May. 27, 2007 - Houston market begins its busy season

Single-family home sales in April rose compared to April of last year, reversing the first sales decline in more than three years. Prices last month also continued to show strength, as both the average and median sales prices increased in line with trends seen during the last few years. Perhaps signaling statistical validation of experts’ suggestions that tighter subprime lending standards will have a negative impact on home sales, the primary price range of homes showing sales weakness has been those homes priced at $140,000 or less, according to statistics released mid-May by the Houston Association of Realtors. At the same time, homes in the $400,000-plus range have seen tremendous strength in sales.

Total property sales for the month registered 7,275, which was a 2.7 percent increase over April 2006. Properties sold during the month reached a total of more than $1.4 billion, an 8.5 percent increase compared to last year’s more than $1.3 billion in April sales. Additionally, the median home price for a single-family home reached a monthly record for April of $150,000, and the average single-family home price came in at $205,511, increases from last year of 2.0 and 4.8 percent, respectively.

The number of available homes (active listings) at the end of April was 49,946 properties, which was an increase of 17.6 percent versus last April and the tenth month with a year-over-year increase, after 10 consecutive previous declines. The figure was an increase of more than 2,000 properties from last month, which is not unusual for the spring as more homes are listed for sale. It is still a figure to watch though to see if inventory of available homes rises faster than sales, which could place downward pressure on prices as well.

Source: Houston Association of Realtors

May. 19, 2007 - 10 Steps to Beautiful landscaping

May. 9, 2007 - Experts describe homes of the future

New homes have changed dramatically over the past five decades. Small one-story bungalows with less than 1,000 square feet, two bedrooms and a single bathroom have given way to two-story homes topping 2,400 square feet with three or more bedrooms and two or more bathrooms. Along the way, new homes have evolved to levels of comfort and sophistication that were virtually unimaginable even a generation ago.

Given the rapid evolution of design, configuration and products in new homes, even a professional futurist might be hard-pressed to determine what the next five decades hold for housing. But a new study by the National Association of Home Builders provides a telling look at the homes buyers can expect to purchase in the nearer future – 2015.

“The Home of the Future” study, introduced at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, was conducted in 2006 by NAHB’s Economics Group. Based on polls of architects, designers, marketers and manufacturers, it provides a detailed view of what buyers can expect to find in an “average” home and an “upscale” home in 2015.

Here are some of the highlights of the NAHB’S predictions for the 2015 American home:

• Homes will be significantly “greener” and more resource efficient
• Increasing emphasis on universal design/handicap access
• Home size will not increase, but stay in the range of today’s 2,400 square feet
• Homes are increasingly likely to be two-story rather than one-story.
• Kitchens and bathrooms will continue to feature upgraded materials and appliances
• Focus on garages will increase, with more consumers preferring three-car garages, and door openings on garages will be larger to accommodate larger vehicles
• More homes will feature recessed lighting and wood floors
• Communities will feature open space and amenities such as walking and jogging trails and are also likely to be close to public transportation

The typical new single-family home in 2005 will feature:

• 2,330-square-feet, divided into a two-story home with 2½ to 3½ bathrooms and 4 bedrooms
• One-story entry foyer
• One-story family room (no loft or volume ceilings, etc.)
• Living room vanishing into parlor/retreat/library
• Nine-foot ceilings on first floor; eight- to nine-foot ceilings on second floor
• Exterior walls of vinyl or fiber cement siding or brick
• Staircase located in foyer
• Front porch
• Fiber optic network, programmable thermostat, structured wiring system, multi-line phone system
• Both shower stall and tub in master bathroom
• Toilet in master bath will have separate enclosure

The typical upscale single-family home in 2015 will feature:

• More than 4,000 square feet
• Two-story home with 3½ to 4½ bathrooms and 4 or more bedrooms
• Two-story entry foyer
• One- or two-story family room
• Likely to have formal living room, but living room may be replaced by parlor/retreat/library
• Nine-foot ceilings on first floor; nine- to ten-foot ceilings on upper floors
• Exterior of stone, brick, stucco or fiber cement siding
• Stairs in the back or side of the house
• Front porch, rear porch, patio and deck
• Two master bedroom suites
• Outdoor kitchen with grill, sinks, refrigerator, cooking island
• Outdoor fireplace, pool/spa, audio/tv equipment, lighting
• Programmable thermostat, structured wiring, multiline phone system, multi-zone HVAC, remote control fireplaces, instant hot water in bathrooms/kitchens, lighting control system, monitored burglar/fire/toxic gas alarm system

Source: National Association of Home Builders