MOST ACCOUNTS agree that Prosper began in 1846 as a beacon for settlers drawn to North Texas’ black prairie soil - rich, fertile land that nurtured a thriving cotton crop. By 1850, two settlements had been established here a mere three miles apart. Called Rock Hill and Richland, they coexisted until 1902 when the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad came through the area and forced them to merge. A new name was adopted for the hybrid community - one that spoke of the prosperous living conditions and the prosperous crops harvested that year. And so it was that the town of Prosper was born. In 1914, with 500 residents living here, Prosper was incorporated with a commission form of government. It served for decades as a market center for area farmers and their abundant cotton and corn crops.
To this day, Prosper has managed to retain its 19th century country charm, carefully controlling its growth to that end. Unlike the bustling cities of Dallas, Plano and Frisco that lie just a few miles south, Prosper is characterized by estate-size home sites, pristine rolling hills and vast expanses of open land. Here, you’ll discover an alluring lifestyle in beautiful homes that populate quiet neighborhoods.
PLANNED GROWTH
If ever there was a Cinderella story about a sleepy country hamlet blossoming into a world-class, cutting-edge community, Prosper is it. From its humble 19th century roots, the town is in the midst of double-digit growth. Nearly a dozen master planned residential developments have broken ground in the past two years, with new home prices averaging $360,000. There are currently 135,000 people living within a 7-mile radius of Prosper. The vast majority of those gravitating here are young professionals with household incomes averaging $130,000.
To accommodate this population boom, numerous roads are being widened and others are being constructed. The Dallas North Tollway, working its way ever north from Dallas, is undergoing a planned 17.5-mile extension, running north from Hwy 380 in Prosper to FM 121 in Grayson County. Naturally, this phenomenal progress will also mean an expanding business base, an explosive growth in retail space and the construction of new schools. It all adds up to an extraordinary quality of life in one of the fastest-growing cities in North Texas. CONTACT TIFFANY SHARKEY LOCAL PROSPER RESIDENT/REALTOR WHO CAN ANSWER ALL YOUR PROSPER TEXAS REAL ESTATE NEEDS 972-977-2254.
MOST PEOPLE long for a residential setting far removed from the town and their frenzied work environment. They want to go home to a place where they can kick back, relax, enjoy the fresh air and take in the sounds of nature, not the din of traffic rumbling in the distance. That place is Prosper. While the town is quickly evolving from its rural roots, its small town sensibility has not been lost. It pervades every neighborhood - from the historic residential areas that have existed for decades to the fabulous new developments boasting homes in excess of $1 million.
Shopping, dining, entertainment and business centers are within easy reach, giving you the best of both worlds- life in a quiet country setting with all the conveniences and excitement of the big city.
Quick accessibility to all parts of the Metroplex via Dallas North Tollway and Hwy 380, Preston Road and Central Expressway.
Spacious ¼ acre to one acre-homesites as well as acreage properties
The outstanding Prosper ISD with explemary ratings and brand new, state of the art facilities
3A State Champion Football team
Neighborhood services and restaurants
Unmatched community spirit.
Unlimited shopping within 10 to 20 miles at Stonebriar Center,in Frisco, Plano’s Park & Preston, Legacy Town Center and Shops of Willowbend and The Dallas Galleria.
A town with big plans, but the determination to maintain its quality of life.
Why Prosper? Perhaps that’s best answered with a visit. Then the only question would be: “Where else but Prosper?”CONTACT TIFFANY SHARKEY A PROSPER RESIDENT/REALTOR FOR ALL YOUR PROSPER REAL ESTATE NEEDS 972-977-2254.
