At home

Carve pumpkins

When most people think of fall, they think of Halloween, candy and pumpkins! Head over to your local grocery store or farm and have each member of your family pick out the perfect pumpkin. Next, set up a carving area outdoors (those seeds are messy) and see who can come up with the spookiest or most creative design. Better yet, get members of the community involved in a pumpkin carving contest! Have each participating house set up pumpkins on the doorstep, then walk around the neighborhood and choose your favorites. For small children who can’t carve, buy some paint and let them create spooky faces on their pumpkins.

Create DIY fall decor

Texas may not have the fall foliage of New England, but that doesn’t mean we can’t compete when it comes to seasonal decorations! There are a ton of ideas, both kid- and adult-friendly, on Pinterest and family blogs. Some of our quintessential fall favorites include wreath-making, yarn pumpkins, acorn painting for centerpieces and pinecone bird feeders. Spread out blankets in the backyard or on the patio and enjoy the sunshine while you create beautiful autumn masterpieces for the home!

Host a harvest party

Get your family, neighbors and friends together to transform your backyard into a whimsical fall backdrop with pumpkins, gourds, leafy garlands and hay. You can create a caramel apple bar for dessert by cutting up slices and sticking them on lollipop sticks. Your guests can then dip into the caramel and decorate with all their favorite toppings, including nuts, candy pieces and mini marshmallows! Set up a craft table where the kids can decorate paper leaves and tie them to tree branches. Also, try to organize a hide-and-seek game to keep the kids busy in the newly decked-out yard. And don’t just hand them treats, make them search! Hide a series of clever clues under pumpkins, gourds and other fall markers that lead to small toys, books, games and other prizes. Vary the options so there’s something for everyone!

In the community

Check out nature on a fall hike

Central Texas may not have mountains, but it’s home to lots of greenbelts and trails. These are perfect for hikes both easy and challenging. Autumn is a great time to dust off those sneakers after the summer heat and hit the ground running (or walking). Many MileStone communities are located beside or close to local parks filled with trails, including Searight Village (situated next to the 344-acre Mary Moore Searight Metro Park) and Easton Park, which boasts 350-plus acres of parks, pathways and green space, as well as more than 13.1 miles of trail systems. If you’re living in the West Cypress Hills community, your home site may adjoin the greenbelt, providing easy hike access and gorgeous views.

Have a playdate

Hiking isn’t the only way to get outside and soak up the sun. Pack a picnic, round up the family and head to your local playground for food, music and, best of all, playtime! MileStone communities such as Shadow Creek and Larkspur boast top-of-the-line playscapes, luxurious clubhouses and resort-style pools to dive into after playing outside all day!

Visit a farmers market

Take advantage of the mild fall weather and venture out to a local farmer’s market. Here you can buy all your fall favorites: pumpkins, apples, cider and pies! It’s always good to support local vendors.

No matter which outdoor entertainment ideas you choose, you’re sure to experience an autumn full of amusement. Embrace the season and make as many memories as you can! For ideas on bringing fall indoors, check out our autumn accents blog.

The post Fall outdoor entertainment ideas at home and in the neighborhood appeared first on Austin Homes for Sale | New Homes Austin | Milestone Home Builder Blog.

About the event

The 3rd Annual Milestone Memorial Event gets underway on May 19 and will continue all the way up to Memorial Day! During that time, you are invited to stop by one of our sales centers to take a tour of a new MileStone home.

For every tour of a new home during the event, MileStone will donate $10 to the Veterans of Foreign Wars! By taking a tour of one of our homes, you can directly support America’s veterans.

Community spotlight

This Austin Memorial Day event will shine a spotlight on many of our communities. To get an idea of the type of home that best suits you, explore these three communities that each offer a unique lifestyle in a distinct part of the city:

• Larkspur: This large community offers the best of Texas Hill Country living. Its more than 1,400 homes are located in Williamson County, just 30 minutes from downtown Austin. Perfect for families, Larkspur offers a cozy neighborhood atmosphere and wide-open spaces. Also, you’ll enjoy a wealth of nearby outdoor attractions including more than 100 acres of parkland and open space along the San Gabriel River. As a plus, Larkspur has its own on-site elementary school.
• Smithfield: A boutique community in South Austin, Smithfield offers a low-maintenance lifestyle at an entry-level price point. Just 13 miles from downtown, this community is surrounded by some of the city’s best bars, restaurants and music venues. Therefore, you’ll find that this is a great living option if you want to enjoy the full Austin experience.
• The Park at Brushy Creek: Cedar Park is one of the great family-friendly neighborhoods north of Austin! This makes The Park at Brushy Creek ideal for anyone who prefers a more suburban lifestyle. Downtown Austin is still just a short drive away, but this community feels far from the fast pace of the big city. The Park at Brushy Creek is part of the award-winning Round Rock Independent School District. Also, this community is within walking distance of some of the area’s best parks and trails.

