Luxe Living and Lifestyle

281.582.3987

14340 Memorial • Houston, TX 77079

Amanda Walsh

Brandey Heckeroth

Brandey@HeritageTexas.com

Marilyn Jay

Marilyn@MarilynJay.com

ST D JU STE LI

2 Corwin • Hunters Creek • Houston

2515 Nantucket • Westhaven Estates • Houston

R FOALE S

R FOALE S

5117 Tangle • Tanglewood • Houston

12503 Woodthorpe • Memorial Meadows • Houston

R E FO A S LE

ST D JU STE LI

5103 Steep Forest • Cinco Ranch • Katy

11517 Gallant Ridge • Royal Oaks • Houston

ST D JU STE LI

3302 Bridgeberry • Royal Oaks • Houston

Susan Chumchal Bishop

SusanCB@HeritageTexas.com

Featured Cover Property

ST D JU STE LI

LD SO

803 N. 3rd • Frank L Holton • Bellaire

Celebrate Earth Day Protecting the Planet

1420 Milford Magnificent Home in desirable Rice/Museum District 4 / 3-1 / 2 This brilliant design boasts with quality craftsmanship, character and charm from the stunning oak tree on the front lawn down to every detail in the mouldings and trim. Impressive updates offer refinished oak floors, travertine, stunning granite/marble counters, designer selected light fixtures and hardware, surround sound, storage/closets galore and an amazing outdoor retreat. Minutes from Med Center, Rice Village & more!

www.HeritageTexas.com If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

MARCH | APRIL

LUXE

www.HeritageTexas.com

Amanda@HeritageTexas.com

LUXE LIVING AND

2016

Your personal real estate group for wherever life takes you.

Produced by UpscaleRealEstateMarketing.com • 877.660.0996

Home Warranty Pros and Cons

The Yard House’s Spinach Cheese Dip

Luxe Living Cover Home

Featured Exclusively by Heritage Texas Properties

MARCH | APRIL 2016 Around the World in 80 Days Alley Theatre | March 4 - April 3 AlleyTheatre.org | 713.220.5700 In Around the World in 80 Days, fearless adventurer Phileas Fogg agrees to an outrageous wager that puts his life and fortune at risk, as he embarks on a grand journey to circle the globe in a race to beat the clock. Danger, romance and comic surprises abound as five actors portraying 42 characters traverse seven continents in this classic adventure.

Weighing the Decision on Home Warranty Coverage

41st Annual Fishing Show George E. Brown Convention Center March 16-20 HoustonFishingShow.com | 281.353.6184 With over 200,000 SQFT of space available, the 41st annual event will be the largest consumer fishing show in the nation. The emphasis of the show will focus on fishing tackle and fishing boats with all facets of the world of fishing fully explored through displays, clinics and movies.

2016 Shell Houston Open Golf Club of Houston | March 30 - April 3 ShellHoustonOpen.com This PGA TOUR event – the 10th oldest tour event – is Houston’s largest and most prestigious golf event hosting 144 of the world’s best golfers competing. The tournament is presented by Shell Oil Company and the Houston Golf Association.

Since 1974 Houston Golf Association’s volunteers have generated millions of dollars for local worthy causes through the Shell Houston Open and other golf-related activities.

Carrie Underwood Toyota Center | April 19 HoustonToyotaCenter.com | 713.758.7200 The seven-time Grammy winner and Pollstar’s three-time top female country touring artist, will launch a new arena tour in 2016 after just releasing her fifth studio album, Storyteller. The 360-degree setting will allow fans on all sides of the arena to get a very intimate and unique concert experience.

Academy Spring Showcase Houston Ballet | April 22-23 HoustonBallet.org | 713.227.2787 The gifted young artists of Houston Ballet Academy cap their studies with two performances of a program featuring works tailor-made to show them at their best.

W

hen purchasing an existing home, a home warranty can provide peace of mind knowing that repairs to leaky pipes, broken furnaces, or appliance break-downs can be fixed for a “nominal” service charge. However, upon closer inspection, these warranties may not provide all the coverages you might expect.

Home warranties purchased on existing homes are more like limited service contracts that are in effect for only one year. The warranty policy holder typically has no control over who provides the repair service – that is determined by the warranty company itself.

Taking Steps M

Refine your food selections. How often do you check the “product of” food labels in the grocery store? Produce grown in Peru or Holland may be fine, but think about what it took to get that pepper to your shopping cart: Lots of handling, packaging, and various forms of transportation. Now consider a pepper grown at a local farm: It will most likely be fresher and more nutrient-rich because it hasn’t been trucked in from across the U.S. or shipped in from another country. Buying local really is better for the environment. While you’re at the grocery store, remember to use those reusable bags in the back of your car.

