The market looks GREAT in The Woodlands!

Sure, things are slowing down. After all, fall is here, school has started, and holidays are coming soon. But the real estate market in The Woodlands has remained stable over the past few years, and we are excited about the months coming up! If you're interested in what's happening in our local market, here's the information for you!! Scroll to the bottom of this first screen and click "full" (on the left bottom corner). Click "Escape" to return to this blog.

The woodlands market report september 2010

What is YOUR home worth?? If you live in The Woodlands/Spring/Houston area, email us at drummond@thedrummondsdeliver.com and we'll give you a report -- for FREE!!

Whether buying or selling a home, certain factors will always affect VALUE!

LOCATION - Nothing impacts value more than location. The local school system - the condition of neighboring homes - recent sales in the neighborhood - number of foreclosures and rentals - the reputation of the area - whether the home backs to the forest, a shopping area or a lake - can all affect the value of your home.

FLOOR PLAN - Some designs sell better than others. Currently, more “open” designs, studies, no formal living rooms, and master bedrooms downstairs are popular.

FEATURES - Certain features are preferred. The number and size of bedrooms and closets are important items. Extra space in the garage can make a difference. Sometimes the updating of a kitchen or bathroom can be the deciding factor.

CLEANLINESS and CONDITION - “Move in” condition sells! Most buyers don’t want to clean up or fix up a home after they buy it. Properties that are clean and well maintained ALWAYS sell quicker and for more money than others, including those offering a decorating or carpet “allowance.”

"How's the real estate market?" - Our charts tell the story!

If you live in the Houston area (or even if you don't!) here's a fantastic site you'll want to make a favorite! Click on How's the Market in MY area? It shows average sold prices, average list-to-sold, average price per square foot ..... and on and on! You can make it specific to your own zip code or your own town. And more than that ... it automatically updates every month!!

This page comes up already set for "The Woodlands," but you can change that to your own zip code at the top. (Tip: To scroll down, use your "page down" key.)

HOUSTON - It's the place to be!!

Let's live it up, Houston and The Woodlands! This is one of the best places to live - play - and work!! We don't have 3 feet of snow at our doorstep when we wake up in the morning, nor 2 feet of mud in our houses. We have low unemployment, low housing prices, wonderful medical facilities both in Houston and in The Woodlands, great cultural events. Take a look at this video! http://su.pr/1Lj4vx

First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit

One of the BEST things our government has done lately has been to create the $8000 tax credit for "first-time" homebuyers!! The rules are simple. If you have not owned a home for at least three years, you just might be eligible for this. You'll have to hurry, though. It won't last much longer (you must move into your new home by December 1st, 2009), and it means MONEY in your POCKET !!

Just click onto the link below (the information is almost shorter than the link!!), and tap the sidebar arrow to scroll down. Quick and easy! Then give us a call (281-467-8827). We've already saved money for several clients this year, and we can do it for you!!

http://www.realtor.org/wps/wcm/connect/f6ee3f004d2465a491f6f526a9949436/government_affairs_homeb_tax_credit_new.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=f6ee3f004d2465a491f6f526a9949436

Strike Up the Band!! The Woodlands is ranked #14!!

It's true! We've been telling you all along, but Forbes now agrees!!

They have ranked The Woodlands as #14 in their list of the

Top 25 Best Places to Move in America!!

Forbes chose suburbs near major corporate plants and offices with populations exceeding 25,000. They looked at how many people in each town were born out of state or abroad, who had moved to town from a great distance away within one to five years, and who had moved for a job. They also considered population growth, family income, professional and executive employment, and the price, size and age of the homes. Added to that were reports of moving van companies, enrollment changes in schools, the proximity of multinational companies.

Tell your friends - tell your relatives - tell your company!! We have miles and miles of hike-bike trails, pools, trees, lakes, restaurants, nature. When it's time for a move, call us and head for The Woodlands, Texas. We'd love to help them find that special home!!

Buying a home? Accurate numbers are vital!!

The days of changing the sales price, loan terms, certain borrower fees, or even your mortgage company shortly before or at the closing of a home purchase are history after July 30th!

The Federal Reserve is implementing major rule changes to the Truth-in-Lending disclosure. These new rules add time restrictions that will hold up a closing if there are any financial changes (amount of the loan, closing costs, rates) that cause the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) or the finance charge to change! In addition, if a borrower is having difficulties closing with a particular lender and wants to switch to another mortgage company, the ability to transfer a loan from a lender one day and close with another lender the next day is gone. Contracts for homes closing in a week's time cannot be written. These new rules apply to any financed home purchase (including refinancing and home equity loans.) They do not apply to non-occupied properties.

What does this mean to YOU? Be sure your lock is adequately long, and (most important!) that you choose a lender who is very experienced and detail-oriented. Need help finding such a lender? Your Realtors, Mike and Jean, are here to help you!! (Above information provided by Allan Atkinson, Vice President, Cornerstone Mortgage Company)

I really LOVE this house! ... What else do you have?

Strangely enough, buyers often want to continue to look, even after finding their "perfect" home. Why do they do that?

A "better buy" might be just around the corner! This might be possible (theoretically then, you should never buy, keep looking!), but chances are better that while you are looking, someone else will purchase the home that was right for you.

It’s hard to make a decision. To improve your confidence (1) be sure this property has the basic features that you need or want, (2) ask your Realtors, Mike and Jean Drummond, to provide examples of similar homes that have sold recently, and (3) use your "Option Period" for obtaining a satisfactory home inspection from a qualified home inspector.

After taking the three steps above, buy with your heart. If you are going to invest your hard-earned money on this house, you should want to come home to this place! When you find the right property, you will feel it. Listen to your instincts. You know yourself and your tastes better than anyone else!