Houston Real Estate Blog

2020 Mid-Year Real Estate Review

There are lots of words we can use to describe 2020 and they seem to be changing by the day. We are certainly living in a new time where it has become very challenging to know what to expect today and a wild guess as to what the future holds. Real estate is a constantly changing industry and this year has presented even more variables than normal. What can we expect in the second half of the year?

It’s no secret that home sales took a plunge in March and April. With everyone staying home and some jobs slashed temporarily, some buyers cancelled contracts while others just put their real estate plans on hold. This caused a sharp decline in sales as reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in their most recent statistics released. It’s too early to tell if this is making a turn around but in many markets showing activity picked up dramatically in May, which means sales should as well though it’s just too early to have actual statistics for that time period. While the number of homes sold saw a drop, pricing remained steady and has even seen a little upward pressure recently due to limited inventory and increasing demand.

Recently, Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for NAR said, “The recovery in housing is happening faster than expected. We anticipated a drop off in Q3. But, we don’t think that’s the case anymore. We revised our Q3 numbers higher. Before, we predicted a 2 percent decline in purchase originations in 2020, now we think there will be 2 percent growth this year.” NAR does a great job analyzing housing statistics and has their finger on the heartbeat of the real estate market so their positive indications speak well for the future of housing.

Recent predictions on housing prices have differing opinions but significant depreciation isn’t anticipated by anyone. This is not 2008! Supply and demand will play a critical role in where prices go in 2020. It is always important to remember that real estate is local in nature. With everything going on currently, some markets are still fairly inactive, especially in luxury price ranges, while others have seen recent surges as people are forced to make moves and can’t wait any longer.

If you aren’t sure where things stand in our market, call us today. We are always available to discuss your property and your future real estate goals and how we can help you reach them.

The Chris Wylie Team Houston & The Woodlands Real Estate team@countonchris.com
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The Chris Wylie Team is your ultimate real estate resource for Houston, The Woodlands, Spring, Cypress, Katy, Tomball and the surrounding areas. Visit our website for for detailed information regarding today’s real estate market.

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Texas State Parks near Houston

Many businesses and events are still not open due to the Coronavirus pandemic so you may be looking for something to do to get out of the house and occupy your time. Texas’ State Parks are currently open with some modifications so you can plan a day trip or overnight trip to one of the nearby parks for something fun to do.

Different parks offer different options for things to do so take a look at their website before you plan your visit so you know what they offer and if everything is currently available. Here are a few options that are just a short drive that you might want to check out.

Brazos Bend State Park offers a nature trail, hiking and biking trails, horseback riding (bring your own horse), fishing, campsites, a nature center and observatory.

Galveston Park offers swimming, fishing, bird watching, hiking and biking, paddling trails and campsites. This park offers beach and bay sides so there are many options for things to do.

Lake Somerville State Park and Trailway offers fishing, boating, paddling, swimming, trails and camping. The park offers canoes and kayaks for rent to use on the water.

Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center offers a nature trail that passes 28 naturalized ponds and catch and release fishing. An observation tower also provides wonderful views of the surrounding wetlands and the lake.

Stephen F. Austin State Park offers hiking and biking trails and campsites.

Village Creek State Park offers camping, picnicking, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, swimming and geocaching within the park for your enjoyment.

Currently, all of these parks are open but you should double check before you plan a trip. Make sure to take masks with you as they may be required if you are using public areas of the parks like restrooms. All parks are encouraging social distancing. Crowds vary but weekends are usually more crowded so you may want to plan a weekday trip if that is an option.

The Chris Wylie Team Houston & The Woodlands Real Estate team@countonchris.com
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New on the Market – 11003 Wortham Boulevard, Houston – $299,000

This beautiful two-story home located in Wortham Estates is located close to the neighborhood pool and a large park. Step inside the front door to the two-story entry.

The first level includes a mix of formal and informal spaces plus the master suite. You will find formal living and dining rooms finished with carpet. A study with French doors offers the perfect space for work or quiet time. The kitchen is nicely equipped with a large island, gas cooktop, microwave, plentiful cabinets, Travertine tile and a walk-in pantry. A breakfast room adjoins the kitchen. A spacious den with fireplace looks out on the stunning backyard. The master suite is found on the main level overlooking the backyard. The ensuite master bath includes a jetted tub, separate shower, dual sinks and large walk-in closet.

