Blog - Preston Homes of Texas

Preston Homes of Texas Demonstrates Green Energy Independence

April 14, 2016 by Lance Poling

Our award winning showcase home located in the Texas Hill Country just garnered another layer of recognition – Energy independence.

By careful planning, along with many different applications of insulation, high efficiency glass, LED lighting, efficient water heating, air conditioning and heating components we were able to reduce consumption and minimize energy loss. The final step was the installation of an 81 panel Photovoltaic System.

That’s right, this 5,000 square foot home has no electric bills. As a matter of fact we sell our extra-generated energy back to the electric company via a reverse meter.

Tracking energy production and consumption is made easy by using many available smart phone applications.

Every home and environment is different so you must weigh the Pros and Cons and the rate of return on your investment. The break-even point on this home is about 7 years. With a solar system life that is estimated to reach 25 years you can easily see how the benefit can give back for many years to come.

Questions to Ask Your Custom Home Builder

February 27, 2015 by Lance Poling

Preston Homes of Texas is the premiere custom home builder in Hill Country, Texas. We have nearly 20 years of experience in providing the central Texas area with custom homes of superior quality.

The decision to build the home of your dreams is one of the most significant choices you will ever make. In addition to making that decision, you also have to select a custom home builder that can make the home of your dreams a reality. At Preston Homes of Texas we understand that these decisions can be a bit overwhelming. We want to guide you through the process of custom home construction in order to help take some of the stress and intimidation out of building your dream home.

Beginning the Process

The first step in constructing the home of your dreams is to assemble a list of potential contractors. There are many ways to go about finding local custom home builders. An internet search is always a good place to start, and checking with your local Better Business Bureau is a great idea. Additionally, check with real estate agents in your area. Ask family and friends if they have had good experiences with a custom home builder, or if they know someone who recently has moved into a custom home they love.

Once you compile a list of potential builders, it is time to begin asking questions. Because building a custom home is such a momentous occasion, you want to be absolutely positive that you are hiring the perfect custom home builder for you. You will be working closely with your builder until your home is complete, so you want to be able to trust your builder implicitly to execute the plans you have for your dream home.

Questions to ask Your Custom Home Builder

Since finding the right custom home builder is so important, you will want to ask plenty of questions. The following list of questions is a comprehensive list of questions that you should be sure to ask any potential custom home builders:

How long have they been in business?
Will they provide you with references of recent buyers or homeowners?
What are available options and how customized can the house be (if using a floor plan from the builder)?
Are you able to up or down-grade appliances?
What, if any, are the additional fees relating to the home or the specific development chosen?
Do they offer a warranty? If so, what is the duration of the warranty?
What are the estimated property taxes?
Is there an established change order policy?
How often do the projects go over budget? What is the average overage amount?
Do they offer a written expected timeline for the project?
Is there communication during the project? Who would the builder have you contact if there were questions and concerns during construction?
What is the protocol if construction is not finished on the agreed upon closing date?
Are there any major development plans for the area within the next 5 years?
How is the school district rated?
Are there conveniently located doctors, day care, dentists, grocery stores, etc…?
Are there emergency services in the area?

The Custom Home Builder you can Trust

Since 1997, Preston Homes of Texas has been in the business of turning dreams into realities. As the National Association of Home Builders notes, “When you’re thinking about buying a new home, selecting the right builder is a key step in creating the home of your dreams. You should feel comfortable asking a potential home builder every question that you think is important.” We want to make you feel as comfortable and excited about building your dream home as possible.

Preston Homes of Texas is an award-winning custom home builder. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and are a third generation family business. Our impeccable homes and superior customer service make us the custom home builder that you deserve. We would love to meet with you to answer any and all questions you may have about the process of building a custom home. Contact us today to find out how you can stop dreaming about your ideal home, and how you can start living in it.

Living in the Texas Hill Country

July 12, 2014 by Lance Poling

Living in the Texas Hill Country presents you with scenic views, rugged yet beautiful landscapes, immense wildlife, and much more.

The Texas Hill Country comprises 25 counties in the south and central regions of Texas. The Texas Hill Country includes the two major cities of Austin and San Antonio as well as smaller cities and towns filled with typical Texas charm and unique character.

What are the 25 Counties in the Texas Hill Country?

The Texas Hill Country includes the following counties:

Bandera
Bell
Blanco
Burnet
Comal
Coryell
Crockett
Edwards
Gillespie
Hays
Kendall
Kerr
Kimble
Lampasas
Llano
Mason
McCullough
Menard
Real
SanSaba
Schleicher
Sutton
Travis
Val Verde
Williamson

What is the Landscape of the Texas Hill Country Like?

