Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate

When you are taking a cruise around Spring, Tx and you see this breathtaking entrance, you know that you have found The Falls at Imperial Oaks. Keep on driving around until you reach the Lake Club!  You will see the 43 Acre Playground, Jr. Olympic Size Pool and Splashpad covered sitting area for when the kids are splashing or maybe even use the outdoor cooking area for a Barbeque.

Currently building in the Community are David Weekley and Lennar from the 180's to the 300's with a large variety of floorplans including those with 2 Master Bedrooms for a Mother In Law Suite. 

So, where is it located?  Just a couple miles from I-45 North AND a couple miles to Hardy Toll Road for a straight shot to Downtown Houston.  Either way, easy access to major freeways.

In the front of the community off of Rayford Rd. you will find a couple of Pre Schools and Day Cares, a large shopping strip anchored with a Signature Kroger for close grocery shopping.  Just a hop around the corner (about 12 minutes) you will be in The Woodlands at the Mall or Market Street.  Maybe even taking a boat ride about The Waterway.

While it may not look like a large Community as you drive in, when finished it will be a complete 686 Acre Master Planned Community with more than 1,600 Homesites.  Here is a list of what to expect in The Falls at Imperial Oaks:

Schools:

• Elementary - Currently in Broadway Elementary in Spring Trails but opening in August 2009 is a new one just South of The Lake Club and walk/bike distance from every home in the Community right now.
• Intermediate - Tom Cox Intermediate School Grades 5-6
  
• Junior - York Junior High School Grades 7-8
  
• Senior - Oak Ridge High School Grades 9-12

Tax Rate:

• Combined Tax Rate at $3.346

HOA Fees: 

• $624 per year that includes all of the amenities

Amenities:

• Walking and Bike Paths
• 2 Pools
• Splash Pad
• Meeting Rooms
• Fitness Center
• Playground
• Tennis Courts
• Sand Volleyball Court
• Dog Park
• Picnic area

If you would like a Package on the Local Area along with Floorplans and pricing for the builders just send me an email.  Steph@TurningHoustonGreen.com

To find homes that are actively on the market just use the 'search for homes' on the right and search Imperial Oaks.

Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency. It is all we have heard for about a year and is one of the Hottest topics in the 2009 State of Texas Legislative Session. However, in Houston we may NOT want to wait to see what happens this year - We should probably consider making the changes NOW!

Part of the infamous Bailout last October was to extend some Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. While the Solar Tax Credits were improved AND extended through 2016, The Tax Credit for Energy Efficient Improvements was ONLY extended through 2009!

The Federal Tax Credit includes:

• Windows and Doors
• Insulation
• HVAC
• Water Heaters
  
• AND MORE

Now, The Tax Credit is for 10% of the cost and UP TO $500 -

While that may not have you running to the Phone Book to find a Contractor, let's consider making these changes ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND May 23-25 2009 -

Odd, I know, that I would recommend only doing this on ONE Weekend a year - Let me Explain.

The State of Texas has scheduled the Tax Free Weekend for Energy Star Items again this year! It's on Memorial Day weekend and for what is Energy Star Rated, IT IS TAX FREE! Here is what falls under the Tax Abatement:

• A/C Systems priced Under $6,000
• Programmable Thermostats
• Ceiling Fans
• Dishwashers
• Dehumidifiers (which could go under A/C)
• LIGHT BULBS (STOCK UP FOR THE YEAR OR TWO!)
• Refrigerators under $2000

Under the State of Texas Program this sometimes will also include some Installation/Delivery costs AND will work on all Online Purchases!!

So now, if you combine the two this year - You can get $500 back on your 2009 Tax Return AND save at least 8% on Tax when Buying it on Memorial Day Weekend! Here's a breakdown:

• $400 Dishwasher - $33 in tax
• $50 Programmable Thermostat - $4.13 in tax
• HVAC based on $3000 System - $247.50 in tax
  
• Water Heater - $16.50 in tax
  

You could potentially save A LOT of money. If you decide to only do the ones that can qualify TWICE you may want to consider an HVAC System and Water Heater over Memorial Day.

Let's hope that the Federal Incentive is extended past 2009 but I know for a fact that some Energy Efficiency items that I was personally holding off on, I'm going to do this year.

If you decide to take advantage of these items, be sure to stop back by and let us know how much you save!!

*****UPDATE*****

Part of the lovely Stimulus package that people either love or hate from Feb. 2009 has extended the Federal Tax Credit through 2010. But still consider making these changes on Memorial Day weekend!

