Grayson Lakes is a beautiful community in the western section of the Katy Texas area south of I-10. Grayson Lakes was developed by Newland Communities...the company that developed Cinco Ranch and Seven Meadows, so you know you will be getting a neighborhood loaded with amenities...and Kids! Grayson Lakes is located within the boundaries of the Award Winning KatyISD School District. The community actually feeds a new Elementary and Middle School, and is located with the boundaries of Seven Lakes High School. Seven Lakes is one of the most technologically advanced high schools in the entire Country.

The attraction for many of the residents of Grayson Lakes is the lakes and amenities the community boasts. With water sports like fishing and boating to go along with playgrounds, pools, green space, etc... This is a community that will make your family feel like they are on vacation twelve months a year. Grayson Lakes also boasts a great location for commuting to work. Just a stones through from I-10 and a few miles west of the Houston Energy Corridor, many executives from BP, Conoco Phillips, Shell, etc.. call Grayson Lakes home.

As part of the vibrant South Katy area Grayson is within a short distance of all Katy has to offer from the many Malls (the Katy Mills Mall is just up the street), restaurants, shops, close proximity to grocery stores and a wide variety of Medical facilities and choices.

Grayson Lakes is priced from about $200,000 to over $600,000 and the community has some of the largest lots available in Katy area subdivisions. If you are looking for a place to live that makes you feel like you are on vacation 12 months a year...and yet is close to work...add Grayson Lakes to your shopping list!

I recently had to have my HVAC replaced because the old one was 10 years old, causing high energy bills and kept breaking down.

I called out everyone from Trane to Carrier to American Standard to Goodman. The quotes I got were for 13 seer to 15 seer units.

I got quotes that ranged from $3300 to $16,500.

Yeah, that is a big difference.

I hope you don't have your system go out in these tough economic times but if you do I highly recommend you give Neal a call at 936-372-3416.

He was prompt, polite and best of all he got us a new system for under $4000.

The system we got was a Ruud, 5 ton, 13 seer. Yes I know that isn't the highest seer rating but when you go 3 days with no HVAC, are on a budget and are paying cash....the 13 seer was much better than the 10 year old unit we had and should be more energy efficient and best of all you don't have to sweat to death!!

So if you find yourself in my shoes....give Neal a call.

Coventry in Spring TX celebrates National Night out!

I live in the subdivision of Coventry and I'm on our Coventry social committee.  I have been on lots of committees for lots of different organizations but if you want to be on a fun committee choose the social committee.  We basically plan our Coventry subdivision parties.  We recently had our first very successful Coventry Night out.  We thought we were planning the event for the National Night out but when we checked with Target to see about getting some of their freebies we found out that Texas is the only state in the Union who changed their National Night out to October.  We had already made the plans for the event so we decided to continue on; or so we thought. A little tropical storm/hurricane called Eduardo complicated our National Night out date.  We had the event planned so decided to postpone one week.  One week later we found ourselves in the middle of a much needed rainstorm but the weather cleared by late afternoon and we were on.

We debated on what kind of an event we would plan.  The purpose of National Night out is to strengthen neighborhood spirit, generate support & participation in anti-crime programs such as Neighborhood Watch; and heighten crime & drug prevention awareness.  With that in mind we scheduled 5 safety stations throughout the neighborhood.  Our neighbors could begin at the station of their choice.  They picked up a passport at the first station they attended and then had to have it stamped at each station to be eligible for prizes of five $50 Wal-Mart Gift Cards.

 Dane Hill had a station that served popcorn and snow cones.  This station was right in the center of the subdivision and had probably the most traffic of any station as the residents could stop coming and going to the other stations.  They gave out safety handouts to all the children who attended.

Marshbrook/Alderly had one of the most popular stations with a visiting fire truck from the Spring Volunteer fire department.  The kids loved it!  Not only was this station popular for the visiting fire truck; they were also serving lemonade and cookies.

Dane hill/Hawn was serving grilled hot dogs and ice cold water.  Precinct 4 Constables were on hand to fingerprint children at this station.  As you can tell by the pictures it was another popular station. 

Dane hill/Elmly served ice cold watermelon and handed out Emergency Contact magnets.  The magnets had the Coventry subdivision contact numbers along with emergency contact information.

