Friday, May 30th, I reported on the latest Waco and Texas Home Sales Statistics reported by the Real Estate Center at Texas A & M University . Their overall findings for Waco, were that home sales were up in April, but prices were down slightly and time on market had increased to over 9 months.  Please visit the Waco section for more information on area sales data since the 1990s. Although, my figures may not be exact to those of The Real Estate Center, I do come up with similar findings as I have reported in the past several months.  Findings in May 08: increased inventory lower prices (since last year at this time) more units sold (month to month, note increased unit sales from April to May 2008) The trend seems to continue from what I've seen in the past several months. Again, I cann... 06/01/2008

According to the Real Estate Center at Texas A & M University Website, Home Sales are up in Waco. Yes UP. Over 9 months of Inventory and Prices down a bit.  See the stats from previous months and years and understand what it might take to get your home sold today. As always, pricing is key and a bit of patience does not hurt. The best news is that homes are selling as I've said so many times before. If you are a buyer, it's great to know that there are plenty of homes on the market and pricing has eased slightly overall in an already affordable market. Great time to buy. Click Here for Waco Stats Click Here for Texas Stats Wendy Montoya, Realtor® Certified Internet e-PRO Professional Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) www.WendyMontoya.com Your Waco Realtor® at Work for YOU! Cellular... 05/30/2008

If you are considering a move to Waco, TX or are already on your way, you probably need some good information about our area. As a person who relocated every 2-4 years, I tried to blog about things that I have found important to me on a personal level each time I moved to a new place. I also am trying to project the treasures of Waco from my eyes.   """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Please start with these posts to give you a general feel of the area and follow the enclosed links for more information: Thinking of moving to Waco? Need more information about Waco? Thinking of Moving to Waco? Part 2--Cities and Schools Waco, Travel To/From/Around Another Gorgeous Waco Tx Day--Find out more about Waco Here... 05/28/2008

During this holiday weekend (May 24-26 2008), you may be able to get a break on sales tax if you purchase something for your home that has the Energy Star rating. So if you are in the market for that new Washer or something else that qualifies. This weekend is it! See related article for details. Also, remember this August 15-17, 2008 for Tax Savings on your Back to School items. This is a great time to buy all sorts of things from clothing to pens and paper. See related article for details. With the price of gas and everything else, what a great opportunity to save a little bit of money. 05/22/2008

First of all let, this is my opinion and my opinion only. I am shocked at seeing an article on MSNBC "The 100 best places to raise a family".  (Article was a product of "Best Life Magazine").  They have to be kidding me. A bit about me to start. My background is filled with living in all sorts of places in the US and Overseas. I feel I can intelligently speak to where good places are to raise a family. And my favorite place is where I live right now, WACO TX! In this article they note the top 100 places along with some of the so called worst. Ranked #5 "worst" is Waco, TX. Wow! Absolutely wrong! I'll say it again...WRONG! There are several places on the "best" list that I am just as shocked about. Places with very high crime, high gang activity and poor schools where they can't even fin... 05/21/2008

    For the latest information about China Spring Independent School District,   "Cougar News" is a must read. As we quickly approach our summer break, much is going on in our community. Camps are holding sessions and dancers are practicing dance.  Graduation will take place Thursday, May 29th. There is a new Intermediate School projected for China Spring ISD thanks to a bond passing last May. Interested in being a Substitute Teacher or need Season Football Tickets? Find information on "Cougar News". Happy Summer to All! ********************************************    NEED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CHINA SPRING OR WACO HOMES FOR SALE? CONTACT WENDY! Wendy Montoya, Realtor® Certified Internet e-PRO Professional Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) www.WendyMontoya.com Wendy@WendyMontoya.c... 05/18/2008

   So what's going on with the China Spring area market since I last reported in March?  Let's take a look:   China Spring Homes For Sale (within China Spring ISD)                              New - 5 Years 6-10 Years 11-20 Years 21 Plus Years Total   78 21 21 20   140               Price Ranges 105K -899K 35K-550K 62K-450K 65K-390K                                 China Spring Homes SOLD (within China Spring ISD) from 01/01/08                       20 6 8 13   47               Average Price 227K 210K 166K 139K                    Average Days On Market 150 137 139 114                    Average Sold Per Sq Ft. $93 $81 $75 $60     ****This report is for residential homes located within the China Spring ISD not including farm and ranch. The information was gathered from the Waco MLS on May... 05/17/2008

