Happy hour on a third-floor patio with stunning views of downtown Austin? It isn’t a pitstop at a restaurant on your way home from work. It’s your home — or could be, if you make it in Goodnight Ranch.

Empire Communities recently debuted three-story, detached condos just eight miles from downtown. With two thoughtfully designed floor plans and three distinct elevation options to choose from, these homes, crafted by Barron Custom Designs, offer a perfect blend of modern style and convenience.

Plan 2316 offers three bedrooms and 3.5 baths within 2,316 square feet. The bottom floor has a mud room open to the two-car garage, a game room with the option for a wet bar, a half bath, and a laundry room. Two bedrooms — including the owner’s suite — are located on the second floor, and the open-concept family room, dining room, and kitchen are on the third floor. A second bedroom and full bath are on the same level. Each floor has a porch or balcony, with options for a fireplace and wet bar on the third floor.

Plan 2443 dedicates the third floor to entertaining, with a game room, full bath, and extended porch. Both the porch and game room have options for a wet bar, and an outdoor fireplace can also be added. The primary living area is on the second floor, with an island kitchen, family room, dining space, owner’s suite, laundry facilities, and half bath. The first floor features two secondary bedrooms, a full bath, and two-car garage. Both the first and second floors have small porches.

The best part is you can see these urban designs in person, with eight condos available now in Goodnight Ranch. Prices range from $674,998 to $719,400 and each is beautifully appointed. Buyers who close by Dec. 31,2024 are eligible for a 4.99 percent fixed rate.

When you are ready to do more than view downtown Austin, shopping, dining, and entertainment in the capitol’s city center are minutes away. See a music legend at ACL Live at the Moody Theater. Catch a show at Paramount Theater. Shop boutiques in the 2^nd Street District. Pick up fresh produce at SFC Farmers Market at Republic Square. Paddle Lady Bird Lake. Further adventures outside of Austin await at nearby Austin-Bergstrom Airport.

Ready to take the next step? Discover how working with our trusted lenders can simplify your purchase, or learn how buying a new home in Texas can be a smart wealth-building move.

We’re planting the seeds for a bouquet of new homes in Flora, a new residential community coming to Hutto by our sister company, Empire Continental.

Flora will be 835 acres of exceptional living, with a location at the crossroads of county roads 394 and 133 just three miles from the heart of northeast Hutto. Austin and popular employment centers — including the new Samsung Austin Semiconductor plant — are a short drive away.

But you won’t have to leave the community looking for entertainment — you’ll find plenty right there.

With so much to offer in Flora, it’s fitting that we’re introducing two new series of floor plans to the Austin area. Our first, will be homes designed for 40-foot lots and priced from the low $300,000s. These homes will range from 1,527 to 2,649 square feet, offering three to four bedrooms and two to three bathrooms.

Larger floor plans for 50-foot homesites will range from 1,911 to 3,249 square feet an offering three to four bedrooms and two to 3.5 bathrooms.

Construction on two model homes will start soon in Empire Flora and expected to open in December.

Stay tuned for the announcement of pricing and the start of sales — we can’t wait to share these beautiful homes with you!

Purchasing a new home is an exciting experience, filled with significant milestones and financial considerations. Before embarking on this venture, it’s essential to understand the nuances of deposits, down payments, and closing costs to make informed and confident decisions about your new home. To help, we break down these three terms below to make homebuying easier than ever.

When you purchase a home with Empire, your journey begins with a deposit, specifically the earnest money deposit. This initial deposit is required to secure the contract and is calculated as a percentage of the lot premium, base price of the house, and structural items. If you’re customizing your home from the ground up, additional deposit funds — a percentage of your Design Studio selections — is required after completing the design phase.

Our sales consultants can provide you with an estimated breakdown of the deposit and outline when they’re due. It’s important to note that 100% of the deposit provided at the contract and design stages is credited to you at closing, effectively reducing your down payment for the mortgage.

The mortgage down payment is a significant financial aspect of the homebuying process, representing your commitment to the investment. Typically based on the loan program, the down payment is paid at the time of closing. It can range from as low as 3% to as high as 20%, providing you with instant equity in your new home.

The deposit funds you’ve given to us are factored into the down payment calculation. The more you contribute upfront, the less you need to finance, resulting in lower monthly mortgage payments.

Closing costs are the final piece of the puzzle, involving a lump sum of money paid by the buyer at the scheduled closing date. This sum comprises the down payment plus the closing costs, minus any deposit or design funds given to us, and may also include closing cost incentives we offer.

To estimate your closing costs, plan for approximately 2% to 2.5% of the final purchase price of the home. Empire’s preferred lenders can provide accurate estimates for all mortgage-related costs, ensuring you’re well-prepared for this crucial step.

Example: You’re purchasing an Empire home with a final price of $500,000. Planning to make a 10% ($50,000) down payment, you’ve already paid a $23,000 deposit during the contract and design phases. Closing costs amount to $12,500, with Empire providing a $3,000* seller credit to help cover some of these costs.

In this scenario, your total amount due at closing would be roughly $36,500, calculated as follows: $50,000 (down payment) + $12,500 (closing costs) – $23,000 (deposit/design money) – $3,000 (Empire’s closing cost incentive).

*Amount varies by community.

