Galveston Texas and it's beautiful bay side
Galveston Island not only has a sandy beach with gorgeous beach homes, but also a bay side which features our homes on many coves and communities on canals.
Fishing and Boat enthusiasts
love our bay side and take enjoyment in their homes with boat launches and canal front views.
Many of Galveston's Bay communities, such as: Jamaica Beach, Sea Isle, Terramar, Isla Del Sol, Bay Harbor, Pirates Cove, Indian Beach, Sunset Cove and others...feature everything from a small cabin on the water to go fishing on the weekends...to large luxurious mansions featuring million dollar prices.
Galveston Island is 32 miles long and approximately 4 1/2 miles wide at it's widest point, and in many places on our far west end, you can see both the beach and bay from any vantage point. A resident can jump out of a fishing boat they just pulled into their boat house on the canal and walk over to the sandy beach for a swim.
Our Beautiful Bay side
Galveston allows for many to enjoy the tranquil fishing, boating, wildlife and serenity of an almost lake-like experience.
As I enjoy taking photographs, I often hope I can convey the beauty and versitility that Galveston Island has to offer.
I'm one of those Realtors that will go out to the beach, walk over dunes and get way out in the sand to take a photo of a property.
I'm also one of those Realtors that will take other Realtors photos and fix them so they look nice, sometimes I even send them back to the Realtor so they can fix it in the MLS.
I'm also a Realtor that will go ahead and waste my time occasionally. I will waste my time and money helping someone or explaining something about Galveston Island when I know I probably won't get a sale, I just do it anyway.
I might not make as much money as possible, I'm sure I could be hard-nosed and make more...but it's not about that.
At the end of the day, if you enjoyed sharing your thoughts and helping someone understand things; If you went the extra mile out of kindness and love for the work you do...for no other reason that just to be the one person that can help someone at that split second, then it's worth it.
A lot of times in my line of work I will run across unethical people, I think we all do in any work. I guess my thoughts on this, is..just go the extra mile. Do what needs to be done. Go ahead and be there for that extra question, that time-wasting showing of property every once in a while. Think about more than the bottom line occasionally. Share your joy for all that you know about what you do for a living when you get the chance.
Like I said, I've had sand in my shoes more times than I can count simply because I want people to see a good photo of a property in all it's glory.
It's the little things, and it's the extra mile.
This is a photo of Seascape and the new Diamond Beach
Galveston Texas and Wood Pilings on Beach Homes
I thought I'd share this story today about what I'm going through on this particular closings on a Beach Home in Galveston.
This is a VA loan.
In Texas a termite inspector is required to state that it is "conducive" to termites anytime wood is touching soil. If you have a beach home, wood pilings touch soil.
Here in Galveston, only treated wood is used on wood pilings. The exact "treatment" is CCA which contains chromium aresenic. The aresenic kills termites and the percentage of CCA to wood is .60 percent. On average, a treated wood piling will last 40 years+ without any maintenance.
Although it is standard in Galveston to meet code, standard in Texas to meet code, my job is to prove this particular home has treated pilings...so today I'll be at the City Planning Dept. getting the permit pulled on this home to hopefully prove it.
Most inspectors I talk to say that in 15 years or more they have never heard of this happening, it's like having to prove the sky is blue.
The human side to this story is that I have a young military couple buying a home with a VA loan that are stationed at Ft. Hood before moving to Galveston and I am trying to make sure they get their home but the other side has a cash back up offer waiting in the wings.
Sometimes a little common sense is needed, this would be one of those times.
I guess if anyone ever needs to know anything about wood pilings, just let me know.
I can help you out.
Galveston Texas Lone Star Bike Rally
This weekend Galveston is hosting the "Lone Star Bike Rally" again...a traditional annual event hosting upwards of 250,000.00 bikers that travel to Galveston to enjoy tons of music events, historic strand entertainment, biker events and other attractions.
There will be continuos live music on two huge stages, hundreds of vendors, demo fleets, biker attractions and more. Rick Fairless and see his unique motorcycle creations!
Moody Gardens will host Superstar concerts featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd, Edgar Winter, Leon Russell, Pat Green and James Otto.
