halo36

I know this thread was started a long time ago, but since a project I am familiar with was mentioned recently, I figured I would chime in.

Homeowner build blog

Whether or not the area is going to improve, why buy a house in an area that is not currently nice if there are similarly priced houses in already established hoods? Is there anything special about this townhouse that would make it worth buying? Is it bigger or otherwise better than the other similarly priced townhouses in more established neighborhoods?

There are also townhouses across the 59 from there that are similarly priced in an area that is also improving but not currently as bad as that part of the 3rd ward.

I am not sure what new construction townhomes you are refering to across 59, but the choices are few below $300k. About the only thing you can buy new under $300k would be a Terramark with a tandem garage and 1450 sq ft. You have more choices when you get to the $350k to 400k range. Or go three blocks east right on the other side of 59 and buy a 2100+ sq ft, normal garage, and 4th floor rooftop deck with views of downtown that is two blocks from the police station for under $300k. I am not a huge fan of the Perry home style townhouse myself, but in that general area of town, they definitely are some of the first to sell when they go back on the market. Most all the built townhomes on that side, in that area are sold. I think it is just a little suprising to see new construction at that high a price in an up and coming area. Most of us are used to seeing areas like that start off in the $200s. I applaud Perry for putting something nicer there. I think it shows what they expect the area to turn into and they were certainly some of the pioneers in Midtown that shaped many areas there.

I think the area has great potential. I bought a single lot there near 59 on McGowen a few months ago in the spring. I would venture to guess that I could get 50% more than what I paid for it already because of the rapid development in that area. Just since April, the old bar near the corner of St. Emanuel and McGowen has been torn down. Almost one whole side of Hutchins across from the Perry homes has been torn down for townhouses and a decent hotel is slated to be going in on the corner of 59 and McGowen. From McGowen over one block between St. Emanuel and Hutchins you will see that block completely change into a townhouse development within the next year. This area is already exploding incredibly fast. From Dowling to 59 that area will be all nice townhouses with downtown views within 2 years. I think it has just started over there and will transform quicker than Midtown.

I bought a townhouse across 59 from there in Midtown 5 years ago. I had looked at some of them even 2 years earlier than that, but decided Midtown was still too sketchy. In the last 5 years virtually EVERY house or business older than 5-10 years has been replaced with a townhome development. New streets have also been put and the park in that area received a major overhaul. In only 7 years that area around McGowen and Chenevert has gone from a sketchy area to the new home of $300 to 400k townhomes. New construction prices were $175-200k 5 years ago. Now nothing new is being built there for under $300k. Even with a slow housing market, I sold that townhouse a couple of months ago for roughly 25% more than what I paid. The trend is continuing across 59 since you still have all the same access to everything in Midtown and downtown plus can get incredible views of downtown. Are there CURRENTLY more people walking the streets (druggies, homeless, etc), yes. With a brand new police station within two blocks and police constantly driving through the area to get back to the station, it is only going to get better over there.

Oh and by the way, don't forget the improvements and growth that is proposed for U of H not too far down the street. If anything like what is proposed goes in over the next few years, that certainly can't hurt either.

I think the area has great potential. I bought a single lot there near 59 on McGowen a few months ago in the spring. I would venture to guess that I could get 50% more than what I paid for it already because of the rapid development in that area. Just since April, the old bar near the corner of St. Emanuel and McGowen has been torn down. Almost one whole side of Hutchins across from the Perry homes has been torn down for townhouses and a decent hotel is slated to be going in on the corner of 59 and McGowen. From McGowen over one block between St. Emanuel and Hutchins you will see that block completely change into a townhouse development within the next year. This area is already exploding incredibly fast. From Dowling to 59 that area will be all nice townhouses with downtown views within 2 years. I think it has just started over there and will transform quicker than Midtown.

I bought a townhouse across 59 from there in Midtown 5 years ago. I had looked at some of them even 2 years earlier than that, but decided Midtown was still too sketchy. In the last 5 years virtually EVERY house or business older than 5-10 years has been replaced with a townhome development. New streets have also been put and the park in that area received a major overhaul. In only 7 years that area around McGowen and Chenevert has gone from a sketchy area to the new home of $300 to 400k townhomes. New construction prices were $175-200k 5 years ago. Now nothing new is being built there for under $300k. Even with a slow housing market, I sold that townhouse a couple of months ago for roughly 25% more than what I paid. The trend is continuing across 59 since you still have all the same access to everything in Midtown and downtown plus can get incredible views of downtown. Are there CURRENTLY more people walking the streets (druggies, homeless, etc), yes. With a brand new police station within two blocks and police constantly driving through the area to get back to the station, it is only going to get better over there.

I am new to the forum, but I have found quite a bit of useful info. I am trying to build my own house as well. I have the same question as the original poster but also need a good way of finding a designer / architect. I have spoken with two, both who design houses similar to what I am wanting. The first one was in my budget, but wanted to reinvent the wheel. I had to essentially let him go after paying him a deposit because he refused to put my ideas / needs into blueprints. The second firm we talked with really seemed to want to give us what we want, however they were four times the price of the first designer and totally out of our budget. We have a VERY clear idea of what we want, even to the point of having a preliminary drawing to scale. I would have never thought it would be this difficult to find someone that fits our vision AND our budget. Any ideas would be welcome.