New Homes in the Heights and West End!

Sandcastle Homes is starting construction on more new homes in two of your favorite Inner Loop Houston neighborhoods: the Heights and the West End!

In the Heights we’re building five 2-story homes on the corner of West 14th and Nashua Streets. We just listed 1408 Nashua (freestanding Florence plan) and 1406 Nashua (freestanding Monte Carlo plan) on www.SandcastleHouston.com and www.har.com. We’ll also be building a freestanding Geneva plan and two attached Coronado plans this spring.

Sandcastle Homes is also pleased to announce our return to the neighborhood where we built our first homes: the West End! We’ll be building three freestanding 2-story homes on the 5300 block of Nolda, just southeast of I-10 and TC Jester.

The West End is just north of Memorial Park and the bustling Washington Corridor, a street lined with hot new bars and restaurants that attract Houston’s young professional crowd. More information about Sandcastle Homes in the West End will be coming later this spring!

Just Two Months Until the Tax Credit Deadline!

Hurry, April 30, 2010 is the deadline to sign a purchase contract on a new home for both the $8,000 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit and the $6,500 Repeat Home Buyer Tax Credit! After signing the contract, you have until June 30, 2010 to close on your new home.

Sandcastle Homes has 14 new homes in some of Houston’s best neighborhoods that will be ready to close by June 30th! Visit one of our Open Houses this weekend and choose your new home in Houston!

Sandcastle Homes that Can Close by June 30th:

(Click on the MLS# to see the detailed MLS listing with photos)

  • Heights 1416 Prince Street:                               $289,900         MLS# 91987904
  • Heights 1418 Prince Street:                               $289,900         MLS# 98169448
  • Heights 1405 B Prince Street:                           $294,900         MLS# 69746097
  • Heights 1504 Nashua Street:                             $294,900         MLS# 71636230
    *Open House this weekend. Saturday 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Shady Acres 908 A West 26th Street:               $279,900         MLS# 8656048
  • Shady Acres 2535 Brinkman Street:                 $284,900         MLS# 87547746
    *Open House this weekend. Saturday 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Timbergrove Gardens 1705 West TC Jester     $309,900         MLS# 71734679
  • Timbergrove Gardens 1709 West TC Jester     $299,900         MLS# 62696344
  • Timbergrove Gardens 1717 West TC Jester     $314,900         MLS# 52812154
  • Timbergrove Gardens 1721 West TC Jester     $299,900         MLS# 23477941
  • Timbergrove Gardens 1725 West TC Jester     $309,900         MLS# 7155544
  • Timbergrove Gardens 1729 West TC Jester     $314,900         MLS# 31901656
  • Timbergrove Gardens 1733 West TC Jester     $304,900         MLS# 31333666
  • Timbergrove Gardens 1737 West TC Jester     $289,900         MLS# 33769864

 

More information about these homes on the Available Homes page of our website www.SandcastleHouston.com.

For more information about Tax Credits, please visit www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com.

Skyline Park Village is SOLD OUT!!

Sandcastle Homes is proud to announce that we’re 100% SOLD OUT at Skyline Park Village! The 28-home Galleria area gated community sold out in just two years.

If you’re still looking to live in a centrally located, new gated community you’re not out of luck! We have eight homes available in our new gated community, Timbergrove Gardens, located off West T. C. Jester and West 18th Street near White Oak Bayou.

This community features freestanding 2-story homes priced from the $290s. All homes will be complete in time for the June 30 Home Buyer Tax Credit closing deadlines! Inventory for Timbergrove Gardens is listed below. You can also find more information about these homes at http://www.sandcastlehouston.com/ or www.har.com.

1701 West T. C. Jester (Monte Carlo): PENDING SALE

1705 West T. C. Jester (Barcelona): $309,900

1709 West T. C. Jester (Florence): $299,900

1713 West T. C. Jester (Geneva): PENDING SALE

1717 West T. C. Jester (Barcelona): $314,900

1721 West T. C. Jester (Tuscany): $299,900

1725 West T. C. Jester (Monte Carlo): $309,900

1729 West T. C. Jester (Geneva): $314,900

1733 West T. C. Jester (Florence): $304,900

1737 West T. C. Jester (Seville): $289,900

1741 West T. C. Jester (Lisbon): PENDING SALE

Five New Homes in Timbergrove Gardens!

Sandcastle Homes has listed the first five homes in Timbergrove Gardens on www.har.com and www.SandcastleHouston.com. All five homes will be ready for May move-in, in time for the June 30 Home Buyer Tax Credit closing deadline! Here’s a preview of the listings:

1701 West T. C. Jester (Monte Carlo): $314,900

1705 West T. C. Jester (Barcelona): $309,900

1709 West T. C. Jester (Florence): $299,900

1713 West T. C. Jester (Geneva): $314,900

1717 West T. C. Jester (Barcelona): $314,900

To see all of Sandcastle Homes’ listings on www.har.com, please click here.

Timbergrove Gardens Site Plan Released!

The site plan for Sandcastle Homes’ newest Central Houston gated community Timbergrove Gardens has been released on www.SandcastleHouston.com.  The site plan displays the floorplans being built on each lot and it gives a general idea of the driveway length and yard space for each home. Prices will start in the upper $290s.

1701 (Monte Carlo), 1705 (Barcelona) and 1709 (Florence) West T. C. Jester are being framed this week and will be listed on www.har.com and MLS the first week of February.

