1stWardDude

"What you are seeing in the HDs is a lot of very high end redevelopment. Outside the HDs, you are seeing the add water Italiante-ish boxes that make a quick buck for a builder, but provide no lasting value for the neighborhood. What? You do know that the builders in the SW corner and the rest of the Heights are one in the same? Our builder has houses in both areas, along with 5 other builders we have talked with. Glad you aren't my neighbor.

We recently purchased a lot in the SW corner of the heights between Allston and Nicholson. There is more construction in this area than any other part of the heights and it's been this way for over a year. Our builder and others will tell you its because they don't have to deal with the city and the historic district. There were more dilapidated homes with owners/slum lords ready to cash out too though. Housing prices are at almost 85% (my estimate from watching the area very closely over the past 18 months) of the east side (unless west of Nicholson) on a per sq ft basis. That 15% is the school value in my opinion. Most of the new stuff in the SW corner is also a bit smaller than the west (2400 to 2800 sq ft vs 3,000+). Example: Waverly and 8th - 2,700 sq ft - $715k http://search.har.com/engine/803-Waverly-St-Houston-TX-77007_HAR33939382.htm The best part about the SW corner is 1) no camleback houses (ugly) 2) The SW corner will be built out before the majority of other areas in the heights. I consider the area east heights blvd and south of 11th already built out (basically where Harvard is zoned) There is still A LOT of trash north of 11th both east and west of heights blvd.