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EMAIL ME 4740 Ingersoll # 107, Houston, TX 77027 Phone: (713) 942-9200 Fax: (713) 864-4506

USDA Totals 139 Texas Counties Disaster Areas During 2009 Drought/Wildfires

NOV

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 69 Texas counties as primary natural disaster areas because of losses caused by drought, above-normal temperatures and associated wildfires that occurred during 2009.

These are in addition to 70 counties previously designated as primary natural disaster areas earlier this year for the same reason.

A full list of the counties is available on the USDA's website.

Farm operators in the designated areas are eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the USDA's Farm Service Agency provided they meet eligibility requirements. Farmers have eight months from Nov. 2 to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses.

source: USDA

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ARCHIVE

▼2012

►May

Weighty College Debt Another Problem To Overcome For Real Estate Market

Houston Foreclosure Sales Drop Dramatically As Home Prices Continue To Strengthen

BofA Starts Writing Off Borrowers’ Mortgage Debt

Have Other Bank Options Slowed Predicted Wave Of New Foreclosures?

Why 'Too Big To Fail' Banking Has Got To Go

Thousands Of REALTORS® Ready For Housing Rally This Thursday

Survey: There Are Now More Reasons To Buy Than Rent

Builder Confidence Growing In 55-Plus Market

Eagle Ford Shale Play Continues To Fill Texas Coffers

Houston Apartment Property Sales Continue At Rapid Clip

FHFA Downplays Potential of Foreclosures-To-Rentals

Central Texas Wildfire Victims Continuing To Rebuild Their Homes, Lives

5 Cities Where Rents Are Rising Most

In Houston, Oak Forest Is Still A Great Place To Start

3 Ways To Avoid Legal Trouble In Real Estate

Some Sellers Offer Own Financing Just To Get Deals Closed

States With Highest, Lowest Price Appreciation In March

4 Tips For Working With The Pros On Your Home's 'For Sale Curb Appeal'

Some Mortgage Firms Easing Standards To Spur Business

How Much Home Insurance Is Enough?

Distance Between New Vacation Home And Main Residence Declines For First Time Ever

What Buyers Often Overlook In Home Purchases

More Home Owners Taking On House Projects Themselves

Survey: Moves For Job Relocations On The Rise

Taking The Next Stage: Wells Fargo Takes Bigger Bite Out Of Mortgage Market Share

Mortgage Applications Gained Steam Last Week

Freddie Mac: Loan Modifications Are Down

When Moving, Texans Can Protect Themselves From Being Taken For A Ride

Texas Metros Dominate Top Cities For Jobs List

Waiting For The Housing Market To Hit Bottom? You May Have Already Missed It

4 'Shrinking' Cities That Are Still Great Places To Live

Attention Costco Shoppers: See Our Home Mortgages On Aisle 7

5 U.S. Cities Rated With The Best Air Quality

Is Next Foreclosure Wave Gathering Speed? Or Not?

Make Video Marketing Work For Your Business

Freddie Reallocates More Funds To Boost Short Sales

More Buyers Eye Unlisted Homes As Options

Condo Rental Caps Present Thorny Problems

U.S. Homeownership Rate Falls To 15-Year Low

While U.S. Economc Numbers Fail To Inspire Consumers, Housing Remains Encouraging

In Majority Of Cases, Bailing On Mortgage Not A Good Idea

7 Tips For A Profitable Home Closing

Detroit Weighs Plan To Let Vacant Homes Burn

Attacks Against Real Estate Professionals Surge

4 Keys To Selling Your Home In Today's Market

2 Neighbors Hold New Buyers Of REO At Gunpoint

More Landlords Say They'll Rent To The Foreclosed

Real Estate Agent Among Best Business Jobs

Texas Boom Towns: Lone Star Metros Lead List Of Fastest-Growing U.S. Cities

REOs Get Pricier, Report Shows

Lawmakers Accuse FHFA Of Blocking Mortgage Reduction Plan

2 Real Estate Multiple Listing Services Sue Web Site Over Agent Performance Scores

3 Tips For Landing A Home Mortgage

Total Home Mortgage App Volumes Uptick Slightly Last Week

Study: Home Affordability Not Equal For All

5 Countries Where Housing Prices Are Soaring

3 Housing Trends Emerging This Spring

These 6 Signs May Be Telling You It’s Time To Lower Your Home's Sale Price.

Would Borrowers Do Things Differently Today?

