heights_dood

I grew up a block away from there back in the 1970's. The building was used as an apartment building. There used to be a 2 story house in the empty lot behind it. That house actually had a cellar! By the way the house across the street from it next to the parking lot/green space also has a cellar.

Anyway I don't think the building was originally built to be an apartment building so had have some other purpose. Also, the parking lot/green space across from Milroy park was a junk yard at 1 time.

Funny how many of the cars I saw junked there would now be considered classics. Then was converted to a body shop (with no junk yard on the side). 

We're noticing a lot of creaky boards around the house (more than usual), in various rooms of the house (pier and beam). We had a bathroom water leak once upon a time and got that fixed. Creaking floor is in other parts of the house far from the bathroom so I doubt that's connected.

So we thought it might be settling, though a couple of years ago we had some piers shimmed up a bit. But we had someone come out again to see if there was any house settling and they said no.

Now we are wondering if there is there someone that can check out the subfloor by crawling around under the house and looking for rotting wood or anything that might be causing the floor boards to be creakier than normal?

Thanks guys!

*edit to clarify request

It's a good idea to have the subfloor checked for your peace of mind but I bet the creakier than normal sounds are due to the weather. There has be been a lot of temperature and humidity fluctuations lately so that is going to cause the wood to expand and contract more than in the warmer months. I will notice a creak or two even when I'm not walking around the house and I'm pretty sure it's because of temperature and humidity changes.

If you or someone you know is able to help a veteran by giving them a forever home then check this out.

They live at Lackland Air Force Base near San Antonio.

Robby looks like he suffered some burns.

AFD_080317_046.pdf

Speaking of Citizen. The Chronicle has a slide show on Citizen and an article about "upscale" lounges.

Citizen slide show: http://www.chron.com/life/photogallery/VIP...ge_lizards.html

The seven "hottest" upscale places: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/main/5840852.html

They need to do an article and slideshow on "downscale" lounges now.

anybody know about those condos on White Oak. The grounds are awefully nice, i went and looked at a unit and it seemed to be pretty good. I'm wondering if anyone knows of inherent problems that they may have? This would definitely be the cheapest option for me. Thoughts?

I think the only serious potential problem is flooding during an event like Allison, but that should be a rare "once in a lifetime" event. A second floor unit may be a good idea. That is a very nice area to live in. Very walkable and bikable.

Those condos are in a flood zone. You can type in the address here to see for yourself: http://maps2.tsarp.org/tsarp/

Otherwise, if you can handle living in a condo and since the prices are well below average for the area then that may be the way to go. I noticed 2 of the units have pending and option pending so you may need to move quickly. I'm sure other people have the same idea as you in terms of moving into town.

Yeah, it is really important to me to be able to walk to 11th and Studewood. I have been thinking about Oak Forest, but the neighborhood just isn't quite living enough for me. I know redwing is kinda off kilter for the heights, but it is in the middle of everything i like. I'm still in the mindset "save a bungalow" but am still considering all options. Any other suggestions of nearby places that are less expensive.

The condos on White Oak, are they okay? I think they are in a flood plain???

The area around Redwing place is pretty quiet. I live in that area and would recommend it. The bungalows in Brooke Smith are going to be cheaper than west of North Main which is Woodland Heights and Houston Heights. Brooke Smith is the area behind Redwing place. Brooke Smith is heavily Hispanic so if that doesn't bother you then I would say go for it plus being Hispanic myself I say there's nothing to be concerned about in living there. Some of the neighbors may not speak English but that doesn't mean they are a threat to civilization.

The properties in Brooke Smith are on average considerably cheaper than Woodland Heights and Houston Heights but will eventually come closer in value.

Can a pharmacy be run from a converted bungalow?

What if the "parking lot"(cemented front yard) is not able to handle the amount of clients/cars that come by when this place is open?

Where does a person look or inquire into whether that amount of activity can be allowed on a 5,500 sqft lot(55wide x 100 long)?

Does the city have any ordinances that address this?

Houston does not have zoning but can a business be setup just anywhere?

When reading this article I immediately thought about the transition to larger houses in the Heights and the arguments for and against. It also made me think about demographic changes or shifts and peoples responses associated with that.

Here is the link to the story:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5589610.html

Or you can read it here:

March 3, 2008, 11:08PM

Subdivision isn't happy about new Habitat neighbors

Residents want funds denied for plan to build 90 homes near them

By BILL MURPHY

Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

Lately, it has not been all polite how-are-yous, it's-nice-to-see-you exchanges between residents of Greenwood Forest, a subdivision in northwest Harris County.

Pleasantries have given way to earnest conversations among retired accountants, senior salespeople, company executives and others about what many perceive as the Habitat problem.

A chapter of Habitat for Humanity wants to build a 90-home development of modest residences at one of the primary entrances to Greenwood Forest, whose homes range from 2,000 to 5,000 square feet.

"Twelve-hundred-square-foot homes should be built in an area of 1,200-square-foot homes. If they are not, they will be a drag on the area where they are built," said Doug Skelton of Greenwood Forest. "I think anybody would be concerned about property values if you live in a 2,000- or 3,000-square-foot home."

There is and always should be a discount for living on a busy street. If you can tolerate cars passing all day then I would take advantage of making a bigger discount out of it with the seller. Insulating the walls and updating the windows does help a bit to decrease the noise. But, if the house is pier and beam then sound will travel through the floor also.

