James Brown - Fall 2014 Houston Profile eMagazine

eMagazine

HOUSTON City of the future with a

Soul of the Past.

Our nation’s 4th largest city and leading energy capital has a reputation and savvy for global business.

What steals the hearts of the people is much more than business.

Travel with us as we share the treasures and the heart of our great city.

Fall 2014

JAMES BROWN

RealtorÂŽ 713.882.4283 | Mobile james@jamesbrowntx.com www.JamesBrownTX.com

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LETTER FROM DAVID &

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t is with great pride we have now completed our second David Young and Company e-magazine. Most of you will agree that our world is moving at a rapid pace and for those of us lucky enough to be enjoying this robust market in Houston, we are especially grateful.

With so much growth comes change. The number one reason we are bursting with pride as we launch our e-magazine is that the entire issue, from concept to completion, is a collaborative production created and produced in-house. Yes, in-house. By the same branding and marketing center, media production and professional photographers that immerse their talent into each and every listing or community project.

Our agent partners are the most talented and forward thinking agents in Houston. They demand the same standards and innovation from us and we perform.

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CAROL PEYTON YOUNG

To explore more about the David Young and Company, Houston’s Corporate Boutique, please view this video.

To experience a little of our corporate soul please take a minute and view this video.

It is our pleasure to support each of our agent partners in a way that will not only provide local but global exposure to each and every client they serve with such dedication.

Warmly,

Carol and David

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IN GOOD TASTE Trends in dining design 2014

HOUSTON: CITY OF THE FUTURE With a Soul of the past.

THE FUTURE OF REAL ESTATE REVEALED With Stefan Swanepoel

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table of

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CONTENT

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INTERVIEW with THE MORTGAGE LENDER Mortgage Lending: Then and Now

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TEXAS WATERFRONT RETREATS So it’s water you crave.

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HOME IS WHERE YOUR STORY BEGINS Houston is well known for many reasons. Space exploration...

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in good

Taste

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Fresco

Dining,

Glam Cocktail

Parties

or Intimate

Family

Gatherings

Whatever your unique style this year there are some fun trends that are hitting the communities.

From whimsical country style to undertated modern elegance, the looks are refreshing, comfortable and poised for memories.

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“I think the absolute key is simplicity — people really understand now that entertaining should not be a competitive sport,” says Vicky Sanderson, home product specialist and columnist for The Toronto Star. “It’s not about impressing your friends and family with elaborate food and décor. It’s about spending time with people, laughing, relaxing, listening to great music.”

Urban

Farmhouse We are excited about one of the newest of looks this year, Urban Farmhouse. The look embodies rustic chic with a casual tablecloth, simple wooden chairs and elegant glass hurricane candle holders.

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People are proud of their homes and enjoy entertaining, and, as a result, love having family and friends over.

The big buzz is contemporary design,” say designers Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan, best known fr their HGTV show Colin and Justin’s Home Heist and weekly column in The. Toronto Star. “Home users are spending their dollars on new kitchens and combining kitchen spaces with living rooms and dining zones to make one big casual sharing space.” This showhome great room from a few years back deftly illustrates their point — we’re always ahead of the curve.

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As a society we are investing more in our homes, in design, decorating and making them fabulous, says Dee.

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Contemporary

Dining

The table spread has a fresh feel and look, as well.

No longer are we obsessing over elaborate dishes and desserts, we are looking to locally produced food. With the popularity of the Paleo and the 100-Mile Diet, an urban dinner party today is about healthy fresh spreads with a local flare.

The 100-Mile Diet focuses on the experience of a couple’s one-year journey to eat only foods that were raised and grown locally in a 100-mile radius of their home. Subsisting on locally-raised chicken, fresh-caught seafood, root vegetables, berries, corn and seeds, the 100-Mile Diet provides an eyeopening introspection on where food actually comes from and how food goes from farm to fork.

