RGV New Homes Guide | Issue 30 Vol. 3 | August-September-October 2022

FINANCING

Shopping for a Mortgage

Learn how you can save thousands of dollars on a mortgage. Here’s some good advice that will empower you to make informed financial decisions.

Understand Your Credit Score

A higher score makes it easier to qualify for a loan and lower interest rates. Learn how you can raise yours to save money on your new home.

HOMEBUYING ADVICE

Know This When Looking for a Builder

Find out some key things you should know if you are looking for a builder to build your dream home. Remember, the quality of your new home depends on finding the right one.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Not All Homes Are High Performance

There are minimum code homes and then there are homes built to above minimum standards. Choose a builder member of the BUILT TO SAVE® HighPerformance Home Program and enjoy the peace of mind knowing your new home will be inspected by a third party to verify its superior energy efficiency and construction.

COVER FEATURE

TRUE BUILDERS - WINNER OF THE 2022 PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD AND MORE

Learn why True Builder’s entry in the 2022 RGVBA Parade of Homes was recognized for excellence by industry peers and Parade visitors.

(See pages 5, 18, & 37)

PUBLISHER

Across Media Marketing, LLC

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jose Vielma

SENIOR EDITOR Barbara Zapffe

SALES MANAGER

DIRECTOR

Owen

Sabe

SALES

IT SPECIALIST

Sabe

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Sabe, Jr.

SPECIAL FEATURES

2022 RGVBA Parade Winners

See the award-winning builders from the Rio Grande Valley Builders Association’s annual Parade of Homes.

Schluter® Tiled Shower System Products

Made especially for tiled showers, these products offer superior moisture protection and peace of mind. Now available at Materiales El Valle, Schluter® products go perfectly with Materiales El Valle’s extensive and beautiful inventory of trend-setting tiles.

BUILDING INDUSTRY NEWS

The RGVBA’s Parade Volunteers & Judges

The success of the RGVBA’s Parade of Homes is due to a great extent on the hard work of its members and volunteers. Meet the people behind the Parade event.

The RGVBA 2022 Fishing Tournament

This post-Parade of Homes event is a perfect way to unwind after months of preparation. See who the skillful and lucky fishing tournament winners are.

NEW HOME COMMUNITIES

New Home Community Map

Color-coded maps with an up-to-date list of popular new home communities in the area.

New Home Communities

Look at everything you need to know about some of the finest new home communities in the Valley. Go online to download lot sheets and brochures.

THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY AREA NEW HOMES GUIDE (NHG) is a quarterly publication of Across Media Marketing, LLC. Unless otherwise noted, all photography, artwork, and editorial content printed in NHG are copyrighted material and may not be duplicated or reprinted without express written permission. NHG and Across Media Marketing, LLC. are not responsible for typographical or production errors, or for the accuracy of information provided by the advertisers. Opinions expressed by writers and contributors do not necessarily represent the opinions of the publisher. NHG reserves the right to cancel or refuse any advertising which we deem unsuitable for our publication, conflicts with other existing agreements, or if advertiser is not in good standing.

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

All real estate advertising in this magazine is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the Amendments Act of 1988 which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” This magazine will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this magazine are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD tollfree at 1-800-669-9777 or contact HUD’s regional office in Ft. Worth, Texas at (817) 885-5521. The telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

The Rio Grande Valley New Homes Guide is published quarterly by: Across Media Marketing, LLC

Address: 3000 Melinda Drive, Edinburg, Tx

R. Vielma

VERIFIED:

Enhanced Home Comfort Lower Utility Bills Better Air Quality Peace of Mind

PROFESSIONAL HOME ENERGY RATERS

ASK YOUR BUILDER IF

NEW HOME HAS

Carroll’s

Chris Carroll (956) 455-7779 chris@carrollsinspectors.com www.carrollsinspectors.com

Certifications:

Luis Barrera (956) 284-6867 Cell (956) 645-1213 lbarrera@esquarehersrating.com

Certifications: Home

and BUILT

Code Testing: Blower

Rater;

Certifications; HERS Rating for

& Duct Leakage;

Jorge Maldonado (956) 271-2322 jm-92@outlook.com

of

(C

HVAC Heat Load

for Manual J,

Valley-wide Service. RESNET license #2431025

Certifications: Home Energy Rater; ENERGY STAR® and BUILT TO SAVE® New Home Certifications, IECC Energy Code Building Inspections; Blower Door & AC Duct Testing; Weatherization Inspections. RESNET license #529893

BLOWER DOOR TESTS measure the leakiness of the home’s envelope— how much air comes in and goes out through the roof, windows, doors, and other openings in the home.

