Athletes With Foreclosed Homes

In today's market even those with money are not immune from foreclosure, especially when they don't monitor their spending habits.  People from Dr. J, to Allen Iverson, and John Smoltz. Head on over to CNBC and check out the other athletes that have had housing problems.

Google Invests $75M In Home Solar Through Clean Power Finance

Despite the recent collapse of solar manufacturer Solyndra, the U.S. solar industry continues to attract private equity such as the $75 million Google announced Tuesday to finance photovoltaic panels for homes.

Google's Rick Needham, speaking at the Renewable Energy Finance Forum in San Francisco, said the money would create a fund with Clean Power Finance to help up to 3,000 homeowners lease solar panels. In June, Google announced its first investment in residential solar -- a $280 million fund with SolarCity, of San Mateo, Calif., to install solar panels in up to 9,000 homes and lease them on a monthly basis with zero upfront costs. >> More

What is Necessary For Home Values To Begin Increasing?

The graph below includes what the Real Estate industry calls the "shadow inventory". In simple terms this is the homes currently on the market that are either in Foreclosure, Serious Deliquent Status, or REO (Bank Owned). While the media speaks of the economy in general, and the problems with banks and credit, in reality any product and the value of that produce is driven by supply and demand.  As the plot below indicates during the height of the housing boom the shadow inventory was extremely low down near 0.4 million homes.  As the economy and housing market began to deepen the inventory levels began to rise. During this past year the number reached a peak of 2 million homes in January. This indicator of the housing market is a lagging indicator.  In other words while the inventory levels reached their lowest level in 2006 the housing market had already began to slow. The same will be true as the inventory declines.  The market is always slightly better than the numbers indicate.

The positive side is that the worst is over.  The inventory is now showing a constant continued reduction. At the current rate of decline the shadow inventory will be near or below 1 million homes in 12 months and 0.5 million in 1.5 years. Let's hope this trend continues and home owners are smiling once again as they celebrate the coming of 2013 on new years eve.

New Houston Charity Events Webpage Added to our Site!

We are now adding local charity events to our website. Sporting events and social events will take precedent but if anyone desires to have their event listed please contact us.  We will be more than happy to accomodate! Charity Events

Mortgage Rates Remaining Low

The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage reached a new record low of 3.29 percent this week, as 30-year mortgage rates remained at the record low it reached last week, Freddie Mac reports in its weekly mortgage market survey. Click here for more information.

Insperity Golf and Discovery Green in Downtown Houston

Numerous local area artists including the highly popular The Art Guys ( covered in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Wall Street Journal, Art In America, ArtNews, Artforum, Sculpture Magazine, CNN, CBS News Sunday Morning) have created a one-of-a-kind 9-hole miniature golf course in Discovery Green park in downtown Houston. The event will be held through October 29th. There are group discounts available and advanced reservations can be made for private parties.  Cost if $5 for adults and $3 for children so head on out and see the incredible art work and have some fun playing.  For more information on artists and the event head over to http://www.discoverygreen.com/.

Bill Hass FedEx Cup Champion!

Congratulations Bill Hass for winning the Tour Championship. The shot from the water during the playoff on the 17th was fantastic!

Adult Flag Football Winter League Beginning Soon!

Men's and Coed flag football winter league begins November 1st and continues till December 15th.  Registration begins October 3rd.  Play is held at Memorial Park Fields on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 6:30pm to 10:30pm.  For more information head over to the City of Houston website.

Halliburton Charity Golf Event - October 6th

The Hallibruton Charity Golf Event will be held this year Thursday October 6th. The event raises large amounts of money and this year is helping 15 charities including Mothers Against Cancer , Driscoll Children's Hospital, Ronald McDonald House Houston, Teach for America, and Communities in Schools Houston just to name a few. Over the past 18 years the tournament has provided nearly $4 million to charities. This year the tournament will be held at The Club of Kingwood with breakfast starting at 7:30am. A shotgun start will begin at 9am. For more information head over to their website.

Cub Scouts Charity Golf Tournament Starts Today!

The 35th Annual John B Turner Memorial golf Tournament starts today at Kingwood Country Club. The tournament is played on three courses and money raised goes toward the character-building programs in Scouting!  Go out and show your support. For more information about the tournament head over to the Sam Houston Area Council Boy Scouts of America.