Royal Oaks County Club’sReal Estate Report

Is Your Home Competition-Ready?

Gaining an Edge When it’s Time to Sell

Effortless Holiday Entertaining at Home

Strip House’s Gorgonzola-Stilton Fondue

Add Meaning To Your Holidays

If you are considering buying or selling a home there is no substitute for experience and proven performance! • Royal Oaks Country Club Resident for over 10 years• Full Golf Country Club Member• Exclusive Listing Agent for the Developer of the Royal Oaks Community• Ranked and Recognized in the Top 1% of Realtors for Sales in 2009 per HAR• Broker Associate and hold a BBA in Marketing from the University of Houston.Providing you and our community with the highest level of service, experience and results for 10+ years.

Royal Oaks Country Club Featured P roperties

BRANDEY HECKEROTHBroker Associate

11689 Westheimer, Suite C • Houston, TX 77077

Phone: 281.679.0101Direct: 713.254.3551 Brandey@HeritageTexas.com

The community closed out the month of October with four homes under contract and 81 homes active on the market.

Of the 81 homes available:• 35 homes are on the golf course & 46 homes are non-golf

• 11 homes are new construction & 70 are pre-owned•As of October 31st the community has sold/closed 41 homes and leased 18 properties (data per HAR MLS).

Heritage Texas Properties has participated in 28% of the sold transactions this year to date and is the leading real

estate company in the Royal Oaks community.If you are considering selling or buying a home,

please contact me!

ROYAL OAKS COUNTRY CLUB MARKET REPORT

2803 Tudor Manor Villa | 3/3-1/2 | game room, large yard

11922 Rosebrier Park Villa | 3/3-1/2 | huge master, pool

December 2010

If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing. Produced by UpscaleRealEstateMarketing.com • 877.660.0996

2626 Stuart Manor Villa | 4/3-1/2 + cart | elevator, gourmet kitchen

3023 Bonnebridge Way Two Story | 4/3-1/3 | study, game & media room

11219 Royal Chateau Courtyard Entry | 3/3-1/3 | study, casita, pool

3202 Manet Cul-de-sac | 3/3-1/3 | pool, spa, large yard

11710 Montmarte Golf Course Home | 3/3-1/2 | study, game room

11823 Legend Manor Golf Course Home | 4/4-1/3 | game room, pool spa

3422 LouvreOne Story | 4/3-1/3 | pool, spa

11414 Chaucer OaksOne Story on Golf | 3/3-1/4 | study, cul-de-sac

www.HAR.com/BrandeyHeckerothwww.HeritageTexas.com

85026PERMIT 1441

SOLD IN 8 DAYS! SOLD

UNDER CONTRACT

Home Run 10K Run and 1K Family WalkSam Houston Park, December 4th713.795.3500 | RMHHouston.orgParticipants of all ages can join in on this event which includes a 10K run and a 1K family fun walk led by “Mogie,” the Ronald McDonald House mascot dog. Stick around for all the fun activities at the Home Run after-party at the park. Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House which offers loving, home-like environments where families can find support and share experiences with others while on their journey to overcome a critical childhood illness.

The NutcrackerWortham Theatre Center, December 4th – 26th713.227.2787 | HoustonBallet.orgThe tale of Clara and her beloved nutcracker has become a holiday tradition throughout the years. This enchanting story has something to entertain boys and girls alike with a thrilling battle between the Nutcracker Prince and the treacherous Mouse King, as well as a magical land filled with Sugar Plum Fairies and dancing snowflakes. You will marvel at the beautiful scenery and costumes by Tony Award-winning designer Desmond Heeley.

Andrea BocelliToyota Center, December 8th281.656.1849 | HoustonToyotaCenter.comKnown throughout the world, this beloved Italian tenor is making a stop in Houston for one night only during his international tour. Bocelli will perform many of his world-famous songs as well as new music from his latest CD, My Christmas. Accompanying Bocelli during this magical evening are The Houston Symphony and The Houston Symphony Chorus.

