East Shore is a 260 acre neighborhood on the eastern edge of Lake Woodlands, and is considered to be the "Garden District" of The Woodlands Town Center. Offering urban living with old architectural style and modern conveniences, this village is within walking distance to shopping at Market Street, plus dining and entertainment along The Woodlands Waterway. Everyone will enjoy strolling along the tree-lined streets where ornamental streetlamps give off a soft glow, enhancing the lake views and peaceful garden spaces. Many styles of architecture can be found in East Shore, from Classic and Coastal American, to the more traditional Colonial American. Large front porches grace the front of Brownstones, Town Homes and Condominiums. The ambiance of East Shore feels like the urban villages i... 08/09/2008

     The Village of Indian Springs is known for its rolling topography, abundant trees, and overall peaceful setting. As one of the smallest villages located on the south side of The Woodlands, there are many big advantages such as the John Cooper School, a private college preparatory academy for grades K-12, and Indian Springs Village Center. This center is one of the most popular shopping centers, containing an H-E-B supermarket and the ever-popular Mi Luna, a restaurant with delicious food and after hours dancing. These are the homes that SOLD in INDIAN SPRINGS the month of July 2008, according to HAR, Houston Area Association of Realtors, 2008. There were 17 homes that SOLD in INDIAN SPRINGS the month of JULY, 2008, ranging from $139,900.00 to $1,295,000.00 . Property Type:   Single... 08/09/2008

    Property Type:   SingleFamily       Status:   Sold SubjectProperty                                 MLS# Closed Date Address Subdiv. BR Bths # Gar Pool Lot SqFt Bldg SqFt Yr List Price Sold Price SP/ SF Adjusted SP Adj. SP/SF DOM LP/SP % 8831345  7/18/2008  23 WINTERGRASS PL  THE WOODLANDS ALDEN BRIDGE 4  4  2/1  2  N  7,313  1,946  1998  $165,000  $165,000  $84.79  $159,550  $81.99  120  1.00  4773651  7/30/2008  19 BECKETT HILL PL  THE WOODLANDS ALDEN BRIDGE 2  3  2/0  2  N  7,675  2,033  1996  $179,000  $168,900  $83.08  $168,900  $83.08  95  0.94  8214951  7/03/2008  14 PINERY RIDGE PL  THE WOODLANDS ALDEN BRIDGE 1  3  2/0  2  N  5,844  1,723  1996  $195,000  $187,500  $108.82  $186,500  $108.24  35  0.96  5090969  7/22/2008  19 HARPSTONE PLACE  THE WOODLANDS ALDEN BRIDGE  4  2/1... 08/09/2008

Carlton Woods is a private, gated, golf-course community located in The Woodlands, Texas. Home to Houston's premier country-club lifestyle featuring both a private Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and a new Tom Fazio Championship Golf Course rated Best New Private Course in Texas by Golf Digest, 2006. Some of the finest Custom Builders in Texas are designing Custom Homes in Carlton Woods, starting at $800's and going into the $3 Millions make Carlton Woods Creekside one of the most desirable places to live in The Woodlands and probably in Houston Texas. The Premier Address in Texas. Call it the destination of a dream. Call it Carlton Woods. - Nicklaus clubhouse offers fine dining restaurants. Carlton Woods is a private club,  featuring a Signature golf course by Jack Nicklaus and a c... 08/09/2008

The Village of Cochrans Crossing, SOLD Real Estate in The Woodlands, TX,  Luxury Home Market (Houston Suburb) in the month of July, 2008.  These numbers are according to the Houston Association of Realtors, MLS in The Woodlands, Texas.. Cochran's Crossing Cochran's Crossing is named after the original Grogan-Cochran Lumber Company. One of the largest villages in the middle of The Woodlands, Cochran's Crossing is home to The Woodlands Country Club, The Palmer Golf Course, YMCA, and Bear Branch Sports Field. Homeowners will have access to exemplary schools, several large parks and shopping at Cochran's Crossing Shopping Center. These are the homes that SOLD in Cochrans Crossing the month of July 2008, according to HAR, Houston Area Association of Realtors, 2008. There were 38 homes that S... 08/09/2008

As people move into The Woodlands, a major consideration is often schools for their children. We have two outstanding high schools that are part of Conroe Independent School District in The Woodlands: The Woodlands High School and College Park High School. In this post, I am going to attempt to give a little information for the general public as they search for a home. The Woodlands High School: composed of two campuses, one for 9th grade only at Branch Crossing and the main campus for grades 10-12 on Research Forest Drive. The school was rated academically acceptable by the TEA in 2007. Each building has its own principal/administration. Both campuses are on the accelerated block schedule, meaning that students take a full course in a semester's time frame. Classes run approximately 1.... 08/09/2008

