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Posted on May 25, 2010 | Tagged in: model homes
Visitors to Royal Shores of Kingwood can tour one of the newest decorated models and designs by Highland Homes.
The stunning two-story design is also one of the newest plans unveiled by Highland Homes in the Houston market. Plan 678 is a two-story home with more than 4,400 square feet. Highland Homes is showcasing some of the many options offered in this plan which include a media room, upstairs wet bar and card room.
With four bedrooms, four full baths and two half baths and a three-car split garage, the model offers an inviting and very livable feeling.
Rustic elegance best describes the style of the home that includes two staircases, wrought iron ornamental banners, a beamed ceiling and built-ins in the study and an island kitchen with a butler’s pantry. The innovative design of the home includes a courtyard area that is viewed from the dining room and an expansive outdoor living area with a fireplace off the family room and kitchen.
Spacious secondary bedrooms create even more flexibility in the home that also includes an elegant downstairs master suite as well as a private first-floor guest suite.
Highland Homes designs in Royal Shores are priced from the $400,000s and include spacious one- and two-story floor plans.
Posted on May 25, 2010 | Tagged in: travel , Houston , community
The Texas Department of Transportation’s 9th annual “Click It or Ticket” event kicks off with a warning to drivers and passengers to fasten their safety belts or you WILL get a ticket!
According to the Texas Law passed in 2009, drivers, passengers, adults and children must be properly restrained and or even more tickets are in store this year for violators.
With so much confusion on the requirements set forth in this law, the campaign aims to make it simple – Everyone Must Buckle Up. To further clarify, TxDot Traffic Operations Division Director Carol Rawson explains, “all passengers in the back seat now must be buckled up, and children younger than eight years old have to ride in a child safety seat or booster seat unless they are taller than four feet, nine inches and anyone not in compliance with this law will incur a fine from $25 to $250 plus court costs.” She further stated, “buckling up can not only save you from getting an expensive ticket, it can also save your life.”
TxDot statistics shows that traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for Texans between the ages of four and 44 and last year alone, more than 3,400 people died in fatal collisions on Texas streets and highways. According to the Texas Transportation Institute, motorists least likely to buckle up continue to include men, teenage boys and pickup drivers and passengers.
Posted on May 17, 2010 | Tagged in: tips , housing
In a struggling economy and a definitive housing bubble, there has emerged an unpredicted buyer. Women. In particular, younger women, who are finding their most opportune shot at home ownership. In 2008 alone, more men than women lost their jobs by a ratio of three to one, in the financial and manufacturing sectors.
Ellen Iggulden, a 27-year-old Chicago-based auditor, says “most of my guy friends are sitting on the buying sidelines. But among my female college pals, (I) was actually one of the last to take the real estate plunge.” Hearing about their successes, she says, was empowering: “If they can do it, so can I!”
Posted on May 13, 2010 | Tagged in: community , charity
Friendswood Development Company recently presented a $10,000 check to Houston’s Ronald McDonald House as a part of its long-term and ongoing commitment to the outstanding facility. A division of Lennar Corporation, Friendswood Development Company’s donation comes through the company’s Focused Act of Caring.
With divisions throughout the country, Lennar Corporation rewards associates each year for their efforts in giving back to the community. This year, as a result of its support and commitment to Houston’s Ronald McDonald House, Friendswood Development Company associates were awarded with a check for $10,000 from Lennar’s Focused Act of Caring program to present to the organization.
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.
Each month, a team from Friendswood Development Company visits Houston’s Ronald McDonald House, located in the Texas Medical Center. Houston’s Ronald McDonald House has been a critical home away from home to families with children undergoing treatment for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
With every visit, Friendswood Development Company associates bring a catered lunch for the residents and staff, and planned activities such as arts and crafts. Each summer, Friendswood Development brings its mini carnival to Houston’s Ronald McDonald House, offering family members of all ages a fun and memorable day of activities, games and prizes; and during the holidays, associates bring gifts to the Ronald McDonald House Store, which offers sick children and their siblings the opportunity to shop for their parents and other family members.
This unique facility continues to provide families of sick children from all over the world with a free place to stay as well as a strong support group and hope - all in a beautiful, welcoming setting where they have convenient access to critically needed care in the surrounding Texas Medical Center.
Supported by generous donors and volunteers, Houston’s Ronald McDonald House has helped countless families get through difficult times including one former Friendswood Development Company associate who, with her family, utilized the facility as her brother battled cancer when she was a child.
Immediately upon suggesting the project to her co-workers, the idea was embraced and the relationship was formed. Today, Friendswood Development Company associates are considered a part of the family at Houston’s Ronald McDonald House.
From the very first visit, the children and families at the house have touched the hearts of Friendswood Development associates who are all inspired by the courage of the children battling illness and the strength and determination of the families who stand by them every step of the way.
More than an act of caring, this endeavor has become an important partnership for the associates of Friendswood Development Company and the exceptional families of Houston’s Ronald McDonald House and one that will last for years into the future.
photo (left to right): Nan Peavey (FDC), Nat Heston (FDC), John Hammond (president - FDC), Leslie Bourne (Ronald McDonald House), Haylee Bercaw (former FDC employee), Isaiah Bercaw and Monica Vega-Duffield (FDC).
Posted on May 11, 2010 | Tagged in: tips , green
Did you know that on average, each member of your family use an astonishing 170 gallons of water every day? To put it into perspective, that’s the equivalent of about three full bathtubs! The good news is that there are plenty of opportunities for water conservation without the perceived inconveniences. Every gallon saved means more green - in your pocket and out our world.
Here are just a few simple ways to incorporate water conservation into your daily routine without feeling all dried up!
Install a low-flow showerhead. The new aerating showerheads can reduce the flow from 2.5 gallons per minute to as low as 1 gallon per minute, while maintaining water pressure because they mix in air. Then, shave just two minutes off your average shower time and you will save about five gallons every time you clean up. Check with your builder, new homes often come standard with this energy saving feature!
Posted on May 4, 2010 | Tagged in: housing , City of Friendswood
While an appraiser is typically never seen by a new homebuyer, an appraisal is obviously an important component in the home purchase process and will always be required by your bank in order to obtain a loan.
And, neither you, nor your lender has the flexibility of deciding which appraiser will inspect your home. Appraisers hired for a mortgage transaction are chosen from a computerized pool of Texas Certified Residential Home appraisers in your area at random. This recent change was brought on with the Home Valuation Code of Conduct HVCC, and is effective with loans originated on or after May 1, 2009.
Once selected, your appraiser will be notified to conduct an analysis of the property and determine the current market value. Appraisers compare the sales prices of similar properties sold in the neighborhood and surrounding areas near the subject property.
