In a market where Landmark by Hillwood is opening thousands of new lots and builders across Denton County are competing for buyer attention, two established communities are quietly closing chapters. Canyon Falls and The Ridge at Northlake are both in their final phases, which means something specific for buyers: the community amenities are proven, the neighborhoods are mature, and builders are motivated to close out their remaining inventory.
I work with these communities daily, and I want to walk you through what's actually left, what it costs, and why final-phase buying is one of the most underappreciated strategies in North Texas new construction.
Why Final-Phase Communities Deserve a Closer Look
Most buyers gravitate toward the newest community on the market. The model homes are stunning, the sales team is polished, and the early-phase pricing feels compelling. But there's a cost to being first: construction zones instead of landscaped streets, empty amenity centers, and the uncertainty of whether the developer's vision will match the reality. Communities in their final phase have already delivered on that vision. The trails are shaded, the pools are established, and you can walk the neighborhood and see exactly what your investment looks like.
What final-phase status actually means: The developer has received approval for the last residential section, builders have their remaining lots assigned, and once those lots sell, no more new homes will be built in the community. For buyers, this creates two distinct advantages: builders are motivated to close out their remaining inventory, often with meaningful incentive packages, and the community's long-term value is locked in by its completed infrastructure.
Canyon Falls: What's Left in This 1,200-Acre Community
Canyon Falls is one of the most nature-forward master-planned communities in the DFW metroplex. Spanning nearly 1,200 acres across Northlake, Flower Mound, and Argyle, the community was designed around its greatest asset: the 200-acre Graham Branch Creek Preserve, a protected green space featuring oak hammocks, wetlands, a historic hay barn, and over 14 miles of combined paved and unpaved trails. It's the kind of amenity that can't be replicated by a new developer — it's been preserved, curated, and integrated into the community's identity over years.
In January 2026, the Flower Mound Town Council approved the final residential phase of Canyon Falls: 65 homes on a 27-acre tract. That's it. Once those 65 homes are built and sold, Canyon Falls as a new construction opportunity is complete.
Canyon Falls at a Glance
Who's Still Building in Canyon Falls
Several builders remain active in the community's final inventory and build-to-order opportunities:
- Drees Custom Homes — Known for high-end finishes and custom-level personalization. Drees builds in the upper price tiers of Canyon Falls and tends to attract buyers who want a premium product with design flexibility.
- Coventry Homes — Offers a range of floor plans that balance quality construction with competitive pricing, making them a strong option for buyers who want value without sacrificing design.
- Windmiller Custom Homes — A boutique custom builder for buyers seeking a truly personalized home. Windmiller's presence in Canyon Falls signals the community's appeal to the luxury segment.
- Belclaire Homes / American Legend Homes — These sister brands offer a range of plans that appeal to move-up buyers and families seeking quality construction with established design reputations.
What I'm seeing on the ground: As builders approach sellout, I'm seeing more aggressive pricing conversations on remaining inventory, particularly on completed or near-completed homes. The builders know the community is closing out, and the incentive leverage shifts to the buyer in these final stages.
The Ridge at Northlake: Closing Out with Two Strong Builders
The Ridge at Northlake is a different story but the same strategic opportunity. This community is approaching its final phases of development, with two builders — David Weekley Homes and Taylor Morrison — competing to close out their remaining lots. Both builders are offering active concessions, and for buyers who've been watching this community, the window is narrowing.
The Ridge at Northlake at a Glance
The Ridge at Northlake has operated as a premium community with a more curated builder lineup than its larger neighbors like Pecan Square or Harvest. That means less builder sprawl, a more consistent neighborhood aesthetic, and — in the final phase — a more focused set of options for buyers who know what they want.
Why this matters right now: When a community has only two builders remaining, each builder's inventory represents a significant portion of what's left. That concentration gives you, as a buyer, a clear view of your options and creates motivation on the builder's side to move remaining homes. The incentives I'm seeing at The Ridge are competitive with anything in the broader Northlake market.
Comparing the Two: Canyon Falls vs. The Ridge at Northlake
Both communities offer something compelling, but they appeal to different buyer priorities. Here's how I help my clients think through the decision:
Choose Canyon Falls if...
