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Katy, TX Real Estate News

By Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty, Florida Space Coast Homes
(Waves Realty)
Houston was rated the number 1 city in the USA to live, work, and play by Kiplinger's. They based the decision to rate Houston tops because of the wonderful business climate, affordable housing, low taxes, entertainment options, and medical facilities. We fell Katy is the best of the best in the Houston Metro area. Here are our reasons: 1. Award winning schools...the KISD school district is as good as it gets! 2. Great medical facilities...soon to be 5 big name area hospitals 3. No State Tax in Texas (that includes Katy!) 4. Housing cost are very reasonable 5. World class subdivisions with amenities like waterparks, work out facilities, golf courses, boating, etc... 6. Lots of shopping options 7. Near the Gulf of Mexico, the Texas Hill Country, and all the city of Houston has to offer! ...
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By Makeover 2 Takeover
(The ActiveRain Real Estate Network)
 Is it possible for a group of Realtors to compete and remain friends?  You bet it is!  I'm not sure if it's because of Active Rain, or maybe it's the type of agents that are attracted to this special social/business network? I feel even if we were in a "real competition" like for a listing or a buyer it will still be the same, we would all go way out of our way to be fair, friendly and even help one another.  It's team work at it's best!  Look what this pretty lady did for us, she took time to design a logo for Team Tex-La...            Debra A. Brooks, Texas Waterfront Specialist            The DreamWeavers...Debra A Brooks, Mentor, so thanks my Darling Deb for taking the time to do this, and I do love it. The contest is filled with people like "Diva" Deb and her Apprentice Melissa Gr...
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By Liz Carter, Broker/Owner of Liz Carter & Team Realty, Katy TX (Houston)
(Liz Carter & Team Realty-Your Real Estate Resource For Life!)
  Do you send out a Pre Listing Package to your listing appointments?  Week two challenge was issued by our fearless leader Rich Jacobson to the 15 remaining teams, and it was due today, Sunday June 1, 2008 by 3:00 PST.  The second challenge was to put together a digital, creative, informative, cutting edge Pre Listing Package.  There was a little twist also, instead of just one team being eliminated; tomorrow two teams will be eliminated, so we will be down to 12 teams left in the contest.  You can check in Monday to see if your favorite team is still in the contest, and which teams are left standing.  Of course we will be issued our new challenge then as well.  I wonder what will be next on his list? 16 Teams started out two weeks ago by responding to Rich's call for the makeover2take...
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By Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty, Florida Space Coast Homes
(Waves Realty)
I was listening to a talk show recently and they discussed how some MLS systems around the Country are trying to keep the info they have SECRET to hide facts and protect commissions and income. Nothing could be further from the truth! I firmly believe the American free market system is alive and well and lives firmly in national real estate markets! Here are some examples: We not only have multiple firms that sell real estate...we have different models of service to fit every buyer! 1. Full Service: You can choose to have an agent and agency that caters to all your needs. 2. Mid Service: Lower commissions with less service 3. Limited Service Brokers: Those Who put a home in the MLS, put on a lock box, put out a sign, and do some negotiation and paperwork. 4. MLS Input: They get you in M...
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By Liz Carter, Broker/Owner of Liz Carter & Team Realty, Katy TX (Houston)
(Liz Carter & Team Realty-Your Real Estate Resource For Life!)
Avoiding a Lawsuit with a Database? The Ending of a Thriving Real Estate Career... Caused by being sued from a disgruntled seller or buyer over a real estate transaction happens.  We live in a highly litigious society... that is a reality!  There is a growing tendency to not take personal responsibility for what happens in your life unfortunately.  Some people what to blame someone else for their mistakes, or lack of just about everything in life.  People are always looking for an "easy" way to get rich by suing someone for just about anything and everything that happens to them.  Remember the person that sued because the coffee was too hot, and they got burned?  Come on, grow up take responsibility for what happens in your own life, and stop blaming the other person.  However that is n...
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By Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty, Florida Space Coast Homes
(Waves Realty)
On Saturday, May 31, 2008 the Venture On! 5K run will kick off at 7:30am at Cinco Ranch Jr High School located near the corner of The Grand parkway and Cinco Ranch Blvd (23420 Cinco Ranch BoulevardKaty, TX 77494). The entrance fee for the 5k is $25, for the 1M walk it is $20, and for the 1M family walk it is $30. The race will be chip timed for the 5k. The Top 2 finishers in each age bracket will receive awards. Each child who participates receives a medal!
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By Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty, Florida Space Coast Homes
(Waves Realty)
We get this question from new agents just starting in the business...as well as long time agents who realize this is the future and they better jump on the bus! Here are some tips for you: 1. Shrink your area of expertise! That's right...shrink it. Do not think that the larger area you work the more potential clients you attract...this is faulty thinking. You can only be an area expert of a small area. The most successful agents on the net work subdivisions, a few condos, a co-op or two, or a neighborhood. They do not try to be the New York City Realtor...they might control parts of SO-HO though! 2. Use a combo of natural search and pay per click searches to target your specific area of expertise. Again do not think big...think small...this will again show you as an area expert. 3. Beco...
