Foreclosures in Harris County Rise This Year As we know, Houston is not immune to national trends and news because we are an important part of the national economy.. Foreclosures were up 16% for the first six months of the year in Harris County. That is a stable number considering the national reported average was as increase of 48% as I mentioned in my blog: Forclosure filings increase. For 2007, foreclosures jumped 24% percent from 2006 in Harris County, still only half of the national average. Foreclosures slipped in June to 1,034, from 1,119 during the same month last year, indicating the rate of foreclosures may be moderating in Harris County. Houston is not immume but we are very resilient to the national crisis. Remember real estate is a local market. Our prices are dfferent than... 06/18/2008

Part 2 of 3 Mistakes Rookie Investors Make in Real Estate to help my clients and investors out there avoid costly mistakes. Look for Part 3 comming soon covering commercial investments. 6. Ducking due diligence Investors often have to move quickly on their deals. That doesn't mean they sign a contract and write a check without plenty of research, though. That's where a lot of newbies trip up, says Houston real-estate agent Laolu Davies-Yemitan. They don't do their due diligence about the deal, the costs or the market conditions, and they wind up draining their personal savings because the house needs extensive repairs or they can't sell it. "Sometimes, new investors are buying property just based on the idea that the property is going to appreciate," he says. "Usually, they don't have a... 06/15/2008

Methodist Hospital of Sugar Land is seeking written blessings, prayers, and well wishes from Fort Bend community members in preparation of its grand opening of their new expansion this fall. Send your blessings, prayers and well-wishes for our place of healing in the community and all the lives it touches. We are requesting blessings for our patients, family, staff, physicians and/or our community. After your blessings are collected, many of them will be displayed in various locations throughout the hospital, including patients' rooms. Submit your blessings to: www.methodistsugarland.com They want the hospital to be surrounded by blessings, well wishes, and prayers from our diverse community. The Methodist Hospital System honors religious diversity, and look forward to recieving message... 06/11/2008

Sugar Land: Imperial Sugar Redevelopment Project Southern Land Company revealed a "pattern book" conceptual design showing the traditional neighborhood plan that was prominent prior to WWII at thier last meeting. They also revealed more details about how it will be pedestrian friendly with minimal vehicular traffic. The mixed use development will also consist of single-family and townhome residences. Retail and offices will look and feel different from other master planned communities. The developer plans to use smaller lots and will reduce private yards while maximizing public green spaces. Southern Land also plans to build homes closer to the street and one another with garages behind to enhance the streetscape. Sidewalks will be wide and, where appropriate, some streets will be narro... 06/10/2008

MARKET REPORT: GAS PRICES FOR SUGAR LAND, FORT BEND COUNTY AREA 77478 I decided its about time to include a different type of market report to supplement my local real estate market reports for communities in Sugar Land. I know many residents read my neighborhood market reports to get an idea of thier neighborhood, not necessarily because they are ready to buy or sell a property themselves. I specialize and focus in so many areas of Sugar Land and First Colony, here is my way of contributing more to those who may not be in the market for real estate, or may not live in an area that I have covered. We all know the latest rise in fuel prices is affecting the economy and our own savings and spending. Here is a market report for gas prices in Sugar Land.  Here is the lowest regular gas pric... 06/03/2008

Tuesday May 27, 2008 Mike's Neighorhood Report for Grants Lake (May 2008) Currently there are 12 homes on the market for May.    6 available   0 option pending   0 pending sales   6 rentals available 6 homes in the neighborhood are available for rent. Average monthly rate is $1,200 for the neighborhood. Listed price ranges from $119,900 up to $138,900 for current homes on the market. Since Jan 1, 2008: There have been 31 townhomes sold in Grants Lake. Average square footage of sold properties is about 1200 sf.  Actual sold price ranges were from $122,000 up to $159,000Average home sales price per ft was $115 Of course if you have any question or would like a free consultation or market analysis of your home, contact Mike the neighborhood Realtor at 713.935.5800 If you are interested in ... 05/27/2008

