When the developer of "The Woodlands" conceived the unique Master planned community in the early 1970s,  his vision was one of great success.   These days as we drive through the sprawling and constantly growing and evolving area now widely and well known, we are continually amazed at the evolution.   Who would have thunk?  The concept of mixing neighborhoods of modest homes and opulent mansions was way outside the ordinary for its time.   Later on things like patio homes and apartments were added to all the areas.   When shopping centers and eateries began to emerge behind the screens of forest,  they provided employment opportunities close by.   It was not long until large business and office buildings began to rise above the trees.   Today the well designed winding roads are lined wi... 07/27/2012

Just when you think you have seen it all,  some clever someone comes up with another advertising idea.   As we were spending time in one of our favorite markets yesterday we rounded a corner and came face to face with the sign in the photo.   As it happens we both have a serious weakness for Cheetos.  But thankfully we don't eat them very often since they are really somewhat questionable as to their content.   Luckily we had had a Cheeto snack earlier in the day.  So the sign was really a chuckle to us!   Without having had our recent fix we could have been a serious danger as we attempted to find some Cheetos.   Although it is doubtful that any of us would mistake a Cheeto for a banana,  it makes for an interesting mental visual.   The experience also challenged us to come up with mor... 07/25/2012

So we have definitely seen our fair share of rain here in The Woodlands, TX this summer! The past few weeks have certainly been filled with lots of rain but now the sun is shining brightly and we are back to enjoying our Sunny Summer Days! The rain cooled our temeratures down but one thing it did not cool down is our HOTT REAL ESTATE MARKET here in Houston and The Woodlands area!    In The Woodlands  & Houston we are experiencing Sizzling Sales! Here are a few reports that prove just how HOT we are! Texas #1 State for Business Texas #1 in Job Recovery, Adding 410,400 Jobs since recession Houston #1 city to relocate to by Uhal.com Houston #1 Projected Fastest Growing City by The National Mayors Conference Houston announced by National Association of Home Builders showing "Measurable & Su... 07/25/2012

Ducks are clearly one of our favorite birds.   These were sighted in the Woodlands at one of the many parks and lakes interspersed throughout the wonderfully forested  neighborhoods.   Not far from this cluster was a young man and his children with some sort of throwable food.... bread, I think.  He seemed to be enjoying being the center of attention.   There are probably many people who indulge in that pursuit.  It is so rewarding to satisfy the needs of others.  Even ducks appear to appreciate efforts of those who spend their time  helping others.   The lake features along with the parks and walking trails found throughout the Woodlands enhance the homey feelings experienced by more and more residents .  Having watched this area grow ever since its beginning concepts in the 1970s,  t... 07/25/2012

CONCERTS IN THE WOODLANDS ~ DOOBIE BROTHERS! The Cynthia Woods Mitchel Pavilion, had another rocking night in The Woodlands, Texas! The Doobie Brothers brought down the house with an outstanding performance!  These guy sounded great and know how to get a crowd on their feet! My husband and I were lucky enough to have 3rd row seats in the Pit so we were up close and personal!  A really great experience being able to enjoy the concert at this vantage point.  What a treat! The Doobie Brothers were followed by another favorite of mine - Chicago!  I will write about their performance in another blog post.  Also, very outstanding! Concerts in The Woodlands, Texas are a great option for anyone! There is so much to do and see in our great city so come on out and experience The Woodlands for you... 07/22/2012

THE WOODLANDS CONCERTS ~ HUEY LEWIS & JOE COCKER Once again at The Cynthia Woods Mitchel Pavilion, an outstanding performance by Huey Lewis and The News followed by Joe Cocker rocked the crowd.  The Pavilion is an outstanding outdoor performance venue that brings in thousands of fans to The Woodlands, Texas!  With a great covered area along with a lush, grassy lawn area, this outdoor music venue is a favorite place to be! Huey Lewis and the News put on a very good concert and brought back many memories to those of us who remember those songs fondly!  It is great seeing these guys still performing after all of these years!  Huey was followed by the outstanding performer, Joe Cocker. Concerts in The Woodlands, Texas are a great option for anyone!  There is so much to do and see in our gre... 07/22/2012

