Tagged : houston real estate 
There are currently 41 blog entries matching this tag.
Making Your Houston Home Energy-Efficient can be Easy Peasy Money Squeezy
Friday, September 23rd, 2011 at 1:03am. 2661 Views, 3 Comments.
This is the time of year that makes even seasoned Houstonians want to hide from the heat in an air conditioned cocoon; and as temperatures soar, our electric bills do, too. In fact, thanks to our sultry summers, Houstonians have among the highest utility bills in the country.
Luckily, there are things you can do to ease the pain - and that doesn't mean packing up to move north. (You don't want to live there come winter anyway.) With changes to your home big and small, you can slash your energy bills, help the environment - and use local and federal rebates to help pick up the tab.
Fix Those Leaks and Insulate
Regardless of what new, energy-saving technology might be out there, much of our home's energy efficiency comes down to simple and low-tech - how…
Divorce Can Lead to Two Homes - Or Living with Your Ex and their Spouse and more Kids and Step-Pets
Sunday, June 26th, 2011 at 10:03am. 3620 Views, 3 Comments.
I know! How about you, me, stepdad, dad, stepmom, sibling, half-sibling, step-sibling and the dogs all live together in one big house?
There's probably not a divorced parent out there who hasn't heard their kids ask for something like this.
They're not too far off.
Whether it's financially-driven or a unique take on "staying together for the sake of the children," some reports claim that more and more divorced couples are choosing to live together, yet separately, under one roof.
That certainly gives new meaning to the oft-quoted real estate mantra "location, location, location."
Too close for comfort
Spring resident James Wilson, a 38-year-old divorced father of two kids, ages 9 and 10, is somewhere in the middle. Not too close but not too far, he lives just…
Green Grass in Houston - Extreme Makeover Sod Addition
Tuesday, June 14th, 2011 at 12:46am. 3119 Views, 2 Comments.
It happens... Maybe you forgot to water the yard during last summer's vacation, or your kids have played "buried pirate's treasure" one too many times. Now you have a major case of Lawn Pattern Baldness, and trying to patch it here and there isn't cutting it anymore. When it gets to this point, it's very possible you need to bite the bullet...and re-sod your yard.
You can do it - the keys are simply preparing properly, and not cutting corners.
Seeking: The Perfect Grass for Houston, Texas
The first step is choosing the proper grass, which will vary depending on your specific lawn needs and lifestyle. The top three most often seen in Houston lawns are bermuda, zoysia and St. Augustine.
Bermuda grass is what you often see on playgrounds and athletic fields;…
Houston Texas, Taxes and Houses. A Harris County Property Tax Overview
Monday, May 9th, 2011 at 12:54pm. 4044 Views, 4 Comments.
If you own Houston property, chances are you recently received a "notice of appraised value" in the mail from the Harris County Appraisal District ...or you will soon. Spring is tax appraisal season in Texas, and although what we're receiving aren't bills - these taxes won't come due until next year - it's important to understand how appraisers arrive at these numbers, and what your rights are if you disagree with them.
While Texans overall enjoy a relatively low tax burden thanks to the fact that we don't have a state income tax, Texas property tax rates average higher than most states, These tax rates are not set by the state; in fact, all property taxes are both collected and spent locally. Rather, it's up to each individual taxing unit (i.e. the…
Houston Downtown Alliance Showcases Skyline Living with Home Tour
Wednesday, April 27th, 2011 at 2:04pm. 4326 Views, 2 Comments.
Houstonians got a glimpse into downtown living on Saturday, April 16, during the Downtown Home Tour hosted by the Houston Downtown Alliance.
HDA members and nonmembers alike purchased tickets that granted access to dramatic residences with up close and personal views of the downtown skyline. Owners graciously opened up their private residences at the Bayou Lofts, Franklin Lofts, Commerce Towers and the Cash Register Building. Other stops included the Four Seasons Private Residences, One Park Place and the Post Rice Lofts, which served as the Downtown Home Tour headquarters for the event.
