By Dirk van ReenenPrudential Ada Realtors Autumn winds blow a chilly reminder that winter is fast approaching. Perform the following maintenance tips each fall to protect your property's value and prevent major repairs.Roof, Gutters and DownspoutsRain, ice, snow and wind can all cause damage to your roof and gutters. Now's the time to trim back all tree limbs and vegetation away from the roof. You also should remove debris, such as leaves and sticks from your gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters don't allow water to properly drain away from the home, which can cause seepage in your ceilings and walls. You can also invest in gutter guards, a screen that prevents debris from entering the gutter and directs the flow of water away from the house and into the ground.Water HeaterYou don't ... 11/18/2010

An Amarillo, Texas based company plans to use bond money to help boost job opportunities in Potter County.  This comes just after the county designated itself a "recovery zone" last week.  The federal stimulus bill passed into law last year has helped establish this designation to get work underway.  Attebury Grain, which is very involved in seed, feed, and grain merchandising, is set to receive approximately $15 million in bonds.  This will benefit Potter, Lubbock, and Carson counties.   Although Potter County's unemployment rate is considered low, it is higher than the county would like it to be.  Therefore, they are trying to improve unemployment rates as best they can to help stabilize the economy. No one is exactly clear when the new projects in Potter, Lubbock and Carson will begi... 11/15/2010

If you're looking to relocate to Amarillo, Texas because of Amarillo College, then we have good news for you.  Amarillo College will be adding more labs to the college's Math Outreach Center.   Since 2008, the student body at Amarillo College has grown by 14% and enrollment in courses for development have grown by 40%, making it necessary for the addition of the math labs.  Without centers like the Math Outreach Center at Amarillo College, the school would not continue to grow as it has been.  Many students refer to it as the homework happy place.  Amarillo College is now offering more developmental courses along with labs that will help provide students with the tools they need for learning.   Currently, math is the most used course at the college, which is due to many high school seni... 11/08/2010

This is the time of year when the heat lets up and more people begin to venture outdoors seeking fun activities.  This fall, there are a few fun activities in Amarillo, Texas to enjoy.  And, you can enjoy them all throughout the rest of the fall season.   You will find winding dirt paths through acres of cornfields, campfires cracking, and pumpkins ready for picking.  There are three attractions in the Panhandle area you and your family may want to visit when seeking an autumn excursion.  Fall Fun in Amarillo: The Amazingly Fun Farm - Features a cornfield in the shape of Texas.  Participants get to look for different markers throughout the maze and answer trivia questions to help them find the right path out.  The wrong answer will send you in circles.  Maxwell's Pumpkin Farm - You wil... 10/11/2010

Find Amarillo Real Estate Auctions, Amarillo Estate Auctions, Amarillo Estate Sales, Amarillo Business Liquidations and Amarillo Benefit Auctions at www.CaprockAuctions.com Full Service Amarillo Auction Company that Specializes in Selling and Trading Assets. 10/07/2010

The all new Online Auction Platform from Prudential Ada Realtors in Amarillo TX Find Amarillo Auctions and Bid right from your Couch www.AuctionAMA.com    Happy Amarillo Online Auction Bidding! 10/07/2010

The California-based risk management and valuation service provider says its analysis shows Texas cities leading the nation, with home prices in these areas expected to post the biggest gains in the months ahead. BABY! "Texas is looking strong, with four of the top ten markets in the appreciation forecast," said Eric Fox, Veros' VP of statistical and economic modeling. Projected Five Strongest Markets •1.       Houston/Sugar Land/Baytown, Texas +3.8% •2.      Dallas/Fort Worth/Arlington, Texas +2.7% •3.      Amarillo, Texas +2.7%  This is my Market! Not bad to be #3 in the Nation!!! www.reamarillo.com •4.      Anchorage, Alaska +2.7% •5.       Davenport/Moline/Rock Island, Iowa-Illinois +2.7% In marked contrast to the forecast for Texas, the outlook for Florida remains weak, but Fox say... 10/04/2010

