Bellaire, TX

Ok- get your mind out of the gutter! Of course the "F" stands for "foreclosures" and in the Houston real estate market, foreclosure properties are becoming more common place. Not to the extent seen in the major foreclosure markets of Nevada, California, Arizona or Florida but pretty widespread all the same. Even in the popular Houston neighborhood of Bellaire there are over a dozen foreclosure and REO properties on the market.

The Challenges Consumers Face with Foreclosure

We all recognize the challenges faced by homeowners at risk of foreclosure, and those already involved this gut-wrenching experience. Many homeowners too embarrassed never attempt to call or even talk to their lender, choosing to watch their mailbox fill with notice after notice. If they only knew to pick up the phone and make that call to see just what options are available. And then there is the seedy side of this business where the vultures are circling these individuals looking to swoop down and pretend to offer a solution. As a representative of the real estate industry, I somehow believe we should be doing a far better job protecting the consumer from these low life's. The first step in this solution is to be open, transparent and offer sound education.

The Other Players in Foreclosure

In addition to those homeowners either in the midst of a foreclosure or those teetering on the edge, you find the buyers. Some are equally oportunistic, ready to "low-ball" the equity-starved seller who is trying to avoid foreclosure. Look at the impact of foreclosures on any hyper-local market - its snowball effect can slowly begin to rob a neighborhood of its property values.

Remembering Why I Have a Houston Real Estate License!

Our Houston REALTOR team here at the Zoller Group has decided to meet this challenging and growing reality of foreclosures and short sales head on. As a veteran Houston REALTOR, I was recently reminded of my responsibility to our Houston real estate website visitors, our Houston real estate blog visitors, our customers, and our clients:

1. To state all material facts relating to any Houston property (foreclosure, short sale or otherwise)
2. To protect my clients from legal peril and to offer sound consultation
3. To use every opportunity to educate consumers, customers and clients using my online presence to the very best of my ability

Our creditability as real estate professionals demands we skillfully fullfill these responsibilities. To do otherwise places those we work for at legal peril and financial risk.

Putting My Houston Real Estate Blog in High Gear!

With a fresh perspective, we launched a new post yesterday at the Fine Homes Houston Community blog on educating consumers about the terms we so flippantly use when talking about foreclosure. You are welcome to visit our Houston Real Estate Blog for a closer look.

Meg and Jim Zoller - The Zoller Group of Keller Williams Realty, The Metropolitan

Please view our Houston Real Estate website

Also, feel free to contact us at:

Direct: 713-661-0884
Toll Free: 800-808-6153

E-mail: Meg@FineHomesHouston.com or Jim@FineHomesHouston.com

Cells: Meg - 713-875-4844
Jim - 713-545-6338

Six Bellaire, Texas homeowners have graciously offered to allow the public to view their individually interesting and unique homes this weekend . . . Saturday and Sunday, April 5th and 6th, 2008, from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.each day. The 26th annual Bellaire Home Tour benefits the Nature Discovery Center at Russ Pittman Park.

The homes vary from traditional to contemporary architecture and from older construction to newer construction. The uniqueness of each home will be enjoyed by everyone who takes the opportunity to view these homes.

TICKETS :

$12.00 in advance- picked up at Nature Discovery Center, Magpies, Teas Nursery and Whole Foods.

$15.00 on day of tour - available at each house

For pictures, descriptions and addresses of each of the homes please click here.

Party Animals is a new social mixer series at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center for nature and canine lovers. Weather permitting, The Mutt Strutt will be held on Saturday, April 5 from 3 to 5 pm in Memorial Park. Owners are welcome to show off their dressed to impress pooches, and prizes will be awarded to the best dressed dogs. Find out how you can become a PAWS member and for the latest Party Animal news visit partyanimals@houstonarboretum.org or call 713-681-8433 to join the pack.

www.StagingSmartNSold.com provides Houston home staging solutions designed to promote a rapid and profitable house sale for homeowners and Realtors.

There are many events and activities offered throughout the year in Bellaire, Texas. One of my favorites, though, is the Friends of the Library Book Sale. Ever since our daughters were little, Jim and I would take them to the sale and we would all stock up on books to read. It has always been a lot of fun to go through the piles of books and the boxes while we each selected those special books. Since the cost was very low for the books, we could each buy quite a few more books than we would if we went to the book store.

Well, it's that time of year again. The Friends of the Library Book Sale in Bellaire, Texas is this Saturday, March 29, 2008 from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. It will be held in the parking lot at 5111 Jessamine in Bellaire.

Great bargains are always found. Paperback books are 50 cents each and hardback books are $1.00 each.

I hope that you can make the sale and stock up with all the books you desire.

Maybe we'll see you there!!!!

Meg and Jim Zoller - The Zoller Group of Keller Williams Realty, The Metropolitan

Please view our website, http://www.finehomeshouston.com/ . Also, feel free to contact us at:

Direct: 713-661-0884

Toll Free: 800-808-6153

E-mail: Meg@FineHomesHouston.com or Jim@FineHomesHouston.com

Cells: Meg - 713-875-4844 Jim - 713-545-6338

The Heart & Sole Music Festival and 3 Mile Cancer Walk is set for April 6 and needs volunteers. The Jori Zemel Children's Bone Cancer Foundation is hosting the event which benefits bone cancer research and provides financial and emotional support to children and families affected by bone cancer. Activities will include music, food, clowns, rock wall and games from noon to 3 pm. Assistance is needed with check in, course setup, table setup and tear down, registration, sign placement and removal, and staff booths. Visit www.jorizemel.org or email info@jorizemel.org

www.StagingSmartNSold.com provides Houston home staging solutions designed to facilitate a rapid and profitable house sale for area Realtors and homeowners. The owner is also a Houston area volunteer.