I'm told a closet, window and door are needed in Texas. Does anyone have any information about the requirements of the window? Does it have to open? I would think so for safety reasons, but I'm touring a number of new luxury townhomes that have a door, closet and access to a bath on the first floor ... but the window in the room on the first floor is fixed. Can it be a bedroom / sleeping room with a window that does not open? What is the source documentation .. who decides?

A bedroom means those areas within a residential dwelling which have the potential to be utilized as a sleeping area on a consistent basis. To be deemed a bedroom, the room must meet all of the following standards: 1. Be a habitable or planned habitable space per Building Code requirements. Planned habitable spaces would include those areas which contain the appropriate "roughed-in" mechanicals, such as, heating ducts, hot water lines, or, plumbing waste lines, etc., but are not currently "finished" to meet Building Code requirements for habitable space. 2. Provide privacy to the occupants. 3. Full bathroom facilities (containing either a bathtub or shower) are conveniently located to the bedroom served. Convenience in this case means on the same floor as the bedroom or directly accessed from a stairway. 4. Entry is from a common area, not through a room already deemed a bedroom. From your question it seems you're looking at new construction and they would normally meet current city building standards.

Can I list my house for sale on har.com without being an har member?

No, all listing are through members of HAR.com.However I am a flat fee broker. I will list your property for a small fee, you decide what if anything you'll pay the buyer's agent. Email me if you'd like information

Does quality matter when there's a high demand for housing? Some homes are going under contract before photos even get added? Yet other consumers complain they can't tell enough about the photos b/c of the quality. Then you factor in out of town buyers who only look online until they come to purchase. What do you think? Is the quality of HAR/MLS photos still as important as it was in a down market?

The quality of photos online through HAR are the best introduction to any property. Too many photos are underexposed or poorly focused. Often they look to be taken by the agent with a smartphone. Since for most sellers their property is among their largest assets we also use a professional photographer and urge our clients to de-clutter the home so we see the home not their furnishings.

does the square footage of a listing include the garage?

No Square feet is normally living area only.

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Joel Thomas Realty

5234 Sandyfields Ln – Katy, TX 77494

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Joel King

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13 Sold * 5 Leased

Thomas King

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1 For Sale 5 Sold * 1 Leased

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$344K

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Listings by Joel Thomas Realty & Prior Sales

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414 Marie St

Houston, TX 77009

$344K

Active

4 beds

2 baths

1,341 sqft.

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Rented: 03/18/2026

Represented: Seller

18107 Rockvine Dr

Hockley, TX 77447

$0 - $10K

Rented

4 beds

2 baths

1,710 sqft.

Rented: 05/24/2024

Represented: Seller

457 Bendwood Dr 60C

Houston, TX 77024

$0 - $10K

Rented

2 beds

1 bath

1,020 sqft.

Rented: 09/18/2023

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414 Marie St

Houston, TX 77009

$0 - $10K

Rented

2 beds

1 bath

720 sqft.

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Sold: 11/25/2025

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10515 Haddington Dr

Houston, TX 77043

$482K - $552K

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3 beds

2 baths

2,057 sqft.

Sold: 05/21/2025

Represented: Seller

800 Wilkes St

Houston, TX 77009

$552K - $627K

Sold

4 beds

2 baths

2,590 sqft.

Sold: 04/16/2024

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162 Elderberry Trl

Montgomery, TX 77316

$420K - $482K

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2 beds

2 baths

1,944 sqft.

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Hockley

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Northside

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Spring Branch

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Joel Thomas Realty

5234 Sandyfields Ln, Katy, TX 77494

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Joel Thomas Realty, is a Texas real estate firm, located at 5234 Sandyfields Ln, Katy, TX 77494. Joel Thomas Realty provides a wide range of real estate services. Consumers continue to find value in having a real estate professional help them through the home buying and selling process. The range of services the real estate professionals provide is proving ever more valuable in real estate transactions (financing twists and sales contract intricacies). Please view Joel Thomas Realty current listings, or sold listings.

Buyers and sellers give reviews to the real estate agents for the level of expertise and professionalism they bring to the real estate transaction. View Joel Thomas Realty Agent Roster.

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