The Katy guide
Notes from Carol Jukes
Practical reads for buyers: what Sunterra offers, how Katy ISD schools work here, how waterfront homes live, and what the morning drive really feels like.
November 4, 2026 · 6 min read
Katy housing market update: November 2026 prices and rates
Katy housing market, November 2026: sourced median prices and days on market for Katy, 77493 and 77494, plus mortgage rates, for Sunterra buyers.
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November 2, 2026 · 5 min read
Thanksgiving in Katy 2026: trots, markets and family plans
Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026. Katy's lineup includes the YMCA Turkey Dash at Cinco Ranch, the Home for the Holidays gift market at the Merrell Center, and Operation Turkey, all a short drive from Sunterra.
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October 30, 2026 · 6 min read
Moving to Katy from out of state: what Sunterra buyers should know
No state income tax, high property taxes, schools assigned by address, and closings through a title company. A practical relocation guide for out-of-state buyers moving to Katy and Sunterra.
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October 26, 2026 · 6 min read
Is Katy a good place to live in 2026?
Yes, for most families. Katy pairs a top-rated school district with a cost of living near the national average and resort-style communities like Sunterra. A sourced look at the 77493 area.
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August 20, 2026 · 5 min read
Inside Sunterra: a guide to Katy's top-selling master community
Sunterra is a roughly 2,300-acre master-planned community with lagoon-style amenities, lakes, trails and Katy ISD schools. Here is what to know before you tour a home in this neighborhood.
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August 27, 2026 · 4 min read
Lakefront living in Katy: what waterfront homes really offer
From screened patios facing the water to metal fences that keep views open, a waterfront lot changes the way a home lives. Here is what to expect from lakefront living in Katy.
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September 1, 2026 · 4 min read
Katy to Houston: a commuter's guide to the I-10 corridor
About 29 miles and 30 to 35 minutes with clear roads. Here is how Sunterra connects to downtown Houston, plus which routes work best at rush hour.
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October 2, 2026 · 5 min read
Sunterra schools: which Katy ISD campus serves your address
For 137 Eliana Shores Dr, the current Katy ISD feeder pattern is James & Mitzi Cross Elementary, Haskett Junior High, and Freeman High School. Here is how Sunterra zoning works by address and how to confirm your assignment before you buy.
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October 5, 2026 · 5 min read
Sunterra amenities: the Sol Club lagoon and The Retreat lazy river
Both of Sunterra's amenity villages are now open: the Sol Club with a 2.7-acre Crystal Lagoons lagoon and white-sand beaches, and The Retreat with a lazy river, resort pool and water slide. Here is what residents actually get.
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October 7, 2026 · 6 min read
How much do homes in Sunterra, Katy cost in 2026?
Sunterra resale homes typically sell from about $285,000 to $500,000, with a median around $330,000, while new construction starts in the mid-$300s. Here is the sourced 2026 price picture.
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October 9, 2026 · 5 min read
What's near Sunterra: parks, shopping and family outings in Katy
Beyond Sunterra's own lagoons and lazy river, the northwest Katy area delivers parks, an outlet mall and family day trips within a short drive. Here is what is actually nearby.
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October 12, 2026 · 6 min read
Buying a home in Sunterra, Katy: a step-by-step guide for 2026
From pre-approval to closing, here is the practical step-by-step for buying a home in Sunterra, Katy, including earnest money, the option period, inspections and what to budget in Texas.
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October 14, 2026 · 6 min read
Sunterra vs. Cross Creek Ranch, Cinco Ranch and Elyson: which Katy community fits you?
Sunterra competes on price and resort amenities with Elyson and Cross Creek Ranch, while Cinco Ranch is pricier and fully built out. Here is how the top Katy master-planned communities compare on price, amenities, schools and location.
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October 16, 2026 · 5 min read
How much does it really cost to own a home in Sunterra, Katy in 2026?
Owning a $349,900 home in Sunterra costs roughly $3,150 to $3,500 a month with 20% down. Here is the line-by-line budget for property taxes, insurance and HOA fees in Katy 77493.
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October 19, 2026 · 5 min read
A new Katy ISD elementary opens in Sunterra in 2027
Katy ISD is building Elementary #49 on Pitts Road inside Sunterra, opening in August 2027 to relieve Youngblood Elementary. Here is what the proposed boundary change could mean for Katy 77493 addresses, and why it does not change the current assignment for 137 Eliana Shores Dr.
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October 21, 2026 · 5 min read
Katy 77493 vs 77494: which ZIP fits your home search?
Sunterra and Old Katy sit in 77493; Cinco Ranch, Grand Lakes and Firethorne anchor 77494. Here is how the two Katy ZIP codes compare on location, schools and price, with sourced 2026 data.
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October 23, 2026 · 6 min read
Restaurants near Sunterra: where Katy's 77493 locals eat
Taquerias, charcoal-grilled chicken, BBQ and old-town pizza line the roads around Sunterra, Katy, with Katy Asian Town a short drive away. A local dining guide with links.
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October 28, 2026 · 5 min read
Christmas in Katy 2026: lights, markets and tree lightings
Katy's 2026 Christmas lineup, sourced and dated: LaCenterra and Historic Katy tree lightings, the Merrell Center market, The Light Park, and old-town traditions, all near Sunterra.
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November 6, 2026 · 5 min read
Katy ISD winter break 2026-27: exact dates students return
Katy ISD winter break runs Monday, December 21, 2026 through Friday, January 1, 2027. Students return to class on Tuesday, January 5, 2027, after the fall semester ends with early dismissal on December 18.
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Have a question that is not covered here?
Carol Jukes answers questions about Sunterra, Katy ISD and waterfront living every day.
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