Rebecca Ramirez is a Realtor for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene in Humble.

Every week, we ask a Houston real estate professional for their thoughts on the top three stories from the week before. 

This week, we talked with Rebecca Ramirez, a Realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene in Humble. Ramirez has been in the real estate business for four years. She is also a member of the Houston Association of Realtors and the Lake Houston chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors. Ramirez has been featured in her local paper for her outstanding customer service. 

Houston Agent (HA): What sorts of characteristics are you noticing with today’s homebuyers?

Rebecca Ramirez (RR): They are very demanding. They want everything their way or no way. They want more bang for their buck, and they want things to be done yesterday instead of today. Based on the economy in the past and the way it is now, people just feel like they’re entitled to more. They have more buying power, even though it’s a seller’s market. They just feel like they have more power to get things done their way, but it’s quite the opposite. The seller has more leeway because of the multiple offers and the demand for the limited listings that are out there.

I’ve been seeing this in the past and current market. Homebuyers seem more demanding this year than last year, but it may be just because I’m busier this year. However, I see a lot of this happening now and I see buyers continuing to possess this characteristic in the future.

HA: Houston has one of the fastest-growing housing markets in the nation. Why do you think so many people are deciding to move to Texas?

RR: People are moving here because of the economy. They think it’s cheaper to live here than anywhere else. People are moving from various countries here because they know they can buy more. They have more buying power. They think that they can be more selective here. I think it will stay this way for a while, especially with the large corporations coming over, like Exxon and Chevron.

HA: Have you been noticing a lot of new construction in your area of Houston? Why do you think that is?

RR: Absolutely. I’m seeing up-and-coming subdivisions and master-planned communities, and I’m seeing a lot of it in the area. Off the beltway in West Lake Houston, they’re bringing in more amenities to that part of town so people are hearing about it and want to get in that area before the prices go up.