Venetian Estates News: September 2025

Real Estate and More…

Venetian Estates Market Update

There are three properties, priced from $2.095 to $2.876 million actively listed for sale on HAR. My listing at 802 San Marino is an incredible opportunity to live with a panoramic view on the center of Lake Venice! In my last newsletter I mentioned an upcoming listing, but I sold it before it went active on the MLS. I am now preparing two beautiful homes, a four-bedroom and a five-bedroom, to hit the market. Please call me if you or someone you know would like more information on any VE properties. I have represented multiple buyers and sellers in both private and MLS sales in VE this year, and I love to serve my clients with current, comprehensive market knowledge.

New Neighbors

Trung Le & Sandy Pham purchased 207 Lombardy. They grew up in the Port Arthur area & have been married 25+ years. After moving to the Big City (Houston) for college, they settled in Tomball for 20 years before Trung’s work brought them to Stafford. They have three kids: Chris (getting married in November🎉), Lauren (just graduated & started her first “real” job downtown), & Ryan (12, in 7th grade at Cornerstone Christian Academy). Rounding out the family is their fourth (and furriest) “child,” Mochi — a feisty, yappy mutt doodle who keeps everyone entertained. Sandy loves gardening, hanging out with friends & family, pickleball, & daydreaming, and Trung devotes much of his spare time to volunteering & teaching martial arts & tai chi—his true passion. They’re excited to be here, can’t wait for the completion of their remodel, & look forward to meeting everyone!

Kerri & Graham Ross are the new owners of 711 Santa Maria. They are excited to settle in & get to know everyone in the neighborhood. Kerri & Graham divide their time between Sugar Land & Knoxville, TN, where their children attend the University of Tennessee. In their free time, Kerri enjoys playing tennis & pickleball, while Graham is an avid cyclist. They’re especially looking forward to hosting friends & neighbors in their new backyard—preferably with a glass of nice wine in hand! They are about to commence extensive renovations, but as soon as they move in, be sure to stop by & say hello!  Fun fact: Shanna and Andy Marlow, who recently completed construction on their home a few houses down on Santa Maria, also have two children currently attending UT Knoxville!

‘Bama Bound

They may have been born and raised in Sugar Land, but our neighborhood Class of ’25 high-school graduates have all taken flight to sweet home Alabama! My niece, Kate Johnston of Genova, just started classes, but she has already proven her mettle by surviving the notorious University of Alabama rush week! (She pledged Kappa Alpha Theta.) Charlie & Harrison Vaughn of Salerno landed at Auburn. Their parents said that, while the boys toured multiple universities, they knew they had found the right school as soon as they spent a few hours on the Auburn campus. They both pledged Sigma Chi. 

Child Advocates of Fort Bend

Don’t miss the Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon next Friday, Sep. 12! The event will be educational, encouraging, & empowering as our community makes a concerted effort to prevent child abuse. So many VE neighbors will be there! Contact Lisa Moore with CAFB directly (LMoore@cafb.org , 281-344-5108) or contact me to put you in touch with Lisa or VE neighbors who are supporting the event.

 

Greater Houston is the Best

Livability.com ranked Sugar Land third among the “Top 100 Best Places to Live” in 2025, highlighting its “blend of Southern charm and big-city convenience,” and “ideal balance of comfort and convenience.” However, Houston itself is also garnering attention for its explosive growth, adding 200,000 new residents in 2024 & pushing the population to 7.8 million. The Greater Houston Partnership cited this as the city’s largest increase on record, equating to a new resident every 2.7 minutes. (www.houston.org) 

 

I have enjoyed showing clients new luxury mid- and high-rises throughout Houston in recent years. I currently have two clients in River Oaks, one of them being my mother-in-law. She and her husband are selling their home, shedding the responsibility of home maintenance, & moving into a penthouse suite in a gorgeous new mid-rise at Westheimer and Kirby. With a full-time concierge, top retail and restaurants within walking distance, stunning Houston skyline views, and amenities at every turn, they feel as if they’re moving into a five-star hotel.

 

Look out for another newsletter soon with exciting fishing news and more new-neighbor introductions!

 

Venetian Estates News: April 2025

Real Estate and More…

Venetian Estates Market Update

There are currently two properties, priced at $1.695 and $2.25 million actively listed for sale on HAR. My listing at 802 San Marino is extraordinary—the panoramic, long-range view of Lake Venice is breathtaking, and the home, built meticulously in 2000, could easily be updated. I will be hitting the market with a 5-bedroom remodeled VE home later this month. It has a beautiful pool, lakefront party/family room, and a primary suite with gorgeous lake views and massive closets (one with a putting green!). 

 

Please call me if you are considering selling or if you have friends or family interested in VE. While I work all over Houston, it is a joy to share my knowledge of Venetian Estates with clients. My experience and market knowledge are unmatched, enabling me to optimize value for sellers and to help buyers understand the nuances of properties and values in order to purchase their home with confidence. 

New Neighbors

Suzanne and Shayne Higdon moved into their beautiful new home which many of us have enjoyed watching come to life at 402 Piedmont. Suzanne and Shayne have lived in Sugar Land since 2000. They moved from Colony Park and are parishioners at St. Laurence. They have two children, Jacob, a sophomore at Texas Tech, and Lauren, a junior at Duchesne, and two rescue dogs. Shayne graduated from Mary-Hardin Baylor and built a career in the enterprise software space. Suzanne graduated from Texas A&M and retired about five years ago from the enterprise software industry. They enjoy entertaining, traveling, and spending time with family. Shayne especially loves freshwater fishing. (One of his prize catches was featured in a previous newsletter.)

In December I represented Caitlyn and Chad Dacus in the purchase of their stunning home at 415 Lombardy. They, along with their three kids and two golden retrievers, settled in just in time for Christmas. Chad grew up in Sugar Land, and Caitlyn grew up in Waco, where they met when Chad attended Baylor. Chad runs the IT department at The Troy Companies, where he has worked for 13 years, and Caitlyn volunteers at their children’s school, Fort Bend Christian Academy. Their son, Asher (13) will be going to high school at Strake Jesuit, and their daughters, Riley (14) and Claire (8), will continue at FBCA. The Dacuses love hosting family and friends and look forward to making memories in their new home! Keep an eye out for Caitlyn walking the dogs and the family throwing the ball for Claire, their softball girl.

