Royal Oaks Country Club Lifestyle

March | April 2013

www.HeritageTexas.com 281.679.0101

11689 Westheimer, Suite C • Houston, TX 77077

Featured Cover Property 3211 Sunrise Manor Ct. REMARKABLE home in the desirable, 24/7 guard-gated community of Royal Oaks Country Club. This special property features 5 bedrooms, HUGE INTERIOR cul-de-sac lot, marvelous wrought iron staircase, dramatic Master Retreat, granite island kitchen, stainless steel appliances, GORGEOUS window treatments, and 3-car tandem garage! BREATHTAKING BACKYARD OASIS includes an enormous heated pool/spa, fire pit, pool bath, basketball court, outdoor kitchen and covered seating areas!

a 3111 Noble Lakes

3103 Noble Lakes

Breathtaking Golf Course Home

Spectacular Estate Home

6/5-2/4

4/3 – 3/3

Library, game and media room, pool/spa

Overlooks lakes, 9th and 18th greens and Clubhouse

One of Life’s Little Pleasures

Showing Your Home

Special Considerations for Pet Owners

In Celebration of Living Well BRANDEY HECKEROTH

JOANNE ESKRIDGE

AMANDA WALSH

Brandey@HeritageTexas.com

JoAnne@HeritageTexas.com

Amanda@HeritageTexas.com

713.254.3551

281.250.1864

281.451.8107

CHARLIE ESKRIDGE

281.827.9912

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

Seasons 52’s Simply Roasted Chicken

Produced by UpscaleRealEstateMarketing.com • 877.660.0996

Royal Oaks Country Club Real Estate Report

In Good Taste Featuring Seasons 52 Opening Spring 2013 at Millennium High Street Seasons52.com

Event Calendar

THE PLEASURES OF

MARCH | APRIL 2013 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Reliant Park, March 15th – 17th 832-667-1000 | RodeoHouston.com Rodeo has been a tradition in Houston since 1932, and the extravaganza at Reliant Park continues to consume the city every spring. All 20 championship rodeo competitions are concluded with entertainment by music superstars. A starstudded lineup this year includes Blake Shelton on the 15th, Luke Bryan on the 16th and be sure to catch George Strait, Martina McBride and the Randy Rogers Band on the 17th!

SIMPLY ROAST CHICKEN Ingredients: 1 whole chicken, 5 lbs.

1 tbsp. Dijon mustard 1 tbsp. soy sauce 1 tsp. Old Bay seasoning 2 tsp. kosher salt 6 dashes Tabasco Chipotle 6 garlic cloves 6 rosemary sprigs, fresh extra virgin olive oil in a spray bottle bamboo skewer or some string Procedure: Pre-heat oven to 375º. About 30 minutes prior to roasting, unwrap chicken and remove innards and any excess fat. Rinse chicken under warm water, pat dry inside and out, and place in

Spring is finally here! As colorful flowers are blooming and the cool winter evenings give way to warmer weather, our attentions turn to one of our favorite Houston pastimes— dining outdoors.

Although the Europeans have practically elevated dining outdoors to an art form, those of us living in the Southwest also know the pleasures of bringing the indoors out. With so many months of fabulous weather ahead of us, now is the time to begin taking your meals outside.

The Italian term al fresco directly translates to “in the fresh.” There is something absolutely magical about a wonderful meal enjoyed en plein air, where diners take their sweet time enjoying the meal, the company and the ambiance of a beautiful natural setting.

The best al fresco dining combines long, lazy meals with simple and fresh food.

Relax the rules, take your time; this is the perfect occasion to escape without leaving home.

Depending on the time of day you’ll be dining, there are several ways to make your al fresco experience all the more special:

Afternoon Tea

Brunch

Set your table with vibrant and colorful table linens. In fact, it’s a perfect occasion to use your sunny French linens that just seem so appropriate in this celebration of le soleil. Decorate with flowers, flowers everywhere and if you’re poolside, enjoy the enchanting views as the sun sparkles off of the water.

Keep the menu casual and fresh.

When planning your menu, it’s easier to serve dishes that can be enjoyed at room temperature. A luscious quiche, buttery croissants and fresh berries may be all you need for a delightful brunch. Of course, you may also add mimosas to the menu if you’re so inclined!

Sometimes a leisurely afternoon is just what the doctor ordered. Again, take a cue from our European friends and rest and relax over a nice pot of tea. The British advise that there’s not a trouble that can’t be resolved over a cup of tea. Bring out a tray of scones, mini fruit tarts and perhaps some cucumber and cream cheese finger sandwiches. Voila! You’ve created a wonderful respite in your day.

