Thoughts on Buying a Condo?

Do some research on property taxes (Texas!) and insurance (hurricane zone) first.

Thoughts on condos in urban areas

1) Watch out you don't get fricked on condo fees or assessments. Account for them.

2) Don't buy condos with modern apartment-like construction. Look for areas with innate value, especially when dealing with cities like Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, etc. In other cities where "flats" living is more traditional, condos are a safer investment a lot of the time. In others, where single family detached residential is the norm, condos are more dicey.

But, I'd feel much better buying in an older, established building that is adjacent to a popular park or old, popular neighborhood than in a gentrifying or hip area where the condo flew up in the last 18 months. I can't speak to Houston areas well, but the contrast in Atlanta would be Piedmont Park or Va Highlands (safer) over East Atlanta/West Midtown (less safe).

In 2008 people who lived in areas that felt valuable, but that had nothing to hold in value, got murdered. See, Phoenix, Vegas, Orlando and suburbs everywhere. Places that feel posh, or tropical, or desert paradise-ish but actually had nothing to justify the value. I would apply the same thinking to buying an urban condo in a city like Houston. Look for some reason that a buyer can't merely say "oh, well that condo is filled, I'll go 500 yards to a new development over there."

Be sure and confirm the parking situation is acceptable. Two spaces IMHO.

Everything I've read and family and friends that have owned them have made decide to buy a house. The cons seem to greatly outweigh the pros

Make sure to look at the financials of the Homeowners Association before you buy or sign a purchase agreement. to make sure the HOA has healthy"reserves" for repairs, emergencies, insurance, etc., or you will constantly be assessed extra.