How much it cost to build a house on a waterfront lot in Galveston, and local builders to build it? (West: for sale, HOA) - Houston - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

slingster · 09-16-2010, 06:59 AM

I'm planning to purchase a waterfont lot in Galveston and build a house on it. I have no idea on how to start, like finding a builder, etc. I've search the web but so far did not get much info. Basically, I would like a 2000 sqft house on stilts. The total cost of the house alone should be no more than 200K, is that possible? Thanks in advance.

fordlover · 09-16-2010, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slingster

I'm planning to purchase a waterfont lot in Galveston and build a house on it. I have no idea on how to start, like finding a builder, etc. I've search the web but so far did not get much info. Basically, I would like a 2000 sqft house on stilts. The total cost of the house alone should be no more than 200K, is that possible? Thanks in advance.

Look into insuring it. You'll be surprised what Texas windstorm (TWIA) will require when building a house on the gulf coast. After you find out all the requirements to be able to insure it, if you still want to go thru with it, then you can find your builder.

Oh, and there are tons of builders in the area who've not built a house with the latest requirements, so don't rely on your builder to 'know it all'.

Felixmp · 09-16-2010, 02:42 PM

Find the owner of that one house in Gilchrist that made it through Hurricane Ike and use the same builder as him.

westres1 · 09-16-2010, 02:49 PM

There are so many homes for sale in Galveston currently...you might find a great deal on a resale.

momof2dfw · 09-17-2010, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by westres1

There are so many homes for sale in Galveston currently...you might find a great deal on a resale.

Agree. I could not believe how many we saw earlier this week for sale. Another thing to consider is if the OP is only going to use it as a vacation home they might look into the condos there. I know several are having auctions on units they have that are not sold. One is right on the beach at the end of the Seawall. Looks like a really nice resort w/ the pools and lazy river too. I believe it is called Diamond Beach. I don't believe a total cost of $200K is going to cover getting a house built property on the gulf. It might but it is going to require doing things on the cheap and a small house.

slingster · 09-17-2010, 11:21 AM

Thanks guys. The reason I want to build it is because I can get a great deal on a very nice lot that I've been eyeing for so long. Galveston condos are out of the questions because of the ridiculously high HOA rate. For example, the monthly HOA rate for the cheapest Diamond Beach Condo is close to $700, which is typical for similar establishments on the island. I will not be surprised if those expensive condos will eventually go bankrupt, similar to the Endeavor highrise condo in Clear Lake, which HOA fee is also around $700/month for the cheapest. The per month HOA cost for an average condo there is around $300-400 but still that's crazy.

RCH99 · 09-17-2010, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slingster

Thanks guys. The reason I want to build it is because I can get a great deal on a very nice lot that I've been eyeing for so long. Galveston condos are out of the questions because of the ridiculously high HOA rate. For example, the monthly HOA rate for the cheapest Diamond Beach Condo is close to $700, which is typical for similar establishments on the island. I will not be surprised if those expensive condos will eventually go bankrupt, similar to the Endeavor highrise condo in Clear Lake, which HOA fee is also around $700/month for the cheapest. The per month HOA cost for an average condo there is around $300-400 but still that's crazy.

^this all has merit, but as others have pointed out, the budget you've stated isn't realistic if your lot is indeed beachfront.

piyf · 09-17-2010, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slingster

Thanks guys. The reason I want to build it is because I can get a great deal on a very nice lot that I've been eyeing for so long. Galveston condos are out of the questions because of the ridiculously high HOA rate. For example, the monthly HOA rate for the cheapest Diamond Beach Condo is close to $700, which is typical for similar establishments on the island. I will not be surprised if those expensive condos will eventually go bankrupt, similar to the Endeavor highrise condo in Clear Lake, which HOA fee is also around $700/month for the cheapest. The per month HOA cost for an average condo there is around $300-400 but still that's crazy.

Quite frankly those prices are ridiculous. I could see paying those high costs with a nice beach access but for Galveston beaches. NO THANKS.

Yes HOA is amenities but still those condos aren't cheap.

crone · 09-18-2010, 05:31 AM

That condo fee is higher than a 60 year old, doorman building on the Upper West Side. What's up with that?

tconner201 · 04-11-2011, 12:31 PM

We also have a bay lot we are looking to build on, and we built a house on the beach side in 2002. We sold it the fall before Ike hit......although it did not suffer any damage. Anyway, there are a lot of good builders down there but the group we worked with was Alta Vista, and had a great experience. They can give you an estimate of what it would cost per square foot to build and then also consider that you will probably want to build a boat house if you are on the bay or a canal. Your budget may be on the low side but you can just plan your house accordingly, scale it back in size if necessary. Insurance can be expensive, you will need wind, flood, and regular homeowners. Galveston Insurance Assoc can give you a quote on it. Good Luck......its a wonderful place to have a second home!