The campus will be the new location for any workers located in the north Houston area and will contain multiple low-rise office buildings, as well as laboratory, conference and training centers. In addition, the campus will offer several amenities for its workers, including child care and a wellness center.

The Houston real estate market has become popular for commercial properties. In fact, it was recently reported that along with Minneapolis and Dallas, Houston is one of the most sought-after regions for commercial real estate.

1. Important Dates in June
2. The Master Plan in Cypress, Texas!
3. Weekend Get Aways – Jacksonville, Texas
4. Inventory slows during May, but median prices up
5. From the Broker’s Office
6. The Gourmet Corner

Important Dates in June

The Master Plan in Cypress, Texas!
Courtesy – Houston Real Estate Observer
By Jim MulhollandIf you would like to build a new home in a large, master-planned community in the Cypress, Texas area, you have 4 main options: Fairfield, Cypress Creek Lakes, Towne Lake, and Bridgeland. Following is a summary of each subdivision.

Fairfield
Breaking ground way back in 1988 by master-planned community pioneer Friendswood Development Company, Fairfield was lovingly given the nickname “Far”field due to its location 13 miles past the next closest suburban neighborhood off Highway 290, Jersey Village. 23 years later, Fairfield is still going strong and no longer out in the middle of nowhere.

Fairfield is a great combination of awesome amenities, excellent schools (all schools were Exemplary in 2010), and affordable houses. From the Friendswood Development website:

Complete with miles of greenbelt trails, lakes, neighborhood parks and numerous pools, Fairfield has become a community that’s known more as a small town. A growing number of the move-up homebuyers in Fairfield are residents of the community. This is because Fairfield has everything they need close to home.

Fairfield At A Glance

• Developer:Friendswood Development Company
• Size: 3,200 acres
• Homesites: 5,600
• Year Started: 1988
• Price Range: $100k – $600k
• Estimated Tax Rate: 3.0% – 3.6%
• Website

Cypress Creek Lakes
Sandwiched between Towne Lake to the east and Bridgeland on the west, Cypress Creek Lakes is the most overlooked master-planned community in Cypress.

Cypress Creek Lakes does not have the amenities that the other communities have on this list, but it does have a nice pool, a splash pad, several beautiful lakes, and is in the final stages of building out a very nice community center. CCL also the only master-planned community in Cypress with an elementary (Warner), middle school (Smith), and high school (Cy-Ranch) all within its borders.

Home values in CCL are very good especially when you factor in the size of the lot. For example, you can build a new Perry or Coventry Home on an 80′ x 150′ starting in the $330k range. If you would like to build on an 80′ x 120′ lot across the street in Bridgeland, your price will start in the $410k range. Property taxes are also lower in Cypress Creek Lakes than other new homes neighborhoods in the area with a tax rate at about 3.19%.

Cypress Creek Lakes At A Glance

• Developer: Mischer
• Size: 1,600 acres
• Homesites: 2000
• Year Started: 2004
• Price Range: $180k – $600k
• Estimated Tax Rate: 3.19%
• Website

Towne Lake
Towne Lake is being built around “The Lake” which will be over 300 acres with over 14 miles of shoreline when it is all said and done. Motorized boats are allowed on the lake along with water skiing and tubing. Other amenities include a pool, splash pad, exercise room, and tennis courts. Future amenities will include a much larger pool with a lazy river, a 5000 seat amphitheater, and shopping that can be accessed via boat.

The starting price is higher in Towne Lake than the other communities on this list, but the lots are good sized and the houses are very nice. It is also important to consider that the older sections of Towne Lake closer to West Rd are at a 3.1% tax rate while the newer sections are at 3.7%.

Towne Lake At A Glance

• Developer: Caldwell Companies
• Size: 2,400 acres
• Year Started: 2006
• Price Range: $220 – $650k
• Estimated Tax Rate: 3.1% – 3.75%
• Website

Bridgeland
At 11,400 acres, Bridgeland is by far the largest master-planned subdivision in the Cypress area and the fourth largest in the Houston area behind The Woodlands, Kingwood, and Clear Lake City.

Over 3000 acres of Bridgeland will be dedicated to lakes, trails, and parks with all utility lines underground to not take away from the beautiful scenery. Residents can also checkout canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats to cruise around the community lakes, or they can checkout disc golf discs to play a round of 18 “holes” on the frisbee golf course. One of their four planned resort style pools is complete with splash pad, diving boards, and 2 big water slides.

Homes start at a very modest $180k range, but the cost per square foot for homes in Bridgeland are typically going to be higher than other Cypress neighborhoods. You will also be paying more in property taxes than other Cypress area neighborhoods with a tax rate at about 3.75% before homestead.

Bridgeland At A Glance

• Developer: The Howard Hughes Corporation
• Size: 11,400 acres
• Year Started: 2006
• Price Range: $180k – $900k
• Estimated Tax Rate: 3.75%
• Website

Weekend Get Aways – Jacksonville, TexasCourtesy – Jacksonville Chamber of Commerence

Jacksonville Tomato Fest – June 11, 2011
Location: Commerce and Austin Street
Time: 9:00am to 11:00pmThis family fun day will go on all day long with activities that are sure to please everyone. Activities include arts and crafts vendors, Kiwanis Live Auction, kid’s games, Antique Car Show, Gospel Concert and much more! If competition is more your style we will have a Salsa Contest, Karaoke Contest, Tomato Eating Contest for adults and kids, Tomato Peeling Contest, Fishing Tournament, Soccer Tournament, Tennis Tournament and more! This fruity event is all FREE! Free admission, free parking, free gospel concert and free entertainment. For more information contact the Chamber office or email sarah@jacksonvilletexas.com.

Inventory slows during May, but median prices up
Courtesy – Houston Real Estate Observer

The latest report from Altos Research discovered that the median prices of homes nationwide increased during May, while inventory slowed slightly.Overall, the Altos national median price settled at $444,273 during May, which is an improvement from $440,194 in April.Home prices also experienced significant increases throughout the country. San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and San Jose led the nation, as their prices grew between 3.14 percent and 3.33 percent. Of the 26 major metropolitan statistical areas surveyed by Altos, only two had declining prices – New York at 2.85 percent and Las Vegas at 0.76 percent. Houston properties, by comparison, averaged $216,668 during May – a 1.4 percent month-over-month increase and a 3.21 percent jump from the previous three months.Inventory levels fluctuated as well during the month. While the numbers are slower than earlier months, the overall supply was up 3.17 percent month-over-month. Boston experienced the largest jump, with 8.39 percent more available units. Houston’s market had 35,295 available units, which was down 1.18 percent from April, but up 5.53 percent during the last three months.As employment rates continue to get better, Houston’s real estate market could continue to improve.

From the Broker’s Office

In this month’s From the Broker’s Office I decided to share with you all a very important celebration for the Navarette family. This weekend my youngest son graduated high school. It’s a day I had been anticipating for years, a ceremonial farewell to raising teenage boys. It was a day of tears, joy, pride, and a great deal of reminiscing about the past and how quickly the years have raced by.The old cliché about how it was only yesterday that he was a little boy is all too true, and our young man has already moved on to the next chapter in his life started summer school.But before starting summer school, this past Sunday afternoon Marcus was awarded Scouting’s Highest Rank – Eagle Scout in a Court of Honor held. It was a memorable moment to see my son recognized for his meeting the challenges of scouting taking advantage of the opportunities afforded.I want to thank family and friends who shared these two important days by joining us in celebrating my son graduation and Eagle Scout Court of honor.

The Gourmet Corner

Chewy Brownie Cookies Recipe

• 2/3 cup shortening
• 1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon water
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup baking cocoa
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional

In a large bowl, cream the shortening, sugar, water and vanilla until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs. Combine the flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and beat just until blended. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts if desired.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 7-9 minutes; do not overbake. Cool 2 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool. Yield: 3 dozen. Yield: 18 Servings Prep: 10 minutes Bake: 10 minutes/batch 10

Yield: 18 Servings Prep: 10 minutes Bake: 10 minutes/batch 10
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (2 each) equals 276 calories, 14 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 24 mg cholesterol, 99 mg sodium, 39 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 3 g protein.