Better yet? Head to a farmers’ market and bring a basket to carry your purchases home.

Retool your home front. Many environmental strides can be made right in your own environs. For starters, try to keep your home cool or warm depending on the season without constantly moving the thermostat. Blinds and drapes can keep heat in or out, and ceiling fans can really cool a room. Too cold? Grab a sweater and slippers.

Outdoors, rethink the amount of water, herbicides, and fertilizers you use in your yard. A little hand weeding and smart xeriscaping can do wonders for planet Earth

AngiesList.com reports that home warranty companies top the mostcomplained-about list on their website year after year. The site attributes this to the fact that consumers assume something is covered by the warranty that isn’t, or consumers were surprised by the standard service charges when something breaks. Those service charges can range from $75 to $100 depending on service area.

The typical resale home warranty covers repairs to kitchen and laundry appliances, water heaters and furnaces, ceiling and exhaust fans, plumbing systems and circuit breakers. More expensive repair items such as roofs, pools and window issues are usually not covered.

The consumer needs to be aware of the type of policy being offered. Some home warranty companies charge extra to cover air conditioning systems and ventilation issues. There are other exclusions such as ice makers, which break down often. Most policies don’t cover plumbing backups or leaky skylights either.

If you are in the market for a resale home, you need to carefully consider whether a home warranty is worth the cost. Determine if the seller is offering a home warranty as part of the transaction. If they are not, you can always ask the seller to provide a home warranty during the contract negotiations. If the seller offers a home warranty to sweeten the deal, take it.

But if you must purchase the policy yourself, shop carefully and understand exactly what is covered for your investment. Research consumer complaints and don’t let the lure of “insurance” lead you into making a purchase.

“Instead of buying one of these policies – or placing any value in the one provided when you buy a home – you’ll do better to place that money into a home repair fund,” says Consumers’ Checkbook, an independent nonprofit that publishes consumer magazines in several locales around the country.

REAL ESTATE

corner

Celebrate Earth Day by Reducing Your Carbon Footprint

ark your calendar: Earth Day is Friday, April 22. And with all the dire news about our planet – record-setting warm temperatures, plastic filling up our oceans, and animals dying from disruptions in their food chains – there has never been a more important time to make changes. So what can you do to make a difference? By now, we should all know the three basic Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. But what more can we do to have a smaller carbon footprint?

IN GOOD TASTE

Event Calendar

… especially if every homeowner gets in on the act.

Rethink your ride. Although we can’t all run out and buy a brand new electric or hybrid car, we can try to drive less. It’s that simple.

Carpool with coworkers for your daily commute. Work with neighbors to share trips to school, baseball practice, and ballet class. Combine all your errands for the week and try to get them all done at once. Consider buying in bulk online and have basics like toilet paper and detergent delivered to your door. If you don’t regularly use public transportation, research your area’s bus and train routes and time tables and see if they sync up with your schedule. And of course, if you can, try walking. It’s good for you!

Yard House Spinach Feta Cheese Dip INGREDIENTS 1 gal ½c ½ tbsp ½ lbs ¾ lbs

water garlic, minced kosher salt feta cheese, crumbled or 12 oz cream cheese

1 ½ lbs 2 tbsp ½ tbsp ½ lbs ¼c

or 3 bunches fresh spinach parsley, chopped black pepper jack cheese, shredded grated parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS Place water in a large pot and bring to a boil. Place the spinach in the water and blanch until just wilted (approximately 20-30 seconds). Remove from water and place in a colander and then place into an ice bath so that it does not continue to wilt.

Squeeze to remove all excess water and then rough chop the spinach, set aside. Heat olive oil in sauté pan and then add minced garlic. Let the garlic turn golden brown and then add parsley, salt and pepper, sauté briefly and set aside. Combine feta, jack and cream cheese in a mixing bowl. Using the paddle attachment mix cheese until well combined. Add garlic/parsley mixture and spinach to the cheese blend and continue mixing until thoroughly combined. Place spinach mixture in a casserole dish, sprinkle the top with grated parmesan cheese and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until bubbling slightly and golden brown on top. Serve with toasted pita bread.

For toasted pita, split pita to make two halves. Brush lightly with olive oil, place on a sheet pan and bake in oven until golden brown and crispy.

