Any agent can put a sign in the yard and list a home in the MLS. What sets me apart is understanding why and when you're buying or selling — your life circumstances, not just a transaction, should drive the plan. There's rarely one way to buy or sell a home; there are many, and the right one can protect or grow your money while the wrong one can quietly cost you. As a cutting-edge, AI-Certified technology leader, I bring you real options and solutions matched to your situation — and the data to decide with your eyes wide open.
The part most agents skip
You have choices. My job is to make sure you're well informed before you make one.
There's rarely just one way to buy or sell a home — sell as-is for a fast cash offer, fix-and-list for top dollar, buy before you sell, rent-and-save, and more. Life isn't as simple as "just buy" or "just sell." It's how you do it that helps you or hurts you. My job as your consultant is to make sure you see every path and understand what each one costs you, so the choice you make is an educated one, in the best interest of you and your family, and fits your timing and your numbers.
Other sites show you results. You find a house, then drill into it to see what schools it's zoned to, whether it sits in a flood zone, what the HOA and the MUD really cost, and half the time you leave for another website to find out. I built the search the other way around: the data is in the search itself, under one roof, across six Houston-area counties. Set the school grade, the flood zone, the real tax rate and the HOA ceiling first, then look at the homes that pass.
One search, all of it: Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Waller, Grimes and Austin counties. That's the difference between looking at listings and making a decision.
For 28 years I built and ran technology — IT infrastructure and operations, land development, even new-home building — reaching Director of Global Operations, leading 350 people around the world. That taught me two things that matter to you: how to turn messy data into clear decisions, and how to work with people from every background and walk of life. I brought both into real estate. After starting in the Dallas–Fort Worth market, I put down roots in Cypress and now serve buyers and sellers across greater Houston. I'm a proud supporter of our veterans — and prouder still when a client tells me they finally understood their options.
REALTOR®Texas Premier RealtyTREC #0658294AI-Certified AgentTop 2% of U.S. agents · 2025
Home base: Cypress. Serving Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Waller, Grimes & Austin counties and the communities within them.
Proof, on the map
Every pin is a home I helped someone buy, sell, or lease.
The map updates itself — every time I close, it grows.
Volume and price range reflect purchases and sales; leases aren't counted in the dollars.
In their words
What clients say.
5.0 · 51 Google reviews
Google
Allen was an awesome realtor! He listens to what you're looking for in a house and delivers above and beyond. He was extremely transparent and honest about the buying process, also will offer sound advice. I would recommend him to anyone looking for a realtor in the Texas area, he will do right by you and always give 110%.
— Kevin Peterson
4 years ago
Google
Allen provided us with the most personal professional advice, support and service in relocating back to the Houston area. He is very knowledgeable, always willing to go beyond the normal level to assist you in any request you make of him. He made sure he was available to us at any time!!! We can’t sing his praise enough.
— Jennifer Hammons
9 months ago
Google
Allen is a great Realtor with tons of experience in buying new homes/Renting. Thanks Allen for all the help and support you gave in buying a new home. Allen has lots of patience and answers all of your questions. I have learnt a lot in this process with him . It was very fun working with you Allen 🙂. You are the best. I highly recommend Allen 🙂. Most important! His positive attitude is what i like. He will always say " Iam here dont worry Bharat"🙂.
— Bharat Patibandla
3 years ago
Google
Allen did a wonderful job helping us find our home.
— JOHN Seale
3 years ago
Google
Great Customer Service. I will definitely utilize Allen again. He made his process stress free.
— B B
3 years ago
Google
Allen Markel is truly a very considerate and professional! We have viewed many places and he has always help me to pick out what kind of homes and areas suit my personal needs and wants.
I have never met any realtor who goes out his way to uplift his clients so I finally find my ideal home..
Thank you Allen!
