Homes Spring Texas

Purchasing Homes

Everyone in Spring Texas eventually experiences that moment of clarity in which they realize that they are at a point in their lives at which they should look into purchasing a home of their own. No more pouring money into the pit of rent fees. No more gaining nothing from your monthly payments. Everyone reaches that point where they are ready to work towards owning a home in Spring Texas for their family and themselves. However, it can be confusing to decide which home is the right one for you. Homes with more bedrooms have more space, but do you want the extra hassle? Homes with more bathrooms are more comfortable for larger families or couples who entertain frequently, but do you have the time to keep that many bathrooms clean and stocked? Homes in Spring Texas with a yard are awesome for those who have a dog or little children who want to play, but are you prepared to take care of the necessary upkeep that comes along with homes with a yard? When deciding between the scores of homes that are available for purchase, it is important that every potential homebuyer pays careful attention to the pros and cons of all the features of those homes such as bedrooms, bathrooms and a yard.

Touring Homes

When touring various homes with your real estate agent in Spring Texas, are you left puzzled as to how many bedrooms you should ideally purchase? You are not alone. In Spring, Texas, it is quite a puzzle as to how many bedrooms make homes too large and how few bedrooms make homes too small. Homebuyers want to see enough space in their homes for every member of the family to have their own personal bedroom, however, many homebuyers also consider purchasing homes with an extra bedroom so that they can have a guest bedroom for out of town family and friends. On paper, this idea sounds foolproof, without a single negative aspect. When you take a second glance though, homebuyers realize that homes with extra bedrooms require extra cleaning time. For the busy working couple, extra cleaning time may not be a possibility. For others, who have hired cleaning services, this extra cleaning time is worth having a guest bedroom in their homes. This is all up to your personal preference, though the cleaning time associated with that extra bedroom should definitely be discussed prior to purchasing one of the larger homes that you toured with your realtor.

Homes Planning

For those in Spring Texas with a large number of social events and gatherings planned for their new homes, it is important that a home with more than one bathroom is purchased. However, these homes with more bathrooms require more cleaning attention, just as homes with more bedrooms. If you are one of the home buyers who cringed at the idea presented above that you may need to log a few extra hours in order to assure that your home is squeaky clean, maybe an extra bathroom is not the choice for you. But, for some, the idea of having an extra bathroom for the nights that they are entertaining is entirely worth the extra scrubbing time.

Home buyers

Another issue for potential home buyers who are looking at prospective homes in Spring, Texas is whether or not a large yard will be necessary for their growing family. Once again, the labor that accompanies this luxury in homes needs to be considered. There will be mowing that needs to be kept up with, either by you or by a contracted lawn service. For some, mainly those with pets, this is a no brainer. They want Fido to have a place to run around, so they are willing to do whatever it takes to tame the lawn.

Homes Spring Texas

Looking at homes in Spring Texas can be an extremely confusing experience. Prospective home buyers need to keep in mind not only the benefits of the extras the homes they see have to offer, but also the maintenance that will be necessary for the upkeep of those homes.

How to Find Good Real Estate in the Woodlands

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A lot of new home buyers seem to think that they can avoid realtor services in order to save money. They seem to believe that it would be a waste of time and money to hire professional real estate agents and that directly negotiating with a broker or seller will benefit them more. However, a lot of people regret thinking this in the end. So, if you are looking for good real estate in the Woodlands, it would be best to look into professional services in order to find the best home for you.

Now, the real estate market tends to fluctuate, in general. Fortunately, experts know about the rise and fall of interest rates in the area, so they can tell buyers when the ideal time would be to look into real estate in the Woodlands. This will give you the best value possible. Conversely, if you choose to deal with brokers or sellers directly, you might lose out due to their lack of sympathy and interest in you.

Hiring a real estate agent will also ensure that you find out about a property’s actual market value. Plus, you will be able to negotiate things more effectively and ensure you get the best price possible.

One unique quality that comes with the business would be the fact that agents keep coming and leaving and the ones who are the most hard-working become industry experts from whom you can expect the most out of. Because of this, you should always look at the records and experience of agents before hiring one because it is their experience in real estate in the Woodlands that truly matters.

These agents can also give you any information that you need on the real estate in the Woodlands, in general. Still, you need to ensure that you find an agent who will stick by your side and isn’t actually a sub-agent on the seller’s side. This is rare but possible.

Keep in mind that legal contracts are binding, too. Because of this, you need to make sure that it is in order before signing it. You have the right to void the entire sale if you don’t like what the contract says – remember that. However, the seller also has the right to void it and this could result in you losing a lot of money in the end. Fortunately, a realtor or agent can help you through this contract and help you understand real estate in the Woodlands more before signing it.

