Some choices are easy. If you’re looking to relocate soon for job, recreational, or other purposes, here are three reasons to consider making Texas your permanent home.

The economy: Let’s starts with the Texas economy, because if the economic situation is dire, it doesn’t necessarily matter what else a state has to offer. Simply put, the Texas economy is one of the largest and most rapidly growing in the U.S. As of 2011, Texas trails only New York and California in the number of Fortune 500 companies that call the state home. Further bolstering the economic forecast is that the state is the largest exporter of goods in the United States, bringing in around $100 billion. An additional bonus is affordable Texas living. The cost of living in Texas, from utilities to food to taxes you owe, almost always falls below the national average. Economically, you can’t find a better place than Texas to call home.

The amenities: Whatever you want to do, you can do it in Texas. You can shop at the famed San Antonio River Walk, ice skate in one of the many gallerias, listen to live music in Austin, and sample wine at a Hill Country vineyard. Texas has it all. If you’re drawn to big city living, Texas is home to several major metropolitan areas. Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and Houston draw thousands each year seeking job opportunities, a lively nightlife, and a host of big-city amenities. If you’re looking to retire away from the city noise, or move your kids where they have more room to roam, there is ample *land for sale in many smaller, quieter Texas towns that take pride in maintaining their small-town charm.

The land: Texas is a geographic wonder. Within the state, there are rivers, deserts, plains, natural rock formations and caverns, and the famous Texas Hill Country that continues to be a draw. Not only is there a variety of land in Texas, there is simply so much of it. Texas is the second-largest U.S. state, behind only Alaska.

Let Texas Homesites show you land for sale in Texas. Begin custom building a home in one Texas’ most renowned areas, the beautiful Hill Country. Land is available is master planned communities and golfing communities in Texas. For more information on how to claim a piece of Texas for yourself, find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter today.

You may have seen it in a movie, but do people really swap houses? Indeed, they do. House swapping can be a fascinating way to vacation, and here is a basic guide on the ins and outs of how to make it happen.

Join the club: There are many organizations that set up home exchanges, and most charge a small fee. They can provide you with valuable information about where homes are available. Some organizations will explain to you how to contact an owner and set up an exchange, while others will make the arrangements for you.

Be flexible: Plan the time you want to exchange homes as far in advance as possible, and try and be flexible about the dates. You should write a standard letter of invitation, which invites other exchangers to stay in your home while you occupy theirs. In the letter, describe your home, any amenities available, your neighborhood, and what, if any, transportation will be available (many home exchanges include the use of a car as well). Also include any information about your community that you think is useful, such as amenities and attractions potential swappers might want to check out. Your home will not be the only option for those looking to exchange, so make it as attractive as possible.

Common concerns: Obviously many homeowners are reticent to allow strangers to occupy their home. Problems with home exchanges are quite rare, especially when it’s a direct exchange, as you are expected to care for the property of your trading partner while they care for yours. Both parties should be adequately insured before agreeing on an exchange, and it’s a good idea to sign an informal, written agreement so that everyone’s expectations are clear. When the exchange is complete, make sure to leave your trading partner’s home in the condition you found it.

A home exchange is the perfect way to experience an area you’re considering moving to permanently. If a move is in your future, consider the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Texas Homesites will show you land for sale in master planned communities with luxurious amenities. Begin custom building on a home site nestled in the rolling Texas hills. For more information on Texas real estate, find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter today.

Canyon Lake, Texas is conveniently located 40 miles north of San Antonio and 25 miles west of New Braunfels and San Marcos. A Texas Hill Country treasure, this small town is known for the lake that shares its name. The lake boasts a surface area of 8,230 acres and 80 miles of shoreline. Here are some of the many activities available at Canyon Lake.

Stay at The Lodge at Turkey Cove: This waterfront lodge has amazing views of Canyon Lake and 2.5 acres of water frontage with direct access to the lake. From May through September, the Lodge offers excursion packages that include wine tasting, river tubing, canoeing and kayaking on the lake, fishing, sight-seeing, and a cowboy bonfire! It’s perfect for group events or a relaxing weekend getaway.

