SAGE Premium Texas Real Estate Blog

Visitors will join residents of Texas Hill Country homes during next week’s Fredericksburg Crawfish Festival.  The Fredericksburg Crawfish Festival is held at Market Square, an historic landmark in Downtown Fredericksburg Texas real estate.  It’s a great place to have fun picnicking with friends and family, playing games, dancing and listening to music, or relaxing in the picturesque village.

Starting Friday evening, May 25, from 6 PM to midnight, the Crawfish Festival is a great time to meet residents of Fredericksburg TX real estate.  Approximately 10,000 residents call Fredericksburg home.  Many have chosen to live full-time or seasonally in Hill Country homes, farms, and ranches.

Fredericksburg Texas is located about 70 miles northwest of San Antonio and southwest of Austin.  Events continue Saturday from 11 AM to midnight and Sunday 11 AM to 5 PM.  Admission is $7 for adults or $10/$15 for 2- or 3-day passes.  Children 12 and under are $1 for admission, except Saturday evening when the price is $10.  Market Square is in the 100 block of West Main Street.

There will be food and fun for all ages including that area for children and plenty of arts and crafts to peruse.  So stop by for a plate of crawfish, a hamburger or renowned Fredericksburg German sausage, red beans and rice, boudin, gumbo, and more.  Beer, wine, soda, and water will be served.

Anyone new to Fredericksburg Texas may be surprised when they taste one of a dozen creative gumbos as part of the Annual Gumbo Cook-off held during the Fredericksburg Crawfish Festival.  Teams including the Cowtown Cajuns, Mamou’s Yumbeaux Gumbeaux, and Los Amigeux will vie for the Tasters Choice award for 2012.  Gumbo tasting kits will be available for $5.

The lively 2012 entertainment schedule includes special musicians such as T-Broussard & the Zydeco Steppers, Billy Mata, Cher La-Bas Texas Cajun Band, Jean-Pierre & The Zydeco Angels, Mary Broussard and Creole LaLa, and Dr. Zog, Little Texas, Kevin Anthony & G-Town, and the Austin Cajun Aces.

The event is sponsored by the Fredericksburg Jaycees, part of a national organization that emphasizes leadership and fundraising. Proceeds from this event are distributed to charities.  The Fredericksburg Jaycees invite everyone to enjoy “laissez les bon temps rouler” at the New Orleans-style event.  It is a good way to support the community.  Future dates are already set for May 24-26, 2013 and May 23-25, 2014.

To find out about Texas Hill Country homes for sale, please call Dale E. Cook, MBA and owner of SAGE – Premium Texas Real Estate in Fredericksburg at (830) 992-0056.

Fredericksburg TX homes for sale

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Next Monday, all of Gillespie County and friends can check out Fredericksburg real estate and Texas Hill Country amenities at the Boot Ranch golf course during a tournament benefit for the Boys and Girls Club of Fredericksburg.  Registration for the “Shootin’ Fore the Stars” Golf Tournament at the nationally ranked Boot Ranch Golf Course opens at 10:30 AM on Monday, April 16, 2012.

It’s a full day of unique experiences and great fun at Boot Ranch real estate in Fredericksburg Texas.  Come early to drive along the fabulous custom-built Fredericksburg homes and Fredericksburg land lots for sale at Boot Ranch.  By design, the Ranch carefully maximizes the natural landscape and views.  High-caliber standards for design and construction enhance the beauty of the Hill Country real estate.

The 18-hole Four Person Scramble starts at 12:00 noon from the 55,000 square foot Clubhouse Village.  Golfers and guests alike will be taken by the big blue skies and how the championship golf course complements the peaceful rolling hills and indigenous trees of Texas Hill Country landscapes.  The Dallas Morning News featured The Ranch among the top 100 golf courses in Texas, ranking it #8.  Be sure to visit the exceptional pro shop.

If you participate, enjoy the delicious gourmet food served on the course by Crossroads Saloon & Steakhouse, Sunset Grill, and Kelly’s Café.  Judy’s Liquor, Mason Bottling Company, and 7-Up Bottling Company will furnish the beverages.

At 5:30 PM, cocktails will be served during a special golf contest.  At 6:30 PM is the Gourmet Awards Dinner.  The Awards Program and Live Auction begin at 7:45 PM.  Call 512-663-7712 for additional information about Shootin’ Fore the Stars.

