fbpx
Categories
Events Family Fun Kyle

Holiday Events in Kyle

The Christmas season is truly a magical time of year in Kyle, TX. The city is known to go all out with 25 days of celebration from December 1 all the way through Christmas Day, and this year is no different.

 

From sightings of the jolly elf in red to twinkling holiday lights and live musical performances, here’s everything you need to know about 25 Days of Christmas in Kyle.

 

December 1 Kickoff

 

Go ahead and get out your December calendar because you’re definitely going to want to make note of everything that’s happening throughout the month. The merry fun begins on Thursday, December 1st when the city hosts a welcome party for St. Nick at Mary Kyle Hartson Park (101 S. Burleson Street). 

 

Santa Clause has been visiting Kyle here during Christmas time since 1999 and will make a return this year on Thursday, December 1st from 4 to 9 PM. During the celebration, children will have a chance to take a photo with the man himself and share any special items they may have on their wish list. 

 

The event will also include a tree lighting ceremony at 5:45 and there will be food, drinks, and holiday craft vendors. Throughout the event, area elementary school choirs will perform a medley of Christmas songs to keep the festive mood going. The event concludes when Santa makes his return to the North Pole (for a few days) at around 9 PM, but as we mentioned, Christmas cheer does not end there.

 

Weekly Holiday Events You Won’t Want to Miss

 

Families can enjoy a free photo with Santa on the first two Mondays (December 5th and 12th) from 5 to 9 PM, and the city will be collecting toys for children in need on the first three Tuesdays of the month. Both events will take place at Mary Kyle Hartson Park (101 S Burleson St.).

 

If you can’t make it to the park for a photo with Santa, don’t worry, Santa will come to you! On December 13-15 (Tuesday to Thursday) from 6 to 9 PM Santa will be riding through the streets of Kyle. While Santa won’t be able to ride down every street in the city—he does have to get back to work at his toy shop at some point—families will have the opportunity to wave to him along a designated route. You can even track where he’ll be via the Santa tracker

 

A holiday market will also be open each day at Mary Kyle Park so residents will have plenty of opportunities to shop for a special gift from local vendors. Each Saturday prior to Christmas Eve, there will also be live holiday music performances happening in the park to spread a little extra seasonal cheer. You can view more details of each day’s festivities on the City of Kyle’s website. 

 

The Christmas season is one of the best times of the year in Kyle and the 25 Days of Christmas celebration is just one of the many fun events happening in the city throughout the year. If you’d like to find a home near all the fun in Kyle, contact the Crosswinds team today!

Categories
Uncategorized

Ways to Give Back this Holiday Season

While the holidays are a time of cheerful winter decorations, festive traditions, and shopping for that perfect gift for the ones we love, it’s also a time of great need for those who don’t have access to basic necessities and resources.

 

Whether offering your time, donating food, toys, and necessities, or making a financial contribution, there are many ways to give to the less fortunate in Hays County and make a difference in your community. 

 

SAFE Holidays 

 

SAFE is dedicated to “serving the survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and exploitation, and domestic violence” in the greater Austin area. Many of the people served by the organization are women and children with nowhere else to turn. With programs ranging from counseling to emergency shelter and housing assistance, SAFE has been the beginning of a better future for countless individuals. 

 

Ways to give this season: 

 

  • Sponsor a SAFE wishlist to purchase gifts for adults and children in the program.
  • Stock the shelves and provide much-needed items for SAFE’s shelters. 
  • Volunteer your time with the organization.
  • Make a monetary donation that will help SAFE to continue fulfilling its mission. 

 

Toys for Tots

 

Toys for Tots is a program that’s dear to the U.S. Marine Corps and has been brightening the Christmas season for millions of children since 1947. Right here in the Austin area, the program provides over 40,000 toys for more than 34,000 children! Every fall, Marines, organizations, businesses, and other volunteers gather new, unwrapped toys to distribute throughout Burnet, LLano, Blanco, Hays, Travis, Williamson, Bastrop, and Caldwell Counties.

 

How to help:

 

  • Buy a toy online or drop one off at a recognized Toys for Tots location.
  • Volunteer your business to be a drop site.
  • Volunteer to help wrap and distribute the toys to those 34,000 children.

