About Sugar Land's Greatwood

We all know Chick-Fil-A and if you are like me you are a HUGE Fan of the Waffle Fries. Not to mention, the chicken sandwich. But if you have a little one, you also love that most of the locations have a play area. Its like a dream come true. A good meal and some play time. And possibly a break for you. Well, the Greatwood Chick Fil-A at 20010 Southwest Freeway(same parking lot as the HEB) is also big on having themed nights. A while back we went to the Daddy Date Night or it was called something along those Lines. It was great and recently they held Princess Night. There was nail and face painting. They had Belle and Cinderella. Each Princess was given a Tiaras and a Disney Princess Cup. For my 4yr old princess it was an awesome night. She had never seen so many princesses in her life. I can't say if every Chick Fil A holds events like this, I doubt most do. But I am a HUGE fan of "My" Chick Fil-A. I say it is My Chick Fil A because they have won my business. Sure the waffle fries are awesome and the service is excellent. But to put on an event like this and make my little princess super happy, well that is called going above and beyond. Thank You Greatwood Chick Fil-A.

PS. They are Holding A Super Hero Night at the Rosenberg location, May 19^th. 5:30 to 7:30pm. Am I too old to go??

This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. I am a mom to a special needs child so I speak from experience. Working with families who have special needs isn't for everyone. It takes a vast deal of patience and a willingness to understand more about the person's condition to better anticipate potential needs.

Different types of special needs require different things. My child has autism. Looking at lots of different houses is not for him. I know that when I have to take him to work with me that I have to go early, give him time to walk through the house and look at everything. If this doesn't happen its a complete overload and overstimulation and ends with my nerves being shot.

We have to take into consideration where we live as well. Families must research the schools their kids will attend and whether they provide the services they need. Do they need to live in close proximity to medical centers or doctors? Sometimes it's necessary to think about how close the neighbors are and whether they will be affected when you child decides to have a meltdown. Other things to consider are will you need a house with special modifications, e.g. wheelchair ramps, bath bars, etc?

All in all, this can be wonderful experience for Brokers who have lots of patience and a willingness to help others to achieve their dreams of home ownership. As always, if you have any questions or need any additional help I am only a phone call, email, twitter or text away!

Here it is! We finally closed a deal that has been in the works over the past couple of months on a spectacular property in the master planned community of Greatwood in Sugar Land, Texas. I'm so excited that I finally get to reveal what has been in the works now that its completed. I feel like Ive been keeping this huge secret until it was a done deal!

Residents have known this building as the Greatwood Sales Center. Agents have known this building for being for sale on the market for way too long. I knew this was the perfect building for my client, and I could negotiate a great deal on it. In today's market, selling requires an innovative strategy.

Coordinating and managing this complex commercial deal in today's financial environment was definitely a challenge. Completing a complex commercial deal in 60 days was very satisfying to say the least. I cant describe how rewarding it is to have coordinated this WIN - WIN transaction.

The WIN-WIN Transaction:

1) My client the buyer got the perfect building at a great price to fit his future needs.
2) The seller finally sold a property that has been on the market for years.
3) The seller's agent looks good for selling the property and bringing his client to the closing table.
4) As the buyer's agent, I got to demonstrate my complete skills and services to complete the transaction.
5) We sold a landmark property in one of the largest master planned communities in Sugar Land.

In new home construction, the builders, supervisors, sub-contractors and foremen are lacking the knowledge that is needed to have a safe home. This is the reason why builders are required to have independent Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) licensed or Professional Engineers (PE) inspectors inspect the new houses that they build. Unfortunately, some of the Inspection Companies are not updated and are lacking proper training. One of the many examples is what is easily installed at the time of building is step flashing. Throughout the Gulf Coast area in Texas and even along some of the bordering counties, the International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings, Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Roofing Contractors Association and manufacturers of asphalt shingles require that step flashing methods be employed at all walls to roofing sections. A brand new home that I recently inspected did not have the step flashing in place. A photograph below shows the commonly used "L" or "J" flashing is still being used in the areas where over 90 mph winds were felt in the past Hurricane that hit the southeastern Texas. Some of the reasons why "J" flashing is not recommended by the manufacturers and the other organizations is because of the wind shearing effect on the portion of the roof shingles that are not fastened to the decking. Another reason why the "J' flashing is not used is due to water seepage. Any wind swept rain that gets in under the shingle runs down into the decking and possibly into other areas of the house. With step flashing, under each shingle there is a niled piece of metal that prevents any water from intruding into the underlayment.

Also some of the new (already a year old) are the National Electric Codes, 2008 edition (NEC). There are many requirements that are needed and are still not being done with regards to properly building and wiring the homes. One example of a house that is new and the buyers hired me to inspect it prior to signing the deed, is that the NEC requires that all electrical outlets on new construction be child proofed. The cost is minimal to the electrician installing the correct electrical outlets. Another small but important code that is not being done on new house construction, at least in the counties that I have visited, is a new Code for Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter breakers for all livable space except bathrooms , kitchens and utility rooms. These are codes that should have gone in effect as of January of 2008 but up to September of 2008 was given to the electricians within the city limits (depending uponcity and building official jurisdiction) As one can see in the photo below, only three arc fault breakers are used in a four bedroom three and a half bath house.

As of February, 2009, a TREC licensed inspector must use the newest of the Standards of Practices that has been established by TREC. These newest stadards can be found on the TREC world wide web site listed: http://www.trec.state.tx.us/inspector/SpecialTopics/SoP_Changes_2008.asp

If you are building your dream home, remember that a qualified TREC licensed and properly educated inspector can thoroughly go through the house and find some of these areas that are lacking proper installation procedures during the building of the house.