Sheila Ochsner at Keller Williams Premier Realty

10/08/2026

Cane Island is one of those Katy neighborhoods that gives you a little bit of both worlds: newer homes and master-planned amenities, but still close to Historic Downtown Katy and the heart of town.

What a lot of buyers don’t realize is that Cane Island is technically within the City of Katy, but it has its own MUD setup rather than traditional city water service like some of the surrounding neighborhoods. It also has some pretty impressive amenities, including Cane Quarter, resort-style pools, fitness facilities, community events and Texas Borders Bar & Grill right inside the neighborhood.

If you’re relocating to Katy, this is one of those communities that’s worth looking at beyond just the house itself. The location, amenities, HOA lifestyle, school zoning and even your route to I-10 all matter.

I’ll put some additional information in the comments for anyone considering Cane Island. 🏡📍

10/05/2026

It's a buyer's market... what does that mean if you are selling? What does that mean if you are buying? 🏡

More listings, fewer buyers, and higher mortgage rates are signs of...

10/01/2026

Cinco Ranch is one of the best-known communities in Katy, but here’s what a lot of buyers don’t realize: it’s not really just one neighborhood.

The older sections in 77450 have beautiful mature trees, established homes and a very different feel from some of the newer sections farther west in 77494. Prices can vary quite a bit, school assignments depend on the specific address and even your commute can change depending on which side of Cinco Ranch you choose.
That’s why I always tell buyers, especially those relocating to Katy, not to judge Cinco Ranch after seeing one or two homes.

Drive the different sections. Look at the homes. Check the commute. Pay attention to the trees, amenities, nearby shopping and how each area feels. There really is a lot of variety within Cinco Ranch, and that’s part of what makes it such a popular choice for so many different buyers.

If Cinco Ranch is on your list, I’m happy to help you figure out which part makes the most sense for you. 🏡

I’ll put some additional information in the comments.

09/28/2026

Mortgage rates are getting a lot of attention again, but I think buyers may be focusing on the wrong number. 🏡
Instead of waiting for the “perfect” interest rate, I’d rather start with this question: What monthly payment actually feels comfortable for you?
That number matters more than a headline. Your payment includes more than principal and interest, especially here in the Houston area where property taxes, insurance, HOA fees and neighborhood-specific costs can vary quite a bit.
In this week’s blog, I’m talking about why buyers may be better off shopping by monthly budget instead of obsessing over interest rates, and how that can make the home search feel a lot more manageable. 😊
If you’re thinking about buying in Katy, West Houston or the Greater Houston area, this one is worth a read.

09/25/2026

HAR Industry Insights for September 25, 2026 👀

Buyers have more negotiating power right now, and we’re seeing it here in Houston. Sellers offered concessions in roughly three out of five transactions last month. That could mean help with closing costs, repairs or other expenses.

Builders are also offering more incentives to attract buyers. Mortgage rate buydowns are now being used in most new-home sales. With mortgage rates still weighing on affordability, those incentives can make a real difference for buyers comparing new and existing homes.

Home buyers also have something they haven’t had in a while: a little more time. With pending sales at their lowest level in nearly three years, there’s less competition for those who are ready to make a move. That can mean more time to consider their options and negotiate.

*Sellers provided concessions in 44.7% of U.S. home sales in August, up from 42.6% a year earlier and the highest share for August since at least 2020.

*Concessions have become more common as buyers gain negotiating power. August marked the strongest buyer's market in records dating back to 2013, with more homes available and fewer buyers competing for them.

*Sellers are using incentives such as covering closing costs and paying for repairs, while builders are offering $10,000 to $20,000 in concessions, mortgage rate buy-downs and appliances.

*Atlanta had the highest share of concessions, with sellers offering them in 72.8% of August home sales, followed by Charlotte at 67.9%, Phoenix at 67.4%, Las Vegas at 66.7% and Raleigh at 66.3%.

