HoweEnterprise.com
12
March 29, 2021
Hilltop Ranch
Attendees of the luncheon included City Councilmember Georgia Richardson (second from left).
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but with the market and the depth of the market today, there’s no inventory,” said Norris who said each city should have approximately 24 months of inventory. The lack of capacity for new buyers is assisting the existing homes that are being resold where people are getting 10 to 20 percent above asking price just due to availability. He said that is not only happening up to Sherman, but also as far south as Red Oak. “This region has brought so much attention nationwide for our stability. I’m hoping we don’t get an influx of instability, but so far we’re managing it as an industry,” said Norris. “A lot of cities are paying attention to infrastructure needs.” Norris said that he has 394 lots near completion in Celina of which 87 have pre-sold.
Job Title CHILD CARE ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST
Job Title MAINTENANCE SERVICE TECHNICIAN
workintexas.com Posting ID 14432827
workintexas.com Posting ID 14429905
Location
Location
Denison
Sherman
Posting Close Date 04/16/2021
Posting Close Date 05/14/2021
Posting Link https:// bit.ly/3cmyZ6p
Posting Link https:// bit.ly/3cnCY2I
Description A local company is looking for a CHILD CARE ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST who must have excellent communication skills. You will manage difficult or emotional customer situations. Case manage recipients & determine eligibility for Child Care Program. This is a temporary position.
Description A local company is looking for a MAINTENANCE SERVICE TECHNICIAN who will repair common service problems associated with manufactured housing. You will provide excellent customer service by promptly responding to service calls and ensuring that all repairs are completed in a thorough and timely manner.
Description This position requires a High School Diploma or Equivalent, and a minimum of 1 year of related experience.
Description This position requires a High School Diploma or Equivalent, and a minimum of 2 years of related experience.
“I don’t even have the subdivision finished yet, and earnest money is up on over 80 lots,” said Norris. “It’s amazing times.” Sheryl Bentley delivered a message to Norris of the Field of Dreams method of, if you build— people will come. Norris stated that he believed that was true and people in this area can see that. He stated that getting public builders and their accountants that are reporting to Wall Street to understand the justification of building in a new market. “COVID really disrupted a lot of companies industry-wide, not just retail. Construction is going to be the first one that comes back, and I hope this will continue up to Howe,” said Norris. Grayson County Commissioner Jeff Whitmire spoke up about Howe’s first need which is the sewer plant and asked when that could be completed. Norris said that the sewer plant would go in conjunction with Phase I and
hoped that it would all work at the same time. “We’re looking for a financial partner to step in for builder commitments,” said Norris who indicated they are just now getting back into the recovery of being this far north (of Dallas) with the private industry builders. Howe’s Economic Development Director Monte Walker posed to question in regard to starting price for the homes in the development. “What we’re seeing is if you start at $200,000 or less, those are getting gobbled up by investors which in turn become rental properties. How do we get those starters up out of the rent market?” Norris responded that the developers would be responsible for the starting cost and deed restrictions could be placed such that the first acquisition must live in the property for a minimum of two years and that ownership could not exist in a certain area. He said the starting point for homes in the development would most likely begin at $265,000 and improve from there based on upgrades from the builder. “We try and sell as many as we can as fast as we can to get into Phase II for financial reasons and infrastructure payoffs,” said Norris. Howe ISD Superintendent asked if the Hilltop Ranch development would include a school site. “We always see elementary schools as a benefit to residential development,” said Norris. “It is a positive situation where typically these (the buyers) are young families that promotes a lot of kids.” Some of those in attendance were Howe City Council member Georgia Richardson, Howe ISD Superintendent Kevin Wilson, Grayson County Commissioner Jeff Whitmire, City of Dorchester Mayor David Smith, and City of Howe Economic Development Director Monte Walker.
