A lot of people buying new homes in the Waxahachie are are opting for an easier lifestyle and that lifestyle includes choosing to cut down on yard work while at the same time enjoying a spacious home. It's possible with patio garden homes and area real estate agents say those homes are quickly becoming the preferred choice for some new homebuyers.

The big difference between patio garden homes and single-family homes is the size of the yard. Patio garden homes can be as big as 2,000 square feet or more and still feature large master bedrooms, baths and attached garages. What they don't have are large lots and the exterior maintenance that normally comes with those larger lots.

Enchanted Gardens III in Waxahachie is rapidly filling up with primarily middle-aged professionals, empty nesters, people with grown children living away from home, and retired couples interested in downsizing and living closer to restaurants, shopping, doctor's offices, medical centers, theatres, schools, librarys and churches. Enchanted Gardens III offeres an up-scale neighborhood within walking distance of all the facilities listed above. At the same time, Enchanted Gardens III is one of the best-kept secrets of Waxahachie. With only 2 entrances into the development, traffic consists mainly of the residents and their friends and family.

Half of the 62-lot development has already been sold and Gaylord Hanes is not surprised. "We continue to have a big demand for patio garden homes," said Dr. Hanes.

Jeff Lubar, spokesman for the National Association of Realtors, said "the concept of low maintenance home ownership is popular on the East Coast, too. In the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore (MD) area, it's big," said Lubar.

According to a 5 year-old study by NAR, patio garden homes and their cousin, townhomes, account for about 15 percent of the home sales market nationwide. Dr. Hanes has had more than a few clients who have relocated to Waxahachie specifically ask for patio garden homes. Dr. Hanes is also a real estate broker and a member of MetroTex Association of Realtors and has been building patio garden homes in Enchanted Gardens I, II, and III over the past 6 years. Dr. Hanes reports that the re-sale value of the patio garden homes seem to be equal to that of homes on a regular-size city lot.

Dr. Hanes has found that some of his patio garden clientele sold the homes they raised their family in, built their patio garden home and had enough money to invest toward their retirement. The savings also included smaller utility bills, less property taxes and fuel for transportation because they are so convenient to the heart of Waxahachie. The utility cost reduction is not only water savings due to the smaller lot maintenance, but every patio garden home built by Homes by Hanes is an Energy Star-rated home. Energy Star homes prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (visit www.energystar.com for more information).

You might say this is a limited time offer, though. Enchanted Gardens I and II no longer offer lots for new construction and Enchanted Gardens III, as we stated earlier, only has about 31 lots left. No other development in Waxahachie offers such convenience, elegance and affordability. Dr. Hanes lends 25 years building experience to his homes, as well as being a Graduate Master Builder and a Certified Aging in Place Specialist. Prior to becoming a General Contractor, Dr. Hanes recieved his Ph.D. in soil physics. His homes not only feature elegance, but they boast enduring elegance. Because of his Aging in Place Certification, all of the homes built by Homes by Hanes will accommodate the aging process and give the homeowners the capability to make use of most all medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, ect. without leaving the comfort of their own homes.

If you wish to learn more about this best-kept secret of Waxahachie, Texas, you can call Homes by Hanes at 972-938-2311. The model home located in Enchanted Gardens III can be found at 219 Bluebonnet and is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm and from 1:00pm to 5:00, on Sunday. Please call 972-938-3370 for directions to the model home.