Houston Texas Real Estate Blog Houston Texas Real Estate Blog http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/rss/ en-us Fri, 04 May 2007 11:00:57 CDTFri, 04 May 2007 11:00:57 CDTHow Do You Pass a Building Inspection with New Green Systems in Your Home
Some products that have been around for some time are still new to most people, especially when it comes to new energy efficient products. I am planning to install a tankless water heater on my own home this year, but I have never seen a unit installed on a home that I have inspected. About a month ago, I met a plumber who has been installing these units in Houston. We had a lively talk about the proper way to install these water heaters, and the common mistakes people make when purchasing this product. I then went to some home inspectors around the country to see if they knew of any other issues. It appears that tankless is popular in California, but it has not caught on in most other parts of our union.

Yesterday, I ran into an acquaintance who mentioned that she and her husband have been working on "\;greening"\; their home, but she was frustrated. The plumber who installed her unit happened to be the plumber that I had spoken with. I had checked out his facts in the building code, and found them to be correct, so I was sure that he did a good job for her. When the city's building inspector came, her frustration began. He had never seen such a unit. She reported to me that he had never heard of one. He asked for the installation manual, which he glanced over. He came to the determination that the unit was not installed to code, so he insisted further modifications be made.

Unfortunately, he had the authority to enforce his demand. Although most home inspectors that I know are trying to keep up with new developments, city building inspectors do not always have that luxury. Having to go from one site to another, every day, prevents them from having the time to study the latest information on new products.

If you are an early adapter, you may face a similar situation. My best advice is to have the installer there when the inspector comes. He may be able to show how the system works and meets the guidelines for the proper installation.]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0805070957http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0805070957Fri, 04 May 2007 11:00:57 CDTWhy is That Home Falling Apart?
I like taking walks through my neighborhood with my daughter. We go through most of my subdivision and the one next to us. Being an inspector here in Houston always causes you to examine the homes along the route. I have offered advice and help to some of my fellow residents, so in that way I have come to know them. I never could understand why some simple maintenance is not carried out on a home, but there are a few that need help.

With foreclosures rising, these vacant homes have become the sites of various criminal activity from theft of the home's components to the house being used for various illicit purposes. This kind of activity will not stop, unless other homeowners start contacting the police when they see unusual activity. Watching out for an empty home is in your best interest, because if the situation becomes bad, your home's value can decrease.

The problem occurs that some homes that appear vacant, and that are starting to fall apart, are not foreclosed or vacant homes. The elderly who have found their finances to be tight have also let their homes deteriorate. When I saw a home that was greatly in need of repair, I thought this might be the case. I had seen lights on at times, but no one ever seemed to come out. At one point a young man came to live at the home too, and a few repairs were done, so I thought this may be a grandson coming to take care of a grandparent.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0804241157http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0804241157Fri, 20 Apr 2007 13:00:57 CDTUp in Smoke: A look at common problems with chimneys
Over the past month, I noticed some problems with these units. It has almost been a theme, so I feel that bringing these finds to your attention may help you avoid them. Here is a list of some common issues in my reports:

1. Creosote build-up. When you are burning logs, creosote will begin to line the flue. This material can burn itself, so it needs to be cleaned. Since our chimneys are not used often, we forget to have them swept.

2. An ineffective damper. The damper closes the flue off from the outside. It needs to be opened when a fire is going, but if left open, it will allow your conditioned air escape, increasing your utility bills. I have found them disconnected, or badly installed, so repairs are in order.

3. Damage to the cap. Brick chimneys have a cap of cement on top to shed the water off. I have found that these caps over time break down, allowing water to seep into the structure.

4. Water damage to the flue's covering. Brick, stucco, or wood chimney coverings are exposed to the elements, and need care as do your walls. Since the chimneys are on the roof, we do not look at them on a regular basis. Yearly may be nice, but you can go a few years before it really needs to be checked.


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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0804170756http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0804170756Fri, 13 Apr 2007 09:00:56 CDTRetro Fitting Your Windows for Energy Efficiency
My neighbor has taken on a weekend project of replacing the windows in his home with vinyl insulated windows. These are double paned windows that have far greater insulation abilities (a higher R-value) than your old single paned glass. I saw some units from the Generations line by Norandex/Reynolds. The frames generally come in one color for the exterior, with a few options for the interior. A determined do-it-yourselfer can change out a window. My neighbor only does one or two on a weekend, and he does not do them every week. He has told me that he is already saving a good deal on his utility bills.

A simpler solution to create a double paned window is by using a magnetic interior insulating window. This unit is just placed on the side of the window that is in your home. It helps create a dead air space, similar to a double pane window; however most double paned windows use a gas to help provide a higher insulating value. A sample unit that I examined did not allow for fresh air to come into the home, which is important to me, but a representative from Mayeco (a seller of these windows) said that they will not interfere with the function of your windows.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0804081102http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0804081102Wed, 04 Apr 2007 13:00:02 CDTKeeping Your Drinking Water Safe
He asked a pretty good question: do I force people to have these on their homes? Is there a law in Texas that states that a home has to have them installed? Before I go on, let me explain what an anti-siphon device is. The more common term would be back flow preventer. This is a six dollar part that screws onto your hose bib (the exterior faucet for your garden hose), so standing water cannot flow back into your drinking supply water. Here is how this could happen: you are watering. As you finish, you drop the hose into a pool of water, and then you go to turn it off. When you turn off the faucet, you have created a suction, where water could flow back into your home. The anti-siphon device lets water flow out, but not back in. The concern is that you may allow bacteria flow into your home through this water.

As a Houston Real Estate Inspector, I cannot force anyone to do anything. My report is too highlight areas of concern, which may cause the buyer to want to negotiate with the seller, but I cannot tell the seller to repair it. Houston and Texas have building codes in place, which indicate that these devices need to be on a home, so they could technically force you to put them on, but building departments do not check this, unless they have a reason to look. This is why most homeowners manage not to be concerned about these devices.

