The Reserve at Spiritas Ranch: The Complete Buyer's Guide to Little Elm's Premier Lakeside New Construction Community

by OnDemand Realty

At OnDemand Realty, we help buyers across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex find the right home in the right community — and we do it every single day. We follow the data, we watch the market, and we tell buyers what they need to hear, not just what they want to hear.

And a growing number of buyers keep asking us the same question:

"Is there a place in DFW where I can get a genuinely beautiful setting — water, views, nature — without paying Frisco prices or driving to the middle of nowhere?"

The honest answer: it's a short list. But The Reserve at Spiritas Ranch in Little Elm is on it. Situated on the banks of Lake Lewisville with resort-style amenities, multiple top-name builders, and Highway 380 access to one of the fastest-growing corridors in North Texas, The Reserve is one of the most compelling new construction opportunities in the DFW market right now.

This guide covers everything you need before you make a decision.

Table of Contents

What Is The Reserve at Spiritas Ranch?

"The Reserve" is the name given to the premium section of the Spiritas Ranch master-planned community in Little Elm, Texas — specifically the phases situated along and closest to the shores of Lake Lewisville. It is not a standalone community; it is a defined enclave within the larger 545-acre Spiritas Ranch development, featuring the community's most scenic lots.

Two builders are actively selling within The Reserve designation:

Pacesetter Homes Texas — premium lakeside lots with prices from approximately $375,900; homes on approximately 50×300-foot deep lots with direct Lake Lewisville views
D.R. Horton — homes ranging from approximately $340,000 to $412,000 with 1,605–2,498 sq ft floor plans

Both sections share access to Spiritas Ranch's full community amenity package and are served by Denton ISD. The Reserve's key differentiator is simple: lake proximity and lot depth. When Pacesetter says these lots back up to Lake Lewisville with a natural tree ridge for privacy and unobstructed water views, they are not exaggerating. Early visitors to the site have consistently noted that the lots exceed expectations.

Detail
Community Name	The Reserve at Spiritas Ranch
Master Developer	Centurion American
Location	Little Elm, TX 75068 (along Hwy 380 at Lake Lewisville)
Reserve Builders	Pacesetter Homes Texas, D.R. Horton
Pacesetter Pricing	From ~$375,900
D.R. Horton Pricing	~$340,000 – $412,000
Square Footage	~1,605 – 3,000+ sq ft depending on builder/plan
Lot Sizes (Reserve)	~50 ft × 300 ft deep (Pacesetter); various (D.R. Horton)
Lake Views	Yes — direct Lake Lewisville views on select lots
School District	Denton ISD (TEA B rating, 2024-25)
Status	Actively selling — move-in ready & to-be-built available

Understanding Spiritas Ranch: The Full Master-Planned Picture

To understand The Reserve, you first need to understand the broader canvas it sits within. Spiritas Ranch is a 545-acre master-planned community developed by Centurion American — one of the most active land developers in DFW — located along the 62-mile shoreline of Lake Lewisville in Little Elm, Texas.

At full buildout, Spiritas Ranch will include over 2,100 single-family homes across multiple phases, along with an on-site school, restaurant, and retail space. It is one of the most ambitious new master-planned communities currently under development in Denton County — and its lakeside positioning is genuinely rare in the DFW new construction market.

The Builders Across All of Spiritas Ranch

One of Spiritas Ranch's key buyer advantages is its multi-builder structure. Across all phases and sections, buyers can choose from:

D.R. Horton — America's #1 volume builder; entry-level to mid-range pricing
Pacesetter Homes Texas — quality mid-range builder; The Reserve's premium lakeside lots
Pulte Homes — nationally recognized builder with a strong energy-efficiency reputation
Lennar — large national builder offering community centers, pools, and tech-integrated homes
First Texas Homes — 39+ year Texas builder known for custom-quality production pricing
Mattamy Homes — Canadian-origin builder with strong DFW presence
Risland Homes — growing regional builder offering competitive pricing on 40–60 ft lots

The multi-builder structure means buyers can shop Spiritas Ranch the way they shop a market — comparing floor plans, pricing, incentives, and finish levels side by side across seven different builders without leaving the community. That kind of competition benefits buyers.

