Ideas for Summer Vacation in Texas

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There are endless thing you can do in Texas during the summer. The state is full of wonder and adventure or rest and relaxation. Now that you are all moved and settled into your new home in CentralTexas, you deserve to take some time off. What better time than summer to get to know your state and all it has to offer. Below are a few of the more popular destinations and some ideas of what to do when you get there.

Location #1 – San Marcos

The San Marcos area offers a lot of family-friendly activities, as well as adult fun. Visitors of all ages flock here for one main attraction – tubing. You can hop on an inner tube and enjoy the day floating down the Guadalupe, Blanco, and San Marcos Rivers. There is also the Aquarena Center and stunning cave tours at the Wonder World Park.

Location #2 – New Braunfels

Just a short drive away from San Marcus, is New Braunfels. Here you will find great places to go camping, ride your days away on the rapids, and play in the cool waters at Schlitterbahn Waterpark. If camping is not your style, then you can book a comfy resort room that will have you as comfortable as your bedroom in your Brazos Valley home.

3 – South Padre Island

South Padre Island is more geared towards adults during summer. Crowds of people flock to the hot beaches to party the day and night away. You will be able to rent jet skis, people watch, and enjoy the hopping nightlife. The city is also home to several great resorts.

4 – Galveston

If you are looking for a more family-friendly beach locale, than Galveston is your answer. There are miles of beaches, a ferry, an island, and tons of beach houses for rent. There are many beach front hotels and resorts as well. You will enjoy strolling along the Sea Wall, Walking out on the piers, and shopping in the many little shops. In addition, there is the Moody Gardens that will surely enchant you and your family with its beauty.

5 – San Antonio

Not far from Bryan-College Station is San Antonio. This lovely city is home to an important piece of Texas history – The Alamo. Here you will also find the famous River Walk and all the delicious restaurants, resorts, and shops it has to offer. Also, you can take a river tour on a tour boat for a small fee (completely worth it). Close by is the Ripley's Believe it Or Not Wax Museum that is a riot. Plus, there is the Natural Bridge Caverns, which will leave you amazed.

As you can see, there is no shortage to the things you can do in the summer here in Texas. These are only four possibilities out of hundreds. So, start planning and get to moving your tail for fun in the sun or relaxing in a resort or sunning yourself on a beach. You will be thankful you did. 

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The Best DIY Spring Cleaners

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Spring has always been the best time to do a top-to-bottom cleaning of your home - better known as Spring Cleaning. There are many cleaners you can buy at the store, but this can get a bit costly, as well as the harmful chemicals. Therefore, if you want to go a safer and more budget-friendly route, below are several Spring Cleaning essentials that will last through the year.

Laundry Soap
With a little elbow grease, you can make a super-sized container of laundry soap that will last for months. Most of the online recipes you will find use three main ingredients. They are graded bar soap, Borax, and washing soda. However, some add oxy boosters and even essential oils. The great thing about this DIY laundry soap is that it takes very little and stores quite well.

Window Cleaner
This usually takes 3-4 ingredients as well, such as vinegar, essential oils, rubbing alcohol, and water. The ingredients alone are inexpensive allowing you to make up a large batch to last a long time. Many of the recipes work on glass and mirrors as well.

Orange De-Greaser
This usually calls for either orange oil or to soak orange peels for an allotted amount of time. You will also use dish washing liquid and water. There are many recipes floating around online.

Heavy-Duty Rust Remover Scrub
If you have been battling rust stains on your enameled tub or porcelain sink, all you need are two ingredients. They are a lemon and Borax. You would simple dip a cut lemon in the laundry booster then rub on the rust. Then ta-da!, no more rust.

Water Ring Remover
If you have wooden side tables or nightstands, you are well aware the notorious white ring. There is a very simple solution. All you need is toothpaste (not the gel type), baking soda, and a little light buffing. Polish and your ring is gone forever.

As you can see, there are many DIY solutions to your Spring Cleaning needs. You will have plenty of left over cleaners to last for months afterwards. Also, you will cut the number of chemicals floating around in your home. These DIY cleaners are a win-win.

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Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor bryan-college station can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable and fast sell on your house. She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station Realtor that has a long list of the finest homes in College Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904

Has your New Home been Invaded by Spring Pests?

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Spring in Central Texas is the awakening of many pests. They can invade your new home before you even realize it is happening. Some are harmful, whereas others can do property damage, and others can affect you and your family. You need to be aware of any potential issues before they spin out of control. Below are the most common pests that become issues to be on the lookout for.

• Fire Ants - No one wants to run into these angry bitters. However, with rain and mowing, these little pests can be spread all over your lawn in in your home quickly. 

• Termites - These little critters can do great harm to your property if left unchecked. 

• Mosquitoes - These blood suckers can carry and transmit heartworms to your pets, as well as potentially deadly West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis. 

• And of course, Spiders - There are a number of beneficial garden spiders, but there is also the Brown Recluse and the Black Widow spiders. Both of these spiders are shy and try to avoid humans, but if bitten can be painful.

There are some things you can do to help rid these pests from your Central Texas home. Below are some steps you can take to ensure the chance meeting with any spring time pests is minimized greatly.

• Prune Trees and shrubs – be sure you do not have any overhanging branches or shrubs against your house. This is like a pest highway right into your home. 

• Spring Clean Your Yard – Remove any old firewood left from winter, any piles of "junk" hanging around. These make a great place for pests to hide and multiply. 

• Install Weather Stripping – If you have not done so already, install weather stripping around doors and windows. Bugs find it hard to get past this barrier. 

• Check and Fill Any Openings – During the day, inspect your windows and doors for any light coming in from cracks or gaps. If you find any, be sure to fill them with a calking material. This will help to keep out those unwanted visitors. 

• Yard Spray – After moving and trimming your lawn, be sure to spray a kid and pet friendly pest repellant over it entirely. This will help to drive any pests out of your yard for good. Just be sure to keep up with it as directed. 

With a little planning and elbow grease, you can rid your Brazos Valley home of any pest before they ever get a change to get a foothold. By knowing what to look for, you can be better prepared. Also, if you have any question, you can always call out a professional.

Featured Home for Sale in College Station, TX

 

Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor Bryan-College Station can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable and fast sell of your home. She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station Realtor that has a long list of the finest homes in College Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904