Home Sweet Home RemodelShould You ‘Love It’ Or ‘List It’?

Season’s Greetings WithFleming’s Peppercorn Steak

A Time For Thanks

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All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Lakes of Parkway Homes for Sale Per Houston MLS

If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing. Produced by UpscaleRealEstateMarketing.com • 877.660.0996

Claudia HellmundRealtor®

GRI, CHMS, CNE

832.309.9390chellmund@kwmemorial.com

Claudia HellmundRealtor®, GRI, CHMS, CNE

832.309.9390 HellmundClaudia@yahoo.com

Accredited Buyers RepresentativeAccredited Luxury Home SpecialistCertified Home Marketing Specialist

Certified Negotiations Expert

Your Lakes of Parkway Neighbor and Realtor

claudiahellmund.yourkwagent.com

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TO BE OUR NEXT COVER HOME?

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marketing to sell your Lakes of Parkway property at

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ADDRESS SQFT BED BATH LIST PRICE SOLD PRICE LIST/SOLD DOM PRICE/SQFTCURRENTLY FOR SALE14319 Kingston Cove 3,866 4 3-1 $746,138 $193 4014410 Kingston Cove 3,965 5 4-1 $800,000 $201 19814322 Shadow Garden 4,384 4 3-1 $994,000 $226 15814018 Hampton Cove 5,061 4 3-1 $1,138,725 $225 101627 Lakeshore Way 5,220 5 3-2 $1,162,700 $222 1392005 Diamond Springs 5,114 4 3-1 $1,250,000 $244 91807 Watercastle 6,505 5 3-2 $1,390,000 $213 10013803 Sedalia Springs 7,104 5 5-2 $1,950,000 $274 93

NEW CONSTRUCTION SOLD14418 Kingston Cove 3,424 4 3-1 $625,000 $653,628 $191 014442 Kingston Cove 3,839 5 4-1 $640,200 $673,737 $176 014414 Kingston Cove 3,661 5 4-1 $680,100 $682,874 $187 0

RESALE HOMES SOLD14311 Kingston Cove 3,714 4 3-1 $699,000 $689,000 $186 21803 Cottage Landing 4,047 4 3-1 $789,300 $789,300 $195 1014207 Barnhart Blvd 3,601 3 2-1 $799,950 $800,000 $222 313918 Hampton Cove 4,362 5 3-1 $1,029,000 $993,000 $228 104

LAKES OF PARKWAY MARKET REPORT

HOUSTON’S REAL ESTATE MARKET IS ONE OF THE HOTTEST IN THE WORLD!

Here are the top five predictions for Houston real estate in 2014:

1. Home sales will soar; prices will reach a historic climax. The inventory of homes-for-sale is at a record-low. The pent-up demand is huge. Thousands of buyers, frustrated with losing in bidding wars and today’s small selection of options, jump into the market and buy houses as spring uncoils.

2. Apartment developers continue to binge-build in 2014. Trammel Crow’s Alexan Enclave, a 354-unit complex at 13411 Briar Forest west of Eldridge, is slated to open in the end of summer.

Alliance Residential Co. is completing a 327-unit luxury apartment complex called Broadstone 7 Seventy at 770 Eldridge.

Grayco is building 309 multifamily units and 70 townhouses on the edge of Terry Hershey Park west of Eldridge and south of Memorial, while a 300- to 900-apartment complex on the north side of Park Row west of Eldridge is planned. Grey Star Elan is completing a 324-unit complex at 14698 Briar Forest at Texas 6.

3. Shopping center market finally takes off, turns on the after-burners. Lots of retailers coming in: from grocers to fast food outlets. Fresh Market, Sprouts, HEB, Whole Foods, Aldi, all adding new locations.

4. Hoteliers get happy. Drought is over. More hotel construction slated. New hotel project will be the 1,000-room, 30-story Marriott Marquis, adjacent to Discovery Green and the George R. Brown Convention Center, will be able to attract larger conventions.

5. Home building roars in Houston, the best single-family market in the nation. Developers and builders will be in hot pursuit of land and new Grand Parkway expansions open up prairie for development.

KELLER WILLIAMS MEMORIAL

2013 AWARDS BANQUET

Claudia Hellmund awarded 3rd place

Listing Volume Individual.

