SEPTEMBER 2026
I love this time of year because it brings us back to the place we love most – home. Whether your family is navigating elementary school, high school, college or even life with grown kids, September is a reminder that some of the best moments happen in the everyday rhythm at home.
As someone who spends a lot of time in our community, I enjoy seeing families settle back into their routines and watching schools become the heartbeat of our neighborhoods again. Our schools play such a big role in what makes a place feel like home.
So good luck to all the moms, dads, grandparents, teachers and especially the students as another year gets underway. Here’s to a great year ahead and making new memories at home along the way.
Your Neighbor,
BRAES HEIGHTS HOME PRICES
STILL CLIMBING, SIX YEARS RUNNING
What’s Been Happening
- The big picture: If you own a home in Braes Heights — or you’ve had your eye on one — the numbers tell a pretty clear story: values have climbed steadily since 2020, and they’re still climbing.
- Deep Houston roots: Braes Heights has had a very Houston-like existence, with deep ties to the city’s history.
- Resilience: The neighborhood has endured major storms like Allison and Harvey and has continued to improve after each setback.
- A name with history: In a city with little elevation, it’s interesting to note that the name “Braes” comes from a Scottish word meaning “hillside,” referring to the neighborhood’s elevation alongside Brays Bayou.
- Home values have surged:
- In 2020, the median home sold for $907,450.
- Today, that number is $1,449,536.
- That’s an increase of almost 60% in five years, or roughly 10% annually when compounded.
- It’s not just bigger homes driving prices:
- Price per square foot increased from $276 to $368.
- The size of homes selling has remained relatively consistent, generally around 3,400–3,900 square feet.
- In other words, buyers are paying more for the same amount of house — not simply paying more because they’re buying bigger homes.
- 2021 was the standout year: Prices jumped 24% in a single year as pandemic-era demand peaked.
- A healthier pace since then: Growth has settled into a steadier 5–8% annual increase in recent years.
- Homes are selling faster: Median days on market fell from 35 days in 2020 to roughly 13–14 days in a typical recent year.
- Still a seller’s market: The combination of rising values and faster sales shows that demand for Braes Heights remains strong.
- 2026 so far: Through late August, the median price is essentially flat compared with 2025.
- But demand remains strong:
- Price per square foot is still inching upward.
- Homes are moving faster than ever, with a median of just 8 days on market.
- Bottom line: Growth may be cooling slightly, but demand clearly hasn’t. Braes Heights continues to show strong long-term appreciation, resilience, and buyer demand.
A Quick Note on the Numbers
This look-back covers 532 closed sales across Braes Heights and its neighboring subdivisions — Ayrshire, Braes Oaks, Southern Oaks, Bradford Place, and a few others — from January 2020 through August 25, 2026. We used median prices rather than averages so a handful of high-end sales (a few topped $2M) don’t skew the picture, and kept 2026 broken out separately since the year isn’t finished yet.
Curious what your own home might be worth in today’s market? Our agents at New Leaf are happy to run the numbers for your specific home — just reach out.
MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR:
ANNA MCALLISTER
When I first met Anne, it was through Ginny Jackson, a fellow agent at New Leaf. Ginny helped Anne buy her home and was convinced she would be a great agent. Ginny was right. Anne is not only a great agent, she is also a great human being and brings a lot of energy and passion to our organization. She fit in perfectly with the rest of the team and consistently elevates our brand. She also knows her neighborhood, Braes Heights, better than anyone in the business. Read below to get to know more about your neighbor, Anne McCallister:
I grew up in Dallas and went to Highland Park High School before heading to UT. I made some great friends at UT, and most of them were moving back home to Houston. Instead of returning to Dallas, I decided to join them in Houston. I’m so grateful I did, because I’ve built a wonderful life here.
What made you stay and want to raise a family here?
I loved Houston as soon as I moved here. At first, it was the people who brought me here, but I quickly fell in love with the city itself. I enjoy the restaurants, the walking and jogging trails like Brays Bayou, Rice, Memorial Park, the museums, and I’m grateful for our medical center. I also met my husband, JB, who is a native Houstonian. He grew up walking to West U Elementary and playing in West U Little League, and then we got to watch our daughter do the same at Twain Elementary and West U Softball Association. I love how his childhood and our life now are so similar. I’ve always appreciated this community, but Hurricane Harvey was a turning point for me. I saw how strong and caring our community is. After our home flooded, strangers came to help us. They brought food, helped remove drywall, prayed with friends, and literally gave us shelter after the storm.
Where do you live now?
I live in Ayrshire, though most people know this area as Braes Heights or Braeswood Place.
What is your favorite way to spend a day in Houston?
Honestly, I love my work, so spending the day seeing homes or writing contracts is great for me. When I’m not working, I like to stay active. I enjoy walking our dog, Lucy, along Academy, playing tennis, or taking a class at F45. If I can add lunch at a new spot with my husband or friends, that’s even better. It might not sound exciting to everyone, but I really enjoy taking my daughter to her after-school activities. I know the days can feel long, but the years go by quickly, so I try to make the most of my time with her, especially now that she’s a teenager.
Where do you mainly sell homes?
About 80% of my business each year is in my own neighborhood, which I feel very lucky about. This year, I’ve also had some great transactions in Memorial, Spring Branch, Briarmeadow, and I have a fantastic listing coming soon in West U.
Why did you choose to work at New Leaf?
Ginny Jackson was my realtor. When she helped us sell our first home and buy our second, she jokingly offered me a job—or so I thought! She encouraged me to leave my job in non-profit development and try residential real estate. Ginny had just joined New Leaf, and I was excited to become part of the team. One thing I love about New Leaf is that David is always willing to support any cause I’ve brought to him. There’s a real passion at New Leaf for giving back to the communities where we live and work. As agents, we all support our local schools, little leagues, favorite non-profits, and other efforts that help strengthen Houston as a whole. David and the other agents in our office are very collaborative and supportive. Need help pricing a home? Looking for ideas for listing descriptions or photos? Have a pocket listing or something coming soon that might be perfect for a client? We work together to make sure our buyers and sellers get the best results.
WHAT I’M LOVING LATELY.
LATEST MOVES
HOME TIP OF THE MONTH.
