Venetian Estate News - January 2014

News of the Neighborhood
In review: Ten sales took place in Venetian Estates during 2013.  I sold seven of those homes – some before they even went on the market! Sales included one in the upper $300s, three in the $400s, three in the $500s and three in the $600s.  Five of the ten were land value sales and four were homes needing extensive remodeling. 

I currently have two sales in VE pending.

There are only two VE homes presently available on the MLS. My new listing at 907 Piedmont is a great buy for someone wanting to live in VE without undergoing a major remodeling project. The home is priced at $399,000 and has approximately 3100 square feet. There are three bedrooms, two of which could be considered masters. The huge living area has vaulted ceilings and there is a large sun room overlooking the shady lot and private dock.  As the sound wall is becoming covered with ivy, the view from this Estates Lake property is very pretty and serene.  The back yard view reminds me of my favorite childhood book, The Secret Garden! Remember you can fish or canoe on this two-acre lake!  I recall one of our past neighbors on Estates Lake, Mr. Roeher. He used to catch fish off his dock and have them for dinner that very night!

New to the Neighborhood
I am so happy to tell you about our new neighbors at 907 Genova! Scott and Nikki Hartman fell in love with our neighborhood. Who doesn’t? They moved in to Genova immediately after spending Christmas with Scott’s family in the UK. Nikki is from Alabama (my home state) and her family lives there.  Nikki and Scott met in Birmingham when Scott was working there.  They have been married less than two years and are looking forward to having their first “real” home in Texas. Scott is employed with Shell.  Two baby Chihuahuas will also be at home at 907 Genova. Dave and Coconut are each one year old.

The New Market
If you are thinking of selling please call me. I may already have a buyer for your home! Some want to build on one of the larger lots but there are several potential buyers who would love to remodel.

The Houston market is projected to remain a seller’s market; however, prices are not projected to continue to rise as rapidly as they did in 2013. Lending institutions will be working overtime to keep up with the new rules and regulations. Interest rates will probably go up during the coming year, though inflation is expected to remain low.  New construction starts should continue at a rapid pace but, due to cost increases in material, we may see higher prices on new homes this year. There is also a shortage of available lots for builders who want to increase their inventory/spec homes.

2014 will be the year that we finally see residential construction in the Imperial Development. Some models will be ready this spring. Many of the patio homes (yet to be built) have already been sold. Many of our neighbors are considering a move from Venetian right across the highway to Imperial. Let me know if you would like to learn more. I am very excited about Imperial’s community and have relationships with the developers and builders. I may also have VE buyers who would buy now but not take possession of your home until your new home is complete.

FBRE Update 

Last year I sold homes in Quail Valley, First Colony, Townewest, Richmond, Sugar Creek and Memorial. As much as I love selling in Venetian Estates I represent buyers and sellers throughout Houston and the surrounding areas. Please have your friends or family call me when thinking of buying or selling!

I was nominated and selected to serve as 2014 Chair of the Houston Association of Realtors Fort Bend Business Networking Group. We hold monthly luncheons at Sweetwater CC, with 300 Realtors and affiliates in attendance. If any neighbors would like a business advertising opportunity at one of the monthly luncheons please contact me. (While having dinner with a past client last week he said, “What do I need to do to obtain an “advertising spot” at your luncheon.”) Of course the answer is “All it takes is money!” I secured Jim McIngvale to speak at our April luncheon. He has big news about the new Gallery Furniture Center in Fort Bend County!

Venetian Estate News - November 2013

Around the Neighborhood

Gear Up

Turkeys fly and so does time. It is hard to believe that Catherine Bell’s idea for a VE Turkey Trot is now four years old…Yes, this Thanksgiving Day the Fourth Annual VE Turkey Trot will take place. Over the years neighbors have enjoyed kicking off Thanksgiving Day by talking with each other while walking/trotting around the neighborhood. I suggest this year that those who walk/run fast take the five-mile route down all the streets while those who enjoy a more leisurely stroll simply make the two-mile circle. This provides an opportunity to visit with more neighbors as we continually run into different families coming off the cul-de-sacs on to the main route.


Meet in our office building (formerly the Frost Bank building) parking lot on Thanksgiving morning at 8 AM. Donations this year will go to Living Water International, a faith-based non-profit organization that helps communities in developing countries acquire safe drinking water.  Living Water is based in Houston. Suggested donations are $20 per family. Last year $155 was collected for the Wounded Warrior Project. Let’s try to beat that number this year! If you want to contribute to the VE donation but can’t make the walk, please mail or bring your check (directed to Living Water International) to the Bells’ house at 915 Piedmont. For more information contact Catherine Bell at 281-565-5849 or visit www.water.cc.

Sip n’ See
The October VE Wine and Cheese Social was such a fun evening! Natalie and Greg Nielson’s renovation of 407 Savoy is beautiful! (See pictured neighbors Julie and Mark Macdonell of 106 Capri and Melissa and Jeff Crawford of 410 Lombardy at the event).  The next opportunity to Sip n’ See will be the VE Christmas party on December 8 at the beautiful new home of Regina and Bryan Lee at 123 Sorrento. 


Sweet on Sugar Land
On October 26 builders chosen for the first phase of the Imperial Development showcased their patio- and townhome floor plans. I attended, as did several of our neighbors. There is a great deal of excitement as the residential development gets underway. Six of the patio home lots have already been sold! 

