Sam White's College Station Real Estate Blog

Texas A&M Parents’ Weekend 2012

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:57:41 -0700

Welcome to Texas A&M Parents’ Weekend

Today is Aggie Ring Day, and marks the beginning of Texas A&M University’s Parents Weekend here in College Station, Texas. Several thousand soon to be Former Students receive rings today. Congratulations!

Normally, it would have to be a football weekend to have so many parents in town. Tents are set up in parking lots selling Aggie T-Shirts, caps and all types of Texas A&M Football “stuff.”

I have some links to the 2012 TAMU Parents Weekend schedule of events, but first I want to share a recent video by Texas A&M, entitled “We Serve.”

Nice.

College Station weather for 2012 Parents Weekend looks to be good, with partly cloudy skies and highs nearing 90F.

The TAMU Parents’ Weekend Committed has it’s own website with links to a downloadable Parents’ Weekend Schedule and PARKING INFORMATION. I stress the PARKING INFORMATION because, as our students know parking can be difficult here and ticketers will show no mercy. In case you missed that hyperlink, the website address is http://parentsweekend.tamu.edu/.

Texas A&M Student Housing

Parents, while you’re in town consider how investing in housing for your student may be a wise choice. Our market remains relatively stable, with signs of improvement compared to the rest of the country. Also, as long as kids are attending Texas A&M University, there will be a demand for housing, as well as income in our area.

Condominiums are popular, affordable and without the yard and exterior hassles of a house. Many of our student complexes have pools and cookout areas. One of my favorite complexes is Fox Run Condos (http://foxruncondo.com). Located in a semi-rural setting but still within a couple of miles of Kyle Field, this gated complex is quiet and has a nice pool area.

Another complex in the Southwood Valley area is Woodsman Condos (http://woodsmancondo.com). These affordable units have a unique wood flavor. The units in the photos have sold, but there are several others on the market.

We have a staff of several buyer’s agents who are student housing experts, waiting for your call or text or email. They’re prepared to show properties this weekend, while you’re in town. Give us a call at 979-353-0907. If you fall to voicemail, it’s because our agents are on the phone. Please leave a message as it will be transcribed immediately and our agent can see it on his/her screen. We’ll call you back quickly.

Of course you can always search our Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and set up custom search notifications at Search.SamWhiteRealty.com. No need to talk to an agent!

Have a great weekend wherever you are. Drive safely and enjoy the company of family and friends.

Blue skies,

Sam White
Keller Williams Realty - Bryan College Station
BrazosValleyPremierHomes.com
979-353-0907

Looking for a Better Summer

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:35:10 -0700

Hi everyone,

I hope spring is treating you well. Here in Texas, just northwest of Houston, we've experienced the same mild winter as much of the country. Our good new is the extreme drought, which was killing our trees, fish and fowl, has broken and as of today, most of our tanks and ponds are full. We'll hope that carries into the summer.

Our local housing market seems more upbeat than anytime since 2008. The numbers aren't bad, and it seems that many folks waiting for something to "happen" can't wait longer. Either way, it will be good for everyone - buyers, sellers and the economy.

Our websites are going through some revisions this week and weekend. It's an interesting process because you always want to adhere to the "first, do no wrong" rule. We've carefully checked the pages that the google likes, and we're making sure they suffer the least trauma with the moves. When we're finished in a couple of months, our web presence will be worthy of 2013.

Have a great afternoon.

Blue skies,

Sam

Minimum Hardware for Smooth Android Smartphone Operation - December 2011

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:25:14 -0800

Hi everyone,

Our company needed to pick up another Android phone this Christmas. I really wanted to wait until the spring to purchase a phone and activate another two-year agreement, hoping on developments with the iPhone 5 or a price reduction in the new Nexus, but we couldn't.

I spoke to many Andriod owners over the last month, and combined with our recent experience, I'd like to offer the following suggestions:

Processor Speed: at least 1 gigahertz (1.2gh dual-core preferable)
RAM: At least 512 megabytes (1 gigabyte preferable)
Storage: at least 16g (32g preferable)
Rear Camera: at least 5mp
Front Camera: at least 1mp
LED Flash: rear
Video: at least 720p (1080p preferable)
Audio Out: 3.5mm standard jack
Screen: at least 4"
Battery: at least 1500 mAh (1800 mAh preferable)
Network: at least 4g (4g LTE preferable)
OS: at least 2.3.5 gingerbread (4.0 ice cream sandwich preferable)

Of this list, I give priority to processor speed and RAM. Your life can be miserable without enough of either.

