There are so many wonderful aspects of Houston: The Theatre District, The Museum District, The Galleria, The Medical Center, the Houston, TX real estate market, but ask any Houstonian what they love best about this city, and 9 times out of 10, they will say, "The food!" 
That's right, Houston is home to over 11,000 restaurants; offering some of the most cutting-edge cuisine in the nation.  Even compared to New York City, we feature some of the freshest and most diverse cuisine both in style and culture.  Be it Italian, Mexican, American, Japanese, Chinese, Mediterranean, African or any fusion in between, we have it all!  Beginning August 1st, 115 of Houston's happening hotspots are opening their doors and hearts in Houston Restaurant Week.  Between the days of August 1st and 21st, (yes, it's more than a week) these culinary crowd-pleasers are charging a discounted price of $35.00 per person for a top-notch three course meal - not including drinks, tax, or tip.  On top of this amazing discount, Houston Restaurant Week participants are donating $5.00 per plate to the Houston Food Bank.  So, you can enjoy an incredible meal and donate to an incredible cause!  Different than last year, some of these restaurants are also providing a 2-course lunch for $25! What's the catch?  You must make reservations.  These participating restaurants are all over the Greater Houston area, so there should be one close to everybody.  Come on! Get spruced up, have a great meal, and donate to a great charity!  Visit their website for restaurants, menus and reservation instructions.

When visiting with a Realtor to buy a home or sell a home in the Houston, TX real estate market, you might see some abbreviations on their business card.  These abbreviations can speak volumes when it comes to targeting the right Realtor for you.  These designations or accreditations state that the Realtor evolves with the changing market.  NAR (National Association of Realtors) offers advanced continuing education courses, so Realtors can be equipped with specific tools to help the constantly changing, more sophisticated buyers and sellers.  After all, we hire Realtors because they know more about handling all the surprises that come with Real Estate.  Here’s a quick guide on a number of designations and what they mean.  That way, if you are in the “market” for a certain specialty, this might make it easier to find.

 

ABR – Accredited Buyer Representative: the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded to real estate practitioners by the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council ("REBAC") of the National Association of REALTORS® who meet the specified educational and practical experience criteria. 

ABRM – Accredited Buyer Representative Manager: the only Buyer Representation Designation for managers, brokers and owners affiliated with the National Association of REALTORS®. 

ALC – Accredited Land Consultant: are specialists in land brokerage transactions, including farms and ranches, raw land sales and development.

ALHS – Accredited Luxury Home Specialist: Focuses on the special needs of luxury home buyers that continue to buy resort, vacation and second homes.

CCIM – Certified Commercial Investment Member: Specialists in commercial real estate brokerage, leasing, valuation and investment analysis

CDPE – Certified Distressed Property Expert: Through comprehensive training and experience, CDPEs are able to provide solutions for homeowners facing hardships in today’s market, specifically short sales.

CIPS – Certified International Property Manager: Individual who has proven their expertise in international real estate practice focusing in cultural diversity, market data, investment trends, marketing strategies, currency issues, and financing.

CLHMS – Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist: Recognized as the mark of accomplishment in luxury markets around the world, the Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS) designation assures affluent buyers and sellers that the agents who have earned it have the knowledge, experience, competence, and confidence they require.

CPM – Certified Property Manager: is a real estate professional designation awarded by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and recognized by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

CRB – Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager: is one of the most respected and relevant designations offered in real estate business management. Through the Council’s leading-edge education and resources, members are among the most efficient, effective and profitable managers in the country.

CRS – Certified Residential Specialist: Designees, with 44,000 members—4% of NAR members—who average 43 transactions per year and earn four times as much as the average realtor, belong to the Council of Residential Specialists which is the largest affiliate of National Association of Realtors.

CRE – Counselor of Real Estate: A CRE designee is one of only 1,100 by-invitation-only members of an international group of professionals who provide seasoned, objective advice on real property and land-related matters.

