How To Find Great Homes for Sale

How to Find Great Homes for Sale in the Woodlands, Spring and Magnolia

When you are house-hunting with kids in the ever-changing landscape of the real estate world of homes for sale in the Woodlands, comfort and security should always take precedence over other aspects, such as a big backyard or modern amenities like dishwashers and microwaves. What should be far more important is the neighborhood your children will be growing up in and the services that are nearby, most importantly the school.

All of this can be extremely stressful for most parents, but this article will help to alleviate your stress and give you a good starting point from which to start looking for homes for sale in the Woodlands.

1. Start at the bottom. The most important thing for your child is the school that they attend; your house should always be within the schools area. Keep in mind that your children’s education will have a significant effect on their future, which means that it would be best for you to pick the schools you’re interested in and then aim to find homes for sale in the Woodlands near that area.

2. Tour the grounds. Before you commit to the school you’ve picked, it’s always a good idea to have a look around the campus of the prospective schools. Taking your child along will also give them an idea of which school they would like to go to and often enough, the deciding factor that determines which house you pick is based on which school you pick.

3. The area. It’s always a good idea to get a feel for the area before you move in. Take a weekend to go look around the areas that you’re interested in and get a hands on feel for the area. Pay attention to cleanliness, the state of the buildings, and the types of homes you’ll be near, is everything neat and tidy? All of these factors will help keep your houses value up.

Learning the area where your child could be growing up is of crucial importance, so take a wander through on a school afternoon to see the environment your child will be living in, as well. Are there other kids playing in driveways that could be potential friends for your child? And last but not least, make it a point to come back at night; this will help you to get a truer feel for the neighborhood. Is it full of loud parties, hooligans and drugs? Does there seem to be an inordinate amount of activity going on, with people walking the streets, or loitering on street corners? Or is it a quiet peaceful area where you can raise your child in peace?

Despite your stringent screening process, (which is entirely necessary) there will still be an abundance of homes for sale in the Woodlands within your price range. At this point, it all comes down to personal preference. Review all the information you’ve gathered in order to decide which neighborhood is best to raise a child in. After all, your child’s happiness – and your own – are paramount to create a happy home.

Pool problems check the Pool Wizard

This is for all my readers that are swimming pool owners !!!

Most pool owners have similar complaints about their pool water problems and say things like: “My swimming pool always turns green with algae!”, “My eyes and nose burn when I swim and I can smell the chlorine,” or “The swimming pool water is cloudy. How do I know if the water is safe for my kids?”

This site addresses these and other questions about pool water chemistry and swimming pool problems. Step by step guides take you through all aspects of pool water testing, balancing the water chemistry and general swimming pool maintenance. To make life easier, there are convenient water calculators to help you work out how much of each chemical you need. You can also work out the volume of your swimming pool or make conversions between gallons and litres.

The pages dealing with identifying and solving the most common swimming pool problems will no doubt be of use to all pool owners, pool maintainers and swimmers alike. Problems such as algae, cloudy water, swimming pool illnesses and chlorine smells are covered. Please feel free to request help on topics not covered on this site.

A section is devoted to the Pool Wizard, a fully patented revolutionary swimming pool accessory using natural minerals, which dramatically reduces pool maintenance and the associated pool chemical costs (such as chlorine, flocculant and algaecide). Never again will you have algae in your swimming pool. It even prevents and destroys the most stubborn black algae found in pool water. It kills bacteria and fungus too, with no maintenance required (apart from half an hour every 7 to 9 months).

A comprehensive glossary of swimming pool and pool maintenance terminology has been added. If you can’t figure out the pool manuals or maintenance guides, then this can really help to solve your problems.

Why not check out some of the satisfied users of the Pool Wizard and view some of the before/ after photos, or explore web sites in our pool and spa directory containing useful information relevant to swimming pools, swimming and pool water quality, hot tubs and spas (as well as a few of my own personal favourites).

Complements  of your Woodlands Pool Builder   Pools by Design

Existing Home Sales On The Rise

The South Montgomery County YMCA Breaks Ground

The South Montgomery County YMCA celebrated a ground breaking ceremony on “Phase One” of their lastest project, YMCA Outdoor Adventure Center, located in Creekside Park. The 21 acre site was donated by The Woodlands Development Company.

Located in The Woodlands newest Village of Creekside Park, the YMCA Outdoor Adventure Center, adjacent to the 1700 George Mitchell Preserve, is scheduled to open in May, 2010. The Woodlands Creekside YMCA will be a unique facility. A primary element will be the attention to outdoor recreation, reconnecting kids and families with nature, and bringing back the sense of adventure to the family outdoor experience. The opportunities to plan outings with family and friends in a nature setting develop closer personal ties and lasting relationships.

