New construction in Ft Worth... (Benbrook, Bowie: leasing, new home, safe neighborhood)

[megs1130]

We are moving to the area in January or February and would like some advice. Our budget is 275k-350k and we would like a new home in a family friendly neighborhood. Our first child is due in December. I am 26 and my husband is 31. My husbands new office will be near the Benbrook area. Thanks for your help.

[brajohns81]

Originally Posted by megs1130

We are moving to the area in January or February and would like some advice. Our budget is 275k-350k and we would like a new home in a family friendly neighborhood. Our first child is due in December. I am 26 and my husband is 31. My husbands new office will be near the Benbrook area. Thanks for your help.

How long have yall been married??

[megs1130]

We just celebrated our first.

[legalsea]

I live in "north" Benbrook, which is north of I-20 and south of Camp Bowie (and east of 820, and west of Cherry). Look around Chapin Drive (Mary's Creek, etc). Nice area, and easy to get around places. All three levels of schools along Chapin (elementary, middle, high).

We do not have children, but I certainly see a bunch of them running around. Very safe neighborhood.

Four or five years ago we bought a 3000 square foot house, one-third acre lot, for $180,000 or so. Just south of Chapin, around Mary's Creek, is a 'green belt' area, with very nice houses backing up to them: they were a bit more expensive, of course. Anyway, the houses south of Chapin tend to be bigger and more expensive than the house north of Chapin (hence, as you can tell, Chapin runs east to west).

Note that a couple of years ago we had an 'oil boom' due to the Barnett Shale leasing. Hence, all homeowners in this area signed oil leases (we got some $5,500). Thus, when you make an offer for a house (if you do) the sellers will probably try to keep all of their mineral interest. (no well has been drilled yet). If they insist on keeping all, as opposed to 50 percent, then lower your asking price accordingly.

Edited to add: oops! I now see you are wanting to build a house, not buy one. Never mind.

There is new construction going on west of 820.

[megs1130]

Thank you for the info. We are not opposed to buying a resale, we just want a house built within the last 5 years.