JUST 5 MINUTES north of the bustling Dallas North Tollway cities of Frisco and Plano lies the Town of Prosper, Texas. Its peaceful setting beckons families to move north to experience its wide open spaces, small town charm, city convenience and close knit community. Bursting with pride for its first rate education and state championship sports teams, Prosper offers a quality of life most families in North Texas don’t even know exists. From picturesque ranches to beautiful master-planned communities with amenities like golf courses, hike and bike trails, fishing ponds and swimming pools, riding trails and equestrian centers, Prosper has something for everyone. Uniquely positioned at the crossroads of Preston Road and US Highway 380, the Town of Prosper lies ready for you to discover it’s small-town quality of life while serving your family with the finest in education, amenities and immediate access to all the Metroplex has to offer. Just follow the Dallas North Tollway to US 380 and discover how life was meant to be enjoyed. Welcome Home.CONTACT TIFFANY SHARKEY OR TONYA PEEK FOR ALL YOUR PROSPER TEXAS REAL ESTATE NEEDS 972-977-2254.
The ninth hole at Gentle Creek in Prosper was voted one of the best par threes in the state by Texas Golf voters.
Description
Prosper sits near the Denton-Collin county line, directly in the path of the northward extension of the Dallas North Tollway. As commuters begin using the new portion of the Tollway between U.S. Highway 380 and State Highway 121, they are bringing a wave of construction projects to the small town of about 7,000. Shopping centers, office complexes and new home developments are planned for the once-sleepy town. Population is expected to reach 80,000 at build-out. The Prosper school district now has three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school.
History
According to the city's Web site, the first settlers arrived in the area in 1846. Between 1850 and 1902, two settlements existed: Rock Hill, two miles south of the present town, and Richland, one mile north. The establishment of the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad in March of 1902 led the two communities to merge, forming the town of Prosper.
Demographics
• Population: 7,000 (estimated as of 1/1/08 per city of Prosper) • Average age: 31.4 (2007 per city of Prosper) • Average household income: $102,778 (2007 per city of Prosper) • Crime stats: (For 2007, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety) no murders, no rapes, no robberies, no aggravated assaults, 22 burglaries, 111 thefts and 2 vehicle thefts. • School information: www.prosper-isd.net
Big new high school in Prosper builds small-town pride
Coleman Street heads north out of tiny Prosper past porches and hayfields until it passes a column-studded brick edifice that seems to span the horizon.
Welcome to the modern American high school, Texas style. Prosper High School is a $113.5 million, 590,000-square-foot behemoth, complete with a medical tech lab, a restaurant-worthy kitchen, a greenhouse, a broadcast studio and, of course, an indoor football practice facility. All this in a still-sleepy town of just 7,000 people.
The school opened last week at half its capacity, but district officials say it will soon fill up as families push north from crowded suburbs like Frisco and McKinney.
So like some of the area's new schools, it's a symbol of growth's march, but also a community's search for identity and even Texas pride.
"This is more than bricks and mortar," said Drew Watkins, Prosper ISD's superintendent. "This is a community facility. This is what the community wanted. And when they say best, they mean best, not just pretty good."
This school doesn't have a gym. It has three. One is an arena. The auditorium seats nearly 1,000 people and will be the town's only theater.
Every classroom has four computers and an interactive white board that teachers use to project and manipulate images from their computers. Flat-screen televisions flash announcements throughout the day.
And while some districts create separate centers for career-focused programs, Prosper has fit them all in one building. And it has added a garage for auto mechanics in its wing dedicated to career and technical education.
The building already adorned with "State Champions," thanks to the football team, houses the indoor multipurpose field and a weight room that rivals private gyms.
The lecture hall and airy hallways give the school a collegiate feel, which Watkins said is intentional.
"Most of our parents are college educated and want their kids to have that experience," he said. "We want them to have a competitive edge, to think beyond Collin County – nationally and internationally."
There is a competitive edge as well for big, new schools when it comes to attracting good teachers.
Watkins said, "Teachers want to teach in a place like this."
CONTACT TIFFANY SHARKEY AND TONYA PEEK FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PROSPER ISD AND HOMES AVAILABLE IN THE PROSPER ISD 214-356-4472.
Located mainly in Collin County, with a small portion spilling over into neighboring Denton County, Prosper is a community brimming with potential. Right in the heart of one of the fastest growing regions in Texas and the rest of the country as a whole, this small town is welcoming new residents and businesses practically every day, and Prosper, Texas homes and land are becoming increasingly sought-after among homebuyers of all kinds.