The company chose Houston as its base because “the economy in Texas is very strong,” Schermer said, “and Houston seemed to be the most vibrant and healthy city in the state.” Houston’s oil and gas and other types of industry also were factors, he said, noting that Texas generates 50 percent of the company’s sales.

Relocating its headquarters to Houston’s Memorial City Mall area will bring more than 20 corporate jobs here, Schermer said. The company’s Texas regional headquarters had been in Waco.

1. Important Dates in August
2. Is it the Right Time to Buy a Vacation Home?
3. Weekend Get Aways – “Fiesta Noches del Rio” San Antonio, Texas
4. New Residential Sales Decline during June
5. From the Broker’s Office
6. The Gourmet Corner

Important Dates in August

(*Denotes Holidays with dates that change annually)

August Birth Flower: Gladiolas – Flower of the Gladiators. Strength of character, sincerity, generosity, are traits symbolized in the Gladiolus.

Gladiolus (from Latin, the diminutive of gladius, a sword), sometimes called the sword lily, is a genus of flowering plants, iris family (Iridaceae).

August Birthstone: Peridot – Peridot is associated – love, truth, faithfulness and loyalty.

Is it the Right Time to Buy a Vacation Home?
Courtesy – Realty Times, By Phoebe Chongchua

Housing prices are more affordable than ever and that’s not just for a primary home. Today, the second-home luxury market is loaded with deals. Second-homes that once were out of the price range for many are now viable options, according to The Wall Street Journal.

That means that homes that once were $1,000,000+ are now being offered for significantly less. For instance, a Hilton Head Island property in South Carolina sold for $1.2 million back in June 2006. However, by April 2011, the same three-bedroom home sold for $750,000.

Price cuts like these are causing buyers to take note. Reports in The Wall Street Journal indicate that the second-home housing market won’t stay soft forever. Right now some vacation markets are starting to stabilize and prices are even beginning to creep up in, for instance, luxury markets in California and Colorado.

However, hot spots exist for those interested in a vacation home in Miami, Florida, Martha’s Vineyard, or Vail. In these areas foreclosures are helping to keep prices from rising.

Here are some hot spot markets for vacation homes as reported in The Wall Street Journal.

1. Santa Barbara, California: Today’s median home price: $695,000 as compared to five years ago: $1,000,000. Certainly prices are still high in this California market but lower than they were several years ago. It appears this market is stabilizing and may see increases in the future.
2. Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts: Today’s median home price: $403,000, but five years ago it was: $638,000.
3. Vail, Colorado: Today’s median home price is $385,000, but five years ago it was $562,000.
4. Miami, Florida: The median home price is now $130,000, but five years ago it was $302,000. In Palm Beach, the median price there today is $254,000, but five years ago it was $758,000.

Earlier this year, the vacation communities saw increases in prices that reached levels equivalent to the days before the housing boom. Analysts attribute the increase to steep discounts and cash purchases.

Homes in prime locations, like those near the water or ski slopes, are selling well. Real estate experts say that foot traffic has increased in some areas by about 30 percent.

Of course, on the lending side, banks are still cautious about making second-home mortgages, especially if they’re jumbo loans (higher than federally guaranteed limits). Many banks have implemented stricter standards for second-home loans.

But for many second-home buyers, getting a loan isn’t a big concern. Many of these buyers pay all cash and skip the entire mortgage process. According to the National Association of Realtors, more than 80 percent of second-home buyers bought their homes not for investment purposes but instead simply for enjoyment and a place to live. Last year 36 percent of the vacation-home sales were all-cash transactions. That’s increased from 2009 when the figure was just under 30 percent.

If a second-home is on your wish list, this may be the best time to shop and find a bargain!

Weekend Get Aways -”Fiesta Noche del Rio” San Antonio, Texas
Courtesy – Alamo-Kiwanis

Dates: August 5,6 and 12,13

Fiesta Noche del Rio is one of San Antonio’s most famous Latin cultural events. The event is held in La Villita, San Antonio’s first neighborhood, and is one of the many art districts in the city. The Fiesta Noche del Rio offers seasonal events that feature outdoor performances with songs and dances from Mexico, Spain, Argentina, and Texas. Fiesta Noche del Rio is the oldest and longest-lasting outdoor performance event in the United States. The first performance was in 1958 and the operation has delivered 52 events since its inception. The Fiesta Noche del Rio consists of seven acts. Act one begins with the Fiesta Noche del Rio theme song. Acts two and three provide musical performances from Spain and Argentina. During act four the crowd is wooed with Romantic Latin Music. Acts five through seven are a combination of songs and dances from Mexico and a final performance that is considered the Fiesta Finale.

The performance is based at the Arneson River Theater in the San Antonio River Walk. The Arneson River Theater is a historic theatre with beautiful grassy seating. The tranquil river divides the stage from the seating and creates great acoustics for the performances it holds. The audience can enjoy the performances of the acts overlooking the San Antonio River. Performances are conducted on the stage beyond the river and immediately in front of the seating area near the audience side of the river. Because the artists are so close to the audience it is common for the artists to speak with the crowd after the performances.

The current director and choreographer of the seven act flamenco and folkloric performance is Elizabeth Sanchez-Lopez, who was the dance coordinator for the 1993 Olympics festival. Many of the dancers and performers at the Fiesta Noche del Rio are well seasoned. The performances held at the celebration are all beautifully and professional done.

For a quarter of a century, Fiesta Noche del Rio has been an integral part of San Antonio’s entertainment. The Spanish culture in San Antonio heavily permeates the entire city and Fiesta Noche del Rio is no exception. Demographic experts in San Antonio estimate that more than sixty percent of the residents in San Antonio have some type of Hispanic heritage. The celebration contributes to the Spanish San Antonio vibe by commemorating Latin legacy. The Fiesta Noche del Rio is not only a fun and entertaining event but is also educational, teaching the public about the Spanish heritage of various Latin countries. Fiesta Noche del Rio exposes the heart of Spanish dance to those unfamiliar with the cultural background.

The Fiesta Noche del Rio normally starts in the evening at 7PM and performances begin an hour and a half later. The celebration lasts into the bright summer night and is a relaxing and enlightening way to spend an evening. There is a fee to enter the celebration. Adults are required to purchase a ticket for $15 and children between the ages of 6-14 and senior citizens can attend the celebration for $12.

http://www.city-data.com/city/San-Antonio-Texas.html

New Residential Sales Decline during June
Courtesy – Houston Real Estate Observer

According to a recent report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, new residential sales were up throughout the country during June.Overall, sales of new single-family homes settled at a seasonally adjusted rate of 312,000 during the month, according to the agency’s estimates. This total rate is 1 percent lower than the revised rate recorded in May of 315,000 units, but 1.6 percent higher than the estimate for June 2010, which was 307,000.

The lower number of sales during the month came as a surprise to many economists, many of whom point to the wavering confidence of homebuilders, as they continue to compete with the low prices of foreclosed properties on the market.

“You’re still dealing with a supply-demand imbalance that suggests home prices will remain under pressure,” Tom Porcelli, chief U.S. economist at RBC Capital Markets in New York, who forecast June sales at a 310,000 pace, told Bloomberg. “As unemployment stays high, it will be difficult to generate meaningful gains in home sales.”

Median sales prices for these new units settled at $235,200, while the average sales price was $269,000. The seasonally adjusted estimate of new homes for sale at the end of June totaled 164,000, which represents a supply of 6.3 months at the current sales rate. This level of supply is the lowest on record, according to Bloomberg.

The Houston real estate market has remained successful of the region’s steady job market. A recent report from the Houston Association of Realtors revealed continued increases in sales activity during June.

