A unique development that will see condos for sale on a floating island in the country's inland waterways will go north for the summer and south to Houston for the winter, according to a report from the Chronicle.
The 600-foot boat will be called the Marquette, but will be in Texas more often than other states, the project's developers, River City, told the newspaper. The Marquette will range as far north as Minnesota during the summer, and stay on inland waterways on Texas' Gulf Coast in the winter.
The two developers, David Nelson and Bill Tout, told the newspaper the venture was financed out of their own pockets, and that it will cost them a total of $1.9 million to get off the ground.
"Unfortunately bankers only do what has been done before, so we are unable to get banks to participate in financing our vessel," said Nelson.
While there may be a number of attractions to the floating lifestyle, there are also many potential complications, which may hamper widespread adoption of the concept, experts say.
Reports: Floating Houston condos on the way
Houston construction demand picking up
While demand for construction in the Houston real estate market remains below levels from past years, employment in the industry is beginning to pick up.
According to the Associated General Contractors of America (http://www NULL.agc NULL.org/cs/news_media/press_room/press_release?pressrelease NULL.id=744), the Houston-Sugarland-Baytown area lost 1,700 construction jobs in December compared to December 2009. But at the same time, the result was far better than the 3,400 jobs lost from November 2009 to 2010.
The raw number of construction jobs also increased from November to December, showing that many home builders may be anticipating a stronger new homes market this Spring.
The addition of jobs in the Houston area actually put the city in the minority of cities nationwide. The AGCA said that 232 of the country's 337 metro areas shed jobs during the month, mainly due to the severe winter weather hitting many parts of the nation.
That sentiment of an increase in home construction over the next few months is one shared by many homebuilders across the country. David Crowe, the chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders, called the 17.5 percent monthly increase in new home sales in December a "promising sign."
Looking to Relocate To Texas?
Houston, Texas and its surrounding area has seen a slight decline in sales and home prices but compared to other cities across the country our great town of Houston is doing well. There are lots of places to visit such as the Space Center, The Aquarium both in downtown Houston, and Kemah. The Houston Zoo. There is also Moody Gardens in Galveston and many other spectacular eating places.
Houston is the workplace for many hospitals and medical research facilities along with the oil and gas industry and Space center facilities.
If you would like more information regarding Houston, Spring, The Woodlands, Lake Conroe please feel free to email me at patti@PattiMace.com (patti null@null PattiMace NULL.com).
Learning Happens Daily – Laws Regarding Contractors/Remodelers
The weather in 2008 was hard on people and their homes all over our great Country from hurricane Ike, to deadly tornado’s and ice/snow storms. Even if you were lucky enough notto have to endure any of these treacherous storms you most likely new someone that was dealing with it.
In trying to help a friend I learned something new today regarding remodeling projects and wanted to pass the information on just in case you had not heard or might have forgotten. Contractors are required to register interior renovations on a project that exceed a cost of $10,000.00 with the Texas Residential Construction Commission. The commission charges fees to the contractor/remodeler for the application and for follow up inspections. The TRCC will review the application and do a background check for the registered agent of the contractor/remodeler.
The contractor is also required by law on home improvements/repairs that exceed $5000.00 to deposit your payments in a construction account with a financial institution. Homeowners can ask for written verification of the existence of the construction account and how the disbursements are being done. Access to the account record should be included as a requirement in your written construction contract.
I hope this helps people become aware of these requirements and if you see or know of things you would like me to get the word out on please place it on my blog. Knowledge helps all of us.
As our new President Obama stated earlier today “What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly,” Obama said. “This is the price and the promise of citizenship.”
Adjusting to our Changing Economy during a recession
Have you felt the strain from the direction our Economy is heading? Your not alone, many Americans are tightening spending habits and preparing for the Recession our Country is looks to be in or heading into. According to Economist-Americans have been in a recession since Spring, and I am in agreeance. So what is the time frame to move out of this recession? Most Economist are anticipating that it will take until this time next year before Americans will stop feeling the stress of our Economy. But with this recession reaching Globally it may take a little longer for America and other Countries to recover.
Let me know your insight on how you feel people can adjust to our Changing Economy.
Take Care
Patti@pattimace.com (Patti null@null pattimace NULL.com)
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