Houston Real Estate For Sale In TX

Nicknamed the Bayou City for its extensive system of bayous that help with drainage throughout the city, Houston as we know it was established in 1836. For a while, it was the capital of the Republic of Texas. Its namesake is former General Sam Houston, president of the Republic of Texas at the time of the city’s establishment, and who was famous for winning independence from Mexico for Texas.

Since its beginning, Houston has been a hub of innovation, culture, and industry for Texas. It is globally recognized as a leader in the energy industry, as well as in the industries of biomedical research and aeronautics. Technological advances better the lives of its residents in hundreds of innovative ways. It is also one of the best cities for job growth, leading to a robust economy which makes real estate in Houston TX a good investment.

The availability of homes within Houston’s real estate market is expansive, just as the city itself is. From family-friendly areas to those better suited to career-focused adults or retirees, real estate in Houston has everything you need to settle into and enjoy your new community.

Between its lower-than-average cost of living (6% less than the national average), beautiful year-round weather, exceptional public and private schools, and a never-ending list of things to do, Houston real estate is an ideal place for families with children. There are a lot of great options to choose from with regard to family-friendly neighborhoods, but one of the most popular and fastest-growing is the neighborhood of Kingwood. Located in the eastern area of the city, Kingwood is 14,000 acres of dense suburban heaven with so much tree cover the area is known as the “Living Forest.” The median price for homes for sale in this area of Houston is around $350k.

West-central Houston is home to the neighborhood of Montrose, sometimes referred to as Neartown. Since it was first established in 1911, it has been a major center of art and culture within the city. It remains an eclectic and diverse community, where restored Victorian mansions sit next to small bungalows, and your neighbor is as likely to be a performance artist or muralist as a businessman or academic scholar. 

One of the most beautiful areas in Houston is University Place, known by that name due to its proximity to Rice University. Between picturesque parks, friendly neighbors, and Rice’s continuing education offerings, there is no end to things to do and love about University Place. Homes in this area sell in the range of $770k - $800k.

The majority of students in the city of Houston attend public schools, while around 10% attend private schools. Most of the schools within the city itself are under the jurisdiction of the Houston Independent School District (HISD). It is the eighth-largest school district in the United States, serving over 200,000 students. 

Of the many schools served by HISD, there are a few that stand out for their excellence. Eight elementary schools have been recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools, the highest honor given by the U.S. Department of Education. Based on criteria measuring performance on standardized tests, completion rates, and the quality of high school preparation, the top three schools for K-5 students in Houston are West University Elementary, River Oaks Elementary, and Horn Elementary. 

Because the city is so large, Houston real estate has access to a lot of high schools – at least 44 within the area served by HISD, though not all of those 44 are actually served by the district. The top two best schools among these are not only highly ranked in Houston itself, but are also ranked among the top 100 best schools in the country. Rankings are based on state-required tests, rates of graduation, and quality of college preparation.

The first on this list is Carnegie Vanguard High School, near Downtown Houston. It is a magnet school with a lottery, and the competition to get in is steep. Almost all of the students at Carnegie Vanguard take Advanced Placement courses, with an average of at least ten prior to graduation. Students are encouraged to complete at least 100 hours of community service during their years at school. 

Following Carnegie Vanguard in excellence is DeBakey High School for Health Professions. As evidenced by its name, this school is unique for its program geared toward students who aim to work in the medical profession. Students in attendance have the opportunity to participate in research and academic programs at the Texas Medical Center. 

These two schools are not the only options for outstanding high school education in the country. Some other options, all with high graduation rates, college readiness scores, and standardized testing performance, include Eastwood Academy, Challenge Early College High School, Young Women’s College Prep Academy, and the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Each of these is also ranked among the top 200 best schools in the country.

There are approximately 200 zip codes within the Greater Houston Metropolitan Area. Some of the most popular neighborhoods are:

Houston is so large that its size is greater than five of the states in the United States. As a result, there are several counties included in the metropolitan area. Most of the city is in Harris County, but some parts are also in Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, and Galveston County, among others.

In Houston, school usually begins in late August and lasts through early June.

Houston real estate costs can vary depending on the area, but the median price for a home for sale is around $330k.

There are two main airports in Houston. The first is George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), and the other is William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).