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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.
Posted on Mar 10, 2010 | Tagged in: tips , City of Friendswood
Each Spring, we move our clocks forward by one hour during the night in order to capture the convenience that extra light brings during the Spring and Summer seasons. Friendswood Development Company is reminding you to remember to do just that at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 14.
Daylight Saving Time actually affects you in more ways than simply confusing your schedule. By making the adjustment, we are allowing ourselves to use less energy in lighting our homes. This energy-saving orientation was the original intent of the U.S. when Daylight Saving Time was instituted during World War I and later when the length of Daylight Saving Time was standardized in 1966.
Posted on Feb 18, 2010 | Tagged in: City of Friendswood , charity
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.
Posted on Jul 13, 2009 | Tagged in: West Ranch , honors , City of Friendswood
Friendswood, Texas has once again been recognized nationally as one of America’s best places to live. The new issue of
Money magazine cites America’s top 100 best small towns, which were judged by readers in terms of a solid job base, affordable housing, great schools, and area attractions.
Friendswood, home of the new master-planned West Ranch community, was ranked No. 32 on the magazine’s list of the top 100 Best Small Towns. The magazine cites, “Friendswood was founded by Quakers and remains dry, but that doesn't mean its residents don't know how to have fun. The community hosts frequent parades, summer concerts in Stevenson Park, and an opening ceremony for the baseball season. Residents can travel north to Houston, south to the Galveston beaches, or east to the Kemah boardwalk; all are less than an hour away.”
Posted on Jun 24, 2009 | Tagged in: economy , City of Friendswood
The City of Friendswood has its eye on a juicy piece of land that it plans on turning into a park and ball-sports area. It’s all a go, too, but only if Alvin says so.
The land in question is 60 acres of prime undeveloped property located in Brazoria County within Alvin city limits and therefore under the city’s control. If the deal goes through, the land ownership will be transferred to Friendswood, but as of right now the city won’t know if they can purchase it until next month when a state judge issues his ruling in Austin.
Friendswood only wishes to provide a fun and close area where youth residents “can play ball in Brazoria County.” Alvin city officials think it’s a great idea, but have yet to formally meet with Friendswood council members and officially go over plans. Both cities have “expressed optimism that an agreement will be reached,” but as of yet, the plans are still in their initial development stages.
“For what they're using it for, I think it's going to be a great thing. I think it's going to be awesome,” said Alvin City Council member Charles Batty. The friendly optimism was also reciprocated by Friendswood’s Mayor David Smith: “Alvin, they've been great neighbors," he said. "We have inter-local agreements with them, we work wonderfully with them on many different things and I don't expect it to be any different with this.”
To learn more, read the full article at Houston Community Newspapers.
Posted on Jun 17, 2009 | Tagged in: events , City of Friendswood
Big plans are underway for the City of Friendswood’s 114th Annual Fourth of July Celebration on Saturday, July 4th, themed “Family, Friends and Friendswood, a Standing Tradition."
The day will be packed from morning to night with parades, live entertainment and of course, a “fantastic fireworks extravaganza!”
The fun begins at 10 am with the Grand Parade marching down Friendswood Drive from the corner of FM 518 and Heritage Drive to Stevenson Park. Once at the park, the grounds will be filled with over 50 booth entries and will sport rides, games, food and activities for the whole family. Live performances will be held by the Zydeco Dots musical group and other patriotic presentations.
The evening program starts at 7:30 pm with the Bellamy Brothers headlining the night’s entertainment at Friendswood’s Centennial Park, followed by local performers. And the Grand Finale will begin shortly after 9 pm with a spectacular fireworks show, guaranteed to be one of the best in the Houston area.
A free shuttle service will be provided for admittance, beginning at 6:30 pm in the evening for the lack of public parking at Centennial Park. The shuttle will be available from Clear Brook High School at 4607 FM 2351, and from the Friendswood Community Church at 2821 Parkwood Avenue.
Both the Hometown Bank of Friendswood and the Friendswood ISD Education Foundation are celebrating their own 10-year anniversaries. In honor of the event, Hometown Bank maintains its tradition of donating $5,000 to the Foundation every year. So far, the Bank has given $50,000 to the organization that rewards grants to recognized teachers and the school district, all for the betterment of the children.
“We are happy to partner with Friendswood ISD to impact children and teachers in the exemplary district,” said Vice President Allan Rasmussen. “As both of us celebrate 10 years, we stand together and look forward to the next 10.”
This positive attitude is echoed in the bank’s optimistic outlook for the economic future. “I am very excited about the local economic outlook for 2009. The performance of a community bank is a direct reflection of the local economy we serve. Our citizens have a strong will and a determined heart, and their positive attitude will move our economy forward,” said Bank President and CEO Jimmy Rasmussen.
Source: Friendswood Journal
Another testament to the outstanding student achievements in the Friendswood Independent School District is the announcement of a NASA internship awarded to a Friendswood High School student. Elizabeth Conger of Friendswood ISD has been chosen along with 344 other Texas high school juniors to be a part of the High School Aerospace Scholars Programs. Soon she will be traveling to NASA’s Johnson Space Center to participate in a one-week summer internship.
The Houston Chronicle reports that Conger was selected as one of 354 high school juniors from across Texas to participate in this prestigious program. Prior to being chosen, students had to complete 10 web-based assignments during the school year and maintain at least an 86 average in order to qualify for the internship.
NeighborhoodScout.com recently ranked the nation’s top metro areas with the best public schools. The goal of the search was to identify 20 of America's largest metro areas and to uncover those neighborhoods that offer the best public schools for consumers’ housing dollar.
It identified a No. 1 pick neighborhood in each metro area. These 20 neighborhoods offer a way to buy into great schools at appealing prices. The site further states that “most people expect to pay a lot more to get into school districts of this quality.”
Also taken into consideration was median home price, location and of course the school district’s rating and student performance.
Among the nation’s top 20 metro markets was Houston and in this area, Friendswood was ranked No. 1 because of the outstanding schools in the exemplary rated Friendswood Independent School District.
Among the many students benefiting from an exceptional education are those living in West Ranch, Friendswood Development Company’s master-planned community located off FM 518 in the City of Friendswood. West Ranch offers new homes by top Houston builders and price ranges that vary from the $280,000s to the $700,000s. For more information, visit the website at www.visitwestranch.com.
Posted on May 27, 2009 | Tagged in: economy , City of Friendswood
The City of Friendswood was recently given $2 million as part of the federal government’s Economic Development Administration investment.
The EDA’s mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, these funds will go toward the development of the Clearwood Business Park, and specifically for building water and sewer infrastructure.
The project is expected to create 100 new jobs and generate $10 million in private investment, which will benefit the whole area in the future to come.
Friendswood has continued to earn local and national recognition because of its small-town surrounds, appealing mix of housing and outstanding Friendswood Independent School District schools. Recently, Friendswood was named Best Affordable Suburb in Texas by BusinessWeek magazine.
