The Puryear Team is hosting a Gallery-Style Open House this Sunday, February 28th and next Sunday, March 7^th from 2:00pm - 4:00pm, showcasing a River Oaks luxury townhome at 1417 West Clay, and featuring several pieces of original artwork by a local artist Andrés Rodríguez. 


Born in Cali, Colombia in 1975, Rodríguez graduated from the Universidad de Valle with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture in 1998.  Two years later, he moved to Houston, where he paints and works as a school teacher. 

The artist’s mixed-media style on canvas incorporates watercolor, ink, crayon, marker, charcoal, airbrush and acrylic.  Rodriguez also uses layers of Plexiglas and acetate in white boxes, generating a three-dimensional sense of spatiality in his pieces.




Andrés Rodríguez reflects, reacts to and collects emotions and situations, and is inspired by poems, writings, images, storytelling and improvisation.  His latest series of paintings depict surreal human figures in ambiguous settings where line, color, and form come to life.  Andrés Rodrígues will be in attendance during the Open House at 1417 West Clay.

You can download a brochure featuring Andres' artwork here, or simply view his webpage here!

Surge in sales of homes priced $500K and above promotes double-digit price appreciation

HOUSTON — (February 16, 2010) — The Houston real estate market opened 2010 with a mixed bag of readings, making it difficult to determine a clear direction for the months ahead.

January sales of single-family homes across the greater Houston area slid 12.3 percent compared to January 2009, according to the latest monthly data compiled by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR). When broken out by segment, sales of single-family homes priced from $500,000 and above showed dramatic gains in January while sales of homes on the opposite end of the spectrum, those priced from $80,000 and below, fell.Sales of all property types declined 7.4 percent in January on a year-over-year basis.

At $144,500, the January single-family home median price—the figure at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less—rose 11.9 percent from one year earlier. That represents the ninth consecutive monthly increase in median price as well as the highest Houston median recorded in a January. The average price of a single-family home appreciated for the fourth straight month, reaching $194,154, up 18.4 percent versus January 2009. That figure also represents the highest for a January in Houston.

Foreclosure property sales reported in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) fell by 30.1 percent in January compared to one year earlier. The median price of January foreclosure sales rose 4.6 percent to $84,750 on a year-over-year basis.

Sales of all property types in Houston for January totaled 3,049, down 7.4 percent compared to January 2009. Total dollar volume for properties sold during the month was $565 million versus $535 million one year earlier, representing a 5.6 percent increase.

“Several overlapping factors influenced the Houston housing market as the new year began,” said Margie Dorrance, HAR chair and principal at Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan. “These include both the first-time homebuyer tax credit and the expanded credit for existing homeowners, which may have prompted more listing activity. Strong sales activity in the higher-end single-family home segment also contributed to an overall higher average sales price for the Houston market. We hope to see both sales and pricing continue to reflect a robust real estate market as the April 30 tax credit deadline approaches and we enter the traditionally busy spring homebuying season.”

January Monthly Market Comparison
The month of January brought Houston’s overall housing market mixed results when all listing categories are compared to January of 2009. Total property sales declined while total dollar volume and both median and average single-family home sales prices rose on a year-over-year basis.

The number of available properties, or active listings, at the end of January edged up 2.3 percent from January 2009 to 45,210. That represents 2,025 more active listings than one month earlier, in December 2009, and is thought to reflect increased activity stemming from the homebuyer tax credit that expires on April 30

January’s month-end pending sales—those listings expected to close within the next 30 days—totaled 2,783, down 13.5 percent from last year. That suggests there will likely be another sales decline when the February numbers are tallied. The month’s inventory of single-family homes for January inched upward to 6.1 months compared to 5.7 months one year earlier, but remains better than the national months inventory of single-family homes of 7.2 months, reported by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

Single-Family Homes Update

January sales of all single-family homes in Houston totaled 2,514, down 12.3 percent from January 2009. This is the Houston market’s second consecutive monthly decline in sales. However, broken out by segment, sales of single-family homes priced between $250,000 and $500,000 jumped 21.6 percent in January while sales of luxury homes—those priced from $500,000 to the millions—surged 40.0 percent. By contrast, sales of homes in the below-$80,000 segment fell 28.9 percent and those priced between $80,000 and $150,000 slid 19.3 percent.

