The energy industry drives this growing Houston suburb
“Small town charm with big city convenience” is how the up-and-coming city of Katy advertises itself. Named for the Missouri-Kansas-Texas (KT) Railroad, Katy evolved from a rice-farming community into a hub of the oil industry. It’s a 13-mile drive from Houston’s Energy Corridor, where over 300 oil and gas companies are headquartered. The Corridor’s BP and Shell headquarters are Katy’s top employers. The city is home to over 25,000 people, with over 4,000 moving there after 2019. This recent influx of residents has led to new shopping, dining, housing and parks. Katy’s most prized amenity is its top-rated school district, which has attracted hundreds of families with its acclaimed athletics, academic and arts programs. “It’s like that ‘Field of Dreams’ quote, ‘If you build it, they will come,’” says Charlie Russo, a Katy resident and a broker associate with Re/Max Signature. “We had the land, and it was already a phenomenal school district, so we just needed the people.”
Named after the "K-T Railroad," Katy has deep ties to its rail history.
Established in the late 1800s, Katy was a key stop for trains transporting crops and goods.
Katy's iconic silos stand as a tribute to its rich agricultural and rice-farming history.
La Centerra is the hotspot for community gatherings, shopping and dining.
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Friday Night Lights at the top-rated Katy High School
Katy families can send their children to the A-plus-rated Katy Independent School District, which Niche named the best school district in the Houston area. “Even people moving here from another state have heard of Katy for the school district,” says Jared Greenberg, who lives in Katy and is a Realtor with Keller Williams Premier Realty. “The biggest reason people move to Katy from Houston is because they want to have a family, and they want a better school district.” Katy High School, which has an A grade from Niche, is an academic and athletic powerhouse. The Katy Tigers have won nine state football championships, and the city holds an annual “Champions on the Square” event to honor the award-winning team. Katy is also home to Seven Lakes High School, which Niche named the best public high school in Fort Bend County and gave an A-plus score for its athletics, academics, and fine arts programs. College students can take advantage of the “Start in Katy, Finish in Katy” higher education program, which allows them to start an associate degree at the Houston Community College Katy Campus and then transfer to the University of Houston-Victoria at Katy to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
Katy High School is a community of learners who are passionate in Houston.
Experience sports events at Katy's Legacy Stadium.
Seven Lakes High School in Houston is a vibrant hub where ambition takes flight.
Katy Elementary School, in Katy, TX, anchors the community with a legacy since 1898.
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Shopping and satay at Katy Asian Town
Since its grand opening in 1999, the Katy Mills shopping mall has been the largest retail center in the city. It is now home to 175 retail stores, a movie theater and two family-friendly attractions: Typhoon Texas Waterpark and Dig World. Katy Asian Town opened in 2018 next to the established UKaty Mall. It has since become a hot spot for East Asian restaurants and businesses, including the supermarket H Mart. Asian Town is home to Phat Eatery, a 2022 James Beard Award semifinalist specializing in Malaysian street food staples like chicken curry and satay, a type of grilled meat. Other long-standing restaurants include Midway BBQ and Snappy’s Café, both on the stretch of Highway Boulevard next to Katy High School. These restaurants have been open for decades and featured in local publications like Katy Magazine.
Katy Mills Mall features over 175 stores, offering a mix of outlet and retail shopping.
Families enjoy a splash-filled day at Typhoon Texas water park.
Snappy’s is a historic diner known for its hearty breakfasts and classic American fare.
Midway BBQ played a part in Katy’s history, tied to its agricultural roots.
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Established homes and recent construction in Katy
Katy has a mix of master-planned communities and traditional suburban neighborhoods. Cinco Ranch is one of the largest and most in-demand neighborhoods in the area, with thousands of homes and master-planned amenities like parks, pools and clubhouses. Grand Lakes, Seven Meadows and Kelliwood are some of Katy’s other sought-after communities due to their zoning to highly rated local schools like Seven Lakes High School. Housing across the city varies from 1,000-square-foot ranch properties to 4,000-square-foot new traditional-style homes. This wide range of residences starts at $150,000 and can go all the way up to $3 million, but the median home price is around $377,000. In 2024, the average Katy home sells in around 31 days, compared to 21 days in 2023. There were over 1,900 homes on the market in September 2024, a 7% increase from the previous month.
