Bryan / College Station, home of Texas A&M Real Estate news & views!

Land for sale located just outside Bryan, TX city limits

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 11:40:26 -0700

123.1 Acres located just outside Bryan city limits.

Overview
Maps
Photos

$1,231,000

Lots and Land

Main Features

Lot: 123.10 acre(s)

Location

3900 FM 974
Bryan, TX 77808
USA

To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below:

Jody Keating

(979) 731-1010
KeatingJ@ConnectiveRealty.com
http://www.ConnectiveRealty.com

Listed by: Connective Realty, LLC

Our recent listings

123.1 Acres located just outside Bryan city limits.
Amazing 3 bed/2 bath home in Creek Meadows Master-planned community!
Custom College Station Home For Sale!
1 Acre lot located just outside Bryan City limits

Subscribe to our listing feed

Nearby properties for sale

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

Check out our website at

Connective Realty, LLC

Check out our detailed list of subdivision facebook pages

Price reduced...... 8407 Lauren Dr, College Station Home for Sale

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 11:42:59 -0700

Custom College Station Home For Sale!

Overview
Maps
Photos
Features
Neighborhood

$173,000

Single Family Home

Main Features

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Interior: 1,680 sqft
Lot: 6,900 sqft

Location

8407 Lauren Drive
College Station, TX 77845
USA

To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below:

Jody Keating

(979) 731-1010
KeatingJ@ConnectiveRealty.com
http://www.ConnectiveRealty.com

Listed by: Connective Realty, LLC

Our recent listings

Custom College Station Home For Sale!
Amazing 3 bed/2 bath home in Creek Meadows Master-planned community!
1 Acre lot located just outside Bryan City limits

Subscribe to our listing feed

Nearby properties for sale

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

Check out our website at

Connective Realty, LLC

Check out our detailed list of subdivision facebook pages

SOLD!!!!

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 10:34:17 -0800

Great 3/2 home for sale in Westfield Village.

Overview
Maps
Photos

$135,700

Single Family Home

Main Features

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
1 Unit
Interior: 1,265 sqft
Lot: 0.01 acre(s)

Location

1003 Coeburn Drive
College Station, TX 77845
USA

To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below:

Jody Keating

(979) 731-1010
KeatingJ@ConnectiveRealty.com
http://www.ConnectiveRealty.com

Listed by: Connective Realty, LLC

Our recent listings

Amazing 3 bed/2 bath home in Creek Meadows Master-planned community!
Custom College Station Home For Sale!
1 Acre lot located just outside Bryan City limits

Subscribe to our listing feed

Nearby properties for sale

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

Check out our website at

Connective Realty, LLC

Check out our detailed list of subdivision facebook pages

Amazing 3/2 home for sale in Creek Meadows - 4228 Cripple Creek

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 08:17:57 -0800

Amazing 3 bed/2 bath home in Creek Meadows Master-planned community!

Overview
Maps
Photos
Neighborhood

$199,900

Single Family Home

Main Features

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Interior: 1,984 sqft
Lot: 0.21 acre(s)

Location

4228 Cripple Creek Court
College Station, TX 77845
USA

To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below:

Jody Keating

(979) 731-1010
KeatingJ@ConnectiveRealty.com
http://www.ConnectiveRealty.com

Listed by: Connective Realty, LLC

Our recent listings

Amazing 3 bed/2 bath home in Creek Meadows Master-planned community!
Custom College Station Home For Sale!
1 Acre lot located just outside Bryan City limits

Subscribe to our listing feed

Nearby properties for sale

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

Check out our website at

Connective Realty, LLC

Check out our detailed list of subdivision facebook pages

Why I Despise Zillow.

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 09:16:07 -0800

I normally don't re-blog another agents post but this one is an exception. Everything Greg says about Zillow and most of the comments made on his post I completely agree with, I just could just never said it as accurately as he does.

All the misinformation that Zillow provides is so frustrating to agents but more importantly incredibly deceiving to home buyers, sellers and owners. After reading it and all the comments, I felt it would be a disservice to all our past, current and future clients if I did not post it on our blog.

Please refer back to Greg's original post to comment.

Via Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals):

I hate Zillow, and I refuse to apologize for it. I consider Zillow my archival enemy of real estate. Let me explain...

Texas is a non-disclosure state. This means that home values are not disclosed to Zillow. PERIOD. Zillow can use algorithms, mathematical computations and virtual guesses if they like; it doesn't matter. The truth is, Zillow does not have access to what homes have sold for. Not in the Lone Star State.

So what's the big deal?

