Need something fun for your kids to do in a safe, supervised environment during Spring Break?  Registration is currently under way for the College Station youth camp Camp YO! (Youth Opportunity).  Camp YO! is open to kids in the 5th to 8th grades.  For the week of March 12-16, 2012, from 8am to 6pm, your child will enjoy arts and crafts, play sports, receive an outdoor education and take field trips, amongst other activities.  The cost is just $35 per day or $150 for the week per child.  You can register online here or stop in at the Stephen C Beachy Central Park office (located at 1000 Krenek Tap Rd) to complete the registration form in person.  But hurry!  Registration ends on March 9, 2012.

Don't worry about what to do to keep your child busy during their Spring Break this year.  The Parks and Recreation Department is supervising a College Station youth camp.  Get your kids out of the house and keep them busy in a safe environment with Camp YO!

Stephanie Hansson, Living the Good Life in Bryan – College Station Real Estate

Originally posted on my Living in Bryan/College Station real estate blog here: http://livinginbryancollegestation.com/college-station-youth-camp/.

Nothing helps kids learn teamwork and good sportsmanship like being involved in sports.  Kids ages 3-5 are welcome to join up with the City of Bryan's Parks & Rec Department for their public baseball program.  Open registration for Smart Start Baseball in Bryan, TX has begun. 

The Smart Start Baseball program is meant to get Bryan kids ready for tee ball...sort of a pre-school for organized baseball programs.  They will learn the basic fundamentals of the game without the pressure of competing with other teams.  This helps kids foster a healthy attitude and excitement to get involved in the sport of baseball while keeping their bodies active.  Franklin Sports and Hasbro have provided age-appropriate equipment for the kids to use.  Some of the skills the kids will learn include how to throw, how to catch, batting and how to run from base to base.

The Smart Start Baseball program begins February 23, 2012 and meets every Thursday evening at 6:15pm until March 29, 2012 at the Bryan Regional Athletic Complex (5440 N Texas Ave).  Bryan residents only pay $35 per child for the program, while non-residents are welcome but are required to pay $45.  Download your child's registration form here.  All forms must be turned in to the City of Bryan Parks & Recreation Department office (1309 E MLK Blvd) or the Bryan Aquatic Center (3100 Oakride Dr) before the start of the program.  Hurry, though.  Spots fill up fast.

Stephanie Hansson, Living the Good Life in Bryan – College Station Real Estate

Originally posted on my Living in Bryan/College Station real estate blog here: http://livinginbryancollegestation.com/smart-start-baseball-registration-begins-bryan-tx/.

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few weeks, you know that Super Bowl XLVI takes place this Sunday.  Whether you're a Giants or a Patriots fan, are hosting or attending a party, you can have fun without getting out of hand.  Since the College Station police will be out in full force to make sure our streets are safe, they've offered the following Super Bowl party tips to make sure your party goes without a hitch (or a trip to jail).

• Keep salty snacks to a minimum.  Salt makes you thirsty, which, in turn, makes people want to drink more, increasing the possibility of overconsumption of alcohol.
• Make sure there is a designated driver appointed at the beginning of the festivities to ensure that all guests get home safely.  Don't be afraid to be upfront with your guests.  Let them know in no uncertain terms that drunk and disorderly is not acceptable in your College Station home.  Those who tend to overindulge in their alcohol intake should be addressed ahead of time to make sure they have a safe way to get home that doesn't include them getting behind the wheel and driving.
• Include a nice variety of sodas, flavored waters and other non-alcoholic drinks.  Not everyone likes alcohol, but everyone gets thirsty.  You also want something for your designated drivers to enjoy.
• If your party includes an alcohol-based punch, use fruit juice as a base rather than soda water, ginger ale or other carbonated beverage.  The body absorbs more alcohol when consumed with a carbonated beverage than it does with juice.
• Underage drinking is a crime.  Serving alcohol to minors is also a crime.  The only people who should be allowed an alcoholic beverage at the party should be at least 21 years old.  Don't even ask kids to serve any alcohol to the adults, as this could be a fineable offense and may encourage them to sneak a sip here and there.
• Use a bartender to create the mixed drinks for everyone instead of using the "free-for-all" method.  This doesn't have to be a professional.  You or a buddy can play bartender for the evening.  Having just one bartender keeps the alcohol consumption in check much easier than when everyone is allowed to make their own drink.
• All alcoholic beverages should stop being served at least 90 minutes before the party is set to end.  Start serving a nice dessert with coffee or caffeinated tea to beat back any effects of the alcohol your guests have just consumed.  You want to make sure that your guests get home safe and sound.