The YMCA’s next great adventure features a 21-acre recreation site and centerpiece lodge style building which will be the home to our Summer Day Camp programs, serving up to 500 youth from The Woodlands, Tomball, and surrounding communities. Leadership skills development, team building activities, and creative, interactive programs are offered to summer campers by caring young adult role models. Camps offered during the holidays and spring break, in addition to summer, will also include team building ropes courses, hiking trails, canoeing, outdoor chapel and theater, and nature education experiences.

The Creekside YMCA Outdoor Adventure Center will be available to local schools for expanded outdoor education opportunities. The outdoor classroom offers numerous opportunities for team-oriented projects at all grade levels, as well as expands greatly each individual student’s prospect to learn self-reliance and to reach full learning potential.

The 14,000 square foot lodge, will include a large multi-purpose room for special events, group exercise, community meetings and expanded programming opportunities for the South Montgomery County YMCA.

The components of Phase One include:
• 15 Acres Day Camp
• 14,000 Square Foot Lodge
• Tepee Village and Themed Tree Houses
• Alpine Tower, Ropes Course and Archery Range
• Outdoor Theater with Stage
• Outdoor Chapel
• Family Outdoor Adventure

The project team is Tellepsen Construction, Kirksey Architecture, TMG Project Management, Vogt Engineering and Lauren Griffith Associates.

The South Montgomery County YMCA touches the lives of over 20% of those in the communities we serve. This translates to over 43,000 individuals that use the YMCA for health/wellness programs, youth sports activities, early childhood development & after school care, youth leadership training, and older adult social gatherings. The YMCA strives to turn no one away due to inability to pay keeping the YMCA available to ALL. The South Montgomery County YMCA is in an enviable position to make a dramatic impact on the lives of thousands through positive, caring, informative programs.

The latest project will further enhance opportunities for the current South Montomery County YMCA membership. When Phase One opens in May, 2010, your local YMCA will have One Membership with Three Locations: Shadowbend YMCA, Branch Crossing YMCA and Creekside YMCA.

Jutta “Utah” Burden

Keller Williams Realty

Email: Utah@UtahBurden.com

Find more entertainment, community events, and other information at http://www.utahburden.com/Recommended-Links

Visit My Website at SellTheWoodlands.com

What an Honor! The Woodlands Mall Selected for One of Six New Forever 21 Stores

Shopping center anticipates spring opening of style-and-value-conscious retailer
in two-story former Mervyn’s

General Growth Properties, Inc. recently announced it has signed deals with fashion retailer Forever 21 for six new stores at GGP malls serving five metropolitan areas in Houston, San Antonio, Louisville, Las Vegas and Birmingham. One of the new stores will be at The Woodlands Mall in the 85,000 square foot, two-story building that was formerly Mervyn’s.

Celebrated by many style-conscious shoppers, Forever 21 is the source for the most current fashions at the greatest value. The six locations total 580,000 square feet of space and all are planned to open in 2010. These Forever 21 locations are larger in square footage than average Forever 21 stores, offering a larger selection of apparel and merchandise.

‘Forever 21 is a highly successful retailer, with one of the strongest formulas for success in today’s market,’ said John Pew, general manager of The Woodlands Mall. ‘We are pleased to be selected for one of the retailer’s new stores. The new Forever 21 will be 15 times bigger than its current location here at The Woodlands Mall, so the retailer will have space to expand collections. And, of course, with the bigger store, more jobs will be created for area residents, making the expansion of Forever 21 an economic win as well.”

The other new Forever 21 stores will be located at Baybrook Mall in Friendswood, Texas; North Star Mall in San Antonio, Texas; Mall St. Matthews in Louisville, Kentucky; Fashion Show in Las Vegas, Nevada; and Riverchase Galleria in Birmingham, Alabama.

Forever 21′s latest Fashion Department Store concept is based on its strong brand foundation of the latest fashion at affordable prices. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Forever 21 has built a consumer franchise over the past 25 years that is known for offering the hottest fashion trends at a great value. Forever 21’s model of fast fashion works by keeping the store exciting with fresh merchandise offerings brought in daily.

Construction is expected to begin on the new Forever 21 location toward the end of 2009, with a spring 2010 opening anticipated.

