When we were househunting in Irving in 2002, our home inspector and our realtor warned us about the shifting soil all over Las Colinas. We bought an older home (built in 1967) in Northwest Irving that's solid as a rock and have had no problems with cracks, the foundation, etc. I would urge you to investigate some of the lovely older neighborhoods in Irving and not contribute further to the urban sprawl. There are excellent values, including our own home at 3845 Twin Falls, 75062. Just google that address and you'll be led to its listing. We've been promoted and are relocating later this month. And to correct an earlier posting, the DART Orange Line is scheduled to be completed by 2011. I've been to several of the meetings at City Hall confirming this.

Wed Jul 2 2008, 23:01

Currently I live in an apartment in La-Villita. I am also trying to buy a house in Las Colinas and Irving area. I have learned to watch out for a few things in Las Colinas. Here is what I have found about Las Colinas. Homes in La-Villita community are extremely expensive (from $150-188 per sq. ft). Las Colinas has land shifting problems, which causes foundations to crack / shift. I have noticed foundation problems in houses in Cottonwood & Hackberry golf course communities. La-Villita is fairly new so I did not find very many houses with foundation issues. However, take into consideration that homes whose backyards are towards the river, have wetlands next to their backyards. This wetlands area was flooded during the rains in March (2008) and the water did not recede for almost 6-7 days. I personally do not want to live in a zero lot house, so La-Villita out for me.

Sun May 18 2008, 11:47

Although I live in Irving and toured LaVillita three years ago, I haven't really followed the development closely. It is a lovely community and it's location close to 161 and 635 are terrific.

It will be several years before the DART light rail line will be up and running. The plan was to link it with the monorail in Las Colinas. Las Colinas was developed with some niffy ideas like the monorail and an interconnecting canal system which was supposed to provide some alternative transporation for local residents. It was an idea ahead of its time.

You have a lot of questions, and if you haven't already, you really ought to choose a realtor to work with who is knowledgeable and can answer your questions.

The stadium development is still several years away.

Thu May 15 2008, 13:07

Good Question....I think it just depends on what you want, the style, the shape, lot size location etc. I would expect demographics to be about the same. You're right about unproven on Riverside though. I think it is tough to buy the first house in an unbuilt community. There's still vacant land around with question about what will go there. Lots of people also don't want to be in a community where there is lots of construction going on for the next 2-3 years....dirt...hammering...trucks....people working, but not living in the community, etc. I'd buy a resale though, not new construction. There are lots of corporate moves in La Villita and you can probably make a better deal on one of these homes than you can on new construction. I listed one yesterday that is priced about $50,000 less than what owner paid for it.

Mon May 12 2008, 06:17

Note: Don't purchase a home from a builder unless you have a real estate agent personally as your representative. Our offices receives sooooo many calls or emails a day between a buyer/ builder, buyer/ seller, buyer/ listing agent... there were so many problems however it was toooo late for the buyer to obtain an agent work over the problems

These are 2 great areas, I think working with a realtor walking those areas and pointing out all the difference working with the overall short term and long term plan would be tooo your best interest. Also the difference in building, design and etc.

WE offer a buyer's rebate program where you can earn up to 50% of our commissions, I am also a Dallas home mortgage loan officer, happy to work with you as a realtor and loan officer make the right plans in concert together.

972-699-9111
Lynn

Sun May 11 2008, 21:27

Primus,

What other NEW construction is going to be availabe in in Irving in that high visibility area with those level of features in single family homes and townhomes? Coventry will offer zero lots, but they will also be soooo energy efficient ( http://www.greenbuiltnorthtexas.com/documents/2008_GBNT_Buil… ) and you have the option of NOT sharing a common wall if you would prefer not to do so.

The community hasn't really even started, so it hasn't had a chance to prove itself. There will be many more builders in Riverside than were in La Villita, so there will be more architectural difference when you drive through the neighborhood and you won't have to rely on the solvency of just 2 builders to maintain the neighborhood. Highland Homes will also be there and they are one of the best selling new homes in Dallas.

When you are thinking about the largest investment most people ever make, which do you think is going to be easier to spot when you go to resale? LaVillita's location or Riverside's location? Riverside is also going to have a mix of townhomes and single family homes like The Tribute in The Colony.

Additionally, to prime the pump, builders are usually going to offer grand opening notices and specials to Realtors and savings for buyers that will not be available once the neighborhood has a chance to "prove itself" and establish the comps for the area.

I would be eager to talk to you about the new homes in this neighborhood and work to negotiate an excellent deal for you. I'm extremely well personally connected over there.

Thanks,
Terri Hayley

Sun May 11 2008, 21:15

How long do you plan on holding the property?
Yes La Villita should keep appreciating, any time you are around the water as you say.
BUT if you get in on the ground floor of any decent pre planned community, even with out amenities, You will normally realize a 15% appreciation in the first 12 to 18 months.

Sun May 11 2008, 21:10