MARCH + APRIL 2020
bestofheights.com
WORTHWHILE CONVERSATIONS
ARE WE STILL OK AFTER THE SECURE ACT?
J. Harold Williams, CPA/PFS, CFP®, and Jessica Banitt, CPA, CFP®, discuss the SECURE Act, and the importance of having a team of professionals to determine the right choice for you. IS THERE REASON FOR CONCERN IN LIGHT OF THE RECENTLY ENACTED SECURE ACT? No, most people should continue to feel secure (pardon the pun). The financial media has enjoyed a field day describing the SECURE Act, which affects retirement accounts, as a game-changer. We have received questions from clients, but the group of people who need to modify their planning is a relatively small number. Although a bit of an oversimplification, it really boils down to just two main things.
WHAT ARE THOSE TWO “MAIN THINGS”? The age at which you must start drawing down your retirement balances has been moved back to age 72. It was 70-1/2 previously. The new starting age applies to anyone not already 70-1/2 at the end of 2019. The later start improves planning flexibility for people who might retire
before age 72 but, because of other income sources, may not actually need immediate withdrawals from their retirement accounts. Phillip Hamman, CFA, CFP®, heads our Wealth Planning Committee. He describes it as: “They can develop an ‘optimization strategy’ for drawing down these accounts”.
YOU SAID THERE WERE TWO “MAIN THINGS”… The other important item generally affects beneficiaries of IRA accounts who are NOT the surviving spouse of the deceased account owner. Before the SECURE Act, these inheritors could slowly draw down these retirement accounts in installments over their entire lifetime. That offered some great income tax planning flexibility. The SECURE Act generally shortens the withdrawal period to a maximum of 10 years. In certain cases, where families fully expect that retirement assets will pass to the next generation, planning should likely be updated.
IS THERE A “BOTTOM LINE” HERE? Everyone needs good planning around configuring cash flow in retirement. If you have not focused on this area, we recommend sitting down with a financial advisor who is a fiduciary 100% of the time, like Linscomb & Williams. We have an experienced and fully-credentialed team and are available to meet in our office right here in the Houston Galleria area.
For more information, or a copy of our Form ADV, Part II, with all of our disclosures, call Grant Williams at 713 840 1000 or visit www.linscomb-williams.com.
Linscomb & Williams is located at 1400 Post Oak Blvd., Ste. 1000 in Houston, TX For more information call 713 840 1000 or visit www.linscomb-williams.com. Linscomb & Williams is not an accounting firm.
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/ March + April 2020 Send comments, thoughts or ideas to intownmagazine@gmail.com
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ON THE COVER Houston Helianthus off White Oak
Lauren Luna
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24” x 36” Oil on Canvas
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10-11 ARTS + EVENTS 12-13 TREASURES FROM HISPANIC MUSEUM 14-23 FOCUS INTOWN REAL ESTATE
24-25 KITCHEN REDESIGN 26-27 BIRD CITY HOUSTON FINFINANCIAL FOCUS 28-29 FINANCIAL FOCUS
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THE BUZZ
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bestofheights.com
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Intown magazine is published bi-monthly by SNS Media. Articles are welcome and will be given careful consideration for possible publication. Intown magazine does not assume any responsibility for unsolicited materials. Materials submitted will be returned if accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Box 980757 Houston, TX 77098. You can also e-mail intownmagazine@gmail.com. Copyright 2020 by Intown magazine. All rights reserved. Content may not be reprinted or reproduced without permission from Intown magazine.
8 | HEIGHTS | March + April 2020
Bringing the Best of Houston Living to Our Neighbors.
1723 W 14th Street C
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819 W. 43rd
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(713) 408-3185 HTX-Living.com
Arts + Events
Artupdate houston published every two weeks by houstonintown. Go to website and sign up for newsletter to receive free update.
MUSEUMS Asia Society Texas Center
Thru Aug 29 ETERNAL
OFFERINGS CHINESE RITUAL BRONZES
Thru Mar 29 FORM IS EMPTINESS, EMPTINESS IN FORM Museum Of Fine Arts Houston
Thru Mar 22 NORMAN ROCKWELL: AMERICAN FREEDOM
MARKET SQUARE PARK HOSTS FREE SAINT PATRICK’S DAY CONCERT ON MARCH 14 The Houston Downtown Management District (Downtown District) hosts its annual Saint Patrick’s Day Concert at Market Square Park on Saturday, March 14, 2020, at 2 p.m. Market Square Park will come alive with food, lawn games, family friendly activities and free live music from local Celtic rock band the Blaggards. Event-goers are encouraged to stay Downtown and explore the neighborhood after the concert with drink specials at the area’s eclectic bars and restaurants. Visit www.downtownhoustonparking.org for an interactive map with garages, surface lots and other parking options in the area. For more information about the Saint Patrick’s Day Concert at Market Square Park, visit www.marketsquarepark.com. WHAT: Saint Patrick’s Day Concert at Market Square Park WHEN: Saturday, March 14, 2020, 2 to 3 p.m. WHERE: Market Square Park 301 Milam St Houston, TX 77002 COST: Concert is free to attend MORE INFO: www.marketsquarepark.com ABOUT DOWNTOWN DISTRICT The Downtown District was formed in 1995 for the purpose of revitalizing the urban core of the country’s fourth largest city. Over the past decade, the Downtown District has used a combination of public funds and private resources to catalyze area improvements focusing on the city blocks bordered by Interstate 10, Highway 59 and Interstate 45. 10 2018 | Intown | January -+October 10 | HEIGHTS| September February 2020
