I just got back from my four day on-on-on coaching, training with Mike Ferry, and 2,000 of the top Realtors in the US!  I'm excited, full of energy, great thoughts, sales skills, and ready to sell 200 homes in 2008, in Katy, Sugar Land, and Houston Texas!  YES!  Thats one of the best things about having a sales coach like Mike instead of just a motivational speaker (which he is too...in his own way), he teaches you Real Estate Sales skills that are proven to work.  I have been coached by Mike for 16 years, and learn something new each time I attend any of the 3-4 meetings I go to a year.  This will be continued with some thoughts from Mike, and from me on what I have implemented that might also help you...so stay tuned in, more to come!    For the next 7 days let's talk about the realit... 01/24/2008

Nope see my 3 loves, some of my reasons.  Blessed by family, great clients, and now Active Rain has given me a big boost too!   Liz Carter, Realtor serving Katy, Sugar Land and the greater Houston area since 1976 AM I CRAZY?  Sometimes I wonder...Real Estate can be extremely stressful, hard, long hours, tedious job that has no regular paychecks, insurance, benefits or paid vacations.  It is filled with rejection, getting blamed for everything that might go wrong (whether it's your fault or not), long unpredictable hours, hurt feelings, rejection and can be a physically dangerous business.  You deal with people who act differently than they do under "normal" circumstances since they rate buying or selling a home in the TOP FOUR for stress.   It ranks up there with death, divorce, and fea... 01/17/2008

History of WEST MEMORIAL SUBDIVISIONby Liz Carter, owner/broker Liz Carter & Team RealtyThis area in Katy Texas was one of the very first subdivisions to be built in the far west area of Houston.  It is located at I-10 @ Mason Road and host approximately 2000 homes. The building began in the very early 1970's and was built as most of the area homes are on what used to be rice fields in the Katy Prairie. There was little else around in those days so the sunsets over the vacant land were spectacular.  It was also common to see the thousands of geese flying and landing, they were drawn to the rice fields, and Katy Texas also lies in their migratory path. The subdivision was well planned and laid out almost in a square that boarders I-10 to the north, Mason Rd. to the east, Kingsland Blvd. ... 01/02/2008

 FUNNY TRUE STORY; CLUELESS REALTOR IN KATY (Houston) TX.I got my real estate license in 1976 and was very excited about my new career.  I was given a desk complete with a phone (they were rotary back in the old days) and told good luck...that was the extent of my training.  After about a week of sitting at my desk and staring at my phone expecting something to happen I got bored (and more brook), so I went to my manager and ask if there was something I should be doing?  He told me, "Well why don't you go knock on some doors".  Actually good advice however I did not know it at the time plus that's all he said, he didn't tell me what to say or offer any other insightful ideals.  With nothing to loose except my dignity I got in my car armed with some brand new business cards (any one out ... 01/02/2008

Golden Opportunities for home buyers in the greater Houston, Katy, Sugar Land and surrounding areas in 2008  More Buyers, especially first time buyers will be able to afford the American dream of home ownership in the next few years. 2008 will represent the best window of opportunity that buyers will have to find excellent deals with excellent financing. Prices in our area have remained fairly stable unlike other parts of the country so more people will be able to buy rather than lease a home to live in.  One of the biggest joys of being a Realtor is to help someone buy their first home; it's exciting for me to see someone buy their fist home.  It is a milestone in most people's lives, especially when you help them make the right decisions about the right price they can comfortably affo... 12/29/2007

 Positive for 2008, "People are as happy as they make up their minds to be"Liz Carter's Top Ten of reasons to be positive in 2008 about Real EstateLess Competition, all those agents who got licensed when the market was easy are leaving in droves.  For the professional Realtors, this means more business for those of us who are business people and got into real estate as a "full time job", we will have a higher percentage of buyers and sellers.Better Service for our clients, since the agents that are left will be the ones better trained, skilled and knowledgeable, and then obviously the consumer will be the ones that benefit the most.  I survived and thrived in Houston during the big crash of the late 80's and early 90's which put me far ahead of the pack during this most recent and far l... 12/29/2007

