College Station & Bryan's Real Estate Home Sales Blog

Why Buy Rather Than Rent in College Station, Tx?

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:50:28 -0500

Ever wondered why we should purchase homes in College Station and Bryan rather than rent? Is there really a benefit to purchasing?

I think there are a couple things to consider when deciding -

Financial
Stability

Financial -

We all know that purchasing a home can be an investment for the future. At least when purchasing, the monthly payment is applying to something you will own at the end rather than something someone else will own. Normally homes increase in value (they are continuing to increase in the Bryan/College Station area even though other parts of the country are NOT having the appreciation we have). So, your investment should be worth more than you paid for it many years later. If your home doesn't go up in value (appreciate) remember you will have "Forced Savings" (your monthly payment) that helps pay down the balance due on the home loan.

Each month you make your house payment you are reducing the amount owed on the home (if not, call me and I'll put you in touch with a lender who can make this happen!). When you pay rent you are paying someone else's house payment for them. You are making THEIR investment portfolio grow rather than yours.

As you pay down your loan, when you sell and collect the equity (difference between what you get for the home and what you still owe on it) you could move up to a larger home, use it for the kid's college fun, have money for retirement or..... remember it is YOUR choice!

Also you currently have a powerful tax benefit. Unless the laws are changed, you can deduct the interest on a typical home mortgage and the cost of the property taxes! I LOVE it when I can deduct from my income taxes -

Security -

To me, Security is the best part of home ownership. I don't have to worry about the landlord changing his mind and selling the property and me having to move. I don't have to worry about if my lease will be renewed. I don't have to wonder what my house payment will be next year (as long as I have a fixed rate loan). I know that if I make my house payment each month, the house is MINE to live in. My children have a home. I can have pets, remodel, plant a garden, redecorate and no landlord can tell me how to do it or what I can or cannot do. My family can put down roots in a neighborhood in a way very different from someone who is renting.

Give your family the gift of Security. Give them the gift of Home Ownership!

And, you may can also take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit from the government too!

Susan Hilton - Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal

Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!

979-764-2100

Selling a home in Bryan or College Station, Texas or other location in the Brazos Valley is heavily dependant on pricing your home properly and picking an agent that will create an "online market presence" for your home. As a home seller, you need to be aware that the market in Bryan College Station and many other Texas communities has changed over the last three and a half years. We are no longer in a strong seller's market.

When selling a home in Bryan College Station, Tx, it pays to have a pro in your corner representing you. It pays to hire a well educated, top professional at Century 21 Beal.

** 85% of all buyers are finding their homes on the Internet. Is your Bryan College Station home being advertised on the web? If you are with CENTURY 21 Beal it sure is!

Want to read MORE like this? Start here for info on College Station Real Estate!

So How Big Is Texas Really?

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 21:51:54 -0500

Texas is the largest state in the continental United States. (Of course Texans will also say that Texas is bigger than Alaska if you melted all their snow!)

Texas covers 268,000 square miles which is 7.4% of the nation! If you added up New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio AND Illinois... Texas is still Bigger! The airport at Dallas (DFW airport) is bigger than Manhattan!

Of the top 10 most populated cities, Texas has 3! Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.

Wonder which state has the largest population growth rate of any state in the US? TEXAS of course! Texas is growing by over 1,000 people a day.

Wonder which state has the #1 fastest growing metro area in the nation? TEXAS of course! The Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex wins.

In the Texaplex (triangle connecting Houston, Dallas and San Antonio) we have the majority of the population. In fact over 70% of the state's population lives within 200 miles of Austin (the capital of Texas). That means that 4 out of 5 of the 24 million Texas live in the Texaplex!

And, Texas is growing very fast. Forecasts tell us that the Texaplex will add another 12 million people by 2030. That is like taking the current Texas population and adding another Houston metropolitan area, Austin metropolitan area and Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area and San Antonio metropolitan area all inside the Texaplex.

So if you could live anywhere in the United Stated (and you CAN!), where would be the BEST place to live? College Station, TEXAS of course! College Station is in the middle of ALL THIS GROWTH!

Susan Hilton - Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal

Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!

View Susan Hilton's profile

When selling a home in Bryan College Station, Tx, it pays to have a pro in your corner representing you. It pays to hire a well educated, top professional at Century 21 Beal.

** 85% of all buyers are finding their homes on the Internet. Is your Bryan College Station home being advertised on the web? If you are with CENTURY 21 Beal it sure is!

So How Big Is Texas Really?

Bryan College Station Real Estate February Single Family Market Report 2009

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:47:37 -0500

Single Family Real Estate Monthly Market Stats

February 2009

2009 2008

# Listings in Inventory 1, 188 1, 351

Down - 12.1%

# Closed Sales 91 132

Down - 31.1%

Average Sales Price $172,928 $169,261

Up - 2.2%

# Volume $15,736,430 $22,342,476

Down - 29.6%

Days on Market 130 126

So what is really going on in the Bryan/College Station real estate market? The numbers don't look good but what you see above is the effect of the fear in the market in November, December and January with the elections, stock market decline and horrible national news. We are in a bubbled community but we still see some of the effects of the national news.

