Results Realty Buzz: January 2010

Informing you on the Real Estate Market in Spring Texas and the surrounding areas and other interesting tid bits!

Litter in Spring TX, I still don't get it!!!

Litter in Spring TXThis is the second time that I have written a post about litter in Spring TX and I still don't get it .  We had a heavy rain overnight and as I was driving down Hufsmith-Kuykendahl this morning the ditches were full of water.  These are big ditches so when I mean full I mean full.  I was almost overwhelmed looking at the trash that was floating in the ditches.

I just DON'T GET IT.  I love our country and I'm proud to live here.  I can't imagine throwing trash out the window.  Precinct 4 here in Spring TX maintaine our roads using prisoners to clean the roads.  I see them once or twice a month picking up trash but it is NEVER ending process!! 

I don't know what the answer is.  I know there are suppose to be fines for littering but I don't think it is something that is enforced.  Maybe a little more enforcement needs to happen.  What do you think?

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332. 

If you would like information about Spring TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia.  If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.

Want to find out about new Spring TX properties immediately as they come on the market, then click here to sign up for a free automatic notification of new listings.

Search for home in The Woodlands Creekside VillageClick the button to the left to search our local MLS.

Subscribe to Results Realty BuzzSubcribe in a reader

Copyright © 2010 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved. *Litter in Spring TX, I still don't get it!!!*

Cold facts on plant survival for Spring TX plants- A follow up!!

Spring TX plant survival for cold weatherSeveral weeks ago I wrote a post called Cold facts on plant survival for Spring TX plants!!  At the time we were preparing for some Arctic air and were looking at having several days in a row in the 20's.  In this particular case the weather man got it right. 

At that time I read an article in the Houston Chronicle about getting plants ready for the cold temperatures and realized I had been going at it all wrong. I was just covering with plastic. They recommended watering your plants good if it has not rained.  After that you cover the plants with either fiber row covers, sheets or blankets.  I had one N-sulate permeable fabric cover(the hardware stores were sold out of more) so I used sheets for the rest of the plants. For even extra protection I put the heavy plastic I was previously solely using over the cloth covers and secured them with rocks.

I covered a large percentage of our plants front and back but it was getting cold and I did not cover them all.  The proof of how good this worked is in the pictures.  This is a wild Iris often called Dietes Bicolor. 

My husband asked shouldn't we cover tCold weather facts for Wild Iris in Spring TXhis one and I didn't feel like scrounging for sheets and I told him I thought it would be okay as that wasn't the plant that I thought needed protection. That was a big mistake; I look at these plants and so regret that decision. If you look close at the almost dead plant there's a little green so it may come back. I can guarantee you it is not going to look like its neighbor though.

We are supposed to have cold temperatures coming in tomorrow again and you can bet I'm covering my plants. This time I went to the hardware store while the weather was in the 70's and bought two additional N'sulate permeable fabric covers. 

We have lived in Spring 14 years and this is the coldest winter that I can remember.  We normally have two seasons here summer and January. I'm ready for January to be over and to get on with summer. It has been an unusual year though so I would not be surprised if our winter doesn't continue in to February. You just have to love that global warming.

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332. 

If you would like information about Spring TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia.  If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.

Want to find out about new Spring TX properties immediately as they come on the market, then click here to sign up for a free automatic notification of new listings.

Search for home in The Woodlands Creekside VillageClick the button to the left to search our local MLS.

Subscribe to Results Realty BuzzSubcribe in a reader

Copyright © 2010 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved. *Cold facts on plant survival for Spring TX - A follow up!!*

Speechless Sunday - New beginnings!!

New beginnings!

On our daughter's Flickr site she called this Dead and Living.  I am calling it New Beginnings!  Years ago I remember a radio commentator saying we have two seasons in Houston; summer and January.  I for one am ready for January to be over with and the new spring beginnings to start.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332. 

If you would like information about Spring TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia.  If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.

Want to find out about new Spring TX properties immediately as they come on the market, then click here to sign up for a free automatic notification of new listings.

