Do real estate agents make a lot of money?You bet they do.  What on earth do they spend all of that money on?  Let's talk about advertising.  My first year I made 42K however, I spent 14K on flyers, Sunday News Ads, Lunches for clients, Broker Open Houses, Signs, Helium & Balloons, lots of gas for driving myself and clients around, dues, classes and fees, broker fees and commission splits, other agent commission splits, taxes to uncle sam, design and media fees, and plenty of books and tapes to educate myself in the art and science of real estate.I went through a change in my way of thinking too.  Working for 100% commission is a new mental concept not for the faint of heart however, through time I learned to rely on myself to make things work out.  You have to be an optimistic person a... 03/28/2008

Everyone in the Houston Bay Area community is invited to the St. Claire Catholic Church Festival on Saturday, May 3 from 11 am until 7 pm.  You will find fun, food, games, sweets, and treats.  If you are interested in a vendor booth, call 281-286-7729 for more information.  For more information on events and ticket sales, visit the website at www.stclairehouston.org/festival The church is located at 3131 El Dorado Blvd. in Clear Lake City.www.StagingSmartNSold.com provides a professional home staging service to Houston area Realtors and homeowners to facilitate a rapid and profitable house sale. 03/28/2008

I've been watching the Royden Oaks market for the last year and a half to see if there has been a huge drop in average prices sold in that area.  And guess what, I hardly think a drop of $4 / sqft is cause for alarm.In fact, the Royden Oaks area is going to get a big boost from the trickle down effect from the two large multi-million dollar mixed-use projects popping up right in that area.From Nov. 06 to Nov. 07 there was a property value increase of 17.48%.  Will we see that again between now and the end of 09?  We have only seen a 1% drop in property values over the last 6 months on the average, so really is there cause for alarm?With all the building going on in this town watch how Houston will be a magnet for investors nationwide. 03/27/2008

The Beaconfield - Houston Downtown Historic Lofts 1700 Main Street , (interactive map) Houston, TX 77002Click here to view properties for SaleArea:Houston Downtown, Houston Theater District Price:$100k to $450K Number of Story:7Number of Units: 18Year Built: 1911 (Historic Registry) Concierge:YesValvet Parking NoPoolNoStorage Room YesHouston's first residential high-rise; the building itself is on the national register of historic places, and its unique charm and location on the light rail ensure it will remain a classic for years to come. Luxury High Rises, Lofts and Mid-Rises Directory:  For more information or to schedule a showing of any property Call (832) 298-2893 or e-mail: Steven Teoh, your Houston High Rises / Lofts Realtor www.HoustonLuxuryHighRises.com 1400 HermannMuseum Dist... 03/26/2008

100 Willard Street, (Interactive Map) 1900 Genesse Street.Houston, TX 77006Click here to view properties for sale at Vista at MidtownArea: Houston Mid-town, Montrose, Inner LoopPrice: $150K to $300K+Number of floors: 4 (atop of 2 story garage)Number of Units: 72Year built: 2005Main Highlights:One to two bedrooms with unique interior design 10 foot ceilings High-quality construction Large windows Crown molding and recessed lighting Ceramic and hardwood floors Granite countertops Wood kitchen cabinets Electric wine cooler Super-efficient soundproofing system Secure, covered parking Common terrace with pool, BBQ area, and dramatic downtown view Great views from the residences Controlled-access entry and gate Short corridors leading to your residence  Houston Luxury High Rises, Mid-Rise and... 03/26/2008

1 Bedroom house or mobile home in a decent area for under $700K, Spring, Klein, or Aldine Preferred.  Please contact me before 4/1/08.  Applicant has low credit and a foreclosure on his record, but he is on fixed income and has a guarantee from his grown children. Applicant lives alone, no pets. 03/26/2008

Plants available for sale on April 2 are propagated by members of Gardeners by the Bay, and so excellent choices of healthy plants can be found.  The sale will be at The University Baptist Church at 16106 Middlebrook Drive in Clear Lake, with the public invited at 11:00.  Any one with an interest in gardening is invited to visit or join this club, which meets at 9 am on the first Wednesdays of the month, September - May at the church. For more information, call Katy at 281-488-5655 or Erica at 281-461-4537.www.StagingSmartNSold.com provides Houston home staging solutions to help sell a house quicker and for more profit for Clear Lake homeowners and Realtors.  03/26/2008