Cinco Ranch, a master-planned community, known for its excellent schools and parks.
Katy is home to a variety of traditional homes.
Single-story living in Cinco Ranch provides convenience and comfort.
Katy is a family-friendly community with excellent schools and safe neighborhoods.
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Swimming, strolling and summer fun at Peckham Park
Katy Parks and Recreation Department oversees 10 parks and organizes community events, including seasonal festivals and kids’ summer camps. Three of the city’s largest parks are conveniently located near the public library. Mary Jo Peckham Park is known for its large playground, miniature golf course and rainbow trout fishing at the Family Fishing Lake. The park’s Aquatic and Fitness Center opens in the summer and is free to use. The City of Katy Off-Leash Dog Park, complete with a wading pool and agility course, is attached to Peckham. Katy City Park is on the other side of Peckham Park and has multiple sports facilities for baseball, tennis and rugby.
Mary Jo Peckham Park in Katy is a serene haven for fishing enthusiasts.
Katy Dog Park provides a safe space for canine play.
Katy Park hosts youth sports leagues, fostering community engagement.
The park features sports fields, playgrounds, and walking trails.
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From community campouts to the Rice Harvest Festival
Katy puts its Wild West roots front and center. Its origins as a railroad town are the focus of the MKT Railroad Museum, a restored train depot that houses life-sized exhibits and a red caboose car. Less than a mile away, Katy Heritage Park preserves history with century-old homes surrounding an old-fashioned bandstand, which hosts an annual Christmas festival. The community comes alive at annual celebrations like the Katy Rice Harvest Festival, which celebrates the city’s history in the rice industry with live music, food trucks and craft vendors. Other events include the Katy Food Fest every March, the Wild West Brew Fest every April and community campouts in the spring and fall. In the early 20th century, Katy was called the “City of Churches” because of its high concentration of houses of worship. Today, there are still over 70 churches of multiple denominations in Katy.
Explore Katy's railroad history at the Railroad Museum.
The Katy Rice Harvest Festival is held annually in Historic Downtown Katy.
The Katy Heritage Museum connects residents and visitors to the city's rich past.
Katy is home to diverse churches, reflecting its growing and multicultural community.
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Plans for public transport from Harris County MTA
Katy residents can take Interstate 10 directly into the heart of Houston, about a 30-mile drive away. Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport is 45 miles away. Grand Parkway also connects larger western suburbs like Tomball and Sugar Land, each about 30 miles away. Most locals drive, but the Harris County MTA plans to create a new rapid-transit bus system between Houston and Katy by 2027.
Moderate risk of flooding near Houston
Flooding is a widespread problem for the Houston metro, leading Harris County to fund large floodplain and drainage projects. According to First Street, the city of Katy has a moderate risk of flooding, and 76.4% of all properties in Katy are at risk for flooding over the next 30 years. Many subdivisions have received large drainage upgrades to help with flooding. Katy is humid and hot throughout the year, especially during summer. Temperatures are usually in the 50’s between November and March, and the hottest months are between May and September, when it is in the 70’s and 80’s nearly every day.
Property crime and theft are the area’s most common crimes, according to FBI data from 2022. These incidents were most common around Katy’s parks and retail areas. In 2023, Donald Wine, the then-captain of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, shared Katy Magazine that despite Katy’s growing population, violent crime was down 4% — although he did note that sometimes residents hear gunfire during hog hunting season.
