Texas New Homes

Dan Wallrath Builds Custom Homes For Wounded Vets

Mitch — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:30:22 +0000

You don’t often get to read stories of people who not only do something nice for others, but expensively nice things for others.

That’s what Dan Wallrath of Dan Wallrath Custom Homes is doing for wounded vets who are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Based in Hitchcock, TX, near the Houston area, Wallrath started building homes in 2005 for wounded vets and giving those homes to them mortgage free. He’s built five homes since 2005, has five more under construction, and is trying to take his idea nationwide.

He’s not doing it alone. He took his idea to the Bay Area Builders Association and convinced members to start a home-building program for wounded veterans. He’s built homes that would be worth $300,000 for between $25,000 and $50,000 based on donations received from suppliers and contractors. Taxes and insurance is covered for two years.

Dan Wallrath builds luxury homes, and just seeing that he has taken this crusade upon himself for those who have given their bodies to help others in need around the world qualifies him to be considered both a local and national hero, and we applaud his venture and hope other home builders across the country step up to the plate.

Austin Home Sales are Hot

Austin Real Estate Guy — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:51:38 +0000

Stats from Alamo Title Co:

The Austin Market:
The number of active listings is down 1.81% from last year during the same week.
New listings are up 19.20%.
Pendings are up this week by 34.86%.
Sold residential units are up 60.49% compared to the same week last year.

The Week in Review
Units for Sale:
Feb. 28 – Mar. 6, 2010
(compared to the same week in 2009)
New listings are up this week 19.20%
Pendings are up this week 34.86%
Solds are up 60.49%

As for Average Prices:
Feb. 28 – Mar. 6, 2010
Sold average sales prices increased 4.52% to $236,502. In 2009 it was $226,272 for the same week.

The Month In Review
Preliminary February 2010 Data:
Units for Sale: (compared to February 2009)
New listings are up 8.22%.
Pendings are up 18.37%.
Solds increased by 19.64%

As for Average Prices:
The “New Listings” average list price is down 10.17% to $295,379. In February 2009 the average list price was $328,804.
Sold average sales prices decreased 3.78% to $236,145. For February 2009 it was $245,430.

Did You Know…?
That we had 10,875 active listings during the same week in 2009? Today there is 10,678 active listings! That is 1.81% decrease from last year.

Lake Travis real estate agent Sam Chapman’s comments:
These numbers are similar to those of the past several weeks and indicate a great trend. Sales are up and that is a very good thing. My thinking is that people who pulled homes off the market toward the end of last year will be listing them again soon and the number of active listings may go up.

I think what we are seeing a lot of activity because of several things. First, the tax credit is looming and that is pushing some buyers. Second, the threat of rising interest rates has people moving forward. Third, people are just glad that 2009 is over and even though many do not thing 2010 will a lot better, they are moving forward anyway. Fourth, people are moving to Austin. Some are moving for jobs, some for the lifestyle and some because they can work from anywhere. Finally, some buyers are back in the hunt for a home near or on Lake Travis because it is finally back to a normal level after two years of drought.

See also:

Falconhead West
Rough Hollow

Ferrier Builds Completely Energy Efficient Home

Mitch — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:14:22 +0000

Don Ferrier, founder and owner of Ferrier Custom Homes, has built a home around Eagle Mountain Lake that he claims will create as much energy as it uses. Being called a “net zero” home, it’s a relatively small house, which he’s calling the Casita, around 1,500 square feet, and it will be powered by a 45-foot tall wind turbine. Ferrier also used recycled materials in building the home, saying it cost more money, but that the savings would be realized within a couple of years.

Ferrier Custom Homes is known for building and remodeling environmentally efficient homes, and started out building homes that were earth-sheltered in the 1980’s, becoming one of the earliest adopter of building eco-friendly homes across North Texas. They have won numerous awards, including: National Association of Home Builders 2007 Green Builder Advocate of the Year; Energy Value Housing Awards 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009; Dallas Builders Association’s 2007 & 2008 Vesta Award: Best Green Built House; and the Dallas HBA’s 2009 McSam Award Winner: Green Builder Advocate of the Year.