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s the weather turns cooler and we set our dining room table for a Thanksgiving feast, we are given the opportunity to pause and reflect on all we can be grateful for. The tradition of Thanksgiving, of course, is not a new idea, nor one that truly began at Plymouth with the Pilgrims and the Native Americans. Cultures around the world have celebrated their harvest annually when the fields were full and ripe for picking. The word harvest is actually from the Old English word hærfest, meaning autumn and the full moon nearest the autumnal equinox is called the Harvest Moon. At harvest festivals, ancient cultures took respite from the labor of the fields and gave thanks for their bountiful harvest by preparing large feasts to share and enjoy. Then, it was time to prepare for the long winter ahead when the fields lay barren for many long months. Today’s Thanksgiving shares common threads with the harvest rituals of yore. We still enjoy taking a break from work to celebrate our good fortune and give thanks for all we have by gathering to feast with family and friends. And we can thank President Abraham Lincoln for making the day official, as he declared the final Thursday in November a national

day of Thanksgiving. Congress made it an official day off from work in 1941 when turkey day became a true national holiday. An interesting side note: Congress also moved Thanksgiving back a week, in hopes of giving more oomph to the holiday shopping season. And would you believe shopping and our day of thanks are still inexplicably tied together? Modern-day Thanksgiving is linked with Black Friday, the day after feast day, and the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. This year, some stores are even staying open on Thanksgiving. Though most of us no longer work in the fields, we do live in a hectic, fast-paced digital world. Perhaps it’s now even more important to take the time to pause and remember to give thanks for our good fortune. This year, why not instill some new traditions at your Thanksgiving table? Perhaps ask each family member to tell what he or she is most grateful for before feasting on turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. Or volunteer to work at a food bank on Thanksgiving to help others in need. After all, Thanksgiving should be centered on gratitude and giving rather than on football and bargain shopping.

Ingredients:2 1/2 tbsp black peppercorns 5 oz pomace oil2 1/2 tsp white peppercorns 1/2 tsp chopped parsley, dry3 each, 12 oz New York strip Salt and pepper to taste3 tsp kosher salt

Preparation:Place both peppercorns in a sauté pan and cook on medium high heat for 2 minutes. Pull from the heat and crack the peppercorns in half. Season the steak with salt and pepper on both sides. Place the cracked peppercorns on a plate and press one side of the steak into the peppercorns to coat evenly. Pour pomace oil in sauté and then sear the steak peppercorn side down first for 2-3 minutes. Turn the steak over and cook to medium rare or desired doneness. Cut the NY strip into ¾ inch thick slices on a slight angle then arrange 3 pieces on a small, warm plate. Garnish with chopped parsley.

Fleming’s Potatoes Ingredients:4 oz leeks 1 1/2 c half and half2 oz jalapenos, quarter inch diced 4 oz cheddar cheese, grated1 1/2 tsp kosher salt 4 oz jack cheese, grated1 tsp black pepper, fine grind 3 lbs potatoes, Idaho Russet1 1/2 oz butter, lightly salted As needed pan coating2 c heavy cream

Preparation:Cut ends of leeks and dice only the bottom 3 inches of leeks into 1/2 dice. Place butter in large sauce pot set on medium high heat. Add jalapenos, leeks, salt and pepper, sauté for 4-5 minutes. Add cream and half and half and bring to a simmer. When cream is hot, pull off stove and add both cheeses, blend in thoroughly. Peel potatoes and slice into 1/16 inch thick circles with a mandolin. Combine potatoes and cream mixture in mixing bowl. Spray sides and bottoms of a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with pan coating. Place potato mixture in the pan and evenly distribute the potatoes and sauce. Cover with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Bake in 350 degree oven for one hour. Remove wrap and foil and cook for 15 more minutes to brown top of potatoes.

Serves 5

Hershey Felder as Irving BerlinGil Cates Theater | November 11-December 21310.208.5454 | GeffenPLayhouse.comHershey Felder brings to life the remarkable story of Irving Berlin, “America’s Composer.” From the depths of anti-Semitism in Czarist Russia, to New York’s Lower East Side, and ultimately all of America and the world, Berlin’s story epitomizes the American Dream. Featuring the composer’s most popular and enduring songs from “God Bless America,” to “White Christmas” and beyond, Hershey Felder’s masterful creation of character and musical performance makes this evening with Irving Berlin an unforgettable journey.

