Mark Martin | 2M Realty

It™s not news that Texas, and the Houston real estate market in particular, have fared better than most of the nation during the economic turmoil of the last few years.   While Texas home prices appreciated at a healthy pace in the 2000™s, none of it approached the huge increases seen in some of the œbubble markets around the country.   Of course, it hasn™t been pain-free, as anyone trying to sell a home in Houston can attest.   But, several reports released in recent weeks on Houston™s housing market and economic outlook are continuing to paint a rosy – alebeit cautious – picture.

Clear Capital, a provider of real estate valuations and data, said in its Home Data Market Index Report last month that it expects the Houston-Sugarland-Baytown area to see 3.6% growth in home prices, second out of fifty metropolitan areas included in the report.   Washington, D.C. led the way with a projected 6.5% growth, and eleven other areas, including Dallas-Fort Worth, New Orleans, and Memphis are also expected to make modest gains this year.   Nationwide, though, home prices are expected to slip an average of 3.7%, after a 4.1% decline in 2010.   It™s not hard to see how even the modest growth expected for Houston puts us close to the top of the nation.

A couple of areas for optimism exist in the national picture, though.   First, the roller coaster ride home prices took in 2010 isn™t expected to repeat itself.   Last year, as government incentives encouraged homebuyers in the spring, average sale prices rose 9.7% between March and August, only to fall by 9.4% over the remainder of the year as the tax credits expired and foreclosure sales increased.   Now, as markets shed the after-effects of those tax incentives, prices – while lower – are expected to stabilize in 2011.   Additionally, nearly half of all the price declines predicted in Clear Capital™s report are expected to hit in the first quarter.   In fact, 14 of the 50 markets reviewed are expecting gains in the latter half of 2011.

* Clear Capital Home Data Index: National Home Price Trends (Jan. 2006 “ Dec. 2011 Forecast)

Another positive prediction for Houston came from Mike Inselmann, president of Metrostudy research firm, last month.   Speaking of the local homebuilding market, he said he believes it has hit its bottom and is on an upswing.   After a flat couple of years, Inselmann predicted increases in home starts between 1.3 to 6.6% over 2010.   And while he noted that it™s hard to call a little over 1% growth a recovery, again it™s all in the perspective.   œWe™re at the bottom, he said.   œMost non-Texas markets are still searching for the bottom.

So what™s helping make Houston™s future brighter?   As Alex Villacorta, senior statistician at Clear Capital states, œUnderstanding which path a given market is likely to follow is dependent on several key factors, but the two clear drivers are local unemployment rates and the prevalence of distressed homes.   Houston™s percentage of homes sold as foreclosures is around the national average of 26%, but it had a year-over-year drop in January of 2%, a positive sign.   And as for jobs, economic forecasts are predicting over 18,000 new jobs this year for Houston.

With jobs, of course, come people.   Allied Van Lines™ annual moving survey listed Texas as the state with the most net relocation gains (i.e. more people moving in than moving out), a title our state has held for the last 6 years.   And people need homes.   As Inselmann pointed out, 15,000 apartment units were absorbed in 2010, leading to higher demand this year.   Higher demand generally leads to higher rent, and higher rent will send some renters into the homebuying market.

Some of these predictions seem to coming to pass.   The Houston Association of Realtors™ market report showed that total home sales rose in January for the first time in seven months.   Additionally, average home prices increased 2.2%, continuing an upward trend that began in mid-2010.   A single-family home™s average selling price was $196,879, the highest on record for a January in Houston.   While much of the price increases are attributable to gains in the luxury home market, the $150,000-250,000 market segment also saw growth starting in December, its first uptick since last May.   In fact, all home markets saw increases last month, and while we™ll need to see a few more months of growth before calling it a trend, Houston™s market certainly started 2011 on a positive note.

Of course any recovery is tenuous, and factors like oil prices and state budgets will no doubt have an effect.   But Houston is well-positioned to lead the way towards a steady housing recovery.   To quote Mike Inselmann, œThe next 10 years are a great time to do business in Houston.   It™s not a bad time to live here either.

A report from Clear Capital finds that home prices in the Houston real estate market have continued to climb while the national market may also be beginning to turn.

According to the report, home values in Houston have risen 1.7 percent over the three-month period ending in January and 5.6 percent over the previous 12. The quarterly price gain was the ninth-best in any city nationwide.

