your texas connection: Thinking about Buying? Choose Houston! / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 06/01/11 04:10 AM
An article in the Houston Chronicle this week warns consumers that the record low mortgage rates could soon be gone.  Although mortgage experts don't want consumers to rush out and buy a house they genuinely can't afford, they do want consumers to be aware that the low rates won't last forever.  As the economy improves, so will interest rates.  Hand in hand with this viewpoint is the affordability of housing in the greater Houston area.  It's true that prospective buyers can find homes in the $200's with pools in great communities.  It's true that golf course homes can be had for … (1 comments)

your texas connection: Eggstraordinary Month of May / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 05/18/11 09:41 AM
Did you know that May is National Egg Month?
  This month we pay tribute to the incredible edible egg™ and its goodness. 75 calories per large egg a large egg supplies 12.6% of daily protein egg yolks are an important source of choline, which may improve memory capacity egg yolk gets its color from plant pigments lutein & zeaxanthin, which are shown to reduce risks of cataracts & age-related macular degeneration eggs are a good source of vitamin B12 & riboflavin a chef's hat is said to have a please for each of the many ways eggs can be cooked in … (8 comments)

your texas connection: 811 Turnberry - Beautiful Golf Course Home with Pool in Mansfield, Texas / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 05/17/11 04:28 AM







This is an incredible contemporary home located on the private golf course at Walnut Creek Country Club in Mansfield Texas. The 3 bedroom, 3 bath home is a two-story beauty with clean lines and an amazing view. The property just keeps getting better with a private swimming pool to chill out in during the hot Texas summers, a spa for unwinding after golf and a deck for alfresco dining. Make an appointment to see this home today!  MLS # 11588046  Listing Agent:  Don Lawyer

… (7 comments)

your texas connection: Dragonfly Boutique - A New Atascocita Gift Shop! / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 05/16/11 09:50 AM

We have a new gift store in our community.  Located in the Kroger shopping center at FM 1960 & W. Lake Houston Pkwy, the Dragonfly Boutique is worth a shopping visit!   The owner, Melody Clemens, is welcoming and helpful.  She will assist you in finding just the right gift for that special someone.  And everything in the shop is so darn cute that you'll need to buy a matching "gift" for yourself!  
Candles, purses, jewelry, kitchen items, sleepwear and art are some of the things ready for you to peruse.  One thing I hadn't seen before is paper bakeware. … (5 comments)

your texas connection: Houston KSEV 700 AM - 19107 Match Play Drive / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 05/10/11 10:35 AM
I recently had the opportunity to showcase an open house for our listing at 19107 Match Play Dr. in Walden on Lake Houston.  I was part of Don Leonard's Open House Radio show on KSEV AM 700 this past Sunday afternoon.  Don's show is informative and entertaining.  He makes a live phone call to the real estate agent at their open house, giving them the opportunity to tell the audience just what the home has to offer.  Don guides the conversation and keeps things rolling along smoothly.  When it was time for my call, I was a bit nervous.  However, once we … (5 comments)

your texas connection: Atascocita Events - Walden on Lake Houston Wine Tasting / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 05/10/11 05:17 AM
Interesting in Wine Tasting?  Join The Grapestompers at Walden on Lake Houston! Tonight, May 10, is their monthly May wine tasting at 6:30 PM.  Here is the plan for the evening! Mix & Mingle starts at 6:30 PMTempura Fried Chicken & Watermelon GastricARGYLE SPARKLING BRUT1st TasteTomato Carpaccio topped with a Cucumber Spaghetti, Calamari SaladA TO Z CHARDONNAY2nd TasteSmoked Pulled Pork & Pineapple Salsa atop a Grilled Corn TortillaA TO Z PINOT NOIR3rd TastePinot Noir & Rosemary Soaked Beef Tenderloin & Blue Cheese Potato FritterWILLAKENZIE ESTATE PINOT NOIRDessertSouthern Sweet Tea Ice Cream in a Cream Puff & White Peach CoulisA HOUSE INFUSED STRAWBERRY … (4 comments)

