Garden Oaks Homes
Garden Oaks Homes Have Escalating Prices
Garden Oaks is just north of Houston’s 610 Loop, near Shepherd. Garden Oaks was to be Houston’s “next River Oaks” when it was established in 1937. The first homes were in fact very large plantation and ranch style homes on huge lots. These first homes built are in Sec 1 of Garden Oaks, close to Shepherd.
Map of Garden Oaks
Garden Oaks has Deep Setbacks, Curved Streets & Many Trees.
This gives it a graceful, sophisticated look, which it retains today. The timing for this development wasn’t the best though. WW II began just after this subdivision was started and building drastically slowed.
Building picked up tremendously after the war in the 1940’s though. The returning GI’s had the GI Bill and were ready to buy homes. Not grandiose plantation homes, however. The new market for Garden Oaks homes became the smaller cottages for this group of Buyers. This shift resulted in a broad range of styles and prices that still exist today. These range from huge plantation style homes, ranch style, traditional, down to quaint cottages and bungalows. It is definitely not a cookie-cutter neighborhood.
Garden Oaks homes are often compared to West University and Bellaire because of the large homes, large shaded lots and its homogeneity. The Heights by comparison, still has transitioning pockets still scattered around.
Garden Oaks homes offer excellent location, mass appeal, oversized lots, and booming property values. Garden Oaks is just north of Houston Heights and east of Oak Forest. Other close neighborhoods are Mangum Manor, Shepherd Park Plaza.
The real estate market is very strong for Garden Oaks homes. Even in this current recession renovations are going strong. The new home market has slowed somewhat; due mainly to loan restrictions for builders.
The Garden Oaks House Market is Strong for Multiple Reasons:
• Deed restrictions in Garden Oaks require large lots and deep setbacks. Mature towering pines and magnolias shade the area. People are always drawn to winding, tree lined streets and large, well-manicured lawns.
• Garden Oaks is convenient for those who want the amenities and culture of the big city, and still have a neighborhood feel. Minutes from downtown Houston, the Medical Center and easy access to freeways. It has a small-town atmosphere, close to everything.
• Inner loop prices keep going up, while the lot sizes are getting smaller. Garden Oaks is still very affordable, and very close in.
• New home construction pushes prices up. Some of the smaller homes may not be suited for major renovations and addition, but the large lots make a perfect setting for a larger 2 story home. These new homes push up land values and correspondingly, the values of homes around them.
History of Garden Oaks: In 1937, Edward L. Crain established Garden Oaks on a tract of land just north of the Houston Heights. Comprised of 5 sections, Garden Oaks offers a unique blend of mid-century homes—mostly pier and beam cottages. The western edge of the neighborhood is comprised of G.I. homes built for returning veterans after World War II.
Location: Just north of Houston’s 610 N Loop. Residents of Garden Oaks have easy access to downtown Houston, the Uptown/Galleria area, the Medical Center and Houston Intercontinental Airport. Garden Oaks is also very close to Highway 290 and I-45.
See my Interactive Map of Neighborhoods for location of Garden Oaks subdivision.
If Garden Oaks homes are too big for you, look at neighboring Oak Forest homes.
I’m a Realtor, so I’m obligated to offer my services or advice. If If you are currently looking at Garden Oaks homes, Oak Forest or other close-in area homes, contact me at any time Houston Heights Realtor Rich Martin. I specialize in Houston Heights homes and the surrounding inner-loop areas. I’m happy to chat & offer advice…no obligation. Call today: 713 868-9008.
