Alvin, Friendswood, Clear Lake, Houston, Pearland, League City, Real Estate, Texas

What's the latest in our local real estate market?

Making your home more GREEN!
Posted - 04/03/2012
Whether saving money or saving the planet is the motivation, there are thousands of simple "green" choices we can each make in our lives, and our homes, that will provide for a healthier, wealthier, more sustainable future. Here are some quick tips to help you conserve water, energy (and money) in your home!* If you don't have it in your budget to upgrade to a low-flow or dual–flush toilet, put a brick or full 2-liter bottle in your toilet tank. These will take up volume and help you save water every time you flush! Turn down the temperature on your hot-water heater by at least 2 degrees and wrap your unit in a blanket. Replace your burned-out incandescent light bulbs with CFLs or LEDs. Simply swapping out the most commonly used incandescent bulbs in your home can save you $60 to $100 a year. Call me if you're interested in learning more efficiency-boosting changes for your home! And as always, when you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling real estate, I'm here to help!

Get your home in shape!
Posted - 04/03/2012
If you're like most people, your home is one of, if not THE largest investment you'll ever make and maintaining it is key to protecting its value. With Spring upon us, there's no better time to put a little sweat equity into your home! This list is a great start to getting your home in great shape, now, and when you're ready to sell! · Remove and donate unwanted items, reorganize and clean closets, attic, basement and garage · Power wash exterior walls, porch floors, deck, patio, driveway and sidewalks · Clean outdoor furniture, umbrellas and outdoor light fixtures · Clean out gutters · Clean out refrigerator and freezer, making sure to vacuum the grill and coil · Remove lint from the hose attached to back of clothes dryer · Vacuum baseboards, walls and ceilings, wipe down walls · Steam clean carpets and area rugs and upholstery · Reseal natural stone surfaces (travertine, etc) · Reseal and repair grout in bathtubs and showers · Clean window treatments, dust and clean blinds and shutters · Remove items from all shelves, dust and clean · Oil hinges

February 2012 Market Update
Posted - 02/13/2012
2012 is off to a promising start. Mortgage rates continue to drop and have remained under 4% for nearly two months. Home sales are strengthening and pending home sales, a measure to gauge future sales, are at their highest levels since March 2010. Job growth has been increasing for most of 2011, with unemployment dropping to 8.4%. As more people are getting jobs, consumer confidence has also been increasing. However, underemployment continues to be a problem for a stronger recovery. The underemployment rate is 18.1%, and there are still a significant number of people working part time, who would like to have full-time work. Even with substantial national improvements, this continues to be a "one neighborhood at a time" recovery. Payroll jobs were up in 25 states, but down in 24, demonstrating the delicate state of the U.S. economy. Global factors such as the European debt crisis are also complicating a more robust recovery. Strong guidance is needed from local and global leaders to continue this growth, as well as allow for business to maintain momentum toward building and expanding upon the opportunities that exist. Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Association of Realtors

WIN A BRAND NEW HOUSE!!!
Posted - 01/09/2012
Someone is going to win a brand new house! On Sunday, March 4, 2012, someone is going to win this brand new house... That someone could be you! This beautiful home located at 5239 Morgan Oak in Morgan’s Landing in Alvin, Texas, was built by Builders Without Borders of Texas. It is currently valued $159,000. Features include 3-4BR/ optional study, 2 bath, 2-car garage, plus many upgrades... hardwood floors throughout, Travertine and slate tiles in wet areas, beautiful stone gas fireplace, stainless appliances, convection ovens, and more. Raffle tickets are $100. All proceeds from this raffle will go to Builders Without Borders of Texas to support current as well as development of new projects. If you are interested in purchasing tickets or would like to help sell tickets, please call Eileen Jasper, Broker Associate with Keller Williams at 281-813-2189. You can also make arrangements by calling Kim Reed at 832-274-3893. The drawing will be held on March 4, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. at Stevenson Park in Friendswood. Winner need not be present to win.

Homestead Exemption - Brazoria County
Posted - 01/06/2012
There has been a change in the Homeowner’s Exemption Process that came out this past September. In order to qualify for a Homestead Exemption on your new home, you must have the following THREE items have the SAME address on them: 1. Texas driver’s license or Texas state issued ID card. 2. Vehicle registration receipt 3. Homestead Exemption Application http://www.brazoriacad.org/Forms.htm In January, you can file for the exemption and receive the credit for the entire tax year. January 1^st through April 15^th is the filing time. You may also go to: www.brazoriacad.org for more information.

