The Robert Charles Lesser & Co (RCLCO) mid-year list of the 50 best-selling master-planned communities in the nation is out and Balmoral has made the cut again, placing at No. 12.

Sales increased 12 percent this year with 458 homes purchased by buyers excited to enjoy our fun-filled lagoon lifestyle. Those numbers also garnered us the No. 1 best-selling community in Houston spot. We are the No. 2 best-selling community in Texas.

Rankings are based on total net home sales. Only true master-planned communities that have been developed from a comprehensive master plan and feature a variety of housing types, sizes, prices and amenities are included, according to RCLCO.

Sales in the top 50 communities are on track to rise 12 percent this year. Home demand has surged in the past six months as consumers who put off purchasing a new home responded to historically low interest rates and the opportunity to exchange renting for buying.

The report also notes that buyers are seeking more space. Millennials contributed to the rise in sales as many seek a suburban lifestyle for their children. Boomers and older Gen X buyers are downsizing and looking to move closer to family.

Master-planned communities expected to continue to do well are those that offer a range of home choices and pricing. Communities with a plethora of amenities are still in high demand.

Balmoral offers new home designs to fit most budgets. Homes are priced from the $200s to the $500s and range from townhomes to expansive single-family homes.

Our award-winning amenities — including our 2-acre lagoon and spacious Amenity Village — keep residents active and outdoors. The Amenity Village was named the 2020 Master-Planned Community Amenity of the Year in the recent Greater Houston Builders Association’s Houston’s Best PRISM Awards and Best Community Amenity during the 2020 Texas Association of Builder’s Texas Star Awards.

Two of our sister communities also made the top 50 list. Sierra Vista/Sterling Lakes in South Houston, ranked at No. 20 with 397 home sales. Lago Mar in Texas City nabbed the No. 36 spot. Sales rose 34 percent to 297 sales in that community.

The RCLCO report also noted that there is a great demand for homes right now, so if you want to experience our unique lifestyle, visit us today.

 

 

 

 

 

So, you’ve decided to buy a new home. Have you been pre-approved for your mortgage? Whether you a first-time buyer or a veteran homeowner, pre-approval is an important first step. Not only does it tell Realtors and builders that you are serious about purchasing a home, but it can also give you a leg up in today’s competitive market.

Here’s what you need to know about getting pre-approved.

What is pre-approval?

Pre-approval is a document, usually a letter, outlining the type and amount of loan you qualify for. It is not a guarantee that you will be loaned the money. If certain conditions are not met or your financial situation changes, the offer can be withdrawn.

Why Should You Get Pre-approved?

A pre-approval letter demonstrates that you can afford to buy a home. It also tells you how much home you can afford. It simplifies the buying process because it helps weed out homes that are not in your price range. Without a pre-approval letter, the home you want might go to someone who is pre-approved.

How Do I Get Pre-approved?

There are a number of steps involved in the pre-approval process, but it boils down to giving your prospective lenders a lot of financial information.

Get pre-qualified. Pre-qualification is not the same thing as pre-approval. Pre-qualification is an informal process where you tell a lender about your financial situation. Based on what you say, the lender can estimate how much you might be able to borrow. However, this is not a firm offer. To get that, you will have to give your lender more in-depth information. The Pre-qualification Calculator from NerdWallet can help you do this online.

Do your own checks. A lender will order a credit check, but it never hurts to do so yourself. Order a free credit report to see what your score is. In general, a score of 740 or above will enable you to qualify for the best rates but you can qualify with a score as low as 620. It’s a good idea to go over your report to see if there are errors. Clearing those up before you apply for a loan will help move things along faster.

Calculate your debt-to-income ratio. This is the percentage of your gross monthly income used to pay credit card debt, student loans, car loans and any other revolving payments. Most lenders prefer to see a DTI of 36 percent or lower. This includes the estimated mortgage.

Gather your financial information. Lenders want to know everything about you, so prepare your financial information before loan shopping. Documents you will need include your W-2 tax forms, bank account information, any investments you have, proof of employment and proof of additional income sources. If you are self-employed, you will need to include your 1099s and your income tax returns. If you have a co-borrower, they will need to provide their financial information as well.

