If you’re looking to sell, buy, or build a home in 2012, you’re likely wondering what the future holds for the housing market. Here are three trends experts are predicting will shape the real estate market in the coming year.

Eventual stability: While home prices nationwide may still drop another 3 to 5% in 2012, a gradual leveling off should be seen by year’s end before prices begin to rise in early 2013. Typically, home prices do not stabilize simultaneously across the board, which creates confusion about whether or not the market is truly recovering. More desirable neighborhoods will stabilize first, so even within a single city, recovery may be apparent in some areas, while others remain unaffected.

Affordability to remain high: Like the previous year, 2012 will be a great year to buy or build and finance a new home. The ratio of home prices to family income is predicted to remain at record levels in the coming year. Many homes are priced well under their appraised value, and buyers are able to finance a mortgage at record low levels. Low mortgage rates are predicted to continue defining the housing industry, at least through the first half of 2012. Rates for a 30-year fixed mortgage, the most popular, continue to hover around 4%, and are expected to remain between 4 and 5 % in 2012.

Increase in sales: According to the National Association of Realtors, the summer and early fall of 2011 showed an increase in the number of existing homes purchased. This is expected to continue into 2012, so this is good news for those trying to sell their home.

Despite national turmoil, great things are happening in the Texas real estate market. If you’re considering buying land in Texas, let Texas Homesites show you your options. Home sites are available in master planned communities that are nestled in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. For more information, find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter today.

Nestled between Cypress Creek and the Blanco River, and surrounded by rolling hills, Wimberley is a small Texas town with a lot to offer. Here are some things to do in Wimberley.

Visit the Farmer’s Market: Wimberley hosts the oldest outdoor market in the *Texas Hill Country. Visit the over 475 booths overflowing with delectable goodies. Enjoy a day of shopping under the shade trees while you listen to live music. The market is open on the first Saturday of every month, March through December, and admission is free.

Visit Blue Hole Regional Park: Spanning 126 acres near downtown Wimberley, this park features a rustic swimming hole, soccer fields, tennis courts, an amphitheater, a recreational pavilion, hiking and biking trails, and more. Spend a day at the park or extend your stay in the camping area.

Shop at Wimberley Glass Works: You don’t want to miss this unique Wimberley shop. It has a wide selection of both indoor and outdoor lighting options, and if the owners don’t have what you’re looking for in stock, they can custom make it. Be sure to browse the selection of vases, sculptures, and other gifts.

See the stars under the stars at the Corral Theatre: You’ll love Wimberley’s own walk-in theatre. See a movie every weekend from May 6 through Labor Day. Movies show Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. Tickets are only $5, and anyone under four or over 85 gets in free! Some seating is available, or you can bring your own lawn chair. Refreshments are available at the concession stand. You can even rent the theatre for a special occasion.

If spending the day in the Texas Hill Country isn’t long enough for you, let Texas Homesites show you Texas land for sale. 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.

Texas is known for its land, and while there is a lot of it, this numeric breakdown tells a little more of the story of the state of Texas.

People: Approximately 25 million people live in Texas, the second-largest state in the U.S. by population. Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth-largest city in the U.S. San Antonio is the second-largest city in Texas and the seventh-largest city in the U.S.

Economy: As of 2011, Texas is home to six of the top 50 companies on the Fortune 500 list, and the Texas economy is the second-largest in the nation. Texas is the largest exporter of goods in the U.S. and grosses over $100 billion in trade with other nations.

Universities: Texans value education. The state is home to over 200 degree-granting institutions, including the University of Texas at Austin, which has an enrollment of nearly 50,000 and is one of the largest public universities in the U.S.

Land: Texas is the second-largest state (after Alaska), covering 268,820 square miles. Texas is 10% larger than France. Less than 10% of the land area in Texas is desert.

Geography: The highest point in Texas is Guadalupe Peak at 8,751 feet above sea level. There are 3,700 named streams and 15 major rivers in Texas, the largest of which is the Rio Grande.

