On a beautiful day last week in my bright and sunny office in my favorite area of the world a prospective client and I were talking and she mentioned that moving here from Atlanta she would be giving up cultural events and all the excitement of a large town and didn't know if she could do it.
I was immediately shocked at her suggestion and rose to the defense of my city!
To give you some background, Bryan and College Station, Texas are twin cities smack in the center of most of the larger cities in Texas. Dallas is around 3 hours away, Austin around 2, Houston about 1.5 hours and San Antonio around 4. The combined population is approximately 130,000. Small right? Yes....but for Texas A&M, one of the largest colleges in the United States, this is home. Having a large university in your backyard certainly changes things! Cultural events and drawn by the university crowd, who enthusiastically respond! Beyond that we are the home of the George Bush Museum, and this brings even more speakers and fun to the area!
This post would get way too long if I mentioned all the performances in town. We have many peformers and speakers along the way and some awesome community theatre. I'll focus on OPAS for this write up, come back often for information about other events and venues. Come back often to find more entertainment in Bryan and College Station.
Texas A&M is proud to have MSC OPAS, whose mission is "Bringing World-Class Entertainment to the Brazos Valley". This year (2007 Season) is it's 35th year in operation!
Past performances have include Yo-Yo Ma, Van Cliburn, Itzhak Perlman, Stomp, Les Miserables, Rent, Hairspray and the world premier of the Bolshoi Ballet Brigorovich Ballet. This caused extra attention from international media here for OPA, including a write up in the New York Times.
This year for the 35th Anniversary they have quite the lineup for us!
September 24, 2007 The Ten Tenors. An Australian group performing jazz, opera, modern and classical pop all in the same venue. For more information go to http://www.thetentenors.com/.
February 1-2, 2008 A Ride With Bob: The Bob Will Musical featuring Ray Benson and Ashllep at the Wheel. Bob Wills, the father of Texas Swing and renowned for such songs as "Route 66", "San Antonio Rose" and "Faded Love" is lovingly portrayed by this beautiful show. For more information go to http://www.aridewithbob.com/.
February 21, 2008, Movin' Out. (I ventured to New York to see this one, and can personally give it glowing reviews!). Billy Joel's musical tribute to two decades of Viet Nam, it is a powerful performance!
March 4-5, 2008 The Producers. What more can be said than...A Mel Brooks Comedy! Visit http://www.producersontour.com/ for more information.
March 26-27, 2008 Blast Winner of the 2001 (created specifically for it) Best Theatrical Event Tony!!! More information can be found at http://www.blasttheshow.com/.
April 1-2, 2008 Chicago. Decade old winner of 6 Tony Awards and 6 Academy Awards. Watch it right here and find more information in the meantime at http://www.chicagothemusical.com/.
What do you think? A small city with a lack of culture and fun...? Didn't think so!!!!
Friday, July 13, 2007
Monday, July 2, 2007
Villages of Indian Lakes, College Station
The Villages of Indian Lakes is a great subdivision with rolling acreage lots located in the south part of College Station. The netrance to the subdivision isn't the best, going past the back part of Nantucket as well as several relatively unkept rural properties. Once you pull in the subdivision,however, you know you've made it to a very special place!
Horseback riding trails dot the subdivision along with rolling hills and rustic looking signs. Attendance in the highly desirable Forest Ridge Elementary, College Station's newest elementary campus, is a definate plus.
Ten homes are currently for sale. They range in square footage from 3,085 to 5,329 and in price from $424,900-$824,000 (per square foot from $125-$175.5). Homesites range from 1.66 acres to 4 acres in these current active listings. All are built by outstanding builders.
19 homes have sold in Indian Lakes since the early part of 2006 These homes have ranged in price from $299,900 to $975,000 (sold price per square foot from $112-$175.47) and in size from 2599-5300 square feet.
Call today for your list of current active properties in the area, or to find out what your home is worth!
Horseback riding trails dot the subdivision along with rolling hills and rustic looking signs. Attendance in the highly desirable Forest Ridge Elementary, College Station's newest elementary campus, is a definate plus.
Ten homes are currently for sale. They range in square footage from 3,085 to 5,329 and in price from $424,900-$824,000 (per square foot from $125-$175.5). Homesites range from 1.66 acres to 4 acres in these current active listings. All are built by outstanding builders.