Jeff Paul Custom Villas is offering The Villas at Cartouche, situated near the Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course in the gated community of Carlton Woods. Ranging in size from 3,400-4,000 square feet, each home embodies the rich, refined spirit of the south of France. Three of the five homes currently offered are complete and ready for move-in. The home located at 8 Margaux Way features 3,548 square feet with three bedrooms including a separate casita, three-and-a-half baths, study, upstairs game room leading to a balcony, front and rear covered terraces, a side courtyard, and a two-car garage. The home is priced at $860,000. Prices of the other available villas range from $870,000-$970,000. Available homes include three to four bedrooms, up to four-and-a-half baths, and two- to two-an... 08/08/2008

Once again, Texas is best in the nation!!! Texans have always seemed to think they are the best at everything and it is not always true.  But this time the information comes from a New York-based firm by the name of Development Counsellors International.   When they asked 281 corporate executives to name the best state for conducting business, 40.8% of them answered the great state of Texas would be their choice.  Siting our low work force costs, a pro-business atmosphere and favorable tax structure as the reason why this state is attractive. Governor Rick Perry brags about our "reasonable regulations, low taxes, fair legal environment, educated work force and an unparalled quality of life."  It has been a central focus of our legistlators to maintain a lack of over-regulation here.  He... 08/05/2008

You property listed "FOR SALE" and you're wondering if you should reduce your asking/listing price. Here are four key things to consider in answering the question of price reduction. As an example, I'm going to include some statistical information for the market I work and play in, The Woodlands, Texas. The philosophical approach using accurate data will work in all real estate market. Let's start with a few important qualifiers before we dive into the hard facts. Things that effect salability you probably know; location, condition, price, marketing/advertising. You can't change the location, let's assume you've taken smart steps to merchandise and stage your property and you have a savvy real estate agent marketing/advertising/promoting like a crazed banshee. What's left? Adjust the pr... 08/04/2008

Flooding is a real risk in the Greater Houston area When I think back to June 2001, I can remember my own personal stories of struggle, fear, shock and disbelief as the entire area of the southeast Texas Gulf Coast had a real life experience of what it must have been like when the local citizens were left behind as Noah floated off in his ark.  Tropical storm Allison was brutal and devastating for many.  It was only a big hassle for me.  In this photo, you are seeing a freeway completely covered by water.  Dan Wallach shared this photo on www.picsearch.com.  It shows three immersed vehicles.  What you might notice is that this photo was taken AFTER the water had begun subsiding (note the debris on the roof of the care in the upper left corner of the photo). I don't tell you all this to ... 08/02/2008

"What is a MUD and what does it have to do with me buying a home???" This is one of the fun questions we get to answer when someone moves to the Greater Houston area.  You see, most everything about real estate development is different here.  We don't have zoning.  But we do have ETJs and MUDs. NO......not that kind of MUD!!! We are talking about Municipal Utility Districts!!!  The majority of properties in the general Houston area are not within the boundaries of an incorporated city.  And because of the lack of zoning, there are few restrictions about where a developer can create a new subdivision.  Without the water/sewer services of a municipality, some kind of system needed to be created to provide those services. Here comes the utility districts to provide that service.  These dis... 07/31/2008

Unicorns, Leprechauns and WMDs are myths...so is the the notion of a National Housing Market. Don't read me wrong. Yes, nation wide housing data can be lumped together like an overweight, crappy tasteing merry Christmas Fruitcake, but guess what? It's a myth and it's as useful as a Merry Christmas Fruitcake. Real Estate markets are local and hyper-local, period. Don't let the talking media bobble heads and jaded journalists hypnotize you into a depressing, misinformed stupor. Talk to a trusted, in-the-know, feet on the street, real estate agent about what exactly is going on in your community, neighborhood and street. It may or may not be what you want to hear, but it will be accurate, meaningful and useful. Amen brothers and sisters....that's all I have to say about that. For now. PS.... 07/31/2008

This is a question one of my clients asked yesterday:  Chris has a desire to move into a larger home and feels some hesitation because of all the bad predictions about the housing market he sees in the news.  He sited these news stories in his email:  July 28 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. stocks fell and the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost more than 200 points for the second time in three days after the International Monetary Fund said there is no end in sight to the housing slump.U.S. stocks dropped last week, resuming a two-month slump, after existing home sales fell more than economists forecast and bond investor Bill Gross predicted $1 trillion of losses for banks and brokerages Fannie, Freddie Fannie Mae lost 11 percent to $10.31, while Freddie Mac retreated 6.7 percent to $7.72. The two m... 07/30/2008

The Woodlands, Spring, Conroe and Houston's Tax Free weekend used to take place the first weekend in August but now has been moved closer to the first day of school. The annual sales tax holiday weekend will begin Aug. 17 at 12:01 a.m. and end at midnight Aug. 19. All Texas public schools will now start back to school on the fourth Monday of August, which falls on Aug. 27 this year of 2008. For the first time, backpacks under $100 and used by elementary and secondary students will be exempt, along with most clothing and footwear priced less than $100, saving shoppers 8.25 percent For parents, the annual event can really help during back-to-school shopping since many stores offer big discounts on top of the tax break. The Woodlands Mall will be open extended hours: Friday, August 15 from... 07/30/2008

