What Homebuyers Can Be Thankful for in 2013

Homebuyers have had it tough lately, suddenly finding themselves in a sellers market as summer came along. And mortgages suddenly cost more too -- when you could even get one. But of course Thanksgiving isn't about looking at negatives. So, if you can, look past that elephant-in-the-room that is the credit crunch and take stock of what's now on the table for those homebuyers with the capital.

Low Mortgage Rates: Yes, mortgage rates rose year, along with home prices, but rates are still at historic lows (we are constantly assured) and have been sinking in recent weeks. Can housing prices be far behind? If you are really ready to buy, those Black Friday bargains are small potatoes compared to what you might save by shopping right now in real estate's historically slow season^[2] -- especially from sellers who saw summer's homebuying frenzy pass them by.

A Bidding-War Cease-Fire: The heated bidding wars that have been witnessed in some real estate markets -- especially in California -- reportedly have cooled with weather and amid rumors that sellers were deliberately underpricing their homes^[4] to encourage competing bids. And although home prices continued to climb^[5] as summer drew to a close, it was at a slower pace. Meanwhile, the number of Americans applying for home loans^[6] has plunged.

Weary and Wary Investors: Speaking of the competition, the real estate speculators appear headed for the sidelines after years of swooping in to snatch up bargain properties with ready cash. A recent poll of investors^[7] found that only around 1 in 5 are still interested in buying more homes -- about half the number from a year ago. For average home-shoppers that means less competition from a preferred class of homebuyers. Meanwhile, those foreign investors who were reportedly buying Florida property sight-unseen^[8] at the beginning of 2013 (and even giving Detroit a nibble) might have moved on to Portugal and Spain^[9], where 3 million homes lie vacant and the governments are ready to barter with tax incentives and visas.

The 'Nuclear Option': What does the real estate market have to do with the recent change in the U.S. Senate's filibuster rules^[10]? It means that Rep. Mel Watt (D-N.C.), the Obama administration's nominee to head the Federal Housing Finance Agency^[11] might finally be confirmed. And if that happens -- and it's only a glimmer of a possibility at this point -- Watt might drop plans to lower the ceiling on the amount of money^[12] available for government-backed mortgages. Ideological and political conflicts aside, that would be good news right now for homebuyers who might otherwise not be able to afford their dream homes.

The Latest Technology: In many ways technology has made home shopping easier than ever -- much less dependent on guesswork and reliance on third parties -- and it only seems to be getting more convenient. Along with smartphone apps for homebuyers^[13] (many of them free) that calculate mortgage payments and estimate home values, there's at least one that instantly accesses information about a home just by taking a snapshot of it with a smartphone camera. Others detect homes with recent price reductions; screen for upcoming open houses; rate neighborhoods on the basis of crime rates^[14]; and do the numbers based on "lifestyle"^[15] -- such as how much it might cost to commute to work from a new location. So even if you aren't ready or able to buy, some of these apps can aid in a search for a rental.

Source : http://realestate.aol.com/blog/on/reasons-home-buyers-thankful-2013/

US building permits soar to 5-year high in October

Permits for future U.S. home construction rose to their highest level in nearly 5-1/2 years in October, suggesting the housing market recovery remained intact despite recent signs of slowing down.

The Commerce Department said on Tuesday building permits jumped 6.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.03 million units. That was the highest rate since June 2008. Permits increased 5.2 percent in September.

August's permits were revised to a 926,000-unit pace from the previously reported 918,000 units. Permits lead housing starts by at least a month.

The Department postponed the release of housing starts and completions for September and October until Dec. 18 because the collection of data was affected by a 16-day shutdown of the government last month. November data also will be published at that time. The partial shutdown of the federal government also delayed the publishing of the September and October permits reports.

Economists polled by Reuters had expected building permits at a 930,000-unit rate in October.

While permits are not counted in gross domestic product (GDP), they are a key indicator of economic activity and the sturdy gains in both September and October should ease concerns the housing market recovery was stalling.

Higher mortgage rates have slowed the pace of home sales, but demand for accommodation as household formation continues to recover from multi-decade lows is expected to keep residential construction supported.

Home resales fell in October for a second straight month and confidence among single-family home builders has ebbed somewhat since nearing an eight-year high in August.

Permits for the multifamily home sector surged 15.3 percent in October after increasing 20.1 percent in September. Permits for buildings with five units or more reached their highest level since June 2008.

Single-family home permits, the largest segment of the market, increased 0.8 percent after falling 1.9 percent in September.

