Blog entries

Friendswood Development Company Hosts an Afternoon of Fun for Kids at Houston's Ronald McDonald ...

Cheryl Boe — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 02:15:48 +0100

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.

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.

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.

Reinventing the Rules on Saving Money and Establishing a Financial Footing

Daphne Hager — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 02:09:13 +0100

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!

Six Houston Hospitals Ranked Among “America’s Best Hospitals”

Cheryl Boe — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:52:29 +0100

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.

And, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospitalalso had rankings in numerous specialties: No. 38 in gastroenterology; No. 39 in urology; No. 44 in geriatrics and No. 45 in kidney disease.
In determining the rankings, U.S. News said 4,852 hospitals were considered for their reputations, mortality rate, patient safety and care-related factors including nurse staffing and technology.

FEMA Extends the National Flood Insurance Program through Hurricane Season

Daphne Hager — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 23:41:38 +0100

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.

Lennar & Village Builders announce 48-hours of unprecedented savings

Cheryl Boe — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 23:47:13 +0100

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.

Lakes of Savannah, Lakemont & West Ranch Open House Events July 10 & 11

Cheryl Boe — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 22:30:21 +0100

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.

Texas Veterans Loan Programs Available to Those Fighting for Our Independence

Daphne Hager — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 23:10:33 +0100

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.

Alvin ISD Anxiously Awaits an Official EXEMPLARY Status

Daphne Hager — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:18:21 +0100

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.

Home Ceiling Fans Help Beat the Summer Heat and Save Money

Daphne Hager — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:14:01 +0100

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.”

Toll Brothers Joins Builder Team in West Ranch

Cheryl Boe — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 02:09:40 +0100

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.

Partners in Building Joins West Ranch Builder Line-up

Cheryl Boe — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 02:01:49 +0100

Partners in Building will soon be offering its luxury home designs in West Ranch. A temporary sales office will open in early July and a decorated model is planned to open this fall. Known for its innovative designs, Partners in Building is one of the largest custom home builders in Texas.

Homes by Partners in Building in West Ranch will be priced from the mid $400,000s and include a variety of spacious one- and two-story designs that will be built in the Estates on some of the largest home sites in the community.

An impressive selection of floor plans will be available to custom buyers in West Ranch, where they can choose from existing designs or create one of their own.

Home buyers will also benefit from the company’s more than 50 years of success in home building and a team of experienced professionals who will assist them in every aspect of the home building process.

Partners in Building, known for its flexibility in working with each buyer to personalize his or her home, is also known for offering a vast array of design choices and some sought after features that buyers can consider adding to a home such as:

·         Secret spaces, hidden passages, rooms and safes
·         Wine grottos, hobby rooms, prayer rooms and mud rooms
·         Feng Shui interior designs
·         Pass-through 'car-wash' showers & custom closet systems
·         Media rooms and custom theatre rooms
·         Outdoor living spaces, summer kitchens, outdoor fireplaces
·         Elegant stone, stucco or brick exteriors; patios & balconies
·         Custom ceiling treatments, third- story lofts, guest suites

For more information on Partners In Building in West Ranch, call 281-482-4600.

Be Prepared in the Event of a Hurricane

Daphne Hager — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:33:48 +0100

With all the news surrounding Hurricane Season 2010, you have probably figured out that only flood insurance covers damage to your home caused by flooding (aka rising water), but you may not know all of the details. Below I have compiled a few suggestions to help you become better prepared when the threat of a storm presents itself.

Protect your hard-earned possessions. Build a personal file containing as much information as you can compile about all your “possessions” and keep it in high place, preferably fireproof and/or off premises. This detailed file should contain:

A copy of all your current insurance policies, your agent’s contact information as well as their corporate contact numbers (ex. 800 claims numbers and 24-hour service hotline numbers).
A room-by-room inventory of your entire home, including receipts for high-value items, and recent photos or videos that could be used as “proof of ownership”.
Copies of all critical family documents, including financial records, birth certificates and passports.

Flooding can happen anywhere, and without much notice, but certain areas are obviously more susceptible to severe flooding than others. To help homeowners better understand the risk levels in their area, flood maps (Flood Insurance Rate Maps, FIRMs) have been created to show the locations of high-risk, moderate-to-low risk, and undetermined-risk areas. Visit the FEMA website to determine your specific flood hazard area. Although no one wants to endure a flood or deal with the cleanup and aftermath, you can rest a little easier knowing you have a grab-and-go file that with make the recovery much smoother for you and your family.

FACT: In 2007, flooding occurred in all 50 states, and nearly 25 percent of those claims come from moderate-to-low risk areas.

Plantation Homes Opens Sales Office in Lakes of Savannah

Cheryl Boe — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:44:24 +0100

The Plantation Homes sales office is now open in Lakes of Savannah. This well-known award winning Texas builder based in Houston is known for its impressive array of innovative designs, energy efficiency and eco friendly homes and commitment to outstanding customer service, quality and the community.

The Plantation Homes sales office is open daily in Savannah Meadows and is offering homes priced from the $140,000s to the $180,000s. A variety of one- and two-story plans will also be available, ranging in size from 1,421 to more than 2,400 square feet.