Heightened sales activity in the higher end of the housing market drove pricing up in January. At $144,500, the median sales price for single-family homes rose for the ninth consecutive month, up 11.9 percent from January 2009. That’s its highest median for a month of January in Houston. The national single-family median price reported by NAR is $177,500, illustrating the continued higher value and lower cost of living that consumers enjoy in the Houston market. The average price of single-family homes in January was $194,154, an increase of 18.4 percent from one year earlier. That represents the fourth straight monthly jump in the average price and the highest for a January in Houston.

HAR also breaks out the sales performance of existing single-family homes throughout the Houston market. In January 2010, existing home sales totaled 2,071, an 11.9 percent drop from January 2009. The median sales price rose 13.7 percent to $133,000 compared to last year. The average sales price of $180,159 shot up 23.0 percent from its January 2009 level.

Townhouse/Condo Update

The number of townhouses and condominiums that sold in January rose 14.8 percent compared to one year earlier. In the greater Houston area, 241 units were sold last month versus 210 properties in January 2009.

The median price of a townhouse/condominium fell 11.3 percent year-over-year to $111,500. The average price slipped 4.3 percent to $147,501 from January 2009 to January 2010.

Lease Property Update

Demand for single-family home rentals rose 4.7 percent in January compared to a year earlier. Year-over-year townhouse/condominium rentals climbed 5.1 percent.

Houston Real Estate Milestones in January

· The average price of a single-family home appreciated for a fourth straight month, by 18.4 percent, to $194,154, the highest level for a January in Houston;

· The median price of a single-family home rose for the ninth consecutive month, by 11.9 percent, to $144,500, the highest level for a January in Houston;

· 6.1 months inventory of single-family homes compares favorably to the national average of 7.2 months;

· Townhouse/condominium sales rose 14.8 percent;

· Total dollar volume grew 5.6 percent, reaching $565 million.

The computerized Multiple Listing Service of the Houston Association of Realtors® includes residential properties and new homes listed by 25,000 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 25,000-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 local association/board of Realtors® in the United States as well as the largest individual membership trade association in Houston.

 

Great news for professionals looking to purchase homes $500,000 and up.  Now Compass Bank is offering expanded financing to qualified professionals, called the Portfolio Professional Loan Program.  This loan allows homebuyers, who would normally have to pass up high-end "deals," because of a large down payment, get the same perks as someone who has a more modest budget.

The expanded amounts for the Professional Loan Program are:

• 100% financing up to 1,000,000
• 95% financing up to 1,250,000
• 90% financing up to 1,500,000
• 85% financing up to 1,700,000

Compass offers expanded financing to the following eligible professionals in good credit standing, of course:

• Resident or Practicing Physicians
  
• Attorneys
  
• Oral surgeons
  
• Dentist
  
• CPA's.
• CEO,CRO, CIO, COO, or a Chariman of a Publicly Traded Company
• An Executive that is a Direct Report to the CEO or Chairman of a Publicly Traded Company.

The Houston Texas real estate market has plenty of luxury properties starting in the mid 500's that would allow you professionals to take advantage of this great program, as well as the Government Tax Credit!  Contact us if you are interested in having us represent you in this competitive and fast paced market. 

First Time Homebuyers - Compass didn't forget about you either, they have a mortgage program that offers incentives, making the $8,000 Tax Credit more appealing!  Click here to get a flyer with more information.

Attention new Houston, Texas homeowners - now is the time to file your homestead exemption form! 

If you don’t already know, Texas is a "homestead" state. This allows homeowners who have acquired Houston, TX real estate to file a homestead exemption with the county they reside in. As a result, the homeowner receives a significant reduction in their annual property taxes from the county government and the appropriate school district. This can save the homeowner a bunch of money over the years, but you must file this form by April 30th!  It may seem like a while away, but Don Puryear recommends you do it now!

If you live in Harris County, you can use their handy form that you can type on here.  Just look on the left hand menu bar and click on the word “fillable.”  If you would prefer to write in the information at your leisure, you can download it here.

If you have any more questions pertaining to this form or real estate needs in general, don't hesitate to contact The Puryear Team - we'll be happy to help.

