Last week we had a stove stolen out of one of our listings.The house is new on the market and is vacant.One agent had showed the house complete with appointment.Feedback was that the people did not like the floor plan. That is why they make black shoes and brown shoes.  No problem!The problem is that when we read the lock box after the theft was discovered, there was no entry for that agent....  So how did he get in to show?  Don't you just love puzzles?!We decided that since there was no forced entry, someone left either a window or door open.  No proof and no evidence .To ensure that this did not happen again, we decided that we would go check the house after each showing.Last night on our way to the lock check, we saw a bright pink balloon floating across the road.We wondered where i... 10/01/2012

If you are traveling along Louetta in Northwest Houston,  there is a belly rub opportunity available.Not something we see every day but the idea is certainly appealing.  It may also prove to be clever marketing. The sign is outside a fancy Veterinary Clinic.What more friendly method to welcome visitors!  It is fairly certain that all the canine visitors will approve.  It might be a bit dicey to welcome cats with a belly rub.  And Ralph was kind of interested to check and see he could get a rub!!  LOL... Down boy!It has been our experience that cats are inclined to greet hands on their bellys with full claws drawn.I am sure that Vets know better than we do.  If not, they are due for some reciprocal scratches! We will be watching for changes in the sign! 09/30/2012

Getting offers is always a good thing!We got one yesterday  on a two week old listing .The owners had bought  the house as an investment about ten years ago.  It has leased well but they are trying to cash in some of their portfolio to retire.In preparing the house for sale they have invested an additional $7,000. The price was established by serious market study and a tangible BPO.  Due to the soft market, we did not factor in the latest repairs or enhancements.The offer was for cash and was to close in a short time right after the buyers inspections could be completed.  The buyer is an investor and the agent told us that this is the buyers highest and best offer.  Is that like "take it or leave it?"The offer was very reasonable considering the cash and no closing costs assistance requ... 09/28/2012

Spring, TX|810 Trickling Springs, 77373|Marilyn Wier 713-542-8451 Spring, TX is located just 20 miles north of Downtown Houston.  The original town of “Spring” is now known as Old Town Spring. Spring, TX is referred to as a large portion of northern Harris County.   With its proximity close to Downtown Houston and a few miles from The Woodlands, TX Spring can offer its residents all the amenities of the big city without feeling like you are living in the big city. As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 36,385 people, 12,302 households, and 9,829 families residing in the CDP. Twelve years later that population has grown significantly because people are seeing the wonderful opportunities and lifestyle Spring has to offer. January 2010 the Houston Business Journal reported that real esta... 09/18/2012

 You get 90 seconds to catch a Buyers attention ... The MOST important thing you can start with is "staging" the home for AMAZING pictures!   As a listing agent in The Woodlands and Spring, My JOB is to get people in the door of your home!  It starts with amazing pictures and a description of every unique detail that makes your house special!    I am sure these pictures speak for themselves! This home was absolutely stunning and the original pictures did not do it justice!  Before the photo's were taken I walked through the home with the seller and gave them a list of things to do to de-clutter the home, which they did, so they got the results they were looking for!                 08/30/2012

The Houston SPCA has offered some tips to keep your dog or cat cool and healthy during the hot summer.  I am going to recap some of their main points. HOT CARS/HEATSTROKE: Do not leave your pet unattended in a car for ANY period of time. The temperature inside a car with the window cracked can reach 120 degrees in a matter of minutes.  A dog body temperature is normally 100.5 to 102.5 degrees if they get too warm their body temperature continues to rise and if their temperature exceeds 106 they could get heat stroke.  Signs of heat stroke may include excessive panting, dark or bright red tongue or gums, excessive drooling, lethargy etc. Heat stroke can cause brain damage, seizures and even death. EXERCISE: On hot days limit your pets jog or walk to the early morning hours so they again ... 08/06/2012

After serious health challenges a few years ago we intensively modified our diet.   Fresh produce has become a favorite part of our daily fare.   Finding fresh locally grown tomatoes, okra, onions, squash and an array of other yummies is a treat.   One of our favorite places (Mittelsteadts) is owned and operated by the family of one of Ralph's classmates.   The produce here is top notch.  Imagine tomatoes that taste like tomatoes!  These large flavorful offerings are one of the reasons we like to stop here for our produce needs.   It also feels good to patronize businesses that have stayed in families for generations.  There is love here that you can taste!   What sort of results do we produce from our businesses?  Granted you probably cannot taste it, but if we have our way, you will ... 08/05/2012

