Rhonda Bradley

Three years ago, I moved my family into the lakeside subdivision of Point Aquarius. It's a beautiful community, complete with manned 24/7 guard gate, marina, tennis courts, two pools, and a new clubhouse. One of the primary selling points for me, I must admit, is that handy guard-gate up front. No more door-to-door salespeople, or door-to-door anything for that matter. You gotta love that. Well, I did have one door-to-door guy show up about a year ago, but he was 12 years old and looking for a lawn to mow for some extra money. Gotta love that too.

So, three years down the road as I reflect upon my choice of neighborhood, I decided it was time to take a look at the strength of values in my chosen neighborhood.

2005: 64 sales, median price $80.28/SF

2006: 69 sales, median price $83.30/SF

2007: 66 sales, median price $90.38/SF

2008 to date: 36 sales, median price $85.02/SF

All in all, it appears Point Aquarius is doing okay in terms of home values and selling volume. Sales-to-date are down somewhat from prior years, yet the median price reflects relative stability, especially given the overall national economic situation.

Being a former resident of lovely Panorama Village, I can attest to the peaceful atmosphere and neighborhood charm it offers residents. Panorama Village is unique in that it's an incorporated city, yet shares a zip code with Conroe and a school district with Willis. Not to mention, it has a beautiful golf course, country club, and one of the most eye-catching water towers around. This is where I raised my children, for the most part, and it's still one of my favorite neighborhoods in Montgomery county. As such, I like to keep tabs on values and statistics in this "little city all its own." If you live in Panorama, or are considering doing so, here's a quick look at home sales over the past few years. *

2005 was a busy year for home sales in Panorama. With 78 sales in the calendar year, prices ranged from $69,000 to $285,000, with the average price being $139,000. Average price per SF - $66.20

2006 saw fewer sales occur, with 55 homes sold. The sales prices ranged from $86,000 to $263,000 with an average sales price of $136,000. Average price per SF - $64.98

In 2007, there was a further decrease in sales volume with only 38 homes sold, a 30% decrease from 2006. The sales prices ranged from $95,000 to $245,000 with an average sales price of $152,000. Average price per SF - $69.03

In 2008 to date, there have been 10 closed sales. So far this year, the sales prices range from $70,000 to $190,000 with an average sales price of $127,000. Average price per SF - $60.62

With only one-third of the year gone by, and the peak summer marketing period on the horizon, I expect the average sales price and average sales price per SF for 2008 to even up with previous years when it's all said and done.

*note: the statistics provided do not include Parkside of Panorama or bank-owned sales

Montgomery County is on Interstate 45, about forty miles north of downtown Houston. This area has seen tremendous growth over the past two decades, primarily due to the expansion of metropolitan Houston. Many county residents work in Houston, and the spread of the city's suburbs into the county has led to a rapid rise in population. This is a diverse county, with a large percentage of the population located in the southern sector, primarily The Woodlands/Spring area, with all the associated commercial areas you would expect and more. At the north end of the county you will find the opposite, as Interstate 45 leads you from sleepy little Willis north toward New Waverly and Huntsville, you will find the open spaces becoming wider as the number of people become fewer. Before you know it, you're in the 'country.'

In recent years Montgomery County has also become a recreation destination for many Houston residents. The area, with its abundant lakes and forest, offers numerous opportunities for hunting, boating, and fishing. Of course, the premier attraction in the area is Lake Conroe. The lake has over 22,000 acres of surface water, it is 26 miles long and 6 miles wide at the widest point, with approximately 150 miles of shoreline. Lake Conroe was built as a joint project of the City of Houston, the Texas Water Development Board, and the San Jacinto River Authority in 1973 as an alternate water source for Houston. More than a quarter of a century later, it offers some of the best fishing around as well as a scenic place to live within a reasonable proximity to Houston. All things considered, Montgomery County is a great place to live, work, and play.