Many of us are not using the required ® registered trademark symbol next to our references of Realtor®. Are you? If you happened to answer, "nope, I don't and no big deal, or "no, not always," or "OMG, NO... It's too hard to figure out" then I welcome you to my excuses too! We are all writing about our professions and we all know that the National Association of Realtors® require us to do so. It has been driving me nuts not being able to figure out just how to do this on my PC. If you have a MAC then the process is quite easy. I understand that it's as easy as hitting "option-r". I planted my feet, strengthened my jaw and decided I was going to find a way today. I did. Yea! Once upon a time I knew how with a few steps but it required having a side number pad on my PC or Notebook. After ... 06/10/2011

We are all aware that McDonald's Franchises have infiltrated our US and have the finest Real Estate possible. Location, location, location....right? I was so hungry for breakfast this morning while driving back from Wichita Falls, that yet again I found myself trapped in their web of deceit.  There it was, easily accessible at the perfect exit for a quick stop, a quick meal and a break and then to jump right back on the Interstate without missing a beat.  The Golden arches were towering above and beyond any of the other signage and I guess a bit of their Marketing Campaigning worked on me. My mind screamed "no, no, no" and my tummy said..."don't listen" so I didn't. The power of McDonald's advertising begins working on children before they can walk. Ronald McDonald gives ice cream and t... 06/04/2011

  Sometimes our work sends us into truly delightful circumstances.  Today was such a day.     Our company has a listing way up in the country around Conroe.  Deep in the piney woods off a series of serene roads sits a 1976 vintage home on 40 acres.  The main house needs some re-hab.  It could be inhabited, but in this world of gleaming surfaces, wood and tile flooring and decorator paint colors, this spacious ranch house falls short of expectations.  A good cleaning and replacing the flooring in the spacious kitchen would make a great start toward bringing this house into home status.  The solid construction offers a feeling of strength.  No signs of sheet rock cracks in a structure of this age is rare.  Of course structural inspections may produce some cause for concern, but on an init... 05/28/2011

I enjoy providing a way for Realtor friends who are willing to write about their cities to appear on my blogs, and this is one of those times. This guest blog is from Jarrod Frenzel, an agent in the Houston, Woodlands, and Lake Conroe, Texas area. I hope you enjoy his thoughts... Lake Conroe, Texas Lake Conroe is considered by many to be one of the best lakes in Texas.  The sheer size of it and the excellent water quality creates tons of recreational opportunities.  Lake Conroe is sometimes referred to as Houston's playground. Lake Conroe is located approximatley 40 miles north of Houston, just past The Woodlands Texas. It is situated in Montgomery County and spills into the three cities of Conroe, Willis, and Montgomery.  This is a man-made lake completed in 1973, extending about 21 mi... 05/22/2011

The next Open Water Diver SCUBA class at the Conroe YMCA will start the first week of June. If you or someone you know is interested in learning to SCUBA dive please get in touch with me. The course is open to anyone 10 years old and up who is in good medical condition and can pass a basic swimming skills test. For those who haven't been diving in a while a SCUBA skills update class is also available. A NITROX class (enriched air NITROX) also can be scheduled for those who may be interrested. Don't miss this chance to learn to SCUBA dive, refresh your SCUBA skills or braoden your SCUBA knoowledge. If you or someone you know is interested in any of these SCUBA activities please drop me an email. Thanks and have a great day!             Ron Wickes www.ronwickes.com www.lakeconroeconsultin... 05/09/2011

  Overall Interest Rates drop in Texas but Down Payment Assistance for Bond 77 Interest Rate stay's high As market rates fall  TDHCA Bond 77 Down Payment Assistance Interest Rates remain higher in Texas. TDHCA Bond 77 Video Bond 77 allotment 11 funds are now exhausted.  As noted in my previous post in an effort to lengthen the amount of time that Bond 77 Down Payment assistance is available TDHCA has slashed the amount of down payment assistance available to each buyer by 20%. What does this mean?  The average buyer will have come up with $1,000 to as much as $2,500 additional to purchase a home utilizing bond 77. The rate for the new allotment #11 is now slightly lower at and to take advantage of this program before further cuts in the program you need to fill out our online applicati... 05/02/2011

