Friendswood Development News

Friendswood Development Company ‘s ongoing support of Houston’s Ronald McDonald House recently included an annual carnival held at the facility for residents, who include children undergoing treatment for cancer and other life threatening illnesses  and their siblings.

The fun-filled afternoon was well deserved for the families residing at Houston’s Ronald McDonald House, who had the opportunity to enjoy a variety of fun activities offered participants of all ages the chance to just act like kids.

From indoor bowling, popcorn and cotton candy machines to soccer, water balloon throwing and a duck pond game, carnival participants enjoyed events inside and out.

A number of associates from Friendswood Development Company spent the afternoon serving lunch, setting up and playing a number of games and handing out goodie bags and treats.

For nearly four years, the associates of Friendswood Development Company have been honored to donate their time, talents and hearts to a group of very special children and their families who are confronting what is often one of the most difficult challenges they will face in their lifetimes.

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With everyone scrambling to re-establish their financial security amidst the recent recession, many of the conventional wisdoms our parents have followed are changing, according to the experts. Here’s a look at the 2010 version of a few previously followed assumptions regarding our financial safety nets.

Remember when your father told you to keep three months’ worth of living expenses in an easily accessible emergency savings account? Well, here’s the expert take on the new rule: stash at least six months’ worth! With the increased chance of job loss, extended average lengths of unemployment, and the disappearing availability of credit, it is becoming essential that you keep more cash in a separate FDIC-insured savings account.

The days of calling your credit-card company and negotiating a lower interest rate to help lower payments is over. In fact, avoid picking up the phone to call them for any reason! The big reason here is that credit card companies are taking this “customer initiated call” to review your credit worthiness and in many cases will actually raise your interest rate or reduce your credit limit. "So if you still want to make that call, review your credit report [www.freecreditreport.com] thoroughly to catch anything they might find," says Maureen P. Kelly, a certified financial planner. “If there are potential issues, like late or missed payments, or if your credit score is lower than the last time you checked it, ask yourself if a lower rate is worth the possibility of a lower credit line.”

Just because your current mortgage balance is greater than the value of your property, don’t rule out refinancing. Then new rule of thumb is to go ahead with a refinance if the amount owed doesn’t exceed 5% of the home’s market value. Since the government recently put into place the Making Home Affordable program, aimed at helping Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac homeowners with declining property values.

The moral of this story? Financial stability has a new meaning for many Americans, but with little tweaking of the old rules and the invention of a few new ones, homeowners can regain their footing and financial security in no time!

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The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center <http://profiles.portfolio.com/company/us/tx/houston/the_university_of_texas_m_d__anderson_cancer_center/885353/>  was also ranked No. 6 for ear, nose and throat and No. 10 for urology. It also ranked No. 11 in gynecology and No. 19 in gastroenterology. M.D. Anderson's ranking in diabetes and endocrinology jumped to number 21 this year, up from 41 last year and unranked the year before.

Other area hospitals earning spots in the Top 10 included:
 
• Memorial Hermann-The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research - No. 5 in rehabilitation.
 
• Menninger Clinic  - No. 5 in psychiatry
 
• St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital’s Texas Heart Institute  - No. 4 for heart and heart surgery.

The Methodist Hospital -  ranked in twice as many specialties as any other hospital in Texas, according to the list.

Methodist was among the country’s top hospitals in 13 specialties although it wasn’t ranked in the Top 10 for any of them: Ophthalmology (12), ear, nose, throat (17), urology (18), gastroenterology (20), geriatrics (20), kidney (24), neurology/neurosurgery (25), orthopedics (26), pulmonary (27), gynecology (36), heart/heart surgery (42), diabetes/endocrinology (44) and cancer (45). Last year, the system earned a spot on the “Best Hospitals” Honor Roll.

Outside of the top 10, the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System also ranked in several specialties: No. 30 in kidney disease; No. 38 in gynecology; No. 46 in heart and heart Surgery; No. 48 in urology.