Three secondary bedrooms are found upstairs along with a game room. The backyard features lush landscaping, with a pool and large patio with pergola.

For more information about this home or to see more photos, click here.

The Chris Wylie Team Houston & The Woodlands Real Estate team@countonchris.com
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The Case for Age-Friendly Cities

When you think about retirement, and where you might like to end up, a variety of options probably come to mind. Whether you want to move closer to a family member, or get away from places with cold winters, you’ll want to make sure that the city you choose has all of the amenities you’ll need to ensure a comfortable, easy lifestyle.

What are age-friendly cities?

That’s where age-friendly cities come in. While you may have heard the term “aging in place” in relation to your private home, age-friendly cities make this idea a city-wide initiative. Not only do these cities encourage involvement and interaction within the community, but they support the individual needs and interests of their residents.

What qualifies a city as age-friendly you may ask? Age-friendly cities have eight essential components as viewed by WHO (World Health Organization). These components include:

Outdoor spaces and buildings
Transportation
Housing
Social participation
Respect and social inclusion
Civic participation and employment
Communication
Community support
Health services

Without a doubt, Houston, TX and many of the surrounding areas are definitely age friendly cities.

The age-friendly city experience

For those living in age-friendly cities, a typical day may include walking to and volunteering at the community garden in the morning, having lunch with friends at a local restaurant in the afternoon, and taking a refreshing swim in the community pool in the evening. Age-friendly cities typically offer amenities like these, and opportunities for socialization, within walking distance. If the walk seems too far, there’s usually some form of transportation to help.

In comparison, those in communities without such amenities may watch television in the morning, eat meals alone, and avoid going out because most stores and restaurants aren’t within walking distance. Without the help of city initiatives, these people may live more secluded and less fulfilled lives. When looking at these two examples, it’s easy to see that a senior living in an age-friendly city may have a better quality of life than a senior that is not.

Finding age-friendly cities

As of July, 2017, 175 communities appeared on AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly Communities as committed to becoming age friendly, with some at varying levels of progress. As more communities and cities commit to making adjustments to become more age-friendly, more and more seniors will be able to enjoy different opportunities and activities that they may not have had in a previous living situation.

If you are looking for housing in an age-friendly area, let us know. We will discuss your lifestyle and what is most important to you and help you determine the areas that are most likely to meet your needs.

The Chris Wylie Team Houston & The Woodlands Real Estate team@countonchris.com
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Blog courtesy of SRES.

At Home Entertainment

Chances are very good that you have spent more time at home in the last few months than the last few years. While the slower pace is welcome for many people, it’s also easy to go a little stir crazy. Being at home doesn’t have to mean you are bored. If you have children at home too, it becomes even more critical to have a little fun so everyone can relax during this stressful time. There are lots of things you can do to have fun without putting yourself and your family at risk. Here are 10 simple ideas for children, adults and the whole family to save your sanity and have an evening of enjoyment.

Movie night under the stars. The whole family can get involved in this one. Whether you build a simple DIY movie screen or just project a movie onto a sheet on the back fence, this is easy and a fun change to movies on the couch again. Here are some classic movie options if you can’t watch the same DVD one more time.
Put a new spin on date night with a virtual cooking class with your partner. Put the kids to bed early, pick a class you would both enjoy and cook and dine together.
Cupcake wars family style can be a lot of fun. Depending on the age of those involved, you can make the cupcakes completely or just decorate them if younger kids are participating. Set a time limit and give everyone the same supplies then designate a theme and see what everyone comes up with.
Virtual traveling can take you places all over the world. Have everyone pick a destination then enjoy your adventure. How else can you go around the world in one night and still sleep in your own bed?
It is pretty hot right now but try a dinner picnic to get outside a little bit. Pack outdoor friendly foods and grab a blanket. Have each family member make a different course and see what kind of creative dishes you can enjoy.
Try a new hobby that you have always wanted to do. Order your supplies online and then use YouTube to learn. Whether you want to knit, paint, make jewelry, you can do just about anything you can think of.
DIY Escape rooms can be a lot of fun. Surely, you can escape from your own house.
If you are missing out on your annual camping trip, pitch the tent in the backyard and spend a couple nights outside. Camping has never been easier with real bathrooms a few steps away and a refrigerator for all your food. You just eliminated the hard parts of camping so you have more time for fun.
Set up a wine tasting with your spouse for after the kids go to bed. For even more fun, only pick new wines and get out of your comfort zone. If wine isn’t your thing, try new cheeses or even gourmet potato chips!
You can never go wrong with game night. Whether you want to order a new game or play an old standby, everyone will enjoy this classic. Combine with easy finger foods for dinner for even more fun.

