Real Estate Information

This is hot off the press from TXDOT (Texas Department of Transportation) regarding the Grand Parkway which will be the soon to be built corridor on the north end of Houston which will extend from North 59 around to South 59.  Here's the press release:

Immediate Release February 7, 2012

TxDOT Pursues Design-Build Strategy for Grand Parkway in

Houston

$1.4 Billion Project to Break Ground in Early 2013

AUSTIN – The greater Houston area is one step closer to reduced traffic congestion for more

than 2.5 million people as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) accelerates plans

for the completion of the next phase of State Highway 99 (the Grand Parkway).

TxDOT announced it is moving forward with a design-build strategy for the next sections of the

Grand Parkway and is expected to issue a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for this project in

early March. This RFP is for a project to develop approximately 37 miles of new toll road for

segments F1, F2 and G of the Grand Parkway in Harris and Montgomery Counties. This part of

the Grand Parkway project will create a major link in the regional transportation system

connecting US 59 North to US 59 South.

A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was published last November to solicit qualification

statements from teams interested in entering into either a design-build contract or a concession

agreement for this project. Those submittals allowed TxDOT to evaluate both delivery methods

and were due earlier this month. Based on the current financial environment for major projects

like the Grand Parkway as well as the strength of the traffic and revenue studies conducted for

this project, TxDOT has decided to move forward using the design-build method. In February,

TxDOT will review and select the best teams from those that responded to the RFQ to compete

for the design-build contract.

“This is a win-win situation for drivers and businesses in Houston,” said Ned Holmes, Texas

transportation commissioner. “The design-build option is an ideal approach for this project to

provide a high quality facility and the best value for the state.”

“The timing couldn’t be better for TxDOT to undertake a design-build strategy for this project,”

said Ted Houghton, Transportation Commission chairman. “Area contractors are motivated to

work and interest rates are quite favorable for TxDOT to move this project forward.”

TxDOT received authority from the 82nd Texas Legislature under Senate Bill 1420 to develop

11 specific projects, including the Grand Parkway, through comprehensive development

agreements. Although these partnerships allow the department to contract with the private

sector for the design, construction and possibly financing, operation and maintenance of a

project, the state retains ownership of the project at all times.

“We review and manage each one of these priority projects based on their own merits and think

the design-build option is the best way to go forward on the Grand Parkway,” said Phil Wilson,

executive director of TxDOT. “Our goal is to provide safe, reliable and economical transportation

solutions for Texas.”

- more -

News

Texas Department of Transportation

Senate Bill 1420 also called for the creation of local committees to make determinations

regarding the best path forward on each of the 11 large projects. For the Grand Parkway,

Houston-Galveston Area Council Transportation Policy Committee member and Fort Bend

County Commissioner James Patterson led the 1420 committee.

“I commend all the committee members and volunteers who put so much time and effort into the

1420 committee,” said Commissioner Patterson. “We’re at a great milestone in this project and

look forward to continuing to work with TxDOT to begin construction of this critical phase of the

Grand Parkway quickly.”

TxDOT will continue acquiring right of way needed for the project throughout the RFP process.

TxDOT expects to award a contract for this phase of the Grand Parkway by the end of the year

and break ground in early 2013.

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For more information call TxDOT’s Communications Division at (512) 463-8700.

The Texas Department of Transportation

The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining 80,000 miles of road and for supporting

aviation, rail and public transportation across the state. TxDOT and its approximately 12,000 employees strive to

empower local leaders to solve local transportation problems, and to use new financial tools, including tolling and

public-private partnerships, to reduce congestion and pave the way for future economic growth while enhancing

safety, improving air quality and preserving the value of the state's transportation assets. Find out more at

www.txdot.gov. Fan us on Facebook www.facebook.com/txdot. Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/txdot.

I like to let everyone know when I hear of a large company relocating to The Woodlands.  The latest announcement is that of a large waste collection company, Waste Connections.  They have moved their headquarters to The Woodlands Waterway 2 Building.  Here is a link to their site for more information:

http://www.wasteconnections.com/

We love to hear that companies are finding The Woodlands planned community and making it their #1 choice for relocation their families and employees.  We welcome Waste Connections to our area and hope they find it to be a wonderful place to live and work.

