Cross creek ranch vs Trails of Katy? (Houston: houses, neighborhood)

[taezdhaar]

Hi All

We are a young couple with an infant looking for buying our first house in Katy. Our home search has come down to two houses that are both move-in-ready. One is Pulte in Trails of Katy. This 1-story home features a lot of upgrades and has a wow factor to it. The builder is not willing to budge on the price much. The other is a 2-story Perry home in Cross creek ranch and we are getting a good deal in it. Perry is more house at the same price without some of those nice upgrades. We like both houses, but are mostly inclining towards Trails of Katy because of its location (easy access to I-10). We both will be working in Energy corridor, hence Trails of Katy will be approx. 30 min commute each way; while Cross reek ranch could mean adding another 10-15 minutes, and going through 1463 during rush hours. We want to make sure that we buy a house that holds its value and is easy to sell around 10 years down the line.

Would appreciate any advice on builders and both communities. Could we regret buying in Cross creek ranch (if we decide to) because of the commute?

Thanks!

[KenzHou]

What are the upgrade features in the Pulte home that the Perry home doesn't have? Your choice will depend if location is most important in your home purchase. Perry homes is a well regarded builder, and more desirable than Pulte. Not that Pulte is bad, but Perry has a strong reputation for building solid, well built homes around Houston. So appreciation will likely be higher and resale will be easier. I'm a fan of Johnson Development communities and their strong track record, so I would go with Cross Creek Ranch.

[KenzHou]

Also, hopefully you have a realtor that can assist you with price negotiation.. there is always room for price movement.

[oespinoza83]

If you plan on staying for 5+ years, then go with CCR. The 1463 expansion has been delayed until 2018, but it will eventually happen. There is also a new section of Cane Island Parkway/Expressway/Road? that will connect 1463 just after Firethorne (heading north) to connect to I-10 via a direct ramp. Once that is complete, and then the 1463 expansion, traffic will be much smoother imo.

[96tahoe]

I agree in the long term you will benefit living in CCR because of the location and developer. The roads will be expanded for easy commute in the next year or two.

[LocalPlanner]

[quote=96tahoe;47962762]I agree in the long term you will benefit living in CCR because of the location and developer. The roads will be expanded for easy commute in the next year or two.[/QUOTE

"Easy" for a couple years anyway. How long did congestion-free travel on the expanded Katy Freeway last?

[96tahoe]

Not long! That's why flexible work schedules are great If you can be up and going by 0530

[Jana K]

As far as quality of homes go, Perry easily has the better reputation. The thing that bothers me about Trails of Katy is that it is almost too close to the freeway. I was in that neighborhood yesterday and i think you will be hearing the noise all the time. I would at least go over there and listen at night and different times during the day.
On the other hand, the traffic from Cross Creek is horrible and will be for years to come.

[96tahoe]

The RV dealership kind of blocks the noise from I-10. That's the other eye sore about Trails of Katy is that it is directly behind an RV dealership.

[Houston321]

Not much of a comparison if you ask me. CCR by a long shot.