As a lot of you know the annual NFL college draft was last weekend. Prior to the draft almost all sports writers published a mock draft. In some cases they published several versions changing them on an almost daily basis. From the mock drafts I read and the actual draft results I saw, few if any of the writers were correct in their guesses. It will probably be the same with this blog today. I am going to "mock draft" the April single family residence sales numbers for Montgomery County, Texas about three weeks before they actually come out. I can't figure out if I am being brave or just not so smart in doing this. Drop me an email and let me know what you think. Here we go.
I think the bottom has been hit. Yes we will probably be down from the sales numbers of April, 2007 but I also believe that at least two of the MLS areas in the county will be up over March, 2008, one area will come close to the March, 2008 numbers and that the fourth will still be down some but not hugely. I think that the average sales price will be somewhat stagnant as compared to the increases we have seen in the past. This price stagnation is not bad or indicative of a major trend in my opinion but only reflects the current market situation.
With the school year approaching its' end, our warm lake water weather here and interest rates still very low I think we will see our sales numbers improving. Okay, please remember this is a "mock draft" only. When the final April numbers are published in about three weeks I will grade myself just as the sports writers grade the NFL teams. Hopefully I will do better than the "C" one well known Houston sports writer gave our beloved Houston Texans.
I hope you are having a great week.
Ron
I learned my first lesson on blogging. Never promise to do a blog three times a week and then get sick. Sorry but I was down and out with a cold/flu. A real bummer with this great spring weather.
We were going to talk about the price volatility index and the price appreciation index. I could give you the long technical explanation but I really do not want to put you to sleep. Believe me it would. If you want the technical explanation drop me an email and I will send it to you. Suffice to say that they are indexes calculated from recent data (from two previous quarters to five years) to predict how prices will react in the near term future (two years out). The predictions for the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown MSA are good. They show no disasters on the horizon. Price acceleration shows some signs of slowing but the good news is that price volatility is very close to stable. No wild downward price crashes similar to what has happened in Florida, California and Arizona are expected.
So what is keeping people from buying? They only thing I can think of is gas prices, the news media, fear itself and of course credit scores below 620. Interest rates are experiencing the normal weekly up and down swings but are still very low. FHA is offering some great programs for buyers with minimal down payments. They are very good deals with low interest rates. And if you have a credit score below 620 those problems can be addressed also. Just drop me an email if you would like to know more about that.
Now that I am well again and have experienced my once-a-year illness I will be getting these out three times a week.
Have a great day.
Ron
Have you gotten a copy of your free credit report? You are allowed one once a year. See the link.
Full time real estate professional in the Lake Conroe, Texas area. I work with both residential and commercial properties. I also work with a national firm specializing in credit repair and loan modifications.
Why should a buyer or seller want to work with me? My promise to all of my clients: 
Don't DIVE into real estate without Ron
I am a full-time professional working with both buyers and sellers of residential and commercial real estate. The Lake Conroe real estate market is my main area of operation. I have lived in the Houston area since 1983 and can assist you in any part of the Houston metropolitan area.
Personal Information
In addition to my real estate experience, I spent ten years in the construction distribution industry. My experience in this area is in both residential and commercial construction. I am a former President of the Texas Masonry Association, former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Texas Masonry Association, former Associate Member of the Texas Society of Architects, former Member of the American Subcontractors Association, former Member of Associated General Contractors - Houston, former Member of the Associated Masonry Contractors of Houston and a former Member of the Texas Lathing and Plastering Contractors Association. I have served my community as a Cub Scout Pack Master, Cub Scout Den Leader and on the Boy Scout Eagle Scout Review Committee. I also served our country for eight years as an officer in the US Marine Corps, attaining the rank of Major. I currently enjoy coaching YMCA youth soccer, basketball and baseball. I am an avid SCUBA diver and hold professional accreditation as a SCUBA Divemaster and Assistant Instructor. As a member of The Ark church in Conroe I practice my faith regularly.
It is my pleasure to write a short testimonial regarding our recent experience working with Mr. Ron Wickes- Keller/Williams Realty-Lake Conroe. Let me first start off by saying that.....Ron is the reason we now live in our Dream Home! Ron went beyond the normal "Call of Duty" to accomplish our request in finding just the perfect home, at a difficult time of the year. Ron's strengths are numerous:
Ron is very pleasant, listens well and always does what you ask.
Ron is very punctual, organized and always on time.
Ron is very personable and attentive....he asked the right questions to help zero in on what you truly want.
Ron takes his Real Estate very serious and does his homework. This made it more conducive to view a very large number of properties.
Ron never gave up or got frustrated....even though I asked a lot of him.
Ron was constantly helping to guide us in the right direction.....and does truly know his product and the surrounding area.
Ron returns phone calls and e-mails instantly....and is a very good communicator.
If Ron didn't know the answer.....he would get it for you...and get it soon!
Ron was a very effective negotiator...and often projected our questions and concerns precisely.
Moving and buying a house can be a stressful, concerning adventure.....but Ron helped to make all that easier. I hope I don't have to move again anytime soon....but if I do, I would utilize Ron again. I would suggest to anyone to give Ron a try. Don't Dive into real estate without Ron!!!
Sincerely,
Gregory A B.
Ron, thank you for all of your time and effort in helping us to locate the house we wanted. We really think you went above and beyond the "call of duty", considering we were picky and had to travel miles and miles to see these houses. You knew the type of house we were looking for and we appreciate that, you knew our criteria and stuck with the plan.
We're looking forward to doing business with you again.
Brad and Cynthia G.
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