The Summit at Lake Travis - Stunning Views - Home Average Price-Point: Mid $500's

I recently visited master-planned community, The Summit at Lake Travis, which is a beautiful neighborhood nestled in the hills above Lake Travis. When I say “nestled,” I mean it. It truly is tucked away for peace and privacy and with lake views that will make you feel like you’re on vacation every day.

You will love the beauty and serenity of this Hill Country community with glimmering lake and rolling canyon views from your new home. Experience the height of private luxury living, while only being minutes from major employers, the Hill Country Galleria and outstanding dining options.

Come explore how you can enhance your lifestyle. The community is part of the award-winning Lake Travis ISD and LOW tax rates of 1.98% . .can’t beat it!

Lake Travis is a series of man-made lakes in Texas and is a branch of the Colorado River which spans approximately 63 miles. The lake offers a plethora of activities and a cool relief from our fiery-hot summers.

Westin Homes and Drees Custom Homes are the builders. There are available lots for you to custom-build your home and also homes that are built and ready to be yours right away.

A bit about Westin Homes: (Credit from the Westin Homes website)

Westin Homes is proud to lead the market in providing the best product and interior design of new homes in Houston, Texas.  Westin has built a strong reputation as a builder of trust in delivering sophisticated luxury homes to the Houston Community. Our award winning architectural designs clearly set us apart from the competition, and our level of detail transcends all the way from the nail pattern on the roof to the glue pattern beneath the flooring.

Westin Homes fosters an environment that rewards its employees for ideas on improving our building methods and integrating the newest technological advancements.  Recent developments in technology not only introduce new conveniences, such the ability to turn your lights on when you are down the street, but they also save you considerable amounts of money, such as energy efficient windows.  Although our attitude is extremely generous towards the features and special touches of your home, we remain conservative in our pricing structure to insure that we provide affordable sophistication.

Westin Homes not only rewards its employees for their thoughts and ideas, we reward our customers.  Suggestions offered by our clients are often implemented into new practices.  At Westin Homes, we feel that it is critical to understand the ever changing needs of our customers in order to improve our products.

Westin Homes sales agent, Kevin Fogarty, knows the community best and is very friendly and helpful.

A bit about Drees Custom Homes: (Credit from the Drees Custom Homes website)

Out of all of the home builders to choose from, you can count on 90 years of our award-winning experience in custom home building to make your experience easy.

We've learned a lot in nearly a century. In all that time, we have never once shied away from offering our homebuyers the best, from building materials, to floor plans, to interior and exterior design elements, to customer service. We hire and retain experts to deliver the home you're dreaming of. We can't wait to share our knowledge and expertise with you as we build your new custom home together.

Don’t forget, you NEED REPRESENTATION for a new home construction home so protect your best interests and hire a REALTOR to represent you.

My best,

Rachael V. Peterson
Associate Broker/REALTOR® 
Aston & Associates
512 695 8923

Sunfield Community in Buda, Texas

Sunfield is one of our favorite communities in Buda specifically because of the amazing amenities, including the brand new lazy river!

Builders include: Gehan, William Lyons, Centex, Castlerock, Pulte and Chesmar Homes and homes start in the low-mid $200’s.

Nestled in one of Austin’s fastest growing areas is our newest master planned community located right in the heart of Buda, Texas. New construction in this Austin area offers multiple styles of new homes to suit most any family’s lifestyle.

Unique shopping options in historic downtown Buda, restaurants, entertainment and recreation are all minutes from your new home.

Just 15 minutes from downtown Austin and 15 minutes from beautiful San Marcos, Sunfield is strategically located on FM 2001 and I-35. With a small town feel yet minutes away from the big city, Sunfield has it all.

You and your family will enjoy the wonderful amenities showcased within this master planned community.

Offering a splash pad pool, hiking and bike trails, covered pavilion, and an open field for sports, there will always be something fun adults and the kids alike.

**Brand new lazy river amenity center now open. This main attraction has over 25,000 SF of pool deck, picnic tables, pavilions, grill stations, lagoon pool, activity pool and 1,000 long lazy river.

