New Property: 119 Grove Clover Lane, Montgomery, TX 77316

(119 Grove Clover Lane, Montgomery, TX 77316)

Home Features: 5 Bed & 4 Bath | Lot Size: 5,243 sq. ft. | Build Size: 12,902 sq. ft | Price: $969,000

Nestled just north of the Woodlands is an exceptional property that features a lush and unforgettable backyard. Say hello to 119 Grove Clover Lane.

This 3-bedroom is a rare find, offering space, beauty, and tranquility under one roof. With 5 total bedrooms, a game room, and a media room, both comfort and fun are in high supply here.

As you walk through the front iron gate, you step into an amazing courtyard with gas fireplace. Past the courtyard you’ll enter the grand foyer. The spacious dining room and dramatic 2 story family room with floor to ceiling stone on the double sided fireplace welcomes you into this high-end retreat. Exquisite wood flooring throughout the house both downstairs, upstairs, & on the stairs.

Outside you’ll find an outdoor kitchen with gas fireplace, mini frig, grill, & ice maker. Relax in the hot tub or take a dip in the refreshing pool!

Learn more about this home and schedule a tour by contacting realtor Stephanie Nelson at (832) 752-3509!

Houston Housing Market Pleases Sugar Land Realtors

Sugar Land realtors couldn’t be more pleased with the recent HAR MLS press release on the Houston housing market, which saw a 15.5% increase in home sales over the same month in 2012. There were 4,407 contracts closed in February as well, bringing the average single-family home price to an all time high!

For more information, read the whole article here.

SUGAR LAND DRAWS NATIONAL ATTENTION

2012

Sugar Land Receives H-GAC’s Top Clean Air Award

Sugar Land, TX ­– The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) recognized the city of Sugar Land with its “Best All-Around Clean Air Leadership” award for the City’s positive impact on air quality within the Houston region.

“This year, The Houston-Galveston Area Council has given the City of Sugar Land our 2012 Best All-Around Clean Air Leadership Award,” said H-GAC Director of Transportation Planning Alan Clark. “We are excited to recognize the City of Sugar Land’s continued efforts in supporting and promoting alternative commuting options which improve air quality and mobility in the region.”

The award is an acknowledgement of Sugar Land’s extensive efforts to improve air quality, primarily by promoting alternative ways of commuting. Examples of these efforts include:

  • hosting Sugar Land’s first-ever Bike to Work Day on May 18;
  • promoting Commute Solutions to Sugar Land’s businesses, including proclaiming August as “Commute Solutions Month” in Sugar Land and using a number of tools to inform the community;
  • promoting Fort Bend County’s commuter transit services with a “Ride Free Month” offer;
  • promoting commuting alternatives at quarterly homeowners’ association meetings;
  • funding $70,000 annually to support Fort Bend County transit services;
  • initiating an update to the City’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan; and
  • conducting a holiday transit circulator pilot program during the 2011 holiday season.

Sugar Land continues to encourage residents and businesses to take advantage of local commuting alternatives. Some of these alternatives follow:

  • Residents may ride Fort Bend County’s transit services to Greenway Plaza, the Galleria and the Texas Medical Center from Sugar Land’s two park and ride locations.
  • Sugar Land destinations are accessible from Houston via Fort Bend County’s “reverse commute” service out of the Texas Medical Center.
  • Residents may shape the City’s future pedestrian and bicycle system by participating in an ongoing update to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan.

For more information on Fort Bend County transit services or to participate in Sugar Land’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan update, visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/tlrp/.  From the www.sugarlandtx.gov website.

Sugar Land Economic Development Recognized For Excellence

Sugar Land, TX ­– For the fourth year in a row, the Sugar Land Development Corporation (SLDC) and the Sugar Land 4B Corporation (SL4B) were awarded a “Certificate for Achievement of Economic Excellence” from the Texas Economic Development Council. The corporations were honored at TEDC’s spring 2012 conference in Rockwall, Texas.

The SLDC and SL4B were two of 23 economic development organizations in Texas that received this recognition out of 680 such organizations in the state.

The Economic Excellence Program was created by TEDC to highlight economic development organizations that meet a desired threshold of professionalism and to encourage continued professional development. Qualification for the recognition was based on the following achievements:

  • Strong involvement with economic, real estate and industry professional organizations
  • Economic development staff certification, continued training and recognition by relevant organizations
  • Qualified training completed by Board members
  • Well-organized and coordinated economic development strategies and plans

The Sugar Land 4B Corporation is a nonprofit corporation with the purpose of promoting, assisting and enhancing economic development activities and quality-of-life opportunities within the City.

