Thoughts on Copperfield? (Houston, Austin, Allen: apartment complex, work, new home)

[brittainylea]

I know I moved because I got married and he had already bought a house here in Champions Forest, but a friend of mine just bought a house in Copperfield. So people are still moving in. There's a ton of foreclosures everywhere, but that's just where the market is right now. Texas is still holding it's property values pretty well still in comparison to the rest of the nation. There's no public transportation in Copperfield, so it keeps the rif raf out. As far as Houston in general is concerned, it tends to get more crime ridden, and littered where there's public buses. And as with any property, updated always increases the value of a home. You don't necessarily have to do granite, but a stone counter in the bath and kitchen is best for equity or resale. You can even have concrete counters which are affordable and really gorgeous, and can be stained any color you like. Update wherever you can, whether it's the floors, appliances, counters, paint, or fixtures. Not only will you enjoy living in it, but you'll never have a problem selling. People tend to lean towards a more modernized, contemporary look when shopping for homes. Oh and brick homes are less maintenance than ones with siding, so they tend to sell a little better. As far as the size, that's where it's not really definite, but anything over a 3 bedroom is great for space. Single family homes require yardwork etc, whereas a condo/townhouse does not. So that's all up to what the individual prefers. Good luck!!

[brittainylea]

oh yeah, and pools are great here in Houston because we live in such high temeratures for most of the year. However, the maintenance can get pricey. It's about 200 dollars a month to pay someone to do it for you. I attempted to take care of ours for about a year and a half, and I must say it's a huge pain. Paying someone is definitely worth it. But you won't regret having one if you live here, that for certain.

[gselene]

I'm a realtor and I just moved into Copperfield, I love it, We looked for about a year before we found the right home. There are actually very few foreclosures in the Copperfield area. The people there are proud to live in the area and take good care of their homes. I would recommend Copperfield to anyone as a Realtor and as a resident.

[EasilyAmused]

[quote=brittainylea;4490450]I As far as Houston in general is concerned, it tends to get more crime ridden, and littered where there's public buses. quote]


Uhh. Wrong Worng Wrong. Due west of downtown is a major Metro line and the highest property values and most expensive hoods in Houston. Buslines and crime DO NOT go hand and hand.

Multiple apartment complexes and crime rates however.......

[brittainylea]

I lived next to the Galleria for several years, if that's where you're speaking of, and had a gun put to my head while being robbed AT MY HOME, and had a man try to car jack me at gunpoint about 2 years after that. I moved away promptly to say the least. So I'm sticking to my opinion (from first hand experience) that just because property values are high doesn't mean the crime would be less. Now drive through Copperfield, and The Woodlands (no buses) and drive around the Galleria, West U., Bellaire etc where there are buses. The difference in cleanliness is obvious. Or you could drive through one of the wards and see how crappy that side of town is. Speaking of...DO NOT MOVE TO EAST HOUSTON. I have to agree also that apartments do contribute a great deal in the nicer neighborhoods.

[Mr. Football]

Looking at a shaded demographic map, the Copperfield cluster has $100K+ avg HH income. They recently re-zoned Langham Creek HS, consolidating all of the Copperfield area neighborhoods b/w 1960/Hwy 6 and Barker Cypress. Many of the starter home communities on the other side of 529 that once were zoned to Langham are now zoned to the new Cypress Lakes HS (which opens this Fall)

Copper Lakes is nice, it sits across the street (Barker Cypress) from the Berry Center. Right next to the Berry Center is Cy-Fair College, which has a major expansion planned. A waterfront retail/entertainment complex with a lakeside amphitheater will go in there as well.

