Red-Hot Neighborhoods

Real estate experts reveal Houston's hottest 'hoods for 2018

Five Houston neighborhoods are about to get a lot of love.

Photo by Shobeir Ansari, Getty Images

Real estate website Zillow has its list of the top 10 hottest housing markets for 2018, and while Houston doesn't make the cut, the study does provide a sneak peek at which H-Town neighborhoods are likely to see a surge in popularity this coming year.

The Greater Third Ward takes the top spot, with an anticipated 6.8 percent increase in home value appreciation. It's followed by Spring Branch East (4.4 percent), Hidden Valley (4.0 percent), Willowbrook (3.0 percent), and the Willow Meadows–Willowbend area (2.7 percent).

Though Houston is missing from Zillow's top 10, two other Texas neighbors land on the list. Austin snags No. 6, with a home value forecast of 3.3 percent and a typical household income of around $71,000 (somewhat low compared to other cities, but remember the low cost of Texas living). But what really wows is the stats surrounding Austin's anticipated job growth: 47,430 jobs are projected to materialize next year. Zillow also points out that Austin has one of the lowest unemployment rates among large cities, even as its population is growing faster than other major metros (it was at 2.8 percent between 2015 and 2016).

Dallas-Fort Worth makes a good showing at No. 10 overall. The third-highest home value forecast (4.7 percent) and a whopping 142,084 jobs — by far the most in the top 10 — highlight its attractiveness to new residents.

To make its list, Zillow scaled six variables for the 50 largest U.S. metros and combined them to form a "hotness" score. The data included:

Zillow’s home value and rent forecasts, which predict the change in median home values and median estimated rents over the next 12 months
Income and population growth using ACS 2015 and 2016 one-year estimates
Current unemployment rates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Glassdoor's estimated number of job openings per person

San Jose, California, tops the list of hottest markets for 2018, mainly because home values in the Silicon Valley hub gained 17.4 percent over the past year — the fastest growth among the 50 largest metro areas — and Glassdoor estimates that San Jose has 0.036 job openings per person, which is the highest rate among large U.S. metros. It’s also the only market with a median household income above $100,000.

Seattle (No. 3); San Francisco (No. 5); and Portland, Oregon (No. 9) help the West Coast dominate, while two cities in North Carolina — Raleigh (No. 2) and Charlotte (No. 4) — join Denver and Nashville to complete the top 10.

A Montrose jewel box

Charming Montrose townhouse with 2-story atrium hits the market

Photo by Sonya Sofrankpo for Sotheby’s International Realty

1507 Harold Street is on the market for $950,000.

Montrose has long been Houston’s neighborhood for the eclectic, a place where cute bungalows, mom-and-pop shops, and trendy bars and restaurants sit side-by-side. The neighborhood is a microcosm of the city itself: diverse, developing, beloved.

And even as the neighborhood has steadily gentrified, echoes of its past remain. One of those is now for sale. 1507 Harold Street, a remodeled jewel box of a space, is on the market for $950,000 and represented by Tracey Smith of Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty.

The 1950s townhome has fabulous natural light, balconies, a courtyard filled with native plants, and a funky charm that evokes the neighborhood’s past and present.

Painted tile floors and long hallways with splendid light set the tone for this home. They give way to an open, airy arrangement, showing off 1507 Harold’s nearly 3,000 square feet. The three-bedroom, two-bath home is immediately centered in its neighborhood, but also a retreat from the bustling city around it.

If the devil is in the details, 1507 Harold has plenty of them. Think painted clay tiles on the first floor and solid red oak hardwood on the second floor. Add to that custom Pedini Italian kitchen cabinets, Neolith countertops, and a Quemere custom backsplash in the kitchen. See also the epoxied garage floor with glass garage door.

Floor-to-ceiling windows not only let in the natural light, they give 1507 Harold the feeling of being surrounded by nature. That feeling is enhanced by the home's two, second-floor balconies. One of them, off the primary bedroom, overlooks the cloistered courtyard filled with native plants, park bench, and natural seating. The other faces the neighborhood. A two-story atrium provides space for meditation, contemplation, and casual gathering.

The dining room has a dry bar that’s perfect for storage and an Aobosi dual-temperature wine refrigerator. The primary bedroom has built-in bookcases and drawers, and an ensuite bath with soaking tub and shower. Sliding doors lead to the balcony.

The garden’s irrigation system waters plants daily, keeping this green space well-tended.South Texas cactus and olive trees welcome homeowners and visitors at the front entrance.

The home's welcoming vibe has to be seen to be believed. It’s rarely been on the market, and the odds are high that its next owners will keep it for a very long time. It’s just that kind of place.

Photo by Sonya Sofrankpo for Sotheby’s International Realty

1507 Harold Street is on the market for $950,000.

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