Mark Wienshienk

For many home buyers this may seem like a waste of time. Many have bought a home, in the past, and many of them found it easy to qualify. For many home buyers, especially first time buyers, it seems to be putting the cart before the horse. Why get approved (and may be spend money) prior to knowing if I can find a home I like.

These are just a couple of reasons a home buyer may think it wiser to look then proceed with the nasty, evasive, home loan process. Mr. and Ms. Buyer I can not come up with a very good reason, that you should not absolutely, first get pre-approved. For those who found the process to be easy and let's face it, in the near past, if a mirror was put to your mouth and your breath could be seen, you were approved. I think sometimes the mortgage originator sometimes inadverntly breathed on the mirror and you were still approved. In today's market that no longer exist (and this is a good thing) and so with stricter requirements and the elimnation of a lot of the exotic loans what you could qualify for you no longer can do. Why waste your time (buyer) plus the real estate agents time looking at homes you can't afford or wouldn't buy under todays market conditions.

For those who don't want to give out information till you have to and want to first find a home then and only then work with a mortgage lender there are problems you may face. First more and more home sellers want a pre-approval letter before considering your offer. They want serious and capable buyers. When I first started in this industry many home sellers didn't request a pre-approval letter and many sellers went weeks to only find out that their home really wasn't sold the buyer couldn't buy. I would as a buyer want to also know that I'm looking at homes that I could actually purchase. There is nothing worse then to find what you think is the perfect home and then be told you can't qualify for that home. From that point on you find it difficult to accept other homes that are in your range but don't match up with the other home. If you had never seen that first home you may have been very excited about the homes you can qualify for.

Save yourself some potential heartache, be pre-educated about what you can realistically afford to do, and find a reputable mortgage lender to help you get pre-approved. Through this added strength of knowledge you can then more effectively find your next home.

I know summer is rapidly coming to an end, and for those who have children, school is about to begin. Still what summer entertainment do you find to be the most fun, best bang for the price, or in reverse what do you think isn't worth doing?

Share your ideas with me and I will then post these summer fun events for all to see. We all know such things as The Kemah Boardwalk, the beach at Galveston, or the museums of Houston. These are all great activities and please include them but I am especially looking for the less known activities that maybe even those who have been around for a long time aren't aware of or just don't think about.

My wife and I are photographers, my wife being a professional, we like to go out and take pictures. After Ike my wife and I went to Galveston and other hard hit areas and took pictures. One picture in particular that I remember is a house that was still standing (on stilts) with the walls ripped off but the dining room table and chairs still there. Now this isn't for everyone but for us we find this fun and didn't cost a lot of money to do.

So send me your ideas and let's help each other end the summer with some great fun and entertainment. Whether on land, water or perhaps in the skies there are so many things to do here in the greater Bay Area of Texas this summer it would be a waste not to go out and participate.

Yesterday I took my wife to dinner, in Kemah, and that brought back memories of when I was a teenager. I lived on the bay (Kipp St.) when the houses were still relatively inexpensive. I used to walk down to the docks and restaurants, either to get seafood, or work at one of the existing food establishments. This was back in the late 60's and early 70's when FM 2094, 518 and others were roads with cow pastures not the endless subdivisions that are there now

The parking lot was different back then, no cement, no parking stripes but instead crushed oyster shells. You never had to pay for parking and you could pull right up to the businesses that were there. I hated the oyster shells they hurt to walk on if you had thin soled shoes and when I drove there I always feared that a particulary sharp shell would puncture my tire. There was never a problem finding a parking spot, there never was a crowd, never a traffic jam.

There weren't the vast number of restaurants, shops and entertainment that exist today. Yes it had some restaurants, no I don't remember any shops (memory could be a little faulty), and entertainment consisted of watching these ships go in and out to the bay. The channel was lined on both sides with shrimp and fishing boats. Many times we use to buy our seafood directly from the fisherman, I miss being able to do that. The area always smelled of fish, instead of cotton candy.

I hate and love what Kemah has become. I love that it is a huge economic stimulus for Kemah, but hate that it is always so overcrowded. I love that you can do so many things, but hate that the quaintness of a small fishing town is gone. I hate to pay for parking (even though most times you don't have to and I personally wouldn't do) but like that the shells aren't there to slice my tires. I hate that traffic sometimes is unbearable but I like that so many people can enjoy a good day or evening of fun.

