When it comes to your family’s safety, you always pray for the best, but sometimes you have to prepare for the worst. Luckily here in the Brazos Valley we are safe from a lot of the inclement weather that folks in other parts of the country have to look out for. However we are still at risk of tornados touching down and causing havoc. If you and your family have ever discussed the possibility of installing a storm shelter to assure your safety in such an event, you may be interested in the latest rebate program from the Brazos Valley Council of Governments.

The BVCOG is hoping to make the Brazos Valley a safer place to live by implementing the Brazos Valley Individual Safe Room Rebate Program. The program, available to all who live in the Brazos Valley, aims tohelp homeowners construct storm shelters by providing funding for safety centers. If you install a new certified shelter and apply at http://www.bvcog.org/programs/public-safety-planning/ by September 13, 2014, you are eligible for a reimbursement of half the cost of construction and installation (up to $3,000).

Now if you are like me, getting started on a storm shelter seems like a daunting task. For example, what materials are needed to construct it?  Are there any companies that are known for their excellence? Fortunately there is a wealth of material online so it is a little less of a guessing game. A quick Google search yields many results and sites such as http://www.tornadoproject.com/safety/shelters.htm can help you understand the frequency of tornados in the area as well as tips to protect your home from wind damage. Even if you don’t feel that it is necessary to invest in a full blown storm center, it might be a good idea to refresh yourself on some safety tips to protect your property and family in the event of a severe storm. All this talk of doom and gloom aside, do not forget to enjoy the beautiful warm weather that we have been blessed with lately!

PS – Susan Hilton is Bryan College Station, Texas’ real estate specialist in foreclosure sales and real estate agent career building so if you need help – CALL! 979-764-2100

 Another place to make sure and visit while you are in Downtown Bryan, first Friday or not, is the Grand Stafford Theater.  This theater always puts on great shows, some from around here and others from out of town.  First Friday shows are always great but don’t miss out on their other shows throughout the month.  Also do not worry about your wallet, because their shows are usually quite affordable (around 5 dollars).

If the Grand Stafford isn’t to your liking, then maybe on First Friday you can wander over to the Queen Theater for a quick tour and history of the theater itself.  They are working right now to restore the beautiful, historic theater, first built in 1924. They have plenty of fundraisers, and accept donations in order to raise more money for this admirable effort to make historic downtown even more beautiful.

All these things and many more you will have to go see for yourself are what make First Fridays a can’t miss event. If you do happen to miss this coming up one, don’t worry, there is always another to count on just around the corner. Bring your friends and family to this First Friday in Downtown Bryan.

PS – Susan Hilton is Bryan College Station, Texas’ real estate specialist in foreclosure sales and real estate agent career building so if you need help – CALL! 979-764-2100

The show included other a cappella groups from several other schools, as well as other A&M groups.  Acappellooza was not just about singing though, it was also for a good cause.  HardChord gave a portion of the funds raise to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids, in order to further music appreciation among the next generation.  The groups all preformed incredibly. Hopefully we can all look forward to plenty of more Acappellooza in the years to come.

Also make sure to check out the other A&M groups who performed at Saturday’s show:

• Femmatas (All female A&M group)

• Swaram (A South Asian co-ed group)

• Apotheosis (long-standing all male group)

PS – Susan Hilton is Bryan College Station, Texas’ real estate specialist in foreclosure sales and real estate agent career building so if you need help – CALL! 979-764-2100

Raymond Montoya's 2013 Retreat

February 8-10, 2013

Hanshi Raymond L. Montoya was an active police officer in Bryan, Texas, for 27 years.  He was involved in training and recruiting and was a Pressure Point Control Tactics (PPCT) instructor.  Currently, he holds the following martial arts ranks:

Hanshi Raymond L. Montoya
9th dan:  American Shorin Kempo Karate
under Hanshi Terry L. Bryan, 9th dan

6th dan:  Shaolin Kempo/Mu Ying Tao
under Dr. Harold Mayle, 10th degree
(through Terry L. Bryan)

3rd dan: U.S. Kempo Kobujitsu
under Hanshi Dan B. Kennedy, 9th dan 16

2nd degree:  (Lakan Dalawa) Modern Arnis
under the late Prof. Remy A. Presas, 10th degree

Hanshi Montoya Recognized by Masters

Why did I choose Montoya?

