I'm relocating to Houston - finally back in Texas after 25 years. My office is located on Post Oak near the Galleria. Any suggestions on for furnished apartments or condo's? I prefer furnished to avoid buying furniture and having to move it.

Also, my wife and youngest are joining me at the end of the school year. Where should we focus our home search on? Schools are the top priority. Followed by garage and pool. I've been told to look at Katy, Cinco Ranch, Cypress and the Woodlands. But the woodlands seems to be a hell of a commute.

rjm

 

Also look at Memorial as it is more central compared to the other locations given.

A lot depends on your housing budget.

 

My budget is paltry to many, $500k. Does that help or hinder?

 

Memorial is out. Double my budget.

 

There are some nice houses in the 500k price scattered through out Memorial.

Do a HCAD (Harris County Apprasial District) search.

Where will your office be located?

 

My office is located at 1330 post oak Blvd.

 

We live in Cypress where Cy Fair schools are top notch. Not nearly as long of a commute as Woodlands and not as dense at Katy area. PM me, my wife's a realtor and may able to help.

 

If you have basic financial sense and don't mind some work, go to www.har.com. Almost every home is listed on the website and its SUPER user friendly. If you don't use a realtor you can save 3% on the purchase FYI. I work downtown and would never live in a far out suburb. If you don't mind an older home, I suggest the meyerland/bellaire area, takes <10 minutes to get to Galleria. If you are stuck on a new house or a 3,500 sq ft + house and don't mind commuting, look out in katy, 290, cypress etc...

 

Also if you are for sure buying a home within the next 12 months, I would do it sooner than later as prices are only going up. My advice is to try to find a good deal on a rental, it won't be easy and buy something in 2-3 years when the market has cooled off.

 

Ben, not using a realtor to help with a purchase of a new home is bad advice. You don't "save" 3%. That money paid out of the sale of the home. Buyer is not affected. But buying a home without representation could cost you in the long run.

 

I agree with Todd!

 

This is true! Ive been into real estate most my life and couldn't agree more!! Give Black horses wife a call! Good Luck!

 

Sorry but y'all just aren't right and have been misinformed.

There is 6 percent built into the sales price for commission. If you don't have buyer rep, you can negotiate for three percent off. I've bought three large houses in Houston over the past 6 years.

You can also sell yourself and save 3 percent but selling is a lot more work. I hate that people have been brainwashed into thinking a realtor is free on the buy side. You are paying for it.

 

For the sake of time, a realtor helps immensly. Additionally, there are sellers who do not want potential buyers wandering throught the house with out a licensed realtor. I know that I could have saved myself thousands of dollars selling by owner. But the thought of allowing strangers into the house alone is a deal killer.

Thanks for the help and BlackHorseTurbo, I've PM'd you.

 

As I said before, if you are lazy, too busy or do not have much financial sense, hire a realtor, especially if you are selling. I didn't use one on the buy side for three deals and it saved me over 50000 bucks. A realtor would have added no value as buyside is very easy IMO. I also didn't use one for selling two places and I saved a lot but it was a bit of work.

Not having a realtor does not limit you in any way FYI. Any realtor selling a house will gladly show the house to anyone they think might buy it.