Six flags: The term “six flags over Texas” came from the six nations that ruled over the territory known as Texas during its tumultuous history. These include Spain, France, Mexico, an independent Texas, the United States, and the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. Texas was the twenty-eighth state admitted to the U.S.

Texas is a fascinating place to call home, and now is a great time to buy land in Texas. Affordable Texas living attracts many new land buyers. Let Texas Homesites show you available land in master-planned communities where you can begin custom building a home. For more information on the Texas real estate market, find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter today.

You’ve found land you love and you’re eager to begin custom building a home, but you need a floor plan.  Even if you find a plan you love, you will likely want to change things, which is one of the benefits of custom building.  Here are a few details to pay attention to when making final decisions about your new home.

Kitchen: Spend a lot of time hashing out the details of the kitchen.  You may even want to decide what you will store in which cabinets and use this to guide your placement of the major appliances.  Note the size and shape of all the cabinets so you don’t end up with cabinets you don’t use.  Many newer floor plans include built-in desks and a shelf or two for cookbooks in the kitchen, both options that add function and style.

Windows and doors: Carefully consider the placement of windows and doors.  Figure out what direction they will face when the house is completed.  For example, you may not want a wall of windows that face east in your bedroom, especially if you’re not an early riser.  Doors need to be practical.  If you have a deck or patio off the kitchen where you plan to grill and eat, be sure there is easy access from the kitchen to this outdoor space.

Ceiling height: Some homeowners want soaring ceilings while some prefer a more intimate feel in the home and opt for lower ceilings.  Before you build a home with 12-foot ceilings, think about practical matters like changing the light bulbs and dusting the ceiling fans.

Family Room: So often the television is the focal point of the family room.  Begin by deciding where the TV will be placed, and remember you’ll want to avoid a glare.  If you prefer the fireplace to be the focal point, either mount the TV over the fireplace or purchase an armoire that will hide the TV.

Building a home is an exciting venture.  If you’re looking to buy land in Texas, let Texas Homesites show you some available home sites.  Land prices are attractive, and it’s a great time to begin custom building a home in Texas.  Find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

San Antonio is currently the second-largest city in Texas, and its history dates back to the 1600s. The city has played a major role in world and American history and is a fusion of multiple cultures. Here are just a few of the highlights of this fascinating city.

Spanish influence: Seeking to stake its claim in the New World, Spain sent missionaries to colonize the native people. In 1691, a group of Spanish explorers and missionaries came to the area that is present day San Antonio on June 13, which is the feast day of Saint Anthony of Padua, Italy, so they named the place “San Antonio” in his honor.

Mexican influence: Spain’s hold on the region was weakened by a lack of military support, as well as raids by neighboring Indians. A Spanish mission, Mission San Antonio de Valero, was secularized in 1794 and became a Spanish military installation known as The Alamo. Mexico waged a 10-year war against Spain for independence, and in the end won sovereignty over land that included Texas.

As settlers in the U.S. continued to head west, Mexico encouraged them to purchase land in Texas by offering the land at rates much lower than those in the U.S. After years of this practice, Americans began to outnumber Mexicans in the Mexican held areas of Texas. Santa Anna, the Mexican dictator, decided to end Mexico’s favorable policies toward the American settlers. Tensions began to build, and in 1835 Texas declared its independence from Mexico.

Independence and statehood: A pivotal and now legendary battle in the war for independence from Mexico occurred in San Antonio at the Alamo. One-hundred-and-eighty-nine Texas fighters held off Santa Anna’s 4,000 troops for 12 days, fighting to their deaths. The Alamo fell, but only 46 days later, Sam Houston’s troops won the Battle of San Jacinto, and Texas achieved its independence. In 1848, Texas joined the U.S. as the 28th state. German immigrants poured into San Antonio, bringing European architecture and cuisine to the already multicultural city.