Holidays Around the WorldHouston Visitor Center, December 8th713.437.5563 | VisitHoustonTexas.comEnjoy the holidays with your loved ones and marvel at the array of Christmas trees that will fill the Visitor Center. Bid on your favorite holiday tree as each one is decorated to represent countries from around the world. Complimentary holiday treats will be available for partygoers as well as a special appearance from the big man himself, Mr. Santa Claus. Your participation at this event benefits the Children Advocates of Houston, leaders in the ongoing fight against child abuse.

Gingerbread House Workshop for KidsFour Seasons Hotel, December 11th – 12th713.650.3017 | FourSeasons.com/HoustonWhy mess up your own kitchen when the highly acclaimed pastry chefs at the Four Seasons have opened up theirs to you and your little ones for a fun-filled day of gingerbread house building. This playful workshop is orchestrated by hotel chefs to help kids in the construction (and extreme candy decorating!) of their very own gingerbread house.

New Year’s Eve Party Haak Vineyards and Winery, December 31st409.925.1401 | HaakWine.comCelebrations and fine wine go hand-in-hand. Spend your special night at the beautiful Haak Vineyards in Santa Fe. Begin your evening with a gourmet dinner, each course paired with a Haak selection. Revelers will also enjoy the guitar music and silky vocals of artist Robert Greaney. Perhaps the best part: The dinner party ends by 10 pm, giving you plenty of time to make your way to another fantastic venue (or even safely tucked into bed) to ring in the New Year!

DECEMBER 2010

GORGONZOLA-STILTON FONDUE

Featuring Strip House713.659.6000 | StripHouse.com/Houston

Ingredients

3 Cups Heavy Cream

6 Ounces Stilton Cheese, crumbled

8 Ounces Imported Gorgonzola, crumbled

1.5-2 Ounces Roux

To Taste Kosher Salt and Ground White Pepper

Preparation

Make a roux by heating 2 ounces of butter

until melted and then whisk in 2 ounces of

all-purpose flour. Cook this roux for two minutes,

remove from heat and reserve warm.

In a thick-bottomed sauce pot, bring the heavy

cream to a boil. Whisk in the gorgonzola and

stilton cheeses. After the mixture returns to a

simmer, whisk in the roux a little at a time until a

slightly thick sauce is made. Remove from heat

and serve.

Yield: 5 Cups

Let’s face it – this is a buyer’s market. In real estate terms, a buyer’s market is identified when there are seven months or more of inventory for sale in the area. Right now, buyers have a large selection of homes to choose from. Selling your home in today’s market is both a Price War and a Beauty Contest, and you must excel at both. How can your home stand out from all the other homes on the market? Just like in a beauty pageant, contestants are taught how to dress, how to walk and how to talk in order to appeal to the judges. In the real estate market, buyers are the judges in a very competitive contest, so how can your home shine above the rest?

THE DRESS Paint a “livable” color palette throughout. Wall colors need to be ones that even if they are not the buyer’s first choice, the buyer can “live with it.” Although you want to neutralize the color palette – neutral does not mean white. Creamy beiges, warm tans and mild yellows are a great choice to warm up the space and make it look more personal. Walk through your home with

a buyer’s eye and you’ll see that you might need to paint the red bathroom or the peppermint-pink accent wall in your daughter’s bedroom to a more universally appealing color. Other cosmetic fixes can make a big difference such as replacing plumbing hardware, cabinet pulls and light fixtures that may look old or outdated. Also, even though the buyer may not be purchasing the furnishings, remember that proper staging is one of the best ways to “dress” your home like a winner.

