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Houston, TX Real Estate News

By Timothy Sojka
(See TIM Sell @ Keller Williams)
Lakes of Parkways and the Women who make the NeighborhoodBy Tim Sojka Traveling west of Briar Forest from Eldridge, many drivers cannot help but look to their left and take in the beautiful and stately entry way of a developing prestigious neighborhood.  The Lakes of Parkway may still be fairly new to the West Houston and Memorial area.  However, this elegantly modern neighborhood pays homeagehomage to the past.  Homes range in unique styles from Mediterranean stuccos with ceramic tile roofs, to opulent French Country estates, to traditionally beautiful American mansions.  The community boasts nine lakes, tennis courts, a community pool and 24-hour on site security.  Each home either back to, faces, or is a short walk to one of the lakes.  Still, the beautiful landscaping, the water vis...
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By Timothy Sojka
(See TIM Sell @ Keller Williams)
The Romance of Nottingham ForestBy Tim Sojka  Nestled by Buffalo Bayou and Memorial, the homes of Nottingham Forrest have a wonderful advantage.  Few neighborhoods have a more perfect location.  Residents of this picturesque neighborhood can enjoy the trails of Hershey Park, walk a few blocks to enjoy the Memorial Athletic and Aquatic Center, stroll the beautiful neighborhood and enjoy the view of the majestic tree lined streets or fish along the bayou.  Many residents of Nottingham Forest and surrounding areas also use the bayous as hiking and running trails.   Resident Pam Ferworn states that her love affair with the neighborhood began on just such a run.  "We had relocated from Canada and were living nearby.  I found about Nottingham Forest by running along the bayous."  Like many ot...
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By Frank Schulte-Ladbeck
(Frank Schulte-Ladbeck Professional Real Estate Inspections)
My son comes back from a walk through our subdivision with two grapefruits in hand. They were hanging over the fence he protested. They had a lot, and they were not picking them. Lately I have been flooded with citrus from different friends who have more than they know what to do with. I planted my citrus trees last year, so they are not producing yet, and these fresh fruits are a great treat. On another walk, my son notices that swiss chard has been planted in the front beds for an office building. Should we have some chard for dinner? We can get it from our own garden, I respond. Along the walk we find another building with kale in their beds. He just smiles and points. We have that too. Dessert he says when he spots some johnny jump ups and pansies. Well, if your sister would stop p...
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Well, here goes nothing! I am totally new at this blogging thing but I am hoping mine will be as good a read as some of the amazing blogs I have read here.I recently gave a staging consultation to a lovely, very corporative couple.I say corporative not because they followed every piece of advice I gave them but because of their enthusiasm to follow  whatever I said given the time and money they had.They made a lot  of improvements and the place looked like another property when I returned for final touches a week later.I heard from their agent just yesterday and they had this to say..."Thank God for Zeeshan!" they were getting  showings just because of the updated pictures on-line...hopefully they will sell real soon!Their euphoria is understandable but the sense of achievement I feel i...
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By Steven Kleiman
(Oakington Realty)
Luxury homes in Houston's Inner Loop (IH-610) should hold their prices in 2008, but risk of falling values, according to a study, is possible in 2009.  The mortgage meltdown, uneasy stock markets, unsettled economy and declining prime interest rate are all radically reshaping the way brokers and their clients will market expensive homes, condos and lots.  Home prices will increase at only 5% over the next two years, with buyers wanting upscale locations close to their places of work, as well as "suburbs in the city - and more of them narrowing their choices online first. Sellers will have to sharpen their pencils and their properties - from the curb and landscape to the interior and highly organized storage spaces. Those who venture into tear-downs or property flipping will have to proc...
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By Frank Schulte-Ladbeck
(Frank Schulte-Ladbeck Professional Real Estate Inspections)
I thought that it would be nice to do a post honoring the birthday of our first president. Here in Texas the news is all about our upcoming presidential primary, and indeed, I just came from seeing my parents, where discussions about who should be president were the main topic. The other topic of conversation was how I was serving my country today. Today, I participated in an event that many dread: jury duty. My wife was running through the list of possible excuses that I could use to obtain an exemption. She admonished me to look into every possibility. She knew that I would not. She called me in the afternoon to find out if I had been picked for a jury. She found out that I had not been picked. She did not disguise her pleasure, but she quickly added that she knew that I would not be...
