The Perfect Location for Business near The Woodlands

Peace and Quiet
combined with
Profitable Business...

Is it even Possible???

I am pleased to announce that the answer is a resounding YES!!!

Recently, I was given the task of marketing an incredible unrestricted property just south of The Woodlands, in the Greater Houston area.  It is located on the busy (and getting busier every day) Gosling Road - at the crossroad of Rayford - and in the middle of a whirlwind of residential growth.  You can see some of our beginning marketing efforts on http://www.har.com/, MLS #9005219 or simply click on this link. 

We will soon have additional information and photos on commercial sites and other web media.  I will keep you informed.  In the meantime, let me know if you have anyone who is seeking this rare sanctuary in the midst of a fast-paced world.

Imagine a real estate buyer developing a medical complex...corporate retreat...multifamily housing...or some other business with the view of this lake as part of the amenities???  The possibilities are endless.


BONUS FEATURE:  There is currently an Ag-Exemption for the growing tree farm on the property.  Not only will this open the possibility of very low taxes....it will also give a sound buffer for maintaining the tranquility.

It couldn't get any better than this!

Is the Tide Turning?

Are Things Improving?

More and More Experts Say YES!

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, by the title of "Nabbing a Bargain-Basement Mortgage Before Rates Rise" -   a major change is about to happen in the real estate world.  This is the fourth article predicting market improvement that has caught my attention this week.  Earlier, three other articles predicted a "Turn of the Tide".

From HousingCrisis.com: "Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies Notes Duress"

From the Nation's Building News: "Slow Recovery May be Leading to Serious Housing Shortages"

From HousingWatch.com: "Everybody Panic: The Coming Housing Shortage"

Anyone who has been THINKING ABOUT making a move would be well advised to think about the consequences of waiting.  Sure, no one really knows what is going to happen.  Sometimes it seems that you can ask the clerk down at the convenience store for economic predictions and get as dependable an answer as we get from "experts".  But true to the definition of "turning the tide", we have enough evidence now to expect drastic change soon.

From Dictionary.com —Idiom

turn the tide, to reverse the course of events, esp. from one extreme to another:

he Battle of Saratoga turned the tide of the American Revolution.

What does that mean to you?

Perhaps nothing - If you are perfectly happy with the way things are, you can sit on the sidelines and watch things change (or not).

Perhaps many things - Opportunity is greatest in a down market.  I could spend a dozen blog posts showing evidence of people who have made their fortunes by taking bold moves in a down market.

Let's talk about your situation:

* Do you currently own a piece of unrestricted property in the Greater Houston area?

* Do you feel that you would rather have your money in something other than this property?

* Do you have dreams of operating your business on an unrestricted tract of land - maybe even living on the land until the business can economically support both a business and personal home?

Let this plentiful data from outside sources be the stimulus you need to take action. 

I know that my real estate business has been booming in and around The Woodlands this year.  People who were waiting to see the market stabilize are placing their homes on the market and buying the homes they have been wanting for a couple of years.

Business owners are re-evaluating their needs, considering expansion or re-structuring.  Commercial lenders are beginning to loosen the tight restrictions on money for the small business owner.  I believe the time has come to:

Stop Waiting and Take Action!!!

Call if I can answer any questions.  Kathi Frank (936) 441-1314

Do YOU Matter to This Crazy World???

Sometimes it seems that we are helpless to make a difference in the world. Things are changing quicker than we can even comprehend -- much less impact.

So, do we surrender to being a victim of whatever happens?

Do we leave it up to others to "do something" about it?

Shall we simply forget about changing reality in favor of "reality TV"?

Let me introduce you to Sue Thompson.

We have a pretty long history between us.  In fact, I think we have been "soul sisters" long before we met about 1997.  She moved to our area after being a successful real estate agent in Dallas.  Her high energy and vitality attracts many friends wherever she goes.


When she was checking out the new office, I suggested that she share an office with me. I confessed that many found my laughter to be too loud, my bubbly optimism to be annoying and my long conversations with clients to be downright TOO MUCH!


