R E M I N D E R ..............................!                                                                                                             by Carl and Ceil Winters          REMINDER                ` Texas Tax Free Weeknd starts Friday - August 19, 2011 and Ends August 21, 2011. This is a Greeeeeeat Time to Save some $$$$$$$$'s. (school supplies and clothing) It's going to be a Wild Weekend - Be patient, carry water and wear comfortable shoes. * Remember to keep your car doors locked and know where your children are at all times.                                     Have Fun!                 Good Luck to all students that will be attending school in Comal I.S.D starting August 22nd. Carl and Ceil Winters (Complete Inspection Service) Community Localism ... 08/16/2011

New Braunfels High School Football Schedule ~ 2011 What's the absolute best part of going back to school?  The kids are out of your hair? The house is quiet? Your wallet seems fatter because you aren't paying for "summer activities" anymore? Wrong, Wrong and WRONG! The answer is......FOOTBALL! High School football to be more exact....and nobody does High School Football like the New Braunfels Unicorns! They've got quite a line-up this year, some awesome players who have been hitting it hard to get in preparation for their FIRST GAME! Which is, right around the corner folks! If you are interested in seeing some AWESOME football, here's the New Braunfels Unicorns Varsity Football Schedule. 08/12/2011

Gosh darn, I'm just proud!  Proud that in this trying market that J.D. Power & Associates' study found out that RE/MAX ranks the highest in making the Buyers and Sellers satisfied.  Overall satisfaction is determined by 3 factors of the Buying side:  agent/salesperson, office; and variety of additional services.  Four factors are used for the Seller side: agent/salesperson; marketing; office; and variety of additional services.  Well, that's just cool. Here's the press release! 08/05/2011

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Nestled in the beautiful and historic town of New Braunfels near the intersection of Highway 46 and Loop 337, Oak Run is a neighborhood centrally located to both San Antonio and Austin.  Oak Run features gorgeous hill country views, a swimming pool, two tennis courts, a sports court, and miles of winding streets with both older and brand new homes.   Perry Homes is currently building in The Heights at Oak Run with homes starting from the $280s and ranging in size from 2,200 to 4,100 square feet. They offer a variety of floor plans to fit all needs.                                ... 08/02/2011

Mark Your Callendar! 　               WHITEWTER AMPHITHEATER - MIKE MCCLURE AND BRANDON JENKINS July 28, 2011 from 5:00 P.M - 11:55 P.M.. FREE THURSDAY CONCERT. (Comal County - Canyon Lake, New Braunfels TX area). Admission: FREE For more information: www.whitewaterrocks.com Location: 11860 FM 306  830-964-3800                                                                                                                           Go to the Whitewater Rocks website, scroll to the botton, coupons for tubing and places to stay.          After a FUN DAY OF TUBING YOU CAN ENJOY A FUN EVENING LISTENING TO FREE MUSIC.   Be sure to bring your hat, sunglasses, sun screen, water shoes and always respect the strength of water and be polite to other visitors.                                        ... 07/26/2011

  This one really is (like Carl says, a Thought Provoker). Do you remember many years ago we were only offered brown paper bags at the grocery store?  We used those paper bags for everything, even wrapping packages that were to be mailed.We would even use them after using wax paper for meat that was going in the freezer, wrap them with brown paper bags and write on the outside what product was on the inside. We even used them for wrapping Chistmas presents. The kids would put them over their face, cut out the eyes, nose and mouth and use them for Halloween masks. You get where I'm going with this. Then came the question... Paper? or Plastic? Do you remember those days? Bet you do. We were told we should use plastic because we were chopping down too many trees. We all got caught on plast... 07/24/2011

This blog post is not about real estate.  I repeat, this blog post is not about real estate.  It's about life. I love summer in New Braunfels.  Because I live close to Schlitterbahn, The Comal River, The Guadalupe River, San Antonio and Austin, I have no shortage of visitors during the summer...and, I LOVE it!!! I always try to have my nieces visit at least once during the summer.  We like to catch a play at the Circle Arts Theater, hang out at Gruene Hall, get lots of trinkets at Got Toys?, go to Schlitterbahn, float the Comal River, make ice cream sundaes...and s'mores. One night we had leftover marshmallows and decided to play "Chubby Bunny."  The point of the game is to place a marshmallow in your mouth and say "Chubby Bunny." Then you add another and another and another...each time... 07/24/2011