Vivian and Scott Bao purchased my listing at 915 Piedmont. Their daughter, Emily, is 8 years old and in the third grade. Vivian and Scott have lived in Houston most of their lives and have moved here from The Heights. Scott graduated from UH and is a self-employed CPA; Vivian graduated from Texas Tech as a pharmacist. They enjoy spending time at home, cooking, and hosting family gatherings…and Emily loves riding her scooter around the neighborhood!

www.TheVaultOffice.com

I am fired up to be partnering with The Cannon to operate a select suite of offices within my office building at 8410 Highway 90A. Enjoy the ease of walking to work and being part of a professional community in our coworking suite within The Vault Office. The building is almost fully leased, a testament that this iconic Sugar Land building is an exceptional place to work! Details from The Cannon will be released later this spring, but please visit The Vault website and call me to discuss options.

It’s not just the neighborhood office that’s booming…Weihong Zhang, owner of Blendin Coffee, won the Specialty Coffee Association’s U.S. Brewers’ Cup Championship last year. It marked the first time in history that the winning cup was decaffeinated. Moreover, the Colombian decaf, Typica from Los Nogales, is Blendin’s house blend, which can be purchased in the shop or online year-round. The Sprudge, “the world’s most popular coffee publication,” wrote, “Zhang’s Brewers Cup win is, without question, one of the most monumental achievements in US Coffee Championships history.” In addition to Blendin’s expansion on Allen Parkway, I also represented them in two other Houston expansions which will break ground soon and reinforce Blendin’s position as one of the most progressive coffee shops in the US. And it all started here at our local motor-bank-turned-coffee-shop!

I am currently working with buyers in Memorial, Sweetwater, & VE, and I am representing a construction company in the acquisition of a new headquarter office in SL Business Park. As ever, call me any time with your real estate questions or requirements!

Venetian Estates News - December 2024

 

Real Estate and More…

Venetian Estates Market Update
Four VE properties, priced from $1.25 to $2.295 million, are actively listed for sale on HAR. Despite a generally slow market, I have closed multiple VE sales this year, and I represent two buyers of homes that are now pending sale. My listing at 802 San Marino is spectacular, with nearly 300’ of frontage on the center of Lake Venice. I will soon be active on the MLS with a lovely remodeled home. Please call me if you are considering selling or if you have friends or family considering a move to VE. I customize my platform to meet clients’ particular preferences and timelines. 

Time Flies
I intended to send this newsletter months ago but have been perpetually delayed with an intense work schedule, including exciting projects at Sugar Land Regional Airport (KSGR). I have now brokered the sales of three corporate offices + hangars on the premises. After months of negotiations and a lengthy approval process with the City of Sugar Land, we closed on the sale of my listing at 26 Jim Davidson Drive this month. The new owner, ATP Flight School, is a renowned training school for commercial pilots. I marketed the property nationally, and it will now serve as ATP’s  Houston base to train pilots for the world’s leading airlines.

Sugar Land keeps me on my toes with its proactive approach to business and technology. With Wisk Aero, KSGR is preparing to serve as one of the first vertiports for electric, self-flying air taxis. The recent announcement of parterning with Swyft Cities air gondolas has had me musing over my favorite childhood cartoon, The Jetsons. While air taxis and gondolas could reform transit over the next decade, surely Tesla will precede them with  mass-market personal robots. At this stage in life, having my own “Rosie” robot to clean my house and make dinner sounds truly life-changing…

Fort Bend Christian: Eagle Spotifying
Speaking of flying, recent FBCA graduate, Alex Amen, is soaring to the top of Spotify. Alex’s parents, Diane and David Amundson, own World Metal, which offices in my building at 8410 Highway 90A. David says the arts program at FBCA “changed everything” for Alex and put the singer-songwriter on a path that led him to his recent publishing deal with American Records. Alex, with his John Denver- and Jimmy Buffet-inspired style and prescient lyrics, has been dubbed a “young man with an old soul.”  Check out his debut single, “California Blues” (which he penned as a teenager growing up in Sugar Land!) on your favorite music platform!   

New Neighbors
This spring, Lynn and Chuck Fell moved into their gorgeous home at 122 Tuscany. The extraordinary home captured the attention of the Houston Chronicle, which headlined its monthly Houston luxury-market report with my drone image of the “lakefront Italian villa.” Chuck and Lynn have been Sugar Land residents for over 30 years! They have 2 daughters, Catie (25) is a SHSU graduate and teaches 1st grade in Cy-Fair ISD, and Megan (22) recently graduated from OU with a degree in Communications and works in Dallas for an Audi dealership. Chuck is President of CFI Mechanical, Inc., a large commercial mechanical contractor performing HVAC, plumbing and HVAC service for projects such as Constellation Field, the Marriott Marquis Houston, MD Anderson and Harris Health.  Lynn enjoyed a 12-year career with Hyatt Hotels as a convention service manager before becoming a stay-at-home mom. Chuck enjoys golfing, hunting, fishing and working on their property in Weimar.  Lynn enjoys bike riding and walking their dog, Brisket.

Venetian Estates Homes on Tour
Child Advocates of Fort Bend is excited to announce that two generous VE neighbors at 415 Lombardy and 131 St. Marks have agreed to support CAFB by including their beautiful homes on this year's Christmas Home Tour. Please support this important cause that provides critical services to abused and neglected children in our community. See details in the sidebar and note that there will be increased traffic on Dec. 6 and 7.

Around Town
I represented the buyers of a sprawling 1.5-story, 2+-acre estate in Alkire Lake that will be stunning after extensive renovations. From Tanglewood to Sweetwater to my new beautiful 3-acre estate listing in Shiloh Lakes, I serve clients all over the Houston area. I am grateful for your business and referrals!

Venetian Estates News - November 2023

Real Estate and More…

Venetian Estates Market Update
Five properties, ranging in price from $650,000 to $3.395 million, are actively listed for sale on HAR in Venetian Estates. Last month I sold 306 Lombardy before I had the opportunity to finish photos and install a yard sign! My listings at 519 Lombardy and 814 Piedmont, with their gorgeous lots and well-maintained homes, are rare gems with incredible investment potential. I also have another privately listed move-in-ready home that has been beautifully remodeled. If you have friends or family looking for a building/remodel project or a move-in-ready home, we have a fit! Call me to discuss any of the lovely options currently for sale.