— jenny xiao xia Gong
5 years ago
Google
Am absolutely amazing man! Super patient with me and willing to wait as long as I needed. 100% would recommend
— Hannah Douget
4 years ago
Google
My husband and I were ready for a move and we were looking for a trustworthy and reliable realtor. We were lucky enough to meet Allen Markel. He knew our market in Katy inside and out. He was spot on with all his numbers and was a true professional and credit to his industry. If your looking to sell or buy a home, Allen is by far the best in his field. His team is phenomenal and helped through the entire process. We could not have chosen a better person to represent us and expedite the sale of our home! Our home sold within 6 days and closed within 30. We could not be happier! Thank you Allen!!!
Sincerely,
The Medina Family
— Sarah Medina
3 years ago
Google
Allen was a pleasure to work with when moving from out of state. I made an appointment with to “interview” him to ensure he understood what my wife and 8 were looking for. He hit a home run and quickly grasped what we were looking for. We flew in for a weekend to visit our daughter and get a feel for the Houston area and ended up buying a house. Once the purchase agreement was signed on the new construction home, Allen was able to keep us informed and recommend an home inspector for our piece of mind.
— Steven Barber
2 years ago
Google
There is so much more to Allen as a real estate agent. He is able to market you home, give you selling advice and even facilitate open houses. Where Allen was the most beneficial was during closing. He was able to provide professional and personal support when my buyers first loan fell through. He has been a rock and a solid friend during this entire journey. So valuable, I even used him at my guide to buy a new home!!
— M Bell
2 years ago
Google
Allen have been working alongside with me through a difficult process and provided acknowledge recommendations to help minimize the financial risks that could potentially burden myself in the long term. The closing was finally completed with the help of Allen’s recommendation on a reliable mortgage lender to give me enough time to close on the property without risking a higher interest rate in the end. I would highly recommend his expertise and experience in dealing with complicated loan lending process.
— Eric Fox
3 years ago
Google
It was a pleasure working with Allen. I would definitely recommend
— Jeff elsey
2 years ago
Google
Our experience went great. As soon as we set the parameters for the search, Allen found out what things we had to have and he found us the perfect house. As he was looking for multiple houses to give us the ability to have a plan A & B. This allowed us side-by-side comparisons and to also have a back up plan.
Allen is extremely knowledgeable on the market and what we need to know before we commit. He walked us through the process and reassured us at every turn. He also educated us on what we should do, and what we could do in different situations. He also assisted in the walk-throughs for the house, which was very comforting to both of us.He is amazing.
— Chaz C
3 years ago
Google
I am a realtor who has worked with Allen on the other side of a transaction. He advocates well for his clients and is a pleasure to work with.
— Philip Apffel
3 months ago
Google
Allen was the best realtor for first time homebuyers. He listens to everything that you like and don’t like and will always send you houses that matches what you like. He is on stand by all the time, you can call him at 11:00PM or 7:00AM and he will answer your call. I can’t praise this man enough for everything he has taught us and for the resources he has to help first time homeowners really get their feet underneath them. We will definitely be using Allen again for our next home search and for when we need to sell our house. Seriously you don’t need to look anywhere else, you found your guy here!
— Alexander Lopez
2 years ago
Google
I highly recommend Allen Markel if you are in the market for a home.
He is very knowledgeable about the real estate market (which is really important at the moment given there is a much higher demand than supply). He is great to work with and very patient. He will work with you on your terms --- whether you need someone to spend more time with you and help identify houses or if you're comfortable whittling down choices via various home listings yourself and then engaging with him when you are ready to make visits. He is exceptionally accommodating. And once you've found the right house, he will help you come up with the correct offer and then work with you through the remainder of the process.
I had a great experience with Allen and would absolutely work with him again.
— Hutch
5 years ago
Google
Allen Markel helped us buy and sell our house through a bridge loan. He was very knowledgeable, trustworthy and proactive, which we really needed due to our uniquely time sensitive financial situation. I would easily recommend him to all who are in the market to buy and/or sell. He's also an honest and overall great person. We wish you the best! Thank you so much, Allen!
