Yesterday, as I was heading into my office for a phone call, my daughter came to me in no uncertain terms that I was to remain in the living room. I was to read her a book. At least that is what I think she said. I tried to explain that I would be right back, but I received a wagging finger, a stern face, and a further admonishment. As she headed off to her room, she noticed that I was making my get away, so she shouted one last thing, while I was promising to come back. I heard my wife laughing at this exchange from the other room. I came back to see that she had a book in hand. We sat down in the middle of the living room to read. After the book, she decided on some music. She found some loose head phones. She put them on, and started singing to herself, while I finished some work. M... 01/23/2008

Meyerland is a residential neighborhood located in Houston, Texas.  It is located on the banks of Brays Bayou at the outermost southwest corner of Loop 610 . . .immediately south of Bellaire.  Approximately a 15 minute drive to downtown Houston, the Texas Medical Center, the Galleria and the Reliant Park complex, the Meyerland real estate community boasts excellent accessibility, strong community leaders, an active homeowner's association and beautiful parks.  Single family residential homes range in price from the mid $100,000's to the $1,000,000's.  Some of the homes are the original bungalows, contemporary homes or traditional/ranch style homes built in the 50's and 60's . . .while others are new construction homes occupied by homeowners who like Meyerland's location and convenience.... 01/22/2008

Houston, Texas was founded in 1836 and named after General Sam Houston.  It is often referred to as the Bayou City or Space City.  It is reported to be the 4th largest city in the United States with a population close to 2 million.  The city has been a dynamic business center since the early 1900's.  Being home to NASA and the Johnson Space Center, it is also the leader in space technology.  The Port of Houston is thriving and connected to the city by the Houston Ship Channel.  Other well known areas of the city are Interstate 10's Energy Corridor, the Houston Galleria and the world class and much recognised Texas Medical Center.  Houston's feel is very diverse with both a high rise skyline and waterways such as Buffalo Bayou which wind through the city.Downtown Houston has recently bee... 01/22/2008

This morning I found my neighbor in a dilemma. How do you stuff another bag of garbage in an already full can? I told her to throw it into mine. She notices that my can is only a quarter full. Where you out of town, comes the inquiry. No, this is normal for most weeks. I see that other residents have overflowing cans, and one man is pulling out his normal two cans. I wonder if people consider the cost of garbage. In Houston, as I imagine is the case in many cities, we pay for our garbage service through our water bill. I know that many homeowners forget this fact, so the expense of the waste removal is hidden from us in a way. I wonder exactly how much of this refuse could be recycled. Quite a bit, I think. On the weeks that recycling comes, most of my fellows do not place anything out... 01/22/2008

Originally pronounced as if it were two words . . . "Mont Rose", Montrose  real estate in Houston, Texas is bound on the south by Highway 59, on the north by Allen Parkway, on the east by Bagby Street and on the west by Shepherd. This is a neighborhood located close to the downtown area of Houston, Texas.  The Museum District is located in the southern area of Montrose.  The unique flavor of this part of this area is found in the many bars and restaurants, thrift/vintage/second-hand shops, small galleries and eclectic boutiques.Montrose real estate comes with the most distinctive character of eccentricity and diversity in Houston.  Envisioned initially as a planned community and/or a streetcar suburb in the early 20th century, it is one of the prettiest areas offering bungalows featurin... 01/21/2008

Do you love to have guest over for dinner? Or do you love big family get togethers? I know it is not a function that everyone likes to have in their home, but most of us end up with at least one such event occurring in our home. Personally, I enjoy such feasts, and I love to cook. Having my children and all of the nieces and nephews run around is wonderful. Being able to have the time to catch up with family and friends about the scenes and occurrences in their daily lives is a pleasure. I prefer these dinners to speaking over the phone. One year my old house was full to the brim, and my sister-in-laws wanted to help in the kitchen. Now understand, this is my domain. My wife can cook, but she prefers that this joy should befall her only once a year. In kindergarten, my son asked the te... 01/21/2008

The Houston Aeros will be playing the San Antonio Rampage on January 25 & 26 at the Toyota Center at 7:35 PM.The first 3000 fans will be given Hockey Visors on January 26.  Come out and support our Aeros.  These guys are amazing.  The game is fast, exciting, with a few fights to surely break out, sometimes ending in a little bit of blood.  But these guys are tough, and are use to the constant banging of heads.  It's unbelievable that they are skating, but skating backwards, sideways and all over the place without looking is just mind blowing from someone that grew up in TX & Ok and didn't have Hockey rinks.  My first game was in Phil. watching the Flyers, it was so much better in person than on tv.  The crowd was a rowdy one, and really got into it.  You gotta go watch these guys, you m... 01/20/2008

A community center in the River Oaks area has an arts program for children with disabilities.  The children are encouraged to express creativity through music, painting, mime, drama, or sculpture.  Volunteers do not have to be formally trained in art, just willing to contribute an hour or more a week.  Call Volunteer Houston at 713-965-0031 or visit www.volunteerhouston.org for more information.www.StagingSmartNSold.comprovides Houston home staging solutions to Realtors and homeowners that assist a rapid and profitable house sale.  The owner is also a volunteer with Family Outreach of Clear Lake. 01/20/2008

A Missouri City program providing therapeutic horseback riding for children with disabilities needs "side walker" volunteers.  Volunteers accompany the youngsters as they enjoy a horseback walk in a protected environment under the guidance of physical therapists. The riding sessions will be held on weekdays and Saturdays.  Call Volunteer Houston at 713-965-0031 or visit www.volunteerhouston.org for more information.www.StagingSmartNSold.com offers Houston home staging solutions to area homeowners and realtors that will assist in a rapid and profitable home sale.  The owner is a volunteer with Family Outreach of Clear Lake. 01/20/2008