Thru May 3 A HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY: SELECTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM’S COLLECTION Thru Apr 26 RADICAL: ITALIAN DESIGN 1965-1985, THE DENNIS FREEDMAN COLLECTION Thru May 25 FRANCIS BACON:
LATE PAINTINGS
Mar 3 ARTS OF ISLAMIC Thru May 25 LANDS: SELECTIONS
FROM THE AL-SABAH COLLECTION, KUWAIT
GLORY OF SPAIN: TREASURES FROM THE HISPANIC SOCIETY MUSEUM & LIBRARY
Thru Jun 14 THINK OF THEM AS SPACES: BRICE MARDEN’S DRAWINGS Thru Jun 14 PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE SURREAL IMAGINATION Apr 24-Aug 23 SI LEWEN: THE PARADE Houston Museum Of Natural Science
Permanent Exhibits Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. Hall Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals Earth Forum Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife Frensley/Graham Hall of African Wildlife Hall Of Ancient Egypt Hamman Hall Of Texas Coastal Ecology Herzstein Foucault Pendulum John McGovern Hall of The Americas Lester & Sue Smith Gem Vault Morian Hall of Paleontology Starke Hall of Malacology Wiess Energy Hall Welch Hall of Chemistry Special Exhibits Stonehenge: Ancient Mysteries and Modern Discoveries The Art of the Brick Death by Natural Causes “Moon” by Luke Jerram TourmalineTreasures State of Water: Our Most Valuable Resource
MUSIC & DANCE Houston Ballet
Thru Ma4 8 THE SLEEPING BEAUTY
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
Mar 12-20
Thru Mar 23 GARRETT BRADLEY:
Houston Symphony
AMERICAN RHAPSODY
Mar 3-Jun 7 SLOWED AND THROWED: RECORDS OF THE CITY THROUGH MUTATED LENSES Holocaust Museum Houston
Mar 14-15 Mar 20-22
FORGED IN HOUSTON
ADAMS' EL NINO SWING TO ROCK WITH DAVE BENETT
Mar 26, 28-29 MOZART’S PIANO
CONCERTO NO. 20
Apr 3-5
ANDRES CONDUCTS MAHLER
Mar 13-Aug 16 THE BOOK
Apr 10-11
Thru Mar 15 MENIL COLLECTION COLLECTION CLOSE-UP: OF HEAVEN AND EARTH
Apr 17-19 ARETHA: QUEEN OF SOUL THEATER
SMUGGLERS
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE IN CONCERT
SPORTS
Heights Epicurean Farmers Market
Houston Astros
Minute Maid Park
April 7 - 8 17 - 19 20 - 23
24 - 26
1245 Heights Blvd
Every First Saturday of the Month
NY METS ANAHEIM TAMPA BAY OAKLAND
Urban Harvest Farmers Market
2752 Buffalo Speedway Saturdays 8am - noon
Houston Dynamo New manager Dusty Baker will try and right the Astros ship amid rough waters in 2020 Mar 3-29 FIDDLER ON THE ROOF A.D. Players
THEATER
Apr 24-May 10 THE SPITFIRE
STAGES REPERTORY THEATER
ALLEY THEATRE
Mar 15 THE FANTASTICKS Mar 6-May 24 HONKY TONK
GRILL
Thru Mar 15 CAMP DAVID Mar 16-29 1984 Apr 17-May 10 DEAD MAN’S CELL
LAUNDRY
Mar 20-Apr SENSITIVE GUYS
PHONE
THE ENSEMBLE THEATER
Broadway Across America
Mar 19-Apr 12 AUTUMN
Hobby Center
Theatre Under the Stars
Mar 3-8
n
n
n
n
n
COME FROM AWAY
Apr 14-26 PURE COUNTRY
BBVA Compass Stadium
March 14 April 4 11 15
City Hall
Wednesdays
11am - 1:30pm
SEATTLE PORTLAND INTER MIAMI MINNESOTA
Houston Rockets
Toyota Center
March 5 8 10 17 19
LA CLIPPERS ORLANDO MINNESOTA CLEVELAND SACRAMENTO
First Saturday Arts Market
530 W. 19th St 21 April 2 5 8 10 13 15
CHICAGO GOLDEN STATE TORONTO SAN ANTONIO WASHINGTON PHOENIX MEMPHIS
300 Artists 2 Music Stages Food Trucks Chef’s Demonstrations Children’s Creative Zone Sponsored by Texas Children’s Hospital Specialty Care
n
Craft Beer & Wine Garden www.bayoucityartfestival.com #HouArtFest #BayouCityArtFest
MARCH 27-29 2020 FRIDAY - SUNDAY 10 AM TO 6 PM TICKETS $12 ONLINE $15 CASH $16 CREDIT FEATURED ARTIST MCKENZIE FISK @M CKEN Z I E _ F I S K _ A RT
Produced by Art Colony Association, Inc Benefiting Houston Non-Profits
March + April 2020
| HEIGHTS |11
MFAH Lets Rip With Treasures from the Hispanic Society Museum & Library By Virginia Billeaud Anderson
D
e-emphasizing wife Josefa, and mistress Leocadia, 44 years younger, misguided romantics spin Goya as lusting after the Duchess of Alba. They believe the painting “Naked Maja” which hangs in the Prado and got Goya investigated by the Inquisition, is a portrait of Alba. What better proof that the old deaf painter’s sexual desires were fulfilled, they argue, than this reclining nude with hands behind head, direct gaze, and faultless thighs and pubic triangle. The nude is not Alba. Scholarship determined that Alba and Goya were close trusting friends, she popped into his studio, he hung out at her Madrid palace, and her country estate. Flirty, liberated, the Duchess was Goya’s favorite subject, he captured her in formal portraits, informal paintings teasing servants, holding children - and in multiple drawings. Yet Goya revealed feelings. He painted Alba standing in a black dress, the Duke had recently kicked the bucket, with her finger pointed to an inscription on the ground that reads “Solo Goya.” Only Goya! In 1906 Archer M. Huntington paid a hefty price to lasso Goya’s declaration of love for the Hispanic Society, and it’s worth the trip to Manhattan just to see the artist’s treatment of embroidery in Alba’s red waist sash. No need to travel. Alba’s portrait is currently in Houston, a centerpiece of MFAH’s exhibition Glories of Spain: Treasures from the Hispanic Society Museum & Library, through May 25, 2020. Archer Huntingdon became seduced by Hispanic culture in Mexico in 1898, and began to study Spanish literature, and to concoct the idea of creating a museum devoted to the Roman, Portrait Bust, c. 138-150 AD, Marble, the Hispanic Society of America. Goya (Francisco de Goya y Lucientes), The Duchess of Alba, 1797, oil on canvas, the Hispanic Society of America.
