Montebello Team with Realty Associates

03/31/2024

04/19/2023

https://www.har.com/ri/1003/creating-a-cozy-reading-nook-tips-and-inspiration

Creating a cozy reading nook is easy with these tips and inspiration. Discover how to create the perfect spot to curl up with a good book and relax.

04/04/2023

The Profile of Home Staging reveals the role home staging plays in the real estate transaction, including the perspectives of buyers' and sellers' agents, the impact of television shows and buyer expectations.

03/17/2023

HOUSTON — (March 8, 2023) — As the Houston housing market continues to transition to pre-pandemic conditions, positive indicators are beginning to blossom. While February sales were down year-over-year, they were up compared to the last pre-pandemic February, in 2019. In addition, year-over-year pricing fell for the first time in more than two years and more homes were listed for sale. These are among the signs that would-be homebuyers have anticipated after moving to the sidelines last year when mortgage interest rates began to rise.

According to the Houston Association of Realtors’ (HAR) February 2023 Market Update, single-family home sales fell 23.0 percent, with 5,723 units sold compared to 7,430 in February 2022. That marks the 11th consecutive monthly decline. However, when compared to the last February before the pandemic – February of 2019, with sales volume of 5,339 units – sales were up 7.2 percent.

All housing segments saw year-over-year declines in February. By contrast, both single-family and townhome/condominium rentals had solid gains, with buyers pivoting to the rental market until mortgage rates ease and inflation subsides. HAR will issue its latest report on rental trends in the February 2023 Rental Home Update, to be released next Wednesday, March 15.

“For a true apples-to-apples comparison of the Houston housing market, you have to examine where we were before the pandemic, in 2019, and by that standard, we are in similar territory,” said HAR Chair Cathy Treviño with Side, Inc. “The traditional year-over-year comparison shows a market slowdown, but even then, there are positive trends in the form of moderating prices and growing inventory that bode well for spring homebuying.”

Single family home prices fell for the first time since the spring of 2020. The average price dropped 2.4 percent to $385,103 and the median price declined 1.6 percent to $320,000. That is in sharp contrast to when prices reached record highs of $438,294 (average) in May 2022 and $353,995 (median) in June 2022.

Check out how the market performed last month in Houston. To see the complete report go to www.har.com/newsroom

03/14/2023

Darker cabinets, backlit mirrors, and patterned tiles are the top bathroom trends this year, according to design experts. http://ow.ly/JQIQ50NfIiW

03/08/2023

Induction cooktop stoves are expected to grow in popularity as more homeowners are considering replacing their gas stoves. Here’s what you need to know. http://ow.ly/HYxv50N8AGf

03/06/2023

Just how well do you know the neighborhood you're moving into? Learn more before you buy.

03/02/2023

A solid game plan can help you narrow your homebuying search to find the best home for you.

02/07/2023

Is open shelving really over? Find out why many designers are saying hidden storage is a kitchen trend to watch in 2023. http://ow.ly/sp0150MJNPa

01/25/2023

December’s sales of existing homes weakened by 34.0% from December 2021, marking eleven consecutive months of home sales declines.

01/19/2023

Are you timing your home purchases to save money? 💸

Many people don’t realize that the prices of just about everything—from appliances to furniture—are seasonal. According to Bankrate, here are the best times to score a sale:

🏋️ Fitness Equipment: January

📺 TVs: February and November

🔌 Appliances: May, September and November

☂️ Outdoor Furniture: August and September

🪑 Indoor Furniture: Presidents, Memorial, Independence and Labor Day weekends