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 Houston […]
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 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 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 units. These […]
Read MoreIn Texas, can an executor sell property without the beneficiaries approving? As the executor of an estate, you may be called on to sell a house to pay off debts or expenses, or simply to distribute the estate among the beneficiaries. But things can get complicated when the beneficiaries can’t agree whether or not to […]
Read MoreWill your insurance cover flood damage to your Houston home? Even if you don’t live in a flood zone, your Houston home could still be flooded. One in five flood insurance claims occur in a low-risk area. The damage alone is hard to handle, but it’s nothing compared to the anguish of discovering that the […]
Read MoreAt some point in time, every homeowner has to deal with a messy house. This could be the result of a slight issue like a having to clean up after a party or something much more severe like having to clean up after a fire. In cases like the latter, it’s possible that a home […]
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