Internet Houston Team's eNewsletter                                                                                November 2008

 

Dear Friends and Family,

We hope that you enjoy our first eNewletter. As our primary business is Real Estate, if you or someone you know is looking for a better way to buy or sell a home, please do not keep us a secret! Our goal is to be your Realtor for Life.

Sincerely,

Melonee Piperi & Internet Houston Team

Keller Williams Memorial

www.movinghouston.com    713-465-4646

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Houston Market Update
Hurricane Ike Takes the Wind out of Houston Area Property Sales in September 

HOUSTON - (Oct. 21, 2008) - Property sales across the greater Houston area declined further in September, due largely to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Ike and the resulting interruption to business that included many real estate transactions. According to statistics released by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR), sales of single-family homes dropped 30.2 percent for the month of September when compared to September 2007, marking the thirteenth consecutive monthly decline.

However, home values again remained the bright spot in the HAR monthly report. The average price of a single-family home rose by 4.4 percent in September to $211,660, the highest level ever for a September in Houston. The median price of a single-family home rose 5.0 percent last month to $157,500, also an all-time September high. The median price represents the figure at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less.

Sales of all property types for September 2008 totaled 4,189, reflecting a 29.5 percent drop compared to September 2007. Total dollar volume for properties sold during the month was $857 million versus $1.2 billion one year earlier, a 28.6 percent decline.

"Hurricane Ike effectively shut Houston's real estate business down for half of September," said Michael Levitin, HAR chairman and principal of HTownRealty.com. "Like other businesses, real estate agencies lost anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks due to power outages and damage caused by the storm, and thousands of property transactions were postponed so that sellers could make repairs. Ike did, however, help accelerate transactions involving rental properties as many people sought short-term housing." read more...

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NEW... 103% Financing! 
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What's Happening in Houston  
 
Get Your Family Out and Have Some Fun!
 
Looking for something to do?
Find upcoming events, great places to eat and more!

***click here!***

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TRIVIA QUESTION

The first person to email their answer to us will win a $50 gift card to Lowe's!

This month's question is....

Which team member grew up on a farm?

Click Here to Meet Our Team

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Click Here to Email your answer today!

 

Household Tip

bathroom

Defog your Bathroom

Next time clean your bathroom mirror by smearing shaving cream over the surface and then wipe it off well with a clean cloth. This will prevent your mirror from fogging up from the steam for several weeks or until you clean it again.

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Quick Links
 

 

Today's Rates

    Mtg Loan        Rate    
30-yr Fixed      6.46%*
15-yr Fixed      6.14%*
    1-yr Adj         5.16%*
    *national averages
 
Rates Provided by:

 

Useful Resources   

 

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Property Management

Our Property Management Division is here to help you with all of your leasing and management needs.

Houston Management Team Website

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Understanding Points, Rates and Fees

Buyers

Not only do you have to understand what type of mortgage you should choose, you have to understand the costs associated with your mortgage. All of these costs will be paid upon closing your mortgage. read more...

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Trick or Treat Safety

Click here to find Registered Sex Offenders in your area.

Average Sales Price by Area
Ghosts in the Graveyard Cookie Pizza 
 

 Preparation time: 10 min   Baking time: 17 min   Yield: 16 servings   

Cookie Ingredients:

1/2   cup LAND O LAKES® Butter, softened
1/2   cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4   cup sugar
1   egg
1   teaspoon vanilla
1   cup all-purpose flour
1/2   cup uncooked old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats
1/2   teaspoon baking soda
1/4   teaspoon salt
1   cup real semi-sweet mini chocolate chips


10497 Town and Country Blvd. Suite 120, Houston, Texas 77024      713-465-4646