Happy New Year!
by Brian Varvel
The time has come for our January issue, and the first thing we want to say to you is Happy New Year. We hope you had a wonderful Christmas vacation, and enjoyed a safe, fun New Years celebration. Terri, Lexi and I celebrated at home this year for the first time in several years, and enjoyed a quiet evening at home. It was nice to have a quiet New Years for once. Even the neighbors cooperated (either that or they moved away) as we didn't hear or see the usual spectacle of fireworks that accompanies the new year and fourth of July celebrations.

We've got some good reading for you this month, so be sure to take some time to absorb it all! Some of it may start the year off right for you by helping you save money!

Time to file your Homestead Exemption
by Brian Varvel
Each year, around November and December, we see homebuyers clamoring to buy and close their new homes before the end of the year... and there's a very good reason for it. You see, there are tax benefits to owning a home - one of which is qualifying for a homestead exemption on your home. The catch is, you have to OWN your home on January 1 of each year to qualify for this exemption.

The new year has now come and gone, and this is the time of year when I start mailing out Homestead Applications to all my clients from the previous year. (If you're one of my clients, they went out in the mail yesterday!). You have to complete the application and return it by April 30 to qualify for your Homestead Exemption. Then - as long as you're in your home, the exemption is in place.

So why do you want YOUR Homestead Exemption? Pure and simple - considerable tax savings on your monthly mortgage. Hit the link below to learn more, and to download your application.
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Katy Home & Garden Show Coming Soon
by Brian Varvel
The second annual Katy Home and Garden show is coming up real soon - January 26 - 27, 2008. Last year, in it's inaugural year the show set the standard for marquee events and local businesses. Held at the Merrell Center in Katy, the show drew over 7,500 visitors last year with exhibitors filling both the Merrell show floor and the Robinson Pavilion. This year, the show producers are upping the anty, with exhibitors filling the Merrell, both floors and hallways as well as the outdoor Pavilion.

  Learn More about the Show | Download a Coupon for the Show

11 Ways to Hurt Your Credit
by Jonathan Denissen, Alamo Title
Numbered lists tell us everything from how to lose weight to what not to do when planning a party. Many are fun and frivolous, but few lists are as important as one that tells you what not to do when it comes to your credit score. If you are applying for a loan, obtaining insurance or hoping for a new job or promotion, a good credit history makes a difference.
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Another Day, Another Hospital
by Brian Varvel
No sooner did we publish an article in our previous newsletter about the explosive growth in the medical field in the Katy area, that it was announced that now St. Lukes is getting in on all the fun. The popular hospital system recently purchased a tract of land along the Grand Parkway, southeast of Kingsland for their West Campus. That will make a grand total of five major hospitals over the next ten years coming into the Katy area. We've mapped them below so you can see just where they're headed - guess you'll have to call Katy, "Medical Center West" from now on.

As a board member for Cinco Charities, we see this growth as more opportunity to help our friends and neighbors. Click the link to learn more about our organization and how YOU can help!



1. Memorial Hermann Hospital, Katy
2. St. Lukes Hospital, West Campus
3. Christus St. Catherine Hospital, and MD Anderson Cancer Treatment Center
4. Methodist Hospital, West Campus
5. Texas Children Hospital, West Campus

Several smaller clinics exist as well that are not mapped -

Apex (Former Katy Hospital)
Critical Care Clinic

Upscale Shopping has it's place in Katy
by Brian Varvel
Katy is booming. That's a simple fact. Hospitals going up all around us. Housing growth in the 77494 zip code is among the highest in the nation. KISD is building schools at a record pace, and still can't seem to keep up. Where people go, medical services follow, along with entertainment and ultimately shopping. The last two years have seen moderate growth for retail and restaurant openings, but it will pale in comparison to what's to come.

The Villagio at Cinco Ranch is a Boutique Lifestyle Center located in the heart of Cinco Ranch at the northeast corner of Westheimer Parkway and South Peek Rd. in Katy, Texas. With over 77,000 square feet of retail space and 33,000 square feet of professional office space, it's the pinnacle of mixed used development and is located right smack in the middle of Cinco Ranch.

The Marcel Professional Plaza at Cinco Ranch is a new Executive Office Development located in the heart of Cinco Ranch. With 22,000 Square Feet of Professional Office space located conveniently at the corner of Cinco Ranch Blvd. and Cinco Village Center, the offices are located across from Cinco Ranch Junior High School and within walking distance of great dining and shopping at La Centerra, as well as the local Library and neighboring business parks.

La Centerra is a two-phase, mixed use development located at Cinco Ranch Blvd. and Grand Parkway. Phase 1 was recently completed and has found lots of favor with the Cinco Ranch crowd with such tenants as Starbucks, Johnny Rockets, Eddie Bauer, Coldwater Creek and Coldstone Creamery. Phase 2 is slated to begin shortly and is planned to include a movie theatre, more fine dining, professional office space, and even residential living.

Learn More About Opening Your Business in Katy »

Brian's got a brand new camera!
by Brian Varvel
For a couple of years I've been watching and reading about Digital SLR cameras, and of course drooling over them. I've always fancied myself somewhat of a photography enthusiast, and these cameras are the cream of the crop. After years about fiddling around and being mostly unimpressed with my point and shoot cameras, I finally decided to buy one. Problem is, they're pricey. So I set about saving money, and thanks in large part to my family and friends over the course of a birthday and Christmas, I finally got my camera!



It takes some pretty darn good pictures as you can see (I took this picture at Weston Lakes), but the next step will be a class to learn about all the features of this beauty. I can highly recommend this baby. My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to my family for helping bring the two of us together!