Area Real Estate News & Market Trends

You’ll find our blog to be a wealth of information, covering everything from local market statistics and home values to community happenings. That’s because we care about the community and want to help you find your place in it. Please reach out if you have any questions at all. We’d love to talk with you!

Nov. 16, 2025

Houston Halloween Home Decorating Trends 2025

Houston Halloween Home Decorating Trends 2025

Spooky Season Meets Curb Appeal

Halloween 2025 in Houston Tx is bringing some seriously impressive home decorating trends! As a REALTOR at Texas Pride Realty - Brokered By: HomeSmart Stars, I've been driving through neighborhoods like Houston Heights, Montrose, and Oak Forest Garden Oaks, and the creativity is off the charts.

Top Halloween Decorating Trends This Year

Projection Mapping Magic Homeowners are using digital projectors to transform their entire home facades into haunted mansions, complete with moving ghosts and dancing skeletons.

Eco-Friendly Spooky More Houston families are choosing solar-powered lights and reusable decorations. It's better for the environment and your electric bill!

Interactive Candy Chutes Thanks to lessons learned during the pandemic, elaborate candy delivery systems have become permanent fixtures in many yards.

How Halloween Decor Impacts Home Values

Having sold over 250 homes in Houston, I can tell you that a well-decorated home shows neighborhood pride and community involvement. When potential buyers tour Houston Tx homes for sale, they notice which streets embrace seasonal celebrations.

One of my clients put it perfectly: "Leslie Don Wilson showed us three neighborhoods, but we chose this one because of the Halloween spirit – we knew we'd found our people!"

Leslie Don's Decorating Tips

As a 20-year veteran real estate agent, here's my advice: invest in quality pieces you'll use for years, store decorations properly, and always coordinate with your HOA rules if applicable. In areas like Timbergrove Manor or Lazybrook, I've seen homes win neighborhood contests and create lasting memories.

This Halloween, whether you go all-out or keep it simple, you're investing in your home's curb appeal and your family's memories. That's what makes Houston Tx real estate special in 2025 – it's not just about property values, it's about creating home.

 

Contact Leslie Don Wilson at Texas Pride Realty - Brokered By: HomeSmart Stars | 281-804-2291 | www.HoustonRealEstateBOSS.com for a FREE 2025 Market Strategy Session

Posted in Home Owner Tips
Nov. 15, 2025

Battery Changes with Time Change

Battery Changes with Time Change 

Why Daylight Saving Time is Your Home Safety Reminder

As we fall back this November 2025, there's one tradition every Houston homeowner should embrace: changing your batteries when you change your clocks. As a 20-year veteran real estate agent, I've walked through hundreds of homes, and you'd be surprised how many have chirping smoke detectors or dead CO2 alarms.

Essential Batteries to Replace This Fall

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors These life-saving devices need fresh batteries twice a year. Walk through every level of your home and test each unit after installing new batteries.

Thermostat Backup Batteries With Houston's unpredictable winter weather, the last thing you want is a thermostat failure during a cold snap.

Outdoor Security Lights and Cameras Check your Ring doorbells, motion sensors, and any battery-powered security devices around your property.

Leslie Don Wilson's Home Safety Checklist

Having sold over 250 homes in the Houston area, I've seen what happens when basic maintenance gets overlooked. One client told me, "Leslie Don helped us realize our home inspection failed because we hadn't changed our smoke detector batteries in three years!"

At Texas Pride Realty - Brokered By: HomeSmart Stars, we always remind our buyers and sellers that small preventative measures protect your investment. When you're touring Houston homes for sale, ask about the age of safety devices and when batteries were last changed.

Pro Tips from a Houston Real Estate Expert

Replace all batteries at once – buy a multi-pack and knock it out in 30 minutes. Mark your calendar for the next change (spring forward in March 2026). Keep spare batteries in a designated drawer so you're never caught unprepared.

Whether you're buying in Houston Tx 2025 or staying put, home safety isn't negotiable. As someone with 14 Google 5-star reviews, I can tell you that well-maintained homes sell faster and for better prices.

This fall, as you're adjusting clocks and enjoying the extra hour of sleep, take time to protect what matters most – your family and your home investment.

 

Contact Leslie Don Wilson at Texas Pride Realty - Brokered By: HomeSmart Stars | 281-804-2291 | www.HoustonRealEstateBOSS.com for a FREE 2025 Market Strategy Session

Posted in Home Owner Tips
May 14, 2024

Emberly: Where Fun and Friendship Thrive

Emberly: Where Fun and Friendship Thrive

 

Forget the cliche – Emberly truly is a friendly community unlike any other. Nestled in Fort Bend County, just southwest of Houston, this sprawling 933-acre masterpiece fosters a welcoming atmosphere where lasting friendships blossom.

