The Benefits of Home Inspections
One of the best investments you can ever make is to purchase a home. The most prudent thing to do when you purchase a home is to have it inspected prior to closing on the sale. This is usually done during the “option period” of the contract.
The most common types of inspections are mechanical, structural, and termite. Always employ an inspector who is licensed through the Texas Real Estate Commission, or has another professional license to do property inspections such as a professional engineer (P.E.) or a licensed pest control specialist.
The mechanical and structural inspections cover such items as:
- Foundations
- Roofs & Gutters
- Exterior Walls
- Doors & Windows
- Plumbing & Fixtures
- Heating & Cooling Systems
- Water Heater/Dishwasher/Disposal
- Electrical Fixtures, Switches & Receptacles
- And more!
The termite inspection covers wood destroying insects. There are additional inspections you can do such as radon testing, lead testing, pool inspections, and, if applicable, well and septic testing.
What if you are buying a brand new home? Should you have it inspected since it is new construction? Yes, you should! In fact, if you are building it from the ground up, you can have it inspected in phases during construction. This is especially beneficial if you are not living in the area at the time the house is being built.
Also, some sellers have a pre-listing inspection done on their homes so they can fix anything that might come up on a buyer’s inspection, and then furnish that report and the repair invoices to any prospective buyer.
Purchasing a home is a big emotional and financial investment. Make it with confidence by having the home inspected before you close.
HOUSTON HOME SALES SHOW CONTINUED VITALITY IN FEBRUARY
Home sales climb for a ninth straight month with inventory at its lowest level in more than three years
HOUSTON — (March 20, 2012) — February marked the ninth consecutive month of positive home sales across the greater Houston area, and properties sold at a brisk enough pace to drive housing inventory to its lowest level since December 2008. The month also saw the trademarks of a healthy real estate market continue to prevail—a decline in active property listings and rise in pending sales.
February sales of single-family homes soared 16.9 percent versus one year earlier, according to the latest monthly data prepared by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR). That is the biggest sales boost since August 2011. A surge in sales among homes priced between $80,000 and $250,000 combined with flat sales in the luxury housing segment allowed the average and median price to retreat slightly.
“The Houston housing market continues to show welcomed strength at the end of February 2012,” said Wayne A. Stroman, HAR chairman and CEO of Stroman Realty. “In addition to all the positive indicators in HAR’s February report, Houston is reaping the benefits of great economic news in the form of more than 76,000 jobs created over the past year, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. It stands to reason that with new jobs being filled, these employees and their families will need housing.”
February’s single-family home median price—the figure at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less—dipped a fractional 0.7 percent year-over-year to $149,900. The average price fell 4.6 percent from February 2011 to $201,945.
Foreclosure property sales reported in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) increased 21.1 percent year-over-year in February. Foreclosures comprised 23.2 percent of all property sales, which is consistent with the levels observed over the past 12 months. The median price of foreclosures in February was unchanged at $79,000.
February sales of all property types in Houston totaled 4,561, up 15.8 percent compared to February 2011. Total dollar volume for properties sold during the month rose 13.4 percent to $894 million versus $788 million one year earlier.
The month of February brought Houston’s overall housing market positive results when all sales categories are compared to February 2011. Total property sales and total dollar volume rose on a year-over-year basis. The median price declined less than one percent while the average price fell 4.6 percent.
Month-end pending sales for February totaled 3,445. That is up 13.5 percent from last year and suggests another month of positive sales when the March housing data are tallied. The number of available properties, or active listings, at the end of February declined 15.3 percent from February 2011 to 42,206. The inventory of single-family homes dropped to its lowest level since December 2008—5.6 months, compared to 7.3 months one year earlier. That means selling all the single-family homes on the market would take 5.6 months to complete based on the past year’s sales activity. The figure is better than the national inventory of single-family homes of 6.1 months reported by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). These indicators all continue to reflect a healthy and balanced real estate marketplace for Houston.
| CATEGORIES | FEBRUARY 2011 | FEBRUARY 2012 | PERCENT CHANGE |
| Total property sales | 3,938 | 4,561 | 15.8% |
| Total dollar volume | $788,631,666 | $894,542,550 | 13.4% |
| Total active listings | 49,836 | 42,206 | -15.3% |
| Total pending sales | 3,036 | 3,445 | 13.5% |
| Single-family home sales | 3,277 | 3,832 | 16.9% |
| Single-family average sales price | $211,725 | $201,945 | -4.6% |
| Single-family median sales price | $150,990 | $149,900 | -0.7% |
| Months inventory* | 7.3 | 5.6 | -22.5% |
February sales of single-family homes in Houston totaled 3,832, up 16.9 percent from February 2011. This marks the ninth consecutive monthly increase and the biggest hike since last August.
