June News

June 2009

Dear Venetian Estates Neighbor,

Susan wrote the first “official” Venetian Estates News in May of 1989. Wow! That was 20 years ago, and I was 9 years old at the time. For those of you who don’t know me, I am Susan and Bud’s eldest daughter. After graduating from Texas A&M University with a degree in math in 2002, I went to work as a geophysicist for Veritas DGC (now CGGVeritas). However, I guess I couldn’t get real estate out of by blood. I obtained my broker’s license and went to work for FBRE in 2005. My husband Jeff and I live on Savoy Street and have two children, Kate (2) and Kenny (1).

Since Susan and I have been so busy selling homes for the past few months, we have a lot of new-neighbor info for you this month!

Lynn and Dwain Barnes purchased the Jonas’ home at 910 San Marino and have just moved in after completing beautiful renovations. Lynn is a first grade teacher at Brazos Bend Elementary, and Dwain owns the State Farm Agency located at 16103 Lexington Blvd. The Barnes have twin boys, who both live in Houston, and a daughter who lives in Panama and sells commercial real estate there. Lynn and Dwain have two grandchildren: Trenton, 4, and Corbin, who will be 1 in July. Leah and Joel Jonas and their children, Joshua and Hannah, have moved to Durango, Colorado, where they are in the process of building a home.

Diana and John Allen are my new next door neighbors! They purchased the Bevis’ home at 215 Savoy this month. John has lived in Sugar Land since the 1950s and is CEO of Brand + Allen Architects. The Allens’ have a house that John designed on Lake Travis in Austin. They have a daughter in Austin, a son and four grandchildren (JR, 8; Andrew, 6; Cecily, almost 3; and Marshal 1 ½) in San Antonio and a Maltese-Shih-Tzu named Sadie. Diana and John’s search for a boat has already commenced. Lookout Lee Vaughn and David Rothschild (our current fishing tournament title holders)! John will give you a run for your money at next year’s competition.

Pat and Brad Somers purchased the home at 834 Bel Mar. Their architect has almost completed their drawings for remodeling the house. Once the work is complete (they hope by October!), they will move in. The Somers are moving from Avalon. Pat is very excited because she just retired this month from teaching in Alief for 29 years. Brad recently sold and is now President of his company that manufactures cast aluminum decorative street-lamp posts – the very lamp posts that we are now seeing throughout the City of Sugar Land! Pat and Brad have a 25-year old son who lives in Houston.

Now for a snip-it of market news: The Houston Association of Realtors reports that rental occupancies are up 8% for single-family homes and 12.2% for townhouses and condominiums. So, what does this mean to you? If you have been considering tapping into real estate as an investment option, now is a great time. In many Houston areas, prices are down while rental rates and occupancies are up. Fort Bend Real Estate Corporation is experienced in representing purchasers of investment properties. We can help you locate a property, represent you in the purchase of it, lease it for you, and also handle the management.

Get excited, dog owners! Susan attended the Fort Bend Republican Women’s Club meeting in May, and Mayor Jimmy Thompson reported that the new Sugar Land Dog Park is less than 30 days away. The park will be located at the Brazos River Corridor/Sugar Land Memorial Park near the Sugar Land UH campus. The 6-acre park will include areas for small and large dogs, a pond, a dog wash station and shade structures.

410 Lombardy is under contract, scheduled to close in July. If you are considering selling your house, please give us a call!