Dark Corners: Why Men Love Libraries

August 16, 2016October 20, 2017Cameron Ansari

I am still rather fond of our marriage. So when my wife and I embarked on the complete restoration of our 1920s house, I was determined to participate in the decision-making process only to the extent of nodding my agreement to anything she selected. Years of professional observation in the real...

River Oaks Market – Sales Update

July 18, 2016October 20, 2017Cameron Ansari

It was remarkable to see the high number of house sales that closed in River Oaks in June of 2016. The 12 closings were the most we have seen in any single month since November 2005 and significantly higher than in recent years. (See graph River Oaks Sales All Price Levels.)...

Of Buttons and Buttonholes

July 15, 2016October 20, 2017Cameron Ansari

A man’s jacket is much like his house. And his buttons are as important as the house’s hardware, fixtures and architectural details. As with architecture elements, the entire button thing can seem daunting. What’s proper? What’s in good taste? Will people be impressed? Do I really care? In matters sartorial, as...

Finally, A Break at the Entry Level

June 17, 2016October 20, 2017Cameron Ansari

In the overall River Oaks market at mid-June 2016 there are just 40 houses for sale on MLS, plus six lots. Fourteen of those houses are in pending contracts, leaving just 26 houses for buyers to choose from. Perhaps that’s just as well as we head into the dizzying heat of...

Crystal Balls

May 16, 2016October 20, 2017Cameron Ansari

At the turn of the year, readers of this monthly newsletter and our twice-yearly River Oaks Market Report may recall we reported positive momentum in this specific real estate market, especially at the high-end. This was a contrarian observation at a time when, judging by the comments of most market participants, we...

River Oaks Market Overview: April 2016

April 18, 2016October 20, 2017Cameron Ansari

This month let’s look at the overall River Oaks market and how activity in the various price ranges compares. By mid-April 2016, inventory levels have crept up to a new critical level. While there is nothing unusual about 12 months or more of inventory at this time of year (as measured...

Swinging From the Chandeliers

April 4, 2016October 20, 2017Cameron Ansari

I was never particularly good at sports at school. Except perhaps swimming, which the English boys had few opportunities to practice back then. Prep school colors at rugby were cut short suddenly when it became rudely apparent that the other boys had matured more quickly than me. Despite spending so much...

Lows and Highs

March 14, 2016October 20, 2017Cameron Ansari

The street talk has been of how low oil prices may negatively affect the real estate market in River Oaks, especially at the high-end. There was even an alarmist article with that implication in late-February published by Reuters and since then picked up by other media. However, the article was lazily...

River Oaks Market Report 2016 Outlook

February 5, 2016October 20, 2017Cameron Ansari

The 2016 outlook and year-end review edition of the River Oaks Market Report, published by Cameron Ansari and Teresa Byrne-Dodge, has just been released.

Looking Back at 2015

January 13, 2016October 20, 2017Cameron Ansari

If you examine the charts showing available inventory and overall sales of houses in River Oaks, you will note that the years 2015 and 2014 look remarkably similar.