Trey's Blog

Be Careful On Hwy 6 in Robertson County

2008-07-23T22:12:15Z

Hwy I travel the stretch of Texas Hwy 6 between Hearne and Bryan Texas, twice a day going to and from work, sometimes more often. It has been a fairly dangerous route over the last few years and particularly with all the oilfield trucks using it continuously right now.

A few years ago a friend of ours daughter was killed at the location in this photo I took yesterday coming home from work. Last year there was a large truck that overturned in this spot and it took a month to clean up the environmental mess.

I came across this fire and couldn't tell what was behind the flames until I got close enough. It appeared to be a brand new truck. Poor guy . He was standing off to the side so I guess he was alright and they wouldn't let me stop.

The state fully intends to improve Hwy 6 all the way from Bryan to Waco and they have currently been working on it.

In the meantime be careful when you travel this route!

Have a prosperous week!

Arboretum in College Station

2008-07-23T15:33:21Z

The Andy Aderson Arboretum in College Station, Texas began in 1976. It consists of 17 acres adjacrent to Texas Ave ( business Hwy 6). It also adjoins the cemetary and Bee Creek. There is a shelter and a nature trail in the park.

If you just want to escape the office for a little while, or simply need something different to do with the kids this summer, then don't overlook the arboretum located at 1900 Anderson. From Texas Ave. go west on Southwest Pkwy, then go left on Anderson.

An Arboretum is a place where trees ,shrubs, and plants are cultivated to study.

Commercial Lot in College Station, Texas

2008-07-23T11:02:34Z

Located within view of the College Station Walmart, this 4/10 of an acre parcel is zoned commercial use. It has approximately 78 feet of frontage on Morgan's Lane and is about a block off of Texas Ave. (Business Hwy. 6) Neighbors include an Auto Parts Store, a funeral home and a large office building. Speculators and users are urged to take a look at this great buy in College Station.

Asking $74,900 mls#50565 Contact Trey for complete details on this property.

Milam F. "Trey" Thurmond, Broker, CRB, GRI
Classic Realty Inc./ GMAC Real Estate
3600 Hwy 6 South Suite 100
College Station, Texas 77845
(979) 694-8844 -110
Cell: (979) 229-8465
Fax: (979) 694-2299
trey@txcyber.com

www.treythurmond.com

1.6 Acre Tract on New Dartmouth Extension College Station Texas

2008-07-22T23:01:26Z

Located on the new Dartmouth Street Extension in College Station, Texas this 1.6 acres is just feet away from Harvey Mitchell Parkway (FM 2818) and currently has residential zoning. The property fronts a creek and has floodplain so the seller has given it an affordable price of $30,000 and is offering seller financing for a qualified purchaser. State Hwy 6 and Texas Ave. are also nearby. Investor speculators should give this property a look. mls #50563

30 Years of Service to BCS!

Full Time Broker

Milam F. "Trey" Thurmond
Classic Realty Inc./ GMAC Real Estate
3600 Hwy 6 South Suite 100
College Station, Texas 77845
(979) 694-8844 -110
Cell: (979) 229-8465
Fax: (979) 694-2299
trey@txcyber.com
www.treythurmond.com

Why Some Agents Will Never Succeed and keep on Hotwiring Their Business

2008-07-21T23:12:48Z

So This is for Dear Diary and any one else who may benefit...

Drear Diary,

Nothing frustrates or disappoints me more than a new agent that just refuses to acknowledge that there are certain things that work for all agents.....yes all agents. These things do work for all agents but only if they are willing to implement them. Now I am perfectly content to acknowledge to myself and anyone else ,that there are many things that only work for a few agents , and we as a company would never push those techniques on any agent...only suggest that they at least examine them and maybe try them. But what I am concerned with here are only those things that work for all agents. Systems and tools that have stood the test of time, and that work well in today's real estate market, and result in much business day in and day out for agents in all parts of this country. Those systems and tools that reveal themselves to be ironclad results producers in all areas of real estate and in all states.

It is like this....You have to put a key in the ignition to make a car start and go. You can, if you must, and if you have lost your key..... sometimes hot wire a car and make it go. So what! You have improvised, and made it start and run. It worked in a pinch. But it isn't very practical to have to hot wire your car on a daily basis now is it. So why do some agents keep Hot wiring their business?

What are some some absolute necessity things that practically all agents need to conduct business professionally? And by that I mean just about all agents. Well maybe 99.9 %.

