Spring TX - Explore Dove MeadowsDove Meadows is a quaint community located in Spring, Texas nestled between FM 2920 and Spring Steubner. With 7571 homes in the community, it is a wonderful mixture of older and newer homes spanning three decades, from the 1970s to the 1990s, giving prospective buyers a wonderful. With its lush trees, and wooded lots, many cul-de-sacs, the subdivision offers a great value for appreciating in value nicely and holding its own in these troubled times. Dove Meadows also has great community features including a playground, pool, picnic area, baseball field, and tennis court. The average home size is 1, 712 sq ft, with 3.2 Bedrooms and 2 baths1. In 1994, the average home sold for approximately $66, 000, while in 2007 the same house would sell for approximately ... 08/07/2008

Before sitting down with my buyers and writing an offer on their Spring Texas dream home, I will contact our in-house insurance agent and find out if the home is located in the 100 year flood zone.  If a home is located in the 100 year flood zone it means that in any given year there is a 1% chance that a major flood will occur. I want my buyers to know going into the negotiations if the home is located in the 100 year flood zone because it impacts resale value, their home ownership costs, and in some instances their ability to sleep soundly at night.   Some buyers I have represented did not want to proceed any further with an offer after discovering the home was located in the 100 year flood zone. And if you are the type of individual that every time we have a heavy rain you would be w... 08/01/2008

Spring Texas Real Estate: Market Report June 2008 The YTD closed home sales through June 2008 for Area 13 which the majority of is considered Spring Texas were 1,361. A decrease of 15.6% compared to the 2007 YTD number. The quantity of active listings are 1,683 which is a measly 1.9% less than a year ago. The decrease in closed sales is greater than the decrease in active listings which has resulted in an increase in inventory over the prior year. The months of inventory (absorption rate) for the Spring Texas real estate market is 6.8 months which is considered a buyers market. Translating into its an excellent time for buyers to negotiate the most favorable terms. If you are considering buying a Spring Texas home, don't wait too long because builders are tightening their inventory. Due... 07/29/2008

Have you seen Benders Landing and The Estates? Benders Landing is located in Spring but within a few minutes of The Woodlands, Texas and the Hardy Toll Road. You should see what you can get for your money!  This neighborhood is one of the best kept secrets in The Spring area! Homes range from mid $200's to over 1 million.  Lake front lots start at $159,000. Here is a former luxurious SHOWCASE home that was listed for $975,000.  The quality of it is spectacular! What I really like about Bender's Landing is the beautiful wooded lots and the nature all around. Parks, trails and a fully stocked fishing lake!  There will be a full clubhouse with community swimming pool and workout facility.   The other great thing about this community is you have no MUD tax! Looking to buy a house or sell yo... 07/22/2008

Mercer Arboretum is located very close to Spring TX. In all honesty the mailing is Humble but it is on the border of Spring. After living in Spring TX for 11 years we finally decided to visit the Mercer Arboretum.  I don't have a clue why we waited so long.  Actually I take that back all this time I thought there was a charge and I guess I didn't want to pay.  Well guess what it is FREE!!!  With the price of gas I know we are all looking for ways to save money and it doesn't get much better than free.  Free and you can enjoy nature at its best it doesn't get much better than that.  The history of Mercer Arboretum goes back to 1949 when Charles and Thelma Mercer bought 14.5 acres of piney woods along Cypress Creek.  They cleared the land and created a beautiful garden oasis.  Prior to th... 06/29/2008

Welcome the Spring-Klein Chamber of Commerce!! We have lived in Spring for 11 years now and I have always felt a little isolated in that we really didn't have a town since Spring is just an unincorporated area of Northwest Harris County.  I am so excited to say we do now have our own chamber.  The Spring/Klein Chamber is in its infancy.  There are chambers in The Woodlands, Magnolia, Tomball and Northwest Houston but up until now people who lived in Spring and wanted to be in a chamber had to drive to one of those locations.  The goal of the Spring-Klein chamber is to connect through networking.  By connecting with other established executives, business owners and other professionals it will help to ensure our success while contributing to the success of others.   To assist its members ... 06/20/2008

Just a Friendly Reminder that tomorrow I will be out at the Discovery Center with my Turning Houston Green readers from 9:30 am TO 11:30 am to give you all a tour! You will be able to see the technology, solar panels, example of Energy Efficient Appliance packages and the EcoMagination program in general. There will also be builders out there to visit with.  I know of 3 for sure and probably 2 others that will be out in the Community by about 10. I look forward to meeting all of you! 06/06/2008

The Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) has released the MLS statistics for the month of April 2008 for Area 13 which the majority of Area 13 would be considered Spring TX. The closed sales for April 2008 were 836 which was 12.5% less than a year ago. The quantity of active listings for Area 13 are 1,671 which is 2.5% more than a year ago. The average days on market (DOM) has experienced a small increase of 6 days from the prior year to 89 days. The combination of the decrease in closed sales and the increase in inventory over the prior year has added .8 of a month to the quantity of months of inventory increasing it to 6.6 months. Unlike other parts of the country, the Spring TX real estate market continues to remain stable. Although it may be considered a slight buyer's market, Spri... 05/17/2008

Spring Texas Opens Fine Arts Museum—Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts The Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts is the only fine arts museum outside of the Houston Museum District. In a three-year partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, (MFAH) the Pearl will bring a series of exhibitions from the MFAH permanent collection and affiliated institutions to Northwest Harris County. Its inaugural exhibition is Frederic Remington and the American West: Selections from the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and will be displayed through July 3, 2008. This exhibition, as a part of MFAH Outreach Programs, is supported by the Hamill Foundation.   Spring Texas first Fine Arts Museum is the result of a thirteen year effort of Clara Lewis and Rev. Glenn Wilkerson. Named for their mother Pearl, the m... 04/15/2008

The Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) has released the MLS statistics for the month of march 2008 for Area 13 which the majority of Area 13 would be considered Spring TX.The closed sales for March 2008 were 231 which was 16% less than a year ago. The quantity of active listings for Area 13 are 1,717 which is 4% more than a year ago. The average days on market (DOM) remains relatively unchanged from the prior year at 87 days.The combination of the decrease in closed sales and the increase in inventory over the prior year has added one month to the quantity of months of inventory increasing it to 6.8 months. Over six months of inventory typically is referred to as a buyer's market.Although it may be considered a buyer's market, Spring Texas sellers are not accepting low ball offers as... 04/13/2008

One of the questions, we are asked the most has to be "How are the schools in Spring Texas?" Its a good question. The quality of schools not only impact the education received by our children but they also impact real estate prices. A quality school that is in demand will increase real estate prices and just the reverse occurs with a lesser quality school."How do you determine which schools are good?" One of the methods we use to assess the quality of education provided by our schools are the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) scores. The TAKS are standardized tests administered to students in grades 3 - 11. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) rates schools and districts based largely on the results from these scores.The ratings given are Exemplary (E), Recognized (R), Academi... 04/11/2008

   Auburn Lakes is yet another development that is really moving along in its growth.  The Courts are almost completely sold out, the Estates has more and more homes up every time I drive through..The Recreation Center is going Full swing and waiting for the weather to warm up just a bit more for the Auburn Lakes Residents to go for a Dive-The Golf Course is Gorgeous as ever!Taking a drive through the Entrance right now is Breathtaking with all of the Flowers and other Landscaping in Bloom. Since the Home Selling Season has started rolling I thought I would update the Market Reports for January and February so far.  Here is what we are looking at.Auburn Lakes UpdateActive PropertiesCurrently PendingJan. Sold PropertiesFeb. Sold PropertiesUnder $200,0000000$201,000 to $250,0006210$251,00... 03/30/2008

        Legends Ranch is a Canyon Gate Community off of Rayford Rd. in South Montgomery County.  One of the sections is Gated with a Guard Gate and you will find builders like Beazer, Gracepoint, Meritage just to name a few.  There are a variety of homes available in a variety of price ranges.  The market is Picking up for Legends Ranch as well as other communities around the area.  Here is what we are looking at for January and February so far.  Information compiled by Houston MLS on 3/24/08.Legends Ranch ReportActive PropertiesCurrently PendingSold in Jan. 2007Sold in Feb. 2007Under $150,00013301$151,000 to $200,00016402$201,000 to $250,00020144$251,000 to $300,00014301Above $300,0002100Total551148Average Price Per Sq. Ft.$78.60$83.83$77.86$74.47Average Days on Market14616526791  For ... 03/30/2008

