Category: Lifestyle

Categories
Homeowner Tips Lifestyle

Should Seniors Buy a Newly Constructed Home or an Older Home?

Should seniors buy a new home?

The average retirement age is 62 according to an article from Experian quoting a Gallup 2021 survey. It’s a great age as seniors are vibrant and can still enjoy many activities. It’s also an exciting time because many decide to downsize their home as they may not need as much space.

But the question they’re asking themselves is whether to buy a newly constructed home or an older home? The benefits of a new home outweigh an older home. This is the time to enjoy life. While the benefits are many, here are the top four benefits of buying a new home.

  1. Customize Your Home Your Way

If the home hasn’t been built, you can work with the home builder to make changes to fit your preferences. If the home is being built, you can have a say in the materials, colors, and flooring. The more involved you are in making decisions to personalize your home, the fewer changes you’ll want to make. 

A used home may have a great floor plan, but some of the rooms have kitchen counters, colors, and flooring that may not be to your liking. This will add to the cost of the home.

  1. Ensure the Home Is Accessible

Many homes come with stairs including single-story homes. They may have steps on the porch or in the back of the house. It’s possible there may be steps from the garage to the house. You use your home every day and one or two steps can become a problem. 

If you have family members who use a wheelchair, you can make sure the home is built with wide doorways and low countertops. Very few older homes considered this in the design. Some may have a low ceiling and shower entry, which is a problem for taller people. 

  1. Enjoy Minimal Maintenance

An older home will have wear and tear that leads to problems. Appliances only last for so long. The water heater may be nearing the end of its life. If something happens, it will cost time and money to replace it. The same goes for the air conditioning and heating system. When you buy new, you won’t have to worry about problems for years.

  1. Benefit from Energy Efficient Features

Older homes have outdated features that may cause the heating and air conditioning system to be inefficient. This drives up energy costs. Newer thermostats allow you to program the heater or air conditioner to kick on or off at set times. 

The house can contain energy-efficient appliances to use less electricity. LED lighting lasts longer and uses less energy than older lights. All these steps will help keep your energy bill down. 

Seniors have worked hard and should relish every minute of their retirement. Buying a new home will make that possible.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Meet the Kyle home builders or contact our Crosswinds team. 

Categories
Lifestyle

Kyle, Texas Restaurant Inventive Program

Texas Restaurant Inventive Program

Did you know the Kyle Economic Development Department has a restaurant incentive program? It’s a new program from the city to entice new restaurants to open in Kyle. The program has been in effect for a little over 18 months.

City Council wanted to make the city more attractive to restaurants because the population has exploded to the point that they need more food options to match the growth.

What Is the Kyle Restaurant Incentive Program?

Taking advantage of Kyle’s restaurant incentive program means the restaurant will receive a 100% sales and property tax rebate. The program is capped at three years. They’ll also receive funding provided by a Chapter 380 development agreement with the city.

What the Chapter 380 agreement does is allow cities or counties to provide incentives to commercial or retail projects to spur economic development. The restaurant business is challenging during this time, especially for new ones. With a three-year cap, it should be enough to help the business get up and running long enough to solidify before the cap ends.

Restaurants Coming to Kyle Thanks to the Restaurant Incentive Program

Z’Tejas Southwest Grill is the first restaurant to take advantage of the new program. Z’Tejas serves southwestern food such as tacos, southwestern classics like fajitas and enchiladas, soups, salads, and desserts. They have a kid’s menu available. 

Happy hour runs from 3 to 6 pm daily. Their drinks menu includes agave drinks, cocktails, tequila flights, wine, beer, and zero-proof drinks. They’re open for brunch on the weekends from 9 am to 2 pm.

The incentive also brings P. Terry’s and Torchy’s to Kyle. P. Terry’s has been working to expand throughout central Texas. The burger chain plans to open a stand on I-35 between Kohlers Crossing and Kyle Crossing. Their buildings use a theme that’s called Googie Architecture, which is a futurist architecture influenced by the Space age, atomic age, and car culture.

And Torchy’s Tacos needs no introduction as the taco chain has been a fixture in Austin for a while now. Soon, you’ll be able to enjoy Torchy’s without leaving Kyle.