So if you are searching for a great value with a small town feel accompanied by magnificent architectural detail, then Sunfield is the place you should call home.

We’ve represented many clients for their purchase of a brand new home in Sunfield and we would love the opportunity to serve you. Remember, you NEED YOUR OWN REPRESENTATION when buying a new home construction home. The sales agents WORK FOR THE BUILDER, NOT YOU! Plus, many times we are able to negotiate appliance packages, add-ons like blinds/garage door openers and extended home warranties.

Rachael V. Peterson
Associate Broker
Aston & Associates
512 695 8923

Are You a Veteran? You've Got Some Awesome Options!

My preferred VA lender & Texas VA Loan Specialist, Chad Bowman, helps to keep me abreast of the VA loans and how YOU can benefit.

Did you know:

Veterans are NOT required to pay mortgage insurance

Veterans can buy a home with ZERO money down

Disabled veterans receive tax breaks on their property taxes for their primary residence

The loan limit for veterans has INCREASED to $510,400 for 2020

If you are a veteran, contact me and I’ll guide you through the process and introduce you to my preferred lender, Chad Bowman, who SPECIALIZES in VA loans and knows all the
ins-and -outs of the program to help you reach your home-ownership goals.

@austinvaloans
@veteransunited
#veteransareamazing
#thankyouforyourservice

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY OLIVE COMPANY

I recently visited the Texas Hill Country Olive Company in Dripping Springs and it was delightful. They offer every kind of flavored olive oil you can think of from blueberry infused to lemon crushed flavors and all the flavored oils are ready and available for you to sample!

Owners, John and Cara Gambini

Co-owner, John Gambini, gave the 30 minute tour that day and it was quite interesting. John described the history of oil, explained the health benefits and allowed us into the facility where the oil is extracted and processed. And where are they getting all the olives, might you ask? Well, they are growing the olive trees right there at the facility, who’da thought?! I then enjoyed lunch at their bistro and enjoyed some of their wine, which they are now crafting along with their flavorful oils; geez, some people are over-achievers, but Iooove it!

Olive oil from the grocery store is much like honey for example; many other fillers are added in to make the good stuff last longer and fill more jars for the producer . . . but not at the Olive Company - they are scrupulous when it comes to making their oils and it’s 100% oil! It’s long been known that the people of the Mediterranean live longer than most and why? . . because they consume gallons of pure olive oil every year!

I ended up purchasing several bottles of oil for Christmas gifts and left with a bottle of their Extra Virgin Olive Oil which is to be un-heated so to keep it’s major health benefits so I use it straight-up on my salads or douse it over whatever I’m eating - it’s delish and it’s seriously taking the place of butter for everything.

My recipe for homemade salad dressing on the spot:

1 TBS Texas Hill Country Olive Company “Extra Virgin Olive Oil”
Juice from 1 (organic) lemon
1/2 TBS white wine vinegar
Salt/Pepper
Any fresh herbs you’ve got growing (fresh thyme is delish!)
1/2 TBS fresh, raw, organic honey (I use the honey from my personal hives)

Mix and pour over your salad (make and use immediately as the antioxidants etc will decline quickly)…

The Texas Hill Country Olive Company also has all sorts of fabulous gift sets and a program you can join where you or friends/family . .or clients, - anyone! . . .will receive the gift sets consistently in the mail so they never run out. You’re really supposed to consume the oil timely because the health-inducing factors minimize over time (every time the oil is exposed to light or you open the bottle and the oil is exposed to air).

God, I love Texas! Everything really is bigger and better here. And we can grow grapes for wine and olives for olive oil and I just LOVE TEXAS!

xoxo, REALTOR R. Victoria Peterson

Article That Follows Credits of TourTexas.com

Move over, Texas Tea; there’s a new oil in town. The last few years have been a boom time for olive oil production in the Lone Star State, and one company in particular has been leading the way. Since its first planting in 2009, the Texas Hill Country Olive Company has grown to become the most awarded olive oil company in Texas. During that time, the only certified organic olive orchard in Texas has developed a signature line of extra virgin olive oils made from trees in the Lone Star State and California. There’s no better place to get acquainted with this fast-growing Texas industry than in the lovely Hill Country town of Dripping Springs.