This is a pretty strong suite and well above the standard fare offered as a "free" phone from the primary carriers, but if you are going to be happy in three months, let alone two years, you need to buy "up."

We run our phones hard, heavy on social networking and location services. I can't stand phones that slow down, or are unreliable. Unfortunately, technology is progressing much faster than the typical two-year contract.

I hope this is helpful for post-Christmas shopping.

You can follow the New Technoloy Working Group on twitter or our facebook page for more tech tips!

Blue skies,

Sam
www.SamWhiteRealty.com
979-589-4487

New Technology and Social Media Training for Business

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 11:55:23 -0700

Dear readers,

This morning I'm writing to introduce you to a new technology and social media training group that recently opened to the public after providing private consulting services for several years. The New Technology Working Group (NTWG), or NewTechWorkGroup.com, was formed in early 2010 to advance social media and technology training in Bryan and College Station, Texas, home of Texas A&M University.

The group is comprised of several professionals from different generations and trades, to include Web designers, writers and editors, marketing consultants and social media nerds. The company's goal is to promote individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations on the Web with custom programs to leverage new or already existing reputations and outbound marketing.

With over 15 years of experience in advanced technology training for large corporations such as Continental Airlines and Texas state agencies, as well as small business and non-profit organizations, NTWG's trainers and consultants are used to working with businesses of all sizes.

Real estate training and consulting by the New Technology Working Group in the Bryan College Station area is currently exclusively limited to agents of Keller Williams Realty Bryan College Station. Real estate agents from other, noncompetitive areas of the country are welcome to contact NTWG for consultations.

NTWG has a presence on facebook and twitter, where they post best practices and keep clients and potential clients up to date on the latest trends in technology and social media.

If your interested in how social media, new technology and inbound marketing can improve your business, I urge you to give them a shout on facebook or twitter, email them at info@newtechworkgroup.com or finally give them a call at 512-931-4487.

Feeling left behind? NTWG's motto is "We'll help you catch-up fast!"

As always, if you have any questions regarding real estate in Bryan, College Station or Texas A&M, don't hesitate to call or text me at 979-589-4487 or contact me through my websites, BrazosValleyPremierHomes.com or BryanCollegeStationHomes.info.

Blue skies,

Sam White

In Consideration of Water - Our American Lawns

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 17:49:04 -0700

I grew up on a nice lawn. It made the running games of tag or hide and seek up and down the neighborhood pleasant. And since we lived in town, I guess my Mom and Dad really didn't think about the water it took to keep our lawns green in Hereford, Texas. Hereford isn't exactly tropical.

We came to Hereford from a "semi-arid" climate at 4,700 feet in New Mexico. It was a ranch where green lawns were small, you worked to keep the trees alive in the summer, and leaving the water or a toilet running through, could cause there to be no water for several hours. It wasn't really a pain, you just had to pay attention. It was part of life.

Even during a normal year, meaning one without extreme drought, it is expensive to maintain a classic green American lawn. We live in a nice neighborhood, built in the early 80's. Our neighbors are older and traditional, and I've watched many struggle to keep their grass alive, knowing not only what it cost but also how scarce water is this year.

Another neighborhood trait is that no one does their own lawn, so several times per week, large pickups pulling flatbed utility trailers with several riding lawn implements appear, and the neighborhood fills with the sound and smoke created by several small, inefficient engines. Grass is cut (which of course releases the little moisture that was in the ground), the smoky, noisy caravan moves to another part of town. I humbly apologize to my friends in the lawn care business...and I have some, but it just doesn't make sense.

I'm not suggesting that we go "Las Cruces, NM," where most lawns are rock or gravel, but in our part of Texas native landscaping natural and acceptable...when you think about it.

Deep down, I believe that humans are smart and that we'll get it. Drilling fewer wells, for those of us lucky enough to have wells, saves water and money. For those relying on dry lakes and rivers, you already know what a water emergency is like.

Hoping for rain in the fall,

Sam

Thankful for Facebook

Wed, 11 May 2011 11:00:40 -0700

Surviving another birthday has again reinforced my appreciation of facebook and it's ability to bring people together.

I don't watch my friend count from day to day. I know it's somewhere in the upper 500's. I do, however, take my friends list seriously. I go through it a couple of time per year and I've discovered that I have a relationship with almost every person on it. I admit, I have a very few friends that I can't quite place. Maybe I pushed the wrong button or it's a case of mistaken identity. I've looked at these folks and kept them because they contribute to the conversation or live someplace different or exciting.