 

Operation Turkey

 

Operation Turkey is a 3-day series of events aimed to ensure everyone in the Austin area has a warm meal to enjoy on Thanksgiving. The program started on 6th street in Austin and has now spread to six more states, pulling in around 30,000 volunteers along the way. This year the three events include a Gumbo Cookoff Fundraiser (Nov 20), Turkey Tailgate (Nov 23), and Operation Turkey distribution (Nov 24).

Get involved:

 

  • Volunteer your time at one of the three events.
  • Get your organization or business involved in fundraising for the program.
  • Make a financial donation to help Operation Turkey provide Thanksgiving meals.

 

Central Texas Food Bank

 

The Central Texas Food Bank provides free groceries for thousands of families and individuals throughout the year, but the holiday season is often one where it sees the highest demand. Accomplishing the food bank’s goal of providing healthy and nutritious food to those in need wouldn’t be possible without volunteer and financial community support. 

 

Make an impact:

 

  • Volunteer at one of their mobile pantries.
  • Volunteer in the food warehouse, community kitchen, or garden.
  • Donate food or offer a monetary gift.

 

The holiday season is a great time to be a resident of Kyle, with festive cheer, generosity, and fun throughout the end of the year. To learn more about all Kyle has to offer and how you can find a home here, contact the team at Crosswinds today. Crosswinds is a master-planned community that offers families beautiful homes and great amenities. Visit our website to learn more.

Categories
Kyle Kyle Texas

The Railhouse in Kyle

Musicians who play on the stage at the Railhouse (107 E. Center Street) stand and perform with a mural of Willie Nelson and the title to his iconic song “On The Road Again” behind them. It’s a fitting backdrop for this beloved bar in Kyle that has seen some rough spots on the road, but like Willie, it keeps on truckin’ to the delight of locals.

If you’ve never stepped foot in the Railhouse but you’re a fan of cold beer, tasty grub, and live music, then you need to check out this local joint asap!

The Railhouse is Alive and Kicking

The local establishment has been serving up tasty drinks and good times in Kyle for years, but like so many small businesses around the United States, it was hit hard by the pandemic. The bar had to close in 2020 because of Covid and related factors and the building sat empty for 18 months.  

The Railhouse got a second chance, however, in September 2021 when Flip Lockhoof and Trevor Fletcher, two bar owners from Austin, bought the building and reopened it. The reopening was a success from the get-go, with the business owners telling the Hays Free-Press that they “fell in love with Kyle” and that the residents were incredibly welcoming to the new and improved version of the popular bar and music venue.

A Perfect Hangout Spot

Trevor and Flip said that with the new version, they wanted to create “the “best place to find delicious food, fantastic drinks, and great live entertainment in Kyle.” While it’s still very much a bar, they also set out to make it a family-friendly sort of place where parents could feel comfortable bringing their children during the day and early evening.

Stop in at the Railhouse and you can watch sporting events on several large televisions as well as enjoy shuffleboard and pool tables. If guests feel like simply enjoying some fresh air and good conversation, there’s also a fire pit in the back for those perfect fall nights.

Of course, a major draw is the venue’s live entertainment and events calendar. Most concerts are billed to accommodate around 500 people, but the owners told the Hays Free-Press they’ll occasionally book larger acts that can draw up to 2,000 people.

Customers can truly find a good time here seven days a week. Sunday through Thursday it’s open from 4 until midnight, and on Friday and Saturday nights the Railhouse stays hoppin’ until 2 AM. You’ll find something happening here just about every night too. Events span the entertainment gamut from trivia nights to DJs and Tejano dance nights, as well as both ticketed and free heavy metal, country, and rock concerts.

Grab Some Grub

Two food trucks can be found permanently parked just outside the bar and venue, so you’re never going to go hungry while enjoying a cold drink. Courson’s BBQ serves up ribs, smoked brisket, and Texas-made sausage, and if a burger or sandwich is what you’re after, then you can’t go wrong with strolling up to the Badass Foods truck.

