Archive for October, 2009

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Austin Waters: Carrollton

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

The rolling hills of the Texas Hill Country are home to the exciting new residential development of Austin Waters. As Carrollton’s newest home community, Austin Waters will feature beautiful, custom homes in various architectural styles.

Picturesque Luxury

Priced between $478,900 and $659,990, the homes of Austin Waters enjoy a convenient location in picturesque Carrollton. The 44 homes in this community range from 3,082 to 5,120 square feet and feature such architectural design styles as Tudor, Arts and Crafts, Texas and Southern.

From crystal-clear creeks to lush, wooded hills, the surroundings of Austin Waters provide a stunning backdrop to this new, master-planned home community.

Convenient Location

Austin Waters is located in North Dallas, near Highway 121, the Dallas North Tollway and the George Bush Tollway. It is also located just five miles from Las Colinas, two miles from Plano, 20 miles from downtown Dallas and 11 miles from the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

Custom Home Designs

The custom homes of Austin Waters feature such stunning designs as soaring ceilings, floor-to-ceilings windows and unique floor plans, complete with angled walls and lovely art niches.

Other home design features will include spacious floor plans, gourmet kitchens, huge closets and expansive porches and terraces.

The Introduction of New Urbanism

This master-planned community focuses on a walking community called “new urbanism”, which features beautiful, neighborhood parks, hiking trails, nature areas and picturesque surroundings.

Each luxury home of Austin Waters in Carrollton will feature distinctive architecture and fine details, and each home will also be energy efficient and will follow green building practices.

The master-planned community of Austin Waters has been developed in such a manner as to preserve the woodlands and the surrounding green spaces, and adhere to certain energy-conscious building practices.

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Condo or Townhome: Which is Right for you?

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

You may have deteremined that owning a single-family home is not for you,

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Irving

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

The quality of life in Irving has often been regarded as unsurpassed, or second to none. In addition to its prime location and its great array of real estate options, the park systems have lured residents into this vibrant community, thereby providing a great service to residents and increasing home values.

Irving has therefore taken steps to further enhance its park system with the addition of three, new neighborhood parks.

Currently, Irving is home to more than 43 parks and more than 2,000 acres of green space. All Irving parks are maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department.


Northgate Park

Northgate Park, which is located on the southeast corner of Rochelle Road and Northgate Drive, boasts 5.4 acres. The city, along with the Las Colinas Association, worked on the first phase development of this new neighborhood park.

Some of the newest features of Northgate Park include an eight-foot-wide, concrete walking trail and a barrier safety fence along the railroad tracks. Beautification efforts include more than 100 trees, which will be fully irrigated.

Northgate Park is already open to the public during these improvements, and the public has full access to the playground and the trail. Irving Parks and Building Maintenance expect further improvements to include a picnic pavilion and additional parking. All park maintenance will be a joint effort between the city and the Las Colinas Association.

Oak Meadows Park and Lanotte Park

Oak Meadows Park, located near the Graff Farm housing development, and Lanotte Park, located on Irving Heights Drive, are set to be developed and maintained by the city. However, both development projects are slated for a later date.

An additional park, called the Tim Markwood Park, was recently opened. This park, which is located along MacArthur Boulevard, boasts a walking trail, pavilions and a playground.

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The New Homebuyer Tax Credit Clock is Ticking Down: Have you Taken Advantage of it yet?

Monday, October 26th, 2009

For those new homebuyers on the fence about purchasing their first Fate home, the new homebuyer tax credit may be just what they need to motivate them to become a first-time homebuyer.

For many, the November 30 deadline to take advantage of the new homebuyer tax credit is quickly approaching, so it’s a race for the clock to snag their hefty tax credit.

The new homebuyer tax credit, which is eligible to most home buyers who have either never owned a home, or who have not owned a home for at least two years, equals 10 percent of the purchase price of a home, up to $8,000.

However, those individuals making more than $75,000 (or $150,000 for a couple) will likely not be eligible for this tax credit.

Surge of New Home Sales among First-Time Buyers

Many industry experts have seen the housing market take off over the last, several months, thanks in part to new homebuyers taking advantage of the new homebuyer tax credit. And the industry hopes to see a final surge of sales as the November 30 deadline looms.

Many industry experts are recommending that new homebuyers close no later than the third week of November to ensure that their purchase is finalized before the deadline.

