It is a common misconception that you don’t need a Realtor if you are purchasing a new construction home. In actuality, a Realtor is the first person you should call. Why? Many reasons, but primarily because a real estate professional will work with you to get you the home you want in a community you’ll love.
Here are the main reasons you should consider using a Realtor:
It’s Their Business to Know
There are a lot of master-planned communities out there, all in a variety of locations with a variety of builders and amenities. Realtors learn everything they can about a community. They can tell you about the school district, builders with floor plans suited to your lifestyle and even where to get your dog groomed.
They Work for You
Buying a home can be confusing. Buying a new construction home can be overwhelming. While the builder’s representative can help, Realtors can not only get you the best type of mortgage but they can counsel you on which options and upgrades will give you the best bang for your buck, advocate on your behalf and explain terms like PMI and closing costs.
They Have the Inside Scoop
When it comes to knowing what goes on behind the scenes, your Realtor will always have the skinny. That includes knowing the market and whether or not now is the best time to buy. They also know which builders are offering incentives that will lower the cost of your new home.
A Realtor Helps You Navigate
Navigating the homebuying process can be stressful, but it’s a Realtor’s job to make it easier for you. Your agent can help you figure out how much home you can afford, advise you on interest rates, introduce you to lenders and walk you through the contract. He or she also can watch over your home during the construction period — really helpful if you’re moving from out-of-town — and recommend a home inspector once it is finished.
Realtors Understand Your Budget
Realtors understand that you have a budget, and they will do their best to make sure you get a high-quality home in a great community while staying within your price range. They will keep track of available homes in your preferred community that fit your budget. They also can ask your builder’s representative questions about pricing, options and upgrades you might not have thought of but will keep you from buying a pricy upgrade you may not need.
Balmoral Loves Realtors
Balmoral loves Realtors. We work with many of them, inviting them to special events that help them learn more about our builders and our amenities. We want them to be knowledgeable about us so they can be knowledgeable for you. Bring your Realtor with you. We will work together to find your dream home.
Balmoral not only maintained its ranking as one of the top-selling master-planned communities in the nation, it increased sales by 80 percent and is now the No. 2 top-selling community in Texas.
Esteemed real estate consulting firms John Burns Real Estate Consulting and Robert Charles Lesser & Co. (RCLCO) annually publish lists of the top-selling master-planned communities in the nation, ranking them based on home sales the previous year. Balmoral achieved the No. 11 spot on the John Burns list and No. 12 on the RCLCO report. Our builders sold an astonishing 841 homes last year. By comparison, home buyers purchased 467 homes in 2019.
The top driver of home sales was historically low interest rates followed by demographics and the desire of many home buyers to live in communities offering a roster of outdoor activities as well as hike-and-bike trails, pools, parks and green spaces in which to socialize.
Balmoral provides residents with a plethora of ways to enjoy the outdoors, including our centerpiece 2-acre Crystal Lagoons® amenity. Our expansive Amenity Village has won numerous awards, including being 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. In 2019, we took home the trophy for Recreation Center of the Year at the 2019 Houston’s Best PRISM Awards.
During the year, residents can lounge on either of our two white-sand beaches while children pay at the kids cove. Overlooking the lagoon is an infinity-edge pool. Other outdoor amenities include a food truck courtyard, hammock park, playground and splash pad.
Balmoral was not the only Land Tejas community to make the top-selling lists. Sierra Vista — which has announced plans to build its own lagoon — was ranked at No. 43 by John Burns and No. 45 by RCLCO.
We thank our new residents for trusting us to provide an outstanding lifestyle. If you want to make the move to a top-selling community, visit us today.
Balcara at Balmoral, a luxury single-family home rental neighborhood, has opened in the Humble community.
Pre-leasing for the 163-home property commenced Dec. 15 and initial occupancy is planned for March 1, 2021. In addition to access to the Balmoral Amenity Village and Crystal Lagoons® amenity, residents will enjoy the private Balcara Neighborhood Lodge, which includes a fitness center, playroom, social rooms, and a playground. The community provides a maintenance-free lifestyle as well as internal parks, greenspaces, and miles of sidewalks.
“We are very excited to have developed one of the first planned single-family home rental neighborhoods in the Houston area and are elated to open the neighborhood to residents at rental rates comparable to area apartments, but with unique features such as attached two-car garages, private backyards and access to Texas’ first crystal clear lagoon,” said Paul Davey, Chief Executive Officer of Houston-based Balcara Group. “We are now replicating the success of Balcara at Balmoral in other leading communities in Texas and Florida. In 2021, we expect to add additional properties to our portfolio based on our robust pipeline.”
All of the Balcara homes include two-car attached garages, private backyards, Ring video doorbells and standard interior features such as 9-foot ceilings, stainless steel kitchen appliances, quartz countertops, wood plank-inspired flooring and spa-like bathrooms with double vanities.
