10 Holiday Safety Tips!
Dec/100
The holiday season is a time when busy people can become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday mishaps. Whether you are leaving for the holidays or spending time at home, the following tips from Pinnacle Security can help you be more careful, prepared and aware during the holiday season. Don’t let the rush and excitement of the holiday season initiate carelessness in protecting your home from disasters and potential criminals.
1. The Great Outdoors. When hanging outdoor lights, keep electrical connectors off the ground and away from metal rain gutters. Use insulated tape or plastic clips instead of metal nails or tacks to hold them in place. Choose the correct ladder for the job and always have assistance in high or hard to reach places. Never connect more than one extension cord together; instead use a single cord that is long enough to reach the outlet without stretching.
2. Lights out. Electrical fires are one of the most common factors leading to household fires during the winter months. Unplug inside Christmas lights when going to bed or leaving the house unattended as lights can short out and start a fire. Inspect new and previously used light strings, and replace them if they’re damaged or worn. Do not leave space heaters unattended or near furniture, curtains or other fabric.
3. Fresh Is Best. What’s a holiday party without a beautifully decorated tree? If your household includes a natural tree in its festivities, keep the tree watered. Along with lessening the possibility of a fire, a well watered tree helps keep its holiday pine fragrance. Typically shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires. Dry and neglected trees can be a serious fire hazard.
4. Sound the Alarm. Check all of your smoke alarms to make sure they are functioning properly and the batteries are still good. Pinnacle smoke alarm can be tested from the main panel and the system will notify you if batteries need to be replaced. Be sure to install smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms on every level of your home — especially near sleeping areas.
5. Deck the halls with care. Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down. In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable. Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces. Remove all wrapping papers, bags, paper, ribbons and bows from tree and fireplace areas after gifts are opened.
6. Off to grandmas house we go. When leaving your home, ask yourself, “Does it look like this house is empty?” If it does, do something about it. Ensure all windows and doors are locked and your system is armed before leaving your home, even for just a few minutes. When leaving home for an extended time, have a neighbor or family member watch your house, pick up newspapers, mail and clear snow from the walk. A house in darkness is a prime target for a burglar. Consider installing motion activated external lights. Do not leave valuables, such as jewelry or wallets, or displays of holiday gifts visible from doors or windows. Always have your security sign visibly placed outside your home.
7. Gifts Galore. Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you must shop at night, go with a friend or family member. Keep valuables in your car locked in your trunk where they are not visible from the outside of the vehicle. Even though you may be rushed and thinking about a thousand things, stay alert to your surroundings. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Pay for purchases with a check or credit card when possible. Notify the credit card issuer immediately if your credit card is lost, stolen or misused. Keep a record of all of your credit card numbers in a safe place at home.
8. Toys on Parade.Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards for younger children. Before buying a toy or allowing your child to play with a toy that he has received as a gift, read the instructions carefully. To prevent both burns and electrical shocks, don’t give young children (under age ten) a toy that must be plugged into an electrical outlet. Instead, buy toys that are battery-operated.
9. Home cookin’. The stove is the greatest heat/fire safety hazard in the kitchen. Ensure the pilot light works on a gas stove. If it doesn’t, turn all dials off and wait for gas to disperse before carefully relighting. Many people choose to cook at home during the holidays. Make sure when leaving the home the oven and stove are turned off. Always keep pot handles turned inward to prevent spillage by snagging on clothing (or children’s hands). Always remove pot lids by allowing steam to escape farthest from you. Steam, though invisible, can cause serious burns.
10. Be Prepared. Plan for safety. Remember, there is no substitute for common sense. Look for and eliminate potential hazardous spots throughout the entire home. Make an emergency plan to use if a fire breaks out anywhere in the home. See that each family member knows what to do. PRACTICE THE PLAN!
From everyone at The Marion Franke we wish you a safe and happy holiday!
Why Ge Preappoved?
