Hey Neighbor! 👋

Houston real estate is throwing curveballs—home sales are down, builders are sweating, and…Universal is coming to Texas?

 In this issue:

• 📉 Houston Home Sales Slump January was rough… will spring be too?

• 🏗️ Builders Are Sitting on Homes – And that’s the least of their worries

• 🎢 2 new Theme Parks opening  in Texas? – Um, this is so exciting.

Let’s get into it.  

Danielle Kim, Publisher Hello From Houston & Realtor.

The Market Slowdown Everyone’s Finally Noticing 

Market conditions are still stuck. Fewer closings, more inventory, and a whole lot of buyers just… not buying. Even with builders piling on incentives, it’s not moving the needle the way they hoped.

Realtors will keep saying the spring market is going to bounce back. Maybe it will—if rates keep dropping. But I don’t think that’s enough anymore. Layoffs are creeping up, the stock market feels like a rollercoaster, and home prices? Still way too high.

What the stats don’t tell you is how many homes are quietly getting pulled off the market because they aren’t selling. In most cases, that number is almost double what actually closes. And builders? They’ve got even more inventory and empty lots sitting off-market, which means the real supply is way bigger than what’s being reported.

There are more buyers sitting on the sidelines than I’ve seen in a long time, and honestly? I get it. Where are you at—still waiting, or thinking about making a move?

Builders Are Sitting on Homes—And They’re Getting Nervous

Texas and Florida are flooded with new home inventory, and buyers aren’t exactly rushing in. High prices, economic uncertainty, and—let’s be honest—the quality buyers are getting for the price have many sitting on the sidelines.

Builder confidence for 2025 is dropping fast, and pending tariffs aren’t helping. Right now, they’re using incentives to move homes, but what happens when contracts expire and material costs go up? It’s going to get interesting.

For buyers: This is a prime time to negotiate a deal, but be in it for the long game. Appreciation and equity aren’t bouncing back overnight—this is a buyer’s market, but patience will be key.

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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.

Universal Is Coming to Texas in 2026!

My inner Disney-loving child is screaming… even though it’s only Universal.

Outside of Dallas, a brand-new Universal Studios theme park for kids is set to open in 2026. Shrek, SpongeBob, and the Minions will be three of the six themed lands planned, making it a dream come true for families (or just millennials looking for a nostalgia hit).

But wait—there’s more. There’s talk of another theme park called TexasLand, designed to celebrate the Lone Star State itself. The location is still TBD, but the rumor mill is pointing toward Houston.

What do you think? Will more amusement parks boost Texas’ already strong economy—or are we good with Buc-ee’s and rodeos?

Katy Keeps Growing: Trolley System & $13M Research Center

If you missed past issues, we’ve covered a lot about Katy—new commercial developments, entertainment districts, and upcoming master-planned communities. And the growth isn’t stopping.

Now, Katy is adding a trolley system to its historic downtown district. It’s a small but meaningful upgrade that makes the area more walkable and accessible.

The bigger change? A new $13 million research facility just opened, bringing high-paying jobs and more demand to the area and, let’s be honest, probably more traffic. Sorry, longtime Katy residents!

Between business expansion and infrastructure upgrades, Katy is continuing to evolve. Do these changes make it more appealing, or is it starting to feel too crowded?

New Construction & Texas Weather: What Could Go Wrong?

A lot of new communities elevate foundations to avoid flood zones, which is smart—but when thousands of homes are crammed together, drainage can still be a mess. A new report highlights how fast-growing suburbs like Katy are building in high-risk areas, often prioritizing speed over long-term resilience.

New doesn’t mean problem-free. Poor drainage, shifting foundations, and rushed construction happen more than you’d think. A gentle reminder if you’re home shopping: ask about flood zones, soil conditions, and drainage before you buy.

Audubon is One to Watch

There aren’t many master-planned communities I’d personally buy in, but Audubon is one of them. And no, this isn’t sponsored—I’m not that cool yet.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: commercial and mixed-use spaces are what make or break long-term value in these communities. Audubon is finally starting phase one of its commercial development, which means shops, restaurants, and office space are on the way. That’s the kind of growth that keeps demand strong and home values climbing.

If you’re looking to get out of Houston but still If you’re looking to get out of Houston but still want a well-planned community with room to grow, this is one to watch.

School Safety Tech is Here—And We Need It

With school district budget cuts last year, a huge number of students lost bus transportation, forcing more kids to walk or bike to school. And in true Houston fashion, drivers haven’t adjusted well—accidents involving students have gone up significantly.

Hats off to Fort Bend County for piloting C-V2X technology, which sends real-time alerts to your car’s GPS and phone to PAY ATTENTION in school zones. Given how chaotic Houston traffic is, anything that forces drivers to slow down and be more aware is a win.

More school districts should implement this—it’s not just helpful, it’s necessary.

More Reasons the Market is Stalled: Consumer Debt

It’s not just high prices and mortgage rates keeping buyers on the sidelines—consumer debt is at an all-time high. Household debt just hit $18 trillion, and credit delinquencies are the highest they’ve been in five years.

I think this is one of the many reasons Houston home appreciation will continue to slow, and we’ll see more price corrections in the coming months.

Sellers, it’s tough out there right now. Homes are sitting longer, and buyers have more negotiating power than they’ve had in years. Pricing right from the start is more important than ever—waiting too long to adjust could cost you more in the long run.

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