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Bellaire
An older neighborhood that was a little Mayberry right on the edge of Houston. Now it is one of the most affluent neighborhoods
in the area with many of the old original ranch style homes replaced by new construction. Bellaire straddles the west loop, 1/2
inside the loop and 1/2 outside, and adjoins Meyerland and West University. Prices range generally from $350,000's up to the $2-millions.
New 5000-plus sq.ft. mansions mixed with old ranch style 1950's homes, the lot sizes range from 6000 to 1/2-acre.. There are many less than
5 years old resales on the market. Many of the newer homes are Mediterraneans stucco, red brick traditionals or neo-classics. Interiors are
lavish and often include a third story (no basements here). Schools and parks are this neighborhood's pride and joy. Bellaire is really a city
within the City of Houston with police, water department, etc. Its family oriented but so close to the Galleria and Downtown all kinds of buyers
are attracted to these homes which seem like bargains compared to other close in neighborhoods. Bellaire is split by the West loop and bound on
the north by 59. It's very close to the Galleria, the summit and a 15 minute drive to downtown with light traffic. The Medical center is a short
drive too. Shopping and restaurants abound in the Village Area which is in West U and Meyerland is on the southside and offers shopping and eateries.
Video tour of this neighborhood!
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Clear Lake
Located just south of downtown Houston and north of Galveston Island off Interstate 45, Clear Lake is a master-planned community rich
in economic prosperity, education and just plain fun. Originally centered around N.A.S.A.'s Johnson Space Center, the city remains a hub
for aero-space technology, harboring some of the nation's major engineering. With it's expanding shores, Clear Lake has become a hot spot
for entertainment as well. From Space Center Houston Theme Park, where kids can learn about "moon rocks", to the Kemah Boardwalk, a
water-side spot of shops, restaurants and amusement rides, Clear Lake offers something for everyone. For the nautically inclined, Clear
Lake features one of the largest concentrations of sailboats in the nation, with many businesses, restaurants, and neighborhoods equipped
with piers and slips, perfect for docking. In addition to water sports, Clear Lake is a golfer's paradise, providing both public and private
courses. Beyond recreational fun, this community boasts some of the finest schools, most of which are exemplary in standing. The University
of Houston Clear Lake is also banked here, offering a number of graduate and post-graduate programs. When it comes to housing, Clear Lake
offers a variety of homes and neighborhoods as varied as the people who reside in this sea-side community. From traditional family homes on
quiet tree-lined streets to Mediterranean Villas with waterfront views there is certainly no shortage of options. With many homes available
from the low $100's, Clear Lake offers affordable family living, as well as, some high end neighborhoods ranging from $500,000 and up.
Video tour of this neighborhood!
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Downtown
No area holds more potential or excitement in Houston than Downtown. It's been a
long time coming but more residential opportunities are now available in Houston's
central business district than ever before. With the promise of the stadiums now
fulfilled and an exciting night scene in full swing, residential development is
really heating up. Even the more industrial east side is jumping on the residential
band wagon. For sale or for lease, lofts, high rise efficiencies and condo units,
penthouses, new townhouses and historic condo units make up the residential mix
here. You can even own a home on top of the Four Seasons Hotel. Expect to pay $200
to $400 per foot for condos and lofts. Keep in mind that real lofts are pretty rare
in Houston and the term means a number of things to Houston developers but should
always include large rooms with high ceilings.
Unit prices range from 100's to multi-millions for penthouses with skyline views.
And you can expect the Downtown excitement to continue to drive prices up in
surrounding neighborhoods like the First Ward and Historic Sixth Ward. It's all very
exciting, especially since Karen Derr and Associates has been marketing Downtown
homes for over a decade now. We've seen the changes and can help you way all your
Downtown choices.
Garden Oaks
As the name would imply, this close in neighborhood has beautiful mature trees, with winding uncurbed streets and a mix of old and new homes.
Originally developed in the 30's and 40's, charming cottages and large lots make up this deed restricted community just north of loop
610 and very close to the Heights. In fact, if the prices per square foot are too high or the yards too small for you in the Heights,
Garden Oaks just might fill your bill for a close in home. However, prices have gone up in Garden Oaks consistently because of the large
lots and a great elementary school which is an HISD Montessori school - Garden Oaks Elementary. Highly rated Oak Forest Elementary is also
in nearby. Expect hardwood floors and vintage details. Most new construction is traditional but not so many period replicas as in some neighborhoods.
