Where Is New Construction Happening in Katy, TX in 2026?

Drive around the greater Katy area long enough and one thing becomes obvious: Katy is still growing.

What is less obvious is where that growth is happening, what “Katy” actually means from one development to another, and how two new homes with Katy mailing addresses can offer very different locations, tax structures, school assignments, amenities and surrounding development.

That distinction matters if you are thinking about buying a new-construction home in Katy, TX.

As a Katy resident and REALTOR®, one of the biggest mistakes I see buyers make is beginning their search with the builder instead of the location. A model home can be impressive. An incentive can sound attractive. A floor plan can check every box.

But you cannot separate the house from the community around it.

Here is a closer look at some of the new-construction activity happening around Katy in 2026 and, more importantly, how buyers should evaluate it.

Katy Reserve is adding hundreds of new homes

One of the notable additions to the Katy new-construction landscape this year is Katy Reserve.

Century Communities announced the grand opening of Katy Reserve in April 2026. According to the builder, the community is planned for 548 single-family homes with 16 floor plans across two collections. Plans range from approximately 1,508 to 3,075 square feet. Planned amenities include a recreation center with pavilion, pool, walking trails, playground and community ponds.

That makes Katy Reserve worth knowing about for buyers searching for new construction.

But the number of homes or the amenity package should not be the end of your research.

For any new community, I recommend looking beyond the model homes and asking questions such as:

• What will eventually surround the community?
• What major roads will residents use?
• What is already built versus merely planned?
• What taxes and assessments apply to the particular property?
• What HOA obligations apply?
• Which schools currently serve the specific address?
• How could future phases affect traffic or access?

Those questions often reveal more about the long-term ownership experience than the finishes inside the model home.

For additional context on how Katy's larger developments differ from one another, see my Katy, TX master-planned communities guide.

For a closer look at that specific development, see my Katy Reserve by Century Communities guide.

Sunterra continues to expand

Sunterra is already one of the better-known master-planned communities in the Katy area, but development within the community continues.

In July, StoneManor Homes announced that it had broken ground on a new model home and additional quick-move-in homes in Sunterra.

That illustrates something buyers sometimes overlook about large master-planned communities.

A community can be established enough to have recognizable amenities while still having substantial new-home activity.

For buyers, that creates a different decision than purchasing in a brand-new development where almost everything is still conceptual.

You can potentially see existing roads, amenities and completed sections while also evaluating new construction.

There is another consideration, though. Large developments can contain multiple builders, sections, lot sizes, product types and price ranges.

Simply saying, “I want to live in Sunterra,” is only the beginning of the search.

The next question is: Which part of Sunterra and which home best fit what you actually need?

Katy Boardwalk Reserve adds another type of new-home opportunity

Another development worth watching is Katy Boardwalk Reserve.

Community Impact reported in May that the Katy Boardwalk district near Katy Mills is planned to include 186 single-family homes, following a change from an earlier residential concept involving brownstones, villas and patio homes.

The City of Katy also identifies Katy Boardwalk as one of its Planned Development Districts.

This is an important example because not every new-construction opportunity around Katy looks like a large suburban master-planned community.

Location can fundamentally change the value proposition.

Some buyers prioritize lot size and extensive neighborhood amenities. Others place greater importance on proximity to existing shopping, entertainment, major roads or other destinations.

Neither is automatically better.

They are different types of real estate decisions.

New homes are only part of Katy's growth story

Residential construction gets most of the attention from homebuyers, but commercial development matters too.

Consider the area around Market at Katy Park.

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation project records show continued tenant development there. One current example is a planned 1,916-square-foot Sip Coffee build-out at 24810 Morton Ranch Road, with the state project filing listing construction from June 15 through October 1, 2026.

A Jersey Mike's project was also registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation at 24818 Morton Ranch Road.

Why should someone buying a house care about commercial construction?

Because you are not only buying today's surroundings.

New retail, restaurants, roads, schools and residential projects can gradually change how an area functions.

