Advice on this home in Katy 77449 ? (Houston, Conroe: section 8, real estate, cheap apartment)

[Tasksgirl]

What are the major drawbacks to this type of home and to this specific area? Why is the HOA so high?

We are thinking of moving to Houston and are looking for a cheap option for my in-laws (who need a lot of help from us but for obvious reasons we would like to have 2 separate homes haha..) We are from L.A. and his family is used to being cramped in small expensive apartments, so I think this home would be a great option for them. It's large enough to give them more space and storage than an apartment but small enough to be low-maintenance and cheap enough for them to afford. They have 2 kids ages 11 and 16. We would live nearby either somewhere in Katy or closer to Highway 6 a bit south of Copperfield.

Moderator cut: real estate company w/MLS listing

[wescovy]

I couldn't see what the HOA fee was, but in general the fee will be "high" if it is a newer subdivision, or smaller subdivision... with less people paying in the pot, you have to pay a bigger piece of the pie.

For example, for a $100k house, I lived in Oak Cliff Place, a quiet (nice) neighborhood in the Hou/Cypress area. 450 homes, 25-30yrs old, we paid $240/yr HOA... pool, park, tennis/basketball court in the neighborhood. A friend of mine just moved to a $100k house in a brand new subdivision up in Conroe, no pool, no park but $400/year HOA fees

For what it's worth, a good house for the money. I know you will have many snub that area, but it is reletively safe and decent. I'd choose it over mission bend any day. I know 3 teachers from Walker Elem, and one from Dureyea Elem (kids went to the daycare I worked at) and they were great, caring folks.

Good Luck!

[Mom2Feebs]

That is a community called Lakeville. It is a neighborhood with high foreclosures. The reason the HOA is high is because you do not take care of the lawn, etc...they do.

I liked the idea, initially, of what Parkside Homes was trying to do--so called "New Urbanism". In fact, many communities around the nation liked their idea so much they not only copied it, they made it better, leaving Parkside in the dust. K. Hovnanian bought Parkside a few years ago. I have no idea if they've improved on the original idea, or if they are still just a glorified Section 8 housing complex.

The community and ideas behind one are only as good as the people who live there. Go drive around there and see what you think. If you see blatant disregard for typical HOA rules and regulations (btw, Parkside was originally supposed to have strict HOA rules), I'd skip it and find a different community.

[cla]

The HOA fees are annual, not monthly (like I have seen them listed on California properties). $325 a year is not high.

[Beto]

Sorry, but Mom2Feebs you are incorrect. The Maint Fee: are 325/Annually.

Originally Posted by Mom2Feebs

That is a community called Lakeville. It is a neighborhood with high foreclosures. The reason the HOA is high is because you do not take care of the lawn, etc...they do.

I liked the idea, initially, of what Parkside Homes was trying to do--so called "New Urbanism". In fact, many communities around the nation liked their idea so much they not only copied it, they made it better, leaving Parkside in the dust. K. Hovnanian bought Parkside a few years ago. I have no idea if they've improved on the original idea, or if they are still just a glorified Section 8 housing complex.

The community and ideas behind one are only as good as the people who live there. Go drive around there and see what you think. If you see blatant disregard for typical HOA rules and regulations (btw, Parkside was originally supposed to have strict HOA rules), I'd skip it and find a different community.

[Mom2Feebs]

Originally Posted by Beto

Sorry, but Mom2Feebs you are incorrect. The Maint Fee: are 325/Annually.

I'm sorry, Beto, what am I incorrect on?

[chris_ut]

That places looks like a cheap apartment on the inside, hardly seems worth it to buy.

[Beto]

They only mow the front yard and $325 is not a high HOA fee.

Originally Posted by Mom2Feebs

I'm sorry, Beto, what am I incorrect on?

[AK123]

Originally Posted by chris_ut

That places looks like a cheap apartment on the inside, hardly seems worth it to buy.

I agree.
Also, that's way out there.

You'd be better off looking at townhomes in a better neighborhood. I have a few friends who live in Memorial Club Townhomes (zip 77079 in Houston) and like it.

[Mom2Feebs]

Originally Posted by Beto

They only mow the front yard and $325 is not a high HOA fee.

Well, okay, uh...so they mow the front yard. I don't know what the maintenance fees are; I went off her assumption that they were "high".

Whatever...