That invitation was the beginning of a friendship that is full of love.  You could say we have a "mutual admiration society."

Why I admire Sue...

This could be a very long blog post if I told you ALL the reasons she has my respect and love...so let me tell you just one of them.

In 1999 Sue was team leader of our real estate company.  She was impressive in her ability to keep everyone pulling together.  She resolved conflicts quickly, motivated us to accomplish more than we would otherwise and made certain that we had a great deal of fun while doing it.  Imagine our shock when she shared her diagnosis of bone marrow cancer.

The prognosis was grim.  Doctors gave little hope and the owner of the company seemed to accept that expectation and made it harder for her to keep her position.  Everyone that loved Sue pulled together to offer anything and everything we could find to share.

I will fast-forward from that tragic experience to today.  This woman, armed with more power in her true grit than the power of the medical profession has overcome all symptoms.  An oncologist in Dallas calls her "walking miracle poster child”. 

She has taken her natural enthusiasm...her incredible story of beating cancer...and her sincere passion for helping others and created "H.O.P.E. Talks".  If you know of a group that needs inspiration, I encourage you to contact her through her website: http://www.zeal4life.net/ 

How Sue feels about me...

Almost every time I talk to Sue she tells me that she tells others how much I helped her overcome cancer.  Honestly, I always ask her to tell me why.  It is not because of my pride...in fact, it is just the oposite.  I see her passion and success - yet I have trouble remembering anything I could offer to make her life any easier.


Patiently, she explains again what little thing I did that made a big difference to her.

You see, I admire Sue for her unending generosity.  She literally exudes love, caring and support to everyone she meets.  According to her story, when things seemed really bleak, I told her..."Sue, you have spent your entire life helping others.  You give and give and it is about time that you allowed others to give to you."

She tells me (and others) that a simple encouraging remark like that made a huge difference in her life.  She inspires others to recognize that an expression of love and caring can sometimes make a huge difference in the lives of others.  "You never know when the words you say can make all the world of difference in the lives of another person" says Sue.

Remember the "Highest and Best" use of your communication skills is to be encouraging, loving and positive.  You can be a mirror to them - allowing them to see how others percieve them - showing them their highest good.  We often see the goodness of others and need someone else to point out the value we bring to the world.

Live your life as a reflection of the very best that others offer.  Help them to recognize their value.  Spread "good rumors" about people.  I know it sounds a bit "Polyannish" - but I truly believe you can change the world by giving your love away.  If I am wrong, I am absolutley certain that life is more fun when you see the very best in others. 

As another friend is always saying...

"COUNT IT ALL JOY!"

Houston Is An Experiment

Houston - Non-Zoning Tradition

is Being Watched by Many Cities

If you were to research urban-planning and the affects of zoning, you will find that Houston's Unrestricted Property is an example of economic and land use freedom that almost no other city experiences.  Feagin [1988] calls the political and economic structure a "free enterprise city".

In Buitelaar's book, The Cost of Land Use Decisions, he states that "Exercising private property rights without much public regulation has always been a key feature of urban development in Houston."  He sites three failed referenda (in 1948, 1962 and 1993) that attempted to introduce zoning.

As stated in his book, middle-income homeowners migrate toward zoning (or deed restricted property) because they believe that it will prevent undesirable externalities and preserve property values.  This is why such Master-Planned Communities as The Woodlands has experienced such growth and popularity.

Advocates of the free use of property claim that it promotes creativity and distributes physical space efficiently.  Leaving "un-claimed" land parcels unrestricted allows for individuals to follow their own individual dream for the property.  It may look like chaos.  But it is a fine expression of liberty and results in economic opportunity that is rare in other parts of the country.

As the nation begins to pull itself out of economic recession people are asking whether the lack of zoning played a part in our relatively light consequences (when compared to many other cities).  Indeed, the cities with the most regulated land use restrictions seem to be the ones that have had the largest downturn.  When there is huge amounts of "red tape" required for a developer to get a project off the ground, it naturally inhibits the natural growth of the city.  Add the fact that zoning gives the powerful interests of a city an additional tool to enforce their power - the result can stunt growth, push up prices and harm the citizens they were charged to serve.

