Hurricane Ike aftermath 9-10-08 Galveston is a lucky city. We have just been missed by Ike, a TS and earlier a cat 2. Eduard was supposed to be a direct strike on our city... but it missed! Dolly could have easily turned and struck us. We have been very greatful of all the missed storms. I have been here for over 8 years and so far no strikes. We were supposed to be hit by many including rita and katrina at one point or another. I wont keep my fingers crossed but we have had good luck from the last major storm in 1983 - alicia. Lets keep it going! 9-14-08 This last post was from before- when the storm was headed for southpadre. IKE did hit Galveston and the damage is yet unknown. I thank all of you for your support and thanks for the post michelle! Thats great news... we will be up and ... 08/06/2008

                                         Photo by Pete Kim The Russian American Kids Circus will be perfoming August 16-24 at Moody Gardens.  Performed by kids ages 6-16, this is a circus like no other.  Audiences will be dazzled by soaring acrobatics, synchronized unicycling, black-light juggling clowning and acts of precision balancing.  Performed by kids, for kids, not just for kids.  Fun for all! All shows will feature a 30 minute matinee performance at 1pm and a 90-minute performance at 7pm. Tickets range in price from $9-$25 Call 409-683-4186. www.moodytickets.com Moody gardens Convention Center-Galveston Island Redesign Etc. is Houston's Home Staging & Interior Redesign Specialist Staging Your Home To Sell! Contact Cindy Bryant for a Home Staging Consultation Today! 07/31/2008

                                                                                                     AGA-BOOM Theater of Physical Comedy is a show for all ages and entire families, Aga-Boom magically blends the very best elements of circus, comedy and experimental theater in a manner that has yet to be seen on stage.  This is one show you have to see to believe! All shows feature a 50-minute matinee performance at 1pm and a 90-minute performance at 7pm. Tickets range in price from $9-$25. Visit www.moodytickets.com Or call 409-683-4186. Redesign Etc. is Galveston's Home Staging & Interior Redesign Specialist Staging Your Home To Sell! Contact Cindy Bryant for a Home Staging Consultation today! 07/31/2008

Island Star Performances presents Galveston Summer Musicals Broadway on the Gulf, located at beautiful Moody Gardens. "The Music Man", will be playing from July 25- Aug. 3. Based on the classic musical by Meredith Wilson, where a fast talking traveling salesman Harold Hill cons the people of River City, Iowa into buying instruments for a boy's band he plans to organize.  He master plan however is to skip town with all the money. Check the website for show times and prices. Call 1-800-547-4697   Visit Redesign Etc. Galveston's Home Staging & Redesign Specialist Staging Your Home To Sell! Contact Cindy Bryant for a Home Staging Consultation Before The Summer Selling Season is over. 07/24/2008

I have had the distinct honor of becoming one of the few agents to obtain a new listing at the recently completed Palisade Palms High rise.  If you have not seen the tower you really don;t know what your are missing!  The people at The Falcon Group and the builders Brasfeild & Gorrie have done a "bang-up" job in getting this magnificent building completed.  A few of the many amenities and features the building offers are: · 20-foot water wall · Expansive balconies allowing all residents panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico and/or Galveston Bay · Units range in size from 1,044 to 3,000 square-feet, one bedroom floor plans to penthouses · Separate adult and children' pool area · Beachcomber's Kids' Club with an enclosed jungle gym · Terrace level Lanai Lounge, offering 360-degree view of... 06/18/2008

Galveston's East Beach Palisade Palms Luxury Condos Now Closing . . . So what's a Florida real estate broker doing blogging on a Texas condominium project? I'm so glad you asked! While my primary real estate market area is the Greater Pensacola Bay Area and I sell all manner of residential (and on occasion commercial) property in the Pensacola area, I am also licensed in Alabama and Mississippi and sell real estate across the Gulf Coast. Back in 2005, while I was knee deep in selling pre-construction condominiums throughout the three state region, I was approached by a Texas developer with a condominium project planned for East Beach on Galveston Island. Did I have clients that might be interested? At first I wasn't so sure, but after a quick fact finding trip to the East Beach site and... 06/15/2008

Invest In Galveston There are a few important points to remember when looking for, purchasing and owning an investment property in Galveston. In Searching for an Investment Property 1. Location near the beach 2. Number of people the property will sleep 3. Purchasing a furnished property will save time and money 4. Look for an established rental history, or nearby properties with history. In Making the most profit from your investment 1. Choose a rental company for cleaning, booking and overseeing your property. There are many on the island that charge different rates and extra fee's. Be sure to shop around. 2. Always think of your net income from an investment property as taking your 20% out of the gross, minus utilities, taxes, mortgage and insurance. 3. An investment in a condo for re... 06/03/2008

There are many options to choose from when looking for a condo in Galveston. Prices range from a low of near 65K for a small one bedroom with view, along the seawall and up. Most people aren't aware of the investment options available to them in a condo purchase. Many are in "rental programs" and allow for a "net" income of 15-25K per year on your condo purchase, still allowing you to use it yourself. An easy way to build equity and own a beach condo in Galveston. Other options exist for luxury condos, in one of the many new developments. Pointe West is one of our newest communities located on the far west end of the island, offering luxurious condos steps from the private, manicured beaches. Other new develpments in Galveston also offer an opportunity to purchase at "pre-construction" ... 06/03/2008

                                                         Being an island, Galveston has some beautiful lush, tropical paradise landscaping.  Some of the homes have picture perfect yards, that are a slice of heaven.  One way to catch a peek into some of these treasures is to take the "Back Garden Tour" a fundraiser to encourage people to "Keep Texas Beautiful" and to "Go Green".  Saturday, June 7th, from 10:00am - 5:00pm and Sunday, June 8th, 12:00pm-5:00pm there will be 10 private gardens 5 with pools and 2 bonus gardens to view.  You will get to leisurely walk through and be able to talk to the homeowners.  The tours are self-guided and advance tickets are $7 and $10 the days of the tour.  For more information on purchasing tickets call 409-762-3363.  The homes on tour are located at: ... 05/31/2008

Galveston Island is full of historic properties, dating back to before the great storm of 1900. Many homes are registered as national historic properties, and are also recognized by the Galveston Historical Foundation. Located in one of the many historic districts of Galveston, such as: The East End Historic District, The Strand, Downtown, The Silk Stocking District and the Lost Bayou Historic District, are homes ranging in price from 150,000.00 to over 1Million. Some homes feature modernization of the interior, but most keep with the traditional victorian and european/victorian style of the era in which they were built. Many times, a historic property can be purchased for under market value when it may need work. This allows for many owners to obtain an investment, as well as preserve ... 05/31/2008

I suggest Galveston. Whether you want to shop, eat, swim at the beach or just see the sights, Galveston has it all. We recently went to spend the day at the beach. When you go to the beach you can't leave without building a sandcastle so of course my nieces and nephew just had to build an amazing one, outdoing themselves every year.  To all who wish to go and have never been I would like to give you a piece of advice. Never Feed The Birds!                                 This is one of my nephews favorite things to do...attracting the birds to us, then running away...! Visit www.RedesignEtc.com Galveston's Home Staging & Redesign Specialist Staging Your Home To Sell! Contact Cindy Bryant for a Home Staging Consultaiton today!   05/28/2008

League City residents can now go to the public swimming pool starting May 24th.  Residents can swim free with a summer Swim Pass for $10.  Passes can be purchased at the swimming pool.  A copy of a current water bill or tax bill is required.  Bring proof of age for all children's passes.  Any child under the age of ten will not be allowed unless accompanied by an adult.  Resident Passes-$10 per person.                          Non-Residents-$85 for family of four                          Additional $20 for each family member thereafter Admission fee without a pass:  $2.00 for adults (age 10 & up) & $1.50 for children (age 9 & under).  Visit www.RedesignEtc.com League City's Home Staging & Redesign Specialist Staging Your Home To Sell! Contact Cindy Bryant for a Home Staging Consultatio... 05/24/2008

The Galveston Bay Foundation invites volunteers to assist with Marsh Mania from 9 am until noon on May 31, and help to clean up Galveston Bay.  This annual restoration effort involves clean up and planting of cord grass and sea grass.  This helps to provide homes for wildlife, protect shorelines, and improve water quality.  Volunteers can create more than ten acres of habitat in the Galveston Bay area.  Contact Volunteer Houston Bay Area at 281-282-6035 or visit www.volunteerhouston.org www.StagingSmartNSold.com provides Galveston home staging designed to facilitate a rapid and profitable house sale for area Realtors and homeowners.  The owner is also a volunteer in the Houston Bay Area. 05/15/2008

