August Edition
Happy August from Houston, Texas! Is it hot here? Yes, but pool parties are in full swing; kids are using up last summer energies before the new school year. Golf courses are filled and so are the drink carts! Concerts in town and at the Cynthia Woods Pavilion are packed with music lovers on lawns and in cool, comfortable seats. White Linen Night in the Heights draws crowds and fills the streets .
It’s Restaurant Month everywhere with special menus and charitable benefits. There are art openings in the Museum District and sports fans gearing up for tailgating. How about a movie under the starlight? Our city centers have that. It is a very lively time in our town. Please let us know if there is information particular to you or your family that we can provide to help you make the very best community and home decision. You will love living Texas style! From all of us at BHGRE Gary Greene, have safe summer travels. Patricia A. Huey, Director Relocation / Business Development Pattie.Huey@garygreene.com
Pattie and Matt Matt Woodroof, Director Relocation and REO Matt.Woodroof@garygreene.com
Children’s Museum
Downtown Downtown –– Alley Alley Theater Theater
Houston Hermann Park
Museum of Fine Art
SPOTLIGHT ON RELIANT STADIUM: Reliant Stadium is a 1.9 million square foot facility and is home to the NFL’s Houston Texans! Houston Texans pre-season begins August 9th, 2013 at 7pm against the Minnesota Vikings! Full pre-season schedule and regular schedule can be found on the teams website – www.houstontexans.com Reliant Stadium
Museum of Natural Science
Hermann Park
Wortham Center
River Oaks Theater
Filled with a diverse sporting culture, Houston area residents are active as spectators and participants in every sport imaginable. From major U.S. professional sports to minor league and collegiate sports, sports fans will find a familiar face in the crowds. American Hockey League www.aeros.com
National Football League www.houstontexans.com
Major League Soccer www.houstondynamo.com
National Baseball League www.astros.com
National Basketball Association www.nba.com/rockets
Minor League Baseball www.sugarlandskeeters.com
With local known dives to upscale eateries and famous chefs, Houston is sure to have something for any palette.
Houston Dining Magazine Houston Restaurants Restaurant Reservations
www.my-table.com www.urbanspoon.com www.opentable.com
Houston Restaurant Weeks is the city's largest "for-charity" dining event held simultaneously in restaurants in the greater Houston area each year throughout the month of August. For more information on restaurants participating in this event, please visit: Houston Restaurant Weeks
MOVING YOUNG CHILDREN? Chelsea Williams wrote this book at age 11 with the help of her Mom. She offers great suggestions for “….kids on the move”. Among her ideas are to pack a “special box of … favorite stuff” and “decorate it with fun … stickers. Mark it with your name so you can grab it when it comes off the moving truck.” Searching images of their new hometown together online can also help take away fear of the unknown and create real excitement. Focus on the websites that highlight the child’s areas of interest: dance, sports, lakes, parks etc. Have you had a chance to take your child to visit the new community and even better, visit their new school? Allowing a child to pack their moving day box, practice Skyping with friends and planning their new room are all good ways to help them feel more in control, more enthusiastic about the adventure that awaits them.
Houston area school children have one more week of freedom before returning to the classroom! In preparation for the school year, the city of Houston is buzzing with excitement. In fact, numerous businesses have started back to school bashes. Here are some events that you might find interesting: Back To School Mom Massage & Makeover Friday, Aug. 16 7:30 a.m. West University Wellness, Houston
Back To School Bash Tuesday, Aug. 27 6:00 p.m. Nordstrom Rack Centre @ Post Oak
Art Life Festival Friday, Aug. 23 4:00 p.m. House of Dereon Rehearsal Hall, Houston
Back To School Party for Parents Thursday, Aug. 29 7:00 p.m. RA Sushi, Houston
For a full list of events please visit: The Houston Chronicle
Houston private schools are in high demand and waiting lists can be long. But not all private schools are created equal; finding a good fit is important in order for happiness for both the student and parent. So how do you know which school is the best choice for your child? There are over 100 private schools throughout Houston; both independent and parochial. Some of these include: St. Mark’s Episcopal School 713-667-7030 Oak Ridge Christian Academy 281-298-5800 American Academy 713-453-4985
Awty International School
713-686-4850
British School of Houston
713-290-9025
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory 713-774-7651
A full list of these schools can be found here: Houston Private Schools
Educational opportunities play a key role in Houston's quality of life. Houston is a City known to be rich with distinguished school districts and countless educational opportunities. Houston educators and the community as a whole are working toward creating a high-quality educational environment to serve the needs of an increasingly diverse student population. The Houston Independent School District (HISD) is the largest school district in the Houston area. Ranked as the nation's seventh largest district, HISD serves 312 square miles with 288 schools, 13,000 teachers and more than 210,000 students. Other area independent school districts include: • Aldine • Alief • Channelview • Clear Creek • Conroe • Crosby • Cypress - Fairbanks • Deer Park • Fort Bend •Galena Park • Galveston • Goose Creek • Houston • Huffman • Humble • Katy • Klein • La Porte
• North Forest •Pasadena • Sheldon • Spring • Spring Branch • Tomball
Houston boasts more than 40 colleges, university and institutions - offering higher education options to suit all interests. These colleges, universities and institutions include (but are not limited to): Public Universities:
Community Colleges:
Private Universities:
University of Houston
Houston Community College System
Rice University
University of Houston – Clear Lake
Lone Star College System
Houston Baptist University
University of Houston – Downtown
San Jacinto College
University of St. Thomas
Texas Southern University
A full list of these schools can be found here: Colleges & Universities in Houston
Prato Custom Homes will build you the house of your dreams and more. We pride ourselves on quality beyond your expectations and providing you with a home at a reasonable price. We build each home as if we were building it for ourselves. You can trust us to provide you with a product of the highest quality and stay on budget.
