Yes you read the title correctly. There could be a housing shortage coming believe it or not. I just finished reading an article that says that there is a good chance of a not to far in the distance future housing shortage. You are probably telling yourself that is impossible. No way. It is estimated that there are about 7,000,000 vacant homes in our country. Housing shortage? How can that be?
First of all no one wants to live where those 7,000,000 vacant homes are. There are no jobs in those areas. The jobs are gone for a very long time. Think Detroit as a good example. Consequently those homes may sit for a very long time.
Further according to the article there are a few other very good reasons for this possibility. Only 672,000 new homes were started in April. This number of housing starts does not come close to meeting your nation's normal population growth. In addition not as many new households have been formed during our recent economic calamity. Normally 1,300,000 new households are formed each year. In 2009 only 398,000 households were formed according to information provided by the federal government. More young adults are currently living with their parents. (You and I both know how long that will last!) When the economy picks up you know those kids are out the door. Good bye mom and dad! Where are they going to live?
And the final reason cited by the article is that builder financing is extremely difficult to obtain these days. New home builders cannot get financing to buy land for development nor can they get the funds to build homes even if they have the land. Double whammy!!
So there you have it............housing collapse to house shortage.........................never a dull moment in real estate. And what will this mean for my Lake Conroe real estate market???
Oh yes and by the way......... we are also going to be short of rental housing. Maybe the kids will be with mom an dad longer than we thought.
Have a great day!
Ron Wickes
• Home improvement spending will increase this year. The forecast calls for an almost 5% growth as compared to last year. This would be the first annual spending increase since 2006 for this industry. • Clean your garage floor with "Drive Up" or "Safe Solutions" before listing your home. • A new pink toilet costs $975. My client opted for the white $350 toilet. • Unemployment in Conroe, Tx. was 6.4% at the end of April 2010. Unemployment is up 1.2% as compared to April 2009. • Unemployment in Houston, Tx. MSA was 8.4% at the end of April 2010. Unemployment is up 1.7% as compared to April 2009. • Unemployment in Dallas, Tx. MSA was 8.2% at the end of April 2010. Unemployment is up 1.2% as compared to April 2009. • Three of the four US census regions registered positive gains in housing prices in April. Only the NorthEast Region was down. • The Texas Gulf Coast is hoping for increased tourism this year because of the oil spill, Mexican violence and also violence in Jamica. • On May 21st the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) released the first $50 million of $500 million in mortgage revenue bond authority. This program is for TDHCA's Texas First Time Homebuyer program. You can get further information at http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/ • Texas Veteran land Board interest rate for Land Loans is currently 7.25% That is it for today. Have a great day and please learn something. Ron
Things I learned today while browsing through some websites I frequent to stay, hopefully, knowledgeable about the housing market and other various nonessential things.
I work with a couple of great mortgage bankers on frequent deals. Recently one of these mortgage bankers and I had one of our deals go "BUST" because our mutual client made a couple of mistakes while their loan was being processed. As we were sitting around crying in our soup about our lost deal we decided to make a list of loan "do's & don'ts" for our clients. Well what I really mean is she made the list while I stirred our tears soup.
So without further ado here is the list of loan do's and don'ts if you are buying a home.
THE DO'S AND DON'T'S WHILE YOUR LOAN IS IN PROCESS
Oh and by the way if you need a great loan officer Valerie is always there to help. Here is a link to her website.
I hope you have a great day!!
Ron
Please take a look at this fantastic value priced new listing in Huntsville. This would be a great purchase for the parent of a freshman about to enter Sam Houston State University. Just think your college student child could live here along with two roomates in a quiet and safe part of Huntsville. Purchasing this home would save you money during your students attendance at SHUS.
Take at look at this listing at 3313 Parr Dr. Huntsville, TX. 77320.
What does this home have?
BRING THE TOYS or WORKSHOP or BOTH!! Fantastic brick home in quiet area with ''country'' feel but in city limits with all city utilities. 3/2/5; DOUBLE attached garage; TRIPLE detached garage w/RV cover; den, dining, kitch combo; b'fast bar; Lite & bright! Large trees front & back; WIDE concrete driveway. MORE! Perfect for a family, home based business or for college students. Lot over 1/2 acre!! Room for a pool. A ton of parking room. Close to SHSU, shopping, hospital, Lake Livingston. 1 owner home. This home is a great value priced deal.
Contact me today for a showing!! 
Have a great day!!
Ron Wickes
Now taking registrations for the next SCUBA class at the Conroe YMCA. Please give me a shout if you or someone you know is interested in learning to be an open water SCUBA diver. Ages 12 and up. I can take 10 and 11 year olds depending on the size of the class. SCUBA is a lifetime adventure!!
Here is a link to Google Docs with some basic information on the program.
Conroe Family YMCA SCUBA program
If you have any questions please send me an email!
Looking forward to see you in class!!
Have a great weekend!
Ron
Full time real estate professional in the Lake Conroe, Texas area. I work with both residential and commercial properties. Your real estate goals are my first priority.
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 single, an avid SCUBA diver and hold professional accreditation as a SCUBA 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.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2013 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
