Signs of Recovery?

Upheaval in Mexico, high-end construction contribute to The Woodlands' home saleboom

The housing market may still be slumping in most of the country, but one Houston-area housing hotspot is bucking the trend.

The Woodlands has seen 341 home sales in 2011, more than a 10 percent increase since that same period in 2010, when 306 homes were sold, according to the Conroe Courier.

That's particularly impressive, because the 2010 figures include the first-time homebuyers tax credit. To compare, the Houston area as a whole saw a decline of nearly 5 percent in February and March compared to 2010 figures, according to the Houston Association of Realtors.

If the current pace holds, The Woodlands could be the leader in homes sales in the Houston area, with sales at their highest number since 2006.

According to realtor Ronnie Matthews, there are several factors contributing to the growth, including high availability of new construction, an improving economic climate, and even the upheaval in Mexico.

"New home construction is doing really, really well, but really all upper-end sales are doing well — everything over $350,000, and particularly homes from $350,000 to $650,000," says Matthews. "People on the upper end didn't lose their jobs; they saved over the past few years, and now the stock market is back, the economy is improving and they're ready to buy."

Matthews says that The Village of Creekside Park is a leading area in sales, with an abundance of lots available.

"It was a little slow in taking off, because it's in Harris County, but it's accepted now as people see it's going to have all The Woodlands' amenities — parks, a great YMCA and things like that," says Matthews.

Matthews says one major source of home sales are Mexican nationals fleeing the escalating violence in their home country.

"The crime is so bad that they are moving all over the city — The Woodlands, Katy, and the Galleria area particularly. But they like The Woodlands, and they pay cash."

What do you think? Is The Woodlands an outlier, or do you think their home sales recovery is part of a larger local trend?

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A Montrose jewel box

Charming Montrose townhouse with 2-story atrium hits the market

Photo by Sonya Sofrankpo for Sotheby’s International Realty

1507 Harold Street is on the market for $950,000.

Montrose has long been Houston’s neighborhood for the eclectic, a place where cute bungalows, mom-and-pop shops, and trendy bars and restaurants sit side-by-side. The neighborhood is a microcosm of the city itself: diverse, developing, beloved.

And even as the neighborhood has steadily gentrified, echoes of its past remain. One of those is now for sale. 1507 Harold Street, a remodeled jewel box of a space, is on the market for $950,000 and represented by Tracey Smith of Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty.

The 1950s townhome has fabulous natural light, balconies, a courtyard filled with native plants, and a funky charm that evokes the neighborhood’s past and present.

Painted tile floors and long hallways with splendid light set the tone for this home. They give way to an open, airy arrangement, showing off 1507 Harold’s nearly 3,000 square feet. The three-bedroom, two-bath home is immediately centered in its neighborhood, but also a retreat from the bustling city around it.

If the devil is in the details, 1507 Harold has plenty of them. Think painted clay tiles on the first floor and solid red oak hardwood on the second floor. Add to that custom Pedini Italian kitchen cabinets, Neolith countertops, and a Quemere custom backsplash in the kitchen. See also the epoxied garage floor with glass garage door.

Floor-to-ceiling windows not only let in the natural light, they give 1507 Harold the feeling of being surrounded by nature. That feeling is enhanced by the home's two, second-floor balconies. One of them, off the primary bedroom, overlooks the cloistered courtyard filled with native plants, park bench, and natural seating. The other faces the neighborhood. A two-story atrium provides space for meditation, contemplation, and casual gathering.

The dining room has a dry bar that’s perfect for storage and an Aobosi dual-temperature wine refrigerator. The primary bedroom has built-in bookcases and drawers, and an ensuite bath with soaking tub and shower. Sliding doors lead to the balcony.

The garden’s irrigation system waters plants daily, keeping this green space well-tended.South Texas cactus and olive trees welcome homeowners and visitors at the front entrance.

The home's welcoming vibe has to be seen to be believed. It’s rarely been on the market, and the odds are high that its next owners will keep it for a very long time. It’s just that kind of place.

Photo by Sonya Sofrankpo for Sotheby’s International Realty

1507 Harold Street is on the market for $950,000.

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