Bryan / College Station children going back to school.

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Jody Keating

Yup that time of year has arrived, Bryan / College Station children are going back to school. Summer is over and kids are counting down the days. Some are dreading it, hating the thoughts of early mornings, exams and homework while others are excited to see friends, be free from their parents for a few hours a day and looking forward to the new clothes and supplies they’ll be getting.

For me, both my daughters, 17 and 10, are both looking forward to going back. They’ve had a chaotic, crazy, fun-filled summer but they are both ready to see their friends, get back on a schedule and well, just get the school year over with.

You see this is the final high school year for my 17 year old and it’s the final elementary school year for my 10 year old. Both of them are ready to be the BIG DOGS in their respective schools!

I on the other hand, hate the thought of them going back. I love when my kids are around me. We spent a lot of time together this summer laughing, hanging out, chatting and yes working.

They both became an integral part of my real estate business. Posing for photo ops, helping me put YouTube videos together, filing, stuffing envelopes and just generally listening to my natter about it.

They also provided me great insight and different perspectives on each clients needs and situations. For example a buyer client was looking to move to the area and they had a 15 year old daughter. After inquiring about schools in the area my 17 year old was able to visit with them and their daughter to let them know about the early college courses she is taking at Blinn College. Hence they enrolled their daughter in that school too and they were so appreciative to recieve first hand information about it.

My youngest daughter, worked hard at open houses. She would gather the information packets together, prepare the gift bags and put out the open house signs. She enjoyed doing it and she considered herself to be the packet stuffing, gift bag prepping pro.

Our clients, particularly those with children, loved it too. They liked the fact that it was a family affair and they appreciated that my kids were so much help.

So, although I’m sad to see them go back to school and I’m not looking forward to not having them around and see their excitement everyday, I am happy for them. They had a really great summer, felt a big part of my day to day functions and they got to participate and put their own stamp on something most children never get the opportunity to do.

I’m proud of my girls and I know they are proud of me. 

 

For a complete list of schools in the Bryan / College Station area, click on the following links:

Bryan Schools

College Station Schools

Bryan / College Station Private Schools

 

 

 

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Real Estate is Local……..

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Jody Keating

I was lucky enough to be able to spend just over 2 weeks on the road with my 2 daughters traveling from Texas through New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Colorado. it was an amazing adventure and my daughters 17 and 10 will have memories of the trip forever.

Although I have many stories to tell of this trip, one thing that stood out in my mind is the different lifestyles, climates and customs in each city we visited.

Along the way I was fortunate to meet with some exceptional real estate agents and brokers and while over coffee I had the opportunity to find out about their markets.

While we have a lot in common (fellow REALTORS, long-term virtual friends, similar successes and disasters) I realized that although we share common ground, we don’t always share technique or local issues. 

Little things like, the importance of having alternative sources of heat in a home for the months when power is out during incredible snow storms. The importance of having well sealed windows and doors for when the inevitable sand storm blows through. Property values widely ranging from $400,000 for a home in Ouray, Colorado that would cost $200,000 for a similar home in Bryan, Texas.

Each state and city I drove through drummed up a lot of real estate questions about the area. Having a passion for real estate and working as a real estate broker full time, is never enough if you don’t know the market that your in. I would be a fish out of water in places like Las Vegas, NV, Sheridan, WY or Los Angeles, CA. Not only would I not know the local licensing laws but more importantly I would not know the local needs, climates, customs, prices or lifestyles. 

Having a real estate agent that lives, breathes and sleeps the area that you are interested in buying or selling has so much more value than working with someone that doesn’t. Even if that someone is your brother, sister, great aunt or long lost cousin. It’s one thing to support a friend or family members real estate career but it’s a whole other matter when that individual has no idea of the local market.

Real estate is local and only a local, knowledgeable real estate agent can serve your needs best. 

 

 

 

 

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Celebrate Memorial Day

Posted on May 27, 2012 by Jody Keating

Memorial Day weekend for millions around the nation marks the beginning of summer. Families and friends gather to fire up back yard barbecues, lakes are packed with weekend visitors and coolers of beer, children have tucked away no longer needed school backpacks and have made their plans for late mornings, swimming pools and daily adventures.

Yes summer is definitely here and it’s okay to wear white.

Living in America gives us this weekend. A national holiday that we have all come to recognize as the beginning of fun times. A weekend that businesses are closed, families and friends get together and make plans to float the river, get a tan, hang out on long summer nights, listen to out door bands while drinking cold beers or spend lazy days on the lake.

Without Memorial Day, how would we as a nation unify our beginning of summer festivities? How would we collectively orchestrate family get together’s, long weekend trips or even national store sales?

We wouldn’t be able too.

