West Ranch is Friendswood’s newest master-planned community, with 766 acres bordered by Centennial Park, Chigger Creek, and Clear Creek. When complete, West Ranch will have 68 acres of commercial development and will be home to 1,300 families.   Currently, four new-home builders are building single-family homes, garden homes, and estate homes in West Ranch, with prices ranging from the $260,000s to over $800,000. Highland Homes, Coventry Homes, Partners in Building and Village Builders are constructing homes in West Ranch.   There are 33 homes in West Ranch actively listed for sale on the MLS (on Jan. 19, 2013). Most are new-construction homes; only six are resales. List prices range from $291,929 to $632,900, with an average price per square foot of $115.32.   The recreational amenity ... 01/19/2013

  Friendswood has eight city parks, with the newest being Centennial Park, located near the new Friendswood Junior High at 2200 S. Friendswood Drive.   Centennial Park has two picnic pavilions, a hiking and jogging trail, a playground, a concession and restroom building, a fishing pond, five lighted soccer fields, two multi-purpose fields, two lighted football fields, eight total soccer fields and the Evelyn B. Newman Amphitheater.   Centennial Park is home to many Friendswood Youth Sports groups that practice and compete there.   Additionally, many local events are held at Centennial Park, including the annual Fourth of July fireworks display, Spring Haul-a-Day and Fall Haul­-a-Day, community concerts, political gatherings, the annual Kid-Fish Competition, and much more.   The picnic p... 01/18/2013

 A new Tanger Outlet Center opened in Texas City right before Christmas. The stores were incredibly crowded during the Christmas shopping season, so I stayed away after my first visit. But today, I had a little spare time after a showing appointment, so I stopped by the new outlet center to see what I could find. I have to say, the shopping at the new Tanger Outlet center is outstanding. There are so many of my favorite stores in that center – Chico’s, New York and Company, Coach, Jones New York, Nine West – all stores I like. Plus, there are plenty of stores where I can shop for my grandson – The Children’s Place, Gymboree, The Disney Store and more. There are over 150 stores of all kinds at the outlet center. The Tanger Outlet Center is located at 5885 Gulf Freeway at the Holland Road... 01/17/2013

Friendswood is rich with history, and residents have always been proud of the historical markers placed around town that point out interesting facts about our wonderful small community.   Friendswood currently has seven historical markers noting interesting information about the area such as the Friends Church Cemetery, the Origin of Friendswood (on Friendswood Drive), and the Importance of the Fig Industry (in Stevenson Park). There are also markers at the Cecil and Frances Brown Home, the Frank J. Brown Heritage Museum site, the 1902 Perry House, and the old Barber Shop.   Soon, Friendswood will be getting seven new historical markers, thanks to the Friendswood Historical Society, and the many individuals and businesses who have donated funds for the new markers.   The new markers wil... 01/16/2013

  A quick look at some facts about Friendswood will tell you that Friendswood residents value education! The City of Friendswood reports that 52 percent of Friendswood residents have earned a Bachelor’s degree or higher, and the high school graduation rate is 97.7 percent. With such emphasis placed on education by residents, it is good to know that there are many universities and colleges near Friendswood, Texas. Here are a few of them: Rice University University of Houston – University Park University of Houston – Clear Lake, Main Campus University of Houston – Clear Lake, Pearland Campus Texas A&M University Galveston Texas Southern University The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston San Jacinto College Central Campus San... 01/13/2013

Friendswood, Texas is known for having many beautiful trees. There are beautiful old oaks lining the many creeks that meander through the town, and local residents know the value of having beautiful trees in their yards.   The Keep Friendswood Beautiful organization also knows the value of beautiful trees. They will once again be giving free trees to Friendswood residents on Saturday, January 19. The annual Tree Giveaway will be held at City Hall, located at 910 S. Friendswood Drive, from 8-10 a.m., or until the trees are gone.   Over 100 container trees will be given away, but there is a limit of one per family.   Just in case you need advice on caring for your free tree, there will be a master gardener present to answer questions. But you don’t have to worry, because all of the trees ... 01/11/2013