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On July 2, 2010, President Obama signed the National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2010, H.R. 5569, which Congress passed on June 30, 2010. This now extends the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through September 30, 2010, and is retroactive to cover the lapse period from June 1, 2010, to the date of enactment of the extension. 

The passage of this extension is an especially welcomed relief to Southern US residents entering hurricane season and already drenched in heavy tropical rains.

According to FEMA, the passage of the National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2010 (H.R. 5569), reauthorizes extension NFIP until September 30, allowing currently stalled transactions, including existing policy renewals and new coverage purchases, to move forward. The bill is retroactive and covers the lapsed period from June 1, 2010, to the date of enactment of the extension. Any new policy applications or renewals that were signed and submitted during the lapsed period will be effective from the date of application. In the case of waiting periods, the waiting period will start from the date of application.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which works closely with nearly 90 private insurance companies, such as Nationwide, State Farm and Farmers, to offer flood insurance to property owners and renters. Rates are set and do not differ from company to company or agent to agent and depend on many factors, which include the date and type of construction of your home, along with your building’s level of risk.

All processing functionality has been restored to agents and applications and other requests submitted during the hiatus will now be processed. Newly submitted New Business, Endorsement requests, and Renewals will be processed upon receipt. 

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This weekend, July 17 & 18, 2010,  Lennar and Village Builders are keeping America moving with the 48-Hour Summer Blowout sales event!

This Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm, Lennar and Village Builders nationwide will be hosting one of their biggest home sales events ever. Savings even bigger than the homebuyer tax credit!

The homebuilders are providing 48 hours of spectacular savings with $4,000 towards closing costs, 4 free upgrades and 4% (4.59% APR) fixed for life though Universal American Mortgage Company at Lennar and Village Builders communities throughout the Houston area. Plus, arrive early for the opportunity to take advantage of the limited sale homes available. With more than 60 communities throughout the Houston area, Lennar and Village Builders have homes for first time and move-up buyers that offer the most desired features and upgrades.  Their commitment to superior design and construction is equaled only by their pledge to homebuyers for complete satisfaction before, during and long after move in.

Lennar is one of the nation’s leading homebuilders with more than 55 years of experience building homes and communities all across the country.  Village Builders, part of the Lennar Family of Builders, has enjoyed the distinction of being Houston’s luxury builder for more than 3 decades. The Village Builders brand is synonymous with excellence and is founded on a tradition of quality craftsmanship and innovative design. Recently, Village Builders was awarded the 2009 Highest Ranking for Customer Satisfaction (in a tie) in the Houston area by leading global marketing information services company, J.D. Power and Associates.

For more information on Lennar and Village Builders Communities visit Lennar.com or call (866) 203-6386.

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Three Friendswood Development Company communities are among the newest to host open house weekends, when visitors can tour new and resale homes.

Lakes of Savannah, located just two miles from SH 288 in the Pearland area, Lakemont, located Westpark Tollway and Mason Road; and West Ranch located in the City of Friendswood - will all showcase a variety of new homes ready for move-in, decorated models and resale homes open with Realtors on site to answer questions.

The event, which began in Fairfield and has continued for years, is popular among residents and home shoppers because it gives them the opportunity to see the wide variety of homes available, talk to Realtors and new home sales professionals, and often talk to residents and find out why they are making these Friendswood Development Co. communities their home.

The open house event will take place on Saturday July 10 and Sunday July 11. New homes are open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. Resale homes are open from 1- p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday. Each community will have maps and information on all available homes and directions to new home sales offices.

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The Texas Veterans Loan Programs was originally formed by Sam Houston and the Texas Republic to reward veterans land in return for their military service. Although Texas no longer gives land away to veterans, there are many housing opportunities including low interest loans for everything from land purchase to home improvements.

