The appetite for contemporary architecture in the upscale markets we serve here in Houston has been growing. Ever more buyers are looking for homes that boast sustainable elements (e.g. bamboo floors, stone countertops), are designed with entertaining in mind and are full of natural daylight. They want a flow between indoor and outdoor, sometimes with a spot for a striking piece of sculpture or water feature or a rooftop garden.
Commonly heard expressions from inside-the-Loop buyers hungrily looking for contemporary houses include “clean lines,” “open floor plans” and “lots of light.”
Alas, sometimes these magazine- and Instagram-fed requirements become obsessions bordering on fetishism, making buyers throw common sense about location and suitability out the window. These architectural qualities, when executed immaturely, soon become very tedious to live with and, worse, are bad for resale.
So, choose carefully. Or seek good advice from a seasoned realtor who understands the contemporary house market. You don’t want to be saddled with a house that is dated before the ink is dry on your deed.
On the other hand, the classically and thoughtfully designed contemporary house will never go out of style and will find future buyers and provide financial appreciation for the seller.
With that in mind, we have compiled a photo album of some of the contemporary homes that Teresa and I have helped clients to sell or buy in the past few years. Note the strong design and pleasing proportions.
Here, also, is a review of the contemporary market inside Loop 610 so far in 2017. These include both the good and the bad.
Some sales of contemporary homes in 2017
