Parade of Homes Fall 2020

2020

August 28th - 30th September 4th - 6th Friday 1:00 to 7:00 pm Saturday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Sunday Noon to 6:00 pm

BCSParadeOfHomes

HOUSE BUILT BY SOUTHERN CREEK HOMES

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OFFICIAL

Parade Home

www.gbvbuilders.org

2020 Contents

3 Greetings from the GBVBA 7 Need a Career Change? Consider Residential Construction 8 Top Design Trends For Your Home 9 Index of Homes 10-11 Map of Homes 12 Tips for Preventing Home Storm Damage 13 Three Myths: About Buying a Home Right Now & Home Purchasing Plans Largely Unchanged in 2020 14 3 Questions to Ask When Looking for the Right Builder & Five Things to do After You Purchase a New Home Display Advertising Manager Linda R. Brinkman

2 |

1729 Briarcrest Bryan, Texas 77802

Special Sections, Projects & Events Coordinator Kristi Lester

Publisher Crystal Dupré

Content Administrator/Designer Kelsey Bolt

2020

Parade of Homes™

T H E B RYA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

Greetings from the Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association

more than 15 subdivisions with over twenty different builders participating. This great event showcases the finest work from the Brazos Valley’s best home builders. The opportunity to On behalf of the Greater come and see the latest trends in Brazos Valley Builder’s new construction and interact Association, we are thrilled to be with our local home builders is able to announce the dates for the not to be missed.

2020 Parade of Homes ™. This incredible two-weekend event To enhance the visitor will be held August 28th-30th and experience, the GBVBA is September 4th-6th. Because of proud to announce that this the cancellation of our Spring year’s Parade will also feature Parade, we have expanded the a virtual element in addition format to include Fridays. In to live touring. Interactive addition to practicing health videos, builder information, and sanitation procedures this and more can be located at will allow more opportunity for www.BCSparadeofhomes. visitors to tour the homes at a org . Interactive mobile apps more relaxed pace. This Parade have played a huge part of will consist of 30 plus homes in the Parade’s success over the PARADE CO-CHAIRS DAVID DEUTSCH, SOUTHERN CREEK HOMES DENNIS MCMILLIN, SUNSHINE FUN POOLS

T H E B RYA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

past years and this year is no different. We are pleased to announce a new partnership with ParadeSmart for the 2020 Parade of Homes™. Search in your iPhone or Android app store for BCS Parade of Homes, it can be downloaded and viewed on your mobile device and will help guide you to all the participating homes in the Parade. Through this app, you will have the opportunity to provide feedback to the builder, and add photos and comments on your Idea Board. This truly is a chance for you to tell the builders in your community what you want to see in the homes in our area. Additionally, BCS Parade of Homes app will include photos, builder profiles, and a section for comments. Look for the QR code to download the app in the

Parade of Homes™

August issue of Insite Magazine and Parade of Homes™ edition of The Eagle.

The Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association website is also a source for information and can be accessed at http://www. gbvbuilders.org.

On behalf of the hardworking Parade of Homes™ Committee members, we thank you in advance for taking the time to meet our builders and visit our homes. Each builder appreciates the opportunity to display their skills and answer questions about the home building process.

The builders participating each have a unique story to tell and they look forward to sharing them with you.

2020 | 3

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T H E B RYA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

T H E B RYA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

Parade of Homes™

2020 | 5

DID YOU

KNOW?

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Stamped concrete, often called textured or imprinted concrete, is textured, patterned or

embossed to mimic the look of other materials, notably brick, slate, flagstone, stone, tile, and wood. Stamped concrete can be used on patios, sidewalks, driveways, pool decks, and even interior flooring. The concrete is poured and then patterned using special tools. Installing stamped concrete is best left to concrete design specialists with extensive experience in this difficult craft.

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2020

Parade of Homes™

T H E B RYA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

NeedConsider a Career Change?

