One major driving force we use to push ourselves to be successful as a team is our non-profit, Cain Cares. With every home sale, we are able to make a donation to our non-profit in the homeowner's name. Cain Cares gives us the ability to serve our clients, past clients, neighbors and team members in a time of need. Our goal is to help when help is needed most, and that is exactly what we had the pleasure of doing this past month.  

For our 1st Annual Love Where You Live Event we had the pleasure of serving the Feil family. Marvin and Melba Feil have been Travis Country residents for over 40 years. They have found a great sense of community within Travis Country and have made a ton of memories in their house. With a great amount of work put on Melba as the main home keeper, their beautiful home needed quite a bit of extra love and attention. This is when we stepped in to truly return their house back into a home. 

With the help of our amazing sponsors and team, we set out early Saturday morning on April 7th, 2018 to go to work on the Feil's family home. With 5 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter making memories in this house, it definitely needed to be brought back to its full potential. 

A few gallons of paint, new flooring, leaky roof repairs, and brand new fence later we had the opportunity to welcome Marvin and Melba into their new and improved home! Seeing the amount of gratitude on their faces is exactly why we do what we do. This is what Cain Cares is all about, lending a helping hand when it is needed the most. 

We are so grateful to have been a part of Melba and Marvin's journey, and even more grateful for the donations and sponsors that allowed us to do so. A special thank you to Goosehead Insurance,...

A HUGE thank you to all our amazing Travis Country neighbors who came out and made the Easter Bash a success! Thousands of eggs were hunted, beautiful crafts crafted, and of course, the petting zoo and pony rides were a fan favorite. We enjoy celebrating with you and hope you enjoyed it as much as we did! 

Check out the video below for a recap of the amazing event, we hope you see you all next year! 

It's that time of year again! It's time for the Travis Country Easter Bash! We are excited to sponsor the petting zoo again this year and look forward to a day full of fun and celebration! The Easter Bash is one of our favorite Travis Country Events as we love getting to spend time with our TC neighbors. We'll see you there!

Enjoy:

• Easter Egg Hunts by Age (see schedule below)
• Petting Zoo
• Balloon Animals
• Breakfast & Coffee
• Raffle

Egg Hunt Times:

• 9:15 am - 0-3 yrs old
• 9:30 am- 4-6 yrs old
• 9:45 am- 7-9 yrs old
• 10:00 am - 10+ yrs

As you may or may not know, a "Big Why" behind why the team and I are passionate about selling homes is the opportunity to greater fund our mission of serving our clients, past clients, and community in times of severe need.  We do this through funding our non-profit, Cain Cares, after every home sale.  We have chosen to stay "home" for our first community outreach event. 

I'm asking for your assistance in helping me to identify someone or a family in our neighborhood that may be in a severe time of need and/or may be barely scraping by.  As a result, perhaps their house is in disarray.  Many of us have been through tough times in our life, God knows my family and I have.  We'd like to identify this person or family, and spend an entire day at their house and help to improve their property.  This will depend on the property of course, yet this could include items such as landscaping/yard work, painting, flooring, cleaning, light remodeling, etc.  We will have the entire team helping, as well as our trusted vendors that are applicable to what the need would be.  

We will be doing this event April 7th, yet we are looking to identify some candidates sooner than later.  I'd be extremely grateful if you'd take some time to think about who could be impacted by our mission.  If you can share this on any applicable social media channels, that too would be appreciated.  

Please see click here to nominate someone you know of or share with them directly and let them nominate themselves.  

“A house is made of bricks and beams.  A home is made of hopes and dreams.”  Let's give someone in our neighborhood a home again.  Thank you from the bottom of...

We take joy in serving our clients from beginning to end of their transaction, and that means all the way through the move! Check out this ultimate moving check-list to ensure your move is just as smooth as your home sale with The Cain Team!

