Ok- get your mind out of the gutter! Of course the "F" stands for "foreclosures" and in the Houston real estate market, foreclosure properties are becoming more common place. Not to the extent seen in the major foreclosure markets of Nevada, California, Arizona or Florida but pretty widespread all the same. Even in the popular Houston neighborhood of Bellaire there are over a dozen foreclosure and REO properties on the market.
The Challenges Consumers Face with Foreclosure
We all recognize the challenges faced by homeowners at risk of foreclosure, and those already involved this gut-wrenching experience. Many homeowners too embarrassed never attempt to call or even talk to their lender, choosing to watch their mailbox fill with notice after notice. If they only knew to pick up the phone and make that call to see just what options are available. And then there is the seedy side of this business where the vultures are circling these individuals looking to swoop down and pretend to offer a solution. As a representative of the real estate industry, I somehow believe we should be doing a far better job protecting the consumer from these low life's. The first step in this solution is to be open, transparent and offer sound education.
The Other Players in Foreclosure
In addition to those homeowners either in the midst of a foreclosure or those teetering on the edge, you find the buyers. Some are equally oportunistic, ready to "low-ball" the equity-starved seller who is trying to avoid foreclosure. Look at the impact of foreclosures on any hyper-local market - its snowball effect can slowly begin to rob a neighborhood of its property values.
Remembering Why I Have a Houston Real Estate License!
To state all material facts relating to any Houston property (foreclosure, short sale or otherwise)
To protect my clients from legal peril and to offer sound consultation
To use every opportunity to educate consumers, customers and clients using my online presence to the very best of my ability
Our creditability as real estate professionals demands we skillfully fullfill these responsibilities. To do otherwise places those we work for at legal peril and financial risk.
Topics in The Zoller Group's monthly real estate newsletter, REALTY NEWS UPDATE, include the following:
Mortgage Rate Locks
Current Mortgage Rates
New Information on Bathroom Redesign
Credit Scores
Local Market Conditions in Houston, Texas
We would greatly appreciate any feedback you could provide on the various articles. Jim and I strive to provide as much valuable information to you as possible.
Posting market reports not only helps home buyers, sellers and other interested parties . . . it also helps me to stay on top of what the market is doing. People want good reliable information from their real estate professionals. I want to do everything I can to provide easily understood information in Houston neighborhoods that I'm most familiar.
Please Feel Free to Offer Additional Information - I Want to Hear From YOU !!!
If at any time you can add to the information I offer . . .please do so. I would love to hear from you.
Current Houston Area Market Reports Available to YOU:
Six Bellaire, Texas homeowners have graciously offered to allow the public to view their individually interesting and unique homes this weekend . . . Saturday and Sunday, April 5th and 6th, 2008, from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.each day. The 26th annual Bellaire Home Tourbenefits the Nature Discovery Center at Russ Pittman Park.
The homes vary from traditional to contemporary architecture and from older construction to newer construction. The uniqueness of each home will be enjoyed by everyone who takes the opportunity to view these homes.
TICKETS :
$12.00 in advance- picked up at Nature Discovery Center, Magpies, Teas Nursery and Whole Foods.
$15.00 on day of tour - available at each house
For pictures, descriptions and addresses of each of the homes please click here.
My friends at Dakno, Brad and Bobby Carroll, are offering a blogging boot camp which starts today, March 27, 2008. It's one hour on the telephone every Thursday for the next eight weeks. It's another commitment that I need to make. I think by participating in the program . . .it will get me pointed in the right direction for areas I need to improve. Maybe, I'll even become more disciplined and consistent on the time I spend blogging.
I need to go ahead and commit to the program. I've been dragging my feet. Education is one aspect of my business that I really like to focus on.
Have any of you attended or participated in a blogging boot camp or seminar that you found extremely valuable? If so, please let me know. I want to get the most out of this boot camp so I would like to know . . .what are the most important topics you learned that did you the most good?
If you're interested in Dakno's program click here for further information.
Thank you for taking your time to share your information with me!!
Meg and Jim Zoller - The Zoller Group of Keller Williams Realty, The Metropolitan
Richard Gordon, who specializes in Architectural and Real EstatePhotography in Houston, Texas, gave a short seminar to REALTORS recently in a brownstone that was for sale. He had taken the beautiful advertising pictures for the home. My daughter, Kristin, and I took the opportunity to attend.