I was at an impasse trying to find an activity my son, Hunter, would enjoy.  I tried the usual sports and scouts with no sign on light in his eye.  He came home one day from school with a flyer and was very excited about taking a Karate class.  As I do with just about everything my kids want to do, I researched.  I called a few schools and found that they offered classes similar to each other and I wasn’t impressed.  I even ended up in an argument with a Black Belt from one of the schools.  I asked a friend and he recommended that I go to this seemingly unknown building in Bryan behind the Municipal Golf Course.  It actually only said Karate on the building.  As many passers by do, I judged the book by the cover, but we went in because I had to, he saw the sign!!

The welcome we received was far above what I expected.  We were exposed to a class that was well disciplined and motivated.  Instructors with belt levels of all different ages training others.  I felt at home and very comfortable.  My son was bouncing off the walls with excitement!

Time has gone by since that day and nothing has changed!  Hunter is promoting up and we both attended this past weekend’s Retreat, I saw so much respect for Hanshi Montoya’s abilities and not to mention rank!!  As of Monday, I am now one of his students!

If you are looking for a place to take your kids or want to learn REAL Martial Arts, I recommend coming by and taking a look.  The price is the lowest in town, not due to lack of training, Hanshi Montoya teaches from the HEART not pocket book!

Buying a home in Bryan or College Station, it is great to have a place to relieve stress, have a place for your kids to go and learn something they can use for the rest of their lives.  Aggieland is blessed to have such a place like Montoya’s.

Aggieland Saturday, which is hosted by the Office of Admissions and The Association of Former Students, offers a “choose your own adventure” approach to the weekend’s events. Activities kick off at 9 a.m. and last until 3 p.m. so anticipate restaurants filling up on Saturday evening. The Office of Admissions has a full list of events, as well as a schedule that students can fill out, posted on their website http://admissions.tamu.edu/aggielandsaturday/schedule.aspx.

All areas of college life are covered by Aggieland Saturday. Students can tour the dorm scene, check out the libraries, attend financial aid conferences, and investigate the different academic disciplines. In addition to the academic aspects of Aggie life, there is a series of baseball and softball games played throughout the weekend, so prospective students can get a taste of the exciting world of A&M athletics. If your kids are getting close to college age and Aggieland Saturday sounds like an interesting opportunity, make sure to register at the website. And when the traffic inevitably piles up that Saturday, try not to get too frustrated and remember that many families are experiencing the treat of seeing Aggieland for the first time!

PS – Susan Hilton is Bryan College Station, Texas’ real estate specialist in foreclosure sales and real estate agent career building so if you need help – CALL! 979-764-2100

Benefits of NEW.  It is a brand new home and everything is in the best condition before you move in.   My favorite thing about a new home is the smell of fresh paint, everything shines and the lack of needing repairs because everything is brand new.

The building process isn’t a pretty process.  It takes time and remember what you are buying is the END PRODUCT.  Keep that in mind.  You need to be patient and realize if there are a few mistakes along the way they can almost always be resolved in a timely manner.   Humans build your new home not machines and humans make mistakes at times.  Usually when mistakes are made that is when you would get upset.   It’s not a big deal.  Let the superintendent know and they will make sure the subcontractors or supplier correct the issue.   You will think the superintendent should notice everything.  They do catch most things but it is always helpful to have another set of eyes especially when it comes to your color selections.  You picked them out.   The superintendent didn’t choose your colors and the subcontractors didn’t either.   You will need to let them know right away if something isn’t correct.  This happened to me with my flooring and my exterior stone.  I checked on my house a few times a week and would look at the materials that were delivered.  That is when I noticed that the materials were off by a number.   I talked with the superintendent and he had it changed right away.  Another thing that is helpful is when you choose your colors and selections don’t change them later.  This causes mass confusion across the board.

Benefits of Resale.  You can move as quickly as two weeks if you are paying cash or your lender is exceptionally fast.

