Summary: What You'll Learn About Home Choices at Mercer Crossing
Looking for a home at Mercer Crossing and feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the different options out there? This guide dives deep into the exact types of residences available in this growing master-planned community. We’ll skip the generic real estate fluff and get into specifics—from single-family floor plans to the townhome boom, plus apartment developments you might not expect. Along the way, you’ll find screenshots and real-world stories about the buying (or renting) process, industry viewpoints, and even how national housing laws color local options. If you want a no-nonsense breakdown, some personal trial-and-error tales, and links to authority sources, you’re in the right place.
Mercer Crossing Home Styles: Direct Answers First
You’re wondering what kinds of places you can actually live in at Mercer Crossing. To cut straight to the chase:
- Single-family detached homes (varied sizes and styles)
- Townhomes (modern, low-maintenance, ideal for lock-and-leave living)
- Luxury apartments (in nearby sub-communities and multi-use clusters)
- Executive/estate homes (higher square footage, more amenities)
Step-by-Step: Scoping Out Your Options (and Home Types) Online
When I started my own Mercer Crossing home search, I figured finding info would be a cinch. Lists everywhere! Turns out, there’s a surprising lack of straight-shooting detail, and the developer’s own site (as of 2024) is more flash than substance. Here’s what actually works:
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Start with builder sites—not just developer brochures.
Advertisement materials are fine as a primer, but Pivot to the home builder’s own online listings (e.g., Drees Custom Homes, Trophy Signature Homes, and CB JENI Lifestyle Homes). Here you'll see floor plans laid out, community maps, and even inventory homes with finish dates.Note: Don't be thrown if you can’t instantly match a house in your mind to that nice 3D render on the website. When I visited, the reality often looked a little different—especially as models aged a bit. -
MLS and Realtor.com screenshots will save your sanity.
During my hunt, I fell into the rabbit hole of MLS aggregation sites. These actually show:- Homes under construction (with price points)
- Previously sold homes (to see appreciation and variety over time)
- Rental options (hint: there are far more than just apartments—some single-family homes are rentable due to investor activity)
Yes, the filters work. If you only want to see townhomes, set that checkbox!
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Onsite and virtual tours reveal hidden gems.
Lots of traditional marketing skips “inventory homes,” which are partially or fully built spec homes that save you months of construction. Here's a photo from my misguided adventure, mixing up a “model home” for an actual move-in-ready property (they look similar but are not for sale!):
This is where agents—like the endlessly patient Kim at Trophy Signature—explained the difference between model vs. available homes, which saved me a headache and set me straight on inventory timelines.
Breaking Down the Home Styles at Mercer Crossing
Now that you know how to find what’s actually out there, let’s look at the nuts and bolts of each main type—pros, cons, style, and some of the quirks nobody tells you about.
1. Single-Family Detached Homes: Space, Suburbia, and Custom Vibes
The classic American dream is alive here, in various flavors. Most single-family detached homes in Mercer Crossing are in the 2,000–4,000 sq ft range. Builders like Drees and Toll Brothers lean into open floor plans, island kitchens, and generous backyard space. There’s a mix of elevations (brick, stone, stucco) and some surprisingly modern touches—though beware, if you want anything non-neutral, custom finishes can blow up your costs.
One surprise: HOA covenants here are strict about fencing materials and colors. The deed restrictions (see TREC's Subdivision Information) force even a slight deviation—my neighbor’s attempt at a cedar fence faced a $500 correction!
2. Townhomes: Low-Maintenance and “Lock-and-Leave” Friendly
Townhomes in Mercer Crossing come in 2-3 story layouts, from just under 1,500 sq ft up to almost 2,200. CB JENI does a lot of these. What I really like is the mix of compact footprints (good for busy people or smaller families) and nice finish choices—no more builder beige unless you want it. True story: I almost rented a townhome here because of its huge second-floor balcony. The walkable layout surprised me (local trails thread right through the area), saving time and mental energy on weekend errands. Still, you do sacrifice private yard space.
Want to check the floorplans? Try this semi-hidden page: CB JENI Mercer Crossing Townhome Brochure [PDF].
3. Apartments: Not Just a Stopgap
There are several apartment complexes in the fringe zones of Mercer Crossing (like Promenade at Mercer Crossing and Broadstone Mercer Crossing). Why mention them? Long-term renters, corporate transferees, and even downsizers use these as entry points to scout out the neighborhood before buying. They’re high-amenity and often more affordable up front (though rent continues to climb each year). The trick: Most complexes are extremely pet-friendly but come with various breed restrictions—be sure to check their official pet policies.