However, I think that you may wish to keep you and your family safe. Six, twelve, eighteen dollars (for one, two or three hose bibs) is not too much to spend for one small step in making your drinking water safe.]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0804011155http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0804011155Wed, 28 Mar 2007 13:00:55 CDTInvestor opportunities in Houston
Be sure you are dealing with an experienced high rise expert because it is a unique type of property and requires special expertise and knowledge of the market. Houston is a good start for any investor if you do your homework and work with an experienced agent or broker. ]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=711242057http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=711242057Sat, 24 Mar 2007 13:00:31 CDTSpring Update: A Buyer's Market for Houston Real Estate?
The Realtor Association has been keeping its members abreast of developments in the real estate market here in Houston, and we seem to be following and not following the national trends at the same time still.

Housing prices are steadily moving up. Houston never experienced the huge boom into home prices, so we could not really fall. The median home price continues to rise over last years figures. We are just over $190,000 now for a median price. The rising prices of homes is more of an indicator of a seller's market.

Buyers are not in the market for a home. Compared to last year's sales, the real estate market in Houston has noticeably decreased sales in January and February. With tightening standards for obtaining a loan, and rising prices of staple goods, consumers appear to be avoiding large purchases at this time. This fact bodes well for the idea that it is a buyer's market.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0803241113http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0803241113Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:00:13 CDTIs Your Neighborhood Super?
I am speaking about being recognized as a Super Neighborhood by the mayor. There are around fifty of these organizations in Houston, and they are starting to have more of an effect on neighborhood development. Super Neighborhoods are a coalition of several subdivision civic associations, schools, religious institutions, and businesses.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0803140731http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0803140731Sat, 10 Mar 2007 08:00:31 CSTA Stucco Issue
Stucco was originally meant for dryer climes than Houston. This covering has been mainly applied over adobe or concrete structures, but it has more frequently shown up on our wood homes. All walls will have moisture develop between the exterior veneer and the interior structure. Wood used for framing can absorb this moisture, which will cause problems to the home. A well designed exterior finish allows the moisture to run out at the base of the wall. This is accomplished in stucco walls by a screen/vent at the base of the finish. These screens can be made from metal or plastic, so if you feel some metal or plastic with holes at the base of your stucco wall, the screen is in place. Most homeowners do not want to see the foundation, so many builders will either bring the stucco down over the foundation to the ground, or they will place the porch or sidewalk level up to the stucco. Two things can happen when this is done. Firstly, the screens that let the moisture out do not function, since the moisture has no where to go, leaving the moisture in the wall. Secondly, termites like to stay under cover, so if the access is still there, they can venture into your home.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0803070807http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0803070807Sat, 03 Mar 2007 09:00:07 CSTSix Items to Take into Consideration: An Update on the Houston Market
1)Due to high oil prices, Houston is in a job growth mode. Actually much of Texas is doing well economically on this front. This increase in jobs has lead to people moving into the community, and they need somewhere to live.

2)Since Houston never had a big boom in housing prices, we are not having a bust. Prices are not going up at a high rate, but they are maintaining an upward trend. Realtors have been warning people not to value your home at too great a price, because it will drive buyers away.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0802260958http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0802260958Mon, 19 Feb 2007 10:00:58 CSTTen Houston House Hunting Tips
1)If you are coming from another city, stay in a hotel. I would suggest one along the Highway 59 (Southwest Freeway). Situate yourself to the layout of the town, before choosing a neighborhood.

2)Do you have a job lined up? In the past, many new families chose homes on the outskirts of the city, since you could buy more square footage for the money. You still can, but gas prices and other factors have driven many of those residents to find places to live in the city. With the construction of more condos and town homes, this option has become acceptable to many. You may want to find a good community near your work.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=710171422http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=710171422Tue, 06 Feb 2007 11:00:25 CSTHow the Tax Relief Package and Interest Rate Cuts Effect the Housing Market
The old adage that all real estate is local is true, but then again it has some colloraries. Houston has not had the fallout that other communities have experienced, so our local is different than say the local in Phoenix. Yet, we still are effected by the national scene when it comes to loans. The Fed's cuts should mean lower interest rates for borrowers, but it takes time for these rate cuts to go through our financial system. One economist stated that it could take up to six months. This means that we could expect really good rates at the end of spring. Houston is maintaining an inventory of homes that is far below the national average, and it is not so much greater than the amount on hand before this crisis. We are still sitting on the fence between a buyer's and a seller's market. National tax relief, like the rate cuts, may prompt buyers to go after homes, but any package passed now will need time to take effect.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0802111058http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0802111058Sun, 04 Feb 2007 11:00:58 CSTThe Best Way to Increase Your Home's Value
The first step is simple maintenance. When something breaks, we notice it, but we think that we will get to it later. As we pass it by on a daily basis, we become use to the fact that it is broken. Eventually, we stop paying attention to it. When I do inspections, I find little items all over the houses that I investigate. One owner had become use to the idea that there are ants in his kitchen. It became a part of his life. Another home had graffiti sprayed on an exterior wall. The owner felt that it would be a hassle to clean it off. These might be extreme examples, but think about your home. Are the gutters clean? Are the bushes pruned to allow clear passage on the path leading to the door? There are many small annoyances that can be easily handled.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0802061010http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0802061010Tue, 30 Jan 2007 11:00:10 CSTReal Estate Investor Networking
Networking is best for information, leads, and support. You will find a great deal of useful information on this site, and you will find professionals to help you, but having a support network is the best thing you can have. Sharing your experience, and learning about the experience of others, puts you ahead of the game in the learning curve for real estate investment. You may find that you can build a group of like minded people to become involved with a project that is bigger than what you can do alone. A project that is not right for one person may be perfect for you, so you will find out about it quicker. You will discover mistakes to know how to avoid them.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0802011012http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0802011012Thu, 25 Jan 2007 11:00:12 CSTWhich neighborhoods have the most/least growth potentials
Texas has had steady job growth, and Houston has seen its fair share with jobs coming in because of the new focus on the energy sector. Well, that is one thing one hundred dollar per barrel oil is good for, job growth in Houston. Several entrepreneurs are looking to make Houston the center of cleantech as well, which would put Houston in the center of renewable energy. Even with this boom in the oil industry, the eastern half of the city still is not in a growth mode. Several new subdivisions exist, and there always will be some opportunities, but vibrant growth needs more than just one industry.

