Owning a home in Houston comes with its own set of habits. Some of them sound strange to anyone who just moved here. All of them exist for a good reason.
If a few of these sound like you, congratulations: you are officially a Houston homeowner. If you are about to become one, each item comes with a real tip worth knowing.
Quick answer: Houston homeownership means watering your foundation, picking your own electricity provider, buying flood insurance before you need it, and reading a property tax bill with several taxing entities on it. Knowing these local quirks before you buy can save you money and stress.
You Water Your Foundation, Not Just Your Lawn
To out-of-towners, a soaker hose wrapped around the house looks odd. In Houston, it makes sense. Much of the area sits on expansive clay soil that shrinks when it dries and swells when it gets wet, and that movement can stress a slab foundation.
The real tip: During dry stretches, keep soil moisture around the foundation consistent, and ask your inspector to look closely for signs of foundation movement before you buy.
You Shop for Electricity Like a Cell Phone Plan
In most of the Houston area, you choose your own retail electricity provider. CenterPoint Energy still owns the poles and wires and handles outages, no matter which provider you pick.
The real tip: Compare plans on Power to Choose, the official comparison site run by the Public Utility Commission of Texas, before your move-in date.
Your Hurricane Kit Is Ready by June 1
Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1, so it makes sense to prepare before a storm is in the forecast.
The real tip: Standard homeowners insurance typically does not cover flood damage, and a National Flood Insurance Program policy generally takes 30 days to take effect. Do not wait for a storm in the forecast to buy it.
You Check the Flood Map Before the Kitchen Photos
Look up a home's flood zone before you fall in love with the countertops.
The real tip: Use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center to check any address. Keep in mind that, according to FEMA, 25 to 30 percent of NFIP flood claims come from properties outside high-risk flood areas, so a low-risk zone is not a guarantee.
You Call a 30-Minute Drive "Close"
Commute times depend on traffic and the time of day, so miles alone do not tell the whole story.
The real tip: Test drive your commute at the actual time you would make it before you commit to a neighborhood. (More on this in Best Neighborhoods in Missouri City TX for Families.)
Your First Question About a House Is "How Old Is the AC?"
Houston summers are hot, so the air conditioning system deserves a close look.
The real tip: Ask for the age of the HVAC system and any service records, and have your inspector evaluate it.
Your Tax Bill Has More Lines Than You Expected
County, city, school district, and often a MUD. Houston-area tax bills often include several taxing entities.
The real tip: File your homestead exemption as soon as you move in. (We break this down in 7 Home Buying Myths, Plus One That's Only True in Texas.)
You Have a Toll Tag on Your Windshield
Toll roads are part of many Houston-area commutes. In Fort Bend County, for example, the Fort Bend Parkway Toll Road gives Sienna residents a direct route toward Houston's job and medical centers.
The real tip: If your commute uses a toll road, add the cost to your monthly budget when comparing neighborhoods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding in Houston? Standard homeowners insurance typically does not cover flood damage. Flood coverage is a separate policy, available through the National Flood Insurance Program or private insurers.
How long does flood insurance take to start? An NFIP policy generally takes effect 30 days after purchase. There is no waiting period when the policy is bought in connection with a new mortgage.
Can I choose my electricity company in Houston? In most of the Houston area, yes. You pick a retail electricity provider, while CenterPoint Energy delivers the power and handles outages.
Why do people water their foundations in Houston? Much of the area has expansive clay soil that shrinks in dry weather. Keeping moisture consistent around the foundation can help limit movement.
New to Houston Homeownership?
Ryan Adams and The Adams Group TX help buyers learn the local quirks before they become surprises, from flood zones to tax bills. Whether you are moving across town or across the country, call us at (832) 308-7633 or visit us at 5822 Sienna Parkway, Suite 500, Missouri City, TX 77459.