We can take your ideas and transform them into that house you always wanted or you can choose from our plans and modify to fit your needs. We also have projects under construction that could be finished with your selections. Either way, Prato Custom Homes wants to be your builder and will work hard to bring you into our family of homes.
The good news for prospective new home buyers is that Sudhoff Properties has a lot of new inventory hitting the market. There are properties for every demographic: empty nesters, baby boomers, first-time buyers, retirees and those who want “lock-and-leave� homes. Our pipeline has more than 1, 000 units that will be available within the next 12 to 18 months.
The Falls at Imperial Oaks – David Weekley Homes David Weekley Homes began in 1976 in Houston, Texas, and has grown to become the third largest privately-held home builder in America. We're passionate about our Customers, building exceptional homes, our fellow Team Members and the communities in which we live and work. Whether you’re looking for exceptional value, palatial luxury, or something a little more custom-made, Falls at Imperial Oaks delivers with new homes priced from the $220’s. Edgewater - From the 220's View Current Inventory
Sable Park - From the 290's View Current Inventory
Holly Creek - From the 310's View Current Inventory
Jacob’s Reserve Neighborhood Series by D.R. Horton has open and spacious one & two story designs from 20153556 sq. ft. with various structural options available to personalize interior and outdoor living spaces. Our homes have stone and brick elevations with cedar and wrought iron accents that offer fantastic curb appeal. Sidewalks,
streetlights and cul-de-sacs offer safe areas for children to play while the neighborhood’s exclusive pool, recreational center, full playground, park area, picnic area bring exciting new adventures to all family members.
The Tuscan Style Architecture at the Lakes of Bella Terra will inspire you... Since ancient Roman times, people have moved to the beautiful hills of central Italy to remove themselves from city life, to escape, and to embrace the idealized culture of the country.
This Tuscan style is what inspired the architecture of Lakes of Bella Terra. Houstonians looking to escape from crowded city living are drawn to this escape... to this beautiful landscape of beauty and simplicity.
For more information on our Urban and Suburban Areas:
Click here for our Suburban Presentation
Click here for our Urban Presentation
*Areas 13,14,15 include Woodlands, NW, Montgomery County SW
*Areas 18,20,28 include SW and South Central Houston, Alief
*Areas 1,12,32, 40 include NE Houston, Lake Houston, Kingwood, Montgomery Cty SE *Area 33 includes Galveston County
*Areas 19,39 include Montgomery County NE and NW, Lake Conroe
*Area 7- includes Clear Lake
*Areas 8,10,25,35 include Tomball, Cy Fair, North Katy
*Areas 9,11,24 include Spring Branch, Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest
*Areas 21,22,23,31 include Memorial, Galleria, Central and West Houston
*Areas 16, 17 include River Oaks, West U, Bellaire, Museum, Memorial Park
*Areas 29,30, 36,37 include Ft. Bend, South Katy
*Areas 2,6, 53 include East Houston, Pasadena, Chambers County
HOUSTON OVERVIEW: July 2013 (*compared to July 2012) SINGLE FAMILY SALES: NEW Listings : 9850 homes (*up 14%) Days on the Market (DOM): 51 days (*down 29%) Average Sales Price $260,968 (*up 14% ) Resale: $251,152 (up 14%) New Construction: $346,942 (up 20%) Median Sales Price: $187,760 (*up 10%) Resale: $179,000 (up 12%) New Construction: $290,000 (up 17%) SINGLE FAMILY RENTALS: NEW Rental Listings: 3635 homes (*up 13%) July Days on the Market (DOM): 32 (*down 14%) Average Rental Price: $1714 (*up 3%) Resale: $1706 (*up 3%) New Construction: $1988 (*0%) Median Rental Price: $ 1500 (*up 6%) Resale: $1500 (*up 6%) New Construction: $ 1700 (*up 0%) (Information provided by Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University and HAR)
GREATER HOUSTON OVERVIEW: July 2013 (* compared to July 2012) July Hottest Price Ranges: $200k-$249,999 (2.9 months of inventory) 11.8% of the sales $300k-$399,999 (3.9 mos of inventory) 11.6% of the sales $250k-$299,999 (3.3 mos of inventory) 8.7% of the sales $400k-$499,999 (4.6 mos of inventory) 5.6% of the sales $120k-$129,999 (2.8 mos of inventory) 4.8% of the sales July Hotness Index*: Top 5 markets South Katy Ft. Bend Central Bellaire West Far Northeast Bear Creek
37.3% ( 1.8 months of inventory) 33.2% (2.2 months of inventory) 32.4% (2 months of inventory) 29.8% (2.5 months of inventory) 29.7% (2.1 months of inventory)
* Hotness ratio is pending sales as a percent of active listings (Information provided by Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University and HAR)
GREATER HOUSTON RENTAL MARKET OVERVIEW: July 2013 Type
# Active
% Change Yr. Ago
# Rented
% Change Yr. Ago
Median Price
% Change Yr. Ago
Price/ Sq Ft.