Required by code after Sept. 1, 2016.

DUCT BLASTER TESTS measure leaks in the joints and seams of the ductwork in the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system.

Required by code after Sept. 1, 2016 unless in conditioned space.

HVAC

Insulation

Lighting

Windows

Water Heating

THE TRUE MEASURE OF EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY

The People’s Choice Award

The 2022 Annual Parade of Homes came to a close on June 12, 2022. After tallying the votes, the Rio Grande Valley Builders Association declared True Builders as the winner of the prestigious People’s Choice Award for its Parade entry located in the community of Stoneridge Estates at 2824 Kilgore Avenue in McAllen, Texas. In addition, True Builders received the “Best Home Award” in the $351K to $400K category and the “Best Kitchen” award for this beautiful 3 bed/3.5 bath home.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE 2022 RGVBA PARADE OF HOMES AWARD

and lifestyles. More importantly, True Builders can build to fit any budget.

While all other Parade of Homes awards are based on the opinion of a small panel of industry-knowledgeable judges, what makes the People’s Choice Award special is that it reflects the opinion of all those who actually visited True Builder’s model home—and is a valid indicator of which home was considered “the best of the best” by all visitors.

Tony Martinez, builder/owner of True Builders, was honored to receive the Parade of Homes awards. “It was quite rewarding for our team and me to be recognized for our work. These awards give us great encouragement, and it’s very satisfying knowing that we were able to make an impression on the people that toured our home.”

This was True Builders’ first time participating in the Parade of Homes competition, but they’re not new to construction. The company has been building homes for many years in the area and has a reputation for building homes that appeal to every generation. Their homes are stylish, elegant, and feature familyfriendly floorplans that can be customized to individual tastes

In addition to building homes, True Builders has developments with affordable lots. See the Stoneridge Estates community information on page 37. And if you prefer a gated community, you’ll love True Builders’ newest community, The Medici, located at the corner of N. Bentsen Road and West Dove Avenue in McAllen, Texas. This private community is conveniently located next to Donna Wernecke Elementary and Sharyland North Junior High School in the prestigious Sharyland School District. Now is the perfect time to shop for your ideal homesite at The Medici with 59 choice lots now available for sales. See page 37 and click on the QR code for more information.

As a member of the BUILT TO SAVE® program, True Builders is committed to building energy efficient homes that are impressive in looks and provide superior home comfort, low utility bills, and long-lasting quality construction.

If you did not get a chance to tour True Builders’ award-winning home, no worries. The model home is still available for viewing in person. Go to www.texasTrueBuilders.com/tour to see a virtual tour and discover for yourself why True Builders is the people’s choice and why this builder should be yours, too.

Call 956-391-5952 or visit www.TexasTrueBuilders.com for more information. See True Builders feature presented by Materiales El Valle on pages 14-15.

TRUE BUILDERS TEAM (L to R): Miguel Leal; Geovana Leal; Victor Gonzalez; Onesimo Martinez; Tony Martinez; Ileana Martinez; Israel Perez III; and Kevin de la Garza

Shopping for a mortgage

Shopping around for a mortgage takes time and energy. But it can save you thousands of dollars. Make it your goal to compare at least three loan offers from different lenders.

Get at least three preapprovals

The Internet and newspapers are a good place to start your search for mortgage lenders. Contact banks, credit unions, and organizations that might specialize in your situation—like first-time homebuyers, veterans, public service workers, or others. Ask at least three different lenders for “preapproval.” This means that the lender looks at your finances, including your credit report, and estimates how much you can borrow and what interest you’ll likely pay.

Preapproval lets you try out each lender to see what kind of loans and prices they offer. When you get all three preapprovals within a short time, there should be no major impact on your credit score.

You’ll come back to these lenders when you’ve made some decisions and ask them for loan offers.

Shop for loan terms, interest rate structures, and programs

Loan term: Longer or shorter

In general, a longer loan term costs more over the life of the loan. But your monthly payments are typically lower.