GAA – General Accredited Appraiser

GRI – Graduate, Realtor Institute: Developed for members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and offered through State REALTOR® Associations, the GRI program includes 90 hours of coursework on topics from marketing and servicing listed properties to real estate law.

Green – Sustainable Property Designation: provides advanced training in green building and sustainable business practices so that you can seek out, understand, and market properties with green features. 

PMN – Performance Management Network: to bring you the real-world skills, the know-how and the tools that will keep the Realtor out front and on top of an evolving market.  Able to explain more information in less time to busy buyers.

RCE – Realtor Association Certified Executive: professional designation designed specifically for REALTOR® association executives. The RCE designation exemplifies goal-oriented Association Executives with drive, experience and commitment to professional growth.

RAA – Residential Accredited Appraiser

SRES – Seniors Real Estate Specialist: a designation for REALTORS® to address the needs of home buyers age 50+.

SIOR – Society of Industrial and Office Realtor: is the leading professional commercial and industrial real estate association. With more than 3,000 members in more than 580 cities in 26 countries, SIOR represents today’s most knowledgeable, experienced, and successful commercial real estate brokerage specialists.

Now that you know what these abbreviations are, be sure to ask any potential Realtor if what designations or accreditations they have.  None?  You might want to think twice!

Don Puryear has several designations and accreditations, so he can do the best work in a challenging market.  His designations include ABR, ALHS, CLHMS, CRS and Green designation.   On top of all these, he is also a licensed attorney and broker associate.  He and his team constantly evolve to know the ins and outs of the Houston, Texas real estate market.  Contact us if you want one of the best working for you!

Two of Houston’s heaviest-hitting business groups — the Greater Houston Partnership and the Quality of Life Coalition — are promoting an ambitious master plan to develop land along 10 of Harris County’s major bayous, creating an enormous system of “linear parks.”

With a potential half-billion-dollar price tag, the Houston Bayou Greenway Initiative would include almost 250 miles (the distance from here to Dallas) of new or upgraded hike-and-bike trails, not to mention canoe trails and more than 50 new parks that would pull double duty as flood-retention basins or wetlands to improve the quality of the city’s groundwater.

The Bayou Greenway would be the biggest parks initiative in Houston’s history, and would add desperately needed greenspace to neighborhoods across Harris County.

With big dreams comes an even bigger price tag.  This initiative will cost almost $600 Million – $255 million to acquire land for the trails, build them and landscape them with native trees and plants; tack on another $240 million to add the 50 parks.

The grand scheme of the Greenway would essentially complete the various projects carried out by hundreds of parties: city, county, state and federal agencies; nonprofits; municipal utility districts; Tax-Increment Reinvestment Zones; neighborhood groups; private developers and philanthropists.  

Provided the money is available immediately, the work could be completed in only a few years. But don’t make plans yet, planners anticipate a timeline of about 15 years.

But the Quality of Life Coalition and the Greater Houston Partnership are campaigning hard to start fast, and in August, Bayou Greenway supporters will meet with Houston’s entire congressional delegation.  Thus far, the reception has been promising…why is that?  According to editor at the Houston Chronicle, this is why they, as well as us, should love it:

“1) Love the size and scope of the proposal. Ten bayous! Four thousand acres of new detention-pond park land! Hundreds of partners! A half-billion dollars! It’s been too long since Houston dared to dream this big.

2) Love the way that the “linear parks” would vastly increase outdoor public space all across this park-starved city.

3) Love the bang for the buck. Flood-prone bayou land costs much less to acquire than drier acreage and can serve more than one purpose. During a flood, a baseball field can become a retention pond. A wetlands nature park can improve water quality. And shade from trailside trees would cut the amount of mowing the county flood-control district has to pay for.

4) Love the greenways as a business proposition. To compete with other cities, Houston has to attract well-educated young workers. And they crave parks and trails.

5) Love the proposal as serious planning for the future. In the next 20 years, Harris County is expected to add a million people. As we pack more people into our city, the land grows more flood-prone — and parks become ever more precious.

6) Love what safe places to walk, jog and bike would do for our waistlines - and for our public health care costs.  Let's face it...we don't need to boast the Fattest City title anymore!

7) Love the plan because it addresses, in a big way, Houston’s dysfunctional relationship with nature. The bayous are our flat coastal plain’s best natural feature, but in previous decades we treated them as enemies to be stomped into submission. We paved them, straightened them and dumped raw sewage in them. And we got what we deserved.”

If this dream comes to fruition, it would only be the beginning!  Enormous as it is, the Bayou Greenway Initiative could be the trunk line of an even larger network of trails and linear parks. This initiative is an attempt to grab what’s readily available for the picking… land along the city’s largest bayous, but they don’t want to stop there.

Bike enthusiasts note that trails could also be added along unused railroad rights-of-way or utility easements.  

So far, other supporters include Legacy Land Trust, Cypress Creek Flood Control Coalition, Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition, the Buffalo Bayou Partnership and the Katy Prairie Conservancy.

It’s time to expand all the good work already done in a big way.

Want to show your support or learn more about the initiative before the coalition takes their proposal to the city?  Visit their website.

HOUSTON SINGLE-FAMILY HOME SALES EDGE UP IN JUNE AS EFFECTS OF HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT WANE

Average price reaches the highest level in nearly two years

HOUSTON — (July 20, 2010) — Closings of properties purchased through the federal homebuyer tax credit combined with the seasonal spring-summer uptick in consumer activity kept Houston-area single-family home sales in positive territory for a fourth straight month in June. However, expiration of the homebuyer tax credit slowed the brisk pace of sales volume that the market enjoyed in recent months.

Congress extended the time necessary to close on homes purchased with the tax credit by three months to September 30, provided the property was under contract by April 30. The May and June decline in pending sales—property listings that are expected to close within the next 30 to 60 days—was expected, as homebuyers rushed to take advantage of the tax credit and is considered an indicator that sales volume will slow in July.

According to the latest monthly data compiled by the Houston Association of Realtors® (HAR), June sales of single-family homes throughout the Houston market rose 2.9 percent compared to June 2009. That follows increases of 11.3 percent in March, 27.8 percent in April and 18.2 percent in May. Sales volume showed gains in all single-family home pricing segments except the $150,000 to $250,000 market. The largest increase took place among homes priced from $500,000 and above. Sales of all property types combined climbed 4.1 percent in June on a year-over-year basis.

The average price of a single-family home edged up 0.9 percent from June 2009 to $222,767, the highest price since July 2008. The June single-family home median price—the figure at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less—dipped 2.9 percent from one year earlier to $159,700, but still reached the highest level since August 2009.

Foreclosure property sales reported in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) rose 9.3 percent in June compared to one year earlier. The median price of June foreclosure sales increased 2.4 percent to $88,000 on a year-over-year basis.

Sales of all property types in Houston for June totaled 6,593, up 4.1 percent compared to June 2009. Total dollar volume for properties sold during the month was $1.4 billion versus $1.3 billion one year earlier, representing a 4.9 percent increase.

"The Houston, TX real estate market has benefited all that it can from the homebuyer tax credit and now comes the return of sales trends that are more typical for this time of year," said Margie Dorrance, HAR chair and principal at Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan. "Heavy sales activity in the high end of the housing market boosted the average price in June, but growing inventory, an increase in months inventory and a slowdown in listings under contract point to a more flattened market in the coming months."

June Monthly Market Comparison

The month of June brought Houston's overall housing market largely positive results when all listing categories are compared to June of 2009. Total property sales and total dollar volume increased on a year-over-year basis while the average single-family home sales price ticked up and the median price declined.

