HAR: Affordability gains in Houston as 42% of households can swing homeownership

Houston Agent Magazine 5/8 8:06A Emily Marek

Housing affordability improved across the greater Houston area during the first quarter as 42% of households could afford a median-priced home, according to a report from the Houston Association of REALTORS® . That proportion was up from 37%...

Home sales rise 5% in Houston

Houston Agent Magazine 5/8 3:21A Emily Marek

Following a week of increased consumer interest, closed home sales rose 5.2% in Houston, according to the Weekly Activity Snapshot from the Houston Association of REALTORS® . Homebuyers purchased 2,553 properties during the week ended May 4, up...

Spanish-language mortgage lender Americasa opens Houston office

Houston Agent Magazine 5/6 7:24A Emily Marek

Americasa s new location at 11999 Katy Freeway in Houston Americasa , a mortgage lender under Nationwide Mortgage Bankers, expanded into Houston with its newest branch location at 11999 Katy Freeway...

Castle Hill Partners starts second phase of development at The Trails MPC

Houston Agent Magazine 5/6 4:03A Emily Marek

The second phase of development is underway at The Trails , Castle Hill Partners ’ New Caney master-planned community. This second phase includes 344 lots ranging from 40 to 60 feet wide. Chesmar...

Zillow, Realtor.com join forces for Preview listing data share

Houston Agent Magazine 5/6 2:32A Emily Marek

Zillow Preview listings will be available on Realtor.com as early as this summer, the two companies announced. Realtor.com, notably, is the listing platform of the National Association of REALTORS®. “The real estate market works best when every...

6 design trends defining luxury homes in 2026

Houston Agent Magazine 5/4 2:30A Jacqui Mueller

Luxury home design in 2026 is no longer driven solely by aesthetics. Spaces that focus on well-being, comfort and personal meaning are shaping everything in the home, from material selection and layout to color, light and more. According to the...

How Women’s Council of REALTORS® elevates your real estate business

Houston Agent Magazine 5/4 2:00A Alexis Ceasar-White

In today’s ever-evolving real estate landscape, success requires more than just closing transactions. It demands adaptability, leadership, strategic thinking and a commitment to continuous growth. As the 2026 president of the Women’s Council of...

Women leaders are shaping AI strategy, with 80% playing a key role

Houston Agent Magazine 5/4 1:30A Marki Lemons-Ryhal

The agents who will win next year are not the ones grinding harder. They are the ones who drew a line between what their brain handles and what AI handles. A study by Chief and The Harris Poll released in April surveyed 1,768 leaders and found...

Survey Results: Luxury real estate in 2026

Houston Agent Magazine 5/4 1:19A Houston Agent

The post Survey Results: Luxury real estate in 2026 appeared first on Houston Agent Magazine .

Who does AI recommend when a luxury seller asks for an agent?

Houston Agent Magazine 5/4 12:00A Patrick Ferry

If you’re a top listing agent in a luxury market, you’re going to get your share of business. Your brand, your relationships and your track record will continue to generate opportunities the way they always have. But here’s a question almost no...

It takes 5 years to save for a down payment in Houston

Houston Agent Magazine 4/23 10:27A Emily Marek

It takes a median of six years to save for a down payment in the United States, according to a new analysis from the National Association of REALTORS® . That timeline is typical for a family saving 15% of their income, assuming a 15% down...

Compass taps Greg Hague for director of home sale strategy role

Houston Agent Magazine 4/23 6:33A Emily Marek

Greg Hague has been appointed director of home sale strategy for Compass International Holdings . The 50-year real estate professional is a licensed attorney and an experienced home-sale strategist. Hague is also the founder of 72SOLD , a...

Zillow: Buyers want exposed beams and arched doorways

Houston Agent Magazine 4/23 3:03A Emily Marek

Exposed wood beams can boost a listing’s online engagement by 20%, according to the Zillow Buzz Index report from Zillow . Among over 600 home features and design aspects, exposed beams were the most popular — home listings featuring the element...

Raquel Refuerzo

Houston Agent Magazine 4/20 7:23A Houston Agent

What was your most interesting job before going into real estate? Working in the film and music industry. Got to meet and work with incredibly talented individuals from all over the world. Where did you grow up? Born in the Philippines, raised in...

Japanese pagoda in Minnesota

Houston Agent Magazine 4/20 7:02A Emily Marek

This Shorewood, Minnesota, home comes with a Japanese-style pagoda boathouse on Lake Minnetonka. Nestled on nearly two acres of wooded lakefront land, the property is returning to the market after 35 years with its current owners. The $5.995...