--By Reuters

Source : http://www.cnbc.com/id/101228329

For Millennials in the Market for a Home Mortgage: 5 Key Questions

Andrea Murad^[1]

Securing a mortgage in a normal housing market can be long and complicated, and the process has become even more arduous in the current environment. With tight lending practices and low inventory levels, potential buyers are facing significant hurdles. What's more, first-time buyers, usually of the millennial generation, have the added pressure of a weak job market and massive student loan debt that limits their purchasing power.

"[Owning a home] is really about deferred gratification," says Michael Corbett, Trulia's real estate expert. "You know where the market's going -- you need money, a job history, and you need to show your debt is low compared to your income." Before Millennials start the home-buying process, experts suggest coming up with a financial plan and meeting with a mortgage professional. While everyone has a different financial situation, a professional can create a strategy for buying that first home.

Saving for a down payment, overcoming a disproportionate amount of debt versus income and understanding a particular market is difficult -- but not impossible, says Andre Brooks, regional sales manager at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. "There are pockets where people have become successful; it's a matter of being educated and informed about your market and the finances to buy a home."

It's no secret that homeownership requires major financial planning and comes with sacrifices. Experts suggest Millennials ask the following questions to determine if buying a home is the right decision and how to make the process as smooth as possible:

Is this the right time to buy a home? The cost of owning a home is a lot more than just the monthly mortgage payments. Buyers need to be prepared to cover costs like maintenance, decor and insurance.

"Just because you can get a loan does not mean it's the best thing," says Karen Goodfriend, certified public accountant and principal at KK Wealth Advisors. Buying a home can be very emotional, but sometimes it's best to wait until things are better positioned in life.
"What's really important to you and what things are you really willing to do to save?" she asks.

Where do you want to buy? "The key is, if I know and understand the real estate market I'm buying in, if I know the options to accumulate money, then I can figure out a game plan," says Brooks. "This game plan may extend over six, 12 or 36 months."

The amount of time that a buyer plans to spend in the new home is important when it comes to recovering closing and moving costs -- which can take up to seven years. For a buyer not planning to stay that long, Brooks suggests buying in a marketplace that's experiencing a sustained price increase to have the best chance of breaking even.

What can you afford? Lenders need to see sellers can afford the mortgage -- long gone are the days of unverified loans. "Speak to a mortgage professional to find out what it will take to qualify for a loan," says Goodfriend. Before looking for a home, experts suggest getting prequalified to set price limits. Along with income, lenders also take into account a borrower's debt-to-income ratio, known as a DTI, and any credit card and student loan debt can raise this ratio. "Your DTI will tell you what kind of house you can afford -- a massive student loan will eat into your income," says Corbett.

While quickly eliminating student debt is a big hill to climb, Frank Donnelly, chairman of the board of the Mortgage Bankers Association of Metropolitan Washington, advises consolidating these loans to lower your monthly payments and DTI ratio. "It all starts with a budget and having good discipline," says Goodfriend. "Living within one's means and not having credit card balances will help someone afford a loan and get a loan." Paying off student loans will really help you qualify for a mortgage but this requires a plan to pay off debts and layering in everything else that will help you get a mortgage.

Do you have good credit? Before applying for a mortgage, experts suggest consumers review their credit history and address any issues. "Know what you need to do to build credit if you don't have a lot of it," says Cara Ameer, broker associate and Realtor at Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty based in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Good credit not only helps get qualified for a mortgage but it also helps keep the interest rate on the mortgage low.

"Think about your credit score as an asset," says Goodfriend. "You want to be in the best position possible to get a mortgage." Paying credit cards late or carrying a high balance can make getting a mortgage difficult. "Be disciplined about spending and paying credit cards on time," she adds.
Some young buyers who haven't established a strong credit history might need some help. "Without good or enough credit, you may need a cosigner on the loan," says Ameer.

Have you saved enough for a down payment? "If buying a home is a goal, it may take years to be able to save for a down payment but have a strategy and work towards it," says Goodfriend. Although everyone's income will likely increase over time, experts suggest putting 20% down on a new home. "Just because the bank will loan it to you doesn't mean you should take the loan," says Corbett. "If you aim for the 20% down, the worst you can have is money in the bank."

Many first-time buyers make some kind of sacrifice to save this amount, says Donnelly. Cutting back on discretionary spending, such as dinners out and entertainment, will help lower expenses, and getting another job can increase your income.

