Are you considering selling your Real Estate Home in The Woodlands & Spring, Texas?  You need to keep in mind a few things! STAGING YOUR HOME: Keep it Neutral: It is easier for a Buyer to see themselves in a NEUTRAL colored living area: BEFORE: (Outdated colors and furniture) AFTER: (Updated designer paint colors and neutral furniture) BEFORE: (old & outdated kitchen) AFTER: A kitchen is the #1 area to update in your home!  New appliances, cabinets and an island was added.   Use a PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER! Over 85% of all homes are found and purchased from an online viewing. Most Realtors will put your home in MLS, Realtor.com and maybe a website if they have one. My efforts go way beyond that. Here is a partial list of where I market my clients homes: My websites: www.pippamac.com/ Lo... 12/11/2008

  As we approach Spring there are several things you can do to get your Woodlands & Spring home ready to SELL in this Real Estate Market!!!!! Don't OVERPRICE your home!  After "Potential Buyers" look at your ‘over-priced' property, all the other houses will seem like a great bargain that can't be passed up. Your neighbours will thank you!!!!!!!!!!   Curb Appeal:  First impressions are lasting!!!!  Take the time to landscape, plant flowers and update the front door!      Clean, Clean, Clean !!!!!!  If you don't have time PLEASE hire a professional to come and clean it up.  Buying a home is often a feeling ...   Buyers walk through houses with a calculator and immediately begin subtracting huge dollar amounts with every flaw they find!  A professional paint job could yield a $1000's of pr... 12/06/2008

GREAT TIME FOR HOME IMPROVEMENTS in The Woodlands and Spring, Texas!!! Looking to remodel a kitchen? Update a bathroom? Paint to improve the value of your home? Stage and Decorate to Sell your home? Wanting more profit in your house? According to NEW YORK (Money Magazine) - It may not be an easy time to sell your home, but if it needs repairs or upgrades, now just might be the opportune time to complete those projects. With current declining prices on building materials and lower contractors' fees, contractors are hungry for work and willing to negotiate, homeowners can potentially hire better contractors at lower prices. And if prices on many remodeling materials continue to decline, the overall costs of improvement projects will fall even further. Overall, experts say, homeowners can ... 12/06/2008

Yesterday our Leadership Montgomery County class attended all day sessions with all levels of governmental leadership.  Very interesting and informative. The day began with award the award winning professor from Lone Star College, Dr. Carolyn Davis.  She spoke on the importance of education on our society and that basically all of the other elements such as economic, ecological and political systems are nothing without solid education.  As a former educator myself, I couldn't agree more.  Our country must wake up to the importance of solid education at the lower grade school levels and up.  Dr. Davis gave a statistic that most kids that are going to drop out, have been affected negatively by the educational system by the 3rd grade!  Either they were bored, not engaged or didn't feel  ac... 12/05/2008

Here are some stunning Before & AFter Pictures that prove the power of paint, staging a home and a good decorator! The buyers did an amazing paint update to this home.  They sold it (in 2 days) for a 6 figure profit, after 3 years. Enjoy this amazing home transformation!!! BEFORE:   AFTER:  BEFORE:   AFTER: BEFORE:   AFTER:   BEFORE:   AFTER:    BEFORE:     AFTER: Here are some more "Before & AFTER" transformations: House Flip sells in 21 days! ~ Before & AFTER photo's!!!!!!! Celebrity Home is Painted & Staged for 90k Profit ~ Before & AFTER photo's! Amazing Home Flip .. Before & AFTER photo's .. $80,000 foreclosure Houston Texas Its AMAZING what a difference Paint, Flooring & Great Photo's Make House Flip SOLD in 19 days ~ BEFORE & AFTER photo's Half-MILLION $$ House flip BEFORE & AFTE... 12/04/2008

Each year McCullough Junior High students, in The Woodlands, Texas, in 8th grade history choose a United States Veteran to Honor!  (the LARGEST Jr. High in TEXAS!!!!!) Lets remember to be thankful this Thanksgiving to our military serving us ... thank you!!!! Students are required to: Interview the veteran Identify the branch of the military they served in .. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and the Coast Guard Years of service Other Key features Additional Medals and Honors Finally laminating a poster of their veteran! The posters are then displayed in front of the school during the week of Veteran's Day.   "Thank you Grandpa!!!" ... My Daughter honored her grandfather, Jack McLennan, who was in the ARMY ...  you are appreciated for all you have done!!!!       Please invite your family ... 11/25/2008