Search for home in The Woodlands Creekside VillageClick the button to the left to search our local MLS.

Subscribe to Results Realty BuzzSubcribe in a reader

Copyright © 2010 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved. *Speechless Sunday - New beginnings!!* Picture taken by Tarina Peterson all rights reserved

 

Boston - Where it all began!!

This last September we took a vacation to Rhode Island and on the way spent a day in Boston. What an exciting day that was! I love history and Boston is full of history! I loved walking along the Freedom Trail and seeing where it all began! 

Today with Massachusetts again making a bit of a revolt I thought this was a good time to post my Boston pictures.

 

Boston, where it all began!!

I have to admit I'm thrilled this evening!  I think our founding fathers put checks and balances in so one party would not have absolute control. I'm glad we no longer have a filibuster senate. The people have spoken!!

Thank you Massachusetts voters!!

Okay you are probably wondering where Cheers fits in but it is a bit of Boston history also.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332. 

If you would like information about Spring TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia.  If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.

Want to find out about new Spring TX properties immediately as they come on the market, then click here to sign up for a free automatic notification of new listings.

Search for home in The Woodlands Creekside VillageClick the button to the left to search our local MLS.

Subscribe to Results Realty BuzzSubcribe in a reader

Copyright © 2010 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved. *Boston - Where it all began!!*

Calvin's Invisible Fence!!

Calvin and Elle, Spring TXOur area of Spring TX has had a problem in the last few years of lost cats. I myself knew of 8 that had disappeared in just a few months.  We don't know for sure why they disappeared but we think it could have been coyotes.  Our subdivision has always been out by itself but the city is moving closer and closer.  The Woodlands is building a village literally a stone's throw from our house. As progress happens there's less room for the coyotes to feed. I personally think they started feeding on the cats in our subdivision.  We have two cats and I did not want to see that happen to our cats so  a few years ago we got one of them an invisible fence.

Calvin is our cat.   We adopted him from a friend of our daughters. Elle is our daughters' cat. Our daughters' cat lives with us as our daughter is a flight attendant and commutes so is only here now and then. The problem was not with her cat but with our cat; Calvin. It is not hard too hard to tell which is Elle, snoozing in Spring TXwhich. Elle is the fat one and could not go over or under the fence.  I take that back she did go over the fence once.  It was shortly after she started living with us and she had seen Calvin go over so she got up on our waterfall and was looking over. I turned on the waterfall and she fell in to our neighbor's back yard.  I had to go knock on their door and ask them if I could retrieve our cat out of their back yard.

Calvin on the other hand is all boy.  He was an indoor cat until he came to live with us but he found out that he loves to explore. He is a very good hunter and loves to bring us his prizes. He would go over the fence but would usually come back when I called but when all these cats started disappearing I became concerned. That was when we started looking in to our options.  We talked to the Vet and she said we could make him an indoor cat again but I hated to do that as he loves the outside.

One of our neighbors made a very cool cattery off of the back of their house. We explored that idea but their back yard faces east and our back yard faces west.  If you have been to Spring TX in the summertime you will understand why the direction your house faces makes a difference.  We have a covered patio on the back of our house so we can even go out on our back porch in the heat of the summer. The only place that would work for a cattery was already being used for a spa.  I did not want toCalvin in his little area of Spring TX give up the sap so that idea was out.

About that same timeframe I went in to our veterinarians and saw the Invisible Fence people installing an indoor system.  It seems that the vet cats were getting in to food at night and had destroyed about $1000 worth of food.  That was when we started exploring the idea of putting an invisible fence in.

We found all kinds of do it yourself invisible fences but the reviews that I read were not good.  On the other hand the reviews for the Invisible Fence sounded decent.  Now mind you there is a huge difference in price but in life I have found you get what you pay for. We decided to go with the Invisible fence.

