Most of the time, when you hear the word "revitalization" of a historic district you automatically picture older homes full of character and history being demolished and substituted by cookie cutter, overcrowded developments. I am pleased to say that in my latest ride through Houston's Historic Heights District I witnessed responsible revitalization and let me tell you it was a joy to watch. The Historic District of the Heights in Houston is the probably the part of town with the most authentic history displayed throughout the architecture of its Victorian Style homes and its unique eclectic style. Established in the late 1800s the Heights district is one of the few older neighborhoods that have withstood the test of time and most importantly the test of aggressive redevelopment that Ho... 06/11/2007

The following guide has been issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and they urge Realtors to share this with their client. At the moment it is important that folks facing foreclosure get this information so that they can take the necessary steps to avoid and/or deal with impending foreclosure. I am posting this into Localism for the Houston Area and I urge my fellow Realtors to do the same for their area. The guidance below (and in the “How to Avoid Foreclosure” pamphlet) is applicable to homeowners with FHA Insured loans. While a good deal of this information may apply to all homeowners in danger of losing their homes, not all of the foreclosure avoidance tools mentioned may be available to you if you have a VA or conventional loan. Additionally, HUD/FHA does not ha... 06/11/2007

The Seymour Lieberman Exercise Trail, with its 2.93-mile crushed granite and packed-earth jogging trail, attracts droves of Houstonians intent on getting in their daily run.  Exercise stations can be found along the trail with a workout station located close to the tennis center.  The trail is lighted and has restrooms and water fountains along the way.  A .25-mile asphalt timing track allows runners to work on speed and develop their running skills.  It is located across from the tennis center.Additional multi-use trails located on the south side of Memorial Drive give hikers, bikers, skaters and equestrians a choice of trails to choose from.  06/07/2007

Last week, Signature Real Estate started Project Signature - An ambitious endeavor to make signaturehouston.com the most comprehensive website for Houston Real Estate. Just Added: Houston Luxury Homes and Developments NEWWest University | Inner Loop Homes - Traditional Houston luxury homes. Homes from mid $500s to the $2.5M+River Oaks | Inner Loop Homes - Traditional Houston luxury homes. Homes from mid $600s to the mid $10M+Rice Military | Inner Loop Homes - Trendy Inner Loop Neighborhood. Homes from mid $200s to the mid $500s     06/05/2007

Avalon Place -One of Houston's Most Expensive Subdivision.Inner Loop, Upper Kirby, River Oaks History of Avalon Place(Transcribed by Tommy Dickey from taped interviews with his father.)My grandfather, Dr. William Thomas Dickey, came to Houston in the 1880's from Virginia. He was the proprietor and resident physician of the Heights infirmary in 1889. In 1890 he bought 460 acres of land in West Houston. The land extended 1,000' each side of what is now Kirby Drive, and ran north from almost Richmond Avenue to Buffalo Bayou. The price was $60 an acre. "When the debt load became burdensome, he sold off 300 acres of the low land, (River Oaks addition from San Felipe north to Buffalo Bayou (Lazy Lane, Del Monte, Inwood, etc.)." My dad, William M. Dickey, graduated from TCU with a BBA in 1933... 06/05/2007

E-mail: Steven Teoh Phone: 281-547-1649 Broad Oaks -One of West Houston's Most Expensive Subdivision. West Houston, Galleria / Post Oak, Uptown Broad Oaks located off Chimmey Rock North of Woodway Dr. City: Houston County: Harris Zip Code: 77056 School District: Houston ISD Elementary School: Briargrove Middle School: Grady High School: Lee Price Range: $500K to $1.8 millions 2006 Fact Average Sale Price: $977,500 Price Per Sq. Foot: $228.01 Higher Sale Price: $1,670,000 Lower Sale Price: $550,000 Average Days on Market: 73   Single Family Properties: 75 Median Square Footage: 3,948 Average Bedrooms: 3.7 Average Bathrooms: 3.3 Median Lot Size: 15,050 Median Year Built: 1976 Median Appraised Value (2005): $753,350 Median Price/Square ft. (2005): $207.57 Square foot price change data 199... 06/05/2007

E-mail: Steven Teoh Phone: 281-547-1649 Longwood-One of West Houston's Most Expensive Subdivision. West Houston, Memorial Longwood located in the Memorial Villages City: Houston County: Harris Zip Code: 77024 School District: Spring Branch Elementary School: Hunter Creek Middle School: Spring Branch High School: Memorial Price Range: $1 Million to $5 Millions 2006 Fact Average Sale Price: $1,100.00 Price Per Sq. Foot: $219.59 Higher Sale Price: $1,100,000 Lower Sale Price: $1,100,000 Average Days on Market: 41 days   Single Family Properties 59 Median Square Footage: 4,641 Average Bedrooms: 4 Average Bathrooms: 3.5 Median Lot Size: 27,750 Median Year Built: 1965 Median Appraised Value (2005): $883,637 Median Price/Square ft. (2005): $294.65 Schedule a private showing in Longwood please... 06/05/2007