The police can't be everywhere at all times.  It is up to us to help them keep our College Station streets safe.  You can have a great time and enjoy one of the biggest parties of the year in a safe and sane manner by utilizing these Super Bowl party tips. 

Stephanie Hansson, Living the Good Life in Bryan – College Station Real Estate

Originally posted on my Living the Good Life in Bryan/College Station real estate blog here: http://livinginbryancollegestation.com/super-bowl-party-tips/.

The National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (NAHB/IMI) recently released their report showing which areas of the country indicate an improved local economy.  Thanks to its positive job growth, increasing home prices and higher housing permits, College Station is one of 11 Texas cities that have made it onto this list.  This proves that the College Station real estate market is on the rise.

The NAHB/First American IMI looks at three factors to determine a which metropolitan areas have shown a measurable improvement: employment, home prices and single-family housing.  A rise in jobs, home prices and single-family housing indicates that the College Station real estate market is showing its strength.  According to this report, employment levels have increased 4.5%, home prices have gone up 7.8% and permits to build single-family homes has risen by 3%.

The index updates its list monthly using the most recent data available.  January's index indicates an 85% increase of housing markets across the country that show a marked improvement from the previous month.  December's index contained only 41 markets that had improved.  November 2011's statistics showed 30 markets, while October 2011 only had 21 markets showing improvement. 

What do these numbers mean for you?  If you are interested in purchasing a College Station home, there's no time like the present.  With home prices beginning to rise, you'd better start looking now.  If you are looking for a wonderful place to live that offers good job prospects and a steadily growing economy, College Station is for you!  Just let me know when you're interested in looking so I can help you achieve our goal of homeownership.

Stephanie Hansson, Living the Good Life in Bryan – College Station Real Estate 

Originally posted on my Living in Bryan-College Station real estate blog here: http://livinginbryancollegestation.com/college-station-real-estate-market-rise/.

Studies show that more and more people begin their search for a Bryan-College Station home online.  So, how you present your home to the public online can mean the difference between a smooth sale and a rocky road.  They say a picture's worth a thousand words.  But, in the case of a home sale, it can be worth so much more.  If you can't afford to hire a professional to take photos of your home, here are a few guidelines to putting your house's best face forward.

Nice and clean.  A photo will pick up on everything...and I do mean everything!  Dirty marks on the walls, stains on the carpet, cobwebs in the corners and smudges on the windows have nowhere to hide in a still photograph.  So, make sure to do a really good scrub of all areas of your Bryan-College Station home before you snap a picture.

Get rid of the clutter.  Knick-knacks, piles of books and photos everywhere can make a room look small and cramped.  This is not the look you should be going for.  Pack up all the stuff you don't use on a daily basis and put as much of the rest out of sight as possible.  Hide those electrical cords.  Take everything off the counter tops to showcase how much workspace your kitchen has.

Natural light is the best.  Using too strong of a light can wash out the photo.  Open up the curtains and/or shutters to let as much natural light in as possible.  Take your photographs at the peak of the day to let the most light in.  If the room is still dark, try using filtered light to soften the photo.

