About Conroe's Lake Conroe

There is not a day that goes by that someone does not stop and ask me, "Is real estate still a good investment?" I love that question because it allows me to share the really good news about real estate. For those of you who study the economic history of our country, there are common ups and downs in the economy. The market changes and everyone must make a shift.

Historically however, owning land, homes and businesses in the United States has been an overall better investment than many have fared in the stock market. With real estate, especially in our area, this tangible asset has held its own. Of course we have seen prices take a dip but that is a simple market correction. What goes up will go down and also what goes down will come back up.

Real estate ownership has and always will be the American dream. We can never forget the importance of this fact. Now more than ever, I personally am very glad that my assets are in real estate. I am always drawn back to the scene in Gone With the Wind where Scarlett O'Hara is gripping the soil in her hands while her father tells her that owning land is everything.

Because home prices are lower right now, it is the perfect time to purchase. Consider buying a home to lease out. You can get some great deals out there, turn around and lease it and have instant mail box money. In fact, the statistics are very strong towards a leasing market! When the market is up again, you can considering selling the leased property at that time. The options are endless.

I believe that Texas is still the best kept secret! More and more people however, are figuring this out and our school enrollment that keeps increasing every year in Montgomery County is a huge indication of this. Owning property now I believe will be a great bet as the demand for housing continues to increase in Montgomery County.

I recently heard J.R. Moore, our county Tax Assessor speak. I was highly encouraged with the report that he had on Montgomery County. Folks, take a look at this report. You can find the report on the website for Montgomery County. I believe that you too will be as encouraged as I am.

So yes, Scarlett - now is a good time to consider investing in real estate! Don't wait around and think about it tomorrow - take action today!

Lake Conroe Real Estate

Everyone is talking about the market being a "Buyer's Market". So, what does that really mean?

A true Buyer's Market indicates that there are more Seller's than Buyer's which results in Buyer's having an advantage when choosing to buy a new home. With more inventory out there, Buyer's typically have a better choice of homes to choose from.

Even though it is a Buyer's Market, it is still good to be an informed buyer. You need to know the market to truly know if a home is a good buy or not. Also, you need to be a strong buyer. A strong buyer is one with good credit scores, pre-approved by a lender, being able to offer a good closing date and have the ability to present solid earnest money.

Working with a licensed Real Estate Buyer's Agent is always advised. Buyer's Agents work on behalf of THE Buyer, not the seller. As a buyer, you want someone who is looking after your best interests. Licensed Texas Realtors use a form called the Buyer Representation Agreement. This agreement is very important to you the Buyer. The agreement can be made for only one day or for a specific time frame.

A Buyer's Representation Agreement allows an agent to represent you in all areas of your transaction. The Buyer's agent will be able to provide you with comparative market analysis on the areas that you are interested in. Being provided with the latest information will allow you the buyer to make the most informed and competitive offer.

Working with a buyer's agent also gives you the advantage of knowing your contract has been presented properly, inspection reports items to be negotiated and all other areas of the transaction represented on your behalf.

When you are ready to buy a home, make sure and find a qualified buyer's agent who has experience in your local market. Your home buying experience will be much easier when you have an agent on your side that you know you can trust and depend to fully represent you.

Now that the market favors you the Buyer, what are you waiting for? The good deals are out there right now and the best deals will go first. With the great interest rates, now is a key time to get busy and find that new home you have been waiting for!

Lake Conroe Real Estate

Last Thursday, the entire Franke Team supported Marion at the Lone Star College Small Business Awards Dinner at the Waterway Marriott. What an awesome event this was! The Franke Team filled up three tables as we cheered on Marion! We all had a lot of fun being "out of the office" for awhile. Sometimes you just gotta play!

Although Marion did not win the overall award, it was truly an honor being recognized for her efforts as a small business. Marion told us that being in the finals for this award validated all of her hard work over the years as a woman and a Realtor. We are very proud of her and we are proud to be a part of such an awesome team!

Marion and her husband Bruce have always given back to the community in many, many ways. From the Heart Association, Montgomery County Food Bank, local scholarships, Law Enforcement and much more, the Franke's tirelessly give from their hearts!

Next year we will be back and Marion WILL be the winner! She deserves it!

Click Here for a Photo Gallery of the event

My co-worker Teri Bonnel and I attended the Montgomery County Chamber luncheon yesterday. The speaker was news anchor Art Rascon from Channel 13 news. Art shared the highlights in his career and spoke of some very touching moments that he has had. A story that really touched us all and is such a great reminder of how blessed we are is the story he shared about a boy he met in Nicaragua.

While on location in Nicaragua, Art saw a group of boys playing in the city dump. Most of the boys actually lived in the dump. They were happily playing a game with a crude stick and a ball of twine. Art asked the boys is they had ever played with a real baseball before. They said that they had yet they played with the baseball until it simply fell apart. They had not seen a baseball in years. Art asked the boys where the nearest store was and they told him there was one just a few miles up the road.

They loaded up the truck and Art and the boys sped off down the dusty road in search of the store. Upon arriving, the boys hopped out of the truck before he could even pull it to a complete stop. The boys rushed up to the window and to their complete surprise, the coveted baseball was still sitting there. Art went into the store and asked if they had any more baseballs but alas, this was the only one.

Art bought the baseball and took it out to the boys. He describes the scene as complete happiness. The boys were jumping up and down and smiling ear to ear. This one little thing had brought intense joy to the boys. They couldn't wait to get back and play baseball.

Years later, Art returned to Nicaragua and found the boy whom he had given the ball to. He asked him if he still had the ball. The boy smiled sheepishly and pulled the old worn ball out of his pocket!

What a powerful reminder of all of the wonderful blessings we all have here. We take so much for granted and we want for very little. I loved this story as it reminds us as Thanksgiving approaches to give thanks for all that we have. And mostly it reminds me to be thankful for even the little things - even as small as a baseball.

May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day with friends and family.

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I had the great honor and pleasure of attending an out of town baby shower over the week-end. Our own Marion Franke has TRIPLET grandchildren. First let me say, WOW! I can't even imagine 3 brand new babies needing diapers, feeding, rocking, etc., etc., all at one time. Let me give you a little back story on these babies. First the Momma & Poppa thought they would not have babies of their own after going all possible routes, so they adopted a toddler from Russia. This was quite a long and arduous affair. But Christina arrived shortly after Christmas last year; a beautiful healthy 2 year girl. Well, Momma & Poppa had some frozen whatevers left over from previous attempts, so they decided what the heck. Low and behold they were pregnant with multiples. As with all multiple pregnancies we were not sure how things would progress. Well with a lot of medical attention, months of bed rest and many, many prayers the triplets were born September 3^rd, with an original due date of November 4^th. After a few scares, they are all healthy, happy, beautiful babies. They were at the shower as was their sister, now 3 years old, Tina.

I don't know about you, but I have never been around triplets, lots of twins, but never triplets. Well, let me tell you, it will take your breath away just observing all the hubbub that accompanies any baby, much less three, count them 3 babies! There are 2 girls; Heather and Delaney and one boy; Jay Bruce (named for his Grandpa). Momma somehow seems to remain calm in the midst of everything and was gracious to all her guests. Obviously with 3, there was 3 of everything plus lots of diapers as gifts. I'm not sure how she will fit all the gifts as well as the babies into her home.

Back to the shower. Everything was absolutely perfect. The food was awesome (Weight Watchers was taking a break) and Marion's out-of-town friends could not have been any nicer. It was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon among friends, family, and those beautiful babies. The champagne was pretty good too.

Article by: Carol Hawkins

Lake Conroe Real Estate