Dinner

Ahh… the sun is setting, a cool breeze blows across your patio and you’re taking delight in one of life’s simplest pleasures: splendid food and wonderful companionship to enjoy it with. Let the beauty of the evening be the star of the

show and set your table with elegant and subdued linens and tableware. Now is the time to break out the votive candles to add atmosphere as the Houston sunset gives way to twinkling stars.

Create a menu that is back-to-basics.

Dining al fresco is not meant to be fussy and super-sophisticated. Instead, it’s a salute to the pleasures of all things simple and delicious. A caprese salad, lemon-garlic roasted chicken (that can be prepared the day before), roasted eggplant and zucchini, and a loaf of crusty Italian bread is heaven.

So, here’s to living in beautiful Houston and to taking it outside! Enjoy the next several months of enviable weather and take all the delight from it that you can!

bowl. Combine all ingredients, except salt and rosemary, and coat chicken evenly with mixture.

Season cavity with half of the salt and place fresh rosemary and garlic cloves inside. Put skewer through drumsticks so the legs don’t flop or use string to tie. Tuck the wing tips under the bird. Place chicken on a rack over a foillined pan. Sprinkle skin with remaining salt and roast at 375º for 1 hour and 15 minutes (internal temperature of 165º). You can check the temperature in the leg near the bone and in the thick part of the breast near the bone.

Allow chicken to rest for 15 minutes before serving.

Serves: 4

One of the most difficult challenges of having your home for sale is the need to have it in constant “show ready” mode. There is no doubt that your home will sell faster and for top dollar if it is presented in its best light – so most homeowners go the extra mile on a daily basis to insure that the home is clean, clutter-free and looking its best.

Additionally, if you are a pet owner, do not overlook the importance of managing your pets while your home is for sale. It could make or break the success of the entire process!

You’ve planted colorful flowers along the front walkway, hung a brand-new wreath on the door, turned on soothing music, fragranced the home with an appealing scent and opened all of the blinds in anticipation of a showing. Do you realize how quickly the calming and appealing mood you’ve created gets ruined when a barking dog comes charging to the door? Or the smell of a litter box is wafting through the entire home? Or your beloved bird is squawking loudly from the kitchen?

As pet lovers, we tend to forget how others might view our pets. Even if your dogs are perfectly harmless, you must keep in mind that some people are very fearful of dogs. Others have a strong distaste for cats. So in protecting the home viewing experience for potential buyers, you should also protect the safety of your animals.

You will have strangers walking through your home and the potential for unkind actions to your pets is a

possibility. Or, simple neglect could mean that dogs or cats are inadvertently let out of opened doors while the home is being viewed. So, what options do you have in creating the best scenario for your home as well as your pets?

In an ideal situation, your pets could be away from the home during all showings.

If it’s at all possible, bring your pets with you for the day. Whether it’s to work or just running errands, some people have the ability to have their pets accompany them. Other options would be to leave the animals with a trusted friend or neighbor, take them to the kennel for the day, the popular doggy day care facilities or perhaps your groomer. For many families however, it’s just not always practical.

Some people will leave animals in laundry rooms or back bedrooms with a note on the door requesting that visitors do not enter. This is not best though, because it’s never a good idea to have rooms or areas of the home that are not accessible to potential buyers. Even though you feel that they

can imagine what the laundry room looks like, it leaves a question mark in the mind of the viewer as they leave your property.

Your goal is to not have any question marks, only strong positive thoughts from potential buyers.

Putting your dogs into the back yard during showings often doesn’t solve the dilemma either. While potential buyers will be able to roam through your home at will, outdoor living environments are just as important to buyers and they’ll want to feel comfortable walking the entire property at their leisure.

Putting animals in a room, but with a child-safety gate enclosing them, is a better idea as people can still view the room. Even better, if your pets are crate or kennel trained, visitors can actually walk into the room while your pet is safely kept away.

Your Realtor should make a note on the MLS listing that there are pets in the home and any special instructions visitors should heed. That way, potential buyers can be expecting dogs, cats,

PETS AT HOME? Keeping Your Property “Show Ready”

(or a snake!), rather than being startled when arriving at your home. It also gives those with pet allergies an opportunity to take any necessary medications to alleviate any allergic reactions.

A note near the front door may be helpful too as added insurance that everyone is aware of the presence of pets.

Having pets tends to create other issues besides how to handle them during showings. Your home may need some extra care to bring it to its best.

