Yigdigs blog

Best Shopping Near Lake Travis Homes

Yigdigs — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:57:27 +0000

As Lake Travis continues to grow, so do the many shopping options in the area. Residents can choose to shop from the local boutiques throughout Lakeway to the Hill Country Galleria Mall in Bee Caves, offering 500,000 square feet of retail stores and boutiques. Barton Creek Square Mall, home to major department stores and specialty retailers, is also only a short drive away form Lake Travis homes!

Hill Country Galleria
The Hill Country Galleria has everything from retail shops to residential apartments to office space. This lifestyle center will keep you entertained for hours with its wide variety of shopping, dining and various events throughout the year.

Shops at The Galleria
The Shops at The Galleria has more to offer than its breath taking views, open courtyards and fountain ponds. This premier shopping destination has national, regional and local tenants available to its visitors. Some of the featured shops include Lowe’s, Newflower Market, Petsmart, Bestbuy, Maudie’s, Waterloo, Mandola’s and Spec’s.

Texas Treasures
Texas Treasures features local artists who produce original paintings, designed furnishings and decorative items perfect for furnishing your Lake Travis home. With over 3,000 square feet of shopping, visitors will undoubtedly find that special something they are looking for.

Lakeway Commons
Lakeway Commons is the perfect Hill Country setting for visitors to enjoy shopping and dining. With delicious restaurants and boutique shopping, Lakeway Commons has something for everyone to enjoy. Featured stores and restaurants include John Ryan’s Clothing, Mad About Shoes, Mulligan’s Sports Grill, Vino 100 and much more! All of this shopping is just minutes from great Lake Travis homes!

Why Lake Travis Homes Can’t Be Beat

Yigdigs — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:54:52 +0000

This guest post was provided by Lake Travis Homes expert, Charla Housson, Realtor.

Whether you’re a growing family or a single professional, the Lake Travis community is an ideal place to live, work, and play. If you’ve been considering moving there or purchasing a Lake Austin homes, read on for the top 5 reasons to live in Lake Travis.

Beautiful Scenery
The Lake Travis area is Hill Country living at its best. From the beautiful lake to the rolling hills to the majestic trees, Lake Travis has it all! Residents here have access to great places to enjoy the natural beauty including Silver’s Trails, Reimer Ranch, Krause Springs, and Horseshoe Bend.

Quality Schools
Lake Travis ISD Schools are among the best in Travis County. The area is served by 5 excellent elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school. Lake Travis ISD will soon be a 5A school district offering superb academic and athletic programs. It was recently ranked “Exemplary” by the TEA and named one of America’s Best High Schools” by Newsweek.

Golfer’s Paradise
Golfers rejoice! Lake Travis homes and neighborhoods are within minutes of 4 unique golf courses: Lakecliff, Falconhead, and Horseshoe Bay, and Texas music legend Willie Nelson’s, Pedernales Golf Club.

Exciting shopping
If you enjoy shopping, you will love living in the Lake Travis area! Residents enjoy excellent places to shop from the local boutiques throughout Lakeway to the The Hill Country Galleria in Bee Caves, offering 500,000 square feet of retail stores and boutiques! Barton Creek Square Mall, home to major department stores and specialty retailers, is also nearby.

City Convenience
Though Lake Travis residents have everything they need within minutes from home, they also love being close to great Austin employers, entertainment, and places to dine. Downtown is also only a short 25 minute drive from Lake Travis homes.

Congress Avenue Bridge: Keepin’ it Batty

Yigdigs — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:27:07 +0000

Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, also called “Congress Bridge” is a very popular South Austin attraction for visitors as well as locals. The Congress Bridge was named in honor of late Texas Governor Ann W. Richards in 2006. Prior to that, the bridge was known as Congress Bridge.

The Congress Bridge sits on the southern end of downtown Austin and spans Lady Bird Lake, connecting South Congress Avenue and downtown Austin. Made of concrete, the sturdy structure serves both as a route for vehicles and scenic walkway for pedestrians and cyclists. From the top of the bridge, visitors experience gorgeous views of the downtown skyline reflecting on the peaceful lake. By day, the waters below the bridge are filled with kayaks, paddleboards and tour boats.

