OK. So maybe I was a little premature

As I noted earlier, I planned to preview 5 houses under $100,000. I actually went up to $105,000. The top three, not surprisingly, were indeed the 3 most expensive. Here are the top three in ascending order by price:

 This house is charming- with 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, a full city lot, fenced. The roof, wiring, and plumbing are all replaced within the last 5 years. The Central Heat and air was put in at the same time. It's really cute. It however, is next to an small apartment building which might prove annoying. I sold it several years ago right after it was redone by some clients of mine. Another agent in my office has the listing ay $99,000. I didn't even know she had it listed until today. At this price the seller won't get all his money back. It's well priced for a serious consideration.

This house is a really cute high raised shotgun cottage directly on Broadway and listed at $103,500. The lot it's on is only 22 foot wide, but even then there's room on both sides to walk and there's even grass growing. There are 2 bedrooms and a bath off the kitchen. There's no tub, but how many of us prefer a shower? It looks as if it's someone's vacation cottage, and with the layout it works well for that, but it is a bit awkward for a full time residence. Maybe someone single or a couple who deal well with closeness would find this attractive. No central heat or air, but a wonderful deck in back to get the breezes. Definitely worth a look for a weekend get-a-way.

This photo doesn't say much about the house. Just a block and a half from the beach it really has a lot to offer. Listed over 6 months ago, it's come down to $104,900. It looks as if someone's Grandparents have lived here. The rooms are small, but it has two real bedrooms, a largish central hall with bath, and a Garage! There's even a nicely maintained little patio off the back. The block is really good. The neighbors across the street are good and kind and sweet and take exceptional care of their compound. There are palms and exotic cactus in the small, well kept yard. It really could be move in ready if you're used to visiting older relatives. Otherwise, you could live here and figure out your best upgrades over time.

Honestly, I couldn't go into one house, because I remembered it's layout and disrepair too well- and have always thought the block was too "iffy". My last house to preview hasn't even been surveyed or seperated from the parent house next door. That can be done, and yes, it is priced best and on the best block of the 5, but that is a complicated and time consuming matter to get through planning and zoning. In an Historic District there are a few more steps than just asking for a set back variance. Maybe I'll get there tomorrow and see what I think. There are rumours of an offer on it in the works, as well.

If any houses here appeal, you may always go to my website: RobertZahnGalveston.com and run a search for yourself. You can access both the Houston and Galveston Multiple Listing Service websites there.

I think it's time to get excited-

I am updated via e-mail everytime a new listing comes on the market within a certain price range. Right this moment, there are at least 5 houses under $100,000 on decent blocks in fun neighborhoods close to the beach and downtown. Gosh darn it, now I've created work for myself. I'm going to have to go preview those houses tomorrow after, I guess, the 12 houses scheduled for the Galveston MLS Tour. It looks as if now is the time to start watching the listings carefully if you're interested in buying in Galveston. Granted, the houses aren't large and showy at that sort of pricing, but they look appealing, and might be the right vacation spot or first home in Galveston. Maybe I can find the right deal for you tomorrow. Check back and I'll post some of what I've found.

Sorry for the silence, but a guy's got to work.....

I know that's no excuse for not blogging: once you start it you are supposed to continue it. REGULARLY! I was, however, fairly busy the last few days. The Grand 1894 Opera House (http://www.thegrand.com/) hosted the Montana Repertory Theatre's production of Leading Ladies for one performance on Friday Night. As I still maintain my IATSE Wardrobe card, I was able to work with them Friday, so not postings then. I also had the opportunity to meet Holland Taylor, a charming and talented actor. You likely know her currently in Two and a Half Men. She was here to preview the Theatre for her upcoming One Woman Show about Ann Richards. Working backstage is a great deal of fun, and I've been doing it for quite a long time. Geez. I have two degrees in Theatre, so it's nice to have the chance every now and then to work in my original craft. Saturday was spent working on Real Estate as well as cleaning a rental property- lots more cleaning to do, too. Yesterday I spent in Houston with a spectacular open house in  Montrose, prior to showing properties in Galveston in the early evening. Should you need a majestic, clean lined house with just over 4,000 sq ft and 4 bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths- this is for you: 1230 W Drew. Under $1,000,000 and looking every bit of the asking price of $979,900. The kitchen and open living areas look out onto the very private yard and patio, which also has room for a nice sized pool. The Master Suite at the back of the house is immense, with a fabulous closet system in the dressing room. It was a great deal of fun chatting with the many gawkers and a few serious home shoppers.  Then back to the island to look at sweet little redone houses in Fish Village. There are days I whine a bit, but doing what I do for a living can be so incredibly fun and rewarding! So, now you know what I've been up to. I'll find a nice house to post for your amusement later this evening...let's see if I can find a really lovely house at a really good price!

