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This week, we look at one couple’s search for their first home as well as statistics for April home sales and how sellers can improve their home’s curb appeal.
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First time homebuyers 1B · Expert opinions 2B • Home sales for April 3B
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Saturday, May 23, 2015 • Page 1B
Anatomy of a first time home buyer
Photo by Betsy Denson Klinger Associates will move into their new space in about 90 days.
The 19,000 square foot property has a new owner
First time home buyers move into Oak Forest at the right time, right price
By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
In the case of the former home of Diebold, at 3300 East TC Jester, the answer is yes, with a twist. The 19,000 square foot property with plenty of warehouse space and a loading lock, vacant for about a year, was offered for lease by Andrew Jewett with Cresa. The building, however, was actually purchased by Klinger Associates, a business that supplies specialty items to the commercial construction industry. “[The sale of the building] wasn’t something that was originally on the table,” said Jewett. Klinger will now be the landlords for PPG Pittsburgh Paints which is also in the building. General Manager Steve Lott said that Klinger has been in Houston for 40 years and is currently near the Lowe’s on the other side of 610. Eight employees and the company’s inventory will move into the new digs in about 90 days.
Improving your home’s curb appeal for sale Curb appeal can help a home get noticed in a bustling real estate market. Curb appeal also can contribute to the aesthetics of a neighborhood for residents who plan to stay put, and many homeowners feel an attractive exterior is just as important as a comfortable interior. Homeowners do not have to spend a fortune to improve the curb appeal of their homes. With these strategies, anyone’s home can take on a more appealing look.
painting the door a vivid hue, dress it up with a colorful wreath or another decorative accent. Carry your interior design style to the outdoors as well. Welcoming accents, See Curb, P. 2B
While many first time homebuyers looking to move into the area might experience a bit of sticker shock at the robust price of real estate, there are still affordable homes in the area. You just have to know where to look. For recent buyers Gabriel Konigsberg and Roxanne Werner, that was Section 17 of Oak Forest, located west of TC Jester, where they purchased a home in February of 2015. Konigsberg and Werner, who lived in an apartment in Greenway Plaza near Konigsberg’s work, were looking for a little more space, some of it green, for themselves and one-year old son Oliver, who had just started to crawl. While they had friends in Oak Forest, the couple was open to looking in a variety of neighborhoods to find a single family home convenient to both Greenway and downtown. Their budget was between
$200,000 and $250,000. “We wanted something that was close to city, affordable, and in a good neighborhood,” said Werner, who notes that they also looked at homes near Lindale Park and EaDo. The single family homes they found in EaDo were affordable but on the small side, plus they needed a lot of updating. They found a home they liked near Lindale too, but preferred the neighborhood feel of Oak Forest. They looked at several Oak Top Photo by Betsy Denson; Bottom, contributed Forest homes online, but it wasn’t until Christina Board- Gabriel Konigsberg and Roxanne Werner found their first home man with Re/Max Inner in Oak Forest’s Section 17. Bottom, the couple brought son OliLoop Realty showed them a ver to the final walk through of the 4 bedroom, 2 bath house. completely remodeled, 1,800 square foot, 4 bed, 2 bath home near Scarborough High ther negotiation with the sell- thought if we waited the rates School, that they were sold er agreed on a price – in the would climb back up. So, in the long term we are saving – or rather, they wanted to be $230,000s. In addition for it being money.” sold to. It was their monthly pay“It was bought as a foreclo- a good time personally for sure and totally redone,” said them to buy, interest rates ment the couple was most concerned about, wanting to Werner. “There was a new were also favorable. “The rate was really low, keep it at $1,800. kitchen, bathrooms and hardLike many Leader neighwoods.” Initially the couple like 3.8 percent,” said Werwas priced out of the home ner. “We put 4 percent down See First timers, P. 2B but after some time, and fur- instead of 20 percent. We
Clean up A messy, untamed front yard can detract from a perfectly acceptable home. Cleaning up your yard and home’s exterior is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to give the place a makeover. Cut back overgrown shrubs, plants and trees. Make sure the front door is clearly visible and that any walkways are edged and accessible. Store garbage pails behind a barrier and keep trash out of sight. Store children’s toys in the backyard rather than strewn across the front lawn. These simple steps can improve curb appeal instantly. Spruce up the lawn A well-manicured lawn can go a long way to making a home more appealing. If your thumb is anything but green, hire a professional lawn and garden service to help you establish a lush, green lawn. Dress to impress The entryway to a home is the first thing visitors will see. Be sure the front door and entryway are in good repair. A pop of color can’t hurt, either. If you do not like the idea of
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2302 Wilde rock Way
2 Beds | 1.5 Baths | 1,119 Sq. Ft. $329,000 MLS# 11698374
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611 W 27th
2211 stonecrest dr
803 W 43rd st
P rAeName m i eYou r Can P rTrust. oP e rt i e s • A NAme you cAN trust 713-686-5454
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1803 W. 43rd • Houston, TX 77018