AAA

Stay away from the real estate "gurus".... http://www.johntreed.com/gurucustomers.html

I highly recommend John Reed's real estate investing books:

http://www.johntreed.com/realestate.htm

Its a great place to start for not much money, especially compared to what some people will try to charge you for their "advice".

NASCAR is the most watched sport/autosport on the planet and the most revenue generating sport as well.

Actually on a worldwide basis significantly more people watch F1 than Nascar. Now as far as the US goes, Nascar is king.

You also have to think of alternative uses, though.

I'm sure it would also be rented by corporate for some of it's lower ranked out of town employees that stay for months at a time. I heard more than one complaint from a bean counter who was irritated because they had to bring in someone for training and couldn't find a hotel room at a lower end hotel and winds up putting them at the intercontinental.

Currently they're holed up in whatever hotel they can cram them in, mostly extended stays, Bradford suites and such. Having a room or two they can exclusively rent for years at a time would be useful for them.

I think you are spot on with this. You may also see some units rented by executives who live out in the suburbs and get jammed working really late a couple of nights a week.

I drove by today and they are definitely moving dirt....they have piled up enough that it is clearly visible from Kirby. To my untrained eye it looks like work has finally begun.....

also dont put any money down unless you can put down 25%...imo

Interesting......What is the rationale beind this 25% theory?

With regard to appreciation and buying a house, inside the loop is probably the way to go.

Does anyone know whats the latest on this development?

Thanks!

I may have to replace a knob and tube electrical system in a house I am buying. Can anyone recommend an electrician/company they have had a good experience with? ie good quality work and inexpensive?

Thanks!

I went in this house during an open house a few weeks back. I did like the interior but a huge problem (for me at least) was that the view from both the living room and the porch is of a wooden fence. If the yard was bigger it might work, but as you can tell from the pictures there isnt much room between the fence and porch.

"HISD is the state's largest school district, with over 210,000 students and a budget of over 1.2 billion dollars. The district includes Houston's richest neighborhoods, as well as some of it's least affluent.  The average test scores of individual schools can vary widely between different areas within the district. "

Do kids from the "richest neighborhoods" actually attend HISD beyond elementary school? Every single person I know who grew up in River Oaks attended private school for at least middle school and beyond.

I just looked at the site and the night rendering with the fireworks and downtown in the background looks really good.

Does anyone know how many have been presold?

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I would bet zero. I filled out the contact info a few weeks ago and have yet to hear anything. I don't think they even have a sales office yet.

They have added a bit to their web site. It sounds more and more like the Azure in Dallas everyday...

Unrivaled design proffers an unparalleled lifestyle at 2727 Kirby. There is no need for upgrades as each exclusive residence and private-entry estate presents the finest features and finishes available; each is a masterpiece of design, elegance and luxury. Features such as large, private terraces, soaring ceilings, imported stone flooring and European cabinetry are standard. At 2727, you are embraced, swathed and surrounded in superlative style and unmatched service. Your home is the archetype of elegance and excellence in Houston.

Exclusive Residences and Private-Access Estates

Interiors

Does This Project have a website?

An what is Gables River Oaks I went to their site an it wasnt listed

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www.2727kirby.com although there really isnt much there right now...

In the words of Homer J Simpson: "I don't have the discipline to be a hippie"

the building is not that old.

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ummm...Yes it is.

You know what I like about Renoir?

The fact that the northwest corner - has a nice blacony space - but there arent any doors leading to it....

Just thought that was the best design feature of this building.  I mean who wouldnt take the best corner of a building and build balconies on it - but then decide not to put the doors so the people paying $300000 for a "loft" can use it.

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Are you sure about that? Are you talking about the NW corner "turret" balconies? I used to live in the Renoir, and unless I am getting my directions mixed up, I seem to remember actually going out on one of those balconies. Then again it was several years ago...

If you won't show us what was on the other side of the street will you least tell us?

Nice pics too.

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It looks like pics from Driscoll Street, which is right behind the Renoir. If so there are generic Townhomes on the other side.

Our office just took a bunch of listings on condos at Commerce Towers.  I have to admit I wasn't that familiar with the project before.  With all the talk about the Shamrock and other places, it seems like this building hasn't been discussed on here before, (or maybe I missed it). 

I was curious what people preferred in the way of loft look vs. finished out.  These do not have the open trusses, etc of the more rustic loft set up.  It is in a historic building though.  It is on the rail line, and the tunnel.  I was just wondering if the  lack of the exposed brick wall, high ceiling, open trusses, loft set up in favor of a more finished look would be a benefit or a hinderance with condo buyers.

Any thoughts?

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I like both styles as long as they are done well. The big issues for me are association fees and valet parking. I want as low as possible association/maintenance fees. One of the Condos in Houston (maybe the Beaconsfield?) has maintenance fees that are significantly higher than an 80% mortgage! My other issue is forced valet parking. I want my own assigned parking spot, I dont want to wait on a valet everytime I want to get something out of my car. I simply wont buy a unit at a building that has mandatory valet parking.

AA,  keep us updated on which building your company chooses.  I tend to agree with Subdue.    I think there may be some space available in Calpine Center.  I also heard that building is on the sale block.    Hmmmmm.

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Thanks for all the input. I will keep you posted as soon as I hear anything else.

Hi,

I was wondering if there was an office building downtown that was generally considered the