30-year

15-year

Most homebuyers choose a 30-year loan because payments can be low.

Payments are typically higher than for 30-year loans, but your loan is paid off in 15 years and the total cost of the loan can be lower.

You may be able to negotiate a different loan term with your lender, like 20 years, 7 years, or even longer than 30 years.

Loan interest rate structure: fixed rate or adjustable rate

Fixed-rate loans are common. Your initial payment may be lower with an adjustable-rate loan, but if interest rates rise, you might face sharply increased payments.

• Fixed-rate mortgage: Your interest rate and monthly payment will stay the same for the life of your loan.

• Adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM): Your interest rate typically is fixed for the first few years of the loan. Once the fixed period expires, the rate adjusts at regular intervals based on an “index.” An index is a measure of interest rates generally, and it reflects trends in the overall economy.

This means your payment amount can increase or decrease. Details are included in the Loan Estimate you receive from the lender.

Loan program: Conventional, FHA, VA, or special program

There are many loan programs, and some are set up to help make mortgages available to people in certain circumstances or groups.

Making a down payment of 5% or more?

Ask about a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac eligible loan, often called a “conventional” loan.

Making only a small down payment?

Ask about an FHA-insured loan.

Service member or veteran?

Ask about a VA guaranteed loan.

Buying a home in a rural area?

Ask about a USDA-sponsored loan.

First-time homebuyer with low or moderate income?

Ask about loans available through your state’s housing finance agency.

Compare loan offers

Now, it’s time to start the official application process. Ask your lenders for offers of loans that reflect your choices for loan type, program, and term. Then you’ll be able to make apples-to-apples comparisons.

First, compare the basic parts of the loan:

• What is the term of the loan?

• What is the interest rate?

• What down payment amount is the loan based on?

• How much is the monthly payment?

• For adjustable-rate mortgages, are the payment adjustments and the interest rate capped?

• Does the interest rate go down if market interest rates fall?

• Ask about “One-Time Loans” with one closing.

Next, compare the rest of the details that can affect your cost:

• When will my payments pay off my principal?

• Will the payments change over the life of the loan? How high can my payment go?

• Does my payment include property taxes and insurance? If not, can I afford to pay those separately?

• What costs and fees will be added to my initial payment? To my ongoing payment?

• Do I need to pay points (upfront fees that reduce your interest rate)?

• What fees and costs are included in the amount I’m borrowing (typical for a “no closing cost” loan)?

• Does the written offer match what I was told about the loan?

• Can I get a better deal on settlement services from different service providers?

• Can I repay the loan early, or make larger than scheduled payments, without penalty?

Ask for a better deal

Once you see the offers from several lenders, ask if they can do better. Negotiation is common, and there’s no harm in asking. The lender may be able to waive or reduce one or more of the fees, or lower the interest rate or points.

Make sure the lender doesn’t lower one fee while raising another, or lower your interest rate but raise your points.

Learn more at www.consumerfinance.gov Information courtesy of Consumer Finance Protection Bureau

by

BUILDERS

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY’S HIGH-PERFORMANCE HOME BUILDERS

BUILT TO SAVE® is an energy efficiency certification program which recognizes new homes that outperform minimum code building requirements. The builders who verify their homes in the BUILT TO SAVE® program go above and beyond for their homebuyers.

BUILDERS WHO HAVE CERTIFIED HOMES IN THE BUILT TO SAVE® PROGRAM FROM AUG 2021 TO AUG 2022.

HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUILDERS

PHONE NUMBER

WEBSITE / EMAIL

AFFORDABLE HOMES OF SOUTH TEXAS m (956) 687-6263 www.AHSTI.org info@ahsti.org

VILLANUEVA CONSTRUCTION m (956) 800-8889 www.VillanuevaHomes.com stephanie@villanuevahomes.com

TREASURE BUILDERS m (956) 874-3686 www.TreasureBuildersllc.com treasurebuilders@att.net

DIVINE CUSTOM HOMES m (956) 467-1111 www.DivineCustomHomes.net olga@divinecustomhomes.net

WALDO HOMES m (956) 466-8590 www.WaldoHomesRGV.com luiswaldo@yahoo.com

VILLA HOMES m (956) 431-0376

www.VillaHomesRgv.com info@villahomesrgv.com

BRITO CONSTRUCTION m (956) 668-7307 www.BritoConstruction.com info@britoconstruction.com

