Build Modern in Cedar Hill

 

Considering buying land in Cedar Hill, TX

 

I’ve been interested in building modern in Dallas for the past year now. In my investigation, I have found that land anywhere near d Dallas is probably as much as I want to spend on the total build of my home. Probably can’t build in Dallas. I then took my land search further outside the city limits to cities like Frisco, Allen, Flower Mound, and the like. When I look further from the city limits, I am able to find some nice lots to build a house, but I fear that my house being the only modern house in probably the entire zip code, may have adverse resell value. In addition, there’s also  issues, like having to deal with the home owners association, and the guidelines they set forth on how a home should look in that area.

 

 So, now I’m leading to the actual question:

 

Online, I’ve researched a community in Cedar Hill called Lake Ridge right by Joe Pool Lake. My wife and I drove to the area and it’s tremendously beautiful. Makes you feel like you’re in Austin. Furthermore, the price for the amount of acreage is just perfect for my budget and you can build modern with no restrictions. All the homes in the area seem to be in excess of $350-$1.5M. And there are modern homes that have been built.

 

Is anyone on this forum familiar with the Lake Ridge area in Cedar Hill? If so, do you see this area growing maybe like the city of Frisco did? Would you feel confident in the continued growth of this area?

 

Thanks for your response in advance….

 

EM

I'm familiar with the area.  I believe Lake Ridge have certain restrictions and will not grow like Frisco.  Now the area around Lake Ridge will grow, because Cedar Hill itself is growing.  I love Lake Ridge too, is very very nice.  I just hate that it is so south.

 

Good Luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

I am not familiar with the area, but perhaps I can offer a way to look at the situation. Right now, the demand for modern housing is growing. It may grow for 5 years or 20 years, but in the end, demand will probably fall off again. If you plan on selling in 20 years, it is anybody's guess what demand will look like. The more important question and the thing that will really have the most affect on the total value of your house, is what will happen over time to land values in DFW in general and in Cedar Hill in particular.

Dallas added 1m population in the last eight years. This growth is partly due to the lack of growth in housing values as the population grows. That is, growth in NY, Chicago, LA, SanFrancisco, has slowed largely because of rapidly increasing housing prices. We have not seen that happen here because land is readily available. When will that stop? Unlike the other cities I mentioned, Dallas is not bounded by water or federally protected land. If new edge cities keep popping up ever further out, then we could have 20 million pop. in DFW in 50 years. At that point, housing values will still probably be pretty reasonable, except prices will be higher the closer you are to cultural/social/entertainment venues (downtown Dallas and FW?).

Once the area between 35e and 35w all looks like Plano, perhaps Cedar Hill won't seem so far out. If not, then at least you are getting the land cheap right now.

The biggest source of uncertainly is the cost of pesonal transportation. If gas costs $8/gallon in 5 years, people will pay a big premium to live close to work/schools/shopping/etc.

IMHO: Since you are flipping a coin any way you go, you might as well spend the next 40 years in your dream home instead of some McMansion. However, realize the safest bet given current conventional wisdom about the future is to go were land values are highest. How much safety do you get for an additional $5000 in lot costs? I have no idea.

The Cedar Hill area is beautiful and no further from Downtown than Frisco or even Allen. Jeff is right, far out in the future it is a crap shoot but it is better to spend that time in a house you love rather than another cookie cutter McMansion. I believe that if the bridges over the trinity ever are fully realized that the additional connectivity to Downtown will help spur growth to the South. The real issues are socio-economic. Traditionally the poorest sections of the Dallas areas have been to the South, in order for these areas to grow the poor would have to be displaced (sounds harsh but it is how things go.) It becomes a much larger issue than just simple re-development. Every time I drive down South (have family in Duncanville) and see the rolling hills and all the trees the though crosses my mind that it would be an awesome place to build a modern home. Good luck on your search but remember that even though a house is an investment it is also a part of who you are. You spend allot of time, effort, and money so why not make it something you are happy with.

EM,

 

My wife had plans of building a modern house in Lake Ridge Cedar Hill.  So much so that we bought a great lot, and another house in Cedar Hill (so that we could be close to the construction project).  We got started on the plans process and then work and life changes called us back into Dallas.  But we lived in Cedar Hill for a year and really enjoyed it.  Cedar Hill is a wonderful community that is well laid out.  And in my opinion the most beautiful area around Dallas.  Our lot sits on top of a hill, overlooking the city and is packed with trees.  Joe pool lake & the state park are right there with a great mountain bike trail if you into that.  The big box developer must believe in Cedar Hill as they just finished a big outdoor shopping center much like the one in South Lake.

 

If your still interested in moving to Cedar Hill, drop me an email.  We still have our lot for sale and you could look at the plans we had started for the property.  We would love to keep the lot and move forward with building the house but we have two other house projects going now so we need to probably let go of the lot.

 

Just FYI: I work in Dallas and it took me about 30 minutes to drive to Down Town Dallas from Cedar Hill.  A much better commute than coming into Down Town from Plano.

 

::Chris

My husband and I just bought a 2 acre lot in Lake Ridge and we plan to build a modern home there in a few years. We love the area and the fact that we have freedom to design what we want. My husband is an architect and he previously worked for an architecture firm that does very high-end modern homes in Dallas. We're currently in the design phase for our home but from what we've discussed so far it will be incredible! Can't wait to get started on the construction of it. 

I'd love to know if you are indeed going to purchase land in Lake Ridge and when/what you plan to build once it gets to that point. From everything I've researched, this community is by far the best value for your money and with all of the plans for growth in the area I'm convinced you can't possibly go wrong buying and building there. 

 

Previously eddie mihaila wrote:

 

Considering buying land in Cedar Hill, TX

 

I’ve been interested in building modern in Dallas for the past year now. In my
investigation, I have found that land anywhere near d Dallas is probably as much as I want to spend
on the total build of my home. Probably can’t build in Dallas. I then took my land search further outside
the city limits to cities like Frisco, Allen, Flower Mound, and the like. When I
look further from the city limits, I am able to find some nice lots to build a
house, but I fear that my house being the only modern house in probably the
entire zip code, may have adverse resell value. In addition, there’s also  issues, like having to deal with the home
owners association, and the guidelines they set forth on how a home should look
in that area.

 

 So, now I’m leading
to the actual question:

 

Online, I’ve researched a community in Cedar Hill called
Lake Ridge right by Joe
Pool Lake.
My wife and I drove to the area and it’s tremendously beautiful. Makes you feel
like you’re in Austin.
Furthermore, the price for the amount of acreage is just perfect for my budget
and you can build modern with no restrictions. All the homes in the area seem
to be in excess of $350-$1.5M. And there are modern homes that have been built.

 

Is anyone on this forum familiar with the Lake Ridge area in
Cedar Hill? If so, do you see this area growing maybe like the city of Frisco did? Would you
feel confident in the continued growth of this area?

 

Thanks for your response in advance….

 

EM

 

I have a house for sale that looks down onto part of Lake Ridge. Save yourself the trouble of finding a lot with a view and spending $350+ per square foot for construction. Two or optional 3 acres with 100+ feet of drop across the property. Great views and a nice secluded street!

You can review it by the link listed below

http://www.dougnewby.com/dmh/modern/properties/20_summit/

 

Chris - how much does a 1 acre lot go for there?