The 2008 season for the Cinco Ranch Ladies club is planned, and below is some information about the next two meetings planned for January and February.  We meet at the Golf Cub in Cinco Ranch which is located at the corner of Peek Road and Cinco Ranch Blvd.  The regular meetings start at 7:30 PM with a social beginning at 7:00 PM.  There is a cash bar, and free goodies to snack on.  The meeting are always on the last Tuesday of the month, unless otherwise noted.For January there will be a guest speaker who is a fertility expert.  The CRLC will also be accepting donations of pet supplies to help care for our animal friends.  Also they will begin to collect personal hygiene items for Krause Center.  The February meeting is titled, "For the Love of Art & Chocolate"!  Which promises to be a... 12/26/2007

I would loved to go back in time to this era, when things were simpler and the stress of todays world were not what they are today.  People had to work harder, and I'm sure that people had a different kind of stress.  However the thought of an afternoon sitting with the family on the front porch just talking, reading, swinging (didn't all homes have a porch swing? or at least a rocking chair:), telling stories, holds a charm for me that would make it all worthwhile.  Katy, and the West side of Houston have so much to offer now also.  One of the lowest housing cost in the US, and an outstanding school distinct, KISD, tons of shopping, restaurants galore, sports, and still has a "small town atmosphere", and friendly people.Cinco Ranch, Seven Meadows, Grand Lakes, Green Trails, Nottingham ... 12/26/2007

Katy Texas, was originally know for it's rice fields and rice farms, and seemed so far away...how times have changed!  The oil energy corridor located on I-10 just a few miles from Katy started the growth.  The Katy Independent School District has become one of the top rated school districts in the US, which quickly added more growth to the area.  Park Ten, which stared developing 25 years ago now is home to many major corporations, shopping, and more.  What used to be rice fields are now subdivisions.  Along with the growth of course we lost some of the small town charm, endless fields for migratory birds, and vast horizons with the most incredible sunsets I have seen anywhere in the world.  In the late 80's before the major recession and oil dropped to $10 a barrel, American General b... 12/20/2007

St Luke's Episcopal Health System has purchased 27.4 acres of land in the Reserve at Grand Parkway to build a new St Luke's Hospital campus. The Reserve is located on the corner of the Grand Parkway and Kingsland Blvd just south of I-10. No dates have been set for the opening of the new hospital campus which is in its preliminary stages of development. The infrastructure of the Reserve will begin in early 2008 and should be finished by the end of the year. 12/20/2007

LACenterra the large outdoor shopping mall located on Cinco Ranch Blvd., just off I-10 & Grand Parkway (hwy 99), still has lots happening to celebrate Christmas, besides just shopping of course.  December 22 there will be a visit with Santa for 1 pm - 5 pm, don't forget your cameras!  Also on Saturday the 22nd, the Katy Farmer's Market will be at LsCenterra from 8 am - Noon.  The Singing Santas will perform holiday hits & more from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm, and Parkway Fellowship Church will offer FREE holiday gift wrapping from 11 am - 2 pm.  On December 23d they will have a visit with Santa again from 1 pm - 5 pm, and a family movie night featuring A Christmas Story from 5 pm - 7 PM.  On December 24th they sill have a Santa Send-Off Party and sing-a long from 11 am - 1 pm.  Sounds like a per... 12/19/2007

Cinco Ranch Ladies Club,is just one of the many reasons to buy a home in Cinco Ranch. You can form a support group & make friends right away that have common interest.  The best part is that it's open to all residents of Cinco and dues are only $20 a year! Pictured is Liz Carter at one of the monthly meetings.  This one was the entrepreneur show they have every year before Christmas.  Local business owners, and ladies with crafts, art, and homemade gifts have a table to display and sell their items.  It's a great way to do some Christmas shopping, and have fun with you friends and neighbors at the same time.  You can get more information about the Cinco Ranch Ladies Club at, www.cincoranchladiesclub.com, or call Liz Carter at 281-391-SOLD, or visit my web site, www.lizcarter.com.  For m... 12/18/2007

Confessions of a Crape Murderer!by Liz CarterThe Cinco Ranch Ladies Club has a great new Garden Club were you might learn you too have been guilty of a gardening no-no.  On the other hand, if you have always wanted to have a "green thump" this is the place to be.  Melinda Sperl, owner of Dream Landscape Design, and CRLC member started the new group just this past August and it a "growing" club that would like to invite you to join us in learning everything you always wanted to know about gardening, landscaping, even the correct way to prune your trees.  The group meets at members homes the first Thursday of each month from 11:30-1:00.  This club is all about learning, so to make more time for that, and less burdensome on the hostess of the month, each member brings their own brown bag l... 12/16/2007