19 homes have sold in Indian Lakes since the early part of 2006 These homes have ranged in price from $299,900 to $975,000 (sold price per square foot from $112-$175.47) and in size from 2599-5300 square feet.
Call today for your list of current active properties in the area, or to find out what your home is worth!
4th of July Comes to Bryan and College Station With a Bang!
Backyard BBQ's and family gatherings aside, there are lots of things to do in Bryan and College Station for the 4th of July. Two of the events are fairly longstanding, and either would provide enough entertainment for the family to talk about for ages!
Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site (If you don't know about this fantastic park stay tuned because I will be blogging later on it). The park is located between Brenham and Navasota off Texas State Highway 105 on FM 1155. The day starts early in Washington on the Brazos. Food vendors will be on the site 10 am to 9 pm.
The Barrington Living History Farm shows just exactly what kind of chores were in a typical late 1800's farm. The farm includes the original home of Anson Jones, the last president of Texas.
After the farm demonstrations meander over to the Star of the Republic Museum that chronicles Texas history during the period of independance. This site is administered by Blinn College and a testimant to their innovation.
Tour the site where the Texas Declaration of Independance was drafted and signed on March 2, 1836. The building is only a replica, but rests on the cornerstones of the original Independance Hall.
Activities really start cranking at 6:30 pm with FREE 1850's period children's games.
7:00 pm brings FREE Blue Bell ice cream and FREE Coca-Cola.
8:00 pm FREE "Back at the Ranch" Western Swing Concert and patriotic video.
9:00 pm H-E-B presents Firewords on the Brazos.
For more information call 936-878-2214 or visit www.birthplaceoftexas.com.
George Bush Presidential Library and Museum located off George Bush Drive in College Station will be hosting it's eighth annual 4th of July celebration. In conjuncion with Texas A&M and the Lion's Club International a great fireworks display will be enjoyed by all. Come early as the library will have FREE admission all day.
Entertainment begins at 5:30 pm with games and fun for the kids. An Elvis Impersonator will be performing (Jason Adams) and the TUB (Texas Unlimited Band) will perform as well. The fireworks will be accompanied by a concert by the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra.
For more information call (979)691-4068.
Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site (If you don't know about this fantastic park stay tuned because I will be blogging later on it). The park is located between Brenham and Navasota off Texas State Highway 105 on FM 1155. The day starts early in Washington on the Brazos. Food vendors will be on the site 10 am to 9 pm.
The Barrington Living History Farm shows just exactly what kind of chores were in a typical late 1800's farm. The farm includes the original home of Anson Jones, the last president of Texas.
After the farm demonstrations meander over to the Star of the Republic Museum that chronicles Texas history during the period of independance. This site is administered by Blinn College and a testimant to their innovation.
Tour the site where the Texas Declaration of Independance was drafted and signed on March 2, 1836. The building is only a replica, but rests on the cornerstones of the original Independance Hall.
Activities really start cranking at 6:30 pm with FREE 1850's period children's games.
7:00 pm brings FREE Blue Bell ice cream and FREE Coca-Cola.
8:00 pm FREE "Back at the Ranch" Western Swing Concert and patriotic video.
9:00 pm H-E-B presents Firewords on the Brazos.
For more information call 936-878-2214 or visit www.birthplaceoftexas.com.
George Bush Presidential Library and Museum located off George Bush Drive in College Station will be hosting it's eighth annual 4th of July celebration. In conjuncion with Texas A&M and the Lion's Club International a great fireworks display will be enjoyed by all. Come early as the library will have FREE admission all day.
Entertainment begins at 5:30 pm with games and fun for the kids. An Elvis Impersonator will be performing (Jason Adams) and the TUB (Texas Unlimited Band) will perform as well. The fireworks will be accompanied by a concert by the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra.
For more information call (979)691-4068.
College Station ISD Planning For New Elementary Campus
College Station is now planning for it's 7th elementary campus, the new Creek View Elementary. Plans currently are to locate it on Graham Road, presumably where the newest elementary school, just opened last year was initially slated to be. Forest Ridge, the newest elemntary, is the fastest growing school in the district, but officials are taking no chances and commissioning a high priced, no doubt, study on where the growth lies.
