Venetian Estates News - January 2013

Past, Present and Future

Then
There were 10 sales in Venetian Estates last year. Six of those sales were recorded on the HAR MLS and four of the sales were unrecorded. Sale prices ranged from the $300,000s to the $600,000s, and some were “land value” only. I participated in 9 of the 10 sales. In several cases I acted as an intermediary between the buyers and sellers.

Just for fun, let’s look waaaay back: In December of 1989 I wrote this in my Venetian Estates News. “As the busy holiday season approaches and this year comes to an end I would like to give you a current update on the home sales in Venetian Estates this year. Since January 1, 1989 there have been eleven home sales in our subdivision reported on the Multiple Listing Service. The sales prices range from $128,500 to $259,000. We have seen a steady increase in prices during this past year. And I believe that prices in Venetian Estates will continue to increase. I am presently working with prospective buyers who would like to purchase a home or lot in Venetian Estates. Please give me a call if you have considered selling your home and let me show it to these prospective buyers.”

It’s interesting to look back and see how things have changed...yet, I could have written those same words today if I changed the date and the sales price range!

When I referred in that 1989 newsletter to purchasing a “lot” I was referring to the three lots that at that time were still vacant. Those lots were located at 907 Genova, 802 San Marino and 311 Savoy. Homes were built on those lots in 1995, 1999  and 2011, respectively. The only way to get a “lot” today is to tear down a house and, of course, we know that has been done several times during the past couple of years.

and Now
2013 has brought much interest in VE! Showing activity has been very strong--and there are only three active listings at the moment. Word has spread  that this neighborhood is a gem...and it’s still spreading. Recent showings have been to old (my age!) and young, inner-loopers, and northwest Houstonians.

Visit www.har.com/susanfriedman and click the link to watch the informational video I created to describe our neighborhood.

I have a new listing that will soon be on the market. It is a four-bedroom home with extensive updates. The owner will consider leasing, so please keep this in mind if you know someone who may be interested in a short- or long-term lease.

Looking Ahead
January is an appropriate time to reflect on the past, present and future. However, this year it has brought another “tense” issue...

Many of our clients have expressed concern over the new 3.8% investment income tax. I have enclosed a NAR article featured on www.harconnect.com that provides a succinct overview of the tax. Of course, for specific questions regarding the tax and its personal implications, consult your CPA. 

Please call me if you are thinking of selling within the next year or so. I have a buyer who is willing to wait!

FBRE Update

Bud Friedman has been busy showing ranches over the past few months. More and more people are wanting to buy property for investment while enjoying it for recreation. Bud has recently shown properties in Gonzales and surrounding counties as well as in the lovely Brenham area.

Another work-weekend at the ranch!
The boys always work (and play) hard,
but these bird dogs don't like to get
their paws dirty!

Many investors are looking for alternatives to traditional stocks, bonds and commodities and are turning to real estate. In her article “Texas Land” featured in the May 2011 FBBJ, Kelly Ferguson wrote, “History demonstrates that land offers a stable investment and hedge against inflation. Texas is the fastest-growing state in the nation, and investors have the opportunity to purchase beautiful ranch land within or around the powerful Houston-San Antonio-Austin triangle.”

If you have interest in “Texas Land” call or email Bud at 281.242.2200 or bud@fbre.net

Email or call if you have news for the newsletter!

Venetian Estates News - November 2012

Let's Talk Turkey

Turkey Trot

What fun everyone has had at our most recent annual tradition!  Our neighbor Catherine Bell organized the first VE Turkey Trot in 2010, and last year we had even more neighbors and friends participate. It’s time for Turkey Trot #3!

Meet at the Frost Bank parking lot on Thanksgiving morning at 8:00 to walk or run our neighborhood circle together.

We will accept donations for the Wounded Warrior Project. The mission of WWP is to honor and empower wounded service members by raising awareness of and directly meeting their needs. The vision is “to foster the most successful , well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history.”

The Turkey Trot is a wonderful way to show our soldiers how thankful we are for their service! A suggested donation is $20 per family. Last year we made $170 for CASA--let’s raise even more for WWP this year! 

Address checks to the Wounded Warrior Project. For more information contact Catherine Bell at 281-565-5849 or visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org. (If you can’t attend the Turkey Trot, you may mail or deliver a donation to the Bells’ home at 915 Piedmont.)

New to the Roost

We will soon have new neighbors at 123 Sorrento. Regina and Bryan Lee are high school sweethearts who grew up in Alief. They graduated from UT in Austin, married in 1996 and moved to New York, where Bryan went to medical school and Regina began her consulting career. After 7 wonderful years in NY they moved back to the Houston area to start a family. 


They purchased a home in Sugar Lakes, where they have raised their 8-year-old daughter, Katelynn, and a 6-year-old son, Matthew. Both children attend Highlands Elementary. Lucky, a 2-lb. Yorkie is also part of the family.

Bryan owns Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists and is a board-certified foot surgeon and podiatrist. He has been practicing since 2003 and his main office is in Sugar Creek
. Regina is a litigation consultant for AlixPartners. She travels often and the Lees love to use her frequent flyer miles to vacation in tropical destinations. 

The Lees love to bike ride, and they discovered the lot on Sorrento while riding one afternoon. The next week Regina called me and we talked about VE while she sat in the swing, the only thing left on the property since the Hamilton home was demolished.

