January News You Can Use

Housing Stats • Buying or Selling • Homestead Exemption

Houston Home Sales CLOSE 2020 with a bang

Despite the pandemic, Houston area home sales soared in 2020. Single-family home sales surpassed 2019’s sales volume by 10 percent.  December 2020 home sales exceeded last years sales by 25.5 percent. 

Single-family home sales ended the year with a greater amount of sales in all price ranges. Homes priced $150,000 – $500,000 had the greatest amount of sales in December.

Days on market remained at 46, while inventory dropped to a 1.9-months supply. The Houston area has not had such a low supply in many years. Housing inventory across the U.S. is currently at a 2.3-months supply per the National Association of Realtors.

Per HAR / MLS:

Month-to-Month Comparison:

CategoryJan.
2020		Feb.
2020		Mar.
2020		Apr.
2020		May
2020		June
2020		July
2020		Aug.
2020		Sept.
2020		Oct.
2020		Nov.
2020		Dec.
2020
Total Property Sales5,8007,3938,9657,1927,91711,15313,04311,12111,13711,2329,66011,572
Total Active Listings39,69940,09140,93241,15139,51636,90136,05534,18132,04731,38429,94826,821
Single-Family Home Sales4,6996,0447,5666,1996,6719,32810,9179,1959,1019,2877,9909,652
Townhome/Condominium Sales398465533373405577685639652636580662
Single-Family Months of Inventory3.53.53.53.63.53.23.02.82.52.42.21.9
Single-Family Pending Sales7,2128,5477,8857,12510,55911,61011,18510,5989,5079,6808,2657,469
Days on Market686865585856565151474646

Single-Family Sales by Price Range (Harris, Fort Bend, Brazoria & Montgomery Counties)

Price RangeJan.
2020		Feb.
2020		Mar.
2020		Apr.
2020		May
2020		June
2020		July
2020		Aug.
2020		Sept.
2020		Oct.
2020		Nov.
2020		Dec.
2020
$1 - $99,999109107978298921007970856085
$100,000 - $149,999277328361258301346316253294278221268
$150,000 - $249,9991,7572,1312,6882,1802,3092,9273,4062,8452,9322,9072,3972,925
$250,000 - $499,9991,4612,0562,5472,2002,2783,4034,1573,4643,4163,4723,2163,887
$500,000 - $749,999226277402324342548766613580611515650
$750,000 and above124161258191157282424398355393335443
HAR Monthly Press Release with Year-to-Year Statistics

Great way to end 2020!

Testimonial
Selling a house is a lot more than putting a sign in the yard. In this instance, the buyer was also the agent. This was his first transaction and his broker did not assist. That greatly increased my responsibilities, but I always do what it takes to best represent my clients. I am so grateful when my efforts are recognized and appreciated!

 

“Leslie Lerner was a GODSEND! I had listed my home with two national agents for a year before I contacted her. She was always hands-on and worked 7 days a week, holidays, and late into the night based on her e-mails. Leslie visited my home on a weekend, took pictures, put up a yard sign, and set up the MLS sites. Two days later I had an offer and completed the sale. She was nice, very patient with all my questions, and kept me informed. She also went above and beyond her area of responsibility by greatly assisting the buyer’s agent, the title company, and even the buyer’s lender offering a helping hand to keep the process moving. I highly recommend her and rate her FIVE BIG TEXAS STARS+++!!!.”

– Ray G.

>>>Testimonials

HOUSTON AGENT MAGAZINE HIGHLIGHTS LESLIE LERNER’S BUSINESS PRACTICES

Houston Agent Magazine

“Leslie Lerner, a fourth generation Houstonian and former schoolteacher, prides herself on being an educator versus a pushy salesperson. The Broker / Owner of Leslie Lerner Properties prioritizes educating her clients to make the best decisions when buying or selling their home. “I always want to share my knowledge and experience. It is very important to guide clients through the real estate process – understanding market data, pricing, contracts, negotiation, inspections and closing procedures.”

Selling or Buying in 2021?

Selling Your Home

Full service for a flat fee, not a percentage.

Buying a Home?

Up to 1.5% rebated at closing if viewing less than 6 homes.

When selling your home, who wants their bottom line being reduced by hefty commissions? Leslie Lerner Properties, Houston’s first, full-service Flat Fee Realtor®, understands that money matters and provides buyers and sellers a way to keep money in their pockets. Leslie Lerner Properties flat fee listings start at $4,500.

Leslie Lerner Properties offers buyers a unique, rebated, money-saving commission structure when purchasing depending on the number of home showings.

>>>Learn More About Selling and Buying With Leslie Lerner Properties

REMEMBER TO FILE FOR A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION BEFORE APRIL 30, 2021

If you purchased a property prior to January 1, 2020; (2) you occupied it as your principal residence on January 1st; and (3) you and your spouse do not claim a residence homestead exemption on any other property, you could be eligible for a property tax exemption. Make sure you file by April 30, 2020.

Harris County:
Application for Residence Homestead Exemption (Fillable)
Harris County Appraisal District iPhone App
Harris County Appraisal District Google Play App

Fort Bend, Montgomery and Brazoria Counties:
Application for Residence Homestead Exemption

Waller County:
Application for Residence Homestead Exemption