— Ken Rosete
3 years ago
Google
Amazing to work with!! Answered every question we had along the way! From start to finish he made everything easier for us!! Recommend 100%!
— Whitney Ramirez
4 years ago
Google
Alan will go to the ends of the earth for you. Great job
— Glenn Hebert
5 years ago
Google
Allen is a great realtor, and an equally great person. Over an eight month span, he dealt with my randomly changing work schedule beautifully, and may have had to get back to me on about two of my seven million questions. Advice on, and speed of preparing offers couldn't be beat. And, perhaps the thing that I appreciated most, the talk was always straightforward. He'll do what you ask him to, but he'll also tell you if (and why) it's not the greatest idea. His knowledge about everything related to the task of buying a house was immense. He had a little two part catchphrase on day one that had something to do with being happy with the home I got. While I can't remember it, I clearly remember that he stuck to it. Because it was long search, and his enthusiasm never waivered. And I couldn't be happier with the home he helped me get.
— Alexander Santibanez
4 years ago
Google
Allen really stepped up and helped me find a place in Houston Tx. I feel like he focused on me and what I needed. He was a huge help to me and I would recommend him to anyone looking for a rental or a house!!
— Mike Guest
3 years ago
Google
As a top producing agent I work with many agents good and bad. Allen Markel is a quality; knowledgeable and efficient agent. We had a few complications getting to closing but Allen worked as a team and we got the deal closed and funded right on time. It’s a pleasure to work with a true professional
— Lisa Blizzard
a year ago
Google
Allen is diligent and clear. He goes always further and willing to support you. He has experience and provide you key information to make decisions.
— Diana Valencia
4 years ago
Google
Allen was the best realtor to work with!! My partner and I bought our first home with his help this year. As first time homebuyers, we really had no clue what the process was like. Allen took the time, and had the patience to answer questions and really explain everything to me and my partner. He gave us his personal number and answered us at all times, DAY OR NIGHT. We both work week day jobs, and he adjusted to our schedules to meet with us. He wasn't just our realtor. He became our friend. We still communicate with him to this day, and still ask questions about our home.
— Linda Gonzalez
2 years ago
Google
Allen was a great guy to work with. Very kind, quick to respond, and he is supportive! Highly recommend using him as your realtor!
— Muhammad Shaikh
2 years ago
Google
Takes time to educate communicate and walk you through the process. Absolutely awesome company and Allen is beast. Works 10 days a week!
— Life's Purpose
4 years ago
Google
Allen was able to make our dream come true by guiding us towards financing options we didn’t know existed.
The strategies for both the purchase of our new home and the selling of our previous home was spot on and we ended up getting great value for both transactions.
— Bjorn
4 years ago
Google
Allen was always ready and willing to meet us wherever we wanted to go. He was patient, and prompt. He was great at communicating with us regarding several properties, and was diligent about getting us all of the information we needed. I would highly recommend him to anyone!
— Breanna Miller
5 years ago
Google
Allen helped me and my family purchased our first house in the US! From someone who has little to no knowledge about buying a house in the US, Allen has thought me a lot during and after the home buying process. My family are migrants, and this is very new to us. Since we are residing in Wisconsin and trying to buy a house in the Houston area, we thought it is going to be difficult. Luckily, Allen is good in video showing, and we were able to find the house that we want without even going to Houston. Also, Allen runs a website (like a searching tool) so his clients get notified ASAP with the updated listings in their preferred area.
Allen is such a great person and a very knowledgeable realtor. Will recommend Allen to anyone who is looking to buy a house in the Houston area.
— Brian Anotado
3 years ago
Google
Allen’s dedication to smart selling strategies is what sets him apart from other agents—whether it’s ‘buy before you sell’, ‘fix & sell’, or ‘sell & stay’. His creative solutions, and data-driven marketing in the Cypress/Houston market shows he’s committed to doing what’s right for his clients! If you want a real estate expert that will take care of you, definitely reach out. And tell him I said Hi!
