Mustang Island Texas Real Estate 101

While much of the country suffers through aPort Aransas has always been a mecca for those
difficult housing market, the Gulf Coast City oflooking for a beach or fishing escape. It has now
Port Aransas is in the center of a very active realbecome a popular destination for second home
estate market. Both retirees looking for abuyers from Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio
beachfront community (one that isn'tand beyond. There are many planned communities
synonymous with "steel and glass high-rise") andbuilt and being built all over Mustang Island. These
investors looking for a winning investment in acommunities range from modest condominiums
difficult national housing market are discoveringand town homes to entire planned communities
Port Aransas.complete with marinas, golf courses, parks,
The town of Port Aransas (Port A as the localsshopping and restaurants.
call it) is the center of the Mustang IslandCinnamon Shore
community. Mustang Island is an 18 mile barrierCinnamon Shore is a 64-acre planned community
island running parallel to mainland Texas north ofwhich began construction in the spring of 2007.
Padre Island, with Corpus Christi Bay to the WestUpon completion, this master planned community
and the Gulf of Mexico to the East. The northernwill feature about 240 single-family homes, 275
end of the island is connected to the mainland byhousing units, and 1,100 feet of coast line. The
a ferry system run by the Texas Department ofdevelopment is designed around the idea of
Transportation. The trip is free of charge andbeautiful architecture and pedestrian friendly
takes only three minutes to cross to the mainland.streets, as well as having only a minimal impact on
On the southern end, the JFK Causewaythe environment around it.
connects the island with mainland Corpus Christi.Royal Sands
Because of this, Port Aransas is as accessible asEstablished in 2003, Royal Sands is a 32 acre
it is beautiful. With a life of its own and a lot ofMustang Island beachfront community consisting
character, this peaceful beach community hasof 90 home sites. The development features
miles and miles of unspoiled beaches lapped byfamily and adult pools, birding ponds, protected
gentle waves. Port Aransas is an area ofdune areas and a beach walk over. Royal Sands
immense natural beauty that (combined with theprovides onsite management, security and
opportunity for a sound real estate investment) ismaintenance support for vacation rentals.
becoming especially popular with Baby Boomers.Newport Beach and Golf
The island is perfect for people looking for a laidThe Newport Beach and Golf master planned
back coastal lifestyle different from the onecommunity is planned around the concept of a
offered by tall-and-glittering condominiumsEuropean port city. At the heart of this
elsewhere in the U.S. To many, Port Aransas iscommunity will be the Town Center Marina,
the kind of place described in a Jimmy Buffettsurrounded by residential villages with luxury
song.homes, hotels, shops, a marina, and waterfront
The Port Aransas Housing Marketcafes. Weaving through the community is the
In general, Texas housing markets are some ofNewport Dunes Arnold Palmer Golf Course.
the most undervalued markets in the nation.The Palmilla
Because of this, the state has been able to avoidThe waterfront Palmilla resort will be situated on
"the popping of the great real estate bubble"30 acres of land and will consist of 94 home sites.
which has been occurring in growing communitiesThe community will feature a mile of bulkhead
all over the country. Texas homes have resistedwalkways, floating boat docks and a resort style
the downward trend in pricing suffered by otherpool. Construction should begin in the spring of
U.S. states-instead, many coastal Texas2009.
communities are showing strong and steadyTortuga Dunes
growth.Tortuga Dunes is a $100 million community on 137
Port Aransas is one of the strongest of theseacres of Mustang Island land with 1,000 feet of
communities - the active Port Aransas marketbeach. This community and the architecture of
boasts some of the best value in coastalthe homes are based upon a Caribbean feel, full
property in the U.S. While much of the Gulf Coastof meandering pathways, tropical trees, and
is dotted with towering condos, Port Aransas iswooden shutters. It will have a simple but eclectic
an attractive option for those looking for a quieterdesign, with gated access, walking trails, and
retirement (or just a sound investment) in abeach views.
beachfront home or condo. It's also an affordableVillage Walk
option, as lot and housing prices here aren'tVillage Walk, located in the heart of Port Aransas,
inflated they way they have been in popularconsists of 98 homes and opened for occupancy
beachfront communities in Florida.in 2007. This community is made up of coastal
Why is Port Aransas a growing community? Partcottage style homes, with gated access, gulf
of the reason is that Mustang Island boasts aviews, pools and extensive landscaping, all only
large portion of the total Texas coastline availabletwo minutes from the beach.
for development. Of the 375 miles that make upMercer Village
the Texas coast, 293 miles are unavailable forLocated in "Old Town" Port A, the Mercer Village
development, 56 miles are fully developed, and 26condos are conveniently located and within walking
are available for development. Many of those 26distance to the harbor, shops and restaurants.
miles lie on Mustang Island. According to AnnTwelve cottages will surround a private pool and
Vaughan of the Chamber of Commerce, the areatropical palapa. Construction will begin summer
of Port Aransas is "absolutely exploding."2008.
Communities on Mustang Island