Luxury Condos Coming to Rice Village: The ChaucerRice Village is getting a brand new luxury condo development! The Chaucer, planned by Randall Davis Co., will be a 12-story mid-rise with only 29 residences, offering an exclusive feel. Prices will start at a cool $1.5 million and go up to a whopping $4.5 million.Construction is expected to begin in September 2023 and be completed within two years. The development will take shape at 2360 Rice Blvd., right next to Hungry's restaurant. This prime location puts residents within easy reach of Rice Village, the Medical Center, Southampton, and West University.Designed for a walkable lifestyle, The Chaucer will appeal to a variety of residents. From busy medical professionals to those looking to downsize from a large home to a lock-and-leave op... 04/15/2024

Historic Structures Are Getting New Life Houston used to favor demolition for old buildings, but a shift is happening! Historic structures are getting new life through adaptive reuse.The Astrodome may be a rodeo storage unit, but it's still standing. The River Oaks Theatre dodged demolition threats. Project Row Houses has a long history of transforming homes into art. Even more adaptive reuse projects are on the horizon: Sugar Land's historic Imperial Char House will become a mix of offices, stores, and restaurants.                    Katy is exploring ways to turn its rice dryers into an entertainment district. One rice dryer, JV Cardiff and Sons, is already being converted into a mixed-use space with a beer garden. On Harrisburg Street in Houston's East End, warehouses are being renov... 04/15/2024

Houston Embraces High-Rise Living: A Legacy and a New ChapterHouston, a sprawling metropolis known for its love of single-family homes, is seeing a shift towards vertical living. Pelican Builders, a pioneer in this movement, is leading the charge with luxurious high-rise condos.Pelican's Pioneering Role:The company built Houston's first-ever residential highrise, The Woodway, in 1974. Over five decades, they've established themselves as a multifamily housing leader, developing thousands of condo units, townhomes, and apartments.The Hawthorne: Bringing Luxury Living to Tanglewood:Pelican recently unveiled the Hawthorne, a 17-story condo building with 67 units in Tanglewood, just a stone's throw from The Woodway. These upscale residences cater to those seeking a vibrant city lifestyle, wi... 04/05/2024

Houston's Empty Hilton to Get a $40 Million MakeoverThe former Hilton Houston Galleria is getting a new lease on life! The vacant 13-story building will be transformed into a modern apartment complex thanks to a Los Angeles developer.Why the Change?There are two main reasons behind this shift: Empty Hotel: The Hilton closed its doors in 2022 and hasn't found a new tenant. Houston's Hot Housing Market: With many Houstonians working remotely and a growing city population, there's a high demand for apartments. Project Details: Cost: The conversion will cost an estimated $40 million. Start Date: Construction is expected to begin in April 2024. Completion Date: The new apartments should be ready by September 2025. National Trend:Houston isn't alone in this trend. Across the country, many off... 03/22/2024

Houston Downtown: A Thriving DestinationHouston's downtown is booming! A recent report reveals a surge in visitors since the pandemic. This vibrant area offers a variety of attractions, including: Bayou Trails: Perfect for exploring Houston's scenic waterways. Exciting events: From concerts and holiday celebrations to thrilling sports games featuring the World Series Champion Houston Astros (winners in both 2022 and 2017!). Thriving hospitality scene: The number of downtown hotel rooms is on the rise, with nearly 500 new units joining the existing 8,600. Exciting additions include: The 100-room Moxy Hotel, housed in the historic State National Bank Building. A dual-branded hotel project is under construction, offering a combined 275 rooms under the Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Sui... 03/21/2024

Happy St Patrick's Day - Map Of Houston Breweries  03/14/2024

Top Easter Brunch Restaurants Houston 2024 03/13/2024

Texas Ranks High for Luxury Tiny Homes, Offers Opportunity and Investment ConsiderationsA recent Architectural Digest report highlights a growing trend in Texas real estate: luxury tiny homes. The state boasts the second-highest number of luxury tiny homes available for sale in the US, following California at number one.For this study, a lluxury tiny home was defined as a pre-built dwelling priced at $75,000 or more and listed on specific tiny home platforms. As of January 2024, there were 81 listings for luxury tiny homes in Texas, compared to 252 non-luxury options.While California has the most overall listings (both luxury and non-luxury), Texas offers potential financial advantages for tiny home ownership. The report ranked Texas 15th nationally for return on investment (ROI) in tin... 03/12/2024

Houston on Two Wheels: Top Spots to Explore by BikeHouston's reputation as a car-centric city is rapidly changing. Thanks to a growing network of bike lanes and dedicated trails, cycling has become a fun and viable way to explore the Bayou City. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or a curious newcomer, Houston offers a variety of routes to suit your skill level and interests.Urban Adventure: Greater East End & Harrisburg Hike and Bike Trail: Discover Houston's East End with its vibrant murals and revitalized streets. The Harrisburg Trail, a converted railway line, offers a safe and scenic path through the neighborhood. Downtown & White Oak Bayou Trail: Explore Houston's bustling core with ease. Dedicated bike lanes lead you past Discovery Green and iconic landmarks, while the White Oak B... 03/11/2024

Home Builder Expands in Booming Texas MarketTaylor Morrison Homes of Texas, a major U.S. home builder, has secured a large plot of land for new development. They purchased 165.7 acres near Houston, strategically located close to a major highway and a planned community.This acquisition reflects the ongoing strength of the Texas housing market, especially in the Houston area. Texas has been a popular destination for people relocating from other states, fueling demand for new homes.Meeting the Demand"We're excited to expand in this high-growth market," said a Taylor Morrison representative. Their new development will feature modern farmhouse designs, catering to current trends in home-buyer preferences. They'll offer flexible living spaces and two-story homes with downstairs bedrooms, popu... 03/11/2024