Amarillo Texas has a solid real estate market but there are always shortsales homes to be bought. Knowing where to find a short sale and more importmantlt how to work a short sale are crytical. First Lets Start with what a short sale is: In a short sale, the bank or mortgage lender agrees to discount a loan balance because of an economic or financial hardship on the part of the borrower. The home owner/debtor sells the mortgaged property for less than the outstanding balance of the loan, and turns over the proceeds of the sale to the lender. Neither side is "doing the other a favor;" a short sale is simply the most economical solution to a problem. Banks will incur a smaller financial loss than would result from foreclosure or continued non-payment. Borrowers are able to mitigate damage... 10/04/2010

Caprock Park of the Amarillo area has plans to give the state's bison herd free range to enjoy the park.  There are currently 78 bison that will roam the park freely on 15,300 acres.  This will be a big change from their 320-acre pen and it will help visitors see the big brown symbols of the West better.   Work has already begun.  Fences will be improved for Phase One of the plan, which will double the herd's pasture to include the entrance area of the park.  When complete, Amarillo visitors will be in the bison enclosure when they enter the park.  A lot of fence has already been established and work to strengthen the boundary fence has begun.  There will also be the addition of an electrical fence. During December, the bison will be put through chutes for health care.  The bulls will ... 09/20/2010

The Rick Husband Amarillo Airport, which is in Potter County is undergoing a big overhaul and many people of Amarillo are interested in knowing the details.  So we've got some of the inside scoop for you.  People are constantly peeking inside the small glass window to see what is included in the overhaul of the airport.  But this time next year, all visitors of the airport will see the sleek new concourse and baggage area.  There has been complex planning throughout the entire project while the airport has been in full function.  Most visitors have not seen a big change, but detours will be seen soon.   Along with these great renovations to the airport, there will also be a cell phone lot added.  This lot will be used for visitors who are waiting on their rides to arrive.  They will be ... 09/07/2010

Men may be from Mars and women from Venus, but every day millions of couples must work through those differences to make life-altering decisions. Like buying a home, for instance.International Communications Research surveyed 1,000 individuals to find out how much men and women differ in the home buying process. Some highlights from the study:When asked how long it took before they knew their home was "right" for them, almost70 % of women had made up their mind the day they walked into the house, versus 62 % of men.55% of women find it more important to be closer to their extended family than to their job, compared with only 37% of men.64% of women said that if they found the home of their dreams but had concerns about its security, they would no longer be interested. More than half of... 08/31/2010

As the nation sees record-low winter temperatures and close-to-record summer highs, homes built with smart design in mind are experiencing extremely low utility bills.  Even in Amarillo, Texas, the utilities of a 4,000 square-foot smart design home will only cost pennies on the dollar each year.  When you're ready to take the big step for building a home in Amarillo, building with a smart design in mind will definitely help your utility bills stay down.  Through energy-efficiency, design & construction will come more naturally.  There have been studies done to track the angle of the sun in the winter and summer.  Have your builder construct your new home in the perfect angle where it would be flooded with sunlight during the colder months.  For those extra hot months when the temperatur... 08/16/2010

Talks for Amarillo, Texas to get a new indoor aquatics center may soon become a reality.  A new aquatics center has been in the works for quite a while now, but planning efforts have recently been kicked into high gear. The Amarillo Area Foundation has high hopes for an indoor aquatics center that would be at least 60,000 square feet with a ball park price of $15 to $20 million.  Since getting a lot of positive feedback from many probability studies, the foundation now believes that the center has high potential. The Amarillo Area Foundation wants to add a large 50 meter pool, a fun pool and maybe a diving area, too.  There is also talk about a physical therapy area. However, private funds will not be enough to cover the cost to make all this happen, so the City of Amarillo will probabl... 08/02/2010

Las Fiestas de Amarillo has been serving the community for 30 year now, and they just had their 30th annual celebration with lots of fun, food, music and a real focus on the community.  Money is being raised for a new activity center through the Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is a badly needed addition to the community of Amarillo. There are around 250 kids that Las Fiestas de Amarillo serves who have no controlled facility to enjoy their days or evenings.  Many have become lost to the streets and become young adults very early on.  An activity center will prevent this for many kids. The organizers of Las Fiestas' are hoping to raise $2 million for a new activity center.  Currently, there has been $400,000 raised with hopes for $30,000+ at their annual celebration. For more info... 07/19/2010

