I was out this morning with a new client referred to me by an old friend.  This is my favorite way to receive a new client.  Friends referring friends.  Terrific.  Anyway, this is a young man looking for a home just for himself and a future dog.  That's how he put it.  So, I set him up on my system of notifying him of new properties that fit his criteria so he doesn't have to waste his time looking at the jillions of listings in the SW Texas area of Harris County, Houston, Cypress, Tomball or Spring.  It is a real time saver and I think is a great service to my clients and friends.  I'm glad I have the chance to do it for them.  But, back to the story.  He selected 4 homes for us to look at and off we went this morning on a quest for that "perfect" home. 

The first home needed updating but has a decent price on it and additional acreage that could be purchased at the same time.  This went to the top of the list.

The second home was on smaller acreage but was updated nicely and even though all bedrooms were upstairs...not his first preference...he really enjoyed the house and it "felt" like a good house.  Good vibes.  This went to the top of the list.

The third home was a complete surprise.  Victorian style with blue exterior siding.  Adorable.  But, how was a man going to take to this style?  He loved it because the inside was even better!  Beautifully updated, well maintained plus surprises behind every door.  Great house in a perfect location for his work.  This went to the top of the list.

The fourth home was more of a country feel.  Good condition but definitely not the same feel to the area or the home for this man.   We didn't stay long.  This went to the trash can.

So now we have 3 homes he likes and must consider the pros and cons about.  I told him to drive by this evening to check on traffic, parking and get another look at the outside. 

The purpose of this story is just to express how blessed we are here in the Houston area.  We can offer services and perks to our clients that make other parts of the country drool over.  The Realtors in our Century 21 office are constantly trying to improve themselves and their services to their clients.  We are encouraged by our Board to become more educated, to work ethically and to be professional at all times.  It's a win-win for us and our clients.  I'm proud to be part of a great office with such fine Realtors.

Now, which house will my client choose?  Who knows?  It's his decision.  He may find some other properties he'll want to see before he makes a final decision.  That's ok.  He's learning what he likes and what he doesn't like and that only happens when you actually step foot onto the property.  Pictures and virtual tours are great tools but nothing is better than really seeing the property.  He'll make a good decision based on good information.  My job is to give him that information.

Have a great day.  Gayle

 

 

I love music.  I am told that I when I was a crying, fussy infant, the only way my Mom could get me quiet was to comfort me with Otis Redding tunes.  Particularly, the song "I Love You More Than Words Can Say" From there I went on to Aretha Franklin, Phil Collins and Genesis, Prince and Pat Benatar, Nirvana and Queens of the Stone Age. Before I thought about anybody wanting to listen to me sing, I just knew that I had to sing.  I really didn't join and start bands and go through all the headaches and set backs of trying to create music on the Houston scene thru the years because I wanted to.  I did it because I had to.  I did it, because to not do it, wasn't an option.  It wouldn't have been me.  I don't care about "making it big" or selling 10 million records.  I am happy that I am blessed enough to have the opportunity to play.  I care about the fact that one of my songs may help someone one day know that they are not alone.  The name of my band is Playing with Stars (www.myspace.com/playingwithstarsband)

Kathy Crumpler

I have always been an admirer of quilts.  They remind me of family and warmth.  I have an old quilt (1930's) made by my mother and grandmother.  It was machine pieced and hand quilted.  It was a much used quilt--I remember using it as a child.  Unfortunately it is not in good enough shape to repair.  I have often thought of making one like it, but have not taken the time to learn quilting.  My interest in quilts was recently renewed with a visit from my husband's aunt who came to Houston for the International Quilt Festival.  She spent the week in classes, visiting the vendors and admiring the vast array of quilts.  I met her at the show on the last day of the festival and was captivated by the variety.  Quilts that were traditional, original, large, small and most of all the display of quilts from the Daughters of the American Revolution.  It was very inspiring.  I have begun a small project and had to spend a bit of time figuring out what it was the instrutions were asking me to do.  I am now considering looking for a place to take classes in the Cypress area.  I look forward to being adept at this art form and carrying on tthe appreciation and the love of quilts to the next generation.

