On The Market

Custom-built beauty offers luxurious living for lucky buyer in River Oaks area

3020 Ella Lee Lane
Houston, TX 77019

Neighborhood: Avalon/River Oaks
Style: Traditional
Square footage: 5,450
Beds: 5
Baths: 5 full, 2 half
Price: $3,250,000

The low down: This exquisite home, custom-built by Bardwell in 2007, is a perfect fusion of timeless elegance and contemporary comfort. Boasting a thoughtfully designed layout with premium finishes, this residence provides an exceptional living experience for the most discerning of buyers.

As you step through the front door, a gracious entry foyer welcomes you, flanked by elegant formal living and dining rooms. The attention to detail is immediately evident, with crown moldings, soaring 10-foot ceilings, and beautifully tumbled travertine floors. Natural light floods the home, creating an inviting atmosphere throughout its spacious interior.

The heart of the home is undoubtedly the chef’s kitchen, designed for both functionality and style. It features a large granite island, a high-end Thermador gas cooktop, dual ovens, and dual Asko dishwashers — perfect for effortless entertaining. The open-concept design seamlessly connects the kitchen to the expansive family room, allowing for uninterrupted time together.

A secluded office on the main level offers a quiet workspace. Upstairs, the luxurious primary suite provides a true retreat with its spacious layout, sitting area, and an en-suite bath complete with a walk-in closet. Three additional secondary bedrooms each have their own en-suite baths and ample closet space. A versatile bedroom/study provides even more flexibility, while the third floor offers a bonus space that can serve as an additional bedroom or a game room, complete with a full bath.

For even more privacy, the detached garage apartment includes a fully equipped kitchen, a comfortable living area, a bedroom, and a bath — ideal for extended family, guests, or even rental potential.

3020 Ella Lee Houston house Photo by TK Images

The beautifully landscaped backyard is a serene retreat, featuring a covered back porch, a small heated pool, and a convenient outdoor-accessible pool bath.

Situated within walking distance of top-rated schools, fine dining, and upscale shopping, this home offers unparalleled convenience in one of Houston’s most sought-after communities. With its stunning design and unbeatable location, this home is a rare gem that must be seen to be fully appreciated.

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This home is on the market with Walter Bering of Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty. Click here to see more photos, details, and to contact the agent.

Photo by TK Images

3020 Ella Lee Lane is listed for $3.25 million.

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REAL ESTATE NEWS

More Houston homeowners are becoming 'accidental landlords,' study finds

For Lease Real Estate Sign Hangs in Front Yard of House

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An increasing number of San Antonio homeowners are bcoming "accidental landlords"

Houston homeowners unable to sell their properties are increasingly becoming “accidental landlords,” according to Zillow. The real estate marketplace’s newest analysis says that 4.2 percent of its local for-sale listings recently converted to rentals, making the Bayou City the second-worst U.S. city for the market trend.

Only Denver (4.9 percent) ranks higher, with Austin (4.1 percent) and San Antonio (3.9 percent) not far behind. Seven of the top 10 metros are in Texas or Florida.

Zillow senior economist Kara Ng says today's dynamic is driven by choice rather than panic. Homeowners aren't being forced to sell; they're simply unwilling to accept what the market will actually pay.

"As the market continues to rebalance, sellers are facing a different reality than they did a few years ago," Ng said in a statement. "Bargaining power is tilting toward buyers, and homes are taking longer to sell, making renting out a property one way to buy time rather than compete aggressively on price. After all, today's sellers are rarely forced to sell, and it appears they are often unwilling to budge off of what their heart says their home is worth."

Nationally, the trend is nearing a record high. 2.3 percent of all Zillow rental listings were recently for-sale properties, second only to November 2022, when mortgage rates had doubled in a single year, and sellers were scrambling. That spike was shock-driven, but now stubbornness is likely fueling the shift.

Single-family homes make up the largest share of accidental landlord properties, but condos are seeing the fastest rise. Metros with the hottest buyer competition, including Boston, New York City, and Providence, Rhode Island, have the lowest accidental landlord rates.

For both local buyers and sellers, Goldilocks thinking is increasingly the norm. Sellers, especially those who bought during the COVID-19 boom, are holding their asking price firm to avoid taking a loss. Buyers, for their part, are refusing to compromise on concessions and repairs.

Meanwhile, the city's rental market keeps getting larger. In 2025, rental listings website Point2Homes placed the Houston area among the top 10 U.S. metros building the most new homes for rent.

home market renting home ownership zillow rankings real estate