The Woodlands, Texas is only 27 miles North of Downtown Houston. Minutes away from Lake Conroe, with tons of recreational activities such as fishing, boating and vacation rentals. The Schools are incredible! All types of villages for every lifestyle! Over 160 miles of bike trails! 13 Community Pools that residents have access to. This is a wonderful place to live ... full of parks, trails, trees and extremely wonderful people! Come Enjoy the Good Live Today in The Woodlands, Texas!   09/20/2008

Homes Sales in The Woodlands Going Strong! Houston is already being touted as having one of the strongest markets in the nation and the home sales in The Woodlands are outpacing the Greater Houston Metro Area. Here are some examples from my own inventory   SOLD FULL PRICE IN ONE DAY!   SOLD AFTER JUST TWO SHOWINGS!   MULTIPLE OFFERS RECEIVED!   SOLD IN 24 HOURS! Thinking of listing your home? Contact me, Mary Bowen, to receive the same free no obligation home listing tools and comparative market anaylsis these homeowners received. Make sure you have all the facts before choosing your listing agent. Its your key to a successful sale. Making Your Real Estate My Business!! 09/20/2008

Don't let all the news about hurricane damage stop you from moving to The Woodlands! Life great and moving back towards normal.    Our creeks are back in there banks!     Most of our schools are back in session!     The Wildlife is Back in Full Force!   Oops, not that wildlife, this wildlife The weather is great...the market is great...The Woodlands is great!! Hurricane Ike can't keep us Down! Thinking about moving to The Woodlands? Email me. I can find you the perfect Woodlands home. 09/20/2008

  WORK WANTED! WILL WORK FOR FOOD, SHELTER AND LOVE! HI, MY NAME IS POOKIE (WELL, THAT IS WHAT THEY CALLED ME AT THE SHELTER) MY FOSTER FAMILY PICKED ME UP FROM THE SHELTER AFTER HURRICANE IKE. THE SHELTER HAD NO WATER OR ELECTRICITY AND THEY NEEDED TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE OTHER 123 DOGS THAT WERE MISPLACED BY THE STORM. MY FOSTER FAMILY THINKS I SHOULD BE NAMED "SCRAPPY" AFTER THE PUPPY FROM SCOOBY DOO AS MY PERSONALITY REMINDS THEM OF THAT DOG. I'M HAVING A GREAT TIME WHILE WAITING FOR MY FOREVER HOME, BUT MY FOSTER FAMILY ALREADY HAS A DOG NAMED JAKE.  JAKE IS MY NEW BEST FRIEND. I WOULD LOVE TO STAY WITH MY FOSTER FAMILY BUT THEN THEY WOULDN'T HAVE ROOM FOR THE NEXT FOSTER DOG.  JAKE TOLD ME I WAS THE THIRD DOG THIS YEAR TO  BE FOSTERED. OH, MY FOSTER FAMILY TOLD ME TO TELL YOU ABOUT M... 09/20/2008

When a change as drastic as the last week happens - it shifts our thinking!  It helps us to become aware of what is important and how many lessons slip by us every day. Earlier this week, when I was thinking more clearly, I wrote some blog posts on my semi-retired laptop computer.  I did not have internet access...power was provided by an extremely noisy generator that had to be fed gasoline a couple of times per day...and I did more lifting, stooping, reaching and dragging of things in the past week than I can ever remember. Yet, every morning my first thought was one of intense and sincere gratitude.  Three holes in my roof, yes.  But I have a roof over my head.  Noisy generator (plus dehumidifiers and air handlers), yes.  But I have insurance to cover the bulk of the cost to repair m... 09/19/2008

Hurrican Ike came through Houston, Spring and The Woodlands but the ripple effect began well before it hit and it lingers longer than it tormented us.  The day before Ike, my trip to the local Walmart opened my eyes to the panic that was hitting our area ... No Bread ... No Paper Products ... Almost out of soup ... Out of Bananas .... Out of Gas: Before: AFTER: Before: AFTER:     Before:    (a favorite local fishing spot ...) AFTER: It was an eerie feeling for it to be pitch black at night and to hear the humming of all the generators. Crews were working immediately to clean up the trees: Before: AFTER:   Before: AFTER:   I was thankful for the rabbit ears on this little T.V. to hear whatever news I could: NO meat or dairy:  A table, at the grocery store, to charge your phone: No batter... 09/18/2008

