Sara Goss, Realtor, Houston Bay Area, Texas

This Thursday October 15, 2009 is the third annual Art Auction entitled, "Small Works by Great Minds." The Arts Alliance Center at Clear Lake, in Nassau Bay, Texas is hosting the event, to raise money for their non-profit arts center.

Purchase a ticket for $10 and you can participate in this dynamic and potentially fast-paced auction event. Entry gets you catered food, fine music and the opportunity to bid in both the silent and live auctions. Over 100 Bay Area artists have signed up to participate, and when I was there on Saturday there were more than 150 works of art in a tremendous range of media and styles. I expect the number of donated pieces to be even higher.

If you want to preview and possibly bid on silent auction items, stop by Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 to 6. Bidding will remain open until Thursday night, during the Auction event. The live auction is Thursday night exclusively.

Artists are donating at least half the final sales price to the center. Tickets can be purchased in advance, call 281-335-7777. Bring your checkbook as you may have the winning bid on a work of art!

For more information about the auction and programs at TAACCL: Small Works Art Auction

SARA GOSS
REALTOR®, ASP
HatmakerGroup.com GMAC Real Estate
Search Area Listings: www.har.com/saragoss

Assisting home buyers and home sellers throughout the greater Galveston/Houston area of Texas.

This week I went bungalow shopping with some clients new to the Galveston, Texas area. Craftsman details, hardwood floors and vintage tile had all of us excited and eager to see the next one. Then, the downpour started.

Average rainfall here is about 48" per year, but it is never distributed evenly. This precipitation seemed more like the 4" per hour kind. . . Cats and dogs, with some chickens and hogs thrown in.

We finished examining the details of the house and decided to make a run for the car. But, aye-eeee! The rain was ice cold so we huddled instead on the generous covered porch waiting for it to stop. It did not stop! It rained and poured and rained some more. So we examined the lot as best we could, watching its drainage in action.

Decided to make another run for the car. The gutters were full, more than ankle deep - oh dear! While stepping through the water it pulled our flip flops right off! Mine were lightweight foam and starting floating down the raging gutter heading for the storm drain. Run girl run! I grabbed them and ran to the car as my clients were doing the same. We were all drenched.

"Good thing we're waterproof", we laughed.

We viewed all of the listings, talked a little about what comes next in the bungalow-buying-boogie, and then parted ways. My clients went back to cruise the streets around their favorites more closely.

I was chuckling on my drive home about different things that have happened when looking at homes with buyers. It is best to go with the flow, in particular when the flow is a heavy, teeth-chattering downpour!

©2009 Sara Goss All rights reserved

SARA GOSS
REALTOR®, ASP
HatmakerGroup.com GMAC Real Estate
Search Area Listings: www.har.com/saragoss

Helping home buyers find the bungalow of their dreams in the greater Galveston/Houston area of Texas.

You give a child a some paper, paint, a few scraps of wood, and voila!

These are a few examples of the artwork that my students made this summer at the Summer Arts Camp.

The Arts Alliance Center at Clear Lake, Nassau Bay, Texas.
Phone: 281.335.7777

I think I have more fun than the kids do!

SARA GOSS, REALTOR®
HatmakerGroup.com GMAC Real Estate
Search Area Listings: www.har.com/saragoss


Helping home buyers find the home of their dreams in the greater Galveston/Houston area of Texas.
I also represent home sellers who are ready to sell their home.

It is fun to help people buy brand new homes.

When buyers contract with a builder from scratch, they get to make the upgrade and color selections themselves at the design center. Choosing
everything from the exterior brick to the faucets can be overwhelming - even exhausting, but the home is put together to your specifications, as allowed by the builder.

Buyers get to see the whole process: the slab and flat work, the "bones" of the house aka framing, the exterior cladding whether brick, siding, stucco or other, and the interior being finished out piece by piece.

New home buyers can also purchase spec homes. The upgrades and color selections have already been chosen by the builder, and sometimes the home is even move-in ready. There is less waiting time for the buyers and often the pricing is great.

Some options are easy to improve or install after move-in: things like light fixtures, ceiling fans, knobs, 2" blinds and of course custom painting. Check pricing and whether these upgrades or options are even offered by a particular builder.

Some upgrades are more difficult to get customized to your needs, such as sprinkler systems. They may be installed per builders sub-contractors thoughts, not your future gardening plans. Confirm before purchase that you can submit in writing your sprinkler system layout plan and then turn it in for written approval right away, so it will be installed per your specifications.

If you build from scratch, there will probably be several buyer meetings during the construction process. You should get a chance to talk with the construction manager as he explains the process to you. Near your closing date, you will develop a punch list. This is a list of items, cosmetic, functional, etc., that you wish the builder to correct before you bring money to the closing table.

