Archive for August, 2010

Best City to Raise a Family? College Station, Texas!

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

Great news for current and potential residents of the Brazos Valley: College Station has been named by Kiplinger as one of the top 10 places in the nation to raise a family! For those of us who already live here, the only component missing from this analysis is the friendliness of the people of College Station! The Spirit of Aggieland is alive and well here, making this wonderful little city much more than an average hometown. It’s a special place that we couldn’t be happier to call “home.”

City population: 83,200
Metro population: 203,557
Mean family income: $84,306
Median home value: $165,300
Employment growth: 4.7%
City school rating: 8
Violent crimes per 100,000 residents: 299

Great public schools and low crime aren’t the only draws of this small Texas city. College Station has also seen steady wage growth and a low unemployment rate of 6.9%. Plus, there are plenty of cultural and athletic events at Texas A&M University, an interactive children’s museum, dozens of parks, and playgrounds on the shores of nearby Lake Bryan.

PROS: A top-ranked public school system, affordable housing and utilities, safe neighborhoods, solid wage and employment growth, it’s about a two-hour drive from Houston, Dallas, or Austin.

CONS: Unvaryingly hot climate, limited local employment opportunities outside of Texas A&M.

Here is the recap of Kiplinger’s analysis.

Posted in Blogpost, College Station, News | 3 Comments »

Experience Matters

Sunday, August 29th, 2010

What role does experience play in the success of a Realtor? A lot. Experience is one of the most prominent indicators of a Realtor’s ability to successfully guide clients through effective home sales and purchases…along with every possible situation and circumstance that can, and often does, arise along the way. Even after decades in the business, we encounter new challenges and situations in the office on a daily basis. Our long and successful track record in the Brazos Valley allow us to address and solve these issues quickly and thoroughly on behalf of our clients.

When it comes to selling a home, a skilled and experienced Realtor will help you get everything right from the very start. In our local market right now, we have a saturated market- more homes on the market than there are buyers. This surplus of homes makes it challenging, and sometimes scary, for sellers who need to sell their home. How do you make your home stand out among the competition? A Realtor whose staging abilities, marketing capabilities, and critical knowledge of the current market will assist you in pricing your home right where it needs to be. Of course, you want your home to sell for as much as it can. So does your Realtor. But with a heavy buyers market, sellers need to get their pricing right and get their home in tip top shape before putting it on the market. Who can get you there? An experienced and accomplished Realtor like Margie Stibora.

If you’ve meet and worked with Margie Stibora and her team in the past, you know the high standard and level of service you receive as a client. If you are considering interviewing or choosing a Realtor to get your home sold or to help you buy a new one, get to know Margie Stibora today. She’d love to meet with you and allow you to objectively determine if Margie Stibora & the Key Team is the right fit for you as you decide which real estate expert to put in your corner.

Remember, experience matters now more than ever. We’re here to help YOU!

Posted in Blogpost, Bryan College Station Real Estate, Housing Market, Margie Stibora & the Key Team | 1 Comment »

Building a Home? Questions to Ask Potential Builders

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

When choosing a home, some people decide to build a custom home instead of buying a pre-existing one. The decision to build is an exciting one, but it also requires careful consideration as you select the ideal builder to construct your home. Many factors go into this decision- initial cost, quality of materials, longevity of the construction and longevity of the components of the home are all important aspects that will affect the maintenance costs of your home as well as its long-term resale value.

If you have decided to build a home, or if you are considering it for your future, here are some excellent questions to contemplate and discuss with potential builders.