We hope you enjoy this year’s Austin Memorial Day events! Feel free to contact us today to find out more about the 3rd Annual MileStone Memorial Event. Also, don’t hesitate to chat with our team about finding a new home.

The post Honoring veterans at our 3rd Annual MileStone Memorial Event appeared first on Austin Homes for Sale | New Homes Austin | Milestone Home Builder Blog.

Communicating ahead of time

For everyone’s benefit, it’s wise to have a little chat with your guests before they arrive. Here are a few good questions to ask:

• When are they coming and how long do they plan to stay?
• Do they have their own transportation?
• Is there anything specific they want to do while they’re in town?
• Do they have any food requirements, allergies or preferences?
• Do they have any other special requirements?

For your own sanity, it’s also important that you let your houseguests know about your own situation so they don’t have unreasonable expectations. Let your guests know about:

• Your work or other commitments during the time of their stay
• Any household routines that must be adhered to, such as children’s bedtimes or letting out pets at certain times
• Their sleeping arrangements
• What they need to bring and what you’ll be able to provide

Getting your house ready

How much work you put into preparing your house for overnight guests depends on what state your living space is in to begin with—hopefully it’s not too far gone—and how discerning your guests will be. For example, you’ll probably want to clean more intensively for your mother in-law than for your old college buddies.

If you’re hosting a holiday party or get-together in addition to having people stay with you, chances are you’ll be taking care of some of these tasks anyway:

• Cleaning: You don’t have to scrub your windows and dust every knickknack, but cover all the basics. Sweep and vacuum, give the kitchen and bath areas a good once-over, and eliminate as much clutter as you can.
• Sleeping arrangements: If you have a guest bedroom, put clean sheets, blankets and pillows on the bed—bonus points for extra blankets. Also, clear out a drawer for your guests’ belongings, and try to make the room look clean while keeping it homey. If you don’t have a guest room, do what you can to make your couch, futon or air mattress as warm and welcoming as possible.
• Stock up: You’ll want to provide for your guests as best you can… within reason. Make sure there’s food in the fridge, put clean towels in the closet and if you’ve been saving all those little hotel soaps and shampoos for years, now is your chance to put them out!

Hosting houseguests

While hosting houseguests, your goal is to make them feel comfortable and welcome, not like they’re in the way or that you’re inconveniencing yourself to accommodate them.

• Put out some games and reading materials (for kids and adults).
• Make plenty of outlets available for phone-charging.
• Plan activities and trips, but allow some downtime too.
• Invite guests to be a part of your regular routine—ask if they need to go to the store or want to come walk the dog.
• Give your guests priority parking.
• Make snacks available and let your guests know that they can help themselves.
• If they ask to help out, let them. Everybody likes to feel useful!

You don’t have to provide constant entertainment or transform your home into a five-star hotel for your houseguests—and chances are, your guests understand this as well as you do. So, have fun while you’re hosting houseguests! For more holiday tips, check out our blog.

The post Hosting houseguests for the holidays appeared first on Austin Homes for Sale | New Homes Austin | Milestone Home Builder Blog.

It’s almost that time! Whether you’re guiding youngsters around town in search of candy or staying home to hand out Halloween treats of your own, Oct. 31 is a chance to dress up and let your inner child shine through for a night. However you plan to spend your All Hallows’ Eve this year, these simple Halloween tips will keep things fun and safe!

Trick-or-treating tips

An opportunity to go from door to door collecting free candy is a dream come true for most kids, and it only comes once a year. You can have a blast taking them out on Halloween as long as you keep comfort and safety in mind with the following Halloween tips:

• Plan your route in advance. Looking at an online map ahead of time will help you avoid long walks. Stick to well-lit areas and focus on neighborhoods with lots of houses ready to hand out the good stuff.
• Wear comfortable shoes. This is great advice for kids and grownups alike, and you won’t regret it!
• Keep children together at all times and don’t let them run ahead. If you’re taking a large group trick-or-treating, you might want to have more than one adult around to keep an eye on everybody.
• Put your phone away and instruct children to do the same. Having your phones with you is a good idea in case anybody gets separated from the group. Although, holding them while you’re walking around is a safety hazard and takes away from the experience.
• Carry flashlights and attach reflective tape to kids’ costumes to make them more visible to passing cars.
• Check your children’s candy. Make it a firm rule that no candy gets eaten until you arrive back at home. Once at home, check to make sure it’s all safe. Discard any candy that isn’t in its original wrapper or appears to have been tampered with in any way.