Last year, despite hurricane Ike, the bikers came in December...to support our island, and it truly was a sight. I won't forget watching the dozens and dozens of bikers come over the causeway to Galveston, to give us support despite all the hard times we were going through to rebuild.
Everything is back and better than ever! Real estate, our beaches, our tourism and now that we are into "low season" we still have an island packed with fall events.
Now, this year, they are back for the biggest weekend yet. We enjoy having them, and although traveling on the main thoroughfare's will be rough this weekend..it will be a great time for all! :)
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Historic Galveston Photos from the 1920's-1950's
Murdochs Pier of Days Past
Historic Flagship Today, and new site of Planned Amusement Park and Hotel complex
The planned development of the Historic Flagship Hotel and pier will be a welcome attraction to those of us that live and work on the island, as well as tourists. We are all looking forward to the extra attraction and enjoyable new facility to be built where the Flagship stands. Since Hurricane Ike, the Flagship has stood damaged, and it will be a much welcomed remodel to see it new and full of tourists.
With each new development in Galveston; whether it be amusement or residential or retail, we all benefit from more ways to live and enjoy the island. Real estate in Galveston is booming, and with each new resort property owner, or full-time resident, we will continue to bring what people want to our island.
Galveston has not only "come back" from yet another devastaing Hurricane, but has exceeded anyone's expectaions.
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"I live and work exclusively on Galveston Island and take pride in providing expert knowledge and personalized service to my clients" www.LornaPresswood.com
As a Realtor and resident of Galveston Island, I am fortunate to live and work on an
island paradise that I love. I take pride in our real estate market in Galveston, as well
as in Galveston Island itself. There is a unique way of life in Galveston, as well as a
unique real estate market. Whether your paradise is a second-home, an investment
property or your new primary residence...Galveston has it all.
As one of the most knowledgeable Realtors on the island, the
only acceptable result is to have extremely satisfied clients that are pleased with a
very high level of service.
I am a member of the National Board of Realtors, the Galveston Board of Realtors
and the Houston Board of Realtors, as well as the Houston MLS. I have also served
on the Galveston Recovery Committee and appointed to the Housing sub-committee.
I am well versed on the vacation rental industry here, and have the ability to advise
you on the investment potential of possible purchase properties, as well as what an
important part of our economy here in Galveston the investment market is.
Equipped with top negotiation skills, always striving to finding the best properties for my clients, and
being available by phone and email for quick questions or advice are my top priorities.
Feel free to contact me anytime with questions, your property search ideas, or anything else I
might be able to help with regarding Galveston Island.
Residential, resort, investment properties, commercial and second-home real estate. I am experienced and familiar with short-sales, foreclosure sales, historic properties and neighborhoods, beach homes and elevation lines, vacation rental as income and investment property, condo and home "H.O.A." fee's and restrictions across the island, as well as many other aspects of Galveston Island real estate.
* "We had a condo listed with another Realtor for a year and then Hurricane Ike arrived
and inflicted serious damage to the complex. Lorna was able to see the potential for
hence creating a "win-win" situation. Lorna persistently navigated through the challenges
of financing for the buyer and we were able to close with no issues. We highly recommend
Lorna to anyone."
Ron & Midge Culp
* "We wanted certain characteristics, but weren't sure how to find them, since we don't live in
the area. Lorna Presswood worked with us long distance, and when we arrived on the
island, showed us only units she thought we would like. She is knowledgeable, courteous,
and helpful while never becoming pushy. Even when it looked like we might need to wait
to find the unit we wanted, she never pressured us but continued to search until she found
the perfect beach escape. After a marvelous summer on the shore, we are thrilled with
our purchase and our decision to select her as our Realtor."
Peggy and Richard D.
* "Lorna is a team player and helps everyone involved with listing, buying, selling and
mortgaging a home. Her number one goal is her client and to help her perfect home and
assisting them in getting it financed. I can speak from a mortgage broker stand point, that
Lorna is highly professional Realtor and goes out of her way to get her clients into the right
home with the right financing. Every time we close on a home I am indebted to her for all
she does."
Larry Tew, Sr. Loan Officer
Commonwealth Mortgage of Texas
256 N Sam Houston Pkwy East
Houston, TX 77060
281-408-0031
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