Rain Rain please come back...tomorrow. We finally got a little rain shower this afternoon here at Canyon Lake TX. We had lots of thunder and lightening and received about quarter-inch from the rain shower.                                                Rain Drops on my Hibiscus plant leaves...   Here are some of our friends that came out right after the rain. The snake came up and crawled onto a ledge on the back patio. I think he has been here before, this time Ceil put him in a jar with my help.  I don't know what kind of snake, I'll have to do sme research.                                          Mr. Toad             Hundreds of Snails...............................Going in circles. I guess they just didn't know what to do since it had been so long without moisture. Pray for us over... 07/19/2011

  You don’t have to travel to California to experience wine country. The award winning wines of Dry Comal Creek Vineyards are located just a stone throws away from Bluegreen’s  Vintage Oaks community in a  small protected valley in New Braunfels,Texas. This vineyard is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. The staff is renowned for their pleasantness and ability to make you feel like an old friend. The homey atmosphere is similar to visiting an Italian grandmother with the quaint décor and eclectic gift shop. The patio is a great spot to relax, drink wine, and enjoy the vineyard’s hill country views. If you are planning an event, party or wedding, Dry Comal Creek is the perfect place for hosting an unforgettable experience. Surrounded by majestic oak trees and beautiful vineyards,... 07/18/2011

Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard is bringing you some of Austin’s best food trucks for theGourmet Food Truck Tour, Taste & Land Sale. On Saturday, June 25, stop by the Discovery Center at the front of the property from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and enjoy all the exclusive land specials and yummy food. We will be offering 1-Day-Only savings on some of our new properties and showing off our new homesites! You can step inside our model homes and grab a bite to eat. Austin’s most unique food trucks, including 86 This, Be More Pacific, CoolHaus, Chi’lantro andPeached Tortilla will be ready to serve you their delicious treats! You’re sure to find something truly tasty! Call (800) 900-0713 to reserve a tour slot or email info@bluegreenland.com. 06/14/2011

  No E & W? How do you want me to do your home inspection? No E & W (Electricity and Water-----NO INSPECTION--- and THAT'S MY FINAL ANSWER. I guess I could carry a few candles with me for light. Ahhhhh! Now you get it. Without electricity I can not turn on the lights, check your A/C or dishwasher. As well with not having water, I can not run water to make sure your drip pan in the bathroom doesn't overflow or if you have plumbing leaks under the sink.                                           In my heart of hearts I can not take this home inspection request because you say you just have to have it. Please understand I really need E & W to do a thorough home inspection.This is important and protection for all involved. My Request: Please have the E & W turned on before I get there (Elect... 06/11/2011

 2011 Concert in the park....Landa Park....New Braunfels TX. - This evening June 2nd.                                                                          June 2nd. at 7:30.  - Free Concert                       Bring  the entire family                       Bring your dancing shoes (look for the big slab for dancing at Landa)                                                                Every Thursday there will be a different band. This Thursday the Jay Eric and The Blieder's will kick off the Concerts in the Park at Landa Park right here in  New Braufnels TX.                         Bring your lawn chair                         Bring your cooler with softdrinks and snacks Be sure to put all your trash in the appropriate trash cans before you leave. In other words clean up before... 06/02/2011

 A Sizzlin' Spring Weekend in May.     It was a great weekend to enjoy the cool water with temperatures in the high 90's and its still spring.                                                                                                    Canyon Lake Texas                                                                           Happenings from the last weekend in May                                                                                                                                                                                                      2011 Schools are out for students that attended Comal I.S.D. My grandson Daulton Winters graduated from Canyon Lake High School with the graduation ceremony held over at Southwest Texas State University, Strahan Coliseum for t... 06/01/2011

If you're planning on hitting the Guadalupe River or Comal River in New Braunfels, TX this Memorial Day weekend, you should be aware of the river conditions and take some recommendations into consideration. Because of the lack of rain we've experienced, the Guadalupe river is flowing below 64 cfs, which means LOW and SLOW with walking in very shallow areas. There are many areas along River Road where you can "anchor" your tube and enjoy deeper water, but for a longer float, expect to walk as many areas are shallow. I recommend putting in somewhere around the 2nd crossing if you want to stay and float in one area. If you go further down River Road towards Canyon Lake, a great place to hang out in the river is by Loan Star Float House.  Sunday, May 29, the are starting their Sunday Serena... 05/29/2011

