Looking to relocate with family to Houston. Need some advice. (Sugar Land: mortgage, house)

[kpearce88]

I’m a 30 year old black male and plan to relocate with my wife and 3 kids. I’m in the intellectual property field (patents) as a docketing specialist. I’m looking to move next year. Currently residing in Baltimore, MD. I work in Washington,DC but have a location in Houston so doing my research. Looking to buy next year but don’t know what area to look in. Without giving out too much info on my firm it’s located on Louisiana St. My range for house is under $250k. What areas should I check out? Also any info how property taxes work? All I was able to find is the bill comes in October and due end of January

[descovy]

Property tax is about 3%. A newer neighborhood might creep to 4%, an older neighborhood you might get as low as 2.5%. And yes, assuming you don’t Escrow your taxes, you get the tax bill in October and pay by 1/31.

When looking at a specific house, you can look up the address in the appraisal district
Harris County Appraisal District (Harris Country) for example, and see what the current owner and neighbors pay

Your job is downtown, but your budget is deep in the suburbs. Which will increase your monthly budget in fuel and tolls.

There are gems closer in to town that you can afford, like Jersey Village. Cypress is a maybe. (NW) Fits your budget, but 290 is still under construction up there. Maybe even consider Humble/Atascocita (NE)

Katy (West) and The Woodlands (N) are popular on this forum but are a super long commute to downtown and your budget might not stretch enough to get the house you want.

Overall contender for good schools, house budget, and commute downtown is Jersey Village, IMO

[kpearce88]

Originally Posted by descovy

Property tax is about 3%. A newer neighborhood might creep to 4%, an older neighborhood you might get as low as 2.5%. And yes, assuming you don’t Escrow your taxes, you get the tax bill in October and pay by 1/31.

When looking at a specific house, you can look up the address in the appraisal district
Harris County Appraisal District (Harris Country) for example, and see what the current owner and neighbors pay

Your job is downtown, but your budget is deep in the suburbs. Which will increase your monthly budget in fuel and tolls.

There are gems closer in to town that you can afford, like Jersey Village. Cypress is a maybe. (NW) Fits your budget, but 290 is still under construction up there. Maybe even consider Humble/Atascocita (NE)

Katy (West) and The Woodlands (N) are popular on this forum but are a super long commute to downtown and your budget might not stretch enough to get the house you want.

Overall contender for good schools, house budget, and commute downtown is Jersey Village, IMO

Thank you so much for that info. Don’t know why I thought the taxes could be paid monthly. I have heard of Katy and Sugarland a lot. Just hoping Houston has some patent related jobs. Not opposed to starting a new job.

[swopoe]

Originally Posted by kpearce88

Thank you so much for that info. Don’t know why I thought the taxes could be paid monthly. I have heard of Katy and Sugarland a lot. Just hoping Houston has some patent related jobs. Not opposed to starting a new job.

You can pay the taxes monthly as part of your mortgage if you escrow them. A lot of people do this. I grew up in Baltimore County and have lived in Houston (Sugar Land) for almost 15 years. We are very happy here.

[kpearce88]

Originally Posted by swopoe

You can pay the taxes monthly as part of your mortgage if you escrow them. A lot of people do this. I grew up in Baltimore County and have lived in Houston (Sugar Land) for almost 15 years. We are very happy here.

Wow nice to talk to someone from the area! I’m assuming what is taken out from MD state taxes my cover the gap for property taxes. From what I’ve seen I like Sugarland just out my budget. I work in DC so my commute is almost over an hour. Think I would sacrifice being so close to downtown for a nice house.

[swopoe]

Originally Posted by kpearce88

Wow nice to talk to someone from the area! I’m assuming what is taken out from MD state taxes my cover the gap for property taxes. From what I’ve seen I like Sugarland just out my budget. I work in DC so my commute is almost over an hour. Think I would sacrifice being so close to downtown for a nice house.

It might. It would depend on what you lose in state taxes now. We don’t have state income tax which is nice.

[kpearce88]

Originally Posted by swopoe

It might. It would depend on what you lose in state taxes now. We don’t have state income tax which is nice.

I usually have about $400-$500 a month taken. From what I’ve calculated, I should be good lol

[chris_ut]

Look into Atascocita. Here is a 4 bedroom without a horrible commute: https://www.har.com/u/03e59f2f

This area is near the landfill though.

Eagle Springs a bit longer drive but nicer area: https://www.har.com/u/06C80E4Caf

[kpearce88]

Originally Posted by chris_ut

Look into Atascocita. Here is a 4 bedroom without a horrible commute: https://www.har.com/u/03e59f2f

This area is near the landfill though.

Eagle Springs a bit longer drive but nicer area: https://www.har.com/u/06C80E4Caf

That is beautiful! I’ll look in that neighborhood too. Thanks

[kpearce88]

Anyone know about the Remington Ranch neighborhood? Wife was looking at a house there she liked.