Leonard Trails in Anna, TX: The Complete 2026 Buyer's Guide

Leonard Trails in Anna, TX: The Complete 2026 Buyer's Guide

Anna has become one of the fastest-growing towns in Collin County. Buyers who have been priced out of McKinney, Allen, and Plano keep following US-75 north looking for new construction they can afford. Leonard Trails is one of the newest communities to open there, and it's getting attention for a simple reason: it's one of the few places left in Collin County where you can buy a brand-new home in the low $300s.

This guide covers what you need to know before you tour: the builder, floor plans and pricing, the full property tax breakdown, HOA dues, schools, amenities, location, and the questions you should ask before signing a contract.

Leonard Trails at a Glance

Where Is Leonard Trails?

Leonard Trails sits on the east side of Anna, near Leonard Avenue and just off State Highway 5. From the neighborhood, US-75 is a short drive away, and that's the corridor most residents will use for work. Clemons Creek Middle School, one of the community's zoned schools, is right on Leonard Avenue, so middle schoolers have one of the shortest school commutes in town.

Approximate drive times from Leonard Trails, which will vary with traffic and ongoing US-75 construction:

• Downtown Anna: about 5 minutes
• Melissa: about 10 minutes
• Downtown McKinney: about 20 minutes
• Allen: about 25–30 minutes
• Plano / Legacy West: about 35–45 minutes
• Downtown Dallas: about 50–60 minutes

For people who work in McKinney, Allen, or the Plano employment corridor, Leonard Trails gives up some commute time in exchange for a much lower price per square foot. For people who work remotely or locally in north Collin County, the tradeoff is easy.

Who Is Building in Leonard Trails? Meet Pacesetter Homes

Leonard Trails is a single-builder community, and every home is built by Pacesetter Homes Texas. The land developer is Qualico Developments, Pacesetter's parent company.

About Pacesetter Homes: Qualico founded Pacesetter Homes in Austin in 2007. Qualico is a family-owned Canadian homebuilding company with roots going back to 1951, and in 2026 it is celebrating 75 years in business. Pacesetter's DFW division is headquartered in McKinney, and it builds in North Texas towns including Anna, Melissa, Celina, Van Alstyne, Princeton, Aubrey, Forney, Royse City, and Little Elm.

What comes standard: Every Pacesetter home includes a smart home package with a video doorbell, smart door lock, smart thermostat, WiFi-enabled garage door opener, and WiFi-capable sprinkler system. For to-be-built homes, buyers can personalize structural options, exterior brick and stone, cabinets, countertops, fixtures, paint, and hardware at Pacesetter's design center.

Why a single builder matters: A single-builder community gives you a consistent look and consistent construction standards. It also means there's no builder competition inside the neighborhood to push down pricing or incentives. Your negotiating leverage comes from inventory homes, end-of-quarter timing, and Pacesetter's own promotions, not from a competing builder across the street.

Leonard Trails Floor Plans and Prices

Pacesetter offers more than 30 floor plans in Leonard Trails. They range from compact single-story starter homes to two-story, 3,000+ square-foot family homes with game rooms, studies, and three-car garages. Here's a representative sample of base pricing as of September 2026:

Base prices are subject to change and exclude lot premiums, options, and upgrades. Confirm current pricing with the builder.

How the Pricing Breaks Down

• Under $350K: First-time buyers and downsizers can get into a brand-new single-story home with a two-car garage. For comparison, new construction in McKinney or Allen rarely starts under $450K.
• $350K to $425K: This is the sweet spot for growing families. You'll find four-bedroom plans, flex studies, and game rooms.
• $425K to $510K+: These are the largest plans in the community. Expect 2,800 to 3,100+ square feet, three-car garage options, and multi-generational-friendly layouts.

Quick Move-In Homes

In September 2026, Pacesetter listed about 10 quick move-in homes in Leonard Trails. Prices ran from about $329,980 (a single-story Corrigan) to about $564,980 (a two-story Westbury with a three-car garage), with completions scheduled for November and December 2026. Quick move-ins are often where builders offer the strongest incentives, especially near year-end, so they're worth a close look.

