If you’ve been feeling a little cramped in your apartment, good news! With interest rates at an all-time low, a new home — and a planned crystal clear lagoon — in Sierra Vista is within easy reach for first-time home buyers.

Making such a big purchase may seem a little daunting. Not to worry. We have some tips that will get you up to speed and in your new home in no time.

Know Your Price Range

Check your finances. You need to be prepared for both the purchase and the ongoing expenses of a home. Use this home affordability calculator to determine how much you can safely afford to spend.

Keep Track of Your Spending

Before you start looking, make sure you know how much you spend per month. Account for all your purchases including utilities, food, car payments, student debt, retirement savings and any miscellaneous items.

Check Your Credit

Before you go to see a lender, check your credit as it will be one of the key factors in whether you’re approved, and it will help determine your interest rate and possibly the loan terms. Avoid opening any new credit accounts, like a credit card or auto loan, until your home loan closes.

Explore Your Mortgage Options

There are lots of mortgage options out there. If you’re struggling to come up with a down payment, check out these loans:

  • Conventional mortgages conform to standards set by the government-sponsored entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and require as little as 3 percent down.
  • FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration permit down payments as low as 3.5%.
  • VA loans are guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and sometimes require no down payment at all.

Remember, making a higher down payment will mean having a lower monthly mortgage payment.

Get Preapproved for a Loan

Don’t look for your home until you have a pre-approved loan. Having a preapproval letter in hand not only shows that you are serious, it shows that a lending company has already vetted you.

Save for Closing Costs

If you thought you only needed to save for a down payment, guess again. Closing costs generally run between 2 percent and 5 percent of your loan amount. They must be paid when you close on your new home. Many Sierra Vista builders offer low to no closing costs as an incentive for purchasing one of their homes.

Make a List, Check It Twice

Now that you know how much you can spend, it’s time to search for your perfect home. Make a list of things you must have and the things it would be nice to have. Prepare to be flexible. Consider hiring a Realtor even if you are looking to purchase a new build home.

Where Do You Want to Live?

It’s possible to love your home but grow to hate the neighborhood it’s in. Master-planned communities like Sierra Vista offer a range of builders and floor plans as well as fantastic amenities and proximity to great schools.

Now that you know what to do, get out there and find your first new home!

 

 

 

The gyms are closed but that doesn’t mean you can’t get in a good workout. From carving out an exercise space to running a marathon in your backyard, here are some tips for staying fit while stuck at home.

Create a Fitness Space

If you have the space, work out in a different room than the one you sleep or work in.

Decide what type of exercise routine you want to do. If you enjoy yoga or Pilates, lay a mat out in a quiet, well-lit corner. If you miss using weights, you can order them from DICK’S Sporting Goods or Amazon. Miss your spin class? Here’s how to turn your bike into a stationary one. 

Get Your Steps In

Social distancing guidelines allow us to walk outside, so explore the great outdoors (safely). Walk around your neighborhood, take a morning jog or head out on the trails. Alternatively, you can walk around the house. Design a circuit that takes you around the house for 30 minutes a day. Make sure you include stairs and your backyard. Bonus points for carrying a laundry basket the entire way. 

Stream an Exercise Class

A number of gyms have begun streaming workout classes on Facebook, Zoom and other platforms. Most don’t require any special equipment. Orangetheory is uploading new at-home 30 minute workout routines daily. CorePower Yoga is offering free streaming live classes. Planet Fitness is hosting “Home Work-Ins”. 

Play With Your Kids

Instead of watching your kids play, get in and join them. Kick a soccer ball around in the backyard, play tag, jump rope, get out the hula hoop or just have a dance party.

Sierra Vista is just a straight shot along Highway 288 to the Houston Zoo and that means families can easily spend a day visiting the animals. But for even more fun, the Zoo offers monthly educational activities including nighttime exploring and special exhibits. 

This month enjoy:

Nocturnal Wildlife at the Houston Zoo
6-8 p.m. Thurs., March 5
$10 per family
Tour the Zoo after hours wearing headlamps and acoustic monitors to try and spot toads and listen for bats.

