Larry Rutherford, SouthStar Communities President & CEO

On behalf of SouthStar Communities, I am proud to announce the acquisition of Bluegreen Communities on May 4, 2012. As a result, SouthStar has taken over management and development of Lake Ridge at Joe Pool Lake, as well as the following communities: Vintage Oaks and Havenwood near New Braunfels, Texas; King Oaks near College Station, Texas, and home of Texas A&M University; Sugar Tree near Dallas/Fort Worth; Sanctuary Cove at St. Andrews Sound, Georgia; and Chapel Ridge near Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

SouthStar has been building quality residential communities since 1999, identifying market trends in the southern states to create long-lasting enhancements and value. We’ve created successful communities for thousands of happy property owners throughout Texas, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. We look forward to continuing these successes in our newest communities.

We are excited about the future of each community and look forward to working with the current and prospective property owners.

Respectfully,

Larry Rutherford

President and CEO

SouthStar Development Partners

For more information about SouthStar Communities, visit our website for a short introductory video featuring Larry Rutherford.

Since Joe Pool Lake is just minutes away from DFW, after your day in the sun you can spend the night on the town, enjoying one of the many concerts and happy hour events.

For a list of all of the best evening St. Patrick’s Day activities, visit the D Magazine FrontBurner blog.

Matt’s Rancho Martinez – You can’t live at Lake Ridge without visiting Matt’s on a regular basis. This Tex-Mex favorite serves of some of Dallas’ best Tex-Mex and the best Chile Rellenos in Dallas according to D Magazine. Be sure to start off your meal with an order of Bob Armstrong dip – a delicious mix of queso, taco meat, guacamole and sour cream. This spot is great whether you’re looking for a place to enjoy happy hour after work or a family-friendly dinner destination. Visit www.mattstexmex.com for more information.

Babe’s Chicken – Take a night off from your diet and enjoy Babe’s Chicken’s homestyle cooking. This comfort food restaurant is known for its oversized portions of fried chicken, hickory smoked ribs and chicken fried steak. Don’t forget to enjoy the mashed potatoes and gravy and Grandma’s Corn – their two most popular side items. This is a great place to bring out-of-town guests to let them experience some southern comfort! Visit www.babeschicken.com for more information.

Bolsa – Located just 20 minutes north of Lake Ridge in Oak Cliff, Bolsa offers an wide-ranging menu consisting locally-grown and organic products.  Whether you come on a weeknight for dinner or Sunday brunch, be sure to try one of their unique versions of bruschetta along with a fun cocktail. The patio is almost always open and is heated in the winter for a fun dining experience. Visit www.bolsadallas.com for more information.

Cane Rosso – Take a quick trip into Dallas to enjoy the wood-fired pizzas at Cane Rosso. Located in Deep Ellum, you can find some of the best pizza and Ceasar Salad in town according to the Dallas Observer. Start your meal with an order of focaccia and don’t forget to end it with a s’mores calzone big enough for an entire family to share. Cane Rosso uses fresh, local ingredients and is centered around a wood-burning oven so you can watch your food cook. Visit www.ilcanerosso.com for more information.

Making plans to tie the knot? Consider having your wedding at Tangle Ridge Golf Club at Joe Pool Lake. Located just minutes away from Lake Ridge in Dallas, this beautiful course is set among the rolling hills of Texas and features beautifully-manicured landscaping that will provide a breathtaking backdrop for your wedding.

This venue is perfect for any couple, whether you enjoy playing golf together or not. Just 30 minutes south of Dallas, you can take advantage of a quiet location without being too far away from great catering, florist and hotel venues in Dallas.

Tangle Ridge provides an intimate setting for both your ceremony and reception. Visit www.tangleridge.com to begin planning your big day!

Shopping

Shower your Valentine with gifts from Uptown Village at Cedar Hill!

If you’re shopping for your husband or boyfriend, stop by the Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop or Finish Line to grab a sporty and fun gift. Have a man who’s tech-savvy? Pick up an e-reader at Barnes & Noble or a new gaming system at GameStop!

If you’re shopping for your wife or girlfriend, be sure to pick up a beautiful piece of jewelry from James Avery or stop by Virginia’s Boutique to find a new outfit for them to wear on date night. Looking to pamper your sweetie? Pick up a gift card to the Aveda Tangerine Salon or Uptown Nails!

Dining

Treat your Valentine to an evening of fine dining with one of these romantic dinner packages:

Marquee Grill & Bar – Enjoy a four-course meal from Executive Chef and Top Chef alumni Tre Wilcox! This Highland Park Village favorite has set a delicious menu for you to choose from – we recommend the Marquee Tart for dessert!

Del Frisco’s – Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a decadent meal at one of Dallas’ most infamous steakhouses. Dine off of a special menu featuring lobster bisque soup, an 8oz filet and an 8oz lobster tail!

