Finding HOME

I've been in Austin about a month and a half now and we think we've settled on the perfect location to set up our home and my business. I am quite sure that we have driven our poor realtor absolutely crazy in the search for a home with a pool, enough room to park, easy to get to from major intersections, a fenced-in back yard, a side entrance to the back yard, enough room for all of our stuff(!), and it has to feel like home. She has run all over town for us, and for that, we appreciate you VERY much, Alex Leach!

Our applications and deposit are in, and we are just waiting for the final word before we can move into our new home. It is located in Northwest Hills - West of Mopac, East of 360, South of Spicewood Springs, and North of 2222. I don't want to post the address yet, because it's not final, but the street name even has the word "water" in it! How perfect is that?

Of course, not everything has been perfect. First we had a scare about the neighborhood association not allowing people to run businesses from their homes in the neighborhood, but some quick research on the internet and a few well written emails cleared up that problem. The association members even told me that they were excited to welcome me to the neighborhood and that my services would be a great addition for the residents. But they also informed me that I would have to go through the zoning department of the city. I spent another day researching on the internet and contacting a few of my friendly city officials (one even got my phone number for swim lessons for her grandson!) and I was approved under the Home Occupation provision.

So now that all the hoops have been cleared, it's time to get approved for the lease and move in. The house has an above ground pool with very sturdy decking around the pool. It also has a hot tub directly outside of the master bedroom sliding glass doors - it may not get used at all for swim lessons, but I'm sure I can use it to wind down at the end of a long day! The front of the house does have a side entrance to the backyard which is great for clients to let themselves in if I am still in the water with another student. There is even an upstairs deck where parents can watch the lessons and stay out of sight of the children. (I'll explain why this is a good tactic in another installment.) From the deck, parents can enter the upstairs office to avoid the heat, us the restroom, use the shower for the kiddos after lessons, or serve themselves a cold beverage from the mini-fridge. I will also be adding a television with disney movies on loop to keep siblings entertained while brother or sister swims. I can't wait to decorate it and make it kid-friendly!

The neighborhood we chose is seconds from an elementary school and a middle school. It is also in close proximity to a tutoring facility and a place for music lessons. I think the location is going to be great! Once we get our approval, TKO Swim will have its first home!!