  Wacoans , we often see Restaurants come and go. Some of the best have been here forever and will probably stick around for a long time. But sometimes, even our favorites disappear from our great city with us all scratching our heads as to why. Here's a little gem that my family just stumbled upon and is probably worth a visit if you are a fan of Asian Cuisine especially in the Buffet style. Located near Peter Piper Pizza on the Corner of Valley Mills and Waco Drive and right near my office, "BEST BUFFET" offers a tasty variety of Asian Buffet along with a Mongolian Grill and Sushi Buffet. The cost is very reasonable at only $5.29 for adults and they are open 7 days a week. My Husband, Daughter and her friend visited today and really enjoyed eating here.  Told me it was very good. So I... 05/07/2008

10 Inexpensive Ways to Spruce Up Your Property It's easy to fix up your properties if you have unlimited cash. However, you need to keep your repairs to a minimum to stay profitable. You also need to keep your properties in good shape to attract tenants or buyers. There are the basic improvements, such as carpet and paint, but these can still costs thousands of dollars. The following are some inexpensive ways to improve your properties with very little cash. #1) New Electrical Switch PlatesThis is such a minor, yet overlooked improvement. Most rental owners and rehabbers paint a unit and leave the old, ugly switch plates. Even worse, some even paint over them. New switch plates cost about 50 cents each. You can replace the entire house with new switch plates for about $20. For the foyer... 05/05/2008

Yes, again, Waco Homes are Selling. Interesting figures this month show inventory continuing to rise a bit and homes staying on the market a bit longer. However, more units were sold this month than last. Still under last year's sales at this time, but steady nevertheless. Buyers get out there and find yourself a great home! Sellers stay smart and make yours the best home at the best price. Current Residential Listings (Does not included Farm and Ranch)This Month Total 1785**    Last Month Total 1758**April 2008202 Sold**Median Sold Price $108,850**Average Days on Market 156**April 2007226 Sold**Median Sold Price $112,250**Average Days on Market 128**March 2008 181 Sold**Median Sold Price $118,500**Average Days on Market 135**March 2007233 Sold**Median Sold Price $106,500**Average Days ... 05/01/2008

As a proud parent of a China Spring Student and resident of the China Spring Community, I appreciate good information about our schools and area growth. Posted on the China Spring ISD Website is a very informative "Facilities and Demographic Study" dated August 7, 2006. If you haven't read this already, it's worth a good look.Included in the 86 page report are trends and statistics of the China Spring area including information on Waco housing and demographic trends.  It's easy to see how quickly the area is growing and where we will likely be in the future.      IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHINA SPRING AREA OR OTHER WACO AREAS AND WISH TO PURCHASE OR SELL A HOME, CONTACT ME TODAY. Content from my blog can not be guaranteed. Use at your own risk.Wendy Montoya, Realtor®Certifi... 04/19/2008

Back in December, Roberta LaRocca - REALTOR® Las Vegas posted an article about Driver's Edge,  Got Teenage Drivers?? Get Drivers Edge!  A great overview and personal testimonial to the course.I learned about this myself a few years back from an ad on TV I believe and was convinced at that time, it was a great program for teen drivers.I wanted my oldest son to attend, but he never got the chance. Well today, at Texas Motor Speedway, my daughter was fortunate enough to attend one of today's Driver's Edge sessions. Unfortunately, I was unable to go with her due to other priorities, as I really wanted to witness the program for myself. 888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888All I can tell you now is my daughter and her Dad came home with ra... 04/12/2008

 Well at least there goes President Bush from the Western White House from the Waco area Crawford Neighborhood. Announced today, according to the The Dallas Morning News, Laura Bush stated that she and President Bush will be moving to Dallas after they leave the White House.I am sure there are mixed feelings about this locally, some probably happy to see them go while others saddened to see this part of history fade. I wonder what will become of the ranch...I am sure someone already knows. And what will become of Crawford? Well less President Bush paraphernalia will be available for sure!  As the world changes, Waco and its surrounding area is no different. On we go! The photo is taken outside one of the popular shops a couple of years ago that had many Presidential type gifts. Notice t... 04/10/2008

A friend of mine just sent me an e-mail with the link to where you can get the lowest gas prices in your area. I typed in my zip code and found some interesting info. FAST. I have no idea how accurate this is or how often it is updated, but thought it was pretty neat! This may be old info. to some of you, but this is the first time I have seen it.Hope you find this useful.http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip=&src=Netx  UPDATE 04/12/08:WACOANS and Texans, here is a link to Texas Prices specifically. Again, not sure how accurate or up-to-date, but sure seems like these links will be helpful to anyone trying to survive these crazy gas prices.This site does state the time the prices were obtained within last 36 hours.Specific to Waco -- http://www.texasgasprices.com/index.aspx... 04/08/2008

