From a romantic date night with wine and chocolate, to kid-friendly venues with go karts and trampolines, Katy has new attractions for every member of the family. German-style biergarten? Check. Authentic Asian Town experience? You got it – and so much more.
For yet another year, Niche ranks Katy ISD as the No. 1 Best School District in the Houston Area. Katy ISD also ranks in the top 1% both statewide and nationally among all school districts evaluated by Niche.
With 190,000 square feet of space for restaurants, high-end retail, office/professional and more, Elyson Town Center is coming to the thriving intersection of Grand Parkway and FM 529, already home to Target and other leading retailers. The first buildings are set to open by mid 2025.
Brett and Chelsea Richter are loving the water view from their new Highland home in Elyson, along with highly rated Katy ISD schools for their young daughter and a location that makes commuting for their sales careers easier.
Complete exterior maintenance, including front and back yard care, comes with Beazer’s Duets series, priced from the $300Ks. Many homesites offer views of one of Elyson’s newest and most colorful parks.
With home sales up 22%, Elyson had the largest increase among 13 Houston area master-planned communities ranked in RCLCO’s national midyear sales report.
One of Elyson’s newest amenities, Union Park has firepits, table tennis, and picnic and grilling areas. It also offers scenic views for many homes in Beazer’s Duets series and Chesmar’s Courtyard Collection.
Searching for a new home for their growing blended family, Katy Area Chamber of Commerce Matthew Ferraro and his wife, Lauren, decided that Elyson was the best choice.
A new home in Elyson provides a clean and safe environment for the Keller family as they plan to quarantine following a bone marrow transplant for their four-year-old son, Jonah.
Offering homesites with views of Union Park, Chesmar’s popular Courtyard Collection in Elyson includes brand-new plans and updated versions of bestselling plans. Four new model homes showcase this innovative collection that’s had broad appeal to first-time homeowners, empty nesters and families with children.
With 6 bedrooms, 6 full baths and a seamless indoor/outdoor living area, Highland has opened the all-new Varese model home to showcase the prestigious Classic Series, offered on Elyson’s largest homesites.
Walls that say “wow” and lofty 12-foot ceilings are just two of many features we love in Perry’s Design 2737 model home in Elyson. One of three fully furnished Perry models in Elyson’s Model Home Village, this open one-story plan showcases plans priced from the $500Ks.
A charming storybook exterior with a high-pitched roof is echoed by high ceilings inside in Perry’s Design 2169 model home, the most affordable of its three fully furnished model homes in Elyson.
The newest school at Elyson, Katy ISD’s Nelson Junior High opens August 14. Meet the principal, Kara Morgan, and get a sneak peek inside a state-of-the-art campus filled with innovations including a three-story learning tower, collaborative learning areas and much more.
Westin Homes is known for grand foyers with stunning spiral staircases and recessed rotunda ceilings that draw the eye skyward. This signature feature reaches new heights in Westin’s new Carter IX model home in Elyson.
One of 14 new model homes in Elyson, Perry’s Design 4098 has a grand foyer with a rotunda ceiling and spiral staircase in the front. From the garage, a family foyer with convenient built-ins is ideal for everyday use.
With one household wanting to upsize and another looking to downscale, two generations of the Paguio family found the perfect solution in new side-by-side homes in Elyson. A new job and a daily commute reduced from 90 to 10 minutes is another happy part of this family’s story.
Sliding glass doors opening to one of the most amazing patios we’ve ever seen is among our favorite features in Highland’s Cambridge model home, one of 14 models now open in Elyson’s new Model Home Village. Come take a pictorial tour with us.
In its Donley model home in Elyson, Newmark amps up Craftsman charm, replacing traditional dark colors with a fresh palette of light wood tones for walls, ceilings and floors. It’s a totally modern take on a perennially favorite architectural style.
Elyson neighbors Chris Pena and Joe Chaisson have turned their friendship into a business partnership, launching new careers as co-owners of X-Golf Katy, located just a few minutes from Elyson.
A Suite Retreat offering a “home within a home” for in-laws, adult children and other extended family members is just one innovative feature in Chesmar’s Sweetwater plan. It’s one of 14 fully furnished model homes now open in Elyson’s Model Home Village.
Who says color is for walls and white is for ceilings and trim? Highland turns this idea on its head in its stunning new Plan 218 model home in Elyson, where the color blue is featured in many inviting hues.
One of 14 fully furnished model homes in Elyson’s new Model Home Village, Chesmar’s Medina shows off this leading builder’s winning combination of open design, structural flexibility and a long list of included features.
Elyson’s growing list of dining places has a romantic new addition, Cork It Katy, now open in The Co-Op at Elyson. Wines by the glass or bottle, charcuterie boards, desserts and more are on the menu at this romantic yet family friendly wine bar.
Westin Homes is known for its grand foyers with curved staircases and rotunda ceilings, and their new Haven IX model home in Elyson doesn’t disappoint. What’s surprising is that Westin offers such style in a collection of plans priced from the low $400Ks.
Even if you don’t end up choosing a Brookfield Residential home after touring their beautiful new Rutgers model home in Elyson, you’ll likely be inspired by the creative design ideas and suggestions you’ll find throughout these new plans.
On the shore of a scenic lake, Lakeside Landing is Elyson’s newest major amenity, offering swimming, fitness, socializing and more. It’s located next to our new Model Home Village and Welcome Center for an easy introduction to Elyson’s active lifestyle.
Three outdoor living areas and a stunning glass wine wall are just a few of the outstanding design features you’ll see in Newmark’s Cologne, one of 14 new model homes open in Elyson’s Model Home Village.
Ranked as one of the nation’s top-selling communities for 2023, Elyson has more in store for 2024, including a new Model Home Village and Welcome Center, plus new amenities, schools and shopping.
Sterling Cooper, soon to be a father of four, says he felt “like a kid in a candy store, except I couldn’t get any of the candy,” as he admired Elyson’s events and amenities from afar. Since the family moved to Elyson, they’ve found life here to be as sweet as they imagined.
Elyson’s newest choice for homebuyers is Newmark’s Portrait Series, a collection of 16 one- and two-story floor plans with open, light-filled interiors designed with great flexibility. Sales are now under way, with a model home coming soon.
All year long, Elyson’s dedicated Director of Community Engagement plans events and activities for every member of the family to enjoy. From big community-wide celebrations like Jump into Summer, to regular activities like Story Time and fitness classes, our social calendar stays full in every season.
From schools and shopping, to recreation and location, there are many reasons why the 2,500 families living at Elyson love where they live. Elyson has grown and added so much lately, we had to update our first Top 10 list with some exciting new additions.
A growing number of stores, restaurants and services are opening in several new shopping centers at Elyson. Here’s a guide to what’s open so far, and we’ll keep the list updated as new businesses open.
Elyson ranks among the nation’s Top 50 master-planned communities in the 2023 midyear report from RCLCO. New builders, recreational amenities and shopping centers are adding to Elyson’s strong momentum in 2023, and more exciting things are on the way for 2024.
With more than 20 years of experience serving nonprofit organizations in Katy, Houston and elsewhere, Nicole Harris works to make sure Elyson residents enjoy meaningful events that help them feel connected to their community and neighbors.
Even if you don’t end up choosing a Brookfield Residential home after touring their two beautiful new model homes in Elyson, you’ll likely be inspired by the creative design ideas and suggestions you’ll find throughout these new plans. But we also think you will love the fresh new plans!
David and Terri Youngblood met on their first day of work at Katy ISD in 1977, going on to each have a 40-year career in the district and raising three children who all work in Katy ISD. The district has recognized the Youngbloods’ contributions in administration, athletics, technology and more by naming its 45th elementary school in their honor. It opens at Elyson in August.
Now under construction next to the Harmony elementary school in Elyson, the new middle/high campus will complete their first comprehensive master-planned PreK-12 campus in Texas. Highlights include Harmony’s first UIL standard football field and a leading-edge makerspace.
With 28 years of experience in public education – 18 of them at Katy ISD – Charlotte Gilder has been named principal of Youngblood Elementary School, opening in August 2023 adjacent to Elyson.
Elyson will add four new pickleball and tennis courts to its long and growing list of amenities with the opening of Elyson Courts in late summer 2023. It’s part of a vision for more than 750 acres of parks, trails and natural open space in the community.
The 2022 Builder of the Year, Newmark will offer open, light-filled plans from 3,200 to 4,200 square feet in an Elyson neighborhood surrounded by lakes, green space and new recreational amenities. Pre-opening sales begin in August and interested buyers can join Newmark’s priority list now.
Priced from the $700Ks to over $1 million, Highland’s Classic Series is offered in a new waterfront neighborhood in Elyson, surrounded by natural open space and recreational amenities including at Elyson Courts.
Elyson is getting more shopping with The Square at Elyson, a 75,000-square-foot development that will have EOS Fitness, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Salata and more. Now under construction, it will join the Target-anchored Plaza at Elyson and a future H-E-B at the corner of FM 529 and Grand Parkway. Completion is planned for late summer 2024.
Elyson ranks among the nation’s Top 50 master-planned communities for new home sales in 2022. With exciting new amenities and new home offerings coming soon, the momentum is likely continue into 2023.
