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Hey there, Texas dreamers! 🌟

What do a $5.3M NFL-worthy mansion, a two-story Amazon tiny house, and a wildflower super bloom have in common? They're all shaping the real estate and lifestyle buzz across Texas right now—and trust me, it's not just about square footage.

This week, we’re peeling back the curtain on the homes, land grabs, and overlooked trends changing how Texans live (and what they're dreaming of next). From luxury retreats to prefab rebellion, and from housing shortages to high-stakes land deals—you'll see how it all connects.

Ready to tour Texas without leaving your inbox? Let’s go.

📰 Upcoming in this issue

• Mike McCarthy’s Mansion Playbook: Luxe, Loaded & Listed Again 🏈

• Starwood’s $800M Texas Power Play: A Master-Planned Land Grab 🏗️

• North Texas Housing Market Is Still Booming 🏡

• Yes, You Can Now Buy a Two-Story Eco-Friendly Tiny House on Amazon for $30K 🏡

• A Bloom for Every Region: Texas Wildflowers Are Back in Season 🌼

📈 Trending news

• Meet Amazon’s Most Adorable Tiny Home

• Texas Royalty: Inside Dallas-Fort Worth’s Most Jaw-Dropping Homes

• Barndominium Goals: Inside the Ultimate Texas Dream Home + Shop

• Auction Fever in Texas: How Bidding Wars Are Rewriting the Rules of Homeownership

• Goodland Grows: Hundreds of New Homes Coming to North Texas

Mike McCarthy’s Mansion Playbook: Luxe, Loaded & Listed Again 🏈 read the full 760-word article here

Article published: April 4, 2025

I just read Ex-Cowboys Coach Mike McCarthy Relists $5.3M Texas Estate from Finance Monthly—and let me tell you, it’s a real estate touchdown.

After parting ways with the Dallas Cowboys in January, McCarthy is relisting his Santa Barbara-style estate in Allen, TX, for $5.3M—down from last year’s $5.7M. Designed by Robert Elliott, this 8,300-square-foot dream home includes five bedrooms, seven baths, a two-person shower with a glass wall, and even a guest wing with its own kitchenette.

There’s also a waterfall-fed pool, outdoor kitchen, and a five-car climate-controlled garage—with a dog run, naturally. McCarthy’s coaching break may be temporary, but this listing? It’s a whole lifestyle.

Key Takeaways:

• 🏠 McCarthy’s 8,300-sq-ft mansion includes 7 baths, a sauna, gym, & hidden study: Yes, it also has a wine cooler and a two-person shower.

• 🐾 Estate features a luxe pet kennel with access to a private dog run: Because even your golden retriever deserves to live like a champion.

• 🏌️‍♂️ Backyard includes putting green, spa, fire pit, & open-air cabana: The vibe? Resort-style relaxation meets NFL retirement.

• 🚗 Dual climate-controlled garages hold up to 5 cars: Plus a gated porte-cochère entrance that screams Sunday Night Football money.

Starwood’s $800M Texas Power Play: A Master-Planned Land Grab 🏗️ read the full 463-word article here

Article published: April 7, 2025

I just read Starwood acquires $800m Texas master-planned community portfolio from Hines in Alternatives Watch, and it’s clear: Starwood Capital is thinking big—and betting bold—on Texas.

In a massive $800 million deal, Starwood and Starwood Land scooped up 11 master-planned communities from Hines across Dallas, Houston, and Austin. We’re talking 16,000+ residential lots and 600 acres of commercial land in booming growth zones—with infrastructure already in place and 30+ homebuilders ready to go.

From Wildflower Ranch to Mirador, this acquisition positions Starwood at the epicenter of America’s hottest housing markets, just as demand and migration keep climbing.

Key Takeaways:

• 🏘️ Starwood’s new Texas portfolio includes 11 communities and over 16,000 residential lots: Spread across Dallas, Houston, and Austin hot zones.

• 🚧 Most infrastructure is already complete, with sales underway to 30+ homebuilders: Starwood steps in just as the foundation is already laid.

• 💼 Hines originally partnered with firms like Trez Capital on the developments: Nine communities involved this financing heavyweight.

• 🌆 Deal reflects rising investor confidence in housing despite economic uncertainty: Coincides with Morgan Properties' $501M multifamily acquisition.

