Blue Santa 2025
Cayetano is proud to continue supporting the Donna Police Department’s annual Blue Santa. You can drop off your toy donations at 207 South 10th Street, Donna, TX 78537. All toys will go to children who may otherwise not get any presents this Christmas season.
‘Tis the season!
Understanding the term “100 Year Floodplain”
It’s important to understand the full meaning of the term “100 Year Floodplain”, as it can sound like this big, scary thing with a simple misunderstanding.
A 100 year floodplain is an area that has a 1% chance of flooding each year. That does NOT mean a flood can only happen once every 100 years.
Think of it like this:
Every year, there is a 1 in 100 chance of a flood reaching that area.
If a home is built or placed in a 100-year flood plain and the buyer uses bank financing, flood insurance is generally required.
Being in a flood plain does NOT mean the land is unsafe. It means the county and FEMA want buyers to be aware of the risk and plan accordingly.
Knowledge is power, so knowing that you are purchasing in a 100-year floodplain allows you to really understand where you are purchasing land. That way, you don’t get yourself into a sticky situation!
Here are 3 things that have a 1 in 100 chance of happening each year:
1. Ceiling fan motor failure
2. Toilet wax ring failure, causing a leak
3. Window seal failing
November Closings
The Sales Team had another great month of getting hardworking Texans their own land. 83 homesites were sold in the month of November, giving Texans plenty of time to get settled in before the holidays.
Remember that whether you already own a Cayetano lot or not, you could earn $500 when a friend or family member you refer to us through our Referral Program closes on their lot. Join here: https://lnkd.in/gjaNcgCk. Restrictions apply.
What is Escrow?
Escrow is an account that is set up by your mortgage lender to pay certain property related expenses. In the case of Cayetano, escrow is used to pay for your property taxes once a year.
Instead of paying one large lump sum once a year, Cayetano collects a small amount each month and sets it aside in a dedicated account for you. When your annual property taxes are due, Cayetano uses the funds you’ve contributed throughout the year to pay the County on your behalf. If you end up paying in more than the final tax amount, the excess will be returned to you. If the amount set aside falls slightly short, you’ll only need to cover the remaining balance—usually a relatively small portion of the total bill, which can run more than $3,000.
It is typically advised that escrow accounts are used to pay these taxes, because paying the small amount once a month when your loan payment is due, is far easier and more sustainable than having to pay the lump sum.
For more resources on what escrow is, please check out the links below.
Resources:
What is an escrow or impound account? – Consumer Finance
How Does Escrow Work? – Texas Tax Protest
VIDEO: How to Pay Property Taxes with Escrow? – County Office Law
Featured Partner: SpearPoint Engineering, LLC.
What is your name and role at your company?
Angie Sanchez, PE, PMP – Director of Engineering
What service does your company provide?
Professional Civil Engineering Consulting and Design Services for Land and Site Development, Hydraulics & Hydrology, Municipal Plants and Infrastructure, Feasibility Studies and Construction Management and Administration.
What regions of the State or Country does your company provide service with?
We have projects all over the state of Texas and are licensed in several other states (LA, OK, MS, TN, AL, AR, GA).
How long have you been working with Cayetano?
Approximately 2 years.
If there is one thing you would like everyone to know about your company, what would it be?
Everything we do comes back to one idea: Listen. Simplify. Communicate. It’s not just our tagline — it’s how we lead projects, serve clients, and grow as a team. Our top priority is communication.
Contact Information:
Company Name: Spear Point Engineering, LLC
Company Website: www.spetexas.com
· Company phone number/email if applicable: (936) 256-2626, angie@spetexas.com
October 2025 Closing Report
The Sales Team had another great month of getting hardworking Texans their own land. 98 homesites were sold in the month of October, giving Texans plenty of time to get settled in before the quickly approaching holidays.
Remember that whether you already own a Cayetano lot or not, you could earn $500 when a friend or family member you refer to us through our Referral Program closes on their lot. Join here: https://lnkd.in/gjaNcgCk. Restrictions apply.
Featured Partner: Topographic
What is your name and role at your company?Rob Foster, P.E. - Project Manager
What service does your company provide?
Traditional Surveying, LIDAR and GIS services, Environmental Engineering, Hydrological and Hydraulic Engineering to FEMA and other storm water standards in development, and Civil Engineering for land development, oil and gas pads/infrastructure, and renewables. Our past land development includes but is not limited to industrial, commercial, office, retail, residential, schools, and recreational facilities.
What regions of the State or Country does your company provide service with?
We have engineering licenses across many and most states with survey offices spread out ready to be deployed as need.
How long have you been working with Cayetano?
We’ve been working with Cayetano for about 4 years helping get projects from conceptual to final design. We’ve been providing full design services and representation along that way.
If there is one thing you would like everyone to know about your company, what would it be?
