Tag Archives: relocating

Is NOW a Good Time to Sell or Buy a Home in Northwest Houston?

Do you need to sell your home? Are you planning to purchase a home in the Houston area? Either way, now is a great time! Right now, interest rates remain low. Indictors predict they will be rising soon. So now might be the best time to purchase before rates go up. If you have good credit, stable income, and a down payment, it’s even a good time to qualify for a loan. In general, it’s usually more cost effective to buy rather than lease a home right now. On the other hand, if you are selling, it’s nice to know our Houston area home prices have not fluctuated a lot like the homes on a national level have gone down. According to the MLS, home prices are actually up now compared to last year at this time. The amount of inventory on the market has reduced, so there’s less competition on the market now. It’s a great time to consider buying or selling a home in the Houston area! Right now you can purchase more home for less money – so if you have been thinking about making a move – now could be the very best time! Call RREA today to find an agent that can meet all of your buying and selling needs.
There are a few things to consider when purchasing a home. You will need to consider factors like your finances, what areas of town you prefer to live in, proximity to your employment, and where you like to socialize. At RREA, our in house lender can pre-qualify you for your next home within twenty four hours. You can apply online anytime through our website.
Your lender will print off a list of your purchasing costs. Use that to compare lenders based on interest rates, fees, monthly expenses, and upfront costs. Our in house lender has a track record for saving our clients money on purchases. He works closely with our Realtors to find the best mortgage for your buying needs. It will take time to compile all of the necessary documents, so plan with your lender before the purchase. Lenders are asking for a lot of additional documentation these days.
The bottom line is that although now is a great time to buy or sell a home – you need someone on your side protecting your best interest. You need someone who understands the changes going on with new complicated laws, regulations, and a more conservative mortgage industry. The Realtors at RREA are very well educated on this changing market and can help protect you and maximize your savings when buying or selling a home.

Houston Real Estate Market Update

Did you know that nearly half of all the jobs since 2009 were created in Texas?  I feel blessed to live and work in the great state of Texas.  The annual economic output of Texas exceeds one trillion dollars and that number seems to be growing even in this economy.  Texas is a huge state.  Did you know that if the entire seven billion people in the world move to Texas there would be more than 1,100 square feet for every person on the planet.  According to the 2010 Census, Texas had over 25 million residents.  By 2030 Texas is stimated that it will grow to 40 million residents.  It seems like everyone wants to move to Texas and join us!  That can be compared to unloading four jumbo jets in Texas every day for the next 19 years.  To learn more about Texas current market facts you can view the new Texaplex Video on our blog that will post tomorrow!

Buying a Home on Lake Conroe

Are you interested in buying a home on Lake Conroe?  If so, our Realtors can help.  Call us at 281.288.3500 to find out everything you need to know about relocating to the Lake Conroe area.  Lake Conroe is just seven miles west of Conroe.  It’s a man made lake that was created in 1973.  Currently, water levels are low, which has reduced housing prices on the lake.  That coupled with low interest rates makes it a great time to buy lakefront property!  There are marinas around the lake and places to rent boats and watercraft and picnic.  There are a variety of housing on the lake and in nearby communities.  Some of the communities on the West Side of the lake are April Sound, Bentwater, and Walden Lake.  Each offers a country club and other amenities whether you are a full time resident or just come up to visit your second home on the lake.

 

 

Woodforest Master Planned Community in Montgomery County, Texas

Woodforest by Johnson Development is a master planned community in Montgomery County, Texas.  Is is close to Lake Conroe and offers many amenities for the whole family to enjoy.  Many builders are creating homes from the $140′s to the $1MM’s.  Some of the builders are Coventry, Darling, DR Horton, Highland Homes, Jeff Paul Custom Homes, Lennar, Meadowlark, Newmark, Partners in Building, Perry, Ryland, Sullivan Signature, and Weaver.  The video below will show you what Woodforest is all about and what it can offer you!  For more information, please call our office at 281.288.3500 where we have Realtors standing by to help you purchase your next home!

