How Does Your Garden Grow?

It seems only fitting to switch from home talk to the backyard and talk about gardening.  Having a vegetable garden is a wonderful way to get outside and have edible results.  A few blogs back, I mentioned I had started my garden and I thought I would show you the progress.

I have learned that my enthusiasm to plant onion sets early resulted in beautiful plants with flowers, but no real use able onions (not shown because we pulled them out).  The tomatoes are showing flowers and the peas pods are beginning to fill out.  I am excited to see what I can harvest first.

I actually have two gardens.  One behind my garage and the other in our patio off the kitchen.  I'm becoming quite fond of container vegetable gardening. It is convenient and makes my porch look wonderful.  I am very excited about my tomato plant.  It sprouted from a wayward seed from the previous plant last year. In essence these will be fee tomatoes!  Who can argue with that?

So I encourage you to get outside and garden. Whether it is in a container or raised vegetable bed in the ground, you will enjoy eating the fruit (or vegetable) of your labor.

Houston Medical Center Living

Be the first to see this wonderful condo in the inner loop.  Across from the VA Hospital and convenient to Medical Center, Galleria, Reliant Stadium and Downtown - UT shuttle and Metro are nearby.  This one bedroom loft is updated and beautifully decorated with contemporary colors. The Riverwalk Condominium complex is beautiful too and features 3 pools, excercise room, club house, spa, sauna, 24 hour manned gate access, beautiful grounds and fountains throughout.  For $104,900 you won't find a better deal.  See for yourself at http://www.medicalcenterliving-2016.com/ or better yet, make an appointment today!

See for yourself!

If you've missed our Open House, you missed seeing this wonderful Middlebrook home for yourself.  See why it is an exceptional value.  Call 713.817.5710  for an appointment today!

Taxes, Taxes and TAX CREDITS!

It is tax deadline day.  This day is only fun if you are receiving a refund - and honestly who waits until the deadline to RECEIVE money? That just doesn't make sense!  As for me, I'm an early filer.  I am always hopeful that maybe, just maybe I'll get money back.  As my dependents continue to outgrow tax credit brackets, I have found that my "refund" is gobbled up in more taxes I need to save for next year.  But still, I always hope.

While it seems we are surrounded by taxes, at this time we are also surrounded by tax credits.  It just takes some poking around to find them.  When it comes to extra money in your pocket, it is really worth investigating.....

HOMEBUYERS TAX CREDIT - I know, I know, I know, you are tired of hearing about it.  I have already had countless blogs about it.  However, it is such a large sum of money we are talking about I hate for anyone to miss out because of lack on information.  This credit is for NEW and EXISTING homeowners for up to $8000 or $6500 respectfully. You MUST be under contract by April 30, 2010 to qualify (and close by June 30, 2010) - so if you have found that perfect house don't delay placing an offer. I would also encourage you to not go it alone - find a Realtor to expedite your search. Having a Realtor costs you nothing - and FREE is just as good as a credit right?  For links and more information visit the tax credit link on my website - some restrictions do apply.

ENERGY TAX CREDITS - Yes we have all heard or experienced the debaucle of the Texas Rebate program.  Personally, with some diligence by my husband, we are on the waiting list with 59,000 other Texans.  (Quite honestly if you are going to have a waiting list of 59,000 why not just make it 60,000 so more people feel like they made it?)  If you missed out on this, and most of you probably did, there is a Federal Tax Credit up to $1500 for certain energy saving windows, water heaters, air conditioning units and more.  You can receive more information with details at the governments energystar website

I hope you will take advantage of either of these programs. Remember it doesn't make sense to wait until the deadline to take advantage of RECEIVING money!

How Hard is it to Focus?

The statistic amazed me - a majority of home buyers/sellers go with the the first agent they meet. The FIRST!  In a day and age of consumerism where you hunt for a great mechanic, the best car, where to get your haircut, who is a great doctor. You may ask for references, or get friends opinions, conduct interviews before coming to a commitment.  While the first agent may be truly amazing, this is your home - most likely the largest financial transaction you will make - don't settle and think everyone is the same - because they're not!

I come to this current harrang after a couple of incidents in recent weeks.

Today:  I was about to send some information to a For Sale By Owner. By the looks of the sign in the yard, it was my husband who brought it to my attention that it was not listed by an agent.  A search of the MLS showed me that indeed it was listed by an agent, who was marketing this property not only with an odd sign, but blurry pictures on the MLS.  Every single photo was blurry!  (NOTE:  the photo above is not the house - I didn't want to give it any bad publicity in case you live next door)  I'm not sure if it was the shot, or low resolution, but it didn't make this home look nice.  This is a pet peave of mine. 

