The demand for housing in North Texas is booming, with Collin County being one of the fast-growing counties in the region. Meritage Homes is building 456 homes in the Collin County community of Melissa to accommodate the continued growth of the area.
Collin County is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area and encompasses a small area of Dallas. The sixth most populous county in Texas and the 43rd largest in the U.S., Collin has over a million residents, supplemented by a population increase of 36% from 2010 to 2020.
Melissa is located around 40 miles north of the city of Dallas. The city’s population grew 196% during the same 10-year period. According to the U.S. census, there were around 13,900 people in 2020.
Meritage is developing three communities around Melissa: Wolf Creek Farms, The Quarry at Stoneridge, and Bryant Farms. The local school district for all three neighborhoods is Melissa ISD.
While the homes are being advertised as affordable starter homes, supposedly ideal for first-time buyers, the reality is that prices have skyrocketed in recent years.
In 2000, the median home price in Melissa was $126,300. By 2019, the price had risen to $345,565.
Now, the starter homes in Melissa start at $440,000, while the median sales price of a house in the town is $580,000. That is a 68% increase in just a little over three years.
The three new communities each have distinctive features.
Wolf Creek Farms will consist of 248 houses ranging from 1,833 square feet to 3,331 square feet. Amenities will include a 10-acre lake, a covered pavilion, trails, a playground, a greenbelt, and a dog park.
The Quarry at Stonebridge will have 133 homes ranging from 1,833 square feet to 3,100 square feet. The community will have a pond, greenbelt, gazebo, toddler playing area, and paved trails suitable for hiking and biking.
Finally, 75 homes will be built in Bryant Farms, ranging from 1,475 square feet to 2,255 square feet. There will be open spaces, trails for hikers and bikers, and a playground on the property.
Meritage Homes is offering entry-level homes with upgraded features such as home automation, granite countertops, laundry rooms, and upscale components such as kitchen islands, custom cabinets, and top-of-the-line appliances.
The homes will have energy-saving features such as spray-foam insulation, smart thermostats, Energy Star appliances, smart door locks, motion detectors, door sensors, and USB outlets.
Pre-sales will begin in June for Wolf Creek Farms and The Quarry at Stonebridge and early next year for Bryant Farms.
