Editor's note: The top real estate stories of 2024 reaffirmed what Houstonians already know — this city is a fantastic place to call home. Locals were captivated by news of rapper Drake settling nearby and by numerous rankings highlighting Houston-area neighborhoods as top places to live. Houston’s most well-known billionaire also made headlines with three major property acquisitions this year, including the prestigious River Oaks District. Meanwhile, stunning mansions continued to draw attention, along with plenty of oohs and aahs from readers.
1. Drake finally confirmed as new owner of $15 million Dos Brisas ranch near Brenham. Rumors that the rap icon had acquired the sprawling 313-acre ranch just 45 minutes outside of Houston sparked excitement, reaffirming Texas' status as a celebrity hotspot. Houstonians couldn't help but imagine scoring an invite to the former resort, now transformed into the private retreat of the Canadian musician and actor.
2. 2 Houston-area ZIP codes top 2023 list of hottest housing markets in U.S. The Opendoor report highlighted Cypress (77433) and Katy (77493) as the top two ZIP codes in the nation for homebuyers in 2023. Key factors driving interest included turnkey homes, competitive housing prices, and convenient locations, underscoring the appeal of these Houston-area communities.
3. Kingly Houston community is the No. 2 friendliest American neighborhood. Kingwood made a name for itself as the No. 2 friendliest American neighborhood. All Star Home, a home improvement services website, found that 18.75 percent of reviews for Kingwood-based businesses were described as "friendly."
4. Travel + Leisure ranks tight-knit Houston suburb No. 2 in America. Houston suburbs continued to gain national attention, with Travel + Leisure declaring Cinco Ranch the second-best suburb to live in America. The report analyzed realtor feedback and data to decide the best suburbs based on "affordable housing, top-rated schools, and excellent job opportunities."
5. Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta buys River Oaks development for a reported $450 million. Fertitta expanded his real estate empire with the purchase of River Oaks District, a nearly 14-acre property located on Westheimer just east of 610 that's home to high-end retail and top restaurants such as MAD, Steak 48, and Loch Bar.
6. 6 Houston neighbors shine on new list of best small cities in America. WalletHub’s “The Best Small Cities in America” report included recognizable names to Houstonians: Friendswood, Rosenberg, Conroe, Missouri City, Spring, and Galveston. The report compared more than 1,300 U.S. cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000 residents.
7. This $4.85 million Hill Country ranch with its own lazy river is going wild on social media. Listed for $4.85 million and featured on the popular Zillow Gone Wild social media account, commenters all across the country dreamt of owning this Boerne ranch largely due to its elaborate lazy river.
8. Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta buys more than 5 acres of Galleria-area properties. Fertitta continued his shopping spree with the purchase of two properties, a 9-story office building and a 3.4-acre vacant lot that are adjacent to The Post Oak, his award-winning hotel.
9. River Oaks mansion by famed architect hits market for $18.9 million. This gorgeous 1938 home was designed by Houston architect John F. Staub, the man behind properties such as the River Oaks Country Club, Bayou Bend, and Rice University's Fondren Library. The home, listed for $18.9 million, sits on 1.6 acres and features modern amenities with historic charm.
10. Washington Ho lists Bellaire's 'Luke Skywalker house' for $5.5 million. The reality TV star-turned-real estate agent named the Bellaire property after the Jedi as a counterpoint to the West U “Darth Vader house.” Located at 4616 Oleander and listed for just over $5.5 million, Ho showed off his realtor skills by selling the home in October.