Have the right equipment.  Many people today own a camera of some sort.  But they are not all made the same.  A wide angle lens will help make the rooms in your Bryan-College Station home appear larger.  Using a tripod will help you keep a steady hand when taking photos, as will a remote.

Don't forget the outside!  Potential buyers want to see the inside AND the outside.  If you limit your photos to only interior shots, you're limiting your audience.  They may just move on to the next house instead.

Take lots of photographs.  Don't skimp.  It's better to have too many shots and have to narrow them down to a few choices than to not have enough.  Take several photos of each room as well as the outside from different angles using different light.  This will give you options when you choose which ones to use in your online listing.

In home sales, a picture's worth a thousand words.  Your real estate agent can help you find a professional photographer if you need one.  However, if it's not in the budget, using the tips above can help your Bryan-College Station home stand out from the crowd.

Stephanie Hansson, Living the Good Life in Bryan – College Station Real Estate 

Originally posted on my Living the Good Life in Bryan-College Station real estate blog here: http://livinginbryancollegestation.com/pictures-worth-thousand-words/.

College Station makes every effort to get their citizens involved in the community.  They truly believe that the more involved residents are in their neighborhoods, the more the city will thrive.  That's one of the reasons it's so great to live here.  I wrote previously about the Citizen University program taking place later this month where College Station residents can learn about the day-to-day operations of their own local government.  Well, the police department doesn't want to be left out.  So, they're holding their own Citizen Police Academy in College Station.

Beginning February 7, 2012, the College Station Citizen Police Academy will begin their 10 week free program.  Classes will take place every Tuesday evening from 6:30pm to 9:30pm at the College Station Police Department (2611 Texas Ave).  During the course of the program, residents will learn about how the criminal justice system operates and the ways you can work with the police to help keep our community safe.  In addition to classroom education, students are invited to attend a ride-along with a College Station police officer during one of their actual shifts.

If you're interested in becoming a student of the Citizen Police Academy in College Station, you will need to fill out an application.  Applications can be picked up at the College Station Police Department, you can call (979-764-3573) to request to have one sent to you via email, snail mail or fax or you can download an application online by going to their website.  All applications must be filled out and turned in by the end of business (5pm) on January 27, 2012.  The course is absolutely free but seats are limited.  So, apply soon.

Even if you choose not to attend the Citizen Police Academy in College Station, you can help keep the streets of your neighborhood safe by being vigilant to activity going on around you.  Please report any suspicious activity to your local police department (College Station: 979-845-2345, Texas A&M University: 979-845-2345, Bryan/Brazos County: 979-361-3888).  Since the police cannot be everywhere at all times, they appreciate any help the community can provide.  If you see a crime in progress, do not try to stop it yourself.  Instead, call the authorities.  That is what they are for.

Stephanie Hansson, Living the Good Life in Bryan – College Station Real Estate

Originally posted on my Living the Good Life in Bryan-College Station real estate blog here: http://livinginbryancollegestation.com/citizen-police-academy-college-station/.

Buying a Bryan-College Station home rather than renting one just makes sense (dollars and cents that is).  Just a few short years ago, this wasn't the case.  With housing prices skyrocketing and interest rates higher, it was difficult for many people to purchase a Bryan-College Station home.  So, renting a home seemed like a much more viable financial alternative.  That's not the case anymore.

Interest rates remained at historically low levels throughout 2011.  In fact, at the end of 2011, interest rates remained at or below 4% for nine weeks in a row.  Only twice throughout the entire 2011 calendar year were they ever over 5%.  The average 30 year Fixed Rate Mortgage ended 2011 at 3.95%, 0.91% less than at the end of 2010.  The average 15 year Fixed Rate Mortgage was at 3.24% at the end of 2011, which was 0.96% less than at the same time in 2010.  To put this simply, if you bought a Bryan-College Station home for $200,000 at the end of 2010, put $10,000 down and qualified for the best rate of 4.86%, your payment would have been $1337.10 per month.  However, if you bought the same home at the end of 2011, put the same amount down and qualified for the best rate of 3.95%, your payment would have been $1234.95.  That's a savings of over $1200 per year.  That's a nice chunk of change to keep in your wallet, isn't it?

