Sam White's College Station Real Estate Blog

Dear readers,

Downtown Bryan was rocking last night. It's not unusual to have 3,000-4,000 folks visit downtown on First Friday or Art Step, but yesterday's crowd was a combination on the beginning of spring (traffic was heavy throughout BCS yesterday), a concert at the Palace Theater and the grand re-opening of the LaSalle Hotel.

Originally opened in 1928, the hotel was a social gathering place for friends, family and people doing business in the bustling downtown area of Bryan. Located yards from a major railroad line, the hotel saw decades of activity before becoming a retirement/boarding hotel, and finally falling into disrepair. I remember seeing the boarded-up building in the 1980's, when I was a student at Texas A&M, and hoping that someone would have the vision to invest in the restoration of the building.

That came in 2000, when the City of Bryan purchased the property and hired Lane Management to re-open and operate the hotel. The facility limped through the decade, suffering water damage when a fire sprinkler caused the evacuation of the hotel in 2008. After careful review, the Bryan City Council approved a new operating contract with Denver-based Magnolia Hotels in 2009, and approved an almost $600,000 renovation to the facility.

Last night we saw the fruits of the money and labor, as Magnolia hosted a great party, showcasing the hotel's refurbished lobby, bar/restaurant and rooms. Local politicians, downtown businessmen and residents were treated to food, drinks and music as the crowd spilled out of the lobby into the hotel's courtyard in beautiful spring weather.

Tours were available of the hotel's 55 guest rooms, which rent for an average price of $91 per night. Rooms feature fresh beds, linens and flat-screen TV's. Because of the small size of the hotel, chances of getting a corner room with views of Downtown Bryan are high. Magnolia officials emphasize that because of the size of the hotel, they can concentrate on guest comfort and service.

The LaSalle Cafe has been converted into a dining area and bar, where hotel guests will enjoy a full, hot breakfast everyday, as well as a complimentary cocktail hour in the evenings. The restaurant is open to non-guests beginning at 11am, where they feature a nice menu.

I had the pleasure of meeting the hotel's general manager, Scott Roche, several weeks ago when the hotel was hosting it's first conference. Scott and his family come to us from Magnolia's downtown Houston hotel. Scott's put a lot of work and spirit into the LaSalle, telling of late nights finishing the lobby floor in time for the conference and opening. If Scott's attention to detail and enthusiasm is any indication of the hotel's chance for success, the future looks bright for the LaSalle.

You can find them on the Web at http://www.lasalle-hotel.com/bryan-college-station.aspx, or contact them by telephone at 979-822-2000.

Blue skies,

Sam White Keller Williams Realty Brazos Valley
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Dear readers,

After getting new life from Aggie investors in 2009, the six-year-old Traditions Club is preparing for the long-awaited opening of their new 21,000 square-foot clubhouse this fall. After an official ground breaking in October 2009, and despite a wet winter that has caused construction delays throughout the Brazos Valley, the new clubhouse is on schedule for opening during the 2010 Texas A&M Football season. Progress on the men's and women's locker rooms, golf pro shop, bar restaurant and banquet facilities can be seen on the Web cam overlooking the construction site.

Originally owned and developed by the Melrose Co. of Hilton Head, S.C., the club suffered a setback in late 2008 when Melrose announced that construction had halted due to poor economic conditions in other parts of the country. Concerned for the club's future, five Aggie businessmen from the Houston area teamed up to form an investment company to purchase the property and facilities. The group got control of the golf course in February, 2009 and purchased the foreclosed property in April.

The group hired William Cole, Inc. to manage the golf course and market and develop more lots. With approximately 270 lots sold, and over 135 completed homes, the property is beginning to look developed, expecting upward of 450 homes when Traditions is fully built-out.

Home of the 2009 National Champion Texas A&M Men's Golf Team, the club's course is a is a Jack Nicklaus and Jack Nicklaus II co-design featuring 7,146 yards of lush grass and wooded areas, with several natural creeks and views of Kyle Field and the Texas A&M University skyline.

One reason for new life at Traditions may be the close location of the Texas A&M Health Science Center, a 200-acre campus being constructed a short distance from the facility.

