on September 29, 2026
I recently toured a 4,000-square-foot one-story home in Highland Crossing Celina TX, and this property does a great job showing the tradeoff buyers can make by going farther north.
At the time I filmed the home, pricing was approximately $868,000 to $878,000 depending on the elevation. For that, you’re looking at a full acre, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a 3-car garage, huge media room, home office, outdoor kitchen and a lot of usable outdoor space.
Here’s what stood out to me and what I’d want buyers to know before considering Highland Crossing.
**Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/zsOQS4VIERY
Highland Crossing is farther north than many of the Celina communities I normally tour.
For some buyers, that’s going to be the biggest downside. For others, it’s exactly why the community makes sense.
I mentioned during the tour that Highland Crossing is roughly 10 miles north of Ramble, another Celina community I’ve covered extensively.
As you move farther north, you start finding opportunities for larger homesites that can be much harder to find as you get closer to Frisco and Prosper.
That’s the tradeoff.
You’re giving up some proximity in exchange for more land, more separation between homes and potentially more house for your money.
Every homesite I discussed in this section of Highland Crossing sits on approximately one acre.
That’s one of the biggest reasons I wanted to tour this community.
If you’ve been looking at newer communities around North Texas, you already know how different a full acre feels compared with a traditional 40-, 50- or 60-foot lot.
You’re not walking outside and immediately looking into your neighbor’s house.
There’s actual separation.
And more importantly, you have enough land to do something with it.
At this Highland Crossing home, there’s room to potentially add a swimming pool while still maintaining grass for kids, dogs or entertaining. Buyers can also build a shop with approval.
That’s where acreage starts becoming more than simply a number on the listing.
The home I toured is the Bluebonnet floor plan, offering approximately 4,000 square feet on one level.
That’s a big deal if you’re specifically trying to avoid stairs.
Large one-story homes can be difficult to find because they require a larger footprint and generally more land to build.
This floor plan gives you:
And you get all of that without needing a second floor.
For someone downsizing from a two-story home without necessarily wanting to downsize the actual square footage, I think that’s one of the more interesting parts of this property.
At the time I filmed this tour, this home was being discussed in approximately the $868,000 to $878,000 range depending on the elevation selected.
Obviously, builder pricing, available homes, incentives and upgrade costs can change.
But the bigger story here is what that price point was getting you at the time:
Approximately 4,000 square feet + one story + one acre + three-car garage.
That’s the comparison I’d make when looking at Highland Crossing versus communities farther south.
Don’t simply compare two $875,000 houses.
Compare what that $875,000 actually buys you in each location.
You might get a newer home closer to Frisco on a significantly smaller lot, or you might move farther north and get substantially more land.
Which one is better depends entirely on how you want to live.
This was probably the number that surprised me most.
During the tour, I discussed a 1.47% property tax rate for Highland Crossing.
That’s especially notable when you’re comparing newer communities around this part of North Texas, where the total tax rate can sometimes be considerably higher.
Property taxes have a direct impact on your monthly payment, so I always recommend looking beyond the purchase price.
A more expensive house with a lower tax rate can sometimes have a monthly payment that’s closer to a less expensive house with a substantially higher tax rate than you’d expect.
Tax rates can change, so you’ll want to verify the current rate for the exact property you’re considering.
At the time of filming, I was told the Highland Crossing HOA was approximately $920 per year.
Again, that’s something I’d verify before purchasing because HOA dues and community requirements can change.
But when comparing acreage communities, I’d look at the entire ownership cost:
Purchase price, property taxes, HOA, insurance, maintenance and any additional improvements you plan to make.
If you’re planning to add a pool and shop immediately after moving in, that’s part of your real budget too.
Yes—based on the information I was given during this tour, shops were allowed with approval.
That’s going to matter to a lot of acreage buyers.
Maybe you need additional vehicle storage. Maybe you have a boat. Maybe you want a workshop, gym or just more room for everything that doesn’t fit inside the house.
If a shop is a major reason you’re buying acreage, I would verify the current architectural requirements before purchasing the lot or home.
Don’t assume that having an acre automatically means you can build whatever you want on it.
The outdoor setup is one of my favorite parts of this house.
You have sliding glass doors connecting the interior to a covered outdoor living area, along with a built-in grill and outdoor refrigerator.
I’d add a TV out there and probably spend a ridiculous amount of time grilling and watching football.
There’s also a drop-down shade that can help close off the outdoor living area.
And because you’re sitting on a full acre, you still have room beyond the patio.
That’s the advantage.
You can have the outdoor kitchen, potentially add a pool, potentially build a shop and still have actual grass remaining.