The neighborhood is zoned to Groves Elementary School, West Lake Middle School, and Summer Creek High School. The community, which offers 24-hour maintenance, is professionally leased and managed by Bell Partners Inc., one of the nation’s leading apartment investment and management companies. Tours for prospective residents currently are by appointment and the model homes are slated to open in early 2021.
Ed Steffelin, Chief Investment Officer of Balcara Group, says the success of Balcara at Balmoral is testament to the value of relationships.
“We have a longstanding and honored relationship with Land Tejas, developer of Balmoral, and are appreciative of the opportunity to be part of the broader Balmoral and Humble community,” Steffelin said. “We look forward to working together for years to come.”
For more information, visit www.balcarabalmoral.com.
Looking to add some color to your world and soothe your soul in the process? Why not choose one or more of the recently announced paint colors of the year? This year, Pantone and well-known paint companies have announced picks designed to add a bit of cheer, a bit of tranquility and a bit of rejuvenation to your home and your world.
Without further ado, here are next year’s trending colors:
Pantone Color Institute
Pantone has long used its picks for color of the year to reflect the past year and hopes for the year ahead. This year, the company chose not one but two colors: The neutral Ultimate Gray and vibrant yellow Illuminating. The combination of colors is meant to reflect the strength and hopefulness needed for the new year. Ultimate Gray provides a neutral foundation for walls while cheery Illuminating is a great accent color.
Rust-Oleum
If gray isn’t your cup of tea, Rust-Oleum offers Satin Paprika, a spicy red that creates a warm and comforting environment perfect for bedrooms, outdoor living spaces and studies.
Glidden
Interior decorators have been predicting a trend toward blues and greens for the past six months and Glidden has obliged, selecting Aqua Fiesta PPG1147-4. The vibrant aquamarine hue easily dresses up an accent wall. Use it in the primary bath or as a contrast color in a room devoted to wispy whites.
Benjamin Moore
Need a little tranquility or an accent for a room filled with plants? Aegean Teal 2136-40 may be just for you. The soothing color encourages relaxation and wellness while managing to give rooms a modern, up-to-date look.
Sherwin-Williams
Sherwin-Williams went with a bold neutral. Urbane Bronze SW 7048 is a warm shade of gray-brown that reflects our need for serenity and stability.
Choose Your Color
Just purchased a new home in Balmoral? Ask your design center representative about these colors and how you can incorporate them in the home of your dreams.
The nation’s first restaurant alongside a Crystal Lagoons® amenity is now open in Balmoral.
The Blue Lagoon Bar & Grill is at the community’s award-winning Amenity Village clubhouse, 15808 Crystal Terrace Drive. The restaurant boasts the only sunset in America with a backdrop of perfectly clear turquoise blue water and the white-sand beaches of the 2-acre lagoon, said Uri Man, Chief Executive Officer of The Lagoon Development Company.
“We are proud to bring the first-ever restaurant on a crystal clear lagoon to the United States for all of Houston to enjoy,” Man said. “With such a gorgeous view, it will be easy to imagine that you’re in a tropical paradise.”
The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and features indoor and patio seating.
The eclectic menu is designed to appeal to a wide variety of appetites, with steaks, seafood, sandwiches and burgers. Signature items include Blackened Shrimp and Grits — sautéed red and yellow bell peppers and onions in a scratch Louisiana sauce over creamy cheese grits; Chicken and Waffles — a homemade Belgian waffle topped with cheese grits, buttermilk fried chicken, honey maple syrup and Aleppo pepper; a Kahuna Burger — smoked bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, Jonny sauce and cheese served with waffle fries; and Southwest Eggrolls — wonton wrappers filled with diced chicken, cheese, black beans and corn. Specialty cocktails include the Blue Lagoon Tom Collins, a Chocolate Peanut Butter Old Fashioned and a Habanero Margarita.
“Whether you’re out celebrating a special occasion or looking for something more casual, the restaurant’s dishes will satisfy,” Man said. “It is a dining experience unique to Houston and — with the crystal clear lagoon setting — one unique to the nation.”
The Blue Lagoon Bar & Grill is also available for private parties, weddings and corporate events.
The Balmoral lagoon was the first in Texas to open when it launched in 2018. Since its opening, the lagoon and Amenity Village have won numerous awards, including Best Community Amenity during the 2020 Texas Association of Builder’s Texas Star Awards and Master-Planned Community Amenity of the Year in the recent Greater Houston Builders Association’s Houston’s Best PRISM Awards. It was also named Recreation Center of the Year in the 2019 Houston’s Best PRISM Awards.
Learn more about the Blue Lagoon Bar & Grill at www.bluelagoonbargrill.com.