Luxe Austin Homes - homebuilders

"Work begins on development that could bring nearly 3,000 homes to Hutto"

Austin Business Journal writes, "Thousands of homes are headed to Hutto, where Houston-based Empire Continental Land LP is building a sprawling new neighborhood.

Empire Continental Land, the Texas land division of residential builder and developer Empire Communities, announced March 18 that work had begun on the project. Flora, as it is called, will rise on more than 800 acres and have nearly 3,000 homes once complete. It’s yet another example of massive neighborhoods sprouting in largely rural areas of the metro as Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Tesla Inc. and other companies expand in the region and spur population growth.

“Hutto is in a period of dynamic growth for both businesses and residential communities,” said Steve Sellers, president of…

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"Mortgage rates hold steady to start 2024. Is an uptick in the housing market on its way?"

Austin Business Journal writes, "the nation's for-sale housing market is off to a mixed start this year after a 2023 that proved largely challenging for homebuyers.

Existing-home sales ended 2023 down about 19% from the prior year, according to data from the National Association of Realtors. While the number of transactions declined, prices rose in most metro areas through the end of the year, and that trend appears to be holding up early into 2024.

In fact, single-family existing-home sale prices rose in 86% of metro areas measured by the NAR — or 189 of 221 — in the fourth quarter. That's up from 82% in the third quarter.

At the end of 2023, the national median single-family existing-home price was up 3.5% from the year prior, to $391,700.

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"Applications open soon to build three homes on one lot through Austin's new HOME Initiative"

Austin Business Journal reports, "developers and homebuilders hoping to take advantage of a new program that will allow up to three residential units to be built on a lot currently zoned for one are about to get their chance.

That's because the HOME Initiative goes into effect Feb. 5, and those who are interested can start applying at that time.

Applications must be submitted through Austin's residential plan review process, according to a new city information hub devoted to the HOME Initiative, which stands for Home Options for Middle-income Empowerment.

The initiative allows the construction of up to three dwellings on lots currently zoned SF-1, SF-2 and SF-3. Most single-family homes in Austin fall into one of those zoning categories.

…

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"Possible new subdivision could be part of Caldwell County boom"

Austin Business Journal shares, "additional details have emerged about a housing development in Maxwell that could be part of a boom in rural Caldwell County. 

Schulle Farms, an 800-plus home subdivision planned for the small community, is envisioned by Austin-based real estate brokerage and land development company La Tierra Realty LLC, said Trevor McManis, a broker with the firm.

La Tierra, which has amassed around 1,100 acres over the past four to five years in what it considers a region primed for growth, will be marketing the land to homebuilders.

“This is an area that we really believe in,” McManis said. “We think there’s a lot of value here, and it’s kind of been the area outside of Austin that a lot of people have maybe overlooked…

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"Homebuilders turn to incentives to draw in priced-out buyer pool"

Austin Business Journal writes, "homebuilders continue to see sales momentum — despite surging mortgage rates and persistent affordability challenges — in part because they're pulling out the stops to lure buyers and ensure deals cross the finish line.

While a growing share of buyers have been locked out of the housing market because of rising mortgage rates, persistent home-price appreciation and a lack of existing-home inventory, the current environment also is creating some tailwinds for builders that can offer more competitive financing.

Housing starts increased 7% in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.36 million units, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Census Bureau data.

In fact, 31%…

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"Hundreds of home lots for sale near Caldwell-Hays border"

Austin Business Journal reports, "more than 500 homes could rise in the borderlands between Caldwell and Hays counties.

Misty Farms, as the neighborhood will be known, is primed for development on roughly 99 acres just off State Highway 21 at the intersection of Misty Lane and Farmers Road in Caldwell County, according to a marketing brochure. The property is owned by Maxwell Farms Partners LP, though broker and land development firm La Tierra Realty LLC is the entity that is marketing the development site.

Homebuilders will be able to negotiate to purchase specific chunks of the development or the entire property, said La Tierra broker Trevor McManis, who estimated that if a builder started working on the development now, it could start turning…

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"570-acre Lund Farm community near Elgin could break ground next summer"

Austin Business Journal reports, "the developers pitching a 570-acre community near Elgin said they were attracted to the area by "the beauty and economics of the blackland prairie" as they aim to create more than 1,800 single-family homes, hundreds of multifamily units and nine acres of commercial space northeast of Austin.

Representatives for New York City-based Blossoms Development LLC provided Austin Business Journal more details about the Lund Farm community, which would be located off State Highway 95, north of Elgin. Intrigue in the project has been building since it was first announced last month at an Elgin City Council meeting.

The project would be the first in Texas for Blossoms, which has global development experience,…

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"Homebuilders in the Austin area - volume builder"

Austin Business Journal presents, "The 2023 Austin Business Journal list of volume homebuilders is home to builders working in the Austin area. This includes Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Caldwell and Burnet counties.

These builders typically offer spec homes in master-planned neighborhoods around Central Texas, along with an assortment of floor plans and prices for new construction.

The ABJ gathers data from surveys sent to company representatives. Only builders that responded to requests for information are included.

In addition to the ABJ list, housing market advisory firm Zonda regularly gathers home starts of local builders.

Between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023 Zonda counted a total of 16,943 new homes starts in the Austin area. This is down from…

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"Meritage Homes eager to add to Turner's Crossing neighborhood in far South Austin"

Austin Business Journal writes, "Meritage Homes of Texas LLC continues to expand its Turner's Crossing neighborhood in far South Austin.

More homes could soon rise in the neighborhood off Turnersville Road, in Austin's extraterritorial jurisdiction near the city of Buda. Austin's Planning Commission on Aug. 8 recommended to City Council the approval of the third phase of Turner's Crossing.

Meritage is seeking a final plat for 267 new single-family lots on more than 41 acres, south of the State Highway 45 toll road.

It would be another step forward for what what's planned as a large community about 10 miles south of downtown Austin. If fully constructed, the development could have more than 1,300 single-family homes on 468 acres, Austin…

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"Austin moves toward smaller lots for homes"

Austin Business Journal reports, "developers and homebuilders may soon have the opportunity to build more housing in Austin.

Austin City Council on July 20 gave the first nod of approval to a proposal that would decrease the minimum lot size of residential properties.

Introduced by Council Member Leslie Pool, the proposed amendment to the city’s land development code calls for decreasing the minimum lot size from 5,750 to 2,500 square feet or less, with the intention of increasing the variety of housing types possible, including row homes and garden homes.

The proposal also directs Interim City Manager Jesús Garza to alter the code to allow at least three units per lot in single-family zoning districts without requiring existing structures to…

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