Timothy Sojka

West Houston Real Estate News - West Houston Home Sales Update for October 2008

By West Houston Realtor - Tim Sojka (shop for a home online at www.Search-Katy-Homes.com )

If you would like more information on West Houston or to arrange a tour call Tim at 713-822-2152 or shop for a West Houston home online at www.Search-Katy-Homes.com

As with the rest of the nation the Houston Area real estate market has seen a shift. Our markets Katy, Cypress and West Houston have not seen the full brunt of the real estate shift as have other markets (the East Coast and West Coast). The days on the market in all of the areas serviced by our team are less than 90 days. So technically it is a sellers market. I don't know how else to say this "it just doesn't feel like a sellers market." Honestly, I believe we are in a transition market, somewhere between a buyers and sellers market.

Incoming jobs, the oil industry and affordable home prices have protected us for the most part. Still we are feeling some effects and indications are that this market will most likely remain a little soft for the next few months, at the very least. I have included year to date sales statistics for Katy, West Houston and Cypress below with a brief analysis. I hope you enjoy the information. For an overview of all reports and some tips on what you can do in this market to sale your home more quickly simply scroll to the bottom of this message.

West Houston / Memorial / Spring Branch

Like Katy, fewer homes have come on the market this year than in 2007. Still, a smaller percentage of them are selling. This market has always been strong for resale. In 2008, 51% of all homes that have come on the market have sold. That number is fairly strong. However, in 2007, 56% of all homes that came on the market sold, so even this robust market has cooled slightly.

Also, pending and closed sales have both declined. In addition the days a home sits on the market has increased by 8%. The increased time on the market is not helped by the fact that listing prices have increased by 8% while home contract prices have only increased by 1.6%. I know this is redundant to the Katy information, however it holds true, sellers have not responded to the softer market yet and are pricing homes to high. This is may be an indication of receiving poor information from the listing agent or simply and lack of knowledge of the softening market.

This area has reported modest gains of 1.6%. These numbers are distinctly higher in some sub-areas and lower in others. For more detailed information contact your Realtor® or one of the Realtors® on our team.

So you may be asking what you can do to sell your home quickly. A strong market can cover weaknesses. However, this market requires a properly priced and well appointed home. Call a strong Realtor® with a solid reputation to give you advice specific to your home.

Or feel free to contact your market expert Tim Sojka at 713-822-2152.

For more information about Katy Texas or the beautiful new homes within the confines contact realtor Tim Sojka at 713-822-2152. To shop for a home online go to www.Search-Katy-Homes.com . To find out the value of your home go to www.seetimsell.com

All information posted is the intellectual property of Timothy Sojka and cannot be republished or used without his written consent

Cypress Real Estate News - Cypress Home Sales Update for October 2008

By Katy Realtor - Tim Sojka (shop for a home online at www.Search-Katy-Homes.com )

If you would like more information about Cypress call Tim at 713-822-2152 or shop for a Katy home online at www.Search-Katy-Homes.com

As with the rest of the nation the Houston Area real estate market has seen a shift. Our markets Katy, Cypress and West Houston have not seen the full brunt of the real estate shift as have other markets (the East Coast and West Coast). The days on the market in all of the areas serviced by our team are less than 90 days. So technically it is a sellers market. I don't know how else to say this "it just doesn't feel like a sellers market." Honestly, I believe we are in a transition market, somewhere between a buyers and sellers market.

Incoming jobs, the oil industry and affordable home prices have protected us for the most part. Still we are feeling some effects and indications are that this market will most likely remain a little soft for the next few months, at the very least. I have included year to date sales statistics for Katy, West Houston and Cypress below with a brief analysis. I hope you enjoy the information. For an overview of all reports and some tips on what you can do in this market to sale your home more quickly simply scroll to the bottom of this message.

Cypress

Cypress

Like Katy and West Houston, fewer homes have come on the market this year than in 2007. Although, fewer home have come on the market a smaller percentage of them are selling. In 2008, 52% of all homes that have come on the market have sold. That number is fairly strong for a soft economy. However, in 2007, 55% of all homes that came on the market sold, so Cypress, one of the fastest growing areas in the nation has cooled slightly.

