Tag: new home community

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Lifestyle

Texas Tops Economic Expansion List 10th Year In a Row

Texas Economic Expansion

Texas is going to need more room in its trophy case… 

For the 10th year in a row, Texas has won the coveted Site Selection Magazine Governor’s Cup. Site Selection awards the Governor’s Cup each year to the state with the most qualified economic development projects. This year, Texas took home the hardware (again). 

 

The Governor’s Cup is considered by many to be the Super Bowl of economic development trophies. Specifically, it’s a recognition for the state that lands the most deals for corporate headquarters projects, manufacturing plants, R&D operations and logistics facilities. 

 

Here’s why it’s a big deal:

Every time a company decides to locate part or all of their operations in Texas, economic activity and growth follows. More companies leads to more jobs, which means more income, resulting in more growth. Economic growth in Texas is projected above 3% for the next decade, at least. That’s quite a bit higher than most states in the country.

 

Texas is crushing the competition. In 2020, Texas landed 781 corporate facilities projects, more than doubling second-place Ohio. New corporate facility projects have a big impact on individual communities and the state economy at large. 

 

Winning the Governor’s Cup for 10 straight years is a sign that Texas’ economy will be growing at a steady rate for the foreseeable future. When a few high-profile names made the move to Texas, other high-profile companies inevitably followed, typically due to the economic benefits of being in Texas, especially with other large corporations. 

 

Austin in particular is seeing an influx of companies. Digital Realty Trust, Rex Teams, and Oracle are just a few of the juggernauts that have chosen to locate in Austin in the past few years.

Why Do So Many Big Companies Want to Relocate to Texas?

Texas is a great place to do business. And we’re not just talking about the cost of living, incentives, fair tax rates, and favorable regulatory environments. We’re also talking about a state government who prioritizes keeping businesses open and a general philosophy of governance that promotes business growth. 

From Texas Governor Abbot in 2020:

“Businesses have almost total freedom to run their company the way they see best. We can’t run their businesses better than they can. We get out of their way and let them do what they do best.”   

 

Texas lawmakers relentlessly continue to look for ways to change the tax and regulatory policy to be more competitive. It’s a big reason that the Governor’s Cup goes to Texas so often.

 

Basically, businesses in Texas can grow quickly while limiting their risk. They can innovate without being shackled. They can expand and iterate faster than anywhere else, and that’s why they are choosing to move to Texas in droves. 

 

From a balance sheet and financial accounting perspective, it makes a lot of sense to locate your business in Texas. But it also makes a lot of sense from a quality of life perspective. Texas offers employees and new arrivals more living for less money. 

 

CEOs, management teams, and employees can live in beautiful communities and take advantage of the same benefits and incentives that brought their company to Texas in the first place. Texas is a great place to live and work, and it’s getting more attractive each year. 

 

Congrats to Texas for 10 years of unrivaled economic expansion! Here’s to 10 more…

Looking for a new home in the Austin area? Crosswinds offers a wonderful place to call home located just south of downtown Austin in Kyle, Texas. Contact the team at Crosswinds to learn more.

Categories
Lifestyle

Kyle Local: Koy Chinese and Sushi

Kyle Local Restaurant

Looking for authentic Chinese cuisine and sushi? You can find that here in Kyle at Koy Chinese and Sushi (5695 Kyle Parkway, Ste. 800, Kyle, TX 78640). Owner Frank Lai opened Koy in Kyle when Hays County and the surrounding area were booming, in 2011.

The family has been in the restaurant business for more than 30 years. They founded the business on three things: exceptional service, being community-oriented, and delicious food.

According to Community Impact, at Koy’s beginning in 2011, there was a staff of about 10 people and as the community of Kyle saw massive population and economic growth, that growth was reflected in the success of local businesses like Koy.

All that success came to a screeching halt in 2020 when the pandemic hit. Koy had to drastically adjust its business model to keep the lights on and the sushi rolling. The restaurant suffered major setbacks, as did most businesses. Koy had to close its doors to dine-in, and the staff decreased by about half. The restaurant went from a successful, well-staffed restaurant to a small restaurant dependent on to-go orders and delivery services.