CASA CORDOVA m (956) 472-5946 www.CasaCordova.llc casacordova.llc@gmail.com

LTR CONSTRUCTION m (956) 453-6689 www.ltrrgv.com ltrperez956@gmail.com

MAGIC VALLEY ELECTRIC COOP IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE BUILT TO SAVE® PROGRAM.

in the

Grande Valley are built the same. A

to make sure their new home will be built to above-code standards is by finding a builder that is a member of a High-Performance Home Verification Program like BUILT TO SAVE®

With the help of this program and third-party inspectors, builders are guided through the process of building homes of superior quality and energy efficiency. As a result of this, YOU, the homebuyer, get to enjoy countless benefits!

IF YOUR HOME IS ENROLLED IN THE BUILT TO SAVE® PROGRAM.

belloconstruction@outlook.com blackwolfconstruction@hotmail.com info@monarchhomesrgv.com lunatvnews@gmail.com

Key Thingsto Know When Looking for a Builder

If you are a homebuyer who dreams of building your own custom home, here are some key pieces of advice to follow when choosing a home builder. It’s natural to want to skip some of the items included here, but don’t. The worst thing anyone can do—especially in the case of building or buying a home—is to assume. Do your homework. And remember. The quality of your new home will only be as good as the builder and the people who work for them.

1. Know your budget and find a builder who typically builds in that price range. While it’s totally feasible that a high-end builder can build a lower price home, a low-end builder with no experience building high-end homes should make you skeptical.

Narrow your field of builders by focusing on those that build the type of home you want and have a proven record of building your type of home. Consider the four home types: custom homes; semicustom homes; production/tract homes; and spec homes. Choose which one suits you best; then, look for potential builders that specialize in your choice.

2. Know your builder.

Do your research. Even a builder who has only built one home has a reputation. While finding a builder with a dissatisfied customer is not uncommon, if this is a common occurrence, that should be a big red flag. Ask around about your builder and look for online reviews on social media. Ask previous customers, friends, industry professionals—especially vendors and contractors. You can tell a lot about a builder by the way they treat the people that work for them. If the builder is paying vendors and contractors on time and treating them with respect, honesty, integrity, and fairness, then the assumption can be made that the builder will treat customers the same.

3. Follow your builder.

Check out their website, social media, and marketing. Pay particular attention to how the company markets itself. Do they do a good job of branding themselves professionally? Does the copywriting in their marketing materials seem honest and personalized, or does it just sound like marketing fluff? Some companies claim they don’t do any marketing because they don’t need to—and while this may be true—the message to you should be that they are not interested in growing their company, which means they may or may not be around for you for any problems you may have down the road.

4. Don’t overlook investigating complaints. Go to the Better Business Bureau and see if the builder has had any complaints. Also, find out if the builder has operated under any other names in the past, as this might indicate former bankruptcies, lawsuits, and questionable business practices. Find out if your builder is a member of a trade association such as the National Association of Home Builders, the Texas Association of Home Builders, and the Rio Grande Valley Builders Association.

5. Plan for your first face-to-face meeting.

By the time you meet the builder in person, you should have already done your research and know more about them than they know about you. If you leave that first meeting still knowing more about them than they do about you and your needs, look for another builder. It means the builder did not do a good job of listening or asking questions that would determine if you would be a good fit for their company. This first meeting should be a job interview. Their job interview. Prepare a list of questions that are important to you (*see Questions to Ask a Builder). Pay attention to how the builder responds to your questions. The builder should not make you feel like you asked a silly question. Remember, you are not the one in the homebuilding industry, they are. The most important thing to keep in mind in this initial meeting is that you are trying to establish a connection. You are trying to decide if the builder you are speaking to is someone you can trust—someone who can become your partner and will have your best interests at heart, not just theirs. Make sure you pick someone you like because you will be working closely with them for 6 to 8 months, depending on the size of your project.

6. Know about energy certifications.

Builders are only required to build homes to minimum building code. The key word there is “minimum.” Put bluntly, it is the “worst home a builder can legally build.”

A fact every homebuyer should know is that the State of Texas requires all new homes built after August 1, 2016, to be tested upon completion with a blower door test and a duct leakage test to make sure the home meets the 2015 IECC requirements. Will your builder be in compliance with the State law?