Home prices have also come down to much more affordable levels than the highs of just a few years ago.  However, the prices have also begun to increase slightly over the last three to six months.  This could indicate that Bryan-College Station real estate is beginning to level off a bit.  If it continues on this path, Bryan-College Station home prices will increase over the course of 2012.

With the interest rates holding steady around 4%, home prices continuing to be affordable and inventory levels offering a nice variety of homes to choose from, renting is no longer the cheaper choice for housing.  If you're interested in taking advantage of the low prices and interest rates on a Bryan-College Station home, contact me soon.  I promise to do my best to find the perfect home for you today.

Stephanie Hansson, Living the Good Life in Bryan – College Station Real Estate

Originally posted on my Living the Good Life in Bryan-College Station Real Estate blog here: http://livinginbryancollegestation.com/buying-bryan-college-station-home-sense/.

New Year's Eve is tomorrow (can that be right?!).  If you're getting ready to host your own celebration here in Bryan/College Station, you've got a lot of work ahead of you.  Here are a few tips on avoiding common holiday hosting disasters.

HOW TO AVOID...

Oven Failure - While there are many reasons that an oven quits working (which can be a major disaster when you have guests coming and nothing but a microwave oven to cook with), one of the most common reasons is also one that is easy to avoid.  Hold off on self-cleaning your oven until AFTER the new year celebrations are over.  Most of the time, there is no issue when it comes to cleaning your oven.  However, you DO run the risk of blowing a fuse or the thermostat (common sources of oven failure problems).  Good luck tracking down a repairman at this time of the year.

Kitchen Sink Clogs - A backed up drain can be a real pain.  For some reason, it seems that common sense tends to fly out the window in direct proportion to how busy we get during the holidays.  Avoid clogging up the sink and having to call in a plumber by disposing of fats and cooking oils in an empty coffee can or jar instead of pouring them down the sink.  Make sure the garbage disposal works BEFORE you put anything in it by running it for a couple of seconds first.  Never put potato peels or chicken/turkey skin down the disposal.  If a clog does happen, snaking the drain is much more reliable than using harsh chemicals.  So, keep one on hand.

Heat Going Out - It can get really chilly on New Year's Eve here in Bryan/College Station, even with several warm bodies in the house.  You don't want your guests shivering while they shimmy to the music.  Regular maintenance of your HVAC system will help avoid this problem.  It is recommended that you replace your air filter every three months to help keep it in tip-top working condition.  Also, make sure the insulation on your refrigerant lines are intact.

Toilet Backs Up - The bathroom gets a bit of extra use during the holidays, especially when you are hosting parties.  Make sure that the only things going down the drain are toilet paper and sewage.  Feminine hygene products, paper towels and even cigarettes can back up the drain, especially if you have a low-flow toilet.  Leaving a small, simple reminder note for your guests wouldn't hurt, either.

Refrigerator Won't Cool - Next to the oven, the refrigerator is the most important tool in the kitchen for any party host.  That's where many of your menu items are stored before and/or after preparation for safe-keeping from germs and bacteria.  To avoid a last-minute fridge failure, purchase a thermometer to make sure the interior temperature stays below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.  Dust, dirt and debris can build up easily and quickly around the condenser coils and underneath the fridge.  So, make sure to unplug and move the fridge so that you can get the floor underneath and the coils behind completely cleaned.

Take some of the stress out of your holiday festivities in Bryan/College Station by avoiding the common holiday hosting disasters above.  A little preparation can go a long way to making everyone (including yourself) comfortable during your New Year's holiday celebration.  However you celebrate, make sure you stay safe and be responsible.  Happy New Year!