"Lake access, trails, and future retail — Spiritas Ranch blends outdoor energy with everyday ease."
— Jome New Homes Expert Review

The Builders: Who's Building and What They Offer

Pacesetter Homes Texas

Pacesetter Homes is the standout builder for buyers focused on The Reserve's premium lake lots. Founded in Austin in 2007 under the QUALICO family of companies — which has over 65 years of homebuilding history across North America — Pacesetter entered the Dallas market in 2018 and was recognized by Builder magazine as one of the top 10 fastest-growing homebuilding companies in the U.S. in 2017.

Pacesetter's TrustBuilder rating on NewHomeSource stands at 4.3 stars from over 84 verified reviews, with consistent praise for responsive communication, build quality, and smooth closing processes. Negative reviews — which exist and are worth reading — tend to cite post-warranty service issues and individual site superintendent experiences. As with any builder, asking for references from recent buyers in the specific community is always worthwhile.

At The Reserve, Pacesetter's floor plans include the Fairmont (~2,457–2,521 sq ft, 4 bed/3 bath, 2-story with first-floor primary suite) and the Grapevine II (~2,684–2,688 sq ft, 4 bed/3 bath, with upstairs game room and optional office). Incentives on eligible homes have reached as high as $30,000 when using their preferred lender — always compare independently.

D.R. Horton

D.R. Horton's Reserve section offers single- and two-story plans from 1,605 to 2,498 sq ft with 3–4 bedrooms and 2–2.5 baths. Prices run approximately $340K–$412K. Homes feature brick and rock exteriors with wood-tone siding accents, open-concept layouts, and D.R. Horton's standard smart home technology package (video doorbell, programmable thermostat, smart lock, touchscreen hub). Financing incentives up to $10,000 are available via DHI Mortgage with contract and close-by date requirements.

💡 Multi-Builder Communities: How to Shop Smart

In a multi-builder community like Spiritas Ranch, every builder's on-site sales rep works for that builder exclusively. The natural human tendency is to land on the first community you like — but in a development with seven builders, that could mean missing a better floor plan or significantly better incentives just a few streets away.

A buyer's agent who knows the full Spiritas Ranch builder landscape is invaluable in this situation. They can tour all sections with you, compare contracts side by side, and identify which builder is offering the best value for your specific needs — at zero cost to you, since co-op commissions are built into all builder pricing. OnDemand Realty's team does exactly this across DFW's new construction market. Reach us at www.ondemanddfw.com.

The Lake Lots: What Makes The Reserve Different

The word "lakeside" gets thrown around liberally in DFW real estate marketing, often meaning "within a mile of water." The Reserve at Spiritas Ranch is genuinely different. Pacesetter's Reserve lots back directly to Lake Lewisville, with several key features that set them apart:

Lot dimensions: approximately 50 feet wide by 300 feet deep — giving homes a long backyard run toward the water
Natural tree ridge: a mature tree buffer between the home's backyard and the lake edge, providing privacy while framing unobstructed water views beyond
Retaining wall: a community retaining wall along the tree line provides both safety and aesthetic definition at the lake boundary
Outdoor living options: fire pits and covered patios near the lake edge are permitted, turning these backyards into legitimate outdoor rooms with water views

The one caveat worth being clear about: private boat ramps and docks are not permitted within The Reserve due to community regulations. Buyers who want to launch a boat or tie up a watercraft will need to use public marinas and boat ramps on Lake Lewisville — which are plentiful and not far away. For buyers whose priority is the view, the serenity, and the outdoor living experience rather than private water access, this is a non-issue. For boaters who want a dock outside their back door, this is a genuine constraint to consider before contracting.

