Houston up 28% for Residential New Construction Starts

The Nation’s Busiest Residential New Construction Markets

 by Peter Ricci                                                                                                     August 26, 2013 

 July was a very strong month for residential new construction. Not only were building permits up 2.7 percent from June to July, but housing starts and housing completions also posted monthly increases of 5.9 and 1.8 percent, respectively. Overall, residential construction is up 23 percent from last year, and has risen 45 percent since bottoming in 2009. How do those numbers, though, stack up with Houston’s residential housing market? Quite well – in fact, Houston is among the leaders of the pack. According to the latest numbers from McGraw-Hill Construction, in July, residential construction in Houston was up 28 percent from last year to $716 million, and year-to-date, the city’s incredible $4.874 billion in residential building is good for a 22 percent uptick over last year. But how are other metro areas growing?

See our graph below for some perspective:

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32 Words of Wisdom to Consider for the new year

I have carried this newspaper clip with me since the early 90's. Every year I reflect back on it.  I hope you will enjoy as much as I do. 

 by Ann Landers

 Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you’ve always wanted to do but couldn’t find the time.

1. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories.
2. Share a funny story with someone whose spirits are dragging. A good laugh can be very good medicine.
3. Vow not to make a promise you don’t think you can keep.
4. Pay a debt.
5. Give a soft answer.
6. Free yourself of envy and malice.
7. Encourage some youth to do his or her best. Share your experience, and offer support. Young people need role models.
8. Make a genuine effort to stay in closer touch with family and good friends.
9. Resolve to stop magnifying small problems and shooting from the lip. Words that you have to eat can be hard to digest.
10. Find the time to be kind and thoughtful. All of us have the same allotment: 24 hours a day. Give a compliment. It might give someone a badly needed lift.
11. Think things through. Forgive an injustice. Listen more. Be kind.
12. Apologize when you realize you are wrong. An apology never diminishes a person. It elevates him.
13. Don’t blow your own horn. If you’ve done something praiseworthy, someone win notice eventually.
14. Try to understand a point of view that is different from your own. Few things are 100 percent one way or another.
15. Examine the demands you make on others.
16. Lighten up. When you feel like blowing your top, ask yourself, "Will it matter a week from today?"
17. Laugh the loudest when the joke is on you.
18. The sure way to have a friend is to be one. We are all connected by our humanity, and we need each other.
19. Avoid malcontents and pessimists. They drag you down and contribute nothing.
20. Don’t discourage a beginner from trying something risky. Nothing ventured means nothing gained. Be optimistic. The can-do spirit is the fuel that makes things go.
21. Go to war against animosity and complacency.
22. Express your gratitude. Give credit when it’s due—and even when it isn’t. It will make you look good.
23. Read something uplifting. Deep-six the trash. You wouldn’t eat garbage—why put it in your head?
24. Don’t abandon your old-fashioned principles. They never go out of style.
25. When courage is needed, ask yourself, "If not me, who? If not now, when?"
26. Take better care of yourself. Remember, you’re all you’ve got. Pass up that second helping. You really don’t need it. Vow to eat more sensibly. You’ll feel better and look better, too.
27. Don’t put up with secondhand smoke. Nobody has the right to pollute your air or give you cancer. If someone says, "This is a free country," remind him or her that the country may be free, but no person is free if he has a habit he can’t control.
28. Return those books you borrowed. Reschedule that missed dental appointment. Clean out your closet. Take those photos out of the drawer and put them in an album. If you see litter on the sidewalk, pick it up instead of walking over it.
29. Give yourself a reality check. Phoniness is transparent, and it is tiresome. Take pleasure in the beauty and the wonders of nature. A flower is God’s miracle.
30. Walk tall, and smile more. You’ll look 10 years younger.
31. Don’t be afraid to say, "I love you." Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world.
32. If you have love in your life, consider yourself blessed, and vow to make this the best year ever.

HOUSTON’S HOUSING INVENTORY REACHES HISTORIC LOW IN NOVEMBER

Provided by HAR

Despite another month of positive sales and pricing, there are signs of tapered demand

HOUSTON — (December 17, 2013) — Houston home sales recorded a 30th straight month in
positive territory in November, with buyers plunging inventory levels to an all-time low.
The supply of homes fell to 2.9 months of inventory compared to 4.1 months in November 2012.
Throughout 2013, inventory has dwindled from a 3.6-month supply in January to a 3.1-month supply
in October, as more homes were being snapped up than were listed for sale.

Nonetheless, there are signs that the buying frenzy may be tapering. According to the latest
monthly report prepared by the Houston Association of REALTORS®, home sales climbed 3.3
percent year-over-year – the smallest one-month sales increase since June 2011. November
single-family home sales totaled 5,108. That is the lowest one-month sales volume since
February of this year.

An ever-shrinking supply of homes put more upward pressure on pricing, as it has each
month throughout the year. The median price of a single-family home—the figure at which
half the homes sold for more and half for less—rose 8.7 percent to $181,000. The average
price increased 8.4 percent year-over-year to $245,707. Both figures represent the highest
prices for a November in Houston.

For the past several months, all but the under-$80,000 segment of the single-family market
have experienced sales growth. November, however, saw declining sales in both the sub-$80,000
market and the $80,000-$150,000 market, and a slowing rate of closings in the $150,000-$500,000
range. The luxury market performed at rates consistent with earlier months of the year.

Foreclosure property sales reported in the HAR Multiple Listing Service (MLS) fell 49.0 
percent compared to November 2012. Foreclosures currently make up 7.7 percent of all 
property sales, down from 19.6 percent at the start of the year. The median price of foreclosures 
rose 8.6 percent to $88,000.

November sales of all property types in totaled 6,180, a 5.6 percent increase over the
same month last year. Total dollar volume for properties sold rose 13.1 percent to $1.5 billion
versus $1.3 billion a year earlier.

November Monthly Market Comparison

Houston’s real estate market saw gains in all measurements in November when comparing
sales to November 2012. Total property sales, total dollar volume and average and median pricing
all rose on a year-over-year basis.

Month-end pending sales totaled 3,273, a 0.2 percent gain over last year and another possible
indication of slower sales when the December numbers are tallied. Active listings, or the number of
available properties, at the end of November dropped 17.0 percent to 30,341.

Houston’s inventory of available homes declined from 3.1 months in October to 2.9 months
in November, down from 4.1 months of inventory one year ago. The inventory of single-family
homes across the U.S. currently stands at 5.0 months, according to the latest report from the
National Association of REALTORS®.

CATEGORIES	NOVEMBER 2012	NOVEMBER 2013	CHANGE
Total property sales	5,853	6,180	5.6%
Total dollar volume	$1,293,602,179	$1,463,409,519	13.1%
Total active listings	36,539	30,341	-17.0%
Total pending sales	3,267	3,273	0.2%
Single-family home sales	4,943	5,108	3.3%
Single-family average sales price	$226,699	$245,707	8.4%
Single-family median sales price	$166,500	$181,000	8.7%
Months inventory*	4.1	2.9	-29.7%

* Months inventory estimates the number of months it will take to deplete current active inventory based on the prior 12 months sales activity. This figure is representative of the single-family homes market.

Single-Family Homes Update

November sales of single-family homes in Houston totaled 5,108, up 3.3 percent from November 2012. That marks the 30th consecutive monthly increase. It also represents the smallest one-month sales increase since June 2011 and the lowest one-month sales volume since February 2013.

Home prices reached the highest levels ever recorded in Houston for a November. The single-family median price rose 8.7 percent from last year to $181,000 and the average price climbed 8.4 percent year-over-year to $245,707.

Broken out by housing segment, November sales performed as follows:

$1 - $79,999: decreased 31.7 percent

$80,000 - $149,999: decreased 5.5 percent

$150,000 - $249,999: increased 10.7 percent

$250,000 - $499,999: increased 17.5 percent

$500,000 - $1 million and above: increased 22.6 percent

HAR also breaks out the sales performance of existing single-family homes throughout the Houston market. In November 2013, existing home sales totaled 4,287, a 5.6 percent increase from the same month last year. The average sales price rose 6.1 percent year-over-year to $226,267 while the median sales price rose 10.5 percent to $169,000.