Broken out by segment, February sales of homes priced below $80,000 rose 16.7 percent; sales of homes in the $80,000-$150,000 range climbed 23.1 percent; sales of homes between $150,000 and $250,000 shot up 24.3 percent; sales of homes ranging from $250,000-$500,000 were up 7.4 percent; and sales of homes that make up the luxury market—priced from $500,000 and up—were unchanged year-over-year.
At $201,945, the average price of single-family homes slid 4.6 percent from last February, resulting from a combination of heavy sales activity among homes in the middle price segments and flat luxury home sales. At $149,900, the median sales price for single-family homes declined a fractional 0.7 percent year-over-year. The national single-family median price reported by NAR is $154,700, illustrating the continued higher value and lower cost of living available to consumers in Houston.
HAR also breaks out the sales performance of existing single-family homes throughout the Houston market. In February 2012, existing home sales totaled 3,141, a 16.0 percent increase from February 2011. The average sales price declined 4.3 percent from last year to $187,371 and the median sales price also declined 2.9 percent to $134,000.
The number of townhouses and condominiums that sold in February rose 2.9 percent compared to one year earlier. In the greater Houston area, 319 units were sold last month versus 310 properties in February 2011.
The average price was statistically flat at $156,462 compared to February 2012. The median price of a townhouse/condominium edged up 2.1 percent to $122,000.
Lease properties throughout the Houston market continue to be in high demand. Single-family home rentals rose 21.1 percent in February compared to one year earlier and year-over-year townhouse/condominium rentals climbed 19.6 percent.
- Volume of single-family home sales rose 16.9 percent, accounting for the ninth consecutive monthly increase and the biggest hike since August 2011;
- Single-family home rentals rose 21.1 percent;
- Townhouse/condominium rentals increased 19.6 percent;
- 5.6 months inventory of single-family homes is the lowest level since December 2008 and compares favorably to the national average of 6.1 months.
The computerized Multiple Listing Service of the Houston Association of REALTORS® includes residential properties and new homes listed by REALTORS® throughout Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties, as well as parts of Brazoria, Galveston, Waller and Wharton counties. Residential home sales statistics as well as listing information for more than 50,000 properties may be found on the Internet at http://www.har.com.
The information published and disseminated to the HAR Multiple Listing Services is communicated verbatim, without change by Multiple Listing Services, as filed by MLS participants.
The MLS does not verify the information provided and disclaims any responsibility for its accuracy. All data is preliminary and subject to change. Monthly sales figures reported since November 1998 includes a statistical estimation to account for late entries. Twelve-month totals may vary from actual end-of-year figures. (Single-family detached homes were broken out separately in monthly figures beginning February 1988.)
Founded in 1918, the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR) is a member organization of real estate professionals engaged in every aspect of the industry, including residential and commercial sales and leasing, appraisal, property management and counseling. It is the largest individual dues-paying membership trade association in Houston as well as the second largest local association/board of REALTORS® in the United States.
Positive start to 2012!
January sales of single-family homes climbed 9.2 percent versus one year earlier, according to the latest monthly data prepared by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR). All segments of the housing market grew except the luxury segment—those homes priced from $500,000 and above—whose decline flattened the overall average price.
“The January report shows continued strength in the Houston housing market that we began seeing in the latter part of 2011, and it gives us cause for optimism as we look ahead to the typically active spring and summer buying months,” said Wayne A. Stroman, HAR chairman and CEO of Stroman Realty. “We have also seen more jobs being filled locally and you generally don’t experience a strong real estate market without healthy employment.”
January’s single-family home median price—the figure at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less—rose 0.9 percent year-over-year to $139,900. The average price of $194,765 was statistically unchanged from January 2011.
Foreclosure property sales reported in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) increased 22.0 percent year-over-year in January. Foreclosures comprised 27.8 percent of all property sales, which is higher than the 2011 average of 21.0 percent. The median price of foreclosures in January was flat at $82,550.
January sales of all property types in Houston totaled 3,632, up 4.8 percent compared to January 2011. Total dollar volume for properties sold during the month rose 5.9 percent to $683 million versus $645 million one year earlier.