The Anglers’ Edition
A few recent photos of neighbors’ large-mouth bass may leave you with your own mouths agape… 11-year-old Clay Shaffer, son of Kate and Brad Shaffer at 122 St. Marks, landed a mighty-big bass from his dock. Clay is a dedicated fisherman, and you have likely spotted him with his buddy Ian Smith (Salerno St.) riding their bikes, loaded with wobbling poles and tackle boxes, to and from the dam.    14-year-old Luke Ferguson often eases the pain of a Monday morning by rushing his routine to allow for a couple of sunrise casts before heading to school. Donning his school tie and jacket, he was appropriately dressed for the special occasion last month when he landed his largest Lake Venetian bass yet.  


I have yet to ask him how many years old he is 😉, but our new neighbor Shayne Higdon is going to give anglers a run for their  money at next year’s fishing tournament. Shayne and his wife Suzanne are about to break ground on their new home at 402 Piedmont. Apparently, Suzanne can’t count on Shayne to contribute to on-site meetings with their contractor. In group discussions, Suzanne will pose a question to Shayne only to realize that he has wandered off to drop a line in the water. It’s no wonder; he landed this giant catch right off the bulkhead!

New Neighbors
More information about Suzanne, Shayne, and their family in the months ahead, but in the meantime, be sure to say hello at upcoming VE social events! I am delighted to introduce Thelma and Russell Jones, who recently moved into the lovely 306 Lombardy. They have lived in Sugar Land since 1994 and are members of Christ Church, Sugar Land. Russell served on City Council for many years. The two happily retired attorneys have two daughters and three granddaughters, and they look forward to enjoying sunsets on the lake!   

In the News
Longtime resident Nizar Mullani at 719 Santa Maria was awarded the Georg Charles de Hevesy Nuclear Pioneer Award by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) for his outstanding contributions to nuclear medicine. Nizar is one of the pioneers of the first positron emission tomography (PET) prototype. Along with colleagues, Nizar worked day and night to develop a series of PET scanners. SNMMI president Munir Ghesani, MD, said “Not only was he involved with the invention of PET as we know it today, but also he has contributed to countless other advances that are now used on a daily basis, allowing innovative and safer practice of medicine and benefitting thousands of patients every day.” Nizar also invented the DermLite device for skin-cancer detection and the Veinlite device to assist with vein access. Congratulations and thank you, Nizar!  

Around Town
I recently represented the sellers of an office condo in Greatwood and the sellers of a gorgeous home in Colony Park (which sold within one day above list price after receiving multiple offers!). I now have an extraordinary listing in Tanglewood at 1110 Longmont Place Court. Priced at $2.395 million, the 5000+-SF home is on a double-lot in a small, gated community between Sage and Post Oak. The landscaped lawn and pool create a secluded retreat amid the striking Uptown skyline. It is a rare find for someone looking for a lock-and-leave home in the city without sacrificing a sprawling, private lawn.   

Venetian Estates News: June 2023

Real Estate and More…

Venetian Estates Market Update

Four properties, ranging in price from $1.2 to $3.595 million, are actively listed for sale on HAR in Venetian Estates. FBRE sold 402 Lombardy this month. (I’m excited to introduce you to our future neighbor, so read on!) My listings at 814 Piedmont and 122 Tuscany are gorgeous. If you have friends looking to move to VE, one of these homes will be a sure fit! Call me any time to discuss.

New Neighbors

FBRE acted as intermediary in the sale of 310 Lombardy to Tracey and Bucky Richardson. They plan to renovate their home, and phase one begins this summer with a new driveway, expanded garage, and curb appeal. Bucky is from Baton Rouge. He graduated from Texas A&M in 1991 and is now a partner in Environmental Improvements EI2 in Houston, a municipal water and wastewater business. He is an avid golfer and is thrilled to be so close to River Bend CC! Tracey is from Killeen, TX, worked as a court reporter for 25 years, and subsequently for 10 years ran the youth football league that Bucky helped found, Fort Bend GridIron Football. They have three children, Jordan (28), John Paul (21), and Jenna (19). The Richardsons lived in Sienna for the past 18 years, and the kids all graduated from Ridge Point High School. Jordan is a Realtor in Austin, and she was just married in May. John Paul is a football player at TCU. Jenna is a sophomore at Texas A&M pursuing a degree in communications. Now that Bucky and Tracey are empty-nesters they are excited about this new chapter in VE! Between long-time friends that already live here and the amazing new people they have met, Venetian already feels like home, and they feel blessed to be a part of this unique neighborhood in the heart of Sugar Land!

Fun Facts: Bucky was quarterback for Texas A&M and John Paul proudly wears his dad’s college numher, 7. John Paul is a receiver who captured much attention last season and alrady has a fan club on the horned-frog side of the Ferguson family. Look out for John Paul this fall and perhaps a couple of split A&M/TCU flags flying in VE!

The TCU Horned Frogs may be gaining ground, but our next new neighbor will be flying pure maroon. I represented Mike Mopper in the purchase of 402 Lombardy, and he is planning a beautiful home on this gorgeous half-acre property. Mike joins his sister and brother-in-law, Melanie and Adam Cox of 706 Salerno. He is class of ‘99 at A&M, where he earned his degree in Chemical Engineering. Mike’s career has been focused on LNG. He worked overseas with Chevron for over 10 years in London and Perth, Australia. For the last 7 years he has worked for Cameron LNG in Lake Charles. He recently joined Freeport LNG in Houston as Sr. VP of Operations. He has three nephews and one niece who are thrilled to have him in Sugar Land. Cora and Duncan Cox are particularly excited to live a short ferry-ride across the lake from their backyard to Uncle Mike’s! Mike grew up in Missouri City with Melanie and their sister Melinda, who now lives in Greatwood. Their parents still live in Quail Valley.