From the Broker’s Office

In this month’s From the Broker’s Office – A question many home sellers ask themselves. “Should I spend the money on a real estate commission or save that money by selling my home without the support and advice of a real estate professional?Today, I want to discuss why it is crucial to have a true professional guide you through the minefield of challenges that exist in the current real estate market. The housing market today is more challenging than it has ever been and it appears that is is becoming more difficult each day. What impact are foreclosures having on prices? Which loan products are current and still available? How do I convince perspective purchasers to pull the trigger on an offer when everyone is telling them that they should continue to see many more houses before they make a decision? These are tough question a trained, experienced professional deals with daily. Especially in today’s real estate environment a lay person would find it almost impossible to keep abreast of this rapidly evolving industry.Here are seven important reasons that I feel you should consider using a real estate professional:

1. Pricing Is Difficult
   Just a few years ago, you didn’t have to worry about overpricing your home. If it was too high, all you needed to do was wait as historic appreciation was taking place. The situation is quite different today. With experts calling for another drop in home values, overpricing your property will cost you time. In this market, time costs you money. A professional real estate agent will discuss your current properties value and how increasing inventory could dramatically impact its value in the months to come. They will help you try to set the right price for today’s market.
    
2. Negotiating Ability Is Crucial
   Buyers today have an almost unlimited supply of homes from which to choose. They realize that puts them in a great negotiating position. Many buyers are now being represented by an agent(yes, even when buying the for sale buyer owner property). Sellers need to also be represented by a professional expert trained to negotiate real estate transactions.
    
3. Mortgaging Is Key to the Deal
   The biggest impact of the housing market collapse is that lending standards are much stricter today than they were a few short years ago. Rules are constantly changing. Even FHA has gone through a guidelines overhaul in the last several months. You need a real estate expert who has teamed up with a knowledgeable mortgage professional to make sure that the buyer in the deal is in fact capable of obtaining a mortgage. Losing time with an unqualified buyer costs you money in a market where prices are falling.
    
4. Your Family’s Safety
   We have always found it puzzling that the same person that will lock every door and window and set the alarm today will then allow total strangers into their house tomorrow. The real estate industry trains its practitioners to take steps to protect themselves and their clients. Take advantage of putting a person between you and the person calling on an ad or yard sign.
    
5. Exposure to Potential Purchasers
   When sellers think of getting exposure for their home, they immediately think of print advertising. Certain print media might still have a place in marketing a niche property (luxury, equestrian, waterfront, etc.). However, we want our readers to know that, though print advertising has traditionally been the way homes had been introduced to the buying public in the past, the medium has been losing its impact over the last several years. Personally, I think print advertising in your local mediums has lost all it’s impact. Recent studies have shown that less than 3% of buyers nationally find their home through newspaper advertising today. At the same time, over 80% are shopping for their new home through the internet.Let’s take a look at how real estate experts market listings today. Multiple Listing Systems (MLS) Once you list your property with a member of the local MLS, every other member of the system is alerted that your house is now available for purchase. In a matter of hours, hundreds or thousands of real estate professionals have the ability to easily share the specifics of your home with each of their buyers. There is nothing an individual seller can do to come close to this immediate exposure to thousands of potential buyers.

   Internet Sites
   Almost every real estate company and many agents have their own websites promoting their homes for sale. Many companies also have standing relationships with national listing sites.At Texas Sage Properties, we use www.Realtor.com , www.homeseekers.com , www.trulia.com/, www.realestate.aol.com/, www.houston.oodle.com/housing/sale , www.zillow.com/ , www.har.com , www.realestate.yahoo.com/ , www.homes.com , www.houseandhome.msn.com/, www.homesandland.com , www.cyberhomes.com/, www.TexasSageProperties.com , www.frontdoor.com , www.craiglist.com , www.backpage.com , www.google.com , www.vast.com , www.usamls.com , www.CLRSearch.com , www.propertyqube.com , www.walmartclassifieds.com , www.walmartclassifieds.com , www.efind.com , www.winday.com , www.myspaceclassifieds.com , www.info.com and www.sweetwatermortgage.com . It would be very difficult for a seller to get the width of exposure the real estate agent has at his/her fingertips.

   Social Media
   More and more industry professionals are learning the power of social media when promoting real estate. We have created a community of followers looking for information about the region or neighborhood they work in. Of course, a percentage of those followers will be interested in what is taking place with the real estate market within that area. A new venture, which has yet been fully utilized, social media is beginning to play a larger role in the marketing of an area and the homes in that area. We use FACEBOOK (Texas Sage Properties). In addition we email your homes flyer to local brokers to promote YOUR home.

6. You Probably Have More Important Things to Do
   Selling a home could turn into a full time job. Learning the necessary disclosures, coordinating the dates of your closings, dealing with a challenge regarding your appraisal and negotiating the results of the engineer’s report are just a few of the concerns you may face. You would probably be better of spending that time with the items important to you and your family and leaving the challenges to your agent.
7. You can’t BOTH Save the Same Dollar
   What does that mean? As a seller, you don’t hire an agent for one reason really, to save the commission. A buyer shops the FSBO because they KNOW you aren’t paying a commission, so they offer you less for the house than they would have if it was listed with an agent! SO, you may end up with the same or LESS money than if you used an agent, AND you have all the work, time and headaches associated with keeping a deal together (if you can).

Since 2003, people have trusted the Texas Sage Properties name when buying or selling a home or commercial property. Texas Sage Properties professionals have over 600 successful transactions closed and that gives us the experience we need to KEEP YOUR SALE TOGETHER right to the closing table. Bottom Line – To make sure the sale of your home is handled professionally – hire trained, full time and experienced professionals. Call one of the Texas Sage Properties’ Realtors. In the long run, you will wind-up with more money in your pocket and have less challenges with the move.

The Gourmet Corner

Grilled Pork and Poblano Peppers Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 large poblano peppers
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 4-1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1-1/2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon aniseed, ground
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 pork tenderloins (about 1 pound each)

Cut the top off each pepper and set tops aside. Remove seeds. Stuff peppers with cheese. Replace tops and secure with toothpicks; set aside.

Combine the seasonings; rub over pork. Grill, covered, over medium-hot heat for 18 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 160°. Place peppers over indirect heat; heat for 10 minutes or until browned. Yield: 6-8 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 each) equals 195 calories, 11 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 57 mg cholesterol, 265 mg sodium, 5 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 19 g protein.

As of the 2010 census Houston is now the third-largest city in the United States. Houston has been also called “America’s booming opportunity city” by The American Magazine. But what is really impressive about Houston is that it has one of the best and most affordable Real Estate markets, strong job growth and a broad-based and growing economy. The oil and gas industry, the strong health care job base and international trade, along with the can-do business atmosphere, position Houston as a leader.

We are proud to offer relocating newcomers our full real estate services to help your move to Houston go as smoothly as possible. Visit our web site http://www.texassageproperties.com to learn more…

1. Important Dates in May
2. Developer betting on N. Harris’ future
3. Weekend Get Aways – Brenham, Texas
4. Remodeling Market Index Reaches Highest Level in Four Years
5. From the Broker’s Office
6. The Gourmet Corner

Important Dates in May

May 1 – May Day
May 1 – Law Day
May 1 – Loyalty Day (Display U.S. Flag
May 2 – Brother and Sisters Day
May 3 – *National Teacher’s Day (Observed Tuesday in the first full week of May)
May 5 – Cinco De Mayo
May 5 – *National Day of Prayer (Observed the 1st Thursday in May
May 6 – Nurses Day
May 6 – Clergy Appreciation Day
May 8 – V.E. Day
May 8 – *Mother’s Day ~ (Observed the second Sunday in May
May 15 – Hug Your Cat Day
May 15 – Peace Officers Memorial Day a.k.a. Police Memorial Day (Display Flag at half staff)
May 18 – International Museum Day
May 21 – *Armed Forces Day (Observed the 3rd Saturday in May)
May 23 – *Victoria Day (Canada ~ Queen Victoria’s Birthday (24th actual) (Celebrated the first Monday preceding May 25th)
May 26 – Neighbor Day
May 30 – *Memorial Day ~ (Observed the last Monday in May since 1971)

(*Denotes Holidays with dates that change annually)

May Birth Flower: Lily – Lily the May birth flower can mean many things including purity, majesty, beauty, sweetness and humility. Wealth and pride are also symbolized in the Tiger Lily.

