Posts Tagged ‘New Homes’

Newer Entries »

New Home Buyers: Should you use the Builder

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

You may be looking at some of the fantastic Allen new home communities and wondering if they are right for you. From outstanding home amenities and features to beautiful communities with plenty of recreational amenities, Allen new home communities are quite attractive to today’s home buyers.

Because of the tight lending standards of many lenders, securing financing may be a bit more of a challenge. You may be tempted to take advantage of the builder’s preferred lender to simplify the process, but is this always the right move?

  • Allen new home communities often come with their own lender. Many times, builders will offer special incentives for buyers if they use the builder’s lender. From upgraded carpeting and cabinetry to landscape packages, many of the incentives offered by the builder are meant to tempt buyers into using their lenders. Often times, the builder’s lender has the best deal, but many times the best deal is with an outside lender. In short, don’t let a few upgrades or incentives sway your decision to secure the best financing.
  • You may be able to secure financing faster through a builder’s lender than through an outside lender, as they lenders are expected to get buyers pre-approved in a timely fashion. Therefore, many builders will likely push their own lender because they can hasten the entire house buying process and save themselves thousands of dollars in holding costs.
  • Do your homework and decide upon the best time to lock in a good interest rate, either through the builder’s lender or an outside lender. Don’t expect the builder or the builder’s lender to advise you on the best time to lock in the lowest interest rate; you must do this yourself.
  • Regardless of whom you choose to help you finance your purchase, make it a point to educate yourself on the home loan process so you can be sure you are getting the best financing terms. Weigh the benefits of interest rates, points and incentives between lenders and make a decision based on money, not on convenience.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Mortgage | 2 Comments »

A Guide to Securing your New Home

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Fort Worth new homes are often spacious, luxurious and armed with great design features and amenities.

However, Fort Worth new homes may also be a target for burglaries. It is because of this that you should consider your security options when moving into a new home.

Many Fort Worth new homes include excellent security systems, although some do not. Even for those with security systems, you may want to upgrade the security in your new home so that you can protect yourself, your family and your possessions.

Tips for Securing your new Home:

  • If your home was occupied, change all the locks before moving in – Although the former owners may think they retrieved all the keys to the home before moving, they may very well have forgotten one or two. It is because of this that you must have all the locks changed once you have purchased the house.
  • Meet the neighbors and ask about any neighborhood watches – Introducing yourself to the neighbors is a great way to establish bonds and create friendships. It is also a great way to develop a community presence so that you and your neighbors are aware of anything out of the ordinary. If your neighborhood does not have a neighborhood watch in place, consider hosting a party or barbecue and getting one organized.
  • Check the home’s current security system and upgrade, if necessary – Ask a professional to check the home’s security system to make sure it is adequate and in good working order. Ask about upgrades, such as motion detectors and additional keypads.
  • Think like an intruder – Check all points of entry into the home and make sure they are well-lit. Also, make sure there are no trees or shrubs near the home that may provide a hiding place for an intruder.
  • Check your sliding glass doors – Sliding glass doors can be an easy entry point for an intruder. Luckily, however, there are many types of locks that can secure these types of doors.
  • Check your windows – Make sure all the locking mechanisms on the windows function properly, and that they are also protected by your home’s security system.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Buyer Tips | No Comments »

Today

Friday, February 26th, 2010

If you want to find some of the hottest home trends and designs, look no further than the Las Colinas new home communities.

The trends of today’s home are strikingly different than homes of just a few years ago. Unlike a few years ago, homes are now featuring designs that speak of elegance and glamor, just in a more practical way. Oversized, over-the-top homes, for example, have given way to more modest homes.

The Las Colinas new home communities are a good example of what you can expect to find when searching for a new home. The luxuries and amenities can still be found; however, homeowners are more interested in practicality and convenience than outrageous amenities that do nothing but cost too much money.