THE WALK Consider making your home more eco-friendly. Today’s buyers are attracted to luxury properties that are environmentally conscious. Consider making changes with energy-efficient appliances and green-certified building materials such as flooring, countertops, cabinetry and paints. Even switching to low-flow toilets and faucets, and CFL lighting can make your home more attractive. Of course, you’ll want to let prospective buyers know about

your home’s green features. The city of Austin, Texas has passed an Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure (ECAD) ordinance in which some homes must have an energy audit prior to resale. Other areas may soon follow suit as the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan requires all Texas counties to reduce residential and commercial electric consumption by 5% a year through 2013. The auditor provides a written report evaluating the home’s systems including attic insulation, duct systems and heating and cooling equipment. Professionals in our area can provide a similar report, giving your home another leg up in the beauty contest. THE TALK You’ve primped and polished and your home is “evening gown ready.” You’ve created an advantage over your competitors by going green. Now you can price your home for whatever you want to sell it for, right? Wrong. This is where the Price War comes in. Utilize the expertise of a real estate professional that specializes in your neighborhood. They know

exactly how to price your home for success. A home gets the most attention in the first 14 days on the market. If you start high, “just to test the waters,” buyers may not even bother to look and it’s very difficult to recover momentum by dropping the price later. Is your home ready to compete? With proper preparation and expert guidance from your Realtor, you can be successful in selling your home — even in today’s buyer’s market.

With the holidays fast approaching, gift givers often feel a sense of panic. Too many gifts to buy, too little time. However, there are alternatives to traditional gift giving that could bring you a sense of joy and fulfillment, and delight others in a wonderful spirit-of-the-season way. Consider giving the gift of “You” this year. Giving of yourself can be through community service, charitable donations, hand-crafted gifts or cards, spending time with people or even just rekindling relationships with long-lost or estranged loved ones. You may be surprised by how much more a gift from the heart is appreciated than a purchased item. Families and co-workers could agree to forego the usual gift exchange and instead volunteer at a local charity. Perhaps your goal is to bring some holiday cheer to the residents of a children’s hospital or an elderly care facility. Along with bringing baked treats or handmade gifts, arrange to sing carols, play the piano or even put on a theatrical play. Imagine the smiles and memories that will linger long after you’ve left. Since people aren’t the only ones who need love, consider volunteering at a pet shelter. Simply playing with the animals for several hours one afternoon can not only bring joy to attention-starved animals, but is sure to brighten your day as well. Animal shelters might also need your help to find the animals forever

homes through adopt-a-thons or other events. A handmade gift or card is always appreciated and making them together with friends or family is a nice way to have a touching holiday experience. In fact, an experience in itself is another option in which some choose to give. It could be as simple as treating someone to a holiday lunch or extending an invitation to a holiday picnic, trip to the zoo or art museum, or special dinner or activity. This idea could work especially well for grandparents who often shower their grandchildren with “things.” Giving a Barbie Tea Set is nice, but throwing a real tea party and inviting the grandkids could be a lifelong memory that all could share. The holidays are a great time to be a good neighbor. Setting up luminaries in your neighborhood is not only beautiful and in the holiday spirit but can bring a sense of warmth and camaraderie to a neighborhood. Hosting a holiday block party is another way to bring your neighborhood together by getting to know one another better. You could also offer to help an elderly neighbor by doing yard work or helping to hang Christmas lights or holiday decorations. The gift of touch can be healing and more appreciated than you could imagine. A massage, brushing someone’s hair, giving a facial, even holding an elderly person’s hand while you visit is a way to make someone feel special and appreciated. Another way to give back this year is to choose a charity and ask that those who wish to give a gift to you donate to the charity instead. Not everyone is comfortable with this, so be wise with whom you suggest this to – if someone really wants to give you a gift, don’t insist. Be gracious and accept what he or she wants to give in the spirit in which it’s given. Since the holidays are a time for traditions, remember to practice and recognize this even if you choose to give in a non-traditional way. And however you give, make sure it’s meaningful, that it comes from the heart, and is a gesture that will be appreciated. This just may be your family’s most magical holiday ever!

CONTACT AN ORGANIZATION TO ASK ABOUT HOW YOU CAN GIVE THE GIFT OF YOURSELF THIS YEAR. HERE ARE A FEW SUGGESTIONS TO GET YOU STARTED:

Texas Children’s Hospital6621 Fannin StreetHouston, TX 77030832.824.2257 TexasChildrens.org

Vosswood Nursing Center 815 South Voss RoadHouston, TX 77057713.827.0914 LCCA.com

Houston Humane Society14700 Almeda Rd.Houston, TX 77053713.433.6421 HoustonHumane.org

Home Run 10K Run and 1K Family WalkSam Houston Park, December 4th713.795.3500 | RMHHouston.orgParticipants of all ages can join in on this event which includes a 10K run and a 1K family fun walk led by “Mogie,” the Ronald McDonald House mascot dog. Stick around for all the fun activities at the Home Run after-party at the park. Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House which offers loving, home-like environments where families can find support and share experiences with others while on their journey to overcome a critical childhood illness.

