The 2012 COLES CROSSING CROCS swim season will be here before you know it!! Online registration begins, Monday, March 26 and ends Saturday, March 31.  The mandatory parent meeting will be held at the community center on Sunday, April 15 at 4PM.  There, you will find out all you need to know about this FUN, continually-growing team of swimmers!! "So, when does practice begin?" you ask.  The first practice is scheduled for after school, Tuesday, April 17th.  Time will be based on your child's age group and will be announced at the parent meeting.   If your child can paddle his/her feet and has a love for the water, I highly encourage you to look into swim team.  MANY years ago (11 to be exact), my husband and I were encouraged by the lifeguards at our neighborhood pool to get our son on t... 03/14/2012

We wouldn’t use a “funhouse” mirror that distorts our reflection or a broken mirror that impairs our image to apply makeup or style our hair. Why, then, do we use the worldly mirrors of others’ opinions and our own presumptuous thoughts to view our inner selves? These types of mirrors not only give us a false perception of ourselves, but they wound us and hold us captive by the reflected ugliness of fear, guilt, worry, condemnation, and perfectionism. Many of us see and feel the paralyzing effects of these ugly burdens, but we have no idea how to take them off. So we continually live in the destructive trap of insecurity knowing deep down there is more to life than what we are experiencing. Seeing Yourself in the Mirror of Truth illuminates this destructive impact that deception and lie... 03/04/2012

COLES CROSSING COMMUNITY POOL   FIVE homes in Coles Crossing sold during the month of January 2012, which is about average for this time of year.  Prices ranged from $157,900 up to $280,000 with the average price/sq. ft. being $83.02.  Of these five homes, three were 3BR/2Bath/2 car garage homes. The remaining two were 4/3/2 homes.  Average days on the market = 63.  Most of these SOLDS were priced spot on getting an average of 97% of their asking price, which shows how important it is to price RIGHT when you are first on the market!! There are MANY buyers out looking right now, so I expect to see many more homes under contract for the month of February!  COLES CROSSING continues to be a highly sought-after subdivision! For more information on this wonderful community, visit our communi... 02/07/2012

2011 has seen some interesting things happen in COLES CROSSING...like the most expensive SOLD price in COLES CROSSING history, and the least expensive SOLD price as well! Well, gentle reader, hang onto your Santa hats as December had its own interesting twist.  Though the average price per sq. foot remained relatively stable ($77.28), this month's SOLDS ranged from $59.58/sq. ft. (perhaps a record low in and of itself) all the way up to $100.44/sq. ft.    So, all that to say, YOU JUST NEVER KNOW!  Average number of days on the market before receiving an offer was 75.  Here again, the range was rather broad--17 days for the low, while the highest wait-time was 252 days.  There truly is a buyer for every home!   BEAUTIFUL PERRY HOME FOR SALE IN COLES CROSSING, NEARLY 4000 SF--$280,000 Com... 01/09/2012

  My name is Marcus Barnes and I am a buyer's consultant in Cypress, Texas.  I work hard to be a resoource that buyers can depend on for expertise and guidance during the home buying process.   Here is a list of my featured Master Communities: Bridgeland Cypress Creek Lakes Towne Lake Canyon Lakes at Stone Gate Black Horse Ranch to see what is available in these communites 01/02/2012

Stable Gate Market Report and Home Sales As of December 31, 2011   Home Styles in Stable Gate and Homes Currently Available for Sale  (This link to Home Styles & Homes Currently Available in Stable Gate in Cypress, TX is always up-to-date -- it is updated the minute a change takes place on MLS!) Stable Gate is a small gated community of upscale homes in Cypress TX.  The homes are on large wooded lots which are mostly beautifully landscaped and manicured.  Stable Gate is in Cyfair ISD and is a tucked away subdivision just minutes from Hwy. 290.      As of December 31, 2011 . . . . . No. of Homes CURRENTLY ON THE MARKET:  7 Homes Price Range                                                    $299,950 to $359,990 Average Days on the Market:   .                 . . .  183 Days Average Pric... 12/31/2011

Now that Christmas has died down and family members are leaving town to go home, it's a great time before New Years to go out and visit the Johnson's home at Johnson's Christmas Corner.  The Johnsons live in Fairwood subdivision in Cypress, Texas and have been putting on a MAJOR lights display (think National Lampoon's Christmas) since 2007. Their display is set to music and is certainly a memorable experience. If you can't make the drive over to their home, then check out their website at www.johnsonschristmascorner.com.  You can watch past year's light displays and read about how and why they do it all on their frequently asked questions page. I think it's a great sharing experience to witness someone who goes out in such a way to have fun with the season and make young and old alike... 12/27/2011

