Time capsule
Westwood, with its shady streets, features ranch houses from the ’50s.
The 1950s neighborhood of Westwood hasn’t changed much over the decades, except for a smattering of new homes built in place of some of the modest mid-century ranches.
That redevelopment is likely to continue as buyers continue to search for relatively affordable neighborhoods not too far from the city center.
Westwood is just outside the South 610 Loop west of Stella Link.
Renovated homes currently listed for sale are priced in the mid-$200,000s.
Data from the Houston Association of Realtors, which tracks prices per square foot over time, shows values climbing 81 percent from 2010 to 2015.
Westwood is deed- restricted, and its civic association expects builders and property owners to comply with the rules.
“...just getting a permit from the City of Houston does not mean that the building or alteration complies with deed restrictions,” the association stated in its latest newsletter, the Babbler.
The group recommends those with building plans to seek approval from the neighborhood’s Architectural Review Committee.
Lot prices are in the lowto-mid $200,000 range, said Larry Zomper, a homebuilder active in the neighborhood.
He likes the mature trees that shade many of the streets and the variety of schools in the area.
Westwood is served by Shearn Elementary, Corpus Christi Catholic School and Grace Episcopal Day School. The Emery/Weiner School, a Harmony charter school and Trafton Academy are nearby.
“It truly is a sleeper,” Zomper said.