The Woodlands of Texas is a planned community, set within pine forests of Eastern Texas, just a half an hour's drive from the hustle and bustle of Houston. This area has some of the best urban designs, and is divided into small villages, each with a shopping mall, with access to churches, schools, and medical centers. There are many different parks, and lakes, and there are many ways to enjoy the outdoors here, with numerous trails for biking, hiking, and even golfing, with six world class golf courses. You may think that the only homes offered in this area are on the high end of the scale, being that it is an upper class community, but in fact there are many homes for sale that are quite affordable, and even many that are under $200,000, which many first time home buyers can get into.

Here are just some of the homes in this fine area that are priced at either the $200,000 range or even lower. One of them is in the Grogan's Mill subdivision, is one of the original designs, and is even considered by this community as the 'historical' area. A single family home on Acorn Street with 4 bedrooms and 2 baths with a two car attached garage, is selling for just $165,000. This traditional Ranch style home has a lovely open floor plan, is a 1,998 square foot home and sits on a lot that is over 9,000 square feet. It has a brick veneer outside with a composition roof, slab foundation, and sits on a cul-de-sac, which is ideal for the growing family.

If that home is a little out of your price range, then try this 3 bedroom, two bath home on High Oaks Circle. It has a two car garage, detached. It includes a gas fireplace, with alarm system, washer and dryer, and all appliances, and also features an outdoor sprinkler system. It also has a brick veneer exterior, but also mingled with wood siding, and sells for just $145,000. These are just some of the listings for homes in this area that are well within many family budgets.

If you are looking for starter homes in and around Houston proper, there are many affordable offerings here as well. There are several 3 bedroom homes some with 2-4 bathrooms, many well under $200,000. It isn't going to be hard to find something in your price range. There are many real estate agents that are eager to help you out in many different ways.

To start out with, it may be a good idea to contact the Houston Association of Realtors, or HAR. This group is dedicated to placing people in the home of their dreams, and they have many different ways to help. There are many listings for down payment assistance, which everyone can use. Some of these are the Houston Hope, which is a lot and home finders group. There is the Houston Housing and Finance Corporation, and Partners in Charity, just to name a few. The can also help you connect with affordable housing associations as well, including AmeriDream, City of Houston Housing and Community Development, and many others.