It’s simple, fresh, easy, and delicious. If simple isn’t for you, upscale glam cocktail parties are still popular. People are having parties and special ‘events’ for all occasions: movie premiers, television show premiers or finales. They have over the top mind blowing design and spreads to create lasting impressions on party goers.

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Photography by Ron Kikuchi Data source Wikipedia.org

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HOUSTON City of the future

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Soul Past. with a

of the

OLERANCE

Perhaps better known as the “Statues at Allen Parkway and Montrose” the seven sculptures of kneeling men debuted in February 2011. Formally named Tolerance, this collection of ten-foot, stainless steel framed statues was designed Jaume Plensa.

Striking and imposing by day, they become “glowing beacons” by night, Tolerance was intended to reflect Houston’s unity and diversity. In his official statements on the work, Plensa wrote, “Despite all of the many differences that make us unique, such as religion or language, we are all trying to achieve similar things, such as love, health, prosperity, and the success of our children.

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Recognized as one of the finest cities in the country to build a life, Houston is an innovative flourishing urban metropolis that hosts some of the most vivid culturally diverse, art and culinary scenes in the country.

Space City, The Bayou City, H-Town

W

hichever name you prefer, Houston is a community with a drive for the future and keeping a soul for the past. Visitors are amazed, intrigued and captivated at the depth and diversity found in our beloved city. Houstonians are exceedingly proud and are always happy to extend our famous Southern Hospitality. From the art and museum districts to historical landmarks, Houston has a gift for every desiring heart.

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Home to a respected and vivacious cultural arts scene, world-renowned restaurants from 35 countries, distinguished theater groups and NASA, Houston is a diverse city filled with personality. Nearly 21,000 concerts, plays, exhibitions and other arts programs are presented in Houston annually, allowing residents and visitors access to a wide variety of entertainment.

Houston is also one of the nation’s most culturally-rich centers. In the Museum District alone, you will find 20 renowned institutions all within walking distance of one another. More than 2 million people visit the Downtown area each year to attend one of the city’s worldclass performances. The 17-block area is home to Houston’s year-round resident companies including the symphony, opera, drama and ballet. Tucked between the bustling Midtown and Medical Center areas, rests Houston’s leafy, park-like Museum District. Eighteen worldclass institutions, including the Menil Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and the Houston Museum of natural science, and the Houston Zoo.

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Historical Houston

T

he Jefferson Davis Hospital opened in 1925 as Houston’s first permanent publicly-owned health facility to accept indigent patients. W. A. Dowdy, Architect for the City of Houston, designed the structure. Russell Brown Company.

Today the building is known as the Elder Street Artists Lofts. The 34 residential/studio units were originally intended for only artists’ occupancy, but was later opened to the community-at-large.

Residents of the City of Houston applauded the rehabilitation, resulting in its recognition as the Best Renovation in the 2006 Best of Houston® issue published by the Houston Press. HGTV presented the developer with a “Restore America award”. The former Jefferson Davis Hospital building was featured in the Hollywood production of Robocop2 as the location where the fictitious drug “nuke” was manufactured.

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The Jefferson Davis Hospital opened in 1925 as Houston’s first permanent publicly-owned health facility to accept indigent patients. W. A. Dowdy, Architect for the City of Houston, designed the structure. Russell Brown Company.

Today the building is known as the Elder Street Artists Lofts. The 34 residential/studio units were originally intended for only artists’ occupancy, but was later opened to the community-at-large.

Residents of the City of Houston applauded the rehabilitation, resulting in its recognition as the Best Renovation in the 2006 Best of Houston® issue published by the Houston Press. HGTV presented the developer with a “Restore America award”. The former Jefferson Davis Hospital building was featured in the Hollywood production of Robocop2 as the location where the fictitious drug “nuke” was manufactured.