At the same time, national home prices dropped 1.6 percent over the quarter. But economists say they saw an uptick in prices during the final months of January.

“This recent national change in price direction is encouraging for the overall housing sector, yet it is still too early to determine whether this current uptick in home prices is a temporary reprieve or the start of a sustained recovery,” said Dr. Alex Villacorta, senior statistician at Clear Capital.

Even if prices start to gain ground, they still have a long way until the equity lost in the recession is earned back. According to the Case-Shiller home price index, home prices in November were 30 percent below their peak levels.

Times change.  In  an article by Becky Washam, she  points out that the real estate market needs to make sure it changes right with it. A generation ago families and single men were a prime target for real estate agents. As society changes and more women than ever are gainfully employed, single women are quickly becoming a unique force in the real estate market that is not to be ignored. From singletons in their 20™s to divorcees in their 40™s, single women are looking to buy, and have unique demands.

Whether its the Houston real estate market  or Boston, San Diego or Chicago, Phoenix or Miami, single women are a growing population in the United States. According to Washam, as many as 1 in 5 home sales are to single women. Not to mention that twice as many single women purchase homes in comparison to single men.

So why the influx of single women into the housing market? Many reasons come into play; societal changes, economic shifts, changes in American family structure, and the increase of women in the workforce. However, the question for most realtors is not why are there so many female consumers. The real question is; what do single women want?

As single women homebuyers create a new list of demands it is up to real estate agents to answer their calls. Washam has created this list that sums up the qualities most single women prefer in their homes:

• Most spend less than $200,000
• Prefer two bedrooms or more
• Less likely to choose new construction
• Will compromise size and cost to get other amenities, but not location
• Smaller spaces are acceptable, and many prefer condos
• Desire security and safe neighborhoods with a strong community feel
• Look for close proximity to stores, shopping, and fitness centers

Location and price seem to be non-negotiable. What many may find surprising is that single women are not afraid of a fixer upper and tend not to buy beyond their means. What is not surprising is a singleton prefers energetic communities, with plenty of activities and amenities. Also not surprising, security and close-knit neighborhoods are key contributing factors as well.   Smaller spaces are not a problem for those living alone, and older homes would be a perfect fit as they are generally lesser in price and have smaller accommodations.

Realtors are always looking for the next audience to cater to. Single women of all ages are a growing population in the real estate market and savvy investors, realtors and buyers alike can profit if they cater to this growing population of homebuyers.

Atascocita takes its name from the Atascocito Road, a historic trail dating to the early 1700s used by Spanish explorers. Atascocita in its present form didn™t develop until the latter half of the 20th century, as Lake Houston and Houston˜s Intercontinental Airport were built nearby in the 1950s and 60s respectively. Construction of Atascocita  real estate  started in the 1970s, and this beautiful lakeside community has been growing ever since.

Atascocita is nestled in a heavily treed part of Harris County, just six miles east of Humble and bordered by the San Jacinto River to the north, Lake Houston to the east.   With many family-oriented amenities in the area, it™s no surprise that over 70% of the population is married and over 90% are high school grads and above as of the 2000 census. Though unincorporated, this community of over 35,000 residents has its own library, volunteer fire department, community newspaper – and plenty of areas to shop, eat and be entertained.  

Living in Atascocita

Atascocita is made up of approximately fifteen neighborhoods – some established for decades, others developed in recent years with new homes for sale.   Each neighborhood has its own personality – small and large, gated or not, tucked in trees or next to the lake – offering something distinct for each family.   Most communities have their own parks and pools, with some offering walking trails, water parks or golf courses. Newer Atascocita real estate developments include the Eagle Springs and Summerwood subdivisions, with new homes starting in the mid-$100,000s.

Things to Do in Atascocita

With the San Jacinto River and the 12,000-acre Lake Houston nearby, one need only travel a few minutes from home to find boating, fishing, jet skiing and plenty of sunshine.   Golf enthusiasts will appreciate the Walden on Lake Houston Golf and Country Club, and nearby Tour 18 which recreates some of America’s most celebrated golf holes. The popular Lindsay/Lyons Park and Sports Center offers visitors playgrounds, picnic areas and fields for football, softball and soccer.   For those in need of some retail therapy, Deerbrook Mall, boutique shops and numerous salons are all in close proximity to your home in Atascocita, Texas.

