Katy - sub divisions for resale (to rent, houses, buy)

[FTWRunner]

I would second being closer in as far as appreciation goes.

It's possible with such a short time span they may corporate relocation. If so then the numbers are different as the company pays realtor fees, closing costs, has buy back programs or offers a bonus for selling it.

[Sollaces]

The further in you are in Houston, the more traffic you deal with each day. A simple trip to the grocery store isn't so simple anymore.


The further in you go you deal with Harris County and taxes. Stuff to think about.

[Zoo2000]

The 400+ market in Katy is slllllooooowwww. I would get a house in the lower 300s in old Cinco Ranch (i.e. Near Peek and Westheimer ) with a pool. You'll have no trouble selling in a few years and you can something pretty nice and updated for ~330K in the heart of Katyland.

[cheryjohns]

Originally Posted by Zoo2000

The 400+ market in Katy is slllllooooowwww. I would get a house in the lower 300s in old Cinco Ranch (i.e. Near Peek and Westheimer ) with a pool. You'll have no trouble selling in a few years and you can something pretty nice and updated for ~330K in the heart of Katyland.

I agree with this. That price range will move quicker - and "old" Cinco is popular. ("Old" is relative). Schools are good and the commute (if applicable) to the energy corridor shorter.

On new construction - if you possibly need to sell in 2 years - your competition will include brand new construction. Not a good idea.

[LocalPlanner]

Originally Posted by Sollaces

The further in you are in Houston, the more traffic you deal with each day. A simple trip to the grocery store isn't so simple anymore.


The further in you go you deal with Harris County and taxes. Stuff to think about.

Property taxes in Houston are usually lower than in newer MPCs in the suburbs, because MUD taxes are relatively high. Older MUDs may have lower taxes.

I've found Saturday traffic in the outlying suburbs to be a far bigger nightmare than in Houston. Mason Road in Katy on a Saturday? Avoid. The Grand Parkway too.

[Lrm123]

Our primary reason to moving to Katy is because I will have a high schooler and middle schooler. We are relocating through work with commute. My sons plays competitive tennis so we would like to be commutable distance to a tennis academy. In terms or priorities it is:

1. School
2. Commute to energy corridor or tennis academy (have not identified one yet)
3. Not really looking for appreciation, just want to make sure we don't loose money.

Thanks for all the feedback. We really appreciate it.

[Failed Engineer]

The best way to limit your financial exposure is cut your budget in half, or consider the best neighborhoods zoned to Taylor High. Kelliwood, Green Trails. Buying a house with a pool is also a good idea. Maybe find a home with plantation shutters. That's another feature that doesn't increase value of a home but does help it move faster, similar to but on a smaller scale to a pool.

Losing money for you (in 2 years) will have a lot more to do with transactional costs as opposed to price fluctuation. 6% of a $600k home is $36k. It's basically impossible for a suburban Katy home to increase in value enough to offset that selling cost in 2 years. You will lose money. 6% of $400k is only $24k. I'd say that's impossible too, but maybe ever so slightly less impossible. Your real dollar loss will be less on the cheaper home, though.

I think the more I think through the numbers, you are probably better off renting, unless you get a home for well under market value.

[RedOrDead_YNWA]

Originally Posted by Sollaces

The further in you are in Houston, the more traffic you deal with each day. A simple trip to the grocery store isn't so simple anymore.

True.

We are in Museum district now and we have to plan our shopping/errands trips like a military incursion.

We are moving to the suburbs of Richmond and every time we go and look at our house being built, I almost get giddy realizing that HEB/Sam's/Walmart/Target are all within a 6 minute drive, on roads that don't look like a dried up river bed, with maybe 2 stop lights, and I won't have to plan the trip to avoid rush hour.

That's how I know I'm ready for the 'burbs, I get warm and fuzzy thinking about trips to Target, lol.

[LocalPlanner]

Originally Posted by RedOrDead_YNWA

True.

We are in Museum district now and we have to plan our shopping/errands trips like a military incursion.

We are moving to the suburbs of Richmond and every time we go and look at our house being built, I almost get giddy realizing that HEB/Sam's/Walmart/Target are all within a 6 minute drive, on roads that don't look like a dried up river bed, with maybe 2 stop lights, and I won't have to plan the trip to avoid rush hour.

That's how I know I'm ready for the 'burbs, I get warm and fuzzy thinking about trips to Target, lol.

See my comment above. On many outer suburban thoroughfares, it's no traffic paradise, especially Saturdays.

[Sollaces]

Mason in Katy is always busy. I can't remember the last time I've been on it - I avoid it. There are other ways to get around traveling on it and ways to avoid the Grand Parkway/SH99. There are back roads.


Now with the tennis stuff -- Do your research on the schools and which school in Katy has a better program. Then move to the neighborhood you love and can live with for that school. Obviously I don't know anything about tennis locally. Maybe someone else does.