— James Brown
10 months ago
Google
Allan went above and beyond any and all expectations. I know working with me with all the challenges I brought to the table was asking alot but Allan met all of them head on and never flinched.
A true professional and very knowledgeable, a realtor you can definitely count on no matter your situation!
— Travis Buse
4 years ago
Google
Allen Markel exceeded our expectations that we had for an agent in helping us relocate to the Houston Texas area. Me Allen went above and beyond in his efforts to locate our new home. Unfortunately we had to change our moving location to a different state. Thanks for all the excellent service you provided
— Frederick Emrich
4 years ago
Google
Allen Markel is truly committed to making it possible for you to find the best home for your needs. Whether you're just starting your search or ready to make a move. With clear information, helpful tools, and a user-friendly experience, Allen ensures that you’re not just browsing listings, but finding a place to call home.
— Kenn Detruz
a year ago
Google
You can’t go wrong with Allen. We were new to Texas and he answered all our questions and helped us each step of the way. We decided in an area and he went above and beyond to find us homes, some weren’t even listed! In a month we found a home and a great friend! Thanks Allen, you’re the BEST!
— Mariela Figueroa
3 years ago
Google
Allen Markel was a great choice to sell our home. He has the experience and technology to make the process easy. He’s constantly working and always keeps you updated on progress. I highly recommend Allen for your home buying or selling needs.
— Marc Whitman
a year ago
Google
Excelent experience, Allen made the stressful process of finding a house, so smooth and pleasant! Especially hard to achive during these difficult times of the housing market, working with Allen allowed us to find our dream home in a short time, and importantly while staying within the planned budget. I highly recommend Allen to anyone looking for professional guidance and responsiveness in selecting the house of the dreams, and securing the purchase without unnecessary overbidding.
— Arina Omer
5 years ago
Google
I’m in the military getting ready to transfer across the country, I was a first time home buyer, I didn’t know much of anything about what went into buying a home. Then I met Allen I cannot rave enough about how professional and knowledgeable he is at his craft. Where we were looking for homes was over an hour away from where Allen lives and he went on multiple virtual home tours for us on different days he was available 24/7 and when I say 24/7, I mean no matter what he was always available he made a very scary and confusing process very easy and enjoyable. Putting 5 starts on here isn’t enough.
— Danny Loquercio
a year ago
Google
Allen is not only trustworthy and dependable, but also incredibly knowledgeable about the entire real estate process. He guides his clients with confidence and clarity every step of the way.
Buying and selling a home at the same time is no easy feat—it’s often overwhelming and stressful. But Allen has a unique program in place that truly bridges that gap and makes the transition feel smooth and manageable.
If you’re looking for someone who genuinely cares, knows the market inside and out, and will go above and beyond to make your goals a reality, Allen is the realtor you want on your side. Highly recommend!
— Amanda Spence
a year ago
Google
Allen Markel went above and beyond helping my fraternity brother relocate to Houston! From the first call to the final walkthrough, Allen was knowledgeable, responsive, and genuinely cared about making the process smooth and stress-free. He knew the area inside out, gave great advice on neighborhoods, and negotiated a fantastic deal. If you’re moving to Houston, Allen is the guy you want in your corner. Highly recommend! 👏🏡
— John Smart
a year ago
Google
Allen helped me sell my home quickly and for a great price. He is a hard worker and does his very best to communicate every step of the process. He pays attention closely to details and listen accordingly. I think he is extremely professional, capable and trustworthy Real estate agent. I would highly recommend him.
— Reed
a year ago
Google
Allen is the absolute best in the business!!! Smart, knowledgable, patient and someone who we truly consider a friend now after our home buying and selling process.