Survey: Certain Words In Property Name Can Increase The Value Of Homes

States Fight Storm Chaser Scammers Who Prey On Home Owners After Disasters

Responding To Market Demands, More Builders Offer A 'Home Within A Home'

Beware Bogus Texas Email About Senior Citizen & Disabled Homeowner Property Tax Relief

3 Hidden Costs Of The Foreclosure Crisis

►April

Debunking The Persistent Rumor: There Is No 3.8% Fed Transfer Tax On All Real Estate Transactions

Fed Again Renews Vow To Keep Interest Rates Low

March Pending Home Sales Rise, Market Recovering

Where Sellers Are Most Unrealistic With List Prices

Most ‘Peaceful’ Places To Live In The U.S.

How To Find Cash In Your Second Or Vacation Home

Note To Self For 2013: IRS Says Five Million Or More Miss Out On This Tax Credit Yearly

What Celebrities Desire In Homes

Signs Point To Home Buyers Getting Off The Fence

4 Model Home Tricks To Use On Your Own 'For Sale' Listing

5 Costly Mistakes First-Time Buyers Make

Rehabbed REOs Sell Faster, Study Finds

April 2012 - Askins Online Newsletter

Drastic Low-Ball Home Offers Becoming A Thing Of The Past

Investors Eye REOs As A Real Estate 'Gold Rush'

Bridgeland's Lakeland Heights Wins HBJ's Landmark Award For Residential Development

As The Housing Market Thaws, Average Home Loan Amount Grows

Home Mortgage Application Volume Falls During Past Week

States That Delay Home Foreclosure Process The Longest

More Single Family Homes Turned Into Rentals

7 Metros Where List Prices Soared Last Month

Foreclosures Don't Just Hurt Adults, Study Finds

Having Good Schools Nearby Improves Home Values

Short Sales To Reach Record Numbers This Year?

What Have We Learned? To Avoid Future Problems, Buy Real Estate For The Right Reasons

How To Avoid A Sellers' Worst Common Mistakes

Foreclosure Scams Rise Nearly 60%

New-Home Building Permits Soar To 2008 Levels

Houston Flexing Industrial Market Muscle

March Existing U.S. Home Sales Show Decline, Lower Inventory, Stabilizing Prices

10 Most-Searched Housing Markets In March

Short Sales Start To Outpace Foreclosures

Are Premiums A One-Way Street? Frequent Weather Disasters Has Insurers Pulling Back

Sellers Can Counter Buyer Demands With A House That Is Priced Competitively

Military Towns Not Immune To Credit Squeeze And Housing Malaise

The Selling Of A Crime Scene

Texas Cities Rank High Among 'Best Places To Purchase A Home Now' List

Avoid Home Flaws Being Uncovered Too Late

Buyers Should Be Ready To Snatch Bargains This Spring

Group Of Canadian Real Estate Agents Call For 'Drug House Registry'

Texas Home Prices Inching Upward

Occupy Movement Refocuses On Foreclosure And Eviction Protests

California Lawmakers Oppose Federal REO Rental Pilot Program

Fading 'Fear Factor' Among Home Buyers?

Aspire To Be Mortgage Free? 3 Tips To Help Home Owners Get Free And Clear Quicker

Administration's Housing Scorecard Shows Growing Optimism

Have We Entered A ‘Post-PC World?’

Did High Gas Prices Fuel The U.S. Housing Crisis? Could It Again?

Home Values Rising In Hardest-Hit Real Estate Markets

BofA Now Offering Shortened Short Sale Process

Study: Foreclosures More Neglected In Minority Areas

Buyer Urgency Improves, More See Now Good Time To Buy

Mortgage Statements To Get Consumer-Friendly Makeover

Fed Urging More Banks To Rent Foreclosures

Housing Crunch Coming For Older Americans

More First-Time Home Buyers Decide To Avoid Higher Rental Costs

Suburban Houston Office Market Booming

‘Improving Housing’ List Holds Steady

Texas Counties Consider The Cost: Eagle Ford Shale Boom Pulverizes Texas Roads

The Painted Churches Of Fayette County Are Real Texas Gems

Austin Among Fastest Growing U.S. Cities

New Urbanism Continues To Attract Small-Town Fans

A Year Later, Still No Suspect In Iowa Real Estate Agent Murder

More Buyers See Next Great Opportunity In Vacation Homes

How Can You Beat A Cash Bidder?

