Rockport...Blah! (Houston, El Paso, Corpus Christi: insurance, houses, to buy)

[Chickrae]

Originally Posted by ocean2026

Maybe Bain is angry at his wife because she doesn't want to move.

Rapes in Rockport?? Maybe a date rape but I spent years in the courts here and rapes between strangers is almost non-existent. Bain show me your data. There has been an increase in other felonies, but Bain instead of complaining talk to your commissioner about us getting our own DA- the state would pay for it and many more crimes would be prosecuted.

Much of Rockport is waterfront and its all scenic - many types of birds, and the EPA gave our beach its Blue Ribbon Award for Cleanliness and Environmental Quality it beat out all other beaches in Texas (62 of them ranked).

The schools have gone downhill somewhat and they almost got rid of the incumbents in this month's election- at least one got ousted. The newspaper (Pilot) and its two reporters are horrible.

Summers are bad in Rockport as they are in most of the state- at least there's an ocean breeze.

Rockport is so friendly that cars routinely pull over if they see a vehicle approaching from behind- just to let you pass.

Rockport does have more men than women- not so great if you're a single guy but that's due to boating -fishing and construction - all of which attract more men than women.

Do you prefer Rockport to Ingleside and Port Aransas, Aransas Pass. Just curious if you have been there. We didn't get a chance to make it to Rockport on our trip to check it out.

[Mikdeetx]

I have lived in Rockport now for the last three years. It has its pluses and minuses, just like any community of its size. Sure, there is crime, drugs and other problems, but it's no different than any other community. The Rockport Pilot has an letter to the editor section and people there voice their opinons quite openly. There have been at least 4 murders there in the last year, this includes a psychopath who killed his parents and himself in Lamar. The Sheriff is a lame duck and will be replaced in January. However, it may cause the area to be considered "Mills Town" because the Judge and the incoming Sheriff are related.

All in all, I love this community. I was a member of the Chamber of Commerce for three years and recently had a layoff which has caused me to retreat for awhile. But like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, I will survive. If you are looking for property, consider Ingleside before Rockport now. The Naval Base is closing so property will be more available and less expensive. Property taxes in Aransas County are ridiculous, but consider buying a mobile home in an established park, my property tax this year is only $200, far less than what home+land owners pay. What I find appalling is the way the Appraisal District has valuated homes. A home that cannot sell for more than $200,000 is appraised at $350,000 at Copano Cove. I have seen constituents offer the Appraisal District to sell their home for them. It's all a part of growing pains for this community, which has limited space for growth, like Port Aransas.

Retirees are more inclined to buy here because it is an Arts community. Many of the bars/clubs for younger folks are being squashed because of the fight between old and young. Again, another growing pain. But I see other communities in other states which cater to retirees and what happens....they lose because the town eventually dies off, again causing younger folks to pay more in property tax and share additional burdens.

I spent 18 months researching before I decided upon Rockport-Fulton, and still have no regrets.

[Chickrae]

Originally Posted by Mikdeetx

I have lived in Rockport now for the last three years. It has its pluses and minuses, just like any community of its size. Sure, there is crime, drugs and other problems, but it's no different than any other community. The Rockport Pilot has an letter to the editor section and people there voice their opinons quite openly. There have been at least 4 murders there in the last year, this includes a psychopath who killed his parents and himself in Lamar. The Sheriff is a lame duck and will be replaced in January. However, it may cause the area to be considered "Mills Town" because the Judge and the incoming Sheriff are related.

All in all, I love this community. I was a member of the Chamber of Commerce for three years and recently had a layoff which has caused me to retreat for awhile. But like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, I will survive. If you are looking for property, consider Ingleside before Rockport now. The Naval Base is closing so property will be more available and less expensive. Property taxes in Aransas County are ridiculous, but consider buying a mobile home in an established park, my property tax this year is only $200, far less than what home+land owners pay. What I find appalling is the way the Appraisal District has valuated homes. A home that cannot sell for more than $200,000 is appraised at $350,000 at Copano Cove. I have seen constituents offer the Appraisal District to sell their home for them. It's all a part of growing pains for this community, which has limited space for growth, like Port Aransas.

Retirees are more inclined to buy here because it is an Arts community. Many of the bars/clubs for younger folks are being squashed because of the fight between old and young. Again, another growing pain. But I see other communities in other states which cater to retirees and what happens....they lose because the town eventually dies off, again causing younger folks to pay more in property tax and share additional burdens.

I spent 18 months researching before I decided upon Rockport-Fulton, and still have no regrets.