Celtiberian, Silver and Gold Torque, c. 172150 BC, silver and gold, the Hispanic Society of America.
Seville, Plate, c. 1500, earthenware with cuerda seca decoration, the Hispanic Society of America.
12 | HEIGHTS | March + April 2020
art and artifacts of the Spanish Empire. He collected books and manuscripts, then traveled to Spain to collect archaeological artifacts. To know the “soul” of Spain, Huntingdon learned Arabic and interacted with ordinary Spaniards. The windfall that came with his father’s death allowed him to add rare volumes and purchase art by Spanish masters. In 1904 Huntingdon founded the Hispanic Society of America and built his museum, which opened to the public in 1908. Today the collection has 750,000 objects from Spain, Portugal, Latin America, and the Philippines. Over 200 of these - paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, maps, textiles, porcelains and ceramics, metalwork and jewelry, spanning 4,000 years of Hispanic culture, are exhibited at MFAH. If as Polybius believed, we’re lazy to be ignorant about Rome’s territorial expansion, take satisfaction in knowing the Romans began to gobble up Spain in 218BC, and after vanquishing the Carthaginians, controlled the entire Iberian Peninsula. The Romans built 12,000 miles of Spanish roads and bridges for their chariots. You get a sense of Spain’s importance to Rome at Merida’s archaeological ruins, where the temples, theater, baths and racecourses rival Rome’s Imperial architecture. Among the exhibition’s Roman artifacts are a 1st century marble Portrait Bust from Italica, a 1st century bronze Oil Lamp with the head of the god Pan, and a 1st century floor Mosaic with the head of Medusa. By 1300BC, Celts from the north had inhabited Spain and mixed with indigenous Iberians. The people who resulted were Celtiberians, who annoyed the Romans because they resisted subjugation and cleaned their teeth with urine. Like the other pre-Roman occupants of Spain, the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Carthaginians, Celtiberians parlayed Iberian silver mines. Excelling at metalwork, they produced the Celtiberian Gold and Silver Torque (neck ring). Centuries later, the Church commissioned very elaborate silver objects such as the Reliquary Cross from Barcelona (c.1400). Quite sumptuous objects were
crafted out of gold plundered from the Americas. Market excursions reveal pottery is a cash cow. Pottery became significantly refined after Muslims entered Spain in 711 and Muslim potters introduced the technique of separating color glazes to decorate surfaces, as seen in the ceramic Plate with Dragon from Seville (c.1500.) Some exhibition ceramics date back to 2400BC. The Visigoths ruled Spain after the
Romans, they contributed blue eyes, and gave the Catholic Church its foothold. See the exhibition’s Visigothic Belt Buckle (550AD) studded with garnets. Also exhibited: more Goyas, El Greco, Velazquez, mediaeval illuminated Manuscripts, Silk Textile from the Alhambra (1400), a 15th century Spanish iron Door Knocker with Dragon Head design, an earthenware Jar from Mexico 1660, an 18th century silver Vessel from Peru.
(713) 542-9860
LOCATED IN MONTROSE
TEJASCUSTOMBOOTS.COM
March + April 2020
| HEIGHTS |13
Memorial Villages
Celebrating
Bellaire
35years
Your home.
Briargrove
Memorial West
The Heights
River Oaks
ÂŽ
Our expertise.
Serving Houston & Surrounding Areas -Since 1985-
Independence Heights
West University
By David Michael Young
2019 was an incredibly busy year in residential real estate in Hous-
ton. More homes sold in the Houston Metro Area than any other year, but homes in many areas took a long time to sell and many sellers decided to lease instead. We have a strong local and national economy and buyers are showing great confidence in the market. There is still a lot of inventory out there, but economists are forecasting a strong market and continued low interest rates, so we should get back to a more balanced market by the summer. For more real estate updates log on to www.houstonintown.com and sign up for our newsletters.
You know what you want.
