Ever since two New York speculators, the Allen brothers, founded Houston on a swamp in 1836 and marketed it as "a center of government and commerce" with an "abundance of excellent spring water and enjoying the sea breeze in all its freshness," the Bayou City has been a developer's dream. Our special series, Real Estate Confidential, examines what's happening in the world of real estate in Houston today as the housing market sizzles and building cranes are popping up all over town. Also, CultureMap home editor Barbara Kuntz looks at some of the most interesting residences on the market.

The cupboard is bare: Houston home sales show first decline in three years as prices reach all-time record

By Ralph Bivins - June 11th, 2014

A lack of inventory has put a damper on the Houston housing market winning streak as sales declined in May — the first decline in three years. The Houston Association of Realtors reports 7,145 single-family homes sold in May, a 7.3 ...

33 On the Market luxury lake property Round Top June 2014

The ultimate lake house: This $5.3 million mansion seems to float on water, includes its own bridge

By Barbara Kuntz - June 9th, 2014

Editor's Note: Houston, the surrounding areas and beyond are loaded with must-have houses for sale in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. In this continuing series, CultureMap snoops through some of the best and gives you the lowdown on what's ...

On the Market 7 Winston Woods July 2014 front exterior from driveway

Houston's Historic Mansion

This $11.5 million Houston mansion brings historic luxury and legends This $11.5 million Houston mansion brings historic luxury and legends By Barbara Kuntz

7.6.14 | 8:24 am

Editor's Note: Houston, the surrounding areas and beyond are loaded with must-have houses for sale in all shapes, sizes ...

8 Hines offices in The Galleria July 2014

Iconic Skyscraper Goes Green

Iconic Houston skyscraper earns coveted Green status after modern redo Iconic Houston skyscraper earns coveted Green status after modern redo By Shelby Hodge

7.5.14 | 12:31 pm

International real estate firm Hines is on a high, literally and figuratively, after the redesign of its Galleria-area office has ...

On the Market 1111 Caroline No. 3007 June 2014

Condo Fever Takes Over

Condo fever rules Texas: It's only the start of the townhouse craze Condo fever rules Texas: It's only the start of the townhouse craze By Barbara Kuntz

7.5.14 | 8:08 am

It's not just Houston's sultry summer weather that's heating up. Condominium and townhouse sales are also hot ...

CityPlace Springwoods Village near The Woodlands rendering June 2014

Exxon Mobil Campus Change

Mammoth new Exxon Mobil campus lures a fancy new mixed-use development Mammoth new Exxon Mobil campus lures a fancy new mixed-use development By Elizabeth Rhodes

7.4.14 | 1:22 pm

With employees already starting to move into the new Exxon Mobil campus in North Houston, it should come as no ...

Memorial midrise multifamily development rendering July 2014 apartment complex

Changing Houston

New apartment complex is all about downtown views and bike trails New apartment complex is all about downtown views and bike trails By Barbara Kuntz

7.1.14 | 5:17 pm

Yet another midrise complex is coming to Houston, this one called Jefferson Heights, a seven-story, 198 residential-unit community to be ...

5 Mayor Annise Parker press release grocery stores for food deserts Pyburn's Farm Fresh Foods June 2014 Sheila Jackson Lee presentation

New Houston Grocery Store

New Houston grocery store to bring high-end goods into a food desert New Houston grocery store to bring high-end goods into a food desert By Eric Sandler

6.30.14 | 3:18 pm

One of Houston's most notorious food deserts is about to get some irrigation thanks to a public-private partnership. Local ...

Jim Parsons' Crazy New House

A Houston celeb buys Robert Pattinson's lavish mansion in Hollywood A Houston celeb buys Robert Pattinson's lavish mansion in Hollywood By Elizabeth Rhodes

6.27.14 | 3:46 pm

Houston's own Jim Parsons, better known as Sheldon Cooper on the CBS sitcom Big Bang Theory, has recently upgraded ...

Best New Development, Mid-Rise Hanover Rice Village by Hanover June 2014

Best Apartments in Houston

Best apartments in Houston: 4 new rental complexes named tops Best apartments in Houston: 4 new rental complexes named tops By Barbara Kuntz

6.27.14 | 8:11 am

Four Houston apartment communities were named best new rental developments in the city at the Houston Apartment Association's third ...

1 On the Market 5620 Bordley Drive Matt Schaub house June 2014

Texans' Mansion For Sale

Former Texans quarterback's mansion comes with starry media room Former Texans quarterback's mansion comes with starry media room By Barbara Kuntz

6.25.14 | 2:34 pm

Editor's Note: Houston, the surrounding areas and beyond are loaded with must-have houses for sale in all shapes, sizes ...