Handing out goodies

If you love celebrating Halloween and put just as much work into your costume as your kids do, this is your time to shine. Staying home to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters can be just as much fun as going out—and involves a lot less walking! Just keep a few things in mind:

• Keep your front porch light on and put up at least a few basic Halloween decorations so that trick-or-treaters passing by know you’re “open for business.”
• It’s important to maintain a clear, safe path to your door, so clear your front porch or stoop of any unnecessary clutter.
• Only hand out store-bought candy in its original wrapper. Fruit and homemade goodies have a bad rap, and many parents will make their kids throw away repackaged treats. And you really don’t want to be the house that hands out toothbrushes, pennies or pencils, do you?
• Smile, and be personable! Compliment your visitors’ costumes! If you don’t know what someone is dressed up as, feel free to ask. Most kids will be more than happy to tell you.
• Be as generous as you want to be, but don’t feel obligated to give more than one piece of candy to each visitor.
• Eventually, you’ll run out of candy or feel a little tired! Turn out your front lights to signify that the store is closed. Hopefully you’ll have a little candy left over to enjoy for yourself!

When Oct. 31 rolls around, these Halloween tips will ensure a fun and safe time for all. Our communities in Austin, Texas, are great places for trick-or-treaters. Contact MileStone today to learn more!

The post Halloween tips for both sides of the doorstep appeared first on Austin Homes for Sale | New Homes Austin | Milestone Home Builder Blog.

Game-day prep

Planning ahead is your ticket to a game-day party that actually gives you a chance to enjoy the game yourself, instead of just running around making sure everyone else is having a good time! Whatever you’re planning for food—more on that in a minute—you’ll want to have some backups handy in case your guests polish off your planned menu.

Make sure you’re well-stocked with napkins, paper plates, plastic cups and disposable utensils. And ice! Lots of ice! Keep paper towels and a bottle of your favorite household cleaner on hand for the inevitable spill, and you’re in business!

Arrange your party space so there’s plenty of seating with a good view of the TV. If you know a neighbor or two with some extra chairs to spare, now you have an excuse to invite them over! Go as overboard as you want when it comes to decking out your space in sports-centric decor. Of course, there’s no need to go wild with decorations. However, buying plates and cups in your team’s colors is a nice touch!

Food and drink

There’s nothing wrong with keeping your game-day party menu simple. After all, chips and salsa never disappointed anyone, but you can have fun with it too. For instance, your favorite guacamole recipe and this amazing chicken wing dip are great alternatives to store-bought dip. Grilling up some dogs and burgers is a great option for outdoor game-day parties. You can also whip up some awesome sliders or pigs-in-a-blanket in your oven.

Set up your game day treats buffet-style for easy access. Try to bring things out at different times to avoid getting cleaned out early on. Don’t forget to include some nutritious options like nuts and fresh fruit for health-conscious visitors. Also, asking your guests to bring a dish to pass is a great way to get your friends and neighbors involved.

For beverages, the classic cooler full of beers and soft drinks on the back porch is an old standby. For a more fun drink arrangement, set up smaller buckets filled with ice and chilled beverages throughout the party area. If you’re looking for a DIY drink option, this killer homemade lemonade recipe is great for post-game parties on a warm day!

Fun and games

Sure, you’re all getting together to watch the big game, but having everybody glued to the TV all day doesn’t make for a very lively party. Add in a few games of your own to keep things fun! These free, printable game-day bingo cards turn the experience of watching the game into, well, a game by letting your guests mark off boxes based on what happens on the screen.

Outdoor lawn games are also great for keeping things lively before, after and during breaks in the big game. Bean bag toss games are as popular as ever! It’s actually pretty easy to make your own boards. Complete them with a custom paint job that shows off your team colors.

Throwing a game-day party is a great way to celebrate your favorite team’s hard-won victory (or noble defeat, as the case may be) while getting to know your neighbors. Here’s to a fun-filled season! For more home ideas and tips, check out our blog!