For those of you who are interested, here is a link to the amazing Exxon-Mobil campus being built just south of The Woodlands.  I think you will enjoy this jaw-dropping video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsGjX1hhf0k&feature=player_embedded

I just had my first Fairfax, Virginia Exxon-Mobil transferee family close on their home yesterday and so far, they are loving The Woodlands.  I would like to welcome them to the community and look forward to helping other Exxon-Mobil employees make the move.

RPC, Inc. an oil and gas services company has signed a lease in The Woodlands, TX.  Here is an excerpt from the rpc, inc. website, www.rpc.net:

RPC, Inc. is a holding company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol RES. The Company provides oilfield services and equipment to independent and major oilfield companies in exploration, production and development of oil and gas properties, domestically and in selected international markets. RPC offers a wide range of oil and gas services required throughout the life cycle of a well. The Company has a history of acquisitions and transactions to increase shareholder value, while maintaining a conservative balance sheet. RPC plans to continue its growth through increasing market share, completing acquisitions, and expanding geographically. The Company’s operating business units include Cudd Energy Services, Patterson Services, and ThruTubing Solutions.

The company will be leasing 79,000 sq. ft. of office and warehouse space on Technology Forest Drive.

Below is an article from the Houston Business Journal regarding RPC, Inc's move to The Woodlands:

RPC leased a 79,000-square-foot building at 2828 Technology Forest Blvd. for 150 employees to begin occupying in February.

The company is leaving behind a 7-acre facility it owns at 15015 Vickery Drive with 31,000 square feet of office space and 12,000 square feet of warehouse space. The property is being marketed for sale by Bandier Realty Partners. RPC also will vacate 13,000 square feet of office space at 16770 Imperial Valley Dr.

RPC needs more square footage to keep up with growth in the energy industry, said Richard Hubbell, RPC’s president and CEO in Atlanta. The company’s largest office is in Houston, but most of its facilities are located in oil and gas fields throughout several states.

While RPC’s executive team and board of directors are in Atlanta, most of the major decisions are made in Houston, Hubbell said.

I would personally like to welcome RPC, Inc. and all the employees to The Woodlands!

I had an Exxon relocation employee in town this weekend and had a great time showing he and his wife The Woodlands.  I think they were impressed with The Woodlands and will soon settle on a home to purchase.

I know that relocation to a new area is never an easy thing to do, but when people see The Woodlands, they are usually happy to see that it's a very nice place to live and has a lot to offer.  The schools are excellent, there is lush landscaping and like the names says, there are a lot of trees and plants.  The climate is nice for the most part although the summer does tend to get pretty hot.  July and August being the hottest months, but winter is mild and most northerners don't complain about the lack of snow.

There is a lot of useful information available for anyone relocating to The Woodlands area.  I have a relocation package that I send out upon request.  I work with all the relocation companies such as Prudential Relocation, Sirva, Cartus, MI Group, Brookfield, etc.  When an employee is transferring to a new area, the relocation company requires that they register their preferred Realtor so that the relocation company can get reimbursed a portion of the Realtor's commission to cover some relocation expenses.  This is something that I gladly do to allow me the opportunity to work with the client.  It's important to remember that as a transferee, you can select your own agent as long as the agent will cooperate with the relocation company and pay their fee.

Many times the agents that are assigned to a transferee may not be the most experienced real estate agent in a community.  For this reason, it's important to do your homework and find an agent that knows the area and community you're moving to so that you will make the best home selection for you and your family.

Yea for Texas!  This is one of the reasons why we in The Woodlands still keep selling homes while other parts of the country are facing devastating numbers of foreclosures, short sales and distressed property home sales.

Texas created 19.4 percent of total jobs created in the United States from September 2010 to September 2011. Texas gained 248,700 nonfarm jobs during the period, an annual growth rate of 2.4 percent compared with 1.1 percent for the United States. The state's private sector added 281,400 jobs, an annual growth rate of 3.3 percent compared with 1.7 percent for the nation's private sector.

by Ali Anari and Mark G. Dotzour

Click here for full report.

On Saturday, October 8th from 11-5 pm will be a huge event at Rob Fleming Park in Creekside Park for families to come and support the Texas Sentinels Project Hero. 

