Hey, Ya’ll Future Houstonians! 👋

Welcome back to Hello From Houston, the newsletter that spills the tea on life in the Houston suburbs—no fluff, just the good stuff. 🏡✨

 In this issue:

• 🏡 Can This New Master-Planned Community Actually Stand Out in Houston?

• 🤔 Will Sunterra Lakes Fix the Mistakes of Its Sister Community?

• 📰 Why Houston’s Housing Market Is Holding Steady While Others Slide

Plus SO MUCH more…..let’s see what is buzzing this week.

Danielle Kim, Publisher Hello From Houston

Suburb Snapshot 💭

Ready, Set, Go: Launch Another MPC

Keeping up with all the master-planned communities hitting Houston suburbs feels impossible most days. Indigo is the latest addition, promising to be “different,” though we’ve heard that before.

Here’s the pitch: Indigo blends “urban sensibility” with suburban living. Think joint driveways, car-free zones (called “mews”), and a centrally located urban farm. The trails connect everything whether you’re heading to the lake or hanging out at The Filling Station (a retro-inspired general store).

Builders like Highland Homes, Empire, and David Weekley are creating what they call a “diverse collection of homes,” which fits the theme of community buzzwords like connection and well-being.

The idea of prioritizing walkability and land stewardship is refreshing, but will it feel truly different from the hundreds of other MPCs? Time will tell. For now, Indigo feels like a place trying to go beyond “just houses.” If they succeed, it might actually live up to the hype.

Sunterra in Katy Is Getting a Sister—But Will It Avoid the Same Mistakes?

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I have a love-hate thing with Sunterra in Katy.

What I Love:

• Affordable homes for first-time buyers.

• The lagoon and family-friendly amenities.

• Its location in Katy ISD, one of the top-rated districts.

What I Don’t Love:

Sunterra brought in too many builders offering basic, entry-level homes to stay competitive. With over 20 builders in one community, it’s led to high turnover, a flood of rental properties, and a lack of unique character. Even strong builders like Perry Homes have pulled out.

Now, their sister community, Sunterra Lakes, is coming west of the Grand Parkway. The location is promising, but can they avoid the same pitfalls? Watch for better builder diversity, a strong homeowner-to-renter balance, and lasting amenities.

For my full take on Sunterra—the good, the bad, and everything in between—watch my YouTube video here.

What do you think—will Sunterra Lakes be an upgrade or more of the same?

Market News and Updates 🗞️

These 3 Texas Housing Markets Are Struggling in 2025—ANNND Houston Isn’t One of Them (Yet)

Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin are seeing their housing markets slide this year. High prices, oversupply, and rising interest rates are putting major pressure on these once-booming cities. Meanwhile, Houston remains steady—for now.

Here’s the catch: Houston’s affordability and strong job growth are keeping the market stable, but challenges like a shrinking construction workforce could shift the balance. Deportation policies and labor shortages may lead to rising prices and fewer housing options.

In Dallas, affordability issues have pushed buyers out. San Antonio has overbuilt, with demand failing to keep up. Austin’s once-hot market has cooled, with homes sitting for months. Houston’s balance of supply and demand has helped it avoid these problems so far, but ripple effects from across the state could bring changes.

For now, Houston is proving resilient, but the next few months will be key. [Here’s the full article breaking down why these markets are struggling—and why Houston isn’t in free fall just yet.]

Living Like a Local: Lesson #3

 Mattress Mack

If you live in Houston, you know Mattress Mack. He’s not just a businessman—he’s a living legend. Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, the owner of Gallery Furniture, is beloved for his larger-than-life personality, his Astros fandom, and his huge heart.

Mack’s bold bets on the Astros have made headlines for years (he’ll refund customers’ furniture purchases if they win the series) but what makes Houstonians adore him is how he shows up for the city when it matters most.

When disasters like Hurricane Harvey hit, Mack transformed his stores into shelters, offering food, beds, and a place to stay for families in need. He’s donated millions to local schools and charities, always putting the community first.

To Houstonians, Mattress Mack isn’t just a guy who “saves you money” on furniture. He’s the spirit of Houston—resilient, generous, and unforgettable. If you’re new here, now you know the legend of Mattress Mack.

The Winter Storm of ’25:

When I first moved here, everyone swore up and down, “It doesn’t snow in Houston.” Then came 2021’s infamous “once-in-a-lifetime” ice storm, leaving millions without power or water for a week or more. Fast forward to 2025, and here we are again—only this time, Houston got a rare 2-6 inches of actual snow.

Thankfully, this storm wasn’t as brutal as 2021. Most people kept their power and water this time, which meant Houstonians could actually enjoy the snow instead of scrambling for survival. And while the city still shut down (because let’s be real, we’re not built for this), the creativity shone through. No sleds? No problem. Sock gloves, boogie boards, and pool floaties became makeshift sleds as kids (and adults) hit the icy streets.

