Tanglewood Lifestyle

Yamilia Halfon

Your Luxury Properties Specialist A long time Houstonian, Yamilia Halfon has an in-depth knowledge of Houston’s finest neighborhoods and evolving marketplace. Yamilia specializes in luxury residential sales in Houston’s most distinctive neighborhoods including Tanglewood, Memorial, West University, Braes Heights and Bellaire. Yamilia is a dedicated professional who is totally committed to her clients. With a service-oriented philosophy, she always puts the interest of her clients as her first priority. Her integrity is unquestionable, bringing professionalism and commitment to every transaction. Her in-depth knowledge of the current market trends and existing inventory yield her marketing expertise and superb negotiation skills. Yamilia works closely with both buyers and sellers and consistently strives to provide each client with the utmost in efficiency and personal care. She has an approachable personality and a fierce determination to always get her clients what they want, finding the best possible properties for her buyers, while obtaining the highest feasible prices for her sellers. Bilingual (English/Spanish), Yamilia enjoys working with foreign nationals who come to make Houston their new home. She enjoys showing them our city and all that Houston has to offer, and in the process, building life long relationships with Houston’s international community. Additionally, Yamilia also holds a Real Estate license in Florida, specializing in Greater Miami and the Beaches. She can assist you in buying or selling in either location. Considering buying or selling? Want to know your home’s value and my detailed plan for your success? Call or email me today! It will be a pleasure to speak with you.

YAMILIA HALFON Cell: 832.247.7618 Email: Yamilia@BethWolff.com

May | June 2011

Featured Property

Stunning Custom Estate 5440 HUCKLEBERRY LANE $2,795,000 | 8,046 Sq. Ft. | 6 Bed | 6-2 Baths | www.TanglewoodTX.com Gorgeous custom home on half- acre lot just off Tanglewood Boulevard. Master suite down, overlooking backyard with pool. Mahogany-paneled library, amazing media room, billiard room, game room, computer center, fitness room. Quarters with kitchen and full bath. All bedrooms with en-suite baths and closets with built-ins. Breathtaking backyard with gunite pool, loggia and cabana. Perfect house for entertaining. Simply breathtaking!

A Sampling of Real Estate Activity in Address Currently for Sale 5457 Lynbrook Dr. 5390 Huckleberry Ln. 5440 Huckleberry Ln. 5614 Cedar Creek Dr. 5504 Sugar Hill Dr. 5556 Lynbrook Dr. 5367 Fieldwood 5550 Candlewood Dr. 5402 Doliver Dr. 5506 Holly Springs Dr. 5496 Holly Springs Dr. Sale Pending 5403 Cedar Creek Dr. 5556 Cranbrook Rd. Sold 5648 Tupper Lake Dr. 5675 Doliver Dr. 5366 Fieldwood Dr. 5429 Sturbridge Dr. 5606 Longmont Dr. 5537 Doliver Dr. 5441 Bordley Dr.

Sq. Ft. / Bed / Bath

Tanglewood

List Price

7,164 / 5 / 6-1 7,810 / 5 / 6-1 8,046 / 6 / 7-2 7,383 / 5 / 6-1 6,701 / 5 / 4-3 8,336 / 5 / 5-2 7,578 / 5 / 6-1 10,201 / 5 / 5-3 10,053 / 5 / 5-4 9,730 / 6 / 7-2 11,059 / 5 / 8-3

$2,695,000 $2,790,000 $2,795,000 $2,950,000 $2,975,000 $2,980,000 $2,999,000 $3,550,000 $4,444,000 $5,300,000 $5,490,000

9,260 / 5 / 5-3 9,668 / 6 / 8-3

$4,200,000 $4,950,000

3,512 / 3 / 2-1 3,679 / 3 / 3-1 5,499 / 4 / 5-1 4,612 / 4 / 6-2 6,109 / 4 / 6-1 6,563 / 5 / 5-1 8,005 / 5 / 6-3

$725,000 $1,150,000 $1,950,000 $2,150,000 $2,200,000 $2,310,000 $3,250,000

Source: MLS. All data is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. The properties on this list have been listed/sold by various participants in the MLS. If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

Produced by UpscaleRealEstateMarketing.com • 877.660.0996

Buying Real Estate?

