Moving to Houston....(Hoa's?)

A friend of ours found a great buy just east of the Grand Parkway SH-99 and south of I-10. Lots of stores, restaurants, etc. in the area. And reasonably priced. I do not know if there is an HOA there.

Unfortunately he died a couple of years ago, and I have lost contact information for his relatives.

The suggestion of a buyers agent is perfect - that is what we did when we returned from LA, CA. Flew in on two weekends - found the house we wanted second trip. Wore the agent out, tho. We were on the road from 8AM till 8PM Saturday and Sunday. Saw lots of property. We have her our explicit requirements - house size, land, view, PRICE-RANGE, general location desired, etc.
She never showed us anything that did not meet those requirements.

Bubba,

ROFL about wearing your agent out! Now I won't feel so bad because I was thinking...geez I'm pretty demanding having such specifics about my purchase...but you learn a lot after buying the first house already so I KNOW what I'm looking for.

Well...we did the math and found out that the Copperfield neighborhood (even with MUD tax) is charged 2.81%. I live in Converse right outside SA and my rate is 3.05% with a $13,000 hike in value for 2007 year PLUS a 500 million dollar bond that went through for the school district I'm in....which would put me about 70 bucks more a month for taxes next year. But even with all that I'm still in a higher tax rate. And so.....although DH and I hate to shell out cash for an HOA...especially close to $500 we decided it would make for a nice community and still be about equal to what we pay in taxes here but we SEE what we are getting for our money.

Part of this decision came about by finding a house in N. Katy that has a 3.97% TAX!!!! OUCH! I found another place IN HOUSTON that's only 3%. So it's not any cheaper not to have the Houston address. All good things to know.

Not saying we WILL buy in Copperfield but that's where it's pointing to so far. Having an open house at my place this coming Saturday so we are excited for that....though our realtor had statistics and says only 2% of home sales are made this way.

another question Has anyone ever moved using those POD units? We'll have to be out of this place the day we close....and can't close on another place until we have cash from this sale in hand. So although once we have an offer we'll make an offer on a home with contingency ours closes....but still....another closing could take 1-3 weeks I'm told. So our stuff will all have to be stored and I'd hate to drive it to Houston in a U-haul only to have to unload to a storage unit. These POD commercials say they drop the box trailer off at your place, move it and leave it at new place for you to unload OR they can store it at their property until you are ready for it.

I couldn't find a link to them online so I'm not sure how much it costs to rent these. Anyone ever use them?

Butterfly:

Do you know of how the litigation is for the Copperfield subdivision...I know they have like 6 different HOA's there...but in general, many complaints?

I did a search in Harris County for Copperfield, assuming that all of the subdivisions have "Copperfield" in the name. I found only a couple of lawsuits. My computer access is limited at home, but I will be more than happy to do a search when I go downtown. I am doing research for the Legislature and Senate, concerning new laws to protect homeowners.

There is not a link to various lawsuits, I have a membership to Harris County e-docs, plus I go to the District County Clerks office in Montgomery, Fort bend and Harris County to do my research.

HOAs can change direction very fast, without anyone knowing, until it is too late. It is very important to see the Deed Restrictions before you buy, and to get something in writing that states you have seen all of the deed restrictions including any enforceable Architecture Control Guidelines. I would also want to know about contracts with attorneys and management companies, if they are paid by the "letter" that is usually not a good thing, financial incentives to write letters cause most of the problems. Something to look for in contracts is "deferred billing," another financial incentive that is not good for the homeowner.

The best defense, is to get involved, serve on a committee, and meet your neighbors. Starting or joining a garden club in the neighborhood, be part of the "yard of the month" committee.

Butterfly: thanks for all the good info one what to look for! I know from your threads you are experienced in the world of HOA's...thanks for offering to look up more info at the court house as well! it's too bad this info isn't really available on the web.