Snowball fights, backyard snowmen, and pets trying to figure out what this cold, white stuff was—it’s not every day Houston looks like a Christmas postcard. Sure, it was chaotic, but it was also a moment to pause, look around, and embrace something this city almost never gets: a snow day we could actually enjoy.

How did you spend it? Out in the snow or staying cozy inside with cocoa?

Avoid Costly Property Tax Mistakes When Moving to Houston 🏡

Recent errors by the Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD) left some Houston homeowners with incorrect tax bills, missed exemptions, or no bills at all. If you’re buying in Houston suburbs, here’s how to avoid similar issues:

1. Verify Your Tax ID: Confirm your property has a unique tax ID before closing.

2. File Exemptions Quickly: Apply for homestead exemptions early to save thousands.

3. Watch Your Escrow: Review statements for unexpected changes.

For busy professionals, missing these steps can mean unexpected financial headaches—stay proactive to avoid future frustration.

Thinking About Moving? Let’s Make It Simple

Relocating to a new area can feel like a lot—but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you're searching for a community that fits your lifestyle, comparing school districts, or exploring the best neighborhoods for your next chapter, I can help.

From understanding the Houston suburbs to navigating the details of relocation, I’m here to guide you every step of the way. And hey, even if we don’t work together, I’d love to hear about your journey—share a photo of your new home! 📸

📩 Have questions? Reply to this email, and let’s start the conversation.

 Builder Buzz 🐝 

Will Deportations Bring Houston’s Construction Boom to a Halt?

Well, I told you two weeks ago this was coming, and now it’s here. Houston’s construction industry is in panic mode, and if you’re planning to build, buy, or renovate, this could hit close to home—pun intended!

Nearly 60% of Texas’ construction workforce is undocumented. If mass deportations happen effectively, half the crews disappear. That means fewer homes built, longer delays, and increasing costs. Houston’s housing market is already stretched thin, and this could push it to the brink.

Builders are scrambling for solutions, but for now, the industry—and anyone relying on it—is stuck in limbo.

This isn’t just a builder’s problem. It’s a ripple effect, and it’s going to hit harder than people realize.

Where to Build: Balancing Affordability and Long-Term Value

I completely understand why so many buyers are drawn to Houston’s “hottest” selling communities. Affordability matters—especially in today’s market. For first-time buyers or families working within a tight budget, places like Brookshire, Conroe, and Magnolia offer a chance to own a home with modern amenities at a price that feels achievable. That’s huge.

But here’s where I urge a little caution. Many of these rankings focus on sales volume, which often means developers are building homes as quickly as possible on cheaper land. The homes are affordable because that’s the priority—but other things, like infrastructure, school districts, or even long-term resale value, sometimes take a backseat.

I’ve seen it play out. In some of these fast-growing areas, roads and utilities struggle to keep up, and buyers down the line notice the difference in quality. It’s hard to ignore that the communities with mid-to-upper-tier builders often cost more upfront because they deliver more: better schools, stronger infrastructure, and homes built with long-term stability in mind.

I get it—affordability is a real need. But if you’re in a position to weigh your options, think about what “you get what you pay for” could mean 5, 10, or 15 years from now. Sometimes, stretching a little further now can lead to a lifestyle and investment that feel truly worth it.

Builder Bulletin 🗞️

Ready for the rundown on this month’s hottest builder deals? Here’s what caught my eye—and could save you big:

🛠 Perry Homes: $25K to use your way on select inventory homes. (Pick your perk: rate buydown, upgrades, or closing costs!)

🏠 Highland Homes: Take $10K off your rate or closing costs when you grab one of their inventory homes.

✨ Drees Homes: Fixed rates as low as 4.49% (6.572% APR) on select homes when you finance with their in-house lender. Plus, a 2-1 buydown option!

🔌 Ravanna Homes: A free whole-home generator and $10K in design credits or closing costs. (Your future self during a power outage will thank you.)

🍽️ Lennar Homes: FHA fixed rate at 3.99% (4.943% APR), $40K off the price, and an appliance package on move-in-ready homes. Talk about a triple threat.

💸 David Weekley: 4.99% fixed rate for year one, 5.99% after that—plus move-in-ready options now available.

🌳 Brookfield Residential: Get $20K-$30K off select inventory homes. (More cash for your backyard oasis!)

💡 Brightland Homes: $35K for design and structural upgrades, plus $10K toward closing costs.

📦 Tri-Point Homes: $30K in flex credit to make your home truly yours.

_{Disclaimer: Incentives are offered by the builders directly and may vary by each community within Houston. They typically apply to inventory homes and require using the builder’s lender and title company. Details are subject to change -confirm directly with the builder*}

Thanks!

Thanks for reading Hello, from Houston today! If you enjoyed it, share it with someone who loves a good deal on a home as much as they love a perfectly timed Buc-ee’s stop. 🚗✨