on August 25, 2026
Jake Inderman recently toured a Highland Homes property on a 74-foot lot in Cambridge Crossing featuring approximately 4,488 square feet, five bedrooms, five full bathrooms, multiple half bathrooms, a three-car garage, media room, secondary living area and a massive backyard. At the time of filming, the move-in-ready home was priced around $1.2 million.
But the house itself isn’t the biggest reason buyers should know about Cambridge Crossing.
Jake Inderman is a Celina TX Realtor helping families relocating to North Texas compare Cambridge Crossing, Celina neighborhoods, builders, property taxes, PID assessments, HOA costs, amenities and commute times.
Here’s what buyers need to know before choosing Cambridge Crossing.
**Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/aywxhlEfobU
Cambridge Crossing is a master-planned community in Celina offering multiple builders, homesite sizes and price points.
One of its biggest advantages is its location.
The community sits near the Dallas North Tollway and across from Light Farms, giving residents relatively convenient access south toward Prosper, Frisco, Plano and Dallas.
That’s a major difference when comparing Cambridge Crossing with some of Celina’s newer communities farther north.
You can still get the newer master-planned-community experience without moving as far away from the major employment centers to the south.
The property Jake toured was built by Highland Homes on one of Cambridge Crossing’s larger 74-foot homesites.
The home offered approximately:
For buyers looking for a substantial luxury home while remaining in Celina, this is the type of product Cambridge Crossing can offer.
One of the biggest advantages of this particular home isn’t inside the house.
It’s the homesite.
The property sits on a 74-foot lot, but Jake points out that lot width only tells part of the story.
This particular homesite is also deep, creating a substantial backyard with room for possibilities such as:
For buyers relocating to North Texas, that’s an important distinction.
A 74-foot lot doesn’t automatically mean you’ll have a huge backyard.
Jake regularly tells buyers to evaluate lot depth as well as lot width.
A 60-foot homesite that’s substantially deeper could potentially provide more usable backyard space than a shallower 74-foot lot.
So when comparing new-construction homes, don’t simply ask:
“How wide is the lot?”
Ask:
“What are the actual lot dimensions?”
Then physically tour similar homesites whenever possible.
If you’re planning a pool, outdoor kitchen or large patio, this becomes even more important.
At the time of Jake’s tour, this Highland home was priced around $1.2 million and was available for immediate move-in.
That gives buyers a useful benchmark for the higher end of Cambridge Crossing.
You’re getting more than approximately 4,500 square feet.
You’re also getting a larger homesite, multiple entertainment spaces, five bedrooms, extensive bathroom access and a three-car garage.
Of course, Cambridge Crossing isn’t exclusively a $1M+ community.
Different phases, builders and homesite sizes provide different options.
One of the most important developments for future buyers is Phase 5.
At the time Jake filmed this tour, Cambridge Crossing was preparing to open its final phase.
Jake says new floor plans were expected, including products on approximately 50-foot homesites.
That means buyers who like Cambridge Crossing but don’t need a massive 74-foot lot may have additional options.
Because builder releases, pricing and floor plans can change quickly, buyers should verify what’s currently available.
Jake identifies several reasons buyers are attracted to Cambridge Crossing:
Location
Amenities
Builder selection
Different lot sizes
Community activity
Access to the Dallas North Tollway
Future development
That combination gives Cambridge Crossing a different value proposition than a community where you’re simply buying a new house with a neighborhood pool.
Amenities are one of Cambridge Crossing’s strongest selling points.
The existing amenity center is approximately 2.5 acres, according to Jake’s tour.
Amenities discussed include:
Jake toured on a Monday and noticed plenty of residents using the pool, which gave him the impression that the amenities are actually being used rather than simply existing on a marketing brochure.
Phase 5 is expected to bring an even larger amenity center.
Jake describes the planned facility as approximately five acres, effectively doubling the footprint of the existing amenity center.
Plans discussed during the tour included:
For a growing community, that additional amenity capacity could become particularly important.
One planned feature Jake particularly likes is the business center.
Remote and hybrid work have changed what buyers need from their communities.
Working from home is great—until the kids are home for summer, the dog starts barking or you need a quiet place for an important call.
The planned business center could give residents somewhere within the community to work without driving to a coffee shop or coworking facility.
That’s a relatively small amenity that could provide a lot of practical value.
Cambridge Crossing also has fishing ponds.
Jake even mentions hearing about fishing tournaments within the neighborhood.
These types of features help distinguish a true master-planned community from a neighborhood that simply has a pool and playground.
Whether you’ll actually use them is another question.
And that matters when evaluating the HOA and PID.
For the 74-foot homesites, Jake reports an HOA cost of approximately $168 per month at the time of filming.
At first glance, that’s not cheap.
But the important question is:
What does the HOA include?
For these homes, Jake says front-yard maintenance is included.
That includes services such as:
So you’re not simply paying for access to the amenities.
You’re receiving actual maintenance services.
It depends on what you value.
