a home run year

Houston home sales shatter records in unprecedented year

Luxury homes flew off the market in 2020.

Photo courtesy of Compass

Houstonians don’t need a reminder on how brutal the pandemic was last year. But the despair of 2020 certainly didn’t affect local real estate, according to a recent report.

In 2020, Houston-area home sales sailed by 2019, surpassing 2019 by more than 10 percent, according to data released by Houston Area Realtors (HAR).

Some 96,151single-family homes sold in 2020, according to HAR’s 2020 annual market report. Overall sales of all property types for the year totaled 115,523, which represents an 11.6 percent increase over 2019’s record volume. It also marks only the second time in history that total property sales broke the 100,000 level, HAR notes.

Charting more massive growth, HAR adds that total dollar volume for 2020 exploded 18.1 percent — to a record-breaking $35.3 billion.

Not surprisingly, stay-at-home orders stalled home sales in April and May. However, sales increased each month for the remainder of 2020, with single-family home sales jumping 25.5 percent in December ,compared to December 2019.

Year-to-date, the average price of a home rose 5.9 percent to $324,069; the median price increased 6.1 percent to $260,000. Meanwhile, home inventory was down to its lowest level in history by the end of the year.

Just what were buyers snatching up? Homes priced between $500,000 and $750,000 sold the most, at a whopping 80.8-percent. Luxury homes (priced at $750,000 and up), came in second place, climbing 54.0 percent. Home sales in the $250,000 to $500,000 price range rose 44.6 percent, per HAR’s data.

“When the coronavirus pandemic struck, we expected the real estate business to hit a brick wall and never fathomed the possibility of 2020 becoming a record year for the Houston market,” said HAR chairman Richard Miranda, of Keller Williams Platinum, in a statement. “As we enter 2021, we find ourselves in critical need of inventory if we are to sustain a healthy pace of home sales.”

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HAUTE PROPERTIES

675-acre Hill Country ranch where George Strait rehearsed lists for $19.5M

Photo by Michelle Watson CultureMapSnap

George Strait developed his early sound at Lone Woman Ranch.

Lone Woman Ranch, the Hill Country estate where country stars like George Strait, George Jones, and Ace in the Hole Band rehearsed, is up for sale for $19.5 million.

Located 65 miles from San Antonio in Hays County on 675 acres, the secluded ranch once served as an artistic getaway for emerging Texas artists. The property, listed by Olmos Park firm Republic Ranches. is named after the nearby Lone Woman Mountain, and its elevation gives an incredible view of the county. On a clear day, you can see downtown Austin.

The land comes with two residences, both built near the entrance gate. The primary stone house has original hardwood floors, a recently remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, as well as a new HVAC system. The secondary residence was used as a rehearsal space. Both have had long-term residents who made improvements, and both have their own septic systems, wells, and electric meters.

The real appeal of Lone Woman Ranch, however, is the extensive woods, creeks, and natural setting. It is next to 6,000 acres of conservation land, including Storm Ranch. The entire mountain is also included in the property, making it a veritable mini-kingdom for the owner with unobstructed privacy on three sides.

Two ponds are on the site — a 4-acre and a 1-acre — both fully stocked. Runoff from the larger pond creates picturesque seasonal limestone waterfalls.The surrounding woods are full of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, turkeys, doves, and more. The property is under wildlife exemption.

It's little wonder the ranch was a muse to so many country musicians. A network of ranch roads provides access throughout the property, including most of the way up Lone Woman, giving views around every corner. Only Strait can tell you whether his 1996 hit "King of the Mountain" was inspired by the ranch.

Photo by Michelle Watson CultureMapSnap

George Strait developed his early sound at Lone Woman Ranch.

ranches hill country hays county celebrities george strait george jones listings