Carl Winters Blog, Real Estate Inspector, New Braunfels, Texas

Here is where you will find great camping along with a chuckwagon super and cowboy music and learn a little about the old west....while visiting Canyon Lake, TX.

Look for the Logo of  was previously Maricopa Lodge. Everything you will want in a campground, including all the folks coming down to Texas to spend the winter and looking for a place to stay.

Every weekend, the gates will swing open wide at the Canyon Trail Chuckwagon Supper and Cowboy Music Show will welcome guests.(closed January, November). For info. for pricing and information you can go to www.canyontrailchuckwagon.com

The English Brothers Western Entertainers have partnered with Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Hill Country resort to create a memorable evening of mouth waterin' vittles and the best family friendly hand clappin', knee slappin' music and comedy in the Lone Star State. If you want to learn a good history lesson about Texas, enjoy some of our great toe-tapping Texas music then you should plan a trip over to Canyon Lake, TX.

              Good family fun, Good Food, Good Texas Music.......How Texan Can You Get...YeaHaw!

Carl & Ceil's Bulletin Board for Information for Comal County, TX                                                                               Complete Inspection Service Serving Comal County, New & Existing Homes & Phase Construction , First Time Home Buyers                                                                                                                                                             830-660-0131, Advanced Homes Inspector, License #3630, TREC & TRCC Registered

                                                                     Comal County Texas Welcom's You!

If you live in Texas some of you may be familiar with the name Handy Andy; maybe not so much today but back in the early 60's that was the grocery chain ...you may be familiar the name Handy Andy. We have seen the stores close one at a time and just a few remain open in small communities. The Landa Street Handy Andy was devastated in a fire on Friday.

News spread fast in New Braunfels, TX and surrounding area Friday afternoon. (It always does when you live in a small close-nit community). We shop at some of the stores in the Landa Center like many that live in New Braunfels. What is sad is the loss, but one in particular is Handy Andy. We remember years ago when Handy Andy was the grocery chain to shop in the community, also when we lived in San Antonio at McCreless Mall and some other Handy Andy's around San Antonio. I remember we could take our passbook savings book and put money in savings every week at the I think it was San Antonio Savings (I just remember it was a blue passbook). You would alwways plan on visiting with your neighbors and get caught up on the neighborhood gossip.

I don't know if Handy Andy will rebuild the burnt out store in New Braunfels but these pictures will remain with Ceil and I for a long time. Just another piece of history up in flames. We have a banana box planter with the name Handy Andy on the side when they use to deliver bananas in these type containers.

Anchor stores Dollar General and Handy Andy were among the worst damaged also a beauty salon, a restaurant and a liquor store are among the other businesses devastated. Several businesses on another wing were spared. This is a valuable piece of real estate and we hope some of these stores will rebuild.

Inspector's Bulletin Board for news, Carl Winters, Complete Inspection Service serving all of New Braunfels and Comal County for home and commercial inspections.

This ia a blog memory of the Landa Street Fire in New Braunfels, TX.

This was Ceil's grandmother's home - 1950's  and now in 2008. There is allot of history with this house. It was built back in the 1800's.

                                                                                                       First Step - Part 1.....What to Expect 

With this blog I will give you and "overview" of what happens on the "outside" of the home.  Some of the items the Home Inpsector will evaluate when conducting the Home Inspection on the "outside" of the home.

          Roof - Exterior  of Structure - Soffit - Fascia - Gutters

          Exterior Walls & Claddiings

          Drainage (water should drain "away" from the home)  Very Important

          Exterior Electric Panels - Power line to the house - Drip Loop

          Windows

          Crawl Space

          Chimney 

          Attic Ventilation

          Plumbing Vents and Flashings

          Decks & Related Attachments

                   Optional Items:   Lawn Sprinkler

                                            Swimming Pool / Spa

                                            Outbuildings

                                            Water Well

                                            Septic System

No matter how large or how small please always have your home inspected.

I will follow with a Part 2   (to be continued)

If you are a First Time Home Buyer and moving to Comal County, TX or San Antonio or surrounding counties and need a Home Inspector, please call Carl Winters, Advanced Inspector, TREC License Number 3630 and TRCC Registered for Phase Construction.

Complete Inspection Service. Telephone 830-660-0131

If you live in Texas or just moving to Texas you can expect to see the Cicadea during the summer months.

If you live in Texas you have probably heard them singing or making such an unusual sound it hurts your ears.  We get use to them; but when my grandson came in Sunday afternoon and wanted me to come and look at the bug-a-boo I hurried outside to see what the heck he was talking about. We watched for a few minutes   and I told him it was a Cicadca. We watched as he worked his way out of the outter covering hard shell. We came in an pulled it up  on Mr. Google to get a better definition.

