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Tomball, TX Real Estate News

By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
What makes a place feel like home to you? Is it the surrounding area, or people who live close by? Does the landscape speak to you? What exactly do you want it to say? How does it make you feel? Do you like lots of trees? Do you prefer tall pines or spreading oaks?  Tomball has the tall pines and a little further north Montgomery Texas has a mixture of pines and oaks and over towared Magnolia there are a lot more of the huge oaks.  It makes you just want to get out and drive the country. What style does your dream home have? Does the home you seek have a large front porch, a covered back deck? How about pond or a pool? With the Houston areas three days of winter, do you need to have a fireplace? How much time do you spend outside? Do you entertain enough to need an outdoor kitchen? Do y...
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
Thirty years ago in people years (not dog years), the very first customer I had worked with  were a delightful couple with stable income and realistic expectations.  We looked at a myriad of homes and these people, who we will call "Bob and Naomi" for the story, came to me right after I had gotten my license.  Real Estate licenses, I soon learned, were licenses to get into trouble. The classes I took did not nearly equip me to serve the needs of anyone.  I knew the basics of how to open houses via lock boxes, to research for the wants of clients and to write contracts.  That was about all I knew.  As a result after a few weeks these first clients had seen forty homes.  They were totally worn out but had not seen a home that made them beg me to write an offer.  Luckily one of the title c...
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
Who among us hasn't won a foreign lottery lately or received an offer (in strict convidence of course) from someone you never heard of and they don't know you?  Why just this week I have won at least 6.  Man.... those people over there love me.  Someone has apparently been entering me in all these Lottos online.  It's getting hard to keep up with which ones I've won.  I'll probably have to hire an accountant just  to keep up with where I need to go to get the money!  I am soooooo lucky..... I must have won 50 or 60 million this week. And, all I have to do is give half of it to some Prince or ex-dictator's wife to help me get it over here.  Wow!  Just think of all the Tomball Real Estate I'm going to be able to buy. So, the question is who among us is silly enough to believe these fairy ...
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
Even the best of cooks enjoy an evening or lunch out occasionally.  Tomball offers a huge variety of eateries.  From the usual fast food to international delights there is sure to be a place to thrill your palate. One of the great delights is that there are an assortment of places that cook like your mama did!  If not like she did cook, perhaps like you wish she would have.  If you are fond of the good old fashioned fare such as Chicken Fried Steak, Meatloaf, Fried Catfish or just the classic Grilled Cheese you can find it in a Tomball Eatery.   Many of these establishments have been around for years.  You will find them packed at lunch and dinner if they stay open that late.   One case in point is the legendary "Goodsons."  Home of the "best Chicken Fried Steak in Texas,"  they also do...
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
Just a short 29 miles Northwest of downtown Houston is a piece of what may be considered American Nostalga.  Think of it as shades of "Leave it to Beaver, Andy of Mayberry and Ozzie and Harriet all rolled into one small town.  Add to the charm the fact that it is an easy drive of every convenience known to modern day man.   This well kept secret became known to me in the early 1980s courtesy of my fledgling Real Estate career.  In addition to care and transporting of three young sons, giving them horseback riding lessons entered the daily mix.  The Horseback riding professionals  were in the process of relocating their training facility to the country from Memorial.  Fortune smiled and suddenly I found myself expanding my market knowledge to the general Tomball area.  We all profited fr...
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
This week we have been having a problem with the IPod connection to our car radio.  After going to Best Buy here in Northwest Houston Tomball area we were directed to a little place called Car Toys.  On arrival I discovered that they do a lot of dealer installs of radios, gps, etc.  and had in fact done a lot of installs for the dealer from which my car came.  Well, as luck would have it they could not find where they had done the actual install in my car but being the gentlemen that they are they stepped up and fixed the problem at no cost to me.  How many companies today do stuff like that.  So if you need a car radio, a gps receiver, a radar detector or a good professional car detailing I suggest that you jump on over to Car Toys if there is one near you and let them help you out.  T...
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By Liz Flint, Houston\Tomball Realtor (832)816-8066
(Century 21 Hardee-Team Realty)
 This picture is from the April experiments.  Free entertainment and learning.    Mark Shepherd is having another EXTREME Science night tonight from 6pm until 8pm.   Here is a link to my about his EXTREME Science night in April.   His experiments will include Marshmellow Catapults and the Jabberwocky.  The catapult sounds like fun -- I wonder if he has an age limit.  I'm on my way out the door to see the fun.  There should be lots of learning, laughter and fun!  Come join in if you can, I'll see you there if you can make it. Chick-fil-A (Tomball location) 14314 FM 2920 RoadTomball, TX 77377(281) 516-7373 
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By Liz Flint, Houston\Tomball Realtor (832)816-8066
(Century 21 Hardee-Team Realty)
 Easy Delicious Tender Recipe -- Tastes Like Filet Mignon For the Cost of Pork I purchased a pork tenderloin for about $10, and was able to make at least 4 hearty servings of this dish.  Here is the recipe: Take 1 pork tenderloin (I use brand Silver Platter in Kroger) It claims to be Moist and Tender -- and it is. Cut the tenderloin into 1 - 1½" thick steaks.  Season each steak with: A splash of Soy sauce, dusting of onion powder, light dusting of garlic powder, kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.  Let come to room temperature (about 20 minutes).  Drain two cans of mushrooms and set aside.  Tip: I also like to mix in some garlic powder to the mushrooms while they are in the strainer. Heat a large frying pan to med high heat.  After pan is hot, put in some butter (at least a Tablespoon)...
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
It seems like the year just started and here we are approaching Labor Day again.  Where has the year gone?  This year has just been a blur and for the most part we spent it working our fingers to a nub!  How about your?  I suppose the good news in all this is that everyone's kids are back in school as of this week and within a few short weeks we'll begin to see cooler weather..... (here in Houston that translates to low '90s and maybe upper '80s but I'm not complaining that's better than 104.)  The news media outlets say that New Home sales are at the lowest point since records have been kept.... (I don't know if I believe that....)  and resale homes are moving pretty slowly too.  But, around here things are moving and lots of new homes are still under construction and people are still ...
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By Liz Flint, Houston\Tomball Realtor (832)816-8066
(Century 21 Hardee-Team Realty)
Spectacular Sunset After Thunderstorm.  This was after a bad thunderstorm last night in Tomball, Texas.  Besides being a Century 21 real estate agent, I also represent a builder, and had to go check the model home next door to make sure it was locked up for the night.  I happened to notice this beautiful sunset.  So I ran to get my camera so I could take a picture of this wonderful sunset before the sun went down.    This was taken at the Tomball duck pond a week or so ago, when I went to feed them some bread.  This a daddy duck and the baby duck.  Their markings are almost identical. This is another picture of the sunset.  I love the way the light reflects underneath the cloud.
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By Liz Flint, Houston\Tomball Realtor (832)816-8066
(Century 21 Hardee-Team Realty)
 These were taken at the car show in Tomball on Tomball Night, August 6th, 2010.  I have never seen fenders like these front ones before.  And the grill on the hood is quite unusual.  I love the blue paint.  It really pops next to the orange grill.  The front fenders are nice too.  I think this red beauty is a camaro.  Looks like it has plenty of muscle.  I think this looks like the car from the Steven King movie "Christine", except its not red.  What do you think? This is one of the better pictures from the parade.  My camera just wouldn't take a very good picture at night.   This was the float for the Hampton Inn.   Hope you had a great time at Tomball Night.  I was passing out free calendars last night, call me if you didn't get one and I'll mail one out to you.  They are really nice...
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By Liz Flint, Houston\Tomball Realtor (832)816-8066
(Century 21 Hardee-Team Realty)
These pictures were taken at Tomball Night August 6th, 2010.  Fantastic car show!!! Part 2 Before the car show I went to Chick-fil-A for dinner.  The two cows were really funny and attentive to the crowd. This kind of reminds me of the car used in the "Munsters" series.  Great paint job.  Bet it goes really fast. Lovely burnt orange vet that arrived at the car show when I did.  It had a deep rumbling sound as it passed slowly on the way to its exhibition spot. The back tire on this car was soooo wide, I don't know how it rolls without hitting something on the car. Look at this purple beauty.  Somebody has spent some time on the engine.  If I could have seen the owner, I would have asked how fast it goes.  I do see a roll bar inside, its probably a good idea -- just in case. So many hors...
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By Liz Flint, Houston\Tomball Realtor (832)816-8066
(Century 21 Hardee-Team Realty)
Tomball Night August 6th, 2010.  Fantastic Car Show!!! This car show took place in the Academy parking lot.  I liked this blue truck because of the beautiful blue color and the shape of the hood. Look at the size of the rear tire on this baby.  Is that a rumble seat in the back?  If you are too young to know what a rumble seat is you can Google it. I had to get a close up of the license plate with bullet holes in it.  I think Prohibition was repealed in 1933, so if this car was truly a 1932 model, it may have actually been used to outrun the feds.  This sleek ice blue car looks fast even when it is standing still.  It is impressive the amount of work that these people put into restoring and keeping up these wonderful cars. Shocking orange low rider is a very modern version of the origin...