The post Game-day party: Your guide to an easy & fun at-home tailgate appeared first on Austin Homes for Sale | New Homes Austin | Milestone Home Builder Blog.

After you’ve purchased a new home, you may start thinking about hosting a housewarming party. If you’re wondering how to host a housewarming party, there is no “right” or “wrong” way, as approaches may vary from homeowner to homeowner. You might be reticent to spend money on a party when you’ve just made such a big investment (not to mention ALL of the other expenses that go along with buying a home!) and you may not be ready to have people in your new home for weeks, or even months, after you’ve moved in.

Not to fret! We have three ideas for housewarming parties for various points in your move-in timeline.

Painting party (for those who have just moved in)

A painting party can be fun for everyone! The premise is simple: Invite your friends to come over and help you paint some of the rooms in your new home!

All you need to do is supply paint, brushes and some instructions, and make sure your guests know when to come over! We LOVE these paint chip invites—just make sure your guests know what they’ll be doing!

Get this party started with these tips:

1. Work ahead: Prime walls and put painter’s tape where it needs to be placed, but do that before the day of the party. That way, your guests can get to work right away!
2. Be considerate: Some of your friends may not be up to painting for whatever reason (pregnancy, disabilities, allergies, etc.), so make sure you have other jobs for them to do, like bringing refreshments or supervising!
3. Maximize: Assign four people to a room to get things done quickly. For smaller rooms, assign two or three people. Make sure your painters know each other or have compatible personalities to prevent paint-fights or other unpleasantness.
4. Provide fuel: Make sure beverages are on hand like water, beer, wine, but maybe save the alcohol for AFTER the painting is done! Don’t forget snacks or meals either. Potlucks are fine here, but keep in mind that you’re asking your friends for free labor, so having them bring their own food as well might be a bit much.

Stock-the-bar party (for those who have things in order)

Your rooms are in some semblance of order, but something’s missing… That adorable vintage bar cart you snagged is sadly empty, or least looking a little sparse. So, here’s where hosting a housewarming party can serve a dual purpose: bringing friends into your home and getting your bar looking healthy and stocked!

Invite your guests to bring one bottle for your cart and one bottle for the party itself (you don’t want to empty your bar cart the same night it gets filled!). For example, try these cute, on-point invitations to let your guests know what is what.

Here are some tips for your stock-the-bar party:

1. Safe driving: Since this party encourages drinking, make sure you have backup plans for everyone. Whether that means Uber, a taxi service or designated drivers. Prepare to have some overnight guests. You don’t want friends leaving the party if they’re in no state to drive themselves.
2. Publish your preferences: If there are certain spirits you prefer, don’t be afraid to say so! It’s your bar, so stock it with things you like!
3. Water and food: Again, as you’re asking guests to bring things, be sure to provide snacks and water!
4. Music is key: Have a list that goes from “chill” to “party” so you can help your guests loosen up and dance some of their cares away as the night goes on! How can you go wrong filling your new house with warmth and laughter?

Traditional housewarming party

(for those who are truly ready to entertain)

Now, you’re missing the guests! There are SO, SO many super-cute housewarming invitations in this world. So, we’ll just have to leave it to you and about five hours on Etsy to find the right fit.

Here are tips for throwing a traditional housewarming party:

1. Food: It is customary to provide food at a housewarming party to keep your guests well taken care of. Remember, you are entertaining them in your new home! Typically, the food would be wine, cheese and other small plates. So, think “cocktail hour,” not full catered event.
2. Gifts: Traditionally, bluebirds, pineapples and bamboo are offered to new homeowners. Some homeowners also choose to register for new housewares. If that sounds like you, make sure you include your registry on the invite for your guests. Accept all gifts graciously and pen thank-you notes after the party.
3. Warm the house… no, really: If you’re entertaining in the winter, then you can go really traditional and asks guests to bring a bit of firewood. This will actually help you warm your home. If you don’t have a fireplace, a good old-fashioned spring or summer bonfire may do. Make sure to check local laws to make sure your fire is safe (and legal)!
4. Give a tour: Make sure to show off your house to your guests! Take them room to room, and don’t be shy. Get happy and excited! Since, this is a new milestone in your life, your friends will be happy to see what you have accomplished.

At the end of the day, hosting a housewarming party should be fun. It’s a personal reflection of you and your home! Therefore, showing off your new home with friends and family is the perfect way to start the newest phase of your life!