If you hate yard work and would otherwise pay a landscaping company, the HOA may provide substantial value.
It also helps maintain consistency throughout the neighborhood.
If you love doing your own lawn and couldn’t care less whether every neighboring yard looks perfect, you may view the HOA as an unnecessary expense.
That’s why Jake doesn’t simply label an HOA as “good” or “bad.”
The question is whether you’re getting enough value for what you’re paying.
Jake says some homeowners may be able to collectively arrange additional backyard maintenance by paying more.
For the right buyer, that could create a nearly maintenance-free yard.
That’s especially appealing for:
Again, buyers should verify current services and pricing before purchasing.
Taxes are another important part of the Cambridge Crossing calculation.
Jake reports a tax rate of approximately 2% before the PID assessment at the time of filming.
Cambridge Crossing has a PID, and the cost can vary depending on the property and lot size.
That means buyers shouldn’t simply look at the base tax rate and assume that’s their total obligation.
PID stands for Public Improvement District.
In practical terms for a homebuyer, the important thing is that a PID can create an additional cost beyond the base property-tax rate.
Rather than automatically eliminating every neighborhood with a PID, Jake recommends calculating the actual monthly payment.
That’s the number that ultimately affects your budget.
This depends entirely on what Cambridge Crossing gives you compared with your alternatives.
Jake uses a simple example.
Imagine two homes costing $600,000.
One is in a community with a MUD or PID and carries a monthly payment of $3,000.
The other doesn’t have the special district and carries a payment of $2,800.
Instead of immediately choosing the second house, ask:
What else could you get for the same $3,000 monthly budget?
Maybe you could increase your purchase price in the lower-tax community.
Maybe that gets you:
That’s how Jake recommends evaluating special districts.
This is particularly important in North Texas.
Two $700,000 homes can have dramatically different monthly ownership costs.
Before deciding which home is cheaper, compare:
Principal and interest
Property taxes
PID/MUD/MMD assessments
Homeowners insurance
HOA
Then compare what you’re actually receiving for that total monthly payment.
If another community gives you everything you want without the additional tax, Jake would generally prefer avoiding the extra assessment.
But if Cambridge Crossing provides a combination of location, amenities, floor plan and homesite you can’t replicate elsewhere, the additional cost may be worth it.
Location is one of the strongest arguments for Cambridge Crossing.
The community provides access toward the Dallas North Tollway and sits across from Light Farms.
That puts residents in a more convenient position for traveling south than some communities farther north in Celina.
For relocation buyers who need access to Frisco, Plano or North Dallas, that can be a major factor.
During Jake’s tour, a community sales representative who lived in North Dallas reported approximately a 35-minute commute, although Jake notes she was traveling against normal traffic patterns.
For someone commuting toward Dallas during traditional rush hour, Jake estimates approximately 40–45 minutes, depending on traffic and destination.
Actual drive times can vary significantly.
Jake recommends testing your specific commute during the hours you’ll actually be traveling.
The future Dallas North Tollway extension could improve access even further.
Jake discusses approximately six additional miles of planned extension and expects it could help reduce travel times as the infrastructure develops.
However, buyers shouldn’t purchase a home based solely on future roads.
Infrastructure schedules can change.
Make sure the current location works for you today and treat future improvements as potential upside.
Now back to the actual Highland home.
The kitchen is probably Jake’s favorite feature.
The design includes:
Even if you don’t cook much, it’s the kind of kitchen that becomes a visual centerpiece of the home.
For buyers who entertain, it works even better because the kitchen connects naturally with the main living spaces.
Another great feature is that the media room is downstairs.
Jake likes this because it gives homeowners another entertainment area right off the main kitchen and living space.
If you’re hosting Thanksgiving, Christmas, a birthday party or a football game, you could potentially have different groups using different rooms without everyone being concentrated in one space.
Upstairs, there’s yet another living area.
This space includes a dry bar and overlooks the main living area below.
Potential uses include:
Combined with the downstairs media room, this gives a larger household several different places to spread out.
The primary suite includes an extended sitting area and a large bathroom.
Jake highlights:
There’s also a half bathroom with convenient backyard access nearby.
This is a small design decision that could become incredibly useful.
A half bathroom can be accessed near the backyard area.
If you add a pool, guests don’t have to walk through the entire house soaking wet to reach a bathroom.
For a homesite this large, where adding a pool is realistic, that’s excellent planning.
The backyard is one of the strongest features of the property.
The combination of a 74-foot-wide and deep homesite gives buyers enough usable outdoor area to create a substantial backyard setup.
Jake specifically sees room for:
The covered patio was also shaded around 3:30 p.m. during the tour.
In a Texas summer, that’s important.
Jake regularly encourages new-construction buyers to think about sun exposure.
If you love sitting outside after work, a backyard getting blasted by western sun every afternoon can significantly change how often you use it.
Before choosing a lot, visit it at different times if possible.