Business Cards......gotta have em. Or do you just scribble your name on other agents cards you borrowed like cigarettes. I hate this! Or do you print out cards on typing paper? Boy that will impress those clients!
Cell phone......hey its 2008! What are you gonna do...stop and use a pay phone?.....bet you can't even find a pay phone. Anyone know what they cost these days?
Car......what are you going to do..... ask the client for a ride? I knew an agent once that did it regularly. He does about 2 transactions a year...just enough to cover his expenses...maybe.
Website.....unless you are really into newspaper ads. You will never be found in the galaxy of agents without your website or two or three or......
Digital Camera or do you still draw pictures with words. ( I personally love a good verbal description) but prospects gotta see pictures! Lots of pictures. More the better.
Computer......it's the toilet paper of today's business world. Everyone and anyone must absolutely have it...no exceptions. If you don't things can get pretty messy!

Are you just hotwiring your business...just getting by? What else do you see as an absolute bare essential necessity to conduct you business in a professional and successful manner.?

www.treythurmond.com

Wildlife Exemption in Texas

2008-07-20T00:25:33Z

In Texas there is a property tax exemption other than agricultural for acreage. The wild life exemption is now a viable way to reduce your property tax. It can be done , but not without some physical effort including , planning, working with a wildlife biologist, phsically working on your property, and spending a few bucks to get there.

If you are tired of dealing with cattle or other livestock, and your hay field is not really woth the effort, then maybe a wildlife exemption is the way to go!

Have a prosperous Week!

www.treythurmond.com

Interviewing With New Agents

2008-07-19T22:26:37Z

I have always enjoyed interviewing agents who are interested in working at our firm. I know things have changed a great deal since I first interviewed several decades ago. I suppose you could say the broker is also being interviewed by the agent....and that's ok by me because I feel our organization has a great deal to offer agents seeking either a new place to work, or those newbies just getting started and in need of a sponsoring broker.

One of the first things I look for in an agent is whether or not they try to dominate the conversation or do they choose instead to participate in a 2-way conversation. Afterall.... one of the greatest abilities in sales is to be able to successfully listen to clients and to actively engage the in 2-way conversation. If they are not willing to do it with another agent or their prospective "new broker"...then they most likely won't do it with clients.

Have a very prosperous Week!

www.treythurmond.com

312 Acres, William D Fitch Pkwy, College Station, Texas 77845

2008-07-19T22:10:20Z

Located in front of the main entrance to upscale Williams Creek Subdivision, and just around the corner from Pebble Creek Country Club and Golf course, this 312 acres can be divided and is most suited for residential, recreational, and some commercial development.

Only minutes from College Station shopping and medical sevices via Hwy. 6 and Texas A&M University via the new Hwy 40 (William Fitch Pkwy)

Asking $4,461,000 MLS #50528. Those interested in a prospectus should email trey@txcyber.com

Milam F. "Trey" Thurmond, Broker, CRB, GRI

30 years of Service to the Brazos Valley!

Classic Realty Inc./ GMAC Real Estate
3600 Hwy 6 South Suite 100
College Station, Texas 77845
(979) 694-8844 -110
Cell: (979) 229-8465
Fax: (979) 694-2299
trey@txcyber.com

Water Water Everywhere..But do You Own It?

2008-07-19T00:14:00Z

There is a great deal of water in the aquifers of some parts of our state.

But as others areas drain their supplies , the increased demands for H20 will ....and have forced municipalities and other providers to seek new sources for their customers. Naturally this resourse ...not unlike petroleum has become more and more valuable. So as these providers seek new supplies those areas with plenty of water have seen leasing companies move in and try to lease up water rights ... not unlike mineral leasing. We typically remind our sellers that they may want to consider reserving their rights to any commercial water production.

And we think Oil is expensive. Look what a pint bottle of water costs!

Blue Posts Spells Danger

2008-07-17T22:29:12Z

If you own property whether in the ciy limits or not, in Brazos and surrounding counties in Texas, and you see posts like the ones in this photo, then do not go digging or excavating in that area without checking with the company that has its name and contact info posted on the posts. These are usually pipeline easement locations and could have very high pressure gas lines located in the easement. Always check before digging! It could save your life.

While The Country Debates Drilling, Robertson County Texas Drills

2008-07-17T22:14:14Z

While the rest of the world debates drilling, Robertson County continues to be a hub of activity for this area of Texas. Each day in traveling to and from my office I never cease to be amazed at the numbers of tuck loads of oilfield equipment, drill stem and caseing pipe being hauled to their numerous destinations in the field.

