Galveston is one of the most beautiful places in America in which to live. Boasting of a year-long tropical climate, 32 miles of beaches as well as a historic downtown area that offers a vibrant arts scene and nightlife, who wouldn’t want to live in Galveston year round? The desirability of Galveston as a residential area continues to fuel Galveston real estate sales despite America’s housing slump, as realtors have continued to report brisk sales over the past few years. If you are looking for Galveston homes for sale, a licensed realtor from Houston can help you find a place that meets your needs and fits your budget.

Galveston is one of the most historic cities in Texas, named after the Spanish colonial governor Bernardo de Gálvez who ordered the charting of the Gulf of Mexico. It was incorporated in 1839 and went on to become the site of many of the state’s firsts, including its first opera house, post office and hospital. But it has also been the site of the US’s deadliest natural disaster, the Great Storm of 1900 that destroyed one-third of the city and killed over 6,000 residents. The city’s rich past can be explored in its 14 museums and historic residences, including the Texas Seaport Museum, Railroad Museum and the Bishop’s Palace, and three historic landmarks –The Strand, the Tall Ship Elissa and East End.

The city offers a wide range of attractions and entertainment options for visitors and residents alike. Its Strand National Historic Landmark Districts is home to over 100 art galleries, restaurants and shops nestled in 36 square blocks. The Grand 1894 Opera House offers a variety of national-caliber live performances ranging from concerts by popular celebrities to operas, dance and stage musicals. Galveston can also boast of its own resident theater company, Island Inc, that presents both cutting-edge productions of works by new playwrights as well as re-stagings of popular favorites.

But apart from its many attractions and leisure activities, families also find it an attractive living environment, with easy access to educational facilities, health care and even places to worship. Public education is offered through the Galveston Independent School District which operates five elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school, while six private schools offer education for grades K-12 and higher education is provided through three institutes of higher learning – the Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston College and the University of Texas Medical Branch. The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston operates a network of 80 campus- and community-based clinics to provide the most comprehensive health care.

Houston-based realtors can make your search for Galveston homes for sale easier by providing you with the proper information to help you find your ideal house. And once you’ve located a Galveston real estate property, your realtor can help you negotiate with the owner to make sure that you not only get the best price, you are also given adequate time to complete the necessary inspections before you close the deal. So to ensure your peace of mind, find a good realtor; the fees they charge will be more than offset by the certainty that you are getting the fairest deal for your Galveston real estate.