Not all home owners use Zillow for fun. Some use it to make "REAL" choices and very serious decisions. Some use Zillow to formulate an offer on their home purchase despite the fact that the information used to armor their decision is not only erroneous, but by Zillow's own omission not completely accurate.

Me, my wife and 2 kids live at 11830 Brydan Drive in Cypress, Texas. Any -->local<-- REALTOR® slash home Appraiser would very likely value my home at about $265,000. The rental rate for my home is about $2,500 per month. A conventional mortgage with today's interest rates would mean that you would likely pay about $2,300 per month for my home. This would include what we call in this business PITI. (Zillow is not part of this local business.) PITI is an acronym for Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance.

I visited Zillow's website tonight and entered my address. Here's what they displayed:

The letters EST stand for "ESTIMATED" in my book.

So why am I being such a hard ass about Zillow? So unkind. Why do I waste my time bashing the popular Zillow Zestimate? After all, they are a very popular and publicly traded company with millions of raving fans. They've managed to be the cool place to play.

Here's why.....

My beacon score hovers around 790. I pay my bills. All of them. I have never had a home owners insurance claim. Last year while shopping for rates I was "declined" by Progressive. I was told.... "We can't give you home owners insurance." PERIOD! They didn't want my business.

Why?

They said the replacement value for my home FAR EXCEEDED what my home was actually worth.

I suspect you guys know where I am going with this. After 15 minutes of arguing and on hold music I was told that Progressive uses "several models" to determine a "homes replacement value."

BINGO!

ZILLOW!

DING DING!

But this isn't just about me. It's about a lot of people.

It's about people like you reading this. It's about the elderly couple who is barely computer literate. They may not GET that Zillow isn't just designed as a neat online real estate "toy." When they go to sell their home or buy a home they'll use the computer computation to "guide them" as they travel through their own real estate choices. LET THE BUYER BEWARE shouldn't be defense of corporate America. To Zillow's defense they do offer a disclaimer outlining their accuracy, or lack thereof.....

A gold star adds "value" to my son's homework who attends kindergarten. It doesn't do that here; not in my opinion. The median error in Dallas is 11.3% apparently this is worth TWO gold stars.

Me and my family succeeded in getting home owners Insurance last year. We simply avoided Progressive Insurance. They are obviously putting their trust in Zillow to help them computate a "rebuilding cost" for their customers.

When I explained this to the representative at Progressive he transferred me to the RETENTION department. When I got there I was transferred to claims, then back to the MAIN MENU.

When you get serious call a professional. Period.

The information contained in this blog is believed to be reliable and while every effort is made to assure that the information is as accurate as possible, the author of this blog, and its comments disclaim any implied warranty or representation about it's accuracy, completeness or appropriateness for any particular purpose. All information is copywritten and the property of Greg Nino.

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

Check out our website at

Connective Realty, LLC

Check out our detailed list of subdivision facebook pages

Great 3/2 home for sale in Westfield Village, College Station

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:15:29 -0800

Great 3/2 home for sale in Westfield Village.

Overview
Maps
Photos

$135,700

Single Family Home

Main Features

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
1 Unit
Interior: 1,265 sqft
Lot: 0.01 acre(s)

Location

1003 Coeburn Drive
College Station, TX 77845
USA

To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below:

Jody Keating

(979) 731-1010
KeatingJ@ConnectiveRealty.com
http://www.ConnectiveRealty.com

Listed by: Connective Realty, LLC

Our recent listings

Great 3/2 home for sale in Westfield Village.
Custom College Station Home For Sale!

Subscribe to our listing feed

Nearby properties for sale

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

Check out our website at

Connective Realty, LLC

Check out our detailed list of subdivision facebook pages

8407 Lauren, College Station, 3/2 home for sale!

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 08:57:14 -0800

Custom College Station Home For Sale!

Overview
Maps
Photos
Features
Neighborhood

$175,000

Single Family Home

Main Features

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Interior: 1,680 sqft
Lot: 6,900 sqft

Location

8407 Lauren Drive
College Station, TX 77845
USA

To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below:

Jody Keating

(979) 731-1010
KeatingJ@ConnectiveRealty.com
http://www.ConnectiveRealty.com

Listed by: Connective Realty, LLC

Nearby properties for sale

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

Check out our website at

Connective Realty, LLC

Check out our detailed list of subdivision facebook pages

When working with a real estate agent...

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 07:55:36 -0700

When working with a real estate agent it's important that you are proactive about it. If you love your agent and you think that he/she is doing a great job then this post is not for you. However, if you feel let down by your real estate agent then there are things you can do about it.

First, speak up!