Post Bridge Cul de sac served ice cream bars and handed out information about RAD Rape Aggression Defense.  RAD is a physical defense program for women that offers no-nonsense practical techniques of defense.  RAD was presented in Coventry back in 2002 but many residents think it is time to have another course.  If 15 women agree to sign up Harris County Sheriff's department will provide it for free.

Each household was allowed one passport.  With a subdivision of about 300 homes we had 50 passports handed in.  I think that is an INCREDIBLE success for our first National Night Out.   We were at the Post Bridge Cul de sac and it was a little bit out of the way but each one of those 50 had to come down our cul-de-sac to get a stamp.  For many I think it was the first time to come down an out of the way cul-de-sac but what a GREAT way to meet your neighbors.  We had people come walking, walking with strollers, on bikes and by car. 

Just as a side note.  That pretty chocolate lab is our Abby dog.  She wanted to attend our Coventry Night out also.

Thom Scanlon

ASP/RESA, Lead Designer for Houston Home Staging

was interviewed this afternoon by Fox 26's Chris Stipes.

You can view the interview this evening in Houston on the 9:00 Fox 26 news!

Mr. Stipes contacted Scanlon after reading the blog (reposted below) that Scanlon had written on

Saint Joseph's Statues' impact on home sales!

------------------------------------------------------

(Originally posted on 03.20.08)
As we approach the Easter holiday, it seemed the Saint Joseph statue seemed to be an appropriate topic.

So let's ask the question:
How many folks know about Saint Joseph statues (as applied to Real Estate)?

Real Estate Professionals of all faiths are utilizing Saint Josephs statues. Briefly explained, the seller acquires an inexpensive statue of Saint Joseph and buries it head down by the front door of their 'for sale' property! Whether you face it to the street, or you face it to the front door, is a topic for discussion
(I invite everyone's opinion on this).

I do know (from personal experience) that it is important for the owner of the property to bury the statue. For someone else to do so, i.e. Realtor, Home Stager, etc.... apparently constitutes greed and negates the affect/effect of the previously named statuette.

I'm sure there are many readers who are now ROFL (rolling on the floor laughing) but really, and truly, I've seen this work. It's surprising that many of my clients provide me with their own testimony on this topic. As a Home Stager I bring the topic to the attention of my clients, but I'd suggest being very careful. I'd certainly not start off my consultation with "hey, let's slam Saint Joseph into the front gardens". I mean really, let's be sensitive. Also, since some people think we're crazy anyway, this might provide them with the final evidence in that case, and we'll lose the client!

Generally, the legend and myth of the Saint Joseph statue is shared in a somewhat back alley fashion: "Psssst, hey buddy, wanna sell your house........?" The reason for this back alley approach is because you can look like an idiot when you relate your own experience to a Saint Joseph 'newbie'.

I recently broached the topic on a house tour with my newest clients. I had briefly mentioned Saint Joseph and they informed me that indeed they did have the statue. During the house tour, the young couple confessed that the statue was not buried, but on a desk. When I reminded the couple of the bury-it-in-the-yard policy, the visiting in-laws immediately (and respectfully) told of their own success story.


So let's hear from the Active Rain community (and others). What has been your experience?

When responding please keep in mind that we are in a public forum, discussing a somewhat sensitive subject. I hope that I've communicated my respect for all viewpoints on the topic. Please accept my apologies if I've offended anyone -that certainly was not my intent!

For those of you who may be unacquainted with this practice you can visit

www.stjosephstatue.com

for further information.

Lakeside United Methodist Church Spend a Day in the Park | Lakeside UMC Invites You for Fun and Games at Deussen Park

Lakeside United Methodist Church, a growing church supported by Kingwood United Methodist Church will be hosting an event on Saturday, August 23rd 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Alexander Deussen Park. Alexander Deussen Park is located at the south-end of Lake Houston off Deussen Parkway near Summerwood. The event will consist of food and games and an opportunity to meet members of Lakeside United Methodist Church. Spend your Sunday at the lake... Lakeside UMC.

Information provided by Jeremy Williams of Keller Williams Realty. For more information about real estate services for the residents of Kingwood, Humble, and Atascocita visit www.williams4yourhome.com or read Jeremy's blog NE Houston Real Estate | Williams4YourHome. Click here to search for Atascocita area real estate listings.