The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to act on your plans to find or build a new home for you and your family. Here are three reasons to consider a new house this year.

Efficiency: New homes are more energy efficient than older ones. In recent years, building codes have been altered to mandate things like higher efficiency insulation, doors, and windows that help keep cool air in during the summer and warm air in during the winter months. Updated appliances, from washing machines that use less water to tankless hot water heaters, save homeowners a significant amount of money on utility bills over time.

Economical: It’s a great time to buy a home, or buy land and begin custom building a home. In addition to saving on monthly utility bills by living in a newer, more energy efficient home, mortgage rates are low and it’s a good time to finance a home. An additional financial benefit is that the interest on a mortgage is tax deductible. When you own a home, you continually build equity, as opposed to throwing money away on rent.

Customization: When you own your home, you can personalize it—especially if you build. If you’ve grown frustrated touring existing homes for sale, consider buying land and building. You can specify every last detail.

If a new home is on your list of resolutions this new year, let Texas Homesites help you navigate the Texas real estate market. Now is a great time to buy land in Texas, and pristine home sites are available in master planned communities and golfing communities across Texas. Build your dream home in Texas this year. For more information, find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter.

House hunting is an exciting experience for potential homebuyers.  There are so many things to consider when making a decision about your next home, and you don’t want to end up with buyer’s remorse.  Don’t let the sparkling granite countertops blind you to some important issues you should consider, including the following.

Location: It’s the first rule of real estate: location, location, location.  You can paint the walls, change the flooring, and redo the kitchen, but you won’t ever be able to change the location of your home.  Don’t make the mistake of buying a home you love in a location that just doesn’t work for you.

Size: You probably have an idea of the square footage you’re looking for in a home.  Don’t forget that number when you walk through an adorable dollhouse that, while appealing, is too small for your growing family.  Likewise, if you’re retired and it’s just the two of you, you don’t really need a home with four bathrooms. Regardless of what you may love about a home, if the size is wrong, you should keep looking.

Floor plan: Assess how well the square footage is utilized.  Three thousand square feet sounds great, but if the kitchen and family room are large and the four bedrooms are tiny, this is an issue you should not overlook.  Think about who will need regular access to what areas of the home, especially young children you may not want climbing stairs.  Also consider your preferences for open versus closed living spaces.

Storage: When you tour a home, open the closet doors and assess available storage space.  Ask to see the attic, basement, and any other storage areas.  If you know you need a lot of storage space, buy a home that has enough space for you to store everything comfortably.  Older homes tend to have small closets and little storage space, so if you love the charm of older homes, you may have to consider a construction project to add the needed space.

If you’re in the market for a new home, consider all available options.  Custom building a home has many benefits, and Texas Homesites can show you affordable Texas land in some of the most desirable Texas communities.  For more information on Texas real estate, find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter today.

If you’ve been planning your escape to the suburbs for years, now is the time to make your getaway.  If you’re interested in claiming some affordable Texas land for yourself, here are some of the suburbs to consider.

Bryan/College Station, Texas, is the location of a premier master planned community called King Oaks.  It offers the very essence of a peaceful country lifestyle combined with college town excitement! Like stepping back in time, large 1-4 acre homesites are virtually untouched and extremely affordable... giving your family room to spread out amid a setting of masterfully preserved natural beauty.

Cedar Hill, Texas, is home to the Lake Ridge master planned community.  Located at Joe Pool Lake, Lake Ridge offers a peaceful lakeside retreat with rolling hills and a golf course lifestyle close to the urban sophistication of Dallas. Lake Ridge offers incredible hilltop and lake views from which you can see for miles, unlike ANYTHING you've experienced in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

New Braunfels, Texas, offers the charm of a small community and the conveniences of an urban area. Near New Braunfels lies Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard, a master planned community located between San Antonio and Austin.  Vintage Oaks boasts perhaps the best location in Texas.  Near the Tanger Outlet Center in San Marcos, and adjacent to the Dry Comal Creek Vineyard, you can do as much, or as little, as you like.  Also near New Braunfels is Havenwood at Hunters Crossing. This master planned community provides the perfect setting to plant your family's legacy. Havenwood offers spacious multi-acre wooded homesites surrounded by the beauty of the Texas Hill Country. Havenwood offers a prime location with easy access to the excitement of both Austin and San Antonio.

If you can’t resist the allure of the suburbs and affordable Texas living, now is an excellent time to buy land in Texas.  Texas Homesites can help you navigate the Texas real estate market.  For more information on land for sale in Texas or golfing communities in Texas, find us on Facebook and Twitter today.