While technically outside the loop, we're talking less than a minute outside the loop and for groceries this area has one of the fanciest Krogers
in the city just up the street on 43rd. Garden Oaks is also home to one of the oldest Sears department stores left in Houston - where Karen Derr
shopped for her school clothes when she was a kid. Prices range from about $200,000 to $800,000.
Heights
A turn of the century master planned community which is largely residential with a few businesses scattered here and there,
the Heights is rich in history. 11th, 19th, and 20th streets are business districts as is Yale, Shepherd and Studewood. Heights Blvd.
dissects the area and is lined with beautiful old Victorian Homes, some of which are now offices. The large esplanade in the center is
a jogging trail & park. Jogging, walking your dog, biking, skating are all popular past times here. Pushing baby carriages is also
becoming popular as young families who don't want to drive in from the suburbs are choosing the Heights more and more. Priced fairly
reasonably compared to some of the other close in neighborhoods, the Heights is a great place for starter homes. This can be deceiving
though. The homes are priced reasonably, but they can be extremely small. The Heights abounds with 1000 sq.ft. bungalows. Charming cottages,
many with 2 bedrooms 1 bath, they are works of art after their owners renovate them and bring them into the '90's. The Victorians are usually
larger but also more in price. New construction is mostly in Victorian or New Orleans style and both old and new are priced from about $150-$250
per sq.ft. with most modern conveniences included. You can find homes from about the highæ $100'sæto about $1,500,000+ with a few very special
offerings over $1-million. 3000 square feet newer Victorian or Craftsman replica will be in the $500,000's to $600,000's on 5000 to 6600 s.f.
lot on a good street. Huge trees and lovely parks add to the charm of the Heights. From the Woodland Heights on the Southeast side of the Heights
you can see the downtown skyline from many 2nd stories. The Heights is very much like a small town in the city. Populated by many of Houston's
artists, the neighborhood is tolerant of self expression. I tell folks considering the Heights to bring a bike and just ride up and down the
streets. We love to look at the different colors people paint their homes. There seems to be a cat on every porch and sometimes you'll spot
an art car or restored antique car. It's that kind of neighborhood. Five minutes to downtown, the Heights has been a great investment in the
recent past and seems to see no decline in sight. It still has some seedy spots here and there but they are our seedy spots and some are Heights
landmarks. Small shops and galleries make up the business areas along with a few very good restaurants. Since much of the Heights is dry
(no booze sold due to an old ordinance still in effect), you'll have to B.Y.O.B. or venture outside the dry area for a drink. The Heights is
a truly a unique old neighborhood that is now a wonderful place to call home in the heart of the city.
Video tour of this
neighborhood!
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Idylwood
Idylwood is a beautiful area just 10 minutes south of downtown off south I-45. Many call it "Little West U." because it's architecture & style are
reminiscent of it's pricer knick-name-sake. The area has been very well maintained, has winding streets & is situated on a small hill that
drops down to buffalo bayou. Idylwood has the look & feel of someplace other than typically flat Houston. Many people that started looking in
the Heights wind up here because of the price difference. and Gulfgate Mall is under serious renovation & that's a definite plus for Idylwood.
Prices range from $175,000 up to $400,000+.
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Kingwood
A master planned community north on Highway 59. It is in the Humble school district and is marketed as "The Livable Forest". With a population
of over 40,000. it's a immense but still a beautiful natural setting because of the abundance of green areas which buffer the homes from the streets
and each other. Miles of jogging and biking trails and an elementary school in every village has made Kingwood a great family neighborhood for over
20 years now. Homes are available from the $100,000 to around $1 million. New homes start in the mid $100,000's and go up. 20 years ago Kingwood was
way out of town with the nearest mall probably 15 miles away. Today there is plenty of shopping and great restaurants right in Kingwood. The nearest
mall and cinema is less than 10 minutes away and the Woodlands mall is a short drive cross Montgomery County and well worth it. The airport if only
about 15 minutes which makes this a great home for business travelers. Country properties appear pretty quickly once you get north and east of
Kingwood so there are plenty of places to board horses. Lake Houston is accessible from Kingwood and Lake Livingston is a short drive. The development
has two country clubs with golf courses plus one public course and several others within 20 minutes. Houston is truly a golfers paradise. Lots are
generally 1/2 acre for estate homes but much smaller in general. One pre-Kingwood village called Forest Cove has larger lots and horses are allowed
but the homes are quite old. Many are updated so if a lot of space between neighbors is your dream, its worth a look. The kids in Forest Cove still
go to Kingwood schools. The drive to downtown from Kingwood is 25 minutes with no traffic, about 40 in rush hour. It is also a good choice for
executives working on the east side of Houston and Channelview too. Let me know if you would like to receive a video telling you more about Kingwood.