The Houston Ballet

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In 1955, the founding members of Houston Ballet Foundation had a vision for dance in Houston: to create a resident ballet company and to start a school which would train its dancers. Houston Ballet Academy was established that same year under the leadership of Tatiana Semenova, with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. In 1969, the professional company was founded, under the direction of Nina Popova, a former dancer with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and American Ballet Theater. Today the ballet offers countless programs to aspiring dancers, children’s workshops and seminars.

Traditions run Deep.

Let’s Rodeo The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, also called Rodeo Houston is the world’s largest live entertainment and livestock exhibition. It is considered to be the city’s “signature event”, much like New Orleans’s Mardi Gras, Dallas’s Texas State Fair, and New York City’s New Year’s Eve at Times Square. The show featuring live championship rodeo action and livestock competitions is kicked off with the World’s Championship BarB-Que Contest.

Bayou City Arts Festival It’s presented each fall by Art Colony Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to producing high quality art festivals and events. Hundreds of artists are joined by music, food and fun. Over the past 43 years, the festivals have raised over $35 million benefiting arts education for children, adults, local arts and community service organizations and Houston parks throughout Greater Houston. The Festivals are funded.

Art Car Parade More than 250,000 spectators line downtown’s streets to view this parade, which showcases Houston’s most outlandish folk art creations on wheels.

The Fruit Mobile, a 1967 Ford station wagon, started the craze in 1986. Truly a sight to see, the parade is produced by the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art. (713) 926-6368.

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MOVING FORWARD

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Energy.

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Houston ranks among the top cities in our nation for economic growth. A huge thanks to the thriving oil and gas industry resident companies . Downtown Houston and the energy corridor are home to countless heavy hitters in the world’s global energy market.

Transit.

Houston is an every changing landscape of growth.

It’s transit system has seen major expansion and improvements in recent months. Expansion of the light rail system is on the agenda to meet the transportation and environmental challenges of today and tomorrow.

“Houston is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., and the fourth largest. To keep our edge as an attractive place to live, raise a family and build a career, and to maintain our standing as a major force in the global economy, we must continually strive to ease traffic congestion, reduce greenhouse emissions and improve air quality,” said Margaret O’Brien-Molina, senior media specialist, Metro Press Office. (SOURCE Houston Chron.com)

Houston on a roll.

The City of Houston offers over 300 miles interconnected bike paths spanning across 500 square miles. The network includes bike lanes, bike routes, signed-shared lanes and shareduse paths which includes rails to trails, and other urban multi-use paths. In addition to these bicyclist transportation facilities, there are over 80 miles of hike and bike and nature trails found in City of Houston parks.

Space Center Houston

The space shuttle replica Independence is carefully guided to its final destination atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft 747. The aircraft and simulated spacecraft tandem will remain on display at the Houston facility where many millions of tourists will be able to visit it in the future.

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D

avid Young & Company has created an annual event they call the “Idea Summit”.

The events are open to anyone in the real estate industry that is looking to stretch themselves and grow. The first summit, in 2013, featured guest speaker Madison Hildebrand of Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing” as well as a panel of Houston’s top luxury agents. Hildebrand and the team struck a fast friendship and continue to collaborate.

2014’s event featured best selling author and Real Trends guru Stefan Swanepoel. Swanepoel is the bestselling author of over 20 books on real estate and trending, and is a revered keynote speaker and adviser to many Fortune 500 companies.

Swanepoel blew away the audience with futuristic tools and ideas that seem far fetched but will be

used in every day business within a matter of years...even months in some cases. “The future is now,” states David Young, “And we need to embrace it.”

2014’s idea summit also featured HAR’s CEO, Bob Hale, Carol Peyton Young, Robin Mueck, CEO of Heritage Texas, and Rita Santamaria, founder of Champions School of Real Estate. The meeting of the minds welcomed sold out crowd at The Junior League and rave reviews, and even Swanepoel himself will be featuring clips from the summit on his website. “This is not about firms, brands, or affiliations. These are events for high minded, successful professionals. We can all learn from each other. That’s who we are at the core,” emphasizes Carol Young, “We share and grow.

