Gameday Center was to be a luxury home away from home for alumni and fans battling the hotel crunch here in Bryan/College Station.
The multi-level building was to have many units, all fairly small, but within easy walking distance of football games, baseball games, soccer games and the traditions that hold us all together, such as graduation, elephant walk, First Yell and a host of other beautiful get togethers.
Early interest was high, but fell after alumni realized that lesser expensive options were available.
If you've found yourself in that Gameday crunch talk to me about alternatives for your Aggieland stays.
Recently I sold a condo to a young attorney from Houston who had initially went with Gameday. We were able to find a 2 bedroom/1 bath with over 1000 square feet and within walking distance of the University for a mere 62K, thousands less than she was looking at for Gameday. Sure the property isn't quite as luxurious, but it's cute and clean and inexpensive. The HOA fees are only $70 a month and cover lawn and exterior maintenace.
Other options that way include four plexes and apartments that could be revamped and make excellent rental properties.
Don't think that your second home in Aggieland has to break the bank...there are other solutions!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Updated FEMA Maps Affect Bryan Homeowners
Bryan City Engineers recently revamped outdated floodplain maps. FEMA requires flood maps to be revised periodically. Approximately 10% of Bryan (around 2700 acres) now lies in floodplain. 180 homeowners were notified that their homes lie within the 100 year floodplain, the area that has a 1% or better chance of being flooded each year.
Help is on the way for residents newly identified as living in the floodplain as Bryan is part of a FEMA incentive program that will give 5% discounts for flood insurance.
Though I don't know of anyone happy about being identified as in the floodplain, these residents can sleep a bit better at night knowing that they are protected in case of flooding. Property values could be affected moderately, but a house that lies in the floodplain that never has flooded probably would be unaffected.
The cost of flood insurance, many times, is as little as $700 per year and can reap a huge payoff in the event of flooding.
College Station has been largely unaffected. Recent changes have even proved to be beneficial, and reduced the risk of flooding in neighborhoods at risk.
To find out if your home is in a designated floodplain visit FEMA's Website at www.msc.fema.gov. Remember that even if your home lies outside the designated floodplain it could potentially be flooded.
For Bryan and College Station real estate view the MLS Search on this site!
Help is on the way for residents newly identified as living in the floodplain as Bryan is part of a FEMA incentive program that will give 5% discounts for flood insurance.
Though I don't know of anyone happy about being identified as in the floodplain, these residents can sleep a bit better at night knowing that they are protected in case of flooding. Property values could be affected moderately, but a house that lies in the floodplain that never has flooded probably would be unaffected.
The cost of flood insurance, many times, is as little as $700 per year and can reap a huge payoff in the event of flooding.
College Station has been largely unaffected. Recent changes have even proved to be beneficial, and reduced the risk of flooding in neighborhoods at risk.
To find out if your home is in a designated floodplain visit FEMA's Website at www.msc.fema.gov. Remember that even if your home lies outside the designated floodplain it could potentially be flooded.
For Bryan and College Station real estate view the MLS Search on this site!
Tankless Water Heaters
Many of the builders in College Station, Texas are including a new feature, designed to save money and benefit the enviroment, the Tankless Water Heater. The concept is simple, why heat 40 or 50 gallons of water twenty four hours a day, when you can have hot water on demand?
With Tankless Heaters, also known as Instantaneous or Demand Water Heaters, there is no storage tank. You can employ electric or gas heating with tankless systems. Hot water is dispensed at typically 2-5 gallons per minute. Gas tends to be at the top of that range, where electric doesn't perform quite as well. A whole house system is the type that you would typically want to employ, as smaller Tankless systems cannot provide for multiple uses simultaneously. Another possibility is to install seperate Tankless Heaters for appliances or connect two or more together. Seperate systems could be used with poolhouses, hot tubs, and remote bathrooms.
24%-34% more energy efficient with moderate use, and 8%-14% more efficient with high usage (over 80 gallons a day), better efficiency of 27%-50% can be achieved if Tankless Systems are installed at each hot water outlet.
Another benefit of the Tankless System is that heater life is typically extended. A standard water heater can last anywhere from 7-15 years. Most Tankless Systems have a life expectancy exceeding 20 years. This ensures less scrap metal in the landfills. Remember that periodic maintenance can extend the life and minimize efficiency loss.
When building a home, or replacing your conventional water heaters explore the option of Tankless Water Heaters. Your wallet will thank you, and so will the planet!!!
For new builder homes, as well as gently used homes, in Bryan and College Station visit the MLS search on this site.