Say what's on your mind. If you don't like the marketing approach the agent is taking or if you don't like the lack of communication, then say so. If you have questions about staging or financing or anything about the process, then ask.

All too often I hear from home buyers and sellers that their previous agent didn't tell them this or that, or their previous agent wouldn't keep them informed, or didn't help them prepare their home for sale or, or, or......... My first question to them is why didn't they SAY something about it and if they did and they still didn't get the response they needed then why didn't they DO something about it.

The relationship between a real estate agent and a client is just that, a relationship. It's not like going to the grocery store and doing your weekly shopping, it's not even like going to a car dealership and buying a car.

The relationship involves time, lots of time and communication, lots of communication.

There's so much more to a real estate agents job than plopping a sign in the front yard, sticking a few pictures on the MLS and putting a lock box on the door when representing a seller. Equally, there's so much more to a real estate agents job than emailing a few properties, standing at the front door while showing houses or providing a list of lenders when representing buyers.

Your real estate agent needs to be involved and you do too.

Time needs to be spent working together and communication is key to that.

Secondly, Get it in writing!

Before hiring a real estate agent to work with you when buying or selling a home make sure you get a guarantee of service from that agent IN WRITING.

This guarantee should list the methods of communication, whether it be by phone, text, email or in person.

The frequency of communication whether it be weekly, after showings, day after viewing properties, immediately after conversations with lenders, inspectors, other agents etc.

The response time of the agent whether it be within in an hour, within 24 hours, weekly, whenever the agent feels like it.

The backup plan should the agent become unavailable. I've attended listing appointments, closings or showed properties that can take two or more hours. I've had medical emergencies, lost or stolen phone emergencies, power outages, any of which can result in either the client can't reach me or I can't reach the client. The agent should have a backup plan whether it be another form of communication or the contact information for another agent or broker in their office.

Having these guarantees in writing means that you have a level of expectation that matches the level of performance the agent says they will provide.

A good real estate agent will also want guarantees from you the home buyer or seller.

If selling your home, your real estate agent will want a guarantee from you that you will inform them immediately of all material changes in your property, that is, a fire, structural damage, burglary, vacating your property, moving back into your property etc.

Your real estate agent will also want a guarantee from you that you will maintain the home, that is, keep up with yard maintenance, staging, cleanliness and accessibility.

If buying a home, your real estate agent will want a guarantee from you that you will provide all required documentation to your lender in a timely manner, you will keep to scheduled showing appointments, you will immediately let your agent know if there are any significant changes to your current situation, such as job loss, relocation, any financial issues.

Only when both parties in the agency relationship work and communicate with each other can the relationship be successful.

If either party fails to keep up with their written guarantees without any true cause then the relationship should be terminated.

Once these guarantees are in writing and the level of communication, service and requirements are understood by both parties then should either party fail to perform as guaranteed then the relationship should end.

The relationship between real estate agents and clients is a two way street and both sides need to walk it.

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

Check out our website at

Connective Realty, LLC

Check out our detailed list of subdivision facebook pages

Bryan / College Station LobsterFest an Golf Classic

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 09:21:06 -0700

It's that time of year again and the Bryan / College Station Chamber of Commerce are hosting their annual LobsterFest and Golf Classic.

The two day event will begin on Sunday evening September 23rd, 2012 at The Brazos Center. A fresh from Maine, lobster and an Outback Steakhouse Steak, will be served during both a silent and live auction. The golf classic will take place early Monday morning September 24th at Pebble Creek Country Club.

Reservations can still be made by contacting the BCS Chamber of Commerce at 979-260-5200

Additional information can be found here: BCS Chamber of Commerce LobsterFest & Golf Classic

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

Check out our website at

Connective Realty, LLC

Check out our detailed list of subdivision facebook pages

Once in a Blue Moon

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 06:20:03 -0700

Tonight August 31st sky watchers will have the opportunity to see the second full moon for the month of August. This second full moon in a month is commonly referred to as a 'Blue Moon'. The next time this phenomena will occur won't be until July 2015.

The saying 'Once in a blue moon', implies a rare occurrence, however a blue moon is not really that rare. They come around every two or three years, which makes them more common than the presidential elections, Thank God! They even can occur twice in a year as happened in 1999 and will again in 2018.

So tonight, take a look outside and although the full moon won't actually be blue in color, you could wear tinted glasses and say 'Yup, Once in a Blue Moon', that sounds so much better than

'Once in a Presidential Election'.

Thanks to Erv for the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7giOrKYIwpQ

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

Check out our website at

Connective Realty, LLC

Check out our detailed list of subdivision facebook pages

Why Activerain does work!