Some people are looking to move quickly while others can take their time.  Everyone has different situations in their lives along with different needs and wants in a home.   Established neighborhoods, mature trees, location and no construction are several reasons why people decided to purchase resale homes.   During your option period is when you get the home you have chosen inspected.   The inspector will list all the defects in the home and you then decide what you want repaired and what you can live without being repaired by the seller.   The inspector’s job is to disclose to you everything and I mean everything that is wrong with the home.   It is unreasonable to ask a seller to repair everything.  It’s not a new home and they don’t have to sell it just like you don’t have to buy it.  Make sure your Realtor describes in detail what repairs are needed for you to purchase the home.  Some sellers decide to take the cost of the repairs off the price of the home so then it is your responsibility to get the repairs done.

A warranty can come with new and resale homes.  Most builders offer a home warranty and you can buy a home warranty for a resale home.  Each warranty is different so make sure you know what is covered and what isn’t.  No need to be surprised when something happens and you call the warranty company and it is something they don’t cover.  You can always add additional coverage to fit your needs.

Deciding if you want to build a home or purchase an existing home is up to you and your situation.  Make sure you explore all options before you have your Realtor write up the paperwork.    Purchasing a home is usually one of the biggest, if not the biggest, investment you will make in your life.  Home ownership isn’t for everyone.  But most people strive to own their own home someday.  Save time and energy by working with a Realtor when you decide to purchase a home.  What a Realtor can see is accurate and up to date information.   It isn’t the same as what you can see.  Also, work with one Realtor.  Ask your friends, family and coworkers who they recommend.   Most of all, enjoy looking at homes and choosing yours.

Jana Grieve

Perhaps Lowe’s Home Improvement Store realized this desire by home buyers and sellers; or maybe their new “Lowe’s Program for Realtors” with the National Association of Realtors was just another ingenious, doubly beneficial marketing campaign to attract more business. Regardless, it is saving Home sellers and buyers the money they desire while still able to apply the needed updates and changes to their real estate property.

 The Lowe’s Program for Realtors is a recently developed program initiated by the Lowe’s Home Improvement Store (according to an article written by Maria Patterson) “to offer Realtors a unique way to bring service and value to their home-buying and–selling clients, and thereby, an invaluable way to connect and keep in touch with clients.” By signing up for the Lowe’s Program for Realtors, real-estate agents working with both homebuyers and home sellers are able to offer their clients services and discounts which otherwise would not have been available. The most prominent of which is a 10% discount coupon to the Lowe’s Home Improvement Store for sellers and buyers to make the changes they need at a discount they desperately needed.

Now, you may be thinking, “Really? Just a 10% discount?” So allow me to clarify: the 10% discount coupon that is offered to Realtors for all their home buying and selling clients applies anywhere up to $10,000.00 on any one-time purchase. That means up to $1,000.00 dollars in savings simply for choosing Lowe’s as your company of choice while renovating your new (or entering the market) home. These kind of savings can be applied to the necessary big ticket purchases which distress home sellers and buyers so much, like the installation of new kitchen cabinets, countertops, or wall-to-wall carpeting. And there is evidence to support these kind of high budget renovations go far to help your house sell faster and at a more competitive price.

Buyers often opt for a home that needs little or no work and by implementing the Lowe’s discount coupon we help familes to help a family save money. There is no question that to be competitive in a difficult market, home sellers need to make all the necessary repairs, updates, and renovations to make their house desirable to a modern market. Luckily, no one knows how to do that better than your Realtor. But the Lowe’s discount coupons can help you to afford it.

The Lowe’s Program for Realtors, however, is not limited to supplying discount coupons to home buying and selling clients of registered Realtors. For home sellers it also provides “Tips on preparing your home for sale” and for home buyers it allows access to “Tips for moving into your new home.” These invaluable resources are being used more and more frequently by clients of Realtors registered with the Lowes program, as well as by the realtors themselves to offer direct advice to their clients.

And for the Realtors themselves there are even greater incentives to join the Lowe’s program. First of all, home buyers and sellers can only access these advantages and discounts through Realtors, so it makes your position as a real estate agent more indispensable than ever. It also provides the Realtor with an advantage in the current market for finding and retaining clients. Home buyers and sellers want these discounts, need them even. But some of them don’t know about them and the others aren’t able to access them accept through their Realtor. So by actively providing clients with these advantages, registered Realtors gain an upper hand in their own competitive market (not to mention it helps prepare homes to sell faster).