With Tankless Heaters, also known as Instantaneous or Demand Water Heaters, there is no storage tank. You can employ electric or gas heating with tankless systems. Hot water is dispensed at typically 2-5 gallons per minute. Gas tends to be at the top of that range, where electric doesn't perform quite as well. A whole house system is the type that you would typically want to employ, as smaller Tankless systems cannot provide for multiple uses simultaneously. Another possibility is to install seperate Tankless Heaters for appliances or connect two or more together. Seperate systems could be used with poolhouses, hot tubs, and remote bathrooms.
24%-34% more energy efficient with moderate use, and 8%-14% more efficient with high usage (over 80 gallons a day), better efficiency of 27%-50% can be achieved if Tankless Systems are installed at each hot water outlet.
Another benefit of the Tankless System is that heater life is typically extended. A standard water heater can last anywhere from 7-15 years. Most Tankless Systems have a life expectancy exceeding 20 years. This ensures less scrap metal in the landfills. Remember that periodic maintenance can extend the life and minimize efficiency loss.
When building a home, or replacing your conventional water heaters explore the option of Tankless Water Heaters. Your wallet will thank you, and so will the planet!!!
For new builder homes, as well as gently used homes, in Bryan and College Station visit the MLS search on this site.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Awesome New Bryan Listing!
This great 3 bedroom/2 bath home is sure to please! Extensive updates include new paint, new tile, updated appliances, sprinkler system, refinished kitchen countertops, A/C and roof approximately 3 years old. All this and straight across from the award winning Johnson Elementary School. Welcoming backyard with deck and storage shed. Huge utility room with lots of extra storage. Formal living/study. This house is ready for your crew!!!
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Traffic Conditions For First Day of School
Traffic Conditions for August 27th in Brazos Valley....AWFUL!!!
After one of the longest summers in recent Brazos Valley history the new school year is only a little more than a month away. Both Bryan and College Station ISD's, as well as most of the private schools, begin their school year August 27th. In past years school typically began around mid August with more breaks during the year. Plan on the kids hitting the books hot and heavy this year, with a more intense and crammed in schedule for the school year.
To make things even more intense this year Texas A&M University as well as Blinn College open their semester on August 27th as well. This will be the first year in recent history that both the college campuses and school districts begin their school year simultaneously. A contact at College Station Independent School District that I spoke with stated that they are well aware that it will be especially intense the first week of school this year. They are taking every precaution and would like to advise parents of children in the school system to please let their children take the bus during these first few hectic days.
Please parents, realize that with approximately 50,000 Texas A&M students, 10,000 Blinn students and the normal beginning of the school year madness it will be horrible out there. You and your children will probably be much safer if you allow the bus to take the kids to school. If not that, please drive very carefully.
The Eagle's Education Reporter has been notified and hopefully will write a piece about this in the local paper.
After one of the longest summers in recent Brazos Valley history the new school year is only a little more than a month away. Both Bryan and College Station ISD's, as well as most of the private schools, begin their school year August 27th. In past years school typically began around mid August with more breaks during the year. Plan on the kids hitting the books hot and heavy this year, with a more intense and crammed in schedule for the school year.
To make things even more intense this year Texas A&M University as well as Blinn College open their semester on August 27th as well. This will be the first year in recent history that both the college campuses and school districts begin their school year simultaneously. A contact at College Station Independent School District that I spoke with stated that they are well aware that it will be especially intense the first week of school this year. They are taking every precaution and would like to advise parents of children in the school system to please let their children take the bus during these first few hectic days.
Please parents, realize that with approximately 50,000 Texas A&M students, 10,000 Blinn students and the normal beginning of the school year madness it will be horrible out there. You and your children will probably be much safer if you allow the bus to take the kids to school. If not that, please drive very carefully.
The Eagle's Education Reporter has been notified and hopefully will write a piece about this in the local paper.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
9th Annual First Yell, August 31, 2007
College Station's Texas A and M is a school rich with traditions. One of the newest, but best, in my opinion, is First Yell. First Yell is for the new students, returning students and the community to get acquainted. It's the start of football season with the promise of fall right around the corner. We lack the crisp apple weather, but not the crisp apple mentality!
Yell is by no means new. According to custom in 1907 when A and M was a military college restricted to males only, a little company from the ladies was welcome. Aggies would invite ladies from Texas Women's University to take the train ride to College Station for football games. Games are not an automatic admit! A certain amount of tickets are set aside for guest and these are doled out according to rank, with Freshman rarely getting the opportunity to bring guests. At one game, according to local lore, the Aggies were being trampled and the lady guests were none to happy. The boredom of a losing game was to much for the ladies and they threatened to leave. Upperclassmen ordered the "fish" to entertain the ladies. They stormed a janitors closet and out they trooped in white coveralls and, in grand tradition led the crowd with their cheers. This was the last time the underclassmen got to perform. After all, too much attention from the ladies isn't good for fish!
