Properties in South Padre Island (Houston, Galveston: real estate, HOA fees, insurance)

[ManFromMissouri]

Hi, I'm moving to Houston in about 2 weeks and am thinking of buying some type of condo/rental unit in Padre. I cannot believe how cheap some of these units are VERY near the water. It almost seems too good to be true. I know there are HOA fees, insurance, taxes but the prices alone are enticing me to further investigate the possibility of buying something in the near future.

My question to anyone in Houston or anywhere for that matter is do you have any experience in buying or currently owning one of these properties in Padre? Any management companies to stay away from or things to look out for?

If the real estate picture there truly is affordable and there are few gotcha's, then when they say that Padre is the last affordable coastline may be a true statement.

thanks for your input!

ManFromMissouri

[Indianspringsguy]

You do realize that the area is susceptible to hurricane damage and sand erosion. Both are significant considerations for beach front property, and beachfront property is anything on the island. You get less erosion though on the back side.

[ManFromMissouri]

Sure i do! But the deals are unreal. I wonder if it is so affordable simply because owners know that erosion is going to be a major factor in the next few decades or even the next couple of years. Or, it simply could be that they have overbuilt there recently. It looks like there is a lot of new development going up.

But seriously, we're talking a 2 bed, 1 bath condo, 750 - 1000 sq feet, virtually on the beach for around 200K. I don't know of anywhere else that has that pretty of beaches and is that affordable, anywhere.

Any more comments from anyone? Anyone actually been to Padre who lives in Houston? It looks absolutely beautiful.

Thanks!

[Premont]

It's a beautiful beach, much nicer than Galveston, but it's a long drive from Houston.