Move over Miami; Houston is the hottest market along the Sun Belt.
According to a Census Bureau report from May, the long-time energy hub is the second fastest-growing city in the country, with new residents flocking to find work in the city’s booming health and tech sectors. For an inside look at how these newcomers are shaping the city’s housing market, The Real Deal spoke with three top global real estate advisors at Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty.
A market on the rise
The Houston market’s strength is reflected by both increased volume and sales price. In 2024, Rachel Solar had the highest sale for both the city of Houston and the state of Texas.
“Even though our inventory has grown substantially—March 2025 was a 12-year high—our average sales price and our median sales price continue to go up,” she says.
“We’re still seeing multiple offers,” adds Kasteena Parikh, a global real estate advisor with 20 years of experience. She focuses on Houston’s West University Place neighborhood.
“We’re getting a lot of people from New York andCalifornia, because we don’t have a state income tax,” says Parikh. “Relatively speaking, Houston is still affordable.”
Walter Bering, a global real estate advisor for 45 years, has over US$1 billion in sales. He sees the Houston market as “very healthy,” and says, “When people are moving here from other places, I think they are amazed at how much more value or house they get for their money here in Houston.”
What new Houstonians want in a luxury home
While Houston has historically been the capital of the Texas energy industry, attracting plenty of workers to high paying oil and gas jobs, today more Houston residents work in other industries, including the rapidly-growing tech sector. Solar has found that many newcomers quickly find themselves loving the city thanks to its diverse range of neighborhoods and housing styles.
“Whatever your definition or vision of home is, a home in Houston can fit that box,” she explains. “There are so many interesting, diverse people that live in the city and so many unique and varied neighborhoods.”
When people relocate to Houston, Solar asks where they’re coming from and whether they want a neighborhood with a similar feel. That way, she can show them homes in areas that might make it an easier transition for them.
“Because Houston has so many incredible neighborhoods to choose from,” she says, “it’s often easy to find the right one.”
Parikh describes a few of the constants she’s observed among her buyers.
“People are gravitating toward homes that are prepped, staged, and move-in ready. They don’t want to have to do work,” she says. “In this market, it’s so important to have a home that’s move-in ready if you want top dollar.”
She has also found that new arrivals are most interested in living close to jobs and local amenities.
“Many of my clients don’t want more than a 10-15 minute commute,” she says. “They want parks and a sense of community.”
That said, buyers who are willing to look outside the central area may find more attainable luxury options—with more space—that still offer a strong sense of community.
Today’s luxury buyers want multigenerational spaces
Whether a buyer is new to Houston or a long-time local, their wish lists have one thing in common: They want space to spend time with family.
“Generation X is our largest segment of luxury buyers right now, and what they’re looking for is very specific,” says Parikh. “I work with quite a few builders, and we’re putting that junior suite downstairs, so when their parents come and visit, there’s a proper bedroom for them to stay in.” She finds Gen X-ers are also looking for elevators that are already installed and playrooms with doors for noise control.
Bering, who considers himself a proud Boomer, reports that some of his Boomer clients downsized when their kids went off to school and are now rethinking that choice.
“As their kids get married and grandkids come into the picture, I’ve had some tell me they’re moving up,” he says. “They want a house where they can have the family and all the grandkids over.”
Throughout the process, Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty global real estate advisors prioritize the client experience.
“They’re busy, successful professionals who understand and value time and effort and work,” says Solar. “They want us to take it off their plates and have a seamless, smooth process.”
High-end home buyers and sellers recognize the level of service Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty provides and are willing to pay for it.
“When you have somebody that’s aligned with the Sotheby’s International Realty brand,” says Parikh, “you know they’ll go above and beyond.”
To learn more about buying a home or listing your property, connect with Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty.