Houston Area Blog Posts

Local Mont Belvieu News and Reports

As your local real estate market experts, agents at Blackshear Realty will constantly update and report on new events in the community of Barbers Hill. Watch our blog for market insights that are important to buyers and sellers in the Mont Belvieu Area. We'll keep you up to date with what's going on in Mont Belvieu, Tx. as well as the surrounding areas that are in the local markets that we serve. You can count on your Blackshear Realty Agents to be knowledgeable about new planning decisions and upcoming real estate developments in the city of Mont Belvieu, news and events going on at Barbers Hill with the students and teachers, as well as community groups and fundraisers to support our community and wonderful residents. If you have an important announcement and would like to be included in our blog, contact the Broker, Tye Blackshear directly. Thank you for supporting the Barbers Hill Eagles, the Mont Belvieu community, and your local real estate company. For more information about the real estate market in a specific subdivision, a local upcoming event, or the Barbers Hill School District, leave a comment for us below or sign up and let us know what you'd like information about. We look forward to hearing from you!

The Woodlands News and Market Reports

In our North Houston market area including Spring, The Woodlands, and Conroe in Northern Harris County and Montgomery County, Blackshear Realty will be bringing you monthly reports on the status of the real estate housing market and the newest information you'll need when making the decision to buy or sell a home in The Woodlands Tx. and surrounding areas. Bookmark us in your browser to check back in for community events, real estate home tours, and a whole lot more. As we expand our market area to the Spring and Conroe areas, we are looking forward to blogging about exciting developments in the real estate market in this part of Houston. If you are considering buying or selling in North Houston area, contact the Broker to set up an appointment with our Woodlands residential specialist Cody Warrick. Cody will update this blog with new content monthly to give you an opportunity to see what's happening in The Woodlands Tx. market in Spring. If there is a certain question you would like answered about the real estate housing market condition where you are located, just submit a comment when you sign up for an account, or leave a comment on one of our blog posts below.

Thank you for viewing the Houston Area Blog at Blackshear Realty!

May 22, 2018

Key Differences Between a Buyer's and Seller's Market

sellers market, buying a home, selling a home, woodlands, texas

Whether you’re selling or buying a home, knowing your market can help you make informed decisions. There are many influencing factors in the housing market, such as interest rates, inflation, employment, new construction, immigration, and the health of local and national economies.

Buying & Selling in Different Markets

If you’re not sure what kind of market you’re in, the easiest way to tell is to check local inventory. Look at how many homes sold in a given month(s), then divide that number by the total number of homes still for sale at the end of the month(s). If that rate is higher than 20%, you’re in a seller’s market. A rate below 15% signals a buyer’s market. If you don’t have time to crunch numbers, a quick call to your realtor can determine the market with no math required!

Buyer’s Market

  • Ideal market for buyers.
  • Occurs when the available homes for sale exceed the number of buyers seeking to purchase them.
  • Commonly occurs in areas of struggling economy or stagnate job growth when there are many people moving away.
  • Can also occur during the high-selling season when there are more houses on the market (summer months).

Seller’s Market

  • Ideal market for sellers.
  • Occurs when there are more buyers seeking to purchase homes than there are available homes on the market.
  • May lead to multiple buyers interested in a single home, resulting in competing bids.
  • Most commonly occurs in areas experiencing rapid job growth and economic stability, making it a desirable place to live.
  • May also occur in the slow-selling season when there are fewer houses on the market (winter months).

Balanced Market

  • Interest rates are good and the number of buyers and sellers in the marketplace are fairly equalized.

An Expert Behind You

No one knows the market better than your local real estate agent. They’ll be able to come up with a strategy to get you the best deal, whether it’s a buyer’s or seller’s market. If you’re selling a home, your agent will know the right asking price, and if you’re buying, they’ll know what kind of offer you’ll need to stay competitive.

Contact An Agent to learn more getting the house you want, no matter the market.

May 15, 2018

The Importance of a Home Buying Checklist

home buying checklist, buying a home, texas

Buying a home is complicated, and can quickly become overwhelming if you aren’t organized.  It’s important to stay one step ahead of the process since mistakes have the potential to be extremely costly.

