All Forum Posts by: Violeta Archer

I've been tracking Little Rock, AR for almost 2 years and don't understand why no one wants to buy in this beautiful state. The city has a lot of potential, and I see a lot of opportunity. I almost bought a property, but my mother said it was TOO cold for her to visit. :(   

Can someone from Arkansas please provide perspective? Drugs? Crime? Mafia?

Can investors please provide perspective as well?

Hi Tyler,

Where do I start? As a native Texan who was born and raised in San Antonio, went to college out of state and then returned to Texas -- Austin for 15 years and then Houston for the last 8 years, I think I can address your question. First, all three cities are NOT what they used to be when I was growing up. 

Austin is now a destination city, dubbed Silicon Hills for its tech industry. The housing market is beyond anyone's means if you're not in tech. Profits will be slim. I designed and custom-built my dream home (2,500sf) on the southwestern side (hill country) on an acre for $150K. I had to sell in 2007 due to a divorce and sold it for $316K and made a nice profit. The market is overpriced now. That same house would sell today for over $600K.

I thought I'd buy in Houston, but the constant flooding and ground shifting always braked that idea. It never floods in the same way; it always floods, and no house is immune to flooding. Many Houstonians are migrating to higher ground -- central Texas (Austin or San Antonio) -- where it doesn't flood and selling to clueless out-of-towners. The high humidity level is a magnate for termites, and the constant ground shifting from floods translate to foundation problems. So I never bought. And when it floods, it does so up to the attic! Houston is technically BELOW sea level and has a lot of ground water. The market is overpriced. Very competitive landscape among retail buyers and investors.

I just moved to San Antonio in December and am shocked to see how much home prices are for a mid-century style ranch. The neighborhood I grew up in was on the wrong side of the 'tracks', but because it's close to downtown, it's been gentrified and designated as a historical district. Beautiful downtown and terrain. No flooding. Less expensive than Austin or Houston, and somewhat competitive. The job market, however, is not stellar-- unemployment is high. This is a HUGE MILITARY town and everything / everyone caters to vets. Many retired vets have civilian jobs and it's more diverse now.
 

Great story, Joshua! Love it! Please.... when one writes a a great read, pictures are imperative. Fortunately, I've a great imagination since I've an interior design background. I "saw" what you described. I look forward to seeing the pictures, though. 

I joined a REIA in Houston. Nice, hard working people, but the market is saturated here and inflated. I prefer someplace smaller (still warm) with access to an airport. Scouting. :)

@Joan Defenbaugh - It's late only when you're dead. Keep moving and don't let fear stay in your way.