Please contact Sandcastle Homes for pricing information!

New Year, New Floorplans!

This winter, Sandcastle Homes is debuting two new plans in our new gated community, Timbergrove Gardens in Central Houston. Two homes in the community will be the new Geneva plan and one home will be the new Lisbon plan.

Both plans are now listed on our website www.SandcastleHouston.com in the Floorplans section.

The Geneva and Lisbon are both 2-story plans, but the Lisbon is a specialty plan because it requires a larger lot to build. Both plans have 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. Both plans will be priced from the low $300s.

The Geneva (2550 sq. ft.) has some fabulous new, modern features, including two separate generously sized walk-in closets in the master bedroom, both an enclosed study and an open gameroom upstairs and a covered back porch! The Geneva also offers a large island kitchen and a grand entrance to the master suite.

The Lisbon (2540 sq. ft.) is very functional plan featuring an island kitchen, corner fireplace in the living room and a gameroom upstairs. It also has a fantastic master suite, with two walk-in closets and a giant corner bathtub.

More information will be coming later this month. To be added to our e-mail list and receive the latest information about Timbergrove Gardens as soon as it’s available, please contact us through the web form on the Contact Us Page of our website.

New Year, New Community!

Sandcastle Homes is kicking off the New Year with a new gated community! Construction begins this month on Timbergrove Gardens, a gated community of 11 homes located off West T. C. Jester, near Houston’s beautiful White Oak bayou.

Timbergrove Gardens will feature 11 freestanding 2-story homes priced from the $290s. We’ll be building five of our most popular floorplans and introducing two brand new floorplans! Check our website for details on the new floorplans later this month.

The community is located near the intersection of West T. C. Jester and West 18th Street, just one block away from the lush 4.8 mile White Oak Hike and Bike Trail that winds along Houston’s White Oak Bayou.

About half of the homes will have full-sized driveways and the community will include an area for guest parking. The first 10 homes are scheduled for completion by the June 30 Home Buyer Tax Credit deadline!

More information will be coming later this month. To be added to our e-mail list and receive the latest information about Timbergrove Gardens as soon as it’s available, please contact us through the web form on the Contact Us Page of our website.

Houston Chronicle: New Job and Home Sales Data Signal Houston Economy is Stabilizing

The Houston Chronicle reported Friday that new job and real estate data seem to indicate the Houston economy is starting to stabilize.

The article says area employers added more jobs than they cut for three consecutive months, according to data released Friday by the Texas Workforce Commission.

There’s encouraging news in real estate too: November home sales shot up close to the level they were before the recession took hold.

The article states, “After bottoming out in the summer, the Houston-area economy is showing signs of stability.

Area employers added more jobs than they cut for three consecutive months, according to data released Friday by the Texas Workforce Commission, leading some economic observers to point toward a better 2010.

‘It won’t come back overnight,’ said University of Houston economics professor Barton Smith. He added that while he has been predicting better times for 2010, his outlook has brightened considerably during the past six weeks.”

To read the full article on the Houston Chronicle’s website, please click here.

8 Winter Holiday Tips for Homeowners

With the holiday season now in full swing and the earliest Houston snow fall on record, we wanted to remind all of our homeowners of some important seasonal tips:

#1 If you’re turning on your heater for the first time this year, don’t mistake the burnt, mechanical smell for natural gas. When the heater is turned on after a long period of non-use, it may emit a burnt smell; this is normal and will dissipate after a few hours.

#2 When you turn on your gas fireplace for the first time, don’t worry if it doesn’t start right after you press the “On” button. The gas line may need to prime if the fireplaces has not been used for an extended period of time. Wait a few minutes then try it again.

#3 If you’re leaving town for the holidays and it’s forecasted to freeze, protect your pipes by leaving your faucets dripping slightly or by shutting off your main water line, then draining all of your faucets.

#4 Remember to cover your plants and bring your pets indoors if it’s forecasted to freeze!

#5 When decorating for the holidays, be careful not to overload your circuits with too many lights.

#6 If you plan on deep frying a turkey this year, don’t use the deep fryer in your garage! If you’re deep frying in your driveway, be careful of dripping grease, which will stain your concrete.

#7 Burning candles, especially scented, colored candles with lead wicks, can release soot into the air. As the air is circulated and forced under closed under closed doors, it can stain carpets and trim. It’s best to only burn candles for a short period of time, avoid candles with lead wicks and leave all interior doors open while burning candles.

#8 Be especially mindful of your personal safety during this time of year. If you’re unloading gifts from your car into your home, don’t leave the garage door open!

Thanksgiving Day Events in Houston

We hope all of our homeowners enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday in their new homes! For those of you looking for a family-friendly event in town tomorrow, check out the H-E-B Holiday Parade downtown or the Uptown Holiday Lighting event in the Galleria area.

 

The H-E-B Holiday Parade continues a 60-year holiday tradition, showcasing the Houston community through floats, balloons and live entertainment to more than 400,000 parade-goers lining the streets. The parade weaves through downtown Houston beginning at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. For more information on the H-E-B Holiday Parade, please click here.

The 24th annual Uptown Holiday Lighting event takes place on Thanksgiving Day, kicking off at 4 p.m. with food and live music. At 7 p.m., Santa Clause lights up Post Oak Boulevard with more than half a million holiday lights, followed by a fireworks extravaganza. The event benefits Sheltering Arms Senior Services and Be An Angel. For more information, please click here.