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How Will You Ring In National BBQ Month?

Texas is BIG in its Barbeque:

And it’s National Barbecue Month, the time to celebrate flame-grilled foods and the great outdoors. Whether you enjoy backyard burgers with family and friends or you’re a vegetarian, there are so many ways to celebrate this month that fit your unique barbeque and culinary style and taste.

Here’s some grilling inspiration for your family meals, social gatherings and adventures with nature.

For the entertainer: Throw a backyard barbecue bash with friends and neighbors and prepare all the favorites. From burgers, ribs, corn on the cob, watermelon and more. You can even ramp it up with a smoker or pizza grill. Just make sure you test your new tools out before the big day, and be sure to have enough charcoal or propane on hand.

For the vegetarian: Meat-free barbecues are more common than you might think. Aside from tofu dogs and black bean burgers, your guests can also enjoy portabella burgers, stuffed chilis rellenos, baked potatoes or veggie skewers from the grill. Peaches and pineapples also make for great grilled desserts.

For the family: Plan a nice home-cooked outing just for the family. Have everyone pick their favorite main course, and get all the kiddos involved in the prep work and cooking. You can even invest in some monogrammed branding irons to make family grilling even more special.

For the nature lover: Take your celebration on the road, and head to the beach or a campsite to enjoy your meals with nature. Bring along a portable grill, ingredients for s’mores, comfy chairs and your favorite sleeping bag to celebrate under the stars.

As long as you’ve got great food and great company, you can’t go wrong celebrating May with meals prepared on a grill. So invite some friends and family over for an outdoor barbecuing feast! Stay safe.

#rubenandnancy #thevillarrealteam #barbeque

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The Butler House

Butler House… a Home Style American Fare with a Classical French Influence

The Butler House is a new innovative restaurant with an intriguing concept. The restaurant itself was formerly a home and pays tribute to Bryan, one of the owner’s, as he is from Butler, Pennsylvania.

When the idea to open a restaurant presented itself our goal was to produce a place of uniqueness and versatility. Besides our core values, we cherish family, community and charity, which is represented the moment you step inside. With a local American theme, using locally sourced foods, in addition, craft beer. With the perk of being easily accessible and centrally located helps us bring it together. The layout perfectly accommodates family dining while simultaneously pleasing our happy hour guests.

The Butler house serves as the perfect place for any occasion and for any customer. Offering a beautiful menu with classical French influence mixed with a southern home style flare and our Chef’s personal entrées. Our goal is to be remembered for our service, distinct atmosphere and exclusive adaptability.

HAPPY HOUR ENTRÉES include:

#thevillarrealteam #rubenandnancy #butlerhouse #springtexas

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SELF-EMPLOYED, 1099 EMPLOYEE? GREAT NEW LOAN PROGRAM

There is a great new loan program for buyers that are self-employed and/or 1099 employees! Below is some general information regarding this loan program. Should you have any further questions please feel free to contact us. We would love to assist you with your real estate needs!

Image result for loans for self employed

Borrower Employment Types:

Self-employed
1099
o Must provide business license, Tax Preparer’s letter or corporate paperwork.

Personal or Business Bank Statements can be accepted. However, qualifying income will be calculated differently.

Personal Bank Statements: 100% of Deposits

Add all deposits for all 12 or 24 months and divide that amount by 12 or 24 respectively to receive the monthly income amount we will apply as the borrower’s qualifying income.

Ex. 24 months deposits total = $200,000 / 24 = $8,333 a month income.

Ex. 12 months deposits total = $100,000 / 12 = $8,333 a month income.

Business Bank Statements: 50% of Deposits

Add all deposits for all 12 or 24 months, divide by 2, and then divide by 12 or 24 respectively to receive the monthly income amount we will allow for the borrower.

Ex. 24 month deposit total = $500,000 / 2 = $250,000 / 24 = $10,333 per month income. Only 50% is used because we have to assume the business has overhead.

Details of Loan Program:

Personal & Business Guidelines

Only deposits can be used
Transfers are NOT counted on personal and case-by-case for business*
Must have 12 or 24 consecutive months of statements (no gaps)
Must provide All pages (even the last pages with advertising)
Cannot comingle (use two different accounts) statements**
If account was used and closed and new account for remainder of statements must show closing of old account and opening of new account

* Transfers may be accepted for business statements when they come from credit card clearing houses (examples: Paypal, Square, AMEX, etcetera). Reviewed for acceptance of loan on a case-by-case basis, and must be considered normal for the company.

** Multiple accounts are considered for loan on a case-by-case basis when (a) one account is closing and reopening new account, or (b) for Business accounts that are two different and autonomous businesses.