The Railhouse is one of many top-notch, locally-owned restaurants that can be found right here in Kyle. If you’re looking for a new home near all the fun and entertainment, contact us to learn more about available homes in the Crosswinds community

Image from The Railhouse.

Categories
Events Kyle Texas

Veterans Day in Kyle, TX

This Friday is Veterans Day, a day of remembrance and honor for those who have served in the military during war or peace. This is a national opportunity to say thank you to all those who served in the military, both living and those who have passed. 

 

A History of Veterans Day

 

The earliest beginnings of Veterans Day go back more than 100 years. When World War I officially ended with the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, it was a sigh of relief for the entire world. The fighting that claimed 20 million lives had ended seven months earlier when an armistice went into effect on “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.” 

 

A year later, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson made November 11 Armistice Day, declaring it a national opportunity for the country to “be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service…”

 

The day would take on even greater importance following the tragic loss of life and displays of heroism in World War II and the Korean War. Following the end of the Korean War in 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day to acknowledge the sacrifice made by veterans of all U.S. wars. 

 

Celebrate Veterans Day in Kyle

 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are over 2,800 veterans who call Kyle home, and this Veterans Day is a particularly special one. It’s the city’s first Veterans Day to celebrate Heroes Memorial Park. The park has been open since its official ribbon cutting on September 11th and it’s a truly beautiful place for residents to come together and reflect upon the sacrifices made by veterans, first responders, and other heroes in the community. The park features a Heroes Walk, Memorial Garden, Activity Lawn, Arrival Portal, and other elements for learning more about our heroes. 

 

Just as parades were a part of those first celebrations of Armistice Day, the tradition of the Veterans Day Parade continues this year in Kyle. The parade will happen on November 12 this year at Gregg-Clarke Park and travel along Center Street, before coming to a conclusion at Front Street on the City Square. The parade itself will begin at noon, but there will be lots of festivities happening earlier in the day. 

 

Residents are invited to come out to Mary Kyle Hartson Park before the parade to enjoy live music and family-friendly activities from 9 AM until 2 PM.

 

The Veterans Day Parade is one of the many community events that make Kyle such a wonderful place to call home. If you’re looking for a place to raise your family or find the perfect balance of peace and convenience, Crosswinds is a great place to settle down. Crosswinds is a master-planned community in Kyle that offers residents a variety of family-friendly amenities and beautiful homes from the area’s top builders. To learn more about finding your home here, reach out to the Crosswinds team.

Categories
Kyle Texas

Tiny House Coffee Roasters

If you’re looking for a good cup of coffee that not only has the power to perk you up in the morning but to change the lives of people for the better, consider filling your mug with a brew from Tiny House Coffee Roasters. Jump on the I-35 S for about 15 minutes and you’ll find a coffee-roasting company that is built on the foundation of delivering a sustainable product and lifting those who make it all possible. 

 

Texas Coffee with Origins in Nicaragua

 

Tiny House Coffee Roasters was started by Blake Thomas and Helen Schafer, who met while working as Peace Corps volunteers in Nicaragua in 2012. Blake and Helen got to know the coffee farmers in Nicaragua, and as they learned more about how difficult it was for the farmers to make a decent living, they felt committed to improving the situation. 

 

As Blake told Austin Business Journal, the best way to do so was by streamlining the process of getting the coffee from Nicaragua to U.S. consumers. 

 

“By eliminating middlemen, we were able to pay our farmers three times the market rate for their coffee,” Blake explained. “With increased returns and economic security, these farmers then invested back into their farms, families, and communities.”

 

A Mission of Sustainability 

 

Not only are Blake and Helen committed to treating their employees right and helping them to earn a fair wage, but Tiny House Roasters is built on the idea of making “attainable change.” One of the ways it’s doing that is by working with farmers who take a sustainable approach to coffee farming. So what’s that mean exactly? 

 

In the simplest terms, it means that Tiny House Coffee Roasters only buys and sells coffee beans that are in season. As the brand’s website explains, sometimes this means that “your favorite beans might be gone for a bit, [but] they’ll be back and better next year!”

 

From Bean to Keg

 

While you can’t simply swing by Tiny House Coffee Roasters and grab a latte to go (it’s a roasting company, not a coffee shop), there are numerous ways for you to enjoy this fine product. 

