Texas Real Estate Market 
There are currently 17 blog entries related to this category.
HOA Reform Means Changes for Houston Texas Homeowners
Monday, January 2nd, 2012 at 4:14pm. 24457 Views, 0 Comments.
When I was shopping for my first house, my dad pulled me aside for a bit of fatherly wisdom. "Find a place with a strong Homeowners' Association and plenty of deed restrictions. Trust me, you want a lot of deed restrictions." And to a point, he was right. It's those HOA rules which ensure that the neighbors all maintain their homes at a consistent level. HOAs can help ensure the neighbors don't let the yard get full of weeds, park junked-out cars in the driveway and generally let their homes get run-down, taking our property values with them.
But as many homeowners can attest, being part of an HOA isn't aways an easy experience. A quick survey of the Internet reveals story after story of ordeals and horrors homeowner's have endured at the hands of…
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. 5484 Views, 0 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…
Hurricanes, Fires and Floods - Review Home Insurance Before an Emergency Hits
Friday, June 24th, 2011 at 10:15am. 4966 Views, 0 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…
Houston Texas, Taxes and Houses. A Harris County Property Tax Overview
Monday, May 9th, 2011 at 12:54pm. 6079 Views, 0 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…
Rights and Laws of Renting a Texas Apartment with Children
Wednesday, April 27th, 2011 at 11:45am. 5471 Views, 0 Comments.
The Texas law for apartments, with landlords and tenants is very detailed. It establishes limitations and parameters that a landlord is allowed to implement and the amount of restrictions they can make to their tenants. Among the long list would include just who would be able to live in a rented apartment.
There is a lot of detail as to senior citizens, children and the amount of people that can reside in a certain rented apartment. The basic details of each are as follows:
Senior Citizen Exception
This kind of exception is designed to allow a landlord to limit children from residing in the apartment if the apartment or complex is built for people over 55 years of age. This would indicate that the apartment is specifically designed for senior citizen care,…
When Leasing Office Space It Often Pays The Landlord When You Wait Until the Last Minute
Sunday, March 20th, 2011 at 5:33pm. 4496 Views, 1 Comments.
Often I get calls from business owners who are either considering leasing office space for the first time, renewing an existing lease, or interested in relocating their office altogether. 
One thing that a lot of them have in common is that they have waited until the last minute to do so. The time needed to lease office space, done correctly and to your benefit, should never be underestimated. While it is possible to find good deals in a short amount of time it’s best to plan ahead at a minimum 4-6 months before your desired move in date and/or your existing office lease expires.
Searching for new space?
There are instances where you can find and occupy a space within 30 days. Factors that determine if this is possible are the size of space you’re leasing,…
Real Estate School, the Recession, and Entrepreneurial Spirit
Friday, March 4th, 2011 at 1:01am. 2880 Views, 3 Comments.
This dude has ideas, ambition and he has the hunger of a champion.
He is not out to climb the corporate ladder or collect a paycheck, but has the spirit to be his own boss.
"I wasn't the kid who wanted to play football," said 28-year-old Benjamin Floyd. "I was the kid who wanted to own the team."
That's why Floyd recently received his real estate license, despite media reports on the sinking-to-the-cellar state of the industry.
"At the end of the day, I'm not built to be under anyone else's schedule or constraints," Floyd said. "I want to be an entrepreneur and I saw opportunity out there."
He's now partner at Thomas and Floyd.
Floyd completed his education online, with one eye on the monitor and one eye on his many mentors.
"A lot of them obtained wealth and…
Foreclosure Clean-up Funds a Wash for Houstons Housing Market
Friday, September 24th, 2010 at 4:34pm. 1976 Views, 1 Comments.
Paul Knight discusses an interesting phenomenon of anti-spending in his article “Houston And Texas Letting Money For Low-Income Housing Go To Waste” Texas and Houston in particular were the recipients of a considerable sum of federal grant money (part of the ‘Neighborhood Stabilization Act’) intended for the repair and demolition of foreclosed homes. With the federally mandated 9/3/10 deadline drawing near, information surfaced showing only about 10% of those funds had been put to use. In HUD’s latest press release on 9/8/10, it shows that Houston received even more money from this same federal foreclosure program. If Houston didn’t spend the money the first time around why receive more? And with so many foreclosures in Texas, why wasn’t that money…
Top 10 Reasons Why Texas is the Best of the Southwest
Monday, September 20th, 2010 at 11:53am. 3814 Views, 2 Comments.
Texas Our Texas Real Estate
For many, Texas is the heartland, an endless bounty of exploration, the last frontier. Texas Real Estate Magazine confirmed these assumptions and contributed a few more valid points with their Top 10 list as to why Texas is both the best place to live and invest in the US. Their “Top 10 Reasons why Texas is the Perfect Place for a Home” article highlights the many reasons why real estate is always a sound investment, and why Texas is one of the safer, enjoyable, and more financially sound locations to invest your money.
The first 4 reasons alone would draw most consumers in. The rugged beauty of the landscape, consistently median priced housing options, the variety of your surroundings, and the proximity to nature. Being such a…
FINANCING YOUR HOME: Lease with an Option to Buy
Thursday, September 9th, 2010 at 4:19pm. 1175 Views, 0 Comments.
This means of home buying was popular some years ago but then faded during the time when obtaining a mortgage was very easy for most prospective buyers. Now that the market has softened with many buyers having difficulty being approved and sellers having difficulty obtaining their desired selling price, leasing with an option to buy is becoming a viable alternative in the market place.
Leasing with an option to buy is frequently helpful for buyers who need time to save up for an adequate down payment or to improve their credit score.
The way this usually works is that the buyer pays a lump sum upfront - which is nonrefundable - for the right to buy the house in up to three years. The option payment can be several months’ rent or a percentage of the…
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