Whether you are looking for delightful stimulation for your senses or totally unique boutiques ,  Spring Texas is a great destination.   There are eclectic eateries with a selection of succulent sweets and savory sensations to please any pallet.   Shops incorporate charming old architecture with out of the ordinary selections of home or yard decorations and exciting clothing offerings.   The narrow streets lined with an iemt trees invite you to park your car and get out and walk.   Before malls, this was the norm in sensational shopping opportunities. Now it is simply an entertaining way to spend a leisure afternoon.   07/29/2012

Louetta / Spring / Champions Area is getting a Whole Foods! Breakfast Bar of Champions Scratch that whole Whole Foods Market reannouncing its BLVD Place plans bit. The new Houston store the grocery company announced yesterday will be a 40,000-sq.-ft. spot in a new strip center planned for the Champions area — on a now-forested plot of land at the southeast corner of Louetta Rd. and Cutten Rd., a few blocks east of the Vintage Park shopping center. And it won’t open until 2014. To get more information about the "Whole Foods Effect" check out this article: http://www.architectmagazine.com/urban-development/can-the-whole-foods-effect-be-repeated.aspx One thing is clear: When it comes to big-store grocers spurring urban growth, Whole Foods has won the first-mover advantage. 07/27/2012

Well then!  You never know what you will find in the totally different environment of Olde Town Spring.   One of many eye opening stores,  this one abounds with creative offerings.   When you are looking for something a little, or a lot different,  you owe yourself a trip to Spring Texas .   There is everything from eclectic eateries to yard art.   If you can think it,  this place probably has it.     If not,  perhaps it is time you considered opening your own specialty shop featuring it.   Too bad the cake balls and angel wings idea has already been taken.   07/22/2012

Everywhere we go we see the misplaced artwork of unsupervised youth.   There are a lot of budding artists all over.  There should be a way to channel all that creativity!     Just think how lovely it would be if that which is intended to ruin peoples stuff could be used to create murals in ugly spaces.   The spray paint used on this train is not cheap.  The access to the "canvass" is usually in unsavory areas.  The reason to do the drawing is not a right one.   How we use the talents and abilities we have been given is important.  Not only do they help us be all we can be, but they can make the world a better place. That is what it is all about isn't it? What is the point of creating pain and destruction?   How many of these young artists have passed through our lives.  How many could ... 07/22/2012

After last year's drought I hate to complain about rain but ENOUGH ALREADY!  Two days in a row this last week I drove my car through deep water.  I don't know when I have been that scared.  The Lord was good to me and I made it through but it was quite scary.  I drive a Nissan Ultima which is fairly close to the ground and to be quite honest I'm not sure how I was not swept off the road. It has now been days later but the flood water is still hanging around.  The picture to the right is a picture of Spring Creek.  The operative word here is Creek not River.  Typically when going over this bridge you have to look hard to find the water.  Not so at the moment. It has been years since we have had flooding in our area but this brought back to me how important it is that everyone get flood i... 07/16/2012

Short Sale and Foreclosure Homes for Sale at Below Market Value in Prestigious Imperial Oaks Subdivision In Spring, TX Why Buy A Short Sale or Foreclosure in Imperial Oaks Subdivision, Spring TX? If you are looking to buy a home in Spring, TX, a short sale or foreclosure in Imperial Oaks Subdivision may be a great choice.  Interest in buying foreclosures has almost tripled among potential home buyers in the past two and half years, and 92.1 percent of those buyers plan to live in them rather than use them as investments, according to a new national survey released today by REALTOR.com.  This suggests the stigma once associated with buying a foreclosure as a home has faded.  In fact, more than two-thirds (64.9 percent) of today’s home buyers said they’re likely to buy a foreclosure compa... 07/09/2012

We just became aware of a very unique listing in the Northwest Houston area, which is primarily a commerical listing with one of our sons.  So in the spirit of sharing, here is some basic information.   It is a 5300 plus or minus sq ft hpuse.  It sits  back from the street under ancient oaks.   The acreage is over two but feels even larger because of its configuration.   It has up to eight bedrooms and was originally a convelesent or rehab home.  It would make a wonderful bed and breakfast facility or a group home.  Anything that requires even short term  communal living would be highly comfortable in this facility.   The interior features many upgrades that sre fairly recent.  It slso has a Huge in ground Pool, with a large protective iron fence around it.  It needs a little work to be... 07/08/2012

