It has occurred to me recently that some consumers do not know why they should not have another Real Estate Agent show them homes.  There seem to be many different reasons why consumers do this, I will discuss a few:My Real Estate Agent is too busyI just drove by the homeI don't want to lose it if I like itI'm not going to lie or over inflate the reasons why you should reconsider doing this, I'm going to be straight forward from a Real Estate Agent's perspective and YOURS! All of these are equally important in one way or another, but I will start with you.The Big "R"-Representation- This point probably deserves a post of its own but I will break it down.  If you decide to write an offer on the home you see with another agent, probably listing agent, this really is not in your best inter... 05/29/2007

As a Realtor in The Woodlands TX I get asked many questions regarding a Home's Value.  When I meet people, they are at various stages of fact finding and often go to the County Appraisal District Website to get their answers.STOP! Don't go look there yet.  I am going to explain why it is NOT the place to start.The County Appraisal Districts simply give the home a value based on a Drive By.  Actually, If a County Appraiser asked to see inside your home-you have EVERY right to say no.  They simply base the value on the approximate square footage of the home and area sales which I have often found to be incorrect.  Typically, in Harris and Montgomery Counties the County Appraised Value of a home is MUCH less than a BANK Appraisal.  I have seen them be off as much as over $100,000.  Heck, I... 05/25/2007

When you buy a house, does that make it a home? It depends on how you look at it.  Colleen Kulikowski posted What Makes a House a Home and that really got me to thinking.  What does make a home?Some houses are small, some are big.  Some houses are jazzed up, some need a little work.  However, I think it's what you put into the house that makes it your home.Consider this for just a moment.  If you accepted a job offer in  The Woodlands, TX, purchased a house, and moved in a month before your spouse with minimal belongings, Would you feel at home?I view multiple houses every week whether it be touring, showing or holding an Open House.  I get to see some beautiful houses-but I don't feel at home. Now when I leave the office everyday and go to my modest house where my kids greet with a big... 05/22/2007

  WILSHIRE HOMES  - NEW HOMES IN THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS - NEW HOME INVENTORYPlanCommunityPriceAddressSquare FeetStoriesBedsBathsKensington-PSterling Ridge - Winterra$599,00060 Acrewoods Place3689243.5Kensington-LSterling Ridge - Millsap$483,10914 Millsap Circle3689243.5ChateauSterling Pointe$415,35766 South Longsford Circle3400254Glen RoseSterling Pointe$409,39779 Longsford Circle3516243.5Chesapeake-BOriel Oaks$413,09854 Oriel Oaks Court3508244.5Chesapeake-BOriel Oaks$422,38930 South Oriel Oaks3508244.5ChesapeakeOriel Oaks$489,900134 Oriel Oaks Circle3722254.5 Oriel Oaks$360,26911 Drewdale2918143SinclairBeckonvale$500,35722 Heather Bank Place3880244"The Village of Sterling Ridge is a private, gated, golf community located in The Woodlands.  Nestled in the forest north of Houston and just ... 05/22/2007

I love to talk about what I have to offer my clients.  I am proud to be considered ad Realtor and proud to help  my clients on a daily basis, even on Holidays and Weekends.Here is a list of things that I do for my clients that contribute to getting a SOLD sign in the yard.  Someone call Guiness as this may very well be the longest BLOG in History.What is Needed to List a Property:Research information-Neighborhood and Area Statistics, Days on Market, Recent Sold Properties, What are buyers looking forPrepare All Paperwork-Listing Agreements, Disclosures, other AddendaHelp to Stage the home-or hire a stager if needed Take Photos-Photos are a must on the internetInstall signs and lock boxesEnter All Information to MLS- Including photos, descriptions that sell, PDF files of all Disclosures ... 05/14/2007

 Chesmar Homes has released their latest inventory for the gorgeous and nature-friendly community of Montfair in The Woodlands!These beautiful homes in The Woodlands, Texas are ready for move-in!!  Ask your favorite Woodlands Realtors to show you around!  As residents of The Woodlands, Texas ourselves, we have tons of information for you at our fingertips!Call  Lance @ 832-483 8655 to view any of these homes. Chesmar Homes - New Homes In The Woodlands, Texas - Montfair PlanCommunityPriceAddressSquare FeetStoriesBedsBathsGarageThe CaseyMontfair$248,5402 Montfair Park Circle22361322Three bedrooms and a study.  Beautiful stone, brick and siding exterior with large covered front and back porches.  Lots of upgrades in this gorgeous home on a corner across from Montfair Park. PlanCommunityPri... 05/07/2007