Next, learn how to prepare for Empire’s new home releases, and discover why new homes are still the smarter long-term choice.

If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably purchased a home with Empire Communities, and will soon have a Pre-Construction and Interior Finishes appointment lined up with our team. One of the advantages of building a new home is the opportunity to make choices that reflect your unique style and needs, which are established during these two meetings. But exactly what do these appointments entail? If you’re unsure about the differences between the two, don’t stress. Continue reading to discover all you need to know about these appointments, including how to best prepare for them.

• Review the pre-construction and interior finishes wishlists of available upgrades.
• Come prepared with inspirational images to communicate your vision and intended use of the space.
• Create a list of appliances outside of the standard openings including built-in cooktops, wall ovens, built-in microwaves, etc. so these can be accounted for ahead of time. *Please note, electrical and gas requirements must be ordered at the Pre-Construction appointment to accommodate speciality appliances (if kitchen layout permits).
  
• Provide an updated bank letter if you anticipate total upgrades exceeding the threshold specified for your community.
• Review our policies and procedures, as well as which features come standard with our homes.

• Pre-Construction appointments can take up to two hours and are virtual meetings. Sign into Microsoft Teams using the link provided via email 15 minutes prior to your scheduled meeting.
• Interior Finishes appointments can take up to three hours and are held in-person at Empire’s Design Centre. Remember to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment.
• A maximum of two people, or those on title, can attend each appointment. For safety, children are not permitted at the Design Centre.

For more helpful insight on moving and design, check out our ultimate moving guide to help you navigate your big day, and learn how to curate the coastal retreat of your dreams.

Aspiring homeowners, are you eagerly awaiting our next home release? Well, it might be time to start preparing. With the level of demand there is for our build-to-order homes, we’ve implemented steps to help manage the process of purchasing a home. In this guide, we’ll explain the essential steps to take before a new sales release to help secure that dream home.

Next, discover why new homes are still the smarter long-term choice and everything you need to know before buying a home in the Carolinas.

Wealth creation involves accumulation of assets and increasing net worth over an extended period of time. Among one of the most common methods to achieve this is purchasing a home. Read on to learn how investing in a new Empire home can help you build long-term wealth.

This concept combined with real estate appreciation long-term increases your net worth, and makes managing your finances and planning for the future easier. When owning and paying off your own loan, your value of assets increases over time which becomes evident if you eventually sell your home.

Other investments sometimes require a capital gains tax on any return that you make, depending on your taxable income. The profit you make from selling a home, however, cannot be taxed if the amount is $250,000 or less for a single borrower.

And although the real estate market has been fickle over the past four decades, residential real estate has increased in value over time, making it a good investment decision at any point.

Overall, it makes sense to start investing early so investments have more time to appreciate. This can help shape the financial skills while your children are young, setting them up for success in the future.

Our preferred lenders also provide great expertise, access to special incentives, and financing options that make purchasing a home easier. Learn more about some of the industry’s top mortgage lenders, including Interlinc Mortgage (Houston area) and Movement Mortgage (San Antonio and Austin area), that we’ve teamed up with to help you build your wealth and secure a new home mortgage.

Looking to learn more about the homebuying process? Learn how to find the right neighborhood for you, and read our homebuyers’ guide to finances.

Discover available homes for sale in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio today.

*Disclaimer: This post is solely for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice. We encourage you to always work with a financial expert to discuss your best options and what is right for you.

When it comes to choosing a place to call home, the options can seem endless. You might be drawn to the charm of older homes with their unique character and historical features. However, there’s a strong case for considering a new home over an older, resale one. Let’s explore why new homes are still the premier choice for modern homebuyers looking for a fresh start.

Next, learn how to read a floor plan and discover the ultimate moving guide.

From rate buydowns to design appointments and everything in between, we’ve compiled some of our most helpful homebuyer resources to make your experience of purchasing a new home seamless. Get ready to expand your knowledge and embark on one of the most exciting journeys of your life.

Looking for more resources to make the most of your homebuying experience? Check out our tips to prepare your finances when looking for a new home and learn what it means to buy a new home vs. resale in Charlotte.

Buying a new home is an exciting journey, and selecting the right neighborhood is a crucial step in making your dream home a reality. In Texas, the vibrant cities of Austin, San Antonio, and Houston offer a wide array of neighborhoods to choose from, each with its unique charm and amenities. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top considerations for choosing your perfect neighborhood. With the right guidance and preparation, you’ll soon find the perfect place to call home in one of Texas’ vibrant cities.

To help you along your homebuying journey, check out the benefits of working with our preferred lenders and learn the difference between buying a quick move-in vs. a new-build home.

When it comes to choosing a place to call home, it’s important to be strategic. You can find older homes on the market that have character and historical features, and ones that are brand new. However, when considering the wiser long-term choice, a compelling argument can be made in favor of purchasing a new home rather than an older, pre-owned one. And while several factors support this decision, one of the most apparent is being the home’s first occupant. However, there are times when personal schedules and construction timelines for new homes just don’t align. That’s when the need for Empire Express Homes was discovered.

Empire Express Homes provide all the advantages of new-build homes, just delivered within shorter time frames. Here are six reasons why Empire Express Homes are the premier choice for those looking for a fresh start:

Next, discover what to buy before or after you move into your new home, and learn how to read your home’s floor plan.