I was walking my dog by that house a while back. It was in the late afternoon. When I was passing by that house I heard a loud noise coming from within the house. I heard what sounded like something jumping on the floor and then a very loud growl or an "angry" sound. I stopped to look and noticed that the house was empty and no one was inside. Anytime that I pass now I look to see if there is anyone inside and if there are any noises. I believe there is a spirit or ghost there. This is a true story so before any ridicule starts you should go see for yourself and consider the possibilities.

I had looked for some info on this residence and noticed this comment from the Rice website.

"In 1893, Mr. and Mrs. McKinney moved into their home at 1630 Heights Boulevard, making it their permanent residence. Besides Mrs. McKinney's mother, who lived with them, Miss Ella McKinney, Mr. McKinney's sister, was often a member of the household. She died at the McKinney home in 1934."

Here is the link where I found it. It's about half way down the page:

http://community.rice.edu/focusresources/b...a/chapter6.html

Since I have lived in the Heights (13 years?) the house at 1630 Heights Blvd has been vacant. This looks like it was newly built but never quite completed. I have seen people there periodically and not too long ago they replaced the siding on the garage apartment. Does anyone know the story behind this place? Is there some reason it was never finished? It has now aged to the point where it is going to need quite a bit of repair.

I was walking my dog by that house a while back. It was in the late afternoon. When I was passing by that house I heard a loud noise coming from within the house. I heard what sounded like something jumping on the floor and then a very loud growl or an "angry" sound. I stopped to look and noticed that the house was empty and no one was inside. Anytime that I pass now I look to see if there is anyone inside and if there are any noises. I believe there is a spirit or ghost there. This is a true story so before any ridicule starts you should go see for yourself and consider the possibilities.

Are there any paper recylcing bins around the Heights? They had them in quite a few places in spring branch but I can't seem to find any in the heights.

Any place that has a website that says it's for the "to see and be seen crowd" sounds horrible.

This place will be a fad for wannabe socialites and topless dancers for a few months and then it will die a slow death.

"and topless dancers". Where is this place?

Recently since I've been hearing about the honey bee die off I remembered how there used to be quite a few bumble bees when I was growing up in the Heights. Does anyone see any bumble bees in their yards anymore? Just wondering.

Hopefully they'll check the soil around there for contamination. It's been light industrial around there for a long time.

Hello!! I am new to the Heights and would appreciate any recommendations for a flooring company to replace some old carpet with hardwood.

Thanks and have a great day!

Make sure to specify what type of finish you want(flat, satin or semi-gloss). If you don't they may just make it flat. Also make sure you tell them to not piece together the quarter rounds around the base boards. Make sure they use a polyurethane seal. Ask questions.

for the vibration, try opening/closing the shutoff valve for the kitchen sink. one time i had to replace toilet guts. i turned the shutoff valve off, replaced the guts, and then turned it back on. when i flushed the toilet, all of a sudden a loud vibration noise came from the toilet. all i did was open the shutoff valve more and all was ok afterwards. not sure if that's your prob, but at least it may be a cheap fix.

do you have the original galvanized pipes in the rest of the house? sometimes the rust sediment slows down water flow. also there are toilet guts that are designed to slow/stop the water flow should it determine a water leak is happening. i know a friend just replaced the toilet guts because he couldn't figure out why the toilets took so long to fill (even though the mechanisms were less that 6 months old). i believe he ended up using a different type of mechanism inside and that corrected the slow fill problem.

Thanks for the help.

I worked with it a little last night and it's doing better. I'll work on it more this weekend when I have more time.

When I flush the toilet a line under the kitchen sink starts to vibrate. The line under the kitchen sink branches off a plastic T from the cold water cut off to a water filter I installed. The toilet then fills very slowly as if it can't get a water flow because of what seems like a vacuum in the cold water pipe. This started maybe a few weeks ago but I've had the water filter installed for at least five months before this issue came up. Any ideas as to how to fix would be appreciated. It should be simple but I just can't seem to figure out what it is. Thanks

Barnaby's is definitely better than McDonalds. I suppose that was joke?

Yes I was joking.

Personally I would like to see an Eatzis type place in the Heights. There are a few empty buildings around that would be large enough for it. It seems that it could be profitable because of the demographics. Plus its nice to have a place that has imported stuff that you don't usually find at kroger or fiesta.

Barnaby's ain't all that. I don't know why you guy's are so excited. They should put a McDonalds there. >

I used All Texas foundation. Bill Marks is the owner. They did a very good job. Bill was honest about what needed to be done and didn't sell unneeded work. I recommend this company and they are with the BBB. If you call ask for Bill, he does the pier and beam bids.

Maybe not...but...I can't imagine any of those snobs coming down from their 1/2 million dollar McVictorian to go to Fiesta....

the neighborhood must be changing around there.

I always thought it would be kind of fun to own and work in a coffee shop. But, I know my dreams of working for myself may not match the reality of all the hours it would take to get the business off the ground, running smoothly and becoming profitable.

I recommend All Texas Foundation. Bill Marks is the owner. They did a great job for me. They are also listed with the BBB. He did everything he said he was going to do. Did not try to sell any extra work that did not need to be done.