Townhouse/Condominium Update

November sales of townhouses and condominiums rose 14.8 percent from one year earlier. A total of 503 units sold last month compared to 438 properties in November 2012. The average price rose 8.3 percent to $203,648 while the median price was up 6.2 percent to $143,350. Inventory dipped to a 2.8 months supply versus a 4.7 months supply in November 2012.

Lease Property Update

Houston’s lease property market showed mixed results in November. Rentals of single-family homes rose 7.7 percent compared to November 2012 while year-over-year townhouse/condominium rentals were flat. Average rents are down from their summertime record highs, although they are up year-over-year. The average rent for a single-family home rose 4.8 percent to $1,591 while the average rent for a townhouse/condominium increased 5.1 percent to $1,466

Houston Real Estate Milestones in November

• Single-family home sales increased 3.3 percent year-over-year, accounting for the market’s 30th straight monthly increase;
• Total property sales rose 5.6 percent compared to one year earlier;
• Total dollar volume climbed 13.1 percent, increasing from $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion on a year-over-year basis;
• At $181,000, the single-family home median price reached the highest level for a November in Houston;
• At $245,707, the single-family home average price also reached a November high;
• 2.9 months inventory of single-family homes is down from 3.1 months in October 2013 and from 4.1 months in November 2012 while comparing to the national average of 5.0 months;
• Sales of townhouses/condominiums rose 14.8 percent year-over-year;
• Rentals of single-family homes rose 7.7 percent while rentals of townhouse/condominium units were unchanged.

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.

| Houston | Home Sales | Sold | For Sale | Homes | RE/MAX | Heidi Bridwell | 832-876-0335 |

5 Tips to Sell Your Home Fast

1. DE CLUTTER & NEUTRALIZE- It is imperative to remove all clutter from the home before showing it to potential buyers because buyers need to be able to picture themselves in the space. This might include removing some furniture to make rooms look bigger, and putting away family photographs and personal items. You may even want to hire a stager to help you make better use of the space. Staging costs can range from a couple hundred dollars for a basic consultation to several thousand dollars, particularly if you rent modern, neutral furniture for showing your home.  
2. STEP UP CURB APPEAL-  Many sellers often overlook the importance of their home's curb appeal. The first thing a buyer sees is a home. Try to make certain that the exterior has a fresh coat of paint, and that the bushes and lawn are well manicured.  It can also be as easy as adding a fresh layer of BLACK MULCH and a few Large potted plants near front door.  Black Mulch seems to be the most neutral color and really makes the landscape POP.                   
3. Make your home MOVE IN CONDITION-A home that shows well sells fast.  I recommend fresh paint and new carpet.  Typically homes that are in move in condition sell 30% faster then other homes on the market and closer to asking price.  Many times these are the properties that also bring in multiple offers; thereby, the seller possibly sells for more then asking price.  Make sure all known deficiencies are repaired prior to placing the home on the market as well. 
4. PRICE YOUR PROPERTY ACCORDING to the MARKET- First you will need a Comparable Market Analysis provided by your Real Estate Expert. Focus on recent SOLD COMPS for pricing and not homes that are Active on the Market.  Active properties are merely your current competition. Do not OVERPRICE simply because you HAVE TIME.   This is a common mistake of sellers.  Your most optimum time to get the most for your home is in the first 30 days on the market.  Use the time to your advantage. If your home is on the market and is not being shown or if you receive feedback that you are priced too high, don't hesitate to adjust your price. Bad news, like spoiled milk, doesn't get better with time.   
5. MAKE SURE YOUR HOME IS CLEAN AS A WHISTLE- From shining floors and gleaming windows to clean counters and scrubbed grout, every surface should sparkle. This is the easiest (well, maybe not easiest, but certainly the cheapest) way to help your home outshine the rest. You may want to hire pros to do some of the really tough stuff, especially if you have a large house. Don't skimp -- this step is key!

