Landmark by Hillwood Phase 1: What to Know Before You Buy in Denton

Last Updated: November 3, 2026

What is Landmark Phase 1, and should I buy now or wait?

Phase 1 of Landmark by Hillwood is the opening phase of a 3,200-acre master-planned community in southwest Denton: about 750 single-family homesites on 40' to 70' lots, with nine builders and homes from the high $300s to about $1 million. Models opened in spring 2026, and the first homeowners closed in June 2026. Whether to buy now or wait depends on your timeline, budget, and tolerance for living in a community that’s still being built, and nobody can predict where prices or rates go. Buying earlier generally means more lot choice and more construction around you. Waiting means more finished amenities, schools, and retail, and fewer lots to pick from.

Verified Credentials

• North Fort Worth Real Producers, 2026: Edson Miranda ranked Top 250 and Paige Miranda ranked Top 1,000, out of approximately 15,000 agents in the North Fort Worth market.
• RealTrends Verified, 2026: Miranda Realty Team named a Best Real Estate Small Team in Argyle, Texas, based on independently verified 2025 production.
• Team production: Over 50 homes sold and more than $25 million in Texas real estate closed over the last two years.
• Landmark experience: Our clients signed the first contract at Landmark in December 2025 and closed as its first homeowners in June 2026.
• Service area: Denton, Argyle, Northlake, Justin, and Flower Mound, Texas

Landmark Phase 1 at a Glance

Hillwood unveiled Landmark as Denton’s first master-planned community and a $10 billion estimated build-out. We worked with the first buyers at Landmark from contract to closing, so we have a view from the ground. This guide lays out what’s there, what’s planned, what it costs, and how to think about timing without telling you what to do.

Understanding the Scale

Landmark is built on the former Hunter Ranch, which the Perot family acquired in 1987, and it’s part of Hillwood’s long-term plans along the I-35W corridor. At full build-out, Hillwood plans:

• About 6,000 single-family homes
• About 3,000 multifamily residences
• 900 acres of commercial space
• About 1,100 acres of parks, trails, and open space, including Pilot Knob (about 830 feet, Denton’s highest point) and a preserved stretch of Cross Timbers forest
• Three on-site Denton ISD schools

Hillwood also developed AllianceTexas, which reports 602 companies, 73,134 direct jobs, and $142.9 billion in cumulative economic impact since 1989. A developer’s track record is relevant, but it isn’t a guarantee for any single community, and we can’t promise appreciation.

Timeline: Hillwood expects the community to build out over 20 to 30 years. That means construction around you for a long time.

Phase 1: What’s Actually There

Phase 1 delivered about 750 single-family homesites on lots from 40' to 70' wide, with nine builders selling:

• American Legend Homes
• Coventry Homes
• David Weekley Homes
• Drees Custom Homes
• Highland Homes
• M/I Homes
• Perry Homes
• Toll Brothers
• Tri Pointe Homes

Where it stands:

• Highland Homes took the first reservations in December 2025
• Models opened across multiple builders in spring 2026
• The first homeowners closed in June 2026, and more have closed since
• Inventory homes (finished or nearly finished) are available from some builders; see our build versus inventory story for how that comparison works

Stories from our clients at Landmark:

• The Bennetts: the first contract and first homeowners (Highland Homes)
• The Sinclairs: an M/I Homes inventory home, closed in 69 days
• A Tennessee family: a Tri Pointe build, signed from out of state

These are individual results, not promises of what you’ll get.

What It Costs to Own at Landmark

• HOA dues: $1,600 a year, paid in two installments, about $133 a month
• Property taxes: a total rate of about 2.65% per $100 of assessed value, which includes a 0.77% Municipal Management District (MMD) tax. The rest is Denton ISD, the City of Denton, and Denton County, using the rates adopted in September 2026. Rates change each year.
• Illustration: at a $500,000 assessed value and before exemptions, property taxes plus HOA come to roughly $14,900 a year, which is an example, not a quote.
• MMD: Landmark and neighboring Hunter Ranch land are covered by municipal management districts, which assess a tax on homeowners to repay infrastructure costs. Ask for the disclosure for any home you consider.

For more, see our Landmark buyer FAQ and our comparison of Landmark and Robson Ranch.

Schools

Landmark is zoned to Denton ISD, with students currently zoned to E.P. Rayzor Elementary, Harpool Middle School, and Guyer High School. Hillwood has set aside land for three on-site schools, and in October 2026 Denton ISD said it plans to build its first on-site elementary school. None is built, and no opening date has been announced. Zoning is by address, so verify with the district.

Amenities, Retail, and Nature

• Parks, trails, and open space: about 1,100 acres, with about 35 miles of planned trails
• Timberview amenity center: a resort-style pool and gathering spaces, which Hillwood lists as opening in late 2026
• H-E-B: Denton’s first H-E-B, at 7520 Robson Ranch Road, has an opening window of December 2026 to February 2027, and Hillwood says 2027. See our H-E-B guide.
• Other amenities: planned parks, an amphitheater, a hilltop observation tower, a dog park, and STEAM learning parks

Dates for amenities and retail can move, so confirm with Hillwood or your builder before planning around any of them.