So what is going on right now? It depends! We are seeing the higher priced homes being reduced to get them sold. We are seeing the homes in the $120 - $150K in College Station that are in good condition and good areas, selling right away. Right now we have more buyers than we have good properties to sell.

Financing is a little more of a struggle than it was a year ago BUT THERE IS MORTGAGE MONEY AVAILABLE! Buyers need decent credit and they need a small down payment but that can come in the form of a gift until the $8,000 tax credit is received!

The last 2 weeks we have seen the stock market begin back up, the phones ringing, buyers buying and sellers selling.... I vote we don't listen to the national news anymore! Real estate is LOCAL and NOW is the time to move up to a nicer home!

College Station Real Estate Market Trends

For more information about the NEW HOMEBUYER $8,000 Tax Credit - http://susanhilton.com/2009/02/27/ready-to-file-for-you-first-time-home-buyer-8000-credit-in-college-station/ and http://susanhilton.com/2009/02/26/help-do-i-qualify-for-the-8000-tax-credit-in-college-station/ and http://susanhilton.com/2009/02/24/buy-a-home-in-college-station-and-get-8000-back/ Call me to take advantage of today's real estate market!

Susan Hilton 979-219-3970

College Station Texas WINS Again!

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:44:07 -0500

The Real Estate Research Center's Recon Report on March 13, 2009 announced that Lynntech will be consolidating its operations and will become the new tenant of the former Westinghouse property at 2501 Earl Rudder South. The former Westinghouse property will be purchased by College Station Science Park LLC with Lyntech as the anchor tenant.

The plan is to redevelop 53 acres surrounding the facility as a science park "supporting scientific innovation and technology transfer." They plan to pay $3M for facility improvements while adding more than $2M a year in payroll. A three year term loan was provided to Lynntech by the Research Valley Partnership from its sconomic development fund for property improvements.

We are all looking forward to Lynntech's move to the new facility!

Susan Hilton - Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal

Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!

View Susan Hilton's profile

Selling a home in Bryan or College Station Texas or other location in the Brazos Valley is heavily dependant on pricing your home properly and picking an agent that will create an "online market presence" for your home. As a home seller, you need to be aware that the market in Bryan College Station and many other Texas communities has changed over the last three and a half years. We are no longer in a strong seller's market. educated, top professional at Century 21 Beal.

When selling a home in Bryan College Station, Tx, it pays to have a pro in your corner representing you. It pays to hire a well educated and active agent.

** 85% of all buyers are finding their homes on the Internet. Is your Bryan College Station home being advertised on the web? If you are with Century 21 Beal, it sure is!

Texas Has the TOP 5 Healthiest Real Estate Markets!

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:41:32 -0500

Texas is rated with the Top 5 Healthiest Real Estate Markets out of 75 by Boyce Thompson with Hanley Wood Builder Market Intelligence and the top 5 cities are all around Bryan College Station! The report states that when the real estate market recovers the cities below are in a prime position to recover the BEST! The report used the top 75 real estate markets (Bryan College Station was too small to be included in the survey otherwise I'm sure we would have been rated #1!)

#15 - Myrtle Beach, FL

#14 - Wilmington, NC

#13 - Charlott, NC

#12 - Denver, CO

#11 - Nashville, TN

#10 - Washington, DC

#9 - Fayetteville, AR

#8 - Indianapolis, IN

#7 - Seattle, WA

#6 - Raleigh, NC

#5 - Dallas, Tx

#4 - San Antonio, Tx

#3 - Fort Worth, Tx

#2 - Austin, Tx

#1 - Houston, Tx

Isn't it great that the Bryan College Station real estate is surrounded by the top 5 real estate markets poised for a great increase during the upcoming real estate rebound! Looks like more growth around Texas A&M University TOO!

Susan Hilton - Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal

Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!

View Susan Hilton's profile

When selling a home in Bryan College Station, Tx, it pays to have a pro in your corner representing you. It pays to hire a well educated, top professional at Century 21 Beal.

** 85% of all buyers are finding their homes on the Internet. Is your Bryan College Station home being advertised on the web? If you are with CENTURY 21 Beal it sure is!

Read the rest of this post and other posts like this at http://susanhilton.com!

College Station Tree Preservation Ordinance - What Do YOU Think?

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 19:18:52 -0600

March 26, 2009 the College Station City Council is having a workshop to review the current draft of the College Station Tree Preservation Ordinance.

Are you ready for the City of College Station to tell you what trees you can cut down?

The City of College Station City's Tree Preservation Ordinance Purpose states:

The purpose and intent of this Section is to promote the preservation of trees and tree stands during construction to facilitate site design and construction that contributes to the long-term viability of existing trees and to develop a process to control the removal of trees. It is further the purpose of this ordinance to prevent the untimely and indiscriminate removal or destruction of trees, maintain and enhance a positive image of the City and to protect trees and promote the ecological, environmental and aesthetic values of the City.