So today's Kemah is nothing like yesterdays Kemah and for some this is good and for others not so good. I have to say even though I miss the Kemah of yesterday I really enjoy the Kemah of today. Three things that have stayed the same are watching the different boats traveling through the channel, being able to see agreat meal, and seeing some spectacular sunsets.

Meadowgreen has more then one park but at Krueger it boast not only a swimming pool but also tennis courts and a large play area for the children. This centrally located park has something for every member in the family. Don't forget NASAis close by for work or for entertainment, it has many activiities geared for adults and children alike. There are many restaurants catering to any taste and of course there is Clear Lake with all it's water fun. Just want to get a round of golf in then there are several golf courses close by, including Clear Lake Golf Course, South Shore Harbour Country Club, Bay Oaks Country Club and Magnolia Creek
Golf Club.

You want something to do outside of Meadowgreen, well there are many close and inexpensive activities. Going south to Galveston, a 30 minute drive, the beach is always a favorite. Galveston also has Moody Gardens, Schlitterbahn, The Strand, and many museums. Seafood is plentiful but not the only choice you have, there is almost any kind of food type you might want. Houston has so many activities you can find something of interest for what ever might pique your imagination. Closer by Clear Lake has NASA and Clear Lake is just minutes away. The Kemah Boardwalk is a favorite local hot spot that has specialized shopping, restaurants and amusement park.

This is definitely the place to live. Homes available today range from $163,500 to $219,900 with square footage ranging from 1910 to 3346. Let me show you why I live here and why it might just be perfect for your family. Contact me at mwienshienk@kw.com or call 832-692-1391 or go to my website at markw@sellorbuyhomes1.com

Here are listings in Meadogreen: Meadowgreen

Why live in Claremont,I personally live here because I found a home with a great floor plan. I found other homes in different areas that had good floor plans but didn't have the curb appeal of Claremont. The entire subdivision always looks immaculate. The pool is both centrally located, large and well maintained. I bring my grandsons to it all the time and it has never been overflowing with people. I have always been able to find a table or a seat were I can relax out of the pool while they swim. Behind the pool is a huge park area that is a great place to bring your dog or get your children some fun exercise. There is also playground equipment so the little ones can swing, slide or climb to their hearts content. Don't forget NASA is close by for work or for entertainment, it has many activiities geared for adults and children alike. There are many restaurants catering to any taste and of course there is Clear Lake with all it's water fun. Just want to get a round of golf in then there are several golf courses close by, including Clear Lake Golf Course, South Shore Harbour Country Club, Bay Oaks Country Club and Magnolia Creek Golf Club.

Claremont also has community events throughout the year. These include hay rides, Easter egg hunts and community wide garage sales. You can also go online and read informative information in the Association Times magazine style newsletter.

Claremont is in the Clear Creek ISD. Creekside Intermediate and Clear Springs High School are just across the the street within walking distance of Claremont. Ross Elementary is just a couple of miles down 518 and easy to get to. Clear Creek has for many years been one of the highest rated school districts in the area. I went to Clear Creek High School back when it was the only high school, Clear Lake wouldn't start until two years later. Besides the Clear Creek ISD there are both religious and specialized schools.

You want something to do outside Claremont, well there are many close and inexpensive activities. Going south to Galveston, a 30 minute drive, the beach is always a favorite. Galveston also has Moody Gardens, Schlitterbahn, The Strand, and many museums. Seafood is plentiful but not the only choice you have, there is almost any kind of food type you might want. Houston has so many activities you can find something of interest for what ever might pique your imagination. Closer by Clear Lake has NASA and Clear Lake is just minutes away. The Kemah Boardwalk is a favorite local hot spot that has specialized shopping, restaurants and amusement park.

This is definitely the place to live. Homes available today range from $163,500 to $219,900 with square footage ranging from 1910 to 3346. Let me show you why I live here and why it might just be perfect for your family. Contact me at mwienshienk@kw.com or call 832-692-1391 or go to my website www.sellorbuyhomes1.com.