Elyson and Chesmar Homes welcomed Jose Paredes Rivas as the community’s 2,000th homeowner, putting us about one-third of the way toward our vision of approximately 6,000 single-family homes set amid more than 750 acres of recreational amenities, parks, trails and natural open space.
About 20 percent larger than the average Target, the retailer’s new Elyson store offers a peek at its latest ideas, including more space for same-day pickup and delivery, and green features like rooftop solar panels and electric vehicle charging.
Brookfield Residential will open two model homes in Elyson in early 2023, marking its entry into the Houston market and becoming the community’s ninth active homebuilder.
Katy ISD is the No. 1 Best School District in the Houston Area in the 2023 rankings from Niche. The rankings also have A- overall grades for both Stockdick Junior High and Paetow High, two Katy ISD schools zoned to serve Elyson students.
“Mini edible art baked with love” is how Alchemy Bake Lab owner Kady Miller describes her new bakery at the Co-Op at Elyson. Building on her sweet success with wedding cakes, Kady will offer Glitter Cake Pops, “cosmic” brownies, mini celebration cakes and much more in a “dessert apothecary” setting with an Old World vibe.
Erika and Matt MacWilliams loved the décor of Highland’s Plan 222 model home so much, they decided to recreate its striking navy, gold and white color scheme for their own new home in Elyson. Elyson’s highly rated Katy ISD schools, however, were the top priority for this young family relocating from Louisiana.
Opening in Elyson in Fall 2022, Ballet Elle will have classes in classical ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap and other styles for young dancers. This new dance school fulfills a lifelong dream for Katy resident River Johnson, who lives just few miles from Elyson.
Taylor Morrison’s new Darling Modernist Collection in Elyson has clean contemporary lines inspired by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. As showcased in the stunning Plan 5805 model home in Elyson, this collection also has new innovations for the way families live today, including a second kitchen, called a spice kitchen.
With four beautiful model homes showcased in one cul-de-sac, home shoppers can experience the unique lifestyle offered by Chesmar’s Courtyard Collection in one convenient visit.
Meet Harmony School of Excellence – Katy principal Christopher Hassan, who lives in Elyson with his wife, Mary, and daughters Evalena and Layla. HSE – Katy opens in Elyson in August, with an incoming class of more than 500 students in grades Pre-K through 6.
New campuses from the University of Houston and Houston Community College are expanding the number of higher education options offered close to Elyson. These facilities offer state-of-the-art buildings for the ultimate student experience, with programs tailored to the community’s needs.
Elyson ranks among the Top 10 MPCs in Texas for home sales in a new report from RCLCO, and among the Top 50 nationwide. Elyson’s growth is bringing new schools, shopping, recreational amenities and more. See what’s coming in our blog.
Pulte is now selling its new Villas Series in an Elyson neighborhood that’s close to Lakeside Landing, a new community center opening next year. It is also near three new Katy ISD schools planned to open in 2023 and 2024.
Our biggest amenity, Elyson Commons at Bear Creek, is a place where Elyson comes together, with 145 acres of fun and activities including sports fields, a dog park, an outdoor fitness center, and a Wildflower Trail meandering through open natural space.
Located on a 26-acre campus in Elyson, Harmony School of Excellence – Katy is on track to open in August, welcoming students in Pre-K through Grade 6 to an innovative STEM-focused, tuition-free campus. An expansion that will accommodate students up to Grade 12 is already being planned.
Water will be a major attraction for Lakeside Landing at Elyson, which will have two swimming pools, stream gardens, a serenity pond and lake views. Opening in late 2023, this major new amenity will also have a community building, fitness center, event lawn and much more.
The founder of Strongbird Fitness Katy, Katie Comer is a certified fitness instructor who leads several exercise classes a week at Elyson, emphasizing corrective exercises in a stroller friendly environment.
Perry Homes is now selling a new modern design collection that is exclusive to Elyson on the west side of Houston. Priced from the high $600Ks, this series combines Prairie-style architecture with open, flowing interiors.
Rebekah and Leo Torres got the keys to their new Elyson home on Leo’s 8th birthday, becoming two of the first residents in Chesmar’s Town Square Collection neighborhood. See how this innovative new series checked a lot of boxes for the Torres family.
From group fitness classes like aqua aerobics, bootcamp and yoga, to indoor and outdoor fitness centers, Elyson has a growing number of ways for residents of all ages and abilities to keep fit and stay social all year long.
Many exciting things are in store for Elyson in 2022, including a Target-anchored shopping center, the first phase of a K-12 charter school campus, and much more. Before we get too far into the new year, we wanted to take a look back at 2021, another year of amazing growth for Elyson.
Featuring modern design inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and Prairie style architecture, Taylor Morrison’s new Darling Modernist Collection at Elyson has options for Houston’s diverse population, including spice kitchens and dual primary suites. Sales begin Dec. 4 for this limited collection, with all homes offered on waterfront homesites.
A high-performing system of public charter schools focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, Harmony Public Schools plans to create a K-12 campus at Elyson. The elementary school will open in 2022, with a middle and high school building to follow.
Now being created around a 90-acre lake about 10 miles from Elyson, the Katy Boardwalk District plans to unveil a new design later this fall. Announcement of the first dining, shopping and entertainment tenants coming in early 2022.
Katy ISD’s Paetow High School has received its first Niche grade since it opened in 2017, and it’s an A. Zoned to Elyson, this thriving high school also earned an A for Teachers and an A+ for Diversity.
As we celebrate our 5th birthday, Elyson is a thriving community of more than 1,700 families, with a track record of promises kept and exciting new developments such as a 145-acre park and a Target-anchored shopping center coming soon.
Now home to over 1,700 families, Elyson has a growing number of social groups that have become an important part of our neighborly lifestyle. Residents of every age and gender can find a group to share their interests and make new friends.
Relocating from Singapore, the Cabaddu family did all their home shopping online, choosing Elyson for our highly rated Katy ISD schools and proximity to Texas A&M. Now that they’ve settled into their new Pulte home, they also love Elyson’s trail system.
Katy ISD is the No. 1 Best School District in the Houston Area in the 2022 Niche rankings. Stockdick Junior High and Paetow High also have some impressive report cards, receiving their first Niche grades since both opened in 2017.
From the spiral staircase in its rotunda foyer, to the beamed cathedral ceiling in its family room, the Haven model from Westin Homes has lots of details you wouldn’t expect to see in a home priced from the high $300Ks. See more features to love at our blog.
Most of us begin and end our day in the bathroom, so why shouldn’t this room offer a serene spa-like environment? You can see the latest bathroom trends in the 14 fully furnished model homes at Elyson. They’re filled with exciting – or should we say relaxing? – possibilities.
Breathtaking rotunda foyers with spiral staircases are a signature feature for Westin Homes. Their new model home in Elyson, the Preston III, raises this reputation to new heights.
Coming to Elyson this fall, the Town Square Collection by Chesmar Homes will offer a new approach to home design on the edge of a 145-acre park crisscrossed by trails and wildflower meadows. Priced from the high $200Ks, the Town Square Collection will include seven two- and three-story plans. Elyson will be the first community in Texas to offer this collection of detached, single-family homes.
Flex rooms have become fairly common, but some of Elyson’s new model homes go far beyond the choice of a study or extra bedroom. Multigenerational suites, fitness rooms and wine rooms are just a few of the choices now available to homebuyers.
Now open in Elyson, Magnolia Preparatory Academy has a unique vision that prioritizes outside time over screen time, along with curriculum that prepares students to thrive at Katy ISD schools.
Walls are the workhorses of home design, providing the backdrop for art, furniture and accessories. But who says walls have to be plain-Jane? Certainly not our builders at Elyson, whose 14 beautifully furnished models have walls that wow us with color, graphics, texture and function.
For the young students at Elyson’s Magnolia Preparatory Academy, rainy days mean playing outside with mud pies, sliding down the hill, splashing in puddles and even learning about worms. See how this unique nature-focused school turns wet weather into opportunities for building skills and teaching real world lessons.
Everyone loves a grand entrance, and there are plenty of breathtaking foyers to be admired in the newest model homes at Elyson. Many models also include everyday entrances from the garage, with an emphasis on convenience and functionality. No need to choose – you can often have both.
Perry Homes has three new models in Elyson, and Design 3791 represents its largest and most luxurious design collection in our community. Here are 10 things we love about this five-bedroom model, showcasing plans priced from the mid $500Ks on 65-foot-wide homesites.
Now open in a scenic Elyson neighborhood with views of trails and natural open space, Beazer’s two Duets model homes showcase low-maintenance living with complete exterior maintenance and full yard care provided.
We love sliding barn doors, especially when they pull apart to reveal an incredible feature like the wine room in Highland’s new Plan 540 model home in Elyson. From the family room fireplace to the outdoor living area, there’s much more to love about this open one-story model.
If you love modern home design but also want all the advantages of living in a master-planned community, then come see Taylor Morrison’s new Bordeaux model home in Elyson. Totally contemporary both inside and out, it’s one of 12 fully furnished models in Elyson’s new Model Home Village.
