LGI Homes is currently featured as one of the ten companies to watch in the homebuilding industry in 2010.   The story about LGI Homes appears on www.builderonline.com  Check out the story here  http://www.builderonline.com/economic-conditions/10-companies-to-watch-in-2010.aspx The story focuses on the fact that LGI Homes has had 16 consecutive quarters of profitability in a very tough new home market.  LGI Homes is also standing out about the crowd with the fact that they have been able to increase margins in this market. LGI Homes targets first time homebuyers in the Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Houston markets. LGI Homes is the leader in building affordable new homes.   LGI Homes spends a lot of money advertising and generates a lot of traffic to their new homes communities.  ... 01/09/2010

The Houston Chronicle had a great article today about plant survival in freezing temperatures.  We are supposed to have several days of frigid temperatures starting tomorrow (lows in the mid 20's).  Here in Houston we rarely have frigid temperatures and for sure not several days in a row.  I am going to share the highlights for those of you that missed the article. (Which would have been me had a friend not told me so I stopped and bought a paper). I love all the tropical plants that I'm able to grow in Spring and I for one don't want to have to start over. After reading the article I realized that I've not been going at this correctly.  According to the article you want to mulch, water and cover.  They recommend watering if it has not rained.  Water and mulch should be enough for certa... 01/06/2010

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year from Spring TX.  Having moved here from the north I still find it weird when I see the fireworks stands opening before Christmas.  I'm thinking the fireworks stands must be doing a GREAT business this evening as our dog is cowering at my feet as we hear fireworks in all directions.  2009 has been a wonderful year; of course capped by our son getting out of the Army in June and becoming a college student here locally. What a blessing it has been having him here this holiday season. My heart goes out to those whose loved ones are serving far away; many in harms way.  Please remember to keep our troops in your prayers.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Copyright © 2009 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved. *Happy New Year - Fireworks in Spring TX!!*  Picture take... 12/31/2009

SPRING, TEXAS- Northgate Crossing Subdivision - 4% Rates on all inventory.  You can't beat it!!!  Please check out my inventory listings. http://lisafox.net/Inventory.asp                                                    Northgate Crossing - Spring, Texas  ~December Inventory ~ Lisa  832.788.0016                         www.lisafox.net   4%  Fixed Rates thru our preferred lender Or $6000 off @ Market Please ask about MCC Program.  It helps many buyers get the home they want!!!!    REDUCED!!  READY NOW!!        $113,990  ($113,990 @ 4% fixed rate-No other discounts apply)          1010 Lieren Ln.                                                    WAS $125,610 2 Story - Master UP (1975 Sq/Ft)    Lake Ridge Builders     Plan #260 PC Cul-de-sac.  3 Bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage. HIGH CEI... 12/15/2009

27814 Golden Oak Chase Ct is in The Reserve of Benders Landing Estates. Build your custom dream home on this lovely wooded 1/2+ acre lot on a cul-de-sac with full utilities. Enjoy the facilities of The Estates: resort style swimming pool, clubhouse, banquet/meeting room facility, state of the art exercise facility, basketball and tennis courts, lakeside park with playground and walking trails. Low Montgomery County Property Taxes and no MUD taxes! This property is listed at $65,000. For more information click on the Address/Picture or contact Jennifer Moriarty. Lake Conroe Real Estate   12/11/2009

4622 Countrymeadows, Spring, Tx 77388 Offered at $285,000   Amazing 4 bedroom (up to six), 3 full baths, 1 half bath, 2 car garage home is being offered at the unbelieveable price of $285,000. This stunning home located in Country Lakes Estates boast nearly 4,000 sq feet of living space, granite countertops, 42 inch cherry cabinets, gameroom/media with surround sound and wired for projection tv. Huge master bedroom measuring approx. 18x28 with two huge walk in closets and executive master bath with separate shower and whirlpool tub. Secondary bedroom has private bath. Dining room is 16' long providing ample room to fully extend the dining table during the holidays.  Home lights are wire through the computer and can be turned on and off from any computer via internet.  Security cameras h... 11/12/2009

