Posted on Tue, Sep 29, 2009
Purchasing a new home can certainly be a daunting and intimidating experience. Many new home owners worry if they are buying a quality home that will not cause them additional concern. The simplest way to set your mind at ease is to have your new house inspected by a licensed, qualified and competent inspector before closing. Choosing the right inspector is not something that should be taken lightly. There are many factors to be considered. Once you have the right person for the job you will also want to make sure that you accompany them throughout the house. This not only ensures that they are inspecting the house thoroughly, but it will give you an education on the construction and inner workings of the home. If anything is found that needs repair you will want to bring it to the attention of the builder. If you're buying a pre-owned home, you can negotiate the price based on the inspection results.
As aforementioned, choosing the right inspector is imperative. You will want to look into any potential inspectors credentials. Most states do require that an inspector be licensed and follow similar standards of practice. In addition, you will also want to know if they belong to a national inspector association like InterNACHI, ASHI or CAHPI, among others. Just knowing who they are on paper is not enough. Speaking with them in advance is also an excellent idea. Do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have.
A few questions you may want to have on your mind for the inspector are:
- How long have you been inspecting houses?
- Is home inspection your primary business?
- Do you specialize in residential inspections?
- Will I be able to join you on this inspection?
- How long will it take and what is it going to cost?
- And perhaps one of the most important question may be:
Do you participate in continuing your education on the process of home inspection?
A crucial thing to remember is that just because an inspector has been working longer does not necessarily make them more qualified. Any inspector should be able to provide you with references and a history of their work to put your mind at ease. In addition, a lot of inspectors do have access to partners to gain additional knowledge if an issue should arise.
Following along on the inspection can make a colossal difference. Many of the things he or she will say through the course of the inspection will not make it to the final written report, and the process can be very educational. If the inspector denies you the right to accompany them during the inspection, this could be a cause for concern.
Inspecting a house can be time consuming, but is very necessary to avoid unwanted repairs and financial burden. The time put into this process can vary just as much as the cost. A typical inspection of a single family house can take two to three hours and cost $300-$500. Nevertheless, this investment of time and money will save you from having to make a repair in the future that will take days or weeks instead of hours and cost thousands instead of hundreds.
Following these simple but important guidelines will further secure your important investment. Educate yourself on the inspector before allowing them to educate you on the positives and negatives of the house you are potentially acquiring. This small, yet significant, step could be just what you need to save yourself from unnecessary stress.
And most importantly, if there are any problems with the construction of your home prior to closing, DO NOT CLOSE. There are laws that protect you as a buyer, and you must exercise your rights to force the builder to fix their problems. You cannot take them for their word that the problems will be fixed after closing. If you're buying the home pre-owned, it's best that the previous owner fix all problems before buying, unless of course it's a foreclosure.
If you have any further questions about the home inspection process or if you need help with your Houston home search, please don't hesitate to contact us for a free consultation.
vnupda9mt4
Posted on Mon, Sep 28, 2009
Many of our clients have trouble choosing a home in Katy or The Woodlands. If you ask the members of this City-Data forum thread, the verdict seems clear: The Woodlands. However, the answer is not so clear-cut, and there are many factors that should go into your decision when evaluating Houston suburbia. Here's our take on the winners of each category.
Aesthetics: The Woodlands
The Woodlands has a much greater aesthetic appeal. You'll find plenty of vegetation and mature trees, while Katy is described as "a sea of roofs and concrete" unbearable in summer months. However, the rich vegetation and trees does bring risk of increased levels of insects and mosquitos.
On the other hand, there are areas inside Katy offering neighborhoods similar to The Woodlands in terms of scenery and trees, although they tend to be more expensive, in the $600k + range.
Shopping & Entertainment: The Woodlands
Within a 7 mile distance, The Woodlands offers restaurants, hospitals, schools, movie theaters, and an award-winning mall. The much popular Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion hosts many famous music acts that come through town. The Woodlands does offer more convenience when it comes to shopping and entertainment, however at a higher price tag.
Katy is working hard to catch up, especially with the recent La Centerra shopping center. The Katy Mills Mall, while not at all luxurious like First Colony Mall in The Woodlands, offers great bargains and an easy place to drop the kids off to hang out. There are drawbacks to both areas when it comes to shopping and entertainment. Typically you'll find more expensive options in The Woodlands, while Katy has more sprawl and greater affordable variety.
Hospitals & Education: Katy
Katy has a staggering number of hospitals, and the number is growing. Katy ISD is an award-winning school district backed by high taxes. The Woodlands does have a fair share of medical centers, so you need not be worried about hospitals in either area. Katy wins hands down on education.
Commute: Katy
Commuting to Downtown Houston is most certainly more convenient from Katy. The recently renovated Katy Freeway has an obscene number of lanes and a tollway/HOV running through the middle. You can reach downtown from Fry Rd in about 20 minutes in decent traffic. However, coming from The Woodlands, I-45 is much more congested and prone to traffic jams. Residents do have the option of the Hardy Tollroad, but even that can get congested.
