Properties by Watson

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Construction and Proposed Changes to Buffalo Gap Road

Changes are proposed for Chimney Rock to Rebecca Lane on Buffalo Gap Road (or FM 89). Go to the meeting if you want to influence the changes. Find more info here: http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/get-involved/about/hearings-meetings/abilene/110116.html

The improvements seem much needed if they are to reduce the near 30 serious accidents from the past two years.

Thefts and Vandalism Up at Chimney Rock

Take care and be cautious this Halloween holiday. Neighbors are reporting that thefts of children's toys and trailers are up in the Chimney Rock Neighborhood. The social network Next Door is reporting police investigations into what may be teenage pranks gone wrong.

See something, say something. Abilene Police Department offers an online place to report criminal mischief. http://reporting.abilenepolice.org/
"NOTE: This online theft report does not include burglary of a home/building/vehicle, firearm theft, or theft of a vehicle. Call the Abilene Police Department at (325) 673-8331 to report these crimes."

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Baby Wipes Not Safe!

No More Wipes

Not Safe for Home Plumbing:

The city of New York is tired of the lies that wet tissues, disinfecting wipes, or baby wipes are safe for disposal down the toilet. We have warned tenants and have had to call out emergency plumbing service twice for this exact issue. $200 each time. This cost is passed on to the tenant as they were warned during move-in. Hopefully the laws will enforce mislabeling changes, but in the meantime, remember to never flush any variation of these fibrous tissues down you pipes. Bag it and drag it out to the curb, Thanks.

https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/may/26/disposable-wipes-sewer-toilet-cities-flushable

Friday, May 20, 2016

What Are the AISD Schools for the Chimney Rock Neighborhood?

The Abilene Independent School District has assigned students to the following schools for the north Chimney Rock neighborhood. Many families have asked about this data during showings; therefore, we wanted to provide this graphic compiled from GreatSchools.org.
Elementary: The Ward Elementary School is assigned and located very close to Pamela Drive. For families with young children, the distance is walk-able and Rebecca Lane has school zone lights with a crosswalk guard provided each school day. Go to Great Schools website for school grading information.

3750 Paintbrush Dr, Abilene, TX 79606

Middle School: The Clack Middle School is located further away (north west of Chimney Rock). It is east of Dyess Air Force Base and west of the Loop Highway. It will require bus or parental drop off.

1610 Corsicana Ave., Abilene, TX 79605

High School: And finally, Cooper High School is closer to the neighborhood while requiring bus transport, parental drop off, or student drivers to cross under the Loop Highway. The campus is located east of the Starbucks and behind the Office Depot on Sayles Blvd. and South 41st Street.

3639 Sayles Blvd, Abilene, TX 79605

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

+345 People Per Day for the Past 8 Years

https://www.texastribune.org/2016/04/20/texas-top-destination-domestic-migrants/

Texas has seen an increase in population for 8 years from 2005 through 2013 of 5.9 million people. The Texas Tribune quotes Lloyd Potter from the Office of the State Demographer. The majority of domestic migrants came from the great state of California. Read more about it from Alexa Ura and Jolie McCullough at the Texas Tribune.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Spring Cleaning - Free Large Waste Drop-off This Weekend

Spring Clean and Tire Amnesty Days coming Apr. 7 - 9

ABILENE, Texas – Clear out unwanted items from your property and recycle them during the upcoming Spring Clean and Tire Amnesty Days. During this annual event, citizens have a chance to spruce up their homes and properties while conveniently dropping off their cast-off items at the City of Abilene’s Environmental Recycling Center (ERC), 2209 Oak St. The event will take place Thursday, Apr. 7 through Saturday, Apr. 9, 2015. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Due to safety concerns, Oak St. will turn into a one-way street with vehicles entering from South 25th St., on Saturday, Apr. 9.

Typically, the ERC is a drop-off point for citizens to bring almost any type of recyclable materials including plastics, glass and cardboard to bulkier items such as electronics and old appliances. However, certain items such as large-scale remodeling project materials will not be accepted. Citizens will be asked to assist in off-loading their own items.

At this year’s Spring Clean, citizens may bring up to eight passenger tires without rims, free of charge with proof of residency (current water bill). Truck tires without rims are $5 per tire and with rims $8 per tire. Agricultural tires will be accepted without rims only for a $35 per tire service fee. Commercial or business tires will not be accepted.

For more information on recycling or the Spring Clean event, call the Environmental Recycling Center at 325-672-2209.

News Releases from The City of Abilene:

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Schedule a Viewing Now!

4 Bedroom split floor plan, 2 car garage w/ fenced RV space in Chimney Rock Neighborhood. Schedule a viewing soon. New lease will start 1st of May. Make it yours. See the virtual tour at Zillow.com, Trulia.com, Hotpads.com, or homes.Yahoo.com.

Let us know if you have any questions. We are available to schedule a showing Wednesday through Saturday of this week; just let us know when may be convenient for you. You may call or text the number below. This home is owned and managed as our family business.

4665 Pamela Drive, Abilene, TX 79606

There are over 60 pictures for a virtual tour on such listing sites as Zillow.com, HotPads.com, and Trulia.com. You can also see details at propertiesbywatson.blogspot.com and our Facebook.com/propertiesbywatson page. All of the home details should be available at any one of those locations.

4 bedroom, 2 bath, split floor plan, 1900 sq ft, 2 car garage, large fenced RV space, great neighbors, and close to the Mall of Abilene
$1495/month
12 month lease
Security deposit of $1000
Cats or dogs: separate pet deposit required ($200)
Available May 1st

Please let us know how we can help you further.

Report Suspicious Activity to the Police

Nextdoor is reporting a spike in property theft and car break-ins around the Chimney Rock area. Be cautious. This week, a laptop was stolen from a car in the driveway of a neighborhood resident.

Please watch out for strange people driving up and looking in area cars during the hours around midnight.

Please lock your doors, make sure you have adequate outdoor lighting, and do not leave any valuables in plain sight. Stay safe.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Abilene's Housing Market Stays Hot

The Abilene Association of Realtors said 2015 was one of the strongest years in recent history for the number of houses sold and the median price per home.

In 2015, 1,629 homes were sold in Abilene, beating the 1,443 homes sold in 2014.

Last year, the median home price was around $149,000, and statewide that number was $195,000.

Monday, March 14, 2016

Social Media in Your Neighborhood

Seattle struggles to deal with the needs of neighborhoods, equality, and the limits of social media. We at Properties by Watson try to learn and watch as others bring creativity and wisdom to our challenges of living together.

Read more from the city of Seattle in The Seattle Times.

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Google Wallet Still the Safest, Venmo Still the Easiest

We still offer multiple online payment options for our tenants, though time is shaking down the competition to two primary popular choices. For most people, the ease and speed of Venmo means that they stop looking and just get on with their lives. Google Wallet offers better security; though the slight increase in complication has slowed popular adoption. As our payment accounts support Square Cash, Google Wallet, Venmo, and PayPal, you have the choice as to which service meets your needs. Most all of them offer free services. Just remember to look carefully at the details so that you don't end up paying 3% in aditional fees for paying through a credit card instead of linking a bank account.

Read more in Ethan Wolff-mann's Time magazine article http://time.com/money/4041302/mobile-payment-apps-peer/