Happy New Year's Eve!

Happy New Year's Eve!

Video Request?

Are you thinking of moving to McKinney, Texas or just want more information on a particular project or location? If you are, feel free to leave a comment (below), and we will try to fill your request!

Video Request?

Are you thinking of moving to McKinney, Texas or just want more information on a particular project or location? If you are, feel free to leave a comment (below), and we will try to fill your request!

Once a month at the old courthouse plaza, as the lunch hour approaches, an eclectic crowd begins to stir. But foreclosed homes are the draw today. On the first Tuesday of the month, a public auction attracts a horde of investors, house-flippers and newcomers hoping to transform doomed mortgages into tidy profits. A record-setting year for home foreclosure postings in North Texas has sparked a flurry of action at these monthly auctions, where ill-fated dwellings are offered to the highest bidder. Full Story.......

Auction Location

Once a month at the old courthouse plaza, as the lunch hour approaches, an eclectic crowd begins to stir. But foreclosed homes are the draw today. On the first Tuesday of the month, a public auction attracts a horde of investors, house-flippers and newcomers hoping to transform doomed mortgages into tidy profits. A record-setting year for home foreclosure postings in North Texas has sparked a flurry of action at these monthly auctions, where ill-fated dwellings are offered to the highest bidder. Full Story.......

Auction Location

Construction continues on the Bella Donna Chapel.

Construction continues on the Bella Donna Chapel.

It's almost an embarrassment of riches. Texans have such a high level of productivity and enterprise that, if ranked on a global scale, our state would have the eighth-largest gross domestic product in the world, according to the governor's office. We are second only to California in total production of goods and services, edging close to $1.1 trillion last year. Half of America's 10 fastest-growing cities are right here in Texas. We exported more goods last year than any other state in the nation. With a median household income of $77,038, Plano ranked as the richest city in America with 250,000-plus population, according to the 2006 census. Full Story.........

It's almost an embarrassment of riches. Texans have such a high level of productivity and enterprise that, if ranked on a global scale, our state would have the eighth-largest gross domestic product in the world, according to the governor's office. We are second only to California in total production of goods and services, edging close to $1.1 trillion last year. Half of America's 10 fastest-growing cities are right here in Texas. We exported more goods last year than any other state in the nation. With a median household income of $77,038, Plano ranked as the richest city in America with 250,000-plus population, according to the 2006 census. Full Story.........

El Dorado Apartments, LLC has sold the Villas of El Dorado Apartments in McKinney, Texas for $18 million to Santa Ana, Calif.-based Triple Net Properties. The seller was represented by Arthur Kline of Thompson Realty while Jay Olander of Grubb & Ellis represented Triple Net. Built in 2002, the 248-unit apartment complex is located at 3250 Hudson Crossing and consists of 12 three-story buildings and 192,912 square feet. It is situated on 13.7 acres and is currently 98 percent occupied.

Based on the Collin CAD records, this property was previuosly valued at $47,000 a unit, and now at the sales price of $72,000 a unit. Map

Full Story......

El Dorado Apartments, LLC has sold the Villas of El Dorado Apartments in McKinney, Texas for $18 million to Santa Ana, Calif.-based Triple Net Properties. The seller was represented by Arthur Kline of Thompson Realty while Jay Olander of Grubb & Ellis represented Triple Net. Built in 2002, the 248-unit apartment complex is located at 3250 Hudson Crossing and consists of 12 three-story buildings and 192,912 square feet. It is situated on 13.7 acres and is currently 98 percent occupied.

Based on the Collin CAD records, this property was previuosly valued at $47,000 a unit, and now at the sales price of $72,000 a unit. Map

Full Story......

Happy Holidays! The Village Tour has ended, and it looks like things will slow down for the holidays. Progress has been made on the Bella Donna Chapel, and there are new stone etchings at a few entrances that say "Adriatica". Pictures to follow; check back soon.

Happy Holidays! The Village Tour has ended, and it looks like things will slow down for the holidays. Progress has been made on the Bella Donna Chapel, and there are new stone etchings at a few entrances that say "Adriatica". Pictures to follow; check back soon.

