Available Foreclosures in College Station and Bryan, TX - 06/29/10 12:43 PM
Purchasing a foreclosed property can be a great investment for numerous reasons. The biggest benefit is that you are purchasing a distressed property that has to be sold because of an unfortunate financial situation. This should result in a below market price purchasing opportunity.
Fortunately, our area has not been nearly as hard hit with foreclosures as some parts of the country.  However, there are still quite a few available foreclosed properties in Bryan and College Station.  I have listed below the current properties for which information has been released this month.
1725 Harvey Mitchell CS $154,900.001301 Columbus Ave Bryan $58,900.0017321-25 … (1 comments)

Physician's Relocation Services: All About College Station Location! - 06/29/10 12:41 PM
College Station is known for Texas A&M University, the Vet School, Med School, and the extensive research done in this area.  Additionally, we have beautiful neighborhoods, schools, parks, and attractions.  But one of the great things about College Station that is easy to overlook is the exceptional location.  It is a bustling yet peaceful small city nestled away in the calm of Central Texas.
Located only an hour and a half from Houston, two hours from Austin, and three hours from Dallas, it is right in the heart of anywhere you would want to be in Texas.  With these cities only a short … (0 comments)

College Station Home Sales for May - 06/28/10 02:49 PM
May turned out to be a slow month for home sales in the Bryan College Station region.  Though many homes normally sell in May and June (summer is a peak time for the real estate market), numbers were depressed compared to those from past years.  The 2010 monthly average sales price for May was $161,453 on the whole, compared to 2009's figure of $171,091.
Additionally, though May is the beginning of the peak sales time, its sales were drastically lower than that of this past April's.  This is due in large part to the Homebuyer's Tax Credit, which encouraged high numbers of home sales as … (0 comments)

Physician's Relocation Services: Education in College Station, TX - 06/28/10 02:42 PM
Continuing the informational services offered in my Physician's Relocation Services package, I will be discussing the top-rate schools we have in College Station/Bryan for those in K-12.  College Station I.S.D. has many excellent schools to choose from depending upon the area in which you live.  There are also fine private schools such as Allen Academy, St. Joseph's and St. Michael's.
College Station I.S.D. boasts very high levels on their 2008 TAKS district scores: Reading/ELA 95%, Writing 95%, Math 89%, Science 84%, Social Studies 95%.  Additionally, 24.5% of students are enrolled in advanced courses, 87.4% score above criterion on AP exams, and 72.7% of students … (0 comments)

Realtors, Potential Home Buyers - I'd Appreciate your Input! - 06/23/10 02:36 PM
I am usually offering expert real estate advice and news to all of my readers and the potential home buyers of College Station/Bryan. But today I'd like to ask for your help!  We are trying something new and I would truly appreciate your input. 
Generally when I advertise a home, I use the standard picture tour to give additional insight into the home. It shows the different still frame pictures of a home, from front exterior, all the rooms, to backyard.  But I've recently done a walk through tour for one of my properties, where I walk through the home and describe in detail all that … (2 comments)

LEED Certified Buildings a New Trend in College Station - 06/23/10 12:21 PM
Bryan saw its first LEED certified building go up in 2009.  College Station has registered 11 LEED certified buildings for 2010, including many at Texas A&M University as well as College Station High School.  This relatively new trend in building is beginning to make the move from public establishments to homes across the state and country.  So why consider LEED building for your new home?
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a third-party certification program for high-performance buildings developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.  This organization includes members from a wide range of vocations including architects, engineers, developers … (0 comments)

Physician's Relocation: College Station Medical Facilities - 06/22/10 02:01 PM
In my previous post regarding the Physician's Relocation Services I offer, I discussed the general information one would be curious about when considering the move to College Station.  In this post, I'd like to cover our excellent medical facilities here in the Bryan and College Station region.
The College Station Medical Center, locally known as The Med, is a state-of-the-art facility with 150 licensed beds, 520 hospital employees, and is accredited by The Joint Commission, Lab Accredidation.  In addition to the many specialties for which they offer care (to include allergy, endocrinology, neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery, rheumatology, and many others), they provide an extensive … (0 comments)

The Best Roofing Materials for Your Home - 06/22/10 01:59 PM
The shape and pitch of your roof are important to the home's aesthetic and structural qualities.  But just as essential is the material used to build it.  Roofing materials can lend to a home's character, but they can also dictate how long the roof will last and how expensive it is to maintain.  I've listed below some pros and cons of some popular roofing materials, and how they fare in our central Texas climate.
Asphalt/composite shingles: Most widely used choice, can be installed by most contractors.  On the lower end, these can last 15-20 years.  The heavier and costlier shingles can survive 40 … (2 comments)

