Sunterra

Sunterra sits north of Interstate 10 and west of the Grand Parkway, with the community stretching across land in cities of both Katy and Brookshire. It actually got its start under Land Tejas, a name well known throughout Houston for master planned neighborhoods, before Starwood Land acquired the project and took over development. That change in ownership brought fresh resources and pushed the amenity heavy vision residents see today even further.

Construction broke ground in late 2020, and growth has continued steadily ever since. Today Sunterra is made up of two connected communities, Sunterra and the newer Sunterra Lakes, and together they add up to roughly 3,850 homes, and counting. New sections are still filling in, so buyers touring the community will likely see fresh construction alongside established streets, giving the neighborhood an energetic, still growing feel. For buyers, the location will mean everything.

One detail that surprises a lot of buyers is the school zoning split. Depending on exactly where a home sits, families land in either Katy Independent School District or Royal ISD, and that distinction can shift which section of Sunterra makes the most sense for a particular household. Add in easy access to I-10 and the Grand Parkway, and residents get a location that balances small town quiet with a short drive to nearly everywhere in the Houston area.

Life outside of Sunterra is just as convenient as life inside the community walls. Katy Mills Mall is a quick drive away for shopping and entertainment, and the soon to come Katy Boardwalk District will bring restaurants, retail, a convention center, and residential over retail living with waterfront views. For an evening out, LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch offers upscale dining and boutique shopping without much of a commute at all.

Old Katy still holds its own charm too, with local favorites like No Label Brewing, the Katy Beer Garden and a handful of small restaurants that give the area some character beyond the newer development. The City itself has been undergoing signifant changes too – with a new Courthouse, City Square, Entertainment District and family dining. Grocery stores, coffee shops, and everyday essentials are all close by.

Commuters headed toward the Energy Corridor, Memorial, or even downtown Houston will appreciate the easy access to I-10 and the Grand Parkway right from Sunterra’s doorstep. Traffic can build up during peak hours like most of west Houston, but the flexibility of two major routes gives residents options. For families who work in the city but want a quieter home base, that combination is hard to beat.

The centerpiece of Sunterra is its Crystal Lagoon, and it genuinely sets the community apart. Sunterra is the only neighborhood on Houston’s west side with this kind of amenity, featuring a sand beach entry that makes the whole thing feel more like a coastal vacation than a typical subdivision pool. It is the sort of feature that turns a Tuesday afternoon into something special for families with kids.

Beyond the lagoon, Sunterra offers a secondary pool complete with a lazy river, plus a clubhouse and pavilion for gatherings big and small. Active residents have plenty to do too, with sand volleyball courts, general sports courts, tennis courts, and covered pickleball courts spread throughout the community. There is rarely a shortage of ways to stay busy on a weekend around the neighborhood.

Sunterra also leans into everyday outdoor living with an extensive trail system that winds past pocket parks scattered throughout the neighborhood. Dog owners will appreciate the dedicated Bark Park dog park, which has become a regular gathering spot for neighbors. Together, these amenities create a community that feels active and social, not just well landscaped. It’s remarkable just what Sunterra has to offer.

The large majority of homes in Sunterra fall under the Waller County Appraisal District, though there are a few sections that sit across the county line in Harris County. Regardless of which side a home lands on, the total tax rate blends several taxing entities together, including the school district, the Municipal Utility District, and county or city services. Because of that blend, the exact rate can vary a bit from section to section. As of July 2026, the average tax rate in Sunterra runs around 3.28% before any exemptions or reductions.

Texas calculates property taxes per $100 of assessed value, so using an average sales price of $315,000, the math looks like this: $315,000 / $100 = $3,150 x 3.28 = $10,332. That gives buyers a starting point for budgeting, though the final bill always depends on the specific section and its taxing entities. It is worth remembering that these numbers exclude the homestead exemption, the over 65 exemption, and any other reductions a homeowner might qualify for, all of which can bring the actual bill down noticeably.

Buyers who want to dig deeper should take a look at how property taxes work for a fuller breakdown of exemptions and how they apply.

On the HOA side, annual dues in Sunterra run about $1,200, which comes across as extraordinarily reasonable considering the dues cover access to the Crystal Lagoon, the lazy river pool, and the full lineup of playgrounds, dog park, courts and trails without any separate lagoon membership fee.

Homes across Sunterra range widely in size and price, with new construction currently priced from the low $200s into the mid $600s depending on the builder and floor plan. That range means the community works for first time buyers just as well as families looking to move up into something larger. Lot widths generally run between 40 and 60 feet, giving buyers some flexibility in choosing a homesite that fits their needs.

New construction is still very much active in Sunterra, so buyers touring the community today will find a mix of established streets alongside sections still being built out. Lot types include standard subdivision homesites, corner lots, and cul-de-sac lots, along with a limited number of lake view lots near the community’s ponds and lakes. Those lake view homesites tend to draw extra interest and can carry a premium when they come available.

More than 20 builders have worked in Sunterra, including names like KB Home, Highland Homes, Westin Homes, D.R. Horton, Davidson Homes, and Terrata Homes. Each builder brings its own style and price point, from efficient one story layouts to larger two story designs with media rooms and home offices. That builder variety is part of what makes Sunterra stand out, since buyers can shop several reputable names without ever leaving the community.