Tips to help you prepare for your new home search in 2012

Are you searching for a new home in McKinney, TX to buy this year? You couldn’t have picked a better location. This North Dallas suburb with the small-town feel is a wonderful place to live and raise a family.  Before you start your new home search, here are a few tips to keep in mind to help you prepare:

1. Review your finances. It would be very frustrating if you found a home to buy, and then realized you couldn’t afford it. Avoid that scenario by reviewing your income and debt, and then meet with your bank or other financial expert to determine what your ideal mortgage payment would be.

2. Be aware of all costs. An existing home may cost less than a new home, but the upkeep and unexpected repairs could cost you much more in the long run. A brand new home in McKinney, TX built by Landon Homes includes many energy efficient features that can save you money on your utility bills.

3. Gather search tools. When you’re out for a drive, carry a mobile phone – preferably one with a camera and Internet access – so you can use it to take pictures and notes about neighborhoods and new home builders. You can search online for information about schools in the area, for instance, and other amenities you may be interested in.

4. Review and study areas. Choosing a neighborhood to live in affects many aspects of your life, including your work commute, where your children go to school, where you shop, etc. As you whittle down your possibilities, study the areas for traffic and activity. You might even talk with your potential neighbors to see how they like living there, and what type of experience they’ve had with the home builder.

The more prepared you are to buy a new home in McKinney, TX, the happier and more secure you’ll feel when you sign the contracts. Visit the Landon Homes website to see the different new home models that are available in McKinney. If you have any questions, you can conduct a live chat online with our Internet Sales Manager Tanya Smith or call 800-898-3603.

What Makes the Frisco Independent School District Exemplary?

Thinking of buying a new home in Frisco, TX? One of the many benefits of living in this community is the quality of education students receive here. The Frisco Independent School District (ISD) is an exemplary rated school district and one of the fastest growing in the state and nation.

School administrators and the citizens of Frisco are committed to providing their children with a quality education. The district has enough funds on hand to continue building new schools that maintain a small, personal learning environment. Having smaller schools enables more students to be involved in outside activities, and allows for meaningful relationships to develop between students and teachers.

Living in a new home in Frisco, TX means your children will have access to the latest educational technology. Computer labs are available in the elementary and secondary schools; classrooms are equipped with projectors, educational videos, wireless keyboards and smart tablets.

The Frisco ISD offers students the opportunity to push themselves academically. High school students can take Advanced Placement and Honors courses, and dual credit classes with Collin County Community College. A variety of athletic programs are also offered as well as clubs and activities including Band, National Honor Society, Drill team/Dance, Academic Decathalon, Drama, Robotics and more.

Students in the Frisco ISD score well above the state and national averages too. More than 75 percent of seniors take one or more college entrance exams, and 90 percent of graduates plan to continue their education.

Parents who buy a new home in Frisco, TX will also appreciate the safety measures school officials have taken to protect students. Digital technology and high resolution cameras capture images in common areas, parking lots and building entrances to deter poor behavior. Controlled access and advanced visitor registration systems are in place as well.

These are just some of the benefits that your family will enjoy when you buy a new home in Frisco, TX.  You’ll also find a family-friendly atmosphere, exceptional arts, entertainment, and recreation facilities. To find the perfect source for your new home, look no further than Landon Homes. Rated as one of the finest home builders in North Dallas, Landon engineers better built, affordable green homes for sale in premier Frisco neighborhoods. Contact us today to schedule your new home tour.

Texas wins in U.S. economy shift

Texas wins in U.S. economy shift

By Dennis Cauchon, USA TODAY

Texas became the USA’s second-largest economy during the past decade — displacing New York and perhaps heading one day toward challenging California — in one of the biggest economic shifts in the past half-century.

