Real Estate Market News for December – Leslie Lerner Properties – Houston Realtor

[wpcol_2third id=”” class=”” style=””]DECEMBER NEWS YOU CAN USE
Housing Stats ∙ Gratitude During the Holidays and Beyond

HOUSTON REAL ESTATE MARKET IS STILL GLOWING

Houston area home sales continue to be strong, pushing inventory levels to a 2.7 months supply versus 2.9 months last November. The current national supply is 5.1 months of inventory. Houston has dropped to a 2.8 month supply of homes, compared to the national supply of 5.3 months.

According to the latest monthly report prepared by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR):

  • Single-family home sales rose 1.8 percent versus November 2013;
  • Single-family home sales broken out by price range:
    • $1 – $79,999: decreased 28.6 percent
    • $80,000 – $149,999: decreased 7.7 percent
    • $150,000 – $249,999: increased 2.6 percent
    • $250,000 – $499,999: increased 7.8 percent
    • $500,000 – $1 million and above: increased 19.4 percent
  • Total property sales were up 2.8 percent year-over year;
  • Total dollar volume increased 12.3 percent, from $1.4 billion to $1.6 billion on a year-over-year basis;
  • Days on Market for single-family homes was 54 days;
  • Rentals of single-family homes rose 4.2 percent year-over-year and the cost of renting those homes increased 5.0 percent to $1,669.
  • Townhouse/condominium rentals climbed 5.7 percent, with rents up 3.6 percent at $1,520.

>>>Read the entire release.

GRATITUDE DURING THE HOLIDAYS AND BEYOND

Today, like many days, the word “gratitude” is on my mind. Actually, gratitude is not just a word, it is a feeling or a state of mind. Gratitude is the feeling of being grateful or thankful. I read a quote that said, “God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say thank you?” I also read another quote that said, “There is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed. If it is unexpressed, it is plain, old-fashioned ingratitude.”

To me, having gratitude is simple. It doesn’t take a lot of time or effort to be thankful, appreciative or to say “thank you”. Many times I wonder if it is so simple to appreciate others, why do people take so much for granted or seem so selfish? Is it just their expectations of others, are they so used to receiving that they forget to be thankful or do they simply have bad manners?

Regardless of the reason, I personally can say I am tired of doing things for people that are not appreciative or thankful. I don’t ask for anything in my daily personal or business life except a simple “please” and “thank you.” Is that so hard?

Do you express gratitude daily? If you are not taking the time to do so, why not? It is easy to forget to say “thank you” because our lives are so “busy”, but did you know the simple act of saying “thank you” to someone could make a big difference in that person’s life? Calling them, texting them, emailing them or making a personal visit to show your appreciation is important. People like to be appreciated for who they are or what they do for you or others. Our family members, friends and others take time out of their day to do things for you. The least you could do is say “thank you”.

Being grateful is an individual choice to develop a consistent habit of focusing on and expressing true gratitude for what/who we have in our lives and who/what we want to have in our lives in the future. By showing gratitude, we are focusing on things that are pleasant in our lives and bring us happiness. It has been said that people who are grateful are likely to be happier, hopeful and energetic, and they possess positive emotions more frequently. People that show gratitude also tend to feel more satisfied and optimistic with their lives.

By making a habit of being grateful, one will notice he/she will gradually become a more positive person with a positive attitude, instead of someone who complains about everything. Being a grateful, happier person will also foster happiness in the people around you, which results in more positive personal and professional relationships.

This time of year is the perfect time to reflect on what we are grateful for, and what we will appreciate in the years to come. Try to:

  • Take a few minutes each day to give thanks to whoever and whatever you are grateful for.
  • Say thank you when someone does an act of kindness for you, however small. A smile will make it even better.
  • Don’t have the mentality that you are entitled to things in life. This causes us to be ungrateful and expect that things will happen in a certain way. Life doesn’t work that way. Realign your thinking, and remember that what you have and whom you have in our life is a privilege. We should be grateful for all.
  • Stay in the present and appreciate what you have now instead of feeling frustrated over what you don’t have.

With this said, I want to thank all of you for your continued support of Leslie Lerner Properties. We have had a wonderful 2014 because of YOU! We have an abundance of gratitude for you each and every day, and hope you have a joyful holiday season.

[/wpcol_2third][wpcol_1third_end id=”” class=”” style=””]All of the service, for less money!

LESLIE LERNER PROPERTIES WILL:

  • List Homes $300,000 – $799,999 for $4,500
  • List Homes $800,000  and up for $12,000
  • $200,000 – $299,999 for $1.5%
    >>Read More
  • We will rebate 1.5% of the Buyer’s Agent’s Commission if we show you 1 – 3 homes.
  • We will rebate 1% if we show you 4 – 6 homes.
    >>Read More

>>>SEE WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT LESLIE LERNER PROPERTIES

If you think it is time to buy or sell a home, remember to call Leslie Lerner Properties at 713.489.9900.  Leslie Lerner Properties is the Home of Flat Fee Listings and Rebated Commissions.  A great amount of information can be found at www.LeslieLernerProperties.com.  Leslie Lerner Properties offers all of the service for less money, when buying or selling a home.

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