Are you ready to have to get a permit to cut a tree? Are you ready to APPLY for a permit to grade your property if there is a tree larger than 8 inches in diameter?

If you are outside the City Limits think you don't have to worry? Sorry - right now the draft says -

Tree protection requirements will apply to all property in the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) in conjunction with development and subdivision plats.

Yes, there are some exemptions. Yes this is only a draft. BUT, will this become law for the City of College Station? Do we need more regulation to limit real estate development? Do we need more governmental interference?

Remember in 2009 the College Station City Council has landlords registering their properties if they are renting - with a fee of course. This College Station Tree Ordinance is just ONE MORE.....

More infomation about COLLEGE STATION Real Estate and the Tree Preservation Ordinance....

Fewer Real Estate Licenses in Texas in 2009 - Surprised?

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 14:47:22 -0600

With the change in the real estate market have you wondered what is going on with licenses? Does Texas have MORE real estate agents or less?

Thanks to Elizabeth Leal, TREC Commissioner, she let us know that there "are more Broker applications than salesman. We are down about 37% in Original Applications over the same period a year ago. Renewals are down, though that is no surprise. Total Brokers and Salesmen licensees at this point are 147,344 as compared to 152,884 a year ago (Dec.) Inspectors have also dropped, having had 4,293 licensed last December, down to 3,845 this December. (That is a drop of 448. I learned that the Investor Recovery Fund has a limit on the amount it may keep. At the end of the year, $37,721 was returned to the Texas General Fund as they may only keep $300,000 in the account. The Real Estate Recovery Fund is a different animal. Our maximum, according to Karen Alexander, our Finance Director, is 3.5 million OR the greater of the total paid out in claims for the last 4 years. Since that amount is only 1.7 million, we are in good shape."

So, there are fewer real estate agents and inspectors in Texas in 2009 than there were in 2008. Is anyone surprised?

Do you think there are fewer agents in Bryan or College Station real estate? Do you think this will affect the real estate industry? Do foreclosures have anything to do with it? If so, HOW?

Susan Hilton - Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal

Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!

View Susan Hilton's profile

Fewer Real Estate Licenses in Texas in 2009

Domain Name Sniping By Your Competition - What Would You Do?

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 23:08:16 -0600

Have you ever had a domain name sniped? One of the agents in my office was making a change on her main website from Realtor.com to another firm so she could update it more easily. Since Realtor.com held the site they would not transfer it but agreed to release it and then she could purchase it back right away and move it to GoDaddy.com. Sounds easy - right?

It would have been very easy except a competitor had a notification of some kind so when domain names became available and before the agent could re-register her site he sniped it. After quite a while we figured out who had gotten her website, called him and asked if she could purchase it back.

His answer... "Want the website? Come work in my office!" Sure - she wants to work with a broker who would snipe her website. Her website isn't a area name or a real estate reference... It is HER NAME!!! The website is not being used - just tied up like a hostage.

Checked with our lcoal Board of Realtors and this is not a Code of Ethics violation. Somehow to me this kind of mean spirited action sure seems like an ethics issue to me....

What do YOU think?

Susan Hilton - Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal

Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!

View Susan Hilton's profile

Could you use $8,000 FREE to buy a house in College Station, Tx?

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:59:33 -0600

I sent out the following message in an email to the agents at Century 21 Beal yesterday. Within 24 hours I heard that a competitor had taken the message and sent it out WORD FOR WORD as coming from them. I am flattered but surely they would want to at least re-write it in their own language..... But, back to the important topic - BUYING A HOUSE IN BRYAN & COLLEGE STATION!

The 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit was passed into law in February 2009. This credit is available for first time home buyers only who purchase and close on a home in 2009. A first time home buyer is someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three year period prior to the purchase. So, you could actually have owned a home in the past and still qualify. You also must be a U.S. citizen and file your taxes... AND you don't have to pay it back! (unless you sell the house within 3 years after you purchase it....)

Of course there is a bit of fine print. If you are single or head-of-household you can claim the full $8,000 credit if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is less than $75,000. If your income is between $75,000 and $95,000 you may be eligible for a partial first time home buyer tax credit. Married couples filing a joint return can earn up to $150,000 a year and still qualify for the full credit but if your income is between $150,000 and $170,000 you are eligible to receive a partial credit. If you are a single tax payer and your MAGI is greater than $95,000 or a married couple with a MAGI exceeding $170,000 you are not eligible.

Now the sticky part ....

Guess you'll have to go to SusanHilton.com to see the rest....

Bryan College Station Real Estate Market Summary January 2009

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:30:30 -0600

VideoAd by Mixpo

Do you know what is going on in real estate in the Bryan College Station area? What are the statistics? Has the real estate market changed near Texas A&M University?

Susan Hilton - Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal

Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!

View Susan Hilton's profile

College Station Rental Registration Requirement Beginning March 1 2009!

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:32:08 -0600

College Station Requires you to Register Your Tenants? Or Do you have to Register the College Station Landlord? Or Do You Register the College Station Property? Registration begins March 1, 2009 and must be done within 90 days!

Yes!

Registration of the property with contact information so the City can get in touch with the actual landlord/owner is required. This year the fee is $15 for each property. Who knows what the fee will be next year or the years to come. Once the registration begins it will be easy for the City of College Station to know how many properties are rentals (and which ones) to make more mandates if they would like. It will be much easier to find out how many unrelated people are in a property if they know which ones are rented. Did Texas A&M know about the registration? Did they agree?

Is this the beginning of additional regulations of rental properties in College Station? Is this a way to mandate fewer students? Is this good for the city or is it something that will hurt property values? Will this cause investors to look to purchase in Bryan rather than College Station to stay away from more government regulations?

Who knows!

Click here to read the full press release from the City of College Station about registering landlords.

Susan Hilton - Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal

Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!

View Susan Hilton's profile

Girl Scout Cookies and College Station Texas

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 22:10:18 -0600

Have you noticed the Girl Scouts are out in force selling cookies? Did you stop to buy a few? I sure hope so!

Who are these girls? Why are they selling cookies - especially at this time of the year?

The girls selling cookies are girls who have chosen to work together for a common goal. They work together on projects to learn about their community, learn about themselves, learn about the world. Sad to say but it takes money to do this. It takes money to prepare the materials and to educate them. Since girls may be members no matter what their economic status money is always needed. So, the girls typically have 2 major fund raisers each year. In the fall they sell Nuts and in the Winter they sell cookies.

The girls are all ages - from elementary through high school. And, yes, being a Girl Scout in high school is a bit of a challenge. Sometimes being different (a Girl Scout) isn't cool but these girls know what they want, they are good kids with good grades working to give back to the community and are selling cookies to help fund their projects.

Click through to read the rest of this post! Find out how much the Scouts REALLY get to keep from the cookie sales!

College Station and Bryan Real Estate 2007-2008 Comparisons

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:08:28 -0600

So what is REALLY going on in Bryan/College Station, Texas real estate and how does it affect YOU and YOUR home?

The Bryan College Station Multiple Listing Service reported the following information about our LOCAL real estate market -

2007 2008 % Difference

# Listing Inventory 1,118 976 -12.7%

# Closed Sales 2,539 2,490 -2.0%

Sales Closed Vol. $418,307,000 $420,802,000 +0.6%

Avg. Sales Price $164,753 $168,997 +2.6%

How does this compare to the Houston, Texas real estate market?

The average sign family home in Houston dropped 10.4% last month to $192,135 compared to December 2007 but rose 1.0 percent to #208,266 on a year to date basis. The total number of properties sold dropped 16% in Houston - (according to the Houston Association of Realtors - HAR)

So, what does this mean to YOU? Well, it depends...

Want to know why? Checkout the "rest of the story" from Susan Hilton's College Station Real Estate Blog

I am Thankful for Family, Friends and College Station!

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:50:43 -0600

The Thanksgiving holiday is coming to an end. The turkey leftovers are gone, the family has all gone home, the kids are in bed and we are looking toward another week of selling real estate in College Station and our next big event - Christmas.

Are you ready for Christmas yet? I'm not. Not yet -

I want to hold on to Thanksgiving just a little longer. Thanksgiving is virtually a non commercial holiday and it just feels nice. It feels nice to stop and think about how wonderful our lives are even with the stock market decline, the real estate decline, wars, terrorists.... How wonderful is YOUR life? Even if you have less money, even if your real estate has declined or been foreclosed, even if.... aren't our lives really great? Mine is!

I live in a country where I can work for what I want, worship the way I want and live the way I want. I live a great house, have a great family, live in the great town of College Station, have a great job in real estate and live in the greatest country in the world! Maybe we should all stop and think about how blessed we really are.

Susan Hilton - Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal

Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!

View Susan Hilton's profile

Raylene Lewis is a Published Author!!!!

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:53:59 -0600

Raylene Lewis is a top agent at Century 21 Beal in College Station Texas. A few months ago she was contacted about publishing her "interesting real estate experiences" in a book. Below are the 2 stories (TRUE STORIES) they chose.

Real estate is an interesting business. We deal with people at their bests and at their worsts! We see clean houses and houses no one should live in. We work with people who are understanding and those who are demanding. We find pets left in houses, appliances and sinks removed, wires cut, houses flooded, carpet removed, clients that lie but more often than not, we get to meet WONDERFUL people. Most of our clients are kind people who enjoy working with us to achieve their goals of either buying or selling real estate. Most of the time we not only have a real estate transaction together but we also build long term relationships and friendships.

Enjoy Raylene's stories. They are only 2 of hundreds of experiences we have on a regular basis.

Smashing Success

A story like this will probably have some considering the need for a real estate driving course and designation. Raylene was having an open house for agents on her very first listing. New to the business, she was doing her best to make the right impression both with fellow agents and her sellers

She had provided a nice lunch for the agents and was collecting business cards to hold drawings. Apparently the pull of these caravan drawings was just too much for one busy agent who, although she didn't' have time to stay for lunch or tour the property, stopped by to drop off her business card.

