Huntsville TX Real Estate, Lake Conroe Real Estate with Mari Montgomery

Going Green in a Semi down I-45

So, coming in to my office today, I witnessed one of the many available visual ironies. A semi hauling-

you guessed it-yet another trailr (pups) with the logo "Go Green!" Hmmm. Kind of made me think of several things, besides the obvious irony. For one, the new House Hunters episode last night (I love that show) was about a woman in Oregon looking to live in a kind of Green Commune.

The concept is smaller living areas with the basics and a large main house where communal dinners are shared and fresh organic vegetables from the communal garden are used. Cool concept. The neighbors mingled and talked with one another. There were lots of smiles. People without kids enjoyed other folks kids, older people shared their views and experience with the younger folks. There was much bike riding, smiling, laughing, and well...communicating.

You know what that made me think of? If neighbors actually made the effort to talk with each other in our existing single family homes. Here's the problem. You get kind of fired up about making a difference, make an effort to talk with your neighbor, or at least make eye contact. And, well, you guessed it again. They had a crappy as opposed to happy day. Besides taking the wind out of your sails, you almost get run over and then humbly close the garage door and once again quietly retreat.

What is the Answer? I don't know. Maybe keep trying and stay reasonably happy enough to not be the one spreading hostility. Here's another question. Why does it take a natural disaster like Hurricane Ike to get neighbors to talk to one another and lean on one another?

I wish I had the answers. Alas, I don't. Just green food for thought.

What my husband will and will not allow me to do

By: Mari Zuvich Montgomery

Life is great when you have freedom. Freedom to speak, freedom to act, freedom to try new things. I just went through a drive through to pick up some lunch, and a soldier in service to our great country crossed the parking lot. I instinctively opened my window and shouted, "Thanks for your service to us," to which he responded by turning around to acknowledge, then removed his cap, smiled broadly tipped his head and said, "your welcome, mam."

We live in a truly great country. On a daily basis, it really helps to think about all those freedoms. In our households, however, those freedoms may or may not hold true.

I have a dear friend who lives across the country from me now who was married to a man who took her freedoms away. She was an artist. She loved to paint. She was really good at it. As a matter of fact, she had reached the point where she was being offered good money for her work. It was at that point that her husband began to forbid her to paint. She tried to sneak in some work when her husband would leave the house. He would leave to take care of church business as he was an elder and spent a lot of his time at church.

Needless to say, she couldn't take it anymore as her soul was being ripped from her body being forbidden to do one of the things that she was meant to do. She is now a thriving and happy artist remarried to a wonderful man.

Freedom is a great thing.

Oh, and what my husband doesn't allow me to do....be unhappy. Thanks baby. You're the best.

What I Love About Being a Realtor

A surprise by its very definition is unexpected. And often, the unexpected joys in life are the ones that keep us doing what we do. I have had the pleasure in the past week to help two families with 5 children (yes, each) to find a home they all love. What I didn't expect was to find the joy of connecting with the children that I have missed so much since leaving teaching. I taught voice and choirs for 25 years, and today I had the opportunity to teach a voice lesson beside a picturesque pond on a beautiful property that will welcome a family ready to fill the house with new memories.

You see, when I left teaching, I didn't know how much I would miss my kids. And today as I listened to a lovely young voice belonging to the oldest girl, I was inspired to sing an aria in the woods. I also met a young writer, the second oldest at 13, a very energetic and loving 8 year old, and two rambunctious and well mannered young men. I have a deep respect for the parents of these incredible children.

The young writer shares her take on her family's search for the perfect property. This young lady has talent. Enjoy!

Eight People in the Butler's Pantry

by Sarah Landsman

On the way to the early 20^th century home, a chorus of voices merged to form absolute chaos in our Excursion. That's what happens when 5 children are packed in a car on the way to there new possible home. So I throw in my occasional thoughts along with the babble that sounded like something along the lines of a school cafeteria.