In The Woodlands located on Rayford Sawmill rod close to I45 is an oasis of healthful products and knowledgeable staff people who can help guide you on a journey to feeling better and perhaps being much healthier.  The staff can also offer diverse modalities such as hair analysis, Iridology, reflexology and ionic foot baths.     My trip thru the hospital in 2008 and the detour through heavy pharma put me in a wheelchair for eight unproductive months.   That unsatisfactory path taught us a great deal.  I had a minor stroke (if any stroke can be minor) sometime during that time period.  I was being treated for high cholesterol, high blood sugar, high blood pressure and acute pancreatitis.   The pharma drugs kept making me sicker and sicker and I could not keep food down.     It was a tim... 07/22/2012

Although I had heard about a new tax  that would begin in 2013,  I did not really compute that it was coming that soon or how much it will affect each of the sellers we work with.   The new tax is a part of the highly complicated Health care bill recently declared constitutional.   I do not understand the ins and outs whys or what's.     It will soon be a part of every transaction we do.  It is another 3.8 percent cost to the seller when he sells his property.   For all of us who are trying to downsize,  this is more money we will not get to keep.   How many of your potential sellers do not know that it will cost them more to sell starting next year?   As their trusted advisor shouldn't you at least let them know?   Looks as if all of us spread the word, there will be a lot more listing... 07/22/2012

Woodlands Fit Running Club Deadline, July 31st, 2012   What is Woodlands Fit?USA Fit Woodlands is an award-winning 28 week running and walking program. This same program, currently being held in over 50 cities throughout the country with expansions targeted internationally as well, winning rave reviews and growing every year. USA Fit Woodlands will begin its next season on Saturday, July 9th and Saturday, July 16th with a final registration on July 31st ok ... this picture is a little more "professional" than what Woodlands Fit does but it is an amazing program to get you accountable to running on a weekly basis and working towards a goal of either a half-marathon or a full-marathon!   This is more like the paths that we will be running on .... 07/21/2012

 Newest Project in The Woodlands: Lake Woodlands New Pedestrian Complex     The Woodlands Landing Huge New Pedestrian Complex The Woodlands’ next big mixed-use development will be named after famous aviator, philanthropist, and recluse Howard Hughes. Hughes Landing will sit at the upper east end of Lake Woodlands, west of The Woodlands Mall and north of the East Shore neighborhood. Its 66 acres will eventually be covered with 8 office buildings, a boutique hotel, shops and entertainment venues, and apartments. Plus: a boardwalk and pier jutting into the lake. First to go up in the new development will be another one of those Gensler-designed office buildings, One Hughes Landing, shown above. Construction on it starts this fall; the building is expected to be finished by the end of next... 07/21/2012

Houston Restaurant Week in Houston and The Woodlands! We got to eat at Del Frisco's Steak House Last year for a fraction of the regular prices by participating in HOUSTON RESTAURANT WEEK! $35 Dinner - 3 Courses (4 courses at some restaurants)Restaurants donate $5 per dinner sold to the Houston Food Bank$20 Lunch - 2 Courses (3 courses at some restaurants)Restaurants donate $3 per lunch sold to the Houston Food Bank Once a year, during the month of August, a wonderful thing happens here in Houston ... Welcome to Houston Restaurant Weeks ... ALL the Meals Benefit the Houston Food Bank!!!!!! This happens the entire month of August and you can dine at some of the finest restaurants in Houston and The Woodlands, for a fraction of the price! It's easy! Just like any other dining experience, p... 07/21/2012

Here from top agents at Keller Williams The Woodlands and Magnolia why you should sign up to attend Mega Camp 2012 in Austin, Texas.   Get registered for Mega Agent Camp 2012 today! 07/19/2012

Here is your weekly interest rate update: Conventional 30 year Mortgage: 3.375% Credit score:740 LTV:80% Loan Amount:$200k APR: 3.6% FHA 30 year:3.25% Credit Score:640 LTV:96.5% loan amount:$200k APR:4.15% Conventional 15 year:2.75% Credit score:740 LTV:80% Loan Amount:$200k APR:3.25%   Call me today if you are thinking of refinancing or buying a home, for the best mortgage rate possible. 07/18/2012

