Caryn Craig

If you're thinking of running in Houston, ask anyone and they'll tell you that the #1 place to be is at Memorial Park! Last week I wrote about how beautiful the Allen Parkway/Buffalo Bayou area was, but Memorial almost puts that area to shame-at least, it gives it some really good competition!

The Memorial Loop is a 2.93 mile loop dedicated to nothing but fitness (fabulous!). Exercise stations can be found all along the trail that winds around the Memorial Park Golf Course. If you get hungry after your workout, you can re-hydrate at Beck's Prime Steakhouse. The park is so popular that in the past few months, the Memorial Park Conservancy has begun construction on an entire area dedicated to runners, you can read about that HERE...

But this is supposed to be about real estate, so we'll keep it at that...On Saturday mornings, hundreds of runners meet with my marathon training group, Houston Fit to hit the streets for our early morning "long" run. The "long" run this week consisted of 4 miles, winding through Memorial Park, along Crestwood, Arnot (consequently, this street was named after my husbands uncle) and Schuler Streets in Camp Logan and then onto Rice Military across Westcott and Washington onto Blossom Streets. It was a beautiful morning. I hadn't run that route since last marathon training season. There are a ton of newer townhomes in that area for sal and even more still being built. The Rice Military area in general is great for socializing, night life and restaurants. Washington Ave. is the new "it" place to be and be seen and is home to the city's newest bars and night clubs.

When I first moved to Houston six years ago, I thought, "this place is UGLY." That's not very nice, I know, but it's true. I was used to the Northeast and the picturesque Shenandoah Valley where I went to college...At the time, I didn't appreciate the true beauty that's right here in Houston. In fact, I didn't appreciate it for a very long time! Not until I decided to train for a marathon last year, that's when I was forced to get off my butt and see this city for myself...

In real estate, I think we get so mired with sitting in our cars, that you don't really "see" a neighborhood. Unless we are farming an area, how often do we get out and walk the streets? In the neighborhood that I live in, Riverside Terrace, there are gorgeous, stately old homes that have quite a history. One day, when it was almost dark and I didn't want to drive to go run, I simply stepped outside my front door and hit the streets. These homes are AMAZING! Take a drive down MacGregor and you'll see huge old mansions that are just fabulous. Travel along Parkwood and see a fantastic collaboration of new and old construction. Simply amazing. The new light rail is going to pass directly through this area and I call it's paved path the "breezeway," because, well, it's always breezy there. These neighborhoods are gems! They have an amazing proximity to Downtown Houston, the Texas Medical Center and the Galleria. There is easy access to almost every major freeway in the city, what more can you ask for? Oh, these two neighborhoods are within a stones throw of Texas Southern University and the University of Houston...

If i'm going to sell here, well, I'm going to run here! Join me on my running tour! Get out and see Houston! Take my running tour, you won't be sorry!!!

This is my first ever blog post and I have to say, I'm a little nervous about it...

I've been active in the real estate market for the last four and a half years. I worked for several new home builders in the Houston metropolitan area before obtaining my real estate license in 2007. I sold and closed many homes with the builders and was (and still am) excited to be on my own, out of a corporate structure. Since I've gotten my license, I haven't felt "fulfilled" if that makes any sense. I do the normal showings, searches etc. for my clients, but it wasn't enough. This past week I attended a class to obtain my CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert) Designation. At first, I didn't really know why I was there, to learn about foreclosures and short sales? Heck, "distressed property" to me is Hurricane Ike ravaged homes all over my city, so what was I really doing there? It was quickly evident on the first day of class: I had an epiphany.

The class started with an overview of the rise of foreclosures all over the country. Ok, that was to be expected. The lightning bolt slammed me in the head though, when the instructor started talking about the exact cause of this very serious economic issue. LIAR LOANS. Specifically, the "no-doc" loans with funny little acronyms (NINA, SIVA, SISA) that were ever so popular a few years ago. Do you know how many houses I closed back then with such loans? MANY MANY MANY houses! I was part of this problem!!! OK, yeah, I get it, we all were, but this realization hit me pretty hard. I actually got a little choked up and texted my old new home sales partner the news. He of course already knew, but it was like a light went off in my head (I might be slow on this reaction-I know).

Over the next day and a half, a newfound passion grew inside me. Helping homeowners stave off foreclosure, turn to short sales and turn their lives around. THIS is where I needed to take my business. THIS is how I can be most effective.

It hit me like a rock and so here I introduce myself to you. My name is Caryn Craig and I am married to the love of my life Mark. We live in Houston, TX with our four cats and own a restaurant called Bayou City Bar & Grille and a nightclub called Motion. In my spare time I train for and run marathons and half marathons around the country. I am so excited to venture out on this new branch of my career, I can barely tell you. My passion is renewed and I can't wait to begin!