We know Houston. Buying Selling
Leasing
Relocation
Property Management 713.932.1032 BernsteinRealty.com 14 | HEIGHTS | March + April 2020
Top Ten Single Family Sales in 2019 Sales Price
Address
Area
Agent - List / Buy
$15,680,000
2930 Lazy Lane
River Oaks
Jeanne Marosis/Non-MLS Agent
$10,000,000 3456 Inwood Dr
River Oaks
Katie Forney/Katie Forney
$9,500,000
3 W Rivercrest
Rivercrest
Susan Boss/Virginia Westbrooks
$9,000,000
3458 Inwood Dr
River Oaks
Katie Forney/William Wheless
$8,480,000
3014 Del Monte Dr
River Oaks
Clayton Katz/Clayton Katz
$7,350,000
2320 River Oaks Blvd
River Oaks
Robert Bland/Shirin Petty
$6,750,000
3195 Inwood Dr
River Oaks
Walter Bering/Thomas Cervone
$6,560,000
11302 Jamestown Rd
Piney Point
Laura Sweeney/Steve Baumgardner
$6,300,000
3433 Westheimer PH 1-E
The River Oaks
Carmela Lummis/Karen Gillespie
$6,100,000
3434 Ella Lee Ln
River Oaks
Clare Leppert/Pama Abercrombie
8 | Intown | May + June 2019
May + June 2019 | Intown | 7 9
Bellaire by Neil Silverman
T
he City of Bellaire, referred to as “City of Homes” due to its residential character, was established in 1908 and incorporated in 1918. An Enclave Community surrounded by the city of Houston, Bellaire enjoys all that Houston has to offer with the comfort of knowing we can depend on our first-class municipal services and public safety departments, truly setting Bellaire apart. Bellaire population is 18,425 with just over 6600 homes and has a landmass of 3.6 square miles. There are almost 20 parks that offer an assortment of amenities and vary in size, 1 Public Library, 4 Tennis Courts, Aquatics Center, Evergreen Pool, Recreation Center with basketball and fitness room, and multiple baseball and softball fields. In 2019, Bellaire saw the completion of the Municipal Facilities project, including the construction of a new City Hall and Civic Center and a new Police and Municipal Court building. Neil Silverman, a local neighbor for over 25 years, with Bernstein Realty who list and sells homes in Bellaire, welcomes the opportunity to be of service, please contact him for all your Real Estate needs at 713.725-9750.
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18 | HEIGHTS | March + April 2020
Briargrove
by Melinda Gordon
B
riargrove is a beautiful neighborhood conveniently located 2 miles west of The Galleria in Houston as far south as Westheimer as far north as Woodway just west of Fountainview, the north section borders Tanglewood. There are many excellent local restaurants and shops within walking distance. Briargrove Elementary is a highly ranked HISD school. The community has just over 900 homes total with a solid HOA, which provides a 24 hr. Security Patrol. Briargrove has a neighborhood playground with a pool that offers a swim team in the summer months. You can always find neighbors out front hanging in their Adirondack chairs! Melinda Gordon, a local neighbor, with Bernstein Realty who lists and sells homes in Briargrove, welcomes the opportunity to be of service, please contact her for all of your real estate needs at 713.256.9145. Compliments of Bernstein Realty
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March + April 2020
| HEIGHTS |19
The Heights by Amanda & Rich Anhorn
T
his diverse small-town community was developed in the 1890s by its founders Oscar Martin Carter and Daniel Denton Cooley. They were the principles of the Omaha and South Texas Land Company, and these midwestern investors were drawn to the higher elevation of the area and purchased 1,700 acres of land. With electrification, the developers could expand further from downtown Houston with the use of the city’s streetcar system. The Heights became the city’s first large, planned community and existed separate from Houston until annexed in 1918. Today the Heights has much to offer its residents, including one of Houston’s grandest boulevards, home of a 3-mile walking trail, majestic trees, and public art sculptures. The Heights architecture ranges from Texas Victorians, turn-of-the-century bungalows, and new development. Other amenities the Heights offers are exemplary schools,
20 | HEIGHTS | March + April 2020
acres of parks, miles of trails, an exploding restaurant scene, live entertainment, antique stores, and offbeat boutiques. Recently, portions of the Heights have been designated as historic, which has preserved the original character of the neighborhood. Single-family homes range from $325,000-2,100,000 with standard lot sizes ranging from 4,400 square feet up to 7,500 square feet. The amount of single-family sales for 2019 was close to 1,300 transactions, with an average price per square foot of $256. Townhomes mostly exist on the outer bound-
aries of the Heights and range from $300,000-$530,000. In 2019 there were 141 transactions with a price per square foot of $187. Lots in the Heights range from $210,000-$1,800,000, with an average price of around $57 a square foot. If you’re in the rental market, there is a wide variety to choose from, including garage apartments, which start around $775 a month to luxury homes up to $7,000 a month. Amanda & Rich Anhorn | Greenwood King Properties |713.255.5123 anhorn@grenwoodking.com Top Producer 2004-2019
Independence Heights by Jessica McCreary
H
