What Is Your Home Style

There are so many different styles of housing options in Houston, Texas that are similar to options across the country. Unfortunately, the nomenclature varies from state to state, and this can easily confuse you and your agent. We offer houses, townhouses, condominiums (condos), apartments and lofts (which could be an apartment or a condo.) We also have smaller options like duplexes and garage apartments. Whether you’re buying or renting, moving can be both exciting and daunting; so, to make your relocation smoother, take a look at the housing options provided.

Houses are free standing, single family (1-4) structures of 2 or more bedrooms. They may or may not include a garage – attached or detached. With a house, the owner also owns the land and the entire property is insured from line to line,  inside and out from the ground to the roof. A house is probably the easiest to recognize as we all have spent time in one. Houses are easily found throughout Houston in a variety of styles ranging from historic and charming bungalows to modern styles with luxury finishes.

Townhouses are also single family and can be free standing or attached with their own roof, are usually found in groups, and typically are 2 or more levels with at least 2 bedrooms. They usually also include an attached garage. Regardless of it being attached or free standing, the owner also owns the land beneath the home, and is also insured from top to bottom, inside and out. Townhouses are found in denser neighborhoods such as Midtown and Rice Military where you’ll also find more walkability. The community is often gated, but private yards are difficult to find. These are frequently confused with condominiums, but there is a major difference in the two.

Condominiums are individual units of a multi-family (5+) mid or high rise with shared walls under only one roof. With a condo, the owner of the unit does not own the land beneath the building, and his insurance only covers the inside of the unit. All owners are members of a condo association and pay a monthly fee for exterior maintenance and repairs. Condos are found in very dense areas such as downtown, but can be found all over the city, too. Often times a building that was an apartment community “goes” condo when individual units are sold off. A condo may be a luxury building with top notch finishes, concierge, valet and other amenities or it could be a unit in an older, well maintained building that is more affordable.

Apartments are pretty common across the nation, but Houston is different in that we specialize in mid and high rises. These are 4+ level buildings that may resemble condos, but they’re owned by only one investor or company and manged by a management company (this could also be the owner in the case of a company such as Gables Residential.) The owner of the apartment owns the building and the land, and his insurance covers inside and out, top to bottom. Apartments usually feature a parking garage structure and amenities such as a dog park, a fitness center, spin classes, a cyber cafe, a chef’s kitchen, and a pool. Most apartment communities in Houston are A+ rated with high end finishes such as stained concrete or hard wood floors, granite or quartz counter tops, stainless steel appliances, whirlpool tubs, and some even offer premium amenities found at luxury condo communities such as valet and concierge. We also have garden style communities that are a little older and more affordable. These are usually gated “neighborhoods” with multiple 2-3 level walk up buildings that have “classic” finishes of white appliances, Formica counter tops, carpeted floors and surface lot parking.