This month's image is from the box at the end of Fay Canyon near Sedona, AZ.  Easy and beautiful hike.  Plus you can scramble beyond the official trail end to get further back into the box of the canyon.  If by chance you are headed that way, I'll be happy to give you some tips.
The real estate market here at home in Central Texas is still very strong.  Spreading the back-to-school weekends across August seemed to move some of the weekend showings into the weekdays.  Then of course weather concerns with Harvey.  Still, August was another strong month.
Prayers for everyone affected by the flooding and storms.
Have a great September!
​John

Bad theatre meets good real estate advice.  Or "why real estate instead of show business?"

Park Avenue in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah.
Very fun park to visit with everything to drive-up vistas, various length hikes, to fairly rugged Jeep roads.  Tons of places to see in the area.  Some are well-known, others almost a secret.
Feel free to download the image for a wallpaper or background on your phone, tablet, or computer.  If nothing else, maybe our July heat will feel a little fess hot in comparison.  (Although they have a 'dry heat'.)
Let me know if you are planning a trip out southwest this summer.   Good chance I've been there and may have some suggestions.
Wishing you fun adventures and many blessings!
John

This month I hyped up an image I took in Volente on a lot I just listed.
There are actually a lot of places where waterfalls form just below hairpin turns all around Central Texas.  I know of a few on Lime Creek Road, as well as along Cow Creek and several others.  When driving, look at the low side of sharp curves with valleys leading down the other side.  Often, there will be a wet weather creek.  When building roads, they tend to choose the level spots which can be right above minor waterfalls.
When I see a spot like this, I usually try to remember it (if accessible and not private land) for a future rainy day photo.  In this case, I was asked to come sell the land and saw the drop-offs, then waited for rain.
The image is a few long exposures combined into one photo.  I popped things up a bit in this version.  The image I am using to market the property is intended to be truer to real life - except for the blurred water.  For a calendar, a slight exaggeration fits.
What do you think?

(property info)

This month's image was taken near Moab, Utah at Fisher Towers.  On the right is the Titan - 6,290 feet elevation with a prominence of 700 feet, making it the largest free-standing tower in the USA.  Kimberly and I definitely got a 'WOW that's big!' impression during our hike.  You may have seen this rock featured in an Austin Powers movie, among others.
The hike is fairly easy, about 4 1/2 miles with options to go further and explore more including some windows and a couple of short slot canyons that you might see in future calendars.  The distant views from the trail are also fantastic.  Most are so vast they are too much for a single photograph yet inspiring in person.
Feel free to download the image for a wallpaper or background on your phone, tablet, or computer.
If you are planning a trip to the Moab area this summer, give me a call for some ideas about what to see.  I even know a little about the real estate market there.  (I look everywhere we visit!)
Know someone getting married, having a child, or with one getting ready to leave the nest?  They may have some real estate questions and need my help.  I appreciate your referrals.
Have a blessed and wonderful May!
John

I am slowly building an educational library of real estate questions answered at AustinRealEstateHelp.com including videos like this:

For April, a view of Austin's Pennybacker Bridge just after sunset.  Many people climb the west side and photograph the bridge including a very interesting tree on the cliff with downtown Austin in the background (including me).  This time I thought about the sunset glow and moving lights of traffic.  So I chose to climb the cliff on the east side of 360.
When I got to the top I saw how many people were on the other side.  It would have been hard to get a shot without getting many of them in it.  'I chose the path less traveled..."
As it turned out the traffic was moving much too slowly except for a brief while after the light at Courtyard Drive had been green for quite a while.  I stacked a couple of neutral density filters to decrease light by 5 stops to be able to use a long enough exposure to get the blurred headlights.
You may notice the boat's headlight.  I like that it appears about where the sun might be at that hour - as if it were shining through the lake.
The long exposure also softened the lake's surface - especially the reflected tree shadows on the far shore.
I hope you enjoy the image.  Feel free to download a copy for your personal screensaver or wallpaper on your phone, desktop, or tablet. ©2017 John Scott Stapleton / Focus Realty™

When someone you care about is considering a move, please introduce us.  I Help People Make Good Decisions About Real Estate™ and appreciate your referrals.
Have a fantastic April!
​John

I just had a closing in Twin Creeks - and then an inquiry about a possible listing.  So it seems like a good time for a quick post about the current market conditions in this Cedar Park country club community on the edge of Austin.

For Sale - 8 homes with an average sqft of 4,139 and average price of $784K
Under Contract - 5 homes with an average sqft of 2,890 and average price of $394K
Sold in past 90 Days - 10 homes with an average sqft of 3,541 and average price of $482K

For Sale - 2 units with an average sqft of 2,607 and average price of $337K
Sold - 4 units with an average sqft of 1,951 and average price of $278K

Both of these stats are skewed somewhat by the new builder inventory which is generally more expensive and stands on the market longer due to build time.
Also remember that whenever we discuss sqft we are using an estimate - usually the county tax office's best guess used for taxing purposes.
If you have questions about the value of a home in Twin Creeks, or elsewhere, please contact John for a thorough evaluation.