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Galveston, TX Real Estate News

By Maggie McFarland, Pearland Realtor, Homes for Sale in Pearland Texas
(RE/MAX Pearland - Maggie McFarland)
You are invited to join the Resource & Crisis Center of Galveston County on July 28, 2012 at the Moody Gardens Convention Center for "Casino For A Cause." This is a fantastic organization whose mission is to promote the safety, well-being, and the best interst of victims of family violence, sexual assault and child abuse and to adovate for the prevention of such crimes. All proceeds benefits the Center.  The dress is "island casual. To make a direct donation or to learn more about the Resourse and Crisis Center, log onto www.rccgo.org. To RSVP, email Debbie Williams at dewilliams@moodybank.com.  
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By Liz Flint, Houston\Tomball Realtor (832)816-8066
(Century 21 Hardee-Team Realty)
Galveston AIA Sand Castle Contest -- June 2nd, 2012.  For a fun outing, make sure and go to the Sand Castle Contest on East Beach in Galveston the first Saturday of June each year.  There are some wonderful sand castles, as well as some funny and innovative ones as well.  There were also prizes for the Best Team Costume. These were very creative.  I love the red sign and dragon on the wood planks.  Each team had a rectangle to construct their sand castle in, for this one they had a dragon around three sides of the rectangle.  It was impressive.  Part of the dragon is behind the little blue sign to the left. Here was the stand where the winners got their prizes. This was the entry by Jacob's.  It was voted the "Crowd Favorite". This avengers sand castle won both the Honerable Mention and...
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By Pam Miller, Broker Associate - Water Crest on Lake Conroe
(Realty Associates)
The Friendswood Animal Shelter needs volunteers.  If you have some time to donate, please call the Animal Shelter or fill out an application online at: http://www.ci.friendswood.tx.us/aminal-control/ This website has a lot of information about the Friendswood Animal Shelter.  If you would like to check out the animals that are available for adoption, please go to: Petfinders.com type in your zip code Visit the Friendswood Animal Shelter at: 3000 W. Parkwood (FM 528) Friendswood, Texas 281-996-3390 You can also make a donation online when you visit the Friendswood Animals shelter website. Your Donations Are Appreciated!  
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By Deb Jamail, Galveston County Real Estate
(HomeLife Southern Properties)
 The Galveston Children's Home was founded on October 20, 1878, by Galveston journalist George B. Dealey, who, with Mrs. E. M. Arnold, who served as first director, established the institution in a rented house as the Island City Protestant Orphans Asylum. In 1879, with forty children in residence, the home was turned over by Dealey to a board of directors made up of representative Galveston citizens, with Judge Charles L. Cleveland as chairman of the board. After this it was known as the Island City Protestant-Israelite Orphans Home. The Galveston hurricane of 1900 did considerable damage to the structure and, though none were injured, the children were subsequently moved to another location.  On October 15, 1900, William Randolph Hearst of the New York Journal hosted a charity bazaar ...
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By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCHGalveston, Texas Founded 1841The Gothic Church Building Completed in 1857 Recently the enormously wealthy Moody Foundation of Galveston, Texas chose to award a grant of $2.7 million to Trinity Episcopal Church’s parochial school rather than to the church itself.  It came with great thought as to how the church and the school could best be helped to grow.  I wrote this piece for the Galveston paper. ****************** What Moody Foundations Grant to Trinity Really Means  A number of years ago, Houston’s St. Thomas Episcopal Church’s membership was diminishing.  Many worried that at that rate, the parish could soon cease to exist. My longtime friend, Robert Bennett, CPA and CLU, was a vestryman at the church. He was asked to come up with a plan that would likely s...
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By Tom Branch, Broker, CDPE, SFR, ACRE, Plano TX Ambassador
(RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs)
Gina and I recently attended the RE/MAX of Texas Convention in Galveston. While we spent 3 busy conference days, we were able to relax a little on day 4 before driving back to Dallas. We met up with Mark Stroeh and his wife on Sunday to enjoy a nice meal in the area and catch up. Mark and I go back to the 1980's when we were both in the United States Air Force and stationed at Carswell AFB in Fort Worth. Mark suggested we try Jimmy's On The Pier for lunch. Jimmy's is a cool little place located above the gift shop on one of the fishing piers on the Galveston seawall. The morning air was cool so we elected not to sit on the balcony. Had the weather been a bit warmer, I could see sitting outside enjoying the feel of the sun on my face and the breeze in my hair. The food was tasty and the...