  • Be aware that a low price per square foot can be deceiving. When discussing price per square foot with a builder, ask that builder to show you a sample home built with that same price per square foot with no upgrades. A builder may give you a lower price per square foot for a home that does not contain the components that you may assume or expect to be in the basic price. What is “Standard” varies significantly from builder to builder.
  • After viewing and understanding what a basic home entails for a specific builder, assemble a list of what extra features/add-ons you want and give that to the builder before getting a price estimate. (i.e. additional cabinets, built-ins, tankless water heater, etc.) This will allow you to get the most upfront and accurate estimate before making a decision.
  • Find out if your builder will be on site. When the homebuilder is frequently on the site supervising the work in person, you know that an expert is there to make the decisions that correctly and thoroughly address any issues that arise. Some builders even do a good bit of the work themselves.
  • If possible, choose a local builder. Out of town builders who have come to the area from larger areas with lagging housing markets may not intend to stay. When a builder is local, their reputation precedes them and they are able to stand behind their homes and address any problems or issues that may arise after the home is built.
  • Always look at your allowances (flooring, lighting, exterior, etc.) Builders may ive you a lower price per square foot by lowering the allowances you have to finish out your home with the specific fixtures, finishes and materials that you want. If those allowances are lowered to gain your business, you may end up paying more at the end to install the flooring, lighting, etc. that you desire.

Get to know 2 of the premiere home builders in the area: Hance Eskelsen (E6 Homes) and Jason Marek (JMV Custom Homes)

Posted in Blogpost, Bryan College Station Real Estate, New Builder Homes | 3 Comments »

JMV Custom Homes: Builder Spotlight

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

When it comes to building a custom home, choosing the right builder makes a huge difference in the longevity and quality of your investment. Jason Marek, owner of JMV Custom Homes, is a local builder whose unique, hands on approach towards workmanship and quality materials make him stand out as one of the best homebuilders in the Brazos Valley.

Jason Marek has been in the home building business since his early teens. As a young man in Illinois, Jason developed his innate talent for design and construction by working alongside professionals in design, foundations, framing, roofing, drywall, insulation, trim and landscaping. Mr. Marek then completed the rigorous Building Trades Program at Capitol Area Vocational School, which allowed him to truly master all of the comprehensive aspects of contracting, which includes budgeting, design, materials management, construction, project management, and site management.

With true passion for building and a desire to offer an innovative approach toward homebuilding, Jason and his wife Vanessa established JMV Custom Homes in Bryan-College Station to offer local residents a superior option when it comes to custom built homes. From informational consultations, to assisting with selecting a lot to developing a unique and original floorplan, Marek is readily available and completely focused on his clients from square one. That same involvement and commitment to service remains consistent throughout the construction of his homes and even after their closings.

“The quality of my homes is something that is personal to me- I am consistently present at each of my worksites, overseeing my subcontractors and doing much of the work myself.” Ensuring that every aspect of the home is done with the utmost quality is something that is imperative for Marek. “It isn’t simply about getting the home done. It’s about getting every element exactly right. As a hands-on builder, I provide the supervision and expertise to correct every potential issue that arises during construction.” That pride and quality is not only evident in Jason’s finished homes, but also in the endorsements of his clients. “Jason stands behind his homes long after construction. His investment of unparalleled workmanship and materials is something that he stands behind, which says a lot about his integrity, his business and his product.”

Here is a look at some of the standard features that come with a JMV Custom Home:

  • Fiber Reinforcement in all slabs to create a stronger foundation (only standard with a handful of local builders)
  • All brick and stone exteriors- no siding
  • 3 cm granite countertops throughout the home
  • Extensive crown and base moulding throughout the home
  • Hardiboard facias and soffits (concrete based, which does not disintegrate like wood based products)
  • Large back porches (at least 10 feet deep)
  • Complete staining of all cabinets throughout the home
  • 9 ft ceilings in bedrooms
  • 10 ft ceilings in common areas
  • Ornate tray ceilings
  • Hand scraped wood floors
  • Picture frame mirrors
  • Pull out trashcan drawer in kitchens
  • Full extension ball bearing drawer glides
  • Venting of microwaves through the wall
  • Full Sprinkler Systems
  • Fencing
  • Fully sodded yards

“I believe in building homes that not only look beautiful, but retain their value and quality over the years. I choose the best materials- even in places that don’t remain visible- to ensure that your home is built with quality components that stand the test of time. While many builders choose cheaper materials to reduce their price per square foot, I am upfront and candid with buyers about using building materials that are in the best interest of their investment.” That philosophy is one that sensible buyers relate to. The purchase of a home is a huge investment. And an outstanding builder will ensure that their new home investment stands the test of time.