Community Amenities: What's Here Now and What's Coming

Spiritas Ranch is building its amenity package in phases alongside the homes. Here is the current and planned amenity picture:

Existing Community Amenities

Resort-style swimming pool with inviting cabanas
Separate children's pool
Playground
Sand volleyball courts
Expansive open green spaces
Hiking and biking trails
Community center / amenity center
Fitness center

Future Development (Planned)

On-site elementary school — in development; the Spiritas Ranch area already has a new high school nearby
On-site restaurant
Retail space — bringing everyday conveniences inside the community footprint
The Reserve section will eventually connect to the original Spiritas Ranch phases, creating one unified community fabric with full shared amenity access

The two-amenity-center format planned for Spiritas Ranch at full buildout — with a large resort-style pool, separate splash pad, sand volleyball, outdoor soccer field, fitness center, and walking trails — places this development well above most comparably priced DFW communities in terms of lifestyle infrastructure per dollar spent.

Location: Highway 380, Lake Lewisville, and the DFW Grid

The Reserve at Spiritas Ranch sits along U.S. Highway 380 in Little Elm — one of the most significant east-west growth corridors in all of North Texas. Highway 380 connects Denton to Little Elm to Frisco to McKinney to Princeton in a nearly unbroken line of development and retail expansion. For buyers, this means the community's location improves structurally over time as the corridor builds out around it.

Access Points

Highway 380 — immediate frontage and access; the primary east-west artery for this corridor
Dallas North Tollway — accessible within a short drive; connects to Frisco, Plano, and inner Dallas
FM 720 — additional local route option for navigating the area

Drive Times from Spiritas Ranch

~15 min Frisco

~20 min Denton

~20 min The Colony

~25 min Plano

~30 min DFW Airport

~35 min UNT / TWU Denton

~40 min Downtown Dallas

~15 min UNT & TWU campuses

Shopping and Dining Access

Highway 380 access puts buyers within minutes of major retail nodes. The community has direct access to The Village at Crossroads, Prestonwood Polo Crossing, and Little Elm Towne Crossing. Everyday essentials — H-E-B, Sprouts, Walmart, Target, CVS — are all easily accessible. The broader Frisco retail corridor is approximately 15 minutes south, adding access to Legacy West, Stonebriar Centre, and the full range of national and independent dining options that have made Frisco one of the most commercially developed suburbs in America.

Why Little Elm Keeps Growing — and Why It Matters for Buyers

Little Elm's growth story is extraordinary even by Texas standards — and in Texas, extraordinary growth is the baseline.

The Numbers

Little Elm had a population of approximately 4,730 residents in 2000
By 2024, that had climbed to approximately 58,000–68,000 depending on the estimate source — a growth rate of over 1,195% since 2000
The U.S. Census Bureau ranked Little Elm as the 5th fastest-growing large city in the United States in its most recent survey of cities with a population over 50,000, with an 8% single-year population increase
Little Elm is growing faster than 97% of similarly sized U.S. cities since 2000
The 2026 estimated population is approximately 68,222 — and still climbing

The Economic Profile

Median household income: ~$116,000–$119,000 — well above the national median
Median property value: ~$420,700 — a market with proven appreciation history
Bachelor's degree rate: 43.1% of adult residents — a highly educated workforce
Graduate/professional degree rate: 15.8% — above national average
Homeownership rate: ~70%
Employment grew at 6.31% from 2023 to 2024, reflecting a genuinely expanding local economy

What's Driving It

Three factors are working in concert to sustain Little Elm's growth trajectory. First, affordability relative to Frisco and Plano. Both of those cities — which sit 15–20 minutes south on the Dallas North Tollway — have seen prices rise dramatically, pushing buyers northward along the tollway corridor. Little Elm has absorbed that overflow while still offering a superior lifestyle attribute that neither Frisco nor Plano can match: lakeside living.

Second, major employment access. The Frisco and Plano employment corridor — home to Toyota North America, JPMorgan Chase, Liberty Mutual, Ericsson, and dozens of major corporate campuses — is within 20–25 minutes of Spiritas Ranch. Buyers who work in that belt can live on a lake and still have a manageable commute.

