Marilyn Wier, ABR, CDPE, CIPS, CLHMS, CRS, SRES

FHA REFINANCE PROGRAM GETS BOOST|League City, TX|Marilyn Wier 713-542-8461

WASHINGTON (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) – Price cuts to the Federal Housing Authority’s (FHA) Streamline Refinance Program could benefit millions of borrowers with FHA insured mortgages.

Beginning June 11, the Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium will drop to just .01 percent and reduce its annual premium to .55 percent for certain borrowers.

For the 3.4 million households with existing FHA-insured mortgages endorsed before May 31, 2009, refinancing through the new streamlined process could save about $250 per month or $3,000 a year. The newly discounted prices also allow borrowers to refinance into the lower-cost mortgage without the need for additional underwriting.

FHA-insured homeowners can determine their eligibility by contacting their existing lender.

The changes apply to mortgages insured under the FHA’s Single Family Mortgage Insurance Programs, except Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM), Section 247 (Hawaiian Homelands), Section 248 (Indian Reservations), and Section 223(e) (Declining Neighborhoods).

http://recenter.tamu.edu/recon/reconSearch.asp?CID=6561

Houston Real Estate: New Year Begins on a Positive Note!|League City, Houston, TX|Marilyn Wier 713-542-8451

January has marked the eighth consecutive month of increased home sales. With active listings down and more pending sales, this combination signals a healthy market with a balanced supply of housing inventory.

All segments of the housing market grew from last year except the luxury segment. January sales climbed 9.2% from last years sales. The luxury segment consist of homes that are $500,000 plus.

January sales of all property types in Houston totaled 3,632. This number is up 4.8 % compared to January 2011. Total property sales and total dollar volume rose on year-over-year basis. The median price rose while the average price was flat.

The number of available properties at the end of January declined 15.1 % from January 2011. The inventory of homes dropped to its lowest since December 2009.

With less homes on the market and prices increasing, it seems as though Houston housing market is making a turn for the better!

If you are interested in buying or selling a home, give me a call today! I can help! Take a look at some of the wonderful listings I have. You may just find your dream home!

Houston #1 Metropolitan Area in the US for Corporate Facility Expansions and Relocations

Wonderful news for the Houston area! Houston has been ranked #1 Metropolitan Area in the US for Corporate Facility Expansions and Relocations in 2011. This ranking in turn could lead to even more regional economic development. The Greater Houston Partnership counted a total of 195 relocations and expansions in the Houston area. The GHP helped coordinate 34 of the 195 relocations and expansions and helped create more than 4,720 jobs.

Site Selection magazine ranked Houston as the number 2 area in the US for expansions and relocations in 2010. The great news is that this year Houston beat the former number 1 competitor, Chicago.

Houston’s top ranking confirms what many company executives already knew: The largest city in Texas is a great location for business.

With the Houston economy booming and the housing market taking a turn around, NOW is a wonderful time to make Houston and/or the surrounding cities your home. Check out my Facebook FAN page and hit "like" to see many reasons why Houston should be called your home!

League City Real Estate

League City is the largest city in Galveston County surpassing even Galveston city itself. Ideally located at the midway point between Houston and Galveston, League City represents the best Texas has to offer. The natural beauty is evident as League City's northern border is comprised of Clear Creek and Clear Lake, the 3rd largest pleasure boat anchorage in America. It´s easy to see why League City homes for sale are so in demand. With a host of amazing restaurants, popular retailers and delightful entertainment, League City has whatever you need to fill your schedule. You can take a look at our search for properties function to choose the amenities you're looking for in a home in League City. Use this website for everything you need as a buyer.Our buyer's tips offer a lot of information, free of charge, which will make it easier for you when you're viewing homes for sale on the League City market.

Friendswood Real Estate

Friendswood is a town of over 30,000 residents that still retains the spirit and vitality of a small American town. With a strong sense of patriotic pride and civic responsibility, the community of Friendswood comes together to promote volunteerism and traditional values. The city of Friendswood is a thriving suburban community that is easily accessible by 3 major airports, railway, and deep water ports. Friendswood is a fantastic place known for possessing a highly educated and affluent community of residents. Additionally, the city of Friendswood is a great place for commerce with many economic incentives and assistance towards business development. With excellent local schools and a stable economy, it´s easy to see why people are relocating to Friendswood. Take a look at our featured listings to find the gems on the current market. If you´re thinking about selling your home there are tools you can use here as well. You can also read seller's tips and have free real estate reports sent directly to your e-mail.

Clear Lake City Real Estate

Clear Lake Cityis located in southeast Harris County and it is the second largest master-planned community in Houston. James Marion West created the first substantial development in the land. He made his home around the shores of Clear Lake and Clear Creek. After much protesting by grass-roots residents, parts of Clear Lake were annexed by the city of Houston in 1977. Clear Lake City ranges from Houston to Pasadena. The community was named Clear Lake City for Clear Lake which lies along Clear Creek and empties into Galveston Bay. NASA’s Johnson Space Center is adjacent to the City. Other major aerospace companies include Boeing and Lockheed-Martin.

