Data from the U.S. Census Beauty shows that 2,495,270 homes have been built in Texas since 2010. According to a new report from Texas Realtors, Texans are purchasing newly constructed homes at twice the national average. The report found that 30% of Texas homebuyers chose new construction between July 2023 to June 2024.
Low interest rates, covered closing costs, included appliances and warranties are some of the reasons why buyers opt to buy new homes over existing homes. But Realtor.com reports an even more compelling reason. The typical new home is selling at a sharp discount compared to existing homes.
As far back as modern records go, newly built homes have almost always cost more than previously owned homes. But in recent months, that trend has been upended to an extent that has never been seen. The trend likely stems from the fact that the majority of new homes are likely to be located in lower-priced markets and areas. And as the activity indicates, metro areas across the state continue to expand their boundaries.
DALLAS-FORT WORTH
Huffines Communities’ Serenade Texas Promises a $100 Million Buildout in Record Time
Unlike typical master planned communities that build over years, Serenade will be completed within 24 months. Located near Preston Road by the Collin–Grayson County line, this 414-acre development plans to deliver 875 homes by Spring 2027. The urgency comes from its position in rapidly growing Celina, with easy access to major job centers in McKinney, Frisco, and Sherman—where large semiconductor plants are underway. Major investments, like Texas Instruments’ $60 billion project expected to create 3,000 jobs, are driving high demand for nearby housing.
Goodland Being Called “A New Texas Town”
A 5,000-acre master planned community called Goodland now has over 650 completed and occupied homes. Single-family homes start in the $400,000 range; current models listed online go up to the $800,000s. These are just the beginning of over 10,000 planned housing units in the far southern reaches of Grand Prairie, just southeast of Mansfield. When complete Goodland is anticipated to add a population of 40,000 to 50,000 to the area.
Last year, developer Provident Realty, and the City of Grand Prairie entered an agreement to annex the 5,000 acres into the city over the course of multiple phases, meaning Grand Prairie will establish roadways for the community and provide police and fire protection and other city services, including water and sewer. Last summer the first 900 acres that includes the town center portion of the development were annexed.
HOUSTON
Thousands of New Homes Planned for Fort Bend County
Johnson Development will deliver the first 300 homesites in the first quarter of next year for its massive 1,491-acre community, The George, in Fort Bend County. In all, the community is expected to bring thousands of new residences southwest of Houston. Builders are Chesmar Homes, Newmark Homes, Perry Homes, Empire Homes, David Weekley Homes, Westin Homes, Highland Homes and J. Patrick Homes.
2,000 Acre Development Underway in Montgomery County
A 2,000-acre stretch of land in Montgomery County that’s been in one family for generations is now being transformed into a master-planned community named after the family’s original homestead, Homeplace. Three generations of Randall family land will transform into a master-planned community in Montgomery County. Woodlands-based Rochester Development is serving as an advisor to help shape their vision.
The plan includes three phases of development. The first phase will focus on 446 acres of property accessible from FM 2854 and adjacent to Lake Creek High School and Creekside Elementary.
THE SAN-AUSTIN CORRIDOR
Central Texas Between San Antonio and Austin is Quickly Becoming a Continuous Urban Area
Experts estimate that by 2040, the region will merge into a “San-Austin Corridor” housing over six million people. Suburbs like New Braunfels and San Marcos are experiencing rapid growth along Interstate 35. Since 2010, New Braunfels has grown by over 50% and Hays County’s population has doubled. Travis County announced in October that it is funding a study to determine the feasibility of a passenger rail between Austin and San Antonio as a means to reduce the area’s traffic problems.
A Model for Future Development: Habitat for Humanity Builds in Austin’s 100% Geothermal Neighborhood
Utility bills play a significant role in the overall affordability of housing, especially for families transitioning from renting to homeownership. High monthly energy costs can make otherwise affordable homes financially burdensome, limiting access for many low- to moderate-income buyers. Habitat for Humanity aims to take advantage of a shared geothermal system in Austin’s Whisper Valley neighborhood to resolve this dilemma.
The shared geothermal system connects heat pumps in each house to pipes that loop hundreds of feet underground. The ground-source heat pump system makes use of the earth’s steady temperature for heating and cooling. Using the shared geothermal system delivers geothermal at a fraction of the cost of doing it on a home-by-home basis.
Habitat for Humanity budgeted around $33,000 per house to add the solar and geothermal systems and still managed to deliver three-and four-bedroom homes for $230,000 to $245,000. The Habitat-built houses in the Whisper Valley development are also built with a tight building envelope, smart energy management systems, and high-efficiency appliances. They will also have solar shingles on the roofs designed to produce enough power to match each home’s expected electricity use. The goal is to help people renting apartments move into homeownership without having to see a jump in energy bills.
EcoSmart Solution did all of the drilling, pipe and network connecting to each lot during the neighborhood development stage. The first homes in Whisper Valley began construction in 2017, and hundreds are now in place. Habitat for Humanity is building 48 new homes in the neighborhood. Ultimately, Whisper Valley is projected to have around 7,500 homes built by a variety of developers.
THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN VOL 5 2025
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