Though beautiful on its own, the bridge actually attracts thousands of tourists per year because of what lies underneath the bridge between its concrete beams. During the warm months, the Congress Bridge is home to the world’s largest urban bat colony – 1.5 million of them! In early fall, the bats migrate to Mexico where remain for up to 6 months before returning to Austin in the spring.

People gather every evening from May-September to view the Congress Bridge bats in flight. Each night at dusk, the bats emerge from underneath the bridge to feed. It is quite a sight! Individual bats emerge cautiously and within minutes this builds up into a steady stream of bats that look similar to a quickly moving dark cloud. The colony flies over the lake waters and wind along the river’s path until they are out of sight. Seeing the Congress Bridge bats is a must-do for any Austinite!

This post was provided by Realtor Marc Warshawsky. To learn more about the Congress Bridge andSouth Austin homes homes near this classic Austin attraction, visit SouthAustinHomesOnline.com today!

Great Home Designs in Central Texas

Yigdigs — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:35:21 +0000

This post was provided by Scott Felder Homes, central Texas home builders and design firm.

Central Texas is one of the most thriving places in the United States today — not only is the economy strong, but powerful community ties to sports, cities, and the Lone Star State itself bring the people together in ways that people who have never been to Austin or San Antonio just can’t really get. One of the things that brings the people together is a respect for powerful visuals — just look around Texas A&M or at the H.W. Bush Presidential Library and you’ll see what we mean.

That uniquely Texan aesthetic has really shined over the last couple of years of architecture around the Central Texas region. New homes have taken big advantage of the natural beauty of stone and barely-varnished rough-cut lumber to create an impressive visage that bespeaks power and luxury from the curb — and doesn’t take a single step back once you get inside, either.

Texas Country French

A unique blend of Continental gables and stonework with Texan sprawl and informality, the Texas Country French style is getting more popular with every passing season. Noted in particular for its ‘broken arch’ style of stonework, Texas Country French style homes create a sense of history and power even in a brand-new construction.

Texas Mission Style

For those of you who fell in love with the grace of the Spanish Mission style but need a little more ‘ranch’ in your mission, the Texas Mission Style is for you. Generally a fairly wide, nearly-rambling building surrounding a central enclosed courtyard, the Texas Mission home feels rustic, expansive, and natural.

Texas Traditional

If you’ve ever driven through Central Texas and seen a steep-roofed home with a broad, covered front porch that seemed to say “come knock, we’ve got lemonade”, you’ve seen Texas Traditional in action. These homes use those steep roofs to sneak in second-story (or third-story) rooms with dormer windows without giving the appearance of being overtly large.

There are dozens of other beautiful styles around the region of course, but these are the core of the Central Texas modern home architecture — ask your builder to show you some designs!

home buidlers, home designs, central texas homes

Soda Blasting Removes Odor, Mold, Fire and Water Damage in 1 Step

Yigdigs — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:32:12 +0000

This post was provided by Rapid Recovery Service, Inc., experts in fire, water, storm and mold damage restoration.

Soda Blasting is a widely recognized technique by the insurance restoration industry to eliminate lingering odors of fire and water damage. Compared to other alternative methods such as sand blasting, which is more abrasive, and dry ice blasting, which raises safety concerns due to the high levels of carbon dioxide, soda blasting is a faster, safer and cleaner solution.

Soda blasting applies baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) against a surface using compressed air. This method is chemical-free and nontoxic and is successful at eliminating most contaminants from a variety of surfaces from wood, brick and metals.

The use of soda blasting in fire damage restoration is successful at removing soot, char and smoke odors. In regards to mold damage, the process eliminates mold growth and spores with minimum impact on the surface. It also speeds up the restoration process by eliminating the need to remove and replace materials and is even safe to use around window frames and door-walls without damaging glass panes. The benefits of soda blasting greatly reduce the time of the restoration process and are a proven cost savings technique to owners. Visit our website to learn more about soda blasting and our services for fire and mold damage restoration.

South Congress: Keepin’ it Wierd

Yigdigs — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 23:34:17 +0000

Few other neighborhoods capture the spirit of Austin quite like South Congress. “SoCo,” as it is called by some, is undoubtedly one of Austin’s most loved areas. Thousands visit this vibrant shopping and dining district each year to experience the sights and sounds of South Austin. The crowd includes all types from tourists looking to get a taste of funky South Austin shops, to locals patronizing their favorite food trailers.

