Southern Star Realty Group

02/12/2026

Tried-and-true decorating methods have a way of making homes feel comfortable and customized. Here, designers share the old-school decorating tricks that they still use in modern projects.

02/05/2026

Wood is now the most popular cabinet color in renovated kitchens.

02/04/2026

After nine months of planning and deliberation, the Waxahachie City Council has approved the largest development in its history – a master-planned community that could eventually increase Waxahachie’s population by as much as 65%, according to city staff. Located on 3,170 acres west of I-35 and south of FM 875, the mixed-use community of 13,270 homes will be designed and built out entirely by Minto USA – a plan which proponents claim is a unique practice among developers to ensure adherence to city input, as opposed to the area potentially organizing into a Municipal Utility District (MUD) and developing without local control. The decision to approve the Minto development occurred in spite of opposition from local citizens in the vicinity of Brookside Road, who expressed concern over traffic strain, water runoff and housing prices, while the final vote by the council was split 3-2 (yays by Chris Wright, Tres Atkins and Travis Smith; nays by Patrick Souter and Mayor Billie Wallace).

The plan to develop the area west of downtown Waxahachie dates back to 2005, when much of the property there was acquired by Walton Global Holdings, a land investment firm. It was not until 2021, however, that Walton submitted development plans to the city, proposing a new community called “Emory Lakes” with 9,000 houses on 2,800 acres. Although the city approved the plan, no substantial progress occurred for several years afterward, and the project was eventually acquired by Minto USA, a subsidiary of Canada-based Minto Group with offices in Florida. Minto expanded upon the vision for Emory Lakes by acquiring additional acreage from United Presbyterian Homes, designing a comprehensive, mixed-use community that includes traditional single-family homes, villas, cottages, town homes and apartments, as well as neighborhoods reserved via deed for “active adults” aged 55+, parks, multiple new schools and commercial space. In keeping with the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) expectations of investors, Minto pursues net-zero pollution goals by emphasizing sustainable and energy-efficient construction.

To read the full story visit: https://www.waxahachiesun.com/news/city-council-approves-largest-ever-development-in-3-2-vote/article_312f5dcd-a6b6-4187-b213-0c4d4c27eb67.html

12/02/2025

12/02/2025

🎄 Christmas Events Happening in the County This Week! 🎄

Get into the holiday spirit and join the festive celebrations happening across the county!

Monday, December 1
▪️Midlothian Tree Lighting | 6:00 PM – Heritage Park

Tuesday, December 2
▪️Parade & Tree Lighting | 6:30 PM – Downtown

Thursday, December 4
▪️Ennis Parade | 6:30 PM – Downtown

Saturday, December 6
▪️Ferris Christmas Festival | 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Parade at 5:30 PM) – Town Square
▪️Maypearl Tree Lighting and Parade | 6:00PM (Parade at 6:30PM) - Downtown
▪️Midlothian Christmas Festival | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Parade at 6:00 PM) – Downtown
▪️Palmer Festival & Parade | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Parade at 6:30 PM) – Downtown
▪️Red Oak Christmas Festival | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (No parade) – Watkins Park


Bring your family, holiday cheer, and cameras, there’s plenty of fun, lights, and festive memories to make this week!


*This post is for City or CoC hosted events within Ellis County but feel free to comment with any ISD, church, or other community events happening this season!

11/06/2025

Existing-home sales were up in September, as buyers entered the market in response to lower mortgage rates.

10/18/2025

The National Kitchen and Bath Association just released their 2026 Kitchen Trends Report, revealing what’s next in kitchen design, including top countertops, backsplashes, paint color palettes, and cabinet styles.

10/17/2025

🚧I-35E IN RED OAK NARROWS WEEKEND NIGHTS STARTING OCTOBER 17th-19th🚧

ELLIS COUNTY - Weather permitting, northbound and southbound I-35E will narrow to one lane between Bear Creek Road and Red Oak Road from 9:00p.m. Friday, October 17th, to 5:00a.m. Saturday, October. 18th, and again Saturday night to Sunday morning as part of an ongoing project.

This traffic shift is tentatively scheduled to recur for the following two weekends. Delays can be expected, and drivers should plan ahead for extra travel time.

This will give crews the safe space required to continue the FM 664 Single-Point Urban Interchange construction at I-35E. Overall completion of the $137 million project is expected in spring 2028.