Another thing that stood out while I was outside was how quiet it felt.
I specifically stopped during the tour to point out the lack of highway noise. A car drove by while I was filming, and you could barely hear it.
That may sound like a small thing, but it can make a major difference depending on what you’re looking for.
There are great communities throughout Celina, Prosper and Frisco that are much closer to major roads.
That’s convenient—but sometimes you hear those roads.
If having more separation and a quieter setting is high on your list, this is something I’d pay attention to when comparing communities.
The primary bedroom is large and has vaulted ceilings with wood beams.
The bathroom continues that larger feel with separate vanities, a large shower, bench and tall tile work.
The primary closet is also legitimately large.
It wraps around and gives you enough room that you could divide it into separate sides if that’s how you wanted to organize it.
I’ve toured plenty of expensive homes where the primary closet feels like an afterthought. That wasn’t really an issue here.
This was one of the better media rooms I’ve toured recently.
It’s huge.
You’ve got enough room for a legitimate theater setup, but it could also work as a combination game room and media room.
There’s also a wet bar, ice maker, cabinetry and additional storage.
And because this is a one-story home, you don’t have to go upstairs every time you want to use it.
For me, that’s a big plus.
The kitchen is another area where this floor plan feels like a 4,000-square-foot house.
You have a large island, six-burner gas cooktop, double ovens, plenty of cabinetry and a sizable pantry.
There’s even a warming drawer, which I initially couldn’t figure out during the tour until I asked what it was.
You also have multiple dining areas.
Between the dining spaces and kitchen seating, I counted room for roughly 18 people before you’re breaking out the folding table for Thanksgiving.
If you have a large family or regularly entertain, the layout makes a lot of sense.
There’s also a dedicated office positioned near the main living and kitchen areas.
I like this location because you’re still connected to what’s happening throughout the house without having your desk sitting in the middle of the living room.
If you work remotely, that’s particularly relevant here.
And that brings us to the biggest tradeoff with Highland Crossing.
If you’re commuting into Dallas every day, Highland Crossing probably isn’t the first place I’d start looking.
During the tour, I estimated the drive to Dallas at around an hour and 15 minutes, depending on where you’re going and traffic conditions.
That’s significant.
If you’re doing that five days a week, getting an acre may not be worth spending that much of your life in the car.
But if you work remotely, have a flexible schedule, work somewhere farther north or simply don’t mind the drive, the equation changes.
This is why I don’t like choosing a community based purely on the house.
The house can be perfect.
But if your commute makes you miserable five days a week, it probably isn’t the right house for you.
I’ve been touring more 1 acre lots in Celina TX because there are buyers who want new construction without feeling like their neighbors are sitting directly outside their windows.
Highland Crossing gives you a different option than something like Redbud Gardens.
Redbud Gardens is focused heavily on large fully custom luxury homes. Highland Crossing gives you an opportunity to get a substantial one-story home on an acre at a different price point.
I also mentioned Ramble during the tour. I had been told its one-acre lots weren’t expected until around 2028, meaning buyers wanting acreage sooner may need to look farther north.
Availability and development timelines can change, so those should always be checked again when you’re actually ready to buy.
The bigger takeaway is that not all one-acre Celina communities are the same.
Compare the builder, home size, tax rate, HOA, location, commute and restrictions—not just the acreage.
If your priorities are one acre, a large one-story home, lower-density living, room for a pool or shop, and you don’t need to commute into Dallas every day, Highland Crossing deserves a look.
If your priority is being closer to Frisco, Plano or Dallas every day, I’d compare it carefully against communities farther south.
That’s the tradeoff.
At the time I toured it, getting approximately 4,000 square feet on one story, a full acre and a three-car garage in the high $800Ks made this a very interesting option.
But I wouldn’t buy here just because the house looks like a great deal.
I’d buy here because the house, acreage and location fit the life you actually want to live.
If you’re looking for 1 acre lots in Celina TX, considering Highland Crossing Celina TX, or comparing acreage communities throughout Celina, Prosper, Frisco and North Texas, I’d be happy to help you figure out which option makes the most sense for you.
I tour these communities regularly and can help you compare the things that aren’t always obvious online—lot sizes, builders, property taxes, HOA costs, commute times, restrictions, available inventory and the total cost of owning the home.
Whether you’re 9 days or 9 months away from moving to North Texas, feel free to reach out.
Jake Inderman | North Texas Realtor | eXp Realty
Call or text: 469-343-2008
Email: jake.inderman@gmail.com
My team and I would love to help you compare your options and find the North Texas community that actually fits what you’re looking for.