Leander is a city on the northern borders of Austin and Cedar Park.  This Austin suburb that sits on both gently rolling hills and some more dramatic hills in the west where it also has Lake Travis frontage.  The area has seen rapid growth over the last decade with a great deal of new home construction and a lot of new neighborhoods added.  Below is an update on home sales in some Leander neighborhoods.Benbrook Ranch – 12 homes currently for sale ranging in price from $118,000 to $150,888 with 4 of these currently under contract.  Over the last 60 days 6 Benbrook Ranch homes have sold.Block House Creek – 32 homes currently for sale ranging in price from $103,500 to $214,900 with 8 of these currently under contract.  Over the last 60 days 13 Block House Creek homes have sold.Caballo Ranc... 12/14/2011

Leander real estate can be an ideal investment. What makes it so ideal is the fact that it is beautified with wonderful communities where amenities are useful and efficient for its residents. Every resident in Leander is offered many bountiful opportunities. Thanks to an array of communities here you can have your dream home – Summerlyn, Lakeline Ranch, Grand Mesa at Crystal Falls and so many more – there is a community that suits every need.   If you want to own Leander TX real estate, all you have to do is choose from the many homes in any of its lovely communities. Here you can find 2 or 3 bedroom Leander real estate or some bungalow type homes. You can always call Leander Realtor, Lainie Ramsey to guide you around town and help you find the home of your dreams.   The beauty of the c... 12/07/2011

Situated in the beautiful city of Leander, Texas is the wonderous community of Caballo Ranch. This charming area is lavished with all the benefits of comfortable living atmosphere. Through the years the place has grown better but regardless of its growth it still posses that lovely Hill Country aura. If you are lured by the beauty of its homes and surroundings a Leander Realtor can be the best individual to approach. We can tell you the best Leander real estate or guide you through the most strategic Caballo Ranch real estate.    What attracts many buyers to Caballo Ranch is its closeness to entertainment facilities, shopping arenas, and most importantly to major employers. Plus, many of the homes here enjoy the picturesque view of the Hill Country. There are many 1 or 2 story Leander r... 11/14/2011

Crystal Falls real estate is a great choice for those who are looking for a comfy suburban quality of life. Crystal Falls is home to four equally beautiful communities namely the Boulders, Grand Mesa, Fairways, and Highlands.   The Highlands have everything you wish for in a great neighborhood plus many extras which includes an amenity center and of course the ever beautiful Lakeline Boulevard. The activities that you can do here are for everyone to enjoy.  The Highlands feature homes build by well renowned home builders namely Mercedes Homes, David Weekley Homes, Drees Custom Homes, and Perry Homes. Some of the special amenities that you can benefit from when you purchase a Crystal Falls real estate include  Kids water spray park, junior Olympic pool, fishing lake, and Frisbee golf cou... 11/07/2011

      Left at 11am and just got back to my office a few minutes ago, it is just after 3pm. I met my clients at the new home sales office. They had found their dream builder and were ready to sign paper work. When purchasing a new home many buyers do not realize that the Realtor in the New Home Sales office is representing the builder. While they are professional and will answer truthfully any questions you ask, you are much better represented by having your own Realtor. It costs you nothing to have  your own representative at the table and it can help give you peace of mind.  My cleints had lots of questions and I was able to help them get each questioned answered as well as ask questions they did not think to ask. I wanted them to fully understand all their obligations, responsibilitie... 11/02/2011

We have two grandchildren (one granddaughter and one grandson) that are devoted athletes and live by Herschel Walker's motto: "If you train hard, you'll not only be hard, you'll be hard to beat".                                                                                            They both train with T.J.Garza at S.K.P. (Speed Killz Period). Our grandson attended T.J.'s one of a kind "Camp Extreme" (right now open only for boys) for unparalleled training and conditioning. I believe the secret to T.J.'s loyal following and demand is his understanding and love for kids.  He knows how to build character and get the most out of a developing athlete.  He is trusted by parents, doctors, coaches and most important the athletes. His results speak for themselves.Clients range from professi... 10/17/2011

Leander Apple Springs Benbrook Ranch Block House Creek Cap Rock Cold Springs Crystal Crossing Crystal Falls Fairways at Crystal Falls Grand Mesa at Crystal Falls High Gabriel Highland at Crystal Falls Horizon Park Lone Mountain Ranch Mason Creek Mason Creek North North Creek Oak Ridge Overlook Estates Palomino Park Rancho Sienna Ridgemar Landing Ridgewood North Ridgewood South Scenic Overlook Stonehurst Summerlyn Boulders at Crystal Falls Vista Ridge Westview Meadows Westwood Woods at Crystal Falls 10/07/2011

