Ask the Agents #23: What is a hydrostatic test?

June 16, 2022June 16, 2022Cameron Ansari

Question: What is a hydrostatic test? Do I need one? Answer: One of the most important systems in any home is the plumbing. Incoming fresh water is essential, of course. But just as important is the egress of used water from washing machines, bathtubs, kitchen sinks and, of course, toilets. No...

A Survey of New Construction in River Oaks

May 22, 2022May 22, 2022Cameron Ansari

This month we’re taking a look back at new construction sales in River Oaks, all the way back to the start of 2021. You may well ask, why not just look at the sales so far in 2022? The startling answer is that there have only been four new-construction sales this...

Do You Know Your American Furniture Styles?

May 19, 2022May 20, 2022Teresa Byrne-Dodge

I’ll admit it: One of the best things about being a River Oaks real estate agent is the chance to see some spectacular architecture, landscape design and, indoors, furniture and decorative arts. Fine antiques in an elegant setting are a balm to the soul as well as to the eyes. I’m...

Market Peak?

April 21, 2022April 22, 2022Cameron Ansari

It may come as a surprise to buyers today who are angling for a house in River Oaks at a civilized price-point (they are hard to come by), that — breaking news! — the River Oaks real estate market peaked in February 2021. That is not a typo. If you’re getting...

Who Pays for What?

April 21, 2022April 21, 2022Teresa Byrne-Dodge

It’s exhilarating to buy – or sell – a home. But sometimes that excitement is mitigated by the slew of closing costs added to the transaction. By the time you’re at the closing table, they can really add up. This is true for both sellers and buyers. The good news is...

By the Numbers

March 16, 2022April 2, 2022Cameron Ansari

We customarily use our mid-March market update as an opportunity to look back at the activity so far since the new year, using some commentary about market conditions, with a few statistics thrown in. For this month’s River Oaks Letter we are going to switch things around, focusing on the numbers,...

Ask the Agents #22: What is a title commitment?

March 16, 2022March 16, 2022Cameron Ansari & Teresa Byrne-Dodge

Question: What is a title commitment? Answer: A title commitment is a commitment by a title company to issue title insurance. We discussed title insurance and why it is necessary in 2019. Today let’s take a closer look at the four parts – called schedules – of the title commitment. They...

What’s Different About February 2022?

February 15, 2022February 15, 2022Cameron Ansari

One sensed a pause in the action as February 2022 got underway. By mid-January, showing activity in the River Oaks area – the earliest indicator of future sales – was disappointing despite a hectic week at the very start of the year. Subsequently, there were only eight newly pending contracts by...

Hospitality in Early Houston

February 15, 2022February 19, 2022Teresa Byrne-Dodge

Recently spotted on eBay: a vintage cookbook titled Harris County Heritage Society Cook Book published by Houston’s own Gulf Printing Company in 1964. As a former food/wine writer, I was keen to order it immediately. This little 144-page treasure does not disappoint. The recipes are all from ladies with well-known Houston...

Too Few Under Two

January 20, 2022January 20, 2022Cameron Ansari

Our River Oaks Market Report ~ 2022 Outlook is at the printer this week and will soon be in subscribers’ mailboxes. In the meantime, we have a sneak peak at one of the categories that we always cover – the under-served Under $2 Million – that we have fleshed out with...