If you’re researching a move to Conroe and trying to figure out what your budget actually gets you here, this post breaks it down. We’re looking at Graystone Hills — one of Conroe’s most established master-planned communities — including the neighborhood itself, what homes are selling for, the real cost of ownership, and how resale stacks up against new construction at this price point.
The Neighborhood: What Graystone Hills Actually Is
Graystone Hills sits on the northwest side of Conroe, right off Longmire Road just west of where I-45 and Loop 336 meet. It’s a master-planned community developed by Friendswood Development Company, with homes built primarily between 2008 and 2011. You’re in Montgomery County, which matters when we get to taxes.
This is not a neighborhood that’s still being built out. The trees are mature, the roads are finished, and you know exactly what you’re moving into — which is something you can’t always say about newer communities in this area.
One thing that genuinely sets Graystone Hills apart is lot size. The developer intentionally built homesites wider and deeper than what’s typical — five to ten feet wider and ten to twenty feet deeper than comparable master-planned communities. That difference shows up in the yards, and it’s one of the reasons people who buy here tend to stay.
Community amenities include a resort-style pool, greenbelt trails, a nature preserve, recreation center, playground, and parks throughout the neighborhood. The HOA runs $845 a year — on the lower end for a master-planned community with this amenity package.
For commuters, you’re less than five minutes from I-45, with Houston’s north side roughly 30 minutes away depending on traffic. Lake Conroe is minutes away, Sam Houston National Forest is nearby, and the area has grown significantly over the past decade in terms of shopping and dining options.
Schools are Giesinger Elementary — a National Blue Ribbon School — Peet Junior High, and Conroe High School, all within Conroe ISD. Always verify current zoning directly with the district before making any decisions based on schools.
What $650k Looks Like in Graystone Hills
Homes in Graystone Hills at the $600k–$700k range typically offer generous square footage, larger lots, and updated finishes — because most of what’s available here is resale, and sellers have had years to invest in improvements.
Using a real life example, I just toured a home in the neighborhood at this price point: a 3,429 square foot home on just under a half-acre lot. Five bedrooms, four and a half baths, built in 2008, with a three-car detached garage. Updated kitchen with quartz countertops and stainless appliances. Primary suite on the main floor. Game room upstairs. Dedicated home office on the first floor.
The outdoor space is where homes like this earn their price tag. Heated pool, hot tub, outdoor kitchen, fire pit lounge — on a half-acre lot in a master-planned community. That combination takes years and significant money to build from scratch in a new construction home, and here it’s already done.
This is the pattern you’ll see repeatedly in Graystone Hills resale — sellers who have invested in their homes, on lots that are larger than what most new construction communities offer today.
The Real Cost to Own in Montgomery County
Texas has no state income tax, but the property tax rate surprises a lot of relocating buyers. Montgomery County has a tax rate of 2.3331% for this area. On a home assessed at $649,000, that works out to roughly $10,700 a year without exemptions — based on 2024 figures. That’s just under $900 a month before principal, interest, and insurance.
Two things work in your favor. A homestead exemption caps annual assessed value increases once this is your primary residence, which provides meaningful protection over time. And when you factor in no state income tax, the total tax burden often looks different compared to states like California, New York, or Illinois — it doesn’t always erase the difference, but it closes the gap more than most people expect.
One thing buyers new to Texas frequently miss: MUD taxes. A Municipal Utility District tax funds water and sewer infrastructure in many Texas communities, including parts of Conroe. Make sure your lender is accounting for it in your monthly payment estimate before you fall in love with any home.
Run all of these numbers with your lender using current figures. That applies to resale and new construction equally. If you’re ready to talk through what ownership actually costs for your specific situation, I’m happy to walk through it with you.
Resale vs. New Construction — The Honest Comparison
If you’re in the $600k–$700k range in Conroe right now, you’re likely weighing resale against new construction. Here’s how the two compare.
New construction gives you a builder warranty, brand new systems, and the ability to choose your finishes. The trade-off is typically a smaller lot, a neighborhood that may still be developing around you for years, and a base price that doesn’t include the backyard, the upgraded kitchen, or the mature landscaping. Those are all line items that come after the contract is signed, and they add up fast.
Resale in an established community like Graystone Hills means you’re buying the finished version of the home. The sellers have already made the investments. The trade-off is age — homes here were built around 2008, making them roughly 17 years old. You go in with a thorough inspection, pay attention to the age of systems like HVAC, water heater, and roof, and factor potential replacement costs into your offer and your planning.
Neither is the wrong answer. It comes down to what your family is prioritizing — a fresh start with a warranty, or a finished product in a mature neighborhood with outdoor space that’s ready to use the day you move in.
Who Graystone Hills Is Actually Right For
Graystone Hills makes the most sense for a family that wants space inside and out, doesn’t want to wait on a builder, and wants an established neighborhood where the work is already done. If outdoor living is a priority — and for a lot of buyers in this area, it is — the lot sizes and outdoor setups available in Graystone Hills resale are genuinely hard to match in new construction at this price without spending significantly more.
It’s worth noting that Graystone Hills is not the right fit for every buyer. If a builder warranty is non-negotiable, or if you’re set on brand new everything, new construction may still be the better answer. That’s a conversation worth having before you commit to either direction.
If you’re researching neighborhoods in Conroe and North Houston and want a side-by-side breakdown of the top communities in this area, feel free to reach out!
