Katy City Limits

Shopping in the Rain

It's raining in Houston - again.  Streets and yards are flooded - a perfect day to look for a home to buy in Houston.  We have water issues - a smart buyer will shop for a home when it's raining.  How better to find out if the street to your perfect home floods and you'll need a boat to get in or wait several hours for the water to recede.  Even if it never floods in the area your looking - you need to know things like - is there a low spot in the yard?  a leak in the roof? 

Don't wait for the sun to shine when you shop - then you'll never know.  Get out there now when it's raining 'cats & dogs' - Happy Shopping!

What The Consumer Wants

New project in west Houston caters to consumers' desires to eat, shop, live and work all within walking distance.

At one of Houston's busiest intersections, developers are planning to bring a different sor of urban life to 37 acres o mostly vacant land where Town & Country Mall once stood.

Embracing a trend to build urban-style developments in suburban settings, Midway Cos. announced February 15 its more than $500 million CityCentre project - a blend of shops, restaurants, a hotel, a movie theater, a fitness center, offices and residences in a walkable environment.

       Location of CityCentre

For the full story go to The Houston Chronicle.

How To Avoid Predatory Lending

For most families, buying a home is the biggest and smartest purchase they ever make.  Unfortunately, not all loans are in their best interest.

When loans hurt instead of help, they can quickly lead to foreclosure and even bankruptcy.  It's important to learn the warning signs and common problems associated with predatory lending, and to ask the right questions when shopping for low costs loans. 

The term"predatory lending" covers a wide range of abusive practices. Some may be predatory for one borrower but not for another, because everyone's circumstances are different.  Predatory lenders often take advantage of first-time homebuyers and others who may be vulnerable to high-pressure sales tactics, so it pays to know how to protect yourself and who can help.

Fortunately, The National Association of Realtors and the Center for Responsible Lending have published a brochure titled, "Shopping for a Mortgage? Do Your Homework First". Click on the link below to download the brochure.

Download predatory20lending20brochure20pdf1.pdf