On the market

A spectacularly remodeled mid-century modern for under $500,000 produces houseenvy

This view of the living area shows the glass wall overlooking the backyard.
The view of the house from T.C. Jester is sleek and contemporary enoying plentyof curb appeal.
A view of the living area from the kitchen. The space above the electricfireplace is designed for a flat screen TV.
The master bath and adjacent walk-in closet were carved from the middle bedroomof the once-three bedroom house.
The living area features beamed ceiling, original brick floors and a glass walloverlooking a verdant backyard.
The kitchen was compeletly rebuilt with European-style custom cabinetry andquartz countertops.
The guest bedroom is small but efficient.
The master bedroom opens to the backyard through a wall of glass.

Editor's Note: Houston is loaded with must-have houses for sale in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. In this continuing series, CultureMap Editor-at-Large Shelby Hodge snoops through some of our faves and gives you the lowdown on what's hot on the market.

UPDATE: The contract on this house fell through and it's back on the market. Check it out at the open house this Sunday, Sept. 9.

1136 Shelterwood

Robert Searcy of Texas Real Estate & Co. has a thing for mid-century modern houses so as soon as the gem at 1136 Shelterwood in Timbergrove Manor went on the market, he emailed me.

"I specialize in mid-century moderns, of course, and this one is truly exceptional. It was designed by Hamilton Brown, former council member Peter Brown’s father, and Peter was hired to help with the restoration. This is no flipper type house. (Remodeling expert Will Martin) spared no expense. "

The house was taken back to its studs and refurbished with all new wiring, new plumbing, insulated commercial windows and frames . . .

The house was so spectacular in a retro-Palm Springs sort of way and so well-priced (under $500,000), that Searcy received a contract (sale pending) on it the morning that I arrived to take a look-see. Ordinarily, that would have nixed the property from my consideration.

But the house was just too well done not to share with readers. So consider this a remodeling masterpiece rather than an On the Market.

The original house was comprised of three bedrooms and two baths, squeezed into 1,843 square feet. Martin and Brown reduced the count to two bedrooms, incorporating the middle bedroom into the master bath and closet thereby making the house pleasantly livable.

Throughout the extensive make-over Martin recorded the effort on his blog. As he noted when the house was completed, "This has been one of my very favorite projects in a long time and it's finished!"

The main living quarters are open plan with living room, dining area and kitchen all flowing into one delightful space defined on one end by the electric fire place with glass rock bed (see the intriguing faux flames and details here) and on the other by the kitchen bar. Love the new kitchen that has been completely redone and is outfitted with custom European cabinetry, quartz countertops and the latest in range, fridge and washer/dryer.

God bless Martin for installing solid wood doors. No plastic or hollow veneers, thank you.

For this project, Martin took the house back to its studs and refurbished with all new wiring, new plumbing, Icyne spray foam insulation and LowE insulated commercial windows and frames. The latter two are important as the house sides up to T.C. Jester where on occasion traffic can be an issue. However, on my visit, even though cars whizzed by, I didn't hear them.

New wood floors throughout much of the house, herringbone brick floor in the living area and recessed lighting are additional fine touches. Exposed brick walls, tongue and groove ceiling, walls of glass and the patio with fireplace are all magical touches that give this house such appeal. And God bless Martin for installing solid wood doors. No plastic or hollow veneers, thank you.

The spanking new 7-foot-high cedar privacy fence guarantees a secure feel when relaxing in the living area that features a vast expanse of glass wall opening to the backyard.

Another bonus to this home is the location — very nice neighborhood with lots of mature trees, large lawns and only minutes from the urban action.

unspecified

rent affordability news

Houstonians need to make nearly $68,000 to afford rent in 2025

Photo courtesy of Dolce Midtown Apartments

undefined

A new rental report from Zillow has revealed Houston renters need to make about 23 percent more money than they did five years ago in order to afford rent in 2025.

Zillow analysts examined the income needed to afford rent in 50 major U.S. metros, and determined rent prices in each city as of April 2025.

The average Houston renter needs to make $67,731 a year to afford living in the city, the report found. To afford rent for a single-family home, the income needed increases even further to $85,017.

Despite Houston's rising rent cost of living, it's still more affordable than many other cities. Nationally, the average income needed for someone to comfortably afford rent comes out to nearly $81,000. The study says that figure has increased nearly 35 percent since 2020.

"Housing costs have surged since pre-pandemic, with rents growing quite a bit faster than wages," said senior Zillow economist Orphe Divounguy. "This often leaves little room for other expenses, making it particularly difficult for those hoping to save for a down payment on a future home. High upfront costs are often overlooked, which can keep renters in their current homes."

Rent prices in Houston averaged $1,693 last month, which is less costly than the national average rent price of $2,024. Additionally, Houstonians are spending about 24 percent of their income on rent, while the typical American spends almost 30 percent of their income on rent.

Renters are also saving hundreds of dollars in comparison to those that own their homes, as a recent SmartAsset study discovered the median monthly housing costs for a Houston homeowner came out to $2,219.

At least we're not living on the East or West Coast, where eight U.S. metros require six-figure incomes to afford rent. Residents in San Jose, California need to make $136,532 a year to afford rent, the highest out of all 50 U.S. cities. Rent prices in San Jose came out to $3,413 in April.

Here's how much money renters need to afford living in other Texas metros, according to Zillow:

Dallas – $71,413
Austin – $68,840
San Antonio – $58,590

zillow housing report rent prices affordability houston

On the market

A spectacularly remodeled mid-century modern for under $500,000 produces houseenvy

4 fresh new restaurants now open in suburban Houston

Houston's most pretty-in-pink restaurant quietly closes in Upper Kirby

New Houston pizzeria serves up slices and vintage vibes in the East End

rent affordability news

Houstonians need to make nearly $68,000 to afford rent in 2025