We pull up to the house and there is a silence that just so happens to be extremely rare, believe it or not. White columns line the wraparound porch and windows overlook a quiet pasture where three horses graze, unaware of the mayhem that awaits their quiet home. Doors open and, like a herd of rampant animals, children pour out of the green excursion. A medley of cheery voices ring out and the kids spread around like a handful of ants. They run up and down the front yard and crowd up at the fence, calling, ‘here horsey horsey!!' in an attempt to coax the stallions to their outstretched hands. Eight People in the Butler's Pantry

In a flurry of pebbles and dust, our realtor, Mari Montgomery, pulls up and steps out of her car. I follow her, along with all of my siblings and our parents, to the front door where we file into the house.

Once inside, the chaos resumed as children's voices staked their claims on certain rooms and they dashed back and forth, exploring the new layout. Ten little feet ran to and fro, and the occasional look at this, oh wow!, and come see, come see, spurt forth from all around the spacious house. Eventually, the chaos dimmed and all the children were rounded up for the "real" tour. We walked through the house slowly, looking at the fixtures and old time charm of the house built in 1908.

Everything is going good. I'm counting down until someone among my family causes a large mishap and our wonderful streak is ruined. Then... we reach it. Mrs. Montgomery announces cheerfully, "And this is the ...butler's pantry."

Oh wow. Two seconds earlier the children had their hands folded behind their backs. Two seconds earlier they had been silent, perfect little ladies and gentlemen. But, now. The kids explode! A fusion of Butler!?!, A what?, What's that mommy?, Huh?, and giggles rise from their mouths and all my siblings laugh hysterically at what they think is the biggest joke of the century. The tour continues and the rest of the home and grounds are lovely but, it will be the butler's pantry that is talked about after and the butler's pantry that will be the laughed about for nights on end.

Fun things happen in large families. Funny stuff happens when you go house hunting with your somewhat eccentric realtor.

Memories happen when you have eight people... in the butler's pantry.

Huntsville, TX, "One -Ways" and the way is UP

Huntsville goes to "One Way" and the way is "up." Let's hear it for progress. Huntsville, TX, the location of the fastest growing University in Texas, Sam Houston State University, now has one way service roads. No more night fright seeing headlights coming straight for you exiting off the highway. My husband has been in Safety for 35+ years. It is good to see safer roads come to our town. The look on his face was priceless, and not fright less when we moved and saw the traffic patterns moving on and off Interstate 45.

Huntsville, in its effort of "upward and onward and one-way," is adding a Target and some great restaurants. It looks like the "Houston sprawl" is heading directly our way.

Time to get in ahead of the crowd? Could be. Stable property values are part of the Huntsville economy. As a Realtor®, it is amazing to see stability on the housing market when all we hear about is the "ups and downs, mostly downs" of the housing market elsewhere. Texas, for the most part, has stayed out of the fray of homeowners getting "upside down in their mortgage payments to home value.

Is it a good time to buy? No---it's a GREAT time to buy. If you are renting, think about buying. I will do a rent vs. buy comparison for you, for free, so that you can see in black and white what is in your best interests. Check out my website at www.ETPropertySearch.com, use my "1-CLICK PROPERTY SEARCH" to see what is available, then contact me. I would love to help you to find the right deal for you.

And about Huntsville's new "One-ways," let's continue on the "up-way." Let's grow and prosper as a city so that Huntsville's people grow and prosper with it. Huntsville is a great town, and getting better and better.

Foreclosures and Fish Tacos......What do they have in common......Hmmmmmmm

Okay, maybe too easy, but let's look anyway.

Both available in many different varieties

1. The quality of both are judged on the shell's various levels of permeating moisture
2. The response to offers?? Definitely"Flounder."
3. Both are available in "Crappie."
4. The "Gar" variety has good "bones," but no meat
5. The "Perch" variety depends on elevation
6. Both are easily digested if not the "raw" variety
7. The "Dogfish" variety...not EVEN going to go there

And Lastly...

Both are great if consumed right away...but if they sit around long enough, either starts to ......(You guessed it) STINK

Have others....POST THEM!