History of Austin Music Scene

Early Years

Austin's musical heritage dates to the early 1930s. A venue known as Threadgill's hosted several artists over the years, including Janis Joplin. Other venues sprang up in the city in the 1940s, such as Victory Grill, presenting love big bands and jazz and blues acts including B.B. King and early performances by Ike and Tina Turner. In the 1960s, live country music became a staple in Austin thanks to the popularity of acts such as Willie Nelson.

All Genres Welcome

The 1970s saw all genres of music finding a home in Austin including Better Midler and Bruce Springsteen. It became common for area bars, clubs and restaurants to feature everything from rock and country to jazz and blues. By the 1980s and 1990s, the city had become a beacon for new and emerging artists to find receptive audiences. In 1976, PBS debuted the show Austin City Limits to showcase area talent in just about every genre from rock and country to bluegrass and zydeco.

Live Music Found Everywhere

Today, Austin remains a haven for new and emerging artists thanks to encouragement from groups such as The Austin Music Foundation that offer assistance to independent artists. The Austin Music Office helps area acts find venues to play their music live. Speaking of live music, you won't have any trouble finding live music in the city. Bars, restaurants, clubs, diners and comedy clubs are just some of the venues offering live music at least some of the time in Austin. The city itself encourages new artists. Additionally, there is no shortage of fans willing to show their appreciation.

Whether you are custom building a home or planning to use your Texas land for other purposes, Texas Homesites is your source for affordable Texas land in Austin and other communities in Texas. Look for us on Facebook and Twitter today.

San Antonio consistently ranks as one of the best places to raise a family thanks to affordable homes, great schools, lots of family-friendly activities, and a low crime rate.

-       Great School Districts: Some San Antonio public school systems have received the National Exemplary Blue Ribbon School Award for excellence. Not only is San Antonio home to great primary and secondary schools, but there are also many community colleges, four-year colleges, and universities located in the area. In total, there are eight colleges, universities, and professional schools in San Antonio.

-       Activities: There are many wonderful family-friendly activities in San Antonio. San Antonio is a big city with a small town feel that has great museums, libraries, parks for sports and recreation, theaters, and many other family attractions.

-       Affordable Homes: The housing market in San Antonio is fantastic for families who are looking to settle down and start making memories. San Antonio has affordable homesites for sale that will give you the most for your money.

-       Safety: Even though San Antonio is a large city, it enjoys a relatively low crime rate. This is important because you can let your children play outside and your family can go about town without having to worry about safety.

You can build your family’s dream home in our master-planned communities outside of San Antonio. All of our communities are safe and provide exclusive country club amenities for you and your family to enjoy. There is always something to do in San Antonio!

To learn more about our three family-friendly communities in San Antonio, contact us today. For more information on all of the available Texas Homesites communities, check out our eBook, The Texas Land Buyer’s Guide.

Texas Homesites knows the benefits of custom-building your dream home, and we are here to help you build your custom-built dream home in Texas. Some of the many benefits of building a custom home include:

• Avoid cookie-cutter: When you custom-build your dream home, you are able to make your home different from all the other homes in the community. All of our homes must be in agreement and compliance with our Property Owner’s Association so we can maintain the integrity of our beautiful communities. However, you are still able to choose from many unique design elements that make your home special.
• Tailor the property. If you have been searching for your dream home, you know how frustrating it can be to find that perfect place. Well, when you buy your own piece of property and custom-build, you don’t have to do all that searching. You can customize your home to your preferences and make sure the home is exactly what you want. Instead of compromising with existing homes, you can tailor this home to your exact wishes.
• Upgrades: Instead of having to buy a house with too many or too few upgrades, you can choose where you want to spend your money. Whether it is in the bathroom, kitchen, or in a movie room, you get to pick out the upgrades that are worthwhile for you and your family.

When you purchase a homesite for sale in Texas with Texas Homesites, there is no pressure to build on your new property. Texas Homesites is dedicated to serving you with the best land that Texas has to offer. Our master-planned communities are affordable and located in some of the most desirable locations in Texas. Texas Homesites wants every family to have their dream home. Please contact us if you are interested in buying land in Texas! Download our free eBook to learn about available Texas Homesites communities.

It is no secret that custom-building a home takes longer than purchasing an existing home. However, when you buy an existing home, you are not able to build and tailor the home exactly the way that you want it. So how long does it take to build a custom-built dream home in Texas?

Many factors need to be considered when custom-building your home, including the size of your home, the square footage, unique features, and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Also, you need to consider what type of land lot you want, the special amenities you’d like the community to offer, and any special features for your backyard—like a pool, a tennis court, a garden, etc.