GALVESTON — Island environmentalist Bob Moore has lent his name to many island preservation efforts during the last 40 years.On Friday, he gave it up permanently to a 31-acre island just north of Lafitte’s Cove between Eckert’s Bayou and Delehide Cove.Developer Jeff Blackard donated the newly named Robert M. “Bob” Moore Wildlife Sanctuary to the Galveston Bay Foundation and Cabeza de Vaca Center, a nonprofit group founded by Moore 11 years ago.Through the protection of a conservation easement, the land will be kept in its natural state in perpetuity.In a prepared statement, Blackard said he chose both groups for their understanding of and passion for preserving the island’s environment.Moore said his dedication to the environment stemmed from his desire to protect God’s creation and thanked Blackard for being a good steward.Barbara Railey, president of the Cabeza de Vaca board of directors, said the group’s first priority was to clear the island of the invasive plant species that cover it now and give the area’s natural vegetation a chance to grow.Eventually, the group plans to clear walking trails across the island so visitors can fully enjoy it. The island is only accessible by boat.Railey said it was Blackard’s idea to name the property for Moore, who founded Cabeza de Vaca in hopes of some day building an educational center to teach people about the land and the group’s name sake.Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca is the 16th century Spanish explorer credited with being the first European to trek across Galveston’s shores. He wrote “La Relación,” the account of his 1528 landing and the eight years he spent living among the Native American population, in an attempt to persuade the Spanish royal family to be more tolerant toward the Indians.The wildlife sanctuary is the second piece of property the group has received from a local developer. Tim Beeton and Bob Randall donated the first, a 12-acre tract on Teichman Road.

GALVESTON — Island environmentalist Bob Moore has lent his name to many island preservation efforts during the last 40 years.On Friday, he gave it up permanently to a 31-acre island just north of Lafitte’s Cove between Eckert’s Bayou and Delehide Cove.Developer Jeff Blackard donated the newly named Robert M. “Bob” Moore Wildlife Sanctuary to the Galveston Bay Foundation and Cabeza de Vaca Center, a nonprofit group founded by Moore 11 years ago.Through the protection of a conservation easement, the land will be kept in its natural state in perpetuity.In a prepared statement, Blackard said he chose both groups for their understanding of and passion for preserving the island’s environment.Moore said his dedication to the environment stemmed from his desire to protect God’s creation and thanked Blackard for being a good steward.Barbara Railey, president of the Cabeza de Vaca board of directors, said the group’s first priority was to clear the island of the invasive plant species that cover it now and give the area’s natural vegetation a chance to grow.Eventually, the group plans to clear walking trails across the island so visitors can fully enjoy it. The island is only accessible by boat.Railey said it was Blackard’s idea to name the property for Moore, who founded Cabeza de Vaca in hopes of some day building an educational center to teach people about the land and the group’s name sake.Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca is the 16th century Spanish explorer credited with being the first European to trek across Galveston’s shores. He wrote “La Relación,” the account of his 1528 landing and the eight years he spent living among the Native American population, in an attempt to persuade the Spanish royal family to be more tolerant toward the Indians.The wildlife sanctuary is the second piece of property the group has received from a local developer. Tim Beeton and Bob Randall donated the first, a 12-acre tract on Teichman Road.

Check out the latest photos of the recently installed fountain at Tucker Hill.

Check out the latest photos of the recently installed fountain at Tucker Hill.

The installation of the fountain at Tucker Hill has begun! See the Tucker Hill site for photos.

The installation of the fountain at Tucker Hill has begun! See the Tucker Hill site for photos.

Why is the City of McKinney pulling the plug on the Farmers Market in the square? Check back later!!

Read the information here.

Why is the City of McKinney pulling the plug on the Farmers Market in the square? Check back later!!

Read the information here.

