Oak Forest Houston TX Real Estate Guide
Home to Oak Forest Elementary (one of the top rated schools in the city), Oak Forest is experiencing fantastic growth.
Oak Forest Houston Homes, Real Estate, Neighborhood
Oak Forest homes are highly desirable due to:
- TOP RANKED SCHOOLS: According to Houston’s Best Public Schools, Oak Forest Elementary is one of the top elementary schools in the State of Texas.
- AFFORDABILITY: Compared to similar top-ranked elementary school zoning maps (e.g. West University, River Oaks, Bellaire, Memorial), Oak Forest homes for sale are some of the most affordable options.
- STRONG REAL ESTATE APPRECIATION: Based on the study of Houston’s Land Value Appreciation, Oak Forest ranked 3rd among Houston neighborhoods with the best 5- and 10-year real estate appreciation.
- NEIGHBORHOOD FEEL: Oak Forest real estate has remained popular over the years due to the neighborhood’s location, active community of neighbors, parks, large lots, and tree-lined streets.
- GOOD COMMUTE: The neighborhood is just north of Loop 610 and east of US 290. Oak Forest homes have convenient access to main arteries like TC Jester Blvd, N Shepherd Dr, Katy Fwy, and North Fwy.
Oak Forest real estate is tricky to navigate given the neighborhoods different school zoning maps, proximity to railroad tracks, proximity to major thoroughfares and a diversity of builders (some are far superior to others). Contact Paige Martin, one of Houston’s Best Realtors and one of Oak Forest’s most active real estate agents, if you’re looking to buy or sell Oak Forest homes for sale.
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12 Things Oak Forest Real Estate Buyers Should Know
Made up of 18 smaller communities called sections, Oak Forest is one of the largest groups of subdivisions in Harris County, behind Sharpstown and Kingwood.
- Oak Forest real estate have remained popular over the years due to several factors, including the neighborhood’s location, large lots, and relatively affordable home prices.
- The neighborhood is just north of Loop 610 and east of US 290. Oak Forest homes have convenient access to main arteries like TC Jester Blvd, N Shepherd Dr, Katy Fwy, and North Fwy.
- Homes in the area enjoy convenient access to schools, stores, restaurants, entertainment centers, and parks. Business and employment hubs in the Galleria and Downtown Houston are easily accessible from the neighborhood.
- Oak Forest is one of Houston’s older neighborhoods. It features updated and renovated ranch-style homes from the 1940s and 1950s, as well as new construction homes.
- The median sales price of Oak Forest homes posted a 131% positive change over 10 years.
- Average price per square foot also posted a similar increase (100%) over the same period.
- Homes in Oak Forest tend to sell well, as the number of homes sold has increased by 39% in the past decade.
- Some of the neighborhood’s original homes have since been replaced with larger, newer homes.
- The neighborhood has maintained most of its quiet suburban feel – thanks to its homeowners association and its deed restrictions.
- Older Oak Forest home sizes range between 1,200 to 1,300 square feet, while new construction homes in the area can offer 3,000 to more than 5,000 square feet.
“Paige Martin is the best realtor in Houston. She will tell you the ‘bad’ and ‘ugly’ of a property and help you make a good purchase.”
“As first time buyers in the US, we are delighted to have worked with Paige. She is a delight to work with, and I would recommend anyone to enlist her help if you’re looking to either buy or sell a property.”
- Homes in the area typically sit on large lots (by Houston standards). Lot sizes can range between 7,000 to more than 10,000 square feet.
- Prices for Oak Forest homes for sale can start at around $150,000 and can go up to more than $1,400,000.
Located in northwest Houston, Oak Forest is just north of Loop 610 and east of Northwest Freeway (US 290).
The neighborhood lies east of Garden Oaks and north of Lazybrook,Timbergrove, and the Heights area.
Oak Forest homes enjoy a relatively central location, with easy access to main roads including US 290, Loop 610, I-45, I-10, N Shepherd Dr, TC Jester Blvd, and Ella Blvd.
Parks, restaurants, cafes, shops, and entertainment centers are within minutes of the neighborhood. Job centers in the Galleria and Downtown Houston are also conveniently accessible from Oak Forest homes.
The neighborhood is made up of 18 sections, all under the Oak Forest Homeowners Association. Each section follows its own set of deed restrictions. The area is mostly residential, though during Oak Forest’s development, some areas were set aside for parks, schools, and commercial establishments.
Oak Forest is under the 77018 and 77092 Harris County zip codes.
Zip codes near Oak Forest TX include 77091, 77076, 77055, and 77008. (View Houston zip code map.)