Word on the street is that there are six more businesses that have expansion plans that will involve opting into the incentive! Meanwhile, check out these restaurants and give them a big Kyle welcome.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the new home builders in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team.

Categories
Homebuilder Homeowner Tips Lifestyle

How to Buy and Sell a Home at the Same Time

It can be stressful to buy and sell a home at the same time. You fear that you’ll sell your home faster than you can find one.

Or worse, you end up with two mortgages as you found your new home faster than expected. If homeowners could do what they want, it’d be to move in their new home and then sell their old home after they’ve gotten settled. But it still presents the problem of being stuck with two mortgages. Here’s what you can do to ease the anxiety of buying and selling a home.

Study the Market

Before moving forward with hunting for a new home and putting yours on the market, understand the housing market in the areas where you’re buying and selling. Better yet, talk to your real estate agent. They can tell you whether the market leans in the favor of buyers or sellers.

A seller’s market means you’re more likely to sell your home quickly while it may be a struggle to find a new place to live. You may have to expand your search for a new home.

A buyer’s market means your current home will have an uphill battle. Often, it requires making updates to your home to stand out from the other homes. Or, you’ll have to set a price that’s reasonable. Buyers won’t look at the home if it’s being listed for too high.

If you sell first, then you’ll have to find a temporary place to live while looking for your next home. You won’t have the stress of a down payment. And if you buy first, you’ll have two mortgages and it can make it harder to qualify for a new mortgage since you still have responsibility for your old home.

Explore Financial Options

It’s easy to know that if you sell first, you’ll be prepared for the additional costs of renting between homes. To help ease the pressure of finding a new home quickly, ask your real estate agent about doing a rent-back agreement.

For those opting to buy first, ask your realtor about contract contingency and a bridge loan. There are advantages and advantages of both options.

If nothing else, be prepared for the worse outcomes. When you accept them, it’ll be easier to manage. For example, if you accept that you may have two mortgages for a few months, then you can plan for that. You may have to put off selling while you put some money away to handle two mortgages. At least, you’ll be prepared for it instead of being surprised by it.

It’s easy to feel pressured into making fast decisions. Don’t. It’s important you take your time and find the right home. It’s good you’re thinking about these things and planning. That will take out some of the pain in buying and selling a new home at the same time.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Meet the Kyle home builders or contact our Crosswinds team.

 

Categories
Area Attractions Lifestyle

New Businesses Adding Jobs and Generating Tax Revenue for Kyle

Many people move to Kyle for the small-town lifestyle that puts them close enough to Austin and its resources. Residents will now have the opportunity to find work right in their own backyards.

NorthPoint Development Project Begins

Kyle Economic Development and the NorthPoint Development recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate new businesses setting up shop at the Plum Creek Industrial Center on 19200 Marketplace Ave. in Kyle.

The new businesses that will open in this center include the following:

  • American HVAC Metals Supply Inc.
  • Lanter Delivery Systems
  • Outer Aisle Gourmet
  • Plastikon
  • Viking Supply Net
  • And a to be named business

The development is on 935,000 sq. ft. of land and expects to create 1,000 new jobs and generate more than $800,000 of annual tax revenue for the city of Kyle. This location is one minute from I-35 Frontage Road.

Austin Is Tops in the Best Place in the World to Relocate

It’s not an exaggeration to say the Austin market is hot. An international relocation report from Money in the U.K. has named Austin the best place on the planet to relocate. The researchers looked at everything from the cost of living to housing prices and average internet speeds and life expectancy.

Other factors they looked at include the following:

  • Average annual temperatures
  • Average property price
  • Number of restaurants
  • Number of green spaces

Yes, Austin is No. 1 in the world, ranking ahead of Tokyo, Paris, and Rome. It’s also the only place in Texas to make the list containing 84 international locations. It turns out Austin has the third-best internet speed out of all the cities in the ranking. The Live Music Capital also scored high on average temperature and average monthly salaries.

Not only that but also Austin is emerging to be the tech hub of America. More jobs, affordable living, a small-town lifestyle. You can get all this and more right here in Kyle.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Meet the Kyle home builders or contact our Crosswinds team.

Categories
Area Attractions Lifestyle

Texas Makes the List of Hardest Working States in America

Personal finance website WalletHub has published a new study that puts Texas at No. 5 among the hardest-working states. The other four states are Alaska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Texas definitely has the warmest temperatures out of this group!