Conveniently connected to the rest of the Metroplex through the North Tollway, Preston Road and Highway 380, Prosper’s location has inspired its business leaders to coin the catchy “All roads lead to Prosper” marketing slogan. The town started life as a farming community in the mid-1800s and eventually became a railroad stop before it incorporated in 1914. Today, agriculture is still a vital part of Prosper’s economy, which is becoming more and more diversified every year.
The town’s mix of rural and suburban makes it appealing to buyers looking for the wide, open spaces of the country, but who don’t want to do without the fun and excitement of the city. Prosper, Texas homes and land come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you’re certain to find a home or neighborhood that will meet the needs of your lifestyle.
Providing full service to its residents, Prosper also has a variety of parks, hiking and biking trails, sports facilities, and places of worship. Children here are served by the top-performing Prosper Independent School District.CONTACT TIFFANY SHARKEY OR TONYA PEEK FOR ALL YOUR PROSPER TEXAS REAL ESTATE NEEDS 214-356-4472.
Formerly two towns, Rock Hill and Richland merged becoming the town of Prosper in 1902. However, Prosper was not officially incorporated until 1914. Since then, Prosper has blossomed into a population of more than 6,000 Texans. Many families and young professionals choose to make Prosper home due to its proximity to Dallas and Fort Worth (optimal commute times) offering residents the opportunities of big city living within a close distance, excellent schooling, as well as its small town charm.
The Prosper Texas Community
Served by the Prosper Independent School District, children that attend schools in Prosper tend to do just that; prosper. The Prosper Independent School District is "committed to excellence" and has proved its commitment by continuing to be a TEA recognized District. Schools in the district include:
Baker Elementary School Folsom Elementary School Rucker Elementary School Prosper Middle School Prosper High School
Children that attend schools in Prosper continually achieve higher scores than the state average each year. If you are moving to Prosper and have children they are sure to receive a first-rate education.
Business is also booming in Prosper. If you would like to start a small business here now is the time. With an ever growing population, new homes in Prosper popping up each year, and new business developments under way, you can find the perfect spot to set up shop.
Prosper Texas Real Estate
Are you looking for a home with a huge backyard? Do you prefer French Country architecture? Or perhaps you are looking to buy a new home? Prosper homes range in cost from $200,000 to $1,500,000 and have every luxury imaginable available to Prosper home buyers. Learn about Prosper neighborhoods like Artesia - The Parks, Artesia - The Vistas, Artesia - The Falls, Gentle Creek Golf Club, and Lakes of La Cima. Let Tiffany & Tonya guide you in your search for Prosper real estate. Tell us exactly what you are looking for and we'll find Prosper homes to match your needs and desires.CONTACT TIIFANY SHARKEY AND TONYA PEEK FOR ALL YOUR PROSPER HOME INFORMATION 972-977-2254.
Prosper Entertainment & Recreation
Located in Collin County as well as within the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, living in Prosper allows residents the opportunity to enjoy a small town atmosphere every day with the option to drive a short distance to enjoy entertainment in the big city. You may be lucky enough to see LeAnn Rimes gallivanting around town as she owns a luxury home in Prosper.
Within a short drive you can see the Dallas Cowboys play football or Dallas Stars play hockey throughout the year. However, if the sports scene is not your cup of tea, you can always check out other entertainment venues in the surrounding areas of Frisco, Plano, McKinney, and of course Dallas and Fort Worth. Stonebriar Centre in Frisco provides an excellent arena for those looking to shop the day away.
Prosper itself is home to many fabulous restaurants for your family to enjoy such as Mr. Jim's Pizza, Piccadilly Circus Pizza, Carmela Winery, or even the Cotton Gin Cafe.