Lindale Park
Lyndale is just a stone's throw to downtown on the northern side, inside the loop. Many clients ask us where are the next up-and-coming neighborhoods?
Lyndale is always on our list of places to watch and invest. With lots of bungalows and brick cottages neatly arranged on east to west running streets,
the feel is very 1940's. Roofs are high peaked and interiors almost always feature hardwood floors. You'll find the prices enticing with many listings
in the 100's. Most homes are larger than 1000 s.f. so they're a nice change from the little bungalows bringing high prices in other parts of the inner
loop. Prices range from the mid $100,000's to the mid $400,000's with a few special homes bringing more.
Memorial / Tanglewood
Inside the Beltway but outside the Loop, it is an old and prestigious neighborhood made up of villages some of which have their own police force,
etc. With current offerings ranging in price from $500K's to $8 Million there are many lifestyles to choose from. There are old homes aging from
the 1950's in most price categories with price depending on amenities and land amount. Some are very nicely updated and should not be missed although
anything under $500K very well might be a tear-down. Lots are expensive but many of the homes have 1/2 or larger plus lots. The newer ones with
sizable plots of land are up in price. I'll include here Tanglewood which is very prestigious and where George and Barbara Bush make their home
when in Houston. Tanglewood is very close to the Galleria and in the Houston School District. Memorial is in the Spring Branch School District.
Country clubs and private schools are readily available and since you're virtually in the thick of the city -- shopping, night-life and restaurants
are nearby. But the general feel of Memorial is suburban and almost pastoral. The tree lined streets are winding and the huge trees and landscaping
is beautiful and mature.
Memorial outside the Beltway is getting pretty far west and the prices here reflect that. Although there are many $600,000 up homes, Wilchester and
Westchester go lower (even $350,000's). This area is also mostly in the Spring Branch school district. There is some new construction starting in the
mid to upper $500,000's on the far West. Wilchester and Westchester are around the Lakeside Country club and are comprised mostly of1960's homes on
great streets with large trees. Since Houston has few views (except maybe the skyline nearer downtown), beautiful trees are our natural assets and the
old neighborhoods are really blessed.
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Midtown
After construction started on the Astros' new baseball stadium all areas around downtown experienced a remarkable renaissance. And none were more drastic
than an area just southwest of downtown called Midtown. Several large developers were able to buy huge tracts of land & building has progressed at an
unbelievable rate. Townhouses & Office/home settings are available, Lofts & Townhomes are range from high $100's for 4 year old Perry town homes on the
resale market to the high $500,000's +.æ One of the luxury high rise rental buildings in Midtown has gone condo so units are available there from the
$200,000's and up.æ The building is named the Rise Lofts and it is surrounded by trendy eateries and clubs.æ Just walk out your front door and you're
out on the town.æ Spec's Warehouse Liquor use to be the only reason to venture to mid-town. Spec's is still a destination in itself but the area now
has a Randall's for grocery shopping and the rail runs right through it if you're working at the Med Center.
Video tour of this neighborhood!
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Montrose
Few areas inside the loop are more convenient to all the city has to offer than Montrose. Developed early in the 20th-century,
this area is a mix of beautiful old homes, condominiums and townhouses, and some of Houston's most colorful shops, restaurants and
clubs. Radiating out in all directions from the intersection of Montrose Blvd. and Westheimer, Montrose is made up of several different
neighborhoods, some with restrictions and some sprinkled with businesses. Below $250,000 you'll be looking at small fixer-uppers or condos.
The prices go up from there. Bound on one side by the Museum District and on another by River Oaks, Montrose home prices are mostly about
$150-$250 per square foot. Brick cottages are the rage here as are duplexes and quads - either to convert to large single units or to renovate
as high-end rental properties. The new construction in the area is mostly 2 or 3 story town homes due to the high value of lots. Prices start
at around th mid $300,000 for new. Whether you want historic charm or urban sophistication, Montrose is a great area to live and play in. It's
also a very short commute to the Med Center, Downtown or Galleria.
