Susan Hilton College Station Real Estate
Realtor & Vice President of Sales of Bryan College Station Real Estate
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Living Here Category
TEXAS A&M Has Been Yarn Bombed!
April 13th, 2012 Categories: Community Events, Living Here, Texas A&M University
“I had to tramp down a dirt road in Bryan, Texas. I remember always hugging and kissing her at the door and then pushing my way in to see what she was cooking for our Sunday lunch. I remember, the musty smell of mothballs hanging in the air mingling with the cherry pie on the kitchen table that I wasn’t allowed to touch until after I had eaten all of my meal. I also remember sitting on her rough brown couch impatiently trying to make it through crochet and knitting lessons. Many times when we would have lessons I would find myself blankly staring out the window at the bird feeder where the cardinals perched.”
Was this you????? Do you wish you had been paying attention during your knitting lessons? This March, on the Texas A&M campus, TAMU students with the help of the Visual Arts Committee, the Brazos Valley Knitters Guild, The Hook and Needle, and Magda Sayeg, dressed the light poles on Military Walk in a printed rainbow knit. These tube socks that were knitted around the poles are part of a nation-wide craze known as Yarn Bombing.
Textile art has gradually made its way onto the contemporary art scene. This new form of art is said to serve as a ground where textile production is neither solely for the female nor the male. Despite gender, race and age, this art speaks beautifully and carries a presence unlike any other art form.
Over the past few years, yarn bombing has become more and more prevalent; beginning with urban areas and moving throughout the rest of the country. It is practiced regularly in a few major cities in areas including Canada, the United States, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. And though this form of art is catching on, it is still not very widely known. Other names for the practice include knit bombing, guerilla knitting, yarn storming, and urban knitting.
Trees, sculptures, statues, phone booths, gates, handles, poles and any other object of reasonable size is at risk of being bombed by this craze. There are even cans of spray yarn (similar to spray paint), used to graffiti walls.
Magda Sayeg was a guest lecturer on the Texas A&M campus this year and the founder of Yarn Bombing. Her work has grown to include the knit-covered bus in Mexico City, her first solo exhibit in Rome at La Museo des Esposizione, covering the AC ductwork of Etsy.com’s headquarters located in Brooklyn, and she is finishing an installation at the Williamsburg Bridge working with the NYC Department of Transportation.
She has worked with companies worldwide, including Absolut Vodka, Madewell, Insight 51, Mini Cooper, and Smart Car. She has also participated in art shows at Milan’s Triennale Design Museum, Le M.U.R. in Paris, and the National Gallery of Australia.
She has begun experimenting with new techniques and additions to her artwork, such as using lighting with her knitted material. She has joined forces with the integrated media company 1stAveMachine as a director. This position will push her to new varieties of experimentation and collaboration.
Are you wanting to learn how to knit? Checkout our own LOCAL YARN KNIT SHOP in Bryan College Station! Checkout The Hook and Needle! If they can teach me to knit they can teach YOU!
PS - Susan Hilton is Bryan College Station, Texas’ real estate specialist in foreclosure sales and real estate agent career building so if you need help – CALL! 979-219-3970
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The Barracks Townhomes Best Student Housing in Aggieland
April 4th, 2012 Categories: Neighborhoods, Texas A&M University
The Barracks at Rock Prairie Townhomes is located at 3302 General Parkway near the intersection of Rock Prairie road and Wellborn road in College Station. They offer townhomes for sale or for lease. Varying townhomes are available, beginning at 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and ranging to 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms townhomes. The location is very convenient and right off of Wellborn road which allows for direct access to campus. It also offers a unique college-community feeling due to all of the townhomes being located in the same area.
The townhomes are also located near the new HEB Towerpointe shopping center that just opened off of Highway 40. This shopping center is quickly expanding and already offers sandwich shops, sushi shops, fast-food, banks, hair salons and so much more.
Some of the quality parts of the townhomes include the three texture exterior finish which includes stone, brick and hardy and the entire exterior except for the roof is maintained by the homeowners association. The roof has a 30-year warranty. Nine foot ceilings and crown molding can be found throughout the townhomes and add to the open spacious feeling of the homes. Granite countertops, sleek custom kitchen cabinetry and a stone eating bar complete the kitchens. Kitchens also come with full appliances and stainless steel appliances are available. Stained concrete floors in the living, kitchen and bathrooms allow for easy clean-up and carpeted bedrooms invite a cozy atmosphere. Granite vanities are in every bathroom. Light fixtures, ceiling fans, and kitchen hardware is oil rubbed bronze hardware. Digital a/c thermostats are in each home, with two zoned thermostats in the two-story homes. Read the rest of this entry »
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Creek Meadows – From the Inside Out
April 3rd, 2012 Categories: Community Events
Creek Meadows is a neighborhood in South College Station where you feel like you are living in the country with the benefits of being in a nice friendly neighborhood. When my husband, Matt and I were trying to figure out where we wanted to live four years ago we looked everywhere. New neighborhoods were being developed and all with different amenities. We looked for about a month and finally decided we wanted to live in Creek Meadows. It has three pools, playground, basketball court, walking trails, small gym and some ponds. We knew we liked the area, we just didn’t know we would fall in love
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TEXAS AGGIE RING – Nothing is a More Prized Possession
April 2nd, 2012 Categories: Living Here, Texas A&M University
Ring Day, perhaps one of the most memorable days of an Aggies’s life, originated with the class of 1889. Anxious Aggies finally earn the chance to join the world of the ring baring Aggie. The rings worn by all Aggie graduates are exactly the same except for the class year. This acts as a link between all Aggies. Everything on the ring represents the values every ring bearer should hold. The shield represents the desire to protect the reputation of the university. The stripes reflect the state of the original 13 colonies of America. The five stars on the shield show the stages of Aggie development: mind, body, spiritual attainment, emotional poise, and integrity of character. An eagle, a powerful national symbol, appears on the ring to express the desire for the Aggie to reach great heights.
The large star seen on the side of the ring symbolizes the Seal of Texas, and the wreath of olive and laurel symbolize achievement and the desire for peace. Oak leaves symbolize the strength to fight for one’s state and country. The joining of the leaves at the bottom demonstrates the need for both achievement and peace to better serve.
The rifle, cannon, and saber on the other side of the ring show Texas Pride. It acts as a reminder of Texans who defended their land. The crossing of the Texas and United States flag represent pride and servitude to both nation and state.
Traditionally, the student will wear the class year facing them to signify the fact that their time at A&M has not yet been completed. Once graduated, the ring is turned to show the year facing the world. Long ago an Aggie Sweetheart Ring was also available.
Though this college ring presents itself to be complex, the overall message of the ring is clear. It embodies self-respect, discipline, loyalty, and honor. The strength in the unity of the rings is the fire that burns the notable A&M network. It is a tradition withstanding the test of time and will forever live in the hearts of Aggies past, present, and future.
PS - Susan Hilton is Bryan College Station, Texas’ real estate specialist in foreclosure sales and real estate agent career building so if you need help – CALL!
Thank you to Nikki Romero for use of the beautiful photo of a precious baby and family rings. Nikki is the owner of Everlasting Photography. Call her when you want a FABULOUS photo taken!
Thank you to Doug Klembara TAMU Class of 2011 for the fabulous Aggie Ring photo. Need a local photographer? Call Doug!
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It’s What’s on the Outside That Counts?
April 1st, 2012 Categories: Castlegate, Community Events
I have always raised my children that it’s what’s on the inside that counts, not the outside; however when it comes to real estate, first impressions are everything! Just think about it…would you buy a car that had a rebuilt engine and interior if the outside was completely beaten up or the paint was rusted? Some might say yes because they could have it repainted, but they would want it cheap. Most would pay more for a car with an amazing interior and pristine paint, and it would sell a lot quicker. The same goes with homes. Bottom line is that homes that are beautiful inside and out sell much faster than those without curb appeal!
This is the busiest time of the year in the real estate world, which is wonderful, but it also means that there is a ton of competition out there. Many times I may show 10-20 homes in one day to one client, and sometimes they drive around and preview homes before we even go inside. Many times a home gets passed up if the home doesn’t have great curb appeal. It doesn’t matter how adorable it is on the inside because my clients never make it inside.
When it comes time to list your home, you must separate yourself from your home and look at it as you were a buyer! I have a few tips for you to make it a little easier for you!
Step 1…walk out on to the street and look at your home from the street level. Look at it through the eyes of a buyer. Is wooden garage door in dire need of new stain, is the paint chipping, how does the front door look? Is the home warm and welcoming or does it look like it hasn’t been maintained in years? If they think the outside is bad, they will assume that the inside is worse! Paint is one of the easiest fixes. Nothing makes a home look more inviting than freshly painted trim and doors, newly stained shutters or garage door.
Step 2…look at the landscaping. Is the grass green, are the hedges trimmed, is the lawn edged, and are there fresh flowers? Nothing looks worse than a dead yard, over grown landscaping, or dead plants/flowers in the yard. You can make the home look great with just a few minor adjustments. Pull any weeds, trim the bushes, edge the yard, throw out some mulch, and grab a few new flowers for the flower beds. You might even get some adorable pots and plant some flowers in them for the front entry! You have no idea how different the same home can look with some easy landscaping touches.
Step 3…have an agent or an inspector look for things that might be potential problems in an inspection so you nip them in the bud before you ever have a buyer. I am not saying that I am an inspector; however, I have been on enough inspections to know what things could show up on a report. A few of these things are rotten wood, limbs touching the roof, broken window seals, and drainage issues. Many of these things are easy fixes but can alarm potential buyers. Have a realtor walk around and show you potential problems, or hire an inspector to do a pre-listing inspection to find anything that could be wrong with the home! This may cost you a little money on the front end, but it could potentially save a sale(and quite a bit of money) on the back end!!
Step 4…Look at the drive way and walkway. Again, it’s all about first impressions. If you have a low spot in your sidewalk that holds water, it can turn a little green and is just gross looking! That is an easy fix with just a little bleach, and it makes a huge difference! If the sidewalk or driveway is badly damaged, you might replace or repair it as this is the path that leads to your home!
Step 5…De-clutter and clean! Wash all the windows inside and out, pick up any toys or old patio furniture that might be sitting in the front yard, and change all the light bulbs. Make sure your walk way is clean and inviting, and even look at your home during the night to see how it appears at night.
The bottom line is that no matter how beautiful your home is inside, many may not have the chance to see that if they drive by and it looks as if someone may not even live there or doesn’t care! The most important thing you can do is hire a professional to help you get your home ready to list and sell in the time you want for the money you want!
For this and other tips, give me, Farrah Spears, a call at 979-229-0919
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