susan brown: Houston Restaurant Weeks 2017 - 07/18/17 08:15 AM
Houston Restaurant Weeks are just around the corner. They run from August 1 to September 4 this year and they have a lot of excellent offerings!
Each participating restaurant offers lunch and/or dinner. And occasionally a brunch. The meal price is fixed with a portion going to the Houston Food Bank. Lunch is $20, with $3 being donated. Dinner is $35, with $5 being donated. And Brunch is $22, with $3 being donated. On the Houston Restaurant Weeks website, you can find all the participating restaurants, as well as menus for most of them.
Cleverley Stone is the founder & chairperson at Houston Restaurant … (1 comments)

susan brown: National Parks - Lifetime Senior Pass Increase August 27, 2017 - 07/17/17 08:47 AM
On August 27, 2017 , the National Parks Lifetime Senior Pass cost will increase from $10 to $80.  Yes, you read that right, the lifetime pass for seniors is increasing to $80.  BUT you still have time to get the $10 pass, as long as your application has a postmark prior to August 27.  
This is the first increase since 1994.  After August 27, the 62+ seniors can either buy the $80 lifetime pass or a $20 yearly pass.  And you can save the $20 passes for 4 consecutive years to turn in for a lifetime pass.  
There are 417 National … (3 comments)

susan brown: Buying New Construction? Don't stand alone. - 07/12/17 08:23 AM
I have had this question, really posed as more of a statement, many times over my 20+ years in the real estate industry.  It goes like this.  "We saw a model home over the weekend and it was beautiful.  The agent there showed me everything.  They asked if I had a real estate agent but since this is brand new, I didn't think I needed one, so I said no.  That's right; isn't it?"
I understand exactly how this scenario unfolds.  A family is out on a weekend, they see signs for model homes in a new community and they stop in … (1 comments)

susan brown: Home - Where are you on the journey? - 06/21/17 02:01 PM
Are you happy with your house?  Is this your forever home or your stay-here-for-5-years home?
I was having a discussion with friends the other night about where everyone was at in their living situation.  We had a variety of ages in our group, so you know the answers varied.  And it was a lively discussion.  There were definite mindsets for these stages in life, which I’ll share with you.  Where do you fit?
HOUSE?!  I WANT ONE.
We did have two young ladies that were renters.  One renting a home, the other an apartment.  They both agreed that a home was something they had … (1 comments)

susan brown: Social Media Explained - A Realtor's Perspective / Susan Brown - YTC - 04/24/13 04:38 AM
I've seen the clever chart of Social Media Explained a few times, using doughnuts, chocolate, and even bodily functions (ew).  It usually makes me chuckle.  Then I think of it in my own real estate world terms.  Today I thought I'd share that with you.  What is your version of Social Media Explained?
 
 
I need to list a house.
 
 
I listed a house!
 

I'm at my listing putting the sign in the yard.
 

 I've pinned it to My Listings Board!
 

 Look at the video of my listing.
 

  I'm … (1 comments)

susan brown: Selling Your Home - Prep - The Bottom Line - 09/25/12 05:32 AM
The majority of my sellers start off by saying, "Tell me what I need to do to get my house ready to put on the market. I'll do whatever it takes to get it sold."
In a perfect world, I'd tell them to start packing for their move now. Begin with the many knickknacks & family photos. Declutter. Simplify. I'd walk thru their home and point out what needed to be in those packing boxes. I'd tell them to look at their home with "buyers' eyes."
We are not in that perfect world though. The photos & mementoes have sentimental value. … (4 comments)

susan brown: Houston Home Sales Soar May 2012 / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection - 06/26/12 07:47 AM
Great news for the Houston area for May 2012. Houston home sales were up 23.8 percent over the same time last year, according to the Houston Association of Realtors.  In case you are interested about where the percentages fell regarding price ranges, here is the breakdown:
Less than $80,000 - 3% increase $80,000 - $149,999 - 16.3% increase $150,000 - $249,999 - 28.8% increase $250,000 - $499,999 - 34% increase $500,000 and up - 42.3% Pretty interesting statistics!  Let's hope that June numbers are even better.  If you haven't been to Texas; what are you waiting for? … (0 comments)

