The state’s unemployment rate is below the national average and job growth is steady at a healthy 2.8 percent rate, the same as it has been over the last two decades. In addition, Texas has one of – if not the strongest – real estate markets in the country. So if you’re in the market for a new home, pay attention to local numbers, not national, and you won’t go wrong.

One area that’s been growing fast is McKinney, site of Landon Homes’ Shiloh Ranch community, and recently rated number 5 in CNN Money Magazine’s Best Places to Live in the U.S. Newcomers are flocking to this Dallas suburb because of McKinney’s great schools, safe streets, low crime and robust employment opportunities. The city also features lovely rolling hills, expansive open spaces, more than 40 miles of hike and bike trails and 2,000 acres of parkland.

The homes in Shiloh Ranch are the most energy efficient in the area, include huge backyards, and some models feature 3-car garages. The community is located just north of Virginia Parkway off Custer Road with the Exemplary J.R Wilmeth Elementary School right across the street. 

For more information about Shiloh Ranch or any of Landon’s other new home communities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, contact Tanya Smith anytime at 866-898-3603 or visit our website at www.landonhomesusa.com.

It’s true that some areas of the country have been hard hit by the mortgage crisis, but that’s not the case in the Dallas/Fort Worth market. 

Metrostudy housing analyst David Brown expects first quarter housing starts in the area to be up at least 50 percent from last year. 

That’s good news for Texas home builders, including John Landon, whose company Landon Homes is selling homes in the North Dallas area.  Landon is a visionary builder offering homes that respect both the environment and the home buyer’s budget.  The company continually strives to build homes with lasting value and quality in exceptional neighborhoods. 

Landon also understands families since the company is comprised of family members. Many employees and subcontractors have worked with Landon for decades and are second-generation members of its team. 

With a repertoire of more than 40,000 homes, the Landon team offers an unmatched wealth of talent, expertise, and enthusiasm. 

For more information, contact Tanya Smith anytime by phone at 214-707-0347 or just click on our LIVE CHAT feature throughout the Landon Homes website for speedy answers to all your new home questions.

stevebrown@dallasnews.com

North Texas home sales roared back in March, ending a three-month string of declines.

And even more encouraging, median home sales prices increased by 6 percent from a year ago.

The upbeat home market data gives more proof that the worst of the local housing market downturn is in the rear-view mirror.

Real estate agents sold 6,036 pre-owned single-family homes in March, according to the latest statistics from the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University and the North Texas Real Estate Information Systems. It was the strongest one-month home sales total since last September.

Both the March and September sales got a boost from federal tax credits aimed at first-time buyers. The current program – which ends this month – also provides a tax credit for some repeat buyers.

The median price of pre-owned homes sold last month was $144,900. That’s the highest price since last summer.

Real estate analysts point out that current home sales are compared to a year-ago period when the housing market was at its lowest point, so some increase is to be expected as the economic tailspin has ended.

The latest North Texas housing report indicates that the housing market surge is likely to continue at least for a while.

Pending pre-owned home sales in North Texas were up 22 percent at the end of March.

So far the uptick in home activity hasn’t prompted more sellers to enter the market. Last month, 36,730 pre-owned single-family homes were up for sale in local real estate agents’ multiple listing services. That’s 6 percent fewer home sales listings than in March 2009.

There is currently a 6.4-month supply of homes on the market in North Texas – close to what is considered a balanced market.

But that doesn’t include some previously foreclosed homes that aren’t being sold through the multiple listing service.

With March’s strong home sales numbers, year-to-date prices are up 3 percent from the first quarter of 2009 and total sales are up a scant 1 percent.

Real estate analysts worry that the home market could still lose steam when federal incentives to purchase houses end on April 30.

D-FW AREA HOME RESALES UPDATE

Landon Homes has created the ultimate in energy efficiency as the first major builder in DFW using 2 x 6 exterior wall construction in a production building environment. This type of construction offers up to 60% more insulation than industry standard, and the huge savings being passed on to their customers is incredible. With a wealth of experience, attention to detail and amazing design features, Landon Homes has created the ultimate value equation for the customer. 