The Hollywood Christmas ParadeHollywood Blvd | November 30866.727.2331 | TheHollywoodChristmasParade.orgThe Hollywood Christmas Parade is one of the most longstanding holiday traditions. Every year, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, Santa accompanies floats and marching bands down Hollywood Boulevard. The parade starts at 5 pm. There are plenty of places to watch the parade along the street, or you can purchase grandstand seats.

Pomona Harvest Festival Fairplex | December 5-7909.632.3111 | HarvestFestival.comDazzling in full holiday splendor, hundreds of artisans and craftspeople unite to offer more than 24,000 unique handmade original works. With live music, contests, specialty foods, a Kidzone, and more, it’s a full day of pure shopping bliss. The amazing Sister Swing and Captain Jack Spareribs take to center stage, while strolling performers, Mama Claus & Eddie the Elf, WC Willy Stilt Santa, Fables of the West and the Hyjinx Duo add to the holiday cheer.

6th Annual Santa Monica Pub CrawlVarious Locations | December 13smpcrawl@gmail.com | SantaMonicaPubCrawl.comThe SANTA Monica Pub Crawl will take place at the city’s best bars and restaurants to raise money for those in need during the holidays through a partnership with Westside Food Bank. With your official SMPC wristband you will receive drink and food specials at the participating locations. All SMPC participants are asked to dress in Santa/Holiday attire, either individually or in teams, so that the streets of Santa Monica will be filled with merry cheer!

Andy Warhol: ShadowsMuseum of Contemporary Art | through February 2213.626.6222 | MOCA.orgConceived as one work in multiple parts, Warhol’s exceptional series of variously silkscreened and hand painted canvases features two different compositions, ranging in hue from an electric green to a somber brown. Culled from photographs of shadows taken in The Factory, the artist’s New York City Studio, the Shadows paintings alternate between positive and negative imprints. As Dia Curator Yasmil Raymond notes, Shadows “formalized earlier explorations with abstraction, seen the previous year in the Oxidation, Rorschach, and Camouflage paintings.” Once referred to by Warhol as “disco décor,” the series of abstract panels create a haunting, environmental ensemble.

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2014

PEPPERCORN STEAK

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar213.745.9911 | FlemingsSteakhouse.com

In Good Taste Event Calendar

H O M E S W E E T H O M E R E M O D E L A popular HGTV show, Love It or List It, is themed around homeowners who have shortcomings with their current home. Two experts are called in to help. One expert, a designer, comes up with a design and remodels the home in order to address the current issues so that the homeowners will “love” the home again. The other expert, a real estate agent, shows the homeowners other properties in order to persuade them to “list” their current home and move to one of the other properties. The premise is straight-forward, but how many times does the remodel win over moving to another property? According to Wikipedia, the percentage of homeowners who chose to “love it” is an overwhelming 59% (averaged over the first seven seasons of the show). Maybe a popular TV show does not

mimic real life exactly, but why do so many homeowners decide to fix up areas in their home or remodel it because they want to put their home on the market and sell it? They have already decided to “list it” and move, rather than remodel and “love it.” A home remodel should concentrate on both the value of the remodel to your lifestyle as well as the value of the remodel to selling the home sometime down the road. If you plan on staying in the home for a long time, the remodeling project should address what matters most to you. Just like the frustrated homeowners on the TV show, you can probably list the top five shortcomings or issues with your current home. Make a list and then consider both the immediate value to your lifestyle and the return on investment in terms of resale value of the home in the future.

According to Remodeling magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report for 2014, the top five renovations that yield the greatest percentage return on investment are: • Entry door replacement: 96.6% • Wood deck addition: 87.4% • Attic bedroom: 84.3% • Garage door replacement: 83.7% • Minor kitchen remodel: 82.7% For example, a minor kitchen remodel is defined as updating a functional but dated kitchen with modern yet mid-priced finishes such as raised panel cabinet door fronts and upgraded countertops. The bottom-line is that a home remodeling project should give you, the homeowner, the biggest “bang for the buck” so that you will love your home, whether it be for many years to come or until it’s time to sell.