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By Makeover 2 Takeover
(The ActiveRain Real Estate Network)
Fearless Leader Rich said, "Bring on your A Game...two teams to be eliminated this week" Put together a completely digital PLP (pre-listing package) that is creative, resourceful, cutting-edge, information filled, organized and will put your team ahead of the pack!  OK, no problem, did I miss anything?  Oh yea it's all due in a week or you will be eliminated.  In the meantime, continue on listing & selling real estate, negotiating contacts, going to closings, negotiating contacts, calling clients with updates, work on price adjustments, maintain you new or exiting database, ordering inspection and negotiating repairs, maintain you web sites, write ads, enter new listings into MLS, show property, have or attend sales meetings, go to board of Realtors to pick up new lock boxes, order mor...
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By Makeover 2 Takeover
(The ActiveRain Real Estate Network)
Team Tex-La "Sharing State Borders and Knowledge" Liz Carter-Mentor... from Katy, Texas Joshua Lazaro-Superstar Apprentice...from Metairie, LA Only 2 1/2 days left...but who's counting! Some teams have already finished the first challenge, and it was not us :). In case you've missed the start, there are 16 teams in the contest, and our first assignment is to come up with the best software program for a database. Describe what you put in a database and how you will use it. So if you don't have one, or have one that needs some work & tweaking, stay turned. You are soon to be given 16 of the top agents versions of what they use, why they use it, and how they use their data base to genarate income for their real estate business. So far we are really starting at square one, which surprises ...
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By Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty, Florida Space Coast Homes
(Waves Realty)
It is that special time of year again in Katy Texas...the subdivision pools all open up for the Memorial Day weekend. Almost every one of the wonderful subdivision pools here in Katy employ at least one lifeguard who is CPR certified. Even with these great precautions please keep an eye on young children. Lets make this a happy and healthy Memorial Day...and take some time to remember those who have given their lives so we can use all the wonderful amenities we have in this great country!
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By Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty, Florida Space Coast Homes
(Waves Realty)
It is that time of year in Katy Texas that we need to remind everyone that Alligators do exist...and you need to watch out for them. The Texas Dept. of Fish and Wildlife has let hikers, hunters, fishermen, and golfers to keep alert while in the Katy and Houston area. They advise you to carry pepper spray in case you have a close encounter with an alligator. Make sure when near a lake our bayou with children you keep an eye on them at all times...put a small bell or noise device on them so they can alert you if they have a sighting.
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By Liz Carter, Broker/Owner of Liz Carter & Team Realty, Katy TX (Houston)
(Liz Carter & Team Realty-Your Real Estate Resource For Life!)
Is that all there is? The saying "Success is a journey, not a destination", is something I had heard of course, but never really thought to much about or fully understood the truth in that profound statement until several years ago. I was standing in a room surrounded by my friends, family and all of the Century 21 agents and brokers from around our four-state region.  My song had just finished playing, everyone was applauding, and I was standing on the stage in my fist haute couture formal dress, which made me feel like a princess when I put it on.  Everyone was smiling, flowers were being given to me by my friend, partner and broker, the regional director handed me my gold statue and the thought I had at that crowning moment was not one of jubilation.  I looked out at the crowd and th...
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By Makeover 2 Takeover
(The ActiveRain Real Estate Network)
Team Tex-La Lia Carter-Mentor & Josh Lazaro-Apprentice                                                      Joshua Lazaro-Apprentice                                Liz Carter  -Mentor...above & below water...literally!                  Now that I figured out how to get on this official site to post our pictures and a little about us...Look Out World...we are Unbeatable!  Unstoppable!  Committed!  Focused!  Winners! Oh yea, we have to do the contest first, not to worry our fearless leader as I now refer to Rich has issued our fist challenge.  Let's see what was it?  Oh yea, Database!  How appropriate that our fist challenge is the very foundation of a successful real estate business, period!  There is no way to become truly successful and build a business without one.  Your data base is ...
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Looking for Homes for Sale in Katy?  Potentially Relocating to Katy?  View this Great Tour of Cinco Ranch By Tim Sojka, Katy Real Estate Professional Below is an earlier article I posted about the fantastic community of Cinco Ranch.  Several readers have asked for pictures of Cinco Ranch.  I have posted a movie about Cinco Ranch below and a list of homes for sale in Cinco Ranch.  If you have any questions about relocating to Cinco Ranch please feel free to contact me at 713-822-2152.  Cinco Ranch Homes Tour  Cinco Ranch Home Search    Cinco Ranch Named one of the Top 10 Master Planned Communities in the US By Tim Sojka, See TIM Sell, Realtor / Broker - 713-822-2152 Robert Charles Lesser and Company, a nationally respected independent real estate advisor just named Cinco Ranch as one of...
