Whether you live in San Antonio or love to vacation there, it’s a wonderful place for families.  The city boasts endless places to go and things to see that the whole family can enjoy.  Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind the next time you’re looking for a fun-filled day.

Visit La Villita: Spanish for “little town,” La Villita was one of San Antonio’s original neighborhoods.  Today it’s populated with art galleries, gift shops, and unique eateries.  It’s a wonderful place to visit with the family, shop, dine, and maybe give the kids a history lesson.

Explore Cascade Caverns: Just outside San Antonio, the caverns offer a unique experience the whole family will love.  Visitors can take a peak beneath the surface of Texas Hill Country, plus see a 100 foot underground waterfall.  The temperature in the cavern remains about 68 degrees all year, so there’s never a bad time to bring the family.

See Shamu: SeaWorld in San Antonio is a spectacle you don’t want to miss.  It features marine life shows and displays, adventure camps, rides, and even a water park.  Located at 10500 SeaWorld Boulevard, the park is open March through December.  Onsite dining lets you stay on the premises as long as you want.

Spend a day at the zoo: The San Antonio Zoo is open every day of the year, so whether you’re in town for a week or just passing through, take the family to see over 3,500 animals that call the zoo home.  The animals are housed in naturalistic exhibits, so the kids will be amazed by what they see and probably learn a little something too.  The zoo is open from 9a.m. – 5p.m., but guests are allowed to stay until 6p.m.

If you’re considering relocating to the San Antonio area, Texas Homesites is your source for Texas real estate information.  It’s an excellent time to buy land in Texas, and home sites in the Texas Hill Country are perfect for custom building a home.  Land is available in master planned communities as well as golfing communities in Texas.  For more information, find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter today.

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.

You’ve decided you want a second home but you have no idea where it should be. Texas offers so many different options, but you’re leaning toward living near a lake. Here are some reasons your second home should be on the lake.

Escape the city: You know those weeks when you’ve been so busy you wish you could get away for the weekend? With a lakeside home, you can escape your hectic schedule every weekend if you want! You can take a break and relax, far away from the city and the bustle of life. Whether with your family or a significant other, you can vacation with all the fun and relaxation lakeside life has to offer.

Enjoy the outdoors: The rich, natural resources surrounding the lake can become your own personal playground when you decide to have a second home there. You and your family can hike, play outdoor games, have cookouts, and just hang out without technology’s constant nagging. A lakeside retreat is the perfect place for kids to get outside and play, stretch their legs, and get the Vitamin D they need.

Enjoy the lake: The lake is obviously the selling point for your second home. Close to pristine, blue waters, lakeside homes offer cornucopia of activities, like swimming, boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, fishing, and more. Living on a lake provides the whole family with endless amounts of fun.

Vacation in the comfort of your own home: Sure, you could visit a lake from time to time. But purchasing a second home on the lake gives you the opportunity to take frequent vacations in the comfort of your own home. Your decorations, your food, and your amenities will be right there. You won’t have to worry about extra expenses because you will already be paying for the home. You will love going away to your second home because it will feel like just that: home.

Purchasing a second home is a big decision, but Texas Homesites is here to help. We offer the best land locations in Texas. Any of our lakeside, master-planned communities is the perfect location for your second home. We want to help you find the perfect place for you and your family. Please contact us so we can begin searching for your ideal lakeside homestead!

Texas is gaining popularity in the wine world. Each year, Texas offers more wineries and events serving up and promoting our delicious Texas wines.

Texas wineries specialize in five different types of wines. Texas wines have a different taste and bouquet from California wines. Texas wines have a distinct “Texas Taste,” a hint of sweet fruit and crispness. They have gained popularity worldwide.

The first Texas wine festival, The Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival, drew a lot of attention to Texas wines in 1986. In 2001, the Texas legislature created a Texas Wine Marketing Assistance Program. In 2004, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo launched its first international wine competition. In 2005, Texas founded the wine industry development fund. In 2007, the Fair of Texas started the Texas Wine Garden. In 2008, TDA launched the Texas Winery Passport to promote agricultural tourism.

Our Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard community is situated in New Braunfels and surrounded by 24 local wineries. We are located across the street from Dry Comal Creek Winery. Our residents enjoy everything that is involved with living near a vineyard. Each year, Dry Comal Creek puts on a popular Grape Stomp and a Whine Run. We have plans to build our own vineyard at Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard so our residents can truly enjoy vineyard living. We envision our vineyard as a special bond between the members of our community and wine, a passion we all share. We’ll constantly share knowledge and build enthusiasm by updating our homeowners about our plans and special events.

If you found the information in this post helpful or interesting, please share it with others! For more information on our communities in the Texas Hill Country download our free eBook, Texas Land Buyer’s Guide.

Napa used to be regarded as the ultimate American wine place, but the Texas Hill Country is growing in popularity. Here are some interesting facts about the Texas wine industry.

Spanish missionaries began cultivating grapes near El Paso in the 1600s. Then, in the 1800s, European settlers developed vineyards by planting and growing grapes from their homelands. The first winery, Val Verde Winery, was founded in Texas in 1883.  By 1890, Texas had over 25 wineries. In 1919, Prohibition put a pause on wine production, but the wine industry began again after Prohibition ended in 1933. By 2001, Texas had 46 wineries. In 2005 Texas had 85 operating wineries. But today Texas boasts more than 220 wineries.

In 2001 Texas had 1800 wine-related jobs. By 2009, there were nearly 11,000 wine-related jobs. In 2001, Texas wineries produced nearly 600,000 cases of wine. By 2009, 1.2 million cases were produced. In 2001, the Texas wine industry had an economic impact of $133 million dollars. By 2009, the Texas wine industry had an economic impact of $1.7 billion.

Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples expressed it well when he said, “This is a vibrant, growing industry that plays a very significant role in the diversification of Texas agriculture. Texas wine now has a place on the international stage and we expect to play a much larger role in the near future.”

If you are coming to the Texas Hill Country to tour a winery, or if you are interested in vineyard living, contact Texas Homesites. We can help you find local wineries with tours and special events. Our community Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard offers its residents affordable vineyard living with great amenities. Our Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard community is located near 24 local wineries. To learn more about our Texas Hill Country communities or our other master-planned communities download our eBook, Texas Land Buyers Guide.

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.