Williamson County residents will be happy to know that County Commissioners recently voted to decrease the property tax rate by approximately 0.002312 per $100 in assessed value. The decrease will make the 2011–12 adopted tax rate 0.487687 per $100 in assessed value. The decrease in the property tax rate will help offset the increase being seen in property values in the area. It is estimated that Williamson County residents will end up paying about the same in taxes in 2012 as they did in 2011. The county has also cut $2.6 million from the proposed fiscal year 2012 budget. Precinct 3 Commissioner Cynthia Long said, “It’s nobody’s ideal budget. It doesn’t have everything in it or out of it that any of us want, but I think from the work we did last week and previous months, we got to a pl... 09/29/2011

5K Benefiting Williamson County No-Kill Shelter, Saturday September 24th - Hope you will come out and help support our four-legged friends on Saturday, September 24th with a 5k run or the 1 mile fun dog walk in Leander, Tx.   All proceeds will benefit the Humane Society of Williamson County, a no-kill animal shelter. HSWC is 100% funded by donations, grants and fees for services. They receive no government funding. In addition to offering temporary shelter for homeless dogs and cats, they conduct adoptions, provide foster care, run a low-cost spay and neuter clinic to decrease the unwanted animal population in Williamson County, run a once a month low-cost vaccination clinic for the public on the 4th Saturday of each month, and give educational tours and presentations to area schools an... 09/07/2011

I keep my eye on the foreclosure list  in Texas to reach out to anyone I may know.  Foreclosures happen here in Texas on the first Tuesday of each  month.  The date for August on August 2, 2011.  As a CDPE it is sometimes easier for me to intercede on behalf of a homeowner and get something resolved.    This week I found the name of a neighbor on the list.  I walked down the street, knocked on the door and said; "Are you going to sit here and let this  happen or are you going to let me help you prevent a foreclosure?'  Gratefully she let me come in and talk.    This homeowner had been injured on the job well over a year ago.  She was hit head-on while driving her work route and sustained injuries that make it impossible for her to return to work.  She had been  drawing workman's compens... 07/21/2011

In addition to a very active real estate practice I also serve on the board for our HOA here in Leander, Texas. 75% of the business I do is short sales. This week our HOA received a letter from an agent with a listing in my subdivsion. She was requesting that the association waive over $2,000 in back dues so that her FHA short sale could close. She claimed that she did not know "that the seller owed so much money and why didn't we do something about it." Simply stated, her requuest was a waive this before July 16, or the seller will be foreclosed on the 17th and that getting something was better than getting nothing.   Our conversation did not go well. I told her that we had tried to collect but that the homeowner had not paid since 2006. I asked her if she had resubmitted her approved ... 07/14/2011

Top Austin real estate agent, Kenn Renner (www.BuyAustin.com), reports that homebuyers are being drawn to the new Creekview (www.BuyCreekview.com) community by the new Leander I.S.D. Ronald Reagan Elementary school. As Austin real estate agent Kenn Renner takes homebuyers on a tour through the model homes and the neighborhood community center at DR Horton’s newest Cedar Park community – he points out the large buildings being erected just beyond the tree line: “There is where the new Ronald Reagan Elementary School is being built”. His clients, Jenny and Michael Rodriquez, smile in agreement. Jenny comments, “We are very concerned about our children getting the best education possible and we feel confident that this school will provide it.” The new elementary school is one of the major ... 03/23/2011

Real estate expert and author, Kenn Renner has designated the Crystal falls golf course community in Leander, Texas as a top 10 “best value” for golf course communities in the Central Texas region. Renner stated “I have done extensive research of the top golf course communities in the area and found Crystal Falls to offer the largest diversity of housing price points in a golf community from single family lots to custom estate homes - Crystal Falls has it all.” Crystal Falls is located just 20 miles north west of Austin, Texas in Western Williamson County one of the Nations fastest growing counties. “Leander is positioned for huge growth and Crystal Falls is going to be the beneficiary of that growth.” Mentioned Kenn Renner with Keller Williams “With the extension of Toll Road 183 A and... 03/23/2011