Dec/100
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Because there are 3 people who will benefit from your pre-approval: You, your Agent, and the seller from whom you eventually buy a home! |
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You: |
The mortgage pre-approval step is a relatively simple one, but it is an important one. It begins the process of formally applying for a mortgage, and it gives everyone involved–especially you–a clear sense of the direction they should be headed. |
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Your Agent: |
By knowing what your financial parameters are, your Agent can spend more time looking for houses that “fit” and less time pursuing dead ends. No matter how much you might want a 4000 square foot home for $275,000, if your qualifications say $125,000, your qualifications say $125,000. |
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The Seller: |
Want to strengthen your bargaining position? Get pre-approved. Want your offer to stand out in a case of multiple offers for the same house? Get pre-approved. Look at it from the seller’s perspective. If you had 2 offers on the table for your house, one from a fully pre-approved buyer and the other from an “I’ll get around to that soon” buyer–to which offer would you devote the most attention? Even if the pre-approved buyer’s offer was $1000 less, would you take the chance on the buyer that perhaps may not be qualified? When it comes to a seller evaluating offers, “a bird in the hand…” definitely applies. |
Are You Thinking Of Selling Your Home?
Dec/100
You should know exactly what it’s worth before making such an important decision.
Let us do a quick “Comparative Market Analysis” for you, for free, and with no obligation. Also known as a CMA, this analysis compares your home to others that are currently on the market and to those that have recently sold.
Using the information you provide, we can perform a quick market analysis, and give you a free estimate of what your home is worth in today’s market.
Remember, market conditions can be different, even one neighborhood to the next. We know how to take all these factors into account when determining the true market value of your home.
This service is completely free and without obligation. There are absolutely no strings attached. Please provide us with some basic information on your home. We’ll get back to you quickly…
COMMERCIAL ARTICLE FOR December 5, 2010
Dec/100
Sales statistics for the traditional shopping day after Thanksgiving dubbed as “Black Friday” are rolling in ever so slowly. So far sales have indicated only a slight rise in consumer spending. To tell the truth, spending was only up 0.3% from “Black Friday”, 2009. However, in perspective, a little increase is better than no increase at all…right? This does mean that consumer confidence is on a positive upswing. And, for real estate to be steady, consumer confidence MUST be on the rise!
Commercial real estate??? How is it doing? Speaking at the 2011 Executive Economic outlook, hosted by Frost Band and Ernst & Young, Dr. Mark Doutzer, Real Estate Center Chief Economist claims, “The boat is moving from choppy waters to calmer seas.” He also mentioned that the country is slowly adding jobs, manufacturing is up and corporate profits are rising, which usually leads to hiring.
We join forces with Dr. Doutzer. While we do not know about other parts of the country (excluding what the media has to report), we certainly can say that lately our commercial team has seen a substantial amount of activity.
We have been working on ground leases for at least two businesses to relocate. Also, we have been meeting with a large international corporation regarding construction of a family sports complex to the area. Another oil company has expressed interest in purchasing land to construct an eighteen thousand square foot building which will house fifty employees.
Several meetings with builders and developers have taken place. Other meetings are scheduled before the first of the year. Builders have contacted us to say that sales are good and inventory is running low. What music to our ears! Developers in Montgomery County certainly have the dirt builders need to build their inventory! New home construction has without a doubt been at an all time low for the past three years. Production of new homes is like gulping ice cold lemonade on a hot, hot summer day! How refreshing! What a boost for the real estate industry!
A couple of established businesses are looking for either a permanent location (instead of leasing) or to build larger buildings. All of these calls have come to us in the last couple of weeks!
Convenience store developers have been expressing renewed interest in purchasing land to construct new stores. Actually, drive by League Line Road at Highway 75 North. Demolishing of the old Bob Wills night club has begun. A nice Shell convenience store will be built on this site.
Think about it! Businesses, developers, etc. do not choose an area unless they have confidence that it will grow and prosper!
Remember when we wrote: “In our opinion, commercial real estate is making a comeback, albeit a slow climb. We do not believe it will spike 50% per year, but, will remain steady.” Both of us stand firm on that belief!
Call us today!
