Tagged : homes 
There are currently 18 blog entries matching this tag.
Mortgages Underwater, Housing Recovery Stalled: Bring Out the Bulldozer
Friday, September 23rd, 2011 at 1:46am. 21144 Views, 19 Comments.
In recent months, discussions on the economy have been dominated by two topics: the national deficit and jobs. And rightly so. Mushrooming debt casts a pall on our long-term financial outlook and unemployment is a singular focus for anyone looking for a job. As the economy continues to sputter, though, many economists and analysts are reaching the conclusion that, just as the housing market was at the core of the economic crisis, it is also the key to recovery.
Currently, 1 in 5 mortgages is underwater; with these homeowners often pouring all of their resources into just keeping their homes, they often have little money left to put back into the economy. Foreclosed homes, which in some areas sit in limbo for months or even years, often fall into…
Hurricanes, Fires and Floods - Review Home Insurance Before an Emergency Hits
Friday, June 24th, 2011 at 10:15am. 3332 Views, 2 Comments.
Hurricanes, Fires and Floods ...OMG!
This stuff happens in Houston, Texas. Get an Insurance Check-up Before an Emergency Hits.
When was the last time you looked at your homeowners’ insurance policy? Was it, say, around the time you purchased your home? If so, you’re not alone. Many homeowners take a “buy it and forget it” attitude when it comes to their insurance, and for good reason - it’s not fun to think about all the calamities that could befall your home.
But, as the recent outbreak of floods, tornadoes and wildfires across the country reminds us, disasters can strike whether we’re ready or not. And in the middle of a crisis is not the time to find out whether your policy will fully take care of any damage to your home.
So, below are several steps…
Nostalgia Invokes Real Estate Emotions
Monday, October 25th, 2010 at 9:44am. 1127 Views, 1 Comments.
Buying a home is an exciting time for homebuyers and Houston Realtors alike. What is often overlooked in the real estate market is the percentage of buyers on the market searching for their second home. In “Nothing Sells Homes like Nostalgia” Steve Bergman investigates the motivation homebuyers may have for purchasing a second place to call home.
Who’s on the Market?
Baby Boomers are most often targeted for second home sales. As they near retirement age and are generally financially stable, it is the perfect population for Realtors to target. Not to mention that (according to Bergman) the 50-and-over crowd control over half of the discretionary income in the country.
However, in these economic times selling a luxury such as a second home can be a hard sale,…
Eastwood Subdivision in Houston Texas Celebrates its 15th Annual Historic Home Tour
Wednesday, October 13th, 2010 at 12:31pm. 1476 Views, 0 Comments.
Just east of downtown is the historic neighborhood of Eastwood, one of Houston’s original master-planned communities. Nestled among canopies of live oaks and sycamores are Craftsman, Foursquare, Arts & Crafts and Mission style homes, some of which will be featured in the 15th Annual Eastwood Historic Home Tour on Oct. 16-17.
Karen Niemeier, director of public relations and marketing for the tour, said, “We believe that Eastwood is one of the hidden treasures of Houston. The tour is a great way to introduce folks to the neighborhood. A lot of people have no idea that a community like Eastwood has such historically significant structures.”
Each location on the tour was chosen for its historic representation. Niemeier said, “The home tour committee identified…
Buying a Home with Kids in Mind
Thursday, September 16th, 2010 at 11:14am. 2769 Views, 5 Comments.
Purely a personal observation by this homeowner, mother, and educator, but when a young childless couple buys a home there is almost always some discussion of future children. For some couples, the child might already be in the works and the house needs to be purchased, closed and settled within the next nine months. Others are looking down the road a bit and want to be sure there is plenty of room for the family to grow when the couple is ready.
As a younger woman, I was convinced I knew what I needed in my home in order to be ready for my family to come a few years after buying. After the birth of my second son, I realized how clueless I really was before children. This applied to me as well as other future parents out there. Before you have children,…
Hurricane Preparedness - 30 Tips for Riding out the Storm
Thursday, September 9th, 2010 at 11:10pm. 588 Views, 0 Comments.
