Congratulations, you have gotten through the hardest part; you have found your dream home! But what next? The following steps will help guide you through the home buying process. 1. Make an offerHaving a real estate agent will be very helpful in doing this. The agent will help you develop an offer and present it to the seller. They will help you come up with a reasonable purchase price and conditions that you might want the seller to meet prior to buying. The agent can also advise you on a reasonable partial down payment, or “earnest money deposit,” to show you are serious about the property.2. NegotiateThe asking price and price you want to pay often times may not match up, or they might but you may be fighting someone else who is also interested in the property. In these instances, ha... 07/15/2015

We are smack dab in the middle of College Station Get Pop Cultured Month 2015.  What is that?  Barnes & Noble stores, including those in our very own College Station community, are hosting fun events during the entire month of July.  This week offers a 1970s Throwback Thursday, a bit of Minion fun and even some Star Wars shenanigans.What: College Station Get Pop Cultured Month 2015Where: Barnes & Noble (711 Texas 6 Business)When: 7pm, all July longCost: FREEContact: Barnes & Noble (979) 764-8955What is College Station Get Pop Cultured Month 2015?The College Station Get Pop Cultured Month 2015 is just the local version of Barnes & Nobles' nationwide event.  What do you get when you combine pop culture and the written word?  "Get Pop Cultured Month", that's what!  There is a different, fu... 07/14/2015

 Being a new homeowner can be a little overwhelming, especially if you don’t have all the essentials you need to get off to a good start. It can be easy to let the small pieces slip your mind, so why not be prepared for the unexpected and have all the supplies you need so you can make your new house a home?Many times you don’t realize how handy or convenient something is until you have it in your hands. Something as simple as a tool bag with the basics when you’re all moved in and want to get started on decor will potentially save you multiple trips to the hardware store, not to mention time. You’ll need the obvious like a screw driver, hammer, nails, measuring tape,what about a stud finder, have one of those? Very basic, but necessary items when thinking about decorating your new place... 07/13/2015

Spending time with your family is important.  It doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg.  The July 2015 College Station free family Movie in the Park is just that...FREE.  Bring goodies from home.  Relax on a blanket.  Watch a family-friendly movie under the stars.  Seems simple enough, right?What: July 2015 College Station Free Family Movie in the ParkWhere: W.A. Tarrow Pavilion, Lincoln Recreation Center (1000 Eleanor)When: Friday, July 10th 6:30pmCost: FREEContact: Bryan-College Station Convention & Visitor's Bureau (979) 260-9898July 2015 College Station Free Family Movie in the ParkEvery other month (weather permitting), the City of College Station offers a free movie screening at one of the city's parks.  The July 2015 College Station free family Movie in the Park selection is ... 07/07/2015

The 2015 College Station July 4th festivities include a parade, games, music and fireworks.  Texas does everything big.  Independence Day is no exception.2015 College Station July 4th FestivitiesWhat: 2015 College Station July 4th ParadeWhere: Triangle Park (Foxfire Dr), College StationWhen: July 4th, 9amContact: Blanche Brick 764-7287 or via emailBring your lawn chairs down to Triangle Park for the 4th of July parade.  Watch as bikes, trikes, people and pets dressed up in their patriotic best march down Foxfire Dr.  Make sure you get here early to scout the perfect spot.  Light refreshments will be available after the parade.What: I Love America 4th of July CelebrationWhere: George Bush Presidential Library & MuseumWhen: July 4th, 5pm to 10:05pmCost: FREEContact: George Bush Presidenti... 06/30/2015

Texas A&M is calling out to all residents.  College Station decision makers are needed for a study they are conducting.  Participants will be compensated for their time.What: Decision Making StudyWhere: Motivation & Cognition Interface Lab, Texas A&M (515 Coke St)Contact: Dept of Psychology emailCollege Station Decision Makers NeededAre you a resident of the Bryan-College Station community?  Are you between the ages of 40 and 90?  Do you have a few hours to spare?  Want to make a little money?  Texas A&M University is looking for volunteers for their College Station Decision Makers Study. The goal of the College Station Decision Makers Study is to determine what factors go in to making a good decision.  They want to have a wide variety of ages, backgrounds and experiences.  The study wi... 06/23/2015

