Jonathan McNabb, Realtor

10/17/2026

If you had $500,000 to spend on a home in Katy today, what would you actually get?

The answer can be surprisingly different depending on what part of Katy you are looking in and whether you are considering new construction.

At roughly the same budget, a buyer could be comparing:

🏠 A large established resale home

🏗️ A brand-new four- or five-bedroom home

🌳 A larger or more established lot

💰 Builder incentives or closing-cost assistance

📊 Very different property-tax and HOA structures

🔧 A home with improvements already completed versus one where you may still need to add blinds, landscaping, fencing, patio improvements, or other items after closing

That is why I do not think buyers should compare homes based only on list price or price per square foot.

The better question is:
What am I actually getting for my $500,000?

I broke down the current Katy market here:
https://www.nestahead.com/blog/500k-new-construction-vs-resale-katy-tx

And if you want to see what is currently available, search directly through Nest Ahead: https://www.nestahead.com/search

Jonathan McNabb, REALTOR®
Broker/Owner, Nest Ahead
281.549.8099
Local Roots | Global Reach

10/16/2026

🏡 NEW PRICE: $290,000 | ASSUMABLE MORTGAGE OPPORTUNITY! 🔑

📍 13710 Sloth Bear Ct | Crosby, TX 77532

Looking for a home with a great layout AND a potentially attractive financing opportunity?

This beautiful one-story home in Kodiak Crossing just had its price reduced to $290,000, and there's something else worth knowing...

💥 The seller has an existing mortgage with an interest rate in the HIGH 2% RANGE that may be assumable by a qualified buyer!

Imagine the potential difference that could make in your monthly mortgage payment compared to obtaining a new loan at today's rates.

🏠 PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS:

✅ 3 Bedrooms | 2 Full Bathrooms
✅ 2,095 Sq. Ft. | Built in 2019
✅ Spacious Open-Concept Living
✅ Kitchen with Granite Countertops & Island
✅ Primary Suite with Soaking Tub & Separate Shower
✅ Covered Back Patio
✅ Attached 2-Car Garage

📣 OPEN HOUSE!

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
🕑 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 13710 Sloth Bear Ct, Crosby, TX

Come tour the home, explore its features, and learn more about the potential mortgage assumption opportunity.

💰 NOW OFFERED AT $290,000

📸 View photos and property details:
https://www.nestahead.com/search/texas/crosby/kodiak-crossing/13710-sloth-bear-ct-bid-118-41783978

📲 Questions or want to schedule a private showing?

Jonathan McNabb, REALTOR®
Broker/Owner | Nest Ahead
📞 281.549.8099
🌐 jonathan.nestahead.com

Sherry McNabb, Realtor
Nest Ahead
📞 713.632.4276
🌐 sherry.nestahead.com

*Mortgage assumption is subject to loan eligibility, lender/servicer approval, qualification requirements, available loan balance, and any required equity or cash-to-close. The existing interest rate does not necessarily apply to additional financing. Contact us for details.*

Low 2.78 ASSUMABLE RATE. Discover easy Texas living in the heart of Kodiak Crossing! This 2019 build offers 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and move-in-ready charm, wrapped in granite countertops, maple shaker cabinetry, and freshly cleaned carpet throughout. Open-concept living flows from the kitchen to a sun...

10/02/2026

🏡 OPEN HOUSE THIS SATURDAY IN CYPRESS!

Stop by and tour 21022 W Farwood Terrace, Cypress, TX 77433 this Saturday, October 3, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Offered at $850,000, this home features:

🏠 4 bedrooms
🛁 4.5 bathrooms
📐 3,783 sq. ft.
📍 Lakes of Fairhaven in Cypress, TX

If you’ve been looking for a spacious home in the Cypress area, this is a great opportunity to walk through the property in person, take your time exploring the layout, and get your questions answered.

📅 Saturday, October 3, 2026
⏰ 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 21022 W Farwood Terrace, Cypress, TX 77433

View additional property details and photos here:
https://sherry.nestahead.com/search/texas/cypress/lakes-of-fairhaven/21022-w-farwood-terrace-bid-118-26496509

Come by and see it for yourself!