Fun Fact: Mike, Melanie and Melinda are triplets! I have never before met triplets, and it’s no wonder…medical research explains the rule of thumb, dubbed “Hellin’s Law,” which claims that the pattern in multiple births runs thus: if twins occur at a rate of approximately 1 in 85, triplets will occur at a rate of 1 in 852, quadruplets 1 in 853, and so on. As I type this, I am considering that twin Vaughn boys live across the street from Melanie…I may ask my high-school-statistics-teacher sister Kristin Johnston on Genova to run the stats on the likelihood of multiple multiples on the same street…

Mystery Mail

After sending my April newsletter, a few neighbors informed me that they received empty envelopes. If you were a recipient of this small batch of ghost mail, please text or email me for a PDF copy—don’t miss it!

Around Town

I just sold my gorgeous golf-course listing in Sweetwater. My clients were referred to me by a VE neighbor and client. I am so grateful for your referrals and work hard for your business and trust. I am currently representing the buyers of a classic beauty on an oak-lined street in Greatwood. I am busy all through Houston and Sugar Land, so please call or refer to me with any real-estate questions or requirements.

Venetian Estates News April 2023

Real Estate and More…

Venetian Estates Market Update

Four properties, ranging in price from $925k to $1.695 million, are currently listed for sale on HAR in Venetian Estates.

This month we sold the stunning home at 715 Salerno. We have facilitated several private sales this year. The market remains very strong, yet VE is particularly low in inventory. Please call us if you are considering selling, and we would love to help you structure a sale to meet your goals and timeline.

New Neighbors

We are delighted to introduce our new neighbors at 715 Salerno, Sarah and Brian Smith. Brian is from Chattanooga, TN, and Sarah is from New Waverly, TX. They met while undergrads in San Antonio at Trinity University and have been married for almost 23 years. They are moving from Sienna, where they have lived for 18 years. They own Sienna Plantation Animal Hospital, where Brian serves as the lead veterinarian and medical director. Sarah is a play therapist and has practiced on-and-off over the years while intermittently staying home with their four children. Abigail and Juliet (7th grade), Ian (5th grade), and Violet (1st grade) have attended Fort Bend Christian Academy for the past school year, and the whole family has fallen in love with the school and the VE community! With some good friends in place in VE and many more they can’t wait to meet, the Smiths plan to complete a few projects on the house and to move in by early May. The whole family is talking about what a fun summer this will be!

Nike, Nike!

Last summer, Corey and I traveled through Greece with our boys. In Athens, we learned of the story of Pheidippides, who was employed as a day runner by the Athenian military during the Greco-Persian War in 490 B.C. The Persians far outnumbered the Greeks and were closing in on Athens when the Athenian army met them on the coast of Marathon. Pheidippides was tasked with running 240 km (~150 mi) to Sparta to request their help to defend against the Persians. Sparta said that they could not help right away because they were in the middle of a religious festival. Pheidippides began the return 240-km, two-day journey back to Marathon to relay the disappointing message. However, he returned only to discover that the Greeks had astonishingly already defeated the powerful Persians. He was promptly tasked to run another 42 km (26.2 mi) to Athens to announce the Greeks’ remarkable victory. Legend says that upon arriving in Athens, Pheidippides proclaimed, “Nike! Nike!” (Victory! Victory!) before collapsing to his death from exhaustion. (Though there are rumors that his last words were actually, “My feet are killing me!”)

Our neighbor Brooke Lubojasky can proclaim both “Victory!” and “My feet are killing me!” but with a much happier ending…on April 17th she competed in the 127th running of the Boston Marathon, finishing with a time of 3:38:40. Neighbors may know our resident dedicated-athlete Brooke, who can be seen running in the early morning, late at night, in the rain, with a child, with a dog… Brooke and her husband, Heath, live at 610 Salerno with their three children, Ellis (7), Cole (5), and Collins (3). Brooke returned to running in 2020 during the COVID lockdown and qualified for the 2023 Boston Marathon after her completion of the Chevron Houston Marathon in 2022. Boston was Brooke’s fourth marathon. Her goal is to complete all Abbott World Marathon Majors. She has completed Chicago and Boston and has Berlin, London, Tokyo and New York left. We’re all cheering for you, Brooke!

Market Update

Speaking of running, I have run out of room for a detailed market update. Mortgage rates have eased a bit from their November peak, new listings and inventory are down, sales volume is up, and pricing has increased or declined depending on property type and location. If you would like to discuss personal real estate or simply general market conditions, call me!

Venetian Estates News November 2022

Real Estate and More…

Venetian Estates Market Update

Five properties, ranging in price from $1.1 to $1.995 million, are currently listed for sale on HAR in Venetian Estates. FBRE’s new listing at 106 Sorrento is stunning inside and out! With a gorgeous primary suite, expansive living room, and a gameroom and guest room on the first floor, this house has the perfect floor plan! To boot, the outdoor living areas and resort pool are incredible. At $1,995,000, this property is priced well below replacement value. If you’re considering building on your lot or moving to a newer home, you must see this house!

FBRE listed and promptly sold 310 Lombardy Drive this fall. We listed another property in October and it, too, promptly went under contract. It will close in February to accommodate the sellers’ preferred timeline.

New Neighbors

Susan and Fred Terrell purchased 906 San Marino earlier this year. After 33 years in the oil and gas industry, Fred retired, and he and Susan moved to the Point Clear/Fairhope, AL area. They later moved to Lake Olympia in Missouri City before moving to VE to be nearer to their daughter, Monica, her husband Colin, and their three children. Susan and Fred have found VE to be a beautiful community with friendly neighbors, and they are loving being in walking distance to Monica’s family (who is in the process of remodeling 403 Lombardy) and being able to participate in their grandchildren’s activities.

Our newest neighbors, The Taylors, moved to 610 Piedmont in July. Vonna grew up in Sugar Creek, attending Dulles. Nick is from Sunray, TX but spent summers in Sugar Land and has been a resident for the past twenty years. They have owned houses in almost every “Sugar” neighborhood in Sugar Land and are happy to have finally settled in VE. They have been married for almost 15 years and have two boys, Rivers (9) and Rainn (7), who attend Cornerstone Christian Academy and are active in sports, including baseball, flag football, basketball, soccer, karate, and swim team. The Taylors own Integrity Insurance Services, Inc. (Allstate Insurance) with locations in Webster and Lake Jackson. When they are not working, volunteering, or coaching, they are leading the Better Together connect group at Sugar Creek Baptist Church, where they are members. They already know multiple families in VE and are so incredibly blessed to be part of this amazing community. They love it here and look forward to making many memories with friends and neighbors!

