Register Real Estate Advisors

SAN ANTONIO (San Antonio Express-News) – At least four large Texas cities had increases in the number of home starts during third quarter 2011, according to the latest findings from housing research firm Metrostudy.

Home starts increased 30 percent over the same quarter last year in Austin, 20 percent in Houston, 6 percent in Dallas and 3 percent in San
Antonio.

Jack Inselmann, vice president of the U.S. Central Division of Metrostudy, told the San Antonio Express-News that he expected Alamo City home starts to
increase 15 to 20 percent during the quarter but also said “we’re in good shape.”

Currently, the area has 1,206 completed vacant homes on the market, down from 1,349 in the second quarter.

DALLAS (MPL Public Relations) – This year’s State Fair of Texas, which opens today in Dallas, has at least one exhibit that may be of interest to anyone
involved with building or selling homes.

The fair’s “Home of Tomorrow” exhibit will showcase the latest technology in home automation, energy-efficient construction,
appliances, design and imaginative outdoor environments.

Highlights include the Net-Zero Energy Home, which demonstrates how a home can produce its own electricity, and even sell excess electricity created
within the home.

And for those who like cozy spaces, the Micro-Home shows how a bedroom, family room, kitchen and bathroom can all fit within a
space the size of a walk-in closet.

The exhibit is open through Oct. 23. The site is on the main gate plaza, between The Women’s Museum and the Daughters of the American
Revolution House.

1.  Peace of Mind – New comes come with a warranty

2.  Floor Plans – floor plans meet today’s family’s needs

3.  Energy Efficient – Save on utility bills

4.  Quality Appliances

5.  Choices – Choose your own paint, flooring, and upgrades

DALLAS (Dallas Business Journal)
– A report from the Association of General Contractors indicates
construction spending inched up 0.2 percent in June.

Private nonresidential construction is the main driving force, with
a 1.8 percent increase in spending. The largest increases were in
manufacturing, power, commercial and health care construction.

Declines are still being seen in private residential and public commercial
construction projects.

DALLAS (Dallas Business Journal) – Some 27 states lost construction jobs from June 2010 to June 2011. Texas was not one of them.
In fact, the state added 26,000 construction jobs during that period — a 4.6 percent increase — according to an analysis of Labor Department data conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Among other states that had increases in their construction workforces were Michigan, Illinois, California and Ohio.

Cochran’s Crossing is one of the villages that make up the stunning master planned community of The Woodlands. Located on the North side of Houston with easy access to I45, the Woodlands has long been a favorite area for people looking for exemplary schools, beautiful wooded surroundings, and an atmosphere and environment that is second to none.

Cochran’s Crossings offers abundant walking trails and parks, fishing ponds, several water park style local swimming pools, and a village shopping centers offering a grocery store, banks, restaurants, and other neighborhood services. One of the most appealing aspects of this area is that residents can find everything they need within 10 to 15 minutes of where they live, and never actually leave the Woodlands!

Being such a desirable area has meant home prices remain largely unaffected by the overall housing market, maintaining and growing in value year after year. In the first quarter of 2011 there have been 49 homes sold in Cochran’s Crossing with an average sales price of $271,000 and size of 2819 square feet. Demand means that homes sell quickly, and for close to the listing price asked. Overall time on the market is just under 3 months, with well priced properties moving even more rapidly.

If you are interested in buying or selling a home in Cochran’s Crossing Village or the Woodlands in general, call Krista Wright at 832-585-3035.