Shiloh Ranch in McKinney is surrounded by beautiful landscaping, a brick wall enclosure and an impressive stone entrance that gives the feeling of home. It offers many common areas, a future planned playground area for the kids, a pond, cul-de-sac homesites and a new onsite elementary school.  Floor plans range from 2,100 to 3,800 sq ft and are priced from the $170’s.

Landon Homes was established in 2007; however, John Landon, CEO and President is no stranger to the Home Building industry, with over two decades of experience including CEO of Meritage Corporation. “I felt like I had something new to bring to the table, energy efficiency through the use of 2 x 6 exterior wall construction, desirable locations, design and price make for a perfect value equation.” 

To find out more about Shiloh Ranch and our other Landon Homes locations visit our website at LandonHomesUSA.com or call Tanya Smith directly at 214.707.0347.

By STEVE BROWN / The Dallas Morning News

stevebrown@dallasnews.com

Betting on a market rebound, Dallas-Fort Worth homebuilders started almost 60 percent more houses in the first quarter than a year earlier. It marked the largest annual increase in single-family home starts since 1983, housing analyst Metro-study Inc. said Monday. Builders started 3,460 houses in the three-month period. North Texas’ jump in building this year was largely prompted by a shortage of finished houses for builders to sell.

A federal tax credit, which is bringing out buyers, added to the increased building. “Homebuilders are responding to the lack of new-home inventory available in the market,” said David Brown, director of Metrostudy’s Dallas-Fort Worth office. “We expect starts to increase again in the second quarter because of the looming April 30 homebuyer tax credit deadline to have a home under contract.”

Only about 3,500 completed new homes were vacant at the end of March, down from almost 11,000 at the start of 2007. It was the second consecutive quarter that home starts in North Texas rose from the previous year. Despite the big increase, D-FW homebuilding remains at less than half the level it was at the peak of the market in 2006. Quarterly home production was at its lowest point a year ago, when fewer than 2,200 houses were started in the first quarter.

New home sales in North Texas are still declining – down more than 20 percent from first quarter 2009. Only 2,983 new homes were sold in the most recent quarter, less than half the volume in mid-2008. Metrostudy is forecasting an increase in second-quarter new-home sales because of the federal tax credit, which can give first-time buyers as much as $8,000.

Even with the tax incentive, don’t expect a big increase, the analyst warned, unless the economy grows faster.

“We don’t expect to see measurable growth in new-home closings until the economy gets on more solid footing, job growth strengthens significantly and consumer confidence improves,” said Brown. Most of the growth in homebuilding in the first quarter was for homes priced at less than $350,000. “Both the north side of Dallas and north side of Fort Worth have experienced the largest increase in starts,” Brown said.

North Fort Worth had more than 200 home starts, and there were more than 100 starts in both Frisco and McKinney.

Economists are keeping a close eye on the home market, which showed sales strength in late 2009 but grew slower early this year.

“The tax credit should help, but so far the numbers are lagging,” said Dr. James Gaines, an economist at the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. “We’d better see some significant sales closings in April and May or we will have to conclude that the housing sector was even sorrier than we thought.

McManaman has sold hundreds of homes during his career, and has won several sales awards recognizing his achievements.  He’s proud of his relationship with Landon Homes, and the fact that president John Landon has been able to hire the top builders in the industry, ensuring that the quality of a Landon home is top-notch.

As Onsite Manager for Grayhawk Estates, Dan strives to make sure home buyers get the best value for the money and are thrilled with the home buying experience.

Dan notes that Landon Homes embraces the latest technology in home building, especially in the area of energy efficiency. As a result, he says a Landon home is one of the finest you can buy as far as battling a utility bill.  McManaman adds that the energy saving features and dealing with the experienced professionals at Landon will make a home buyer, “so happy, you’ll be giddy.” 

Grayhawk Estates has long been regarded as one of Frisco’s premier master-planned communities. It’s renowned for both its natural beauty and recreational amenities.

A 40-acre lake with fountains is one of the focal points of the community. Grayhawk features more than 30 acres of dedicated open space and parkland, including an Amenity Center with pool and playground and hike-and-bike trails that wind throughout the neighborhood. Grayhawk is served by the acclaimed Frisco Independent School District.