Topographic has a workplace that if flexible and accommodating in trying to find unique solutions that other bigger firms may get stuck in the typical way of doing things. We pride ourselves on loyalty and keeping our clients informed throughout development or future opportunities.
Contact Information
Company Name: Topographic
Company Website: Topographic
Company phone number/email if applicable: (817)-744-7512
Valencia Estate's link to Kaufman, Texas' History
The old Loe residence (pictured above) after being moved and restored. It now serves as the Sales Center for Valencia Estates.
Cayetano’s newest development comes with a history of its own spanning over 100 years. In Valencia Estate’s previous life, the land was a ranch owned in the 1930’s by Mr. Joe Loe. He was a pioneer in the area, having raised the first Herefords and a lot of sheep in this part of the country. Mr. Loe also grew corn and cotton, but once the crop priced plummeted in 1952, he transitioned to only cattle.
After Mr. Loe’s death, his daughter, Paulene Raphel took over the family ranch. Described as a “cowwoman” who also was a schoolteacher in Kaufman for many years, it seems as though Paulene was one of the great heroines straight out of a Spaghetti Western. After her death, the house remained vacant for over 20 years. On the edge of East Texas, this land shows itself in green grass and low humidity.
The old Loe house has since been relocated, restored, and will be used at the Valencia Estate’s Sales Center for years to come. Cayetano is proud to share the history of the land, as we truly believe it is also a part of Texan history. Kaufman remains uncrowded and peaceful, while still being close to downtown Dallas. We are certain this unique blend of rich history, stunning natural features, and outstanding location makes it an unparalleled opportunity for you to call home in North Texas!
Now Hiring!
Cayetano is hiring!
We are seeking highly organized and detail-oriented Administrative Clerks to join our team. We are looking to fill roles in Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth. This individuals is the first point of contact for clients and supports daily office operations. The ideal candidates will have experience in clerical work, customer support, and project coordination. Some Saturdays are required. This are in-person positions.
Find the links below for each of the market areas:
September Closings
The Sales Team had another great month of getting hardworking Texans their own land. 122 homesites were sold in the month of September, giving Texans plenty of time to get settled in before the holidays.
Remember that whether you already own a Cayetano lot or not, you could earn $500 when a friend or family member you refer to us through our Referral Program closes on their lot. Join here: https://lnkd.in/gjaNcgCk. Restrictions apply.
Post Closing Checklists
Congratulations on owning your new land! Our Post-Closing Checklists will help ease the process of getting your land ready for your home. Click on your subdivision name below to download the PDF guide. If you don’t see your subdivision included on the list below, reach out to your Sales Rep! New Post-Closing Checklists are always being added.
Austin:
DFW:
Laredo:
RGV:
San Antonio:
Can I Afford This Lot?
The 30% Rule
As a rule of thumb, your housing costs should be no more than 30% of your household’s gross income*. This includes mortgage payments and utilities like electricity, water, sewage, and internet.
* Gross income is the amount your entire household earns before taxes, retirement account investments, and other pretax deductions are taken out.
Other Expenses to Keep in Mind
It’s also important to consider your other financial obligations when deciding how much of your income to spend on housing. You may have other expenses, such as student loans or transportation costs, that affect your ability to pay your housing bills. If you allocate too much of your income to housing expenses, you might struggle to meet other bills or put money into savings.
Important questions to consider
· Income: Are you relying on one or two incomes to pay the bills? Is your job stable? Can you easily find another position that pays the same, or better, wages if you lose your current job? If meeting your monthly budget depends on every dime you earn, even a small reduction can be a disaster.
· Lifestyle: If needed, would you be willing to change your lifestyle to pay your mortgage? Would you be OK with fewer trips to the mall and/or a little tightening of your monthly budget. If at this moment you can’t make any adjustments, you might want to wait a bit longer before entering the long term commitment required by a mortgage.
Additional Housing Expenses
While the mortgage is certainly the most considerable financial responsibility of homeownership, there are many additional expenses, some of which don’t go away even after the mortgage is paid off. Here are some important expenses to consider:
Property Taxes: Typically, 1.81% of your home’s value annually.
Home Insurance: Average cost around $1,900 per year.
Maintenance: Budget for repairs and replacements.
Furniture and Decor: Consider costs for furnishing your new home.
[An instructional publication by Cayetano Development, LLC. NMLS # 1667528]
Sewer Extension Connection Basics
Professional Plumbers recommend using a minimum of 1/8” of fall per foot when connecting your home to a sewer main. Failure to properly slope your sewer line can cause clogging and damage to your home’s internal plumbing system .
Septic Tank Connection Basics
Professional Plumbers recommend using a minimum of 1/8” of fall per foot when connecting your home to a Septic Tank. Failure to properly slope your sewer line can cause clogging and damage to your home’s internal plumbing system .
500 New Referral Customers since February 2024
The Cayetano Sales Team continues to amaze! Since the Referral Program’s inception in February 2024, we have received 500+ new customers! Not only is this a win for Cayetano, but for you too. When you join our referral program and recommend us to your friends and family, a $500 check will come to you after closing on their lot 🏡, Who doesn’t like being able to choose their own neighbor?
