Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo

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The Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo is kicking off this weekend September 8^th with the PLSR Parade beginning at 10 am. The one-mile route on Spencer Highway will run from Spencer and Shaver and end on Dabney at Burke at the Pasadena Veteran’s Memorial Stadium parking lot.

The 36^th Annual BBQ Cook Off presented by Bud Light will take place September 13-15^th. The cost is $13.00, and the event starts at 5pm on the 13^th. There will be over 200 cook off spaces, plenty of vendors and a carnival. The cookoff starts Thursday night and runs through Saturday night. The event helps raise money for Educational Scholarships.

The Livestock Show runs from September 19^th- September 29^th, with many events along the way. Some of the shows/events include ac calf scramble, rabbit show, hog show, lamb show, goat show and more.

September 21^st kicks off the rodeo with featured performances throughout the week and weekend. Performers include; Kevin Fowler, Bag of Donuts, Robert Earl Keen, Parker McCollum, The Bellamy Brothers, Jake Bush, Chad Cooke Band, Justin Taylor Band, David Joel, Shayne Still, and Darwin Macon.

There are many fundraising events including a golf tournament, bowling tournament, steak off, beauty contest, dance and PLSF Fun Run. All events go to benefit the Youth and Education of the Pasadena, Deer Park, La Porte and Clear Creek School Districts.

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Should I paint my house neutral colors when selling?

As Realtors we are often asked about aesthetics of a home and what can be done to help the home to appeal to everyone. One of the questions we sometimes come across is, “what color should I paint my walls, so buyers will feel at home?” There is not one correct answer to this question but with some color psychology you can get a better idea on what colors will help your home feel more inviting to potential buyers.

Everyone reacts to colors differently. A bright yellow room may be scary to a child but a joy to an adult. A room painted green may trigger happiness for someone and The Blues and disgust for someone else. Advertisers often use colors to trigger their audiences. We can’t make everyone happy with our color choices, but we can try to appeal to many.

Are beach properties good investments?

This is loaded question and with our area being so close to the beach, owning and renting out a beach house/condo may come across your mind from time to time. There are pros and cons to owning a beach house/condo and renting it out. Just like with any investment, you need to know the pros and cons before jumping in with both feet.

Below are some questions your licensed Realtor may ask if you are considering making a beach home/condo the right investment for you.

First, are you certain the area you are interested in making a property investment in is a tourist destination? For the Galveston area, many families spend their vacations renting out beach homes or condos but location is everything. People like renting homes/condos with beach views and even more so with direct beach access. Homes on the bay are also in demand with direct water access. If there isn’t beach access or bay access what is nearby? Are there restaurants, entertainment and other tourist attractions close? You will need to ask yourself these questions.

How often is the area a tourist attraction? In the Galveston area you can certainly see a spike in beach property rentals during the summer months (of course as with any beach house/condo rental) but with Galveston you have the potential for a much wider rental time than with other vacation spots. Often tourist spots on the beach shut down many of the restaurants, activities etc. during the off season, with Galveston there really is never an “off season” among restaurants, activities, etc.  Major restaurants, activity areas and tourist attractions remain open year round. The activity may not be as much during the “off season” but there are still places to go year round.

Below are some pros and cons of vacation rental investments:

Pros:

You will always have a place to vacation or even just get away with family and friends. If you are paying the mortgage, why not spend some family time at your rental. You may need to be sure you can budget this into your monthly rental income. Remember though if you are staying this means you are taking the home or condo off the market to possible vacationers for that time.

Another pro of owning a vacation rental is the added income you will receive from your renters. Depending on what the going rate is for a nightly/ weekly stay, you could possibly earn your monthly mortgage amount in just one week of summer rental. If you can book straight through the summer, you should be fine during those down times after summer season. So, someone else is paying your monthly mortgage.

Appreciation of your property is another pro. The housing market is at a high and homes are appreciating. Having a solid investment and strategically planning for rental income will make from a great rate on your return.

Another pro: Since the property you will be renting out is technically a business, you can write off most of the expenses associated with trips to your property. You will want to be sure to keep all receipts to show proof of your tax write offs.

Cons:

Just with any decision there are a list of cons to consider as well.

Expenses: There will inevitably be unplanned repairs, lost and damaged goods, unplanned maintenance issues and more. If you have a property management company over seeing your property you will owe them for their services.

Risks: With any beach location you run the risk of adverse weather, (hurricanes, flooding, etc.) which can affect the conditions of the property. Also, you must remember that you may lose renter income during times of disaster.

Unplanned problems: There will always be unplanned problems with any rental and when those issues arise you must fix them promptly or it could result in a bad review from a renter, loss of rental income or a much larger problem later.