Civilian Volunteers To Enforce Sugar Land Parking Violations Members of the Sugar Land Police Department's CAST volunteers will soon be ticketing motorists who illegally park in handicapped parking spaces after city council approved Police Chief Steve Griffith's plan to use the civilian group for parking enforcement.CAST volunteers currently issue warning citations for handicapped parking violations, but under terms of the newly-approved ordinance they will be empowered to issue citations requiring violators to pay fines or appear in municipal court. Volunteers will be trained and equipped to enforce parking violations, but will rely on certified police officers if there is any confrontation with a motorist. They will be trained if there is any confrontation to retreat and, if necessary... 05/22/2008

Sugar Land Approves Bonds For Telfair MUDs The City of Sugar Land has approved the sale of more than $15 million in bonds by two municipal utility districts serving the rapidly-growing Telfair subdivision. In January of 2006, the taxable value of property in MUD 137 was $11 million, and a year later it was $73 million. The value now stands at $200 million.MUD 137 was authorized to sell $7,980,000 in bonds. There are currently 516 homes within the MUD, with an additional 95 under construction. Prices on the homes run from $200,000 to $600,000.MUD 138's valuation currently stands at $155 million. It was authorized to sell $7,425,000 in bonds. There are currently 234 homes in the MUD and another 104 are being built. Most are in the $1 million range. Fort Bend County Runs On More Than $71M ... 05/22/2008

Sugar Land Mayor David Wallace's term as Mayor of our fabulous City of Sugar Land has been extended until July because of the mayor election runoff between Jimmy Thompson and Daniel Wong. Neither candidate in the May 12 mayoral election received a clear majority of the votes. Jimmy Thompson netted 3,652 votes, according to unofficial results posted by Fort Bend County, it was only 45 percent of those voting. Thompson will face off with current City Council member holding the at-large position 2, Daniel Wong. In the primary, Wong picked up 2,824 votes. The difference in votes for each candidate was only 828 votes! This is a very close election and everyone is encouraged to get out and vote for thier candidate. With a run off set for Saturday, June 21, early voting will begin Monday June ... 05/22/2008

For those of you who dont know about our efforts in our office to help one of our own please visit our othe blog: http://activerain.com/groups/caring The current total raised year to date is $7900 That amount puts us almost at 30% of our initial goal of $25,000. Please remember we are raising funds to help John continue to recieve the treatments he needs to get better. To update everyone on the Caring Realtors campaign. We are still making progress and raising funds for John. A recent event organized by Bernadette Hurley of the Go Hurley Group at Keller Williams Realty Southwest had a great turnout. Bernadette spent two days sharing her ideas and training with fellow agents in our office to help us grow as individuals and as an office. This took hours of her time each day to present the... 05/21/2008

So there are two candidates running for Mayor of Sugar Land, and the contest has now led to a run off scheduled for June. One of the candidates happens to be Daniel Wong (no relation to me). Daniel has been heavily campaigning all over town with signs, billboards, commercials, stickers, etc. Who would have thought the name recognition and name association would have affected me? The other week I hosted an open house with personalized directional signs with my name on them. Many visitors were stopping by just to wish me luck. I felt the property was appealing and luck wasnt neccesary to get an offer. Turns out they thought I was running for Mayor, not selling a property. It really hit me when another person at my Keller Williams office approached me while I was making copies and said "I ... 05/19/2008

Monday May 12, 2008 Mike's Neighorhood Report for Woodbridge (May2008) Currently there are 26 homes on the market for May.    21 available   4 option pending   1 pending sales   5 rentals available 4 homes in the neighborhood are available for rent. Average monthly rate is $1,775 for the neighborhood. Listed price ranges from $199,000 up to $424,000 for current homes on the market. Since Jan 1, 2008: There have been 21 homes sold in Woodbridge. Average square footage of sold properties is about 3080 sf.  Actual sold price ranges were from $173,000 up to $395,000Average home sales price per ft was $76 Of course if you have any question or would like a free consultation and market analysis of your home, contact Mike the neighborhood Realtor at 713.935.5800   05/12/2008