Join today!
English: https://www.cayetanodevelopment.com/referral-program
Español: https://www.cayetanodevelopment.com/es/programa-de-referidos
Meet Mateo Woodard
Meet Mateo Woodward, 10 year-old junior boxing sensation from Cedar Creek, Texas. He’s been actively participating in the sport since the age of 4, with a record of 20 wins and only 6 losses and is currently ranked 6th in the nation for his category.
His accomplishments include:
• 2024 Silver Medalist in the Junior Olympics
• 2025 Gold Medalist in the Junior Olympics
• 2-times Texas Champion
• 1-time Arizona State Champion
• 8-times Boxing Champion
• 1-time Silver Glove Champion
• 1-time Golden Glove Champion
• Member of the Junior UFA Team
Most recently, in June 2025, he traveled to las Vegas to compete for the very first time in the Nationals, where he got 3rd place – out of 50 kids – in his category!
Mateo consistently trains 3 times a week and spars every Saturday. He’ll be traveling in September to Oklahoma for the National Championship!
Mateo, along with his parents Trey and Kenia, lives at Cayetano’s Las Alamedas Subdivision in Bastrop County, Texas.
Services included in Cayetano's lots
I wonder, what services are included with Cayetano's lots?
Cayetano has pre-installed all the utilities, that is, water, electricity, and sewers or septic systems, depending on the subdivision.
And, for these services, is the client responsible for the connection of these lines to the homes once they’ve moved in their mobile home or have started their house’s construction?
That's right, clients are only responsible for the connections, they don't have to start from scratch.
But utility connections are an additional cost that Cayetano doesn't cover. I mean, the client has to set up an extra budget to cover these expenses. Everything else, ladies and gentlemen, is already included in the lot’s price.
That is true. It is a huge amount of money that you are saving because we have prepaid all the utility installation costs in the lots.
Is it common for lots in Texas to not include all services?
No, not that common. I have seen some lots that include water and electricity, but not the septic tank, or something else is missing. Usually, they'll install two utilities, and you have to pay for another one missing, or they'll sell the lots without any these services.
But Cayetano includes all these connections, even the sewers or septic systems.
The youngest owner of a lot in Cayetano
Hey, Victoria, you told me a story once about a family who gave their grandchild a lot, right?
Yes, the kid was two years old and they bought it for him, so that when he grew up, he would already own his own lot.
You know what I got when I turned two? Yelled at and punished! No, really, I got lots of love and many hugs when I was young. Which is the same feeling you will get when you walk into Cayetano's office to check out the price and location of our lots. You can chat with Victoria, she's more than ready to answer any question you may have.
Right now, we are offering lots in Donna, Alamo, and Edinburgh, but you can visit our website to see all available areas and lots.
That's right. We have interactive map where you can see exactly which lot is available and which is not, but the best thing to do is visit our website or call Victoria.
Yes, you can call me at 956-329-5096.
Mobile Homes at a Cayetano Lot 101
Let's talk about mobile homes 101. People who don't even know which one to buy. Cayetano sells lots, we do not sell homes.
So, you can either purchase a mobile home or build your own home. Then, for mobile homes what is something that the customers should know?
There are restrictions, light restrictions, on the mobile home. It just depends on subdivision, the restriction of 15 years or newer or 10 years or newer.
So, it can’t be older than 10 years or more than 15 years depending on certain subdivisions.
Yes, every subdivision has different ones but it's usually 10 years or newer, or 15 years or newer.
Is there anything else, like to they have to be skirted or something else?
It has to be skirted within 30 days of it being moved into the property and just maintain your lot clean.
Important Things to Know When Purchasing a Lot
What is something that you wish that people knew that don't own a piece of land right now?
Two things. That it's really easy to buy a property with Cayetano. The first stuff, there's no credit check, no income verification. The second part is how Cayetano structures the loan to help out people. It's a fixed interest loan, guys. You know, with an open contract, you're not going to come back in two, three months and see your payments going up.
I hear it all the time with people that come in. They're like, "Oh, my aunt went to buy a lot elsewhere”, and then she's like, "Oh, she's real mad "because the interest rate went up."
With Cayetano, it's fixed interest rate. The payments are the same for the 20, 30 years, whichever one you get. There's no change.
When you look at the interest rate that they're charging compared to everybody else, Cayetano's really helping out the people. They really want to help out the people when they get a lot.
There you have it, ladies and gentlemen. Come to chat with Eli If you have any more questions about whether you can afford a lot, what is the paperwork that you need beforehand, etc. But it truly is way easier than what you think it is. Eli has mentioned that from a scale of one to 10, it's a thousand out of 10 of how easy it is to buy a lot with Cayetano. If you need more information, you can call our Dona Sales Center or you can go to CayetanoDevelopment.com.