Of course, the bustling business and entertainment districts of downtown Houston are just 18 miles to the south, with nearby Beltway 8 making it a convenient trip.   And George Bush Intercontinental Airport – recently updated to include free WiFi and parking shuttles – is just minutes away as well.

Atascocita Schools

Atascocita residents are students to the Humble Independent School district. Atascocita High School was recently built in 2006 and at the time, was home to over 2000 students. As of 2009, the student enrollment was over 3,000 in the 425,000 square foot facility.   New elementary and middle schools are also opening this fall, with Humble ISD being one of the 25 fastest growing districts in Texas   To read more about the Humble ISD Accountability and Student Assessment go to the Humble ISD website.

With its peaceful neighborhoods, beautiful surroundings and proximity to shopping, entertainment and more – Atascocita provides a perfect balance of excitement and serenity.   In short, it™s a great place to call home.

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Mark W. Martin is President and Principal Broker of 2M Realty. He is active in  real estate sales and develops land in the Houston real estate market.  Mark  is a Houston Realtor and has been a Texas real estate broker for over 20-years. To view real estate listings in the Greater Houston market, please see our Houston MLS to search  properties for sale and lease.

The Alvin area was settled in the mid-1800s by ranchers and cattlemen, and once the Santa Fe Railroad expanded into the area, a settlement was established along the railroad. Alvin was initially named Morgan in honor of its original resident, Santa Fe employee Alvin Morgan. Upon discovery the name Morgan had been taken, though, the town re-named itself Alvin after Morgan™s first name, officially incorporating in 1893.Even though Alvin real estate was all about ranching in the early years, its industries expanded in the 1930s to include oil and agriculture, becoming a major producer of strawberries, oranges, pears, figs, rice and the cape jasmine flower.  More recently, Alvin has become famous for its hometown son, Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Nolan Ryan, who played for the Houston Astros in the 1980s and is still greatly revered in the area.

Located in Brazoria County, Alvin is only 30 minutes south of Houston Texas, and home to over 23,000 residents.  With plenty of open parks and oak tree-lined neighborhoods in its 5-mile radius, the community of Alvin offers educational opportunities and recreational activities for the whole family.

Living in Alvin, Texas

Alvin homes for sale include older Victorians, custom homes and mid-range single-family homes in peaceful neighborhoods. Residential single-family homes range in price from just under $100,000 to the mid $600,000s, with a wide variety of acreages.  If you™re looking for a new home, there are a few new developments in Alvin that include 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes ranging in price from $129,000 to $200,000.  Additionally, there are working ranches and commercial property for sale with average prices in the mid-1 millions.

Things to Do in Alvin

As you cruise along the town™s streets – many named for Confederate generals and railroad investors – you™ll notice Alvin has a busy downtown retail / commercial area, along with its own airport.  The nearby Gulf Coast Speedway offers the thrill of speed, while the Alvin Golf and Country Club offers a more tempered level of excitement.  Family activities include taking the kids on a œsafari at the Bayou Wildlife Park, birdwatching along the Great Texas Birding Trail, swimming at the YMCA or shopping at Froberg™s Farm – billed as the area™s largest open-air farmer™s market.  And, of course, there™s a museum dedicated to Alvin™s local baseball hero at the Nolan Ryan Center.

Alvin Independent School District

Alvin Independent School District serves the communities of Alvin, Manvel, Iowa Colony, Liverpool, Amsterdam, and parts of Rosharon, Arcola, and Pearland.  With approximately 16,000 students, Alvin ISD is the second largest school district in Brazoria County.  Of the district™s 22 schools (13 elementary, 5 junior high, 2 high school, 2 alternative campuses), 10 are rated as œrecognized, 9 as œexemplary – the highest rating given by the Texas Education Agency.  Beginning teacher’s salary starts at $45,000 as of 2010, with more information on the AISD website™s Human Resources Center.

For those pursuing secondary education, Alvin Community College (http://www.alvincollege.edu//) has been serving the Alvin community for over 60 years, and offers a wide array of associate and certificate programs.  Of course, Alvin is also within driving distance of the University of Houston, Rice University and other higher learning institutions in Houston.