Reasons Vacant Homes Are A Tough Sell

Over-55 Communities Relax Age Limits

Could Today's Low Natural Gas Prices Bring Texas' Eagle Ford Shale Play To A Halt?

As Rents Continue To Climb, Home Buying Becoming A Better Alternative

20-Story Office Tower Planned For Houston's I-10 Energy Corridor

FHFA Reconsiders Mortgage Write-Downs

Will Next Foreclosure Flood Dampen Rising U.S. Home Values?

U.S. Home Mortgage Applications Decrease In Weekly Survey

City vs. Suburb: More Americans Rethink Where To Settle

Are You Ready To Be a Cemetery Neighbor?

Texas Recovery Continues To Impress With New Economic Numbers

6 States With The Biggest House Lot Sizes

Pregnant Women Reimbursed Over Mortgage Denials

San Antonio Man Spray Paints Own Home With Expletives

CNBC: Texas Is A "Well-Oiled Real Estate Machine"

Spring Home-Selling Season Is True Test For U.S. Real Estate Recovery

Judge Gives Final OK To $26B Foreclosure Settlement

FHA Implements Fourth Fee Increase Over The Past Three Years

With Home Inventory Tight, Some Real Estate Markets Again Experiencing Bidding Wars

Younger Seniors Forced To Reach For Reverse Mortgages

Feds Continue To Investgate More Banks For Foreclosure Errors

Attacked Texas Real Estate Agent Speaks Out About Industry Safety

Happy Easter!

Do Men And Women Really Make Home Buying Decisions Differently?

Study: Increased Rate Of Home Owners Spending More Than Half Of Income On Housing Costs

Few U.S. Cities Are Ready For Aging Baby Boomer Population

Driving Over the Easter Holiday - Celebrating The Legacy Of The First Texas Roadside Park

Global Survey: U.S. Continues To Be Most Affordable Real Estate Market

First-Time Home Buyers Become Reality Stars

Fair Trade: Facebook Stock For A $29M Home?

Will Improving Home Values Withstand Next Round Of Foreclosure Sales?

Don't Let Overconfidence Scuttle Your Home Sale

5 Low-Cost Kitchen Updates To Attract Buyers To Your Home Listing

UTSA Moves Forward On New D-I Athletic Complex

Just In Time For Opening Day, The Best MLB Player Homes For Sale

Home Mortgage Apps Up Over 2% From One Year Ago

What You Can Do Next If You're Rejected For A Home Loan

Why Do Some Buyers Still Prefer Newly Constructed Homes?

During Recession, Autos Have Become More Important To Retain Than Homes

Northwest Austin's Landmark Renaissance Arboretum Hotel Sold

Smartphone Users Now Comprise Over Half Of Mobile Market

Florida Real Estate Agent Helps Bust Burglar At Listing

Home Owners Planning More Remodeling Projects This Year

Corpus Christi Another Texas Metro That Sees Home Values Take A Jump Last Month

FHA Mortgage Apps Soared Prior To New Regs Taking Effect This Week

Texas Parks & Wildlife Sells Off Palo Duro Canyon Tract

Texas Metros Rank Atop List Of Cities With The Most New Home Construction

Mortgage Process Big Concern Among Home Buyers

National Foreclosures Drop In February

FHFA Considering Major Change Of Course With Mortgage Write-Downs

Texas Markets Among Best Housing Bets For U.S. Investors

30-Year Mortgage Rates Slide Back Below 4%

No Fooling, People Now Would Rather Text Than Talk

More Real Estate Ads ‘Hijacked’ Online In Scams

►March

Buying A Home? Avoid These Most Common Deal Killers

Low Interest Rates Help Americans Save Money

Pop Princess Tries To Sell Home, Again

Homeless Being Trained As Squatters?

With Blemish On Your Credit Score, Is New FHA Rule Designed To 'Kick Some Buyers Out'?

Austin Becoming Tough Housing Market For Low Income

Bernanke Continues To Stand Firm On Interest Rates

One Tall Order: $362B Of Commercial Debt To Mature During 2012

Are New-Home Sales Figures Half-Full Or Half-Empty?

Home Refi Applications In U.S. Drop For Sixth Consecutive Week

5 States That Are Most Plagued By Underwater Mortgages

Can Hard-Hit States Reinvent Themselves?