May Birthstone: Emerald - (Patience, understanding, foresight)
Chrysoprase - (Fertility, secrecy)

Developer betting on N. Harris’ future

Courtesy HOUSTON CHRONICLE, By NANCY SARNOFF

1,800-acre community will take root next to The Woodlands
A major mixed-use community where residents would be able to walk to a town center with shops, offices and other public amenities is set to break ground just south of The Woodlands in early 2011.The new community, called Springwoods Village, will encompass 1,800 acres in north Harris County at the crossroads of Interstate 45 and the Hardy Toll Road, according to Coventry Development Corp., which announced the project Tuesday.David Jarvis, Houston director of residential consulting firm Metrostudy, said the project is one of the largest and most ambitious announced in recent history.

“This is evidence that the community is bullish on our local economy and housing demand,” he said.

The developer aims to build a project where residents can live close to their jobs, cutting down on highway commutes.

Plans for Springwoods Village were shaped in part by The Woodlands, the 28,000-acre master-planned development to its north with community parks and a large commercial component comprising shopping centers and office buildings.

“The way it was planned with an eye toward the environment is a model we used,” said Keith Simon, senior vice president of Coventry Development Corp. “The scale is completely different, but the concepts are very similar.”

The announcement comes at a time when the economy and local housing market still remain weak.

While home sales have been down from year-earlier levels, observers expect the market to have turned by the time builders are selling homes in Springwoods Village.

In the next two or three years the Houston housing market will definitely be better than it is today, barring any major event,” said research economist James Gaines at the Texas A&M Real Estate Center. “At this point, (it’s) hard to figure out how much better.”

Costs cheaper now
Coventry’s Simon said by the time the streets and drainage systems are developed, the real estate market is likely to have improved. And starting the project now lets the developer to take advantage of cheaper construction costs.

He’s also betting on growth from the proposed segment of the Grand Parkway that’s expected to run through the southern portion of Springwoods Village.

A boost from Exxon?
A nearby tract owned by Exxon Mobil Corp. potentially could provide a boost to housing demand in Springwoods Village.

Earlier this year, the oil giant said it was conducting a study of its U.S. real estate that could result in the potential use of its land for consolidated office space, but that nothing would be decided until the space study was completed in 2011.

Exxon Mobil spokesman Alan Jeffers would not provide the exact location or size of the site, but said the study’s timetable still applies.

“We’re continuing with the office requirement study and will continue into next year before any decisions are made,” Jeffers said Tuesday.

The Springwoods Village property is bounded by Interstate 45 on the east, Spring Stuebner Road on the south and Spring Creek to the north.

Lots of greenspace
More than 20 percent of the project will be developed with parks and other green space, including a nature preserve.

When it’s completely built out – which could take 20 years – Springwoods Village is slated to include as many as 5,000 housing units, including single-family homes, apartments and townhomes, about 8.5 million square feet of commercial office space, more than 1 million square feet of retail space and up to 600 hotel rooms.

It also will have public facilities, like an elementary school, police and fire station and possibly a library.

The majority of the community is in the Spring Independent School District, but about a quarter of it on the western edge is in Klein’s school district.

Some $100 million in infrastructure work will begin in the second quarter of 2011 around the time the developer will start marketing parcels of land to builders.

Coventry also may develop some of the commercial space itself. The developer’s affiliates also own approximately 1,000 acres near Baybrook Mall and several retail centers, as well as 10 acres south of the Texas Medical Center.

The Springwoods Village site is owned by an affiliate, as well.

The privately held firm has offices in Houston, Denver and New York City but doesn’t have a formal corporate headquarters.

Weekend Get Aways – Brenham, Texas
Courtesy – Brenham Historical Society 

Brenham Maifest – May 6 & 7 2011
The Brenham Maifest, one of the oldest spring German festivals in the South, will hold its 121st celebration on May 6-7, 2011 at Fireman’s Park in Brenham, Texas. The Maifest is a community-wide festival celebrating local German heritage through the youth of the community in light of the joys of springtime. Highlights of the Brenham Maifest include extravagant parades, elegant coronations and children’s activities and culminates with the Maifestival.
The “German Village” promotes the German Heritage of Brenham and Washington County. The celebrations begin both days at 10:30 a.m. in downtown Brenham with a parade. The Maifestival is held Friday and Saturday at Fireman’s Park. Beginning Friday evening at noon with music, children’s activities, festival food and drinks. The Junior Coronation will be held Friday evening with young children participating in an elaborate outdoor ceremony, which provides entertainment and the presentation of the Junior King and Queen.
On Saturday the Maifestival will begin at 11:00 am at Fireman’s Park with German Village and Kinder Village activities, along with German Music, Arts & Crafts, and the children’s activities. The Senior Coronation will be held Saturday evening with former royalty and high school students providing entertainment for this outdoor event, the culmination of the Maifest Celebration is highlighted by the presentation of the Senior King and Queen. Come and enjoy a day of fun-packed Washington County German Heritage, while in Brenham enjoy the beautiful springtime sites of Brenham and Washington Country. Also plan to stay at one of our many fine motels or Bed and Breakfasts.

Remodeling Market Index Reaches Highest Level in Four Years
Courtesy – RISMedia

RISMEDIA, May 2, 2011-According to the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI), the remodeling market is heading into recovery with an increase to 46.5 in the first quarter of 2011 from 41.5 in the fourth quarter of 2010. This marks the highest level for the RMI since the fourth quarter of 2006. An RMI below 50, however, indicates that still more remodelers report market activity is lower (compared to the prior quarter) than report it is higher.

The overall RMI combines ratings of current remodeling activity with indicators of future activity like calls for bids. Current market conditions for the first quarter of 2011 rose to 46.1 from 43.3 in the previous quarter.

Future market indicators climbed to 46.8 from 39.7 in the previous quarter.”Remodelers report a jump in activity so far this year and have been receiving more calls for work and appointments,” says NAHB Remodelers Chairman Bob Peterson, CGR, CAPS, CGP, a remodeler from Ft. Collins, Colo. “However, many home owners are still slow to commit to remodeling due to feeling uncertain about the economic recovery and difficulty obtaining loans.

“Regional break downs for current remodeling market conditions showed growth in all but one area: Northeast 46.1 (from 38.8 in the fourth quarter), South 46.1 (from 45.8), and West 46.1 (from 39.7). Only the Midwest experienced a decline to 47.1 (from 54.3).

All current remodeling market indicators increased: major additions to 50.3 (from 48.6 in the fourth quarter), minor additions to 48.0 (from 43.9), and maintenance and repair to 39.5 (from 37.0). Future market indicators also improved across the board: calls for bids rose to 53.1 (from 47.2), appointments for proposals to 52.4 (from 43.1), backlog of remodeling jobs to 49.7 (from 42.6), and amount of work committed for the next three months to 32.1 (from 25.9).

In an additional special question remodelers reported the top reasons prospective customers are holding back from remodeling their homes:

Customers think it is hard to get financing (90 percent of remodeler respondents); Customers have lost equity in their homes (81 percent); Customers are uncertain about their future economic situation (74 percent); Reluctance to invest in home when not sure home will hold its value (67 percent); Negative media stories making customers more cautious (62 percent) and Inaccurate appraisals are making financing more difficult (54 percent).

“Home remodeling continues to slowly increase and continued growth through the year is expected.” says NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “The fact that some indicators are breaking 50 means remodelers are seeing improving activity in their markets. While credit scarcity and economic uncertainty continue to weigh down remodeling, signs of increasing consumer interest are promising.”

From the Broker’s Office

This month’s “From The Broker’s Office” highlights Texas Sage Properties’ increased business activity which has allowed us to open the door to qualified licensed Texas Realtor to join our company. We are searching for Realtors, new or seasoned, that are eager to meet and exceed their personal goals. If you are a licensed professional, self-motivated and career-oriented, we encourage you to consider Texas Sage Properties.Texas Sage Properties is a full-service real estate brokerage that is located in Tomball, Texas. We are committed to outstanding service and professionalism.Bring your skills and expertise to our real estate brokerage and keep more money in your pocket. With no monthly or franchise fees, see why you’ll benefit from our brokerage. If you like working with people and care deeply about your clients, we want to talk to you!Advantages of a Real Estate Career:

• Unlimited income potential
• Work your own hours
• Fun work atmosphere
• No bosses or mandatory meetings

Call 281-460-2205 to schedule a confidential interview today!

