Advice please on what to look for when purchasing a home in Houston (Baytown: rent, crime) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

Melbourne Family · 02-09-2013, 04:27 AM

Hello,

Our summer relocation to Houston from Europe has been confirmed and we will soon be looking to purchase a home in Houston. Exact location/neighbourhood still not confirmed as we are waiting to see what school our kids are accepted at & won't know this until mid March. I am aware that we should be looking into flood history of areas we may be interested in, is there anything else in particular that someone who is not from Houston wouldn't be aware to look for? For example, are termites a problem in certain areas, should we stay clear of lake frontage/back homes because of an influx of Mosquitos etc etc. We have not lived in TX before although we have previously lived on the East Coast.

Thanks for any information you have

iamCraigHenry · 02-09-2013, 05:11 AM

That is such a large question it would be almost impossible to quantify everything that you need to look for. It depends on the home. Before 1978, you have to check for lead paint. Built after 2002, you have to check for double pane windows. Parts of Houston have a rat problem. Termites are a factor. Soil is a factor. Chinese drywall. You have to narrow down the area at least and then an array of issues can be put in front of you. Houston is big. It extends from The Woodlands (I still call this Houston) down to Alvin or Pearland. You have to look at crime statistics (theft, violence, murder, sexual related crimes, etc...). As far as mosquitos, we have them absolutely and they are big. But my mother has a lakefront home and she doesn't have a larger problem in general with mosquitos.

Sorry I couldn't be more of exact help.

Melbourne Family · 02-09-2013, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamCraigHenry

That is such a large question it would be almost impossible to quantify everything that you need to look for. It depends on the home. Before 1978, you have to check for lead paint. Built after 2002, you have to check for double pane windows. Parts of Houston have a rat problem. Termites are a factor. Soil is a factor. Chinese drywall. You have to narrow down the area at least and then an array of issues can be put in front of you. Houston is big. It extends from The Woodlands (I still call this Houston) down to Alvin or Pearland. You have to look at crime statistics (theft, violence, murder, sexual related crimes, etc...). As far as mosquitos, we have them absolutely and they are big. But my mother has a lakefront home and she doesn't have a larger problem in general with mosquitos.

Sorry I couldn't be more of exact help.

Thanks, that's already a help.

We anticipate that we will be looking at either The Woodlands/ Benders Landing/ Spring areas or 77018/77041 & possibly 77396 zip codes depending on the school outcome. Kids will hopefully be at either John Cooper or Awty but my husband will be initially commuting to Baytown and eventually will work in The Woodlands. We prefer to be located within 20-30 min car ride to school & my husband will do the crazy commute to Baytown for the interim. If we end up at Awty he will eventually do a reverse commute to The Woodlands.

Can you think of anything in particular with these areas that would be of concern?

winkosmosis · 02-09-2013, 07:07 AM

Why not public school in The Woodlands?

Lost_In_Translation · 02-09-2013, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winkosmosis

Why not public school in The Woodlands?

Why bother if you can afford private. Most expats can.

EasilyAmused · 02-09-2013, 07:15 AM

If you end up at Awty, his reverse commute wouldn't be all that horrendous back and forth to the Garden Oaks area from TW, if he leaves by 4pm. Living in Woodlands to Awty is definately going to be a hard drive. And for events of the middle of the day, you'll find yourself stuck away from home or driving non-stop.

If you end up at Cooper...well then that's where you'll buy, and he is going to be driving for a while..... A lot of driving. However, You could rent centrally, and reverse commute to the school, while he's on the Baytown route. buying up there when transfers up.

ToyYot · 02-09-2013, 07:17 AM

Get the usual inspection done then add in a termite inspection, an engineering firm to check the foundation. Ideally there should be at least 6" of foundation showing above grade. If its an older house or there are lots of trees on the lot you may also want to have the sewer drains tested for leaks.

Don't buy a house where the backyard faces west unlesss there are A LOT of shade trees or you might as well write off your backyard for six months of the year, pool or no pool.

Check what the taxes are per year, some of the newer communities are very expensive.

I'm sure there's more!

ToyYot · 02-09-2013, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

Personally, I'd wait to see what school you get into before buying. perhaps rent centrally untill that is worked out

This is good advice for a number of reasons, not just the commute or the school run.

ToyYot · 02-09-2013, 07:20 AM

Oh, forgot to mention the faults, don't buy on one of those!

Melbourne Family · 02-09-2013, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDFP

Get the usual inspection done then add in a termite inspection, an engineering firm to check the foundation. Ideally there should be at least 6" of foundation showing above grade. If its an older house or there are lots of trees on the lot you may also want to have the sewer drains tested for leaks.

Don't buy a house where the backyard faces west unlesss there are A LOT of shade trees or you might as well write off your backyard for six months of the year, pool or no pool.

Check what the taxes are per year, some of the newer communities are very expensive.

I'm sure there's more!

Thank-you BDFP, that's exactly the type of info we are looking for!