Image result for the villarreal team realtors

Again, feel free to contact The Villarreal Team for further information on this program and/or for all your real estate needs.
#rubenandnancy #thevillarrealteam #remax #remaxintegrity #loanprogramforselfemployeed

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Affordable Ways and Ideas in Updating Your Home

Here are a few quick fairly easy options for updating your space:

Tired of your home looking off-trend and out of touch? Or investing in an older home and want ideas in updating it? You don’t need deep pockets to do either. In fact, upgrading your home can be quite affordable with the right projects.

Here are five ways to make a big impact without spending a lot:

Repaint. Paint trends come and go, so if your walls are still the same color or have the same wallpaper from 1950, they’re likely out of date. Consider giving the walls a new look with a more modern tone.

Change light fixtures. It’s time to kick out-of-style light fixtures to the curb. Pendant lighting, Edison bulbs and simple recessed lighting are what’s hot with today’s designers and buyers.

Update your hardware. You’d be surprised at how easily doorknobs, drawer pulls, locks and handles can start to look aged. Take a good look at your existing hardware, and consider upgrading to newer models. And don’t forget the hinges.

Reface your appliances. Have an old, yellowing appliance but don’t want to replace what’s not broken? Just use peel-and-stick stainless steel or marble contact paper, and reface those appliances instantly.

Install a kickplate. If you want to upgrade your curb appeal but can’t afford a new door, consider installing a kickplate. It’s an instant, affordable way to add visual appeal to any existing entryway.

These upgrades may seem minor, but when done properly, they can have a serious impact on your home’s aesthetic.

If you’re considering more extensive updates, let’s get together to discuss ways to increase your home’s marketability and long-term value. We are just a phone call away to talk about your options to increase the sell or appearance of your home for future sell. RE/MAX Integrity – Ruben and Nancy Villarreal…Office 281-370-5100.

#rubenandnancy #thevillarrealteam #updatinghome

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Atkinson Farm – Buy Local

Our Community Market since 1991 – Their Story

Locally owned and operated:

Mike Atkinson along with his wife Theresa, and son Bobby make up Atkinson Farms.

This is a 4th generation farm, with my grandfather having started farming in Harris County.
My father and grandfather farmed through the 50’s while also running a grocery store on the north side of Houston. In the year 1953 I came along. And in 1961 my grandfather purchased the farm my son and I farm own today.

Throughout the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s my grandfather and father raised vegetables and sold them to Weingarten’s Grocery Store. The crop we primarily grew was 50,000 tomatoe plants, 100,000 bell peppers and 50,000 eggplants in the spring. In the fall and winter we only grew green onions and radish. In the late 70’s we started raising leafy vegetables. Mustard greens, collards and turnips. In 1983 Weingarten closed. We started to change and grow a different variety of vegetables, selling direct to grocery stores and the Harris County Farmer Market.

Successful Farming – Preparation of land – Soil fertility – Proper equipment – Variety of seed – Good weather conditions – Neat and clean harvesting fresh – Proper marketing

In 1988 my grandfather passed away, leaving the farm to my dad and me. Two years was enough for him, and he retired and sold me the farm in 1991. My son Bobby has always worked on the farm. He graduated from Klein Oak H.S. and went right to work on the farm full time 60-70 hours a week. After my father retired we really started to try and grow a different variety of vegetables because of the NAFTA with all North America. This bill really allowed Mexico to just deliver poor vegetables to this country, in which they still do. They have no chemical requirements, and very little checkpoints coming into this country.

In the late 90’s things really got tough growing vegetables at wholesale on a large scale, because of competition and Mexico. My wife, Theresa one day asked why we don’t open a market of our own. Bobby and I thought about that and decided why not. In 2000 we did just that, and it has been good for us on the retail side and raising vegetables for our market. Now our market caters to the local grocery store, Bayou City Farmers Market, and The Woodlands Farmers Market.

Presently today we farm about 100 acres of vegetables. We have two box trucks for RB Schoemann, 19 tractors, over 100 pieces of equipment, and 8 full time workers at about 60-70 hours per week. We grow a variety of over 60 different vegetables year round, dependent on what is in service.

#rubenandnancyvillarreal #thevillarrealteam #buylocal #atkinsonfarms

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Easy Ways to Save for a Down Payment

Here are a few helpful tips to help you to save:

With rising rental costs and the amount of student debt at an all-time high, it’s no surprise that many potential buyers are unable to save up for a down payment. If you’ve found yourself in this boat, don’t lose hope. With the help of technology and a little foresight, you can save for that down payment — and probably sooner than you think.