The Gourmet Corner  Courtesy – tasteofhome.com
Taco Soup Recipe
Taco Soup	Ingredients 1 pound ground beef 1/4 cup chopped onion 2 cups fresh or frozen corn 1 can (15-1/2 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce 1 envelope (1-1/4 ounces) taco seasoning Corn chips, shredded cheddar cheese and/or sour cream, optional
Directions In a large saucepan, brown ground beef and onion; drain. Add corn, kidney beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce and taco seasoning. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve with corn chips, cheese and/or sour cream if desired. Yield: 4-6 serving (1-1/2 quarts). Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 cup) equals 271 calories, 7 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 37 mg cholesterol, 977 mg sodium, 32 g carbohydrate, 6 g fiber, 21 g protein.

In a large saucepan, brown ground beef and onion; drain. Add corn, kidney beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce and taco seasoning. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve with corn chips, cheese and/or sour cream if desired. Yield: 4-6 serving (1-1/2 quarts).

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 cup) equals 271 calories, 7 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 37 mg cholesterol, 977 mg sodium, 32 g carbohydrate, 6 g fiber, 21 g protein.

Texas Sage Properties is a full-service real estate brokerage that is located in Tomball, Texas. We are committed to outstanding service and professionalism.

Bring your skills and expertise to our real estate brokerage and keep more money in your pocket. With no monthly or franchise fees, see why you’ll benefit from our brokerage. If you like working with people and care deeply about your clients, we want to talk to you!

Advantages of a Real Estate Career:

• Unlimited income potential
• Work your own hours
• Fun work atmosphere
• No bosses or mandatory meetings

Call 281-460-2205 to schedule a confidential interview today!

Cute 3 Bedroom 2 Bath All Brick Home on Cul-de-Sac Street in an Established Neighborhood. Master w/Connecting Solarium & Hot Tub. Double Sinks, Jetted Tub, Separate Shower w/Seat in Master Bath. Lg. Walk-in Closet w/Automatic Light. Chair Rail in Formal Dining. Marble Tiled Entry. 3 Lg. Windows, Gas Log Fireplace in 14×25 Family Room. Butler’s Panty, Raised Bar, Breakfast Room. Extended Patio, Arbor w/Swing, Detached Garage. Tech Shield, Water Softener, Sprinkler System. Cy-Fair ISD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The February housing report for the Houston area is encouraging especially when analyzing the year on year growth. If you recall that a year ago the federal government was rolling out the first-time home buyer tax credit and that today’s home buyers face more stringent lending guidelines than ever before. Considering that we are just entering seasonal home buying months that are usually the strongest, I believe that we can start to be cautiously optimistic in expecting modest gains in single family sales; as well as, average sale price for single family homes in the Houston area.

Featured in this month’s newsletter :

1. Important Dates in April
2. Houston area’s job growth beats earlier estimates
3. Weekend Get Aways – Chappell Hill, TX
4. What is home staging?
5. From the Broker’s Office
6. The Gourmet Corner

Important Dates in April

April 1 – April Fool’s Day (All Fool’s Day)
April 2 – Children’s Book Day
April 4 – Bonza Bottler Day
April 5 – Fun At Work Day
April 7 – No Housework Day
April 12 – Big Wind Day
April 13 – Jefferson’s Birthday (DOB April 13, 1743)
April 15 – Tax Day! (The 15th or following non-holiday weekday if the 15th is a Saturday or Sunday)
April 17 – *Palm Sunday (Celebrated the Sunday before Easter)
April 18 – Pet Owner’s Independence Day
April 18 – *Passover (Begins at Sundown)
April 22 – Earth Day
April 22 – Girl Scout Leader Day
April 22- *Good Friday ~ (Celebrated the Friday before Easter)
April 24 – *Easter
April 25 – *Easter Monday ~ (Celebrated the day after Easter)
April 27 – *Bring Your Kid To Work Day
April 27 – *Administrative Professionals Day (formerly Secretaries Day) ~ (Observed Wednesday of the last full week in April) Some calendars state the 21st
April 29 – Greenery Day
April 29 – *Arbor Day

(*Denotes Holidays with dates that change annually)
____________________

April Birth Flower: Daisy – Innocence, I’ll never tell, purity, love that conquers all. Associated with the fifth wedding anniversary. Epitomizing childlike joy and playfulness, this April birth flower captures the essence of spring’s happy-go-lucky, forever-young attitude.

April Birthstone: Diamond – (Invincibility, clarity, purity, eternal love)

Rock Crystal / Quartz – (Balance, clarity, energy)

Houston area’s job growth beats earlier estimates
Courtesy HOUSTON CHRONICLE, By L.M. SIXEL

It’s beginning to look as if 2010 was a decent year for the Houston-area economy.

The Texas Workforce Commission released its annual revised count of the area’s workforce Thursday, and it revealed that area employers added thousands more jobs than the agency originally estimated.

Every March, the agency compares payroll tax reports to its initial monthly estimates of job growth or loss during the previous year. It found that Houston-area employers added 46,300 jobs from December 2009 to December 2010 – a 1.8 percent increase.

“It shows growth is broader than we thought,” said Barton Smith, professor emeritus of economics at the University of Houston. “And it’s suggesting that the Houston economy is doing better than we previously thought.”

Also on Thursday, the Workforce Commission reported that the Houston-area unemployment rate jumped to 8.8 percent in January from 8.3 percent in December.

Smith speculated that stems from a surge of job seekers who are moving in from out of state. “Don’t expect the unemployment rate to go down too fast,” he said. “We’re attracting labor almost as fast as we’re hiring labor.”

Earlier this year, the Workforce Commission reported that the area created 13,100 jobs, a gain of 0.5 percent, during the year.

But the agency revised its December 2009 estimates down and its December 2010 estimates up, resulting in a gain that left Smith surprised and pleased.

“It’s unambiguous,” he said after poring over the data Thursday. Houston is adding jobs in several key sectors, including energy exploration and energy-related manufacturing.

Help from oil “That really fits with the higher price of oil,” said Smith, pointing to the gain of 5,700 jobs in oil and gas exploration and production. And it reinforces his sense that the slowdown in offshore work because of last year’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill didn’t have as much of an impact on Houston as it did in Louisiana.

Even the struggling construction sector eked out a 1,800-job increase instead of a previously reported loss. Smith attributes that to public sector projects rather than any rebound in residential and commercial building.

Patrick Jankowski, vice president of research for the Greater Houston Partnership, said the revised figures show “we’re further along in the recovery than we thought we were.”
He pointed to the increase in professional and business services – which added 12,100 jobs last year. “Those are good-paying jobs,” he said of the engineering, legal, consulting and accounting positions that make up that category.

More from ports Jankowski said he had an inkling from examining other data last year that Houston’s economy was improving. Export and import tonnage at area ports were up by double-digits, he said. Aggregate personal income was rising while wholesale trade and trucking activity increased to keep up with the spike in port traffic.

Consumer confidence also ticked back up, which made consumers more comfortable about spending money. That’s reinforced by an increase in sales tax collections starting in July, and helps explain the 2,400 new retail jobs.

And staffing firms – which economists consider a leading economic indicator because companies often prefer to hire temporary workers to handle extra work before committing to new employees – created 10,000 new jobs in 2010.

Gary Akin, owner of the staffing firm Management Recruiters of Champions in Houston, said he noticed requests for workers started picking up late last year. Demand has been especially strong for engineers, particularly those in mechanical, electrical controls, and sales.

Companies in the food industry are feeling more confident about the economy, so they’re investing in automation to cut, process, cook and package everything from chicken parts to potato chips, he said. They need engineers and machinists to build the equipment.

Jankowski estimates that with the Workforce Commission’s revision, Houston has regained about three-fifths of the 156,800 jobs it lost because of the recession.

Public work to be lost? If the pace continues throughout the year, he said, Houston probably will be able to regain all of the jobs it has lost since December 2008, when area employment peaked.

“The big question is what will happen to public sector jobs,” he said, referring to the expected job losses in school districts, municipal and other government offices.