It's Official!  I can now use the EcoBroker Logo!  I am so excited to have finished the EcoBroker Classes and who better to share it with than my AR Family!As of right now I am the only Agent in the Spring/Woodlands area with this Designation.  Actually, the closest agent with one is in Galvestion.  I have to say that these classes were amazing and it has put a refreshing excitement back into my business.  I am chomping at the bits to start my marketing!  I hope to share with all of you some of my experiences over the next year.  I plan on doing a lot with this. Also, I would like to say Thank You to some of you on AR  who have helped me considerably over the last few weeks that I have been here!Thank You JaneAnneNarrin for inspiring me through your writing to pursue this Designation!Th... 05/07/2007

Do you get asked this question?  I do. As many of you know I am working on my 'Operation Localism' where I am posting weekly as many things as possible for my area.  I have had the opportunity to meet many people while taking photos.  In conversation they want to know what I'm doing and I say, of course, "It's for my BLOG."  The very next question 9 out of 10 times was "What is a blog anyway?"Well, prior to becoming a member of Active Rain, I had no clue what a BLOG was. So needless to say, hearing this question made me relieved that I was not the only one who had not jumped into the internet saavy world.  I always heard it on the news, "What is everyone Blogging about today?" and I would just think "Heck if I know, what is it?"I realized then that I at least needed to have an answer to... 05/06/2007

Looking to buy a home in The Woodlands? Just the size of this community is enough to be completely overwhelming. The population of The Woodlandsis already approximately 80,000 and there are still atleast 7,000 more homes to be built.  Where do I start you ask? How about a breakdown of what you will find here to begin.The Woodlands is a master planned community with everything you need.  Schools, Shopping, Malls, Golf, Parks with Hike and Bike Trails, this list could go on forever.  To start, The Woodlands is set up into Villages. (Large neighborhoods which are broken up into smaller sections) You will find a vast number of homes in every price range. The best thing to do is figure out what the basics are for you wants and needs in a home. Let's break it down.Location-Do you work in The ... 05/06/2007

Disclosure is possibly the single most important part of a Real Estate Transaction.  In Texas, ALL Sellers are required to fill out a Sellers Disclosure which gives the potential buyer a short history of the property.  Even if you are selling or buying a home For Sale By Owner, it is required.However, there is always the chance that the seller "forgot" about something, or maybe the previous owner "forgot" something.  Never Fear, Steph is here!While searching for a home there are many tools available to help you.  The one that I am going to mention here is the CLUE Report.  (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange)  This is a report that you can request for FREE from your insurance company.  This is like a credit report for homes.  Not only do claims filed agains insurance follow you, b... 05/04/2007

Latest new home inventory released from David Weekley for The Woodlands on 2nd May 2007. These homes are ready for move in! No waiting.... please contact Lance @ 832-483 8655 for more information. David Weekley Homes - The WoodlandsPlanCommunityPriceAddressStoriesBedroomsBathsGaragesEstimated CompletionGroverDulcimer Woods$299,99023 Tapestry Forest Place1222/FrontReady For Move In!David Weekley Homes - The WoodlandsPlanCommunityPriceAddressStoriesBedroomsBathsGaragesEstimated CompletionColletteTerrace Mill$549,99063 S. Terrace Mill Cir.243.53/FrontReady For Move In! 05/02/2007

1 SATURDAY, TWO HOURS, TWO BEAUTIFUL HOMES.  10 CYPRESS PINE - $161 900.00 - Virtual Tour             7 SPICEBUSH - $170 000.00 - Virtual Tour4 bedrooms, 2240 square foot.                                  3 beds, gameroom - 2514 square foot. Come and see these beautiful homes in Panther Creek, The Woodlands this coming Saturday. The owner of Spicebush reduced the asking price from $175 000.00 down to $170 000.00 to get his property moving at the open house this week-end! He's spent a lot of money putting high quality materials in like granite counters, travertine tile, etc. 10 Cypress Pine has also been newly remodeled... really nice work, 4 bedrooms! New yard landscaping front & back! Come and visit us at the open house this coming week-end. Call Lance (832-483 8655) for more informati... 05/01/2007