Lately I have had a lot of buyers wanting to find houses that will work as multi-generational homes for their families. They have found themselves in the Sandwich Generation, living with their children and their aging parents at the same time. Some even have grandchildren, adult children, and aging parents living under one roof! These people have special housing needs. Most are looking for a single story home with a “mother-in-law” suite, or a guest house in the backyard.  If they have teenagers or college-agers still at home, they might be looking for a two-story home with two master suites downstairs and a nice gameroom or study area upstairs for the kids. New-home builders are starting to pay attention to this demographic trend and are addressing this housing need. Here in the Housto... 01/08/2013

HASHTAG NAMED WORD of THE YEAR According to The Times of India (internet) the word HASHTAG was named the word of the year 2012. The American Dialect Society made this so. I did not even know that there was such a society. Apparently this word has been around for quite a long time. I always called it the “pound” sign. I guess I am dating my self. My teachers always told me that this symbol, “#” is a pound sign. What a ninny I must have sounded like! You have heard the old adage “if you can’t beat them join them”? Apparently, as the article read the “Traditionalist” are starting to accept computer lingo. The use of HASHTAG was made popular by Twitter and later picked up by Face Book. Other words considered or came close to being the word of the year were YOLO (you only live once), Gangnam... 01/07/2013

New Year’s Eve brought a good end to my best year so far in real estate. Today I signed a new listing, a nice large home in Friendswood on an acre and a half with a barn that is ready for horses. The house is about 2700 square feet, and is within walking distance of Friendswood High School. Pictures and more information will be coming soon!   Happy New Year to you and yours! May 2013 bring you great success and many blessings! 12/31/2012

As we get older we realize there was a point in our lives that we somehow got into an automatic mode and let a lot of life and time spin quickly past us. When we get to this point we realize we were losers. However, we are winners because we realized this and can now dance to a different tune! I want to thank my guardian angels for doing a terrific job this year and thank you Jesus for assigning them to me. My New Year’s Resolution Live! Listen to music like when I was in my twenties. Laugh a lot more Spend more time with my Great Grand Kids Get on with my art work Write more children’s stories and publish one of them! Remind those around me that I truly love them. Cook more Lose at least 50 pounds Learn new things to strengthen my brain Listen more Be quite and still Exercise Control m... 12/31/2012

NATIONAL HAMBURGER DAY   I almost forgot! Today is National Hamburger Day! I don’t think I have ever met anyone who does not like hamburgers! The best bun is one with Poppy Seeds, which has been brushed with butter and grilled on both sides. For me a charcoaled grilled hamburger patty is the best, followed with a nice slice of melted Monterrey Jack Cheese. After that add your bacon slice, avocado, thick slice of purple onion, and lettuce. Make mine with mustard and mayonnaise please. Oh yeah baby…hook line and sinker…you have my attention now!   12/21/2012

  In Texas, the survey is a negotiable item in the sales contract. Either the seller or the buyer can pay for it, although frequently, the buyer ends up paying for the survey if a new one is needed. Sometimes the seller has an existing survey that will work, which saves the expense of one party having to purchase a new one.   When I represent a buyer, I always advise my client to ask the seller to pay for the survey. Most Realtors will catch that in the contract, and it will become an item that is negotiated. Occasionally, a listing agent will be focused on the price so much that they overlook the survey item.   That happened to me on a recent sale. After the contract was executed, and we were well into the loan application process, the listing agent called me because she had just disco... 12/21/2012

Today while checking in on Face Book I noticed there were some good treats that some of my friends were baking. Christmas brings so many wonderful ideas to mind that each of us wants to make be it crafts or food dishes, more than any other holiday. One of those things is DESERTS. Oh yeah baby! DESERTS is one of the wonderful things about Christmas. I asked my friends on Face Book to post their favorite tasty looking treats. So here we go. My friend Theresa Cabrera made this treat for her child’s class. It is little chocolate donuts with pretzels for antlers, and a red M&M for the nose.   Mary Silva Duplessis makes Sinickerdoodles…YUM! If know me you know I love cookies. One of my downfalls. My Friends at Create A Cake located in Manvel Texas, makes all types cakes and cookies. She is on... 12/21/2012

  The City of Friendswood and Friendswood Fine Arts announced the Brittenum Family home, also known as “High Tech Holiday”, as the winner of the 2012 Deck the House Holiday Lighting Competition. The winner, “High Tech Holiday”, can be viewed at 1208 White Wing Circle, in the Falcon Ridge subdivision.   The contest is over but if you check it at www.Facebook.com/FriendswoodArts, you will be able to see a list of some of the best decorated houses.   We will be riding through the neighborhood to visit these homes very soon. Presenting:  High Tech Holiday   12/19/2012