Pending Home Sales Ease, But Solidly Higher Than Last Year

Top Markets For International Home Buyers

FHFA Message To States: Stop the Roadblocks, Speed Up Foreclosures

More Real Estate Pros (The People On The Street) Optimistic About Home Prices

Energy Spinoff Phillips 66 To Build New Houston Headquarters In West I-10 Energy Corridor

Texas Cities Lead List Of Best Cities For Newlyweds

Have Home Prices Finally Reached Bottom?

While Shadow Inventory Falls 10%, Threat To Home Values Remain

Fannie, Freddie Press For Mortgage Write-Downs

BofA Borrowers In Foreclosure May Get Rent-Back Option

New-Home Market Continues To Show Steady Improvement

Supreme Court Sides With Property Owners In EPA Appeals Case

Study: Number Of Kids Living In Poverty Rises

6 Most Surprisingly Stressful American Cities

Despite Public Outcry, Houston Settles With Controversial Ashby Hi-Rise Developer As Project Moves Forward

Top 10 Wealthiest American Cities

Proof That Foreclosure Counseling Really Does Work

Oprah Sells Penthouse In Less Than A Week

Buying Is Now Cheaper Than Renting In Nearly All Major Cities

The Next New Wave of Construction? Closer To City Cores

Home Builder Stocks Soar, Reaching 2-Year Highs

Get Your Kicks On Route 66 Detour To Austin

February U.S. Existing-Home Sales Slip But Up Strongly From A Year Ago

Watchdog Group Lambasts Fannie, Freddie For Spending On MBA Conference

Housing Market Reaches Turning Point, Economists Say

8 Banks To Be Fined For Wrongful Foreclosures

Texas Leads All States With Metros On Latest ‘Improving’ Housing Index

REO Discounts To Grow Even Bigger In Next Round Of Foreclosure Liquidation?

Mortgage Settlement Could Lead To More Scams Preying On Borrowers

During Next Two Decades, Housing Will Pass From 'Baby Boomers' To 'Echo Boomers'

Survey: Americans Increasingly Upbeat About Home Values

Nationwide Home List Prices Rise Nearly 7%

Spring Has Sprung For Many New Home Builders

Ban On Private Transfer Fees A Big Win For Home Buyers

Western States See Big Drop In Foreclosure Sales

Fed Still Vowing To Keep Mortgage Rates Low

Mobile Tools Become More Important In Real Estate Searches

Hispanics Emerging As New ‘Mega Force’ In Housing

Four Years Later Majors Banks Still Flunking Stress Tests

Groups Step Up To Stop ‘Forced’ Homeowners Insurance

Real Estate Agent Injured When Indiana Home Explodes

U.S. Foreclosure Backlog Starting To Ease

Landlord Tries To Evict Renters By Bulldozing Them Out

Devil's In The Details Of The U.S. Mortgage Settlement

Scammers Continue To Dupe Renters With Online Schemes On Craigslist

Analysis: Houston And Dallas Real Estate Sectors Generate Billions In Salaries

U.S. Home Builder Stocks Surge

U.S. Government Has Trimmed Half Of Its' Foreclosure Inventory

Churches Become Latest Foreclosure Victims

U.S. Real Estate Seeing Greatest Asset Fire Sale In History

U.S. Home Mortgage Refi Volume Down, Purchase Apps Up

Apartment, Condo Market Continues On Hot Streak

More Retirees Opt For Short-Distance Moves To Take Advantage Of Cheaper Cost Of Living

What Will Americans Want Most Once Credit Availability Improves?

Housing Affordability Soars To New Record High

5 States Where The Housing Markets Are Showing Price Appreciation

NAR Wins Challenge In Trademark And Domain Name Case

Better Job Prospects Make Americans More Optimistic About Housing, Economy

Demographics Still Drive The Market: Understanding The Future Demand For New Housing

Florida MLS Makes REO Field Mandatory

Rare Southern Plantations Go Up For Sale

Houston Ranked As The No. 1 U.S. City For Corporate Expansions And Relocations

President Slashes Refi Costs On FHA Mortgages

Commercial And Apartment Mortgage Delinquencies Down, Best Performing Loans During U.S. Recession

Were You Ready To Spring Forward? 70 Million Americans Lack Needed Hours Of Sleep

5 Quick Ways To Enhance Your Home's Sales Appeal

The Million-Dollar Home Search

Second Time Around For Used Building Materials Nets Big Gain For Home Buyers

Which Gender Uses Social Media Smarter?

Daylight Savings Time Debuts Tonight; Survey Says Time Change Doesn't Translate Into Sizzle

Troubled-Home Ordinances On the Rise Around The U.S.

3 Mistakes That Put You At Increased Risk Online And With Smartphones

How To Search For Greenhouse Gas Emitters In Your Area

It's More Than Tex-Mex: Houston Is Now The Nation's Most Ethnically Diverse Metro

Home Prices Stabilizing Despite Increase In REOs

'Rehab' Loans Surge In Popularity To Fix Up Properties

A Real Seller's Market: Texas Permian Basin Experiencing Housing Shortage

Home Mortgage Fraud Cases Rise 20%

Mortgage Rates Remain Steady While Applications Dip

Applications For FHA-Backed Mortgages Rise

Foreclosure Becoming Tool Of Last Resort? More Home Owners In Default Staying-Put

Looking Into The Crystal Ball: When Will The Housing Supply Normalize?

Today's Sellers Willing To Do More To Get Home Sold

These Cities Are Top Candidates For Job Growth Through 2020

Developers Hope To Make Downtown Dallas Residential Destination

The Sky's The Limit: Denver And Austin Share A Successful Tale Of Redeveloped Airports

Is The Home Downsizing Trend Fading?

Chase To Donate Bank-Owned Inventory Homes To Wounded Vets

BofA Accused Of Discriminating Against Disabled Borrowers

Number Of Underwater U.S. Home Owners Grows

Fannie Asking For $4.6 Billion More In Bailout Money

California AG Asks For Halt In Foreclosure Sales

NAR: REO Rental Programs Largely Unnecessary

Mortgage Bills May Soon Be Simpler To Grasp

Economic Week In Review: Patchy But Positive

Down And Out In Beverly Hills: Defaults Of The California Rich

Chicago Area MLS Adds 'Green' Listing Designation

4 Tips To Avoid The Most Common Foreclosure Scams

8 Vacation Rental Hot Spots For Spring And Summer

Entire Town For Sale In Montana for $1.4M

Short Sales Rise, More Banks View It As A Better Option

Rents Keep Rising As Demand Soars

Fed Chairman Bernanke: Economy Improves, Threats Loom

Florida Lawmakers Seek To Speed Up Foreclosures

Houston, San Antonio Only U.S. Cities Showing Overall Home Price Increases Since 2007

Mortgage Application Volumes In U.S. Remain Steady In Late February

Warren Buffett: 'I'd Buy Up A Couple Hundred Thousand' Homes

Askins Online: Thanks To You, Congratulations Are In Order

►February

FHA Announces Fee Hike On Their Mortgages

Pending U.S. Home Sales Rising, Market Remains On Uptrend

Commercial Real Estate Vacancy Rates Improve

Former Home Owners Wait For Second Chance

Nationwide New-Home Inventory Shrinks To Record Lows

Officials: Fed Is Running Out Of Options To Help Housing

Home Sales Are On the Rise: Are You Ready For Spring Buying Season?

Critics Push The Fed For More Public Rulemaking Meetings

BofA Cuts Ties With Fannie Mae

New NAR Partnership Aims To Assist You With Short Sales

Deadline Extended For Home Foreclosure Reviews

6 Best Places For Business, Careers

Even On Oscar Sunday It's Still Hard To Best The 'King Of Cool' - The Allure Of Steve McQueen And His Ranch

Many Buyers Lack Credit Score Knowledge

4 Ways To Get A Home In Show-Selling Shape

Mortgage Rates Inch Up This Month After Record Lows

For-Sale-By-Owners (FSBO's) Vanish As Sellers Turn to Real Estate Professionals

Could Real Estate Be Your Next Career? Field Lures Corporate Refugees

In Houston And Around U.S., Housing Inventories Drop, List Prices Rising

Fewer U.S. Home Owners Behind On Mortgage Payments

Selling Your Home? 3 Ways To Spice Up An Open House

Proposal Gives Lenders Short Sale Response Deadline

How To Create 'Curb Appeal' While Selling Your House In Winter

Mortgage Application Volumes Dip In U.S. In Mid-February

Real Estate Pros Suggest It's Time For Home Sellers To Get Practical About Price

Survey: Why Home Sellers Fare Better With Agents

U.S. Housing Affordability Reaches New Records

Apartment Construction Stimulates Housing Construction To Highest Level In 3 Years