The NutcrackerWortham Theatre Center, December 4th – 26th713.227.2787 | HoustonBallet.orgThe tale of Clara and her beloved nutcracker has become a holiday tradition throughout the years. This enchanting story has something to entertain boys and girls alike with a thrilling battle between the Nutcracker Prince and the treacherous Mouse King, as well as a magical land filled with Sugar Plum Fairies and dancing snowflakes. You will marvel at the beautiful scenery and costumes by Tony Award-winning designer Desmond Heeley.

Andrea BocelliToyota Center, December 8th281.656.1849 | HoustonToyotaCenter.comKnown throughout the world, this beloved Italian tenor is making a stop in Houston for one night only during his international tour. Bocelli will perform many of his world-famous songs as well as new music from his latest CD, My Christmas. Accompanying Bocelli during this magical evening are The Houston Symphony and The Houston Symphony Chorus.

Holidays Around the WorldHouston Visitor Center, December 8th713.437.5563 | VisitHoustonTexas.comEnjoy the holidays with your loved ones and marvel at the array of Christmas trees that will fill the Visitor Center. Bid on your favorite holiday tree as each one is decorated to represent countries from around the world. Complimentary holiday treats will be available for partygoers as well as a special appearance from the big man himself, Mr. Santa Claus. Your participation at this event benefits the Children Advocates of Houston, leaders in the ongoing fight against child abuse.

Gingerbread House Workshop for KidsFour Seasons Hotel, December 11th – 12th713.650.3017 | FourSeasons.com/HoustonWhy mess up your own kitchen when the highly acclaimed pastry chefs at the Four Seasons have opened up theirs to you and your little ones for a fun-filled day of gingerbread house building. This playful workshop is orchestrated by hotel chefs to help kids in the construction (and extreme candy decorating!) of their very own gingerbread house.

New Year’s Eve Party Haak Vineyards and Winery, December 31st409.925.1401 | HaakWine.comCelebrations and fine wine go hand-in-hand. Spend your special night at the beautiful Haak Vineyards in Santa Fe. Begin your evening with a gourmet dinner, each course paired with a Haak selection. Revelers will also enjoy the guitar music and silky vocals of artist Robert Greaney. Perhaps the best part: The dinner party ends by 10 pm, giving you plenty of time to make your way to another fantastic venue (or even safely tucked into bed) to ring in the New Year!

DECEMBER 2010

GORGONZOLA-STILTON FONDUE

Featuring Strip House713.659.6000 | StripHouse.com/Houston

Ingredients

3 Cups Heavy Cream

6 Ounces Stilton Cheese, crumbled

8 Ounces Imported Gorgonzola, crumbled

1.5-2 Ounces Roux

To Taste Kosher Salt and Ground White Pepper

Preparation

Make a roux by heating 2 ounces of butter

until melted and then whisk in 2 ounces of

all-purpose flour. Cook this roux for two minutes,

remove from heat and reserve warm.

In a thick-bottomed sauce pot, bring the heavy

cream to a boil. Whisk in the gorgonzola and

stilton cheeses. After the mixture returns to a

simmer, whisk in the roux a little at a time until a

slightly thick sauce is made. Remove from heat

and serve.

Yield: 5 Cups

Let’s face it – this is a buyer’s market. In real estate terms, a buyer’s market is identified when there are seven months or more of inventory for sale in the area. Right now, buyers have a large selection of homes to choose from. Selling your home in today’s market is both a Price War and a Beauty Contest, and you must excel at both. How can your home stand out from all the other homes on the market? Just like in a beauty pageant, contestants are taught how to dress, how to walk and how to talk in order to appeal to the judges. In the real estate market, buyers are the judges in a very competitive contest, so how can your home shine above the rest?