The Texas Hill Country is a vast expanse of land with a variety of vegetation and views. Much of the terrain in the Texas Hill Country features limestone or granite and is home to Enchanted Rock, one of the largest granite domes in the United States. The Texas Hill Country also includes numerous caverns including the Longhorn Cavern State Park, the Cave Without a Name and the Wonder Cave, which formed after an earthquake along the Balcones Fault. In addition to the granite and miraculous caverns, there are rolling plains and rugged hills and the Texas Hill Country is home to a few species of plants such as the Texas live oak, cedar scrub and the prickly pear cactus.

The Texas Hill Country also features some of the most luxurious water landscapes in all of Texas with the beautiful Lake Travis, Lake Marble Falls, Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin. These natural bodies of water provide residents and visitors of the Texas Hill Country with endless water recreation from kayaking to fishing. Additionally, Texas Hill Country is the origin of the Guadalupe, Medina, Frio, Nueces and San Antonio rivers.

What is there to do in the Texas Hill Country?

Truthfully, the question should read what isn’t there to do in the Texas Hill Country? With 25 counties and two major cities, this region of Texas is home to culturally diverse experiences. There is something for everyone located right in the heart of Texas, the Texas Hill Country.

The Texas Hill Country is becoming more famous for it’s wine and is currently home to about 40 wineries. These wineries attract nearly 5 million visitors each year and offer first time winery guests and expert tasters alike an inviting and friendly atmosphere.

As previously mentioned, the Texas Hill Country offers visitors a large number of natural attractions from the caverns to bodies of water. Not only is there fun to be had by day, but the Hill Country Alliance seeks to preserve some of the magnificent beauty of the night sky by eliminate “light pollution.” The HCA offers several programs, such as Stars Over Utopia, for those that wish to do some star gazing and learn how to protect the night sky.

For those that love to spend time exploring outdoors, head to one of the Texas State Parks in the Texas Hill Country for a bit of geocaching. The area attracts numerous hunters each year for a variety of different types of hunting from white-tailed deer to pheasant.

Ready to build your custom home and start living in the Texas Hill Country?

See yourself surrounded by the beauty of the Texas Hill Country daily when you make the area your home. Let Preston Homes of Texas create a custom home for you that echoes the style and grace of the area. Preston Homes of Texas proudly builds in Texas Hill Country and we would love to help you make this area your home.

Custom Home Building: Important Options and Decisions

June 26, 2014 by Lance Poling

Custom Home Building - Home Theatre

The benefit to custom home building is that you get to design and select nearly every single element that comprises your home.

Make the most of the custom home building process and do not let the vast amount of options and decisions overwhelm you. Work with your custom home builder to find the custom options that are right for you and your family.

When you decide that custom home building is right for you and your family, you give yourself the ability to turn a dream into reality. The decision to select custom home building is a significant one. However, it is only the first in a long succession of decisions, options and considerations that come with the custom home building process. Together with your designer and builder you will have a variety of decisions to make such as what building materials to use and how to landscape your yard. Selecting the right custom home builder can give you peace of mind that you will be making informed decisions based on expert knowledge and advice that comes with years of experience.

Custom Home Building Material Decisions

One of the larger decisions that comes with custom home building is deciding what materials to use. Many people find that they do not know enough about building materials to feel comfortable choosing these items on their own. An experienced builder can walk you through the list of pros and cons to each material. In addition, your builder is able to tell you what materials work best given your location and climate.

Green building materials are becoming increasingly popular for a number of reasons. When you choose to use green materials for your custom home building process, you choose materials that are not only sustainable, but also energy efficient. The National Association of Home Builders suggests “Green building is a practical response to a variety of issues that affect us all – like increasing energy prices, waning water resources and changing weather patterns.”

Green building is a broad term that encompasses everything from site design to water saving plumbing fixtures. Custom home building allows you to choose green materials and enhancements that help save you money and improve the quality of life for your family.

Interior Options

Custom home building gives you the ability to select many of the features and fixtures in your home. Consider some of the following options you have with custom home building:

Lighting Fixtures
Custom Counters and Cabinetry
Flooring Options from Hardwood to Carpet
Plumbing Fixtures
Windows and Doors

This list is not exhaustive and there are other areas of your interior that you can discuss with your builder. Love movies and entertainment? Add a home theater to your home. If fitness is important to you and your family, ask your builder what can be done about building a custom gym in your home.