River
Oaks
Perhaps Houston's most prestigious neighborhood, native Houstonians especially will take notice of an R.O. address. Characterized by wide, oak
lined streets and beautiful mature landscape, River Oaks Boulevard and Kirby Drive are the main thoroughfares and are graced with beautiful
large estates. Home of the Azalea Trail and the River Oaks Country Club, River Oaks is nestled between the Galleria and Downtown. Memorial
Park is just to the North. The upper Kirby Business District and and West Gray areas provide many of Houston's trendiest restaurants and
boutiques. For mall shopping the mother of all malls - the Galleria is very nearby. Homes were built here back to the 20's but there are
new homes available also. Prices range from $1Mil to multi-millions. Land is precious here since the homes are huge and take up lots of
room on the lot. The lower priced homes are of course old and located on the fringe but don't pass them all by. Many are nicely updated
and rival new homes for the same price in other neighborhoods. Five minutes to downtown or the Galleria - now that's luxury.
Video tour of this neighborhood!
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Timbergrove & Lazy Brook
Timber Grove and the smaller adjacent Lazy Brook are inside the loop neighborhoods which offer excellent choices in homes if you like ranch style
homes and mid-century moderns or need a one story home. Not that there aren't some two stories here and there, but these neighborhoods were developed
in the 50's and 60's and the lots are large enough to have a decent sized one story and still have some back yard. Neatly laid out, curbed and guttered
streets and large manicured front yards will remind you of quiet living in the suburbs but you're just 15 minutes to downtown. The area has appreciated
steadily over the past decade. It's quieter and less congested, with less new construction than the older urban neighborhoods. Active home owner's
association keep it that way. It is banked by one of the city's nicest hike and bike trails and green spaces including a the newly dedicated 11th Street
Park. Priced from high 100's to 400's depending on size and level of updates.
The Historic 6th
Ward
Like other big cities
that have started revitalizing their
downtown areas, Houston has seen a renewed
interest in nearly all areas surrounding
downtown. Construction of the Houston
Astro's baseball stadium and other
improvements in & around downtown have
made these areas a hotbed of activity.
This renewed interest has led to the
revival of one of Houston's oldest
neighborhoods just 1
minute from downtown -- The
Old Historic 6th Ward. The beautiful
Victorian homes built before the turn of
the century combined with *breathtaking*
views of downtown have lead to
revitalization & restoration of one of
Houston's best kept secrets & my favorite
nugget. This great neighborhood just
*ONE* minute from downtown is still a
little transitional but offers really
incredible values & views. Call today for
more information on the Historic 6th Ward.
Video tour of
this
neighborhood!
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West
University
Inside the loop
and just south of 59 and the Summit, West
University is a great locations if you
work in the Medical Center or just about
any place from the Galleria to Downtown.
As its name implies it's just west of Rice
University. It includes a charming area
called the Village which is a great place
to eat & shop whether you live in West U
or not. The older homes were built here
from about the 20's. Of course there are
plenty of newer homes available too. The
new and the old are all mixed together on
mostly quiet streets arranged formally
running north & south or east & west.
Traditional styling is the norm but there
are some contemporaries - this is a very
popular neighborhood so you'll see a
little of everything. West University is a
village with its own police. Several other
neighborhoods not in the village are
adjacent and similar in price and history.
These include Southampton, Southside Place
and Boulevard Oaks. Prices just seem to
keep going up but the close proximity to
everything would indicate that there's no
end in sight for the popularity of West
University. West U almost reminds me a
little of the East Coast - kind of
Connecticut with more humidity. Its very
much like a village and the some of the
old homes were very cottage-like. The new
construction is getting bigger and bigger
and some people complain they take the
whole lot, which is true. Still, West
University has much in its favor. Prices
go from the mid $300,000's (old ones in near
original condition) to $2,000,000's (new
or old fabulously updated).
Video tour of
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neighborhood!
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Woodlands
A master planned community north of Houston on I-45, it is a wonderful place to live, far removed from the urban jungle.
Miles of green belts and trees hide the thousands of homes built here over the past 20+ years. Looking for a beautiful
new home with excellent shopping, good schools, golf, tennis, university center, work, hospitals, lakes, hotels, concert
hall, parks all hidden by beautiful pine trees? -The Woodlands is for you. Master planned for families, you'd be surprised
how many people work here, too. The drive to downtown and the Galleria is made tolerable by the Hardy Tollway which takes
off just south of the Woodlands. It's still probably 50 minutes to downtown in rush hour but remember the Woodlands is pretty
far out. It's in the Conroe school district and Montgomery County. Lake Conroe is a short 20 minute drive for boating and
fishing. Lots of new construction is always available.æ Keep in mind that estimated drive times are from the entrance.
