Waco, TX

For an overall view of the Waco and other Texas markets, you might like to visit The Real Estate Center Website for the latest residential MLS data. http://recenter.tamu.edu/data/datahs.html . For Waco, specifically, http://recenter.tamu.edu/data/hs/hs540b.htm.

According to The Real Estate Center,the latest April stats show Waco still in a buyers market with 8 months of inventory. We are not alone with the average in Texas 7.1 months.

In addition, average sales have taken a dip since last year, but median price has risen very slightly.

These figures are similar to many other Texas cities where they've seen similar declines.

Is this all bad news? Well I think it depends on how you look at it. Yes, some of this is a mess, just as our overall economy is a mess. But seeing our median prices in Waco at a nearly identical figure this year can't be a bad thing.

I think we will be seeing some similar stats in May with a decline in sales and perhaps a slight increase in median sales price in comparison to sales of May 08. And I am encouraged with what seems to be an increase in activity over these past few weeks. Time will tell where this all takes the Waco Real Estate market, but I feel that all things considered, Waco is still doing relatively well.

1^STTIME HOMEBUYERS, NOW IS A GREAT TIME FOR YOU TO BUY. BUYERS MARKET, LOW INTEREST RATES AND A FANTASTIC TAX INCENTIVE THAT COULD GET YOU UP TO $8000. WHY WOULD YOU WAIT?

NOTE: Information given on this blog post and its comments from other participants cannot be guaranteed. Use at your own risk.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON Waco Homes For Sale visit www.WendyMontoya.com

The Waco Association of REALTORS is having a great giveaway for people that live in the Waco area.

They are having 3 drawings for 3 months that will give lucky winners a chance at getting their electric bills paid for a month up to $500! What a great deal, just for sending an entry form in! Runners up have the opportunity to win energy efficient light bulbs.

Don't miss out on this great opportunity. Visit the Waco Association of REALTORS, and click on the top of the page link that says "Electricity Giveaway" for your entry form and rules.

Waco Homes For Sale

As a resident of the China Spring community, I have a special place in my heart and a special interest in the area. My favorite color is Columbia Blue!

Because of my personal connection, my primary mission and ultimate joy is helping current and/or future China Spring area residents with their residential real estate needs.

Let me help you understand why I like it so much here, or why your home will sell for a certain price, or where the best buys are in town. If you are buying or selling a home, I am here to help YOU.

CHINA SPRING HOMES FOR SALE:

www.1050AustinHInes.com

www.ChinaSpringHomes.com

Special Note: What is known as China Spring is often comprised of more than just the City of China Spring in the 76633 zip code. Our community consists also of many Waco, 76708 addresses as well as some Crawford, 76638 addresses. When I speak of the China Spring Community, I am fondly speaking of those areas which fall within the China Spring School District where my child and your children would attend public school.

CHINA SPRING BLOGS:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/375158/china-spring-waco-area-growing-community

http://activerain.com/blogsview/394933/China-Spring-TX-Good

http://activerain.com/blogsview/475585/china-spring-isd-waco-homes

http://activerain.com/blogsview/850038/10120-salem-way-waco-china-spring-tx-76708

http://activerain.com/blogsview/641783/Lakeland-Meadows-China-Spring-Waco-TX

CHINA SPRING LINKS:

Wendy Montoya, Century 21(R) Towne Adams REALTOR(R)

China Spring Independent School District

The First National Bank of Central Texas

POINTWEST Bank

Zebs Backyard Grill

Italian Garden

Pizza Inn

Shipley Donuts

China Spring Dance Academy

Handbook of Texas Online (China Spring)

Saddle Creek Dental

The Lake Country Club

After reading the delicious blog post "Famous for Fruitcakes" by Renee Caperton, CRB, ASP

Corsicana, TX , curiosity just about got the best of me.

So Friday afternoon, I headed over to one of the newest editions of the Collin Street Bakery in the Waco area located in Bellmead at I-35 and 84 close to Sams Club. I didn't stay long, but long enough to buy 2 cookies that I did not need to be eating, and long enough to really appreciate why they are so well know for their fruitcakes.

I went to bakery to find myself some lunch and realized that this really isn't a restaurant. The name BAKERY should have clued me in. But they do have some nice choices like sandwiches, soups, salads and baked potatoes. So I ordered up a loaded tater and grabbed up a bottle of Dr. Pepper and while I waited cruised the store.

Numerous delicious cookie choices and cakes lined the bakery counters along with a little coffee area. In the midst of the store were loaves of pecan bread and others along with their famous cakes.

I did a little taste test of the Apple Cinnamon Pecan Cake. It was soooo good. No wonder they are so well known for their fruit cakes if they all taste this good. I also bought 2 cookies from the counter. One was a prailine (cookie maybe, but more like candy) and the other was a cookie that tasted like a pecan pie. Good stuff!

Overall I really liked the place. Very clean and fresh and it was nice and cool on a hot day. It was comfortable and my baked potato was good. The employees were all very friendly. They also have a hotspot for all of us computer addicts. Next time I think I will try the soup though and stay far away from the sweets. But then again, what fun would that be? Not much.

I would recommend Collin Street Bakery to anyone, but don't expect an elaborate dining menu. Expect good treats, nice atmosphere and something a little different from the norm. I will definitely be returning to check out more.

There are many hidden treasures in Waco that people miss when driving down highway 35 or highway 6; hidden treasures of fine restaurants, executive homes, the beautiful lake right on the edge of town, multiple golf courses, and so much more.

As they fly down the highways they also miss the scattering of quaint small towns that lie within fifteen miles of Waco, Texas and Baylor University. If you love country living, but crave the convenience of the city, then one of these lovely country towns are what you are looking for. Small towns like Riesel, Lorena, China Spring, Hewitt, Eddy-Bruceville, Elm Mott, Robinson, Rosenthal, Hallsburg, Gholson, Axtell, Rogers Hill, Ross, Speegleville and Rock Creek.

Valley Mills is a great example. Only twenty minutes from the newest Waco mail, and even less time to the Waco Lake; or maybe you are more interested in Waco's wonderful heated and air conditioned show barn right in the heart of Waco. All of this is just a short drive from Valley Mills, a small town that almost makes you feel as if you have stepped back in time.

The great thing about the Waco area is that in just a few miles, in any direction, you will find a wonderful variety of terrain like in Woodway, and Northwest Waco where you will find rolling hills with towering oak trees to shade your home. Yet, if you go Southwest across the lake you will come to flat land with lots of cedar trees and rock which is great for goats and privacy.

Also hidden away from the everyday visitor are the many creeks that wind their way through the Oak covered hills in town as they flow toward either the Brazos River or Lake Waco. The homes that over look the Brazos, creeks and Lake Waco, are breathtaking in their beauty and their views.

So come live the good life in Waco, Texas. Whether you are a cowboy, a city lover or the biggest fisherman in Texas there is a perfect place to call home for you here in Central Texas.