Your Home Buying Checklist

A home buying checklist is a smart way to find the right house without losing your mind in the process! It acts as the first step in the process of elimination, saving you time, money and heartache as you search for the perfect home.  Here are the 3 easy steps to narrow your search:

Determine Needs

There will probably be certain traits that you absolutely must have in a new home. These are the aspects of the home that can’t be changed, such as location, school district or proximity to work. These are your needs. Once you’ve made a list of your needs, your agent should find homes to show you within those specific parameters. Viewing homes that don’t meet your needs is a waste of time for both of you and may result in an emotional attachment to a home that won’t work for your family in practical terms.

Establish Wants

Once you’ve determined your non-flexible needs, you can start to list those things that are important to you, but not absolutely necessary. These are most commonly the traits of a home that can be changed. For example, if you want a home with marble countertops but find a house you love with quartz countertops, that’s something that can be changed fairly easily.

Limit Compromises

Once you’ve developed a list of needs and wants, set limits on how much you’re willing to compromise. If you only have a $30,000 budget for renovations, then a house that realistically needs $60,000 of work should not make the cut. Prioritize those things that are most important to you, so that when the time comes to put in an offer or keep looking, you can do so with confidence that you’re making a sound decision.

Making The Smart Choice

Buying a home is such an exciting time, and knowing that you’ve made the right choice makes the experience even sweeter. It’s important to enter into the process with equal parts practicality and heart. This checklist is a great place to start.

Contact An Agent to learn more about finding your dream home!

May 8, 2018

What To Do This Weekend Around Spring

What To Do This Weekend Around Spring, Blackshear Realty, Spring, Texas

What are you doing this weekend? If you’re like most people, you work so hard through the week that you barely have time to think about the weekend until it’s here! Let us take the guesswork out of making a plan with some fun entertainment ideas:

Indoor Skydiving at iFly

If you’ve always wanted to try skydiving but never knew where to start, iFly is the place for you. The vertical wind tunnel simulates true freefall, but there is no jumping, parachute or plane. Experience the feeling of weightlessness while you float on a cushion of air. It’s just like flying!

Top Golf

Top Golf is a sports entertainment complex that features a high-tech driving range game that everyone can enjoy. Enjoy climate-controlled bays and music while you peruse the extensive menu of food and drinks. Come as a couple or meet a large group of friends, there’s plenty of room for everyone!

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion 

On Friday, May 4, watch the Houston Ballet perform as part of the 2018 Performing Arts Season. Orchestra seating is just $20 or you can opt for free mezzanine and lawn seating. Bring a blanket and a picnic dinner and make a memorable night out of it. 

Line Dancing

Nothing screams “Texas” quite like line dancing. There are many establishments to practice your two step with a cold beer in hand and live music accompanying you, but perhaps the most well-known is Big Texas Dance Hall and Saloon. Come for the free beginners lesson on Wednesday night, then return on the weekend to show off your moves! 

Old Town Spring

Once a thriving hub between 2 railroads, Old Town Spring (then just “Spring”) was home to a lumber mill, hotel, bank, opera house and saloon. When the railroad moved in 1928, with prohibition close at its heels, many businesses were forced to close. The oil boom of the 1960s saw many merchants return, and today the heart of Old Town Spring is vibrant once again. Home to many eclectic shops, bars, restaurants and historic sites, it’s a great place to explore on the weekend.  

Something For Everyone

Spring is a wonderful place to live, and there is truly something for everyone here. If you’ve been thinking about buying a house in Spring, come spend a weekend here and we know you’ll be convinced to stay!

Contact An Agent for more information about finding the perfect house in Spring, Texas.

Posted in Spring TX Homes
May 1, 2018

The Best Reasons to Buy a Home in The Woodlands, Texas

Buy a Home in The Woodlands, Texas, Houses For Sale, Blackshear Realty

With booming job growth, a healthy housing market and just about every amenity you could ask for, The Woodlands has become one of the most desirable cities to live in. Not only in the state, but the country. It has something for everyone, from upscale dining and shopping to local barbecue joints and water parks. Here are just a few reasons to look for a home in The Woodlands:

Highly Rated

The Woodlands consistently ranks in the Top Ten Best Cities to Live in America based on diversity, safety, public schools, cost of living and overall quality of life. It’s a family friendly, convenient community nestled within lush forests and tranquil waterways. 