Third, University of North Texas and Texas Woman's University. Both major universities are located approximately 15 minutes from Spiritas Ranch in Denton — a combined campus population of over 50,000 students and faculty who create sustained demand for housing across the entire Highway 380 corridor.

"As one of the fastest-growing cities in North Texas, we work to balance our growth with hometown charm to give both residents and visitors alike an exceptional experience."
— City of Little Elm official statement

Denton ISD: The School District Serving Spiritas Ranch

Every home in Spiritas Ranch — including The Reserve — is served by Denton Independent School District, widely cited as one of the fastest-growing school districts in Texas. With 32,000+ students across more than 40 campuses, Denton ISD is large enough to support diverse programming while still maintaining the community identity of a Denton County district.

The headline from the 2024-25 TEA accountability cycle: Denton ISD improved a full letter grade — from a C to a B. That kind of district-wide improvement in a single accountability cycle reflects genuine academic momentum, driven by gains across student achievement, school progress, and closing the gaps.

Key District Data

Metric	Denton ISD
TEA Overall Rating (2024-25)	B (improved from C)
On-Time Graduation Rate	97.6%
Dropout Rate (9–12)	0.5%
District Enrollment	~32,779 students
Average Teacher Salary	$63,469 (slightly above state avg)
Financial Integrity Rating	A — highest possible, 21 consecutive years
Campuses	40+ across 18 communities in Denton County

A few standout details worth noting for buyers. Denton ISD has earned the highest possible Financial Integrity Rating from the TEA for 21 consecutive years — a remarkable track record that speaks to district leadership's management capability independent of academic performance. A school district that manages money well is better positioned to weather enrollment surges, hire good teachers, and maintain facilities — all directly relevant to a community like Spiritas Ranch that is adding hundreds of new families per year.

Ryan High School, one of the district's high schools, jumped from a B to an A in closing the gaps in the 2025 ratings — the kind of individual campus improvement that signals a district culture focused on actual outcomes rather than headline metrics. Rivera Elementary, also in the district, gained 39 points in the closing the gaps domain in a single year — which district leadership called "unheard of."

Buyers should verify their specific lot's campus assignments directly with Denton ISD before contracting, as the district is actively opening new campuses to keep pace with enrollment growth in the Highway 380 corridor. Plans for an on-site elementary school within Spiritas Ranch itself are also in development — which, when built, would mean some Spiritas Ranch children could walk to school within the community.

Recreation: Lake Lewisville and Beyond

Living at The Reserve means Lake Lewisville is not a weekend destination — it is your backdrop. But the recreational picture extends well beyond the view from your backyard.

Lake Lewisville

Lake Lewisville is a 29,000-acre reservoir managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, spanning parts of Denton, Dallas, and Collin Counties. It is one of the largest and most accessible recreational lakes in the DFW Metroplex, featuring:

Boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, and sailing — year-round
Fishing for largemouth bass, white bass, crappie, and catfish
Multiple public boat ramps and marinas across the lake's perimeter
Sandy beaches and swimming areas at public parks
Kayaking and paddleboarding corridors
Camping at multiple Corps-managed and city-managed parks

The Cove at Lakefront

Located nearby in Little Elm, The Cove at Lakefront is a waterfront entertainment destination that has become one of the most popular family attractions in Denton County — featuring an outdoor waterpark-style splash area, live events, and lakeside dining. It is within easy reach of Spiritas Ranch and represents the kind of community amenity that makes Little Elm's lifestyle case genuinely compelling for families.

Little Elm Park

The City of Little Elm's own Little Elm Park sits directly on the lake and serves as the town's primary public waterfront destination — offering swimming, fishing, volleyball, and picnicking with direct lake access. For Spiritas Ranch residents, this is effectively a backyard extension of their lakeside lifestyle, available without the HOA restrictions that apply to the community's private lake lots.