  One of the many things that I love about living in Spring is the fact that we live so close to Lake Conroe.  I took these photos at our first Lake Conroe Sailing Association Thursday night race. Let the season begin!!!   For all your Spring-Magnolia-Tomball TX Real Estate needs, contact me today! Marchel Peterson Results Realty Cell: 832-721-8332  Copyright © 2010 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved. *Lake Conroe Sailing Association racing season begins!!!!*Subcribe in a reader Picture taken by Marchel Peterson all rights reserved! 05/01/2011

Lake Conroe Sailing Association has started their racing season.  We had the first Thursday night race this last Thursday.  We keep our sailboat on the other side of the lake at Conroe Yacht Club so for the Thursday night race my husband crews and I help on the committee boat.  If these pictures don’t make you want to come and join us I don’t know what will.  We will have Thursday night races from now until September.  The races start at 6:00 PM at the lighthouse in front of Seven Coves .  Come join us!! One last note you do not have to live at the lake to sail at the lake.  We live on the border of Spring/Tomball and it is an easy commute to the lake for the Thursday night race. For all your Spring-Magnolia-Tomball TX Real Estate needs, contact me today! Marchel Peterson Results Realt... 04/29/2011

Texas spends just over $11,000 per school student per school year. Today I was at an auto repair shop when I saw the usual sign telling customers that because of insurance regulations they are not allowed in the shop work area. Unfortunately this particular read: "Because of insurance regulations customers are not ALOUD in the shop area." We are either not spending enough money on our students in Texas or we are spending way too much. Maybe we can just buy some inexpensive versions of "Spellcheck". Wouldn't we save a whole lot of money educating our students? I wonder if the sign maker was an Aggie or a Longhorn?     Have a great weekend! Ron www.ronwickes.com www.lakeconroegroup.com 04/15/2011

  Conroe Down Payment Assistance for Bond 77 Rate Drop No April Fools Joke.  TDHCA Bond 77 Down Payment Assistance Rates lowered in Texas. Bond 77 allotment 10 funds are now exhausted.  As noted in my previous post in an effort to lengthen the amount of time that Bond 77 Down Payment assistance is available TDHCA has slashed the amount of down payment assistance available to each buyer by 20%. What does this mean?  The average buyer will have come up with $1,000 to as much as $2,500 more to purchase a home utilizing bond 77. The rate for the new allotment #11 is now slightly lower at and to take advantage of this program before further cuts in the program you need to fill out our online application here as soon as possible before funds are exhausted.  As mentioned on my original post t... 04/04/2011

Welcome Home to 15476 Miller Rd, Conroe, TX.  ***Just Reduced to $69,900***This great two story country house is on nearly 3/4 of an acre.  MLS #8903198 on HAR.com. Here is the front view of this wonderful house. Here is a shot of the living room, which is the first view after you walk in the front door. This is truly a country kitchen.  Look at all the wood cabinetry. This master bedroom has great neutral paint and and has large windows that let in lots of natural light. Front yard. View of the back of the house.  Call, text or email me today for a showing.  Agents contact me for GREAT incentives.  Lot next door is also for sale.  Contact agent for more details. 03/28/2011

On February 3rd USDA Rural Development Announced that soon it will begin charging a monthly mortgage insurance premium on all USDA home loans. What does this mean to you? Higher Payments Thousands more in Mortgage Insurance Fees Although the stated purpose of the memo is to reduce the cost of the USDA Guaranty Fee a careful analysis of the effects of the USDA Home Loan mortgage insurance implementation outlined in the In the February 3, 2011 memo show that monthly payments will be higher and unlike FHA Mortgage Insurance which goes away after you have 20% equity in the property the USDA Home Loan Mortgage Insurance is for the life of the loan.  If you would like to avoid this increase it is important to fill out our online application here to get the ball rolling and avoid the higher c... 03/08/2011

  The Conroe Real Estate market had an active February 2011.  We had over 50 Conroe MLS recorded property sales and an average market time of 177 days for those sales with the shortest market time being on single family homes.  For more information please contact your Conroe Realtor. Conroe ACTIVE Property Type # of Active Properties Average Active List Price Average Active  CDOM Single Family 642 $215,797 194 Townhome/Condo 4 $104,250 96 Lots / Land 349 $138,360 472 Multi Family 9 $193,822 198 Homes w/Acreage 61 $986,321 392 Midrise/Highrise 0 0 0         SOLD Property Type # of Sales Average List Price Average Sales Price Average SP/LP% Average CDOM Single Family 54 $165,197 $156,279 94% 107 Townhome/Condo 1 $147,500 $106,050 71 161 Lots / Land 12 $43,075 $37,542 84% 264 Multi Family... 03/02/2011