For the buying process, we toured 30+ homes over 6+ months trying to find our perfect house. Allen never complained, never wavered, set up showings within hours of our requests every single time. He makes you feel as though you are his only client, even though he is slammed all the time because everyone wants to work with him!
For the selling process, his connections came through for us with a buy before you sell option that worked out seamlessly for what we were looking to do. We bought our new house, moved everything and then put our old house on the market, and guess what - Allen was able to sell the house in only 13 DAYS!!!!!!
We have now closed both deals and we have our dream home, all because we met Allen and he guided us through our entire journey. Please use Allen for all your buying or selling needs, you will not regret it!!!!!
— Nathaniel Smith
2 years ago
Google
The kids and I are very happy that we found Allen. He talked us through our first land purchase. Great guy. Very knowledgeable.
— Bellen Betan
2 years ago
Google
Allen is all around great person. He goes above and beyond a realtor. Very patient and make sure you understand everything you need to know about your home purchase
— Femi Olabisi
4 years ago
Google
(Translated by Google) Mr. Allen is an excellent realtor. He looks out for what's best for you. He's a very positive and charismatic person who never gives up. I highly recommend him. 5 astral las.
(Original)
Mr Allen es un excelente realtor, el busca lo que más te convenga a ti, es una persona bien positiva, carismático, nunca se rinde, con mucha seguridad lo recomiendo. 5 astral las.
— Maria Perez
2 years ago
Google
Mr Alllen has great guy through out home search he is real genuine and helpful which is. Very rare quality I wish him the best
Allen is a Cypress-based REALTOR and consultant with Texas Premier Realty. He works with buyers and sellers across greater Houston, and the pins on his map also include leases. His approach starts with why and when you are moving, because your circumstances should drive the plan, not just the transaction.
Where does Allen work and where is his home base?+
His home base is Cypress. He serves buyers and sellers across six counties: Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Waller, Grimes and Austin, plus the communities within them. He began in the Dallas and Fort Worth market before putting down roots in Cypress.
What did Allen do before real estate?+
For 28 years he built and ran technology, including IT infrastructure and operations, land development and even new-home building. He rose to Director of Global Operations. He says that taught him two things: how to turn messy data into clear decisions and how to work with people from every background.
How does a technology background help me as a buyer or seller?+
Real estate decisions involve a lot of scattered data. Allen's career was turning messy data into clear decisions, so he builds tools that put that data in front of you before you choose. The practical result is a search where you can set your own limits and see only homes that pass.
Does Allen support veterans?+
The page says he is a proud supporter of our veterans. It does not describe a specific program or benefit, so for anything tied to veteran home loans or eligibility, ask us directly and we will explain how the process works for your situation.
My mission
How is working with Allen different from hiring an agent who just lists the house?+
Anyone can put a sign in the yard and enter a home in our listing data. Allen starts earlier, with why and when you are buying or selling, then lays out the real options and what each one could cost you. The goal is a choice you understand, not a default one.
Why does Allen start with my life circumstances instead of the house?+
The same house can call for different plans depending on your timing, your money and what is driving the move. A plan that protects one person's money can quietly cost another. So the first conversation is about your situation, then we match the way you buy or sell to it.
The part most agents skip
What does it mean that I have choices when I sell?+
There is rarely just one way to sell. The page names examples such as selling as-is for a fast cash offer or fixing the home up and listing it. Each path trades time, effort and money differently. Talk to us and we will walk through each option against your timing and numbers.
Can I buy a home before selling mine, or rent and save for a while?+
Those are paths Allen's page lists alongside selling as-is and fix-and-list. Whether buying first, selling first or renting for a stretch works depends on your finances and timeline, so there is no single answer. We lay out what each path involves so you can decide with the full picture.
What happens if I pick the wrong way to sell?+
The page puts it plainly: how you do it can help you or hurt you, and the wrong approach can quietly cost you. That is why we compare the paths before you commit, including timing and what each would net you. Waiting rarely makes the comparison easier, so start the conversation early.