Residential Construction

By Chad Murphy, President

taken on the jobsite. The use of

construction industry, you’ll be

Competitive Compensation

Greater Brazos Valley

personal

contributing

The

Builders Association

is common on the job site as

protective

equipment

to

the

economic

success of your community.

disinfecting procedures outlined

year lead to economic hardship

by the Occupational Safety and

and skyrocketing job losses across

Health Administration (OSHA).

compensation. The top 25 percent Support

is

Available

to

Launch a Career Resources

multiple industries nationwide.

building

industry can offer competitive

well as established cleaning and The spread of COVID-19 this

home

are

in

most

construction

trades

professions can earn at least available

to

$60,000 annually. The gender pay

help individuals interested in

gap is smaller in the construction

However, the latest employment

Supporting the Economy

pursuing

career

trades. On average, women in the

data showed some good news — a

The construction industry is

in the residential construction

United States earn 80 cents for

decline in the unemployment rate

critical to the economic success of

industry. The National Housing

every dollar a man earns. Women

and job gains in several sectors as

our area and has positive national

Endowment, in partnership with

in the construction industry earn

the nation reopens.

economic

the

97 cents for every dollar a man

jobs

in

impacts, industries

generating such

a

Home

rewarding

Builders

Institute

as

and home builders associations

If you or someone you know is

manufacturing and engineering.

across the country and in the

looking for a job change this year,

A healthy economy relies on

Greater

offers

For more information about

don’t overlook a potential career

home building, especially when

several scholarships to students

career training opportunities in

path in construction. Residential

that economy is in recovery.

interested in pursuing a career in

the Greater Brazos Valley, email

construction is poised to help

As a member of the residential

the building industry.

info@gbvbuilders.org.

Brazos

Valley

earns.

lead the economic recovery. Low interest rates and pent-up demand for

homes

places

residential

construction in a position to recover more quickly than some other sectors of the economy.

Here are several other reasons to consider a rewarding career in residential construction.

Staying Safe on the Job Site The

health

and

safety

of

construction workers is always a top priority in the residential construction industry. Employers are

dedicated

to

preventing

worker exposure to coronavirus and

educating

employees

on

what protective measures can be T H E B RYA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E Parade

of Homes™

2020 | 7

Top Design Trends By the National Association of Home Builders

For Your Home

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a renewed sense of home and community for many.

After months of sequestration within your home, however, you might also be in need of some fresh scenery—both outside and inside your residence. Design trends provide alluring sources of inspiration for updates, whether it’s a simple splash of color or creating a whole new addition.

Connect the outdoors and indoors. Indoor/outdoor connections enhance livability — and look sophisticated, too.

New technologies and increased availability of glass walls, pocket doors and large windows can create a seamless transition, both visually and physically.

Here are a few ideas NAHB members are noticing across the country: Have fun with color. One the most popular areas to remodel is the kitchen. Gone are the starkwhite cabinets, countertops and backsplashes. Instead, today’s designers are opting for on-trend deep blue and cool aqua tones, as well as dark woods and new, colored textures. Add a pop of intrigue to your kitchen through a bright backsplash, colorful kitchen island or a dropped ceiling with rich wood tones.

Warm and cool color insertions don’t have to stop at the kitchen either. Cool color choices — think grays, blacks, and blues — add a modern aesthetic, while warm colors — especially wood elements — have a traditional appeal. The 8 |

2020

cabinetry for upper cabinets, for example, provide practical storage solutions and added visual interest. Other areas that can benefit from this approach include wine cellars or understair displays that purposefully blend into the room.

Visual connections such as large-format windows can also help.

Floor-to-ceiling window walls and “glass box” style rooms are trending in all corners of the country, and in all neighborhoods, from urban to rural.

two combined create a look that is both dramatic and luxurious, yet also comfortable and homey, anywhere in the home.

Another fun idea for 2020?

Wallpaper. Not only can it be an inexpensive way to personalize a home, there are so many options to choose from — both in color and texture, as well as low- or

no-volatile organic compound (VOC) — to create a vibrant, healthy home.

Get creative with storage.

Today’s minimalist culture (thank you, Marie Kondo) lends itself to new trends in storage that are not only simple, but artistic. Open kitchen shelving or a mix of open and traditional

Parade of Homes™

And above all else, make it yours. Today’s home owners want a home that reflects their tastes. Simple examples include nontraditionally shaped, colored or otherwise unique hardware in spaces such as the kitchen and bathroom, as well as elements like distinctive stair rails, light fixtures and switch covers in more high-traffic areas.

For more information, contact info@gbvbuilders.org or see local suppliers at www. gbvbuilders.org under the Businesses tab.