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 12:33:37 -0700

After reading a post by the wonderful Bill Spear, "Actverain not working for you? Time to self assess", I thought I would tell you one of my success stories.

I wrote a couple of market reports a long time ago about a particular subdivision in our area. No one else seemed to be writing about it not even the builders that developed the subdivision. Eventually I wrote less about it and focused more on the subdivisions that we have an active presence in.

Last May I had back surgery and was out of commission for several months. During that time and while high on medication, I inadvertently deleted an email message from the vice president of the home owners association for that subdivision.

When I finally popped up from under the ether and realized what I'd done, I immediately called the guy that had emailed me. He told me that he had found out through the grapevine that I was sick and even though he knew I was out of commission he still wanted our company to manage the HOA.

Why? Because we were the only ones he found online that had any knowledge about his subdivision and we were the only ones that seemed interested in what happened with his subdivision. He had blown off all other real estate companies that he interviewed because none of them were able to point to any pre-existing online interest in his subdivision.

All those old market reports came from my posts on Activerain. None of them were current yet they brought us business just because I had posted about the subdivision.

No one can ever tell me than Activerain does not work. Even old, dated market reports brought us a ton a business.

So before you write off something, think before you act and consider how your using it before you knock it.

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

Check out our website at

Connective Realty, LLC

Check out our detailed list of subdivision facebook pages

How much responsibility does a REALTOR have when listing your home for sale?

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 07:56:39 -0700

I had the opportunity to meet with a past client yesterday that had since become a good friend. We visited over a few drinks about family, work, current issues, all the usual natter two friends have that don't get to see each other very often.

Mid-way through our conversation about how to best solve all of the worlds problems, he announced that he hated real estate agents.

Shocked I asked him why and I reminded him that I was a REALTOR. Laughing he said that both houses on either side of his property were up for sale and that both homeowners had essentially given up maintaining the exterior of their property.

One side had apparently let the grass die so that it turned brown and the other side had tinkered around with the sprinkler system which caused a water leak that resulted in 2 foot high weeds growing in the yard.

Confused but feeling bad for him (since I know he spends a lot of time maintaining his yard), I asked him how the REALTORS listing the properties were to blame.

He very calmly said, the REALTOR's put their signs in the yard, listed those properties online and essentially represented the conditions of those homes. If the REALTORS really wanted to sell these properties then they would never have allowed the homeowners let their yards get in that condition.

He felt that these homes would not sell, as a prospective buyer will see the condition of the yards and automatically assume that if yard maintenance was not kept up then how do they know that home maintenance was kept up. (Ok, I'll give him that. Most buyers would make the same assumption).

However, I still couldn't understand how the REALTOR got the blame for it.

He went on to tell me, that a responsible, dedicated REALTOR would have told the homeowners that until they became serious about selling their home and did all the things necessary to bring a qualified buyer then they could no longer represent them. That the property needed to be taken off the market until such time as it was ready to be shown. He felt that any buyer who would purchase a property in that condition was a buyer that accepted a lower standard of maintenance. He believed that potential buyers interested in the properties would be okay with dead grass or over grown weeds and that ultimately, it would affect the value of his property.

It's hard to argue with that perspective but still how responsible should the REALTOR be?

I tried to explain to him how REALTORS feel about clients who allow this to happen and how limited we are in forcing a client to do something we know is needed and will only enhance the value of a property, I thought I was making a good argument from the perspective of REALTORS but no....... I lost that one.

He replied with, if REALTORS know the true value of a property then it is their responsibility to make sure that everything is done to realize that value. Even if that means removing the property from the market until such time that the property is ready to warrant that value.

At this point, I jokingly suggested that while maintaining his yard he spread a little water on the neighbors dead yard and cut the weeds in the other neighbors overgrown yard.

I needed to diffuse the situation and we ultimately moved on to talking about city road maintenance and who's responsible for filling the pot holes that tear our cars up while we cover the cost of car maintenance and still pay city taxes for road maintenance.

But he got me thinking. Just how much blame does a REALTOR really have when listing a property that's not market ready? And how much actual influence or control do we truly have when it comes to how a home is presented?

Personally, I feel like we can inform, stress, almost coerce a seller to do what's needed in order to sell for the highest potential amount but short of actually doing it ourselves where does the ethic or fiduciary responsibility line cross when it comes to marketability and getting the most for a client?

I'd love to hear your thoughts and examples as next time I see him, I'll need something more than 'I agree', 'We try' or 'so how about those pot holes' to tell him.