Ferrier is also starting construction on what he hopes will be the area’s first net zero energy subdivision, in Flower Mound, which is near the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Construction will take place on The Rheudasil Farms development, named after the city’s first mayor. Dennis Shingleton, the chairman of the Fort Worth Sustainable Development Task Force, said he is excited by Ferrier’s project and hopes to make the Casita the poster home for sustainable residential development. Ferrier also hopes to build more net zero homes in neighborhoods such as Terrell Heights, or others as properties become available.

Forest Meadow Home Community In Denton

Mitch — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:27:09 +0000

Forest Meadow is a planned community in Denton, TX, with homes built by Mercedes Homes and starting at a reasonable $185,000. Denton is part of the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and in this case it’s a community of around 225 homes on oversized lots that has tree lined streets, along with both a community center and a community pool. Although it strives for more of a secluded country setting, it’s also close to the interstate, which means a quick commute into other cities for both relaxation and entertainment.

There are seven floor plans available with square footage ranging from 2,043 – 3,506, 3 and 4 bedrooms, 2 to 3 bathrooms, and 2-car garages. All plans offer large master bedrooms with master bathrooms, great rooms and patios and gourmet kitchens. Some even offer media and game rooms. All in all, it’s a luxury community at an affordable price.

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Enclave At Southern Trails By Newmark Homes

Mitch — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:00:26 +0000

The Enclave at Southern Trails is a residential planned community in Pearland, TX, that was built to offer everything that a community might want close to where they live. There are lots of open spaces for hiking and biking, picnic areas, and a community clubhouse that offers resort style amenities such as a fitness center and party room. It’s an area that’s also very close to shopping and entertainment areas of the city.

The community is the handiwork of Newmark Homes, and they offer 22 different housing designs that start at $158,000, both ranch and two story homes that offer other options as well. All homes have between 3 and 4 bedrooms, 2 and 3 bathrooms, and 2-car garages. The square footage of the homes runs from 1,449 to 2,843.

This community is all about family living, and with all school levels near the neighborhood and things such as a wading pool and play areas, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

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See also:

Sunrise Meadow
Houston Home Builders

Limestone Ranch – Traditional Luxury

vinita — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:43:44 +0000

Limestone Ranch community from Perry Homes is a relaxing retreat in Texas Hill Country. Located in Boerne, this gated community offers unsurpassed panoramic views and each home is sited on wooded half-acre lots. Three plans are currently move in ready. They are each two stories and range from 4,161 to 4,893 square feet. Two models have four bedrooms, three and a half baths and are priced at $455,900. They feature formal living and dining rooms plus game and media rooms. The media room has a coffered ceiling, which enhances the sound quality of all of your electronics. This makes the room feel spacious, yet cozy at the same time.

The third home has five bedrooms and four and a half baths. Priced at $489,900, this home has all of the features of the other two plus a butler’s pantry, Hollywood bath and full guest suite. Upstairs has a game room, computer area and media room. Large island kitchens have built-in seating, granite countertops, 42-inch upper cabinets and stainless steel appliances. The foyer and family room are each open to the second story. The elegant curved staircase and wrought iron balusters are certainly the focal point of the foyer, while the family room is graced with a large cast-stone gas fireplace.

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D. R. Horton Builds The Most Homes In The Dallas Area in 2009

Mitch — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:16:34 +0000

D. R. Horton Inc was the top home builder in the Dallas – Ft. Worth area in 2009, even though the market was depressed for most home builders. Though home starts throughout the area were down 50%, they increased their home starts by 20%. That equated to 2,289 homes, increasing their share in the market to 17% from 10% at the beginning of the year, and seems to have helped them to their first profitable quarter in two years, giving them a 17.1% profit margin for the last quarter of 2009. They are now the largest home builder in the area.

As far as communities go, they have homes in 17 communities in Fort Worth and one in Dallas and Denton. Most of their homes are affordable, coming between $110,000 and $150,000, but they also build some large, luxury areas in some of their communities, such as the Santa Fe Enclave, one of their newer communities. Smaller homes come with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, while their larger homes can have as many as 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and 3-car garages. Their homes also come loaded with GE appliances as well.