Collin County’s foreclosure rates fell 23 percent this year compared to 2006.This year, 5,353 properties went on the auction block compared to 7,003 last year, according to statistics from the Collin County Clerk’s Office and RealtyTrac, an Internet-based company that tracks national foreclosure statistics.This year, October brought the highest number of foreclosure notes with 556, according to county records. In 2006, January had the most foreclosure notices with 842. June brought the lowest with 362. June also had the lowest number last year. Full Story....

Collin County’s foreclosure rates fell 23 percent this year compared to 2006.This year, 5,353 properties went on the auction block compared to 7,003 last year, according to statistics from the Collin County Clerk’s Office and RealtyTrac, an Internet-based company that tracks national foreclosure statistics.This year, October brought the highest number of foreclosure notes with 556, according to county records. In 2006, January had the most foreclosure notices with 842. June brought the lowest with 362. June also had the lowest number last year. Full Story....

Check back later for video and photos of the Tucker Hill development.

Check back later for video and photos of the Tucker Hill development.

Looking for a gallery of photos showing the progess of Adriatica? Make sure you are on then look in the left frame for the picture of the red tiled building and click!

Looking for a gallery of photos showing the progess of Adriatica? Make sure you are on then look in the left frame for the picture of the red tiled building and click!

Tucker Hill Fountain to be installed next Week!

One of the signature amenities at Tucker Hill – a Southern Land Company traditional neighborhood development now underway in McKinney, Texas – will be installed in mid-December, just in time for the community’s official 2008 launch. Standing 27-feet above the ground and weighing approximately 13,000 pounds, Tucker Hill’s Founders Square fountain is estimated to be one of the largest wrought iron fountains in the United States.The fountain will be installed on December 17-18, 2007 at Founders Square in Tucker Hill - a Southern Land Company traditional neighborhood in McKinney, Texas. The fountain is an original design and will mark one of the first open space amenities in Tucker Hill.You can view the press release of this event here.

Tucker Hill Fountain to be installed next Week!

One of the signature amenities at Tucker Hill – a Southern Land Company traditional neighborhood development now underway in McKinney, Texas – will be installed in mid-December, just in time for the community’s official 2008 launch. Standing 27-feet above the ground and weighing approximately 13,000 pounds, Tucker Hill’s Founders Square fountain is estimated to be one of the largest wrought iron fountains in the United States.The fountain will be installed on December 17-18, 2007 at Founders Square in Tucker Hill - a Southern Land Company traditional neighborhood in McKinney, Texas. The fountain is an original design and will mark one of the first open space amenities in Tucker Hill.You can view the press release of this event here.

January 2008 is starting out with a 4 percent bump in home foreclosure postings in North Texas. Lenders have posted 3,672 homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for foreclosure next month, Foreclosure Listing Service said Thursday.Full Story......

January 2008 is starting out with a 4 percent bump in home foreclosure postings in North Texas. Lenders have posted 3,672 homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for foreclosure next month, Foreclosure Listing Service said Thursday.Full Story......

Located in the master planned development of Stonebridge Ranch, this home is a rare find. This home will be offerred for sale soon. Please visit site for more information.

Located in the master planned development of Stonebridge Ranch, this home is a rare find. This home will be offerred for sale soon. Please visit site for more information.

Fort Worth-based D.R. Horton Inc., the fourth-largest U.S. homebuilder, slashed bonuses for its chief executive officer and chairman after posting the company's first annual net loss since going public in 1992. Full Story...

Fort Worth-based D.R. Horton Inc., the fourth-largest U.S. homebuilder, slashed bonuses for its chief executive officer and chairman after posting the company's first annual net loss since going public in 1992. Full Story...

12/11/2007 P&Z Agenda Items for Adriatica

10. Conduct a Public Hearing to Consider/Discuss/Act on the Request by Pogue Engineering & Development Company, Inc., on Behalf of SB Harbor Market Joint Venture, for Approval of a General Development Plan for MedPark at Adriatica, Phase 2, Located on the Southeast Corner of Virginia Parkway and Adriatic Parkway.

