Gail Cain's (gailcain) Blog

Gentry Guy, and Gill Sworn into Council

Gail Cain (The Cain Team - Keller Williams Reality Lake Conroe) — Thu, 20 May 2010 02:06:48 -0700

‘3 Gs' sworn in to council

Conroe City Councilmen Jim Gentry, center left, and Gil Snider, center right, share a laugh prior to Wednesday's swearing-in ceremony at City Hall in downtown Conroe. New Councilman Guy Martin can be seen in the far left.

By Nancy Flake Updated: 05.19.10 Conroe's ‘3 Gs' - Guy Martin, Jim Gentry and Gil Snider - were the headliners Wednesday afternoon at the City Council's workshop meeting as dozens of residents packed council chambers to witness their swearing-in ceremony.The three won their seats - Gentry is in his second term in Position 3 - May 8 following often contentious campaigns. Gentry's margin of victory was the largest, with 636 more votes than his opponent, Charlene Payne.Martin won his Position 4 race by only 104 votes over opponent Cara Canada McCollum, while Snider earned his Position 5 seat in what many thought was a surprising victory, with just 31 more votes than his opponent, Leo Hewett.Neither McCollum nor Payne were present at the swearing-in ceremony.  Position 5 Councilman Jay Ross Martin and former Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Streater, who held Position 4, were term limited.Those who were present Wednesday joined in cheers and standing ovations for Guy Martin and Snider following their oaths of office.County Court-at-Law 2 Judge Jerry Winfree swore in Gentry and Snider, with Elaine Snider holding the Bible for her husband. State Rep. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, swore in Guy Martin.Quoting Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy and Sam Houston, Gentry pledged to continue to be fiscally conservative with residents' tax dollars."The voters elected us not to do as we please, but as they please," he said.Snider kept his remarks brief, first thanking his "fantastic" wife for her support."I'll try to do what's good for Conroe," he said.When he first sat down with his key supporters in August 2009, Guy Martin said, "My only rule was to stay positive. Not one time did they violate that rule."I hope we're able to get more citizen impact (to reflect) the will of the people. I have no other agenda while I'm sitting in this room."Nancy Flake can be reached at nflake@hcnonline.com.

Home Sale UP - April

Gail Cain (The Cain Team - Keller Williams Reality Lake Conroe) — Wed, 19 May 2010 08:24:29 -0700

Conroe Courier - News Home sales up; prices off in April

By Howard Roden Published: 05.18.10 While April sales of existing single-family homes reached some of the highest numbers Montgomery County has seen in more than a year, prices were more indicative of a buyer's market.Spurred on by the federal government's tax credits that expired April 30, 567 homes sold last month, compared with 406 in April 2009. That represents a healthy increase of 39.7 percent, according to the latest monthly data compiled by the Houston Association of Realtors.The year-to-date figures were equally encouraging. A total of 1,667 homes were sold the first four months of 2010 - a 15 percent improvement over the 1,449 homes sold during the same period last year.Closings were strong across the board in Montgomery County. Whether it was the $8,000 "first-time home buyer" tax credit or the $6,500 second-time around incentive, prospective home buyers drove the numbers.Monthly increases ranged from 28.1 percent in the Lake Conroe/Montgomery area to 90.9 percent in the Conroe/Northwest County area. Although buyers still have until June 1 to close deals with federal incentives, the April deadline spurred many home buyers to forge ahead.The average sales price in April climbed 6.1 percent from April 2009 in Northwest County. A total of 320 homes were sold in the Southwest County area (The Woodlands/Magnolia) last month, but the average price rose only 2.3 percent from $257,278 in April 2009 to $263,267 last month.Average sales prices in East County (New Caney/Porter/Splendora) plummeted 24 percent based on the monthly figures, even though sales rose a healthy 38.1 percent on the month-to-month comparisons.Sellers were unwilling to wait past the April 30 deadline, said Realtor Amy Smythe-Harris, of The Woodlands."There's been so many homes on the market, they (sellers) were uncertain what was going to happen," she said. "They saw the offers and either they take, versus waiting to see what happens after the tax situation."It could wind up being lower in the next month or two anyway."Home sales for May are shaping up as a mixed bag, Smythe-Harris said.Sales in the Conroe/Northeast County area were 84 last month, but have reached only 37 first half of May, she said. After closing 320 deals in April, The Woodlands/Magnolia area has one-third the sales (107) so far this month."Some people are nervous about May," Smythe-Harris said.But the real concerns could occur in June, as pending sales in April and May may keep consumer confidence high.With the exception of Southeast County - where pending transactions were down 2.9 percent compared with April 2009 figures - pending sales in April were up between 11.9 percent and 37.5 percent.And pending sales the first half of May appear strong. South County already has 157 pending sales for that month - compared with 225 for all of April. There are 37 pending sales in Northeast County, down from the 61 potential sales in April."It's still an open ballgame," Smythe-Harris said. SOUTHWEST Total dollar sales in The Woodlands Magnolia area skyrocketed in April. The $84.2 million was 35.3 percent greater than the $62.2 million collected in April 2009.Still, the year-to-date medium price in the area rose only 4.1 percent (from $197,920 to $206,000). NORTHEAST Home sales nearly doubled (from 44 to 84) based on April 2010 and April 2009 sales figures. Like the Southwest area, dollar volume rose $10.3 million, an 88.8 percent increase, but the median and average price comparisons declined 0.1 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively. NORTHWEST One of the lower-performing areas in recent months, the Lake Conroe market bounced back with 114 home sales in April and pending sales were up 37.5 percent compared with April 2009.Total dollar volume increased 35.9 percent ($28.3 million) compared with April 2009 ($20.8 million). SOUTHEAST While the average price of a home dropped 24 percent (from $200,157 to $152,154), the area's median price rose 14.1 percent to $146,900.Howard Roden can be reached at hroden@hcnonline.com. Copyright © 2010 - Houston Community Newspapers Online