Here are some of the hottest new features you can find in new homes throughout Las Colinas:

  • “Green” building and design practices, including high-efficiency insulation and windows and energy-efficient appliances – Although today’s design and building features are more planet conscious, they in no way lack luxury and beauty. In fact, you may be hard pressed to tell the difference between yesterday’s building and design features and today’s more environmentally friendly counterparts.
  • Spacious kitchens – The kitchen still remains the gathering place in the home. It is where dinner is served, conversations are started and friends and family gather. As a result, many of the homes of today feature great upgrades in the kitchen, from granite countertops and custom cabinetry to high-end appliances and great extras, including wine coolers and specialty lighting.
  • Home offices – The trend has been working from home over the last few years, and the increase in the number of new home with home offices reflects that clearly. Home offices in some homes are even replacing formal dining rooms, which are often used very little.
  • Outdoor living upgrades – With the trend of “stayvactions,” outdoor living has taken on a whole new meaning. Many people are choosing to stay home instead of travel, and they therefore want their outdoor spaces to be fun, relaxing and luxurious.

Tags: ,
Posted in New Homes | No Comments »

Allen Welcomes the Community of Twin Creeks

Monday, February 8th, 2010

The community of Twin Creeks is yet another reason why Allen is the hot spot for real estate.

Twin Creeks is a new home community that boasts a family friendly atmosphere and beautifully crafted homes by many of Texas’ top homebuilders.

Recreational Activities Galore

The community of Twin Creeks is abounding with natural beauty and recreational activities, including: shaded walking and biking paths; sports courts; shaded picnic areas; two playgrounds; and a number of swimming pools. Plenty of community pavilions throughout the development provide the setting for neighborhood barbecues and lazy Sunday picnics.

This community also features six lighted tennis courts, catch-and-release fishing, half-court basketball courts, sand volleyball courts and nearly three miles of hiking and biking trails.

Other recreational facilities of Twin Creeks include two swimming pool complexes, which feature a Junior Olympic-sized swimming pool, a tot pool and a recreational pool, as well as an Arnold Palmer signature golf course, which is built around the Golf Club at Twin Creeks.

Arnold-Palmer Designed Golf Course

The golf course, which is located in West Allen, has been called one of the best courses in Texas, and was designed to blend beautifully with the surrounding natural beauty and landscape. Twin Creeks also feature a clubhouse in which the Palmer Room is located. This room is the ideal gathering place for birthday parties, weddings and other social events.

The Twin Creeks golf course features a golf shop, a restaurant and a golf practice center that includes: a grass driving range; a practice bunker; a chipping area; a putting green; and a junior three-hold practice course.

Allen ISD

The children of Twin Creeks attend schools in the highly acclaimed Allen Independent School District. Allen ISD currently serves about 17,000 students, which has doubled since 1989. Allen ISD includes 13 elementary schools, three middle schools, one freshmen center and one high school. Eight of the schools of Allen ISD have been recognized as being “exemplary.” There are three elementary schools within the Twin Lakes community.

Tags: ,
Posted in New Homes | 1 Comment »

New Home Communities in Las Colinas

Monday, January 11th, 2010

Las Colinas is Irving’s pride and joy. This massive master-planned development is home to a myriad of commercial, residential and environmental developments, and boasts more than 2,000 companies, including 40 Fortune 500 companies.

Real estate in Las Colinas is prime and highly sought after, from residential to commercial. There always seems to be a flurry of activity going on in Las Colinas at any given time, and that includes new home communities like La Villita:

La Villita of Las Colinas

Traditional Spanish architecture abounds throughout the master-planned community of La Villita. This community is focused on a high quality of life and a superb community life. Beautiful surroundings are the hallmark of La Villita, including miles of walkways and greenbelts, all of which wind through the community’s lakes and canals.

Beautiful bridges offer lovely views of the lakes and surrounding beauty, and the many parks and plazas through La Villita provide a serene resting place for the residents. In addition, La Villita provides a gateway to Champion Trails, an extensive system of hiking and biking trails that extend along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River.

This 200-acre residential development boasts old-world style Spanish and Mediterranean architecture and design and a variety of residences, including apartments, townhouses and single-family homes. All of the homes of La Villita are located along the lake, the canals, the trails, the greenbelt or the pocket parks, thereby providing maximum natural beauty.

