was 4.85 percent per Freddie Mac. Fannie Mae forecasts an average rate in all of 2009 of 5.13 percent. So the 5 percent is a reasonable assumption.

The following table shows the monthly payment for each loan amount and interest rate. A buyer today at 5 percent interest borrowing $100,000 has a monthly principle and interest payment of $536.82. If prices decline 5 percent (and the loan amount does also) and interest rates rise just ½ of 1 percent, then the monthly payment remains the same ($539.40).

So if rates go up just 1 percent to 6 percent per year, then prices must drop at least 10 percent for that same buyer to qualify for the same monthly payment. A 1.5 percent increase in rates to 6.5 percent requires a 15 percent price decline, and a 2 percent increase necessitates a 20 percent price decline to qualify. Note: This 1 percent interest rate change to a 10 percent price change is only true when interest rates are 5 percent as they are today.”

Interest Rates vs. Price Changes

Admittedly, at the same loan-to-value ratio, as prices decline so does the down payment. Since, however, many buyers select the price range of homes they consider buying based on their monthly payment potential, rising rates may force future buyers into less expensive homes and hence properties they find less desirable.

So, if you are waiting to move up or to make that second home investment – don’t wait much longer! Postponing that purchase is going to price you out of the market and you are going to have to settle for something less or just wait for the next recession. Don’t get burned. Thanks to Ted Jones for letting us reprint part of his blog which can be found here.

The City of Austin Energy Audit is now in effect.

Read About the Audit

If you have a home within Austin city limits and are trying to or thinking about selling your home, you need to find out how the Energy Conservation Audit can affect you.

Who is affected (you must meet all 3 criteria)?

Homes that are 10+ years old

Homes within Austin city limits

Homes that receive electricity through Austin Energy

Are there any exceptions?

You may be exempt if your home was a participant in the Austin Energy Residential Energy Efficiency program within the last 10 years.  Check with the City of Austin at 512-974-7827.

What are your choices?

The City of Austin has declared the Energy Conservation Audit mandatory UNLESS you complete specific voluntary upgrades through the Austin Energy Residential Energy Efficiency program. A homeowner can choose from a list of approved companies who can consult with them to determine what upgrades would be necessary to complete. The primary upgrades are additional attic insulation, solar screens, and sealing the duct work in the home.

How much does the energy audit cost and what do they do?

The energy Audit typically costs $200-300 for a home with one HVAC unit and prices go up from there depending on the size of the home and number of HVAC units. The energy audit evaluates the home’s windows, attic insulation, HVAC system, and duct work. The report is about 9 pages and points out areas that are inefficient and gives suggestions on how to make the home more efficient. It will be mandatory to supply a buyer with this report if you are selling your home.

What is the benefit to participating in the Austin Energy Residential Energy Efficiency program?

Austin Energy and Texas Gas Service offer incentives to participants to offset costs of these upgrades. Homeowners can also receive a tax credit for these upgrades if it is their primary residence. When you sell your home, you will not have to complete the mandatory energy audit which will save you the cost of the audit and report. The remaining costs vary but in some cases they can be very near the same cost of completing the mandatory energy audit. In addition to all of the immediate cost benefits, you can reap the benefits of living in a home with lower bills and a more comfortable and efficient home.

When will this apply to me?

The ordinance will take affect any home that sells after June 1, 2009.

Why did the City of Austin create this ordinance?

The City of Austin created this ordinance in order to bring our older more inefficient homes up to par with newer construction homes. This will benefit all Austin Energy users as it will lower the impact that we have on our power plants. If we can reduce the dependency on our power plants then we can stop or slow the need to build more which also helps keep our energy bills more affordable.

How do I learn more?

Contact your team of Real Estate agents, the Dave Murray Team, with your questions!

If you’re considering moving to Austin, or even just to a different part of town, Austin can feel like a big but exciting new place. The Austin-American Statesman newspaper creates an annual guide called Austin360 that is entirely accessible on the internet full of resources in the area that you will need, along with recreation ideas and interesting happenings. You might find a new restaurant close to you, Fun family activities, and government links you may need. If you decide to start looking for a new home, the friendly people on the Dave Murray Team can help with all your real estate needs. Many unique homes Central Texas are still available at exceptional deals, like this beautiful 4270 square foot home on 11 acres that is listed for $895,000. Bella Tesoro