Attendees were given walking maps showing the location of each of the properties. The Houston Wave was also on the route to offer those weary of walking the opportunity to…
Home Letting, Leasing or Renting - It All Spells Property Management
Friday, April 15th, 2011 at 5:52pm. 3316 Views, 4 Comments.
Even though the real estate market is showing small signs of improvement, it’s still tough to sell a home out there - which is one of many reasons people are turning to leasing these days. Potential buyers who would’ve once qualified for mortgages are being turned down, and sellers are sometimes unable or simply unwilling to sell in this market, making leasing their most attractive option. Leasing out your home, though, is a business transaction and one which can often be more complicated than it appears on the surface. If you’re considering leasing your home, arm yourself with knowledge to help set it up for success.
First, consider whether leasing is truly the right option for you. If you live in a Houston neighborhood with a homeowner’s association,…
Houston Backyard Brouha Heard Around the World
Wednesday, April 13th, 2011 at 5:56pm. 3240 Views, 0 Comments.
Last month, Texans celebrated 175 years of independence; nearly two centuries ago Texas settlers shook off the yoke of Mexican rule to become a sovereign republic (how many states can say that?), and later the 28th state of our union. And while March 2, Texas Independence Day, marks the day revolutionaries adopted a declaration of independence at Washington-on-the-Brazos, an equally (if not more) significant event in the fight for independence took place a stone’s throw from modern-day Houston: the battle of San Jacinto.
First, though, let’s go back to the 1820’s, when the United States territories stopped at Louisiana and Mexico was fighting a revolution of their own to win independence from Spain. In an effort to protect their northern borders from…
Quick! Hurry Fast to the Bat Cave Before the Neighbor Talks to Me
Saturday, April 9th, 2011 at 12:04am. 3445 Views, 1 Comments.
We work longer hours just to make ends meet.
We build taller fences to feel safer in our own yards.
We know the make and model of our neighbor's car, but nothing about the person who drives it.
We crave our cave, and ignore our community.
We're supposed to be neighbors, but more often we're strangers. What happened?
Even the Welcome Wagon doesn't go door to door anymore.
Thomas Briggs of Tennessee founded the organization in 1928, hiring women to personally deliver baskets of gifts from local businesses to new homeowners.
It was a win-win-win situation. Newcomers learned about the community, local business got a boost, and people met their neighbors.
But home visits stopped in 1998, when an increase in two-income families meant nobody was there to answer the…
Green Gardening and Being Eco-Friendly Not Just for Hippies Anymore
Monday, April 4th, 2011 at 12:47am. 3500 Views, 5 Comments.
Yard Madness has officially gripped the area: Lawn mowers and farmer’s tans are once again a familiar sight, and gardening stores are hives of activity. In the midst of it all, though, how many of us think about the impact we’re having on the environment?
Yes, we know the arguments and excuses we make in favor of doing things the same old way. “My yard needs to look good all the time. Those old ladies on the yard committee are vicious!” “I don’t have extra time or money to spend on lots of expensive all-natural treatments.” “I’m not one of those eco-friendly, hippie types. I just wrestled a bull at the rodeo for Pete’s sake!”
Contrary to what many think, tending our yards in a way that’s better for the environment can often cost less, doesn’t…
The Real Estate Transaction | For Sale to Sold
Tuesday, March 29th, 2011 at 12:28am. 3211 Views, 2 Comments.
So much goes into a house before a “For Sale” sign can turn into “Sold” sign. The real estate transaction begins when the seller puts the house on the market and ends when the buyer and seller meet at the closing. First time home buyers or those wishing to sell their first home may be unfamiliar with the sales process, so here is a general overview of most aspects of a typical real estate transaction.
Real Estate Sellers
Hire a Listing Agent - Although it is possible to sell a home without representation, selling a home is best accomplished with the help of a real estate professional. A real estate agent knows all the ins and outs of the real estate transaction and can be a seller’s greatest ally. The real estate agent will determine the home’s value…
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