Written By
Delaney Murray
Photography Contributed By
Robert Pierce
Video By
Nathan Allen
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Crystal Brown,
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Katy, TX sell after 47 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Katy, TX over the last 12 months is $340,990, down 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this spacious single-story home in a sought-after Ventana Lakes. The property boasts large bedrooms, granite countertops, and a breakfast bar perfect for entertaining. With no back neighbors, enjoy privacy and tranquility in your new home. This residence offers a unique opportunity to live in a peaceful setting while still being close to the excellent schools in Katy ISD and convenient
Experience the best of Elyson living in this Brookfield Residential home, featuring the popular "Rutgers" floor-plan. This home includes a home warranty and boasts a two-story great room, a dedicated first-floor office, and a spacious island kitchen with quartz countertops and a Whirlpool stainless steel gas appliance package. The first-floor primary suite offers a luxurious retreat, featuring a
VERY MOTIVATED SELLER! This corner lot house within the Jasmine Heights subdivision has all the room your family needs. The primary and a secondary bedroom are located on the first floor and two additional bedrooms upstairs along with a second living area. The kitchen opens up to the dining and living room for those family/friend gatherings. You will have a covered patio and spacious backyard to
Situated in Cinco Ranch Northwest, this beautifully maintained David Weekley home offers generous living spaces, thoughtful upgrades, & a flexible layout. Light-filled interiors feature neutral finishes, open sightlines, & seamless flow between everyday living & entertaining spaces. Private home office & formal dining areas ideal for working from home and hosting gatherings. The main level
Welcome to 5703 Brennan Ridge Lane, a beautiful two-story Trendmaker home in the highly desirable Grand Lakes community of Katy, zoned to Seven Lakes High School. Offering 3,339 sq ft, this home features a spacious kitchen with granite countertops, a large island, and gas cooktop, perfect for entertaining. The main-floor primary suite includes a luxurious bath with a jetted tub, separate shower,
Located in the highly desirable Cinco Ranch North Lake Village, this beautifully refreshed 4-bedroom home offers 3,257 sq.ft. of spacious, functional living. The open-concept floor plan is filled with natural light & designed for everyday comfort & entertaining. The kitchen features granite countertops, abundant cabinetry, & generous counter space, opening seamlessly to the main living areas. The
Discover luxury living in this stunning 1.5 year old Perry Home located in Jordan Ranch. Featuring 5 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, this residence boasts a versatile layout perfect for multi-generational living. The main floor hosts 2 bedrooms, including a luxurious primary suite, with high ceilings and large windows. Beautiful Kitchen open to living, large island, butler's pantry, mud area, and
This home has it all; from the Award Winning Holland Elementary being NEXT DOOR, no back neighbors, mature lush landscaped front and back yards complete with "The Perfect Light" landscape lights, newly re-plastered Pebble Tech pool complete with rock waterfall slide. Chef's outdoor kitchen under your pergola with Edison lights! Updates galore including pool access half bath and outdoor shower.
Kelley Brouillette
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties
Welcome Home to 27022 Coco Flower Lane in master planned community of Sunterra in Katy! Village Builders Avante Collection- "Cupertino A" floorplan situated on premium corner lot with very spacious backyard. 1 story with quartz countertops & designer backsplash, Stainless Steel appliances, upgraded cabinetry, luxury vinyl plank flooring, amazing natural light with wall of windows in family room.
Located in Katy top-rated school district, this property features a recently installed roof, open kitchen with ample cabinet space and granite countertops. Welcoming formal dining room, and family room with a fireplace creates a cozy atmosphere. The master bedroom features vaulted ceilings and view to the spacious backyard, while the master bath suite offers his and hers sinks and closets.
