Where To See Houston Area Holiday Lights

Dasher’s Lightshow at Sam Houston Race Park

Through Sunday, December 31, 2023

Get in the spirit with a daily light-filled spectacle that you can drive through in Northwest Houston, past giant Christmas trees, snowmen, and through acres of land.

Tickets are sold per person for $9.95, with discounts available for groups of 4 and more.

Texas Winter Lights at Marriott Marquis Houston

Through Sunday, December 31, 2023

Have some Texas-sized fun in the 6th floor Altitude Rooftop & Pool at the Marriott Marquis in Downtown during Texas Winter Lights, an interactive light experience available nightly.

Enjoy festive signature cocktails, huge light displays, walk-through experiences and plenty of social-worthy elements.

And yes, the Texas-shaped lazy river is open for floating and heated to 80° all winter long.

Tickets are $25 and up; $15 and up for ages 2 to 12.

Open daily 5pm to 10pm.

10th Sugar Land Holiday Lights at Constellation Field

Through New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1, 2024

More than three million lights create a sparkling winter wonderland at the home of the Sugar Land Space Cowboys.

Walk the ballpark and enjoy 10 themed areas, a holiday market, a snow play area, visits with Santa Claus, and more.

Prices vary by date: $15 and up; $10 and up for ages 4 to 12; free for ages 3 and under.  Buy Tickets

Sunday to Thursday 6pm to 9pm; Friday and Saturday 6pm to 10pm.

Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens

Through Saturday, January 6, 2024

Brighten up your holiday season at the Festival of Lights in Moody Gardens, which features a mile-long trail of more than two million lights and illuminated scenes with views of Galveston Bay.

The family-friendly mainstay also offers an outdoor skating rink, vendors serving hot chocolate and eats, and live entertainment, plus the Ice Land attraction, where a team of skilled ice carvers have transformed two million pounds of ice into a festive journey around the world’s rainforests.

Tickets start at $25 for individual attractions; holiday passes, which include admission to multiple attractions, start at $65; $45 for ages 4 to 12 and 65+.

Magical Winter Lights at Katy Mills

Through Sunday, January 7, 2024

One of the city’s most popular attractions opens its gates at a new location in Katy this year.

Wander through a lit-up wonderland filled with millions of lights, dazzling lantern sculptures, interactive displays, and a carnival with fun for the whole family.

Tickets are $25; $18 for ages 3 to 12 and 65+; free for ages 2 and under.

Zoo Lights at Houston Zoo

Through Sunday, January 7, 2024

Stroll through the Houston Zoo with hot chocolate in hand while you admire glimmering displays made up of gleaming Christmas lights at this annual must-see attraction.

Take advantage of holiday photo ops, make your way through an illuminated tunnel, see life-sized animal lanterns, and more.

Ticket Prices vary by day; $22.95 and up.

Galaxy Lights at Space Center Houston

Through Sunday, January 7, 2024

The cosmic spectacle returns to Space Center Houston, transforming the campus into a twinkling wonderland of space-themed light installations, high-tech experiences, holiday treats and more in a one-of-a-kind event that can only be found in Space City.

Tickets range from $19.95 to $27.95; free for ages 3 and under. 

Radiant Nature at Houston Botanic Garden

Through Sunday, February 25, 2024

More than 50 larger-than-life Chinese lantern installations decorate the Houston Botanic Garden, bringing to life stunning displays that showcase the beauty of nature and celebrate the promise of the Lunar New Year.

Tickets are $28.50; free for ages 3 and under.

Open Fridays to Sundays and select weeknights from 6pm to 10pm; last entry at 9pm.

Check Out Houston's Top 10 Neighborhoods

Montrose -  Midtown  -  Downtown  -  Museum District  -  Houston Heights

River Oaks  -  West University Place  -  Memorial  -  Bellaire  -  Spring Branch

Houston's Housing Market Saw a Modest Uptick In New Listings

Houston's housing market saw a modest uptick in new listings last week, but it wasn't enough to offset declines in pending sales and closings.

New listings on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) increased by 6.9% during the week ending November 20, according to the Weekly Activity Snapshot from the Houston Association of REALTORS®. However, pending listings fell by 3% year-over-year, while closings dropped by 5.3%.