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

Check out our website at

Connective Realty, LLC

Check out our detailed list of subdivision facebook pages

Why do REALTORS ask buyers if they are working with a lender?

Sat, 25 Aug 2012 08:56:48 -0700

Why do REALTORS ask buyers at first contact if the buyer is working with a lender?

TIME that's why.

I as a REALTOR don't want to waste a buyers time by showing them houses that they cannot qualify to purchase.

I don't want to waste my time showing houses the buyer can't afford to buy.

I want to give a buyer plenty of time to repair any credit issues that will allow them to qualify for a mortgage that they can afford.

I don't want to waste a sellers time by showing their home to buyers that can't afford it.

I want lenders to have enough time to pre-qualify buyers, prior to showing any homes.

I don't want buyers to fall in love with a property that will be gone from the market before they have time to buy.

I want the terms and length of time negotiating offers to be lessened with a pre-approval.

I want buyers to have enough time to gather relevant documents for pre-approval without the time constraints of a written contract.

I want buyers to have enough time to look at properties that fit their financial abilities.

I want buyers to take the time to go through the pre-approval process that they will inevitably have to do, without wasting their time, the sellers time or my time.

Buying a home is not like window shopping. A buyer can window shop for homes as much as they want online but when it comes to involving their time, a sellers time or a REALTORS time, then costs become involved.

How many buyers would be willing to cover the costs and pay an entrance fee at a store, when they don't know if they can afford to buy anything in that store? Very few I bet.

Buying a home is no different than that. Make sure that before you invest time and expense, you can cover the costs associated with it. No one wants you to take time off work or away from family to look at homes that you may not be able to finance.

So when a REALTOR asks a buyer if they have been working with a lender, it's only to prevent time wasting window shopping.

After all you may be surprised and get pre-approved for more financing then you originally thought. So let's save everyone some time and expense and get this part of the home buying process completed with early on.

The following links have some additional information on the home buying process:

Step 1: Hire A REALTOR

Step 2: Get Approved For A Loan

Step 3: Begin Your Home Search

Step 4: Negotiating the Contract

Step 5: Home Inspection

Step 6: The Closing

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

Check out our website at

Connective Realty, LLC

Check out our detailed list of subdivision facebook pages

Friday Funnies ~ Remember FREE Is Good

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 16:21:28 -0700

This is so funny to watch but it's also surprising what people will do for something free.

Me? I'd have done it just for the cheering crowd :)

Laugh and enjoy.

Via Gary Woltal - Assoc. Broker REALTOR® SFR Dallas Ft. Worth (Keller Williams Realty):

We all may offer FREE to people for business at some point.

FREE is good.

People will go to great lengths to have THEIR "free".

Don't believe me? Watch.

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

Check out our website at

Connective Realty, LLC

Check out our detailed list of subdivision facebook pages

Bryan / College Station Kids back to school....

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 10:02:33 -0700

Yup that time of year has arrived, Bryan / College Station children are going back to school. Summer is over and kids are counting down the days. Some are dreading it, hating the thoughts of early mornings, exams and homework while others are excited to see friends, be free from their parents for a few hours a day and looking forward to the new clothes and supplies they'll be getting.

For me, both my daughters, 17 and 10, are both looking forward to going back. They've had a chaotic, crazy, fun-filled summer but they are both ready to see their friends, get back on a schedule and well, just get the school year over with.

You see this is the final high school year for my 17 year old and it's the final elementary school year for my 10 year old. Both of them are ready to be the BIG DOGS in their respective schools!

I on the other hand, hate the thought of them going back. I love when my kids are around me. We spent a lot of time together this summer laughing, hanging out, chatting and yes working.

They both became an integral part of my real estate business. Posing for photo ops, helping me put YouTube videos together, filing, stuffing envelopes and just generally listening to my natter about it.

They also provided me great insight and different perspectives on each clients needs and situations. For example a buyer client was looking to move to the area and they had a 15 year old daughter. After inquiring about schools in the area my 17 year old was able to visit with them and their daughter to let them know about the early college courses she is taking at Blinn College. Hence they enrolled their daughter in that school too and they were so appreciative to recieve first hand information about it.

My youngest daughter, worked hard at open houses. She would gather the information packets together, prepare the gift bags and put out the open house signs. She enjoyed doing it and she considered herself to be the packet stuffing, gift bag prepping pro.

Our clients, particularly those with children, loved it too. They liked the fact that it was a family affair and they appreciated that my kids were so much help.

So, although I'm sad to see them go back to school and I'm not looking forward to not having them around and see their excitement everyday, I am happy for them. They had a really great summer, felt a big part of my day to day functions and they got to participate and put their own stamp on something most children never get the opportunity to do.