Another hurricane season is here, and like some before, it’s predicted to be an active one with quite a number of named storms, some projected to hit the US.
For years we’ve heard “Have a kit, have a plan,” but what kind of kit? Are kits really useful? And what kind of plan? What are the considerations? What should I actually DO in a hurricane?
As a short answer to that last question, we put together a quick list of things you should do if a hurricane is headed your way. Keep in mind though that this is an intro list. You’ll find the link to the full article below.
For now we’ll assume that you’re not in a coastal area, you’re not under mandatory evacuation orders, and that you’ve decided to stay and shelter in place. So, we’ll start by saying that…
Hurricane Preparedness Tips for Houston Homeowners
Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 at 7:37am. 1037 Views, 3 Comments.
As the nation marks the five-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and gets ready for the peak of the Atlantic storm season, hurricane preparedness is on many minds - particularly for owners of Houston homes. Memories of Hurricane Ike are still fresh, and while the chances of Houston seeing another storm like that again so soon are (hopefully) slim, even small storms can cause significant damage to homes which aren't properly protected. So, whether you're new to the area, a new homeowner, or just needing a quick refresher - here are a few key items to check off your list to ensure your home is hurricane ready.
Windows
We all know what a baseball thrown by the neighbor's kid can do to our windows. Now just imagine a piece of debris being thrown at it with…
Are Smaller Homes a New Way of Life?
Saturday, August 21st, 2010 at 8:56am. 870 Views, 1 Comments.
As economy continues to struggle in its recovery, Americans are responding to the ongoing challenges by changing their ways. They’re paying down debts faster and limiting new borrowing (although not always voluntarily). They’re keeping more money in the bank, too, driving personal saving rates higher than they’ve been in years. And, more and more Americans are buying and building smaller homes.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average new home size shrank 81 square feet in 2009. Of course, our homes still dwarf those of our parents and grandparents - the average home size in the 1950s was 983 square feet; today it stands at 2438.
Still, 9 out of 10 home builders recently surveyed said they have plans to build smaller or lower-priced homes. And a…
FHA Loans Changes, The Glass is Half Empty and Full for Prospective Homebuyers
Saturday, August 14th, 2010 at 2:13am. 806 Views, 4 Comments.
FHA loans have been a saving grace for many prospective homebuyers. Lowered rates and affordable upfront costs have made it easier for those first joining the market to guarantee a loan that will leave them money after the mortgage each month. However, as of October 4th changes are coming to the premiums on FHA loans. And these changes are not so cut and dry.
The housing market has taken a hit these past few years, and the insurance fund issuing FHA mortgages has taken a hit as well. Since FHA officials are not legally allowed to raise rates, Congress recently granted them more leeway with premiums. In short, premiums will be adjusted after October 4th, but depending on the plans you have for your home’s future, now may or may not be the time to buy.
As the…
HOME BUYER TIPS - Before Buying a Home
Thursday, August 12th, 2010 at 1:47pm. 762 Views, 2 Comments.
For those of you who have credit that is fair or poor, consult with a bank, credit union, mortgage broker or mortgage lender for advice on whether your credit history will prevent you from qualifying for a mortgage. Based on the amount, reason for the credit problems and when these problems occurred, you may be able to get help.
Some state and local housing agencies, in addition to a few private lenders, have funds available for potential home buyers whose income falls within the low to moderate range. One of these government agencies is the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFa). This agency does not make direct loans to consumers but uses approved private lenders for all qualifying and loan arrangements.
Other states have similar loan programs and most…
My Account
Log in, to view your saved searches and add to your favorite listings.
... So You Can:
- View detailed property information
- Print detailed property flyers
- Save your searches & favorite homes
- Inquire about a private showing
- Map individual property locations
- Share your favorite homes with friends
Blog Navigation
Blogroll
Archives