Ten houses dating from 1839 to 1912 will be on view during the 34th Annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour. The weekend of May 10 and 11 will be the final weekend, with hours from 10 am until 6 pm. Tickets are $25, and available online at www.galvestonhistory.org, or by phone at 1-877-772-5425, or at the Heritage Visitors Center at Ashton Villa, or area Kroger stores. www.StagingSmartNSold.com offers Galveston home staging to facilitate a rapid and profitable house sale for area Realtors and home sellers.  05/06/2008

Galveston, Texas has such an array of natural beauty that often it is sometimes hard to notice the beautiful wildflowers.  They grow along the beach and throughout the island.  The beach itself provides such natural beauty. You have to remind yourself to stop and notice the other gifts nature has given us.  You will be glad you took the time to remember all of natures wonders.The photo above is of a flower called the Indian Blanket.  It blooms from May to September.  In addition to its beauty it provides our island with an important benefit.  It helps to prevent beachfront erosion.  Next we want to draw your attention to the Evening Primrose, aka Ozark Sundrops.  This flower blooms from May to June but the individual flowers are only around for a few days.Our final photo features a love... 04/30/2008

Ryson Real Estate and Vacation Rentals is proud to announce its newest addition to the rental pool, "Just Beachy." This 2 bedroom/1.5 bath Galveston beach front condo is sure to be a success this year! With a beautiful view of not only the beach, but the pool as well, this condo will make you want to come back to Galveston time and time again! Give us a call today for more information or to book, it's sure to go fast!! (409) 740-1600 If the condo is not what you're looking for, don't hesitate to visit our web site for a listing of Galveston beach house rentals! 04/25/2008

The kickoff parade for the annual Galveston County Fair and Rodeo will be at 9 am on Saturday, April 12.  The parade will start at the West County Building at 8 am in Santa Fe on Texas Highway 6.  It will then proceed to the Galveston County Fairgrounds parking lot.  The theme of the parade is "A Treasure Chest of the Country's Best", and awards will be given for depictions of this theme at the Main Gate entrance immediately following the parade.  The categories are Best Commercial Float, Best Youth Float, Best Public Service Vehicle, Best Clown, Best Group, Best Classic Car/Truck, and Best of Show.www.StagingSmartNSold.com offers Galveston home staging designed to facilitate a quick and profitable house sale for area Realtors and homeowners. 04/11/2008

From 10 am until 2 pm on Monday, April 14 will be Senior Citizens Day at the Galveston County Fair and Rodeo.  Included free activities for those persons 62 and older will be a social hour, early bird drawings, entertainment, a barbecue lunch, dance contest, and games.  Approximately 500 seniors enjoy this special day at the rodeo each year. More information can be found at www.galvestoncountyfair.com .www.StagingSmartNSold.com provides Galveston home staging solutions to facilitate a rapid and profitable house sale for area Realtors and homeowners.  04/11/2008

Moody Gardens Convention Center is the location for a concert benefiting St Vincent's House in Galveston.  Headliners are the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, and Choirs from Galveston County; and the performance is at 6 pm on April 19.  Tickets are $15 for Adults, $10 for Senior citizens and children.  For further information, please call 409-763-8521 or visit www.stvhope.com .www.StagingSmartNSold.com provides Galveston home staging solutions designed to prepare a house for a rapid and profitable sale.  04/05/2008

Five presentations will be held on Saturday mornings in April from 9 to 11 am and sponsored by the Galveston Historical Foundation.  Practical tips will be combined with discussions of the architectural styles representative of Galveston.  Reservations are suggested and admission to the entire five series is $45 for GHF members, $55 for non-members.  Admission to individual classes is $10 for GHF members and $12 for non members.  A list of the classes and reservation form can be found at www.galvestonhistory.org www.StagingSmartNSold.com  provides Galveston home staging solutions designed to promote a quick and profitable house sale for homeowners and Realtors. 04/02/2008