1. Turn on utilities: There is a very high chance the seller will be turning off all utilities the day of closing. Be sure to get these turned on before move-in to eliminate the hassle of moving furniture in the dark!

2. Setup internet/cable service: Having your home wired before the move-in makes it easier to install as well as eliminating one less time of moving furniture around. 

3. Order an energy audit: An energy audit is a professional assessment of your new home's overall energy performance. This will show you how to make the best of your home's energy, so it is best to have this done before related repairs are done. This simple task can help save you a ton!

4. Do a deep clean: There is nothing more exciting than getting your new home's keys and start piling in your furniture and personal items. Although, cleaning the home from top to bottom will make the process much more enjoyable at the finish line! 

5. Change the locks: This is just a basic safety measure when receiving the keys to the home. Although, it is important to wait until after the closing date.

6. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Make sure these a functioning properly in order to protect your beautiful new home and precious family. 

7. Set up alarm system: While we are on the topic of protecting your family,...

How to respond to coyotes in your neighborhood

As Austin grows, our interactions with wildlife increase. To keep coyotes and other wildlife wild, we can follow a few, simple preventative measures:

• Always keep trash and compost in a secure bin
• Keep your barbecue grill clean
• Keep the area under your fruit and nut trees free of droppings (a coyote’s diet can be up to 40% fruit in Texas)
• Avoid feeding pets outdoors (if you must feed pets outside, feed during the daytime and remove the uneaten food as soon as the animal has finished).
• Feeding wildlife and feral cats can attract coyotes. In addition to coyotes eating the food, mice and other animals will be drawn to leftovers, which can subsequently attract predators such as foxes and coyotes. 

Hazing

To discourage coyotes from associating people with safety and food, eliminate the food sources around your yard and engage in hazing if you see a coyote on your property. Hazing is a process used to reinforce a coyote’s natural wariness without harming them. To haze, be big and loud: Wave your arms, shout, use noisemakers, throw non-edible objects in its direction (but not at it), or spray the animal with a hose. It shouldn’t take much for the coyote to get the memo -- just be persistent and maintain eye contact. Do not haze if a coyote is sick, injured, with pups, or is in its territory or out at night.

Pet safety

Keep small pets inside when possible and monitor them while outside. While walking dogs, use a secure, 4-6 foot leash and do not let dogs explore vegetation that you can’t see through. It is advised that pets be fed indoors. If pets must be fed outdoors, feed during the daytime and remove food as soon as your pet is finished....

Congratulations to our January/February coloring contest winner, Austin age 6! Austin's amazing coloring entry took the cake for this months contest, landing him 50 Cain Keys on our Loyalty and Rewards program! Austin has a wide variety of prizes to choose from and can even earn more points to save up for something even bigger! Join him by heading over to Cain Club to start earning your points today!

Thank you to all our Travis Country Times entries, we love getting so many incredible colorings. If you have yet to win, please keep submitting entries as we look forward to awarding you Cain Keys soon! Congratulations, Austin! 

Want to join Travis Country Times' Coloring Contest to get a chance to win some Cain Keys? Watch out for our upcoming March/April issue!

Join the Travis Country Social Committee and HOA this Saturday, March 3rd from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM for the Spring Movie Night! 

Movies:
6:00pm - Pizza delivered
6:30-6:45pm (movie start depends on sunset time) - Secret Life of Pets (Common Sense Media review)
8:15pm - Guardians of the Galaxy (Common Sense Media review)
 
Come help us kick off Spring with TC Movies in the Park!

- FREE Movie style popcorn, double feature, pizza, and drinks (water, Capri Suns, and sodas) generously - provided by the TC Social Committee and Travis Country HOA.
- DINNER: Pizza will be available for free starting at 6pm or you can bring your own picnic.

Friends and family, young and old - you are all invited to this fun free event! Please invite all your neighbors and RSVP so we can get a good guess at attendance for the night.

Be sure to bring chairs and possibly blankets to spread out on the Hilltop parking lot.