Stunning 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home in Sunterra showcasing a refined open-concept design with elevated finishes throughout. Rich upgraded flooring flows seamlessly into a dramatic living space with soaring vaulted ceilings and abundant natural light. The chef-inspired kitchen features granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, gas cooktop, and an oversized center island designed for both
From the moment you walk in, the scale and light of this one-story home set it apart. Soaring ceilings and clean architectural lines create an immediate sense of openness, drawing you into a space designed to live beautifully every day. At the heart of the home, the kitchen makes a statement—crisp white cabinetry, quartz countertops, and a bold backsplash around an oversized island that anchors
Beautiful 4-bedroom, 3-bath, 2-story home located on a quiet cul-de-sac!This well-designed floor plan features a private home office with elegant glass doors and an open-concept kitchen overlooking the spacious living room with cozy fireplace and tile flooring throughout the main areas. The kitchen offers stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and a large island perfect for
Less than one year old and zoned to Katy’s newest schools, this 4 BR / 3.5 BA home offers a fabulous open-concept floor plan with soaring 20' ceilings and timeless, high-end finishes. Located off the extended foyer, the Study with double French doors provides the ideal home office. Luxury vinyl plank flooring flows throughout the main living areas, creating a seamless transition into the
Lovely home in Falcon Rock has over 2600 sq ft featuring 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Combined formal living and dining rooms. Home has solid hardwood floors throughout and no carpet. Kitchen has granite countertops and opens into the soaring two story living room with gas fireplace. Refrigerator, Washer & Dryer is included with the home. Primary bedroom is on the first floor and has ensuite bath
Welcome to Sunterra! This brand-new Lennar Dowing four-bedroom home offers convenient single-story living. A bedroom is secluded near the front of the home, leading to an inviting and spacious open-concept layout shared between the kitchen, dining room and family room. Three additional bedrooms are tucked away to the side for improved comfort and privacy, including the lavish owner’s suite at the
Beautiful two-story home with front porch, 3 bedrooms, study, game room, 2 full baths, and 1 half bath. The open-concept layout seamlessly connects the kitchen, dining, and living, ideal for everyday living and entertaining. The kitchen features a large island with built-in phone charging station and T/R cans, modern appliances, and ample storage. Refrigerator, washer, dryer and dupure water
Well maintained one-story 4 bedroom home is located in the King Lakes. NO CARPET! The community features many amenities: a pool, walking trails, playgrounds, a tennis court, and more. The home is a fully open concept that combines living and dining areas. This home was meticulously cared. TOP-rated KISD schools! Awesome neighborhood amenities. Close to schools, shopping, and easy access to
Ready to Move In!!!! KATY ISD!!!!!! Beautiful 4 Bedroom, 2 1/2 Bathroom Home. Open plan with Large Living and Dining room. Breakfast area in kitchen with Gas Range, Granite Countertops and Tile Backsplash. Lamanite Flooring Throughout Second Floor. Gameroom And Principal Upstairs. The 4th Bedroom on the 1st floor can be used as a Flex room. Great Location. 1 mile from Park Row & 2 miles from
Beautiful Westin Homes Product (Terrace Elevation). Nested in Elyson Master-Planned community in the heart of Katy, This Stunning Westin Homes Masterpiece, barely 2 years old, is ready for new owner. The high Ceiling and Quartz Counter Island Kitchen give you a sense of grandeur; every detail given to this 4 Bedroom 3.5 bath is a Masterpiece of its own. You will be living close to a resort like
Beautiful beautiful home in Morton Creek Ranch Subdivision, 4 Bedrooms, 2 full baths, open concept kitchen open to the living room a with a spacious breakfast area adjacent to the kitchen. On the first floor you will find a bedroom with a full bathroom perfect for guests. Upstairs you will find a spacious primary bedroom and primary bath, 2 secondary bedrooms and a full bathroom. The game room
Located in the heart of Katy, this well-maintained home at 22522 Smokey Hill Dr offers comfort, convenience, and access to top-rated schools in Katy Independent School District. Just minutes from I-10 and Grand Parkway, you’ll enjoy quick access to shopping, dining, and entertainment at LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch and Katy Mills Mall. Inside, the home is clean and move-in ready with no carpet