“Go Texan” day is only a few Fridays away, which paves the way for RODEO fever to overtake the city! That’s right – it’s already here!  Every spring, the arrival of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, is a staple Houston tradition, starting with the Rodeo Roundup from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 23 at City Hall. Mayor Annise Parker and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett will both be on hand for the free festivities, which will include food, games and plenty of foot-stompin' music!

Keep up the momentum next weekend with the ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Parade on Saturday, February 27. The parade, which gets underway at 10 a.m., is a not-to-be-missed event that transforms Houston's bustling urban center into a down-home celebration of our Western roots. Lavish floats join trail riders on horseback and in wagons as they make their way through downtown to their campsite near Memorial Park.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, runs from Tuesday, March 2 through Sunday, March 21 at Reliant Center, you can always hop on the METRORail for a quick trip to all the activities, and there are plenty of shuttles around the city provided by METRO that keeps the guess work out of parking!

Don’t think that the Rodeo is all cows, cowboys and horses; on the contrary, the Rodeo has evolved to be as diverse as its host city.  There are talent shows, carnival rides and games, merchandise of all kinds, and entertainment to appeal to all kinds of music lovers.  Check out 2010’s concert line-up:

March 2nd – Alan Jackson

March 3rd – Dierks Bentley

March 4th – Kenny Chesney

March 5th – Mary J. Blige

March 6th – Jason Aldean

March 7th – Jonas Brothers & Demi Lovato

March 8th – Tim McGraw

March 9th – Darius Rucker (formerly of Hootie and the Blowfish)

March 10th – Rascal Flatts

March 11th – Brad Paisley

March 12th – Toby Keith

March 13th – Blake Shelton

March 14th – Pesado & El Trono De Mexico

March 15th – Lady Antebellum

March 16th – Keith Urban

March 17th – Gary Allan

March 18th – Black Eyed Peas

March 19th – Eli Young Band

March 20th – Brooks and Dunn

March 21st – Selena Gomez & Justin Bieber

There are plenty of “mini-season ticket” packages available at great prices.  Visit the Rodeo’s website for details.

 

 

 

 

Don Puryear's "Service for Life!" newsletter is available.  If you are not apart of our normal email list to receive a PDF version of it, contact us, and we will be happy to add you to our list.  Don's newsletter is not only full of interesting tips about the Houston real estate market or how to go about improving the value of your home, or advice about certain aspects of being an active part of the real estate market; be it buying or selling, but he also has fun trivia, contests, local events, decorating or entertaining tips, and useful information about healthy living.  Check out our latest issue and see for yourself!

In an effort to reduce our use of paper, we are relying more on our email version and less on our standard mail version of the newsletter.  We will begin sending a paper version of the newsletter on alternating months, as opposed to every month.  Don Puryear is going a little greener each day, so this seems to be the logical starting point!

Interested in seeing past issues?  Go to "Our Newsletter" tab and click on the "Past Issues" tab.

With foreclosures on the rise in the Houston, Texas real estate market, buyers might feel like they can get a better deal, but think again.  These properties tend to be neglected or were formal rental properties that landlords cannot handle anymore, and since most first-time home-buyers are the ones on the quest for the most home for their money, make sure you are being smart when looking at foreclosures.  The following are questions that buyers in any market, booming or slow, should be asking before making an offer on a property in foreclosure.

 

Is now a good time to buy a foreclosure?

This is a very common question from both real estate professionals and prospective buyers. Obviously, because local market conditions vary, the answer is different from market to market. But there are questions that buyers in any market should be asking before they make an offer on a property in foreclosure.

 

What’s the first step buyers need to take?

You need to be pre-approved for a loan before you start shopping for a foreclosure. If you’re thinking of buying a foreclosure as an investment or second home, you need to understand that financing the home will be more difficult and more expensive than financing a primary residence. Lenders typically charge higher interest rates and require a larger down payment for investment properties or second homes.

 

How can you tell a bad foreclosure from a good one?