Plantation Homes is a division of McGuyer Homebuilders, Inc. and MHI Partnership, Ltd. MHI builders thousands of homes annually and is ranking among the nation’s top 30 home building companies.

In addition to the long list of included features, impressive appointments and numerous available options, Plantation Homes offers buyers peace of mind with:

· Windstorm Certified Building Practices:
Plantation Homes are engineered and inspected to meet the minimum wind speed requirements of the International Residential Code. This includes the use of special clips, straps and anchors as mandated by its engineers in the construction of its homes.

· Eco Smart:
Recognizing the importance of energy efficiency and environmentally friendly building practices, Plantation Homes has created its “Eco Smart” platform which encompasses the integration of Energy Star. Environments for Living, and Green Building Initiative programs to provide homeowners with the best in energy efficiency and value. The result of these efforts is a new Plantation home will offer increased comfort for homeowners and substantial savings on utility bills throughout the year.

· Built for the Cure:
Plantation Homes is a proud supporter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the fight against breast cancer. Through its BUILT FOR THE CURE program, the company has pledged to donate a portion of its home sales proceeds to the Houston Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Plantation Homes will also begin the construction of a new model home in Savannah Meadows that is planned to open this summer. For more information, visit www.PlantationHomes.com.

Friendswood High School Ranked Among America's Best High Schools by Newsweek Magazine

Cheryl Boe — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:42:59 +0100

The Friendswood Independent School District is again earning attention for its outstanding schools with the most recent focus on Friendswood High School, just ranked among Newsweek magazine’s list of America’s Best High Schools 2010.

Newsweek selects the best high schools in the country each year, based on the hard work of school staffs and their challenge to students with advanced placement college level course and tests. This year, just over 1,600 schools – only 6 percent of all public schools in the United States made the list.

Friendswood High School was developing its AP program less than 10 years ago, and today, according to the magazine, the percentage of students enrolled in the AP courses compared to the number of seniors, earned the school its coveted ranking.

The Friendswood Independent School District reports that what Newsweek did not measure that is equally important, is how well students perform on the exams.

An impressive 77.4 percent of the total of Friendswood High School AP test takers (831) earned a 3 or better on the AP exams, thus qualifying to place out of college level classes.

For the past two years, more than 75 percent of FHS students graduated from high school with at least 12 hours of college credit completed.

This latest ranking is a part of a long list of honors and awards earned by Friendswood Independent School District schools, students and teachers and one of the many reasons for the continued success of West Ranch. Friendswood High School and all schools in the Friendswood ISD which serves students in West Ranch are ranked Exemplary by the Texas Education Agency.

Lakes of Savannah Builder Launches Built for the Cure Campaign

Cheryl Boe — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 05:12:54 +0100

Plantation Homes, Pioneer Homes, Coventry Homes and Carmel Builders, are honored to announce their partnership with the Houston Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, supporting its efforts with large scale promotions and a very generous fund raising commitment. Plantation Homes recently joined the Lakes of Savannah builder line-up.

The builder’s newly launched ‘Built for the Cure’ marketing campaign which includes promotions corporately and in all four brands in Houston, is intended to heighten awareness of the efforts of the organization known for bringing worldwide attention to breast cancer; and to let buyers of Plantation Homes, Pioneer Homes, Coventry Homes and Carmel Builders in Houston know that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of their new home will be donated to the Houston Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.

This is the first partnership of its kind between a large Houston new home builder and the Houston Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.

The multi-faceted marketing campaign which focuses on the local fund raising efforts, will include pink ribbons on all directional signs, countertop cards in every sales office/model home and information on the company's websites.

Plantation Homes, Pioneer Homes, Coventry Homes, and Carmel Builders were established in 1988 under a parent company, McGuyer Homebuilders, Inc. (MHI). As one of Texas' most successful home builders MHI has locations in five markets across the state and has partnered with a number of non-profit and charitable groups that include PBS, Habitat for Humanity, the Greater Houston Builders Association Charity Homes Project, and HomeAid which offers transitional housing for the homeless.

About The Houston Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®:
The Komen Houston Affiliate was established in 1990 and in addition to funding research through the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Award and Research Grant Program; the Affiliate underwrites innovative breast cancer education, screening and treatment projects for the medically under-served in its community. The Houston Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® has been ranked number one, topping 122 affiliate groups nationwide in recognition of the Komen Houston Affiliate's history of providing the most funding for education, screening and treatment nationally and in its seven county service area in Southeast Texas.

For more information, visit www.Komen-houston.org

Breast Cancer Facts:

·        192,370 new breast cancer cases were diagnosed in 2009
·        1,910 men will develop breast cancer and 440 will die from the disease
·        13,090 women in Texas will be diagnosed with breast cancer
·        1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer some time during her life
·        Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, other than skin cancer

Source: American Cancer Society Cancer Facts & Figures 2008-2009.