I'm proud of my girls and I know they are proud of me.

For a complete list of schools in the Bryan / College Station area, click on the following links:

Bryan Schools

College Station Schools

Bryan / College Station Private Schools

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

Check out our website at

Connective Realty, LLC

Check out our detailed list of subdivision facebook pages

Real Estate really is always local....

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 09:27:17 -0700

I was lucky enough to be able to spend just over 2 weeks on the road with my 2 daughters traveling from Texas through New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Colorado. it was an amazing adventure and my daughters 17 and 10 will have memories of the trip forever.

Although I have many stories to tell of this trip, one thing that stood out in my mind is the different lifestyles, climates and customs in each city we visited.

Along the way I was fortunate to meet with some exceptional real estate agents and brokers and while over coffee I had the opportunity to find out about their markets.

While we have a lot in common (fellow rainers, long-term virtual friends, similar successes and disasters) I realized that although we share common ground, we don't always share technique or local issues.

Little things like, the importance of having alternative sources of heat in a home for the months when power is out during incredible snow storms. The importance of having well sealed windows and doors for when the inevitable sand storm blows through. Property values widely ranging from $400,000 for a home in Ouray, Colorado that would cost $200,000 for a similar home in Bryan, Texas.

Each state and city I drove through drummed up a lot of real estate questions about the area. Having a passion for real estate and working as a real estate broker full time, is never enough if you don't know the market that your in. I would be a fish out of water in places like Las Vegas, NV, Sheridan, WY or Los Angeles, CA. Not only would i not know the local licensing laws but more importantly I would not know the local needs, climates, customs, prices or lifestyles.

Having a real estate agent that lives, breathes and sleeps the area that you are interested in buying or selling has so much more value than working with someone that doesn't. Even if that someone is your brother, sister, great aunt or long lost cousin. It's one thing to support a friend or family members real estate career but it's a whole other matter when that individual has no idea of the local market.

Real estate is local and only a local, knowledgeable real estate agent can serve your needs best.

Here's my 2 fish out of water!

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What is Memorial Day?

Fri, 25 May 2012 12:12:42 -0700

When I first heard about Memorial Day 15 years ago, I asked a co-worker what it was. She told me that it was a long weekend off and most people had back yard barbecues and celebrated the coming of summer with family and friends. Also, neighborhood pools opened for the season and that it was okay to wear white.

Very confused but liking the idea that we would be off for the day just so that we could celebrate wearing white and take a dip in the now open local pool, I asked her why it was called Memorial Day. She told me it was a day we thought about and celebrated the lives of dead family members.

Images flashed through my mind of wailing women and parades of people dressed all in black, chanting the rosary while blessing gravestones in the local graveyards, made be wonder if this was really a day of celebration or was it a day of misery.

Liking the former plans for Memorial Day better than the latter and since I had no family members in graves in this country, I decided that having the day off work so that I could eat barbecue while popping the top on a cold beer was the way to go.

For several years, I followed this tradition never once giving a thought as to the true meaning of the holiday. Even at times thinking that it was kind of pathetic that there had to be a National Holiday in order for people to remember dead loved ones.

Over time though, I began to question the meaning of American National Holidays. After all there is Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Day all of which were foreign to me.

Eventually I realized the true meaning of Memorial Day. It is a day that the entire nation honors the brave men and women in the armed forces that died in order to give us the chance to have back yard parties, swim in local pools, walk through graveyards, wear white or any other color. It is a day that as a nation we can acknowledge the sacrifices made, the courage it took and the freedoms it provided.

I no longer feel the need to have a family member to moarn in a graveyard here in order for me to feel loss or appreciation. Complete strangers gave me opportunities that I would never have had without them. I and my daughters reap the benefits given to me by young men and women that I have never met.

So, although I don't walk through graveyards saying the rosary while blessing gravestones nor do I take Memorial Day as an opportunity to party and wear white.

Yes I still attend backyard barbecues, I've hosted a few myself but at least now I know why. Now I know to honor, pray and thank all those service men and women who gave their lives for us and I know to appreciate and give thanks for those families that were left behind.

This Memorial Day, take a moment from your day to give thanks to the fallen and also to educate those around you who may not know the true meaning of this National Holiday.

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

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A review of home sales and houses for sale in Emerald Forest, College Station, TX

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:03:56 -0800

17 houses were sold in Emerald Forest, College Station in 2011, according to the Bryan - College Station Multiple Listing Service. These custom built homes sold for between $418,500 and $142,500 or on average $83.69 per square foot. They sold on average for 96% of the asking price. Emerald Forest in a deed restricted community and a very active Home Owners Association.