More State Codes Call For Greater Home Energy Efficiency

Home Builders Are Continuing To Feel More Optimistic In 2012

Some U.S. Major Metro Areas Getting Too Pricey For Some Home Buyers

NAR Continues To Caution Against MID Changes

How To Roll Like Today’s Savvy Real Estate Investors

Texas Still Leading Magnet State For U.S. Relocations and Transfers

Banks Offer More Cash Incentives For Short Sales

HUD Grants $1.8 Billion To Enhance Affordable Housing

Banks To Pay Military Members For Mortgage Foreclosure Errors

More Squatters Busted With Surprising Finds In Miami Home

Can You Save A Home By Turning It Into A Giant Billboard?

Facebook IPO Heating Up Housing Market In Already Hot Silicon Valley

Home Owners More Attractive Than Renters, Singles Say

Obama Budget Calls For $6B In Home Energy Retrofits, Reviving 'Cash For Caulkers' Idea

Whitney Houston's New Jersey Mansion For Sale

Major Foreclosure Servicer Charged With Forgery

Texans Will Receive Little Benefit From Fed Mortgage Settlement Agreement

Could Mortgage Settlement Deal Actually Lead To A Jump In Foreclosures?

6 ‘Turnaround Towns’ In U.S. Real Estate

Fed Chair Says 'Normal Lending' Key To Recovery

4 Tips For Buying Smart With New Construction

U.S. Mortgage Applications Take 1% Dip During Week

Income, Job Gap Between Young and Old Widens

Houston's Bridgeland Earns Top 2011 Developer Award From Greater Houston Builders

Ways The National Mortgage Settlement Can Help An Average Home Owner

With Pace Slowing, Is The Foreclosure Crisis Finally Fading?

Agents Make Unexpected Finds In Abandoned Foreclosures

Is Social Networking Detracting From Your Business?

U.S. Metro Area Home Prices Leading Housing Sales, Boosting Affordability For Buyers

More Home Purchase Deals Falling Through Due To Appraisals And Financing

Fannie Starts Accepting Online Offers From Realtors For Properties

Happy Valentine's Day!

For Commercial And Residential Renters, Market Likely To Get Pricier

Texas Rents Rise During Last Month Of 2011

Eagle Ford Shale Driving San Antonio's Industrial Site Boom

List Of Improving Housing Markets Grows

More Parents Act As Kids' Mortgage Lender

Check Back - Changes Could Immediately Open Up Refinance Program To Twice The Current Numbers

Man Pleads Guilty To Attacking Montana Agent

President Ford's California Home On Market for $1.7 Million

Texas Squatter With $16 McMansion Kicked Out After 8 Months

Tips How To Beat The Competition In Buying A Foreclosure

Austin Apartment Market Expected To Continue To Boom

Americans Rank Best, Worst Celebrity Neighbors

Will The Real Estate Market Heat Up This Spring?

Did Builders Overbuild Oversized Houses?

Bernanke Defends Keeping Rates Low For 3 More Years

Apache Corporation Secures Large Commercial Lease Along Houston's West Loop Corridor

DFW Metroplex Home Inventory Setting Up Strong Seller's Market

U.S. Mortgage Refi Activity Ramps Up As Rates Continue Downward

More Housing Aid On The Way For Military Families

Fannie Mae Gains More Short-Sale Authority

Home Ownership Rate Drops To 1997-Levels

Study Reveals Main Culprit Behind Recent Falling Home Values

Texas Reins In Some Home Owners Associations

Travis County Commissioners Strengthen Water Regulations Around Austin Area

Affordability, Efficiency And Condition Rate Tops With First-Time Home Buyers

Effects Of U.S. Recession Have Been Felt Unequally Across The Nation

It's Official - 2011 Worst Year Ever For U.S. New Home Sales

New Rural Refinance Pilot Program Announced

New York AG Sues Banks Over MERS Targeting 'Faulty Preparation And Execution Practices'

Home Construction Spending Rises For 5th Straight Month

Obama Refi Plan Would Help Non-GSE-Backed Borrowers

FHFA Backing Away From Servicing-Fee Changes

States With Highest Mortgage Debt Don't Translate Into More Foreclosures

Historic Galveston Pleasure Pier Rising Again From Hurricane Ike's Ashes

White House Extends Foreclosure Prevention Program Aid

Living Small Offers Growing Appeal

10 Cities With The Cheapest Housing

Treasury Investigates A Bet Against Home Owners

Appraisers Seek Public Comments On Seller Concessions

Black Segregation In Cities On Decline, Study Says

Amarillo Among Top Ten Housing Markets Expected To Outshine All the Rest This Year

Investors Jump In To Turn Foreclosures Into Rentals

iPhone vs. Android: Smartphone Race Heats Up And Gives Professionals More Choices

HUD Extends Discrimination Protections

MBA: 2012 State Of The Mortgage Industry

Why Have Banks Really Tightened Lending Standards?

