txcat84

Single-family, but it's a small lot (like most of the newer Heights builds). Thanks for your input.

I'll try to be succinct:

Purchased 8 years ago in The Heights for $277k. Small 3/2 home could now be realistically sold for $390.

We've been renting it out now for 4 years since being transferred for work (no reason to ever move back in with a larger family now).

It's a pretty low maintenance place for now and the CAP rate is 5.2-5.7%

No mortgage, good relationship with "a guy" that does good contracting/repair work and a local realtor. Has never gone more than 1.5 months unrented.

It's easy walking distance to 19th Street, HEB on 23rd, restaurants on Shepherd etc. However, it IS in an area where a ton of multi-family is moving in (think somewhere between 18th and 23rd in Greater Heights, just east of Shepherd), which kind of makes me skittish. I'm also wondering if this is as hot as the iron is going to get in that area for that size of home in that specific location. And, the option of selling, writing a check and never thinking about college for the kids or a mortgage payment on our primary in The Woodlands is always appealing.

I know there's a ton of experience on this forum, so I thought this would be a good question to ask you guys. Buy, sell, or hold?

Sounds like you have the scoop. Thx!

You think Sand Dollar clears that plus overhead?

First of all, I'm not being "let's demolish everything that helps po folk" guy. This is a genuine inquiry.

How do Label Warehouse and Sand Dollar stay in business? I imagine the tax rate on those places is insane, and while I do see people shop there, I can't imagine it's enough revenue to cover (letter alone profit). Is there some sort of subsidy or tax shelter for businesses like these? Has no one thought this would be a good indie movie theatre or retail spot?

Just curious.

I think that's the obvious argument, but I think it should have been made 50 years ago (we probably agree there).

To your point, if it was an alcohol good vs. bad thing, why not ban it in Harris County, the state, the nation, the WORLD?! (evil laugh). I get that, and given, I'm leaning toward voting for the wetness, but I think it may not be a question of alcohol good vs. alcohol bad for many people.

At this point, the lack of alcohol, plus rapid gentrification have generated a unique, situational growth pattern. I think that's more what people feel they are voting for or against. They see that the neighborhood can indeed be nice without alcohol, so it becomes a not-broke-don't-fix thing.

Is alcohol a straw man for many people voting against? Probably, but unfortunately I don't think anyone can say with 100% certainty that there won't be adverse effects. (For me, I think the good probably outweighs the bad)

We should have have never home schooled this kid to begin with, but do we stick him in a public now that he's all grown up and weird? 

1 hour ago, kylejack said:

Well, if I live near the zone, the rules affect me.

Agreed, but maybe not as much as those within the dry area? I see where you're coming from though, and I'm sure it's frustrating.

1 hour ago, UtterlyUrban said:

Your position would imply that city ordinances could vary, literally, block by block and create literally thousands of variances.  My 10 block area wants special requirements on cabs and garbage collection.  500' away, those folks want something else.  That wouldn't work, would it?

 

the natural boundary is the city limit.

 

the HOUSTON residents of the Heights need to comply with the broader ordinances that apply to the rest of Houston OR de-annex and become their  own City and they can do as they wish.

 

 

Fair enough, but I think having transportation availability and city services is agreeable to pretty much everyone within a city, and from a have/have not standpoint aren't as derisive of issues.

And for the most part, I think being able to buy beer and wine at a grocery store is generally agreeable too, but the situation has metastasized as the Heights has gentrified. Thus, here we are with a relatively unique situation that can't be put into the same peg holes as cabs and trash cans?

And before we go any further, to whom it may concern, don't get butt hurt or attack-y. This is an attempt to educate myself before pulling the lever.

I don't follow. Guess it's just my opinion, but management decisions should be made at the lowest possible level by the people the rules affect the most.

Why? Not being snide or trying to hijack the thread, but I would like to understand your opinion.

18 minutes ago, IronTiger said:

Furthermore, as much as I like alcohol, I don't have a dependence on it that would cause me to demand the area be wet.

I see what you did there

And I don't mean to trigger, or whatever they call it now when you present an unpopular opinion, but a lot of really good things happen thanks to 'corporate interests'.

"Liquor", as seemingly innocuous as the word may be, will be a frequently-dropped buzzword in this campaign. I really can justify voting either way, but I certainly recommend folks do so armed with facts. 

Pizza Heights lives.

Ugh, yeah Montrose sucks. So does Rice and anywhere else I can purchase a six-pack at a grocery store. What's next? Marijuanas? 

The only silver lining I can see to HEB opening up shop is finally being able to sell liquor and loose cigarettes out of my third bathroom. It's just the wife and I, so we really aren't using it unless the mother-in-law stops by.

Doubt it will offset the massive drop in property value that comes with a grocery store opening in your area and being able to buy a bottle of wine without driving 10 minutes, but I guess those are the breaks.

Spoken like someone who's really done their research and knows what's best.

Nope. Certainly don't trust that. I'll pay $10 for a popsicle if it means not having to eat the Bicycle Man's mysterious confections.

6 hours ago, BullMan008 said:

Didnt say anything about white people. 

 

Send the butler to get one

That doesn't make me feel any better. Who knows what's in the Bicycle Man's treats?! I sure as hell don't!

Paleta. And thank God you're not afraid. Me and the rest of the rich white people are terrified. 

The topic of flooding is en vogue for obvious reasons, particularly in regards to the theoretical new HEB going up IF dry law is relaxed and IF HEB decides to build on the location at 23rd and Shepherd. 

My question is if this development proceeds:

- What would be the impact radius of increased flooding that may occur? 1 block? 5 blocks? Just the immediate neighbors?

- What would the most responsible way to handle run-off be?  Retention (wouldn't mind an explanation of how this works)? Are there other alternatives?

- Would area residents have recourse? Is there a way to mandate a certain course of action?

I have no experience with this. I'm not a NIMBY. I don't have an opinion one way or another (don't want to see neighborhoods flood, lose character etc. OR for developers to run off because of  too many stipulations) I'm just genuinely curious and would love to see this board a little more active!

Ready, go.

Maybe we need a Pizza Heights moniker floated around. 

I wouldn't call it oversaturation yet, but I do find it a little quirky considering there remain a couple of culinary gaps to be filled in the hood.

16 minutes ago, CrockpotandGravel said:

Good catch! It's good to see this area changing but I also miss how it used to look. Any clue who the developer is or the owners?


1818 N Shepherd Dr.

What about how the area used to look do you miss? I'm not being snarky, I'm just trying to understand.

Definitely not.

Already a 365 going in on the other side. I reckon Whole Foods wouldn't double down.

I feel like I've asked this before but can't remember the response. Any way for a grocery to sell as a "private club"?

It's probably not apples and oranges, but I own a rental property 5 times that big, and I'm not getting 5 times that rent. Nowhere close.

But I like your moxie.

That's kind of what I gleaned from that thread. Houston is basically on a post - holiday diet, which doesn't indicate we are in too bad of shape. I appreciate the input.