Joey Condon
Realtor®
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Bryan College Station Real Estate Market Report January 2010
February 25th, 2010 Categories: 1
2009 was a rough year for most of us, whether we were in real estate, stocks, retail business… Real estate for January 2009 was down 24% in sales compared to the 2008. That was a scary start for the year. 2010 did not start off much different from 2009 but without an additional drop!
January 2010 compared to January 2009 is only up 2% in sales. Being up 2% in sales is great, but remember we are comparing it to a year where we were down 24% from the previous year. Thankfully, we have all learned to cut back on our expenses and have learned to live “within our means” and “within our market”. January 2010 was not a record month but we are also thankful we didn’t have another “Down” month. We started off the year POSITIVE!
When 2009 started we had less inventory – properties available to sell. We started the year off 4.6% less than 2008. Starting 2010 we are way up. We have 17% more inventory this January than we did in 2009, but there were fewer new homes put on the market this January than in 2008 or 2009. So, there are more homes on the market available but fewer new ones on the market… so more homes are staying on the market longer. There are over 100 more houses available to choose from than in 2009 so if someone is looking – NOW IS THE TIME!
Note that the information above is the Bryan College Station total market – it is NOT what is happening at Century 21 Beal. Century 21 Beal has increased market share in both sales and new listings compared to 2009 and we are off to a GREAT year! Want to see our Bryan College Station Real Estate Market Share numbers and what other companies around town are doing? Click on the link!
Susan
Susan Hilton – Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal
Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!
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Granite Counter Tops Worth it in College Station?
February 19th, 2010 Categories: Home Improvement & Design
Have you ever wondered if your College Station home would look better with granite counter tops? Do you know how they would wear? How much would it cost?
Of all the surfaces inside of the house, counter tops usually have to endure all the wear and tear. Anything you don’t want laying around on the floor usually ends up on counter tops, and accidents like to happen when given enough time. Even worse, scratches and gouges can be eye magnets, but even so, remodeling can be difficult to think about sometimes.
Home owners are sometimes daunted with the issue of remodeling: it can be painstaking to decide upon and it’s usually tough work. Beyond that, there is no formula to figuring out if the cost exceeds the benefit when part of the benefit is happiness
Research is very important, and there are a fair number of options with types of counter tops and manufacturers. After any amount of research, it’s clear that many consumer reports and magazines praise Read the rest of this entry »
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Bryan College Station Real Estate 2009 Market Summary
January 25th, 2010 Categories: 1
2009 SUMMARY
Bryan/College Station Real Estate
Market Statistics
2009 was quite a year! We started off 2009 with January about 24% behind the previous year. We were all concerned that Bryan/College Station might follow the rest of the nation into the recession. Then February came and we were even further behind. We didn’t know what to expect the rest of the year but it sure didn’t look good.
The first quarter was really poor and then April and May turned into months 20% & 27% behind 2008.
Then we started seeing the turn. June was only 2% behind. We were SO happy that we were seeing less of a loss. Compared to the rest of the world a little loss was a good thing. When October and November rolled around we were SOOOOO excited! We actually saw increases over the prior year.
Yes, 2009 ended 12% below 2008, but compared to the rest of the nation, we did just fine. We sold fewer homes, but we did not see a significant decline in sales prices – just fewer people moving. I’m still SO glad we live in Bryan/College Station!
Are you thinking about selling in 2010? It may take a little longer to sell depending on the market segment you are in, but we need to look at it earlier than normal. Call me and we can review a Market Timing Analysis so Read the rest of this entry »
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First Impressions count when selling a house in Bryan/College Station!
September 29th, 2009 Categories: 1, Buying Real Estate, Home Improvement & Design
Everyone knows that “first impressions count” when meeting new people, when interviewing for a job, really for doing just about anything!! Selling your house also falls into that cliche. The market has spawned a buyer that has the opportunity to be very picky and they are unforgiving! To be able to stand out from all the rest, sellers are being forced to pay closer attention to detail and make sure their I’s are dotted and their T’s are crossed.
What should sellers do to give that first impression that will hold buyer’s attention long enough for them to see the true value of their home?
- Touch up paint on windows, trim and doors is a must do project
- Clean the windows inside and out
- Clean masonry & porches
- Use landscape lights on side walks and driveways
- Keep gutters and downspouts in good condition and cleaned out. Ensure downspouts direct water away from the foundation
- Use seasonal flags and plants for decoration
- Keep grass mowed and edging trimmed
- Cut overhanging branches away from the house, this helps with inspections also
When selling your home in Bryan/College Station, Tx. make sure you pay close attention to details. Even the smallest oversight can turn that buyer around and lead them out the door to another house. Hire a professional, like the agents at Century 21 Beal, Inc. to provide you with the advice to maximize your chances of selling your home. The Bryan real estate market and the College Station real estate market has changed with most other markets, and sellers need to reevaluate their strategy for selling. The first time home buyer is very frugal and wants a good deal when purchasing real estate. You can’t blame him – I am looking for a good deal too!
Joey Condon – Rock Solid Real Estate
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Birthday Harley Ride for 2 Century 21 Agents
September 14th, 2009 Categories: 1
Today we celebrated Barbara Salisbury’s 74th birthday and Rhonda Fry’s 47th birthday. See the big deal? One is 74 and the other 47… see if the numbers are reversed they are the same…. Anyway…
Rhonda made sure that Barbara had a fabulous day! Barbara got a special Harley ride with a custom made shirt, framed “enhanced” photo signed by many on the Century 21 Beal team, delicious chocolate cake and a fun party. What more could anyone want for their 74th birthday?
Barbara and Rhonda are both active real estate sales agents with Century 21 Beal, Inc. They specialize in helping homeowners buy and sell real estate in the Brazos Valley.
Susan Hilton
979-764-2100
Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!
979-764-2100
Selling a home in Bryan or College Station

