KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
June 22, 2022
By Natalie Cook Clark
The city of Katy and its surrounding communities continue to grow. Even though interest rates are starting to climb, families are buying and building in exciting and fast developing communities.
Sunterra by Land Tejas will have a 3.5-acre Crystal Blue Lagoon.
New Communities Bring Big Amenities
Last year, Katy saw a major housing market boom with low inventory and multiple offers. Interest rates are starting the climb but that isn’t stopping families from buying and building in new Katy communities. Planned new schools, businesses, and entertainment establishments all backup the projected growth.
“Elyson, Bridgeland, and Cross Creek Ranch are all still growing incredibly fast,” says Kerri Schultz with Keller Williams Premier Realty. “Builders have been building inventory homes (the builder selects their favorite packages of countertops, cabinets etc.) and they are just being snapped up.”
Elyson is a master planned community founded by the same developer as Cinco Ranch. The community is at 99 and FM 529 and has yet to hit its halfway mark. The development recently added Elyson Commons at Bear Creek, a 145-acre park, to its list of impressive amenities. The space includes sports fields, a dog park, a playground, an outdoor fitness training park, picnic areas, a Great Lawn and more. Residents have already enjoyed multiple movie nights and concerts.
Elyson by Newland
Katy ISD Plans Schools to Match Growth
Katy ISD projections forecast this as an area of immense growth and three of the four latest school are planned in the area.
Elementary #45 will be located at 25600 Longenbaugh Road and is scheduled to welcome students Fall 2023. Junior high #18 and high school #10 will soon be next door to this elementary and scheduled to open with the 2024 academic year.
The northwest quadrant of Katy really continues to expand. Cane Island continues to build and grow to accommodate more Katy families. The fall of 2023 academic year will see the opening of Steve & Elaine Robertson Elementary (elementary #44.)
New Developments, Old Town Feel
“Cane Island and Sunterra are very appealing for buyers looking for brand new homes and neighborhoods with lots of amenities,” says Andrea Miller, a realtor with C.R. Realty.
Cane Island offers residents a two-story fitness center, yoga studio, lap pool, lagoon-style family pool with cabanas, children’s water playground and The Oaks Kitchen & Bar. The popular Katy community still has 15 percent of its acreage to develop.
The community garden at Cane Island.
New Katy developments have to go big to be noticed and Sunterra makes a statement with its Crystal Lagoon. The establishment is west of the Grand Parkway off of Clay Road. Over 2,000 homes are planned for the area that will enjoy a club house overlooking the 3.5-acre lagoon.
“Both Cane Island and Sunterra are still within the Old Katy, small town feel area,” says Miller. “Cinco Ranch is more appealing to buyers that want more established neighborhoods but still great access to 99 and Lacenterra.”
Building is difficult as it can take a full 9 months to a year because of supply chain shortages and new builds are getting more expensive.
Building to the Trends
But new builds can meet current trends and wants. The pandemic changed the way many work and entertain at home.
“Buyers are typically looking for large family rooms and open kitchens which often becomes their main living space,” says Kristin Meijer with Chasestone Realty. “Some parents no longer have to work in an office so they need space for their home offices.”
Meijer also sees that her buyers are seeking those great amenities along with great location to major freeways for commuting, healthcare facilities, shopping, etc.
“When I was looking for a home, the most important thing to me was the lot size and compared to Bridgeland and Townlake, Elyson had better options,” says resident David Russell.
Katy ISD is the fastest growing public-school district in Texas and families are moving the highly rated District.
Katy ISD art rendition of Steve & Elaine Robertson Elementary. Photo courtesy of Katy ISD
“Our outstanding academic record, dedicated educators and staff members, as well as our commitment to providing unparalleled learning experiences continues to attract families from across the nation, and even around the world," says DiPetta.
Katy ISD welcomed its 90,000 student this year and plans to grow along with the Katy community.
“When my own clients are looking one issue that has kept them looking at existing constructions versus new in Katy are the tax rates and prices,” says Schultz. “New construction areas are very high in both.”
Katy families and newcomers are attracted to the nice amenities and new schools despite the costs. As the area continues to grow, so will Katy ISD and local businesses.