College Station is now planning for it's 7th elementary campus, the new Creek View Elementary. Plans currently are to locate it on Graham Road, presumably where the newest elementary school, just opened last year was initially slated to be. Forest Ridge, the newest elemntary, is the fastest growing school in the district, but officials are taking no chances and commissioning a high priced, no doubt, study on where the growth lies.
According to current data most students live in the central part of the city. Most Realtors feel that the true growth that would support our younger citizens occurs at the southern portion of the city. With Creek Meadows in the far south side of College Station soon opening up over 1000 homesites, plus a slew of other new subdivisions breaking ground and Castlegate finishing completion, I don't believe it takes a report to figure out where the growth is.
Real estate for me is more like a calling rather than just a profession. The pleasure I get by handing first time buyers their keys is one of the biggest thrills of my life. I've had the pleasure this year of working with three families, who, through different circumstances never grew up in a home of their own. Either it was apartment living, mobile homes, or relatives homes that their families stayed in. There is no satisfaction greater than finding these people, and working with them to help their dreams become a reality.
First time homebuyers are often nervous or afraid of rejection when it comes to buying a home. Nervous because they might make a mistake and afraid of rejection because they are concerned no lender would want to touch them. I've had people with perfect credit walk into my office worried that they would never get approved for a loan.
The way to calm your nerves about making a mistake is simple. Choose a Realtor that you believe will work hard for you, not just the commission that the seller pays. Find one that will go out of their way to educate you about the process and negotiate hard for you. Go ahead and interview agents. Many years ago when I got into real estate a very wise person told me that you don't make money when you sell a home, but rather, when you buy it. This is how I would want your agent to negotiate for you, as if every penny counts.
The way to calm your fear of rejection on credit issues is to talk to your Realtor or financing source. I have a team of people that can help. Anything from credit cleansing to advising you how long to wait to avoid negative items on your credit and some unique programs that can lower the interest rate. Don't worry about no money down or any issues. Talk to a good financing source or a Realtor first and let them tell you what can be done. Saving for the perfect downpayment can set you back. If you save $2000 a year, but the average home price is rising 3% per year and you look at a $150K home, the next year that same house is worth $154,500 and you've saved $2000 towards the down payment. At that rate you can't afford to save.
Make 2007 the year you get into a house of your own!!!!
Well, it's time for hot chocolate and caroling in the Brazos Valley. Are you new to the area and needing to know the hot places to go?
November 28th-
Christmas by Candlelight, Christ United Methodist Church. Holiday benefit with music and great food ( the desserts are supposed to be heavenly!). Call (979)690-4673 for ticket information. College Station
November 28th&30th-
Holidays in the Rotunda-George Bush Library with local musicians, crafts and refreshments. Admission is free, so join them from 6-8 pm. The library is always a great place to visit and the extra lights and Christmas cheer makes it especially wonderful! College Station
November 30-MSC OPAS-
The Irish Tenors 7:30 pm. Irish Tenors with full onstage orchestra for holiday music. Visit
www.mscopas.org/irishtenors.htm or call (979)845-1234 for tickets. College Station
November 30-December 2, December 7-9, 14-16 7:30 pm.
Inspecting Carol: A Christmas Comedy Written by Daniel Sullivan and the Seattle Repertory Theatre.
http://www.stagecenter.net/ or call (979)696-2787 for more information.
Santa's Wonderland Now through December 31. Millions of lights and great shopping. Go to this website for pictures of this awesome attraction. Guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit!
http://www.santas-wonderland.com/ (979)696-7212 College Station
Christmas in the Park Dec. 1,2,8,9,15&16. Kicks off with a tree lighting ceremony December 1st in Central Park. Lots of free entertainment, past years have included Aggie Wranglers, pet contests and caroling from local groups, free hayrides, hot cocoa. (979)764-3486 College Station
Bryan's Holiday Magic December 1st at 5:30-8:30 pm. Sue Haswell Park. Free event with "snow" covered hill for sledding, light displays, snacks, live music and a clibing wall. Polar Express train rides ahte the ever-present Santa with lots of photo opportunities. Bryan
Jingle Bell Jubilee, December 2nd all day event in Bryan. Brunch With Santa December 2 9-noon at the Children's Museum. Holiday arts and crafts, playtime and photos with Santa. $20/each.
http://www.mymuseum,.com/. Rudolphs 5K Fun Run and Walk 9 am. Downtown Bryan. $15 to register, $20 for 5K Run/Walk and Brunch with Santa. Live enrertainment at the Palace Theatre and car show to follow. Parade begins at 6 pm and tree lighting ceremony at 7 pm at the Carnegie Library. Evening events include carriage rides and a rock concert.
http://www.mymuseum.com/ Bryan
A Victorian Christmas Stroll December 2nd. Hosted by ther Brazos Heritage Society through Heritage Park and a living history tour of the Cavitt House from 6:30-8:30 pm. Entertainment and snacks provided. Tickets $2 each, free for children 12 and under.
Breakfast with Santa December 2nd 9-noon at the Lincoln Center.
http://www.cstx.gov/ (979)764-3779 College Station
25th Anuual Christmas Shoppers Arts and Craft Show December 2-3 10a.m - 5 pm at the Brazos Center 3232 Briarcrest Drive. Awesome shopping opportunitie with unique gifts, handmade jewelry and woodwork, gift baskets and more! Bryan
Bryan-College Station's Holiday Parade December 3rd at 2 pm. Sponsored by the Eagle. Starts on University Drive and ends on Villa Maria and Texas Avenue. Floats from all over Brazos Valley and free candy tossed from many floats! (979)776-4444. Bryan & College Station
Messina Hof: Big Reds for a Winter Evening December 5th. 7 pm. $25 class fee. Red wine class and tour of winery with gourmet foods.
http://www.mesinahof.com/ (979)778-9463 X 34 Bryan
Food for Families Food Drive December 7th. The largest fundraiser for Brazos Valley Food Bank. Drop off non-perishable food items at The Brazos Center in Bryan, the Kimbro Center in Madisonville, or the Mid South Synergy office in Navasota.
Christmas Carnival at the Lincoln Center. December 8th 6-9 pm. (979)764-3779. College Station
Mistletoe & Merriment Concert, December 9th 7:30 Brazos Valley Chorale presents their holiday concert. Tickets $15 adult/$6 student. College Station.
2006 Christmas Favorites from Around the World Ice Show December 15-16 5:45 pm. Artic Wolf Ice Center, College Station. (979)694-3900 for tickets.
ChildreNinos Mexican-American Workshop December 18th 10 am. Bilingual stories, games, songs and activities. Children's Museum, Bryan (979)229-5625
Don't stay home this holiday season!!! Get out there and enjoy some of the fun, Brazos Valley Style!!!