Geez. Sometimes I hate numbers.

Let's talk Real Estate for a moment.
We all know last year was pretty much a wash when it comes to sales- so I thought I'd go back to 2008 and compare it to the current reporting for the year to date. In 2008, 66 properties, townhouse/condo and single family freestanding houses combined sold on the Island, East End, 41; West End 25, between Jan 1 and Feb 18th. The economy was in better shape and there were no Ike damaged properties.
This year there have been 45 closed sales: 23, East, and 22, West. Conclusion: sales aren't so good. I did the whole evaluation by type, average, and median on area and price per square foot. Yechh.
Here's what I think is important (I won't post the numbers as they are a bit painful.) Comparing 2008 and 2010 year to date, we are down roughly a third in volume of sales and median sales prices over the entire Island. It's almost impossible to pinpoint why.
It's still so much better than much of the country.
We currently have a huge supply of houses and condos on the market- 629 in the East End and 338 in the West End. If you've got your funding in place, now might be the time to find a good deal. Not great. But good. Be sure and talk with your favorite Realtor or Lender before getting too far along, though.

Salvation and Destruction

To the title of this post.
This morning about 10 AM a sweet 1,000 sq ft Victorian cottage at 2115 M 1/2 began it's journey west to a new location at 31st and Q. The Galveston Historical Foundation found a new home for it, the house having fallen during Ike. This house is being saved and given a new life- with plans to make it "Green". There's even a wind turbine planned, so it can pretty much be off the electrical grid.  http://www.Galvestonhistory.org should have details on the plan for it's new life. At the same time, I drove down Broadway to my appointment and saw the lovely Broadmoor Apartments at 29th being knocked down. According to the 2007 Heritage at Risk List:

 The 1920s-era Broadmoor Apartment Building on Broadway is noteworthy for its unusual architectural program and mission-style brick architecture: as an apartment building it seems more suited to the west side of Manhattan than to Galveston, but if saved it could offer re-use as retail or office space. Currently up for sale and facing an unsure future, it has been vacant for more than 30 years and is in desperate need of immediate attention.

 :
 Well, I know the roof was all but gone and the estimated building reconstruction costs were extraordinary, but it's a shame that we've pulled down one more bit of history on a street which has lost so much already. I guess you save what you can and live with your losses. Kind of like the Ike flooded East End: we've lost the urban forest we had, and are learning to live with sun loving plants...there are worse things.
Image and quotation Courtesy of GalvestonHistory.org.

Today's shiniest penny!

Classic Jamaica Beach 2/2 Beach Community Cottage 1332 sq ft $118,000 Not beachfront, but, oh so close. On the market 2 days. Let's see how long it lasts!

Ash Wednesday. The beginning.

As today is the start of Lent, consider this part of my Lenten Observance. Galveston put on quite a show over the last two weekends culminating in the last parade last night. The Krewe of Aquaris presented the 16th Annual "We end what we begin" parade at 6:30. Galveston, being an odd city with lots of social people, was out in force on Postoffice Street. We had 2 parties on Postoffice to attend, and didn't make it from one to the other. We threw beads and caught beads. I made sure the marching bands and drill teams got the ones I caught. Then of course, it was off to the the 3rd Coast on Seawall for drinks and pizza. Home by 10something. Reading blogs and about blogging since about 7 am this morning. My goal is to help you understand what a warm and lovely place this little Island is. What makes us tick. Why we live here. I will also provide information about the Galveston Real Estate Market and houses I have previewed. My friend and teacher Karen Derr always asks "What's the shiny penny?" I intend to find the most interesting properties and post them for you as they show up on the market.
This may prove an interesting experiment- I hope you find something about it appealing. We'll see as the days go on.