looking for a $150k house south of the Medical Center (Houston: foreclosures, HOA fees)

[SquashConvert]

Hi Everyone,

I am single, 30 years old white guy, young professional, looking for a decent, relatively new (>2005) single family house (not a condo) south of TMC. I am looking into about $150K to spend and I will probably stay in the house for about 3 years. I was wondering about current status of the area between 610 and 8, along 288. I have checked several neighborhoods in the area and it looks like they have a lot of houses in my price range and some of them look nice. What do you think about the area? I found some posts about City Park community, but all of them are dated 2008-2009 and I guess this area was developed more in the last two years. I also looked at Brunswick Meadows community, but supposedly they have problems with crime and sometimes police is slow to react, because it is technically out of the city limit, even though it has a Houston zip code (hence the Black Hole nickname). Maybe there are some other nice communities nearby. I know, it still lacks in major shopping centers and stuff, but I do not care for the most part. I am very concerned about safety though (crime rate), easy commute to TMC and investment perspective since I am planning to sell it in 3 years. I will appreciate any information, especially from the people currently living there.

There is another new community, South Post Oak Manor near the intersection of S Post Oak Dr and Orem Dr. They have 20+ of new houses ready to buy. Access to TMC is a bit worse, but probably still doable (S Main). What do you think?

P.S. I am also considering Pearland, but the houses, HOA fees and property taxes are considerably more expensive. I am not sure if I want to make such commitment.

[hbcu]

it's all a toss up....the newer developments off Post Oak between 288 all have good and bad reasons to buy, not to buy...

I know someone in the back of City Park and they love it...the front of City Park with those fake picket fence homes is ugly

Areas off Post Oak near Orem I don't like as they crammed too many homes in that small area..

If you want something older, more established and maybe in a decent range, try the neighborhoods off Post Oak in between Stella Link...close to the loop...trees...everything

[City Love]

Do you have a family? Have you considered a townhome closer to downtown? The budget does make it tough though.

I think City Park is the best out of the options you mentioned. But I really don't anticipate much appreciation in any of those areas for the next 3 years. Especially since those are all 2000 developments, so there are plenty of foreclosures in the area. If you do buy, try to buy a foreclosure that you are purchasing below other comparable homes. It will make it easier to resell and break even in 3 years.

Keep in mind that selling a home will cost you anywhere from 7-10% in closing expenses. From the broker fees, to title insurance, and closing contributions.

[jimboburnsy]

You have a lot of options, but $150k new construction tends to be (i) a townhome, (ii) really far away, (iii) in a "pioneering" area or (iv) has some other serious flaw such as flooding.

If you're willing to compromise on new construction, you may want to take a peek at some of the homes in Westwood (West of Stella Link, North of Willowbend, South of 610, East of the RR Tracks).

I know the development at S. Post Oak and Orem - I wouldn't recommend that for a TMC commute. I think the area is safe and the people are fine, but S. Post Oak gets really bad in the morning since everyone in Sienna Plantation, Riverbend, Stafford, etc. etc. that is trying to avoid 59 traffic heads North through the intersection of S. Post Oak and Orem.

[houston-nomad]

Originally Posted by hbcu

it's all a toss up....the newer developments off Post Oak between 288 all have good and bad reasons to buy, not to buy...

I know someone in the back of City Park and they love it...the front of City Park with those fake picket fence homes is ugly

Areas off Post Oak near Orem I don't like as they crammed too many homes in that small area..

If you want something older, more established and maybe in a decent range, try the neighborhoods off Post Oak in between Stella Link...close to the loop...trees...everything

I agree with this idea. Homes are more likely to hold value here, plus I think it's a safer, more stable neighborhood. I did look into the 288 corridor at one point so I'm familiar with it. I would be concerned about a home there holding its value in the short term.

[tstone]

Originally Posted by SquashConvert

I was wondering about current status of the area between 610 and 8, along 288. I have checked several neighborhoods in the area and it looks like they have a lot of houses in my price range and some of them look nice. What do you think about the area?

That's the hood, for lack of a better word. Those new homes = lots black flight from places immediately north.

If you have a car project there are a lot of good junkyards in that area.

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by tstone

That's the hood, for lack of a better word. Those new homes = lots black flight from places immediately north.

If you have a car project there are a lot of good junkyards in that area.

Come to think of it, I do see a lot of guys with two cell phones and a pager using pay phones when I drive to the Sunbeam dump.

[Timnwendy]

You should at least look at the Enclave at Southern Trails, 1 mile west of 288. It's in the Pearland city limits and has houses by Newmark and Taylor-Morrison in your price range.

[tstone]

Originally Posted by jimboburnsy

Come to think of it, I do see a lot of guys with two cell phones and a pager using pay phones when I drive to the Sunbeam dump.

I never noticed guys doing that but that's the exact area I was thinking of. Really that whole region is dotted with places for garbage/trash/waste/recycling. I wonder if it didn't develop because maybe it's in a flood plain?

[350days]

Originally Posted by SquashConvert

Hi Everyone,

I am single, 30 years old white guy, young professional, looking for a decent, relatively new (>2005) single family house (not a condo) south of TMC. I am looking into about $150K to spend and I will probably stay in the house for about 3 years. I was wondering about current status of the area between 610 and 8, along 288. I have checked several neighborhoods in the area and it looks like they have a lot of houses in my price range and some of them look nice. What do you think about the area? I found some posts about City Park community, but all of them are dated 2008-2009 and I guess this area was developed more in the last two years. I also looked at Brunswick Meadows community, but supposedly they have problems with crime and sometimes police is slow to react, because it is technically out of the city limit, even though it has a Houston zip code (hence the Black Hole nickname). Maybe there are some other nice communities nearby. I know, it still lacks in major shopping centers and stuff, but I do not care for the most part. I am very concerned about safety though (crime rate), easy commute to TMC and investment perspective since I am planning to sell it in 3 years. I will appreciate any information, especially from the people currently living there.

There is another new community, South Post Oak Manor near the intersection of S Post Oak Dr and Orem Dr. They have 20+ of new houses ready to buy. Access to TMC is a bit worse, but probably still doable (S Main). What do you think?

P.S. I am also considering Pearland, but the houses, HOA fees and property taxes are considerably more expensive. I am not sure if I want to make such commitment.

Seriously, why mention your age and race? Do you honestly think you are going to find the neighborhood you are looking for in the range of $150,000?