January 2016 Houston Housing StatsHouston Real Estate Highlights in January Single-family home sales declined 2.1 percent compared to January, marking the fourth consecutive monthly decline;Total property sales were unchanged at 4,965 units;Total dollar volume was statistically flat at $1.2 billion;At 262,663, the single-family home average price reached its highest level ever for a January;At $200,000, the single-family home median price also achieved a January high;Single-family homes months of inventory climbed to a 3.3-months supply versus 2.5 months a year earlier;Townhomes/condominium sales rose 15.6 percent with the average price unchanged at $183,076 and the median price up 2.4 percent to $140,000;Leases of single-family homes rose 2.8 percent with rents up 4.2 percent at $1,742;Leases of townhomes/condominiums climbed 12.2 percent with rents up fractionally to $1,568.

I've watched prices climb in neighborhoods of interest to levels I'd never pay, even if I were a typical home buyer. 

I have a feeling people are over extending themselves just to get into these markets so that they don't "miss the train" and once rates start climbing....pop?!

The door itself was pretty solid, so we opted to paint it.I climbed up in the attic and blew in new insulation myself.  

I just  don't buy "how to skin the seller".Just saying, you might be able to  climb this hill, but few others will likely be able to regardless of what class they take or who gives short instruction, it's much more complicated than meets the eye.

What if interest rates climb back up from historic low levels?

Sales and prices climbed in all six Southland counties: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura.

Let's say you want me to climb a tall ladder to clean the gutters.  

Some people think it may be worse than the "great recession" due to the stock market, some think it will be a slight correction of the "bubble" most of the major markets are experiencing, and some think it will continue to climb. 

I know of an acquaintance, Gabriel Rojas of Climb Realty, that may be able to help or point you in the right direction.