There is substantial real estate activity and commercial construction currently taking place to accomodate both the increase in the population of blue and white collar workers and some of their families in the county. Several new banks have followed the money to the area and continue to open new branches. One ot the least populated counties in Texas is certainly making its mark!

Highway Improvements Going Swiftly These Days

2008-07-17T21:51:20Z

State Hwy. 6 between Bryan/College Station Texas and Hearne Texas has been undergoing some recent upgrades and repaving. The speed at which the contractors strip and repave a one mile lane of asphalt is absolutely phenominal, compared to just a few years ago. The giant stripping machines strips, and grinds the old highway surface which is then recycled.

It is really great that they are able to reuse these recycled material in these tough times. Asphalt is petroleum base.

Oh Well...That's A Deep Subject!

2008-07-15T21:06:13Z

Occasionally we still find old hand dug water wells in our part of central Texas. I often wonder about the individuals that dug these relics of the past. They had to have worked really hard to dig a hole as deep as they did. These old wells are scattered around the entire state wherever the water table is shallow enough to have made hand digging a well worth the effort.

Many are lined with brick or other rock or masonry materials. And they can be a hazard for adults and particularly for children if not properly covered and secured. Generally they are not seen in urban areas but are still to be spotted on farms and ranches.

The Fruit of The Vine

2008-07-13T22:53:07Z

For the last few years in late June and early July we have enjoyed making grape jelly from local wild "Mustang Grapes" that grow in our area of Texas in Robertson County. There is an old oak tree just a few yards from the house that has one of the largest vines I have ever seen growing on it. This tree was hit by a tornado and damaged to the point of almost death. Instead of taking it down we just let the vine continue to cover it. So it continues to serve a good purpose. I feel it will be years before the tree finally expires. In the meantime we get to enjoy the grapes.

This year we probably want be making jelly for lack of time but it doesn't keep me from nibbling on a hand full when we work out in the yard. These grapes are particularly sweet when ripe and we have been told they actually make an interesting wine. Maybe one day we will attempt making some! :)

Have a prosperous week!

www .treythurmond.com

I Will Miss Tony Snow

2008-07-12T16:50:58Z

Why is it like the song says " Only the good die young."

Geez.. I got chocked up watching the news about Tony's death today. It came as no surprise to most who followed him I am sure. But the guy was just a pleasure to listen to. He led a truly amazing life. Worked for two Presidents, was a fine gentleman, a scholar, a strong family man, an icon in the broadcast industry, and apparently was musically talented. But most of all, as many say, he will be remembered as a good person. I for one wish this world had a whole lot more people in it like Tony Snow. God bless his family.

Will Expensive "Impact Fees" Help or Hinder College Station Texas

2008-07-11T23:10:13Z

There is a political movement in College Station, Texas.... that says new construction must pay for itself. I haven't quite yet figured what that means, but for the sake of fairness I will remain open minded. My companies are involved in all phases of real estate including sales, home building and developing. We are not the biggest but we have helped create a lot of jobs for citizens, and a whole lot of taxes for the city. What is occurring is that some fear we are growing too fast for our own financial good, that the infrastructure cannot keep up with servicing the growth of the city and that property taxes generated by these new residential developments are not enough to support that servicing. Additionally there are some that fear we need to spend way more on our parks systems and the servicing of those systems and that we need to create more green space and put the brakes on development. They say they just want to "control" it more. That's fine . They actually admit it truly is about control. My question is who really benefits from more control? These and many other questions are now rising to the surface in our communities. The builders, developers, and agents are asking questions. Soon citizens will be asking more questions.

The impact of "impact fees" will ultimately "impact" the consumer the most. This is how the council proposes to control things, and generate more $$$ to take care of servicing. I urge everyone to pay close attention over the next months and year. Ask questions about where it is all headed. The council wants to charge much larger "impact fees" on Developers than is necessary.

The Senior Economist for the National Association of Home Builders, will be speaking on the results of his study on the economic impact of residential construction on the Bryan-College Station area at a meeting for the local Chamber of Commerce on 7-24-2008. The Chamber's # is 979-260-5200 to make a reservation . Do it!

I will keep an open mind but hope the results of his study will bear out that you can not tax developers and builders out of business without "impacting " a community negatively.