Clay's Physician's Relocation Services to College Station - 06/16/10 01:44 PM
With the huge growth that College Station/Bryan is experiencing, both on the Texas A&M campus and the Health Science Center, there is a much greater need for physicians in our area, and it is growing daily. The Med, St. Joseph's, Scott & White, and the A&M Medical School are all experiencing this demand. If you are a physician interested in relocating to the Bryan College Station area, please consider taking advantage of the Physician's Relocation Services I offer. This complete package will take the stress out of moving, and will make your transition to our area as relaxed and simple as … (0 comments)

Products to Green your home! - 06/16/10 01:41 PM
As I've stressed in previous posts, College Station is going green, and this is a highly important movement for our community. What are some ways that the College Station homeowner can do more to lower their energy usage and keep their environment green?
* Vinyl Windows and Low E2 Glass: Windows with Vinyl framed Low E2 reject much more of that hot Texas sun.
* Radiant Barrier Decking: Radiant barriers reject solar radiation, making attics cooler. (A hot attic means less efficient HVAC system.)
* R-Value Ceiling Installation: Higher the number = less outside heat coming into your home.
* R-Value … (0 comments)

Leading Cancer Center Moving to Bryan Campus - 06/15/10 12:50 PM
The Texas A&M University System has announced a partnership with nationally renowned Mary Crowley Cancer Research Centers. This leading cancer center is moving to the Health Science Center Campus in Bryan to create a new research and treatment center in our community. This partnership fulfills the vision of transforming the Research Valley into the BioResearch Valley.
The Research Center will be located among the existing TAMU System entities along the BioCorridor within the 200 acre campus currently under construction.
The addition of this center to our community will not only bring research, better health care, and high-powered/ high-paying jobs to our … (0 comments)

NAR Directors Pass Sexual Orientation - 06/15/10 12:46 PM
The National Association of Realtors held a scheduled meeting on May 15th in Washington D.C. During this meeting, the Board of Directors passed a change to Article 10 of the NAR Code of Ethics barring REALTORS® from denying equal professional services on the basis of sexual orientation or from discriminating against any person on the basis of sexual orientation.
Standard of Practice 10-3 was also amended to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in any advertisements for selling or renting property. This change will need to go before the NAR delegate body for a vote at the National meeting … (0 comments)

Trends with Space in College Station - 06/14/10 12:07 PM
One common question I am presented with is, what are some current home trends I can use in my College Station home?  Whether it is a result of having lots of extra space, limited available space, (square footage is going down -  KB Homes for example offers a 900 sq. ft. home.) or simply wanting to get creative, here are a few ideas.
For those with extra space in your homes, consider your needs. The Catering kitchen is a second kitchen on the property where the "messy, real work" is accomplished.  That leaves the elegant entertaining kitchen which never gets messy and is great for … (2 comments)

New Addition to Pebble Creek Board - 06/14/10 12:04 PM
The Pebble Creek Owners Association Board of Directors is pleased to announce a new addition to their team.  Mr. James Hooton has been elected to the position of President-Elect on the PCOA Board.  He succeeds Mr. David Kipp, who dedicated three years of outstanding service and time to the Pebble Creek community.
The 2010-2011 Pebble Creek Owners Association Board members are:
Marsha Sanford, President Jim Ross, Past President James Hooton, President-Elect Molly Young, Secretary/Treasurer Davis Young, Board Member F.M. Young, Board Member  Kim Jung, Board Member
The Pebble Creek Owners Association is looking forward to another exciting and successful year!

… (0 comments)

Water Conservation and Efficiency in your College Station Home - 06/11/10 02:19 PM
The Bryan/College Station region has seen rapid population growth over the past decade.  Combine this fact with below average rainfalls over most of the state, and we are faced with a need to prioritize water conservation and efficiency.  So what can homeowners do to conserve water yet still have plenty for necessities and beautiful landscaping?
Low flow faucets and shower heads have been standard features  for a number of years.  Increasingly common are dual flush toilets, which yield significant savings.  Most interestingly, the Texas Water Development Board encourages relatively new practices called greywater recycling and rainwater harvesting systems. 