Make sure that there are no lingering pet odors in and around the home. Clean the cat box and the yard of waste at least daily. Keep your carpets and furnishings fresh and deodorized. The use of an air neutralizer may be beneficial. Take extra care to remedy any stains in the carpeting, scratches on doors or chewed-up baseboards.

It’s often a lot of effort to keep your home looking its best while for sale. Obviously having pets puts an entire different set of issues into play. But your hard work and attention to detail should pay off in the end if you’re able to sell your property faster and at a higher price point.

League City Uncorked: A Global Wine and Art Experience Walter Hall Park, March 23rd – 24th 832.704.1110 | LeagueCityUncorked.com Celebrating imaginations through uniting international cultures, the event will bring a weekend of fine arts, exotic wines and universal customs. The combination of breathtaking art and delicious wine will be paired with appetizing food and entertaining music on two stages.

During League City Uncorked, festival goers will be amazed, inspired, enlightened and entertained as they stroll the promenades of the worldwide cultures.

Bayou Bend Family Day Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, March 24th 713.639.7300 | MFAH.org The essence of spring! An amazing day of fun and entertainment awaits visitors at Bayou Bend Family Day. Activities, music, demonstrations, performances, craft workshops, giveaways, and more abound throughout the home and gardens. Enjoy tours of the first floor of the house, hosted by volunteers from Houston Junior Woman’s Club.

Houston International Festival Downtown Houston, April 20th – 21st, 27th – 28th 713.654.8808 | IFest.org Celebrating its 43rd year, the Houston International Festival represents a broad collection of genres from across the globe. The annual event will include five stages of music, dance and cultural performances in addition to international cuisine, fine wine and beer. The lineup this year will showcase a wide variety of South American entertainment, with an emphasis on the featured country Brazil. Join the celebration featuring Brazilian music, as well as funk, reggae, R&B, jazz, zydeco, blues, Latin rock, cumbia/salsa and much more.

Evening in the Park Gala Hermann Park, April 25th 713.524.5876 | HermannPark.org Gather your favorite couples for this year’s Evening in the Park gala benefiting the Hermann Park Conservancy. The enchanting annual event will include lively cocktails on the Molly Ann Smith Plaza and an al fresco dinner beside lovely McGovern Lake.

In Good Taste Featuring Seasons 52 Opening Spring 2013 at Millennium High Street Seasons52.com

Event Calendar

THE PLEASURES OF

MARCH | APRIL 2013 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Reliant Park, March 15th – 17th 832-667-1000 | RodeoHouston.com Rodeo has been a tradition in Houston since 1932, and the extravaganza at Reliant Park continues to consume the city every spring. All 20 championship rodeo competitions are concluded with entertainment by music superstars. A starstudded lineup this year includes Blake Shelton on the 15th, Luke Bryan on the 16th and be sure to catch George Strait, Martina McBride and the Randy Rogers Band on the 17th!

SIMPLY ROAST CHICKEN Ingredients: 1 whole chicken, 5 lbs.

1 tbsp. Dijon mustard 1 tbsp. soy sauce 1 tsp. Old Bay seasoning 2 tsp. kosher salt 6 dashes Tabasco Chipotle 6 garlic cloves 6 rosemary sprigs, fresh extra virgin olive oil in a spray bottle bamboo skewer or some string Procedure: Pre-heat oven to 375º. About 30 minutes prior to roasting, unwrap chicken and remove innards and any excess fat. Rinse chicken under warm water, pat dry inside and out, and place in

Spring is finally here! As colorful flowers are blooming and the cool winter evenings give way to warmer weather, our attentions turn to one of our favorite Houston pastimes— dining outdoors.

Although the Europeans have practically elevated dining outdoors to an art form, those of us living in the Southwest also know the pleasures of bringing the indoors out. With so many months of fabulous weather ahead of us, now is the time to begin taking your meals outside.

The Italian term al fresco directly translates to “in the fresh.” There is something absolutely magical about a wonderful meal enjoyed en plein air, where diners take their sweet time enjoying the meal, the company and the ambiance of a beautiful natural setting.

The best al fresco dining combines long, lazy meals with simple and fresh food.

Relax the rules, take your time; this is the perfect occasion to escape without leaving home.

Depending on the time of day you’ll be dining, there are several ways to make your al fresco experience all the more special:

Afternoon Tea

Brunch

Set your table with vibrant and colorful table linens. In fact, it’s a perfect occasion to use your sunny French linens that just seem so appropriate in this celebration of le soleil. Decorate with flowers, flowers everywhere and if you’re poolside, enjoy the enchanting views as the sun sparkles off of the water.

