Glenda Witman is a top-producing real estate agent and the Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Costal Bend Properties in Portland, Texas. In this article she discusses the changing face of the market in and around Portland and offers some great tips for consumers in the market or considering entering the market.
Glenda Witman has been involved in real estate for 17 years. She recalls, “My previous business experience was hotel sales, market and management in PA, MD, VA and Corpus Christi. When I left the hotel business I was looking for an industry that gave me more flexibility and a change of environment.” Witman continues, “A friend suggested I might want to go into real estate so I received my real estate license in 1997, joined a well known and established real estate office in Portland and I’ve never looked back.”
The real estate business is definitely not for everyone. Top producers are required to have a unique blend of people skills, technical knowledge and a great degree of self-discipline to rise to the top as Witman has managed to do. She recalls some of her experiences, “The industry proved to be very challenging and rewarding. I was awarded the Top Producer several times, became a leader in our Association, and I continued to take extra classes for various certifications.” Witman explains, “I did all this in order to be able to provide service to a large variety of clients including first time home buyers, seniors downsizing, military relocations, short sales, etc.”
When asked to give readers an overview of her area, Witman begins, “Portland is located in San Patricio County on the north side of the Corpus Christi Bay across from the Port of Corpus Christi – the 5th largest port in the country. Our relevance to international markets is in the chemical, steel and iron manufacturing, oil gas and agriculture industries.” Then she explains, “International steel companies located in San Patricio County originate from China, Tianjin Pipe Company (TPCO) and Austria, (Voestalpine). These, in addition to domestic companies such as Cheniere Energy (Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC) connect us to international markets including Europe, Spain, Austria, Central America, Australia and Indonesia. Together, these three companies are investing more than $15 billion in new manufacturing business development in San Patricio County over the next five years, and this does not count the supply, support and other businesses and jobs to follow.”
She then ties this into the local real estate market and how this industrial influence is affecting home buying and selling decisions. Witman points out, “Portland offers a very connected community environment. The Portland school district is among one of the highest rated schools in Texas. This is a major consideration for families moving into the area for the employment opportunities.”
Like many communities in Texas, Portland is currently in a seller’s market. Witman says, “The housing market is extremely tight. In fact, there are currently only 51 homes for sale in Portland. The average price is $256,000 or approximately 2300 square feet at $111.30 per square foot. For the first 9 months of 2014 there were 189 homes sold in Portland for an average sales price of $189,702, $96.94 per square foot and 103 days on the market.”
Due to the location and profile there is no doubt that Portland is a very desirable location so homes tend to sell quickly. “When a property owner wants to put their property on the market we advise them to do any fix up, repairs, de-clutter, trim the lawn, plant a few flowers, etc. before the sign goes up and the listing goes into the MLS,” suggests Witman. “Most importantly, the property needs to be priced according to the immediate neighborhood, age, square footage, etc.”
Witman continues enthusiastically, “You want the first person that walks in the door – or looks at it on a web site – to see the property at its best, have a positive impression, and ideally, make an offer on the spot!”
Things certainly look promising for Portland and the surrounding area at the moment. Witman summarizes, “There are currently three well established builders developing three subdivisions, but all of the homes are priced over $200,000.” She adds, “Our major concern is for the buyers in the lower to mid price range as they may have difficulty finding something suitable.”
Anyone wishing to learn more about Glenda Witman or her services is encouraged to visit her website at: http://www.glendawitman.com or to call her directly at (361) 643-4400.