Have a prosperous Week!

www.treythurmond.com

I Used to Walk a Mile to Catch The Bus in Bryan Texas

2008-07-11T22:04:17Z

Time does fly! 45 years ago I used to walk about a mile every day to catch the scool bus on Turkey Creek Road.

The bus didn't go as far as our home which wasn't in the city limits then. Now that home is in the city and the last time I checked it had become a frat house. Well that bothers me a little . I can just see the yee- ha's and beer kegs floating. But if I was that age again I might be over there with them. :O)

But time does fly. I just listed a commercial tract of land adjacent to the old home place. I doubt Dad ever dreamed the dirt under that old home would be worth what it is today. Well.... I imagine he did because he still is a savy real estate investor. The longer I am in this business the more I realize ...real estate truly is the best investment in the long run. And we should all take pride in being a part of helping others realize that dream.

Oh and by the way since I was only 10 at the time I lived there in that old home, that mile I walked, turned out to only be about a half mile! I finally clocked it! 45 years later....but it felt like a mile to a ten year old.

Have a prosperous week

www.treythurmond.com

A Quiet Place To Meditate, Think, Ponder, and Pray, Do You Have One?

2008-07-09T22:59:29Z

When ever I have had a stressful day it is always nice to retreat to my special place and think about life, family, work, or whatever. If the problems have been coming at me like a hoard of insects,

and I am spinning my wheels, then I go to that special place to relax and clear my head.

For some folks that place may be their media room in front of the big screen with the state of the art surround sound. For others it may be their local gym strapped to a top of the line treadmill. For others it may be at the end of a fishing pole or the seat of a Harley.

For me the special place is a 30 minute walk in one of the meadows in our backyard. In that brief thirty minutes it seems, by observing God's beauty in nature, all my troubles seem so insignificant and everything seems right with the world for just a little while.

I know that God made these great things, that their beauty was placed here for his pleasure and ours.

And I also know that there are problems lurking back at the office.... just waiting to be delt with when I leave my quiet place.

That little 30 minute retreat makes those problems seem less of a problem. Do you have a special place to go to re-group and think about your world?

Have a prosperous week!

www.treythurmond.com

All photos property of Trey Thurmond. Ask permission

T Boone Pickens Has A Plan...At least Listen to the Man

2008-07-08T21:46:08Z

I know the naysayers are already attacking him...but you know I say listen to the man. I watched a video today of his explanation of how this country can get shed of about 30% + of our energy problem. I always admired him and at least he is looking for solutions instead of seeking blame for this energy crisis. If you don't know it, he says wind power and America's huge natural gas resources are what will help us become less dependent on foreign energy. Makes sense to me.

Also if you didn't know it, he is also investing heavily in "Water Rights" in Texas. Big Time! Does he know something?

You bet! Water as a natural resource makes oil look like kid's stuff. My gosh look what a pint of bottled water costs!

Tell your clients to start paying attention to their water and mineral rights now more than ever.

Have a prosperous week!

www.treythurmond.com

Just When I Thought I had All The Education I Could Stand

2008-07-08T11:34:47Z

Being in real estate sales for a pretty long time includes my having taken quite a number of continuing education classes, many of which I have repeated several times. I have always tried to take each class with a positive attitude. IE " I will get something out of this no matter what." And amazingly enough a lot of the classes are really good!

In our state, agents have to complete so many hours of education every 24 months for real estate liscense renewal, and to my knowledge this has just about become the norm for the country as a whole. Now, we also have a small family operated home building firm and the state of Texas has now mandated that home builders as of September 1, 2008 also shall be required to take so many hours of education. I think this is great, and should have been done years ago. My brother and I have begun taking the classes early, and some of the class topics were ADA Training for builders, and Energy Effective Construction. These were really good courses and we left there full of ideas and the instructors were some of the best. That is my personal measure of the quality of a course... If it stimulates me enough to take advantage of what was presented.

Our local Home Builders Association arranged for the courses and are to be commended for doing a fine job of putting them on.

Have a prosperous week!

www.treythurmond.com

Take A Bird's Eye View Of Your Business

2008-07-07T22:27:49Z

Everynow and then I like to just stop, take a deep breath, relax and ask myself...

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

So by taking a bird's eye view of what is going on in my daily, weekly, and monthly routine I can see if I am spinning my wheels or really staying on track and then I have to ask myself. "Was this in my plan at the beginning of the year, or is this simply crisis management?

Often times we get off track from our original plan, but that doesn't mean we can't get back on again.So the next time you feel like you have been de-railed...take a view from above. Things always look different from a different perspective.

