Buying a new construction Homes in Houston (Katy, Richmond: houses, theatres)

[rrsam]

I am moving to Houston from Midwest before winter 2021. I need honest response from you guys about buying new construction homes in Richmond or Katy. I am an Indian origin and my preference is closer to groceries , temples , restaurants, Hospitals. what about the price range - I find around 270-280K for a midsized homes in these areas. How to find out which areas are flood prone. Any useful tips from the local residents will be appreciated. Thank you

[mojo101]

I live in RICHMond in Fort Bend county,but right off FM1093 which takes you right into Houston ,FM1093 turns into Westheimer Rd where you would find anything everything you need-grocery stores HEB,KROGER,Phoenician (Middle Eastern/European,lots of Basmatri rice),Fiesta(latino grocery)Whole Food,restaurants,Lowe,Walmart,Home Depot ,theatres,
You should have no problem finding a decent house in your price range,it would be 2 storey house,2 car garage and a large backyard.
Property tax would be lower than Houston,but most are in a subdivision,so you pay annual fee like $600 /year.
we have high school and grade school within walking distance,a shopping center anchored by Kroger.
dont know any temple.
Flooding-yes,our area flooded during Hurricane Harvey

[WRM20]

Originally Posted by mojo101

I live in RICHMond in Fort Bend county,but right off FM1093 which takes you right into Houston ,FM1093 turns into Westheimer Rd where you would find anything everything you need-grocery stores HEB,KROGER,Phoenician (Middle Eastern/European,lots of Basmatri rice),Fiesta(latino grocery)Whole Food,restaurants,Lowe,Walmart,Home Depot ,theatres,
You should have no problem finding a decent house in your price range,it would be 2 storey house,2 car garage and a large backyard.
Property tax would be lower than Houston,but most are in a subdivision,so you pay annual fee like $600 /year.
we have high school and grade school within walking distance,a shopping center anchored by Kroger.
dont know any temple.
Flooding-yes,our area flooded during Hurricane Harvey

If you are in HISD, property taxes are absolutely lower in the city of Houston. I pay $3,000 less per year in taxes than several colleagues who have similarly valued houses in the suburbs. HISD has the lowest rate in the area, and gives a homestead exemption of $25,000 + 25%. Houston city taxes are lower than most MUD's, etc.

[Jtxg]

Originally Posted by WRM20

If you are in HISD, property taxes are absolutely lower in the city of Houston. I pay $3,000 less per year in taxes than several colleagues who have similarly valued houses in the suburbs. HISD has the lowest rate in the area, and gives a homestead exemption of $25,000 + 25%. Houston city taxes are lower than most MUD's, etc.

HISD tax rate (2020) = 1.1331%. Fort Bend ISD tax rate (2020) = 1.24%. Lamar Consolidated tax rate = 1.27% Katy ISD, I assume one of the highest in the region = 1.39% The difference from Katy to Houston school district is basically 0.25%. You may very well pay thousands less in property taxes, but it's not the school district tax rate making the large of a difference, unless you live in a $1.2Million house.

Now the MUD taxes is probably where that difference comes from. Some of the newer communities can have a MUD tax rate around 1%, and possibly a LID tax also.

[WRM20]

Originally Posted by Jtxg

HISD tax rate (2020) = 1.1331%. Fort Bend ISD tax rate (2020) = 1.24%. Lamar Consolidated tax rate = 1.27% Katy ISD, I assume one of the highest in the region = 1.39% The difference from Katy to Houston school district is basically 0.25%. You may very well pay thousands less in property taxes, but it's not the school district tax rate making the large of a difference, unless you live in a $1.2Million house.

Now the MUD taxes is probably where that difference comes from. Some of the newer communities can have a MUD tax rate around 1%, and possibly a LID tax also.

HISD gives an additional 20% homestead exemption, which on my house equates to a near $80k reduction in taxable value, or over $1,000 less in taxes. That makes a real difference. If my house was in Katy, I would pay $1,820 more in school taxes alone.