  I would like to introduce Mike Warren. Mike hails from Colorado Springs, Co.   I am not quite sure when Mike joined AR, but I see he started blogging in April of this year. I discovered Mike when he commented on one of my recent posts. I went over to see what he was all about and I really enjoyed his last post.  The Seven Places at Home You'd Want to Improve.   This post is about, "When homeowners plan for their next home, or plan the upgrading initiatives that they want to perform on their latest asset, there are seven priority areas that they are concentrating on, according to a study of Better Homes and Gardens readers." I hope ya'll all give Mike a great big Christmas present by going over and subscribing to his blog's.  12/19/2012

This week is going to be a noisy week in the King household, because we are having our in-ground gunite pool removed. Demolition is scheduled to begin tomorrow, and we are bracing ourselves for a noisy mess over the next few days.   When we decided to have our pool taken out, we spoke to several contractors and contacted the city to determine the best method for removing it.   One thing we discovered is that the city will actually allow you to remove a few feet of the cement around the sides of the pool, bust up the bottom and the remaining sides, and then fill dirt in over the broken up cement in the bottom of the big hole. Breaking up the bottom of the pool is essential to prevent water from collecting and causing drainage problems later on.   We decided against that method, and will ... 12/16/2012

Friendswood Friends Church is hosting their Prime Timers Christian Celebration Luncheon on Thursday, December 20th at 11:30am.  The Luncheon will be held in the Fellowship Hall and entertainment will be provided.  We all have a favorite Christmas story and the Prime Timers would like everyone to share their favorite story with the group. The Church will hold their Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on Monday, December 24th, at 6:00pm and 10:00pm.  There will be a nursery provided for the 6:00pm Service only. For more information about the Friendswood Friends Church, please visit their website at:  www.friendswoodfriends.org  FRIENDSWOOD FRIENDS CHURCH 502 S. Friendswood Dr. 281-482-7821 12/16/2012

What for Lease In Friendswood This December?   There are currently 250 homes in Friendswood for lease. Since there are so many I will address the first 27 homes. They are priced from $650.00 to $3,500; the numbers of bedrooms vary from two to 6 bedrooms. The square footage starts at 628 with the largest one at 5,396-square feet. These homes all have at least one full bathroom, but some have up to six! These homes are located throughout Friendswood, in new and established subdivisions. Friendswood has many rental homes and there is always something to consider leasing in in this city. So if you are looking for a lease in Friendswood be sure to call me today! We have a lot to look at! 12/16/2012

Christmas Eve Services in Friendswood, TX   Many churches in Friendswood have already planned special services or events for Christmas Eve. Here are a few of the churches and the times for their Christmas Eve services:   Friendswood United Methodist Church 110 N. Friendswood Dr. Friendswood, TX 77546 All Services are Candlelight Services 3:00 p.m. – Children’s Christmas Eve 5:00 p.m. – Celebrate Praise Christmas Eve 7:00 p.m. – Traditional Christmas Eve 11:00 p.m. – Communion Christmas Eve   Calvary Chapel Houston 3700 FM 528 Friendswood, TX 77546 4:00 p.m. – Candlelight Service 5:30 p.m. – Candlelight Service   First Baptist Church 111 E. Heritage Friendswood, TX 77546 5:00 p.m. – Family Friendly Service 6:00 p.m. – Traditional Service   Friendswood Friends Church 502 S. Friendswood Dr... 12/16/2012

Agents in the UTR-Texas, Realtors office sure know how to celebrate Christmas! Everyone gathered early Friday morning for a Christmas brunch, fellowship and a good time. I attended the party with my good friend, and fellow Active Rainer, Sussie Sutton. Here are a few pictures of our office festivities (that is Sussie on the left):   UTR recently had a name change, but it’s the same great group of Realtors (about 250 of us) and the same wonderful owners, Alicia Weaver and Bill Havey. Bill is the broker, and he is the most knowledgeable and helpful broker I have ever worked with. Bill and Alicia work hard to insure that all of their agents are successful. Here is a picture of them at the Christmas party:   Merry Christmas from UTR-Texas, Realtors!   12/14/2012