conroe real estate: Texas Education Spending - 04/15/11 11:04 AM
Texas spends just over $11,000 per school student per school year. Today I was at an auto repair shop when I saw the usual sign telling customers that because of insurance regulations they are not allowed in the shop work area. Unfortunately this particular read:
"Because of insurance regulations customers are not ALOUD in the shop area."
We are either not spending enough money on our students in Texas or we are spending way too much. Maybe we can just buy some inexpensive versions of "Spellcheck". Wouldn't we save a whole lot of money educating our students?
I wonder if the sign maker was an Aggie or … (1 comments)

conroe real estate: Great Website for Homeowners! - 12/27/10 09:05 AM
Are you a homeowner who really cares about their home? Are you a homeowner that wants to update your home however isn't sure which improvements are the smart ones to make? Are homeowner who wants to know more about energy tax benefits? Are you a homeowner who wants to know more about ..............
And the list goes on and on and on. If you are a homeowner who really cares about your home than one of your most valuable assets is a website brought to you by the National Association of Realtors. The website it www.houselogic.com This website contains a tremendous amount … (2 comments)

conroe real estate: Lake Conroe Quick Market Report - 12/18/10 06:00 AM
The November sales numbers are out. MLS area 39, the Lake Conroe area, had a good month. Unit sales were up over 14% compared to last November and the average price was up....wait for it....$73,108! WOW! What a jump. Available inventory climbed almost two months and average days on the market increased to 90.
As might be expected units sales dropped from the previous month however the average price did increase. Property located on or close to the water is still retaining its' value.
For those doubting whether this is the time to buy the answer is strong YES. The figures … (1 comments)

conroe real estate: 7 Deadly Plumbing Sins - 11/23/10 03:55 AM
I recently was reading an article about plumbing problems in the typical home.  The article described seven really dumb things people do that can cause major plumbing problems.
After reading the article I decided to summarize the seven "no nos" and send them to my listing clients. You never know who might not know what and I would rather be safe than sorry. I also thought it might be a good idea to pass the "sins" along to you too.
What are the seven deadly plumbing sins? Here they are:
Leaving hoses connected during winter - this can lead to freezing … (4 comments)

conroe real estate: Lake Conroe Market Report - 11/01/10 10:24 AM
MLS area 39 in Montgomery County is the area around our fantastic Lake Conroe. Unfortunately sales have not been quite as wonderful. Single family residence (SFR) unit sales were down 26.8% as compared to last September. The big gain though was in the average sales price. The average sales price jumped an astounding 35%. I think that some really expensive homes sold in September. That amounted to an almost $80,000 increase in the average home sales price.
Year-to-date SFR unit sales are down 9.5% as compared to 2009.  At the end of September there were 215 more homes on the market … (0 comments)

conroe real estate: FLASH Montgomery County September Market Review - 10/15/10 10:40 AM
September sales numbers are out. They are really fascinating. All four MLS areas in Montgomery County, Texas showed a unit sales declines as compared to September, 2009. HOWEVER all four MLS areas also showed a marked INCREASE in the average unit sales price. Although foreclosures did not vanish from the market in September, 2010 there were probably fewer of them around than last September.
In MLS area 15, The Woodlands, unit sales were down 12% versus last September. The average sales price INCREASED 15% though. MLS 19, Conroe, showed a minor decline of 1% in unit sales but showed an average … (0 comments)

conroe real estate: Desire & cash to buy and low credit scores - 10/06/10 10:15 AM
I really do not understand. I really do not understand some potential buyers. I really do not understand potential buyers with the desire to buy, plenty of cash for a down payment and a low credit score.
In addition to real estate I also represent an attorney assisted credit restoration company. This past week I met with three referrals from real estate agents whose buyers had a great desire to buy, plenty of cash for a down payment and low credit scores. We discussed the program to raise their credit score and how in three to six months they could be … (0 comments)

conroe real estate: October events Lake Conroe & Houston - 09/08/10 10:42 AM
Holy mackerel September just started and my October calendar is filling up fast with two exciting events. My grandson loves both of these events.
October 1 - 3 is the Toyota Texas Bass Classic on Lake Conroe and at the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center is Conroe. Performing are Montgomery Gentry, Blake Shelton, Tracy Lawrence & Jeff Allen. This event features great fishing, performances and food. Check out the link below for all of the details. That's my condo in the back of the fishing picture. Great view!
Texas Bass Classic
October 23 - 24 is the BIG Wings Over … (1 comments)

conroe real estate: Lake Conroe Fees - 09/06/10 11:12 AM
A 50% fee increase, are you kidding me. In our current economic environment who in their right mind would do such a thing? How is that for a headline? That seems like a headline that would doom any politician in this day and age.  It did just happen however it is not any where near as bad as it sounds.
The San Jacinto River Authority, who controls Lake Conroe, did increase its' license and permit fees effective September 1, 2010. The authority raised the minimum residential dock fee from $40 to $60 a year. This is the first increase in over … (2 comments)

conroe real estate: Conroe Wine & Cheese - 09/03/10 08:37 AM
Conroe's first Wine & Cheese Art Walk takes place this Saturday evening (9/4/10) from 6:30 - 9:00PM in downtown Conroe. This event will take place monthly on the first Satuday of the month. This is a free event. For more information go to www.lindawatsongallery.com.
Also don't forget about Conroe's Saturday morning farmers market. Come one come all!
Have a great Labor Day weekend!!!
Ron
www.ronwickes.com
www.lakeconroeconsulting.com
 