They came out and installed the wires all around the outside of our house and then two different times a trainer came out. The first time the trainer came out they put an indoor fence in our house.  They use white flags and we started letting Calvin look at the flag and then he got a jolt.  It sounds mean but mind you it was for his protection.  I had to get Calvin use to wearing a harness also for the next round of trainings.  To be honest I think the harness was probably the hardest part of the whole ordeal. 

About a week later the trainer came out and put white flags around the boundaries where Calvin would get shocked.  It was a good thing that I had the harness on him because he was having no part of it and went to bolt over the fence.  He was in for a shock; literally.  For about a week after that I would go out with him with the harness but he learned fast.  He hated the harness and was thrilled when the trainer came out for the last time and we finally let him out without it.

Calvin has now had the fence for a couple of year and it has worked GREAT.  We put Calvin's collar on when he goes out in the morning and we take it off when he comes in at the end of the day.  It must not bother him as he sits and purrs as we put it on him.  He has plenty of room to roam along the back of our house.  He has a covered patio and beside the patio there are some bushes that he can hang out in. 

Calvin displaying his invisible fence collarThe battery has to be changed every 3 to 4 months and we did have one incident where we forgot to change the battery and all of a sudden Calvin was exploring again.  We have learned our lesson on that and now keep a better eye on the battery.  This is a special batter that we order through the invisible fence people. 

The only downside is that you can't keep cats from coming in to your property.  Because of that I always make sure that I'm home when Calvin is outside.   There have been two different times where we have had to go out and chase a cat away.  Our dog Dundy is more than happy to chase the offending cat out of our yard. 

I know that I raised a few eyebrows when I got an invisible fence for our cat but like I said it has worked GREAT. If you have a dog that roams you can use the same fence for them also.  You just have to buy an additional collar for whatever pet you are using it for. Our dog stays close and with living in a cul-de-sac we don't have a worry; so for us it is just used at this point for Calvin.  We have also protected a lot of wildlife as Calvin has a small hunting area now. I figure if a bird is dumb enough to come in to his area it is their problem.

We have only had one incident where he disappeared and that was just after the time that we let the battery expire. This post is getting long so Calvin's great adventure will have to go in another post.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332. 

If you would like information about Spring TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia.  If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.

Want to find out about new Spring TX properties immediately as they come on the market, then click here to sign up for a free automatic notification of new listings.

Search for home in The Woodlands Creekside VillageClick the button to the left to search our local MLS.

Subscribe to Results Realty BuzzSubcribe in a reader

Copyright © 2010 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved. *Calvin's Invisible Fence!!*

Wordless Wednesday - Reflections on Lake Conroe!!

Reflections on Lake Conroe

One of the many things I love about Spring TX is how close we are to Lake Conroe.  We keep our sailboat out at Lake Conroe and I took this picture yesterday when we were out there.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332. 

If you would like information about Spring TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia.  If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.

Want to find out about new Spring TX properties immediately as they come on the market, then click here to sign up for a free automatic notification of new listings.

Search for home in The Woodlands Creekside VillageClick the button to the left to search our local MLS.

Subscribe to Results Realty BuzzSubcribe in a reader

Copyright © 2010 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved. *Wordless Wednesday - Reflections on Lake Conroe!!*

Westwood, Magnolia TX!!

Westwood located in Magnolia TXWestwood, Magnolia TXis located at the intersection of FM 1488 and FM 2978.  If you are looking for a country subdivision that is decently priced but close to amenities then look no farther.  Westwood is a beautiful suddivision with plenty of towering pines and hardwoods. Most of the homes are located on lots that are just less than 1/2 acre at 20,000 square feet.  There are a few lots at 40,000 square feet or beyond but they would be in the minority.

Westwoodis located on both sides of FM 1488.  The two sides of Westwood are caddy corner to each other.  Westwood is south of FM 1488, west of FM 2978 and to the east of Tamina. Westwood is also to the north of FM 1488 and to the east of FM 2978 going east to Westwood North. Westwood is actually closer to The Woodlands than it is to the actual town of Magnolia.  The actual town of Magnolia TX is about 10 miles west on FM 1488.

