Articles Tagged "pets"

One of the biggest challenges in moving to a new area is finding things to do. Where are the cool events near Round Rock homes for sale that provide the chance to meet new people, get to know the area, and have some fun? There are a number of great events going on in Round Rock this November. Here's a roundup of our favorites.

• 2022 Hike for Hunger Food Drive - 2000 South I-35, Suite M-2, Round Rock, TX 78681
  A combination hike and food drive, Hike for Hunger is a partnership between the Round Rock Police and the Round Rock Area Serving Center, which distributes food to those in need. Show up at 8:30 am at the U.S. Army Round Rock Recruiting Center on November 12th, grab a rucksack, and fill it with food. Then at 9 am, you'll go on a two-mile hike to deliver the food to the Serving Center. Most of the food will already be on site, having been collected for a drive in October. However, further donations of non-perishable food items will always be accepted if you want to bring some with you.
  
  
• Lunchtime Series: Music on Main - 221 E. Main St., Round Rock, TX 78664
  Music on Main is an ongoing event, taking place Tuesday and Thursday afternoons through November 10th. From 11:30 am to 1 pm, come to Downtown Round Rock and hear music from all different artists in all different genres. On Tuesday the 8th, it's Jimmy Linton. Then on the 10th, it's the Austin-based Mirage Jazz Ensemble. Whatever the music, it's a great way to come spend your lunch break.
  
  
• Holiday Bazaar Arts and Crafts Show - 1600 Gattis School Rd., Round Rock, TX 78664
  On Saturday, November 12th, come to the Clay Madsen Recreation Center for the Holiday Bazaar Arts and Crafts Show. Browse a variety of booths where local vendors are selling their holiday-themed, hand-crafted wares - everything from gifts to ornaments to artwork and more. It's a fun, family weekend activity where you can meet and support local Round Rock artists and small businesses.
  
  
• Lunch and Learn: Discovering Round Rock History - 301 West Bagdad Ave., Round Rock, TX 78664
  One of the best ways to get to know a new area is to learn about its history. If you want to know Round Rock better, then Round Rock Preservation's Lunch and Learn is for you. Tuesday, November 8th, from 12-1 pm at the Baca Center, you can bring a bagged lunch and listen to Round Rock expert Kerstin Harding tell you all the cool historical events and places that help make the town what it is. A water bottle and a cookie will be provided.
  
  
• Beaujolais Nights: Jazz and Wine Uncorked - 221 E. Main St., Round Rock, TX 78664
  If you love jazz and French wine, then Beaujolais Nights: Jazz and Wine Uncorked is the event for you. Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau is a French red wine, fermented quickly and traditionally released for sale on the third Thursday of November. Celebrations to open the first bottles of the year have been held around the world for over 70 years. Taking place this year on November 17th from 5 pm to 9 pm, this free event in Downtown Round Rock features wine, charcuterie, and live music by the Copa Kings. Open to anyone 21+, it's a wonderful local tradition and a fun way to spend an evening.

There are plenty of other great things to do in Round Rock throughout the year. Contact us if you're ready to make Round Rock your new home. Our real estate agents will help you find the house of your dreams in a neighborhood that's right for you.

If you're a pet parent, you know that giving your pets a safe, healthy environment is a top priority. Whether you have a four-legged canine or a frisky feline, you want to protect your pet from dangers like injuries, diseases, and poisonous houseplants. To keep your pets safe, take some tips from our real estate agents, who suggest buying only non-toxic houseplants for your home.

Many homeowners don't realize that just a few nibbles from a poisonous plant can cause nausea and vomiting, tremors, seizures, and even death to pets. If you're a pet owner and looking for Georgetown homes for sale, make sure to research indoor plants that are non-toxic to dogs and cats. Here are just a few that are safe for your pets.

1. African Violets
   If your home gets a lot of indirect sunlight, African violets will fill your rooms with flowers in brilliant hues of pink, lavender, and purple. They thrive in 68–77 degree temperatures, as long as you keep them slightly watered and away from drafts. If your curious cat decides to eat the leaves or blooms, the plant may look wounded, but your cat will be fine.

2. Baby Tears
   This plant's trailing tendrils were designed to attract curious cats. Even if you place this plant on high shelves or in hanging baskets, your clever kitty may still be tempted to investigate. But don't worry, it's perfectly safe for your kitty and a good choice for beginner green thumbs. Just choose a location with filtered light and warm temperatures, then keep the soil moist.