North Texas Housing Market Is Still Booming 🏡 watch the full 14-min video here

Video published: March 31, 2025

I just watched Why North Texas Real Estate is Still Booming! from Jeanie Marten Real Estate, and let me tell you—it’s not just spring that's heating up. Even with a post–spring break slowdown, markets like Rockwall are rockin’ thanks to new builds, better school districts, and smarter infrastructure like the I-30 bridge expansion.

Jeanie and her team break down why buyers are heading southeast (not north), how seasonality shapes demand, and why something as simple as a dirty baseboard could cost you thousands. Also—PSA for FHA sellers: chipped paint on your backyard shed could delay your deal.

Key Takeaways:

• 🏘️ Rockwall is outperforming Collin and Dallas counties this spring: Driven by new construction, school quality, and expanding infrastructure like the I-30 bridge.

• 🧼 Cleanliness = Cash: A dirty house could mean days on market—and dollars lost: Even $5 socket covers make a difference when asking for top dollar.

• ⚠️ Hail insurance claims can backfire if damage isn't verifiable: Filing a claim may raise premiums and even get your policy dropped if repairs aren’t proven.

• 🏚️ FHA loans still flag chipped paint—even on non-livable structures: Appraisals can require repairs or demolition, even for old sheds or carports.

Yes, You Can Now Buy a Two-Story Eco-Friendly Tiny House on Amazon for $30K 🏡 read the full 527-word article here

Article published: April 1, 2025

I just read Amazon Is Selling a Two-Story Eco-Friendly Tiny House for $30K on Green Matters, and no, it’s not an April Fools’ joke. For less than a down payment in most cities, you can order a 290-square-foot prefab home with LED lights, motion sensors, and electrical outlets—delivered in 15 days, with a 30-day return policy.

This WalkMax steel structure is advertised as easy to assemble with a few friends and some elbow grease. It’s not quite move-in ready—there’s no plumbing or appliances—but with skyrocketing housing prices and a 7.1 million-unit rental shortage for low-income Americans, this kind of innovation is catching fire.

Key Takeaways:

• 🏗️ The $30K prefab home includes two lockable rooms and 12 electrical outlets: Assembly takes 3–5 people, 72–120 hours, and basic tools.

• 📦 Delivered in 15 days, returnable in 30: Comes with LED lights and motion sensors but no plumbing or appliances.

• 🌎 No permit needed and customizable inside and out: Inner walls support wallpaper, and you can paint the outer façade.

• 🏘️ A response to the U.S. shortage of 7.1 million low-income rental units: Tiny homes and ADUs are gaining traction as stopgap solutions.

A Bloom for Every Region: Texas Wildflowers Are Back in Season 🌼 read the full 1,478-word article here

Article published: April 3, 2025

I just read Where (and When) to Get Your Eyes on Some Texas Wildflowers from Texas Monthly, and let me tell you—spring has never looked so photogenic.

From the rolling hills of the Hill Country to the salty air of the Gulf Coast, Texas is lighting up in blues, pinks, and fiery reds. While drought has put a damper on the western blooms, the eastern part of the state is exploding with color thanks to generous rainfall. Whether you're chasing bluebonnets along the Willow City Loop or hiking past desert marigolds in Big Bend, there’s a petal-packed path waiting.

Grab your camera, prep your playlist, and go bloom hunting—Texas wildflower season is peaking now.

Key Takeaways:

• 📍 Willow City Loop in Fredericksburg is a wildflower wonderland: Bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, and phlox paint the ranch road in peak April color.

• 🦋 Fort Worth Nature Center features dazzling wildflower diversity: Coreopsis, Texas bluebells, and Engelmann daisies flourish along 3,600 acres of trails.

• 🌊 Padre Island blooms with beach primrose and sea ox-eye: Coastal wildflowers contrast vividly against sand dunes and Gulf breezes.

• 🌵 Big Bend National Park bursts with desert marigold and rainbow cactus: Rain-dependent displays create a surreal landscape in Texas’s wild west.

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Why It Matters

Sure, real estate headlines are fun—but behind the listings and land grabs are the trends shaping how (and where) we live.

Master-planned communities tell us where families are growing. Tiny homes reflect our need for flexibility. Luxury estates? They reveal what lifestyle dreams look like post-career. And wildflowers? They remind us to pause and appreciate what makes Texas, Texas.

Whether you’re building, buying, or just browsing, staying plugged in helps you make smarter moves—and stay rooted in the places and stories that matter most.

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

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