Currently there are 7 houses for sale in Emerald Forest, College Station. These homes are listed for sale between $318,000 and $189,900 or on average $97.52 per square foot. For a complete list of current homes for sale in Emerald Forest and for detailed information on each of these houses as well pictures, please click here. Emerald Forest Houses for Sale.

If you are interested in buying or selling your home in Emerald Forest, College Station, please let us know and we can provide you with current averages and detailed statistics.

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

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Edelweiss Gartens, College Station, homes sold in 2011 and houses for sale

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:30:36 -0800

In 2011, 69 homes sold in Edelweiss Gartens, College Station according to the data provided by the Bryan - College Station, Multiple Listing Service. These homes ranged in price from $203,000 to $125,000 for between 2,022 and 1,353 square feet of heated space. They sold on average for $100.15 per square foot and 97% of the listing price.

Located off Wellborn Road and Graham Road, Edelweiss Gartens currently has 24 houses for sale. These houses are listed between $197,900 and $147,900. For a complete list of current houses for sale in Edelweiss Gartens or Edelweiss Estates, College Station, please click here. Edelweiss Estates or Edelweiss Gartens houses for sale.

For a current list of homes for sale in Edelweiss Gartens, including detailed information on each house, please let us know.

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

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2011 Home Sales and Houses for Sale in Edelweiss Estates, College Station, Texas

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:53:26 -0800

In 2011, 43 houses sold in Edelweiss Estates, College Station according to the data provided by the Bryan - College Station Multiple Listing Service.

Theses homes ranged in price from $422,000 to $117,500 for between 3,630 and 1,411 square feet.Located next to Edelweiss Park, there are currently 6 houses for sale in Edelweiss Estates. The houses range in price from $219,000 to $144,900 and are listed in average for $97.47.

For current detailed information on any of these homes for sale or if you are planning on selling your home please let us know.

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

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Home Sellers - Are you expecting a tax refund this year?

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 14:15:31 -0800

Are you trying to sell your home and expecting a tax refund this year? Why not use that extra money to help get your home sold!

Instead of splurging on clothes, electronics or trips, you could use that extra cash to make your home more appealing to buyers and get your home SOLD faster.

Here are some suggestions of how a large or small tax refund can be used to increase your homes appeal:

Painting: This can be a relatively inexpensive project, particularly if you do it yourself. Painting the entire interior and/or exterior of your home in neutral colors can add a fresh look to your home.
Pressure washing: Hiring someone to come out and pressure wash the exterior of your home and don't forget the driveway or any walkways can increase curb appeal and make your property look brighter.
Replace appliances: Replacing appliances that will be conveyed in a sale with newer, more modern ones can increase the appeal of your home. Buyers love new appliances particularly ones that fit the space they're in and match each other in style.
Have your house inspected: Hiring a real estate inspector to inspect your home and provide you with a list of repairs can give you an opportunity to have these repairs completed before you are required to do them in a limited amount of time due to contract clauses.
Update light fixtures: Add some extra style and modernize your light fixtures. There are some very inexpensive light fixtures available that can give your home the boost it needs.
Add a deck or porch: Adding a deck or porch is more costly but it will provide so much more appeal. With the addition of either you will open up a much larger pool of buyers as some buyers will not even look at a home without a deck or porch.
Update landscaping: Tiding up flower beds, replacing dead grass, adding more flowers, bushes and trees, all of these can greatly increase your curb appeal.

Using that extra money in invest in your home for sale can increase the money in your pocket, it can also decrease the time your home is on the market. Contact me if you need some help or advice on the best types of projects to embark on that will increase your homes appeal.

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

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A peek at home sales in Copperfield, Bryan Texas in 2011 and a look at houses for sale now.

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:49:03 -0800

2011 was a great year for home sales in Copperfield, Bryan according to the Bryan - College Station, multiple listing service. 24 homes sold in the subdivision ranging in price from $250,000 to $104,900 and they sold on average within 93 days.

Copperfield Road runs through Boonville road between Miramont, Tiffany Park and Park Hudson. It is a premier subdivison in Bryan, Texas with an active Homeowners Association, park and pool. As of todays date there are currently 13 houses for sale in Copperfield.

For a complete current list of houses for sale in Copperfield as well as detailed information on each home, please click on the following link. Copperfield, Bryan Houses for Sale.

Copperfield, Bryan, Texas is the home of award winning Sam Houston Elementary School and is in the center of a lot of recent growth in the Bryan area.