Yes, it takes time to take great photos, but that is what you are paying me as an agent to do - market your house the best I can.  Ask to see past or current listings from any Realtor and look at their photos.  A majority of buyers shop online first. This is their first impression of your home (the home you want maximum value from) make sure they are in focus, staged well and do not showcase dishes in the sink, laundry everywhere, an ironing board or a litter box (yes, these are actual MLS photos I have seen).  I have been known to reshoot photos, just to make sure we get the best light. 

2 weeks ago:  At a recent Open House I  hosted, my sellers decided to spend their time away by visiting other open houses in the area.  Each Open House I host has information about the property, the neighborhood, area, current listings in the neighborhood and cookies :)  I have as much marketing material available to potential buyers that I can.  As my client's visited other homes that day they were met with one Realtor that wouldn't go into the house and stayed in their car (that gave a great message) and another who was on their cell phone the entire time while they and other families visited.  Each had no informaton about the home. They left not even knowing the asking price.  Once again as as consumer ask questions.   Ask "what do you do to market my home?"  Not everyone is the same.

So if you are in the market to buy or sell a home, please bring me your questions.  I'd love to share what sets me apart.

Saving NASA Spaceflight - you can help

If you live in the Clear Lake area like me, many of your friends and even family are affiliated with NASA and its contractors. With the recent federal budget proposal cutting the Constellation program and potentially thousands of jobs, it is important to make our voices heard.


While my blog is NOT about politics, I wanted to pass on this site where you can find out more information and access links to email your congressmen and spread the word. It is http://www.goboldlynasa.org/

See to me this isn't about politics, it is about standing up for a program that the United States is clearly the leader in. It is supporting the men and women who imagine and dream beyond their daily lives to acomplish something bigger. It is about being a good neighbor and friend to those in my community who are affected. I hope you'll visit the site.

Energy Efficent Rebates Not So Efficient

It probably would have helped if I had the date correct in my mind.  I knew the Texas Rebate program was postponed from April 5th.  Unfortunately I the date April 15th  stuck in my head (duh tax date) and not today, as I was told by the Heating and Air Conditioning company I called.  The program required you reserve a rebate for replacing appliances, water heaters, air conditioners etc.

So as I logged on, I realized the website was an inefficient as the products they are to replace.  I would get to the first page only to have the second page not load.  When I finally got page two to load, I would select my item and that page would not load and shoot me back to page one.  I checked the Twitter account which assured me rebates were going fast, but still available.  I called my husband figuring one of us would be able to get in. Calls to the phone number was always met with a busy signal.  I finally gave up, he prevailed and we are now on a waiting list.

So if you are saying "what rebate program?"  don't worry - you're too late and you were saved cyber frustration. However they do have a great link to other tax credits and rebates you may be able to use. CLICK HERE (I am hoping that page loads for you).  The Federal Government has a tax credit available for things such as energy efficient air conditioners - our goal to purchase.

Should the Texas program get more funding - I will try to remember the date and pass it on.

Do you agree with two-thirds of Americans?

"Nearly two-thirds of Americans think the time is right to buy a house, with a majority believing prices will be the same or higher over the next year, according to a Fannie Mae survey released Tuesday." this is the opening paragraph of an article I recently read (read full article here)


From personal experience it seems like people are ready to buy.  I'm sure much of the recent activity is due to the Home Buyers Tax Credit set to expire this month.  If you qualify, this could be mean $8000 or $6500 if you are under contract by the end of the month. (for more information and links here).  Even if you don't qualify, now may be the time to buy with interest rates still low and there are many homes to choose from.

What this means in your house hunt is to be very strategic and work closely with your Realtor so you know when the right house is the right price.  I have heard stories of multiple bids on homes in recent weeks.  This is why it is a good idea to know what you can afford, know what you want in a home, what the comps are for an area, don't delay, and to come in with a realistic offer.  While some buyers see this as a chance to get a bargain, if you come in too low you may miss getting a home all together! 

So where can you find a great home? Once again, talk with a Realtor (like me!) and a special search criteria can be set up to email you homes of interest.  Compare not just price, but room sizes, updates, and improvements.  Sure you may be able to find a home that "could" look nice with a little TLC for less, but you have to weigh how much money it will take to bring it to what you are looking for, and the amount of time it will take. Sometimes the better value is a home that is already updated.

Where can you find such homes?  Glad you asked!  If you are looking in the Clear Lake area I happen to have a listing that is updated and perfect for First-time buyers since it includes all appliances! Visit http://www.15811dunmoordr.com/ to check it out and give me a call if you would like to set up an appointment.