Rice Court Real Estate Guide

Rice Court homes for sale & insider real estate guide

Rice Court is one of the most desirable and expensive neighborhoods in Houston. Made up of around 350 luxury homes and vintage bungalows. Rice Court features an exclusive community, high accessibility, and a great atmosphere.

The community is continuously in high demand due to the following:

• WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE LOCATION: Dubbed "The Neighborhood City," West University is one of Houston's most desirable places to live. It is an independent city and maintains its own police force. Forbes named West University Place a "Top Urban Enclave."

• EXCLUSIVITY: Rice Court homes have a median home sale price of over $1,000,000. New construction homes (and bigger vintage estates) tend to sell for well over $2,000,000. The community is among the most expensive and exclusive luxury neighborhoods in Houston. (See The Salary I Need To Buy A Home In Houston's Best Neighborhoods)

• ACCESSIBILITY: Located less than 5 miles away from Downtown Houston, residents have easy commutes to key districts. Downtown, with its 3,500 businesses and 150,000-strong workforce, is less than 20 minutes away. The Texas Medical Center is a 10-minute drive from Rice Court. On the other hand, the Galleria is around 9 minutes away. Named as one of Houston's most accessible neighborhoods due to the community's proximity to many establishments. Restaurants, retail stores, parks, and Rice Village are all easily accessible.

• MULTI-AWARD WINNING SCHOOLS: Rice Court homes are zoned to the Houston Independent School District (HISD). HISD is the largest school district in the state, with 283 schools. Lamar High School, Pershing Middle School, and West University Elementary School all serve the community. The schools mentioned consistently rank among the Best Schools in Houston.

• SMALL TOWN VIBE: Rice Court has access to big city amenities while also maintaining a small town vibe. Tree-canopied streets and wide setbacks provide a picturesque atmosphere within Houston's Inner Loop.

• GREAT REAL ESTATE APPRECIATION: Rice Court boasts of strong property values. West University is consistently among the best Houston neighborhoods in terms of real estate and land value appreciation.

Buying or selling a home in Rice Court can be challenging. Inventories are tight, with very few homes put on the market every year. There have been fewer than 40 home sales in the neighborhood in the past three years.

To get personal advice on buying or selling a Rice Court home, contact Paige Martin. One of Houston's best realtors and one of the top-ranked Realtors in the United States.

“Brittney Coyle was amazing to work with! She was so detailed oriented, great communication, and overall super friendly and pleasant. I would definitely work with her again to buy or sell!!” - Marissa Holmes (Google Review)

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Rice Court Homes For Sale

Table of Contents

1. Rice Court Home Sale Trends
2. Rice Court Best Realtor Insights
3. Rice Court Maps, Location & Zip Code
4. Rice Court Schools
5. Rice Court Real Estate Market

Rice Court Home Sale Trends

Rice Court is a neighborhood in West University Place known for its affluence and luxury. The area features convenience while maintaining a small-town atmosphere.

Rice Court is famous due to its:

• UPSCALE NEIGHBORHOOD: Rice Court is an exclusive community featuring around 350 luxury homes and vintage bungalows. With a median home sale price of over $1,000,000, Rice Court is one of Houston’s most expensive neighborhoods.

• GREAT ACCESSIBILITY: Rice Court homes have convenient access to major roads and freeways, such as Loop 610, I-69, and the Southwest Freeway. Rice Court is around 20 minutes away from Downtown Houston. Major employment hubs like Texas Medical Center and the Galleria are a short drive away from the area.

• REAL ESTATE APPRECIATION RATES: Located within West University, Rice Court features strong property values. West U has one of the best 5- and 10-year appreciation rates of any Houston neighborhood.

Rice Court offers a variety of home options. From traditional-style homes dating back to the 1930s to newly-built homes. Newer homes in the area include custom-built mini-manors and estate-style properties.