"Research the different loan programs that are geared towards a first-time buyer," says Ameer. Some assistance programs can help with the down payment and closing costs but these loans might be more expensive.

Source : http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2013/11/25/millennials-shopping-home-mortgage-questions/

Pending home sales fall again- National News

Signed contracts to buy existing homes fell for the fifth straight month in October, as the government shutdown added to an overall slowdown in the U.S. housing market. So-called pending home sales eased 0.6 percent from an upwardly revised September reading and are down 1.6 percent from October 2012, according to the National Association of Realtors.
This is the lowest sales pace since December 2012. Pending home sales are an indicator of closed sales in November and December.
(Read more: Do homeowners need underwater insurance?)
^[1]
"The government shutdown in the first half of last month sidelined some potential buyers. In a survey, 17 percent of Realtors reported delays in October, mostly from waiting for IRS income verification for mortgage approval," said Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the Realtors in a release.

Existing home sales drop to 3.2 percent

CNBC's Diana Olick reports on the disappointing numbers and how the low rate of first-time buyers is hurting the market.

Regionally, gains in pending home sales in the Northeast and Midwest were stronger, while the South and West saw deeper declines. Sales rose 2.8 percent month-to-month in the Northeast and 1.2 percent in the Midwest. Sales slipped 0.8 percent in the South from September and in the West the decline was steepest, with 4.1 percent fewer buyers signing contracts.
(Read more: Worrisome housing signs appear in West)
^[2]
"We could rebound a bit from this level, but still face the headwinds of limited inventory and falling affordability conditions. Job creation and a slight dialing down from current stringent mortgage underwriting standards going into 2014 can help offset the headwind factors," Yun said.

While the Realtors' survey, which draws its data from regional multiple listing services, showed a big drop in the usually investor-heavy West, another report saw investors returning to the market in October after stepping back earlier in the year. After surging to 23 percent of the market in February, investors made up just 16.6 percent of home buyers in August, according to Campbell/Inside Mortgage Finance. Over the past two months, however, that share has climbed back to 17.4 percent.
(Read more: Map: Tracking the recovery)
^[3]
"The two-month rise in investor activity is significant given that it occurred at the same time the proportion of distressed properties in the housing market has continued to fall," the report said.
—By CNBC's Diana Olick. Follow her on Twitter @Diana_Olick^[4].
Questions?Comments? facebook.com/DianaOlickCNBC^[5]

For the fifth straight month in October existing home sales fell, as the government shutdown added to an overall slowdown in the U.S. housing market.
Source : http://www.cnbc.com/id/101225161

Mortgage rates fall amid weak economic data

Average rates on 30-year fixed mortgages fell to 4.22% this week, down from a 2013 high of 4.58% in August.  NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

Mortgage rates fell significantly this week amid weaker-than-expected economic reports, according to a weekly survey by Freddie Mac.

The average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate loan, the most popular mortgage product, fell to 4.22% from 4.35% last week, Freddie Mac reported. Meanwhile, average rates on 15-year, fixed-rate loans, typically used for refinancing higher interest mortgages, dropped to 3.27% from 3.35% the week before.
This week's drop was one of the steepest during a year of mostly rising rates. The 30-year started 2013 at 3.34% and reached a high of 4.58% in August.
Related: American Dream homes: What you'll pay in 10 cities^[1]
Frank Nothaft, Freddie's chief economist said fixed mortgage rates fell amid reports of weaker manufacturing growth, with industrial production declining by 0.1% in October, below expectations. He also cited declines in the overall inflation rate, noting that the consumer price index saw its "smallest increase since October 2009" last month.

  ^[2]

Is there a housing bubble in California?

Weighing on mortgage rates long-term is the Fed's stimulus program -- known as quantitative easing -- which entails that it buy $85 billion in bonds each month. The impending appointment of Janet Yellen as Fed chairman^[3], who has defended the QE3 policy, has many believing the Fed's policy will remain in place.
Related: Five of the most (and least) affordable housing markets^[4]
"Ms. Yellen would likely continue the QE policies started under Chairman Bernanke until there was very clear evidence that the economy would thrive, not just endure, without them," said Keith Gumbinger, a spokesman for HSH.com, a mortgage information company.

Find Homes for Sale…Check Out www.pearlandhomesforsale.biz.  Your Home Resource for Pearland and surrounding areas

Source : http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/money_realestate/~3/BsqpbQr8B0w/index.html 

How a Real Estate Agent Who Knows VA Loans Can Save Vet Thousands

 

Shutterstock

Selecting a real estate agent is one of the most important choices you'll make when buying or selling a home. The decision becomes even more important when you're a veteran or active duty service member looking to use the VA mortgage guaranty. This nearly 70-year-old loan program backed a record 630,000 home loans in fiscal year 2013, nearly double the 2011 volume.