Despite the decline in sales, consumer interest remained strong. Traffic at property showings increased by 4% compared to the same week last year.

The increase in new listings is a positive sign for the Houston housing market, but it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to boost sales activity.

Houston holds the 4th place in the US for new listings.

Last month, Houston experienced one of the most significant upticks in new listings nationwide.

Realtors introduced 11,088 properties to the MLS in October, marking a 13% year-over-year increase and securing the city's fourth-highest growth rate in the country.

Despite this noteworthy boost in local inventory, home sales in the greater Houston area witnessed an 8.5% decline compared to the previous year. The average time for a home to sell was 39 days, five days faster than the same period in November of the previous year.

In October, the median sale price also saw a decrease of 0.6%, settling at $328,000. This figure is notably lower than the national median sale price, which stands at $410,000.

Check Out Houston's Top 10 Neighborhoods

Montrose -  Midtown  -  Downtown  -  Museum District  -  Houston Heights

River Oaks  -  West University Place  -  Memorial  -  Bellaire  -  Spring Branch

Developers have chosen architects for The Ritz-Carlton Residences in The Woodlands

Following the October announcement of the forthcoming development, Howard Hughes disclosed on Nov. 15 that it has enlisted the services of the renowned architecture firm Robert A.M. Stern Architects to oversee the project's design.

Comprising 111 private residences available for purchase, this development is touted as the inaugural standalone Ritz-Carlton branded residences in Texas. Howard Hughes has also released conceptual renderings showcasing elements of the project, featuring a façade constructed from Texas limestone and a prime location with views overlooking Lake Woodlands.

In a press release, the design is characterized as being influenced by the architectural style of Texas estates designed by John Staub, renowned for his work on private estates around the River Oaks Country Club.

In expressing their design philosophy, Robert A.M. Stern, the founder and senior partner of the architecture firm, stated, “We strive to be meticulous in our craft and have developed a reputation for our modern interpretations of traditional building styles and projects that use time-honored materials, which will be on display throughout The Ritz-Carlton Residences, The Woodlands.”

Paul Whalen, a partner at Robert A.M. Stern Architects, highlighted the fusion of classic East Coast and Southern residential styles with the more laid-back Texas lifestyle, drawing parallels to the approach taken by Staub in creating a unique architectural style for his adopted home.

Key details of the project include its 15-story structure situated on 8 acres along Lake Woodlands, ensuring each private residence offers a scenic view of the lake. The exterior design will showcase Texas limestone and metal accents, creating a vertical neighborhood with varying heights and symmetries reminiscent of historical structures developed over time. Additional features include a curved and landscaped motor court, French-inspired gardens, and a base designed to evoke the charm of a classic Texas townhouse.

Douglas Elliman Development Marketing has been appointed as the sales and marketing firm for the project, according to the news release.

Best neighborhoods to live in The Woodlands

Sterling Ridge - Cochran's Crossing - Creekside Park - Indian Springs - Alden Bridge

East Shore

Houston Farmers Market's

GingerBread Lane

Embrace the holiday spirit with a touch of sweetness at the Houston Farmers Market as GingerBread Lane takes center stage. Delight in "The 12 Days of Texas," an enchanting gingerbread display showcasing whimsical houses and intricately crafted sculptures inspired by the Lone Star State.

Beyond enjoying the gingerbread village, guests are warmly welcomed to partake in the GingerBread Lane workshops. Here, participants can discover the art of crafting their own whimsical gingerbread creations under the guidance of Jon Lovitch, the visionary behind GingerBread Lane and a Guinness World Record-holder for creating the "largest entirely edible gingerbread village."

Event Dates: November 17, 2023 | 8:00 AM

November 18, 2023 | 8:00 AM

November 19, 2023 | 8:00 AM 

Location: The Houston Farmers Market 2520 Airline Dr, Houston, TX 77009

Houston Soars as a Top Place for Houses and Shops!

Houston is once again proven to be a great place for homes and stores, according to a new study. Moving up three spots from last year, Houston is now ranked No. 11 out of 80 cities on the list of the best places for houses and shops. The list is part of a big report that looks at what's happening in real estate, called "Emerging Trends in Real Estate in 2024."

The report talks about many things affecting the real estate market, like the chance of a recession, interest rates going up, and people working from home more. Houston's offices and places where many families live are facing some challenges that other big cities are facing too.