Ultimate Gray is Pantone’s 2021 Color of the Year, and Perry’s new Design 2737 model home in Elyson is the ultimate showcase of endless ways to use gray on everything from sliding barn doors to a fun elephant-themed nursery.
A “super pantry” big enough for a second fridge and bulk storage is one of several post-pandemic refinements requested by homebuyers and now offered by Pulte.
From the two-story family room to the home office, there’s a lot to love in Chesmar’s new San Francisco model home in Elyson, showcasing plans priced from the $300Ks. Here are our 10 favorite things about this spacious four-bedroom model.
Priced from the low $300Ks, Lennar’s new Magnolia Collection offers homes so complete, only one feature shown in their new Bennett model home is not included in the base price. And because this is Elyson, you also get a lifestyle that includes a planned 750 acres of parks, trails and natural open space.
The pandemic has changed how we live today, with more of us wanting to work, exercise and socialize more from home. With 15 structural options allowing homebuyers to add everything from a home gym to a pet spa, Highland’s new Plan 216 model in Elyson meets this moment.
With a home office, covered patio and mudroom, Perry’s Plan 1984W model home in Elyson checks all the boxes for what many homebuyers want. It showcases a collection of Perry plans priced from the $400Ks in Elyson.
Elyson has 12 new model homes and we’re sharing our favorite things about each of them. In this blog, we look at Chesmar’s Medina model home. With options including a home office and extended outdoor living area, this 5-bedroom plan is right on trend with what homebuyers want today.
Opening in late 2021, Elyson Commons at Bear Creek will be a place where Elyson comes together, with 145 acres of amenities including sports fields, a dog park, an outdoor training park, a playground and a Wildflower Trail meandering through open natural space.
When we found out that one of our newest residents, Natalie Cook Clark, is a Katy native who has written for Katy Magazine for 13 years, we invited her to chronicle her family’s journey from Katy to the Middle East and back to Katy and Elyson again. We love the Clark family’s story, and we hope you do too!
When the winter storm damaged a family’s home in a nearby community, the Sewell family of Elyson responded with a marathon breadmaking fundraiser that quickly won widespread support from their Elyson neighbors.
As real estate professionals, Mike Totten and Mike Elgoher are so familiar with the Houston market, they could have chosen to live anywhere. The fact that they both decided to build new homes in Elyson says a lot about their confidence in the community’s long-term future.
When Rick and Bobbye LaFont decided to move back to Katy, it was only natural that they started their home search with their daughter-in-law Alexandra, who sells in Elyson and is Pulte’s No. 1 sales professional in Houston.
Complete exterior maintenance, including front and back yard care, is included with these homes, offered in a new Elyson neighborhood with views of trails and natural open space.
Elyson’s homebuilders sold 497 new homes in 2020, vaulting Elyson into the ranks of the nation’s 50 top-selling master-planned communities. And that’s just the beginning of the positive news from 2020.
Every student and staff member at Elyson’s McElwain Elementary belongs to one of six Houses, inspired by Harry Potter and designed to promote character development and a positive school culture.
“Newland continues to move the sustainable initiative forward with projects such as Elyson,” Green Builder wrote in its announcement. This national award for Elyson follows the magazine’s selection of Newland as its Developer of the Year for 2019.
“Back to normal” is the top takeaway from the 2021 housing forecast from the National Association of Realtors. In this blog, we look at how 5 local and national trends will affect homebuyers. The news is mainly positive for those who are ready to buy.
“We have a community that goes out of its way to create a welcoming environment, even during a pandemic,” said Elyson resident Michael T. Jackson. Read how Elyson quickly adapted to social distancing and kept its fun and neighborly vibe going throughout the pandemic.
A little more dirt and a lot less screen time will be priorities at Magnolia Preparatory Academy, opening in Elyson in 2021 and now enrolling. Academic readiness will also be a focus of this new school, owned by former teacher Jennifer Radulovic and her husband, Petar.
Proving it’s never too late to stop renting and become a homeowner, James Clark bought his first home shortly before he planned to retire. Along the way, he became Elyson’s 1,000th homeowner.
Elyson residents participated in the 2020 Walk To End Alzheimer's and raised over $2,600. The walk was held virtually this year so residents were able to utilize the Elyson trail system for their walk.
Designed to put the adventure back in play, Timber Grove Park will have a hillside slide and a playscape with natural timbers. Opening in Spring 2021, it will also have shady areas to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
Complete exterior maintenance, including front and back yard care, is included with these homes, offered in a new Elyson neighborhood with views of trails and natural open space.
“Building Our Foundation” is the theme for the first year of programs from the PTA at McElwain Elementary, Elyson’s first onsite Katy ISD school. Programs will focus on six initiatives, including Inclusion, Acceptance and School Spirit; STEAM and others.
With members from as close as Katy and as far away as Ghana, the inaugural PTA board for McElwain Elementary School is as diverse as Elyson itself. Meet the first-year PTA board members for Elyson’s first Katy ISD school.
School uniform items and new or gently used clothing in all sizes and genders will be collected during Elyson’s second annual Back-to-School Clothing Drive with Katy-based Clothed by Faith. The drive is August 3-4 at Elyson House.
With 46 new homes sold in June 2020, Elyson’s homebuilders set a new monthly record. First-time buyers helped builders break the previous record, which was set just the month before.
After Stephen and Rina Schuler decided they wanted to live in Elyson, they settled on Pulte’s San Marcos, which had never been built in Houston before. A fun weekend trip to Dallas allowed them to walk through the San Marcos and conclude “we absolutely love it.”
“The human-animal bond is very special,” says Dr. Bethany Smith, DVM, who plans to open Elyson Animal Hospital this summer. It will be a full-service practice, with extra care and expertise for pets who may be anxious about visiting the vet.
Just as Taylor Morrison opened its new model home in Elyson, BUILDER magazine selected the company as their 2020 Builder of the Year. BUILDER’s decision was largely based on a corporate culture that is “fanatically focused and energetically joined together on customer care and delight.”
Clara Yoo and Johnson Cheng are excited about the grand opening of their new business, Elyson Family Dental, this summer. This husband-and-wife team of dentists is also looking for a new home in Elyson.
Across the nation, homebuilders are reporting increased sales to Millennials. That’s definitely true at Elyson, where young homebuyers such as Olivia and Jeremy Hopkins, and Nigel Ndimande, are confidently looking to the future after purchasing their first new homes.
With lower interest rates, homes in Houston have reached a level of affordability not seen since 2013, according to Meyers Research. Lower rates add up to a “price cut equivalent” of nearly $20,000 for Houston homebuyers.
From NYPD officer to home remodeler to Houston real estate agent, Rio Diaz has thrived in several careers. One of his newest interests is creating a time-lapse video as his family’s new home takes shape in Elyson.
Opening in May in Elyson, Taylor Morrison’s new Bordeaux model home will showcase modern style priced from the low $300,000s. This flexible and contemporary design collection is offered in a gated, lakeside neighborhood near parks, trails and Elyson House.
Elyson is still young as communities go, and we’re already building a tradition of giving back. In the past year, we’ve partnered with local charities and our residents have volunteered to provide meals, toys, clothing and more. More charitable activities are planned as 2020 unfolds.
As district architect/planner for Katy ISD, Peter McElwain oversaw the design and construction of more than 40 schools and other facilities in his 19-year career. Elyson’s Peter H. McElwain Elementary School, opening in August, holds a special place in his heart.
From decorating lunch bags for kids in need, to virtually enjoying the Houston Zoo and institutions around the world, here are some fun and easy ideas for keeping kids engaged from an expert on the subject, Elyson’s Lifestyle Director – and mother of two – Kelly.
The well-being of our residents and guests is our priority. We're postponing community events in the immediate future and temporarily closing our welcome center. Our model homes remain open and are available for in-person or virtual tours.
Euberta Lucas, principal of Peter McElwain Elementary, envisions a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for Elyson’s first Katy ISD school, along with core values that stress academics, achievement and the whole child.
Nearly 250,000 people work in Houston’s energy industry, accounting for 1 in 3 oil and gas extraction jobs nationwide. How did Houston become the Energy Capital of the World, and where do Houstonians work in the city’s ever-evolving energy industry? Our blog will make you an oil boom expert in minutes.
From working out solo at our fitness center, to enjoying a group class like Water Aerobics Boot Camp, Elyson offers many ways for our residents to stay healthy and connected. Healthy eating at Elyson Café is also part of the regimen.
With Millennials now the largest group of homebuyers, their strong preference for open-concept living is changing the way homebuilders are designing new homes. In Elyson’s model homes, you can see some of the latest ideas for open-concept living, where the once closed-off dining room is now part of the kitchen and family area.
The first phase of the much-anticipated Katy Boardwalk District is now under way, with Katy’s first full-service hotel and conference center planned to open in mid-2021. Shopping, dining and entertainment are also coming to this mixed-use district, centered around a 90-acre lake and nature preserve.
For 2020, consumers are tiring of stark grays and looking for colors that delight the senses. Blue is the easiest possible entry point from the world of neutrals to the world of color, so maybe that’s why blues are all the rage for this year’s Color of the Year selections from leading paint companies and color experts.