COMMERCIAL ARTICLE FOR November 21, 2010
Nov/100
The “Texas Triangle”, outlined by Houston, San Antonio and the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, with Austin inside the Triangle is renowned for being THE catalyst in Texas economy. Relatively close and connected by major highways, the cities give the Triangle sides of 268, 199, and 243 miles. According to Forbes Magazine, “Although the Triangle cities make up only 62 percent of Texas’ population, they provide 68 percent of the state’s wage and salary jobs and 71 percent of personal income. Houston Business Journal described these cities’ rapid growth as the primary reason for the convergence of Texas’ per capita income to U.S. income levels.
Texas Economic Indicators publication for November 2010 from the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank reported that Texas employment increased somewhat in September, in line with the modest recovery taking place in the state’s economy.
Improvement in the Texas housing market is raising slightly, as housing starts, single-family housing permits and existing-home sales increased from their August levels. Also noted was Texas exports edged up in August, and the Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey indicated Texas factory activity increased in October. A key measure of state manufacturing conditions, the production index, was positive for the second straight month and slightly higher than its September analysis.
Actions of general business conditions rose noticeably in October, signifying the broader economy strengthened. After four months in negative territory, the general business activity index rose sharply from MINUS eighteen in September to a POSITIVE three this month.
Texas monthly exports edged up 2.3 percent in August after falling 3.3 percent in July. The most exciting news was the the August level of real exports was twenty four percent higher than a year earlier!
Good news is that the current Texas employment stands at 10.37 million. September showed a gain in Texas jobs at 7,400 after losing 5,400 in August. The Texas unemployment rate edged down from 8.3 percent in August to 8.1 percent in September. The Texas unemployment rate remains below the U.S. rate, which was 9.6 percent in September.
Commercial real estate investment, according to real estate investment adviser, CoStar, has” picked up dramatically”. In August, for all types of property acquisitions, real estate funds and companies brought in $9.18 billion. That is more than double what was raised in July according to CoStar.
Of course, $63.26 billion raised this year is pocket change compared to the industry’s pre-2007 heyday, when real estate investments took in $200 billion annually. Still there is money to be made in careful commercial investing.
Norm Miller, CoStar consultant, says, “It’s not a bad time to buy, but I’m not going to tell you we’re at the bottom on prices.”
Our take on this is that investors should take a watch commercial market conditions closely. Seek someone who knows the market in your area. If a good deal comes along, perhaps investors should “seize the moment”. After all prices are edging up ever so slowly.
We found the following very interesting. Here are the Top Ten Worst Cities for Real Estate Investing:
1. Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida
2. Reno-Sparks, Nevada
3. Orlando-Kissimmee, Florida
4. Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida
5. Port St. Lucie, Florida
6. Las Vegas-Paradise, Nevada
7. Boise City-Nampa, Idaho
8. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida
9. Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Arizona
10. Warren-Troy-Farmington hills, Michigan
Please note that these states were those whose real estate values rose more than 30 percent and as high as 50 percent annually. Remember we have said that Texas, and Houston area especially, did not have that huge “bubble”.
Remember a few months ago when we wrote that Susan Combs, Texas Comptroller, said that “if Houston were a nation, its economy would be 25th largest in the world, just behind Norway’s economy…??
Truthfully, we all need to be so very thankful that we live in this area so close to Houston, Texas.
From our family to yours:
HAVE A VERY BLESSED THANKSGIVING!
Please Don’t Shoot The Messenger!
Nov/100
Q. Recently we had a contract on our home and were scheduled to close on it last month. We had an estate sale and worked diligently to have everything out prior to closing. The day before the closing was scheduled, our listing agent called to say the buyer had decided not to purchase the house. We were furious! Surely, she knew something before that! She said she called to check on things and the Buyer’s agent always said things were going well. But at the last minute the buyer was told he had to put more money down and he did not like the interest rate. How could this happen??
A. Please do not shoot the messenger! Often times this very thing happens-the Listing agent can only go by what she is told. If the Buyer backs out, there is nothing she or he can do. Listing agents do not control how much down payment it needed, the mortgage companies have guide lines they must follow. When the file goes to underwriting, the underwriters decide if the down payment is enough with the financial information the buyer has provided. Please do not be mad at the listing agent.