Here is a look at some of JMV’s Custom Homes that are currently on the market: 2903 Ascot (Austin’s Colony, Bryan TX), 2917 Ambrose (Austin’s Colony, Bryan TX)

Posted in Blogpost, Bryan College Station Real Estate | 4 Comments »

E6 Homes: Builder Spotlight

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Looking to build your dream home? Choosing an outstanding builder who can turn every detail of your dreams into reality is the biggest decision you’ll make when it comes to creating your unique home. Get to know one of our featured builders, E6 Homes. Experienced at building high quality, elegant homes, Hance Eskelsen is truly one of the best builders in town.

E6 Homes is a limited liability company owned by Hance and Suzanne Eskelsen.  The Eskelsens have been homeowners in the Brazos Valley for close to 20 years.  During that time, they watched many Bryan and College Station neighborhoods develop and grow.

Hance and Suzanne would tour new homes as often as they could, and discuss layout, design, architectural and mechanical features.  Like many Americans, they dreamed of one day designing their own home.  The Lord blessed them with that opportunity shortly after Hance earned his business degree from Texas A&M University.  During the building process, they found that they really enjoyed the work involved.  They forged new friendships with their builder and many of the subcontractors involved.

Hance then moved on to a few other small construction projects, where he not only did the design, but moved forward into the building process as well.  This whet his appetite to build homes on a full-time basis, and E6 Homes was born.  Today, Hance and Suzanne design and build homes that they would be honored to live in themselves.

The Eskelsens love to see the designs, construction documents and computer-generated renderings ‘come to life’.  “To take an idea, mold and shape it, plan every detail, and see how close I can match that in execution, both in terms of design and cost, is very satisfying.  I’m incredibly blessed, I get to do what I love for a living.” says Hance.  Suzanne adds, “We attempt to put uniqueness and originality into the design of our homes that reflect the distinct differences of the families moving into them.  Quality and craftsmanship are most important to us.”

Prior to building homes, Suzanne was a busy stay-at-home mom to the couple’s four children.  She knows the needs and necessities of running a hectic household.  Her background gives her the ability to think like a potential client.  She is involved in various social activities which gives her the opportunity to interact with many people of varying life experiences.  She brings extensive real world knowledge and expectations to the designs.

Hance’s background includes working as an IT manager for a major healthcare organization, a position he enjoyed for 18 years.  He also moonlighted by providing IT services to a mid-sized architecture firm.  This gave him excellent experience in project management and organizational skills, as well as the ability to resolve highly technical issues with ease.

Here’s a look at some of E6′s homes that are currently on the market: 4900 Williams Ridge (Williams Creek Subdivision, College Station, TX) and 3601 Park Oak Dr (Tiffany Park Subdivision, Bryan, TX)

Posted in Blogpost | 4 Comments »

Summer Home Tips

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

Wondering what you should be doing to maintain your home and ensure the safety of the people within it? Each season gives opportunities to complete different tasks that can prolong the life and safety of the materials, amenities and appliances within your home as well as maintain the overall condition and value of your biggest investment. Here’s a few suggestions for the summer:

Check all recreational equipment and review outdoor safety tips

Check your wood deck or concrete patio for possible deterioration

Make sure there are working nightlights at the top and bottom of all stairs

Check exterior siding

Check all window and door locks for proper operation

Have your roof inspected for potential leaks once every few years

Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

Check your home for water leaks

Check the water hoses on the clothes washer, refrigerator icemaker and dishwasher for cracks and bubbles

Check your water heater

Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper and space under the dryer

Socialize your dog to help reduce potential dog bites

And For Your Pool…

Pool equipment should be checked frequently.

On your diving board, make sure bolts are tightened, the base is secured to the concrete, and surfaces are slip-resistant.

Make sure there is secure fencing around any pool to keep children and unauthorized individuals from the pool area. All gates should be self-closing and lockable.

Make sure there is rescue equipment around the pool.

Depth markings should be completely visible to all swimmers.

Secure all grates and drains so they cannot be removed without the use of tools. Instruct all swimmers on the dangers of entrapment and drowning that can occur when fingers, toes or the body come too close to these items.


Posted in Blogpost, Bryan College Station Real Estate, News | 1 Comment »