See the Gorge: Take a tour of the Canyon Lake Gorge and witness the power of water. See dramatic vistas, lagoons, waterfalls, dinosaur tracks estimated to be 110 million years old, and the hydraulic dynamics of Glen Rose Limestone. For safety purposes, the Gorge is only open to guided tours.

Go boating: Launch your own or rent a boat and explore Canyon Lake’s 80 miles of shoreline and thousands of acres of crystal-clear water. If you’re hungry, dock near Lucky Sailor Oyster Bar. This lakeside restaurant sits near a 400-slip marina and will deliver food dockside.

Hike or bike: If you want to see the beauty of Canyon Lake up close, grab a stick (or a bike) and discover the trails around Canyon Lake. Some trails cross Canyon Dam, some wind along the path of Guadalupe River, and some line the lake’s shoreline.

If you’re considering the Texas Hill Country for more than a vacation, let Texas Homesites show you land for sale in Texas. Land prices might surprise you, and the scenic home sites available in master-planned communities throughout the Hill Country will exceed your expectations. Begin reaping the rewards of owning land today. For more information on Texas real estate, find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter.

Here are some places to visit and things to see in the Texas Hill Country town of Kerrville.

Visit Riverside Nature Center: Don’t miss this former farm, which has been transformed into a sanctuary for wildlife and native plants. The arboretum on the premises has over 140 species of trees, as well as cacti, wildflowers, grasses, birds, insects, and other animals. Take a stroll on walking trails that lead you to the banks of the Guadalupe River.

Tour the Museum of Western Art: This museum is dedicated to the appreciation, promotion, and preservation of Western American heritage, especially artistic expressions and artifacts. In addition to art and artifacts, the museum houses a 3,000-volume Western art and history research library. Located on Bandera Highway, the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, and group tours can be arranged. It’s approximately 100 miles from Austin and 60 miles from San Antonio.

Explore Kerrville-Schreiner Park: This 500-acre recreation and camping park is located on Bandera Highway. The park has over 100 campsites, in addition to cabins, a recreation hall with central air and heat, and a dining hall. It even has an amphitheater. Another unique feature is a ranch house available to rent. It includes a full kitchen, washer/dryer, living room with fireplace, and it sleeps eight people.

Kerrville is home to many unique attractions, and visitors often find it difficult to leave the beauty of the Texas Hill Country. Close to big city amenities but secluded and peaceful, the Hill Country is a great place to buy land in Texas. Let Texas Homesites show you land for sale in Texas, including wonderful properties in master-planned communities. For more information on Texas real estate, find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter today.

If you’re unfamiliar with Enchanted Rock, keep reading for information about this natural wonder located in the heart of beautiful Texas Hill Country.

Technically speaking: A geologist would tell you that Enchanted Rock is a large, pink granite pluton rock formation located in the Llano Uplift, which is about 15 miles north of Fredericksburg, Texas. The granite dome is visible for miles since it stands well above the surrounding plain. It’s 1,825 feet above sea level and covers 640 acres. It’s one of the largest batholiths (an underground rock formation uncovered by erosion) in the U.S.

Enchanted history: Local Indian tribes’ folklore ascribes magical powers to the rock and that’s how it came to be called ‘Enchanted’ Rock. Indians attempted to hide from Anglo settlers by climbing to the top two tiers of the rock, where they were invisible to anyone on the ground below. The Tonkawa Indians, who lived in the area in the sixteenth century, believed that ghost fires raged at the top of the dome, and claimed they heard groaning noises from the dome’s uppermost regions. Geologists believe the ‘groaning’ sounds were caused by the rock contracting after being exposed to the hot Texas sun all day.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area: In 1970, Enchanted Rock was designated a National Natural Landmark, and in 1984 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park covers 1,642 acres and facilities include restrooms with showers, picnic tables with fire-rings or grills, and walk-in sites with tent pads. There are no facilities to accommodate any type of vehicular camping. Visitors to the park enjoy hiking, picnicking, camping, rock climbing, bird watching, and star gazing.

Enchanted Rock is just one of the many unique and beautiful features of the Texas landscape. An abundance of recreational land is one of the many reasons to live in Texas. Let Texas Homesites show you land for sale in Texas, and you can begin custom building a home in scenic Texas Hill Country. For more information, find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter today.

