How Seasonal Trends Affect Buying and Selling in The Woodlands TXIf you are navigating How Seasonal Trends Affect Buying and Selling in The Woodlands TX, this guide provides clarity and direction.
Dated: January 1 2005
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ZIP code 77494 covers the western and southwestern portions of the greater Katy area, stretching south of Interstate 10 and west of the Grand Parkway (SH-99) into Fort Bend County. It is the fastest-growing ZIP in the Katy market and among the top-growing suburban ZIPs in the Houston metro. On a map, 77494 looks like one sprawling development. In practice, buyers in 2026 face at least seven distinct sub-markets, each with its own Katy ISD (or Lamar CISD) high school feeder, its own MUD structure, and its own price band ranging from the mid-$300,000s at the affordable entry end to well over $900,000 in the premium Cinco Ranch golf-course sections. Buying the wrong subdivision after only a Zillow search can mean a higher MUD tax bill, a different high school feeder than expected, and a flood zone exposure that was never disclosed.
TL;DR: In 2026, 77494 home prices span roughly $325,000 (Westheimer Lakes / Tamarron entry points) to $925,000-plus (Cinco Ranch custom lakefront). The most active Katy ISD feeders in this ZIP are Seven Lakes High School and Tompkins High School, with Mayde Creek High School serving the northeastern pocket near Falcon Ranch. The Lamar CISD boundary picks up Westheimer Lakes North and Tamarron near Fulshear. MUD rates across 77494 range from approximately $0.29 to $0.95 per $100 of assessed value depending on the district and bond vintage. Flood exposure is real but localized: subdivisions built above the Addicks Reservoir pool elevation survived Harvey with minimal impact, while lower-elevation pockets near Buffalo Bayou tributaries did flood in 2015 and 2017.
Cinco Ranch is the founding master-planned community of the 77494 market. Development began in 1991 on a footprint that eventually grew to encompass approximately 8,100 acres and 10 distinct villages, making it one of the largest planned communities in Texas. The community is governed by the Cinco Residential Property Association (CRPA), which notes on its official website that Cinco Ranch has "one of the lowest assessments in Texas for an Association of its size and number of amenities offered." Current annual HOA assessments run approximately $1,100 per year across most CRPA-governed sections, covering access to pools, tennis courts, Lake House rental facilities, hike-and-bike trails, and parks throughout both Cinco I and Cinco II (Cinco Southwest).
Price ranges in Cinco Ranch in 2026 vary significantly by village and lot premium:
Key buyer facts for Cinco Ranch in 2026:

Seven Meadows is a master-planned community developed primarily in the late 1990s and 2000s, centered on Seven Meadows Parkway and adjacent to the Meadowbrook Farms Golf Club. The community sits north of Cinco Ranch Boulevard and west of Grand Parkway, giving it good access to Westheimer Parkway retail and the Energy Corridor via I-10.
Home prices in Seven Meadows in 2026 range from approximately $435,000 to $675,000, with gated sections and golf-course lots on the upper end. Realtor.com's neighborhood data shows active listings clustering between $450,000 and $650,000 for 3,000 to 4,500 square foot homes on 8,000 to 12,000 square foot lots. The Avalon at Seven Meadows section, the newer phase within the community, shows consistent buyer interest on Redfin's market data.
Key buyer facts for Seven Meadows in 2026:
Grand Lakes is a master-planned community in the southwestern portion of 77494 near the intersection of Grand Parkway and West Belfort. The community is organized around a network of lakes and green spaces and is known for one of the larger community pool and amenity complexes in the Katy area.
Home prices in Grand Lakes in 2026 range from approximately $425,000 to $650,000 per HAR.com's community data. The community address is 5631 Statfield Glen Lane, Katy, TX 77494. Realtor.com's active listings show a median listing price near $549,000 for homes in the Seven Lakes High School feeder zone, consistent with the upper-middle tier of the 77494 market.
Key buyer facts for Grand Lakes in 2026:
Falcon Ranch is a master-planned community in the northeastern portion of 77494, closer to the Katy/Harris County line and accessible via Fry Road and Falcon Landing Boulevard. It is one of the more affordable Katy ISD communities in the ZIP and serves as a common entry point for first-time buyers who want Katy ISD schools without the premium pricing of Cinco Ranch or Seven Meadows.
Per katyhomesforsaletx.com's Falcon Ranch market update, homes in Falcon Ranch typically sell from $320,000 to $765,000 with a current median sales price of approximately $470,000, representing a 5% increase from the prior year. Median cumulative days on market runs approximately 25 days, indicating healthy absorption. Zillow active listings confirm the entry price range, with available homes listed from the $389,000 to $550,000 range for 3- to 4-bedroom homes.
Key buyer facts for Falcon Ranch in 2026:

Pine Mill Ranch is a master-planned community located off Spring Green Boulevard near FM 1463, in the southwestern portion of 77494. It was developed primarily by Perry Homes, Coventry, and other national builders and represents a solid mid-market option for buyers who want Tompkins HS feeder without the Seven Meadows premium.
Per katyhomesforsaletx.com's Pine Mill Ranch data, homes in Pine Mill Ranch typically sell from $320,000 to $890,000 with a current median sales price of $534,000, representing a 6% increase from the prior year. Median days on market runs approximately 37 days. The "typical" home is approximately 3,372 square feet with 4 bedrooms on an 8,385 square foot lot.
Key buyer facts for Pine Mill Ranch in 2026:
Westheimer Lakes and Tamarron are the two primary communities in the southwestern edge of the 77494 market that fall within Lamar Consolidated ISD rather than Katy ISD. This distinction is significant for school-focused buyers.
Westheimer Lakes North sits off FM 1093 (Westheimer Parkway) and offers some of the most accessible price points in the 77494 corridor. Per katyhomesforsaletx.com's Westheimer Lakes North update, homes typically sell from $240,000 to $502,000 with a current median sales price of approximately $350,000. Annual HOA fees run approximately $800 to $1,000 depending on the lot, per HAR.com's Westheimer Lakes overview. The community feeds Lamar CISD, with Lamar Consolidated High School as the primary feeder; buyers who require Katy ISD should eliminate Westheimer Lakes.
Tamarron is a newer D.R. Horton-developed master-planned community located off Jordan Road and Tamarron Parkway near Fulshear. D.R. Horton's Tamarron community page shows new construction starting from $279,990 for 1,409 to 2,941 square foot homes on 45-, 50-, and 60-foot home sites. The community is zoned to Lamar CISD and feeds Fulshear High School. Resale homes in the established Tamarron sections in the 77494 ZIP range from approximately $325,000 to $525,000 with Lamar CISD as the ISD.
Key consideration: Lamar CISD and Katy ISD are both well-regarded districts, but the feeder school experience differs. Buyers who specifically need Katy ISD's Tompkins, Seven Lakes, Cinco Ranch, or Mayde Creek HS feeders should avoid both Westheimer Lakes and Tamarron, which sit fully within LCISD boundaries.
Katy ISD's elementary attendance zones shift periodically. The table below reflects commonly assigned feeders as of the most recent available data; always verify using the Katy ISD attendance boundary tool:
| Subdivision | Elementary (typical) | Intermediate | High School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinco Ranch (northern villages) | Madden / Jenks Elementary | Cinco Ranch JH | Cinco Ranch HS |
| Cinco Ranch (southern villages) | Fielder / Jenks Elementary | Cinco Ranch JH | Seven Lakes HS |
| Seven Meadows | Hutsell / Campbell Elementary | Tays JH | Tompkins HS |
| Grand Lakes | Griffin / Fielder Elementary | Cinco Ranch JH | Seven Lakes HS |
| Falcon Ranch | Franz / Bear Creek Elementary | Mayde Creek JH | Mayde Creek HS |
| Pine Mill Ranch | Davidson Elementary | Tays JH | Tompkins HS |
| Westheimer Lakes | Varies (LCISD) | LCISD | LCISD Lamar Consolidated HS |
| Tamarron | Tamarron Elementary (LCISD) | LCISD | Fulshear HS |
Sources: Katy ISD attendance boundary map, katyhomesforsaletx.com Pine Mill Ranch, D.R. Horton Tamarron.
Municipal Utility District taxes are among the most buyer-confusing line items in 77494. The ZIP spans Fort Bend County MUDs, Harris County MUDs, and a few Water Control and Improvement Districts (WCIDs) depending on where a specific subdivision was platted. Rates vary from approximately $0.25 per $100 in the mature Cinco MUD 2 (which has paid down substantial bond debt since the 1990s) to approximately $0.95 per $100 in newer sections where infrastructure bonds are freshly issued.
The combined tax burden in 77494 for a typical Katy ISD home breaks down roughly as follows in 2026:
The Fort Bend County 2025 tax rate worksheet provides a full breakdown of all Fort Bend County taxing entities. For Harris County MUD sections within 77494 (primarily the northeastern Falcon Ranch area), MUD rates are published annually by the Harris County Appraisal District.