The Heights is already undergoing a major transition, and new business developments in the are ensure further growth. As commuters become weary of the drive in from the outlaying areas, they are looking to find a neighborhood close to downtown offices and the burgeoning night life, as well as other pleasantries of life. The Heights offers this to those looking to escape the drive into town.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0801281942http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0801281942Sun, 21 Jan 2007 20:00:42 CSTThe Home as Fortress
The intruder fled the scene upon hearing my son's voice, and my son had the forethought of running behind him to lock the door, so he could not come back inside. As my son came out the front door, he encountered a neighbor, and he told him of the situation. This neighbor and another retrieved their guns to go after the intruder. Fortunately for all, no other encounter ensued. I, in the mean time, am relating events to the owner in England. She cuts her trip short to return home.

Once here, she and I have a talk about how can one protect a home? Is the wild west scenario helpful? After the arrival of the police, some neighbors were asking about where exactly does the perpetrator have to be in order to shoot him. A hot button topic in Houston now given the recent shootings. I discovered that several of my fellow residents are armed; I, on the other hand, am not. As an inspector, I do see some security measures that cause me concern, but an event like this begs the question of how to secure your own home.

The police found no evidence of forced entry, and my examination of the house before the arrival of the police led me to find two windows unlocked. My neighbor was in such a rush that she did not take the step of really checking that everything was locked. The burglar may have simply found an unlocked door. This fact happens more often than we think. When I go to inspect homes, I will find the front door locked, but rear doors unlocked, or I find unsecured windows. I always secure a building once I leave, simply because I do not want the liability to be on me.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0801211028http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0801211028Sun, 14 Jan 2007 11:00:28 CSTHome Warranty Insurance this type of insurance before for real estate investors , but I wanted to take some time to go over it, for those of you who may be hearing about it for the first time.

Generally, talk of home warranty insurance comes up after an inspection, since many of the items on an inspection are covered by this insurance. Your homeowner's insurance covers the building and personal property, but home warranty covers the mechanical equipment and built-in appliances. In fact what this insurance covers is changing rapidly. As more providers enter the marketplace, and insurance companies try to find ways of enticing new customers to purchase other products, home warranty has become a hit for home buyers, and insurance companies add features to this insurance each year. It used to be only major built-in appliances and major equipment, but I have seen non-built-ins added to the list of items covered by some companies. We are talking about washer/dryers, air conditioning, water heaters, dishwasher, stoves, and such. When you have this insurance, and your air conditioner does not work, you will call the service number from the insurance company. They will call out a technician from an HVAC firm to look at the problem. You will have to pay a $50 service fee, but everything else will be covered. The insurance runs around $400 per year. First time homeowners like it, because items on the inspection report are covered, while they can build up their own house emergency fund to pay for repairs.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0801151413http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0801151413Mon, 08 Jan 2007 15:00:13 CSTForeclosures and Liens
He was wondering about liens against a property by a contractor who was not paid for his work. When building a home, the general contractor will hire a subcontractor for different tasks. The owner pays the contractor, and the contractor pays his subcontractors, hopefully. What happens if the general contractor does not pay a plumber? The plumber could go to the court at a later date to place a lien on the house for his payment. Would title insurance cover such a situation? No. The title company searches for liens and other questions about the title from the date of their search. The insurance or guarantee that they provide is that the title is clear till that point. Although the reason for the lien is before the search, the lien itself did not occur until after the title company search.

What recourse does the owner of the home have at this point? If he can find evidence that part of his payments to the general contractor were meant to pay the plumber, the court will probably lift the lien from the house, telling the plumber to go after the general contractor. If this does not happen, then the owner has to negotiate with the plumber to find a resolution.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0801111008http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0801111008Thu, 04 Jan 2007 11:00:08 CSTFive Ways to Make Money In a Down Real Estate Market
I am mainly thinking of the Houston market when I write this post, but some rules apply to other parts of the country. The main thing for you to do first is some homework on my suggestions to see if it applies to your area or to your situation. Remember that investments are always a risk, wether in a good or bad market, so you also have to be prepared to take some loss. See if your finances can handle this investment. Never invest money which you cannot afford. Alright, let us dive in.

1. Invest in a REIT. REIT stands for real estate investment trust. These firms can specialize in a certain property type, such as hotels, office buildings, or hospitals. They can also be global, owning properties the world over, or they could be local, owning all of their properties in one city or state. By law, they are required to distribute the majority of their profits to their shareholders at the end of their fiscal year. I would go after REITs that have rental, medical, or office properties in good markets. If the REITs are global, they should fare better in harder economic times. The REITs that I own went down some from their highs of last year, but even the hotel one is doing decently. You can buy shares in REITs through your broker.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0801081114http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0801081114Mon, 01 Jan 2007 12:00:14 CSTThank you for a great year!
First off, we would like to thank all of our users and members who helped us gain so much momentum in such a short period of time. It's hard to believe that the site is only 6 months old, yet we already rank on the first page in Google for numerous high traffic search terms including "Houston Real Estate"!

A special thanks goes out to Frank Schulte-Ladbeck whose blog postings have gained a lot of traction with the social networking sites like digg.com and stumbleupon. Keep up the great work!

Here are a few of the new features we are planning to launch in the upcoming months:
- RSS feed so that you can keep up with the blog through your favorite reader
- An updated real estate listings page that integrates Google Base, Google Listings, and our neighborhood profiles.

As always, please feel free to contact us if you have any suggestions for the site.]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0801062216http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0801062216Sat, 30 Dec 2006 23:00:16 CST7 steps to increase the life expectancy of your home
I have seen actuary tables for the life expectancy of certain animals, including humans, and you would think that such a chart could be made for homes. In Japan, it would not be an issue, since many homes are torn down after fifteen years, since land is at a premium. I guess that solves the worries about if that roof would last. The problem with making that determination about a home is that people treat parts of their home so differently. The weather and building techniques also vary. Quality of the equipment and material also plays a big part. The biggest factor has to be home maintenance.

