rbarz

and now it's a McMansion... 

https://www.google.com/maps/@29.767521,-95.564283,3a,75y,99.87h,93.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sLTU7lscw3aNpOrjKNjvAhw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

How has the building been selling?  Is it worth nearly double the price to be in a "new" remodeled building instead of the 3 older ones right down the street?  WIllowick, Inwood and I forget the name of the other, but they all have "remodeled" lobbies.  

There are just four generalized listings on HAR ranging from $1.4M to $4.4M.  Does anyone know how many have been "sold" so far?

It was a Freddie Mac foreclosure listed at "lot value"

Here are the photos from a previous sale at $354,500

front view; well-known 'Mod' home by William Floyd

And the Foreclosure Pictures

Close date is set for 9/30/11

The last house to sell on Legend lane was listed as "lot value only" and sold for $575,000 on 2/23/09 after 49 DOM. I doubt the true value of that lot is reflected in the HCADs market value. I also doubt $650,000 is the true value. I just hope whoever buys it does not build that monstrosity.

Here is a sweet article on "Tuscan Builders" the builders who were supposedly contracted to build the "munster's" home.

"TIMELESS BEAUTY * AGELESS QUALITY Tuscan Homes is emerging as one of Houston's premiere custom builders. Dedicated to quality and service, this builder takes the bar one notch higher. Average square footages can range from 2800 square feet al the ways to over 10,000 square feet. The company president, Jason Ritchmond targets the customer's in the custom home market over the $300,000.00 range to over $1,000,000.00. "We are set up to service the more discriminating customer, and we work with them so that the entire process is an enjoyment."

Tuscan Homes builds in the Memorial/Spring Branch, Memorial Area, West University, Bellaire, River Oaks, and closely related areas. Tuscan Homes is also considering going into some of the upper end areas outside Houston, such as the Woodlands and exclusive neighborhoods ..."

http://search.har.co...20Shadder%20Way

I like it...

I'd be all of it, only if it had one less zero in it.

In the listing the Agent says, "Home has some storm damage from IKE. This home is a well constructed, built in the 50s,could be repaired and made back into a nice residence."

Just because a home is built does not make it "perfectly fine". There are many reasons why a home could and even should be torn down. I personally live in a home that is built and--looking at photos of it--is "perfectly fine", however I can't wait to tear it down, because the only way to remodel it to fit the lot it sits on would be ridiculous. This one is already damaged and needs a total gut job to be returned to any former glory (if it ever had any). Architectural significance would be the only reason I would want to save it, and this home has none.

After saying that I should clarify that I would rather look at this home (repaired) than some monstrosity "custom" copy of a McMansion a builder throws up in 4 months.

I'm ok with them tearing that one down... I don't see any significance in it. There are probably 10 more in the neighborhood just like it.

I would hope they would not build something like next door, I just do not understand why someone builds a custom home that has almost nothing "custom" about it.

Yeah, there is something about this house that just doesn't sit right with me too. I love a great mod house, but this one is just off.

The problem for me is that it does not seem to be mid-century modern to me. It looks to be in that category called 60s-coke-party-crazy-modern, which is defined by the bar area being at least twice the size of the kitchen.

Hopefully some rooms were added on because the way it sits now is a horrible use of the lot. Although it sits on a large lot the views from the windows are something a patio home would have. And to top it off the location is horrible... you're going to need to be a sound sleeper to deal with the two major streets (although Braeswood is more like a freeway at times), it floods, and it is next door to the most violent area in Houston. Where do I sign up to get on that pending list?

I really like mid-century modern design. Is it OK for me to hate this house?

There was one on Tree Frog a few years back that I think was over $500K. You're right though, I wouldn't consider this Meyerland.

We had a mod of the month in the neighborhood awhile back and it could/should be a great neighborhood. But it is surrounded by some bad reputation neighborhoods, whether or not that's deserved, I don't know. It's part of that "inner ring" between the loop and the beltway that seems to be down these days.

There are a bunch of houses over there that we should know the architects of and don't. Maybe the architects there didn't get a lot of press.

Jason

I remember looking at two homes on Tree Frog Ln... One of them was "flipped" and I remember being shocked that a re-modeler would attempt to sell something for $500k in that area. I believe it sold for something in the low $400s which makes it much less than this house per sf because that home was well over 5000 SF and sat on almost 3 acres. Regardless, Tree Frog LN is in the Black JR subdivision which is a really cool little pocket--it's like you entered a different town when you drive down that bumpy one lane street.

This one deserves it's own topic heading:

http://search.har.com/engine/dispSearch.cf...mp;backButton=Y

This appears to be an impressive home -- and certainly not overpriced considering what's in the package. More attention should be given to this home with respect to it's history -- who's the architect?

I wouldn't consider Bonham Acres to be in the Meyerland market... Anything west of Hillcroft is pushing it and this is west of Fondern. It is by far the most expensive home on the market in the subdivision and if it sold at list price would be the most expensive ever sold in the subdivision.

However, it is a really cool looking ranch (minus the kitchen) on a nice sized lot. Bonham Acres is a nice pocket in the area...

