With rolling hills and picturesque landscapes, Texas Hill Country is a golfer’s paradise. Here are a few of the best courses Hill Country has to offer.

Barton Creek Resort: This luxurious Austin resort features four well-designed courses. Ben Crenshaw designed the Cliffside Course, Arnold Palmer designed the Lakeside Course, and the renowned Tom Fazio is responsible for the Canyons and the Foothills courses. The Foothills is the most challenging of the resort’s four courses; golfers will encounter waterfalls, cliffs, and numerous elevation changes. With four courses to explore, you should take advantage of the resort’s accommodations. Stay a few days and enjoy the spa, play some tennis, and dine at the Hill Country Dining room.

La Cantera Resort: The course at the Westin La Cantera is a creation of Jay Morris and Tom Weiskopf and hosts the PGA’s Texas Open. Enjoy deluxe on-site accommodations, including a spa and an endless list of amenities, and brag to your friends that you’ve played a course on the PGA Tour.

Hill Country Golf Club: Arthur Hills designed this course, located just west of San Antonio. Marvel at the unique combination of Oak trees and cacti as you enjoy technologically advanced golf carts that offer a detailed course guide and scoring system. After a round of golf, retire to the posh accommodations at the adjoining Hyatt Regency Resort.

Quarry Golf Club: Designed by Keith Foster, the Quarry course in San Antonio is a Hill Country treat you don’t want to miss. The front nine holes feature rolling hills and a traditional links style format, while the back nine lies in a 100-year-old quarry pit. The course is truly unique in both setting and design.

The Bandit Golf Club: Located six miles east of New Braunfels, the Bandit is nestled in the heart of *Texas Hill Country. It’s only a 30-minute drive from downtown San Antonio, but once you’re on the course, you’ll feel miles and miles away from the city. The course features significant elevation changes, sculpted fairways, and elegantly manicured greens. The onsite Banquet Room is perfect for large gatherings, so consider The Bandit for your next company golf tournament.

If an afternoon on the course isn’t long enough for you, let Texas Homesites show you land for sale in a golfing community in Texas. These master-planned communities offer endless amenities and unparalleled views. For more information on land for sale in Texas, find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter today.

Golf is as much a part of Texas as cowboys and rodeos. Golfing communities in Texas are found throughout the state from Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston to Austin Hill Country and San Antonio. Top Texas golf courses provide avid golfers with all the amenities they want to enjoy the relaxed, casual pastime that, for some, is a way of life.

• Cliffs at Possum Kingdom (Graford) - This is a definite must for your bucket list. The Cliffs Resort, Spa and Golf Course are situated on a tall bluff just above Possum Kingdom Lake. The courses are considered the most challenging in the country. Each hole is designed to be different. Fun Fact: Seventeen is the only hole with a view of the pin with a straight-ahead shot to the green!

• Cowboys Golf Club (Grapevine) - Near-perfect conditions and a challenging course make this another Texas golfer's paradise. This NFL-themed golf course is a real pleasure for any avid golfer. This award-winning golf course is a favorite of locals and visitors and a good reason to consider *land for sale near a Texas golf course as a place to call home.

• Butterfield Trail Golf Club (El Paso) - Challenging but fair, unique holes characterize this 18-hole scenic paradise. The meticulously maintained course is a great way to spend a day playing the sport of kings. Keep your eye on the ball and don't get distracted by the lush green grounds, desert sand and fauna cradled by the Franklin Mountains.

• Sugar Tree Golf Club (Dennis) - Known for its condition, challenge, scenic beauty and variety, this is a true golfer's getaway. Watch out for the blind spots, rolling hills, doglegs and other natural hazards. Just some of the challenges that make this course a must.

• Buffalo Creek Golf Club (Heath) - The front nine is excellent; just watch out for the last three holes! A layout designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Moorish takes full advantage of the natural rolling terrain. The greens are always excellent, no matter what the weather. A superb mix of holes with varying yardages just adds to the appeal. Fore!

Texas Homesites is your source for affordable Texas living with many prime properties found around each of these top Texas golf courses. Visit us online or see what others are saying about us on Facebook and Twitter.