ouston’s newest “hot spot” for new construction is called Independence Heights. Located North of the Houston Heights, just outside 610 Loop, “The Super Neighborhood,” was created by the City of Houston, which drew its borders as Tidwell to the North, Shepherd Drive to the West, 610 to the South and 45 to the East. Similar to the Heights, this area is rich with history. It started to develop in 1908 by Wright Land Company and was incorporated Independence Heights. It became the first African American municipality in Texas. Then in 1929, the community was annexed by Houston. In 2018, the Houston Chronicle said this area “has it all” and cited a study conducted by Redfin, who ranked neighborhoods based on what buyers wanted. Priorities were good schools, transit options, commute times, crime, and affordability. Independence Heights ended up ranking 13 out of 25 in their nation-wide study. The recent development of a Whole Foods 365 at 610 & Yale has prompted other businesses to take a risk in this “upand-coming” location. For 2017, the average sales price for a lot was $45,316. In 2019, that jumped to $62,954. Let’s not forget the area’s popularity with Millennials, as well. As of two years ago, they represent the largest cohort of homebuyers in the country, and Houston is no different. The key to their heart is also affordability. New construction ranges from $300k-$365k in most cases. Jessica McCreary is Broker /Owner of HTX Living, LLC. p. 713 408.3195 Currently, for Sale 183 Homes / 56 Listings are Lots Currently for Lease 35 Homes As of 1/1/2020: 6 Lots Sold / Avg. Lot Size is 6,281sf / Avg. Sales Price is $126,833 16 New Single-Family Homes Sold / Avg Lot Size is 2,456sf / Avg Interior Size 1,680sf / Avg Sales Price is $283,890 March + April 2020
| HEIGHTS |21
Memorial Villages/Memorial West Memorial Villages by Alex Loyd
T
he Memorial Villages consists of six villages. Four are just south of I-10: Hunters Creek, Piney Point, Bunker Hill, and Hedwig, and two villages just north of I-10: Spring Valley and Hilshire. They all serve as a collection of upscale residential communities right outside the 610/I-10 interchange. The largest village, according to the 2010 consensus, is Hunters Creek at around 4,300+ residents, and the smallest is Hilshire, with just under 800 residents. All six of the villages are served by the Village Fire Department and have their own elected mayor and city council. The Memorial Villages Police Department serves Bunker Hill Village, Piney Point Village, Hedwig, and Hunters Creek Village, while Spring Valley and Hilshire Villages are serviced by The Spring Valley Police Department. All six villages are zoned to the Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD), which is a highly rated public school district with an overall ranking of an A-. In Harris County, SBISD is rated #5 best places to teach, #6 best school district and #7 best district for athletes and safety and #8 in diversity. Being a resident of Spring Valley Village for over eight years, I love this community and watching my children grow up the way I did, playing outside in the
22 | HEIGHTS | March + April 2020
front yard and running from one house to the next. From the neighbors to the police department, everyone watches out for each other, and I feel incredibly safe living here. It is not only a beautiful place to live and raise a family, but it’s also a great place to invest in real estate. Before 1981, city ordinances limited all single-family homes to one-story, but today, most have been renovated or torn down for new construction. Due to the tremendous population growth, Spring Valley’s Planning and Zoning Commission made it mandatory, unless grandfathered in, for lot sizes to have a minimum of 10,000 square feet. 77024 Villages Stats (Per MLS) Jan 1 - Feb 28, 2019 • 11 Single Family Homes Sold Average Sales Price: $1,898,245 Average SF: 5,445 Average Lot SF: 25,485 • 4 Lots Sold Average Sales Price: $1,142,725 Average Lot SF: 27,168 Jan 1 - Today, 2020 • 13 Single Family Homes Sold Average Sales Price: $2,378,427 Average SF: 6,298 Average Lot SF: 24,851 • 8 Lots Sold Average Sales Price: $1,121,844 Average Lot SF: 19,842 **25% Price Increase in Single Family Home Sales!!**
77055 Villages Stats (Per MLS) Jan 1 - Feb 28, 2019 • 10 Single Family Homes Sold Average Sales Price: $882,012 Average SF: 3,288 Average Lot SF: 12,325 • 1 Lot Sold Average Sales Price: $637,500 Average Lot SF: 9,527 • Jan 1 - Today, 2020 6 Single Family Homes Sold Average Sales Price: $1,232,437 Average SF: 3,831 Average Lot SF: 11,175 • 2 Lots Sold Average Sales Price: $607,000 Average Lot SF: 13,512 **40% Price Increase in Single Family Home Sales Alex Loyd is a Top Producer with Compass RE Texas p. 713-851-2521
Memorial West by Amy Bernstein
Memorial West encompasses a wide variety of neighborhoods, and all located North of I-10. Some of the most popular neighborhoods inside the Beltway are Frostwood, Memorial Forest, Memorial Bend, Tealwood, Sandalwood, and Fonn Villas. The area also extends outside the Beltway to Memorial Glen, Gaywood, Nottingham, Nottingham Forest, Wilchester, and beyond. It is convenient to City Centre, Town and Country, and Memorial City Mall and a short commute to the Energy Corridor. Memorial
River Oaks/West University West is also home to one of Houston’s largest parks, Terry Hershey Park. Amy Bernstein, a local neighbor, with Bernstein Realty, is a top producing real estate agent who has listed and sold homes in the Memorial West area for more than 30 years. Bernstein Realty welcomes the opportunity to be of service, contact us for all your real estate needs at 713.932.1032.