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By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
THE NIGHT OF JANUARY 16TH By Bill Cherry   Fifty-five years of January 16ths have come and gone since then, but the lesson taught on January 16, 1957 by Ball High School speech and drama teacher, Arthur Graham, at the old Galveston County Courthouse remain intact to this day with those who were there. Graham had undergraduate degrees in speech and drama, physiology, and a master’s degree in psychology.  He had planned to be a medical doctor, but lack of money had interfered with that. So after a few years acting off-Broadway in minor legitimate theater productions, he returned to Galveston to teach.  And he did that at Ball High for the next 33 years. It troubled him that a lot of students and the public in general were convinced that popularity rather than achievement was almost always...
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By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
If you remember what you learned in school, in general the circle is the strongest geometric form, followed by the triangle. From a practical standpoint, though, most building frames and trusses are made strong by converting some of their naturally perpendicular rectangles into triangles through the addition of cross members. Probably one of the major structural components with which everyone is familiar is the gable roof.  It, in itself, is a series of triangles that, when covered by the roof decking, becomes one large triangle. The gable roof has two weak spots – the two ends.  And that’s where strong winds, hurricanes and the like have a field day, and many breeches occur. In years past, gable ends were strengthened with shiplap lumber, cut and nailed on the bias to the frame.  Pictu...
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By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
“Ever since hedge fund honcho Eddie Lampert bought Sears and merged it into his already-owned Kmart back in 2005, the combined Sears-Kmart chain has been a business in decline. Same-store sales numbers have dropped consistently since the retailers linked arms. “Explanations for the decline vary. Professional analysts will tell you Sears' problem is that it doesn't invest enough in store upkeep. If your average chain store spends $6 to $8 a year per square foot of retail space, then Sears' lackluster maintenance budget of $1.90 guarantees that its stores will be dingy, dark, and generally lacking in Christmas cheer. “Other industry watchers blame CEO Lampert, who famously dismisses investor obsession over "same-store sales," and tells folks to focus instead on how he grows the firm's ear...
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By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
This is a very well attended, famous event.  Ron Wyatt is not only a superb organist but an entertaining raconteur.  The church's 4,000 pipe Austin organ is the instrument of the angels. Houstonian Edgar Moore's Sons of Orpheus Choir for years has joined Mr. Wyatt at the Trinity Pipe Organ Extravanza!  They'll be there again this year! ************************ TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH PIPE ORGAN EXTRAVAGANZA!  A Dickens Evening on the Strand Tradition Saturday, December 03, 2011, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Trinity Episcopal Church, 2216 Ball (Avenue H) TICKETS: 409 765-6317 Click here to see my TV Pieces - Bill Cherry's Galveston Memories Organist Ronald Wyatt Click here for a flyer The popular Pipe Organ Extravaganza, featuring internationally acclaimed concert organist Ronald Wyatt, returns Sa...
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By Jason Keeling
(Ryson Real Estate)
This years Lone Star Biker rally is this weekend in Galveston Texas. One of the largest motorcyle rallies in the states, this event is great for the whole family. Events include poker runs, concerts, cook offs, and more. The entire island is filled with up to 500,000 bikers/ visitors and the strand is turned into a bike parking lot. Dont miss the fun, come to Galveston and enjoy the rally! Shop for Galveston Real Estate while your in town!  
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By Nancy Anderson
(Bay Area Elite Properties)
November 12th marks the grand opening of the Tenth Annual Festival of Lights event, held at Moody Gardens in Galveston.  Start a new holiday tradition with your family this year and enjoy more than1 million lights within 100 sound-enhanced animated light displays.  In addition, you can skate around on the area's only outdoor ice skating rink, take pictures with Santa or watch holiday films in the MG 3D, 4D, Special FX or Ridefilm theaters.Admission is just $5.95 and the festival opens 6:00 - 10:00 pm.  See more information on theater admissions and other festivities throughout the months of November & December here.  2011 Festival of Lights Opening Day Schedule Join us for the Grand Opening Ceremony Nov. 12 and see Santa parachute in to flip the switch to more than a million lights in a...