Together.”

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“What is the American Dream?” Undoubtedly, you might receive a unanimous answer: home ownership. It is without question that most everyone dreams about owning a home. Since the notorious credit crisis of 2008, the process of obtaining a mortgage loan has substantially changed. In 2008, mortgage interest rates were 6.5 to 6.8 percent on average. Fast forward to today—4.16 percent. You can notice a declining pattern.

Ask anyone the question...

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an INTERVIEW

with the mortgage lender.

Misty Robertson

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have become much wiser in their investmentsand approach to lending and borrowing money. We recently sat down with respected mortgage industry professional, Misty Rob-ertson and asked how the environment is different for both lenders and borrowers and what future homeowners should know about their credit.

How has the mortgage industry changed in the past 6 years?

With the mortgage crisis that began in 2007, the mortgage industry has adopted a much more conservative approach when documenting and approving loans. The trend for higher-risk loans such as sub-prime, interest-only, reduced documentation, and pay option ARMs—has all but disappeared. Conventional and government-insured loans are still quite common and prevalent. Home values have decreased in the hardest hit areas around the country at a rapid pace, and thousands of borrowers have gone into foreclosure. Today, those borrowers have the challenge of rebuilding credit, and establishing a history of their ability to repay debts in order to qualify for a mortgage

loan again. The fix for such previous hardships is not something that can be overcome in a short span of time, unfortunately.

How have you seen this affect hopeful homeowners?

Qualifying for a home loan today takes a lot of planning.

Borrowers should make sure they have a two-year job history in the same line of work. They will also need to make sure all of their income and assets can be verified and documented. Prospective borrowers should pay all of their current debts on time.

Down payment requirements and debt-to-income ratios are not as lenient as they used to be, so their best bet is to consult with a mortgage professional for guidance prior to beginning their search for a new home. The consultation will give them a better understanding of what to expect, and let them know their buying power. A consultation will also allow for time to correct anything that could be a potential issue in the home buying process.

What advice can you give

someone thinking of buying a home?

Always speak with a mortgage professional first, and then begin searching for your new home!

What can qualified buyers expect in terms of the process/timing?

With new government regulations, there are waiting periods after disclosing certain information to consumers in the lending process. Borrowers should allot 30 to 45 days to get through the process. Also, remember that a lender is at the mercy of multiple entities to get a loan approved and processed, so planning ahead and going through a complete mortgage approval prior to writing a contract makes a purchase offer stronger. Also, there is lesser chance for unexpected delays.

What are the different types of mortgages and how will the rates affect my long-term obligations in terms of how much I will pay?

There are two types of mortgages: conventional

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an INTERVIEW

with the mortgage lender. and government-insured (commonly known as FHA and VA). All loans have a different sets of rules, along with pricing and rates. Rates are at an all-time low today. If you are considering purchasing a new home, or refinancing your existing home, now is a great time. There is more consumer confidence than we had several years ago, which is evident in the stock market. As long as the U.S. economy continues to trend positively, rates will continue to rise, which could decrease the amount of money one can borrow.

What are discount points and origination fees? Borrowers will often hear of points in the application process?

A point is equivalent to a fee that amounts to 1 percent of the loan amount. For example, 1 point would cost $1,500 on a $150,000 mortgage.

There are also two types

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of points: discount points and origination points. The ultimate goal of points is the lower the interest rate, which would save money in the long run. There is a lot for borrowers to factor when deciding whether to pay points, and how many. It is a very complicated topic, and is something that will come up when a borrower speaks to his or her mortgage specialist.

How much money will I need to close on my home?

Depending on the type of loan, borrowers will need the minimum down payment requirement for a particular mortgage product, in addition to $4,000 to $6,000 for closing costs.

What are closing costs and title fees? Closing costs and title fees are costs of doing business for a mortgage transaction?