Convenience

With easy access to I-45, many residents make the short commute to Houston daily in about 30-45 minutes.  The Woodlands also boasts a free Trolley service that shuttles passengers throughout the Waterway and entertainment district. 

Entertainment 

There is no shortage of things to do in The Woodlands, and plenty of entertainment for people of all ages. The Cynthia Woods Pavilion hosts concerts on a regular basis, and features a Performing Arts Season with the Houston Ballet, Grand Opera and Symphony.  There are more than 200 miles of bike and hiking trails, and more than 125 parks. Take a stroll along the Waterway and grab a glass of wine at one of the fabulous restaurants surrounding Lake Woodlands.

Safety

Crime rates in The Woodlands are significantly lower than Houston, and state averages in general. There is a reassuring police presence in the area, including friendly constables and a mounted patrol service. If you’re out of town for vacation, you can request that local law enforcement drive by your home periodically to ensure that it’s secure. 

A Wonderful Place to Call Home

The Woodlands is truly a wonderful place to call home.  Buying a home here is a smart move in a healthy housing market that shows no sign of slowing down. Whether you’re looking for your first home or want to buy a waterfront retirement estate, The Woodlands boasts a wide range of options.

Contact An Agent for more information about real estate in The Woodlands, or search our many houses for sale in the area.

Posted in The Woodlands
May 11, 2017

The 5 Most Important Things First Time Home Buyers Will Hear. PERIOD.

So you’re considering buying your first home in League City?  That’s great news!   Now stop what you are doing immediately…

Most first time buyers blindly stumble into home ownership and walk away from the experience having a bad taste in their mouth. This leaves Realtors scratching their head because they know it doesn’t have to be this way. Really. 

If you want to have a stress inducing experience that may or may not end with you owning a home, stop reading. If you want to guarantee a successful path to home ownership and have an experience you can brag about to your friends and family, follow the 5 Most Important Things Home Buyers in League City Will Hear. PERIOD.

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Posted in league-city-tx
April 12, 2017

Finding a REALTOR® in Spring Texas

If you’ve found this blog, chances are you’re currently home shopping, and plan on making a purchase in the next few months, weeks, or even days! Often, I have many new buyers signing up on my site to browse the most current listings and who are thinking of buying a home in Spring in the next year or sooner. As such, I figured I’d write a blog about what you can expect when using www.BlackshearRealty.com to find your next home and what happens when you create your own account with us. I’ll give you a hint – we are all about helping you find a great REALTOR® and an amazing home!

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Posted in Spring TX Homes
March 2, 2017

A Foodie’s Playground; Top 3 Eateries in and Near League City

Ranked as one of the fastest growing cities by WalletHub in 2016, League City, Texas is absolutely teeming with gourmet eateries. As a resident and Realtor in the League City area, I never run out of delicious options to wine and dine my clients and associates. These are Blackshear Realty’s Top 3 Eateries in and near League City and their best menu items.

League City TX Realtor Site

 

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Posted in league-city-tx
Feb. 20, 2017

Why We Hire Professional Photographers To Sell Your Home

Gone are the days when new homebuyers drive around looking for homes with for sale signs in the yard.  Why would they when it is so easy type in the name of a city in a Google search and find your dream home from the comfort of your couch on a tablet or smartphone? This is the age of information, and you can look up just about anything with the click of a mouse or a few taps on your tablet.  When it comes to buying and selling homes, the game has changed, and we recognize that fact at Blackshear Realty.  

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Posted in Baytown
Sept. 15, 2016

Date Night in The Woodlands, TX

 After a long work week of showing homes in The Woodlands, TX, my wife and I decided to enjoy a night out with just the two of us. “Hey let’s do something tonight!” “OK…what?” The texting went back and forth throughout the day, and by the time we both met back home, nothing was decided. So we walked the dogs, cleaned ourselves up, and backed out of the driveway, destination unknown.

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Posted in Baytown
Aug. 17, 2016

Baytown and Mont Belvieu, Industry and Growth

Baytown TX Homes, Supporting Industry and Growth

The rapidly growing cities of Baytown and Mont Belvieu, located along the Gulf Coast, are homes to several Blackshear Realty sales agents, who are readily available to help those who wish to move to these charming cities. Beautiful Baytown, TX is situated along the San Jacinto River – which is part of the Port of Houston and The Houston Shipping Channel, both major worldwide ports. 

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Posted in Baytown