Although best known as the Dinosaur Capital of Texas and for its travel and tourism appeal, Glen Rose, Texas is quickly gaining a reputation as a highly sought after city in which to live. Most recently, in 2004, Glen Rose was voted America’s Dream City, an honor given to the city that best exemplifies small town values, civic pride, and embraces its heritage. As a result of the city’s recent exposure and its proximity to the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan complex, families and retirees flock to this quaint little town located 50 miles southwest of Fort Worth and purchase real estate at a fast pace.
A recent story in the Journal of the Real Estate Center of Texas A&M noted that demand for suburban housing projects, which are housing projects in rural areas that have convenient access to major urban areas as well as attractive land, is on the rise. Glen Rose is one city that is reaping the benefits of this growing real estate trend.
Marilyn Phillips of Sunrise Properties states, “As a real estate agent, my job is often to sell someone the city or community. I’m lucky in that sense. Glen Rose sells easily. When you add great schools, wonderful people, proximity to the metroplex, and quality of life to the great location, you see why people love this place and want to live here.”
The Texas A&M Real Estate Center (recenter.tamu.edu) also points out that the groups leading this charge into extra-urban areas are retirees, second-home buyers, and the largest group is non-local suburban working families. Developers in suburban communities report that this group is generally looking for a lifestyle change. They are disenchanted with the suburbs, which they feel are too dense and cookie-cutter, with congested roads, dangerous schools, and too complex a quality of life. They want a peaceful country life in a country chic setting.
Hank Jones of Quad J Realty adds, “The real estate market in Glen Rose is definitely on the rise, especially with families coming in from the big city. Aside from the fact that Glen Rose is the gateway to the Texas foothills and we have these great rolling hills and clean, clear rivers, families are moving here because of the fantastic school system and the incredibly low crime rate.” Mr. Jones continues, “Our retiree population has also been increasing. We’re seeing retirees coming to Glen Rose because of Squaw Valley Golf Course, which is rated one of the top 10 public courses in Texas, and because of our new medical center, which has the best medical technology available.”
It’s not just real estate agents who are enjoying the area’s increased popularity, but builders are also experiencing heavy workloads trying to keep up with real estate demands.
Jim Gartrell, owner of Jim Gartrell Builders, says he’s seen steady, steady growth in recent years in terms of new homes built. One trend he has noticed is that people are buying several acres of land at once, but doing nothing with it.
“With Glen Rose real estate selling so quickly, many people are buying land now to use later in life for things like retirement or to pass down to their children,” says Mr. Gartrell. One such example is a developing subdivision on the outskirts of the city called Cheyenne Hills Estates, where multi-acre tracts are rapidly being bought up.
Another attraction for people moving to Glen Rose is the style of the homes being built. Mr. Gartrell refers to them as “mountain” style houses. These homes are characterized by rock facades, wraparound limestone porches, and metal roofs. An excellent example of this style is found in one of the local hotels. Featured in Southern Living Magazine, the Dinosaur Valley Inn and Suites (www.dinosaurvalleyinn.com) was built by Jim Gartrell Builders and features all the classic elements of the “mountain” home, but on a grander scale, lending a homey charm to the premises and providing a prime example of Glen Rose home style. For visitors interested in seeing this hotel, it is located right next to the new exhibition center.
For an area of its size, Glen Rose and the rest of Somervell County stand out in the great state of Texas. There really are no other cities of similar size that can compare in the amenities, attractions, entertainment and relative location that Glen Rose boasts. For these reasons and many more, it’s clear why Glen Rose real estate continues to be a hot commodity.
For more real estate information contact Marilyn Phillips at www.sunriseproperties.net or contact Hank Jones at www.c21quadj.com.
For builder information, contact Jim Gartrell Builders at 254-897-4063.
For more information on Glen Rose, Texas, visit http://www.glenrosearea.com.