There are many requirements

for lenders to verify in purchase or refinance process. There are many entities involved, and their services and the information they provide must be paid for. These costs are passed on to the borrower. Costs could include appraisals, surveys, flood certifications, credit reports, title insurance, recording fees, escrows (for taxes and insurance), pre-paid interest, private mortgage insurance, or mortgage insurance premiums and homeowners association fees.

Depending on the loan type, there could be additional fees as well.

What is a rate lock?

A rate lock is a type of guarantee from a lender that is given to borrowers. It is essentially what it sounds like—an opportunity to lock a certain interest rate.

Borrowers should know that a rate lock has a certain price (in case of paying for points to obtain a specific interest rate) and also has a set duration for the lock. The advantage of a rate lock is that a borrower is protected from interest rate fluctuations that occur between contract and closing of the new home.

Misty Robertson

Loan Officer 281.989.3236 mrobertson@envoymortgage.com of debts, how regularly debts have been paid, and so forth. It would be hard to outline what credit score is needed, and there are many loan products out there. This is another reason to speak to a mortgage professional.

What documentation will I need?

As stated before, the loan origination process has become more stringent and scrutinized.

While a mortgage specialist will tell you what types of documentation you will be required to provide— and it really depends on the mortgage product in question—common elements include verification of income (paycheck stubs, W-2s, tax returns), along with asset statements and other miscellaneous items specific to your financial situation .

What credit score do I need?

And for what type of loan?

A credit score will ultimately determine eligibility, type and terms and conditions of a mortgage product. Obviously, the higher the borrower’s credit score, the more favorable the scenario would be. Credit scores are tied to a borrower’s previous financial history—and will reflect his or her financial health in terms

What is an FHA loan? VA? FHA stands for Federal Housing Administration. FHA loans are designed for low- to moderate-income borrowers who might not be able to put down a significant portion of the home value, and these loans are issued by qualified lenders and are insured by the FHA. Borrowers are allowed to borrow up at 97 percent of the value of the home. VA stands for Veterans Affairs.

VA loans were established by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to help veterans and their families obtain a mortgage loan. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not directly originate VA loans.

However, they outline rules for individuals who may qualify, set the terms of the mortgages offered, and provide loan insurance.

How can I preserve my credit score during the loan process?

Do not apply for a credit card, a car loan, or any other type

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of secured or unsecured debt until you close on your new home. When a lender pulls your credit at the beginning of the process, the scores and existing debt are what will be used for approval. If the documented circumstances change during the process, they could adversely affect the ability to approve the loan. Purchasing a new home should be fun and exciting, and consumers get eager to look for all the new items they want for their new home. I always tell my clients there will be plenty of time to shop after closing. My advice: please do not buy new items for a home you do not own yet.

....CLOSING THOUGHTS...

(1) Always consult a lender before the home search begins.

(2) Keep credit score high by paying all debts on time.

(3) Do not open new debts or make major purchases during home buying process.

(4) Work with your lender to get all required documentation in an expedited manner.

(5) Be patient and choose the right lender to make your new home a reality.

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Never a ship sails

out of the bay but carries my heart as a stowaway. ~Roselle Mercier Montgomery, The Stowaway

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So it's wate

The Woodlands

Lakes of Parkway

Lake Woodlands is the largest at 200 acres, and is a favorite of sculling enthusiasts and kayakers. It is also the site of the YMCA Dragon Boat races each year. Lake Woodlands and the smaller ponds throughout the community, many of which are in or near parks and golf courses, are also great places to sit and enjoy the peace and quiet and watch abundant bird life. Master planned communities such as Windsor Lakes are a desirable place to build a life. An outdoor pool, and walking and biking trails allow Windsor Lake residents to do just that. Many residents love to enjoy the parks and natural spaces while mingling with the other Windsor Lakes inhabitants and proprietors in the surrounding Woodlands communities.

