What is a Home Warranty – What’s the benefit?

As home buyers, we usually depend on the home inspection to tell us everything we need to know about the “health” of the home we’re buying. One problem with that is home inspections can only tell us what’s currently wrong with the home and doesn’t necessarily prepare us for the unexpected repairs that may follow.

Home warranty plans are basically home systems service protection programs that cover repairs on things like refrigerators, dishwashers, HVAC units, plumbing and electrical systems. They are similar to health insurance plans, just for your house! Typically, a yearly fee is associated with a plan as well as a co-pay for a service technician to come out and evaluate and repair the issue.

In Texas, home warranty plans cost an average of $400 per year and cover a wide variety of systems in your home. Be sure to ask questions and read the fine print because there are some systems that aren’t covered in the initial policy and may require you to add them at an additional price. For instance, some policies cover all major systems, except swimming pool and hot tub equipment. This may be added at an additional cost to your plan. There are companies that allow you to pick and choose which appliances you want to cover.

So how does it work? If something goes wrong, you simply call the warranty company. They will arrange for a contracted service technician to come to your home to repair the appliance, however, you will be responsible for the service visit fee, which is usually around $75. Once they determine what’s wrong, the repair company will run it by the warranty provider to find out if it’s covered. Once they get approval, the repair technician will complete the work on the broken appliance.
A home warranty policy is something you should ask for if you’re buying a home. If you’re selling, offer one! It’s a great piece of extra protection and peace of mind when owning a home.

If you have questions, or need capable and trustworthy representation, please call me at 281-704-3749.

Houston This Weekend!

Are you looking to get out on the town this weekend?  Here’s a short list of what’s happening in Cypress and the Houston area this weekend!

For a complete searchable list, click here.

Cypress

Cy-Fest 2012 “A Taste of Louisiana” :: It’s our pleasure to invite you to the 2nd Annual CY-FEST 2012 “A TASTE OF LOUISIANA”.  Three (3) days of fun, food, adventure, rides, live music and carnival games.  This year’s celebration kicks-off on Friday, March 23^rd!  Right off HWY 290 in Cypress Texas…near the Houston Premium Outlets.

Come out and witness all the extras we’ll provide.  One of our best features will be the entertainment.  We’re lining up some of Houston’s best talent and we’ll be featuring some Regional and National bands.  So grab your lawn chair or a blanket, pick out a spot near the stage, kick back and spend some quality time with your family, friends and neighbors.

You can also shop until you drop.  They’ll be over 100 Arts & Craft Vendors and Commercial Exhibitors.  And let’s not forget the food; some of Louisiana’s Best.  So crawl on down to Cypress, Texas.  We’ll show you a claw tapping, tail snapping GOOD TIME!

Houston

The Original Tribute to The Blues Brothers :: Miller Outdoor Theater :: Join Jake and Elwood Blues as they kick off Miller’s 2012 season in a spectacular way! The show brings all favorite moments and songs with a few new twists, a few new moves and a clean, freshly laundered suit. The boys are joined by the sassy Bluettes, three talented ladies with voices to amaze any audience.
Some of the most loved songs from the duo include Everybody, Shake Ya Tail Feather, Sweet Home Chicago, Think, Respect, Gimme Some Loving and more.

31^st Annual K-9 Fun Run & Walk :: Houston Humane Society :: Houston’s oldest dog walk! Join us for a 1 mile competitive run with your dog, or a 1 mile non-competitive jog/walk with or without your pup. Afterwards, enjoy the post race party in the park with vendor booths, food & drinks, music, dog training demos, doggy costume contest, and more. The very best way to spend a Sunday with family, friends, and fido!

Bayou City Art Festival :: Memorial Park :: It doesn’t matter what your art style is, you are sure to find something you like at The Annual Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park.  This fine, juried art festival transforms the 1.1 – mile trail of the park into a one-of-a-kind outdoor gallery.

Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks :: Toyota Center :: March 24, 2012

 

Bridgeland’s 3rd Annual BBQ Cook-Off

Pitmasters across the Cypress area will compete for trophies and bragging rights during Bridgeland’s 3rd Annual BBQ Cook-Off Saturday, March 31.

Chefs can enter chicken, pork ribs and brisket into the competition, which will be held at Bridgeland’s Lakeland Activity Center, 16902 Bridgeland Landing. Entrants can begin serving food at noon and must turn in a judging sample of chicken by 1 p.m.; pork ribs, 2 p.m.; and brisket, 3 p.m. First-, second- and third-place trophies in each category will be awarded.

Fires used to prepare the meat must be fueled by wood or charcoal, although electric-powered spits and other accessories will be permitted. Sauces are permitted in the cooking process, however, cannot be applied for entry presentation.

The registration fee is $20 and is turned in to the Lakeland Activity Center no later than Monday, March 22, 2012. For more information, contact Bridgeland’s activities director at 281-304-1318 or edominguez@pcmi-us.com. Register online by clicking here.

Source: bridgeland.com

Houston This Weekend :: 03.16.12

Tags

Cypress, Houston, Houston events, houston nightlife

Are you looking to get out on the town this weekend?  Here’s a short list of what’s happening in Cypress and the Houston area this weekend!

For a complete searchable list, click here.

Cypress

Penny Pinching Mamas Children’s Consignment Event :: Berry Center :: Once you shop a PENNY PINCHING MAMAs Children’s Consignment sale it will be a event you will never want to miss. You are about to get some PENNY PINCHING  great deals on quality name brand children’s clothing, toys, equipment, furniture and so much more.

2012 NAGA HOUSTON GRAPPLING CHAMPIONSHIP :: Berry Center :: The North American Grappling Association (NAGA) is the world’s largest mixed grappling tournament circuit with over 150,000 competitors worldwide. On Saturday, March 17, 2012, NAGA makes its debut in Houston, TX with its 1st annual NAGA Houston Grappling Championship No-Gi & Gi tournament.

Houston

Discovery Green Flea :: Grace Even Lawn :: Treasure-hunt at this monthly, one-of-a-kind market nestled in the shady southeast end of the downtown park. The destination market features an array of artful kitsch, vintage items, mid-century modern furniture, recycled and repurposed items and collectibles.

Discovery Green Flea is irresistible to the avid shopper! Whether you are a bargain hunter or an eco-sensitive collector dedicated to repurposing and reusing, seek and find at Discovery Green Flea while enjoying light bites and local entertainment. With the planning expertise of Project for Public Spaces and Brooklyn Flea, Discovery Green Flea is the place to see (buy and eat) and be seen.

Dash of the Titan Houston Mud Run 2012 :: Get your dose of vitamin MUD! Titans, come and enjoy a grueling 5K mud run, where your skills will be tested with many challenging obstacles along the way, a true play day in the mud! You will encounter obstacles like wall climbing, fire leaping, crawling in the mud with barbed wire looming just above your head, crazy costumes music and beer. At the end you’ll get to enjoy live music and yummy food! Truly a must-do event.

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo :: Reliant Park :: Rodeo has been a tradition in Houston since 1932, and the three-week extravaganza at Reliant Park continues to consume the city every spring. The kickoff for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo^TM is the Rodeo Parade, after trail riders ride into town and set up camp in Memorial Park.  All 20 championship rodeo competitions are concluded with entertainment by music superstars.

Friday, March 16: Train
Saturday, March 17 – RodeoHouston BP Super Series Championship: Brad Paisley
Sunday, March 18 – Cinch RodeoHouston Super Shootout: Alan Jackson

Houston Aeros vs Rockford Ice Hogs

Houston Aeros vs Abbotsford Heat

Decorating Large Rooms

Large rooms with soaring ceilings, extra-tall doors and towering windows are designed to give a home a grand appearance, but how do you make great spaces like this feel warm and inviting?