your texas connection: Lake Houston Area Weekend Calendar - April 29 & 30 / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 04/26/11 10:27 AM
LAKE HOUSTON AREA WEEKEND CALENDAR Friday April 29, 2011 HUMBLE ROTARY SPAGHETTI DINNER   The Rotarians of Humble have served their Spaghetti dinner for over 40 years!  This event will take place ON Friday, April 29, at the Humble Civic Center from 5-8 PM  Tickets are $6 per person, children under 6 are free.  Live entertainment by Jaime Casco and Carl Progue.  Silent & Live Auctions.  Face painting & Moonwalk for the kids.  HUMBLE POLICE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CRAWFISH FESTIVAL  The Humble Police Association will be serving up delicious crawfish on Friday, April 29, at the Humble Civic Arena.  All proceeds go to … (6 comments)

your texas connection: Atascocita Alzheimer's Care - Autumn Grove Cottage in Eagle Springs / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 04/26/11 06:26 AM
We have a unique Alzheimer's Care facility nearby in Eagle Springs.  Autumn Grove Cottage is tucked away in the community and offers specialized Alzheimer's care for its residents.  Here is a list of benefits and services offered: 16 Private Rooms that can be completely furnished High direct caregiver to resident ratio Assistance with all activites of daily living Medication management by an RN Incontinence management Rehabilitation, home health and hospice services available through licensed agencies RN available 24 hours a day Memory centered activites planned to promote socialization Physicians follow patients maintaining continuity of care Secured access to beautiful porch and … (0 comments)

your texas connection: Whatever it takes to Sell my House! / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 04/20/11 05:42 AM
The first statement sellers seem to make is, "I will do whatever it takes to sell my house."  And although I'd like to take that statement at face value, it doesn't always translate to reality.  After I've toured the home, gotten my value together & sit down for the listing conversation, it goes something like this:

    Me:  Here is the value of your home based on sales comparisons in your community.  
Seller:  I know what you're saying but my home is the best home in the community, so its value is way more than everyone else.  Plus I … (5 comments)

your texas connection: Improve your Golf Game at Walden on Lake Houston / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 04/19/11 09:03 AM
Everyone who plays golf has something to work on to improve their game.  Maybe it's their short game, chipping around the green can be a real challenge.  Maybe it's the approach shot, getting it to land just where they envision it.  Or maybe it's the drive.  A long, straight shot is certainly something to work for.  The best way to knock a few shots off your game is to practice.  Consistent playing helps everyone get better.  And what better way to hit those links more often than live in a golf course community - on the course itself!?  You can get … (0 comments)

your texas connection: Atascocita Dining: Poppy's Tea Room in Huffman / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 04/18/11 05:02 AM
Poppy's Tea Room is a delightful new addition to our dining choices in the area.  Located across the bridge in Huffman, you'll find Poppy's is just what a tea room should be!  We walked in the door to be greeted by the owner, Kathye Sargent.  She showed us around the tea room and explained we could select where we'd like to enjoy our lunch.  There were cozy rooms, like the library, set up for two with wing-back chairs and privacy or the Texas room that was open, airy and done up in our state flag.  We selected a table for two in … (2 comments)

your texas connection: Kingwood Events: Keller Williams Concert Series / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 04/13/11 05:45 AM
Keller Williams Concert Series at Kings Harbor brings back Yelba's Variety Band this Friday, April 15, 2011.  For anyone lucky enough to have seen Yelba the first time, I'm sure you'll be back for more.  Yelba is energetic and so entertaining!  She is versatile.  One minute a love ballad - the next a disco tune.  In fact, Yelba's Variety Band was nominated in the 2010 Houston Press Music Awards as "Best Latin Band Traditional."


The concert's band sponsor is Thomas Markle Jewelers.  They will be providing tips on jewelry spring cleaning.  And the featured charity is the Lake … (0 comments)

your texas connection: Barrington Kingwood welcomes Toll Brothers / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 03/30/11 10:10 AM
A new builder is coming to Barrington in Kingwood.  Toll Brothers, a Pennsylvania-based luxury home builder is slated to build out approximately 60 lots on the 200 acres on the south side of the development.  The plans are for single-family & patio homes, from 2700 to 4500 square feet, priced at the high 300's to the 500's.  They'll include 3-car garages in most plans, with rear staircases offered in some plans.  Ground-breaking should begin for a model home, as well as two spec homes, early in May 2011.  Barrington is a private, gated community in Kingwood.  They offer a Manor House with over … (2 comments)

your texas connection: Wordless Wednesday - Cookie Anyone? / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 03/30/11 06:04 AM
Wordless Wednesday brings us a photo of a client's kitty.  This particular kitty is Cookie and she truly lives up to her sweet name.  She is a wonderful representative for the feline population.  In fact, I had another client tell me that she usually didn't care so much about cats until she met Cookie.  Then with Cookie's welcoming manner of nose kisses and leg rubs, another person was converted! 