Marketing costs: A con of owning a beach property rental is the ongoing marketing costs you will need to spend to keep visitors in your rental. You need to advertise your property and that costs money.

The choice to buy a vacation rental is one that should be thought through and carefully decided. It is best to contact an experienced Realtor to guide you in the right direction. A licensed Realtor with experience and knows the market like one of the knowledgeable agents with The Freund Group. Click here for possible Galveston investment rental properties.

To replace or not to replace the carpet in a home I am selling, that is the question....

So, you have been living in your lovely home for ten plus years and never really noticed how dingy the carpet is until you decided to list your home. Or maybe you have noticed it and have put off getting new carpet because you knew you would be selling and you wouldn’t necessarily get to enjoy your new carpet. Either way, it may be time to replace or it may be a better idea to offer a carpet allowance.

How will you know what the best option is? Your Realtor will help you in the right direction with this question. An experienced agent, like one from The Freund Group, will know exactly how to combat your carpeting woes.

A few questions your Realtor may ask are:

1. At this time can you financially afford replacing the carpet? If the answer is yes, then replacing the carpet is usually the best solution. If replacing is what is recommended be sure to replace ALL existing carpet so as all carpeting will match and look fresh and complete. If a home has different carpet in several rooms, the flow of the home may be off putting to potential buyers.

2. If you cannot afford to replace the carpet then it may be a good idea to get several quotes for carpeting or another flooring option such as laminate, tile or hardwoods. Having this estimate ahead of time and perhaps leaving it in the home for showings will give the prospective buyers a better idea of what it may costs to replace. You must be aware that this may cause buyers to offer lower offers if the price does not reflect a possible carpet replace or flooring replace.

3. Are you in a tight time frame for moving? If this is the case, offering a carpeting/flooring allowance may be a better option. This will give buyers the ability to choose their own flooring and it may sway any low ball offers. Your Realtor will market your property with the carpet allowance included. Remember that pictures on the internet are what get buyers in to see your property, so if the carpet is a mess sometimes buyers may swipe through and move on. Having the flooring allowance in public remarks will however show that there is an allowance.

4. Do you think this home will be more of an investor opportunity? If your agent feels the home is more of an investor opportunity, replacing the carpet may not be the best option. Marketing the home with the “ugly” carpet in mind when pricing may be a consideration. Most investors will be replacing things like flooring anyhow. If the price is right an investor can see past the ugly, stained carpet.

5. Does the carpet need to be replaced or would a deep cleaning solve the problem? If your carpet isn’t to terribly bad a deep cleaning may be another option. Your Realtor can point you in the direction of a trusted company to help get the job done. If you choose this option be sure to have the carpets cleaned before any photos of the property are taken for marketing.

There is no definitive answer on what is best, but every situation is different. Your Realtor will be able to help guide you in the right direction.

If you are ready to sell and need a Realtor you can trust to keep your best interest in mind, give The Freund Group a call today. Don’t try to go at it alone! 281-479-6683

Brook Forest, Clear Lake City, TX

Brook Forest Home Search

Brook Forest is located in Clear Lake City, TX with easy access to I-45 and Highway 146. Brook Forest has approximately 2781 residents.

Brook Forest is located between Middlebrook subdivision and Bay Forest subdivision. Brook Forest is among the most sought out neighborhoods win in Clear Lake City. Mature trees and plenty of curb appeal, homes in Brook Forest go quickly.

You won’t have to travel far for entertainment, shopping, recreation or other activities while living in Brook Forest. Everything you need is just a short drive away and in some cases walking distance.

There were 25 homes sold in Brook Forest in 2017 ranging in price from $192,500-$262,500. The median sales price was $237,000. The average days on the market was 43 days and the average price per square foot was $97.43

Students living in Brook Forest attend Clear Creek ISD. Elementary aged students attend Armand Bayou Elementary. Middle school aged students attend Space Center Intermediate and high school students attend Clear Lake High School.

Clear Creek Independent School District ranks #24 in Best School Districts in Texas and #244 in Best School Districts in America according to Niche.com. It is ranked #5 as Best School District in the Houston Area.

If you are looking to purchase a home in Brook Forest or any surrounding areas, give The Freund Group a call. We will help make your dreams a reality. 281-479-6683

Bay Oaks, Clear Lake City, TX

Bay Oaks Home Search

Bay Oaks is located in Clear Lake City, TX with easy access to I-45 and Highway 146. Bay Oaks begun in 1989 and was completed in 2005.

Bay Oaks is home to Bay Oaks Country Club and Golf Course. Homes in Bay Oaks are custom built, and many are located on the beautiful golf course. With over 690 acres, Bay Oaks features large sidewalks and tree lines streets.