Beautiful Home for rent!!! This charming property features four spacious bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a two-car attached garage. The open-concept layout offers a bright living area, a dining space, and a modern kitchen with a center island--perfect for entertaining and everyday living. Enjoy relaxing evenings in the generously sized backyard. A wonderful opportunity to own a comfortable home
This beautiful 3-bedroom and 2.5 bath, 2-car-garage home is ready to move in. HIGH CEILING in the living area !! Laminate wood and tiles flooring & abundant-size closets, a beautiful backyard with an extended covered patio and an outdoor kitchen for entertaining or enjoying BBQ with your family. Beautiful landscaping!!! Kitchen has granite countertops, ceramic titles flooring on the first floor &
Welcome home to this beautiful two-story gem in the heart of Cinco Ranch! Nestled in a peaceful cul-de-sac just across from a charming neighborhood park, not far from Cinco Ranch Lake, this home features fresh interior paint, 2025, brand-new carpet, 2025, and stunning new quartz countertops, 2025—just a few of the thoughtful upgrades throughout. Zoned to top-rated Katy ISD schools, this is a
Located in desirable Cinco Ranch Southwest, this 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhome offers easy, low-maintenance living with NO CARPET throughout. Tile flooring on the first floor and luxury vinyl plank upstairs and on stairs. Open layout with bright kitchen featuring granite countertops, breakfast bar, gas stove, and stainless-steel appliances. Spacious primary suite with walk-in closet, double
Rare find in WoodCreek on a LARGE Premium Corner lot on a Quiet street! FANTASTIC Community walking distance to KATY ISD schools, Starbucks, I-10, 100-acre wooded nature reserve, tennis courts & pool. Close to Shopping & Entertainment. WoodCreek is a BEAUTIFUL 500-acre master planned community just Right off of I-10. This STUNNING 4 or 5 bedroom/3 and a half bathroom home features an OPEN concept
Since its establishment in the 1990s, Cinco Ranch has been a big name in Katy. This highly desirable planned community is packed with diverse homes and many amenities. Cinco Ranch is large enough that after an initial batch of homes was built in the 1990s, a new set of homes were added in the 2000s and 2010s. “Cinco Ranch was started in the east and then kept building west, sort of Manifest Destiny, if you will,” says Charlie Russo, a Broker Associate with Re/Max Signature. Southwest Cinco Ranch has all the access to the amenities in central Cinco Ranch and maintains its own parks, luxury pools and clubhouse that is always bustling with community activities. Combined with some of Houston’s best-rated schools and easy access to Houston’s most booming industries, Southwest Cinco West has been a premier location to live, work and play for decades.
Students can attend the Katy Independent School District, which Niche named the best school district in the Houston area. Some schools in the district include Bonnie Holland Elementary School, Seven Lakes Junior High School and Seven Lakes High School, which all have a Niche grade of A-plus. The Texas Education Agency has been named Seven Lakes High School a top-performing school for 18 years. Southwest Cinco Ranch is about 9 miles from both Houston Community College Katy Campus and the University of Houston-Victory at Katy.
Southwest Cinco Ranch is zoned to the Cinco Ranch II Homeowners Association, and this section of the community maintains tennis and pickleball courts, a lakeside clubhouse and four pools and water parks. “On the Southwest side, there’s more of waterpark type of features, which you don’t have in old Cinco because it wasn’t popular at the time it was built,” says Susan Hutson, a Realtor with CB&A Realtors and a Cinco Ranch resident of nearly 30 years. Southwest Cinco also has a dozen small neighborhood parks, and houses of worship like Trinity Baptist Church Katy on Spring Green Boulevard are located alongside these parks.
Meadowbrook Farms Golf Club, one of Katy’s many popular private courses, is conveniently located in the Seven Meadows section of Southwest Cinco Ranch. The club on Meadowbrook Farms Club Drive offers a par-72 course built into native wetlands and prairies.
Southpark at Cinco Ranch on Spring Green Boulevard is one of the most convenient local shopping centers and offers a Kroger within walking distance of Southwest Cinco Ranch. Further down the Westpark Tollway is Cross Creek Ranch, a larger shopping complex with a Walmart, clothing shops and several restaurants. Dulcédo Coffee Shop is one popular community gathering spot in Cross Creek Ranch. The shop serves up fresh cappuccinos and Italian sodas along with croissant sandwiches and bread pudding à la mode. The shopping complex also has a location for Local Table, a Houston chain that combines Southern favorites like fried chicken and short ribs with Mediterranean selections like gyros and kabobs.