T H E B RYA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

See Map on page 12-13 Builder

Entry Subdivision

Entry Address

City

Square Footage

Bed

Bath

Brewster Pointe

3924 Eskew Drive

College Station

2,250

4

4.5

Castlegate II

2710 Lakewell Lane

College Station

2,887

4

2.5

Downtown Bryan

301 W 31st Street

Bryan

2,100

3

3.5

Greenbrier

3204 Glencairn

Bryan

2,206

4

3

1

Glenn Thomas Homes, LLC

2

D.R. Horton

3

Bluestone Partners

4

Magruder Homes, LP

5

Martin and Sims Development

Greens Prairie Reserve

4901 Crystal Ridge Court

College Station

2,959

4

3.5

6

Reece Homes

Greens Prairie Reserve

4820 Pearl River Court

College Station

2,769

4

3

7

Southwest Homes

Heritage Lakes Estates

6889 McCrae Lane

Bryan

2,612

4

3

8

Schaefer Custom Homes

Indian Lakes

3742 Maricopa Lane

College Station

4,176

4

4.5

9

D.R. Horton

Midtown Reserve

964 Toledo Bend Drive

College Station

1,859

3

2

10

Kyle Design Build

Millican Reserve

1524 Millican Meadows Circle

College Station

3,425

4

4.5

11

Reece Homes

Mission Ranch

1914 Cottonwood Terrace Court

College Station

2,650

4

3

12

RNL Homes

Mission Ranch

1912 Cottonwood Terrace

College Station

2,724

4

3.5

13

Caldwell Homes

Mission Ranch

1909 Sherrill Court

College Station

2,429

3

2.5

14

Caldwell Homes

Mission Ranch

1912 Sherrill Court

College Station

2,135

3

2.5

15

Blackstone Homes

Mission Ranch

1916 Sherrill Court

College Station

2722

4

3

16

Caldwell Homes

Mission Ranch

1928 Sherrill Court

College Station

1,832

3

2

17

Pitman Custom Homes

Mission Ranch

1705 Blanco Bend

College Station

3,058

4

3.5

18

Magruder Homes, LP

Mission Ranch

1709 Blanco Bend

College Station

2,981

4

3.5

19

Ravenna Homes

Mission Ranch

3648 Anderson Arbor

College Station

5103

5

4.5

20

Ravenna Homes

Mission Ranch

3640 Anderson Arbor

College Station

3358

4

3.5

21

Raven Homes

Mission Ranch

3700 Cooper Court

College Station

3,254

3

3

22

Pitman Custom Homes

Oakmont

5004 Highline Drive

Bryan

2,510

4

3.5

23

Flagship Custom Homes

Oakmont

5019 Highline Drive

Bryan

2789

4

4.5

24

RNL Homes

Oakmont

4248 Harding Way

Bryan

2,983

5

3.5

25

Reece Homes

Oakmont

4246 Harding Way

Bryan

2,500

4

3

26

Magruder Homes, LP

Oakmont

4210 Harding Court

Bryan

2,208

4

3

27

D.R. Horton

Pecan Lakes Estates

7700 Bunker Drive

Navasota

2,150

3

2

28

D.R. Horton

Plesant Hill

1983 West Cartwright Street

Bryan

1,953

4

2.5

29

Ranger Home Builders

Rudder Pointe

3101 Normandy Way

Bryan

2,039

3

2

30

Avonley Homes

Rudder Pointe

3105 Normandy Way

Bryan

1900

4

2

31

Kaleo Homes

Southern Pointe

6328 Eldora Drive

College Station

1,831

3

2

32

The Estates

The Estates of College Station

204 Holleman Drive East

College Station

2402

4

4.5

33

Southern Creek Homes, LLC

Traditions

2901 Boxelder Drive

Bryan

3155

3

3.5

34

Murphy Signature Homes, LLC

Traditions

3629 River Birch Circle

Bryan

3,399

5

5

35

Hall Homes, LLC

Waterford Heights

1321 Crystal Lane

College Station

2,705

5

3

36

Ambit Homes

Waterford Heights

1322 Crystal Lane

College Station

2,709

4

3

37

Pitman Custom Homes

Waterford Heights

1314 Crystal Lane

College Station

2,800

4

3

38

Flagship Custom Homes

Waterford Heights

1310 Crystal Lane

College Station

2678

4

4.5

39

Magruder Homes, LP

Waterford Heights

4206 Lismore Lane

College Station

2,740

4

3

T H E B RYA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E Parade

of Homes™

2020 | 9

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T H E B RYA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

Parade of Homes™

2020 | 11

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2020

Parade of Homes™

T H E B RYA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

Three Myths: About Buying a Home Right Now

By David Deutsch and Dennis

purchase a home, below are a few

built, single-family homes rose 0.6

as Realtor.com, Redfin.com, Trulia.

