Nosy Questions with Greg Schenck

January 26, 2018January 26, 2018Teresa Byrne-Dodge

Houston’s go-to floor company – for both exquisite new floors and the restoration of old floors – is Schenck & Company. Owner/namesake Greg Schenck (photo at right) bought the fledgling company from a buddy more than 35 years ago. He had no background installing floors or woodworking, but that did not...

Paying For It

January 12, 2018February 19, 2018Cameron Ansari

How buyers pay for their home purchases in River Oaks is always interesting to watch, since it is an indicator of trends in the neighborhood. This time we have dug deeper than usual to shed some light on the details. And what’s clear is that there are more ways of paying...

Ask the Agents #5: Installing a Pool, Loans & More

January 12, 2018August 14, 2018Cameron Ansari & Teresa Byrne-Dodge

Question: We’re thinking of adding a swimming pool to our backyard. Will that add to or detract from its appeal when we sell the house? Answer: It depends on the market. If half or more of the homes in the neighborhood have a pool, then it’s a positive thing. And for...

Recipes for Winter Wild Game

January 6, 2018January 8, 2018Teresa Byrne-Dodge

photos by Taylor Byrne Dodge My daughter and I often cook together, so naturally we like to attend cooking classes together as well. Here in Houston we are fans of Central Market’s cooking school where we take a class every six months or so. A few weeks ago we learned to...

2017’s Top Real Estate Story

December 18, 2017December 19, 2017Cameron Ansari

Houston’s biggest story of 2017, real estate or otherwise, was Hurricane Harvey. It brought everything to a screeching halt. Even in neighborhoods relatively unaffected by flood waters, the buying and selling of real estate paused as though in sympathy with the hard-hit areas of our city. There was a distinct four-...

Gifts of River Oaks

December 11, 2017December 11, 2017Taylor Byrne Dodge

We know you’re hustling to cross people off your gift-giving list, and time is ticking. Fortunately, you don’t need to go to a mall or pay high shipping costs for just the right gift. Below, we’ve broken out a selection of possible recipients you might be shopping for, and our picks...

Ask the Agents #4: Paint Colors, New Home Inspections & More

December 11, 2017August 14, 2018Cameron Ansari & Teresa Byrne-Dodge

Question: Our house needs to be painted before we put it on the market. What wall colors do homebuyers like most? Answer: It pains us to say so – because we personally love strong and bold colors – but neutrals are usually best when a home is put on the market....

Contemporary Houses Here and Now

November 14, 2017November 15, 2017Cameron Ansari

The appetite for contemporary architecture in the upscale markets we serve here in Houston has been growing. Ever more buyers are looking for homes that boast sustainable elements (e.g. bamboo floors, stone countertops), are designed with entertaining in mind and are full of natural daylight. They want a flow between indoor...

DIY Home-Renovation Projects: What Should You Tackle Yourself

November 10, 2017November 10, 2017Paul Denikin

Nearly every homeowner has a streak of DIY spirit in them. Indeed, one of the joys of home ownership is making changes so your house better suits you and your family. For some, that might be as simple as painting the powder room. But what about the bigger jobs? Sure, you...

Nosy Questions for Gil Schafer

November 1, 2017January 8, 2018Teresa Byrne-Dodge

American architect Gil Schafer is known for creating personal and timeless homes that celebrate the lives of their owners. They are spaces intended for making and keeping memories. To that end, Schafer’s brand-new book, A Place to Call Home: Tradition, Style, and Memory in the New American House (Rizzoli, $55) pulls...