League Agency Real Estate

08/27/2026

Paradise in 77006 looks like a nearly 17,000-gallon pool and spa, a guest cottage, a dedicated workshop and a 10,000-square-foot double lot.

OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, August 29 | 12–2 PM
1613 California St., Houston, TX 77006

This 1930s Craftsman offers the character people come to Montrose for, plus the space and flexibility that are nearly impossible to recreate here. The separate guest cottage has its own living space and laundry, while the workshop gives you room for projects, storage or a serious creative setup.

Come see the entire property Saturday. It feels like its own little retreat in the middle of Houston.

Property details: https://www.har.com/s/vQr9gbYfhFB

08/19/2026

SOLD AS-IS. AND YES, FOR WAY TOO MUCH MONEY😌

Another Spring Branch property officially off the books.

1518 Maux was exactly what it looked like: a 1950s house ready for a serious renovation or a fresh start, sitting on a 12,624 SF lot in Royal Oaks. In other words, catnip for investors and builders.

We sold it as-is, our seller is very happy, and apparently the dirt underneath an old house in Spring Branch continues to be worth discussing.

This is the part of real estate we love. Not every house needs granite, staging and a glow-up. Sometimes the value is the opportunity.

1518 Maux Drive is officially SOLD.
And somebody has plans for that lot. 👀

08/17/2026

If you’re shopping new construction right now, don’t just ask the builder for the price.

Ask for the money.

Nearly two-thirds of home builders are currently offering some type of sales incentive.

So before you sign anything, ask:

• Is there a rate buydown?
• Are you contributing toward closing costs?
• Is there additional incentive for using the preferred lender?
• Are any completed inventory homes discounted?
• Can the lot premium be reduced or removed?
• Are there design-center or upgrade credits?
• What changes if I close this month versus next month?

And then do the math.

A $10,000 price reduction and $10,000 toward a rate buydown are not necessarily worth the same thing to you.

The best deal may not be the house with the lowest sticker price.

Right now, the question isn’t just “What does it cost?”

It’s “What are you willing to give me to buy it?”

08/16/2026

The buyers said they loved your house.

Then they left and bought something else.

That is not mixed feedback. That is the market being polite.

Sellers naturally remember the compliments. “Beautiful home.” “Love the kitchen.” “The backyard is amazing.” But the useful information is what the buyer did next.

Did they request the survey, disclosures or insurance information? Did they return with another decision-maker? Did they start asking questions about repairs, timing or what stays with the house?

That is movement.

When several buyers admire the home but disappear at the same point, we start looking for the repeated friction. It could be the price. It could be the floor plan, condition, location or simply an unanswered question that makes the property feel riskier than its competition.

The answer is not automatically a price reduction.

If buyers are uncertain about the roof, better documentation may solve it. If they cannot understand how a room functions, presentation may be the problem. But if competing homes consistently feel like a better value, the market may be telling us something about position.

Compliments tell you that buyers have manners.

Behavior tells you what the market believes.

If you are selling, ask your agent a better question than, “What did they say?”

Ask: “What did they do next, and what pattern are we seeing?”

That answer gets you much closer to the truth.

08/13/2026

The lower-priced house can be the more expensive decision.

We see this when a resale home and new construction are competing for the same buyer. One wins on price. The other may offer financing incentives, closing-cost assistance, newer systems or less immediate repair exposure.

But incentives can also distract from a higher tax rate, HOA or special-district costs, required upgrades, a temporary rate buydown or future competition from the builder when you eventually sell.

We do not compare two houses by asking price. We compare two complete transactions across three timeframes:

Day one: Cash to close after credits, lender charges and required upgrades.

Month one: Principal, interest, taxes, insurance, mortgage insurance and HOA costs using realistic property-specific estimates.

Years one through five: Rate changes, maintenance, likely repairs and the cost of selling or refinancing.

The practical move is to request side-by-side Loan Estimates using the same date, loan type and down payment. Then verify the numbers the lender does not control, especially taxes and insurance.

For new construction, ask whether the current tax figure reflects the completed home or only the land or partially completed improvements. Also confirm whether an advertised incentive requires a particular lender or title company and whether the reduced rate is permanent.

The best deal is not necessarily the house with the smallest price tag. It is the transaction that remains affordable after the incentive flyer disappears.

Save this framework before comparing homes.