                  Just call me Doctor Carl ! ! ! Another Thought Provoker A  home inspection is much like going to your personal physician for a diagnosis. It is exactly that, a diagnosis, or deficiency that is found in the inner and outer body of the home. Just as we have a heart that keeps everything running it sometimes goes on the BLINK. Same thing can happen with your home, certain items can go on the BLINK. Of course with your body you can have several things wrong with you and they BLINK, BLINK, BLINK. Your home can do the same thing...BLINK, BLINK, BLINK. OK...got that? BLINK STUFF! My point, no home is perfect. No body is perfect. You mantain your home, you maintain your body, but sometimes they go on the BLINK. Therefore, next time you go to buy a home call Doctor Carl Winters... 05/26/2011

I found my New Braunfels, TX home inspector right here on Active Rain! Today I had the distinct pleasure of meeting and working with Carl Winters of Complete Inspection Service, New Braunfels, Canyon Lake, San Marcos, Texas home inspections. I've been following Carl and his wife, Ceil's blog here for awhile and decided to add him to my list of inspectors. As always, I gave my buyer the list of inspectors to choose from and she chose Carl. Carl was extremely thorough and taught my client all about heat pumps, emergency heat, evaporator coils, Hardy-plank siding, soil expansion, etc.  She commented to me, "I appreciate when people share their knowledge. I really like him."  I said, "Yes, it makes it much better than just getting a report and scratching your head at what it all means." Whe... 05/26/2011

3 Million river fans will show up to New Braunfels, Texas ~ Memorial weekend thru Labor Day ~ Oh, Gosh! It's here.  The weekend that everyone has talked about for months.  Memorial Weekend.  AND THEY ARE COMING!  Tubers, campers, hanger-outers, concert fans, drinking crews, floating crazies and the rest of us, residents! They come every year.  We know to expect them.  They drive like mad to get to the river and then they take it easy.  They are everywhere looking like they slept under the nearest tree cause, um, they did. It does get a little crazy, there are a lot of parties, beer bongs and tons of floaters!  They are either floating down the Guadalupe River or the Comal River.  This town is so lucky cause we have 2 Rivers!  WOW! They do pump like 400 million into our community also, s... 05/26/2011

A Good "Sign" for Quail Valley Neighborhood, New Braunfels, TX Real Estate! Just SOLD!  365 Starling Creek.  This 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1-story home went under contract just 15 days after being listed and sold for above the asking price!  That's a good sign! If you are interested in finding out more about buying or selling a Quail Valley, New Braunfels, TX home, please contact Laurie Jarrett, Real Estate Agent, Keller Williams Realty New Braunfels at (512) 665-8181. For more information about New Braunfels, TX or the beautiful homes within the confines, please visit my website.  Visit www.LaurieJarrettRealty.com to search all Central Texas MLS listings online. A Good "Sign" for Quail Valley Neighborhood, New Braunfels, TX Real Estate! 05/25/2011

My favorite part of the job is when my buyers' loan funds and I can give them the keys.  Today the title company called to say the loan had funded and I knew my clients couldn't wait another minute, so I told them to go get them! By the time I arrived an hour and a half later, they had the locks changed and most of the carpets ripped up.  The house is a 1976 ranch in a desirable, established neighborhood close to New Braunfels High School, Landa Park and Panther Canyon. Locals describe the neighborhood as "on the hill"...as in we just bought a home "on the hill."  It has lots of square footage, an open floor plan, a large corner lot and deer...lots of deer. It needs tons of work, but they came ready for the challenge to put in some good 'ole sweat equity. Here's the ranch rambler on the... 05/23/2011

  New Braunfels is located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country making it an ideal location for a wedding with picturesque settings. From rolling hills, majestic oak trees, to flowing rivers – the New Braunfels area is attracting many brides across the country. Here is a breakdown of some of the most popular places to get married in the area. The Gardens of Cranesbury View: An Italian sculptured garden event venue located right outside of New Braunfels. The event offers indoor or outdoor areas and 32 acres of gorgeous views. Castle Avalon: A romantic castle located in Texas giving brides a fairytale wedding! The castle features a grand ballroom with hand-painted ceilings and chandeliers. The Faust Hotel: Located in downtown New Braunfels, this hotel was built in 1929 and offers a ballroo... 05/18/2011