Located between Riverside and Oltorf in South Austin, South Congress is the home to unique boutiques, art galleries, and popular bars and restaurants.

Within walking distance of downtown Austin, SoCo perfectly marries Austin’s relaxed hippie vibe and metropolitan feel. It is the single place in Austin where you will find a world-class costume shop, old-fashioned candy store, vintage clothing boutique, and historic music venue all in one location. SoCo is also where you can find some of Austin’s finest food trailers serving everything from snow cones to BBQ. South Congress shopping simply can’t be beat!

Visitors also enjoy visiting the neighborhood during “First Thursdays,” a monthly event that lights up the town. Shops on SoCo also stay open late, have special sales and host in-store events. Outside of the shops, street vendors, musicians, and artists like the sidewalks. You’ll probably also catch a dozen dogs hitting the town with their owners.

SoCo Austin truly captures the city’s warm and friendly vibe and offers a wonderful view of downtown Austin to boot. It truly is a one-of-a-kind neighborhood.

This article was provided by expert realtor and South Austin homes guide, Marc Warshawsky.

Zilker Park: Where Austin Gets Active

Yigdigs — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:00:46 +0000

Zilker Park is an Austin gem like no other situated right in the heart of Central Austin. It offers 355 generous acres of parks and trails to enjoy and has held the unofficial title of Austin’s Favorite Park for years. Zilker Park is open year-round from 5am-10pm daily and is situated alongside Lake Bird Lake. This unique park sits alongside Ladybird Lake and offers several miles of well-maintained hike and bike trails, large open fields and a gorgeous view of the downtown skyline.

Austin is consistently recognized as of the nation’s fittest cities largely because of all of the great outdoor spaces for working out. Zilker Park is no doubt at the top of that list. Hundreds of locals enjoy their favorite fitness and recreation activities at the park each day. The combination of excellent amenities, ideal weather and beautiful views make it an ideal place to exercise.

Zilker Park’s list of amenities includes a fantastic 10.1 mi hike a bike trail, large multipurpose fields, volleyball courts and 9-hole Disc Golf Course. The park also offers canoe and kayak rentals for those who prefer water activities. Of course, the park would not be complete without a great place to swim. It is home to Barton Springs Pool, a spring-fed 3-acre pool that maintains its 68-degree temperature year-round. Zilker Park is a truly has something offer for everyone!

The park is also home to a wide variety of events, concerts and festivals throughout the year. Visit in March for The Zilker Park Kite Festival, a color celebration of kites, and return in September for Austin’s most anticipated outdoor music festival, Austin City Limits. Drop by in the summertime and you’ll experience outdoor theatre at Zilker Hillside Theater.

Zilker Park is also a great place for families with children. Filled with play scapes and plenty of room to jump and play the park is an ideal place to bring the kids. Take a ride on the Zilker Zephyr miniature train, which runs daily and zips through Zilker Park, or take the family to check out the Zilker’s gorgeous botanical and sculpture garden.

If you want to experience the beauty of Zilker Park year round, take a look at my home listings near Zliker Park, located below.

This post was provided by Realtor Marc Warshawsky. To learn more about the Congress Bridge and South Austin homes near this classic Austin attraction, visit SouthAustinHomesOnline.com today!

How Ozone Removes Odor

Yigdigs — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:46:28 +0000

Ozone

Ozone (O3) is a form of oxygen (O2)that contains three atoms instead of two. It is slightly heavier than air, and at low concentrations smells slightly sweet, but at higher concentrations has a pungent aroma. Ozone is molecularly unstable and reacts quickly to revert to a more stable form.

How is ozone formed?

Nature forms ozone every day in a method that is very familiar – thunderstorms. When lightning occurs, ozone is formed by the high-voltage arcs that ionize the air. The air is freshened after the storm because ozone removes many of the impurities that are in the air.

How does ozone destroy odors?

Ozone breaks down, or changes, the molecular structure of the odor molecule. Ozone is an extremely powerful oxidizing agent, and it uses the third oxygen molecule to cause the odor to either reduce in complexity, or stabilize into a compound with less odor. Some odors go through several steps (requiring additional ozone), to be reduced to levels that are no longer detectable. Many odors can be reduced to simple carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and oxygen (O2).

How is ozone manufactured?

Ozone, due to its instability, has a very short life-span. This means ozone naturally returns to its original form of oxygen. Ozone must be produced when, and where it is needed. The most popular method of producing ozone is by “corona discharge,” which simply means generating a high voltage electrical field and passing air through it. Passing air through the corona converts approximately 1-2% of the oxygen into ozone.

How are the ozone units used to remove odors?

Ozone models are industrial ozone generators that are capable of high levels of ozone. These units do not use any chemicals, operate unattended, and need only occasional cleaning and maintenance from a company that specializes in professional odor removal and emergency cleanup. They contain electrical and electronic components to generate ozone, using only small amounts of electricity. Ozone output is 100% adjustable to match the odor levels. They are ideal for applications that need high ozone levels to remove malodorous situations such as garbage, fire and smoke, sewage, animals, decaying organic matter, chemicals, etc. Ozone units destroy odors, retard bacterial growth and slime production, and circulate the ozone allowing it to destroy the odor molecules. Industrial ozone generators are designed to be used in uninhabited areas, or used at volumes that are limited by OSHA or EPA regulations.

Graffiti Removal

Yigdigs — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:39:37 +0000

One of the drawbacks to living in a large city can be dealing with graffiti. It is not only an eyesore, but can also leave a negative impression, leading to loss of business for surrounding businesses. In situations like this many people try to remove paint on their own, but this often results in surfaces becoming damaged or looking worse than they did before. When it comes to graffiti removal its often best to trust a professional to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

Professionals have tools and techniques to remove graffiti from many types of services including hard to clean textures like limestone, sandstone, brick, plastic signage, and vehicle exteriors. Modern graffiti removal techniques remove unwanted paint without the use of high pressure or abrasive chemicals.

Professional graffiti removers take extra care to leave you with a finished product you’ll be happy with. Those who choose to do the job on their own might overlook the extra steps that really make a difference in the finished look of the treated area. When you go with a pro, you can be sure they will leave the affected surface looking better than it did before, even if this means repainting or refinishing the surface.

City compliance is another reason to get graffiti professionally removed. These regulations vary from city to city. A pro will ensure that removal methods comply with city regulations. Many professionals also specialize in green graffiti removal services. These services use green products that reduce damage to the environment.

When dealing with graffiti, it is best to call a professional. It will save you time and allow you to get back to business quickly. For expert advice on graffiti removal services, and other cleaning services like healthcare cleaning, carpet cleaning and more, find your local Service Master.

Tips for Preventing Holiday Home Invasion

Yigdigs — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:56:22 +0000

This post was provided by Charla Housson, a realtor with expertise in Lake Travis ISD homes in Austin, TX.

The holidays are here! For most, it’s the time of year filled with gifts, parties and family vacations, but unfortunately, it’s also “Christmas time” for burglars who reap the rewards of vacant homes and unguarded valuables. Don’t be the victim of a holiday home invasion! Follow these simple tips for preparing your home to ensure a safe and secure home this season.

Create the illusion of being home

Burglars look for signs of inactivity when deciding which homes to rob. Be sure to take the extra steps of investing in a timer for lights, asking a neighbor to collect your mail and newspaper while you’re out of town, and pay someone to maintain your yard while you are away.

Out of sight, out of mind

Robbers know that under every perfectly trimmed Christmas tree are beautifully wrapped gifts. Window displays are a great idea for those who are home for the holidays, but attract unnecessary attention to vacant homes. Keep your trees and wrapped gifts out of sight if you plan to be away!

Hide the evidence

Some of us may be fortunate enough to receive fancy electronics, appliances, and other high-dollar items as gifts this year. Just be sure to keep the “evidence” under wraps. Break down and conceal product packaging in the trash. Better yet, dispose of these items in a public dumpster away from your home. Don’t give the crooks a reason to break in to your home!

Don’t broadcast your whereabouts

It is only natural to want to update your Facebook status, Twitter feed, and other social media channels with exciting news of your Christmas vacation, but resist the urge if possible. The fewer people that know your home is empty, the less likely it will be burglarized.

Inform your local police department of your departure

In many town, police will keep an eye on your home if you provide them with your travel dates. Call the police station a couple of weeks before your vacation to let them know when you will be out of town so they can assign someone to patrol your area.

Taking just a few precautionary measures can help you ensure your home is not a target for burglars this Christmas. Follow these tips and you’ll remain a step ahead of the thieves.