If you are not satisfied with bare minimum standards, you should ask your builder if they build “above code” homes verified by high-performance home programs like BUILT TO SAVE® or ENERGY STAR®. Homes with these certifications are inspected during construction and tested upon completion by an independent thirdparty home energy rater who verifies that the homes are high performance homes (BuiltToSave.org and energystar.gov). The certification will be invaluable if you decide to sell your home.

7. Don’t get blinded by the home’s bling. Those gorgeous granite countertops, designer ceilings, fabulous building materials, or spacious open floorplans will not give you what every homebuyer really wants. Those things are great bling to look at, but none of them affects the most important things: heating and cooling home comfort, healthy indoor air quality, utmost energy efficiency and savings, and durable construction. All of these items and more are key elements of BUILT TO SAVE® and other high performance home programs. The bling is a bonus.

8. The small things matter most.

Just like the little things in a home’s construction, like sizing the air-conditioning unit properly to the size of the home or making sure the insulation was installed properly, it’s the little things about how the builder treats you as a customer that you should focus on. For example: do they return your calls in a timely matter or at all? Not responding to texts or phone calls is too common in today’s business world. It is a sign of disrespect but also a good way to measure how much a person really values your relationship. If this happens when you are thinking of hiring a builder, you can expect more of the same afterward— especially if you have a problem with your home.

So be aware of how the builder you are thinking of hiring responds to you. If all goes well and the two of you make a connection as you plan your custom dream home together, then you can be sure you have selected the right builder.

Featured Builder

SPONSORED BY

At the top of the list of Materiales El Valle’s popularity is its millions of square feet of product inventory and thousands of square feet of showroom space with beautiful fullsized displays and samples of products including brick, ceramic tile, glass mosaic tile, handmade Saltillo tile, roof tile, porcelain, marble, Travertine, Cantera, engineered stone, and wood flooring. If a product makes your home stand out from the ordinary, the company almost certainly has it in stock—and in large supply.

And what could go better with the largest inventory? How about the best prices! The company’s longstanding history with name-brand manufacturers is a major part of its success. Because of those relationships, Materiales El Valle is able to not only offer lower prices; more importantly, the company is able to introduce the latest trending products, which may explain why so many builders win awards for homes that use materials that are often new to the market.

No matter how good products are and how inexpensive they may be, shoppers, however, tend to place greater value on how they are treated and if they can rely on their vendor to be there for them. And that’s where the company excels—customer service. Combined with their many years of knowledge and experience, Materiales El Valle’s staff provides a friendly, personal service that makes buyers feel like family…because in the company’s eyes, they are. And that keeps customers coming back.

FEATURED PRODUCT A: Ebano Nuez

Martinez Builder

Owner

Espinoza Materiales El Valle Owner

EL VALLE, INC.

been a customer of

I can depend on their excellent

that are key in distinguishing our

excellence in the

for over

and superior

We are proud to have received

Parade of Homes competition—especially the

Choice

We are grateful for the

and in turn would like to recognize

for their

to our success.

- TONY MARTINEZ

been

Stone White Limestone with Charcoal Blue

The 2022 RGVBA Parade of Homes included 17 entries from the Rio Grande Valley Builders Association’s builder members. This annual event took place during the weekends of June 4-5 & 11-12 and featured homes in a variety of communities in the upper Valley and one home in Brownsville, Texas.

The Parade of Homes is an opportunity for home shoppers to see what is trending in the new home construction industry; in addition, this annual event allows shoppers to see homes in many architectural styles, sizes, and budgets. Awards were presented to builders in various price categories, and there were additional awards for Best of Show, People’s Choice, Most Energy Efficient Home, Best Architectural Design, Best Kitchen, Best Master Bed & Bath, and Best Curb Appeal. Visit www.rgvba.org for more information on the participating homes, and see virtual tours of the winning homes.

RIO GRANDE VALLEY BUILDERS ASSOCIATION, INC.

Understand Your Credit Score

Banks, credit card companies and other businesses use credit scores to estimate how likely you are to pay back money you borrow. Here’s what you should know.

A higher score makes it easier to qualify for a loan and lower interest rates. Many scores range from 300 to 850, but know that different companies use different ranges. Here’s what else you should know.

