Best area to live near IH-10 and Beltway 8 under $350K

[moojaabee]

Originally Posted by FTWRunner

It's provided by Spring Branch ISD. For some reason the majority of the kids at Valley Oaks Elem go on to attend Spring Branch Middle but a small area zoned to Valley Oaks Elem goes to Landrum Middle. These kids then go to Memorial High, while the majority of Landrum Middle goes on to Northbrook High.

So Spring Branch ISD has worked out transfer agreements with some HOAs and communities for a guarantee transfer to Spring Branch Middle allowing them to stay with the same peers they attended elementary with and will attend high school with.

That makes sense. Thanks for clarifying this for me.

I am looking at Reserve at Mortiz gated community. Is this place any good? It's similar to Villages at Spring Branch.

[FTWRunner]

Originally Posted by moojaabee

That makes sense. Thanks for clarifying this for me.

I am looking at Reserve at Mortiz gated community. Is this place any good? It's similar to Villages at Spring Branch.

As far as I can tell, from the one time I drove through it, it appears to be a sweet little community. There are no community amenities (ie a pool, etc) and I'm not sure how much of a yard those homes have. I don't know the quality of builds that CalAlantic Homes produces, but it is probably the best deal in area as far as new construction and being zoned to a good elem and high school.

The Reserve does have direct access to a nearby park and neighborhoods for walking/biking. Curious if they have the same agreement with Spring Branch ISD as the other communities do as far as middle school goes, but you could ask.

The Long Point Fault does cross through The Reserve but it appears the developers have taken it account by placing drainage culverts and green space where the fault lies. Keep in mind it is a slump fault, meaning that while the fault is active the offset changes are in inches, not feet, and the deformation zone is only about 20'-80' wide (depending what side you are on). As long as your house is not built directly on the fault it shouldn't be an issue. The developer should be able to provide you with a geologic survey of the community.

If schools aren't a huge issue there is another David Weekly community at Silber and Westview called Westview Manor. The homes there start at the same price point as Reserve at Mortiz. It seems to have the same amenities as the Village at SB; a pool, HOA covers yard work, trash and water. The area is safe but not as walkable as it is located near two busier roads vs next to a neighborhood.

Westview Manor - City Home Series Houston TX Home Builder, New Homes | David Weekley Homes

[moojaabee]

Originally Posted by FTWRunner

As far as I can tell, from the one time I drove through it, it appears to be a sweet little community. There are no community amenities (ie a pool, etc) and I'm not sure how much of a yard those homes have. I don't know the quality of builds that CalAlantic Homes produces, but it is probably the best deal in area as far as new construction and being zoned to a good elem and high school.

The Reserve does have direct access to a nearby park and neighborhoods for walking/biking. Curious if they have the same agreement with Spring Branch ISD as the other communities do as far as middle school goes, but you could ask.

The Long Point Fault does cross through The Reserve but it appears the developers have taken it account by placing drainage culverts and green space where the fault lies. Keep in mind it is a slump fault, meaning that while the fault is active the offset changes are in inches, not feet, and the deformation zone is only about 20'-80' wide (depending what side you are on). As long as your house is not built directly on the fault it shouldn't be an issue. The developer should be able to provide you with a geologic survey of the community.

If schools aren't a huge issue there is another David Weekly community at Silber and Westview called Westview Manor. The homes there start at the same price point as Reserve at Mortiz. It seems to have the same amenities as the Village at SB; a pool, HOA covers yard work, trash and water. The area is safe but not as walkable as it is located near two busier roads vs next to a neighborhood.

Westview Manor - City Home Series Houston TX Home Builder, New Homes | David Weekley Homes

I never knew about "long point fault line" until you told me. Thanks for this information!
Maybe it's better to avoid this area all together? I don't like taking chances with my house when I can avoid when I can.

It keeps me thinking now.

[FTWRunner]

No reason to avoid the area, just do your homework. The fault has been well researched and mapped, hence why you ask for a geological survey.

Typically the homes that were built directly over it were back in the 70's and 80's.

[moojaabee]

Okay, I will do some research on it. This is interesting..

[crone]

There are fault lines all over the county. Some more pronounced than others. Google it. There is a map. I found it a couple of years ago.

[Failed Engineer]

I looked extensively at homes in 77079 a few years back and after talking to a lot of people experienced in the area, the general consensus was that unless the structure was directly on a fault line, you were ok. The house sharing a property line with a home on the fault line is 100% okay.

But don't buy on the fault line. Absolutely deal killer.