How WalletHub Did the Math

How did WalletHub come up with ranks? The website compared the 50 states on 10 key indicators. These include the number of hours worked in a week, the number of workers with multiple jobs, and the yearly number of volunteer hours per resident.

Texas’s average number of workweek hours puts it in fourth. Texas also ranks high in the number of engaged workers (No. 5) and the number of workers who don’t use their vacation time (No. 11). Texas ranks 14th for commute time and 26th for unemployment.

The study looks at two key dimensions: “Direct work factors” and “indirect work factors.” Direct factors include average workweek hours, employment rate, the share of households where the adults don’t work, unused vacation time, engaged workers, and idle youth.

Indirect factors include commute time, number of works with more than one job, yearly volunteer hours, and leisure time spent each day.

Governor Praises Texas Job Surge

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a statement about Texas’s job growth.

“The Texas economy is booming. Businesses are investing in the Lone Star State at a record pace because we’ve built a framework that allows free enterprise to flourish and hardworking Texans to prosper,” says Governor Abbott.

“The June jobs report shows that our young, growing, and skilled workforce has forged a diversified and resilient economy, with Texas employers adding back more than 1.1 million jobs since the end of April 2020, the peak pandemic impact on jobs. That surge in hiring continues today with as many jobs posted on TWC’s job sites as Texans looking for work. I encourage every Texan looking for new or better employment to use the free job matching resources available to them from TWC, because Texas works when Texans work.”

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Contact our Crosswinds team.

Categories
Area Attractions Homebuilder Lifestyle

The Austin Housing Market Is Hot

Exciting news! A WalletHub study has ranked Austin in the top 10 in multiple categories. One of those is the No. 2 spot on WalletHub’s Best Places to Buy a House list. And Austin takes the top spot for large cities with hot real estate markets. This hot market extends beyond Austin city limits as the housing market data in the region also shows demand is soaring.

Central Texas Market Is Hopping

The Austin Board of Realtors’ Market Statistics report shows the volume of homes sold in June has set records. Part of this stems from the pandemic changing buyer preferences. With more people working from home, buyers want reliable broadband access, a home office, and flexible working and living spaces. Because of their staying home more, they’re looking to suburban areas to find homes with more square footage and outdoor space.

A Community Impact article states that the Central Texas market has been flying since the middle of 2020 according to realtors and economists. It also credits telework with the boom as remote workers move away from expensive cities where they no longer have a commute.

New Homes in Kyle, Texas

Are you in the market for a new home with easy access to Austin in a quiet place? Come check out Kyle, a small town just 20 miles from downtown Austin and 15 miles from shoppers’ paradise in San Marcos. Be warned that the new home inventory in Kyle’s Crosswinds community goes fast.

CoreLogic states the Austin housing prices have surged almost 33 percent from August 2020. As of October, the median price of a new home is $408,350 in Kyle. This is cheaper than Austin’s median sales price of $470,000. A new home only lasts 25 days on the market before it’s bought, so anyone interested in Kyle, TX homes will want to move fast.

The new homes in Crosswinds range from 1,500 sq. ft. to 2,250 sq. ft. Residents will be able to play, swim, and enjoy the trails at the Windy Point amenity center. The trails connect to the amenity center and pool, a kids’ playscape, and an open playfield. The community dog park also gives fur babies a place to run around and play.

Many places are located within 30 minutes from Kyle. And anytime you’re ready to travel a little further, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) is an easy drive from Kyle.

Residents choose Kyle for the small-town lifestyle while being close enough to Austin to take advantage of its offerings. Even businesses know the value of living in Kyle as Lowe’s, Amazon, Tesla, and others have or plan to move to Kyle and the Austin area.

Categories
Amenities Area Attractions Events Family Fun Lifestyle

Celebrate Halloween 2021 in Kyle

Halloween | Crosswinds | Kyle, Texas

One of the most fun days of the year is coming! Who doesn’t love a good Halloween with costumes and candy galore? The City of Kyle has scared up a few family-friendly October Festivities you’ll want to check out!