Those 3 spec homes sold for $2.3 million? Were they located right off of Beltway 8?

Sorry, but that simply isn't a $2.3 million neighborhood no matter how many bottles of wine they can manage to stuff into the "wine cellar."

No, 1.5 or so. I was only responding to say that there is still building and selling going on in certain areas. I have no idea what the market is around the "Munster's" new home.

I've gotta laugh at loud at Tuscan Homes. Is this REALLY under construction? $2.3 million in this economy in that location when spec homes all over town are finished and sitting on the market waiting for buyers who don't exist?

Good luck with that!

Three spec homes in my neighborhood sold in the last 5 months...

http://search.har.com/engine/dispSearch.cf...mp;backButton=Y

What in the hell is that crazy thing they are putting in its place?

5050 Woodway has a large fee because it is all bills paid, including Electricity. The fee is something like $0.65 per SF. The buildings averaging $0.40 a SF do not include electricity

In my Jenkins research I found this little street. Turns out 11718 Longleaf was by Jenkins but was either torn down or altered and "remodeled" in 1982 according to HCAD. When I went over there I found this house as well thinking it could be Jenkins or Floyd. I mailed the owners of both houses last year but got no reply.

Today on a whim I typed longleaf into HCAD and sure enough this house came up. Not a lot of pictures, definite teardown possibility, especially considering the listing. I may drop everything tomorrow to get a look at it if I can get a realtor friend to meet me over there.

http://search.har.com/engine/dispSearch.cf...mp;backButton=Y

There is no key at the property to enter the house and the showing instructions ask that no one try to enter the house since it is a "lot only" sale. Else, I would meet you over there to take a look.

Y'aller dumb. This house rocks! I went there and looked around. It's been neglected though. I think the original owner was an artist and recently past away. The outdoor shower has nothing to do with the 1.5 baths mentioned-it's just extra. The landscaping is gorgeous! I agree the interior pics are lame, but I blame that on the realator not really knowing what he's got! Not so great location I agree, but this is truely a diamond in the rough. Go by and look at it during the day. Thanks for the replies! Peace!

This is one of the greatest pictures I have ever seen posted on HAR.com

I personally think the Realtor knows exactly what he's got, I place no one wants to buy, but he did a magnificent job with the description "Wonderful Bohemian retreat. 3-1.5-1 plus an outdoor shower. Ceiling fan. Imagine a forest in the middle of the city. Amazing privacy is provided by this urban forest. No wasted space. The outdoor shower provides hot-and-cold water secluded from neighbors by countless trees and foliage. Easy access to Southwest Freeway. Walk to Houston Baptist University across the street." You know its a tough one when one of the highlights of the entire house is "ceiling fan". Judging from the photos a more fitting description would be: "Nightmare. Caveat Emptor. Investor's Only."

And it's cheap! $199 thou! It'd be a shame to let someone granite counter this one up.

http://search.har.com/engine/dispSearch.cf...mp;backButton=Y

5626 Portal, 77096

It has been under contract since 12/04/08.

Wow, its 60% leased and he can't get a loan...

In Houston, the residential projects Sonoma and The Turnberry are side-lined because there has not been enough pre-sold.

http://search.har.com/engine/dispSearch.cf...mp;backButton=Y

I drive by this place at least twice a week, and just from the street it has some great MCM details, including a butterfly roof.

Looks cool, bummer it backs to Sage.

The price has been all over the place. It was up for sale for 6 months last year starting at $825,000 and slowly dropping to $675,000 before going back up to $684900.

The strangest part is that it went on the market again 2 months ago at $595,000 dropping $5000 every week for 4 weeks until they raised the price to the current $815,000.

Hey all,

We went on a driving tour of memorial yesterday. Sad state of affairs out there! 328 Buckingham is now gone, and 843 Friar Tuck is probably right behind. Had a good time though other than that...

Here's 843 Friar Tuck - real bad shape.

By Ben Koush from the 2005 RDA tour (it was on the peripheral drive by only tour)

328 Buckingham Drive

Liese House

Lloyd & Morgan

1954

By the 1950s Lloyd & Morgan was known mostly for their commercial buildings. However, they continued to design a small number of houses for select clients. The gracious design of the Liese House was one of Hermon Lloyd's finest. The 1 1/2 acre property fronting a ravine allowed San Francisco landscape architect Thomas Church to design what was probably his most elaborate garden in Houston. It is currently in a state of decay and the landscaping has been completely subsumed by weeds and scrub.

it is in worse shape now...

Finally closed... and it was purchased for full price ($385k).

Hope the new owners enjoy it!

Went Option Pending on 5/14 and Pending today 5/28/2008... although I still have to wait at least another 20 days to find out what someone thinks it is worth...

"(Another) challenge will be to find someone who wants a really swank late 60's mod and has access to the money to fix it up."

Conservatively, a house this size and age will likely take between 300K to 500K for a proper renovation (i.e. infrastructure, insulation, roofing, window replacement, etc.).

"

Wow, conservatively $90 to $150 per square foot for remodeling! I couldn't imagine...

I guess I only have to wait another 30 days to find out what someone thinks it is worth...