The dramatic realignment of the nation’s economy was illustrated by North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia all overtaking one-time industrial powerhouse Michigan in economic size from 2000 to 2010. The economic winners of the last decade are states that focus on raw materials, government and senior citizens. The big losers are places that make things — industrial states and even California.USA TODAY examined each state’s gross domestic product to determine how the country’s economic output has shifted within its borders. The data, recently released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, reflect both population growth and income increases — in short, the economic weight of each state.Texas notched one of the biggest increases in size in a half-century, surpassing $1 trillion in annual economic output. The state gained nearly a full percentage point in its share of the U.S. economy during the decade, reaching 8.3% in 2010. This growth in economic clout has been matched only twice in the past 50 years — by California in the 1980s and Texas itself during the 1970s oil boom.”We’re growing faster than everyone else, and this trend should last a good while,” says economic forecaster Raymond Berryhill of Waco, Texas. His state enjoyed “good fortune and good planning” from having natural resources, immigration and successful technology businesses while avoiding the real estate bubble, he says.

Florida’s share of the national economy grew more than any state except Texas as seniors took their wealth south. But it was the long-booming state’s smallest growth of any decade since the government began keeping track in the 1960s.Other ups and downs:•California. The state’s share of the national economy peaked in 1990 but shrank faster than all but three states from 2000 to 2010. It’s hard for a large economy — at $1.9 trillion, the nation’s largest — to keep growing fast, especially when hit by a housing downturn, says Stephen Levy of the Center for the Continuing Study of the California Economy. •Virginia. The federal government-fueled suburbs of Washington, D.C., led this state and neighboring Maryland to a decade of prosperity.•Michigan. Michigan and Ohio were the only states to end the decade economically smaller than when it began. “Michigan was the place that created the 20th-century middle class — the well-paying factory job,” says Lou Glazer, president of Michigan Future, an economic research group. “It ended so quickly we fell off the cliff.”

Economic rank
State
2010 GDP
% change from 2000
1 California 1,901 17.8
2 Texas 1,207 26.8
3 New York 1,160 19.8
4 Florida 748 22.7
5 Illinois 652 8.2
6 Pennsylvania 570 11.8
7 New Jersey 487 11.6
8 Ohio 478 -0.7
9 North Carolina 425 20.3
10 Virginia 424 27.6
11 Georgia 403 9.8
12 Michigan 384 -7.1
13 Massachusetts 379 13.5
14 Washington 340 18.3
15 Maryland 295 26.3
16 Indiana 276 10.6
17 Minnesota 270 15.3
18 Colorado 258 20.5
19 Tennessee 255 15.5
20 Arizona 254 27.5
21 Wisconsin 248 11.1
22 Missouri 244 6.1
23 Connecticut 237 14.1
24 Louisiana 219 16.2
25 Oregon 174 37.5
26 Alabama 173 16.2
27 South Carolina 164 10.9
28 Kentucky 163 12.7
29 Oklahoma 148 21.0
30 Iowa 143 21.3
31 Kansas 127 16.5
32 Nevada 126 26.7
33 Utah 115 29.1
34 Arkansas 103 18.8
35 Mississippi 97 14.6
36 Nebraska 90 22.3
37 New Mexico 80 24.4
38 Hawaii 67 21.8
39 West Virginia 65 13.0
40 Delaware 62 19.9
41 New Hampshire 60 12.0
42 Idaho 55 28.6
43 Maine 52 10.3
44 Rhode Island 49 14.8
45 Alaska 49 32.0
46 South Dakota 40 35.1
47 Wyoming 39 48.7
48 Montana 36 23.4
49 North Dakota 35 47.1
50 Vermont 26 15.9
- United States 14,552 16.7
- Washington, D.C. 103 29.9

Dallas is a Great Place to Own a Home

Are you in the market for a new home? You might consider moving to the Dallas metropolitan area. Last year, Dallas ranked among the top 20 healthiest housing markets according to Builder magazine.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics dubbed the metro area a “rebounding economy” due to its addition of 50,800 non-farm jobs last year, a 1.8% increase in employment.

Strong employment prospects and affordable housing have been attracting people to Dallas for several years now. The median price of a home in the area rose just 1.2% in 2010. And the Dallas Economic Development Council recently announced plans to revitalize the city’s downtown to cater to young professionals.