I'm always excited to hear when real estate developments are taking advantage of the latest technologies available. The Mosaic at Hermann Park is doing just that. They have decided to adopt and become a "Certified Fiber Optic Development" through Connexion Technologies. Basically fiber optic has unlimited bandwidth, therefore further enhancing the entertainment and communication services we are all growing accustomed to. Can you imagine data being sent at the speed of light? “Being a Certified Fiber-Optic Development brings Mosaic to a whole new level of excellence,” said Don Phillips, Phillips Development. “Some people have to see excellence to believe it. Now we’ve got the certification to prove it.” Fiber Optic is better than Cable or DSL. Mind you that most consumers will probably n... 06/05/2007

So, you want to buy a home and you have heard all of the hype about 100% financing. Sounds great!  No down payment so you don't have to worry about not having a whole lot in the bank. Competitive interest rates so it doesn't raise you mortgage by a lot. We have all seen the commercials. But, is it the right choice for you.  This could be a tough decision. I am not going to tell you what decision to make, just give you some food for thought to help you make the decision.  Here are the points that I bring up with all of my buyers that ask my opinion. 100% Financing doesn't mean NO Closing Costs:  This is probably the number one misconception on these loans.  You will have to bring money to closing.  You can ask the seller to contribute money towards your closing costs, but be aware that t... 06/04/2007

  KLIF & KILT'S GORDON MC LENDON, THE FLAG POLE SITTER & HOUSTON'S GULF FREEWAYBy BIll CherryDALLAS BROKER-REALTORMY 43RD YEAR SERVING TEXANSMEET ME ON THE WEB AT http://www.billcherrybroker.com/While Galveston and Houston have always been rivals, there has never been a time when wisdom didn't show it to both cities' best interest to work together.When construction on an electric railway was begun March 28, 1910, to connect the two cities, Galveston had a population of about 40,000.  Houston was just twice as big.The new electric train was called the Interurban, a made up word, and it was built in just one year, and that included laying the tracks and building the large plants that generated the electricity that fueled it.  The cars, much like trolleys, ran down a single track for just ... 06/04/2007

Last week, Signature Real Estate started Project Signature - An ambitious endeavor to make signaturehouston.com the most comprehensive website for Houston Real Estate. This weekend we took a further step towards that goal, by adding a new platform for Houston HUD Homes that will now be updated on our site on a weekly basis, with a multitude of photos on most properties. By the way, Signature Real Estate is a HUD Approved Broker and you need a HUD Approved Agent to submit an offer on HUD Homes. Below you can find links to some of the properties and communities available in the HUD list for this week: Houston HUD Homes - Songwood | White Oak Bend | Forestwood | Cutten Green | Oak Forest | Heritage VillageTomball HUD Homes - Sugarberry Place | Three Lakes Spring HUD Homes - Villages of Spr... 06/04/2007

E-mail: Steven Teoh Phone: 281-547-1649 RISE LOFTS2000 Bagby, HOUSTON, TX 77002Area: Inner Loop/ Midtown / Museum DistrictPriced from $150's to $400's This luxury 15-story building reigns as Midtown Houston's new "House of Style," where fashion and living come together create a high style housing Mecca. Cloaked in glass, concrete, and brick, RISE has a signature collection. Choose from 143 luxurious studio, one and two-bedroom lofts and penthouses with skyline views and aspirational amenities. Structure: Steel, glass, brick, and stucco exterior Concrete and steel infrastructure Multiple view corridors 9 to 18-foot ceiling heights Commercial floor to ceiling glass in many homes Individual HVAC systems Modern architecture Polished Concrete floors Closet Factory custom engineered master c... 05/31/2007

E-mail: Steven Teoh Phone: 281-547-1649 THE ROYALTON AT RIVER OAKS3333 Allen Parkway Houston, TX 77019Area: Inner Loop,Mid Town, Priced:1 bedrooms from $275,000 to $400,0002 bedrooms from $400,000 to $800,0003 bedrooms from $800,000 to 1.6 million This magnificent 33-story high-rise landmark towers Houston’s skyline and is strategically situated on a 2.7-acre site one mile west of downtown Houston at 3333 Allen Parkway. The minute you take your first step inside The Royalton at River Oaks, you will be embraced by its timeless world-class style, impeccable elegance, architectural detail, abundance of amenities and a white-glove service you’d expect to find at a five star world renowned resort.The 253 magnificent luxury condominium residences are available in 27 different floor plans to ... 05/31/2007