I live in Enchanted Valley in Cypress, Texas off of Telge and 290. Telge is two exits west of Hwy 6 on 290 and its not as busy as Hwy 6 which you would have to travel on to get to Copperfield unless you came in the back way off of Barker Cypress. Telge hits 2920 to the north which takes you to Tom Ball, Texas. You should check it out. I've lived here alone since 91 and have never had problems with my HOA. They pretty much just want you to ask before you do something like paint, or put up a fence or arbor. The neighborhood itself is in very good taste. No problems with bad kids or dogs running the roads. HOA fees are $350.00 a year but for that we do have a very nice park, that gets locked up at 9PM, a community pool with club house and a night security guard on patrol every night. Maybe that's why we have no crime. I feel they really take care of us. Oh, the Cypress fire department is right up the road on Telge, not more that two blocks...I think this is a big plus. The high schools, junior high and elementary schools are right at the intersection of 290 and Telge. When my kids were still in school they road the bus, another good plus. Taxes here are 2.8% and you do have to pay mudd. Plus you need flood insurance as well as hazard. Its a bit costly to live here but I think its worth it.

Daisy

Daisey,

It was sounding WONDERFUL until the flood insurance part. I know Houston suffers from a lot of flooding but I'm looking to not be in a flood plain. So if anyone knows an area I am looking at floods just say so....otherwise I can just find out from the realtor before looking. Thanks for the info!

Please be aware that Houston has no zoning laws. Therefore if you live in a subdivision with no HOA, you can have some real problem neighbors that you can't legally do a thing about. Problems I've encountered were a man running a garage from his home with junk cars everywhere including the yard, oil driiping engine on a hoist placed on his sidewalk for weeks, another running a landscaping business with all the assorted mowers, machines. trucks and worker cars parked curbside daily and yet another who owned an operated two dump trucks. These spent every weekend parked in front of my house idling, with the hoods raised while they worked on and washed the trucks. And yet another neighbor operating a day care center out of her home. The HOA worked very hard to do something about these properties, but it takes tons of documentation and lots of money for legal fees before something can be done. I solved the problem by selling my house at a loss and moving into a subdivision with very strict deed restrictions. I wouldn't recommend anyone living in Houston without a strong HOA. But that's just my opinion based on my experiences.

crow:

wow, your experience really puts things into perspective! i wonder what SA zoning laws are? we have a brand new HOA and people still doing what you suggest (but we're brand new...and I heard there are 8 lawsuits pending already). we have the lady with the daycare, the guy with the big commercial truck that beep beep beeps out of his driveway every morning at 4 and another down the street that every few days literally has his SEMI TRUCK parked on the main drive into our neighborhood...though there are no homes ON that street, just side streets shooting off of it.

i had only considered how people might decorate their yards or homes, etc...and figured should it not branch over the property line i wouldn't care...but i clearly see your point! luckily for me then there are almost all HOA's in Houston.

i wish there were a way to research when looking up homes wether they have an HOA. my listing for my home for sale tells you there is one.

Tir, A qualified realtor will know all about the area he/she is selling. If he/she doesn't, get another realtor! What Crow. says is so true and even in areas w/HOAs sometimes there are those who will not conform. We who do have the HOAs pay enough money to it to expect good representation and if we don't get that we complain and/or vote the people who run it out of office. A lot of times todays homes don't have garages big enough to hold the cars the owners drive so these are left in the driveway and/or in front of the house where guests should park. At our house there is barely enough room for 2 cars to park on the street so if we have a crowd those cars end up in front of other people's houses. Not an ideal situation but our neighbors are very accomodating as they have to do the same when they have lots of company.

Ann

crow & Ann: good comments.

Our HOA is a body of elected residents just like you and me who we delegate to help oversee the smooth function of our community. They unburden the individual of mundane, necessary tasks and remove so much stress from the homeowner's life. Ours provides 24-hour private security patrol to its residents to keep our neighborhood and its homeowners safer. The HOA keeps our streets and their lighting in top condition. They endeavor to design, plant, and maintain our esplanades. Groups of volunteers were out hanging lights and erecting our Christmas displays this weekend for the communities’ enjoyment. Someone monitors the streetlights, and other mechanicals for working efficiency. They monitor disease borne pathogens and mosquito infestation issues with the City and County and regulate our needs for spraying programs which are privately contracted for a nominal fee through the HOA. HOA has liaisons with the local police, fire station and other city services to keep us informed and in good stead with our emergency services. The HOA contracts with BFI to for trash pick-up at our door so we do not have trash cans on the street.

