Most freshwater algae is harmless, and plays a very important role in the aquatic ecosystem but some species (specifically cyanobacteria, also known as Blue-Green algae) can sometimes produce harmful toxins that can pose a health risk to people and pets. These harmful algal blooms 0r HABs can show up without warning or change in appearance.  While it can  be very difficult to determine when this Blue-Green algae will produce toxins, production is typically instigated by excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous), warm and stagnant water, and lots of sunlight.  This toxin production may only last a few hours or can persist for several weeks.

It should also be noted that the name Blue-Green Algae can be a little misleading as this algae is known to be blue/green, dark green, brown and/or black.  Because visual identification can be difficult its best to avoid all algae.

Symptoms of exposure to these harmful toxins in humans can include skin and eye irritations, rashes and in more severe cases diarrhea, cramps, vomiting to fainting, dizziness or numbness, and tingling in lips, fingers and toes.  If you are worried about exposure contact your doctor or a poison control center immediately.

So what does this mean for those looking to enjoy Lake LBJ? It simply means to use caution when enjoying the lake..  Being that you likely are not one to purposefully eat algae I think you are safe.  Be sure to keep a close eye on children and pets as they enjoy Lake LBJ and always be aware of your surroundings to avoid potentially harmful encounters.  For more information on this toxic algae visit the LCRA website or for assistance with Lake LBJ Real Estate reach out to your local real estate expert at (512) 786-1515.  Be safe out there!

As a productive Real Estate Professional and an active real estate owner and investor I believe in Property Rights and the need to protect them.  I never like to see rule changes after someone has invested in a property, many of which rules are pushed through by a small number of active residents.  I also believe there is a big misconception surrounding the type of people that typically rent homes out on a nightly basis but due to a few bad apples the “Bunch gets spoiled”.  Lastly, most, if not all communities that do allow short term rentals also have nuisance laws in place but rarely do concerned residents take the proper steps to correct the issue. Instead they cope with the disturbance and it goes unreported.

When buying Lake LBJ Real Estate it is important to first decide if the ability to short-term rent is important to you. You may ask yourself questions like:

1. Do I want to rent now?
2. Will I want the option to rent in the future?
3. How would I feel if my neighbor was renting their home out?

Answering these simple questions at the beginning of your search will really help you narrow your search and focus on communities that meet your needs.  If you decide to pursue a property that is a rental you need to pay close attention to waste water system. Is it on septic vs sewer?  We prefer an actual sewer system that moves the waste off site as opposed to a septic system that leaches everything on site.  With large groups, and non-consistent use, these rental days can stress the septic systems out and cause big problems.  Guests also tend to dispose of items that are bad for the system which will damage that septic system over time.  Before you panic, many successful rental properties use convention or aerobic septic systems and do just fine, so long as they are properly maintained to ensure functionality and guests are informed on proper usage.

I also recommend paying close attention to HOA rules as well as deed restrictions that may be specific to your property and uncovered only by careful review of your title commitment.  Understanding how these short-term rental rules might change in the future is important to understand before you make a long-term financial commitment.

Buying and selling waterfront property on Lake LBJ is no easy feat.  We recommend engaging a Local Expert that is active in the Lake LBJ Real Estate market to help you understand what you are buying and avoid costly mistakes.  Reach out if I can be of assistance!

As you know our community has been hit pretty hard by a historic flood that battered the shores of Lake LBJ.  While this is not something that we will forget I am confident that we will come out of this better and stronger.  Our team has created a Flood Resource page on our website with recommendations for vendors to help with cleanup and also helpful information for those effected by the floods.  If you have a specific need that we can assist with do not hesitate to reach out!

If you have questions about how this event may affect your Lake LBJ real estate please call me at (512) 786-1515

We are super pumped to announce our latest project that is currently under development and should be completed very soon.  This handy tool will allow users to not only search but also save properties and searches to be notified when a new listing hits the market.  The app will also have a calendar of local events as well as push notifications letting us share important information with users like (flood updates, seasonal reminders, and other relevant information for properties owners).  Our app will also contain a list of recommended vendors in the area making those pesky projects easier to get done.

The goal is to create a super helpful resource for our users that is relevant to Lake LBJ Real Estate.  If you have any suggestions or specific functions you would like to see on this app please give me a call at (512) 786-1515.  I look forward to hearing from you and thanks for following!

