LEADER LISTING The Leader • Saturday, October 26, 2019 • Page 1B
Area Realtors break down home market By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com Realtor Kristi Kolmetz said area homes are still selling. They’re just not selling as fast as they did this summer in her focus neighborhoods: Garden Oaks, the Greater Heights, Oak Forest, Shepherd Park Plaza and Timbergrove Manor. “In June (houses were selling) at or above asking (price),” Kolmetz said. “Now they’re still moving but not as many multiple offers. (Homes for sale) spend 30-45 days on the market before receiving an offer.” How fast a house sells depends on a lot of things, including location and price. Another important, less quantifiable factor is a buyer’s unique wish list. Are they single? A couple? A growing family? A match is made when “what they want” meets “what they are willing or able to spend.” Kolmetz said that in Shepherd Park Plaza, if a buyer is willing to renovate a house in the neighborhood, there is availability in the $440,000$450,000 range. Those who want renovated or new homes are looking at $650,000 and up. For the first time, a Shepherd Park Plaza house recently sold for $1 million. Amanda Cruser with Bernstein Realty broke down the upper and lower end ranges in zip codes served by The Leader as well as what buyers can
Contributed photo Realtors from the area weighed in on pricing trends in neighborhoods such as Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, Timbergrove Manor and the Heights.
expect in each market. The 77018 zip code covers about 7 square miles. Cruser said prices range from less than $100,000 for a lot on the boundaries of the zip code to about $400,000 for a lot zoned to Oak Forest Elementary. “Home prices range from about $250,000-$1.7 million,” Cruser said. “Very generally, $250,000-$600,000 will get
you an original home with updates or a newer build in a planned community with smaller lots, like townhomes, and patio homes. Over $600,000 can get you a newer build or larger home on a larger lot. “There is a fairly dramatic difference in pricing depending upon the zoned school. New builds zoned to (Oak For-
est Elementary) at about 3,000 square feet and up with a fullsize lot go for over $800,000.” The 77092 zip code encompasses about 8 square miles. The area tops out at $775,000 as far as current listings, with condos below $50,000 on the bottom end. “The upper $100,000 to upper $200,000 range will get you an original home that
could benefit from updates,” Cruser said. “Approximately $300,000 and up will get you renovated original homes and some new builds including townhomes and patio homes.” Zip code 77091 is about 7 square miles, with the most expensive home currently on the market listed at $408,500. Listings that come in above $500,000 are all larger pieces
of land. “There are a number of new construction homes on smaller lots in the $200,000 to upper $300,000 range,” Cruser said. “(There are) also a smattering of original homes ready for renovation or smaller homes already renovated. Some condos and lots fall under $50,000.” Zip code 77008 delineates the Heights proper, which is about 7 square miles. “Current listings top out at $2.7 million,” Cruser said. “There are a handful of condos and townhomes under $200,000. (It) would be very difficult to find anything with a full-sized lot for under $500,000.” Priorities for buyers concern schools and potential flooding. “Most of my clients are looking for detailed information regarding flood zones and the flooding history of homes they are interested in,” Cruser said. “Some clients are open to homes that have taken on water and some will absolutely not consider them.” Other clients get attached to original homes in neighborhoods where teardowns have become commonplace. “Some families I work with are looking for a small house with the idea they will grow the house as they grow their family,” Realtor Ginny Ledwell said. “I hear that a lot. (But) buyers are competing with builders because they are the ones with cash.”
Baldwin, known for local activism, sets sights on City Hall By Boulevard Realty This is a paid political ad by Friends of Bill Baldwin. As voters head to the polls this week, many in the Heights, Oak Forest, and Garden Oaks will see a familiar name on the ballot—one that’s been on real estate “For Sale” signs sprinkled around the area throughout the last two decades. Boulevard Realty Broker and Owner Bill Baldwin is running for Houston City Council At-Large Position 4, a position currently held by Council Member Amanda Edwards and for which she will not seek re-election as she runs for the US Senate throughout 2020. While the at-large seat would give him the ability to vote on municipal policy for the entire City, Baldwin hopes his long track record as a community organizer in the Heights speaks to voters in a crowded field where virtually all contenders are touting neighborhood advocacy as a strong suit. “Part of my decision to en-
ter the race really came down to not seeing many candidates across all Council races who had proven experience building consensus, taking tough stances, and making a difference at the neighborhood level,” professes Baldwin. “It is easier said than done.”