E-mail: Steven Teoh Phone: 281-547-1649 THE RIPARIAN 3615 Montrose Blvd, Houston 77006 Area: Inner Loop, Montrose Priced from $400's to $4 Millions Sophisticated, Contemporary Midrise designed by Irving Phillips- with uninterrupted views of Downtown Houston's skyline. In a quiet hilltop park setting looking on to White Oak Bayou. Construction to begin by end of 2005, 16 months construction time. Every unit has a skyline view and outdoor balcony. Sq. footage includes 120 sq. ft. balcony. The highrise will feature "modernist contemporary elegance" with some avant-garde design features. A first floor restaurant will provide room service to residents. For more information, additional interior photos, or to schedule a showing of any property Call 281-547-1649 or e-mail: Steven Teoh your Hou... 05/31/2007

E-mail: Steven Teoh Phone: 281-547-1649    p>TREMONT TOWER 3411 YUPON, Houston TX 77006Area: Near town, mid town, Museum districtPriced: $250's to $600K Tremont Tower, Houston's newest landmark is proud to continue Houston's grand tradition of innovative and cutting edge architecture as it offers Houstonians a luxurious and convenient mid-rise lifestyle with all the amenities. Centrally located at Westheimer and Yupon, the 6-story, 76 unit Tremont Tower sits one block from beautiful St. Thomas University on the edge of the Museum District in between trendy Mid-Town and elegant River Oaks. The downtown business district, downtown nightlife, world class shopping, restaurants and parks are all just minutes away.Houston-based world renowned architect Irving Philipis' classic design feature... 05/31/2007

After having met and read some very inspiring posts on Active Rain, and seeing the real estate community come together as it does in this network, I have been inspired to do many things differently from my pre-AR days. One of the most major projects that have stemmed up in my agenda as a result of this inspiration is Project Signature where the goal is to make Signature Real Estate's website the most comprehensive website for Houston Real Estate. Now I know that the Houston Association of Realtors site would be hard to beat especially since they've got all the listings and all (minor detail :-). But our goal is to provide as much information as possible all in your fingertips in as clean and pleasant layout as possible. I understand the goal may be a little overreaching but shouldn't al... 05/31/2007

Herrin Lofts 2205 McKinney Houston , TX 77003 Area: Downtown Priced from $130's to $250,000 Well located, only a few blocks away from Minute Maid Park, Toyota Center, St. Joseph's Hospital, Kelsey Seybold Clinic and upcoming 12 acre Houston Downtown Park, only 3 blocks away. Also enjoy the night life, entertainment, restaurants, museums and the theatre. All 52 units except three have balconies with a spectacular view of Downtown an East side is planned to have natural light and a beautiful landscaped of two level courtyard with a fountain and waterfall surrounded by balconies. For more information, additional interior photos, or to schedule a showing of any property Call 281-547-1649  or e-mail: Steven Teoh your Houston Highrise expert.     05/24/2007

    E-mail: Steven Teoh Phone: 281-547-1649 The Franklin Lofts201 Main St.Houston, TX 77002Area: DowntownPriced from $240's to $800,000 The Franklin Lofts, a 62 unit residential condominium project, occupies the upper six floors of the former First National Bank Building. The Corinthian, Houston’s premier special events venue, is located on the first two floors of the former bank lobby. The building’s exterior is virtually unchanged since its construction in 1904. An adjacent seven-story parking garage has been built to accommodate both residents and their guests. Retail space on the street level includes El Rey, a Cuban/ Mexican restaurant, and Wolfe’s Cleaners, with more retail establishments to come.Interior Features:* Solid oak flooring* Double density wall partitions for absolute s... 05/24/2007

Empire Lofts & Flats 5005 Hidalgo , Houston, Texas 77056 Area: Galleria Priced from $370's to $1, 250,000 Elegant, Esoteric & Exciting Turn of the century cosmopolitan elegance is revived through Houston’s majestic new condominium development, the Empire . Located in the heart of Uptown Houston, on the water, at the water wall, across the street from Houston’s Galleria IV and minutes from downtown Houston, The Empire Condo offering lofts & flats providing you with an idyllic lifestyle that is second to none. With the Empire’s prestigious design, its distinct variety of condominium lofts and flats combined with the amenities, selections and private, picturesque living - all situated near some of Houston’s greatest landmarks. This classical development gives you all that you have come to ... 05/24/2007

Briargrove - Uptown District, Galleria Area,Price: $300's to $2 MillionsZip Code: 770562006 Average Sale Price: $581,469Price Per Sq. Foot: $203.03 Briargrove Home Owners Associaton Briargrove Property Owners, Inc. c/o KRJ Management, Inc. 1800 Augusta, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77057 (713) 783-4640 ph. (713) 783-5203 fax Web Site: Briargrove CommunityBriargrove is a neighborhood in Houston, Texas, near Uptown Houston.Briargrove was established in the 1950s with one-story ranch homes. Deed restrictions in the neighborhood were modified in 1986 to allow for one and one half-story and two-story homes. Afterwards some of the older ranch homes were torn down and replaced with newer two story homes.There are 893 lots in Briargrove with home prices ranging from the low $300,000s to the high $700... 05/24/2007