📬 Dear Manor: Let’s Talk About Our Homes, Our Future, and How We Grow Together

You’ve lived in Manor for a while. Maybe you bought when lots of folks were moving out this way because it was more affordable. The gentle pace, the quiet, the promise of more - parks, stores, easier drives to work. But if you’re watching your home value stay flat—maybe rising slowly, maybe not much at all—you’re not alone. Growth doesn’t always feel fast. But here’s the good news: there are big changes coming to Manor, and there are things you — as a neighbor, a voter, a homeowner — can do to help make sure your home holds and increases in value. As a homeowner in Manor, TX—and someone lucky enough to call this growing community home—I know how much pride, potential, and patience it takes to build your life here. From quiet mornings in Bell Farms to basketball games echoing through Stonewater and the family-filled parks of Hamilton Point and Greenbury, there’s something deeply grounded about this place.

But if you're like many neighbors I've spoken with recently, you might be wondering:
“Why isn’t my home value rising like it did just a few years ago?”
“Is Manor really growing the way we thought it would?”
“What can we do to make sure we’re not left behind?”

Let’s explore the answers together—because the truth is, Manor’s value isn’t just about price per square foot. It’s about the power of community, the pace of smart development, and the choices we make right now.

🚧 Why Home Value May Feel Flat (For Now)

Neighborhoods like Bell Farms, Carriage Hills, and Greenbury were built on a promise: affordability, space, and potential. But lately, prices have plateaued or dipped slightly. Why?

• New construction in nearby communities (with builder incentives) draws buyers away from resales.
• Retail growth has been slower than expected—though that’s changing fast (more on that below).
• Infrastructure and trail access is still catching up to the pace of housing.

It’s helpful to know why the upward jump hasn’t fully happened yet — not to be discouraged, but so residents can see what levers need pulling.

• Early in Build‑Out Phase: Many of the promised amenities and infrastructure are still under construction or planning. Until stores open, roads are improved, and connectivity increases, many buyers wait.
• Supply & Competition: New subdivisions are competing with each other; new homes sometimes offer more modern features or better locations, so older homes (or those without updates) may get overlooked.
• Limited Local Participation: When citizens remain passive, sometimes zoning or public feedback doesn’t align with what residents want — for instance, noise, traffic, parking, or architectural standards.
• Perception of Amenities: Buyers don’t only buy a house; they buy lifestyle. If there are few shops, few green spaces, long drive times, or traffic issues, even new homes may struggle to appreciate quickly.

But here’s the good news: change is already happening. And if we’re proactive, we can shape that growth so that our homes gain the most value—not just the next wave of new builds.

What One Family Might Do

Imagine the Gilbert Grape family, who bought in Bell Farms five years ago. They love the quiet, but they’ve noticed their house isn’t going up in value as much as folks hoped. They hear about the new H‑E‑B and retail hub coming at Manor Commons; they see pad sites being advertised on Hwy 290 & FM 973; and they know the Destination 2050 plan talks about new roads and mixed‑use zoning.

Here’s what they decide to do:

• They attend a city open house hearing and learn about how “urban main streets” are supposed to be built. They tell the planning commission they want sidewalks and shade trees near their home.
• They start shopping at the new small businesses when they open, invite neighbors, share good feedback — they want those businesses to succeed.
• They keep up their home: repainting the front, trimming trees, keeping the yard neat, maybe adding a small solar panel or energy efficient windows so their home shows well.
• They write their city council member saying they support the Manor Crossing retail center but hope parking and road access is planned carefully to avoid traffic issues on their street.
• They join or form a neighborhood group, or even just a group chat, to share what’s happening, organize quarterly cleanups, and advocate together.

Over time—maybe 2‑5 years—they see more shops, more trails, better roads, more neighborhoods being built, and buyers begin to favor Bell Farms because it's well maintained, close to new amenities, and has a say in how things grow. Home values begin to rise more confidently.

🛍️ The Growth We’ve Been Waiting For

Over 150 acres of commercial space is under development across Manor Commons and Manor Crossing, bringing new retailers, services, restaurants, and—yes—finally an H-E-B. Pad sites are being leased quickly. Think Chick-fil-A, TJ Max, Home Depot, Planet Fitness, urgent care, and more. This matters for homeowners. Why? When walkable, everyday retail appears within 1–3 miles of your home, property values typically increase by 5–15% over the next 2–3 years, depending on how fast commercial completes.

🏗️ What’s Changing in Manor

Manor is finally seeing the growth long promised—and it's showing up in retail, roads, trails, and planning for the future. Here’s what’s already happening or on the way:

🛒 Commercial & Retail Growth

• Manor Commons and Manor Crossing are bringing H‑E‑B, Planet Fitness, Burlington, medical offices, and restaurants to the Hwy 290/FM 973 corridor.
• Pad sites along 290 and Parmer are being filled with retail, mixed-use, and service-based businesses—boosting local convenience and walkability.
• Think of places like Chili's and Chipotle, or the Bo Jangles or Chuey's under construction

🛤️ Trails, Parks & Connectivity

Trails = Value! The Austin-to-Manor Trail is complete, linking Manor to Austin’s hike/bike network. If you’ve walked or biked the Austin-to-Manor Trail, you already know how beautiful, safe, and peaceful it is. But imagine this:

What if the trail extended all the way to Elgin, connecting Bell Farms, Stonewater, and East Manor neighborhoods with downtown Austin—without needing a car?