The agent was in an obvious hurry. She quickly parked, grabbed a business card, and hurried into the house. Depositing her card with the many other agent cards, the woman quickly retraced her steps to her car.

A few moments later, however, she came back inside. Raylene asked her what she thought of the house.

"It's great, but I think it needs a new garage door."

"Really, why?"

"Because I just drove through it!"

Experience #2

If you ever have clients get in your car with children carrying buckets, you might want to bail - literally. Texas agent Raylene Lewis had no idea why three or the four small children in this large family would be carrying small, pink plastic buckets.

She soon found out. As they began driving the day's showings, two of the kids threw up into their buckets. "The clients said they just had to have a house that day. I dropped them off at a new home community."

Susan Hilton - Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal

Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!

View Susan Hilton's profile

Original Article by Susan Hilton selling College Station Real Estate

Bookworm MEME for Susan Hilton & OTHERS NOW!!!

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 14:05:27 -0600

I've been tagged by Jim Frimmer.... Time for a Bookworm MEME...

The instructions are pretty simple

Grab the nearest book. Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual book. Pick the closest book. The one book that this cannot be is The Bible.
Open the book to page 56.
Find the fifth sentence.
Post the text of the next two to five sentences.
Tag five people to do the same.

1. My Nearest Book was Ken Follett's World Without End. (one of my favorite's too)

2. Page 56 (why page 56? Who knows but those are the rules....) IS BLANK! So using the next best thing - page 57....

3. Fifth sentence on page...

"The seventh Sunday after Easter, it fell in May or June, soon after most of England's sheep had been sheared; and so it was always the first day of the Kingsbrige Fleece Fair. As Mirthin splashed through the downpour to the cathedral for the morning service, pullin ghis hood forward over his brown in a vain attempt to keep his face dry, he had to pass through the fair. On ethe broad green to the west of the church, hundreds of traders had set out their stalls--- then hastily covered them with sheets of oiled sacking or felted cloth to keep the rain off." Only 3 sentences - that is enough!

NOW the fun part - tagging 5 others...

Brenda Harmon - Fabulous lady from Century 21 Beal and a dear friend

Rosalind Morgan - The Rose Lady of Brookville NY

Robert May - working on his first 5000 points

Nickolas Underwood - New guy to AR & to real estate

David Timm - knows that real estate is his true calling

OK guys look forward to reading your Bookworm MEME posts!

Have fun -

Susan

Susan Hilton

CENTURY 21 Beal, Inc.

SNOPES PROOFED - Send a Soldier a REAL Christmas Card!

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 11:36:59 -0600

Updated 11/28/08 - It appears that this is NOT correct! I just found out through SNOPES that as good intentioned as the post below is, they will not accept the cards we are sending.

SNOPES says it is false!

Another option is Holiday Mail for Heroes checked out as TRUE by SNOPES. There are some rules that must be followed - cards received by Dec 10th, no pictures, gift cards...

Another option is to send it to Congressman Ted Poe from Texas

I encourage you to join me in sending a Christmas message to our troops. You
can help support our troops by encouraging student groups, community clubs,
and others to collect and send a holiday greeting to our military overseas.
If you would like to send our military a holiday message you may do so by
dropping off or mailing your letter or card, addressed to "Dear Service
Member" to one of my District Offices located in Humble or Beaumont. We do
have the best military in the world. Let us show them our support by giving
them a Holiday greeting.

All cards must be received by December 8, 2008.

Humble District Office
20202 US Highway 59 North Suite 105
Humble, TX 77338
281-446-0242

Beaumont District Office
505 Orleans Street Suite 10
Beaumont, TX 77701
409-212-1997

Sorry to have mislead you! But the offer to pay for the cards being sent still stands!

Susan

11/22/08

Was reading posts by Jim Frimmer this morning (we do not always agree on things but we enjoy the debate!) and he had a post about sending a card to a soldier. I LOVED it!

As many of you know, I send a LOT of cards. I send cards to clients, prospects, people who have had success, people who struggle, kids who have success in school, and MANY AR too! I think it is a great way to touch people's lives and also build a GREAT real estate business.

So.... Thanks to Jim, I'd like to extend the card sending to a soldier to all of you and I'll pay!

Send a REAL PAPER card to a soldier at my expense. No strings - just send them a card and I'll happily pay when you use the link above! How much easier can we make it? You can just type it in and I'll pay!!! Or if you'd rather send one from your own stash send it to:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington , D.C. 20307-5001

Susan Hilton

CENTURY 21 Beal, Inc - Bryan College Station Real Estate Information Source!

To Vote or Not To Vote - That is the Question!

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 23:36:10 -0600

Should you really take the time and vote?

NO - Not if you don't know anything about the person, the policies, the beliefs, the reputation, the plans, the platform... you should NOT vote! An uninformed voter is worse than not someone not voting since they are voting at the whim of someone else. If you cannot make an informed decision don't let someone else decide for you. Stay home!

Should someone vote if the race is already decided for their state?

