Pearland - The old and the new   About 10 years ago, Pearland was considered to be a rural town with the vast majority of the population centered around hwy 35 and Broadway. Until it happened. Silverlake expanded its coverage area to include Silver Creek and then the shopping centers started popping up close to hwy 288.   Then there is Shadow Creek Ranch, a master planned community (and I mean master planned). The developers noticed a large area of land very close to down town and the medical center and jumped on it. There are some very nice homes in Shadow Creek Ranch and it is simply amazing to drive through the neighborhood. Unfortunately, there is a big stink about the Blue Ridge landfill west of 521. Apparently, Shadow Creek Ranch homeowners can smell the landfill. To make matters ... 01/08/2009

It is a great time to buy a home.  Low interest rates and a shift in the real estate market are a plus for homebuyers.  Call today and let's find your dream home.   I can help you from finding a loan officer to helping you find a mover to move into your new home.  You need a Realtor who truly cares about you and your move and that Realtor is me.  Happy House Hunting!     12/28/2008

Since Hurricane Ike, there is an increasing need for wildlife assistance in the Greater Houston region, and Wildlife Rehab and Education is a nonprofit organization that was formed to meet this need.  Staff and volunteers care for orphaned and injured wildlife.  Donations of fruit, vegetables, and shelled nuts help feed the migratory birds and squirrels.  Volunteers are needed to help rehabilitate animals which are to be returned to the wild.  Contact Volunteer Houston Bay Area at 281-282-6034 or www.volunteerhouston.org for more information. www.StagingSmartNSold.com offers Houston home staging expertise designed for a rapid and profitable house sale to area Realtors and homeowners.  The owner is also a long time volunteer in the Houston Bay Area. 11/30/2008

Home Instead Senior Care is partnering with the Walmarts at Dixie Farm in Pearland, and at El Dorado in Clear Lake to sponsor "Be Santa To A Senior". Other partners are the Bay Area Meals on Wheels, the Seabrook, Bacliff and La Porte Senior Centers, and the Friendswood Chamber of Commerce.  From now until December 19, volunteers are asked to purchase gifts for seniors, or participate in gift wrapping parties.  Visit www.beasantatoasenior.com for more information. www.StagingSmartNSold.com provides Pearland home staging expertise for a rapid and profitable house sale for area Realtors and homeowners.  The owner is also a volunteer in the Houston Bay Area. 11/28/2008

Volunteer Houston has many opportunities for persons wishing to volunteer this holiday season.  For example, play bridge on Tuesday afternoons with residents of a nursing home near the Astrodome, or help with patients in the radiology section of a Spring Branch hospital, or transport dogs and cats to a pet adoption station in Pearland on weekends, or serve meals at the annual Thanksgiving Feast at the George R. Brown Convention Center.  For these opportunities and more, visit www.volunteerhouston.org or call 713-965-0031. www.StagingSmartNSold.com provides Pearland home staging expertise for a rapid and profitable house sale to area Realtors and homeowners.  The owner is also a volunteer in the Houston Bay Area. 11/19/2008

The 21st annual Craft Fair will be held on Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18 from 10am until 5 pm at St Andrew's Episcopal Church, 2535 East Broadway (FM 518 near Lowe's Home Improvement)in Pearland.  You will find over fifty vendors selling unique items, and you can select a pumpkin from the Pumpkin Patch.  Call the church office at 281-485-3843 or visit www.standrewspearland.org/craftfaire.htm for more information. www.StagingSmartNSold.com provides Pearland home staging expertise designed to promote a rapid and profitable house sale to area Realtors and homeowners. 10/15/2008

The Pearland TX real estate market is doing OK.  In looking at the real estate market in Pearland, one can see we are following the same trend as the last 2 years.  The median price is only off by $200000 from an all time high in 2006.  September tends to be the start of the winter slow down and and things tend to start picking back up in late December.  In looking at the next chart on the Pearland Real Estate Market, you can see the DOM or Days on Market are trending up.  It takes 29% longer to sell a house in Pearland today than it took in 2006.  It takes on average 102 to sell a house in Pearland today.  You, as a home seller can affect this average by the price you set your house at.  If you price your home on the high side of the average, it will take longer to sell and if you pric... 10/15/2008

CORE is a partnership between Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Gateway Community Church, and other Clear Lake area church and community groups responding to areas ravaged by Hurricane Ike.  New volunteers are divided into teams for debris removal efforts.  Residents may call 281-285-1515 between 9 am and 4 pm to request a work crew.  Volunteers can call the same number for information on signup or monetary donations. www.StagingSmartNSold.com offers Houston home staging expertise designed to promote a rapid and profitable house sale for area Realtors and homeowners.  The owner is also a volunteer in the Houston Bay Area.  10/10/2008

Ever wanted to find homes for sale the moment they become on the market? How about entering in criteria for homes that are listed way below market value? How about homes that are very hard to find in a very desireable market area? Here in Pearland Texas, homes with more than a 1/2 acre that were built before 1995 are very hard to come by. I have set up several e-HomeWatches for a few of my clients just to see when these homes become available. I have a few e-HomeWatches set up for myself that send me listings that are well below market value. Here in Pearland, the average price per square foot is around $75. I entered in criteria where the price per square foot is below $50. Lately a few homes have been sent to me...... Some looked to be a pretty good deal.     10/08/2008

Pearland Texas is the fastest growing community in Brazoria county. Located just south of Houston it provides a small town atmosphere, low crime rate, and the highly rated Pearland School District., while offering easy access to the big city and the Gulf of Mexico.  Pearland has doubled in the last 10 years and the roads are being widened and expanded.   Pearland is a community with small town values and traditions.  "Texas Business" recently mentioned Pearland as being a "city to watch".  Pearland residents enjoy a high quality of life that is family orientated. Both the city and it's residents are strongly committed to job creation and business growth, offering incentive packages to relocating businesses and residents.  Pearland's officials and residents alike work to maintain the cit... 10/08/2008