For those of you who don't know,  my husband and I are involved in Travis County Search and Rescue as volunteers.  We have been training our Dutch Shepherd, Stryker for over a year in live find search and rescue.  This morning all that training paid off.  Stryker passed her 40 acre certification test in 1 hour 50 minutes and found 2 victims. This picture was taken in Alvin Texas.  In this picture are Matt, the master trainer,  Ernie, Stryker, and Matt's assistant right after they completed the certification . 03/02/2011

Leander Independent School District has not been spared when it comes to being impacted by the recession and budget shortfalls. The School Board members recently voted to postpone the opening of what would have been Elementary School No. 24 which is located in Red Oaks subdivision.Delaying the opening of the school until the fall of 2012 is estimated to save the district $630,000. Those students who would have been attending school No.24 will remain at their current schools next year. At this time it is estimated that the school district will have anywhere between an $18 to $28 million shortfall as a result of the state of Texas limiting education funds.As a result of this shortfall Superintendent Bret Champion encouraged district officials to find items that could provide immediate sav... 03/02/2011

  In 2006 voters approved a $228 million bond for road projects in Williamson County. The first of the projects began in 2008 with $152 million of the funds going towards projects. In November 2010 commissioners released the remaining $76 million in approved bonds.The county was able to come in under budget by $45 million, freeing up extra money for 30 more new area road projects. The final cost of the projects came in 25 to 30 percent under budget, mostly due to the down economy. The county was also able to save further by using competitive bidding on projects along with negotiating lower prices. A majority of the remaining bond money will go towards roads in Williamson County, but may also be used on trails and sidewalks. At this time, the county has completed almost a third of the 2... 02/24/2011

According to the 2000 census, there were 7,596 people, 2,522 households, and 2,042 families residing in the city of Leander As of the 2010 Census there are now 26,521 people living in Leander up 249% in 10 years.  The total population of central Texas counties of Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop and Caldwell reached 1,716,289 an increase of 37%.  While Austin grew by 20.4 percent to 790,390 in the last decade,  many of the surrounding communities had staggering growth.  Hutto which is in Williamson County grew 1.076% from 1250 to 14,698.  Williamson county grew 67% in 10 years When you look at the fact that more jobs were created in Texas last year than in any other state,  anywhere in Texas is a great place to be.  We are gaining 4 new congressional seats from the census. Yes,  the st... 02/21/2011

It is no surprise that local school districts are suffering during this recession and are expected to receive less funding from the state next year. Hutto ISD has gotten creative when it comes to their estimated $4 million shortfall that is expected. On January 19th Hutto ISD announced it plans to help raise money by being the first school district in Central Texas to advertise on school buses.The school has a contract with Alpha Media which will allow the school district to collect 70 percent of the revenue. At this time there are 43 buses in the district and nearly 5,400 students. The school district is estimating that they will raise about $40,000 the first year. The $40,000 does not come near to reaching the $4 million shortfall but is a step in the right direction. This is just one... 01/27/2011

On January 16th, Capital Metro implemented some changes to their fares and routes that could impact you. The changes made will now include hourly MetroRail services from Lakeline Station to downtown on weekdays between the hours of 9:20am and 4pm. Capital Metro made these changes after considering the fact that there were many individuals who have not ridden the MetroRail for fear that they would not be able to get home mid-day if they needed to. The added hourly service will provide somewhat of a safety net for those potential riders who in the past may have avoided the MetroRail for that reason.Capital Metro is also hoping to reach local families and tourists this year by adding three days of weekend service and four days of Friday night services in 2011. These days that are added may... 01/25/2011

Kristee Leonard | The Leaders Realty, LLC | (512) 695-5144 1403 Shamitas Court, Leander, TX Lovely Two Story Home in Vista Ridge 4BR/2+1BA Single Family House $1,550/month Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Sq Footage 2,506 Parking 2 dedicated Pet Policy Cats, Dogs, Conditional Deposit $1,550 DESCRIPTION Lovely two story Plantation Canterbury home in Vista Ridge neighborhood with main level master bedroom. Washer, dryer and refrigerator included, granite counters, high ceilings, open floor plan, 3 bedrooms and game room upstairs, large backyard with deck. Award-winning Leander ISD. Amenity Center includes Jr. Olympic-sized pool, children's pool, cabana, and playscape area. Leander City Park & Pool adjacent to Community. Capital Metro Rail Leander Station 2 miles from Vista Ridge. 6... 12/14/2010