It's College Station Family Swim Night every Thursday at Adamson Lagoon.  That's great news when you're trying to cool off in the hot summer months.  Just get your family together, grab the towels and head down to the public pool.What: College Station Family Swim NightWhere: Adamson Lagoon (1900 Anderson)When: Every Thurs, 7:30pm to 9:30pm, Now Through August 6, 2015Cost: Families are $3 each, Kids 2 and Under are FREEContact: Adamson Lagoon (979) 764-3735Why You Should Go to College Station Family Swim NightAn in ground pool in your own backyard is nice.  It can be expensive to maintain.  A portable pool is cheaper.  But setting it up, filling it and then tearing it down when you're done can get tedious.  That is why you should go to College Station Family Swim Night every Thursday thi... 06/09/2015

Are you new to the Bryan/College Station area? Are you looking for fun things to do? Here are some fun ideas for new or old residents to experience with friends and family!Texas A&M Bonfire MemorialThis is something that represents great meaning at Texas A&M University. It is located on campus and is part of the many traditions that are held dear at A&M. This Memorial is dedicated to the lives that were lost the day of the 1999 Bonfire Collapse. It is quite a site to see if you have some spare time on your hands. If you are just interesting in reading up more about it visit it's website right HERE! Texas A&M Campus ToursTexas A&M Campus is a really fun and interesting place to see even if you aren't a student or a prospective student. If you ever want to visit the campus or learn more a... 05/13/2015

Selling your home is an undertaking and without the right information, it can seem overwhelming. But before you dive into the process, make sure that you and your home are prepared for what comes next! Hire a professional to inspect your homeThough the eventual buyers will ultimately hire a home inspector, it pays to know what they are going to find first. The heads-up that you receive helps prevent your sale process being held up by unseen issues.In addition, home inspections provide other benefits:           - Allows you to make repairs and address other problems           - Boosts your credibility and trustworthiness with buyers Find and hire a real estate agent Selling is an exhausting process that can be like taking on a second job. If you don’t want to hire a full-time agent, you ... 05/11/2015

If you are thinking about making a large purchase such as a home, your credit score is very important. Your credit score determines whether or not you will qualify for the loan you may need to buy the home. You may be thinking, I’m not sure that my credit is up to par. Here are some ways to help improve your credit score. Pay your bills on time. If you are paying your bills on time, continue to do so. Staying consistent and current is a major booster for your score. If have missed some payments, get those payed off and then begin to stay current as soon as possible. There is such thing as good debt. Large debts that you have been consistent in paying are considered good debt. The longer your history of solid payments the better your score will be. This shows your discipline and respons... 05/06/2015

Do you want your child to take ownership of their lives and become  productive members of society? Then sign them up for Lemonade Day, a free, fun experiential learning program that teaches youth how to start, own and operate their own business- a lemonade stand! Beginning in Houston, Texas in 2007, Lemonade Day has grown from 2,700 kids to 120,000 kids in 31 cities Across America and Canada, including Bryan and College Station! The foremost objective of Lemonade Day is to empower youth to take ownership of their lives and become the business leaders, social advocates, volunteers, and forward thinking citizens of tomorrow.How it works:Those interested in participating can register for Lemonade Day at:http://bcs.lemonadeday.orgEach child that registers will receive a backpack filled with... 04/30/2015

When the weather starts to heat up, it is time to bring out the slip 'n slide.  I remember many long, hot summer days spent sliding down that long piece of plastic, carried along by a stream of water from the hose.  The College Station Urban Slide 2015 is just like that...but on steroids!What: College Station Urban Slide 2015Where: Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater (1015 Colgate)When: Saturday, May 2nd 10amCost: $10 per slide, $20 for three slides, $25 for five slidesContact: Texas Regional Construction (281) 550-1080Where else can an urban street be turned into a giant slip 'n slide other than the College Station Urban Slide 2015?  This is 1000 feet of slipping and sliding fun at its best!  You must be at least 44 inches tall to be allowed to slide.  Jeans and any clothing that has rivets on... 04/28/2015

Many people may not be aware of the galleries that are present in the Bryan-College Station area. There happen to be quite a few and each gallery has a lot to offer its visitors. It's important to be aware of these places because galleries are a great way to spend time with loved ones, to find inspiration, and to just have a good time. The Benjamin Knox Art Gallery & Wine Depot This Art Gallery is unique because it is frequently changing the art it contains while also opening up opportunities for people to purchase Benjamin Knox works, an artist and Aggie graduate. There's a Frame Shop in the gallery that does diploma framing. There are gallery rooms that offer their space to rent for events. There is also a Wine Depot Bar that offers over 100 types of wines and beer.Benz Gallery of Flo... 04/23/2015

