Hi, Kirstine & Clive Openshaw here with this week's most-watched stories - the ones everyone else already saw & proved to be hot topics for our area. Thought you might not want to miss out on seeing them too.
Here’s a deeper dive so you can get a more insightful look into what these mean for us, for Texas, your property equity positions & future plans.
Deal of the Week - Featured Home
Goff Custom Home - built in 2006
5 Bed 4 Bath 3,357sqft with 3 Car Garage in Northwest ISD
Want the full information on this home? Reply to this email or call 940-372-0044
This week, Fort Worth made headlines and not for one reason. For four.
A lawsuit just launched over a half-billion-dollar land grab west of the city. The biggest office project in Fort Worth in 43 years officially moved forward. Eight hundred new lots are coming to West Fort Worth. And Texas just admitted it has no idea how much water its data centers are using.
These four stories are connected. They're all about what happens when a city grows faster than its systems. And every single one of them affects your property, your water, and your future in DFW.
Here's what you need to know…
TEXAS FINALLY ASKS: WHERE IS ALL THE WATER GOING?
This spring, the Public Utility Commission of Texas will send surveys to every data center and crypto-mining facility in the state. Each one has six weeks to respond. Say it with me now…ABOUT TIME, right?
Why now? Because nobody actually knows how much water these facilities are using and the numbers we do have are alarming.
What we know:
Texas data centers currently use ~25 billion gallons of water per year
That's 1% of Texas's entire water supply
It could hit 3% by 2030
Texas is #2 in the nation for data center construction, behind only Virginia
Spending on data center builds jumped 3,000% in just five years
Why It Matters: This isn't just an environmental question. It’s a Life Factor for the surrounding areas and it's a real estate question. Water availability drives home values, utility rates, and long-term livability. DFW is in one of the fastest-growing data center markets in the country and the same water table that fills your neighborhood's pipes feeds these massive facilities. The survey results will shape the 2027 Texas legislative session, when lawmakers decide how to balance tech investment against protecting residential resources. Growth is good. Smart growth means knowing where the water goes & what effects these Data Centers will have on us all long term.
VEALE RANCH: 800 NEW LOTS COMING TO WEST FORT WORTH
PMB Capital is actively prepping 800 new home lots at Veale Ranch - off I-20 near Loop 820. Highland Homes has already signed on for 325 homes in the Ventana section. Pre-sales start in October.
Project breakdown:
5,200 total acres (only 15–20% developed so far)
Resort-style pools and trails
Direct access to the Trinity Trail system
Served by both Aledo ISD and Fort Worth ISD
Commercial development planned along I-20 corridor
Why It Matters: West Fort Worth is no longer the outskirts - it's the next growth zone. Walsh Ranch and Veale Ranch are both in active development, and real estate experts are already pointing to this corridor as a likely target for a major corporate headquarters announcement. Infrastructure like this takes years to build. The buyers who move before the announcement capture the value. The buyers who wait pay for it. If you want on the insider list before pre-sales go wide, this is the moment - Reply back here or Text me 940-372-0044 so you don’t overpay.
$1.7 BILLION WESTSIDE VILLAGE: FORT WORTH'S LARGEST OFFICE DELIVERY IN 43 YEARS
A $1.7 billion mixed-use development called Westside Village is officially moving forward. It will replace the former FWISD building on 37 acres at White Settlement Road and University Drive - two miles west of downtown.
Full buildout includes:
880,000 sq ft of new office space - the largest Fort Worth office delivery in 43 years
238,000 sq ft of retail
1,785 apartment units
175-key hotel
$45M in infrastructure investment
Phase One (2026–2028):
100,000 sq ft Class AA office building with retail, restaurants & private social club
308-unit luxury residential community
HPI's new Fort Worth team is already pre-leasing office space
Why It Matters: When 880,000 square feet of high-end office lands in one corridor, it doesn't arrive alone - it brings employers, employees, and purchasing power. The University Drive corridor near White Settlement is about to become one of Fort Worth's most active real estate zones. Buyers and investors watching this area should understand: once Class AA tenants sign leases, surrounding residential demand follows. The window to buy before that curve is now - dirt is officially starting to turn now.
$500 MILLION "BORDER WAR": FORT WORTH & ALEDO SUE WILLOW PARK
Fort Worth and Aledo have jointly filed suit against the city of Willow Park, claiming an illegal land annexation near where all three city limits overlap. The land in question is slated for a $500 million mixed-use development - homes, retail, and offices.
What's happening:
Willow Park annexed a contested tract to capture the development
Fort Worth and Aledo argue the move was legally invalid
Both cities filed for an injunction to halt construction until a court decides
Half a billion dollars in taxable value - and the tax revenue it generates - hangs in the balance
Why It Matters: As DFW pushes west, open land that once had no strategic value is now worth a fortune. City boundaries that nobody contested for decades are now fought over in court. This case isn't just about one project - the ruling will establish who controls growth along the entire western corridor. If you own property west of Fort Worth, or you're thinking about buying out there, track this case. The winning city shapes school district lines, services, home values, and development patterns for years to come.
Home Buyers: This is the time to start paying attention to the West side of Fort Worth. With another 400+ homes recently announced in Weatherford this shows a growth wave that you could be a part of - if you don’t want to miss out, Reply Back Here or Text me 940-372-0044
THE BOTTOM LINE THIS WEEK
Four stories. One pattern: Fort Worth is growing faster than its systems can track.
Water infrastructure. Land boundaries. Office supply. New home inventory. Every one of these is a signal - and every signal points west and inward toward the city core.
For Homeowners: Your west Fort Worth equity is being built by projects like Veale Ranch and Westside Village. Pay attention.
For Home Buyers: Veale Ranch pre-sales start in October. Westside Village pre-leasing is underway. The western corridor is moving now.
For Anyone Watching: The border war lawsuit will define how DFW's west side grows for the next 20 years. Stay informed.
MORTGAGE MINUTE
1. Rates: Slightly Lower, Still Volatile
Mortgage rates dipped a bit this week after recent inflation data came in mostly in line with expectations.
30-year conventional loans are hovering in the high 6% to low 7% range.
FHA and VA are slightly lower.
Jumbo loans remain more sensitive to bond market swings.
Big picture: rates are moving in tight ranges, not crashing, not spiking.
2. What Moved the Market?
Treasury yields softened slightly.
Inflation isn’t re-accelerating but it’s not cooling fast either.
The Fed continues signaling a “wait and see” approach.
Translation: We’re not in panic mode. But we’re not in rate-cut party mode either.
3. What This Means for Texas Buyers
Buyers who waited for a major drop haven’t seen it.
Small rate improvements are helping monthly payments slightly.
Builder incentives across Texas are still strong in many areas (rate buy-downs remain common).
The strategy right now?
Buy smart. Negotiate hard. Refinance later if rates improve.
4. Homeowners – Here’s the Reality
Buyer activity increases even with small rate dips.
Homes priced correctly are still moving.
Overpricing in this rate environment = longer days on market.
Bottom Line
Rates are stable but sensitive.
The market is adjusting - not crashing.
Serious buyers are moving. Hesitant buyers are still waiting.
And the ones who win long-term?
Usually the ones who move when others hesitate.
If you’re here you likely already follow our channel to stay on top of the news that affects our lives here in Fort Worth - Share with someone you care about so they can follow us & stay informed too - You can find the channel here to share it: Click Here
Have them join this Newsletter too - we believe when you know more you can win more by making better decisions - Share This Link with them
Have a safe, happy weekend!
Kirstine & Clive Openshaw
940-372-0044
www.OpenshawRealty.com