The Lees have offered to host a VE event in their home after construction is complete. They are looking forward to the move-in date which is still a little down the road!

Squawk Box
A neighbor is looking for an electric party boat. If you have one for sale let me know.

Several VE ladies get together on Tuesday evenings at 5 for dinner prior to attending Merry Ministries. Merry Ministries is a women's interdenominational group that meets weekly to worship God, study the Bible, pray and fellowship with each other. The class is led by Mary Willis, who is teaching through the Bible. MM meets at  6:30 PM at First United Methodist Church on Eldridge Road. We would love to have you join us. Call me for  more info.

If you are considering moving please call me. I have one particular buyer who is very eager to find the right location in VE. They prefer to remodel or build.

Pile it On

Real-estate investments, that is. So says Ted Jones, Chief Economist for Stewart Title. Ted says interest rates will rise so now is the time to load up on as much real estate as you can. Real estate provides a hedge against inflation. Investors currently have the opportunity to buy while locking in record-low rates and watch income rise as rents rise. Read Ted Jones‘ regularly posted informative (and colorful) commentaries on: blog.stewart.com/ted


Call our office to discuss investing in residential or commercial real estate.  

Venetian Estates News - September 2012

In the Know

Know Your Neighbors

I recently sold the Roberts’ home located at 407 Savoy. If you drive that way you have surely noticed changes in the landscaping. Major interior renovations are taking place as well. The updated home will be amazing when Natalie and Greg Nielson, our new neighbors, are finished!

Greg works for Redstone Companies as Senior VP of their Houston Golf properties, which include Shadow Hawk, Houstonian Golf & Country Club, Redstone, and Black Horse. Natalie is Spa Manager for Trellis Spa at the Houstonian Golf & Country Club.  They have two children, Zach, 23, who lives in Scottsdale, AZ and Taylor, 19, who is beginning her sophomore year at the University of Alabama. Their dog Orson is a 12 year old lab/ blue heeler mix. Their cats, Boo and Bennie, are settling into their new home as well.

Natalie and Greg have always wanted to live in Venetian Estates, and Natalie says that they cannot believe they are actually here! Everyone has been extremely warm and welcoming and they are very excited about their home renovation project. 

We also have brand-new neighbors at 307 Savoy. Andi and Vincent Maceo have moved in after a huge remodeling project. The Washburn boys will not recognize the place!  Andi and Vincent have three children – two in Austin and one in Chicago – and three granddaughters in Austin. Andi is a broker with Cole Commercial and Vicent is retired from Xerox Corporation. 

Andi and Vincent are still in “moving” mode as they consolidate one house in College Station and another in Houston into their new Venetian Estates home. When they first saw VE they knew this was the place they wanted to call home! They look forward to settling in and continuing to remodel.
 
Know Who to Call

Matthew Stauffacher, son of Kathy and Ray Stauffacher at 111 Tuscany is a high school student at Fort Bend Christian Academy and has started a business called Matt’s Pool Cleaning and “Stuff” You Don’t Want To Do Service. Matt comes highly recommended by Lydia and Ed Crowell at 106 Tuscany. He has been cleaning their pool for several months and is a very responsible and nice young man. Matt will do pool cleaning, yard raking and odd jobs in and around your home. You can reach him at 281.277.8680 or mhstauffacher@gmail.com.
 
Know Where to Go

We all know how difficult it is to say goodbye to this special neighborhood. However, when you plan to spend several months a year on your own private century-old farm in Italy... well, perhaps that would help ease the pain. Our good neighbors, Susan and Rick Rodgers will be spending more time living la dolce vita abroad and have given me the opportunity to market their one-of-a-kind property.

This backyard paradise has abundant mature fruit, pecan, red bud and oak trees, to name a few! Imagine this park-like, secluded hideaway belonging to you or one of your friends. The ¾+ acre lot offers wonderful breezes, good fishing and privacy, and is the only VE lot with views and access to both Lake Eldridge and Lake Venice!

Know Where to Work

Since purchasing the Frost Bank Building five years ago we have maintained 100% occupancy. Now, for the first time, we have offices available! With the soon-to-be vibrant Imperial Historic District directly across Hwy 90 and our own building undergoing major exterior improvements in early 2013, this is a rare opportunity to office in an exceptional property within walking distance from home! Contact Kelly Ferguson at 281.242.1261 or kelly@fbre.net.
 
Know the Market

On Sept. 13 the Federal Reserve propelled markets with its announcement of open-ended buying of mortgage-backed-securities and promise to keep interest rates low for years. As a result, mortgage rates are edging back to all-time lows. With 30-year rates averaging around 3.5%, it’s a great time to sell or buy. Please call me if you are considering entering the market.

Know This Neighborhood!

What is the best way to get to know a neighborhood? You can do the research online - schools, taxes, demographics etc. But you really get to know a neighborhood by getting to know the most valuable asset any neighborhood has - the people who live there. I have lived in Venetian Estates for 28 years and know the majority of homeowners here.  We love our neighborhood and we often come together to visit, celebrate and support one another. If you are not a part of this fabulous neighborhood and would like to be please call me for a tour of available properties or even a tour of our recreational lakes. I will also introduce you to residents - new neighbors as well as those who have lived here 30 years or more! If you drive through and 'fall in love' we would love for you to be a part of this place we call 'home.'