Some of the design elements of La Villita include: tile roofs, stucco exteriors and wrought iron and cedar detailing.

La Villita is located just south of Interstate 635 and the Bush Turnpike, on the northeast corner of Royal Lane and Riverside. La Villita includes 1,375 apartments, 260 townhomes which are priced from the low $200,000s and 300 single-family homes which are priced from the $320,000s to the $600,000s.

The development of La Villita has continued to thrive even as the North Texas real estate market struggled, likely because of its exceptional location and its superb quality of life.

Tags: , ,
Posted in New Homes | 1 Comment »

The Newest Homes in Collin County

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Collin County is home to Plano, Allen, Frisco, Fairview and McKinney, all of which have seen exceptional real estate growth, considering the struggles of the North Dallas real estate market. It’s no wonder, then, that new homes in Collin County are plentiful and superb.

McKinney

McKinney is known as a charming town with an old-world feel. From its historic courthouse to its charming town square, McKinney provides an exceptional quality of life, and has therefore experienced plenty of growth. There are many planned communities throughout McKinney, most of which offer the finest amenities and services to its residents.

The Gallery at Stonebridge Ranch

The Gallery at Stonebridge Ranch features homes from $270,900 to $369,900. This master-planned community offers its residents such amenities as a golf course, swimming pools, a clubhouse, recreational fields, bike paths and tennis courts.

Frisco

Frisco offers a small-town atmosphere with a reputation for being one of North Texas’ best destinations for sports. New homes in this quickly growing city all comply with the EPA’s Energy Star program, thereby setting the groundwork for responsible home building in North Texas.

Pearson Farms I

Pearson Farms I features homes priced from $277,900 to $379,900. This master planned community includes homes from 2,528 to 4,077 square feet.

The Villages at Willow Bay

The homes of the Villages at Willow Bay are priced from $264,900 to $379,900. The convenient Frisco location makes getting in and around Dallas, Frisco and McKinney a breeze. Homes in this community are served by the acclaimed Frisco Independent School District. Amenities of this community include a swimming pool and spray park.

Allen

Allen has enjoyed great growth, mainly because of its prime location near Plano and Lake Lavon. The small town charm of Allen provides a nice balance to its modern conveniences, including the three-city arts center.

Windgate Manor

Homes in Windgate Manor are priced from $252,900 to $358,877 and range in size from 2,152 to 3,456. This family-friendly community features neighborhood trails, scenic greenbelts and nearby shopping and entertainment.

Tags: ,
Posted in New Homes | No Comments »

New Homes Abound in Coppell

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

Coppell still remains a force to be reckoned with when it comes to an exceptional quality of life, superb location and low unemployment.

Coppell enjoys a close proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and is surrounded by several roadways. In fact, Coppell is conveniently located in the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. From safe streets and family friendly neighborhoods to a low unemployment rate (one of the lowest in the Dallas-Fort Worth area) and excellent educational opportunities, Coppell is a dynamic city that enjoys a strong, active community.

It is no wonder, then, that Coppell is home to many new home developments. As more and more Texans discover the family friendly atmosphere of this progressive city, an influx of new home communities begin to take shape:

  • Arbor Manors – David Weekly Homes introduces Arbor Manors, a community that is surrounded by natural beauty. The wooded home sites, winding streets and plenty of natural beauty via the extensive greenbelt and walking trails make Arbors Manor a highly sought-after community for family living. Some of the home sites of this community feature cul-de-sac settings and oversized lots.
  • Alexander Court Custom Classics – The prestigious homes of Alexander Court Custom Classics are priced from $763,900. Some of the outstanding features of this new Coppell community include: creek-side and cul-de-sac lots; an active homeowners’ association; a stately brick and stone entrance; and custom-designed homes that feature Old-World architecture.
  • Chateaus of Coppell – Homes in the Chateaus of Coppell range in price from $536,995 to $674,995 and range in size from 3,200 to 5,400 square feet. Luxury living is afforded to the residents of the Chateaus of Coppell; some of the features of this community include: easy access to many of the major employers; easy access to a wide array of cultural and recreational destinations; and an enviable location within the highly acclaimed Coppell school district.

