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Old 07-03-2013, 09:24 AM
 
27 posts, read 58,737 times
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Thanks Meyerland, every bit of advice is appreciated. The High School I'm very interested for my eldest in is the new Tompkins one, and the two Junior Highs that my 12 year old would go to would either be Woodcreek JH or Seven Lakes JH depending on where the rental home is.

Does anyone know if its possible to engage a realtor before we actually arrive so that at the very first opportunity, we could be taken to the homes that meet our schooling requirements and get a rental arranged very quickly. A rental agreement is necessary to enroll the children in school and I want do do this ASAP.

Thanks
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Old 07-03-2013, 09:28 AM
 
536 posts, read 1,062,549 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LJSassy30 View Post
Thanks Meyerland, every bit of advice is appreciated. The High School I'm very interested for my eldest in is the new Tompkins one, and the two Junior Highs that my 12 year old would go to would either be Woodcreek JH or Seven Lakes JH depending on where the rental home is.

Does anyone know if its possible to engage a realtor before we actually arrive so that at the very first opportunity, we could be taken to the homes that meet our schooling requirements and get a rental arranged very quickly. A rental agreement is necessary to enroll the children in school and I want do do this ASAP.

Thanks
Is this a corporate relocation? If so the company will probably have relocation agents that they deal with on a regular basis (assuming a large company). Otherwise, yes you can contact a realtor for the areas you're interested in and start a dialogue although the advice will be generic until you get here as sometimes properties don't stay available for long.
Although buying is cheap here compared to the UK, I think rentals (especially in Katy) are quite expensive.
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Old 07-03-2013, 09:49 AM
 
27 posts, read 58,737 times
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Thanks Cbink, we are moving with a large company and we will have the full offer in writing next week and then enquire about relocation agents. Never having done this before I didn't even know they existed lol. I look on HAR for rentals daily, they do seem to go quickly.

The reason we are renting and not buying is two fold. Firstly, the company pay for our first years accommodation (so I am led to believe, we will find out how much they'll pay next week). Secondly, I was under the impression that an ex-pat is not able to buy a house until they had a green card,which the company will sort out for us.
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Old 07-03-2013, 09:57 AM
 
536 posts, read 1,062,549 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LJSassy30 View Post
Thanks Cbink, we are moving with a large company and we will have the full offer in writing next week and then enquire about relocation agents. Never having done this before I didn't even know they existed lol. I look on HAR for rentals daily, they do seem to go quickly.

The reason we are renting and not buying is two fold. Firstly, the company pay for our first years accommodation (so I am led to believe, we will find out how much they'll pay next week). Secondly, I was under the impression that an ex-pat is not able to buy a house until they had a green card,which the company will sort out for us.
I think renting is a good idea to get to know the neighborhoods I was just forewarning you!

You can buy without a greencard but it's not necessarily a good idea - if you don't get a greencard for whatever reason you own a house but can't live there... Plus, unless the company helps you with getting the mortgage, it can be hard as you will have no credit history here. Go to the site ChocolateBabz listed earlier and check out the wiki on building credit in the US. Well worth knowing when you first move here otherwise it's a steep learning curve! British Expats

And yes, if you're on an expat deal make the most of the free accommodation! (They may well cover private school costs for your kids too for the time you're on an expat deal - be aware if you go that route that you'll lose that once/if you become a 'local' employee )
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Old 07-03-2013, 10:09 AM
 
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Will check out the Brits Expat site thanks.

The company do provide some kinda credit company that help with future mortgage, but i totally agree that its best to rent and try out an area first.

The learning curve has begun, as I said before, eeeeeeek!! This is gonna be some ride
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Old 07-03-2013, 05:31 PM
 
Location: Woodfield
2,086 posts, read 4,130,499 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LJSassy30 View Post
Secondly, I was under the impression that an ex-pat is not able to buy a house until they had a green card,which the company will sort out for us.
You do not need a green card to buy a house but without a green card, if you lose your job, you may have to leave the country in 30 days, so security is an issue but realistically it's a minor one.

If you buy a house within a few months of moving you may be able to use your prior UK mortgage in place of a good credit rating but only for a limited time. Your relocation agent should be able to help.

Otherwise, building credit is the next option and its really not that hard. Get secured credit cards and a car loan or lease, it'll be less than a year before your rating is good enough to get a good rate.
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Old 07-03-2013, 11:00 PM
 
1 posts, read 1,186 times
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Originally Posted by maggie2101 View Post
Welcome to Houston! It is hot here.
welcome, he aint lien..I moved here in houston from Bangladesh in 1995. ur going to love it here im sure, im also from a wet landscape lol. The heat will take getting use to. give it 2 summers and u should be fine.
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Old 07-04-2013, 01:03 PM
 
27 posts, read 58,737 times
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Thank you so much for the above advice. You'll be glad no more questions for today. Going to enjoy the upcoming weekend with my little family and then start worrying again next week.

Happy 4th July to you all!!!

L x
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Old 07-04-2013, 01:17 PM
 
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Katy rezones their schools often, so go to the KISD website to see the zones for next year. We lived in Seven Meadows and loved it. Lots of expats/Brits in there. ( cinco and grand lakes do too) I think Seven Meadows is still zoned to Seven Lakes MS. My girlfriend is a teacher there and loves it. I used to teach elementary in Katy. Nice schools and community...long commute for hubby.
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Old 07-04-2013, 05:33 PM
 
675 posts, read 1,452,989 times
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The areas where you are looking at are great. My little brother is going to be zoned to the new high school and are very excited about it. South Katy has people from all over. Your going to love it. Welcome to Texas.
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