GCU News & Blog

Tag: DFW Real Estate

  • Building Over Buying: Why More Texans Are Choosing New Homes

    Photo by Roger Starnes Sr on Unsplash

    The way we buy homes in Texas has changed dramatically in recent years. As of May 2025, the number of active listings in Dallas-Fort Worth rose by 55% compared to pre-pandemic times. Homes are also taking longer to sell, which gives buyers a better chance. However, despite all that, buyers are still tending towards building new. 

    Texas Is #1 in the US

    Texas is leading the way for new builds nationally. In 2024, the state issued 15% of all new housing permits in the US, even though it’s home to just 9% of the population. As a buyer, you can find more brand-new homes with modern finishes and efficient designs. There are simply more options available to buyers in Texas.

    Why More Texans Are Choosing to Build

    Building a new home comes with clear benefits. Builders like Betenbough Homes have made the process easier than ever before, with modern floor plans, customizable features, move-in-ready homes, and attractive finance options like $0 down loans. Properties come with better insulation, smart tech, and great energy efficiency. You can choose everything from your appliances to your worktop material. That level of control is appealing, especially when resale homes come with potential unknowns, like old systems that need repairing or replacing. 

    Market Trends in DFW 

    Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the US, with a population of around 8.1 million. Housing demand continues to be strong, with job growth and relocations from places like California and New York partly responsible. That’s why construction is rife; builders are looking to meet demand in new communities where resale options lag behind, and the opportunities are numerous. 

    What to Know Before You Build

    If you’re planning to build your dream home, the most important thing is that you work with a builder you can trust. There’s no point cutting corners to save a few bucks if it risks your home not being up to standard. 

    Next, building a property takes time. Expect around six to 12 months from signing to moving in. Finding the right plot, weather, permits, and custom choices can all cause delays. If you need to relocate quickly but still want a brand new property, focus on residential developments with homes that are move-in ready. 

    Depending on your budget and space requirements, be prepared to look outside the city in up-and-coming areas. For example, towns in West Texas, like Amarillo, Greenwood, Lubbock, Midland, and Odessa, offer newly built communities with plenty of homes under $300,000.

    In terms of budget, remember that the listed price often doesn’t include optional upgrades like flooring, countertops, or landscaping. Talk to your builder early about what’s included and what’s extra so you can plan accordingly. It’s usually recommended to keep 10% to 15% of your budget aside for contingencies. 

    Endnote

    In DFW and Texas in general, you’re spoiled with options when it comes to buying or building. Properties have more resale days on the market, plus there’s a full menu of new homes in great areas statewide. Like many Texans, you might prefer to build for the long-term value, choice, and peace of mind. Whether you build or buy, what matters most is that your home fits your family life today, tomorrow, and in the years ahead. 

  • McDonald’s to close all of its CosMc’s stores in DFW after less than 2 years

    Nighttime view of CosMc’s restaurant in Dallas with bright yellow lights and signage, surrounded by an empty parking lot

    DALLAS—McDonald’s is shutting down all five of its standalone CosMc’s locations, including the remaining stores in Allen and Fort Worth, Texas, as well as two in San Antonio and the original site in Bolingbrook, Illinois. The closures mark the end of the company’s short-lived experiment in the specialty beverage space.

    Key Points:

    • McDonald’s will close all five CosMc’s locations, including two in the DFW area and two in San Antonio.
    • The closures come after underwhelming performance at larger-format stores.
    • Digital services, including the CosMc’s app and loyalty program, ended on June 23, 2025.
    • McDonald’s plans to introduce CosMc’s-inspired drinks at existing restaurants.

    CosMc’s began winding down operations in late June. All digital services, including its loyalty program, mobile app, and online ordering, were discontinued by June 23, 2025, marking the end of the standalone CosMc’s experiment less than two years after it began.

    The company cited underwhelming performance at its larger-format stores, many of which had been converted from former McDonald’s locations. Company executives noted that smaller, more focused sites were better suited to the brand’s beverage-centric model, aligning more closely with customer habits and operational efficiency.

    Earlier this year, CosMc’s quietly closed three of its Texas locations, in Watauga, Arlington, and one undisclosed site, after reporting stronger results from smaller stores. The full wind-down suggests that even the remaining locations failed to meet McDonald’s financial or strategic goals.

    Still, the company says the pilot was not without value. McDonald’s plans to apply lessons from the CosMc’s test to its core business, starting with a nationwide beverage rollout later this year. Drinks inspired by the now-defunct chain, such as matcha iced lattes and prickly pear slushes, are expected to appear on McDonald’s menus as part of an effort to boost afternoon sales and tap into the $100 billion beverage market, without the operational complexity of maintaining separate storefronts.

    Public response to CosMc’s in the Dallas–Fort Worth area was mixed. On Reddit, some users praised drinks like the turmeric spice latte and blueberry ginger boost, comparing them favorably to Starbucks refreshers.

    Others criticized offerings like the S’mores cold brew, calling it a “chemical sugar bomb.” A BuzzFeed review described the Churro Frappe as “delectable,” while a post on X noted an empty parking lot at the Allen location.

    McDonald’s has not released revenue figures for CosMc’s, but the decision to close all locations suggests the concept fell short of expectations. The company struggled to generate momentum at its larger-format stores and eventually shifted focus to smaller formats. That pivot, however, was not enough to sustain the brand. McDonald’s now plans to bring CosMc’s beverage ideas into its main restaurant business.

