Symbols of Texas, things you might or might not know!   The Texas state flag is the 1839 National flag of the Republic of Texas and features the famous Lone Star. Texas designated the mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) as official state bird in 1927. The bluebonnet was designated the official state flower of Texas in 1901. Texas designated the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) as the official state small mammal in 1995.  Texas designated the longhorn as the official state large mammal in 1995.  Texas designated Brachiosaur sauropod, Pleurocoelus as the official state dinosaur in 1997.  Texas State Representative Marsha Farney filed a bill that would make the cowboy hat the official hat of Texas. The Texas legislature will be voting on this soon. Dr. Farney is an Aggie and former... 01/08/2015

  Buyers love the neighborhoods that are zoned to Cedar Park High School! This update covers current availability as of today, and the closed/pricing data for December 2014.         Cedar Park High School is a highly ranked school in the Leander Independent School District.  They are best known for their strong academics, Timberwolf football and award winning marching band.  The school motto is “For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.” First time home buyer or executive, there is a home zoned to Cedar Park that will fit your needs.  How many homes are available for sale?                                                                  32 How many homes are pending (under contract)?                                                   36 Homes Sol... 01/06/2015

Deer Creek Elementary is a K-5 school in the Leander Independent School District in Cedar Park, Texas. The school serves the communities of Deer Creek Ranch & Cypress Canyon.   While these communities boast separate subdivision names, they share the same HOA and community facilities. The neighborhoods run together and other than a few small entrance signs it is quite difficult to separate.  Homes are available from the mid $200k all the way up into the $600k range, with an average of $330,000 for a 2,700 square foot home.  While most of Cedar Park is in Williamson County, homes located West of Anderson Mill fall into Travis County. There are three things about these communities that make them very popular amongst home buyers in Central Texas.  Excellent school in the community, easy Aus... 01/05/2015

  December 2014 closed out the Cedar Park real estate market strong.  Cedar Park enjoyed a 98% close price to list price ratio for December, and ended the year with less than a 3 month supply of homes. Cedar Park enjoys a wide range of home prices to fit any budget.  The median sales price for December was $247,500.  The median was only $500 over the 2013 value.  However, as you may know, statistics can tell many different stories.  Given the wide range of resale homes available in Cedar Park, these ratios don’t tell the full picture.  Each neighborhood and home is unique in what their appreciation for 2014 actually was.  In December of 2013 the list price to square foot ratio was $112.  For December of 2014 the list price to square foot ratio was $124.  That paints a much rosier, and r... 01/05/2015

835 Lone Star Dr in Cedar Park TX For Lease $1,500 Fantastic home on 1/2 lot in unrestricted area! Spacious family with fireplace open to casual dining area! Cute kitchen with upgraded appliances lots of cabinets and counter space open to family room! Master with en suite bath featuring soak garden tub and separate shower! Secondary bedrooms and in house utility. Lease includes front load w/d and refrigerator, also wall safe in master. Garage floor is finished and tons of shelving for storage!!Includes yard maintenance Cedar Park TX Homes For Lease   01/03/2015

Austin TX January 2015 Calendar Events   Fly Girls of WWII January 2015Bullock Texas State History MuseumBlack-Eyed Pea and Cornbread Cook-OffJanuary 1, 2015TORRE DI PIETRA VINEYARDS, FredericksburgTexas Legends at Austin SpursJanuary 2, 2015Cedar Park CenterMax StallingJanuary 3, 2015Gruene HallDEUS EX MACHINAJanuary 3, 2015The Long CenterSalute to ViennaJanuary 4, 2015The Long CenterIowa Wild vs. Texas StarsJanuary 9, 2015Cedar Park CenterCody Johnson January 10, 2015 Gruene HallAlejandro Escovedo OrchestraJanuary 10, 2015Austin City LimitsKathleen MadiganJanuary 10, 2015Paramount TheatreReno Bighorns at Austin SpursJanuary 11, 2015Cedar Park CenterDisney in ConcertJanuary 11, 2015The Long Center17th Annual Austin Home and Garden ShowJanuary 16-19, 2015Austin Convention CenterEngelbe... 12/31/2014

Happy New Year 2015As we bid farewell to 2014 and welcome the new year 2015 tradition will wish each other many blessing.   I would like to take this time to say thank you to all who have supported me over the years.   Tradition of New Year wishes is as old as the celebration of the event itself.    There are evidences that Romans too used to wish happiness and prosperity to each other during the New Year.  So in my tradition of welcoming the new year I wish you all good health and many blessing for 2015.   Our family tradition is to eat black-eye peas and cabbage or collard greens for good luck, good health and wealth.to learn more about this custom click here.   Happy New Year!!! 12/31/2014