Buying and selling real estate can be a complicated venture in Amarillo or any other city around the nation.  Therefore, choosing a local Amarillo real estate agent can help you with this big transaction.  Every Amarillo real estate property is unique.  Contract terms, inspection requirements, financing options, and closing costs also differ in each transaction. Therefore, having an Amarillo real estate agent on your side will help you will all these factors.  A real estate agent who is familiar with the local community and the things that make the community thrive can be very beneficial.  When choosing an Amarillo real estate agent, you want to make sure they are familiar with negotiations and the paper trail that is all tied to buying a home.  You can find local real estate agents acr... 07/05/2010

When you're looking for entertainment in and around Amarillo, Texas this summer, you should check out High Noon on the Square on the Potter County Courthouse lawn.  There will be a different group of entertainment each week on Wednesdays throughout the months of June and July. High Noon on the Square offers great free entertainment and lunch is $6 for those who want it.  Meal tickets can be purchased at the event and the proceeds from the lunch will benefit Center City of Amarillo. Here's a schedule of each Wednesday's event: June 16th  - Entertainment by Mike Fuller and lunch from Chick-fil-A. June 23rd - Music by Triple L Bluegrass Band and lunch from Desperado's June 30th - Music by Yvonne Perea and lunch from Schlotzsky's. July 7th - Music by Andy Chase and lunch from Mr. Gatti's. J... 06/14/2010

The majestic sunrises and skyline views of the Woodlands in Amarillo, Texas have been talked about all over the nation.  Everyone who comes to the Woodlands in Amarillo thinks they are actually in another place.  The Woodlands is not like the rest of Texas with its flat terrain.  The community is made up of an island of breathtaking, beautiful, rolling terrain.  When in the Woodlands, you will enjoy spectacular sunsets and flourishing economic conditions that are definitely something to talk about everywhere you go.  You won't find another place anywhere like it.  The Woodlands is even close to schools, shopping, restaurants, and plenty of nature.  The community is where water and earth seem to strive on an astonishing island that's still within the limits of Amarillo.  And that's why A... 06/07/2010

Honoring our Heroes Workshops is being held each Tuesday in May and June at Amarillo Public Library, East Branch, by the Amarillo Family YMCA.  Workshops begin at 6:30pm each Tuesday evening at 2232 E. 27th Ave in the library's meeting room.  These workshops are developed stories, some fiction, some nonfiction, which honor the lives of U.S. servicemen and women.  Each child that participates is encouraged to write their own story to honor the life and story of a hero.  The workshops are free to the public.  However, class size is limited, so come early. The Amarillo, Texas family YMCA offers a great youth sports program where their administration, coaches, umpires, players and parents all accept and share the responsibility of the program's focus.  And that focus is to provide a positiv... 05/24/2010

Amarillo, Texas is not the only part of the country that has a problem with a lack of quality, affordable housing.  In fact, most of the United States is struck by this very problem.  However, right now, one of the biggest housing charities around can only help people living in Amarillo, TX.  Habitat for Humanity is hoping to fix the lack of quality, affordable housing with help from the local residents of Amarillo.  Pampa has already begun work and is building a program in Amarillo with plans to start their first house very soon.  Calls of interest are already coming in from other cities, most recently from Canadian, Guymon and Hooker. Now, they need people in Amarillo and these outlying communities to help organize the program and get more houses ready to be built.  The best way for v... 05/17/2010

There's good reason to celebrate as Amarillo real estate ranks 5th strongest in the market, according to Veros Real Estate Solutions.  Veros is predicting that Amarillo, Texas will see a modest 2.7% increase in home prices between March 2010 and March 2011.  The biggest increase will be the top ranking city with a 3.4% increase in San Diego, California.  The index estimates that Amarillo real estate sales hit their peak prices during the third quarter of 2009, due to the home buyer tax credits, and will slide 0.8% during the fourth of this year only to begin its upward gain once again. Veros' list of the five strongest projected real estate markets for 2010 - 2011: 1. San Diego/Carlsbad/San Marcos, CA +3.4% 2. Los Angeles/Long Beach, Santa Ana, CA + 3.1% 3. Houston/Sugarland/Baytown +3.... 04/19/2010