THE BELOW MARKET UPDATE IS CURRENT AS OF THE ABOVE DATE OF THIS BLOG POST.

Active: There are currently 3 homes for sale in Western Oaks with a median list price of $114 per square foot ($274,200) and averaging 522 active days on the market. The average home for sale has 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and 2428 square feet. Prices range from $80.93 per square foot up to $139.34 per square foot or $199,950 up to $280,000…

Pending: There is currently 1 home pending sale in Western Oaks with a median list price of $156 per square foot ($225,000) and averaging 168 active days on the market. The average home pending sale has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 1444 square feet.

Sold: There is insufficient data to perform these calculations

Withdrawn: There have been 22 homes withdrawn in the last 6 months inAustin TX with a median list price of $124 per square foot ($256,340) and averaging 293 active days on the market. The average home withdrawn from the market has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2210 square feet.

Expired: There have been 7 homes that have expired from the market in the last 6 months in Western Oaks with a median list price of $113 per square foot ($258,000) and averaging 328 active days on the market. The average home that expired from the market has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2193 square feet.

The event is open from 9am to 5:30pm and features lectures such as, “Tree Care During Trying Times” and “Proper Tree Pruning,” a tree planting demonstration, and talks and walks like “Tree ID and the Great Texas Tree Roundup” and “Oak Wilt I.D. for your Neighborhood.” A major goal of the program is to teach visitors about native trees and shrubs and how they can help to alleviate some of the pains that come along with the droughts that are becoming more and more prevalent. Of course, there will be lots of fun for the family, with a Kids’ Tree Climb and Tree Scavenger Hunt all day; everyone who completes the scavenger hunt even will receive a native tree sapling, thanks to TreeFolks.

Admission to the center is free in January so not only can visitors enjoy this event at no charge, this entire month is a great time to check out what the Wildflower Center has to offer. For anyone looking for a new home close to all this botanical beauty, the Austin real estate agents at Regent Property Group can help find a wonderful home in the Village at Western Oaks, a community with its own beauty, very near the LBJ Wildflower Center.

Drake is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 20 years of practice and has helped Small parents and students for many years. She says her “passion is to help people of all ages solve their difficulties and problems in order to live happier lives.” A mother of two daughters, she has written a book called, Help Me… I Have a Teenager!! The Nitty Gritty Guide to Parental Sanity. Drake lives in the Austin area so if any parents need further assistance, she is available for consultations.

The staff at Small hopes that after Drake’s presentation, “parents will be better equipped to support, mentor, and coach their students with the natural adolescent challenges of emerging young adults.” Finding a caring school that supports both its students and parents can be a critical factor when searching for an Austin home. For help finding a home in the Villages at Western Oaks subdivision, contact the Austin real estate experts at Regent Property Group.

On William Cannon between 24 Hour Fitness and Gold’s Gym, My Fit Foods is a quick stop on the way home for a healthy “fast food” to-go option, with a large selection of freshly made meals ready for purchase. The pre-labeled portions and readily available nutritional information make it easy to choose a healthy selection, whether post-workout or while running errands.

My Fit Foods was created in Houston in 2004 and quickly proceeded to spread to Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and Phoenix. The mission is “making eating healthy, simple, and affordable.” In addition to walk-in purchase, they offer more than 45 menu items that patrons can research and order on their website, then pick up from their kitchens the next day (there is also a delivery option). All of their food is fresh and free of preservatives, giving them a shelf life of 4 to 5 days. Menu features include items for all major meals, with some gluten free options and vegetarian meals.

It has managed to be a popular and successful concept. Many customers remark on the excellent customer service from knowledgeable and friendly staff, the convenience, and its proximity to three Southwest Austin gyms. Their 21 day challenge is also well loved, with many people seeing major results from it.

One concept that makes resolutions work is being able to introduce them into your life in a simple way so that you can stick to them. If you want the convenience of Southwest Austin, including the food at My Fit Foods, plus a beautiful home in a great neighborhood, you’ll want to contact Austin REALTOR® Kim Wilson so that she can help you find the perfect home in the Village at Western Oaks area.

THE BELOW MARKET UPDATE IS CURRENT AS OF THE ABOVE DATE OF THIS BLOG POST.