THE DRESS Paint a “livable” color palette throughout. Wall colors need to be ones that even if they are not the buyer’s first choice, the buyer can “live with it.” Although you want to neutralize the color palette – neutral does not mean white. Creamy beiges, warm tans and mild yellows are a great choice to warm up the space and make it look more personal. Walk through your home with

a buyer’s eye and you’ll see that you might need to paint the red bathroom or the peppermint-pink accent wall in your daughter’s bedroom to a more universally appealing color. Other cosmetic fixes can make a big difference such as replacing plumbing hardware, cabinet pulls and light fixtures that may look old or outdated. Also, even though the buyer may not be purchasing the furnishings, remember that proper staging is one of the best ways to “dress” your home like a winner.

THE WALK Consider making your home more eco-friendly. Today’s buyers are attracted to luxury properties that are environmentally conscious. Consider making changes with energy-efficient appliances and green-certified building materials such as flooring, countertops, cabinetry and paints. Even switching to low-flow toilets and faucets, and CFL lighting can make your home more attractive. Of course, you’ll want to let prospective buyers know about

your home’s green features. The city of Austin, Texas has passed an Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure (ECAD) ordinance in which some homes must have an energy audit prior to resale. Other areas may soon follow suit as the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan requires all Texas counties to reduce residential and commercial electric consumption by 5% a year through 2013. The auditor provides a written report evaluating the home’s systems including attic insulation, duct systems and heating and cooling equipment. Professionals in our area can provide a similar report, giving your home another leg up in the beauty contest. THE TALK You’ve primped and polished and your home is “evening gown ready.” You’ve created an advantage over your competitors by going green. Now you can price your home for whatever you want to sell it for, right? Wrong. This is where the Price War comes in. Utilize the expertise of a real estate professional that specializes in your neighborhood. They know

exactly how to price your home for success. A home gets the most attention in the first 14 days on the market. If you start high, “just to test the waters,” buyers may not even bother to look and it’s very difficult to recover momentum by dropping the price later. Is your home ready to compete? With proper preparation and expert guidance from your Realtor, you can be successful in selling your home — even in today’s buyer’s market.

With the holidays fast approaching, gift givers often feel a sense of panic. Too many gifts to buy, too little time. However, there are alternatives to traditional gift giving that could bring you a sense of joy and fulfillment, and delight others in a wonderful spirit-of-the-season way. Consider giving the gift of “You” this year. Giving of yourself can be through community service, charitable donations, hand-crafted gifts or cards, spending time with people or even just rekindling relationships with long-lost or estranged loved ones. You may be surprised by how much more a gift from the heart is appreciated than a purchased item. Families and co-workers could agree to forego the usual gift exchange and instead volunteer at a local charity. Perhaps your goal is to bring some holiday cheer to the residents of a children’s hospital or an elderly care facility. Along with bringing baked treats or handmade gifts, arrange to sing carols, play the piano or even put on a theatrical play. Imagine the smiles and memories that will linger long after you’ve left. Since people aren’t the only ones who need love, consider volunteering at a pet shelter. Simply playing with the animals for several hours one afternoon can not only bring joy to attention-starved animals, but is sure to brighten your day as well. Animal shelters might also need your help to find the animals forever