From the HOA to the title company, lots of players get involved when you buy a new home. Your builder sales consultant and real estate agent will usually handle most of the interactions, but it’s still a good idea to know who’s who and who does what.
Shopping for a new home doesn’t have to be an overwhelming experience, especially if you break it down into 5 easy must-do tips for finding the perfect plan and community.
With 1,000 people moving to Texas every day, many new residents may not realize how popular master-planned communities (MPCs) are in the Lone Star State. In fact, many newcomers may not have ever even heard of an MPC. Not to worry – our blog will make you an MPC insider in just a couple of minutes.
Good news for homebuyers: a new report Houston’s housing market ranks as one of the top 10 in the U.S. for growth and stability, with 174% growth in home values between 1994 and 2018.
For 2020, our floorcast sees five main trends in flooring for new homes. These include realistic wood-look flooring in ceramic, laminate and other easy-care materials, along with new choices in waterproof flooring, textured looks and personalized patterns.
We love all of our residents at Elyson, but we wanted to focus this blog on four residents who are also professional real estate agents. With their depth of knowledge about the local new home market, their reasons for choosing Elyson might help other families as they go about making this important life decision.
Elyson students attend Paetow High School, the only Katy ISD high school to offer a midday Power Hour, where students enjoy the freedom to pursue academic and social interests during the lunch hour.
So you’re getting close to buying a new home – congratulations! After finding the perfect community, builder and home, your next question might be: what kind of new home loan is right for me? Our blog post explains the three most common types of loans.
For a three-year-old, Elyson has already accomplished a lot, including welcoming nearly 800 families who now call us home. See how we’ve grown since we welcomed our first residents in 2016.
To help make sure you don’t miss any opportunities to get in on Christmas cheer in the Katy area around Elyson, we’ve created this list of holiday highlights.
With dramatic design features including a spiral staircase and a family room with a 19-foot ceiling, Perry’s new Design 3791 model home showcasing its largest and most luxurious plans offered in Elyson.
“Unexpected repairs” is the No. 1 homeowner regret, followed by undesirable finishes, too much yard work, and unlikeable neighbors. Elyson has an easy fix for each of these regrets. Plus, find out what homebuyers don’t regret at all.
Marc Simpson bought his own new Perry home in Elyson before he became a Perry sales consultant in the community. He and his family only planned to stay in Elyson for a couple of years at most, but they have come to love it so much here, they’ve decided to settle in for the long term.
Apartment rents in the Houston area are expected to rise in 2020.With new homes priced from the low $200,000s, Elyson offers the opportunity to avoid rent increases, lock in a historically low interest rate, and start building equity.
Showcasing new plans priced from the high $200,000s, Pulte’s new Mansfield model home in Elyson has lots of design features to love. Here are eight of our favorites.
A former preschool teacher, resident Zoey Marco started the Mommy & Me group at Elyson to provide weekly educational and social opportunities for the community’s youngest residents and their moms.
Nearly half of renters regret not buying, and even more regret not building equity. Other major regrets include no private outdoor living space, limits on pet ownership and unlikeable neighbors. These regrets are all easy fixes at Elyson, offering new homes priced from the low $200,000s at a time when interest rates are under 4%.
Students at Elyson thrive in our highly regarded Katy ISD schools. For an added boost, our builders offer many student-friendly features, from launch rooms to help everyone get out the door in the morning, to homework centers for afterschool ambitions.
If you’re thinking about moving to Houston, these 10 things to know will help you get the lay of our land, which is larger than New Jersey, btw. Some might surprise you, such as the fact that Houston is home to the world’s largest medical center, and we eat out more and give more to charity than just about any other city. Read on, and welcome to Houston.
Bethke Elementary School, one of the highly regarded Katy ISD schools serving Elyson, has earned an overall A rating from Niche, a respected school review website. Opened in 2017, Bethke has gained recognition for innovative programs including Bison Time and its Learning Garden.
Katy ISD is the only one of the 10 largest school districts in Texas to receive an A rating from the Texas Education Agency. It is also ranked as the No. 1 Best School District in the Houston Area by Niche.
Perry Homes has opened two new model homes showcasing new plans priced from the $270,000s in Elyson. These plans are offered in new neighborhoods close to two exciting new amenities opening in 2020 – a Katy ISD elementary school and a community park with a splash pad.
One of the highly regarded Katy ISD schools serving Elyson, Paetow High School earned six of the seven possible Distinction Designations given by the Texas Education Agency in its 2019 ratings.
“The back-to-the-city trend has reversed,” said a leading demographer in a Wall Street Journal report on how young homebuyers are flocking to the suburbs for a better lifestyle and more affordable home prices.
For parents who’ve ever wondered exactly where their child’s school bus is at, there’s now an app for that – at least for parents of students in the highly regarded Katy Independent School District serving Elyson. Our blog has info on how to download and use this free app.
If you’re new to Houston or thinking about relocating here, you might be wondering, “Where do Houstonians work?” Like most big cities, Houston has several major employment centers outside of the traditional downtown core. Some, like the Energy Corridor and Texas Medical Center, reflect Houston’s unique dominance in energy and healthcare.
We’re used to hearing that Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, but the Greater Houston Partnership has identified more than 50 areas where Houston ranks No. 1 and No. 2, such as the nation’s “best city for Millennials” and “most diverse city.”
Having long outgrown their 10-year-old Katy home and its lone upstairs bathroom for three kids, the Mena family created a list of “musts” and “wants” to help them find the perfect new home in their price range. With 5 bedrooms and 5.5 baths, their new Elyson home has plenty of room for everyone.
Elyson is partnering with Katy-based Clothed by Faith to collect new or gently used clothing on Mon., Aug. 5 and Tues., Aug. 6. With the new school year coming up, it’s the perfect time to clean out your closets and help those in need. Clothed by Faith’s “roaming closet” truck will be parked in the Elyson House parking lot to accept donations.
Two beautiful new model homes by Highland Homes are the latest in Elyson’s “Here’s To New” series of exciting new arrivals. Tour these new model homes and see what else is coming, from new amenities to a new onsite Katy ISD elementary school.
If you’re new to the Houston area, or you’ve been doing some research to prepare for a move, you may keep hearing about the Grand Parkway. Here’s a quick introduction to the longest highway loop in the U.S., and how it’s connecting thriving communities like Elyson to destinations throughout the greater Houston region.
Elyson’s third annual Back to Cool event is set for Saturday, August 17. It’s free, and everyone is invited to come out and enjoy waterslides, paddleboats, food trucks and more as we welcome a new year in our highly regarded Katy ISD schools.
Kindness Rocks hidden around the grounds of Elyson House were the first project of Elyson’s Teen Club, keeping kids active this summer with activities including a bike ride, board game night and water gun fight.
A fun-filled splash pad and playground will highlight Elyson’s newest park, planned to open this fall. Lakeside trails, large trees and shade structures will add to the year ‘round appeal of this new amenity.
The average interest rate for a 30-year mortgage recently fell below 4%, prompting the financial advice website Bankrate to call it an “unexpected gift” for borrowers. Low interest rates are just part of an overall positive outlook for today’s homebuyers.
“I wish I’d known that before….” is something we often say to ourselves, especially after making a major purchase or decision. If you’re thinking about buying a home, here are 10 things you’ll be glad you knew in advance – from myths about finance to avoiding neighborhood regret.
Where are Millennials moving? To Houston, more than any other city in the U.S., according to an analysis of the Census Bureau’s most recent migration data. Houston has welcomed a net 74,000 young adults ages 25 to 34 in the past five years.
We almost don’t want the word to get about these hidden gem Katy restaurants located close Elyson. On the other hand, we love to share, and one of these under-the-radar finds just might hit the spot when you’re looking for something close to home. Here are our favorites, in no particular order.
From weekly fitness classes to community-wide parties, events and activities are a big part of life at Elyson. Meet Kelly Jones, Elyson’s Lifestyle Director, and see what’s coming up for the rest of 2019.
It’s loquat season in the Houston area, and the loquat trees in Elyson’s community orchards are just starting to produce this delicious fruit. Here are some easy ways to use loquats in cooking, or just eat them right off the tree.
Houston ranks as the most buyer-friendly city in Texas, and among the Top 10 most buyer-friendly cities in the United States, according to a new report from Zillow.
If yours is one of the 80 million households in America with a dog, you may have thought about moving up to a new home and community, with a nice backyard and miles of trails for Fido to enjoy. Here 6 reasons why Elyson is a great community for dogs and their people.
Come to Elyson’s Afternoon Concert on the Green on Sunday, May 5, for live music by Nervous Rex, along with lawn games, face painting, balloon art and cool treats. It’s free and everyone’s invited!
Pulte’s new Terrace Series includes pocket offices, mud benches, flex spaces and many more thoughtful features designed for the way families live today. The neighborhood is within walking distance of Elyson’s new Katy ISD elementary school, opening in 2020.
Sometimes we get the feeling we’d like a change of scenery, but how do you know when it’s really time to move? Here are 8 signs to think about, from feeling like you need more (or less) space, to wanting better schools for the kids.