River Oaks by David Young
R
iver Oaks is undisputedly Houston’s premier subdivision. With a buy-in price of $1 million and previous non-MLS sales above $30 million, this genteel neighborhood is home to many of Houston’s wealthiest families. Established in the 1920s by Houston’s famous Hogg family and anchored by the exclusive River Oaks Country Club, the River Oaks subdivision of roughly 1,300 homes built out in the 1920s and 1930s. Most homes have been designed by renowned architects and builders and preserved over the years. The River Oaks Area would also include the subdivisions of Tall Timbers, Homewood, Royden Oaks, Oak Estates just west of that, Avalon Place, and Glendower Court. These deed-restricted subdivisions are served well by the high-end retail shops and excellent restaurants in Upper Kirby, the River Oaks Shopping Center, and Highland Village. Many of the highest-priced homes do not appear in MLS, but according to HAR MLS, there were 107 sales of single-family homes in the River Oaks Area in 2018, ranging from $815,000 to $15,680,000 and averaging $2,716,808 ($496/SF) – 9% lower than 2018. There are also eight luxury HiRISE condominium towers in a broader River Oaks Area, including The Huntingdon, 2727 Kirby, Regency House, The Willowick, Lamar Tower, Inwood Manor, Chateau Ten and the new The River Oaks. 48 condos sold in these buildings in 2019, ranging $170,250 to $6,300,000 and averaging $948,404 ($366/SF). David Michael Young, Broker Associate Douglas Elliman Real Estate david@youngrealtyhouston.com 713-320-6453
West University
77005 Stats (Per MLS)
by Alex Loyd
West University Place, well-known to many as “West U,” was developed in 1917 by then Governor of Tennessee, Ben Hooper, and sat on about 2 square miles of land. Many of the streets bear names after many colleges and universities because of the proximity to Rice University. However, in the 1920s, a Rice University English major, Lilly Nicholson, was asked to help name a few of the streets, so she took to her books and named them after some of her favorite literary authors, like William Shakespeare and John Dryden. West U is often called “The Neighborhood City.” It boasts nine neighborhood parks and community pools, and you will always find the neighbors of West U spending time outdoors or at the infamous West U Little League Ballpark. West U is among the safest communities
Jan 1 - Feb 28, 2019 • 16 Single Family Homes Sold Average Sales Price: $1,384,500 Average SF: 3,540 Average Lot SF: 5702 • 3 Lots Sold Average Sales Price: $846,367 Average Lot SF: 7,218 Jan 1 - Today, 2020 • 20 Single Family Homes Sold Average Sales Price: $1,734,291 Average SF: 4,141 Average Lot SF: 7,946 • 1 Lots Sold Average Sales Price: $675,000 Average Lot SF: 6,000 **25% Price Increase in Single Family Homes Sold. Alex Loyd is a Top Producer with Compass RE Texas p. 713-851-2521
PROPERTIES
Incredible Hidden Gem! 111 Glynn Way Houston,Tx 77056 For Lease $8,750 Ideally located on a cul de sac on the edge of Buffalo Bayou in the Tanglewood Area. Two-story formal living room with stone fireplace. The master bath features a whirlpool tub & walk-in shower, dual closets and vanities. Island kitchen & elevator access up to the 2nd floor & down to the garages. Floor-to-ceiling windows.
Joanne Naponic Broker/Owner
JoanneNaponicProperties.com (713) 515-3805 joannenaponic@gmail.com March + April 2020
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DESIGN
H O ME C ONT RA C T I NG
Designer Shows Why Not To Wait on that DREAM KITCHEN By Deloris Ludwig Designer
A
Before wall is removed
fter Hurricane Harvey brought floodwaters into Betty Wiley’s home, she knew it was time for a change. While the repaired kitchen was usable there was a plan in place down the road to upgrade to her dream home. “I wanted to create a welcoming kitchen that was easy to function in, easy to organize and looked great,” she says. Why not now she thought. No time like the present The original floor plan was a long galley kitchen that separated it from the living room. Betty as many people do, wanted an open concept that would not only expand the kitchen and connect the living room space, but transform the home by creating an inviting larger room where she could host friends and family in a much larger setting. To make it happen, she contacted our company, which has been in busi- Photo by Erica Hernandez ness since 1987. We are a design-tobuild renovation company for residen- ception to completion to be as stress-free tial and commercial customers. Home as possible for their clients. For every Contracting Inc. works side-by-side project, it is best to start with an on-site with homeowners to remodel kitchens, personal consultation followed by 3D bathrooms, install flooring and com- design ideas based on the client’s vision. plete many other custom services. We Then it’s showroom or internet surfing have worked with businesses such as to choose materials and finishes with Pluckers Wing Bar and Hilton Hotels. the designers input. Next make sure and Deloris Ludwig, who manages the com- schedule each piece of the project so that pany, has been doing design and renova- the amount of disruption for the client is as short as possible. tion work for nearly 25 years. “We never start demo until all the “I’m always aware of making sure the job is done correctly and catching materials are received and available to install,” states Ludwig. “And we have the things as we go along,” Deloris says. team to do the work.”
THE HOME CONTRACTING PROCESS Home Contracting employs a process to every remodel project from con24 | HEIGHTS | March + April 2020
REMOVING A LOAD-BEARING WALL To open up the kitchen, the separat-
ing wall needed to be removed, but it was a load-bearing wall as it many times is. Home Contracting’s experts had to plan not only the demolition but also to install a support beam running the length of the kitchen. This would make room for a sprawling island in Betty’s new open-concept kitchen. The process was involved, but the designer stays engaged throughout. “I was nervous about the support beam,” Betty says. “But the company and the engineers she got made me feel at ease.” During the process, they found a section of the ceiling attached to the wall that was dropped to hide gas, water and electrical lines. However, the team engineered a solution that solved the problem and created a butler’s nook that became a unique accent to the kitchen.
THE DESIGN SELECTIONS We chose a subway tile backsplash, Brazilian-granite countertops, white allwood cabinetry and engineered hardwood floors to match her living room. Betty also chose to install new recessed lighting, a light over the island and a custom-made stove vent. They replaced baseboards and even rebricked a portion of the outside of her home that had to be altered during the renovation.
A NEW SPACE FOR ENTERTAINING While Home Contracting shoots for a 10-day renovation on a room, Betty’s project took a bit longer because of the structural changes with the elimination of the support wall. Yet, within a few more weeks, Betty’s kitchen was just as she’d imagined—striking granite countertops, clean cabinetry and an open-concept layout with a timeless design.