Austin is a wonderful place to live.  Whether you’re single and beginning your career, raising a family, or nearing retirement age, Austin offers something for everyone.  Here are 10 highlights of the Austin lifestyle.

1. Appreciate the outdoors: Despite the heat and humidity in the summer months, Austinites love to be outdoors, and the city has an abundance of places to enjoy nature year round.

2. Listen to live music: Known as the live music capital of the world, there is never a shortage of entertainment in Austin.  With over 200 venues that feature live music, whether you’re seeking blues, indie rock, country, or jazz – you can find it in Austin.

3. Embrace the nightlife: Take advantage of the college town atmosphere and lively nightlife in the Texas capital.  Visit Sixth Street with friends and have a drink or two.

4. Sample all the food: Don’t just stick to your favorite restaurants.  Austin is home to many unique eateries, so go out of your way to try as many as you can.

5. Educate yourself: Home of The University of Texas, it’s easy to broaden your horizons in Austin.  Even if you’ve completed your degree, there is always more to learn, so go to summer school or take a night class.  Austin offers endless opportunities to learn and grow.

6. Be sociable: Austin residents are friendly, so embrace the camaraderie.  Return a stranger’s smile, meet your neighbors, and strike up a conversation with friendly people in the park.

7. Love your community: Take pride in the beauty of Austin, because it is unique and beautiful, and so are the people who live there.

8. Cheer for the horns: You can’t spend more than five minutes in Austin without seeing a flash of orange and white, so go ahead embrace the Longhorn fever!  Hook ‘em!

9. Pay attention to politics: Austin is Texas’s capital, so local and state politics are always a hot topic, but national and international issues usually make their way into conversations as well.  Your mother may’ve taught you to steer clear of politics and stick to weather when conversing, but Austinites are informed and opinionated, and they believe that’s a good thing.

10. Beware of the bats: The Congress Avenue Bridge is infamous for the bats that live there during the spring and summer.  Mostly pregnant females, Mexican free-tailed bats arrive in March, migrating north to give birth.  They give birth in June and the bats and their pup hang around (literally) until early fall when they head back South.

Austin and the outlying Texas Hill Country are wonderful places to live, and land is available and affordable.  Find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter today, and let them show you your options when it comes to Texas communities and land for sale in Texas.

If you’re planning a trip to Austin, you may be overwhelmed with all that the Texas capital has to offer. Here are five hot spots that attract Austin residents and tourists on a regular basis.

The Capitol: After the original capitol building burned in 1881, a nationwide contest was held to determine the next builder of the Texas State Capitol Building. The winner was Elijah Myers, and he crafted a stunning piece of architecture that visitors to Austin should take the time to admire. There are free daily tours of the capitol, which features information about the building itself, the Texas Legislature, and a little Texas history. These tours are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Austin’s Children Museum: This museum, located at 201 Colorado Street, is a place the entire family will enjoy. With interactive exhibits, science demonstrations, workshops, camps, and many other special programs, there is something for everyone at this museum. The museum is closed on Mondays, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday (special evening hours until 8 p.m. on Wednesdays), and Sunday hours are noon to 5 p.m.

Austin Museum of Art: Located at 823 Congress Avenue, the museum’s focus is twentieth century and contemporary art. It’s worth a second visit if you’ve been before because new exhibits and hands-on activities are frequently added. Educational opportunities include performances, lectures, guided tours, and a hands-on art lab for children. On November 1 of this year, the Austin Museum of Art and the Arthouse at the Jones Center merged into a single entity.

Paramount Theatre: Don’t miss the oldest surviving theatre in Austin. Located at 713 Congress Avenue, the nearly century-old theatre once served as Sam Houston’s office and is a city, state, and national landmark. It currently features everything from film screenings to comedy to children’s shows.

Stubb’s B-B-Q: A popular downtown attraction at 801 River Street, at Stubb’s you can enjoy delicious Texas BBQ while listening to live music. There is a small indoor stage as well as a larger outdoor venue for musicians. Well-known musical acts often grace the stage at Stubb’s, so drop in for dinner because you never know who you might see.