5 Proven Strategies to Becoming a Top Producing REALTOR and Crush The Competition

1. Align yourself with a top leading BRAND in the Real Estate industry.  Statistics prove that the chance of success with being with a top recognized firm is far greater then a small unrecognized company.  I can personally testify that when I left ....let's call them , Company C and joined RE/MAX in 2003 my business nearly doubled and has not stopped since then.  I am not giving all of the credit to the Brand; however; I do feel the client confidence in my services went up by being with a nationally recognized company.  Seek out the top producing companies in your market and align yourself with them.
2.  Not for Part-timers-Selling Real Estate is a full time job.  It is not a hobby and cannot be done part time.  Even after 17 years in the industry the phone does not stop ringing at 5 PM or throughout the weekend.  Clients will have questions and concerns at odd times and it is your job to get back with them as soon as possible.  There are also critical time deadlines throughout a Real Estate transaction.  Missing one of these deadlines could prove to be very costly for your client whereby you end up liable. Real Estate is a profession....NOT a hobby.

1. Shadow a Top Producer-Find a Top Producing Agent that will allow you to watch them in action.  This may prove to be better then any class you will ever take.  What better knowledge can you gain but by watching a successful agent interact with a client.  Now I am not saying to mirror their business exactly .  But I am saying learning from the best will have huge rewards for you.  
2. Top Producers are in constant MOTION- You will  find that a Top Producing Agent is in constant motion.  Successful businesses are not lucky.  They have worked hard to become #1. Following a Top Producer in action will most likely prove that there is very little down time.  Whether on a listing appointment or showing buyers, they most likely are constantly marketing for their next lead.
3. Become a Lead Generating Machine-Every person you come in contact with knows someone.  And those someones will most likely buy or sell a home someday.  I find many agents get wrapped up in the Right Now.  They focus on who is buying and selling right now only.  They do not think of long term.  But Real Estate is just that.  A long term business relationship.  Of course focusing on the HOT LEADS right now is obviously most important....but it is also important to to keep in contact with every lead.  The most efficient way to do this is to have a database whereby you add each lead or person you come in contact with.  There are some great programs out there.  I would recommend also setting each of these contacts up on a program to stay in contact with them. BY all means I am not saying to SPAM them with hundreds of emails; however, sending a monthly newsletter or a quick " Hello, how are you email" will keep you in contact and possibly trigger their mind when their Mom or friend is needing a REALTOR.                       

Now Go Sell Something 

| Real Estate | REALTOR | Top Producer | Houston | Cypress | TX | Tomball | Spring | RE/MAX 832-876-0335

Moving Checklist and Tips

Provided by Whitefence

Steps to Take Before Your Move

	Eight Weeks Before Your Move • Create a list of all home repairs needed • Put in your 60 day notice, if required
	Seven Weeks Before Your Move • Find a new school for the kids • Find a new daycare for the kids • Find a new babysitter for the kids
	Six Weeks Before Your Move • Schedule your open house with your realtor • Start gathering moving supplies
	Five Weeks Before Your Move • Inventory your belongings • Change your address with the USPS  USPS Address Change • Make sure your children's vaccinations are up to date • Find a new vet and pet hospital • Go to current doctor and vet for check-ups and get medical records for family and pets transferred to  new doctors' offices • Find new doctors for the family • Locate the nearest emergency centers and their numbers Related: Change Your Address for FREE on WhiteFence
	Four Weeks Before Your Move • Request auto shipping estimates, if required Order or Transfer Utilities  Compare all utility providers • Order electricity service • Order natural gas service • Order home phone service • Order high-speed Internet service • Order television service • Put in your 30 day notice, if required • Finish home repairs • Take donation items to designated organizations • Schedule charities to pick up donated items • Have a garage sale
	Three Weeks Before Your Move • Obtain copy of school, medical, vet, legal, and various other records • Notify subscription & prescription suppliers of address change • Get your car serviced • Organize closet & attic items for moving • Pack knickknacks and other non-essential items • Make a "Moving with Kids" kit • Book a moving truck rental • Hire movers • Schedule professional cleaners • Book flights or hotels if your move requires it
	Two Weeks Before Your Move • Make sure all home services and utilities have been ordered or transferred Utilities • Schedule babysitter and pet sitter for moving day • Update your driver's license & car registration Update here for Texas • Pack all but essentials • Map the nearest grocery store and hardware store to your new home • Get any medications for family and pets • Get storage quotes if needed
	One Week Before Your Move • Last minute errands • Withdraw emergency moving money • Load your moving truck • Pack your plants • Plan or order meals for move day • Conduct final walkthrough • Pack essentials

