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Meet Toni Combs

I was born and raised in Austin, Texas when Austin was still small, with a contagious energy that seemed to draw people from everywhere. We were still able to walk to the lake, the park, movies, and baseball games. Every University of Texas (UT) graduate wanted to remain in Austin.

After many years of private schools, business school and UT classes, opportunity knocked and I found myself in Dallas, Texas as assistant to a successful real estate developer and the president of the Dallas Apartment Association. After a few years, I returned to Austin as Event Planner for the Texas Apartment Association. I found both jobs extremely exciting. A trend was definitely brewing and I realized that the common thread was "people."

We built our own homes, refurbished a few, and I was always available to my friends for decorating ideas. For a brief time, I even owned a small boutique. No connection? Wrong... it's that common threat again - "people."

Obviously, the next step was real estate. In 1972, I became a licensed real estate agent. The weekend before my license arrived in the mail, I sold a duplex to a young couple I met by the pool. I knew I was in the right job!

In 1973, I got my Texas Real Estate License and my Brokers License shortly thereafter. I knew I was in the right place. Along the journey, I worked with builders/developers and sold residential and commercial real estate. We built our own homes, refurbished a few, and I was always available to my friends for decorating ideas. For a brief time, I even owned a classy little boutique. No connection? Wrong... it's that common thread again - "people."

Retiring to Mexico

In 2001, we were having thoughts about retiring. It was difficult for me to imagine leaving Austin. Could I ever find a place that would feel the same? My children were grown, however, my mother was very ill and I could not leave her. While visiting Lake Chapala I met a wonderful woman who had a nursing background. The wheels started turning - could I possibly bring mother here? Within a few months, we sold our home in Texas, drove Mama to the San Antonio Airport to meet "Saint" Alicia who would accompany her to the Guadalajara. We kissed Mama and Alicia goodbye and drove south with our two dogs. During the entire trip I was thinking, "This is bizarre. Could this all really fall into place?"

Yes, it could, and did! The warm, personal care that Alicia provided my mother at an unbelievably low cost, was by far better than I could have imagined. It was beyond my wildest dream to have resolved my biggest concern so easily.

We signed a one-year lease and made a pact to wait at least one year to buy. However, immediately we knew that we were in the right place and saw no reason to wait! Before we were unpacked, we were house shopping and have never looked back.

An interior shot of our current home that we designed and built.

Yes, this little slice of heaven in Mexico, with its beautiful lake, mountains, and a climate that actually makes the trees and flowers grow overnight had claimed our hearts; and amazingly felt so like Austin, without the freeways and soaring property taxes. I felt comfortable - I was home!

Helpful Information for Both of Us

Are you traveling to Ajijic on beautiful Lake Chapala, Mexico and interested in looking at real estate? I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you about:

It would be helpful for me and beneficial to you, for us to be in touch before you arrive, either by email or telephone. Upon arrival, I would like for us to have a brief meeting - perhaps over cocktails - to discuss any questions, ideas or suggestions. We will begin with a general tour of popular areas around the lake and see a "feature" home. After our initial interview, you and I will have a better idea of what our home search should include. We will make a plan and work from there.

Please take a minute to fill out the information form below so that I can know your basic needs and price range before you arrive. This allows me to prepare a portfolio just for you.

It will be my pleasure to hear from you, develop a great relationship and work together to find your dream home in the beautiful communities around Lake Chapala, Mexico. Expect an exciting and fun adventure!

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