For buyers comparing communities where some carry MUD taxes and others do not, the Houston no-MUD-tax suburbs guide breaks down the long-term cost difference. For a broader view of how Cinco Ranch and Grand Lakes stack up against other Houston master-planned communities on ROI and appreciation, see the Best Houston Master-Planned Communities ROI 2026 analysis.
The Energy Corridor (roughly the stretch of Westheimer/I-10 between SH-6 and Beltway 8 West) is approximately 15 to 25 minutes from most 77494 subdivisions during off-peak hours. Commute data by subdivision:
Peak hour traffic on I-10 westbound in the afternoon can add 10 to 20 minutes. Buyers who commute daily to the Energy Corridor and want to maximize commute reliability should prioritize the northern Cinco Ranch sections and Seven Meadows, which sit closest to the I-10 / Grand Parkway interchange. For a full comparison of Houston suburbs ranked by Energy Corridor commute, see the Best Houston Suburbs for Energy Corridor Commuters 2026 guide.
77494 sits primarily above the Barker Reservoir pool elevation, but the western edges of Cinco Ranch and any property within the Addicks or Barker Reservoir inundation footprint carry meaningful flood exposure. Three storms define the risk picture:
Memorial Day 2015: On May 25, 2015, over 10 inches of rain fell on the Houston area in 10 hours per HCFCD flood history data. The Addicks and Barker Reservoirs filled to capacity, requiring controlled releases. Lower-elevation areas near Buffalo Bayou tributaries in west Katy experienced flooding.
Hurricane Harvey 2017: Harvey is the defining flood event for the 77494 market. As documented by the National Weather Service, "significant flooding also occurred behind Barker Reservoir, including Cinco Ranch, due to record pool elevations." The Canyon Gate at Cinco Ranch community, located within the Barker Reservoir pool area, flooded when water rose behind the dam. Research published in a Buffalo Bayou Watershed flood analysis confirms the reservoir's role in the Buffalo Bayou flood mechanism upstream of the dam.
Post-Harvey mitigation: Fort Bend County and the Army Corps of Engineers have invested in reservoir expansion studies and additional stormwater infrastructure since 2017. However, the fundamental geography of the Barker Reservoir and Buffalo Bayou has not changed. Any home within the Barker Reservoir pool inundation area (which FEMA flood maps define) carries residual flood risk in extreme events.
Practical buyer steps:
For families choosing between 77494 and other western Houston suburbs with lower flood exposure, the Best Houston Suburbs for Families 2026 guide compares Katy, Cypress, and Sugar Land on flood risk, school quality, and commute.
| Subdivision | 2026 Price Range | HOA/Year (approx.) | MUD Rate (approx.) | High School (ISD) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinco Ranch | $475K - $925K+ | ~$1,100 | $0.25-$0.65 | Cinco Ranch HS or Seven Lakes HS (Katy ISD) | Brand, golf, established amenities |
| Seven Meadows | $435K - $675K | ~$1,200 | $0.50-$0.70 | Tompkins HS (Katy ISD) | Golf community, gated sections, newer vintage |
| Grand Lakes | $425K - $650K | ~$900 | $0.45-$0.65 | Seven Lakes HS (Katy ISD) | Lakes, trails, Seven Lakes HS premium |
| Falcon Ranch | $375K - $525K | ~$700 | $0.50-$0.80 | Mayde Creek HS (Katy ISD) | Entry-level Katy ISD, accessible pricing |
| Pine Mill Ranch | $425K - $575K | ~$900-$1,200 | $0.45-$0.70 | Tompkins HS (Katy ISD) | Tompkins feeder, mid-size lots, good schools |
| Westheimer Lakes | $325K - $475K | ~$800-$1,000 | $0.60-$0.85 | LCISD (Lamar Consolidated HS) | Affordable entry, LCISD campus |
| Tamarron | $325K - $525K | ~$700-$900 | $0.50-$0.95 | Fulshear HS (Lamar CISD) | New construction value, LCISD Fulshear HS |
Sources: HAR.com Cinco Ranch data, katyhomesforsaletx.com Pine Mill Ranch, katyhomesforsaletx.com Falcon Ranch, katyhomesforsaletx.com Westheimer Lakes North, Fort Bend County tax rates.
