Lake Conroe is one of the best catfish fishing lakes in Texas
I just found this article on fishing on Lake Conroe in Montgomery County, Texas. Enjoy… Click Here To Read More.
San Jacinto River Authority to receive more surface water from Lake Conroe
The Montgomery County Courier has reported the SJRA is in negotiations with the City of Houston to obtain more surface water from Lake Conroe.
As in most things, I don’t believe in a “free lunch”. This will probably cost each of us more money. Also, what will happen to boating? These are some serious questions we need to ask our community leaders. For the full article click here. Give us your opinion.
Why are people moving to Lake Conroe?
Here is a story of a couple who made the decision to move to the Lake Conroe area.
As most of you know, I have been a California real estate broker for over thirty years and I have been a licensed real estate broker in Texas for several years now. I would like to share some insights with you.
In hindsight, I’m happy to say it was a very smart thing for me to do. I now alternate work in Santa Rosa for 4 to 6 weeks at a time, and Texas for 4 to 6 weeks.
When I decided to open a business checking account in Texas, I asked a fellow real estate broker, where to bank? He suggested, Amegy Bank in Conroe, TX. So one afternoon, I walked into the branch and was introduced to Ryan Bates, my personal banker. As I was talking with Ryan, I realized something was missing… he was very polite as most Texans are, and very professional. BUT, he didn’t have that Texas drawl I’ve come to associate with most Texans.
So I asked? Ryan, where did you move from? Well, it turns out; he and his wife Felicia were living in Orange County just a year ago.
Felicia inherited a home in Orange County. However, the payments also inherited were over $3,000 a month. Well, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that puts a strain on their monthly budget. So, on a trip to visit Ryan’s parents in Texas, Ryan & Felicia fell in love with The Woodlands, TX. The Woodlands is one of the top communities in the country. It is recognized as the #1 Master planned community in the nation for its design, planning and overall livability.
When talking with Ryan, I asked what the deciding factor was for him and Felicia to make such a bold move. Here are his answers:
Ryan: Ron, it was pure economics. We both were working long hours just to pay for everything, and we didn’t get to be together a lot.
Ron: Well, that’s certainly smart. But, what about Felicia’s family, as well as all of the friends the two of you have made over the years?
Ryan: That’s a good question. But, we stay in touch with a lot with the internet and our cell phones… it’s easy. We also fly back at least three times a year plus, any special occasions. We can now afford to travel and we get to spend time together.
Ron: That sounds great. How did you achieve these goals?
Ryan: Felicia and I looked at the economics and the freedom we would attain by making the move. We bought a brand new 2,000 square foot home with every amenity and furnished it with very nice furniture.
Ron: Yes, that sounds nice, however, this doesn’t seem fiscally responsible.
Ryan: Ron, you have to understand that when we moved to The Woodlands, we were able to get the jobs we wanted and took only a small pay cut to be here.
Ron: How has this helped you with your overall finances?
Ryan: When Felicia sold the home she inherited, we were able to pay cash for our home here, and furnished our new home with all new furniture to our taste, and we are basically debt free.
Ron: May I ask a personal question for my readers? What did you buy, and how much did it cost?
Ryan: As I said before, we purchased a brand new 2,000 square foot home with the upgrades we wanted, and with all the furnishings. I guess our total cost was about $176,000.
Ron: Wow! You two just blow me away. I don’t know too many people that could do what you did. Congratulations on some terrific planning and making some difficult choices.
Ron: OK Ryan, I have to ask the question that is on everyone’s mind right now… What do you do in the heat? Isn’t it just hot all the time?
Ryan: Actually, we do have about six months of moderate weather. However, it does get hot and humid in the summer. As you know, every place has central air conditioning and so do the cars. But, when we just need some relief we jump into the pool. Oh, and in the evenings, we’ll stroll through the “Market Place” or go for a bike ride on the trails through out The Woodlands. The heat has been the biggest adjustment we’ve had to make.
For all of my friends, family and clients, I asked Ryan and Felicia for permission to share their story.
Click here if you would like to meet Ryan & Felicia or ask them a question you may have:
Also, when you get the time, please read what one of my recent California clients had to say about their Texas experience and how I helped them.
What a recent client had to say about Ron Street, and his services.
We happened upon Mr. Ron Street, when, after several years of thought and periodic research, decided to move forward in our proactive plans towards our future retirement. What a find he has become! Not only did he sell our then current investment property, located in California, conforming to the letter of our 1031 exchange requirements, but in addition, when our buyer, secured by another MLS agent, experienced difficulty in obtaining her first time buyer mortgage, Ron, rather than simply shrugging his shoulders, and moving on to an easier and more profitable transaction, took the bull by the horns, and used his multi-level experience, and connections with reliable, trustworthy, and motivated lenders, (which in today’s economic climate is a HUGE accomplishment!) to secure her mortgage, and thus the sale of our investment property, a transaction which was crucial to all future transactions, thus our future comfort in retirement? We thought our relationship had concluded there. We were happily incorrect!
By the way, about 6 weeks after the sale of the above California investment property, I learned that Ron,
(who was again, the listing agent, NOT the selling agent, though helped the mortgage end complete the transaction) paid a visit to our buyer, to insure she was indeed happy…he told me she was planting roses in her new back yard when he visited her…a situation I would venture the buyer’s agent was unaware of, and had moved on to newer pastures!!
As a dually licensed real estate professional in both California and Texas, he concurrently showed us numerous (over 50) potential properties in Texas, in neighborhoods that would be attractive to not only our own future desires for occupancy, but would be attractive to potential tenants, in the interim, as well. He was free with advice regarding location, amenities, estimated income, and possible future development that could potentially impact future income/value assessments, as well as the potential impact of our enjoyment of the future use of the home. .This was extremely helpful, and valuable, as we were venturing into areas unknown to us. Again, Ron came through for us with flying colors!
As a side note, any agent willing to show prospective buyers such numerous properties, while not only remaining patient within the process, but yet encouraging careful planning by said buyers, in an effort to protect the financial future of his clients…well; I can honestly say that his kind are far too rare, indeed.
After helping us find our new home, we were a bit nervous about what we had bitten off…as most buyers, being first time home buyers, or “seasoned” buyers, like ourselves. The factor of the unknown is a concern to all prudent buyers. Again, Ron was at the ready. He listed, in a very appealing and marketable way our property for lease, with all media available, and even personally helped “stage” the home, to help potential tenants to visualize the warmth and livability of the home. Again, a home run…he found our tenants, and procured our contract in a short 8 days!!! The average time frame in this locale is 90-120 days, so we do not need to emphasize our happiness here!
So now, here we are, preparing for the final stage of our retirement planning, purchasing investment property in Texas, close to the home Ron so carefully helped us purchase, for our ease in management, in locals that are also attractive to future tenants. We, based on our past transactions, are more than confident in placing our capital, and future, in Mr. Ron Street.
He has not let us down. Quite the contrary… and our faith is more solid with each transaction.
We are proud to say, that Ron is not only our trusted real estate agent in both CA and TX, he has become a very good friend, indeed.
Any questions, or requests for confirmation of referrals, will be happily responded to.
Sincerely,
Mark and Cheryl Budd
“Be nice to people. It’s the echo that comes back.”
Elsie Rich 107 year old, Santa Rosa Resident.