Many home purchases can take up to two months to complete, in which case the tax credit would not be valid. However, if a new homebuyer can get the process moving in about a month, they will likely slide in there to snag the tax credit. In other words, new homebuyers now have a very small window of time to get in on this government tax credit.

New Proposals in the Works

For those first-time homebuyers who can’t make the deadline, there has been talk about extending the deadline, although there has not been any definitive word yet about this.

Some of the proposals being considered would extend the credit into next year, while others are aimed at offering the tax credit to all home buyers or raising the credit up to $15,000, with no income restrictions.

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The Perks of Owning a Home

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

Many individuals are considering purchasing their first home, now more than ever. From the $8,000 new home buyer tax credit to the near-historic-low interest rates and great supply of homes on the market, now may be the opportunity you’ve been searching for.

However, have you considered whether owning a home is right for you?

Although there certainly are risks of owning a home, often times the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. You may want to reconsider purchasing a Carrollton home if you don’t plan on staying more than a few years, or if you simply don’t want the responsibility involved with maintaining and owning a home.

However, if home ownership is your dream, and you are financially prepared to purchase your first Carrollton home, then consider the perks of homeownership:

  • Owning a home is still the best investment – Although home values in many parts of the country have seen a hit over the last, couple years, the reality is that median existing home sales in the country have consistently increased an average of 6.5 percent over the last 30-plus years, according to the National Association of Realtors. In other words, if you plan on staying in your home for at least five years, then chances are good that you will walk away with a nice profit.
  • Tax incentives – There are plenty of tax incentives to owning a home, including being able to deduct your mortgage interest. Plus, you can receive up to $250,000 in profit when you sell, without having to pay taxes on it.
  • The freedom of owning a home – Being able to redecorate, paint as you wish and remodel at a whim is yours when you own a home. Most renters are very limited when it comes to changing anything about their homes, but as a homeowner you have much more freedom and flexibility.

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Spanish and Mediterranean Architecture Abound Throughout the Community of La Villita at Las Colinas

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

Las Colinas has been known for its outstanding home communities, and La Villita is no exception.

La Villita has become a very popular master-planned community in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, as it enjoys a prime location near the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, downtown Dallas and Fort Worth. It is also located close to Interstate 35, Interstate 635 and the George Bush Turnpike.

Exploring La Villita

The surroundings of La Villita are quite beautiful, as they include a 30-acre lake and two canals, as well as numerous hiking trails and parks. La Villita features several home choices, including single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums.

All of the homes in La Villita boast an attractive Spanish/Mediterranean architecture, complete with stucco and stone exteriors, tile roofs, and wrought iron and cedar design features.

Just some of the builders of La Villita include Darling Homes, K. Hovnanian Homes, City Homes and Pasquinelli Portrait Homes. Homes in La Villita range from the low $200,000 to the $600,000s.

Apartment homes can also be found in La Villita for those individuals who desire to rent. In fact, there are over 1,300 apartment homes in the community. Amli and Lincoln Properties feature the Landings at La Villita, where one, two and three-bedroom floor plans can be found.

This master-planned community, which sits on over 200 acres, is a fine example of the outstanding architecture and design found throughout Las Colinas.

The La Villita project, which began in March 2005, was completed in 2008. It is located on the northeast corner of Royal Lane and Riverside and south of Interstate 635 and the George Bush Turnpike,

The highly desired Las Colinas location, along with the varied real estate options, makes La Villita a popular master-planned community for Dallas residents from many different walks of life.

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The Growth of Fate and its Real Estate Opportunities

Monday, October 19th, 2009

Fate is certainly the city to keep an eye on in Rockwall County. With plans to develop some 5,000 homes over the next, few years, and the development of a four-lane parkway to handle that development, Fate is a city with roots in the past and eye toward the future.

This small, rural town boasts a small population with plenty of room for growth. The population may not seem like much – just 4,724 as of 2009 – consider the fact that this number is a 644 percent increase from just nine years ago. In fact, the city of Fate was named by the Dallas Business Journal as the fastest growing city in Dallas in 2008.

With Fate’s prime location near Dallas, and its low cost of living – the cost of living here is over 18 percent lower than the U.S. average – it’s no wonder why developers have chosen this community to focus its new residential construction efforts on.

