David Weekley Homes/Pine Forest Green (Houston, Katy: sale, new house, neighborhoods)

[Computergeekster]

We have 20% to put down and think it's finally time to buy with interest rates so low. Our budget is only 180,000 though and we're looking at David Weekley Homes in Pine Forest Green. It is in Houston but zoned to CFISD. Any thoughts on this builder or community? I've read some scary stuff about North Katy here but not sure if this area would be included?

[Houston321]

David Weekley will nickel and dime you to death on upgrades. They claim to be a "quality" builder, but there are many other builders out there that give you more bang for the buck. Ask the salesperson what is an upgrade in the model. I hope you have a couple of hours to go over the list.

[Computergeekster]

Thanks for the reply. We might be better off with a resale. Any thoughts on Deerfield. Copperfield or Riata Ranch?

[Mom2Feebs]

Deerfield Village. It's a TERRIFIC neighborhood, and there are some great deals. Copperfield is also good. When in doubt, stick with established. Pine Forest Green...I just don't think you're going to get what you pay for...and as far as resale, you will sit on the market a LOT longer.

[Computergeekster]

Thanks! Would a home in Pine Forest Green be a difficult sale because the community doesn't have amenities? Any thoughts on the area? I don't know if it is considered North Katy but it seems pretty nice with the country club on the other side of Clay Road and the Deerfield communities. I think the Deerfield CFISD schools are the same: Watkins, Thornton, and Cypress Lakes. Any thoughts on these schools? Our daughter is only two. What about the schools zoned to Copperfield?

[Mom2Feebs]

It's mainly because new houses are a dime a dozen on the north side of I-10. Yes, amenities does have something to do with that, but really it's just inventory issues. It's a great area. When people talk about North Katy in a disparaging manner, they are really talking about certain "pockets" of North Katy. The area of your interest is not in one of those pockets. In fact, that whole Deerfield area is good, 77084 from 6 to Greenhouse is excellent. North of Clay on Barker Cypress you can get into several of those pockets (Northglen, Autumn Run, Brenwood, Windsong, etc) and moving west into 77449 you can hit some of those pockets (Westgreen, Sundown, etc). The good thing about N. Katy is that there are "anchor" subdivisions, established areas that seem to be able to keep it from turning completely ghetto. Williamsburg Settlement, Barkers Ridge, Deerfield Village, Estates at Cullen Park, Bear Creek Plantation, etc are a few of those subdivisions.

I am not intricately familiar with the schools zoned to Copperfield, but I believe the high school is still Langham Creek, and last year I believe they rezoned a bunch of crappy neighborhoods OUT of LCHS so it is supposed to be a LOT better now, back to the way it used to be. Someone else might be able to clarify that.