It would be unfortunate to miss the many good benefits of an HOA due to the influence and undeserved bad reputation given them by those who may have run a foul of their restrictions, or that may have incurred unpleasant experiences. Such is not the prevailing custom. Lawsuits to force compliance with ANY deed restriction only serves to siphon off the community’s budget intended for their greater good. One lawsuit could terminate our security patrol program budget. The whole community must then dig deeper to replenish such squandered funds. Our HOA works FOR the community’s best interest and squandering our limited fees for frivolous activity is not why we elect them.

petit: I love your whole last paragraph...it serves to highlight exactly what I had hoped for in an HOA and it is rather disgusting to watch our funds not provide us anything as they take people to court for things as silly as not mowing your lawn. I wish others could see it as you have.

petit, You are indeed fortunate to have such a benevelent HOA. When the job is "outsourced" to one of the management companies, things can be a bit different.

I, too, want a good looking neighboorhood, but some consideration for vacations, and weeks of rain or drought need to be in their outlook. I'm not against the concept of the HOAs, just some of the execution by overzealous members.

When they go after lawn control, but ignore the fact that some homeowners have not complied with fencing, or other mandated directives, "what'cha gonna do?"

HOA fees are another annoyance - everytime we change "service companies" we go through the same issues - lots with no permanant structure pay 1/2, but that never gets passed to the new company. And, as was documented by a local news channel, some cannot be contacted - they only have a PO Box - no real address, no phone number.

Some HOAs are so restrictive on paint and ornamentation that there is NO character to the neighboorhood.

Bubba: good points there to! I hate for every home to look like the same box. Our HOA is outsourced because there aren't many homes built here yet so we get to reply to a PO Box. Luckily they have a phone and fax. One neighbor opted to not pay any dues last year or this because of like you said Bubba:

Fly Girl..Don't you find The Woodlands very expensive??..Maintenance fees and trash??..I have a girlfriend who lives there and wants to get out!!...Consider moving further North..I live on Lake Conroe which is north of Houston and not too big of a commute...it's north of Spring...Jeanne

I hear it is pricey but didn't you have a thread of your nice home seeking landscaping ideas flygirl? In which case I recall the home was gorgeous!

Someone told me about a neighborhood close to there: northampton and it gets pricey on down to reasonable with beautiful homes on large lots.

I use to Live in "NorthHampton"..back in 1980's...very good schools...better price on your homes than the Woodlands..the ones in the front are the older homes..very big..very nice..In the back they built Tons of New Homes and have a golf course...there was some flooding there several years back in the new part..so when you go to look...Please inquire...someone told me they fixed that problem but I want you to beware...the older part up front has never flooded..Also, you can Drive up Kuykendahl Coming from 2920 towards the Woodlands and there are tons of new Subdivisions there...I use to live off Kuykendahl in "Wimbledon Country"...I moved further North because the traffic was getting bad on Kuykendahl with so many Subs being built...now everyone wants to move out here..LOL...Jeanne

jeanne,

i read about that strange street: kuykendahl in a real estate ad for a home, it was listed as a plus, "close to kuykendahl" and I had NO idea that was a street til I looked it up on a map.

actually I found the PERFECT website for areas that are in 100 yr flood plains in houston. i will use that to see if the homes i've researched are in them before driving all over the NW area on friday. thanks for the tip about northampton though.

You are so welcome..little bit of Trivia...A hundred years ago when I was a Hairdesigner I use to Coif "The Matriarch of the Kuykendahl's" Hair..LOL..the street was named after them...very sweet lady..I don't know what part of Houston you'll need but I am only about 20 minutes from the Woodland's Mall...but they have built wonderful shopping centers out here and I haven't been to that Mall in Years until my Cousin from London was here last month and we always go there for him to complete his Shopping list for his loved ones back home......I moved to Houston in 1978 and just tired of the Traffic...I love it out here on Lake Conroe....Jeanne

I don't have any other place to compare it to, it's the only place we've lived in Texas, we moved from Tulsa. We love the area, for us it's worth the money for all the extras here. My dh works in The Woodlands so he rides his bike to work. I love the trails, we haven't had any problems with our HOA, very little chance of flooding, I like the zoning where there's not a gas station or strip mall on every corner and never will be, you rarely see trash along the sides of the streets, it's just a clean and pretty village, it's not a city or town.