In greywater recycling, … (0 comments)

Green Real Estate Trends in Bryan College Station - 06/11/10 02:17 PM
What started out as a trend in the Brazos Valley is now becoming a way of life for many of our citizens and businesses.  Green, as we define it, is the immediate and residual impact of our products and practices.  If we are causing harm at either of these two levels, whatever we are doing is not a Green practice.  This Green influence has resulted in many changes in our community, from more thorough recycling practices, to eating local and organic, to planting trees.  Additionally, we in the real estate world are taking note and wanting to do our part.
Which brings us … (0 comments)

Staging Your College Station Home - 06/09/10 03:01 PM
When I am selling a Bryan/College Station home, I always offer tips to the seller concerning how to put their home in the best light for showings.  First impressions are lasting impressions.  And in soft market times, it is important to show your listing at its best advantage.
Generally the following are always on the list for seller reminders of what the buying public wants to see when previewing the  home.  First and foremost, the exterior should be repainted or power washed as it is the first impression.  (While you're focusing on the exterior, remember to power wash the driveway, sidewalk, etc.)  Paint … (0 comments)

Square Footage in Your Home - 06/09/10 02:59 PM
When buying or selling your College Station home, one of the most important factors for you to take into account will likely be the square footage.  In either case of buying or selling, it is imperative to know what the price per square foot is to ensure that you are getting a fair deal.  However, though obtaining the square footage of a house may seem like a cut and dried issue, that is not always the case.  Depending on whether the measurement is performed by the architect or the Central Appraisal District of the Brazos Valley, one can end up with completely different … (0 comments)

Changes to Foreclosure Rules - 06/07/10 12:37 PM
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has changed how it defines foreclosed and abandoned properties.  The changes in classification will now include properties in default and uninhabitable homes with code violations.  This change increases the number of properties that qualify for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.  Through NSP, HUD awards grants to purchase and redevelop foreclosed and abandoned homes in the hopes of stabilizing local communities.
Flexibility in the rules allows local partners to put taxpayer dollars to work quickly to stabilize neighborhoods hard-hit by foreclosure.  That is an important issue here in our community, as many homes in … (0 comments)

College Station's Most Active - 06/07/10 12:35 PM
Do you think Pebble Creek, Indian Lakes, or Stone Forest is the most physically active in College Station?  Are you the fastest runner in Castlegate?  Do you want to engage in a little friendly competition for bragging rights?  If so, be sure your neighborhood is registered with the City of College Station's Neighborhood Partnership Program. 
The College Station Mayor's Council on Physical Fitness is launching a weekly neighborhood challenge to encourage residents to get active.  This challenge will consist of runs and walks which will be held at parks and neighborhoods on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.  The first is scheduled for May 13th at Wolf Pen … (0 comments)

Summer Home Sales Examined - 06/02/10 02:33 PM
The good news is, 2010 is off to a positive start according to sales data for Bryan/College Station after this quarter. After the rough year that was 2009, this year's numbers are garnering an optimistic view for remaining months.  The refreshing numbers are due in part to beginning economic recovery and an increased confidence in the market. Of course, a huge contributing factor is the Homebuyer's Tax Credit, which provided tax incentives for those intending to purchase a home.
Sales for 2010 in BCS are up considerably over last year, but still not matching those of 2008.  Here are the positives:
 Average … (0 comments)

Don't Miss this Immaculate Home! - 06/02/10 02:31 PM
Dreaming of Golf Course views in stunning Pebble Creek?  You owe it to yourself to check out 1009 Muirfield Village.  This exceptional, custom-built home is where true beauty meets functionality.   This home was built to last with amazing energy efficiency upgrades, including 6" stud interior walls.  The flowing floorplan of this 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath includes dual living areas that share a fireplace, extensive hardwood floors, enormous bedrooms, and a cook's dream island kitchen. 

Upon entering the foyer of this spacious, bright home, one is greeted by a formal living room to the right, an exquisite formal dining room (complete with wet … (0 comments)

New High School for College Station I.S.D. - 06/01/10 11:34 AM
The city of College Station and College Station I.S.D. have been in the talking, planning, and finally the implementing stages of the newest addition to the C.S.I.S.D. system. Plans for a new high school, which have been underway for approximately a year, are nearly complete. Announcements have been made during bond updates that construction is set to begin sometime this summer, and as early as May.

The school will be comprised of three stories and two (East and West) wings. The front of the school will house the academic area; the back of the school will hold two gymnasiums, a … (0 comments)

Home Wiring Projects - 06/01/10 11:29 AM
Spring is the time when most homeowners begin thinking about cleaning, do-it-yourself (DIY) projects, and remodeling. Most of us here in Bryan/College Station would like to take care of these projects before it gets too hot to think. But before you rush into anything, consider checking with professionals before you tackle a home wiring project. Mistakes can be costly, or even deadly.
It may seem perfectly obvious to exercise extreme caution while working on an electricity project; however, thousands of DIYers receive electric shock injuries each year. To avoid becoming a statistic, always turn off the circuit breaker (or remove the … (0 comments)

 

Clay Lee

College Station, TX

More about me…

Century 21 Beal, Inc.

Address: 404 H University Drive East, College Station, TX, 77841

Office Phone: (979) 764-2100 x 132

Cell Phone: (979) 255-1839

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