Does Allen only help people who are selling?+
No. The page speaks to buying and selling, and the closed-deal map includes homes where he represented the buyer, homes he listed and sold, and leases. Whichever side you are on, the approach is the same: understand your situation, show the options, and give you the data to decide.
What AI-Certified means for you
What does AI-Certified mean on Allen's page?+
It is a credential shown beside his REALTOR license details. On the page it leads into one idea: he builds his own data tools rather than borrowing results from elsewhere. For you, that means a search with school, flood, tax and HOA information built in, so you spend less time hopping between sites.
I don't borrow the data. I build it.
What does it mean that Allen builds the data himself?+
Instead of linking you out to other websites, he built the home search so the data sits inside it. Our tools draw on our own listing data and public sources, which each tool's page names. That is why you can filter on details most searches only show after you click into a home.
Why is having the data inside the search better than looking up each home separately?+
The usual path is to find a house first, then check schools, flood zone, HOA and taxes one site at a time. Here you set those limits first, so every home you look at already passes them. It saves time and keeps you from falling for a home that fails your own rules.
Can I search by school rating and flood zone?+
Yes. The schools tool lets you set a grade floor so only homes zoned to campuses at or above it show, based on state ratings. The flood tool lets you filter out a flood zone, then shows the FEMA zone on every listing left. These are free tools, and many need free registration.
What does the property tax tool include?+
It looks at the real combined rate rather than one line item: county, school, MUD and ESD. You can search by that combined rate, which matters because two homes at the same price can carry very different tax bills. Check each listing's details before relying on any single figure.
How does the HOA tool work?+
You set a ceiling on the dues and the search shows only homes under it. That keeps a home with a high monthly cost from reaching your list at all. Dues are only one piece of the monthly cost, so we also look at taxes and any district charges when we compare homes.
What does the Deal Evaluator tell me?+
It shows how a listing's price compares with recent sales of similar homes. It is an estimate built from comparable sales, not an appraisal, so treat it as a starting point for a conversation about price rather than a final value.
What does the neighborhood tool on a listing show?+
The page describes it as straightforward neighborhood context on the listing, presented for you to judge yourself. It is information to weigh, not a verdict. Pair it with a visit at different times of day and with your own priorities.
Proof, on the map
What is the map of closed deals on the About page?+
Each pin represents one closed deal that Allen helped someone buy, sell or lease. It gives you a visual sense of where he has worked across greater Houston. It shows locations and totals only, so it does not tell you the story behind any single transaction.
What do the different pin types on the map mean?+
The legend separates three kinds of closed deals: homes he listed and sold, homes where he represented the buyer, and leases. That lets you see at a glance whether his work in an area was on the seller side, the buyer side or in rentals.
Does the closed-deal map update on its own?+
Yes. The page says the map updates itself and grows every time he closes. That means it reflects recent work without anyone editing it by hand. Totals include sales and purchases, while leases are shown as pins but not counted in the dollar figures.
In their words
What do clients say about working with Allen?+
The reviews shown on the page come from Google. Common themes include straightforward talk, quick offer preparation, backup options built into a home search, patience and explaining each step. Read the full reviews on the page and judge whether that style matches what you want from an agent.
Can Allen help if I am moving to Houston from out of state?+
Reviews on his page describe buyers who searched from out of state, used video showings and visited for a weekend. Whether remote buying fits you depends on your timeline and comfort with the process. Talk to us and we can talk through how a long-distance move would work for your circumstances.
How to start
How do I get started with Allen?+
Use the button on the page to schedule time with him. A first conversation is about why and when you are moving, what matters to you and what you have already considered. You can also start on your own by using the free search and tools, then bring questions to the call.
About
Why do you build free tools?+
Because people make better decisions with real information. The tools show sourced facts and teach you how to read them, whether or not you work with us. If a tool raises questions, talk to us and we will walk through it with you.