Active: There are currently 6 homes for sale in Western Oaks with a median list price of $129 per square foot ($267,050) and averaging 300 active days on the market. The average home for sale has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2122 square feet. Prices range from $80.93 per square foot up to $139.34 per square foot or $179,000 up to $285,000…

Pending: There are currently 2 homes pending sale in Western Oaks with a median list price of $131 per square foot ($225,000) and averaging 197 active days on the market. The average home pending sale has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 1778 square feet.

Sold: There is insufficient data to perform these calculations

Withdrawn: There have been 21 homes withdrawn in the last 6 months inAustin TX with a median list price of $119 per square foot ($244,000) and averaging 269 active days on the market. The average home withdrawn from the market has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2215 square feet.

Expired: There have been 7 homes that have expired from the market in the last 6 months in Western Oaks with a median list price of $113 per square foot ($258,000) and averaging 297 active days on the market. The average home that expired from the market has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2193 square feet.

Every quarter, the company gives a day’s profits to one local organization. This year has seen donations to Austin Children’s Shelter, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central Texas, and Communities in Schools of Central Texas. This weekend will close out 2011 with Saturday’s sales benefiting A Season of Caring. This is the third year that P. Terry’s will donate to the holiday program created by the Austin-American Statesman to help Central Texas families. Based on the past two years’ donations, along with projections from two new locations added this year, the estimated donation from the one day of sales (typically their biggest of the year) is around $15,000.

P. Terry’s is branded as an “anti-fast food” burger joint that focuses on high-quality food, ingredients, and cooking methods, as well as providing excellent customer service. Their inspiration for starting the restaurant with this methodology and philosophy stemmed from Eric Schlosser’s 2001 book Fast Food Nation, a look at the disturbing influence of American fast food on the public.

It’s clear in the way they do business that this is a place that puts people over profits. Customer service is a major priority, as are their employees. No P. Terry’s staff member ever has started at or below minimum wage, with the average wage around $11 per hour, high above industry standards.

Another plus about P. Terry’s is that each location has a drive through. If you’re craving a hormone and pesticide-free burger topped with organic tomatoes, award-winning fries, or fresh lemonade on your way home to the Village at Western Oaks, it would just be a short jump off MoPac to the Arbor Trails location.

All four Austin stores will open for breakfast at 8am on Saturday, with the Lakeway location opening at 11am, and all locations will feature special extended hours. If you are shopping around Arbor Trails or just want to make a quick run from Village at Western Oaks, the William Cannon location will be open from 8am to 11pm on Saturday.

And, if you’re looking for a home in an area known for its community involvement, Austin REALTOR® Kim Wilson would be happy to help you with an Austin home search for the VAWO subdivision, maybe stopping by P. Terry’s for a veggie burger and a shake on the way.

Ever wonder why there is no MoPac feeder road between Davis and Slaughter? The surface literally cannot sustain the weight due to a vast, open cave network just underneath the ground.

Though it stretches over a relatively small area in Southwest Austin, approximately 9 acres, this Preserve has six karst features, including a habitat for cave-dwelling species that can be found on the Endangered Species List. The Tooth Cave Ground Beetle is on the list because the caves where it lives (a range of about 27 caves in the Edwards Plateau in Travis and Williamson counties) have been paved over and destroyed by the expansion of cities. Polluted water and trash also are big problems for the beetle, as well as fire ants that are attracted to trash around the cave and enter and feed on cave-dwelling animals. This gives residents of the VAWO area the added responsibility of being both stewards and advocates for this sensitive area. Helping keep the area clean and encouraging others to do so, as well, can make a tremendous difference in the life of this fragile ecosystem.

The Preserve is open year-round and is handicap accessible, but one special event, held each spring, brings people together from all over Texas to celebrate this geologic formation. The annual Austin Cave Festival, hosted by the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, helps educate the community about the importance and sensitivity of the aquifer and its tributaries. Activities during the festival include cave trips into the Get Down and Live Oak Caves, flintknapping demonstrations, vertical ropes courses, cave-themed storytimes, and hands-on activities for kids. Local organizations usually are on hand with additional information, including Austin Science and Nature Center, City of Austin Watershed Protection, and Texas Cave Management Association. In 2010, the festival attracted over 1,000 visitors.