“I just think it upgraded the whole look of the house on the first floor,” Betty says. She believes that working with Home Contracting and getting Deloris’ help, you get your choice of style without feeling overwhelmed by handling a renovation project alone. “I think these types of projects are good when you have the homeowner and designer working together and managing it as a team,” Deloris says. Betty Wiley can’t wait to entertain in her newly designed kitchen. For info contact HomeContractingInc.com, p. 832.653.7294
AFTER
HOME CONTRACTING
Where Experience Counts HHHHH 5-Star Ratings
“I can’t even describe how amazing this company was when it came to remodeling my Kitchen. It was fast and furious and turned out fabulous! Deloris knew exactly what to do and had many creative ideas for the horrible kitchen we had previously. I really can’t say enough nice things about this team!! My husband and I never want to leave the Kitchen. It is absolutely gorgeous!” Christie M.
832-653-7294
www.homecontractinginc.com March + April 2020
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HOUSTON AWARDED BIRD CITY DESIGNATION Woodland Heights White Oak Parkway’s Pilot “Bird-Friendly Park” 26 | HEIGHTS | March + April 2020
H
ouston has a significant community-wide effort underway in the support of native plants that support wildlife, including birds. One of the best examples of this activity happens in the Greater Heights area of White Oak Parkway.
As a result of this and other citywide efforts, Houston is one of four Texas cities honored with the Bird City designation from Audubon Texas and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s inaugural Bird City Texas certification program. This new, community-focused certification program has been created to help people protect birds and their habitats. “This certification recognizes
the significant bird conservation efforts by the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Houston Audubon, and many other organizations throughout the greater Houston area,” said Kelli Ondracek, Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Natural Resources Manager. “We will continue to work collaboratively with our partners to advance habitat restoration and education
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron is the Audubon Bird of Houston The Heron forages in both salt and freshwater, including marshes, ponds, ditches, swamps, and mangroves. As long as they can find crustaceans like crabs and crawfish to eat, they’ll forage, sleep, and nest in that location. The southeastern United States provides many suitable habitats for this species, although they can also be found as far north as Ontario. Photo by Kathy Adams Clark
efforts to benefit birds and other wildlife.” The growing popularity of planting native plants, restoring the native prairies, bird-friendly education programs, and Houston Lights Out for Birds program for migrating birds were among the many efforts and programs that gained Houston the designation. One of the many significant community-wide efforts underway in support of native plants that support wildlife, including birds is located in Woodland Heights’s White Oak Parkway area.The White Oak Parkway, is a pilot “Bird-Friendly Park,” where efforts are currently underway for invasive removal, native plantings, pop-up birding stations, bird surveys, volunteer days, and community science programs.
“The Bird City designation is a great affirmation of the heroic conservation work and a growing appreciation of birds in the Greater Houston Area. I commend the city for their vision and for recognizing the important role birds and nature play in our quality of life and economy,” said Helen Drummond, Houston Audubon’s executive director. A Bird City Stakeholder Group has been established with approximately 50 organizations represented to work with the City of Houston and its partners. This group will receive various updates and communications regarding Bird City and the targeted actions the city of Houston will accomplish as a part of this certification.
About the Houston Audubon Society Established in 1969 as an autonomous, self-supporting chapter of the National Audubon Society, Houston Audubon Society’s mission is to advance the conservation of birds and positively impact their supporting environments which it accomplishes through acquiring and maintaining critical habitat as bird sanctuaries, providing education programs and nature experiences for children and adults, and advocating policy and management actions in support of the mission. Houston Audubon owns and manages 17 nature sanctuaries encompassing 3,400 acres across the Greater Houston and Galveston regions and became an Accredited Land Trust in 2017. To learn more, visit www.houstonaudubon.org. By email at Anna at avallery@houstonaudubon.org
About the Houston Parks and Recreation Department The Houston Parks and Recreation Department (H.P.A.R.D.) stewards and manages over 37,851 acres of parkland and green space for the City of Houston and develops and implements recreational programming for citizens of all abilities. For more information on the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, call (832) 395-7022 or visit www.houstonparks.org. By email at Anna at avallery @houstonaudubon.org March + April 2020
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Financial
FOCUS
O
n the face of it, money and financial planning seem universal, the same for men and women. But just beneath the surface are hard realities—longevity, employment inequities and more—so that realistically, men and women aren’t necessarily on equal footing when it comes to their finances.
For starters, women tend to live longer—about five years longer than men, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. A longer life requires more money, but women are often hampered by lingering wage disparities. To complicate matters, women tend to take more time away from their careers— about 15 percent of their work life compared to 1.6 percent for men—to care for children, grandchildren or aging relatives. For scores of women, that all translates to less money to save for goals, such as their own retirement, and even reduces Social Security payments because of how benefits are calculated. 28 | HEIGHTS | March + April 2020
As if these realities aren’t dismal enough, the divorce rate in the U.S. now hovers between 40 and 50 percent for first marriages (higher for subsequent marriages), and the average age of widowhood in the U.S. is 56. In fact, nine out of 10 women will be totally responsible for their own finances at some point in their lives—because they never married, they married and divorced, or they married and were widowed, according to the National Center for Women and Retirement Research. Steps to take control of your financial life: • Build an emergency fund of your
age, such as life, disability and long-term care insurance. • Actively participate with your spouse in financial planning activities. Speak up to ensure your current and future needs are considered. • Review and understand your spouse’s estate plan so you know what your financial situation will be if he predeceases you. Make sure that joint assets are truly joint. • Focus on saving money for your own retirement in an IRA, 401(k) plan or other retirement option.