Eric Carvajal

Broker/Owner

(512) 786-1515

Inventory is extremely low at Lake LBJ and most buyers want to walk in to the finished product and lack the desire and vision to build. For this reason, waterfront lots on Lake LBJ are often times a very good move, especially in a low inventory market. Waterfront lots on Lake LBJ tend to sit on the market longer than single family homes and typically we find that they can often be purchased at a nice discount making them a very attractive investment option.

When searching for waterfront lots on Lake LBJ one should always consider the current cost of construction as well as the cost to build a new boat house. Many people will factor the $/sq. ft of the house they want to build but forget to add $50k-100k for the boat house. Other things to consider when looking at Lake LBJ Lots are: 1) direction the lot faces 2) topography of the lot 3) location of the lot 4) # of trees on the lot

Working with an Lake LBJ market expert is the key to successful investment on LBJ. Whether you are looking to buy or sale, working with an experienced broker that is active in the current market will help you make sound investment decisions while searching for waterfront lots on Lake LBJ. Contact me today and let me assist you in finding your dream piece of Lake LBJ Real Estate.

At The Carvajal Group we take marketing to a different level and this starts with photography.  Even though we have a cool phone that can take pictures, we leave photography to the professionals.  Our photographer has been a part of our team for over two years and she is the best in the business.  She uses a number of different lenses to capture the perfect shots of the homes we sell.

Below is an example of a photo taken by one of our competitors.  He obviously took these photos himself and in the picture this property looks pretty terrible.  This property sat on the market for 6 months with no activity.

The Carvajal Group took over this listing and had it under contract for above asking price in less than 1 week.  As you can see the photo below was taken by our photographer in the exact same location as the above picture.  There is no comparison and what looked to be a worthless property came alive and is one of the finest properties I have ever sold.

Marketing Lake LBJ real estate is no easy task.  You need someone that has a passion for selling Lake LBJ real estate that knows marketing.  Do not make the common mistake!  Let the Carvajal Group properly market your home and get it sold for top dollar, in the least amount of time and with the fewest hassles.  We are here for  your  Lake LBJ real estate needs!

Below are some of the recent waterfront homes we have marketed on Lake LBJ:

Eric Carvajal has established himself in Lake LBJ real estate as the lake’s top broker for many reasons.  When purchasing a waterfront home on Lake LBJ, you should expect a higher level of service and work with someone that has real market knowledge. You are making a large investment decision and you should expect more from your Lake LBJ real estate professional.

• We have created and developed the #1 Lake LBJ real estate search site that far surpasses anything that our competition is offering allowing our buyer’s to have the most accurate and up-to-date web experience possible.  If you google “Lake LBJ real estate” or “LBJ real estate” you will see who comes up.  This is not by chance!

• Different than most agents, Eric Carvajal lives and breaths Lake LBJ Real Estate.  Eric Carvajal does not just sell property at Lake LBJ; He owns waterfront home and is out on the water living and breathing the waterfront Lifestyle.  His experience, which began at a very young age, has allowed him valuable insight as to the ins and outs of owning waterfront property.  His clients leverage his experience and knowledge to minimize risk when purchasing Lake LBJ real estate.

• Eric Carvajal has access to off-market and pocket listings on Lake LBJ.  If you are looking for a unique property Eric Carvajal will hunt it down to help you buy your dream home on Lake LBJ.  We do not just see what is available in MLS but rather we know the owners on the water and can get you access to properties that other agents cannot.

• Eric Carvajal previews all listings on the lake so he has a good understanding of what is out there and available.  You won’t get bombarded by him with irrelevant listings that aren’t worth seeing but when he does send an email it is because he has found a good opportunity.  Be sure to check out his “Top Picks”.

If you are looking to purchase Lake LBJ real estate and want to work with Lake LBJ’s Top Broker, contact me today at (512) 786-1515

As Lake LBJ’s top broker we do things different than our competition. We are constantly seeking out ways to better represent our clients and increase our exposure to buyers and sellers of Lake LBJ waterfront property.

Below is our latest full page ad which will run in the February issue of Austin Fit Magazine. The issue is about passion. We thought this was a very appropriate issue for us to release this ad.