Cicada larva have the urge to climb before they metamorphose, since their heavy body weight makes it very difficult for them to get airborne from the ground. Some will climb high up in trees and others will make it only a foot or two off the ground before they transform. More often than the live insects, we find their discarded larval shells.    We went around and started picking up the shells...they were everywhere. Also saw several others working their way out of the shell. We just sat in the swing for awhile and listened to the loud sounds of the Circada ...

 Male cicadas rest on tree trunks and branches and "sing" to attract females, producing a periodic whine by means of two special vibrating membranes in the sides of the abdomen.  Females do not sing.  Adult cicadas do not feed on leaves, and may suck juices from tender twigs.  Nymphs feed on the sap from tree roots

See, when you are a grandfather you sometimes have to explain the circle of life even if it is a Circada.

If you are are going to build or buy a home in Comal County Texas and should need a Home Inspection, please call Carl Winters, Complete Inspection Service at 830-660-0131. Advanced Inspector, License #3630 TREC and Registered Inspector with TRCC. I livein Comal County.

                                                                                        Sales Tax Holiday

The state's annual sales tax holiday -- as most schools prepare to resume classes -- begins Friday and runs through Sunday.

                                                                                       August 15-17, 2008

Clothing Sales Tax Holiday - Be sure you know which items are Tax Free that you have no surprises when you get to the checkout.

Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales taxes on August 15, 16 and 17 - the state's annual tax holiday.

ONE.....TWO......THREE.......GO

            You can Save on buying back-to-school items on this tax free weekend. Shop New Braunfels!

                              See some of your school friends & neighbors while you shop

Localism.com New Braunfels, TX - Comal Independent School District

If you are buying a home in Comal County and should need a Home Inspection call Complete Inspection Svc.830-660-0131, Carl Winters, TREC License #3630.... TRCC Registered for new home phase inspections (law goes into effect September 1, 2008 for homes built outside the city...minimum of three inspections).Contact your builder for information or visit TRCC website.

Zip Codes: 78130,78133,78131,

                                             GREAT NEWS - EXTRA INNINGS IS NOW OPENED FOR BUSINESS.

Baseball and softball has always been an appreciated sport in New Braunfels. The opening of this new training facility will encourage even more enthusiasm for the sport.

 This is great news since we have two grandson's that play baseball year round in a select league. This is going to be nice to have such a fine training facility in New Braunfels, TX.

This  practice facility will allow the staff to provide professional instruction for training and a nationally recognized Pro Shop for baseball and softball players of all ages and ability level.

Extra Innings New Braunfels is the area's "one stop shop" for everything baseball and softball. The new facility, located at 2405 Lifehaus Industrial in New Braunfels, will feature 15,500 square foot facility with 22 foot ceilings.

This facility will have 7 multi-use retractable tunnels, a time operated batting cage, a workout area, individual training stations and a private party area.

Extra Innings Training Centers are unique in the marketplace. Each facility, regardless of size, offers year-round practice facilities for ballplayers of all ages and ability levels, professional instruction.

This is just anothr indication of the growth happening in New Braunfels, TX.

If you are moving to New Braunfels or Canyon Lake TX area and looking to build or purchase a home , please call Carl Winters, Complete Inspection Service, TREC License #3630 (since 1994)  830-660-0131. Also TRCC registered for phase-construction; beginning September 1,2008 will be mandatory if you are building out of the city of New Braunfels or in a rural area.

78130, 78133, 78132, 78006 Serving these zip codes and in San Antonio, TX.

This is a great place The Earth Times to get current, up-to-date information on happenings within your community.

Hope you will put this date on your calendar to come spend Christmas in New Braunfels Canyon Lake Area.

      Schlitterbahn's Hill Country Christmas event opens for weekend operation (Friday - Sunday) beginning Friday, November 28. The event is open daily December 19, 2008 through January 4, 2009 (except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). The park opens at 5pm. Closing times vary.
Tickets available at schlitterbahn christmas.com are $14.99 for general event admission and $12.99 for children, ages 3 - 11 and seniors 55 years or older. Taxes are not included in the ticket prices. Parking is FREE! Operating hours, dates and attraction availability are subject to change.

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, summer home to the world's best waterpark,will transforms the original Schlitterbahn into a dazzling evening spectacular blanketed with more than 1 million lights.Some amazing attractions, dazzling shows, festive food and unique shopping, making this a new must-see holiday family tradition. For more information: www://schlitterbahn.com

ATTRACTIONS:

Ice Skating -- Enjoy the majesty of real ice skating under the stars on a giant ice rink (skate rental is an additional fee).

Sled Run -- Slide down a snowy hill on a fast and fun toboggan run.

Santa -- Meet the Jolly Old Elf himself (Santa available through Dec. 23).