About a month ago, I was speaking with a homeowner who proudly stated that she did not need to take care of her roof, because she had bought a special roof. I said that is nice, but I do not think any roof can withstand a thick layer of leaves left on it. No product is designed to take constant abuse. The leaves help keep the moisture in one spot, and they make a great place for insects to house. The material of the covering may be designed to withstand algae build-up, but not the attack of insects, or to resist moisture better than other roof materials.

Here are some common items that you can take care of to improve the life expectancy of parts of your home:

1. Clean your gutters. Products which help prevent leaves from collecting in the gutter are good, but even they need to be cleaned at times. Leaves and pine needles that are lumping up on the roof should be cleaned off as mentioned above.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0712200933http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0712200933Wed, 20 Dec 2006 10:00:33 CSTHome Inspection Schools In Houstonhome inspector in Houston? Your first decision should be whether you want to go through a fast track program or through a college program. After you have decided on the program, you have to find a school which is approved by the state. After more than four hundred hours of education, you will need to take the licensing test from the state. Finally you will be ready to compete with the rest of us.

The state of Texas will only allow licensed inspectors to perform residential inspections. There are different types of licenses though, so let us go over this first. There are three levels: professional real estate inspector; real estate inspector; and apprentice inspector. Apprentice inspectors and real estate inspectors do not require the same amount of educational requirements as professional inspectors, and both are sponsored by a professional inspector. If that sponsorship ends, they cannot continue to hold their license. The difference between apprentice and real estate inspector is mainly background. Apprentices meet requirements to avoid some educational requirements because of their work background was in construction. To become an apprentice inspector or a real estate inspector, you need to find a professional inspector, who is willing to take responsibility for your work, because they will have to sign off on it. The professional real estate inspector has to complete the over four hundred hours of education mentioned above, but they can work independently.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0712170826http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0712170826Sun, 17 Dec 2006 09:00:26 CSTHTRE adds RSS feed to real estate blogHouston real estate blog. For those just getting into Web 2.0, RSS stands for 'Real Simple Syndication' and allows you to keep up with our content content via an RSS reader (such as Google Reader) so that you don't always have to visit our site to get the latest content...the content comes to you!

Follow this link to the Houston Texas Real Estate Blog feed or look for the following image throughout the blog:

Houston Texas Real Estate Blog Feed]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0712162103http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0712162103Sat, 16 Dec 2006 22:00:03 CSTWhite: The Color of Energy Efficiency
Upon further investigation, I did find another reason for those homes in the sun to use white. White walls reflect sunlight. Skiers are use to this effect. The snow reflects the light, which gives a nice little sunburn on the skin poking through their clothes. I have written of energy efficiency through insulation or electricity usage before, but this is a simple way to improve your energy savings.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0712140536http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0712140536Thu, 14 Dec 2006 06:00:36 CSTTen Things You Should Know When Buying a Home
1. When shopping for mortgages, make all of your applications within a two week time period.

If you are applying in a two week time frame, the credit agencies will think of all the mortgage applications as one, which helps your credit score.

2. You do not need perfect credit, nor do you need to know your credit score.

If you have a good credit history, the better interest rate you will receive on your mortgage. You can find estimations of your credit score on sites like Credit.com or E-loans, but you do not need to know your actual score. Knowing an estimation of the score will help you understand what kind of rate you can obtain.

3. You do not need a Realtor to buy a house.

Many people are trying to save money by avoiding Realtors. Realtors can be a big help to you in the contract negotiation. You could negotiate a set fee with a lawyer to go over the contracts though. Lawyers are not entitled to the commission on the sale, so the fee may be cheaper. Remember that the Realtor listing the house represents the seller, so that Realtor will be more concerned with the seller's interests.

4. The Realtor's commission is negotiable.

When using a Realtor, you could ask to negotiate the percentage that they will receive for their commission on the sale. Some Realtors will be willing to come down, so you can try.

5. You can negotiate fees with your lender.

Although it might be a bit harder, there are some charges that lenders do not always place on every loan. You can find out if they are willing to reduce certain costs associated with your loan. Otherwise, you can see if you could find your own appraiser or surveyor at a lower rate than what the lender is charging.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0712121358http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0712121358Tue, 12 Dec 2006 14:00:58 CSTHow to Avoid Mortgage Fraud
There are steps that we can take to ensure that we will avoid being the victim of fraud. You can learn about schemes that are seen by real estate professionals on a site like MortgageFraudWatchList.org. This site has listings of activities, mainly observed by appraisers, of fraud tactics used by the dishonest elements in the real estate industry. All of the methods to defraud you can be avoided by looking at these seven parts of the loan process.

Loans that lure you in with "\;no income verification"\; or "\;assured approval"\;. Statements which indicate that they do not need to know about you means that they do not care if you can pay, because they will make their money from you in another way.

Another advertising phrase that needs to be examined with scrutiny is "\;no down payment"\;. One hundred percent financing of loans is still available from lenders, but they will let you know that this is for qualified buyers. One method to have no down payment is to give you two loans. One of the loans, which is usually at a high interest rate, covers the down payment needed, but the lender will emphasize the payment amounts for the mortgage, and not how much you will be paying for the second loan.

Examining fees. Look at the Good Faith Estimate and the HUD-1A forms. Have the fees explained to you. If they are not willing, then something is wrong. Check to see if firms in your area are actually charging such fees. This is where many fraud schemes hope to make a profit, since the fees will be paid at closing.


Read the rest of How to Avoid Mortgage Fraud...
]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0712100543http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0712100543Sun, 10 Dec 2006 06:00:43 CSTRadon Testing in Houstonsuch as appraisers and inspectors in Houston, write of the importance of this test, but I have a slightly different take.

Radon is classified as an inert gas, since it does not readily combine with other elements. It is odorless, tasteless, and colorless, so it is hard to detect, but there are EPA approved test kits, which are carbon canisters. These kits are placed in areas of the home where the slab has been penetrated by a pipe, since the gas comes from the earth. A good place is near a toilet. The test canister has to remain in place for a day, and then the radon concentration has to be determined from the results. Homeowners can perform this test themselves. Radon is produced by the decay of radium in the earth's crust, and the amount present can be effected by the weather. Radon is found all over the world, so it is a concern for everyone. The gas can settle in groundwater, so homes that use this water for their needs can have a real concern. The tighter we build the envelope of our houses for energy efficiency causes any radon coming into the home to stay in the house. Radon reduction equipment can cost several thousand dollars.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=710171422http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=710171422Thu, 07 Dec 2006 15:00:01 CSTInsulating Your Home for Energy Savingsevaluate your electricity usage, but it is a little harder to judge your natural gas usage by this means. The nice thing for homeowners is that saving on air conditioning, whether during the heat or cold, has the same solution: insulation.

Taking some simple steps can make your home more tight against the elements. The most difficult part of insulating is dragging the insulation up to your attic, and maybe maneuvering in your attic. Since the attic is the major place to insulate, it would be good to start here. There are two basic types of insulation: loose fill and batts. Insulation comes in different material styles, so you can pick the material that suites your needs or concerns, but for type, I would suggest insulation in a batt for the do it yourselfer. Batts are quickly installed, and they do not involve special tools to install. Loose fill is put in place by machines that blow them into the attic. You can just open and spread the contents of the bag, but this can be time consuming. The only tool that you will need for the batts is a knife to cut them to length in some spots. If you have good insulation coverage already in your attic, meaning that the insulation is at least six inches in depth and all over the living areas, you can add more for better coverage. In this case you will want batts that have an R-13 rating. The "\;R"\; is the factor rating indicating how well the material withstands heat transfer. Usually, you should have around an R-30 in your attic, installed by the builder. By adding R-13, you have an R-43. If your attic contains no insulation to speak of, you will want to find batts with a high R rating. The higher that the rating goes causes the price to increase. If you cannot afford an R-38, purchase an R-26 for now. Later you can buy a lower R rating to place in your attic over these batts. When placing additional batts, you will place them perpendicular to the other batts.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0712051419http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0712051419Tue, 05 Dec 2006 15:00:19 CSTAn increase in short sales and foreclosures in the Houston area
There is a group of professionals who are not involved with foreclosures at all. They are dealing with new builds. A few like me were seeing an increase in working with foreclosures purchases. The majority saw new investors coming into the market, and they saw that the non-investor buyer was looking for a great deal. Most of them also felt that foreclosures did not always offer the best deal. The reason behind this remark was due to the fact that foreclosures could require a great deal of work, so you may end up spending the money in repairs that you saved on the purchase price. This is not always the case though. I am not suggesting that you should avoid foreclosures, but as with any home, you need to investigate it before you buy. The interesting comment came form those who mentioned that short sales are rising, and they are dealing more with those, but that they can be tricky.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0712030939http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0712030939Sun, 03 Dec 2006 10:00:39 CSTThe best way to find Foreclosures
One tried and true method to finding homes before they go into the foreclosure process is advertising. Placing signs in likely neighborhoods has been an old investor tactic, but it happens to be illegal. Many cities are now fining people for these signs placed in roadways, so the solution is to talk to a homeowner in your target area who would be willing to put a simple sign along the edge of his property advertising the fact that you will buy a home. Negotiate a small fee to ensure that the sign will stay up. This is rather a broad approach, but it can work.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711301023http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711301023Wed, 29 Nov 2006 11:00:23 CSTLadies and Gentlemen, I give you PEX
PEX stands for cross linked polyethylene tubing. The cross linking provides longer performance than a standard extruded tube. If you have been to a fast food restaurant or movie theater, you obtained your soda at a fountain. These units receive the ingredients for the soda via PEX tubing. These pipes can be strung through the walls much like electrical wires. As long as you have one continuous run from water source to fixture, you will not have a leak from the tubing unless you damage it.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711281029http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711281029Mon, 27 Nov 2006 11:00:29 CSTThe Home Stager and The Inspector
A little over a month ago, an article appeared warning Realtors not to use home stagers, or to do any staging on their own. The reason behind the warning was based upon a belief that staging hides the defects with a home from the buyer and the inspector. When explaining inspecting to people, I have used the analogy of a doctor examining a patient. I am sure that doctors might not appreciate such a comparison, but I think it apt. A doctor does not perform invasive surgery to determine what ails you, and an inspector does not deconstruct your home to find problems. We both use tools and our knowledge to make a diagnosis, which we will have to adjust as more data pours in. We are looking at what is going on in the interior. Can this analogy be applied to home stagers? I think that we could say that home stagers could be compared to a fashion consultant, a person who would provide you with advice on your make-up, hair style, and clothing. Now a doctor would not tell you that your healthy because of your good looks, and an inspector would not give a similar response about a house for the same reason. Continuing this analogy, would I want to divorce my wife after seeing her disheveled hair and make-up free face when she wakes up? She looked smashing dressed to the nines last night, but I am not disappointed with the morning view. It is just part of life. The suggestion of divorce is ridiculous.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711260909http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711260909Sat, 25 Nov 2006 10:00:09 CSTReal Estate Investors and the HOPE Program
The Housing and Community Development Program for the City of Houston has been actively obtaining delinquent homes and lots in the hope of putting these properties into responsible homeowner hands. Lots are not practical for most buyers, but for developers they can be useful. Building speculation houses can be a hard task, and this job should only be taken on by a dedicated investor who wishes to move into development. With the lots being listed on HAR and city websites, finding a gem to develop will be much easier. Director Celli of the Housing and Community Development Department stated that his department would help developers find the loans they need for such projects. They want to see this community building happen.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711230533http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711230533Wed, 22 Nov 2006 06:00:33 CSTCan I Get a Home Loan in Houston?
First some news about the major lenders and the mortgage industry, so you can understand what may be happening to you. News reports about banks taking losses due to the subprime mortgage crisis may mislead you about your bank. If you went into the bank for your loan, you dealt with their retail side. The losses are due to their wholesale side, which bought these loans as investments from brokers. Maybe due to the fact that congress is looking into this business, banks are refocusing on their retail banking, which means that they oversee the loans directly. This will allow banks to study borrowers suitability, instead of relying on others. As a borrower, this means that loans going through a bank will be there for you. Some home buyers have found at closing that their lender is out of business or does not have the funds. In part, this is due to the new bank policies. Until the credit crisis settles down, brokerage firms will have a difficult time. If you are shopping around for a loan, you should look to a bank for a loan right now. Brokers may be able to help you, but there is a good chance that they might let you down.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711210512http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711210512Mon, 20 Nov 2006 06:00:12 CSTHouston Housing Market is Not Closed
Read the rest of Houston Housing Market is Not Closed...
]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711190535http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711190535Sat, 18 Nov 2006 06:00:35 CSTAn Investor's Team
A Realtor - agents can help you find the properties that suit your needs, and help you negotiate for them. They can be an advantage when selling by providing you with advice on how to price the property and what buyers want in a house,as well as market it.

A Lawyer - besides helping you with legal issues involving renting or starting a business, a lawyer can take the place of a Relator in negotiating and closing on the contracts. A lawyer is not a Realtor though, so they cannot ask for a Realtor's commission. They will work for a fee.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711160421http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711160421Wed, 15 Nov 2006 05:00:21 CSTA Pack of Lies (what we inspector's call the Seller's Disclosure form)
Firstly, as an inspector, I am required to report any evidence of a past problem even if it is not occurring at this moment, so sellers should just accept that what they are worried about just may come out into the open. Secondly, we accept problems when we live with them to the point that we forget that it may be a problem. When I worked in an office, I could come to work and see that the carpet was torn. I would tell the maintenance crew to have it repaired. They might be working on a big project, or they might have to wait for something to fix it. In the meantime, I was walking by this problem every day. Eventually, I stopped mentioning it to the crew, and I came to accept it, and then I forgot about it. Living in our homes causes us to not notice a problem after time, so the seller will forget to write it down. Both instances cause this disclosure to have problems.

If you are a seller considering what you need to do when completing this form, I would go through the form writing all that you know about the improvements to your land. Improvements is the term that appraisers use to refer to any item or structure that was placed on the land to make it habitable. Pool houses, sheds, detached garages along with your home are considered improvements. Sprinkler systems and wells are also improvements. You do not need to make a detailed study to fill out this document. Write what you know, and be sure to mention if you made a repair. Show them that you were taking care of the home, so mention any repair. Many buyers will not even look at what you have written, or they may just glance at it, so do not fret over it.

Read the rest of A Pack of Lies (what we inspector's call the Seller's Disclosure form)...
]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711140534http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711140534Mon, 13 Nov 2006 06:00:34 CSTWhy Home Staging your cabinets makes financial sensereading our guide to home staging . Your right, I do consider it to be a bit odd, but have you watched some buyers go through a home? Kitchen and bathroom cabinets are important to new homeowners, because they need to know if there is enough storage space in the house. Pantries are included with these cabinets.

If you are like me, and you go to Costco (and let us not forget Sam's) every so often, you may have bought in bulk to save money. My real problem is that I like preparing such a variety of foods that I keep a lot of ingredients on hand. For someone planning to sell your home, you have just made a big mistake. If your cabinets are bulging at the seams, you have created the impression that you do not have enough space to store a normal amount of food or beauty supplies. Let the buyer see the back of the cabinet by reducing the amount of items that you are keeping on hand. Plan to slow down your shopping, keeping just what you need in storage. This may be a good time to consider if you need to keep that deep fat fryer that you never use or other kitchen appliances that you have not use in awhile. Keeping goods in neat little groups helps with the impression of storage. You may consider cleaning and painting the inside of your cabinet with a light color to make it feel larger.

Read the rest of Why Home Staging your cabinets makes financial sense...
]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711120457http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711120457Sat, 11 Nov 2006 05:00:57 CSTCommunities for Investors to Consider in Houston
You must first consider how you are investing. Rental properties closer to home would be better for a beginning investor, so you can check up on them. You may not need to, but for a beginner, you do not want to be driving to the other side of town to handle an issue. Some neighborhood associations do not like rental properties because of their lack of repair, so by driving by to check on your houses, you can prevent an angry letter from an association.

If you are flipping the home, or you do not mind the drive for rentals, consider your market. Some investors are going all out on spec houses. These are homes built on speculation that someone will buy it. Profits can be great, but this is work intensive. The idea is to find a property cheaply in an upcoming area, and then build the type of home or town home customers want in that neighborhood. The best areas in Houston would be starting in The Heights, moving down to the Upper Kirby District, over to West University, the neighborhoods along Stella Link down to Braeswood, then over to Meyerland, and finally the Maplewood subdivisions. This type of building is happening all over Houston, but I see a lot of this building occurring here. Mainly you are looking at areas inside the Loop.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711090354http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711090354Wed, 08 Nov 2006 04:00:54 CSTThe Electric Meter Test
Alright to begin the test, you will need to turn off all lights and electric items. Yes, I know your wife is using the hair drier to get ready for the night that you promised her. Just explain that this is not another feeble attempt to avoid the dancing. Then go to your kids and demand that they turn off their Xbox. Your the king of the house remember; they can boss you around later. Is that light that is always on in the kitchen off? Good. Now go outside and look at your meter. There will be a dial below all of the the other dials that is horizontal. If you are using no electricity, it will not be spinning. Wait, it is spinning, you say. Rush back inside to check who is turned on an appliance. Go to the kitchen first. Your wife still has time to get ready. It is only 5:30. (5;30, 5:30, and 5:30- by the clock in the oven, coffee maker, microwave, and toaster oven.) Well nobody has turned anything on here. Go to the bedroom. Yes your wife may be glowering at you now, but point out to her that it is only 5:33 (the clocks on the radio and security system say so). Oh, make a note to yourself, the message light on the phone is blinking. The kids must have started playing their game again. Go ahead, burst into their room and demand an explanation for such disobedience. Don't they know that you are conducting a test. Sorry, sorry. They really do look like their mother when they are mad. Alright, who turned something on? In the family room, the television is not on; you can see the little blue light telling you that. Conundrums are not good for the heart.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711080426http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711080426Tue, 07 Nov 2006 05:00:26 CSTIn My Defense
On Halloween, I saw my neighbors sitting on their front yard. I went over to say hello. The lady was not aware of my profession, and the conversation turned to the fact that I was a real estate inspector. I smiled at her look of brief anguish, and then she proceeded to tell me how she disliked the inspection of her home when it was being sold. I hoped that she did not feel less of me. The other event came on a message board. I was browsing the site, when I saw a question about a home inspection of an older home. I saw that the answers had not really addressed the concern posed in the question, so I decided to respond. I gave a general description of what an inspector does, so that the questioner would know what to expect. My answer caused a tempest in a teacup. One individual seemed determined to refute my response, and I was reminded by sellers who are angered by my inspection. In person, I explain why my findings are what they are, and they usually understand. On the internet, I was not so kind, where maybe I should have been.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711070524http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711070524Mon, 06 Nov 2006 06:00:24 CSTHome Staging 101
Home staging is not decorating. When decorating, you are imposing your personal tastes on a room. When staging, you are trying to make a room feel inviting to anyone who comes into it. I suggest furniture advertisements or nice hotel rooms as an inspiration. Look at the rooms in those pictures, or remember a room from your last trip, to find a place that you or anybody else can live. Look at ways to make the space less personal.

Keep your house clean and organized in every spot of the home. Buyers are kicking the tires of your house to see if they want to live there. To accomplish this, they will look in the most unusual places. I always wondered what a buyer expected to find under a bed, but I have seen them peek under beds. Closets would seem obvious, but I have known owners to forget this room. On one occasion, I found buyers in a closet staring at erotic photographs of the lady of the house. Live and learn. When selling, you have opened up your home to close inspection.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711050518http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711050518Sat, 04 Nov 2006 06:00:18 CSTConsiderations for real estate Investors at the end of 2007
1)Half of the economists say that we are in a recession, and others say that we are not. This is based on traditional indicators for economic downturns. Who is right? I predict that half of them are correct. Alright, my answer is silly, but my point is that there has never been a consensus on our current economic state. Your financial situation, and your ability to deal with those finances, should be your main focus. If you have a great deal of debt, then your energy should be directed to reducing it, before starting a project.

2)News reports have dealt with the increasing number of foreclosures, so there are a lot of them out there. It is true that there are more foreclosed on homes this year than last, but the number of foreclosed homes is a small percentage of the total number of homes on the market. With adjustable rate mortgages set to change rates soon, we will have to see where those rates will go. The Fed is taking steps to prevent these rates from going to high, so the great flood of foreclosures may not come to market.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711020545http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0711020545Wed, 01 Nov 2006 06:00:45 CSTA Butter Coated Home
This is how the scheme works. An investor will buy a distressed property to resell. Distressed homes go for below market value or at least close to the low end of market value. Most investors plan out their repair costs to determine if they can make a profit on the home before they purchase the property. In the scheme, the investors place new sheetrock over the walls covering up the deficiencies. They will paint over piping and cabinets so that problems there cannot be seen. They may have to make some actual repairs though. An inspector may not see that there are signs of significant movement or damage in this scenario. Eventually, the problems behind this butter coat will be seen on the new wall or through the paint. Much of the time this scam is done on affordable housing, since the buyers will not have an inspection done. If the house has problems, it will continue to have issues unless they are repaired.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0710300607http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0710300607Sun, 29 Oct 2006 07:00:07 CSTSome like it Hot
By this point, you are asking what is thermography? It is a method of using heat sensing equipment to make a determination of what is happening in your house. As an inspector, I have to do a visual inspection of a property. Basically I can look at anything, as long as I have access and I do not have to deconstruct something to view it. This means that I cannot find out what is happening behind your walls. For a normal inspection when you are buying and selling your house, this fact is fine. There is nothing that this heat sensing equipment will not tell me that I cannot find out by other means when performing a standard inspection according to the standards that the state has set forth. However, many home owners are becoming more concerned with energy efficiency due to rising energy costs, and knowing about the insulation behind your walls can be of great use to the homeowner. Thermography can point out areas of concern with insulation in areas that an inspector cannot easily check. This makes it a valuable tool.

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]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0710261155http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0710261155Wed, 25 Oct 2006 13:00:55 CDTHoustonTexasRealEstate's most popular searchesthe most popular Houston suburbs (according to your clicks) we have decided to look through our logs to determine the 5 most popular searches here on HTRE. Using Google Analytics we have aggregated all the different search phrases that people used to find us.

Top Search Terms in July as of 10/23/07:
1. Houston Real Estate
2. Houston Neighborhood Map
3. Houston Realtors
4. Houston Real Estate Blog
5. Homes for Sale in Houston




]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0710232244http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0710232244Mon, 23 Oct 2006 00:00:44 CDT10 best neighborhoods and suburbs in Houston according to you!
10 Most Popular Neighborhoods and suburbs in Houston
Houston Heights
Memorial
Downtown
Bellaire
River Oaks
West University
Montrose
The Woodlands
Katy
Midtown


Read in depth profiles on the most popular Houston Suburbs.]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0710201813http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0710201813Thu, 19 Oct 2006 20:00:13 CDTHTRE welcomes Austin Texas Realty to the networkAustin Texas Realty has been added to the network. ATR will have all of the key features of CSRE sites, including a Q&A section and an Austin real estate blog. With the addition, CSRE now offers coverage of 3 major Texas cities: Houston, Dallas, and Austin.

Austin is just a short 2 1/2 hour drive northwest of Houston and is one of the hotter markets in the country right now, relatively unaffected by the dips in the market. Visit ATR if you're interested in ongoing updates on the Austin real estate market.]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0710141256http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0710141256Fri, 13 Oct 2006 14:00:56 CDTSoftware As A Service (Saas) Software for Real Estate Agents
Well, it appears the lay of the land might be changing as numerous Saas Real Estate solutions are hitting the market. In a recent Info World interview with an award winning realtor in Sugar Land, more real estate agents are opting to use very specialized solutions that combine spreadsheets, email, and CRM systems into a hosted solution. This way small businesses don't have to upgrade every few years. Instead the updates (think Service Pack 1 with Windows XP) are automatically uploaded. In fact, there is even a SAAS real estate solution in spanish for realtors who deal with wealthy Mexican families.]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0710042359http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0710042359Wed, 04 Oct 2006 01:00:59 CDTWhy Houston Doesn't Have Formal Zoning CodesRealtors in Houston are looking to maximize profits.