Weekend Get Aways – Chappell Hill

Courtesy – Chappell Hill Historical Society

Bluebonnet Festival

Bluebonnet Festival – April 9 & 10 2011
The Festival boasts more than 250 juried exhibitors (home décor, gardening, artists, craftsmen, jewelry, clothing, etc.), delicious country-style food, live entertainment and music, and tours of the historic community. A special Children’s Activity Corner provides pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, barrel train and more. A special Wildflower Photo exhibit will be on display at the Chappell Hill Museum Exhibit Gallery during April and May.

The Bluebonnet Festival was declared the “Official Bluebonnet Festival of Texas” by the Texas Legislature and was voted #7 as Most Popular Festival in Texas by Texas Highways. Admission is free to the festival and museum. Convenient parking for cars, buses and handicapped persons is available.

The Festival is hosted by the Chappell Hill Historical Society, a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation of the community’s history and historic buildings.

The Society’s goal is to stage a high-quality, fun show in the downtown, National Historic District. Our town is located among some of the most scenic areas of Washington County and boasts friendly people and a casual lifestyle. The festival area is Main Street, Poplar Street, and the property behind the Visitor’s Center.

____________________

Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Admission: No Admission Fee
Parking Fee: $5.00

What is home staging?
Courtesy – Home Buying Institute by Brandon Cornett, editor

Before we dive into home staging tips for a quick sale, we first need to define what exactly staging is – just so we are on the same page.

Definition: Home staging is the act of preparing a home (and the contents of the home) for sale, with a special emphasis on presentation and appearance.

It’s important to realize that preparing a home for sale and staging a home is not always the same thing. For example, as part of your pre-sale preparations, you might go through the home to make small repairs where needed. This is an essential step in preparing your home for the market, but it’s not the same as home staging.

Staging a home for sale normally involves things of an aesthetic nature, such as design, organization and overall appearance (as opposed to mechanical or functional improvements).

The goal of home staging then is to improve the home’s appearance in the eyes of potential buyers, with the ultimate goal of selling the home more quickly and for the highest possible price.

If you are selling a home, then you’ve obviously been on the other side of the process as a home buyer. Think back to your home buying experience. Try to recall the difference between the homes you thought were “just okay” and the homes that made you say “wow!” Professional home staging can help you turn your “okay” house into a “wow” house.

So to sum up our introduction: You can think of home staging as presenting your house in a way that appeals to the largest possible audience, in order to ensure a quick sale for the best possible price. It bears repeating. The key to this whole thing is appealing to the largest audience – that’s what it’s all about.

From the Broker’s Office

This month’s “From The Broker’s Office” highlights one of my Real Estate Associates of four years – Claudia Bomar. Claudia is a very focused, personable Realtor® who always works to exceed her clients expectations.

Claudia is a member of the Texas Sage Properties Team and is a licensed Real Estate Agent. She started her Real Estate career with Keller Williams Realty North Houston. She is now associated with Texas Sage Properties which services clients throughout the Houston area, principally in the West, Northwest suburbs. Claudia’s continuous relationships with the leading Mortgage lenders facilitates a broader range of financial options for our customers to consider for new or resale homes.

Claudia is a native Houstonian. She and her husband have been married for 17 years and their family of two daughters and two grandchildren have lived in the Houston area for many years. Claudia’s strong sense of community involves church functions, children’s educational activities and girl scouting. Claudia’s exceptional client relations continues to earned her countless referrals.

® Register Mark of the National Association of Realtors

The Gourmet Corner
Courtesy – tasteofhome.com

Easter Bunny Breads

Ingredients

 

Icing:

• 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon water
• 1 drop red food colorin

_____________________________________________________________________________
Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the milk, sugar, oil, egg, salt and 4 cups flour. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
3. Punch dough down. For each bunny, shape a 3-in. ball for the body; press a chocolate egg into each ball. Shape dough around egg so it is completely covered. For each head, shape a 2-in. ball; press a chocolate egg into each. Shape dough around egg so it is completely covered. Add a 1-in. ball for the tail and two 2-in. x 3/4-in. pieces for the ears.
4. Place bunnies 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 400° for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Carefully remove from pans to wire racks to cool.
5. For icing, in a small bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar and water; tint pink with red food coloring. With a small new paintbrush, paint a nose and whiskers on each bunny.

Yield: 8 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving equals 440 calories, 9 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 33 mg cholesterol, 328 mg sodium, 77 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 12 g protein.

1. Important Dates in January
2. Houston Economic Future Looking Brighter in 2011
3. Weekend Get Aways – Galveston
4. Benefits of Staging Your Home
5. From the Broker’s Office
6. The Gourmet Corner

Important Dates in January

• January 1 – New Years Day
• January 6 – Epiphany (Celebrated 12 days after Christmas)
• January 6 – Three Kings Day (Dia de los Santos Reyes
• January 11 – Amelia Earhart Day
• January 17 – *Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday ~ (observed the 3rd Monday in January) (Actual DOB 1-15-1929)
• January 17 – Ben Franklin’s Birthday
• January 21 – National Hugging Day
• January – *Chinese New Year (Celebrated 2nd new moon after Winter Solstice)
• January 23 – Edouard Manet’s Birthday (1881)
• January 23 – Fun At Work Day
• January 25 – Robert Burns Day
• January 25 – School Nurses Day
• January 26 – Spouse’s Day

January Birth Flower – White Carnation standing for sweetness and loveliness, innocence and pure love, the white carnation is the historical good luck gift to women. Cultivated for more than 2,000 years and named “flower of the gods,” it was used to create garlands for ancient Greek ceremonies.

January Birthstone – Garnet derived its name from the Latin word granatus, meaning like a grain, which refers to the mode of occurrence wherein crystals resemble grains or seeds embedded in the matrix.

Houston Economic Future Looking Brighter in 2011
Courtesy Houston Real Estate Observer by Mark Martin

It seems like the country’s economic news swings on a huge pendulum – jobs / manufacturing / home prices are up one week and down the next, or sometimes seemingly on the same day. Are we inching towards recovery, or is it “one step forward, two steps back”? For Houston, at least, it seems like a sustainable pattern of growth is starting to emerge. That’s according to a report released this week by the Greater Houston Partnership on Houston’s 2011 economic outlook.

First, the not-so-great news. The government has thrown a few curve balls our way, what with changes to the NASA budget and new safety regulations on off-shore drilling which have idled some rigs and exploration companies – not to mention state and city budget woes which will likely lead to some job cuts in the new year. And, of course, anyone who follows real estate knows the housing market is still soft. Houston’s home sales have dropped each month since the federal tax incentives expired in June, and we’re currently sitting on 7.7 months’ worth of home inventory. But, when compared to the national average of 10.7 months of inventory, we’re not doing too badly. Not to mention, Houston’s home prices have remained steady this year, even rising 5.6% in October over last year. And, HDP’s report has some promising economic indicators, which could mean a better real estate market for 2011.

Obviously, employment is key to any recovery, and the report predicts that 2011 will see a net addition of 18,200 jobs in the Houston area. While that’s less than Houston’s normal pace of adding 50,00 – 60,000 jobs per year, it’s a significant increase over the 6,200 we added as of October 2010 – and obviously better than the job losses of 2009.

GHP’s report also points to a number of signs that consumer confidence – along with the greater economy – is picking up. Retail sales in Houston are up 13.2% over last year, and new auto sales in October were up a whopping 33.7% over the same time last year. More imports and exports are flowing through the ports of Houston and Galveston, and air cargo volume at Houston’s airports is at a record high. Companies which had “postponed IT upgrades, slashed marketing budgets and put expansion plans on hold” are starting to loosen the purse strings. The report states that “engineering firms have begun rebuilding their backlogs. Merger and acquisition activity has begun to pick up. Companies are once again looking for ways to upgrade and improve their operations.” This helped create at least 2,400 jobs in the professional and business services sector this year, with more projected in the new year.

The construction industry still faces tough times, but they’ll get some help from businesses looking to expand. Banks added 15 branches in Houston in 2010, with more planned, and major retail outlets like HEB, Kroger, Wal-Mart and Whole Foods have expansion plans for 2011. Also, increased demand for oil – as well as increasing prices – will give a boost to the oil exploration and production businesses to help balance out the difficulties with offshore rigs.