That's a huge increase in just two years' time. You typically only need a credit score^[1] of 620 to qualify for a VA loan, which is more than 100 points lower than some other mortgage products. (It's important to check your credit before applying for any home loan, including VA loans. You can pay for a credit score or use a tool like the Credit Report Card^[2], which gives you free credit scores and a breakdown of what's impacting your credit.)

As lending standards have become more stringent, greater numbers of veterans are using their VA loan eligibility as the only realistic path to homeownership. The VA loan is a specialized loan program only available to those who have served our country, and, because of this, it comes with some unique requirements. Veterans can really benefit from an agent^[3] who can educate and guide them through the entire process.

Closing Costs: If you've done much research on purchasing a home or have purchased a home before, you know there are closing costs associated with the loan. "Closing costs"^[4] is an umbrella term for the fees and costs charged by the lender and third parties who conduct work on your file throughout the process, such as a title company. They research the chain of title for the property and complete a significant amount of paperwork to assist in your home purchase. Working with a VA-knowledgeable agent can even save you thousands of dollars when it comes time to go under contract.

The VA has established a list of certain fees^[5] that you, as the buyer, are not permitted to pay. This is good for you, because it means your overall cost is lower. But your agent needs to understand these non-allowable costs so they can try to ensure the seller covers them when drafting an offer. Agents should also know how to structure an offer and eventually a contract to deal with closing costs. Because the VA loan is 100 percent financing, meaning you don't have to put any money down, you're not generally able to roll your closing costs into the purchase amount. But that doesn't necessarily mean you're stuck paying them, since your agent can ask that the seller pay all closing costs.

Your second option is to decide how much you want to offer on the home, get an estimate of your closing costs and then add the two together. By making an offer combining the two amounts, you are effectively rolling the costs into the loan. Sellers are generally more accepting of this method because it doesn't change their bottom line.

It's important to note here that the home will have to appraise for the full contract amount. If it doesn't, you'll have to renegotiate to lower the price or walk away from the deal. Agents unfamiliar with this strategy could mean thousands of dollars paid out of pocket to cover these costs or completely restructuring the contract, adding additional time to the process.

Property Requirements: The VA also has a set of minimum property requirements (MPRs) to ensure the property is safe and structurally sound for a veteran homebuyer and their family. A few examples of common MPRs include peeling lead-based paint, exposed wires or lack of a handrail on stairs. These repairs generally have to occur before you can close on the home, and, if the seller refuses or the repair can't be done, you will likely have to walk away from the home.

Failing to satisfy the property requirements can absolutely kill your deal. Veterans can also run into trouble trying to purchase unique properties, like geodesic domes, berm homes, A-frames and other relatively uncommon structures. The home appraisal process^[6] revolves around good recent comparable home sales, and it can be tough to find workable "comps" for unusual homes or properties with significant acreage. Appraisals can cost around $500, which is a lot to spend on a home that's never going to fly with the VA appraisal process. That's why agents who understand these requirements can save veterans time, money and heartache.

VA-savvy agents can steer you from problematic properties at the outset, and also help guide you to closing if there's a shot at making the deal work. The experience of a VA-knowledgeable real estate agent is invaluable when shopping for a home. Be sure to ask any agent you interview whether they've closed VA loans before, and, if so, how many. By working with an agent experienced in VA loans, you'll be on the right track to a smooth home purchase.

References

1. ^{^} credit score (blog.credit.com)
2. ^{^} Credit Report Card (www.credit.com)
3. ^{^} How to Find a Good Realtor or Real Estate Agent (www.credit.com)
4. ^{^} "Closing costs" (www.veteransunited.com)
5. ^{^} What Veterans Need to Know About Getting a Home Loan (blog.credit.com)
6. ^{^} The home appraisal process (www.veteransunited.com)
7. ^{^} How to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage (www.credit.com)
8. ^{^} How Do I Compare Mortgage Rates? (blog.credit.com)
9. ^{^} Why You Should Check Your Credit Before Buying a Home (www.credit.com)
10. ^{^} Real Estate (realestate.aol.com)
11. ^{^} calculate mortgage (realestate.aol.com)
12. ^{^} homes for sale (realestate.aol.com)
13. ^{^} foreclosures (realestate.aol.com)
14. ^{^} homes for rent (realestate.aol.com)
15. ^{^} @AOLRealEstate (twitter.com)
16. ^{^} AOL Real Estate on Facebook (www.facebook.com)