 

The roasting company’s coffee can be found in local grocery stores like H-E-B and Whole Foods, as well as businesses such as The Driskill Hotel, Planet Fitness, and Auberge Resorts. 

 

Of course, you can also order flavors like Moontower Dark Blend and La Casita directly from the website. Sign up for the Roaster’s Club, and Tiny House will ship you a new bag of coffee to try each month. 

 

Perhaps the coolest way to enjoy a cup of Tiny House Coffee though is through its cold brew delivery platform. Hit them up and they’ll deliver their bag-in-box cold brew to your home or office in the greater Austin area. And if you drink a lot of coffee (like, a lot, a lot) you can even have a full keg of nitro cold brew delivered to your door. 

 

Tiny House Coffee Roasters is one of many small businesses in the Kyle area that is carving out a name for itself for all the best reasons. If you’d like to find a home in Kyle, contact the Crosswinds team today. 

Categories
Area Attractions

Take a Day Trip to Lockhart, TX

There’s no shortage of awesome places and communities to explore in Central Texas, many of them less than an hour from Kyle. Just a half hour’s drive from Kyle, you’ll find Lockhart, a town of around 14,000 people that makes for a perfect day trip. 

 

If you’re looking for an easy out-of-town adventure, here are a few reasons Lockhart might just be the ideal destination. 

 

Byrd Lockhart – A Man with a Vision

 

Lockhart is named after Byrd Lockhart, a land surveyor who built the town’s first roads back in the 1830s. The area was soon developed for growing cotton, and according to city records, a strain of cotton developed in Lockhart is still used today. 

 

In the 20th century, Lockhart played a role in Texas’ development of the oil industry. And while Lockhart is still a small Texas town, it offers much of the same natural beauty today. 

 

One of the best ways to enjoy that natural beauty is with a visit to Lockhart State Park. Adults can enjoy a full day at the park for just $3 and children under 12 are free. The park has miles of hiking trails as well as a nine-hole golf course, swimming pool, and camping sites should you decide to stay the night and do a little stargazing. 

 

Guests can also check out the park’s calendar for a variety of events ranging from ancient spear-throwing lessons to moonlight hikes and nature talks. 

 

Chow Down in the BBQ Capital of Texas

 

After a round of golf or a hike at Lockhart State Park, you’re bound to have an appetite. Luckily, Lockhart happens to be the barbecue capital of Texas, and boy do they mean it! Just about every restaurant in town has some sort of barbecue plate on the menu, but if you want a bite of history with your lunch or dinner, we suggest hitting up Kreuz Market

 

The restaurant has had its hand in the barbecue biz since 1875 and while it’s certainly seen its share of pitmasters since then, it continues to offer some of the best brisket, smoked sausage, and pork ribs in the state. The restaurant also has live music on the weekends, and if you can’t resist sharing with your out-of-state friends what they’re missing, Kreuz Market does ship its meat. 

 

While there’s no wrong time to eat barbecue in Lockhart, one of the best weekends to do so is arguably in November during Texas Monthly’s BBQ Fest (Nov 5-6 2022). There will be 47 barbecue vendors cooking up a smorgasbord of mouthwatering food at this year’s event. 

 

Got the Time?

 

Consider dropping into the Southwest Museum of Clocks and Watches before heading out of town. It’s open Friday through Sunday, but this quirky museum is worth a visit. As you might expect from the title, it’s all about the history of clocks and watches from the tiny to the giant grandfather clock. 

 

Along with most cities surrounding Austin, Lockhart is booming with economic growth. Several large companies have recently announced plans to expand or build in the area, bringing jobs, retail, and more growth to Caldwell County. As it grows, Lockhart will continue to be a great day trip destination for residents of Kyle, and it’s located only 17 miles away!

 

Nothing caps off a fun day trip like coming back to a home you love. With so much to offer, it’s easy to see why residents love Crosswinds, a master-planned community in Kyle. If you’d like to explore finding a home here, contact us today. 

Photo by Aleksomber.  