YOU HAVE MANY CREDIT SCORES

You can have more than one score, because:

• Lenders use different scores for different products

• There are many different credit scoring formulas

• Information can come from different credit reporting sources

For example, a credit card score could be different from a home loan score, and any scores you purchase online could be different from both of those.

For some people, these differences aren’t that big. But because lenders use different scores, you might qualify for lower rates with one lender and not another. It can pay to shop around.

WHERE DO CREDIT SCORES COME FROM?

Where do credit scores come from? Your credit scores are generally based on information in your credit reports. This information is reported by your lenders to credit reporting companies. The three biggest are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Several variables affect your credit score, including:

• How many credit accounts you have

• How long you’ve had those accounts

• How close you are to your credit limit

• How often your payments have been late

• Other factors

HOW TO RAISE YOUR CREDIT SCORE

• Paying your bills on time, every time, has the greatest impact on your score.

One way to make sure your payments are on time is to set up automatic payments, or set up electronic reminders. If you have missed payments, get current and stay current.

• Don’t get close to your credit limit.

Credit scoring models look at how close you are to being “maxed out,” so try to keep your balances low in proportion to your overall credit limit. Experts advise keeping your use of credit at no more than 30 percent of your total credit limit.

• A long credit history helps your score.

Credit scores are based on experience over time. Your score improves the longer you have credit, open different types of accounts, and pay back what you owe on time.

• Be careful closing accounts. If you close some credit card accounts and put most or all of your credit card balances onto one card, it may hurt your credit score if you are using a high percentage of your total credit limit. Frequently opening accounts and transferring balances can hurt your score too.

• Only apply for credit you need.

Credit scores take into account your recent credit activity as an indicator of your need for credit. If you apply for a lot of credit over a short period of time, it may appear that your money situation has changed for the worse.

YOUR CREDIT REPORT MATTERS AS MUCH AS YOUR SCORE

Mistakes in your credit reports could hurt your credit history and credit score, so check them regularly. You can get one free credit report from each of the big three credit reporting companies every 12 months. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com or call 877-322-8228. In addition, Equifax offers six free credit reports every 12 months until December 31, 2026. When you visit the site, you may see steps to view more frequently updated reports online. This gives you a greater ability to monitor changes in your credit.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN YOU GET YOUR CREDIT REPORT

• Mistakes in your name, phone number, or address

• Loans, credit cards, or other accounts that are not yours

• Reports saying you paid late when you paid on time

• Accounts you closed that are listed as open

• The same item showing up more than once (like an unpaid debt)

HOW TO FIX MISTAKES

If you find something wrong in your credit report, you may contact both the credit reporting company and the company that provided the information (for example, your credit card company). Explain what you think is wrong and why. Include copies of documents that support your dispute. Your credit reports come with instructions on how to dispute mistakes.

SOURCE: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulates the offering and provision of consumer financial products and services under the federal consumer financial laws, and educates and empowers consumers to make better informed financial decisions. Learn more at www.consumerfinance.gov

Get answers to money questions at www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb

Thank You RGVBA Parade of Homes Committee

The 2022 Rio Grande Valley Builders Association’s annual Parade of Homes event may be a two-weekend event for the public, but it takes months to prepare for this event. And the people behind the scenes deserve an appreciative “thank you” for their hard work and dedication.

The RGVBA is grateful for the generosity of its volunteers and its Parade of Homes Committee members: Paco Vielma / Parade Co-Chair (Southpoint Systems, LLC); Mike Duffy / Parade Co-Chair (Builders FirstSource); Karla Garza (Across Media Marketing / New Homes Guide); Manny Gonzalez (McCoy’s Building Supply); Leslie Schey (2-10 Home Buyers Warranty); and Johnny Vasquez / RGVBA Executive Assistant.

To find out how to participate in the RGVBA Parade, or to become a member of the Association, contact (956) 682-2932 or email info@rgvba.org

Building Industry Professionals Judge the RGVBA 2022 Parade of Homes

The Rio Grande Valley Builders Association invites building professionals in the new home construction industry from surrounding markets to serve as judges for its annual Parade of Homes competition. This year, the event took place during the first two weekends in June and featured 17 homes built by 15 builder members in a variety of new home communities in the upper Rio Grande Valley and in the lower Valley.