According to the program's website, here is a list of some of the guidelines to help you determine eligibility for the Texas Veterans Loan Program:

• Served no fewer than 90 continuous days on active duty (including active duty for training) in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard or United States Public Health Service (unless discharged sooner by reason of a service-connected disability), or a reserve component of one of the listed branches of service, or have enlisted or received an appointment in the Texas National Guard after completing all initial active duty training requirements as a condition of enlistment or appointment, or have completed 20 years in a reserve component so as to be eligible for retirement as a condition of enlistment or appointment, or, if currently an active duty member of a listed service or a full-time reservist, have completed the initial service obligation; 
• Served after Sept. 16, 1940 (for Texas veterans who entered the armed services before Jan. 1, 1977, and who have been discharged from active duty less than 30 years, certain interest-rate incentives may be available for housing or home improvement loans); 
• Been honorably discharged; 
• Been a bona fide resident of Texas at the time of entry into the military or must have resided in Texas for at least two consecutive years immediately prior to filing an application; applicant must be a bona fide Texas resident at the time the application is made (a bona fide resident is someone who is living in Texas with the intent to remain in Texas). Presence in Texas due to military service alone does not establish bona fide residency); and 
• Have successfully repaid any previous TVLB loan within the same loan program. A loan is considered repaid when the account has been paid in full by the original veteran purchaser or last approved assignee. Any active TVLB loans in programs other than the one for which application is being made must be in good standing.

No matter what branch of service you are a part of - Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, or National Guard - it’s a good time to consider taking advantage of these programs and low interest rates! For more information, contact the Texas Veterans Land Board at 800-252-VETS or visit their Web site www.glo.state.tx.us/vlb/vhip/index.html or ask your Realtor about the free public information seminars that are conducted in your area.

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According to the preliminary TAKS test results released earlier this month, Alvin ISD students performed well on their tests, which were given earlier this year. Although results are still unofficial, overall test scores indicate that Alvin ISD may be closer than ever to receiving the coveted Exemplary rating!

The final results will be determined by factors including individual campus scores and their completion rate. If ASID predictions are accurate, the school district will have more Exemplary rated campuses than ever before in a given school year.

“Alvin ISD is extremely pleased with the efforts and hard work of our students, teachers, support staff, board and community members,” said Brent Shaw, Director of Accountability and Testing for Alvin ISD.

“This is great news and is what we expected because it has been our goal to reach Exemplary status again,” said Tommy King, Interim Superintendent. “The students and teachers are working in the classrooms, the Board and support staff working in the background, and parents working with students at home are what make this happen. I am so proud of everyone,” he said.

Way to go Alvin ISD students! An especially big THANKS goes out to all the hard-working teachers and staff who are excelling at educating Lakes of Savannah children.

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It's not so easy to stay cool in the midst of a boiling Texas summer, and if May's record breaking high temperatures are any indication, staying cool without breaking the bank will require a little improvising for many families.

Ceiling fans, according to a Home Depot fan expert, “produce a 'wind chill' effect, allowing you to feel cooler regardless of the temperature. They're also efficient, consuming less energy on average than a 100-watt light bulb.”

Fans are not just useful in the summer! While it’s warm outside, you'll want to set your fan in "down-draft" mode, with the blades running counterclockwise, to circulate cooler air. But when the weather turns cold, just flip the switch and reverse the motor so the blades can run clockwise. This forces the warm air down. The directional switch is usually located on top of the motor housing, so you will need a ladder. Plan to pick up a few fans at the local home supply store and ask about home installation services!

Fact: According to the US Department of Energy, “Ceiling fan/light combination units that have earned the ENERGY STAR are about 50% more efficient than conventional fan/light units. This can save you more than $15 per year on utility bills.”

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Toll Brothers will soon offer its innovative designs in West Ranch. This nationally known builder will feature a variety of one- and two-story home designs in Creekside starting in the high $300,000s.

For more than 40 years, Toll Brothers has been building luxury designs in prime locations throughout the country, and West Ranch is the company’s newest Houston location.

Toll Brothers has been honored with some of the housing industry’s most coveted awards including America’s Best Builder, National Builder of the Year and the National Housing Quality Award.

A Fortune 1000 company, Toll Brothers, Inc. is the successor to three generations of home builders and is a publicly owned company.
A sales office is planned to open this summer in West Ranch. For more information, call 281-992-2770 or visit www.tollbrothers.com.

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