, Texas or other location in the Brazos Valley is heavily dependant on pricing your home properly and picking an agent that will create an “online market presence” for your home. As a home seller, you need to be aware that the market in Bryan College Station and many other Texas communities has changed over the last three and a half years. We are no longer in a strong seller’s market.
When selling a home in Bryan College Station, Tx, it pays to have a pro in your corner representing you. It pays to hire a well educated, top professional at Century 21 Beal.


** 85% of all buyers are finding their homes on the Internet. Is your Bryan College Station home being advertised on the web? If you are with CENTURY 21 Beal

it sure is!
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Brazos Valley Quilt Show 2009
September 12th, 2009 Categories: 1
Today was the Brazos Valley Quilt Guild’s Annual Show.
WOW what a show!
There were LOTS of vendors with quilting supplies, knitting, embroidery and weaving with a few other fun things thrown in. There was a large display of award winning quilts too! I enjoyed voting on my favorite too. While I am not a quilter (YET!) I did enjoy seeing all the quilts from our Brazos Valley Quilters. I also hope I win the raffle and win the quilt shown on the left! It will look GREAT in my house.
Want to learn to quilt? The Brazos Valley Quilt Guild has several groups that meet in both Bryan and College Station – day or evening. I think I might just get involved and learn something new that will last for generations.
Susan Hilton
979-764-2100
Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!
979-764-2100
Selling a home in Bryan or College Station

, Texas or other location in the Brazos Valley is heavily dependant on pricing your home properly and picking an agent that will create an “online market presence” for your home. As a home seller, you need to be aware that the market in Bryan College Station and many other Texas communities has changed over the last three and a half years. We are no longer in a strong seller’s market.
When selling a home in Bryan College Station, Tx, it pays to have a pro in your corner representing you. It pays to hire a well educated, top professional at Century 21 Beal.


** 85% of all buyers are finding their homes on the Internet. Is your Bryan College Station home being advertised on the web? If you are with CENTURY 21 Beal

it sure is!
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What Do Motorcycles, WhiteWater Rafting, Real Estate and 74 Have in Common?
September 3rd, 2009 Categories: 1
Real Estate agents really do have a life outside selling homes. I know sometimes it seems like all we do is work (ask our families!) but we do enjoy other things too.
Today I brought a motorcycle helmet to one of our agents. Why is that a big deal? Because her birthday celebration next weekend is for her 74th birthday! Barbara Salisbury and Rhonda Fry are celebrating their birthdays together. One is turning 74 and the other is turning 47!
I asked Barbara about this adventure and she said it was exciting like her birthday 2 years ago when she went white water rafting. I hope I am doing exciting things like this on my 74th birthday!
The two will depart from Century 21 Beal on University in College Station at 1pm on Rhonda’s Harley Sportster and then we will all meet up at Bryan Ice House Restaurant at Lake Bryan.
Watch for more pictures of the event coming up very very soon!
Susan Hilton
CENTURY 21 Beal, Inc.
979-764-2100
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Survived Teen Driving at Texas World Speedway!
August 26th, 2009 Categories: 1
Well we survived the Teen Survival Driving Academy on Sunday!
My 16 year old daughter took the class out at the Texas World Speedway with a certified race driver in the front seat and my husband in the back – white knuckles and all. My daughter did great!
The students did a lot of weaving between cones, slamming on the brakes, swerving and even running over a few orange cones. They learned how long it takes for a car to actually stop, how anti lock brakes work, how a car reacts when you swerve, it is better to swerve and THEN hit the brakes rather than hit the brakes a you are trying to swerve and much more. I was very impressed with how well the kids did and how much they learned.
My husband didn’t do quite as well. He bit his tongue and had white knuckles but he survived riding with her too. He even admits that he learned quite a bit too!
He enjoyed actually getting to drive around the Texas World Speedway at the end as a special treat.
I’m very proud of how well they BOTH did!
Susan Hilton

Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!
979-764-2100
Selling a home in Bryan or College Station
, Texas or other location in the Brazos Valley is heavily dependant on pricing your home properly and picking an agent that will create an “online market presence” for your home. As a home seller, you need to be aware that the market in Bryan College Station and many other Texas communities has changed over the last three and a half years. We are no longer in a strong seller’s market.
When selling a home in Bryan College Station, Tx, it pays to have a pro in your corner representing you. It pays to hire a well educated, top professional at Century 21 Beal.

** 85% of all buyers are finding their homes on the Internet. Is your Bryan College Station home being advertised on the web? If you are with CENTURY 21 Beal
it sure is!
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Teen Survival Driving Academy in College Station at Texas World Speedway!
July 23rd, 2009 Categories: 1
- As a driver, you will make more decisions in one mile than a 747 captain does flying across country.
- Automobile crashes are responsible for more teen fatalities than alcohol, drugs and violence COMBINED.
August 16th I am sending my daughter to the Texas World Speedway Teen Survival Driving Academy in College Station.
No- she is not a bad driver. She is just a teen driver. The TWS TSDA (Texas World Speedway Teen Survival Driving Academy) is NOT a racing school! It is designed “to place students in real world scenarios and show them how to take control and avoid dangerous situations. They will work on collision avoidance and car control skills. Now that I think about it, I know a few adults (myself included) that should probably attend…
The Academy recreates dangerous situations and teaches (in a controlled environment) how to take control of the situations and make life saving decisions.
This is a 4 hour couse which includes classroom and hands on driving activities. With the instructor, the student is given tools to avoid an accident. Students are encouraged to bring their own vehicle that they will be driving on a regular basis. The activities are done at a low speed and should not hurt the car. If you don’t want to use your own car, one can be provided.
Parents are encouraged to attend the 4 hour course too!!!
So, get your teenager registered and join us. And come back to this blog again to see the photos and videos of the event. I bet we can all learn something together.
Susan Hilton

Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!
979-764-2100
Selling a home in Bryan or College Station
, Texas or other location in the Brazos Valley is heavily dependant on pricing your home properly and picking an agent that will create an “online market presence” for your home. As a home seller, you need to be aware that the market in Bryan College Station and many other Texas communities has changed over the last three and a half years. We are no longer in a strong seller’s market.
When selling a home in Bryan College Station, Tx, it pays to have a pro in your corner representing you. It pays to hire a well educated, top professional at Century 21 Beal.
** 85% of all buyers are finding their homes on the Internet. Is your Bryan College Station home being advertised on the web? If you are with CENTURY 21 Beal
it sure is!
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July 2009 Pebble Creek HOA Update
July 22nd, 2009 Categories: 1
Upcoming Events July 2009 Pebble Creek
GARAGE SALE
The annual Pebble Creek Garage Sale is being held Saturday, August 8th, and we would love to have you participate! There is a $15.00 participation fee that covers the rental of the parking lot at Pebble Creek Elementary School, the garage sale maps, and the ad that will be ran for one week in the Eagle newspaper. You can hold your sale at your home, or you can reserve a space in the parking lot at the school. If you would like to participate in the garage sale, please contact me at 690-0992 ext. 109, or email me at Erica_R@pebblecreek.org on or before Wednesday, July 29th.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
National Night out is being held on Tuesday, October 6th. National Night Out is a crime prevention event designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, while generating support for local anti-crime programs and strengthening neighborhood spirit. Many blocks in the Pebble Creek community hold cook-outs, or similar gatherings, for National Night Out, and we encourage Read the rest of this entry »
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