Today while we were at a basketball game , we witnessed a totally unacceptable outburst from a parent of another team playing before us.The man, obviously the dad, was literally pushing a child of about ten years of age out the lobby of the sports facility while screaming at him "get out of the gym!A group of parents and grandparents were sitting in the lobby at the time and were appalled to see his demeanor and the fact that the child had been reduced to crying.As soon as they got outside we saw him continue to scream at the child and then he appeared to strike him.That was enough for a couple of the young mothers who followed him to his vehicle.  As soon as he got his son to the truck, he pushed him in and began to strike him repeatedly before leaving the parking lot.The girls who wat... 02/02/2013

Christmas Decorations around Tomball, Texas.  These pictures were taken within the last week. This was taken in Lakewood Grove subdivision near Spring Cypress and State Highway 249.  Cute ferris wheel and Snoopy on the dog house. Lovely snowman, tree and gifts.  I think this was in Heatherwood subdivision near Louetta and State Highway 249. A small tasteful decoration in Lakewood Grove subdivision. Cute Christmas trees off Gatesden in Tomball, Texas.  Very colorful. Adorable huskies pulling the sled with gifts in Lakewood Grove subdivision. 12/17/2012

  Christmas memories are some of our most cherished.  From childhood those memories surface every year that we live.   The people, sights and sounds of Christmas replay throughout our lives as we attempt to recreate the best of times to share with our friends and families.   Tomball Texas has been a part of almost all my Christmases since 1982.  Since I raised my sons there, the memories are very sweet.  The town was a true blessing in those days.  It continues to shine forth the meaning of Christmas in a day and time when that is not really embraced by many.   There is a warmth and love that permeates a lot of the celebrations which start in mid November with a parade down Main Street.   This weekend there were many area celebrations to choose from.  Tomball had two of them, so plan to... 12/09/2012

As you look about for what's to do and where's to go this weekend, there is a winning destination if you are anywhere near Houston.   Tomball Texas is just up the road from downtown and offers cultural education this weekend.   Settlers to Tomball in the mid 1800's were diverse.  Among them were a large number of German immigrants.   Many of the original merchants were also of German descent .  Many were farmers and with the rich soils and gently rolling terrain, it proved to be a profitable decision to settle there.   The German traditions are colorfully displayed several times a year.  This weekend will be an illustration of those with special emphasis on those about Christmas .   Father Christmas,  the dutch equivalent of Santa, will be attending the festivities.  The lines to visit... 12/06/2012

TexStar Homes is Now Serenity Homes -- Tomball New Construction. Serenity Homes does new home construction in Houston, Tomball, Magnolia, Cypress, Pinehurst, The Woodlands, Montgomery and more.  Stop by our office (pictured below) for a brochure and list of standard features. Here is a parital list of the standard features for Serenity Homes:          Kitchen Energy Star Stainless Steel GE Profile appliances Granite countertops 5 burner cook top Recessed lighting Raised panel, 42 inch maple cabinets          Energy Efficient Construction 14 SEER Lennox air conditioning 1-2-10 year Home Warranty Vinyl Low "E" insulated double pane windows Tech Shield radiant barrier decking American made Acme Brick 50 gallon hot water heaters Stop by and tour our models homes today!  Please ask for me wh... 11/26/2012

Thanksgiving Eve Sunset in Tomball, TX  -- by your Tomball Realtor Amazing sunset tonight in Tomball, Texas.  There are some beautiful colors in the sky right now. As I am typing this article, the sky (and clouds) are turning a deep red color. I think Thomas Kinkaid would have liked this sunset.  Lots of beautiful colors. Here is one with the deeper red/pink colors. Wishing you and your family and friends a Happy Thanksgiving! 11/21/2012

Even during the recessional times we have had over the past five years, one thing we can depend upon making the phones ring is lease houses.Owners are able to be more picky about the qualifications they require since there are lots of people wishing to lease.  This is probably due to the fact that loans are so difficult to get.  As the money tightens up, this is the effect.We have seen more activity on one lease in particular than any other one house we have marketed in a long time.The owners are investors who bought it as a foreclosure and then fixed it up with high end finishes with the hope of selling it quickly.When it became apparent that people were not qualifying for loans a, they elected to lease it.  Located across the street from an elementary school, it has many desirable qua... 11/20/2012

