Back from 1st house hunting trip and I am sold on 77079 area but not sure if we will find the right house/price for us. (Katy: apartment, buy)

[Oskar_Z28]

To OP: We're in the same boat, but just started looking in 77079. We don't need a house right away, but after watching the inventory over several months, I don't think our prospects are that great at this moment. But we'll stick to it for a while to see what comes up over next few months.

Yesterday I started thinking about 77077 for a change if 77079 doesn't work out. True, it's HISD, but there are couple decent elementary schools there, and middle / HS are not that bad (at least on paper). We might look into that. Another option for us is 77055, but that area has same issues as 77079.

Good luck with house shopping. From what you're describing we might be competing for same properties .

[Johnhw2]

West end of 77079, which is in Katy ISD, tends to be more affordable and less in demand than the SBISD zoned part. You get the same proximity to energy corridor jobs and retail etc along with a good school just not as near by nor as well thought of as SBISD. This area is west of around Eldridge along Memorial. I lived in this area for 25 years and enjoyed it vey much. Smaller yards in the Katy ISD part of 77079 which was appealing to me. We lived in Fleetwood, in a alley section which also was a plus in my book.

While prices have risen in this section along with rising demand, the prices are well below the more prestigious part.

Good luck!

[EasilyAmused]

The problem you're having in that category is your competing with builders. They are cash ready and know when they are coming on.

One just came on the market yesterday, Ashford Forest section of Nottingham Forest, in the low 400s. My guess it has three builders and some private contracts already on it. Frankly, I'm surprised it even hit the MLS unsold.

[ToyYot]

It would have been sold before the MLS but the sellers are being greedy. Of course, they'll likely get what they want.

I doubt the builders are looking to spend $400+ to tear down in Ashford Forest.

[EasilyAmused]

Originally Posted by BDFP

It would have been sold before the MLS but the sellers are being greedy. Of course, they'll likely get what they want.

I doubt the builders are looking to spend $400+ to tear down in Ashford Forest.

I know of two that would. Other locations, other than Nottingham West near the Fwy, are going close to five. Wilchester or Wilchester West...nothing seems to stop private custom.

Sellers aren't greedy if they can get what the market will bear. And no one really knows what the limits are around here just yet.

[Maybe So]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

I know of two that would. Other locations, other than Nottingham West near the Fwy, are going close to five. Wilchester or Wilchester West...nothing seems to stop private custom.

Sellers aren't greedy if they can get what the market will bear. And no one really knows what the limits are around here just yet.

Agree.....I think most sellers anywhere try to get the most for a house - it is the largest Financial asset for many. It is the market that dictates price...good ol supply and demand - compounded by schools and prime location. This underscores the need for buyers to do their homework, talk to people who live in the hoods they are buying in etc. Find out te houses before thy hit the market.A buyer has to be ready to pounce. Saying that, there are many who don't want to sell their homes to builders. They would prefer to see someone move into the house and update/remodel. That is why you see so many buyer profile letters attached to offers.

[Oskar_Z28]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

The problem you're having in that category is your competing with builders. They are cash ready and know when they are coming on.

One just came on the market yesterday, Ashford Forest section of Nottingham Forest, in the low 400s. My guess it has three builders and some private contracts already on it. Frankly, I'm surprised it even hit the MLS unsold.

We saw that house last weekend, but didn't put an offer on it. Just small and weird layout for what we need. It was nice, but still needed at least $30K or more work on the inside to make it up to date. At asking price of $200/sq ft, seemed high to us, but I guess that's what the market calls for.

[ptt]

We are in Greentrails still in Houston zipcode but zoned in Katy ISD. I like my area a lot. there are mature trees lining streets , playgrounds, splash pad, swiming pools etc. yet, only take 10-20 mins to Energy corridor. My child attend to one of the elementary schools here and i think teachers and staffs are doing an excellent job.

Recently, a few office building and retail space start building up along I-10 and greenhouse rd. I saw starbuck sign i could not be happier to be able to walk to a coffeeshop!

**someone asked me about expat population in GT i think there are pretty good number judging from the kids at school-- Brazillian, Dutch, Norwegian, Scottish, French, etc.

[Maybe So]

Originally Posted by Oskar_Z28

At asking price of $200/sq ft, seemed high to us, but I guess that's what the market calls for.

Depends on which neighborhood you are looking in....and then location within hood, condition. But yes..."odd" houses (especially non- traditional elevations for area) tend to sit longer. Case-in-point, take a look at what is available in The Wilchesters...non traditional elevations. Those homes would have been sold in a weekend or per-market if a different elevation.

[Oskar_Z28]

Originally Posted by Maybe So

Depends on which neighborhood you are looking in....and then location within hood, condition.

Yep. Agreed. Neighborhood was good, lot was good, overall condition of the house seemed decent for it's age, needed work inside, just the layout wouldn't work. We were ready to pay that or even more for the right house in the right neighborhood. Just this one wasn't it.