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Hey there, Lone Star dreamers! 🤠

Welcome to this week’s edition, where Texas real estate steals the spotlight.

We’re taking you inside a $20M mansion that redefines luxury—where elegance truly meets excess—and exploring Selena Gomez’s breathtaking Texas retreat, a perfect blend of charm and sophistication.

If you’re ready for jaw-dropping details and a glimpse into the grandeur of Lone Star living, let’s dive in!

📰 Upcoming in this issue

• Texas $20M Mansion: A Statement of Luxury Living 🏠

• Washington Ho’s “Eater-Tainment” Vision Is Transforming Texas Real Estate 🍴

• Y’all: Texas’ Gift to the English Language 🗣️

• Touring a 1360 Sq. Ft. Barndominium: Speed, Style, and Sustainability 🏠

• Barndominiums: Affordable, Stylish, and Stealing the Spotlight 🏡

• Selena Gomez’s Fort Worth Estate: A True Texas Gem 🌟

📈 Trending news

• 5,900 Acres Near DFW: The Next Frontier for Data Centers

• 9 Historic Texas Ranches Still Up for Grabs

• Texas’s Top 10 Pricey New Listings

• $3.9M Texas Mansion Bold Blue Design Sets the Internet Ablaze

• 2025 Texas Real Estate: Top 6 Markets to Watch

Texas $20M Mansion: A Statement of Luxury Living 🏠 read the full 521-word article here

Article published: December 30, 2024

If you thought Houston was just about oil tycoons and rodeos, think again.

This jaw-dropping article takes us straight to 119 Carnarvon Drive, home to a $20M mansion that redefines luxury.

The numbers alone are staggering: 16,000 square feet, 7 bedrooms, and 12 bathrooms.

But the details? Oh, they’re pure indulgence—think marble-clad dual bathrooms in the primary suite, a second-floor ballroom, and Venetian plaster walls.

And let’s not forget Houston’s luxury real estate boom: sales of homes over $10M surged 75% last year.

It’s clear: this mansion isn’t just a home—it’s a symbol of Houston’s evolving identity as a haven for high-end living.

Key Takeaways:

• 🏡 16,000-square-foot splendor: Seven bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, a ballroom, home theater, and custom-designed interiors scream elegance.

• 📈 Luxury market explosion: Sales of homes over $10M in Houston soared by a jaw-dropping 75% last year.

• 👥 First-time listing: Owners Dr. Stephen and Lauren Kramer are selling this masterpiece for the first time since 2004.

• ✨ Unmatched finishes: Venetian plaster walls, limestone tiles, and marble bathrooms elevate every inch of this mansion.

Washington Ho’s “Eater-Tainment” Vision Is Transforming Texas Real Estate 🍴 read the full 391-word article here

Article published: December 30, 2024

Texas is getting a bold new addition to its booming real estate landscape, courtesy of Washington Ho, star of HBO's House of Ho.

Ho’s debut commercial venture, a 200,000-square-foot “eater-tainment” development in Katy, is bringing together restaurants, entertainment venues, and a 120-room hotel.

Set near Katy Mills Mall, the project reflects Ho’s ambition to turn suburban spaces into vibrant community hubs.

And this is just the beginning. White House Global Properties (WHGP) is branching into other Texas hotspots, with plans to open an Austin office and spearhead a restaurant row project in northwest Houston.

Meanwhile, Ho is making waves with a $100 million investment strategy targeting Texas Chinatowns, showing his commitment to revitalizing cultural and commercial spaces statewide.

In a state already thriving with development, Ho’s vision is set to make Texas a leader in creative, family-friendly destinations.

Key Takeaways:

• 🌟 Katy leads the way: Ho’s “eater-tainment” hub combines dining, entertainment, and a hotel, anchoring Texas’s suburban evolution.

• 🍽️ Houston expansion: WHGP is leading a restaurant row in northwest Houston, featuring top-tier dining like Mexican favorite Ambriza.

• 💰 $100M for Chinatowns: Ho’s initiative targets Houston and Arlington’s Chinatowns, spotlighting cultural hubs across Texas.

• 🏙️ Statewide growth boom: Katy also sees a $12M XAG HQ, a 2,800-home master-planned community, and a $40M Katy Boardwalk apartment project.

Y’all: Texas’ Gift to the English Language 🗣️ read the full 1,048-word article here

Article published: December 6, 2024

Is there a more perfect word than “y’all”? Texas Monthly says no—and I’m inclined to agree.

In this sharp and witty defense, Dan Solomon challenges The New York Times for dismissing “y’all” as too “slangy” and “ethnic” to go mainstream.

The article highlights how “y’all” effortlessly fills a linguistic gap: the lack of a natural second-person plural in English.

While Northerners still wrestle with awkward options like “you guys” or “you all,” Texans have long embraced “y’all” for its elegance, neutrality, and inclusivity.

And it’s catching on. Research shows that “y’all” is spreading far beyond the South, even gaining traction globally.

