Central Market H-E-B presents "The Grand Wine & Food Affair."  "The Grand Tasting" featuring some of the most sought-after wines in the world today and the talents of the country's culinary superstars will be at the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square, Friday, April 24th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. "Sienna Sip and Stroll" will be held Saturday, April 25th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at Sienna Plantation.  There will be over 40 wineries and a restaurant showcase with culinary delights displayed at 40 tasting tables. For more information click here.       04/29/2009

I get calls weekly from investors who have either heard about me, been referred to me, or have read my blog and become curious about working with me to grow thier wealth in a stable investment rather than the volitile stock market right now. I recently participated in an investor discussion panel with my peers this week and was pleased by the attendance and participation. One thing is for certain, investors need more information and training to make the right deals. Investors need a qualified Realtor to handle thier transactions and provide up to the minute data that is critical to making a wise investment. In the next few days I will be contributing articles geared for new investors and my clients. I will include some case studies and samples of some deals I have done. I look forward t... 04/23/2009

As reported in a recent article appearing in the Houston Chronicle, statistics show Houston home prices fall for the first time in 14 years. As well all know from the media coverage, home prices have been falling and collapsing in some markets nationally. Looking at the data Houston is still one of the most stable markets in the country. Our prices and values have not collapsed like other cities. How much of a collapse did we experience? 2%, yes a whole 2% price drop since last year. Where were we last year on our median home prices? Up 1.5%! The magic number put out by the Houston Chronicle is $72.71 as the median price per square foot in the area. However I would consult with your local Realtor to get the details about your specific neighborhood rather than a general average that enco... 04/23/2009

Attention all my fellow KW associates and community members. The first ever RED DAY is comming very soon on May 14, 2009. Every Keller Williams office in our region is coordinating volunteers for a large group effort in Galveston Texas. Be there in your RED DAY t-shirts and lets show the world the spirit of Keller Williams by helping our neighbors in Galveston. 1. Project: PAINTING THE TOWN, we will be assigned to properties for interior and exterior of homes and non profit locations all over the island.  2. Time: From 10 AM ~ 4 PM on May 14, 2009. We will meet at Galveston Market Center (1019 16th St., Galveston, TX 77550) at 10 in the morning. We will get our supplies and go to the assigned property for the work. We will finish around 4 PM and then go back to Galveston Market Center a... 04/23/2009

Avalon is a master planned community in Sugar Land, Texas located in the highly acclaimed Fort Bend ISD. With more than 70 acre of lakes, water is the themes and inspiration for this beautiful community features Mediterranean style retreat in the hearth of Sugar land This community features four neighborhoods: Avalon-Enclave at waters of Avalon - is the most exclusive neighborhood in Avalon, features elegant custom homes built by Brandenberger & Daigle, Marsters Company, Peterson Homebuilders, Stephen K. Hann Custom Builders, Sterling Classics, Steve Fuqua Homes and Westport Homes. Avalon Gardens - features executive water front semi custom homes ranging from 2,300 to 4,000+ sq. ft. homes exclusively built by Monarch. Avalon Villages - offer affordable, well design homes from 2,200 to ... 03/16/2009

Just wanted to say hello to my fellow agents at home and here with me in Orlando! I arrived in the beautiful city late this afternoon and I'm just settling into my hotel. Seems like it takes longer to unpack than it did to pack! Maybe because I'm in a strange room and don't know where I want to put my stuff. So far so good. Ive got a nice comfy room to myself. Some of my fellow agents at the same hotel are complaining about cleanliness and accommodations here. For the same rate everything works for me. Of course being a germ-aphobe I went across the street for some disinfecting wipes. Next time Im packing my own, I bought a mini can of lysol for $6. As a matter of fact 4 bottles of soda, a snack pack of cookies, lysol, listerine, and soap costed $26! Maybe I need to open a convenience s... 02/20/2009

Mike's Neighorhood Market Report for Lakefield (February 2009) Currently there are 9 homes on the market for February.    3 available   1 option pending   1 pending sales   4 rentals available   1 rental represented by Mike Wong of Keller Williams 4 home in the neighborhood is currently available for rent. Average monthly rate is $1,265 for the neighborhood. Listed price ranges from $135,000 up to $199,000 for current homes on the market. Since Jan 1, 2008: There have already been 10 homes sold in Lakefield. Average square footage of sold properties is about 1823 sf.  Actual sold price ranges were from $109,000 up to $220,000Average home sales price was $186,505 Here are the current available homes in Lakefield: 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1990 square foot home. Listed at $135,000 3 bedroom,... 02/16/2009

