Living in Starwood in Frisco costs more than the home price alone. Buyers should budget for the purchase, property taxes, HOA dues that fund the guard-gated entry and common areas, insurance and upkeep on homes that are often large and custom built. Starwood is a guard-gated community organized into villages, so both purchase price and carrying costs vary by village, lot and the age of the home.
At The Agency Dallas, our agents work with buyers and sellers in Frisco's gated communities. This guide breaks down the main costs of living in Starwood so you can plan with clear numbers.
What is the Frisco market doing in 2026?
Starwood is in Collin County, where the median listing price was down 0.95 percent year over year in August 2026, according to Realtor.com data published by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. A flat market gives buyers more negotiating room than they had in 2021 and 2022, which can lower the effective purchase price on homes that have been listed for a while. Our Frisco housing market report has current figures.
What are the main costs of owning in Starwood?
- Purchase price. Prices vary by village, lot size and whether a home is custom or semi-custom. Compare closed sales within the same village.
- Property taxes. Texas has no state income tax, and property taxes do much of the work instead. Your bill depends on the appraised value and the combined rates of the city, county and school district. Check the Collin Central Appraisal District record for any home you consider.
- HOA dues. Dues fund the staffed gate, security and shared areas. Ask for the current budget, reserves and any planned special assessments. Our guide on how HOA fees work in North Texas explains what to ask.
- Insurance. Larger custom homes and North Texas hail exposure push premiums up. Get quotes during your option period.
- Maintenance. Large roofs, multiple HVAC systems, pools and mature landscaping add steady costs, especially on homes 20 or more years old.
- Utilities. Big homes in Texas summers carry real cooling costs. Ask sellers for recent utility bills.
How can I estimate property taxes on a Starwood home?
Do not rely on the seller's current tax bill. If the seller has a homestead exemption or has owned the home for years, your bill may be higher after purchase. A better approach:
- Look up the property on the appraisal district site and note the market value and exemptions.
- Estimate your bill using your expected purchase price and the current combined tax rate.
- File for your own homestead exemption after closing if the home will be your primary residence.
Our article on when you can claim the Texas homestead exemption covers timing.
What does the HOA cover in a guard-gated community?
In most guard-gated communities, dues typically help pay for:
- Staffed entry and security patrols
- Gate systems and access control technology
- Landscaping and maintenance of entries and common areas
- Reserves for future repairs
- Management and legal costs
Confirm exactly what Starwood's dues include by reviewing the HOA budget and resale certificate during your option period.
How can I lower the cost of buying in Starwood?
A flat market gives buyers more tools than they had a few years ago. Ways to bring the total cost down:
- Target homes with longer days on market. Sellers who have been listed for a while are often more open to price or terms.
- Negotiate repairs or credits. Use the option period inspection to address roofs, HVAC and pool equipment, which are common big-ticket items in older custom homes.
- Ask for a closing cost credit or rate buydown. In a balanced market, sellers sometimes agree to help with financing costs.
- Protest your appraisal. After you buy, review your appraised value each spring and protest if it is out of line with the market.
- Shop insurance. Premiums vary widely among carriers for large homes in hail country.
Our guide on what to check on your property tax bill explains the protest process, which works similarly in Collin County.
Is Starwood worth the cost?
For buyers who value controlled access, privacy and a central Frisco location, the added carrying costs are often worth it. Guard-gated communities with limited land for new homes also tend to see steady demand. For comparison with other Frisco options, see Starwood vs. Stonebriar and the most expensive neighborhoods in Frisco.
How The Agency Dallas helps Starwood buyers and sellers
The Agency Dallas is an independently owned North Texas luxury real estate brokerage. For buyers, our agents build a full cost picture, including taxes, dues and insurance, before you make an offer. For sellers, we prepare written valuations based on closed sales in the same village, and our in-house marketing team builds the campaign for each listing.
Frequently asked questions
What does it cost to live in Starwood, Frisco?
Beyond the purchase price, budget for property taxes, HOA dues that fund the guard-gated entry and common areas, insurance and maintenance on large homes. Costs vary by village, lot and the age of the home, so build a full estimate for each property rather than relying on averages.
Is Starwood guard-gated?
Yes. Starwood is consistently described in listings as a guard-gated community, organized into villages. HOA dues help fund the staffed gate and security. Ask the HOA how guests and deliveries are handled and how the gate is staffed overnight.
How are property taxes calculated on a Starwood home?
Your bill is the appraised value times the combined rates of the city, county and school district, less any exemptions. Do not rely on the seller's bill. Estimate taxes from your expected purchase price and file for your own homestead exemption after closing.
Are Frisco home prices going down?
Prices have been roughly flat. Collin County's median listing price was down 0.95 percent year over year in August 2026, per Realtor.com data on FRED. Individual communities and price bands can differ, so compare recent closed sales in the specific village.
What should I review about the Starwood HOA before buying?
Ask for the current budget, reserve study, recent meeting minutes, any planned special assessments and the architectural rules. Review the resale certificate during your option period so you understand dues, rules and any pending issues before you are committed.
Sources: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED), Median Listing Price Year-Over-Year in Collin County, TX, Realtor.com data; Redfin listing descriptions for Starwood, Frisco. Accessed October 30, 2026.