B.B. Italia Bistro & Bar Now Open!

We know la dolce vita here in VE, but Sugar Land just got sweeter with the addition of our newest restaurant! By the time you read this, B.B. Italia will be open in Sugar Land Town Square. Restaurateur Benjamin Berg says he “wanted to bring something entirely new to the area where guests feel that they have been transported to New York City.” Classic Italian-American dishes are made from scratch daily. The French brasserie design “with an Italian twist” features a piano bar with live music from 6-10 PM Wednesdays through Saturdays. There is also a covered veranda for al fresco dining, a stone pizza oven, and a gelato bar. Berg Hospitality Group has created several of Houston’s very best restaurants, pairing outstanding food with a warm and festive atmosphere.

Market Update

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun predicts “the new normal for interest rates could be around 7% for a while.” Pending home sales, touring activity, and online searches are all down approximately 30% from this time last year. Luxury properties such as lots and homes in VE have been insulated as many buyers make cash purchases and are motivated to purchase real estate as a safe long-term investment. While we still have strong, motivated buyers, the prospect pool is smaller than it was a year ago, when more borrowers were motivated to purchase. More than ever, we at FBRE are working hard to serve clients in a changing market. We are peerless in our knowledge and specialized approach to facilitate informed, smooth transactions for buyers and sellers. Please call us to discuss your real estate questions or requirements.

Venetian Estates News February 2022

Real Estate and More…

VE Market Update
There is currently one property listed for sale in Venetian Estates. We have two pending sales, and we now need other properties to market and sell!

We have buyers to fit almost every home/lot in the neighborhood. Several prospects who are waiting for the right property are extremely flexible with timing. For example, some would like to purchase a property now and lease the home back to the seller while they plan for their move and any renovations or new construction. This structure provides the seller with the funds and luxury of time to purchase the right “replacement” property—whether it be immediately or months in the future. We have successfully closed many transactions under this arrangement, and it has worked beautifully for buyers and sellers alike!

We would love to represent you in marketing and selling your home, and we strive to provide Venetian Estates residents with a seamless, stress-free transaction. For references, we would be happy to have you speak with any of our past clients!

Neighbor News
We would like to introduce you to our newest neighbors, Meaghan and Tam Vuong. The Vuongs purchased 314 Lombardy, the previous home of longtime neighbors, Ann and Joel Tucker. Meaghan and Tam have two sons, Trent (20) and Winston (18) and a beautiful baby Shih Tzu (2) named Duke. The Vuongs moved from Barrington in Sugar Land, where they had lived for the past 20 years. They had always hoped to find a one-story in Venetian just the right size for an “almost” empty-nest couple! Dr. Vuong has been a chiropractor in Houston for the past 20 years, and Meaghan helps run his busy office. Meaghan says they cannot wait to get cozy in the neighborhood and venture out to meet everyone.

We will introduce you to our future new neighbors at 402 Piedmont and 914 Piedmont in our next newsletter.

Houston Real Estate News
According to Houston Agent Magazine a Houston housing and hotel project reached a construction milestone this month, topping off the 35-story condo-hotel tower with a ceremonial beam.

A laser light show at the Residences at The Allen and the Thompson Houston hotel marked the occasion. The $500 million project sits across six acres at Allen Parkway and Gillette Street in Houston, overlooking Buffalo Bayou Park. The hotel will feature 170 rooms and occupy the first 15 floors of the building.

The residences, on floors 16-35, will include 99 one-, two- and three-bedroom condominiums and penthouses, ranging from 919 up to 10,000 square feet. Amenities include 24-hour concierge, valet and resident lobby separate from the hotel, plus room service, spa, pool deck, cabanas and restaurants. There also will be a helistop to accommodate drone deliveries! Units are 55% sold. The hotel-condo is expected to be complete in 2023.

Kelly has expertise in the Houston luxury market and would be happy to represent you in the purchase of a penthouse residence should you be interested in a major lifestyle change! 😊

FBRE Update
Speaking of luxury, our gorgeous listing at 427 W Alkire Lake Drive is now active on HAR MLS. The serene estate exudes quality and timeless beauty. We are in love with this house. View more information about this listing on our listings page.

Venetian Estates News November 2021

Real Estate and More…

VE Market Update

Currently one property is actively available for sale in Venetian Estates at 914 Piedmont. This half-acre, tree-shaded lot is ideal for a current VE resident who would like to sell their present waterfront home and build a 1.5- story with a private balcony overlooking one of the longest views down Lake Venice! This is the perfect way to have a brand-new home, enjoy the sunsets over the lake but with no bulkhead responsibility—and potentially all paid for by the sale of your present waterfront property! Call Kelly with questions regarding this lot and construction information.

During the past six months 3 VE homes sold on the HAR MLS. Two of those homes, one recent-construction and the other extensively remodeled, sold for over $1M. The third, a non-waterfront home with few updates, sold in the mid $500’s. Two other non-MLS, lot-value sales also occurred.

Neighbor News
We would like to introduce you to our new neighbors, Betsy and Rick Mudra, who now live on one of the most active and friendly streets in the neighborhood at 806 San Marino!

The Mudras say, “We moved in on June 29th, after living in the same home in Sugar Mill for 34 years. This was Betsy’s mother’s house, Margaret Foster, who passed away in February, at 91 years young. Betsy is a retired teacher, teaching 30 years in FBISD, at Lakeview, Walker Station, and Brazos Bend. Betsy is a cancer survivor. Rick is retired too, after working in the machine tool industry most of his life. We have identical twin daughters and 3 grandsons. Betsy is a fibre artist, working in felting, silks and other fibre media. Rick enjoys woodworking. We have 2 dogs who have helped fill the “empty nest” when the grands are not around. We love sitting outside every morning drinking coffee, watching the sunrise over the lake, then setting in the evening. This is heaven on earth.”
We love hearing “This is heaven on earth.” It is just a reminder for all of us long-term VE residents to never ever take our neighborhood for granted!

Market Outlook 2022
According to Gay Cororaton, National Assoc. of REALTORS SR. ECONOMIST, “Home prices will head upward in 2022, but not at the pace we’ve seen over the past two years. Interest rates will rise but not enough to dampen demand. Tough competition for buyers will continue even as prices rise. Housing starts will continue to tick upward but not as much as they need to! Although all these factors together seem to point to a superheated market like we saw in the mid-2000s, there is no bubble about to burst! A massive correction, like a housing crash, is extremely unlikely.”