Westwood has been a subdivision since the late 1970's. You will find homes in Westwood built from as early as 1978 to the present.  This is one of the many subdivisions that were affected by Houston's oil bust of the late 1980's. We moved here in 1996 and I remember driving around in Westwood shortly after that and being amazed at how many lots were still available. That is no longer the case as much of the subdivision has been built out by sWestwood allows travel trailers, RV's and boatsmall custom builders.  If you are looking to build you can still find lots but they are going quick.

One of the beauties of Westwood is the low taxes. There is NO MUD DISTRICT! The subdivision enjoys community water and each home has their own septic. The older homes may have a traditional septic but homes built since 1996 will have aerobic septic.  This makes for a low property tax rate of $2.17 per 100 value. 

Westwood does have a home owners association but the deed restrictions are lighter than most subdivisions. For instance you may keep a travel trailer, boat or RV in your front yard.  Westwood is one of the rare subdivisions that will allow this.  The HOA fees are also quite reasonable at $150 per year. This fee includes two swimming pools; one located on both sides of FM 1488. There is also a community park, tennis courts and a picnic area. This is truly a bargain when you consider that most subdivisions with this kind of amenities have much higher home owner dues.

Westwood has two swimming pools, a park and tennis courts

 

 Home prices in Westwood in the last year have varied from a low of $67,000 (a foreclosure) to a high of $310,000. The average sales price for the year was $193,000.  Square footage ranged from 1400 square feet to 3200 square feet. The average square footage was 2250 square feet.

Westwood is located in the highly acclaimed Magnolia ISD.  The grade school is Ellisor, the intermediate is Bear Branch and the High school is Magnolia High School.

If you are looking for a country subdivision that is a decent drive to Houston or IAH then this may be the place for you.  There's a Signature Kroger on the corner of FM 1488 & FM 2878; along with a Ross, Office Max, Petsmart etc. etc. As an added benefit you can be shopping or eating in The Woodlands within 15 to 20 minutes.

Come home to Westwood, Magnolia TX!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you are buying or relocating to Magnolia Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®,  Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332. 

If you would like information about Spring please visit my websites at AgentwithResults and at Results Realty.  The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about The Woodlands.  If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.

Want to find out about new Woodlands properties immediately as they come on the market, then click here to sign up for a free automatic notification of new listings.

Search for home in The Woodlands Creekside VillageClick the button to the left to search our local MLS.

Subscribe to Results Realty BuzzSubcribe in a reader

Copyright © 2010 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved. *Westwood, Magnolia TX!!*

Fellow Active Rainer in Need; Blood Drive Being Held in Katy TX for Liz Carter!

We have a fellow rainer who needs our help.  Liz Carter with Liz Carter and Team Realty is in desperate need of a double lung and liver transplant. This extensive surgery will require blood at very short notice so her firm is having a blood drive for both Liz and others.  Please see the details below for the blood drive being conducted by the mobile unit of St. Luke's Blood Center.Liz Carter needs our help, blood drive being held

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Liz Carter and Team Realty

Mason Village Shopping Center

21949-D Katy Freeway

Katy, Texas 77450

For more information, you may contact Sandra Parker at 281-391-7653 ext.225.

Liz Carter at our first Active Rain Texas get togetherI met Liz when she asked me to moderate the Texas real estate group. We had fun moderating the group together and had some fun contest; all centered around our great state Texas. I have to be honest I have not done a very good job of moderating the group without my cohort to help. 

Liz was also at our first ever Active Rain Texas get together. You can see her in the picture with her dog Rhett. She is no longer able to travel as she has to stay within an hour from the hospital at all times.

I spoke to Liz yesterday and she is feeling okay but gets winded very quick. She got tired just in the short conversation that we had. She has no idea when the surgery will take place. It could be tomorrow and it might be a year from now. She told me that if you can't attend the blood drive you can donate at any blood bank and just ask that the blood be banked in her name. You must tell them the blood is for Liz Carter at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in the Medical center in Houston TX.