It has been a while since I've been active in here the Rain. I'm certainly glad to be back and returning to duty to provide my clients and consumers useful content and information about Sugar Land. I haven't abandoned the industry that I love, I haven't been on a vacation. I haven't been under a rock. I have certainly been busy that ever taking care of my clients and thier real estate needs. Im not sure about the economic slow down locally. Im off to the busiest start ever for a new year. Despite the national media news, real estate transactions continue to happen in Sugar Land and the Greater Houston area. In Sugar Land we are still averaging 50 homes sold per month according to the latest economic report for the area. Thats almost 2 homes sold per day. Leasing occupancy is at an all t... 02/10/2009

February 10, 2009 Mike's Neighorhood Market Report for Park Pointe (February 2009) Currently there are 6 homes on the market for February.    2 available   2 option pending   2 pending sales   1 rentals available   1 SOLD by Mike Wong of Keller Williams 1 home in the neighborhood is currently available for rent. Average monthly rate is $1,400 for the neighborhood. Listed price ranges from $125,000 up to $189,000 for current homes on the market. Since Jan 1, 2009: There have already been 2 homes sold in Park Pointe. Average square footage of sold properties is about 2506 sf.  Actual sold price ranges were from $125,000 up to $145,000Average home sales price was $135,000 Here are the current available homes in Park Pointe: 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1740 sq ft, 1 story home for sale 5 bedroom, 3.... 02/10/2009

In new home construction, the builders, supervisors, sub-contractors and foremen are lacking the knowledge that is needed to have a safe home. This is the reason why builders are required to have independent Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) licensed or Professional Engineers (PE) inspectors inspect the new houses that they build. Unfortunately, some of the Inspection Companies are not updated and are lacking proper training. One of the many examples is what is easily installed at the time of building is step flashing. Throughout the Gulf Coast area in Texas and even along some of the bordering counties, the International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings, Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Roofing Contractors Association and manufacturers of asphalt shi... 02/08/2009

Many of us are expecting to be out there shopping at the last minute during this busy holiday season. During the stress of finding parking, last minute gifts, sifting through what is left at the stores, and comming up with something for that someone who has everything, we forget about ourselves. Im not talking about that meal we sacrificed to continue shopping, or the nice gift for ourselves we sacrificed. In all the holiday shopping madness, DO NOT FORGET ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY! The holiday season is a time when busy people can become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. Here are a few prevention measures to help keep your holiday season joyous. Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you must shop at night, go with a friend or family member.   Dress c... 12/20/2008

Santa Claus and the Sugar Land Mayor James Thompson will officially light the Town Center Christmas tree to kick off the holiday season today from 5-8 pm tonight at Sugar Land Town Square. All activities are free, with the tree lighting tentatively set for 7:30 p.m. The sixth annual Christmas Tree-Lighting event will include family festivities and a few surprises from Santa as he makes his grand entrance. Local businesses will offer children's activities, including face painting, free holiday photo stations and festive giveaways before the lighting ceremony. Performers will include Sugar Land Super Star winner Melanie Finley, local church choirs and orchestras, and the Austin High School drum line. Stilt walkers and jugglers, sponsored by Sugar Creek Baptist Church, will add to the ent... 12/04/2008

I was asked to be interviewed on camera about events happening in Chelsea Harbor in Sugar Land recently. Here is the story from the local news station Fox 26 News Houston: What the story fails to mention is crime can happen anywhere. In retail centers, in homes, in driveways all over Houston from River Oaks, Memorial, or West U. It does not matter the neighborhood, demographics, or area. Crime does not discrimate. This was cut out of my interview and not shown. As the reporter mentioned looking at the history of Chelsea Harbor, crime happens. According to her report and statistics one crime happens per year. Pretty good statistics for a subdivision of over 300 homes and residents. Remember Sugar Land was rated as one of the safest places to live in the country. Chelsea Harbor is not a t... 12/03/2008