If you are in the market for Lake LBJ real estate or are interested in more information about waterfront property on Lake LBJ, contact me today at (512) 786 – 1515 and let me share our passion for Lake LBJ real estate with you.

If you own Lake LBJ real estate or are thinking about purchasing waterfront property on Lake LBJ, here is some information you may be interested in. As you may know, the water in Lake LBJ is usually released down stream providing an opportune time for waterfront property owners on Lake LBJ to clean their boat docks and the area around their waterfront homes.

Last year, the LCRA Board voted to not release the water downstream based upon the health and safety needs of the people that live in the Highland Lakes area. That same board voted to allow the water to be released possibly causing surrounding lake levels to decrease. As you know we had no appreciable rainfall or increase in lake levels which raises the question as to why the “go ahead” to release. In fact, the only directors to vote against the release are those that live in the area and actually understand the implications of such action. The Board’s recommendation will be presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for final approval.

If you have an opinion on this we recommend you write an email to the Executive Director voicing your opinion. Below is his contact information. I would love to see some comments from anyone that has an opinion as I know there can be pros and cons to both sides.

Below are four reasons why The Carvajal Group, LLC is your “go-t0” for Lake LBJ real estate

1) Our website, www.LBJRealEstate.com is the most comprehensive waterfront search on Lake LBJ. There is no better way to search for Lake LBJ real estate and we are constantly tweaking and perfecting the site to make it easier for waterfront buyers on Lake LBJ to find homes for sale. Users can search by areas (Granite Shoals, Highland Haven, etc.) or by waterfront types (Cove, Open water, channel). We have also developed very specific area information with detailed facts, photos and available properties for sale readily available.

2) No one works harder for their clients. Eric Carvajal is passionate about Lake LBJ real estate and he spends every day possible out on his boat cruising the lake, scouting out new properties on Lake LBJ. When his clients are interested in a given property he immediately goes by water to research the home, insuring depth of the water, accessibility with a boat, sun rise/set direction, etc. Because he lives and breathes Lake LBJ you want to talk to Eric Carvajal before purchasing Lake LBJ real estate

3) Marketing is Eric’s bread a butter. He was recently written up in the Texas Realtors magazine for his creativity using direct mail. Eric Carvajal has also spent a significant amount of time traveling the country teach real estate professionals how to market in today’s competitive environment using facebook, twitter, blogs and the web. If you are looking to sell your home, Eric won’t just stick a sign in the yard and post your property in MLS. Eric Carvajal will sell your waterfront home on Lake LBJ!

4) Experience matters to Eric Carvajal. Eric Carvajal has been selling real estate for 10 years now and has operated his own brokerage for 7 years. We believe that our “small shop” environment allows us to do things differently as we remain light on our feet so we can adapt and change. We have our own in house web developer and a staff of assistants and marketers that help us sell more Lake LBJ real estate for more money than any broker on Lake LBJ.

If you are considering the sell of your Lake LBJ real estate, give me a chance to interview for the job. I am confident you wil be more than satisfied with what I have to offer!

If you are interested in learning more about Lake LBJ real estate or for assistance with your Lake LBJ home search, contact me at (512) 786-1515.

If you need assistance searching for Lake LBJ real estate or would like more information regarding the Sunrise Beach real estate market, contact me today at (512) 786-1515.

We have created specific pages for each of the different areas around Lake LBJ. It is very important to get to know these areas before making a decision to purchase Lake LBJ real estate as each is unique and different. Understanding where properties are located on Lake LBJ and the pros and cons to each area can really help you find the perfect Lake LBJ waterfront home:

1) Granite Shoals real estate

2) Highland Haven real estate

3) Kingsland real estate

4) Sunrise Beach real estate

5) Horseshoe Bay real estate

6) Wilderness Cove real estate

If you are interested in purchasing Lake LBJ real estate or need assistance with your Lake LBJ real estate search contact me at (512) 786-1515

For anyone that owns a Lake LBJ Real Estate in Granite Shoals, Sunrise Beach, or Horseshoe Bay, you know that deer can be problematic. Last night I pulled up to my waterfront home and noticed a ton of deer in the yard. I could aslo see that the yard did not look as nice as it usually did; it looked torn and pulled.

I decided to head up to the local Home Depot in Marble Falls and found a chemical that claims to repel the dear. I figured I would share my experience and then follow up in a few weeks and let you know if I notice a difference. The largest bottle of this stuff was $25 approximately which came with a sprayer. The attendant told me to spray the perimeter of the yard and then go back and actually spray the area inside the perimeter.