Shortly after moving to Spring TX we were introduced to the book Gulf Coast Gardening by Randy Lemmon.  We have lived in 4 different states and one of the things we have learned along the way is to plant according to what plants are native to the area.  We started listening to Randy Lemmon's garden-line Saturday mornings on 740AM and ended up purchasing his book Gulf Coast Gardening.  His book is now tattered and dog eared but has helped us to find plants that are native to our area. We have heard Randy Lemmon talk about raised bed gardening for years but kept putting it off.  For our fall garden we finally started our raised beds.  We intend to make 5 raised beds but to start off we made two.  (We probably would have done all 5 but I wasn't ready to give up my okra).  I figured two bed... 10/20/2009

Bender's Landing Estates is a community where you can enjoy your home with land!  Homesites are 1+ acres.    Located in Spring, Texas, just north of Houston, a short hop to The Woodlands, quick access to major highways and part of South Montgomery County - Bender's Landing Estates is definitely a prestigious place to live!  Select a lakefront, waterfront or choice wooded homesite for your dream residence.  The list of amenities for Bender's Landing Estates is long.    Grand Clubhouse State-of-the-Art Fitness Center Banquet/Meeting Room with Kitchen Facilities Resort Style Swimming Pool Children's Splashpad Lakeside Park Playground 15 miles of Walking Trails 200+ Acres of Nature Preserves Athletic Fields & Courts  Deed restrictions No MUD taxes Conroe ISD Schools Susan Brown, Your Texas ... 10/20/2009

At Gleannloch Farms, life really is this beautiful. A dream lifestyle awaits your family, with exceptional amenities, including a lakeside aquatic complex, a state of the art fitness center, a fabled equestrian center, a championship golf course and schools from the highly acclaimed Klein Independent School District. New in 2008, a 2.5 acre "bark park" for the four-legged pets of residents. A fenced area with human and pet "water fountains" nestled among pine trees. The story of Gleannloch Farms dates back to the 1950s, when it was known as the premier source for Egyptian Arabian horses. Today the legacy of that bygone era is still very much a part of the magic that distinguishes Gleannloch Farms. Gleannloch Farms 2008 Real Estate Market Report Number of Homes Sold 190 Average Day on Ma... 10/15/2009

I have been asked by many Spring TX first time home buyers what they will need to bring to closing. The first item that comes to mind is of course funds to close. I have had a few Veterans who did not have to bring funds to the closing  table but not many. With the changes in the loan industry most 100% loans are gone so you will need some cash. The money to pay all your fees and closing cost will need to be in the form of "guaranteed funds" such as a Cashier's Check. Your agent or escrow officer will notify you of the exact amount. You will receive a closing document required by HUD that outlines the settlement cost. The Title Company prepares this document. The HUD statement is a little difficult to read as you read it backwards. You start with page two and then go back to page 1. Pag... 09/15/2009

I am often asked; "why should I use a REALTOR® when buying a new home in Spring TX"?  The advantages of having me help you purchase a new home are the same as those for purchasing a resale home...knowledge of the market, help in finding the perfect home quickly, expertise in contract writing/negotiation, and closing assistance. The builder has a professional representative watching out for his needs, and you need the same expert representation. I want to repeat that last part again. The builder has a professional representative watching out for their needs and you need someone that is watching out for your needs.  Typically these professional representatives are very nice people but keep in mind that they represent the builder's interest not yours.  Buying a new home in Spring TX is a l... 09/15/2009

One of the many things that I love about living in Spring TX is the accessibility to Lake Conroe.  This last Independence Day Lake Conroe Sailing Association hosted a boat parade on Lake Conroe.  I posted pictures from a flyover of that parade on Speechless Sunday.  I had a lot of people that thought it was an air show and as much as I love air shows this was a flyover the boat parade. I don't know anything about the planes but they were Incredible. William Johnson came up with the idea of doing a post the day after submitting "Speechless Sunday" pictures to explain the pictures. I decided I did not want to post an Independence Day Boat parade on Labor Day so I waited until Tuesday to explain the pictures. This event was very cool for us as it was the first time we had both of our young... 09/08/2009