A major reason for retiring in Texas is golf. Golfing communities in Texas can be found throughout the state. A big perk to retiring on a golf course is the proximity to restaurants, shops and other local amenities. The biggest perk, of course, is the love of the game, which originated in medieval Europe. Golf resorts often include several full golf courses, making which golf course to play the day's only decision.

Affordable Living

You might be surprised at how affordable Texas land on a golf course really is. A lot of recreational land in Texas is available at reasonable prices. Custom building a home on a golf course can be a wise choice financially, but is also a great way to enjoy a recreational lifestyle in an area rich with amenities and the pleasures of life that come with retirement. Local land tax benefits are another plus.

Love of Golf

Obviously, if you are going to live on a golf course when you retire, you should have a deep appreciation of the sport. Many golfing communities in Texas offer special deals or perks for members and residents. These may include privileges such as special hours for private games with your guests.

Supportive Community

Golfing communities in Texas tend to be close knit since everybody there shares a similar interest. Many such communities include special events throughout the year. Community spirit is not hard to find in Texas and is surely in abundance for those living on a golf course.

Comfortable Surroundings

You will be hard pressed to find a better view than on a golf course. The grass is always well manicured and the view is always spectacular. Those choosing to retire with a home on a golf course will find plenty of time to take in the beauty of the natural Texas surroundings from a picturesque sunrise to a soothing sunset.

Texas Homesites is your choice for Texas land from Texas Hill Country to golfing communities in Texas. Visit us online or see what your friends are saying about us on Facebook and Twitter.

When you think of playing golf, you may not think that it is the most energetic sport. However, you would probably be surprised to find out that there are many physical and mental health benefits to the game.

• Cardio: Playing golf is great exercise for your heart, and if you walk the course, you can really get a good workout. On average, you can burn 300 calories an hour from walking a round of golf. You won’t burn as many calories riding around in a golf cart!
• Muscles: By carrying your clubs, you can build muscle mass and increase your muscle tone while strengthening your arms and shoulders.
• Sunshine: When you are out playing a game of golf on a beautiful day, you get an adequate dose of vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for building strong bones and good overall health.
• Sleep: People who exercise and work out are proven to sleep better at night. Exercise helps wear off excess energy, helps you fall asleep faster, and helps you stay asleep through the night.
• Social: Golf is an entertaining sport that you can enjoy with your family and friends. The game is a way to bond with others and build connections with new friends.

Golf is a game that people of all ages can enjoy. Texas Homesites has three communities in Texas that all feature their own golf course and golfing amenities. The Bridges at Preston Crossings is located in North Texas and features a spectacular Fred Couples’ Signature Golf Course. Lake Ridge at Joe Pool Lake offers waterfront living with the Tangle Ridge Golf Club. And The Reserve at SugarTree offers the SugarTree Golf Club in the heart of Texas.

Download our free eBook, The Texas Land Buyer’s Guide, to learn more about our golfing communities in Texas with land for sale.

Living on a golf course is something that both men and women dream about. Golfing communities in Texas offer a relaxing atmosphere for those with refined living tastes. Some of the benefits of living on a golf course include:

• Accessibility: Living right on a golf course or in a golfing community gives you easy access to the course. You can drive or walk up to the country club and enjoy a beautiful game of golf in your own community. Also, special memberships are usually available for those who live in the community.
• Golfing amenities: Golfing communities do not just consist of a golf course, but they have everything else you would associate with the game. This includes a clubhouse, restaurants, pro shops, pools, hot tubs, tennis courts, and much more.
• Peace and quiet: Golf courses take a lot of acreage, and because of their location, they are usually away from noisy cities. Golf course communities are generally located in the suburbs and are serene and peaceful. You won’t have to worry about loud highways or construction areas nearby when you have a golf course in your backyard.
• Views: One of the best things about living on a golf course is the spectacular views of all the finely manicured lawns.
• Housing: Golf courses with homes on them often have a wide range of house styles; however, no matter how big or small your house is, they are all beautifully designed to look out on the greens.

Texas Homesites has three golfing communities in Texas that offer golf course living.  The Bridges at Preston Crossings, Lake Ridge at Joe Pool Lake, and The Reserve at SugarTree are all great golfing communities in Texas. Learn how much land you can afford in our golfing communities with our land savings calculator!