San Antonio and the surrounding areas are wonderful places to call home. If you’re considering buying land in Texas, consult Texas Homesites. We can give you more information on land prices, master planned communities, and golfing communities in Texas. Find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter today.

Direction: When you visit a new city, you consult a map; when you take a tour, you expect a tour guide who’s familiar with the nuances unknown to outsiders and visitors.  The Texas real estate market is not easily navigable without a map.  Texas is large, and not all Texas land is equal.  Texas Homesites can serve as your guide as you search for the best land in Texas on which to build your dream home.

Options: Texas Homesites is not in the business of cookie cutter real estate.  We offer a variety of land and communities across Texas to meet the unique needs of buyers and their families.  If you want to retire and golf everyday, or just enjoy the view of the hill country from your kitchen window as you cook vegetables grown in your garden, we have a piece of Texas land for you.  Three master planned communities, recreational land in Texas, and golfing communities in Texas are a few of the many reasons new land buyers who want choices are turning to Texas Homesites.

Texas Homesites is here to meet your real estate needs.  We know the Texas real estate market and we want to put our knowledge to work for you.  The current Texas economy is one of the many reasons to live in Texas.  This is the time to take advantage of land prices in Texas and begin reaping the benefits of affordable Texas living.  For more information, find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter today.

Texas, the second largest state, is a great place to live, work and play. Now is the perfect time to take advantage of the many benefits of owning land in the Lone Star State. Texas land for sale includes thousands of ranches, farms, waterfront land and rural residential properties throughout Texas. Much of affordable Texas land is ideal for taking up residence, starting a business, making a profit or simply enjoying life.

Texas Weather

The climate in Texas is generally very attractive to new land buyers. Sure, summers can get hot, but this is balanced out with plenty of sunshine and mild winters. Snow is rare sight in Texas, meaning you can enjoy the beauty of Texas land year round.

Reasonable Taxes

Texas is one of seven states in the U.S. without a personal income tax. Many land tax benefits are available to new property owners in Texas. Local taxes are considered to be among the most reasonable in the country. Tax credits are available for new homeowners and business owners in Texas. The market value of Texas real estate has increased in many communities throughout the state.

Business Friendly

Texas is considered a business-friendly state. Challenging economic times have had little impact throughout much of the state. The Texas economy, thanks in part to several top industries located in the state, has continued to thrive. When you factor in tax incentives for businesses and affordable land prices, the appeal of buying land in Texas becomes just as clear as the state's many lakes.

The People

One of the biggest selling points for owning land in Texas is the people who live here. You will quickly find that the stories about Texas charm and hospitality are true. One main reason people give for moving is a problem with a neighbor. You are not likely to find such issues in Texas. Texas communities gladly welcome new land buyers.

Amenities

No matter what your interests are, you will likely find what you are looking for in Texas. Sports fans have a wide selection of professional and college teams to cheer for. Texas is home to many of the best universities and hospital systems in the world. Further, golfing communities in Texas include some of the state's most desirable land.

Visit Texas Homesites online today to find out more on the advantage of buying land in the Lone Star State. See what others are saying about us on Twitter and Facebook.

The possibilities for use of land for sale in Texas are just as big as the heart of the Lone Star State itself. Now, let's narrow it down some. Your first step is to determine how much land you need or want. There are a few basic questions you can ask yourself to get an idea of how much land you will need.

• What will the land be used for?

√ If the land is going to be your family home, make sure it is large enough for the style of house you want on the property.

√ If the land is going to be used for business purposes, make sure there is enough space to meet your business needs. You will also want to check for access to transportation and delivery routes.

• Are you planning to resale the land?

√ If you plan to resale the property, make sure there is enough space so the land can be used for different purposes.

√ Property that is closer to shopping, restaurants and schools tends to be more attractive to a land buyer. Consider future land value if you know that you will eventually resale the property.

• What are your needs right now?