Keep the menu casual and fresh.

When planning your menu, it’s easier to serve dishes that can be enjoyed at room temperature. A luscious quiche, buttery croissants and fresh berries may be all you need for a delightful brunch. Of course, you may also add mimosas to the menu if you’re so inclined!

Sometimes a leisurely afternoon is just what the doctor ordered. Again, take a cue from our European friends and rest and relax over a nice pot of tea. The British advise that there’s not a trouble that can’t be resolved over a cup of tea. Bring out a tray of scones, mini fruit tarts and perhaps some cucumber and cream cheese finger sandwiches. Voila! You’ve created a wonderful respite in your day.

Dinner

Ahh… the sun is setting, a cool breeze blows across your patio and you’re taking delight in one of life’s simplest pleasures: splendid food and wonderful companionship to enjoy it with. Let the beauty of the evening be the star of the

show and set your table with elegant and subdued linens and tableware. Now is the time to break out the votive candles to add atmosphere as the Houston sunset gives way to twinkling stars.

Create a menu that is back-to-basics.

Dining al fresco is not meant to be fussy and super-sophisticated. Instead, it’s a salute to the pleasures of all things simple and delicious. A caprese salad, lemon-garlic roasted chicken (that can be prepared the day before), roasted eggplant and zucchini, and a loaf of crusty Italian bread is heaven.

So, here’s to living in beautiful Houston and to taking it outside! Enjoy the next several months of enviable weather and take all the delight from it that you can!

bowl. Combine all ingredients, except salt and rosemary, and coat chicken evenly with mixture.

Season cavity with half of the salt and place fresh rosemary and garlic cloves inside. Put skewer through drumsticks so the legs don’t flop or use string to tie. Tuck the wing tips under the bird. Place chicken on a rack over a foillined pan. Sprinkle skin with remaining salt and roast at 375º for 1 hour and 15 minutes (internal temperature of 165º). You can check the temperature in the leg near the bone and in the thick part of the breast near the bone.

Allow chicken to rest for 15 minutes before serving.

Serves: 4

One of the most difficult challenges of having your home for sale is the need to have it in constant “show ready” mode. There is no doubt that your home will sell faster and for top dollar if it is presented in its best light – so most homeowners go the extra mile on a daily basis to insure that the home is clean, clutter-free and looking its best.

Additionally, if you are a pet owner, do not overlook the importance of managing your pets while your home is for sale. It could make or break the success of the entire process!

You’ve planted colorful flowers along the front walkway, hung a brand-new wreath on the door, turned on soothing music, fragranced the home with an appealing scent and opened all of the blinds in anticipation of a showing. Do you realize how quickly the calming and appealing mood you’ve created gets ruined when a barking dog comes charging to the door? Or the smell of a litter box is wafting through the entire home? Or your beloved bird is squawking loudly from the kitchen?

As pet lovers, we tend to forget how others might view our pets. Even if your dogs are perfectly harmless, you must keep in mind that some people are very fearful of dogs. Others have a strong distaste for cats. So in protecting the home viewing experience for potential buyers, you should also protect the safety of your animals.

You will have strangers walking through your home and the potential for unkind actions to your pets is a

possibility. Or, simple neglect could mean that dogs or cats are inadvertently let out of opened doors while the home is being viewed. So, what options do you have in creating the best scenario for your home as well as your pets?

In an ideal situation, your pets could be away from the home during all showings.

If it’s at all possible, bring your pets with you for the day. Whether it’s to work or just running errands, some people have the ability to have their pets accompany them. Other options would be to leave the animals with a trusted friend or neighbor, take them to the kennel for the day, the popular doggy day care facilities or perhaps your groomer. For many families however, it’s just not always practical.

Some people will leave animals in laundry rooms or back bedrooms with a note on the door requesting that visitors do not enter. This is not best though, because it’s never a good idea to have rooms or areas of the home that are not accessible to potential buyers. Even though you feel that they

can imagine what the laundry room looks like, it leaves a question mark in the mind of the viewer as they leave your property.

Your goal is to not have any question marks, only strong positive thoughts from potential buyers.

Putting your dogs into the back yard during showings often doesn’t solve the dilemma either. While potential buyers will be able to roam through your home at will, outdoor living environments are just as important to buyers and they’ll want to feel comfortable walking the entire property at their leisure.