Alvin™s major employers include Alvin ISD, Alvin Community College, Dish Network and a variety of companies in the energy and petrochemical fields.  These, along with proximity to NASA facilities and the Houston business district, are contributing to Alvin™s growth.  While Alvin is a growing city, though, its tree-lined streets, neighborhood farms and sense of community still make it feel like home

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Mark W. Martin is President and Principal Broker of 2M Realty. He is active in real estate sales and develops land in the Houston real estate market. Mark is a Houston Realtor and has been a Texas real estate broker for over 20-years. To view real estate listings in the Greater Houston market, please see our Houston MLS to search properties for sale and lease.

Virtual, End-to-End Office Program for Real Estate Agents
Offers Up To 100 Percent in Commission Guarantee

Houston, TX (PRWEB) August 17, 2010

2M Realty, an independent firm providing services throughout the Greater Houston real estate market, has exclusively partnered with Treehouse Agent Services to œun-tether the sales agent from their brick and mortar broker through the use of the Internet and a new virtual office program. The Treehouse program provides a complete, end-to-end service for independent agents looking to conduct their trade online. According to the pricing package purchased, agents can retain a guaranteed 100 percent or 80 percent commission upon closing.

œThrough the Treehouse program, 2M Realty is putting the power of independent selling and revenue generation into the hands of Houston Realtors, said Mark W. Martin, principal broker for 2M Realty. œWe believe this program is one of the most cost-effective and comprehensive online real estate business solutions in the market, and will inspire agents to rise above traditional broker-bound work paradigms to a whole new level of success.

The $295 per month package includes a guaranteed 100 percent commission upon closing and grants participating agents full access to a variety of productivity-boosting features including:

• Marketing collateral production tools: pre-loaded email, letterhead and brochures;
• Personalized websites: templates available for customizable agent site creation including a content management system
• Agent profile and feature listing rotations featured on the 2M Realty website
• Lead creation, distribution and management programs: leads organized and delivered directly to a user™s profile for follow-up;
• Online meeting software: virtual home tour functionality for use with interested buyers;
• Form repository: library for all necessary contract and transactional paperwork; forms allow for digital signatures to speed up delivery and processing of documentation and;
• Transaction management: interactive tracking service ensures the agent and all parties privy to the transaction are held accountable.
• Social media tools: counsel and coordination of social media efforts including a blog account on 2M Realty™s Bayou City Blog

Alternatively, for $100 per month, agents are empowered to partake in the full gamut of services Treehouse provides, but are limited in the amount of leads created and distributed to them. However, this package offers a lucrative 80 percent guarantee in commission, which is a higher pay-out upon closing than the traditional real estate industry average.

œToday, the 2M Realty website is the top-ranking brokerage site in the Houston area and is consistently generating tremendous buyer and seller leads, Martin continued. œSo, we need agents at a time when agents need leads and support more than ever.

Agents interested in the virtual office program can visit: http://www.2mrealty.com/realestatecareers.php for more information on how to sign up for the program or contact 2M Realty at (888) 847-HOME with further questions.

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You™ve put your home on the market, had a bunch of open houses, maybe a few people even expressed interest – but no buyers.  It™s not uncommon – or unexpected – in this market, but it™s enough to make you wonder:  What do those buyers want?  What are they really looking for?  Should we have done that kitchen / bathroom / backyard renovation after all?A recent survey by Zip Realty sheds some light on the question, and it turns out many of today’s home buyers are actually pretty practical. The real estate firm asked 1,000 home buyers about their top must-haves (no home theater rooms or playrooms made the list) as well as their biggest turn-offs, and it turns out the thing buyers most covet is…..parking.

Most Desired List

While each buyer is different, certain features repeatedly came up as high priorities in Zip Realty™s survey. Here are the top 5:

1. Garage or parking space
2. Master suite
3. Ample storage space
4. Large or walk-in closets
5. Guest bedroom

While you can™t (or at least shouldn™t) add a room onto your house just to sell it, highlighting certain features of your home will help appeal to a broader base of potential buyers.  If you have a garage or dedicated parking, be sure to mention it in your home™s listing, particularly if it™s a condo or downtown home where space is at a premium.  Given the priority so many place on storage space, it™s more important than ever that you™ve decluttered and cleared as much out of closets as possible; even the largest of walk-ins will seem inadequate when it™s filled to the brim.