FBRE Update
While the pace of sales across the general market slowed somewhat over the past two months, Ferguson + FBRE is still taking off! Kelly recently completed the sale of 22 Jim Davidson Drive in the Sugar Land Airport. Kelly represented the seller of a stunning Class A office and airplane hangar facing State Highway 6 on the airport premises. This incredibly rare property, on a long-term ground lease with the city, required a cultivated, international marketing campaign—and this custom, private-client approach is our specialty. We marry our local expertise with a distinguished, large-scale marketing campaign to give our clients the best of both worlds: local discernment and full global exposure.

We have VE buyers! Please call us if you are considering selling your home now or in the future. We have prospects who are waiting for the right opportunity and they are flexible with timing. They are even willing to lease back to sellers for a year or more. With our discerning approach, we can represent you in customizing & structuring a sale that is best for you!

Venetian Estates News September 2021

Real Estate and More…

VE Market Update
There is currently one property available for sale in Venetian Estates at 914 Piedmont. This half-acre, tree-shaded lot offers an ideal setting to design a dream home, large or small. The serenity provided by the sprawling, private lot rivals that of lakefront properties. This is a special opportunity to enjoy the beautiful lifestyle of Venetian Estates with an extra-large lot and a rare price point!

Neighbor News
Last month we promised to introduce additional neighbors, and we are pleased to welcome two new families in this issue:

Jennifer Nguyen and David Mundy are the new owners of 702 Piedmont. Deborah Jodoin, the previous owner, was the first neighbor to demolish the original VE home on the lot and rebuild anew. Deborah was sad to leave her lovely home and backyard paradise but decided to downsize to a condo near her office.

Jennifer and David are thrilled to be engaged to be married and are very happy to be here in VE! Jennifer has two children and has lived in the Houston area for 15 years. Prior to Houston, she lived in California. Jennifer has worked in insurance for many years, and she currently owns a Farmers agency. David has four children and recently retired. He has lived in the Houston area most of his life, spending a few years in Boston. In addition to a houseful of children, they have cats who supervise everyone! We know David and Jennifer and children and cats are loving the home, large yard, and amazing view from their new home!

Debbie and Marvin Marcell purchased the Bergeron home at 603 Salerno. They are making a few changes prior to moving, but they may be in by the time you read this! Debbie is a Realtor, and Marvin is self-employed in Government Relations Consulting. The Marcells’ daughter Molly and son-in-law Mike Cooper have 11-year-old twin boys and a 5-year-old daughter. They are already enjoying fishing on Lake Venice, and we have told the Marcells that the grandkids will have plenty of neighborhood fishing buddies! Debbie and Marvin have another daughter and son-in-law in Dallas and three granddaughters there, ages 10, 6 and 5. The Marcells are moving from Sweetwater, and prior to that lived in Sienna. They have been thinking about VE for quite some time, and we are happy to finally have them as neighbors here!

Houston-area Market Update
In August, sales in the luxury residential market segment (homes priced $750k+) increased year-over-year by over 30%. While we expect to experience a slower pace in sales beginning this fall, steady growth and demand in the Houston area should sustain. Venetian Estates and immediate neighborhoods are especially well-positioned, as we offer both the convenience of access and proximity to the city and serenity of a cultivated suburb.

FBRE Update
We currently have buyers queued up for all property types in VE, including remodeled or new homes, fixer-uppers, and lots. Please call us if you are considering selling. We love our work and especially enjoy helping buyers and sellers find their perfect matches and making the purchase/sale process fair and enjoyable.

We currently have a stunning Robert Dame-designed estate listed for sale in our “sister” neighborhood of Alkire Lake. The gorgeous home at 1309 N. Horseshoe Drive exudes quality and timeless beauty, and the 2+ acre lot boasts a gorgeous grove of oak trees and one of the finest, panoramic lake views in Alkire. Celebrate the coming of fall this weekend and stop by, whether considering the home for yourself or a friend or simply to enjoy the beauty of the home and say hello!

Venetian Estates News August 2021 - New Neighbor Edition!

 

New-Neighbor Edition

Through the flurry of transactions over the past year, we have had delightful additions to our neighborly neighborhood! While we know many of you have already had the pleasure of getting to know our new neighbors, it is a joy to share notes with you about a few of these wonderful families! We introduced the Cox family in our June newsletter, and they, along with the Shermans and Buells, were featured in the official VE Newsletter, the Mainsail. Enjoy getting to know each of these families as you see them around the neighborhood!

Nancy and Pete Olson, 903 San Marino The Olsons moved to VE at the end of 2020. They are empty-nesters, except for their adorable COVID Cavapoo puppy, Maisy. Their daughter, Kate (24), lives in Washington, DC and works for Booz Allen Hamilton, and their son, Grant (21), is a college basketball player in Kansas. At 7’ tall, Grant is easy to spot in the neighborhood when he is home from school! Pete recently retired from serving 12 years as our representative in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is now a consultant, focusing primarily on issues affecting the Houston region. Nancy is a community volunteer and is especially passionate about Child Advocates of Fort Bend. She looks forward to serving as the next CAFB board president. Nancy and Pete are loving lake life and feel so blessed to have landed in the best community in Sugar Land!

Payal & Santosh Dixit, 911 San Marino Two houses down from the Olsons is the Dixit family, who moved in at the tail-end of 2020. Payal and Santosh are both physicians. Santosh is originally from New Orleans and is an emergency-medicine physician at Elite Care Emergency in Rice Village and Patients Emergency Room in Baytown. Payal was born and raised in Houston and is a dermatologist and Mohs (skin cancer) surgeon at Complete Dermatology in Sugar Land. The Dixits have three children. Riya is 6 and starting first grade at Highlands Elementary. Mila, 4, and Shiyan (aka the Destroyer😊),1, attend Telfair Montessori. The Dixits enjoy good old fashioned family time and traveling. They love being a part of our friendly neighborhood and Payal has already organized a neighborhood street party complete with food truck and family fun!