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! … (5 comments)

your texas connection: Houston Restaurant Review - Haven / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 03/21/11 06:17 AM
I checked out a restaurant over the weekend - Haven.  Located in the Kirby-59 area, this lovely restaurant offers a Saturday brunch menu from 12 to 3 with a Farmers "After Market" in the parking lot from 1 to 3.  Upon arrival, we were given a choice of dining inside or out on the patio.  We chose the patio since the window for dining outside in Houston Texas is a small one!
The menu offered a great selection, from yogurt & granola to eggs, salad or sandwiches.  My selection was a dish with cheese grits & eggs, a little kale & … (6 comments)

your texas connection: Walden on Lake Houston Offers Summer Camp! / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty NE - 03/14/11 03:39 AM
It's never too early to book Summer Camp at Walden on Lake Houston.  The summer break from school is just around the corner.  And you know it takes about 2 days after school ends (maybe less) to hear those lovely words, "I'm bored."  Because the kids have done everything possible that could be or would be fun in that short time.  And you'll be stuck with the "I'm bored," for about 10 weeks - UNLESS - you make some plans now.  Call Walden on Lake Houston and book that Summer Camp today!!
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
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your texas connection: Houston Activities - Children's Museum of Houston / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty - 02/09/11 08:00 AM
According to Parents Magazine, our own Children's Museum of Houston is ranked #1!  The level of interaction & entertainment for children is astounding.  In fact, Tammie Kahn, CMH executive director says, "Every day we offer new mind-blowing, family-engaging ways to learn more about this exciting, ever-changing world, and we do it in ways that will bring a smile to your face-guaranteed!  It’s all about engaging our children in development of 21st Century skills in ways that encourage them to be confident learners and leaders in the years ahead. And helping parents get the support they need to nurture the potential in … (4 comments)

your texas connection: Lake Houston Area Home & Garden Show / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty - 02/07/11 07:26 AM
Lake Houston Area Home & Garden Show!  Even though we may have our coldest weather in evidence right now, there is an event just around the corner to look forward to - the first annual Lake Houston Area Home & Garden Show!The event is slated for February 19 & 20, 2011 at the Humble Civic Center.  Tickets are $8 for Adults, $6 for Seniors & Military and Children under 16 are free.  You can also sign up for a newsletter & receive a $2 discount coupon on the offical website. The list of exhibitors includes:  The Gold Exchange, Vista Contractors, Warren's Southern Gardens, River … (6 comments)

your texas connection: Houston Housing's Silver Lining / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty - 02/07/11 02:00 AM
On the Harris County Appraisal District website, there is a lot of information about housing trends.  I found an interesting list about the Houston Housing Market called The Silver Lining, which I thought I'd share with you.   The Silver Lining• Houston’s December pricing continued its upswing while sales volume sustained the smallest reduction since June expiration of tax credit• On a year-to-date basis, home sales are off only 5.7 percent from 2009 levels• Positive sales activity was experienced in three of the five pricing segments, including,        – For the first time since May, the $150K to $250K market        … (2 comments)

your texas connection: Disposing of an old PC / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty - 02/02/11 08:47 AM
Ever wondered what to do with your old PC that needs to be tossed out?  I have wondered about this disposal issue & since I didn't have an answer, I have a couple in my closet just taking up space.  I ran across an article recently in the Houston Chronicle by Monica Russo of the Better Business Bureau.  And here is the gist of the article, as well as the answer to our question. Tossing the computer into the trash isn't good.  The cadmium, lead & mercury that could be lurking in that trashed computer are toxic materials in our landfills. … (4 comments)