Spring Break Camp Out
6 p.m.- 9 a.m. Sat., March 21
$75 per person, ages 6 and up
Do something unique for Spring Break and camp out at the Zoo. Families will enjoy an evening packed with animals, adventure, and group activities. Fee includes an evening snack as well as a light breakfast and next-day zoo admission. Bring your own tent and sleeping bag. 

Dragons
Daily March 7 – Sept. 7
Add on to Zoo admission $6.95
Come face-to-face with creatures from legends – the first exhibit of its kind in the United States. Magical animatronic creatures like the towering East Asian dragon, the serpent-like Basilisk, the medieval Western Dragon and many more move. Roar and even breathe smoke in this spectacular exhibit sponsored by TXU Energy.

Need a place to relax and rejuvenate at the end of a long day? A personal retreat where privacy and a good book await? Then you will want to see 2414 Temple Crag Drive by Meritage Homes. This striking three-bedroom home boasts a lot of options and upgrades, but none are as sweet as the master suite that has been enhanced with beautiful bay windows. The master bath is awe-inspiring with a soaking tub, semi-frameless glass shower, dual vanities and not one, but two walk-in closets! It’s available now, but won’t be for long. 

More highlights:

  • Unique brick-and-stone elevation
  • Single-story home
  • Coffered ceilings in the foyer
  • Hardwood floors in common areas
  • Private study works as a home office or playroom
  • Spacious family room backlit by a wall of windows
  • Island kitchen boasts granite countertops, white cabinets, subway tile backsplash and a walk-in pantry
  • vanities and a dual walk-in closets
  • Media room
  • Convenient utility room
  • Large covered patio 
  • Two-car garage

This amazing 2,354-square-foot home is priced from the $270s. 

Live an Exceptional Lifestyle

There’s living and then there is exceptional living in Sierra Vista. Relax in your beautiful home or set out on our trails. Swim in the resort-style pool, play sand volleyball with the kids and get to know the neighbors at resident-only events planned by our lifestyle director. And Houston? It’s just 20 minutes away.

Kick off the holiday season with a sleigh-ful of parades, tree lightings and Santa sightings throughout the month.

Hometown Christmas Festival
Independence Park
3449 Pearland Parkway 
Pearland TX 77581
7-10 p.m. Fri., Dec. 6
Free
Santa will help Pearland Mayor Tom Reid light the city’s official Christmas tree then stick around for photos. The holiday fun continues with performances on the Westside Veterinary Hospital Stage and play areas with snowy tubing hills in the H-E-B Winter Wonderland. 

Hometown Christmas Parade
Broadway Street
Pearland, TX 77581
6 p.m. Sat., Dec. 7
Free
The 38th annual Christmas Parade will travel east along FM 518 (Broadway Street) beginning at Old Alvin Road and ending at Pearland Parkway featuring festive lights, floats and marching bands.

B.I.G. Love Santa Dash
Pearland Town Center Pavilion
11200 Broadway Street 
Pearland, TX 77581
7 a.m. Sat., Dec. 7
Join a phalanx of Santas, elves, reindeer and ugly sweater wearers as they run to help B.I.G. Love provide basic necessities and personalized care to cancer kids and their families. Not a runner? There will be breakfast, cookies, pictures with Santa, a carnival silent auction, Christmas choir and real snow. 

Home for the Holidays
National Oak Park
118 S Magnolia Street
Alvin, TX 77511
10 a.m.– 6 p.m. Fri. and Sat., Dec. 6 and 7
Free
Alvin will host two days worth of holiday cheer with movies, crafts, snow, food, pet pictures, a light parade and so much more.

Last Chance Christmas Market
Pearland Town Center Pavilion
11200 Broadway Street
Pearland, TX 77584
5-10 p.m. Dec. 19, 20, 21 and 22
Free
A multi-day holiday market filled with dozens of vendors, food trucks and Christmas cheer. 

City of Manvel Parade of Lights
Manvel High School
19601 Hwy. 6 
Manvel, TX 77578
7 p.m. Sat., Dec. 7
Celebrate the holidays with a light-filled parade, tree lighting and festive fun.

Holiday Acres Tree Farm
8919 Mustang Bayou Road
Manvel, TX  77578
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thurs., Fri., Sat. through Dec. 13
Prices vary
Pick out your Christmas tree and enjoy hayrides, complimentary hot chocolate or cider, a campfire and a playground for the kids. Must purchase a tree to participate in the activities.