October Contests

The City of Kyle has multiple contests happening throughout October. Be aware that none of the contests give a deadline. They do list the dates the winner will receive a notification. The contest information section has a contact person you can reach out to confirm the deadlines.

The next contest coming up is the pumpkin carving and decorating contest. You’ll submit a photo of the completed pumpkin. Yard decorating and costume contests are also available.

Halloween Movie at the Lake

This free event takes place tomorrow, October 15 at Lake Kyle (700 Lehman Rd., Kyle, TX 78640). At sundown, they will show “The Addams Family.”

Center Street Trick or Treat

On Saturday, October 23 from 9 am to 12 pm, the businesses on Center St. invite you and your family to trick-or-treat. These local businesses and organizations will have tents and tables at City “Scare” Park aka Mary Kyle Hartson City Square Park at 101 S. Burleson Rd. It’ll be a fun afternoon of treats with a costume contest.

The costume contest judging takes place at 10 am and the pumpkin decorating contest judging is at 11:30 am. They’ll have 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for three different age groups.

Most businesses will hand out candy and host activities. Food and drink vendors will be on site and some will sell children’s items.

We hope you have a “bootiful” Halloween!

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore more at Crosswinds, take a look at the amenities! or contact our Crosswinds team.

 

 

Categories
Area Attractions Homebuilder Lifestyle

Here are 4 Reasons to Buy a New Home in Kyle, Texas

Looking for a new home near Austin, but in a quieter place with all the charms of small-town living? Come check out Kyle, Texas. You’ll find everything you need to love living and playing in this town is just 20 miles from downtown Austin.

Here are the top four reasons to buy a new home in Kyle, TX.

  1. Live in a Home Built by Carefully-Selected Homebuilders

Selecting Kyle homebuilders to build the homes in Crosswind’s community was the most important thing our team did. We wanted every single resident to get the high-quality home they wanted. Another factor we took in consideration is that everyone has their own tastes and styles. In choosing these builders, we ensured that they specialize in the style you want for yours. Whichever builder you choose, you can count on them to construct a home for you as if it was their own.

Our builders have experience in designing homes for the Texas Hill Country. Designing a home in East Texas requires a different approach than one in the Texas Hill Country. The elements, the environment, and the land are different. These builders architect homes designed to work with what nature offers.

  1. Enjoy Amenities Right Inside the Community

The most important community amenity is one that no builder can buy or build. That’s the natural beauty of the Texas prairies that attract the area’s first explorers and citizens. Crosswinds’ landscape architects worked with the land to bring out its best features while creating a community for families that brings everyone and the outdoors together.

The best amenities are all about the outdoors. The Cove, the community pool complex, is shaded by the live oak trees. The little ones can splash around the wading pool. And adults will relish the peacefulness of sitting by the pool covered by shade. The community intersects with an extensive trail system that allows you to walk along Onion Creek under the live oaks.

The community also features a hall that’s great for gatherings, play dates, or toasting your neighbors. And finally, residents can enjoy a fresh cup of gourmet coffee or tea by stopping at Le Muse Coffee. They also have amazing tacos and a porch with seating.

  1. Gain the Best of Both Worlds Location-wise

Austin is a fun city with so many things to experience. Still, some people would rather live in a quieter place that’s close enough to Austin for an easy trip. Kyle offers the best of both worlds. You gain everything you’ve wanted that comes with living in a smaller town and yet you have easy access to Austin.

  1. Be the First to Live in the New Home

You won’t have to worry about damage from previous ownership. You’re the first one to live in the home. It’ll be in great shape. Most homes tend to be under warranty. The length depends on the builder.

These four reasons are the biggest reasons residents buy a new home in Kyle. Of course, there’s more. Browse this blog to discover all Kyle has to offer!

If you’d like to learn more about new homes in Kyle, please contact our Crosswinds team. To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

 

Categories
Education Homebuilder Lifestyle

5 Top Tax Benefits of Buying a New Home You Need to Know About

Searching for a new home in Kyle is a wonderful adventure. That ideal home and all its possibilities await you out there somewhere. Buying a new home, no doubt, is one of the most memorable times in a person’s life. And it will increase your net worth for all its worth and other advantages.

Here are the top tax benefits of owning a home.