Volunteers are needed in YMCA centers in Alvin, League City, Pasadena, Pearland, and Webster communities.  Program volunteers will assist with after-school activities, child care, sports, camps, and youth development activities.  Please call Volunteer Houston Bay Area at 281-282-6035 or visit www.volunteerhouston.org for further information about volunteering. www.StagingSmartNSold.comoffers home staging solutions for a rapid and profitable house sale in Alvin, League City, Pasadena, Pearland, and Webster communities.  The owner is also a longtime volunteer in the Houston Bay Area. 09/29/2008

I went to Pearland and Manvel today to check on homes for out of town clients. All of the neighborhoods I visited had similar damage which included knocked down fences, a few to many shingles missing, landscaping damage especially to larger trees, and damage to caport structures. The electricity is off in many areas. No flooding was seen in the areas I visited. Here is a list, the data is current as off 4 pm on Sunday September 14th: Southgate: moderate damage, no electricity South Fork: moderate damage, no electricity Shadowcreek: moderate damage, some areas do have electricity, others do not Silvercreek: moderate damage, no electricity, I got comments from residents that the David Powers homes had little to no damage whereas the A.W. builder homes had moderate to severe shingles loss ... 09/14/2008

Literacy Advance Bay Area provides free classes in English as a Second Language to residents wanting to improve reading, writing, and communication skills.  Volunteer tutors available during the day are needed.  Teaching experience is not required, and tutors do not need to speak a language other than English to qualify.  There is a one day training workshop. Please call Volunteer Houston Bay Area at 281-282-6035 or visit www.volunteerhouston.org. www.StagingSmartNSold provides Houston home staging solutions for a rapid and profitable house sale for Realtors and homeowners.  The owner is also a volunteer in the Houston Bay Area. 09/01/2008

Looking at the stats for the Pearland real estate market, one could say we are having a real estate boom in Pearland.  Looking at Pearland as a whole, our prices are up and the days on market are down.  The only part that is slower is the total number of houses sold.  In July 2006 Pearland sold 226 homes at a median price of $176,000.  In July of 2008 Pearland sold 171 homes with a median price of  $190,000.  That means Pearland had a $14,000 increase in property values in only 2 years.  And to top it off, it only take an average of 79 days to sell your house in Pearland compared to 73 days in July 2006. So, if you are thinking about selling your home in the Pearland area, NOW might be a GREAT time to put it on the market.  And on the other foot, if you wnat to buy a new house, this is ... 08/30/2008

I know it sounds too good to be true....... but I have checked it out. For qualified applicants buyers can receive 100% no down payment financing for their home purchase. AND the kicker is these loans do NOT require mortgage insurance which can make your monthly payment $10-$150 less in many cases! This government loan program does have certain guidelines and is geared towards middle to low income families. The loans can be used to purchase a resale home or to purchase a new construction home from a builder. A family of four needs to make about $70,000 or less per year (after deductions) in the Fort Bend area. A family of four can make up to about $78,000 (after deductions) in the Brazoria/ Pearland area. For specific calculations, email me and I can let you know if you qualify. Here ar... 08/29/2008

This annual festival is a fundraising event for the Galveston Historical Foundation to preserve and revitalize the architectural, cultural and maritime heritage of Galveston Island, TX.  Opportunities for volunteers include ticket taking and selling, information booths, hosting, setting up, stage management, and special projects.  Planning committee opportunities are also available.  Contact Volunteer Houston Bay Area at 281-282-6035 or visit www.volunteerhouston.org for more information. www.StagingSmartNSold.com offers Houston and Pearland home staging expertise to promote a rapid and profitable house sale to area Realtors and homeowners.  The owner is also a longtime volunteer in the Houston Bay Area. 08/27/2008

The price trend for all of Pearland TX real estate is holdings it's own.  The median price is up $6000.00 vs. last year at this same point and we actually sold more homes this year than last year.  As you can see by the charts below, we are trending up from the month before.  But as you look at the data, you can see the Pearland TX Real Estate average home price is above last year's price.  Pearland TX real estate is a GREAT buy right now.  So with that said, Pearland Texas is a great place to buy or sell a home. As you can see by this next chart, the MSI, or Months Supply of Inventory, is at 83 days or about 4 months.  What dose that mean for the average home seller in Pearland TX??? It means it will take an average of 83 days to sell your house.  The one thing that will effect that ti... 06/20/2008

We cannot wait until the new Pearland Town Center opens!  PTC is conveniently located on the west side of Pearland at Hwy 288 and 518.  Not only will the center be anchored by Macy's and Dillard's, but there will be many specialty stores and restaurants!  If you would like more information, visit their website at www.PearlandTownCenter.com  As always, if you want to buy or sell in Pearland, call me. Kathye Warfield, RE/MAX Top Realty  www.PearlandHomes.com   06/13/2008

I just posted about those crazy raspberry ants at http://www.ERAHouston.com . Lock up your iPod! 05/22/2008

The Bay Area Vision Chapter of the American Business Women Association will sponsor several scholarships for the 2008 Academic year.  Applicants must reside in the Greater Clear Lake area, Friendswood, or Pearland and be accepted to a college for the 2008-09 year or enrolled in college for that time period.  Preference is given to female applicants majoring in business, but other majors will also be considered.  The award is $500 for the year.  Deadline is July 15, 2008.  Contact Sheila Hardy, ABWA Scholarship Chairperson at 281-337-9407.www.StagingSmartNSold.com provides professional home staging in the Clear Lake, Friendwsood, and Pearland area.  05/12/2008