Highest-dollar homes

Here are the 10 most expensive homes sold in Houston last year

This home at 832 Kuhlman Rd. is the most expensive Houston home sold in 2021.

How hot — and pricey — is the Houston real estate market? For those curious or shopping, the Houston Association of Realtors just released its Top 10 most expensive homes sold last year.

Not surprisingly, the list includes what readers might expect: four homes that are in or adjacent to River Oaks, long known as the Bayou City's most exclusive subdivision; massive square footage, with the largest sprawling across nearly 16,000 square feet; and sale prices in the multiple millions.

Here's a look at the priciest homes sold in the Bayou City last year.

832 Kuhlman Rd.
Listing price: $10,950,000
This single family, 12,691-square-foot beauty in Memorial Oaks boasts a killer spiral staircase and a positively palatial vibe. Its three distinct spaces include a manor house, a two-bedroom guest cottage and an outdoor entertainment pavilion.

3024 Del Monte Dr.
Listing price: $9.5 million
A beautiful River Oaks spread that blends the classic and the contemporary, this stunner features parquet floors, soaring ceilings, six bedrooms, six bathrooms and four half baths, a wine room, and landscaped grounds that add to the home's serene feel.

25 West Lane
Listing price: $8,999,000
Tucked within River Oaks is Tall Timbers. And tucked into Tall Timbers, on the end of West Lane, is this lovely home that ranked third on the list of highest-priced homes. Unfolding across more than 7,200 square feet, it is a study in Georgian-inspired architecture updated for modern living. Symmetrical chimneys, crown molding, a two-level primary suite with an upstairs closet that fashionistas will die for, and gorgeous green lawns.

721 Ourlane Circle
Listing price: $9,980,000
In fourth place is this chateau-esque home in Manior D'Ourlane, just south of I-10. Its amenities include a 12-car garage, a wine cellar capable of holding more than 1,000 bottles, and a summer kitchen. There's a wet bar in the owner's suite, a gym, and five fireplaces.

1721 River Oaks Blvd.
Listing price: $8,750,000
The wide front lawn gives way to a brick front courtyard on the approach to this home in the heart of River Oaks. Built in 1939, it is the essence of old-school Houston society living blended with all the contemporary conveniences homeowners have come to expect. It sits in the center of a park-like estate, and offers incredible touches such as inlaid wood ceilings, a wine room with chandelier, beautiful built-in shelves and cabinets, and dressing rooms that feel like boutiques.

30 Willowend Dr.
Listing price: $7.6 million
Designed by Robert Dame, this custom home offers an open floor plan, five bedroom, five bathrooms and two half bathrooms across 9,000 square feet. There's a true chef's kitchen with a commercial walk-in fridge, beamed ceilings, and French oak floors. The home's layout is optimized to offer views of its grounds, featuring expert landscaping and spa.

99 W Grand Regency Circle
Listing price: $7.5 million
Located in The Woodlands, this home backs up to the 15th and 16th holes of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Club at Carlton Woods Golf Course. It has a modern kitchen that opens onto the home's den, ample space for entertaining, and a separate 2,000-square-foot guest retreat.

3812 Willowick
Listing price:$7,995,000
From the eye-popping checkerboard tiled entry to the exquisitely paneled library, this is a home that exudes lush living. Think banquet-sized reception spaces and a primary suite that has its own private parlor, separate bathrooms, and dressing spaces. Built to impress, it also has multiple terraces that overlook its sweeping grounds.

701 Saddlewood Lane
Listing price: $7,250,000
Sitting on three-quarters of an acre in Hunters Creek Forest, this lovely home has a two-story ladies retreat that offer plenty of space for pre-party primping. It features a champagne and wine bar, multiple stations for hair and makeup, and wardrobes with mirrored doors. Throughout the home, look for details such as cypress beams, a limestone fireplace, and an art gallery space to showcase beautiful works.

3433 Westheimer PH 3
Listing price: $8.5 million
A three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath penthouse pad with a 1,000-square-foot patio, floor-to-ceiling windows offering sweeping city views, this condo has a gorgeous modern look with tons of space for entertaining. Added amenities include access to the building's two resort-style pools, a pet grooming spa, and a massage therapy room.

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THE AMERICAN DREAM

How long it takes to save for a home down payment in Houston

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Houstonians don't have to save long to afford a down payment.

Saving for a down payment remains one of the biggest barriers to homeownership nationwide, but a new report from Realtor.com shows San Antonio area buyers face a far shorter wait than most Americans.

According to the real estate site’s 2025 analysis, the typical U.S. household needs seven years to save for a standard down payment, a notable improvement from the 12-year peak in 2022. Still, the timeline remains roughly double the pre-pandemic norm, reflecting higher home prices, larger down payments, and lower household savings rates.

Houston, however, stood out as one of the most accessible major metros in the nation. The Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro boasted one of the shortest time sto save for a down payment among the nation’s 50 largest markets, with households needing just 3.5 years to reach a typical down payment, according to the study.

The report found that Houston’s median down payment from January through November was $14,927. A median household income of $83,452 was estimated to produce an annual savings of $4,228. Notably, San Antonio, the only other Texas city included in the report, had the shortest time to save for a down payment at just 1.3 years.

Nationally, the time needed to save has shortened as home price growth cooled and affordability modestly improved. Still, saving for a down payment takes significantly longer than it did before the pandemic.

“Higher home prices and intensified competition have pushed typical down payments higher, at the same time that inflation and rising household expenses have reduced savings rates,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com, in a release. “Although conditions have improved since 2022, today’s timeline shows that saving for a home takes meaningfully longer than it did before the pandemic, especially in high-cost markets.”

Lower savings rates have played a key role. The U.S. personal savings rate has averaged 5.1 percent of income so far in 2025, down from the pre-pandemic norm of 6.5 percent, limiting how quickly households can build funds for upfront housing costs. Meanwhile, the typical down payment has more than doubled over the past six years — rising from about $13,900 in the third quarter of 2019 to $30,400 in the third quarter of 2025.

In high-cost coastal metros, the impact is far more severe. Saving for a down payment can take 20 to more than 35 years in California cities like San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Diego, effectively sidelining many first-time and moderate-income buyers.

“In high-cost markets, the typical down payment alone exceeds a full year of household income,” said Hannah Jones, Realtor.com senior economic research analyst. “That reality makes homeownership feel unattainable for many buyers, particularly younger households trying to enter the market for the first time.”

Despite those challenges, the report notes that roughly three-quarters of Americans still consider homeownership part of the American dream. Realtor.com says easing rents could help first-time buyers save more, while repeat buyers may use accumulated savings to reduce loan balances and manage higher monthly payments.

“Saving consistently, even in small amounts, is a meaningful first step toward homeownership,” Jones said. “In today’s market, building that financial cushion can make a real difference when buyers are ready to act.”

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