Kemah Real Estate

Kemahis located in the Houston-Baytown metropolitan area. Kemah was once a small fishing town and now it is known as a tourist destination with a boardwalk full of attractions and gorgeous views of the bay. Kemah Entertainment District features restaurants, shopping, historic attractions and fishing spots.
Kemah was named for the Indian word meaning “wind in my face.” While in Kemah you will notice a constant breeze coming off the bay. Kemah is only 25 minutes away from downtown Houston and 25 minutes to Galveston. Kemah was originally a small fishing town; the city has become a tourist destination for the area's restaurants and attractions, which are contained within the Kemah Entertainment District. Check out Kemah's Neighborhoods.

Pearland Real Estate

Pearland had its humble beginnings on the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway in 1882. The community was originally named Mark Belt. On September 24, 1894, the plat of “Pear Land” was filed with the Brazoria County courthouse by Witold von Zychlinski. Many of the residents of Pearland harvested their own fruits. Zychlinski saw the pear trees and decided that “Pearland” would be the perfect name for this up and coming area. Back in the 1800’s, Pearland only consisted of a prairie. Residents harvested fruit and vegetables such as cantaloupes, corn, figs, pears, and watermelons. As time went on Pearland opened many dance halls that entertained people from Hastings and Manvel Oil Fields. Take a look at some of Pearland's Neighborhoods.

Dickinson Real Estate

Dickinson is about 23 miles from Galveston and 28 miles from Houston. With its close access to Kemah and the gulf coast, entertainment is never too far away. You can have the big city close by but still have the small town life as well. Dickinson was named after John Dickinson who was granted a tract of land in 1824. The Galveston, Houston, and Henderson Railroad were built directly through Dickinson. In 1905, Italian ambassador Baron Mayor des Planches convinced about a hundred fifty Italians from crowded eastern cities to move to Dickinson. They joined the dozens relocated there after flooding in Bryan forced them to seek new homes. Dickinson Home Search.

Seabrook Real Estate| Seabrook Homes for Sale

Seabrook is located in Harris County with a population of 11,952 according to the 2010 census. Seabrook is a fishing community that is known for its fish markets where resident shrimpers and fishermen bring in their catches daily.The piece of land was purchased by Seabrook W. Sydnor in 1895. In March 1903, the Seabrook Company of Houston created a layout of the proposed Seabrook Town site. The new town attracted fishermen, merchants and even a few residents. The historic downtown that was built then still stands today, with many locals running their businesses. Most are antique shops of bed and breakfast places.

La Porte Real Estate

La Porte is located in Harris County, Texas. La Porte is the fourth largest incorporated city in Harris County. The port of Houston is one of the main job sources for residents who live in and around La Porte. La Porte residents have come to benefit from the low cost of living to which La Porte has to offer. The abundance of housing creates exceptional prices for families looking to buy. New residents to the area have a variety of existing housing options to choose from with additional units always under construction.La Porte is located near many areas of interest and its residents never have to veer too far from home for entertainment.

S.A., Houston only cities to show home price increases

Finally, great news for sellers as well as home owners! It’s turning around and our investments are becoming investments once again and not just money pits.

It’s a great time for Houston as well as San Antonio. Both cities show significant home price increases.

These findings are part of the latest residential price index (RPI) put out by Oxford, Miss.-based real estate information technology company FNC Inc.

The proven leader in collateral management technology – 10 years and running. FNC Inc. pioneered real estate collateral information technology.

The RPI is based on information regarding home sales — including public records and real-time appraisals of properties and neighborhoods.

T

he last peak of the housing market dates back to 2007. During this time loan originations were at an all time high.

Since November 2011, Houston and San Antonio are the only two cities that have seen improvement since the last peak- reporting home price increases of 2.7 percent and 4.8 percent, respectively, according to the FNC analysis.

Looking at home prices as of Dec. 31, 2011, the Houston numbers were up 1.7 percent, compared to home prices reported at the end of December in 2010.

As for San Antonio, on a year-to-year basis, home prices were flat — which is still not bad considering that many U.S. cities continue to report price declines.

Indeed, the national numbers are less encouraging. FNC reports that home prices were down 3.5 percent at year-end 2011, compared to home prices reported at the end of December in 2010.

The underlying factor behind the price decline — the distressed market.

Distressed homes, FNC reports, continue to make up a large part of the country’s residential sales.

Given that these properties usually go at very deep discounts, this market has succeeded in putting downward pressure on underlying property values for the larger housing sector.

*San Antonio Business Journal by Tricia Lynn Silva

If you are interested in buying or selling a home, give me a call today! I can help.

Why Should You BUY instead of RENT?|League City, TX 77573|Buy Verses Rent|Marilyn Wier 713-542-8451

When you're thinking about buying a home, it's essential for you to be confident in your decision to buy instead of rent. However, you may not know about the many great reasons to buy a home! Here are just a few of them:

Smart Investment
When you invest in a home, it offers the possibility for appreciation in value. The equity becomes yours when you're still paying off your mortgage. You even get to live in it while your investment matures.

Tax Advantages
Since both mortgage interest and property taxes are tax deductible, home ownership can save you significant amounts of money every year.

Planned Housing Cost
You decide how much you spend on your home, including repairs and improvements. Unlike renters, homeowners with a fixed-rate loan can lock in their monthly housing costs.

Improvements to Your Taste
You can choose which improvements to make to your own property, such as a deck, kitchen remodel, or new paint, instead of needing permission from your landlord.

If you are looking to purchase a home I have some lovely propertes you might be interested in! Check them out!

If you have more questions about making a decision to buy a home, please feel free to call or email.

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