Updated elegance

Renovated Tudor-style home in West U. hits market for $5.5 million

In the heart of West University Place sits 6426 Sewanee Avenue. The gracious Tudor home, originally built in 2011, has been thoughtfully renovated. It’s on the market for $5.5 million and is represented by Melinda Dawes EwingofMartha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty.

The four-bedroom, five-bath home sits on about a third of an acre in one of the country's wealthiest neighborhoods. Unfolding across 8,577 square feet, it’s a home meant for living and entertaining. Originally designed by Robert Dame, Classic American Homes + Karen Black Interiors updated the home earlier this year.

6426 Sewanee offers casual luxury that is easy and approachable. Well-manicured landscaping and outdoor lighting both highlight the home’s curb appeal and beckon visitors to come inside.

The open floor plan allows for seamless gathering spaces, including a huge family room with beamed ceilings and a gourmet kitchen anchored by a center island. It also has a six-burner gas cooktop with Segreto vent hood, Wolf and Sub Zero appliances, Quartzite countertops, and a welcoming feel that make it a natural place to hang out while home cooks are preparing a feast.

The dining and formal living room offer sophisticated touches, loads of natural light, and access to the wet bar and the temperature-controlled, 360-bottle wine room. Upstairs, find the spacious primary suite with its own gas fireplace, exposed beams, and a private balcony that's perfect for morning coffee, afternoon wine, or scrolling the news of the day. The primary bath is a space of dreamy marble with two closets, Ann Sacks tile, and lovely new hardware.

Future occupants will also find an elevator, pool, covered outdoor patio with gas fireplace and summer kitchen, workout room, a paneled study on the home’s second floor, a media room, and a three-car garage and motor court

This is a beautiful home, where new owners will create cherished memories in one of the Houston-area's most desirable neighborhoods.

Photo by Josh Gremillion for Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

This renovated Tudor home at 6426 Sewanee Avenue in West University Place is on sale for $5.5 million.

west university place home-for-sale

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