Last Friday looked as if it would afford us some leisure time.   I always advise folks to find little periods of unencombered time to relax and search out tranquility.  We fail to do enough of that!   We headed out later than usual and had a slow paced shrimp lunch.  In the middle of lunch we got a call from one of our sons.  He needed for us to drop by his office.  Not part of the original plan but doable.   Away we went, accomplished that errand and headed down the road to catch up with our plan for a leisure drive to the country.  Still a part of our market area so it could be considered researching.  Justification is a beautiful thing.   By this time we were in the height of the rush hour.  Traffic coupled with a construction zone meant no one was making any progress.  Misery loves ... 11/18/2012

This morning while doing our errands, I noticed that a truck in the lane to our left had a rear tire which was wobbling.Immediately my mind went back many years,  to a tranquil day just after I had the tires on the family car rotated and balanced.  At least that was what the tire shop had been asked to do.I had the car loaded for a weekend at the beach and in addition to my three sons, and food ; we even had the dog along for the trip.As I drove along the. country road we lived on, the  car began to shake and pull to the right.I knew those were not good signs.  The road we were headed for was SH 249 just three miles north of Downtown Tomball.The tire shop was about four miles away.  Home was about a mile.  This was in days before cell phones.Yes!  There was life before cell phones.  The... 11/02/2012

Buyers are still out looking this last quarter of 2012, and some of those buyers purchased Village Creek homes during the month of October 2012--SIX homes to be exact!  Prices ranged from $160,500 for a beautiful one-story on Towne Bridge, up to $283,500 for a spacious 2 story home with a pool on Leeside.     Average price/sq. ft. was $76.80...although there was a WIDE range of price/sq. ft.  this month!!  Average time on the market was 106.  One stellar home priced to move sold in 16 days.  If you are thinking of selling in 2013, NOW is the time to begin planning, preparing your home for sale!!  For a free market analysis of your Village Creek home, call me!  I'd be happy to show you what I believe your home can sell for in today's market!  Call me today!   SONJA PATTERSON with RE/MAX ... 11/01/2012

We need to be constantly aware that people expect us to do great things.  We have the real estate dreams of the general public in our hands.Ralph and I were reminded of this sobering truth one day when we were shopping in a local antique shoppe.After we had selected our purchase the sales lady saw our name tags and asked what part of the area we specialized in.We responded that we worked in North West Harris county, but our favorite area had been Tomball for about 27 years.She then asked if we knew a particular agent.  As it happened we had an unfortunate transaction with the named individual.We answered yes we knew him.She then sparkled forth with nice statements about that person.Ralph diplomatically answered that he was pleased to hear what a good job he had done for her.We then gath... 10/27/2012

A few days ago we went to a afternoon Tea at one of our grandsons school.     It was an opportunity to be entertained and to take part in their "book fair".   Talk about marketing!  Who can say "no" to a grandchild?   The event started in the gym where refreshments were served.  They even had cucumber sandwiches!  They really did serve tea too!   There were a couple of thank you and welcome speeches.   Then it was off to find your grandchild.  Ours was down two long hallways.  Classrooms have changed a lot since we were in school.   We got to meet the teacher which was great fun!     As it happened, our grandson had already been to the book fair.  He had selected and purchased the only book he wanted.   He saw no reason to go again.  Obviously the administration had not conveyed to the... 10/14/2012

TEN homes SOLD during the months of August and September in the Village Creek subdivision! Prices ranged from $167,000 all the way up to $305,000 with the average number of days on the market being 43 days.  Average price/sq. ft. = $77.51    Closed on 8/10/12 at $86.73/sq. ft.   Closed on 8/12/12 at $77.47/sq. ft.   Wandering Streams Home for Rent - Closed 8/10/12 for $2750/month Lot sizes in Village Creek are very generous for the most part.  Of the 10 homes which closed during Aug/Sept. the average lot size was 10,066.  This is far above your average subdivision.  So, if you are looking to buy a nice home with a generous lot size, zoned to great schools, look no further!!  Village Creek is a wonderful place to call home!! Relocating and need to sell your Village Creek home?  I will be... 10/09/2012