Shop lenders. Don’t go with the first lender you visit. Shop around. You may find that one lender can do more for you than another and save you thousands of dollars.

Once You Are Pre-approved

Once you have your pre-approval letter in hand, it’s time to go home shopping. We can’t think of a better place to do that than Balmoral. Visit our information center to learn more about our beautiful homes and fantastic lifestyle.

 

 

 

Are you up to speed on our newest amenity? No? According to the buzz, our residents can now use Bee Mobile to zip along the GreenBoLT trail to our fabulous Amenity Village and crystal-clear lagoon.

We’ve partnered with Bee Mobile to provide electric scooters for rent. These bright yellow scooters couldn’t “bee” easier to use. Just download the Bee Mobile app. When you are ready to ride just sign in, find a scooter, unlock it by scanning the QR code, put on your helmet and get ready to have fun. At the end of your ride, you just return it to where you found it. Bee Mobile accepts all debit and credit cards as payment.

It’s the perfect pairing. Our GreenBoLT alternative transportation trail winds throughout the community taking residents from door side to poolside in minutes. The 12-foot-wide path is suitable for electric golf carts, bicycles and Segways, pedestrians and now Bee Mobile scooters. It’s not just easy, it’s fun.

You can learn more about Bee Mobile here. It’s just another perk of living in beautiful Balmoral where every day is a resort day.

Scoring high in luxury and low on maintenance, townhomes in Balmoral are an excellent choice for people looking to maximize relaxation without sacrificing must-have design features. Even better, you can rent if now isn’t the time to buy.

If you choose to rent, WB Homes offers gorgeous townhomes in our Clearwater at Balmoral neighborhood. Here, you will find stylish duplex and triplex townhomes ranging from 1,400 to 1,800 square feet. Designs feature spacious open floor plans with high ceilings and tall windows. Island kitchens boast plenty of cabinet space, energy-efficient appliances and even a walk-in pantry. Owners’ retreats are large, with walk-in closets, and you even get a flex room to serve as a home office or children’s playroom.

As for maintenance? Not only will your lawn be taken care of, they’ll even come in and change your lightbulbs for you.

If you are looking to buy, HistoryMaker Homes offers spacious, well-designed townhomes priced from the $190,000s. Choose one of four floor plans ranging from 1,455 to 1,766 square feet. Homes sport beautiful island kitchens, large bedrooms and two-car garages with extra space for storage.

The spacious upstairs owner’s retreats offer numerous options for configuring the en suite bath, including large showers and oval soaking tubs. Some plans include an entertainment loft. Lawn and exterior maintenance are included.

However you choose to obtain your townhome, you will still have access to the exciting amenities that make Balmoral one of the top-selling master-planned communities in the nation. Our signature crystal clear lagoon and white sand beaches are just the start. You’ll also have access to our state-of-the-art Amenity Village where you can work on that beach body in the exercise room, gather the neighbors for a friendly volleyball match or watch the kids splash in the infinity-edge pool.

Balmoral builders are special. Not only are they dedicated to building you the home of your dreams, but they also actively find ways to make a difference. One such is Empire Communities, which was recently named 2021 Volume Builder of the Year by the Greater Houston Builders Association.

Each year, the GHBA recognizes six members with “Of the Year” awards for outstanding service to the Houston community. Empire was honored for its support of HomeAid Houston, a GHBA non-profit dedicated to providing housing and support for Houston’s homeless population.

Last year, the builder collaborated with the charity to construct an 8,100-square-foot cottage in Hockley on the campus of Boys and Girls Country. Empire was responsible for every stage of construction of the project, which now houses teaching parents and eight boys who came from families in crisis. The Boys and Girls Country program provides the cottages to instill security, warmth and a nurturing environment as long as the children need a safe haven, many times through high school.

The builder offers nearly two dozen floor plans priced from the $250,000s in Balmoral. The one- and two-story homes range from 1,540 to 2,975. Standard features include spacious family rooms open to island kitchens, generously sized owner’s retreats, home offices and game rooms. Designs can be further customized with the addition of covered patios, additional bedrooms and fireplaces.

This was the first HomeAid Houston project Empire has collaborated on, but we are sure there will be many more in the future. Congratulations Empire Communities! We are proud to have you as a member of the Balmoral family of builders.