Bay Oaks is located near shopping, restaurants and entertainment. Baybrook Mall is just a very short drive away and with the new expansion there is always something to do locally. If you prefer downtown nightlife, Houston is just a short 20 mile drive away and Galveston about 25 miles. Bay Oaks is also close to Kemah Boardwalk.

There were 46 homes sold in Bay Oaks in 2017 ranging in price from $381,000-$918,000. The median sales price was $458,250. The average days on the market was 64 days and the average price per square foot was $128.06.

Students living in Bay Oaks attend Clear Creek ISD. Elementary aged students attend Falcon Pass Elementary. Middle school aged students attend Space Center Intermediate and high school students attend Clear Lake High School.

Clear Creek Independent School District ranks #24 in Best School Districts in Texas and #244 in Best School Districts in America according to Niche.com. It is ranked #5 as Best School District in the Houston Area.

If you are looking to purchase a home in Bay Oaks or any surrounding areas, give The Freund Group a call. We will help make your dreams a reality. 281-479-6683

It’s Time to Get Ready for Those Back to School Routines, Get Ready Now and Be Happy You Did Later

Summer is almost gone and it’s back to school for CCISD and surrounding districts. Let’s face it, during summertime the rules get relaxed and sometimes schedules go out the window. Below are some ideas on ways to get the kids back to their routines and schedules without so much struggle.

During this last week of freedom, start implementing those bed times and morning alarms. Instead of waiting until the first day of school to work on those schedules it is best to start earlier and get the kids back into the routine of going to bed on time and waking up on time. Gradually wake up late sleepers earlier each day until they are waking up on time.

Glen Cove, Kemah, TX

Search for homes in Glen Cove

Glen Cove is located in Kemah, TX on Clear Lake. With easy access to 146 and a short drive to I-45 and HWY 3, living in Glen Cove makes it easy to get around. Glen Cove is close to Kemah Boardwalk, shopping and much more.

Glen Cove is an older community with some homes built in the 1970’s.

There were 6 homes sold in Glen Cove ranging from $55,500 to $195,134. The average days on the market was 35 and the average price per square foot was $91.90.

Students living in Glen Cove attend Clear Creek ISD. Elementary aged students attend Stewart Elementary, middle schoolers attend Bayside Intermediate and high school aged students attend Clear Falls High School.

Clear Creek Independent School District ranks #24 in Best School Districts in Texas and #244 in Best School Districts in America according to Niche.com. It is ranked #5 as Best School District in the Houston Area.

If you are looking to purchase a home in Glen Cove, give the Freund Group a call 281-479-6683.

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Lakeside, Kemah, TX

Search for homes in Lakeside subdivision

Lakeside is located in Kemah, TX and is a small community but is located near it all. Much like Clear Lake Shores, Lakeside is a golf cart community near a local boat launch.

Fishing, fireworks, and Kemah dining are a short distance away. You will feel like you are always on vacation in Lakeside Subdivision.

There were 2 homes sold in Lakeside subdivision in 2017 ranging in price between $229,900 to $399,000. The average days on the market was 42 days and the average price per square foot was $173.88.

Students living in Lakeside attend Ferguson Elementary School. Middle school aged students attend Clear Creek Intermediate and high school aged children attend Clear Creek High School. Lakeside is zoned for Clear Creek ISD.

Clear Creek Independent School District ranks #24 in Best School Districts in Texas and #244 in Best School Districts in America according to Niche.com. It is ranked #5 as Best School District in the Houston Area.

If you are looking to purchase a home in Lakeside, give the Freund Group a call 281-479-6683.

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Clear Lake Shores, Kemah, TX

Clear Lake Shores homes for sale

Clear Lake Shores is a small community but uses Kemah, TX  zip code and is located on Clear Lake. With boat launches, private docs, fishing pier and more, Clear Lake Shores is perfect for those who love the water.

Clear Lake Shores is located near shopping, entertainment, restaurants and is named “The Yachting Capital of Texas’” as the city has more boat slips than residents.

There were 28 homes sold in 2017 in Clear Lake Shores ranging in in price between $215,000 to $1,00,418. The average days on the market for homes sold in Clear Lake Shores was 69 days an the average price per square foot was $213.77.

Students living in Clear Lake Shores attend Clear Creek ISD. Elementary aged students attend Stewart Elementary School. Middle school aged students attend Bayside Intermediate and high schoolers attend Clear Falls High School.

Clear Creek Independent School District ranks #24 in Best School Districts in Texas and #244 in Best School Districts in America according to Niche.com. It is ranked #5 as Best School District in the Houston Area.

If you are looking to purchase a home in Clear Lake Shores, give the Freund Group a call 281-479-6683.

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