The color of your interior is, clearly, of utmost importance. Color theory has proven time and time again that the shade of paint adorning your living space has a profound affect on your mood. Color has the power to make your home warm and inviting or cold and austere. Given our climate, it makes sense that the colors people here typically gravitate towards are warm. Terracotta, sunshine yellow, prairie grass gold, and various shades of red are all very popular.

However, if your home already benefits from warm natural light, you might consider some lighter options. A warm white allows furnishings and architectural details to reveal themselves. It will also make it easy for your buyers to envision the home with their own paint colors. Tiling is a great way to incorporate color into your home and it doesn't mean replacing all your floors. Even a tile backsplash in muted earthtones, stone or not, can add class and depth to any space. What's more, it's an inexpensive do-it-yourself project that will stand the test of time.

The textural collage of Texas is rich and varied and it's not difficult to see the influences. Our ranching history has brought in bold wood grains reminiscent of raw wooden beams from farmhouses and barns. Animal prints and skins also refer to this rustic background. Woven materials from indigenous people and our neighbors to the south are a nod to the historical events that make our state what it is today.

Texture is exceedingly important, but sometimes we can go overboard. Nobody likes decor with an obvious barnyard or wild-west theme. Raffia and burlap are two materials best reserved for square dances. Go instead for more subtle prints and fabrics drawing from Mexican or Native American weaving. If you're in the market for new furniture, why not test drive some with an obvious wood grain? If not, picture frames, vases, throws or other accessories with an interesting textural detail will do the trick.

Texas is, quite obviously, a very big state with many different influences. But if you can draw inspiration from what you love about the area you live in and keep it elegantly subtle, you can rarely go wrong. Chances are also pretty good that your buyers will love it just as much as you do.

The Princess Alexa Foundation was created in the memory of a little girl from Keller. The foundation visits thousands of sick children every year to help them heal through dress-up and play. The Keller Farmer's Market is a seasonal market that showcases the produce and food products of local growers and producers. Vendors support the environmental, health and economic benefits of buying locally-grown food. Responsible for beautifying our city through the installation of public art works, the Keller Public Arts Board has stationed beautiful sculptures all around Keller, like the wildlife statues at the Parks at Town Center and the "Protector of Freedom" eagle sculpture at Veterans' Memorial Park.

Some great acts are planned, such as performances by Derek Anthony, Johnny Cooper, and the grammy-nominated band, Bowling For Soup, based out of Denton, TX. Other activities include BMX shows, bouncy castles, a petting zoo, demos by local chefs, and much more. Admission and parking are both free. This promises to be a great event, so whether you're a resident of Keller or a visitor, mark it in your calendar and plan to have your socks rocked off!

Published by the Tommy Pennington writing team.

Students who attend CISD schools perform consistently above the national and state averages on standardized tests. Every year, over ninety percent of Carroll's secondary students taken college entrance exams and get exemplary scores on the SAT and ACT. Carroll's students are high acheivers destined for great things. In 2009 the graduating class was awarded $18 million dollars in scholarships. Carroll ISD enjoys a 97 percent attendance rate, an amazing 0.1 percent drop-out rate, and ninety-seven percent of graduating seniors plan to continue on to college.

However, facts and figures aren't the only markers of CISD's continued success and commitment to education. Carroll ISD's staff is innovative and highly educated. Programs like free and reduced-cost lunches, volunteer programs, and community involvement enrich the lives of students and their families.

Imagine sending your kids to a school where their athletic, academic and artistic talents are supported and encouraged. Where there is no such thing as being "too involved" in your child's wellbeing. Where gifted children and those with special needs get the attention they really need. Where the mission is "To provide a caring and creative learning environment that promotes excellence, fosters integrity, and encourages each student to reach his or her academic, extracurricular and social potential". This is Carroll ISD.

Everybody has been, or knows someone who has been, in dispute with a neighbor at one point or another. Maybe it was just the noisy teenagers next door, and the matter was resolved after a polite, if strained, conversation. Perhaps it was the removal of a tree on property boundaries, or the lack of maintenance in the neighbor's yard that caused a little tension. It happens in the heart of built-up inner-city areas, it goes on in the leafy suburbs and remote rural communities, and it even occurs in the wealthiest estates in the country. Sometimes it's just that people don't like one another.

Neighborly disputes can be extremely wearing. Most issues are best dealt with early, to prevent them from spiraling out of proportion (and out of control). The news networks are full of stories of property damage, violent attacks, and occasionally, murder - just because warring neighbors failed to sort out their differences in a civilized manner. It may not always work, but the first route should always be a polite and measured one.

Often, a friendly chat before raising a particular issue, will have your neighbor sympathizing with you, and will hopefully diffuse any potential aggression. It's possible you neighbor will be totally unaware of any problem, and if approached pleasantly, will often be happy to look into the issue. Even if they're unhelpful initially, you might find that they reconsider once they've had time to think it over or discuss it with family members.

Of course, there are always those who will immediately go on the offensive, and if your neighbor isn't the 'chatty' kind, it's a good idea to keep a record of issues. Write everything down. At least that way, you can see whether a pattern emerges, and should the police or courts become involved down the line, you'll be fully informed.

And while you have a pen and paper in front of you, why not try the written approach? If your antagonist receives a brief, clear description of the problem along with how it might be dealt with, it might just have a positive effect. If other neighbors are also being affected by the problem, ask them to sign it too. You might wish to make a copy of the letter and send it to your council representative, and ensure that the letter to your neighbor clearly states so.

Unfortunately, not everybody is as reasonable as they might be, and occasionally things can get a little out of hand. Aggressive, non-compliant neighbors may respond to a police visit, but this doesn't always calm troubled waters, and the only path left un-trodden is often a legal one. Bear in mind that a lawsuit can be costly, and there is always the chance that you won't win. Also, take into account the fact that regardless of whether you win or lose, they're still going to be your neighbor.

Ultimately, try the peaceful approach first, you never know it may just sort the problem out immediately, and prove to be the catalyst for a long and happy relationship.

Some planned communities are, in effect, new towns - providing the residents with many of the day-to-day necessities such as schooling, shopping and even healthcare. There are, however, many communities that simply provide homeowners with a secure, and distinct, residential enclave. These can sometimes be a little out of the way, and the school might be a ten-minute drive away, while trips to the local convenience store may not be too convenient at all. But the house is great, and says everything about you that you want it to.

There really are many different types of planned neighborhoods, from private golfing communities, to environmentally conscience developments. Some are family oriented, while others are restricted exclusively to retirees. One thing that most of them have in common is an active housing association. This representative group, made up variously of residents, investors, and other interested parties, is on hand to ensure that all goes well in the neighborhood, and that peace and acceptable behavior is adhered to at all times. Sure, some of the rules and regulations that they impose may seem a little draconian for some people, but they exist to maintain the status quo, and to keep order.

Many people are more than happy to pay their monthly dues, if it means that they can have access to a clubhouse, a pool or tennis courts, and to know that essential neighborhood maintenance will be carried out when needed. Not everyone wishes to live next door to a house with three trucks and two semi-dismantled cars on the lawn, and the local HOA's are there to prevent such behavior and to provide peace of mind.

Unfortunately, in some if the hardest hit regions of the country, many of these planned communities are struggling to hold on to residents, as foreclosures sweep through like a rash. Many subdivisions lie unfinished, leaving some homeowners in a desperate position, as the incomplete utopian dream around them fails to be realized, and suffers consequent neglect. And as more struggling Americans look toward shared housing and reducing the cost of daily living, it could be a while before occupancy rates return to normal in many areas.

There are some great opportunities out there, for anyone thinking of buying in a planned community right now. But be sure to do your homework, and seek professional advice, and invest in a stable marketplace. Prices are at an all time low in some places, and there are many exceptional homes to be found in some wonderful communities. However, be aware some deals may look like great value, but things could easily change two months down the line.

From the Writing Team of the Tommy Pennington Realty Group