See, staying at home doesn’t have to be boring. What have you been doing for fun?

The Chris Wylie Team Houston & The Woodlands Real Estate team@countonchris.com
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Don’t Do This After Applying For a Mortgage

When you are buying a new home, applying for a mortgage is one of the most important steps. Unless you have cash to pay for a home, this may be one of the more stressful parts of home buying. If you have been wise with your credit over the years, paying bills on time and not opening an excessive number of accounts, this shouldn’t be something you worry about. When you apply for a mortgage, the lender will run your credit to determine if you are likely to be approved for the mortgage. Shortly before closing on the mortgage, the lender will pull an updated credit report to make sure things still look good. If you open new accounts or spend significant amounts of money on a credit card after applying for a mortgage, this will show up and could mean you are declined for your mortgage. Don’t let this happen to you. Here are five things you must NOT do after applying for your mortgage.

Don’t open a new credit card account even if you don’t use it. Having available credit is as bad as using more credit. Wait until after closing to open any new accounts. This applies to any accounts INCLUDING furniture. Wait to buy furnishings for your house until after closing.
Don’t buy a car or open any other installment loans. Each account added to your credit report will change your credit ratios and could impact your final loan approval.
Don’t pay anything late. Many of your open accounts report to the credit reports monthly about the status of your payments. You don’t want anything to show up late right before closing.
Don’t close any accounts. While this may seem like a good move, when you close an account, the credit is no longer available to you and could change your credit ratios making you have less available credit in comparison to total credit. This can negatively impact your credit score and if you were on the edge of qualifying could push you over.
Don’t change jobs. If you have been looking for a new job for a while, hold this until you close on your new home. Your lender will check your employment history and a change in jobs right before closing is a big negative on their side. If you encounter a great opportunity, ask for a delayed start and explain the situation. A good company will be willing to wait for a great employee an extra 30-60 days so you can close on your new home before you change jobs.

Your mortgage lender is there to guide you through this process. If you have questions about something you are considering, ask before you do it to make sure you don’t change anything that the lender might view negatively.

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Houston Area Independence Day Celebrations

While your July 4^th holiday may be different this year than ever before, there is no reason you can’t celebrate at home with some fun or socially distance at a local celebration. Since we are staying home more than ever before, get the whole family involved and plan the perfect Independence Day Celebration. If you aren’t sure where to start, take a look at our Pinterest board for fun and festive recipes, crafts, activities and decorations. There is something for everyone with sweet treats, beverages, appetizers and much more along with fun ways to spend the day. Staying home can still be lots of fun.

If you can’t give up the fireworks and patriotic music, tune in to ABC13 for a virtual Shell Freedom over Texas celebration featuring the Houston Symphony along with some guests. The city still plans their firework display so you can watch it on ABC13 or near downtown. The evening’s festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m.

City Centre Houston will offer an Independence Day Concert Series beginning at 12:30 on the 4^th. The fireworks show will not take place but you can enjoy music all day from a variety of bands.

The annual 4^th of July Parade hosted by the City of Bellaire has a new route so more people can see it from home. It will begin at 9:30.

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown will reopen to the public on July 3^rd so if you want to make reservations in advance, you can enjoy a day at the waterpark. Crowds will be limited so you must make a reservation to guarantee your spot.

The Woodlands will not host the festival portion of 2020 Red, Hot & Blue but will still have fireworks. They will be staged from Lone Star College – Montgomery beginning at 9:30 p.m. Watch the fireworks from where ever you can see them while maintaining social distancing.