Current Builder Incentives

For its 75th anniversary, Pacesetter is advertising below-market financing on select homes in September 2026: rates as low as 4.99% on FHA/VA loans or 5.25% on conventional loans, or flex cash instead. These promotions usually require using the builder's preferred lender and change often. Compare the full cost of the incentive, including rate, points, closing costs, and fees, against an outside lender before committing.

Leonard Trails Property Tax Rate

Property tax is the biggest ongoing cost after your mortgage, and it's one of the most searched questions about any Texas subdivision. Here's the full 2025 breakdown for Leonard Trails:

Good news: no MUD tax. Builder materials list no Municipal Utility District or Public Improvement District for Leonard Trails. Water and sewer service comes from the City of Anna. Many new DFW communities carry MUD or PID assessments that push total rates to 2.5% to 3%+, so Leonard Trails' sub-2% rate is a real advantage. Buyers should still confirm in their title commitment and seller's disclosures.

What You'll Actually Pay: Homestead Exemption Examples

Texas homeowners who live in the home as their primary residence can file for a homestead exemption. Starting in 2025, the school district homestead exemption is $140,000. That cuts the Anna ISD portion of your bill significantly. Pacesetter's community guide estimates an effective rate of about 1.61% on a $500,000 home once homestead exemptions are applied.

Here's what that looks like at a few price points, applying only the $140,000 school homestead exemption:

These are estimates only. They don't include smaller county or other local exemptions that may apply. 2026 rates are being adopted this fall and may differ.

Three tax tips for new-construction buyers:

1. Your first tax bill may be misleadingly low. If your home was only partially built on January 1, the first assessment may cover only the lot or a partial improvement value. Budget for the full assessed value in year two, because lenders often re-analyze escrow and payments can jump.
2. File your homestead exemption promptly. You can file with the Collin Central Appraisal District once you own and occupy the home. The exemption doesn't apply automatically.
3. The homestead cap helps long term. Once your homestead is established, Texas limits annual increases in your home's taxable value to 10%, which protects you in a rising market.

HOA Dues and What They Cover

The Leonard Trails HOA is $975 per year, or about $81 per month. The HOA is managed by Neighborhood Management, Inc. Dues support the community's common areas and planned amenities.

That's moderate for a new Collin County community with a pool. Many master-planned communities in Celina, Prosper, and McKinney charge $1,200 to $1,800+ per year. Ask the builder for the HOA's budget, reserve plan, and deed restrictions before you sign. Restrictions often cover fencing, exterior changes, parking, and short-term rentals.

Amenities

Leonard Trails is still building out, and most amenities are planned for future phases. Here's what's planned:

• Community amenity center
• Resort-style swimming pool
• Playground
• Dog park
• Parks and green space

Some builder materials also mention a splash pad. Because these amenities are future improvements, ask Pacesetter for the projected completion timeline in writing.

Outside the neighborhood, residents are close to Slayter Creek Park, Anna's largest park, with sports fields, trails, and a playground. They're also near Hurricane Creek Country Club for golf, the historic Anna Depot & Museum, and BarnHill Vineyards for a relaxed weekend afternoon.

Schools Serving Leonard Trails

Leonard Trails is zoned to Anna Independent School District. Currently assigned schools:

• Rosamond-Sherley Elementary School: 3000 FM 2862, Anna
• Clemons Creek Middle School: 2700 Leonard Avenue, Anna (walking or biking distance for many homes)
• Anna High School: 1107 W. Rosamond Parkway, Anna

Anna ISD is growing fast. It opened Clemons Creek as its second middle school and continues to add campuses as enrollment climbs. The district's four-year graduation rate is about 96%, above the state average. Anna High offers AP courses, Project Lead The Way engineering and biomedical pathways, and a Gifted & Talented program.

Because Anna ISD is growing so quickly, school boundaries can change. Always verify current attendance zones directly with Anna ISD before you buy.