Nativity -- Embrace the meaning of the season while gazing upon an elaborately sculpted life-size lit nativity. I am glad they are goin to have a nativity since so many places have done away with the nativity.

Candy Cane Lane Light Tunnel -- Be mesmerized by chasing lights while walking through a series of illuminated arches. Our six year old grandson will like this one.

Schatze's Winter Wonderland -- Kids of all ages are invited to play in the snow and meet Schlitterbahn's beloved mascot Schatze all decked out for the holidays.

Train Display -- Bring back the memories of your childhood while enjoying the timeless tradition of a holiday train display. Does anyone remember going down to Joske's in San Antonio every Christmas tol see the train display in the Christmas Wonderland? I'm going to enjoy this one.

Santa's Workshop -- Come explore the North Pole filled with a variety of whimsical animated light sculptures, Holiday Illuminations light show and snow, snow, snow.

Rudolph's Reindeer Barn -- Come hug and have your photo taken with the most famous reindeer of all.

Winter Wassail Hot Tub -- Stay toasty warm this holiday season under the stars in a giant outdoor hot tub. Spirits available.

Looks like they are going to have allot of fun things to do.

SHOWS:
Scrooge's Haus -- He's back and he's not happy about the holidays. Be sure to capture the fun and banter of Mr. Bah Humbug himself. Several shows nightly.

Christmas Reflections: A River of Lights Spectacular -- Be inspired by an innovative, immersive light show choreographed to new Christmas classics along the banks of the Comal River. Several shows nightly. I will update and pass on info.as it comes available for the show times.

Holiday Illuminations -- Brrrrr ... get ready to get caught in a blizzard of snow as guests visit the North Pole and watch Santa's workshop come alive with dancing lights and animated sculptures synchronized to festive holiday tunes. Several shows nightly.

I will think this will be really nice with all the Illuminations.

Live Entertainment -- An assortment of entertainment is presented throughout the park including Christmas carolers, street performers and bands.

If you get through all this and your not too tired you can go shopping.

SHOPPING:

Christmas Shoppe -- Located in a beautifully restored 150-year-old Hill Country home, the Shoppe is filled with three floors of unique, designer collectibles elaborately displayed throughout holiday-themed rooms.

Crafter Village -- Stroll through a boulevard of eclectic shops filled with a unique collection of handcrafted items.

Plan your Christmas shopping now in New Braunels, TX.
                "This new event truly captures the "magic of Christmas morning every night." Visiting families will be thrilled with the variety of holiday attractions, shopping, food and shows that can all be enjoyed in one evening together."

If you are building, buying a new home in the New Braunfels, Canyon Lake area please call Carl Winters, Complete Inspection Service (since 1994) for your Home Inspection. TRCC registered if you are building for your Phase-Inspection; and TREC License #3630, Advanced Inspector.
 Service Area San Antonio, Boerne, Canyon Lake,  Bulverde, Blanco, Wimberly, San Marcos.....I live at Canyon Lake and know the lay of the land in the Texas Hill Country.

  Localism.com/neighbor/realestateinspector

Zip Codes: 78130, 78133, 78006, 78132

You learn something new everyday. A couple weeks ago Ceil was fooling around with the computer just looking up information about Canyon Lake and she came across this wonderful website she had not seen before.

Ceil sent an email to the contact person to ask a question; left her name and telephone number. She receives a response a couple days later saying they were on a cruise and will get back in touch with her when they retured. The very day they returned Ceil received a call. A little over an hour later Ceil got off the telephone all excited to share with me some news from this person she had just talked with on the telelphone. Amongst many tid-bits of information Ceil said she was invited to attend a, of all things, a computer club that meets here at Canyon Lake. Ceil has it on her calendar and has invited some of our neighbors, but as of this date has not invited me.

Here is some information and the contact person if you think you may want to learn something new or tickle your memory for some old things you may have forgotten.

        Canyon Lake Computer Club Welcome You!: Localism.com/Carl Winters/Activerain Member

The next meeting is August 25th at 6:30 p.m. at the GVTC (Guadalupe Valley Telephone Company Auditorium). For more information contact:

I'm sure happy Ceil is going to learn some new tips and tricks on how to do some things on the "puter".

If you are moving to Canyon Lake or New Braunfels; building a new home or purchasing an existing home and need a home inspection, please Call Carl Winters, Complete Inspection Service at 830-660-0131. Beginning September 1,2008 anyone building a new home will have to have a minimum of three  phase-inspections you can visit TRCC website for additional information or contact your builder. Carl Winters is an Advanced Inspector, TREC License 3630 and on the TRCC list of inspectors.

                              I live at Canyon Lake Texas....Thank You for your visit!

Zip Codes: 78130, 78133, 78006

Builders and Remodelers Face New Laws September 1, 2008