This unique and beautiful feature that helps carve the Texas landscape can only be found in a few places in the area. If you’re a fan of caves and want to be closer to them and help protect them, a home in the Village at Western Oaks subdivision may be the perfect place for you. To find the home to fit your needs, contact Austin REALTOR® Kim Wilson.

THE BELOW MARKET UPDATE IS CURRENT AS OF THE ABOVE DATE OF THIS BLOG POST.

Active: There are currently 15 homes for sale in Western Oaks with a median list price of $116 per square foot ($259,900) and averaging 175 active days on the market. The average home for sale has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2086 square feet. Prices range from $80.93 per square foot up to $150.79 per square foot or $174,700 up to $286,000…

Pending: There are currently 4 homes pending sale in Western Oaks with a median list price of $105 per square foot ($212,500) and averaging 148 active days on the market. The average home pending sale has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 1880 square feet.

Sold: There is insufficient data to perform these calculations

Withdrawn: There have been 20 homes withdrawn in the last 6 months inAustin TX with a median list price of $119 per square foot ($241,950) and averaging 249 active days on the market. The average home withdrawn from the market has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2214 square feet.

Expired: There have been 7 homes that have expired from the market in the last 6 months in Western Oaks with a median list price of $113 per square foot ($258,000) and averaging 266 active days on the market. The average home that expired from the market has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2193 square feet.

Dick Nichols District Park, located at 8011 Beckett Rd, was named for a ‘70s era Austin City Councilman and sits on 135 acres of treed land in the middle of the Villages at Western Oaks in Southwest Austin. It’s considered one of the best parks in Austin, thanks to its many great features and relaxed nature. So what, exactly, are some of those features?

Let’s take a look at Dick Nichols Park:

- The playground has two swing sets, each with four swings, two playscapes, and a little, red metal car for all those toddlers wanting to get a head start on driving lessons

- The park has one reservable area, great for birthday parties, family get-togethers, and lots more (call City of Austin to make reservations at 512-974-6797)

- For the athletic types, there are 2 basketball courts, 3 volleyball courts, 2 tennis courts, and a great multipurpose field for everything from kickball to bocce ball games

- In addition to the reservable area, there are 17 picnic tables and 9 barbeque pits for when you’re feeling a bit puckish after all that fun

- The one-mile paved trail is great for strollers, pooches, and solo meditative walks, as it is an easy trail surrounded by lots of trees and shade

- The swimming pool, available for recreational or lap swimming, is open for most of the year (other than a short time in the spring for annual maintenance) and is always either free or just $3

- Though every bit of the park is appealing, the piece de resistance for many families is the adorable seal in the splash play area that shoots water from his spout and helps cool down kids and dogs alike.

With amenities like Dick Nichols Park, great schools, and excellent shopping nearby, Villages at Western Oaks is a great place to own a home, especially because the homes are both beautiful and affordable. If you’re working on an Austin home search and this neighborhood sounds right for you, give Austin REALTOR ® Kim Wilson a call to help you find that home.

THE BELOW MARKET UPDATE IS CURRENT AS OF THE ABOVE DATE OF THIS BLOG POST.

Active: There are currently 17 homes for sale in Western Oaks with a median list price of $116 per square foot ($259,900) and averaging 137 active days on the market. The average home for sale has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2106 square feet. Prices range from $80.93 per square foot up to $150.79 per square foot or $174,700 up to $286,000…

Pending: There are currently 9 homes pending sale in Western Oaks with a median list price of $108 per square foot ($239,900) and averaging 108 active days on the market. The average home pending sale has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2171 square feet.

Sold: There is insufficient data to perform these calculations

Withdrawn: There have been 19 homes withdrawn in the last 6 months inAustin TX with a median list price of $119 per square foot ($239,900) and averaging 232 active days on the market. The average home withdrawn from the market has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2203 square feet.

Expired: There have been 7 homes that have expired from the market in the last 6 months in Western Oaks with a median list price of $113 per square foot ($258,000) and averaging 239 active days on the market. The average home that expired from the market has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2193 square feet.