Another stroll through the canyons of my mind brought forth the memory of an outstandingly awful lease experience.The house was a great old country cottage on acreage.  It leased quickly to a tenant who paid well for the first few months and then...We went through the eviction process and the tenant came to the office to illustrate her incredibly nasty vocabulary skills.When she had actually vacated the house we had a toxic waste dump to deal with.She had animals all over in the house and there was animal soil everywhere.Cleaning the place up took days.  We had an agent working with us whose day job was janitorial duty at a hospital.  Even with his help getting us chemicals to kill germs and odor the work was intense.We finally ended up using full strength Clorox on one room where the h... 09/30/2012

While searching through my brain for possible blog ideas, a memory surfaced.In the early 1980s I helped my parents move from their suburban home to the country.It had been their dream to have a couple of acres close to a small town.  They wanted to retire and raise sheep or goats, and have a large garden.  An additional plus as far as the dream went was to have a pond that they could stock.We found it right on the edge of Tomball Texas.    It was an old farm house with a true country kitchen, two bedrooms, a wood stove, a big front porch and hardwood floors.  There were two and a half acres of fenced and cross fenced land.  It also had a small spring fed pond!  Nervana!They settled in and began to really enjoy life!  They enlarged the pond, and bought two goats, Gertie and George.  Then... 09/30/2012

It has been said that listings are the life blood of our business.  That is only part of the equation.   Communication is a more and more vital tool.  Without that we can have unlimited listings and  no way to let folks know about them!   The photo is of the first cell tower I ever saw.  It is near Waller on FM 2920.  I first saw it in the early 1980s before cell phones became  common.    Little did I know what the future held. Of course that was before most of the modern technology we now enjoy.   These days it is more rare to find areas without towers.  They are essential in keeping us all connected.   In addition to helping us market property, communication helps us feel secure and allows us to keep in touch with all those we love.   When you boil it all down, communication is not on... 09/16/2012

Our market area includes several small communities.  Each of them has at least one small antique church.   Many demominations are represented, and all of these antiques have a lot of charm.  Obviously these were built with great craftsmanship.   Each one is surrounded with beautiful old trees.  Each also evoke feelings of love and memories of evenings spent with family and friends.   In a day of mega congregations seeing these 100 year old treasures scattered about the countryside is a reminder of how much our communities and values were built.   So much of our today's have been built on the standards of yesterday.     It is neat to see how many communities of old were literally built on the Faith of our Fathers.  They have stood the tests of time and weathered unlimited storms.  It se... 09/16/2012

  Village Creek is a popular place for home buyers this summer!!     For the month of July 2012, eight homes sold in Village Creek, ranging in price from $159,000 up to $278,000!   There were no foreclosures, only standard home sales, which is always nice to hear!  The lowest priced home was a beautiful 3 bedroom, one-story home with gorgeous wood floors!  The highest priced home also had lovely wood floors throughout most of the downstairs and a 3 car garage!   Average days on the market before receiving a contract was 33 days, and the average SOLD price was $220,660.    A healthy $74.41 was the average price/sq. ft. for the homes sold in Village Creek for the month of July!   Your August SOLD update to come in just a couple of weeks!! :)   SONJA PATTERSON with RE/MAX REALTY CENTER, 12... 08/20/2012

Make your Friday night special!  Plan to participate in the Fortieth Annual Celebration of Tomball night. It will take place tomorrow, August 3rd.     Just in time for back to school shopping, this event combines the fun and fellowship enjoyed by residents of small town America.   Not only do the merchants showcase their products and offer sales and discounts,  there are mystery shoppers stationed throughout shopping areas.  These folks are armed with $100. Bills to give to shoppers who approach them with vociferous ness.   Add to all this a Parade of lights at 9pm followed by an exciting Fireworks display at the Depot and you have an invigorating activity to kick off your weekend.   How better to support your town and spread feelings of Patriotism and cooperation through your community... 08/02/2012

$$FREE List of Foreclosures$$ For The Tomball, Magnolia, Houston or The Woodlands Area.   Brought to you by your Houston/Tomball Realtor.  Please click the blue email me line to the top right of this screen for a foreclosure list.   You can specify a city, a region (such as NW Houston)  or even a neighborhood and I will send the list to your email.   Here is a picture of my office in Tomball, Texas.  Please stop by anytime and ask for me.  I'd be happy to help you find a home for sale or lease, or even help you with a new build.  The address is 30310 Tomball Parkway, Tomball, TX  77375.  Hope to see you soon! 07/16/2012