Springtime in Texas will be blossoming at Boot Ranch.  In addition to awards for the golf facilities, Boot Ranch received the Audubon International designation as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.  Zones of the golf course are natural habitat.  Boot Ranch encourages native species to roost in nest boxes and cultivates garden plants to attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

In addition to hosting this event for the Boys and Girls Club, Boot Ranch is actively involved in leadership development and other programs for young people.  The Club is participating in education and outreach programs such as quote Audubon Partner for the Environment” with science clubs from Harper High School for projects in the classroom and around Boot Ranch.

Boot Ranch is all about the simple pleasures of an elegant yet casual lifestyle for all generations of residents and guests.

To visit Texas Hill Country homes and ranches for sale in these scenic areas, please call Dale E. Cook, MBA and owner of SAGE – Premium Texas Real Estate in Fredericksburg at (830) 992-0056.

Boot Ranch real estate for sale

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The Texas Hill Country real estate market in Gillespie County and Fredericksburg Texas is maintaining pricing stability with future signs of growth.  One indicator is the Gillespie County tax receipts.  January and February 2012 tax receipts totaled $306,566, representing the highest level in the past 6 years.

Sales of Fredericksburg TX homes within the city limits totaled 145 units and $31,936,250.  The average price matched 2006 levels.  Statistics show increases in average price per square foot to $129.26 for Fredericksburg homes.

As of the beginning of March 2012, the inventory for existing Fredericksburg Texas homes virtually matched the levels of 2011.  The percentage of foreclosures and short sales also remained steady.  Prices for the 22 homes on the market ranged from $115,000 for the smallest home to $4,450,000 for the largest estate home.  The median list price is $498,000 for 3220-square-feet of living area.  The median price per square foot is $193.

Over three quarters of the homes in Fredericksburg Texas are owner occupied.  More than a third of Fredericksburg property owners are not in the workforce.  Many enjoy vacation and seasonal Hill Country homes.  These part-time and retired residents enrich the community by supporting our schools and events and participating in community life.

Sales of 302 units of Gillespie County Texas real estate were reported in 2011.  Gross sales equaled $84,131,129, up from $70 million in 2009.  In 2006, as in many areas of the United States, we saw record dollar amounts.  Sales totaled $126,786,536 back in the day.

In January 2012, the entire Texas Hill Country real estate market experienced increased sales up 22% over January 2011.  However, the dollar volume for sales was down considerably year-over-year.  The average sales price for homes in Texas Hill Country was $73,130, 41% lower average for January 2011.

Interesting population statistics for the Fredericksburg Texas zip code of 78624 describe approximately 18,000 residents.  The community features a diverse employment and industry base.  Income levels for the 7461 households revealed 228 with annual incomes of at least $150,000, 865 in the $75,000-$149,999 bracket, and 3453 ranging from $30,000-$74,999.

To visit Texas Hill Country homes and ranches for sale in these scenic areas, please call Dale E. Cook, MBA and owner of SAGE – Premium Texas Real Estate in Fredericksburg at (830) 992-0056.

Fredericksburg homesfor sale (under 2600 sq ft)

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Kicking off a winter tour for residents of Fredericksburg Texas real estate, Gateway Brass will perform locally on Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 2:30 PM.  The 10,000 residents of Fredericksburg TX homes will welcome guests and visitors to the historic German village, which is located approximately 75 miles west of primary homes in Austin and northwest of San Antonio.  Sunday’s performance will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fredericksburg.

Residents and guests of Fredericksburg homes, Texas ranches, and country properties enjoy a rich heritage of festivals, theater, galleries, and community events.  Special treats such as this are somewhat common in the extraordinary community in the heart of Texas Hill Country real estate.  Fredericksburg Texas features excellent restaurants and boutique shopping as well as wineries hundreds of bed-and-breakfasts, and world-class museums.

Come enjoy the afternoon performance as excellent musicians rollout their five-century long spectrum of favorite music.  Trumpets, French horn, trombone, tuba, and percussion are the foundation and brass ensemble of the United States Air Force Base of the West.  In some is comprised of musicians with years of professional experience playing in symphony orchestras, chamber ensemble, touring shows, and with today’s popular musical artists.