How to Find the Woodlands Realtor for You!!!

How to Find the Woodlands Realtor for You

A lot of opportunities exist out there when selling and buying homes in the Woodlands that you might have no idea how to look for the Woodlands realtor for you, especially if you are looking for a professional one. In a nutshell, realtors in the Woodlands need to know about tax benefits, local neighborhoods, land values, and market awareness, while having exceptional communication skills overall.

This sounds easy, right? Well, truthfully, every realtor in the Woodlands gets the same kind of payment. They will receive a commission for every real estate piece that they sell. There are no designations or levels involved to let you know which realtor is better than the other. However, there are several ways on how to find the Woodlands realtor that suits you best.

First of all, find out whether they have a good reputation with the national realtors association to ensure that their education, market conditions and compliance laws are updated. Then, ensure that they are part of an MLS. The MLS refers to a big marketplace where people can get the best exposure for their pieces of real estate. After all, a combined cooperation of a lot of agencies and companies of real estate can give people the greatest exposure to real estate and homes in their locality.

Then, ensure that the Woodlands realtor is quite active on the Internet. With today’s changing industry, buyers are starting to look at properties different – and that includes the World Wide Web. Also ensure that you check their other capabilities at showing properties off well. Video walk-throughs and virtual tours, for example, can do wonders when it comes to showcasing real estate and making homes available to more people out there.

Traditional marketing of real estate would still be necessary, too, though, so ensure that your realtor of choice is actively marketing properties every day for maximum property exposure. The best realtors out there tend to use online methods, as well, in order to increase and supplement their clients’ property exposure.

The final thing that you have to look out for when looking for the Woodlands realtor for you would be their awareness about current local programs of mortgage. Their financing information will help you stream through various processes much more effectively, after all, while helping you avoid bumps that you would usually hit. Every now and then, the ability of a realtor to connect buyers with suitable financing is going to be a primary factor in their abilities to effectively and properly marketing their clients, as well – remember that.

January Sales of Homes are up in Houston !!!!

HOUSTON — (February 15, 2011) — Despite the bone-chilling winter weather, Houston’s housing market heated up in January, recording the first increase in property sales since June 2010. Pricing also heated up in the first month of the new year, with the average price of single-family homes reaching the highest level ever for a January in Houston.

Ja nuary sales of single-family homes throughout the Houston market rose 7.5 percent when compared to January 2010. Positive activity was recorded in all segments of the housing market, with the sharpest increases in sales volume taking place at opposite ends of the pricing spectrum.

Luxury home sales helped propel the average price of a single-family home, which increased 2.2 percent from January to $196,879. The January single-family home median price—the figure at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less—dipped 3.2 percent from one year earlier to $139,000, due to hefty sales volume among homes priced at $80,000 and below.

Foreclosure property sales reported in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) declined 4.7 percent in January compared to one year earlier. Foreclosures comprised 24.7 percent of all property sales in January, down from the 26.7 percent share they held at the beginning of 2010. The median price of January foreclosures fell 4.0 percent to $80,600 on a year-over-year basis.

January sales of all property types in Houston totaled 3,413, up 9.5 percent compared to January 2010. Total dollar volume for properties sold during the month was $643 million versus $574 million one year earlier, representing an 11.9 percent gain.

“Houston’s residential real estate market has definitely gotten the new year off to a healthy start,” said Carlos P. Bujosa, HAR chairman and VP at Transwestern. “Housing inventory appears to be balancing out, but the economy as a whole remains somewhat fragile, so I believe we need to see how home sales perform in the next month or two before being able to accurately predict what 2011 has in store for us.”"

January Monthly Market Comparison

The month of January brought Houston’s overall housing market positive results when all listing categories are compared to January of 2010. Total property sales, total dollar volume and average price all rose on a year-over-year basis while the median single-family home sales prices dropped slightly.

Month-end pending sales for January totaled 2,478, up 7.7 percent from last year. That suggests the likelihood of further strengthening in demand when the February figures are tallied. The number of available properties, or active listings, at the end of January rose 13.7 percent from January 2010 to 31,232. Despite the increase in sales volume, growth in available housing pushed the January inventory of single-family homes to 7.3 months compared to 6.1 months one year earlier. The figure still compares favorably to the national inventory of single-family homes of 8.1 months reported by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

CATEGORIES	JANUARY 2010	JANUARY 2011	PERCENT CHANGE
Total property sales	3,118	3,413	9.5%
Total dollar volume	$574,282,523	$642,901,862	11.9%
Total active listings	27,465	31,232	13.7%
Total pending sales	2,301	2,478	7.7%
Single-family home sales	2,572	2,766	7.5%
Single-family average sales price	$192,617	$196,879	2.2%
Single-family median sales price	$143,560	$139,000	-3.2%
Months inventory*	6.1	7.3	19.5%

* Months inventory estimates the number of months it will take to deplete current active inventory based on the prior 12 months sales activity. This figure is representative of the single-family homes market.

Single-Family Homes Update

January sales of single-family homes in Houston totaled 2,766, up 7.5 percent from January 2010. This marks the first increase in sales volume since June 2010, when the beneficial effects of the last homebuyer tax credit tapered.

Broken out by segment, January sales of homes priced below $80,000 surged 26.3 percent; sales of homes in the $80,000-$150,000 range climbed 9.0 percent; sales of homes between $150,000 and $250,000 edged up 2.5 percent; sales of homes ranging from $250,000-$500,000 rose 3.9 percent; and sales of homes that make up the luxury market—priced from $500,000 and up—increased 17.6 percent.

The average price of single-family homes in January was $196,879, up 2.2 percent compared to one year earlier. That is the highest level recorded for a January in Houston. At $139,000, the median sales price for single-family homes dipped 3.2 percent versus January 2010. The national single-family median price reported by NAR is $169,300, illustrating the continued higher value and lower cost of living available to consumers in Houston.

HAR also breaks out the sales performance of existing single-family homes throughout the Houston market. In January 2011, existing home sales totaled 2,423, a 16.2 percent increase from January 2010. The average sales price rose 4.0 percent to $185,258 compared to last year, while the median sales price of $128,500 slid 2.7 percent.

Townhouse/Condominium Update

The number of townhouses and condominiums that sold in January increased 10.7 percent compared to one year earlier—the first sales volume increase recorded since June 2010. In the greater Houston area, 279 units were sold last month versus 252 properties in January 2010.

The average price dropped 3.5 percent to $142,164 from January 2010 to January 2011. The median price of a townhouse/condominium declined 8.9 percent to $104,000.

Lease Property Update

Demand for single-family home rentals soared 27.5 percent in January compared to one year earlier. Year-over-year townhouse/condominium rentals increased 24.0 percent.

Houston Real Estate Milestones in January

Single-family home sales increased for the first time since June 2010, rising 7.5 percent;

At $196,879, the average price of a single-family home reached the highest level ever recorded for a January in Houston;

Sales of townhouses and condominiums saw their first increase since June 2010, climbing 10.7 percent;

Single-family home rentals rose 27.5 percent;

Townhouse/condominium rentals increased 24.0 percent;

7.3 months inventory of single-family homes compares favorably to the national average of 8.1 months.

check for listing

The computerized Multiple Listing Service of the Houston Association of REALTORS® includes residential properties and new homes listed by 26,000 REALTORS® throughout Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties, as well as parts of Brazoria, Galveston, Waller and Wharton counties. Residential home sales statistics as well as listing information for more than 50,000 properties may be found on the Internet at http://www.har.com.

The information published and disseminated to the HAR Multiple Listing Services is communicated verbatim, without change by Multiple Listing Services, as filed by MLS participants.

The MLS does not verify the information provided and disclaims any responsibility for its accuracy. All data is preliminary and subject to change. Monthly sales figures reported since November 1998 includes a statistical estimation to account for late entries. Twelve-month totals may vary from actual end-of-year figures. (Single-family detached homes were broken out separately in monthly figures beginning February 1988.)

Founded in 1918, the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR) is a 26,000-member organization of real estate professionals engaged in every aspect of the industry, including residential and commercial sales and leasing, appraisal, property management and counseling. It is the largest individual dues-paying membership trade association in Houston as well as the second largest local association/board of REALTORS® in the United States.

 Get new listings at       http://www.listingthewoodlands.com

Questions to Ask Before Listing your Home

Choosing the right Realtor to sell your home can be difficult, especially when they all sound so convincing. The following list of questions will not only help you select the right Realtor, but will also help you get the very best from the agent you choose.

1. Do you work as a full-time Realtor?

2. Do you handle incoming property inquiries?

3. How many listings do you have at this time, and how does this work to my benefit?

4. Do you have a help system to see that no details are overlooked?

5. How many potential buyers and sellers do you speak with each day? Each week? Each year?

6. In what ways will you encourage other Realtors to sell my home?

7. Do you have references that I can check?

8. How will you set my listing apart from the crowd with out costing me more money?

9. What is my property worth? What listing price do you recommend? How did you arrive at that price?

10. How will you assist in my relocation plans?

11. Do you have a written plan of action designed specifically to sell my property?

12. How will you give interested buyers 24 hour access to my property?

13. How will you make information on my property available to out-of-town buyers?

14. How do you promote properties on the Internet?

What is The Woodlands Market Street ?