susan brown: The Houston Chronicle 100 / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, KW NE - 06/25/12 07:52 AM
In Sunday's edition of the Houston Chronicle, there was an supplement that listed Houston's 100 Leading Companies.  The Top Ten from the Chronicle 100 is:
EOG Resources Eagle Rock Energy Partners Key Energy Services Plains All American Pipeline CVR Energy Targa Resources Corporation Adams Resources & Energy Energy XXI Linn Energy Enterprise Products Partners Not surprising for our part of the country that the top ten are energy companies.  If you work in the energy field, Houston is the place to be!
… (0 comments)

susan brown: Day Trip: Houston / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, KW Realty NE - 06/18/12 07:05 AM
Have you visited Memorial Park lately?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
According to H Texas Magazine, there are ten reasons Memorial Park, a 1500+ acre city park that is almost double the size of New York City's Central Park, would be an excellent choice for a day trip.
Great place for a picnic.  Spots are available to reserve for larger groups. Golf.  The course opens at 6:30 AM.  The green fees are $30 weekday, $38 weekend.  Carts and practice range are extra.  Specials for Seniors!  Closed on Tuesdays. Rollerblading.  Enjoy a 1.15 mile paved Picnic Loop that is … (0 comments)

susan brown: Hurricane Season 2012 / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, KW Rlty NE - 06/04/12 01:07 AM
Hurricane Season is here.  From June 1, 2012 through November 30, 2012, we will need to be prepared and remain aware of the tropics and what storms are heading in our direction.  Anyone who experienced Hurricane Ike in 2008 has a better idea of how to handle an approaching storm and what to expect in its aftermath.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In the Houston Chronicle yesterday, there was a great article by Eric Berger that covered just what a hurricane can do to our area, not only in terms of water damage but also in … (2 comments)

susan brown: SpringFest - Wine & Art! / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 03/28/12 01:22 AM
SPRING FEST Wine & Art Festival A weekend event, March 31 - April 1, 2012, from 10-6 on Saturday & 11-5 on Sunday. This is the 14th annual SpringFest in Old Town Spring.  The vineyards that will be represented include Bernhardt Winery, Calais Winery, Fall Creek Vineyards, Landon Winery, Maydelle Country Wines, Piney Woods Country Winery, Pleasant Hill Winery, Red 55 Winery, Enchanted Manor Winery, Cork This! Winery, Three Dudes Winery, Fairhaven Vineyards, Clear Creek Winery & Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards.   The festival itself is free to check out the vendors & view the art.  Wine tasting tickets are $20 … (1 comments)

susan brown: Easter Brunch / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 03/26/12 06:48 AM
April 8 is fast approaching.  Walden on Lake Houston is offering their Easter Brunch for its residents!  

… (2 comments)

susan brown: Walden Holiday Market this Saturday! / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 10/25/11 09:27 AM
WALDEN HOLIDAY MARKET

Saturday, October 29, 2011 9:00 AM til Noon
An incredible shopportunity!
18522 RUSTIC OAR WAY  *  WALDEN ON LAKE HOUSTON We live in a wonderful community.  Walden on Lake Houston.  We do our best to support the Country Club with its amazing calendar of events.  Golf.  Tennis.  Member Mixers.  Pasta Night.  Taco Tuesday.  And we try our best to support the residents, since many of them have their own home business.  

