17206 Woodland Creek Ln is an awesome single story tuscan style home with gorgeous pool with oversized hot tub and outdoor kitchen with stainelss steel tec grill with 5 burners, sink and steel contructed slate table. professionally landscaped with sprinkler system. high ceilings and designer touches including lighting, paint and window treatments. crown molding, gorgeous open kitchen with granite, formal dining room, study, huge master with his and her areas. this home must be seen to be appreciated! This property is listed at $224,887 For more information click on the Address/Picture or contact Brenda King. Lake Conroe Real Estate 04/27/2010

I just had a situation come up where the buyer of my seller's home (which is vacant) asked if he could lease the house for the week before closing because his temporary housing allowance is expiring.  The first concern that came to mind, of course, was what if something happens and he is not able to close on this property?  That could create a nightmare scenario. I took the question to my seller anyway, prepared to explain to him my concerns - of which I didn't even have to get into.  My seller has bought and sold many houses in his lifetime.  He agreed to a buyer temporary lease many years ago and vowed never to do it again.  Once the buyers moved into the house they started finding (and creating) all kinds of problems.  The situation ended up costing my client over $8000.  His story i... 04/25/2010

Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District (CFISD) is a driving force behind the population explosion of the Spring Cypress area.   For a good look at the school rankings, click here.  Some of our great schools were not listed due to missing information  For instance, two of CFISD's top high schools, Cy-Woods HS and Cy-Ranch HS were not included in the rankings because neither of them had graduating seniors in 2008.  They were simply too new.  Cy-Fair High School is ranked 92nd nationwide and 25th statewide; Cypress Creek HS is ranked 93rd nationwide and 25th statewide; Langham Creek is 99th nationwide and 26th statewide; Cy-Falls - 133/30; Jersey Village HS - 163/33. Hamilton Middle School is ranked 66th nationally; 19th statewide.  Hamilton Elementary School is quite distinguished,... 04/25/2010

I have added a new post to my blog discussing market conditions in Cypress, Texas comparing March 2009 to March 2010. Cypress, Texas Real Estate Snapshot - March 2010 Click here for more information about homes for sale in Cypress, Texas Houston Real Estate Blog     04/21/2010

FHA has postponed the effective date of limiting the seller contribution to 3%.  They are now saying that they will give us 30 days notice before they announce the effective date of the change and that is will be later this summer.  So, for now the seller can continue to pay up to 6% of the buyers closing cost on FHA loans.  04/15/2010

One of Northwest Houston's most popular subdivisions, Coles Crossing, continues to draw new families as strongly as ever in 2010!!  From January 1 through March 21 of 2010 TWENTY homes have sold already.  That is one home sold every four days!!  With great ammenities, award winning schools and easy access to Highway 290, Coles Crossing continues to rank high on the home-shopping list!  Of the twenty homes sold during this period in Coles Crossing, five of these homes were in the $150,000-200,000 price range.  Nine were in the 200s, while six were in the 300s.  The highest sales price per square foot was $94.58 and the average price per square foot was $86.04, which shows that solid neighborhoods remain solid despite an economic downturn!! If you would like to know more about this great ... 03/22/2010

                                                                            The Ladies of Blackhorse Ranch proudly invite you to the 2010 BHR EGGstravaganza!!  We have so many wonderful activities planned this year. Visit from the Easter Bunny Age designated Easter egg hunt "DJ Jay" will provide the entertainment Face painter Balloon artist Train rides Crafts Games (including: Hula hoop contest, jump rope contest, potato sack races and more) Snacks and beverages will be provided Photo opportunity for family Easter shots   This is our largest event of the year and the Ladies of Blackhorse have worked extremely  hard to deliver a fantastic, memorable event for the entire family.   Please contact kathy@kathyjonesrealty.com for more information.  Hope to see you there! 03/21/2010