You value nature-forward living, established trail systems, and a community built around preserved green space. Canyon Falls' 200-acre Graham Branch Creek Preserve and 14 miles of trails create a lifestyle that no new community can replicate from scratch. The HOA includes front yard maintenance, which appeals to buyers who want a lower-maintenance lifestyle. Canyon Falls also straddles both Argyle ISD and Northwest ISD, giving families flexibility depending on which school district aligns with their priorities.
Choose The Ridge at Northlake if...
You prefer a more curated, smaller-scale community with two strong national builders and a consistent neighborhood feel. The Ridge's location offers convenient access to the I-35W corridor and Northlake's growing retail infrastructure. With David Weekley pricing starting near $590,000 and Taylor Morrison near $690,000, The Ridge occupies a specific price band that may align with your budget without the range anxiety of a community where homes span from the $300s to over a million.
Consider both if...
You're relocating to North Texas and want to compare established communities with proven track records before Landmark or other new developments reach maturity. Both Canyon Falls and The Ridge give you a finished product: mature amenities, established HOAs, and a neighborhood you can walk through and evaluate on its actual merits, not a developer's rendering.
The Strategic Case for Buying in the Final Phase
Final-phase buying isn't just about scarcity. There are specific, tangible advantages that informed buyers should understand:
1. Builder motivation creates real incentive value
When a builder has 15 or 20 lots remaining in a community, they have a financial incentive to close those lots efficiently. Rate buydowns, closing cost credits, and design center allowances are tools builders use to accelerate sales in final phases. I've seen buyers at closing communities capture $20,000 to $50,000 in combined incentives — genuine value that directly reduces your cost of ownership.
2. Community infrastructure is fully mature
New communities promise amenities. Final-phase communities deliver them. At Canyon Falls, the 14 miles of trails, the fitness center, the pools, and the Graham Branch Creek Preserve are all established and actively maintained. You're not buying a vision — you're buying a proven lifestyle with a track record of community engagement and HOA stewardship.
3. Resale performance is easier to evaluate
An established community has resale data you can study. You can look at what comparable homes have sold for, how values have trended, and how the community is perceived by the market. Final-phase buyers benefit from this transparency in ways that early-phase buyers in a new community simply cannot.
4. The neighborhood is already defined
At a final-phase community, the character of the neighborhood is established. You know your neighbors are already invested in the community. You know the HOA is functioning. You know the streets are maintained. There's no ambiguity about what the finished product looks like, and that certainty has real value for families making one of the largest financial decisions of their lives.
5. Limited supply supports long-term value
Once Canyon Falls and The Ridge sell their final lots, no more new homes will be built in those communities. That creates a fixed supply in neighborhoods with strong amenities, good schools, and established infrastructure. Communities with fixed supply and strong demand fundamentals tend to maintain stable property values over time.
What to Watch For When Buying Final-Phase Inventory
Final-phase buying has unique dynamics, and there are a few things I make sure every client understands before they commit:
- Lot selection matters more when lots are limited. Don't settle for a lot you don't love just because inventory is tight. A home on a busy intersection or backing to a utility easement will underperform in resale, regardless of the community's overall strength. I help my clients evaluate lot premiums, orientation, and long-term desirability before signing a contract.
- Builder quality varies, even in the same community. Canyon Falls has multiple builders, and each has a different reputation for construction quality, warranty responsiveness, and design flexibility. I provide my clients with builder-specific insights based on years of working with these companies, so you're choosing a builder based on facts, not a model home tour.
- Final-phase pricing isn't always lower. Sometimes builders hold firm on pricing and offer incentives instead. Other times, they reduce prices on specific inventory homes. Understanding which approach a builder is taking — and why — helps you negotiate more effectively. I monitor builder pricing weekly across both communities.
- HOA financials matter more than you think. In a final-phase community, the HOA is transitioning from developer control to homeowner control. Understanding the HOA's financial reserves, reserve study results, and long-term maintenance plans is critical. A well-managed HOA protects your property value. A poorly managed one can erode it. I review HOA documents with my clients as part of the due diligence process.
How This Fits into the Broader Northlake Picture
Canyon Falls and The Ridge at Northlake are closing out at the same time that new communities are opening across the corridor. Landmark by Hillwood launched Phase 1 with nine builders and pricing starting in the high $300,000s. Forestar's 281-acre community south of Downe Road is in the planning stages. The contrast is worth understanding: new communities offer entry-level pricing and early-mover opportunity, while final-phase communities offer certainty, mature amenities, and established value.
