Preston Homes of Texas

A Lake Travis Builder, Highland Lakes Builder & Hill Country Builder

Questions to Ask Your Mortgage Banker Before Building Your Custom Home

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questions to ask your mortgage banker

Questions to Ask Your Mortgage Banker Before you Build Your Custom Home.

Before You Build, Get the Facts

When it comes to getting exactly what you want, nothing comes close to having your dream home custom built to suit your wants, personal style and needs, but before you  break the ground, there are some things you need to know. When you build a home, you are in charge. You have complete control over the location, the size, the architecture and the little details that will create the exact look and feel of your new home.

In addition, you can build in energy-efficient features and other state-of-the-art benefits that might be difficult to find when trying to buy a home. The monthly savings on heating and cooling costs can be quite substantial. All of these things make building an attractive option. There are some considerations though and you need to do your homework. First, find the right lender.

Once you have a lender lined up though, you need to become an informed consumer and ask the right questions. Even if  talking about finance make your eyes glaze over, you owe it yourself to find exactly what you are signing on the dotted line for. Asking questions up front can prevent problems down the road.

Don’t Be Rushed

Don’t let anyone rush you. Make sure to really talk to your lender. Ask how the funds will be dispersed during the construction. Do you need private mortgage insurance? If so, how much? How long are the rates you are quoting today good for? Will you be locked into a set rate or will there be a chance to adjust the rate later? How will the funds be dispersed? Do you have to leave funds in the bank for a certain amount of time?

Costs

How will interest accrue? What will the closing costs be? Additionally, make sure that you will have what you need (plus some) to cover unforeseen expenses. The last thing you need is to set things in motion and not be able to finish.

Find Your Custom Home Builder

After you have done your due diligence and asked the lender all the pertinent questions, there is one more thing to keep in mind. Make absolutely sure that you have a custom home builder that has earned a reputation for honesty, integrity and completing the job on budget and on time.

At Preston Homes of Texas, this isn’t our first rodeo. We know the ins and outs of creating a home that truly reflects your lifestyle, and that makes a tasteful statement about who you are. Let us show you how easy it is to have the home of your dreams.

Lot Selection Tips for Choosing the Right Property Lot to Build On

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lot selection tips

Lot Selection Tips

Deciding where to build you home is the most important decision you will make in creating your dream home. Once you have created your home, you may have the perfect dwelling to make amazing memories with your loved ones. But if you have not carefully chosen a location that is right for you, it will all be for naught.

Location, Location, Location

Realtors know that the key to home buying is “Location, location, location!” The first part of finding the perfect lot is deciding on a neighborhood. Ask your realtor or contractor for information about available neighborhoods in your price range. It is important to realistically consider your financial options and limitations.

You can then narrow down your decision by considering whether you need convenient access to schools or your place of employment. If you do not mind a long commute to work, consider a location that is in a more rural, secluded neighborhood that may afford more privacy. If you prefer a short commute and the luxury of convenience, consider a suburban or urban neighborhood.

Next consider life necessities such as access to grocery stores, banks, gas stations and department stores you enjoy. Inquire at the local fire departments and police stations to gather information on crime rates and emergency response times.

Lot Size Matters

The second part of this important decision is finding the right size lot for your needs. Talk with your contractor about how much space each of the amenities you desire with require. For example, if are planning to install a pool, jacuzzi, playground, garden, lawn space, or other wonderful features, you will need to consider these things when deciding on a lot size.

How many bedrooms and bathrooms would you like your home to have? Ask your contractor about room sizing options for each room you want for your home. Then you will need to consider whether you want to build a single-story or multi-story home. Single-story homes afford more accessibility for friends and family members who have limited mobility, but require more square footage to accommodate the number of rooms you would like. However, if you build a multi-story home, your home will have a smaller footprint and will not require as big a lot as a single-story home.

Planning your dream home is a long ordeal. But by taking the decision making process one step at a time and prioritizing which decisions must be made first, you will successfully reach your goal of building your ideal home.

