HAR chair Nugent discusses opportunities for people moving to Houston — Part 2
Welcome back for more of my conversation with John Nugent, the 2020 chair of the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) and a broker associate with RE/MAX Space Center.
In last week’s column, he discussed the strength of the local real estate market and the many opportunities that Houston has to offer for people who are moving here.
Having lived in Houston since 1956, Nugent said that he has been fortunate to witness the significant changes and growth that have taken place throughout the region, which continue to benefit local residents and newcomers alike.
Following are excerpts from our conversation:
MS: As a longtime resident of Houston, what really excites you the most about living here?
JN: What really excites me is that Houston is an entrepreneurial city and it’s a can-do city. The people who tend to live here are visionaries who want to make things happen. I also think that Houston continues to be a city that is looking forward rather than looking to the past, and I like that. So, I like the future vision of the city, and we just don’t see any end to our possibilities here.
I just love living in the Houston area. People complain about the traffic situation, but they were complaining about that when I moved here in 1956, too. This area is going to continue to grow and it’s going to continue to change, and so we just need to keep being the friendly place that we are and keep being the exhilarated city that we always have been. I’m excited to see what happens in Houston in the next 25 to 50 years.
MS: In your opinion, why is now a great time for people to be moving to Houston?
JN: There are just so many opportunities here. Regardless of what someone’s interests are, there are just so many opportunities here from a business standpoint, from a travel standpoint, and from an entertainment standpoint. We also have world-class educational opportunities here. And, if you are elderly or you have any health issues, we have our worldclass Texas Medical Center right here. So, Houston has everything that anybody could want right here at their fingertips.
MS: Do you have a specific message that you would like to convey to people who are considering a move to Houston?
JN: People move to Houston for a variety of reasons, and they move out of Houston for a variety of reasons, whether it’s because of family or a job, or whether it’s because of health issues or travelrelated issues. But, if you want to live in a vibrant, expanding city, I can’t imagine one that is any more vibrant than Houston.
MS: Could you ever see yourself living anywhere else but Houston?
JN: No, I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Everybody I know lives here, and the people I know are vibrant people who like to do things and make things happen. So, I want to be in a group like that where people are forward-thinking and want to make things better.
The people and the friendly atmosphere are all part of our culture in Houston. When you move here, it’s like everybody knows you almost immediately. Neighbors come out and meet you and welcome you. So, unlike some other cities where people are more reserved, Houston is a friendly city with a lot to offer.
MS: Finally, it’s difficult to ignore some of the different real estate firms and business models that have expanded into the Houston market as of late. Do you see this as a disruption, and what does this mean for the consumer who will be buying or selling a home in the near future?
JN: Some of these new models are just that, they are new models. And, some are played off of old variations of models that we had in the past. Some are being refined. But there are options out there, and the role of the Realtor is to educate the consumer as to what their options are.
So, I don’t see this really as disruption, as much as it is an opportunity for the Realtor to really show the consumer why the need the Realtor. The Realtor has to be able to explain to the consumer what their options are, and how they need to navigate this new landscape we are in.