COMMERCIAL ARTICLE FOR November 7, 2010
Nov/100
What an exciting Halloween weekend for Cavender’s Boot City! Why?? THE Mr. James Cavender who owns the stores along with his sons, Mike, Joe and Clay, attended the grand opening of the Conroe store located along the I-45/FM 3083 corridor. It was overheard that Mr. Cavender said that this was the biggest grand opening in the HISTORY of Cavender‘s Boot City Stores. There are FIFTY-FIVE locations throughout the United States and Montgomery County’s was the largest grand opening in Cavender’s history! What a prestigious achievement for Montgomery County! Advertising like that is priceless! Truly it is proof positive that Montgomery County has what it takes to succeed, even in a recession.
Coupled with this knowledge, and the news that Conroe’s sales tax revenues were up for the sixth straight month, this county’s future appears to be on an upward swing!
Apparently the economic development leaders in Montgomery County have what it takes to strengthen and build on economic opportunities for our area. Jobs are not created by the government-they are created by a prosperous business friendly environment which boosts job growth.
Houston maintains one of the strongest retail markets in the United States. According to the October issue of RED NEWS, “Builders remain optimistic about initiating projects in outlying areas in Houston where population growth forecasts are strong, particularly Fort Bend County and Montgomery County. Nearly 4.7 million square feet of retail space is planned for these areas.” What a fantastic boost for our area!!
The article in RED NEWS went on to say that, “Local investors, encouraged by an improving lending environment, are targeting value-add and repositioning opportunities.” Montgomery County and Fort Bend County were mentioned as fast-growing counties where new properties could be found. In closing, the article gave this OUTLOOK: “The local employment situation will continue to improve this year as 33,500 jobs are created, a 1.3 percent increase. Between 2010 and 2011, nearly all of the 104,000 positions lost during the recession will be regained.”
Exciting happenings around our county! The Willis area will be happy to know that we just inked a deal with Pizza Hut to occupy a space in the Canyon Falls Shopping Center located on FM 1097 West. Final negotiations are under way with a large national firm locating to Willis. Also, we have been working diligently with two oil field related companies to relocate their employees to this area.
What is the fate of commercial real estate in our area?? As we have said before, “There are glimmers of hope on the horizon. Just persevere!”
Call us today!
Please e-mail questions to Kim at Kim@FrankeTeam.com. Kim is a member of the Marion Franke Team and a Top Producing REALTOR® in Montgomery County. Kim is a Buyers and an Accredited Luxury Home Specialist. Commercial Article by team member Dixie Estep
Franke credits God in raising $75,000 for ill girl
Oct/100
Updated: 10.28.10
“It was a God thing,” said well-known realtor MARION FRANKE, referring to a three-day weekend that raised $75,000 for a young girl who suffers from rare brain tumors.
“DEBBIE GLENN and I were cochairmen. We put this fund raiser together in three and a half weeks and people came by the hundreds to aid this little girl and her parents,” Marion said.
The fund raising began Thursday by way of a golf tournament at West Fork that was overseen by KIM BOWLING. It brought in $15,000 with only a few days of preparation.
The beneficiary is DANIELLE BACON, 12, who lives at Willis with her parents PAUL BACON, an employee of Franke’s, and ANGIE BACON, a longtime mortgage loan officer.
Since being diagnosed in December, Danielle has undergone procedures at Texas Children’s Hospital and at M. D. Anderson Cancer Treatment Center in Houston.
After a recent reassessment, doctors found two additional brain tumors and said they could do nothing more. A trip to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis confirmed that grim report.
The last hope the family has is alternative treatment from a Houston practitioner who has generated some success in cases like Danielle’s.
“But it’s very expensive,” Marion said. “They need $30,000 just to start.” The long ordeal has depleted insurance and most assets the family owned.
”The parents had to miss work a lot; medical expenses are enormous, yet routine living costs still pile up,” Marion said.