One of Katy ISD's best-kept secrets is the Miller Career & Technology Center, which offers specialized career and technology programs for students. It's also a place where you can dine, get your car serviced, enjoy a salon experience, and pamper your pet.
Elyson’s first educational childcare center, Kiddie Academy of Elyson, has broken ground and is on track to open in July 2019. Pre-enrollment is now under way.
Showcasing homes priced from the mid $200,000s, Westin’s new Elyson model home shows how some of today’s most affordable homes include design features like rotunda foyers, spiral staircase and covered patios.
For empty nesters launching an exciting new chapter of life, Elyson has gated patio homes and easy-living one-story floor plans. Elyson also offers a growing lineup for social activities and fitness classes for adults.
It's said that the best reason for buying an existing home instead of a new one is that you can move into an existing home immediately. Did you know that Elyson's builders maintain a wide selection of homes ready for quick move-in, so you can enjoy all the advantages of living in a brand-new home?
For three weekends beginning March 23, Elyson’s Spring Model Home Tour will showcase 15 beautifully furnished model homes priced from the low $200,000s to $700,000s, along with snacks, sips and home tips.
It’s said that compromise is key to every successful relationship. Elyson’s location between I-10 West and U.S. Highway 290 West is attracting a growing number of “split-commute” couples who work both north and south of I-10.
Some myths are great, but others need to be debunked, especially if they keep you from achieving an important life goal, like buying your first home. Let our quiz help you learn the facts and get on the road to homeownership.
Katy is known far as wide as a great place to live because of our great schools, thriving economy, and desirable communities like Elyson. Did you know that Katy also has plenty of fun activities for every member of the family? Here are our Top 10 picks.
Houston Community College is building a 24-acre campus near the Katy Freeway and Grand Parkway. HCC’s campus is located near the University of Houston’s Katy campus, opening this fall. Between both, students will be able to pursue four-year undergraduate and post-graduate study near Elyson.
More than 90 acres of water and nature will be part of the new Katy Boardwalk District, located about 10 miles from Elyson. Construction starts this year on this mixed-use development, which will include a lake, a nature preserve and miles of walking paths.
Katy ISD is highly regarded for its K-12 education, and rightfully so. Did you know that Katy ISD also offers lifelong learning opportunities for adults, with classes on everything from cake decorating and dancing, to stock market fundamentals and foreign languages?
Among all the decisions involved in choosing a new home, should you consider which direction it will face? Here are a few things to think about, from environmental, cultural and other perspectives.
Moving to a new city and community can be hard, especially if it means leaving your old friends behind and having to find new ones. Communities like Elyson have amenities and activities designed to foster friendships, and that’s often borne out by our residents’ experiences.
When they found out they would be relocating from Baton Rouge to Houston, Carolina Pelaez and Javier Parra experienced several strokes of good luck that led them to Elyson and the perfect new home, ready exactly when they needed it.
A growing number of young couples are choosing Elyson for its highly regarded Katy ISD schools, even before they have kids. See the benefits of settling into a strong school district, whether you’ve yet to have kids, or your kids are already out of school.
Chesmar’s new San Francisco model home in Elyson showcases a new collection of floor plans priced from the $220,000s to $260,00s, with designer features such as dramatic soaring ceilings, flexible floor plan options and covered patios.
Elyson’s forecast for 2019 is full fun. From movies and concerts on the event lawn, to more fitness classes, there’s something for residents of all ages. Some of the biggest events are open to the public, providing visitors with a great opportunity to discover Elyson’s active, neighborly vibe.
Whether it’s a huge spectacle like the Super Bowl, or a long-awaited movie finally available for streaming, there’s nothing like quality viewing time to bring family and friends together. It’s even better when you can enjoy it in a media room like these showcased in Elyson’s model homes.
Houston Agent magazine is aimed at real estate agents, and there’s also plenty for homebuyers to learn in its recent in-depth profile of Elyson and Newland.
Empty nesters are a growing force in today's new home market, and builders are taking notice, designing plans that enhance and celebrate the newfound opportunities that come at this stage of life. Here are 6 features from Elyson's new patio home collection that are perfect for empty nesters.
Several leading paint companies have announced their 2019 Colors of the Year, pointing to the trends we can expect to see in everything from interior walls to furniture and accessories. Here are 4 fresh hues to think about when decorating or dreaming.
Westin Homes is known for its impressive two-story foyers with curved staircases and rotunda ceilings. These grand foyers will also be offered in Westin’s new collection of home in Elyson, at prices from the mid $200,000s.
Home sales hit a new record in 2018, according to the Houston Association of Realtors. For 2019, a lack of inventory is the biggest concern citywide. That’s not the case at Elyson, where a great selection of new homes is available in all price ranges.
“Need more space” is one of the top reasons people decide to move to a new home. Here are 5 new home plans at Elyson that offer more space in every part of the home.
With Houston rising as one of the nation’s top housing markets in 2019, this could be the year to become a homeowner instead of a renter. Check out the pros and cons, along with a “Rent or Buy?” calculator from the National Association of Realtors.
From drop zones to laundry loops, today’s new homes are filled with thoughtful features that help make life more convenient and productive for every member of the family. See 6 timesaving features you can find at Elyson.
Elyson’s flagship amenity offers many outdoor activities for residents to enjoy year ‘round, from fun on the playground and event lawn, to enjoying the cozy fireplace on the patio. That makes it a perfect fit for Houston’s mild winters and hot summers.
Elyson offers a growing variety of new home styles, including patio homes. In this blog, we offer a helpful definition of a patio home, along with some tips for deciding if this style of home is right for you.
Students at Katy ISD’s Bethke Elementary School love their weekly Bison Time, where they get to do what they love, creating products and services that will benefit the community.
From the kid’s menu at Elyson Café, to Story Time and outdoor movies at Elyson House, there are countless reasons kids love living at Elyson. Here are the Top 10.
For any mom or dad who’s ever had to scramble because their teen got locked out of the house, or complains the Wi-Fi doesn’t work in their room, the latest new-home technologies offered by Elyson’s homebuilders are a parent’s best friend.
All three of the Katy ISD schools serving Elyson students in grades K-12 have been recognized as “2018 Schools Transforming Learning” by the Principals’ Institute. Watch a video the students created themselves to win this honor.
One thing we hear over and over from Elyson residents is how quickly they make new friends here, and how they soon discover a feeling of “community” that had eluded them in their previous neighborhoods. Meet a few Elyson residents who say they’ve never felt more at home.
Joe Lee says Elyson has something he’s never felt before in any place he’s lived: a genuine sense of community. That feeling makes Elyson the perfect choice for Joe and his mother, Sun.
While the second floor is still the most popular location for media rooms, a growing number of homebuilders are offering plans with downstairs media rooms. Some families find this layout promotes more togetherness.
Finally, a study has confirmed what we all suspected: people spend much more time in family rooms and kitchens than in formal areas. See how Elyson’s homebuilders are designing new homes for the way people live today.
“Neighborhood regret” is a real thing experienced by more than one-third of recent homebuyers, according to a recent study from Trulia. Here are 4 ways can avoid wishing they had chosen a different neighborhood.
One of three highly regarded Katy ISD schools serving Elyson, Stockdick Junior High is one of only 31 elite Texas schools named a “2018 Schools Transforming Learning” campus by the Principals’ Institute.
When the Ferguson family moved to Elyson from another community in the Cy-Fair area, they not only increased their square footage. They got a new lifestyle they love, with amenities like Elyson House and highly regarded Katy ISD schools.
After school, many Elyson students head to Elyson House for the free Wi-Fi and game room activities. Parents love the fact that kids have a fun place to hang out and complete homework on weekday afternoons.
From getting more square footage for your money, to enrolling the kids in highly rated schools, here are 5 ways that suburban living is better than living in town.
No matter what time of the year company comes, today’s new homes offer guest suites that are thoughtfully designed to provide everyone with space, privacy, and enough bathrooms.
After he was flooded out of his old home in the Memorial area, retired teacher Randy Kilpatrick wanted to find a new home close to his friends, church and life in West Houston. With its easy access to I-10 West, Elyson fit the bill.
Updated annually, the Builder 100 list ranks the nation’s top-selling homebuilders. We’re proud to announce that every Elyson builder is included on the new 2018 list.
The lakeside fire pit in Elyson’s newest park got us thinking about the ways to enjoy a cozy fire this season, whether it’s at a park or in your own backyard. Here are the top 6 ideas we found.
Getting a homestead tax exemption for 2019 is one of 5 great reasons to choose a home ready for immediate move-in home in Elyson this fall. Here are 4 more reasons why you don't want to wait.
How do you take the best family photos, especially when you have small kids? As a professional photographer and mom to three, Elyson resident Ashlie Cook offers some easy tips.
Elyson is proud to be zoned to Katy ISD’s Paetow High School, which earned 3 distinctions in the latest TEA accountability ratings. Katy ISD was also a standout, as one of only 4 Houston area school districts receiving an A rating.
Westin’s new one- and two-story floor plans in Elyson build on its reputation for grand entrances, with double front doors, soaring rotunda foyers and breathtaking spiral staircases.
