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Susan Hilton Texas Aggie Real Estate College Station Bryan Texas Real Estate

Have you ever seen Weiner Dogs Run?

Saturday the Weiner Dogs Ran! At Veterans Memorial Park in College Station Texas, the Brazos Valley Animal Shelter hosted the second annual Weiner Fest. This event included costume contests, weiner dog races, a silent auction, vendors, food and entertainment. What a fabulous event! Weiner Fest - Brazos Valley Animal Shelter - College Station, Texas

Sprinkler System Required in a New Texas House? WHAT????

I wrote a post on an outside blog - Susan Hilton - Bryan College Station Real Estate about the new regulation of sprinklers being mandated in all new homes in Texas starting January 1, 2011. Who would have ever though it would cause such an uproar! The comments I received implied I was stupid for not wanting MORE regulation.

I am not in favor of more government regulation which always equals more expense. I know that sprinklers in homes COULD save property and lives. I know that mandating Carbon Monoxide detectors in homes and garages COULD save lives. Breathalizers in all cars before they would start COULD save lives... There are MANY things that COULD save lives.

We are NOT willing to pay the cost nor are we willing to have more regulation - Sprinklers being mandated in all new homes in Texas is another government regulation that should not happen.

See original post below -

What do YOU think?....... How much more regulation are you willing to pay for?

Susan

DId you know that we have a new International Residential Code (minimum standard for the building code followed in Texas) is going to require fire sprinklers in single and two family homes and townhomes for homes built after January 1, 2011?

When I first read this I thought they were referring to the sprinkler systems in the yard - NO WAY! This is talking about the INTERIOR of homes!

What did the National Association of Homebuilders (NAH) think? They were not in favor of the mandate. NAH said the additional cost and maintenance was not justified. Habitat for Humanity agreed! It is too costly!

The National Fire Protection Association sponsored a study and reported this will increase costs from $.38 to $3.66 per square foot - averaging out at $1.61 per square foot increase. There may be some insurance discounts but not enough to cover the expense -

About the only good thing is that it is not retroactive!

Susan Hilton

Susan Hilton - Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal

Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!

View Susan Hilton's LinkedIn profileView Susan Hilton's profile

I Finally Decided and I Cast My Vote For...

Surely you didn't think I'd tell who I voted for did you? Sure many of you think you know who I voted for but no one was in the little booth (which really isn't a booth at all anymore but more like a little stand with a little canopy) with me.

You may see the sign in my yard showing support for one candidate. You may hear me talk about who I like or who I don't. You may hear who I think will lower taxes, protect our country, make sure my children have a country worth having but you'll never know for sure who I voted for BUT what really matters is whether YOU choose to vote. Will you take the time to exercise your right to vote? (Why do we say exerciese? Why don't we say "take the time to ENJOY your right to vote?"

Just in case you don't know when and were to early vote, take a few minutes and FIND OUT! It will only affect you for the rest of your life, and your children's lives and your grandchildren.....

For more information on where to vote early in Bryan, College Staiton - Brazos County

Time to Inspect Your Property - How Do You Prepare?

So you've sold your house and now the buyers are going to do inspections. Should you worry? Do you need to do anything to get ready?
YES YES YES!

When you and a buyer come to an agreement on price and terms you want to make sure nothing goes wrong. Below are a few ideas to help make the inspection process go as smoothly as possible.

  1. Pets - Make sure all animals are off property for the inspection. No inspector wants to dodge the dog or let the cat out or find the snake in the kid's bedroom.

  2. Turn on the utilities! Make sure everything is on especially if you don't live in the property. Check the electricity, gas and water.

  3. Make sure all the pilot lights are lit - water and air!

  4. Light bulbs? Make sure all are working great. You don't want the inspector to write up that you need an electrician when all you need is a light bulb.

  5. Check the a/c filters & vents. Replace the a/c filter. Clean the vents. You want no dirt or dust anywhere.

  6. Trim the bushes and trees away from the house. Make sure the inspector can easily get to all sides of the house. Also make sure the dirt is not too high around the slab. Pull the dirt away from the slab and the weep holes. Tree limbs should not touch the roof either.

  7. Smoke detectors - replace the batteries!

  8. Is anything missing? Are all the knobs on the stove and cabinets? Are the latches on the windows working? Where are the window screens? Any broken glass? Have the windows lost their seal? Fix the problems BEFORE the inspector arrives!

  9. UNLOCK! Make sure the insepctor can get to every room, garage, outbuilding, breaker box, fenced area, attic, crawl space and if you live in certain areas... basement.

  10. Clean and straighten. A home that looks clean and straight will inspect much better than a dirty, cluttered home.

Yes, it takes a little effort to get everything ready before the inspector but it is MUCH cheaper in the long run!

Susan Hilton

Susan Hilton - Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal

Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!

View Susan Hilton's LinkedIn profileView Susan Hilton's profile

I'm the Luckiest Mom in the World!

Tonight I was asked to drive my daughter and her friends for Homecoming. No, they didn't have dates and Yes I said YES!!!

Rather than just drive... I dressed in all black, got a top hat and treated them like stars. I opened the doors for them, took pictures like paparazzi, served them non alcoholic sparling grape juice in plastic flutes and let them laugh and laugh and laugh.

I was so honored my daughter wanted me to be with her and her friends. I even overheard one of the girls saying how her mom would never do something like this - and then they asked if I would drive again for Prom even if they had dates....

It was GREAT helping making a high school memory one they will remember together! THEY are special & should be treated that way.

... and, the beautiful girl in black second from the left is MINE!

Susan Hilton