Everyone thinks late Spring and Summer are the best time to list a home for sell. However, I have found the fall and winter to be a great time to list a home. 1. Less Competition  Other sellers have taken their house off the market leaving less competition for you. 2. Winter Relocation Winter break is a popular time for companies to relocate employees. 3. Well Dressed Home  Homes are often decorated for the fall and winter holidays giving your home a warm and fuzzy feeling 4. Kids Are At School  Its easier to keep your house clean for showing when the kids are at school during the day. 5. Serious Buyers Only serious buyers are shopping during the school year. 6. Less Showings With only the serious buyers shopping you won't be leaving your house for "brick kickers" or window shoppers. Th... 09/18/2008

Everyone who lives in The Woodlands should thank George Mitchell. He is the mastermind behind this master-planned community. The Woodlands was born on the back of a napkin on evening when George Mitchell sketched his idea of an ideal community. And, ideal it is. George, the child of a poor Greek immigrant, grew up in Galveston and studied at Texas A&M. He made the bulk of his fortune in petroleum with is company Mitchell Energy, but he has said that of all the things he has done in his life, The Woodlands is his the accomplishment that gives him the most pride. ARTWORK OF GEORGE WITH CHILDREN George Mitchell's love of children is evident in the design of The Woodlands. The Woodlands is literally a child's playground. The community has top-rated schools, parks in every neighborhood, duck... 09/17/2008

Carlton Woods is a gorgeous private gated community in The Woodlands, 27 miles North of Houston, and I heard it got hit pretty hard by Hurricane Ike.  They are working very hard to get it back to normal as soon as possible!     There were crews all over cleaning up the trees and roads.    Here is the Nicklaus Golf Course:     The Clubhouse: Carlton Woods Park:   LOOK real close at the 2nd picture ... there are bunch of turtles who found a new place to sun themselves!   09/17/2008

I woke up this morning and opened the front door to let in the morning breeze and I had to stop for a second and make sure my eyes weren't fuzzy ... I saw a light across the street! "Do we now have electricity in The Woodlands?" Huh .... are they the only one or do they have a generator?  Then I looked next door and they had a light on yippeeeeee ...  we have power in Cochrans Crossing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I started calling my friends in Alden Bridge, Panther Creek, Indian Spring, Sterling Ridge, Cochrans Crossing, Spring and some areas in Houston ... yes, we all have gotten power in the last 12 hours! Ah ... Home Sweet Home ... I made a HOT breakfast this morning and put my Diet Coke in the fridge to get COLD!!!!! Now I have to find gas today but things are slowly getting back to normal af... 09/17/2008

Hurricane Ike in The Woodlands, Texas Here is a picture/photo update for Tuesday, September 16, 2008 Walmart at 242, running on generators, did not have ice but they did have gallons of whole and 2% milk. Walmart is also offering a phone charging station and there are several benches and chairs to sit and wait.  McDonalds inside the store was packed and there were about 30 people waiting in line.   Regarding cell phone and wireless communication, I had a strong reception signal from Walmart.  My phone will not call out from my house in Cochrans Crossing but I was able to call out on the 2nd try from the store.  Also, my internet connection worked from the store. Banana's are Free at Walmart (they are considering it a donation to charity), there is no sign, but when you go to check-out t... 09/16/2008

We just went through hurricane Ike in Houston, Galveston, The Woodlands and Spring, Texas and have to say that I had NO idea I would ever be sooo thankful for an Antique set of Rabbit ears on a little old fuzzy T.V.!!!! I want to hear the News tell me that I'm not going to have power for 3-4 weeks and that we will have no ice, food or gas!!!!!!!!!! Sometimes life will give you a few tragedies and you have to choose to be thankful for the little things! What are you thankful for??????????????? must see PANIC pictures (the day before hurricane Ike) HERE the day after hurricane Ike HERE Sunday, Sept 14 ~ what Hurricane IKE looks like to me in HOUSTON, Spring & The Woodlands, TEXAS 09/15/2008

Sunday, Sept 14 ~ what Hurricane IKE looks like to me in HOUSTON, Spring & The Woodlands, TEXAS Cell phone coverage is very limited!   I spoke with the neighbors and we all are having problems calling or texting out but will receive voice mails.  I did get one call out yesterday after dialing over 20 times.   I could only get wireless computer connection for a few minutes all day. Driving down Kuykendahl you can see the dam is overflowing.  This is a favorite fishing spot here in The Woodlands.  (this is normally a little trickle stream) This is at Sterling Ridge Shopping Center and if you look really close you can see the car underneath it.   H.E.B Grocery store (at the corner of Kuykendahl and Woodlands Parkway) was open with a huge line out the door.  Walmart (at the corner of Woodla... 09/15/2008

