Huntsville TX Homes,  Conroe Homes,  Lake Livingston Real Estate  Wow, is there ever a plethora of advice when it comes to selling or buying a home.  Here is the #1 tip I can share.  I blogged about it before and it bears repeating. Selling Tip #1 (of all time) USE a REALTOR-- If your dog is sick, would you take him or her to the Florist? Would you have dry cleaner prepare your tax return? Want to Sell your home? --use a professional--Call a Realtor! Live in the Huntsville, Lake Conroe, Lake Livingston Market Areas? --call me! You may also contact me for referrals outside of these market areas.  As a CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), I have a Network of the finest Realtors in the country to help you outside of these areas. BUYING TIP: If you have been "on the fence" about buying a... 04/14/2010

I still can't get enough of it.  Real Estate...That is.  So intriguing, so very cool.  Helping people find the right home and helping others to sell to be able to move on to the next chapter in their lives is so rewarding.  I cannot imagine a more consistently rewarding career.  This is not to say that I don't miss my goobers (my former students----voice and choir) terribly, because I do.  They are amazing young people (getting less young every day like the rest of us) and will always have a deeply rooted place in my heart. Real Estate is a new adventure every day, a new scene, a fresh outlook.  I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.  I get to see 1st time homebuyers smile when they realize they get to "set up house" and make a home, I get to help folks to downsize when the kids ar... 04/13/2010

I love Baseball Season and everyhting it means....Springtime, flowers, green grass, sunshine glinting on the water and foliage.  Ahhhh....Springtime, and baseball.  I am a Texas Rangers Fan.  Growing up I was a Phillies fan and hopelessly in love with shortstop Larry Bowa.  Not, it's the Rangers.  Michael Young, Josh Hamilton, and now Vlad Guerrero.  Yep..Vlad..."If you can't beat 'em, sign 'em!" Vlad was an out 'n out "Ranger Killer."  He has the Ranger Stadium all time best batting average.  He was a great "get."  Baseball is so much fun (well, relaxing) to watch.  It's not jam packed action--the game goes at a pace that actually helps you to slow down and "chill."  And the Texas Rangers have the absolute BEST announcers.  They are so easy to listen to and interesting.  Very easy goin... 04/13/2010

Huntsville TX Homes : Call Your Mom and tell her "Thanks!" You know, everyone has a story, and not everyone has had an idyllic childhood.  But, please catch the spirit of the message Gratitude is powerful Find something to thank your Mom for.  Find something to thank someone for.  No man is an island, we have an impact on --  and are impacted by others profoundly.  Whether it's something BIG, something little.  Life is so short and goes by so fast -- especially once you hit 40. (I hit 40-several years ago-- and it smacked me back pretty hard!)  Anyway, that little word "thanks" is powerful.  The whole world opens up when you focus beyond yourself--it is amazing.  It's more than a random act of kindness--it's a lovefest of good feelings, goosebumps and making the world a better place.   ... 02/15/2010

It is Spring in the midst of the cold winter (or as cold as it gets in TX) My lovely Amaryllis has bloomed. It was a Christmas gift from my Mother-in-Law. She knows how much I LOVE this color (see pic below) Anyway, whenever I look at this flower, I hear a lovely Italian song play in my mind. (Yes, you could say I hear voices in my head). Anyway, I thought you would enjoy the translation as well as a lovely redition by the always divine Cecilia Bartoli: Enjoy!   Amarilli, mia bella Language: Italian Amarilli, mia bella, Non credi, o del mio cor dolce desio, D'esser tu l'amor mio? Credilo pur: e se timor t'assale, [Dubitar non ti vale.]1 Aprimi il petto e vedrai scritto in core: Amarilli, Amarilli, Amarailli è il mio amore.   Amaryllis, my lovely one Language: English Amaryllis, my lovel... 02/04/2010

Selling Tips--Post 2 of ?????  Lake Conroe Real Estate-Huntsville TX Homes for Sale Selling Tip #3 Do NOT be there when potential buyers are looking at your house. You are a distraction. There is a 100% chance they will NOT see your house. It is a waste of time--don't even bother allowing them to come. Selling Tip #4 USE a REALTOR-- If your dog is sick, would you take him or her to the Florist? Would you have dry cleaner prepare your tax return? Want to Sell your home? --use a professional--Call a Realtor! Live in the Huntsville, Lake Conroe, Lake Livingston Market Areas? --call me! You may also contact me for referrals outside of these market areas.  As a CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), I have a Network of the finest Realtors in the country to help you outside of these areas. 02/03/2010

