LLLegalien

Anyone know what Plum Pads is up to on West 16th between Herkimer and Blair? It looks like they just bought an empty lot. I thought they only handled already-existing multi-families.

Maybe I am getting my muggings/robberies confused. I thought that I had heard of a robbery just happening at that Wachovia in the middle of the day a week or two ago...maybe it wasn't the one on the bike. There was so much chatter about it because it happened just after that elderly man was robbed at Walgreens in the same shopping plaza. This, plus people's houses being broken into during the middle of the day and having their alarm panels ripped out of the walls...car jackings...stabbings...This is all life in the big city. With all of the folks talking, I haven't heard anyone sing the praises of the Heights constable yet.

I am really happy to hear that the constable program is working in other neighborhoods. Hopefully ours will serve as a deterrent soon here in the Heights.

I am still questioning the value of the constable when a 50 year old man can rob a bank in broad daylight on a bike and ride away with all of the money without being caught.

http://www.click2houston.com/news/10713296/detail.html

With all of the crime that has been happening around the Heights, does anyone have any stories where the constable actually made a difference?

In case you haven't seen the email that is going around:

About 9p/9:30p on Wednesday, June 3rd there was an attempted carjacking in the alley off Oxford, between 7th and 7th 1/2, in the parking lot of an apartment complex. The victim resisted, was stabbed, and was taken to the hospital. The perpetrators had not been caught when neighbors showed up on the scene.

In a related/unrelated question...does this area have a constable yet?

Did I understand that the area which was hit at E 12 1/2 was under the area which Karen Derr already has a functioning constable? What was the constable's response to this crime?

If they are left in the street (not pulled into a driveway, etc) then you can call 311. They will come by and pick them up if they are notified that the cart may be interfering with traffic.

Isn't the biggest problem with the sellers? If the sellers want to prevent builders from redeveloping their properties, why don't they sell to renovators only? I suspect that the reason is because the developers are offering them more money. But if this is such a passion of the bungalow owners (I own an historic home), why don't they resist selling to the highest and fastest bidder and rather hold out for the dream buyer who will renovate their home even if that person is going to offer less money and take a longer time to close the transaction?

We had two bungalows in total disrepair within a block of us. They were on the market for quite a while. After what appeared to be about 4 or 5 months one was purchased by a developer who is going to level it. I think that the sellers are far more to blame for this "problem" (if indeed it is a problem) than the builders and buyers. However, I doubt there are many bungalow owners out there who are willing to sell for less money over a longer period of time to ensure the historic character of the neighborhood is upheld.

I understand that many think that the purchase is fine. I believe we all agree that truly salvagable homes should not be replaced. For those who find this purchase of the Victorian-themed home (which is 5 years old and is really looking like it is in perfect shape) was a bad one, the question remains. What type of home purchase would you have condoned for this couple? Please don't forget the time, skill and money limitations which they have. Also, please remember that they have a toddler, another child on the way and a budget which limits them from the price per sq foot costs of most of the renovated bungalows in Heights proper. One poster was quite clear - they are not welcome in the Heights if they can't afford a renovated bungalow (since they can't update one on their own time and $). I don't really see other suggestions from the "haters" as one put it. The one poster was definitely correct - they did want a/c, power for the microwave, at least 2 baths and very low maintenance inside or out. Having a yard is not important to them as they utilize the Heights' parks continuously. This isn't a question to start a war of words between those that like the neglected homes going away and those that want only neighbors with the time, skill and money to renovate them or the purchasing power to buy one that is already renovated. I just wanted to know, for those of you who still want this neighborly couple in your neighborhood, but don't like what they purchased - what would have been acceptable to you and still met their needs? This is about putting yourselves in their shoes and applying your vision for what would be acceptable within their time, skill and money parameters. Is the only solution that is acceptable to "look elsewhere and we'll wait for neighbors with more time and money?" Buying a renovated bungalow with 2 bathrooms and updated throughout within Heights proper was outside of their price range. I have watched a lot of bungalows get renovated near to my house. The new owners who are moving in have Land Rovers, etc. Those new neighbors are also very nice people with young families. I welcome them. However, that is not the income power of this couple. They are not poor but they are what may be considered the working class. They are not upper middle income. I just wanted to see if those that are against this can come up with a solution or if the only solution is that they would not be welcome in the Heights. I have to be honest, while I totally disagree with the poster who felt that they shouldn't move to the Heights in the first place, I did appreciate the honesty. It was shocking and reads very differently than the Heights' attitude which I know and practice but at least it offered a solution. If you can't afford it, despite your qualities, don't come. Yikes.

I have been reading the posts here for a number of months. People have differing opinions on many topics. However, everyone seems to agree on one thing - the newer construction built to look like old victorians is despicable. Well, I finally got to visit one and I must say that I was impressed. I would love to hear why you all dislike these homes so much. First, though, allow me to paint the picture of my new friends.