Source : http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2013/11/21/real-estate-agents-va-loans/

Because No One Plans to Be Homeless

Hi, Book Scan readers. I spent the first part of last week hanging out with community planners at the American Planning Association's national conference. Though I haven't read the book described below, I thought the author (who gave the closing keynote at the conference) had some beautiful thoughts on home ownership that real estate professionals would appreciate. Enjoy! —MW

Early Pearl has a great idea for dealing with an intractable problem. As a homeless 11-year old Chicagoan, she sees all of the sturdy housing stock that stands empty and abandoned in her south side neighborhood and decides to take action.

From the cover of Blue Balliett's new book, Hold Fast

She gets some friends together and, with a few cameras, they snap pictures of these empty houses. They send the pictures—along with their imaginings of how the structures could be transformed into dream homes for kids without anywhere to live—to community leaders in an effort to spark a change in their unfortunate circumstances.

Early is only a character in Blue Balliett's newest mystery novel, Hold Fast^[1] (Scholastic Press, 2013). But there are more than 30,000 kids in Chicago alone who are homeless just like she is, and some 16,000 vacant properties like the ones that Early dreams of inhabiting.

"Kids will easily share their dreams about a home," Balliett said in her keynote speech at the American Planning Association's national conference last week. "They never make small plans."

Balliett, a bestselling author of young adult literature, told planners that she came up with the idea for Hold Fast during the housing downturn, when she noticed a dearth of news stories about the effect foreclosures were having on her target audience.

"The children were invisible," she said. "I kept wondering about the kids: Who are they and what does it feel like to grow up without a front door?"

Of course, community planners, writers, and nonprofit directors know as well as real estate professionals the value of home when it comes to children.

"What kids need most is stability in their lives and a home provides that… Blue's book really captured that," said Chicago Coalition for the Homeless Executive Director Ed Shurna, who spoke on a panel alongside Balliett at the closing keynote of the APA conference. "The danger is that they are going to stay homeless as adults."

W. Paul Farmer, executive director and CEO of the APA, called on members to devote more of their attention to this difficult problem.

"As we have become arguably the best-housed nation in the world… we have allowed ourselves to not realize that we have these problems," Farmer said. "These are, in fact, invisible to many people in the country."

In a brief Q&A period, attendees asked panelists what they could do to help solve the issue in their local communities.

"Part of the key is to make your community care and take ownership in this problem," Balliett responded. "Become determined to do something."

Meg White^[2]

Meg White is the multimedia web producer for REALTOR® Magazine and administrator of the magazine's Weekly Book Scan blog.

DePelchin's Children's Center Holiday Project in Need

 

The holidays are fast approaching! We invite you to make a dream come true for a child this year by participating in the annual DePelchin Children's Center Holiday Project. This annual effort provides gifts and basic needs to the children and families utilizing DePelchin Children's Center services. During this time, local businesses, organizations and individuals sponsor children by fulfilling wish lists, hosting toy drives, donating needed items, making monetary contributions or volunteering to sort and pack gifts. With the support of the community, we are able to brighten the holidays for over a thousand children each season!  Here are four ways you can make a dream come true for DePelchin's children:  Sponsor a Child      Click here to view and select wish lists Make a Cash Donation Click here to make a cash donation Host a Toy Drive Click here for more information. Volunteer Your Time Click here to learn more.

For more information, please contact our Holiday Project coordinator at 713-802-7724 or email holidayproject@depelchin.org.

 

Gulf Freeway South construction transitioning to next phase

Construction is scheduled to move to the next phase on Gulf Freeway South (IH 45) in the coming weeks. Drivers who travel along the section stretching from FM 2351 to Medical Center Blvd. can expect to see some progress according to officials from the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDot).

"As far as holiday work, motorists will begin to see things start to move along in the next week," TxDot Spokesperson Deidrea Samuels said. "Contractors will begin building the southbound frontage road detour from north of El Dorado to Bay Area Blvd. Traffic will switch to the new detour lane once it is complete. The frontage road will operate for the most part under the existing conditions of the two lanes."