Exercising Your Option Period

Delightfully Decadent

Chez Roux’s Lobster Cauliflower Salad Tanglewood’s

Real Estate Report

Featuring Chez Roux at La Torretta Lake Resort 936.448.3020 | LaTorrettaLakeResort.com

MAINE LOBSTER CAULIFLOWER SALAD AND YOGURT BEIGNETS Salad 6 oz. fresh Maine lobster 6 oz. cauliflower 12 oz. roma tomato 2 oz. chives 1 serving of Lobster Salad Dressing 4 oz. salad greens

Dressing 5 oz. corn oil 2 oz. white wine vinegar .25 oz. thyme 1 clove garlic salt and pepper to taste Yogurt Beignets 8.5 oz. natural yogurt Tobasco to taste 2 oz. breadcrumbs

Yogurt Beignets Method Hang yogurt in cheese cloth to remove excess moisture. Season with salt, pepper and tobacco. Roll yogurt into balls, and coat with breadcrumbs. Deep fry until golden brown. Dressing Method Whisk all ingredients together. Leave to infuse for a half hour. Salad Method Cook lobster in salted water for 6-8 minutes. Refresh in iced water. Remove lobster from shell and cut into portions. Blanch the tomatoes and remove skins. Remove the centers of the tomatoes and cut into small dice. Finely chop the chives. Prep the cauliflowers into small florets and blanch in salted water. Refresh in iced water. Dry well on paper towels. Mix the cauliflower with the dressing, tomato and chives, and season to taste. Season the lobster with salt and some lemon juice. Place the cauliflower salad on the plate. Arrange the lobster on top and place the dressed salad leaves around.

Ever feel like your home is a little hum-drum? A little too beige and white? A little short on drama and flair? Well, go ahead and spice things up with these yawn-defying décor tips. We guarantee if you go for the bright orange throw pillows over the tried-and-true tan just this once, you really won’t regret it. Before long, your abode will feel energized and alive—and so will you! Don’t be afraid of bold and bright colors. The easiest way to get drama in your home is to add some fiery color. Red, oranges, yellows, and even purples and pinks will add that dramatic flair you crave. Don’t want to commit to a red room just yet? Leave your walls neutral and add some red splashes to your room. Think accent chairs and occasional tables that don’t necessarily play center stage, a strategically placed boldly colored lamp or a bright vase. A touch of vibrant color in even the most mundane of spaces will enliven the environment. For those truly color-shy,

try the drama of an all black-and-white or black-and-brown room. Or try going completely neutral on your walls to let your furniture pop. Another new trend? Instead of leaving your ceiling white, add some drama and draw the eye up by painting your ceiling a cool color, such as gray, violet, or powdery blue. It will automatically make your ceiling look higher. Welcome wallpaper into your home. Tired of paint? Bold-patterned wallpaper will add some serious excitement to your rooms, without having to make a very long commitment. The perfect place to try out some bold paper: bathrooms, entryways, and hallways. The bolder the better—here’s where geometrics, iridescents, large prints, and florals play out and give your home the decorator touch you’re looking for. Focus on scale and size (as in supersize!). Think big when you want dramatic décor. Although a collection of small vases on a side table or plates hung on a wall can look beautiful, one or two oversized vases or jumbo plates will pack more power than their tiny counterparts. And don’t forget the visual impact of height. Tall vessels with leggy branches of willow or long natural reeds will draw the eye and focus the space. Although a low tray or glass bowl will look attractive, a tall vase filled with lemons or seashells will create more of a dramatic impact. Select artwork that wows. Never underestimate the power of a very large-scale painting, print, or piece of art hung prominently over a mantle or dining table. The visual impact of one large canvas can provide major drama, often missed with more typically sized pieces. That said, a collection of smaller, similarly framed pieces of art or framed photos can give the same visual punch. And don’t forget that mirrors are a wonderful way to open up spaces and give a room instant brightness. Seek out shimmer. Nothing says drama more than large shimmering candlesticks or a crystal vase. Just remember that a little shimmer goes a long way. Use it as an accent and use it sparingly for optimum impact. Do the unexpected. Really want to add some drama? Go against your signature style now and again. If you usually go for rustic and natural looks, add something a bit more elegant into your mix of home décor. A toned-down crystal chandelier in a more rustic setting is guaranteed to pop, as is an earthy, wooden side table in an otherwise contemporary setting. Don’t be afraid to mix things up and be eclectic— you don’t want your home to look like a catalog or like it all came from one store.