Short Sale and Foreclosure Homes for Sale at Below Market Value in Prestigious Spring Lakes subdivision In Spring, TX Why Buy A Short Sale or Foreclosure in Spring Lakes, Spring TX? If you are looking to buy a home in Spring, TX, a short sale or foreclosure in Spring Lakes subdivision may be a great choice.  Interest in buying foreclosures has almost tripled among potential home buyers in the past two and half years, and 92.1 percent of those buyers plan to live in them rather than use them as investments, according to a new national survey released today by REALTOR.com.  This suggests the stigma once associated with buying a foreclosure as a home has faded.  In fact, more than two-thirds (64.9 percent) of today’s home buyers said they’re likely to buy a foreclosure compared to 25.3 per... 07/08/2012

Short Sale and Foreclosure Homes for Sale at Below Market Value in Prestigious Legends Run Subdivision In Spring, TX Why Buy A Short Sale or Foreclosure in Legends Run, Spring TX? If you are looking to buy a home in Spring, TX, a short sale or foreclosure in Legends Run subdivision may be a great choice.  Interest in buying foreclosures has almost tripled among potential home buyers in the past two and half years, and 92.1 percent of those buyers plan to live in them rather than use them as investments, according to a new national survey released today by REALTOR.com.  This suggests the stigma once associated with buying a foreclosure as a home has faded.  In fact, more than two-thirds (64.9 percent) of today’s home buyers said they’re likely to buy a foreclosure compared to 25.3 percen... 07/07/2012

Short Sale and Foreclosure Homes for Sale at Below Market Value in Prestigious Spring, TX Why Buy A Short Sale or Foreclosure in Spring TX? If you are looking to buy a home in Spring, TX, a short sale or foreclosure may be a great choice.  Interest in buying foreclosures has almost tripled among potential home buyers in the past two and half years, and 92.1 percent of those buyers plan to live in them rather than use them as investments, according to a new national survey released today by REALTOR.com.  This suggests the stigma once associated with buying a foreclosure as a home has faded.  In fact, more than two-thirds (64.9 percent) of today’s home buyers said they’re likely to buy a foreclosure compared to 25.3 percent two and a half years ago. The reason so many home buyers are purc... 07/07/2012

Memorial Northwest, Spring, TX, is a custom home subdivision, in Northwest Houston, located in the highly acclaimed Klein ISD, with easy access. Nestled between Spring Cypress & Louetta Rd. stretching from just West of Champion Dr. to Stuebner Airline Rd. A little over 2,200 homes conveniently located 8 miles West of I-45, 2 miles East of HWY 249, and just 1/2 mile north of the prestigous Ravenaux Country Club. Living in this neighborhood provides easy access to downtown, The Woodlands, and the upcoming Exxon Campus in Spring. Memorial Northwest provides its residence with more security than most subdivisions in Houston. The MNW Homeowners Association has a contract with the Sheriff’s department to provide additional security to the subdivision.Four (4) deputies are assigned to the subd... 07/05/2012

Champion Forest, Spring, TX is a custom home subdivision in the highly acclaimed Klein ISD with easy access, and backs up to the Ravenaux Golf Course. It is nestled between Louetta Rd. & Cypresswood Dr., and surrounds Champion Dr.. Just over 1,700 homes make up Champion Forest. It's Mature Trees, low tax rate, and great schools are great benefits of living there.  Easy access to freeways is another plus, it's just 8 miles West of I-45, 2 miles East of HWY 249, and 5 milies north of Beltway 8. In addition, Champion Forest is just a block north of the prestigous Ravenaux Country Club.  Living in Champion Forest provides easy access to downtown, The Woodlands, and the upcoming Exxon Campus in Spring. Champion Forest, Spring, TX provides its residence with more security than most subdivisio... 07/05/2012

SPRING, TX REAL ESTATE ~ PEPPERBERRY TRAIL ~ PENDING! 21535 Pepperberry Trail in Spring, Texas is now PENDING!  This lovely neighborhood just south of the new Exxon Campus is a stone's throw from the building site.  This quiet little neighborhood is going to be a great location for people moving to the area and desiring to be close to the campus.  Just west from I-45 on FM 2920, the subdivision of Hannover Forest is tucked away. Real estate sales in the Spring and The Woodlands areas is booming.  We are experiencing a true supply and demand issue.  More people are moving n than are moving out creating a very low inventory rate as well as decreasing days on the market.  We fully expect this trend to continue for several years as the new companies continue to relocate to our area. Now is ... 07/02/2012