         As you can see from the picture above, The Falls at Imperial Oaks is really lookin' good!  The Rec Center has started and you can see the Lake going in.  Lennar Homes is up in their Model and already has homes on the ground!It is March now, the home selling season seems to have started.  This is an opportune time to update everyone on the Real Estate Market in Imperial Oaks.  As normal, the pending properties is continually climbing for March.    Imperial Oaks  2008Jan. Sold PropertiesFeb. Sold PropertiesActive PropertiesPending PropertiesUnder $100,0001101$101,000 to $125,0002371$126,000 to $150,000161710$151,000 to $200,0005105712$201,000 to $275,00002234$276,000 to $325,0000030$326,000 to $400,0000000Total92210730Average DOM53797953Avg. Price Per Sq. Ft.72.0971.9376.3870.1  ... 03/30/2008

WANTED INVESTMENT PROPERTY TO FLIP IN SPRING,TEXAS .  SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE UNDER 110K,BUILT IN 2000 OR YOUNGER, OVER 2000SQFT, 2-STORY WITH 4 BEDROOMS, A GAMEROOM AND MASTER DOWN, MASTER BATH WITH SEPARATE SHOWER PREFERRED, MUST HAVE A FENCED YARD AT LEAST 5,000SQFT. REPAIRS UNDER $500, NO SLAB ISSUES, NO MISSING A/C. WILL BUY AS IS. LOOKING FOR 20K OR MORE IN EQUITY. SELLER IS A CASH BUYER AND CAN CLOSE QUICKLY. 03/26/2008

One of the bad things about growth is that sooner or later we are going to have to pay for its impact on our infrastructre. And pay we do, usually in the form of increased taxes. Over the last four years, our Klein school district has experienced growth. Growth of more than 16% or 6,000 students. Thus the need for another school bond election. If it passes, its projected to increase real estate taxes for Spring Texas homeowners by $0.20.If you are like thinking, it wasn't that long ago since Klein school district had their last bond election. You are right. Their last bond election was in 2004 for $224 million. It was projected to increase real estate taxes by $0.26 but luckily only reached $0.22. If you are not familiar with the components of our Texas property taxes, read Texas Proper... 03/25/2008

Whenever I receive a low ball offer I have to hold back my gut reaction of wanting to call the buyer's agent and say "Is your buyer CRAZY? How could they offer so little for such a great real estate property?"I know that getting upset with the buyer's agent is not going to get my seller's house sold. So instead I calmly call the buyer's agent and seek first to understand. As I am hopeful that the reason I received a low ball offer is because of a misunderstanding of the comps, the Spring Texas real estate market, or the cost of upgrades that need to be made to the home. Usually the response I receive has nothing to do with the true value of my seller's Spring TX home. But some other reason that makes sense in the buyer's mind that the home is worth significantly less than the list price... 03/24/2008

It's no secret that I love all things green and all things flowering. I live to garden. I unfortunately will not be able to attend this year but I want to share with my friends a plant sale that happens every year at Mercer Arboretum. I wish I could steal some of their pictures to post with this blog but I can not. There will be a BIG plant sale on MArch 28th and 29th from 8am to 4pm. Get there early because the plants go fast. Mercer Arboretum is located at 22306 Aldine Westfield, Humble TX 77338. It is about one mile north of 1960. They will have over 20,000 different plants for sale on that day. You should bring a wagon or prepare to rent one for about $5.00. Even if you don't buy anything, you MUST see the gardens. I am sure they are starting to bloom and are beautiful this time of ... 03/19/2008

When I get asked which I do frequently, "Is this a good neighborhood?", I usually respond it depends. I am certain my response must come across as being evasive but to me the definition of a good neighborhood is truly one of personal opinion. I may think a good neighborhood is close to shopping and major thoroughfares, has sidewalks, is well lit at night, has decent size yards, and where pride of ownership is evident in the look and the upkeep of the yards and the homes. You may agree or not agree with me on my definition and thus comes in its a matter of personal opinion. Another reason I have to say it depends is because as a licensed Realtor I can not steer you as a home buyer away from a neighborhood or into a neighborhood.  It is against the National Association of Realtors code of... 03/15/2008

Without any fanfare and only a large Now OPEN banner, 55 Degreez Wine Bar has quietly opened in Spring TX.  I was immediately curious about what was behind the darkened windows of its mysterious store front.After I walked in and was able to adjust my eyes from the bright sunshine to the darkened bar I was amazed. I thought for sure that I had just been transported from Spring TX to a hip, cool wine bar in downtown Houston and the lack of a TV told me that this was NO sports bar.The interior is decorated in a Moroccan theme with plush fabric draped on the ceiling, red chairs, and a L shaped granite counter top. The bar's lighting of pendants, glittery chandeliers, and tea lights sets the mood for an evening of casual conversation while enjoying the nuances of wine.My husband and I sat do... 03/10/2008