Luxury real estate in Houston is hot right now. According to the Houston Association of Realtors' November 2021 report, over the course of the past year, the area has seen a 12% increase in real estate purchases from 2020 and 22.2% increase from 2019. The luxury home market saw a 23.4% increase in sales compared to November 2020.
With demand high and inventory historically low, Houston’s market, particularly for a coveted property like Heights Houston real estate, is considerably fast-paced with inventory for only 1.6 months on average since August. As such, buyers and sellers are racing to take advantage of this hot Houston market.
The appeal of Houston Heights
One of the most notable historic neighborhoods to the northwest of downtown Houston, the homes for sale Houston Heights are in a community whose roots go as far back as 1886 when Oscar Martin Carter originally planned it. The neighborhood, in addition to its historical significance, offers an abundance of things to do with a popular local art scene, parks, wine bars, shopping, and music venues.
Art
The Houston Heights Association’s Art on the Boulevard project, TRUE NORTH, is a temporary art installation organized annually since 2014. This year’s installation featured eight sculptures by Texas artists who agreed to donate 20% of sales back to the organization to help fund next year’s exhibition. Additionally, the “First Saturday Arts Market” held at the beginning of each month offers crafts, plants, and artwork for sale, in addition, to live musical entertainment, making the community an attractive location for buyers seeking homes for sale in Houston Heights.
Parks
Heights Houston real estate is close to numerous outdoor areas, highlighted by Donovan and Marmion Park. Donovan Park was refurbished by resident volunteers in 1996 to offer a unique play space with a railroad theme and Victorian-era turrets. Popular with families, this park is open to the public but barbeque pits, open flames, and dogs are not allowed.
Marmion Park is home to Houston Heights Fire Department 14, the last remaining municipal facility from before the city of Houston annexed the neighborhood. The fire department building was constructed in 1914 and also initially served as a City Hall and jail. Renamed Station 14 in 1918, it was decommissioned in 1987 but remains a historic landmark. Marmion Park is also known for the Kaiser Pavilion, a popular wedding venue that may be reserved through the Houston Heights Association.
Dining
Houston Heights has steadily grown as a local culinary destination. Paying homage to its historic past while embracing the emerging trend-setting culture of Texas’s metropolitan areas, locals enjoy an attractive blend of traditional staples like TexMex and more adventurous new American cuisine. Highlights include the delectable game meats and bacon-stuffed cheesy grits at Rainbow Lodge, the flavorful variety of authentic Thai cuisine at Kin Dee, and the casual bar and eatery housed in a pub-like space at Better Luck Tomorrow.
Shopping
Similar to the exciting dining scene, residents of Heights Houston real estate are privileged with a dynamic local shopping culture. For reasonably priced contemporary and upscale women’s fashion, they head to Saint Lo Boutique. Those drawn to handcrafted and locally made goods would enjoy perusing through the beautifully constructed range of clothing, household decorations, and more at Forth and Nomad. The neighborhood's penchant for quality over mass-produced items continues at Kind Collective — a boutique purveying ethically sourced accessories, high-end kitchenware, and gifts.
Music Venues
The Heights Theater, one of the oldest venues in Houston, originated as a 1930s era cinema. In its current form, the theater offers dancing shows and music acts covering a wide range of genres. Visitors can enjoy a snack from the kitchen and a glass of wine or cocktail from the full bar.
Another popular venue near Heights Houston real estate is White Oak Music Hall, an 8,000 square foot complex with indoor and outdoor stages as well as the Raven Tower ice house. With the Lawn able to host up to 3,000 fans, this venue draws popular acts like The Lumineers and other musicians and comedians for comedy nights. Another facility at White Oak Music Hall is “The Stage” — a venue with enough room for up to 200 guests and is known for hosting up-and-coming local performers and private events.
What this means for buyers
Whether they’re inspired by the beautiful architecture of 19th-century homes for sale in Houston Heights or the more contemporary single-family homes and townhouses, buyers appreciate the local ambiance and wealth of entertainment options of the area.
Given the popularity of the Heights neighborhood, it’s critical prospective buyers hire an experienced local agent to expertly guide them throughout the whole process. When house hunting, try not to set your heart on just one house. With such a fast market, it’s wise to consider multiple options and be prepared to attempt second chance deals should another buyer’s offer fall through. Additionally, buyers should be prepared to offer more than the asking price.
What this means for sellers
For those who are looking to sell their Heights Houston real estate, the market is very much in their favor. With high demand and low inventory, home sale prices have climbed in 2020 and 2021, so now is an excellent time to make a profit on your investment.
Given the hot market, hiring a top real estate agent to aid in listing and purchase negotiations is a wise decision. Before listing, declutter your space, hire a cleaning service to ensure your property shines, and be sure your outdoor space is well-maintained. You may find it helpful to move out all of your possessions and hire a staging service to ensure your property’s photographs have a strong visual presence to attract as many prospective buyers as possible.
When developing the listing description, highlight your favorite restaurants, shopping destinations, and things to do in Houston Heights. It is also helpful to identify any upgrades or special features of your property. Once the property has been listed, things will move quickly. You are likely to receive multiple offers so be prepared to evaluate and choose the right one. Once the offer has been accepted, it is still common for the closing process to take 1-2 months.
To learn more about how to buy and sell luxury in a fast-paced market or about Houston Heights real estate, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the HTX Group. Our team would love to show you real estate and Houston Heights homes for sale.
