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.

Texas Soil

Texas has a wide range of soil just as diverse as the state itself. Soil types and qualities vary greatly depending on where you decide to hang your hat. You will rarely start off with soil that is perfect for gardening. Consequently, the first step is to learn something about the soil where your Texas real estate is located. Soils in Texas are divided into five basic types: clay, sand, silt, peat and loam. Soils also have varying amounts of organic matter, such as minerals, large and small rocks and organic matter.

Understanding pH

If you want a successful, productive garden in Texas, you will likely need to know the pH of your soil. Soil pH refers to how acidic or alkaline a certain area of soil is. Fortunately, it is easy to adjust pH so that soil is not too alkaline or acidic. Once the soil pH is balanced, plants should grow just fine throughout the growing season, which extends well into fall in many parts of Texas. Soil pH is measured from 0 to 14. Alkaline soils have larger pH numbers while acidic soils have smaller numbers. Arid areas of Texas generally have alkaline soils. Regions with heavy rain are usually more acidic.

Finding a Balance

Most gardeners want a balanced pH of around 7, but realistically a 6.5 also provides productive growing soil. At this level, trace minerals and nutrients are easily absorbed by growing plants. Soil pH is easy to test. There are a few ways you can do this. Electronic garden soil testing kits make it very easy to determine pH. Organic compost can be added to the soil to adjust the pH and drainage to produce quality soil ideal for desired growing.

Texas Homesites is your top choice for affordable Texas land. Wherever your Texas dream home is located, the beauty and bounty of nature is sure to be in abundance. Look for Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter.

There is always something new and exciting for people to experience in the Texas Hill Country.

For the outdoors types: The Texas Hill Country is the perfect place for hiking, white water rafting, fishing, hunting, tubing, boating, bicycling, rock climbing, paddling, and camping. There are tons of scenic routes and outdoor attractions to keep you busy.

For wine lovers: The Texas Hill Country is one of the most successful places for producing wine in Texas. There are hundreds of wineries throughout Texas Hill Country. People can participate in wine tours, vineyard tours, wine tastings, and even grape stompings.

For those who just love fun: The Texas Hill Country offers tons of activities that are sure to thrill. There are natural caverns, aquariums, rivers to tube down, water parks, roller coaster parks, athletic events, and golf courses—just to name a few.

Whether you want to go shopping in a large mall or a small boutique, the Texas Hill Country has it all. Some of Texas’ best shopping is located in San Antonio and Austin.

Whether you are coming for a weekend getaway or relocating to Texas Hill Country, there is always something entertaining and exciting for you to do. The Texas Hill Country has something for everyone.

Vineyard living provides an oasis unrivaled by almost any other. Texas Homesites would love to help you find your perfect home in our Vintage Oaks community in New Braunfels, located right on the Texas Wine Trail with all the amenities of a world-class resort. Contact us today so we can assist your search for the perfect dream home location.

Located in the heart of the state, the Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places in all of Texas. The Texas Hill Country is home to some of the best living communities, attractions, and wildlife in Texas. The area is known throughout the USA as one of the most popular destinations to visit, retire, and own a home.

The Texas Hill Country is the number one retirement spot in the world. This is because of the quality of life that the Texas Hill Country provides to its residents. Whether you have an interest in living in a golfing community or an equestrian community, or want vineyard living, the Texas Hill Country has it all. The Texas Hill Country is also home to some of the best fitness centers, spas, malls, and art galleries around.

The Texas Hill Country is one of Texas’ best-kept secrets. Residents enjoy rolling hills, spectacular views, peaceful rivers, and gorgeous sunsets. The Texas Hill Country provides small-town living with big-city conveniences.

Texas Homesites has two master-planned communities in the Texas Hill Country: Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard and Havenwood at Hunters Crossing. Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard offers a distinctive lifestyle with 24 local wineries just a short distance from Vintage Oaks. Havenwood at Hunters Crossing provides hill country living with resort-style amenities.