Image credit for Lot Selection Tips for Choosing the Right Property Lot to Build On: Google Maps

The Hollows Lake Travis Community Profile

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The Hollows Lake Travis

Award winning. Custom crafted to fit your active lifestyle.

The Hollows Lake Travis

The Hollows Lake Travis is an award winning community on the shores of Lake Travis in Jonestown, Texas. The upscale area is well known for blending the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country with the laid back lifestyle of the lake area. The Hollows Lake Travis manages to be both vibrant and secluded. It is perfect for younger families as well as for those looking for the ideal place to retire.

The Hollows Lake Travis Amenities

The Hollows at Northshore Lake Travis Entrance

From the celebrated deep water marina to over sixteen connected miles of biking and hiking trails, the master planned community excels at affording a natural environment with plenty of outdoor fun. Or, if you prefer, there is a fully equipped fitness center for residents and a Beach Club with stunning views, hot tubs and infinity pools to soak your troubles away.

At the Hollows, your family is free to kayak, jet ski, hike, picnic, fish or just enjoy a good old fashioned Texas barbecue at the ultra modern, multi-level marina. You have worked hard to get where you are, but life is more than work. At the Hollows, you can take the time to unwind, explore and create the memories that your children will cherish for a lifetime. Take the boat out and make a day of it. The Hollows is a place to stop and savor all that life has to offer.

The Hollows Lake Travis Schools

Your children will enjoy the finest education that the area has to offer. Most of The Hollows Lake Travis is in the Leander Independent School District, and a small portion are serviced by the Lago Vista Independent School District. Each of which, has a great record of student rankings and recognized programs. Your kids can dive right in and take part in a wide range of community and academic activities.

The Hollows Lake Travis Restaurants and Shopping

With Austin only thirty miles away, residents can enjoy the best of both worlds.You can take in a movie, enjoy fine dining or upscale shopping and still get back home with ease. The Hollows is a true resort style master planned community. You get all the benefits of a vacation getaway while being close enough to work in Downtown Austin. What could be better?

Take an afternoon off and visit the Ikea store, Round Rock Outlet Mall or the Wolf Ranch Shopping Center, all of which are within a short, 20 minute drive from the Hollows. Drop into the Toad Hollow Cafe or just have lunch at the beautiful Beach Club.

The Hollows Lake Travis Real Estate

The Hollows Lake Travis features several sizes of lots with modern, up to date underground utilities. There are several sizes and locations as well. Home prices range around the mid 500’s and there are lots available for custom builds.

The Hollows Lake Travis Superior Quality

Artisanship, to us it means carefully crafted, custom designed elegance, created exclusively for those with superior tastes. Every detail, from the foundation to the architectural style, to the subtle nuances of the lighting scheme is carefully considered, made to your exact standards. We build more than homes; we construct dreams.

At Preston Homes of Texas, our commitment is to building a home that is true to your personal style, is beautifully crafted, and fits within your community. Preston Homes of Texas can build your custom home in The Hollows Lake Travis, made to your exact specifications, and designed to be more than just a place to hang your hat.

Here is a map of The Hollows Lake Travis:

Here is a video tour of The Hollows Lake Travis:

For more information about The Northshore Marina at The Hollows: http://laketravis.com/lake_travis/northshore-marina-at-the-hollows/

Ready to build at The Hollows Lake Travis?

We want to hear from you. At Preston Homes, we take pride in delivering the finest quality custom homes. We would love to talk with you about building your dream home at The Hollows Lake Travis. Give us a call!

Custom Home Building Checklist: 4 Things for First Time Builders

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Custom Home Building Checklist

If you have been waiting for the storm to pass, now may be the perfect time to go for it.

Now is the Time to Build

Everyone knows that the last few years have been rough. For the longest time, it seemed that the economy just sort of sat there, somewhat broken and stalled out like a car, up on blocks in a darkened garage. Times are changing though, and that engine, while not exactly purring yet, does seem to be coming back to life.

Custom Home Building Checklist

Every month, jobs are on the upswing and economic indicators getting stronger and stronger. So, if you had your dreams of a custom home on the back burner, now may be the perfect time to get back into the game. Like anything in life though, big decisions should be carefully thought out. If you want to have the best outcome possible, you need to make sure that you have all of your bases covered. In the case of first-time home builders, here is a custom home building checklist to help you better prepare.

