Hey Neighbor! 👋

More homes are sitting, builders are adjusting, and downtown is getting a major revamp.

 In this issue:

• 📉 Houston's Market Shift – More homes, less demand, negative numbers

• 🏗️ Conroe’s “Affordable” Homes – Why budget builds aren’t always a deal.

• 🚧 Downtown’s Makeover – A big step toward a more connected city.
  

  Lets get into it.

Danielle Kim, Publisher Hello From Houston & Realtor.

 West of I-10 is Gaining Serious Momentum 🚀 

The west side of I-10 is picking up steam. Between the $400 million Texas Heritage shopping center, a $13 million research facility, and now Tesla’s new Megafactory in Waller County, this area is seeing major investment.

Add in all the new construction happening, and it’s clear that developers see big potential here. Tesla’s facility will produce Megapacks—massive battery storage units—bringing in jobs and likely driving up home demand.

Of course, with growth comes challenges. More traffic, more development, and the big question: Can Waller infrastructure keep up?

Cheers to Katy Being the New “Hangout Suburb” 🍻

Pitch 25, the soccer-themed beer garden from Dynamo legend Brian Ching, is coming to Katy.

Between this, Katy Beer Garden, and the growing Asian Town scene, Katy is… kinda turning into a place you might actually want to hang out on the weekends. Yeah, I said it.

It’s still the suburbs, so don’t expect a wild nightlife scene, but if you’re looking for a laid-back spot with good drinks and plenty of TVs, Katy’s stacking up some decent options.

Houston’s Market Shift—What Buyers Should Know 🏡

If you’ve been following along every week in this newsletter, we’ve been watching the Houston market cool down in real-time. For the first time in years, inventory is up, median prices are down, and homes are sitting longer. Buyer demand is at a low, and it’s clear the market has shifted.

You’d think this would mean deep discounts and aggressive builder incentives, right? Not quite. Sellers are withdrawing homes instead of slashing prices, and builders are pulling back on inventory and deals, bracing for uncertainty—pending tariffs, labor concerns, and a volatile market.

Is this good for buyers? Yes. You have more choices, less competition, and room to negotiate. But don’t expect quick equity—it’ll take a few years for the values to appreciate and mature.

This Suburb Looks Affordable—But Here’s the Catch

Conroe has been in rapid expansion mode for years—over 14,000 homes built since 2015, making it one of Houston’s fastest-growing suburbs. But now, the cracks in that growth are starting to show. The city is already dealing with water and sewer capacity issues, and with so many homes hitting the market, who’s actually buying them?

In this week’s video, I’m talking about the downfall of these builders who prioritized speed over quality. I think this whole "affordable new home" push is just a band-aid on a long-term problem. These homes were built for the moment, not for long-term sustainability. Now, many sellers are struggling to break even while still competing with builders offering incentives on brand-new homes.

I’m all for affordability, but you’ve got to be careful. I’ve personally seen mold issues and failing finishes in homes that aren’t even five years old. And when builders keep moving further out, dropping new neighborhoods with bigger incentives, what happens to your home’s value?

Affordability is great—but only if your home holds up and holds value.

A Master Plan for the City? Smart Growth Done Right?

Houston’s leadership has announced a major expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center, adding 700,000 square feet and a 100,000-square-foot pedestrian plaza connecting to the Toyota Center. The goal? Make downtown Houston a top-tier convention and entertainment hub.

I’m actually on board with this kind of development. Unlike the usual suburban sprawl, this focuses on revitalizing what we already have instead of pushing further out. Houston needs more walkable, connected spaces, and this project has the potential to make downtown feel more cohesive.

That said, residents have concerns. Part of the plan involves closing Polk Street, a key route between downtown and EaDo. While pedestrian-friendly spaces are great, it’s important that the city balances accessibility with progress.

If done right, this could be a win for Houston—attracting business, tourism, and making downtown a more livable, vibrant place. Here’s hoping they pull it off.

Finding This Helpful? Send It to a Friend!

I put a lot of time into making this newsletter actually useful—not just more inbox clutter. If you’re enjoying it, I’d love if you shared it with a friend or on social media. It really helps me grow, and I appreciate it more than you know!

If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or building in Houston’s suburbs, I’m here to help. Whether you need guidance on builders, neighborhoods, or just want an honest opinion. Reply, and let’s talk.

Home Insurance Costs Are Out of Control—Texas Lawmakers Try to Step In

In Texas, over 25% of homeowners now pay $3,000+ a year for insurance. In Florida, one in five pays $4,000 or more. For many, that’s 20-30% of their mortgage.

Now, Texas lawmakers are stepping in. A new proposal would require insurers to give automatic reasons for cancellations and enforce at least 30 days’ notice before dropping coverage. Right now, they only have to tell you if you ask.

It’s a small step, but with rates climbing, homeowners need protection—not just from storms, but from the insurance companies themselves.

All Eyes on New Construction—What’s Next for Builders?

Like many of us, I’ve been watching to see how builders will respond to the proposed tariffs, labor challenges, and a volatile market—all while sitting on a surplus of inventory.

They have options: source lumber locally, push for exceptions, or pass the cost to buyers. What I think this really means? Builders will tread carefully in 2025, weighing their options before making big moves.

My prediction? Less inventory, fewer incentives, and more creative marketing to make buyers feel like they’re still getting a deal. But hey, who knows—builders are masters at making numbers look good

Thanks!

Thanks for reading Hello from Houston today! If you found something useful, send it to the friend who’s still convinced they can perfectly time the market.

💡 Who am I? I’m Danielle, a Houston suburb-based realtor who keeps up with builder incentives, market shifts, and new developments so my clients don’t have to. Need insight or just want to vent about home prices? I’m here—just reply