To find out more about the tradition of Yell go to http://yell.tamu.edu/.
Today's First Yell is an event! It has evolved from being an exciting prelude to the first game of the season to a stunning display of Aggie spirit and some great entertainment!
9th Annual First Yell is about to come out of the box!!!!! OK, in the past we've had some awesome headliners here; Bill Cosby, Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Wayne Brady have graced our city with their presence
.
This year...drum-roll please...we are graced with the likes of Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, from the hilarious ABC show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?", these stars have began touring together in a critically acclaimed 2 man improv show "An Evening With Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood".
This College Station extravangza starts out with Aggie performers. The Singing Cadets and Aggie Wranglers perform! What a treat!!! These skilled groups are world class (and travel around the globe to show it!) then the headliner begins. Afterwards the talented performance at the Midnight Yell is enjoyed by all!
Tickets go on sale July 28th and can be picked up at Reed Arena, by calling 888-99-Aggie, or by visiting http://www.12thmanfoundation.com/.
Yell is by no means new. According to custom in 1907 when A and M was a military college restricted to males only, a little company from the ladies was welcome. Aggies would invite ladies from Texas Women's University to take the train ride to College Station for football games. Games are not an automatic admit! A certain amount of tickets are set aside for guest and these are doled out according to rank, with Freshman rarely getting the opportunity to bring guests. At one game, according to local lore, the Aggies were being trampled and the lady guests were none to happy. The boredom of a losing game was to much for the ladies and they threatened to leave. Upperclassmen ordered the "fish" to entertain the ladies. They stormed a janitors closet and out they trooped in white coveralls and, in grand tradition led the crowd with their cheers. This was the last time the underclassmen got to perform. After all, too much attention from the ladies isn't good for fish!
To find out more about the tradition of Yell go to http://yell.tamu.edu/.
Today's First Yell is an event! It has evolved from being an exciting prelude to the first game of the season to a stunning display of Aggie spirit and some great entertainment!
9th Annual First Yell is about to come out of the box!!!!! OK, in the past we've had some awesome headliners here; Bill Cosby, Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Wayne Brady have graced our city with their presence
.
This year...drum-roll please...we are graced with the likes of Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, from the hilarious ABC show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?", these stars have began touring together in a critically acclaimed 2 man improv show "An Evening With Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood".
This College Station extravangza starts out with Aggie performers. The Singing Cadets and Aggie Wranglers perform! What a treat!!! These skilled groups are world class (and travel around the globe to show it!) then the headliner begins. Afterwards the talented performance at the Midnight Yell is enjoyed by all!
Tickets go on sale July 28th and can be picked up at Reed Arena, by calling 888-99-Aggie, or by visiting http://www.12thmanfoundation.com/.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Celebrating a big event, or just want a quiet night on the town? Ready for some world class cuisine and excellent presentation? Head out to Christopher's World Grille located on the east side of Bryan off Booneville Road.
Lunch is served rom 11-2 and offers such selections as the Beef Tenderloin Enchiladas with ancho chili sauce, lime sour cream and salsa for $13.95. Whatever you do, don't forget to try some of the delicious soup!
Dinner offers fish dishes, steak and other incredible entrees and ranges from $18.95 to $29.95. Desserts are awesome and their selection of wine is incredible, so save some room!
Weekend Brunch is a nice get-away with moderate pricing!
See all their selections at http://www.christophersworldgrille.com/.
Brie with mango chutney for appetizers is ALWAYS good! Dessert anyone? The desserts here will be the highlight of your evening.
Enjoy the building while you are there! A renovated and extended 100 year old farmhouse is at the heart of it. Stop by the Casablanca Piano Bar and enjoy live jazz music, or perhaps the vocal bliss of Karan Chavis.
Bon Appetit!!!
Lunch is served rom 11-2 and offers such selections as the Beef Tenderloin Enchiladas with ancho chili sauce, lime sour cream and salsa for $13.95. Whatever you do, don't forget to try some of the delicious soup!
Dinner offers fish dishes, steak and other incredible entrees and ranges from $18.95 to $29.95. Desserts are awesome and their selection of wine is incredible, so save some room!
Weekend Brunch is a nice get-away with moderate pricing!
See all their selections at http://www.christophersworldgrille.com/.
Brie with mango chutney for appetizers is ALWAYS good! Dessert anyone? The desserts here will be the highlight of your evening.
Enjoy the building while you are there! A renovated and extended 100 year old farmhouse is at the heart of it. Stop by the Casablanca Piano Bar and enjoy live jazz music, or perhaps the vocal bliss of Karan Chavis.
Bon Appetit!!!
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