Single Family Home, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage built in 1982, 1147 SF located near Fry Rd and Clay Rd. Katy Bank Foreclosure. Potential for great return on investment. Minor Make Ready.  Asking price is $55,400Approximate value $85,000 Listing Firm: Yanez Realty ______________________________________________________________________ RENTAL INCOME PROPERTY BREAKDOWN Asking Price 55,400 Approximate Value 85,000 Captured Equity 29,600 Monthly Rent 800.00 Mortgage Payment @ 10% down 323.39 Property Taxes 231.00 Homeowners Insurance 50.00 Homeowners Association 20.00 Total Payments 624.39 Monthly Cash Flow 175.61 Annual  Cash Flow 2,107.31 Cash Investment 12,202 Annual Return on Investment       17.27%________________________________________________________________________ INVESTMENT S... 12/13/2007

Single Family Starter Home, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage built in 1983, 1799 sf located in the North Katy Area near Fry and Park Row. Home is in good condition with cosmetic repairs needed! Good Equity position at the asking price with potential for improvement through negotiation. Perfect for rental property or as a starter affordable home.  Asking price is $75,900Approximate value $112,000Equity of $36,100 (32%) Interior Photos:       Listing Firm: Keller Williams Erion ShehajSignature Real Estate Real Estate Broker713.952.3200Email Us  Houston Foreclosures | Houston HUD Homes | Income Properties 12/13/2007

Guess it's the season that caused me to use this heading, but a wonderful thing happen last night.  I was in my office a little late and an agent brought in a contract on one of my listings in Cinco Ranch.  I was in a hurry so just took the contract said thanks, and was walking away, when I looked down and saw the name of the agent.  He happen to be the #1 agent for Katy TX on Active Rain, and I am #4, but far behind him in knowledge of bloging being almost 60 years old...this is a whole new world for me :)!  So I yelled out, "hey Jeff do you have a second?".  Being the nice man he is, he took the time to give me some pointers on Active Rain...THANKS JEFF!  I have been posting blogs to help other Realtors, since I am a firm believer in, "You need to give to receive", but had been limiti... 12/13/2007

The World Renowned Texas Children's Hospital will open a 350,000 square foot hospital on 55 acres in Katy, Texas. The 220 million dollar project is expected to be open for business in the fall of 2009. This will be the only pediatric hospital in the Katy area and will have ambulatory services, diagnostic imaging, outpatient surgery, and a 24 hour Emergency Center. A physician office building will also be constructed on the site. With the pediatric population in the Katy area expected to increase by 51% from 2000 to 2015 it seems like a perfect place for this specialized hospital...and for families with children to get world class care! 12/08/2007

Fourteen schools in the Katy Independent School District have been ranked among the best in the State of Texas by Texas Monthly magazine in partnership with the National Center for Educational Accountability.  The breakdown of schools that made the list are eight elementary, four junior high and two high schools! (schools must be open a minimum of three years to qualify). Elementary schools included are Alexander, Creech, Fielder, Hayes, Katy, Pattison, Williams, and Winborn. The junior high schools are Beck, Beckendorff, Cinco Ranch, and McMeans. High schools included are Cinco Ranch High School and Taylor High School. Student performance on standardized tests were analyzed in measurable curricula areas like reading, writing, math, science, and social studies as well as the demographic... 12/07/2007

The state's number one rated Katy Tiger football team advanced today to the Division II 5A Region III finals by beating Pasadena Memorial. Katy will play the winner of the game between Stratford and Clements. The game will be held next weekend!!! The final score of the game was Katy 30 Pasadena Memorial 14. Pasadena Memorial had jumped out to an early lead but Katy was able to come back and take the lead right before halftime. 12/01/2007

Katy High School, the number 1 rated high school football program in the State of Texas will be playing in the region III semifinals on Saturday December 1st. The Tigers will be playing Pasadena Memorial High School. The game will be held at Rice Stadium with a start time of 1pm. Doors will open at 11:30 for the event. The winner of this game will face the winner of the Stratford/Clements game for the region III finals next week! 11/28/2007