With two communities in New Braunfels, our Hill Country locations combine the convenience of community with the luxury of serenity, creating the perfect oases in one of the most beautiful parts of Texas. Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard offers vineyard living at an affordable cost; Havenwood at Hunters Crossing offers outdoor excitement and a gated community. Contact Texas Homesites so we can help you find your home in the perfect Hill Country location.

The decision to purchase a second home is a big one, but there are many benefits to doing so if you have your finances in order.

It’s a great place to get away: Purchasing a second home, especially somewhere outside the city, gives you a relaxing place to get away for the weekend or take your family on vacation. There are many great places outside major cities that offer mountain views, waterfront locations, swimming, hunting, hiking, or golfing that are perfect vacation spots and wouldn’t cost any additional money. With a second home, you can go on “vacation” every weekend without shelling out major bucks to stay in a resort.

It’s great preparation: You are looking forward to retirement. Wouldn’t it be great to already have a house that you are comfortable with and is in a location you love? Buying a second home while the market is down is the ideal way to prepare for the day when you want to retire and relax in the countryside or by a lake. Then you could easily transfer from one house to the other and even sell the other house if you chose to.

With the steady decline in housing and land prices, now is the best time to buy a second home. Texas Homesites provides you with the best land in Texas at an affordable price. With communities nearby to major Texas cities, Texas Homesites’ land is the perfect place to build your dream home. Contact us today and let us know how we can help you find the best site on the best land in Texas for you!

Even though San Antonio ranks as the seventh-largest city in the United States, it escapes the reputation of being a huge and overwhelming metropolis. People who are familiar with the area often describe San Antonio by saying it is a big city with a small town feel. Some things that give this big city a small town feel include the following:

• Events: Each year, all San Antonio residents join together to participate in some of the best festivals in Texas: Fiesta San Antonio, Folklife Festival, Soul Food Festival, Bones Fest XV, River Walk Mud Festival, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, The Alamo Weekend, Fiesta Primavera, Luminaria, and many more. Although large crowds come out to these events, the atmosphere is friendly. The festivals provide a great opportunity for all of the people of San Antonio to come together.
• People: The people of San Antonio are charming and personable. They want to get to know their neighbors, and they take the time to get involved in the community. No matter what part of the city you live in, you will always see a familiar face or be greeted by a stranger.
• Space: One of the best things about San Antonio is the space and acreage available. Unlike many big cities, San Antonio is a planned community that was able to grow with its population. Most big cities are crammed with houses and buildings piled on top of each other. But San Antonio was well thought-out, and there is plenty of space for everyone. San Antonio has a wealth of outdoor activities, and there are plenty of parks and green space for you to enjoy the beautiful weather.

Texas Homesites has three communities with land for sale located near San Antonio, and we are happy to be a part of this wonderful city. Our three communities near San Antonio include Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard, Havenwood at Hunters Crossing and Mystic Shores at Canyon Lake. Learn how much land you can afford with our land savings calculator!

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.

Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard was purchased a few years ago, and soon after, designs were made to build 1,500 homes on nearly 2,900 acres. This piece of property was one of the largest remaining undeveloped properties in Comal County.

The first phase of Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard included 256 homesites, and the development has grown rapidly. The community now has 1,500 upscale single-family homesites. This development is truly unlike any other, and Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard is the fastest- growing Texas Homesites community!

Vintage Oaks is a community that provides refined living in the Texas Hill Country with exclusive amenities. These include a resort-style pool, a lazy river canal, fitness facilities, and indoor and outdoor recreational spaces. Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard is the second-largest development in Comal County, behind only another Texas Homesites development, Mystic Shores at Canyon Lake.

Vintage Oaks features one-to-three-acre wooded or hilltop sites where you can build your dream home in New Braunfels, Texas. There is no specified time frame to build on your newly acquired Texas acreage with Texas Homesites. Vintage Oaks offers private country living with a blend of down-home Texas culture, historic architecture, and urban sophistication. Vintage Oaks uncorks a distinctive lifestyle and offers the best of the Texas Hill Country.

To learn more about Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard and all of the available Texas Homesites communities, check out our eBook, The Texas Land Buyer’s Guide.