New Years Eve Safety for Pets   New Year's Eve traditional celebrations welcome the New Year with social gatherings with family and friends, where many of us welcome dancing, eating, drinking alcoholic beverages, and yes those noisy fireworks.   New Years Eve can be very stressful and unsafe for our pets, taking measures to make sure our pets are safe from loud noise, toxic drinks, streamers and more will ensure a happy safe pet.   Animals tend to have very sensitive hearing and react differently to sounds/noise, if you’ve ever watched your animal around a vacuum cleaner, electric saw/drill, or loud music you can see how irritating high pitch sounds can affect them.   Make sure your pets are micro-chipped, wearing tags, and secured in a kennel. You might even want to hire a pet setter d... 12/30/2014

Happy Christmas Eve   Christmas celebrations have long begun on the night of the 24, due in part to the Christian day starting at sunset.   Many of you will gather with your family and friends singing Christmas carols, attending midnight mass although it seems there are many earlier Christmas Mass these days.   Enjoying the illumination and enjoyment of Christmas lights, decorated trees and more  throughout your beautiful cities.   God Bless You All "Y'all", and to all a Good Night.   12/24/2014

Cedar Park TX 78613  Cedar Park was founded in 1887 and incorporated in 1937 as a city; it has become one of Austin’s third largest cities according to Forbes Magazine and one of the fastest growing suburbs of Austin, located just a short 18 minute drive to downtown Austin on a good driving day, attracting big name entertainers and entertainment to its new Cedar Park Convention Center. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population was 48,937 and growing rapidly, with new construction on both sides of FM 1431 also known as Whitestone Blvd. Cedar Park located between the cities of Leander, Round Rock, Georgetown, and Austin make our little city  a great place community to settle or just explore the hidden wonders. Cedar Park has been recognized as one of Texas Top Ten Places to raise ... 12/23/2014

OH MY! 4 Day's Left Before Christmas Last Minute Shopping Ideas You can get gift cards in the checkout line of most major supermarkets, at your favorite retailers, or online. Amazon is selling their gift cards in cute little tins    Candy is one of those all-purpose gifts But if you're looking for that perfect gift check out these great homes for sale  in Cedar Park TX 78613 Contact Bob Ratliff, REALTOR® (512) 587-5689   12/20/2014

Forest Oak Neighborhood in Cedar Park Market Update December 2014 Forest Oak Market Update for December 2014 for the past 90 days of solds and current active and pending listings. 7 active homes currently on the market priced between $219,500 to $305,000 with an average of 57 days on market. 10 pending homes currently in escorw to close 16 homes were sold in the past 90 days with prices ranging from $180,000-$351,000. The Forest Oak average sales price is $257,412 with an average 41 days on the market and Sp/SqFt $107.59 with a SP/LP 97.93%. Quick Statistics for the 16 sold. Min list price $180,000 Min sale price $180,000 Max list price $369,000 Max sale price $351,000 Average list price $257,412Average sale price $253,00 Median list price $255,000 Median sale price $241,000     Forest ... 12/19/2014

This morning the Cedar Park High School football team, the Timberwolves, headed off to play their State Championship game.  I wrote a blog about their accomplishment a few days ago - Go Timberwolves!   Today I am just amazed once again at the small town feel and strong community Cedar Park is so blessed to have.  I grew up in a small farm town with less than 15,000 people.  I love small towns!  Cedar Park isn't really a small town anymore.  Yet, the people still have small town hearts.   This morning as the football team took off for their drive to Arlington (Dallas Cowboys stadium) the city and schools came out to support them.  The City promoted a parade of people to bring signs out and come waive them on their way, at 8:45 this morning.  Cypress Elementary, Cedar Park Middle School, ... 12/19/2014

Do you have Smart-911 a free, private and secure service? 911-Safety agencies across the country use Smart 911 to enhance communication and response for their community.  It can be used by 9-1-1 agencies to quickly send first responders to the location of an emergency with more information, by emergency management to better plan for and respond to disasters, and by municipalities to send emergency notifications to their citizens. You can create a Safety Profile for your household which will proactively provide details on your family and home that 9-1-1 may need in order to send help in the event of an emergency. The emergency management service of Smart911 allows you to answer questions about yourself, your family and your household that will help emergency management officials plan for... 12/18/2014

