SilverJK

Saw this one yesterday! I would love to buy this one, It is just not possible at the moment. I won't be able to buy anything until probably a year from now (wife won't start making money until May 09'). This is the absolute, ideal location for me though. Wonder if they would do a rent to own... I might contact them with quesions about it.

Thanks for the heads up! I'm sure that with HAIF's help, i'll find the perfect place.

i know when my parents lived in Kings River, their mailing address was kingwood, their power address was attascocita, and their water address was humble. Or something like that. It was ridiculous. But yeah, go their for happy hour, they have really good prices during happy hour.

i want to stay west of 45 i think. I know there are/were/will be houses in the area that will sell at the price i'm looking at so why settle? One of the main reason's I want to be in the heights is i'm heavily involved with the brazilian arts foundation at 11th and studewood. Living close to there is a huge plus. Hopefully a rent house or nice garage apartment or something will come up in May for me rent starting in June.

yeah thats the place... Wazabi! There is normally a limo parked out front. If your coming from 59 on 1960 it is just before you get to Lake Houston Parkway. Humble / kingwood.... i believe this is techincally in atascosita but who cares right? I call the whole area Kingwood.

I had a desert there one time that was out of this world though. Was some kind of chocalate cake, with liquid chocolate inside, and cinnimon sorbet on top. Was crazy good. It is definitely a neat building, and if done properly could be a slick place.

this might sound unbelievable... but this sushi place in Kingwood called Wasabi has some freakin excellent fish tacos "they call them baja tacos" They also serve them with a ginger dipping sauce which is great. Kind of a small hole-in-the-wall place on 1960, I go there at least once a month. Cultural fusion at its best. Sushi isn't lacking either...

But Berry Hill and El Rey are both solid places.

I'll definitely make a drive by. mid 200s is definately a bit out of reach, but I'm just gathering information and ideas at the moment anyway. Anyone know a good inexpensive place to rent in the heights?

Yeah the wife is 100% onboard. If the house became unlivable for a few days (like if the plumbing had to be completely redone) it wouldn't be much of an issue because my parents live in Kingwood and we could crash there. I will be in 'the hood' today and will probably make some drive-by's of a few places i've seen on HAR. A friend of mine said that there are several houses that sale by owner that never even see HAR. I'm hoping this will increase my chances to find my home. Looking to find a place to rent starting in May with Move in date of around June 1st. Keep your eyes open for good rental deals for me!

Well, i would prefer not to be able to see the ground through the floors, or the sky through the roof! So basically as long as it is safe for me to live there, and has working A/C and plumbing. That first one you posted is pretty much what i'm looking for. Like i said though, i'm not quite ready to buy. But this is very reassuring that there is some housing available within my budget. I'm probably looking in the 200k and less range, so something in the 160-180s would be perfect, since i could account to invest 20-30k into the house upon purchase. I like the one with the garage apartment, I could always finish that out first on the cheap and live there for a while, and the house could be a longer, more involved rehab. There is really some great/helpful people on this site. I truly appreciate all the input so far.

I'm just a poor man, trying to save a bungalow.

I'm fairly familiar with the windows sticking problem. My brother had a 40s craftsmen in Shreveport, LA and we really had some issues with them. Not to mention when he first moved in they had all been painted shut. Windows being able to open in common rooms (living / kitchen / etc.) is definately a must. I'll go pay a revisit to the Hogan/Fletcher area, but it just seems odd that it all backs up to Hogg Park... i would hate for the name to be too fitting. I definately like the idea of living near the bike path. What kinda price range do you think i'm looking at for something that is livable?

If at all possible, i think i'd like to stay west of 45... on the east side it just seems a bit rough. I'm sure it will be better over time, but as of right now it seems just a bit too sketchy. Maybe i should go drive over there again and look. Do you think that having the home leveled is going to be a "must" on most homes i'm looking at? As far as the hardware goes... I think i'm going to start hunting for homes going under the dozer, so i can collect as much original style hardware as possible. I'm quite certain i can refinish old hardware to look nice. What do you think I'm looking to spend on a house in the heights area that is livable. It could be the ugliest house on the block, 800 sq. ft., and on a busier highway, but I'm looking for the lowest cost of entry to the heights.

btw. I probably won't be purchasing for up to one year (of course the right house at the right price would expedite my purchase). I am however, going to move into the heights (rent) in a few months to start getting the feel of the neighboorhood. I figure the best way to find new homes on the market is by riding my bicycle around the 'hood'.

Any other tips on rehabing. I'm thinking what i'll do is redo the electrical and plumbing system from the start, so I'll know they are done.

Hello all,

I love the heights. I've always been a fan of the early 20th century craftsmen bungalows, and it is my wife and my dream to own one in the heights. That said... we simply can't afford to buy one in good condition and just move in, so we are looking at finding a home that is either livable, or near livable (maybe needs a few things) that we could move into and fix along the way. I'm a fairly handy person (sheet rock, flooring, paint, etc.) but I would obviously want a professional for any major things (electrical/plumbing/foundation/roofing). Im not exactly sure where one neighboorhood starts and the next one stops. Any suggestions of areas that would be less expensive? I've found some things north of 11th street, east of Shepherd, south of 20th Street in that general area that appear to be what i'm looking for and in my price range. Now that you know what i'm looking for (getting myself into) here are some questions.

What are common major problems these houses will have that may not be obvious to the untrained eye?

What are some things that you consider MUST DO as far as updates and etc.

What are some other areas similar in price within the heights?

Thanks in advance for the help. I've been lurking on this site for quite some time, and finally joined. Any tips/criticisms etc. are greatly appreciated.

Curt