Here are some things to consider when dealing with large scale rooms:

• Find large pieces of furniture with vivid or deep color and texture to give the feeling of warmth and comfort. Make sure it feels like a home and stay away from the feel of “can’t touch, can’t sit” type of furnishings.
• Add some color to the walls; darker paint colors and architectural detailing bring the walls in visually. Use tall wainscoting and extra-wide chair rails stained a different color than the walls to break up the emptiness large, white rooms. Choose higher-back sofas, larger art work and taller lamps to match the overall oversize scale. Leaving the walls and ceilings white or off-white leave a large room feeling cold and stark.
• Rich, full-length draperies anchor the room and accentuate the color scheme.
• Add decorative moldings and chandeliers give the illusion that the ceilings are closer in.
• The addition of wood beams provide overhead interest in a large, room.
• Cluster seating arrangements when furnishing large spaces to create intimacy, so you don’t feel like you’re floating in the middle of an ocean of space. Try a media-center cluster for watching TV, a cluster of armchairs for conversing, club chairs clustered around game tables.
• Break up extra-long rooms with three rugs instead of one gigantic carpet.

Don’t let that daunting large space steal the joy of enjoying your home to the fullest. Incorporate some of these ideas to bring warmth and comfort to your home.

Did you know I can help you or any of your friends or family save time and money when buying or selling a home? Thanks for keeping me in mind with your referrals…and spreading the word about my services. Call Jill Smith Realty today 281-704-3749!

Houston This Weekend :: 03.09.12

Tags

Cypress, Houston, Houston events, houston nightlife

Are you looking to get out on the town this weekend?  Here’s a short list of what’s happening in Cypress and the Houston area this weekend!

For a complete searchable list, click here.

Cypress Area

Run Over Cancer Marathon & 5K :: Bridgeland

Houston Area

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo :: Reliant Park ::  Rodeo has been a tradition in Houston since 1932, and the three-week extravaganza at Reliant Park continues to consume the city every spring. The kickoff for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo^TM is the Rodeo Parade, after trail riders ride into town and set up camp in Memorial Park.  All 20 championship rodeo competitions are concluded with entertainment by music superstars.

Friday, March 9 – Paint the Rodeo Pink Day: Reba McEntire
Saturday, March 10: Chris Young
Sunday, March 11 – Go Tejano Day: Duelo, La Original Banda El Limon

40^th Buffalo Bayou Regatta :: Houstonians of all ages are encouraged to participate in the 15-mile USCA-sanctioned race along the scenic Buffalo Bayou, whether you are entering competitively, or paddling for pleasure.

Those not wanting to paddle can catch the outdoor fun and cheer on the racers. Free live music, awards ceremony, and food and drinks will be available for sale at the finish line are at Sesquicentennial Park.

Azalea Trail Home & Garden Tour :: River Oaks :: One of the surest signs of spring in Houston is the annual Azalea Trail. Houstonians and visitors view the spectacular gardens at Bayou Bend and Rienzi and visit River Oaks’ exquisite private homes and admire their breathtaking gardens.

Houston Aeros vs Grand Rapids Griffins :: Toyota Center

Choosing A Mortgage Company

Tags

Cypress, Cypress Real Estate

You wouldn’t buy a house without shopping around first, right? Then why would you commit to the loan you use to buy that house without making sure you’re getting the best deal possible? From the experts at LendingTree, here are six reasons why it’s essential to take a few minutes to browse before you borrow:

1. To get the best interest rate possible
Over the life of a $200,000, 30-year fixed rate loan, a one-tenth of a point difference in interest rate could save or cost you thousands of dollars.

2. To pay lower loan fees
Once your loan application is accepted, the lender will get back to you with a good-faith estimate (GFE), including an itemized list of all the costs associated with the loan. If there are any parts of the GFE that you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to ask the lender to explain each fee that is listed.

