This years Lone Star Biker rally is this weekend in Galveston Texas. One of the largest motorcyle rallies in the states, this event is great for the whole family. Events include poker runs, concerts, cook offs, and more. The entire island is filled with up to 400,000 bikers/ visitors and the strand is turned into a bike parking lot. Dont miss the fun, come to Galveston and enjoy the rally!

Its amazing to me how a quick vacation can refresh your mind. When you come back all you can think about is work and how to get a jump on things. One week in Colorado is not enough, but it is nice to know you can leave and not come back to a mess. I must say Estes park and RMNP is one of the most amazing places on earth... and a must get to place. It was very cool and relaxing... does anyone have a cabin/home there... we might be going back often!

I have been working hard to get some new articles up and get some new pictures around town. I would like to write an article for every neighborhood going west to east on the island. These newest articles are on some of the nicest areas on the island. I am a bit partial to them for various reasons. Each one is very nice, has great buys right now, and are great vacation rentals.

the start:

Pointe West Galveston

Playa San Luis

Laguna San Luis

 

 

 

This summer is looking very good for Galveston Island. Ryson Vacation Rentals has been seeing good traffic for the summer and we are up over 20% from last sring break. April also finsihed strong with Easter weekend being over 97% full. The Island is looking great, businesses are open, and the gas prices may be helping to keep people close to home. Galveston Texas is considered Houston's playground and with over 6 million visitors a year over 50% are bound to be from Houston. How is everyone else in the rental business doing? trending up as well? Are we on the road to recovery? 

from our friends at galveston.com... thanks!!
Book a Galveston vacation rental

I have completed my new website http://www.galvestonrealestatesite.com ! My old site has become the office site and that left me websiteless

The new site will feature many of the best parts of the old site and will be presented in a clear, easy to use, clutter free fashion. I will be keeping articles, Galveston news, and my photography updated on a daily basis. The new site will grow and hopefully become as much a source for Galveston news as a great real estate site.

Hopefully this new site will help me sell my Galveston real estate listings faster, service my buyers better, and provide detailed information about Galveston Texas with the touch of a finger!

Please let me know what you think, trade links with me, or add me to our referral network if I am not on there already!

February 25th- March 8th (Fat Tuesday) 2011 

Galveston celebrates its 100th event since its inception in 1867. Make your mark in history - attend Mardi Gras Galveston 2011! Twelve days of fun and entertainment!  This year's celebration marks the 25th consecutive year of Mardi Gras! Galveston since its 1985 revival.

Beginning on February 25 and it's not over until the Fat Lady sings! Fat Tuesday, March 8.

The island comes alive with 11 extravagant parades, more than 50 galas and festive events, bead throwing, exhibits, live entertainment in local clubs, and the best Gulf Coast cuisine in the world. One of the most popular annual events to take place in Texas, the event is rich with laughter, celebration and people watching. There is something for everyone including a beachfront carnival, shopping, and nightlife featuring everything from Cajun and salsa to jazz and rock and roll. Returning this year - the incredible Philadelphia Mummers who take to the streets in colorful costume to entertain young and old.

Location:

The Mardi Gras Entertainment District includes 20th - 25th Streets and Harborside Drive to Mechanic Streets. This area includes more than 15 square blocks. Daytime parades also take place along Seawall Blvd. between 14th Street and 59th Street.

 

Price:

FREE to attend!

Lodging:

http://www.sellinggalveston.com/rentals

call 409-740-1600 to book

visit www.sellinggalveston.com for more information

We had a blessed Holiday season and want to wish all of our Active rain friends the same. I hope your new year is exciting as you want it to be and 2011 is a great real estate year. I think it will be for several reasons... and I am staying positive!

Happy new year!

Galveston will be hosting Dickens on the strand 2010 in just a few weeks! The first weekend in Decemeber will find Galveston turned into a 16th century town full of fun. To learn more about Dickens on the Strand follow the links!

Dickens on the Strand 2010

I was working with the MLS today to get some of the newest numbers and see how things are looking. The data is as follows:

605  residential listings in Galveston

48 pending

_________

557 active

53 sold in last 30 days

37 expired in last 30 days

103 new listings last 30 days

or: 138 sold/pending/expired in last 30 days vs 103 new listings... net change - 35 properties off the market.

My take: It looks great! Galveston's best time to buy vacation/resort homes is in the off season, but its also our "slow" time. Prices have come down significantly and it looks like buyers are taking advantage. Though its clearly a buyers market now... if the trends continue into the next spring, our inventory may go down down down. It may even convert over to a neutral market in 2011... so my thought is... you cant tell the future of Real Estate, but with interest rates super low and a strong buyers market going into Galveston's off-season-- THE TIME TO BUY IS NOW!