Monica & Colin Taylor, 815 San Marino

The Taylors purchased the lot at 311 Lombardy and are living on San Marino while they build their new home. They have three children: Jack and Oliver will be going into the 3rd grade and Hazel will be going into 2nd grade at FBCA. Monica and Colin say they love the neighborhood and have already met so many wonderful residents. They enjoyed living in Sienna but say that moving here was one of the best decisions they ever made!   

Susie & Jim Murray, 534 Lombardy 

The Murray family has lived in this area for 26 years and has dreamed of moving to VE for a while. Their beautiful home is under construction, and they hope to move in December. Jim’s career has been in the insurance industry with agencies around Texas. Susie does volunteer work and plays tennis at Sweetwater. They have 5 kids: Wesley and Daniel (twins) are founders/owners of an e-commerce insurance company. (Daniel and his wife Marie have 2 girls and their 3rd baby is due in December.) Alyssa is a pediatric nurse at Dell Children's Hospital in Austin. Jonathon is in supply chain management with McLane Distribution in Dallas and is engaged to be married to Paulina Kardoush this fall. Stephen is a Junior at Strake Jesuit High School (and will walk dogs, mow yards, pick up mail or do just about any work to make a few dollars!).  The Murrays are very excited to be joining the VE community and look forward to meeting everyone! 

 

We are out of room yet still have more new-neighbor info for you! Look for another Venetian Estates News soon!

Venetian Estates News June 2021

 Real Estate and More

VE Market Update

First and foremost, please join us at our Open House at 702 Piedmont this Saturday, June 26 from 1 - 3 PM. 

Stop by to say hello and tour this beautiful 5100 square-foot home on a gorgeous ½-acre lot with a stunning view across Lake Venice. The home will go active on MLS on Thursday, and we are expecting a great turn out for the open house! We would love for you to stop by, whether you are considering a move within VE or whether you bring friends wanting to become a part of our great neighborhood. We always welcome neighbors to our open houses, as you are our best source of referrals for future clients!

We have been busy this year! Here is a recap of activity and sales in VE: Six homes/lots have sold and closed thus far in 2021. We have sold five of the six – representing either buyer, seller, or both. Two homes are pending sale, making 702 Piedmont the only available property. (To boot, this 12-year-old gem with an exceptional floor plan and open lake view is a rare find!) 

Please call us if you are considering selling. We may have just the right “buyer-in-waiting” for your home or lot. 

Neighborhood News

We were sorry to see our dear neighbor and longtime board member, Sue Frewin, move away; however, we are so happy for Sue as she is now settled near her son and other family members. We are also thrilled to have Melanie and Adam Cox as our newest neighbors in VE! Kelly met Melanie and Adam several years ago, and when Sue asked us to market her lovely home on Salerno, Kelly knew the home would be a good fit for their family! See the note below from Melanie and be sure to say hello when you spot their family on the street or on the lake!

We are so excited to be in Venetian Estates! We are the Cox family: Adam, Melanie, Cora (9years old), and Duncan (8 years old). We have three dogs, two Cavaliers, and one Beagle. My husband Adam works in the energy industry and I work in technology for Wells Fargo. Our kids attend Logos Prep and will be in 4th and 3rd grade this August. I grew up in Missouri City and have always loved VE. We’ve looked at several houses over the past few years and are so happy to have finally found a home here. We are members at Sugar Creek Country Club and play tennis and golf. After living in Sienna we are so excited about being in a small close knit neighborhood!

In addition to this sweet family, we have several other new families that we have been delighted to welcome to the neighborhood over the past several months! We have already begun preparing a new-neighbor special-edition newsletter. Look out for it soon! 

 

Market Update from HAR

We have been working at a record pace. You may have noticed this, with all our transactions in VE—a.k.a., our favorite place to work! However, we are also busy with sales in neighborhoods including Lake Pointe, Riverstone, the Hill, Sugar Mill, and inner-loop neighborhood favorites of West U and Afton Oaks. Read excerpts from a recent HAR market update for a better understanding of just how hot Houston has been (even before June weather hit!):

 

Houston area home sales set new records in May…. What resulted was a nearly 50 percent jump in sales volume compared to the same month last year. Limited supply, strong buyer demand and increased construction costs all contributed to record high home prices. 

 

Homes priced from $750,000 and above led the way in May sales volume, shattering all previous measurements with a whopping 291.0 percent year-over-year increase.

Featured Listing

Welcome to Venetian Estates

Katie, Andrew, Darcy, Beau and Goose
106 Capri

Memorial Day 2020
Antique Car Parade Watch

Venetian Estates News May 2020

Real Estate and More

VE Market Update

There are currently five Venetian Estates properties listed for sale on HAR.COM. These properties range in price from $565,000 for the vacant lot on Capri to $2.1 million for the stunning home located at 203 Savoy Street. Other properties are priced at $795,000, $995,000 and $1.8 M. Call us for details!! During the past six months there have been four Venetian sales. FBRE both listed and sold each of these properties!

We recently closed on an off-market sale (working as an intermediary between the seller and the buyer. )The prospective buyer was referred to us by a past client and (future VE neighbor) who introduced us to her friend by saying, “ I want to connect you with Susan and Kelly, the quintessential Realtors in Venetian Estates.” We are so appreciative of referrals from neighbors and past clients! This particular prospect was not very familiar with VE. Kelly spent a great deal of time touring the neighborhood, going over a neighborhood aerial lot by lot, pointing out the perks of living here, and explaining our history and current real estate values. After the property was under contract we worked with the appraiser, who had very little knowledge of VE, to explain past sales and valuation nuances to him. The sale closing was a win-win for both the buyer and the seller. As always, we are sad when present neighbors move away, yet it brings such joy to share the treasure of VE with new neighbors, who will soon be friends and active members of our community! (Look for new-neighbor information in a future newsletter.)

Kelly recently posted the gorgeous photos of 203 Savoy online as well as the amazing virtual tour which truly gives you the actual perspective within this luxurious, yet wonderfully livable home. The private master suite, three of the secondary bedrooms, with en suite baths, and the expansive living areas are all located on the first floor. Walk through the home online and then call Kelly for a personal tour if you would like to consider moving within the neighborhood to this remarkable home on an expansive lot with an incredible backyard breeze! Share this info with friends who would love to live in a new home in our neighborhood but prefer to avoid the construction- building process.