The post Meet the neighbors: How to host a housewarming party appeared first on Austin Homes for Sale | New Homes Austin | Milestone Home Builder Blog.

Are you new to town or coming to visit our fair city for this event? In honor of the festival’s 30^th birthday, we wanted to capture a quirky element that might be helpful for visitors and locals alike.

So, here are some of the most common types of people you’ll meet at SXSW:

The Overzealous SXSW-er

“Why are you here? Do you have a product? What company do you represent? Can I have your card? Do you want to meet for coffee? Where are you staying? What are you going to see today?” Aaaaaaand breath. This person is what we call the Overzealous. Most often found prowling the hallways of the Austin Convention Center during SXSW Interactive, this type of attendee has a GREAT new business plan to tell you all about. Did they mention they were looking for investors? Did they also mention that they’re looking for new and interesting opportunities?

How to spot them: Unfortunately, they’ll usually spot you first. The sounds of feet shuffling quickly toward you and a business card being removed from an envelope will precede them.

How to escape: Tell them you have a panel all the way at the other end of the center and have to jet. Then just run away… even if you have nowhere to go.

The VIP SXSW-er

SXSW has a ton of events: panels, showcases, premiers and parties. The holy grail of SXSW Badges is the coveted Platinum Badge. This badge gets you into pretty much anything, and sometimes, you don’t even have to wait in an event line with the other peasants. The VIP will keep their platinum badge extremely visible to everyone at all times. It allows them to get into VIP events, and they are MORE THAN happy to tell everyone around them about it.

How to spot them: Their platinum badge just happens to fly into your face as you pass them on the sidewalk, or they loudly exclaim upon encountering any line, “EXCUSE ME, DO I NEED TO WAIT IN THIS LINE IF I HAVE A PLATINUM BADGE?”

How to escape: More than likely, you don’t have a platinum badge, so you won’t have to worry too much about the VIP hanging around. Although, if you do have one and you prefer to be low-key, mumble something under your breath about the great swag in the VIP lounge and they’ll often retreat to go look.

The Newsie SXSW-er

There is usually a lot of press at SXSW—representatives from outlets with big names like CNN to little bitty independent blogs will be there trying to get the latest scoop on the newest tech, the hottest band or the best new auteur.  So, you’ll frequently see them hovering over an outlet, charging a phone, a tablet, a laptop or all three. More often than not, you get caught in the crossfire of a candid shot taken from an iPhone for a live Twitter update. Try not to blink—they don’t have to time to edit.

How to spot them: The Newsie usually looks like a pack mule, toting their own personal newsroom with them wherever they go.

How to escape: Normally the Newsie is too busy trying to blog and update all of their social media at once to stop and have a conversation with you.

The Freshman SXSW-er

It’s their first time at SXSW and they’ve always wanted to go and they are so excited to be there and can you tell them where to find 6^th Street? These precious, baby birds are venturing out into SXSW for the first time and probably don’t know anyone there. They wander self-consciously from event to event and try to make friends whenever possible.

How to spot them: They are somewhat disheveled and exhausted looking. Usually because they didn’t realize the full scope of the event and how crazy-busy they’d be. They probably really need a drink of water.

How to escape: Honestly, if you can help a Freshman out, then you should. Austinites are known for our hospitality. So, just make sure they’re well-hydrated and remind them to download the SXSW app.

The Local SXSW-er

If you spot a local, see what they’re up to. You can usually tell who they are because you’re not sure if they’re super rich or a hobo. This is a classic Austin style. The Local will often weave effortlessly through crowds and high-five the door person at a venue. They just know exactly where to go at what time. Therefore, Locals are great because: 1) They can tell you best place to go; 2) They’re Austinites, so they are awesome, and 3) They were once freshmen, too. So many of us weren’t actually born in Austin, but we got here as soon as we could.

How to spot them: No badges but tons of wristbands. Men are sporting epic beards and women are fashionably disheveled with a tattoo or two.

How to escape: Don’t do it! A Local is your friend. Instead, offer them beer, tell them that you dig the East Side and everything will work out just fine.

At the end of the day, SXSW is a totally wonderful, overwhelming, magical, loud and sometimes ridiculous event! Have fun, be safe and don’t litter… since we don’t like that. #DontmesswithTexas

The post Top 5 personalities you’ll meet at SXSW in Austin, Texas appeared first on Austin Homes for Sale | New Homes Austin | Milestone Home Builder Blog.