As one of the longest-serving Directors on the Board (and a three-term president) of the Houston Heights Association (HHA), the not-for-profit neighborhood association whose mission is to preserve and promote the historic neighborhood, Baldwin grew
the organization’s financial reserves substantially, oversaw the adaptive restoration of the historic Fire Station & City Hall building into what is now a popular event venue owned by the HHA, and implemented important neighborhood programs like the Constable
Patrol Program supplemental crime and safety force. He is now hoping to scale that same sort of impact and executivelevel experience across all of Houston’s neighborhoods. Baldwin admits that the rest of the neighborhood has not always initially been on board with some of the stances he has taken. He points to the 2016 special election to begin modifying the dry area of the Heights to allow a grocery store to sell beer and wine, which he opposed, as one of those battles. “That is a perfect example where the issue at hand was far more complicated than many residents probably realized,” Baldwin recalls about what ultimately passed in a 2/3 vote and set the stage for a total repeal of the historic dry area. “It wasn’t about allowing a grocery store and beer and wine, it was
New owners for center on 34th DeMeritt, had purchased El Mante Tires Shop #1 at 1702 W. 34th St. Now DeMeritt says a small shopping center is planned for the space. “We’re keeping the existing building,” DeMeritt said, noting that major renovations are underway. “The skin is off.” The 4,500 square feet will house two to three servicetype tenants and be ready to
By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com Changes could be coming to an area shopping center that recently changed hands. Houston-based Wu Family Trust purchased the Northbrook Shopping Center, previously owned by Weingarten Realty, for an undisclosed price. The sale of the 174,181 square foot, grocery-anchored retail center, located at 5264 W. 34th St., was announced by CBRE Group, Inc., a commercial real estate services and investment firm. The shopping center is anchored by El Rancho Supermercado, a Hispanic grocery store that opened in 2017. It replaced a Randall’s store. The retail center is 96.6 percent occupied with a 17.9-year average historical occupancy for anchor tenants, according to CBRE. “Northbrook’s long-term stability, high retention ratio and below-market rents garnered a significant amount of interest,” said Mark Witcher, senior vice president of CBRE. “The location in the highly populated and underserved
about preserving a historically significant neighborhood with one of the very few tools in the toolbox for preservation. I was the little guy in that issue, but I am proud to have changed minds and advocated unwaveringly for my neighbors and neighborhood.” The former Planning Commissioner and consummate City volunteer, who resigned from the Planning Commission the day before announcing his run for Council, finds himself facing similar opposition in key issues on the minds of voters this fall, from the North Houston Highway Improvement Project (widely referred to as I-45 Expansion) to development regulations inside the 100-year floodplain. Those are minds he hopes to change in the tail end of See Baldwin P. 3B
FallFest and Yard Sale October 26 8:00 am – 2:00 pm Gethsemane Lutheran Church 4040 Watonga Join us for foods, bake sale, games, face painting, pumpkin decorating and Halloween Trunk or Treat! Yard Sale from 8 to 2. To reserve a Yard Sale booth, contact Lisa at 713-410-5427
See Roundup P. 3B
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Janet & Cecil Schmidt Contribued photo El Rancho Supermercado is an anchor tenant on West 34th Street.
Northwest Houston submarket made this a fantastic opportunity for investors.” Shandy’s to occupy former Maryam’s Cafe AG Antiques owner Debbie Greenbaum said her family, which owns the building where the antique store is located, is leasing the former spot of Maryam’s Café at 315 W. 19th St. to Shandy’s Restaurant, which already has a
popular location on Memorial Drive. Reviewers have called it the best-kept secret in Rice Military. “They’ve been open for 14 years, and have quite a following,” Greenbaum said. Shopping center planned for former 34th tire shop In August, The Leader reported that Summit Path Investments LLC, led by John
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