All 77494 homeowners who occupy their home as a primary residence qualify for the Texas homestead exemption. Under Texas Property Tax Code Section 11.13, the Katy ISD homestead exemption is $140,000 off the appraised value (Katy ISD increased its local exemption in 2023 and subsequent years). At the 2025 Katy ISD rate of $1.1171 per $100, a $140,000 exemption saves approximately $1,564 per year on the school district portion alone.
File the homestead exemption with the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District (FBCAD) for most 77494 properties, or with the Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) for the Harris County sections near Falcon Ranch. The deadline is April 30 of the year following the year you first occupied the home. No filing fee is required. For a full walkthrough of the exemption process, deadlines, and what counts as your primary residence, see the Harbert Group's Texas Homestead Exemption guide.
Yes, significantly. NFIP Risk Rating 2.0, implemented in October 2021, prices flood insurance based on the individual property's specific risk factors rather than simply whether it sits in Zone AE or Zone X. A home in northern Cinco Ranch on high ground might pay $500 to $800 per year for an NFIP policy, while a low-elevation Canyon Gate home near the Barker Reservoir footprint could pay $2,500 to $5,000 or more annually. Always request a flood insurance quote from an NFIP-authorized agent as part of your due diligence before finalizing an offer, particularly for any home in a Zone AE designation or within the Barker Reservoir pool inundation area. The FEMA Flood Map Service Center is the authoritative source for flood zone determination.
Use the Katy ISD attendance boundary lookup tool and enter the exact street address. The boundary between Seven Lakes HS and Cinco Ranch HS runs through the middle of Cinco Ranch and is not obvious from the street. Your buyer's agent should flag this before any offer is placed, but you should also verify it yourself using the official Katy ISD tool because the feeder assignment affects both school experience and resale value.
Most of the developed subdivisions in 77494 sit within a MUD district. Mature sections of Cinco Ranch in Cinco MUD 2 carry some of the lowest MUD rates in the ZIP (approximately $0.25 per $100) because bond debt has been substantially retired since the 1991 development began. There is no major developed 77494 community that is completely MUD-free. The closest comparison is sections where the city of Katy has annexed the land and extended city services, but Katy's city limits in 77494 are limited. For a broader look at Houston-area communities where no MUD tax exists, the Houston no-MUD-tax suburbs guide covers the alternatives.
Both Tompkins High School and Seven Lakes High School are Katy ISD comprehensive high schools earning strong TEA ratings. Tompkins opened in 2015 and serves the newer western 77494 communities (Seven Meadows, Pine Mill Ranch), while Seven Lakes opened in 2007 and serves the southern Cinco Ranch and Grand Lakes areas. Both schools offer robust AP and extracurricular programs. Neither holds a clear academic superiority over the other based on TEA accountability data; the choice often comes down to which community's price range and amenity profile better fits the buyer's needs. For a comparison of Katy ISD against Tomball ISD and Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, see the Cypress Cy-Fair vs Tomball ISD 2026 comparison.
Technically yes, but it is less efficient. The Grand Parkway (SH-99) connects 77494 southward toward Sugar Land and the Fort Bend corridor and northward toward Katy Freeway. Some buyers use the tollway combination of SH-99 north to I-10 east to reach downtown. The most direct route is I-10 eastbound from the Grand Parkway interchange. Downtown commutes from central 77494 run approximately 35 to 50 minutes under normal conditions and 50 to 70 minutes during peak hours. Park-and-ride service from Katy Mills area connects to Houston Metro's downtown routes for buyers who prefer transit.
MUD tax rates in 77494 are tied to bond debt repayment. As the infrastructure bonds issued to build water, sewer, and drainage systems are paid down, MUD rates decline. This is already visible in mature Cinco Ranch MUD 2 sections, which carried rates above $0.50 in the early 2000s and have since fallen to approximately $0.25. Buyers purchasing in newer sections of Tamarron or newer Fort Bend County MUDs with fresh bond issuances should expect rates to remain elevated for 15 to 25 years before meaningful declines occur. The trade-off is that newer MUD communities often have newer infrastructure and fewer maintenance issues.
Navigating seven distinct communities, three ISD boundaries, multiple MUD districts, and post-Harvey flood zone research in a single ZIP code requires an agent who knows 77494 block by block. Erick Harbert and the Harbert Real Estate Group at Realty Right close transactions across the entire Katy corridor and can tell you which MUD your target property sits in, what the flood history shows, and which feeder school applies before you write any offer.
Reach Erick at (281) 305-2520, by email at [email protected], or visit harbertgroup.com. The office is located at 6605 Cypresswood Dr Ste 300, Spring TX 77379.
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