A MODERN

s the weather turns cooler and we set our dining room table for a Thanksgiving feast, we are given the opportunity to pause and reflect on all we can be grateful for. The tradition of Thanksgiving, of course, is not a new idea, nor one that truly began at Plymouth with the Pilgrims and the Native Americans. Cultures around the world have celebrated their harvest annually when the fields were full and ripe for picking. The word harvest is actually from the Old English word hærfest, meaning autumn and the full moon nearest the autumnal equinox is called the Harvest Moon. At harvest festivals, ancient cultures took respite from the labor of the fields and gave thanks for their bountiful harvest by preparing large feasts to share and enjoy. Then, it was time to prepare for the long winter ahead when the fields lay barren for many long months. Today’s Thanksgiving shares common threads with the harvest rituals of yore. We still enjoy taking a break from work to celebrate our good fortune and give thanks for all we have by gathering to feast with family and friends. And we can thank President Abraham Lincoln for making the day official, as he declared the final Thursday in November a national

day of Thanksgiving. Congress made it an official day off from work in 1941 when turkey day became a true national holiday. An interesting side note: Congress also moved Thanksgiving back a week, in hopes of giving more oomph to the holiday shopping season. And would you believe shopping and our day of thanks are still inexplicably tied together? Modern-day Thanksgiving is linked with Black Friday, the day after feast day, and the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. This year, some stores are even staying open on Thanksgiving. Though most of us no longer work in the fields, we do live in a hectic, fast-paced digital world. Perhaps it’s now even more important to take the time to pause and remember to give thanks for our good fortune. This year, why not instill some new traditions at your Thanksgiving table? Perhaps ask each family member to tell what he or she is most grateful for before feasting on turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. Or volunteer to work at a food bank on Thanksgiving to help others in need. After all, Thanksgiving should be centered on gratitude and giving rather than on football and bargain shopping.

Ingredients:2 1/2 tbsp black peppercorns 5 oz pomace oil2 1/2 tsp white peppercorns 1/2 tsp chopped parsley, dry3 each, 12 oz New York strip Salt and pepper to taste3 tsp kosher salt

Preparation:Place both peppercorns in a sauté pan and cook on medium high heat for 2 minutes. Pull from the heat and crack the peppercorns in half. Season the steak with salt and pepper on both sides. Place the cracked peppercorns on a plate and press one side of the steak into the peppercorns to coat evenly. Pour pomace oil in sauté and then sear the steak peppercorn side down first for 2-3 minutes. Turn the steak over and cook to medium rare or desired doneness. Cut the NY strip into ¾ inch thick slices on a slight angle then arrange 3 pieces on a small, warm plate. Garnish with chopped parsley.

Fleming’s Potatoes Ingredients:4 oz leeks 1 1/2 c half and half2 oz jalapenos, quarter inch diced 4 oz cheddar cheese, grated1 1/2 tsp kosher salt 4 oz jack cheese, grated1 tsp black pepper, fine grind 3 lbs potatoes, Idaho Russet1 1/2 oz butter, lightly salted As needed pan coating2 c heavy cream

Preparation:Cut ends of leeks and dice only the bottom 3 inches of leeks into 1/2 dice. Place butter in large sauce pot set on medium high heat. Add jalapenos, leeks, salt and pepper, sauté for 4-5 minutes. Add cream and half and half and bring to a simmer. When cream is hot, pull off stove and add both cheeses, blend in thoroughly. Peel potatoes and slice into 1/16 inch thick circles with a mandolin. Combine potatoes and cream mixture in mixing bowl. Spray sides and bottoms of a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with pan coating. Place potato mixture in the pan and evenly distribute the potatoes and sauce. Cover with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Bake in 350 degree oven for one hour. Remove wrap and foil and cook for 15 more minutes to brown top of potatoes.

Serves 5

Hershey Felder as Irving BerlinGil Cates Theater | November 11-December 21310.208.5454 | GeffenPLayhouse.comHershey Felder brings to life the remarkable story of Irving Berlin, “America’s Composer.” From the depths of anti-Semitism in Czarist Russia, to New York’s Lower East Side, and ultimately all of America and the world, Berlin’s story epitomizes the American Dream. Featuring the composer’s most popular and enduring songs from “God Bless America,” to “White Christmas” and beyond, Hershey Felder’s masterful creation of character and musical performance makes this evening with Irving Berlin an unforgettable journey.

The Hollywood Christmas ParadeHollywood Blvd | November 30866.727.2331 | TheHollywoodChristmasParade.orgThe Hollywood Christmas Parade is one of the most longstanding holiday traditions. Every year, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, Santa accompanies floats and marching bands down Hollywood Boulevard. The parade starts at 5 pm. There are plenty of places to watch the parade along the street, or you can purchase grandstand seats.