The number of available properties, or active listings, at the end of June rose 17.3 percent from June 2009 to 53,934. That represents 2,749 more active listings than one month earlier, in June 2010, and reflects additional housing inventory that began hitting the market as a result of interest in the homebuyer tax credit as well as general confidence in improved market conditions.

Month-end pending sales for June totaled 3,272, down 16.0 percent from last year. This is a likely indicator that the effects of the tax credit have worn off. The month’s inventory of single-family homes for June extended to 7.3 months compared to 6.4 months one year earlier, but remains healthier than the national months inventory of single-family homes of 8.3 months, reported by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

 

CATEGORIES	JUNE 2009	JUNE 2010	PERCENT CHANGE
Total property sales	6,332	6,593	4.1%
Total dollar volume	$1,347,610,333	$1,413,393,916	4.9%
Total active listings	45,989	53,934	17.3%
Total pending sales	3,896	3,272	-16.0%
Single-family home sales	5,425	5,584	2.9%
Single-family average sales price	$220,802	$222,767	0.9%
Single-family median sales price	$164,500	$159,700	-2.9%
Months inventory*	6.4	7.3	14.5%

* 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

June sales of single-family homes in Houston totaled 5,584, up 2.9 percent from June 2009. This marks the fourth consecutive month of accelerated sales activity. Broken out by segment, June sales of homes priced from $80,000 and below increased 7.1 percent; homes priced between $80,000 and $150,000 rose 9.6 percent; those in the $150,000 to $250,000 fell 8.0 percent—representing the only decline in sales volume; and homes priced between $250,000 and $500,000 edged up 1.3 percent. Sales of luxury homes—those priced from $500,000 to the millions—reflected the greatest gains, increasing 20.3 percent.

The average price of single-family homes in June was $222,767, up 0.9 percent compared to one year earlier. That is the highest pricing level since July 2008. At $159,700, the median sales price for single-family homes slid 2.9 percent versus June 2009. That is the highest price since August 2009. The national single-family median price reported by NAR is $179,400, illustrating the continued higher value and lower cost of living that consumers enjoy in the Houston market.

HAR also breaks out the sales performance of existing single-family homes throughout the Houston market. In June 2010, existing home sales totaled 4,753, a 2.8 percent increase from June 2009. The average sales price edged up 1.5 percent to $209,510 compared to last year while the median sales price of $148,000 declined 4.5 percent from its June 2009 level.

Townhouse/Condominium Update

The number of townhouses and condominiums that sold in June rose 4.6 percent compared to one year earlier. In the greater Houston area, 527 units were sold last month versus 504 properties in June 2009.

The average price tumbled 5.0 percent to $161,809 from June 2009 to June 2010. The median price of a townhouse/condominium fell 4.7 percent year-over-year to $137,000.

Lease Property Update

Demand for single-family home rentals rose 21.0 percent in June compared to one year earlier. Year-over-year townhouse/condominium rentals increased 22.7 percent.

Houston Real Estate Milestones in June

• Single-family home sales rose 2.9 percent.

• Total property sales increased 4.1 percent.

• At $222,767, the average price of a single-family home reached the highest level since July 2008.

• At $159,700, the median price of a single-family home reached the highest level since August 2009.

• 7.3 months inventory of single-family homes compares favorably to the national average of 8.3 months.

• Townhouse/condominium sales rose 4.6 percent.

• Total dollar volume climbed 4.9 percent, reaching $1.4 billion.

 

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.

The old adage, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” is definitely true when it comes to the bustling business all seem to participate in – the yard sale.  Whether hunting for these bargains or dishing them out, we all enjoy the feeling of satisfaction we get leaving/completing a yard sale.  Buyers get great bargains and sellers unload unwanted items for a little cash in their pockets.  If your home has become more of a storage facility than a home, maybe you should consider unloading those unwanted items.  Summer months, even though hot, are the best time for these yard thrift stores – clothes, knick-knacks, furniture, toys and kitchen items are usually popular.  In order to have a successful yard sale, here are a few tips for the hosts!

• Planning is essential.  Don’t think you can wake up one morning, throw out a few items and call it a day.  The organized you are the better.  Start organizing and pricing items you plan on including in the sale at least two weeks in advance.

• Know your neighborhood.  In many areas, you’re limited to the number of yard sales you can have each year.  Several communities require permits to have sales, so it’s best to check the rules and regulations in advance.

• Avoid the holidays.  Most people are busy either traveling or planning their own events on holidays, so scheduling a yard sale on those days would almost guarantee low turnout.

• Look ahead at weather.  Especially in Houston, weather can change quickly when it’s been consistently beautiful.  Make sure you check the local forecast to ensure you will have nice weather for your yard sale.  People will be less likely to come out on a rainy day, unless you have a large canopy to shelter them while they browse.

• Team up.  Have a family or neighbors pitch in items to the sale.  When you can advertise a multi-family sale, it is more enticing to bargain hunters; they feel there will be a wide variety of things to grab.  Plus, you get the added bonus of splitting the time with more people and having a break.

• Advertise.  Use signs to direct shoppers to your sale, and be sure to include your address, date and duration you will be open for business.  Think about using a site like Craig’s List to advertise the sale too.

• The early bird gets the worm…or the pretty glass vase or couch for that matter.  Bargain hunters make it a point to get to yard sales early for unpicked merchandise, so make sure you start early.  Plus, you will be more comfortable not sitting in the midday sun.

• Cash only!  Unless your neighbor, whom you’ve known for years, wants to buy your coffee table and a few other items, and asks to pay with a check, take cash only.  Personal checks are easy to duplicate fraudulently.  If the check is returned you have no recourse against the scammer.

• Be smart with all that cash.  Do NOT use a cash box.  Keep your cash on you, particularly in a less than fashionable fanny pack or something that’s not easy for people to access.  If someone hands you a large bill needing change, leave the large bill out in plain view until you’ve given the buyer change, then put the bill away.  This will prevent a scammer from saying they gave you a $20 bill as opposed to the $10 bill they did give you.

Taking your time, getting a team together and planning accordingly will assure your yard sale success.  Happy vending!

Do you have a big neighborhood event or sale you’re planning and want a little extra advertising?  Contact us, and we will be happy to put it on our NoPlaceLikeHouston.com fanpage on Facebook.  All we need are the details, and we will let our fans know!

Congratulations are in order for Ed Weatherall!  With help from the Puryear Team, he recently sold his Perry Homes townhome in Midtown.  We were happy to help, and here's what Ed had to say about us:

"Very professional with excellent communications thru the complete process, listing, marketing and contract negotiations."

Thank you for those kind words, Ed!  We strive to give all of our clients the kind of professional service he speaks of.  Since we are a team, we can take on more and still be there for each of our clients like they are our only client!  Check out our testimonials page for more comments from our clients.  The Houston, TX real estate market is full of unique 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!

 

Congratulations are in order for Sam and Nikki Valerio!  With help from Michael Ross of the Puryear Team, they recently sold their chic home in Rice Military and purchased this cottage-style home in Missouri City.  We were happy to help, and here's what Nikki had to say about us:

"Michael is the best, he is always on time and responded quickly to all calls and e-mails.  I will definitely recommend this team to all people I know."

Thank you for those kind words, Nikki!  We strive to give all of our clients the kind of efficient service she speaks of.  Since we are a team, we can take on more and still be there for each of our clients like they are our only client!  Check out our testimonials page for more comments from our clients.  The Houston, TX real estate market is full of unique 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!

Many think that the pre-approval process is the only hurdle to jump when buying a home.  Looking for a property in the Houston, Texas real estate market is fun; there are so many different options for all tastes, styles and needs – needs being the operative word.  Wants vs. needs start a completely new slew of questions, which can make the homebuyer a little overwhelmed.  Once you know your price range, take the time to discuss the following before house hunting.

 

Distinguish needs vs. wants – three bedrooms, first floor bedroom and price range is needs.  Granite counters, stainless appliances and crown moulding are wants.  Your “wish” list and must-have list should not be the same thing.  Price range will distinguish the ability to have all your want items.  Make sure your Realtor knows your wants and needs, so they can personalize a search for you of homes.

 

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!  This should be high on your priority list.  Perhaps you want a certain school district for your children or want to move closer to work and other life necessities. You most likely will have a definite idea of where you want to live, but don’t limit yourself to that area.  Your realtor might have some great properties in an area comparable to your dream spot…be open to flex on variables to meet your needs.  Ask these questions in terms of the neighborhood:

 

*What are the schools, hospitals and other public services like?  How close are they?

 

*Is it an older established neighborhood, a transitioning neighborhood, or a younger community?

 

*Are there signs of new construction in the area?

 

*What will this neighborhood look like in 10 years?

 

*What are the values of other homes in the neighborhood?

 

*If there are nearby restaurants and other businesses, what time of day do they bring people out?

 

*What’s the traffic like during the week?  In the evenings?  On Weekends?

 

*Is the empty lot behind the house going to be developed?  If so, do they know what it will be?

 

Don’t be nearsighted when it comes to your future home.  Think about all the costs involved with owning a home, especially if you’ve been renting all this time.  Costs can be broken down into two categories – long term and short term.

 

Long Term items are the following:

Mortgage

Homeowner’s dues or Condo maintenance fees

County or City Taxes

Homeowner’s Insurance (Flood is separate)

Commuting Costs

 

Short Term costs can be:

Appliance replacement

Wear and Tear Home Maintenance

Future upgrade and/or updates

 

If home maintenance costs seem difficult to imagine, a good rule of thumb for these costs is 1-3% of the market value of the home each year.  Age and condition of the home are also factors you must consider.  So, if you are weighing it out between two homes, think about the condition of both properties to shed a more appealing light on the subject.

 

When you get down to the nitty gritty, maybe these questions will help distinguish one property from another:

 

*How long will it take to get to work?  What will it cost?

 

*Is it country, suburban or urban living?  What appeals to you most?

 

*How far will you be from family members?

 

*How far will you be from regular life activities?

 

* Are there any homeowners’ association dues?  How much?

 

* Are there any homeowner rules and restrictions?

 

* Can you afford the county/city taxes?

 

Some last advice when it comes to making a decision:

 

Stick to your budget – don’t look at homes beyond your means even if it’s “just a little more,” the only variable you can depend on is what you can afford.

 

Don’t think with your heart…You may fall in love with a property, but if it’s beyond your means, it’s not the right house for you.

 

Have an open mind…just because the houses in the area you desire or homes in the area you love are not what you envisioned.  Buy what you can afford…even if it’s not your dream home right now, visualize the potential!

 

It’s fun to look at houses, and the process of weeding out homes is exciting, but don’t let that rule the house-hunting process.  Looking for a home takes time, so focus on the list your compiled of needs and wants; take pictures of the homes you really like, so you can compare them later.

 

Lastly, compare what you’d like to have to what you really need – they might be significantly different!  The most important thing is to find the right house that fits your budget.  This might mean it doesn’t have all your wants, but most of your needs.

Your most valuable tool in the Houston Texas real estate market is a knowleagable Realtor!  The Don Puyrear Team are top-producing agents who specialize in inner loop real estate; the most diverse and dynamic area in Houston.  We are honest and take our obligation to you seriously, so you can be assured to have the best Realtor working for you!  Contact us if you have any questions.

The Masquerade Theatre opens its version of the modern musical icon, RENT, which opens Thursday, July 22nd and runs eight weekend performances through Sunday, August 1st at Zilkha Hall in The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Houston.  The curtain rises at 8:00pm Thursday - Saturday and 2:00pm on Sundays.  You can purchase tickets online or by calling 713-861-7045

RENT is a rock musical with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson based on Giacomo Puccini's opera La bohème. It tells a story of a group of eight young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side in the last days of Bohemian Alphabet City, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS, relationships and life.

Two of Don Puryear's team are performing principle roles.  Agent, Michael Ross is portraying the role of Mark Cohen, Documentary film-maker and narrator of the show.  Marketing Director and stager, Beth Lazarou is portraying the role of Joanne Jefferson, Lawyer and new girlfriend of Mark's ex-girlfriend, Maureen.  Watch them together perform the comical Tango Maureen recounting their trials and tribulations with the same woman.


The Masquerade Theatre was established in 1996 by Founding Artistic Director Phillip Duggins, and obtained non-profit status in July 2001.  One of the theatre's founding principles is that it will hire highly talented actors from the local area so that actors, musicians and stage crews can develop their careers in Houston, rather than having to relocate to New York in order to pursue a career in musical theatre. It is Houston's only resident musical theatre employing artists exclusively from the local area.

As already indicated by our flooding streets these past two weeks, we are having an extremely active hurricane season.  Thankfully, no hurricanes yet, only tropical disturbances; however, we have seen from previous experience with Hurricane Ike, flooding and high winds can do serious damage!  With damage to Houston, TX real estate, the best and worst can come out of our fellow Houstonians.  Do not hesitate to think twice about who you use to help get your home and life back to normal post storm.  Here are a few tips to help make sure the only disasters you deal with are the natural ones!

• Be wary of strangers who are willing to help themselves to all your personal information right off the bat, i.e. your bank account or Social Security Number…big red flag!  Why do they need that information to work on your roof or windows?

• If a contractor tells you your home is unsafe to live in, don’t start heading for the nearest hotel.  Before listening to a stranger, call the city and have a building inspector check your house; they will be honest with you and unbiased.

• If your repair people or contractors drive up in an unmarked truck, think twice!  Sure, they’re offering you the moon and stars with that five-year warranty, but what good is it if you can’t track down the company?

• Don’t let pushy salespeople scare you into making a decision you aren’t comfortable with.  If your decision is uninformed, you will be the only one sorry in the long run.  If you aren’t ready, just say no!

• Door-to-door canvasser offering free inspections aren’t so free.  According to Monica Russo of the Better Business Bureau, they found that these canvassers make people sign a waiver stating you agree to use their contractors for any and all repairs.  Failing to use their contractors will result in a “restocking fee” worth thousands of dollars.  Never sign without reading the paper – don’t take a total stranger’s word for what the paper says in the first place.

• Don’t let anyone inspect your home without being present.  A legitimate contractor will let you be there, and in fact, welcome it!  Asking plenty of questions will build a relationship with your contractor, plus be an amazing learning experience.

• Verify your company is insured and bonded, but don’t take their word for it, get proof of coverage!

• Before any work begins, make sure you have everything in writing from what repairs are being done, the materials used, when the work will begin and be completed, cost breakdown and payment schedule.  Having an attorney review the contract is also a good idea.

• DO NOT SIGN OFF OR PAY FOR ANYTHING UNTIL THE WORK IS DONE.  Avoid paying in cash.

If you have any questions pertaining to the validity of a contractor, you can always get their Reliability Report from the Better Business Bureau at www.houston.bbb.org or call 713-868-9500.

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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 quarterly, as opposed to every month, but be sure to look out for our reminder postcard in the mail!

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Even though this informative article from Michelle Lerner at bankrate.com speaks of relocating to another region or state, this can apply to a large area like Greater Houston, or if you are a renter who is considering buying for the first time.  Make sure you weigh every possibility and cost before taking the plunge to move to a different area in the Houston, TX real estate market, or any market, for that matter!

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Residents fed up with high property taxes or expensive housing may be tempted to relocate to a home in a lower-cost region.

However, Teresa Luetjen-Keeler, president of Orella Moves and a Certified Relocation and Transition Specialist in Fanwood, N.J., says people who fail to do their homework may get burned.

"Whether you are moving by choice or by necessity, you should evaluate all the costs of relocating because costs vary a lot even within a metropolitan area," she says.

Before you move, weigh the following costs:

Transportation

After housing, transportation is the second biggest expense for most households, according to the Center for Neighborhood Technology, or CNT, in Chicago. Costs can be high whether residents drive their own cars or use public transportation.

"The first calculation when it comes to choosing a place to live should be this: You don't live your life in your home, you live it outside your home," says John McIlwain, senior resident fellow and J. Ronald Terwilliger chair for housing at the Urban Land Institute in Washington, D.C.

The CNT developed the "H + T Affordability Index" to address the link between housing costs and transportation costs in more than 300 metropolitan regions.

While homeowners generally are urged to keep housing costs to no more than 31 percent of income, CNT estimates that combined costs of housing and transportation should not exceed 45 percent of income.

Many home shoppers budgeting for a new home weigh their monthly payment, taxes and insurance, "but they don't always estimate their transportation costs," says Scott Bernstein, president of CNT.

"Many people opt to 'drive until you qualify,' driving to neighborhoods where the housing costs are lower, not considering the transportation costs associated with living far from their jobs," he says.

McIlwain says it's a mistake to think of transportation costs purely in terms of commuting.

"For every five miles that the average person drives, only one mile is for commuting," says McIlwain. "People need to think about the compactness of their neighborhood, how far they need to drive to reach places like the grocery store, school and medical offices."

Taxes

Taxes are especially important when comparing the overall cost of living in one area to another.

"Property taxes will be estimated on each home listing, but everyone should also review sales taxes and state and local income taxes," Luetjen-Keeler says. "Some states also have personal property taxes on items such as cars and boats which can add to the cost of living."

Bankrate provides a list of state income and sales tax rates.

Insurance and Utilities

Luetjen-Keeler recommends people contact their insurance agent to receive an estimate of the costs of car insurance and homeowners insurance in the new location. People moving to a flood-prone or tornado-prone area may find they need additional hazard insurance.

Car insurance costs depend not only on the car and driver, but also regional theft and accident rates.

Utility costs also can vary from region to region.

"Utility costs have a lot to do with the size of the property and the energy efficiency of the design and the systems," says McIlwain. "The best way to estimate them is to get copies of the utility bills from the owners."

Other Costs

Even the cost of basic groceries and medicines can vary from place to place. To compare these costs, try Bankrate's cost of living calculator by entering income and location along with a new location. This will give you an estimate of the cost of living difference.

For example, someone earning $200,000 in Washington, D.C., would need 30 percent more income to maintain his or her lifestyle in New York City. By contrast, that same D.C. resident could earn 33 percent less in Dallas and still maintain the same lifestyle.

Homeowner association fees are another variable cost.

"It's very important for people to know what the fees are and what they cover in terms of amenities and maintenance," says Luetjen-Keeler. "You need to look at the association's finances and ask about the rate of increase in fees."

Of course, costs are not the only factor in deciding whether or not to relocate, McIlwain says.

"I think the primary consideration should be quality of life," he says. "As long as they can afford to live there and still save for retirement, people should choose where they want to live."

Did you know Houston is considered to be one of the most affordable metropolitan areas in the nation?  Consider yourself fortunate to live in a city full of limitless possibilities, diverse culture and economy like Houston, TX.  If you are ready to see what’s available in the Houston, TX real estate market, please contact Don Puryear, Inner Loop real estate specialist.  He, combined with a team of 3 other agents and two support staff are ready to help you with your real estate needs.  There will always be someone available to take your call.  Unlike other agents who work for themselves, the Puryear Team is able to work for you!