Firm foundation

Houston No. 1 in U.S. for home sales in master-planned communities, says survey

Buyers are flocking to Bridgeland in Cypress.

Photo courtesy of Howard Hughes Corp.

By one measure, the Houston metro area reigns as the master of master-planned communities.

According to a survey by real estate consulting firm RCLCO, one-fifth of the country’s 50 top-selling master-planned communities last year are in the Houston metro area. In that category, Houston ranks first among all of the metro areas represented on the list.

Collectively, the 10 Houston-area communities in the top 50 sold 5,773 homes in 2021, according to RCLCO’s data.

“The boom in work-from-home demand drove record master-planned community sales in 2021,” according to John Burns Real Estate Consulting.

Gregg Logan, managing director of RCLCO, says the survey results indicate demand for new single-family homes in master-planned communities remains high, “with favorable demographic tailwinds suggesting this strong demand will continue in 2022.”

However, lingering supply chain woes and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have hampered the ability of master-planned communities to capitalize on that demand, Logan adds.

“As these challenges are resolved in the coming months, we are optimistic for the success of master-planned communities in 2022,” he says.

In terms of the success of communities in the Houston area last year, Howard Hughes Corp.’s Bridgeland development in Cypress tops the list. According to the survey, Bridgeland sold 713 new homes last year, down 18 percent from 2020. The 713-home tally puts Bridgeland at No. 16 nationally for the most sales at master-planned communities last year.

The top-ranked master-planned community in Texas is Hunt Communities’ Mission Ridge development in El Paso. Last year, the community sold 811 new homes, good enough for a No. 10 ranking in the U.S. The sales figure for 2020 wasn’t available.

Here are the nine other Houston-area communities in the top 50. The national ranking is followed by the community’s name, location, developer, number of home sales in 2021, and rise or fall in sales compared with 2020.

No. 17, Tamarron, Katy, D.R. Horton, 707, up 14 percent.
No. 18, Balmoral, Houston, Land Tejas, 704, down 16 percent.
No. 25, Sienna, Missouri City, Johnson Development and Toll Brothers, 646, down 16 percent.
No. 32, Sierra Vista/Sterling Lakes, Arcola, Land Tejas, 579, up 22 percent.
No. 33, Breckenridge Forest, Spring, D.R. Horton, 578 (2020 data unavailable).
No. 45 (tie), Meridiana, Rosharon, Rise Communities, 467, up 19 percent.
No. 45 (tie), Woodforest, Montgomery, 467, up 21 percent.
No. 48 (tie), Cross Creek Ranch, Fulshear, Johnson Development, 456, down 11 percent
No. 48 (tie), Elyson, Katy, Brookfield Properties, 456, down 8 percent.

Here’s how other major metros in Texas fared in the national ranking of 2021 home sales at master-planned communities.

No. 22, Magnolia Point, Royse City, D.R. Horton, 660 (2020 data unavailable).
No. 38, Santa Rita Ranch, Liberty Hill, Mariner Real Estate Development, 515, down 20 percent.
No. 40, Sunfield, Buda, Scarborough Lane, 504, down 15 percent.
No. 41, Pecan Square, Northlake, Hillwood Communities, 502, down 1 percent.
No. 42, Valley Ranch, San Antonio, D.R. Horton, 498, down 5 percent.
No. 43, Heartland, Heartland (near Forney), Huffines Communities, 482 (2020 data unavailable).
No. 47, Union Park, Little Elm, Hillwood Communities, 460, down 24 percent.

Celebrity digs

Post Malone’s childhood home in Texas hits market for $549,000

Photo by Adam DeGross

Post Malone grew up in Grapevine and plays in Dallas-Fort Worth frequently.

Entertainer Post Malone’s childhood home in Grapevine has gone on the market. The modest three-bedroom, two-bathroom home, at 1226 Eaton Ln., is listed for $549,900.

“This home blends modern comfort, prime location, and a one-of-a-kind story — an exceptional opportunity in one of North Texas’ most desirable communities,” says the listing from Liz Ervin and David Ervin, both of Meyer Group Real Estate.

Photo by Adam DeGross

Post Malone grew up in Grapevine and plays in Dallas-Fort Worth frequently.

Built in 1987 — eight years before Malone was born — the “thoughtfully renovated” 1,685-square-foot, brick-façade home with a bright red front door offers an open-concept floor plan that features “excellent flow, abundant natural light, and a great use of space throughout,” the listing says.

Recent upgrades include:

An updated primary bathroom.
New triple-pane, energy-efficient windows.
A new air-conditioning unit.
A new water heater.

The listing also touts the home’s outdoor amenities and proximity to downtown Grapevine.

Post Malone's childhood home, at 1226 Eaton Ln., Grapevine The home is near all the Grapevine hot spots.Photo courtesy of The Meyer Group

“Step outside to a private backyard oasis featuring a sparkling pool and upgraded decking — perfect for entertaining or relaxing Texas-style,” the listing says. “Ideally located less than a one-mile walk to Grapevine’s sought-after Main Street, offering endless dining, shopping, and access to the nearby recreation center.”

Malone, whose given name is Austin Richard Post, is a rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer who’s easily recognizable thanks to his more than 70 tattoos, including 14 on his face.

The entertainer moved to Grapevine at age nine with his father, Rich Post, and stepmother, Jodie, after the Dallas Cowboys hired his dad as assistant director of food and beverage, according to Malone’s bio on IMDb. Malone was born in 1995 in Syracuse, New York.

In Grapevine, Malone learned to play guitar at age 12. He frequently plays gigs around Dallas-Fort Worth; he brought his BIG ASS Stadium Tour to Arlington in May 2025, he was the big act at the 2025 Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball at Southfork Ranch, and then he played the Cowboys' halftime show at AT&T Stadium on Thanksgiving.

When Malone was a senior, classmates at Grapevine High School named him “Most Likely to Be Famous,” according to IMDb and CBS News. For a 2012 class project at Grapevine High, he created a viral music video for one of his first songs, “Why Don’t You Love Me?” In the video, he rocked an ’80s vibe, complete with an animal-print head scarf and cut-off denim shorts.

Post Malone's childhood home, at 1226 Eaton Ln., Grapevine, is listed for $549,900. Photo courtesy of The Meyer Group

After graduating from high school in 2013, Malone enrolled at Tarrant County College but dropped out and moved to Los Angeles, where he formally launched his music career. Just two years after graduation, Malone signed a recording deal with Republic Records.

By all accounts, Malone appreciated growing up in Grapevine. In fact, his 2024 country song “Back to Texas” pays homage to the Lone Star State:

Ain’t found nowhere like Dallas yeah

And I doubt I ever will it’s

All hat, no cattle

All belt, no buckle

All snake, no rattle

All honey, no suckle

And I’ma take every last dime

Stuffed under this mattress

And make a Lone Star beeline

Take my a** back to Texas

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