“When our customers visit GGP shopping centers, we want them to discover an ever-improving mix of shopping and entertainment experiences,” said Adam Metz, chief executive officer of General Growth Properties, Inc. “Our partnership with Forever 21 gives us a chance to introduce an extremely popular retailer who is a market leader at combining great fashions with realistic prices. Today, that is just what people are looking for.”

“We are very pleased to open six new fashion department stores in strong GGP malls so that we can offer more merchandise categories having the fashion and affordability that is Forever 21. We are also pleased to be adding jobs at this challenging time,” said Don Chang, founder and CEO.

The retailer operates hundreds of stores in the United States, with international operations in Canada, Japan, Korea, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Jutta “Utah” Burden

Keller Williams Realty

Email: Utah@UtahBurden.com

Find more shopping and entertainment in The Woodlands at http://www.utahburden.com/Recommended-Links

Leukemia/Lymphoma Society “Light the Night Walk, The Woodlands” October 24 in Market Street

Every 5 minutes, someone in the United States learns that they have
leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma – nearly 300 people a day.

Walk for a Cure. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s annual “Light the Night Walk” returns to The Woodlands, Sunday, October 24th, at Market Street in The Woodlands. The program will begin at 7:00pm and the walk begins promptly at 7:30pm. Light the Night Walk is the nation’s night to pay tribute and illuminating hope to people battling cancer. Funds raised enable scientists to continue their research. Great strides have been made over the last couple of years with new drugs developed to help battle blood cancers. 

Light the Night Walk is a national fundraising campaign that commemorates and celebrates all lives touched by cancer. Company teams, civic groups, neighbors and friends raise funds strolling on an evening walk along a two mile route carrying twinkling balloons . . . White balloons for survivors, Red balloons for supporters and gold balloons in memory of a life lost. Walkers carry dedication banners that provide an opportunity to display a name or message, honoring or commemorating a family member or friend with cancer. More than a walk, Light the Night is a community celebration with food, live entertainment and family activities – a community coming together to support people with cancer. In recent years, walks all over the country have raised tens of millions of dollars.

The 2 mile walk will begin and end in Market Street. The course will take the walkers through a leisurely stroll through Market Street and the Woodlands Town Center. The event will also feature live entertainment, activities for the kids including mascots, face painting and refreshments. Something for everyone, families are encouraged to bring the kids and strollers and join the fun!

Roxanne Davis, a committee member for Light the Night Walk The Woodlands, explains her involvement. “This event has a special place in my heart. I lost both of my parents to blood cancer. Light the Night Walk is truly a unique event. When the balloons are lit at dusk, your spirit is illuminated by all the white balloons representing cancer survivors. Your heart is filled with hope and fond memories of those lost to blood cancer represented by the red balloons. It is an evening you will not forget. For those than cannot participate in the walk, there are many opportunities to donate a gift. Please give when asked or you can make a donation online at www.lightthenight.org/txg”.

Team captains are encouraged to register their team, recruit walkers and begin raising funds. Set a goal for your team and encourage friends, family members and co/workers to join you. Representatives from the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society are eager and available to meet with you and your co/workers to set up FUN-raisers such as ice cream socials. Call Misty Moody, 713-680-8088, to set up an appointment.

Check in for teams begin at 5:00pm. The band will play 6:00 – 7:00pm. At 7:00pm the event begins with an invocation and program with the walk start time at 7:30pm. Following the walk, there will be a brief awards presentation.

Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma are cancers that originate in the bone marrow and lymphatic tissues.

• Every 5 minutes, someone in the United States learns that they have leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma – nearly 300 people a day.
• Leukemia and lymphomas are the leading fatal cancers in young women and men under 35 while leukemia remains the leading cause of death in children.
• An estimated 640,000 Americans are presently living with leukemia, lymphoma Hodgkin’s disease or myeloma.
• Every 9 minutes, another child or adult dies from a blood-related cancer. This statistic represents 165 people daily.

If you are interested in sponsorship or volunteer opportunities, forming a team, make or donation or need additional information on the 5th Annual Light the Night Walk in The Woodlands please visit www.lightthenight.org/tx. or call 877.LTN.WALK. On site registration will be available on October 25th, beginning at 5:00pm.

The mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is to cure leukemia, lymphoma Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Funds raised through the walk go towards finding a cure and supporting the mission of the society. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is one of the top rated voluntary health organizations and the leading resource for blood cancer information and services.

Jutta “Utah” Burden

Keller Williams Realty

Email: Utah@UtahBurden.com

Visit My Website at SellTheWoodlands.com