Deal-breakers

Zip Realty asked respondents what most turned them off when viewing a home in person.  Some – a busy street, awkward floor plans – are out of a seller™s hands.  But others aren™t, such as structural damage, bad odors and unkempt landscaping.  Even if you™re offering a repair allowance, many buyers simply won™t go for a house that has chunks missing from the crown moulding or carpet odors only a dog could love.  It™s a universal truth – while we can learn to live with our own messes, no one wants to live in a house with someone else™s stains and smells.

Times They Are A-Changin’

Increases in environmental concerns and telecommuting are affecting home buyers™ priorities as well.  The survey noted that green features ranked higher this year, compared to 2008, with over a quarter saying a green home is now a high priority.  And if you have a bedroom you can stage as a home office, it might be worth the effort, as almost 40 percent of home shoppers listed that as a high priority, also an increase from the 2008 survey.

Know Your Audience

Of course, bottom line, you have to know your own market.  Scope out other homes for sale in your neighborhood; ask your real estate agent what features are most sought-after right now in your area.  Maybe local buyers are flocking to the homes with updated kitchens and wood floors, and you need to compensate in price.  Or, perhaps those double-paned windows you installed a few years back are a big plus as energy-conscious consumers search in the middle of the summer.

It™s no secret it™s a buyers™ market, and home shoppers have plenty of inventory to choose from.  Knowing what™s important to a typical home buyer in your area, and highlighting your home™s features accordingly, will help put your house in its best light to sell.

For the full survey, go to: www.ziprealty.com

In real estate, buyers are often on the hunt for a residence that feels comforting, inviting, and well, feels like home! The search for a house can be overwhelming, and disappointments are often a frustrating and unavoidable part of home tours. However, some realtors are looking to change this process and have ventured into the business of using 3D virtual home tours to exhibit their properties.For some this may sound like a dream come true. Being able to peruse the features of a potential home from the comfort of your own couch, opening closet doors, checking updated appliances, and even virtually glancing out the window into your would-be future neighborhood. Buyers and agents would save time, gas money, and perhaps even find their dream home with a few clicks of a mouse.

Is There Such a Thing as too convenient?

Critics of this virtual technology feel the negative features within a home are as important as the redeeming ones when committing to such a large purchase. By physically touring a home potential buyers get an understanding of noise levels, smells from mold or pets, and water damage. Small and serious issues alike can bring down the value of a house greatly, and many of these would be missed entirely on a virtual tour.

Another question for buyers to consider is how reliable a photo or a video truly is. How representative of the actual residence can a picture be? How do the rooms flow together? Is there minor repair work needed, such as a paint job or floors to be refinished? Would a camera be able to detect minute characteristics that would perhaps sway a purchase decision?

Many in the real estate business feel that 3D virtual technology is best used in accordance with a live home tour or when trying to virtually plan a remodel on any number of rooms. For now, the majority agrees that although technology is advancing by the day, the best way to judge your future dwellings is by gassing up the car and making a trip out to the property itself. Live tours yield better results for buyers.

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Mark W. Martin is President and Principal Broker of 2M Realty. He is active in  real estate sales and develops land in the Houston real estate market.  Mark  is a Houston Realtor and has been a Texas real estate broker for over 20-years. To view real estate listings in the Greater Houston market, please see our Houston MLS to search  properties for sale and lease.

With media coverage focused on the oil spill in the Gulf, another news story which affects coastal families has slipped somewhat under the radar.  Authorization for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which provides flood insurance to more than 5 million homes in the U.S., expired on May 31, 2010, just as the Atlantic hurricane season began.  The news has left insurance agents scrambling and homeowners frustrated – and in some cases, without necessary flood insurance for their homes.

So how did this happen, and what does it mean for homeowners?  Let™s back up a bit and first understand a little better how NFIP works.  Most homeowner™s insurance policies don™t cover flood damage, so Congress created the NFIP in 1968 to give property owners a way of protecting themselves financially in the event of a flood.

Fast forward to the present day, and after Hurricanes Katrina and Ike, historic snowmelts in the Midwest, and seemingly annual floods and mudslides in California, the NFIP is in significant debt – to the tune of 18.8 billion, according to bankrate.com.  While Congress debates how to handle that debt, they have made a series of short-term extensions to the program over the last several years, the most recent of which just expired.