Location, Location, Location

First, know where you want to build. The three most important things in real estate are, in no particular order, location, location, and you guessed it, location. Pick a setting that fits your vision. Do you, for instance, prefer a more urban setting? Or, is a lakeside view retreat, your perfect landing spot?

Educate yourself about the local flavor and facts. Take the time to do a simple Google search and find out what makes the area tick. How are the schools? How are the taxes and how much development is the area likely to undergo? If someone is about to build an airport there, you might want to know about it. Make sure to pick a place that suits your lifestyle and your budget.

Create a Budget and Wish List

Speaking of which, make sure you create one. That is item number two on your new custom home building checklist. You need to know what you want to spend and plan out what you are willing to pay for it. If, for instance, you want a pool, then you also need to figure out the short and long range costs of not only building it, but maintaining it. Remember, it is all too easy to be carried away with a wish list. Condense it down to what you know you can’t live without- take time to realistically build a livable budget.

Learn From Others

Third, plan for contingencies. You cannot prepare for everything, but you should have a rough idea of some of the potholes along the road to your dreams. What are your timelines and what possible problems might crop up? Trying to envision potential problems and plan for them can save you both time and money when you are further in.

Be willing to do a little homework. Talk to people you know about their experiences. If you don’t know anyone who had a custom home built, then try looking online for information. You may be a first time builder, but you are certainly not alone. Other people have done it and you can learn from their mistakes.

Find a Reputable Builder

And that point, brings us to what is probably the most important item on the custom home building checklist, the builder. You need someone who is experienced and has an eye for details. You will want to select a builder who has a proven track record of success. The last thing you need is a fly-by-night builder leaving you in the lurch. You need someone who will be able to advise and guide you throughout the process.

Preston Homes of Texas is an award winning custom home builder that will take the time to learn about your needs and wants. They are experts at creating the feel, the ambiance and the lifestyle that you want.

For more tips and information on building a custom home, check out our facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Preston-Homes-of-Texas-Custom-Home-Builder/167053993491382

Why Work With Preston Homes of Texas

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Exemplary schools, increasing Austin real estate values, luxury retirement living in Lake Travis and incredibly diverse and educated communities are some of the main reasons Austin and the surrounding cities are a prime location for families and retirees. Preston Homes of Texas provides:

  • Personalized Attention – Experience a 1×1 relationship with Preston Homes of Texas.
  • Work Within Your Budget – We build to fit your price. Choose from our numerous floorplans to match your budget.
  • Build on Your Lot – We build in a 50 mile radius of our Showroom in North Lake Travis.
  • Large Floorplan Selection – Review many of our stock floorplans or visit with our custom architect. We can also customize any floorplan to suite your needs or take your own ideas and make them a reality.
  • Design Consulting – We provide complete custom home building plans and interior design.
  • Hire Contractors that Specialize in Their Field – We do a thorough background check on all of our sub-contractors. All sub-contractors must have a minimum of ten years of experience to qualify under our bidding process.
  • Project Management – Onsite supervision and management of your home building project before, during, and after completion.
  • Stay on Budget – We work directly with subcontractors to manage bids, ensure quality and make sure we’re on budget.
  • Higher Specifications – Building codes are often considered the highest standard. Preston Homes of Texas considers these codes the minimum and offers construction beyond national and international building codes and guidelines.
  • Limit the Number of Projects Yearly – By limiting the number of homes we construct each year, we are able to maintain the quality in workmanship and one-on-one attention with the homeowner.

Our Philosophy

As an award-winning Lake Travis custom home builder, our philosophy is to provide every homeowner in the Texas Hill Country and the Austin area with personalized attention and to deliver quality craftsmanship in every home we build.

About Us

Award-Winning Custom Homes

3rd Generation Builder

2014 HCBA President

Read more about us

Contact Us

(512) 267-7900

North Lake Travis
18580 E. FM 1431
North Lake Travis, Texas 78645