 

 

Showing properties 1 - 20 of 112. See more Homes for sale in Woodforest.
(all data current as of 5/24/2012)

  1. 4 beds, 2 full baths
    Home size: 1,591 sq ft
    Lot size: 11,237 sqft
    Year built: 1975
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 2
    Listed with Trillionaire Assets
  2. 3 beds, 2 full baths
    Home size: 1,520 sq ft
    Lot size: 6,300 sqft
    Year built: 1981
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 2
    Listed with Teachout Real Estate Group
  3. 3 beds, 2 full baths
    Home size: 1,894 sq ft
    Lot size: 8,250 sqft
    Year built: 1988
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 3
    Listed with Red Door Realty & Associates
  4. 1 bed, 1 full bath
    Home size: 752 sq ft
    Year built: 1982
    Days on market: 5
    Listed with Teachout Real Estate Group
  5. 3 beds, 2 full baths
    Home size: 1,534 sq ft
    Lot size: 7,524 sqft
    Year built: 1970
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 6
    Listed with Team Liberty Real Estate
  6. 3 beds, 2 full baths
    Home size: 1,728 sq ft
    Lot size: 7,772 sqft
    Year built: 1971
    Parking spots: 3
    Days on market: 7
    Listed with Century 21 Garlington & Assoc.
  7. 4 beds, 2 full baths
    Home size: 2,267 sq ft
    Lot size: 6,000 sqft
    Year built: 2012
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 7
    Listed with Perry Development Management
  8. 4 beds, 3 full baths
    Home size: 2,473 sq ft
    Lot size: 6,560 sqft
    Year built: 2012
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 7
    Listed with Perry Development Management
  9. 4 beds, 3 full baths
    Home size: 2,674 sq ft
    Lot size: 6,315 sqft
    Year built: 2012
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 7
    Listed with Perry Development Management
  10. 4 beds, 3 full baths
    Home size: 3,590 sq ft
    Lot size: 9,198 sqft
    Year built: 2012
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 8
    Listed with HomesUSA.com
  11. 1 bed, 1 full bath
    Home size: 623 sq ft
    Year built: 1980
    Days on market: 10
    Listed with RE/MAX East
  12. 1 bed, 1 full bath
    Home size: 752 sq ft
    Year built: 1982
    Days on market: 10
    Listed with RE/MAX East
  13. 1 bed, 1 full bath
    Home size: 728 sq ft
    Year built: 1980
    Days on market: 10
    Listed with RE/MAX East
  14. 1 bed, 1 full bath
    Home size: 728 sq ft
    Year built: 1980
    Days on market: 10
    Listed with RE/MAX East
  15. 1 bed, 1 full bath
    Home size: 623 sq ft
    Year built: 1980
    Days on market: 10
    Listed with RE/MAX East
  16. 1 bed, 1 full bath
    Home size: 728 sq ft
    Year built: 1980
    Days on market: 10
    Listed with RE/MAX East
  17. 1 bed, 1 full bath
    Home size: 728 sq ft
    Year built: 1980
    Days on market: 10
    Listed with RE/MAX East
  18. 1 bed, 1 full bath
    Home size: 728 sq ft
    Year built: 1980
    Days on market: 10
    Listed with RE/MAX East
  19. 1 bed, 1 full bath
    Home size: 728 sq ft
    Year built: 1980
    Days on market: 10
    Listed with RE/MAX East
  20. 2 beds, 2 full baths
    Home size: 1,040 sq ft
    Year built: 1982
    Days on market: 10
    Listed with RE/MAX East

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

Congrats to RREA’s Sheryl Hunter

Register Real Estate Advisors is pleased to announce that Sheryl Hunter was awarded the 2011 “Top Selling Agent” for the company at our recent awards ceremony.  As a Realtor, Sheryl is professional and has a solid understanding of the real estate industry.  She has gained extensive experience from listing and selling properties in and around the Houston area.  Among her specialties, Sheryl has acquired her Accredited Buyers Representative Designation and she is a Certified Distressed Property Expert.  She understands the current market challenges for sellers and the difficulties with qualifying for a mortgage.  Congrats Sheryl!  If you or someone you know is looking to buy or sale a property in 2012 – contact Sheryl at 281.288.3500.