Paige Martin’s Recent Awards:
– “One of America’s Best Real Estate Agents,” Real Trends
– Five Star Realtor Award, Multi-Year Winner
– “One of Houston’s Top 50 Realtors,” Houston Chronicle
– “One of America’s Best Real Estate Agents,” Real Trends
– Five Star Realtor Award, Multi-Year Winner
– “One of Houston’s Top 50 Realtors,” Houston Chronicle
West of Oak Forest
- Langwood
- Spring Branch
- Northfield
North of Oak Forest
- Greater Inwood
- Hudson
- Lincoln City
East of Oak Forest
South of Oak Forest
Oak Forest homes are zoned to Houston Independent School District (HISD) and students in the area can attend the following public schools:
The HISD features several National Blue Ribbon and multi-award winning schools. More campuses are planned to open to relieve its existing schools. Oak Forest in particular, have some of the best schools in district zoned to its subdivisions.
*Note: For a more detailed information on specific schools zoned to different Oak Forest areas, please refer to our Houston Schools Guide OR email me.
Public Elementary Schools zoned to Oak Forest include:
- Oak Forest Elementary School at 1401 W 43rd St. Founded in 1951, Oak Forest Elementary is one of the highly rated schools in the area. It offers several academic programs including Vanguard Magnet, ESL, Developmental Bilingual, and Structured Learning Class, among others. The school has a 10 out of 10 GreatSchools rating.
- Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet School at 901 Sue Barnett Dr. Previously known as Garden Oaks Elementary School, the school is a “Montessori Magnet with Environmental Sciences”. Garden Oaks Montessori offers Vanguard Neighborhood, Montessori, ESL, Preparing Students for Independence (PSI), and Preschoolers Achieving Learning Skills (PALS) programs.
- Wainwright Elementary School at at 5330 Milwee St. Wainwright Elementary, also a Vanguard Magnet school, offers programs in dual language, and Houston Ballet. The school also features Title 1, as well as Backpack Buddy, a program with the Houston Food Bank.
- Benbrook Elementary School at 4026 Bolin Rd. Benbrook Elementary serves students in grades PK to 5 and offers Vanguard Neighborhood and SLL programs. The school also offers Co-Teacher Services, and Speech Therapy Services.
- Stevens Elementary School at 1910 La Monte Ln. Originally a relief school for the Oak Forest Elementary, Lulu M. Stevens Elementary opened in 1952. A full-fledged independent school by 1954, the school offers several activities, including robotics, Saturday School, special programs, and after school care.
- Smith Elementary School at 4802 Chrystell Ln. Established in 1954, Smith Elementary offers Vanguard Neighborhood, ESL, Behavior Support Class (BSC), and Skills for Learning and Living (SLL), among other programs.
Public Middle Schools zoned to Oak Forest include:
- Frank Black Middle School at 1575 Chantilly Ln. Named after one of Houston’s most notable educators, Black opened its doors in 1957. A Vanguard magnet school, Black offers a variety of electives and academic programs.
- Clifton Middle School at 6001 Golden Forest Dr. Clifton is a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Magnet Vanguard school. Courses offered under the magnet program include engineering and robotics, aerospace science, environmental science, marine science, and multimedia application and design, among others.
Public High Schools zoned to Oak Forest include:
- Waltrip High School at 1900 West 34th St. Stephen Pool Waltrip High School offers HISD’s Research and Technology magnet program. The school also features a child development center for low income preschool students and a full complement of girls’ and boys’ varsity teams.
- Scarborough High School at 4141 Costa Rica Rd. Opened in 1968, Scarborough High started out as a Junior High. After Clifton opened some years later, the school transformed into a high school. Today, it offers a Futures Academy program, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) program, and Business Operation and Management program.
Oak Forest Houston Private Schools
The following are some of the more notable private schools near Oak Forest.
- Christian School of Northwest Houston at 6720 W Tidwell Rd.
- Memorial Hall School at 3721 Dacoma St.
- Montessori Children’s Cottage at 4009 Sherwood Ln.
- St. Ambrose Catholic School in at 4213 Mangum Rd.
- St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church at 3600 Brinkman St.
To find an updated listing of all Oak Forest real estate zoned to any specific public school, please send an email to Paige Martin at Paige@HoustonProperties.com with the property preference and budget that you’re working with.
*Note: School zoning tends to change from year to year, information provided above are accurate but not guaranteed. Please double check by visiting the school’s website.
Oak Forest real estate have posted impressive and steady appreciation rates. Over the past decade, the median sales price of Oak Forest homes have increased by 131%.
This growth can be attributed to the neighborhood’s resurgence – the increase of bigger new construction homes has pushed prices up.
Average price per square foot also posted similar appreciation rates, increasing from $96 to $192 over the same period. Homes sold in Oak Forest have also grown, posting a 65% 5-year change.
(Data sourced from the Houston Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.)
For updated information regarding Oak Forest real estate pricing and trend analysis, please contact Paige Martin at Paige@HoustonProperties.com.
Oak Forest homes are mostly single-family properties on large lots. The neighborhood’s original ranch-style homes are typically smaller compared with new construction 2-story homes in the area. Home sizes vary, ranging from 1,400 to more than 5,000 square feet.
By Houston standards, Oak Forest homes feature generous lots, between 7,000 to more than 10,000 square feet. Some homes (in the 77092 zip code) feature smaller lots.
