Hurricane season is coming. Hurricanes are some of the most devastating storms a homeowner can face. Hurricane-force winds can reach more than 170 mph. Hurricane Harvey, the strongest storm to hit Texas since 1961, had wind speeds of 130 mph. The storm gave homeowners a surprise lesson in how much wind damage costs in […]
Read MoreA guide to foundation problems Your house is built on a patch of dirt, and like it or not, the dirt moves over time. That’s why homes in Texas often have foundation issues. A home’s foundation is the structural base that holds up the rest of the house, so fixing foundation problems can be […]
Read MoreThe rates of mortgage defaults in the U.S. and in states like Texas signal the current state of the economy. The mortgage industry took a serious hit with the 2008 crisis that left many without homes and impacted unemployment rates and other economic indicators. Monitoring mortgage default rates in Texas helps to predict future growth […]
Read MoreMany times, people who love city life give all of that up so that they can move somewhere safe for their children. Moving to suburban areas many times gives children the space and freedom of having a backyard, better education opportunities and daycare options, and more options for meeting other children their age. While moving […]
Read MoreThe summer real estate season is right around the corner in Houston. If you’ve decided to move before the school year starts again, now is the time to start boning up on Houston’s surging real estate market. If you’re a first-time homebuyer, or your growing family needs more space, or you’ve decided it’s time to […]
Read MoreWhen a formerly depressed neighborhood suddenly becomes hot, rapid growth can transform an area almost overnight. But it can also bring expensive growing pains. Is gentrification making Houston unaffordable? Gentrification can happen quickly. As higher-income buyers move into a growing neighborhood, the cost of living goes up. Rents typically escalate, forcing poor and working-class families […]
Read MoreOld neighborhoods don’t have to be ugly Think of the prettiest old homes you’ve ever seen. The kinds of neighborhoods just north of any American downtown that have existed for as long as the city they call home. When it comes to neighborhoods old doesn’t necessarily mean ugly. Although Houston isn’t as old as some […]
Read MoreThe time has come. You’ve finally decided to tackle that big remodeling project you’ve been putting off for years. Maybe you’re redoing the kitchen or converting your garage into a spare bedroom. Whether you do the work yourself or hire a contractor, it may be the case that you need to get a permit before […]
Read MoreAbandoned properties aren’t just eyesores – they’re also symptoms of economic forces at work in the community. This can signify a decrease in property values and an increase in welfare levels. Texas has its fair share of abandoned homes. In Houston for example, the vacancy rate of abandoned homes is 10%, with roughly 235,229 vacant […]
Read MorePeople are pursuing careers in real estate more than ever. With the popularity of such reality shows as “Million Dollar Listing”, there’s a growing desire to jump into the real estate industry. The reality is, becoming a successful real estate agent is no picnic. It requires hard work, savvy marketing skills, and plain old grit. […]
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