The Rockland Insurance Agency of Texas represents almost all of the leading insurance companies in Texas. You give us your info just once. We check the rates of all of our companies and find you the lowest rate. Our great low rates and excellent customer service make us the number one insurance agency in Texas.  We are located in Sugar Land, Tx and service the entire state of Texas.  11/23/2008

During the Nov. 4 election, Sugar Land voters approved propositions allowing the city to use existing sales-tax revenues and establish venue taxes to fund development of a sports stadium and live entertainment venue. Sugar Land officials are now seeking private partners to make the city's proposed Cultural and Entertainment District a reality. Sugar Land officials envision a sports stadium being a minor league baseball park. An affiliated minor league team would require a partnership with the Houston Astros. The city has been working with AEG, a Los Angeles-based sports and entertainment presentation firm, to conduct market feasibility studies for the indoor concert venue and expects to build 6,500-seat facility with a flexible design. The study confirmed that there are opportunities f... 11/21/2008

Included in the $700 Billion Bailout package are some new tax breaks, and many of the tax breaks set to expire in 2008 are being extended in this bill. New tax breaks for disaster victims in presidentially declared disaster areas in the Midwest that were hit by major floods, storms and tornadoes in 2008. Disaster victims whose primary residence was damaged between May 20, 2008, and Aug. 1, 2008, will be able to withdraw money from IRAs, 401k's, 403b's and other retirement plans without the normal 10% early withdrawal penalty and can spread the tax bill over three years. New laws extend tuition and fees deduction through the end of 2009. This is a great way to write off college costs if you earn too much to qualify for the Hope and Lifetime Learning credits. You can deduct up to $4,000 ... 11/21/2008

John Morris passed away peacefully in the presence of his son on October 13th, 2008. We celebrated his life at his memorial service at Sugar Land Bible Church on Friday October 17th. We laughed and cried with his family who came from all over the United States. Afterwards many people went to Bravo's Restaurant, one of John's favorite meeting spots. For those of you who brought lunch to him, repaired his fence after hurricane Ike, signed the large laminated poster, bought a raffle ticket, attended the event at the Vineyards, please know that John appreciated you. John always said that the realtor family was part of his family. Thank you for Caring. 11/21/2008

Be warned Farmers home insurance policyholders, you may see your rates climb an average 9.9% in February 2009. The new rates don't account for losses related to Ike, rather Farmers needed the hike to cover rising labor and materials costs. Farmers has not calculated the hurricane damage costs into thier rates, which means there could be another planned increase on the horizon ready to hit your pocketbook like a hurricane. The company, which sells home insurance through its Texas companies Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange and Texas Farmers Insurance Co., notified state regulators of the bump in rates earlier this week. Farmers has 760,000 home policyholders in Texas. But only half - those under its "HOA" policies - will see a rate increase, Levy said. Customers with T... 11/15/2008

General Growth Properties which owns 5 shopping malls in the Houston area: Baybrook Mall, Deerbrook Mall, First Colony Mall, The Woodlands Mall and Willowbrook Mall reported in a regulatory filing Tuesday that it faces potential bankruptcy if it's unable to refinance its debt. In addition to its Houston malls and other holdings, General Growth has dozens of other malls and high-end properties throughout the U.S. The publicly traded company also owns a 50% interest in The Woodlands and was a developer of Bridgeland which are both master-planned communities. The company reported it has about $958 million in debt that is due Dec. 1, with another $3 billion due in 2009. GGP warned in its filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that efforts to refinance or extend that credit ... 11/11/2008

I attended an informative mortgage update seminar today provided by Dixie Sanders of Patriot Bank. Here are some great tips and information she provided to us. Here are the 9 worst credit mistakes that will affect your FICO score in order of severity: 1) Bankruptcy: will appear on your credit report for at least 7 years, and possibly up to 10 years. 2) Judgments: from court cases, settlements, or liens are the second deadliest sins to your credit. 3) Tax Liens: unpaid tax liens will appear on your credit report. 4) Foreclosures: expect it to be difficcult to get another mortgage if you have a foreclosure on record. 5) Automobile Repossessions: car payments are less than mortgage payments. If a car was repossessed, it does not look very good to lenders. 6) Charge Offs: the collectors gav... 11/10/2008