*Nashville, Houston, Denver, Riverside and Virginia Beach completed the top 10, with sellers providing concessions in roughly three out of five transactions in each market.

*Concessions are particularly common in strong buyer's markets. Nashville, Houston and Las Vegas rank among the nation's five strongest buyer's markets, with more than twice as many sellers as buyers.

*Nationwide, 15.8% of homes sold in August received both a price reduction and a seller concession.

09/24/2026

Thinking about Bridgeland? 🏡

This is one of the communities I get asked about a LOT, especially from people relocating to the Houston area.

And Bridgeland is big. Really big. 😂 So saying “I want to live in Bridgeland” still leaves us with quite a few decisions to make.

In this week’s video, I’m talking about the different villages, home prices, resale versus new construction, schools, amenities and some of the big changes still coming to the area.

If Bridgeland is on your list, this will give you a much better idea of what to look for before you start scheduling showings.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/IFnoMz6u6Fc

I’m going neighborhood by neighborhood now, so tell me where you want me to go next. 📍🏡

09/21/2026

If you’ve owned your home for 10, 15 or 20 years, filling out a Seller’s Disclosure can feel a little like being asked to remember the entire history of your house. 🏡

When was that plumbing leak? What year was the roof repaired? Do you still have the foundation paperwork? And what if you truly don’t know the answer to something?

This week’s blog is about what Texas home sellers need to know about disclosures, including flooding, previous repairs, lead-based paint and a brand-new water-rights disclosure that went into effect in 2026.

One thing I always remind my sellers is that the goal is not to make your house look like nothing has ever gone wrong. Houses have histories. The goal is to answer accurately based on what you know and gather documentation when you have it.

If selling is somewhere on your radar, this is a good one to save before you start digging through that drawer where all the house paperwork has been living for the last decade. 😊

What Texas sellers need to know about repairs, flooding, past issues and the disclosures buyers will see.

09/18/2026

U.S. Mortgage Rates Top 7% For First Time in 15 Months 👀
-Inman

*The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage has climbed above 7% for the first time in more than a year.

*Mortgage rates had fallen to around 6% in late February before reversing course after the U.S. and Israel began the war with Iran.

*The latest increase included a 10-basis-point jump from Wednesday, as concerns about the duration of the conflict contributed to higher U.S. government bond yields and oil prices above $106 per barrel.

*Higher borrowing costs continue to pressure housing activity, with existing-home sales declining 2% month over month in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.98 million, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

*August's decline pushed existing-home sales to their lowest level in more than a year, even as housing inventory increased.
“For the first half of 2026, home shoppers had better buying power than a year ago,” Ng said. “That advantage ended in August.”

➡️ What does this mean for you if you're a seller?
You need to price according to where the market is going. Even pricing according to what is on the market now, will not get your house sold. The longer you are on the market, the lower the offers will be. Buyers know this is "their time" and will offer accordingly. You will have buyers asking for seller concessions and more repairs.

➡️ What does this mean for you as a buyer?
Start shopping with a monthly payment, not an interest rate. Know what you can comfortably afford monthly and start looking at homes that fit within your budget. Don't go by price alone so you're not falling in love with a home you cannot afford. Many homes are having price decreases so you may be able to afford a home you thought was out of reach a few years ago, even with a higher rate.

09/17/2026

There are some neighborhoods people move into… and then there are neighborhoods people never really want to leave. 🏡

Pin Oak Village is one of those places.

I’ve had clients who absolutely LOVE this neighborhood, and I’ve seen everything from people coming back after growing up there to homeowners downsizing but choosing to stay in the same community.

In this week’s video, I’m sharing what makes Pin Oak Village so special, from the mature trees and well-kept homes to the schools, community events and those Christmas lights Katy people know all about. 🎄✨

If you’re thinking about moving to Katy and want an established neighborhood with a true community feel, this one is definitely worth a look.

Thinking about living in Pin Oak Village in Katy, Texas?Pin Oak V...