Roger Martin and Life in the Loop

 

July 1, 2015

Staying in Touch With Clients | Comparing Real Estate Magazines

Sending out a personalized magazine is a great way to boost your business and to keep you in the minds of clients, past clients, family, and friends. American Lifestyle Magazine and Home by Design Magazine are two options, both containing opportunities to spotlight you and your business!

Infographic1

Our experience has been that clients enjoy having a nice magazine to read -  which reminds them of the great services we offer.

June 25, 2015

3025 Cason Street | LEASED in West University Place

3025 Cason Street is an elegant executive-style home in West University Place. With a pool and guest quarters over the garage, this beautiful home is ready for immediate move-in!

Property Information

  • LEASED FOR: $7,000/mo
  • House Size: 3,544 sq ft
  • Lot Size: 6,125 sq ft
  • Bedrooms: 4
  • Bathrooms: 3 Full, 1 Half
  • Listed by Roger Martin
  • MLS #59417333

Features

  • High ceilings and crown moldings throughout. Neutral colors.
  • Hardwood floors downstairs.
  • Formal living and dining rooms.
  • Den with two sets of built-in bookshelves, gas log fireplace with granite surround and wiring already in place for a television mount above it. Wet bar with wine storage.
  • Kitchen with attached breakfast area. Kitchen has granite counters, stainless appliances, gas cook top, double ovens, built-in microwave and Subzero refrigerator. White tile backsplash with rope tile design. Plenty of counter and storage space.
  • Breakfast area has plantation shutters as well as a desk and cabinet area.
  • Master suite with room for a sitting area and coved ceiling. Bathroom with jet tub and separate shower, double sinks, and two walk-in closets.
  • Three other spacious upstairs bedrooms. Second bedroom with own full bath. Jack-and-Jill bathroom shared by third and fourth bedrooms. All have spacious closet space.
  • Upstairs utility room, washer and dryer remain with the house.
  • Guest quarters with full bathroom above the garage. Quarters have their own separate entrance.
  • Backyard patio and heated pool. Yard and pool maintenance included as part of the monthly rent. 
  • Automatic driveway gate.

>More Great West U Homes for Sale

June 16, 2015

Code Red | Emergency Broadcasts for West University Place

Tropical Storm Bill threatens Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast. NOAAWhen threatened by hurricanes or tropical storms like Bill, the residents of West University Place receive prompt emergency notices from our Code Red service. This free service is arguably one of the BEST benefits of living in our great neighborhood. You can choose to be notified by text, email or phone.  There is also a mobile app that will use your GPS location to give you emergency information anywhere in the USA.

The Code Red system has been used to warn the citizens of West University Place to bring their children indoors while dangerous arrests are in progress.  It has also let us know how to dispose of tree litter after a hurricane, and whether the water was drinkable, and when and where ice was available.

Be safe!  Register for CODE RED on the City of West University Place website.

June 16, 2015

Houston Flood Warning System

Sample Flood Guage - Harris County Flood Warning System

Of course, "shelter-in-place" is the best way to weather Tropical Storm Bill or other similar hurricanes and tropical storms.  But if you MUST be out on the roads, please check the state of the bayous FIRST. Harris County has stationed flood guage monitors in all our local bayous.  The Harris County Flood Warning System website shows this information live and in real time. Just find the closes monitor, and toggle between the rain guage and the flood guage. Of course, there is no way to predict exactly where the torrential rain is going to pile up.  But with this tool, you can tell if your local bayou is out of its banks and when it returns to normal.  Stay safe, people!

June 9, 2015

Welcome Megan!

We are pleased to welcomeMegan playing polo 2014 a new summer intern! Her name is Megan, and she is a senior at the Post Oak High School. She will be with us throughout August and will be helping with marketing, especially within the social media aspect. She is also a very accomplished horseback rider and polo player. We are happy to have her!

 

 

June 8, 2015

Flood Relief Available

Flood Relief for TexansThe Texas Association of REALTORS is helping people recover from the June 2015 flood. 

No, you do NOT have to be a REALTOR to apply.  But you DO need to live in a county that has been declared a disaster zone. Apply here >> for up to $2,500 in flood assistance.

And good luck!

Posted in Helping Others
June 4, 2015

Mindfulness Training | Time to De-Stress!

Mindfulness Training at Roger Martin Properties

The Workshop

This workshop is a practical introduction to the exercise of mindfulness. Mindfulness enhances daily life by resting the mind on an object, recognizing and letting go of thoughts, and cultivating a warm, open heart toward ourselves and others.

So, what is meditation?  How can meditation enhance focus, and what other benefits can it provide?  And what is the best way to get started?  