According to current data most students live in the central part of the city. Most Realtors feel that the true growth that would support our younger citizens occurs at the southern portion of the city. With Creek Meadows in the far south side of College Station soon opening up over 1000 homesites, plus a slew of other new subdivisions breaking ground and Castlegate finishing completion, I don't believe it takes a report to figure out where the growth is.
According to current data most students live in the central part of the city. Most Realtors feel that the true growth that would support our younger citizens occurs at the southern portion of the city. With Creek Meadows in the far south side of College Station soon opening up over 1000 homesites, plus a slew of other new subdivisions breaking ground and Castlegate finishing completion, I don't believe it takes a report to figure out where the growth is.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
DR Horton Headed Out of College Station?
Early this year DR Horton headed into College Station with a splash. Signs went up and promotions abounded. Their first subdivision they built in was called Dove Crossing. On December 19th KBTX, one of our local TV stations ran a story about DR Horton and how they have attempted, largely unsuccessfully, to compete in the Bryan/College Station market. Out of the 78 lots they purchased in Dove Crossing, only 35 have been built on, and many of those 35 are still for sale. Currently they are offering steep cobroker fees and paying closing costs for consumers.
What went wrong? Randall Pitcock, our local Homebuilders Association President, asserted that he believes they weren't able to offer the personal service that many of the homebuilders around this area do. He went on to state that the builders here see the consumers at community functions and that builds trust. Interestingly enough the article also stated that we have more builders here, per capita, than anywhere else in Texas.
I hate to disagree with the estimed Mr. Pitcock (who by the way does offer a fine house and good follow through!), but these same builders who go to church with the consumers and see them at the grocery store, in many cases don't seem to think that follow through, or warranty issues are of great importance and cause grief to their clients in the end. I don't feel that it has anything to do with building trust, after all one of the nations largest homebuilders is likely to stand by their product.
DR Horton, in my opinion, entered the market without studying it enough first. Dove Crossing is a neighborhood with homes priced in the middle of our range, 140-155K. One problem with that is their is competition galore in that price range. The homes that they built had a minimum of amenities, lacking common features such as bull-nose corners, crown moulding and ceramic tile. The next subdivision down is obviously a low cost subdivision with only one side brick to each home and extremely small yards. To add insult to injury the subdivision is located across from a heavily student oriented neighborhood with duplexes galore. In fact, in one of the homes I showed the master bath features a large window (with no frosted glass, or glass blocks) that faces these duplexes across the street. DR Horton, apparently had another subdivision in mind when they moved here, and that one was right next to the highway. We are small town America here. In Houston, Dallas, Austin, or other extremely populated areas buyers may be accustomed to living near a freeway or duplexes, but not in our area.
I believe that DR Horton could have made it given an intense study of the area and talking to clients as well as agents to see what is needed in the area. Too bad they didn't.
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What went wrong? Randall Pitcock, our local Homebuilders Association President, asserted that he believes they weren't able to offer the personal service that many of the homebuilders around this area do. He went on to state that the builders here see the consumers at community functions and that builds trust. Interestingly enough the article also stated that we have more builders here, per capita, than anywhere else in Texas.
I hate to disagree with the estimed Mr. Pitcock (who by the way does offer a fine house and good follow through!), but these same builders who go to church with the consumers and see them at the grocery store, in many cases don't seem to think that follow through, or warranty issues are of great importance and cause grief to their clients in the end. I don't feel that it has anything to do with building trust, after all one of the nations largest homebuilders is likely to stand by their product.
DR Horton, in my opinion, entered the market without studying it enough first. Dove Crossing is a neighborhood with homes priced in the middle of our range, 140-155K. One problem with that is their is competition galore in that price range. The homes that they built had a minimum of amenities, lacking common features such as bull-nose corners, crown moulding and ceramic tile. The next subdivision down is obviously a low cost subdivision with only one side brick to each home and extremely small yards. To add insult to injury the subdivision is located across from a heavily student oriented neighborhood with duplexes galore. In fact, in one of the homes I showed the master bath features a large window (with no frosted glass, or glass blocks) that faces these duplexes across the street. DR Horton, apparently had another subdivision in mind when they moved here, and that one was right next to the highway. We are small town America here. In Houston, Dallas, Austin, or other extremely populated areas buyers may be accustomed to living near a freeway or duplexes, but not in our area.