For more information on the houses for sale in Copperfield or the surrounding area, please let us know.

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

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Castle Rock, College Station 2011 home sales and Houses for Sale

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:20:28 -0800

According to the Bryan - College Station Multiple Listing Service, 34 custom built homes sold in Castle Rock, College Station, in 2011. These beautiful homes sold for between $267,500 and $169,500 for between 2,322 and 1,555 heated square feet.

Located off William D. Fitch Parkway in south College Station, Castle Rock currently has 17 houses for sale. All of these custom built homes were built between 2007 and 2012. For a current list of houses for sale in Castle Rock, including detailed information and newly listed properties, please let us know.

These houses for sale are as of January 3rd, 2012, for an updated list of houses for sale, please let us know and we can email or show them to you.

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

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A look at homes that sold in Castlegate, College Station in 2011 and houses that are for sale.

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:40:09 -0800

Castlegate, College Station is home to some of the most beautiful custom built homes in the area. The development is professionally managed and boasts a park, pool, childrens playground, tennis courts, walking trails, ball parks, pavillion and so much more. For more information on this amazing development click here: Castlegate, College Station, Texas

According to the Bryan - College Station Multiple Listing Service, 72 homes sold in Castlegate, College Station during 2011. These houses ranged in price from $$520,000 to $148,500.

Castlegate, College Station, located off William D. Fitch Parkway and Greens Prairie Road in south College Station, is a highly sought after development. All of the homes currently listed for sale were built between 2002 and 2010.

For a current list of houses for sale in Castlegate including detailed information about each property, please click here. Castlegate, College Station, Houses for Sale.

If you are interested in selling your home in Castlegate or if you would like to buy a house in Castlegate, please let us know so we can discuss your options.

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

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So you got a low appraisal on the house you want to buy.....Now what?

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:19:37 -0800

So you've been pre-approved for a home loan, your under contract to buy your dream house, the inspection goes well and there's only the lender appraisal to go.

Then the appraisal value comes back lower than the agreed upon purchase price and your lender won't approve the purchase.

Now what?

You still have some options and there are ways to fight a low appraisal. Sometimes they're successful, other times they're not but don't kill the deal because of a low appraisal without trying some of these options first.

1. You can go back to your lender and appraiser and ask them to review the appraisal. You can have your REALTOR compare the properties that were used by the appraiser to make sure that the most current local comparable properties were chosen in order to establish value. If there is other pertinent information that was not included in the appraiser report that could affect the value, you can inform the lender and ask for a second appraisal to be done.

2. You can hire your own appraiser (for FHA loans make sure the appraiser is on the approved appraisal vendor list) and conduct a second appraisal. You can then present it to the lender and ask them to compare both appraisals.

3. You can ask the seller to lower the purchase price to match the appraised value. This can be a tricky situation, although, provided that you have a financing contingency within the contract, if the seller refuses to lower the purchase price you can still walk away from it and get your earnest money back. A savvy seller, however will realize that if the appraisal is correct and they don't lower the purchase price to match it then it's likely that the same problem will occur with a new buyer.

4. You can increase the downpayment to match the difference in the appraised value and the purchase price however you need to make sure to discuss this option with your lender before making the decision. The increase in downpayment may affect your loan and your lender evaluation of your loan. Only choose this option if you believe that the purchase price of the property is the true value of the property to you.

5. You can ask the seller to take a second note for the difference. This is also a risky option as the lender may protest, so make sure you discuss it with them prior to approaching the sellers. In certain circumstances the lender may approve and the sellers may be in the position to finance the difference.

6. You can walk away from the property.Provided that a financing contingency is in place, you can get the earnest money back. If the appraised value is accurate and correct and the purchase price is more than the appraised value then very often this is the best option but it shouldn't be your first option. Having your REALTOR recheck the appraisal comparables and asking your lender to re-evaluate the appraisal using additional information or more accurate comparable properties can at times adjust the appraisal value.

Communication is key and working with a professional REALTOR and lender can make all the difference. Make sure that you are informed of all the options that you have but understand that time is of the essence. Your contract with the seller is also bound by time, so it is very important that you are informed of the options immediately, if not prior, upon recieveing a low appraisal, you will then be in a better position to decide your next course of action.

This is a buyers market and there are new properties coming on the market every day, perhaps a low appraisal just means that there is a better valued property waiting for you to find it.

For a comprehensive search of residental, farm and ranch properties in the Bryan - College Station, TX and Killeen - Fort Hood, TX and surrounding area, use our advanced search features!

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Connective Realty, LLC

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