What Will It Take For The Housing Market To Bounce Back?
July 31st, 2008 categories: Buying Real Estate
We've heard so much media drama about the housing and mortgage crisis for the last year or so, but does any of it make sense? Even those of us in the business can find the information overwhelming and confusing. An article I read in Tierra Grand, a journal published by the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, really helped put things in perspective for me.
"After the Fallout," written by Dr. Mark Dotzour, explains how "the "no-risk" environment of the past few years spurred lenders to make risky loans and investors to buy those loans," many of which were actually high risk loans disguised as good investments in the then flourishing market. Suddenly lenders were able to lift many of the restrictions of the past and offer 100% loans to individuals who really couldn't afford them. Investors from all over the world were purchasing these loans because the strong market made them good investments. When the market began to shift in 2006 and prices started to decline, the risk free environment began to shift as well.
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Is Your Granite Countertop Dangerous to Your Health???
July 28th, 2008 categories: Home Improvement & Design
Well, here we go again??? Now that all the hype about mold in homes seems to have calmed, we now have a new worry...the granite countertops so prevalent in todays newer and updated homes.
Granite's beauty and durablity have made it a popular option with today's home consumer, and the demand for the product has grown. However a recent article published on Yahoo News (July 24, 2008) from a NY Times article, states that some varieties may be a health concern due to levels of radon gas and radiation emited from the widely used material. According to the article, allegations that granite countertops may emit dangerous levels of radon and radiation (granite is known to contain uranium and other radioactive materials like thorium and potassium) have been raised periodically in recent years. Although the levels in most types of granite are small and should not pose a health (more...)| Discussion: Leave A Comment »
Shopping for Mexican Pottery in Madisonville?
July 9th, 2008 categories: Kids, Family & Personal Stuff
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Have you checked out “Flirt!” yet???
July 8th, 2008 categories: Kids, Family & Personal Stuff
There is a great new magazine in town called "Flirt!" This quarterly publication is published and distributed by Sherry McCartney of McCartney Marketing in Hearne and is geared toward "exploring the fabulous world of women." The summer 2008 issue focuses on the local arts scene in the Brazos Valley and is chock full of interesting articles about local people, businesses, events, and places to see. The large scale, full color format is eye catching and attractive and is loaded with colorful photographs, reproductions, and ads...the summer issue cover features a gorgeous triple reduction print by a local student artist. Although this publication is geared toward women's interests, I think everyone can find something of interest in this great new publication.
Let me show you why the Brazos Valley is such a great place to live...email me at:
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