Without Memorial Day we wouldn’t have the freedoms to make these plans. We wouldn’t be able to gather families and friends together or to travel for long weekends or to lay out tanning or boating on lakes or to buy cold beers and fire up barbecue pits. We wouldn’t have the choices and we wouldn’t have the freedoms to do it.

So this Memorial Day, take a moment to thank the men and women that gave us these freedoms. Take a moment to reflect on their sacrifices. These courageous men and women that gave their lives for us, complete strangers, with the only common thread being that we live in this great nation and we believe in liberty.

They fought to protect the millions of us that are now enjoying this weekend. They paid the ultimate price. Thank the families of these service men and woman who are suffering the loss of their loved ones each and every day.

Memorial Day is not a day of celebration.

Nor is it a day of morning.

It is a day that we as a nation thank, appreciate, pray for and acknowledge all the heroic service men, women and civilians that put our quality of life above their own.

Make the day special. Hug your children, family and friends. Enjoy your weekend as there is nothing more unappreciative then to not take this gift that these heros gave us and embrace it.

Bless all our service men and women and their families and thank you for our lives.

 

 

 

 

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Posted in Anderson, Texas, Bedias, Texas, Bremond, Texas, Brenham, Texas, Bryan, Texas, Burton, Texas, Caldwell, Texas, Calvert, Texas, Centerville, Texas, Chappell Hill, College Station, Texas, Deanville, Texas, Fort Hood, Texas, Franklin, Texas, Gause, Texas, Harker Heights, Texas, Hearne, Texas, Hilltop, Texas, Iola, Texas, Killeen, Texas, Kurten, Texas, Madisonville, Texas, Marquez, Texas, Millican, Texas, Mumford, Texas, Navasta, Texas, Nolanville, Texas, Normangee, Texas, North Zulch, Texas, Plantersville, Texas, Salado, Texas, Shiro, Texas, Somerville, Texas, Texas, Washington, Washington, Texas, Wellborn, Texas | Tagged | 1 Comment

2012 Relay for Life of Killeen – Fort Hood – Harker Heights, TX

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Debi McKamie

2012 Relay For Life of Killeen/Fort Hood/Harker Heights TX to be held  in Killeen Texas on 5/4/2012-5/5/2012

7:00PM – 7:00 AM at Shoemaker High School.

What Is Relay?

  • Overnight relay-style event
  • Teams of people camp out around a track
  • Members of each team take turns walking around the track for the duration of the event
  • Food, games and activities provide entertainment and I am participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life because I want to make a meaningful difference in the fight against cancer.

I have joined my ABWA (American Business Women’s Association) for the Killeen/Ft. Hood/Harker Heights 2012 Relay for Life.

Almost everyone has been touched by cancer, either through their own personal battle or through someone they love.

Every day, the American Cancer Society is helping us stay well by preventing cancer or finding it at its earliest, most treatable stages. They assist families in finding the best resources to help their friend or loved one deal with a diagnosis and their journey to get well. The American Cancer Society is also rallying communities (like ours!) through events like Relay For Life, to fight back and find cures for this disease.

I walk in honor of my beautiful mother who lost her battle with lung cancer in 2007 at only 65 years of age. 

If you would like to join our team or make a donation, please visit my home page on the Relay for life page.  Thanks for any and all support for this cause.

 

 

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Posted in 365 Things To Do, Events, Fort Hood, Texas, Harker Heights, Texas, Killeen, Texas, Nolanville, Texas | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

2701 Burton Drive, Bryan 4 bed / 4.5 bath house for sale.

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Jody Keating

Beautiful older contemporary home for sale, located off Carter Creek in Bryan, Texas. 3,934 square feet of living area, nestled on over an acre within the city limits of Bryan.

For detailed information, please click here.

Call today to schedule a showing!!!

 

 

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Posted in Anderson, Texas, Bedias, Texas, Bremond, Texas, Brenham, Texas, Bryan, Texas, Burton, Texas, Caldwell, Texas, Calvert, Texas, Centerville, Texas, Chappell Hill, College Station, Texas, Deanville, Texas, Fort Hood, Texas, Franklin, Texas, Gause, Texas, Harker Heights, Texas, Hearne, Texas, Hilltop, Texas, Iola, Texas, Killeen, Texas, Kurten, Texas, Madisonville, Texas, Marquez, Texas, Millican, Texas, Mumford, Texas, Navasta, Texas, Nolanville, Texas, Normangee, Texas, North Zulch, Texas, Plantersville, Texas, Salado, Texas, Shiro, Texas, Somerville, Texas, Washington, Washington, Texas | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Great 4 bed / 2 bath home for sale in College Station, Texas

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Jody Keating

 

This is a great 4 bedroom / 2 bathroom house for sale in Eastmark Subdivision.

Close to Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater and within walking distance of many amenities.

Lots of space and a must for those buyers looking for investment property or a home in the heart of Texas A&M.