A great example of new home development in Fate is Woodcreek, a lovely community comprised of over 1,100 acres. There are currently about 1,000 homes in Woodcreek. The natural surroundings are an important part of this community, as the developers have focused on the surrounding greenbelts and parks.

Community amenities include:

  • Woodcreek Lake, a community lake for fishing
  • An amenity center
  • Hiking and biking trails
  • A Junior-Olympic sized swimming pool
  • Sports fields
  • A clubhouse with a catering kitchen
  • Several parks and playgrounds
  • A children’s play area
  • A state-of-the-art fitness center
  • A children’s water and splash playground

Woodcreek is located just 25 miles northeast of Dallas, and is also close to Interstate 30 and Highway 66. Rockwall is just minutes away, as are great shopping and dining venues.

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Construction Finally Comes to an End at the Ritz-Carlton Residences

Friday, October 16th, 2009

The two-year Uptown project of the Tower Residences at the Ritz-Carlton has finally come to an end.

This project, which marks one of the last, major condominium projects taking place in the Uptown District of Dallas, features a 23-story tower, which is located adjacent to the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

The only other condo tower yet to be finished in Dallas’ Uptown district is the Stoneleigh Hotel residential tower, which was put on hold in 2008 and has since gone into bankruptcy.

The project, which was overseen by the design firm of A.M. Stern Architects LLP, was also the mastermind of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel design. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel opened up in 2007. The developer of the project is Crescent Real Estate Equities Limited Partnership.

This luxury high-rise building features 95 residences, two-thirds of which have already been reserved by anxious buyers looking to get in on the luxury that is the Ritz-Carlton.

Luxury Meets Urban Sophistication

The Residences of the Ritz-Carlton certainly have a lot to live up to, considering the sheer opulence of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, but the developers, along with many residents, certainly aren’t too concerned.

Located in the heart of Uptown Dallas, the residents of this extraordinary address will enjoy incredible comfort, convenience and only the finest of services. From its beautifully appointed interiors to its unsurpassed amenities and services, the Residences at the Ritz-Carlton live up the reputation of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel – and then some.

Just some of the amenities afforded to the residents of the Residences at the Ritz-Carlton include:

  • 12,000-square-foot signature spa
  • Resort-style, outdoor swimming pool
  • State-of-the-art fitness center
  • Daily housekeeping, laundry, dry cleaning and room service
  • Full-service concierge team
  • Private entrances, elevators and parking
  • Prime location near some of the finest restaurants and shops of the Uptown district

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New Home Communities Abound Throughout Coppell

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

The upscale community of Coppell is one of those communities that have not managed to blow right past the recession, but has actually come out ahead.

As further proof of Coppell’s outstanding growth, consider that there are now three new home communities currently under development in Coppell – a rarity in Dallas, let alone the country:

  • The Chateaus of Coppell, under the direction of the Toll Brothers, are Coppell’s newest executive homes, with prices starting from the $500,000s.
  • The community of Arbor Manors, developed by David Weekly homes, features estate homes priced from the upper $400,000s.
  • Finally, Alexander Court, with expansive estate homes from the high $900,000s are currently underway in beautiful Coppell.

It is no wonder that Coppell is home to many of these outstanding, new home communities, as this area of Dallas has always had a reputation for being upscale and upper class, to say the least.

The Perks of Living in Coppell

The family-oriented city of Coppell has historic roots from the 1840s and a strong, commercial sector. It is conveniently located near downtown Dallas, the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and several, major highways.

Countless magazines and organizations have named Coppell as a highly desirable city in which to reside. Some of the accolades given to Coppell include: One of the “Top Ten Cities” by D Magazine and one of the “Best Places to Live” by Money Magazine.

In addition to its outstanding location and impressive real estate, Coppell is served by three, highly regarded school districts, including the Coppell Independent School District, the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District and the Lewisville Independent School District.

Although the real estate of Coppell tends to be upscale, there are many, more modest homes from which to choose in Coppell.

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A Quality Lifestyle in the Lovejoy ISD

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

The Lovejoy Independent School District, also referred to as the Lovejoy ISD, has become a highly desired area in terms of real estate among Dallas residents.

About the Lovejoy ISD

The Lovejoy ISD comprises the cities of Allen, Lucas, Fairview and McKinney, and is an in-demand school system, which comprises grades K through 12.

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