  THE VILLAGE OF CREEKSIDE PARK in THE WOODLANDS TEXAS ....  construction and new home update!    CREEKSIDE PARK features 21 NEW model homes (gorgeous fully furnished houses). BUILDERS INCLUDE: The Preserve was names in honor of The Woodlands founder George Mitchell.  * Chesmar Homes *  Darling Homes   *  Gracepoint Homes *  Highland Homes   *  Lennar Homes *  Plantation Homes *  Trendmaker Homes   *  Village Builders   *  David Weekley Homes *  Wilshire Homes   LUXURIOUS PATIO HOMES by DARLING HOMES, HIGHLAND HOMES AND DAVID WEEKLEY ... priced from $300,000's to $600,00's. These GORGEOUS Model Homes are fully decorated ... come see the FABULOUS Decorating, Granite Kitchens, all of the upgrades, media rooms, flat screen t.v.'s and jaw dropping LANDSCAPING!             AMENITIES INCLUDE:... 07/30/2008

THE LONE STAR SCRAPBOOK COMPANY The Lone Star Scrapbook Company is the LARGEST store in South East Texas!  Located in Oak Ridge North, on the east side of I-45 feeder road, across from The Woodlands, TX.  This store features 6,000 square feet, complete with a picture station to reduce or enlarge photo's.  Voted the #1 Master Planned Community in Texas, The Woodlands is a 28,000 acre forested community 27 miles north of downtown Houston.  After reading the article in The Woodlands Villager, I decided to stop by and take a look for myself at Lone Star Scrapbook Company.  I left very inspired ... Thousands of choices in paper, die-cuts, stickers, ribbons and accessories. The goal is for the customer to have access to the largest variety of scrapbook products and best customer service avail... 07/29/2008

3 of The Woodlands finest restaurants are participating in the Houston Restaurant Week ~ August 11-17th, 2008.  America's The Woodlands Restaurant, Amerigo's Grille and Jasper's Restaurant. For only $35 you will get a 3 course meal.  Reservations are required.  Scroll down to get a list of all of the restaurants, of their menu and contact information. Sample haute cuisine on the cheap at super posh stops like Brenner's, Café Annie, The Glass Wall and Oceanaire. Over 50 local Houston restaurants are offering three-course dinners for just $35, as part of a program to raise money for End Hunger.  All of these restaurants will donate a portion of their sales to Houston's End Hunger Network during Houston Restaurant Week.  With deals like these, you can find a special occasion every night of... 07/29/2008

10 for Texas is a certified 10-mile course along Woodlands Parkway and Lake Woodlands Drive, with runners finishing the race at Central Park at Market Street. Enjoy the thrill and competition of participating in sports events, from triathlons to trail running.    The vast majority of people enter races not to win (or even come close), but to set a personal goal and achieve it! In the fall, 10 for Texas is a certified 10-mile course along Woodlands Parkway and Lake Woodlands Drive, with runners finishing the race at Central Park at Market Street.   Here are some details about the children's/kid's run: RACE DETAILS The first annual 1 FOR TEXAS offers participants a fun run course around the confines of Market Street starting at the 10 For Texas Start/Finish Line. One 4 Texas is a non comp... 07/28/2008

SELLING YOUR HOME in The Woodlands Texas ... Don't make these mistakes! *   Not staging your home for sale. *   Having too much stuff in your home.  Get a storage unit. *   Not really knowing the competition, thinking your home is worth more than the CMA (comparative market analysis) says it is worth. *   It is Extremely Important to come on the market with a competitive price, homes get the most exposure in the first 21 days on the market. *   Not keeping your dog contained.  *   Requiring a 24 hour advance appointment. *   Being grumpy about your house beeing shown. *   Not negotiating on the price. *   No lock box. *   Not clean and picked up. *   REALTOR will provide photo's at a later date. *   You want to be there to show all the great features. *   Select a listing agent that is ... 07/28/2008

Have you seen this sign on I-45 at the southern edge of The Woodlands? Grace Community Church is going to build a GIANT 150 foot cross at both the Northern and Southern Entrance to the City of Houston. Of course my kids had to ask how tall is 150 feet so I had to find a few local landmarks in The Woodlands / Montgomery County to give them some kind of comparison. The Statue of Sam Houston, outside Huntsville, in Walker County, on I-45, between Houston and Dallas is 77 feet tall (including the base of the statue).   150 feet is One-Third of the Anadarko building, the tallest building in Montgomery County.   The Woodlands Water Towers are 150 feet tall, per San Jacinto River Authority. Make Your Mark is a movement to mark the city of Houston with the power of prayer and the compassion of ... 07/28/2008