Shopping, Dining, and Everyday Convenience

Anna's retail has grown quickly along US-75 and SH-5. Within a few minutes of Leonard Trails, you'll find:

• Groceries and big box: Walmart Supercenter, Brookshire's, and The Home Depot
• Dining: Texas Roadhouse plus a growing lineup of local and chain restaurants in Anna and nearby Melissa
• Healthcare: ER at Anna, Integrity Urgent Care, and Medical City facilities in the area
• Bigger shopping trips: Downtown McKinney's historic square, Craig Ranch, and the Allen Premium Outlets are a short drive south on US-75

Utilities

Pros and Cons of Leonard Trails

Pros

• Some of the most affordable new construction in Collin County, with plans starting in the low $300s
• No MUD or PID tax listed, and a total rate under 2%
• Moderate HOA dues at $975 per year
• Wide range of 30+ floor plans, from 1,277 to 3,100+ square feet
• Close to Clemons Creek Middle School
• Standard smart home package
• Established builder backed by a 75-year-old parent company

Cons

• Amenities are future improvements, not built yet
• Single-builder community means less in-neighborhood price competition
• Longer commute to Plano, Frisco, and Dallas than closer-in suburbs
• Ongoing construction noise and traffic during build-out
• Anna ISD is still maturing academically compared with Allen or Lovejoy ISD

For a deeper look at the town itself, see our guide: [Pros and Cons of Living in Anna, TX].

Leonard Trails vs. Other New Communities in Anna

Anna has several new-construction options, including Anna Ranch, Coyote Meadows by Ashton Woods, Cottage North at Hurricane Creek, and the large master-planned Churchill community. Leonard Trails stands out for its low entry price and lower tax burden. Several competing communities come with higher HOA dues, larger amenity packages, or special district assessments. If you want resort-level amenities now, you may pay more elsewhere. If you want the most house for the money with a clean tax profile, Leonard Trails deserves a serious look.

Tips Before You Buy New Construction in Leonard Trails

1. Bring your agent on the first visit. Most builders require your agent to register you on your first visit to the sales office or model. If you walk in alone first, you may lose the right to representation. The builder's sales staff works for the builder, not for you.
2. Get an independent inspection. Schedule a pre-drywall inspection and a final inspection, even on a brand-new home. City inspections check code minimums, not workmanship.
3. Compare lender incentives carefully. A builder's rate buydown can be valuable, but make sure you compare the total cost against outside lenders.
4. Ask about lot premiums and future development. Find out what is planned behind and across from your lot: open space, amenity center, road extensions, or more homes.
5. Get amenity timelines in writing. "Planned" and "coming soon" aren't completion dates.
6. Budget for year-two taxes. Plan your escrow based on the home's full value, not the first-year bill.

Frequently Asked Questions About Leonard Trails

Who is the builder in Leonard Trails, Anna TX?
Pacesetter Homes Texas is the sole builder. Its parent company, Qualico, is developing the community.

What is the price range for homes in Leonard Trails?
As of September 2026, base prices start around $318,900 and go above $500,000. Quick move-in homes have been listed from about $330K to $565K.

What is the property tax rate in Leonard Trails?
The 2025 total rate is about 1.9955% before exemptions, made up of the City of Anna, Collin County, Anna ISD, and Collin College. The builder estimates about 1.61% effective with homestead exemptions on a $500K home.

Does Leonard Trails have a MUD or PID?
Builder materials don't list a MUD or PID. Confirm with your title company before closing.

How much is the HOA in Leonard Trails?
The HOA is $975 per year.

What school district is Leonard Trails in?
Anna ISD. Currently zoned schools are Rosamond-Sherley Elementary, Clemons Creek Middle, and Anna High School.

What amenities does Leonard Trails have?
Planned amenities include an amenity center, pool, playground, dog park, and parks.

Where is the Leonard Trails model home?
The model home is at 912 Fairfield Avenue, Anna, TX 75409.

Thinking About Leonard Trails? Let's Talk.

Buying new construction is different from buying a resale home. The builder's contract, incentives, lot selection, and inspections all work in the builder's favor unless you have someone in your corner. At OnDemand Realty, we help buyers across the DFW Metroplex tour, compare, and negotiate new construction in communities like Leonard Trails. Just remember to bring us with you on your first visit.