November 2011 Market Update
Posted - 11/15/2011
November 2011 Market Update While home sales in September were down slightly from a relatively strong month in August, they were up from a year ago, giving encouraging signs of a strengthening market and potential for stabilizing, if not appreciating, home prices. These signs include an increasing demand, shown by the number of people shopping for homes, and the decreasing inventory of homes for sale, in conjunction with some of the lowest levels of new housing construction since the 1960s when the Beatles first came to the United States. Of the 3.48 million homes sold in September, 32% were first-time home buyers. With more and more people entering the market, the persisting obstacle for most is still the restrictive lending environment. In a plea to banks and policy makers, NAR President Ron Phipps said, "We need to remove the roadblocks to a housing recovery—not place more obstacles in the way of financially qualified buyers." With an increasing demand and shrinking inventory, it is hoped that banks will begin to see the market potential and start to lend to otherwise creditworthy home shoppers, opening the road to a more rapid recovery. While consumer confidence still remains at all-time lows, retail spending increased 1.1% last month, a positive sign of growth fueled by the approaching holiday season, which could propel the U.S. into a promising new year.

Real Estate....Real Easy....
Posted - 10/26/2011
How is the market in our area? This is the #1 real estate question I receive. I believe that if you ask 5 different Realtors, you’re likely to get 5 different answers. The bottom line is--it depends on what you want to do. I just heard a wise man today say “there’s no good market or bad market…there’s just THE market.” There are a lot of statistics regarding “how the market is doing.” Many of these include the entire Houston area and often the entire country. Below are some facts that focus on our local area only-namely, Alvin/Manvel/Friendswood/Pearland. These stats are residential comparisons from July 2010 to July 2011. # properties sold in July, 2010 -179 # properties sold in 2011-241 (up 34%) Average sales price in July, 2010-$218,863 Average sales price in July, 2011-$195,840 (down 10.5%) Average # of days on market, July 2010-82 Average # of days on market, July 2011-77 (selling 6% faster) # homes for sale in July, 2010—2,213 # homes for sale in July, 2011-2,188 (1% less homes on the market) From this data alone we can tell that in July 2011 compared to July 2010: · more homes are being sold · in a shorter period of time · for buyers, the average sales price has decreased · for sellers, competition is about the same and homes are selling faster Regardless of which “side of the fence” you’re on…buying or selling-there’s a positive in EVERY market. Think about this-the equity you don’t get when selling your home can be made up when you buy a home, so it’s possible to come out even better if you plan to buy and sell. AND with these incredible interest rates….don’t wait! For questions, contact Eileen at Eileen.Jasper@gmail.com or 281-813-2189. When it’s time to sell-what are THE most important things to do to get my house sold-fast!

Do you want to do some real estate investing?
Posted - 10/21/2011
Have you ever thought about investing in real estate? Investing in real estate is an incredible long-term investment opportunity. And, in this shifting real estate market, you may be able to purchase investment real estate that will secure your financial goals for the long term. I keep a current list of "Investor Best Buys" that I would like to share with you. Investing in real estate may not be the right fit for you today, but we won't know for sure until we sit down to discuss it.

How to sell your home FAST!
Posted - 10/21/2011
Have you ever wondered why some of the nicest houses in the neighborhood seem to stay on the market forever? Or why some of your neighbors seem to settle for less than their home is probably worth? The right real estate agent is critical. In today's market, it's more important than ever that you choose to work with an agent that has the knowledge and systems to get you the most money for your house, including: As your local real estate expert, I understand: · How to set a price that will attract the most buyers · The most likely buyer for your home and how best to reach them · What features buyers are looking for and expect from the homes in your neighborhood · What marketing techniques are driving the most buyer traffic Why settle for an agent who will simply put a "For Sale" sign in your yard, when you could have one that will get the "SOLD" sign up as soon as possible! As your local real estate expert, I would be honored to work with you on your next move.

October 2011 Market Update

Posted - 10/21/2011

October 2011 Market Update

Despite some pessimism pertaining to the global and domestic economies, the U.S. housing sector continues to show promising signs of stability and growth. Low levels of new home construction and gaining sales volume fueled by an inventory of affordable housing since Richard Nixon was president have reduced the number of homes on the market. This means home prices may begin to appreciate again.

While there are many factors that can be barriers to buying a home, such as the tightening of mortgage lending rules by banks, consumer confidence in the job market is among one of the top obstacles to home ownership. In the 2011 Housing Pulse Survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors, 80% of respondents cited job security as their primary concern when deciding to buy.

For only the fourth time since the beginning of 2010, home sales in August were up both year-over-year and month-over-month, posting an 18.6% gain from last year, with first-time home buyers accounting for nearly a third of all homes purchased. These indications of strength in the housing market may help to add to consumer confidence, which is an integral part of sustained growth. Even though there is still a long road to recovery ahead of us, there are opportunities to be had for both home buyers and sellers.