3. To avoid a prepayment penalty
In these transient times, it seems no one stays in their home long enough to pay down their mortgage the old fashioned way: in monthly increments over a period of decades. So you’ll want to be clear on whether the terms of your loan include a penalty if you pay off your mortgage early—either because you move or refinance.

4. To find a lender you feel comfortable with
You don’t want any surprises popping up at closing time. Get a lender who is responsive to your questions and is willing to give you the details in writing.

5. To find a lender that specializes in your situation
Recent volatility in the mortgage markets means that people with bad credit or little money for a down payment might have to look a little harder to find a lender.

6. To get the rate lock period you want
Once you’ve found the lender offering the best mortgage rate and terms, you’ll want to get a written commitment, known as a “lock” that puts in writing that the lender will make the loan to you at that the specified interest rate. The length of the lock can vary from 30-90 days, but many lenders will charge a fee for a rate commitment of longer than a month. Negotiate the lock period that is right for you, depending on when you plan to close on your new home and if interest rates are expected to creep higher during that time.

Source: RISMEDIA, Paige Tepping

You deserve fair rates and extremely good service from the lender who gets the opportunity to earn your business. Let me know if you need help and I can recommend a few mortgage lenders to contact. Call Jill Smith Realty today! 281-704-3749

Houston This Weekend :: 03.02.12

Are you looking to get out on the town this weekend?  Here’s a short list of what’s happening in Cypress and the Houston area this weekend!

For a complete searchable list, click here.

Cypress Area

HFAC presents Seussical :: Berry Center :: Performs February 24 – March 11, 2012 in the Berry Center Theater. In this fun family musical, Horton tries to protect the inhabitants of Whoville who live on a speck of dust. The large cast includes many characters from the Dr. Seuss books, including the Cat in the Hat, Horton, Gertrude, Mayzie, The Sour Kangaroo, The Wickersham Brothers, Yertle the Turtle, The Grinch, and of course the Whos down in Whoville. Join us for a fun romp through a child’s imagination! (G) Show dates and times: Feb 24 at 8 pm; Feb 25 at 8 pm; Mar 2 at 8 pm; Mar 3 at 8 pm; Mar 4 at 3 pm; Mar 9 at 8 pm; Mar 10 at 3 pm; Mar 11 at 3 pm.

Pieceful Moments Quilt Show :: Berry Center :: The Tri-County Quilt Guild presents the Pieceful Moments Quilt Show on Friday, March 2 from 9 am – 5 pm and Saturday, March 3 from 9 am – 4 pm. The guild was formed to provide easy and convenient access to a local guild for Texas quilters in the Northwest Harris, Montgomery, and Waller Counties. Our goal is to preserve and encourage the art of quilting, provide instruction for members, education for the public, and to be a gathering for people who have quilting as a common interest. We encourage active participation in guild activities and welcome input from each of our members. Featured artist is Libby Lehman, and the show includes 30+ vendors, quilt appraisals and door prizes.

Houston Area

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo :: Reliant Park :: Rodeo has been a tradition in Houston since 1932, and the three-week extravaganza at Reliant Park continues to consume the city every spring. The kickoff for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo^TM is the Rodeo Parade, after trail riders ride into town and set up camp in Memorial Park.  All 20 championship rodeo competitions are concluded with entertainment by music superstars.

It’s going to be a star-studded lineup this year at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Reba McEntire, ZZ Top, John Legend, Alabama, Lady Antebellum and many more are headed to H-Town for three weeks of concerts during the rodeo, which kicks off on February 28.

Houston Ballet Presents Cinderella :: Houston Ballet :: The story has been a favorite for generations but make no mistake, this is not your childhood Cinderella. More tomboy than princess, Stanton Welch’s title character is a striking woman of substance, determination and spunk. She’s in control, fighting the oppression and will of her evil stepmother with wit and vigor. And when she finds true love she grabs it – and wisely holds on with both hands.

Radiohead at Toyota Center :: Toyota Center welcomes Radiohead to Houston on Saturday, March 3. Radiohead has been described as having reinvented their King of Limbs studio recordings live, emphasizing rhythm. The band has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, and has been placed highly in both listener polls and critics’ lists.