 

 

 

What’s For Sale in Bender’s Landing?

Benders Landing in Spring, Texas is a beautiful community that offers buyers one acre wooded and lakefront lots.  The neighborhood has many ammenities from a clubhouse to recreation center, pools and splash pads, walking trails, and much more.  You do have the option to buy now and build later.  Benders Landing offers low property taxes, no MUD taxes, deed restrictions, and wonderful nearby schools.  Just minutes from the Hardy Toll Road and I45, this community is just a few minutes from The Woodlands.  It will be only 5 miles from the new ExxonMobil Campus that is being built.  If you are relocating to the north side of Houston, you will want to take a look at the homes and lots available in Benders Landing.

 

 

 

Showing properties 1 - 20 of 33. See more Homes For Sale in Benders Landing.
(all data current as of 5/24/2012)

  1. 4 beds, 3 full baths
    Home size: 4,736 sq ft
    Lot size: 2.09 ac
    Year built: 2007
    Parking spots: 3
    Days on market: 5
    Listed with Keller Williams Realty The Woodlands
  2. 4 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 4,548 sq ft
    Lot size: 1.05 ac
    Year built: 2006
    Parking spots: 3
    Days on market: 6
    Listed with RE/MAX Vintage
  3. 6 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 4,363 sq ft
    Lot size: 1.04 ac
    Year built: 2009
    Parking spots: 3
    Days on market: 6
    Listed with Keller Williams Realty The Woodlands
  4. 4 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 4,295 sq ft
    Lot size: 1.19 ac
    Year built: 2007
    Parking spots: 3
    Days on market: 21
    Listed with Keller Williams Realty The Woodlands
  5. 3 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 3,250 sq ft
    Year built: 2002
    Parking spots: 3
    Days on market: 21
    Listed with Keller Williams Realty The Woodlands
  6. 3 beds, 3 full baths
    Home size: 4,293 sq ft
    Lot size: 1.17 ac
    Year built: 2010
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 22
    Listed with RE/MAX Vintage
  7. 5 beds, 4 full baths
    Home size: 4,548 sq ft
    Lot size: 22,715 sqft
    Year built: 2010
    Parking spots: 3
    Days on market: 25
    Listed with Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS
  8. 4 beds, 4 full, 2 part baths
    Home size: 6,781 sq ft
    Lot size: 1.27 ac
    Year built: 2008
    Parking spots: 4
    Days on market: 27
    Listed with Keller Williams Realty The Woodlands
  9. 5 beds, 6 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 5,845 sq ft
    Lot size: 1.18 ac
    Year built: 2005
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 28
    Listed with RE/MAX Vintage
  10. 4 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 5,050 sq ft
    Lot size: 43,560 sqft
    Year built: 2006
    Parking spots: 3
    Days on market: 29
    Listed with Keller Williams Realty The Woodlands
  11. 5 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 4,567 sq ft
    Lot size: 1.07 ac
    Year built: 2008
    Parking spots: 3
    Days on market: 33
    Listed with Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS
  12. 3 beds, 3 full baths
    Home size: 3,124 sq ft
    Lot size: 43,560 sqft
    Year built: 2002
    Parking spots: 3
    Days on market: 37
    Listed with Houston Metro Properties & Inv
  13. 5 beds, 4 full baths
    Home size: 4,280 sq ft
    Lot size: 22,400 sqft
    Year built: 2012
    Parking spots: 3
    Days on market: 45
    Listed with HomesUSA.com
  14. 4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 4,130 sq ft
    Lot size: 43,560 sqft
    Year built: 2007
    Parking spots: 3
    Days on market: 48
    Listed with Keller Williams Realty The Woodlands
  15. 4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 4,778 sq ft
    Lot size: 43,560 sqft
    Year built: 2006
    Parking spots: 3
    Days on market: 55
    Listed with RE/MAX Vintage
  16. 4 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 4,154 sq ft
    Lot size: 43,560 sqft
    Year built: 2003
    Parking spots: 3
    Days on market: 66
    Listed with RE/MAX The Woodlands & Spring
  17. 4 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 4,154 sq ft
    Lot size: 43,560 sqft
    Year built: 2003
    Parking spots: 3
    Days on market: 66
    Listed with RE/MAX The Woodlands & Spring
  18. 4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 3,453 sq ft
    Lot size: 1.00 ac
    Year built: 2009
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 67
    Listed with Kingston Realty Group
  19. 4 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 4,952 sq ft
    Lot size: 43,560 sqft
    Year built: 2004
    Parking spots: 3
    Days on market: 69
    Listed with Coldwell Banker United,
  20. 4 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 4,585 sq ft
    Lot size: 43,560 sqft
    Year built: 2007
    Parking spots: 3
    Days on market: 74
    Listed with Keller Williams Realty The Woodlands

