New Home Communities in Houston

Houston New Home Communities

Houston’s growing job market, countless corporate headquarters and diverse culture of ethnicities is a magnet for people relocating or seeking new challenges. The “City with No Limits” has seen new homes with modern features and resort-like amenities spring up, giving buyers several options to choose. Thanks to the city’s mild winters you’ll enjoy plenty of warm weather to get outside and explore.

Here are some of the best new home communities in Houston. 

1. The Groves

The Groves is a pristine mater planned community that offers residents respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. Residents have access to a resort-like swimming pool, fishing at the Fish Camp and picnic areas in the neighborhood parks.…

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Texas Homestead Exemption

A house is probably one of the biggest investment the average Texan will ever make. To make such an investment a reality, the state of Texas offers its citizens a simple way to save money on their property taxes through a homestead exemption. Eligible Texas homeowners can reduce the taxes owed on their property by a certain percentage, by filing a homestead exemption. If you wish to know how to go about it, the guide below will help you learn more about Texas Homestead Exemptions.

What is a Homestead Exemption?

A homestead exemption removes a part of the value of your house from taxation and lowers the amount of your property taxes. To qualify you must fulfill the following:

· Be the owner

· Must be your primary residence in January when…

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To Rent or Buy Commercial Real Estate?

For an entrepreneur running a business, a time may come when you will have to make the decision whether to buy or lease commercial property or space.

It’s easy to plan for a car, vacation or education. But deciding which property type best suits your needs can present many challenges.

Here are some pros and cons for both buying and leasing a commercial property or space to help you make that choice.

1. The Pros of Buying

Extra Income: Ownership allows you to rent out unused space. The rental revenue can be reinvested in the business or help pay the mortgage.

Tax Advantages: The associated costs of owning and operating commercial property allows you to claim tax deductions. This includes interest on mortgage and property taxes.

Control:…

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Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na Bats, Man

People love bats, but it seems only in baseball or Gotham City. The real deal kinda freaks people out.

But it shouldn’t. Bats are actually one of the great critters on this planet. Without them, the environment and its many ecosystems would suffer greatly, and you and I would be awash in bugs. Bats provide pollination and seeding and are so vital to some ecosystems that the absence of bats in some parts of the world would cause entire plant species to die out. And bat guano is such a powerful fertilizer that many crops in many areas of the world would dry up if bats were not around.

Less freaked out? Good. Now you can check out the best place to bat-watch in Austin. The Congress Avenue Bridge, right downtown, is home to the largest urban bat…

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Top 5 Happy Hour Locations in Bryan-College Station

Who doesn’t love a good happy hour? And Bryan-College station has plenty. Try these five on for size.

Atami Steak and Sushi

Considered not just the best hibachi in the area, but also the best happy hour in Aggieland.  Visit Monday through Thursday from 5-7 p.m. for $1.50 longnecks and discounted menu items. And if the chef isn’t Japanese, so what, the food gets top marks from pretty much everyone who’s ever eaten here.

Grub Burger Bar

It’s not just a great patio and great burger at Grub. They also have a terrific (and quite popular) happy hour, every day from 3-6 p.m. Grab $3 well drinks, domestics, and half- order cheese fries, or $4 craft pints, margaritas, wines, and half-order Ahi Tuna appetizers. And for $5, there are signature drinks,…

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Top Hiking Spots in Austin

One of the great things about Austin is that there’s little need to stay indoors for too long. With the Hill Country right there and an abundance of trails and parks nearby, it’s easy to get out and about. And a good hike can do wonders for your spirits. Check out these great hikes.

Blunn Creek

You don’t have to leave downtown to go on a hike. Blunn Creek is a wonderful nature preserve trail just off South Congress. Yes, it’s small ‒‒ a mere mile walk, actually ‒‒ but you know what they say about good things in small packages. There’s plenty to explore at Blunn Creek and it’s the perfect size and location to step out of the city for a few minutes when you can’t actually get away for too long.

Wild Basin Wildlife Preserve

Views of the…

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Tips for Moving When You Have a Pet

Just because the dog likes sticking his head out the car window on the highway, don’t assume that moving is going to be as easy or fun for him. The truth is, pets can sense moving stress and can become confused quickly by a move. In fact, as many as a third of all moved pets get lost at least once because they become confused or disoriented. More than that, the physical transportation of pets can be hard on them, or even dangerous if you’re not prepared. Take a few tips from the American Humane Society to protect your pets during a move.

Get New Tags Before You Move

Remember what we just said about a third of pets getting lost? Well, many of those end up at animal shelters, unidentified and anonymous, and never find their families again. Dogs,…

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Austin's Top 5 School Districts

We all know the appeal Austin has for college students looking for art and culture in Texas, from the 2014 X-Games to the SXSW Film Festival. But it’s easy to forget that Austin and its surroundings offer some excellent school districts for the kids.

Eanes ISD

The Eanes Independent School District is generally considered the best district in the capital area and is often ranked as one of the best in entire state, despite (or perhaps because of) its relatively small size. Eanes serves about 7,500 students from West Austin, Rollingwood, and West Lake Hills. Seven of its nine schools have been recognized as U.S. Blue Ribbon Schools and all nine have been designated Exemplary by the Texas Education Agency.

Lake Travis ISD

If Eanes has any…

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Houston’s Inner Loop: Why it’s Great to Live Here

There are so many reasons why downtown Houston living is fantastic. Urbanites flock to this beautiful area of the city because it affords them the convenience of living and playing in one area. The professional opportunities are abundant, and life here is upscale and exciting. However, for those who desire urban living, with a little more suburban feeling, they must consider Houston’s Inner Loop. And here are the top reasons why Houston’s Inner Loop is drawing in buyers every day:

Montrose

Montrose, which was named as one of the top 10 Great Neighborhoods in the U.S. by the American Planning Association in 2009, is one of the most culturally interesting areas of Houston. With its eclectic combination of old and new real estate, it attracts many…

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Imagining your Career With VIP Realty

If you are down in the dumps about your real estate career, and you are tired of the usual way of doing business, then you must consider re-energizing your career with VIP Realty! If it seems like you are doing everything you can to boost your real estate career, but your real estate firm is doing nothing to help you achieve success, you are not alone. Because we heard this type of sentiment about real estate firms, time and time again, our goal was to start a real estate firm that wasn’t like the rest. It is our dream to go against the usual that has secured us as one of the most successful real estate companies in Texas!

If you want to start your real estate career, then you must consider the many reasons why VIP Realty is a great start for new…

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