Also, pending and closed sales have both declined. In addition the days a home sits on the market has increased by 10%. The increased time on the market is not helped by the fact that listing prices have increased by 4% while home contract prices increased by less than 1%. I know this is redundant to the Katy and West Houston information, however it holds true, sellers have not responded to the softer market yet and are pricing homes to high. This is may be an indication of receiving poor information from the listing agent or simply and lack of knowledge of the softening market.

This area has reported modest gains of 1%. I know these numbers are not what homeowners were hoping for but again they are still stronger than most of the nation. These numbers are distinctly higher in some sub-areas and lower in others. For more detailed information contact your Realtor® or one of the Realtors® on our team.

So you may be asking what you can do to sell your home quickly. A strong market can cover weaknesses. However, this market requires a properly priced and well appointed home. Call a strong Realtor® with a solid reputation to give you advice specific to your home.

Or feel free to contact your market expert Tim Sojka at 713-822-2152.

For more information about Katy Texas or the beautiful new homes within the confines contact realtor Tim Sojka at 713-822-2152. To shop for a home online go to www.Search-Katy-Homes.com . To find out the value of your home go to www.seetimsell.com

All information posted is the intellectual property of Timothy Sojka and cannot be republished or used without his written consent

Katy Real Estate News - Katy Home Sales Update for October 2008

By Katy Realtor - Tim Sojka (shop for a home online at www.Search-Katy-Homes.com )

If you would like more information on Katy or to arrange a tour call Tim at 713-822-2152 or shop for a Katy home online at www.Search-Katy-Homes.com

As with the rest of the nation the Houston Area real estate market has seen a shift. Our markets Katy, Cypress and West Houston have not seen the full brunt of the real estate shift as have other markets (the East Coast and West Coast). The days on the market in all of the areas serviced by our team are less than 90 days. So technically it is a sellers market. I don't know how else to say this "it just doesn't feel like a sellers market." Honestly, I believe we are in a transition market, somewhere between a buyers and sellers market.

Incoming jobs, the oil industry and affordable home prices have protected us for the most part. Still we are feeling some effects and indications are that this market will most likely remain a little soft for the next few months, at the very least. I have included year to date sales statistics for Katy, West Houston and Cypress below with a brief analysis. I hope you enjoy the information. For an overview of all reports and some tips on what you can do in this market to sale your home more quickly simply scroll to the bottom of this message.

Katy

As you can see fewer homes have come on the market this year than in 2007. This may be due to reduced builder inventory. Although, fewer home have come on the market a smaller percentage of them are selling. Only 53% of the homes that have come on the market have sold. In 2007, 55% of all homes that came on the market sold.

Also, pending and closed sales have both declined. In addition the days a home sits on the market has increased by 14%. The increased time on the market is not helped by the fact that listing prices have increased by 7.5% while home contract prices have only increased by 3%. Sellers have not responded to the softer market yet and are pricing homes to high. This may be an indication of receiving poor information from the listing agent or simply and lack of knowledge of the softening market.

The news is not all negative though. As mentioned above, home sales prices in Katy have increased approximately 3%. This may look like a modest gain; however, in the face of the overall economy these numbers are very good. These numbers are distinctly higher in some Katy sub-areas and lower in others. For more detailed information contact your Realtor® or one of the Realtors® on our team.

For more information about Katy Texas or the beautiful new homes within the confines contact realtor Tim Sojka at 713-822-2152. To shop for a home online go to www.Search-Katy-Homes.com . To find out the value of your home go to www.seetimsell.com

All information posted is the intellectual property of Timothy Sojka and cannot be republished or used without his written consent

Katy Real Estate News - Buying a home in Texas with Little or No Money Down or Bad Credit

By Katy Realtor - Tim Sojka (shop for a home online at www.Search-Katy-Homes.com )

People ask if you can buy a home today with no money down and bad credit. The answer is yes and no.

If you have little to no money but good credit, you may be able to get approved by a lender. Or you may find a seller who is willing to finance for you.

If you have bad credit it is very hard to get approved but again seller financing may be an option. However, you will need some money down to buy yourself some credibility.

So you can have no money down or bad credit - but both are a lethal combination. We can help home buyers in Katy, west Houston and Cypress Texas find a home using seller financing. Simply give Tim a call at the number below.

