It is that time of year for the Brazos Valley to celebrate Earth Day!  WHEN:              APRIL 18, 2009                                 WHERE:            DOWNTOWN BRYAN, TX TIME:               10:00 AM - 3:00PM This is Brazos Valley's 14th annual celebration.  There will be food, crafts, and activities.  Earth Day was created by Senator Gaylord Nelson and his assisstant Denis Hayes after viewing the terrible disaterous oil spill off the West coast in 1969.  It was an eye opening tragedy that brought the Senator to pass a bill designating April 22 as a national day to celebrate the earth. The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970. Everyone should take time out of their day and celebrate in the Brazos Valley and learn more about how we can all help our environment and keep Brazos Valley... 03/26/2009

Beautiful Barrington Home features high ceiling, built-in fridge, arched doorways, kntty ash cabinets, built-in central vacuum's wide open kitchen, windows everywhere, knotty oak floors& a large patio. This home is perfect for entertaining! If beauty, prestiage  is what your are looking for look no further. Owner has moved on to other buiness interest and welcomes any and all offers.   Villa Maria, Traditions to stop sign, Turn Right, Hickory Ridge first Lf 03/17/2009

Located in an older neighborhood near downtown Bryan, Texas ...Sam's Shoe Service has been repairing boots, shoes and other leather goods since 1950!   I can't count how many times over the years I have taken a pair of my shoes or boots to Sam's for repairs.  I had one pair of elephant hide boots alone that was  rebuilt no less than 5 times over the years by Sam's. The one thing for sure is that whatever I take to Sam's ..it comes back right!  I also love the way a leather repair shop smells. As the construction and the materials change on modern footwear many of them are no longer repairable, but if you need leather repairs ...you can count on Sam's. Give them a try! 02/25/2009

  AMAZING HOME IN CENTRAL LOCATION! THIS HOME IS PERFECT FOR THE FIRST TIME HOME BUYER OR STUDENT INVESTOR! LESS THAN 2 MILES AWAY F ROM CAMPUS. THIS 3 BEDROOM 3 BATH HOME FEATURES: HARD WOOD FLOORS, UPDATED BATHROOMS, LARGE CORNER FIREPLACE, 2 LIVING AREAS, BEAUTIFUL WOOD CABINETS, TILE COUNTER TOPS, 2 LARGE MASTER BEDROOMS, EATING BAR, BREAKFAST/DINING AREA, TONS OF NATURAL LIGHT AND STORAGE THROUGHOUT. THIS HOME IS NOT WORTH MISSING! THE BACKYARD IS LARGE ENOUGH FOR JUST ALL YOUR TOYS AND MORE! 02/12/2009

Home ownership dream is closer than you think.  City of Bryan is currently taking applications for the down payment assistance program. Get up to $7500 down payment assistance from the City of Bryan Community Development Services Department.  This is a five year deferred forgivable and a non-interest bearing loan. The buyer will sign a note and deed opf trust with the cityat closing. A few requirements are that the buyer must be a first time home buyer All household memners must be have proof of U.S citizenship and leagal or permanent alien status. There are several other requrments. For more information and application Don,t Delay Call Ginger Today at (979) 218-6416 or email me at  ginger@gingermagoon.com     02/10/2009

I tend to boast a bit about the monthly First Friday events in downtown Bryan, Texas.   Perhaps I am a bit prejudiced but if you were to go, then you might understand more why. These once a month events are really fun for all .  Many of the businesses and restaurants stay open later to accommodate visitors and shoppers and there usually are several small musical groups performing in several of the businesses, along with giveaways including snacks and other tasty items. Plus you usually bump into several friends along the way. Tonight we enjoyed dinner at  Casa Rodriquez Restaurant. I can't say I have ever had a bad meal there...which is more than I can say for a lot of Mexican Restaurants. I even enjoyed the Mariache band ! Then we began wandering the streets ...which takes me back in t... 02/06/2009

01/28/2009

The changing economy has had varied effects on the real estate market. Understanding these changes is the key to making the most of them. I have a done a little research on recent changes to the economy that we might be able to take advantage of. There are a slew of new policies brought on by the relief programs, funded by federal bailout money.  The Obama Stimulus Package proposes that the 7,500 dollar tax credit for first time home buyers become non-repayable. This means that if you are a first time home buyer, not only do you get to take advantage of the traditional $7,500 tax credit, but now you don't have to pay it back. The theory is that this incentive will create more purchases and decrease the supply of homes on the market. Of course this stimulus is only beneficial for first t... 01/21/2009

Some of us may not have voted for the 44th president. We may not align with his politics or his policies, but we might as well embrace the change and be riveted by the presidential rhetoric. The following is a collection of observations and encouragements from the presidential inauguration.   "Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age... Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land... On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord... In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey ... 01/20/2009

If you have enjoyed smooth drives to the grocery store over the holidays, you might want to invest in a stress ball as all the Texas A&M students arrive for the upcoming semester. Everyone is familiar with seasons, but here in Bryan College Station we have a couple different kinds of seasons. There is the holiday season when Bryan College Station is a relatively calm and peaceful place, and there is the traffic season when Texas Aggies roam the streets at all hours of the day. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Many of us were in their shoes not too long ago, and we were just as guilty for the traffic jams and half hour Wal-mart lines. The influx of students does not just affect the traffic. Those same students feed our local economy, and yes even our real estate market. Many small busi... 01/19/2009