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
Seems like summer just started and here we are nearing mid August!  I see everyone hurrying around getting last minute things done before the kids trundle off back to school.  We were attending a home inspection yesterday and the seller popped through to change clothes and load up one of his kids to haul him off to move in at school for the fall semester.  Mom's were every where in the aisles at Office Depot buying school supplies.  There's almost a palpable excitement in the air.  Well by the adults anyway because some of their day will be freed up a little in a couple of weeks.  Kids..... not so much for some of them anyway  It's still hot as blazes here and you would think real estate would be slowing down but thankfully it's not.  We are blessed to be so busy we have to keep moving ...
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By Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker, Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
(Janisch & Co.)
Just a few short years ago Tomball TX was just a sleepy little bedroom community northwest of Houston.  Well, things they are a changin!  New roads are being constructed, homes are springing up all over the whole area.  You wouldn't know the economy was somewhat fragile.  Business is booming up Tomball way.  Tomball has pretty much everything you want or need from entertainment to eats to open spaces.  Just a cute little "Hometown with a Heart" and of course that's what the town slogan is.  The Chamber is active, the business community is active, the schools are active and the churches are active in the community.  If you are looking for a quality place to settle down.  Tomball just might be what you are looking for.  And it's close to the Woodlands for shopping and some of the fancier ...
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By Trecia Cooke
(Exit Lone Star Realty)
      EXIT Realty Corp. International Invites You to Columbia for the Dedication of its Latest Corporately Sponsored Habitat for Humanity Build.Ceremony scheduled for July 24th Since April, real estate agents from EXIT Realty offices across South Carolina and volunteers from the community at large have come together to help build a new home and provide a fresh start to Columbia single mom, Debra Lewis and her son, Ben.Debbie and 23-year-old Ben lived in a second-floor apartment at the time they were approved for the Habitat program, but due to poor living conditions, both in the unit and the neighborhood, they had to vacate and are temporarily living with Debbie's oldest son.Ben is mentally disabled and he would rise in the middle of the night and walk around the apartment complex unbe...
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By Liz Flint, Houston\Tomball Realtor (832)816-8066
(Century 21 Hardee-Team Realty)
I have been going to this duck pond for almost a year now and I was so excited to see some baby ducks.  They are just adorable. This is one of my favorite pictures of the mama and a baby duck.  The baby looks so soft. There are two batches of ducks.  These were born later than the other ones, they are bigger. The ducks are very protective of the babies, they constantly keep an eye even on me. Here the babies are swimming near the edge of the pond, with mama and a straggler or two walking along the edge. These fluffy ducks weren't there the last time I visited the pond.  (I wish people would not litter). Here the ducks are sitting behind mama.  This batch of babies has a great variation in color, although the sable brown is my favorite. This is my buddy.  I see him every time I go to the...
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By Liz Flint, Houston\Tomball Realtor (832)816-8066
(Century 21 Hardee-Team Realty)
The Historic Tomball Depot is where 2920 crosses the railroad tracks in Tomball, Texas.   It is about 10 blocks from 4 corners (where 2920 and 249 cross).  This cute little depot is open on Sundays from 1pm to 4pm. This great bronze statue of a conductor stands looking at his pocketwatch. The plaque mentions our sister city Telgte Germany.  I hope to go there someday. The above is a picture of Telgte.  It looks lovely.    This adorable red caboose sits near the Tomball Depot.  There is also this great gazebo near the caboose and depot. This sign welcomes you to Old Town Tomball.  There are lots of great shops for you to stroll through on Main street.  Don't forget "2nd Saturday at the Depot".  The second Saturday of the summer months they have movies, train rides and other activities fo...
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By Liz Flint, Houston\Tomball Realtor (832)816-8066
(Century 21 Hardee-Team Realty)
Summer Fun in Tomball, TX -- See below for special deal. This Mountasia is where my sister and I went to play putt-putt for my birthday.  It is at Willowbrook Mall in Northwest Houston near Tomball, TX. They have bumper boats... and go carts... and batting cages.  And, they also have an arcade room with lots of video games and even ski ball. Here is one of the putt-putt holes. Here is a view from the top of the mountain.  They have lots of water throughout this putt-putt course. Here is another couple of the putt-putt holes.  Shortly after my sister and I finished playing our game, my brother called from Hawaii to wish me a Happy Birthday.  It was a great day. MONEY SAVING TIP:  If you have a AAA card you can get buy 1 get one free on golf. Hope you have a wonderful summer!
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