Steps to Take During Your Move

The Week of Your Move • Unpack • Ensure your address has been updated

Steps to Take After Your Move

One Week After Your Move • Send out change of address cards to friends & family Relocate | Houston | Cypress | Katy | Tomball | The Woodlands | Texas | Moving Tips | Moving Checklist | RE/MAX | Heidi Bridwell 832-876-0335

A Thankful Thanksgiving

Life tends to fly by quickly the older you get. When we are young we tend to take things in life for granted, never really understanding the effort it takes to acquire them. As we grow we begin to realize how lucky we are compared to others in the world, and for that alone we must be thankful. 

40 Things To Be Thankful For This Thanksgiving:

Written by : Inspired Every Moment

1. Your family – Even if the relationship you have with your family is not good, you should still be thankful that you have them at all. So many people throughout the world have no one at all that relates to their past, their blood, and their lives.
2. Your friends – Friendships are one of the greatest gifts that life has to offer.Friends fill a part of your heart that no one else can. Cherish your true friends, and be thankful that they are a part of your life.
3. Your enemies – Enemies teach us about ourselves, who we are, and who we want to be. They challenge us to be better people and teach us about patience and strength. Be thankful you have enemies, it means you are living life.
4. Your mind – Without your mind you would have nothing. Appreciate that your mind is a big part of your happiness, and your life. It holds your thoughts, opinions, memories and emotions within it, without those things you would be a walking shell of the person you are today.
5. Your body – The human body is an amazing and interesting thing. Your body moves you, helps you, heals you and takes you places you want to go. Be grateful for your body and treat it with the respect it deserves. Fuel it with proper nutrition and care for it accordingly. Be gentle with it, and challenge it. Use it to the best of your ability, and most of all enjoy it no matter its shape or size. It is a great gift.
6. Your ability to love – Love is a beautiful emotion and something we should be grateful for every single day. Your ability to love is what makes you grow as a person. Love can teach us deep lessons we would never learn any other way. It can teach us about ourselves and about others. It is an amazing feeling, and it is unmatched through anything else. It can lead to pain, or heartache, but it is worth every second to have experienced it at all. Love freely and deeply, for being able to love is what makes life worth living.
7. Your ability to learn – Knowledge is a never-ending quest, and is a key player is a happy and fulfilled life. Relish in the knowledge of others and teach yourself as much as you can. You can never know too much, the more you open your mind to learn, the greater an experience life will become. If learning comes easily to you than you should be even more grateful, and you should utilize this tool because some people struggle a great deal to learn even the simplest things.
8. Children (your own or others) – Children can teach us so much about living. You need only watch a child’s free-spirit for a moment to see the pure joy they hold inside. Children living in the moment, without much regard for what has happened in the past. They love openly, without restriction, and they take pleasure in every thing they do. If you have children of your own, enjoy them every chance you get because they grow for too quickly and before you know it that time is gone. If you do not have children find ways to enjoy others, or embrace the values that they live by and find a way to incorporate them into your life. You will be amazed by how much you can learn from a child if you are willing.
9. Your health – So many people throughout the world, and even the communities we live in, struggle with their health. Every day people are dying, getting sick, and suffering. If you are healthy, be genuinely grateful, because there are many people who are not, who will not be, and who can not be. Health is a profound gift, and not something to be taken for granted.
10. Disappointment – So you can learn what matters most, and enjoy success that much more.
11. Happiness (and you ability to create it) – Happiness is a state of mind; not a person, place or material thing. This means happiness is a choice, you have the ability to choose it for yourself and create it any way you wish. THAT is something to be thankful for.
12. Your mistakes – Without our mistakes we would learn no lessons, so be thankful for all of your failures and what they have taught you in the end.
13. Kind strangers – The kindness of strangers can be a magical thing. Look around you and observe all the wonderful things that people do for each other every day. These kind acts may not always be easy to spot, but they are there, and they are making a difference. When it happens to you, you will know it, and when you do it for someone else it may change their life. Always be aware of those around you, and be thankful for their kindness even when you can’t see it with your eyes.
14. Challenges – A good challenge makes us strong, teaches us about ourselves, and pushes us to our limits. Challenge is what makes us grow and what moves us forward in life. Be thankful for the challenges you face because they make life more interesting, and they push you in the direction you need to go.
15. Choices – Having choices is an exceptional reward, many others in the world are not blessed with this same option. We have the ability to choose anything we want to create in our lives. We have the choice to stay or go, who we want to be around, how we want to live, where we want to live, what we want to do, etc… Our possibilities are endless and our life is only limited by the choices we make. That is an amazing thought, and a remarkable present.
16. Animals - Domestic animals give us unconditional love, trust and companionship. Wild animals not only give us food, but also teach us about life and they cycle it takes. They show us strength, and give us all we need to survive.
17. Music – Music soothes the soul and is an extraordinary pleasure. It can enhance a mood, or change an emotion. It invokes memories, and creates new ones. It is a gift I am thankful for regularly.
18. Laughter – It truly is the best medicine, and something that should be exercised often. Be thankful you have reasons to laugh, people to laugh with, and the ability to do it at all.
19. Food – This is self-explanatory, without food we would die, and people do every day. So as you sit down for your next meal be thankful for every bite, and remember that there are so many people who have nothing at all to eat.
20. Shelter – A roof over your head is another thing you should be grateful for. It is an obvious one, but we often take for granted that many people throughout the world don’t have this benefit.
21. Modern medicine – This is a benefit that is taken for granted so often. Modern medicine saves lives every single day, and is advancing regularly to help save even more. Many countries don’t have access to these resources and people suffer and die unnecessarily. Be thankful that you live in a place that allows you access to these things, it truly is a blessing.
22. Dreams and goals – Dreams and goals are what drives us, and knowing they are a possibility is a true bonus. Dream big, set high standards and work to achieve all of your goals. They only thing that is stopping you from accomplishing anything is yourself.
23. Freedom of speech – A great number of us live in a world where we can say what we feel without much worry. This is a benefit that is not often thought of deeply. Imagine living if you couldn’t express your opinions freely without fear of punishment should someone else disagree. Freedom of speech is wonderful, and it is something I am thankful for, because without it I wouldn’t be able to write or say half the things I do.
24. Your ability to read and write – There are more people than you know that can’t, be thankful if you can.
25. Your talents – Whatever they are, utilize them, and be thankful for them. Most of all, enjoy them.
26. Your strengths – Just like your talents you should find your strengths and be proud of them. Use them to help yourself, and others when possible. These gifts have been given to you for a reason.
27. Your weaknesses – Weaknesses only make you weak if you allow them too. No one can be good at everything. Discover your weaknesses and use them to strengthen yourself. Let them challenge you to work harder, or urge you to ask others for help. Your weaknesses do not have to drag you down, they can lift you higher if you use them the right way.
28. The world around you – It only takes a short walk around your neighborhood, or a road trip for you to appreciate the world around you. The earth is an amazing thing, full of life and awe. Take time to connect with the world and revel in its raw beauty. Nature has a healing power like no other, enjoy this treasure, and of course, do what you can to keep it safe.
29. Your ancestors and your parents – Without them you would not exist. Many of our ancestors, and possibly even our parents, struggled and fought so that we could live life. Learn about your family history if possible and appreciate all that your ancestors did in order to survive and thrive. Appreciate your parents as well, even if they are no longer together, or if your relationship is not well, realize that it is because of the two of them that you are alive and able to live at this moment. If nothing else, you can be grateful for that.
30. Technology – This is something you need to be thankful for if you are reading this post, because without it, you wouldn’t be. It’s not just internet and computers either, technology has drastically changed the world. It helps to connect us to those we would not be able to connect to otherwise, and opens doors we would have never found before.
31. Imagination – Without imagination there would be no knowledge. One first has to imagine it is possible to make it possible. I imagination is the foundation for fun, and can lead to great happiness. It is something we often let go of as we grow older, but it is something that can bring us great joy. Be thankful that you have the ability to imagine anything you want, because when it comes to wild imaginations, your only limitation is yourself. This is a fun and exciting tool, use it in a way that makes you happy.
32. Your instincts – We were all born with a tool to help us navigate this crazy world, instincts. Too often we ignore those ‘feelings’ we get about certain people, places or things. Although I doubt we are all psychic, our body’s are very perceptive to the energy around us, even when our mind is not. If you get a ‘feeling’ about something, don’t ignore it, consider it before moving forward it’s your body’s way of trying to tell you something. Be thankful for this gift, whether you know it or not it has probably had a big impact on your life, and will continue to do so in the future.
33. Faith – You do not have to be religious to have faith. Trusting in yourself, in others and in the world around you is a type of faith. Utilize this tool, and be thankful that those around you have faith in you. Faith is encouragement, and encouragement is what drives us to succeed.
34. Freedom – We are so blessed to have the freedom we do in  the USA, there are so many people who fought long and hard to ensure that freedom for us. This is something we should be forever grateful for.
35. Community – The community you live is can be an amazing thing. In times of trouble a strong community bands together. When someone is in need, community is there to provide support. Your neighbors and community are something to be thankful for, when you need them, they will be there.
36. Seasons – Though we might complain when the temperatures dip into the lows, the beauty that the snow brings is something to be thankful for. Just as the heat of the summer is a wonderful gift as well, we are blessed to have a range of weather here, even if it is unpredictable at times.
37. Wealth, not the monetary kind -
38. Aging – Getting older may seem a horrible fate, but the truth is it is much better than the alternative. Think back to the awkwardness of your youth, the mistakes and the heartaches. With age comes wisdom, and life tends to get easier and clearer as we grow. Be thankful for getting older, not everyone gets that opportunity.
39. Second chances – Most of us have been given the gift of forgiveness or have forgiven someone in the past, and because of this many of us know that second chances are something to be thankful for. The encouragement that a second chance provides is a great gift, and something we should be thankful for and willing to share.
40. Inspiration – It is all around you. Take a look and be grateful.

Thankful Thanksgiving | Houston | Cypress | Tomball | Texas | Heidi Bridwell | RE/MAX | Spring | Homes

STRONG OCTOBER SALES FURTHER DEPLETE HOUSTON’S HOUSING INVENTORY

Home sales push total dollar volume past record set in 2007-provided by HAR MLS Press Release

HOUSTON — (November 19, 2013) — Twenty-nine consecutive months and counting. That’s how long Houston home sales have held to positive territory. Home buyers sent housing inventory levels down to 3.1 months in October compared to 4.4 months one year earlier, but they also contributed to a record total dollar volume.
According to the latest monthly report prepared by the Houston Association of REALTORS®, home sales climbed 13.5 percent year-over-year, with contracts closing on 6,020 single-family homes. That is the lowest one-month sales volume since March.
The median price of a single-family home—the figure at which half the homes sold for more and half for less—rose 8.9 percent to $177,500. The average price increased 7.9 percent year-over-year to $239,773. Both figures represent the highest prices for an October in Houston.
October brought gains to all housing segments except the under-$80,000 market. Homes selling from $150,000 through $500,000 scored the greatest increase in sales volume.

“Home sales have shown no sign of letting up, which illustrates the strength of the Houston economy and its continued job growth,” said HAR Chairman Danny Frank with Coldwell Banker, United REALTORS®. “Unfortunately, the home buying frenzy has also sparked a recent wave of scams in which for-sale properties are falsely advertised in online listings as rentals with scam artists trying to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers. HAR urges consumers to always work with a REALTOR® and remember that a deal that sounds too good to be true most likely is too good to be true.”
Foreclosure property sales reported in the HAR Multiple Listing Service (MLS) fell 46.9 percent compared to October 2012. Foreclosures currently make up just 7.5 percent of all property sales, down from 19.6 percent at the beginning of the year. The median price of foreclosures edged up 0.9 percent to $85,706.
October sales of all property types in totaled 7,322, a 14.7 percent increase over the same month last year. Total dollar volume for properties sold rose 26.7 percent to $1.7 billion versus $1.3 billion a year earlier. At $17.7 billion total dollar volume for the year, 2013 has already surpassed 2007’s record-setting total dollar volume of $16.6 billion.

October Monthly Market Comparison

Houston’s real estate market experienced gains in all categories in October when comparing sales to October 2012. Total property sales, total dollar volume and average and median pricing all rose on a year-over-year basis,

Month-end pending sales totaled 3,995, a 3.7 percent gain over last year and a strong indicator of another month of positive sales when the November numbers are tallied. Active listings, or the number of available properties, at the end of October dropped 16.5 percent to 31,638.
Houston’s inventory of available homes dipped from 3.2 months in September to 3.1 months in October, down from 4.4 months of inventory one year ago. The inventory of single-family homes across the United States currently stands at 5.0 months, according to the latest report from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

CATEGORIES	OCTOBER 2012	OCTOBER 2013	CHANGE
Total property sales	6,385	7,322	14.7%
Total dollar volume	$1,334,844,884	$1,690,606,011	26.7%
Total active listings	37,909	31,638	-16.5%
Total pending sales	3,854	3,995	3.7%
Single-family home sales	5,303	6,020	13.5%
Single-family average sales price	$222,187	$239,773	7.9%
Single-family median sales price	$163,000	$177,500	8.9%
Months inventory*	4.4	3.1	-30.3%

* Months inventory estimates the number of months it will take to deplete current active inventory based on the prior 12 months sales activity. This figure is representative of the single-family homes market.

Single-Family Homes Update

October sales of single-family homes in Houston totaled 6,020, up 13.5 percent from October 2012. That marks the 29th consecutive monthly increase.

Home prices reached the highest levels ever recorded in Houston for an October. The single-family median price rose 8.9 percent from last year to $177,500 and the average price climbed 7.9 percent year-over-year to $239,773.

Broken out by housing segment, October sales performed as follows:

$1 - $79,999: decreased 28.6 percent

$80,000 - $149,999: increased 7.1 percent

$150,000 - $249,999: increased 26.1 percent

$250,000 - $499,999: increased 23.6 percent

$500,000 - $1 million and above: increased 21.3 percent

HAR also breaks out the sales performance of existing single-family homes throughout the Houston market. In October 2013, existing home sales totaled 5,160, a 16.2 percent increase from the same month last year. The average sales price rose 6.8 percent year-over-year to $223,446 while the median sales price rose 10.3 percent to $165,500.

Townhouse/Condominium Update

October sales of townhouses and condominiums were up 20.0 percent from one year earlier. A total of 583 units sold last month compared to 486 properties in October 2012. The average price rose 12.5 percent to $189,429 while the median price was flat at $135,000. Months inventory fell to 2.9 months versus 5.0 months in October 2012.

Lease Property Update

Houston’s lease property market showed further growth in October. Rentals of single-family homes rose 9.4 percent compared to October 2012 while year-over-year townhouse/condominium rentals increased 3.2 percent. Average rents retreated slightly from their recent record highs, although they are up year-over-year. The average rent for a single-family home rose 5.4 percent to $1,647 while the average rent for a townhouse/condominium increased 5.2 percent to $1,463.

Houston Real Estate Milestones in October

• Single-family home sales increased 13.5 percent year-over-year, accounting for the market’s 29th straight monthly increase;
• Total property sales rose 14.7 percent compared to one year earlier;
• Total dollar volume climbed 26.7 percent, increasing from $1.3 billion to $1.7 billion on a year-over-year basis; at $17.7 billion total dollar volume for the year, 2013 has already surpassed 2007’s record-setting total dollar volume of $16.6 billion.
• At $177,500, the single-family home median price reached the highest level for an October in Houston;
• At $239,773, the single-family home average price also reached an October high;
• 3.1 months inventory of single-family homes is down from 3.2 months in September 2013 and down from 4.4 months in October 2012 while comparing to the national average of 5.0 months;
• Sales of townhouses/condominiums rose 20.0 percent year-over-year.
• Rentals of single-family homes rose 9.4 percent while and townhouse/condominium units increased 3.2 percent.

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.  

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