Houston Housing Market Sees Sales Dip in 2023, But Eyes Recovery in 2024The Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) reported a challenging 2023 for the housing market, marking the second year in a row of decline. Here's a breakdown of the key points:Sales Soften: Single-family home sales dropped 12% in 2023 compared to 2022, totaling 83,854 units. Overall property sales mirrored this trend, falling 13% to 102,367 units. Market Value Stabilizes: Despite the sales slowdown, the average price for single-family homes remained steady at around $408,000. The median price also showed stability, hovering around $330,000. Townhome and Condo Market: This segment saw a smaller decline in sales, with December numbers dropping 7% year-over-year. However, average and median prices experienced a rise of... 03/09/2024

Good news for Home Buyers! Builder Confidence Is On The Rise As Mortgage Rates Fall.This positive trend follows two straight months of increasing optimism among builders. Lower borrowing costs are making homes more affordable, attracting buyers who were previously priced out. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports a jump in builder sentiment, exceeding expectations. Their index rose to 44, indicating a brighter outlook for the new single-family home market in 2024. However, challenges remain. Builders anticipate increased construction costs and potential material shortages, along with limitations on available land. While mortgage rates have ticked up slightly recently, they're still significantly lower than last year's highs. Currently, 30-year fixed rates are around 6... 03/09/2024

As a member of various realtor groups online, I often come across questions and concerns shared by agents supporting each other. Recently, one agent raised an important issue: their client was worried about the quality of lumber being used by the builder for their new home. The lumber was showing signs of splitting, and the builder dismissed it as merely cosmetic. What should the agent do in such a situation?This scenario took me back to a home construction class I attended years ago when I first entered the real estate industry. One of the key topics covered was how to assess the quality of lumber used in construction—a crucial aspect that is often overlooked.In fact, it's one of the many questions I routinely pose to home builders on behalf of my clients: "What grade of lumber are you... 03/06/2024

Houston and its surrounding areas dominate the list of the most walkable cities in TexasHouston and its surrounding areas dominate the list of the most walkable cities in Texas, a surprising revelation for many. Redfin's latest ranking of the top 10 walkable cities in the Lone Star State highlights four neighboring locations along with Galveston as having the highest walkability scores.Redfin calculates a "walk score" ranging from 0 to 100, aiding individuals in finding areas conducive to pedestrian navigation by analyzing various factors like proximity to amenities, population density, block length, and intersection density.Though these Texas cities rank high within the state, their scores pale in comparison to cities like New York and San Francisco, which boast scores in the high 80s.... 02/21/2024

Houston Area Dog Parks Mapped   01/22/2024

Here are some of the top restaurant picks for Valentine's Day 2024 01/22/2024

Bayou City Weekends - Jan 19-21-2023Who's Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson ExperienceBy House of Blues Houston, Live Nation Friday, January 19, 2024 7pmThe live performance celebrates the King of Pop's expansive catalog to create a jaw-dropping, musical must-see show. AdmissionTickets range from $19 to $74.  Buy Tickets 10" by 10" Art ShowBy Hardy & Nance Studios Saturday, January 20, 2024 10am to 10pmHardy & Nance Studios presents its 9th annual 10" by 10" Art Show where all pieces must be 10" x 10" square and will cost no more than $250 each. AdmissionFree  Learn More 8th Annual Hops n' Hot Sauce Festival Saturday, January 20, 2024 11am to 5pm  Humble Civic Center 8233 Will Clayton Pkwy Humble, TX 77338$10 at the door - Kids Free Houston Astros FanFestBy Houston Astros Saturday, Janu... 01/19/2024

Houston Real Estate Market Update!December 2023Did you know that the Months Supply of Inventory in Houston is currently at 2.87 months? That's great news for buyers as it indicates a balanced market! 📉 But hold on, over the last 12 months, the Months Supply of Inventory has increased by a whopping 25.88%! 📈 List to Sold Price Here's a stat you'll love! The List to Sold Price percentage in Houston is an impressive 97.3%! 💯 This means that sellers are receiving a high percentage of their asking price, giving them confidence in the market. Median Days on Market Looking to sell your Houston property quickly? Well, you're in luck! The median days on market is only 24 days!  This low number suggests that properties are selling fast and buyers are eager to find their dream home.  Median Sold P... 01/18/2024

Nonprofit Capital Good Fund Is Providing Solar Loans To Low And Middle-Income Residents In HoustonNonprofit Capital Good Fund is providing solar loans to low and middle-income residents in Houston, addressing barriers like credit scores. The organization aims to make solar technology accessible, especially in Texas due to extreme heat, sunlight, blackout risks, and rising energy prices. The program offers 25-year loans with flexible interest rates and no prepayment penalty. The initiative targets households with incomes up to 120% of the area median income. Capital Good Fund has expanded its solar lending efforts to Texas, offering subsidies and grants. Challenges include high-interest rates, differing incentives in metropolitan areas, and misleading sales practices in the industry. Res... 01/17/2024

Villa d'Este: An Enchanting High-Rise in Uptown ParkNestled in the heart of Uptown Park, the condominiums at Villa d'Este embody the epitome of luxury high-rise living in Houston. This iconic 27-floor landmark, inaugurated in 2000, graces six acres of private, verdant grounds along the Buffalo Bayou, surrounded by majestic oaks and pines. Residents are treated to panoramic views of downtown Houston and Tanglewood. The lavishly appointed residences, situated at the base of Uptown Park, offer an unparalleled location adjacent to Uptown Houston, the Galleria, and an array of shopping, dining, and recreational options. With convenient access to the Medical Center, Galleria, and major work corridors, Villa d'Este stands as a premier residential destination. Inside Villa d'Este Condominium, u... 12/20/2023