The Woodlands is the ultimate destination for Holiday Fun!!!!  (27 miles North of Houston) CHRISTMAS in the WOODS!!!!!!!!!!!! Here is a map of all the events .. HERE Don't miss out on all of the upcoming activities here in The Woodlands Texas! Official Holiday Kick-off is the 26th Annual Lighting of the Doves, November 22, 7PM this will take place at Town Green Park, 2099 Lake Robbins Drive ps .... this includes a Grand Entrance by SANTA ...     Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center (this is the largest seasonal outdoor ice skating rink in the South-west.    Monday - Thursday 3pm - 9pm; Friday 3pm - 11pm; Sautrday 10am - 11pm; Sunday noon - 7pm Tickets $9.50 (includes skate rental) for adults and children over 5 years old. ps ... you can get a "Buy One Get One Free" ice skate coupon at ... 11/20/2008

Faiths Together celebrated a wonderful 10th anniversary last night! I was so honored to be a part of the event - in the choir comprised of a people from diverse cultures and faiths. It was awesome!!!     This event is yet one more example of why The Woodlands is such a wonderful place to live...an enriching experience for children and adults alike.  From the prelude song "We Gather Together" and the sounding of the Shofar to the concluding song of "Let There Be Peace On Earth", this community set an example for the world. In its 10th year, part of the celebration including looking back on the years past.  Each person reflected on one of the amazing events of years past.  They included Christian - Lutheran, Presbyterian, Catholic, Episcopal, Morman, Jewish, Aslamic, Unitarian, Bahai, Hu... 11/19/2008

Finally this marathon election is over!  I think I speak for many when I say, "Now let's get on with business as usual!"  I am ready to take on the new day with a vengeance and not look back.  No matter what your opinion is of the outcome, we can all use this time to focus on getting business moving again. I am ready to not be hearing, "We will be making a decision after the election."  Hopefully there will be a lot of folks out there who are ready to move forward.  I will be contacting clients like crazy right now letting them know what a great opportunity is out there in real estate.  Now is not the time to curl up in a ball and do nothing.  Move forward or get out of the way! Looking at our market locally, now truly is a fantastic time to buy a home, land or investment property.  The... 11/05/2008

The Holiday Season is here and in The Woodlands that means Grand Parties, Fireworks, Santa Claus, Ice Skating, Live Music and tons of fun!  If you have been driving around lately you have probably noticed that the Christmas Lights are going up, the Doves are getting ready and the crowds are getting larger anywhere that you can go shopping. Most of the Holiday Events have been posted for everyone to see including the Famous Lighting of the Doves, when Santa arrives at the Mall and the Snow Hill! The Holiday Season is a magical time in The Woodlands so be sure not to miss these amazing activities for both adults and children.  I have put all of the events that are currently announced on the calendar below and will do my best to keep it updated as other events are announced. Are you a res... 11/03/2008

Marion and I attended the Lone Star College Small Business Awards luncheon yesterday at the Marriott Tuscany Restaurant.  All of the finalists from all 5 of the college districts were in attendance.  We were able to meet and visit with all of the other recipients which was really nice. We enjoyed a lovely lunch followed by the college officials giving us the information for the final awards evening on November 20th.  Marion will be reserving several tables for that evening as the Franke Team members and guests will join in celebration of this awesome award! It is so nice to see Marion rewarded for all of her many years of hard work.  Being selected to receive this award recognizes the dream of small business owners everywhere.  Small business is the backbone in America and I am proud t... 11/01/2008

The 7th Annual Commissioner Craig Doyal Golf Tournament was held on Tuesday, October 28, 2008.  The tournament was originally scheduled in September right after IKE and was rescheduled for the date in October.  The beautiful Woodforest Golf Club was the venue for the tournament.  The course was in great shape as always.    We couldn't have asked for a better day!  Although it was cold in the morning, it warmed up nicely and it was a perfect day for golf! Over 50 teams participated in the yearly event which supports Craig Doyal who is the Montgomery County Commissioner for Precinct 2.  Business leaders from all over the area came out to play and support Commissioner Doyal.  Great bar-b-que was served up all day by Charlie Riley. My husband David and I once again had the honor of driving ... 10/30/2008

I don't know how many of you were able to attend The Woodlands Going Green Series last Monday, but I have to say that it was probably the most educational speaking event that I have attended in a very long time. The whole hour revolved around the Farmers Market that is in the Grogan's Mill Shopping Center every Saturday- Seasonally of course.  We also had the opportunity to listen to some of the amazing Business Owners that have products there. Out of all of this has sparked a new series for the Living Green in The Woodlands community- Buy Green-Buy Local: Local Green Businesses that you need to know about. Two of these are Nativa Soaps and Marcello with Nourish.  Marcello is an amazing guy that makes Bread with Natural and Organic products-none of those ingredients that you can't pron... 10/27/2008

