Bryan and College Station Real Estate News

Updated FEMA Maps Affect Bryan Homeowners

Bryan City Engineers recently revamped outdated floodplain maps. FEMA requires flood maps to be revised periodically. Approximately 10% of Bryan (around 2700 acres) now lies in floodplain. 180 homeowners were notified that their homes lie within the 100 year floodplain, the area that has a 1% or better chance of being flooded each year.

Help is on the way for residents newly identified as living in the floodplain as Bryan is part of a FEMA incentive program that will give 5% discounts for flood insurance.

Though I don't know of anyone happy about being identified as in the floodplain, these residents can sleep a bit better at night knowing that they are protected in case of flooding. Property values could be affected moderately, but a house that lies in the floodplain that never has flooded probably would be unaffected.

The cost of flood insurance, many times, is as little as $700 per year and can reap a huge payoff in the event of flooding.

College Station has been largely unaffected. Recent changes have even proved to be beneficial, and reduced the risk of flooding in neighborhoods at risk.

To find out if your home is in a designated floodplain visit FEMA's Website at www.msc.fema.gov. Remember that even if your home lies outside the designated floodplain it could potentially be flooded.

For Bryan and College Station real estate view the MLS Search on this site!

Traffic Conditions For First Day of School

Traffic Conditions for August 27th in Brazos Valley....AWFUL!!!

After one of the longest summers in recent Brazos Valley history the new school year is only a little more than a month away. Both Bryan and College Station ISD's, as well as most of the private schools, begin their school year August 27th. In past years school typically began around mid August with more breaks during the year. Plan on the kids hitting the books hot and heavy this year, with a more intense and crammed in schedule for the school year.

To make things even more intense this year Texas A&M University as well as Blinn College open their semester on August 27th as well. This will be the first year in recent history that both the college campuses and school districts begin their school year simultaneously. A contact at College Station Independent School District that I spoke with stated that they are well aware that it will be especially intense the first week of school this year. They are taking every precaution and would like to advise parents of children in the school system to please let their children take the bus during these first few hectic days.

Please parents, realize that with approximately 50,000 Texas A&M students, 10,000 Blinn students and the normal beginning of the school year madness it will be horrible out there. You and your children will probably be much safer if you allow the bus to take the kids to school. If not that, please drive very carefully.

The Eagle's Education Reporter has been notified and hopefully will write a piece about this in the local paper.

Small Cities, Large Presence

On a beautiful day last week in my bright and sunny office in my favorite area of the world a prospective client and I were talking and she mentioned that moving here from Atlanta she would be giving up cultural events and all the excitement of a large town and didn't know if she could do it.

I was immediately shocked at her suggestion and rose to the defense of my city!

To give you some background, Bryan and College Station, Texas are twin cities smack in the center of most of the larger cities in Texas. Dallas is around 3 hours away, Austin around 2, Houston about 1.5 hours and San Antonio around 4. The combined population is approximately 130,000. Small right? Yes....but for Texas A&M, one of the largest colleges in the United States, this is home. Having a large university in your backyard certainly changes things! Cultural events and drawn by the university crowd, who enthusiastically respond! Beyond that we are the home of the George Bush Museum, and this brings even more speakers and fun to the area!

This post would get way too long if I mentioned all the performances in town. We have many peformers and speakers along the way and some awesome community theatre. I'll focus on OPAS for this write up, come back often for information about other events and venues. Come back often to find more entertainment in Bryan and College Station.

Texas A&M is proud to have MSC OPAS, whose mission is "Bringing World-Class Entertainment to the Brazos Valley". This year (2007 Season) is it's 35th year in operation!
Past performances have include Yo-Yo Ma, Van Cliburn, Itzhak Perlman, Stomp, Les Miserables, Rent, Hairspray and the world premier of the Bolshoi Ballet Brigorovich Ballet. This caused extra attention from international media here for OPA, including a write up in the New York Times.

This year for the 35th Anniversary they have quite the lineup for us!
September 24, 2007 The Ten Tenors. An Australian group performing jazz, opera, modern and classical pop all in the same venue. For more information go to http://www.thetentenors.com/.

February 1-2, 2008 A Ride With Bob: The Bob Will Musical featuring Ray Benson and Ashllep at the Wheel. Bob Wills, the father of Texas Swing and renowned for such songs as "Route 66", "San Antonio Rose" and "Faded Love" is lovingly portrayed by this beautiful show. For more information go to http://www.aridewithbob.com/.

February 21, 2008, Movin' Out. (I ventured to New York to see this one, and can personally give it glowing reviews!). Billy Joel's musical tribute to two decades of Viet Nam, it is a powerful performance!

March 4-5, 2008 The Producers. What more can be said than...A Mel Brooks Comedy! Visit http://www.producersontour.com/ for more information.

March 26-27, 2008 Blast Winner of the 2001 (created specifically for it) Best Theatrical Event Tony!!! More information can be found at http://www.blasttheshow.com/.

April 1-2, 2008 Chicago. Decade old winner of 6 Tony Awards and 6 Academy Awards. Watch it right here and find more information in the meantime at http://www.chicagothemusical.com/.
What do you think? A small city with a lack of culture and fun...? Didn't think so!!!!