Stephanie Hansson, Living the Good Life in Bryan – College Station Real Estate

Originally posted on my Living the Good Life in Bryan/College Station Real Estate blog here: http://livinginbryancollegestation.com/avoiding-common-holiday-hosting-disasters/.

I know Christmas was only two days ago, but what do you do with the Christmas tree once you take it down?  Since Christmas trees burn too hot for fireplaces or wood-burning stoves and leave behind a lot of creosote (the oily black soot-like buildup that is a major fire hazard), you will need an alternative way to dispose of your tree.  Fortunately, College Station has a Christmas tree recycling program that is simple and easy for its citizens.

All you have to do to participate in College Station's Christmas tree recycling program is take off the lights and other decorations on your tree, including the tinsel, and leave the trees at your curbside by 8 am on your regular trash pickup day from now through January 6, 2012.  The trees that are picked up will be turned into compost or sent through the wood chipper and spread out on College Station parks.  The wood chips help maintain moisture, keep valuable nutrients in the soil, decrease erosion and reduce the amount of soil compaction from foot traffic.

Again, make sure you have taken off any artificial decorations, including lights, ornaments, tinsel and flocking as well as the tree stand before you place your Christmas tree at the curb for recycling in College Station.  Do not ever cut up the tree and use it for firewood inside your home.  The last thing you need to do is become a house fire statistic during the holidays. 

Stephanie Hansson, Living the Good Life in Bryan – College Station Real Estate

Originally posted on my Living a Good Life in Bryan/College Station real estate blog here: http://livinginbryancollegestation.com/christmas-tree-recycling-college-station/.

In what is becoming a trend over the last two years, College Station-Bryan continues to make the "Best" lists.  Over the past two years, College Station-Bryan has ranked #3 for Small US Cities for Jobs (according to Forbes magazine), #4 in Best Performing Small Metro in the US (per the Milken Institute), #4 on the USAA's US City for Military Retirement list, mentioned as one of the top 5 US Cities in Full Blown Economic Expansion (per MSNBC), #7 on Forbes' Small US City for Job Growth list, #9 on Forbes' list of Small US Cities for Business and Careers, one of the Top 10 US Cities for Raising Families (by Kiplinger's), #20 on Forbes' list of Small US Cities for Education and was named the city with the lowest foreclosure rate in the entire US by Foreclosure-Response.org (which is an amazing feat considering today's economic climate).

Once again, College Station-Bryan was named as the Best Performing Small Metro City in Texas (#4 across the nation) by the Milken Institute.  This institution bestowed the same honor on our city last year as well.  Thanks in part to the steady employment provided by Texas A&M to approximately 17% of the city's population and non-residential construction taking place in the area, College Station-Bryan continued to show strong wage growth and a solid long-term job market.  With the approval of more than $54 million for construction by Texas A&M recently, the local economy doesn't show signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Other small Texas cities to make the Milken Institute's list include Longview (#9), Waco (#12), Tyler (#20) and Midland (#22).  Texas' star shines even brighter, with four of the top cities named on the Milken Institute's Best Performing Large Metro Cities located in Texas: San Antonio (#1), El Paso (#2), Austin/Round Rock (#4) and Kileen/Temple/Fort Hood (#5). 

The Milken Institute based their rankings on the growth of jobs, wages, technology and salaries in each city.  They are a Santa Monica-based, completely nonpartisan independent think tank.  Their mission is to provide information on how to utilize human capital, financial capital and social capital to cultivate ideas into real world economic success throughout the US and the world.

The Milken Institute has simply stated something that all residents of the area already know.  College Station-Bryan is the best performing small metro city in Texas.  So why are you waiting?  Come see what all the fuss is about for yourself!

Stephanie Hansson, Living the Good Life in Bryan – College Station Real Estate

Originally posted on my Living in Bryan-College Station real estate blog here: http://livinginbryancollegestation.com/college-station-bryan-continues-best-lists/.