Leader0426b

Saturday, April 26, 2014 • Page 1B

DO-OVER

A classy renovation

Glenn Munden and Michael Holcomb of 404 W. 34th St. renovated their home recently. It will be featured as part of the Garden Oaks Home Tour from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. (Photos by Cynthia Lescaleet)

By Cynthia Lescaleet For The Leader

Outdoor scapes have extended the living space at an updated 1940 Garden Oaks home on a quarter-acre lot. The front lawn features an Italianate fountain that’s illuminated at night. Out back, there’s a pergola over a patio seating area accented with statuary. And the side yard tucks a “cocktail” pool by the custom wall of stone and stucco with columns. An outdoor kitchen and ﬁreplace are next on the list for the property’s outdoor amenities, said homeowners Glenn Munden and Michael Holcomb of Green Thumb Stone & Landscaping Design Inc. Like their client base, they sought to improve their property’s outdoor environment, adding attractive areas in which to entertain and relax. YARD MAINTENANCE The property’s transformation at 404 W. 34th St. has been a nine-year process that has upgraded the interior and exterior. “It just evolved,” the hom-

eowners said of the process. “We just came up with more ideas over the years (and more money).” Originally, the renovation plan was to remodel the existing home’s interior, add stone to the front elevation and redo the kitchen, Munden recalled. Five years later, the homeowners added an 850-square foot master bedroom suite garden room, with French doors leading outside to an eventual patio and pool. In the midst of that progression came a new driveway of stamped-and-scored pavement and a section of stone, brick and stucco wall meant to convert the driveway area into an “Italian-like court yard” That led to putting in an arbor area with seating and sculpture, and extending the wall for a cohesive ﬁnish. TRACKING TRENDS Interest in outdoor living venues has been a growing industry trend, Munden and Holcomb noted. While having more space to entertain might be part of what’s driving demand, Mun-

Additionally the property features a “cocktail” pool in the back.

GARDEN OAKS HOME AND GARDEN TOUR

The 2014 Garden Oaks Home Tour highlights six homes and three garden properties from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 27. For information, visit www.gardenoaks.org. Tickets online cost $20. Garden properties include:

404 W. 34th St. – Outdoor amenties, venues and landscaped grounds for relaxing and entertaining extend the home’s living space. 827 LaMonte Ln. – Formal gardens at the front of the home feature colorful plantings in contrast to the more eclectic species in the back garden. 938 LaMonte Ln. – A colorful wildscape of Houston-hardy plantings shares space with found objects and artifacts. Featured homes (four of them renovations) include: 730 W. 41st St. – Recent expansion preserved the classic cottage’s elevation but opened up interior space and added a back wall of glass for panoramic views. 834 W. 41st St. – Updates opened up the main living area and kitchen and also converted the former attic into a master suite aerie. 807 LaMonte Ln. – New construction by Houston architect Natalye Appel, who designed the Oak Forest Library renovation has an open ﬂoor plan

den says, there’s a fair amount of vacation-at-home mentality behind it as well. As with home remodeling, renovating outdoor space requires “a lot of forethought and a plan,” he advises. Having a master plan that anticipates future infrastructure, for example, is important so that improvements don’t get torn

with sightlines to garden vignettes and amenities. Upstairs, there are two bedrooms and a writer’s loft. 1003 Gardenia Dr. – Arts and Craft-styling inspired this new home on a corner lot. The interior features wood detailing, columns and built-in cabinetry. Landscaped grounds incorporate covered patios, walkways and arbors. 1530 Sue Barnett Dr. – Living small and reducing your footprint does not mean having to sacrifice amenities. The renovated home has an open floor plan and screened porch. Updates include a stone fireplace in the living room. Landscaping features native plants, a fruit tree orchard and rainwater collection barrels. 411 W. 32nd St. – Renovations have twice adjusted the home to fit a growing family. The original kitchen is now a butler’s pantry. Repurposed bedrooms downstairs formed more family living space. The island kitchen has an open view to an outdoor entertaining space.

up to add or reposition utilty lines later on. Surface prep is also key, so make sure the land is graded properly to drain correctly. The property’s outdoor living amenities and landscaped grounds at 404 W. 34th St. will be on display as part of the 2014 Garden Oaks Home Tour.