The month of January brought Houston’s overall housing market positive results when all sales categories are compared to January 2011. Total property sales and total dollar volume rose on a year-over-year basis. The median price rose while the average price was flat.
Month-end pending sales for January totaled 3,164. That is up 6.0 percent from last year and suggests another positive month of sales when the February figures are tallied. The number of available properties, or active listings, at the end of January declined 15.1 percent from January 2011 to 42,067. The inventory of single-family homes dropped to its lowest level since December 2009—5.7 months, compared to 7.2 months one year earlier. That means it would take 5.7 months to sell all the single-family homes on the market based on sales activity over the past year. The figure is significantly better than the national inventory of single-family homes of 7.2 months reported by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). These indicators all continue to reflect a balanced real estate marketplace for Houston.
To view this entire article visit:
http://www.har.com/mls/dispPressRelease.cfm?MONTH=02&YEAR=12
It’s a great time to buy! Give me a call!
8 New Home Trends for 2012
From MSN Real Estate:
Easy Access: Baby boomers are getting older and are thinking about what their homes need to look like if they stay in them as years advance. This means more single story homes, grab bars in the baths and fewer stairs.
Bigger Garages – for everything but cars: Larger garages help avoid clutter in the home. They can hold everything from tricycles to golf carts and some even have space for a “man cave”.
Resource or Planning Center: More people are working on lap tops or ipads so they don’t need a larger office/den. Instead, there are nooks for lap top and printer, a desk, and maybe cubby holes for mail.
Home Within a Home: Almost 1/3 of American households are “doubled up” with another adult generation in the house. Homebuilders are responding with more floor plans that have two master bedrooms or even a separate apartment.
Not Just Green – really green: Building homes that create as much energy as they consume.
Homes That Fit People’s Lifestyle: a. direct access to the laundry room; b. Costco pantries in the garage to hold items bought in bulk; c. drop zones for cell phones, keys, and mail.
Homes That Flow: Not a new trend, but one that is picking up speed – the open floor plan that fits a more casual lifestyle.
Infill is In: Developments that are on a smaller scale in urban areas rather than suburban and that are closer to public transportation, commercial opportunities, and job centers.
The 2012 Economic Forecast
I attended the economic forecast luncheon at the Houston Association of Realtors in January to hear Mike Inselman, President of Metro Study, and Jeff Wiley, President of the Greater Fort Bend County Economic Development Council. This was their annual outlook for the greater Houston and Fort Bend County areas for 2012. In a word, they both had very POSITIVE news for this year.
Mike Inselman said there are several things affecting the national economy including the lack of jobs, the ups and downs of the stock market, the uncertainty of an election year, and geopolitics. In his opinion, the solutions for the housing market to rebound nationally is a better economy, consumer confidence, good credit, and jobs, jobs, and more jobs.
He explained that we are very fortunate to be in Houston—the fastest growing city in the US and the #1 job market. He said that Houston has recovered all the jobs lost during the recession, and that Houston’s job growth is 3 times better than the rest of the country. He estimates that the total jobs for 2011 in Houston will be between 87,000-100,000.
According to Mr. Inselman, Houston had a net population growth in 2011 of 145,000 people. He said that 140,000 people = 32,400 housing starts. There were only 18,000 housing starts in Houston in 2011 and he expects about 20,000 this year. That meant, he said, that we are heading towards demand exceeding supply. At the present time there are about 6 month’s supply of single family homes in Houston. That is what he called a balanced market.
Jeff Wiley focused his remarks on infrastructure and mobility developments for Fort Bend County. He said the county now has over 600,000 population and it is predicted that number will exceed 1M in another 15 years. 40% of the population is college educated; 80% owner-occupy their homes.
According to Mr. Wiley, there was a 20-25K net job growth in Fort Bend in 2011 which represented the most job growth ever in this county. 2012 should surpass last year he said. Nine out of ten people can now find employment in Fort Bend County.
As far as mobility is concerned, there are numerous ongoing projects. Bridges are under construction at Riverpark and Alliana on Highway 99. By the third quarter of next year, there should be non-stop travel on Highway 99 from Highway 59 to Interstate 10. Further, Mr. Wiley said, plans are underway to extend the Westpark Toll Rd to Fulshear; and negotiations are already underway with land owners west of Rosenberg for the construction of the next beltway. The Fort Bend Toll Rd is scheduled to extend into the middle of Sienna Plantation with construction to start this summer.