Supporting Our Troops - Cypress Cares - Box Packing Open to the PublicDecember's Season of Celebrations and Sharing  December's box packing get-together is today, December 22, 2011 -- 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church on Huffmeister.  Box packing is a monthly project of Cypress Cares and it is open to the public.  If you are interested in participating, they suggest checking their webpage to see if there are specific items needed for the month and to confirm that month's meeting time and location.  If you want to get involved, but can't attend today, check their calendar to see other times that may work for you. For anyone wanting to give back to and support those who are fighting for our country, Cypress Cares is a good choice.  You can contact them by email:  i... 12/22/2011

  Cypress Food Drives and Food Pantries December's Season of Celebrations and Sharing The Langham Creek YMCA located at 16725 Longenbaugh, Houston 77095 is having a food drive that will benefit the Houston Northwest Community Center and it will run through December 23, 2011.  You can drop off non-perishable items if you would like to help those in need who might otherwise go hungry.  For further information, call (281) 859-6143 Extension 205. Non-perishable items suggested by the Houston Food Bank for food drives are things such as peanut butter, canned vegetables, and canned soups with meat or beans.  See the complete list. Cypress Assistance Ministries, located at 11202 Huffmeister, Houston 77065 currently needs breakfast cereal, boxed potatoes and stuffing, cranberry sauce and bar so... 12/22/2011

Cypress Outlet Mall - Houston Premium Outlets Things to Do in Cypress, TX If you want to shop in Cypress without going to the major malls, but yet you want a big selection, try Houston Premium Outlets.  There are over 145 stores to shop.  If you have to drag along non-shoppers in the family, there is usually live entertainment on the weekend (weather permitting).   Santa is scheduled to be there Friday, December 23, noon to 4:00 p.m.  - bring your camera and take photos!  Mon., Dec. 26, 2011 thru Mon., Jan. 2, 2012 there will be After-Holiday Sales going on.  Houston Premium Outlets is located at 29300 Hempstead Hwy, Cypress 77433.  It's out 290 at Mason Rd. - in front of Fairfield - their phone no. is 281-304-5820 and or visit their website.         12/21/2011

If you are thinking about moving to Bridgeland, you aren’t the only one.  Sales of homes in Bridgeland nearly quadrupled from this same month last year. Bridgeland in Cypress, Texas is booming!  Bridgeland was voted the #1 Master Planned Community by the National Association of Home Builders.  Come see why!  **Click on table to view larger Please note that the data was gathered from the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) Multiple Listing Service (MLS).  Not all home sales are reported to HAR.  New Home sales are typically not reported.  If a home buyer bought a lot directly through the builder, this sale is not reported to HAR.  Many more homes are sold in Bridgeland  each month than is reported to HAR. In comparison to last year, 15 homes were sold this month over the 4 homes that s... 12/17/2011

Cypress, Texas is one of the fastest growing areas of Texas because it's a beautiful suburban area just outside Houston featuring a variety of jobs, home prices, neighborhood amenities and excellent schools.  I found this short video about Cypress on Qwiki and thought it worth sharing. If you're interested in learning more about housing options or school information in the Cypress Texas area, please visit my website at http://www.GreatHoustonProperties.com. http://www.qwiki.com/embed/Cypress,_Texas 12/14/2011

FOURTEEN homes have closed in the Fairwood subdivision for the six months ending November 30, 2011. Average price was $125,658; however there were huge differences in price.  The lowest-priced Fairwood home was $53850 for a government-owned foreclosure on Cypress View.  At the other end of the price range was a beautiful home on Cypress Green which sold for $157,500.  There are currently eleven Fairwood homes that are on the market right now!  SIX homes are under contract as of 12/3/11, so if you are thinking of SELLING your FAIRWOOD home, CALL ME!!  I have a proven track record of getting FAIRWOOD HOMES SOLD! As shown by the six homes under contract right now, the buyers are still out looking during the holiday season, yet there are fewer homes on the market now than during the "busy s... 12/03/2011

NINE homes SOLD during the month of November in the highly sought-after Coles Crossing subdivision!  Prices ranged from $165,500 up to $300,000.         Nine is a good number...   :) I am happy to say that of these nine homes sold, NONE were foreclosures.  We anticipate the day when foreclosures will be an archaic word, though when that will be, no one can predict with any certainty.   Average price per square foot for these nine Coles Crossing homes was $78.69, and the average number of days on the market was 70.  Lowest price per sq. ft was $76.85.  Highest price/sq. ft. was $81.99. If you are thinking of buying a home in Coles Crossing, call me!  I'd love to show you around this wonderful, master-planned community! If circumstances necesitate a move from Coles Crossing, I would be ha... 12/02/2011

