houston: The Greater Houston Area
- 03/03/14 11:30 AM
In a recent interview with Fred Welch, the vice president of regional economic development for the Greater Houston Partnership, 2014 was determined to be a strong year for Houston's real estate. "Our job forecast is down slightly from 2013 to slightly under 70,000 net new jobs in the region vs. 76,000 in 2013, but it still points to a strong local economy driven by our pillars of strength in energy, logistics and manufacturing." "The office market (corporate headquarters, financial services and back office support) will be robust in 2014. We have not yet overbuilt in the markets and sub-markets that … (0 comments)
houston: 5 Always Applicable Tips When Searching for a New Home
- 02/24/14 11:25 AM
As is common with any market, the real estate market has its highs and lows. And during the financial crisis that the rest of the country was facing, the Texas real estate market boomed. But a booming market can only stay at an excessive peak for so long. 2013 showed high demand for real estate in Texas, shortening inventory and appealing to sellers across the state. However, 2014 is predicted to slow from its manic pace to a more normal selling market rate, despite climbing interest rates and home values. A more 'normal pace' does not necessarily mean a worse … (0 comments)
houston: The Home Search in the Digital Age
- 12/12/13 07:27 AM
In a society where everything runs on technology, it's important to be current in order to stay relevant in the market. Already, there are apps available to list and find homes.
The Search Zillow is a popular app that lists homes for sale with details about each property and includes a GPS feature to help you find each listing. Trulia is another mobile app that pulls information from its parent website. You can also find information on houses on the Redfin app, which includes photos and details on the listings. Most of these apps give you the ability to … (1 comments)
houston: Booming Economy Leads to Increase in Million Dollar Homes
- 12/12/13 06:34 AM
The Village of Indian Springs holds The Woodlands Reserve where the Frankel Building Group plans to construct 55 homes with prices starting around $1 million. The demand for homes at this price are increasing as the economic boom affects the Houston/Woodlands area. Compared to 2012, people have purchased 62% more homes, specifically 110 houses, within the seven figure price range this year according to the Houston Association of Realtors. "At the risk of jinxing it, it's a golden age for The Woodlands," said Kevin Frankel, vice president of Frankel Building Group, a Houston family-owned custom home building business that has … (0 comments)
houston: Leveling Out the Playing Field
- 12/11/13 10:42 AM
According to the National Association of Realtors, median home prices are expected to rise only 6% next year compared to last year's 11%. Home sales are predicted to hold steady in 2014, but due to a low supply of houses in the market, prices will continue to rise. This plateau-ing of home sales is the first reversal since 2011, when sales were on the rise. Lawrence Yun, the trade group's chief economist at the NAR annual conference, explained that the lack of income growth, higher home prices, and rising interest rates will effect sales. As it is, the existing home … (1 comments)
houston: The Moving Cycle
- 12/11/13 06:40 AM
Moving is a typical part of life. Many people move for occupational reasons but there are other motivational factors for Americans to uproot their lives. The search for lower taxes, cheaper housing, and similar communities also lead people to find new homes. These shifts affect the economy and political organization. That’s the argument in Shaping Our Nation, the latest book from political historian Michael Barone of the American Enterprise Institute and the Washington Examiner, who also-co-authors the biennial Almanac of American Politics. Barone goes on to site various nightmare versus dream cities in Shaping Our Nation. Nightmare cities include Detroit, … (0 comments)
houston: How to Find the Right Agent
- 11/17/13 06:54 AM
There's a lot of pressure in selling a home. Most people look for help with their local real estate agents, people who know the business and are familiar with the process. Looking for local, experienced help is always smart, but you also need to know where to look for a reputable agent who will do the best for you and your home. Here are some important steps in looking for that right agent. Ask Someone You Know. Looking to friends and family for their experiences in the market with particular agents can get you pointed in the right direction. Most … (2 comments)
houston: Bettering the Roadways
- 11/10/13 07:48 AM
If you're driving around The Woodlands as of late, you've probably noticed the traffic cropping up around various construction sites. Although the San Jacinto River Authority's Groundwater Reduction Plan (GRP) Waterline Project title is pretty long, there is an end in sight for the construction. The projected timeline contains a multiphase plan that will be completed in stages starting around the intersection of FM 2978 and Research Forest Dr. and Research Forest heading east (both due May 2014), and the last phase Pruitt Road to Rayford Road to be finished in May 2015. The necessity for this project stems from … (0 comments)
houston: Haunted Houses or Happy Huntings?
- 10/23/13 12:39 PM
You might think that houses closer to cemeteries may be harder to sell, but surprisingly, it looks like they might actually sell for a better price than homes farther away from cemeteries. According to Redfin, a national brokerage, these "scary" houses may take a bit longer to sell, but with no backlash to their prices. On the contrary, the online housing marketplace offers statistics showing that these haunting homes sell for higher prices. Looking at the comparison of houses less than 50 feet from a cemetery to those 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 yards away, Redfin states: "The numbers … (0 comments)
houston: Important Steps for the First-Time Buyer
- 10/14/13 11:30 AM
You want to sell a home. You know there are certain practices and processes that you'll have to do, but you have no idea where to start. You've shopped around, looked at the pricing of other homes in other areas, checked your finances, and started to make a list of priorities. However, as a first time home buyer, you're not quite sure what's most important or what to expect. Here are ten things that will help get your new adventure off to the right start. 1. S.O.S. Our number one piece of advice at The Brownstone Group (which you'll find … (0 comments)
houston: Closing Costs: What's in YOUR Closing?