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 5. See more Homes for sale in Cochran's Crossing.
(all data current as of 2/10/2012)

1. $2,500 : 30 Bayginger, The Woodlands
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,865 sq ft

   Lot size: 16,682 sq ft

   Year built: 1991

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 23

   Listed with Connect Realty.com
2. $1,650 : 2 Stony Bridge, The Woodlands
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 2,006 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,765 sq ft

   Year built: 1990

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 30

   Listed with Keller Williams Realty The Woodlands
3. $3,600 : 110 Morning Cloud Circle, The Woodlands
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,394 sq ft

   Lot size: 11,882 sq ft

   Year built: 1992

   Parking spots: 3

   Days on market: 32

   Listed with Premier Relocation
4. $1,600 : 100 Golden Arrow, The Woodands
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,019 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,644 sq ft

   Year built: 1990

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 35

   Listed with Prudential Gary Greene, REALTORS
5. $289,900 : 27 Hornsilver Pl, The Woodlands
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,723 sq ft

   Lot size: 11,882 sq ft

   Year built: 1986

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 55

   Listed with Keller Williams Realty The Woodlands

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

If the latest technology and entertainment options are important in your new home, add the following questions to your buyer’s checklist.  This is interesting information I got from the REALTOR Magazine Online and reprinted with permission of the National Association of REALTORS.  Visit the Consumer Electronics Association ( http://www.ce.org/techhomerating ) for a complete Tech Home Rating Checklist.

1.  Are there enough jacks in every room for cable TV and high-speed Internet hookups?  Does it include U-Verse if that’s important to your family?

2.  Are there enough telephone extensions or jacks?  Most people use their cell phones these days, but some still want a phone in every room, including the bathrooms.

3.  Is the home prewired for a home theater or multi-room audio and video?

4.  Does the home have a local area network for linking computers?

5.  Does the home already have wiring for DSL or other high-speed Internet connection?

6.  Does the home have multi-room lighting controls, window-covering controls, or other home automation features?

7.  Does the home have multi-room lighting controls, window-covering controls, or other home automation features?

8.  Is the home wired with multi-purpose in-wall wiring that allows for reconfigurations to update services as technology changes?

When you start looking for a home, you first need a pre-approval for a mortgage.  Below is a list of things your lender is going to need to process your loan.  They may ask for additional items, but this is a list to get you started.  Make sure you get these items to your lender in a timely manner your home purchase moving along.  This way, you will be able to close when you have planned to close on your new home.

10.  Previous addresses where you have lived over the past 5-7 years.

9.  Payments you are currently making; a list of current lenders and revolving creditors with account numbers.

8.  Credit card numbers with amounts you owe on each credit card.

7.  Verification of all income, including child support and part time jobs.

6.  Documentation on all retirement accounts, like a 401K.

5.  Asset list.  Things on this list would include boats, cars, collectibles, RV, etc.  Also include brokerage account statements for stocks and bonds.

4.  Two to three years of tax returns.

3.  Checking and savings account statements for banks and credit unions.

2.  Current pay stubs.

1.  W-2′s.

WASHINGTON (Associated Press) – Home builder confidence in current sales rose two index points in February to 17 after falling two consecutive months, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

 Builders’ outlook for sales over the next six months climbed one point to 27, and traffic by prospective buyers remained at 12 index points. 

The index for the Midwest and South regions increased two points but dropped one point in the Northeast and West.

 The index reflects a survey of 528 residential developers across the nation. Index readings below 50 indicate negative sentiment about the market. The last time the index reading exceeded 50 was April 2006.

NEW YORK (McGraw-Hill) – The value of Texas construction starts will advance 16 percent to $52.5 billion this year, according to the 2010 Texas Construction Outlook from McGraw-Hill Construction.

Growth is expected for each of Texas’ major metropolitan areas: Austin is expected to climb 30 percent, Houston 17 percent, Dallas 16 percent, El Paso 8 percent, and San Antonio 6 percent.

Other highlights from the report:

• Housing starts in Texas are expected to advance 31 percent to $21.8 billion in 2010, with single-family housing growing 31 percent and multifamily housing gaining 34 percent.
• Nonresidential construction starts will slip 1 percent to $17.6 billion, suffering from declines in commercial and industrial starts.
• Federal stimulus funding will assist public works and utilities construction as starts rebound 21 percent to $13.1 billion in 2010.