Maximo – Indulge in a special menu from Executive Chef Amador Mora featuring seafood, chicken, steak and lamb entrees!  Add a little spice to your evening and order the Maximo Heat – a specialty margarita featuring muddled jalapenos!

Do you have a favorite place to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Dallas? Share your favorite Dallas restaurants and shopping destinations in the comments below and we’ll share them on our Facebook page!

Highland Park Village Theater
32 Highland Park Village
Dallas, TX 75205
Looking for a family-friendly atmosphere to watch the Super Bowl in? Make plans to watch it on the newly-renovated screen at Highland Park Village’s Village Theater.  Sit back, relax and enjoy traditional football food while watching the game on the big screen! Tickets are $35 for adults and $25 for kids. Visit the theater to purchase tickets ahead of time and be sure to arrive early!

Frankie’s Bar and Grill

3227 McKinney Ave
Dallas, TX 75204
Frankie’s in Uptown Dallas was named one of the best places to watch the Super Bowl by D Magazine and we can see why! This sports bar is serving up New England and Boston-themed menus and drinks all day on Sunday. Start the day off with a brunch that includes $2 mimosas and a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar. After brunch, take advantage of New York style hot dogs, New England clam chowder and specialty shots and cocktails! Be sure to get there by 2:00 p.m. to participate in a trivia contest where you can win gift cards, Dallas Stars tickets and more!

The Owner’s Box
555 S. Lamar
Dallas, TX 75202
Located inside the new Omni Dallas hotel, the Owner’s Box features state-of-the-art HD TVs and a 16 foot projection screen perfect for watching the Super Bowl on. Enjoy a stocked bar and full menu while relaxing in one of their oversized chairs or hang out on the patio and enjoy the weather we wish we’d had for last year’s Super Bowl! Make reservations today by calling (214) 652-4805.

Do you have a favorite place to watch the Super Bowl near Lake Ridge? Share your favorite spots and tell us who you’re cheering for on the Lake Ridge Facebook page!

Would you like views of tall trees and a quiet creek in your own backyard? Then look no further! Homesite #1460 at Lake Ridge is waiting for you! This lot is at the low price of $29,900 - so it will go quickly. By purchasing this lot, you will become a member of the Lake Ridge family and enjoy great amenities including access to a marina at Joe Pool Lake, several parks and recreational fields and a stocked fishing pond!

Call Lake Ridge at 800-653-9891 to request a tour today!

First of all, a home mortgage bridges the gap of the money you can put down on a home (or with a builder) and the amount that you still need to pay. It can have either an adjustable rate or a fixed rate. Adjustable rate mortgages have changing interest rates, meaning the amount of your payment can fluctuate monthly. Typically, there is a cap to how high the rates can go. A fixed rate mortgage means that the interest rates and your payments, will always stay the same. If you have any questions about which is right for you be sure to ask your lender.

The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is the cost of a loan calculated by its yearly interest rate which includes the interest, points, mortgage insurance, and other fees associated with the loan. Escrow is the amount from your monthly payments that your lender puts towards various expenses like property taxes and homeowners insurance. Mortgage Insurance is beneficial towards your lender, not you. It is required if you pay less than 20 percent of the purchase price on a down payment and protects the lender if you default on your loan.

Have more home mortgage rate questions? You can always contact The Texas Land Man on Facebook, or leave a comment below!

1. Location – You could build a castle next to a dump, but it probably wouldn’t be the same. Think of what you are looking for, and if it’s waterfront property you desire look at Lake Ridge at Joe Pool Lake.

2. Ability to build on the land – This may seem like a no-brainier, but there can be unexpected surprises. Make sure you know which parts of your land are best suited for building a safe and strong home.

3. Utilities and Roads – Before you make your purchase, make sure there aren’t hidden costs to bringing utilities out to your freshly built home. If there isn’t a road already leading up to the site, ask if it costs to do so or if it is included in the cost of land.

4. Permits – Make sure to get all the proper permits from the city before building. This is an excellent step to take prior to land purchase.

5. Zoning – Even though the land is already zoned for residential use, there may be restrictions due to things like environmental zoning laws that can restrict where your home can go on your land. Be sure to bring this up with your real estate agent and the zoning board.

Think your ready to start looking at the beautiful lakefront properties at Lake Ridge? Contact us at 800-653-9891 to schedule a tour today!

Lakeside property

• Likelihood of erosion to your home is far less than by the ocean
• Safer than the ocean for swimming and boating
• Almost always cheaper than oceanfront properties

Oceanfront Property

• The most expensive out of all waterfront properties
• Requires the most maintenance from erosion and storms
• You are more susceptible to severe weather, like hurricanes and tropical storms

Want to take advantage of all that lakeside property has to offer and still be close to a big city? Make an appointment with Lake Ridge to find your dream homesite today!