Fort Bend County is also home to some of the fastest growing master planned communities in the country including, Sienna Plantation, Riverstone, Telfair, Alliana, Cinco Ranch, Cross Creek Ranch, Westheimer Lakes and continuing development towards Fulshear. Work also continues on the Imperial Sugar project.
For more information and details on these presentations go online to www.metrostudy.com and www.fortbendcounty.org.
The greater Houston, Sugar Land, Fort Bend County areas are fantastic places to live and to work.
Call me if you are interested in buying or selling a home. Let’s talk! I know the territory!
10 Neighborhood Homebuyer Magnets
According to a NAR survey released in November, quality of the neighborhood was the biggest factor for homebuyers when choosing where to live, followed by affordability and convenience to family and friends.
If you are a home seller you should know that certain neighborhood features are like magnets for homebuyers. Here are 10 factors to keep in mind and to emphasize in your home listing:
Access to transportation. According to the NAR study, being close to public transportation, the freeway system, or to their work location influenced a buyer’s neighborhood choice.- Good schools. In the study, 55% of buyers with children under 18 said school district quality affected their decision. It also affects the re-sale value for people without children.
- Nearby amenities. Restaurants, grocery stores, shops, and dry cleaners are signals that up and coming urban neighborhoods have “arrived”.
- Area architecture. In some neighborhoods, historical or architecturally significant homes can be a big draw for certain homebuyers. They want a neighborhood with character or charm.
- Reputation. Buzz about a neighborhood being “hot” can translate into buyer interest and higher sales prices.
- Parks and outdoor spaces. Prospective homebuyers often appreciate having a park nearby, especially if they have children or pets.
- Low crime rate. People want to live where they feel safe. A low crime rate is a key factor.
- The neighbors. One factor to watch may be how long people have lived in the area. Residents who are satisfied with their neighborhood are thought not only to be less likely to move, but also to have a higher general quality of life.
- Local economy and stable home values. A home is a big investment, so buyers naturally are attracted to neighborhoods where property values are likely to go up, not down. The market’s overall economic health also matters.
- Proximity to cultural experiences. Author and urban studies theorist, Richard Florida, says members of a “creative class” — people whom cities want to attract and whom companies want to hire — prefer to live in neighborhoods with ethnic and cultural diversity, as well as easy access to nightlife, recreational facilities, and the arts.
‘Tis the Season
The holidays are upon us and ’tis the season for baking the favorite family recipes or for trying a new dish for a special party. I thought it would be helpful to have a handy chart for those kitchen measurements you might need. Just print the chart below and put it on your refrigerator for quick reference.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family, and may your New Year be happy and healthy.
Five Great Things about Homeownership
Five Great Things about Homeownership
by Carla Hill, Realty Times
If you’ve been on the fence about homeownership, now is the time to take a leap! Don’t let the negative press deter you from one of life’s greatest joys.
Take a look at five short and sweet reasons that homeownership is great!
1. Equity. When you pay rent, you never see that money again. It is lining the landlord’s pocket. Yes, buying a home may come with some hefty initial costs (downpayment, closing costs, inspections), but you will make that money back over time in equity built in the home. Historically, homes appreciate by about 4 to 6 percent a year. Some areas are still experiencing normal appreciation rates. For the areas that have seen harder times since the recession, experts feel that the housing market will recover. Homeownership is about building long-term wealth. A home bought for $10,000 in 1960 is most likely worth 10 times that in today’s market.
2. Relationships: Renters tend to see their neighbors come and go quickly. Some people sign year leases while others are in the community for much shorter terms. Apartment complexes also tend to have less common shared space for people to meet, greet, and socialize. Homeowners, however, have yards, walking trails, or community pools and clubhouses where they can get to know each other. Neighbors stay put much longer (at least three to five years if they hope to recoup their closing costs). This means more time to develop relationships. Research has shown that people with healthy relationships have more happiness and less stress.
3. Predictability: Well, as long as you have a fixed-rate term on your mortgage it’s predictable. Most people buying homes today know that a fixed-rate is the way to go. This means your payment amount is fixed for the life of the term. If your mortgage payment is $500 today, then it will still be $500 a month in 10 years. This allows for people to budget and make solid financial plans. The sub-prime crisis meant many homeowners with adjustable rate mortgages saw their monthly payments rise and then rise some more. Homeownership, though, generally comes with a predictable table of expenditures. Even the big purchases are predictable. You know most roofs last just 15 years (or so). You know that each year you’ll need to pay for the gutters to be cleaned, and so on.
