Mary Bowen, The Woodlands Texas Real Estate & Relocation Specialist

As a Realtor I am often asked about remodeling and updating for resale. Particularly what gets the most bang for the buck.

WITH OUT A DOUBT ITS KITCHEN, MASTER BATH, AND CURB APPEAL!

What makes the biggest impact?

CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN!! Scrub the house from top to bottom. Nobody wants to see someone else dirt.

DE CLUTTER! Get rid of all the junk that you will never use again. This will make your house look bigger.

PAINT! Paint is cheap and you can do it yourself. Bright white on the ceiling makes it feel higher. Warm neutrals on the walls make the house feel cozy and homey.

HAVE THE CARPETS CLEANED AND STRETCHED! Consider replacing them if they are worn.

FRESHEN UP THE YARD! Mow the yard, trim the hedges, weed the garden, mulch the beds, and add seasonal color. Remember, buyers will never see your house if you can't get them out of the car.

POWER WASH! Power washing all the concrete and exterior of the house will give your a fresh look.

For the bathroom incorporate one or more of these upgrade ideas:

• Splash a fresh coat of paint on the walls. An updated coat of paint will give the bath new life and will give the entire room a more current look.
• Accessorize towels and furnishings, use matching colors or shades to create a uniform look.
• Add a fresh bead of caulk to the sink and shower to eliminate signs of mold or mildew.
• Swap the old shower liner for something clean.
• Decorate with scented candles or tart burners. Make sure any ing scent is a pleasant one.
• Scrub, Scrub and scrub!! A polish to the bath will give a warm welcome.
• Add complimentary lighting. Light fixtures with a softer, more natural glow won't wash out a guest's appearance.
• Replace your outdated sink faucet. A new faucet will make your sink sparkle like new.
• Coordinate hardware. Use the same material finish for towel and paper holders, tissue cases and robe hooks.

For the kitchen many of the same idea will work as well as:

• Upgrading the counter tops. In my opinion granite sells.
• Change out the cabinet door nobs.
• Upgrade the lighting and under cabinet lighting.
• Replace worn flooring for a new updated tile.

WHERE'S THE PROOF? A RECENT CLIENT OF MY SPENT $15K TO UPGRADE A HOUSE BUILT IN THE 1980'S. THE MADE A 400% RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT WITHIN 2 MONTHS. TRY THAT IN THE STOCK MARKET!

THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CLASS OF 2012

LOCATED ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE COLLEGE PARK HIGH SCHOOL IN THE WOODLANDS, THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IS DESIGNED FOR STUDENTS WITH STRONG ABILITY AND DESIRE IN THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DISCIPLINES. EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS WISHING TO APPLY MUST BE RESIDE IN THE FEEDER ZONES OF COLLEGE PARK HIGH SCHOOL, THE WOODLANDS HIGH SCHOOL, OR OAKRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS BEGINS IN SEPTEMBER OF EACH YEAR. STUDENTS MUST BE IN THE EIGHT GRADE TO APPLY.

WANT TO APPLY?

• THE APPLICATION PROCESS BEGINS WITH THE STUDENTS REGISTERING AND TAKING THE ENTRANCE EXAM WHICH IS MUCH LIKE THE ACT.
• THEN THE STUDENT COMPLETES THE APPLICATION FILE WHICH INCLUDES
  • 5 LETTERS FROM PAST AND CURRENT MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS
  • LETTER FROM PARENTS STATING WHY THE ACADEMY
  • LETTER FROM STUDENT STATING WHY THE ACADEMY
  • OPTIONAL LETTERS FROM ADULT LEADERS SUCH AS BOY/GIRL SCOUT LEADERS
• AFTER THE APPLICATIONS ARE COMPLETE YOU WAIT FOR THE INTERVIEW LETTERS. ONLY 150 STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE AN INVITATION TO BE INTERVIEWED. (PARENTS NOT ALLOWED)
• ONCE THE INTERVIEWS ARE COMPLETE A SECOND ROUND OF LETTERS ARE SENT OUT.
  • 75 STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED TO THE ACADEMY
  • 10 STUDENTS WILL ACCEPTED AS ALTERNATES, IF SPACE ALLOWS
  • 65 STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE CONGRATULATIONS LETTERS!

AS THE PARENT OF AN ACADEMY STUDENT, I CAN TELL YOU THE APPLICATION PROCESS IS LONG AND STRESSFUL, BUT THE REWARDS ARE GREAT.

SOME STUDENTS HAVE EVEN BEEN KNOWN TO LEAVE LOCAL PRESTIGEOUS PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO ATTEND THE ACADEMY. MOST ACADEMY STUDENTS GRADUATE WITH THE TEXAS DISTINGUISHED HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AND HAVE THEIR CHOSE OF SCHOOLS. MANY RECEIVE ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS.

Relocating to The Woodlands or need more information about The Academy, contact me Mary Bowen, Coldwell Banker United, Realtor. 281.732.5937

Teddy Bear Park

(how cute is that)

Nestled in the mature trees of Oakridge North is a quaint little park that is reminiscent of a more simple time.

The Victorian park lights and wooden park benches offer a place for the young and old to reconnect with each other or with themselves.

The large play structure offers more than enough variety to entertain the young or young at heart for hours giving parents a little reprieve.

The park is completely surrounded by wrought iron fences giving parents a sense of safety. No worries about balls being chased into oncoming traffic.

The Woodlands is home to one of only two Waldorf Schools in Texas. The Harvest housed in a small building nestled behind the trees in Cochran's Crossing Village quietly teaches children to learn in a unique way. Here the children learn through play, imitation, imagination, art, and music.

The Harvest School provides developmentally appropriate curriculum and small class sizes for ages Pre-K through Sixth Grade, immersed in creative and practical application of the arts, music, movement, and foreign language. The arts are integrated with Mathematics, History, Language, and Science, providing a rich learning experience for students."

CHILDREN'S ORGANIC VEGETABLE GARDEN

How is The Harvest Different?

At The Harvest, especially with the younger children, focuses on teacher children to learn and the love of learning. When you walk into the building you immediately know that this is no ordinary school. It feels warm, cozy, and safe. Both parent and child would immediately feel comfortable in this school.

For more information about The Harvest go to their web site at www.woodlandswaldorf.org.

Moving to The Woodlands? Let Mary Bowen, Coldwell Banker United Realtor, find the perfect home for your family. Direct 281.732.5937

This picture of Kenneth Bowen was originally taken for publication in the local newspaper because Kenneth had decided he didn't need any more "stuff" from his friends on his 13th birthday. Instead he wanted to provide stuff to the animals at the local shelter. Kenneth decided they needed the "stuff" more than he did.

Surprisingly, this is not an unusual occurrence in The Woodlands area. Families in this area are accustom to helping others in their time of need. Just go by any of the schools or churches when a food drive is in progress and you will see The Woodlands is a caring community.

Families in The Woodlands are heavily involved in the schools, churches, boy scouts, girl scouts, non-profits, all with goal of making a better community for everyone. Students become involved with caring and sharing at a very young age, learning the value of giving instead of receiving.

Kudo's Kenneth, my hat is off to you!