Earlier we discussed how Texas Homesites has three master-planned communities in Texas that provide golf course living. There are many reasons why golfing is such a popular activity in Texas.

-       Weather: We enjoy a perfect climate for golf. Texas weather consists of hot summers and cool winters. People are able to golf in Texas year round because of our enjoyable four seasons. Golf courses close if it is under 32° degrees, but that rarely happens in Texas.

-       Courses: Texas Homesites golfing communities feature some of the best golf ranges and courses in Texas. Texas is a state that has tons of land for recreational use, and one of the most popular activities in all of Texas is to play golf.

-       Sport for all ages: One of the reasons why golf is so popular in Texas is because it is a sport that can be played and enjoyed by people of any age. Individuals both young and old enjoy golf as a great way to get outside, be active and socialize with your family and friends.

-       Exercise: Believe it or not, golf is actually a very active sport. It involves a lot of walking, swinging and various other activities involved in playing golf. The best way to get the most exercise in golf is to walk the course. If you walk the course on a hot summer Texas day, you can burn a lot of calories and get a lot of great exercise.

-       Social: Golfing is a fun sport. It is a social gathering where you can go out and golf with friends and family. Golfing is a sport that can take hours to play and is a great way to catch up with friends and family.

For these and many other reasons, golfing in Texas is one of the best activities for people of all ages to participate in. Texas Homesites is committed to providing you with the best land that Texas has to offer. Texas Homesites has three master-planned communities that are golfing communities in Texas. Come talk to us at Texas Homesites. We’d be thrilled to help you find the best homesite in Texas!

The Bridges at Preston Crossings is both a golfing community and equestrian community. The Bridges at Preston Crossings is located in Gunter, Texas and has a magnificent 18-hole Fred Couples’ Signature Golf Course. This challenging golf course is the newest addition to the Bluegreen Golf Communities.  As Fred Couples said himself “We have created a signature course that takes advantage of the natural features of the land and have made great efforts to enhance the natural look of the course, while offering maximum playability. This course is a blend of extraordinary design, artistic creativity, and uncompromising sensitivity to the environment.”

The second option for a golfing community in Texas is Lake Ridge at Joe Pool Lake. Lake Ridge at Joe Pool Lake is located in Cedar Hill, Texas and offers both lakeside living and golf course living in Texas. The golf course located in Lake Ridge is the Tangle Ridge Golf Club and is in the heart of the Lake Ridge community. Tangle Ridge Golf Course offers a challenging 18-hole championship course that was awarded a 4-star rating by Golf Digest.

The third golfing community in Texas that Texas Homesites offers is The Reserve at SugarTree located in Dennis, Texas. SugarTree Golf Course has been named the “Gem of Texas” by local golfers. This challenging 18-hole golf course has been awarded a 4-star rating by Golf Digest, and is recognized as one of the area’s best-kept secrets.

Texas Homesites is committed to providing you with the best land that Texas has to offer. Texas has so much just waiting for you to discover. Come talk to us at Texas Homesites. We’d be thrilled to help you find the best homesite in Texas!

Central Texas land in the Hill Country has so many amazing aspects. The spring wildflowers that fill the countryside with an explosion of color, the clear rivers and lakes, the abundant wildlife, the BBQ…there are so many wonderful facets to Central Texas Land in the Hill Country that it’s no wonder this part of Texas has become a highly after place to own land. There are many people who ever pursue the dream however, because they assume that land prices would simply be too expensive for most people. Fortunately, that’s simply not the case.

Below are several planned communities that offer Central Texas land that makes Hill Country living a reality.

Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard

There are few places on earth more romantic area of the Hill Country. Located in prime Texas wine country, Vintage Oaks offers one to three acre lots that start at under $50,000.