When you are planning to build your home, you should also factor in when you want to build. Typically, you should avoid construction during rainy seasons. Depending on where you are building your home, the rainy season may change, but as a general rule of thumb, the rainy season lasts from March to May. If it rains a lot during the building process, the rain can damage the structure or integrity of the home.

If you want to custom-build your dream home in Texas, please contact Texas Homesites. We are dedicated to serving you with the best land that Texas has to offer. Our homesites are affordable and located in some of the most desirable locations in all of Texas. Texas Homesites wants every family to be able to build their dream home on our land for sale in Texas. Please contact us if you are interested in buying land in Texas! Download the free Texas Homesites eBook, “Texas Land Buying Guide,” for additional information and resources on our available communities.

Texas Homesites has multiple master-planned communities with land for sale in Texas. Whether you are looking to buy your first or second home, we have the perfect piece of property for you. If you are able to afford it, there are many benefits of owning property second home.

• A second home is a good escape from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life. A second home can provide a vacation spot, a place where you and your family can just escape and relax. Texas Homesites has master-planned communities of every kind: waterfront communities, communities situated in the Texas Hill Country, and communities in the mountains, just to name a few. Each unique community features homesites that provide exceptional lifestyle benefits.
• You can pay off some property expenses with rentals. A second home can be a getaway not just for you but also for renters. If you decide to rent your house out, you can use your profits to pay for some of the expenses involved in owning a home. Also, renting a home can be a good source of additional income. Renting out your property has additional responsibilities, but it can be well worth your time.
• You can receive certain tax benefits when you own an additional piece of property. For example, if you use your second home for more than 14 days per year, you can claim the home as a personal residence. This comes with additional benefits, and you may be eligible for certain tax deductions. We advise that you consult with a tax advisor or financial planner when considering purchasing an additional home.

We are dedicated to serving you with the best land that Texas has to offer. Our homesites are affordable and located in some of the most desirable locations in all of Texas. One of our most popular communities is Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard and it features hill country land for sale. Texas Homesites wants every family to be able to build your dream home. Please contact us if you are interested in buying land in Texas!

Download the free Texas Homesites eBook, “Texas Land Buying Guide,” for additional information and resources on our available communities.

A master-planned community is a community or development that is carefully planned from the beginning to the end of construction. This differs from most settlements because most settlements or communities are built as the town or area grows.

Master-planned communities first originated in Arizona in the 1960s. City planners in Scottsdale, Arizona wanted to come up with a “master plan” for their city, and ultimately designed the first master-planned community. This first master-planned community included home sites, office parks, recreational parks, and commercial centers.

Master-planned communities are different than ordinary neighborhoods and developments because they feature exclusive amenities and conveniences. Our master-planned communities feature waterfront living, wine country living, golf course living, large parks, country club pools, and tons of recreational facilities for the entire family.

When Texas Homesites first buys a piece of property, we thoughtfully plan everything. We plan the sewage lines, other utilities, amenities, roads, and most importantly, the location of the homesites. We strategically structure the layout of the land so that each homesite has the best views and makes the most out of the piece of property.

Texas Homesites is dedicated to serving you with the best land that Texas has to offer. Our master-planned communities are affordable and located in some of the most desirable locations in all of Texas. Texas Homesites wants every family to have their dream home. Please contact us if you are interested in buying land in Texas! Download our free eBook to learn about the available Texas Homesites communities.

Before buying land there are some major factors that you need to consider. We created a list of the top six tips for buying land.

• Education: Consider where the local schools are and what the quality of the education is. Research whether local private schools and institutions of higher education are available.
• Demographics: Consider the area that you are moving to and find out about population density, the average household income, the average age of local residents, whether the community is family oriented, and how many people live in each household.
• Surroundings: Consider what is located in close proximity to the piece of property. For shopping, find out how close the home will be to the local grocery store, convenience store, pharmacy and mall. Trips to these common places are something that you will be making regularly, and researching distances will give you insight into how much time you will spend driving.
• Emergency: Consider how close the local emergency facilities are, including the local fire department, police department, hospitals, physicians, dentists, clinics, etc.
• Employment: Before moving somewhere, find out how far away the land is from your current place of employment, or if there are other jobs that are closer. Research local job opportunities, the major employers, and whether any companies are potentially moving to the area.
• Taxes: Look into what the local taxes and ordinances are. Research the tax rates for the local county and school systems. Also, research if there are any other local taxes, homeowner association dues, Municipal Utility District taxes, etc.

Texas Homesites’ agents will make sure to go over this information when you come and visit the property. We try to educate you as much as possible and help you find the perfect homesite for you and your family. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Texas Homesites to learn how much land you can afford.