Elyson’s new entrance at Grand Parkway and FM 529 is beautiful, echoing the Frank Lloyd Wright inspired architecture of Elyson House. It’s also a monument to Elyson’s convenient location, which offers the best of Katy and Cy-Fair.
What does a HOA, or Home Owners Association, do? Why is it a good idea to have one? In this blog, we demystify the role of HOAs and explain how they help create a vibrant lifestyle and protect home investment in new and established communities.
Since moving to a new home in Elyson, the Brown family has cut their energy bills in half and enjoyed many events and amenities their old neighborhood lacked. But Elyson’s highly regarded Katy ISD schools were the main reason for this family’s move.
While most community pools in the Houston area close after Labor Day, Elyson’s big pool is open for year’ round swimming. It’s unheated, but residents can take advantage of the Houston area’s many mild days outside of the summer swim season.
Katy is well known as a great place to raise kids, and a new study ranks Katy as the No. 1 city in Texas to retire. That makes Elyson a great place to live close to the grandkids, so you can spoil them all the time.
Elyson’s newest model home showcases patio home living from Drees Custom Homes, in the community’s first gated neighborhood. We’re so excited, we’re spotlighting 5 more features we love from all of Elyson’s model homes.
Elyson is a place for growing trees as well as growing families. Our two tree farms are growing about 9,000 oaks, elms and other species that will be used to beautify our streets and the more than 750 acres of parks, trails and open space in our master plan.
With most of us entering our homes through the garage, builders have turned what used to be a Plain Jane secondary entrance into a family-friendly portal with storage, seating and easy laundry access.
For the many homebuyers who prefer one-story floor plans, Elyson offers more than 75 single-level homes plans to be built, ranging from approximately 1,400 to more than 3,500 square feet. Many of our fully furnished model homes and quick move-in homes also feature one-story designs.
Known for its education-based approach to child care, Kiddie Academy will be located next to the site of a future Katy ISD elementary school in Elyson.
For tips on creating healthy school lunches that your kids will love to eat, we turned to the Houston Moms blog for these easy and affordable tips and recipes.
One of the first steps in determining how much home you can afford is to understand what makes up your monthly mortgage payment. Our new video makes it easy.
Think master-planned communities offer only expensive homes? Think again, because Elyson offers new homes priced from the low $200,000s, with benefits including highly regarded Katy ISD schools, year ‘round lifestyle events, and 750+ acres of recreational amenities and natural open spaces.
From outdoor living areas to dramatic wall and ceiling treatments, here are our 10 favorite design features in Drees Custom Homes’ new Brynlee II model home, now open in Elyson’s first gated neighborhood.
The Katy Independent School District has earned an A accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency, and all of the Katy ISD schools serving Elyson earned the highest possible campus ratings.
In addition to 750 acres of amenities and natural open spaces inside Elyson, our residents enjoy thousands of acres of parks, sports fields and more, all within an 8-mile radius. Let our infographic be your guide to fresh air and green space near Elyson.
A new study ranks Katy as the No. 1 city in Texas to retire, thanks to its abundance of healthcare and recreational opportunities. With more new-home choices for retirees, Elyson is a great Katy community to consider.
With Houston’s housing market shattering sales records, inventory is tight across the city. At Elyson, you can find more than 30 new homes ready for quick move-in, from the low $200,000s to $700,000s.
Elyson is only a few miles away from all kinds of grocery stores and restaurants, and for even more convenience, a growing number of grocery stores are offering curbside pickup for groceries, prepared foods and other goods.
Does your dream home include sitting on your back patio looking out at the water? When it comes to new homes with water views, Elyson offers several choices for lakeside living from 5 award-winning builders.
Nursing, subsea engineering, and arts & sciences will be among the programs offered at UH Katy, located at the northeast corner of Grand Parkway and I-10.
A recent first-time homebuyer himself, Realtor (and Elyson resident) Tyler Knowles understands misconceptions and obstacles that can keep fellow Millennials from becoming homeowners. With these 7 tips from Tyler, everyone can be ready to find and finance the home of their dreams.
When searching for a new home, it’s good to be aware of IAQ, or Indoor Air Quality, and the health and comfort offered by fresh air management, low-VOC and other features in today’s new homes.
After living at Elyson for just two months, the Horton family says they’ve already made more new friends than in the five years they lived in their old neighborhood.
We hear a lot about home automation, but exactly what does it mean? How can it improve your life, and how can you integrate it into your home? Here are 5 benefits of automating your home.
It’s hot outside, but fortunately there are plenty of cool indoor activities for kids in the Katy area. Elyson is only a few miles from mega-fun complexes offering laser tag, rock climbing, golf, Segway racing and much more, all in cool climate-controlled environments.
EFL, short of Environments for Living, is one of the homebuilding industry’s most widespread energy efficiency programs. One of their key benefits is guaranteed monthly heating and cooling usage.
With open floor plans more popular than ever, builders are getting very creative in providing storage spaces to keep clutter out of sight. See 7 innovative ways builders are adding storage space that’s both out-of-the-way and convenient.
From building equity, to building your new tribe of friends and neighbors, there are almost countless reasons why it’s better to own a home than rent. Here are 13 of them.
Looking over our Top 6 blogs from the first half of 2018, it’s easy to see that our readers love news about home design trends and the highly regarded public schools serving Elyson. In case you missed any of these blogs, we’ve rounded them up for you.
Whether it’s hot or cold outside, today’s new homes are engineered to offer the latest in energy efficiency technology, including guaranteed monthly heating and cooling costs, and home automation features that can help you save money even when you’re not home.
Realtor and Elyson resident Tyler Knowles uses lessons from his own experience as a first-time homebuyer to help others understand the rewards and overcome the challenges of becoming a homeowner for the first time.
Bocce ball will be one of the activities available in Elyson’s newest park, opening this fall. To get ready, here are 10 fun facts about a sport that’s surpassed in global popularity only by soccer and golf.
MUDs, or Municipal Utility Districts, are a uniquely Texan way for developing new communities, and they have a lot to do with the relative affordability of housing in the Lone Star State. Many don't really understand MUDs. Our infographic will take the mystery out.
Pecans, plums and figs are among the fruits and nuts that Elyson residents can pick to enjoy at the community’s orchards, sprinkled throughout the community’s 3,642-acre master plan.
When it is completed this fall, our new entrance will be a monument to Elyson’s active, amenity-rich lifestyle, and the convenience of a location that offers the best of both Katy and Cy-Fair.
Select a new Perry home ready for quick move-in in Elyson, and enjoy summer fun at Elyson House and other amenities. The kids will be ready for the new year at our highly regarded Katy ISD schools.
About 20 percent of Americans live in multigenerational households, a record number. Elyson builders including Village Builders and Darling have plans thoughtfully designed for the living needs of extended families.
Screen time, like coffee and chocolate, is the subject of seemingly endless studies and debates. Is it good or bad for us? Just how much screen time should kids have? Some experts suggest a “Goldilocks” approach – not too much, not too little.
Just in time for summer play, Elyson has opened new tennis courts at Elyson House. With these 10 fun facts about tennis, you’ll be the smartest person on the court. Your game is up to you.
Most real estate experts and homeowners would agree that schools have an effect on property values, but exactly how much value is added by highly rated public schools? Our infographic summarizes research findings from several respected organizations.
One of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, Houston offers many housing choices for the newcomers who flock here. Our infographic has 5 tips for finding the community that fits your life best.
Along with all the parks, trails, lakes and other recreational amenities they enjoy at home, Elyson residents are just a few miles away from thousands of acres of parks in Katy, including the recently opened John Paul’s Landing Park.
Realty News Report, a leading Texas real estate blog, recently profiled Newland Communities President & Chief Operating Officer Ted Nelson, who oversees the operations of Newland communities in 12 states from his Houston office.
From stress-free moving to enjoying our ever-growing list of activities, here are 5 more reasons to visit Elyson and select a quick move-in home from one of our leading homebuilders.
Elyson is offering a growing number of multigenerational home designs for families like the Cooks, who found the perfect plan where three generations are now living happily under one roof.
Offering all the benefits of land-based aerobics without the impact, water aerobics are ideal for building strength, stamina and flexibility. This summer, Elyson residents can enjoy Water Aerobics Boot Camp on Saturday mornings at Elyson House.
Year ‘round swimming is just one of many unique activities offered to residents of Elyson. Add in Elyson House, Elyson Café, community orchards and a future park with pickleball and bocce ball courts, and it’s easy to see how Elyson is a community like no other.
Elyson’s parks and trails are tailor-made for enjoying with your dog, but you’ll want to take some extra precautions during summer. Read these tips from the ASPCA to keep your best friend safe in hot weather.
Named Katy ISD’s Secondary Principal of the Year of 2017-18, Paetow High School’s Mindy Dickerson cultivates “an atmosphere of openness, academic success and kindness” in the school’s student body, says this glowing profile in Katy Magazine.
Meritage has new homes ready for quick move-in at Elyson, at prices from the $260,000s to $460,000s. From locking in a low interest rate, to getting settled in before school starts, see 6 great reasons why a quick move-in home from Meritage might be best for you.