Traveling over 20,000 miles a year, Gateway Brass performs at military ceremonies, educational clinics and community concerts throughout Texas, Louisiana, Arizona, and New Mexico.  The tour through beautiful Hill Country Texas properties continues:

• Monday, February 20, 7 PM in New Braunfels TX
• Tuesday, February 21, 4 PM, San Antonio TX
• Tuesday, February 21, 6 PM, Boerne TX
• Wednesday, February 22, 6 PM, Wimberley TX
• Thursday, February 23, 11 AM, San Antonio TX
• Thursday, February 23, 6 PM, San Antonio TX
• Saturday, February 25, 2 PM, San Antonio TX
• Sunday, February 26, 2:30 PM, Kerrville TX
• Tuesday, February 28, 4 PM, San Antonio TX
• Friday, March 2, 7 PM, Canyon Lake TX
• Saturday, March 3, 3 PM, San Antonio TX

The United States Air Force Band of the West has published several CDs including Turbine, I’ll Be Home, and Through the Eyes of a Child.  In addition, the United States Air Force has released new renditions of its theme song – song used during official military ceremonies.  The new recordings, one with vocals and one instrumental, respect the original character of the song the land themselves to more successful performances by military members around the world.

All concerts are free and open to the public.  To visit Texas Hill Country homes for sale in these scenic areas, please call Dale E. Cook, MBA and owner of SAGE – Premium Texas Real Estate in Fredericksburg at (830) 992-0056.

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Real estate on the Texas Hill Country Regional Christmas Trail will be ablaze with lights beginning Friday.  During the holiday season from November 25, 2011 to January 1, 2012, Fredericksburg homeowners and businesses don their sparkling best to brighten up the darkest time of the year.

Drive past Fredericksburg TX real estate on a Texas Hill Country tour to Bandera, Blanco, Boerne, Burnet, Dripping Springs, Johnson City, Kerrville, Llano, Marble Falls, New Braunfels, and Wimberley.  These are the towns participating in the Texas Hill Country Regional Christmas Trail for 2011.

Friday evening, residents of Fredericksburg homes and ranches kick off the festivities at the Marktplatz with the Annual Lighting of the 30-foot community Christmas tree and the 26-foot German Pyramid.  A family friendly Yuletide celebration brings out local musicians, dancers, and singers, and tasty treats.  Most of the other communities along the Christmas Trail also plan festivities for Friday.

All of the communities invite visitors to other special holiday events, each with a unique country flavor.  Fredericksburg’s outdoor skating rink, St. Nikolausmarkt, live theater, Kinderfest, parade, Peddler Show, and home tour are just a handful of holiday happenings.  Nearby, Johnson City features one of the largest light displays in Texas and tours of the LBJ boyhood home and Christmas in a cabin. In Kerrville it’s parades, lighting, performances, and lots of downhome fun.

Bandera accents its style with a Cowboy Capital Campfire and storytelling, living nativity on the banks of the Medina River, and Christmas Singing in the Saddle at Longhorn Saloon.  Boerne’s Old World Christmas is complete with costumed shopkeepe4rs, horse-drawn carriages, Weihnachts Fest parade, Oma’s Christmas and more.

Burnet lights up its historic courthouse.  The community reenacts the ancient town of Bethlehem with authentically costumed townspeople.  Dripping Springs Wild West Fest and Christmas on Mercer Street begin its festivities.  Llano’s charm includes Starry Starry Nights on the banks of the Llano River and a special Snow Day for the children.

Marble Falls lights up 130 sculptures that reflect on beautiful Lake Marble Falls, especially enjoyable along the Walkway of Lights in Lakeside Park.  New Braunfels goes from lighting to Weihnachtsmarkt with distinctive merchants and artisans to Old Gruene Market Days, Wassailfest, and Christmas Gospel Brunch with a Texas Twist.  Wimberley presents an old-fashioned Creekside Christmas, Gardens Trail of Lights, and theater.

So take them one at a time or tour Hill Country during a special December weekend.  You may realize that you’d rather be home in Texas all year round.

For expert guidance in your personal search for the ultimate piece of the Hill Country, please call Dale E. Cook, MBA and owner of SAGE – Premium Texas Real Estate at (830) 992-0056.

Johnson City Homes for sale

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Fredericksburg’s antique shops and antiquing events keep Texan history alive for Hill Country homeowners and Texas visitors alike.  The Annual Fredericksburg Fall Antiques Show coming up this week is a case in point.  “Shows Celebrating American Heritage” offers Texas ranchers and owners of Fredericksburg TX real estate a vast array of antiques and collectibles.