    In a statement, McDonald’s chief executive, Chris Kempczinski, described CosMc’s as a “learning lab” that allowed the company to test new flavors and technologies without disrupting its main brand. “We’ve learned so much, so quickly from the CosMc’s test,” the company said. It now plans to bring select drinks from the pilot into existing McDonald’s restaurants.

    CosMc’s opened its first Texas location on March 20, 2024, at 6033 Campbell Road in Dallas, following the brand’s initial launch in Bolingbrook, Illinois, in December 2023. McDonald’s had planned to open nine pilot locations across the Dallas–Fort Worth area and San Antonio by the end of that year.

    Several locations did open across North Texas:

    LocationAddressOpened
    Dallas6033 Campbell Rd.March 2024
    Allen861 W. Stacy Rd.February 2025
    Fort Worth5341 McPherson Blvd.August 2024
    Watauga7304 Denton Hwy.April 2024
    Arlington300 E. Abram St. #150April 2024
    Photo taken by Yasmin Ledezma

    While CosMc’s may not have found lasting success as a standalone brand, its brief run offered McDonald’s a low-risk way to test new ideas in a fast-changing beverage market. With the experiment now concluded, the company is turning its attention to what worked—and how those lessons might shape the future of its core menu.

  • Living in an Unincorporated Area of the DFW: Pros, Cons, and What to Expect

    Residing in an unincorporated area of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex means your community is managed by the county (such as Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, or Denton County) rather than a municipality, which comes with its pros and cons. Typically, this includes lower property taxes, greater zoning flexibility, less stringent building codes, and fewer city services such as police, fire, and trash collection. Understanding the differences between city and county governance in Texas is important before making your decision.

    Here’s what to know about living in an unincorporated part of DFW:

    • Governance & County Oversight: Unincorporated areas don’t fall under any city, with county governments (like Dallas County, Tarrant County, etc.) responsible for most services and regulations.
    • Services & Public Utilities: You may need to manage your own septic system, well, and waste disposal, which often require permits and regular upkeep. Law enforcement and fire protection are provided by the county, though response times and coverage may differ from what you’d get in a city.
    • Taxes & Property Costs: Property taxes are often lower than in incorporated cities, but you may also be required to pay fees to special districts that provide services like fire protection or water.
    • Zoning & Regulations: These areas typically have fewer zoning restrictions and more lenient building codes, giving you greater flexibility in land use and development. This might include allowances for different types of structures or uses.
    • Community Identity & Lifestyle: These communities often have a strong local feel, with their own traditions and social dynamics that reflect everyday life in a typical Texas county.

    Unincorporated areas are usually found in suburban or rural areas, though some are right next to city limits. In Texas, counties handle law enforcement and road maintenance in these areas. For more information on Dallas County responsibilities, check this out.

  • 4 Considerations for New Commercial Real Estate Investors to the Dallas-Fort Worth Market

    If you are new to commercial real estate or new to the commercial real estate in the Dallas-Fort Worth area then you should likely know about a few key factors when it comes to investing in DFW. Dallas-Fort Worth is similar to many metropolitan markets but there are a lot of distinct differences and advantages that also await you. Let’s take a closer look at what you need to know before this very specific market.

    1. Market Research is Vital

    Market research is one of the most important factors when it comes to making that big commercial investment. Investors must pay close attention to economic indicators which include job growth, population trends and nearby major industries. Investors must also know how much is enough and how much might be too much. 

    Dallas neighbor Shreveport, Louisiana recently acquired a new investor by way of well-known rapper 50 Cent. His team was able to determine the true value of a number of commercial properties that were struggling or looking for new ownership in the downtown area. The economic indicators suggested that it was a very good time to buy in. 

    Dallas-Fort Worth presents a number of lucrative possibilities when it comes to commercial real estate. How lucrative? Let the market research lead you. Maybe start right here.

    2. Do Your Due Diligence

    Don’t just take that price at face value. Do you have an eye on a property in the DFW area? Then be sure to treat it like the investment you want and need it to be. 

    This means that thorough inspections should be considered. Know any and all potential issues with the property in question before the contracts are signed. Also, keep in mind how the property is zoned. What kind of building is it and what kind of tenants will it attract?

    It is also advised that you make use of a top-rated lease management software program to perform a detailed analysis of any projected cash flows, cap rates and ROI (return on investments) after the building is acquired. 

    3. Are you Looking for a Specific Type of Commercial Property?

    Commercial real estate covers a lot of ground so what is it that you’re looking for? Office space? Retail malls? Maybe your eye is on something more industrial or, perhaps, multi-family residential units have your attention? Either way, it’s no secret that these sectors are absolutely thriving in the DFW area.

    4. Make Good Use of the Technology at Hand

    This brings us to the next consideration. These days, property management is made easy because of new technology and innovative approaches to lease management and lease management software. Also, more and more smart buildings are coming online and tenants are lining up for these advanced commercial spaces. 

    So, is the property in question able to take full advantage of smart tech or energy-saving applications? Could this property benefit from a “green” approach with the addition of air-tight windows, smart bulbs and alternative energy sources or backup generators?

    When an investor takes hold of an older property or something a bit more antiquated, it can be a beautiful and even profitable thing to bring that building into the 21st century with modern upgrades and appliances. These types of commercial investments often fall under the category of “revitalization” and can even come with local, state or federal tax incentives. 

    On Your Mark, Get Set, Buy!

    If you’re ready to dive into the Dallas-Fort Worth commercial real estate market, there’s plenty of opportunity waiting for you. The area is alive with potential and investors are taking real notice. It’s just a matter of knowing what you want, applying a bit of research and finding that beautiful needle in our commercial real estate haystack.