Overnight accommodations for Aggies and guests are available in both The Cottages and The Casitas at The Traditions Club.

For more information on the course, club and membership, contact Jimmy Walsworth at 979-779-1007. For home-site real estate information, contact Beth Sorenson at The Traditions Real Estate Office, 979-821-CLUB and please mention you were referred by Sam White. You are also welcome to contact me directly at 979-589-4487 for information on homes available in Traditions or anywhere in the Bryan College Station Area.

If you haven't been to Traditions in a while, spring is a great time to drive through the club!

Blue skies,

Sam White

Keller Williams Realty Brazos Valley
979-589-4487 Google Voice & Text
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Dear readers,

Just a quick note to promote World Down Syndrome Day. Our local group, the Down Syndrome Association of the Brazos Valley, will be having a county fair today at Sue Haswell Park in Bryan, Texas from noon to 4pm.

Bring your kids and enjoy an afternoon of games, food and other activities, including snow cones, hair painting, cotton candy and hot dogs.

This is a fund raiser for our local organization, and admission is only $10 per person. I know it's a bit chilly this morning, but the sun is shining and the weather should be brisk and fun by this afternoon.

We hope to see you there!

Dear readers,

It's spring, and many folks are getting ready to put properties on the market. I spent some time with our team's staging expert yesterday and walked away with these tips:

• Learn from others - Visit model homes and open houses that are professionally staged in your community. No reason to re-invent the wheel.
• Walk through your home as a buyer might. Begin at the curb and follow a typical route for buyers. Pay careful attention to the area around the front door, where buyers will wait while the selling agent gets the door unlocked.
• De-clutter, declutter, declutter. Remove at least 70% of the knick knacks and items in the home. After you've decluttered once, do it again and again.
• Lighting can make all of the difference. Use bright, but eco-friendly lighting. Make sure blinds and shades are set properly to accent the room.
• Use conventional furniture and remove pieces from the home that detract from the home's style.
• Make sure each room has a purpose. Bedrooms should be bedrooms, not offices or craft rooms.
• Pay particular attention to bedrooms and kitchens. They are more difficult to stage because they are more lived-in. Pay careful attention to food and bathroom smells.
• De-pet your home. Your love of animals may not be shared by your potential buyers. Remove all pet hair and make sure the feeding station is neat and not smelly.
• Don't forget the garage, utility rooms and storage areas. Consider renting a storage facility for all of the stuff in the garage.
• When you think you are finished, invite some close friends over to play the part of buyers. Many times they'll have the best advice.

Any other good staging ideas?

Hi Everyone,

Zuni, the Real Estate Dog, and I just made a run to Whataburger and discovered the 2010 Spring Break exodus from College Station has begun. Texas & University is backed-up several blocks and there are a long line of cars on SH-6 (going both ways).

Back in my day, the mid-1980's, we'd usually stay in town over spring break, knowing the beach was still cold and the mountains too crowded. We'd spend our days at Coulter Field, jumping out of airplanes and our evenings at La Taqueria and Fajita Rita's. Bryan College Station is a more relaxing place with part of the population missing.

Real estate this spring has been busy, with several families shopping for student housing. To qualify for the Federal Tax Credit, properties must be under contract by April 1, 2010. That means we have 19 days to go. If you are interested in our market here in Bryan College Station, I encourage you to visit my Market Reports Webpage. February residential sales numbers just came out, and I'll have them up this afternoon.

To all our friends, students and clients travelling this week, please take your time, be careful, have fun and return safely to us. To everyone staying in town to look at real estate, I'll see you as the week goes on.

Blue skies,

SamWhiteRealty.com
979-589-4487

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Happy Saturday,

A couple of times per year the Texas A&M University American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers hold a lawnmower tune-up in the Sear's parking lot at Post Oak Mall. Today's event is from 8am - 4pm.

Push mowers or small riding mowes are welcome. All lawnmowers will have their blades sharpened, air filters blown out, spark plugs replaced, and oil changed for a donation of $35 for push mowers and $50 for riding mowers.

Donations support ASABE activities as well as trips to conventions and industry sites.

It was great to see so many friends at First Friday Downtown Bryan last night. Have a great Saturday!

Blue skies,

Sam White
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