Conclusion
The vast majority of forum respondents preferred The Woodlands as the better choice. A combination of low crime, aesthetics, quieter areas, and convenient shopping seems to be the major strong points. Schools are still high quality and the commute is acceptable if travelling on the Hardy Tollroad. Couples without children will most likely appreciate the lifestyle in The Woodlands more than Katy.
Katy's strong points are the newer schools, about $100 less in property taxes, an easier commute, and an overall lower cost of living. For us, the jury is still out. We find that different families are better suited for different areas. For a free consultation to discuss your options and find the best neighborhoods for you, download our New Home Buyers Guide. You can also read more about Katy neighborhoods and neighborhoods in The Woodlands.
Photo credit finnadat
Posted on Wed, Sep 23, 2009
Aliana is one of Houston's newest master-planned communities, withhomes ranging from 300-1m+. We decided to tour some of the streets ofAliana to give you a first-person view of this growing community.
Aliana, Houston Amenities
- Energy Efficiency: Most lots will feature north/south orientation allowing for greater energy efficiency
- Exquisite $5 million Tuscan-style, resident-only clubhouse
- Exclusive memberships to
- Trellis, The Spa at The Houstonian Golf & Country Club will be exclusively available to existing members of the club and select AlianaTM resident homeowners. A sister spa to the Trellis Spa at the Houstonian, it's scheduled to open soon will offer complete personal health and beauty treatments including:
- Hot-stone massage
- Facials
- Manicures
- Yoga class
- Golf: Aliana is located between two golf courses - the Houstonian Golf & Country Club and Shadow Hawk Golf Club
- Landscaping: One of SWA Group's most-respected landscape architects is designing the landscaping and park space.
- Miles of hike and bike trails
- Parks
- Resort Style Pool
- Rolling green belts
- Tree-lined neighborhoods
- Water treatment systems will incorporate one of the highest standards for master-planned communities in Texas.
- Other: Renowned Philadelphia glass artist Will Dexter will design a community environment and handcraft special monuments and art pieces that add beauty to this development.
Aliana, Houston Neighborhoods
1) AviaraHomes from the mid $400s and up
Gated neighborhood, located just to the east of the future Aliana Polo and Racquet Club complex.
2) Bretton Woods
Homes from $235 - $350
Builder: Meritage Homes
Homes will have a featured lake as an amenity and near the resort-style amenity center.
3) Saratoga
Homes from $270 - $400
Builders: Coventry Homes and Newmark
4) Tanglewood
Homes from the $400s - $500s
Builders: Perry Homes and J. Patrick Homes
Featuring custom size lots & home sizes from 4,000 sqft - 5,700+ sqft.
5) Waterchase
Homes from the upper $200s - $300s
Builder: Meritage Homes
Within walking distance from the resort style amenity center with direct access to the multi-mile linear park hike and bike trail system.
6) Wedgewood
Homes from the mid $200s
Builder: Mercedes Homes
Adjacent to a one mile jogging trail and a beautiful linear park that connects to the east with the resort style amenity center by a flowing stream along tree lined stream banks.
7) Windsor
Homes from $245 - $300s.
Builders: Coventry Homes and Perry Homes
Large lots, linear park with the opening one mile stretch of the multi-mile community hike and bike trail as its featured amenity.
Coming in Phase Two
- 8 - Churchill
- 9 - Polo Estates
- 10 - Villas
Aliana, Houston Schools
Elementary Schools
- Jordan Elementary
- Oakland Elementary
Middle School
High School
Fort Bend Independent School District
Taxes in Aliana, Houston
Local Appraisal Districts:
Shopping in Aliana, Houston
First Colony Mall
Visit all the stores located in the outdoor plaza. Wander through the beautifully landscaped courtyard, shop any of our new retailers or just stop to enjoy a moment in the plaza. The possibilities are endless at First Colony Mall!
Sugar Land Town Square
Traditional downtown business district. Walkable Main Street. Exceptional shopping. Outdoor dining. Family events. And unforgettable experiences. Sugar Land Town Square has it all
Shop Sugar Land
Shop Sugar Land is your guide to exciting shopping and dining experiences in the City of Sugar Land. Over 800 unique retail and restaurant locations are listed on this website and can searched by category or by location using an interactive map of the City.
Movie Theaters:
AMC 24
3301 Town Centre Boulevard
Sugar Land, TX 77479
AMC Loews Fountains 18
11225 Fountain Lake Drive
Stafford, TX 77477
Loews is one of my favorite movie theaters in Sugar Land. Their popcorn is among the best, and they also feature some great finger food that beats any other theater!
Interactive area map:
View Aliana, Houston in a larger map
Aliana, Houston Area Maps
Below are some larger and more detailed maps of Aliana, Houston. Visit the Aliana, Houston developer's website.