Buy Now or Wait? Both Have Trade-Offs

We can’t tell you which is right, and no one can predict prices or rates. For reference, the 30-year fixed rate averaged 7.24% on October 29, 2026. Here’s how buyers tend to weigh it:

Reasons some buyers move earlier:

• Lot and plan choice. Lot selection narrows as lots sell, and position within the community matters.
• Timeline. A lease ending, a relocation, or a school-year deadline may favor an inventory home or an earlier start.
• Builder options. Nine builders compete on plans, pricing, and incentives, and incentives change often. Compare loan type, APR, and deadlines, not just headline rates.
• Settling in. You can watch the community develop from the beginning.

Reasons some buyers wait:

• More to see. Amenities, the H-E-B, schools, and parks will be further along, and you can walk finished neighborhoods.
• Less construction. Early buyers live with building activity for years.
• Uncertainty. If rates, prices, or your plans are in flux, waiting for clarity can make sense.

Neither is risk-free. Buying early means living with construction and amenities that arrive over time. Waiting means fewer lots and possibly different pricing or incentives, which could be better or worse. Talk with a lender about your numbers.

Questions to Ask Before You Choose a Builder or Lot

1. What are the total monthly costs, including HOA, taxes, and the MMD?
2. How far is this lot from the roads, the H-E-B, and future commercial areas?
3. What’s planned next to or behind the lot?
4. What does each builder’s warranty cover, and for how long?
5. If I’m building, what’s the realistic timeline, and what happens if it slips?
6. What incentives are in writing, and what are the loan terms behind them?
7. Does the contract allow for an independent inspection at milestones?
8. If I need to sell my current home first, how will we coordinate the timing?

We recommend having a real estate attorney review a builder contract before you sign. We’re Realtors, not attorneys.

Next Steps

• Get on several builders’ lists and compare pricing, timelines, and incentives.
• Understand lot positioning. Not all homesites are equal.
• Know your builder. We can walk you through how builders differ, what we’ve seen in the process, and what to ask.
• Think long-term. This is a build-out that will take 20 to 30 years, so consider how you’ll feel about construction nearby.

In most new-construction purchases the builder pays our compensation under its own program, so our help costs you nothing extra, and we confirm in writing before you sign.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Landmark Phase 1? The opening phase of Landmark by Hillwood: about 750 single-family homesites on 40' to 70' lots, with nine builders and homes from the high $300s to about $1 million.

Who builds at Landmark? American Legend Homes, Coventry Homes, David Weekley Homes, Drees Custom Homes, Highland Homes, M/I Homes, Perry Homes, Toll Brothers, and Tri Pointe Homes.

Are there inventory homes at Landmark? Some builders have finished or nearly finished homes. Availability and incentives change often, so ask us for the current list.

What are the HOA dues and tax rate? HOA dues are $1,600 a year. The total tax rate is about 2.65% per $100, including a 0.77% MMD, using 2026 adopted rates.

What school district is Landmark in? Denton ISD. Students are currently zoned to E.P. Rayzor Elementary, Harpool Middle School, and Guyer High School, and three on-site campuses are planned.

When will H-E-B open? The window is December 2026 to February 2027, and Hillwood says 2027. No grand-opening date has been announced.

Should I buy now or wait? It depends on your finances, timeline, and comfort with construction. We can’t predict prices or rates, and both options have trade-offs.

Who should I talk to about buying at Landmark? Edson Miranda and Paige Miranda of Miranda Realty Team, based in Northlake, TX. Reach them at 940.577.2051 or [email protected].

Talk With Us

If you’re considering Landmark, we’d be glad to compare builders, lots, and timing for your situation, and to tell you honestly whether it fits.

📲 Book a consultation | 📞 940.577.2051 | 📧 [email protected]
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Miranda Realty Team | Northlake, TX | Brokered by Real Broker, LLC

Sources

• Landmark by Hillwood
• Hillwood: Landmark announcement
• Fort Worth Inc.: Hillwood unveils Landmark
• Cross Timbers Gazette: Denton ISD to build new school in Denton’s next big development (October 2026)
• Community Impact: Officials say Denton’s 1st H-E-B could open in late 2026
• Freddie Mac: Mortgage Rates Decline Further to 7.24% (October 29, 2026)
• AllianceTexas Drives $142.9 Billion in Economic Impact for North Texas
• Hillwood and community homeowner materials for HOA dues and tax rates

Related Resources

• Landmark by Hillwood: Denton’s $10 Billion Development
• Landmark by Hillwood Buyer FAQ
• Landmark vs. Robson Ranch
• Denton’s First H-E-B at Landmark
• 2026 Guide to Buying New Construction in North Texas
• Why You Need a Realtor When Buying New Construction
• Living the Harvest Lifestyle
• Treeline by Hillwood
• Meet Our Team

Information is accurate as of November 2026 and subject to change. This article is for informational purposes and doesn’t constitute real estate, tax, or financial advice. Prices, fees, rates, incentives, and timelines change, so verify each with the source.