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By Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty, Florida Space Coast Homes
(Waves Realty)
This is quite an issue that keeps coming up on listing appointments. We talk to clients who do not understand the differences between agents and agencies. First: disclosure...I think a each type of agency has its place, full service, limited service, and Entry Only....even FSBO has its place!!!! Second: The only real answer is to have minimum requirements for each...thus an limited service agent could not claim to be full service. Here are the requirements I would suggest for each. FSBO - For sale buy owner with no entry into MLS. The MLS input changes this from being a true FSBO because only one side will likely have representation of an expert (a true FSBO should have no expert representation) and implies that the buyer or seller can save the commission when in fact it is being paid. ...
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By Liz Carter, Broker/Owner of Liz Carter & Team Realty, Katy TX (Houston)
(Liz Carter & Team Realty-Your Real Estate Resource For Life!)
Top Residential Real Estate Professionals Awards 2008 Each year the Houston Business Journal, joined by Chicago Title and Perry Homes gather to honor the top residential real estate professional in the greater Houston area.  Since 1996 they have tracked the production of all 27,000 Realtors in this huge geographical MLS area, which goes from Clear Lake, the Woodlands, Katy, Sugar Land, and surrounding areas.  This includes all Real Estate companies and the Top 25 agents are ranked by Number of Closed Transactions in 2007 and the Top 25 agents are also ranked for Gross Dollar Volume of Closed Sales.  Liz Carter has ranked in the Top 25 for both categories every year since 1996.  This year they were honored with a breakfast awards at one of the most beautiful places in Houston, the River...
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By Liz Carter, Broker/Owner of Liz Carter & Team Realty, Katy TX (Houston)
(Liz Carter & Team Realty-Your Real Estate Resource For Life!)
I think I'm qualified to join Suthurn Thangs?  My Family settled in East Texas in 1800's and my family cemetery is an historical landmark..  I'll be planted there in a pine box under the pine trees in the Piny Woods of East Texas, next to Mother & Daddy, one of the days, hopefully a long, long time from now:). I Should go up there and take some pictures one of these days, I think it would make a great post.  Has a pretty little white church, that looks kinda like the one I did my post on for the contest in the Texas Real Estate groups contest the prettiest Old Church in Texas (Area Photos of Katy Texas, know as "The City of Churches", located 28 miles west of Houston).  This one is in Katy, TX (were I live now,) guess that's why I picked it, all those great memories.  I remember as a ki...
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By Ron Tarvin, Broker, Katy, Houston, Cypress 77450,77494,77095
(Residential, Investment properties, rehab projects, property management, luxury homes, new construction!)
According to an article in FORBES magazine, there are 10 cities that they deem to be "RECESSION PROOF". There were many factors that were applied to their study including unemployment and whether that was increasing or decreasing but also the median home price and increases from 2006. So who was on the list? Well, topping the list was Oklahoma City.  That was followed by San Antonio, Austin, HOUSTON, CHarlotte NC, Dallas, San Jose CA, Raleigh NC, Salt Lake City and Seattle. How interesting is it that some of the largest cities in TEXAS are listed as RECESSION PROOF and deemed to be very strong in their housing markets as well. HOUSTON, SAN ANTONIO, AUSTIN and DALLAS are great, diverse cities with fairly diverse econonomies.  Another thing that these cities have in common is LAND.  The c...
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Relocating to Houston on Katy?  A list of reasons why you should strongly consider Cinco Ranch! By Tim Sojka, Katy Real Estate Professional Are you considering moving to Houston or Katy Texas?  Has your company talked about moving you to Houston's thriving energy cooridor?  Are you wonder which Houston homes for sale you should buy?  Have you wondered if you should live in Houston or Katy?  Here is a list of reasons you should strongly consider Cinco Ranch. •1)       Great Katy Schools - some of the best schools in Texas. •2)       Cinco Ranch was once again named one of the top master planned communites in the country •3)       Cinco Ranch holds and increased the value of homes better than almost any community in Texas •4)       Luxury homes sales continue to flourish bring up the valu...
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Six Great Restaurants in Katy - for those people relocating to West Houston or Katy Texas By Tim Sojka, Katy Real Estate Professional When people locate to a new town, especially a suburb they always worry about the quality of Restaurants.  New residents play it safe and stick to the chains but in Katy there are some great restaurants that will impress even the toughest food critics. •1)       Fuzzy's Pizza - I have eaten great pizza in Chicago and St. Louis, two famous pizza towns and Fuzzy's measures up very well. •2)       Texas Traditions - This place is a great big taste of Texas Tradition •3)       9'ers Restaurant - One of the best burgers I have ever had anywhere •4)       Fortune Village - One of the best Chinese Restaurants anywhere in Houston •5)       Nonmacher's BBQ - A Kat...
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