This isn’t just wishful thinking. Plans to extend the trail eastward could unlock major potential:

• Increased home desirability among commuters, bikers, and renters
• Higher property values like we’ve seen along similar trails:

1. Atlanta’s BeltLine boosted nearby home prices by up to 30% within five years.
2. The Silver Comet Trail in Georgia saw retail pop-ups and revitalization in communities once forgotten.
3. The Katy Trail in Dallas created a premium zone of walkable, high-value real estate.

• These trails do more than beautify. They bring new business, better health, and national attention. We should push for the Manor-to-Elgin expansion.
• The city has dedicated land for new parks, trails, and public green space—including a 9-acre park site under planning.

🚗 Infrastructure & Long-Term Planning

• Destination Manor 2050, the city’s comprehensive plan, outlines major upgrades: new roads, walkable “main streets,” improved intersections, and smarter zoning.
• The Thoroughfare Plan aims to make Manor safer and more accessible, with sidewalks, trees, and street upgrades guiding the next 20–30 years of growth.

How the Manor 2050 Plan Helps & What to Watch Out For

The plan gives you tools, but it also depends on how well it’s carried out. Here are what to watch and help with:

• Zoning & Land Use: If the plan says certain areas will allow mixed‑use or commercial near residential, those are likely to rise in value. But if zoning is inconsistent (e.g. commercial dumping next to quiet homes) that can hurt.
• Transportation / Streets: The way major roads and arterials are planned influences traffic, safety, walkability. Well‑designed roads, with sidewalks, safe crossings, shade, will make areas more attractive.
• Public Spaces & Parks: Proximity to nice parks, trails, community centers always adds value. If new green space is added near your neighborhood, that’s good. Support it.
• Density & Building Standards: Higher density (more homes per acre) can strain schools, roads, utilities if not planned; but when done right, mixed use and density bring business, services, shorter commutes. Building standards matter — good infrastructure, drainage, quality materials — so newcomers don’t undercut value.
  

🏡 Residential Expansion & Land Use

• Dozens of new subdivisions are under development near Bell Farms, Stonewater, and Manor Commons.
• Over 200 acres of city-owned land is set aside for future mixed-use, housing, or entertainment hubs.
  
  

💬 What You Can Do to Help Manor—and Your Home—Thrive

You don’t have to be on City Council to make an impact. Here are five powerful, practical steps you can take as a homeowner right now:

✅ Action-🏡 How It Helps

Support local shopsEvery dollar you spend at a new restaurant, boutique, or service in Manor helps them grow—and makes your neighborhood more attractive to future buyers.

Communicate with the cityReach out to City Council or Planning & Zoning to voice your ideas: support trails, green spaces, safer roads, and higher design standards. It only takes one email or meeting.

Stay informed on Manor Destination 2050The City’s Destination 2050 Plan is shaping future roads, parks, and zoning. Review it and speak up where it matters most to you.

Invest in your home’s curb appeal  A tidy yard, fresh paint, gutters, entryway or landscaping makes your home stand out and lifts nearby values, too.

Connect with neighborsWhether through HOA, Nextdoor, or a block group chat, community-led cleanups, garage sales, and events improve perception—and prices.

Joining Your local Chamber of Commerce -Getting involved with the Manor Chamber of Commerce isn’t just for business owners—it’s a smart move for residents, too. As a member, you’ll stay in the loop on new developments, local events, and city initiatives that directly affect your neighborhood and home value. It’s also a great way to build relationships, advocate for improvements, and support small businesses shaping the future of Manor.

🧭 Thinking of Moving Up?

If your family is growing, or you’re ready for more space, now may be the ideal time to list your Manor home and move up—before interest rates swing and prices climb in newer subdivisions.

Here’s why listing now could make sense:

• Lower inventory means fewer homes for buyers to choose from, giving you the advantage.
• Manor’s future retail, trail, and infrastructure growth means buyers will begin to flock here again.
• Move-up buyers can use their equity to lock in better features: larger yards, offices, guest suites, better schools.

As someone who lives right here in Manor, I don’t just sell homes—I help neighbors transition into their next chapter. Whether you're in Bell Farms, Hamilton Point, or Greenbury, you deserve expert guidance and honest advice.

📣 Ready to Chat? Let’s Build Value—Together.

I’m Brandon Flowers—Manor homeowner, Realtor®, and local advocate. I believe Manor has everything it needs to thrive: we just need to connect the dots and build with intention.

Whether you're wondering what your home is worth, curious about buying your next home, or just want to talk about the future of our community—I’m here.

📞 678-557-4102
📩 BrandonFlowersRealtor@gmail.com
🌐 www.brandonflowers.realtor

Let’s make Manor more valuable, more connected, and more ours.