Workers are also busy on another section of IH 45 South that stretches from Kurland (north of the Beltway 8) to FM 2351. Both projects include the widening and reconstruction of the north and southbound lanes and frontage lanes. In addition, two additional mainlanes and one additional frontage lane will eventually be added to the roadway along both sections. Due to the scope of the improvements, construction is expected to continue for several years.

"Both project are scheduled for completion in 2015," Samuels said.

Source : http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/friendswood/news/gulf-freeway-south-construction-transitioning-to-next-phase/article_4e5bd9d0-fc8a-5557-86c1-b5b711b8bbe4.html

Enduro is proud to announce the opening of its fourth facility

PRESS RELEASE

Houston-based Enduro, a leader in composites and odor control technology, has opened its fourth facility where the focus will be on manufacturing fiberglass composite (FRP) process equipment solutions for a broad array of industrial and infrastructure markets. 

Enduro is proud to announce the opening of its fourth facility. Located in Pearland, the 75,000 square foot office, warehouse and production facility will focus on manufacturing fiberglass composite (FRP) process equipment solutions for a broad array of industrial and infrastructure markets. 

This strategic addition to Enduro’s core capabilities will increase production capacity and also build on custom fabrication abilities. Improved logistics and new state of the art filament winding equipment will also enhance Enduro’s ability to respond to customer and market needs. 

“By incorporating our complete product portfolio at this facility, we continue to raise the industry standard for providing comprehensive, integrated FRP solutions to meet the dynamic needs of our customers in the marketplace," Enduro President Sandy Woodlief said. 

For nearly 60 years, Enduro has been serving satisfied customers as the leading standard in innovative, engineered FRP products and systems for industrial and municipal applications. In addition to pipe, tank, and environmental products, Enduro also manufactures electrical and building products as well as customized solutions for a wide variety of industries and geographies.

Education foundation board in place

 

The foundation will benefit students and teachers. After an operational meeting Oct. 23, the Pearland ISD Education Foundation is hitting the ground running with a board of directors. Elected executive committee officers, who will serve one-year terms, include. . . . Jeff Barry, President Lisa Brown, Vice President of Development Kyle Ford, Vice President of Administration Donna Rizzo, Treasurer Dr. John Kelly, Secretary (permanent position) Andrew Solomon, Board of Trustees Representative Through the board's vision and direction, the foundation will provide financial support to Pearland ISD, its teachers and classrooms through fundraising for programs and projects that may fall outside the district's general operating budget. Moving forward, the 30-member board will review sample grant applications, general fund management policies and marketing during its next meeting. In addition, the board will discuss a founders' drive and solicitation of lead gifts. As board members manage the foundation, they will also set funding priorities. Ideas already on the table include teacher-initiated instruction projects, staff development, scholarships, student/teacher recognition programs and/or endowment funds. How to Support the Foundation The Pearland ISD Education Foundation will provide additional support to the district's 20,000 students and 1,200 teachers. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation will allow companies, organizations and individuals to receive the maximum tax credit for their donations and support of the district. All donations are tax-deductible. To donate to the foundation, contact Pearland ISD business/community liaison Moniki Specks Mason at specksm@pearlandisd.org or 281.485.3203. (11/4/2013)

 

Students commit to healthy choices

 

 

For the H-E-B Challenge, Carleston Elementary students and staff exercise after school. Healthy living took front and center in Pearland ISD schools this October. Activities throughout the month focused on health and safety in daily lives. Red Ribbon Week (Oct. 28 - Nov. 1) During this week celebrating being drug-free, students participated in fun activities and presentations emphasizing the importance of healthy lives minus drugs. Activities ranged from drug-free door-decorating contests and themed dress days (e.g., crazy sock day -- "sock it to drugs") to Pearland Police Department and Houston Texans Toro mascot presentations. Healthy at H-E-B Community Challenge (Sept. 1 - Oct. 31) Pearland ISD schools took on the challenge of proving that Pearland is one of the healthiest communities in Texas. Although challenge results are still pending, the City of Pearland surpassed its goal of 250,000 points community-wide. Throughout the eight-week challenge presented by "It's Time Texas," students and teachers showed their competitive spirit by participating in themed fruit and veggie weeks, breaking a sweat in fitness classes during and after school and signing personal wellness pledges. Students learned that being healthy involves making the right choices in small decisions throughout the day. Fire Prevention Month (October) The Pearland Fire Department visited elementary schools district-wide throughout the month to teach students how to protect themselves during fires, such as the "stop, drop and roll" technique. Students saw firefighting equipment and a fire engine up close to learn about the firefighter's role in helping to protect those in danger. (11/4/2013)