Oak Forest single-family homes are among the best selling homes in Houston. In 2013, 608 homes were sold in the neighborhood, though this number has decreased by 9% (to 556 homes) in 2014.
Most Oak Forest homes were built in the late 1940s to 1950s. Much like other neighborhoods near or within Houston’s Inner Loop, Oak Forest went through a shift in home architecture during the 1990s. New residents bought old properties and proceeded to either renovate homes or demolish them in favor of more modern housing.
The Oak Forest Homeowners Association however enforces deed restriction to maintain the community’s architectural identity. Aside from the Deed Restriction Committee, they also have an Architectural Committee and Beautification Committee.
These three departments work together with the homeowners to ensure that all homes in Oak Forest stay with the neighborhood’s peaceful, family-friendly and small-town vibe.
Given the Oak Forest neighborhood’s preference for deed restrictions and single-family homes, there are currently no residential mid- to highrise in the area. There are however nearby neighborhoods with condos for sale.
Oak Forest is made up of mostly single-family homes though nearby Garden Oaks has numerous townhomes for sale.
Many developers have purchased lots in Garden Oaks and begun construction on new townhomes. The most common Garden Oaks townhomes are in the $180,000 to $250,000 range, with the prices depending on the townhomes’ lot size, style, and exact location. (View all Garden Oaks homes for sale)
Oak Forest Condo Sale Trends
There are no mid- or high-rise Oak Forest condos for sale, but plenty of units are available in surrounding areas including 1111 Studewood Place and The Point at White Oak.
Other condos within 10-20 minutes of Oak Forest include:
To see other condos within the Inner Loop, see Inner Loop Houston Condos. To see condos within the nearby Galleria area, see Galleria Houston Condos.
Oak Forest Houston History
Land developer Frank Sharp established Oak Forest in 1947, under his company Oak Forest Realty Corporation.
The company built homes in Section 1, in the area east of Oak Forest Drive and west of Golf Drive. The first Oak Forest home, which was used as a sales office, was built on Golf and Fisher Drive.
Sharp, who later established Sharpstown and several post-WWII developments, designed Oak Forest with areas for schools, parks, places of worship, and commercial establishments.
Oak Forest homes during the period sold to war veterans for about $8,000 to $10,000. Homes made during this period were mostly ranch-style homes on large lots.
The neighborhood was annexed in 1949, and is the third largest group of subdivisions in Harris County, behind Sharpstown and Kingwood.
Today, Oak Forest has more than 5,500 homes and 23,000 residents. The Oak Forest Homeowners Association, a volunteer-run HOA, helps enforce the community’s deed restrictions, spearheads beautification projects, and organizes events for residents.
The neighborhood’s continuing popularity has spurred a lot of development. Some of the area’s original homes have been torn down and replaced with bigger new construction homes.
Oak Forest is minutes from major Houston hotspots like the Galleria and Downtown, but the neighborhood does feature parks, restaurants, cafes, and retail and commercial establishments within its borders.
The neighborhood has 4 parks: Candlelight Community Center and Park, Oak Forest Park, T.C. Jester Park, and American Legion Park.
Candlelight Park at 1520 Candlelight features an indoor gym, a lighted sportsfield, a playground, and a hike-and-bike trail. T.C. Jester Park, on the other hand, features a swimming pool, a dog park, a disc golf course, and hike-and-bike trails.
There are a number of burger joints, ice houses, and restaurants in the area, though residents may want to take the drive into town for more options.
Here are some of Oak Forest TX must-visit places:
Dining
- Palma de Cera
- Hicks House Cajun Cafe
- Fiesta Tacos
- Houston Panini & Provisions
- House of Fries
- Little Bitty Burger Barn
- Mytiburger
Parks
- American Legion Park
- Oak Forest Park
- T.C. Jester Park
- Candlelight Community Center & Park
“Paige is simply the best. She has worked with my husband and I for the last couple years in our quest to find the perfect first home. She was patient with us throughout the process and took time to answer all of our questions! She knows so much about the housing market so we felt very confident that we were in great hands!”
Nightlife
- Plonk! Beer & Wine Bistro
- Sassafras
- Wakefield CrowBar
- The Oak Forest Chill Neighborhood Icehouse
- Catty Corner Ice House
- NJ’s
Groceries
- Kroger
- Randall’s
- Food Town
- Walmart
- Family Dollar
Top Oak Forest Houston Realtor – Paige Martin
As featured on Fox News in the Morning, Houston Business Journal and Houston Magazine, Paige Martin, a consistent Top Producing Broker-Associate and the owner of HoustonProperties.com, is ranked as one of the top residential real estate agents in the world.
Paige Martin’s Recent Awards:
– #1 Agent, Keller Williams, Memorial
– #2 Agent, Keller Williams, Texas
– #10 Agent, Keller Williams, United States
– #1 Agent, Keller Williams, Memorial
– #2 Agent, Keller Williams, Texas
– #10 Agent, Keller Williams, United States