Yard House YardHouse.com

MARCH | APRIL 2016 Around the World in 80 Days Alley Theatre | March 4 - April 3 AlleyTheatre.org | 713.220.5700 In Around the World in 80 Days, fearless adventurer Phileas Fogg agrees to an outrageous wager that puts his life and fortune at risk, as he embarks on a grand journey to circle the globe in a race to beat the clock. Danger, romance and comic surprises abound as five actors portraying 42 characters traverse seven continents in this classic adventure.

Weighing the Decision on Home Warranty Coverage

41st Annual Fishing Show George E. Brown Convention Center March 16-20 HoustonFishingShow.com | 281.353.6184 With over 200,000 SQFT of space available, the 41st annual event will be the largest consumer fishing show in the nation. The emphasis of the show will focus on fishing tackle and fishing boats with all facets of the world of fishing fully explored through displays, clinics and movies.

2016 Shell Houston Open Golf Club of Houston | March 30 - April 3 ShellHoustonOpen.com This PGA TOUR event – the 10th oldest tour event – is Houston’s largest and most prestigious golf event hosting 144 of the world’s best golfers competing. The tournament is presented by Shell Oil Company and the Houston Golf Association.

Since 1974 Houston Golf Association’s volunteers have generated millions of dollars for local worthy causes through the Shell Houston Open and other golf-related activities.

Carrie Underwood Toyota Center | April 19 HoustonToyotaCenter.com | 713.758.7200 The seven-time Grammy winner and Pollstar’s three-time top female country touring artist, will launch a new arena tour in 2016 after just releasing her fifth studio album, Storyteller. The 360-degree setting will allow fans on all sides of the arena to get a very intimate and unique concert experience.

Academy Spring Showcase Houston Ballet | April 22-23 HoustonBallet.org | 713.227.2787 The gifted young artists of Houston Ballet Academy cap their studies with two performances of a program featuring works tailor-made to show them at their best.

W

hen purchasing an existing home, a home warranty can provide peace of mind knowing that repairs to leaky pipes, broken furnaces, or appliance break-downs can be fixed for a “nominal” service charge. However, upon closer inspection, these warranties may not provide all the coverages you might expect.

Home warranties purchased on existing homes are more like limited service contracts that are in effect for only one year. The warranty policy holder typically has no control over who provides the repair service – that is determined by the warranty company itself.

Taking Steps M

Refine your food selections. How often do you check the “product of” food labels in the grocery store? Produce grown in Peru or Holland may be fine, but think about what it took to get that pepper to your shopping cart: Lots of handling, packaging, and various forms of transportation. Now consider a pepper grown at a local farm: It will most likely be fresher and more nutrient-rich because it hasn’t been trucked in from across the U.S. or shipped in from another country. Buying local really is better for the environment. While you’re at the grocery store, remember to use those reusable bags in the back of your car.

Better yet? Head to a farmers’ market and bring a basket to carry your purchases home.

Retool your home front. Many environmental strides can be made right in your own environs. For starters, try to keep your home cool or warm depending on the season without constantly moving the thermostat. Blinds and drapes can keep heat in or out, and ceiling fans can really cool a room. Too cold? Grab a sweater and slippers.

Outdoors, rethink the amount of water, herbicides, and fertilizers you use in your yard. A little hand weeding and smart xeriscaping can do wonders for planet Earth

AngiesList.com reports that home warranty companies top the mostcomplained-about list on their website year after year. The site attributes this to the fact that consumers assume something is covered by the warranty that isn’t, or consumers were surprised by the standard service charges when something breaks. Those service charges can range from $75 to $100 depending on service area.

The typical resale home warranty covers repairs to kitchen and laundry appliances, water heaters and furnaces, ceiling and exhaust fans, plumbing systems and circuit breakers. More expensive repair items such as roofs, pools and window issues are usually not covered.

The consumer needs to be aware of the type of policy being offered. Some home warranty companies charge extra to cover air conditioning systems and ventilation issues. There are other exclusions such as ice makers, which break down often. Most policies don’t cover plumbing backups or leaky skylights either.

If you are in the market for a resale home, you need to carefully consider whether a home warranty is worth the cost. Determine if the seller is offering a home warranty as part of the transaction. If they are not, you can always ask the seller to provide a home warranty during the contract negotiations. If the seller offers a home warranty to sweeten the deal, take it.

But if you must purchase the policy yourself, shop carefully and understand exactly what is covered for your investment. Research consumer complaints and don’t let the lure of “insurance” lead you into making a purchase.

