In a few weeks I celebrate 34 years of being in the business.  And as I look back and think of all the “Adventures” that have been a part of that great experience I wonder if I would have done anything different ?  Nah…. because as I stated, it really has been an adventure! Real Estate adventures aren’t boring, and they do have plenty of ups and downs.  But for the most part there have been a lot more pluses than minuses in this career of mine.  The pluses have way more to do with people than with the paychecks. Sure every now and then a Mr. or Mrs. Grouch come along and no matter how swell of a job you do for them they just don’t appreciate it. That is the case no matter what your profession may be , but I really have to say I have  blessed to have had a lot of really terrific and nice folks as clients during my time.

When I think about those nice people, a few really special ones come to mind. I don’t like to think I would play favorites on clients , but human nature prevails no matter what aspect of our lives you think about. And within that group of favorites,  I also have become particularly fond of some special Seniors that I have had the privaledge of helping. I really like working with seniors . They take their real estate decisions seriously. But the best part is they pretty much know what they want. Most of us really do by the time we reach maturity.

And of all the seniors I have helped there is one particular couple that really stands out. This couple should be the poster models for what clean living, farm life, devotion to family, and faith in a higher power can do to keep you young. The twinkle in their eyes, their lean bodies, and weathered but still physically strong hands reveal  the true honesty of their lives. In their 80’s this couple recently went on an adventure of their own. They sold a wonderful custom home in town to move back to a “Mayberry” type setting in a very small town in order to be closer to their farm. They spent months remodeling this little 1950’s cottage and finally completed the project. This was no small task for someone their age, but remember these are special folks.  A few weeks ago on a Sunday evening I took my wife and 3 year old grandson over to admire their newly finished home and just visit for a while. The home looked great!  It was a really nice time, but I noticed the wife was having a little trouble with words. The next day her son told me she had suffered a massive stroke and was in critical care. It will be a long recovery . We all were really saddened. The the final straw came two weeks later when her son told me the husband had also just suffered a stroke. How sad we all were. But knowing this couple I won’t be surprised if one or even both make a comeback!

December 2011 MLS RESIDENTIAL DATA SURVEY

RealEstateCenter

TexasA&MUniversity

Attn: Mark W. Baumann

College Station,Texas7842-2115

979-845-2031; Fax: 979-845-0460, mlssurvey@tamu.edu

 Sales Closed 135                                   Average sales price $184,146

 Sold dollar volume $24,859,758                                           Average days on market (DOM) 156

 Total number of active residential listings 1362

 Total number of new listings 203                               Pending Listings: 81

Residential

                                                Sales Closed this Month                            Total Active Listings

Note: Residential data includes single-family, townhouses and condominiums.  If you cannot separate single family from condo/THs, then just fill in total sold and total active.

Board web site: www.bcsrealtor.com

Even with the drought we have had a little color this fall in our little niche of Texas. Kind of makes you stop and take notice in this mostly brown environment we have all seen in the state this year. Grabbed  these quick shots in our yard. Today an agent asked me how on earth I have time to fool with a garden. You can play golf, fish, ride Harleys, I like the gardens in our yard.  You have to have something to do with your hands in this world or you will lose your mind.

                                    Native persimmon tree. the deer and other wildlife love the fruit.

                        Native yaupon.  Gives you a little Christmas spirit!

     Swiss Chard is a great winter green veggie. Easy to grow and good for you. And pretty in the garden.

If you are looking for your little piece of native Texas, give me a call and I will help you locate that just right piece of land! Big or small acreage...doesn't matter to me because I will help you locate it!

M.F.  Trey Thurmond III,   Broker, CRB, GRI, SRES   Serving BCS and surrounding counties for 3 decades>

Recently my wife and I attended the ceremony for the "Crowning of the Queen "  movie  theater in historic downtown Bryan.   If you saw the old theater 2 years ago, she was in shambles. I grew up in the 50's and 60's going to movies at the old Queen and her counterpart across the street 'The Palace."  I recall seeing the very first James Bond movie at the Queen. It is refreshing to see her being brought back to life again. It was exciting when they turned on the lighted crown!

If you have never been to Jefferson in Norheast Texas you have got to try it out. My wife and I needed a short escape wekend so we chose Jefferson. Charming is an understatement. The friendliest folks in the world, loads of antique stores, antique hotels, and wonderful B and B's like the Bennefield House where we stayed. We ate well, slept well, and relaxed well. The height of our mini -weekend was the great "Paranormal tour" of homes and other buildings that rate as some of the best in the state for "ghostly activity."  A close second for fun was a  short  but fun photo trip on lake Caddo, with a nature guide. It was worth every cent of the 60 dollar fee and then some.  So if you are looking for an easy inexpensive fun  weekenede escape,with a little romantic flair....try Jefferson!

  The Bennefield House B and B

   Paranormal Home tour

  Caddo Lake

 Residential Solds.......  Bryan College Station Regional  Assoc. of Realtors

June 2011 

                                             Sales Closed this Month                            Total Active Listings

Note: Residential data includes single-family, townhouses and condominiums. If you cannot separate single family from condo/THs, then just fill in total sold and total active.

Board web site: www.bcsrealtor.com

 If you are considering selling your home in Bryan Colleg Station Contact:

This is the time of year that many of our clients  have already received their annual appraisal notices from the local central appraisal district,  for property taxation.  And as normal many of these individuals contact their Realtor with questions. But this year may have been the busiest for agents that I can remember for many years.

Why is this?  The answer is elementary...... Many property owners notices showed some hefty increases this year in value...which simply means they will pay more property tax this fall when the actual tax bills are mailed out.  unless of course they are successful in convincing the authorities that their property isn't worth what the appraisers say it is. This process goes on every year in Texas. But there is something about this year's process that perplexes many property owners and Realtors alike. 

How is it that the the appraisers for the local district are recommending increasing property values in the area when the sales data doesn't bear it out? I am certain there are exceptions. But this year may be a doozy for the appraisal review  board .

I already know there are some pretty concerned property owners out there. It will be interesting.