If you know enough to make an informed decision yet your state is already "decided", should you vote? Someone told me last week that they weren't going to vote in this year's election because their vote really won't count. Does it really matter?

Texans will vote (or have already voted in early voting) by majority for John McCain. Since it is given that McCain will win, should we take the time to vote? We all know that registering to vote is what causes us to be on the list for jury duty - or at least we believe that. We know that voting will require a significant amount of time standing in line, proving our identity and completing the voting process. This doesn't take into consideration the travel time, parking situation or the people you will have to stop and talk with at the polls. I always run into people there no matter when I go!

So - is it worth it? Does it really matter?

YES!!! But remember only informed voters are needed. Whoever wins will hopefully not only win the electoral college but will also win the popular vote. We want this county united behind our President - whoever he is. We want to move past this 2 year election advertising spectacle and stabilize the economy so we can get back to our lives and our work and our car commercials. We are all tired of the political commercials and signs littering yards and corners. We are tired of the "process" that has taken significantly longer than any of us wated.

So - if you are an informed voter and you haven't voted yet - VOTE NOW!!! Our country needs you.

Susan Hilton - Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal

Search the Bryan / College Station Real Estate - Homes for Sale!

View Susan Hilton's profile - Susan Hilton & College Station Real Estate

Century 21 Beal, Inc.

So Skype Me - Sounds Like Something Kids Would Say!

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:21:17 -0500

So Did You Call Me Yet?
DO YOU SKYPE?

Today I made and received my first Skype calls and found the clarity SO much better than my traditional land land. So what is Skype? Best I can tell you is that it is a FREE internet to internet "phone" connection. Yes, you can pay if you want to make calls to land lines and many other things but right now - Just Skype me and see what happens.

If you want to call.... my Skype is Susan.Hilton01

If you don't "Skype" yet.... join us and get started. Your clients may be Skyping with me instead if you aren't careful... Join in and connect!

Have you ever seen Weiner Dogs Run?

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 17:07:26 -0500

Saturday the Weiner Dogs Ran! At Veterans Memorial Park in College Station Texas, the Brazos Valley Animal Shelter hosted the second annual Weiner Fest. This event included costume contests, weiner dog races, a silent auction, vendors, food and entertainment. What a fabulous event! Weiner Fest - Brazos Valley Animal Shelter - College Station, Texas

Sprinkler System Required in a New Texas House? WHAT????

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 16:58:28 -0500

I wrote a post on an outside blog - Susan Hilton - Bryan College Station Real Estate about the new regulation of sprinklers being mandated in all new homes in Texas starting January 1, 2011. Who would have ever though it would cause such an uproar! The comments I received implied I was stupid for not wanting MORE regulation.

I am not in favor of more government regulation which always equals more expense. I know that sprinklers in homes COULD save property and lives. I know that mandating Carbon Monoxide detectors in homes and garages COULD save lives. Breathalizers in all cars before they would start COULD save lives... There are MANY things that COULD save lives.

We are NOT willing to pay the cost nor are we willing to have more regulation - Sprinklers being mandated in all new homes in Texas is another government regulation that should not happen.

See original post below -

What do YOU think?....... How much more regulation are you willing to pay for?

Susan

DId you know that we have a new International Residential Code (minimum standard for the building code followed in Texas) is going to require fire sprinklers in single and two family homes and townhomes for homes built after January 1, 2011?

When I first read this I thought they were referring to the sprinkler systems in the yard - NO WAY! This is talking about the INTERIOR of homes!

What did the National Association of Homebuilders (NAH) think? They were not in favor of the mandate. NAH said the additional cost and maintenance was not justified. Habitat for Humanity agreed! It is too costly!

The National Fire Protection Association sponsored a study and reported this will increase costs from $.38 to $3.66 per square foot - averaging out at $1.61 per square foot increase. There may be some insurance discounts but not enough to cover the expense -

About the only good thing is that it is not retroactive!

Susan Hilton - Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal

Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!

View Susan Hilton's profile

I Finally Decided and I Cast My Vote For...

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:03:47 -0500

Surely you didn't think I'd tell who I voted for did you? Sure many of you think you know who I voted for but no one was in the little booth (which really isn't a booth at all anymore but more like a little stand with a little canopy) with me.

You may see the sign in my yard showing support for one candidate. You may hear me talk about who I like or who I don't. You may hear who I think will lower taxes, protect our country, make sure my children have a country worth having but you'll never know for sure who I voted for BUT what really matters is whether YOU choose to vote. Will you take the time to exercise your right to vote? (Why do we say exerciese? Why don't we say "take the time to ENJOY your right to vote?"

Just in case you don't know when and were to early vote, take a few minutes and FIND OUT! It will only affect you for the rest of your life, and your children's lives and your grandchildren.....

For more information on where to vote early in Bryan, College Staiton - Brazos County

Time to Inspect Your Property - How Do You Prepare?

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:07:00 -0500

So you've sold your house and now the buyers are going to do inspections. Should you worry? Do you need to do anything to get ready?
YES YES YES!

