Buying
5 things to know before buying a home in Houston
Property taxes, flood risk, clay soil, the Texas option period and a city without zoning. Five Houston-specific realities every first-time buyer should understand before writing an offer.
INSIGHTS
Houston real estate,
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Practical advice, local insights and Houston market perspective from a Compass REALTOR® to help you make confident real estate decisions.
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Is now a good time to buy in Houston?
Rates have eased, inventory is up and buyers have leverage again. Here is an honest read on the Houston market heading into late 2026, and how to decide whether the timing works for you.
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Neighborhoods
A guide to The Heights: lifestyle, homes and more
Victorian cottages, bike trails, 19th Street and a dining scene that keeps growing. What it is really like to live in the Heights, what homes cost and what to know before you buy.
Selling
How to prepare your home for a successful sale
The work that happens before your home goes live decides most of the outcome. A practical, Houston-specific checklist for pricing, repairs, paperwork, presentation and launch.
Neighborhoods
Garden Oaks: why the lot is the asset
In Garden Oaks, the land often carries most of a property's value. How to read a lot, why teardowns happen and what that means for buyers, sellers and anyone planning to build.
Selling
What ten years of contract negotiation taught me about real estate
Before real estate, I negotiated contracts for a Fortune 500 oil and gas company. The same principles of preparation, leverage and walking away decide most home sales.
Homeownership
Flood zones, elevation certificates and insurance: a Houston buyer's primer
What FEMA flood zones actually mean, why Harvey changed the conversation, how elevation certificates work and how to compare NFIP and private flood insurance before you buy.
Neighborhoods
Oak Forest: mid-century bones, new-build energy
Frank Sharp's postwar neighborhood has become one of northwest Houston's most competitive markets. What Oak Forest is like, what homes cost and how to choose between originals and new builds.
FREE GUIDE · HOMEOWNERSHIP
The Houston Flood & Insurance Checklist
Flood risk is a risk to understand and price, not a reason to panic.
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