Builder magazine says home builders remain bullish on the area’s prospects – pulling 19,500 single-family permits last year, 33% more than in 2009.  One of the premier home builders in North Dallas is Landon Homes. Headed by John Landon, a leading force in homebuilding and development since the 1980s, Landon Homes has quickly become a dominant player in the Texas housing industry.

Landon Homes has raised the standard among home builders in North Dallas in the area of energy efficiency – becoming one of the first to use 2×6 exterior wall construction, instead of 2×4. The thicker walls hold 57% more insulation, reducing unwanted heat loss or gain.  That lower demand for energy translates into lower utility bills for Landon customers.

Landon Homes builds affordable, eco-friendly homes in Frisco, Little Elm, McKinney, and North Dallas, TX. Visit our website to see the variety of floor plans and options available to create the home of your dreams.

Why Buy a Quick Move-In New Home For Sale in North Dallas?

When looking at homes for sale in Dallas, you can choose between buying new or buying resale.  For some people, buying a brand new home is preferred because they can work with the builder to design the home from the ground up. But if you don’t have time to wait for construction, you can buy a quick move-in ready home that is complete or nearly complete. 

Why should you buy a quick move-in home versus a resale? There are several reasons. 

  1. Builders Warranty – A brand new home comes with a warranty from the home builder, so you have peace of mind should anything break down in the house. With a resale, you’re dependent upon how well the previous owners maintained the property. Even when you have a home inspection performed before the purchase, there’s a chance for problems to be missed.  
  2. Upgrades – A move-in ready home often includes options and upgrades that are appealing to new home buyers. Plus, the builder often includes features that have been popular with existing home buyers, so you know the design has been tested by families like yours. 
  3. Pricing – Builders typically include large incentives on move-in ready homes, so you could get a better deal on a brand new home than you would on a resale.  
  4. Energy Efficiency – A new home includes the most up-to-date energy saving features and construction techniques, enabling buyers to save money on utility bills and insurance premiums compared to an older home.  

If you’d like information on the available move-in ready homes for sale in North Dallas, contact Landon Homes at 866-898-3603. Landon Homes is rated among the best Dallas area home builders. Our better built by design, affordable green homes are ready now in premier neighborhoods.

Homes for Sale in Little Elm, TX

If you love living near water and enjoy small-town charm, Little Elm, Texas is the place for you. This Landon Homes community just outside of Dallas is all “wet,” thanks to the fact that 23 miles of its corporate town limits are the shoreline of Lewisville Lake. Little Elm is conveniently located within minutes of Dallas-Fort Worth Airport and features exemplary rated Frisco schools.

Landon Homes is proud to feature the Villages at Lakeview a new home community in Little Elm. Whether you’re shopping for your first home or an empty nester looking to downsize, Landon has your perfect home.

The Enclave at Lakeview offers some of the best prices in the Frisco Independent School District. This master-planned community includes four amenity centers, with pools, parks, trails and more. If you have a growing family that needs a bigger backyard and more space, consider the Reserve at Lakeview. This community offers estate-sized homesites – 74’ and 84’ wide and 3-car garages. In the middle of those two neighborhoods you’ll find The Dominion at Lakeview. It’s conveniently located just east of Lewisville Lake and is served by the area’s newest and best schools. Panther Creek Parkway leads directly into the Lakeview location from the Tollway.

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Frisco, Other Dallas-area Cities Among Fastest-Growing in U.S.

07:10 AM CDT on Wednesday, June 23, 2010

By ERIC AASEN / The Dallas Morning News

eaasen@dallasnews.com

http://www.dallasnews.com/…/062310dnmetcensus.19e354d.html

In North Texas, the newcomers keep coming and coming and coming.

Frisco was the nation’s fastest-growing city last year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released Tuesday. McKinney wasn’t far behind, ranking third.

The top 25 list is studded with several other North Texas cities, including Lewisville , Fort Worth, Carrollton and Denton.

Frisco claimed the top spot among cities with more than 100,000 people, thanks to a 6.2 percent population increase during a 12-month period starting in July 2008. Its Collin County neighbor, McKinney, scored a 5.5 percent jump.