Yesterday I held the 'How to Finance That Fixer Upper Seminar' at one of my listings. It was an Open House of sorts solely using my listing as an example on how to use an FHA 203K Renovation Loan to update a home after you close on the Property.

We had a handful of interested people show up and it was really interesting how once they understood how the program works they had a TON more vision on how the home could look after renovation.

When you initially walk in to a home, many people are taken back by paint, flooring, lack of updates, etc. - Human Nature is to say No way. However, each person that walked out yesterday after hearing about FHA 203K had their own idea on what exactly they would do with the home.

Now, I have been talking to Christine Wilson and Kelly Duff of Prime Lending for a couple months now about the program and I STILL learned a bunch of things about the program yesterday. As a quick background - The FHA 203K Renovation loan is a typical 30 Year mortgage that allows you to roll in any repairs, other than Luxury Items such as pools, in to your loan. The Interest Rate will be a little higher but NOTHING like a Home Improvement loan. For example, today the interest rate would likely still be less than 6.5%

I thought I would share all of these with you:

• The Program is FHA which I knew. But this program allows for 3% down as opposed to 3.5% down.
  

• When combined with an Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) for Energy Efficiency Improvements, the cost of renovation and EXCEED appraised value by up to $8000 depending on the HERS Rating Score.

• The cost of the HERS Rating can be included in the Renovation funds

• Foundation Repair and Landscaping is an expense allowed by the program

• It is just a ONE TIME CLOSE - The appraisal is based on AFTER RENOVATION value. The appraiser will have the bids to repair in hand when doing the appraisal

• The check to the Contractor can be made to the Buyer AND the Contractor so that the Buyer has to sign off approving the work performed
  

• There is a Refinance Equivalent of this loan that is not considered to be a typical 'Cash Out' loan - You can go up to 97% of the home's value as opposed to 80%

• Some parts of the program may only be available in the State of Texas

Overall, I am SO glad that we hosted this 'seminar' yesterday. We would liked to have had more people show up, but after spending 2 hours with these wonderful ladies that drove in all the way from Dallas to attend I am absolutely convinced that the FHA 203K Renovation Loan is an excellent option for many homebuyers in today's market.

If you missed the Seminar yesterday and are wanting to know more information, you can reach Christine and Kelly at 469-338-7126 or you can reach me on my mobile at 281-635-9444 -

There has been a ton of hype on Spray Foam insulation and 'Sealing' up your attic or Pier and Beam home over the last year.

Part 2 of the Turning Houston Green Webinar Series goes over Sealed Attics and Crawl Spaces with a special look at Spray foam insulation. Things to look for and when not to consider. Michael Strong makes some great points in regards to re-insulating your walls (when and how you should do it in a most cost effective way)

If you would like to register for one of the other 6 Sessions that we are going to do just click over and sign up on the Turning Houston Green and Michael Strong Registration Webinar Series page.

Below is the recorded version of it and so that it makes more sense towards the end I recommend viewing the chat archive at the same time.

I would also like to take a quick moment to Thank our Sponsors for helping to bring this to you:

Pella Windows

Bluegill Energy Management

Lutron Lighting and Electronics ***

As part of the Greening Your Existing Home Web Seminar series that I have mentioned in a previous post, we did Part 1 today and had a great time! 

The Series is with myself and Michael Strong with Brothers Strong and we reviewed Energy Conservation and Energy Audits - What they are and why you need one to 'Green' Up your home.  We also had our Energy Expert on there who is Clayton Farmer with Bluegill Energy Management answering some questions in the Chat Room.

If you missed it and would like to listen in you can find the recorded version below.  Also, you may want to read through the Chat Archive along with it.

To sign up for Future Webinar Series, I invite you to register with this link.  We have the registration links posted for Through February and will be posting more in the upcoming weeks.  The series is expected to go through Mid April.

Here is the termporary schedule right now - Again, February dates are Set.

• Jan. 31st from 11-12        Energy Audits <
• Feb. 4th from 7p-8p         Insulation
• Feb. 21st from 11-12       HVAC (Heating and Cooling)
• Feb. 25th from 7p-8p       Radiant Barrier and Windows
• March 14th from 11-12     To Be Determined
• March 28th from 11-12     Water Conservation Fixtures and Delivery Systems
• April 1st from 7p-8p         Indoor Air Quality
• April 11th from 11-12       Durability
• April 15th from 7p-8p       Top 10 Practices and Green Guidelines

And now, the recorded session.  :0)

I would also like to take a moment to Thank our Sponsors for this Series:

Pella Windows

Bluegill Energy Mangament

Lutron Lighting and Electronics