Five homes SOLD in the Northlake Forest subdivision between August 1, 2011 and November 17, 2011.  Of these five SOLD homes, the average price/sq. ft. was $74.  The lowest price/sq. ft was $53, while the highest price/sq.ft was $98/sq. ft.  The smaller homes in general command a higher price/sq. ft than the larger ones.    Average number of days on the market before receiving a contract was 95, and the average number of days to close was 43.  There are plenty of buyers still out there looking in the hopes of taking advantage of the super-low interest rates!  Many will want to close before 12/31/11, so they can have their homestead exemption in place on their new property. Thinking of BUYING or SELLING in Northlake Forest?  I would count it a privilege to assist you!   Call me, and I'll ... 11/22/2011

FOUR homes SOLD in the Cypress Mill Park subdivision for the month of October 2011.  Prices ranged from a low of $118,000 to a high of $128,000.    Average price/sq. ft. was $55.27 with the highest price/sq. ft being $73.38 for a model-like home with a pool!  With amazingly-low interest rates, buyers are out and about looking for a great deal.  When looking at the interest savings over a period of 30 years, prospective buyers can't help but look NOW!!  Example:  A home priced at $125,000 with a 30 year fixed mortgage would cost approximately $ 976/month (This includes principle, interest + taxes when a downpayment of 3.5% is paid at closing.)    SONJA PATTERSON with RE/MAX REALTY CENTER  13611 Skinner Rd., Suite 100  Cypress, TX 77429 Direct:  281.213.8039          Cell: 713.303.9463   ... 11/16/2011

I think it is probably due to the heavy drought conditions we are living with here in the Houston area, but I’m sure other factors played a hand. Several homes that I know of over the past year have caught fire. One burned to the ground killing a teenage girl trapped inside. One started due to a bird nest built near some electrical wiring behind an outside light. Fires happen when no one expects them because none of us ever expect a home to catch on fire. There is a home that caught fire about a year ago just a few blocks from my home that has captured my interest. My family and I drive past it every day. For almost 8 months it sat there, empty, after the fire. The top floor windows had been blown out and the roof was blackened. Parts of the siding were completely gone leaving the home... 11/16/2011

  So many deals and LOW, LOW interest rates make NOW a great time to purchase  a home!  As of Friday, November 10, a 30 year fixed mortgage was 3.99%, while a 15 year fixed was only 3.3%!!  There are plenty of foreclosures in the mix of homes on the market.  If you don't mind having a few fix-it jobs prior to moving in, a foreclosure can be a great deal!  NINE foreclosures SOLD in the Cypress, TX 77429 area for the month of October 2011.  The average price per square foot for these homes was $49.75.  Eight of these 9 homes were fairly new!  Built in 2000 or more recently, these homes needed less work than your average Houston-area foreclosure! The home with the lowest price per square foot was a 3BR/2BATH  home in Cypress Point.  Purchased for $64,500, this home was a LOW, LOW $34/squar... 11/12/2011

Hello there and thanks for visiting me. A quick bit about me. I'm a Houston native and real estate broker with Keller Williams. I've worked in residential real estate in the NW Houston area for the last eight years and have numerous production awards under my belt. I work with buyers and sellers and am lucky enough to have many of my clients return to me when they're ready to move again. To keep me on my toes, I request feedback from every transaction and it's available on the Houston Association of Realtors' consumer satisfaction survey site.  You can look me up at HAR.com/findanagent to see that I maintain an almost perfect five-star rating. When they were still rating Realtors, H Magazine voted me one of the top 100 Realtors in Houston 2 years in a row. My clients chose me because I ... 11/07/2011

TWELVE homes sold this past month in the COLES CROSSING SUBDIVISION!!  Buyers are still out looking AND for those of you thinking of putting your COLES CROSSING home on the market, I encourage you to do so!!  I have TWO buyers who live within Coles already who are looking for a new abode!!  One family has outgrown their home AND garage, and they are looking for a FIVE bedroom home with a 3 car detatched garage!  Currently in a two-story, the other family wants to move into a one-story, four bedroom home.  So, all that to say...buyers are going to be buying ALL throughout the holidays.  IF you are ready to sell, PUT YOUR HOME OUT THERE before the rest of the competition comes along in February/March!! OK, now for the numbers! Of the 12 Coles Crossing homes that SOLD in October 2011, the ... 11/03/2011