McMillin

misconceptions about home buying

percent to a seasonally adjusted

com and your local custom home

BCS Parade of Homes™ Co-

right now.

annual rate of 623,000 units in April,

builders have detailed information

according to newly released data by

about the interior of

Myth 1: Interest Rates are High.

the U.S. Department of Housing and

Contact a local relator or home

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded

This is not true. In fact, interest rates

Urban Development and the U.S.

builder who can tell you about the

this year, a place to call home took

are low, making it an attractive time

Census Bureau. The data shows

options available to safely tour

on a new meaning for many. Living

to purchase a home. While rates are

that home sales are continuing.

homes in person.

spaces evolved into home offices,

subject to change at any time, the

schools and playgrounds. Stay-at-

Federal Reserve recently announce

Myth 3: Buyers can only view the

For more information on how to find

home restrictions this year may

that it intends to keep the federal

home’s exterior. There are many

a home in the Greater Brazos Valley

have accelerated your desire to

funds rate near zero through 2022,

ways to view the interior of the

contact info@gbvbuilders.org and

purchase a new home to gain more

which should help keep mortgage

home even with social distancing

view

space or perhaps you were prepared

rates low.

measures

be

during the 2020 Parade of Homes™

surprised by the number of online

through the new BCS Parade of

Chairmen

to buy a home this year but are now

in

place.

You’ll

new

a home.

construction

homes

commitment.

Myth 2: No one is buying homes

showrooms, photos and even 3D

Homes™ mobile app and website

To help you determine if now is

right now. Even in the wake of the

videos available that show the

bcsparadeofhomes.org

still a good time to search for and

COVID-19 pandemic, sales of newly

interior of a home. Websites such

August 26th.

reevaluating

your

beginning

Home Purchasing Plans Largely Unchanged in 2020

By Chad Murphy, President Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association The spread of coronavirus upended almost everything in 2020 with lockdowns and other public health interventions disrupting daily life. How did the pandemic affect potential home buyers this year?

According to a recent National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Housing Trends Report, online survey results showed the spread of COVID-19 did not change home purchasing plans for many Americans this year.

According to the report, the share of Americans who are considering the purchase of a home in the next

12 months was 11 percent in the second quarter of 2020, essentially flat when compared to the same quarter in 2019 (12 percent). The survey finding indicates that the overall propensity of Americans who want to buy a home has not been impacted by the pandemic.

However, generational differences among potential home buyers was stark. In the second quarter of 2020, millennials — adults 24 to 39 years old — were the generation most likely to want to buy a home (19 percent), a sentiment slightly higher than a year earlier (17 percent).

In contrast, Boomers, adults 56 to 74 years old, were the least likely to plan for a home purchase (five percent).

T H E B RYA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E Parade

second quarter of 2020, significantly Home purchasing plans by region were similar. The share of survey respondents who were prospective home buyers was unchanged in the Northeast (10 percent) and South (12 percent), essentially flat in the West (13 percent), and just slightly lower in the Midwest (down from 11 percent to nine percent) from the previous year.

higher than the comparable 18

One of the challenges home buyers are encountering this year, in addition to affordability, is a delay in their home search due to the rising number of multiple offers on the same property. The survey found that nearly a third (30 percent) of active buyers reported getting outbid by another buyer in the

percent will expand their search

™

of Homes

percent share a year earlier.

For house hunters who have been actively searching for a home for at least three months, more than half (51 percent) say they will continue looking for the “right” home in the same preferred location; while 37 area; and less than a quarter (21 percent) is willing to accept a smaller/older home.

For more information about home buying in the Greater Brazos Valley area contact info@gbvbuilders.org.

2020 | 13

3 Questions to Ask When Looking for the Right Builder

By Chad Murphy, President

you ask the builder are equally

Specialist

Greater Brazos Valley

important

Master

Builders Association Though builders might generally use similar tools and materials when building homes, not all are alike when it comes to things like technique, training and customer service. Finding the right builder whose business approach aligns well with your personal preferences

to

determine

if

it’s

going to be a positive partnership.

