We are homeowners in the Heights West district since 2003.
Background is we purchased a small bungalow with the intention of tearing it down and building something more appropriate on the property. The foundation is shot, electric is in marginal condition and the heating / cooling bills are sky high due to poor insulation. It was never a house that we wanted to live in.
Life has a habit of throwing curve balls, and an overseas job, then the crash in 2008, postponed our plans to build. By the time we 'recovered' - the City had rammed through their historic preservation ordinance and we were again unable to move forward with building on the property. The immediate neighborhood moved on in the interim and our little crappy bungalow is surrounded by $1MM McMansions.
Remodeling is not feasible as we would have to completely skid the existing structure and replace the foundation. The costs to remodel are just not practical and we could never recover the costs in terms of increased market value. We are deed restricted and are fine with meeting the covenants of the deed restrictions that preceded the new historic ordanance.
So we're resigned to moving out of town, possibly keeping the existing property as a rental in the hopes that future City leadership will become more development friendly. I know that no one will shed any tears as the moving van shows up, but I do think the rigidity and short sightedness of the Historic ordanance needs airtime. People do get to vote with their feet.
Ran Out Of Town By HAHC
in Houston Real Estate
Posted
We are homeowners in the Heights West district since 2003.
Background is we purchased a small bungalow with the intention of tearing it down and building something more appropriate on the property. The foundation is shot, electric is in marginal condition and the heating / cooling bills are sky high due to poor insulation. It was never a house that we wanted to live in.
Life has a habit of throwing curve balls, and an overseas job, then the crash in 2008, postponed our plans to build. By the time we 'recovered' - the City had rammed through their historic preservation ordinance and we were again unable to move forward with building on the property. The immediate neighborhood moved on in the interim and our little crappy bungalow is surrounded by $1MM McMansions.
Remodeling is not feasible as we would have to completely skid the existing structure and replace the foundation. The costs to remodel are just not practical and we could never recover the costs in terms of increased market value. We are deed restricted and are fine with meeting the covenants of the deed restrictions that preceded the new historic ordanance.
So we're resigned to moving out of town, possibly keeping the existing property as a rental in the hopes that future City leadership will become more development friendly. I know that no one will shed any tears as the moving van shows up, but I do think the rigidity and short sightedness of the Historic ordanance needs airtime. People do get to vote with their feet.