David's Rice Military Blog

I had shopped at United Lumber for years…the rumors of the land selling, and the doors closing have been around for a while. But when I walked in one day not too long ago for some supplies, and was told that the end really was near, my heart sank. It didn’t take long for my heavy heart to jump for joy again, however. I was soon enlightened by the news that something special was coming our way. Enter Kung Fu Saloon!

The folks at the Kung Fu Saloon on 6th Street in Austin (Player 1) have had such success and fun with their unique concept that they decided to do it again, and lucky for us, right here in our neighborhood.

THIS IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL WASHINGTON AVENUE “CLUB”

Kung Fu Houston (Player 2) will be a laid back and comfortable watering hole, according to managing partner, Chris Horne. A place where someone wearing board shorts or a business suit would feel equally comfortable walking in and ordering a cold beer, of which there will be a selection of 24 on draft. Or perhaps a sake bomb, wine, or a pickle shot. 24 beers on draft is enough to warrant a visit in my book…but the goodness doesn’t stop there. There will also be 17 arcade games…NBA Jam, Galaga, Mortal Kombat, Track & Field, Double Dragon…3 skee ball lanes (free!), foosball table, shuffleboard, and 2 karaoke rooms, available for private parties. I’m there! Oh…and a full menu will be added shortly after opening.

I really like the fact that they are keeping the old United Lumber building for adaptive re-use. A Houston vernacular metal warehouse style building with a funky 1950s twist will be transformed into a style Chris calls Contemporary Americana. The interior will be adorned with reclaimed brick and barnwood, and feature a warm, inviting color palate. The existing east facing roofline will cover a large outdoor patio…so no blazing afternoon sun!

Chris also adds, “Giving back to the community is something that is important to all of us at Kung Foo Saloon. It’s a simple choice for us-we have been blessed in our own lives, and giving back to those that need a hand is the right thing to do. Events such as “Quarters for a Cause”, where all video game quarter sales are donated, and “Drinks for a Cause”, where 15% of our sales are donated to different organizations, allows us to do this in a fun and unique way that involves and educates our customers about a cause they may not already be familiar with.”

I have already challenged several of my neighbors to a game of Galaga.

Opening this spring, check them out at www.kungfusaloon.com –and don’t forget to follow them on Facebook & Twitter.

Come by and say “Hi” this Sunday from 2-4pm at 816 Birdsall. The first 10 neighbors to come by will receive a $10 Starbucks gift card!

At some point in almost everybody’s lifetime, there will be a desire….or for some even a need to grow things for human consumption. Nay, you say? Well, I too was a nay-sayer until just about a year ago when, out of nowhere a rosemary bush appeared in the ground outside (or more likely, I just noticed). “Hmmmm”, I said. “I’ll bet I could cut some of this up, and….sprinkle it on that salmon I’m about to cook.” These sound like ordinary thoughts, I know. But it was a real turning point for me which then led to a failed attempt to grow tomatoes, and ultimately an accidental mass killing of many other vegetables and herbs I purchased for my garden.

Last week, I met with a client who was building a house, and her landscaper, Scott. Scott casually mentioned that he was going to plant a 4 foot bay leaf shrub near the front door. “Really?” “Yes, they grow really well in this type of soil, and with this type of exposure.” He then recited a list of edible weeds, shrubs, trees, etc. that do well in Houston. Hmmmm, who would have thought it? Edible…..weeds?

So, now I feel compelled to attend Houston Arboretum’s ”Edible Wild Plants-The Real Organic Food” this Saturday. Dr. Mark Vonderbruggen, who is a research chemist, and will be educating us about edible roots, plants, and berries that grow wild right here in Houston. The class is from 1-4 pm, and is $40 for Arboretum members, and $60 for non-members.

As a Realtor, it always pains me to admit the harsh truth of late….things are slow-ish. There is a bright side (or more appropriately, are bright sides). First, although the number of home sales in Rice Military were down 40% from the 3rd quarter of 2009, the median sales price is up nearly 7%. So although we lost volume, our real estate investments are secure. Sale volumes are down across the city as well. If you remember, at the same time last year, we had a soon expiring (and then extended) tax incentive in place which pushed sales volumes up tremendously. I had buyers who confessed to me that they were planning on buying in the next year or two, but that the tax incentive…well, did it’s job as an incentive, and prompted them to buy sooner. So, not only did we have an inflated 3rd quarter last year, the rush has now left a hole in the 3rd quarter this year. Second, business is picking up! I have been busier in the past 45 days than I have been all year. Interest rates are very, very low, and confidence is coming back at a rapid pace. We have several new construction projects in the hood…..a few Tricon homes, RK builders on Chandler, several new units in the Caceres, and I think that we’ve all experienced the Lifetimes Homes’ construction site on Feagan near Detering. The market is

I LOVE statistics….and I think most people do too, when it pertains to their neighborhood real estate. And by “neighborhood”, I am referring to Rice Military which, for the purposes of this report (and this blog, for that matter), is the area bounded by Wahington Avenue on the north, Durham on the east, Memorial on the south, and Westcott on the west.

Homes Sold 3rd q-                      33

Median sales price-                     353,500

Median days on market-           55

SP/LP ratio-                                 96%

Homes active on the market as of 11/01/2010-      89

Median list price-                                                          379,900

Median days on market-                                              76

Homes with pending contracts as of 11/01/2010-   23

Median list price-                                                           367,826

Median days on market-                                               65

The old, faithful bbq pit - RIP

After a long, heartbreaking wait-and-see, it has been announced that the property under the Otto’s strip center and Biba’s Greek Pizza has finally been sold. Ponderosa Land Development Co. closed the deal last week, and plans on wasting no time moving forward. The restaurants and adjoining classics will be razed…likely by the end of the year. In their place will stand another strip center, and a stand alone building. Tenants will include….surprise of all surprizes….a bank.