11. Conduct a Public Hearing to Consider/Discuss/Act on the Request by Pogue Engineering & Development Company, Inc., on Behalf of SB Harbor Market Joint Venture, for Approval of a Conceptual Site Plan for Lot 1R1, Block B, of the Adriatica Addition (MedPark), Approximately 4.50 Acres, Located on the Southeast Corner of Virginia Parkway and Adriatic Parkway.

12. Conduct a Public Hearing to Consider/Discuss/Act on the Request by Pogue Engineering & Development Company, Inc., on Behalf of SB Harbor Market Joint Venture, for Approval of a Site Plan for Five Medical Office/Professional Office/Retail Buildings Totaling 44,876 Square Feet (MedPark at Adriatica, Phase 2), Approximately 4.50 Acres, Located on the Southeast Corner of Virginia Parkway and Adriatic Parkway.

12/11/2007 P&Z Agenda Items for Adriatica

10. Conduct a Public Hearing to Consider/Discuss/Act on the Request by Pogue Engineering & Development Company, Inc., on Behalf of SB Harbor Market Joint Venture, for Approval of a General Development Plan for MedPark at Adriatica, Phase 2, Located on the Southeast Corner of Virginia Parkway and Adriatic Parkway.

11. Conduct a Public Hearing to Consider/Discuss/Act on the Request by Pogue Engineering & Development Company, Inc., on Behalf of SB Harbor Market Joint Venture, for Approval of a Conceptual Site Plan for Lot 1R1, Block B, of the Adriatica Addition (MedPark), Approximately 4.50 Acres, Located on the Southeast Corner of Virginia Parkway and Adriatic Parkway.

12. Conduct a Public Hearing to Consider/Discuss/Act on the Request by Pogue Engineering & Development Company, Inc., on Behalf of SB Harbor Market Joint Venture, for Approval of a Site Plan for Five Medical Office/Professional Office/Retail Buildings Totaling 44,876 Square Feet (MedPark at Adriatica, Phase 2), Approximately 4.50 Acres, Located on the Southeast Corner of Virginia Parkway and Adriatic Parkway.

The Bella Donna Chapel

Overnight the Bella Donna Chapel has started to pop up! I shot these photos this morning, and it is incredible to think this has popped up so quickly. I will post video clips tomorrow.

The Bella Donna Chapel

Overnight the Bella Donna Chapel has started to pop up! I shot these photos this morning, and it is incredible to think this has popped up so quickly. I will post video clips tomorrow.

Check back later for more video content.

Check back later for more video content.

This is an early clip that shows the venetain canals that are being constructed in the Harbor District. These canals surround the Bella Donna Chapel, and the floating ampitheater.

This is an early clip that shows the venetain canals that are being constructed in the Harbor District. These canals surround the Bella Donna Chapel, and the floating ampitheater.

Sampson's Mediterranean Restaurant

The forthcoming restaurant which is being constructed next to the retail building number two will be called Sampson's. According to published materials, Mr. Blackard has chosen Chef Joel Harloff, who currently runs the Landmark Hotel in the Melrose Hotel in Dallas. The restaurant will feature a hand carved stone facade that was originally located on the famous Morton Salt Mansion in Chicago.

Sampson's Mediterranean Restaurant

The forthcoming restaurant which is being constructed next to the retail building number two will be called Sampson's. According to published materials, Mr. Blackard has chosen Chef Joel Harloff, who currently runs the Landmark Hotel in the Melrose Hotel in Dallas. The restaurant will feature a hand carved stone facade that was originally located on the famous Morton Salt Mansion in Chicago.

The Village Tour

Wow!I think I might become a director! This short clip features materials that were handed out at the Village Tour. I will post the materials soon. By the way, the homes featured range in price from $465,000 to $567,000. Want to live in Adriatica? Make sure you fill your Galleon with boat loads of money.

The Village Tour

Wow!I think I might become a director! This short clip features materials that were handed out at the Village Tour. I will post the materials soon. By the way, the homes featured range in price from $465,000 to $567,000. Want to live in Adriatica? Make sure you fill your Galleon with boat loads of money.

Check back tomorrow for a few interior pictures.

Check back tomorrow for a few interior pictures.