Real estate
BY ARIEL WORTHY
Home Edition
2026
Readers, welcome to your annual CI Home Edition! This annual guide explores what it means to live and invest in one of Houston’s most established areas. In Bellaire, Meyerland and West University, homeownership re ects both long-standing neighborhood character and evolving buyer preferences. In this edition, readers will nd coverage examining how rising costs, shifting design trends and changing lifestyle needs are in uencing the way homes are built, renovated and valued. From modern updates in West University to growing demand for energy-e cient features, this guide highlights how homeowners are balancing function, style and long-term investment. The data tells a compelling story. West University home values remain among the highest in the region, with strong demand across both new construction and existing homes. Across the Inner Loop, homeowners are also becoming more intentional, seeking spaces that support how they live, work and gather. Finally, this edition re ects the idea that a home is more than a structure, it is a foundation for connection and stability. Community Impact remains committed to delivering local reporting that helps residents stay informed.
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Homes in West University seeing more modern blueprints
Driving through West University, it isn’t unusual to see a modern, sleek-styled home next to a tra- ditional brick house. It’s a change that is re ecting what buyers are looking for, Karishma Asrani, a Houston Association of Realtors agent, said. The features Modern houses often emphasize clean lines, minimalist aesthetics and high functionality inside the home, according to homebuilders. “I call it a timeless look, which is clean lines with a touch of traditional, so just a lighter, fresher version of traditional,” Asrani said. Some of the features buyers are looking for in modern-style homes include lighter-toned wood oors, quartz countertops, cleaner cabinetry, mixed metals and rst- oor bedrooms. Asrani said homes with these features tend to sell quickly. The cost Like other housing markets, price points vary
based on the home’s condition and design. Even so, Asrani noted that demand in the neighborhood remains strong across price points, with both renovated and non-updated homes still selling. HAR o cials said the average home sale price in West U is $2.1 million, with new construction aver- ages at $2.9 million and the resale at $1.9 million. What’s changing? Lifestyle changes are a driving force behind these new designs, Asrani said. After COVID-19, residents who began working from home started using their spaces more e ciently. Home designs, like clothing fashion, are cyclical, Asrani said, and she sees a change in trends every 10 to 12 years. However, no matter the style, she said West U still maintains its identity. “It’s a family, neighborhood vibe with a family feel to it,” she said. “They absolutely can [keep their identity]. But they have to be intentional about it.”
Sahra Bukhari wanted a home that was modern and designed to her minimalist style.
COURTESY SAHRA BUKHARI
Home sales in West University Place A breakdown of modern home sales compared to total home sales in West University Place since 2023. Modern-style sales Total sales
70
113
2023
57
102
2024
64
110
2025
SOURCE: HOUSTON ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS COMMUNITY IMPACT
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