If you are ready to buy in Sunterra, Katy, here is the practical step-by-step, from pre-approval to closing. In Texas, most resale homes use the standard TREC contract, so the process follows a familiar rhythm: pre-approval, an offer with earnest money, a short option period for inspections, then appraisal and closing. This guide walks through each step with the numbers that matter for this community.
Start with pre-approval before you tour
Getting pre-approved is the first real step, and it usually takes one to two weeks. A lender reviews your income, credit and debts and issues a letter stating how much home you can afford. In a community like Sunterra, where desirable waterfront lots and new construction both draw multiple buyers, sellers expect to see that letter before they take an offer seriously.
Pre-approval also sets your budget, which keeps you from falling for a home out of reach. Knowing your number ahead of time means you tour with confidence and can make an offer quickly when the right lot comes up.
Know the real numbers for Sunterra before you make an offer
Price is only part of the monthly math in Texas, where property taxes and HOA fees do real work. Sunterra sits in the 77493 ZIP code and spans Harris and Waller counties, and combined property tax rates run roughly 3.2% to 3.65% of assessed value depending on the section, per community guides and builder sales-center sheets accessed in October 2026.
HOA and maintenance fees vary by section and builder, with recent published figures around $1,160 to $1,800 per year, and some gated or lagoon sections split into an HOA fee plus a separate lagoon or gate fee that can total more. Ask for the exact figure for the section you are considering, in writing, before you commit.
For context, 137 Eliana Shores Dr, the waterfront home this site covers, is listed at $349,900 as of mid-October 2026. A one-story, 4-bedroom, 3-bath home of 1,885 square feet on a lake lot, it sits above Sunterra's resale median, which is typical for lakefront inventory.
Earnest money and the option period
When your offer is accepted, you put down earnest money, a good-faith deposit typically 1% to 3% of the purchase price. It goes to the title company within about three days of the contract date, is held in escrow, and is credited toward your purchase at closing. If you terminate properly during the option period, it is refundable.
The option period is the window, commonly 7 to 10 days, during which you can back out for any reason and keep your earnest money. You pay the seller a nonrefundable option fee, usually $100 to $500, for that right. It is negotiable, and under the standard Texas contract, if no option fee is stated, there is no option period, so make sure it is written into your contract.
Inspections: the window that protects you
Within the first few days of the option period, schedule a general home inspection, and add specialty inspections such as termite, HVAC or roof where the property calls for it. The inspector's report is your leverage: you can ask the seller to fix issues or offer a credit before the option deadline.
For a waterfront home, pay attention to the lake-related details, such as fencing, drainage and how the community manages the water behind your lot. A good inspector plus a local agent who knows Sunterra's sections will flag what matters.
Appraisal, underwriting and closing
Once you are under contract, your lender orders an appraisal to confirm the home is worth the price, and the title company completes the title work. Underwriting reviews your file, and closing itself usually takes about an hour or two. From accepted offer to closing, plan on roughly 30 to 45 days.
Buyer closing costs in Texas typically run 2% to 5% of the purchase price, covering loan origination, appraisal, title insurance, the first year of homeowners insurance and prepaid taxes and interest. One bright spot: Texas title insurance basic premium rates were reduced about 6.2% effective March 1, 2026, which trims that line item.
Why a local agent matters in Sunterra
Sunterra is a large master-planned community with different sections, builders, tax rates and school assignments, so the details vary by address, not by neighborhood name. A broker who works the Katy market daily can pull current comps, confirm the section's tax and HOA figures, and verify the school assignment for the exact property.
Carol Jukes, Broker/Owner of Realty Pros of Texas, has 35+ years in real estate. Licensed Texas broker since 2006, she knows Sunterra's waterfront lots and can walk you through each step of the Texas contract.
See the waterfront for yourself
The best way to judge whether Sunterra is right for you is to tour a home on the water. 137 Eliana Shores Dr is a one-story waterfront home with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and 1,885 square feet, the community lake and fountain behind the black metal fence, listed at $349,900. Carol Jukes can arrange a private showing and walk you through the buying process from pre-approval to closing. Call (832) 212-2772 or send a message through the contact page.