When you and a buyer come to an agreement on price and terms you want to make sure nothing goes wrong. Below are a few ideas to help make the inspection process go as smoothly as possible.

Pets - Make sure all animals are off property for the inspection. No inspector wants to dodge the dog or let the cat out or find the snake in the kid's bedroom.
Turn on the utilities! Make sure everything is on especially if you don't live in the property. Check the electricity, gas and water.
Make sure all the pilot lights are lit - water and air!
Light bulbs? Make sure all are working great. You don't want the inspector to write up that you need an electrician when all you need is a light bulb.
Check the a/c filters & vents. Replace the a/c filter. Clean the vents. You want no dirt or dust anywhere.
Trim the bushes and trees away from the house. Make sure the inspector can easily get to all sides of the house. Also make sure the dirt is not too high around the slab. Pull the dirt away from the slab and the weep holes. Tree limbs should not touch the roof either.
Smoke detectors - replace the batteries!
Is anything missing? Are all the knobs on the stove and cabinets? Are the latches on the windows working? Where are the window screens? Any broken glass? Have the windows lost their seal? Fix the problems BEFORE the inspector arrives!
UNLOCK! Make sure the insepctor can get to every room, garage, outbuilding, breaker box, fenced area, attic, crawl space and if you live in certain areas... basement.
Clean and straighten. A home that looks clean and straight will inspect much better than a dirty, cluttered home.

Yes, it takes a little effort to get everything ready before the inspector but it is MUCH cheaper in the long run!

Susan Hilton - Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal

Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!

View Susan Hilton's profile

I'm the Luckiest Mom in the World!

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 21:46:35 -0500

Tonight I was asked to drive my daughter and her friends for Homecoming. No, they didn't have dates and Yes I said YES!!!

Rather than just drive... I dressed in all black, got a top hat and treated them like stars. I opened the doors for them, took pictures like paparazzi, served them non alcoholic sparling grape juice in plastic flutes and let them laugh and laugh and laugh.

I was so honored my daughter wanted me to be with her and her friends. I even overheard one of the girls saying how her mom would never do something like this - and then they asked if I would drive again for Prom even if they had dates....

It was GREAT helping making a high school memory one they will remember together! THEY are special & should be treated that way.

... and, the beautiful girl in black second from the left is MINE!

Why Did Fannie Mae Fail?

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:42:49 -0500

With all that is going on in the mortgage and banking world right now, don't you wonder WHY? Why did this mess begin? What started it? Didn't anyone see it coming?

Yes - someone saw it coming. The New York Times actually reported it coming back on September 30th in 1999. How many years ago is that? Maybe it was while Clinton was President, not George Bush....

In 1999 Steven Holmes from the New York Times wrote that Fannie Mae was under extreme pressure from the Clinton Administration to expand mortgage loans to low and moderate income people. In doing this "Fannie Mae is taking on significantly more risk, which may not pose any difficulties during flush economic times.... but may run into trouble in an economic downturn, prompting a government rescue similar to that of the savings and loan industry in the 1980's".

Do you remember the 80's when WE bailed out the savings and loan industry? Often times we forget our past, our history and with that we repeat it over and over. Bailout - something new? NO WAY! We do it over and over and over. As much as I disliked my history courses in school and as much as my husband will razz me over saying this....

Maybe we should pay more attention to our past so we do not continue to repeat it but instead make better choices for our future.

Susan Hilton - Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal

Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!

View Susan Hilton's profile

Original post - College Station Real Estate #1 in Customer Service

College Station & Bryan's Real Estate Home Sales Blog

Why Buy Rather Than Rent in College Station, Tx?

So How Big Is Texas Really?

Bryan College Station Real Estate February Single Family Market Report 2009

College Station Texas WINS Again!

Texas Has the TOP 5 Healthiest Real Estate Markets!

College Station Tree Preservation Ordinance - What Do YOU Think?

Fewer Real Estate Licenses in Texas in 2009 - Surprised?

Domain Name Sniping By Your Competition - What Would You Do?

It would have been very easy except a competitor had a notification of some kind so when domain names became available and before the agent could re-register her site he sniped it. After quite a while we figured out who had gotten her website, called him and asked if she could purchase it back.

His answer... "Want the website? Come work in my office!" Sure - she wants to work with a broker who would snipe her website. Her website isn't a area name or a real estate reference... It is HER NAME!!! The website is not being used - just tied up like a hostage.

Checked with our lcoal Board of Realtors and this is not a Code of Ethics violation. Somehow to me this kind of mean spirited action sure seems like an ethics issue to me....

What do YOU think?

Could you use $8,000 FREE to buy a house in College Station, Tx?

Bryan College Station Real Estate Market Summary January 2009

College Station Rental Registration Requirement Beginning March 1 2009!

Girl Scout Cookies and College Station Texas

College Station and Bryan Real Estate 2007-2008 Comparisons

I am Thankful for Family, Friends and College Station!

Raylene Lewis is a Published Author!!!!

Raylene Lewis is a top agent at Century 21 Beal in College Station Texas. A few months ago she was contacted about publishing her "interesting real estate experiences" in a book. Below are the 2 stories (TRUE STORIES) they chose.