Topaz Villas luxury condos 4520 Yoakum Blvd. Montrose rendering by highway June 2014

Real Estate Rumblings

Midrise mania: Another luxury condo complex is headed to Montrose Midrise mania: Another luxury condo complex is headed to Montrose By Barbara Kuntz

6.25.14 | 12:40 pm

It seems that nearly every developer in town is joining the luxury condo market. Among the latest to hop on ...

1 On the Market 134 Calle Catalina June 2014

Houston's Spanish Mansion

The Spanish life in Houston: $1.3 million home is all about community The Spanish life in Houston: $1.3 million home is all about community By Barbara Kuntz

6.24.14 | 12:38 pm

Editor's Note: Houston, the surrounding areas and beyond are loaded with must-have houses for sale in all shapes, sizes ...

Foodie News

Austin's culty restaurant chain stakes out another Houston hot spot Austin's culty restaurant chain stakes out another Houston hot spot By Nicole Appleby

6.23.14 | 5:23 pm

Montrose, Rice Village, The Heights, Cinco Ranch and now . . . northwest Houston. Torchy's Tacos strikes yet again. The Austin-born chain ...

The Other Half

Celeb life: PGA Tour star's Texas mansion comes with an orgasmic pool Celeb life: PGA Tour star's Texas mansion comes with an orgasmic pool By Jennifer Chininis

6.22.14 | 5:08 pm

Ever wonder how PGA TOUR star really lives? A new Dallas area home listing answers the questions. Pro golfer Hunter ...

World Headquarters of Willie Nelson ranch Luck, Tx storm damage

Celebrity Homes

Willie Nelson's iconic Texas ranch town is ripped apart by a tornado Willie Nelson's iconic Texas ranch town is ripped apart by a tornado By Ryan Lakich

6.21.14 | 5:54 pm

A big piece of Texas music and film history was damaged by recent severe weather. Portions of Luck, Texas, Willie ...

Real Estate Trends Surprise

Bikers and dogs suddenly rule real estate: Six surprising new trends Bikers and dogs suddenly rule real estate: Six surprising new trends By Ralph Bivins

6.21.14 | 9:53 am

Real estate reflects the way people want to live, work, shop and play. If there’s a new trend afoot ...

Exclusive Hotel Penthouse

Exclusive hotel penthouse brings architect cred, $4.6 million price Exclusive hotel penthouse brings architect cred, $4.6 million price By Barbara Kuntz

6.20.14 | 1:04 pm

Editor's Note: Houston, the surrounding areas and beyond are loaded with must-have houses for sale in all shapes, sizes ...

On The Market

Fish & boat in the city: $4.2 million home comes with backyard lake Fish & boat in the city: $4.2 million home comes with backyard lake By Barbara Kuntz

6.18.14 | 2:00 pm

Editor's Note: Houston, the surrounding areas and beyond are loaded with must-have houses for sale in all shapes, sizes ...

Redo Mania

What your house is missing: Open-air living rooms are a hot new trend What your house is missing: Open-air living rooms are a hot new trend By Jennifer Chininis

6.16.14 | 12:02 pm

Homeowners hoping to expand their living spaces are looking to the outdoors now more than ever. According to the recent ...

2 On the Market 2240 Inwood June 2014 front exterior night

Mysterious River Oaks Manse

Mysterious new River Oaks manse brings new builder, concierge service Mysterious new River Oaks manse brings new builder, concierge service By Shelby Hodge

6.15.14 | 4:26 pm

Editor's Note: Houston, the surrounding areas and beyond are loaded with must-have houses for sale in all shapes, sizes ...

Heights house remodel 1207 Harvard St. June 2013

Heights Eyesore Transformed

Defying call to teardown eyesore, couple pulls off a great restoration Defying call to teardown eyesore, couple pulls off a great restoration By Barbara Kuntz

6.14.14 | 11:11 am

What was once an eyesore along Harvard Street in the Houston Heights is now an elegantly restored Craftsman-style home for ...

USE THIS ONE News_NEW HEAD SHOT_Ralph Bivins_column mug

Congratulations!

CultureMap and Houston Public Media honored with national awards CultureMap and Houston Public Media honored with national awards By Clifford Pugh

6.13.14 | 8:00 pm

CultureMap real estate contributor Ralph Bivins and Houston Public Media reporter Andrew Schneider were among the winners in the The ...