We just went through a HUGE hurricane (Ike to be exact) and all I can tell you is that I am soooo happy to live here in The Woodlands, 27 miles North of Houston ... especially during a major Hurricane! If you look down these before picture of the creek .. which is designed to be a gully .. you can understand the "Master Plan" of excess water ... you are well taken care of here in The Woodlands, TX.  BEFORE:   AFTER:     Yes, there is wind damage and it affected the trees and limbs ... but the flooding is all contained through the master planned design.  ANOTHER reason that I LOVE the Woodlands ... the NUMBER ONE community in TEXAS!!!!!! Bridge in Cochrans Crossing (by the Woodlands Country Club and Palmer Golf Course) (before) This was on Kuykendahl, between Indian Springs and Creekside... 09/13/2008

Once the limbs were removed from the entrance to my neighborhood I got a real idea of what the area really looked like!  Here are some pictures ... Tree's were down on the fences ............   Tree's were down on the streets .....   There was flooding all over the place ....  BEFORE: AFTER:   The Woodlands is 27 miles North of Houston, Texas. 09/13/2008

Hurricane Ike has drowned out the Woodlands Lake Eastshore Dragon ... Before.........  Before.........   AFter.............  (the blue tarp is the roof of a boat) I have never seen Lake Woodlands with the dam in action ... and obviously most of the Woodlands hasn't either ... everyone stopped to take a photo!     Before:  Getting ready for the storm: The Woodlands is 27 miles North of Houston and we had the storm hit less than the rest of Houston! 09/13/2008

Here are some pictures of the destruction from Hurricane IKE at a few of The Woodlands Golf Courses! The Palmer Golf Course, Cochrans Crossing, at the Woodlands Country Club (Palmer Woods entrance) BEFORE ..... AFTER....   As you can see it might be a few weeks until you can golf again. FLOODING at Panther Trail Golf Course (view from Eastshore Park).... Before: Carlton Woods, Nicklaus Golf Course Before: AFTER: TREE Limbs ....   The Woodlands, Texas is an awesome place to live .. look at how the crews are out IMMEDIATELY to clean up all of the tree limbs and fallen trees!      Every effort is made to make The Woodlands NORMAL as soon as possible! 09/13/2008

Here are some pictures of the destruction from Hurricane IKE... BEFORE .....       AFTER....         As you can see it might be a few weeks until you can golf again. FLOODING ....     TREE Limbs ....   The Woodlands, Texas is an awesome place to live .. look at how the crews are out IMMEDIATELY to clean up all of the tree limbs and fallen trees!      Every effort is made to make The Woodlands perfect as soon as possible! 09/13/2008

  Custom Build a DARLING HOME in one of the last remaining NEW construction neighborhoods in the highly desirable area of Sterling Ridge in The Woodlands, Texas.   The Woodlands is only 27 miles North of Houston, TX.  This beautifully wooded new home community resides in the Conroe School District. Darling Homes offers a unique collection of designs, ranging in size from 3750 to over 5,500 square feet. These new homes start at $674,990 and go up to $870,990.  Positioned on 80' home sites with a few golf course lots still available. Variety of architectural styles ranging from classic "Old World" with rich brick and stone combinations, to Mediterranean elevations with clay tile roofs. Features include: dramatic entries with curved staircases outdoor courtyards/living areas first floor gu... 09/13/2008

THANK YOU so much everyone for your prayers and concern ... I really appreciate all the comments you have sent! (pictures the day before it hit ... HERE) Ike hit about midnight last night and it is still raining at 2PM.  We do not have electricity but I do have wireless connection and a battery on my laptop so I thought I would give an update. I looked out the front door and saw a tree had fallen on the neighbors house across the street: Lots of water in the streets:   Took a drive to see the damage and a tree had fallen across the entrance to the subdivision:     The water is so deep there was a wave as we drove along. We went around the block and then went home. We have a generator and 20 gallons of gas ... I think we are good for a few days.  I'm quite fortunate being in the Woodland... 09/13/2008