Houston, Texas Real Estate Agent - Margie Kaplan

Margie Kaplan specializes in luxury homes, high rise condos, and other Houston, Texas real estate. She has been a Texas Realtor since 1983 and a licensed Broker since 1986. She was the designated Broker of RE/MAX Memorial in Houston and then transferred to RE/MAX Professional Group and in 2006 had her grand opening of MK Luxury Homes and Condos, Inc. in Houston and Dallas.

She holds many designations including CRS, CLHMS, CNHS, CFS, ePRO. Most of her Houston real estate business is by referral and repeat clients. She has one of the most talked about and previewed web sites regarding luxury homes and high rise condos for sale or lease in Houston and from her website you can view hundreds of VIRTUAL TOURS from the privacy of your own home.

Houston Facts, History, and Local Events

Houston is home to over two and a quarter million people, and the fourth largest city in the United States. A vibrant hub of international business, an international city with a rich tradition, Houston is a great place to live and to visit. Its existence is a story of wild speculation and repeated boom-and-bust speculations. It was founded in 1837 in an area that was little more than a muddy mire. Two brothers from New York, with a dream of making it the capital of the Republic of Texas, envisioned the city. But their dream was soon dashed when Austin was chosen as the capital. However, Houston managed to become a commercial center, aided by the discovery of oil in 1901. Cotton and real estate also helped found the huge private fortunes of speculators and investors in the city, and the owners of those fortunes poured uncountable millions into making the city a glittering array of up-market galleries and "one of a kind" skyscrapers.

Houston Texas Area Map Even the devastating oil crisis in the 1980's, or the Enron corporate scandal, in 2008, was unable to keep Houston down, just as the hurricane Ike failed to dampen the enthusiasm of this amazing city in spite of all the real term damage it did. Houston is also acquiring a name as a green city, with a small but dedicated workforce intent on putting it on the alternative energy map. There are several highly regarded hospitals and medical centers in the city, and some mega churches with as many as 16,000 people in their congregations. With unflagging energy, and a relentless Texas pride, Houston holds an appeal for people of all ages from all backgrounds. Visitors are enthralled by museums, a 'happening' performing arts scene, and vibrant nightlife.

Founded in 1836, by the Allen brothers, Augustus Chapman and John Kirby, Houston was officially incorporated in 1837. Today, the city's economy has a broad industrial base, with significant presence of the transportation, manufacturing, energy, aeronautics, and health care sectors. It is the leader in the manufacture of oil field equipment, and has the second highest number of Fortune 500 headquarters, second only to New York. Its multicultural institutions and atmosphere of arts and recreation attracts around 7 million people annually. The port sees a huge amount of commercial and freight traffic every day, and the energy sector continues to be a powerful segment of the economy. The historic, and almost continuous population boom in Houston slackened a little towards the mid-1980's, when oil prices fell sharply. The other major industry, for which Houston is known worldwide – the space industry – had a setback in 1986 after the Challenger mishap, bringing the beginnings of a recession. Since then Houston has fought to regroup and redirect the base of its economy. Diversifying into aerospace, health care, and biotechnology has made a difference.

The city of Houston is served by seventeen school districts, and many charter schools are run independent of the school districts. Some of the public school districts have charter schools of their own, and there are some 300 private schools in the area. Among institutes of higher education are the University of Houston, with over sixty colleges, and about 360,000 students. Private institutions include liberal arts colleges, research universities and more. Three community college districts have campuses in the city, and the Lone Star College System serves part of Houston as well. Attractions and activities include the annual Houston International Festival, and the Houston Theater District, is home to several major organizations and halls for the performing arts. There are numerous folk artists, folk and small art groups and progressive arts organizations. Houston is also home to 337 parks with a total area of over 50,000 acres.