 Check it out Waco Vistors and Wacoans alike! YOU can now RENT Segways in Waco at Segplay of Waco!This is exciting stuff...at least I think it is. I've always wanted to ride one of these and now I think I will. Although I do have some feelings of fear. Just how easy or difficult is this thing to ride? Segplay of Waco state that they are going to start tours of Downtown Waco and The Riverwalk beginning with 15 minutes of training. That tells me they aren't as easy as they look, but not impossible. Either way, I am dying to try it. I can see me gliding over the Waco Suspension Bridge or Riverwalk Now...Oh yes, another fun adventure for me in Waco.    Content from my blog can not be guaranteed. Use at your own risk.Wendy Montoya, Realtor®Certified Internet e-PRO ProfessionalSeller Represen... 04/03/2008

As a regular reader of the Waco Tribune Online, I just stumbled across a neat little summer resource on their website.  It has a list of activities for your school aged child for this upcoming summer. Everything from dance, to bible study, to tennis, to library programs.  There is a whole list of great activities and there will probably be more added as we get closer to summer. I know when my kids were small, summer activities were a big deal (still are, but in a more "teenaged like" way ;) ), and I always wanted them to enjoy their time.Summer is getting close QUICK. It's time to set up some great activities for your kids. They will love you for it.  Enjoy. Remember to take at look at the Waco Water Park too! One of my favorite spots along with the Cameron Park Zoo.http://www.wacotrib.... 04/02/2008

 Waco homes for sale, are they selling? YES, and selling pretty well. Inventory is almost exactly the same as last month. More homes sold than last month. AND the median sold price is up a bit from last month and last year. All signs that the Waco Market is, as usual still doing OK.One less positive difference from last year is that the number of homes sold is down a bit. But not by leaps and bounds.Related Article:Waco Homes--Real Estate Professionals Repeat, REAL ESTATE IS LOCAL  Current Residential Listings (Does not included Farm and Ranch)This Month Total 1758**    Last Month Total 1757**February 2008142 Sold**Median Sold Price $110,000**Average Days on Market 139**February 2007193 Sold**Median Sold Price $115,300**Average Days on Market 134**March 2008 181 Sold**Median Sold Price ... 03/31/2008

 I have to repeat something that really is important about the Texas Real Estate Market and more specifically the Waco Real Estate Market. I've said this before as so many other professionals have said, REAL ESTATE IS LOCAL. In today's Waco Tribune, there was yet another article referring to the Texas and Waco Markets. Basically a recap of what I've been saying all along. "Despite national talk of doom and gloom about real estate, some in Waco are optimistic". Basically, the article reiterriates that Waco Real Estate is good along with most of Texas. Inventory is a bit on the high side overall in Waco, but it depends very much on which part of town you are looking. Some of our fastest growing more popular areas are much more limited than others. I still find it challenging to find accep... 03/30/2008

China Spring Homes For Sale (within China Spring ISD)                   New - 5 Years6-10 Years11-20 Years21 Plus YearsTotal 71211919 130       Price Ranges105K -899K35K-559K30K-540K65K-279K                China Spring Homes SOLD (within China Spring ISD) from 01/01/08            14456 29       Average Price212K210K114K91K          Average Days On Market1431669579          Average Sold Per Sq Ft.$91 $80 $69 $52   ****This report is for residential homes located within the China Spring ISD not including farm and ranch. The information was gathered from the Waco MLS on March 29th 2008 and deemed accurate but cannot be guaranteed. Does not include homes that are not listed on the Waco MLS. Use at your own risk.****  NEED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CHINA SPRING OR WACO HOMES FOR SALE? CONTACT W... 03/29/2008

Not too long ago I wrote about several China Spring Restaurants.  Many that I personally enjoy and frequent. Well we have yet another neat little spot that I really like. Ms  Becky's Cocina Mexican Kitchen. As I mentioned in my other blog, I am a Mexican Food Lover so having another spot to literally feed my passion is great news to me.I love the Chicken Tacos and Rice, but there are many yummy options on the menu.  Breakfast runs from 6:30 AM - 10:30 AM Monday -Friday. Lunch from 10:30 AM -3 PM Monday - Thursday. "All Day" Dining Friday and Saturday 6:30 AM - 9 PM. Call-in your order at 254-836-4642.Ms Becky's is a small place with big taste waiting just for you.   ********************************************************************************************************** Wendy Montoya, ... 03/22/2008