Houston is still an experiment in land use.  Personally, I think the economic freedoms found in this area attract prosperity.  Variety is created when people have the right to chose a deed-restricted structure or a more free spirited way of life.

Houston Unrestricted Property - What does that mean???

If you were to ask the average person in The Woodlands what "Houston Unrestricted Property" means, you would likely get one of two answers. 

One answer would admit that they have absolutely no idea...they are perfectly happy in their highly restricted community and have no reason to learn about anything else.

The second answer might go like this...unrestricted property is that trashy land that you find when you leave The Woodlands.  It has trailers and industrial buildings and ramshackle homes...I have no idea why anyone would want to live there.

If you asked someone living on an unrestricted tract to define "Houston Unrestricted Property" they would tell you about the freedom, opportunity to do what they want and the breathing room to enjoy what they have paid good money to purchase.

It is ALL about FREEDOM to Them!!!

A lot is happening right now to shift people's attitude toward opportunity.  In Michael Hyatt's blog today he talked about Seth Godin’s new book, Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?  Since Godin is a "God" in the eyes of many of the nation's business leaders - I always try to listen to what he is saying.  Here is a passage that Hyatt posted in his blog after an interview with Godin:

"The linchpin is the person who takes an alternative path, who declined the take-care-of-you-bargain. The linchpin insists on making a difference, on leading, on connecting with others and doing something I call art. The linchpin is the indispensable one, the one the company can’t live without. This is about humanity, not compliance."  He explains that the take-care-of-you-bargain was made with those that were willing to trade a job for the compensation and security that was promised to them.  Since corporations are less often promising to take care of people and see them as a commodity to trade, the independant-minded folks are seeing their value rising.

I plan to talk about the independant minded owners of Houston Unrestricted Property more in future blogs.  For now, know that there are people who would never settle for living in a community where the rules are set by someone else.  Sure, they know that the decision opens them up to having "less than savory" property uses nearby...but the ability to set their own rules - well - it RULES!

Houston Unrestricted Property and Mother Earth News?

A revival of the independant minded

Baby Boomers has created a new

real estate specialization.

As increasing numbers of Baby Boomers reach retirement, many of them are not ready for the rocking chair.  They still crave the meaningful work and structure of a "job"...but as they have always done...they want to do it "MY WAY"

So, what is a vibrant, intelligent and remarkably creative person supposed to do after years of conforming to corporate structure?  Increasing numbers of this huge segment of our population are going back to their own roots.

When this generation was 20-something, they railed against the establishment and swore that they would never become a part of the corrupt corporate world.  One of their fantasy magazines was "Mother Earth News"

This magazine had pictures and stories about people who had followed the lyrics of the famous Joni Mitchell song that said  "Got to get back to the garden."  They dreamed of having the ability and courage to get closer to the earth and live a simpler life.

NOW - with the assistance of a retirement income from the corporate conformity for endless years - they are getting back to the garden in droves.  They have merged the business savvy learned in the corporate world with the fantasy of their youth.

Armed with the ability to budget, strategize and follow the plan these "Just Older Youth" are creating micro-gardens to sell at Farmers Markets all around Houston.  They are making cheese, growing olive trees to make olive oil, raising organic beef, cultivating herb gardens and all sorts of profitable businesses.  I go to the suburban farmers market in The Woodlands in the spring and fall seasons and I love it.

Houston unrestricted property can be as small as an acre or two and can offer the lifestyle portrayed in the "Mother Earth News".  If you have been looking for a way to expand your lifestyle during retirement, maybe it is time to heed Joni Mitchell's advice and get back to the garden. 

I can help all the real estate buyers who seek this lifestyle - so call and lets talk.

Wall Street Journal Video on Real Estate Market

Today's real estate market (particularly the market for Houston unrestricted property) is more hyper-local than ever before. Although it is interesting to hear what the "experts" say on the national level - those of us who are "in the local trenches" can produce statistics useful to you and your particular property.

Let me know if you need an update on the market where you live.