 
… (1 comments)

conroe real estate: The Texas Economy and Key Real Estate Markets - 08/12/10 10:14 AM
This year's annual Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers (TAAHP) conference was held July 26 - 28 in Austin, Texas. TAAHP was founded in 1997 as a non-profit trade association. It's purpose is to serve affordable housing industry providers in the State of Texas.
At this year's conference Dr. James P. Gaines, Research Economist, Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University (www.recenter.tamu.edu) gave a presentation entitled "An Inside Look Into The Texas Economy And Key Real Estate Markets".  Dr. Gaines is an expert on the Texas Real Estate market. If you have ever attended one of his presentations you know how … (1 comments)

conroe real estate: Conroe Market Report - 08/03/10 06:07 AM
MARKET REPORT - MONTGOMERY COUNTY
MLS area 19: Conroe and the immediate surrounding area.
MLS area 19, one of four MLS areas that comprise Montgomery County, is the third most active MLS area in our county. It normally averages about 15% of this county's home sales. So how did it do in the first six months of 2010 versus 2009? The answer is............ FANTASTIC!
Single family residence sales increased an astonishing 27.76% over the first six months of 2009. Yes that's correct. A 27.76% increase. Ninety-three more homes sold this year than last year. The average sales price of the homes … (1 comments)

conroe real estate: The Woodlands - Market Report - 07/29/10 06:04 AM
MARKET REPORT - MONTGOMERY COUNTY
MLS area 15: Oak Ridge, Shenandoah, The Woodlands and west to the county line
MLS area 15, one of four MLS areas that comprise Montgomery County, is the most active MLS area in our county. It normally averages about 55% of this county's home sales. So how did it do in the first six months of 2010 versus 2009? The answer is............ not bad at all.
Single family residence sales increased 11.61% over the first six months of 2009. One hundred and sixty eight more homes sold this year than last year. The average sales price … (2 comments)

conroe real estate: Lake Conroe, Montgomery County Market Report - 07/19/10 04:56 AM
The local housing report for June is now out. As usual I have compiled these statistics and will, over the next several blogs, give you an update on the Montgomery County single family residence (SFR) real estate market. These blogs will be broken down by the four MLS areas that comprise our county plus a blog for the county as a whole. Before I start the series though I will give you a brief update.
Sales of single family residences in Montgomery are UP over last year! How much are they UP? County-wide SFR sales are UP 13.8% over last year! Every … (1 comments)

conroe real estate: Conroe Y SCUBA diving - 07/18/10 03:56 AM
The next Open Water Certification scuba class at the CONROE YMCA will be starting the first or second week of August. Give me a shout if you or someone you know is interested in becoming an open water diver. SCUBA skills update classes are also available for divers who have not been diving in a while.
The Conroe Y has lots of great activities for young and older alike. Check out their website.
Conroe Y
Here are a couple of other great scuba diving websites for those who would like to learn more about scuba diving.
WW Diving
SCUBA Schools International
… (0 comments)

conroe real estate: Useful websites - 07/16/10 07:58 AM
Here are some websites that I have found useful in the past year. Hopefully they will help someone else.
http://zipskinny.com/   Enter your zip code to see US Census data and comparisons with neighboring zip codes
http://www.freddiemac.com/  Freddie Mac (or what is left of them)
http://www.earthquestadventures.com/     This is the website for the new theme park coming to east Montgomery County, TX.
And don't forget if you know someone thinking about real estate in the Lake Conore area please give me a shout!
http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/ The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs'
http://wwwdb.glo.state.tx.us/vlb/general/interest.cfm               The Texas Veteran's Land Board
http://www.conroe.org/     The Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber … (1 comments)

conroe real estate: Home repair advice!! - 07/09/10 09:46 AM
There is a weekly home repair column in my local newspaper that is GREAT!! It is written by Johnny Chuoke. He owns a  Not only do I use the information in this column for my personal use but I also recommend it to my listing clients. The information in this column has saved thousands of dollars and made my listings look a whole lot better. Somewhere in this column you will find the answers to almost any houshold situation.
Please note that reading this column can be addictive!! 
Here is the link to Johnny Chuoke's column and here is the link to his store website.
So … (4 comments)

conroe real estate: Home Prices Rise - Montgomery County, TX. - 07/08/10 08:41 AM
I was finally catching up on my monthly market review today and noticed something that I considered startling. What was so startling you ask? Home prices. To be specific the RISE in home prices in Montgomery, Texas over the first five months of this year. I was pleasantly startled.
In MLS area 15 (Oak Ridge, Shenandoah, The Woodlands and west to the county line) the average price has increased $9,060 while the median is up $5,000. MLS area 19 (Conroe and the immediate surrounding area) has seen a $2,229 average price increase while the median price has risen $7,500. The average sales … (0 comments)

conroe real estate: Texas Landowner Bill of Rights - 06/22/10 10:15 AM
Did you know that Texas has a Landowners Bill of Rights? This Landowners Bill of Rights was required by Texas House Bill 1495 as enacted by the 80th Texas Legislature, Regular Session.  It pertains to any government or private entity that attempts to take your property. This Landowners Bill of Rights was written by the Office of the Attorney General State of Texas. Go ahead and click the link below to find out what your property rights  are regarding the taking of your property by others.
Texas Landowners Bill of Rights
Win the day!
Ron Wickes
www.ronwickes.com
www.lakeconroeconsulting.com
 
… (3 comments)

conroe real estate: Lake Conroe area WINS!! - 06/21/10 05:07 AM
The age old question of "Should I rent or buy" recently came up again. This time a major real estate website conducted a comparison for the 50 largest cities throughout the country. This comparison looked at the total cost of homeownership versus the total cost of renting. The study compared renting a two bedroom apartment versus buying a two bedroom condo/townhome. These results were then extrapolated for single family residence comparison purposes.
A rating of between 1 and 15 indicated it was much less expensive to buy than rent. A rating of 16 - 20 indicated home ownership was more expensive … (2 comments)