The recession easing in Houston could have a positive impact on the demand for Galveston real estate, especially the second home market.

Check out this Houston Business Journal article concerning the easing of the recession in Houston.

See all Galveston listings by clicking here.

We were quite surprised to find the tables turned on James Selig as he became the subject of a blog post by Kinetic Knowledge Real Estate Blogsites.

This post was prompted by the recent article on James in the Council of Residential Specialists’ magazine, Residential Specialist.

You can read the post by clicking here.

You can view all Galveston real estate listings by clicking here.

Keller Williams Realty presents “This Month in Real Estate”for Janaury 2010.

Click here to see the video.

See all Galveston listings here.

Accredited Buyer's Representative Manager

I received word yesterday that I have been awarded the ABRM real estate designation.

The ABRM real estate broker course was developed for managers, brokers and owners who wish to better incorporate buyer representation into their company’s service offerings. Designees have taken and passed both the ABR and ABRM course and provided documentation of past management experience.

I have had a buyer’s representative on my team for the past few years as a way to provide focues service to those looking to buy Galveston real estate.

Galveston real estate – The December 2009 video installment of Keller Williams’ “This Month in Real Estate” can be reached clicking here.

Please be certain to let us know who is thinking about buying or selling real estate.

We have good news!

The $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit, which was slated to expire Nov. 30, 2009, will be extended for contracts signed before May 1, 2010 that close before July 1, 2010. First-time buyers, who are in the process of closing now, no longer have to worry about qualifying for the $8,000 tax credit if they do end up closing after the Nov. 30 deadline. The new legislation also increases the income limit for couples with income up to $225,000, a nearly $55,000 increase above the current level.

Buyers who already own a home are also now eligible for a tax credit and the purchase of a home. The $6,500 maximum credit will be available to existing homeowners who have lived in their current residence for five of the prior eight years. The legislation does set forth several provisions including limiting eligibility for existing homeowners to homes worth $800,000 or less, as well as making both credits available only for primary residences, not second homes or investment properties. The legislation took effect November 7, 2009 and is not retroactive.

Please let us know if we can be of service.

Galveston real estate - Well, the nation’s economy certainly has affected the Galveston MLS sales numbers on as evidenced by the average price of homes sold on the Galveston West End. Hurricane Ike has affected the average sales price of homes behind the Seawall due to the large number of damaged homes sold “as is.”

From October 2007 through September 2008, there were 598 single-family homes behind the Seawall listed. During that same time period, 149 homes sold with an average sales price of $272,879. From October 2008 through September 2009, there were 983 homes listed for sale, 322 homes sold, and an average sales price of only $116,014. 

On the West End, from October 2007 through September 2008, there were 885 homes listed, 300 homes sold, and an average sales price of $409,799. From October 2008 through September 2009, there were 898 homes listed, 284 homes sold, and an average sales price of only $272,879. It is not that the sales prices plummeted; rather, it is the fact that the sales that took place were of lower priced properties. For the most part, the expensive luxury homes on the West End are not being sold.  However, I have started noticing some activity involving the luxury beach front homes in the last couple of months. As the economy improves and people feel more confident, we will see more of the expensive homes sell.

Now is a good time to buy.  There has been a lowering of prices in all categories, interest rates are still low, and the first time home buyer’s tax credit has been extended and a home buyer’s tax credit for those who are not first time home buyers has been added.

Please call me for more details.

Galveston real estate  – the Homebuyer Tax Credit has been extended and expanded!

Please click here to read about it and get the details.

Also, if buying a home to be your official homestead for property tax purposes, don’t forget that you need to close prior to the end of the year.

Some days, when you least expect it, you get knocked down.  Other days, when you least expect it, you get a great surprise. Luckily, yesterday was an “other” day.  Upon waking up on Thursday, I went to check my email and discovered a request from a national real estate magazine for permission to profile me in their January/February issue.  I just got off the phone from an hour long interview. 

Here is the scoop.  The Residential Specialist is the magazine for the Council of Residential Specialists, a group of about 34,000 real estate agents across the country who have taken numerous real estate courses to achieve the CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) designation. This is an organization that provides high caliber training to real estate agents.

I will be featured on their “Up Close: Profiles of People To Watch” page.  The interview will be one full page and the opposite page will be a full page color photo of me (I am certain it will be suitable for framing in case you want one – I know Mom does). The magazine is only published six times a year, so I will be one of only six real estate agents to get this wonderful treatment next year. I have no idea as to how I got picked for this honor and will refrain from questioning my good luck.

James Selig

Every month, Keller Williams Realty presents a video concerning the national real estate market.

Please click here to get the update.

To discuss the local real estate market, then please give me a call at 409/256-1274.

See all Galveston real estate listings here.