Founded in 1928, Drees Custom Homes is celebrating its 90th anniversary by creating a special “anniversary plan” for each state where it builds. The Texas plan, the one-story Brynlee, will open this summer as a fully furnished model home in Elyson’s first gated neighborhood.
This is a popular time of year for moving, and with these 9 tips from Realtor.com, you can enjoy a stress-free move and start enjoying your new community. We also have a 10th tip that makes it easy to fit right in at active, sociable communities like Elyson.
The historically low interest rates homebuyers have been enjoying are projected to rise over the next year. Our new infographic has some numbers about how much it could cost to wait on a monthly, annual and 30-year basis.
Elyson residents love to get together all year long. The recent Great Get-Together was, dare we say, really great. Get details on the event and see photos of the fun.
Ever heard the term green building but not really sure what it means? We thought it would be a good time to share this infographic about the advantages of green building to take the mystery out of this commonly used term.
From vintage-style clawfoot tubs to built-in desks, the 14 beautifully decorated model homes in Elyson's Model Home Village are filled with inspiring design ideas. Here are 5 creative touches to think about.
Many homebuyers say they moved because they got a feeling, even a voice, telling them it was time to look for a new place to live. Ryan Cook, a pastor with Katy’s Kingsland Baptist Church, heard a voice, too. In his case, it came came directly from God.
One of many great features of Elyson’s new website, our enhanced Homefinder tool makes it easy to find the perfect new home. You can filter results to fit your most important needs, including price, square footage, number of bedrooms, and even garage size.
Now integrated into the design and construction of every new Lennar home in Elyson, the builder’s new Wi-Fi Certified package allows homeowners to control lighting, front door locks, thermostats and much more simply by talking to Amazon Alexa.
Easy to learn and easy on the joints, pickleball is a popular sport for Baby Boomers, offering a wide range of physical and mental benefits. It’s coming to Elyson this fall as one of several activities in the community’s newest park.
From movies and live music, to getting fit with friends and neighbors, master-planned communities like Elyson offer residents many opportunities to enjoy events and activities right at home. In most cases, these activities are free of charge.
Master-planned communities like Elyson are very different from “subdivisions.” Here’s how to tell the difference, and why an MPC might be the best environment for your new home.
In a survey, 81% of homebuyers said they wanted extra garage storage space, with 25% calling it “essential.” Good thing Elyson offers many choices for three-, four- and even five-car garages.
Nothing says “spring” like an old-fashioned picnic, and that’s just what Elyson has in store for residents and guests on April 14. Come and enjoy Wizard of Oz characters, games, tasty treats, live music and more.
Elyson has more choices for homebuyers after the merger between Lennar and CalAtlantic. Now the nation’s largest homebuilder based on revenues, Lennar and its Village Builders division offer new homes priced from the low $200,000s and from the low $300,000s in Elyson.
The “overwhelmingly positive” reputation of Katy ISD schools was the most important reason the Doleman family chose Elyson. After his first year at Bethke Elementary, their eight-year-old son is thriving.
Elyson’s youngest residents are learning to love their veggies and have fun outdoors at the new Learning Garden at Katy ISD’s Bethke Elementary School.
Bocce ball, pickleball and relaxing around the firepit will be some of the activities Elyson residents will be able to enjoy this fall at the community’s new lakeside park. Trails will connect this new recreational amenity to all Elyson neighborhoods.
The Houston Chronicle recently listed 100 things to do within 100 miles of Houston. Here are our top 5 picks from the list, focusing on the west and northwest Houston areas near Elyson, plus a link to the full list.
Elyson’s youngest residents have fun and develop vital skills at monthly Story Time events held at Elyson House. Led by an award-winning local children’s author, these events include singing, crafts and more.
Ready for immediate move-in, Chesmar’s Mesquite is a new five-bedroom plan with 2,746 square feet. Offered on a large homesite, this completed Mesquite includes a two-story family room, a gameroom and more.
Need one more reason to do that spring cleaning? Local Katy charities helping to solve hunger, homelessness and joblessness depend on your unwanted items. You get a clean home, and a “helper’s high.”
Meet Donna Steen, Drees Custom Homes’ new Market Manager in Elyson. With decades of experience in new home sales and banking/finance, Donna has some advice for homebuyers: save thousands now with pre-opening prices and other incentives in Elyson’s first gated neighborhood.
Water views can create feelings of peace in today’s over-stimulated world, research has found. Elyson has three neighborhoods with lakefront and lake view homesites, with dozens of choices from five leading homebuilders.
Gardening is a great way to get kids to disconnect from their screens and dig into stronger family and social ties. They’ll also be more tempted to eat easy-to-grow veggies like spinach and carrots, which have so many brain-boosting vitamins and minerals.
Highly regarded Katy ISD schools and more than 750 acres planned for parks, trails and natural open spaces are two of the top reasons that Elyson residents love where they live. See the full list.
You wouldn’t buy an outdated smart phone, so why buy a used home, when today’s new homes offer the latest technology and so much more? From peace-of-mind warranties to the latest energy efficiency features, here are 7 great reasons by new is better than used.
The 14 beautifully decorated model homes in Elyson’s Model Home Village are filled with inspiring ideas for architectural features, tile and countertop choices, and even bold accent walls. Here are five favorites, with more to come as we continue this series.
Included in every new Meritage home in Elyson, the builder’s home automation suite lets you see who’s at the door and control lighting, door locks, thermostats, sprinklers and more from anywhere.
Everyone loves a big kitchen island, and one of the newest and most exciting trends in kitchen design is the “combination island.” This type of island goes beyond the traditional breakfast bar to create a large secondary casual dining space.
When they decided to buy their first new home, Elyson was the first and last community they looked at. A combination of convenience and lifestyle convinced the Mendez family that Elyson was the community for them.
Luxurious soaking tubs are all the rage, and you can see a gorgeous clawfoot tub with vintage-style hardware in Westin’s Preston III model home in Elyson.
Along with being pure fun, Family Game Night has many benefits, from higher grades to better relationships. At Elyson, residents can enjoy Family Game Night at home, or they can make it a bigger party at Elyson House.
With school back in session, safety is a priority. For a refresher on the importance of not texting while driving, check out Katy ISD’s award-winning video.
The relaxing blue used for interior doors and trimwork in David Weekley’s Roth model home in Elyson is just one example of color trends we will see in 2018.
While it may not be as dramatic as a spiral staircase or Juliette balcony, the laundry loop is a practical, timesaving feature that’s being offered by a growing number of homebuilders.
Meet the Palaniappan family. They’re not sure how long they’ll live in their new Elyson home, but they’re definitely loving every minute while they’re here.
CalAtlantic and Meritage have opened two new model homes showcasing plans priced from $318,990 in Elyson. Homesites are offered in a new neighborhood near Elyson House and a future planned Katy ISD elementary school.
Elyson residents can absolutely shop until they drop, but they won’t be worn out from driving. The community is only a few miles from some of the largest and most unique shopping, dining and entertainment destinations in greater Houston.
New Elyson model homes by Lennar and Meritage are affordably priced and filled with thoughtful features like a pocket office and video doorbell. Flexible options also abound.
Elyson, a master-planned community in Katy, has donated 25 pre-lit, 6.5-foot Christmas trees to Trees of Hope Katy, an organization created to provide new Christmas trees for Katy residents whose homes were affected by Hurricane Harvey.
The one thing we like best, other than our home, is the thoughtful and diligent planningthat Newland has put into creating a positive experience for residents.
In another glowing report on the high quality of education offered by the Katy Independent School District, Katy ISD took all of the top 15 spots in Niche’s 2018 list of the Best Public Elementary Schoolsin the Houston Area.
As a nurse, Gay Tobia loves to help people. So when she found out that the new home her family had chosen in Elyson was a GHBA Benefit Home, she was excited to be part of a project that helps charities dedicated to ending homelessness.
Elyson turns one year old in this fall, and for such a young community, we’ve achieved quite a lot. Just as exciting, our second year is off to an active start, with new amenities and homebuilders on the way.
“We looked at several communities, and we chose Elyson because we really liked the feeling of the community, along with the location and the amenities,” said Janet.
Experts recommend enjoying the flexibility of working from home. Elyson makes it easy, with places to grab lunch, host a meeting and workout during the day.
The Katy Independent School District ranks as the No. 1 school districtin the Houston region, according to the 2018 Best School Districts rankings recently released by Niche.com.
On Saturday, August 12, the Katy Independent School District is kicking off its two newest schools – Paetow High SchoolandStockdick Junior High School– with the IGNITE celebration from 4-8 p.m.
The first “McDonald’s of the Future” in Texas recently opened in the huge new Grand Morton Town Center development near Elyson, and that’s just one of many new options for dining, shopping and entertainment near the community.
As a healthcare company sales executive who works from home and covers a large territory, Cecilia Turner could have moved anywhere when she decided to relocate from the Dallas area. She and her two kids are very happy that their search for a new home and community quickly led to Elyson.
A “learning green” the size of eight football fields is one of many unique features that students and parents will discover when the Katy Independent School District’s new Paetow High School opens in August.