If buyers of Fredericksburg TX land or Hill Country ranches want to display antique agricultural machines, The Hill Country Antique Tractor and Engine Club will oblige.  The club’s tractors come out in full force for the Christmas Parades in Fredericksburg on Dec. 2, 2011.  They also host a large event in June at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds.  The summer show features a selection of memorable agricultural relics.

In the Historic District of Downtown Fredericksburg Texas real estate, favorite antique shops cater to the local penchant for visiting and resident antique collectors, as well as anyone looking for that perfect accent piece for any room in the house in Fredericksburg.  All year round, these antique shops bring in an appealing array of furniture and endearing items.

This weekend’s Fredericksburg Fall Antiques Show is one of a handful presented by Texas Hill Country Antique Shows.  Located in a large building and oversized pavilion at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds, the show exhibits many friendly well-known antique dealers and other quality exhibitors who are new this 2011 season.  These dealers offer a wealth of good information about the historical significance of various pieces.  The collections feature the best furniture, architectural collectibles, and other interesting conversation pieces such as Treasures from Christmas Past.

Time:  Saturday, Nov. 12, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 13, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Place:  Gillespie County Fairgrounds, 530 Fair Drive, Fredericksburg Texas

Admission:  $5.00/weekend with children 12 and under free and parking is free.

Antique buffs missing the show this week can stop by our downtown antique shops:

• Homestead at 230 E. Main Street, Fredericksburg TX, specializes in custom upholstery and traditional furnishings such as tables and chairs, and items to cozy up the home.
• Jackson’s Uptown Market at 214 W. Main Street, Fredericksburg TX offers fine art, antiques, furnishings, lighting, gifts, and accessories.
• Lauren Bade Fredericksburg at 229 E. Main Street Upstairs, Fredericksburg TX offers antiques, linens, gifts, and jewelry.
• Salt Branch Outpost at 244 W. Main Street, Fredericksburg TX is an antique gift shop specializing in antler art and furniture, custom designing, and antler lamps, chandeliers, and tables.
• Showcase Antiques at 119 E. Main Street showcases old porcelain, American brilliant cut glass, collectible French art glass sabino, sterling silver flatware, pottery, art glass, antique furniture and more.

Buying and selling property in Texas Hill Country

For expert guidance in your personal search for the ultimate piece of the Hill Country, please call Dale E. Cook, MBA and owner of SAGE – Premium Texas Real Estate at (830) 992-0056.

Gillespie Co TX homes for sale

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As readers negotiate the pathway towards owning Texas real estate in the Hill Country, we offer important information for anyone looking to borrow money to their Fredericksburg TX home or Texas land.  It may help some newer borrowers and could be uncomfortable for others.

More new standards are understandably being adopted by lenders, the same people who are still stuck with heaps of bank-owned properties and distressed borrowers.  The Chicago Tribune recently shed light on a new score being developed to help financial institutions discern good and not-so-good credit risks.  This score incorporates personal information about borrowers.

Credit reporting companies have been around since the 1950s.  Fair Isaac Corp. (FICO) generates scores using information from three main credit-reporting companies:  Transunion, Experian, and Equifax.  But these scores did not become widely used in the mortgage industry until 1995 when Federal agencies such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Authority began recommending them to lenders in the housing industry.

FICO scores are supposed to provide lenders with mainstay indicators about the credit worthiness of Texas Hill Country homebuyers from across the nation by showing how well they have paid back previous loans.  But FICO is developing new tools “to help the lending industry dig deeper,” Podmolik says.

FICO and CoreLogic announced they are collaborating to create a different score that will reflect personal habits and payment histories on a variety of levels.  This number will include payday loans, evictions, child support payments, status of payments such as utility bills, rent, and cell phone payments.  Some credit reporting agencies have already been providing lenders with estimates of income and available data on timeliness of rental payments.

Tight lending standards are the norm these days.  With the Fed keeping interest rates low, lenders do not have higher interest payments to make up for the losses caused by defaulting borrowers.  It is possible that this new score will help financial institutions.  It may help some wealthy buyers who usually pay cash and young borrowers who have little credit history.  It may not be as kind to other good applicants who happen to have encountered some challenges along the way to their new Hill Country homes.

For expert guidance in your personal search for the ultimate piece of the Hill Country, please call Dale E. Cook, MBA and owner of SAGE – Premium Texas Real Estate at (830) 992-0056.