Pomona Harvest Festival Fairplex | December 5-7909.632.3111 | HarvestFestival.comDazzling in full holiday splendor, hundreds of artisans and craftspeople unite to offer more than 24,000 unique handmade original works. With live music, contests, specialty foods, a Kidzone, and more, it’s a full day of pure shopping bliss. The amazing Sister Swing and Captain Jack Spareribs take to center stage, while strolling performers, Mama Claus & Eddie the Elf, WC Willy Stilt Santa, Fables of the West and the Hyjinx Duo add to the holiday cheer.

6th Annual Santa Monica Pub CrawlVarious Locations | December 13smpcrawl@gmail.com | SantaMonicaPubCrawl.comThe SANTA Monica Pub Crawl will take place at the city’s best bars and restaurants to raise money for those in need during the holidays through a partnership with Westside Food Bank. With your official SMPC wristband you will receive drink and food specials at the participating locations. All SMPC participants are asked to dress in Santa/Holiday attire, either individually or in teams, so that the streets of Santa Monica will be filled with merry cheer!

Andy Warhol: ShadowsMuseum of Contemporary Art | through February 2213.626.6222 | MOCA.orgConceived as one work in multiple parts, Warhol’s exceptional series of variously silkscreened and hand painted canvases features two different compositions, ranging in hue from an electric green to a somber brown. Culled from photographs of shadows taken in The Factory, the artist’s New York City Studio, the Shadows paintings alternate between positive and negative imprints. As Dia Curator Yasmil Raymond notes, Shadows “formalized earlier explorations with abstraction, seen the previous year in the Oxidation, Rorschach, and Camouflage paintings.” Once referred to by Warhol as “disco décor,” the series of abstract panels create a haunting, environmental ensemble.

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2014

PEPPERCORN STEAK

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar213.745.9911 | FlemingsSteakhouse.com

In Good Taste Event Calendar

H O M E S W E E T H O M E R E M O D E L A popular HGTV show, Love It or List It, is themed around homeowners who have shortcomings with their current home. Two experts are called in to help. One expert, a designer, comes up with a design and remodels the home in order to address the current issues so that the homeowners will “love” the home again. The other expert, a real estate agent, shows the homeowners other properties in order to persuade them to “list” their current home and move to one of the other properties. The premise is straight-forward, but how many times does the remodel win over moving to another property? According to Wikipedia, the percentage of homeowners who chose to “love it” is an overwhelming 59% (averaged over the first seven seasons of the show). Maybe a popular TV show does not

mimic real life exactly, but why do so many homeowners decide to fix up areas in their home or remodel it because they want to put their home on the market and sell it? They have already decided to “list it” and move, rather than remodel and “love it.” A home remodel should concentrate on both the value of the remodel to your lifestyle as well as the value of the remodel to selling the home sometime down the road. If you plan on staying in the home for a long time, the remodeling project should address what matters most to you. Just like the frustrated homeowners on the TV show, you can probably list the top five shortcomings or issues with your current home. Make a list and then consider both the immediate value to your lifestyle and the return on investment in terms of resale value of the home in the future.

According to Remodeling magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report for 2014, the top five renovations that yield the greatest percentage return on investment are: • Entry door replacement: 96.6% • Wood deck addition: 87.4% • Attic bedroom: 84.3% • Garage door replacement: 83.7% • Minor kitchen remodel: 82.7% For example, a minor kitchen remodel is defined as updating a functional but dated kitchen with modern yet mid-priced finishes such as raised panel cabinet door fronts and upgraded countertops. The bottom-line is that a home remodeling project should give you, the homeowner, the biggest “bang for the buck” so that you will love your home, whether it be for many years to come or until it’s time to sell.

A MODERN

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Home Sweet Home RemodelShould You ‘Love It’ Or ‘List It’?

Season’s Greetings WithFleming’s Peppercorn Steak

A Time For Thanks

THANKSGIVING GRATITUDE

Cove

r Pho

togr

aphy

| Can

delar

ia De

sign

Produced by Upscale Real Estate Marketing • 310.734.5917 • www.UpscaleRealEstateMarketing.com

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LOOKING AT L.A.