Whether you love to entertain friends or sip your morning coffee on the patio, here are five easy ways to inject new life into your little corner of nature. House Logic gives us the scoop on how to rejuvenate a run-down patio with a budget in mind!

1. Stop the pests that make your patio look untidy

We know that it is hard to enjoy your patio if it's covered in debris by critters digging and trampling, there's a way to stop them in their tracks. Rather than using regular mulch, give the pine cone method a chance. Those spiny cones will deter pests and mischievous pets from digging and tearing up your space. 

2. Add some color

Rejuvenate your patio with a pop of color. Try painting it a bold, bright color or fun and vibrant pattern. Let your creative juices flow and give it your best shot, this is your space to make one-of-a-kind! At the very least, a new coat of concrete stain will give that tired concrete a fresh look.

3. Remove rust from the furniture

If the damage isn’t too extensive, the job can be as simple as scraping it off. Use a wire brush, sandpaper, or steel wool — and a bit of elbow grease — to scour it away. For less effort, use a drill with a wire brush attachment. For more extensive rust issues, you can use an acidic agent like vinegar to help with the removal. After the successful removal of your pesky rust, simply give the outdoor furniture a nice new coat of paint to finish it off!

Austin Public Library now offers an eCard, which provides Austin residents 18 years and older access to the electronic resources available in the Virtual Library. The eCard is intended to help homebound adults and busy Austinites access the library’s collection of electronic books, audio, music, and magazines without having to visit a library branch in person. 

The eCard will give you 24/7 access to the Virtual Library:

• Explore and use the Library's electronic resources, including articles and databases
• Download and stream eBooks, eAudiobooks, music, and movies to your device anytime, anywhere.

To receive an eCard number, residents need to bring a valid photo ID and proof of their current address to an APL branch. Those with APL cards have access to the Virtual Library. Click here to apply online.

We have exciting news for all of our Travis Country residents and friends! We are growing and adding to our Loyalty and Rewards program monthly and don't want you to miss out. Cain Club is our way of giving back to our clients, neighbors, and friends by showing our gratitude for the continued support. 

Check out this quick video to get the scoop on our amazing program, and then head to Cain Club to get started TODAY! 

Austin has a variety of awesome museums where you can explore Texas history, browse amazing art collections, try hands-on science activities — and so much more. The best news is that you can visit almost all of our area museums for free! You just need to know when to go. Luckily, Do512 has compiled a list of the best times to check out the museums in Austin! Thanks, Do512!

— Blanton Museum of Art

Free Admission: Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; plus extended hours ’til 9 p.m. every third Thursday of the month

— Bullock Texas State History Museum
Free Admission: The First Sunday of every month, 12 – 5 p.m.

— The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria
Free Admission: Tuesdays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; also free drop-in tours at 1 p.m. the first Sunday of every month.

— The Contemporary Austin – Jones Center
Free Admission: Tuesdays, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; also free drop-in tours at 1 p.m. the first Sunday of every month.

— Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
Free Admission: daily from June 1- August 31, 2017; as well as Family Days —...

Although there are many greenbelts in the Austin area, there is one, in particular, that is an obvious crowd favorite. Barton Creek Greenbelt is so beloved by the locals, that it is commonly referred to as "the Greenbelt." Located in Central-South Austin the Barton Creek Greenbelt features 12.68 miles of gorgeous trails and is considered one of the top hiking trails in Texas. 

Barton Creek comes with lots of exciting activities and sites for the whole family to enjoy. Spend your weekend's mountain biking,  rock climbing in the limestone bluffs, and swimming in the creeks. Get the family out of the house and enjoy a day with nature, at this beloved greenbelt!