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By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
Those interested in the eclectic history of Galveston, Texas, could possibly find the pieces I did for News-24 Houston of value. I've posted 8 on youtube, and plan to add more each week until they are all available. Here's the link. Current subject include:  1939 Birth of the Badgett Quadruplets, How the Texas Rangers closed down illegal casinos, Grand 1894 Opera House, the Easter Vigil, Famous DJ Rascal McCaskill, Mudrocks Bath House, Gaido's famous seafood restaurant, and Rock-a-Billy Hall of Fame member, Utah Carl Beach.   BILL CHERRY, REALTORS DALLAS - PARK CITIES Since 1964 214 503-8563 WEB
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By Sussie Sutton, David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers
(David Tracy Real Estate)
This last Saturday my husband, and friends, Tellie and Jim went to Galveston to hang out and see what we could get into. We decided to get a little something to eat and drove up to THE SPOT on the Galveston wall. Now when we came up the back way we saw the area and thought it was just a little further up, but no they had done some renovations and added some floors! Yeah for sure we would find a place to sit. Jim dropped us off and we went on in to see if we could score a table! Sure enough we got one on the first floor even with the outside bar… my favorite place in the building and it was packed …any way some people got up and we were able to sit right next to the window which is choice because we like to people watch. We ordered fried fish this time…we usually can’t pass up the burger...
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By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
  Bill Cherry's Galveston Memories are now on Youtube. We are adding the pieces about Galveston characters and places that I did for Houston's Channel 24 about 8 years ago.   BILL CHERRY, REALTORS DALLAS - PARK CITIES Since 1964 214 503-8563
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By Hrisco & Associates, Roanoke Homes for Sale - Roanoke Neighborhoods
(Hrisco & Associates )
In a recent call for action, by the National Association of Realtors regarding the National Flood Insurance Program, the NAR called on all of us REALTORS across the country to write our Congress men and women and to urge them to extend the National Flood Insurance Program Reextension Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-250), to which I did.  I find it very important and I feel a personal responsibility as a Real Estate Professional that when our national or state organization puts out a call for action, that I as a REALTOR, due in fact take action. By us as a group collectively making our voices heard in Congress, it is going to help the prospective home buyer or seller or homeowner and the real estate industry in general. I am happy to report that our efforts have and are paying off, but there is st...
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By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
DEBRA WEAVER Galveston Island's Domestic Goddess. Contact the Island's Domestic Goddess. Debbie Weaver has an interesting business.  She is a private housekeeper.  Her clients comprise some of the Island's most prominent families.  In fact one of her clients is the 90+ year old daughter of the captain of the concrete ship that is sunk in Galveston harbor, just off of Pelican Island, and has been a tourist attraction since World War II.  I've known this particular client for my whole life. Debbie cleans, cooks, shops, advises, gardens, handles the business of running a household. She knows everyone, so she can call in favors at a moment's notice; say to get a plumber, electrician or a specially prepared meal made and delivered. I've known her family for years.  In fact, I went to school...
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By Lorna Presswood
(Elite Texas Properties)
  Galveston Real Estate and Loans   Just a few tips on getting mortgage loans on Galveston Real Estate... People often tell me that buyers can't get a mortgage these days.  I can tell you that is absolutely not true!   Mortgages are readily available, even on seemingly hard to finance properties. Conventional loans, FHA, VA, HOMESTEPS, HOMEPATH, Investor and Second-home loans are available on condos and houses in Galveston.   Many of the Galveston condo developments won't qualify for conventional loans if they are more than 60% investor or developer owned.  There are bank loans that can be had as an alternative.  Be sure to ask me about this if you are an investor/second-home purchaser and want to buy into a popular development.  Many times I can refer you to a lender with a good loan p...
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By Lorna Presswood
(Elite Texas Properties)
Selling with Photos   I'm a hobby photographer and I also know the value of using photography in my real estate business. I live and work on an island, and most of the real estate in Galveston is second-home and investor oriented.  It helps to use photography to show the life and beauty of the place where you are selling real estate. It's very important to have good quality photos of your real estate listings, but it's also important to show people the neighborhoods, the small creeks and parks, the surrounding landscape or the beach and palm trees...just depending on your local area. When listing a property be sure your photos are well-lit and full of color.  Don't alter the actual items in the photo, but by all means...lean to lighten and put more warm color into your house photos.  If...
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