“Instead of buying one of these policies – or placing any value in the one provided when you buy a home – you’ll do better to place that money into a home repair fund,” says Consumers’ Checkbook, an independent nonprofit that publishes consumer magazines in several locales around the country.

REAL ESTATE

corner

Celebrate Earth Day by Reducing Your Carbon Footprint

ark your calendar: Earth Day is Friday, April 22. And with all the dire news about our planet – record-setting warm temperatures, plastic filling up our oceans, and animals dying from disruptions in their food chains – there has never been a more important time to make changes. So what can you do to make a difference? By now, we should all know the three basic Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. But what more can we do to have a smaller carbon footprint?

IN GOOD TASTE

Event Calendar

… especially if every homeowner gets in on the act.

Rethink your ride. Although we can’t all run out and buy a brand new electric or hybrid car, we can try to drive less. It’s that simple.

Carpool with coworkers for your daily commute. Work with neighbors to share trips to school, baseball practice, and ballet class. Combine all your errands for the week and try to get them all done at once. Consider buying in bulk online and have basics like toilet paper and detergent delivered to your door. If you don’t regularly use public transportation, research your area’s bus and train routes and time tables and see if they sync up with your schedule. And of course, if you can, try walking. It’s good for you!

Yard House Spinach Feta Cheese Dip INGREDIENTS 1 gal ½c ½ tbsp ½ lbs ¾ lbs

water garlic, minced kosher salt feta cheese, crumbled or 12 oz cream cheese

1 ½ lbs 2 tbsp ½ tbsp ½ lbs ¼c

or 3 bunches fresh spinach parsley, chopped black pepper jack cheese, shredded grated parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS Place water in a large pot and bring to a boil. Place the spinach in the water and blanch until just wilted (approximately 20-30 seconds). Remove from water and place in a colander and then place into an ice bath so that it does not continue to wilt.

Squeeze to remove all excess water and then rough chop the spinach, set aside. Heat olive oil in sauté pan and then add minced garlic. Let the garlic turn golden brown and then add parsley, salt and pepper, sauté briefly and set aside. Combine feta, jack and cream cheese in a mixing bowl. Using the paddle attachment mix cheese until well combined. Add garlic/parsley mixture and spinach to the cheese blend and continue mixing until thoroughly combined. Place spinach mixture in a casserole dish, sprinkle the top with grated parmesan cheese and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until bubbling slightly and golden brown on top. Serve with toasted pita bread.

For toasted pita, split pita to make two halves. Brush lightly with olive oil, place on a sheet pan and bake in oven until golden brown and crispy.

Yard House YardHouse.com

281.582.3987

14340 Memorial • Houston, TX 77079

Amanda Walsh

Brandey Heckeroth

Brandey@HeritageTexas.com

Marilyn Jay

Marilyn@MarilynJay.com

ST D JU STE LI

2 Corwin • Hunters Creek • Houston

2515 Nantucket • Westhaven Estates • Houston

R FOALE S

R FOALE S

5117 Tangle • Tanglewood • Houston

12503 Woodthorpe • Memorial Meadows • Houston

R E FO A S LE

ST D JU STE LI

5103 Steep Forest • Cinco Ranch • Katy

11517 Gallant Ridge • Royal Oaks • Houston

ST D JU STE LI

3302 Bridgeberry • Royal Oaks • Houston

Susan Chumchal Bishop

SusanCB@HeritageTexas.com

Featured Cover Property

ST D JU STE LI

LD SO

803 N. 3rd • Frank L Holton • Bellaire

Celebrate Earth Day Protecting the Planet

1420 Milford Magnificent Home in desirable Rice/Museum District 4 / 3-1 / 2 This brilliant design boasts with quality craftsmanship, character and charm from the stunning oak tree on the front lawn down to every detail in the mouldings and trim. Impressive updates offer refinished oak floors, travertine, stunning granite/marble counters, designer selected light fixtures and hardware, surround sound, storage/closets galore and an amazing outdoor retreat. Minutes from Med Center, Rice Village & more!

www.HeritageTexas.com If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

MARCH | APRIL

LUXE

www.HeritageTexas.com

Amanda@HeritageTexas.com

LUXE LIVING AND

2016

Your personal real estate group for wherever life takes you.

Produced by UpscaleRealEstateMarketing.com • 877.660.0996

Home Warranty Pros and Cons

The Yard House’s Spinach Cheese Dip

Luxe Living Cover Home

Featured Exclusively by Heritage Texas Properties