Realtors have the option of presenting the Lowes 10% discount coupon directly to their clients, as well as sending them a personalized letter through the Lowe’s Program while personally branding themselves for the real estate market.

Lowe’s may be implementing a genius ploy to enhance their business with large-ticket items, but they are also providing a mutual service with Realtors and Homebuyers and sellers. By renovating a home through Lowes, home sellers gain the credibility of their renovation through the reliability of Lowes’ name. Home buyers are also given the opportunity to update their own home through a quality service at a significantly cheaper price, and Realtors are able to provide a service to their clients that sets them apart while helping them to sell their clients’ homes faster. Never has a more mutually beneficial program offered such incredible discounts.
http://susanhilton.com/2008/08/16/preparing-your-college-station-home-for-sale/

http://thecenturytreereader.com/2012/05/03/art-abounds-in-bryan-college-station-tx/

http://thecenturytreereader.com/2011/09/30/saving-money-on-home-repairs-in-the-brazos-valley/

PS – Susan Hilton is Bryan College Station, Texas’ real estate specialist in foreclosure sales and real estate agent career building so if you need help – CALL! 979-764-2100

Pebble Creek has much to offer families of any size.  From an 18-hole championship golf course to the swimming pool and tennis courts of the Pebble Creek Country Club, there is something for everyone.

Located in the lively, active city of College Station, residents of Pebble Creek have easy access to the many events and services the city has to offer.  A movie theatre, countless shops and Texas A&M University are all within minutes of the Pebble Creek community.  Every member of the family is bound to find something he or she enjoys.

In addition, Pebble Creek is a wonderful development for children.  Located in the College Station Independent School District, children will attend nationally recognized schools, giving them ample opportunities to grow academically.  After school, there are plenty of places to play.  When planning the development, the Pebble Creek development team held neighborhood activity as a main priority.  Right next to Pebble Creek Elementary School is a ten-acre park.  This park is home to two playgrounds, basketball courts, jogging trails and soccer and baseball fields.  The large park offers endless fun for children while encouraging a healthy lifestyle for the entire family.

Not only does Pebble Creek offer plenty of park and recreational space, it also offers an 18-hole golf course and country club.  For its members, the Pebble Creek Country Club includes a tennis courts, swimming pools, a fully equipped exercise room, men’s and women’s locker rooms, rooms and lounges for formal events and multiple dining options.

More than anything, Pebble Creek values community.  To create this, the development puts on events throughout the year to encourage residents to get involved and interact.  This past Christmas season, Pebble Creek held a Christmas Lighting Contest.  Many residents participated in this fun-spirited competition by decorating their homes with Christmas lights and decorations.  In fact, one of the homes was featured in the Winter 2012 issue of Home In Style magazine.  To view the article, follow this link:  http://issuu.com/bcseagle/docs/hiswinter2012/1

A beautiful, suburban development in a vibrant city with the goal of encouraging a sense of community – what’s not to love? Perhaps Pebble Creek could be the next step for you and your family!

Susan

• Susan Hilton
• CENTURY 21 Beal, Inc.
• 979-764-2100
• College Station Foreclosure Specialist
• Bryan Foreclosure Specialist
• Brazos County Real Estate License Education
• College Station Real Estate Career Builder

The City of College Station has many resources available for you to stay well informed about your community. You might not have heard about a majority of them. So, let me help you get in the know! Among the variety of communication outlets, the city also offers programs that give participants a chance to take a peek behind the curtain of their local government.

Citizens University
Would you like to know how YOUR local government operates, talk to those who build budgets, construct projects, keep your water running and neighborhoods safe? Then you should check out College Station’s Citizen University! This free course begins Jan. 28 and lasts until April 15. Sessions take place each Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at a variety of city facilities. Each class allows the participant to dive deeper into each city department through presentations and hands-on activities. Those interested must be at least 21 years old, a resident of the Brazos County, registered to vote locally and not running for political office during the program. Deadline to apply is Friday, Jan. 11. For complete details and to apply, visit cstx.gov/cu.