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

Spring, Texas Housing Market Update

In Spring, Texas the housing market seems to be picking up as we move into fall.  We have improving employment conditions as ExxonMobil makes it’s way to our area.  Homes in the area have always been affordable compared to the rest of the country, but now they are even more affordable due to extremely low interest rates that won’t last forever.  It’s a great time for first time home owners to jump into the market.  If you are a renter, it could be the best time to buy.  The Houston MLS showed strong economic trends in the last quarter of 2011.  While mortgage lending is still somewhat of a challenge, throughout the real estate industry we are hoping that banks and lenders will relax regulations to allow for a more rapid recovery.  According to the MLS, the inventory of homes on the market actually dropped in the last quarter of 2011, leaving buyers with less to choose from.  As housing inventory continues to decline, we will see that it will slowly move from a buyer’s market to a more stable, seller’s market.  This is the path to a strong recovery.  With the elections ahead of us, no one can foresee what will happen in the real estate market, but this Spring is really looking good so far.

 

 

Houston: Eight Months Straight of Increased Home Sales

HOUSTON (Houston Association of Realtors) – January marked the eighth consecutive month of increased existing home sales for H-Town, according to the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR). The year also opened with a continued decline in active property listings and growth in pending sales, which the association said signals a healthy market with a balanced supply of housing inventory. January sales of single-family homes were up 9.2 percent over January 2011, the association found. All segments of the housing market grew except the luxury segment (homes starting at $500,000). “The January report shows continued strength in the Houston housing market that we began seeing in the latter part of 2011, and it gives us cause for optimism as we look ahead to the typically active spring and summer buying months,” said Wayne A. Stroman, HAR chairman and CEO of Stroman Realty. “We have also seen more jobs being filled locally, and you generally don’t experience a strong real estate market without healthy employment.” January’s single-family home median price rose 0.9 percent year-over-year to $139,900. The average price of $194,765 was statistically unchanged from January 2011. Foreclosure property sales reported in the MLS increased 22 percent year-over-year in January. Foreclosures made up 27.8 percent of all property sales, which is higher than the 2011 average of 21 percent. The median price of foreclosures in January was flat at $82,550. January sales of all property types in Houston totaled 3,632, up 4.8 percent compared with January 2011. Total dollar volume for properties sold during the month rose 5.9 percent to $683 million versus $645 million a year earlier.