(CAPS),

Builder

a

Graduate

(CMB),

and

a

accommodate your communication

Certified Green Professional (CGP).

preferences. But it’s always best to

Consider asking the builder about

establish expectations as early as References – Any high-quality

the following:

builders will do their best to

possible. The frequency (weekly,

builder should be ready to provide

monthly,

Work Experience – You will

you with several names and phone

method (phone, text, email) of how

want to find a builder with extensive

numbers of satisfied customers. If

you communicate early on with

experience building homes similar

they can’t, consider that a red flag

each other is something that will

to the one you want. Ask to see

and walk away. When reaching out

set the tone throughout the whole

examples of floor plans and designs

to those former clients, ask about

building process.

they’ve done before to ensure their

how well the builder followed

as-needed,

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and

company can deliver what you

through on the initial plans, and if

For more information about how

is essential to a pleasant home-

need. You should also ask if they

the builder met their expectations

to find the right builder to create

building experience.

have or are working toward any

regarding budget and timing. Don’t

your dream home, contact info@

professional designations, which

forget the most telling question of

gbvbuilders.org or visit the BCS

The builder will be asking you

show that the builder has advanced

them all: If they could do it all over,

2020 Parade of Homes™ website at

plenty of questions during your

training in a particular area. A

would they hire that builder again?

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initial meeting to discuss the home

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26th to read about participating Communication Style – Many

builders in the Parade.

Five Things to do After You Purchase a New Home By: The National Association of Home Builders If you’re a first-time home buyer who has just finished the closing process, you might be wondering what you should do as soon as you move-in.

Maybe it’s unpacking or gathering new design ideas to make the home your own. Before settling in, there are a few tasks you should consider completing to help keep your home comfortable and family safe. To help you transition to the status of new home owner, consider adding the following items to your to-do list.

Develop a Home Maintenance Checklist You should regularly check, clean and/or test a wide variety of interior and exterior systems and structures.

A robust home maintenance list can 14 |

2020

help keep your home functioning at an optimal level and save you time and money in the long run. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has a Home Maintenance Checklist to help you get started with the basic guidelines for keeping different areas of your home in the best shape.

Keep Documents Related to Your Home Organized As a new home owner, you’ve likely gathered a mountain of paperwork, printed or electronic. Make sure to keep track of all the documents related to your home purchase, appliance warranties and insurance information. You might need to have those documents handy for future tax preparation or to keep track of items in your home may need to be replaced or repaired in the future.

Prepare an Emergency Kit You don’t have to wait for seasonal storms or wintry weather to prepare your home and family for an emergency. In the event of a natural disaster, basic services such as electricity, gas or water, may be cut off for days, or even weeks, so you should be prepared. The Department of Homeland Security recommends stockpiling at least three days’ worth of food and water for your family. Visit ready.gov for a list of suggested items to include in a basic emergency preparedness kit.

Change the Locks If you bought an existing home, you should rekey the locks right away. You never know who the previous owners gave keys to. The National Crime Prevention Council recommends purchasing high quality locks that have a long enough

Parade of Homes™

bolt so the door cannot be pried open.

If you don’t have a deadbolt on your doors, now is a good time to install one or hire a locksmith.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency Even if you’ve purchased a brandnew home with the latest energyefficient building materials and techniques, there are still some improvements you can make to save even more money on utility bills. For example, you can install a programmable thermostat that can be set to automatically adjust the heat or air when the home is most or least used. Visit energystar.gov to learn about more opportunities improve your home’s efficiency.

For more information homeownership, contact info@gbvbuilders.org.

on

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DID YOU

KNOW?

Metro Creative Connection

Outdoor living is wildly popular, as more and more homeowners are bringing elements once reserved for home interiors into their backyards. When designing outdoor living spaces, homeowners may learn about biophilic design, an architectural concept that aims to incorporate natural elements into outdoor living spaces. Proponents of biophilic design say it satisfies an innate human need to affiliate with nature, thereby helping to reduce stress that people may experience

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2020

It’s not a dream home without natural gas.

after being stuck indoors for much of their days. Biophilic design is often part of a home interior design, but many homeowners also embrace it when designing their outdoor living spaces. For example, surrounding outdoor living areas with noninvasive plants, flowers and trees and using natural materials like wood and stone when building such spaces are great ways to embrace biophilic design and create a tension-free ambiance in outdoor living spaces.

Whether it’s heating your water, warming your home or helping you cook for family and friends, natural gas is the smart energy choice that saves you both other traditional energy resources. So spend less energy powering your dream home — and more energy enjoying it. Choose natural gas. atmosenergy.com/dreamhome

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Bringing you to the Homes from the $170’s

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WA I T I N G T O B E D I S C OV E R E D Greens Prairie Reserve was developed to provide acres of unique amenities with a natural touch. Whether you want to explore the wonderland right outside your door or gather with neighbors for a block party, Greens Prairie Reserve is a place to live, play, and thrive.

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