Coming home to Sabine

When Brent and Julie Stigler first met in 2014, they instantly bonded over their mutual love for British singer-songwriter Robbie Williams. The couple married 6 years ago, and currently go out to hear music several nights a week from their downtown Austin condo. “We’re big music people,” Julie says. “When Brent retires in a few years, we’re going to go to some of the music festivals in the UK! Right now, we’re looking forward to seeing what’s available around San Marcos. We love finding a place with live music and getting drinks and dinner.” 

Starting the next chapter  

Brent and Julie first came to look at Kissing Tree four years ago, but it wasn’t until the homes in Kissing Tree’s Sabine neighborhood became available that they found exactly what they were looking for. “We knew we wanted to be in an over 55 community with exercise options, food and drink options, and good security, too,” Brent says. “We saw a commercial for Kissing Tree, and we loved it. We were originally thinking about a Cottage or maybe a Villa, but having the backyard space was so important to us. We didn’t want a huge house, and we didn’t want stairs. We wanted to have a room or two for family or visitors, and we wanted a little bit of backyard, but not a 60- or 70-foot lot.”

The perfect compromise

When Leslie (their New Home Counselor) told the Stiglers about Kissing Tree’s new 40-foot traditional homes, they were excited. “We loved that it was a compromise price- and size-wise,” Julie says. “There was an end lot on the cul-de-sac, and it was perfect for what we want to do.” The Stiglers had been planning to wait until next year to look more seriously (when Julie is closer to retirement), but the combination of the great lot and low price convinced them to make their move to Sabine. “We weren’t going to pull the trigger this year, but a couple things came together,” Brent says. 

The flexibility of the Evergreen 

Brent and Julie ended up going with the Evergreen floor plan by Brookfield Residential. Their new home is under construction and expected to be complete in February. “Work from home space was important, since we’re both still working, and we loved the flex room in the Evergreen,” Brent says. “We’ll probably get something like a Murphy bed so the office can also be a guest room.” 

Planning for the good times

Now that their home is underway, the Stiglers are looking forward to becoming part of the Kissing Tree community. “Julie is looking forward to retirement life as a pickleball player — growing up she played tennis,” Brent says. “She’ll probably have a cup in one hand and a paddle in the other! I’m a little more of a golfer than Julie, but we’ve both been taking some golf lessons. The swimming looks great, and the gym. I like to walk every morning. And we do want to get a pet in the future, probably a dog.” 

If you see the Stiglers around Kissing Tree, be sure to welcome them and let them in on all of your favorite KT activities. And if you’re still looking for your perfect home at Kissing Tree, come be their neighbor in Sabine.