And so now we find ourselves in a flood insurance œhiatus,œ as FEMA calls it, during which the NFIP cannot issue any new policies or renewals.  Since flood insurance is required before buying a home in a 100-year floodplain, this may put some home closings in jeopardy.  And with many home buyers rushing to complete closings by June 30 to qualify for federal tax credits, the insurance issue couldn™t have come at a worse time.  Not to mention, homeowners who were looking to purchase insurance before the summer storm season could be in a precarious situation until Congress acts.

The good news is, some action is already underway.  The House of Representatives is considering several measures which would continue the program another five years, as well as reform the NFIP to make it more stable and sustainable. And, of course, it™s important to remember that this expiration only affects new policies and those up for renewal; any homeowners with current, existing policies are still covered in case of a flood.

Until it™s resolved, though, this issue is bound to cause frustration.  (In fact, State Farm just announced its intention to withdraw from the federal flood insurance program due to these multiple interruptions – although its agents can still participate individually.)  And while this strikes a chord for Houston homeowners all too familiar with hurricanes and floods, we are certainly not the only ones.

According to floodsmart.gov, floods are the #1 natural disaster in the U.S., and in 2007, flooding occurred in each of the 50 states.  Recent floods in Tennessee and Arkansas are reminders of how quickly areas can become inundated, and how important it is to have your home protected.  Clearly this issue affects us all.  Let™s hope it™s resolved soon.

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Mark W. Martin is President and Principal Broker of 2M Realty. He is active in  real estate sales and develops land in the Houston real estate market.  Mark  is a Houston Realtor and has been a Texas real estate broker for over 20-years. To view real estate listings in the Greater Houston market, please see our Houston MLS to search  properties for sale and lease.

OK, there™s no denying it –  Summers can be a little tough on the landscaping for Houston homes.   Most days June through mid-September are at least in the 90™s, and our proximity to the coast ensures warm, humid breezes.   Houstonians have perfected the art of beating the heat, of course, and we have a myriad of ways – the backyard pool, Schlitterbahn water park, our good friend air conditioning   – to keep us cool.

Our plants, on the other hand, don™t have it so easy.   There™s nothing sadder than watching our flowers and shrubs, planted so lovingly in the spring, wilt and wither under the Texas sun.   If you™re new to the Houston area – or just need a landscaping primer – here are a few tips to help summer-proof your yard.

Start with the right plants.   According to Neil Sperry™s Complete Guide to Texas Gardening, few plants have a maximum temperature above which they can™t survive, but some plants are better suited to the length and intensity of Texas summers.   Tropical plants such as bouganvillas and hibiscus are popular in Houston, as they prefer temperatures 60-90 degrees.   Other plants native to Texas, such as southern wax myrtle, lantana and sage, are well-suited to hot days and are drought-tolerant.   Crape myrtles are also a fantastic choice – and are ubiquitous in Houston neighborhood yards.   They™re hardy, relatively easy to maintain and are full of bright, colorful blossoms – even on the hottest of days.

Plant at the right time.   Houston™s moderate temperatures might lead some to think the area essentially has a 10-month growing season.   While Neil Sperry says plants can grow in Houston from early February to mid-December, in reality œthe summer separates the two real¦growing seasons with 8 or 10 weeks of [intense] heat.   July is not the time to transplant your shrubs or start cultivating roses.   If your landscaping does need some filling out, focus again on those native plants mentioned above, or filling in any bald spots in your lawn with St. Augustine sod, which is generally available from spring through September.

Protect your plants from the heat. Neil   Sperry recommends acclimatizing plants gradually,   exposing them to heat and bright light a little at a time if possible.   Other tips he recommends are: shielding new plants from reflected summer heat (i.e. from windows); using plant food with potassium to promote heat hardiness; and mulch, mulch, mulch.     A layer of mulch under trees and on plant beds helps keep temperatures steady (and generally cooler in summertime), conserves water and helps prevent erosion.

Water wisely.   It™s advice you™ll hear often in Texas summers:   water deeply and less frequently rather than doing a quick watering job every day.   To quote Neil Sperry: œDeep watering encourages deep rooting, and deep-rooted plants are better able to withstand weather and moisture variations.     Avoiding the heat of the day, of course, is also wise.   Morning and evening work better, although watering too late in the day can promote fungus or other plant diseases.

Sure, summers are hot but they™re also fun, so no point spending your weekends trying to salvage landscaping that wasn™t adequately prepared for the heat.   Make a moderate investment getting your Houston home and yard in shape now, and leave July to fireworks and barbecue.