What is the Woodlands Market Street?

The Woodlands Market Street refers to the most upscale fine dining, shopping and entertainment hub in the North Houston and the Woodlands area. Not only will you find more than seventy retailers, restaurants and specialty stores here, but there is also a comfortable central park that has fountains and wireless internet, not to mention eye-catching art on offer.

The Woodlands Market Street proves to be the ideal shopping, entertainment and dining experience for anybody who finds themselves in the area as they have the best theaters, restaurants and stores available that you can possibly think of. It also proves to be a great place for families to relax and congregate. Plus, since it is set outdoors, you can simply walk around and breathe in some fresh air as you shop. The Woodlands Market Street happens to be a modern development in the Woodlands area of Texas, but it is still constantly growing by getting new recognized stores added to it.

Styled like a main street, the Woodlands Market Street should definitely be your number one entertainment and shopping destination today. By strolling outside, you will catch glimpses of the past in your head when town centers were still abundant. The fountains, the art, the music and the stage for live performances, in general, are very welcoming for people to gather for entertainment and events, so you are sure to see something to your liking when you go.

If you do not live in the Woodlands and are still just considering what there is to offer there, you can even choose to stay at some great hotels nearby. Most hotels in Texas are full of color anyway and are nestled in the trees, so you can enjoy the best of what the Woodlands has to offer in nature and in city life all at once.

There is no wonder as to why so many people love the Woodlands Market Street. Beautifully executed as a town square entertainment and shopping area, it has already become very popular, thanks to its mix of eclectic businesses. After all, with movie theaters, excellent restaurants, book stores, wine bars, coffee houses, high-end shopping, grocery stores with great gourmet sections, dynamic fountains for kids, free square concerts and even a public library – what more could anyone ask for?

For information on homes for sale in The Woodlands

The Woodlands Selected To Host 2011 Ironman Event

The Woodlands Selected To Host 2011 Ironman Event

World Triathlon Corporation, headquartered in Florida, has chosen The Woodlands, Texas for its inaugural Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas event in a special 5-year agreement.

The Ironman Team, Memorial Hermann, The Woodlands Township and The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau made the announcement Wednesday, June 23, 2010 that the inaugural Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas will take place Saturday, May 21, 2011.

“We are very pleased that World Triathlon Corporation has selected The Woodlands for its Ironman Texas event,” said Bruce Tough, Chairman of the Board of The Woodlands Township. “This world-class event garners major international exposure and is great for the recognition of The Woodlands. At the same time, we will work hard to assure and make sure the entire planning process considers every important aspect from a residential standpoint.”

Participants will begin with a swim in Lake Woodlands, entering the water at Northshore Park and finishing at Town Green Park, which will serve as the transition area. Athletes will then head out on the bike course that will take them west through The Woodlands before heading north to the scenic, rolling farmland of east Texas. The final portion of the race is a marathon course entirely within The Woodlands that concludes with a spectacular finish on Market Street.

“This event will showcase the incredible destination of The Woodlands downtown area and the community’s unique natural beauty,” said Nelda Luce Blair, Chairman of the Board, The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Ironman is a premier brand for athletic competition and the Woodlands is a premier brand for living and corporate headquarters. The two fit together very well and should be beneficial for local businesses and residential volunteer organizations. We anticipate that people from all over the country, and the world, will experience the hospitality and the natural scenic surroundings we have in The Woodlands.”

Nick Wolda, President of The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau added, “The Woodlands and South Montgomery County are quickly becoming household names in competitive sports events, from the world-class brand of Ironman to NCAA, college and high school championships. With people from all over the world living and visiting The Woodlands, Ironman Texas is a perfect match for our international community.”

Wolda adds the announcement of the Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas event is another in a line of prestigious sports competitions held in The Woodlands. Earlier, this year, The Woodlands hosted the 2010 Texas Rush Blue Chip Showcase, which provided amateur soccer players the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of college coaches from around the nation. The area also hosted the Nike South Cross Country Invitational and the Conference USA Cross Country Championship.

A longtime resident of The Woodlands, Steve Sanders, CEO of Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital, welcomed the announcement for multiple reasons.

“My pride that The Woodlands was selected for this race is matched only by my pride in Memorial Hermann’s outstanding sports medicine program. This is a win-win for our community and for Memorial Hermann.”

“Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas will be a phenomenal race,” said Steve Meckfessel, Ironman’s Chief Operations Officer. “The community’s spirit, unique amenities and accessibility make The Woodlands a perfect destination for our athletes and spectators. We’re truly excited about adding this event to the 2011 Ironman schedule.”

An Ironman triathlon consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a 26.2-mile run, and athletes must complete the three disciplines in succession within a 17-hour time frame. Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas will offer 65 coveted slots to the 2011 Ford Ironman World Championship, taking place on Oct. 8 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Additionally, there will be a prize purse of $100,000 for distribution among the top professional male and female finishers.

To book a hotel room in The Woodlands, go to The Woodlands Convention & Visitor Bureau’s website at www.visitthewoodlands.com

The event will rely on hundreds, if not thousands, of volunteers and the World Triathlon Corporation has committed to $100,000 back to local charities in The Woodlands.

Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, the largest not-for-profit healthcare provider serving greater Houston, will serve as title sponsor of the event. As a major player in the athletic arena, the Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute was actively looking to diversify its programs and outreach through a meaningful partnership.

Therefore, aligning with the World Triathlon Corporation was ideal in that both organizations’ core values revolve around improving the health of the communities they serve and working with athletes to achieve their highest potential.

“With one of the country’s top institutes dedicated to sports medicine and human performance in the Texas Medical Center, more than two dozen sports medicine and rehabilitation locations across our service area, and an outstanding team of physicians associated with our sports medicine programs, Memorial Hermann is the leader in sports related medical services,” said Walt Lowe, M.D., medical director, Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute and Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. “We share Ironman’s interest in helping athletes achieve their highest potential and look forward to working with them to do just that.”

The announcement of Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas was made in The Woodlands, Texas on Wednesday, June 23, 2010. Nick Wolda, President, The Woodlands CVB; Nelda Blair, Chairman of the Board, The Woodlands CVB; Bruce Tough, Chairman of the Board, The Woodlands Township; Steve Meckfessel, Chief Operations Officer, World Triathlon Corporation; Steve Sanders, Chief Executive Officer, Memorial Hermann – The Woodlands; and Josh Urban, Chief Operating Officer, Memorial Hermann – The Woodlands.

About Ironman
The Ironman Triathlon consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a 26.2-mile run completed in succession within a 17-hour allotted timeframe. In 2006, World Triathlon Corporation, owners of the brands, launched the Ironman 70.3 Series which consists of a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run in addition to a world championship event which is held each November. Each year, more than 120,000 athletes compete for slots in either the Ford Ironman World Championship, held every October in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii and the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 held in Clearwater, Fla. Throughout Ironman’s nearly 32- year history, Ironman has transformed from an event into a lifestyle and sports brand that includes licensed products and television production. Ironman has global reach with more than 66 events worldwide and continues to inspire millions each year to establish goals and take on new personal challenges, demonstrating the Ironman mantra, “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE”. Millions may remember moments in Ironman history such as Julie Moss’ crawl to the finish line in 1982, which was showcased on ABC’s Wide World of Sports. The brands have been featured in a range of media outlets to include CNN Headline News, Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, The TODAY Show, Entertainment Tonight and USA Today. For more information on Ironman, visit www.ironman.com.

About Memorial Hermann
An integrated health system, Memorial Hermann is known for world-class clinical expertise, patient-centered care, leading edge technology, and innovation. The system, with its exceptional medical staff and 19,000 employees, serves southeast Texas and the greater Houston community. Memorial Hermann’s 11 hospitals include three hospitals in the Texas Medical Center, including a level 1 trauma center, a hospital for children and a rehabilitation hospital, as well as three heart & vascular institute locations and eight suburban hospitals. The system also operates an air ambulance, cancer, imaging and surgery centers, sports medicine and rehabilitation centers, outpatient laboratories, a Wellness Center, a chemical dependency treatment center, a home health agency, a retirement community and a nursing home. About The Woodlands Located just 30 minutes north of Houston, Texas and minutes from George Bush Intercontinental Airport, The Woodlands is an emerging destination for leisure guests, individual business travelers and groups of all sizes. Visitors to The Woodlands enjoy more than five million square feet of world-class shopping, dining and entertainment options; more than 185 miles of hike-andbike trails; the 1,700-acre Mitchell Preserve; the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, one of the top five outdoor amphitheatres in the world; kayaking on The Woodlands Waterway and Lake Woodlands; and 115 parks. The Woodlands features world-class golf and is home to more than 1,400 guestrooms in upscale and boutique properties, select service, limited service, conference and convention centers and a resort.

THIRD STRAIGHT MONTHLY INCREASE IN SALES OF SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES IN HOUSTON