Even though Houston had some problems in the last few months, it's still considered a top place for real estate. One reason is that it's not too expensive for people to buy homes there. According to a study, Houston's housing costs are the second cheapest among big cities in the U.S.

Houston's stores are also doing well. More people are going back to regular, in-person shopping after the pandemic, and that's helping the stores in Houston. In the last year, Houston's stores used up 3.2 million square feet of space, and there's even more space being worked on.

Not just that, Houston is also ranked No. 7 on another list in the report. This list looks at places where many new homes are being built. Houston is doing well because more and more people are moving there, and there are lots of new jobs.

So, even though Houston had some tough times, it's still a really strong and tough place for houses and shops. The rankings show that Houston is one of the best places for real estate.

Check Out Houston's Top 10 Neighborhoods

Montrose -  Midtown  -  Downtown  -  Museum District  -  Houston Heights

River Oaks  -  West University Place  -  Memorial  -  Bellaire  -  Spring Branch

Texas Voters Approve Proposition 4 - Tax Cut

• Texas homeowners and businesses are getting a tax cut.
• The tax cut is worth $18 billion.
• Most of the tax cut is aimed at lowering school district property taxes, which are a big part of property tax bills in Texas.
• Voters in Texas approved this tax cut with 84% of the votes.
•   
• School districts will get $7.1 billion to lower their tax rates, which will help reduce taxes on things like teacher salaries.
• Homeowners will see their homestead exemption increase from $40,000 to $100,000, which means they won't have to pay taxes on that part of their home's value.
• Homeowners can save more than $2,500 in taxes over the next two years, with bigger savings for seniors.
• Texas is known for not having a state income tax, but property taxes in the state are high.
• The tax cut also includes a limit on how much certain businesses' property values can grow each year, helping them save on taxes.
• Some businesses won't have to pay the state's franchise tax.
• People in some places can now choose who runs their local appraisal district, which decides how much your property is worth.

Houston's Hottest Communities in Q3 2023

The Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) recently released a report ranking the region's hottest communities in Q3 2023. The report, which utilized data on average sales price and number of transactions, found that the suburbs are dominating the market.

The top-ranked community was Fulshear/South Brookshire/Simonton, located in Fort Bend County, with an average sales price of $506K and a 56 percent increase in the number of transactions year-over-year. Homes in this community sold in an average of 40 days.

Five of the top-10 slots were occupied by communities with average sales prices well below the Houston average of $417K. These communities were:

• Santa Fe
• Tomball
• Sugar Land North
• Huffman
• Denver Harbor

Denver Harbor, in particular, saw a whopping 38 percent increase in the number of transactions year-over-year, with homes selling for an average of $283K.

The report also analyzed which "luxury" neighborhoods, with homes priced $1M and above, are among the market's highest-performing. The top-ranked neighborhood in this category was Rice University / Museum District, with an average sales price of $1.1M and a 25 percent increase in the number of transactions. Other neighborhoods in this category included River Oaks, Tanglewood, and Bellaire.

• Fulshear/South  Brookshire/Simonton
• Santa Fe
• Tomball
• Sugar Land North
• Huffman
• Denver Harbor
• Rice University / Museum District
• River Oaks
• Tanglewood
• Bellaire

Conclusion

The Houston housing market remains hot, with the suburbs leading the way. Buyers are drawn to these communities for their affordability, amenities, and proximity to the city. The luxury market is also performing well, with buyers looking for homes in established neighborhoods with good schools and access to parks and recreation.

26% Of Houston Homes For Sale Are NEW CONSTRUCTION

There are two reasons for this. First, builders are building more new houses. Second, people who already own homes are staying in them longer because they have low mortgage rates.

People who are still able to buy houses are more likely to buy new ones because builders are offering them deals, like lower mortgage rates.

Home sellers have to compete with builders, who are sometimes offering buyers up to $30,000 in deals. With that much money, buyers can cover the cost of closing on the house, make upgrades, and get a lower mortgage rate. In some cases, people who bought a house from a builder a year ago are now selling it and competing against that same builder for buyers!

Check out New Construction Homes For Sale In HOUSTON

Houston New Construction UNDER $300K    $300K - $600K    $600K  -  $900K     $1,000,000 +