Demographic shift forces move of Shepherd car lots By Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com

The signs advertising no money down, zero percent financing and great used car deals on Shepherd Dr., south of Loop 610, have seen better days. Many of them have them have been replaced by commercial real estate signs. The Greater Heights has transformed in recent years, with home prices going up by 26 percent from last year. The commercial real estate is starting to reflect that change as well, as car lots move elsewhere in the city. Retail and restaurants are expected to move in to fit the needs of the new residents. “The demographics of the Shepherd area has changed, so the independent car dealer

is moving to areas that more closely match the demographics of their buyer,” said Sherri Winkelmann, executive director of the Houston Independent Automobile Dealer’s Association. “It has decentralized, and many have moved east, but you’ll ﬁnd them all over Houston.” Greater Heights Chamber of Commerce president and former Leader publisher Terry Burge said the car lots along Shepherd once were among “the largest car sale areas in the state.” “The owners have sold, retired or passed on,” Burge said. “The land is just getting so expensive, it’s driving a higher and better use of the property.” Two of the former used car lots on the market are Longhorn Motor Company, 1406

Question: Now that Spring is here and Summer is fast approaching, are you experiencing any change in the number of houses/ properties being listed?

EXPERT

OPINIONS

The Houston housing market is experiencing an extreme shortage all over and particularly in our area including: Oak Forest, Garden Oaks, Shepherd Park Plaza and Candlelight Plaza. What is driving the market right now is supply and demand. There is plenty of demand, but not enough supply of homes to sell. Historically, there are more homes listed at the end of the school year as many homeowners hold out on moving until their children are finished with school. I believe that there will be a slight increase in properties on the market, but there are plenty of buyers that have been waiting for new inventory surface so I anticipate they will also go quickly. Yes, I expect to see more homes come on the market closer to the summer months. The best advice I can give to a buyer currently looking for a home in our area is to first hire a professional Realtor. This market is too competitive to try to do it on your own. Many times Realtors know about upcoming inventory before they go on the market. If we are able to our show buyers beforehand or the day it goes into our multiple listing service (MLS), this gives buyers a competitive edge. Also, negotiating a contracts terms is always better left to an expert in the field. Lastly, if you are a buyer and you see a home that you like and it meets the majority of your criteria, make an offer. You do not have time to waste thinking about the home. There are too many other buyers willing to make a decision while you wait. Leann Salmons Martha Turner/Sotheby’s International Realty

Spring always brings an increase in the number of homes listed for sale. This is mostly fueled by families who want to be moved in time for the new school year in the fall. I would expect the same this spring, although it will be interesting to see to what extent. You should expect competition for homes to remain high because there are still a lot of buyers in the market who have not been able to find a home due to the low inventory. I advise buyers get pre-approved for their loan and expect to be competing with multiple offers. Buyers don’t like to hear this, but it may mean making an offer over the list price. Mike Clark The Clark/Kotzur Team The best advice I can offer to buyers and sellers is to work with an experienced real estate agent. Studies from the National Association of Realtors show that “for sale by owner” properties earn less for the seller than those who are represented by a real estate agent. And if you are a buyer, you need to get pre-approved by your lender of choice so that when you find your home, you can act quickly with a solid offer. A good real estate agent knows their market and usually knows about homes that are getting ready to be listed. In this competitive market that knowledge can be the edge you need to buy the home of your dreams. Melodie Matlock Oakington Realty

Mark Tharpe Ben Hill Appraisals

Certiﬁed Residential Real Estate Appraiser Appraisals for: Purchase of a home Reﬁnancing or home equity loans PMI removal

Divorce settlement Estate liquidation FHA Loans Home improvement Selling a home TX-1323701-R

713.858.8910 • tharpemark@yahoo.com

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SELL WHILE THE MARKET IS UP! ��

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PREMIER PROPERTIES

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�� The site of the former Quality Used Cars & Trucks lot has recently been purchased. The new owner is expected to add a restaurant or retail at that location. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)

N. Shepherd Dr., and Quality Used Cars & Trucks, across the street at 1433 N. Shepherd. “The dirt is worth more than the lot,” said Todd Moseley of Moseley Commercial. “Owners are waiting for a

good deal.” Shepherd is located in a portion of the Heights where alcohol is allowed, making it attractive to potential restaurant or bar owners. See CAR LOTS, P. 2B

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mike@clarkkotzurteam.com debbie@debbiekotzur.com

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