SHOWS LIKE A MODEL

We know you have so many choices right now but you owe it to yourself to see this gorgeous yet practical home before the tax deadline arrives. Extremely convenient location near Hwy 290, Hwy 6, West Rd with schools, shopping, medical facilities just down the road. 4 BR-2.5 BA apprx. 2728 SF. Fresh paint in many rooms and great floors mean you can move right on in and unpack. Lots of storage, whirlpool tub, high ceilings, huge gameroom, elegant staircase, island kitchen, abundant counterspace, plus more. Also for rent.  FREE RECORDED INFO CALL 1-888-266-0724 CODE # 2620 Click here to see the photos.

Convenient cul de sac location

Charming single story brick 4 BR Perry home on cul de sac in Waterside Village. Custom cabinets; ceramic tile in den and kitchen; pantry; island; sep tub/shower/2 sinks in master bath. Formal dining room.  Convenient location: Grand Pkwy-Westpark Toll; Pecan Grove C/Club just minutes away! FREE RECORDED INFO CALL 1-888-266-0724 CODE # 2536 Click here to see the photos.

Classy Condo in Sugar Land

Located in the heart of thriving Sugar Land, just ½ mile from Sugar Land Town Square and First Colony Mall, this 2 BR–2 BA condo has a panoramic view of lake fountains. No neighbors above or to one side. Updated unit includes granite, w/d unit, refrigerator. Loft up/screened patio down. FREE RECORDED INFO CALL 1-888-266-0724 CODE # 2269 Click here to see the photos.

Deerfield Village Cul de sac

Located on a cul de sac in desirable Deerfield Village, framed by stately trees. Centrally located to I-10, Hwy 6, Hwy 529, Hwy 290 with a short drive to the Energy Corridor. This 4 BR, 3½ bath home has a gameroom upstairs. Recent updates: roof ’03, furnace ’04, a/c up ’07, ext paint ’05, hot water heater ’08 plus more. Check out the sizes of all the rooms, especially the bedrooms and the yard. Come see it yourself to appreciate this home’s beauty. FREE RECORDED INFO CALL 1-888-266-0724 CODE # 2129. Click here to see the photos.

Top 10 Cities

by David Rozier

I saw a new study today on Forbes.com that ranked the top 10 cities in the US for buying homes. Of course I was looking to see where Houston ranked in the list. Since it focused on things like market stability, foreclosure rates and inventory to determine the list, I wondered how we fit in. I suppose there are two ways to look at a housing market. One would be “can I get a home for a steal because the foreclosure rate is so high”. You know, sort of a bottom feeding mentality. The other would be “is there a fundamentally sound home buying market, and are there good opportunities to purchase affordably priced homes”. The Forbes study focused on the latter as a basis to determine their list. In this type of analysis Houston ranked number 3. Dallas/Ft. Worth and Austin were also on the list at number 9 and 10 respectively. That’s not bad, if you ask me, particularly since I live in Houston and I own a home. We know that homes are more affordable than they have been in decades thanks to low home prices and bottom-of-the-barrel scrapping interest rates. In fact according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) the payment on the median home is only 15% of median home buyer’s income as of the end of 2009. I don’t think it has ever been that low. If you combine that with the soon-expiring tax credits for home buyers then it’s probably never been a better time to buy a home. And according to Forbes.com, Houston is the 3rd best city in the US in which to buy that home.


But nothing lasts forever. Part of the reason Forbes.com ranked these cities as good places to buy homes is because of rising home prices. After all, who wants to buy a home that is going to decrease in value? Combine that with the expectation of rising interest rates and the best opportunities to own a home may soon be coming to an end. There is a saying among real estate investors that you “make your money when you buy.” Now might be the best time in our lifetimes to do that as homeowner. Most people wait for the bottom of the market to buy and miss the opportunity because unfortunately the bottom is almost always viewed in the rearview mirror.

(Photo of the Houston skyline during the Power of Houston event from the City of Houston Website).

MAGNIFICENT MEDITERRANEAN STUCCO

We just RELISTED a relocation home WITH SIGNIFICANT PRICE REDUCTION!! Custom home; backyard tropical paradise. Epicurean kitchen opens into den and breakfast room with full view of pool. Palatial master bath features corner whirlpool tub graced by stately columns. Abundance of travertine floors. 2nd BR down has full bath, walk in closet, 4 additional BRs up, with 2 hollywood baths between. Separate garages (one double, one single). Two formals, butler’s pantry, gameroom, plus more.  Free Recorded info call 1-888-266-0724 CODE 2491 Click here to see the photos

Homestead Exemptions

By Barbara Rozier

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION NOTICES:  Everyone should have received their postcard from Harris County verifying their homestead exemption for 2010.  If you did NOT get your card yet you might want to go to their website (www.hcad.org) to look up your account and confirm that your exemption is in place. Don't pay more taxes than you have to.  If you don't know what I am talking about give me a call at 281-395-0680 and I will help.  Don't pay an outside company to file this for you when you can do it yourself for FREE. 

2010 Census Tips for the Public

The Better Business Bureau recommends the following ways to protect yourself as the census workers begin to make their rounds. Be sure you read the following so you can identify a real census worker and not a con-artist or thief attempting to get other personal information for you.