Amenities include:

- Hiking trails

- Nature preserve

- Pools

- Fitness Centers

- Tennis Courts

Lifestyle highlights include:

- Quiet life away from city, but with easy-access to big cities

- Located in historic New Braunfels between San Antonia and Austin

- Close to multitude of activities on the Guadalupe River

- Near Schlitterbahn Water Park – one of the top-rated in the country

- Just miles away from beautiful Canyon Lake

- Surrounded by premier golf courses

- Multitude of shopping opportunities at Prime Outlets and Tanger Outlet Center in San Marcos

- Dry Comal Creek Vineyard is adjacent to Vintage Oaks

Havenwood at Hunters Crossing

Graceful Hill Country living in an ideal location with resort-style amenities is what makes Havenwood such an amazing location for potential homesites. Lots sizes range from one acre all the way up to 13 acres, with prices starting at $50,000 and going up to $200,000.

Amenities include:

- Lake views

- Boat ramp

- Hiking trails

- Pools

- Fitness centers

- Tennis courts

Lifestyle highlights include:

- Quiet country living with big city convenience

- Lots nestled on rolling hills among huge, majestic oaks

- Near Canyon Lake, Lake Travis and Guadalupe River

- Outlet malls only miles away

- Nearby dance hall, Gruene Hall, commonly features legendary Texas and national musicians

Mystic Shores at Canyon Lake

Upscale living in the Hill Country is now affordable, thanks to gorgeous Mystic Shores. Perched above the limestone bluffs that overlook the Guadalupe River, owning land in this area is a chance to secure a piece of Texas Hill Country beauty. Lot sizes range from one to three acres and go from $50,000 to $200,000.

Ameneties include:

- Fishing

- Hiking trails

- Nature preserve

- Pools

- Fitness centers

Lifestyle highlights include:

- Waterfront lots with incredible mountain views in a gated community

- Conveniently located in Spring Branch, TX, between Austin and San Antonio

- Unique shopping, dining and entertainment options nearby

Lake Ridge at Joe Pool Lake offers one-half to two-acre homesites that provide an idyllic setting similar to East Texas Land in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex. When walking around these properties, it is difficult to believe that you’re only 20 miles away from downtown Dallas. This secret gem of a property has the benefits of a country retreat, with rolling hills, lake views and heavily wooded areas. However, unlike most properties with these rural luxuries, Lake Ridge at Joe Pool lake is within easy access to all the urban activities that make life in the Dallas area so enjoyable – and offers an easy commute into work.

One of the advantages to having a property that gives the sense of East Texas land in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex is the proximity to so many of the amazing activities that Dallas and Ft. Worth have to offer. For sports fans, there are few markets in the entire country that offer better teams in better venues than Big D. From the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars, who make their home at American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas, to the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington and the Texas Rangers at the Ballpark in Arlington, professional sports are in great supply for residents of Lake Ridge at Joe Pool Lake.

Along with sports, residents of Lake Ridge at Joe Pool Lake will enjoy the other amazing entertainment, cultural and shopping opportunities available in both Dallas and Ft. Worth. The museum district in Downtown Ft. Worth boasts the nationally recognized Kimbell Art Museum, Amon Carter Museum, Ft. Worth Museum of Science and History and Modern Art Museum, among others. Dallas also has fine cultural opportunities, which include premiere museums and other experiences, such as the Myerson Symphony Center. Dining opportunities for every taste and budget await. Simply put, the only difficult decision you’ll have is deciding what to do first.

<a href="http://www.lakeridge.net/" target="_blank"><img title="Lake Ridge" src="http://www.whybuylandnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/largeads_lakeridge.jpg" alt="Lake Ridge" width="610" height="225" /></a>

Another advantage of this property that emanates East Texas land in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex is a city that has a multitude of employment opportunities, and a job market that has remained much stronger than most large cities around the country. Many people love the idea of purchasing East Texas land, but simply couldn’t make the commute into their city-based job. Lake Ridge at Joe Pool solves that problem, and gives property owners the best of both worlds – East Texas land in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex.

The current residents of Lake Ridge at Joe Pool enjoy their quiet community that feels a lot like East Texas land in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex, and you can too. Find out more by calling 800-563-8276 today, or visit our website for more information.

Both sales and selling prices of vacation homes fell in 2008, according to member survey data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) released this week.

Sales of existing and new vacation homes dropped almost 31 percent to 512,000 in 2008, from 740,000 in 2007 and a high of 1.07 million in 2006. Sales of primary residences declined about 13 percent, from 4.34 million in 2007 to 3.77 million last year.

