Coppell vs Castle Hills (Plano, Carrollton: sales, real estate market, apartment)

[TeachTX]

My husband and I are in process of looking for a house. We pretty much narrowed it down to Coppell and CH. Our budget is under 400K. We don't have kids yet but planning on having them. So the schools are not a big importance now but since the house would be a long-term one, it will be at some point. What is your opinion as to what community is better and has a better appreciation value? I especially am interested to hear from somebody who lives/lived in one of those areas. What do you think?

[Rakin]

It can be difficult to find a good home in Coppell since really it is a small town with a great location and school district. The appreciation and demand has been strong for the last 20 years there.

I would start my search in Coppell and if I didn't find something you like continue that search in CH where you will find newer and more homes in this price range. Many people who move to Coppell rent a 6 moth apartment while they search for a good home. I currently have 2 clients doing this.

Castle Hills and Flower Mound is filled with couples who start in Coppell but can't find a home that fits their needs. In the last 10 years there has been no homes built in Coppell under $550k..

[mSooner]

I think Coppell is going to hold its value better.

[ufcrules1]

I live in Castle Hills and my wife and I actually looked in Coppell first.. but that was because we didn't know of CH's. Ch's has EVERYTHING here! You have 2400 homes with 6000 total residents and growing. You have a golf course, tennis courts, pools, playgrounds, community centers, schools in the neighborhood, restaurants in the the neighborhood, man made lakes, very close proximity to major highways, 3 malls, 2 super Walmarts, 2 super Targets, 2 home depots, and a ton of restaurants within 3-10 minutes away, Close to West Plano, North Carrollton, Frisco, and Coppell, tons of clubs in the neighborhood... Tennis club, Texas hold em club, Womens club, book club, bible study club, and many more. You get basic cable, and security included with your HOA fees (HOA fees are $600 per year)

Coppell is a smaller area where they don't build anymore and there is limited housing and prices are outrageous. You get WAY more for your money in CH's.

As I mentioned before, we live here in CH's. So if you have questions, ask away.

[TurtleCreek80]

Coppell is one of the top 2-3 public school districts in North Texas. The home prices there are higher due to the schools and the relatively "land-locked" nature of the city.

If you can afford Coppell, it is well worth it to buy an older/smaller home vs the new developments that are further out with less-esteemed schools. You will also see a big difference when you go to sell a home in Coppell.

For Q4 2010, Coppell had one of the highest appreciation rates from a year ago (+7%) and one of the lowest drops in number of sales from LY (-5%). It is - and has been- one of the most sought after areas (and healthiest real estate markets) in all of North Texas for 20-30 years.

Castle Hills is nice, but more of an unknown for future values since it is still being built out.

Beware the property taxes in Coppell- some of the highest in DFW. Close to 3% per year....that's the only real "negative", although it does pay for excellent schools and city services, so it's not like you get nothing for it.

[ufcrules1]

Coppell is nice and it has some of the best schools in the area but I personally feel it's over rated and limited. Do you really want to live in an older/ much smaller house just to be close to nice schools? Inventory is EXTREMELY limited in Coppell, which means that IF you find something.. prepare to sacrifice some of your wants in a home. If you want to be in a tight knit neighborhood with tons of things to do and a truly awesome place to raise a family, then CH's is the place to be. Also, you will find plenty in your price range. CH's starts at 300k and goes into the millions. Everything I mentioned in my previous post above is in one neighborhood.

If you have visted both areas, I would love to hear your input from a buyers perspective on them. If not, please visit them and let us know your thoughts.

[Big G]

Originally Posted by ufcrules1

... Do you really want to live in an older/ much smaller house just to be close to nice schools? ...

Isn't that pretty much how the Park Cities operate?

[tbone9900tx]

I lived in Las Colinas and looked all over for a home...we looked everywhere and narrowed down our choice to Coppell and Castle Hills. We decided on Castle Hills. We love our home and our location. I have 3 kids, 2 of school age, one goes to Killian. We liked Coppell, but the homes were older and much smaller than what we got. If I were to do it all over again Id go with CH again. We lived in our home for six months and the cost of building our floorplan already went up 10K.

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by Big G

Isn't that pretty much how the Park Cities operate?

Ding! Ding! Ding! Exactly.

Those who choose to sacrifice space/age for excellent schools are usually rewarded financially.

[Big G]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

Ding! Ding! Ding! Exactly.

Those who choose to sacrifice space/age for excellent schools are usually rewarded financially.

We've gone over this territory before, but...

Until you sell that "older/much smaller" house and move away from the Park Cities, the value and appreciation is just an entry on a ledger, while the bigger and newer house in a place like Castle Hills is a tangible thing you can use and enjoy.