This is the story from HAR: All CategoriesMarch 2006March 2007Percent ChangeTotal property sales8,0427,267-9.6%Total dollar volume$1,471,571,858$1,442,635,610-2.0%Average single-family sales price$192,194$205,815+7.1%Median single-family sales price$143,170$150,590+5.2%Active listings41,94847,872+14.1%Pending sales5,5065,653+2.7%Months inventory*5.25.5+5.2%* Months inventory estimates the number of months it will take to deplete current active inventory based on the prior 12 months sales activity. This figure is representative of the single-family homes market.Interestingly... number of deals went down by almost 10% but the average price of a single-family home still goes up by just over 7%!!! Not bad in this market. Why did number of sales go down in March? Easy one... sub-prime lender... 04/24/2007

There is something for everyone in The Woodlands!  You can literally live here and not ever have to leave-unless of course you have to go to the airport.  Here is a list of some of my favorite things to do in The Woodlands!  Town Center- Located right off of I-45, Town Center is where you will find the majority of the shopping and dining.  Stop by the mall for some great shopping then head over to the Courtyard! Must See! Outdoor shopping with National Restaurant names like P.F. Chang's and Cheesecake Factory.    The Courtyard is the heart of The Waterway where you can hop on a Water Taxi and go for a ride!  Market Street- Although this is technically part of Town Center it deserves a category of its own! It is a very scenic outdoor mall with designer shops, a central park for kids and ... 04/23/2007

 Upcoming Events in The Woodlands-April 23-29 2007Wednesday April 25th- Houston Symphony "Fairy Tales and Fantastics" at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion-FREE LAWN SEATS!Thursday April 26th-It' Back! Jazz Beat at Market Street!  Every Thursday and FREE.  Outdoors Concert at the Central Park until May 31st.Friday April 28th-Sawmill Festival. A little bit of history and a whole lot of fun! Held by the Chamber of Commerce  10am-6pm 04/22/2007

The Village of Creekside Park is the newest and probably final section of The Woodlands with parks and ponds as its' main theme.  This new Village is still at Pre-Construction stage so the pictures are beginning stages.  However, when it is all done-imagine driving home everyday to a picturesque setting only seen in a movie! The Woodlands has proposed nearly 3,500 acres for an estimated 7,100 homes in the Village of Creekside Park.  The first phase has just opened with model homes under construction and a starting price range around the 200's.  Builders that you will find in this first section are David Weekley, Highland, Wilshire, Village and Darling.  It is expected that one of the sections soon to follow will be an age-qualified (55+) community similar to Windsor Lakes.  Like the are... 04/22/2007

...And other Popular questions answered.Houston is HUGE! That is why I specialize in the Spring/Woodlands area on the North side of Downtown Houston.  Statistically speaking, Texas in the past year has more people "moving in" than "moving out" which has given me the opportunity to work with some AMAZING clients from out of state.  I've found that most of these people have the same questions.  For those of you that are a little shy or not actively working with an agent, I thought I would answer some very popular questions for you!What is a MUD tax?  This seems to be the most popular.  MUD is just an acronym for Municipal Utility District.  These are the lovely people that supply our water for specific areas. Generally by neighborhood.  Why do the tax rates vary by neighborhood?  The taxe... 04/19/2007

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival is on this week-end!! Hang out in Central Park (well, not the real one but it's also called central park) and browse through all the wonderful art on display. The weather's lovely and it's a great day to be out...  There's live entertainment, kid's art, student's art specially invited artists...   04/15/2007

Are investors missing a trick? Check this out...The "Boomers" are retiring or, at the very least, shifting gears again and that means they're moving into a different house. The kids are long gone. The big rambling house is too costly to maintain and the big get-togethers are getting fewer and fewer. So, what do they want? One thing that stands out like a sore thumb - they don't like stairs. Yup. When you get past sixty years of age, you're not that into running up a flight of stairs every now & then. You'd rather stay on one floor... well, I'm assuming that as I'm not quite there yet but I haven't met many people past the age of sixty that like to climb stairs so I think I'm pretty safe here!Anyway,... let's "unpack that for a minute" (as my pastor would say when he's analyzing a short ... 04/09/2007

The Woodlands has become quite a development. This master planned community is also it's very own city, located to North of Houston between Houston and Conroe. Many still consider The Woodlands a part of Houston due to it's close proximity to Houston's complex system of highways, but local residents will tell you that The Woodlands is all-together a new lifestyle all on it's own. If you are the type of person that enjoys tall, majestic pines and a proactive preservation of natures wonderful sceneries, then The Woodlands may be the perfect place for you to live. The Woodlands has preserved more than 5,000 acres in "green" space. The city of The Woodlands has it's own rules and regulations regarding the removal of natural flora, thus preserving the look and appeal derivative of this wonde... 04/07/2007