Charlotte Stilwell, Broker-Associate

Indigo Ranch 2009 Year In Review

It's always helpful to take a look at how a neighborhood is doing, especially in a year like 2009 where the housing market was considered to be in a "crisis". While Indigo Ranch and this area in general have not been hit as hard as many places across the nation, it was a slightly slower year than in the past. However, values did not drop and even increased in some cases. So, here's the overview:

Properties Sold in 2009:

Lots:

*27327 Winding Creek (lot 73) 1.497 acres $40,000 ($26,720/acre)

27102 Stagecoach Crossing (lot 109) 2.846 acres $53,000 ($18,623/acre)

Homes:

*17203 Gold Panning Ct. (lot 87) 3351 sq. ft. 4.57 acres $318,000 ($94.90/sq. ft.)

17511 Indigo Hills Dr. (lot 32) 4096 sq. ft. 2 acres $415,000 ($101.32/sq. ft.)

Rentals:

27003 Bridleway Circle (lot 131) 3007 sq. ft. 1.795 acres $2100/month

Properties currently Listed:

Lots:

272303 Hitching Post Ct. (lot 62) 1.765 acres $44,900 ($25,439/acre)

17819 Indigo Hills Dr. (lot 41) 2.009 acres $45,000 ($22,399/acre)

16826 Indigo Hills Dr. (lot 101) 2.444 acres $45,000 ($18,412/acre)

17719 Indigo Hills Dr. (lot 38) 1.856 acres $46,000 ($24,785/acre)

17827 Indigo Hills Dr. (lot 42) 2.923 acres $50,000 ($17,106/acre)

17403 Indigo Hills Dr. (lot 29) 2.018 acres $50,000 ($24,777/acre)

*27018 Spotted Pony Ct. (lot 123) 2.002 acres $60,000 ($29,970/acre)

*17210 Gold Panning Ct. (lot 85) 3.784 acres $64,900 ($17,151/acre)

16811 Indigo Hills Dr. (lot 105) 2.349 acres $69,900 ($29,757/acre)

27226 Stetson Circle (lot 51) 7.895 acres $149,000 ($18,873/acre)

27127 Bearclaw Ct. (lot 136) 19.40 acres $227,714 ($11,738/acre)

27126 Bearclaw Ct. (lot 137) 24.48 acres $287,286 (11,736/acre)

Homes:

26918 Spotted Pony (lot 125) 2672 sq. ft. 1 acre $250,000 ($93.56/sq. ft.) *27108 Bridleway Circle (lot 4, blk 2) 3428 sq. ft. 1.259 acres $365,000 ($106.48/sq. ft.)

27403 Winding Creek (lot 74) 3400 sq. ft. 5.15 acres $449,900 ($132.32/sq. ft.)

17811 Indigo Hills Dr. (lot 40) 3992 sq. ft. 1.988 acres $479,000 ($119.99/sq. ft.)

*27111 Bridleway Circle (lot 143) 3645 sq. ft. 7.04 acres $485,000 ($133.06/sq. ft.)

Statistics:

For the 2 sold homes in 2009, the averages are as follows:

Days on market: 332 Square Footage: 3724 Sold price per sq. ft. $98.42

For the 2 sold lots in 2009, the averages are as follows:

Days on the market: 214 (the lot on Winding Creek, however, sold in 20 days so this is a little skewed) Acreage: 2.171 Sold price per acre: $21,419

As always, please feel free to call or email me any time with any real estate questions—I’m always glad to help. Here’s wishing you health and prosperity in 2010!

Charlotte

* denotes properties listed/sold by me

Nestled in the woods on the west side of Magnolia, Texas is a hidden gem of a neighborhood called Indigo Ranch.

A small, custom home, gated neighborhood, Indigo Ranch features two parks and a trail for hiking and horseback riding. This is the kind of neighborhood people think of when they want to move to the country for the peace and quiet while still having deed restrictions and an HOA that gives you the peace of mind you want for your home values.

In Indigo Ranch, we have public water through Aqua Texas and I'm proud to announce we now have DSL through AT&T! Sewage is through private aerobic septic systems. The taxes are low in Indigo Ranch and even though it's beautiful country living, we're still only 10-15 minutes from Tomball or Magnolia!

Here are two spectacular homes I have for sale currently in Indigo Ranch:

27018 Bridleway Circle: If you are looking for an impeccable home that feels brand new, welcome home! This home has all the upgraded appointments you would expect: granite, frieze carpet, oil rubbed bronze fixtures, a 2 story stone fireplace, stainless steel appliances, upgraded tile. The media room has a 104' HD remote controlled screen that drops down from the ceiling and space for theater seating. MLS#3773391

27111 Bridleway Circle: Now, if you are looking for a horse property, look no further. Beautiful home with welcoming front porch is just the beginning. Wide plank hardwood floors are rustic and beautiful. Large kitchen and breakfast room opens to the two story family room which has a stone fireplace spanning both floors. Two bedrooms with a Jack & Jill bath plus a gameroom with a closet upstairs. Master plus an extra room perfect for a nursery or craft room (with great storage closet) are down. Study has built in shelves/desk. Barn/pastures horse ready. Pond. MLS# 80198071

If building is what you want to do, I have some amazing lots available for sale as well.

So, if you are thinking about moving to Magnolia, Texas, think about Indigo Ranch....call me...I love it so much I live there, too!