One of the happiest scenes in "Mary Poppins" is at the end, when Mr. Banks decides to spend more time with his family.  What does he do?  He finally gives in to his son and they go fly a kite together.  Flying kites can be enjoyed by everyone of any age.  At the College Station Kite Fest 2015, you and your family can soar your kites high in the skies above our College Station community.What: College Station Kite Fest 2015Where: Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater (1015 Colgate)When: Sunday, April 26th 1pm to 5pmCost: FREEContact: RPTS Kite Fest (512) 909-1369 or via emailCollege Station Kite Fest 2015 is the first event of its kind created by Texas A&M's very own Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences Department.  To celebrate spring, the RPTS Dept has put together a fun line-up of events for al... 04/21/2015

  Even though you may not think you need a real estate agent, there are quite a few ways that they can help you when you are trying to sell your home. If you don’t use a real estate agent, you will probably have to list your home as, “For Sale By Owner,” which can sometimes backfire if you don’t know what you’re doing.Here are some ways that using a real estate agent can help you when you’re trying to sell your home. Help Determine the Home Market Real estate agents have a huge knowledge and wide network of connections with the current market any time of the year. They know how much you should put your house up for, when the right time to post the selling is and what you can do to have more interested prospects come look at your home. Their expertise and years of experience will be able... 04/21/2015

 Selling a house can be a difficult thing to achieve.  The last thing you want to happen after finding a home you want to move into, is not being able to sell the one you have on the market.  In order to avoid any inconveniences as such, there are several steps one can take. 1. The first step to doing this is disassociating yourself with your house.  By disassociating yourself with your house, you will be able to get rid of an owners mentality, and become capable of making wise decisions when staging the house. The simplest way to stage your house is to get rid of all the clutter.  By ridding yourself of the clutter, you are able to show the full amount of square footage your house actually has; clutter hides your houses real size and makes it appear smaller. 2. Evaluate where your hous... 04/17/2015

Winter is finally over, and after months of taking a brutal beating from the elements, your poolside retreat may need a little TLC. Bring your backyard back to life just in time for summer entertaining with these three tips:1. DIY Deck DesignIf you have a knack for do-it-yourself renovations, consider updating your pool deck for the summer season. Over time, pool decks can crack and any finishes or slip-resistant coatings can depreciate. This can become a real problem when it applies to safety. Without a slip-resistant coating, your family and guests are more prone to slipping on the wet areas. Make safety a priority and spruce up your old pool deck with a larger, more stylish concrete addition.First, you’ll need to measure the deck area. Take a measurement of the perimeter of the pool ... 04/16/2015

Are you into Wine and Roses? Will you be in the Bryan and College Station area on April 25th?If you answered yes to either of these questions then you should be attending the Messina Hof 31st Annual Wine and Roses Festival. It will be taking place on April 25 from 2-8pm at Messina Hof.The slogan that Messina Hof has made for this event is “Eat. Drink. Stomp.” This event is thoroughly planned out with a lot of fun. The purpose of this Event is to celebrate the blooming of the roses and the budding of the vines. This celebration will include the incorporation of: live music food trucks artisans and booths wine tasting wine pairing  arts eventsIt will also have the Annual Messinah Hof celebrity grape stomp, regular grape stomps and Texas Artist Wine Label Competition happening throughout t... 04/14/2015

A home is probably the single largest investment you will make in your life and most people will spend a great deal of time and energy searching for or designing the perfect home. One of the first decisions you’ll have to make though, is whether to buy an existing home or build a new one. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of both. Buying an Existing Home Advantages: 2 main advantages of buying an existing home is convenience and cost. Also having a qualified real estate agent to guide you through the process is a huge advantage. The convenience of being able to move right away is one of the strengths for people buying a new home. This is especially true for people on a tight schedule for people getting a new job or children starting a new school. For the cost, in many cases it ... 04/10/2015

Come out to Wolf Pen Creek on April 18th for a fun day with your community. Support local choirs, sit in the sun, and enjoy some delicious BBQ! The event will include, educational booths, environmental demonstrations, a kid’s zone, and some live entertainment!When: April 18th from 11:00am-4:00pmWhere:Wolf Pen Creek ParkScholarships: Two students will be presented with a scholarship at the event for the 2015/2016 school year. The 2016/2017 school year applications are now open and are due December 31st at 5pm! Click here to apply!Entertainment: There will be live music at the amphitheater between 11:00am to 2:45pm including the Creekview Choir, Chris Kleiber & the Felony Brothers, and Project X.11:00am-11:30am: Creekview Choir11:45am-1:30pm: Chris Kleiber & the Felony Brothers1:45pm-2:4... 04/09/2015