Keller Williams Signature
Isaias Contreras
Realtor® · Greater Houston Area Specialist
Hello, Houston! Spring Is Here.
March in Houston is one of my favorite times of year — the Rodeo is roaring, bluebonnets are popping up along the roadsides, and the spring real estate market is shifting into gear. Whether you're thinking about buying, selling, or just keeping a pulse on our vibrant community, I hope this month's newsletter brings real value to your inbox. As always, I'm just a call or email away if you'd like to chat real estate. Let's go, Houston!
— Isaias Contreras
Section 01
Community News
🤠 HLSR Downtown Rodeo Parade — Feb. 28
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo kicked off the season in grand fashion with its beloved Downtown Rodeo Parade. U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Scott Ruskan — a hero of the Fourth of July Texas Hill Country floods — served as this year's grand marshal in a moving tribute. The parade, a cherished Houston tradition since 1938, drew massive crowds lining the downtown streets in anticipation of another legendary Rodeo season.
🐎 Lunar New Year — Year of the Horse Celebrations
Houston rang in the Year of the Horse with vibrant community celebrations at Discovery Green, the Chinese Community Center, Space Center Houston, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston — featuring lion and dragon dances, cultural performances, food vendors, and family-friendly festivities. A beautiful reminder of the multicultural richness that defines our city.
🏟️ $2 Billion Convention Center Expansion Approved
Houston City Council approved approximately $2 billion in bonds to fund a major expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center — including new exhibit halls, retail and restaurant space, and a pedestrian plaza connecting to Toyota Center. Funded primarily through future hotel occupancy tax revenues, the project positions Houston for major global events, including the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the 2028 Republican National Convention.
🎭 Monster Jam at NRG Stadium — Feb. 7, 14–15
Houston families packed NRG Stadium for three adrenaline-packed nights of monster truck action, with fan favorites like Grave Digger and El Toro Loco performing jaw-dropping stunts for capacity crowds.
🎊 Mardi Gras! Galveston Brings the Festivities
The nation's third-largest Mardi Gras celebration brought two weeks of parades, balcony parties, live music, and colorful revelry to Galveston Island — drawing visitors from across the Gulf Coast and giving the Houston region another reason to celebrate community and culture.
MID-MAR
🤠 RodeoHouston® — NRG Stadium
One of the world's premier livestock shows and rodeos continues through mid-March, featuring world-class concerts, carnival rides, the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, and spectacular rodeo performances. Whether you're a first-timer or a lifelong Houstonian, the Rodeo is a must.
6–8
🎵 SpringStock Music Fest — Saint Arnold Brewing
Three days of free live music, great craft beer, and laid-back spring vibes at Houston's beloved Saint Arnold Brewing Company. A beloved East End tradition that's perfect for the whole family.
13–17
☘️ St. Patrick's Day — 65th Annual Parade, Downtown Houston
The 65th Annual Houston St. Patrick's Parade marches through Downtown on Saturday, March 14, kicking off a weekend packed with festive parties, cookouts, and community celebrations across the Greater Houston area.
14–22
🎬 Houston Jewish Film Festival
A week-long cinematic celebration showcasing the richness of Jewish and Israeli culture through feature films, documentaries, and shorts across multiple Houston venues — with audience discussions and special talkbacks.
26
⚾ Astros Opening Day at Daikin Park!
Play ball! The Houston Astros open the 2026 season at home against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, March 26, at Daikin Park. It's the first time in franchise history the 'Stros open at home versus the Angels — a special milestone for a special Opening Day. An exciting seven-game homestand kicks off the spring season.
Section 02
Greater Houston Market Snapshot
Data sourced from the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR) March 2026 Housing Market Update & Bankrate mortgage data.
Median Home Price
$330,000
▼ 1.5% year-over-year
Avg. Home Price
$420,510
▼ 1.2% year-over-year
Days on Market
67 Days
vs. 62 days last year
Inventory
4.7 Mo.
34,898 active listings (+8.7%)
Sales Volume (March)
7,644
▲ 3.7% year-over-year
30-Yr Fixed Rate
~6.32–6.49%
15-yr avg: ~5.67–5.82%
📊 Isaias's Market Take
The Greater Houston housing market is entering a balanced spring season. While prices have eased modestly, the real story is in buyer activity — pending sales surged 12.8% year-over-year, signaling strong and sustained demand as the spring market heats up.
Inventory is rising, giving buyers more options without triggering steep price competition. HAR Chair Theresa Hill captured it well: "Buyers are still active, prices are moderating and inventory is leveling out." For sellers, proper pricing and presentation are more important than ever. For buyers, this balanced window may be exactly the right moment to act before rates tick higher.
Want to know what your home is worth today — or what you can afford? I'm happy to run the numbers for you.
Section 03
March Sports Calendar
🚀 Houston Rockets — NBA | Toyota Center
⚾ Houston Astros — MLB | Daikin Park
⚽ Houston Dynamo — MLS
🏈 Houston Texans — NFL
🏀 NCAA March Madness
Section 04
New Restaurants — West Houston
From upscale supper clubs to culinary innovators, the west side of Houston's dining scene is serving up some seriously exciting newcomers. Here's what to add to your must-try list.
Upscale American Supper Club · Energy Corridor
One of Houston's most anticipated openings of the year, Kirkwood is a modern supper club located at Energy Tower II on the Katy Freeway, honoring the legacy of Houston sports legend and real estate icon Mac Haik. Executive chef Stephen Chiang brings his experience from top New York and Houston kitchens with a refined American menu: hamachi crudo, miso tuna wonton tartare, truffle parmesan ravioli, pork chop, and steak frites. The space features a stunning circular bar, Astrodome-inspired art installation, wraparound sunroom, and leather accents throughout.
📍 11720 Katy Freeway (Energy Tower II), Energy Corridor
Gulf Coast Texas Cuisine · Memorial Neighborhood
Veteran Houston chef Bryan Caswell — beloved for the now-closed Reef and Stella Sola — makes his triumphant return with Latuli, a deeply personal restaurant he describes as "my autobiography on a menu." Named by Texas Monthly as one of the state's best new restaurants, the menu spotlights Gulf Coast and Texas culinary traditions: a crab-packed crab cake with spicy sorghum mustard, Shiner-steamed mussels, and a pecan-smoked pork chop. The dining room is warm and art-filled, including two signed Picassos, and the hospitality feels genuinely homegrown.
📍 Memorial Neighborhood, Houston
Fast-Casual Asian · Robotic Wok Technology · Katy Area
Houston's newest dining innovation has arrived! iWok uses state-of-the-art robotic woks to cook made-to-order Asian bowls with traditional high-heat techniques — the result is authentic, lightning-fast, and surprisingly customizable. Menu highlights include Kung Pao chicken, mapo tofu, Mongolian beef, wok shrimp, and boba tea. After launching its first Houston location in January 2026 to strong reviews, iWok is bringing a west Houston location to the Katy area in the first half of the year. Watch this space!
📍 Katy Area — Opening First Half of 2026
American Comfort Food · Sugar Land
The beloved Houston neighborhood staple Mia's Table is making its way to Sugar Land at 15908 Lexington Blvd. Known for its warm, family-friendly atmosphere, hearty portions, and approachable American comfort menu, this expansion is great news for southwest Houston residents looking for a trusted gathering spot. Construction is underway with a projected late 2026 opening.
📍 15908 Lexington Blvd, Sugar Land