News of the Neighborhood
FBRE had four closed sales in Venetian in January! We are continuing to break records in the neighborhood. It does not seem so long ago that I sold the first $400,000+ home in VE. Then several years later, the first $700,000+ home.... Now, Kelly Ferguson and I have passed another milestone, this time selling the first recent-construction home in Venetian and surpassing the million dollar mark!
I have two new listings in the pre-marketing stage. One is 111 Saint Marks (the sign is up, though it’s not yet on the MLS). If you know anyone wanting to simply pack their bags and move in to a gorgeous 3100+-SF home have them call me. It’s beautiful!
New to the Neighborhood
As promised here's 'new neighbor' info:
Donna Cook will soon be moving into 410 Lombardy, the former home of Melissa and Jeff Crawford. (Melissa and Jeff moved to Cypress, a closer commute to Melissa's new work location in The Woodlands.) Donna has recently retired and she is loving it! After many years in the restaurant business it is time to relax and enjoy her beautiful new home (she is in the process of making it even more beautiful:) and the gorgeous sunset from her fabulous back yard. Many of our neighbors know Donna as the former owner of the Live Oak Grill on Dairy Ashford. Donna and her business partner had a very successful ten years at the Live Oak prior to selling the business in December. By the way, the new owners are continuing with the same good ole' Live Oak menu with only a few changes!
Almost directly across the street from Donna are our new neighbors, Vera and Julio Rocha. They, also, have been busy with the remodeling stage! Vera and Julio are from Brazil. Julio is an electrical engineer and Vera was a teacher and later a principal at a school in Brazil. They moved to Houston in 2000 but since that time Julio's job as a Trader with a Brazilian company has taken them in and out of our area. Julio retired at the end of February and they decided to settle down in Sugar Land! The Rochas recently moved from Salzburg, Austria where they lived for almost three and a half years. They have also lived in Canada and in Florida! Vera and Julio have three sons. Gustavo, the oldest, is a Trader and is in the process of moving to Monterrey, Mexico. He and his wife have twins! Rafael is a chemical engineer and lives in Houston. He and his wife have the third grandchild, a boy. Henrique, the Rochas youngest son has just come from the Republic of Guinea, West Africa, where he was with the Peace Corps. He will be moving to New York. Henrique is an engineer. (Vera and Julio purchased the former home of Jan Loggins Hinson and Paul Hinson. Jan and Paul are now in their spectacular new home at 915 Gondola.)
Two doors down from the Rochas Brian and Suzanne Adams are building their new home at 511 Lombardy. Brian and Suzanne have lived in Sugar Land for 23 years. Brian is employed with Tibco, a software company based in Palo Alto. Suzanne is a former CPA with a creative side! She has several part-time jobs including holding writing workshops in both the public and private sectors. She often works with school districts holding 'transformation' workshops in creative arts and writing for middle and high school girls. She has a masters in creative writing. The Adams' have three sons. Austin, 26, is a consultant for Deloitte in Dallas. He is getting married in December. Ryan, 24, works with Toyota in Chicago as the parts and sales manager liaison between approximately 15 dealerships and headquarters. Shane, 21, plays baseball for Columbia University in New York. He was All State at Clements!
Amy and Jim Wright are our new neighbors at 715 Salerno. Amy and Jim moved from Greatwood. Jim is Deputy General Counsel with Energy Transfer Partners, L. P. in Houston. Amy is a former CPA and one of the most organized people in this world (according to Jim's Mom:) Amy and Jim have three boys. Jack is 17 and will be a freshman at Texas A & M in the fall. Jeb and Jared are 11 year old twins!
Around the Block
There’s much exciting news regarding the Imperial Redevelopment! I will fill you in next month! But if you are considering buying a TH or patio home now is the time! I fully expect prices to go up soon. I have three sales pending in Imperial and would love to represent you and help you get the best deal possible! I have data relative to home/lot sales--both recorded and unrecorded on the MLS.
20 March 2015
05 March 2015
12 February 2015
NEW LISTING
 |
| NOW PENDING SALE |
101 Savoy
Beautifully remodeled with high ceilings and gourmet kitchen. Screened in porch on 1/2 acre shady waterfront lot .... All this for under $600,000! See MLS # 90958547 on HAR.com for more details.
26 January 2015
Venetian Estates News - January 2015
Market News
News of the NeighborhoodThere 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!
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