Seller financing just may be an option for you.

If you would like more information on the neighborhood or to arrange a tour call Tim at 713-822-2152 or shop for a heritage grand home online at www.Search-Katy-Homes.com

For more information about Katy Texas or the beautiful new homes within the confines contact realtor Tim Sojka at 713-822-2152. To shop for a home online go to www.Search-Katy-Homes.com . To find out the value of your home go to www.seetimsell.com

All information posted is the intellectual property of Timothy Sojka and cannot be republished or used without his written consent

Katy Real Estate News - Grayson Lakes

By Katy Realtor - Tim Sojka (shop for a home online at www.Search-Katy-Homes.com )

There are certain days in life that are just better than others. You get up a little early for some reason, but you feel rested and ready to go. You stretch and step outside to a beautiful crisp clear morning. You can think clearly and your day is unravels before you like a beautiful adventure. The prickly, tangent feeling of excitement pulses through your veins, the hair rises on the back of your neck and your spirit brightens. For some reason you just know today is going to be a little better than most.

Not surprisingly, these days seem to occur much for frequently when you are on vacation or in a relaxed state of mind. The redundant task of the work week can engulf you and drag you down. So maybe, just maybe, if everyday had just a touch of vacation in it, we could have more days that unraveled before us like an adventure.

Just a touch of vacation, is exactly what many people think of when they think of the beautiful west Katy community of Grayson Lakes. Many of the best memories that fill our heads are of trips to the beach, splashing in a lake or even floating down a river. Grayson Lake's slogan is Life's Better on the Water, and the community defiantly lives up to the slogan. Water seems to be the heart and soul of the community. Over thirty acres of lakes highlight the community and most neighborhood amenities border the lakes including trails and the community center.

Grayson Lakes was developed Newland, the team behind some of the most respected communities in the country. So needless to say the smallest details of Grayson Lakes are well planned and well executed. Large lots are a trademark of the community with some homes sitting on lots over 100' feet wide.

The neighborhood is located close to Katy Mills Mall and is just moments from Interstate 10 and 99. Even though the neighborhood is near to shopping and dining, when within the confines of Grayson Lakes, the residents talk of feeling a million miles away from the stress of their jobs

Grayson Lake Residents Noel and Vanessa Serrano put it best, "To look out in your own backyard and seeing kids fishing and sail boats floating, by is just priceless. Grayson Lakes is truly unique and we feel that it is one of Katy's best kept secrets. It has all the amenities that a homeowner everything could ever hope for, highly acclaimed schools (KISD), beautiful waterfront community, close-knit neighbors and a sense of security, so much so that you can even see children selling lemonade on a corner streets."

Vanessa and Noel add, "An additional bonus is that Grayson Lakes has one of the lowest tax rate in the Katy area. We feel like we're on vacation everyday and millions of miles away from the hustle and bustle of the big city!"

Over the last 12 months home sales have ranged from over $200,000 to almost $625,000 depending on size and location. The lakefront homes of course are generally higher in price than non-lakefront homes. Still no matter where the home is located of the neighbors have the opportunity to enjoy the best of the community.

Each weekend you will find children and adults peddling through the streets on their bikes, playing in the parks or taking advantage of the lakes in paddle boats or canoes.

If you are a homeowner considering a move, or a new Katy transplant you might try a short drive into Grayson Lakes and see if the prickly, tangent feeling of excitement pulses through your veins, if the hair rises on the back of your neck and if your spirit brightens. Is so, you know clearly that most days may unravel before you like a beautiful adventure.

Price per square foot ranges between $80 and $150 per square foot.

Elementary: WoodCreek Reserve

Middle School: WoodCreek Reserve

High School: Seven Lakes

If you would like more information on the neighborhood or to arrange a tour call Tim at 713-822-2152 or shop for a heritage grand home online at www.Search-Katy-Homes.com

For more information about Katy Texas or the beautiful new homes within the confines contact realtor Tim Sojka at 713-822-2152. To shop for a home online go to www.Search-Katy-Homes.com . To find out the value of your home go to www.seetimsell.com

All information posted is the intellectual property of Timothy Sojka and cannot be republished or used without his written consent