Real Estate Thoughts and Musings

OK, there’s no denying it - Summers can be a little tough on the landscaping for Houston homes. Most days June through mid-September are at least in the 90’s, and our proximity to the coast ensures warm, humid breezes. Houstonians have perfected the art of beating the heat, of course, and we have...

In a New York Times article entitled Interest Rates Have Nowhere to go but Up, it is suggested that now is the time to buy as mortgage rates are not likely to get any lower for buyers looking to purchase Houston real estate. According to the article, after a historic 30-year decline in the cost o...

So much of how we view the Houston real estate market depends on how we see the financial picture in general. Are we economic optimists or pessimists? Does the financial crisis bring buying opportunities and lessons to learn, or fear of the unknown and a desire to retreat? Some days we might feel...

If you have school-aged children and are looking at Houston homes for sale, questions about schools are bound to come up.  What local school options exist?  Does one district have a better performance record than another?  What would be the best fit for my child?  The task can seem overwhelming -...

Real estate professionals are continually weighing the pros and cons of various marketing practices that are used to facilitate the sale of a property. More recently, the traditional practice of an open house is being tossed about as outdated or ineffective and other, more convenient, practices s...

As most of the country struggles during the slow economic recovery, Texas has garnered attention for how well we've been able to weather the storm. We're not totally unscathed, but with a relatively stable real estate market, no state income tax and a business-friendly environment, the Lone Star ...

First time buyers of Houston homes still have time to apply the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit for home purchases made in 2009 and 2010. In a recent post on Realtor.org, important dates, explanations and references are provided for those looking to take advantage of this beneficial tax break that...

Known as the "City of Homes", Bellaire, Texas is infamous for having a wide variety of residential properties. Located in southwest Harris County on Interstate Loop 610, Bellaire is surrounded by several Houston cities and is nestled within the Sugarland/Baytown metropolitan area. Due the city's ...

Alvin, Texas Welcome to the Alvin real estate market. Located in Brazoria County, Alvin, Texas is only 30 minutes south of Houston Texas. With Oak tree lined neighborhoods, college opportunities and plenty of open parks and recreation activities for the whole family. Alvin holds a 5 mile radius a...

As the spring and summer Houston real estate season heats up, many potential sellers may be looking at their homes with a critical eye and wondering if they have what it takes to sell in this competitive market. "Hmm, all the neighbors have granite countertops. Should we upgrade ours?" "Would upd...