As one of the more recent additions to Cinco Ranch, the Southwest area mainly has homes built in the 2000s and 2010s, which were constructed with Houston’s climate in mind. “A lot of people like older, established homes, but in older Cinco, many houses flooded during Harvey,” Hutson says. “The houses are built higher in Southwest, and most houses did not flood here, so there’s a definite difference.” Contemporary properties sport brick and stone exteriors and are surrounded by manicured yards decorated with mature trees, native shrubs and well-kept gardens. One of these homes cost between $500,000 to $800,000 on average. A luxury Southwest Cinco Ranch property may look like a Mediterranean-style mansion with multilevel terraces and scenic backyard lake views, or it might look like a spacious ranch home with up to two acres of land. Regardless of style, a luxury price tag in Southwest Cinco Ranch ranges from $1 million to $3 million. Southwest Cinco Ranch has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2, below the national average score of 4.
There are almost no easily accessible public transit options in Southwest Cinco Ranch, so most locals opt to drive throughout the community and into neighboring metros. Southwest Cinco Ranch is located along Westpark Tollway, and the Grand Parkway is along the eastern side of Cinco Ranch. The Grand Parkway connects to Interstate 10. These three highways provide routes to the Energy Corridor in Houston and the medical industry in Sugar Land, which are both within 20 miles of Southwest Cinco Ranch.
Scenic views make way for a calm and comfortable vibe in Falcon Landing. With lakefront living taking center stage, newer homes are making appearances throughout the area and showing that classic and contemporary can come together to create community.<br><br>Stately established homes surrounded by sprawling manicured lawns set the scene for living in Falcon Landing. Flourishing oak trees accent the yards, providing a taste of shade from the sun. Gated communities flaunt lake views, while the homes all over make a statement.<br><br>Traditional homes are the most prevalent, displaying inviting entryways accented with tall columns wrapping the home’s front patio. Contemporary brick homes are also popular, offering a modern take on classic designs. Given the varying sizes and styles, these homes tend to range from as low as the $300,000s to as high as the $900,000s. In the area known as The Sunterra, new builds are popping up featuring covered porches and back patios, priced in the $300,000s. Expansive multigenerational estates can also be found on acreage lots decorated with mature oaks offering guest houses/mother-in-law suites and private sports courts and fitness centers, ranging in price from $ 1.2 million to $2.8 million.<br><br>As part of the Katy Independent School District, students can attend Edna Mae Fielder Elementary School and Cinco Ranch Junior High School in preparation for Cinco Ranch High School. A National Blue Ribbon School, Cinco Ranch High is home to several state championships in track and field, wrestling, cheerleading, debate and robotics; Cinco Ranch holds an overall Niche grade of A-plus. The junior high school and Fielder Elementary both have an A.<br><br>Established for passive use, Willow Fork Park boasts 32 acres of land for residents to use as they see fit. The park also offers playgrounds for children, disc golf areas, boardwalks, a pedestrian bridge and free WiFi for public use. Officially registered as a Monarch Waystation by Monarch Watch, the park also houses a butterfly garden. Covering 44 acres, Nottingham Country Greenbelt Park is an excellent place for casual exercise with its 2 miles of trails and endless open greenspace. <br><br>Nearby, ALDI and Houston staple H-E-B are both available for your grocery run or to grab necessities for the home. If you’re not in the mood to cook, take the family to Local Table, where brunch, drinks and dessert are on the menu. Vegan options are also available. At Black Walnut Café, enjoy a variety of pasta, burgers and southern-inspired meals. The café now also offers a brand new cocktail menu.<br><br>A country club that’s a home away from home, The Club at Falcon Point affords members some highly desired relaxation when needed. Deemed a premier golf destination in Katy, The Club features an 18-hole championship course with a fantastic layout that creates an enjoyable experience for any player. Falcon Point also offers lighted tennis courts, state-of-the-art fitness centers and two pools — an Olympic-sized one for adults and a smaller one for children — that help beat the Houston heat. <br><br>Enjoy life’s comforts living in Falcon Landing.
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.