4. Estate and Executive Homes: Larger, Quieter, and Higher-End
Some sub-neighborhoods (look for phrases like "The Reserve" or "Lakeside") host bigger homes—multi-garage, pool-sized lots, 3,500+ sq ft. These aren’t just about size—there’s greater flexibility in upgrades and even a handful of custom lots, though these go fast. Ask directly about which lots are still available; maps on developer sites are rarely updated in real-time. When I called Drees in 2023, half the lots "shown as available" were already in contract, something their sales lead admitted was common due to intense demand post-pandemic.
Case Study: A (Fictionalized) Home-Buyer’s Dilemma
“Sofia," a healthcare professional new to Dallas, fell in love with a townhome floorplan but wanted the backyard privacy of a detached house. Her agent pointed out the HOA’s rules and park amenities as a compromise. She met several builder reps—Trophy Signature for single-family and CB JENI for townhomes. In the end, Sofia chose a townhome after the agent leveraged a builder incentive to cover half her closing costs. This gave her time to enjoy the community first and consider a detached home as a future move-up. Reflective of many real paths, not just a planned-out trajectory.
Do Verified Standards or Regulations Limit Your Choices?
It’d be easy to assume local zoning or federal housing acts might limit what can be built. Actually, the big laws come in at the edges. The Fair Housing Act (FHA) ensures non-discriminatory access, meaning townhomes or single-family homes can’t arbitrarily exclude buyers. At the municipal level, the City of Farmers Branch follows their own latest zoning codes, detailed here: Planning & Zoning, which prevent incompatible land uses.
For curious international readers: Countries like Canada or the UK have similar, but not identical, standards when it comes to master-planned communities. Major differences are summarized below:
| Country | Name of Standard | Legal Basis | Agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Fair Housing Act (FHA) | 42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq. | HUD |
| Canada | National Housing Act | R.S.C., 1985, c. N-11 | CMHC |
| UK | Building Regulations/Equalities Act | Equality Act 2010 | MHCLG |
These differences matter mainly if you’re comparing how easy it is for certain demographic groups (seniors, families, immigrants) to access homes in different countries, but the core idea everywhere is to support fair, accessible, and flexible home types suitable to a broad range of needs.
Expert Insights: Local Agent, National Context
I got the chance to speak with an experienced agent, Heather Randolph (not her real name for privacy). She pointed out: “In Texas, the pressure for single-family homes is huge, but the ‘missing middle’—townhomes, duplexes, etc.—is what’s really growing in demand. Mercer Crossing is one of the few places in Farmers Branch you’ll actually see this balance realized.” That’s consistent with NAR data on national housing trends.
I also made the newbie mistake of thinking the most expensive homes would gain value the fastest. In reality, agent data from 2023 showed the “sweet spot” for price appreciation was the mid-tier 3-4 bedroom homes—likely because these attract more buyers and resell faster.
Conclusion: What’s the Best Home Type for You in Mercer Crossing?
Mercer Crossing offers an unusually diverse mix—from efficient townhomes to family-sized detached houses, to amenitized luxury apartments and a small number of estate lots. In my own, somewhat bumpy experience, getting the full picture means going beyond surface listings—digging through builder sites, touring both models and inventory, and being honest about which lifestyle fits best.
My tip: Don’t just rely on web searches. Get out there, walk a few blocks, ask current residents, and talk directly with the builder’s onsite agent (not just your own!). If you’re comparing with similar developments in other cities—or even countries—the big differences come down to zoning flexibility, HOA rules, and the evolving demand for low-maintenance living (think growing townhome stock).
Next steps? Check the builders’ current availability, tour both townhomes and single-family models, grill the agents about HOA fine print (with screenshots if they’ll give you any), and make sure your financing is lined up before falling in love with a particular home—inventory can move fast.
External verified resources:
- HUD: Fair Housing Act Overview
- City of Farmers Branch Planning & Zoning
- Realtor.com: Current Listings at Mercer Crossing
- National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
Personal wrap-up: If you want a mix of space, amenities, community feel, and modern construction, Mercer Crossing is worth a serious look—but give yourself room for in-person surprises, especially if, like me, you’re prone to getting the model and inventory mixed up at least once. It happens.