Cedar Park TX Foreclosures 12/12/2014 When buying a foreclosure there are many factors to consider compared to buying a traditional resale home that isn’t a foreclosure. Buying a foreclosure can be an affordable housing option, but there are also more things to watch for with this type of home purchase. Usually a foreclosure is sold "as is".  Buyers need to be pre-qualified giving them an advantage of being better prepared to make an offer and to have it accepted.  Foreclosures in Cedar Park TX 78613 Oct. 12th, 2014 market update below: Currently Foreclosures in Cedar Park TX consist of 4 active listings priced from $200,000 to $329,900 with an average of 44 days on market. Currently Foreclosures in Cedar Park TX Pending sales show 4 pending priced from $ 131,000 to $259,300. Currently... 12/11/2014

Twin Creek Market update for 12/08/2014   Market Update for Twin Creek Neighborhood of Cedar Park, TX 78613   Currently the Austin Multiple Listing Service as of 12/8/2014: 11 active listings ranging from 2,000 square feet to 4,331 square feet priced from the low $298,500 to $449,000. 1 pending sale listed for $408,700 with 3,513 square feet 74 days on market Solds are broken down into three categories: I only went back for 6 months of sold comps since its a sellers market to date. 1.)  2,000 – 3,000 square feet show 1 active listing at $298,500 average days on the market 44. 19 sold ranging from $265,000-$496,000 with a SP/LP 98.34 % and 89 average days on the market.   Average list price $357,467 Average sold price $353,409 with approximately 38 days on market.   2.) 3,001-4,000 squar... 12/08/2014

Holiday Humor to brighten your spirits You know you're getting old when Santa starts looking young What do you call that period five minutes after the gifts are opened? Christmess How much did Santa pay for his sleigh?nothing; it was on the house. Did you hear about the bald man who got a comb for Christmas?He'll never part with it. Holiday humor for the most wonderful time of year is brought to you today by Bob Ratliff, REALTOR®  With your busy schedules don't forget the meaning of Christmasremember those who are less fortunate "pay it forward" Speaking of paying it forward don't forget to stop my Belinda Spillman December ActiveRain Contestand enter your story of "paying it forward" you will gain points. "Pay It Forward Contest"   12/05/2014

Homestead Exemptions, What are they and do I qualify?   Homesteads in Texas can be a separate residential structure, condominium or manufactured home located on owned or leased land, as long as the individual living in the home owns it.   A homestead can include up to 20 acres as long as related to residential use according to the Texas State Comptroller office 2014.   A new state law took effect on September 1, 2011 that persons applying for a homestead must show proof of residency by updating their address on their driver's license and with tax assessor/collector. The home must be their primary residence.   To qualify you must have owned your home from January 1 before applying and the cut off is April 30th, if applying after this date homeowners will have to apply Jan 1 the following... 12/02/2014

Pay It Forward ActiveRain Challenge For December  December ActiveRain Contest is being hosted by none other Belinda Spillman Looking for inspiration for the contest? click on the titles below to see a few entries submitted already and it's only day 2 of the contest Be a Santa To A Senior A Spirit of Giving...The Women's Center in Waukesha has a Wish List   Paying it Forward - Flight of Fancy  Pay it forward - Homeless The Greater Good Network-- Gift Giving that Gives Food to Shelters Paying It Forward for the Holidays Pay It Forward 2014 Challenge   December ActiveRain contest has rules please click on this link to be directed to Belinda Spillman our Host for contest rules "paying it forward".  12/02/2014

This Saturday, December 6th, will be the 2nd annual Snow Spectacular, benefitting the Battle For A Cure Foundation.  Hosted in the neighborhood of Twin Creeks, 3201 Twin Creeks Club Drive, Cedar Park, Texas.     The event runs from 4 to 8 pm.  This fundraiser helps children fighting cancer and their families.  Come enjoy 30,000 pounds of snow!  There will be games, snacks, hayrides, hot chocolate & coffee, and a visit from Santa.  And of course, it wouldn't be Austin without live music!  The event is open to the public but does require a ticket; $20 for adults and $10 for children if pre-ordered.  Order online at https://battle4acure.ticketbud.com/snow2  Same day tickets available for additional fee.   Come out this Saturday y'all.  Support a great cause and enjoy some winter fun! Twin ... 12/01/2014