The Chris Wylie Team Houston & The Woodlands Real Estate team@countonchris.com
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Price Reduced – 6518 Pauma Drive, Houston – $235,000

This three bedroom, two bath patio home sits on a cul-de-sac street in a great location. You are welcomed into the home by the gated front porch or through the two-car garage. Upon entering the front door, wood floors greet you. There is a large sunken living room with a fireplace, built-ins and a wall of windows. The formal dining room features tile floors, wainscoting and crown molding. The open floor plan is perfect for entertaining and a wet bar connects the living room and dining room. The spacious kitchen offers great storage, tile countertops and a tile backsplash. A built-in desk is tucked close by as well.

The large master suite features wood shutters, crown molding and tile floors. The ensuite bath include dual closets. The home includes two spacious secondary bedrooms as well. A covered interior patio provides the perfect extension of your living space with easy access from the home. Windows and a sliding door surround the patio on three sides. The Champions Place community offers great amenities including a pool and tennis courts.

For more information about this home or to see more photos, click here.

The Chris Wylie Team Houston & The Woodlands Real Estate team@countonchris.com
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What to Expect if You are Selling Your Home Virtually

In this day and time, as we limit our in person contact, selling your home presents some unique challenges. Your agent will need access to your home and buyers that are searching for a new home will need to view your home to determine if they like it or not. Technology has made this easier than ever so there are some unique ways we will work together to sell your home. Here is what you can expect if you are selling your home during this virtual time.

Start with the agent accessing your home. For first meetings, consider handling them over the phone. When it comes time for the agent to view the home, you could use Facetime or Skype to show them your home or have them come in person while wearing a mask and gloves to do their walk through. During the walk through, you can stay on opposite sides of the rooms you are in and then continue your conversation outside after they have seen the inside of your home. To prepare your home to be shown on the Internet, a photographer will need access to your home but they can use the same precautions as your agent to limit contact by social distancing and wearing protective equipment.

One way for buyers to get a good sense of your home is by accessing a virtual tour. These tours come in many different formats and allow the buyer to see many photos of your home and in some cases walk buyers through your home as they view the photos so they understand the layout. While these options may not give them the confidence to make an offer, they will allow many buyers to eliminate the house or determine that is likely to be a good fit. Having these virtual options available to buyers will decrease the number of buyers that need to see your home in person.

For buyers that are still not quite sure, an agent could visit the home and show it to them via FaceTime or Skype so there are fewer people in your home. Assuming the buyer likes everything they have seen about your home online, they can then schedule an in person visit to your home where they will wear masks and gloves and limit touching of surfaces. You should leave doors to all rooms and closets open and all lights on so they don’t have to touch those surfaces while in your home.

After you successfully negotiate a contract on your home, which can be signed electronically, expect closing to look a little different. In recent years, home closings have been attended by many people including the buyer and seller, real estate agents from both sides, mortgage lenders and the closing agent. These days are over. Expect the buyer and seller to sign documents separately and only the closing agent to be present. This will allow you to limit your contact to as few people as possible while still accomplishing all of the necessary requirements for selling your home. If you are ready to sell your home, know that we will work diligently to keep you and your family safe while helping you accomplish your real estate goals.

The Chris Wylie Team Houston & The Woodlands Real Estate team@countonchris.com
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Pick Your Own Farms Nearby

Even if you don’t grow your own produce, few people will deny that fresh, local produce is better than what you pick up at the grocery store. Even if you have no plans for a garden in your backyard, you can still enjoy picking your own produce from a variety of farms throughout the local area. There are many benefits to picking your own produce. Those include picking the exact size of items you want, choosing items that are at the level of ripeness you prefer based on when you expect to eat them, enjoying the experience with family and friends and often getting a discount over what you would pay if you bought the items already picked.

Now that June is here, strawberries are no longer available from most farms but there are still other options. Blueberry and blackberry season are now in full swing so they are readily available from many farms for picking. Along with blueberries and blackberries, many farms offer other items for picking or purchasing such as tomatoes, melons and other produce. During the pandemic, some farms are requiring appointments if you want to pick your own produce so make sure you call ahead and check on any special requirements for picking. Some locations allow you to bring your own containers and others require you to purchase a container for picking. Some farms also have animals you can visit with so you can make an adventure from picking produce and a visit with animals that kids and adults are sure to love.

If you are looking for a place to pick from, here are some local choices for pick your own farms.

Blessington Farms, Simonton

Atkinson Farms, Spring

Jollisant Farms, Plantersville

Blakelock’s Berries, Grangerland

B&M Farms, Silsbee

Moorhead’s Blueberry Farm, Conroe

Chmielewski’s Blueberry Farm, Hockley

Harvest Season Farm, Tomball

Berryland Farms of Texas, Winni

P-6 Farms, Montgomery

Thomas Family Ranch, Sealy

Froberg’s Farm, Alvin

Fruit ‘N Such Orchard, Dickinson

For more information about what the different locations provide, visit here. What is your favorite pick your own farm in the Houston, TX area?

The Chris Wylie Team Houston & The Woodlands Real Estate team@countonchris.com
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Want to Increase Your Net Worth? Buy a House

Financial security is important to all of us. You may think about it from the perspective of being able to take care of your family or the freedom to retire at a younger age or even just the comfort of knowing you have the security to care for yourself. Whatever your reason for wanting financial security, there are several ways to increase your net worth and bring you the financial peace you are looking for.

Make more money. This may mean getting a second job, furthering your education to get a better job or asking for a raise if you have been in your current position for a while and have a good performance record.
Spend less money. When you cut your expenses, you will be able to pay off debt faster and increase your savings. This will work two fold to increase your net worth.
Buy a house. Almost annually, a study is done to show the comparison between the net worth of homeowners and renters. A recent study revealed homeowners are worth more than 46 times more than renters. Why is this so? There are a couple reasons to consider. Homes are likely to appreciate while your mortgage stays the same. Over time, your home is very likely to appreciate in value. Even during an economic downturn, decreased values are most often temporary and will begin to rise again before too long. When your home value rises, your mortgage still stays the same. When the value of your rental rises, your landlord is likely to raise the amount of your rent to compensate for the change in value.

Another thing to think about is that when you pay your mortgage, you are able to recover most of that money (and sometimes even more due to appreciation) when you sell your home. When you rent a home, the money you spend can’t be recovered when you move out of your rental. You have just helped the landlord increase their net worth. Owning a home acts as a forced savings plan since you must pay your mortgage to keep the bank from foreclosing on you. With each month and year you pay your mortgage, you are growing your equity in your home. Over time, your equity increases and you are able to take advantage of that equity when you choose to sell your home. Assuming the value of your home has increased while you owned it coupled with your equity, you can see a nice return on homeownership with a little time.

Statistically, this makes a great case for homeownership but only you can decide what is right for you. If you don’t plan to stay in one area for a long time, this may not be the best time for you to buy a home. If you do plan to stay in one place for a while, it might be a good time to consider buying a home while increasing your net worth at the same time.

The Chris Wylie Team Houston & The Woodlands Real Estate team@countonchris.com
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Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

The Drive-In at Spring

With few safe options for public entertainment available today, a drive-in movie theater has opened in Spring for your enjoyment. The Drive-In at Spring opens for shows on Friday, May 29 with two showings each evening. The 8:30 show will feature a family friendly option and an 11:15 show will be geared toward a more mature audience.

Movies shown are not new releases but are well-loved films you will enjoy seeing again. The drive-in theater will be located at Hurricane Harbor Splashtown in Spring, TX. Tickets for the shows are purchased by vehicle for either $28 or $35 depending on which section you select. Food and beverage will be available for sale or you may bring your own. Some shows have already sold out so you should purchase tickets right away if you want to attend a show.

For the younger crowd, a drive-in movie will be a fun new experience while older adults will enjoy a trip down memory lane with this fun experience.

Event: The Drive-In at Spring

Date: Nightly Shows at 8:30 and 11:15

For more information about the drive-in, visit here.

The Chris Wylie Team Houston & The Woodlands Real Estate team@countonchris.com
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Image courtesy of Flickr.

Chris Wylie, REALTOR® ABR, CRS, GRI, LHMS, SRES RE/MAX Partners RE/MAX Northwest 14202 Champion Forest Drive Houston, TX 77069 (281) 583-9393 team@countonchris.com

Chris Wylie, REALTOR®
ABR, CRS, GRI, LHMS, SRES
RE/MAX Partners
RE/MAX Northwest
14202 Champion Forest Drive
Houston, TX 77069
(281) 583-9393
team@countonchris.com