Hi friend,
(Full list is at the middle of the page, and don't forget I can send you homes within your desired tax rate range!)
I recently came across some interesting statistics, and I thought they were worth sharing.
Did you know that approximately 74% of all home purchases in the United States are financed with a mortgage? In Texas, that number is about 70%, and here in the Houston area, it's still around 61%.
What that tells me is that while cash buyers get a lot of attention, the majority of homebuyers are still financing their home purchase.
Schedule a Call with Jordan, http://byjoandco.com/call
Another interesting fact? Home prices today are roughly 40% to 50% higher than they were before the pandemic in 2019 and 2020. While prices have leveled off in many areas over the last couple of years, affordability remains one of the biggest concerns for buyers.
So today, I wanted to talk specifically to the homebuyer who isn't paying cash.
The good news? Affording more home isn't always about having a larger down payment or making dramatically more money.
A big part of affordability comes down to buying power.
When a lender determines how much home you can afford, they look at factors such as your income and your recurring monthly debts. Generally speaking, you can increase your buying power by earning more income, reducing debt, or finding ways to lower your future monthly housing payment.
And that's where strategy comes in.
Your monthly mortgage payment is typically made up of four components:
• Principal
• Interest
• Property Taxes
• Homeowners Insurance
If you can reduce one or more of these expenses, you may be able to afford more home than you initially thought.
One of the most effective ways to lower your monthly payment is by securing a lower interest rate. There are several ways to do this.
A lender, seller, or home builder may be willing to help buy down your interest rate. This is especially common with new construction homes. In recent years, I've seen builders offer interest rates ranging from 3% to 5%, and I've even seen rates as low as 1.99% during certain promotions.
Schedule a Call with Jordan, http://byjoandco.com/call
Another strategy is to focus on areas with lower property tax rates. A lower tax rate can significantly impact your monthly payment and may allow you to qualify for a higher purchase price while keeping your payment comfortable.
Homeowners insurance is another piece of the puzzle. Not all insurance companies price policies the same, and not all insurance agents are equally skilled at finding the best coverage for the best value. A great insurance professional can sometimes save you hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars per year. If you'd like a recommendation, I'd be happy to connect you with someone I trust.
Because property taxes can have such a significant impact on affordability, I wanted to put together a resource for buyers who are looking to maximize their buying power.
So in this article, I'm sharing some of the most desirable neighborhoods in Katy that also happen to have some of the lowest tax rates.
Let me explain one thing real quick…
Before we dive in, it's important to understand what makes one neighborhood's tax rate higher or lower than another.
Your property tax rate isn't determined by just one entity. Instead, it's the combination of several taxing authorities that serve the area. These can include county taxes, school district taxes, hospital district taxes, emergency services district taxes, and municipal utility district (MUD) taxes.
In most cases, neighborhoods located near one another are served by the same county and often the same school district. Because of that, one of the biggest factors that impacts a neighborhood's overall tax rate is typically the Municipal Utility District (MUD).
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A MUD helps fund infrastructure such as water, sewer, drainage, roads, and other utilities needed to support a community. As a general rule of thumb, newer neighborhoods tend to have newer MUDs, and newer MUDs often carry higher tax rates because they're still paying for the infrastructure that was built to develop the community.
On the other hand, more established neighborhoods often have lower MUD taxes because much of that infrastructure has already been paid for over time.
Of course, there are exceptions, but if you're comparing two similar neighborhoods and wondering why one has a significantly lower tax rate, the MUD is often the reason.
That's why you'll frequently find some of the lowest tax rates in Katy in the area's more established master-planned communities.
The most important thing to note is that some of these larger neighborhoods have experienced development over a ten year period, so in one portion of the neighborhood we will see a way lower tax rate than the newest portion of that same neighborhood.