Projects are funded with a quarter-cent sales tax approved by voters in 1995 to provide a more effective environment for economic activity. Since 1996, SL4B has participated in more than 60 projects, including park development, right-of-way beautification, University of Houston Sugar Land Campus, infrastructure in Sugar Land Town Square, the Houston Museum of Natural Science-Sugar Land and the minor league ballpark, Constellation Field.

The Sugar Land Development Corporation was approved by Sugar Land voters in 1993 for the purpose of promoting, assisting and enhancing economic and development activities. The SLDC accomplishes these goals by funding infrastructure and incentive projects with a quarter-cent sales tax. SLDC has participated in over 45 projects spanning all areas of City government, including utilities, streets, aviation and drainage.

From the www.sugarlandtx.gov website.

Sugar Land Named Tree City USA

Sugar Land, TX ­- The Arbor Day Foundation recognized Sugar Land as a Tree City USA community

Texas Forest Service Regional Forester Mickey Merritt presented the award to Mayor James Thompson during a City Council meeting on April 17.

“Sugar Land is one of only 73 communities in Texas to receive this recognition and the first in Fort Bend County,” said Merritt.

Four standards are considered for Tree City USA recognition, including:

  • an established tree board or department;
  • a tree-care ordinance;
  • a community forestry program with annual expenditures of at least $2 per capita; and
  • an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

“TreeCity USA designation tells residents and visitors alike that here is a community that cares about its environment and values the quality of life of its residents,” said Merritt. “It creates community pride and presents the kind of image that most people want for their community.”

According to the Arbor Day Foundation, trees provide many environmental, economic and social benefits. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the U.S. Forest Service.

Sugar Land held this year’s Arbor Day celebration during the Concert in the Park Earth Day event on April 22 at Oyster Creek Park.

The event was intended to celebrate Earth Day as well as Sugar Land’s Tree City USA designation and provided tree and environmental education to the public.

From the www.sugarlandtx.gov website.

 

Sugar Land Airport Amoung Top 10 Best

Sugar Land, TX ­- Leading corporate aviation experts again recognized Sugar Land Regional Airport’s GlobalSelect among the top 10 Fixed-Based Operator’s in the western hemisphere.

In the aviation industry, the FBO is a service center at an airport providing various aviation-related services, included aircraft fuel, crew facilities, parking, catering and more. GlobalSelect, owned by the City of Sugar Land, was renamed in 2010 to describe the experience customers receive while visiting SLRA and to better reflect its customer base, which includes corporations throughout the world.

Professional Pilot’s 39th annual Preferences Regarding Aviation Services and Equipment (PRASE) survey ranked GlobalSelect second on their “Best FBO in the United States” list. GlobalSelect also received recognition as the “Most Improved FBO,” an award recognizing the largest increase in ranking position compared with the previous year.

GlobalSelect also remained in the top 10 of Aviation International News “Best FBOs in the Americas.” The publication’s FBO survey compares fixed-based operators in the western hemisphere. The survey is completed by pilots and other corporate aviation experts who rate facilities in categories such as pilot amenities and services, line service, passenger amenities and facilities. GlobalSelect has been among the top 10 since 2007, with two first place selections during that time period.

Director of Aviation Phillip Savko attributes these honors to its first-class amenities, a staff that consistently provides excellent customer service and support from the City of Sugar Land.

SLRA’s focus on corporate aviation – while still providing for the needs of general aviation – has established the airport as an important part of the regional economy, providing jobs, corporate access to local markets, access to air transportation services and facilities to house corporate aviation departments. More than 100 Fortune 500 companies utilized the airport annually.

The airport is a self-sustaining operation; its contribution to a strong economy is made without taxpayer dollars. Amenities at the airport include a Texas-style 20,000-square-foot corporate aviation terminal; a state-of-the-art air traffic control tower and radar system; a reinforced, concrete runway measuring 100 feet wide by 8,000 feet in length, accommodating the largest of the corporate-type business jets; an instrument landing system and high-intensity lighting; U.S. Customs; and more.

From the www.sugarlandtx.gov website.

Peter B.

