heights89

This is what I am hoping for.  I was told they were fined $2K for clogging up ditches with mud at another development they were working on.  They cleaned it up VERY fast after they were fined.  Unfortunately, this is the only way I think I will be able to get them to clean it up and keep it clean.  I will look around and see if I can find a number or website to report it to the Harris County Attorney office. 

I believe the previous fine was issued from the City Builder Inspections Office but when I called there they led me to 311 which I feel like isn't the right place and will never be addressed.

The Environmental Section of the Harris County Attorney's office could take the complaint, or direct you on where to go. 

 

Chunking trash into drainages is a pretty serious violation - shoot, even failing to take steps to keep runoff contained can get guys with badges showing up.

Thanks, I have already put in a request but I'm not sure this is going to have the outcome I am looking for.

Source: http://www.houstontx.gov/council/5/faq.html

Hi,

The builder developing the community I live in sucks.  I wish I knew before I bought my house but too late for that now.  There are still several homes being built in there but quite a few homes are occupied at this point.  The builder has been littering and polluting the ravine with a lot of construction debris and hasn't cleaned it up in 6 months.  Several homeowners have complained and nothing has been done.  I was informed that they can be fined for this.  Where would I report it to have them fined so they will stop?  I already called 311 and they put in a request but I think that is a request to have the ravine cleaned.  I'm not looking for anyone to clean it.  I want the builder to be fined so THEY will clean it and won't do this anymore.  Any thoughts? 

Thanks in advance!

That is an excellent way to pose the question... it probably should be a risk vs. reward type determination.

I already own a home in the 100 yr flood plain. I live on a ravine that feeds into White Oak Bayou. The home flooded during Allison, but never before or after. I do the same thing you do for a living flipper and I had searched for a ravine lot for 2 years before I found this one... And when I mean search, I mean every single day! I even actively sent letters to homes that were not on the market--which is how I got mine. My rewards heavily out number my risks or hassles. I pay for flood insurance so I only have to worry about the inconvenience and cost. The cost is negligible at 0.16% of the properties value per year and the inconvenience a flood would cause me would only come from irreplaceable items lost because, I would likely make money on any flood claim and update my home in the process. My rewards impress me every day... I live on a lot that could be a park! I would have a tough time selling it for double what I paid.

I will have to consider if I lived on a regular lot if it would be worth it. I'll think about and get back to you.

Rbax....I am looking a buying new construction also on a Ravine that feeds into White Oak Bayou.  I'm very concerned about being in the flooplain.  The builder will be building the home on a slab with a pony wall to raise it up 3 feet.  Any thoughts.  How is flooding in the area during bad thunderstorms etc.  This would be a big investment for me and I want to make sure I am making a good decision.

I heard a "rumor" from a builder in the area that a new HEB was coming in or possible a remodel of the existing HEB of TC Jester. Anyone know anything about this?

It looks like there are two vacant lots around 6000 Woodbrook Ln in Timbergrove. Not sure if these are true vacants or someone's extended yard/s.

I'll check that out. Is it the two lots that are on either side of a house?

Yeah... I guess I'm just thinking investment wise... If you just build one, your not going to have the same gains if you sell it.  From conversations that I've had, it seems that 4 is number where economies of scale set in.   If your going to just build one, you might as well just pay a bit more and do a custom single family home that will increase in value better.

Anything I did would be a custom home. I'm not thinking of doing a 3 story cookie cutter townhome. Unless I could only find a very narrow lot. You see some single family homes while driving in Shady Acres. Some are cottage style with detached garages and yards etc. That's more along the lines I am thinking. Though I guess that is still kind of a townhome.

I received one the other week... it basically said we will buy your home and had a number to call.  I'm in an unrestricted part of Woodland Heights... I have the feeling these offers will be more frequent going forward.  I didn't bother calling because I'm not interested in moving, and I'm sure they wouldn't offer what it would take to get me to sell  (other houses nearby would probably take less).

 

 

I honestly think you'd be better off finding an already built townhome with a lot in the heights.  The cost to build one home is going to be quite high.  I wouldn't want to turn loose of that kind of money unless I was doing a larger lot, custom home.  I'd guess working with a builder to have 2-4 townhomes built all with yardspace and private driveways would be the way to go but I'm sure that would take a lot of cash in hand to make happen.

I have the resources to get the building done. It just a matter of finding a lot.

Yes they are putting offers in mailboxes.  I find that townhomes built east of Shepard are a lot more likely to have a private driveway and yard.  I know there were a few for sale around Nicholson/Lawrence area north of 14th that are on 2000 - 3000 sq. ft lots with private driveways. 

 

There is this one lot on Beauchamp in woodland heights that is just shy of 4,000 sq. ft. that I think would be awesome for a modern style townhome like building...

 

 

 

Are you just going to build one townhome? 

Yes - if we could find a lot for a reasonable price we would just build one home. Not necessarily a 4 story townhome per say but it would depend on lot size etc on the logistics. We could maybe build two and sell the other one but the intentions are to build for ourselves. Have you seen what one of these offers reads?

That is the property I was thinking of. (Could not recall the street name)

Research this one very carefully before making any decisions.

One other neighborhood you may want to check out is Lazybrook. Nice size homes and lots, currently "under appreciated" much like Timbergrove was 10 years ago.

This would have been a nice lot but it looks like it is pending now. Address is 1009 Shelterwood. I thought I saw a lot for sale in the area near the Timbergrove baseball field. It may have been for sale by owner. Maybe I need to spend some time driving around.

I'm curious how builders are getting lots. Most of them sell off HAR. Do you think they are putting letters in mailboxes? I would also like the Shady Acres area. Tear downs are fine.

Hi all,

I've recently started looking to purchase a townhome in the shady acres area of the heights. The problem is my fiance and I would really like a small back yard and private driveway. It seems most builders are packing as many townhomes as possible on a lot and very few (if any right now) offer yards or private driveways. We have decided to try to begin looking for a lot to build on instead. Does anyone know how builders acquire lots in Shady Acres or Timbergrove area? Lots rarely come on HAR but I see builders building everwhere. We wouldn't be looking for anything large since we would just build a single home.