Citizens Fire Academy
Want to focus more on how your local fire stations operate or experience what it’s like to be a firefighter? The City of College Station offers a free program for that too, called Citizens Fire Academy. The 11-week program begins Feb. 25 and will be held each Monday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at different College Station fire stations or the Brayton Fire Training Field. In addition, there will be a Saturday session that includes a live fire exercise and an opportunity to become certified in CPR and First Aid. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and live or work in the Brazos Valley. For more information and to apply, go to cstx.gov/cfa.

Citizens Police Academy
Curious about what it’s like to work in law enforcement or want to know how your local police department operates? Then you should look into College Station’s Citizens Police Academy. This 11-week program is also free and offers participants a remarkable inside look at their city’s police department and criminal justice system. Sessions for this class are conducted each spring and fall at the College Station police on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The spring class dates have not been set, yet. But those interested can go ahead and apply at cstx.gov/cpa.

Other Communication Outlets
If the above programs are not for you, no worries! Here are some other ways to stay informed:

For news with some personality, you can bookmark the City of College Station’s blog: cityofcs.wordpress.com. The blog also provides city council meeting previews and live blogging during the meetings. Speaking of city council meetings, did you know that you can watch them live from the comfort of your home? You can tune into Suddenlink Channel 19 OR cstx.gov/cstv19 for live streaming of the meetings, same for Planning and Zoning meetings! The city’s channel also provides information on development projects, special events, job opportunities, advertising slides and many other pertinent issues and notices.

Interested in getting city news straight to your email box? Check out cstx.gov/enotify! This system allows you to subscribe to a variety of topics. Once you subscribe, you will only receive emails about press releases or events under the topics you’ve picked.

Looking for a city event photo or video? The city archives their best photos at flickr.com/photos/collegestation. From here you can view their photos, share and download them at any time. Downloading your favorites is easy! Simply right click on the photo of your choice and select size you want to download.

Other avenues to city knowledge and interaction are by liking them on Facebook and following them Twitter.

Hopefully I’ve shed some light on ways for you to get in touch and involved with your city!

Susan

• Susan Hilton
• CENTURY 21 Beal, Inc.
• 979-764-2100
• College Station Foreclosure Specialist
• Bryan Foreclosure Specialist
• Brazos County Real Estate License Education
• College Station Real Estate Career Builder

Lil’Wranglers and Aggie Wranglers are part of a deep rooted tradition that is rich in history. It is something that families can share, and parents like Sharon can pass down to their children.

This organization enables children and youth to learn, perform and compete across the state. The individuals involved cultivate a love for dance and spread the spirit of Aggieland wherever they go. The program blesses those who participate and those who have the privilege of watching the performances.

Lil’Wranglers could not exist without the support and donations of local businesses and individuals, specifically those listed below.

A-1 Flagpoles & Flags
Adamson Engineering, LLC
America’s Country Store
Brazos Valley Recycling
Bronstad Family
Caldwell Country Chevrolet
Rockdale Country Ford
Caldwell Dental Associates

Century 21 Beal, Inc.

Century 21 Mortgage

Chicken Express
Ellis Custom Homes, LLC
Ellis Family
Ethan and Eli’s Mimi and Papa
Excel Landscaping and Lawn Care, Inc.
Expressions
Fastsigns
Global Catering
Hardwood Design Company
Harris Family
J. Fred Bayliss, P.C.
Michael B. Calliham Jr, D.D.S Family Dentistry
Monograms and More
Myra’s Custom Framing
Party Time Rental
Peak Performance In Motion
Preferred Real Estate Inspection Service
R P Lee Termite and Pest Control
Roy and Cynthia Davis
Specialties Photographers
Spirit of Texas Bank
University Title Company
Watson Orthodontics
Workman Family

Susan

• Susan Hilton
• CENTURY 21 Beal, Inc.
• 979-764-2100
• College Station Foreclosure Specialist
• Bryan Foreclosure Specialist
• Brazos County Real Estate License Education
• College Station Real Estate Career Builder