LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch is pleased to announce the addition of capoeira classes to its weekly events roster. Beginning June 12, instructor Tiffany Gonzalez of Capoeria Mandiga Houston Academy will offer free Saturday morning classes at 10:00 a.m. in Heritage Square. Participants are asked to gather at Relax the Back (in LaCenterra) and are encouraged to bring wish list items for donation to the Houston Area Women’s Center and Special Pals animal shelter and adoption center.
Capoeira is a Brazilian form of martial arts with deep roots. The discipline originated in the slave quarters of Brazil. At the time, slaves were not allowed to practice self-defense, thereby making capoeira illegal to practice. In order to disguise its defensive tactics, slaves developed the art to appear as song, dance and acrobatics.
Despite its secretive beginnings, capoeira today is for everyone. Any person, regardless of race, sex, age, size or shape, can practice capoeira. In the true spirit of the martial arts, capoeira builds confidence, discipline, creativity and fitness of both body and mind. Its diverse aspects draw people from all parts of the world for its music, dance, self-defense, strenuous exercise and cultural ties. Read the rest of this entry »
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
It”s nearly impossible for the average citizen to keep track of all events directly impacting housing and mortgage markets. Professional mortgage lenders monitor the live trading of Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS). Government and conventional mortgage rates are directly based upon MBS. So…what exactly is a MBS?
Compliments of Wikipedia
A mortgage-backed security (MBS) is an asset-backed security or debt obligation that represents a claim on the cash flows from mortgage loans, most commonly on residential property.
First, mortgage loans are purchased from banks, mortgage companies, and other originators. Then, these loans are assembled into pools. This is done by government agencies, government-sponsored enterprises, and private entities, which may offer features to mitigate the risk of default associated with these mortgages.
Mortgage-backed securities represent claims on the principal and payments on the loans in the pool, through a process known as “securitization”. These securities are usually sold as bonds, but financial innovation has created a variety of securities that Read the rest of this entry »
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
In 2010 Firethorne broke all first-quarter new home sales records in its five-year history, highlighted by a 284 percent increase over its first quarter new home sales in 2009. This figure represents the greatest percentage increase in sales — double that of the next highest sales increase of 140 percent — of any of the top 14 Houston-area master-designed/master-planned communities researched by Metrostudy, the leading provider of primary and secondary market information to the housing and related industries nationwide.
Firethorne, a 1,400-acre master-designed community is located in Katy/Fulshear, 15 miles west of the Energy Corridor.
“We are extremely pleased with the results of our Firethorne sales and marketing teams and appreciate the tremendous support of the local Realtor® community,” said Firethorne Marketing Director Janet Burkett. Realtors® generate 75 percent of all new home sales.
While she suggests the federal tax credits for first-time homebuyers may have planted a seed in people’s minds, she attributes the strong new home sales in the Firethorne community to the continued growth in the Katy and Fulshear areas and for being part of one of the best school Read the rest of this entry »
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
Are you worried that your child may turn into a couch potato this summer? The Katy Prairie Conservancy’s new Summer Science Nights program is a great way to promote your child’s understanding of science in the best laboratory of all: The great outdoors. Each session includes hands-on, minds-on activities and an action-packed hike on a wildlife-rich preserve.
Classes include Summer Serpents: Exploring snake diversity and feeding habitats. There are few things that can get your heart pumping like the sight of a wild snake. The Katy Prairie is home to over 20 species of these fascinating creatures and even one legless lizard that mimics snakes. Students will see a few summer serpents, learn about snake safety and feeding habits before heading out on a safe but adventurous hike.
Another class is Just Stay Cool!: Discovering how animals, people and plants stay cool during the summer. Blazing Texas summers can be tough on wildlife, plants, and people. Animals and plants have developed amazing ways to stay cool under soaring Read the rest of this entry »
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
I’ve had the busiest spring of my 21-year real estate career!s As the April 30th deadline to qualify for the tax credits, $8,000 for first-time home buyers and $6,500 for existing home owners, loomed, home sales got really crazy.
It was not unusual for brand new listings to have multiple offers. Bidding wars ensued. Here in Katy, particularly on the southside of I-10, it was impossible to believe that a real estate recession exists.
Nationwide, the tax credit bills created a strong upswing in home sales. To read the rest of this story, see OnlyKaty.com.
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
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