Rice Court Best Realtor Insights

Rice Court is an affluent subdivision nestled within West University Place, one of the most exclusive residential enclaves in Houston.

• Rice Court is located within West University Place, an independent city known for its luxury and premier homes. West University Place was also named a “Top Urban Enclave” by Forbes.

• Rice Court residents can easily access main roads like Loop 610, I-69, Buffalo Speedway, Rice Blvd., and Kirby Drive. Rice Court is around 20 minutes away from Downtown Houston. Texas Medical Center and the Galleria are both less than 10 minutes away.

• Retail centers like West U Town Center, Rice Village, and Weslayan Plaza are minutes away from the area. Restaurants like Tiny's No. 5 and Prego are also near Rice Court.

• Rice Court is zoned for the Houston Independent District (HISD). HISD features IB World and National Blue Ribbon Schools, including West U Elementary and Lamar High School.

• Rice Court, which is served by West University's own police force, is one of the communities with "the best crime rates in Houston."

• Rice Court real estate continues to feature strong property values over the years. The average median sale price of homes in the area has reached over $1,000,000. Newly-constructed homes and larger vintage estates can cost over $2,000,000.

• Rice Court features vintage residential homes that date back to the 1930s and 1940s. New custom-built mini-manors and estate-style homes are also available in the area.

• Rice Court homes typically feature 3–5 beds, 2–5 baths, and 2-3 car garages. Home designs in the area vary from traditional to French, Mediterranean, and modern.

• Homes are generally built on lot sizes ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 square feet, with 2,000 to 4,000 square feet of living space.

• Prices of homes in Rice Court range from $300,000 to over $1,000,000. The most expensive homes in the area can cost over $2,000,000.

Rice Court Maps, Location & Zip Code

Rice Court Schools

Rice Court homes are zoned for the Houston Independent School District (HISD).

Houston ISD was established in 1920 and remains the largest school district in Texas. The district received a “Met Standard” rating from the TEA and is a multi-awarded Broad Prize Winner.

HISD features several National Blue Ribbon and International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools.

Students in the area may attend the following schools:

Elementary Schools

• West University Elementary School at 3756 University Blvd. West University Elementary was founded in 1923 and serves Pre-K to 5th-grade learners. It is recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School and a “Distinguished School of Excellence." WUES offers programs like STEM, Gifted and Talented, art, music, and enrichment courses.

• The Rice School at 7550 Seuss Dr. The Rice School is a K-8 magnet school for STEM, founded in 1994. It offers exemplary STEM-focused programs like robotics, engineering, and computer science. It is a National Blue Ribbon and TEA A-rated school.

• Mandarin Immersion Magnet School at 6300 Avenue B, Bellaire. Opened in 2012, it is a public magnet school in Houston serving Pre-K-5 learners. The school offers an immersive 50-50 model of the Mandarin Chinese language program. STEM, fine arts, and sports programs are also offered.

• Mark Twain Elementary School at 7500 Braes Blvd. Twain Elementary opened in 1950 to serve K-5 learners. It is an IB World School that offers PYP and a Literary Development Magnet Program. Twain Elementary is also an International Spanish Academy offering Dual Language Program.

• Kolter Elementary School at 9710 Runnymeade Drive. Kolter is a Foreign Language Magnet School focusing on foreign languages and cultures. K-5 students are taught Chinese, French, and Spanish through art, music, PE, and technology instruction.

• Roberts Elementary School at 6000 Greenbriar Dr. Roberts Elem is an IB World School Primary Years Program (IB PYP) school for EE-5th grade learners. The school is also known for offering Neighborhood Vanguard and Fine Arts programs.

• Poe Elementary School at 5100 Hazard St. Poe Elem is a TEA A-rated Fine Arts Magnet School founded in 1928. The school is also an IB School offering PYP, Skills for Learning and Living Program, and Enrichment programs for EE-5 students.