Imagine:

  • Festive Gatherings: From cherished holiday events like Brunch with Santa to vibrant Fourth of July celebrations, Emberly brings the community together, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Your Dream Home Awaits:

  • Affordability & Choice: With a diverse range of floor-plans, options, and elevations, you'll find the perfect home to suit your style and budget, with prices starting in the $200s.
  • Future-Proof Living: Experience the convenience of smart home technology. Emberly homes integrate seamlessly with automation packages, featuring high-speed internet and app-controlled features for lighting, locks, and thermostats.

Unwind and Explore:

  • Amenity Oasis: The future Amenity Village promises endless entertainment – a clubhouse, resort-style pool, playground, dog park, water park, pickleball courts, and a charming town square are all on the horizon.

Education Excellence:

  • Award-Winning Schools: The innovative Lamar Consolidated ISD prioritizes student success with smaller class sizes and specialized sixth-grade schools. This district consistently ranks high, achieving an impressive A rating from the Texas Education Agency in 2021.

Developed by the Best:

  • Starwood Land Legacy: Emberly is the vision of Starwood Land, a nationally recognized leader in residential real estate development. Since 2007, they've delivered over 90 successful communities and transformed over $2.5 billion of land into thriving neighborhoods. Partnering with the world-class Starwood Capital Group, their commitment to excellence is unparalleled.

 

Emberly offers more than just a place to live – it's a vibrant community where families flourish and connections are made to last.

 

 Find your home in Emberly HERE

 

Houston Gay Realtor Real Estate Agent - Oak Forest

Leslie Don Wilson
Realtor - ABR AHWD ALHS CIPS CNE CRS GREEN GRI MCNE SFR SRES TRLP
281-804-2291 
Posted in Buyer
May 4, 2024

Houston Bark Park - Dog Park

Houston Bark Park - Dog Park

Oak Forest Real Estate Agent - Houston Texas

May 2, 2024

Cinco de Mayo 2024 - Top Tex Mex Restaurants In Houston Tx

Cinco de Mayo 2024 - Top Tex Mex Restaurants In Houston Tx

April 29, 2024

Houston Housing Market Heats Up in Suburbs with New Construction

Houston Area Housing Market Booming in Suburbs with Affordable Options

A recent report by the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) reveals a surge in home buying activity outside of Houston's city center. This trend is driven by buyers seeking more affordable housing options.

Fulshear/South Brookshire/Simonton, located over 30 miles west of downtown, witnessed the most significant growth. Home purchases in this Fort Bend County community skyrocketed by an impressive 103.6% year-over-year, claiming the top spot on HAR's "Hottest Communities" list for the third consecutive quarter in 2023. While Fulshear offers affordability, the average home price still sits at $518,943.

Crosby came in second, experiencing an 83.6% increase in home sales compared to the previous year. This area, previously ranked 25th, has seen a remarkable rise in popularity. The average home price in Crosby is significantly lower at $274,326.

The report highlights a clear trend: suburban areas with new construction are attracting the most buyers. In the top five communities, new homes accounted for at least half of all sales during the fourth quarter of 2023.

Eight out of the ten hottest communities boast average home prices below the Houston area's overall average of $412,161.

"Affordability continues to be a major draw for homebuyers seeking opportunities in suburbs and outlying areas," commented HAR Chair Thomas Mouton. "This trend reflects a growing emphasis on cost-consciousness in today's market, with buyers prioritizing their dream of homeownership while making smart financial decisions. As prices stabilize and inventory remains strong, buyers will also benefit from a wider selection of homes."

The report also explores the luxury market, where homes exceed $1 million. Westchase, situated south of Westheimer and west of Gessner, emerged as the top performer in the final quarter of 2023, with an average luxury home price of $1,095,758.

Leslie Don Wilson
Realtor - ABR AHWD ALHS CIPS CNE CRS GREEN GRI MCNE SFR SRES TRLP
281-804-2291 


Brokered by: HomeSmart Stars 
 
April 15, 2024

Historic Structures Are Getting New Life

Historic Structures Are Getting New Life 

Houston used to favor demolition for old buildings, but a shift is happening! Historic structures are getting new life through adaptive reuse.

The Astrodome may be a rodeo storage unit, but it's still standing. The River Oaks Theatre dodged demolition threats. Project Row Houses has a long history of transforming homes into art.