From 11am to 5pm, neighborhoods throughout The Woodlands are joining in this Community Fall Festival & Fundraiser for a U.S. soldier who was severely wounded in battle while defending American freedom in a foreign war zone.    
“This is all about giving back to someone who has given so much in the cause of preserving our liberty,” said event chair Tami Buron (tburon@mtgtx.com).  
 
“One Hundred per cent of funds raised will directly benefit the Woodlands Texas Sentinels Project, through which our community is coming together to provide a wounded U.S. solder and their family a new mortgage-free home, and a springboard into a new civilian life.”

There will be live entertainment by local groups in The Woodlands with dancing and music.  A midway with carnival games for children and lots of food.

I will be personally sponsoring the Cake Walk so come out and see me and I will have free wrist bands to give out to the kids so they can participate in all the events at no cost.  It's guaranteed to be a fun-filled day with fun things for the whole family to do!

With interest rates at an all time low, many people are trying to decide whether to refinance or purchase a new home.  The market is not what it was a few years ago, but homes are selling and if your home shows well and is priced well, it will sell.  I offer complimentary staging for all my listings if a client wants help getting their home ready to sell.  I can't stress enough how important staging and professional photography is to showcasing your home in the MLS, online and in print advertising.

Homes are selling for value based on comparable sales and appraisals.  This is where the mortgage industry has tightened down on the real estate market.  For the most part, it's under control and fair.  The appraisal process is not what it used to be and is going to need some adjustments, but we have to deal with it best we can for now.  It's important to have an experienced agent who knows how the process works and anticipates any problems before they occur.  Although you may have to settle for a fair price on your home when you sell it in today's market, most likely, you will also get a fair price on the home you purchase.  Since most people move up when they sell their current home, the advantage is actually yours in a buyer's market.   

In regards to refinancing your home, I think it's something for everyone to consider, especially if you think you're going to stay in your current home for an extended period of time.  It would be a good idea to take the opportunity to do some updates at the time you decide to refinance.  You may want to ask your lender about the possibility of cashing out some of that equity so you can make improvements to your home.  This is a great time to do it with interest rates so low.  I am always available to discuss what home improvements are worth doing to increase the value of your home.  I do real estate because I like people and I like homes and the greatest joy I have is helping people find their perfect home or business opportunity and once they find it, I like to help them improve it and have it appreciate as much as possible.

One thing everyone can agree on is that The Woodlands area is a great place to be right now and with the Exxon-Mobil move happening and the many companies that are moving to the area in the next few years, owning real estate in The Woodlands is probably one of your best investments.

The wildfires continue to spread and devastate so many lives.  I was at a home closing today and the gentleman buying his new home stated that he had moved his parents out of their home because they have been evacuated and then they were told they could move back home only to be evacuated again today.  The fire is only 2 miles from their home.

Firemen are working around the clock to try and get the fires contained.  They are in need of donations and there are a couple of sites I have found very helpful in keeping in touch with what's going on with the fires.  This site is a Texas A&M forestry site that has some very helpful information:

http://texashelp.tamu.edu/004-natural/fires.php

There is another site that is providing up to the minute information on the wildfires and many people that are in need of help.  This site is on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/Montgomerycountyfireinfo

There is a great need for donation items and this site will tell you what is needed and where you can drop it off.  I am going to be collecting items and dropping them off, so contact me if you want me to take donation items for you.  Let's keep all the people and their pets in our prayers.

I would like to share something that I was recently introduced to in The Woodlands.  The Woodlands Township has an "Alert" system in place that will email you with any alerts or notices so that you can be kept informed as to what is going on.  Many people have asked me how we get our news in The Woodlands and aside from The Villager newspaper that comes out once a week, we don't have an up to the minute news service keeping us informed.  Well, now we do.  If you go to this link, you can register yourself to receive alerts as they are posted.

  http://www.woodlandsalert.org/selectalert/login.aspx

Since I joined, I have only received one alert but it was important and was related to the Texas Wildfires and I can tell you that this one post is the reason I feel so compelled to let others know about it.  I would like to know how others feel about this system and is it a sufficient way to keep the residents of The Woodlands informed?