Thinking of buying a house in Chelsea Harbour in Sugar Land... (HOA fees, landscaping)

[goastros]

...what's the consensus for this? Is it worth buying a property 350k+ out there?

[AK123]

You would need to have a realtor give you recent comps, to determine pricing.

But as a non-realtor, what I know about it...

Pros:
- Relatively convenient location in that it's right by Hwy 90, as opposed to some of these large masterplanned communities where it may take you a long time to drive out of the community and on to a highway
- Most homes are on the water or have a water view
- In a good municipal utility district that is in the planning stages of implementing a big landscape/parks/trails bond (FM 1464 should have new landscaping next year, and there will be new trails and parks later)
- I've noticed a lot of the roofs are tile rather than shingle, which I would think is a plus

Cons:
- A little disconnected from central Sugar Land (when Owens Rd ever goes through from FM 1464 to connect with Telfair that will improve, but it may be many years away)
- Not inside Sugar Land city limits, but is touching it and I believe does have service from the Sugar Land fire dept.
- The schools, although good I think, aren't close by
- Small lots/small back yards, but I think many of these neighborhoods where most of the homes are on these fake lakes are that way

[goastros]

Thanks for the reply! The houses there are so beautiful, but they sit on the market for so long it concerns me. I'm hoping I can sell it in the future

[AK123]

Originally Posted by goastros

Thanks for the reply! The houses there are so beautiful, but they sit on the market for so long it concerns me.

They probably sit longer because the lots are small and not as kid-friendly... but like I said, that's what you sacrifice for being directly on water like that.

[goastros]

Thanks for the reply! This is my first ever home purchase, so I don't want to get stuck with something I cannot move in the future. I'm not looking to spend more than 5 years here or so. Any other advice? Thanks!

[gsmj]

Is this what you're looking for in a home AND neighborhood? If so, then go for it. I agree with the other poster's theory on why they sit for so long.

For 350k though I'd have to imagine there are some other "on the water" options out there - especially in Sugar Land.

[Topaz]

I wouldn't buy a house there if you are going to move again in 5 years. Too high a risk of losing money.

[Failed Engineer]

If you are not going to be there 5 years, that's a very bad investment. You will lose money. It's not a bad neighborhood though. Pretty nice IMO.

[MDinTelfair]

Get a Realtor that knows the area.

[eranical]

When I was shopping for a house a friend who lives there told me the HOA fees are exorbitant. He said it was mainly be cause it was a small community the per member cost was high considering the service provided.
And like an earlier post, the water was not attractive with kids in the equation.