12 On the Market 21 Briar Hollow 802 penthouse with rooftop garden June 2014 terrace

The AstroTurf Penthouse

This River Oaks penthouse comes with its own AstroTurf, skyline views This River Oaks penthouse comes with its own AstroTurf, skyline views By Barbara Kuntz

6.13.14 | 12:24 pm

Editor's Note: Houston, the surrounding areas and beyond are loaded with must-have houses for sale in all shapes, sizes ...

young couple moving into a new house with boxes no faces

Real Estate Trends

Millennials rock real estate world with desire for urban living Millennials rock real estate world with desire for urban living By Barbara Kuntz

6.11.14 | 2:34 pm

Millennials, the generation born after 1980, are bringing changes to the real estate scene with strong preferences for urban living ...

Belize Sotheby's International Realty San Pedro Town, Belize $1,995,000

UH Power Couple

Tropical destination hits the global market thanks to UH power couple Tropical destination hits the global market thanks to UH power couple By Barbara Kuntz

6.10.14 | 8:11 am

The luxury real estate business in Belize is officially global now that Belize Sotheby’s International Realty recently unveiled an ...

11 On the Market 636 W. Alabama St. June 2014 front

Montrose's Perfect Party House

Montrose's Perfect Party House: Restored 1920s home is tricked out Montrose's Perfect Party House: Restored 1920s home is tricked out By Barbara Kuntz

6.8.14 | 10:46 am

Editor's Note: Houston, the surrounding areas and beyond are loaded with must-have houses for sale in all shapes, sizes ...

The Sam Houston Hotel downtown Houston exterior day

Changing Houston

Historic Houston hotel comes under a giant's control, perks promised Historic Houston hotel comes under a giant's control, perks promised By Elizabeth Rhodes

6.7.14 | 9:58 am

Downtown's Sam Houston Hotel is becoming one of the first properties in the nation to carry the Curio name ...

9 On the Market Real Estate Confidential 8008 Colgate June 2014

Historic Extreme Makeover

From shambles to stunning: A historic Mid-Century Mod extreme makeover From shambles to stunning: A historic Mid-Century Mod extreme makeover By Barbara Kuntz

6.7.14 | 8:23 am

A Mid-Century modern miracle makeover is being showcased in a home tour this weekend as part of preservation group Houston ...

Gallery Furniture flagship store in Richardson rendering June 2014

Save You Money

Grand new Gallery Furniture store plans to be open by Christmas Grand new Gallery Furniture store plans to be open by Christmas By Elizabeth Rhodes

6.4.14 | 4:23 pm

With a golden shovel in hand, Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale broke ground Tuesday on Gallery Furniture's largest store ever ...

On the Market 88 Grand Regency Circle most expensive house for sale in The Woodlands June 2014

Houston's Most Expensive Home

Houston's most expensive home: Over-the-top extravagance at estate Houston's most expensive home: Over-the-top extravagance at estate By Barbara Kuntz

6.4.14 | 1:55 pm

Editor's Note: Houston, the surrounding areas and beyond are loaded with must-have houses for sale in all shapes, sizes ...

The Grove at Wilcrest Luxury Apartments exterior day June 2014

Real Estate Rumblings

Living like an oil king: New Energy Corridor apartments go way upscale Living like an oil king: New Energy Corridor apartments go way upscale By Heather Staible

6.3.14 | 2:45 pm

The high-wattage Energy Corridor is continuing its blazing growth with the opening of The Grove at Wilcrest, a four-story luxury ...

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The cupboard is bare: Houston home sales show first decline in three years as prices reach all-time record

By Ralph Bivins - June 11th, 2014

A lack of inventory has put a damper on the Houston housing market winning streak as sales declined in May — the first decline in three years. The Houston Association of Realtors reports 7,145 single-family homes sold in May, a 7.3 ...

The ultimate lake house: This $5.3 million mansion seems to float on water, includes its own bridge

By Barbara Kuntz - June 9th, 2014

Editor's Note: Houston, the surrounding areas and beyond are loaded with must-have houses for sale in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. In this continuing series, CultureMap snoops through some of the best and gives you the lowdown on what's ...

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The cupboard is bare: Houston home sales show first decline in three years as prices reach all-time record

By Ralph Bivins - June 11th, 2014

A lack of inventory has put a damper on the Houston housing market winning streak as sales declined in May — the first decline in three years. The Houston Association of Realtors reports 7,145 single-family homes sold in May, a 7.3 ...

The ultimate lake house: This $5.3 million mansion seems to float on water, includes its own bridge

By Barbara Kuntz - June 9th, 2014

Editor's Note: Houston, the surrounding areas and beyond are loaded with must-have houses for sale in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. In this continuing series, CultureMap snoops through some of the best and gives you the lowdown on what's ...