{"id":12905,"date":"2019-11-27T15:57:31","date_gmt":"2019-11-27T23:57:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=12905"},"modified":"2026-04-07T00:26:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T07:26:54","slug":"buyer-buy-house-in-houston","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-buy-house-in-houston\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Buy a House In Houston: It\u2019s Not Rocket Science With Our Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

Poised to overtake Chicago as the third-largest city<\/a> in the United States by 2025, Houston\u2019s reputation as a cultural hotspot is growing as fast as its population. With over 10,000 restaurants<\/a>, a vibrant arts scene<\/a>, frequent sporting events<\/a>, and year-round access to outdoor activities thanks to its favorable climate<\/a>, buying a house in Houston seems like a no-brainer.<\/p>\n

However, in a city of this size (655 square miles<\/a>!), where do you start? That\u2019s why we dug into local pricing and neighborhood data and spoke with Houston native and local real estate agent with 20 years of experience, Johnna Little<\/a>, to give you the inside track. Stick with us and you\u2019ll learn about the tricky property tax situation, whether you should invest in flood insurance, and the latest trends you\u2019ll see in Houston housing.<\/p>\n

\"Paperwork<\/a>
Source: (Kelly Sikkema\/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How much will it cost to buy a home in Houston?<\/h2>\n

As of June 2019, the median price of a single-family house for sale in Houston<\/a> is just under $250,000, according to the Houston Association of Realtors as reported by the Houston Chronicle<\/a>. Per the same sources, the average rent of a single-family Houston home is about $1,875 a month. Your individual wish list will differ in terms of ideal location, square-footage, and budget, but whether you\u2019re working with $100,000 or $1,000,000, there\u2019s likely to be a home waiting for you in Space City.<\/p>\n

\u201cHouston prices are never really over-inflated,\u201d says Little.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got people flocking here from California and other areas just because our housing is so affordable. I just had a relocation closing on Monday; she got a three-bedroom, two-bath, renovated house with a pool for $191,500. She was very, very happy.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Between the Johnson Space Center, more than 70 foreign consulates<\/a>, and 22 Fortune 500 companies<\/a>, Houston is a remarkably international city that attracts residents from all around the globe. According to data reviewed by the Greater Houston Partnership, the population is expected to surpass 7.1 million by 2020<\/a>, but despite the city\u2019s rapid growth, Houston\u2019s housing market remains optimal for buyers with an average home price that sits 21% below the 2018 national average<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Buyer beware of Houston property taxes<\/h2>\n

Though housing prices themselves are favorable, buyers must look beyond list price and be aware of Houston\u2019s property taxes<\/a>. Texas does not have a state income tax but homeowners in Harris County can expect to pay local property taxes.<\/p>\n

Property tax rates in Houston vary by area and appraised value of the home, which means a monthly mortgage payment could vary by hundreds of dollars.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhenever I work with buyers, I drive that point home with them,\u201d says Little. \u201cI say, \u2018Look, you might not be able to find the perfect home [at a low tax rate], but we\u2019re going to try.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

As of 2019, the average tax collected on a home\u2019s assessed market value in Harris County is 2.31%<\/a> (compare that to a national average of 1.08%<\/a>, ouch!)<\/p>\n

There are three factors that contribute to determining the annual tax rate on a Houston property, according to the Harris County Appraisal District<\/a>:<\/p>\n