Think about:
Morning sun
Afternoon sun
Patio shade
Future pool location
Window exposure
Outdoor kitchen placement
Those decisions are difficult or impossible to change once the house is built.
Jake has toured numerous Highland Homes throughout North Texas and speaks positively about the builder based on his experiences.
He gives one particularly useful example.
A recent client purchased a five-year-old Highland home built in 2021. Despite concerns buyers sometimes have about homes constructed during that period, Jake says the inspection was nearly flawless.
The issues were minor:
That’s anecdotal evidence from one property—not a guarantee that every Highland home will perform the same way.
But it’s one reason Jake personally has confidence in the builder.
Every buyer should still get an independent inspection.
Location: Stronger access south than some farther-north Celina communities.
Dallas North Tollway access: Important for commuters.
Amenities: Existing 2.5-acre amenity center plus larger future facilities.
Large homesites: Options such as this 74-foot lot.
Multiple housing products: Smaller lots are also available.
Highland Homes: Popular builder with multiple products.
Front-yard maintenance: Included for the 74-foot product discussed in Jake’s tour.
Fitness center: Useful amenity for residents.
Pickleball and basketball: Additional recreation.
Fishing ponds: Another lifestyle feature.
Business center: Planned space for remote workers.
Phase 5: New opportunities expected as the final phase opens.
PID: Adds to the overall cost of ownership.
HOA: Approximately $168 per month for the 74-foot product at the time of filming.
Luxury-home pricing: Larger Highland products can exceed $1 million.
Ongoing development: Phase 5 means more construction.
Future amenities aren’t current amenities: Verify what’s completed.
Traffic: Commutes south still depend heavily on time of day.
Higher total monthly cost: Buyers need to account for taxes, PID and HOA rather than focusing solely on purchase price.
Light Farms sits directly across from Cambridge Crossing, making it an obvious comparison.
Both offer a master-planned lifestyle, but they’re at different stages of development and offer different combinations of:
A buyer shouldn’t choose between the two based solely on the model home they like best.
Compare the total monthly payment and lifestyle.
Relocation buyers should also compare Cambridge Crossing with communities such as:
The right community depends on your priorities.
Jake recommends comparing:
Location
Commute
Home price
Monthly payment
Tax rate
PID/MUD/MMD
HOA
Amenities
Lot size
Builder
Future development
That’s where the differences become much clearer.
Cambridge Crossing could be a strong fit if you want:
For commuters who want Celina but don’t want to move significantly farther north, the location is particularly compelling.
Cambridge Crossing might not be the best fit if you:
In those situations, another Celina community may provide better value.
Cambridge Crossing is in Celina, Texas, near the Dallas North Tollway and across from Light Farms.
The move-in-ready Highland home Jake toured was approximately $1.2 million at the time of filming.
Approximately 4,488 square feet with five bedrooms, five full bathrooms, multiple half bathrooms and a three-car garage.
Yes. This Highland property sits on a 74-foot homesite. Jake recommends comparing both lot width and depth because actual usable backyard space can vary significantly.
Jake reported approximately $168 per month for the 74-foot homesites at the time of filming. Front-yard maintenance was included.
Yes. Jake explains that Cambridge Crossing has a PID and that the assessment can vary depending on the property or lot size.
Jake reported approximately 2% before the PID at the time of filming. Buyers should calculate the applicable PID and verify current taxes for the specific property they’re considering.
Jake discusses a pool, fitness center, pickleball courts, basketball courts, walking trails and fishing ponds. A larger future amenity center was also planned.
Its access toward the Dallas North Tollway gives Cambridge Crossing a strong location relative to some farther-north Celina communities. Actual commute times depend on traffic and destination.
For buyers who value the location, amenities, homesite options and builders enough to justify the HOA and PID costs, Cambridge Crossing can be a compelling Celina option.
Cambridge Crossing has a lot going for it.
You get a strong Celina location.
Access toward the Dallas North Tollway.
Established amenities with additional facilities planned.
Large homesite options.
Popular builders such as Highland Homes.
And a community that already appears to have an active resident base.
The biggest financial considerations are the HOA and PID.
That’s why Jake doesn’t recommend looking at Cambridge Crossing—or any North Texas community—in isolation.
Take the home you like and compare its total monthly payment with comparable homes in Light Farms, Ramble, North Sky, Legacy Hills and other communities.
If another neighborhood gives you everything you want without the additional costs, that may be the better decision.
But if Cambridge Crossing gives you the combination of location + amenities + lot + builder + floor plan that you can’t replicate elsewhere, the added cost may provide real value.
Jake Inderman is a Celina TX Realtor helping families relocating to North Texas compare Cambridge Crossing and other communities throughout Celina, Prosper and Frisco.
Whether you’re moving in 9 days or 9 months, Jake can help you compare:
For buyers relocating from another state, Jake can also provide virtual tours and help eliminate homes and communities before you ever arrive in Texas.
Jake Inderman | Celina TX Realtor
Call/Text: 469-343-2008
Email: jake.inderman@gmail.com