Texas is an exciting place to visit, but an even better place to call home. For more information on Texas master planned communities, land for sale in Texas, and custom building a home, find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter. Texas Homesites can help you with all your real estate needs.

A second home is a luxury many dream of, but few consider it to be within reach. Many new land buyers are discovering the benefits of affordable Texas living, and there is no better place for a second home than the Texas Hill Country. Here are a few practical uses for, and reasons to consider, a second home.

Best of both: A second home in the rolling hills of Texas is ideal if you find yourself with one foot in the city, and the other longing for dirt between your toes. If you can’t imagine life without Starbucks around the corner, but want to watch the sun rise over the hills while you sip your coffee, it might be time to buy land in Texas.

Shop around for retirement: A second home is a great way to test out a potential future retirement community. If you’re not ready to give up your condo or home in the city that’s minutes from your office, consider a second home in an area you think you may enjoy permanently when you retire. You can spend a weekend or two there, have a place to get away from the city during the holidays, and get a feel for the area.

Leave a legacy: Finally, a second home is a place to begin making memories with your children and grandchildren, and something you can leave to your children. It’s an investment in your financial future, as well as theirs.

If you’re considering buying *land for sale in Texas for a second, or a first, home, contact Texas Homesites. We can help you navigate the Texas real estate market and point you in the direction you’ve envisioned for yourself and your family, whether it’s a second home, a home in a golfing community in Texas, or a home in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Texas Homesites offers it all. Find us on Facebook and Twitter today.

Everything is new when you marry: new bedding, new china, new family, and a new beginning with your mate by your side. If the two of you are looking for a place to begin building your nest, here are three reasons you should consider purchasing land in the Texas Hill Country and building your *dream home in Texas.

Financial Footing

If one or both of you have been renting, you’re likely considering the benefits of owning property. There is no shortage of affordable land in Texas, and you can begin reaping the rewards of owning land, such as land tax benefits, early in your marriage.

A Joint Venture

If you’ve been house hunting with your sweetie, you’ve likely discovered that while you have some things in common, you have different priorities for the home the two of you will share. This is an issue that custom building a home can resolve. Instead of spending the weekend touring homes neither of you love, sit down together and review house plans, and discuss ways they can be tweaked to suit both of your needs.

Recreation

Before you hear the pitter-patter of tiny feet padding through your dream home, spend time with your new spouse. No matter what your interests are, there is something in Texas you’ll both enjoy, and often it’s right outside your back door. Recreational land in Texas is in no short supply, and Texas Homesites can introduce you to beautiful master planned communities, as well as golfing communities. You can spend a day on the greens, and then relax on your porch just a few steps away.

Texas Homesites is your source for information about land for sale in Texas. Affordable Texas living is one of the many reasons Texas is a wonderful place for newlyweds. For more information, find us on Facebook and Twitter today.

There is no better place to be in the fall than Texas. The leaves are turning, the temps are dropping, and towns are celebrating with some of the best fall festivals anywhere. Here are the details on a few you don’t want to miss.

Iron Horse Fall Fest: Don’t miss the fun in downtown Mineola on Saturday, November 5 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. There will be a classic car show, bean cook-off (first and second place cash prizes), chili cook-off (first and second place cash prizes), arts and crafts, and food vendors.

Wurstfest: This 10-day salute to sausage in New Braunfels is a Texas Hill Country tradition. From November 4 – November 13, you can sample tasty sausage, strudel, pretzels, potato pancakes, and other German treats with a Texas twist. There will also be live music performed by more than 40 different groups. All the fun can be found at 178 Landa Park Drive.

Heritage Syrup Festival: The sticky event will be held this year on Saturday, November 21 in Henderson. Events will take place from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. in Downtown Henderson and on the grounds of the Depot Museum, 514 N. High Street.

New Braunfels Farm to Market: Open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9a.m. – 1 p.m. Over 50 local vendors bring locally grown fresh produce, cheeses, meats, jams and jellies, flowers, art, and much, much more! Enjoy live music and on-site chef demonstrations. You can find it all at 148 S. Castell Avenue.

Texas has something for everyone, including beautiful and affordable land for sale. Texas Homesites is an excellent resource for new land buyers. Find us on Facebook and Twitter today for more information about land for sale in Texas.