Larry Williams Real Estate Blog

My new listing is an estate home in the Hearthstone community. You can view complete details including the home's "Walk Score" and even schedule a showing online on the property webpage.

A timeless contemporary beauty with stunning golf course views... Located within the fabulous Hearthstone Country Club. Custom built by Robert Bratton, a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired design. Situated on a corner lot, this home features new carpet and interior paint, tile floors, water heater, 2 A/C units & furnances (1 up and down), full front and back sprinkler system and landscaping... A true must see. Enjoy golf or a game of tennis, or relax in the pool at the Hearthstone Country Club. Make it home today...

From NAR January 2012 update; The secretary of HUD was sent a letter from the President of NAR requesting that investors be permitted to participate in the FHA's section 203K Rehibilitation Mortgage Insurance program to purchase vacant and foreclosed homes in need of significant repair.

Harley E. Rouda Jr and Graham Badun- two fo Inman's 100 Most Influentail in 2011, "Graham Badun, CEO of the parent company of Real Living, Brookfield RPS and Harley E. Rouda, Jr, President of Real Living Real Estate have been named in the Inman 100, a list of The 100 Most Influential People in Real Estate in 2011."

From the Houston Chronicle, Dec. 23, 2011:
 
"Washington-Who is paying for the 2 month extension of the payroll tax cut working its way through Congess? The cost is being dropped in the laps of most people who buy homes or refinance beginning next year in 2012.

The typical person who buys a $200,000 home or refinances that amount starting Jan. 1 would have to pay roughly $17 more per month for their mortgage, thanks to a fee increase included in the payroll tax cut bill that the Senate passed on Saturday. The White House said the fee increases would be phased in gradually.

To cover the bill's $33 billion price tag, the measure increases the fee that the government-backed mortgage giants, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, charge to insure home mortgages."

Harley E. Rouda, Jr., President of Real Living Real Estate has announced that their parent company, Brookfield Residential Property Services, acquired Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services on Dec. 16, 2011.

"This means that Real Living is now under the umbrella of the #3 player in the North American residential real estate brokerage market. Real Living now exists within an entity that consists of nearly 80,000 real estate agents and 2,800 locations.

When many companies are retreating with doubts about the U.S. market, through this transaction, Brookfield RPS is showing confidence in the real estate market and committment to the industry.

Through such an expansion, we reach a prominent position within the real esate industry."

Harley E. Rouda, Jr.
President

Effective Dec. 15, 2011, Real Living Houston Home Sales and Bank of America signed a "Preferred Marketing Partner and Alliance Agreement." This will ensure that Real Living Houston Home Sales receives personal service from a local B of A manager, but also all the tools and services the bank provides exclusively for the Real Living Real Estate network.

Our office is looking forward to a long and prosperious relationship with Bank of America by providing additional banking and lending services to our clients.

I would like to announce the grand opening of Creekwood Estates in Friendswood, Texas. This is a gated entry community on 1/2 acre homesites located in The City of Friendswood (Galveston County) within Friendswood ISD. Five custom builders, less than 50 opportunities to own a home here, with on-site sales provided by Lois Wild with Real Living Houston Home Sales.

Homes are priced from the $500's to $900's and 100% custom built. Check out the current inventory and recently sold home on the website: www.creekwoodestates.net

Come see us today!

Sales & Information Center
Phone: 281-992-8300
1900 Wilderness Trail
Friendswood, Texas

On December 6, 2010, Brookfield RPS announced that it has purchased Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services (PRERS), a recognized leader in employee relocation and real estate franchising from Prudential Financial Inc.

The addition of PRERS to Brookfield's existing residential real estate francising and employee relocation services establishes Brookfield as the 2nd largest relocation services company and 3rd largest real estate franchisor.

The Brookfield family of residential real esate companies will now be composed of Royal Lepage, Via Capitale in Canada and Real Living Real Estate and Prudential Real Estate in the United States. Through these brands, brookfield has 80,000 real estate professionals in more than 2800 locations.

We're excited to watch the Real Living Real Estate brand to grow in the Houston market and nationally with this new addition.

Good News from HAR.com, "The latest MLS release with October 2011 residential sales statistics has been posted in the HAR newsroom, October marks the Houston Area's Fifth Consecutive Month of Positive Home Sales"...Hopefully home sales have turned the corner and not just due to more foreclosure sales, time will tell.

Great News for Houston and Texas, 4 of the top ten Cities for jobs and job growth are located in Texas, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas-Ft. Worth, and Austin. Don't listen to people saying the economy is poor, they must not be living in Texas or one of these metro areas. Wanting to sell or buy, call Real Living Houston Home sales today.