About The Woodlands' Green Living In The Woodlands

The Houston Chronicle earlier this past week released an article talking about the Real Estate Market in this HUGE City. It was actually a really great OVERVIEW of what is going on. However, the accuracy of Market Reports can only go so far.

• Home Sales dropped 16%
• MEDIAN Prices dropped 4%
• Only 4,355 Single Family homes were sold last month
• Home Sales have dropped for the 19th Consecutive Month

Oh my. The sky is falling. Run for the hills!

Ok, so not really. The Houston MLS consists of 60 Areas that are broken down in to 152 Locations. For example, The Woodlands is in Area 15 (Southwest Montgomery County) and Location 107 (The Woodlands) which is The Woodlands Proper and the Communities directly surrounding.

So, the Statistics above are for the 152 Locations that include the far reaching Counties that make up the Greater Houston Metropolitan Area. Many, many, square miles of area. Countless.

The other problem with Market Statistics is that they typically look at PAST numbers. Obviously the Crystal Ball can not forsee the future. It's kind of like when all of the Economists were saying that we were going to be in a Recession - When in all actuality we were already in a Recession. We just couldn't see it until the Statistics came out 6 months later.

As Professionals in the Real Estate Industry though, we feel it. We can feel the market most of the time. We can feel the changes before they are a statistic.

The past 2 weeks I have felt the inventory Dropping. Not as many homes to show, serious lack of homes available in certain price ranges/sizes. All of these up here on the North Side of Town. Areas 13,14,15 - for the most part. Cypresswood to just North of The Woodlands and Stuebner Airline East to 1960 and Cypresswood.

I have seen multiple offers, back up contracts and the fear in Buyers that they will 'lose out' on the 3 or 4 homes that they like best and an urgency to submit offers ASAP.

While looking at the overall Statistics for a Huge City we may think that we can get a 'good deal' because there is SO much inventory when in all actuality - It depends on the Area within the City.

Up here in Location 107 (The Woodlands) Here is a little of what we are seeing. As of today there were 939 Active Listings on the market.

Foreclosures-

• 10 Active Listings
• 12 Pending
• 6 Sold since April 1st
  

(Right at about 1% of all of the listings in the area are Foreclosures. Sold in all Houston MLS last month was 25%)

Short Sales-

• 4 Active
• 1 Pending
• 0 Sold since April 1st

As of March 31st -

• 1,169 Active Listings
  
• Today 939 Listings (end of April 2008 1,210)
  
• 197 Pending
• As of today 262 Pending (end of April 2008 246)

It is just really interesting to watch the Statistics change right before our eyes - But to be Accurate, we should wait to see what they look like in a few weeks. Is it all seasonal? It could be. But it sure looks like maybe the Market is headed towards a Better place up here on the North side.

Wanting to sell your home? Now may be the perfect time to do that before everyone else figures out what is going on. As it sits right now, I have 8 buyers that need homes...and nothing available for what they are looking for.

To look at Market Statistics compiled just about 10 days ago, check out my Spring/Woodlands Market Reports on Flickr.

The South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce is hosting it's annual trade show this Saturday, April 25th from 11 - 4 pm at The Woodlands Waterway Marriot.

This event is open to the public, and will play host to several Chamber member businesses. The theme this year is to "Go green, get fit, and shop smart!" Last year was a success with over 100 vendors on display, so please feel free to stop by and check it out. The Marion Franke Team is planning a presence at the event, and it should be a fun time for all!

Article by: Teri Bonnel

The Woodlands Real Estate

As part of Turning Houston Green's webinar series on how to green an existing home, here is the recorded version of our 4th program.  Michael Strong and I discuss Windows and Radiant Barrier.

It's not just about getting new windows or finding a radiant barrier.  Here we provide you with all of the questions you may have and/or need to ask your installers to get the biggest bang for your buck.  We also talk about the new Tax Credits to help you maximize what is available.

Our next webinar is on March 28th and we will be going over Indoor Air Quality.  We would love to have you join us!

I would also like to take a quick moment to Thank our Sponsors for helping to bring this to you:

Pella Windows

Bluegill Energy Management

Lutron Lighting and Electronics

***

For those that have been around the Houston area for an extended amount of time, you are familiar with North Harris Montgomery College - The local College that not only offers courses for those starting out their College Education, BUT ALSO a Huge Variety of Continuing Education Courses for both Professionals AND Homeowners!

North Harris College this past year changed their name to Lone Star College Systems!

One of the Courses that is on the Spring 2009 Schedule for the location on WW Thorne by Intercontinental Airport is 'How To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient'!  If you follow my blog, you guessed it right.  It's being taught by Yours Truly - Stephanie Edwards-Musa - Houston's Realtor and Certified EcoBroker -

The course costs $35 and I guarantee that I will have that money back to you through a lower Utility Bill with what you learn in the class.

The Course runs 2 nights a week for 2 weeks in both March and April from 6p-8p in the evening.  The majority of the coursework will be what you can do yourself over a weekend with some Homework at the end of each day to make it a little more fun learning and so that you can get a good idea of how YOUR particular home works.

Every home is different, this course will teach you about YOURS in particular.

It's not just about Light Bulbs!  We will go in to how you need to have a strategic approach when sealing up your home and step by step what should be done to maximize the money you spend so that it is not wasted.

To register for the class you can call the College at 281-618-5400 and ask for the Continuing Education Dept.  I hope to see you there!  Below is a Calendar that has the Courses. 

March 17-26 on Tuesdays and Thursdays

April 20-29 on Mondays and Wednesdays

I don't know how many of you were able to attend The Woodlands Going Green Series last Monday, but I have to say that it was probably the most educational speaking event that I have attended in a very long time.

The whole hour revolved around the Farmers Market that is in the Grogan's Mill Shopping Center every Saturday- Seasonally of course. We also had the opportunity to listen to some of the amazing Business Owners that have products there.

Out of all of this has sparked a new series for the Living Green in The Woodlands community-

Buy Green-Buy Local: Local Green Businesses that you need to know about.

Two of these are Nativa Soaps and Marcello with Nourish. Marcello is an amazing guy that makes Bread with Natural and Organic products-none of those ingredients that you can't pronounce. In the mean time if Saturday rolls around, go check it out.

For dinner tonight I am fixing a Free Range Chicken that I bought there Saturday along with Homegrown veggies!