Are Cash Buyers Driving Down Home Prices?

Moody's: CMBS Delinquency Rates Rise

Texas' Existing Home Sales Show Steady Gains

New Survey Shows Home Ownership Satisfaction Still Remains High

Important Tips When Buying A Home Foreclosure

Study: Economic Woes Cause Birth Rate To Fall

►January

Houston's Job Growth Good News For Home Builders

Houston Remains On Top Of Master-Planned Community Rankings

Will Recent Rent Increases Push People To Buy Homes?

FHA May Ease Seller Concession Cap

Texas Jobs Flowing From Oil Patch

Pending Home Sales Decline In December, Remain Above a Year Ago

Home Foreclosure Sales Are Down, Average Discount 34%

10 Cities Where List Prices Soared In The Last Year

New Task Force Cracks Down On Mortgage Crime

6 Charged In ‘Builder Kickback’ Scam

Home Inspector Sues Agent For Calling Him ‘Total Idiot’

Wells Fargo Launches Program To Clear REO Inventory

President Obama: More Aid Coming To Housing

Data Dictionary Could Be Next New Tool In Real Estate

More Home Buyers Ready To Get Off The Sidelines?

Texas Gets $31M HUD Grant For Wildfires Recovery

Fed Vows To Keep Rates Low Until 2014

Houston Continues To Drive Texas' Growth, Economist Says

Mortgage Application Volumes In U.S. Fall 5% Last Week

Housing Inventory Down 22% Nationwide

2 States Ask Obama For Help With Vacant Home Crisis

Texas Program Helps State's First-Time Homebuyers

Your Rental Payment History Could Be Your Ticket To Better Credit Score And Ownership

Builders Feel The Most Upbeat In More Than 4 Years

Appraisers Defend Their Role In The Home Sale Process

Texas Drought Damage Begins To Trickle Down Through Agricultural Economy

10 Housing Markets Getting The Most Web Traffic

Fed Economist: Despite Upbeat News, Still 'One-In-Four Chance' U.S. Could Face Recession

Banks, Gov't Near Deal On Foreclosure Settlement

Existing U.S. Home Sales Figures Show Uptrend

Optimism Building For 2012 Within Housing Market

Qualifying For The Best Mortgage Rate

10 States That Continue To Lead With The Highest Foreclosure Rates

Fed Officials To Review More Housing Fixes At This Week's Meeting

As Home Prices Have Fallen, More Underwater Borrowers Faced With An Ethical Decision

O.J. Simpson's Home Faces Foreclosure

Freddie Continues To Loosen Credit Score Requirements for Refis

Selling A Rented Home Can Pose Challenges

Tiger Woods' Ex-Wife Bulldozes $12 Million Mansion

Florida Radio, TV Host Busted For Ponzi Scheme

Stark Analysis: 'Current Level Of Household Debt Truly Is Unparalleled'

Big Banks Face Another Investigation Over Home Insurance Allegations

Cities Facing Crisis Over Vacant Foreclosures

Fannie Mae Executive To Step Down

Home Mortgage Applications Surge 23%

Plans In Store For Aggieland Eyesore

MetLife To Layoff 4,300 As It Shutters Mortgage-Origination Business

Coming Tech Trends To Watch In 2012

Just How Long Should Should You Keep Those Tax Records?

Cities Join 'Improving' Housing Market List

It's Not Too Late, Make Sure Your Home Is Winter-Proofed Today

In Texas, ‘Services’ Trumped ‘Goods’ During Recession

4 Red Flags That Send Online Home Buyers Running

Understanding And Preparing For The True Costs Of Home Ownership

4 Home Fads That Faded In 2011

Voters Issue Warnings To Politicians On U.S. Housing

Home Affordability At Best Mark Since 1971

Real Estate Professionals Optimisitic About 2012 Market

Sellers Still Can’t Accept That Home Values Have Fallen

Where You Live In The U.S. Influences How Much Home Mortgage Debt You Have

Which U.S. Cities Have The Largest Average Home Sizes

The Growing Business Of Green

Mortgage Rates Reached New Record Lows Last Week

Pre-Qualified Vs. Pre-Approved - What's The Difference?