We never got to Rockport on our trip this past weekend. Most of the homes we looked at happened to be in Ingleside and one was in Aransas Pass. I liked both areas. The real estate agent that was showing us the homes mentioned about the naval base closing. She said now is the time to buy, but I am wondering in your opinion would it be a better time to buy when all the naval people are selling their homes in 2009. I am not really sure what to do as we found a house we really liked in Aransas Pass and it was built in 2006. I thought the home was in San Patricio(sp) country and of course the real estate office did't know what the taxes were but she guessed they would be about 3,500 a year including the wind insurance/home owners policy.
thank you for all your comments too...very informative

[ocean2026]

Sorry I didn't see your questions in time for your trip. Ingleside might be a bargain now as the Naval Base has gone. Aransas Pass is cheap and has potential but the most crime. Rockport has many rich with nice homes on the ocean but it also has poor areas not as scenic, John Bain probably lives in one of the poorer areas. I'm involved with the schools and if Mr. Bain knows a teacher fired for that please release his name. I doubt its true.

[Chickrae]

Originally Posted by ocean2026

Sorry I didn't see your questions in time for your trip. Ingleside might be a bargain now as the Naval Base has gone. Aransas Pass is cheap and has potential but the most crime. Rockport has many rich with nice homes on the ocean but it also has poor areas not as scenic, John Bain probably lives in one of the poorer areas. I'm involved with the schools and if Mr. Bain knows a teacher fired for that please release his name. I doubt its true.

Thank you for responding. Is the base gone now or is it in 2009. The real estate agent we were with said it would be the first part of that year. I did prefer Ingleside to Corpus Christi for sure.

[Muhnay]

It will be closed in 2009-2010.

I am also looking at a house in the area.. it will be a great time to buy and many deals to be had. And the Property Tax is less there than it is in El Paso TX where I live now.. I have to have flood insurance here because of the storm in 2006.. my block is now in a flood plain.

[Chickrae]

Originally Posted by Muhnay

It will be closed in 2009-2010.

I am also looking at a house in the area.. it will be a great time to buy and many deals to be had. And the Property Tax is less there than it is in El Paso TX where I live now.. I have to have flood insurance here because of the storm in 2006.. my block is now in a flood plain.

Are you waiting until the base closes or now. I really can't decide what to do. I found two homes I really like and of course I am getting pressure from real estate agent saying "you have to act quickly, they will be gone." So far all the homes are still there and one we looked at started at 149,000, dropped to 145,000 the day we saw it and now has come down to 139,900. I was thinking we would offer even less, but I keep thinking there will be other houses and since we aren't moving for 3 years we aren't desperate you know. So are the taxes in El Paso more then 3 or 4000 a year?

[Muhnay]

Originally Posted by Chickrae

Are you waiting until the base closes or now. I really can't decide what to do. I found two homes I really like and of course I am getting pressure from real estate agent saying "you have to act quickly, they will be gone." So far all the homes are still there and one we looked at started at 149,000, dropped to 145,000 the day we saw it and now has come down to 139,900. I was thinking we would offer even less, but I keep thinking there will be other houses and since we aren't moving for 3 years we aren't desperate you know. So are the taxes in El Paso more then 3 or 4000 a year?

Oh yeah.. you pay 22 dollars per thousand here in El Paso.. the highest property tax in Texas, I think. Ingleside is close though at around 20 dollars per 1000. San Angelo, some place I am considering is only like 13 dollars per 1000. So to figure out what you pay in taxes you take that number 22 x ( Home Value/1000) = taxes.

Ok so the house you are looking at is 139,900 divided by 1000 (139.90).. then multiplied by 20 dollars = $2798 in taxes..

Lets say the same house is bought in El Paso... I would pay $3077.80

Now lets consider the same house in San Angelo TX, the taxes would only be $1818.70.

Just something to consider. I will say that the cost of living in Ingleside is far less than El Paso or San Angelo though.. But Insurance is about the same for all 3 cities. San Angelo has to worry about flooding and tornados El Paso Flooding & harsh winds.. and Ingleside flooding and hurricanes.

I am waiting till after the base closes.. there will be plenty of choices then. The realtor is no fool.. if they can get you to buy now, the better their commission is... most only make 1 to 3% off the sale. And you have seen the price drop on the one house already several times.. so that should tell you something. But you may also offer a way low number and hope they come back with a counter, and then you meet half way there. The people seem desperate to sell if the price has dropped that many times. So you maybe able to name your price, if you offer a quick close. Then just rent the house till you get down there, if you need it to help pay for its self while your waiting to move.

There will be plenty of open properties in Ingleside.. and if not there many of the communities in the region have stuff all the time. Just make sure your at least 30 feet above sea level. That could be the difference between swimming in your home and fishing from your front porch. =)

[awecelot]

Oh yeah.. you pay 22 dollars per thousand here in El Paso.. the highest property tax in Texas, I think. Ingleside is close though at around 20 dollars per 1000.

Portland, TX, between Ingleside and Corpus Christi, taxes property at about $23.95 per 1000

[Muhnay]

Originally Posted by awecelot

Portland, TX, between Ingleside and Corpus Christi, taxes property at about $23.95 per 1000

Well thats good to know that were not the highest here in El Paso.. but were really close.. and way to high for what we get.

Portland is a very nice city though.. and the schools there are out standing.. so I am sure that maybe why the taxes are that high.. El Paso I believe is to help fund the many changes the city has to do in a very short period of time due to the many soldiers coming here in the next 2-3 years.