First time buyer. Need help!!! (Mission, Mission Bend: crime, affordable houses, neighborhood)

[luizlv]

We planning to buy our first house. We have looked at some pretty affordable houses in the alief area. From what I have read in this forum, the alief area is regarded as a dangerous neighborhood and the alief ISD as academically acceptable at best. I've had friends tell me to stay away from Bissonnet at all costs. Now the general area I'm talking about is Bissonnet near Highway 6. Is stretch of Bissonnet just as bad as Bissonnet between Beltway 8 and Hw 59? What other areas should we consider?

[usc619]

Originally Posted by luizlv

We planning to buy our first house. We have looked at some pretty affordable houses in the alief area. From what I have read in this forum, the alief area is regarded as a dangerous neighborhood and the alief ISD as academically acceptable at best. I've had friends tell me to stay away from Bissonnet at all costs. Now the general area I'm talking about is Bissonnet near Highway 6. Is stretch of Bissonnet just as bad as Bissonnet between Beltway 8 and Hw 59? What other areas should we consider?

Alief is not that bad of an area, just not as lilly as some folks would like it to be. Take a look at Mission Bend or Richmond, you should find some pretty good deals over there.

[texas7]

Check out the crime statistics by zip code or by neighborhood and that might help you also to select a neighborhood.

[westres1]

I would not consider Mission Bend or Anything in Alief. Most likely you will lose property value not gain it. You will also have a hard time selling it if you ever need to. Misssion Bend is crime ridden.

[EasilyAmused]

Originally Posted by luizlv

We planning to buy our first house. We have looked at some pretty affordable houses in the alief area. From what I have read in this forum, the alief area is regarded as a dangerous neighborhood and the alief ISD as academically acceptable at best. I've had friends tell me to stay away from Bissonnet at all costs. Now the general area I'm talking about is Bissonnet near Highway 6. Is stretch of Bissonnet just as bad as Bissonnet between Beltway 8 and Hw 59? What other areas should we consider?

Well if you want west side of town you may want to look in zip 77077. Or even a small section of 77042 called Walnut Bend. The later not having the greatest schools. Most people in that little subdivision have their kids in elite private schools, and afford it by living in little ranch houses there.

[JulieFuelling]

As a Realtor, I would not advise Alief. Property values have plummeted and the schools are not very good.

[newhomebuyer80]

Originally Posted by luizlv

We planning to buy our first house. We have looked at some pretty affordable houses in the alief area. From what I have read in this forum, the alief area is regarded as a dangerous neighborhood and the alief ISD as academically acceptable at best. I've had friends tell me to stay away from Bissonnet at all costs. Now the general area I'm talking about is Bissonnet near Highway 6. Is stretch of Bissonnet just as bad as Bissonnet between Beltway 8 and Hw 59? What other areas should we consider?

I am first home buyer too, just signed the contract. I did some mistakes.

1. Have Realtor with you (make sure who gives back 2% , you can take it off from the base price) - realtor should work with you - not with seller, If you dont know anything , realtor will work with seller
2. Make sure YOU GET THE OPTIONS LIST FOR THE UPGRADES - THIS IS THE KEY POINT - Add all the upgrades you want and start bargaining

Above 2 points are enough to save you over $20K. I lost about $5000 because of upgrades.