3. Bird's Nest Ferns
   This squiggly green fern thrives on low light and humidity, so it's perfect in bathrooms and windows near the kitchen sink. It likes warmer temperatures and quickly adds organic appeal to indoor spaces. Bird's nest ferns grow well in pots and planters with loose, fast-draining soil. When the soil feels dry, just give it a little water and fertilizer in the spring and summer.

4. Date Palms
   If you want to protect your pets and wow your guests, buy a few date palms for your home. With tall stems and delicate leaves, date palms, like Areca palms, bamboo palms, and Chinese fan palms, grow tall, making good floor plants that add height and texture to small rooms. For best growth, keep date palms and other types of palms in bright, indirect sunlight and don't over-water.

5. Friendship Plants
   Friendship plants produce intricately-patterned bright green leaves that feel like velvet. They're lovely to look at and completely harmless to your pets. Since they are small plants that only grow 6–12 inches high, they make great decorative accents on shelves and tables. They tolerate low light with a few hours of sunlight each day and occasionally flower with pale pink buds.

6. Orchids
   Few houseplants add as much elegant beauty to a home as orchids, and luckily they pose no dangers to dogs or cats. With tall stalks, large green leaves, and colorful flowers, orchids become focal points wherever they're placed. Orchids bloom each year for about three months. When the flowers die off, the blooms return the following season.

7. Peperomia Plants
   Peperomia plants make great houseplants because they're easy to grow and they clean the air. There are many varieties, each with slightly different characteristics, but they all grow well in temperatures of 65–80 degrees with minimal watering. The watermelon peperomia has leaves that resemble watermelon rhine with distinct dark green stripes.

If you're interested in homes in the Georgetown area, contact us for more information on available properties and prices.

Your pet is your best friend, so of course, you want to be there all the time. But sometimes, life gets in the way. Whether you're on vacation, in the process of moving, or out of town checking out Round Rock homes for sale, there are times when a trusted pet sitter is essential. 

But of course, you can't let just anybody take care of your furry friend. You need to know you're working with the best. Our real estate agents have a lot of experience connecting their clients to great pet sitters here in the Austin and Round Rock areas, and we have a few useful tips for finding and choosing the right pet sitting service. 

1. Know Who Your Friends Are
   A lot of us have reliable friends, family members, or neighbors who we often entrust with the care of our pets. If your pet has formed a bond with this person, then that's a great option. It's always best for your cat or dog to spend time with someone they know and trust, especially in your own home. But there are situations when this may not be an option. Perhaps you're traveling longer or more frequently, or you simply don't want to put pressure on your friends and neighbors. In that case, it may be time to consider a professional pet sitting service. 
   
   
2. Check Credentials
   Anybody can say they're a pet sitter. That doesn't necessarily mean they're experienced and qualified. Real professional pet sitting companies should have a business license and be fully bonded and insured. Pet sitters should also have undergone a criminal background check and received proper training. Be sure to ask if they've been trained in pet CPR and first aid. 
   
   
3. Ask for References and Read Reviews
   One of the best ways to determine if a pet sitter is right for you is to find out what others think. There's no substitute for firsthand experience. So it's always a good idea to ask a pet sitter for references, but you can also go deeper. Unbiased online reviews can shed a lot of light on how a pet sitting company is viewed by its customers. Keep in mind that one bad review shouldn't make or break someone—anybody can have a bad experience—but if you notice multiple past customers making similar complaints, that's a definite red flag. 
   
   
4. Do a Meet-and-Greet
   It goes without saying that your fur baby and your pet sitter will have to get along! The first step is to schedule a meet-and-greet. Depending on your pet's personality, you may want the first meeting to take place outside of your home. This is especially the case if you have a very protective or high-anxiety dog. If the first outdoor meeting proves successful, the next step is to spend some time with your pet and pet sitter inside your home. You should be there for the first meeting, and if it goes well, perhaps schedule a short pet-sitting session before going on any long trips. 
   
   
5. Establish Open Communication
   Communication between you and your pet sitter is key. You need to be able to reach them any time (and vice versa), especially while you're out of town. Make sure your pet sitter is comfortable with open communication and is willing to give you regular updates.

Moving to a new home always presents challenges, and finding the right pet sitting service is just one of them. Contact us today to learn more about how our team can help you find your dream home in Austin, Round Rock, and the surrounding areas.