The truth is that anyone can build a house, but it takes someone special to build a home. Let Preston Homes of Texas be your custom home builder and allow us to turn your vision of a dream home into a reality.

Lake Travis Custom Home Builders: How to Select the Best

June 14, 2014 by Lance Poling

Choosing Lake Travis Custom Home Builders

Lake Travis Custom home builders are responsible for turning your dream home into reality. Choosing the best custom home builders ensures professional, high quality results.

How to Begin Your Search for Lake Travis Custom Home Builders

The search for custom home builders is a critical one as this decision impacts all stages of the custom home building process and, perhaps most importantly to you, the finished product. Before you start interviewing custom home builders or the clients for whom they have previously built homes, it is important that you are aware of your options. The Texas Association of Builders recommends you make a list of all the potential builders in your area. Additionally, you can visit the National Association of Home Builders website and conduct a search for custom home builders in your area. Because this is such a significant and important decision, do not stop at the web search. Contact friends, family and local real estate agents for their custom home builder recommendations.

Conduct Research on Custom Home Builders

Once you have a list of potential builders, do thorough background research. Begin by asking your prospective builder for a resume of current or recently completed projects. Also ask potential builders if they will provide you with a list of customer references. When contacting previous clients keep the following list of questions in mind:

What was the original budget and did your builders help you stay on budget?
Were financial transactions handled transparently?
Was the project completed on time?
Were you made aware of any required schedule changes?
Was the project organized?
How did the builder respond to stressful situations?
Was the communication channel clear and were you able to contact your builder when you needed to?
If you were to build another custom home, would you work with this builder and the subcontractors again?

These questions help give you a general idea of what the entire custom home building process would be like with your chosen builder. If you are able to receive a tour of a home built by the custom home builder you are considering, be sure to inspect the quality of building materials such as the paint used, cabinetry, trimwork and flooring.

In addition to contacting former customers, check into the builder’s standing with any local building associations. Check with the Better Business Bureau of Central Texas to see what the builder’s rating is. You may also want to check with state licensing agencies and see if your custom home builder has held any licenses in other states in the previous 5 to 10 years. If so, be sure to do follow-up research on your builder’s standing in their former state.

You also want to be aware of any insurance your builder carries so that you are positive that you, and they, are covered during your home building process.

Look at Previous Work by Your Custom Home Builders

As briefly mentioned above, it can be incredibly useful to tour homes that were constructed by your custom home builder. Some custom builders will arrange to set up appointments for prospective clients to tour homes they have built for former clients. If this is not an option, many custom builders also offer tours of furnished or decorated models of homes they have built. When you take the tour, be sure to look at the quality of craftsmanship in the building materials, the overall home construction and the design. Pay attention to how you feel during a tour; it is a good sign if you can imagine you and your family living in that space.

The home that you have been dreaming of is possible with the right builder. Let Preston Homes of Texas be that builder. We work closely with clients and limit the number of homes we build each year to ensure you receive the highest quality possible.

Financing a Custom Home: What You Need to Know

May 27, 2014 by Lance Poling

Financing a Custom Home

Financing a custom home is a critical financial decision. Make your dream custom home a reality through proper research for financing a custom home.

Financing a Custom Home: The Available Loans

The first step in financing a custom home is similar to the first step made for any financial decision: review your personal finances and know your options. Typically when financing a custom home your option is to apply for a construction loan. Realtor.com notes that there are two options for construction loans when financing a custom home. These options are a one-time closing and two closings. In one-time closing construction loans, your lender approves an interest-only loan for 6-12 months during the construction of the home. When your custom home build is complete, the loan converts into a 29 year fixed-rate-loan. While this type of loan only requires you to pay one closing fee, it also requires an appraisal after the build and a conversion fee.

Many lenders view a one-time closing loan as far too risky and will require financing a custom home with the use of a two-closings construction loan. This is an interest only construction loan for the duration of your home’s construction that then is refinanced into an end loan to pay for the purchase of your custom home. As the name implies, this requires that you pay two separate closing costs.

For those in the beginning stages of financing a custom home, that is without immediate plans to build, there are lot loans available. A lot loan is simply a loan towards the money required to purchase the land on which the custom home will be built. These are often short-term loans and are not to be confused with the construction loan. Loansafe.org discusses the distinction between a lot loan and a construction loan, stating “…they are actually very different because with a lot loan the mortgage company will lend the borrower money for the land in which they intend to start building their home, and a construction mortgage is cash for the building to begin including the needed materials and the workers to begin construction.”