[LJarrett]

Gold Dust,

I'm a real estate agent living in the Copperfield area of Houston. We actually love it very much. The area south of 529 is very commercial ( I think some people called it scary) and there are many rentals in the area. However, when we first moved to the area, we lived in the colonies just south of Copperfield and I have to say that the HOA was very strong. So, I guess it depends on which neighborhood you live in. I wouldn't move to North Glen or Glencairn. The area itself, imo, is not scary, although it does look much nicer north of 529. I think Copperfield will hold its value. There are many homes for sale, but look at the size of the community. The homes are not appreciating quickly, so if you choose to move here, plan to stay for 5 years.
I can tell you that it was difficult choosing between South Katy, Copperfield, Cypress and Champions. We chose Copperfield because my husband oversees an area and Copperfield was right in the middle of his geographical region. Plus, we really liked the "feel" of the neighborhood and all the shopping and restaurants nearby. The Champions area also has great shopping and restaurants and the big trees I love. The draw of Cinco Ranch, for me, is that it is master-planned and the schools are incredible. It doesn't hurt, either, that there are many areas around Cinco Ranch that are experiencing some good appreciation. The most important thing to keep in mind is to live in a community where you won't have to travel in traffic to do the things your family likes to do. I guess we love to shop and eat! I just really like this area and if you need info about any area, feel free to ask.
As far as resale goes, I have to agree with some of the prior posters. I think a nice pool helps sell a house, especially in the suburbs. I have helped many people that will buy one house over another, even though the house wasn't as great, just because it had a pool. Also, buyers like solid surface countertops and upgraded kitchens. This doesn't mean you have to have a $50,000 kitchen makeover. Upgraded baths are nice, too. Also, more and more I am working with buyers who feel carpeting should only be in the bedrooms. So, tile, wood, laminate are good to have in the common living areas. Stay away from anything with a converted garage, unless you can convert it back to a garage. If you buy in an area where there are spec homes that look alike, do something different to the kitchen and baths to make them stand apart from the competition. Also, buyers are wanting 4 or more bedrooms. Or, 3 with a study. Many buyers like gamerooms or a bonus room, especially if there are children in the family. A one-story house is desirable, or a master bedroom downstairs. I just think that with themaster upstairs, you eliminate elderly or handicapped people from looking at the home. You want to appeal to as many buyers as possible. If you live in a suburb, your buyer will more than likely be a family. I would buy something that has 3-4 bedrooms, a study, a large kitchen, a gameroom or flex space and would probably go two story with the master downstairs. If you can afford a pool, great, you will get much enjoyment out of it. If not, make the outside of your home as appealing as possible with landscaping and home accessories. They will add to the value of your home and set it aside from the other homes that are up for sale. The important thing to remember is that if you are adding improvements to your home, you should never overimprove for the area. If, you are at the top of the price limit for the neighborhood, it would be better to stage your home well, than to add an improvement and overprice the home.
Good luck in your search. You are getting good advice on these boards and I hope we've helped to give you a good idea of the area.

[gold dust]

^ Thank you so much for your thoughts, LJarrett!!

[LJarrett]

You're welcome! Do you think you've narrowed it down yet? Is there another area you were contemplating?
I will tell you...don't be scared of the areas south of 529, even though you probably won't buy down there because you can afford to be in Copperfield. There's some great things down there..the HEB (cheaper than Kroger and Randalls), Los Cucos off Clay Road, Bear Creek Park, etc. Some of the neighborhoods haven't faired well, but there are many neighborhoods that are just perfect for the people who can't afford to pay Copperfield prices and they do have HOAs that care. They aren't scary and they aren't crime ridden. Bear Creek, for example, has a Recognized elementary school in the neighborhood, as does The Colonies with Horne Elementary. And there are residents in these areas that have been there forever. I know HWY 6 looks much different south of 529 than it does near Copperfield, but I wouldn't be scared. We came from Austin near Lakeway and although I came from an area that was much more scenic, I've never felt scared by any areas between 290 and I10 off HWY 6. Some people don't feel the same as I do, but that's what's so wonderful about getting different opinions!

[gold dust]

I think Copperfield is going to be it.

I so want to go to that HEB but it is away from the nice area of HWY 6 so I am scared. I am half-tempted to go out to the HEB near Coles Crossing but can't seem to justify the gas expense!!