Tell me about La Villita (Dallas, Grapevine: HOA, how much, townhomes)

[vansgirl]

Is this still considered to be a great neighborhood? Is the recent flooding something to be concerned about?

I have a 3 year old and 1 year old. Our budget is $450k max.

Do you still live in this neighborhood, Rakin?

[BabyDoctor77]

Nice community. High taxes. Poor schools.

[WorldKlas]

I Like that area alot and it has fine schools.

With that budget, I'd also look in Valley Ranch and Hackberry and then maybe broaden out to a search in Colleyville and Grapevine, too.

[Rakin]

I do still live in La Villita. I've debated about selling in the next year and downsize but staying put since prices are going higher and my home has been a great investment.

It's getting harder to find a home below $450 since we've also seen a 20%+ price increase the last 2-3 years. I've got several coming on the market this spring that a year+ ago would be $430-450 and now going to be $470-490k in price. The homes below $450 move quickly and you've got to jump on them as they hit the market.

As you know, La Villita Elementary is Exemplary rated and a very good school. It would be nice if they would build the Middle school across the street as someday planned.

The taxes are no higher than any Dallas County city. Hopefully you understand the abatement for the DCURD. You can't go by whats in the tax district records. Our tax rate here is about 2.7%, many cities are much higher.

[vansgirl]

There are a couple houses listed for under $450 (1 pending) but they seem to have been on the market for awhile. Any ideas why? Is the water that's flooded Campion Trail going to be drained at any point?

[Rakin]

There is 1 home on the market under $450. The other is pending. We are leaving the holidays which is a slower time of year. There should be more homes hitting the market starting in March.

The Campion Trail should be back to normal soon. They are releasing a huge volume of water from the lakes. I've never ever seen it stay this way more than a few days and it seldom covers the CT.

The Trail is a huge bonus for us here. My home backs up to the Trail / Trinity Forest and the views are very majestic through all the seasons. We see all kinds of wildlife. Just the other day someone posted a pic of a bald Eagle spotted.

[mikestrong]

Love LaVillita. Sold townhomes there for 2 years when the market was down. Looked at how much they increased value and its crazy!

[vansgirl]

Thanks everyone! This neighborhood is perfect for us. My 2 girls go to a Montessori across the street and my job is near the Walmart. Looks like we'll have to stalk the MLS. Haha

[Rakin]

Have your agent set you up an MLS Feed so you get notices as they hit the market.

Also, Darling built some nice Zero lot homes in Riverside you might watch. That's just across the road.

[vansgirl]

Great, thanks! Another quick question: what does the HOA fee cover?