Reconstruction of the American Dream

Daphne Hager — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:59:38 +0100

Lenders are finally starting to extend credit again, and sensible families capable of producing reasonable down payments are, for the most part, finally getting the green-light to purchase a new home. With interest rates at an all-time low, the time is once again right to buy! With so many buyers still in a state of shell shock, here are a few things we should all learn from the recent housing bubble as we wade back into the purchasing process:

Make a long term housing commitment.

This is not the time for a real estate “flip”. There's still plenty of shell shock in the housing market and no one knows for sure when prices will spring back, so if you're planning to buy a home this year, plan on living there for the long haul (or at least 10 years).

Put aside a real down payment.

Many people had opted to make small down payments in previous years to avoid tying up all their equity in a mortgage. But as the market begins to show signs of stabilizing, the return will be evident in the form of higher equity, lower interest and payments, and a higher probability of a future refinance to reduce interest.

Don’t borrow more than you can afford.

No matter what the lender says you can finance. And if you don’t believe me, check out the current foreclosure rates. In layman’s terms - live within your budget. And, follow the three C's of old-school lending - credit, capacity and collateral. Remember the safe mortgage on a home should be no more than three times your annual family income.

Your housing market is the only one of its kind.

National housing trends are irrelevant to you and your unique community, so make sure that you understands your market's distinctive characteristics, including the areas job market, neighborhood foreclosure data, and the availability of newly built homes in your desired neighborhood.

By learning from the lending practices of our past we can begin making smart housing decisions in the future and rebuild the stability of the American real estate market.

D.R. Horton's 'Great American Home Sale' Event to be held this Weekend in Graystone Hills, Lakemont

Cheryl Boe — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:09:53 +0100

This weekend, D.R. Horton will host its ‘Great American Home Sale’, offering home shoppers special incentives and savings on select homes. The event, which will be held on June 12-13 will include the Friendswood Development Company master-planned communities of Lakemont in west Houston and Graystone Hills in Conroe.

Visitors to either location can tour beautifully appointed one-story models open daily in both Lakemont and Graystone Hills.

Known as “America’s Builder,” D.R. Horton offers a wide variety of one- and two-story home designs and an impressive list of included features and appointments. Visitors to either community can find more information on the weekend event at either sales office/model home, open Saturday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and on Sunday from noon until 7 p.m.

In Graystone Hills, three homes are ready for immediate move-in. New homes by D.R. Horton in this forested master –planned community known for its rolling hills, are priced from the $190,000s to the $230,000s.

In Lakemont, a new model recently opened by D.R. Horton where its designs are priced from the $180,00s to the low $200,000s.

For more information, visit www.GreatAmericanHomeSale.com.

Houston is Still a Strong Housing Market

Daphne Hager — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:03:07 +0100

According to a new top performing major markets report from Truckee, California-based Clear Capital Inc., “the Houston-Baytown-Sugar Land metropolitan area's housing market has had some tough competition in May, but managed to only drop a few slots.”

With a minute quarterly price drop, the Houston area falls from the No. 2 slot. But, the real estate valuation firm reported in its Home Data Index that the Houston-Baytown-Sugar Land metropolitan area ranked No.5 in May, with their quarterly price improvement of 2.7 percent. And, year-over-year the Houston-Baytown-Sugar Land metropolitan area price gains for May totaled 7.6 percent.

In March, Clear Capital reported that housing prices in Houston rose 1.8 percent in the first quarter of 2010 compared with the 2009 fourth quarter.

Houston was not the only Texas market to shine, as the Dallas area earned No. 1 status with a quarterly price gain of 3.4 percent. Other areas to make the list included San Diego, Pittsburgh and San Francisco.

Clear Capital provides real estate data to financial services companies.

Fairfield Freedom Fest 2010, sponsored by Highland Homes

Cheryl Boe — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 03:02:17 +0100

Highland Homes and Rod Hale with ReMax Realty Center are proud to present the 2010 Fairfield Freedom Fest.

On Saturday, July 17th from noon to 3 pm, this free event will be held at the Highland Homes model at 16802 Azure Mist Court. Designed to honor our freedom and our soliders, the event will offer popcorn, snow cones, hot dogs, drinks, live music, a huge outdoor bounce house, video games for the kids and tons of prizes.

Donations will be accepted which will go to CypressCares.org and SupportOurTroops.org to help soldiers from our community.

For more information, contact Dana Osbourne, Highland Homes sales consultant, at 281-217-6879.

Lowest Mortgage Rates of the Year

Daphne Hager — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 21:13:53 +0100

In response to the current uncertainty over European Debt, U.S. borrowers can now find the lowest mortgage rates year-to-date.

According to Freddie Mac, “mortgage rates fell to their lowest level of the year last week as yields on U.S. government securities fell, since fixed mortgage rates tend to follow the yield of 10-year Treasury notes.”

With the average 30-year fixed rate falling 4.84 percent from 4.93 percent a week earlier, Freddie Mac goes on to say it was the lowest rate since mid-December, when the average rate was about 4.81 percent.

Economists are predicting that these lower rates may help offset the fallout from the expired new homebuyer tax credit that is expected to hit at the end of June.

In short, although the time to claim a tax credit has passed, it may still prove to be a good time to buy a new home and lock in these lower interest rates that could save you even more than $8000 over the life of your mortgage!