Several Housing Markets Head For Price Appreciation In 2012

Fannie Outperforms Rival Agencies

Seniors Getting Help With Selling Homes To Afford Assisted Care

One Less Texas Treasure: Death Of The Dr

International Buyers And Canadian 'Snowbirds' Flocking To Texas To Buy Second Homes

How To Reclaim The American Dream This Year: Middle Class Trend Should Worry All of Us

Foreclosed Home Owners Continue To Take Out Revenge On Properties

Mortgage Apps See 4.5 Percent Weekly Rise

What Today's Home Buyers Desire

How Happy Are People About Moving?

Texas Cities Prominent On Magazine's 'Can-Do' List

New Study: Mortgage Only Defaulters Not Necessarily Future Credit Risk

Local Banks Laying Groundwork For Commercial Comeback

Looking For Housing Bargains? Try These Cities

Unemployed To Get Additional Mortgage Relief From Fannie, Freddie

Houston And Texas Among Most Favored U.S. Markets For Foreign Real Estate Investors

Foreign Buyers Targeting U.S. Vacation Hotspots

10 U.S. Cities Where Home List Prices Are Rising

Houston Single-Family Home Construction Predicted To Rise In 2012

20% Down Ain't What It Used To Be

Distressed Properties Continue To Hamper Other Home Sales

Mixed Views On FHA's Long-Term Financial Strength

Shopping Tips For Buying A Home Warranty

Struggle Continues Nationally To Pay Housing Costs, Especially Renters

Foreclosures Cause Wave Of Poor Health, Study Says

Study: Green Homes Nab Higher Prices At Resale

What's the Best Day To List A Home For Sale?

2 Important Factors In Judging Neighborhoods

Can Where You Live Affect Your Health?

Big Bend Property To Be 'Outdoor Classroom' For Texas State University

Fed To Begin Publishing Rate Outlooks Later This Month

Unemployment Delaying Real Economic Recovery - The Balance Of Power Between Employers And Employees

Mortgage Fraud Remains Rampant, FBI Says

Texas Economy Poised To Outpace Nation (Again)

Mortgage Applications Dip Over Holiday Season

Which Home Improvement Projects Offer You The Best Returns?

Texas Eagle Ford Shale Task Force Hoping To Steer Clear Of Public Criticism

Houston Hopes To Build On Optimistic 2012 Real Estate Market Forecast

What Incentives Might Attract A Buyer To Your Home?

When Home Buyers Get Help With Down Payment, Beware Of The Gift-Giving Rules

Texas State Veterans Homes Expands Capacity With Tyler Facility

Fannie: Economy Ends Year On Cautious But More Upbeat Note

Credit Bureau Report Predicts Drop In Home Mortgage Delinquencies In 2012

On A Percentage Basis, Home Prices Dropped More In 2011 Than Great Depression Numbers

The Better Bargain Now: Foreclosure Or Short Sale?

What's In Store for Housing In 2012?

Builder Confidence Enters 2012 Showing Three Consecutive Months Of Improvement

3 Lessons Consumers Can Learn From Last Year's U.S. Credit Downgrade

Survey Revealed 2011's Top 8 'Best Places to Live'

Happy New Year 2012!

3 U.S. Cities Where Home Prices Appreciated The Most in 2011

What Were The Key Housing Issues Over The Past Year?

Warmth, Economy Draw 'Snowbirds' Back To South Texas Every Year

►2011

►2010

►2009

TOOLS

Neighborhood Finder

View subdivision price trends for the past 13 years, and create comparative subdivision analysis reports online.

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Home Value Finder

View a list of my sold listings.

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School Finder

Search for information on Houston and Texas schools based on the county, district, campus and/or zip code.

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Golf Finder

Golf Course Finder allows you to search for Houston golf courses and to view properties on or near a golf course.

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Highrise Finder

Search for Houston area highrises and see their comprehensive list of features and amenities.

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Housing Market Stats

Includes residential home sales statistics for residential properties and new homes listed by REALTORS®

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Affordable Housing

Online resource center for affordable housing information

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Real Estate News

Providing links to valuable Real Estate news and Information.

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Houston Association of REALTORS®