Please keep Liz in your prayers as she goes through this time.  We won't have a way of knowing when she gets the surgery as it will happen very quick.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332. 

If you would like information about Spring TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia.  If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.

Want to find out about new Spring TX properties immediately as they come on the market, then click here to sign up for a free automatic notification of new listings.

Search for home in The Woodlands Creekside VillageClick the button to the left to search our local MLS.

Subscribe to Results Realty BuzzSubcribe in a reader

Copyright © 2010 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved. *Fellow Active Rainer in Need; Blood Drive Being Held in Katy TX for Liz Carter!

Cold facts on plant survival for Spring TX plants!!

Spring TX gardening - how to survive the coldThe Houston Chronicle had a great article today about plant survival in freezing temperatures.  We are supposed to have several days of frigid temperatures starting tomorrow (lows in the mid 20's).  Here in Houston we rarely have frigid temperatures and for sure not several days in a row.  I am going to share the highlights for those of you that missed the article. (Which would have been me had a friend not told me so I stopped and bought a paper). I love all the tropical plants that I'm able to grow in Spring and I for one don't want to have to start over.

After reading the article I realized that I've not been going at this correctly.  According to the article you want to mulch, water and cover.  They recommend watering if it has not rained.  Water and mulch should be enough for certain plants.  Those plants would be abelia, azalea, boxwood, eleagnus, Hawthorne, holly, ligustrum, loropetalum, mahonia, nandina, roses, wax myrtle and yaupon.  According to the article after an extended freeze these shrubs will probably show foliage damage without cover but should put on new leaves in the spring.  Since we have not had rain I ran our sprinkler system this afternoon before covering our plants.

If you want to go the extra step they recommend covering plants with fiber row covers, sheets or blankets.foliage from Mercer Arboretum in Spring TX  This will raise the temperature a few degrees depending on the cover.  For even extra protection add a layer of heavy plastic over the cloth covers and secure it with bricks and stones.  The article said not to place plastic directly on the plants. (This is where I have been going astray).  My plants are all now double wrapped so we shall see how they do.  Of course move any potted plants inside.

Do not wash frost or ice off the plants the morning after the freeze.  If you wash the frost off it raises the temperature too fast and can damage the plant's cell tissue.  After the frigid temperatures are over it says to assess the damage but NOT to prune.  It says that freeze damaged wood will protect live wood farther down the branch (should we have more frigid temperatures). 

In the spring prune to green at your normal pruning time.  I have always heard mid February for pruning. 

I hope this is it for our frigid weather.  We have lived here 14 years and I don't ever remember covering plants this much.  I remember a radio commentator years ago saying we have two seasons in Houston summer and January.  The scary part is that the month of January just started.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332. 

If you would like information about Spring TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia.  If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.

Want to find out about new Spring TX properties immediately as they come on the market, then click here to sign up for a free automatic notification of new listings.

Search for home in The Woodlands Creekside VillageClick the button to the left to search our local MLS.

Subscribe to Results Realty BuzzSubcribe in a reader

Copyright © 2010 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved. *Cold facts on plant survival for Spring TX plants!!*

Speechless Sunday - The Trees!!

Winter Trees- obviously not in Spring TX

This is obviously not taken here in Spring TX; although it has been brrrrrrrr cold here lately.  Our daughter took this picture recently while she had a layover in Alaska. She used the 5 hours of sunlight to visit the area. I have always loved pictures of trees even when they are naked. 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332. 

If you would like information about Spring TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia.  If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.

Want to find out about new Spring TX properties immediately as they come on the market, then click here to sign up for a free automatic notification of new listings.

Search for home in The Woodlands Creekside VillageClick the button to the left to search our local MLS.

Subscribe to Results Realty BuzzSubcribe in a reader

Copyright © 2010 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved. *Speechless Sunday - The Trees!!*  Picture taken by Tarina Peterson all rights reserved