What to Know Before You Buy at The Reserve

Understand Which Section You're Buying In

The name "The Reserve at Spiritas Ranch" is used by both Pacesetter Homes and D.R. Horton to describe their respective sections, but the two are meaningfully different in lot size, positioning, pricing, and what the lake experience actually looks like from the backyard. Before you decide, walk both sites. The Pacesetter lots with 300-foot depth and natural tree ridges are a fundamentally different product from D.R. Horton's more standard-depth configurations.

No Docks — Understand This Before You Fall in Love with a Lot

Private boat docks and ramps are not permitted within The Reserve's lakefront parcels. If direct private water access for a boat is a non-negotiable for your lifestyle, The Reserve may not be the right fit. If your priority is the view, the serenity, and outdoor living space with lake proximity, The Reserve delivers this exceptionally well — and public marinas are nearby when you want to get on the water.

Compare Incentives Across All Seven Builders

In a multi-builder community, incentive packages vary dramatically by builder, phase, and even time of month. We have seen First Texas Homes offer up to $20,000 in closing cost assistance, Pacesetter offering $30,000 on eligible homes, and D.R. Horton offering $10,000 — all simultaneously, within the same community. A buyer's agent who has toured all sections can help you map the incentive landscape and identify where the best value currently sits.

Always Get an Independent Lender Quote

Every builder at Spiritas Ranch has a preferred lender. Every preferred lender incentive is contingent on using that lender. This is not inherently bad — some builder preferred lenders are genuinely competitive — but you cannot evaluate the offer without a comparison point. An independent quote from a lender who knows the DFW new construction market gives you that leverage.

💰 Independent Financing for New Construction in DFW

OnDemand Realty works closely with Clarity Home Lending (Greg Pope, NMLS 621901, Plano, TX) for independent new construction purchase financing. Greg specializes in Conventional, FHA, VA, and jumbo products and can provide a same-day comparison quote against any builder preferred lender offer — so you make the financing decision that actually saves you the most money over the life of your loan.

Verify Campus Assignments Before Signing

Denton ISD is actively opening new campuses and shifting attendance boundaries as enrollment surges along the Highway 380 corridor. The campus assignments described in this guide reflect current information, but boundaries in a district this dynamic can change. Confirm your specific lot's feeder schools directly with Denton ISD before you contract.

Frequently Asked Questions: The Reserve at Spiritas Ranch

What is The Reserve at Spiritas Ranch?

The Reserve is the premium lakeside section of Spiritas Ranch, a 545-acre master-planned community on Lake Lewisville in Little Elm, TX, developed by Centurion American. The Reserve features lots with direct lake views built by Pacesetter Homes and D.R. Horton.

Who builds homes at The Reserve at Spiritas Ranch?

The Reserve section is primarily built by Pacesetter Homes Texas (from ~$375,900) and D.R. Horton (~$340K–$412K). The broader Spiritas Ranch community also has sections by Pulte, Lennar, First Texas Homes, Mattamy Homes, and Risland Homes.

What are home prices at The Reserve?

Pacesetter Homes prices in The Reserve start from approximately $375,900. D.R. Horton's section ranges from approximately $340,000 to $412,000. Prices vary by floor plan, lot, and options selected.

Do The Reserve lots have actual lake views?

Yes. Pacesetter's lots in The Reserve are approximately 50 feet wide by 300 feet deep, backing directly to Lake Lewisville with a natural tree ridge providing privacy and framing unobstructed water views. Early site visitors have consistently described the lots as exceeding expectations.

Can I have a boat dock at The Reserve?

No. Private boat ramps and docks are not permitted within The Reserve's lakefront lots per community regulations. Outdoor amenities like fire pits and covered patios near the lake edge are allowed. Public boat ramps and marinas on Lake Lewisville are available nearby.

What school district serves The Reserve at Spiritas Ranch?

Denton ISD, which improved from a C to a B in the 2024-25 TEA accountability ratings. The district has a 97.6% on-time graduation rate, a 0.5% dropout rate, and has earned the highest possible financial integrity rating from TEA for 21 consecutive years.