Listed by Sherry McNabb, Realtor
Nest Ahead
Local Roots | Global Reach

Beautifully appointed 1.5 story home situated on a generously sized lot with breathtaking lake views and an exceptional backyard designed for entertaining and everyday enjoyment. The sparkling pool features an impressive built-in rock slide, complemented by a relaxing spa and a cozy gazebo. A 30' x....

09/27/2026

Today we honor Gold Star mothers and families whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

Their sacrifice, strength, and enduring love deserve our deepest respect and remembrance. We pause today to remember the fallen and to honor the families who carry their legacy forward.

To all Gold Star mothers and families, thank you. We remember with gratitude. 🇺🇸

Jonathan McNabb, REALTOR®
Broker/Owner, Nest Ahead

09/26/2026

One of the biggest fears homeowners have about selling is not always:

“Will my house sell?”

Sometimes it is:

“What if it DOES sell and then I can’t find another house I actually like?”
That is a very real concern.

You may like your neighborhood. You may have a mortgage payment you are comfortable with. You may have years of memories in the house.

At the same time, maybe the layout no longer works. Maybe you need more space, less maintenance, a different location or simply something that fits the next stage of life better.

The answer is not to rush into selling.

But it is also not necessarily to let fear make the decision for you.

Before listing, I recommend looking at:
✅ What your current home could realistically sell for
✅ What your likely proceeds may be
✅ Whether you need to sell before buying
✅ What replacement homes are actually available
✅ What features you truly need in the next home
✅ Possible timing strategies
✅ A backup plan if the right home takes longer to find

Sometimes the best answer is to sell.

Sometimes it is to stay.

The goal is to understand the choices before you have a moving truck in the driveway and a deadline on the calendar.

I put together a detailed guide for Katy, TX homeowners thinking through this exact question.

https://www.nestahead.com/blog/sell-house-cant-find-another-one-i-like-katy-tx

Jonathan McNabb, REALTOR®
Broker/Owner, Nest Ahead
281-549-8099

09/26/2026

“I'll just keep my current house, rent it out, and use the rent to help qualify for the next one.”
If you're a Katy, TX homeowner considering that strategy, there's a recent Fannie Mae change you should know about.
Fannie Mae has updated how rental income from a departing residence can be documented and calculated.
A departing residence is essentially the home you're moving out of and converting to a rental when buying a new primary residence.
Here's one of the biggest changes:
🏠 A signed lease isn't permitted to establish the rental income under this new Fannie Mae departing-residence rule.
The lender instead has to establish market rent using permitted documentation.
And the calculation isn't simply:
Rent - mortgage = qualifying income.
Fannie Mae generally starts with 75% of documented market rent and subtracts the home's PITIA.
If the result is negative, that shortfall can affect the buyer's debt-to-income ratio.
If it's positive, the excess doesn't become additional qualifying income under this particular departing-residence calculation. It can offset the existing home's PITIA.
Does that mean you should sell your current house?
Not necessarily.
Keeping it could still make sense.
But before we start shopping for the next house, I want to know:
✅ What could your current home sell for?
✅ What does the rental market realistically support?
✅ How much equity would remain tied up?
✅ What are the likely ownership expenses?
✅ What does your lender say about qualification and reserves?
I went through the new rule and the questions Katy move-up homeowners should be asking here:
https://www.nestahead.com/blog/keep-katy-tx-home-rental-buy-next-home
Jonathan McNabb, REALTOR®
Broker/Owner, Nest Ahead
281-549-8099
Local Roots | Global Reach

09/25/2026

Harris County homeowners: here's a free service worth knowing about.

The Harris County Clerk offers a free Property Alert System that can notify you when a real-property document associated with your name is recorded.

Why does that matter?

Property fraud can involve fraudulent deeds, liens or other documents being filed without an owner's knowledge.

The alert system doesn't prevent fraud, but it can give you an opportunity to discover suspicious activity sooner and investigate it.

A couple of things to know:

✅ The service is free.
✅ Alerts are generally sent within 1–2 business days after filing.
✅ It monitors names rather than a specific property address.
✅ Harris County recommends registering the different versions of your name that may appear in property records.

