Despite falling oil prices and energy industry layoffs in 2016, the Houston housing market held steady and set a new record for home sales. While homes over $500,000 and up experienced declining sales through October, they ticked up with double-digit sales increases in the final two months of the year, the Houston Association of Realtors reports. Two mansions sold for more than $10 million and the cheapest home in the Top 10 sold for more than $5 million.

The Top 10 most expensive homes sold over the year were located, not surprisingly, in the exclusive areas of River Oaks, The Woodlands and Memorial. They include the following (with descriptions from the HAR listings for each):

Sold by: Timothy Shanahan, Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty

Description: This impressive Norman French-style estate, clad in Leuders Shasta-Blend stone, offers exceptional style, gorgeous rare finishes, and comprehensive cutting-edge Crestron whole-house technology that makes living in this 17,500-plus sq/ft home exceptionally luxurious. Separate 1,123 sq/ft full guest quarters located above garage. Designed by Ed Eubanks and constructed by Texana Builders on 1.3 acres, the residence was built to exacting requirements and required four years to reach completion in 2014.

Sold by: Pene Moore, Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty

Description: Bayou Breeze, an exceptional River Oaks estate on a 3.7 acre bayou lot. This magnificent English country home designed by Curtis & Windham must be seen to be believed. The interiors were superbly appointed by New York interior designer Bunny Williams. This home has it all — antique wood floors, elevator to all three floors, wine cellar with dining area, media room, separate guest house, 2-bedroom apartment over garage, pool and pool cabana, putting green, and stunning garden views from every window.

3)    88 Grand Regency Circle, The Woodlands, 77382

Sold by: Debbie Coleman Ratcliff, Coleman Realty

Description: Designed for Grand Scale entertaining and family living, 21/bedroom, full kitchen apartments, pool house, 3 elevators, 12 fireplaces, 18 baths, catering kitchen w/walk in cooler & much more. Carlton Woods is an exclusive gated golf course community.

4)   15 Grand Regency Circle, The Woodlands, 77382

Sold by: Beth Ferester, Beth Ferester & Company, Coldwell Banker United, Realtors- The Woodlands

Description: One of the most revered signature estates in Carlton Woods is on the ninth hole of the Nicklaus Course at 15 Grand Regency. This spectacular home features the amenities of a fine resort. It has full views of the 9th and 18th holes, the lake and the CW Clubhouse. Other amenities include a two story guest house, a golf house, and over 17,000 square feet of amazing spaces and over 3000 square feet of outdoor spaces. Surrounded by a stone wall and gated.

Sold by: Cathy Blum, Greenwood King Properties - Kirby office

Description: Understated elegance best describes this magnificent Country French home on beautifully landscaped grounds. Sitting pretty on 1+ acres (HCAD) on the corner of River Oaks Blvd., this home was designed by Joseph Finger in 1937 (HCAD) and has been lovingly restored* by the current owners. High ceilings/limestone and wood flooring, metal windows and doors, crown molding/terraces/gardens/guest house/pool. A warm family home that entertains beautifully. *=Per Seller

Sold by: Ruth Porterfield, Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty

Description: Refined Santa Barbara-style home custom-built with Segreto plaster and hand-scraped mahogany floors, moldings, doors, beams throughout; hand- chiseled, honed limestone floors; soaring ceilings; trompe l oeil; professionally-equipped open kitchen; 5 fireplaces; 1st-floor master with library, bedroom with fireplace, bathroom with zero-edge sinks, Jason tub, steam shower, custom closets; guest/staff apt.; pool + large yard. En suite bedrooms, gameroom, finished 3rd floor, Crestron/Lutron systems.

Sold by: Clayton Katz, John Daugherty Realtors

Description: Robert Dame-designed French traditional on a Tiel Way ravine lot. Soaring ceilings and beautiful wooded views from towering iron windows. This private estate features 5 bedrooms, separate traditional and catering kitchens, lofty master retreat with a vaulted beamed ceiling, wine room, elegant library and dining spaces, loggia, elevator capable, and theatre amongst other amenities. The home is designed with the outdoors in mind and offers some of the most private and breathtaking views.

Sold by: Maxine Davis, Maxine Davis Properties

Description: This very remarkable River Oaks home that features fabulous room sizes and a family room with a beautiful view of the outside that makes you feel you are in the woods. The master bedroom has a fireplace and a large walk-in closet. There are five more bedrooms and a beautiful backyard. This home also features a gated motor-court with three car garage and quarters. Truly a very special home in a unique location that is great for entertaining!

Sold by: Diane Kingshill, ​Martha Turner ​Sotheby's International Realty

Description: Secluded within 3.5+ acres in exclusive Rivercrest Estates,this ultra-luxurious Mediterranean-style estate offers living on a palatial scale. The walled compound includes a 7 bedroom main house, 4 bedroom guest house, and a professional sports complex with indoor basketball court, pro-equipped gym, and hydrotherapy immersion tanks. Outdoor amenities include a putting/chipping green, water well, motor court, resort pool. Interiors by Reihl Designs, Palm Beach.

Sold by: Jay Monroe, Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty

Description: Mirador Builders' Jennifer Hamelet brings you her finest River Oaks work yet. This light filled, idyllic home, set just off Del Monte Park, artfully weds American vernacular architecture with clean simple lines to produce striking and inspirational spaces. The timeless quality of her finishes include walnut floors, iron and glass doors and windows, reclaimed brick fireplaces, antique and modern iron chandeliers and mirrors, Calacatta and leathered soapstone counters. Walnut elevator. Beautifully landscaped.

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