An Antartian named Babbette finds herself in dire trouble. Her business has gone bust and she's in serious financial trouble. She's so desperate that she decides to ask God for help. She begins to pray... "God, please help me. I've lost my business and if I don't get some money, I'm going to lose my house as well. Please let me win the lotto."Lotto night comes and somebody else wins it. Babbette again prays..."God, please let me win the lotto! I've lost my business, my house and I'm going to lose my car as well."Lotto night comes and Babbette still has no luck.Once again, she prays..."My God, why have you forsaken me?? I've lost my business, my house and my car. My children are starving. I don't often ask you for help and I have always been a good servant to you. PLEASE just let me win ... 03/09/2010

I just wrote a new article on how we can help save owners from Foreclosure. Please take a look. www.harriscountyshortsale.com/Your-First-Steps-To-Avoid-Foreclosure.aspx 02/26/2010

This summer, the Federal Housing Administration will tighten its lending Standards. These new standards will make it harder for some buyers to purchase a new home. Below are some of the new rules. •1.       Better Credit Scores - Borrowers will need a minimum score of 580 to quality for a 3.5% down payment. Borrowers with lower scores will have to make at least a 10% down payment. •2.       Higher Insurance Premiums - Buyers who get a FHA insured loan will soon have to pay a higher initial premium. The new premium will be 2.25% of the value of the total loan amount. •3.       Reduction of Seller Concessions - This summer, the maximum amount of assistance will drop to 3% of the value of the property. The current value is 6%. 02/11/2010

Caldwell Companies announced new ground-breaking real estate opportunities in the award-winning Towne Lake community's residential and commercial sections. Available for sale in the master-planned Towne Lake community in northwest Houston are seven prime land sites ranging in size from one to 25 acres. Caldwell Companies' Keith P. Grothaus, CCIM, SIOR, said the timing was right to put these commercial oriented properties on the market. He said Towne Lake has the infrastructure and utilities in place to support new commercial development. "We believe Towne Lake has grown to a size where we think it is a good time to expand the offerings we have for our residents and the surrounding community," Grothaus said. He said there are five (pad) sites in the one- to two-acre range that are ideal ... 02/09/2010

There were 15 homes SOLD in Fairfield for the month of January.  Price per square foot ranged anywhere from $67.50 for a four bedroom two story built in 2000 all the way up to $91.45 for a NEW Village Builders one story 3 bedroom. These homes were on the market an average of 66 days. Most of these homes had at least one price reduction from the original list price showing the necessity of PRICING RIGHT THE FIRST TIME TO BRING AN OFFER MORE QUICKLY!! 02/04/2010

The Cove introduces a new model home park in Bridgeland Bridgeland is celebrating the new year by opening a brand new model home park in The Cove! Upon completion, the model park will have 12 model homes segmented by price in three adjacent locations. The Cove is a distinctive collection of neighborhoods surrounded by water and boasting abundant common areas. It surrounds the acreage for Bridgeland's first Cypress-Fairbanks school within the development, an elementary campus, with an estimated opening of 2013 Current models now open and ready to view include one by Village Builders, two designs by Perry Homes and one by D.R. Horton.  David Weekley Homes opened one model just this week and is planning to open their second model in mid February.  Lennar Homes, Highland Homes and Trendmak... 01/29/2010

Perry Homes just announced today that they are opening a new section in Fairfield with oversized lots.  Lots will be 60ft and 70ft wide with one lot at 76ft which can accommodate all of their large one story plans with 3 car garages.  Homes in this section will range in size from approximately 2,300 sf. to 3,000 sf. and base prices will range from about $213,000 to $250,000 nicely equipped.  Perry is also offering generous incentives for February.  The early birds get first crack at the choice lots.  Call me for more information, or to schedule a tour. For more information about the community and to see what other homes are currently available in Fairfield, visit http://www.lonestarhomes.org/content/article.html/1497850 01/28/2010