The median price of a vacation home was $150,000 in 2008, down 23 percent from $195,000 in 2007 and from the record $204,100 in 2005. About 75 percent of 2008 vacation-home sales were located in small towns, rural areas and resorts. Almost 70 percent of vacation housing bought in 2008 were existing homes, and 70 percent were detached single-family structures. Forty-five percent were in the South, and only 15 percent were in the Midwest.

NAR’s analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data found 8.1 million vacation homes nationally, 40.5 million investment units and 75.5 million owner-occupied, principal residences last year. NAR classifies both vacation homes and investment properties as second homes. Trends like these — vacation-home sales down by about half and median price off by about 25 percent in a few years — usually bring buyers into the market. That is, except when buyers are scared stiff and “mattressing” their remaining cash.

The typical vacation-home buyer in 2008 was 46, but 27 percent were under 35 and 31 percent were over 55. Some younger folks are buying for investment and family reasons, while older folks are looking for transitions into retirement housing. Almost 80 percent of vacation-home buyers reported household income of more than $75,000, with the median at $97,200. Sixty-four percent came from two-income households. Some 80 percent of all vacation-home buyers thought it was a good time to buy in 2008.

A vacation property that can be purchased at 30 to 50 percent less than its 2006-2007 asking price is worth serious thought as an investment. While sales and prices of primary housing and vacation homes were sliding into the pits, values of agricultural lands were going up. Average U.S. farm real-estate value, which includes buildings and improvements, increased from $2,160 per acre in 2007 to $2,350 in 2008. Crop land rose from $2,690 to $2,970 per acre, driven by demand for corn-based ethanol. Pasture rose from $1,160 to $1,230 per acre. Agricultural land prices have risen steadily for the last 20 years. The USDA recently posted 2008 land values.

Farm values in 2008 declined only in New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland and Delaware. While USDA is projecting a decline in U.S. net farm income in 2009 from about $89 billion last year to perhaps $66 billion, the Department found “the projected decline in farm income in 2009 is not expected to have much effect on national agricultural land values.” (Economic Research Service, USDA, The 2008/2009 World Economic Crisis: What It Means for U.S. Agriculture, WRS-09-02, March, 2009) Farm values are projected to slip by only two percent in 2009 in USDA’s model despite the projected $23 billion loss in agricultural income. Long-term expectations of returns drive farm real-estate values, and these are relatively stable and have trended up.

Farm values rose 12 percent annually for the five-year period, 2004-2008. USDA is projecting a five-year rise of five percent annually. Cash-flow problems will force some farm properties on the market in the next few years, as much as I dislike saying so. Buyers will have opportunities to make long-term investments that are more profitable, less risky and more tax-friendly than stocks, bonds and Madoffs. Country property is broader than farm land. It includes small-town housing, undeveloped and recreational land, timberland, hobby farms, second homes, mineral properties and conservation tracts. Trends in sales and prices for these categories are often better understood regionally than nationally.

The value of timberland, for example, has held its own in much of the South but fell in the North and Northeast. Demand for high-quality northern hardwoods used for flooring, furniture and cabinetry has tracked the decline in new home construction. Southern wood products are less-construction dependent. Buyers should be able to find pretty good timberland tracts (without minerals) for $900 to $1,500 per acre in Pennsylvania and for less than $1,000 in upstate New York. For large-lot second homes, timberland in northern-hardwood areas may be a better value than adjacent farmland. Most country-property purchases are discretionary. Buyers can postpone them, even forget them completely.

Sales of these properties, however, are often forced by the economic vise that is squeezing everyone today. Knowledgeable buyers look for “motivated” sellers, which is a polite way of saying, sellers in a jam. Knowledgeable sellers in a pinch don’t blow off low offers. They work knowledgeable buyers toward a “reasonable” price and make the deal because their alternatives are worse. Several hundred billions of dollars were rescued from the stock market’s death spiral during the last year.

Buyers who think like investors might use some of this to pursue either marginal small farms and discounted woodlands for second homes or the hammered vacation properties – on the beach, in the mountains, along a lake — that NAR reports are still in the eye of the storm.