√ If you have school-aged children, you will want to make sure the land you choose is located near a school district that is right for your children.

√ If you are retired, you may want to choose property that is close to shopping, restaurants and recreation facilities.

Do you want to live in a planned community?

√ Some communities in Texas are master planned communities, meaning there are certain restrictions regarding what kind of property is available.

√ Consider the benefits of a planned community. Amenities are already available to new residents. There is access to local schools and recreation.

The Texas economy has sustained recent economic difficulties surprisingly well. Land prices are reasonable, meaning your odds of finding a property that is right for you are greatly increased. Decide what your immediate and future needs are and start looking for properties that match those needs.

Texas Homesites is your source for all the information you need on Texas land. Before you know it, you will find the perfect piece of Texas that is right for you. Visit us online now or see what others are saying about us on Facebook and Twitter.

It doesn't take much effort to list the reasons to live in Texas. Some of the most popular reasons to call the Lone Star State home include no state sales tax, land prices below the national average and attractive land tax benefits. Put it all together and one thing is clear: Now is a good time to buy land in Texas. Properties are available throughout the state with locations in rural and urban surroundings.

Location

According to real estate surveys, most people buy land because they want to build their own custom home to their specifications. Land value in Texas has been holding below the national average, making it a good time to buy. Wide, open spaces throughout the state mean that property owners can install solar panels, windmills and other energy-saving options. Property locations are available to fit almost any lifestyle.

Growing Markets

Texas real estate is making some noticeable gains in large markets throughout the state right now. Austin is experiencing a soaring real estate market thanks, in part, to an increasing number of new businesses. This has spurred the commercial and residential real estate market in the area. Dallas, Houston, Amarillo, Midland and San Antonio are experiencing similar growth.

Additional Reasons to Buy Land in Texas Now

√ Tax benefits - Land tax benefits in Texas are an added incentive for new land buyers. There are additional tax benefits for those who go green in their construction efforts, especially where energy is concerned.

√ Recreation - Texas has numerous recreational opportunities including hunting, horseback riding, hiking and fishing. There is bound to be available property to enjoy almost any pastime pleasure Texas offers.

√ Conservation - Purchasing land in certain areas can be an ecological venture that prevents overdeveloping and makes the land more valuable in the long run.

√ Development - Depending on how much land you purchase, there may be space left over for multi-family homes or several businesses if you are developing the property for commercial use. Since you own the land, you can charge rent and lease fees.

√ Low risk - Right now, real estate in the Lone Star State is extremely stable with growth in several key markets. The recent recession was relatively low impact in Texas, especially when it comes to Texas real estate.

Texas Homesites is your choice for land in Texas. Visit us online or on Facebook and Twitter.

-       Money: You shouldn’t try to stretch your finances. Take a long, hard look at your finances and see what you can afford. Don’t buy a piece of property that you can’t afford.

-       Look: Don’t start looking at land until you know exactly what you are looking for. Looking at land without having made a decision can lead to let down and can be a waste of your time. Make sure to focus only on land once you know your budget, desired location, and the community.

-       Emotions: Don’t let your emotions guide you. If you think you find the perfect piece of property, make sure to stay realistic. Land surveys still need to be completed and you shouldn’t get attached to the piece of property until you actually own it.

-       Land: If the land has been surveyed and is categorized to have issues with possible flooding, draining, or damage, you should probably avoid the piece of property. If land has a history of damage and hazardous weather conditions, then the piece of property is probably not where you want to be.

-       Don’t do it alone: When you are looking to buy land, you should search with a knowledgeable and reputable company that can guide you through the land buying process. Many factors need to be considered when buying land, and an experienced land buying company can help you and make sure that everything is accounted for.

Texas Homesites is here to help you through the land buying process. We have been helping families find their dream homesites since 1966, and we will guide you through buying your next piece of land. For more information on our available communities, check out our free eBook, The Texas Land Buyer’s Guide. We are here to answer all of your questions!