I'm asked this question five or six times a day. "How's the real estate market in The Woodlands, Texas?" Here's what I think and know. Buyer activity has slowed to tortotise pace.  Suppressed activity is due primarily to phycological and seasonal factors.  It appears that the people are not fearful of losing their jobs, but the spectacular Wall Street meltdown, Water-Boarding media coverage and the very real Retirement Account Haircut has peoplepissed angry panicked sad frozen fearfully cautious.  When people are fearful, they slow way down, plus real estate activity always ebbs during the Holiday Season.  As a result, buyer activity in The Woodlands has cooled but it hasn't frozen. Sales prices aren't plunging, but sales units dwindle.  I believe that as Wall Street settles bottoms bo... 10/24/2008

Wow ... TEXAS once again gets to brag!!!!!!!!!!!! FORBES came out with a list for "Best And Worst Bang For The Buck Cities"  where your money goes the farthest!!!!! and Texas, as a whole, is one of the few economies that's performing extremely well because of the energy and technology sectors. Residents in these cities enjoy affordable housing and promising prospects for job growth! TEXAS CITIES LIST: #1 Austin #2 San Antonio #4 Houston #7 Dallas  Houston and The Woodlands, we have more to brag about .....HERE ..................... The Woodlands is located 27 miles north of downtown Houston, Texas, in Montgomery county, and considered part of the Houston metro area. 10/20/2008

The Woodlands is Gorgeous!  There are tons of Trees, Shopping, YMCA's, hike and bike trails, swimming pools, you name it- It's here.  You get the Backyard for the kids and pets, about any style home you could imagine and it is all spread across a very, very broad price range. It is not uncommon that I get questions from Potential Home Buyers wanting to know what their options are to buy in The Woodlands under $150,000.  Buyers still want the splendor of the Trees, a Backyard to Entertain or have pets, a Floorplan with Flexibility, Big Kitchen, Fireplace...there are many reasons but still wanting a lower price range.  Although there are several options available in different locations throughout the Community.  The two main ones being Single Family-Free Standing homes and Townhomes.  The... 10/18/2008

The Woodlands Green is proud to offer a new Lecture series on how to Go Green!  It all starts Monday October 20th where the discussion will be about the local Farmers Market and locally produced fruits and vegetables. In November. Michael Strong with Greenhaus Builders and Kathleen Reardon of RD Architecture will talk about green homes.  All lectures start at 7 pm at the Shenandoah City Hall Complex.  For a little more information about the events I have some below.  Don't forget to mark you Calendars!   Going Green Series Announcement v4 - Upload a Document to Scribd 10/18/2008

What is an REBarCamp?  Why Would I want To Go?  Who Is Going To Be There?  How Will This Benefit Me or My Business?  What Are The Topics?  Where's it at?  How Much Will It Cost?  The Door is Unlocked                           Knock on the door of your choice to find out more about REBarCamp.  You only get one choice so make it a good one.  This is not "Let's Make A Deal" or the "Knock Knock Game", this is YOUR chance to see if "keys" to Industry Secrets and WEB 2.0 Successes lie behind these unlocked doors.  Activerain is taking the show on the road and hopes you'll come join us this year.  So what's it gonna be?  Door One, Two, or Three? When certain doors of opportunity open for you, take full advantage of it, the rewards can be immeasurable! 10/17/2008

The Woodlands & Houston Texas gets to BRAG!!!!!  (about a lot of things!) Houston #1 Best City to Live, Work, and Play Kiplinger’s Personal Finance – July 2008 Best U.S. City to Earn a Living Forbes.com – August 18, 2008 Best City for Your Job BusinessWeek – June 12, 2008 Best City to Buy a Home Forbes.com – July 14, 2008 Best City for Recent College Grads Forbes.com – June 26, 2008 Fastest Job Growth (06/07 to 06/08) U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment Lowest Cost of Living Among Major Metro Areas ACCRA Cost of Living Index – Second Quarter 2008 Top U.S. Manufacturing Cities Manufacturers’ News Inc. (as reported in the Houston Business Journal) – May 30, 2007 Most Accessible City for the Disabled The National Organization on Disability - Febru... 10/14/2008

The Woodlands Real Estate compared to Texas state average: Median household income significantly above state average. Median house value significantly above state average. Unemployed percentage below state average. Hispanic race population percentage significantly above state average. Foreign-born population percentage significantly above state average. Renting percentage below state average. Length of stay since moving in significantly below state average. Number of rooms per house above state average. House age significantly below state average. Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher significantly above state average. (according to city-data.com) 10/14/2008