More homes were sold in Sugar Land- and Missouri City-area ZIP codes in October compared to October 2024, with 262 homes sold versus 261 last year, according to data from CB&A Realtors.

The big picture: Data shows that three of five local ZIP codes saw fewer home sales year over year, with ZIP code 77489 seeing the largest percentage decrease in sales at 26.67%.

Diving in: Additionally, the median home sale price decreased in four of five local ZIP codes year over year, according to the data. ZIP code 77479 had the highest median home sales prices among ZIP codes, at $455,000.

Digging in deeper: The average number of days homes spent on the market increased in three of five ZIP codes, with ZIP code 77478 seeing the largest percentage increase at 135.14%.

Sterling McCall Toyota Fort Bend has changed its name to Group 1 Toyota Fort Bend to unify with the group's network of dealership across the country.

What they offer: The Toyota dealer offers new and used vehicles as well as a service department for maintenance, according to its website.

• 20465 Southwest Freeway, Richmond

The rental-home market in the Houston region is showing signs of balance, with  more homes available to lease while overall pricing remains steady, according to the Houston Association of Realtors’ October 2025 Rental Market Update.

What this means: According to the market update, single-family homes for rent in the Greater Houston area surged in availability. In October, 11,749 single-family homes were available for rent—the highest on record.

Leasing activity remained strong in the same month, 3,725 single-family homes were leased— up 9% from the same month a year earlier, the report states. 

Real estate agents added 7,122 new listings to the Multiple Listing Service in October versus 5,935 last year—a 20% year-over-year increase, per the report.

With Christmas quickly approaching, here are eight organizations hosting toy drives for children that anyone can participate in. This list is not comprehensive, and details are subject to change.

Pearland Neighborhood Center Toy Drive: The Pearland Neighborhood Center is partnering with the Pearland Police Department for a holiday toy drive. Local businesses can contact officer Ryden Cohen to sign up to host a donation box where residents can drop off new toys for families in need.  

• Donations needed by the week of Dec. 12
• 2335 N. Texas Ave., Pearland
• Suggested donations: new, unused and unwrapped toys

Holiday Toy Store: Ronald McDonald House is collecting toy donations for babies and teens. Gifts must be new, in original packaging and unwrapped, and will be delivered to residents’ doors on Christmas morning. 

• Donations needed by Dec. 5
• 1907 Holcombe Blvd., Houston
• Suggested donations: video game systems, video game controllers, headphones, jewelry, diaper bags, teething toys, play mats

On the heels of what proponents have called “historic” property tax relief, some Texas lawmakers are questioning whether the state can afford to continue increasing the tax exemptions passed in 2023 and 2025.

The big picture: Texas homeowners pay property taxes to various local entities, although lawmakers can limit how much entities increase taxes each year and provide state funding to expand tax exemptions.

Texas is spending $51 billion on property tax relief in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 alone and may be required to spend more to maintain existing tax exemptions in future bienniums, lawmakers said.

What they're saying: "We're kind of maxed out at what we can do for property tax reform, from a budget perspective," said Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, during a Nov. 20 event.

"$51 billion ongoing, it's a huge amount to continue to support. To think about doing anything more seems very fiscally irresponsible," Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, said.

The other side: Rep. Ellen Troxclair, R-Lakeway, said creating limits on local government spending would be critical to keeping Texas affordable.