What amenities does Spiritas Ranch have?

Current amenities include a resort-style pool with cabanas, a children's pool, playground, sand volleyball courts, hiking and biking trails, community center, and fitness center. Planned future amenities include an on-site school, restaurant, and retail space.

How large is Spiritas Ranch?

Spiritas Ranch covers 545 acres along Lake Lewisville and is planned for over 2,100 single-family homes across multiple phases. It will be one of the largest master-planned communities in Denton County at full buildout.

What lot sizes are available?

Spiritas Ranch offers 40-foot, 50-foot, and 60-foot lots across all sections. The Reserve by Pacesetter features approximately 50×300-foot deep lots with lake views.

Is Little Elm a good place to buy real estate?

Yes — the data is compelling. Little Elm has grown over 1,195% since 2000, was ranked 5th fastest-growing large U.S. city by the Census Bureau, carries a median household income of approximately $116,000–$119,000, and sits in Denton County — one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas.

What is the commute like from Spiritas Ranch?

Frisco is approximately 15 minutes south. Plano and The Colony are 20–25 minutes. DFW International Airport is about 30 minutes. Downtown Dallas is approximately 40 minutes. The community has direct Highway 380 access and is a short drive to the Dallas North Tollway.

Who is Pacesetter Homes Texas?

Pacesetter is a Texas-based builder founded in 2007 under the QUALICO family of companies, which has over 65 years of homebuilding history in North America. Named one of the top 10 fastest-growing homebuilders in the U.S. by Builder magazine in 2017. TrustBuilder rating: 4.3 stars from 84+ verified reviews in Dallas.

What shopping is near Spiritas Ranch?

Via Highway 380: The Village at Crossroads, Prestonwood Polo Crossing, Little Elm Towne Crossing, H-E-B, Sprouts, and Walmart. The Frisco retail corridor (Legacy West, Stonebriar) is approximately 15 minutes south via the Dallas North Tollway.

What is Denton ISD's 2025 TEA rating?

Denton ISD jumped a full letter grade from C to B in the 2024-25 TEA accountability cycle — driven by gains in academic growth and closing the gaps. The district has a 97.6% graduation rate and a 0.5% dropout rate.

Should I use a real estate agent at Spiritas Ranch?

Yes — and with seven builders in one community, having an agent who knows all sections is especially valuable. Each builder's on-site rep works for that builder. A buyer's agent costs you nothing and gives you a market-wide advocate for the best floor plan, lot, and incentive combination.

What financing incentives are available?

Incentives vary by builder and timing. D.R. Horton has offered up to $10,000 via DHI Mortgage. Pacesetter has offered up to $30,000. First Texas Homes has offered up to $20,000. All require use of preferred lenders and have close-by date requirements. Always get an independent lender quote for comparison.

What recreational options does Lake Lewisville provide?

Lake Lewisville is a 29,000-acre reservoir offering boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, fishing (bass, crappie, catfish), camping, kayaking, and swimming at multiple public parks and marinas. The Cove at Lakefront entertainment complex and Little Elm Park are both nearby.

What are the future development plans for Spiritas Ranch?

Future phases include an on-site elementary school (in development), an on-site restaurant, and retail space within the community footprint. The Reserve section will connect to the original Spiritas Ranch phases as development continues.

How does The Reserve compare to other lakeside communities in DFW?

True lakeside new construction with direct water views at this price point is genuinely rare in DFW. Comparable lakefront new construction elsewhere in the Metroplex typically commands a significant premium. The Reserve's pricing, multi-builder competition, and established community infrastructure make it one of the strongest value propositions in this niche.

Is Denton County a good county for long-term real estate investment?

Denton County is consistently among the fastest-growing counties in Texas and the nation. Major university employment (UNT, TWU), Frisco corporate corridor spillover, Highway 380 commercial development, and limited remaining undeveloped land on Lake Lewisville's shoreline all support long-term demand for residential real estate in Spiritas Ranch's immediate area.