San Marcos, TX · Brookfield Residential · 3,200 homes planned · Gated · Positioned exactly between Austin and San Antonio on I-35 — the fastest-growing 55+ community in Texas
Kissing Tree is built by Brookfield Residential — not Del Webb — and that distinction shows in the design philosophy. The homes sit on Hill Country limestone terrain above San Marcos, with views and natural features that feel genuinely different from the flat Georgetown terrain of Sun City Texas. The 20-acre amenity campus called The Mix includes a resort-style pool, golf course, fitness center, restaurant, pickleball courts, and more — built with a Texas Hill Country aesthetic rather than the more generic active-adult design language of many Del Webb properties.
The positioning is the strategic differentiator: San Marcos sits 30 miles from Austin and 50 miles from San Antonio. Residents can access both cities' airports, medical centers, and cultural amenities without committing to either. For buyers with family in both metros — or who simply want flexibility — this matters more than it sounds.
Kissing Tree has a base HOA of approximately $263/month for single-family homes. Villa and Cottage homes have higher fees that include lawn care — $150–$160/month additional brings villa HOA to approximately $413–$423/month. Single-family homes do not have lawn care included; budget $100–$150/month for professional lawn service to get the true all-in HOA equivalent.
| Home Type | Base HOA | Lawn Care | Effective Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-family detached | ~$263/mo | Not included (~$125/mo est.) | ~$388/mo all-in |
| Villas (attached) | ~$413/mo (base + lawn) | Included | ~$413/mo all-in |
| Cottages | ~$423/mo (base + lawn) | Included | ~$423/mo all-in |
The single-family vs villa comparison is closer than it first appears when lawn care is factored in. A villa buyer paying $413/month all-in is not dramatically more expensive than a single-family buyer paying $263 + $125 lawn service = $388/month — and the villa buyer has a fully maintenance-free exterior.
Kissing Tree sits in Hays County (Hays Consolidated ISD for most parcels), not Williamson County where Sun City Texas is located. Hays County tax rates are similar to Williamson County — approximately 1.8–2.2% effective rate before exemptions. The 65+ school tax freeze and $200,000 combined school exemption apply in Hays County the same as in Williamson County.
| Scenario | Est. Annual Tax on $500K Home |
|---|---|
| 65+ primary, all exemptions, no MUD | ~$5,000–$6,500/yr |
| 65+ primary, all exemptions, with MUD | ~$6,000–$8,000/yr |
| Non-primary / second home (no exemptions) | ~$9,500–$11,000/yr |
We can build a full cost comparison between Kissing Tree and Sun City Texas for your specific budget and priorities.
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