61st Annual Village Fair and Texas Music Festival, May 1 - 2

The League City Lion’s 61^st Village Fair will take place on Friday, May 1^st through Saturday, May 2^nd, at Walter Hall Park, located at 807 Hwy 3 North. The following activities are scheduled: Bar-B-Que Cook-Off, Business Expo and the popular extreme obstacle Safari Run. Registration can be made online to participate in these activities.

Vendor booths and a carnival will offer food, family fun, and more throughout the weekend. The Texas Music Festival headliners are Tracy Byrd and Whiskey Myers, who will appear on the main stage. Tickets can be purchased online, or at the gate. Ample parking will be available on the park grounds; bring your lawn chair to be comfortable while enjoying the music.

League City Lions Charities, Inc. (dba: League City Lions Club) is a 501(c)(3) public charity organization; all proceeds from the Village Fair benefit the League City Lions Club Charities.

Brockway Realty maintains a Community Calendar on their website; check this calendar for events/activities in your city.

Brockway Realty Blogs - Keeping you in touch with League City, the Galveston Bay Area, and beyond.

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

Just Listed by Brockway Realty - Spectacular Whispering Lakes Ranch Home for $675,000

Distinguished Trendmaker 5 bedroom, 4 ½ bath, 3 car garage masterpiece located on a one acre corner lot in the one of a kind gated Whispering Lakes Ranch community.  With a saltwater pool as the centerpiece of a lush backyard and the inside accentuated with upgrades throughout, you will know that you have found home.  As an added bonus, Whispering Lakes Ranch has one of the lowest tax rates in Houston and its surrounding areas.

Please click www.har.com/70816824 for more information.

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

Take Back Meds Day to be Held at Local Police Departments on April 25th

Bay Area Alliance for Youth and Families –  “Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the League City and Nassau Bay Police Departments will be set up to take back expired or unneeded prescription and non-prescription medications. In contrast to the last few years, the Drug Enforcement Administration is no longer coordinating these national events. Therefore, it has become necessary for local law enforcement agencies to organize and pay for disposal. Previous local collection efforts coordinated by the Bay Area Alliance have resulted in the collection of nearly 8,500 pounds of medications.”

“Participants will just “drive through” the drop-off site at each facility where law enforcement will take medications for proper and secure off-site disposal. Please note that this entire process is completely anonymous and no identifying information other than zip code will be requested or noted.  **Please note: No Sharps Will Be Collected!**”

For more information, please contact the Bay Area Alliance for Youth and Families at 281-284-0370.

Brockway Realty maintains a Community Calendar on their website; check this calendar for events/activities in your city.

Brockway Realty Blogs - Keeping you in touch with League City, the Galveston Bay Area, and beyond.

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

It’s Property Tax Protest Time Again! Values are Rising

Homeowners can receive substantial savings on their property taxes if they are well informed with the protest process.

The following provides valuable insight and comes to us from Clint Terrell, of Mattox Terrell & Associates, Inc. located at 1614 Ave B in Katy, TX  77493.  Clint or any of his protest group can be reached at 281 391 1001 or clintt@mattoxterrell.com.

First you need to decide if you will represent yourself or hire a Licensed Tax Consultant or Licensed Real Estate Agent.  If you choose a Licensed Tax Consultant or Real Estate Agent you will need to sign an appointment of agent form authorizing them to represent you for property tax matters.  Property owners should appeal the “Market Value” and “Unequal Appraisal” of their property annually regardless if the Appraisal District increases their value or not.

If you choose to represent yourself, the process is as follows:

• You will first receive your property value notice from the appraisal district for the county that your residence is in. You will have a “Market” value as well as an “Appraised” value.  You will pay tax on the appraised value less any exemptions you may have.  However, when filing your protest you are protesting your “Market” Value.
• Every year is a re-appraisal year and the appraisal district may raise your “Appraised” value no more than 10% per year unless you have made structural improvements (ex: added an addition, patio, pool) or do not have a homestead exemption.  Then the Appraised value can increase by the market amount of the new construction plus the 10%.  If you do not have a homestead exemption on your residence the “Market” and “Appraised” value can increase by any amount.
• Once you receive the value notice you can either file your protest by US Mail or On-Line at the Appraisal Districts website for your county.  Protests must be filed by May 31st or 30 days after the appraisal district mails a notice of value.  Note it is 30 days after the date the appraisal district mails the notice including weekends not 30 days after you received the notice.  If the deadline falls on a holiday or weekend, the deadline is extended until the following workday.
• When you file your protest it is very important that you make sure to check the boxes under “Reason for Protest” that say “Value is over Market Value” and “Value is Unequal Compared with other Properties”.  If you do not check both boxes you will only be able to argue the one that you did check.  Example:  if you only check the box that says Value is over market value when it is time for your hearing you will only be able to present evidence of sale you will not be able to compare your property to other properties like yours.
• Once you have protested your property you will then need to compile sales information for properties in your area that are comparable to your property looking at size, year built, condition, as well as comparable properties for your equity argument.  With your equity argument you will need to compare properties in your neighborhood that are the same size, year built, condition.  Remember you are comparing “Market” value not “Appraised” values.
• After presenting you evidence the appraisal will make a determination if they agree on a reduction in value.  If you do not agree with their recommendation you may refuse their recommendation and request a Formal hearing.
• At a formal hearing it will be you the property owner, an appraiser from the appraisal district and three independent and separate individuals known as the Appraisal Review Board or ARB.   You will present your information to the ARB, and then the Appraiser will present their information to the ARB.  The ARB will then make a determination on what the value of your property should be.
• If after your formal hearing you are still not satisfied with the outcome you have the option then to hire an attorney at your expense to file litigation against the appraisal district.

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

The Lakes of South Shore Harbour Market Report for March 2015

Home prices in the Lakes of South Shore for March 2015 remain strong.

Sales information as reported by the Houston Association of Realtors:
There were 8 closed sales for the month of March, ranging in adjusted sales price from $193,000 to $395,000 with an average of $284,375 ($90.97/sq. ft).

For this same month last year, there were 11 closed sales, ranging in adjusted sales price of $190,000 to $329,000 with an average of $253,852 ($90.05/sq. ft). While the sales prices went up on average a little over $30,000 (12%) from last year, the average days on the market also went up from 26 days last March to 55 days this March.   The increased days on the market could be indicative of a cooling off of a 2 year red hot market that we have experienced in the area.  However, don’t discount the cold and rainy spring we have seen this year in keeping some buyers less than motivated.  Plus, with inventory still low, potential sellers may be waiting to see more homes become available before they take the leap and go to market with their own homes.  Nevertheless, with prices climbing steadily and sales prices coming in at 98% of the list price, The Lakes of South Shore is maintaining its Seller’s Market status.

Currently, there are 10 active listings in the neighborhood and 12 listings under a pending sales contract.

Cindy Dudley is a licensed agent with Brockway Realty, LLC, a residential brokerage operating in the League City, Friendswood and Houston areas with 14 agents.  Cindy lives in the Lakes of South Shore Harbour along with her husband Chris and their two children.  Contact Cindy by text or phone at 281-900-1189 or email at cdudley@brockwayrealty.com

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

The City of Pearland & Keep Pearland Beautiful Celebrate Earth Day

     

The City of Pearland and Keep Pearland Beautiful collaborate to present a community Earth Day Celebration, on Saturday, April 18^th, 10 am to 2 pm. This free event will take place at the Pearland Rec Center & Natatorium, located at 4141 Bailey Road.

Family fun activities are planned to learn about how to take care of our earth. Vendors will have interactive activities and booths; additional games, inflatables, lectures, hands-on activities, and more are planned.  No food vendors will be located onsite.

Brockway Realty maintains a Community Calendar on their website; check this calendar for events/activities in your city.

Brockway Realty Blogs - Keeping you in touch with League City, the Galveston Bay Area, and beyond.

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

Friendswood Hosts Multiple Activities During ‘Spring Sparkle’ on April 18th

Questions about the Spring Sparkle can be answered by the City of Friendswood Parks and Recreation Department at (281) 996-3220.

Brockway Realty maintains a Community Calendar on their website; check this calendar for events/activities in your city.

Brockway Realty Blogs - Keeping you in touch with League City, the Galveston Bay Area, and beyond.

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

For Sale at $399,000: Church Property with 3 Buildings in La Marque, Texas

Brockway Commercial is pleased to be representing the sellers of a five acrea property consisting of a church, an educational building and a brick 4 bedroom home. The chapel seats approximately 125 people.  Approximately 1.2 miles from Interstate 45 South.

For more information, please contact Brad Boyd (bboyd@brockwayrealty.com) or James Brockway (jbrockway@brockwayrealty.com)

To see more details and the flyer, click here.

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

Triathletes Compete in Kemah, April 11th - 12th

The 6^th annual Kemah Triathlon Festival will take place on Saturday-Sunday, April 11 & 12. The Youth Triathlon will be held on Saturday; the Sprint and Olympic races will be on Sunday. The full schedule of events can be found on the event’s website.

The swim, bike, and run adult course routes can be found on the event’s website. Residents need to be aware of closures on Hwy 146 and Kipp Avenue in the Kemah/Kemah Boardwalk area during Sunday’s competition. The Youth Course route is also posted on the website.

Brockway Realty maintains a Community Calendar on their website; check this calendar for events/activities in your city.

Brockway Realty Blogs - Keeping you in touch with League City, the Galveston Bay Area, and beyond.