Sold!  My Favorite 4-Letter Word--P-e-n-d-i-n-g--my favorite 6 letter words and ....well, you get the drift----Huntsville TX Real Estate Rocks! What a week so far-- In the space of just 1 week, I have gotten 2 houses within 50 feet of each other under contract.  There is no more inventory in the neighborhood.  Note to self--I need listings in Hidden Valley! If you want to sell your home in Walker County (that's Huntsville and greater Huntsville), the Lake Conroe or Lake Livingston Market Areas.  Call me!  I sell homes!  I was also voted Reader's Choice "Best Realtor--Walker County"    My marketing plan will give you maximum exposure for your property.  I invest and re-invest my resouces to give my clients what they want and need--maximum exposure for their property, raising the probabil... 02/03/2010

Wanna Live LARGE!   The state -- TX, the place Elkins Lake in Huntsville TX.  College town, National Forest, State Park, Great Home Values, Beaty and more beauty. Where the wild west meets metropolitan Houston.  An hour from Houston on I-45 and live IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FOREST. Yeah, I'm biased--I live here!!!  Check out my website www.ETPropertySearch.com and www.ElkinsLakePropertySearch.com  Here is a sunset pic from my porch--ENJOY! 02/02/2010

Holy Cannolli--Can you imagine living in the middle of the forest--the Sam Houston National Forest-with direct access to I-45--only an hour from Houston. Small town conveniences with beauty everywhere. Golf--I mean all the golf you care to play--156/month.  Yes, that's correct, it is NOT a typo!  2 swimming pools, lighted 24 hour acccess tennis courts, 3 stocked fishing lakes, 2 new playgrounds, hoops court, Country Club living--restaurant!  It is wonderful.  In the MIDDLE of Sam Houston National Forest.  Not figuratively, I mean literally!  Check it out! Plus, Huntsville TX is a college town--not only that it is the home of Sam Houston State University--the fastest growing University in the state of Texas.  And Home Values--I am glad you asked.  here is a snapshot of "Option Pending" h... 02/02/2010

Ahhhh...Sunsets in TX---from my favorite porch     02/01/2010

Price: $39,900 FIZBER.com ID 13970432 Acreage/Land with in 400 fishermans trl Huntsville, TX, 77320 http://www.fizber.com/13970432/ 400 fishermans trl - For Sale By Owner Property Details: Type: Acreage/Land Address: 400 fishermans trl, Huntsville, TX, 77320 Sq footage: 0.0 Floors: n/a Bathrooms: 0.0 Bedrooms: 0 Year built: 0 View full property details and seller's contacts. View more Texas homes for sale. Homes for Sale by Owner. Description: large .75 riverfront lot. all utilities installed. perfect for rv or can build anything you desire. end of dead end county maintained road. community boat ramp and bath house. 10 mile to downtown huntsville. city water hooked up septic installed 200 amp electric telephone installed workshop/storage cabin pics available upon request NO rent to own... 01/22/2010

You read it right.  Time to buy a current detector.  Do not even do a simple task like installing a GFCI or a dimmer unless you test AFTER you turn off what you think is the correct breaker. I had quite a scare the other day when I came home and my husband told me what had happened as he tried to replace a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter).  He had the "shock" of his life.  No -- I didn't tell him I am pregnant--he got a heck of a literal "shock."  Scared me.  He has promised to always check the circuit first before "going in" in the future. Do yourself a favor--spend the 10 bucks to potentially save someone you love from unnecessary injury or accidental death by electrocution. Read This:  http://homerenovations.about.com/od/electrical/ss/usingvolttester.htm  01/14/2010

Tankless hot water heaters are all the rage.  Everybody seems to be talking about them.  What's the big deal??  Well, 1. Efficiency--Lack of waste--The water is heated as you need it, so it doesn't continuously keep 20-80 gallons at a hot temperatue.  You end up heating water you don;t use and it heats the area the water heater is in. 2. Options--You can install the tankless heater in applications where a traditional hot water heater would not be practical--like an outdoor kitchen. 3.  The water is always hot.  You can install one for a particular application or a whole house unit. 4. The future is now.  Time to conserve--less waste, more available resources.  Check out these sites for more information http://www.tanklesswaterheaterguide.com/   and this one from Consumer Reports  http:/... 01/14/2010