This stuff smelled horrible. Words cannot describe how bad it really smells and be careful because you dont want your significant other smelling this on you or you will be in the dog house. I believe the idea is that this stuff has a terrible odor that the deer dont like and it will prevent them from laying up in the sprayed areas.

The sprayer actually did not work but luckily I had a sprayer for a pesticide that I used with this chemical. It was very easy to spray the substance, although the smell was very prevalent. I sprayed the perimeter and then finished off by spraying inside the areas all over the yard.

Hopefully this product will do the trick help me keep my Lake LBJ Real Estate in top condition. I will keep you updated on my findings in a few weeks. In the mean time if you have questions about this product or Lake LBJ Real Estate, contact me at (512) 786-1515

Here are four very important Tips to consider when buying waterfront property on Lake LBJ:

1) Waterfront footage – How much footage does the property have and what is the depth of the lot? Many people invest in Lake LBJ real estate without regard to how close their neighbors are on each side. On the water, sound travels so noise your neighbors make carries and can be a disturbance. You also are investing for a place that you can relax and have privacy and peace. The party your neighbors are throwing on the weekend does not help your cause.

2) Direction of property – Which way does your waterfront home on Lake LBJ face? The afternoon sun can be pretty extreme and without proper shade cover this can really be a downer. Make sure you visit the property you are considering multiple times and at different times of the day to understand what you are working with.

3) Ground beneath the water – What is the consistency or composition of the ground below? This is a very important consideration that is often missed. Lake LBJ has different bottoms in different areas. Whether its granite, sand, mud, slime or weeds, its important to know what you will be touching each time you take a dip to cool off. Slimy ground cover beneath the Lake can be pretty uncomfortable for most people. Obviously the best would be sand and second rock/granite.

4) Distance from structure to water – Do you have a yard and if so, how big is it? Many waterfront homes on Lake LBJ are built right up to the water while others are set far back away from the lake. This has a lot to do with the flood plain and where one can actually construct a home but you should pay attention to this detail. If you are right on the water, is there a place for the grandkids to play or is it simply a concrete slab which starts at the house and ends at the water? Other properties, like in Kingsland, are set back farther to prevent flooding but offer big yards with lots of green grass. For most this is a huge plus but others will not want to trek just to arrive at the lake. Each buyer wants something different and none are worse than the other. Just pay close attention and take this into consideration when making your decision to buy Lake LBJ real estate.

If you have any questions about these four tips or for assistance buying or selling Lake LBJ Real Estate, contact me at (512) 786-1515.

Here is a great web resource for design ideas for Lake LBJ real estate, www.Houzz.com. This website almost 600k photos of homes offering great help when decorating and designing a home. The site is easily searchable, has categories such as contemporary, modern, traditional etc to help you narrow down themes and a search bar that allows you to type in key words like “red bar stools” and get results of pictures that have red bar stools. This website allows you to save pics while keeping notes in your “idea book” which can easily be accessed for later time.

When buying or selling Lake LBJ real estate, good design ideas are always needed and www.Houzz.com is a fabulous resource. If you are selling your home, a few simple staging tactics will help get top dollar for your home. Buyers can use Houzz.com to get ideas and easily envision what a home would look like with a few personal touches.

For more information on this website or for assistance finding Lake LBJ Real Estate, contact me at (512) 786-1515.

The Carvajal Group is pleased to announce our newest release of Lake LBJ real estate technology. We have officially created the most accurate, up-to-date and easy to you Lake LBJ real estate, waterfront search engine. This powerful Lake LBJ search engine allows users to view over 300 waterfront properties on Lake LBJ. Results can easily be filtered by area (Sunrise Beach, Granite Shoals, Kingsland, Wilderness Cove, Horseshoe Bay, Applehead Island, and Blue Lake/Deer Haven), price, beds/baths, and waterfront type. We felt there was a shortfall in how potential buyers search for waterfront property on Lake LBJ and thus we set out to create a better experience. We ended up creating a extremely valuable resource that we believe will change the Lake LBJ real estate landscape.

For more information on this Lake LBJ search engine or for assistance with your Lake LBJ real estate search, contact me at (512) 786-1515.