(Kingwood Builders) Gehan in Kings Mill or Village Builders in Oakhurst? (Houston: sale, HOA fees)

[imadrummer2k]

Tried to search but I couldn't find a thread that was less than a year old.

The wife and I are looking to buy a new home around the 59/Northpark/Kingwood Drive area. Our price range is 180K-220K. We've looked at the Stanford by Gehan in Kings Mill and the Evergreen by Village Builders in Oakhurst. We liked them both, but the Gehan was a lot more house for a lot less money it seemed.

Could the Gehan be too good to be true? We've heard nothing but good things about Village, but not much about Gehan.

Any insight would be helpful. Thanks!

[chris_ut]

I would recommend avoiding Kings Mill subdivision. Although it is in the Kingwood area Kings Mill is not a member of KSA meaning that residents there are not resident of Kingwood and not eligible to get a K sticker and use Kingwood amenities like the parks and boat ramp. Also the neighborhood has been very slow to develop and still hasn't built amenities that I remember being promised 3 years ago when I came through there house hunting. I ended up buying in Oakhurst and have been very happy with my choice.

[Txgal33]

Village gets my vote. Very nice homes.

[lhafer]

Village gets my vote as well. Being in Oakhurst is very good for the commute. One thing to note though is that the school district is New Caney, not Kingwood.

[imadrummer2k]

Originally Posted by chris_ut

I would recommend avoiding Kings Mill subdivision. Although it is in the Kingwood area Kings Mill is not a member of KSA meaning that residents there are not resident of Kingwood and not eligible to get a K sticker and use Kingwood amenities like the parks and boat ramp. Also the neighborhood has been very slow to develop and still hasn't built amenities that I remember being promised 3 years ago when I came through there house hunting. I ended up buying in Oakhurst and have been very happy with my choice.

Well, we're living in Kings Manor right now, so we're not really concerned about the 'K' sticker or boat ramp. Good point about the amenities, though. I've read criticism of Gehan (in other communities) saying that they're paying high HOA fees but the amenities promised have never been followed through on. Something to think about, I guess - even though any time we want to go swimming, we can just go to the in-laws place in the back of Kingwood.

We love Oakhurst, but isn't that technically in Porter? Even has a Porter mailing address if I'm not mistaken.

The Gehan model just has so many more features than the Village model. It really has the 'wow' factor (i.e. media room, HUGE master suite, separate closets) over the Village. But I've heard nothing but good things about Village.

I would be interested in hearing more about Gehan, since they seem to be new to the Houston area.

As far as the commute, Kings Mill is actually closer to 59 than the part of Oakhurst we're looking at.

[Txgal33]

Originally Posted by imadrummer2k

Well, we're living in Kings Manor right now, so we're not really concerned about the 'K' sticker or boat ramp. Good point about the amenities, though. I've read criticism of Gehan (in other communities) saying that they're paying high HOA fees but the amenities promised have never been followed through on. Something to think about, I guess - even though any time we want to go swimming, we can just go to the in-laws place in the back of Kingwood.

We love Oakhurst, but isn't that technically in Porter? Even has a Porter mailing address if I'm not mistaken.

The Gehan model just has so many more features than the Village model. It really has the 'wow' factor (i.e. media room, HUGE master suite, separate closets) over the Village. But I've heard nothing but good things about Village.

I would be interested in hearing more about Gehan, since they seem to be new to the Houston area.

As far as the commute, Kings Mill is actually closer to 59 than the part of Oakhurst we're looking at.

If you think there will be a chance to having to sell your home I place my bets on a higher resale value and quicker sale on a Village than a Gehan. Something to keep in mind.

[chris_ut]

Yes Oakhurst has a Porter address but you can put Kingwood if you want and it still gets delivered. The area of Kingwood around Mills Branch is also Porter. Gehan is the new builder there, originally it was Brighton (who I think may still be there) and Meritage but a lady I know who works for Meritage said they pulled out because houses were selling so slow there and they couldn't get the developer to commit to building out the promised amenities. In my opinion of you buy in Kings Mill your asking to lose money on resale.

At your price range I think you must be looking at The Park right? which can't be more than 5 minutes to 59 even from the back part. I live in Fairways across from The Park and it takes me like 3 minutes to get on 59S from my driveway.

[imadrummer2k]

Originally Posted by chris_ut

Yes Oakhurst has a Porter address but you can put Kingwood if you want and it still gets delivered. The area of Kingwood around Mills Branch is also Porter. Gehan is the new builder there, originally it was Brighton (who I think may still be there) and Meritage but a lady I know who works for Meritage said they pulled out because houses were selling so slow there and they couldn't get the developer to commit to building out the promised amenities. In my opinion of you buy in Kings Mill your asking to lose money on resale.

At your price range I think you must be looking at The Park right? which can't be more than 5 minutes to 59 even from the back part. I live in Fairways across from The Park and it takes me like 3 minutes to get on 59S from my driveway.

Thanks for the info. My wife will be happy to know it's still a Kingwood mailing address.

Is "The Park" part of Oakhurst? I'm not familiar, but the part Village is building on is towards the back. Take the main entrance all the way to the club, then take a left and it's the first right after that. They have 2 models built and I believe they just broke ground on a 3rd.

I wonder how (or if at all) this Earthquest will affect the property values in that area.

[chris_ut]

No, The Park is the section that is the first or second left when you come in from Northpark. I forgot about that section way in the back, but yes that will add 2 minutes or so to your time to drive out of the neighborhood. I forget what that section is called. Houses in The Park would also be in your price range so you might want to see what they have available there, I think they might have different floorplans. The model is the second left after you come in off Northpark.