A good time to create your punch list is when the home inspector you have hired (Yes! for new construction!) is inspecting the property. Methodically go through the home room by room and take notes on any and all desired corrections. Use all your "senses" to detect any errors. Some items to consider:*

• FLOORING
  Ceramic Tile: grout applied evenly and without gaps, grout color even (be aware that builders may stain the grout instead of using colored grout)
  Carpet: stretched taut or are there rooms that already need to be stretched (not a good sign), bumps or lumps underfoot?
  Wood: smooth, even surface with no damage?
  Baseboard: Level, well-mitered, and no gaps between flooring and baseboard?
  
• KITCHEN
  Cabinets: surface is smooth and free of paint, uneven stain or other damage? A piece of blue painters tape next to the damage signals the need for repair (check with the builder on this)
  Counter: whether granite, corian, laminate or other man-made or natural surface, run your hands along the entire surface, feeling for pits or blobs that indicate a repair is needed. View the surface of the counter at a low angle to see if it is scratched and needs to be buffed or smoothed.
  Appliances: installed well, level and no damage?
  Sink: installed properly, no damage to surface, drain plug and any other accessories included?
  Outlets: are they level, evenly installed, or do they need to be adjusted? GFCI, to code per inspector?
  Can Lights: are bulbs centered in the can? Your inspector can check for insulation that is too close to the fixture in the attic (one-story).
  
• CEILING FAN(s)
  Are they making a clicking noise? Ask for an adjustment so they are centered, level and quiet. All speeds and the light work?
  
• BATHROOMS
  Counters free from damage or scratches? Light fixtures installed appropriately, centered over sinks or counters, level? Towel rack and shower curtain rod level? Cabinets without damage and all knobs in place? Toilets flush properly and faucet water flow is good?
  
• LIGHT SWITCHES and ELECTRICAL OUTLETS
  Many light switches are double or triple in new homes. Is the electrical feature turned on by the switch logical? If not, ask for a correction. Do you want to turn on the fan in the laundry room every time you think you are going to turn on the light?
  Outlets throughout the home may be askew. Mark them with blue tape (or per your builders instructions) so they get adjusted.

There are many other details to check for your Punch List. The inspector will also talk to you about his finindings and give you a report that you can mention as one of the items on your list: correct (specific), or correct (all) items in the inspection report. See if the builder will accept a copy of the inspectors report to work from. Any handwitten list needs to be LEGIBLE.

Go over the punch list with the builders construction manager, who should tell you whether certain items will not be corrected, or not. Make sure you know, well before closing, if they will make cosmetic repairs after closing. It varies. This may be your only chance. Either way your punch list should be as thorough as possible.

Building a new home from the ground up is a rewarding, but sometimes aggravating process because you are not in control of it, experience. True joy comes when you get the keys and head to your new home.

Welcome home!

*Please note that punch list items are only for you to consider, you would be wise to talk with experts in your area, such as your home inspector, and if you get a chance also talk with sub-contractors who install specific items, they do that all day long. Builders may vary their process from above.

SARA GOSS, REALTOR®
HatmakerGroup.com GMAC Real Estate
Search Area Listings: www.har.com/saragoss

Helping home buyers find the home of their dreams in the greater Galveston/Houston area of Texas.
I also represent home sellers when they want to sell their home.

When you purchase a new construction home, as your buyers representative I can assist you during the whole process. (selecting a builder and a home, negotiating price, design center visits, and so on, for as long as it takes . . . .
until you have the keys and I am congratulating you!)

On the island of Galveston, Texas this week you will find Revival and Reflections, events to commemorate Hurricane Ike last September. The people who live on the island and the area as a whole have made great progress in putting their lives and their properties back together.

If you are at a point, like many, where the repairs on your home or property are complete or nearly complete, it is now time to consider your landscape. The saltwater that damaged or destroyed your plants may still remain in your soil. Consider having your soil tested if you have not done this already, to see if any nutrients need to be replenished, and what the level of salinity is.

Soil Testing form. For instructions, fee, drop off or mailing address contact: Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson, Texas. Ph: 281-534-3413, ext. 1, 2.

____________________________________

On SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2009
from 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
there is a FREE presentation to help Residents ReBuild Galveston County!

LANDSCAPE REVIVAL:
what to plant after Hurricane Ike and how to plant it
at:
The Galveston Island Convention Center
at The San Luis Resort
5600 Seawall Blvd, Galveston TX

• Assessing the Damage - Where do we go from here?
• Replacement of Landscape Trees - What we learned from the storm
• Palm Selection - Making the Right Choice
• Overview - The survivors, moving on
• Soil Preparation and Planting - Getting off to a good start

Program is sponsored by: Texas AgriLife Extension Service - Galveston County Office, Galveston County Master Gardeners, Texas Forest Service, City of Galveston, Galveston Island Convention Center

I will see you there!


SARA GOSS, REALTOR®
HatmakerGroup.com GMAC Real Estate
Search Listings: www.har.com/saragoss
Helping home buyers and home sellers in the greater Galveston/Houston area of Texas.

Live well! Use chemical fertilizers and pesticides with care. Enrich your soil with organic soil amendments such as composted plant materials and composted manure.