• Horn Elementary School at 4530 Holly Street. Horn Elementary is a TEA A-rated school serving PK-5 learners. It is known for exemplary programs like Special Ed, Core Enrichment, and Gifted and Talented (GT) programs.

• River Oaks Elementary School at 2008 Kirby Dr. River Oaks is a highly rated school by TEA that serves EE-5 learners. It houses a top-ranked IB program and a distinguished Vanguard Magnet school. River Oaks offers Special Ed, excellent electives, and enrichment courses.

Middle Schools

• Pershing Middle School at 3838 Blue Bonnet Blvd. Pershing is a Neighborhood Vanguard and a Fine Arts Magnet school for Grades 6-8 students. Four academic levels are offered in Pershing: Grade Level, Pre-AP, Vanguard/GT, and Accelerated Vanguard/GT.

• Pin Oak Middle School at 4601 Glenmont Street. Pin Oak is a Foreign Language Magnet school serving Grades 6-8 learners. The school offers Chinese, French, Italian, Spanish, and German Classes. Pin Oak was recognized as a Higher Performing School by Texas Business and Education Coalition.

• Lanier Middle School at 2600 Woodhead St. Opened in 1926, Lanier is one of the first middle schools in HISD. The school is an IB World School offering Middle Years Programme to Grades 6-8 learners. Lanier also offers a Vanguard (Gifted and Talented) program, Fine Arts and Athletics.

• SER-Niños Charter Middle School at 5610 Gulfton Street. SER-Niños is a state charter school founded in 1996, serving Grades 6-8 students. The school offers a Dual Language program, STEM, Special Ed, fine arts, and sports programs.

• Baylor College Of Medicine Academy At Ryan at 2610 Elgin St. Founded in 2013, it is a STEM-focused Health Science magnet school. The school is also a Verizon Innovative Learning Schools campus. Students take Neuroscience, Scientific Decision Making, Biotechnology, and other courses.

High Schools

• DeBakey High School For Health Professionals at 2545 Pressler. DeBakey HSHP is a college preparatory school with a Title I magnet program. The school offers advanced courses and hands-on medical training. DeBakey HSHP also offers a two-year preceptorship program with Texas Medical Center.

• Carnegie Vanguard High School at 1501 Taft. Established in 2002, the school offers HISD Advanced (HADV), Pre-AP, and Advanced Placement courses in core subjects. It is also STEM-focused, with classes such as robotics, engineering, and computer science.

• Challenge Early College High School at 5601 W Loop S. Challenge Early HS is known for its focus on college preparation and early college. Founded in 2003, the school offers a variety of AP, dual credit, and early college courses.

• Young Women's College Prep Academy at 1906 Cleburne St. YWCPAe is a young women’s leadership academy focusing on college preparation, STEM, arts, and sports. The school has AP programs that offer college-level material to Grades 6-12 students.

Rice Court Private Schools

The following are some of the more notable private schools near Rice Court.

• Southampton Montessori School at 5012 Morningside Dr.

• St. Mark’s Episcopal School at 3816 Bellaire Blvd.

• The Post Oak School at 4600 Bissonnet St, Bellaire.

• Episcopal High School at 4650 Bissonnet St, Bellaire.

• St. Vincent De Paul Catholic School at 6802 Buffalo.

• St. John’s School at 2401 Claremont Ln.

To find an updated listing of all Rice Court real estate zoned to any specific public school, please email Paige Martin at [email protected] with the property preference and budget that you're working with.

Note: For more detailed information on specific schools zoned to different Rice Court areas, please refer to our Houston Schools Guide OR email me.

Note: School zoning tends to change from year to year. The information provided above is accurate but not guaranteed. Please double-check by visiting the school's website.

Rice Court Real Estate Market

Rice Court Single-Family Home Sale Trends

Rice Court real estate primarily consists of single-family homes, some dating back to the 1930s and 1940s. These homes have since been renovated or replaced with newly-built custom homes.