REAL-ESTATE INVESTMENT OUTLOOK

Dr. Ted C Jones, PhD and chief economist/Sr. VP of Stewart Title predicts that, post COVID-19, there will be pent-up demand for real estate Driving factors include stock-market volatility, oil markets, and inflationary concerns.  People will see real estate as a safer place to invest their money. Ted foresees even further declines in mortgage rates—perhaps below 3%.  What a great time to buy! 

We participated in an online conference with another one of our favorite economists, Mark Dotzour. Mark emphasized how all facets of real estate, from commercial to ranch to residential, are especially attractive in the current and future environments. Mark specially noted that, after working remotely through COVID-19 orders, employers and employees will see less need for full “in-the-office” hours, and, as a result, suburban neighborhoods will see increased demand. Indeed, considering its serene setting combined with easy access, VE is the very best suburban neighborhood in greater Houston!

New Neighbors

We sold 106 Capri, and Julie and Mark Macdonell are now in the process of moving to the charming Belknap-Brookside neighborhood, where FBRE previously represented both of their daughters in the purchase of homes. Now Julie and Mark are so excited to join their daughters, sons-in-law, and grandkids there! And we are so excited that our new 106 Capri neighbors will be Katie (Friedman) and Andrew Faught, who are relocating from San Antonio. Katie grew up alongside Kelly and Kristin in our home at 534 Lombardy and then later at our present home on Santa Maria. She’s a highly decorated VE Fishing Tournament Champion 😊 Katie and Andrew have two children, Darcy Drew (4) and William Beau (3). Their family includes Goose, an Australian Mini Shepherd, and Charley Cat. Katie is a Realtor with Phyllis Browning Co., a luxury real estate firm in San Antonio.  Katie will be joining Ferguson + FBRE after she completes her commitments to her clients in San Antonio.  Andrew is a mortgage loan officer with the investment lending firm of Corridor Funding, securing financing for clients all over the U.S.

LOCAL EXPERISE.DISCERNING STYLE.CUSTOM SERVICE

Fort Bend Real Estate Corporation and Ferguson Real Estate Consulting

have created a powerful, distinct platform for purchasing and selling luxury real estate. Kelly and Susan's refined approach maximizes exposure while maintaining high-touch and customized, private-client service to ensure optimal experience and performance for clients. 

Kelly and Susan represent both residential and commercial clients throughout the Sugar Land, Fort Bend County and Houston, Harris County areas.  However, when it comes to Venetian Estates no other Realtor or real estate company comes close to the number of sale transactions handled by FBRE. 

This lake community, with its peaceful lifestyle and outstanding access off Highway 90A & I-69/US 59 is the only one of its kind in the Houston area. 

Venetian Estates News January 2020

Real Estate and More

VE Market Update

There are currently five Venetian Estates homes/lots on the market for sale with prices ranging from $550,000 to $1.8 M.

In 2019 there were 7 recorded MLS sales in our subdivision ranging in price from $430,000 (off-water) to over $1M. Three other sales were unrecorded, as they sold pre-market. November and December proved to be a very busy time for FBRE, not only in Venetian but in surrounding neighborhoods as well.  In December we sold a gorgeous two- acre tract on Lake Eldridge adjacent to Paradise Point on Highway 90A. We represented the buyers in this transaction and convinced an unwilling and unmotivated owner to sell! The transaction was a win-win for both parties and our client is in the process of planning for what will be a stunning new home.

We were invited by Stewart Title to attend the  January 2020 economic forecast presentation by Dr. Ted C. Jones, PhD and acclaimed chief economist and Sr. Vice President of Stewart Title Guaranty Company.  There are always major “take-aways” from Ted Jones’ presentations relative to the local residential and commercial markets. According to Dr. Jones if you are considering putting your home on the market February is the month to do so! We have always advised clients that March is the best time so we are very close to being in agreement...perhaps FBRE simply sells its listings more quickly than the average Realtor, so OUR clients can list a bit laterJ. The bottom line is this: If you are thinking of selling please call us now and we will be ready-to-go as soon as the trees are green and the rainy weather is over. We, in Venetian, know how especially beautiful our neighborhood is when the sun is sparkling on our lakes and spring is in the air! We still have buyers waiting for that perfect VE home or lot so give us a call.

New Neighbors

One of our 2019 end-of-year sales was the home located at 914 Piedmont. This property was home to Paula and James Suchma for 50 years! The Suchmas are remaining in the area but have moved to a smaller home with considerably less property than their over ½-acre lot!  Our new neighbor is certainlysomeone you will recognize if you see him around…But as we have promised him to keep quiet…MUM is the word for now.

Our new neighbors at 122 Saint Marks are Kate and Brad Shaffer. Kate is originally from Victoria and Brad grew up in Sugar Land. Kate and Brad met at & graduated from Texas A&M. Brad works in commercial real estate. Kate and Brad moved from a beautiful home in Sugar Mill that sold the first day on the market!

The Shaffers have two children who attend FBCA. Macy will be 5 in February and Clay turned 8 this month.  Clay plays baseball and Macy in into gymnastics. The whole family enjoys golf (Kate played for A & M!), fishing, Aggie sports and anything outside!  The whole family, including their puppy Darcy, is looking forward to meeting more neighbors.

BancorpSouth ATM

Here at FBRE, we are thrilled to once again have access to “fast cash” on the way in or out of Venetian Estates! BancorpSouth recently expanded their retail/personal banking services located in our office building to include a drive-up ATM, and we hope that neighbors are enjoying this convenience.

As the retail business has grown, the mortgage division of this Sugar Land branch remains a shining star of the entire BancorpSouth Bank. This team of bankers is special—they’ve been tremendously successful and truly set themselves apart by creating meaningful, personal relationships with their clients. We’re always pleased to make an introduction if you have yet to meet this VE neighbor!

Coming Soon!

Many of you are familiar with the Belknap Brookside area off Brooks Street, with lovely tree-lined streets, where neighbors often walk and visit in the common area overlooking Oyster Creek. Belknap Brookside is a “neighborly neighborhood,” similar to Venetian Estates in many ways. We have a great listing coming up this week. If you know of anyone who loves the area please tell them to contact us. This home sits on a large tree- shaded corner lot. It has been maintained to perfection and is full of upgrades and updates! Call us to see!