I'm so excited to tell you about the first annual Magnolia Hometown Christmas! Here at Century 21 Hardee Team Realty, we are playing a huge role in the festivities by providing a rest stop at our beautiful Victorian Home office located at 423 Magnolia Blvd.

We are sponsoring a coloring contest for the kids, a drawing for the parents for a $100 gift card (we're calling it Santa's Helper!), and gift card prizes in 3 age categories for the kids! We will also serve wassail, coffee, and hot chocolate as well as provice shuttle service so you won't have to walk so far to get to your car!

As far as the festivities for the Magnolia Hometown Christmas, there's a lot going on. There will be an ice skating rink set up, activities, kiosks, a parade, and train rides, plus so much more! It's going to be awesome and a great time for kids and adults alike. Please see website for more details: http://www.magnoliahometownchristmas.com.

But be sure to visit me at Century 21 Hardee Team - you can't miss our office - it's the most beautiful building in town!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Charlotte

PS - How about I give you the dates?? December 10, 11, 12 and 13th - mark your calendar and come join us at the First Annual Magnolia Hometown Christmas!!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It's a time of comfy sweats, falling leaves, maybe even cold weather (wouldn't that be nice for a change?). It's a time of reflection on all the many blessings I have in my life and a time of thinking about how I can be a blessing to others. I love cooking a big meal for the people I love most in the world. I love football games, snoozing on the couch, listening to Jack play with his cousins. I love the smells, the comfort food of my youth...the memories. I LOVE THANKSGIVING.

Today, as I'm driving to work and leaving the neighborhood, can you guess what I saw? CHRISTMAS LIGHTS. It's November 16th. How is it even possible that people are already decorating for Christmas?? I get to work and low and behold, a humongous Christmas tree in the lobby and the house (our office is a beautiful Victorian house) is covered in lights. I can understand that a little more because we are gearing up for a big Christmas celebration that the city of Magnolia is putting on (see http://www.magnoliahometownchristmas.com for more info - it's going to be awesome!) - we are in the heart of it all and the house has to look impeccable (and it does). But my neighbors?

Ugh. The pressure.

My son and I have been joking for a couple years now about this and he always cracks up when I yell, "Can't we just get through Thanksgiving first??" as we see Christmas decorations come out three days before Halloween.

Now, don't get me started on the commercialism of Christmas. That's a vent for another day. But as I was thinking about all this on my drive in this morning, it occurred to me that I've rushed things in my business in a similar fashion.

I get so excited to write a contract. I love the paperwork (I know, I know). But I really do. I love getting everything in order and turning in the packet to our admin. At that point, I put the file back on the shelf and move on to the next thing. I find myself feeling bogged down in the details that come between the contract and closing and have to remind myself, just enjoy the ride. The process is more difficult these days but I'm being paid for my negotiating skills, my educating the buyers and sellers, and most of all, being the human connection in a business transaction. And it's the relationship fostering that makes the difference in my referrals, my business, and the overall enjoyment of what I do for a living. You've heard it before, it's a people business.

So, take a moment to enjoy the process. Even that parts that aren't so enjoyable! And please, whatever you do, don't forget about Thanksgiving!!!! What better time to have an attitude of gratitude?

Charlotte

I was reading another blog this morning about the phrase "buyers are liars". It's not always true but no matter the circumstance, I'd always rather home buyers just tell me the truth. But how did this phrase come to be so commonly known anyway? Well, let's take a look.

First, I think there is a lot of distrust of Realtors in general. The truth is there are many ethical, compassionate, honest Realtors out there, but as in any profession, the one bad apple spoils the bunch. I remember a number of years ago reading about how the public perceived Realtors. Turns out Realtors were right above used car salesmen in trustability.....in other words we were just right above the bottom of the list. YIKES! Is it any wonder home buyers sometimes withhold all the information?

"What can I do to get you in a car (house) today"??? Would YOU trust this guy?

(disclaimer: not all used car salesmen/women are like this guy!!!)

Second, I think that home buyers are afraid to be completely honest about their situations. For a few years there, it was pretty doggone easy to get a mortgage. Today, not so much. Buyers are worried that their circumstances may hamper their ability to get a mortgage so they keep quiet about things a Realtor really does need to know (and this is why it is so critical to get approved by a lender BEOFRE starting the house hunting adventure). This is one of those situations where I REALLY prefer home buyers just tell me the truth! I can help you find a credit repair specialist that can help if that's the issue. If there's a problem, let's find a solution. We have to be a team.

Thirdly, and this is in regards to what buyers are looking for in a home, things change along the way. What starts out as mandatory at the beginning of the home search may be downgraded to preferable after seeing a few homes and realizing that their expectations may be too high. It's the Realtors job to educate the buyers about the entire process and I always make sure to tell my buyers it's ok if things change as we go through the process. I only ask that home buyers tell me the truth and keep me in the loop. It's all about communication and if a buyer doesn't trust their Realtor enough or feel comfortable enough to communicate when things change, the buyer isn't working with the right agent. This is a huge deal, buying a house. It's emotional, expensive, and can be either thrilling or depressing depending on the circumstances. Find a Realtor you can trust and be open and honest - I promise it will make a world of difference for the whole experience.

So, are buyers really liars? I'm sure there are some, just like there are some bad apple Realtor's, too. The key is to find the right match for you and enjoy the process. Interview agents before you decide on one - see if you click. Eventually, we can change the stereotypes of buyers being liars. Now sellers are yellers? That's a topic for another day!!