Monday May 12, 2008 Mike's Neighorhood Report for Sugarwood (May2008) Currently there are 9 homes on the market for May.    8 available   0 option pending   1 pending sales   5 rentals available 2 homes in the neighborhood are available for rent. Average monthly rate is $1,625 for the neighborhood. Listed price ranges from $199,000 up to $399,000 for current homes on the market. Since Jan 1, 2008: There have been 2 homes sold in Sugarwood. Average square footage of sold properties is about 2850 sf.  Actual sold price ranges were from $235,000 up to $335,000Average home sales price was $285,000 Of course if you have any question or would like a free consultation and market analysis of your home, contact Mike the neighborhood Realtor at 713.935.5800 05/12/2008

Monday May 12, 2008 Mike's Neighorhood Report for Colony Cove (May2008) Currently there are 2 homes on the market for May.    2 available   1 option pending   0 pending sales   0 rentals available Listed price ranges from $419,000 up to $445,000 for current homes on the market. Since Jan 1, 2008: There has been 1 homes sold in Colony Cove. Average square footage of sold properties is about 2966 sf.  Actual sold price $407,000 Of course if you have any question or would like a free consultation and market analysis of your home, contact Mike the neighborhood Realtor at 713.935.5800 05/12/2008

Monday May 12, 2008 Mike's Neighorhood Report for Lakefield (May2008) Currently there are 9 homes on the market for May.    4 available   0 option pending   0 pending sales   5 rentals available 5 homes in the neighborhood are available for rent. Average monthly rate is $1,225 for the neighborhood. Listed price ranges from $126,699 up to $249,000 for current homes on the market. Since Jan 1, 2008: There have been 3 homes sold in Lakefield. Average square footage of sold properties is about 1400 sf.  Actual sold price ranges were from $120,000 up to $155,000Average home sales price was $136,000 Of course if you have any question or would like a free consultation and market analysis of your home, contact Mike the neighborhood Realtor at 713.935.5800 05/12/2008

Sunday, May 11, 2008 Mike's Neighborhood Report for: The Highlands (May 2008) Currently there are 11 homes on the market.    6 available   1 option pending   4 pending sales 3 homes in the neighborhood are available for rent. Average monthly rate is $1,150 for the neighborhood. Listed price ranges from $139,800 up to $169,900 for current homes on the market. Since Jan 1, 2008: There have been 9 homes sold in The Highlands. Average square footage of sold properties is about 1750 sf.  Actual sold price ranges were from $118,000 up to $165,000Average home sales price was $151,000 Of course if you have any question or would like a free consultation and market analysis of your home, contact Mike the neighborhood Realtor at 713.935.5800 05/11/2008

Dear Neighbors and Residents that are interested in selling or buying a home in The Highlands of First Colony Sugar Land. If you want a market anaysis, consultation, or just want to know whats going on with real estate in our neighborhood, just ask. I live nearby and will gladly meet with any of my neighbors. Here is a preview of my postcards that will appear in your mailboxes soon. If you know anyone who is thinking about moving to Sugar Land, ask them to call me for more information. After all who knows your neighborhood as well as you? The Realtor who lives here too: Mike Wong. 05/11/2008

As I drive home every night thru my neighborhood I notice more and more homes popping up for sale. Some are FSBOs and some are listed with other realty companies. Do I get insulted or feel bad because I make an effort to farm and educate my neighbors? Maybe not as much as I should. Of course my marketing flyers and postcards and customized to my neighborhood and farming, but do my neighbors really understand the advantage their neighborhood Realtor brings to the table? I grew up and went to the local schools. I know traffic pattern and trends in the area.  I know all the local businesses and amenities. I know the shortcuts the kids take on the way home. I know the people who walk every night and keep an eye on the neighborhood.  I know the complete inventory in the neighborhood and ever... 05/11/2008

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Ryland Homes Sienna Plantation is building in THE PRESERVE NEIGHBORHOOD OF SIENNA. The newest section open in Sienna Planation is home to The Preserve Neighborhood. Sienna Planation-Preserve offers easy access to Highway 6, Fort Bend Tollway and Highway 59. The Preserve offers a golf course, hiking and biking trails,parks, ball fields, tennis courts and the largest privately owned Water Park in the South. Children attend the acclaimed Fort Bend District. Contact Team Riddle Today! REAL ESTATE WEBSITES 03/26/2008