Buying home in Houston, I know, read old post but still concerns arise!!! (Sugar Land: lease, HOA)

[Xocho]

Hello City-Data Houstonians,

My husband, 19 month old boy and I are looking to buy a home in Houston and believe me I have done my homework and exhausting research in every blog, forum and real state website (i.e. HAR) I could find but what I really would like to know is (not paying any attention to school zoning) with a mortgage total top of at least $1200 with no MUD's and HOA's where we could buy, that will be safe and have quite streets for us and specially my little boy to live and enjoy for at least the first 5 years before he starts school or better said, High School down the road.
We are trying to build up our savings for a better place later on and would like to save as much as possible since we moved last year and just getting the hang of this extra hidden taxes as well as high interest rates, etc, etc. My husband's job is off of Post Oak and 12th st and we are currently renting in Spring Branch area, Which we really like but is way out of our budget right now and also old constructions.

Please advise about areas if you are so kind and/or know any within the criteria, my husband is willing to travel 30-40 min ea way daily if the price fits our purpose.

Thank you all in advanced.

[Schumacher713]

Neighborhoods with HOAs appreciate better. HOA's are a very good thing. I don't know why people have such a negative view of them. They protect the neighborhood from idiots. As for loans. I have a buddy at Wells Fargo. He says basically all banks will give you the same rate based on your credit, income, etc...

You also need to tell us your budget. I am guessing since Spring Branch is way out of your range you are talking 250Kish? I would say Katy or Sugar Land is your best bet. Sugar Land to the Galleria is the fastest.

[cheryjohns]

Originally Posted by Schumacher713

Neighborhoods with HOAs appreciate better. HOA's are a very good thing. I don't know why people have such a negative view of them. They protect the neighborhood from idiots. As for loans. I have a buddy at Wells Fargo. He says basically all banks will give you the same rate based on your credit, income, etc...

You also need to tell us your budget. I am guessing since Spring Branch is way out of your range you are talking 250Kish? I would say Katy or Sugar Land is your best bet. Sugar Land to the Galleria is the fastest.

Yeah, in a city without zoning, HOAs are what keep the neighborhood residential.

If the OP's mortgage tops out at $1200, with everything (I am assuming insurance and taxes) - then budget is $140K-$150K.

[trbstang]

If that is the criteria, good luck. Homes close by are either too much or not in the best areas as you've found out. I know people talk bad about Hwy 290 traffic, but the closest you will probably find that is not in a bad part of town would be by me off Hwy 290 and Beltway 8. They will have a MUD and a HOA, but there are several good neighborhoods off West Rd. Winchester Country is one with homes in the $100K-$170K range that are in a well maintained area, because they have a good HOA and the MUD is not an expensive one (0.72 tax rate). I think Houston city water is more expensive than out by me and the City of Houston taxes are 0.64 . Even though the homes are about 15-30 yrs old, they are kept up pretty well. The schools are good ones in Cy-Fair and lots of shopping is close by. The commute will be probably 45 min in peak times, but it is something to at least consider. You will get the safe, quiet streets and nice neighborhood. Windfern Forest is another neighborhood to consider. There are other nice areas in that price range,(Copperfield) but they are further out.

Good luck!

[Meyerland]

Is your budget about 150,000? How high can you go?

You can try to find a home in West Memorial in Katy. It has a good elementary, decent Jr. High, and good highschool. This is the only area you will find what you are looking for in your budget.

I don't think they are in a Mud district, but I may be wrong.

175,000 can get you a home in Nottingham Country occasionally.

If you up your budget to 200,000 you can find some in Cinco Ranch or Pine Mill ranch

[Kiovo]

Cinco Ranch or Pine Mill Ranch you might be able to find a home for $200k but that's not going to include MUD or HOA. Our first home 10 years ago was $150k and with MUD, school, and property taxes and around 5% interest rate it came out to a around $1400 a month not including HOA. There are a few neighborhoods around the 1093 and 1464 area (West Oaks Village, Grand Mission, Lakemont, Mission Sierra, Twin Oaks, and also some close to 99) that will have homes from the $110-150k range that will fit your criteria. It's a growing area with plenty of amenities close by. There's actually a lot of cute little neighborhoods off 1464. That area is really changing and developing.

[Xocho]

Originally Posted by Schumacher713

Neighborhoods with HOAs appreciate better. HOA's are a very good thing. I don't know why people have such a negative view of them. They protect the neighborhood from idiots. As for loans. I have a buddy at Wells Fargo. He says basically all banks will give you the same rate based on your credit, income, etc...

You also need to tell us your budget. I am guessing since Spring Branch is way out of your range you are talking 250Kish? I would say Katy or Sugar Land is your best bet. Sugar Land to the Galleria is the fastest.

Oh don't get me wrong I don't dislike them, it is just for right now we would like to avoid them 'till we are more established and ready to deal with extras in our "not to go crazy" budget for this first 5 years and like for right now at least pay comfortably within 1,000-1,250 total monthly mortgage (including taxes, ins, etc.)

Thanks for info though.

[Xocho]

Originally Posted by cheryjohns

Yeah, in a city without zoning, HOAs are what keep the neighborhood residential.

If the OP's mortgage tops out at $1200, with everything (I am assuming insurance and taxes) - then budget is $140K-$150K.

You've got it cheryjohns, we would like to keep it close at that but if worth it and no HOA and MUD then we would not mind topping $170k.

[Xocho]

Originally Posted by trbstang

If that is the criteria, good luck. Homes close by are either too much or not in the best areas as you've found out. I know people talk bad about Hwy 290 traffic, but the closest you will probably find that is not in a bad part of town would be by me off Hwy 290 and Beltway 8. They will have a MUD and a HOA, but there are several good neighborhoods off West Rd. Winchester Country is one with homes in the $100K-$170K range that are in a well maintained area, because they have a good HOA and the MUD is not an expensive one (0.72 tax rate). I think Houston city water is more expensive than out by me and the City of Houston taxes are 0.64 . Even though the homes are about 15-30 yrs old, they are kept up pretty well. The schools are good ones in Cy-Fair and lots of shopping is close by. The commute will be probably 45 min in peak times, but it is something to at least consider. You will get the safe, quiet streets and nice neighborhood. Windfern Forest is another neighborhood to consider. There are other nice areas in that price range,(Copperfield) but they are further out.

Good luck!

Thank you trbstang, I would definitely do that (look into those)
I don't know much about Houston or my Husband, but with this info we would more like it to get on the right track since our lease is up by November and Holidays closing in by then, we are definitely getting a head start now. Better safe than sorry. Thanks again.

[Xocho]

Originally Posted by Meyerland

Is your budget about 150,000? How high can you go?

You can try to find a home in West Memorial in Katy. It has a good elementary, decent Jr. High, and good highschool. This is the only area you will find what you are looking for in your budget.

I don't think they are in a Mud district, but I may be wrong.

175,000 can get you a home in Nottingham Country occasionally.

If you up your budget to 200,000 you can find some in Cinco Ranch or Pine Mill ranch

Thanks so much for the info, unfortunately this area zip 77450 ranges from 394K-2M and nothing under West Memorial.