Homes in Fredericksburg TX School District for sale

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For residents of Texas Hill Country homes, the Fredericksburg Standard—Radio Post Newspaper congeals the unabated sparkle of the marvelous small-town America quality of life we enjoy.  Just this week, a series of news posts cannot help buy endear anyone who is pondering relocation to Fredericksburg TX real estate or nearby Texas ranches.

Deliver right to the front door or computer of subscriber homes, the trusty Fredericksburg newspaper combines three historic papers—The Fredericksburg Standard, the Radio Post and the Harper Herald—to connect our communities and activities.

This week, we read about children from Fredericksburg and Harper schools who will be participating in the University Scholastic League Region XI Marching Contest in Hondo TX.  Anyone who missed the contest can experience these talented ensembles during halftime at varsity football games.

Another story highlights the youth Gold Star winners in 4-H who exemplify leadership, citizenship, community service, and excellent 4-H projects.  We are proud of the students recognized at the 2011 Gillespie County 4-H Banquet held at the Gillespie county Farm Bureau Center and the marching bands.

Fredericksburg’s interesting weekend events offer samplings of activities unfamiliar to most city folks.  The Annual Lone Star Gourd Festival opened yesterday at the Exhibition Hall and Peddler’s Pavilion at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds.  It continues through Sunday.  Artisans from across Texas are displaying their artworks and children will find hands-on arts and crafts activities at the Gourd Fest.

In addition, the Annual Fredericksburg Indian Artifact Show is happening in Pioneer Pavilion at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park.  This show includes 70 tables of fossil displays, some dating back to 10,000 B.C.  Texas collectors travel here to show off their ancient treasures for the benefit of buyers, sellers, traders, and all interested parties.

On Sunday, October 16, 2011, residents and friends of Fredericksburg homes will take steps to relieve world hunger.  The Hill Country Hike for Hunger and annual walk begin with registration at 2:30 p.m. from the Kinderhalle at Marktplatz.  Three quarters of the proceeds go to the church World Services and the remainder to the Fredericksburg Food Pantry.  Events include a 5K walk through residential areas (3.1 miles) and the Golden Walk, a shorter version.

For expert guidance in your personal search for the ultimate piece of the Hill Country, please call Dale E. Cook, MBA and owner of SAGE – Premium Texas Real Estate at (830) 992-0056.

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Hill Country homeowners have plenty of advantages when it comes to landscaping, considering the beautiful weather patterns in Central Texas.

Sometimes, however, residents of Fredericksburg TX homes, ranches, and neighboring communities do not quite know what to do to create and maintain nice yards and acreage.  Maybe a yard in Fredericksburg property is overgrown, plants are on the wrong side of the building for optimum healthy growth, or the soil has a deficiency.

Who does know what to do?  Excellent landscaping companies near Fredericksburg real estate in the heart of Texas Hill Country are here to help.  They know how to invest in soil, mulch, trees, shrubs and flowers to get the most appealing results.  These companies offer a variety of services to assist.

Perennial Landscape and Design helps with designing landscapes for new homes and replacing or refreshing existing landscapes.  The Dodds Family works with small beds up to commercial designs, incorporating native landscapes or deer resistant plants as requested.  There’s Hill Country Gardens and The Xeriscape Guys who specialize in “Water Wise Landscaping.”  The list of small companies continues.

Perennial’s website is a great source of information.  The company offers on-site consultation.  Full-service landscape services begin with site preparation, plant installation, and finish work.  Before executing a design, the company show clients a computer animated version of the proposed finished product.

Variables all come together to create the dream yard.  Perennial uses 100-percent Raleigh sod with a three-inch base of soil that has been screened for weeds.  Homeowners are informed which plants are options for each sunny or shady area and plants that will thrive with given water sources.  Irrigation systems can be planned and phased in during future growth.  To avoid having to thin a garden in a few years, Perennial recommends that all plants be spaced out depending on their projected size at maturity.

This company offers a full spectrum of landscape materials, edging, rock and stone, fertilizers, mulch and soil, and plants and trees available.  They recommend using three inches of mulch or rock material in the landscaping beds and have many suggestions based on the horticulture of the area.

For expert guidance in your personal search for the ultimate piece of the Hill Country, please call Dale E. Cook, MBA and owner of SAGE – Premium Texas Real Estate at (830) 992-0056.

Fredericksburg Garden Homes Real Estate for Sale

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