Realtor ®-The Woodlands Real Estate

Auburn Lakes is a great Golf Course Community located off of Gosling Rd. north of Downtown Houston in Harris County.  Lakes, Fountains and amazing landscaping Welcome you to drive inside.

There is plenty of New Construction going on in several sections and a wide range of prices to attract a wide variety of homebuyers.

Before I post the statistics, I would like to note that of all the homes available in Auburn Lakes, 3 appear to be Existing homes and the rest are New Construction.  Thus the longer Days on Market. 

Now, on to the October Update!

If you would like a list of homes available in Auburn Lakes, or if you would like an Extensive Comparable Report for your specific home- Please feel free to contact me and I can get you up to date information.

All data compiled from Houston MLS on November 14, 2007.

©All charts and content Copyright to Stephanie Edwards-Musa, The Woodlands TX Real Estate 2007

     Stephanie Edwards-Musa
     Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors (R)
     9000 Forest Crossing
     The Woodlands, TX 77381
     Direct Line:  281-635-9444

If you are familiar with Imperial Oaks Subdivision on Rayford Rd. in Spring, TX then you know that it has Fabulous Amenities, Amazing Landscaping and a Huge mix of homes and builders that appeal to most everyone. 

To make Imperial Oaks even better, they have just opened the highly anticipated Falls at Imperial Oaks!  This section will surrounded with Nature among 686 acres and is expected to have about 1800 homes.  Some of the main Highlights being Community Lakes, Cascading Waterfalls, and TREES!

The Falls at Imperial Oaks is also next to a rather large State Park for those that would like to take a stroll, and if you prefer stroll next to water, just check out the Spring Creek Greenway Project.  Spring Creek Greenway Project is a Huge undertaking that will allow folks to Hike and Bike for MILES along the Creek and through more than one County if they would like.  Picnic Anyone?

Are you wondering what NEW amenities there will be?  How about a Recreation and Fitness Center, Hike and Bike Trails, Resort Style Pools and Splash Pad for the kiddos, Tennis, Volleyball..the list goes on and on.   Amenities Galore!

David Weekley and Lennar will be building in this new section.  As of right now the David Weekley models are completed and inventory homes are on the ground!  Move in fairly soon, or choose your own lot.  

Once again, David Weekley has put out fabulous, familiar floorplans and NEW Upgrades available in the section.  No doubt that there is a floorplan for everyone's needs here. 

The home shown to the right is in the Mallard's Cove section.  You can build from the $160's to about the $230's. 

The model to the left is in the Avalon Point section.  If you are in the area, come check out this 3 story home!!  The 3rd story is an enormous Media Room. 

Avalon Point starts around the $220's and each home has features that you would not believe.  Absolutely Gorgeous homes.

If you are not familiar with Imperial Oaks, it is North of Downtown Houston in Montgomery County.  Within 5-6 minutes you can be on Hardy Toll Road and in close proximity is The Woodlands Mall and The Woodlands Waterway.  To see The Falls at Imperial Oaks, head down Northridge Forest Dr. off of Imperial Oaks Blvd. until you go over the Lighted Bridge.

Wanting more information?  Feel free to contact me and I will gather information on the Floorplans and Inventory homes available right now. 

©All charts and content Copyright to Stephanie Edwards-Musa, The Woodlands TX Real Estate 2007

     Stephanie Edwards-Musa
     Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors (R)
     9000 Forest Crossing
     The Woodlands, TX 77381
     Direct Line:  281-635-9444

Imperial Oaks had a busy month in October.  Not only were the sales still good, but they opened up the Gorgeous new section Imperial Oaks The Falls.  

As it gets closer to the Holidays, this is one of my favorite neighborhoods to drive around and view Christmas Lights.  Families get in the Christmas Spirit with amazing decorations.  If you are in the area, go check it out!

But without further ado, here is the October Report for Imperial Oaks.  The following numbers are community wide and broken up in to large price ranges.  If you need specific information or Comparables on your home, please feel free to contact me and I would be more than happy to compile the statistics for you.

All data from Houston MLS and compiled on Nov. 14, 2007.

©All charts and content Copyright to Stephanie Edwards-Musa, The Woodlands TX Real Estate 2007

     Stephanie Edwards-Musa
     Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors (R)
     9000 Forest Crossing
     The Woodlands, TX 77381
     Direct Line:  281-635-9444

The Eco All Star Challenge for the month is to write about a Visionary or someone taking a risk in light of sustainability.  I considered many people, companies and topics for the subject-but narrowing it down to just one is really difficult.