Tags: ,
Posted in New Homes | No Comments »

Irving New Communities: The Grand Estates at Northlake Hills

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

The Grand Estates at Northlake Hills is yet another reason to fall in love with Irving.

This upscale community, which is ideally located in the heart of Irving, features single-family homes that are priced from the $440,000s to the $490,000s.

This exclusive community, in addition to boasting a premier, Irving location, is located near MacArthur and Belt Line Road, thereby enabling residents to enjoy a wide range of amenities within a close proximity.

Residence Design Features

The classic design of the homes of the Grand Estates at Northlake Hills and the outstanding features set these homes apart from many of the nearby communities in Irving.

The interiors of the Grand Estates of Northlake Hills boast such quality design features as wrought iron staircases, gas fireplaces with granite detailing, and 42-inch, raised panel ash cabinetry.

A beautifully detailed, solid mahogany front door with a beveled glass window and granite flooring greet visitors as they enter the residences of this community, while ceramic tile flooring runs throughout the kitchens and breakfasts.

Granite slab countertops, high-end, GE appliances and an oversized whirlpool tub in the master suite further reflects the quality found throughout the homes of the Grand Estates at Northlake Hills.

Other fine detailing found throughout the residences of the Grand Estates at Northlake Hills includes thick baseboards, brushed, stainless steel door hardware and bathroom fixtures and an exterior sprinkler system.

The Excellence of Grand Homes

The Grand Estates at Northlake Hills is the brainchild of Grand Homes, a leading builder in the home building industry. This renowned home builder, who was named 2009 Builder of the Year, has built homes exclusively in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex for the last, 20 years.

From its inception in 1987, Grand Homes has impressed buyers of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, thereby landing a multitude of industry recognition and awards over the years.

Tags: ,
Posted in New Homes | 1 Comment »

Where is Dallas

Friday, April 3rd, 2009

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when Texas seemed to have been spared the worst of the worst regarding real estate because it didn’t experience the price bubble and overinflated housing markets that other areas of the country did.

However, a recent turn of events may have Texas homebuilders thinking twice about building in the upcoming year. Two of the state’s leading industries – oil and natural gas – have begun to change the direction of the housing market, and not for the better.

http://www.landscapelightwerks.com/images/design/rotating/img18r.jpg

Although Texas is certainly not in the trouble that many other states are regarding new construction, it may not be the hot spot for construction like it has been over the last, few years.

For example, nationwide home prices fell by 14 percent in 2008, while many, major markets in Texas, such as Houston and Dallas, saw an increase in home prices during that same period. Those numbers are not expected to be reflective of the upcoming year.

Texas median home prices, however, fell four points in December alone. Eight out of the top 10 builders in the nation have operations out of Texas, which has many business analysts feeling uneasy about a rough road ahead.

Although Texas avoided the housing bubble like so many other states in the nation, it did, however, respond to the excellent job growth in recent years. Houston and Dallas saw a real surge in job growth, thanks to their energy and financial sectors and, as a result, home builders were anxious to take advantage of the healthy economy.

The Road Ahead

So, what can we expect in the upcoming year? As of now, the job growth in Texas has slowed, and Texas has experienced a loss of 111,000 jobs this year alone. And with job loss comes a rise in foreclosures.

The Texas housing market, and how it will react in 2009, will largely depend on the number of job losses and the number of foreclosures to hit the market.

Many builders don’t see the recent turn of events as doomsday, however, considering the state’s history of excellent job growth and its stable housing market.

All things considered, many Texas builders still consider this area to be one of the strongest regions in the nation. Most builders believe that, despite the recent downturn, Texas will not experience declines like we have seen in other markets and a recovery can not be far off.

Tags:
Posted in Market News | No Comments »

Newer Entries »