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

Whispering Lakes Ranch Report-Slow Start to 2015 But Continued Price Increases

As we end the first quarter of 2015, there has been a noticeable decline in sales in our neighborhood, with only one taking place during this time.  But, at $121 per foot, it exceeds by 7% last year’s first quarter average price per foot of $113 per foot, so that’s encouraging.

Currently we have three homes on the market with one of them under contract.  Rumor has it, Brockway Realty will bring another one to the market in a few days.  Stay tuned!

Penny Brockway is a licensed Realtor and Owner of Brockway Realty, LLC, a residential brokerage operating in the League City, Friendswood and Houston areas with 14 agents.  Penny and her husband James, a broker and co-owner of the company, are proud to call Whispering Lakes Ranch home.

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

Luxury Home Sales in League City Slow in the First Quarter

With only 4 sales of luxury homes ($500,000 and above) in the League City area this year compared to 11 during this time frame last year, activity has slowed.  We’ll know as the year goes on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for my money, I think this is an aberration since inventory remains at record lows and we are still experiencing multiple offer situations on listed properties.  Leading the way this year are waterfront properties, with 3 of the 4 being on the water in Peninsula at Clear Lake, Marina Village and Waterford Harbor Villas.  The lone non-waterfront sale was in Whispering Lakes Ranch.  The average sales price of these 4 homes was $147 per foot ($549,039) with the highest price at $618,000.

Last year’s 11 sales took place in Peninsula at Clear Lake (3), Tuscan Lakes (1), Magnolia Creek (2), League City Div D off of Louisiana (1), Creekside Estates (1), The Pointe at Marina del Sol (1) and Whispering Lakes Ranch (2).  The average sales price was $140 per foot ($656,493) with the highest sale being $900,000.

While sales were down in the first quarter of 2015, average price per foot continues its upward trend.  Spring has sprung, so look for sales volume to increase as we enter the buying season!

Penny Brockway is a licensed Realtor and Owner of Brockway Realty, LLC, a residential brokerage operating in the League City, Friendswood and Houston areas with 14 agents.

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

8th Annual Wellness Walk in League City to be Held at Walter Hall Park

The Friends of League City Seniors Foundation will hold their 8^th annual Wellness Walk along Clear Creek on Saturday, April 4^th, at Walter Hall Park, located at 807 Hwy 3 North. The Wellness Walk is designed to increase awareness of the needs of seniors and encourage citizens of all ages to develop healthy lifestyles.

The 1K and 5K event has many age classes; for more information about registration, check out the event’s website. Awards and a raffle will follow the races. Funds raised from this event benefit senior center activities, located at Hometown Heroes Park.

Brockway Realty maintains a Community Calendar on their website; check this calendar for events/activities in your city.

Brockway Realty Blogs - Keeping you in touch with League City, the Galveston Bay Area, and beyond.

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

Community Easter Egg Hunts in Seabrook and Webster To Be Held on April 4th

Seabrook ~The City of Seabrook will host their annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 4^th, at Rex Meador Park, located at 2100 Meyer Road. From 10 am to 11:30 am, there will be about 8,000 eggs to find, moonwalks to jump in, and refreshments to enjoy. Contact the Seabrook Parks and Recreation at 281.474-3883, for more information.

Webster ~The City of Webster Recreation Division will host their annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 4^th, at Walnut Park, located at 400 North Walnut St. Acitivities will begin at 10 am; many age brackets will get an opportunity to search for eggs.

Brockway Realty maintains a Community Calendar on their website; check this calendar for events/activities in your city.

Brockway Realty Blogs - Keeping you in touch with League City, the Galveston Bay Area, and beyond.

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

Brockway Commercial Announces Finalization of Lease at the Shops at Tuscan Lakes in League City

Houston-based Brockway Commercial is pleased to announce the completion of a 1,600 square foot commercial lease to Flawless Nails, a tenant in the Shops at Tuscan Lakes, currently under construction at 1355 E. League City Parkway in League City.

Hank Dugie and James Brockway represented the tenant and Hunington Properties, Inc. represented the landlord.  As Hank noted, "With a 100% population growth in a little more than a decade and median household income levels 60% greater than its peer Texas cities, it's no wonder that League City remains a hot bed for business along the I-45 corridor between Houston and Galveston. As the award winning city continues to grow and citizens total upwards of 100,000 we can expect the movement of major chains to the area and the development of local shops by entrepreneurs to continue."

The Shops at Tuscan Lakes is located near the corner of League City Parkway and S. Egret Bay Blvd., 4.5 miles from Interstate 45 in League City, Texas.

Brockway Commercial is located in League City, Texas and together with its parent, Brockway Realty, LLC has 14 agents serving the commercial and residential leasing and sales markets around the Houston area.

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog