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    Real Estate Report

    Buying a home is cheaper than renting — especially in Houston

    Jennifer Riner/Trulia
    Oct 25, 2016 | 11:19 am
    house for sale sold sign
    Buying beats renting in every Texas metro.
    Paul Bradbury/Getty Images

    Saving for homeownership is no easy feat, but the financial benefits typically outweigh the initial cutbacks. With today’s high rental costs and low interest rates, prospective buyers might consider exercising their savings funds sooner rather than later. According to a new study from Trulia, buying a home is currently 37.7 percent cheaper than renting from a national perspective.

    Over the past year, the national average interest rate dropped from 3.9 to 3.7 percent. And despite the fact that current low interest rates are likely to rise toward the end of the year, not every renter is rushing to gather a down payment. The chief deterrent is rising home prices, which grew 5.9 percent over the last year compared to a softer 3.5 percent jump in rent prices.

    Although prices dissuade many would-be buyers, purchasing a home offers the “best deal” seen since 2012. In each of the top 100 metros, buying is more cost-effective than renting, ranging between a 20 and 50 percent difference in long-term costs. To ease your concerns regarding mortgage rates, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), commonly known as the Fed, would have to at least double rates for the scale to tip in favor of renting. On every front, buying makes the most sense — especially in the South.

    Regionally, the South offers the greatest financial benefit of homeownership with eight out of the top 10 best buying metros, including Houston.

    Houston’s median home value this fall is $176,513, while the median rent is $1,575 per month, which means buying homes in Houston is 52.9 percent cheaper than renting them. In order for the financials to shift in favor of renting, the median home price in Houston must reach $405,980, while interest rates would have to rise to 14.2 percent. Although neither scenario is likely to occur soon, home prices have a much shorter distance to go compared to the massive hike interest rates must make to tip the scale.

    San Antonio is just shy of the top 10 metros where buying is cheaper than renting, at a 50 percent cost difference benefiting homeownership. The median San Antonio home costs $155,273, compared to a median rent of $1,350 per month. In order for buying to become less advantageous than renting in San Antonio, home prices would have to jump to a median $336,942, while interest rates would have to rise to 13.3 percent.

    Buying a home in Fort Worth costs a median $174,171, while renting costs $1,450 per month, making homeownership 46.4 percent less expensive than leasing. Buying would only become less advantageous if home prices rose to $346,600 or interest rates jumped to 12.3 percent.

    Although Dallas homes share a slightly more expensive median of $215,053, buying is still 47.4 percent cheaper than the median apartment cost of $1,650 per month. Residential real estate prices in Dallas would have to jump to $434,407 in order for homeownership to be more expensive. Meanwhile, interest rates would have to increase to 11.9 percent for this move to occur.

    Austin is one of Texas’ pricier metros, with a median home value of $258,297 and a median rent of $1,700 per month. Nonetheless, buying a home in Austin is over 40 percent cheaper than renting. In order for renting to economically outweigh buying, home prices would need to go up to a median $452,020 and interest rates would have to jump to 9.7 percent.

    If homeownership is on the horizon but you haven’t quite amassed a 20 percent down payment and closing costs, don’t fear. Interest rates have a long way to go before they tip the scales toward renting. Keep in mind, however, that shifts in home prices could have the greatest impact given the current market. Planning to delay in the hopes of a market slowdown might hurt more than help, especially with home prices climbing nationally.

    trulia
    news/real-estate

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    Post Oak property redeveloped

    Renovated Galleria development will add 'greatest neighborhood restaurant'

    Eric Sandler
    Jun 4, 2025 | 1:08 pm
    Central Park Post Oak redevelopment rendering
    Courtesy of Midway
    The complex will add two new buildings.

    A Galleria-area office complex has announced a comprehensive series of renovations and upgrades designed to make it one of the area’s premier mixed-use destinations. Renovations are currently underway at the Post Oak Central development, which will now be known as Central Park Post Oak.

    Located at 2000 Post Oak Boulevard between Westheimer and San Felipe, Central Park Post Oak is a 17-acre parcel that consists of three high-rise office buildings with a combined 1.2 million square feet of office separated by an expansive lawn. Houston-based real estate development firm Midway, working with real estate investment firms 3Edgewood and Parkway, plans to replace that lawn with two new retail buildings and a greenspace. The changes are partially inspired by the Post Oak Boulevard redevelopment project that added more than 1,000 trees, wider sidewalks, and dedicated bus lanes to the bustling thoroughfare.

    "Our vision is to create a dynamic, walkable urban destination that honors the Boulevard’s rich history while meeting the evolving needs of Houston's Uptown District. We are crafting a lifestyle for those who work, shop, and dine here," Midway executive vice president Clayton Freels said in a statement.

    One anchor of the new retail component will be the first Houston location of The Henry, a restaurant that will occupy a newly-constructed, 7,000-square-foot, jewel box space. Part of Fox Restaurant Concepts (North Italia, Flower Child), The Henry is described as “the greatest neighborhood restaurant.” It’s open for weekday breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch, and dinner with an eclectic menu that includes sandwiches, salads, sushi, steak, seafood, and more.

    Other changes to the property include the addition of on-street parking, upgrades to the complex’s parking garages, and more new retailers and restaurants that will be announced in the coming months. The project began construction in April with plans to finish by fall 2026.

    In addition, Midway announced that TDECU will occupy 125,000 square feet in Central Park One and BBVA has leased a floor (20,000 square feet) in Central Park Two.

    Central Park Post Oak redevelopment rendering
      

    Courtesy of Midway

    The complex will add two new buildings.

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