Let Your Agent Choose Your Title Company

I have found that some consumers want to choose their own title company when they are purchasing a home. It is their right, of course, to choose. However, on what basis is a consumer choosing a title company? It has been my experience that when you allow your Realtor to choose the title company, you have a much smoother closing. This is because title companies work for Realtor business, not consumer business. So title companies want to make Realtors happy so they will repeatedly use their services. So when I use a title company of my choice for my clients, I know they will get great service and I have no fear of the title company going under with their earnest money. I also know I will get all my documents in a timely fashion and if there is a problem, I have someone I can directly contact and trust to resolve it. However, when consumers purchase Foreclosure properties, they usually do not get a choice on their title company. The seller decides or they make the buyer pay for the title insurance.

On a recent transaction I had a buyer that was purchasing a foreclosed home. The title company was chosen by the seller and it took them weeks to get the documents that the lender was requesting. Since the title company was out of town, they did a remote closing at my office. That means the title company sent a notary to get all of the documents signed. Unfortunately in this case, the title company did not send all the docs with the notary. So the next day when we were waiting for funding and my clients were waiting to get the keys to their new house, my clients and I found out they had to come back and sign more documents. Imagine my outrage! Then after the closing the title company did not send copies of the closing documents to my buyers. We had to both request copies several times before they were emailed to them. There are so many things that can hold up funding on a loan. You don’t want your title company to be the reason you don’t get into the home of your dreams. What if we’d had to wait to get docs signed and the lock on the loan expired? We could have lost the entire deal. You want to work with a title company that has a good reputation with your Realtor. One that your Realtor trusts to take care of all necessary details. Trust your Realtor, because is they are worth your real estate business, they know which title company will take good care of you!

Townhomes vs. Condos – How do you know the difference?

There are both townhomes and condominiums in and around the Houston area.  You will need to know the difference if you are interested in purchasing either homes.  A townhouse is considered a single family residence and the paper work for the Realtor and Lender is the same as a free standing home purchase.  If you are purchasing a condominium, there is additional and different paperwork for the Realtor and Lender to prepare and strict guidelines for financing.

How do you know the difference between a townhouse and a condominium?  One way is to look at the legal description- in most cases, a townhome has a lot/block legal description and a condo will show “unit __” of “Building ___” or on tax records it will show style as being a condo.  If it is still unclear after looking at the tax records, the next step would be to have a title company pull the title information on the property to see how it was legally recorded.

If you are purchasing a condominium, you need to understand that they are considered high risk properties.  The condition and value depend on the neighbors as much as the owners, so owner occupancy is very important.  If too many owners are using the condo as an investment property or second home, then it could limit the type of loan you can get on your condo.  If you are getting a conventional loan on your condominium you have to put down atleast 20% so there will be no mortgage insurance required.  If you do a conventional loan with less than 20% down, then you will be required to get mortgage insurance and the owner occupancy rate must be atleast 75%.  So if the majority of the condos are used as rental units or second homes and you don’t have 20% to put down, you will not be able to get a conventional loan.   For an FHA or VA Loan, the government rules state that the condo association must be on the approved list for either FHA or VA before you can do a loan through them.  The approved lists are available online.  If the property is not on the approved list, then you do have the option to submit to FHA or VA for approval, but this is a long process.  For the property to get approved for an FHA or VA Loan they will require that it has an owner occupancy of atleast 50%, there cannot be any lawsuits going on with the property, past dues cannot be more than 15%, and any other requirements they want to add.

It is definitely easier and less risky to purcahse a townhome, but many condominiums are popular around the city and qualify for both VA and FHA Loans.  Check with a Realtor at Register Real Estate Advisors to learn more about the townhomes and condos in the area where you want to relocate to.  Our agents can help you move into any home you choose!  Call us today to get started.

Copyright © 2012, Houston Realtors Information Service, Inc.

The information provided is exclusively for consumers’ personal, non-commercial use, and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. This data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS.

This IDX solution is (c) Diverse Solutions 2012.