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By Kathy Riggle, Houston Home Staging
(STAGING SMART N SOLD)
Seabrook's animal shelter is seeking volunteers to assist with its pet adoption program.  Anyone who is interested is asked to attend a meeting at 10 am on March 3rd at the Seabrook police department at 1400 Cook Street.  For more information or to have questions answered, please call Dee Wright at 832-794-3520, Jessi Knoblauch at 713-478-0890, or the Seabrook animal control at 281-291-5610.Visit www.StagingSmartNSold.com for Houston home staging solutions designed to facilitate a quick and profitable house sale in the Seabrook area.   
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By Paige Martin
(Keller Williams Realty)
Even in a down real estate market, homebuyers and sellers have more in common than they may initially think. You make think that just because you're buying a home (and you want a good price) that the seller has to "lose" for you to "win."  This isn't necessarily the case.  At the end of the day (if you want the home), you want both sides to feel like they've won.The buyer wants to obtain the home for the lowest possible price and the seller wants to sell the house for the highest possible price. Still, this can be a process that the two sides work through with each other, not necessarily against each other.  It’s important for a buyer to remain patient. This is particularly true when it comes to the asking price. If the asking price is too high, do nothing until you speak to your real ...
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 Market Conditions:  Montrose market area residents in Houston, Texas continue to enjoy stable property values as reflected in the following data provided by the Houston Association of Realtors. There were 6 single family residences sold in January 2008 with prices ranging from $292,500 to $500,000 which averages $164.42 per square foot.There were 7 townhouse/condos sold in the Montrose market area during this same period with prices ranging from $72,500 to $356,000 for an average of $153.61 per square foot.Currently there are 53 active available single family homes for sale in Montrose with list prices ranging from $259,000 to $1,300,000 and 7 properties pending sale with prices ranging from $240,000 to $519,650.There are 101 active available town house/condos in the Montrose market ar...
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 Market Conditions: Susi McCauley, a buyer's agent with The Zoller Group, reports that 2006 was a good year for homeowners in the subdivision of Meyerland in Houston, Texas as 109 properties sold ranging in price from$197,000 up to $1,150,000 with an average sales price of $368,966 or $133.73 per square foot showing a definite upward trend. These figures are based on data collected from the Houston Association of Realtors. Meyerland residents continued to enjoy increased property values as reflected in the following data provided by the Houston Association of Realtors. Home buyers bought 89 single family homes 2007 with prices ranging from $200,000 to $1,000,000 averaging $144.73 per square foot. For the month of January 2008 there were 5 homes sold in Meyerland with prices ranging from...
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By Meg Zoller, Houston Fine Homes
(Keller Williams)
Note: Due to the large volume of homes sold in Houston, Texas, I usually need two months to compile data. So in February, I'll be using December data, obtained from the Houston Association of Realtors.Market Conditions: To date, the mortgage company and loan problems you have been reading about have affected Houston housing much less than most other areas of the country. The year 2007 was the second best year in Houston, Texas on record based on the Houston Association of REALTORS statistics. Total property sales were lower than 2006, but total dollar volume was a record high. So in a nutshell, less homes sold, but for more money.Although total Houston home sales decreased in December by 23.5%, the average sales prices increased over last year. The median price (a price where half the h...
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By Erion Shehaj, Houston Real Estate Broker
(Signature Real Estate)
This week's government foreclosures (otherwise known as hud homes) have been posted to our Houston HUD Homes page and the word of the week is selection!In this week's contingent of Hud Homes we have 10 properties under $100,000 in Richmond, Houston, Tomball, Spring and Humble. All in all, there are 23 properties up for auction and the bid deadline is this upcoming Sunday 2/24/2008. If you want to see the entire selection, visit our HUD Home Central page for property specifics, frequently asked questions about HUD Homes and the entire process. Happy hunting...   
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By Kathy Riggle, Houston Home Staging
(STAGING SMART N SOLD)
The Clear Lake Gem and Mineral Society will present its 33rd annual Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show on the weekend of February 23-24.  It will be open to the public at the Pasadena Convention Center, 7902 Fairmont Parkway in Pasadena.  The hours will be from 10-6 on Saturday and 10-5 on Sunday.  The donations for two days are $5 for adults and $1 for youths ages 12-18.Visit www.StagingSmartNSold.com to view Houston home staging solutions to facilitate a rapid and profitable house sale in the Clear Lake Area.
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By Kathy Riggle, Houston Home Staging
(STAGING SMART N SOLD)
Sweet Sounds "Just Desserts" will take place at Clear Brook High School on Friday, February 22nd, from 7 to 9 pm in the Commons area.  A silent auction will be included, plus all the dessert one can eat.  Choir members will provide the "Sweet Sounds" and caterers will provide the "Just Desserts".  Tickets are $5 and are available from any CBHS choir member from February 8-21, or they can be purchased at the door.www.StagingSmartNSold.com provides Houston home staging solutions designed to promote a rapid and profitable house sale in the Clear Lake Area.
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By Frank Schulte-Ladbeck
(Frank Schulte-Ladbeck Professional Real Estate Inspections)
Terry was blue. Hair, skin, finger nails, lips were all shades of blue. He painted on blue scars onto his face. He was an imposing figure at 6'3”. His smile was a grimace, which revealed blue stained teeth. He appeared to be a most intimidating character. When I first met him, I asked “tell me, truthfully, is red your favorite color?” I received his grimace in reply. He was a sales associate in a store, and I would watch as customers were afraid to approach him. Yet, two elderly ladies dared move closer to him to make an inquiry, and they found that he was the nicest guy in the world. He loved talking to customers, and he was an engaging conversationalist. He was a gentlemen in his character, which his appearance belied. As a teenager, I learned not to judge people by their looks by a ...
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By Frank Schulte-Ladbeck
(Frank Schulte-Ladbeck Professional Real Estate Inspections)
Every year since I have been an inspector, I hear that the state is planning to implement changes to the inspection report, and to the standards of operation for an inspector. Part of the hope is to bring order to the existing documents, so they will follow each other. Some clarifications will be made as too what is happening in the report, but one big change is the opening paragraph of the report. I received my copy of the proposed changes, so I could add my comments. I am already scribbling away various notes on these pages to make my recommendations, but I like what I see. I do want one section to be more visibly highlighted: the meaning of the headings for the check boxes. They are suggesting that “in need of repair” be changed to “deficiencies” , which is great, but I want it to b...
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By Cindy Bryant, "Houston Home Staging Pros"
(Redesign Etc. Home Staging)
I have several friends who work for Southwest Airlines, all of which are volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House in Houston.  They all really love volunteering there when they can, and say it is such a rewarding experience, and have been helping out for years.  The Ronald McDonald House provides a home and friendly atmosphere for families with children being treated at the Texas Medical Center for Cancer or other serious illnesses.Volunteer ApplicationShift Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age or older.  Volunteer shifts are available seven days a week.  Volunteers are asked to work a total of six hours a month.  Volunteer shifts are scheduled in three hour time blocks. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.               3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.               6:00 p.m. - 9:00...
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By Erion Shehaj, Houston Real Estate Broker
(Signature Real Estate)
Houston Chronicle reported today, that the City of Houston has taken steps to acquire land that could become the future site of a soccer stadium for The Houston Dynamo. See what they're paying for the land and what's in the way of building a stadium.   
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2007 HOUSTON SINGLE FAMILY SALES  Contra to all you have heard 2007 was second only to 2006 in property sales according to Houston Association of Realtors(R) (HAR). A total of 83,432 properties totaling a record $16.6 billion. 2007 averages were:             Median Sales Price -        $152,000 or up 1.6%           Average Sales Price         -        $206,393 or up 3.9% With the interest rate at the lowest in a decade, it is still a great time to buy/sale a home.
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By Marchel Peterson, Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro
(Results Realty)
    My first winter after moving to Texas I had a closing on Valentine's Day and we started talking about crape myrtles. My client stated that it was Valentine's Day; time to prune the crape myrtles.  Having moved from a colder climate it was amazing to me that you would start thinking about pruning in the month of February.   Ever since then when Valentine's Day happens I also think crape myrtle pruning time.  Actually in my research in writing this I found out that the best time to prune is the last of February or early March.  If you prune too early such as in December or January and we have a warm winter the plants might start putting out new growth.  That new growth would be susceptible to freezing weather should a late cold snap happen.  There are a lot of different ideas on how t...
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