The Woodlands is so large, it can take you 30 minutes to get from back to front. Prices for range from the mid $100,000's
to $1 million+. The Woodlands truly does have something for every one in home choices including retirement options. The
shopping rivals shopping anywhere in the city and if you don't choose the master planned life, country living near by still
has access to all The Woodlands businesses have to offer. Let me know if you would like to receive a video telling you more
about the Woodlands by The Woodlands by mail.
Rural
Conroe
Further north than the Woodlands, Conroe
is a real home town with a rich history
and a beautiful lake near by. You can get
just about anything you want in and around
Conroe in any price range. Its a small
town and the coun try seat of Montgomery
County so you get a sense of community
some other areas lack. They even have a
town square. Out in the country and near
the lake there are many beautiful
properties. One such development is
Teaswood - 3/4 acres and up homesites just
minutes from Highway 45. Horses are
allowed on 2.5 acres and up. Water and
sewer are available with no M.U.D. taxes.
Its gated and has lovely restrictions
against taking out too many trees around
the perimeter of lots so its all quite
cozy and secluded. Like I said, there's
anything you want out in Con roe but the
drive to Houston is pretty far especially
in rush hour - probably 50 minutes to
downtown. There are several schools for
each level including the Woodlands
schools. Another area of interest has the
same schools as the Woodlands but is not
in the Woodlands and allows horses. We're
always looking for areas with options.
East Montgomery
County
New Caney,Spendora,
Porter, Roman Forest. This is the country
but is really the area just outside of
Kingwood to the North. In fact a small
portion of Kingwood is in Montgomery
County. Properties varie here in price
greatly since it is made up of small
developments and totally unrestricted
areas. Two school districts cover the are:
New Caney and Splendora I.S.D.'s. Horse
properties are easy to find and most
homes, even in the subdivisions, are on at
least a 1/2 acre. Many are on much more.
Prices aren't cheap as some people might
think because this area is really quite
convenient to the city. Good homes range
from the 70,000 to about 300,000. You'll
get more home for the money in Kingwood in
most cases but the land is the bonus here.
Sports, F.F.A. and good wholesome country
life are waiting here without a lot of
preasure to comply with any "master
plans". There are several estate lot
additions if you want country with a few
restrictions. There are also at least two
up scale country developments which offer
2 acre lots and allow horses that are
doing quite well because they are five
minutes from Kingwood and a short drive to
the city. Karen Derr & Associates often
has listings in this area because of our
longtime affiliations here and our horse
property specialization. Fort Bend County
This area west and southwest of Houston
and the Galleria actually includes
Sugarland which we'll cover in its own
section. The schools here include Fort
Bend I.S.D. and Lamar Consolidated.
Distances can be far for the country
estates but the drive in is actually nice
with several alternative routes. So if
you're looking for upscale country, it's a
good direction to look, especailly if your
working at Stafford, the Beltway or even
the Galleria. The land is a little more
rolling in places with less pine trees
than the north but some lovely pecan
groves. We've seen some really beautiful
estate homes starting about $300,000+. Ad
on for more land if you're really wanting
big acreage or barns. Many homes out this
way are newer and there are also acreage
lots to build on, restricted just enough
to keep things nice. Even if you're not
interested in horses the country estates
are beautiful and the pastoral setting
seems pristine and calming compared to the
city just minutes away. Magnolia/Tomball
Beautiful country properties, mostly in
Montgomery County, these homes are a bit
more affordable than Fort Bend but more
expensive than East Montgomery County.
Both Magnolia and Tomball schools are well
thought of. Estate type developments with
large lots and horses allowed, lakes,
golfcourses and maybe all of the above in
one development are very common. This area
is West of the Woodlands and sliced across
the top East to West by FM 1488. A country
road when I was a kid, its now a bustling
corridor with beautiful restricted but
country type developments for miles. Pine
trees are thick so everythings green most
of the year - very pretty country. A
little of this area is in Grimes County
and the Southern part is in Harris. Taxes
are generally low as M.U.D. districts and
City taxes are almost unknown here. Compaq
Computer makes its Houston headquarters
here, just South of Tomball.
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