Before facebook, I was in touch with probably 10 friends from my adolecent years at New Mexico Military Institute. Now I'm in touch with over 100, who are spread out all over the world doing things for their country, family and self. I would have never guessed who would go into the soft-serve ice cream business (in Arizona) or who remains in Afghanistan, away from his family, doing our nation's dirty work. Some of my friends are going to be general officers soon. I'm proud of them.

Then there are the kids. I've friended more than one kid thinking it was his father. My friends that are kids at Texas A&M keep me young, and my friends who are current cadets at NMMI keep me in touch with the quality of the school. Now my friends kids, who are also friends, are coming to College Station for college.

Anyway, thanks for all the birthday greetings. And to my almost 600 friends, keep living and keep posting. Don't be scared. I think facebook makes me a better, more aware person and also makes this a better world.

Blue skies,

Sam

A Needed Respite

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:21:03 -0700

Everyone needs a break, and I just took mine from blogging. I was absent several months. It was well worth it.

I've spent my time setting up the social media program for Growing Green Communities, a conference series we're holding in Texas on sustainable rural economic development. More simply put, we are teaching rural governments, organizations and businesses how they can Save Money, Make Money and Create Jobs.

Our next major conference is the statewide conference in Austin, November 14-16. In the meantime you can catch our "Green Track" at the Texas Rural Challenge, which is in San Marcos June 16-17.

That's all for now. Have a great week.

Blue skies,

Sam White

Taking advantage of new technology?

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:20:00 -0700

During the last year, I’ve had the opportunity to teach and consult at several market centers and brokerages. In visiting with team leaders and administrators one item kept emerging as a problem. They can’t understand why agents don’t take advantage of excellent technology and systems provided to them, usually free of charge.

Technology can be overwhelming to agents. On top of good old person to person lead generation, there are scores of new social media and Internet systems to help their business, many of which look to get into the agents’ pockets for $19.99 per month and up. Most guarantee more listings and buyers. Spend a year listening to the pitches and you’ll find yourself having a couple of hundred dollars removed from your checking account on a regular basis. Fall for some of the snake oil, such as Website “optimization” gurus, and you can spend thousands of dollars a year for imaginary results.

Many brokerages recognize that agents may not have the cash flow early in their careers to try some of the more useful systems, so they assume the burden, usually for $250-$500 per month, to provide services to their agents. Great examples of this are text messaging information systems, automated feedback requests, and Internet aggregaters and page builders that help spread a single-property Website throughout the Internet. The problem is that in most cases, the agents never use them, or spend their own funds for a system that accomplishes the same task. Why?

Awareness - “I didn’t know,” is a common reason. Maybe they didn’t attend the sales meeting where the system and availability was explained, and the brokerage doesn’t any other way of disseminating the information. I find this too common. Information does no good in a vacuum. Leadership must constantly find ways to communicate with agents other than attendance at sales meetings. Examples include an email newsletters, weekly blogs and video briefings posted on YouTube. There have never been more tools available for internal communication as there are today.

Practicality - “I just can’t get it to work.” The nature of many of our online tools have changed in the the last five years. Many applications live in the Web browser or on the “cloud.” If tools freeze up or don’t work correctly, it may be time to take stock of the equipment you are using: processor, operating system, memory browser and Internet connection. All of these items are important and must work together for a smooth experience.

Infrastructure - “Our Internet service is really bad.” Smart brokers understand the importance of technology in real estate’s future and provide reliable access to practical technology. Offices must start with the basics, such as solid, fast Internet service in the workplace. I was AMAZED to discover large offices with horrible, and I’ll say it again, HORRIBLE Internet service (usually sold by the snake oil salesman). Besides purchasing fast, reliable service, the office’s routers and hot spots must me configured correctly, with emphasis on the possibility that many agents may make extreme demands on the system while connected wirelessly.

Education & Training - “It’s way over my head.” Any system available to agents must be taught, not once but on a regular basis, and agents must be mentored. Does your office teach a technology overview class so agents are comfortable with the technology and systems around them, not to make them an experts, but just give them the working knowledge to make them comfortable? How about specific technology courses to master one platform or another? Are these classes scheduled and held on a regular basis?

In real estate, success comes from a balance of several things working in unison. Does your broker have a strategic plan for technology and technology training in the next 12 months? How about the next 18 months? Is there a tech at the office on a regular basis to help agents with hardware, software and printing needs? Does someone at the market center teach Internet marketing, new technology and social media at least four times per year?

Value in the Act of Blogging

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 10:17:43 -0700

Dear readers,

Many times the act of doing something is worth more than the end product. I think we see this in many areas.

Yesterday I wrote a short post from the National Diving Championships being held here at Texas A&M University. In fact, I received a little flak because the blog didn't directly speak about a property for sale.

While sitting in the crowd with my Netbook on my lap, tapping away, another spectator asked what I was doing. I quickly explained I was writing a quick blog about the event and explained what Active Rain was. I also gave him a card.

If you haven't been to a diving competition, they are kind of like a golf tournament. You are expected to be very quiet and still before each dive, which doesn't lead to conversation. He took my card, nodded and we didn't speak again...until this morning.

I just received a call from the gentleman, and he'd like me to help his family find a home. The combination of supporting our school and community through attending the diving event and taking the time to write about it really impressed him. That, combined with my knowledge of the local market and Internet savvy, influenced him to trust me with his business. He never read the blog, but just the act of writing it gained me a nevw client.

Blogging may be one of the most healthy things we do for our minds and business. Once again it's not just the destination, but the act of getting there that makes the journey worth it.

Blue skies,

Sam White
979-589-4487
Search.SamWhiteRealty.com

National Diving Championships - Texas A&M University

Sat, 14 Aug 2010 13:30:59 -0700

Hi everyone,

I'm blogging live today from the National Diving Championships being held at the Texas A&M Natitorium in College Station, Texas. We have a great facility here, including:

Dive Pool
* 25 meters long 58 feet wide (eight 7-foot wide lanes)
* Two 1-meter and two 3-meter springboards and 1, 3, 5, 7.5 and 10 meter platforms with rough-tex surfaces
* One inch ceramic tile throughout (blue field with white markers)
* One underwater viewing window
* Sparger bubbler system under all platforms and three meter springboards
* Bubble and spray surface agitation systems
* Trampoline room and separate Port-A-Pit area
* Hydrolic self-operated handicap lift
* Adjacent eight person in-ground hot tub
* 16-17 feet deep 24 x 80 tri-color full matrix scoreboard/message center

The contest has been running all week and ends tomorrow (Sunday) after lunch.

Today's competition includes:

Women's 3-Meter Finals
Men's 10-Meter Finals
Women's 3-Meter Synchro Finals
Men's 10-Meter Synchro Finals

If you are here in the Brazos Valley, this will make a great Saturday or Sunda activity.

For more information see:

http://www.usadiving.org/05redesign/events/2010_AT&T_nats.htm

Our thanks to USA Diving and Texas A&M for bringing this great event to our area.

Blue skies,

Sam White
9790589-4487
Search.SamWhiteRealty.com

Bryan College Station Student Housing and Utility Connection Links

Sat, 14 Aug 2010 09:53:19 -0700

Happy Saturday!

Bryan & College Station, Texas is preparing for the fall 2010 semester at Texas A&M University and Blinn College. Summer school is over and kids are taking a quick break before school starts.

All Texas A&M residence halls will open for check-in on Sunday, August 22, 2010, from 8:00am - 7:00pm. For more infomation on Texas A&M Residence Halls see http://reslife.tamu.edu. Blinn College does not offer on-campus housing and refers students to TAMU's Office of the Dean of Student Life at http://studentlife.tamu.edu/.

For those living off campus, Bryan & College Station have a vast assortment of rentals and apartments. Unfortunately, there isn't one central database for area rentals as there is with sales.

Although Sam White Realty handles rentals for select buyer clients, our primary business is residential sales. We do, however, have one rental on the market. It's a nice 3 bedroom 2 bath home near the Southwood Athletic Park. View the properties Website at 1100Buttercup.com.

For those who have already secured living accomadations but need to get the utilities lined-up, this link takes you to our Utility Information Website. There you will be able to link to local providers.

I have one word of advice for anyone connecting utilities this time of year. Try to do everything you can over the Internet or telephone. Connection lines are already long, and the influx of almost 50,000 students makes things much worse. Also, some connection times can take several days, especially cable and Internet. Don't wait!

Of course, if we can help you find a home or student property to purchase, we'd love to help. You search all area properties and save those searches at Search.SamWhiteRealty.com.

Have a great weekend!