Huntsville TX Real Estate, Conroe Real Estate and Lake Livingston Real Estate are going strong.  If you have been waiting on the sidelines wondering if it's the right time to buy, this is your year. --Interest rates are at historic lows --There is an $8000.00 First Time Homebuyer tax credit--that's cash--$8000 dollars! --Tax benefits of Owning vs Renting Rent vs. Buy Comparison   The following data is for estimation purposes only and the accuracy of the figures is not guaranteed.The actual costs with respect to each transaction will vary depending on the circumstances.   Monthly Rent of Comparable House $ 900        Annual Rental Value of Comparable House $ 10800                         Purchase Price $ 130000   Annual Appreciation Rate   4 %      Annual Appreciation Gained by Purchase ... 12/31/2009

Goals--I set some lofty ones for the year. I reached some and other...still shooting for.  Although there are some goals I have not reached, in my first year and a quarter in Real Estate I have acheived the following: --Helped 32 individuals/families find home or sell home, including 30 home sales and 2 leases (I didn't know any of my clients prior to becoming a Realtor). --Reached almost 4 million dollars in sales --#1 Producing Rookie agent in office of over 200 agents --#3 Top Producing Individual agent in office of over 200 agents --Completed the requirements for QSC-Quality Service Certified, then achieved and maintained a 5/5 star rating, --Completed the requirements and earning a GRI-Graduate Realtor Institute (The "Masters Degree in Real Estate)   --voted Readers Choice "Best Re... 12/30/2009

I am so happy to welcome and introduce Barbara Bunyard to Active Rain!  Please, let me tell you how special Barbara is.... Recently I moved to the Huntsville Texas area after being a real estate appraiser in California.  I am here trying to build my appraisal business and I'll tell you it's slow going. Well, I called Barbara out of the phone book to ask questions and from then on, she's been so wonderful to me.  She has made it a point to introduce me to local realtors and banking contacts, took me to a bank function so that I could meet local people and even signed up to attend a Christmas event that she hadn't planned on attending so she could introduce me to people...how much can a person ask for...that is so terrific in my book..!!!  She even tolerates my millions of questions about... 12/05/2009

I've officially been here full time since October 24, 2009 (off and on before that)...and I'm pleased to say that I've really fallen in love with this area. It isn't just the openness of it, the trees and natural surroundings I now live in but mostly it's the people. Huntsville, Texas has some of the friendliest people I've ever met.  As I drive down the road people who can't possibly know me wave as we pass.  In the stores, especially the grocery store, people talk to you as if you were an old friend.  I am sure part of that is because I am open to it and possibly project that subconciously but mostly it's just because everyone here is nice and friendly..well, everyone I've met so far.  I'm no Pollyanna so I do realize there are not so friendly people everywhere! This area is really ru... 12/02/2009

There are lots of things to do in Elkins Lake including fishing.  So, those of you who may have thought the title was a type of metaphor--well, it's literal.  (Except for the part about the fish being big) Elkins Lake is nestled in the middle of the Sam Houston National Forest and it is gorgeous. This video was taken while we were fishing on a lazy Sunday afternoon.  Sorry in advance about the squealing--turn your sound down--I was excited, what can I say.   11/08/2009

Elkins Lake is my favorite neighborhood ever.  I have counted the number of times I have moved--the count, an embarrassing 29.  I am 46 years old and I am not running from the law, nor am I in the witness protection program.  Why so many moves?  Just life I guess.  Born in PA, undergrad in Wilkes-Barre PA, Masters in Greensboro, NC, SC, then TX and a lots of moves in between. What does Elkins Lake have to offer?  3 private lakes (with fish--that you can catch), 2 pools, 2 playgrounds, lighted tennis courts, hoops (basketball variety) and lots of deer and other wildlife and GOLF! And the golf is FREE!  One HOA fee and no green fees.  There's also a clubhouse and restaurant to enjoy with two (2) Happy Hours a week.  By the way, no minimum at the clubhouse restaurant per year either.  You ... 11/08/2009

Huntsville TX is a town of 35,000 about an hour north of Houston on I-45.  It was founded in 1835 and was the home of Sam Houston.  (We have the statue to prove it) This is quite the imposing vista travelling north or south on I-45 in Huntsville.  At night, it looks as though he is glowing in the dark. (no extra charge) My husband and I used to live on the outskirts of Ft Worth.  Don't get me wrong --I loved Ft Worth and all it had to offer.  What I love about Huntsville, though is that life here is simple.  It's simpler.  Life is just simpler.  It takes just a few minutes to get to the grocery store or to the mall.  Now, the mall isn't a big mall, mind you, but it has the necessities.  We are nestled here in the middle of Sam Houston National forest.  The air is easier to breathe, traf... 11/08/2009