Public Access Points 

• Trail Head - 2201 Barton Springs Road
• Spyglass Access - 1601 Spyglass Dr. 
• Barton Hills Acess- 2010 Homedale Dr.
• Gus Fruh Access- 2642 Bartin Hills Dr.
• Loop 360 Access - 3755-B Capital of Texas HWY (Loop 360)
• Gaines/ Twin Falls Access - 3918 S. Mopac Expy
• Trails End - 1710 Camp Craft Road

Tips and Tricks

• Keep your pups on a leash at all times.
• There are no restrooms, water fountains, or trashcans on the trails.
• Bring Water and dispose of trash at the access point entrances.

Happy Friday, Travis Country residents! We hope you are staying warm in the craziness of this winter season. Snow days must mean that you've had extra time to log into Cain Club and earn some Cain Keys to go towards some amazing prizes! #Score

One of our favorite Cain Club activities is the ability to make a donation to Cain Cares and earn points! It rewards you for giving back to such a great cause.  Cain Cares gives us the opportunity to help when help is needed the most. Join us in our mission to give back. 

Donate to Cain Cares through our Loyalty Rewards program and receive 25 points for every $50 donated! Not a member? No problem, sign up TODAY and start earning your points towards our awesome prizes!

Give and then receive! 

With Gratitude,

The Cain Team

The Cain Team is excited to announce an addition to our awards and honors, the 2017 Neighborhood Favorite award courtesy of Nextdoor.  In addition to being your Travis Country neighbor, we take pride in being Austin's Most Trusted Home Buying and Home Selling team. To continue to provide world-class home buying and home selling service we are eager to hear feedback on your experience. We appreciate everyone who takes the time to review us and would like to offer an incentive to do so!

For every review completed, receive points on our Loyalty and Rewards membership program, Cain Club! It's simple, just log in to your account, follow the link to the review site, complete the review, and we will award your points upon confirming the review. 

We are so thankful for an amazing year of serving our clients, neighbors, and friends. We look forward to serving you all in 2018 also. As always, if you or anyone you know has any real estate related questions, we are always a phone call away. Have a blessed Tuesday! 

2017 was one for the books for our Travis Country family, as we loved spending tons of neighborhood events and activities with all of you. We are sure that 2018 will only get better! Ring in the New Year with these family-friendly events!  

Austin’s New Year 2018 @ Vic Mathias Shores
Dec. 31, 3 – 10:30 p.m.
Ring in the New Year with a free, fun and family-friendly celebration at Vic Mathias Shores with four stages, 22 local and regional bands, food trucks, kid’s activities and multiple art installations. The New Year’s Eve event, hosted by the City of Austin, kicks off at 3 p.m. culminating with a fireworks extravaganza at 10 p.m.

Noon Year’s Eve Balloon Drop & Bubble Wrap Stomp @ Thinkery
Dec. 31, balloon drops at 12 p.m. & 2 p.m.
Head to Thinkery for the second annual Noon Year’s Eve Balloon Drop & Bubble Wrap Stomp! Ring in 2018 a wee bit early with winter crafts, “snowball” fights, special performances and TWO separate balloon drops (12 p.m. and 2 p.m.). Why wait until midnight? The countdown to noon is on! Click here for additional details and tickets.

New Year’s Eve Party @ Main Event...

Christmas is our favorite time of year, as everyone is in such a joyous and giving spirit. The holidays truly bring people together and we love getting to show our appreciation and share the spirit with our neighbors. 

The Cain Team is extremely honored to have the opportunity to showcase our love for this community by decorating the Travis Country entrance sign. Being Travis Country residents is very dear to our heart and we enjoy sharing it with all of you. We hope our piece of Christmas cheer brings you joy everytime you enter Travis Country. We wish you a Merry Christmas!

- The Cain Team

A huge thank you to all our clients, past clients, and Travis Country neighbors for joining us this past Saturday for our Annual photos with Santa event! A holly jolly time was had by all, accompanied by tons of festive ornament designing and delicious cupcake decorating! Be sure to take a look at our video compilation of the holiday festivities.

We enjoyed kicking off the holiday season with you all, and look forward to seeing you next year! 

Santa's Winter Wonderland 2017