Sam White
979-589-4487
Search.SamWhiteRealty.com

Home for Rent Near Texas A&M University

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 11:09:29 -0700

1100 Buttercup Circle

College Station, Tx 77845

Nice Home For Rent Near Texas A M University

Home Photo Gallery Virtual Tour Property Map Payment Info Request Showing Contact Me

Sam White

Office:979-589-4487 Mobile:979-574-0626 Website:Visit Website

Price : $1,100 per Month Bedrooms : 3 Bathrooms : 2 Square Foot : 1,178 Lot Size : 8,750 Community : Southwood Terrace County : Brazos Property Type : Attached Year Built : 1982 : 62486

click for more information and pictures

Property Description New in July - French Doors, New Range, Home Warranty in Place - This 1,182 sf home offers one of the best locations in College Station, with close access to shopping, restaurants, food, the College Station Medical Center, Southwood Athletic Park and Hallaran Pool. It's also walking distance to some College Station schools. New laminate flooring in living spaces as well as new siding and fresh paint. Great living area with fireplace. Large back yard. Only a short bike ride or shuttle to Texas AM University. Features List
Laminate Floors

New Siding

Soaring Living Room

Towering Fireplace

3 Bedrooms

2 Bathrooms

Fresh Paint

2-Car Garage

Appliances Convey

Large Backyard

Covered Front Porch

Walk to Parks

Walk to Pool

Walk to Schools

Near TAMU Shuttle

Near Restaurants

Near Groceries

Near Medical Center Equal Housing Opportunity. Sam White Realty - Keller Williams : 2700 Earl Rudder Freeway South #3000 - College Station Tx 77845 : 979-589-4487

TEEX hosts unique public burn at Brayton Fire Training Field

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:32:02 -0700

Dear readers,

There is a unique opportunity this evening to get close to the fire as the Texas Engineering Extension Service hosts a public firefighting demonstration at the Brayton Fire Training Field Wednesday evening. The gates open at 7pm and a children’s fire-awareness class begins at 7:30 p.m. Following the awareness class, TEEX instructors will explain and demonstrate techniques used to extinguish fires on selected full-scale, live-fire training props. The event will end at approximately 9:30 p.m.

Here is a link to the TEEX press release, where there is a google maps link to the event. I'll also be blogging from the event at TEEXblog.

Blue skies,

Sam White
MarketReports.SamWhiteRealty.com
979-589-4487

Bryan College Station Home Sales in May, 2010

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 11:09:14 -0700

Dear readers,

May 2010 residential real estate statistics for Bryan College Station look good overall.

Total monthly sales came in only slightly higher than 2009, at $45,529,835, compared with $53,031,332 in 2008.

Units sold were also slightly above 2009 numbers at 282, versus 266 in 2009 and 333 units in 2008. Total monthly sales and units sold usually move in tandem.

Following the same pattern, average single-family home price came in at $161,453, only slightly above 2009's $159,253 and well below 2008, when the average price was $171,079. This is one of those charts that is all over the place.

Average days on the market stayed tight at 111, compared with 113 in 2009 and 111 days in 2008. Finally, new listings taken in May were only 372, in stark contrast to 477 new listings gaken in April 2010. This is a graph to watch.

Although all the numbers come in better than 2009 (one would hope), they are still indications of a slightly soft market. That said, buyers are getting some good deals and the average ADOM for my listings this summer is very short, around 16 days.

All of these charts as well as national real estate news and mortgage rates are available at MarketReports.SamWhiteRealty.com. Scroll down the page and you'll also find the short video, This Month in Real Estate, from Keller Williams Realty.

Remember, you can get this market information daily on my twitter feed, @BCShomes. Going green? Follow @BCSgreenliving for sane tips on how to save money and the environment. Finally, if you're on facebook, you can catch local market information as well as news and local events at facebook.samwhiterealty.com.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or I can be of assistance.

Blue skies,

Sam White
979-589-4487 google voice & text
Search.SamWhiteRealty.com

Air Conditioning

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:09:19 -0700

Dear readers,

I'm taking a moment today to thank everyone involved in air conditioning. I appreciate everyone involved whether you invented it, modified it, install or service it. And, let's not forget everyone who keeps the power flowing to during the summer months.

I wish there was a way to stay cool without throwing KWh's at it, and soon we may find one. I have to say that having lived with and without "aircon" in tropical climates, there is nothing like the feel of conditioned air when it's 33C outside. The only thing that made lack of aircon tolerable was the ocean.

So, here's to those who are going to work long hours to keep me cool this summer!

Blue skies,

Sam White
Search.SamWhiteRealty.com
979-589-4487