Financing a Custom Home: Your Obligations

Once you have decided upon the type of loan that works best for you in financing a custom home, you will need to complete the application process. The application process for financing a custom home is not much different than a loan for traditional homes and requires much of the same information. However, financing a custom home means that your loan professional or representative will also ask for a copy of the construction agreement with the company you have chosen for construction. This construction agreement must state the cost of your home, the lot value and possible upgrades. You may also be responsible for supplying a deed to the lot, a land contract for the lot on which you are building and floor plans for your custom home.

Once you have completed the loan application and submitted the necessary paperwork, you will wait for a response from your lender. If you are approved for a loan for financing a custom home, you will be financially responsible for any closing costs incurred.

Financing a Custom Home: The Building Process

Many lenders require your builder to purchase insurance on the structure prior to construction beginning on your new home. This protects you from any damage or theft that occurs during the construction process. One thing to be particularly cognizant of is cost. Often during the building process the cost of the project increases. When applying for a loan for financing a custom home, it is important to remember that you can reduce the amount of the loan if needed, but you cannot increase the loan amount once paperwork is signed. Thus you want to find a reputable builder, such as Preston Homes of Texas, to ensure that you are kept aware of the entire construction process.

It is not only important that you research lenders, but your builders as well. Preston of Homes of Texas is proud to offer work of the highest quality for your custom home build. We work with our clients every step of the way to insure that they are informed of the entire custom home building process. Contact us today to find out how to get started making your dream home a reality.

New Hollows Lake Travis Custom Home for Girard Family

April 21, 2014 by Lance Poling

One of the most rewarding aspects of building Hollows Lake Travis custom homes is helping a family to begin a new chapter in their lives. For the Girard family, Preston Homes of Texas is creating a home that they will be able to treasure for years to come.

Preston Homes of Texas has designed this new Hollows Lake Travis Custom Home Project specifically for the Girard family. In the design we have included structurally sound engineering and Energy Star rated materials, resulting in a high-performance home.

The new home build site is located at The Hollows Lake Travis. Known for it’s serene, peaceful environment, Lake Travis is a wonderful location for any family. The Girard family has chosen a location surrounded by stunning panoramas, water sports, and outdoor activities. Lake Travis is also serviced by a top ranking school district, perfect for curious kids.

As we begin this new home build, we are working with the Girard family to get to know their unique tastes and needs. It is our goal at Preston Homes of Texas to build a home that will allow the Girard family to create countless memories together in a beautiful setting.

Preston Homes of Texas will be working closely with the Girard family over the next few months as their dream home becomes a reality. Construction is scheduled to be completed in the Fall of 2014, just in time for the Girard family to enjoy a lovely holiday season in their new home.

Preston Homes of Texas to Join 2014 Parade of Homes in Texas Hill Country

April 19, 2014 by Lance Poling

The mark of a truly great home builder is the look of awe on the faces of those who pass by a completed home construction project. This year Preston Homes of Texas is honored to have the opportunity to show the community what we have to offer in custom home construction in the Hill Country Builder’s Association Parade of Homes in the Texas Hill Country just outside of Austin. On the weekends of October 17th-19th and 24th-29th, you can come see the work of Preston Homes of Texas featured in this year’s Hill Country Builder’s Association Parade of Homes in Texas Hill Country. This prestigious annual event is presented by the Hill Country Builders Association (HCBA).

The Parade will showcase the newest trends in construction, building design, interior decor and landscaping in one of the country’s most vibrant real estate communities. This event gives builders the opportunity to show their skillful craftsmanship as well as the latest and greatest styles in the building industry.

Preston Homes of Texas will be showcasing a home that features a unique Texas-Tuscan style. The old world estate property is located in the Texas Hill Country near Marble Falls. This lovely home was chosen to show the community the high-quality, natural elegance of Preston Homes of Texas.

Preston Homes of Texas is proud to have been invited to participate in this wonderful event. We invite you to come see our work in person to experience the beauty and character of our homes.

Tickets for this Parade of Homes in the Texas Hill Country are available at the home itself on Parade days as well as at any Hill Country Security State Bank and Trust. With your ticket purchase you will receive a guide book with everything you need to know about the event and the builders featured in the Parade of Homes.

Questions to Ask Your Architect Before Blueprinting Begins

February 19, 2014 by Lance Poling

The construction of your home is the time when your dream becomes a reality. To ensure that what is built is exactly as you’ve envisioned it in your mind’s eye, it is crucial to find the right architect. Your architect’s blueprints will represent the home you and your family enjoy for years to come. So before blueprinting begins, be sure to get some important information from your architect. Here are some questions to ask your architect.

