In Summary
- New home sales among the 25 Top-Selling Master-Planned Communities in Texas remained similar to the pace set in 2023, a sign of resilient demand despite headwinds that included election uncertainty, higher-for-longer mortgage rates, and continued affordability challenges.
- Limited resale inventory and the “lock-in” effect caused by elevated mortgage rates continue to make new homes an attractive option for consumers, particularly with builders willing to offer incentives.
- Sunterra by Land Tejas and Starwood Land earned the rank of top-selling community in Texas with 1,325 sales, a 2% increase over the pace set in 2023.
- Howard Hughes’ Bridgeland community in Cypress earned the second-place rank, with 938 sales.
- 60% of sales among the 25 Top-Selling Communities in Texas occurred in Houston, where 14 of the 25 MPCs are located. Houston was also the largest master-planned community market in the country, representing 22% of all sales on RCLCO’s national Top-50 list.
- The state of Texas represented 35% of sales among the Top-50 MPCs in the country.
RCLCO has produced the Top-Selling Master-Planned Community Report since 1994, making it the longest-running publication on master-planned community performance in the industry. The ranking of communities is based on total new home contracts, net of cancellations, as reported by each individual community. Preliminary sales numbers are typically provided by communities in early December, with final sales figures provided during the first week of January. In some cases, sales figures are updated periodically throughout the month of January as communities finalize their records.
To be included in RCLCO’s ranking, MPCs must have several key features. True MPCs are developed from a comprehensive plan by a master developer, and incorporate a variety of housing types, sizes, and prices, with shared common space, amenities, and a vital public realm. The best examples of MPCs are developed with a strong vision and comprehensive plan that guide development and unify the community through distinctive signage, wayfinding, entry features, landscaping, and architectural/design standards. MPCs differentiate themselves from typical suburban subdivisions in terms of scale, as well as in how they provide a means for interaction among neighbors in the sense of the word “community.” They foster an environment within which generations can live better in terms of housing and the community environment, and many MPCs also offer educational opportunities, neighborhood shopping and services, and even employment centers to complement the residential neighborhoods. Although rooted in a vision, the most resilient MPCs have flexible master plans that are environmentally sensitive, market responsive, and nurture the lifestyles of their residents.
Given the above criteria, we do not include the collective sales of multiple, separate communities that are unified only through marketing efforts rather than a preconceived community vision, nor do we include communities that are a collection of subdivisions that have few unifying elements other than name.
More on the Top-Selling Master-Planned Communities
Article and research prepared by Cameron Pawelek, Principal, Todd LaRue, Managing Director, and Karl Pischke, Principal. Additional research support was provided by Kimberly Asbell, Christopher Bitter, Shanren Brienen, Maggie Henderson, and Jameson Logan.
Disclaimer: Reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that the data contained in this Advisory reflect accurate and timely information, and the data is believed to be reliable and comprehensive. The Advisory is based on estimates, assumptions, and other information developed by RCLCO from its independent research effort and general knowledge of the industry. This Advisory contains opinions that represent our view of reasonable expectations at this particular time, but our opinions are not offered as predictions or assurances that particular events will occur.