4. Ownership: Okay, this is a given. Homeownership means you “own” your home. That comes with some incredible perks, though! You can renovate, update, paint, and decorate to your heart’s desire. You can plant trees, install a pool, expand the patio, or do holiday decorating that would rival the Kranks (if the HOA allows!). The bottom line is this is your home and you can personalize it to your taste. Most renters are stuck with the same beige walls and beige carpet that has been standard apartment decor for 20 years. Now is your chance to let your home speak!
5. Great Deals: It’s a great time to buy. Interest rates are at historic lows. We’re talking 4.0 percent instead of 6.0 or higher. This means big savings for today’s buyers. Home prices have also taken a dip since the recession, which means homes are more affordable than ever. If you have steady income and cash for a downpayment, then be sure to talk to your local real estate agent about what homes in your area could be a fit for you.
Homeownership can be a real joy. It’s time to get off the fence and into a home that is right for you!
Published: November 2, 2011, Realty Times, www.realtytimes.com
9 Reasons to Invest in Texas!
Texas is built for business!
9 reasons to invest in Texas!
1. Texas is leading the nation in economic recovery.
2. Texas’ economy is BIG and getting BIGGER.
3. Texas’ economy is profitable.
4. Texas’ population is growing.
5. Texas’ economy is international.
6. Tax burden is less in Texas.
7. Texas has affordable housing.
8. Texans have entrepreneurial spirit.
9. Texans are mobile.
Click here to read the entire article!
HOUSTON-AREA HOME SALES RISE FOR A FOURTH STRAIGHT MONTH
Average and median prices reach September highs; market on “strong footing”
HOUSTON — (October 18, 2011) — Houston temperatures finally cooled a bit in September, but home sales remained hot. Sales of single-family homes climbed nearly 17 percent when compared to one year earlier and accounted for the fourth consecutive month of increased sales volume. The prices of those homes achieved all-time highs for a September in Houston. In addition, months inventory fell to the lowest level since May 2010 while pending sales rose and active listings declined. All are considered signs of a healthy and balanced housing market as the fall season gets underway.
According to the latest monthly data prepared by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR), September sales of single-family homes rose 16.9 percent versus one year earlier. This increase followed home sales gains recorded in January, June, July and August of this year. All segments of the housing market, from the sub-$80,000 to the $500,000 and above, experienced positive sales in September. On a year-to-date basis, sales were up 3.2 percent.
“The combination of increased closed and pending sales, fewer active listings and strong pricing suggests that we are entering the fall home buying season on strong footing,” said Carlos P. Bujosa, HAR chairman and VP at Transwestern. “HAR’s September report shows rebalanced supply and demand throughout the Houston housing market with diminishing traces of the distortions caused by last year’s federal home buyer tax credit.”
The average price of a single-family home ticked up 0.4 percent from September 2010 to $213,334, the highest level for a September in Houston. The September single-family home median price—the figure at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less—also reached a September high for the market, rising 1.6 percent to $157,500.
Foreclosure property sales reported in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) increased 2.4 percent year-over-year in September. Foreclosures comprised 19.4 percent of all property sales, which is consistent with the levels it has maintained each month since May when it was more than 22 percent. The median price of foreclosures in September was flat at $81,900.
September sales of all property types in Houston totaled 5,469, up 15.9 percent compared to September 2010. Total dollar volume for properties sold during the month jumped 16.0 percent to $1.1 billion versus $962 million one year earlier.
The month of September brought Houston’s overall housing market positive results when all sales categories are compared to September of 2010. Sales volume gains showed more normal, seasonal trending after several months in which the data was skewed by the 2010 tax credit that caused a dramatic drop in home sales following its expiration. Total property sales and total dollar volume rose on a year-over-year basis. Both average and median prices climbed to historic levels for a September in Houston.
Month-end pending sales for September totaled 3,120. That is up 3.2 percent from last year and suggests the likelihood of another positive month of sales when the October figures are tallied. The number of available properties, or active listings, at the end of September declined 11.5 percent from September 2010 to 47,812. The inventory of single-family homes was reduced to 6.8 months, its lowest level since May 2010, compared to 7.7 months one year earlier. That means it would take 6.8 months to sell all the single-family homes on the market based on sales activity over the past year. The figure is significantly better than the national inventory of single-family homes of 8.5 months reported by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). These indicators all reflect a balanced real estate marketplace for Houston.
The number of available properties, or active listings, at the end of August declined 11.5 percent from August 2010 to 48,752. The inventory of single-family homes was reduced to 7.1 months compared to 7.8 months one year earlier. That means it would take 7.1 months to sell all the single-family homes on the market based on sales activity over the past year. The figure is significantly better than the national inventory of single-family homes of 9.4 months reported by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).
| CATEGORIES | SEPTEMBER 2010 | SEPTEMBER 2011 | PERCENT CHANGE |
| Total property sales | 4,720 | 5,469 | 15.9% |
| Total dollar volume | $962,851,241 | $1,117,023,816 | 16.0% |
| Total active listings | 54,027 | 47,812 | -11.5% |
| Total pending sales | 3,023 | 3,120 | 3.2% |
| Single-family home sales | 3,965 | 4,635 | 16.9% |
| Single-family average sales price | $212,581 | $213,334 | 0.4% |
| Single-family median sales price | $155,000 | $157,500 | 1.6% |
| Months inventory* | 7.7 | 6.8 | -11.0% |
September sales of single-family homes in Houston totaled 4,635, up 16.9 percent from September 2010. This marks the fifth increase of the year following an 8.5 percent gain in January, 1.3 percent rise in June, and 15.2 and 28.3 percent increases in July and August, respectively. On a year-to-date basis, sales are ahead 3.2 percent.
Broken out by segment, September sales of homes priced below $80,000 rose 11.4 percent; sales of homes in the $80,000-$150,000 range climbed 21.8 percent; sales of homes between $150,000 and $250,000 were up 18.7 percent; sales of homes ranging from $250,000-$500,000 jumped 26.8 percent; and sales of homes that make up the luxury market—priced from $500,000 and up—advanced 2.3 percent.
Both average and median price achieved the highest levels ever for a September in Houston. At $213,334, the average price of single-family homes rose 0.4 percent compared to last September. At $157,500, the median sales price for single-family homes edged up 1.6 percent versus September 2010. The national single-family median price reported by NAR is $168,300, illustrating the continued higher value and lower cost of living available to consumers in Houston.
HAR also breaks out the sales performance of existing single-family homes throughout the Houston market. In September 2011, existing home sales totaled 3,880, a 20.0 percent hike from September 2010. The average sales price ticked up 0.4 percent to $201,836 compared to last year and the median sales price of $145,000 reflects an increase of 2.1 percent.
The number of townhouses and condominiums that sold in September jumped 14.0 percent compared to one year earlier, marking the fourth monthly sales increase of the year. The first was a 14.7 percent rise in January, followed by a 25.3 percent increase in June and 19.2 percent gain in August. In the greater Houston area, 383 units were sold last month versus 336 properties in September 2010.
The average price slid 0.9 percent to $152,275 from September 2010 to September 2011. The median price of a townhouse/condominium edged up 0.9 percent to $115,000.
September saw continued elevated demand for lease properties throughout the Houston market. Single-family home rentals rose 17.4 percent compared to one year earlier and year-over-year townhouse/condominium rentals jumped 30.0 percent. HAR has reported for several months that this demand has been largely fueled by steady improvement in local employment numbers, with REALTORS® observing a surge in consumers relocating to Houston from around the U.S. The Texas Workforce Commission recently reported that the Greater Houston area gained 65,000 jobs from August 2010 to August 2011, a 2.6 percent increase.
The computerized Multiple Listing Service of the Houston Association of REALTORS® includes residential properties and new homes listed by REALTORS® throughout Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties, as well as parts of Brazoria, Galveston, Waller and Wharton counties. Residential home sales statistics as well as listing information for more than 50,000 properties may be found on the Internet at http://www.har.com.
The information published and disseminated to the HAR Multiple Listing Services is communicated verbatim, without change by Multiple Listing Services, as filed by MLS participants.
The MLS does not verify the information provided and disclaims any responsibility for its accuracy. All data is preliminary and subject to change. Monthly sales figures reported since November 1998 includes a statistical estimation to account for late entries. Twelve-month totals may vary from actual end-of-year figures. (Single-family detached homes were broken out separately in monthly figures beginning February 1988.)
Founded in 1918, the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR) is a member organization of real estate professionals engaged in every aspect of the industry, including residential and commercial sales and leasing, appraisal, property management and counseling. It is the largest individual dues-paying membership trade association in Houston as well as the second largest local association/board of REALTORS® in the United States.