Categories
Amenities

Best Reasons to move to Crosswinds This Fall

The Texas Hill Country is growing and that means Kyle is growing. New families are discovering the appeal of our community every day and are planting roots here. Victoria Vargas, the interim director of economic development for the City of Kyle, recently told KVUE News that Kyle saw 63% growth between 2010 and 2020 and that “growth is not expected to slow down any time soon.”

 

It’s not just our affordability and proximity to Austin that’s attracting folks to Kyle. From economic growth such as Lowe’s new distribution center and the development of Kyle Crossing Phase II to festivities like the Pie in the Sky Festival, a lot is happening in Kyle. 

 

If you’re thinking about moving to Kyle or you’ve recently moved here and are looking to buy a home, the fall season is the perfect time to move to the Crosswinds community. 

 

Outdoor Fun at Crosswinds 

 

Don’t get us wrong, we love summer in Kyle, but by the end of August, it’s nice to have a break from those 100-degree temps. The average temperature in September in Kyle is 88 F, and by October it’s even cooler, making fall the perfect season to enjoy so many of the outdoor amenities at Crosswinds. 

 

Our Sports Court is the perfect place to work up a sweat over a game of pickup basketball with friends, or perhaps see what all the buzz is about with pickleball. Meanwhile, the kiddos can enjoy the last few weeks of daylight savings time and burn off some energy after school or dinner on our community playscape. 

 

Crosswinds residents got to spend the summer enjoying our resort-style pool and splash pad. (Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time for a swim if you haven’t had a chance to take a dip yet.)

 

Crosswinds residents also have access to our hike and bike trails, as well as a dog park for our furry residents. One of the biggest highlights of the fall season is the return of football, and our community grills and picnic areas are perfect for cooking up some grub before kickoff. 

 

Find Your Dream Home

 

Spring and summer tend to be the busiest months when it comes to home shopping, but don’t rule out buying a home in the fall. According to Zillow, sellers tend to lower prices in late summer, giving fall buyers a bit more flexibility when it comes to price. 

 

The homes in Crosswinds have all been built by homebuilders that are leaders in the industry. Gehan Homes, Highland Homes, Pacesetter Homes, and MileStone Community Builders are all award-winning builders that have crafted beautiful homes in the Crosswinds community. All of our homes include spacious floor plans that draw upon both modern and traditional style and craftsmanship. 

 

With a range of prices and floor plan sizes and an abundance of community features, it’s easy to see why Crosswinds is such an appealing community in Kyle. If you’d like to learn more about finding a home in the Crosswinds community, reach out to us today. 

Categories
Area Attractions

Unchartered Adventures: Kyle’s Original Rage Room

Shattered plates, old TVs smashed to smithereens, home appliances beaten to a pulp, and broken glass – literally everywhere. Usually, a scene like this would be concerning, but it’s actually the aftermath of a whole lotta fun for visitors of Unchartered Adventure’s Rage Room in Kyle! 

 

You could say that rage rooms are all the rage, as they’ve recently been popping up in cities from coast to coast. Before we get into why grabbing a baseball bat or sledgehammer and reenacting the printer scene from Office Space is a whole lot of fun, let’s explain what a rage room or smash room is. Basically, it’s a room full of donated junk where, for a small fee, guests get to break, smash, and pulverize anything in the room. 

 

The items in the room to rage on can range from things as small as a coffee mug to as big as an old car. Once guests suit up in coveralls, face shields, eye protection, and gloves, they’re free to grab their weapon of choice and smash away. Some people opt for baseball bats and old golf clubs while others test their might with sledgehammers. Feel like simply throwing plates at a wall? You can do that too! 

 

Besides being great fun, it’s also an easy way to blow off some steam. “I actually left feeling better and less stressed,” reads a review from Joshua Ortiz. And because smashing things to a soundtrack is just more fun, the Unchartered Adventures team has equipped the room with a sound system so guests can put on whatever music they want to rage out to. 

 

Not only does Unchartered Adventures offer a place to break old electronics without getting in trouble or having to clean up the mess (the staff handles that), but it offers several other adventures worth checking out. 

 

Guests can choose from ax throwing, escape rooms, or a zombie air soft arena where visitors hunt for the undead in a post-apocalyptic maze of splattered neon paint under black lights. 

