24 September 2012

Venetian Estates News - September 2012

In the Know

Know Your Neighbors

I recently sold the Roberts’ home located at 407 Savoy. If you drive that way you have surely noticed changes in the landscaping. Major interior renovations are taking place as well. The updated home will be amazing when Natalie and Greg Nielson, our new neighbors, are finished!

Greg works for Redstone Companies as Senior VP of their Houston Golf properties, which include Shadow Hawk, Houstonian Golf & Country Club, Redstone, and Black Horse. Natalie is Spa Manager for Trellis Spa at the Houstonian Golf & Country Club.  They have two children, Zach, 23, who lives in Scottsdale, AZ and Taylor, 19, who is beginning her sophomore year at the University of Alabama. Their dog Orson is a 12 year old lab/ blue heeler mix. Their cats, Boo and Bennie, are settling into their new home as well.

Natalie and Greg have always wanted to live in Venetian Estates, and Natalie says that they cannot believe they are actually here! Everyone has been extremely warm and welcoming and they are very excited about their home renovation project. 

We also have brand-new neighbors at 307 Savoy. Andi and Vincent Maceo have moved in after a huge remodeling project. The Washburn boys will not recognize the place!  Andi and Vincent have three children – two in Austin and one in Chicago – and three granddaughters in Austin. Andi is a broker with Cole Commercial and Vicent is retired from Xerox Corporation. 

Andi and Vincent are still in “moving” mode as they consolidate one house in College Station and another in Houston into their new Venetian Estates home. When they first saw VE they knew this was the place they wanted to call home! They look forward to settling in and continuing to remodel.
 
Know Who to Call

Matthew Stauffacher, son of Kathy and Ray Stauffacher at 111 Tuscany is a high school student at Fort Bend Christian Academy and has started a business called Matt’s Pool Cleaning and “Stuff” You Don’t Want To Do Service. Matt comes highly recommended by Lydia and Ed Crowell at 106 Tuscany. He has been cleaning their pool for several months and is a very responsible and nice young man. Matt will do pool cleaning, yard raking and odd jobs in and around your home. You can reach him at 281.277.8680 or mhstauffacher@gmail.com.
 
Know Where to Go

We all know how difficult it is to say goodbye to this special neighborhood. However, when you plan to spend several months a year on your own private century-old farm in Italy... well, perhaps that would help ease the pain. Our good neighbors, Susan and Rick Rodgers will be spending more time living la dolce vita abroad and have given me the opportunity to market their one-of-a-kind property.

This backyard paradise has abundant mature fruit, pecan, red bud and oak trees, to name a few! Imagine this park-like, secluded hideaway belonging to you or one of your friends. The ¾+ acre lot offers wonderful breezes, good fishing and privacy, and is the only VE lot with views and access to both Lake Eldridge and Lake Venice!

Know Where to Work

Since purchasing the Frost Bank Building five years ago we have maintained 100% occupancy. Now, for the first time, we have offices available! With the soon-to-be vibrant Imperial Historic District directly across Hwy 90 and our own building undergoing major exterior improvements in early 2013, this is a rare opportunity to office in an exceptional property within walking distance from home! Contact Kelly Ferguson at 281.242.1261 or kelly@fbre.net.
 
Know the Market
On Sept. 13 the Federal Reserve propelled markets with its announcement of open-ended buying of mortgage-backed-securities and promise to keep interest rates low for years. As a result, mortgage rates are edging back to all-time lows. With 30-year rates averaging around 3.5%, it’s a great time to sell or buy. Please call me if you are considering entering the market.

15 September 2012

Know This Neighborhood!

What is the best way to get to know a neighborhood? You can do the research online - schools, taxes, demographics etc. But you really get to know a neighborhood by getting to know the most valuable asset any neighborhood has - the people who live there. I have lived in Venetian Estates for 28 years and know the majority of homeowners here.  We love our neighborhood and we often come together to visit, celebrate and support one another. If you are not a part of this fabulous neighborhood and would like to be please call me for a tour of available properties or even a tour of our recreational lakes. I will also introduce you to residents - new neighbors as well as those who have lived here 30 years or more! If you drive through and 'fall in love' we would love for you to be a part of this place we call 'home.'