For the last several years we have all suffered financially as gas prices continued to climb to new heights. Now, ironically, as the economy supposedly takes a down turn, the price of gas has taken a sharp decrease. This price drop might be a serious lifesaver as the economy struggles to recover from the downturn. The average price of gas on July 11, 2008 was $4.11 a gallon. The average price of gas today is $1.66, but Bryan College Station residents can get it even cheaper than that. Our local low can be found at Kroger, who is selling gas for $1.47. If I took a trip to Dallas in my truck, which gets 12 miles to the gallon, it would cost me $123 in July. Today it would only cost $44! With all this extra money, Americans can spend their money on other things, like Christmas. Economists... 12/22/2008

This past Friday was the monthly First Friday event in ever "changing for the better " downtown Bryan, Texas.  My wife and I joined fiends for dinner at the River Bridge Restaurant and it was as good as the last time we dined there! They have a good variety of steak, fish, and burgers.....But what I really like are those good old fashioned homemade southern style  greasy French Fries. You know the kind...They taste like a real potato and not salty slivers of cardboard! Then we took a walk to.... walk off the fries and visited all the shops that stay open late on First Friday. Neat little antique shops, a handmade glass jewelry shop, a coffee house, and an assortment of other interesting businesses. I notice the old City Barber shop is still open and has a Barbers pole out front! I imagi... 12/09/2008

Today the Bryan College Station Habitat for Humanity dedicated the completion of another fine home in the wonderful Angels Gate Community,  . This home was unique in that it was sponsored by  the  Circle of Women group  and was constructed by all women .   The soon to be  new owner,The Searcy Family was very happy today as you can tell by all the smiles. It is always inspiring and emotional to attnd these dedications. One of the great traditions is for all those who attend the ceremony and those who worked on the home, to all sign the back side of the disappearing stairway door for the attic. The circle of women are to be congratulated for all they did to make this dream a reality and blessing for the Searcy Family!   11/22/2008

Tejas Neighborhood in Bryan October 22nd, 2008 categories: Community Events   Tejas neighborhood BRYAN, TX - If you attended elementary school in Texas, you learned early on that “tejas” means “friendly, y’all”, in Spanish, from the language of the Caddo Indians.  The Tejas Neighborhood Association in Bryan definitely has that hospitable Texas spirit.  Click on my YouTube video to see more…     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUE-vzV6fW0   Tell me the friendliest neighborhood where you’ve ever lived in the comments below…     Kind regards, Cindy Seaton, your friendly Tejas neighborhood Realtor 10/22/2008

This morning we attended a wall raising and dedication for the 163rd home to be built by the local Habitat For Humanity organization. This is always a fun day when you can finally begin to see a real home going up!  The home will belong to the Linares Family and is sponsored by a local family trust. These events are just part of a long process that the family must go through before finally becoming a homeowner. Todays event was begun by a blessing from local clergy and was in Spanish and English. These events are just part of a long process that the family must go through before finally becoming a homeowner. Today's event was begun by a blessing from local clergy and was in Spanish and English.  I know this family will appreciate and cherish their new home for a long time. If You have a... 10/18/2008

So you've sold your house and now the buyers are going to do inspections. Should you worry? Do you need to do anything to get ready?YES YES YES! When you and a buyer come to an agreement on price and terms you want to make sure nothing goes wrong. Below are a few ideas to help make the inspection process go as smoothly as possible. Pets - Make sure all animals are off property for the inspection. No inspector wants to dodge the dog or let the cat out or find the snake in the kid's bedroom. Turn on the utilities! Make sure everything is on especially if you don't live in the property. Check the electricity, gas and water. Make sure all the pilot lights are lit - water and air! Light bulbs? Make sure all are working great. You don't want the inspector to write up that you need an electric... 10/14/2008

New Home By McEwen  Homes      New Builder Home in Austin's Colony with extra large culdesac lot.  Features 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, large great room with fireplace, open kitchen with granite counter, in house utility with counter sink area, lots of trimwork.  Very convenient to elementary and high schools, grocery and cinema.  Huge backyard!!!!      Great value.   Don't wait!            Asking $199,900                mls #50675 Have a prosperous  week   ! www.treythurmond.com                   10/06/2008

Animal Foster Homes At different times throughout the year Brazos Animal Shelter needs homes that are willing to take care of the animals until they can be adopted to a permanent home. Most often they are litters of animals that are too young. Sometimes they are adult dogs ready for our PetSmart Adoption Program. Foster homes are needed to help alleviate space constraints for an upcoming event. Foster care provides a "stepping stone" for animals in search of permanent homes Right now the Brazos Animal Shelter has a high number or dogs, cats, & rabbits from Hurrican Ike! Any kind of help goes a long way there. 10/02/2008

When you begin your Bryan-College Station home search for the property that is right for you and your family, the first thing you want to do is compare the home you are looking at to your personal list of minimum requirements. You also want to keep in mind the "extras" that are included with the home you are looking at. Typically, "extras" are added features or upgrades to a property. Extras can also be things that are on your "Buyer's Wish List."  You should ask your Realtor to help you keep track of the extras and point out the upgrades in each property as you are viewing the home.  It is also important to ask your Realtor to help you identify potential problems and maintenance issues. Although your Realtor is NOT an inspector and can not advise you on what is wrong with the property,... 09/16/2008

When it is time to sell your home in Bryan College Station, and start interviewing Real Estate Agents, you will want to meet with each agent separately. As you call to set up interview and make appointments, take special note of who you get on the phone right away and how long it takes for your phone call to be returned. The time it takes for you to get through to the Realtor will likely be the roughly the same amount of time as if a prospective buyer had called with questions about your home. When you and the agent communicate with one another, you should expect the Realtor to ask you a few questions. The questions will likely start with a qualifying nature to determine your timeline in selling. Common questions Realtors ask are: When are You Thinking of Placing Your Home on the Market... 09/15/2008