Centex Homes in Schertz (San Antonio, Anton: house, neighborhood, to buy)

[texdav]

I personally find that a neighborhood of brick homes doesn't look that good. Althought I will probably buy in a tract subdivision next time;tracts whether venier brick or siding like hardieplank lok like tract homes. Look at a neighboorhood of custom homes and it is apparent.I love the look of a sidng country home with a southern style front porch but that is just me. Look at new england and you will see siding on the most expensive homes that has been treated to look grey sooner. That's just taste.That siding is inferior to brick is just nonsense IMO.No matter what you buy you have to keep it up.

[tj7run]

I do agree, but coming from another state and looking to transfer I find this conversation interesting. Most houses in Oregon have siding with some brick. Even the 1,000,000.00 homes. Solid brick homes here are not sought after at all. I guess it really comes down to a matter of taste and style. Also our weather here is somewhat mild, not really drastic in the summer or winter. Could that infact have something to do with the types of homes that are built in different parts of the US?... We choose to live in the neighborhoods we want to live in, we can see by the neighbors what type of up-keep there is. If keeping the outside of your home is as important as the inside of you house, then it shouldn't matter what siding you have. We have to repaint our house about every 4 or 5 years, and the inside every couple of years depending on wear and tear. Touch ups are done perotically. It's all a part of being a home owner. Personally I do not like the look of a solid brick home, it doesn't have any character, and you can't change the color. Plus, what would be the cost if you wanted to add on to your house? Just a thought!!!

[banker]

Originally Posted by tj7run

I do agree, but coming from another state and looking to transfer I find this conversation interesting. Most houses in Oregon have siding with some brick. Even the 1,000,000.00 homes. Solid brick homes here are not sought after at all. I guess it really comes down to a matter of taste and style. Also our weather here is somewhat mild, not really drastic in the summer or winter. Could that infact have something to do with the types of homes that are built in different parts of the US?... We choose to live in the neighborhoods we want to live in, we can see by the neighbors what type of up-keep there is. If keeping the outside of your home is as important as the inside of you house, then it shouldn't matter what siding you have. We have to repaint our house about every 4 or 5 years, and the inside every couple of years depending on wear and tear. Touch ups are done perotically. It's all a part of being a home owner. Personally I do not like the look of a solid brick home, it doesn't have any character, and you can't change the color. Plus, what would be the cost if you wanted to add on to your house? Just a thought!!!

As to brick or masonry homes on the west coast...they are much less common due primarily to the numerous fault lines and earth quakes. Siding can flex where brick is brittle and can make a minor earthquake very severe. I used to live in Monterey CA and have relatives that live in Seattle WA and know as you state - there are many very expensive homes out there that have lots of siding.

The north east coast also has lots of siding (shingle style homes are very popular out there - and it is primarily due to the severe winters. The last thing you want is brick that would absorb water (which expands when it freezes) during the fall and then have massive issues with mortar and brick/stone during the very cold winters. If not done right - a brick venered home can be a disaster on the North East Coast. In the South there is lots of brick and stucco. There are many reagional tastes that play into it. Here in Texas - Brick is king - and impacts resale a significant amount.

Some comments have been made about tract homes with brick not being attractive...well that is due to the architectural interest designed in...a big box is a big box - no matter what you veneer it with. And if you are buying in an established neighborhood with siding you can tell right off how your neighbors will take care of their home - and if they do - you have minimal risk in the long term - much like the monte vista area here in SA. But the original issue was a new lower middle class neighborhood in Schertz. When you buy a home that is priced low (anything less than $175K) then you have no idea how your neighbor will take care of his home - there in lies the risk. The trick is finding a neighborhood that is affordable, all brick with lots of architectural distinction and a good variety of one and two story plans - this is hard to do - I know. I looked long and hard to find my community that had those features. One other thing that negatively impacts tract homes is that so many are 90% two story which does not have as nice a look as a community with a good mix of two and one story plans. Again - you have to look hard for. Just my thoughts.

[texdav]

I'd put the stable neighboorhoods with little risk at the 500,000 + range if near a large city.The two story homes is just becuase the lots can't support a large one story without the homes being too close.My present home has homes no closer than 25 ft and that is ok but a minimum IMO. That is why I will buid my next home at retirement as it makes location alot easier.

[banker]

Originally Posted by texdav

I'd put the stable neighboorhoods with little risk at the 500,000 + range if near a large city.The two story homes is just becuase the lots can't support a large one story without the homes being too close.My present home has homes no closer than 25 ft and that is ok but a minimum IMO. That is why I will buid my next home at retirement as it makes location alot easier.

Here in San Antonio - Stable neighborhoods probably start down closer to $300-350K and up. There are many nice stable neighborhoods that have home price ranges of $300-600K. An average price of $400K probably means you are in a stable neighborhood.

[banker]

I just moved out of a community where the houses were between 10 and 15 feet apart and it was horrible. If you looked our your window on the side you couldn't see the sky because the two story house next to my one story towered over us only 10 feet away. Space was something I really wanted and in our new community we will have 20 feet on one side and 30 feet on the other (the offset is due to the three car garage upgrade). It still isn't like the really nice custom home large lot neighborhoods...but it gets the neighbors away so that we can see the sky on a pretty day.

[allylang1]

What neighborhood were you refering to banker?

[banker]

Originally Posted by allylang1

What neighborhood were you refering to banker?

I moved out of Churchill Forest off Blanco Road and am moving into The Quarry at Iron Mountain off Hardy Oak.

[tj7run]

Wow, it will be interesting to say the least to find a good home. We will be spending over the 300 mark, and would like to live outside the city. I've been told NC.

[texdav]

That should fine with the garage on the side.That is alot better than austin prices in that kind of neighborhood. That should also cut some of the"tunneling"noise that is so loud when the houses are close together.