Call us today for more information or to schedule a showing.

For detailed information on the property, Click Here.

 

 

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Posted in Anderson, Texas, Bedias, Texas, Bremond, Texas, Brenham, Texas, Bryan, Texas, Burton, Texas, Caldwell, Texas, Calvert, Texas, Centerville, Texas, Chappell Hill, College Station, Texas, Deanville, Texas, Fort Hood, Texas, Franklin, Texas, Gause, Texas, Harker Heights, Texas, Hearne, Texas, Hilltop, Texas, Iola, Texas, Killeen, Texas, Kurten, Texas, Madisonville, Texas, Marquez, Texas, Millican, Texas, Mumford, Texas, Navasta, Texas, Nolanville, Texas, Normangee, Texas, North Zulch, Texas, Plantersville, Texas, Real Estate Investors, Salado, Texas, Shiro, Texas, Somerville, Texas, Washington, Washington, Texas, Wellborn, Texas | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Proud Sponsor for the 2nd Annual Ride For A Child Motorcycle Rally

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Debi McKamie

Mark your calendars and clean up the bike we are having the 2nd Annual Ride For A Child Motorcycle Rally March 31, 2012.  I am very excited to be a part of this event to raise funds to combat the battle against Child Abuse.

In the State of Texas, the Central Texas Area ranks #1 in reported child abuse cases.  Death from child abuse also ranks near the top in Texas.

The Quad Cities Exchange Clubs of Copperas Cove, Temple, Gatesville and Killeen have joined forces with Bikers Against Child Abuse.  To maximize fund raising abilities, we joined together for this event under RIDE FOR A CHILD a 5013c charity.  All charitable donations will stay in Central Texas  to help fund other organizations such as:

AWARE CENTRAL TEXAS, CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTER OF CENTRAL TEXAS, CORYELL CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).

The first annual rally was held March 26, 2011 and had over 250 riders and raised over $30,000 for Child Abuse Prevention in Bell and Coryell Counties.

This year’s goal is 400+ riders.  The rally will take you from registration and breakfast available, at the historic Ogletree Gap Park just off 190 west of Copperas Cove with a well marked route through beautiful winding hill country roads to Gatesville where we will stop at the 1st United Methodist Church,  this location is hosted by the Gatesville Exchange Club who will provide coffee and homemade cookies and necessary break.

Back  on to the beautiful back roads of Central Texas with wildflowers in bloom, and passing many family farms and ranches that date back to when Texans were still fighting at the Alamo.  We will continue this journey across the scenic Lake Belton we will take you to Temple where our second pit stop is hosted by Don Ringler Chevrolet  located on the East Access road.  Don Ringler Chevrolet will provide snacks and drinks and lots of FUN.

Back on the road, we will head through Belton back to the Farm Market Rd. 439 to Sandy’s Homeplace Historic Nightclub where we will have a BBQ Lunch, Live Music, and Dancing.  We will have a 50/50 cash raffle, a silent auction, Motorcycle Judging and parts sales and more FUN!

JOIN US AS WE BATTLE CHILD ABUSE.  $40 DONATION PER BIKE. YOU CAN SIGN UP FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR MORE INFO.

http://www.rideforachild.org/Quad%20Cities%20Flyer%202012%201.pd

Connective Realty, LLC is proud to be a sponsor fo the 2nd Annual Ride for A child Motorcycle Rally

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Posted in Anderson, Texas, Bedias, Texas, Bremond, Texas, Brenham, Texas, Bryan, Texas, Burton, Texas, Caldwell, Texas, Calvert, Texas, Centerville, Texas, Chappell Hill, College Station, Texas, Deanville, Texas, Fort Hood, Texas, Franklin, Texas, Gause, Texas, Harker Heights, Texas, Hearne, Texas, Hilltop, Texas, Iola, Texas, Killeen, Texas, Kurten, Texas, Madisonville, Texas, Marquez, Texas, Millican, Texas, Mumford, Texas, Navasta, Texas, Nolanville, Texas, Normangee, Texas, North Zulch, Texas, Plantersville, Texas, Salado, Texas, Shiro, Texas, Somerville, Texas, Washington, Washington, Texas, Wellborn, Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Good, The Bad and The Head Scratching

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Heather Dunlap

In this business you see a lot of things.

You see happy and hopeful home buyers. As the buyer’s agent you get to assist them in finding and buying something that they will forever be happy with!

You get to help a Seller, move his investment, so he or she may go on to big and better things.

All and all this is a very wonderful industry and it is quite the feeling to make each and every person you encounter happy or content to some extent. The few bad things I have seen are not really worth mentioning as they were minute, and not as big of a deal as it can be trumped up to be.

When I am not representing home buyers or sellers, and Investor’s I busy myself with HOA management and Property Management. This is often where the Head Scratching takes place.