Have you seen the building that's going on in the so called "Manhatten" of Houston.  That narrow strip of land west of downtown, south of I-10, and north of 59.Wow, these developers are pouring 500-600 million into these mixed-use projects.  If you have driven down Kirby and Westheimer you have undoubtedly seen West Ave rising as if it's in competition with 2727 High Rise.  You can expect 4,000 new residential units added to the inner loop.  Prices are expected to be between $300-$450 a sqft ... attracting young professionals and empty nesters who like the lock and leave aspect.I wish that at least one of these projects would address the fact that people who might otherwise purchase one of their properties might have need to let their dogs run around in a park of some sort and now they ... 03/26/2008

HealthScreens has been educating and assisting people to live healthier lives since 1986. Their staff is professional and knowledgeable and provide an immediate report of all findings. Ten screening tests are offered in the basic program: Stroke Screen($50), Aneurysm($45), Heart($45), Circulation($45), Liver($45), Kidneys($45), Thyroid($45), Gallbladder($45) Osteoporosis($40) Cholesterol / Glucose blood screen($35) Persons can order only one screening or a group: 4 for $130.  6 (ultrasound only) screenings for $150. Best Value 9 for $215 (NO RADIATION!).Choose any four or more screening tests; add a full panel cholesterol/glucose test for an additional $3.For about seventy cents (less than a soda or a cup of coffee) a day a person can gain a lot of valuable health information! Using FDA... 03/25/2008

If you are relocating to the Katy / West Houston energy corridor, I can show you two great homes WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE of a major oil company.  One is 4200 sq. feet and priced under $350,000.  Very nice, established neighborhood.Looking for something new?  Katy has absolutely wonderful communities that I'd love to show you!Just call for a free RELOCATION PACKAGE.  Mary L 281-725-3986 or email me at mary-l@kw.com. 03/25/2008

BUYERS!  This is a great time to buy - interest rates are low and inventory is high.  The Katy / West Houston, TX area is a great place to live and work.  If you are in the energy field (oil company, energy company) this area is perfect.  They are in the process of widening I-10 going into Houston, which will make your commute easier.  The Westpark Tollway is south and I-10 is north of Cinco Ranch. They are building new hospitals and Memorial Hermann - Katy is already built.  There is a nice outlet mall, and plenty of smaller businesses between it and the larger malls. Check out my website to find out more: http://mary-l.yourkwagent.com/atj/user/BuyerResourceGetAction.do  Call me for more information or if you have questions about the community.Also, our family has moved numerous times ... 03/25/2008

The internet as the wild west? That is the description that was applied to our domain here on the web. In fact, it has been applied to blogs specifically, but I think that it might be more aptly asserted as a title to some online forums on a host of topics (including real estate). My wife has been switched over to work in the intensive care unit in her hospital. This evening, she sits on the couch across from my desk, reading about some complications which may occur to her patients, asking me about some of the English words that are giving her a problem. I am clearing off my desk, trying to catch up on my reading, when I come across an article that deals with the growing space on the web where you can find information about an illness. Much of this data has been provided by patients. I... 03/25/2008

 Easter Service - March 23rdSouth Campus at 10AM. I want to invite everyone to visit us on Easter, there is plenty of room, and many types of people will be there.  We don't discriminate about who you are, how you dress, what you do, what you have done,  how much money you make or have.  To be so big, 10,000 seats, it's really a very warm and inviting, and friendly place.  Steve Riggle, Senior Pastor will be starting the "Heaven" series that morning at Grace Community Church in Houston.  What better time than Easter to come see what Grace is all about.   Cindy I-45 & Dixie Farm Rd.  www.grace.tv Visit www.RedesignEtc.com Houston's Home Staging & Redesign Specialist Staging Homes To Sell!  03/22/2008

Graces' Pastoral staff will be starting a new series entitled "Heaven".  The speaking team will include world renowned author Tim LaHaye, and pastor/author Jack Hayford.  The series will begin March 23-June 1 on Sundays at 10am.  Questions they everyone seem, to have will be the focus of the series.  If you don't live here you can download podcasts from the Grace website for the following series coming up. www.grace.tv Topics will be the following:Will you be left behind?What about death and dying?What happens at the Judgement Seat of Christ?What really happens in eternity?Is hell real?Heaven-Who won't be there?What happens at the Great White Throne Judgment?Is Israel the key to the end of the world?When will Jesus come?What will heaven be like? Also, on Sunday April 13th at 6pm Tim LaH... 03/22/2008

Volunteers at Family Outreach Clear Lake/Bay Area have been providing services to families and children for over twenty three years.  Our purpose is to help build better families.  This is accomplished by offering parenting classes and programs, by empowering children in first and fourth grades by helping them think about ways they can keep themselves safe through a program called "WHO", and by working one-on-one with parents who need encouragement and support.  Volunteer training is scheduled soon, so contact us if you think that you might be interested.  Comprehensive training and ongoing professional support is provided for volunteers.  Contact us at 281-486-8827.www.StagingSmartNSold.com offers Houston home staging to facilitate a rapid and profitable house sale to Clear Lake Realto... 03/22/2008

Houston Symphony Bay Area announces "A Day By The Bay" Preview Party on March 28 and Home Tour of five beautiful waterfront homes in the Clear Lake area on March 29-30th.  Preview tickets are $75 and include home tour admission as well as the Preview Party on Friday evening hosted by the new Endeavour Clear Lake on East NASA Parkway.  It will include a gala reception, music and tour in this new 30 story tower, with complimentary valet parking.  Tickets for the Home Tour are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For information call 281-326-3472. Proceeds support the music enrichment program in the local elementary schools which is sponsored by the Houston Symphony League Bay Area.  www.StagingSmartNSold.com offers Houston home staging solutions for area Realtors and homeowners which facil... 03/22/2008

The Bay Area SPCA is now open from 11 am to 6 pm on Mondays and Fridays.  It will close at 5 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.  This private nonprofit organization, founded in 1967, is a limited admission animal care facility.  This means that a commitment is made to the lives of the animals accepted, because their belief is that healthy, unwanted animals should not be euthanized.  Because of this commitment, some animals may have to be turned away.  Please visit www.BayAreaSPCA.org for more information.www.StagingSmartNSold.com offers Houston home staging solutions to facilitate a rapid and profitable house sale for Realtors and homeowners.  The owner is also a volunteer in the Houston Bay Area. 03/22/2008

  As a National Mortgage Banker, Ascent Home Loans has provided innovative lending solutions for over 10 years. With our state of the art technology, I can give you quick loan decisions when you need to refinance, or fast pre-approvals that will give you that edge when negotiating for a new home. At Ascent Home Loans of Santa Rosa CA, I want to help you make the right choices when it comes to selecting the correct mortgage for you and your family. How do I do this?  I listen to my clients. With the right questions being asked, a client can provide a wealth of information on their future home loan and investment needs. I unlike other lenders, help you choose the right loan program that best fits your needs, not ours. Now, I can be like other every other mortgage company and tell you we h... 03/21/2008

Well, there are parts of the park which have been cordoned off due to the construction, but this month brings some surprises at the park. First, it is nice to see that such a central part of the life at the city is being taken care of in such a loving way, and much of the park is getting some of this attention. Not all of the train tracks have been laid down yet, but a brand new train is running this month. The new train is larger than the old units, and it has caused quite a stir. I have never seen the train full so early. The new station has not been built yet, and the old station is not in service, so if you wish to ride this new beauty, you will have to walk around the corner from the old station to a temporary one. It looks like the tracks will take you through much more of the pa... 03/21/2008

What a busy week this has been for the "research machine" behind SignatureHouston.com!We don't mind busy though, don't get us wrong. It's almost 8 PM and if I told you I wasn't tired, I'd be lying. However, I wanted to put this message out there before I left the office this evening. I know you bargain hunters are out there looking and i won't let you down.   Just posted six fresh bank foreclosure properties on the primary source for Houston Foreclosures. Quite a variety within that group, however. We have a couple of properties [low prices] that would be perfect as a rental income property bringing in cashflow in addition to the equity. Then, theres the easy-breezy recent construction foreclosure that you don't have to do anything to but rent it out or stage it before you sell it for a... 03/20/2008