Have a very prosperous week!

www.treythurmond.com

3 Decades of Service!

Using Dependable Contractors

2008-07-07T09:47:51Z

Having grown up around the construction business, and having worked with innumerable contractors in home building and property management , one thing is crystal clear: A dependable, affordable, honest tradesman is worth his weight in gold.

I have used a number of contractors and vendors for over twenty years. I suppose there reaches a point where they become a little like family, and the trust built up through years of working together is irreplaceable.

For instance my favorite Air Conditioning expert did my personal new home about 4 years ago. I swear it has some of the lowest utility bills for a home its size, on the entire planet. And when something goes wrong, even on the weekends.... I can at least count on getting some advise on the phone, which usually is something simple that I can do myself (without a charge). And we all know what service charges for contractors can be these days!

I have used the same roofer for 25 years.....and never had a leak! They will always come back without complaint for even the most minor of things.

Isn't this what we strive for as real estate professionals? Repeat business for Life!

Just A Tree Lover, Not a Hugger.

2008-07-06T21:38:37Z

I have always had a love affair for trees. I love watching them grow from saplings until they are stately and tall . Of course that can take a while! Still, we can go back to some of the subdivisions we worked on years ago and those trees that were pencil size then, now are towering over two story homes.

I have tree identification books because I am always on the prowl for unusual trees that may not be native to our neck of the country. And of course there are those trees the settlers planted on their homesteads. Sometimes I enjoy finding a grove of non native trees and studying the site to see if an old settler's home was once there. In this area they would plant fast growing and sometimes medicinal trees.

One of my favorites is the "Tickle Tongue " or "Tooth Ache" tree.

We have a few of these unusual trees on our property. They aren't the most attractive things. If you chew on the berries or seeds it is almost akin to when a dentist preps you. ( Now don't go out experimenting by putting some unkown berries in your mouth!) The early Texas settlers didn't have the luxury of dentists, so hence "the toothache tree," was one of their remedies. Another name for the tree is "Hercules Club Tree" because the limbs have round nodules on the bark with small spikes at their tip. I guess the limbs would make an awsome club.

If you enjoy selling farms, ranches, and rural properties it always helps to know a little about the native flora and fauna just to make things more interesting and attractive to your prospects.

Have a prosperous week!

www.treythurmond.com

Hungry Birds and Hungrier Cats.

2008-07-05T23:52:40Z

We have a nest of swallows on our back porch. We finally gave up trying to run them off so we lost again this year. They managed to build it and did so where we can watch the baby birds grow from our bedroom. We can actually lie in bed and observe them growing daily.. Amazing how quickly the grow. There are three altogether and they have gotten so big they have to take turns sitting on top of one another. And all they do is eat all day long. Pretty soon they are going to fall out or try to fly.

I have noticed a huge increase in these birds in the Brazos Valley. They particularly like to build under bridges and overpasses and they are protected. I have observed them in College Station, Bryan, and all over Brazos county.Probably because they eat so many insects. Which is a good thing. So we put up with the nest for a few weeks and clean up the mess when the birs are gone.. It is almost like having a discovery channel show out our window!

I am worried because our four feline friends have discovered them, and are pacing the grounds waiting. I just hope the cats are distracted when the birds finally make the big leap!

Have a prosperous week!

www.treythurmond.com

Remembering The Cost of Freedom

2008-07-02T21:42:18Z

The 4th of July in Texas is always a petty hot time, both temperature wise and activity wise. Many Texans head to the lake, ice down some watermelons, and fire up the ol smokey pit. Small communities in Texas like many accross America honor the day we celebrate the birth of freedom in America, with home town parades.

I was going through photos on my computer and found this one of a picket fence and gate. Located at one of my listings in Wheelock , Texas. I wonder about who may have passed through this gate. You see the log cabin in the background was constructed in 1836 when Texas was still a Republic taking on Old Santa Anna and the Mexican Army in the fight for Texas' freedom. General Sam Houston along with other dignitaries was a frequent visitor to this home in Wheelock Texas. I don't know if Sam walked through this gate but I would guess he probably entered the cabin a time or two. Sam was a great Texas hero of freedom and somehow I can feel his presence each time I visith the property.

The main home was constructed around 1840 a few years after the cabin and it served as a stage coach inn. Visitors included President Sam and later the well known author j Frank Dobie. This Republic of Texas homestead is a medallioned Texas landmark.

Have a great 4th!