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801 E. Expressway 83 San Juan, TX 78589
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Valley Life

Road Construction in the Rio Grande Valley will begin to dwindle as projects are completed. Word from the Texas Department of Transportation is that the annual DOT budget has been cut dramatically, therefore allowing monies for maintenance only and not for any new construction. It appears that RGV construction, mainly from Harlingen to La Feria, is coming to completion.

The Border Wall seems to still be a sure thing despite many opponents attempting to keep it from being a reality. From private land owners and ranchers to environmentalist groups, no one seems to be able to stop the government from securing our borders. If the wall in Texas is anything like that of Arizona's, then it should put a stop to a good amount of drug traffic.

The Valley Economy has remained steady, and McAllen, Edinburg, Harlingen and Weslaco continue to be on the list of the fastest growing cities in the U.S., with Brownsville still growing and flourishing as well. Although gas prices and other woes are causing some belt tightening, NAFTA continues to keep the Rio Grande Valley from being as affected as other parts of the nation.

More and More Retirees from not only the North-Central, but also from the Northeast and West are becoming a part of our Winter Texan community each year. The top three reasons for this have been said to be 1) the friendliness of our local folks and the fact that we embrace our friends from up North like no other part of the country does, 2) the cost of living is so much better here than in Arizona, Florida or Southern California, and of course, the weather here during the winter months is outstanding!

How's the Weather?

The month of April was absolutely gorgeous down here in the Valley, while many who headed back home for the early Easter holiday and other reasons still had to battle with situations like the picture above. Even the warmer days were seasoned with the great, gulf breeze that our subtropical climate offers year round. The average precipitation for the month of April was 1.24 inches. Although we missed a lot of the April showers, Winter Texans and locals alike still enjoyed some beautiful May flowers, and the humming birds this year have been in abundance!

How Well Do You Know the Valley?
Try this interesting quiz!
(Answers at the bottom of page)

1. City named after a commander of Fort Texas, who was killed in a siege of the
fort during the first campaign of the Mexican-American
War:__________________________________

2. City which holds the March record high temperature in the U.S. of 108 Degrees Fahrenheit:
______________________________________

3. Town named for the ash trees scattered around
it:______________________________

4. City founded near a lake whose reflection of the sun off its waters was
described by settlers as, "Shining like a jewel." ____________________

5. City named after the W.E. Stewart Land
Company:______________________________

6. Birth place of famous politician and orator William Jennings
Bryan:__________________

7. Which town, named after Dennis Chapin, changed its name when Chapin was
involved in a murder? ______________________________

8. Famous country western and Tex-Mex star Freddy Fender's home
town:_______________

9. Founders of this small town stole the Bixby Train Depot and hauled it back to
their new town site:______________________________

10. City formerly called Edinburgh and was the original county seat of Hidalgo
county before it was moved to present day Edinburg:
______________________________________


In order from 1 to 10: Brownsville, Rio Grande City, Los Fresnos, La Joya, Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, San Benito, La Feria, Hidalgo.

What a summer it has been! Alan is still working with the factories to gear up for the coming season, and things have never looked better. Many RGV families are looking for homes this summer as are many of our retirees from up North. Some of these have decided to order their homes early to have them set up for them upon their return this fall or winter, while many have made the Valley their permanent home.

Getting the most home for the buck, Walter and Ester Zimmerman bought a cozy 2 bed, 2 bath home for their lot in Valhalla Resort in Edinburg. Drue and Sharon Wilkes have had the Premium front and rear bedroom with the spacious, nine foot side wall option delivered to their lot in Paradise Park, Pharr. Carl and Carolyn Soeteber of Trophy Gardens in Alamo are loving their spacious front kitchen 2 bedroom, 2 bath home with the unique kitchen design that Alan developed with all of the input and ideas of our homebuyers and shoppers. Wayne and Linda Neely have just had their "double wide", multi-section home set up in Valley View Estates in Mission, with their screen room and other improvements that our Home Enhancements team has done for them. Bobby and Dorothy Logue of Winter Ranch in Alamo are now enjoying their 3 bed, 2 bath home with full tape and textured interior walls throughout, while the Straight Shooters are adding additional cabinetry in their new kitchen. David and Sandra Junkin, along with Paul and Toni in north Edinburg have had their Premium customized front kitchen homes delivered and set up. Along with all of these that we have been working with since April, Dave and Pat Shope and Rusty and Judy Orme, both in the Mission area, are anxiously awaiting the delivery of their homes. As we are getting ready for our Winter Texans friends to start heading back for this coming season, Alan and Lisa are working hard with the factories to give us, what we believe, will be the widest selection of 18' wide homes in our market. Many shoppers have been looking into these floor plans, and we are excited to be working with them and all of you as well this coming fall and winter!