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Communities


Tomball’s H-E-B Is Getting a $20 Million Expansion: Here’s What We Know
If you’ve lived in Tomball for a while, there’s a good chance you’ve made more than a few grocery runs to the H-E-B on Tomball Parkway.
Now that longtime store is preparing for a major makeover.
A newly registered state construction filing shows plans for a $20 million renovation and expansion of H-E-B Store #574 at 28520 Tomball Parkway.

Gene Johnson
1 day ago11 min read


Whole Foods, Nordstrom Rack, Shake Shack & More Are Coming to Cypress: What’s Happening at Dunham Pointe?
What I would tell someone considering a home nearby is much simpler:
Look at the roads.
Drive them.
Understand where the entrances are.
Look at what's planned around the neighborhood.
And think about how your daily routes could interact with future development.
Real estate isn't just the house.
It's the environment around the house.

Gene Johnson
Oct 1014 min read


300 Tiny Rental Homes Are Coming Near Montgomery: Could This Be a New Answer to Housing Affordability?
What we can say is that this project represents one approach to offering smaller rental housing at a reported lower starting price point.
Whether that model ultimately works well at this location will depend on more than the size of the homes.
It will depend on how the development operates.
How residents experience it.
How infrastructure performs.
How traffic is managed.
What renters actually pay.
And whether the product meets a real housing need.
Those answers will c

Gene Johnson
Sep 2613 min read


Costco, Home Depot & More Are Coming to Cypress: What’s Really Happening at Grand Mason?
One of the biggest developments now getting attention is Grand Mason, a planned approximately 400-acre commercial and mixed-use destination along the east side of Grand Parkway between FM 529 and West Road.
And two names are grabbing most of the headlines:
Costco and Home Depot.
A new Costco warehouse is already under construction. A new Home Depot is planned nearby. But those two stores are only part of a much larger vision for this stretch of the Grand Parkway.

Gene Johnson
Sep 1912 min read


Is Magnolia Town Center Still Happening? What We Know as of September 2026
Yes, Magnolia Town Center is still being pursued as a proposed development—but it has not yet broken ground, and its future plans remain subject to city approvals, permitting, and continued review.

Gene Johnson
Sep 1210 min read


Why More Buyers Are Choosing Colton Before It's Fully Built
Colton is a 5,700-acre master-planned community developed by AIRIA Development near the intersection of State Highway 249 (Aggie Expressway) and FM 1486 in the Magnolia area. At full build-out, the vision includes approximately 11,000 single-family homes, around 500 acres dedicated to mixed-use and commercial development, and a variety of neighborhoods designed for different lifestyles and budgets.

Gene Johnson
Aug 86 min read


Why Is Everyone Talking About Kresston in Magnolia in 2026?
Kresston has become one of Magnolia's fastest-growing communities for reasons that go well beyond attractive model homes.
It offers a rare combination of:
Multiple respected builders
A wide range of home styles
Magnolia ISD schools
Convenient Highway 249 access
Active amenities
Planned future growth
Professional community management
For many Northwest Houston buyers, that's exactly the combination they're looking for.

Gene Johnson
Aug 16 min read


Are The Texans Really Moving to Bridgeland? Here's What a $34 Billion Headquarters Means for Cypress Buyers
Yes. At the center of Toro District is a 22-acre headquarters and training complex for the Houston Texans (Houston Texans official announcement).
Right now, the Texans operate out of NRG Park in south Houston, a stadium complex owned and run by Harris County. Team offices and practice facilities sharing a stadium site is unusual in the NFL. Texans CEO Cal McNair has said that setup isn't sustainable long-term (Houston Public Media).

Gene Johnson
Jul 255 min read


Why Buyers Are Watching Ellerden: One of the First Communities Zoned to the New Tomball West High School
Ellerden is an active new-home community by Pulte Homes featuring single-family homes designed for a variety of buyers, from first-time homeowners to growing families.

Gene Johnson
Jul 185 min read


What Is Toro District? Bridgeland's New Downtown Could Change the Way Northwest Houston Lives
One of the biggest factors influencing how much you'll enjoy living somewhere—and how desirable that neighborhood may become over time—is something many buyers overlook:
What's happening around the community?
That's exactly why so many people are paying attention to Toro District, the new mixed-use destination coming to Bridgeland in Cypress.