- 10/09/13 11:25 AM
Buying a home can be a complicated project, and one that carries multiple costs, both obvious and hidden. It's important to know what to expect when deciding on purchasing real estate. Some expected costs include down payments, interest rates on mortgage loans, and even monthly living expenses. But shoppers may forget those closing costs that come with owning a new house. These closing costs within the home sale may be owed by the buyer, the seller, or both factions. Not every sale comes with the same closing costs, so here are a few examples to be aware of: Brokerage commissions … (0 comments)
houston: New Project Landing in The Woodlands
- 09/29/13 12:11 PM
A new building project has begun in The Woodlands between Grogan's Mill and Lake Woodlands, a 66-acre mixed-use development called Hughes Landing. Alex Sutton, co-president of The Woodlands Development Company, says that "Plans for Hughes Landing include 1.5 million to 2 million square feet of office space, 800–1,000 apartment units, 175,000–200,000 square feet of retail, 200,000 square feet for a hotel and a fitness center to serve workers." The project is estimated to take around two years and will also include a grocery store, parking garage, restaurants, more luxury apartments, and potentially eleven office buildings (although the office buildings may … (0 comments)
houston: Creationism
- 09/29/13 04:26 AM
The economy in Texas has seemed to be on a level all its own in the past decade, un-phased by the economic downturn that affected the rest of the country back in 2008. From August of 2012 to August of 2013, the number of nonagricultural jobs within Texas increased by 258,500, an annual growth rate that is .7 percent above the nation's current rate. This year, all industries within the state, sans transportation, warehousing and utilities, had more jobs in August 2013 than August 2012. Texas' number one job creating industry was mining and logging subsequently trailed by construction, … (0 comments)
Last month in August, home prices rose to the highest peak that we've seen since 2007 despite a projected decrease caused by rising interest rates. In fact, the actual impact of the rising interest rates from May to June has only just become clear. The National Association of Realtors' home sales report basis statistics off of closed transactions, typically contracts that were signed two months prior to the posted statistic. Therefore, previous reports did not show the actual impact of increasing rates until recently creating a surprised stir in the market. The expected adjusted annual rate had been approximately … (0 comments)
houston: On the Road Again
- 09/19/13 04:58 AM
Not surprisingly, hordes of people looking to move to the Big City choose Houston as their new home town. Houston has hit (and held for four years running) the number one spot on the “U-Haul’s Top 10 US Destinations For 2013” along with famous sites like Chicago, Brooklyn, and Sacramento. The importance of perusing the U-Haul list is that it, as a smaller company, shows us “normal” folk moving to make a better life for ourselves rather than those corporate-based moves paid for by companies, etc. These statistics can enlighten those in the real estate market on potential clients looking … (0 comments)
houston: Happy Hunting
- 09/17/13 11:38 AM
As summer ends and autumn begins, are you looking in the right places to buy a home? Here are five quick tips on looking for your best deals when real estate shopping in the fall: 1. Discount Me In: Typically, according to the National Association of Realtors, after Labor Day there is a natural “discount” of around $7,000 and Midwest real estate prices drop about $10,000 between the months of August and September while Northeast prices diminish by $20,000 come October. The oncoming cold months lessen demand and therefore price reductions follow in these areas. 2. Be Your Only Competition: … (1 comments)
houston: Expected Rise in Home Prices
- 08/29/13 02:19 AM
Forecasting is always risky business, whether you're trying to pin down the weather for the end of the week or looking for trends in the housing market. According to the New York Mainstreet, home prices are expected to raise just under 7% over the next twelve months. What does that mean for those looking to buy or sell in the real estate market? For buyers, a potential increase in prices suggests that now is the time to buy. For sellers, you may want to hold off before listing a house: higher prices can mean bigger profits. "Short-term expectations for home … (0 comments)
houston: The Fine Lines of Home Improvement
- 08/24/13 08:06 AM
Here at the Brownstone Group, we talk constantly about our booming economy and flourishing real estate market. And although the rise in business gives Sellers more power in the market, they must not take this power too lightly! It is very important to prepare your home for selling. We'll give you six tips regarding remodeling for sales-driven home improvement: 1. Don't Exclude With Your Improvements When making improvements for potential buyers, it's easy to make assumptions and generalizations that can steer you in the wrong direction. Alex Veiga uses the example of a pool as a possibly unwise renovation. Richard … (0 comments)
The Springwoods Village Town Center promises to bring in more retail and residential business to the Houston/Woodlands area. The plan includes two to three hotels, numerous shops and restaurants, office buildings, and a "multifamily" development. The Village is spread over 1,800 acres and is in the very first stages of construction. With the Exxon Mobile community project also on its way in this potential community, Springfield Village is promised approximately 10,000 residents. In addition, Southwestern Energy Co., based in Houston, is also settling in the Springwoods Village Town Center, consolidating over 1,000 Houstonians in this one area. The Springwoods … (0 comments)
houston: Going, Going, Gone
- 08/08/13 08:57 AM
Looking to jump into real estate? Hoping to find that perfect seller's market? Well, here's a clichéd piece of advice that will always ring true, especially in this industry: keep in mind that it's always about "LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION". Market conditions vary greatly depending upon the area in which you're looking. Important clues to keep an eye out for include: the area's job market and unemployment rates, income rates, and population count. And as we always say here at The Brownstone group, it is ALWAYS a good idea to consult your local real estate agent. He or she can … (0 comments)
We are committed to finding the home for you, in the community you deserve. Our premium service is here to assist you with the buying or selling of your next home. Our clients sell and buy all price point homes in The Woodlands, Magnolia, Lake Conroe and Spring. Whether a Relocation, luxury home, first time home buyer or a 55+ buyer/seller, we will find and negotiate the perfect home for you. If we do not service your area, we will find the expert that will.
;)
;)