 

One of the most popular offerings that are certain to be a hit with guests of all ages is the splatter paint room. The entire room is a canvas under a blacklight that brings to life a palette of neon acrylic colors. Guests can use brushes, sponges, stencils, and other tools to channel their creative spirit and create their own messy masterpieces. (Don’t worry, protective ponchos and shoe covers are provided to keep your clothes mess-free.)

 

It’s no surprise that killing zombies, smashing up old cars, solving escape room riddles, hurling axes, and creating art can make a person thirsty. Guests can unwind before or after their adventure in the bar/lounge area that’s stocked with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and outfitted with several flatscreen TVs. 

 

With its anything-but-boring entertainment options and perfect chill-out area, it’s no wonder that Unchartered Adventures is such a hit for date nights, birthday parties, company outings, and so much more. 

This entertainment destination is just one of the many businesses that are a testament to Kyle’s economic growth. If you’d like to find a home here, reach out to learn more about our home builders at Crosswinds.

Photo from https://uncharteredadventures.com/gallery/

Categories
Area Attractions Events Family Fun Lifestyle

Volunteer opportunities in and around Kyle

Volunteering is one of the most rewarding ways a person can put their free time to good use. Volunteers are the glue that holds so many organizations together and it’s the service of volunteers that enriches a city like Kyle as a community and helps to make it such an enjoyable place to live. 

 

Check out these opportunities in Kyle and the surrounding area if you’d like to give back. Who knows, you might just make a few new friends in the process!

 

Austin Disaster Relief Network: Loving people and coming to their aid when they need it most is a spiritual calling for members of ADRN. Composed of members from over 200 area churches, the nonprofit’s mission is to “mobilize the body of Christ in times of disaster.” This entails providing families and individuals with food, clothing, emergency housing, and transportation, as well as emotional support in times of disaster. Volunteer opportunities range from providing a cleanup response to helping with deployment coordination and social media ambassadors. 

 

Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center: Since 1978, HCWC has been dedicated to helping women escape abusive situations and rebuild their lives. To create an environment where there’s no room for abuse in the community, the nonprofit provides crisis intervention services for victims of violence and child abuse. Volunteers are key to HCWC changing lives for the better and both direct and non-direct opportunities with clients are available with the organization. 

 

PAWS:  Perhaps you’re looking to volunteer and make a new friend of the four-legged variety. Founded right here in Kyle in 1986, PAWS is a no-kill shelter dedicated to providing quality care to homeless animals in the area with the ultimate goal of finding them a forever home. This includes rescuing animals from overcrowded municipal shelters, providing spay and neuter services, and pet education. The number of animals saved would be drastically reduced without PAWS volunteers, and volunteer opportunities include office work, dog walking, kennel cleaning, fundraising, animal foster care, and many more. 

 

Southside Community Center: Through the United Methodist Church, SSCC is a nonprofit that is committed to putting Christ’s love into action by giving back to the underprivileged and needy in Hays County. With a mission of “meeting the needs of families,” the organization provides housing support for low-income and elderly residents, as well as neighborhood housing improvement services, emergency assistance, and food support. 

 

Hays County Food Bank: The Hays County Food Bank receives hundreds of requests regularly for food assistance from area residents and has seen that need skyrocket in the last two years. The local nonprofit is “passionately committed to improving lives through food assistance programs, nutrition education, and advocacy.” Opportunities to volunteer through the food bank and help Hays County residents include food sorting and stocking, food distribution, assisting with the mobile pantry, and special events coordination. 

 

This is merely a sampling of opportunities to volunteer and make a difference for the greater good in the Kyle area. Other organizations in need of volunteers include:

 

  • Alzheimer’s Association of Central Texas
  • Kyle Public Library
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Kyle Historic Train Depot
  • Meals on Wheels
  • Women of Unity
  • Kyle Parks and Recreation

It’s the wonderful people that make Kyle such a special place to live. If you’d like to find a home here, reach out to the Crosswinds team to learn more.

Categories
Homeowner Tips Lifestyle

Should Seniors Buy a Newly Constructed Home or an Older 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