That is why I like to investigate what is happening around a prospective neighborhood instead of limiting the analysis to houses currently listed for sale.

A Katy mailing address does not tell you everything

This is particularly important in Katy.

Consumers often use “Katy” to describe a much larger area than the incorporated City of Katy.

A Katy mailing address should not be treated as proof that a property is inside the City of Katy. Likewise, you should not assume school assignment, taxing jurisdictions or municipal services based solely on the word “Katy” in the mailing address.

For buyers comparing new communities, verify the specific property, not just the community's marketing description.

That means checking the address, jurisdiction, school assignment, tax information, HOA documents and other property-specific information before making a decision.

This becomes especially important when comparing homes that may look similar online.

If you're relocating to the area and still trying to understand how all of these pieces fit together, my Moving to Katy, TX guide provides a broader overview of the area and the decisions relocation buyers should consider.

Do not choose a new home based solely on the incentive

Builders frequently use incentives to help attract buyers, but an incentive should be evaluated as part of the entire transaction.

A buyer may encounter possibilities such as closing-cost contributions, financing incentives, rate-related promotions, upgrade allowances or pricing adjustments.

The largest advertised incentive is not automatically the best deal.

Look at the complete financial picture.

That includes the purchase price, financing terms, estimated taxes, HOA costs, insurance considerations, upgrades, lot premiums and expected ownership costs.

And remember that incentives can change quickly.

Ask for the current offer in writing and understand the conditions attached to it.

Compare the builder's home with the resale market too

This is one of my favorite exercises with new-construction buyers.

Do not compare Builder A only with Builder B.

Compare the new house with existing homes in the surrounding resale market.

A resale home may offer a larger lot, mature landscaping, improvements already completed by the previous owner or a different location within the same general area.

A new home may offer current construction, new systems, builder warranties and opportunities to select certain finishes depending on the stage of construction.

There is no universal winner.

The goal is to understand what you are receiving for the total amount you are spending.

Current local housing-market information can provide additional context when making that comparison. You can follow my Katy, TX real estate market data for a broader look at the local market.

Remember that the builder's salesperson represents the builder

This distinction is important.

The sales representative sitting inside the model home works for the builder.

That does not make the salesperson your adversary. It simply means their role is different from the role of a REALTOR® representing you.

A buyer's representative can help evaluate properties and communities, compare resale alternatives, review transaction considerations, research surrounding development and help the buyer navigate the process from the buyer's perspective.

If you want representation, it is generally best to establish that relationship before your first builder visit or online registration because builder policies regarding REALTOR® representation can vary.

If you are still preparing for the homebuying process, you can also review my Katy Home Buyer Class for additional buyer education.

What should you investigate before buying new construction in Katy, TX?

Before committing to a new home, I would want answers to at least these questions:

1. Where exactly is the property?
2. Which governmental jurisdictions apply?
3. Which schools currently serve that particular address?
4. What taxes and assessments apply?
5. What are the HOA dues and restrictions?
6. Which amenities already exist?
7. Which amenities are still proposed?
8. What undeveloped land surrounds the community?
9. Are additional residential or commercial projects planned nearby?
10. How does the builder's price compare with relevant resale homes?
11. What builder incentives are currently available?
12. What conditions are attached to those incentives?
13. What inspections can the buyer obtain during construction?
14. What warranty coverage is provided?
15. What happens if construction is delayed?

The answers will vary considerably from one development to another.

New construction in Katy, TX is really a location decision

There is plenty to like about walking into a brand-new house.

But the countertops, flooring and fixtures are only part of what you are purchasing.

The location is permanent.

That is why my approach to Katy, TX new construction starts with the community and surrounding area, then works inward toward the builder, floor plan and individual homesite.

If you are considering new construction in Katy, TX, I can help you compare communities, builders and resale alternatives and investigate the details that are easy to miss when you are standing inside a beautifully furnished model home.

About the Author

Jonathan McNabb, REALTOR®
Broker/Owner, Nest Ahead
Katy, TX REALTOR® and longtime Katy resident
Local Roots | Global Reach