Do you love perusing HAR as much as we do? As far as realestalking goes, it’s certainly more fun than looking up tax records on HCAD.

Maybe it’s our millennial sensibility, but pictures really are worth 100 words – sometimes more if they involve carpet toilet seat covers. But did you know that for every one of Houston’s glitziest sale properties there’s another that never makes it online?

For the most discreet of sellers, this is called the pocket listing. If budget is no consideration, but having the best – or a basketball court – is, contact Matt Vandever at Martha Turner Sotheby’s.

As Republic Square marks its first anniversary this month, the West Houston creative campus is nearing a milestone 70th office commitment.

Perhaps one of city’s most unexpected real estate success stories of 2017, the park-like, 35-acre site, which includes premier meeting/event and recreational components surrounding a central lake, has created a niche by attracting an array of small businesses, incubators and international companies seeking a local presence.

Following the early July debut of its Workstyle product, plans are underway to convert 10,000 square feet of ground floor space into dog-friendly, flexible offices and artist studios.

If closed by July 1, six Houston new construction properties promise more than stylish surroundings and prime, skyline views for their owners. Lucky residents will have the opportunity to celebrate Independence Day with a bang – and fireworks – while breaking in their terraces. The buyers’ agents will also enjoy the same perks at a location of their choice.

The package includes catering for 30 guests, stocked bar and bartender, hour of photography, DJ, housekeeping service and a keepsake gift. Valid for Montrose and Memorial Park area sales at 503 W Clay and 3910 Floyd plus 1508, 1510, 1512 and 1514 Malone.

The Wilshire will give residents next-door access to Hermes, Dior, Tom Ford and their luxury brethren when the building opens later this summer thanks to its next-door proximity to River Oaks District – a scenario decidedly more editorial than practical.

Now comes news the 17-story high-rise comes with actual bragging rights: backdoor access to the Target on San Felipe, located directly behind The Wilshire on Westcreek Lane. With an access gate connecting the two underway, the sleek new tower will give residents the additional perk of hassle-free access to anything anybody ever wanted for any reason.

For many, downtown’s growing allure as a residential option is the opportunity to live in some of Houston’s oldest restored buildings. And on top of being steps from work, parks, plus sports and entertainment venues, a pedigreed home pairs perfectly with a buzzy onsite restaurant and bar.

The Rice and St. Germain Lofts, both circa 1913, were among the area’s first to put some food and fun on the first floor as part of multifamily conversions, and notable newcomers include recently opened Local Foods at the 1934 Byrd’s Lofts and just announced Benjamin’s coming next year to the 1915 Star.

MODERN ARCHITECTURE LOVERS AND ASPIRATIONAL HOMEBUYERS, UNITE!

A contemporary alternative to the ho hum “gated community” is no longer a slightly sad future prospect.

New Urbanism is blessedly sprouting in Houston at La Sierra – a striking new vision for a modern amenity-based lifestyle featuring minimalist 2-story homes starting at $300K.

Contempo Builder is well underway with this next-generation community tailor-made for the experiential millennial mindset. Think The Truman Show without Jim Carrey: contemporary custom-crafted homes, expansive green spaces, private lake, gazebo for gathering, jogging trail, dog park and peace of mind. Call 832.320.2025.

After decades as a novelty experience in a smattering of buildings, downtown living is no longer wishful thinking for area boosters, city officials and renegade renters.

While early adopters like developers Randall Davis and Marvy Finger gave us hope that downtown could eventually be a viable residential neighborhood, the Downtown Living Initiative has incentivized a startling change to the skyline with a slew of projects, starting with SkyHouse Houston.

Want to know what it’s really like? Sign up to win a weekend at the newest luxury apartment offering on the block: The Star, a reinvention of the 1915 Texaco building.

What’s 38 steps and a 19-second walk from home? For residents at the new downtown luxury mid-rise 500 Crawford, it’s Minute Maid Park.

Watching an Astros home game from home takes on a whole new meaning when you have home team advantage and access to the closer-than-you-can-imagine fireworks and scoreboard at the park from the tricked-out 6^th Floor Sports Lounge.

Sporting flat-screen TV’s, overstuffed leather furniture, and catering kitchen with beer fridge, the 6^th Floor on Crawford is home base for bragging rights to the best Astros seats in town.

Arpan Gupta’s youth in the Houston suburbs tempered an innately entrepreneurial spirit with a structured course of study designed to fulfill his parent’s dream of having another doctor in the family.

While deep into his residency, the interventional cardiologist to be – and hobby house flipper – did something that made their hearts skip several beats. In the real estate doldrums of 2009, he ditched his scrubs to follow his passion, launching Carnegie Homes. And with risk came success.

Gupta recently realized another goal by completing his first Signature Series home for his proud parents. Check out the custom Uptown-area stunner.