Sherry and Mike are hardworking professionals and did a great job,  were very helpful and gave us great information that enabled us to make an informed  decision. They were always available when we called. We will use them in the future and also recommend the to others. They exhibited full knowledge of her profession.

Peter B.

Amber K. – First Time Buyer

Mike was extremely helpful and patient, as this was my first time buying a home. He guided me through the process and made it as easy as possible. He was very knowledgable of the area, and went to weed through the properties before I saw them, so that we could make the most of my limited free time. That level of service was greatly appreciated, and I look forward to working with Mike in the future.“

Amber K.

George Colligan

Jacque and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the exceptional service you provided us on the recent purchase of our home.

Technology is a wonderful tool in today’s world. Earlier this year I stumbled across www.sugarlandrealestate.com. While we were looking for a home on the Internet we were able to search many homes that fit our profile. This saved us a tremendous amount of time and frustration. As you know, it was through the Internet we began our acquaintance.

My wife and I have purchased and sold eight homes in our life together. The purchase and sale of these homes in no way qualifies us as experts in the Real Estate field. It does however qualify us as experts, from a consumer point of view, on Real Estate agents.

My wife has accused me of being too demanding, and maybe I am. However, when we are making the biggest single purchase of our life, I have the right to be demanding. The qualities I have looked for and demanded from an agent who represents us are Market Knowledge, Proactive versus Reactive, Cooperation, and Responsiveness. In every single one of these categories you excelled. For that, we are very grateful.

I will be happy to serve as a reference for you to any client. Especially one who feels apprehensive choosing an agent from the Internet.

Kristine M. – Mike is Our Realtor For Life !

Mike Harness helped my husband and I buy our first home. He was there by our side through the whole process. He never showed any signs of tiring with us, (I can sometimes be annoying, with my too many questions and repeating the same questions over and over again). He became our realtor – and a friend.

He takes time out to know your likes and dislikes which helps him find that perfect house for anyone. He enjoys what he does and takes great pride in making others shine in the process. He treats you like family.

There is not enough time to get into detail about what a wonderful guy Mike Harness is. I am glad that he is still part of our lives. We not only have a realtor but a friend for life. We consider him a part of our extended family.

We would be honored to recommend him to any future home buyers or sellers.

 -Kristine M. 

James Halepaska

The process of selling a home and buying another is not new to us but we were picky about what we wanted to buy and knew the competition to sell was pretty intense. The team of Mike Harness and his wife Sherry Miles, was exactly what we needed.

Mike and Sherry helped us evaluate homes that we were interested in and pointed out things that we had not considered. They were able to answer our questions and kept us advised every step of the way. They went out of their way to make the process smooth in both our transactions. We ended up with a new deal on our new home and were able to sell our existing home in a tight market for an acceptable price within our timeframe.

Do yourself a favor and call Mike Harness and Sherry Miles when you want to buy or sell a home. You’ll be glad you did!

-James H.

10 Tips On Packing

A substantial amount of money can be saved by packing your household goods. To insure safety for your belongings, care should be undertaken to pack properly.

  1. Use strong containers, in good condition, that can be sealed with strapping tape. These can be purchased locally from moving companies.
  2. Keep in mind what the box will weigh after it is loaded. 40 to 50 pounds is considered the maximum.
  3. Empty spaces in boxes should be filled with crumpled newspaper or bubble wrap to keep things from shifting in transit.
  4. Books should be stacked on end and generally in smaller boxes than other things due to their weight.
  5. Label each box after packing, first, so that the movers will know which room to put it in and secondly, to help you to prioritize which ones need to be opened first.
  6. Remove all breakables from drawers before moving furniture.
  7. Don’t pack valuables such as jewelry, collections, checks or savings books.
  8. Packing takes longer than you expect so allow plenty of time. Pack items that aren’t frequently used first and unpack them last.
  9. Organization in packing will save you hours of time and frustration in the long run.
  10. Items that are no longer wanted can be donated to charity and you may be eligible for a tax deduction.

10 Calls You Need to Make When Planning Your Move

  1. Call Mike and Sherry – 832-978-5936
  2. Call the newspaper
  3.  Call the exterminator
  4. Call the inspector
  5. Call the appraiser
  6. Call the mortgage banker
  7. Call the painter
  8. Call the plumber
  9. Call the neighbors
  10. Call your friends
  11. Call your insurance agent