If you would like more information regarding “the sweet life” in Imperial, please call me. I would love to represent you in making the best choice among the builders and floor plans. And of course I would love to represent you in the sale of your Venetian Estates home.  My knowledge of the neighborhood and my passion for the lifestyle here make a great combination when “selling” to prospects. I have two prospects that could buy your home now and let you stay there for a few months or lease it back for a longer period. This allows you the flexibility of obtaining your proceeds while not being pressured to make a decision as to where to move. Whatever your specific needs, I may already have a prospect and I can help you determine the correct value for your home.


Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice
That is what girls are made of. The other day I watched my daughter, Kristin Johnston (303 Savoy) teach her daughter (my only granddaughter as I write this) to ride her bike without training wheels. What memories and evidence that time flies...I vividly remember teaching Kristin to ride her ‘big bike’ on Lombardy  in December of 1984!  By the time you read this Kristin may be the mother of 3 and I the grandmother of 6! Our daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Corey Ferguson (718 Santa Maria) have a third baby boy, Pete Ruffin who is now one month old. What do they say boys are made of? Frogs and snails and puppy-dogs’ tails? I can’t argue with the frogs and snails...

New Neighbors

Our new neighbors at 107 Tuscany are Madge and Keith Jones. Madge is a Realtor with Nino Realtors and I so enjoyed working with her in the purchase of their new home! Keith is Senior Vice-President of Operations for the Houston Rockets.  He is in his 18th season with the Rockets! Madge and Keith have three children. Morgan is 21 and a graduate of A & M. Alex, 17, is a senior and Isaiah,16, is a junior at Dulles.  Madge and Keith have done a superb job in the renovation of their home. They are now in the process of adding a gorgeous swimming pool! I understand the Jones have already been welcomed by a “street party” on Tuscany. (What a great idea!)

OCTOBER WINE & CHEESE SOCIAL

Neighbors had fun chatting and sampling various wines. Many enjoyed the beautiful patio area overlooking Lake Venice.

 

Venetian Estates News - October 2013

In the Neighborhood

Homes for Sale

There are presently three homes available on the MLS priced from $459,000 to $950,000. 914 Gondola is pending sale.

My listing at 903 San Marino ($459,000) provides a great opportunity for those who recognize that NOW is the time to buy in VE. Most likely the home will be torn down as it does not lend itself easily to a remodel.  I have spoken with a couple of potential buyers for this ‘lot’ who would consider living in the home until they are ready to build. This could be a good option if land values continue to rise.

My listing at 907 Genova has been temporarily taken off the market. It was under contract for 45 days but, at the last minute, the buyers’ lender was unable to provide the financing to which they had committed. (On a side note – beware and tell your friends to beware of lenders with whom you or they have had no first-hand recommendation or experience.) This home will be back on the market soon, but in the meantime let me know if you know of anyone who might be interested and I will be glad to send them photos or show them the home. The 946-SF garage apartment is also perfect for a home office! The lot is beautiful and the price ($679,000) is a steal! The owners will consider carrying financing.

News of the Neighborhood
A total of 9 sales have taken place so far this year.  (I have sold 7 of those. One of the homes I sold twice!) Four of the homes have been or will be torn down.  However, lately I have more prospects for a home to be remodeled than I have for a ‘lot.’  PLEASE let me know if you are considering selling. I can almost guarantee that I have a prospect for your home.

New to the Neighborhood
We are eager to welcome the Arayath family to the neighborhood. They expect their new home at 126 St Marks to be complete in the first quarter of 2014. George, who works in the chemical industry, and Julie, who works for the Harris County Hospital District, have four children:  Isaac (13), Nathan (11), Tobias (7) and Justin (2). George has lived in Sugar Land for over 30 years, and VE has always been one of his favorite neighborhoods.

Your newest “neighbors” leasing space in our office building are Debbie and Don Heath. Debbie owns Accounting Services & Consulting, which focuses on bookkeeping services for churches and non-profits. Don is the director of Touching Hearts at Home, which operates on the premise that maintaining independence is a key to ensuring the highest quality of life for adults. The company’s expertise is providing non-medical in-home assistance to help adults live and stay independent.  Don and his staff believe that bringing quality, safety and friendship to clients is a privilege. Call them at 281.235.4075 or visit www.touchinghearts-brochure.com/fortbend for more information.


New Happenings
This will be our third year sponsoring a youth hunt under Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Youth Hunting Program.We will host the hunt on our ranch in Gonzales County on Nov. 8-10. The program is primarily for first-time hunters (boys and girls) between the ages of 9 and 17. Call Bud at our office if you have a friend or family member who may be interested

FBRE Update

I have sales pending in Townewest and Sienna Plantation. I closed sales this week in Sugar Mill and The Highlands in First Colony. Point being: I love referrals in all areas of Fort Bend and Houston! Please ask your friends and family to call when they are considering purchasing or selling.

It was worth the wait! The custom metal awnings for our building took longer than expected to manufacture, but we love the finished product. We are working on very exciting projects pertaining to the tenancy of and additional improvements to the property and hope to be able share details soon. We have remaining space available, so call Kelly Ferguson at 281.242.1261 if you or someone you know is looking for office space.  High ceilings, open floor plans and proximity to the soon-to-be fabulous Imperial Redevelopment make it a great place to work!