Certainly there are great deals in many markets for both investors and buyers looking for a primary residence. But making a sound deal can be tricky. You need to be wary of unpaid liens, including mortgage debt, taxes, construction loans, home equity lines of credit, and possibly a second or third mortgage. Any or all of these financial obligations could become your responsibility when you purchase a property in foreclosure; the term ‘as-is’ can go a lot further than the condition of the house! Unless the property goes through a foreclosure auction and becomes a bank-owned REO, the outstanding foreclosure liens and fees could be simply transferred to the new owner.

 

If I’m a qualifying borrower, can I appeal to banks for better loan terms?

Lenders are drowning in defaults—particularly in hard-hit real estate markets such as Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan, Nevada, and Ohio—so they may be motivated to cut a deal. If you have a good credit score, many banks will offer a below-market-rate loan on a bank-owned home.

 

What are the costs of buying a foreclosure? 

It takes money to make money! The best opportunities are for buyers with cash. If you are planning to rent out the property or even resell it for a quick profit, make sure you consider the carrying costs, including sales commissions, marketing costs, vacancies, taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs. Once you’ve calculated all the expenses, add on another 10 percent to 15 percent. If you don’t build in a "surprise fund," you might be the next foreclosure statistic.

 

How does choice of neighborhood affect foreclosure investments?

Buyers looking for a good investment in their future should generally avoid neighborhoods overrun with foreclosures, particularly newer subdivisions in overbuilt exurban areas. Investors will be tempted to buy foreclosures in these areas because they offer the steepest discounts—but they also carry the most risk of further depreciation. Look in well established neighborhoods with good schools and transportation.

 

Still puzzled with all of this?  We can help!  The Puryear Team is Certified Distressed Property Experts, so we can answer questions for both buyers and sellers! Contact us, and we will be happy to sit down and talk about your needs, the current Houston Texas real estate market and the $8,000 Government Tax Credit for new and repeat home-buyers.

If you’re aiming to burn some more fat, but seem to be making little progress, these foods can be your ally in winning the battle of the bulge.

Almonds: Dieters who ate 3 ounces of these little nuts a day reduced their weight and body mass index by a solid 18%!  Why?  Scientists say almonds have a high concentrate of alpha-linolenic acid, which can speed up your metabolism.  Don’t over-indulge; stick to about 12 per serving.

Berries: These sweet little tikes, especially strawberries and raspberries are loaded with Vitamin C, which can help you burn up to 30% more fat while you exercise.  A quick and easy but yummy addition to your salad – blend a cup of these berries and a fourth of a cup of balsamic vinegar.

Cinnamon: The usual sugar companion can make your waistline slimmer! By sprinkling ¼ teaspoon of Cinnamon on your food, you can prevent a postmeal insulin spike – which normally is your body’s indicator it should store some more fat instead of burning it.  Add a dash to your yogurt, toast or coffee.

Mustard: The yellow color of mustard isn’t there because it’s pretty; it’s also evidence of a fat fighting spice – turmeric!  Recent studies prove that this spice may slow the growth of fat tissues.  Give this tangy condiment a chance!  Substitute mustard for the mayo on your sandwiches.  Not only will you combat fat, but it’s also significantly less in calories than mayo.

Oranges: This citrus fruit contains fat fighters called flavones.  Women who ate more flavones-rich foods had lower increase in body fat over a period of time.  Oranges are so convenient, just peel and eat!  If you prefer the juice, make sure you get it with pulp.

Soybeans: Well known to most of us, soybeans are a great food!!  Rich in the fat blocker choline, adding them to a salad or eating them out of the pod make a tasty treat!

Sweet Potatoes: Instead of regular baked potatoes, try baking a sweet one up!  You don’t even need to add anything to it; their natural juice makes them already tasty.  These guys are high in fiber, which means no insulin spikes, good for the hips!

Swiss cheese: Good to see cheese made it on the list.  This holy cheese is the Holy Grail of fat fighting!  Calcium rich foods, particularly Swiss, reduce fat-producing enzymes and increase fat breakdown. Put this tangy cheese on a sandwich or paired with tomatoes and high-fiber crackers.

The Puryear team is committed to staying active and healthy.  If you're still trying to start a work-out routine but are having a hard time committing to a great place or do want to pay money for a gym membership, Houston is loaded with beautiful parks and walking trails.  Check out our Health and Fitness Page to see what's out there or get you pointed in the right direction.

Congratulations are in order for Ron McAmis!  With help from the Puryear Team, he recently sold this exquisite Mediterranian-Style Lake House in the Kemah area!  We were happy to help, and here's what Ron had to say about us:

"Don and his team are probably the best and most effecient real estate team I have had the pleasure to deal with. Knowledge about the market and personal attention were outstanding. I felt like I was their only client. The use of technology was outstanding. The house was listed in every media imaginable. Thank you Don and all of your team members."

Thank you for those remarks, Ron!  We strive to give all of our clients the kind of efficient and knowledgeable service Pete speaks of.  Check out our testimonials page for more comments by our clients.  The Houston real estate market is full of amazing Houston homes for sale from Downtown Lofts to Woodlands Mansions, from West University mid-rises to Clear Lake traditionals  - let Don Puryear, Houston Inner Loop Real Estate agent help you find what you are looking for!

The Puryear Team wants those participating in the Houston, TX real estate market to be well-informed pertaining to what is really going on here.  The housing market is localized, so seeing national reports will not give you a clear picture.  Luckily, the Houston Association of Realtors is one of the best Associations in the country.  You can depend on this information being accurate for our area.

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Houston Housing Market Sees Strong Price Appreciation in December

2009 year-end sales figures reflect normalization following distortions caused by Hurricane Ike

HOUSTON — (Jan. 19, 2010) — The Houston real estate market closed out 2009 with a more realistic snapshot of local conditions, ending three months of sales readings that appeared high when compared to the fall of 2008 due to Hurricane Ike’s crippling effects on housing back then.

According to the latest monthly data compiled by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR), December volume of single-family home sales across the greater Houston area dipped 2.1 percent compared to December 2008. That represents the first decline since last August. Total December property sales were flat on a year-over-year basis.

At $152,550, the December single-family home median price—the figure at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less—rose 5.2 percent from one year earlier, representing the eighth consecutive monthly increase in median price. The average price of a single-family home in Houston appreciated for a third straight month, reaching $219,214, up 15.1 percent versus December 2008. That figure represents the second highest for all of 2009 and the highest for a December in Houston.

Foreclosure property sales made up 21.0 percent of all single-family home sales in the Houston area in December compared to 25.5 percent a year earlier and the 2009 peak of 34.0 percent last January. The median price of December foreclosure sales reported in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) rose 4.2 percent to $89,900 on a year-over-year basis.

Sales of all property types in Houston for December totaled 5,267, flat compared to December 2008. Total dollar volume for properties sold during the month was $1.1 billion versus $976 million one year earlier, representing an increase of 12.9 percent.

“The December housing data suggests that we are finally out from under the veil of Hurricane Ike and probably seeing some of the seasonality that typically affects real estate markets during the holidays,” said Margie Dorrance, HAR chair and principal at Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan. “Houston begins 2010 on strong footing compared to much of the country, and between the homebuyer tax credit and low interest rates, we anticipate healthy growth in the months ahead, provided there is stability in the local job market.”

2009 Annual Market Comparison

The Houston housing market concluded calendar year 2009 on sturdier ground than 2008, with only a slight decline in property sales and pricing that was generally flat.  There was an 8.2 percent decline in volume of total property sales and total dollar volume tumbled 10.7 percent.  The median single-family home price edged up 0.7 percent in 2009 to $153,000; the average sales price for a single family home was $203,626, down 2.2 percent on a year-over-year basis.

December Monthly Market Comparison

The month of December brought Houston’s overall housing market mixed results when all listing categories are compared to December of 2008. Total property sales were flat while total dollar volume and both median and average single-family home sales prices climbed on a year-over-year basis.

The number of available properties, or active listings, at the end of December declined 1.3 percent from December 2008 to 43,185. That represents 2,267 fewer active listings than one month earlier, in November 2009, and reflects what the industry considers a healthy absorption of housing inventory from the marketplace.

December’s month-end pending sales—those listings expected to close within the next 30 days—totaled 2,700, which was 17.9 percent lower than last year and may signal another decline in sales volume in January. The months inventory of single-family homes for December came in at 5.8 months, up from 5.6 months one year earlier, but remains better than the national months inventory of single-family homes of 6.5 months, reported by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

* 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

At $152,550, the median sales price for single-family homes rose for the eighth consecutive month, up 5.2 percent from December 2008. The national single-family median price reported by NAR is $171,900, illustrating the continued higher value and lower cost of living that consumers enjoy in the Houston market. The average price of single-family homes in December was $219,214, an increase of 15.1 percent from one year earlier. That represents the third straight monthly jump in the average price, which reached the second highest level for all of 2009 and the highest for a December in Houston.

December sales of single-family homes in Houston totaled 4,456, down 2.1 percent from December 2008. This is the first decline in sales volume since last August.

HAR also reports existing home sales statistics for the single-family segment of the real estate market. In December 2009, existing single-family home sales totaled 3,611, a 3.0 percent increase from December 2008. At $138,950, the median sales price for existing homes in the Houston area rose 7.7 percent compared to last year. The average sales price of $202,019 shot up 19.7 percent from its December 2008 level.

Townhouse/Condo Update

The number of townhouses and condominiums that sold in December rose 11.7 percent compared to one year earlier. In the greater Houston area, 429 units were sold last month versus 384 properties in December 2008.

The median price of a townhouse/condominium dipped 1.6 percent year-over-year to $123,000. The average price retreated 6.2 percent to $156,026 from December 2008 to December 2009.

Lease Property Update

Demand for single-family home rentals rose 3.1 percent in December compared to a year earlier. Year-over-year townhouse/condominium rentals climbed 4.7 percent.

 

Houston Real Estate Milestones in December

· The median price of a single-family home rose for the eighth consecutive month, by 5.2 percent, to $152,550;

· The average price of a single-family home appreciated for a third straight month, by 15.1 percent, to $219,214, the second highest     level of 2009 and the highest for a December in Houston;

· 5.8 months inventory of single-family homes compares favorably to the national average of 6.5 months;

· Townhouse/condominium sales rose 11.7 percent;

· Total dollar volume grew 12.9 percent, reaching $1.1 billion.

 

The computerized Multiple Listing Service of the Houston Association of Realtors® includes residential properties and new homes listed by 24,000 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 24,000-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 local association/board of Realtors® in the United States as well as the largest individual membership trade association in Houston.

The chilly temperatures have caused us to turn up the heat, and that means higher energy bills.  Maybe this winter’s bill is only the beginning.  Whether snuggled up in your chic loft Downtown, your updated mansion in Montrose or your Heights Bungalow, you definitely want to ensure your home is as energy efficient as possible.  Maybe this winter, you realized there are more drafts than you remembered.  Here are some simple tips and tests for energy efficiency.

Inspect your home by looking at your energy bill first.  Many electricity providers have access to a report that can indicate what you are spending monthly on running your home, while cross-checking your home to similar sized homes in your area.  If you’re property is in the mid to high range, chances are you can change that with a few energy-saving tips.

Small leaks in between home building materials can cause about a 30% loss in heating or cooling of your home.  Simply inspecting areas where any two building materials meet is a great place to start detecting sources of energy loss.  Places to check are:

• Where brick and wood siding meet

• Between the foundation and walls

• Between the chimney and siding

• Door and window frames

• Mail chutes

• Electrical and gas service entrances

• Cable TV and phone line holes

• Outdoor water faucets

• Where dryer vents pass through walls

• Bricks, siding, stucco, and foundation

• Air conditioners

• Vents and fans

Ways to test these areas are simple and don’t require many tools.  At night, shine a flashlight over a potential gap while another person looks from the other side.  A large crack will show the ray of light from the flashlight.  This is only a useful indicator for a large crack.

For doors and windows, shut a piece of paper into them.  If you can pull the paper out without tearing it, you are definitely losing energy.

Check the attic, walls and floors adjacent to an unheated space such as a garage or basement.  The structure is usually exposed here, and it will be easy to see what type of insulation you have and measure its depth or thickness.

Energy efficiency can also be as easy as making comfort compromises.  Adjusting your thermostat 2 degrees warmer or cooler will cut costs and be a friendlier choice for the environment.  You can save about $100 a year and possibly cut 2,000 pounds of carbon emissions annually.

Start planning ahead for those hot summer months!