Prosper Texas also promotes an active youth by offering opportunities to youth to participate in sports including basketball, baseball, cheerleading, football, softball and volleyball through the Prosper Sports Association. There is also Cindy's School of Dance for the ballet enthusiast. By participating in Prosper sports your children will learn the value of teamwork, develop athletic skill, and help promote an active lifestyle.
Nation's Strongest Economies Texas cities top the list According to a study by the Brookings Institution, the five largest metros in Texas were among the strongest economies in the nation during the second quarter of 2009 (S.A. still among top cities, by William Pack, San Antonio Express News, Sept. 15, 2009, and DFW economic, housing markets among top in U.S., analysis finds, by Steve Brown, Dallas Morning News, Sept. 15, 2009). San Antonio was the only city to rank in the top 10 among the nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas in all four factors used to score cities - employment, unemployment rates, home prices, and productive output. Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston also came in among the top 10 best performing areas.CONTACT TIFFANY SHARKEY OR TONYA PEEK 972-977-2254 ABOUT PROSPER TEXAS AND IT'S BOOMING REAL ESTATE!
Since the days of the Texas Republic and Sam Houston, Texas has given its veterans land in recognition of military service. While the state no longer gives land to veterans, there are still plenty of housing opportunities such as low interest loans for land, homes, and home improvements.
After World War II, the state created the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) in 1946 to administer a new program that would provide low-interest, long-term loans to Texas veterans for the purchase of land. Since then, more than 120,000 Texas veterans have taken advantage of this self-supporting program. (Issuing bonds authorized by voters fund the program. The veterans who participate pay for the bonds and the cost of administering the program.)
In 1983, the Legislature created the Veterans Housing Assistance Program to assist Texas veterans in purchasing a home, also funded by bonds. In 1986, the VLB expanded the Veterans Housing Assistance Program, adding the Veterans Home Improvement Program to provide below-market-interest-rate loans to qualified Texas veterans for home repairs and improvements to their existing homes. Needless to say, there's a wealth of options provided by this program alone for veterans across the state.
About the Veterans Housing Assistance Program Texas veterans can use all three Texas veteran loan programs at one time. That means, if needed, you can receive a land loan, a housing loan and a home improvement loan. And, these special loan programs for Texas veterans are not associated with the federal Veterans Administration. So, even if you've used your VA benefits, you may still be eligible for the state loan programs.
The Veterans Housing Assistance Program (VHAP) provides financing up to $200,000 toward the purchase of a home to qualified Texas veterans. Loans for $45,000 or less may be originated through the Texas Veterans Land Board's direct loan program.
There is no maximum sales price with the VHAP; however, the VLB can only loan up to $200,000 toward the purchase. If the purchase price is more than $200,000, the VHAP can be used in conjunction with Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Veterans Administration (VA), or conventional financing. This is known as a "two-note loan" and must be originated by a participating lender.
Keep in mind that the VHAP is not a refinancing program. If you have an existing loan on your home, you can't use the VHAP to lower your interest rate, nor can it be used as a down payment on a home. It can only be used as a first lien on your primary residence.
Other housing benefits for veterans The Land Board also offers other housing-related benefits for veterans. For example, through the Greenbuilding Program, veterans can reduce their interest rate even further (by as much as 0.3%) by using "green" materials and features in their homes. The TVLB assigns number values to "environment friendly" building materials and features that save energy and water.
Veterans who achieve a required minimum score when building or purchasing a new home, or remodeling an existing home, are eligible for the reduced interest rate. Kermit the frog was wrong - it IS easy being green (in Texas)!
There's also the Veterans with Disabilities program, which offers a half-percent interest rate reduction to those veterans who have a service-connected disability of 10% or greater (as verified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs).
Finally, the Veteran Teachers Program is for veterans or their spouses who are currently certified by the Texas Education Agency and who work as Texas teachers, or veterans who agree to become certified Texas teachers. Educate Texas' children, and you could be eligible for a half-percent interest-rate deduction.