The Green and Eco Movement is moving forward at such a fast pace, it will make your head spin.  I have my self set up on Google Alerts that fill my email box daily on various green topics just trying to stay up to date.  I am meeting people and companies left and right in the Houston area that promote Sustainability and Green building.  How can you narrow it down to just one person?

Any time there is something "new" in technology, you can plan on Large Corporations and Big Names to bring the topics to light.  I, myself, could stand on my roof and scream to the world the benefits of Going Green and not many people would listen.  However, what if you stood on Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan?  Would more people listen?

So, for my November Thanks, I am going to talk about 5 "People" or "Corporations" or Entities that are striving for Green that are making a VERY LOUD statement with what they are doing.  For the sake of Copyrights, please check out the links for photos.  If you don't, you are missing out on some AMAZING sights.

• Rockefeller Center-  You thought I was just saying that above didn't you.  :)  The Christmas Tree outside of Rockefeller Center has 5 Miles of wire.  This year they will be using light emitting diodes that are powered by 365 Solar Panels on top of the Building.  WOW!
• Houston Independent School District-  This year HISD has built 2 of their newest schools to LEED standards, and recently passed a $805 million bond which a portion of will be used for other schools to be remodeled or built to these standards.  They believe in the benefits for children in Going Green.
• Manchester SkyScraper-  The skyscraper owned by CIS Insurance in Manchester covered its facade in...Well, Solar Panels.  If you thought 365 Panels was a lot...just check out this article.  It will blow your mind.
• Dubai-  If you keep up with International News, you know that Dubai is doing some creative Architecture in their Development.  Have you heard about the Rotating Tower being built?  It's Solar Powered as well.
• Fox News Studios-  In several studios around the Nation, Fox is switching to Green Lights, BioDiesel in cars, and many other Green Items.

There you have it.  5 HUGE statements by People and Companies that reach out to many people every day around the globe trying to encourage folks to lean towards Green and Sustainable living.  Rockefeller Center will be saving DAILY more electricity than I use in an entire month.  Check out all 5 articles to read about different reasons to go Green.

A BIG THANKS to all of 5 for making a huge leap towards Sustainability. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 

If you live in or near The Woodlands, you know that the ONE thing they know how to do is throw a GREAT party.  This year was the 1st Annual International Winter on the Waterway combined with Lighting of the Doves.  It was the second time in 3 days that you could catch live music on the Lush Lawns near the Waterway.

There were 3 stages set up with International Dancing and Singing all day long.  There were several booths with information on countries around the globe, international food, and great times!   I have a post talking about all of this coming up, but one of the bands playing that night really grabbed my attention.  

They are called Needfire and were playing on the International Stage sponsored by Fred Haas Toyota about 7:30.  My buddy Ramon was the MC for the night and insisted that we stay to listen to this Celtic Rock Group...Well, ok.  I enjoy listening to bagpipes.

I have to say...these guys ROCKED the waterway that night.  I was so impressed by all of the band members, and the guy on the pipes is just amazing.  Check out the link to site above and the video below.  I hope The Woodlands brings them back next year. 

I guess I should note that the video was not taken in The Woodlands....my video turned out kind of shaky.  There was a sea of people out that night.

Look around the MLS in any given city....what can you get for 99K?  Not much right?

If you take a look at our housing, there is not a whole lot for low income families.  Take in to consideration the cost of housing, HOA Fees, Property Taxes, Gas mileage because people will likely have to drive from affordable housing, Utility Bills.....OH,  Utility Bills.  Those are getting so many of us these days.

What if affordable housing was really affordable all the way around?

I wrote a post not too long ago where I indirectly talked about Green Building and affordable homes.   I mentioned taking areas in Urban areas and rebuilding with Affordable, Green Homes.  Why?  I believe that everyone could really benefit from Energy Efficient, Green Homes.  Discounts on Insurance, lower Utility Bills, close to areas with jobs....etc. in existing Urban areas.  Excellent idea.

Well, apparently I'm not the only one thinking that way.  Yeah!   Rice Design Alliance and the American Institute of Architects have joined to make the 99K Competition in Houston.  They are currently taking applications for Designs on sustainable, affordable homes that can be built AND SOLD for 99K OR LESS.  

The homes are to be up to 1400 sq ft, 3 bedrooms and 1 1/2 - 2 bathrooms and need to fit on appx. a 50 X 100 ft lot.  There will be 3 designs chosen and built starting at the end of March 2008 in Houston's Historic 5th Ward.  

Sounds like a GREAT way to bring new thoughts to Affordable Housing in Urban Areas.   I can't wait to see what amazing stuff comes out of this contest. 