For example, I sent a contractor out to do a particular job for me today. I was more than a little confused when that same contractor called me back and asked me how I would go about repairing it. I scratched my head, and said. “Um, that’s why I am calling you. That’s what you do.” After a brief pause the phone line disconnected.

HAHAHA as the Real Estate World Turns!

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Posted in Anderson, Texas, Bedias, Texas, Bremond, Texas, Brenham, Texas, Bryan, Texas, Burton, Texas, Caldwell, Texas, Calvert, Texas, Centerville, Texas, Chappell Hill, College Station, Texas, Deanville, Texas, Fort Hood, Texas, Franklin, Texas, Gause, Texas, Harker Heights, Texas, Hearne, Texas, Hilltop, Texas, Iola, Texas, Killeen, Texas, Kurten, Texas, Madisonville, Texas, Marquez, Texas, Millican, Texas, Mumford, Texas, Navasta, Texas, Nolanville, Texas, Normangee, Texas, North Zulch, Texas, Plantersville, Texas, Property Management, Real Estate Investors, Salado, Texas, Shiro, Texas, Somerville, Texas, Texas, Washington, Washington, Texas, Wellborn, Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What is a Bryan – College Station Luxury Home?

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Jody Keating

Luxury homes have many different definitions and for each definition it all comes down to the perception of the buyer and seller in the market the home is located in.

Luxury homes in Bryan – College Station are not necessarily defined by price or size but rather by the perceived lifestyle the home represents to an individual in that area.

As an example, a 1,000 square foot apartment in Times Square, New York may be smaller but cost more than a 5,000 square foot home waterfront property on 4 acres in Wyoming.

Similarily, a 5,000 square foot home on 2 acres outside the city limits of Bryan and College Station may cost less than a 4,000 square foot home on a 1/4 acre lot inside the city limits.

So excluding the location of the property, the size of it and the market value of the home what constitutes Luxury Property for this market? 

In our next post, we will provide a list of possible features to look for that evokes the label ‘Luxury Home’.

 

 

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Posted in Anderson, Texas, Bedias, Texas, Bremond, Texas, Brenham, Texas, Bryan, Texas, Burton, Texas, Caldwell, Texas, Calvert, Texas, Centerville, Texas, Chappell Hill, College Station, Texas, Deanville, Texas, Fort Hood, Texas, Franklin, Texas, Gause, Texas, Harker Heights, Texas, Hearne, Texas, Hilltop, Texas, Iola, Texas, Killeen, Texas, Kurten, Texas, Madisonville, Texas, Marquez, Texas, Millican, Texas, Mumford, Texas, Navasta, Texas, Normangee, Texas, North Zulch, Texas, Plantersville, Texas, Salado, Texas, Shiro, Texas, Somerville, Texas, Washington, Washington, Texas, Wellborn, Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

How to increase your curb appeal when trying to sell your house.

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Jody Keating

How the exterior of your house looks creates the first impression that buyers get when they come to view your home. Having an attractive, well maintained yard and entrance can encourage buyers to want to see more.

So how does the exterior of your home look? Would it be appealing to buyers? Is there something more you can do to make it look more interesting?

Here are some ideas of things to do to increase your homes curb appeal:

  • Remove any dead or dying trees, shrubs or plants
  • Purchase some shrubs in large pots to flank the doorway or garage doors
  • Refinish or repaint the front door
  • Clean or replace exterior lighting
  • Fill cracks in the walkway and driveway
  • Straighten up the boarders of flowerbeds
  • Clean windows and gutters
  • Trim tree limbs that are close to or touching the roof
  • Clean, paint and/or polish front door hardware
  • Repaint house numbers on curb
Most of these suggestions can be completed with only and investment of time, others are relatively inexpensive.
Creating an interesting and attractive home exterior will give buyers the emotional feeling that the interior is equally well maintained. It mentally prepares them to look forward to seeing the inside of your home and can drastically change their perceptions once they are inside.  
For further suggestions on how to improve your curb appeal and thereby attract more buyers, please let us know and we would love to help you out. 

 

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Posted in Anderson, Texas, Bedias, Texas, Bremond, Texas, Brenham, Texas, Bryan, Texas, Burton, Texas, Caldwell, Texas, Calvert, Texas, Centerville, Texas, Chappell Hill, College Station, Texas, Deanville, Texas, Fort Hood, Texas, Franklin, Texas, Gause, Texas, Harker Heights, Texas, Hearne, Texas, Hilltop, Texas, Iola, Texas, Killeen, Texas, Kurten, Texas, Madisonville, Texas, Marquez, Texas, Millican, Texas, Mumford, Texas, Navasta, Texas, Normangee, Texas, North Zulch, Texas, Plantersville, Texas, Salado, Texas, Shiro, Texas, Somerville, Texas, Washington, Washington, Texas, Wellborn, Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment