Meeting the energy demands of the State of Texas hasn’t been any real issue for many years. But after the overpowering heat of last year’s summer, and the extended heat waves that threatened to bring an entire energy industry crashing down, people are beginning to wonder. For the first time in a long time, people are beginning to have real concerns as to whether the state of Texas is ready to meet their energy needs. And whether you live in Dallas, San Antonio, or Bryan-College Station, if the state isn’t ready to meet our demands for energy consumption, you are going to feel it.
So why the sudden overwhelming demand? Texas has managed to meet energy needs for decades, so why is the state in a sudden crunch? Some might say the effects of global warming are causing our homes to struggle resisting the climbing heat; and last year’s record breaking weather could hardly be offered as a rebuttal. But there are numerous other factors, the most prominent of which is the climbing growth of Texas’ population and economy.

In the last decade alone, Texas’ population has grown by over 4.2 million residents. Texas House Speaker, Joe Straus himself, claims that Texas has “by far the largest electric usage of any state—roughly equivalent to Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Mississippi combined.” That is a lot of electricity. It helps that Texas is also one of the largest states in the Nation, and quite consistently the hottest. But there is no getting around the fact that Texas’ economy is growing rapidly, and this economic prosperity is driving up electric demands at a rate that would put many other nations across the globe in a back-breaking position.
So, as a Bryan or College Station home owner, the next obvious question is: will Texas manage to meet the energy requirements for the Summer of 2012, and the several, if not innumerable summers following? The answer is yes. Texas will meet the energy demands of the state. Why? Because it has to.

To offer a (perhaps) more credible answer to the above question, Governor Rick Perry confidently proclaims that “based on current weather expectations, Texas has the capacity to meet consumer needs over the 2012 summer months.” Even Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, referring to the record hot summer of 2011, claims that “since then, the Legislature has worked closely with state agencies and generators across Texas to ensure we are prepared for 2012.”

All this political talk vaguely ensures that everything will be okay and whatnot. But the real question is how are they going to ensure we will meet the energy demands of 2012. Governor Rick Perry has this to say:

“To prepare for this summer the Public Utility Commission and ERCOT have taken some specific steps. The PUC is working with transmission and distribution companies to make better use of demand-response programs, which were created as part of their energy-efficiency requirement. ERCOT is continuing to expand its interruptible load programs, which allow large industrial and commercial users to voluntarily reduce consumption during periods of peak usage.”

So in laymen’s terms, the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and the Electric Reliability Council Of Texas (ERCOT) are taking measures to ensure better energy efficiency requirements throughout the state, and to work on their response programs to unexpected/sudden increased consumer demands (from extended heat waves, etc.).

Efficiency and reliability are all good and great, but another matter, probably the most important matter, is the development of new, affordable, and reusable energy sources. These solve all the problems and are the solutions to long-term energy demands. So what is Texas doing about this?

In Lt. Governor David Dewhurst’s report on future energy demands, he claims that “Texas’ energy resources are as diverse and abundant as our booming population.” Believe it or not, this is almost an understatement. Texas has remained at the forefront of the nation’s energy industry, and through the use and gradual growth of diverse, renewable energy sources, Texas is actually paving the way for the entire Nation’s future energy policy. Texas is currently invested in Wind Energy, Hydropower, Ocean Power, Hydrogen, and all of the non-renewable fuels, from Nuclear to oil to natural gases. In fact, Texas’ growing use of wind turbines has lead the nation in the amount and percentage of energy produced, reaching over 3% of the states’ energy production in 2007, and climbing steadily ever since. Texas is also ranked first in the nation for solar resource potential, having a virtually unlimited solar energy supply.

All statistics aside, the irrefutable reason that Texas is pushing and leading the nation in the direction of new, innovative energy sources is because of the high demand in our state. Texas needs more energy to match the growing population, industry, and rising heat. And, as humans, we respond well to necessity. Texas will meet the energy requirements for 2012, and as the population grows and the summers remain hot as ever, Texas will continue to meet the energy requirements due to the growing investments and discoveries in the energy industry. So residents of Bryan and College Station, rest assured: this summer shouldn’t get too hot, so long as you stay indoors.

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

All over the nation, tenants are losing money from sending their rent or down payments to someone who has posted an ad for a house for lease on Craigslist or some other online site. Many times the scammer will copy the photo and text from a site like Realtor.com, post it on Craigslist and pretend they are the owner.

There are sometimes clues that will tip you off in a document, email or advertisement signaling that the renter is not from a reputable source. Excessive capitalization, references like the USA, UK, spelling mistakes and references to other agencies or people are good hints that it is a scam.

Most scammers are citizens of Nigeria, the UK, or the US. These individuals make a living, and may even become multi-millionaires off of scamming uninformed individuals. Some of the scammers are young teenagers, skipping class to sit on a computer all day stealing money and identities.

Another fact to be aware of is that these scammers will try to make the victim feel as comfortable as possible. They may list the price as extremely cheap, or tell the victim they are out of the country on business. The scammer also may ask the victim to wire a certain amount of money to one of the victim’s friends, claiming this is only to ensure that the victim has funds. The scammer then asks to view the receipt of the transfer, and with the information on the receipt alone, the scammer is able to gather the funds from anywhere in the world.

A good clue is that the offer seems too good to be true. This is actually part of the technique. If the scammer can ‘make you an offer you can’t refuse,’ then he has done his job. Some scams even include outrageous amenities like daily champagne and fresh fruit brought to you upon request, fluent and multi-lingual greeters, a free Mac book, and a personal spa. When a person makes such extravagant offers such as these, it is usually a good sign that he or she is not trying to rent you a house, but steal your money and identity.

Fraud is increasing daily on Craigslist, as scammers change their alias but not their tactics. The fraud doesn’t stop at the fake name however. Fake websites, networking sites, Facebook profiles, and fake photos and advertisements all go into their planning. Often, real identities stolen from previous victims are used as the scammer’s new fake identity. This only increases the risk of the victim. Not only is their money at risk, but so is their identity.

Scammers have many different tactics and devices that they use to deceive their victim into handing them money. Many of their strategies are known, yet many also remain unknown. The only way to undoubtedly ensure your safety when renting is to work through a well known source.

This is why it is becoming increasingly more important to work with reputable Realtors and agencies to find legitimate housing options and to avoid losing hundreds or thousands of dollars on scams. The risk of a scam and of identity theft is not worth taking the chance.

A Realtor would have inside information on the surrounding neighborhood and will know what the community has to offer. Going through a reputable agency (like Century 21 Beal of course) would not only ensure you this firsthand information and safety, but would also give you the guidance you need to find a rental or home option that not only fits your personality and needs but also your budget.

Let me know when I can help by checking to make SURE the property you want to lease is REALLY for lease!

This partnership has produced the absolute best portfolio of Class A Student rental housing in Aggieland (College Station TX) AND some of the Best Real Estate investment opportunities on the planet!

Aggies, Check out www.aggieleasing.com

Investors, Check out some of these cash flow scenarios: www.barrackstownhomes.com

Call us anytime on our new hotline at 888-567-5757 or Text us at 313-Gig-Em-Ag

Thanks & Gig-Em’

For more information about Castlegate and any home in Bryan/College Station, give me, Farrah Spears, a call at 979-229-0919.

Farrah Spears

979-229-0919

For this and all real estate tips, call me, Farrah Spears at 979-229-0919

I bet you can’t read the graphic due to size but click on the link above and you will see the 2010 Adopted Tax Rates. You can always contact the Brazos County Appraisal District at 1673 Briarcrest Dr., Suite A-101 in Bryan at 979-774-4100 for more information. Mark W. Price is the Chief Appraiser.

Hope this helps in your planning for your real estate expenses. Let me know how I can help!

979-764-2100

• Check air conditioning system to make sure it is at the peak operating condition.
• Replace air filters often (at least once a month).
• Keep thermostat no higher than 78 degrees during summer months and 68 degrees during winter months.
• Install a thermostat that automatically adjusts temperature in order to save.
• During the summer be sure to do heat producing tasks (cooking, laundry, dish washing) in the early mornings or late evenings.
• Use microwave over oven if possible.
• Reset water heater between 110 and 120 degrees.
• Keep blinds and shades closed to reduce heat gain in summer and in summer open them to receive direct sunlight and heat.
• In kitchen, bath and laundry areas use exhaust fans.
• Check weather-stripping on doors frequently and change when needed.
• Fans help to circulate air when needed but turn off when room is occupied.
• Landscaping helps to block the sun.
• Check irrigation system for leaks and broken or clogged spray heads.
• Do not over water! The average lawn needs only about 1 inch of water per week.
• Make sure sprinklers are watering grass, not sidewalks or driveways.
• Adjust irrigation controller to water no more than two days per week.
• Track rainfall by adding inexpensive rain sensor.
• Set your mower blade to 2-3 inches.
• Avoid spray irrigation during the day (10am-6pm) and never water on windy days.
• Practice reading your electric and water meters to help monitor daily usage.

Susan Hilton

Have you stopped by Century 21 Beal in College Station lately?  The conference rooms available for agents and clients with large HD computer screens make shopping for the perfect home much easier.

Want to easily review your home purchase agreement? The screens are great for that too!

Need a document notarized or just a place to stop and make a phone call? Stop by Century 21 Beal and we’ll be glad to help.

Susan Hilton

Century 21 Beal, Inc.

979-764-2100

• Team Bryan

• Team College Station

I am sure they will come up with clever team names shortly to make it even more fun!

Each team was asked to declare 10 landmarks for their area – Bryan or College Station. After declaring their landmarks the teams are to take photographs of their landmarks and take photos of themselves at the landmarks.

Below is the list of Bryan and College Station landmarks chosen. Watch for photos as they complete this challenge.  There are several more challenges to come!

Team Bryan

• Brazos County Courthouse
• Children’s Museum
• Carnegie Library
• LaSalle Hotel
• Palace Theater
• Messina Hof
• Blinn Jr. College
• St Joseph’s Hospital
• Bombers Park
• Texas Hall of Fame

Team College Station

• George Bush Library
• Veterans Park
• Dixie Chicken
• Santa’s Wonderland
• Century 21 Beal
• Kyle Field
• Bonfire Memorial
• The Clock Tower
• Post Oak Mall
• Wolf Pen Creek and Amphitheater

Susan Hilton

Century 21 Beal

979-764-2100

• College Station Homes

• Bryan Homes

• College Station Foreclosurers

• Bryan Foreclosurers

• 5 Star Top Rated Real Estate Agents

Bryan & College Station – Your real estate agents at Century 21 Beal are learning again!

The real estate sales agents of Century 21 Beal are getting ready for the annual retreat where a few days are spent away from working “in” the real estate business and instead we will be working “on” our real estate business.

This year’s retreat will have speakers and events covering the following topics:

• Pricing your Brazos Valley Home using the Absorption Rate Analysis in our quickly changing real estate market

• Farm and Ranch – how to better market our farm and ranch properties

• Commercial Real Estate – how to market and sell commercial real estate in Bryan and College Station

• Century 21 – online marketing on a national scale

• Realtors Preparing for the Future – investments and retirement

• Effectively Managing a work and home life

• Tax planning for the real estate sakes agent and the real estate investor

So, know a real estate agent at Century 21? Know that your Century 21 Beal Realtor is the BEST trained real estate agent in town!

Susan Hilton

century 21 Beal

979-764-2100