While many people find Houston's lack of zoning to be odd and counter-intuitive, many residents feel that it gives the city flexibility. For exmaple, it allows people to live extremely close to where they work, and in a huge urban sprawl like Houston, this is a great benefit. it also allows for some of the most unique architecture in the country. There are numerous advocates on both sides of the issue, but City Controller Annise Parker recently stated "We're not going to have zoning." Regardless of how you feel about zoning, the Houston real estate market is one of the hottest buyers markets in America.


Regardless of the skeptics, the Houston real estate market was]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0710012253http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0710012253Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:53 CDTLight rail could connect Galleria with downtown and medical center popular nightlife in the Westheimer Galleria area, it could reduce weekend traffic. Connecting Westheimer to downtown could also be very popular amongst the various affluent suburbs in the area which currently have to deal with a nasty commute.

Regardless of where the next line is placed, the city of Houston must continue to do its best to address growing concerns around congestion. With I-10 under construction for the next several years, public transportation might be the best way to combat falling homes sales.

]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0709232339http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0709232339Fri, 22 Sep 2006 01:00:39 CDTWealthy Mexican Families Calling Houston Home
Making the move from Mexico to Houston is both a cultural and logistical challenge, and an industry of professionals has grown up around the need for real estate agents, immigration lawyers, bankers and others to ease the way.

The article goes on to say that a number of these Mexican families have a net worth of up to $100 million, and many pay cash for their homes. Because of their high net worth, they are largely unaffected by market cycles. Neighborhoods of choice have ranged from River Oaks to the Woodlands.

Sounds like it's a great time to be a Spanish speaking realtor!

Read the article for more details...]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0709162309http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0709162309Fri, 15 Sep 2006 01:00:09 CDTLa Centerra Mall Phase II Will Include Loftshttp://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=709081245http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=709081245Wed, 06 Sep 2006 15:00:09 CDTSecond Homes for Houstonians Remain Strong Despite the Slowing Housing Marketbeach condos in Galveston ranging from $100-200k and ranch property that can be as cheap as $100k for 20 acres in the more affordable areas.

Some interesting statistics from the story:

$102k is the median household income of 2nd home buyers.

14% of homes bought last year were vacation / 2nd homes.

44 is the average age for those buying vaction homes.


One final note from this story was on home owner's insurance. The story suggests that a lender will require flood, windstorm, and homeowners' insurance, and that in places such as Galveston that have a track record for flood damage, insurance might be more expensive than most expect...so plan early!]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0709031113http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0709031113Fri, 01 Sep 2006 13:00:13 CDTDallas real estate company makes a huge bet on Bolivar Real EstateBolivar Peninsula near Galveston, Texas. While they do not plan to develop the land anytime soon, they suspect that value will increase as the growth being experienced in Galveston spills over. The same exact thing happened in the Dallas suburb of Richardson as growth from nearby Plano flowed in. Bolivar, which can only be reached via ferry, has seen a drastic increase in population due to a recent alcohol ban on all beaches in Galveston.]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0708292339http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0708292339Mon, 28 Aug 2006 01:00:39 CDTHouston is the Sixth Best Real Estate Market in the US.Dallas Suburb of Frisco as one of the fastest growing suburb in America.]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0708262303http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0708262303Fri, 25 Aug 2006 01:00:03 CDTSugar Land voted as the Fittest City in Texas for the fourth year in a rowHouston suburb) has been recognized as the "Fittest City in Texas" by the Texas Round-Up Governor's Challenge. It's good to see that while Houston and Los Angeles seem to take the top two spots each year for "America's fattest city", Sugar Land is on the other side of the spectrum. Several initiatives including "Shape Up Sugar Land" and "Stillness in Action YOGA" have been recognized as being instrumental to the cause.

Congratulations to a fitter, healthier Sugar Land.]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0708182200http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0708182200Thu, 17 Aug 2006 00:00:00 CDTHakeem Olajumon invests in Baytown, Houston
According to a recent article posted in the Houston Chronicle, the Baytown area has been rather unaffected by the recent slowdown in entry-level housing, and the local job market has been fueled by a new industrial development.

Given his track record, there is a good chance that Hakeem is onto something here considering that he has made more in real estate than in his entire basketball career. The deal was done with his personal equity, so he doesn't have to worry about the markets taking a dive.

]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0708102343http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0708102343Wed, 09 Aug 2006 01:00:43 CDTLargest Houston Real Estate Deal in History - GE Pension fund to purchase Bank of America Center in Downtown Houston
The Houston commercial real estate market has been heating up in the recent months due to the strong economy and affordable rates, and numerous commercial real estate companies have been eyeing the downtown Houston area. Trammell Crow, Hines, and Brookfield Properties are all planning to develop high rises in the area, and as a result, office space has increase by more than $30 per square foot. For anyone looking to invest in some downtown Houston real estate, you might want to act quickly before these towers are constructed and land prices increase.
]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0708011705http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0708011705Sun, 30 Jul 2006 19:00:05 CDTDeclining Home Sales In Houston For Consecutive Months
"Almost all of the decline is within the $80,000 to $140,000 price range and can be attributed to tighter restrictions in the sub-prime lending market. Home sales in price ranges lower or higher than $80,000 to $140,000 continue at a steady pace, and prices in June continued to display steady growth, as both the median and average total sales price set new records."

View Houston listings in the $80k to $140k range to see how this trend affects what you can get for your dollar.]]>http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0707222209http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0707222209Fri, 21 Jul 2006 00:00:09 CDTWelcome to the HTRE Community Blog!http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0707170300http://www.houstontexasrealestate.com/blog-item.php?id=0707170300Sat, 15 Jul 2006 05:00:00 CDT