 How to Identify a Census Field Representative

If a U.S. Census Bureau employee knocks on your door, here are some recognition tips to assure the validity of the field representative:

1. The field representative must present an ID badge that contains: photograph of the field representative, Department of Commerce watermark, and expiration date.

2. The field representative will provide you with supervisor contact information and/or the Regional Office phone number for verification, if asked.

3. The field representative will provide you with a letter from the Census Bureau Director on official letterhead.

4. The field representative may be carrying a laptop and/or bag with a Census Bureau logo.

 
 

What the 2010 Census DOES NOT Ask

Field representatives will never ask you for your social security number, bank account number, or credit card number. Census workers also never solicit for donations and will never contact you by email.

 

The Census is Safe

1. The 2010 Census will ask for name, gender, age, race, ethnicity, relationship, and whether you own or rent your home – just 10 simple questions that will take about 10 minutes to answer.

2. Your answers are protected by law and are not shared with anyone.

3. The Census Bureau safeguards all census responses to the highest security standards available.

Don’t Believe The Negative Hype – It’s a Great Time to Buy

• Do I qualify for the $8000 tax credit or the $6500 expanded credit?
  
• Why is the home buying process taking so much longer than before?
  
• Are foreclosures or short sales a good deal?
  
• How the loan application and approval processes work?
  
• Why use a REALTOR® to purchase a new home or "for sale by owner" home
  
• Can I get a loan now with all the "mortgage" turmoil?
  
• The benefits of home ownership.
  
• Why a home inspection is important.
  
• Need to sell first?  We can help you determine how much money you will clear to avoid surprises at closing.
  

 

1-3 pm on Saturday, January 9^th at Keller Williams Realty, 22762 Westheimer Pkwy, Ste 430; Katy TX  77450.   Limited seating to provide opportunity for your questions.  Call Barbara at 281-395-0680 to reserve your seat.

 

Taking Care of Your Floors

With the Holidays drawing to an end, many of us have had dinner guests, party guests and house guests. We will take down the decorations, and maybe discover that our floors are no better for the wear. We asked Howard Partridge, owner of CLEAN AS A WHISTLE , for some advice.

Here is his contribution:

When it comes to maintaining your carpet, one of the most critical areas of focus is the traffic areas. If ground in soil is not removed on a regular basis, the traffic areas will begin to wear excessively. The dirt is extremely abrasive against the fibers of the carpet as you walk back and forth on it. The second area of focus, of course, is spot removal. You must react to “danger” spots immediately. Red wine, red beverages, urine, blood, etc. can cause a permanent stain if not treated immediately. Listed below are the steps that you must take to properly maintain your carpeting.

Vacuuming

Vacuum your carpet often, once or twice a week at least. Vacuuming removes the sharp soil that can cut and slice the fiber causing premature wear. Much of this soil is not visible to the eye. Vacuum before the carpet looks soiled. Remove any loose particles such as loose food, leaves, pieces of crayon, bugs, etc. as these items can cause a spot on the carpet.

Professional Cleaning

As a general rule, professional cleaning by a professional, certified firm should take place about once per year. For extremely heavy traffic areas, cleaning may be required more often. Proper professional cleaning will not leave a sticky residue behind and can be done as many times per year as needed. MANY STAIN RESIST WARRANTIES REQUIRE PROFESSIONAL CLEANING EVERY 2 YEARS. Professional cleaning removes the damaging soil from the traffic areas that vacuuming has not been able to remove. WARNING: UNINFORMED CARPET CLEANERS MAY VOID YOUR WARRANTY, BE VERY SELECTIVE WHICH COMPANY YOU HIRE.

Spot Removal and cleaning

Immediate spot removal is key to a clean carpet. Great care also must be taken in how spot cleaning is performed. When a carpet is new, or has sufficient protector on it, plain tap water will remove many spots. However for those spots that will not move easily with water, you must use a spot cleaner. Select a spot cleaner that is recommended by the carpet manufacturer or your trained, certified professional cleaner. Most spot removers that are purchased over the counter leave too much soap residue and can cause yellowing. Avoid using foam carpet cleaners or any product that is not made specifically for carpet.

Apply spot cleaner sparingly to white terry cloth and gently massage the spot causing it to transfer into the cloth. Never pour spot cleaner directly on carpet. If the product that you are using seems to cause the spot to re-soil after a few weeks, discontinue use. Any spot that you are not able to remove, and for pet urine or feces, call your professional cleaner immediately.

Protective Coatings

Most residential carpets are treated with stain resist properties and soil resistors known as Dupont Teflon or 3M Scotchgard. After a period of 2 to 3 years, some of the soil-resistor wears off. At that point you should consider having a professional carpet cleaner re-apply the treatment after professional cleaning. The soil resistor will help the soil slide off of the carpet easier when vacuuming, spots will be easier to remove, and professional cleaning will be more effective.

For more info go to www.cleanasawhistlehouston.com

The RozierTeam would like to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May God bring peace and prosperity to you in the coming year.

The RozierTeam are Realtors® with Keller Williams Realty in Katy