Any way you slice or dice the census data, Frisco and McKinney remain chart toppers. Over the past decade, Frisco also had the country’s biggest population growth, while McKinney ranked No. 2.

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Dallas: Fastest Growing U.S. city

Dallas-Fort Worth grew by an estimated 25% in the past decade and now has an estimated 6.5 million residents.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — The booming Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area added more residents during the past decade than any other city in the United States.

According to the latest Census Bureau figures, the population of the sprawling Texas metro area grew by about 1.3 million people, or 25%, between April 1, 2000, and July 1, 2009.

The population is now estimated at 6.5 million residents, but an exact count won’t be available until the 2010 census is complete.

Dallas’s attractions include a very favorable business climate, according to Mayor Tom Leppert.  There’s no corporate income tax, building costs are relatively reasonable and regulations are minimal.

“It’s a great place to do business,” he said, “especially attractive for companies from high-tax states.”

Helping to drive growth is the area’s main airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International, the third busiest in the nation. Its location is far enough south to ensure good weather yet central enough to make it easy to fly to the Northeast, the Midwest and the Pacific Coast. It is also well positioned for air traffic with Latin American markets.

“Dallas has no port,” said Leppert. “The airport became a 21st century port.”

What it has lacked in the past — a vibrant downtown — is starting to develop. Recent additions include a huge new arts center, urban park, light rail system and new housing. These have bolstered the city’s density and made downtown more interesting and fun.

http://money.cnn.com/2010/06/22/…/fastest_growing_metro_areas/

Landon Welcomes New Sales Manager at Austin Ridge

Landon Homes welcomes Dean Liter as the new sales manager at Austin Ridge, its brand new home community in southwest Frisco, TX. Austin Ridge is part of Lone Star Ranch, a master planned community featuring rolling hills, hike and bike trails, streams, lakes, fountains, open spaces and thousands of trees.

As a resident of Lone Star Ranch, Liter knows first hand about the terrific amenities that will be available to Austin Ridge residents. The community has a three-tiered, resort-style swimming pool with waterfalls, a large clubhouse that can be rented, and a fitness center loaded with state of the art equipment. Plus, Austin Ridge is close to the North Dallas Tollway and Highway 121, making it convenient for commuting.

Liter has a unique history with Landon Homes and its president, John Landon. Dean built his first home with John, and enjoyed the process so much, that he asked to come to work for Landon.

When asked why someone should buy a Landon home, Liter says no other builder in the area is doing what Landon does in terms of energy efficiency. The homes in Austin Ridge feature the latest energy efficient technologies, including thicker lumber that holds 57% more insulation than traditional homes, a radiant heat barrier to reduce attic temperatures, and air conditioning systems that exceed Energy Star standards. These features help to significantly reduce the monthly utility bills for a Landon homeowner.

The first models in Austin Ridge are expected to be ready in about three months. Until then, visitors are welcome to stop by our sales trailer and view our floorplan designs and under construction inventory.

If you’d like to schedule a tour of Austin Ridge, contact Tanya Smith at 214-707-0347 or visit the website at Landonhomesusa.com for more information.

New Homes in Frisco- Austin Ridge at Lone Star Ranch

Landon Homes is launching a new development of affordably-priced, energy-efficient homes in the North Dallas area.

Austin Ridge will be part of Lone Star Ranch, a master planned community situated in  southwest Frisco, Texas among rolling hills with hike and bike trails, streams, lakes, fountains, open spaces and thousands of trees.

The community includes an amenity center featuring a three-tiered resort-style swimming pool with waterfalls, a large clubhouse that can be rented for private events and a fitness center loaded with equipment. 

Austin Ridge will have the perfect combination of:

>Competitively priced homes starting from the mid $200s

  •  >Superb quality of life

>Highly rated schools (Frisco Independent School District)

>Strategic Frisco location with easy access to the North Dallas Tollway and Highway 121. 

Austin Ridge joins two other Landon Homes communities in Frisco: Grayhawk Estates and the Villages at Willow Bay.  

For more information about Austin Ridge or our other new homes in North Dallas, visit our website at LandonHomesUSA.com or contact Tanya Smith anytime by phone at 214-707-0347.