I think there are many nice areas around Conroe and Houston too, you'll find the area that's perfect for you and your family, there are a lot of choices out there.

When we first moved here I thought Kuykendahl had an 'r' in it, that's how it's pronounced.

TNN, I had posted some pics of nice houses by the golf course in a gated community....that was a dream home, not my neighborhood.......maybe if I win the Lottery lol.

TNN,
With all the building in the Houston area lately, it seems like the flood plains have changed, too. No telling where it will flood anymore! Those in the 100yr floodplaing flooded first the last time it rained hard! Sheesh!

Gym girl is correct...changing the land by building subdivisions and new roads has been the culprit of rerouting the water and creating new flood areas...that is what Happened to the back of North Hampton..they didn't think it out too well
LOL..Flygirl...so many people pronounce it Kurkendoll but it's pronouced Kykendahl ...it's a Dutch name...I got tired of correcting people..LMBO!!...and you are correct...Woodlands is just that WOODS...all the shopping centers etc are hidden behind woodlands...I use to get lost until I figured out what was where!!...and they decorate it so beautifully at Christmas time and the wonderful wildflowers thrown out all along the main streets for Spring!!...OH yea and don't forget the "River Walk" created at the Woodlands Mall to emmulate the one in San Antonio...there is alot of wonderful restaurants,shopping..something really funny tho that you should know...the stores prices are higher than other parts of town...I remember going to shop at Krogers and noticed everything was marked up more than the Kroger in Spring...convience can be expensive..IMHO...Jeanne

If
Tir's DH is going to work near 8 and I-10 isn't the Woodlands area a little far? Incidentally, here at the beginnings of Katy (Fry & I-10) we are good and high and dry and have many, many, many of those dry ponds just waiting for big rains and I have yet to see any of them w/any water standing. I think my DDH says that we are in a 100 yr. flood plain. I know that we don't get the rains that the east and northeast part of Houston/Harris county get. I don't know our elevation but I do know that east/northeast Harris county get a LOT of flooding - Sims Bayou and all that - and we just don't.

Ann

Beltway 8 and I-10??..She might wanna check this site out to get her Bearings!!
http://www.texasfreeway.com/
She mentioned Spring which of course makes ya think of The Woodlands and North...with the beltway and he travel far without much time...isn't that the same as Sam Houston Toll Road??..

Copperfield and surrounding area well out of 100 year flood plan--If you desire federal flood insurance (which is always wise no matter where you live) you will get the cheapest rates in the county--I've had it here for 12 years--never came anywhere near needing it but its only $159 a year in this area.

Editted to change that amount, just looked thru the mail and next year's bill was here.

This message was edited Nov 29, 2006 6:07 PM

Here is a great site to see where the flood zones are. And since I don't plan to buy in new areas the zones should reflect about the same as still marked on these maps.

http://www.efloodmap.com/

I mentioned Spring because it was suggested to me early on. But we had already decided it was to far. Ann is right on the mark about the location and we are looking NW area and from the looks of pricing it will likely be in a Houston zip and not a place like Katy.

But any other areas I can learn about will help once we live there...we'll know where the great places to visit are.

You are all so great to keep posting ideas for me!

Copperfield and this area has never flooded in the 20 yrs I've lived out here.

DMJ,

Yes, I know. I think that's a nice area.

Tir_Na_Nog, I live in a very nice sub just south of I-10 close to Beltway 8 and Westheimer. Our sub has a lot of 3 and 4 bedroom homes, back door garbage pickup, security patrol, tennis courts, swimming pool, children's playground, close to shopping and restaurants and quick access to the toll way. We've been here for three years and love it. With all our amenities, our HOA fees run about $500.00 per year, most of that going to a dedicated constable who's actively patrolling the sub 18 hours a day. The sub is mixed with a lot of original owners plus a lot of younger couples with kids buying in. You can see pics and prices of homes listed all over Houston on website HOA.com (Houston Area Realtors). It's easiest to check by zip code. Mine is 77042. Hope this helps you some.

