Here is your weekly interest rate update: Conventional 30 year Mortgage: 3.875% Credit score:740 LTV:80% Loan Amount:$200k APR: 4.3% FHA 30 year:3.75% Credit Score:640 LTV:96.5% loan amount:$200k APR:4.85% Conventional 15 year:3.25% Credit score:740 LTV:80% Loan Amount:$200k APR:3.65%   Call me today if you are thinking of refinancing or buying a home, for the best mortgage rate possible. 05/02/2012

THE WOODLANDS CB&I TRIATHLON 2012 The Woodlands CB&I Triathlon is scheduled for this Saturday, May 5th!  The annual sprint traithlon is a favorite for athletes here.  The swim, bike and run event sells out each year and is a very well organized. If you are interested in volunteering, call 281-210-3934  or visit the volunteer site.  Volunteering allows you to be a part of the event.  It is always fun to be up close and personal with the athletes and cheering them along.  This race brings out all age groups as young as 14 and up into the 80's! As a sprint triathlon, the swim is 500 meters, a 15 mile bike ride and finishing with a 5K run.  The race begins and ends in Northshore park.  The attached maps show the routes and is important to note as traffic will be impacted on the day of the r... 05/01/2012

Creekside Park - Wilde Creek is appropriately named with a creek meandering through the subdivision.  If you are looking for a home that backs to water this maybe the place for you. Homes are priced between $238,000 to 500,000.  Builders that built in Wilde Creek included Chesmar, Village, Lennar, Plantation, David Weekly and Wilshire homes.   Wilde Creek park boast a pavilion with picnic tables, BBQ pits, / Gazebos, Play equipment for older and younger children. Creekside Park Wilde Creek is located off of Creekside Green to the west of Gosling.  For all your The Woodalnds TX Real Estate needs, contact me today! Marchel Peterson Results Realty Cell: 832-721-8332       04/27/2012

Texas Veterans get a break.  The Texas Veteran's Land Board (TVLB) Raised loan limits to $417,000 effective immediately. Austin - The Texas Veterans Land Board (TVLB) by unanimous vote approved an increase in the home loan limits from the current loan limits of $325,000 to $417,000.  As Texas Veterans Land Board (TVLB) Chairman Jerry Patterson said: "Texas Veterans have more than earned this increased VLB benefit.  Increasing these loan limits gives Veterans additional purchasing power to buy the home of their dreams..." No other state can match what the TVLB offers: a low cost home loan exclusively for Texas Veterans and spouses and most of all the program is self funding which costs the Tax payers nothing. Bottom Line: What this means to the Veteran in the state of Texas? Question: Wh... 04/27/2012

KW The Woodlands and Magnolia Family, We strongly encourage that you add these dates to your calendar. All three events will be information filled and value-packed. May 1st 10:00am - 12:00pm @ KW The Woodlands office - Handling Buyer and Seller Objections - The Art of Negotiating Contracts with Mark Heinrich. For those that attend my first Tuesday session at the Home Finder Center, we are cancelling the session so you can be in attendance for this powerful class. You don't want to miss this whether new or experienced in the business. Mark is master in this are of negotiating, and you can be sure to learn something you can begin to implement immediately in your business. May 9th 10:00am - 11:00am @ KW The Woodlands office - Scott Jones will be teaching Apps...for the Real Estate Agent. T... 04/25/2012

TOP TEN REASONS YOU SHOULD ATTEND AN ACTIVE RAIN MEET UP! Alright, those of you who just don't think you can fit this into your schedule, think again!  Here are some very good reasons to get off your duff and come on out and meet up with some really cool people: 10.  Active Rain members are very saavy and cool! 9.   One can ALWAYS take a break to meet new people! 8.   Libations after work can be great therapy! 7.    Did I mention that Active Rain members are cool? 6.    Finally meet IN PERSON those people you interact with daily via Active Rain. 5.    Did I mention that you NEED a break? 4.    Life is short - do something for yourself! 3.    It is FUN to get together with like-minded souls! 2.    Active Rain people understand your lingo; long tails, short tails, links, blogsphere, key w... 04/24/2012