Best Neighborhoods of 2026 with Low Tax Rates in Katy, Texas
- Grand Lakes 1.64% Tax Rate
- LakeHouse – 1.77% Tax Rate
- Cinco Ranch – 1.89% Tax Rate
- Seven Meadows – 1.96% Tax Rate
- Katy Creek Ranch – 1.98% Tax Rate
- Falcon Landing – 1.98% Tax Rate
- Pin Oak Village – 2.01% Tax Rate
- Country Lakes – 2.02% Tax Rate
- Kelliwood – 2.02% Tax Rate
- Creekstone – 2.08% Tax Rate
- Nottingham Country – 2.10% Tax Rate
- Memorial Parkway – 2.10% Tax Rate
- Cimarron – 2.12% Tax Rate
- Governors Place – 2.12% Tax Rate
- Heritage Square – 2.12% Tax Rate
- Oak Park Trails – 2.13% Tax Rate
- Falcon Point – 2.18% Tax Rate
- Westfield Terra – 2.18% Tax Rate
- Heritage Grand – 2.20% Tax Rate
- Castle Rock – 2.25% Tax Rate
- Westhiemer Lakes North – 2.26% Tax Rate
- Firethorne – 2.26% Tax Rate
- Woodcreek Reserve – 2.33% Tax Rate
- Tompkins Reserve – 2.35% Tax Rate
- Pine Mill Ranch – 2.36% Tax Rate
- Hawks Landing – 2.36% Tax Rate
- Silver Ranch – 2.36% Tax Rate
- Tamarron – 2.71% Tax Rate
- The Reserve at Katy – 2.74% Tax Rate
- Ventana Lakes – 2.81% Tax Rate
- Falls at Green Meadows – 2.81% Tax Rate
- Young Ranch – 2.81% Tax Rate
- Katy Pointe – 2.81% Tax Rate
- Bergamo – 2.85% Tax Rate
- Katy Court – 2.88% Tax Rate
- Trails of Katy – 2.88% Tax Rate
- Cane Island – 2.98% Tax Rate
So, what's next?
If you're looking for a home in Katy and want to maximize your buying power, I'd love to help.
I can create a custom list of homes for sale based on the tax rate you're comfortable with, your budget, your preferred schools, commute, lifestyle, and all of the other factors that matter most to you. Sometimes a simple adjustment in neighborhood, tax rate, or financing strategy can make a much bigger difference than most buyers realize.
If you haven't already connected with a lender, I can also introduce you to one of my trusted lending partners. They can help you understand exactly how much home you can comfortably afford, explore different financing options, and even show you how lower tax rates or builder incentives could impact your monthly payment.
Whether you're relocating to Katy, buying your first home, or simply trying to make the most of your budget, my goal isn't just to help you find a house—it's to help you make a smart financial decision.
If you'd like a personalized list of homes for sale in Katy with tax rates that fit your goals, reach out anytime. I'd be honored to be your resource.
Schedule a Call with Jordan, http://byjoandco.com/call
Who Am I?
I'm Jordan Schilleci, Broker/Owner of Jo & Co., and I've been helping home buyers and sellers throughout the Greater Houston area for more than 10 years.
While I help all types of buyers, I especially love working with first-time home buyers and families & individuals relocating to the area. Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make, and I truly enjoy helping buyers navigate the process with confidence and clarity.
For first-time buyers, that often means answering lots of questions, explaining the process step-by-step, connecting you with trusted lenders, and helping you understand what is possible within your budget.
For relocation buyers, it means helping you learn the area, compare neighborhoods, understand schools, shorten your commute, and ultimately find a community that feels like home.
Over the last decade, I've helped hundreds of families buy homes throughout Houston and the surrounding suburbs, and my goal has always been the same: to be more than just your Realtor.
My goal is to be your resource.
Whether you're trying to maximize your buying power, compare tax rates, understand financing options, explore neighborhoods, or simply figure out where to start, I'm here to help.
If you're considering a move to Katy, Houston, or anywhere in the Greater Houston area, I'd be honored to help guide you every step of the way.
Hugs, Jordan
Schedule a Call: http://byjoandco.com/call
Look at Homes For Sale: http://har.com/jordanms
Email Me: [email protected]