Crow,

Thanks for the info on your neighborhood! I almost busted a gut about the HOA.com. I thought, FINALLY a site that tells you what neighborhoods have HOA's? Hehe. I see a lot of HOA's charge a lot of money but they do provide a lot. I'm glad to get this info today as tomorrow I'm exploring Houston. Thanks!

Opps....the link brings up this:

http://hoa.com/

I looked up 77042 on har.com though. WOW...with no criteria entered it brings up some gorgeous million+ $ homes!!!

My HOA Fees at Wimbledon Country was $500 a year..I love mine now ..I only pay $250 a year...auto insurance is cheaper..home insurance is cheaper..everything is better once you get out of Harris County..just thought I'd mention that...Harris county is expensive!!..Jeanne

Jeanne,

I've no idea what to believe! Honestly I have heard just yesterday that Fort Bend and Montgomery counties were more money than Harris!!!! This from a CraigLister in Houston.

But regardless I have checked the taxes on hcad.com when I find a home that meets my criteria (and due to the area I'm looking and maybe my criteria they all seem to come up in Harris Co.) and I am just happy that it is less than I am paying now. Even WITH MUD districts! (Another new concept to me). And someone told me not to live in Mud district but I think that would be okay to...eventually it would come off your taxes anyhow and then it'd be MUCH less than what I still pay here on the outskirts of SA.

My taxes are 3.05% and the appraisal goes up 10 grand or better per year since the area is expanding so quickly. Most of the homes I've looked up range in between 2.81-2.9%. But then I must also figure in the high HOA dues most neighborhoods have....which puts me back at what I pay now BUT I can finally see how my money benefits me (HOA amenities).

Craig is wrong!!..My years taxes at Wimbledon Country (That is Spring Texas but still in Harris County...we were in the MUD district as well there) was over 5K a year....mine here are 4200 a year( I am still in a Mud District)..My House insurance is 800 a year...My home in Wimbledon was only 200 sqft bigger and my home insurance was 1,200 a year...My new house is 2505 Sqft...built 1996 My two cars..one still paying on and one paid for ..full coverage is 1,050 a year..I was paying alot more in Harris County..I live in Montgomery County..I don't know anything about Fort Bend
Is Craig a realtor?

Wow Jeanne,

Thanks for sharing specifics, that helps even more. Our home insurance is only like 600 bucks (we opted not to have the foundation insurance though). Our auto insurance is $1452 for 2 vehicles full coverage (a 2000 and then a 2005). Our taxes are a little over $3600.

Craig's isn't a realtor. It comes from a site that is available in a lot of towns... www.craigslist.com and on this site you can look up ads for your local area (you can post an ad for free to) and it's kinda like ebay...you go on there and can buy things...but since it's local you can pick up your stuff instead of mail it. Kinda like an online garage sale. I found it when I was hunting up baby items for my firstborn and I got some great deals. Well I went on the Houston area one to ask where are good neighborhoods to move to in Houston and the reply I got yesterday (sorry I was mistaken) was that Ft Bend was more money to live in than Harris or Montgomery.

Since I can check the taxes online for properties you do bring up a good point: to find out insurance rates. I will avoid the flood zones so that should help some on that cost.

Let me introduce you to Katherine Maher's
http://www.lake-lady.com/page/index.cfm?CFID=9712086&CFTOKEN=94074905
and also click on the link at the top called "Our Area"..she has some great links...she is very nice and sells homes in other parts ..not just where I live
Don't miss clicking on the Houston Map on Mapquest..you can click on areas and the map moves...When you say beltway 8 and 1-10..do you mean over like at Galena Park and Channelview Area..or are you talking about SamHouston Toll Road 249 and 1-10 where there is Missouri City and Sugar land??...Jeanne
http://www.lake-lady.com/page/houstonmap.cfm
above link is for Houston Map..great map

Jeanne, not sure on area...would have to ask spouse.

Tir, I had a Lupus moment. The website is HAR, not HOA. Sorry about that. Too many H abbreviations for my tiny mind to sort.

She's talking about the Memorial area.. I-10 west and the Beltway.

Thanks Marylyn! I get it all confused. DH says he'll buy me a navigation system once we move--ROFL!

LOL Crow! Thanks for the update!