Among the many topics he discussed were:
Where you can take basic digital photography courses,
Equipment that you really need to take the photographs,
Lighting,
Set-up,
Post production.
The one section that caught my attention the most was the "set-up" of the pictures to show the rooms which are photographed in the best possible way. I knew when I was listening to him that this section wasn't too far over my head. I already knew a few of the tips, but I learned more. He taught us to:
Shoot the pictures from the corners of the room. It makes the rooms look larger.
Tell a story about the home by the pictures that you take and how you arrange them. Take them as you would normally proceed to tour the home yourself.
In order to make rooms look larger you need to use your imagination. Plan your pictures. One way was to not take a picture of the corner of the room where two walls meet. If the picture ends before the corner is seen, then it makes the room seem to continue . . .and to appear larger.
All lights should be turned on. Move lights around to get the best lighting you can if it's necessary.
Turn off all the ceiling fans so that the fan won't blur your picture.
Close any blinds upward so that you get better lighting for the pictures.
Sometimes it's necessary to move furniture to get the picture to balance better.
Sinks need to be neat and tidy and the faucet should be turned directly forward or perpendicular to the wall.
There were other ideas that he discussed, but I think these are the ones I needed to focus on.
Now I have to honestly tell you that when he started talking about DXO Optics Pro, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom/Elements and Paint Shop Pro . . . .he totally lost me. That information will have to be learned at a later date. I'm sure it will take me quite awhile to learn it.
If you would like to have Richard Gordon's contact information . . .please let me know and I'll happily give it to you. He will take photographs for all your marketing needs.
Meg and Jim Zoller - The Zoller Group of Keller Williams Realty, The Metropolitan
There are many events and activities offered throughout the year in Bellaire, Texas. One of my favorites, though, is the Friends of the Library Book Sale. Ever since our daughters were little, Jim and I would take them to the sale and we would all stock up on books to read. It has always been a lot of fun to go through the piles of books and the boxes while we each selected those special books. Since the cost was very low for the books, we could each buy quite a few more books than we would if we went to the book store.
Well, it's that time of year again. The Friends of the Library Book Sale in Bellaire, Texas is this Saturday, March 29, 2008 from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. It will be held in the parking lot at 5111 Jessamine in Bellaire.
Great bargains are always found. Paperback books are 50 cents each and hardback books are $1.00 each.
I hope that you can make the sale and stock up with all the books you desire.
Maybe we'll see you there!!!!
Meg and Jim Zoller - The Zoller Group of Keller Williams Realty, The Metropolitan
You will take personal pride and pleasure in making 6123 Claridge Drive your new single family home. Located in Fondren Southwest Northbrook Subdivision Sec 1 in Houston, Texas. . .this lovely home is across the street from the desirable neighborhood park and pool. It also sits on one side of the cul-de-sac.
Home buyers will appreciate the fresh paint on the exterior and will take notice of the immaculate interior. This home has both a formal living room and dining room. The comfortable family room offers built-ins, abundant windows, charming corner fireplace, pretty paneling and a high ceiling. There is a private wet-bar between the family room and the breakfast room. The floor plan flows nicely and is good for those who entertain. You'll enjoy viewing the back yard while eating in the breakfast room. The kitchen is well planned for the cook.
There are fruit trees in the back yard which you can enjoy. Both the front and back of this home are nicely landscaped.
Claridge is reported by HCAD to be 2530 square feet. The lot is 8100 square feet.The four bedroom, two and a half bath, two car garage home is listed for only $153,900.
Trees frame the front of this lovely home which sits in the side of the cul-de-sac.The exterior of this home was recently painted.
Second picture of this lovely 4 bedroom home.
The nice landscaping and garage can be more clearly seen in relationship to this home.
The formal living room overlooks the foyer and peeks into the family room. There are doors that can be closed to offer this room more privacy.
The nice sized dining room is off the living room.
Formal dining room offers you and your guest a quiet place for dining and conversation.
The corner wood-burning fireplace is a beautiful feature of the family room.
Generous built-ins, lovely paneling, gorgeous windows and nice carpeting are also added features of the family room.
A nice sized breakfast room with a breakfast bar is found on this side of the kitchen
The kitchen offers abundant storage space, wonderful counter space, tile floors, and recent appliances.
Generous sized master retreat is upstairs.
There is enough extra space in the master bedroom to have an office.
Much storage space is found in the master bathroom. There is a combination tub/shower.
Many fruit trees and flowering plants are discovered in the back and side yards.
Another view of the back yard and the rear of this home
Meg and Jim Zoller - The Zoller Group of Keller Williams Realty, The Metropolitan
A new listing is being offered in Section 2 of Sharpstown Country Club Terrace Subdivision in Houston, TX. The spacious four bedroom, two bath home is situated on a pretty street. Located at 8522 Carvel in Houston, TX, the single family residence offers formals, a huge family room, indoor laundry room and a detached garage. Features include tile floors, carpet, recently installed over-sized shower in the master, recent appliances and a number of double paned windows with mini blinds inside the panes. All rooms feel spacious with the air-conditioned space reported by HCAD as 1957 square feet. There is a good sized back yard. The total land areais also reported by HCAD to be 9366 square feet. The price for this home is only $119,900.
There is still some cosmetic work being done on this home . . .but don't wait until it's done. Take time to view this home right away. Home Buyers - I believe you will enjoy making this your new home.
Call Jim or me anytime to make an appointment to view this home for sale, or for any other information you may need.
Large, graceful tree shades the front yard of this home.
A freestanding electric range and a built-in microwave were recently added to this nicely planned kitchen.
The kitchen and breakfast room show the tile found in these rooms . . . and also in the laundry and huge family room.
Abundant natural light is seen in the breakfast room.
The family room is huge. It also has abundant natural light. You can enter the backyard through the double doors. The door and windows are double paned in this room and have mini-blinds between the panes.
Second view of the family room shows a few of the built-ins and the tile floors.
The third view of the family room helps put the space of it in more perspective. There is track lighting.
This living room set utilizes approximately half of the living room space.
Shown here is the living/dining combination of the two formal rooms. There is a pocket door between the dining room and kitchen.
A large window is in the good sized master bedroom where you may want to position your bed. The floor is tile.
There is quite a bit of green space in the back yard for you to enjoy.
Meg and Jim Zoller - The Zoller Group of Keller Williams Realty, The Metropolitan
This remodeled two bedroom, one bathroom home is located in Bellaire, Texas. There is a carport and a storage area attached to the home.
Bellaire is a city which is completely surrounded by Houston, Texas. The Bellaire neighborhood is highly "sought after" by home buyers.
4305 Valerie is in the Southdale Subdivision which is in the southeast corner of Bellaire, Texas. The majority of the single family homes in this subdivision are situated on 50'X102.5' lots . . . as is this home. Bellaire real estate largely consists of both new construction luxury homes, resale homes and properties that are sold as lots for the new construction.
As of March 2008, this home is priced to sell for lot value at $219,900. There is approximately 1130 square feet of living space according to the Harris County Appraisal District. However, it has been recently remodeled. The home is extremely livable and will make a nice home for those that may want to live in a home now and build their dream home later.
Please contact us with any comments or questions.
Front view of this remodeled home shows an aluminum roof and single carport. Note the new construction next door and to the right back of this home.
The second view of the front of this home shows the trees beginning to leaf (3/08). They sure will be pretty in the very near future.
Recently installed laminate floors, mini-blinds and fresh paint are noted in the living room. The three windows offer nice lighting to the room.
French doors lead from the dining room into the large paneled den.
Granite counters, stainless steel appliances & sink, nice faucet and marble floors are sought after features found in this recently remodeled kitchen.
The back bedroom offers nice natural lighting. The laminate floors are carried into the bedrooms, too.
Abundant windows in the family room offer nice lighting to show the knotty pine paneling, laminate floors and a bit of the back yard.
The dining room can be seen from this view of the family room. This room was probably added to this home quite some time ago.
View the deck and back of this home from the corner of the back yard.
Meg and Jim Zoller - The Zoller Group of Keller Williams Realty, The Metropolitan
Office Phone: (713) 661-0884
Cell Phone: (713) 545-6338
Email Me
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Meg Zoller Houston Fine Homes — The Houston Real Estate Blog
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