Neighborhood Garage Sale
Friday April 25 (optional) & Saturday April 26
Who can participate?
You, of course.
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The Garage Sale is advertised as a neighborhood sale, which means people put on sales in their front yards.
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Email us (Events.bvshoa) your address and anything special, such as 2-families or special items like sports equipment.
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We will email you a list and a map that you can print and hand out to everyone who comes to your home. If everyone does this, we all can be winners.
How does the HOA advertise?
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The HOA places ads in forums such as Nextdoor and Craigs List,
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posts in the HOA Newsletter and website,
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sends reminders via the email and FB groups, and
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places "Garage Sale This Saturday" signs at the main entrances a few days before.
How do I advertise?
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Send invitations to family and other groups,
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place signs from the main streets (Spicewood Parkway and Taterwood) to your street,
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funny signs can be a plus, and
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tie balloons, streamers, etc. to your mailbox so your sale is visible from a distance.
Why are some people selling on Friday, too?
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Experienced sellers report Fridays often are their big days. Probably the Early Bird effect. You may want to consider being open.​
What is happening on Sunday?
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Sunday can be for giving away Freebies. The City used to have bulk pickup in the spring, and we scheduled the Garage Sale the weekend before. Anything that did not sell was left on the curb, and people would come through in their trucks and pick up items. There may be pickers driving through.​​
What do I do with the left-over items?
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You may donate items to organizations.
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You may leave items at the curb for people who cruise neighborhoods after a big sale.
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The City now has Bulk Item Pickup by appointment. It is growing in popularity, so make an appointment for the following week now.
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Use the link to review the City rules and schedule an appointment. ​​​​​​
Useful Ideas
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Children can have their own area to sell outgrown toys - good motivation.
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Don't have much to sell? Check with neighbors to see if they are interested. In this case, bigger is better.
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You can ask more for items that are clean and in good shape.
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Easier to sell items with prices marked.
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Clothes on hangers sell better.
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Jewelry easier to manage if attached to index cards.
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Include manuals with appliances and electronics.
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Collect bags, boxes, tissue paper (to wrap fragile items).
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Set out a bin marked "Free" for extra items.​
Before the Sale
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Buy pricing stickers, balloons for mailbox, supplies to make signs.
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Clear yard of tripping hazards.
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Have extra chairs for those waiting on a shopper.​
Sale Day
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Place biggest and best items at curb.
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Place full-length mirror near clothes (inexpensive ones at Target / Walmart).
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Place bin marked "Hangers" near clothes.
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Place smaller and/or high-value items where always visible.
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Set out extension cord for checking appliances.
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Set up check-out area with notepad, pens, calculator, measuring tape (to check on size of large items).
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If you use a cash box, then someone always must be there.
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ONLY accept cash, Venmo, or similar payment. NO checks.
Neighborhood Meeting About Oak Wilt
The BVS HOA and Balcones Country Club co-hosted a well-attended meeting about Oak Wilt with Camille Wiseman as a speaker from Texas A&M Forest Service. Click the link to the Trees and Plants page to find a copy of her presentation.​
Wiseman - Oak Wilt Presentation​
In her work as a Woodland Ecologist with Texas A&M Forest Service, she advises property owners on a number of issues, one being the Oak Wilt disease that affects the oak trees in the central Texas area.
We were fortunate to have her speak at our joint meeting with Balcones Country Club about Oak Wilt, which has been identified in our neighborhood. She addressed identification, spread, control, and treatment of the disease. ​
Old Lampasas Dam
The Old Lampasas Dam is being replaced. The picture shows how large the old one is, which is an indication of how much traffic will be generated to remove the rubble.
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The project began in November 2024 and will take 18 months to complete. Be sure to read the info from the City because it will have a big effect on people driving on Spicewood Springs Road.​​
Fire Safety
The wildfires in Los Angeles have been a sobering situation for many people in the Texas Hill Country, as well as in our neighborhood. Travis County offers helpful tips and guidance for home safety on their website. Maybe Block Groups can get together to discuss and come up with ideas. Read more at the link.
Travis County Wildland Fire Website
This video from Travis County describes five important tips for our homes.
Who Can Drive Golf Carts on Public Streets
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Spring is coming, and it is fun to cruise around in a golf cart. However, there are a few legal considerations. If the golf carts are driven on public streets, they must be licensed and insured. Also, the drivers of the carts must be the same - having a valid Texas Driver's License and insurance.
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Possible outcomes include being stopped by APD or a Travis County Constable with tickets issued for unlicensed and uninsured driver and unlicensed and uninsured vehicle. The fines will add up and noted when auto insurance renews. Also, should there be property damage or injury to a person, other insurance difficulties may arise, depending on your carrier.
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https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/opinion-files/opinion/2021/kp-0364.pdf
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