Suburbs in the western and northern parts of the Houston area experienced the biggest sales booms in the third quarter of 2024, according to a report from the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR).

The hottest Houston-area community of all is Brookshire, located approximately 40 miles west of downtown. The area saw a 257.6% increase in home sales year over year, with an average sales price of $342,159 — well below Houston’s average of $415,435. In fact, six of the top 10 hottest areas on HAR’s list had average sales prices below Houston’s average.

Other areas with drastic increases in sales activity were Waller, where transactions increased 76.9% year over year; Conroe Northwest, which saw an increase of 75.3% year over year, and Porter/New Caney West, up 71.4% year over year.

Areas also in the top 10 for annual transaction increases were Magnolia/1488 West (+55.3%), Fulshear/S. Brookshire/Simonton (+45.8%), Montrose (+45%), Deer Park (+37.3%), Fall Creek (+33.3%) and Dayton (+30%).

“The demand for new construction homes in the Houston area is steadily rising due to their affordability and modern amenities,” HAR Chair Thomas Mouton said in the report. “As more buyers seek out value and convenience, I believe there will be further growth in the new home market in the months ahead.”

While more affordable areas are booming the most, HAR also analyzed sales transactions in the $1 million-plus price range and found that the luxury area with the most annual growth was the Highland Village/Midlane neighborhood, where sales increased by 71.4%. The area, which has an average sales price of $1,612,542, is a newcomer to HAR’s quarterly ranking of the hottest communities, having been previously unranked.

Highland Village was followed by Braeswood Place, where transactions increased 27.8% year over year; and Memorial Villages, which saw a 26.4% increase year over year.