Set up automatic deposits.Enable automatic deposits into your savings account. Schedule them right after paydays, when you know you’ll have the cash available. If you can’t automate your deposits, set a reminder to transfer money every two weeks.

Try a round-off app. What if you could round off every purchase you make to the nearest dollar and then put that extra cash to good use? Apps like Acorns and Clarity Money round off your transactions and either invest your money or add it to a savings account.

Cut down on spending. Find an area of spending that you can afford to cut back on — maybe eating out or grabbing to-go coffees. Each month, tally up your saved funds and add them directly to your savings account. You’ll be surprised at the impact.

Clean house. Do a little spring-cleaning, and declutter those closets, drawers and shelves. Sell anything you don’t want on Facebook, Craigslist or a consignment app. It may only be $20 to $50 at a time, but when added to an interest-paying savings account, it’ll make a big difference.

Remember, you don’t need the mythical 20 percent down payment ready and available to buy a home. In fact, thanks to low down payment loan options and a plethora of down payment assistance programs, you can actually buy a property with much less than that — sometimes just 3 percent!

#rubenandnacy #thevillarrealteam #savefordownpayment

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4 Home Improvements With High Returns

Curb Appeal is Key Before Selling:

Curb Appeal …aka Remodeling your home can be a great way to increase its value and ensure you get good returns when it comes time to sell. But before you go tearing out your floors or adding another bedroom, take note: Not all projects are created equal. In fact, according to recent data from Remodeling magazine’s Cost vs. Value report, there’s a pretty big discrepancy between which projects deliver high returns and those that don’t.

Want to make sure your remodels are worth the effort? Here are some top options:

Get a new garage door. It seems simple, but replacing your garage door is the most value-adding project you can take on. On average, it delivers returns of more than 98 percent upon resale.
Focus on curb appeal. Upgrades to exterior areas saw serious growth over the last year. Wood deck additions increased over 18 percent in value, while stone veneer installation value was up almost 14 percent.
Replace your entry door. Don’t bother sprucing up old doors. Replacing them with steel models can deliver a whopping 91 percent ROI. And at an average cost of $1,471, they’re one of the most affordable updates for your home.
Upgrade your kitchen. Minor kitchen remodels continue to be a top value-adding project. This year, the average small remodel adds about $17,193 to your home’s value and recoups more than 81 percent of your costs.

You might want to rule out projects like backyard patios, master suite additions and major kitchen remodels — they’re notorious for low returns. If you’re looking to boost your home’s value and increase its marketability, focus your efforts on projects that improve aesthetics and add ease and convenience instead. Landscaping is a great was to spruce up value and appearance.

RE/MAX Integrity

19510 Kuykendahl Rd #B

Spring, Texas 77379

281-370-5100

#rubenandnancy #thevillarrealteam #curbappeal

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Tejas Chocolate Craftory

Texas Monthly ranked Tejas Chocolate Craftory at #6 on their top 50 list published in late May 2017.

craftory sign

The Tejas Chocolate Craftory is honored, humbled, and overwhelmed. And they are cooking all that they can, but the popular items are getting sold out sometimes before 3:00 PM. The Craftory no longer accept call in “to go” orders, in addition they must maintain the integrity of the line as a true first come, first serve operation. Please come, meet someone new while in line, and try to have some fun with it. Let them make it a barbecue party. Remember, standing in a line for good barbecue is as much Texan as family pictures in fields of bluebonnets, cheese enchiladas, and kicking armadillos.

How did you come up with chocolate & barbecue together at the same place is a question we get often. Friends, we just followed the path. We started a hobby at home making bean to bar chocolate. Sales went alright at the farmer’s market and with some retailers. So much so that we decided to open our own store. Chocolate sales alone were not going to be enough to make it our livelihood, so we decided to add a cafe to the business plan. When we found the old house on North Elm Street in Tomball and looked at the market, we decided Old Town Tomball could use a good barbecue joint. That is exactly how we got here. We make chocolate and truffles from raw cocoa beans, and slow smoke USDA certified 100% all natural Prime Grade briskets at the oldest building in Tomball. We call it The Craftory. Pretty sweet and smokey is what we were thinking. We’d enjoy having you stop by and pay us a visit. You will not be disappointed! http://tejaschocolate.com/the-craftory/

Come early, hang out, eat well!

#rubenandnancy #thevillarrealteam #tejaschocolatecraftory

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2017 REAL Trends America’s

The Villarreal Team with RE/MAX Integrity were recognized by 2017 REAL Trends America’s Best Real Estate Teams in Houston, Texas

Ruben & Nancy Villarreal’s Team were named as one of America’s most productive real estate teams as a part of REAL Trends America’s Best Real Estate Agents. The ranking report produced by REAL Trends and is sponsored by Zillow Group. The Villarreal Team are now members of the “America’s Best Real Estate Agents,” and ranked amongst the Top Teams in the State of Texas.

REAL Trends ranked over 12,600 residential real estate agents solely based on their excellence in sales during a single calendar year.

All production numbers are verified by a third-party in order to ensure accuracy and report integrity. “This team is a highly successful real state team and represents less than 1 percent of all real estate practitioners in the United States, ” says Steve Murray, president and publisher of REAL Trends. To qualify an individual agent must have closed at least 50 transaction sides or $20 million in sales volume. For real estate agent teams, the minimum is 75 transaction sides or $30 million in closed sales volume. Teams ranked had an average of 144 sides and an average sales volume of almost $61 million. Which ensures that only the best of the best are included on this prestigious list.

“We are also pleased that two of the nation’s most prominent online real estate websites, Trulia and Zillow, have partnered with REAL Trends to bring a superior level of customer exposure of these sales agents’ performance,” Murray added.

As honored as The Villarreal Team feels by being recognized as part of REAL Trends America’s Best Real Estate Agents, they will all agree this ranking represents the loyalty and referrals that each of their customers provide them. “It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to build a successful real estate team. The level of sales it takes to qualify makes it a truly special recognition,” stated Ruben Villarreal.

About REAL Trends

A privately-held, Colorado-based publishing, consulting and communications company specializing in the residential brokerage and housing industries. REAL Trends is recognized as the leading source of trends in the industry, REAL Trends, The Trusted Source, REAL Trends The Thousand, REAL Trends 500, which ranks the top brokerage firms in the United States. Visit REAL Trends at www.realtrends.com

#rubenandnancy #thevillarrealteam #thebestrealestateteam

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RE/MAX 2017: The Fight to Find a Home. Will It Be the Same in 2018?

As we wrapped December’s RE/MAX National Housing Report, we noticed one glaring anomaly: there were no real anomalies for 2017. No real valleys and no big peaks other than the expected seasonal ebbs and flows. Throughout the year, so many of the key market indicators in the monthly housing report remained steady: tight inventories, rising median home prices and increased sales. This was all good news for sellers but bitter news for buyers – especially ambitious first-time home buyers looking to lay down roots. And although inventory remains the primary story line in the New Year, here are a few other trends we can expect for the 2018 U.S. housing market:

1. Inventory is Key

Turn up the volume on new home building. Until that happens, we’ll struggle with low inventory and some markets will feature all-out bidding wars. In 2017, housing starts were down 2.9% year-over-year and well below the historic 50-year average. That hurts. Even though there’s a shortage of labor and a spike in material costs, the primary reason for the low starts is that builders have focused on more profitable, higher priced homes and multi-family residential construction.

We’d love nothing more than to see the next generation of home buyers start building equity now. We saw glimmers of hope at the end of the year as U.S. single-family homebuilding and permits began to surge. We’d like to see that trend continue.

2. Existing Home Sales on the Rise

Fueled by renewed consumer confidence, wage growth and an improving economy, existing home sales could increase and may even surpass record levels. What would slow us down? Any negative impacts on the stock market, or a repeat of 2017’s devastating hurricanes and fires or even the recently signed tax reform bill.

The tax bill that passed at year end, new restrictions on mortgage interest deduction and property tax deduction could deter some from buying homes. This could also deter some homeowners with existing large mortgages from selling. With the changes to the standard deductions for both individual and married filers may also remove some of the incentive to buying a home. But we’ll wait and see what the real effects are of these provisions as buyers weigh their options.

3. Changing Migration Patterns

Home buyers discouraged by affordability and low inventory in certain cities, markets and states, will look to other, more attractive and more inviting neighborhoods. At RE/MAX we expect to see more home sales in the suburbs, less-populated markets and even more affordable states. Cities that have the most effective transportation systems, those that promote high-amenity, “walkable,” contemporary neighborhoods will benefit the most.

4. Always the Unexpected

Gadgets, apps, online tools, skilled agents with killer technology. Anything that makes buying and selling a home more plausible and less stressful will continue to evolve.

RE/MAX agents understand the complexities of a home transaction. That’s why we’re here. But, we’re all for streamlining that process by signing documents online, video chats with our clients and perusing open houses via virtual reality.

We’ll certainly see our share of challenges in 2018 but with that will come ecstatic home buyers and sellers, new and booming communities and fresh innovations in real estate that we never saw coming. http://abovemag.remax.com/2018-housing-market/

#rubenandnancy #thevillarrealteam #thefighttofindahome

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