Rice Court offers upscale homes and luxury estates. Most homes feature a swimming pool, multi-car garages, outdoor kitchens, and mature trees.

Rice Court single-family homes are generally built on lot sizes ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 square feet. Home sizes range from 2,000 to 4,000 square feet.

Single-family homes in Rice Court typically have 1-2 story floor plans. Featuring 3–5 beds and 2–5 baths. These homes have designs ranging from traditional to French, Mediterranean, and modern.

Prices of homes in Rice Court range from $300,000 to over $1,000,000. The most expensive single-family homes in the area can sell for over $2,000,000.

Rice Court Townhome Sale Trends

There are no townhomes in Rice Court. There are, however, plenty of townhome options available in nearby neighborhoods.

The Houston Properties Team is an expert in Rice Court real estate. Please contact us if you'd like to see Houston townhomes or learn more about properties that could be a fit for you.

Rice Court Condo Sale Trends

There are no mid- or high-rise Rice Court condos for sale, but plenty of units are available in surrounding areas, including 2520 Robinhood in nearby Rice Village.

Several condo buildings are located in the Museum District, Upper Kirby, and the Galleria, including:

• 2727 Kirby

• Lamar Tower

• Warwick Tower

• The River Oaks Highrise

• Greenway Hi-Rise Condominiums

• The Arabella

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. To see other condos within Downtown Houston, see Downtown Condos. To see condos within Museum District, see Museum District Condos.

The Houston Properties Team is an expert in Rice Court real estate. Please contact us if you'd like to see Houston condos or learn more about buildings that could be a fit for you.

Rice Court TX History

In 1917, Ben Hooper, a former Tennessee governor, started the development of West University Place. The city’s name was derived from the area’s location, which was west of the then-known Rice Institute, now Rice University.

Most of the city’s street names were named after authors, colleges, and universities. Some of the community’s lots were first sold in the same year.

In 1926, El J. Jarrad and Preston Plumb platted Rice Court. Rice Court was one of the earliest sections of West U, which today has 26 subdivisions.

In 1924, West University residents pushed for incorporation due to Houston’s reluctance to build in areas far from the city’s center. In 1940, the then-municipality adopted a formal city charter.

Today, Rice Court is an affluent subdivision nestled within West University Place. The area is known for its vintage estates and luxury homes.

Fun Things To Do Near Rice Court

Rice Court is near major roads and highways such as I-69, Loop 610, and the Southwest Freeway. This gives residents quick access to retail and dining centers, parks, and entertainment hubs.

Rice Village is a well-known retail hotspot that is a few blocks away from Rice Court. The mall features over 300 retail, dining, and other commercial establishments.

Residents can visit the Museum District and Hermann Park, which is a short drive from Rice Court. Hermann Park features a public golf course, a natural science museum, a Japanese garden, and the Miller Outdoor Theatre.

Here are some of the must-visit places in and around Rice Court:

Parks and Trails

• Marvin Taylor Exercise Trail
• Brays Bayou Park
• Buffalo Bayou Park Trail
• Colonial Park
• Friends Park
• Huffington Park
• Whitt Johnson Park
• Judson Park
• Wier Park
• Hermann Park

Retail

• West U Towne Center
• Rice Village
• West University Shopping Center
• Weslayan Plaza
• West U Marketplace
• Vanderbilt Square

Dining

• Prego
• Tiny's No. 5
• Chicken Kitchen
• Seco's Latin Cuisine Inc
• Little Matt's
• Cleburne Cafeteria
• Skeeter's Mesquite Grill

Nightlife

• The Owl
• Little Woodrow's Rice Village
• Under the Volcano
• On The Kirb
• McGonigel's Mucky Duck
• Sonoma Wine Bar at Upper Kirby

Groceries

• Randalls
• Kroger
• H-E-B
• Whole Foods Market
• Trader Joe's

Best Rice Court 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 head of the Houston Properties Team, is ranked as one of the top residential real estate agents in the world.

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