Dr. Claire Villarreal, of Dawn Mountain Center for Tibetan Buddhism, will begin with basic definitions and instructions. She will then lead the group in two simple, guided meditations: the first to enhance focus and the second to begin cultivating lasting mindfulness and compassion.  The presentation will take about 45 minutes, after which Claire will answer questions from the group. Tea and spring rolls will follow.  Attendees are eligible for online follow-up resources.

FAQ

No, we do NOT have to sit on the floor – chairs are fine!  Beginners and experienced practitioners are all welcome.

Dr Clair Villareal, of Dawn Mountain Center for Tibetan Buddhism

The Speaker

Claire Villarreal, of Fort Worth, Texas, received her PhD in Religious Studies from Rice University.  She is a long-time practitioner who has studied extensively with teachers in Asia and the West.  Claire has taught mindfulness at Dawn Mountain, the Rothko Chapel, the Jung Center, and in churches around Ft. Worth.  She will join the Dawn Mountain staff as program manager following her post-doctoral travels to India and a retreat to her cabin in the Hill Country.

RSVP

Join the agents, clients and friends of Roger Martin Properties on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at 4:00 pm. Please RSVP to 713-661-2300 if attending.

 

May 29, 2015

Twice the Help for Flood Victims

Buffalo Bayou in Flood by Carol Smith

If you want to help our recent flood victims, here are two of our favorite ideas.  

Gift Card Drive

Our young friend (and sometimes receptionist) Lauren is an active member of her BBYO chapter. These kids are collecting gift cards for distribution by Jewish Family Service. Gift cards may be dropped off at our offices (6115 Edloes Street, Suite A) and are needed from the following places: 

  • Grocery stores (Kroger, Randalls, H-E-B, Trader Joes, etc.)

  • Big Box stores (Target, Walmart, Lowes or Home Depot)

  • Pharmacies (Walgreens, CVS)

Matching Donation

And now you can DOUBLE your donation! Rabih Chamseddine of Sente Mortgage, has generously offered to match flood relief donations. Rabih says, "If you make a donation to any local charity in support of flood relief, let us know by leaving a comment on our Facebook page with your donation amount by Monday at noon. Sente will then make a matching donation to our local chapters of the American Red Cross up to a total of $5,000."

Houston has a huge heart, as shown by this one/two punch. Roger Martin Properties is proud to support these grass-roots flood relief efforts. 

May 27, 2015

Real Estate Without Borders | Rabih Chamseddine

Working With Cross-Border Clients

An International Move

Rabih Chamseddine, of Sente Mortgage, described his own international background, and the difficulties he faced relocating to the US with nothing but a sack of clothes and $500 in his pocket.

The Internations Group

Internations is an organization dedicated to making life easier for international expats. There are chapters in 30 chapters in the US, and a total of 390 around worldwide.

Houston Association of Realtors International Committee

The HAR International Committee invited Rabih to become a member and advisor.  Using the resources at HAR, it is possible to list and promote properties across international borders.

Houston Realtor Article

Rabih has just published an article in Houston Realtor coaching real estate agents in how to work with international buyers. The process of buying real estate is totally different here, so we must speak slowly and explain all the terminology.

Cash Transactions

Rabih warned that, every country is different, and it is important to understand the laws that govern how funds can be moved across national borders.

 

May 20, 2015

4410 Feagan #C | LEASED in Rice Military, Houston TX!

4410 Feagan Street, Unit C, is a quiet three story contemporary home located in Rice Military near the Washington Corridor. With its open second floor living and wrap around deck, this property is great for dining and entertaining!

Property Information

  • Leased For: $3,400 per Month
  • House Size: 2,238 sq ft
  • Lot Size: 1,440 sq ft
  • Bedrooms: 3
  • Bathrooms: 3 full, 1 Half
  • Listed by Roger Martin
  • MLS # 55343816

Features

  • First floor bedroom with full bath.
  • Second floor living area. Open contemporary style with kitchen opening to dining and living room.
  • Kitchen with stainless appliances, granite counters, plenty of counter and cabinet space, walk-in pantry, and breakfast bar.
  • Living room has a gas log fireplace, high ceilings, and full view doors to offer access to the front balcony. Plenty of space to hang art.
  • Wrap around second floor deck. First floor patio.
  • Recent pine floors.
  • Third floor master bedroom, with two large closets w/built-in drawers and coved ceiling. Master bath w/double sinks, separate shower and jet tub.
  • Washer, dryer, refrigerator and grill included.
  • Located near the Washington Corridor in Rice Military, offering access to shops and dining.

>More Great Homes in Rice Military