While olive oil is sold in just about every store, Texas Hill Country Olive Company owners and 3rd- and 4th-generation Italian immigrants John and Cara Gambini invite you to let your taste buds be the judge. Inside their Tuscan-style tasting room, sample the wide variety of delicious homegrown olive oils and balsamic vinegars at the two tasting bars. Be warned: after you’ve tried their offerings made with crushed garlic, lemon, or jalapeño, you certainly won’t be happy with the stuff from the grocery store ever again.

If the tasting room only whets your appetite, head for The Bistro at the Orchard. Order from the bistro’s selection of “lite bites” like cheese, hummus, and crackers; lunch options including soups, salads, and sandwiches; refreshing drinks; and desserts. The bistro also serves locally made wines priced by tasting, glass, or flight. When (not if) you taste something you love, pick up a bottle of it in the gift shop to elevate your home-cooked meals to the next level. They even carry gourmet food items, kitchen accessories, and bath products that feature their olive oil as a key ingredient.

On Fridays and Saturdays, the company offers guided tours of its facility and orchard that gives you an up-close look at the inner workings of the business. John or Cara will regale you with the backstory of how their entire family pitched in to get this labor of love off the ground, and explain the equipment and processes that go into making their products. The 30-minute tours run four times in the afternoon of each day, and you can pre-purchase lunch as part of the tour. Private tours can also be scheduled during the week, and events such as birthday parties, rehearsal dinners, and corporate events may be booked as well.

Even if you can’t make it to Dripping Springs, you can bring the authentic olive oil to you via the company’s Best Fresh Club. You’ll receive quarterly shipments of various oils and vinegars curated just for you, or you can customize your own collections. They’ll have to tide you over until you can visit the Texas Hill Country Olive Company for yourself to see how they’re creating some of the best olive oil in the country.

More Info

Texas Hill Country Olive Company Featured Products

Texas Hill Country Olive Company Social

View Texas Hill Country Olive Company Slideshow

Spring is Finally Here in TEXAS! A Few Tips to Get You Started.

NOW  (March) is the time to plant seeds and transplants in your gardens and landscapes; don't wait!  You must plant now so the plants have time to strengthen their root systems and establish themselves before the HOT Texas heat is abundant. 

We are in ZONE 8b here in Central Texas so be sure to only buy seeds and transplants that are suitable for this area, otherwise you are wasting your money and not setting yourself up for success.

Click HERE for a clear and easy to read planting guide for our area in Central Texas, produced by Texas A&M.

Tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and peppers are some vegetables you want to get going right now.  Have you heard of "phytonutrient gardening?"  Most of the vegetable varieties we have available to us in the grocery store are no longer very nutritional, because of pesticides and soil depletion; even the organic vegetables are not as good as they could be. 

Have you ever heard of an "Armenian Cucumber" or "Malabar Spinach"?  . . .these are just two of the many extra nutrient-rich vegetable varieties available to you through seed - you just have to look for them.

Joe Urbach provides an awesome resource for "Phytonutrient Gardening;" find out more HERE.

Now is also the time to plant beautiful, native Texas flowering plants to enhance the look of your landscape and provide nectar and pollen for pollinators like honey bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.  Having pollinators in your garden will help your vegetables to produce, on average, 20% more!

There are a variety of lovely and colorful tough plants that you won't have to "babysit," because they are known as "Texas Superstars!"  Check out more HERE.

A few of my favorites include: Yellow Bell Esperanza, Blue Plumbago and Salvia - these colorful and strong plants come back year after year (perennials) and offer so much color and depth to my landscape, plus the honey bees, hummingbirds and butterflies LOVE them and it's fun to watch them busily collect pollen and nectar (especially the hummingbirds!).

I'm actively enrolled in the Hays County Master Gardener course and am learning SO much!  Please connect with me if you have questions or need help with your spring plantings.

With love, Victoria Peterson  512 695 8923     RealtorRVictoria@gmail.com