I believe that DR Horton could have made it given an intense study of the area and talking to clients as well as agents to see what is needed in the area. Too bad they didn't.
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Aggieland First Time Buyers Make 2007 Your Year!
Real estate for me is more like a calling rather than just a profession. The pleasure I get by handing first time buyers their keys is one of the biggest thrills of my life. I've had the pleasure this year of working with three families, who, through different circumstances never grew up in a home of their own. Either it was apartment living, mobile homes, or relatives homes that their families stayed in. There is no satisfaction greater than finding these people, and working with them to help their dreams become a reality.
First time homebuyers are often nervous or afraid of rejection when it comes to buying a home. Nervous because they might make a mistake and afraid of rejection because they are concerned no lender would want to touch them. I've had people with perfect credit walk into my office worried that they would never get approved for a loan.
The way to calm your nerves about making a mistake is simple. Choose a Realtor that you believe will work hard for you, not just the commission that the seller pays. Find one that will go out of their way to educate you about the process and negotiate hard for you. Go ahead and interview agents. Many years ago when I got into real estate a very wise person told me that you don't make money when you sell a home, but rather, when you buy it. This is how I would want your agent to negotiate for you, as if every penny counts.
The way to calm your fear of rejection on credit issues is to talk to your Realtor or financing source. I have a team of people that can help. Anything from credit cleansing to advising you how long to wait to avoid negative items on your credit and some unique programs that can lower the interest rate. Don't worry about no money down or any issues. Talk to a good financing source or a Realtor first and let them tell you what can be done. Saving for the perfect downpayment can set you back. If you save $2000 a year, but the average home price is rising 3% per year and you look at a $150K home, the next year that same house is worth $154,500 and you've saved $2000 towards the down payment. At that rate you can't afford to save.
Make 2007 the year you get into a house of your own!!!!
First time homebuyers are often nervous or afraid of rejection when it comes to buying a home. Nervous because they might make a mistake and afraid of rejection because they are concerned no lender would want to touch them. I've had people with perfect credit walk into my office worried that they would never get approved for a loan.
The way to calm your nerves about making a mistake is simple. Choose a Realtor that you believe will work hard for you, not just the commission that the seller pays. Find one that will go out of their way to educate you about the process and negotiate hard for you. Go ahead and interview agents. Many years ago when I got into real estate a very wise person told me that you don't make money when you sell a home, but rather, when you buy it. This is how I would want your agent to negotiate for you, as if every penny counts.
The way to calm your fear of rejection on credit issues is to talk to your Realtor or financing source. I have a team of people that can help. Anything from credit cleansing to advising you how long to wait to avoid negative items on your credit and some unique programs that can lower the interest rate. Don't worry about no money down or any issues. Talk to a good financing source or a Realtor first and let them tell you what can be done. Saving for the perfect downpayment can set you back. If you save $2000 a year, but the average home price is rising 3% per year and you look at a $150K home, the next year that same house is worth $154,500 and you've saved $2000 towards the down payment. At that rate you can't afford to save.
Make 2007 the year you get into a house of your own!!!!
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Join the College Station's "Citizen Congress" Monday, Dec. 4th, at 6 pm.
Residents of College Station can voice their opinions about College Station growth, traffic and restrictions Monday, December 4th, 2006 at 6 pm, in the Oakwood Room of the College Station Hilton. Residents will be broken into focus groups, transportation, economic development and community character. There has been quite a bit of interest in this, as citizens want, and need, to be a part of the comprehensive plan. Sugar Land consulting firm Kendig Keast Collaborative is in charge of rewriting the city plan documents, complete with citizen feedback.
The city received over 100 applications for its earlier advisory committee. Forty people actually serve.
Earlier analysis showed some of College Station's strenghts and weaknesses. Strengths included our airport, arts, culture and university amenities, and an adequate cost of living. Weaknesses included lack of economic diversity, sprawl, failure to plan thoroughfares for growth and neighborhood degradation.
The city received over 100 applications for its earlier advisory committee. Forty people actually serve.
Earlier analysis showed some of College Station's strenghts and weaknesses. Strengths included our airport, arts, culture and university amenities, and an adequate cost of living. Weaknesses included lack of economic diversity, sprawl, failure to plan thoroughfares for growth and neighborhood degradation.
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