Would you like to talk to a financial professional? Contact Evans at 713.388.1367 or evans.attwell@frostbank.com.
PHOTO: Courtesy of University of Houston
own sufficient to sustain you for six to 12 months. • Avoid debt and increase your opportunities to build wealth. • Develop a strong relationship with a banker, attorney, accountant and wealth advisor. When you need them, you’ll have advisers you know and trust. • Educate yourself about financial planning, especially investments, so you can confidently make decisions for yourself. • Manage risks with insurance cover-
By Evans Attwell Senior Vice President Frost Bank
Investment and insurance products are not FDIC insured, are not bank guaranteed, and may lose value. Brokerage services offered through Frost Brokerage Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, and investment advisory services offered through Frost Investment Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Both companies are subsidiaries of Frost Bank. Investment management services, financial planning and trust services are offered through Frost Wealth Advisors of Frost Bank. Additionally, insurance products are offered through Frost Insurance. Deposit and loan products are offered through Frost Bank, Member FDIC. Frost does not provide legal or tax advice. Please seek legal or tax advice from legal and/or tax professionals.
WE ’RE IN THE PEOPLE BUSINESS. W E J U S T H A P P E N TO B E A B A N K .
Unmatched service. Sound advice. And peace of mind knowing your money is well cared for. Now, how can we help you today? Visit us at our River Oaks Financial Center, 2443 Westheimer or call at (713) 388-1059.
MEMBER FDIC
March + April 2020
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Janice McNair with First Tee winners of golf clubs and golf bags formerly belonging to Robert C. McNair
Jessica Chisolm First Tee participant Miguel Espinoza and Rob Chisolm
Sharon Owens, Owens, Mayor Mayor Sylvester Sylvester Turner Turner and and Deborah Deborah Duncan Duncan Sharon
Janice McNair and Walter and Yvonne Johnson Ashton Radvansky (honored for sportsmanship) and Doug Earle (honored for integrity)
Gala Chair Kyle McCully, Janice McNair and Gala Chair Amy McCully
Houston Golf Association Honors Legacy of Robert C. McNair The Houston Golf Association (HGA), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The First Tee of Greater Houston, honored nine individuals, including the late Robert C. McNair while raising over $200,000 at its Nine Core Values Luncheon at River Oaks Country Club. Originally founded in 1997, The First Tee’s mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. “The HGA and The First Tee are pleased to recognize individuals who lived their lives according to the program’s Nine Core Values,” said Steve Timms, CEO of Houston Golf Association and The First Tee of Greater Houston. “Bob McNair was one of the most respected and generous philanthropists and businessmen in our time. He was known for doing the right thing, helping others and showing respect for all. We are proud to honor his legacy.” About the Houston Golf Association: Founded in 1946, the HGA has existed to make a difference in Houston communities and in the lives of area youth through golf and charity. HGA began offering its junior golf program to Houston in 1957. For more information visit hga.org. Dr. Alan Cowthran and Dr. Kevin Smith
Auction Chairs Rosemary Schatzman and Phyllis Williams Jourdan and Holt McNair
Lay Huang and Shala Walker
Deborah Duncan and Honorable Vanessa Gilmore (honored for confidence Holly Alvis, Janic McNair, Devon McNair and Garrison Leach
Photos by Emile Brown
ConCierge
SERVICE
Catherine Van Zutphen cath@cathvz.com 843-276-5271
Claudia Hellmund Chellmund@kw.com 832-309-9390
Colette Franz colettefranz@kw.com 713-416-4257
Genevieve Rowland genevieve@ rowland-properties.com 281-904-7014
James Selig james@theseliggroup.com 409-256-1274
Bell Property Team teambellsels@kw.com 214-763-2762
Jen Tran jentran@kw.com 832-646-2674
Lauren Taylor teamtaylor@kw.com 713-465-6105
Melonee Piperi mel@movinghouston.com 713-705-6029
Montse Foster Montse@kw.com 713-965-3019
Tara Kordula Anderson tarakordula@gmail.com 713-202-4101
The Property Joes joseph@diosanagroup.com 281-650-4658
Keller Williams Memorial 950 Corbindale Rd #100, Houston, TX 77024 Phone: (833) 533-6400 Fax: (713) 467-6226
10 Magnolia Woods Dr/Kingwood $3,750,000 MLS# 32114902
10902 Memorial Dr/Hunters Creek $1,895,000 MLS# 22426798
11406 Chartreuse Court/Royal Oaks CC $1,495,000 MLS# 55197677
814 Marywood Chase/Marywood $995,000 MLS# 7256010
2619 Newman St/Upper Kirby $849,000 MLS# 63293249
4019 Driscoll St/Montrose $819,900 MLS# 41726749
17910 Country Hills/Tomball $799,500 MLS# 15451121
1919 Shadow Branch/Lakes of Parkway $675,000 MLS# 54164747
1917 Rosewood St/Museum District $499,900 MLS# 28998343
5718 Winsome Ln/Galleria Area $469,000 MLS# 36437737
8653 Green Kolbe Ln/Kolbe Farms $435,000 MLS# 66661494
2316 Beall St/Shady Acres $379,000 MLS# 79964966
Proven Performance – Year After Year
Over 17 years experience working with buyers and sellers of residential real estate in the Greater Houston Area.
David Michael Young
713-320-6453 david.young@elliman.com www.youngrealtyhouston.com