Real Estate and More…

Venetian Estates Market Update

Five properties, ranging in price from $1.1 to $1.995 million, are currently listed for sale on HAR in Venetian Estates. FBRE’s new listing at 106 Sorrento is stunning inside and out! With a gorgeous primary suite, expansive living room, and a gameroom and guest room on the first floor, this house has the perfect floor plan! To boot, the outdoor living areas and resort pool are incredible. At $1,995,000, this property is priced well below replacement value. If you’re considering building on your lot or moving to a newer home, you must see this house!

FBRE listed and promptly sold 310 Lombardy Drive this fall. We listed another property in October and it, too, promptly went under contract. It will close in February to accommodate the sellers’ preferred timeline. 

New Neighbors

Susan and Fred Terrell purchased 906 San Marino earlier this year. After 33 years in the oil and gas industry, Fred retired, and he and Susan moved to the Point Clear/Fairhope, AL area. They later moved to Lake Olympia in Missouri City before moving to VE to be nearer to their daughter, Monica, her husband Colin, and their three children. Susan and Fred have found VE to be a beautiful community with friendly neighbors, and they are loving being in walking distance to Monica’s family (who is in the process of remodeling 403 Lombardy) and being able to participate in their grandchildren’s activities. 

Our newest neighbors, The Taylors, moved to 610 Piedmont in July. Vonna grew up in Sugar Creek, attending Dulles. Nick is from Sunray, TX but spent summers in Sugar Land and has been a resident for the past twenty years. They have owned houses in almost every “Sugar” neighborhood in Sugar Land and are happy to have finally settled in VE. They have been married for almost 15 years and have two boys, Rivers (9) and Rainn (7), who attend Cornerstone Christian Academy and are active in sports, including baseball, flag football, basketball, soccer, karate, and swim team. The Taylors own Integrity Insurance Services, Inc. (Allstate Insurance) with locations in Webster and Lake Jackson. When they are not working, volunteering, or coaching, they are leading the Better Together connect group at Sugar Creek Baptist Church, where they are members. They already know multiple families in VE and are so incredibly blessed to be part of this amazing community. They love it here and look forward to making many memories with friends and neighbors!

   

B.B. Italia Bistro & Bar Now Open!

We know la dolce vita here in VE, but Sugar Land just got sweeter with the addition of our newest restaurant! By the time you read this, B.B. Italia will be open in Sugar Land Town Square. Restaurateur Benjamin Berg says he “wanted to bring something entirely new to the area where guests feel that they have been transported to New York City.” Classic Italian-American dishes are made from scratch daily. The French brasserie design “with an Italian twist” features a piano bar with live music from 6-10 PM Wednesdays through Saturdays. There is also a covered veranda for al fresco dining, a stone pizza oven, and a gelato bar.  Berg Hospitality Group has created several of Houston’s very best restaurants, pairing outstanding food with a warm and festive atmosphere. 

Market Update

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun predicts “the new normal for interest rates could be around 7% for a while.” Pending home sales, touring activity, and online searches are all down approximately 30% from this time last year. Luxury properties such as lots and homes in VE have been insulated as many buyers make cash purchases and are motivated to purchase real estate as a safe long-term investment. While we still have strong, motivated buyers, the prospect pool is smaller than it was a year ago, when more borrowers were motivated to purchase. More than ever, we at FBRE are working hard to serve clients in a changing market. We are peerless in our knowledge and specialized approach to facilitate informed, smooth transactions for buyers and sellers. Please call us to discuss your real estate questions or requirements.