Well, we have been having some good deluges in our area the past few days. I have noticed that several bayous are quite full. The forecast is that we will have some more rain coming this week. I do not mind the rain so much, considering that our state just came out of a long drought last year. However, rain does bring a concern to homeowners: water drainage from your land. Most people forget that real estate inspectors look at the grading of their property. Since we are called home inspectors in common parlance, the consumer thinks that we just investigate the home, but water flow around your home is important. Water and moisture are the major enemies of our homes. Light frame construction is the main building method used in the United States. At the rate we tear down homes to build a ... 01/20/2008

Monday, January 21, 2008 marks Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. Each year Houston puts on a spectacular parade in his honor and this year is no different. On Saturday January 19th at 2:00 p.m. 22 marching bands and 11 floats will make their way down Allen Parkway into downtown in celebration of Mr. King. Come early and dress warm. This event is sure to be a family pleaser.  01/17/2008

Current reports show that you might be considering buying a home, but national news reports cause you to be concerned, so you are waiting for the market to be better. You may have worries about finding a suitable mortgage, but at the Houston Housing Forum last year, leading lenders in Houston made it clear that such loans are readily available for qualified buyers. It has also been shown that you are using the internet more in your quest for a home. In part, this reliance on the internet has been to find the best value. In fact, finding the best deal has been the main goal of many buyers. With these considerations, I noticed that there has not been much done in the way of surveys of the inspection market at this time, so I offer my humble opinion about this service for home buyers. I k... 01/17/2008

Youths and adults can protect the environment by volunteering at the Nature Conservancy of Texas, Galveston Bay Foundation, and Texas Land Commission.  Trash and debris removal and planting projects are in need of youths and adults.Students can also decorate and deliver cards for Valentine's, St. Patrick, or Easter.  The homemade cards will be collected at Volunteer Houston and delivered to senior centers, hospitals, and Meals on Wheels recipients.Call Volunteer Houston Bay Area at 218-282-6035 or visit www.volunteerhouston.org www.StagingSmartNSold.com offers Houston home staging solutions to realtors and homeowners to facilitate a rapid and profitable sale.  The owner is an active volunteer in the Houston Bay Area. 01/16/2008

Houston's Meals on Wheels was awarded 1.4 Million dollars to help keep its "Wheels" rolling in Houston. Todd Staples of the Texas Department of Agriculture awarded the state 9.5 Million dollars total to help with their new Texans Feeding Texans Program designed to help the less fortunate through out the state. If you would like to help please do so by visiting their website. Keep in mind that every little bit helps! 01/16/2008

12729 Hollandale                                                                     I KNOW IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE YOU CAN BUYtype: Single Family Home for Sale in Houston                                        THIS GEM OF A HOME FOR ONLY $105,000!location: West Park Village                                                                          YOUR MONTHLY PAYMENTS WILL BE LESSPrice: $105,000                                                                        THAN YOUR RENT, TO OWN YOUR HOME       MLS #: 9886258           WHY RENT?  CALL ME TODAY AND LET ME HELP YOU FULFILL YOUR DREAMS TODAYThe web address for this property is: http://www.LizCarter.com/581361    NOTHING WOULD MAKE ME HAPPIER  Front View OF PRECIOUS ONE STORY, YOU CAN BUY YOUR OWN HOME AND PAY LESS THAT YOU ARE IN REN... 01/15/2008

Clear Lake High School 2008 Senior class will perform "The Wizard of Oz" in the main campus Auditorium on the following dates: January 31- February 2 & February 7- Feb. 9th at 7 pm.  A matinee performance will be held on February 10 at 2:30pm.  Tickets are $10.Kids young and old will enjoy this classic based on the story by L. Frank Baum. For more information, call 281-284-1936.www.StagingSmartNSold.com provides Houston home staging solutions to facilitate a rapid and profitable sale for homeowners and realtors. 01/15/2008

 Managing properties all over the U.S., the skyline of Houston Texas is to die for. Ranked fourth in the U.S., I find it to my absolute favorite.  The JP Morgan Chase Center still amazes me every-time I'm in this wonderful city.  Being a girl, I also love the system of tunnels and sky-walks that protect me from getting wet when I'm walking from building to building.  Just another reason to love the of Houston.   01/15/2008

 For newcomers to the city of Houston Texas, one of my favorite places to visit is the Museum District.  The city of Houston has some of the best cultural institutions and exhibits.  My particular favorite is the Holocaust Museum.  For all you historians, it is rich in history.  All the museums are great though, from the Museum of the Fine Arts to the Museum of Natural Science, this is a definite must if you are visiting or are planning on moving to this great city. 01/15/2008

 Couples 55+ looking to relocate in the Houston Texas area, a new gated community is being built in League City.  The Village at Tuscan Lakes is a premier gated neighborhood close to medical facilities, shopping, and recreation.  Right now, the plans are for 392 homes on 50 lots.So if you are looking for a resort living style, The Village at Tuscan Lakes is the right place for you.     01/15/2008

 I have found that owning property in the Houston Texas area has been an extreme asset to myself as well as many of my clients.  I would recommend it to those of you who are out there and interested in relocating somewhere in the southwest.  The business market is booming here and you have a wide variety of urban or suburban areas to relocate to.  You also have the water close enough for the really hot days. 01/15/2008