April 30 is the deadline for both the $8,000 first-time home buyer credit, and the $6,500 existing homeowner credit. You can take until June 30^th to close, as long as you have a signed contract by the end of April. 

Who qualifies for these tax credits? 

For the $8,000 tax credit, you must be a first time home buyer or you haven’t owned a principal residence during the past three years. 

For the $6,500 tax credit, you must have owned and resided in the same home for at least five consecutive years.

The income qualifications are the same for both tax credits: 

You qualify as a married couple filing jointly if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is less than $225,000. If you are a single person, your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) must be less than $125,000.  Partial credits of less than $6,500 are available for some taxpayers whose MAGI exceeds the phaseout limits of $145,000 (single) or $245,000 (married). 

This is a golden opportunity for prospective home buyers to make a deal, especially since mortgage interest rates are still at low levels. 

If you’re in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and want to find out more about how you can use these tax credits to buy your new home, contact Tanya Smith anytime by phone at 214-707-0347 or just click on our LIVE CHAT feature throughout the Landon Homes website for speedy answers to all your questions.

Dallas based home builder Landon Homes is one company whose debt free status has enabled it to maintain a competitive advantage in this turbulent environment. 

For more than 20 years, the Landon name has been synonymous with uncompromising quality, commitment to customer satisfaction, and exemplary value. John Landon, president of Landon Homes, has been a leading force in homebuilding and development since the 1980s.

Landon’s leadership led to the receipt of some of the industry’s most prestigious awards, including being named Texas Builder of the Year five out of seven years, and a myriad of honors for outstanding architecture, product designs, and premier customer service.

Landon has also been at the forefront of creating homes that respect both the environment and your budget. Energy experts work hand-in-hand with architects to create a home that is both beautiful and eco-friendly. We conserve energy resources and minimize your monthly utility expenses while maximizing design impact and flex space.

It’s this type of dedication that has enabled Landon to ride out this economic storm.  The company has inventory available to meet the needs of North Dallas area home buyers, and will continue to build homes of lasting value and quality – creating the very best home for you in exceptional neighborhoods.

David Rich, Division President of Landon Homes, Presents Sales Award to The Carino Team

The Villages at Lakeview is made up of three communities: The Enclave, The Dominion and The Reserve, each with different floor plans designed to appeal to North Dallas area first-time home buyers as well as empty nesters. The Lakeview location features three beautiful models to view, and homes priced from the $160s to the $350s. Landon Home buyers can also choose from four different sizes of home sites, including our estate home sites as large as 84’ x 120’.

The Villages at Lakeview offer some of the best values in the Frisco Independent School District. Located in Little Elm just east of Lake Lewisville, this master-planned community includes four amenity centers, with pools, parks, trails, and more. Lakeview is served by Frisco’s newest and best schools, including the onsite Robertson Elementary School. Homeowners here enjoy direct access to the Dallas North Tollway via Panther Creek Parkway.

Max Luce has sold $350 million worth of homes in his 28 year career in Dallas/Fort Worth real estate. His accomplishments include being named salesman of the year for 7 years in a row, and a winner of the prestigious McSAM award, given by the Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas. Besides his tremendous sales record, Mr. Luce has been involved in all facets of the home building industry from building to management to home warranties.

When asked why he wanted to join Landon Homes, Max replied, “John (Landon) builds the best homes in Texas.” He noted that Landon Homes are energy efficient, and will save homeowners at least 50% off their heating and cooling bills compared to a pre-owned home. Plus, he added that it’s still a terrific time to buy a new home, since the $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time home buyers and the $6,500 credit for existing homeowners are available until the end of April, and interest rates are still at 30-year lows.

Willow Bay is located in Frisco, TX, one of the fastest growing cities in the US and is served by the renowned Frisco Independent School District.

The Villages at Willow Bay has the perfect combination of:

• Very competitively priced homes starting from the $230’s

• Generously sized homesites

• Superb quality of life

• Highly rated schools (Frisco ISD)

• And a strategic Frisco location with easy access to the Dallas North Tollway, Highway 121, and Central Expressway/US 75.

To tour our new model homes in The Villages at Willow Bay call Max Luce at 972-542-9966 or visit our website at LandonHomesUSA.com.