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Celina's Boom: What the Rise of New Apartments Means for DFW Real Estate

The following report was generated using Gemini Deep Research, with "New apartment community opening soon in Celina" as the initial source.


Modern kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a central island with two chairs. Large window with blue curtains.
Residents will have a variety of floor plans to choose from at Yardly Cross Creek Meadows. (courtesy Taylor Morrison)

As a real estate consultant serving Dallas County, Collin County, and the greater Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area, you're no stranger to rapid change. The DFW metroplex is a national leader in population and job growth, and nowhere is this more evident than in Celina, Texas. The upcoming opening of Yardly Cross Creek Meadows, a new 266-unit cottage-style apartment community, highlights a significant trend reshaping our market.


Celina: A Magnet for Growth and New Apartments


Celina's population has exploded, soaring by an incredible 206% since April 2020, reaching over 51,000 residents by July 2024. This isn't just a local phenomenon; Collin County, where Celina is located, added 75,000 people in just one year, averaging 207 new residents daily. This unprecedented influx fuels a constant demand for housing, particularly for apartments in Celina.


The new Yardly Cross Creek Meadows community, opening July 24th, offers one- to three-bedroom units, each with a private backyard, and is pet-friendly. Amenities like a dog park, pool, fitness studio, and barbecue area cater to modern lifestyles. This development is part of a larger "build-to-rent" (BTR) trend, where single-family homes are constructed specifically for rental purposes. Other notable BTR communities in Celina include Amavi Celina and BB Living Light Farms, all emphasizing private yards and a low-maintenance lifestyle.   


For those seeking apartments in Celina, average rents vary by type. As of June 2025, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,434/month, while a three-bedroom apartment is around $2,385/month. Three-bedroom houses for rent average $2,628/month. These figures, while showing some year-over-year decreases in overall average rent, indicate a diverse and active rental market.   



Implications for Real Estate Professionals


For Real Estate Agents: The surge in population means a growing client base. Understanding the appeal of BTR communities—offering the space of a home without the ownership commitment—is crucial. Agents can guide clients through options like Yardly Cross Creek Meadows, which even offers incentives towards purchasing a future Taylor Morrison home. Specializing in these high-growth areas and new product types will be a significant advantage.   


For Investors: DFW remains a prime investment market. The BTR sector, with Celina projected to add 537 new units in 2025, presents robust opportunities. While the broader DFW multifamily market has seen elevated vacancies (around 11.2%) and some rent contraction due to recent supply , tapering construction starts and sustained demand suggest a rebound in rent growth by 2025-2026. Focusing on resilient segments like workforce housing or BTR can yield strong returns.   


For Clients: Whether renting or buying, clients have more choices. For those not ready for homeownership due to interest rates, BTR communities offer an attractive alternative to traditional apartments in Celina, providing private yards and amenities without the maintenance burden. For buyers, while Celina's average home value has seen a slight decrease to around $609,830, it remains a competitive seller's market with increasing inventory from new construction.   



The Path Forward


Celina's explosive growth and the rise of BTR communities are defining features of the DFW real estate landscape. For real estate professionals, staying informed about these trends, understanding the diverse housing options, and adapting strategies to meet evolving client needs will be key to success in this dynamic market.



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