Here is your weekly interest rate update: Conventional 30 year Mortgage: 4.875% Credit score:740 LTV:80% Loan Amount:$200k APR: 5.375% FHA 30 year:4.5% Credit Score:640 LTV:96.5% loan amount:$200k APR:5.375% Conventional 15 year:4.125% Credit score:740 LTV:80% Loan Amount:$200k APR:4.625%   Call me today if you are thinking of refinancing or buying a home, for the best mortgage rate possible.  02/23/2011

Here is your weekly interest rate update: Conventional 30 year Mortgage: 4.75% Credit score:740 LTV:80% Loan Amount:$200k APR: 5.25% FHA 30 year:4.5% Credit Score:640 LTV:96.5% loan amount:$200k APR:5.375% Conventional 15 year:4% Credit score:740 LTV:80% Loan Amount:$200k APR:4.5%   Call me today if you are thinking of refinancing or buying a home, for the best mortgage rate possible.  01/26/2011

Warrior Dash According to their website, Warrior Dash is a "mud-crawling, fire-leaping, extreme run from hell."  And it is scheduled for Conroe, Texas on March 19 & 20, 2011.  Located at the 3 Palms Extreme Sports Park, 15100 I-45 South the 3.18 mile race is sure to be a challenging adventure.  You'll run through Tornado Alley, where gale force winds will assault you.  Hundreds of tires will try to slow you down in Knee High Hell.  Giant straw bales in Hay Fever will have you climbing to continue the course.  Rio Run makes you run down river to the Sand Trap trek through mounds of sand.  A sprint up Hell's Hill will test your perseverance just in time to skid down a muddy Satan's Slope.  Cargo nets greet you for the Cargo Climb and get ready for the fire-leaping of the Warrior Roast.  T... 01/18/2011

ANOTHER NEW LISTING: 325 BOIS d ARC, CONROE, TX  77301 If you are looking for a terrific buy in a location that is minutes away from I-45, The Woodlands, Lake Conroe and more - 325 Bois d Arc is the home you have been looking for. This home is sparkling clean and ready for a new family!  The converted garage is the perfect family room or perhaps for the master bedroom!  Updated appliances and an HVAC system that is only a few years old.  Nestled in a quiet, etstablished neighborhood this home is the perfect place for a young family, a newly married couple or even an empty nester! Call CHEVAUX GROUP today to schedule a showing of this home!                          01/18/2011

Both Existing and First Time Home Buyers who are Vets Get a Tax Credit When Buying a Home that others do not in Texas! Texas Vets have many breaks when buying a home in Texas from the Texas Vet Mortgage Tax credit program, Texas Vet Land board and for some Vets the $8,000 Federal Tax credit is still in effect for contracts signed by April 30, 2011 and closed by June 30, 2011 who are eligible for the credit. Another home buyer tax credit called the Texas Vet Mortgage Tax Credit gives those who have served an opportunity to reduce their Federal Income Taxes by up to $2,000 a year.  As a military vet in Texas you helped protect the American Dream for all of us.  Now you have the opportunity to live it.  Unlike other Home Buyer Tax credit programs  you do NOT need to be a first time home bu... 01/18/2011

Subject: Title Insurance Shortly after you are "under contract" in the home buying or selling process, you will receive a document in the mail from the Title Company. It is a title commitment for your title insurance on the property you have under contract. Be sure to read through for accuracy (spelling of names, etc).  The document serves as the preliminary title report to ensure title is clear by the time of closing. It is the document referred to on page 1 of the contract you signed for the sale or purchase of your property. Also, keep a copy for your files.   Should you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me. Here are some terms you may find helpful.  Title A legal document evidencing a person's right to or ownership of a property. Title company A company that specializes ... 12/31/2010

Are you a homeowner who really cares about their home? Are you a homeowner that wants to update your home however isn't sure which improvements are the smart ones to make? Are homeowner who wants to know more about energy tax benefits? Are you a homeowner who wants to know more about .............. And the list goes on and on and on. If you are a homeowner who really cares about your home than one of your most valuable assets is a website brought to you by the National Association of Realtors. The website it www.houselogic.com This website contains a tremendous amount of useful information for you. You have probably already prepared your New Year's Resolutions or your personal goals for 2011. Have you thought about doing the same for your house? Don't forget your home is probably your m... 12/27/2010