Lake House // Lake Travis Texas
Four years ago we took a trip to Lake Travis, right outside of Austin, Texas, (you can see our trip
). We immediately fell in love with the area. Even though we weren't that far away from Houston, (about 3 hours), it felt like we were in a completely different world. Ever since that trip, the idea of owning a lake house in that area was always in the back of our minds. More recently, the idea made its way closer to the forefront of our thinking. After causally browsing real estate in the area, we decided to start seriously searching.
My good friend Shelby put me in contact with a wonderful realtor named Kelly Glass in the Austin/Lake Travis area, and we started narrowing properties down. In late February, Shelby and I headed up to the Lake to pick 3-4 properties out of the small pool of prospects.
Although we had narrowed it down, the properties were spread out all around the lake, which is actually pretty long, so it took us quite a while to see them. Towards the end of our list were a few properties in a neighborhood called "The Hollows". This was the
exact
same neighborhood that we rented a home in for that weekend four years ago. It had to be fate, right?
I fell in love first with the view of our home, and then quickly with the rest of it. It was wide open spaces, green instead of concrete, and perfumes of cedar and pine. It was already my "happy place". We
had
to lock this in!
I called Jordan as soon as we got back to our hotel. He soon realized I wasn't going to stop gushing about the house until we got the ball rolling, so... we got the ball rolling! After negotiating, inspections, and a lot of initials, we were the proud owners of our very own lake house. We literally closed the day we got back from our anniversary trip! To say it was a whirlwind is an understatement. And for the record, Jordan did actually
see
the house
in person
before we actually signed the final papers. I think its safe to say he loved it as much as I did.
We were able to negotiate the home with
all
the furniture at an
extremely
reasonable price. Although, it's not all my favorite, the price was so good, we decided to take it all and swap it out with stuff thats more our style at our own pace.
These photos show the house as it was in the listing before we purchased it. We have since changed almost all of the decorations although all the big furniture has stayed. More pictures to follow of
all
the areas of the home. For right now, I've just attached some of the larger spots.
One of the things that really sold us on this neighborhood was the amenities of the neighborhood. Theres a beach club with a restaurant, a fitness center, miles and miles of hiking and walking trails, parks, sand volleyball, a beach with lake access, a marina and various smokehouses. It's really great having everything so centralized.
The first couple of trips up were based on getting the house looking the way we wanted it, getting cable and wifi set up, setting up security cameras, and various other tasks. I even took the kids and Isla's friend Ella up when school was closed for a week because of the bad flooding in Katy.
The kids had a good time getting away from the rain and floods, and we spent time exploring, eating out and swimming while I was able to get the house up to par while the kids were sleeping. It was a fun get away, and one of the many reasons we love having this vacation option so close, and whenever we want.
Regardless, every trip up includes a stop at Buc-ees. For those not from Texas, it's hard to explain. But if you're from Texas you know why this is a "must stop" for any road trip. Its HUGE with the cleanest and largest restrooms you'll ever find on the side of a highway. They sell anything from art work to banana pudding to large fountain drinks and beef jerky. It really is awesome. This particular Buc-ees actually has the distinction of being the largest gas station in the U.S. Read all about it
.
Our very first trip up, we had to stop at the HEB on our exit so we were a little late getting to the house. However, we were greeted by some beautiful things once we got in the neighborhood; blue bonnets were all over as were deer - two things that are few and far between in Houston. And once we stepped in the house, the first thing we saw was the beautiful colors of the sunset out the back windows.
Since then, we've spent time hiking at the Balcones Canyonlands - a wildlife reserve that's less than 3 miles from our house.
We quickly learned that we are gonna need to "toughen up" a certain six year old. We made it to the top, but not without every other word out of her mouth being something about being too tired, not being able to do it, asking to be picked up, or quitting...
This is Isla on one of her many "battery recharge" pit stops.
While she enjoyed the view once we got to the top, that didn't stop her from trying to get into Holdens backpack to try and get out of the hike back to the car.
We've also joined a boat club that picks us up right from the marina in our neighborhood. We've enjoyed a morning out on the lake and have others reserved. Both kids absolutely
loved
the whole experience, and we can't wait to make more memories like these.
Jordan is laughing so hard in this photo because Isla just announced: "I'm peeing right now"...
We finished our last trip off with a Mothers Day Brunch at the club and a stop in Austin on the way home.
We are looking forward to our trip up this coming weekend!