Opportunity Knocks: Rebuild Your Dream Home in Westcreek, Austin for Just $299,000
If you’ve been scouting the real estate market in Austin, Texas, you know that finding a prime lot in a sought-after neighborhood for a reasonable price can be a tall order. Enter 6100 Smith Oak TRL in the coveted Westcreek neighborhood, listed at an enticing $299,000. This unique opportunity is perfect for visionary home buyers or investors looking to build from the ground up in one of Austin's most beloved communities.Imagine the possibilities at 6100 Smith Oak TRL. This lot is essentially a blank canvas, as a fire-damaged house has been expertly removed, leaving the slab intact and ready for your rebuild. This specific feature slashes both time and costs that come with starting a build from scratch—music to any savvy buyer’s ears. The tree and topographic surveys are already accessible in the documentation, giving you a comprehensive understanding of the lot’s layout and trees, a vital step to ensure your new home will be built to perfection.Westcreek is famous for its balanced blend of natural and urban amenities. This property’s strategic location offers close proximity to the Greenbelt, one of Austin's most cherished hiking and recreational areas. A short drive brings you to Arbor Trails shopping center, home to household names such as Whole Foods, Costco, and numerous shops and restaurants. Whether you're a nature lover or a shopping enthusiast, Westcreek has something for everyone.Convenient access to major routes like William Cannon, Mopac, and Hwy 290/71 ensures you're well-connected to the entirety of Austin. And let's not forget that this location is just a mere 7 miles from the vibrant heart of downtown Austin. Here, you truly have the best of both worlds—urban convenience paired with suburban serenity.In a market where new builds in established neighborhoods are almost impossible to come by, 6100 Smith Oak TRL stands out as a rare gem. Asking for just $299,000, this property invites those with the foresight to see its incredible potential. Seize this remarkable opportunity to create your dream home in one of Austin's prime locations.
Checking My AC's Performance: A Simple Temperature Test
Yesterday I decided it was time to clean the AC coils on the downstairs unit and wanted to measure the perfomance improvement with before and after temperature readings. I recently left my AC vent thermometer in a car I sold and was forced to use a red digital meat thermometer and worked just fine. Using the red thermometer, I measured the air coming from the upstairs unit at 4 PM and found it to be 68 degrees. After cleaning the outside coils, the same vent measured 64 degrees. That's a significant difference. However, even 64 degrees seemed too high, especially after measuring the downstairs air at 57 degrees. A 9 PM reading upstairs showed 57 degrees, confirming that the unit was working fine and that high attic temperatures were stealing 7 degrees from the cool air. It looks like it’s time to try to reduce the temperature in the attic. My first step will be to replace the attic exhaust fan. Stay tuned for updates!
Bailey Middle School Garden Connects Our Kids to Nature
Being One with Nature at Bailey Middle School Jun 10, 2024 As we walked around Bailey Middle School to their greenhouses, we were greeted by a lizard running across the sidewalk into the wildflower area beside us. Bailey has been working for years to improve sustainability on campus. “This is the fifth or sixth Bright Green Future Grant we have been awarded,” says Mike Berryman, a campus volunteer whose two sons attended Bailey. Despite them graduating years ago, Mike has continued to champion green projects, from tree plantings to greenhouses to water conservation. “Some people golf. This is what I do,” Mike shared. Mike Berryman shows a smaller model of the wicking beds currently being used in the Bailey Middle School greenhouse. This year, Bailey was awarded $3,000 through the Bright Green Future Grants Program to create wicking garden beds. The new beds will offer expanded garden space, increasing food production for the Garden to Cafe program. When applying for the grant, Mike researched a technique that utilizes repurposed Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) Totes, which, as a bonus, means that plastic that would otherwise end up in a landfill will now allow students to experience the benefits of outdoor learning and growing their own food. As the school year came to a close, we met with Mike and students on campus as they worked on building the new beds and preparing the campus garden for the summer. Quincy, a current sixth grader, was helping to saw the IBC totes in half. He likes visiting the garden because it opens him up to new perspectives. “I get to experience different kinds of food and cultures. I get to experience different flavors and feel what it feels like to be a farmer.” Another group of students concentrated on shoveling sand out of Mike’s truck, which will be used to add weight to the wicking beds. Thomas, a rising seventh grader, reflects on his experience visiting the garden throughout the year. “It’s something I’ve never experienced ever before because usually we’re just in the classroom learning. I get to use some of my energy, be one with nature, and also just hang out with some of my friends while being productive in the garden.” Top: Students shovel sand from the back of Mike’s pick up truck. The sand will serve as a weight in the new wicking beds. Bottom left: Bailey Middle School students pose with shovels. Bottom right: Thomas (left) and Quincy (right) use power tools to assemble the repurposed IBC tote wicking beds. Mike’s work on the campus isn’t done. He’ll continue working with parents over the summer to finish the garden beds and is already thinking of future plans. “We’d like to add a shed inside the deer fence and a big shade structure,” says Mike. “Knowing that the Bright Green Future Grants Program is there allows us to dream up projects.” The Bailey Middle School Greenhouse, which will soon include new wicking beds. Tagged bailey middle school green schools school gardens Bright Green Future bright green future grant Sustainability
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