ACTIVE RAIN MEET UP IN THE WOODLANDS TOMORROW! Don't forget about the Active Rain Meet-Up tomorrow, April 25, 2012 at Cru Bar located in Market Street. The Address is 9595 Six Pines Drive in The Woodlands, 77380 Plan on meeting up with some old friends and meet some new friends.  Heck - bring some friends! We will be there from 5:30 - 7:30 or later!   SO HOPE THAT YOU WILL JOIN THE CROWD! HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! 04/24/2012

KW The Woodlands and Magnolia Family,While in the office this morning, Jeremy picked up some great apps that you can use to turn your iPad into a productivity tool.iAnnotate - This tool, $10, can turn your iPad into a tool in which clients can sign documents with a stylist, the file flattened to a secure pdf file, and then emailed to your client. This application also works with DropBox allowing virtual storage and sharing of files between devices.Jump - This gives you the ability to share your PC or Mac on your iPad device. As long as you leave your machine on, this small download runs in the background allowing you to remote access your computer. The cost of this app is $15.FingerPrint - This piece of software can be downloaded to your PC or Mac, allowing your iPad device to go out an... 04/23/2012

THE WOODLANDS ART FEST 2012   The annual Woodlands Art Fest was another huge success this year at The Woodlands Waterway.  Strolling along the beautiful Waterway seeing some of the finest artwork anywhere was quite a treat for the record number of folks who came out.   100’s of artists were featured at the show and were from all over the country. From oil, watercolor, wood, ceramics, stone, jewelry, photography, textiles, it was the place to be to find an original piece of artwork for your home or office.  It was also a great way to go ahead and to do some early Christmas shopping. The Art Fest is becoming a favorite event here in The Woodlands.  It was laid out nicely and the high quality of artwork was wonderful.   The setting is fantastic with The Waterway as the back drop. Make sure... 04/21/2012

Lance Langenhoven, Elizabeth Chappell, Diane Kink and Janell Callihan share with the agents of Keller Williams The Woodlands and Magnolia how they built their successful real estate businesses. For more information on how you can build a successful real estate career with KW The Woodlands and Magnolia, visit our careers website. 04/21/2012

KW The Woodlands and Magnolia Family,   Here are some stats that were shared at the City ALC meeting. This is additional ammunition you can utilize when you are competing for listings. This is also great information to share with buyers that are on the fence with the belief that things aren't moving in the market. Real estate in the Houston area, especially in The Woodlands/Magnolia/Montgomery Country area is heating up!   Here are the Keller Williams Houston Area Stats for March 2012 1. Closed units up 11.5% for KW (HAR only up 7.4%) 2. Closed volume up 13%. 3. Volume per agent for KW up 17.4%. 4. Contracts written for KW up 16.7% (HAR down .7%) 5. Listings sold for KW up 18.9%. 6. Closed GCI (gross commission income) up 13.3%. 7. Profit share by KW offices in the Houston area up 29.9%... 04/19/2012

Here is your weekly interest rate update: Conventional 30 year Mortgage: 3.875% Credit score:740 LTV:80% Loan Amount:$200k APR: 4.3% FHA 30 year:3.75% Credit Score:640 LTV:96.5% loan amount:$200k APR:4.85% Conventional 15 year:3.25% Credit score:740 LTV:80% Loan Amount:$200k APR:3.65%   Call me today if you are thinking of refinancing or buying a home, for the best mortgage rate possible. 04/18/2012

KW The Woodlands and Magnolia Family,   We would like to share some powerful questions and statements made yesterday at BOLD First Step. Spend some time with #1.    1. "What in my business is not being done, that if were being done, would dramatically change the way I do business?" (Ask yourself this daily.)   2. "Success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal."   3. "You can't have abundance from a state of poor."   4. "Work harder on yourself than your business."   5. "Your business grows the extent you do." BOLD Law   6. "Change your thinking...change your life."   7. "My life is a result of my beliefs."   8. "Failure comes from just a few errors in judgement everyday."   9. "The right amount of stress and anxiety helps us move forward."   10. "Look for patterns in life."   ... 04/17/2012