 Elementary School Changes. Birkes Elementary Rezoned from Birkes to Rennell: The section of Stonegate, west of Queenston Road in the current Birkes zone will be rezoned from Birkes to Rennell effective at the beginning of the first school year in whichTuckerton Road is completed from Queenston Road to Rennell. Rezoned from Birkes to Copeland: Copper Lakes subdivision north of West Road. Copeland Elementary Rezoned from Birkes to Copeland: Copper Lakes subdivision north of West Road. Rezoned from Copeland to Postma: The Lone Oak subdivision. Rezoned from Copeland to Lowery: All area east of Queenston Road in the current Copeland zone, including but not limited to, Wheatstone Estates and Southcreek subdivisions. Emery Elementary Rezoned from Robinson to Emery: All area in the Robinson zo... 01/26/2010

Nine homes sold this past month (December 2009) in the consistently popular Coles Crossing subdivision in Cypress, TX ! The prices ranged from $160,000 for a 3 bedroom/2 bath home up to $376,000 for a nearly 4000 sq. ft. home with a 3 car garage and pool!!  Highest price per square foot received was for a brand new, Darling home.  This home built in 2009 received $96.38/sq. ft. showing that despite the economy, Coles Crossing homes still command top-dollar prices when in great shape!! Of the nine homes SOLD, two were CASH transactions, six were conventional financing, and one was FHA.  If you are thinking of selling your Cypress, TX home, CALL ME TODAY!  Client satisfaction is my #1 GOAL!! Sonja Patterson, RE/MAX REALTY CENTER in Cypress, TX 77429  281.213.8039 or cellular 713.303.9463 01/03/2010

Best community, best event...  Best place to live! Towne Lake wins "Houston's Best" honors frombuilders association. Residents of Towne Lake already know that it's a great place to live. Now it seems the rest of the city is learning, too! For example, the Greater Houston Builders Association recently named Towne Lake the "Best Community in Houston" in the under-2,500 acres category. "We're thrilled that the GHBA recognizes the care and effort that went into making Towne Lake a one-of-a-kind, Hill Country-styled community connected by water," says Randy Young, director of operations and land development for Caldwell Companies, Towne Lake's developer. "But the real winners are the residents of Towne Lake!" The GHBA also awarded Towne Lake the "Best Event/Promotion by a Developer" honor f... 12/13/2009

Coles Crossing, one of Cypress, TX' most popular subdivisions has maintained a SOLID market amidst  uncertain times.  Going into the Thanksgiving holiday, on November 24, Coles currently has 29 ACTIVE listings with ELEVEN homes under contract! The average "days on the market" for these homes is 86 days.   Darling Builders will be closing out their last two homes on the east side of Coles Crossing.  Built in 2009, both of these homes are set to close before the end of this year!!  There are many things that I personally LOVE about living in Coles Crossing.  Yes, the schools are good!  Yes, the ammenities cannot be beat IMO!  But, the best part of living in Coles Crossing are the PEOPLE!!  We have AWESOME neighbors and great friends scattered throughout the subdivision.  If you are lookin... 11/24/2009

The beautiful master planned community of FAIRFIELD has grown immensely over the years!!  More and more people are looking around in Fairfield for the home of their dreams.  With the new outlet mall, and the close proximity of restaurants and shopping, Fairfield is more popular now than EVER!! Don't forget the EXCELLENT Cy-Fair schools, too!!  :)   A summary of home sales for SECTION 2 during the past 10 months of 2009 shows EIGHT homes SOLD.  The price/square foot ranged from a low of $55.36 up to $82.01.  Some of these homes had pools while others did not.  There was little difference in the price per sq. ft.  which means you may want to think twice about putting a pool in your backyard...especially in Fairfield where there are NUMEROUS community pools!!  Good news if your home is sma... 11/02/2009

Some sellers hesitate to put their home on the market during the last quarter of the year, because they don't believe that buyers are out looking during this period.  Nothing could be further from the truth!!  In fact, the past two nights I have seen buyers driving around Coles Crossing looking at homes!!  The home across the street from me is for sale.  The owner is also a real estate agent!!  I was bold enough to wave down the driver who grabbed a flyer, and we had a nice chat.  The prospective buyers have friends living here in Coles Crossing and are hoping to relocate here from the Heights area.  I asked when he and his wife wished to close by, and he said definitely before January!!  So, there you go! We have SERIOUS buyers looking around...and not as many homes on the market right... 10/15/2009