If you would like to read more about the competition and the area considered for the 99K Competition, You can go to the following website--->>>>   the 99K House Competition

Here in Houston it is not uncommon to stop by a filling station to put air in your tires once a month.  It seems as though whether the tires are brand new or years old, they always need air.  As much as we drive in this business, waiting too long to put air in your tires  can be costly in gas mileage.

The past few days I could tell that it was time to stop...but I remember reading Fran Gaspari's post about Nitrogen Air for tires and he had me curious.

I did some reading on a few different websites.  It does not necessarily give you better gas mileage but keeps your tires full of air for a longer period of time and at a more constant level to be able NOT GET WORST gas mileage.  On top of that it was said to give the car better handling, reduce the risk of blow outs, wear the rubber less  (apparently the moisture from regular air oxidizes the tires over time?)....

So after reading all of that, why would I NOT try it? 

I must have called 20 Tire and Service shops before I finally found one around me that has Nitrogen.  There is a place being built near me...but not open.   However, I found a Car Dealership that offers this service.

For a one time fee of $49.97 they filled my car with Nitrogen today.   After today they will top off my tires at anytime for no charge. 

I now have the pretty GREEN caps on my tires.  When I left the dealership I was even more curious and the traffic was not bad so I took it to the highway.  I really can feel a difference.  I can't describe it, but there is a difference.  I had my husband take it for a spin because he thought I was crazy....and HE felt the difference.

NOW,  let's see if my gas mileage changes any after a month or so when I would normally need some air in the tires.  Should be interesting. 

So,  who's next?

I have been showing some off the beaten path property lately which has made me think that I really should invest in a GPS system.  Looking around online I about fall off of my chair every time that I look at the prices of them.  WOW!

However, this time of year one of my favorite websites is the Black Friday Ads Website.  They already have the adscans for about half of the stores and will be posting more within the next week.  I went on to see if any stores would have some good deals the Friday after Thanksgiving...and would you believe...

Circuit City will have a Mio C220 for $99 ?!?!?!   Mio also has a software for Speed Cameras!

I think I may head out to get one of these...it's not an Early Bird deal or Mail In Rebate.  Even Better!   Any of you thinking you may want an affordable GPS System for your car,  Black Friday may be the day to get one.   Circuit City, Best Buy, Costco, Radio Shack and well, just about every store has some GPS Systems 50% off that day.  Now,  which ones have pre-loaded maps? 

Regardless of how you feel about Global Warming, I think most people agree that our Energy costs are out of sight.  Homeowners across the nation are noticing increased electric bills, higher prices at the pump, the desire for renewable energy like wind and solar (which many Homeowners Associations are against)-

In turn this is making us more Dependent on Oil, Gas and Energy Companies.  What would that do to our Bills?

Well, I visited the Congress Website today to find out that within the next few weeks they will be voting on a Renewable Energy and Conservation bill.  My Representative is currently voting NO to it...I have already emailed him. 

I do not find myself to be either Conservative or Liberal...but I read what the Conservatives had to say about it.  It said, without quoting, that America has about another 100 years of coal left to use!  Why not use it?

Is there something wrong with that picture?  We have 100 Years of Coal?  Sorry, but if you take in to consideration the Billions of years that Earth has been around, 100 measly years is not a very long time.   I think the time to consider Renewable Energy and look to reduce our Energy Costs is NOW.

If you agree that we need to Take Control of Energy Issues, you may want to let your Representatives know about it.  If the Renewable Energy Bill goes bad, it could have a Negative Impact for many years to come. 

Here are some links for you to read and so you can make see what side of the fence you are on...

"Repealing Subsidies to Big Oil"...for "renewable energy"

Republicans for Environmental Protection

If you take Global Warming out of the Picture, Renewable Energy is still a Smart Thing to Consider.

Did you know that there was a America Recycles Day?  On November 15th every year the National Recycling Coalition hosts this event.  This will be the 10th year that Americans across the nation get together to Recycle and Purchase Recycled Products.  Not only that, they learn the benefits of it. 

There is some amazing information on their website about what kind of products are made of recycled products.  A few are Surfboards, T-shirts, Marbles, Bikes...the list goes on. 

They also a website set up where you can send FREE E-Cards to people you know to remind them of them of the event.

So, what are you doing on November 15th?  I have a few containers of stuff that I need to take to the recycling center, maybe I'll wait until then.  :)

For information on Recycling Centers in the Spring and Woodlands Area, you can visit a previous post of mine:

How GREEN Is The Woodlands