Eligibility requirements To be eligible to participate in the Texas Veterans Loan Programs, applicants must have:
Served no fewer than 90 continuous days on active duty (including active duty for training) in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard or United States Public Health Service (unless discharged sooner by reason of a service-connected disability), or a reserve component of one of the listed branches of service, or have enlisted or received an appointment in the Texas National Guard after completing all initial active duty training requirements as a condition of enlistment or appointment, or have completed 20 years in a reserve component so as to be eligible for retirement as a condition of enlistment or appointment, or, if currently an active duty member of a listed service or a full-time reservist, have completed the initial service obligation;
Served after Sept. 16, 1940 (for Texas veterans who entered the armed services before Jan. 1, 1977, and who have been discharged from active duty less than 30 years, certain interest-rate incentives may be available for housing or home improvement loans);
Been honorably discharged;
Been a bona fide resident of Texas at the time of entry into the military or must have resided in Texas for at least two consecutive years immediately prior to filing an application; applicant must be a bona fide Texas resident at the time the application is made (a bona fide resident is someone who is living in Texas with the intent to remain in Texas). Presence in Texas due to military service alone does not establish bona fide residency); and
Have successfully repaid any previous TVLB loan within the same loan program. A loan is considered repaid when the account has been paid in full by the original veteran purchaser or last approved assignee. Any active TVLB loans in programs other than the one for which application is being made must be in good standing.
Whether you served in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, National Guard, or any of the armed services, it's easy to take advantage of these great programs that thank you for your service to our country. For more information, contact the Texas Veterans Land Board at 800-252-VETS or CONTACT TIFFANY SHARKEY OR TONYA PEEK AT 972-977-2254 FOR MORE INFO ON VA LOANS.
Property taxes and appraisals As a group, Texas REALTORS® work in the public-policy arena to help reduce the state's heavy reliance on property taxes. In 2009 and 2007, we urged passage of appraisal-system reforms in the Texas Legislature to make the process more fair and transparent, and easier for homeowners to contest their property appraisals. In 2006, we led the charge for historic property-tax cuts in a special legislative session. We'll continue to work on your behalf on both these fronts: lowering your property-tax rates and closing loopholes in the appraisal system. After all, it doesn't do much good to lower your tax rates when appraised values continually shoot up to overtake any tax savings.
Learn more about the property-appraisal process. Learn more about property-tax cuts.
Homeowners insurance In the 2003 legislative session, Texas REALTORS® led the fight to make homeowners insurance more affordable.
Learn more about this issue. Get ideas on how to lower your homeowners insurance costs.
Transfer taxes and fees The Texas Association of REALTORS® supports property-tax relief, but does not support new taxes and fees that single out the most steady contributor to our economy: real estate. We oppose measures that would diminish real estate's contributions to the Texas economy or increase the cost of homeownership in the state. One idea that continues to crop up among some legislators is a real estate transfer tax, also sometimes referred to as a fee. Either way, it's an additional tax that hits consumers at the absolutely worst time: when you're scrimping and saving to buy a home, or trying to sell your home. Texas currently does not have a statewide real estate transfer tax, and we should keep it that way.
Learn more about this issue.
Point-of-sale Real estate transfer taxes and fees are applied at the point of sale, when homebuyers and sellers can least afford it. So sometimes are other measures. In Austin, for example, some city leaders want to mandate energy-efficient retrofits to all homes at the point of sale.
Learn more about this issue CONTACT TIFFANY SHARKEY OR TONYA PEEK 214-356-4472.
Other Issues
Municipal utility districts Municipal utility districts, also known as MUDs, provide water, sewage, and drainage services to residential neighborhoods that are not served by local water districts. Read more
Homeowners associations Some neighborhoods have their own homeowners associations. Whether membership is voluntary or mandatory, homeowners associations provide benefits and services to their members in exchange for dues or fees.
Eminent domain Eminent domain is governmental taking of private property for the public good. Cases involving individual homeowners are extremely rate. Read more
Water rights Cheap, plentiful, and good-quality water is essential to a good quality of life. Some Texans have it, while others want it. Read more
Transportation More and more homebuyers are taking proximity to work into account when choosing their new home's location.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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