Thursday, November 29, 2012

New Featured Listings in the Heights & Spring Valley


New Knockout Listing in the Heights!
428 Cortlandt
MLS#: 69349540




An Outstanding Home in Spring Valley!
9229 Westview Dr.
MLS#: 39091692

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Friday, November 23, 2012

Walking in High Cotton at Cottonwood

One of CultureMap's Houston's 10 Hot Must Try Restaurants for November is Cottonwood. I went there last week with my fabulous friend Kate. Located off of Shepherd just north of 610, they have a casual cool indoor area and it's very open to a large outdoor seating area.  It's a little tricky to find the driveway to the parking, so may want to go with someone who knows (check their website for the map...ha!).  Lots of parking, so you are good there!  Cottonwood seems good for kids and pups too, so feel free to bring both!   

As far as the food/drink situation, they have lots of local brews and the food was really great too!  I got the Turkey Panini and and it was really yummy!  The burgers looked good too and I can't wait to go again!

 


Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Hello...sellers, are you there? Houston needs YOU!

Well, Houston has moved past a balanced inventory situation and a seller's market is in full effect! With the lowest inventory in over a decade, I personally am seeing clients lose out on properties due to multiple offers (think 6 offers or more) and houses selling well above ($20k, $50k over list price) comparable properties from just a few months ago. Check out this article by Houston Assocation of Realtors to find out more.

Now is a great time to sell if you are ready!


HOUSTON — (November 20, 2012) — The number of homes on the market in Houston reached the lowest level in more than a decade in October, thanks to a surge in sales that also lifted prices to the highest levels ever for an October.

Single-family home sales skyrocketed 32.7 percent compared to October 2011, according to the latest monthly data prepared by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR), and accounted for the 17th consecutive month of positive sales. Contracts closed on 5,379 homes, driving inventory down to 4.4 months, a level last seen in December 2001. All segments of the housing market saw gains in October, with the steepest among homes priced above $250,000.

"Home sales throughout Houston were incredibly strong in October and sent the supply of homes down to 4.4 months, which is the lowest level we've observed in 11 years," said Wayne A. Stroman, HAR chairman and CEO of Stroman Realty. "Our active real estate market reflects the general health of the Houston economy, most notably the addition of close to 96,000 new jobs over the past year, according to the latest Texas Workforce Commission employment report. The inventory squeeze has definitely created fertile ground for homebuilders."

Foreclosure property sales reported in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) declined 10.9 percent compared to October 2011. Foreclosures made up 15.5 percent of all property sales, the lowest one-month sales volume of the year and a likely reflection of the continued slowdown in the sales of homes priced below $80,000. The median price of October foreclosures rose 6.3 percent to $85,000.

October sales of all property types in Houston totaled 6,457, a staggering 35.1 percent increase over October 2011. Total dollar volume for properties sold during the month shot up 47.2 percent to $1.4 billion versus $945 million a year earlier.

Read the Full Article Here

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

PSA: What you shouldn't do when trying to sell your home...

ComeON people. Seriously.  I have had some weird, WEIRD showing experiences lately.  Here are things you should NOT do when trying to sell your home:

Tip # 1 - DO NOT BE HOME when there is a showing scheduled.  DO NOT.  It's awkward guys. Seriously. No one likes a homeowner 1) surprising them when they open a bedroom door on the 3rd floor after being in the house for 15 mins (has happened). 2) following you around the house (totally happens) 3) lounging around in their PJ's (happened this weekend) 4) Smoking a Hookah in the back yard (Yep, you guessed it, happened) 5) Don't air your dirty laundry about your divorce during the showing (again, this really happened!!)

SERIOUSLY.

Tip #2 - CLEAN YOUR DANG HOUSE. or don't show it or put it on the market.  No one likes to look at destroyed rooms, unmaid beds and your dirty skivvies on the floor.  Seriously.  Clean off your stinking kitchen counters!!  I don't really want to see what you had for dinner last night spread out everywhere & it's a turn off to buyers.  Buyers assume that if you can't take care of your belongings or home, they automatically start to doubt the maintenance of your home.

Tip #3 -  TAKE DOWN PERSONAL PHOTOS & SUCH.  I am a photo nut. Love them. Your kids are so. stinking. adorable -  I get it, trust me.  I have 2,365 photos of my dog on my phone.  I especially love to walk through your house and look at your photos. And so does the buyer.  We love to guess things all about you - especially when we see degrees.  We automatically start making up stories.  It's fun.  But you know what we are not doing...looking at your stinking house. That stuff is distracting. Take it down.

Okay, enough of my ranting.  Hope these tips help you sell your place. :-)

XO-
Sarah


Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Sold in Shady Acres/Heights

A few weeks ago, I had a client & good friend close on her first home in the Shady Acres area of the Heights.  I love that this area of the Heights has really started to transition over the last few years and take off. Can't wait for the new wine bar & restaurant Crisp to open up right by her new place! 

Isn't she pretty! 
 
 The interior was spotless!
 
Welcome home Liz!

Monday, November 12, 2012

Back In The Game!

Guess who's back baby?! Me! That's who! Your favorite and beloved realtor is finally able to wear heels on a consistent (longer than 5 mins at a time) basis. Sure it doesn't feel super amazing, but my doc said that would probably happen. Everyday is getting better and better and I feel much more confident. So, let the heel shopping begin! Back to showing in heels and hopefully no falls!