Houston Rockets vs. Denver Nuggets :: Toyota Center

Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers :: Toyota Center

How To Get The Best Deal On A Home Loan

Tags

Cypress, Cypress Real Estate

Your decisions about a home loan can translate into thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. Request quotes from multiple lenders and follow these tips to get the best deal on a mortgage:

• Stay confident and ask for clarification of items you do not understand.

• Ask to see different options for down payments and term of your loan.

• Interest rates are critical to you getting the lowest possible mortgage payment. The interest rate you get is based on your credit score, but know that interest rates changes on a daily basis. You have the power to decide whether to lock-in the current rate at the time you submit your loan application or take the chance that it might float down during the processing period.

• Carefully analyze disclosures and estimated costs provided by the lender.

You deserve fair rates and extremely good service from the lender who gets the opportunity to earn your business. Let me know if you need help and I can recommend a few mortgage lenders to contact.

If you have questions, or need capable and trustworthy representation, please call me at 281-704-3749.

Houston This Weekend :: 02.24.12

Tags

Cypress, Houston, Houston events, houston nightlife, what to do in houston

There’s always something to do in H-Town!  Here’s a short list of what’s happening around town this weekend!

For a complete searchable list, click here.

Cypress Area

Cy Fair Home and Garden Show :: Berry Center: Saturday February 25, 9 am – 7 pm & Sunday February 26, 10 am – 6 pm. Want to turn your home into the ultimate getaway? Then mark the upcoming Fifth Annual Cy-Fair Home and Garden Show on your calendar. The show will feature an exciting lineup of industry-expert speakers and more than 200 vendors, all showcasing new products and the latest ideas to spruce up your home’s indoor and outdoor spaces.

HFAC presents Seussical :: Berry Center:  Performs February 24 – March 11, 2012 in the Berry Center Theater. In this fun family musical, Horton tries to protect the inhabitants of Whoville who live on a speck of dust. The large cast includes many characters from the Dr. Seuss books, including the Cat in the Hat, Horton, Gertrude, Mayzie, The Sour Kangaroo, The Wickersham Brothers, Yertle the Turtle, The Grinch, and of course the Whos down in Whoville. Join us for a fun romp through a child’s imagination! (G) Show dates and times: Feb 24 at 8 pm; Feb 25 at 8 pm; Mar 2 at 8 pm; Mar 3 at 8 pm; Mar 4 at 3 pm; Mar 9 at 8 pm; Mar 10 at 3 pm; Mar 11 at 3 pm.

Houston Area

World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest :: Reliant Park: From: February 23, 2012 – February 25, 2012 (Recurring daily) The World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest is three days of cooking, competition, eating and dancing. The sweet aroma drifts over the Houston metropolis, drawing crowds like bees to honey. Trophies are awarded to teams preparing the best dish in each category (brisket, chicken, pork and spare ribs) as well as an overall winner.

Professional Bull Rider’s Built Ford Tough Series :: Reliant Park: Buckle Up, The PBR Built Ford Tough Series is non-stop, adrenaline-fueled action featuring the Top 40 bull riders on the planet taking on the fiercest bucking bulls in the world in the Toughest 8 Seconds in Sports.

The Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough Series consists of regular-season events and the World Finals in Las Vegas.

Riders earn points at each Built Ford Tough Series event based on three things: their ride scores, their finish in each round, and for their overall finish in the event. The first-place finisher in a round receives 100 bonus points. Riders placing second through 10th receive points on a graduated scale down to 10.

ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run :: Grab your running shoes and mark your calendar for the 25th annual ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run! This 10K and 5K event that attracts over 15,000 participants and raises money for Texas youth through the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Educational Fun.

Did you know I can help you or any of your friends or family save time and money when buying or selling a home?  Thanks for keeping me in mind with your referrals…and spreading the word about my services. Call me today 281-704-3749!