  1. Deduct Interest on Your Mortgage

Homeowners will be able to deduct the interest they pay on their mortgage. Be aware that this applies to home financing that’s under $750k. if you’re shopping for a home in Kyle, Texas, you’re most likely to gain the full benefit of this. One of the reasons people love living in Kyle is for its affordability.

Any interest you pay as part of the closing costs associated with the purchase will be deductible. You can usually find this information on the settlement sheet. Prior to tax time, your lender will send IRS Form 1098 to you. This shows all the money you’ve paid in interest on your loan for the past year.

  1. Deduct Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)

Private mortgage insurance is often required for buyers who put down less than 20 percent of the value of their home. Its purpose is to protect the mortgage lender in the event the buyer quits making payments toward the loan.

Just like the ability to deduct interest that you pay on a mortgage, you can also deduct the amount you pay for private mortgage insurance. It can slightly reduce the financial burden for those who can’t put down 20 percent.

  1. Deduct Property Taxes

Homeowners can deduct up to $10k per year on property taxes. You may pay property taxes either through your lender or municipality. In both cases, it’s critical to keep financial records of the amounts you paid for the year. You can save thousands of dollars when deducting property taxes.

  1. Deduct Home Office Space

With many people getting to switch to remote working thanks to the pandemic, this will be a new benefit. People who work from home can deduct the square footage of the space used as an office. You can also deduct resources you use to conduct business such as computers, printer toner, and webcams.

To prevent the abuse of this deduction, the IRS caps this to 300 sq. ft. This is one where a tax professional is your best bet to ensure you optimize this deduction while following the rules.

  1. Deductions for First-Time Buyers

Homebuyers sometimes take out money from their IRA to put toward their down payment. However, the IRS often imposes a 10 percent penalty for withdrawing from an IRA before 59-and-a-half years old. The good news is that anyone who has never owned a principal residence in the past year may be able to withdraw up to $10k without penalty, or $20k for married couples.

You can use this method when buying a home for a family member. Be aware that any funds you withdraw from your IRA need to be used within four months of the withdrawal.

Don’t let the homebuying process daunt you. There are people who can help you. Ask them about these tax benefits. Good luck with your home search.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team.

 

Categories
Amenities Area Attractions Events Family Fun Lifestyle

Why Is Buying a New Home in Kyle Better Than in Austin?

Austin is one of the coolest and quirkiest cities in the U.S. People love it for its music venues, booming tech scene, diversity of entertainment, some of the best BBQ in the U.S., and Bat City. “Keep Austin weird” is a celebrated moniker and for good reason.

And of course, when you stroll along Sixth Street, you’ll encounter a lot of college students from the University of Texas at Austin and other colleges.

Here are the reasons why buying a new home in Kyle may be a better option than in Austin.

  1. Affordability

In the last decade, Austin has grown massively popular. Along with that comes soaring median housing prices. Many area real estate agents say happy homeowners love the affordable homes and lifestyle in Kyle. You can find a brand new house in the Crosswinds community in Kyle starting in the mid-$200s.

Property taxes are another advantage of living in Kyle. The city has recently reduced the property tax rate by 4 percent as Fox 7 Austin reports.

  1. Quieter Small-Town Lifestyle

With Austin being a quick trek away, Kyle residents relish the small-town lifestyle. They can go to Austin anytime they want to take advantage of its many offerings. Besides, more businesses have moved close to Kyle, some of which are big wigs like Lowe’s Kyle, Amazon’s Kyle facility, Tesla, and ENF Technology U.S. headquarters.

  1. Location

Kyle is located only 20 miles from downtown Austin. Additionally, many of the places you want to visit are located within 30 minutes from Kyle. And you can fly to many places, even international destination, from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA).

Kyle citizens love to visit Austin and find a happy medium by living on the outskirts of Austin. They’re close enough to take advantage of Austin’s incredible resources and entertainment.

These are not the only reasons, but they’re the biggest reasons Kyle residents share. Browse this blog and you’ll see all that Kyle has to offer! Besides, you cannot find a community like Crosswinds in Austin.

The landscape architects of Crosswinds worked to preserve the natural beauty of the Texas prairies that captivated the area’s first explorers. At the same time, the landscape architects wanted to design a community for families that brings everyone and the outdoors together.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team.

 

Sign up for our Newsletter