08/12/2026

COMING SOON FOR LEASE | MEDICAL CENTER

Bring your suitcase. The rest is already here.

This condo is a fully furnished, first-floor corner condo with 790 square feet, one bedroom, one bath, and an oversized private balcony. The open living area gets great natural light, while the kitchen offers granite counters, stainless-steel appliances, and plenty of storage. A large walk-in closet, separate utility room with washer and dryer, and included internet make everyday living easier.

City Plaza offers a guarded, gated entrance, resort-style pool, fitness center, clubhouse, and BBQ area. The METRORail is approximately a three-minute walk away, with the Texas Medical Center, Hermann Park, and everyday shopping nearby.

Available November 1
$1,950/month for a 12-month lease
Six-month lease available at a higher monthly rate

For details or a private showing, contact us!

Representation at the highest level.

08/12/2026

A rare Cherryhurst find in the heart of Montrose! 🌿

1613 California Street offers something truly special: a beautifully updated, one-story 1935 Craftsman on a double lot, complete with a private guest cottage and resort-style backyard.

✨ Heated saltwater pool, spa and waterfall
✨ Independent guest cottage with kitchen and laundry
✨ Original hardwood floors and updated kitchen
✨ Dedicated home office
✨ 10,000-square-foot lot
✨ No HOA

Offered at $1,590,000.

This home blends timeless character with comfortable, modern living, just blocks from Cherryhurst Park, the Menil Collection and some of Montrose’s favorite restaurants and cafés.

Take a closer look:
https://www.har.com/homedetail/1613-california-st-houston-tx-77006/3011068

Message us to schedule a private showing.

08/11/2026

Did you know you may be able to sell an investment property, buy another one, and delay paying capital gains taxes?

That’s the basic idea behind a 1031 Exchange. Instead of paying the tax immediately, you may be able to reinvest the sale proceeds into another qualifying investment property.

So, what is the actual benefit?

Let’s say an investor sells a rental property and their tax professional estimates they could owe $40,000 in taxes from the sale.

With a properly completed 1031 Exchange, they may be able to defer that $40,000 and keep it invested in the next property.

That doesn’t necessarily mean the tax disappears. It means the money may not be due today, giving the investor more buying power right now.

For example, that $40,000 could:

🏠 Increase the down payment on a larger property
💵 Reduce the amount they need to borrow
🔑 Help them purchase a property with more rental units
📈 Move them into an investment with better income potential
📍 Help them shift into a stronger market
🛠️ Replace a high-maintenance rental with something easier to manage

If $40,000 represented a 25% down payment, it could potentially support about $160,000 in additional purchasing power, depending on the financing.

That’s the whole point: keeping more money invested today so it has the opportunity to produce income and grow over time.

Who should consider asking about a 1031 Exchange?

• Someone selling a rental property that has increased in value
• An owner of investment land or commercial property
• A landlord ready to trade one property for another
• An investor who wants to combine several properties or diversify
• Someone who wants a different location, property type, or level of management

A property used solely as a primary residence normally doesn’t qualify, although a home that has been legitimately converted to rental or investment use may be treated differently.

There’s another strategy worth knowing about, too. Some investors use self-directed retirement accounts to invest in real estate. That is separate from a 1031 Exchange, but the goal can be similar: keeping investment dollars working within a tax-advantaged structure instead of sitting on the sidelines.

These options come with important rules, so the time to ask questions is before selling a property or moving retirement funds.

Know someone who owns a rental, investment land, or commercial property? Share this with them. Understanding their options before they sell could make a meaningful difference in what they can invest next.

This example is for illustration only. Actual taxes, financing, eligibility, and savings will vary. Always consult qualified tax, legal, financial, and 1031 Exchange professionals.

08/07/2026

🏡 Friday Property Spotlight: Midtown Houston!

Take a look at 2256 La Branch Street, a spacious three-story home offering:

✨ 3 bedrooms
✨ 2 full and 1 half bathrooms
✨ 2,151 square feet
✨ Fireplace
✨ Backyard green space

Thinking about making a move in Midtown?

https://www.har.com/homedetail/2256-la-branch-st-houston-tx-77002/3651339

For Sale: 2256 La Branch St, Houston, TX 77002 ∙ $375,000 ∙ 2,151 Sqft, 3 beds, 2 full and 1 half baths, Townhouse ∙ View more.