Bottom line, Houston seems poised for a better year ahead – and many more. The GHP report predicts that, over the next 25 years, Houston will account for almost one-fourth of Texas’ job growth, and will lead the state in population growth. As GHP summed up their report: “Though Houston faces some challenges in the near term, the long-term outlook is bright… The long-term outlook for the Houston metro area is positive, and a return to steady, healthy growth is expected in the near future.” After the last three years, that doesn’t sound too bad at all.

Weekend Get Aways – Galveston
Courtesy – Trip Advisor

More than 30 miles of beaches plus a wealth of cultural and historic institutions make this island a Gulf of Mexico vacation hot spot. If you go, don’t forget your walking shoes: With 14 museums and 20 art galleries, plus several historic homes and mansions, there’s a lot of ground to cover. Armchair pilots will love the Lone Star Flight Museum and those with more of a nautical interest can check out the Texas Seaport Museum. Families will enjoy the many child-friendly attractions, including Moody Gardens, with its replica of a tropical rain forest. It’s easy to get caught up in all the activities, but don’t forget to spend some downtime in the sun and on the beach.

If you’re interested in partaking in the local Galveston cuisine, I have listed a couple of my favorite restaurants that you might consider:

La King’s Confectionery
Cuisine: American, Dessert
2323 Strand St, Galveston, Galveston Island, TX 77550-1517
“A must stop for anyone visiting Galveston. The double chocolate soda from the fountain are fantastic. The ice cream and the candies are the best anywhere.”

Bistro LeCroy
Cuisine: Seafood
2021 Strand, Galveston, Galveston Island, TX 77550
“The food is excellent, service attentive, and prices reasonable. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a quiet, good meal.”

Benefits of Staging Your Home
Courtesy – Home Buying Institute by Brandon Cornett, editor

Why should I bother staging my home? What do I get back for all the time and effort I put in? This is one of the most common home staging questions among sellers, especially those who are selling in a seller’s market.

Here’s the bottom line: Staging your home can benefit you regardless of what type of real estate market you are in.

In a buyer’s market, you will need every advantage you can get in order to sell your home for a decent sale price, so it’s extra important to stage your home effectively. But even in a seller’s market staging can help you achieve a quick sale for the maximum sale price.

So no matter what kind of real estate market you are in, it’s always wise to stage your home for the market.

Here are some of the primary benefits you will get out of it:

Home Staging Benefits
Staging forces you to think like a buyer. When you set out to stage your home for the market, you will be looking at the home as if you were a buyer. Adopting this perspective early on will help you in many ways when preparing your home for the market.

Staging forces you to organize and de-clutter. Clearing away shelves, closets and cabinets is a big part of the home staging process. It also helps with moving, because you’ll have to pack things away at some point anyway. So when you stage your home, you will also get a head start on packing to move.

Staging increases likelihood of a sale. When selling your home, you must do everything within your power to increase your chances of selling – and I mean everything. These techniques can give you an extra edge in selling the home quickly.

Staging reduces the home’s time on market. When you put in the extra effort to stage your home effectively, you will move closer to a quick sale. Anyone who has sold a home before can attest to the fact that the least time the home is on the market, the better. This is especially important if you will be paying two mortgages until the home sells (as is the case when you buy a new home before selling the old one).

Staging helps justify the asking price. If you are in a seller’s market and you price your home correctly, you probably won’t have to haggle over the asking price. But in a market that leans toward the buyer, you need everything in your favor to justify the asking price. Proper home staging can help you justify the asking price by positioning the home more favorably in the buyer’s mind.

Staging can be fun! It may sound like all work and no play at first. Granted, you will certainly be putting some elbow grease into the process. But staging a home can be a creative process as well, and many people find they enjoy it once they’ve begun.

From the Broker’s Office

When the clock strikes twelve on December 31st, people all over the world cheer and wish each other a very Happy New Year. For some, this event is no more than a change of a calendar. For others, the New Year symbolizes the beginning of a better tomorrow. So, looking forward to a good year ahead, we at Texas Sage Properties want to wish you the very best in 2011 with with these wonderful New Year wishes (I picked a few of my favorites).

Irish toast
In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, never in want.

T. S. Eliot
For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.

Charles Dickens
A merry Christmas to everybody! A happy New Year to the world!

Martin Luther
Glory to God in highest heaven, Who unto man His Son hath given; While angels sing with tender mirth, A glad new year to all the earth

Walter Scott
Each age has deemed the new born year The fittest time for festal cheer

Benjamin Franklin
Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man.

Texas Sage Properties
From all of us at Texas Sage Properties – Here is wishing you and your family the very best in 2011. May it be full of family and friends.

The Gourmet Corner

Courtesy – Foodnetwork.com

Chicken Fajitas

Ingrediants

• 1 cup packed cilantro leaves, plus extra for serving
• 1/4 cup lime juice, about 2 limes
• 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 scallions, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 jalapeno, seeded if desired
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Kosher salt
• 1 1/2-pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 red onion, sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds
• 2 orange and/or yellow bell peppers, quartered, seeds removed
• 1 ripe avocado, halved, seeded and peeled
• 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/4 cup fat-free Greek Yogurt
• 12 corn tortillas

Marinating chicken and peppers and onions in a highly flavored marinade and then grilling gives it all the flavor without fat. A spiced creamy yogurt sauce and avocado sauce wrapped in a corn tortilla with fresh cilantro keeps the fajitas healthy and fresh tasting.

Directions

1. Put the cilantro, lime juice, broth, scallions, garlic, jalapeno, honey, and salt in a blender, puree until smooth. Reserve 2 tablespoons; do not wash out the blender.
2. Put chicken breasts in a medium bowl and the peppers and onions in another. Divide the remaining cilantro puree evenly between the chicken and the peppers and onions. Toss well to coat the chicken and vegetables and let stand, at room temperature, for 30 minutes.
3. Add the avocado, 1/2 cup water, and the reserved 2 tablespoons cilantro sauce to the blender. Puree until smooth and season with salt. Set aside.
4. Heat the oil in a small skillet set over medium heat until hot. Add the cumin and coriander and continue to cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Pour the spices over the yogurt and set aside for the flavors to blend. Stir before serving.
5. Preheat a grill for medium-high/direct heat cooking. Oil the grill grates. Grill the chicken and vegetables, turning, until the vegetables are tender and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, about 5 to 8 minutes for the vegetables and 12 to 15 minutes for the chicken. Let chicken rest 5 minutes. Place the tortillas on the grill until just warmed through, about 30 seconds.
6. To assemble the fajitas: slice the onions and peppers into thin strips and then slice the chicken. Place some peppers, onions, chicken and cilantro in a tortilla topped with the spiced yogurt and the avocado sauce.

Nutritional analysis per serving: (2 fajitas)

Calories 347; Total Fat 8g (Sat Fat 1g, Mono Fat 3g, Poly Fat 1g) ; Protein 31g; Carb 37g; Fiber 5g; Cholesterol 66mg; Sodium 157mg

Architectural documents obtained by the Houston Chronicle outline an elaborate corporate campus, including 20 office buildings with 3 million square feet, a wellness center, laboratory and multiple parking garages.

The documents don’t identify Exxon Mobil, but maps show a large parcel of land near Interstate 45 and the Hardy Toll Road. The company owns land near that intersection.

The study, which looks at maintaining Exxon Mobil’s current offices as well as consolidation alternatives, is expected to continue into 2011.