real estate contracts allow time for due diligence Buying real estate can be overwhelming with so many things to consider – including the condition of the property and whether there are any unknown defects that the seller does not know about or that cannot be seen by the naked eye. In Texas, buyers have an “Option Period” or “Contract Termination Option” which gives the buyer the right to terminate the contract within an agreed time period. Let’s look at what the Option Period is and how it affects both buyers and sellers in a Texas real estate transaction. First, the Option Period is specified in residential contracts (see Section 23 Termination Option of the TREC promulgated resale contract). Many builders do not offer an Option Period on new construction properties, so those contracts should be closely reviewed to understand what options, if any, you as the buyer have to back out of the contract if you choose to do so. Second, the Option Period is negotiated at the same time that the contract to purchase the property is negotiated. The buyer offers a nonrefundable “option fee” to the seller. The fee gives the buyer the right to terminate the contract for any reason, at any time during the Option Period. The duration of the Option Period is also negotiated as part of the contract and is typically seven to 14 days, but can be longer or shorter depending on the situation. During the Option Period, the buyer can perform “due diligence” on the property by conducting a general home

inspection and any other inspections pertinent to the situation. Once the general home inspection is completed, the buyer may choose to have additional experts come and examine the property as a follow-up to the inspector’s findings. We typically see additional inspections of stucco and roof, plus any areas where water penetration is suspected. This is the buyer’s opportunity to uncover any unknown defects in the property and to determine how extensive the repairs may be to fix them. The buyer may then negotiate needed repairs or other considerations based on these findings. Since the option fee is nonrefundable, it should be small enough to not be a huge loss to the buyer, but large enough to let the seller know that the buyer is serious. Typically option fees range from $100 to $2,000 depending on the situation. The option fee should not be confused with earnest money which is money that the buyer puts down to show that he is serious about purchasing the property. Earnest money sits in an escrow account until closing. If the buyer chooses to terminate the contract during the Option Period, the earnest money is completely refunded to him. But, the seller keeps the option fee. If the buyer decides to move forward with the purchase during the Option Period, the option fee can be credited towards the buyer’s closing costs.

During the Option Period, the seller may negotiate and accept back-up offers, but he is contractually bound to sell the property to the original buyer if that buyer chooses to move forward after the Option Period ends. Buying residential property in Texas is a little less stressful because of the Option Period and the right to terminate the contract. We all know that defects in the property may not always be visible to the naked eye. Texas buyers have an added assurance of being able to perform due diligence on the property without risking their earnest money.

MAY | JUNE 2011 BOBBY FLAY’S GRILL IT! Royal Oaks Sur la Table, May 14th, 21st, 28th 713.533.0959 | SurLaTable.com The secrets to getting professional-quality results remain a mystery for some, while more confident grillers just want new and exciting ideas for meals on the grill. In this intensive grilling workshop you’ll: Expand your grilling repertoire, learn essential grilling techniques and discover new marinades, rubs and sauces. Bonus: Each student receives a free autographed copy of Grill It! by Bobby Flay. TREASURES FROM THE HERMITAGE The Houston Museum of Natural Science, Opens May 20th 713.639.4629 | HMNS.org Houston will be the only venue for this once-in-alifetime opportunity to experience some of the most extraordinary works of art in the world. The Crown Jewels of Russia are but some of the many stunning objects that have never before traveled to the United States. View extraordinary pieces collected by Peter The Great, and Catherine The Great and learn how they served as inspiration for generations of goldsmiths and jewelers, including the world-renowned Carl Fabergé. TREASURES OF TEXAS GALA Royal Oaks Country Club, May 24th 713.523.8963 | MHAHouston.org Don’t miss this year’s annual gala hosted by Mental Health America of Greater Houston. For 2011, the gala will honor the courage and resilience of Houston’s returning veterans and their families with A Salute to the Military. The prestigious Ima Hogg Award will be presented to Dr. Robert Ivany, Major General, US Army (Ret.) and Marianne Ivany. THE ORIGINAL MUD RUN Sam Houston Raceway Park, May 28th TheOriginalMudRun.com Looking for an outlet for some dirty fun? Make your way through 30+ obstacles and just over six miles of muddy, watery challenges! Guaranteed to put a smile on your face, you can sign up as an individual or as part of a team. There’s even a Crazy Costume division for those that want to get really wacky. WINE & FOOD WEEK The Woodlands, June 6th – 12th 713.557.5732 | WineAndFoodWeek.com Foodies unite! This week-long celebration of all things culinary includes over 40 signature events including chef demonstrations, taste-and-strolls, fashion shows, wine auctions, shopping, live entertainment and more! The Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting features delights for all gourmands as well as a spectacular live auction. THE TAMING OF THE SHREW Wortham Theatre Center, June 9th – 19th 713.227.2787 | HoustonBallet.org Featuring lavish scenery and costumes, this masterful choreographic depiction of Shakespeare’s perpetually battling lovers, Petruchio and Katherina, and of Petruchio’s determination to bend the feisty, independent-spirited and tempestuous Katherina to his will incorporates a stunning array of dramatic moods, virtuoso dancing and vivid characterization.