Mark & Tonya
Move to Texas!
From the Keystone State to the Lone Star State — your personal guide to landing in Rockwall County, one smart step at a time.
A day-by-day guide to getting the most out of your time in Rockwall County. Click a day below to see the plan.
Today's focus is new construction — getting a feel for what's being built right now, what lot sizes are realistic, and which neighborhoods are worth a second look. We'll start with the most amenity-rich community and work our way through a few very different options.
This neighborhood has the most to offer as far as amenities go in our area — a nice restaurant on site, tennis, a beautiful pool, and a wonderful place to walk around. The golf is extra, but the lifestyle here is genuinely resort-feel.
The trade-off: you'll lose the wide open land you're looking for, and wrought iron fences are everywhere. That said, this is one of your closer new construction options to family in Forney.
Pro tip: Drive to the clubhouse first — go inside and let them know you're touring the neighborhood. They always let me show clients around and walk back on the patio so you can see the view. It's worth it.
Ask K. Hovnanian about the Frankfurt plan on Lot 21, Wood Duck Court. Grand Homes are always fun to walk — the Grand Monterra is their only single-story in that neighborhood that fits your criteria.
Two builders are active here — Altura Homes and Kindred Homes — and both are in their close-out phase. Construction quality won't be at the same level as Highland or Perry, but the combination of an acre lot and proximity to Rockwall is genuinely hard to find in new construction right now.
With only a handful of homesites remaining between the two builders, this neighborhood will be sold out well before 2028. The HOA is $695/year — light by most standards. Even if the timing doesn't work, this area is worth knowing: resale homes here will be worth watching if you fall in love with the location.
This one is a little different — there won't be model homes to walk through. Vista Oaks was set up so that buyers purchased a lot and then chose their own builder. Riverside Home Builders bought up a number of lots and is actively building here, but they don't have a model open.
Worth the drive if you're open to the idea of buying a lot and building to your exact specs. Some of the original lot owners are also reselling their lots, which could open up a path to building with a builder of your choosing in a neighborhood that's already taking shape.
The GFO model home should be open to tour — walk it and get a feel for their product. GFO builds a solid home at this price point and the acre lots are the main draw.
One thing to know going in: this neighborhood is in an HOA ($1,200/year), which means adding an extra shop or outbuilding will require HOA approval and may come with restrictions. Worth asking the sales rep directly what's allowed and what the process looks like before you fall in love with it.
We'll start the morning with coffee, then jump in the car together for a guided loop through Rockwall — from the south side up through the north and back. Plan on about 1.5 to 2 hours for the full route. No rushing, just getting the lay of the land and letting the neighborhoods speak for themselves.
We'll meet here and grab some coffee before heading out. This is a great chance to talk through what you saw on Thursday, answer any questions that came up, and map out exactly what you want to focus on during the driving tour. It's a good spot — you'll get a feel for the Heath vibe just by being there.
We'll leave the coffee shop together and I'll drive you through Rockwall from the south side up to the north, hitting key neighborhoods and landmarks along the way so you get a real sense of the geography — how far things actually feel, what's walkable, where the quirks are.
We'll loop back to 5013 Coffee at the end of the tour.
Tuesday is a good day to slow down, circle back to the areas that stuck with you, and do some drive-bys on listings that caught your eye.
After two days of touring, you'll likely have a shortlist forming. Tuesday is a great day to go back without an agenda — drive through a neighborhood a second time at a different hour, notice what the streets look like when people are coming and going, and get a feel for what daily life would actually be like.
If there are any listings you want to walk through or schedule a showing on, let me know and I'll set that up for Tuesday.
Not every hour has to be about house hunting. Whenever you have a free afternoon — or a full day — here's how to soak up what life actually looks like here.
The kind of place that tells you a lot about a town — good food, good atmosphere, the sort of spot regulars return to every week. Just note it's closed on Wednesdays, so plan accordingly.
Wander the downtown square — local shops, boutiques, and plenty of Texas charm. When you're ready to venture off the square, make your way to Candles by Carol. The most amazing and wonderful assortment of all things scented — it's one of those stores where you walk in for five minutes and stay for an hour. Don't miss it.
Lake Ray Hubbard is one of Rockwall's defining features — a 22,000-acre lake right on the city's doorstep. Getting out on the water gives you a completely different perspective on the area. Book a cruise on the Seawolf, and if you're doing the daytime cruise, wear sunscreen — the Texas sun on open water is no joke.
Rockwall's proximity to Dallas is one of its quiet advantages — you're close enough to enjoy the city without living in it.
If you want to venture into Dallas for a day, the Arboretum is a beautiful way to do it — 66 stunning acres right on White Rock Lake with world-class seasonal displays. It's an easy drive from Rockwall and a great excuse to explore a bit of Dallas while you're here. Check the website for current exhibitions and ticketing before you go.
Rockwall knows how to show up in the spring. Here's what's happening during your visit — a good excuse to see the community in action.
Fresh produce, local vendors, and a genuine slice of what Saturday mornings look like for Rockwall residents. A great way to see downtown and meet the community at the same time.
Rockwall's annual celebration — one of the bigger community events of the year. Good food, live entertainment, local vendors, and a crowd that shows you exactly what this town is about. Check the link for event details and parking info before you go.
The Harbor is one of the nicest spots in Rockwall — lakefront, restaurants, and a great outdoor setting. This is a wonderful way to spend a Thursday evening and get a feel for what weekend life looks like here.
The Harbor on Google MapsEstimated monthly cost-of-living breakdown for each property — taxes, insurance, and utilities using reasonable local averages. Mortgage not included; use the calculator below for financing scenarios. Click any card to load it into the full calculator.
Look up a property on the county appraisal district site, then fill in the details below. Adjust any assumption to fit your scenario.
⚠ IMPORTANT: This estimate does NOT include costs from any Municipal Utility Districts (MUD), Public Improvement Districts (PID), or any other special taxing districts that may apply to this property. These assessments can add hundreds of dollars per month and must be verified separately before purchase.
This is an estimate only. All figures are approximations based on general averages and should not be relied upon for financial planning. Actual costs will vary based on individual usage, utility providers, insurance underwriting, mortgage terms, and other factors specific to the property and buyer.
Mortgage rate sourced from Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS). Property tax estimates are based on provided or estimated rates and may not reflect all current assessments. Insurance estimates are based on 0.70%–0.85% of purchase price annually and will vary by carrier and coverage level.
Utility estimates are based on square footage, home age, and typical DFW residential usage patterns. Actual costs will vary by usage, occupancy, and seasonal conditions.