Gene Johnson
Jul 115 min read


Decker Farms in Magnolia TX Is Closing Out: New Construction From $229K While It Lasts
A builder closeout is not a distress signal. It is the final phase of a planned community reaching the end of its buildout.
At this stage, builders want to wrap up quickly. That creates real leverage for buyers.
At Decker Farms, Centex has already adjusted pricing on several homes. One home has sold. A few more are going under contract now.
What remains is a limited selection of new construction — some available immediately, some closing in July — priced lower than t

Gene Johnson
Jul 45 min read


Tomball ISD vs. Cypress-Fairbanks ISD vs. Magnolia ISD: What Families Need to Know Before Buying in NW Houston
Some buyers are chasing the highest-rated schools regardless of cost. Others are chasing the lowest monthly payment while still landing in a solid district. Others want a specific feel. All three are valid. The mistake is not knowing which one you are before you start making offers.

Gene Johnson
Jun 278 min read


Why More Buyers Are Looking at Magnolia Instead of The Woodlands in 2026?
Many families are prioritizing value-per-square-foot and overall lifestyle flexibility instead of simply trying to stay as close as possible to Houston’s major business hubs.
And with hybrid work remaining common in 2026, some buyers are more comfortable trading a slightly longer drive for a larger home, quieter surroundings, and more breathing room.

Gene Johnson
Jun 206 min read


How Families in Magnolia Could Buy affordable Brand-New Home Through Habitat for Humanity's Marble Creek
Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County Texas just announced Marble Creek. It is the organization's largest neighborhood development in its history. More than 200 families will have the chance to buy a brand-new home in Magnolia through this program. Construction on the first homes begins this summer.

Gene Johnson
Jun 136 min read


Why Some Cypress Homes Aren’t Selling in 2026 (Even in Good Neighborhoods)
Homes are still selling in Cypress.
But today’s market rewards:
realistic pricing
strong marketing
preparation
presentation
buyer psychology awareness
The days of simply listing a home and expecting immediate offers have become less predictable.

Gene Johnson
Jun 66 min read


Two Step Farm Is Now Selling in Montgomery, TX — One of the Most Talked-About New Communities Near The Woodlands
One of the strongest parts of the Two Step Farm vision is how much of the natural landscape they intentionally preserved.
Instead of flattening everything and starting from scratch, the developers focused on:
preserving native trees
integrating trails naturally
maintaining a more untamed landscape
creating outdoor spaces that feel organic

Gene Johnson
May 285 min read


Cypress, TX Case Study: Selling a Home in a Builder-Dominated Market
Instead of chasing the market, we played smart from day one.
Positioned at $590,000 to stay competitive within buyer search ranges
Highlighted lifestyle features (corner lot, outdoor-ready setup, privacy)
Focused on move-in ready appeal vs waiting on new construction
Created urgency early to capture serious buyers before the listing aged

Gene Johnson
Apr 142 min read


NW Houston Christmas & New Year’s 2025: What to Do in Tomball, Magnolia, Cypress, Montgomery & The Woodlands
If you’re spending the holidays in Northwest Houston this year, there’s no shortage of ways to slow down, make memories, and enjoy time together after Christmas Day. From light displays and outdoor strolls to concerts and skating, these events offer something special for families looking to celebrate the season through the end of December.

Gene Johnson
Dec 21, 20255 min read


A Grateful Look Back at 2025: More Than Homes, It Was About People
I’m constantly reminded that buying or selling a home is never just about the transaction. It’s about Kera finding clarity and confidence in a process that once felt overwhelming, Natalie stepping into her very first home feeling informed and supported every step of the way, Fabiane discovering a place that truly fit her family’s needs, Ravi navigating a major transition with peace of mind, Daniel trusting guidance across state lines, and Gloria building a future through smar

Gene Johnson
Dec 14, 20252 min read


Where to Celebrate Thanksgiving 2025 in Tomball, Magnolia, Montgomery, Cypress, and The Woodlands
There’s something special about Thanksgiving around the Northwest Houston area — from the warm lights strung over Main Street in Tomball to the festive glow along The Woodlands’ Waterway, each community brings its own flavor of gratitude and gathering. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or considering a move to the region, this holiday is a perfect time to connect, celebrate, and feel rooted in community.
Here’s a curated guide to the best Thanksgiving and holiday-kickoff ev

Gene Johnson
Nov 23, 20255 min read
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