With the holidays fast approaching, we thought about bringing together as many of these home business consultants to put on a Holiday Market for … (1 comments)

susan brown: Green Journey / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 09/26/11 05:21 AM
Today's population uses in one day what it took the world 10,000 days to create. - Paul Hawkin, The Ecology of Commerce What we decide to use in our everyday life has consequences down the line to the environment.  You hear about being "green" online, in print and on television.  But what does that really mean to us?   I recently starting reading a book, Green Your Home, a realty guide from Keller Williams.  There is a wealth of information in this book that I'd like to share with you.  You might say we're going on a Green Journey together!  Green … (3 comments)

susan brown: Tasting the Town 2011 - Humble, Texas / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 09/07/11 04:49 AM
Tasting the TownThursday, September 22, 2011Humble Civic Center4:00 PM - 9:00 PM Check out offerings from local restaurants like Cafe du Bois, Hector's, Hasta La Pasta, Gigi's Cupcakes, Texas Roadhouse, Chimichurris and so many more!  See a complete list on the Tasting the Town website.   There will be a chance to check out a personal chef like I Cook 4 U or My Fit Foods for healthy meals to go.  See what Lady Savory, A Spice Co. is all about or what the latest finds are at Dirt Road Divas.  General admission is $20 in advance, $25 at the door … (2 comments)

susan brown: Houston Restaurants Week / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 07/27/11 04:49 AM
It's Houston Restaurant Weeks 2011!For the entire month of August, a select list of establishments participate in a worthy cause for the Houston Food Bank.  The format is amazing.  Lunches are $20 for a 2 course menu, dinners are $35 for a 3 course menu.  You have an incredible selection of dining delights!  And each restaurant donates either $5 for a dinner sold or $3 for a lunch sold to the Houston Food Bank. The list of participating restaurants grows daily.  You can subscribe to a free newsletter or follow Houston Restaurant Weeks on FB or Twitter.  On the website you … (5 comments)

susan brown: Dell Webb Sweetgrass Cooks Up Something Good! / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty Ne - 07/13/11 04:53 AM
Del Webb Sweetgrass is cooking up an event for charity.  July 16th is the date that the residents of Del Webb Sweetgrass become a part of KitchenAid's Cook for the Cure.  KitchenAid is asking home cooks to host an office potluck, a family cookout of weekend brunch between July 15 and July 24, 2011.  Encourage your guests to donate to Susan G.Komen and become part of cooks across America all doing the same thing.  KitchenAid has a full set of instructions as well as recipes on their website.  Register your party & you'll see a pink ribbon on the map indicating … (2 comments)

susan brown: Houston's Miller Outdoor Theater / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 07/11/11 08:42 AM
Visit Houston's Miller Outdoor Theater for great FREE entertainment!  This relaxed theater venue is great for families.  Bring a blanket or lawn chairs or try for the covered seating area.  (This area requires tickets that are available (still free) the day of the performance only between 10:30 AM & 1 PM at the theater's box office.  Max 4 tickets per person.  Miller Outdoor Theater offers you options for dining.  Bring your own picnic basket (no glass containers) or visit the concession stand - your choice.  As far as the entertainment goes - it is a definite wow!  This week the offering … (0 comments)

susan brown: Cheddar's Casual Cafe comes to Humble Texas! / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 06/27/11 05:58 AM
Cheddar's Casual Cafe recently opened a location in Humble, Texas.  And we are glad they did!  Located at 9500 FM 1960, between Townsen & Kenswick, Cheddars opened to crowds of hungry diners.  At peak times, there are lines of people out the door - a sure sign that there is some good food being served inside!The Cheddar's menu includes a wide variety of soups, salads, burgers & sandwiches, as well as entrees that include chicken, fish, steak & much more.  Warm honey-butter croissants are served with the salads.  A tower of onion rings comes with ranch & cajun dipping sauce.  And … (4 comments)

susan brown: 3809 Deer Falls / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 06/22/11 04:57 AM

This listing is on a cul-de-sac, with the greenbelt in back & to the side.  It is so enjoyable to sit outside and commune with nature.  Although I haven't seen a squirrel like this one in the yard!  This home has a long list of features.  Visit www.YourTexasConnection.com to see all the photos as well!
Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection sells real estate in Walden on Lake Houston, Eagle Springs, Summerwood, Atascocita, TX, Kingwood Greens, Royal Shores & Kingwood, TX - just to name a few!  Susan's the team leader for Your Texas Connection at Keller Williams Realty NE.  Visit their website for … (2 comments)