LGI Homes is now available through the social media channels.  Check us out on twitter, facebook,linked in, and you tube.  LGI Homes is the leader is selling affordable new homes in the Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston new homes markets. Check us out at www.lgihomes.com     09/03/2009

The most recent statistics show that the average homebuilder closes slightly less than 2 homes per community per month yet LGI closes  more than 10 homes per community per month.  Why is that?   LGI Homes focuses on sales and closings.  Stop in and visit one of our communities in Fort Worth, Houston or San Antonio to see the difference.       09/03/2009

I am continuing my Spring TX first time home buyer series.  In this post we are going to talk about home owners associations.   On a regular basis I have people asking me to find them a home that is not in a homeowner's association. Usually this is someone moving here from another state and usually the area that they are moving from has zoning in affect.  I am going to tell you why I don't think that is a good idea living in the Spring area. The problem with not buying in a subdivision in Spring TX is that WE DO NOT HAVE ZONING IN SPRING TX.  Since we don't have zoning it is a free for all.  People can build whatever they want wherever they want it. It is not uncommon to see a nice home next to a trailer on cinder blocks in unrestricted areas..    I will never forget when I found out th... 08/31/2009

I am continuing my Spring TX first time home buyer series.  In this post we are going to talk about your Spring TX title policy.  In Texas we close at Title companies and if you are getting a loan you are going to be required by your lender to have a title policy.  Title insurance provides protection against title defects that were unknown to you at the time you purchased the policy.  Before writing a policy, a title company will check for defects in your title by examining public records, including deed, mortgages, wills, divorces, court judgments, tax records, liens, and encumbrances.  The company will then defend in court any claims to the property that are covered by your policy, subject to certain limitations.  If the company loses, it will pay you for covered losses up to the amou... 08/26/2009

This is my 6th post in my Spring TX first time home buyers series.  I have chosen to discuss the Texas option fee and the home inspection in the same post.  Your option period is typically that period of time where you do your home inspections.  I have lived in four states and each state has handled the home inspection process in a different manner.  In Texas all residential contracts have an "option fee" clause. This clause allows buyers and sellers to negotiate a specified time during which the buyer can fully evaluate the house.  For this right, they buyer pays the seller a nonrefundable "option fee".  Once you have finished negotiations and all parties have signed the contract you now have a fully executed contract.  Prior to this it was called an offer but you are now under contrac... 08/24/2009

In my last post we discussed what price a Spring TX first time home buyer might want to offer.  In this post I am going to discuss the other items that we will need to negotiate.  In Texas we have an 8 page resale contract.  Price is what most Spring TX first time home buyer's think of when making an offer but there are a number of other terms that will also need to be negotiated. I am going to go through the items on our Texas contract that I expect we will be negotiating.  Section 3 - Sale Price- I covered this extensively in my last post Spring TX First Time Home Buyers Guide - Part 4 - What price do we offer! Section 4 - Financing - The only way we would not mark this sections is if you were paying cash for your transaction.  If you are getting a loan we will be marking that "this c... 08/23/2009

I'm often asked by my Spring TX first time home buyers "How much under the listing price should we offer?" This is an excellent question. As I had told you at the end of part 3 (the home search) we will run comparatives going back 6 months to see how the home is priced compared to other homes that have sold in the area. I have found that Spring TX sellers price their home differently for different reasons.  1. Ridiculously Overpriced! Often these sellers have an unrealistic expectation of what their home is worth.  I have found these sellers usually shop real estate agents until they find one that will agree to list at their ridiculous price.  These homes can be 10 to even 30% overpriced. These sellers may need a "dose of reality" for a few months before they begin to realize that their... 08/20/2009

Now that you are pre-approved and have decided on the area you want to live in it is time to start searching for your Spring TX home.  At this point you are going to have a list of homes that you have identified from your web search.  We can then schedule a time that works for both of us to look for your home. I don't recommend looking at more than 10 Spring TX homes at a time.  I have found if you look at more than that it becomes difficult to remember what you have seen.  You are going to want to bring a notebook along so you can take notes as we go.  If you can tell that a home is not going to work then it is best just to move on to the next home.  My real estate mentor years ago gave me some wise advice.  She told me to never sell a house that I couldn't resale.  I have taken her in... 08/18/2009