THE WOODLANDS, TX REAL ESTATE ~ 130 ALMONDELL - PENDING! This wonderful home in the Village of Sterling Ridge in the neighborhood of May Valley went under contract last week!  Our own Tiffany Sniezek represented the Buyer and it is looking positive for a smooth closing ahead.  This former Highland Home model is loaded with extras and was a fantastic buy! Five bedrooms with five and one half baths, hand-scraped wood floors, executive study loaded with extensive wood-work, an outdoor fireplace and kitchen, video surveillance system, air conditioned 3-car garage and so much more!  This house has it all and was listed at an excellent price!  I know that this new owner is going to love calling 130 Almondell home!  Chevaux Group is excited about the market in The Woodlands, Texas!  We continu... 07/16/2012

THE WOODLANDS, TX NEW RETAIL SHOPPING CENTER ~ SHOPS AT ALDEN BRIDGE Adjacent to the new HEB Grocery Store on FM 1488 and Kuykendahl, a new retail shopping center is preparing to open!  This 33,653 s.f. center has excellent visibility and is already filling up quickly with new retail businesses.  CVS Pharmacy has already committed the pad site in the corner of the center. Proposed businesses in the center include a restaurant, dentist, medical office, opthomology clinic and a massage clinic.  With the site having such great visibilty, access and high traffic counts, the center should be completely occupied very quickly.  Also, the retail space in The Woodlands is at an all-time low making any new center very attractive. Chevaux Group recently represented a client for this new center.  M... 07/15/2012

THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS ~ KEEPING OUR HEADS ABOVE THE WATER!      Here are a few pictures from The Woodlands today as the rain was coming down hard.  One of my associates, Tiffany Sniezek and I headed out to check on some of our Chevaux Group listings.  We were amazed at the sights that we were seeing.  Thankfully the homes fared well and there was no damage. Real estate in The Woodlands is extremely brisk right now.  We are literally doing all that we can to keep our heads above the water.  We love what we do and we would love to assist you with your next real estate transaction.  Give us a call today!  Chevux Group works RAIN OR SHINE!                                                                                                                            07/12/2012

THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS FLOODING ~ JULY 2012 About this time last year I was reporting on the serious drought situation that we were experiencing.  Today, we are facing the opposite extreme as we have been inundated with torrential downpours that are continuing to dump a ton of rain on us.  Yes we are very thankful for the rain yet at the same time, our waterways, ditches and detention ponds are brimming over and we are now in a flooding situation. Today one of my Associate Tiffany Sniezek and I went to check on several of our Chevaux Group listings for clients who have already vacated their homes.  Luckily these homes were high and dry!  The drive getting there however, was a bit tricky.  There was so much water on Woodlands Parkway that it took us about 15 mintues just to cross the bridg... 07/12/2012

Here is your weekly interest rate update: Conventional 30 year Mortgage: 3.375% Credit score:740 LTV:80% Loan Amount:$200k APR: 3.6% FHA 30 year:3.25% Credit Score:640 LTV:96.5% loan amount:$200k APR:4.15% Conventional 15 year:2.75% Credit score:740 LTV:80% Loan Amount:$200k APR:3.35%   Call me today if you are thinking of refinancing or buying a home, for the best mortgage rate possible. 07/11/2012

THE WOODLANDS, TX REAL ESTATE ~ 130 ALMONDELL ~ PENDING! Chevaux Group is pleased to announce another PENDING listing at 130 Almondell Circle. This fantastic 5 bedroom, 5 bath home is located in the Village of Sterling Ridge and the neighborhood of May Valley. Located in a newer section with quick access to the West end of The Woodlands is a perfect location for someone commuting to Tomball or the 249 area. The real estate market in The Woodlands, Texas is hopping right now. If you are looking to purchase a home here, give us a call today. There is no time to wait. Our available inventory is dwindling quickly. We are seeing homes being on the market for a number of hours rather than day. If you have been contemplating selling your home, this is the perfect time. With more people moving ... 07/05/2012

                                                            The Woodlands, Tx Real Estate market is HOT, HOT, HOT!     If you have any doubt, just ask my clients in Indian Springs whose house had 16 showings and 7 offers in 4 days!     Is your Woodlands home listed and not having the same luck?  It might not be due to luck.  There are many factors that would prevent a home from going under contract even in a HOT market. We all know about the 3 factors affecting the sale of a home. 1. Price 2. Condition 3. Location But what does this really mean?   Price:  Well, even in a HOT market you can be overpriced.  I have been told by numerous sellers that they want X amount of $$$ for their house. Well, so do I, but unfortunately its not what the market will allow.  Part of the reason my listing... 07/05/2012