On Saturday, supporters sponsored a Fun Run at Moran Ranch, a Willis property with a rich history that has been in Franke’s family for a long time.
Three hundred runners became involved, accruing $10,000. Many city of Montgomery residents and school groups participated in various aspects of the fund raiser.
A total of $10,000 has come in from the Internet at www.cureourbacon.com, which is still accepting donations.
“One anonymous donor gave $5,000 on our Web,” Marion noted. “A lot of other folks who truly are not wealthy reached deep into their pockets to give.”
Saturday’s efforts continued past the Fun Run, with an afternoon Fall Family Festival at Moran Ranch. Cook teams led by ROBERT GRAHAM and JIMMY KOUKAS donated barbecue plates that 450 attendees bought for $10 each.
A carnival atmosphere with rides prevailed. Football teams from Willis and New Caney were on hand, lots of balloons, a petting zoo, as well as church groups selling snow cones and cotton candy. Two bands, COUNTRY KIN and DUGAN REED AND THE HERD, volunteered to provide music. KADIE DYER, of Willis, brought her grand champion standard poodle and its companion to further amuse attendees.
Zebra-printed cloths covered dining tables with accents of gray (the color representing brain cancer), lime green and pink.
Artist CARYN COYNE POWELL painted butterflies and other whimsical beings on faces, including Danielle’s, who was present after taking intermittent rest periods. She had an ample amount of pink applied.
“Despite what you hear about ‘today’s teens,’ many really good kids came to help,” Marion said. “For three days it was just standing back and watching God work.”
JADE SIMMONS, the extraordinary pianist who is bringing classical young performers to SCOTT CUTLER’S music room in The Woodlands, provided an update about the performers in THE WOODLANDS SALON SERIES November 5.
Jade is founder of IMPULSE ARTIST SERIES that promotes the best young classical musicians to be found anywhere.
“Performers will include Canadian trumpeter SURESH SINGARATNAM; New York based harpist BRANDEE YOUNGER; and keyboarder KRIS BECKER,” Jade said.
The Houston Press named Impulse the Best Nonprofit Arts Series of 2009, describing it as “replacing the stuffy image of dead guys in white wigs, with fresh, young cutting-edge artists!”
Listeners will be treated to piano selections from Ms. Simmons in a rare performance.
By Peggie MillerPerforming arts columnist
EVENT FOR OCTOBER 21st
Oct/100
Cure our Bacon Golf Tournament
Golf tournament benefiting Danielle Bacon, a 12 year old Conroe resident with a brain tumor whose family needs our help. Danielle’s parents, (Paul Bacon, Realtor and Angie Bacon, Loan Officer) only have commission-based jobs, so when they cannot work (like when they have to accompany Danielle to Houston for her treatments and remain with her at home when she is unable to go to school) they do not make money. Local citizens and businesses are teaming up to provide Danielle’s family with much needed funds, as their insurance has reached its payout limit and Danielle is still in need of treatment at M. D. Anderson Hospital in Houston.
Please Visit: www.CureOurBacon.com.
Great City For Young Adults
Sep/100
Houston, Texas
Metro population: 5,867,489
Cost-of-living index: 91
Median monthly rent: $775 (average is $819)
Average annual wage: $41,074
Unemployment rate: 8.3%
Percentage of Gen Y residents: 23.9%
Top employers: Wal-Mart Stores, Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, Administaff, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Continental Airlines, Kroger, Exxon Mobil
Like its rival Austin, Houston offers great job prospects and exciting big-city amenities at a price so low, even struggling grads can afford it. Diversity is one of its unsung strengths. More than a million of Houston’s inhabitants were born outside of the U.S. H-Town’s economy is varied as well: The city has strong energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, transportation and healthcare sectors, and 25 Fortune 500 companies have headquarters here.
PROS: A small-town cost of living in the country’s fourth-largest city, rents well below the national average, one of the country’s best restaurant scenes, vibrant nightlife, an hour from Gulf Coast beaches
CONS: Oppressive heat and humidity, infamous bumper-to-bumper traffic (the average commute will last 26 minutes), heavy air pollution, a crime rate well above the national average