1. Important Dates in March
2. Pending real estate sales dip in January
3. Weekend Get Aways – Wimberley, TX
4. Stage the entryway for maximum effect
5. From the Broker’s Office
6. The Gourmet Corner

Important Dates in March

• March 1 – St. David’s Day
• March 6 – Dentist’s Day
• March 8 – International Women’s Day
• March 8 – Fat Tuesday / Mardi Gras
• March 9 – Ash Wednesday
• March 10 – *Employee Appreciation Day
• March 12 – *Stop Smoking Day
• March 13 – Daylight Saving Time Begins
• March 15 – Birthday of Girl Scouting
• March 16 – Ides Of March
• March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day
• March 18 – Anniversary of Campfire Boys and Girls (1881)
• March 20 – St. Joseph’s Day
• March 20 – First Day of Spring
• March 25 – *Mothering Sunday (England – A model to our Mother’s Day) ~ (Celebrated the 4th Sunday of Lent)
• March 25 – Flower Day
• March 26 – Doctor’s Day

January Birth Flower – Daffodil In the language of flowers, daffodils symbolize chivalry, respect, modesty and faithfulness. The name of the flower is derived from an earlier “affodell”, a variant of asphodel.

January Birthstone – Aquamarine(Beauty, honesty, loyalty, happiness)and Bloodstone (Endurance)

Pending real estate sales dip in January
Courtesy INMAN NEWS

NAR projects median price will fall 3.9% in Q1

Pending sales of existing homes dipped for the second straight month in January, according to a National Association of Realtors index.The Pending Home Sales Index, based on purchase contracts signed but not yet closed, is considered to be a leading indicator for future sales. An index score of 100 is the average level of contract activity in 2001, the first year that index data was collected.The index fell 2.8 percent month-to-month and 1.5 percent year-over-year in January, to 88.9.Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, said in a statement, “We should not expect the recovery to be in a straight upward path — it will zig-zag at times.”The South was the only region to see a month-to-month index increase in January, up 1.4 percent to an index score of 97.7. The South also experienced the smallest year-over-year decline, -0.4 percent.The index fell the most in the Midwest, dropping 7.3 percent month-to-month and 3.2 percent year-over-year, to 78. In the Northeast, the index fell 2.8 percent month-to-month and 1.5 percent year-over-year, to 73.5. In the West, the index fell 5.2 percent month-to-month and 0.9 percent year-over-year.A new, recently released index from the California Association of Realtors indicated that pending sales in the state were up 13.6 percent month-to-month and down 2 percent year-over-year in January, boding well for the spring.The latest economic forecast from the National Association of Realtors predicts the median price for existing homes will dip 0.4 percent in 2011, to $172,200, compared with a forecasted 0.5 percent rise in an earlier report.

NAR projects the median existing-home price to drop 3.9 percent in the first quarter of 2011 and 1 percent in the second quarter, followed by modest gains in subsequent quarters and a 3.2 percent increase in 2012.

Existing-home sales are expected to rise 8.1 percent this year, to 5.31 million, and 5.2 percent in 2012, to 5.58 million. Such sales rose for the third straight month in January, partially due to a jump in distressed property sales, investor purchases and all-cash deals.

After a sharp drop in new, single-family home sales nationwide in January, NAR predicts such sales will rise 5.2 percent, to 334,000, in 2011, a more modest increase than the 17.7 percent rise previously estimated. In 2012, new-home sales are estimated to climb 55.7 percent.

NAR projects the median price of new homes will rise 1.8 percent in 2011, to $226,000, followed by a 3.5 percent rise in 2012.

The association expects unemployment to fall from 9.6 percent in 2010 to 9.2 percent in 2011 and 8.4 percent in 2012. Real gross domestic product is expected to decrease to 2.7 percent this year from 2.9 percent last year, and then rise to 3 percent in 2012. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate is estimated to average 5.2 percent this year and rise to 5.9 percent in 2012.

“The broad fundamentals for a housing recovery are developing,” Yun said. “Job growth, high housing affordability and rising apartment rent are conducive to bringing more buyers into the market. Some buyers may be looking to real estate as a hedge against potential future inflation.” .” After the last three years, that doesn’t sound too bad at all.

Weekend Get Aways – Wimberley
Courtesy – Texas Hill Country Vistor Guide On-line
Wimberly was established in 1848. Today, the picturesque village is a resort and retirement area in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.
Visitors to Wimberley (often misspelled Wimberly) are entranced by cool, shady pools beneath towering Cypress trees, frothy cascades on the Blanco River and sparkling Cypress Creek, green meadows and majestic hills. Visitors will also find an abundance of white-tailed deer.Visitors are attracted to the Wimberley, Texas area by the large number of things to do. Climbing, hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, golf, tennis, arts and crafts and camping are popular Wimberley, Texas activities.

Unique Shopping

Arts and Crafts Galleries The town is well-known for the many artists and authors who make their homes there. Hill Country scenes captured in oils, handicrafts, hobbies and souvenirs, are available in several quaint shops and studios clustered on and around the Wimberley, Texas “town square” at a casual joining of several roads.

Wimberley Market Days – Market Day, sponsored by the Wimberley Lion’s Club, is held the first Saturday of the month from March through December. It is a bargain hunter’s paradise for the unusual, one-of-a-kind, hard-to-find something or other you’ve been looking for!

With its small town charm and lively arts scene, Wimberley makes the perfect weekend getaway. Whether you wish to spend your time mingling with local artists at the many galleries, antiquing or playing in one of the area’s cool rivers and streams, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

Just an hour’s drive from San Antonio or Austin, the Hill Country region has so much to offer. Wimberley, an especially scenic town in the Texas countryside, is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. If you are in need of a hotel in Wimberley, you will find plenty of great places to stay, including romantic bed and breakfast accommodations.

Stage the entryway for maximum effect
Courtesy – Home Buying Institute by Brandon Cornett, editor

Your home’s entrance is part of its overall curb appeal, because people will see it when they pull up to the house. But the entrance is doubly important because it marks a threshold – literally and figuratively – between the outside world and what could possibly be the buyer’s new home.

So you can consider the entryway another home staging hot-spot that deserve special attention. Here are some tips to help you stage the entry area of your home.

Staging the Entry

• The “entry” includes those areas people see when they first open the front door. This picks up where curb appeal leaves off. It’s a critical area, because it represents the potential buyer’s first impression upon walking into the house.
• Keep the entryway open and free of clutter. This will make the house seem larger, right from the get-go.
• Clear away all of those spider webs and any other “natural touches” to the entry area. It’s a dirty job, but it must be done.
• Make sure the entry has plenty of light. This is for safety reasons as well as general appearances. A bright entryway gives the initial impression of a warm, inviting home.
• Get rid of that worn welcome mat and buy a new, high-quality welcome mat. It’s a home staging essential … and well worth the $20 you’ll spend.

Remember, professional home staging focuses on the house as a whole, but also on key “hot spots” that have a bigger impact. Your home’s entryway is a natural magnet for people’s eyes, so give the entry some extra attention when you stage your home for sale.

The Gourmet Corner 
Courtesy – Foodnetwork.com

The Ultimate Crab Cakes

Ingredients

• Extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, finely minced
• 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 1/2 pounds jumbo lump crabmeat
• 1 1/2 cups fresh bread crumbs (made from 4 or 5 slices white bread with the crusts removed and processed in food processor)
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, plus more if needed
• 1 large egg white
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• 1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro leaves, plus whole leaves, for garnish
• Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 recipe Garlic Aioli with Celery Root, for serving, recipe follows
• Lemon wedges, for garnish

Directions

Make the crab cakes first so they have time to firm up in the refrigerator before you cook them.

Heat a 2-count of olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until the onion gets kind of caramelized. Dump that into a bowl and fold in the crabmeat, bread crumbs, mayonnaise, egg white, lime juice, and cilantro, mixing just until well blended. Season with salt and pepper. Shape the mixture into 6 fat crab cakes. Put them on a plate, cover, and stick them in the refrigerator to chill.

To serve, heat a 3-count of olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the crab cakes and cook for about 4 minutes each side until nice and crisp. Serve on torn butcher paper with fresh lemon wedges and Garlic Aioli with Celery Root.

Garlic Aioli with Celery Root:

• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon celery seed
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

About 2 cups shredded celery root, shredded using the grater attachment of a food processor or a mandoline

• 2 tablespoons freshly chopped chives

Mince garlic and make into paste using the side of your knife. Hint: to make this go faster add a bit of salt to the garlic and continue mashing with the side of your knife.

Place the paste a large bowl and add: the sour cream, mayonnaise, celery seed, lemon juice, and oil. Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Fold in the shredded celery root and chives. Give it a final taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings