24 September 2009

September News

September 2009

Dear Venetian Estates Neighbor,

We are excited to be a part of the Houston real estate market. While number of sales is still down from last year, prices are up! According to the Houston Association of Realtors, the number of transactions completed in July 2009 was down 5.1% from July 2008. However, the median home price rose 1.5%. Vicki Fullerton, this year's HAR chair says "Strong pricing performance, an easing decline in sales volume and the slowdown of foreclosure sales make for very positive indicators about the state of the Houston real estate market." This statistic speaks volumes for our City’s strengths, despite recent media about a sluggish and slow recovery.

With regard to the above information from HAR, Venetian Estates does not necessarily follow market trends! We have a unique subdivision, and often our statistics vary greatly from the mainstream market. One good example – our number of sales is more than triple the number from 2008! This time last year three homes in VE had sold and closed. In fact there were only three recorded MLS sales for the entire year! This year there are 10 MLS sales recorded so far (January-September 2009) and we plan to have at least two more sales soon (the homes on Savoy that we are presently marketing). Of the 10 closed transactions so far this year FBRE has sold 9 of them – either by representing the seller, the buyer or working as an intermediary between the two parties. Those are amazing statistics!

Susan represented the purchaser of 907 Genova, which closed this week. The Nelsons of 907 Genova are scaling down to a smaller home in the Richmond area. They built the Genova home in 1995 and have wonderful family memories to take with them to their new home presently under construction. (New neighbor info on the purchasers later!) Susan also worked with the sellers and the purchasers of 714 Santa Maria, which also closed this week. Sally & Don McGinty purchased this home, which was previously owned by Joy Maples Ellis. We are marketing the McGinty’s home at 103 Savoy. If you have not been able to attend an Open House here yet, please watch for another one soon. The large, tree-shaded lot and screened-in porch are only two of the wonderful features of this home. High ceilings, large bedrooms and a 3-car garage with a list price in the $300,000’s make this a home you will want to tell your friends and family about!

We have just listed an incredible commercial property at 326 Brooks! If you or someone you know is looking for the most attractive office in Sugar Land, give us a call! This home/office has been completely updated and remodeled. It contains a reception area, two offices, a full bath, a complete kitchen, screened-in porch, a two-car garage with extra storage, and much, much more. The property, which can serve as a residence or office, will be listed on HAR soon. Stay tuned to this blog, which will be updated with the latest.

Fort Bend Real Estate Corporation recognizes the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest technological, web-based tools. HAR reports that the majority of people purchasing homes in recent years relied heavily on the internet to find their houses. We have expanded our marketing sphere to include an array of online advertising tools and databases in addition to our own website, www.fbre.net, and HAR.com. These websites maximize the exposure of our listings. Coupled with proactive face-to-face marketing and networking, we offer best-in-the-business services to our clients. You would likely be amazed by the number of homes we have sold by simply telling friends, neighbors, past clients etc. about the homes we are presently marketing! Our history, experience and resulting network of contacts in the local real estate market enable us to be exceptionally effective when it comes to “hands-on” marketing.

Bud is currently serving on Congressman Pete Olson’s Congressional Service Academy Advisory Board. The Board selects qualified high school senior applicants who wish to attend a military academy (Air Force Academy, Annapolis, West Point or Merchant Marine). If you know of any students within the 22nd Congressional District who may be interested in applying for a full scholarship at one of these prestigious universities, please contact Bud for more information. You can reach him at our office number below or email him at Bud@fbre.net.

Kelly was once again published by the Fort Bend Business Journal. She wrote an in-depth article regarding commercial and investment real estate in Fort Bend County. Be sure to read the article, which appeared in the September edition. Go to our website, www.fbre.net, for a link to the article.

Save the date! Friday, November 13 we will co-host a party with Imperial Performing Arts and Olson for Congress in our offices in the Frost Bank Building. Since FBRE II, LLC acquired the property in 2008 we have made exciting changes. In addition to decorating the atrium with historical photographs taken in Sugar Land, we have also decorated our new, larger, and completely updated suite with additional local historical images. Join us for a festive evening with friends and entertainment (IPA, Sugar Land’s new resident professional performing arts company, will provide professional entertainment via a baby grand piano!) to kick off the holiday season.

Please call me with any news!
Kristin Johnston

16 September 2009

Listing Sold!

Our listing at 714 Santa Maria closed yesterday, September 15! Located at the end of a cul-de-sac, this house featured an exceptional view of Lake Venice.

We still have two great listings available on Savoy Street! Call us to see these exceptional waterfront properties!



(Click on the images below to view more information)






Venetian Estates is a niche neighborhood in Sugar Land, TX. Strategically located a mere 15 minutes from the Houston Galleria, homeowners enjoy resort-style waterfront living with the convenience of all the City amenities.

Contact Susan or Kristin for additional information.

10 September 2009

Open House at 103 Savoy on Sunday, September 13

Stop by our open house this weekend at 103 Savoy Street! This house is the lowest-priced home available in Venetian Estates! It features a large, tree-shaded yard and walls of windows overlooking the lake.

The home will be open:
Sunday, September 13, 2009
2:00 to 4:00 PM
View more pictures of the house here on our blog, or go to HAR.com. Feel free to contact Susan or Kristin if you have any questions!
See you Sunday!

02 September 2009

411 Savoy Street

We are very excited about our new listing at 411 Savoy! This home features an excellent floor plan that really takes advantage of the LONG views down Lake Venice. Its ideal location on the lake affords amazing views without compromising privacy. The home interior features a master that overlooks the water, soaring cathedral ceilings in the living, spacious kitchen with ample storage and a bedroom/office off the breakfast room. The pool and massive Cypress trees complete this lot to make it one of the most desirable in Venetian Estates!
























Venetian Estates is a niche neighborhood in Sugar Land, TX. Strategically located a mere 15 minutes from the Houston Galleria, homeowners enjoy resort-style waterfront living with the convenience of all the City amenities.

Contact Susan or Kristin for additional information.