Venetian Estates News - January 2015

Market News

News of the Neighborhood
There were twelve sales in VE in 2014, which is two more than in 2013. Prices ranged from the mid-$300k’s to mid-$700k’s. I sold eight of the twelve and am off to a great start in 2015 with four pending sales--all closing this month. One of the homes sold pre-MLS. List prices range from approximately $600k to $1.575 million.

Two properties are currently available for sale. One has been under wraps, but I can now share details. I will begin advertising it in two weeks, but call me now if you would like to be one of the first to know about it!

New to the NeighborhoodDana and Greg Arrell purchased the lot at 903 San Marino. They are moving forward quickly with house plans and should be under construction soon!

The Arrells live in Texana Plantation in Richmond. Greg, an attorney, is a partner with Hughes Arrell and Kitchen. Dana volunteers at their children's schools and for various community organizations. She "retired" from the business world when their first child, Jake, was born. Jake is now 15 and attends Strake Jesuit. Grace is 13 and attends St. Laurence. They have a Labrador retriever who thinks she is one of the kids!

I will have four new neighbors to tell you about next month! Stay tuned!

New BeginningsMany of you know Bobbie and Ed Jones of 215 Savoy. The Joneses purchased this beautiful home about two and a half years ago. They have been wonderful neighbors and friends--very much so to my daughter, Kristin, son-in-law, Jeff and grand kids next door. Bobbie has been a lovely addition to our Board and Hospitality Committee.

Ed was offered a tremendous opportunity to work on a five-year international assignment which will improve the country and lifestyle of its people. Bobbie and Ed never anticipated they would be leaving so soon. The sad news is that Bobbie and Ed are leaving us, but the exciting news is that Bobbie will be living in Colorado Springs, where her sister, Renee, lives with her huge family!  Renee and Bobbie reconnected after 32 years when Renee's husband located Bobbie after she and Ed moved to VE. Since then, Ed and Bobbie have enjoyed getting to know Bobbie's sister and her large family.

The Joneses’ new home is beautiful, and by the time you read this they will be on their way there! Bobbie says, "This native Texas girl has never driven in the snow. Have no idea how our two Westies, Madie and Liz, are going to like it. For sure they will have new wardrobes! We do not have this beautiful lake but we do wake up to a view of Pikes Peak! We cannot express the loving relationships we have here in VE. We will miss everyone so much. I hope Ed and I have given VE residents as much happiness as they have given us."

We will miss them! Bobbie can be contacted through email at constmgrwife@yahoo.com.

The New Market
I recently read an article in Residential Specialist  that stated REALTORS are no longer selling homes--they are selling neighborhoods. I had to laugh, as that is what I have been doing in VE for 30 years!  In one sense our neighborhood sells itself. In quite another sense, as our prices escalate, listing and selling appropriately require a true knowledge not only of the neighborhood, but also of the historical data relative to home/lot sales--both recorded and unrecorded on the MLS. I have acquired that knowledge over the past 30 years in VE.

The article cited surveys showing home-buyers want "walkable" neighborhoods, with a mix of houses, stores and businesses. That being said, properties “off the beaten path” still have appeal. Well we, in Venetian,  have it all! With the Imperial Redevelopment well on its way we will soon have shops and restaurants within walking or biking distance. Yet we are surrounded by three lakes and enjoy an element of seclusion from the bustling city.

Bank Note - by Kelly Ferguson
Construction on the BancorpSouth lobby is nearing completion. You will not recognize the space--it will be beautiful! The lobby will be open around February 1. If you haven’t already met the local President, Steve Smith, and his team, be sure to drop by the lobby next month to meet them. Or first drop by our office and we will gladly introduce you!

FOR SALE

 419 LOMBARDY

 PRIVATE DOCK

 LAKE ELDRIDGE

BEAUTIFUL BACK YARD

Click below for MLS Listing Info

http://goo.gl/Od8mtJ

 



Venetian Estates Kids in the News

Photo by Marie D. De Jesus/Houston Chronicle

Kate Johnston, 7, Jamie Ferguson, 4, Kenny Johnston, 6, and Luke Ferguson, 5, all of Sugar Land, stand for photos next to the Thunder Monster Jam truck at the NRG Stadium, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, in Houston.

Venetian Estates News - October 2014

A New Season

Turning a New Leaf
We proudly announce the new name of our office building, The BancorpSouth Building, Sugar Land!

As many of you know, after Frost Bank’s departure we have had a great deal of interest in the former lobby space from other banks as well as office and retail users. However, we take pride in this piece of real estate, which is an integral part of our neighborhood, and held out for the “right” tenant--a “neighbor” with employees and a business model with whom we would like to work. Our patience paid off!

BancorpSouth is a large, NYSE-listed, regional bank based in Tupelo Mississippi. They recently restructured upper  management (adding a few Texas folk) and are on a solid path of growth. Just as important, we really like the people who run the bank and this local branch.

BancorpSouth already has numerous corporate clients in the area. The Sugar Land lending team is currently occupying a suite in our building while we complete the lobby renovations. The “new” lobby should be open by the end of the year.

We look forward to working with them and hope you will, too! BancorpSouth is busy making loans and is working quickly toward being able to run retail operations for checking accounts, etc. from this location. We will keep you posted on progress, but call  us in the mean time if you have questions or would like an introduction.

Fall For It
I am beyond excited to officially announce FBRE’s new listing at 715 Salerno. Kelly Ferguson and I are marketing this property located on one of the very best lots in the neighborhood. The custom home that was designed perfectly to take advantage of expansive lake views will take your breath away! It was built with care and is full of luxury appoitments. Trade up! This is the first opportunity for a current VE resident to purchase a practically new-construction home...and, to boot, live on the very center of Lake Venice! View the pictures on
http://u.har.com/f4KWsO But don’t say I didn’t warn you...you’re going to fall in love!

New Neighbors
Our new neighbors at 110 Capri (former home of Judy and George Tenney) are Nemat and Abdul Helal. The Helals moved from Houston where they had lived in the same house for 40 years! Abdul is a civil engineer and Nemat is a retired CPA.  They have three children and five grandchildren.  One son, an investment broker, lives in Austin with his wife and three children. The Helal’s daughter, who recently moved from California, is a teacher and has two children. She is now living in the Helal's home in Houston - where she grew up!  Nemat and Abdul’s youngest son is a dentist who lives and offices in Greatwood.

Its Fall Fun and Games
The Halloween Hayride is Fri, Oct 31! This year’s trick-or-treat stops will be on San Marino, Bel Mar, Salerno and Sorrento. If you will be joining the hayride, meet at the corner of San Marino and Lombardy at 5:30. If you live on one of the referenced stops, please leave your front porch light on from 5:30pm-8:30pm.  If you don’t live on one of the “stop” streets, please feel free to meet us at the corner of one of the “stop” streets! The hayride will start at San Marino and head south, stopping at Bel Mar first.

And don’t forget to begin Thanksgiving Day on the right foot with our own Turkey Trot!  Meet at the BancorpSouth building at 8:00 am on Thanksgiving to run or walk our neighborhood circle. 

Walkers/runners are encouraged to make a donation to the Wounded Warriors  Project. (A $20 donation per family is suggested but, of course, not required) 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 servicemen and women how thankful we are for their service. 

After completion of the "Turkey Trot" hang around the parking lot to visit a while with your neighbors. FBRE will provide hot or cold refreshments depending on what the temperature is that day!