With magnificent oak trees, nine lakes, paved jogging trails, recreation center, pool, tennis courts and lighted fountains, this guarded and gated community is one of the most sought after properties in West Houston. Lakes of Parkway features homes from all the Kickerillo styles of homes: Elite, Signature, Lifestyle, Classics, Villas, and Townhomes. These homes range from $375,000 to over $2 million.

The Waterway Square district is not only host to office buildings, but also offers visitors a variety of restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and outdoor green spaces. The plaza and waterfall area offer a welcoming outdoor environment.

Choreographed fountains feature colored lighting and music during evening hours.

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HOUSTON and TEXAS

in general are known for our lakes a It’s not just the water we love, it is t

er you crave?

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Lake Conroe Lifestyles

Ocean Front Property

Whether you are boating, fishing or having dinner al fresco lakeside, Lake Conroe is a festive, fun place to spend your time.

Residents and visitors alike can find countless restaurants and bars to unwind. Check out the Papa’s on the lake music calendar, park your boat dockside and close the day with dinner, drinks and live music.

And let us not forget our beloved beach.

The Texas Gulf coast has some of the best hotspots in the nation. From Corpus to Galveston, there are miles and miles of Texas sand and surf to enjoy. Just 50 miles from Houston lay Galveston, Texas. A historical city that has triumphed through the trials of Hurricane Ike in 2008 and the devastation of the storm of 1900 that took over 6,000 lives.

Galveston today is home to entertainment venues such as Pleasure Pier, Schlitterbahn, Moody Gardens and the famous Kemah boardwalk.

Bentwater is the premier resort living choice on Lake Conroe in historic Montgomery. At Bentwater, residents and guests enjoy the only waterfront, gated community in Texas with 54 holes of championship golf, pro shops, a yacht club and marina, a racquet club, fitness center, day spa, and two private islands.

and recreational living. the

Lifestylewe desire.

Evia, commonly known as Galveston’s flagship waterfront community provides residents to live a lifestyle and not just own a home. Evia offers a variety of lifestyle options – from town cottages to quaint bungalows, village lots and builder homes. Browse the available properties and find the perfect island living option.

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Home is where y

H

ouston is well known for many reasons. Space exploration, energy growth, festiva is our Love of community and our gorgeous custom homes.

Kickerillo For more than 5 decades, Kickerillo companies has been a thriving and ever expanding leader in the custom luxury home building industry.

Building over 15,000 homes in more than 40 communities, Kickerillo remains a trusted professional with a passion for detail, excellence and luxury. Their reputation will continue to be one of prestige, consumer focus and business development. For more information visit their website at: www.kickerillo.com

Legion Builders As one of the leading luxury home builders in Houston, Legion builder’s passion towards quality workmanship is what creates raving fans among consumers.

Their long-lasting commitment towards excellence in design and craftsmanship has earned the trust and respect of homeowners. Legion Home Builders offers custom homes built with quality value and distinct unique design. For more information visit their website at: www.legionbuilder.com

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your

story begins.

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als and art are just a few of them. But what makes Houstonians call Houston home

McCollum Custom Founded in 2004, McCollum Custom Homes established itself as a premium custom builder with an excellent reputation for building beautiful homes. That same sense of teamwork, loyalty and stability also persists among their staff and list of subcontractors and vendors, almost all of whom have worked together since the inception of their business. Thriving in the Memorial area, McCollum Custom Homes has many options and available inventory on their website. Visit them at: www.mccollumbuilders.com

Realex Homes Realex Homes was established for one purpose; providing home buyers a personal, responsive, affordable custom home builder. Founded in 1987 by Owner and General Contractor Nick Peters, Realex Homes has been helping Houston home buyers for over 20 years. We build homes priced from $300,000 to $4 million. Realex Homes includes more standard features than other new home builders in Houston.

A luxury home builder can also be an affordable home builder. For more information visit them at: www.realex-homes.com

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www.DavidYoungandCompany.com 14201 Memorial Drive Houston, TX 77079

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713.722.6900

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