Having lived in cypress Texas for 30 plus years I have seen some incredible changes.I used to work downtown and it was a twenty minute drive to and from work.Thank goodness I don't have to drive it now but it is about an hour and a half . At that time there was no freeway ,only old Hwy 290..When I turned on Huffmeister it was a two lane country road.with nothing but cows  and  pastures. .Down Hwy 6  a little way from 290 was Wolf Corner were the ranchers would kill wolfs and leave the them hanging on the fence. The only family living on Huffmeister at that time was the Weiser's The Weiser home is still there across from Weiser Airport.  Around 1978 I met and became friends with Jerry Huffmeister. He has since passed on ,but when i think of him it always brings a smile to my face.but these stories are for another time..There was a community in the Cypress area in 1836 when Gen Sam Houston camped out on the banks of Cypress Creek around the Hufmeister area.This was April the 17th and he was on the way down to do a little toe dance with General Santa Anna. Gen Sam was known as the Raven hence the name for one of the subdivisions Ravensway.

I voted in this election...did you?  I've had a running argument with some people that we're in the mess we're in because the average "Joe the Plumber" stayed home on election day and didn't take the time to exercise their right to vote in this great land of ours.  Because of that...we have a government that caters to the most extremes of all persuasions out there!   So...get off your fanny and get to the polls and VOTE! 

 I think that if McCain or Obama were to say you cannot vote....wow, that would stir up some excitement out there!  Well, just pretend that they all said that and see how that makes you feel.   We have to take control of our country and the standards that made her strong.  Too many on the far extremes...right and left....want to mold the USA into something that she was never designed to be.  But, it takes a population that cares.  Do you care?  Then, get up and go VOTE NOW!!!   There is still time.  Do it.

We moved out to the Cypress area in 1977 when we found our dream home nestled into a quiet cul-de-sac off of a quiet country road named Huffmeister.  We had actually gotten lost and ended up in this country area that was miles and miles from civilization as we knew it.  We turned down that street and saw this  little tudor style house painted in  ugly army green trim.  Trees everywhere. Weeds everywhere.  Wild animals everywhere!  We were in heaven!

We bought the house and moved our girls into it and began a 31 year love affair with the Cypress area.  We had to drive 7 miles to find a grocery store on the corner of Jones and 1960.  There was a little drive-in called Huffmeisters (imagine that) where we could get some essentials and there was Juergen's where we could get a great cut of meat or mosey to the back room and have a beer.

We had moved from the Memorial area and were sick and tired of the traffic, crime and noise.  Cypress was indeed a big change from the rat race we were accustomed to.  The girls loved it and grew to be true Cypress homesteaders.  They learned to ride horses, help birth puppies and kittens and what it truly takes to care for  the horses they were learning to ride.  That was also when they learned that horses were not their cup of tea!  You mean someone has to clean that stuff up??  LOL  THAT was an experience.  But, we loved it all.

As Cypress has grown we have watched areas like Ravensway maintain a style and grace that only comes with age.  We've watched Longwood develop and become one of the beautiful additions to Cypress and attract some of our fine residents who appreciate the mature trees and the reverence for nature.  Coles Crossing has been a more recent development and they too have maintained a lot of the older hardwoods and pines that make Cypress the beautiful Northwest gem that it is. 

Now we have Bridgestone, Stonegate, Riata Ranch, Towne Lake, Cypress Mill and Cypress Mill Park, all of the Copperfield extensions...all kinds of waterfront properties, small ranches, golf courses and so much more.  But...the one thing they all have in common?  They all want to be identified as being in the Cypress area.  It's just a little thing and I can't explain it; but, we all seem to want to be a part of something more intimate than a huge sprawling metropolis.  So, we're in Cypress.  It's a nice  place to be.  Ask me anytime where I live and I'll proudly tell you....Cypress, TX

Houston Association of Realtor released the latest stats and it is very much an anomaly. Sales have slowed but home prices have climbed. This tells me that we have a shortage of homes and the present owners are not going to sell at current prices. With new home sales not as much a factor as in the past I think we will see greater appreciation of home prices. The foreclosure market is still a factor but there are buyers for these homes as soon as they come on the market.

The Market Looks good in Houston

We have been very lucky our De Fever 44 has survived hurricane Ike and came through with minium damage.Our friends the De Groots have a sister yacht , a De Fever 44+5 but it was picked up and put in our parking lot. I think with some work she is going to be better than new. Both boats are  berthed at Lakewood Yacht Club ( Near Houston)    A.J.Ross