Even more adaptive reuse projects are on the horizon:

  • Sugar Land's historic Imperial Char House will become a mix of offices, stores, and restaurants.                 
  •  
  • Katy is exploring ways to turn its rice dryers into an entertainment district. One rice dryer, JV Cardiff and Sons, is already being converted into a mixed-use space with a beer garden.
  • On Harrisburg Street in Houston's East End, warehouses are being renovated to create a massive "foodie playground," according to a recent Houston Chronicle article.

 

 

Houston Gay Realtor Real Estate Agent

Leslie Don Wilson
Realtor - ABR AHWD ALHS CIPS CNE CRS GREEN GRI MCNE SFR SRES TRLP
281-804-2291 

 

 

Posted in Buyer, Investors
April 11, 2024

Top Mother's Day Brunch Restaurants- 2024 Houston Tx

Top Mother's Day Brunch Restaurants- 2024 Houston Tx

April 5, 2024

Houston Embraces High-Rise Living: A Legacy and a New Chapter

Houston Embraces High-Rise Living: A Legacy and a New Chapter

Pelican Builders Homes and Condos For Sale

Houston, a sprawling metropolis known for its love of single-family homes, is seeing a shift towards vertical living. Pelican Builders, a pioneer in this movement, is leading the charge with luxurious high-rise condos.

Pelican's Pioneering Role:

The company built Houston's first-ever residential highrise, The Woodway, in 1974. Over five decades, they've established themselves as a multifamily housing leader, developing thousands of condo units, townhomes, and apartments.

The Hawthorne: Bringing Luxury Living to Tanglewood:

Pelican recently unveiled the Hawthorne, a 17-story condo building with 67 units in Tanglewood, just a stone's throw from The Woodway. These upscale residences cater to those seeking a vibrant city lifestyle, with prices ranging from $1.5 million to $3 million.

A Market on the Rise:

Houston's condo market is still in its early stages, with sales dipping slightly in 2023. However, Pelican is confident, leveraging unsold units at The Hawthorne to refinance existing debt and projecting 75% occupancy by June.

Suburbanites Seeking City Life:

Pelican sees a growing trend of suburban residents looking to downsize from large homes and embrace the cultural offerings of Houston's inner core. These individuals are drawn to the convenience and access to arts, restaurants, and museums that high-rise living provides.

Shifting Landscape: From Patios to Penthouses:

Traditionally, downsizing Houstonians opted for "patio homes" with minimal yard maintenance. However, rising land costs make these developments less feasible for builders. High-rise condos, accommodating more residents on a smaller footprint, offer a more attractive proposition.

Houston's Future Takes Flight:

Houston is gradually evolving into a vertical city. A positive outlook for the condo market, especially considering the strong performance in the latter half of 2023.

Check out available Houston Condos For Sale

 

Houston Gay Realtor Real Estate Agent

Leslie Don Wilson
Realtor - ABR AHWD ALHS CIPS CNE CRS GREEN GRI MCNE SFR SRES TRLP
281-804-2291 

 

Posted in Buyer
March 21, 2024

Houston's Empty Hilton to Get a $40 Million Makeover

Houston's Empty Hilton to Get a $40 Million Makeover

The former Hilton Houston Galleria is getting a new lease on life! The vacant 13-story building will be transformed into a modern apartment complex thanks to a Los Angeles developer.

Why the Change?

There are two main reasons behind this shift:

  • Empty Hotel: The Hilton closed its doors in 2022 and hasn't found a new tenant.
  • Houston's Hot Housing Market: With many Houstonians working remotely and a growing city population, there's a high demand for apartments.

Project Details:

  • Cost: The conversion will cost an estimated $40 million.
  • Start Date: Construction is expected to begin in April 2024.
  • Completion Date: The new apartments should be ready by September 2025.

National Trend:

Houston isn't alone in this trend. Across the country, many office buildings and hotels are being converted into apartments due to a shift in work and living patterns.

Houston's Adaptive Reuse Boom:

The lack of strict zoning laws in Houston makes it easier for developers to repurpose buildings. This "adaptive reuse" approach is not only good for business, but it can also revitalize neighborhoods and give new life to underused structures.

The Future of Houston's Skyline:

This project is just one example of how Houston's landscape is evolving. With more office-to-apartment conversions on the horizon, the city's skyline could look quite different in the coming years.

Check out available condos for sale in the Houston Galleria

 

Houston Gay Real Estate Agent Realtor
Leslie Don Wilson
Realtor - ABR AHWD ALHS CIPS CNE CRS GREEN GRI MCNE SFR SRES TRLP
281-804-2291 
Posted in Buyer, Investors