Putting animals in a room, but with a child-safety gate enclosing them, is a better idea as people can still view the room. Even better, if your pets are crate or kennel trained, visitors can actually walk into the room while your pet is safely kept away.

Your Realtor should make a note on the MLS listing that there are pets in the home and any special instructions visitors should heed. That way, potential buyers can be expecting dogs, cats,

PETS AT HOME? Keeping Your Property “Show Ready”

(or a snake!), rather than being startled when arriving at your home. It also gives those with pet allergies an opportunity to take any necessary medications to alleviate any allergic reactions.

A note near the front door may be helpful too as added insurance that everyone is aware of the presence of pets.

Having pets tends to create other issues besides how to handle them during showings. Your home may need some extra care to bring it to its best.

Make sure that there are no lingering pet odors in and around the home. Clean the cat box and the yard of waste at least daily. Keep your carpets and furnishings fresh and deodorized. The use of an air neutralizer may be beneficial. Take extra care to remedy any stains in the carpeting, scratches on doors or chewed-up baseboards.

It’s often a lot of effort to keep your home looking its best while for sale. Obviously having pets puts an entire different set of issues into play. But your hard work and attention to detail should pay off in the end if you’re able to sell your property faster and at a higher price point.

League City Uncorked: A Global Wine and Art Experience Walter Hall Park, March 23rd – 24th 832.704.1110 | LeagueCityUncorked.com Celebrating imaginations through uniting international cultures, the event will bring a weekend of fine arts, exotic wines and universal customs. The combination of breathtaking art and delicious wine will be paired with appetizing food and entertaining music on two stages.

During League City Uncorked, festival goers will be amazed, inspired, enlightened and entertained as they stroll the promenades of the worldwide cultures.

Bayou Bend Family Day Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, March 24th 713.639.7300 | MFAH.org The essence of spring! An amazing day of fun and entertainment awaits visitors at Bayou Bend Family Day. Activities, music, demonstrations, performances, craft workshops, giveaways, and more abound throughout the home and gardens. Enjoy tours of the first floor of the house, hosted by volunteers from Houston Junior Woman’s Club.

Houston International Festival Downtown Houston, April 20th – 21st, 27th – 28th 713.654.8808 | IFest.org Celebrating its 43rd year, the Houston International Festival represents a broad collection of genres from across the globe. The annual event will include five stages of music, dance and cultural performances in addition to international cuisine, fine wine and beer. The lineup this year will showcase a wide variety of South American entertainment, with an emphasis on the featured country Brazil. Join the celebration featuring Brazilian music, as well as funk, reggae, R&B, jazz, zydeco, blues, Latin rock, cumbia/salsa and much more.

Evening in the Park Gala Hermann Park, April 25th 713.524.5876 | HermannPark.org Gather your favorite couples for this year’s Evening in the Park gala benefiting the Hermann Park Conservancy. The enchanting annual event will include lively cocktails on the Molly Ann Smith Plaza and an al fresco dinner beside lovely McGovern Lake.

March | April 2013

www.HeritageTexas.com 281.679.0101

11689 Westheimer, Suite C • Houston, TX 77077

Featured Cover Property 3211 Sunrise Manor Ct. REMARKABLE home in the desirable, 24/7 guard-gated community of Royal Oaks Country Club. This special property features 5 bedrooms, HUGE INTERIOR cul-de-sac lot, marvelous wrought iron staircase, dramatic Master Retreat, granite island kitchen, stainless steel appliances, GORGEOUS window treatments, and 3-car tandem garage! BREATHTAKING BACKYARD OASIS includes an enormous heated pool/spa, fire pit, pool bath, basketball court, outdoor kitchen and covered seating areas!

a 3111 Noble Lakes

3103 Noble Lakes

Breathtaking Golf Course Home

Spectacular Estate Home

6/5-2/4

4/3 – 3/3

Library, game and media room, pool/spa

Overlooks lakes, 9th and 18th greens and Clubhouse

One of Life’s Little Pleasures

Showing Your Home

Special Considerations for Pet Owners

In Celebration of Living Well BRANDEY HECKEROTH

JOANNE ESKRIDGE

AMANDA WALSH

Brandey@HeritageTexas.com

JoAnne@HeritageTexas.com

Amanda@HeritageTexas.com

713.254.3551

281.250.1864

281.451.8107

CHARLIE ESKRIDGE

281.827.9912

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

Seasons 52’s Simply Roasted Chicken

Produced by UpscaleRealEstateMarketing.com • 877.660.0996

Royal Oaks Country Club Real Estate Report