If you own property in Harris County, this is one of those free tools that's probably worth a few minutes to set up.

Official Harris County Clerk Property Alert System:
https://www.cclerk.hctx.net/PropertyDeedFraud.aspx

Feel free to share this with another Harris County homeowner who may not know the service exists.

Jonathan McNabb, REALTOR®
Broker/Owner, Nest Ahead
Local Roots | Global Reach

09/24/2026

“Should I just wait until mortgage rates come down?”

That's a completely reasonable question for a Katy, TX home buyer right now.

Mortgage News Daily reported its average 30-year fixed rate at 7.26% on September 23.

But here's what I don't want to tell a buyer:

❌ “Rates are definitely coming down, so wait.”

❌ “Buy now because rates are definitely going higher.”

❌ “Just buy now and refinance later.”

We don't know where rates are going.

Instead, I want to know whether the purchase works using today's actual numbers.

🏠 What homes are available?

💰 What payment is your lender actually quoting?

📊 What's happening in that specific Katy neighborhood and price range?

🤝 Is the seller likely to negotiate?

🏗️ Is nearby new construction offering incentives?

💵 Could seller-paid closing costs or financing assistance create more value than a price reduction?

If buying works today without depending on a future refinance, then we can evaluate the opportunity.

If today's payment doesn't fit your budget, waiting can absolutely be the right answer.

I broke the decision down in today's article:

https://www.nestahead.com/blog/wait-for-mortgage-rates-to-drop-katy-tx

Jonathan McNabb, REALTOR®
Broker/Owner, Nest Ahead
281-549-8099
Local Roots | Global Reach

09/23/2026

A prospective client recently asked me a question that made me realize I haven't talked enough about one part of my real estate practice:

“Are you familiar with VA buyers?”

Yes, and it's an area I've intentionally pursued additional education in.

I'm a VA Certified REALTOR®, Military Relocation Professional (MRP) and approved Veterans Land Board participating REALTOR®.

Military service is personal in our family too. Our son is a U.S. Army Veteran, and my father-in-law is also an Army Veteran.

If you're purchasing with VA financing, your REALTOR® isn't your lender. But I believe your agent should understand how VA financing can intersect with the real estate transaction, including property condition, the VA appraisal, inspections, offers, negotiations, new construction and communication with your lender.

And I don't believe a VA buyer should approach the market feeling like they need to apologize for their financing. The VA home loan benefit was earned through qualifying military service.

I put together a detailed guide on what I think Veterans and other eligible VA buyers should look for when choosing a real estate agent in Katy, TX.

Read it here:
https://www.nestahead.com/blog/real-estate-agent-va-buyers-katy-tx

If you're considering Katy or Greater Houston and have questions about buying with VA financing, call or text me at 281-549-8099.

Jonathan McNabb, REALTOR®
Broker/Owner, Nest Ahead
Local Roots | Global Reach

09/23/2026

🏠 Thinking about selling your Katy, TX home? Please don't remodel the kitchen yet.

Or automatically replace all the flooring.

Or assume an older roof has to be replaced before you can list.

Some of those things may make sense.

But before spending thousands of dollars preparing a home for sale, I want to know:

✔️ What is the home worth in its current condition?
✔️ What are buyers comparing it against?
✔️ Which repairs affect presentation or marketability?
✔️ What improvements do competing homes already have?
✔️ Is nearby new construction competing for the same buyer?
✔️ Which improvements probably aren't worth doing?

Sometimes fresh paint and flooring can make an enormous difference.

Sometimes cleaning, decluttering, repairs, landscaping and professional presentation are the better priorities.

And sometimes the best decision is not making an improvement at all.

I put together a detailed guide covering what I look at when preparing a Katy, TX home for the market:

👉 https://www.nestahead.com/blog/prepare-katy-tx-home-for-quick-sale

If you're several months away from selling, that's actually a great time to have the conversation. I'd rather help you evaluate the house before you spend the money.

Jonathan McNabb, REALTOR®
Broker/Owner, Nest Ahead
📱 281-549-8099