KW The Woodlands and Magnolia Family,   Last Friday, your office and several of the agents from your office were recognized at the 2012 Realtors & Builders Awards Gala put on by The Woodlands Development Company.   One of the big awards of the night was Real Estate Office of the Year over 100 agents - 2011. This is the third year in a row that our office has won this prestigious award. Make sure you include this in your listing and buyer presentations to give you additional leverage against the competition. This is a big honor that was only possible by the accomplishments of our great agents!   Our office was also recognized for agents that brought the most clients through the home finder center in 2011. A special award including $1,500 was received by KW The Woodlands and Magnolia. The... 04/16/2012

AR MEET-UP IN THE WOODLANDS, TX ~ APRIL 25, 2012 The Active Rain Meet Up is planned for Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at Market Street in The Woodlands, Texas.  Come on out to the Cru Wine Bar at Market Street from 5:30 - 8ish and meet up with some wonderful Active Rain friends!  What a perfect way to unwind after a busy day and meet some new friends? The Cru Wine bar is on the north side of Market Street.  Super easy to get to as it is right off of Six Pines Drive and Lake Woodlands.  Great wine flights and excellent appetizers!  You can sit outside by the park or enjoy the cozy atmosphere inside. Houston area - we need you there!  Life is too short to miss out on opportunities to have our paths cross!  So mark your calendar now for next Wednesday, April 25!  All are welcomed so bring your... 04/15/2012

KW The Woodlands and Magnolia Family,There are only 27 tickets left for BOLD First Step taking place tomorrow, Monday 9:00am - 1:15pm. We have over 60 agents from our office in attendance. Wow! I know amazing things will result from those attending this business changing event. It is not too late if you want to attend, register here.http://northhouston.eventbrite.com/Lunch WILL NOT be provided tomorrow so please bring some snacks with you to get you through the morning. A coffee bar will be offered.If you are already signed up, we encourage you to invite someone in our market center, or a guest, that you know would benefit from this event. The First Step is FREE. You will be able to walk away tomorrow whether or not you sign up for BOLD that will change the way you do business! Park at ... 04/15/2012

KW The Woodlands and Magnolia Family,You should pick up a Houston Chronicle today if you don't receive it at home. In the Business section, you will see the annual Home Price Survey done by the Houston Chronicle. This is an interesting article that is a good conversation piece when talking with prospective clients and your sphere of influence.This is great information to use in combination with a conversation about all-time low interest rates. There is no better time for those wanting to make a move up than today. I have been in conversation with several KW The Woodlands and Magnolia agents over the last week with listings that are generating buyers, and they are also experiencing multiple offers on their listings. Listings provide leverage.Now is the time to establish market share and ... 04/15/2012

Our bowling event last Tuesday was a huge success. Thanks to both agents and sponsors, KW The Woodlands and Magnolia raised $3,000 for KW Cares and $617 for our office support fund. This would not have happened without the commitment by members of the Culture Committee that took time out of their businesses to put together such a great event. Diane and I would also like to thank the staff for all the work behind the scenes.  Special thanks to Ryan Paschke and Manny Taylor of Texas Real Estate Media for taking all the great photos and video of the event. Click here to view pictures of the KW Cares bowling event. Have a wonderful week, and may you have much success in business! Onward and Upward,   Diane Flicker and Jeremy Williams 04/12/2012

TOUR THE WOODLANDS ~ VILLAGE OF MAY VALLEY The Woodlands, Texas is a unique community made up of different Villages each unique in their own way.  This post is continuing my series of Touring The Woodlands to introduce each Village of The Woodlands.  Many people new to our area can get turned around very easily here and confuse how the areas are layed out. The Village of May Valley is actually tucked into the west end of the Village of Sterling Ridge.  The Woodlands purchased an additional section of land and then developed what we now call May Valley.  This is one of our newest Villages and boast some great new construction. The Village of May Valley is in the Magnolia School District as it borders FM 2978.  Smith Elementary and Bear Branch Jr. High are just down the road from May Vall... 04/01/2012

Below is a Testimonial from Frank Morgan on the mortgage process with the purchase of his new home.  Another Happy Customer!! “I wanted to drop you a note to tell you how much I appreciated all the work you did to get our loan to closing on time, and as smoothly as I have ever experienced. It really made what most people describe as a trying experience a good one for Lacey and I, and that is all due to your help. I will make sure you recommend you to my other friends and family” 03/31/2012