77079 (Houston, West, Howe: buying a house, buying, schools)

[EasilyAmused]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

However, there is a totally remodeled one on Queensbury that's within your price range. To give you an idea of what you can do with another house.That one is rather nice. Is it too small or do you need a 5th bedroom? Future garage additions are always an option.

oops. Just went sale pending...Maybe our OP got it

[meers]

Haha..no we didn't get it. That was the one I mentioned "bidding wars" about :-)

We are trying to be in Wilchester/Rummel Creek Elem. and Memorial Middle neighborhoods, which cuts down the available house list even further. On top of that we do not want to get 2100 SF house.

We will just have to hang in there and wait for the our hosue to pop up :-)

[City Love]

Originally Posted by meers

Haha..no we didn't get it. That was the one I mentioned "bidding wars" about :-)

We are trying to be in Wilchester/Rummel Creek Elem. and Memorial Middle neighborhoods, which cuts down the available house list even further. On top of that we do not want to get 2100 SF house.

We will just have to hang in there and wait for the our hosue to pop up :-)

Just be sure to be proactive about the search!

[meers]

I am trying real hard to be proactive! The houses just don't stick around more than a day or two--the good ones. At this point I just need to know who all are planning to sell and start knocking on their door ;-)

ANother question I had is -- Is this area worth all this? I love the area for how it looks and ofcourse the schools are great. My husband and I keep going back and forth whether we should keep pursuing Memorial West or just forget about the area and move west. Its an emotional roller coaster..who would have thought!

[Lost_In_Translation]

Originally Posted by meers

I am trying real hard to be proactive! The houses just don't stick around more than a day or two--the good ones. At this point I just need to know who all are planning to sell and start knocking on their door ;-)

ANother question I had is -- Is this area worth all this? I love the area for how it looks and ofcourse the schools are great. My husband and I keep going back and forth whether we should keep pursuing Memorial West or just forget about the area and move west. Its an emotional roller coaster..who would have thought!

Given your very specific school search maybe so. Meadowood and Nottingham are very good schools also and spring forest is a fine middle school but with your aim you might have better luck in cinco ranch finding a house quickly with schools you'll find acceptable for your budget. Otherwise patience is a virtue and make sure your agent is in a group that knows where the pocket sales are happening else you'll probably keep being frustrated.

[City Love]

Originally Posted by meers

I am trying real hard to be proactive! The houses just don't stick around more than a day or two--the good ones. At this point I just need to know who all are planning to sell and start knocking on their door ;-)

ANother question I had is -- Is this area worth all this? I love the area for how it looks and ofcourse the schools are great. My husband and I keep going back and forth whether we should keep pursuing Memorial West or just forget about the area and move west. Its an emotional roller coaster..who would have thought!

It is! I've had a client look for over 1 year trying to find the right home in the area. First they thought about remodeling, then they decided to purchase a remodeled home. They finally fell in love with a $520k 1 story, 4 bed ranch home in 77024. Which did receive several offers.

Just keep at it and make your best reasonable offer on the home(s) that you really love. It's a seller's market in the area.

[EasilyAmused]

^^^

Pocket Sales and Listings are probably the majority of your problem. People don't have to go through the hassle of putting the house on the market, they just tell their agent friend they want to sell, and to only bring a serious buyers to view the house. The minute a contract comes in they hit the MLS...sold in a day.

Hopefully your agent gets those pocket listings.

Anyway, it's up to you if you think it's worth the hassle. But guaranteed, if you don't someone else will. Hang in there, most listings come on the market in March and April. But unlike farther out, you still won't have 100's to chose from.

[meers]

Thank you all!
EA - you mentioend remdoeling..in general, how much does it cost to remodel a kitchen and bathroom? Just a ball park, I realize there are different components to each remodel.

[EasilyAmused]

Originally Posted by meers

Thank you all!
EA - you mentioend remdoeling..in general, how much does it cost to remodel a kitchen and bathroom? Just a ball park, I realize there are different components to each remodel.

Depends on the grade of material. But you can create a nice master bath, gutted to the studs, with new lights and plumbing, granite and high end flooring. Tub and separate shower with glass surround for about 10-15k. Nice secondary baths with same scenario, just with basic tile floors, and it will just have a tub/shower combo.. from 8-10k. Most of the master bathrooms in the area are not huge caverns of wasted space, which allows you to put in some good product.

Kitchen. That's a tough one. It could range 8-35k+ depending what you do to it and the condition the old kitchen is in. But the best thing about the area is that you would feel comfortable remodeling a very nice kitchen with Viking/Wolf/Subzero without worrying that you've over spent. Most people I know do put about 20-35k in the kitchen/mudroom areas. Most likely you will have to upgrade the electrical panel for the house, so that will also be about 5k.

Working with a cost plus contractor helps keep the budget more reasonable as well.

Main thing about remodels is that you have to budget for surprises. You could find anything when you open up the walls. If the house needs a new hot water heater, AC unit or roof, bid accordingly.

[stratfordspartans]

I grew up in 77079 (hence my screen name) and have fond memories... I now live in Katy in a house built in late 2000s. I don't think I could move into an older house or pay $200+ per sq ft for a newer remodel. The school's in katy are just as good if not better than Spring Branch. I heard my alma mater (Stratford) has somewhat gone downhill since my days. If you work in the energy corridor, I would suggest taking another look at Katy area (south of I-10, east of Grand Parkway).