Qualico Communities Dallas-Fort Worth Grows in 2022

Since launching operations in 2021, Qualico Communities Dallas-Fort Worth has made considerable headway into one of America’s top housing markets.

Through strategic partnerships, a series of land purchases, ongoing land development, and the region’s impressive job creation numbers and ability to attract high-income earners from across the US, the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) business unit is capitalizing on strong demand and record housing starts.

“We’re really happy with the pace of our company growth and how quickly it's come together,” said John Vick, Vice-President of Qualico Communities DFW.

Focusing on strategic land planning, Qualico Communities DFW works with municipal and county governments, as well as professional homebuilders, to develop residential communities that appeal to Dallas area homebuyers.

Starting up business in the Sunbelt just over a year ago, Qualico Communities DFW entered the highly competitive Dallas-Fort Worth market when it teamed with local partner, Pacesetter Homes DFW, on the second phase of Gideon Grove – an 84-lot master-planned development in Rockwall, TX.

This year, Qualico Communities DFW has initiated development in three additional master-planned communities including Nelson Lake in Rockwall, Elevon in Lavon, and La Terra in Celina, with Pacesetter and other builders. John said he expects construction to start next year on at least two more Dallas-area master planned communities to continue filling the pipeline for years to come.

He added that Qualico Communities’ alignment with Pacesetter Homes Texas has been a strategic advantage for both organizations, allowing Qualico to handle a portion of Pacesetter’s land servicing demands in the Dallas-Fort Worth region, freeing up their resources to focus on other aspects of the homebuilding business.

“It’s been a tremendous partnership. One of the critical factors to their business growth is the supply of lots to build homes on. And in this market, that is a real challenge. So, the extent to which Qualico Communities can help provide lots for Pacesetter’s operations is a significant benefit for both companies,” said John.

Qualico Communities is on pace to develop lots for up to one-third of Pacesetter’s new-home land acquisitions in DFW in the coming years, while also building relationships with other DFW homebuilders seeking new residential land to build on.

Blake Friesenhahn, Vice-President of Pacesetter Homes DFW, says that his company was able to successfully hand off a large parcel of land at Gideon Grove in 2021 to help Qualico Communities build momentum while freeing up considerable resources for its team.

The Gideon Grove Phase 2 development is now starting home construction, with new executive production homes already up for sale.

“The relationship is working out well and it’s really helped us. Now Qualico Communities DFW is out there sourcing its own deals, we’re aligned in all the main areas, and we have been able to get in step very quickly,” said Blake.

While new to the Dallas-Fort Worth market, Qualico Communities has been active in Texas since 2004, when it established its Austin business unit, which also serves as Qualico’s US headquarters.

Staff in Austin provide administrative support to the DFW operation, allowing John to keep his team nimble and agile to meet the demands of a fast-paced market. This year, Qualico Communities DFW added a full-time project manager to the team and is actively searching for a second project manager to support planned growth.

In addition to its partnership with Pacesetter Homes, The Qualico Communities DFW team also benefits from the resources and knowledge of Qualico Canada, which has over 70 years of experience in the residential real estate development business.

“Qualico has been incredibly supportive in a capital-intensive industry that requires both debt and equity to do business. They are a great group of people to work with, and they strongly believe in the quality of the product,” said John.

Despite challenges such as construction supply issues, interest rate increases and concern of a looming recession in the US, both Pacesetter Homes Texas and Qualico Communities DFW remain in solid growth positions heading into what real estate experts predict will be another banner year in 2023.

The Dallas-Fort Worth housing market was recently ranked as the second strongest in the US after Nashville, TN in PWC’s Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2023 report.