The strategic perspective: If your priority is getting the lowest possible entry price and you're comfortable being an early mover in a developing neighborhood, new communities like Landmark may be the right fit. If your priority is a proven community with established infrastructure, mature landscaping, and a clear picture of what your neighborhood looks and feels like, Canyon Falls and The Ridge offer something that no new community can provide today.
The best approach is to evaluate both paths with clear criteria — schools, commute, lifestyle fit, long-term value — and choose the one that aligns with your family's priorities. That's where I come in.
The Bottom Line
Canyon Falls and The Ridge at Northlake are two of the strongest new-construction communities in Denton County, and both are approaching the end of their development lifecycle. That's not a reason to rush — it's a reason to be strategic. Understanding what's left, what it costs, and how the final-phase dynamics work gives you the information you need to make a confident decision.
Whether you're drawn to Canyon Falls' nature-forward lifestyle and 14 miles of trails, or The Ridge's curated builder lineup and Northlake convenience, these communities offer something that the newest development in the corridor cannot: proof. The amenities are real, the neighborhoods are established, and the value has been tested by the market.
If you're evaluating either of these communities — or trying to decide between a final-phase option and a brand-new development — I'll help you cut through the noise and make a decision that protects your investment and fits your family's next chapter.
Want to hear the latest new construction incentives? Let's talk.
Theresa De La Rosa
Broker · New Construction Specialist
Covenant Heritage Realty, LLC
Theresa is the Broker of Covenant Heritage Realty, serving sellers, buyers, and military families throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and Central Florida. With 18+ years of experience and deep expertise in Northlake and Denton County communities, she provides strategic, data-driven real estate guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canyon Falls still building new homes in 2026?
Yes, but the window is closing. In January 2026, the Flower Mound Town Council approved the final residential phase of Canyon Falls: 65 homes on a 27-acre tract. Multiple builders, including Drees Custom Homes, Coventry Homes, and Windmiller Custom Homes, remain active with available lots and inventory homes. Once these final lots are sold, no more new construction will be available in Canyon Falls.
How much do homes cost at The Ridge at Northlake?
David Weekley Homes offers plans and quick move-in homes starting from approximately $589,990, while Taylor Morrison's 70-foot lot plans start from approximately $690,990. Final pricing depends on floor plan, lot selection, structural options, and any builder incentives applied. Both builders are offering active concessions on remaining inventory. I can provide current, real-time pricing for both builders.
Which school districts serve Canyon Falls?
Canyon Falls is served by both Argyle ISD and Northwest ISD, depending on which section of the community you buy in. Western neighborhoods are typically zoned for Northwest ISD, while other sections fall within Argyle ISD boundaries. Both districts are well-regarded in the DFW metroplex. I can help you verify the specific school assignments for any homesite you're considering.
What are the HOA fees at Canyon Falls?
Canyon Falls HOA dues are $608 semi-annually, approximately $1,216 per year. This is notably competitive for the amenity package, which includes access to the fitness center, pools, clubhouse, splash pad, fishing pond, dog park, and 14 miles of trails — plus front yard landscaping and mowing service. The HOA fee is one of the lowest relative to amenities among comparable master-planned communities in Denton County.
Are there quick move-in homes available at either community?
Yes. Both Canyon Falls and The Ridge at Northlake have builders with completed or near-completed inventory homes available. Quick move-in homes allow for faster closing timelines — typically 30 to 60 days — and builders are often most aggressive with incentive packages on these homes since they want to move completed inventory. The trade-off is limited customization, but for families on a timeline, QMI homes are an excellent option. I can help you identify current inventory and evaluate the available incentive packages.
Should I buy in a final-phase community or wait for Landmark by Hillwood?
It depends on your priorities. Final-phase communities like Canyon Falls and The Ridge offer proven amenities, mature neighborhoods, and established value — you can walk the community and see exactly what you're buying. Landmark by Hillwood offers early-phase pricing with nine builders competing for sales, but it's a brand-new community with decades of buildout ahead. If certainty and lifestyle fit are your top priorities, the final-phase communities may be the stronger choice. If you value the lowest possible entry price and are comfortable being an early mover, Landmark deserves a close look. I help my clients evaluate both paths based on their specific goals.