What would be the perfect backyard addition for your home in Elyson, or anywhere? How about an All-American Playhouse for the kids? You can enter a raffle to win one for only $5 this summer, and do a good deed at the same time.
When Stockdick Junior High opens near Elyson in August, it will introduce a new era of collaborative and individualized learning for the Katy Independent School District.
The family found everything they wanted – and then some – when they drove into Elyson last fall, shortly after the Elyson House community center and Model Home Village had opened.
Katy ISD’s Christina Dismuke, the 2016 Elementary Teacher of the Year for a region covering 50 Texas school districts, recalls a “wonderful” experience during her first year at Bethke Elementary, which opened in 2016 to serve Elyson and other communities.
Each year, BUILDER magazine publishes its BUILDER 100 list of the nation’s largest homebuilders, and Elyson’s builders occupy some very strong positions in 2017.
With four bedrooms, a study with French doors, an open family gathering area and a garage with a workshop, the one-story Roth is David Weekley’s top-selling plan in Elyson.
Even though her twins are still in kindergarten, Julie David has a long-term vision for their new life at Elyson. “We’re very happy to dig in our heels and stay here until they graduate from high school, if not longer,” said Julie, a P.E. teacher and coach in the Katy Independent School District.
By the start of April, members of the Greater Houston Builders Association had donated more than $150,000 worth of building materials for the 2017 GHBA Benefit Home in Elyson. The Benefit Home is being built by Chesmar Homes on a homesite donated by Elyson.
Starting in August, all K-12 students living in Elyson will attend new Katy ISD schools, all located in a state-of-the-art tri-campus at Clay and Peek roads, approximately two miles from the community.
Chesmar Homes has four new plans priced from $249,990 with three-car garage options in Elyson, located at Grand Parkway and FM 529 in the Katy Independent School District.
Although they grew up in the FM 1960 area and bought their first home in Jersey Village, Jeff and Monique Turner knew they wanted their next home to be in Katy.
With Houston hosting the 2017 Super Bowl, excitement for the big day is running higher than ever. As friends and family gather for viewing parties across the city, many will watch the big game in dedicated media rooms, one of the hottest and most timeless trends in today’s new homes.
“We didn’t hesitate to buy in Elyson even before the first home was completed, because Newland has such a great reputation,” said Zachary. “We also love the idea of getting in at the very beginning, which we think will be a great investment in our own future.”
Of all the great homes that will be built in Elyson in 2017, one will be just a little bit more special. It’s the 2017 Greater Houston Builders Association Benefit Home, which will break ground later this month on a homesite donated by Newland, the developer of Elyson.
As New Year’s resolutions go, getting fit and healthy always tops lists of the most popular resolutions by a wide margin. At the same time, less than half of people stick to their resolutions after six months, according to Health.com.
Elyson residents who work in Downtown Houston will enjoy added convenience beginning in February, when METRO opens a new 1,650-space parking garage at its popular Grand Parkway Park & Ride.
Beginning in August, 2017, Elyson students will attend brand-new Katy ISD high and middle schools opening in a K-12 campus approximately four miles from the community.
Elementary schools in the Katy Independent School District took every spot in the Top 10 in a new list of the Best Public Elementary Schools in the Houston region.
They will ultimately be joined by more than 6,000 additional families, but the Perez family will always have the distinction of being the first to move into their new home in Elyson.
With its great location along the Grand Parkway, roughly midway between I-10 West and U.S. 290, Elyson is perfectly situated to offer stress-free access to some of the most treasured holiday traditions in Katy, Cy-Fair and Houston. Here are our Top 5 picks for family holiday fun near Elyson.
Now that the University of Houston System (UHS) has closed on the purchase of 46 acres for its new Katy campus, some exciting new information is available.
Beth and Scott Henderson, one of the Founding Families of Elyson, became excited about the idea of living in Elyson right after the community was first announced in the local media in 2014.
Elyson blends a laidback lifestyle with the convenience of a growing number of shopping and dining options. Elyson offers quick access to shopping and dining choices in both Katy and Cy-Fair, from LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch to the new Fairfield Towne Center.
When Elyson is completed, this 3,642-acre community in the Katy Independent School District will ultimately be home to about 6,000 families, and the Dural family will always have the distinction of being one of the community’s first Founding Families.
After celebrating its grand opening on October 22, Elyson is now welcoming home shoppers and real estate agents seven days a week! Here’s a quick guide to the Top 5 things you won’t want to miss on your visit.
In addition to recreational opportunities, another great thing about devoting more than 750 acres to parks, trails, waterways and natural open spaces means that homebuyers will have many opportunities to choose view homesites in all neighborhoods and price ranges.
Elyson is the newest community in the Katy Independent School District, but it has deep family roots that go back more than a quarter-century in KISD and the greater Houston area.
If the architecture of the Elyson House and main entry monument at Elyson looks familiar yet fresh at the same time, that's by design. Working with Houston-based Studio RED Architects, Elyson has reinterpreted and updated the classic Prairie style of architecture.
With eight leading homebuilders offering new homes in five price ranges, Elyson is all about choice and variety. To see everything this great new Katy ISD community has to offer, it only takes one convenient stop at the Elyson Model Home Village, home to 10 fully furnished model homes.
With amenities such as the Elyson House community center, Elyson has put some exciting building blocks in place for residents to start enjoying the same active and neighborly lifestyle offered in Cinco Ranch and other Newland communities around Houston and the nation.
When it comes to top-notch K-12 education, Elyson has it all wrapped up with its location in Katy ISD, rated as the No. 1 school district in the Houston region by Niche.com.
David Weekley’s four-bedroom Roth model in Elyson is an elegant one-story plan that has it all, including an inviting front porch and a spacious outdoor living area.
Pulte has created a brand-new collection of floor plans that will make their debut at Elyson, with base prices ranging from the $250,000s to $290,000s for plans with up to five bedrooms and four baths. This collection will be represented by Pulte’s two-story Amherst model, opening in mid-October.
As we detailed in our blog post about the origin of Elyson’s name, the community is named after Ely Freeman, one of the original members of the Freeman family, who first settled this land in 1898.
Opening in September, Darling's new Elyson model will include a grand two-story foyer with a spiral staircase, a covered outdoor living area with a fireplace, and nice views from the gameroom balcony.
From native trees that provide shade and food, to meadows filled with wildflowers and ornamental grasses, Elyson has a landscape palette that celebrates the beauty and diversity of the Katy Prairie. Here's a look at many of the native trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses throughout Elyson.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s new Katy area building will soon be the latest addition to a growing concentration of world-class healthcare facilities near Elyson.
In late September, Perry Homes plans to open two fully furnished model homes in Elyson. Design 2738, a brand-new plan, will showcase Perry’s collection of floor plans for 55-foot-wide homesites in Elyson.
A gourmet kitchen with an elongated island is located right in the center of Plan F-790, a brand-new Trendmaker model home opening early this fall in Elyson. This kitchen will also be right in the center of daily life in this open one-story floor plan.
So you want to work out, but you also need to keep an eye on the kids? At Elyson, you can do both, thanks to the thoughtful design of the fitness center at the Elyson House.
Highland Homes is planning to open two fully furnished model homes in Elyson in early August, and the builder is also planning on completing nine available homes that will be ready for fall move-in.
Elyson is honoring the agricultural heritage of the Katy Prairie by planting several community orchards, where residents will be able to harvest fruit and nuts during the year.
When it opens in Elyson in early September, Westin Homes' new Preston III model will greet visitors with wow factors that extend from the front door to the back yard, and also upstairs.
The first builder to start construction of its model home in Elyson, Chesmar Homes also plans to be the first builder to open its model in this new Katy ISD community.
Opening in August 2016, Katy ISD’s new Bethke Elementary School will welcome the youngest students in Elyson with a state-of-the-art design that fosters collaborative learning.
Elyson is very proud to be part of the highly acclaimed Katy Independent School District, rated as the No. 1 school district in the Houston region by Niche.com, a national educational review website.
Newland Communities is proud to announce the new marketing manager for Elyson, Nancy Hyde. Nancy’s duties will include managing the Elyson new-home information center that will be located inside the Elyson House community center.
Drum roll, please. As reported in the Houston Chronicle and Houston Business Journal, here’s the lineup of leading homebuilders for the first phase of Elyson, grand opening this fall.
At first, the name Elyson may seem unfamiliar to even the most knowledgeable residents of Katy and the surrounding area. But dive a little deeper, and it becomes clear that the name is a meaningful tribute to the legacy of this storied land.
Now under construction at Elyson, The Elyson House will be a centerpiece of the community’s grand opening in Fall 2016. As the first of three major amenity centers planned for Elyson, The Elyson House will be a major focal point of resident life.
Last fall, Newland Communities invited its employees and others involved in the development of Elyson to celebrate the official groundbreaking ceremony for this new Katy ISD community. Fast-forward to spring, and work is well underway for Elyson to be ready for its Fall 2016 grand opening.
Green Home Builder magazine named Newland as its Developer of the Year for 2016, recognizing the company’s 45-year track record in green and sustainable development.