Enjoy Raylene's stories. They are only 2 of hundreds of experiences we have on a regular basis.

Smashing Success

A story like this will probably have some considering the need for a real estate driving course and designation. Raylene was having an open house for agents on her very first listing. New to the business, she was doing her best to make the right impression both with fellow agents and her sellers

She had provided a nice lunch for the agents and was collecting business cards to hold drawings. Apparently the pull of these caravan drawings was just too much for one busy agent who, although she didn't' have time to stay for lunch or tour the property, stopped by to drop off her business card.

The agent was in an obvious hurry. She quickly parked, grabbed a business card, and hurried into the house. Depositing her card with the many other agent cards, the woman quickly retraced her steps to her car.

A few moments later, however, she came back inside. Raylene asked her what she thought of the house.

"It's great, but I think it needs a new garage door."

"Really, why?"

"Because I just drove through it!"

Experience #2

If you ever have clients get in your car with children carrying buckets, you might want to bail - literally. Texas agent Raylene Lewis had no idea why three or the four small children in this large family would be carrying small, pink plastic buckets.

She soon found out. As they began driving the day's showings, two of the kids threw up into their buckets. "The clients said they just had to have a house that day. I dropped them off at a new home community."

Bookworm MEME for Susan Hilton & OTHERS NOW!!!

SNOPES PROOFED - Send a Soldier a REAL Christmas Card!

Updated 11/28/08 - It appears that this is NOT correct! I just found out through SNOPES that as good intentioned as the post below is, they will not accept the cards we are sending.

SNOPES says it is false!

Another option is Holiday Mail for Heroes checked out as TRUE by SNOPES. There are some rules that must be followed - cards received by Dec 10th, no pictures, gift cards...

Another option is to send it to Congressman Ted Poe from Texas

Sorry to have mislead you! But the offer to pay for the cards being sent still stands!

Susan

Send a REAL PAPER card to a soldier at my expense. No strings - just send them a card and I'll happily pay when you use the link above! How much easier can we make it? You can just type it in and I'll pay!!! Or if you'd rather send one from your own stash send it to:

To Vote or Not To Vote - That is the Question!

So Skype Me - Sounds Like Something Kids Would Say!

So Did You Call Me Yet? DO YOU SKYPE?

Have you ever seen Weiner Dogs Run?

Sprinkler System Required in a New Texas House? WHAT????

I Finally Decided and I Cast My Vote For...

Time to Inspect Your Property - How Do You Prepare?

So you've sold your house and now the buyers are going to do inspections. Should you worry? Do you need to do anything to get ready?YES YES YES!

When you and a buyer come to an agreement on price and terms you want to make sure nothing goes wrong. Below are a few ideas to help make the inspection process go as smoothly as possible.

Pets - Make sure all animals are off property for the inspection. No inspector wants to dodge the dog or let the cat out or find the snake in the kid's bedroom.

Turn on the utilities! Make sure everything is on especially if you don't live in the property. Check the electricity, gas and water.

Make sure all the pilot lights are lit - water and air!

Light bulbs? Make sure all are working great. You don't want the inspector to write up that you need an electrician when all you need is a light bulb.

Check the a/c filters & vents. Replace the a/c filter. Clean the vents. You want no dirt or dust anywhere.

Trim the bushes and trees away from the house. Make sure the inspector can easily get to all sides of the house. Also make sure the dirt is not too high around the slab. Pull the dirt away from the slab and the weep holes. Tree limbs should not touch the roof either.

Smoke detectors - replace the batteries!

Is anything missing? Are all the knobs on the stove and cabinets? Are the latches on the windows working? Where are the window screens? Any broken glass? Have the windows lost their seal? Fix the problems BEFORE the inspector arrives!

UNLOCK! Make sure the insepctor can get to every room, garage, outbuilding, breaker box, fenced area, attic, crawl space and if you live in certain areas... basement.

Clean and straighten. A home that looks clean and straight will inspect much better than a dirty, cluttered home.

Yes, it takes a little effort to get everything ready before the inspector but it is MUCH cheaper in the long run!

I'm the Luckiest Mom in the World!

Tonight I was asked to drive my daughter and her friends for Homecoming. No, they didn't have dates and Yes I said YES!!!

Rather than just drive... I dressed in all black, got a top hat and treated them like stars. I opened the doors for them, took pictures like paparazzi, served them non alcoholic sparling grape juice in plastic flutes and let them laugh and laugh and laugh.

I was so honored my daughter wanted me to be with her and her friends. I even overheard one of the girls saying how her mom would never do something like this - and then they asked if I would drive again for Prom even if they had dates....

It was GREAT helping making a high school memory one they will remember together! THEY are special & should be treated that way.

... and, the beautiful girl in black second from the left is MINE!

Why Did Fannie Mae Fail?

So Did You Call Me Yet?
DO YOU SKYPE?

So you've sold your house and now the buyers are going to do inspections. Should you worry? Do you need to do anything to get ready?
YES YES YES!