- Young couple (31 years each)

- 18 month old toddler

- Trying for a 2nd child

- Moderate income - definitely in budgeting mode (one car)

- One of them is a native Houstonian, other is from a Southern state

- Neither has the TIME, MONEY or SKILL to devote to renovating an older home

- Both will only consider living in the Heights due to the diversity of people, walkability, etc

I visited their house and must say that I was really pleasantly surprised. After reading all of the negative comments here I really felt that I was going to walk into something that felt cheap and tacky.

They have a beautiful front porch, nice back patio and fenced in yard - keeping the toddler safe with minimal landscaping or property upkeep. Inside, there were hardwood floors throughout, fireplace, crown mouldings, modern baths, modern kitchen, adequate closet space and nice windows. Their home is two stories. They have two air conditioners (one for upstairs and one for downstairs) and they spend their daytime downstairs so as to keep the energy bills low.

I asked them why they didn't buy a bungalow or something which seems more acceptable per this forum. They said that they couldn't go through all of the work of a renovation - especially not with the baby and one (hopefully) on the way. I asked them why they didn't buy a bungalow which was already renovated. They said that they looked at many. All were a lot more $ per square foot. They were able to purchase 500 extra square feet of living space for less money.

Across the street from their home a new home is being constructed. They said that an old house used to sit on the lot when they moved in. Broken out windows, a hole in the roof and beer cans in the yard led to a number of neighbors calling the police for many years. Visible drug activity and taunting of their child was a weekly occurance. Thankfully, the homeowner stopped paying property taxes. I guess the city will allow many things except someone not paying his/her property taxes. The place was beyond repair and now a new home - with presumably safer residents will take its place. As an avid supporter of bungalow renovations, I guess not all old homes in the Heights are worth saving. By the way, this crumbling house allowed my friends (or at least they believe it to be the case) to buy the home below market value).

So now I am confused. They are prefectly happy and I can not imagine them in another place. They are conscientious neighbors and love all that Houston has to offer. I left wondering what all of the fuss is about.

I put the question out to you all.....considering their criteria - where would you have suggested they live in the Heights? If this type of home is so unacceptable - what would have been acceptable? Are they unwelcome in the Heights because they can't afford a true bungalow?

Oh it would be so great if they opened a Trader Joe's in that location but I know that isn't going to happen. I hate having to go to places like Central Market and Whole Foods to find some interesting food. The prices at those places are prohibitive.

Hi All -

We have a lot of specialized watering we need to do on our tiny property. We are fast learning that watering it by hand is not only time consuming but is really wasting a lot of water. We want to get an irrigation system put in to make this all more efficient. It will be a little cost in the beginning but will pay for itself sooner than later. I did a little research and found Bayside Landscape Services but there was a MAJOR problem with them which I won't go into. Needless to say, we need a recommendation of someone who is professional and can get the job done right. Any recommendations out there?

Thanks!

Hi there -

Can you all explain this one for me? I live on a block where a lot of the homes have gates around their properties. One enters the driveway using a gate opener much like a garage door opener. Well, the main control box for the opener is right on the front fence. The other night, someone reached through the fence, unscrewed the control box and stole it. I am just baffled because I don't get why someone would do that. Would someone please enlighten me?

Thanks!

Hi there -

My parents are moving to Houston to be nearer to us. My Dad is an active (but physically limited) 87 year old and my mother is a VERY ACTIVE (walks at least a few miles a day) 77 year old. They will not be needing public transportation.

I need to find them a safe community in which to live. They don't want to live in a retirement community - just a regular neighborhood. Can you recommend anywhere which is SAFE, easily accessible to the Med Center by car, reasonable drive to the Heights and Kingwood and is within 10 miles of a SAFE park? They only want to rent. They are happy to rent either a 1 story home or live in a building with an elevator. Price is not too much of a concern since they are coming from somewhere where the rents are really high.

Thank you very much!

Hi All -

We bought a house which was built in 2003. Where we come from, builders are responsible for building issues for 10 years - including roofing, plumbing, etc. - structural issues - not normal wear and tear issues.

How does it work in Houston? Are the builders responsible for anything for any period of time? We just bought this home so we are not the original buyers. We have a couple roof tiles that are popping up a little bit and thought that we should do something about that. Also, I want to know if the builder is a resource for any future issues or is this all our responsibility at this point.

Thank you!

I would go if it had free wifi and an ability to hang out and play scrabble, etc

We are going around our property to be sure we have the proper security measures in place without going over board. I recall reading about some garage break-ins. What can we do about that? Our detached garage has a garage door with an automatic garage door opener so doesn't really open manually (at least I think that's how that works). Is that enough to protect our golf clubs, etc in the garage or should we be doing more?

Thank you for your advice.