View a Portfolio

Your architect will be leaving his or her own mark on your home. Every architect has his or her own style. As your potential contractor if he or she has a portfolio you can view. Then, be sure that you and your architect have similar style preferences by seeing if you like the architect’s past work.

Gather References

You will be working with this architect for a long period of time on a crucial project. Ask your potential architect for a list of past clients you can contact. Take some time to contact these past clients to ask:

What it was like to work with the architect?
Did the architect finish your project on time?
Were the clients happy with the final result?
How has the architect’s work held up over time?
Were there any problems during the design or build stages? If so, how did the architect handle the problems?

Insurance

Different states require different minimum levels of insurance for architects. Some architects try to cut their costs by having the bare minimum coverage. This can leave you liable for anything that occurs during the build that should have been covered by the architect. Find out what insurance your state requires, what kind of insurance your architect carries, and if he or she has minimal or substantial coverage.

Talk Models

Nowadays, technology is everywhere, including in architecture. Many architects have adopted technological advances and can offer you a three-dimensional model of your future home. But some architects prefer to work with classic two-dimensional models. Think about which you would rather see, then ask your architect if he or she works with two- or three-dimensional models.

Know Everyone Involved

A home build takes numerous teams and team leaders including your architect, contractor, construction workers, interior designers, and material suppliers. This many people working on a single project is at risk for interpersonal conflict and communication problems. To ensure that everyone is on the same page, on schedule, and supplied with everything they need to complete their part, get a list of everyone involved, their phone numbers and, if applicable, their email addresses.

Get a Timeline in Writing

The number one complaint of people constructing their own home is that their project was not completed on time. While hiccups in shipping of materials, availability of construction staff and other issues cannot be predicted, it is important to ensure that your architect knows that you are expecting a home constructed in a reasonable amount of time. Discuss your architect’s availability and create a schedule of events to ensure your project will not be delayed.

How to Create a Realistic Custom Home Budget

February 18, 2014 by Lance Poling

Building the house of your dreams (and within your budget).

Overview

You have decided to build a new custom home. Now, how do you create a realistic custom home budget that will help to you to get from where you are, to where you want to be? Keep in mind that no one should expect to know all the in’s and out’s of a building project without putting in some time and effort.

Additionally, costs can and do vary, and although you may end up with a good estimate, you will need to be somewhat flexible and add in buffers for the unexpected. You can begin though, with some rough estimates.

One great way to find out what things cost is to drive around and look at recently built homes. Picks ones that are close to the size and style of your custom home. See what the asking price for the newly constructed homes (and the price of the land itself). Then you can subtract the cost of the land and get a rough idea of what to expect.

Create a Custom Home Budget

You do not have to be completely alone in this process. A good builder, for instance, should be able to help you avoid common pitfalls. You can also talk to your mortgage lender, do some online research or invest in a book about the process. For example, Amazon.com offers “Building a Custom Home for Dummies.” It is available in both electronic and print formats for a nominal price.

Budget Calculator

There are other helpful tools out there, and many are free. For example, you can find a budget calculator at http://www.building-cost.net/ to help you crunch the numbers. You might also want to check with family or friends who have been through the process themselves.

Essentials of a Custom Home Budget

First, you will need to choose a location for your custom built home. This is also an instance where taking your time really pays off in the end. You will need to add in the cost of the land (as well as any additional work such as clearing it). You are going to have two main cost categories: “hard” and “soft” costs. Your hard costs would be made up of the cost of the land, the materials and the cost of labor. The soft costs would be all the other costs, including “hidden” costs such as additional fees and other, indirect costs.

Moving, Landscaping, Lighting and More

Remember to allocate a sufficient amount of money for things that many people forget to include such as the cost of moving, how much you want to spend on landscaping and any additional fees or costs such as building permits, inspection fees, development fees and costs associated with closing.

What is Important to You?

After you have read a few books (or done some online research) and gotten a good feel for things, you are going to need to decide which things are must haves and which things are optional. For instance, can you live with one less bathroom if it allows you to put in a patio? Your answers will be determined by your family size, lifestyle, tastes and needs.

You Can Have the Home of Your Dreams

Building a custom home can be a wonderful experience if you are prepared to put in a little legwork and think about what you really need and want. Again, that is where a good contractor can truly shine. If they have been around the block a time or two, they can advise you about what to expect.

It is always better to be prepared than to go broke because you did not think things through. A good home builder or general contractor can make the process so much easier and enjoyable by assisting with many of your concerns to insure that no areas are over looked.

Image credit for How to Create a Realistic Custom Home Budget: Tax Credits