About Fort Bend County, TX

I wish I had a copy of the video to share. I wish everyone could experience the video and the overwhelming pride it inspired in me. Here is the latest press release about our new division.

AUSTIN, TEXAS (July 16, 2008) -Keller Williams Realty, Inc., the fourth largest real estate company in North America, announced plans to launch a Keller Williams Realty Commercial Division this fall.

"Our goal is to expand our platform and make Keller Williams Realty the real estate company of choice in both the residential and commercial worlds by providing our associates the technology, marketing tools, and resources to succeed in the commercial business," said Mark Willis, CEO of Keller Williams Realty. "We want to create synergy and referrals between the residential and commercial sides of our Keller Williams offices, increasing the income and production potential of all our agents."

Buddy Norman, a veteran of commercial real estate has joined Keller Williams as president of the new division. Norman has more than 18 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry, including leadership within international firms, such as The Staubach Company and Burnham Real Estate, which was acquired by Cushman & Wakefield. He has led the development of new business divisions and trained commercial agents all over the U.S. including Dallas, Atlanta, Washington D.C. and San Diego. A consistent top producer, Norman has averaged approximately 400,000 square feet per year of commercial leasing and sales transactions over the last 10 years.

"There's such a wide spectrum of commercial real estate experience within Keller Williams Realty," said Norman. "We intend to build a strong commercial division paralleling the success and growth of the Keller Williams residential division."

Norman will work with a newly created Commercial Leadership Council (CLC) - a group of 25 top Keller Williams commercial brokers from across North America to guide the launch and implementation of the new division.

I can't wait for the official launch and to be part of this exciting new division, this is why I love KW!

Sales of existing homes rose 3.1 percent in July, surpassing expectations, as buyers snapped up deeply discounted properties in parts of the country hit hardest by the housing bust.

The National Association of Realtors reported today that sales rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5 million units, down from June's downwardly revised rate of 4.85 million units. Sales had been expected to rise by only 1.6 percent, according to economists surveyed by Thomson/IFR.

Home sales were about 13 percent lower than a year ago and prices were down dramatically. The median price for a home sold in July dropped to $212,000, down by 7.1 percent from a year ago.

Between 33 and 40 percent of sales activity is coming from foreclosures or other distressed properties.

While buyers are pouncing on lower prices - especially in places like California, Florida and Nevada - sales have stablilzed in Texas which has been immune to the declining national trend.

Moody's Economy.com predicts that even with government help, nearly 2.8 million U.S. households will either face foreclosure, turn over their homes to their lender or sell the properties for less than their mortgage's value by the end of next year.

The 2008 Sugar Land Rotary Shrimpfest is set for September 13 at 5:30 pm. This event offers a shrimp and boild catfish dinner, raffle, auction, and kids games. All proceeds go to Rotary charities.

Entry tickets can be purchased from a Rotarian or at the door. Prices are Adults - $15, Children 12 & under $10 at the door, Seniors 55 and older are the same as children prices. Children under 5 are free and will be served a hot dog. Raffle tickets are $100 each which includes 2 meal tickets. The raffle is a reverse raffle with every 25th ticket drawn receiving a prize of $100, the second to last ticket receiving $500, and the last ticket drawn receives the grand prize of a 2008 Cadillac CTS.

The festivities are being held at the Fluor Building Complex on Highway 6. More information can be found at www.Shrimpfest.org

The 2008 Katy Antique & Collectible Market will be held on August 30th and 31st.

lots of books, china, Americana, fine lace and linens, coins, antiques, advertising memorabilia, and more will be available. The price is $5 for admission...and you can go to www.cwgs.com to get $1 off tickets. Children under 12 are free so it will be a great way to beat the heat!

The Katy Antique and Collectible Market will be held at the Katy ISD Merrell Ctr on Sat 10-5 and Sun 11-5. If you have any questions call 877.840.3829 for more info.

The Merrell Center is located on the Northwest corner of FM1463 and I-10 West in Katy.

Real estate agents, brokers and luxury real estate developments in the Houston area should inquire about advertising in the Fall 2008 issue of Great Properties Magazine!

The Great Properties brand is a proven media in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio markets. The new Houston edition features some of the most exclusive luxury real estate available for sale in the Houston area. The success of this beautiful, glossy, full color magazine is due to the direct-mail program that delivers the publication only into the hands of very affluent people---people that can actually afford to buy luxury homes.

To participate in the Fall issue, call Pat Kirby by the end of September. Only high-resolution photography is accepted for inclusion in this magazine.