This isn’t just a Southern quirk—it’s a linguistic upgrade, y’all.

Key Takeaways:

• 🌍 Universal appeal: “Y’all” has transcended its Southern roots, with the BBC noting its spread worldwide as early as 2022.

• 📚 Academic backing: Linguist Guy Bailey’s 2000 study found “y’all” gaining popularity in younger, non-Southern Americans.

• 🗽 Northern adoption: Even New York-born essayists and Philly publications embrace “y’all” as warmer and more inclusive than alternatives.

• 🤔 Why the resistance?: Critics of “y’all” may just fear its growing dominance as the ultimate second-person plural.

Touring a 1360 Sq. Ft. Barndominium: Speed, Style, and Sustainability 🏠 watch the full 6-min video here

Video published: December 27, 2024

In this fascinating tour by Delta Metals, we get an up-close look at a stunning 1,360-square-foot barndominium in Katy, Texas.

Built in just eight weeks, this 2-bedroom, 2-bath home features an open-concept layout, an 8x40 front porch, and steel siding that’s as durable as it is stylish.

The partnership between Delta Metals and Graber Custom Structures shines here, with a shared focus on customer satisfaction, speed, and quality.

From spray foam insulation to sleek Max Rib roofing, this barndominium combines practicality and elegance in a way only Texans could pull off.

Key Takeaways:

• ⏱️ Built in 8 weeks: The project moved from foundation to near-completion in record time, impressing both the client and builders.

• 🔧 Durable steel siding: The insect-resistant, mold-proof steel panels offer deep, rich colors and a 40-year lifespan, perfect for Texas weather.

• 🌡️ Spray foam insulation: Offers a tighter seal and lasting energy efficiency, making it ideal for Texas’ unpredictable climate.

• 🤝 Exceptional service: Delta Metals delivered steel siding to the client within 3 hours to resolve a city permit issue.

Barndominiums: Affordable, Stylish, and Stealing the Spotlight 🏡 read the full 659-word article here

Article published: December 28, 2024

Barndominiums are having a moment, and the Kinsey family’s Markle project is the perfect example of why.

When traditional home quotes soared past $500,000, Lauren Kinsey, a real estate agent, decided to build a barndominium instead—a cost-effective, flexible solution for her forever home.

This 2,000-square-foot home combines a playroom, main-floor master suite, and a workshop, ticking every box for both family living and practicality.

Built by Barn Builders by LS Construction, the barndominium trend offers faster build times, durability, and more insulation space than traditional homes.

And it’s not just functional—it’s a community hit. Curious neighbors have followed the project so closely that Lauren created a Facebook page to share updates.

Key Takeaways:

• 💰 Cost savings: Barndominiums are more affordable than traditional homes, offering significant “bang for your buck.”

• 🏗️ Flexible design: These homes combine living, work, and recreational spaces in one building, adapting to any lifestyle.

• 🛠️ Built to last: Thicker walls and better insulation make barndominiums more durable than standard homes.

• 🌟 Community buzz: The Kinseys’ barndominium has inspired curiosity and support from local neighbors and online followers.

Selena Gomez’s Fort Worth Estate: A True Texas Gem 🌟 read the full 1,226-word article here

Article published: December 28, 2024

Selena Gomez may call Hollywood home, but her Texas roots shine brightest in her stunning Fort Worth estate.

Purchased in 2015, this English-style mansion reflects a more grounded side of the global superstar. The home blends sophistication and warmth, with traditional furnishings, spa-like baths, and a soothing neutral color palette.

Highlights include the luxurious primary suite, complete with a tray ceiling, sitting area, and a spa-inspired bath that feels straight out of a retreat.

The spacious design and personality-infused entertainment areas showcase Selena’s Texas heritage and her ability to create spaces that are stylish yet approachable.

Even as Selena’s life evolves, her Fort Worth estate stands as a reminder of her deep connection to Texas—a balance of elegance, comfort, and homegrown charm.

Key Takeaways:

• 🏡 A Texas retreat: Selena’s Fort Worth home is a blend of English-style architecture and Texan warmth, perfectly reflecting her Lone Star roots.

• 🛁 Spa-like luxury: The primary suite offers ultimate relaxation with a soaking tub, double sinks, and a private sitting area.

• 🎨 Sophistication meets charm: Neutral tones with personality-driven accents give the estate a welcoming and timeless aesthetic.

• 🌟 Texas roots remain strong: Selena’s Texas estate showcases her appreciation for homegrown comfort amidst her glamorous Hollywood lifestyle.

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Why It Matters

Texas isn’t just about big spaces—it’s about making big statements.

From ultra-luxury mansions to celebrity retreats, these stories show how Texas keeps blending style, culture, and opportunity in a way that’s truly unmatched.

Whether you’re dreaming of high-end living or just soaking in the bold vision, Texas proves once again why it’s the ultimate place for those ready to dream big, y’all.

Hannah Collinsworth
Editor-in-Chief
Houston, Texas
Texas Property Round Up

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