Conroe Tastefest May 13

Gail Cain (The Cain Team - Keller Williams Reality Lake Conroe) — Wed, 12 May 2010 14:24:50 -0700

Join the Greater Conroe / Lake Conroe Area Chamber of Commerce for Tastefest, "A Culinary Extravaganza" on Thursday, May 13 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The Lone Star Convention Center, located at 9055 FM 1484, in Conroe. Tastefest is open to the public and all are invited to attend and sample food and beverage from some of the area's finest restaurants and caterers. Goody bags filled with coupons and menus will be handed out at the door. This is a family event and children are encouraged to attend as there will be a kids section featured at the event where children will have the opportunity to enjoy games, and coloring activities! Tickets are only $20 per adult ($25 at the door) and $10 for children ages 12 years and younger ($15 at the door). A family package is also available for $50, which includes two adult tickets and two child tickets. Come hungry and bring the entire family for an evening filled with delicious food and great fun! Over 25 vendors will be participating at this year's event. For a list of vendors, check out the events section on this site. To purchase tickets, click on the "Order Tickets Here" button on this page, email chamber@conroe.org, or call (936)756-6644.

KW Red Day

Gail Cain (The Cain Team - Keller Williams Reality Lake Conroe) — Wed, 12 May 2010 04:31:52 -0700

2nd Annual "RED Day" Set to Lend a Hand in Montgomery, Conroe, and Huntsville. The Keller Williams Realty Conroe/Lake Conroe, Hunstville offices are part of a community service initative in the US and Canada. Keller Williams Realty associates may be taking the day off on Thursday, May 13, 2010, but it will hardly be a day of rest. Over 25,000 associates across the United States and Canada will spend their day off by giving back as part of the company's community service initiative, RED Day. Conroe, TX-May 13, 2010- Short for "Renew, Energize and Donate," RED Day was created to unite Keller Williams Realty offices and associates in an international day of service. During RED Day 2009, over 25,000 Keller Williams associates participated in activities ranging from food and blood drives to cleaning up trash in public parks, doing yard work for neighbors in need or revamping gardens at nursing homes. Last year on RED Day, the company donated over 130,000 hours. As part of the RED Day effort Keller Williams Realty Conroe/Lake Conroe , Huntsville has chosen to spend the morning, 9-Noon, at Cedar Brakes Park located on 105W in the City of Montgomery. Spending time cleaning and sprucing up flower beds for this much used city park. After lunch the party of RED volunteers will move to Conroe to assist a family in painting a wheelchair ramp that leads the second floor of their home and other exterior projects. The Huntsville office will spend their day serving at the Boys and Girls Club. "We are ready to paint Conroe, Montgomery and Huntsville red! We are excited to be a part of RED Day and continue the important company tradition of giving," said Realtor, Martha Wright "Last year, we spent the day with the residents of Conroe Health Care Center. We were able to clean and repaint all their outdoor furniture. At the end to the day we hosted a sock hop for the residents. It was a great day and we loved spending time with the residents and staff. We can't tell you what an impact it made on each of us personally-it's nice to be able to give back to the community we know and love." Keller Williams Realty Conroe/Lake Conroe is located at 2200 N 3083 W, Conroe, Tx 77304, is a full service real estate firm with over 160 sale associates.

Montgomery County Honor Flag

Gail Cain (The Cain Team - Keller Williams Reality Lake Conroe) — Thu, 06 May 2010 01:38:25 -0700

Montgomery County residents. Check out the new flag located at 13931 Hwy 105, aka Storage 105. Serving as an honor for our World War II Vets. More than 100 verterans, supporters and family members gather Wednesday morning to watch the inaugural raising of a magnificant 30x60 foot flag dedicated in their honor. The flag pole stands on a 120 foot flagpole and you can see it from loop 336. Take time to stop and tell a veteran that you appreciate their time. Jack McClanahan owner of Storage 105, stated "We wanted to have a special way to market the location of their weekly meetings. For more information contact number is 936-499-3786 or visit www.lonestarhonorflight.com.

Lower Electricity Bills in Montgomery County Texas

Gail Cain (The Cain Team - Keller Williams Reality Lake Conroe) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 03:20:52 -0700

Can you believe that Entergy will be reducing their electric bills? Customers in Montgomery County area are to receive an average total saving s of $81.53 over a 4 month period. They best part is it's during the summer. Starting in May and continuing through August Entergy customers in Texas will get a lower Entergy bill. Also you should see a credit in May for the savings. This is all Thanks to an agreement with Entergy Texas and its sister utility companies in Montgomery Country.