As Covid-19 precautions were gradually lifted and regular business resumed, Koy Chinese and Sushi bounced back as a local favorite for Chinese and sushi, with dine-in, to-go, and delivery options. Last October, Koy celebrated its 10th year of business.

Koy makes everything to order and fresh. Its sushi bar is overseen by a master sushi chef who prepares fresh sushi every day. You’ll find favorites such as the LA, spicy crab, California, and vegetable rolls. They also serve many favorites in Chinese cuisine such as General Tso’s chicken, beef and broccoli, cashew chicken, egg drop soup, and more.

Many customers rave about their dishes and say it’s authentic Chinese cuisine. Visit the Koy Chinese and Sushi Facebook page for some mouthwatering photos of their dishes. They also post menu updates, specials, and more, so give it a Like to stay up-to-date.

Have a hankering for other cuisines? Dripping Springs is full of a variety of cuisines. Here are some other Dripping Springs restaurants you might want to check out:

What’s your favorite restaurant in Kyle? Connect with us on social media and let us know!

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
Homeowner Tips

What to look for when buying a new house

What to Look for When Buying a New House

When you’re shopping for a new house, it can be easy to fall down the rabbit hole as you search house after house and study floor plan after floor plan. There are so many things to consider, such as location, school zones, community amenities, and home builders.

Before you even look at houses and floor plans, a good place to start is with how much home you can afford. This can help you narrow down your search and determine your priorities. 

You can work with a real estate agent to help you determine how much you can afford to pay for a home, or try a home affordability calculator that can help you estimate your monthly payments. Be sure you leave plenty of breathing room for property taxes, homeowner association (HOA) fees, and unexpected expenses. It’s also a good move to get pre-approved for a loan up to a specific amount. The lender will look at your income, debts, and credit history.

Once you have a number in mind, then you can work through these tips.

1. Determine the Top Features You Want in a Neighborhood

To help you figure out the general location, start with what you’d like in a neighborhood. Do you want to live in a walkable neighborhood? What about safety? Do you want to be in a preferred school district or near specific schools?

Does anyone regularly commute to work or extracurriculars? That could be a factor in location. What about proximity to grocery stores, services, other retailers, and leisure activities?

2. Prioritize Your Top Home Features

Every homebuyer has their own priorities for what they want in a home. Some want a giant backyard while others would rather have a front porch. You can change a lot of things about a home, but one thing you can’t change is the amount of land. 

Another thing to think about is how many bedrooms and bathrooms you need—especially if you have children or expect frequent guests. Does someone work from home? They may want a floor plan with a home office. Do you often entertain big groups? Some floor plans are more conducive to large gatherings than others. What about smart home capabilities? This could play a factor in your decision. 

To avoid spending more than you want, create a list of “must-haves” and “nice to haves” to help you with your decisions. 

3. Plan for the Future

If you may want to have children in the future, consider a home with room to grow. While a two-bedroom may be all you need now, you may not want to move when you have children. Or perhaps, a parent or other relative will be living with you. If you’re thinking about adding a furry family member, a front and backyard may be a top priority. 

  1. Think about Maintenance and Upkeep

The newer the home, the less maintenance you will have. When you’re the first owner of a new home, you don’t have to consider the home’s maintenance history, as everything is in tip-top shape. But an older home will most likely need regular repairs and updates. Yards and flower beds also need regular upkeep. Consider if you want a smaller yard that just needs to be mowed every once in a while, or if you’d rather get to enjoy seasonal flower gardens and greenery, with a bit more upkeep?

Remember, you can update and change a lot of things both on the exterior and in the interior of a home, but the costs of changes can add up quickly. It’s easy to change the paint color, but not so easy to change the floor plan. 

Looking for a new home in Kyle? Crosswinds is a new master-planned community offering family-friendly amenities with beautiful homes from the area’s top builders. Meet the Kyle home builders or contact our Crosswinds team to start the journey to finding your dream home.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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