Robson Ranch, A Top Quality Retirement Community In Denton

Mitch — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:01:18 +0000

Robson Ranch in Denton, TX, is one of the top quality retirement communities in the United States. They were included in the top 5 listing by Where To Retire magazine in 2009, along with another of their properties in Eloy, AZ. They were also awarded the Platinum Award by the National Association of Home Builders for their country club amenities.

What makes it so great? It’s a beautiful planned retirement community that doesn’t allow anyone under the age of 19 to live there, but to own a home one must be at least 40 years old, and those are limited spots. They have 14 different models that have multiple exterior styles, and home prices start around $150,000. They’ve recently added 3 more home designs for consumers. Houses are either ranch style or 2-story designs, and square footage ranges from 1,284 to 3,198. Every home has at least 2 bathrooms and a 2-car garage.

It’s almost built to have a country club atmosphere, as they have a championship sized golf course, restaurant, indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, tennis, a salon, an arts and creativity center, and walking paths throughout the community.

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Austin Community Falconhead West

Austin Real Estate Guy — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:51:32 +0000

I drove through Falconhead to visit the model homes in Falconhead West and was pleased to see so much new home construction. I had driven through there a couple of months ago and there was little happening. There must be a dozen new homes under construction on or right off of Vail Divide, the main road through the subdivision.

Falconhead West New Homes under construction

Drees, Ryland and Taylor Morrison are building in Falconhead West. Drees is building from the mid $300,000s to over $600,000. Ryland’s prices start in the mid $300,000s and Taylor Morrison starts in the low $300,000s. Prices are dependent on lot location. The Lantern Ridge section will have 70 foot wide lots with views overlooking hills and valleys. Copper Canyon has 80 foot wide lots and some also have hill and valley views.

There are currently 11 Active listings in the MLS, but other homes are being built as well. Current list prices range from $399,900 to $589,900. The Drees rep told me today that he is selling 6 or 7 homes a month in Falconhead West. He told me that many people are moving from Austin to take advantage of the low 1.9% property tax rate and to have their kids in the awesome Lake Travis Schools. Other people are moving from older homes in the area and others are moving up or down in size. Families relocating to the area are coming from California, New York and other states with high tax rates.

The MLS shows 49 Falconhead West homes having been sold with all but 8 selling in 2009. The average selling price has been just under $454,500, which is a little over $120 per square foot. Knowing that many homes sold in new communities never hit the MLS, my guess is that there are probably closer to 90 new homes on the ground in Falconhead West.

Five years ago, home buyers would have thought that Falconhead West was out in the middle of nowhere. But over the last several years the Bee Cave and Lakeway area have seen the addition of the Hill Country Galleria Mall, the Shops at the Galleria and a plethora of new restaurants and retail stores. There is also a hospital site in Lakeway that ground has been broken on.

There isn’t much in the way of amenities in Falconhead West yet. There is a public golf course and what sounds to be a very nice swim center is on the drawing board. The city of Bee Cave recently opened a nice park with play areas and walking paths. Falconhead West is located in Bee Cave, just west of Austin, and can be accessed off Hwy 71 or RR 620.

Grand Homes New Home Community Chapel Hill

JaysonNHS — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:46:32 +0000

You will recognize the quality craftsmanship that goes into every detail right away, as you enter the drive a home in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill is one of Prosper’s newest communities from Grand Homes. From the architectural shingles, warranted for 30 years to the full sod and sprinkler system that keeps the lawn in perfect condition. The brick front porch brings you to the eight foot solid Mahogany and beveled glass front door. You are welcomed into the gracious foyer complete with hand-laid granite flooring and custom cut, double stacked crown molding that can be found throughout many rooms of the home.

Gourmet kitchens feature granite countertops, custom Ash, hand stained cabinets and ceramic tiles floors. Undermount stainless steel sinks, GE stainless steel appliances and built in microwaves are among the many optional upgrades that will make this home truly and uniquely yours. When you enter the family room, attention will immediately be drawn the gas fireplace. It is framed by a granite surround and painted mantle with fluted legs. The wrought iron stair balusters and curved staircase beckon you upstairs where you will find the luxurious master suite. The bath features tile floors, garden tub, skip trowel finish wall textures and granite slab countertops.

Chapel Hill – Prosper