Houston’s average home price has hovered in the $400,000 range for several years, but what does that figure really mean in a metro so vast? To answer that question, the Houston Chronicle analyzed data from the Houston Association of Realtors to pinpoint how far a budget of $350,000 to $450,000 can stretch across the region.
From sleek new townhomes in the Inner Loop to restored bungalows in gentrifying areas and family-friendly brick houses in the suburbs, the region offers a broad range of options for buyers in this price range. But when buyers layer on other needs — such as the home size, school districts, commutes or lifestyle choices — the options start to narrow.
“Buyers at the end of the day in Houston are going to choose between time and money. So if they’re looking for a short commute, and time is the most important thing to them, then they’re going to have to spend more money for the product that they want,” said Kat Robinson, chair-elect of the Houston Association of Realtors and broker associate with Compass Real Estate. “While if their bottom line is the purchase price and lifestyle, then commute can’t really be a part of the equation.”…