% Change Yr. Ago
DOM
Single Family
3080
0%
2904
5%
$1500
6%
$83
6%
32
TH/ Condo
774
-10%
633
8%
$1300
8%
$100 12%
39
Multi
229
-17%
151
12%
$900
0%
$51
9%
45
High Rise
186
18%
87
-6%
$1800
6%
$177 0%
43
Northwest, Montgomery Woodlands Market areas (*Map: 13,14, 15)
Northwest, Montgomery Woodlands Market areas (*Map: 13,14, 15)
Northwest, Montgomery Woodlands Market areas (*Map: 13,14, 15)
N, NE, Montgomery County SE, Lake Houston, Kingwood Market areas (Map: 1,12,32,40)
N, NE, Montgomery County SE, Lake Houston, Kingwood Market areas (Map: 1,12,32,40)
N, NE, Montgomery County SE, Lake Houston, Kingwood Market areas (*Map:1,12,40,32)
Montgomery County NE and NW, Lake Conroe (*Map: 19,39)
Montgomery County NE and NW, Lake Conroe (*Map: 19,39)
Montgomery County NE and NW, Lake Conroe (*Map: 19,39)
Cypress-Fairbanks, Hwy 6 No., North Katy, Tomball (*Map: 8,10,25,35)
Cypress-Fairbanks, Hwy 6 No., North Katy, Tomball (*Map: 8,10,25,35)
Cypress-Fairbanks, Hwy 6 No., North Katy, Tomball (*Map: 8,10,25,35)
South Katy and Ft. Bend County (*Map: 29,30,36,37)
South Katy and Ft. Bend County (*Map:29,30, 36,37)
South Katy and Ft. Bend County (*Map: 29,30,36,37)
Memorial, Galleria, Central and West Houston (*Map: 21,22,23,31)
Memorial, Galleria, Central and West Houston (*Map: 21,22,23,31)
Memorial, Galleria, Central and West Houston (*Map: 21,22,23,31)
SW and South Central Houston, Alief (*Map: 18,20,28)
SW and South Central Houston, Alief (*Map: 18,20,28)
SW and South Central Houston, Alief (*Map: 18,20,28)
Galveston County (*Map: 33)
Galveston County (*Map: 33)
Galveston County (*Map: 33)
Clear Lake (*Map: 7)
Clear Lake (*Map: 7)
Clear Lake (*Map: 7)
Spring Branch, Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, No. Houston (*Map: 9,11,24)
Spring Branch, Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, No. Houston (*Map: 9,11,24)
Spring Branch, Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, No. Houston (*Map: 9,11,24)
River Oaks, West University, Bellaire, Museum, Memorial Park, Rice Military (*Map: 16,17)
River Oaks, West University, Bellaire, Museum, Memorial Park, Rice Military (*Map: 16,17)
River Oaks, West University, Bellaire, Museum, Memorial Park, Rice Military (*Map: 16,17)
East Houston, Pasadena, Chambers County (*Map: 2,6,53)
East Houston, Pasadena, Chambers County (*Map: 2,6,53)
East Houston, Pasadena, Chambers County (*Map: 2,6,53)
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene is a Houston based company and a National Top Performer. In 1963, Gary Greene founded Gary Greene, Realtors® in Houston. Over the years, the Gary Greene name grew in prominence as its offices expanded throughout the metropolitan market. Today, the company is locally owned and operated by Mark Woodroof and Marilyn Eiland, Partners. Gary Greene, the founder, is still with the company.
1.
We’re better because our agents are better and we support their efforts. In 2013, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene was listed #1 in the Houston Business Journals’ Book of Lists for total dollar volume sold and closed transactions.
2.
We believe growth comes from individualized training, support and recognition.
3.
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene is proud to be a staunch advocate and sponsor of the Sunshine Kids Foundation.