homes through adopt-a-thons or other events. A handmade gift or card is always appreciated and making them together with friends or family is a nice way to have a touching holiday experience. In fact, an experience in itself is another option in which some choose to give. It could be as simple as treating someone to a holiday lunch or extending an invitation to a holiday picnic, trip to the zoo or art museum, or special dinner or activity. This idea could work especially well for grandparents who often shower their grandchildren with “things.” Giving a Barbie Tea Set is nice, but throwing a real tea party and inviting the grandkids could be a lifelong memory that all could share. The holidays are a great time to be a good neighbor. Setting up luminaries in your neighborhood is not only beautiful and in the holiday spirit but can bring a sense of warmth and camaraderie to a neighborhood. Hosting a holiday block party is another way to bring your neighborhood together by getting to know one another better. You could also offer to help an elderly neighbor by doing yard work or helping to hang Christmas lights or holiday decorations. The gift of touch can be healing and more appreciated than you could imagine. A massage, brushing someone’s hair, giving a facial, even holding an elderly person’s hand while you visit is a way to make someone feel special and appreciated. Another way to give back this year is to choose a charity and ask that those who wish to give a gift to you donate to the charity instead. Not everyone is comfortable with this, so be wise with whom you suggest this to – if someone really wants to give you a gift, don’t insist. Be gracious and accept what he or she wants to give in the spirit in which it’s given. Since the holidays are a time for traditions, remember to practice and recognize this even if you choose to give in a non-traditional way. And however you give, make sure it’s meaningful, that it comes from the heart, and is a gesture that will be appreciated. This just may be your family’s most magical holiday ever!

CONTACT AN ORGANIZATION TO ASK ABOUT HOW YOU CAN GIVE THE GIFT OF YOURSELF THIS YEAR. HERE ARE A FEW SUGGESTIONS TO GET YOU STARTED:

Texas Children’s Hospital6621 Fannin StreetHouston, TX 77030832.824.2257 TexasChildrens.org

Vosswood Nursing Center 815 South Voss RoadHouston, TX 77057713.827.0914 LCCA.com

Houston Humane Society14700 Almeda Rd.Houston, TX 77053713.433.6421 HoustonHumane.org

Royal Oaks County Club’sReal Estate Report

Is Your Home Competition-Ready?

Gaining an Edge When it’s Time to Sell

Effortless Holiday Entertaining at Home

Strip House’s Gorgonzola-Stilton Fondue

Add Meaning To Your Holidays

If you are considering buying or selling a home there is no substitute for experience and proven performance! • Royal Oaks Country Club Resident for over 10 years• Full Golf Country Club Member• Exclusive Listing Agent for the Developer of the Royal Oaks Community• Ranked and Recognized in the Top 1% of Realtors for Sales in 2009 per HAR• Broker Associate and hold a BBA in Marketing from the University of Houston.Providing you and our community with the highest level of service, experience and results for 10+ years.

Royal Oaks Country Club Featured P roperties

BRANDEY HECKEROTHBroker Associate

11689 Westheimer, Suite C • Houston, TX 77077

Phone: 281.679.0101Direct: 713.254.3551 Brandey@HeritageTexas.com

The community closed out the month of October with four homes under contract and 81 homes active on the market.

Of the 81 homes available:• 35 homes are on the golf course & 46 homes are non-golf

• 11 homes are new construction & 70 are pre-owned•As of October 31st the community has sold/closed 41 homes and leased 18 properties (data per HAR MLS).

Heritage Texas Properties has participated in 28% of the sold transactions this year to date and is the leading real

estate company in the Royal Oaks community.If you are considering selling or buying a home,

please contact me!

ROYAL OAKS COUNTRY CLUB MARKET REPORT

2803 Tudor Manor Villa | 3/3-1/2 | game room, large yard

11922 Rosebrier Park Villa | 3/3-1/2 | huge master, pool

December 2010

If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing. Produced by UpscaleRealEstateMarketing.com • 877.660.0996

2626 Stuart Manor Villa | 4/3-1/2 + cart | elevator, gourmet kitchen

3023 Bonnebridge Way Two Story | 4/3-1/3 | study, game & media room

11219 Royal Chateau Courtyard Entry | 3/3-1/3 | study, casita, pool

3202 Manet Cul-de-sac | 3/3-1/3 | pool, spa, large yard

11710 Montmarte Golf Course Home | 3/3-1/2 | study, game room

11823 Legend Manor Golf Course Home | 4/4-1/3 | game room, pool spa

3422 LouvreOne Story | 4/3-1/3 | pool, spa

11414 Chaucer OaksOne Story on Golf | 3/3-1/4 | study, cul-de-sac

www.HAR.com/BrandeyHeckerothwww.HeritageTexas.com

85026PERMIT 1441

SOLD IN 8 DAYS! SOLD

UNDER CONTRACT