Dive In

Live the lagoon life at this master-planned community near Galveston

Imagine feeling like you're on vacation every day, without ever leaving home. It can happen when you live at Lago Mar, a 2,033-acre master-planned community in rapidly growing Texas City.

Located on the southwest shoreline of Galveston Bay, Texas City is considered part of the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area. But a stellar location is only one piece of Lago Mar's impressive puzzle. Here's what else you can expect from this resort-like community:

The master plan

Lago Mar encompasses 4,500 homes, several lakes, open areas, parks, and walking trails. Upon completion, the community will be home to approximately 14,000 residents.

Prices for new homes begin in the high $200s and go through the $500,000s.

White sand beaches surround the Caribbean-blue waters of Texas’ largest crystal lagoon. The 12-acre Lago Mar Crystal Lagoon is the tropical centerpiece of a 100-acre entertainment district.

Residents of Lago Mar can also enjoy first-class dining that's walking distance from their home at the Blue Lagoon Bar & Grill. Indulge in great food and high-end cocktails while overlooking the turquoise waters and white‐sand beaches of Lago Mar's Crystal Lagoons amenity. With a menu that features treasured classics with modern nuances, the Blue Lagoon Bar & Grill is a feast for all senses.

The community

All of Lago Mar’s lavish amenities are within easy reach thanks to the GreenBoLT. This trail — ideal for electric golf-carts, bicycles, and segways — is pedestrian friendly, too. It allows you to dash to Amenity Village any time you have the urge for relaxation. You’ll go from doorside to poolside in minutes, and enjoy the ride along the way.

Lago Mar residents are served by highly regarded schools in the Dickinson Independent School District. This fast growing “Destination District” has 13 campuses, as well as an “A” (Superior) rating from the Texas Education Agency for financial accountability. Many of the schools have earned coveted academic distinctions in the state’s mandated testing program. The district also offers outstanding programs in band, choir, dance, drama, art, and athletics.

The homes

Within Lago Mar, gorgeous homes crafted by recognized builders are set against a backdrop of palm trees, community lakes, and lush landscaping. Inviting planned amenities add to the appeal of this distinctive development.

Boasting a prime Texas City location off Interstate 45 South in the Galveston-Clear Lake corridor, the homes for sale at Lago Mar are minutes from major employment centers and rich sources of entertainment.

With shopping as close as the Tanger Outlet Mall near the Lago Mar entrance, and Kemah Boardwalk and the beaches of Galveston less than 30 minutes away, families can enjoy an unparalleled standard of living where life truly is a breeze.

Photo courtesy of Lago Mar

Get splashy on 12 acres of crystal-clear water.

The developer

Starwood Land is a nationally renowned residential real estate investment firm focused on land acquisition, development, and financing.

Since its inception in July 2007, Starwood Land has sold more than 44,000 lots in over 90 communities in 11 states, and has developed and sold more than $2.5 billion of residential land and homesites.

Partnering with Starwood Capital Group, one of the world’s premier real estate investment firms, Starwood has invested more than $1 billion in superior residential communities throughout the United States.

Take a tour

Find out more about Lago Mar here and then come see it for yourself — don't forget to bring your swimsuit!

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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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