The Judges, who traveled from Corpus Christi and Abilene, were escorted from home to home during the first weekend of the Parade with transportation provided by McAllen Housing Authority. The Parade entries competed in various seven price categories ranging from $100K to $500K and one home in each category was awarded “Best Home” in their category. Additional awards included Best of Show; People’s Choice; Most Energy Efficient Home; Best Curb Appeal; Best Architectural Design; Best Kitchen; and Best Master Bed & Bath. Apart from the People’s Choice Award which was determined by votes from the public touring the homes, the Parade of Homes awards were determined by compiling the Judge’s scores.

In addition to the Judges pictured here, the Judge for the Most Energy Efficient Award was Scott Martin, manager of Energy Rating Solutions, an energy consulting firm in Corpus Christi that provides rating and inspection services. The winner of this award was LTR Construction for his BUILT TO SAVE® certified high-performance home.

(L:) Scott Martin, manager of Energy Rating Solutions (Corpus Christi, Texas) was the Judge for the Most Energy Efficient Home award and determined the winner by evaluating HERS scores and the supporting documentation provided for each of the competing homes. He is a RESNET certified rater with 14 years in the energy rating industry and over 39 years in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning industry.

(L to R:) Karla Garza (AMM); Diana Solis (Volunteer), McCoy’s Team: Erika and Lizbeth; Marcy Alamia (RGVBA)

(L to R:) McCoy’s Team: Eric, Rebecca and Olga

Johnny Vasquez: RGVBA Executive Assistant

L-R: Mike Duffey – Builders FirstSource / 2022 RGVBA Parade of Homes Co-Chairman; George Canales – Builder/Remodeler / Realtor, Corpus Christi, Texas; Gene Lantrip – Owner / Lantrip’s Custom Homes, Abilene, Texas & President of TAB; John Tamez – Developer / Corpus Christi, Texas; and Marcy Alamia – RGVBA Executive Director

Ernesto Garza: Volunteer

Johnny Vasquez: RGVBA Executive Assistant

(L to R:) Mrs. Eliud Lopez, Marcy Alamia, Eliud Lopez (Past RGVBA director) and Onecimo Martinez (RGVBA Past President)

The Rio Grande Valley Builders Association Hosts Its Annual Fishing Tournament on South Padre Island

THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY BUILDERS ASSOCIATION (RGVBA) held its annual Fishing Tournament on June 25, 2022, at Jim’s Pier on South Padre Island, Texas. Over 20 boats participated in this annual event which offers a great opportunity to share a relaxing day at the beach with family and friends.

The event is open to members of the RGVBA—except for professional fishing guides— and features 4-person boats competing for cash prizes and bragging rights. This annual event for the RGVBA is always scheduled immediately after the Parade of Homes event, giving everyone an opportunity to relax and recover from all the hard work required to do a successful Parade of Homes. Participants used their fishing skills (and luck) to compete for cash prizes in various fishing categories, such as the heaviest redfish up to 27”, the heaviest trout up to 22”, and the heaviest flounder over 15+”. Additional cash prizes included a Grand Slam prize awarded to the team with the highest combined weight of one redfish, one flounder and one trout, and a “fun” cash prize awarded for the redfish with the most spots.

The RGVBA thanks its generous Fishing Tournament Sponsors: LUMBER SPONSORS

• McCoy’s Lumber and True Builders

DIAMOND SPONSOR

• Texas National Bank Mortgage

GOLD SPONSOR

• Builders FirstSource

ADDITIONAL SPONSORS

• Food Sponsor: McCoy’s Building Supplies and Sierra Title Co.

• Beverage Sponsor: Encore Title

Captain’s Party Sponsors:

• Materiales El Valle, Edwards Abstract Title, Matt’s Building Supplies

Door Prizes Compliments of:

• Encore Title, McCoy’s, Sierra Title, Texas National Bank Mortgage, Edwards Abstract Title, 2-10 Homebuyers Warranty and RGVBA

RGVBA 2022 FISHING TOURNAMENT WINNERS

1st Place Stringer: TNB Mortgage

2nd Place: Burch Outdoors

3rd Place: True Builders

Calcutta Winners:

1st Place Red: Southpoint Systems

2nd Place: TNB Mortgage

1st Place Trout: True Builders

2nd Place: TNB Mortgage

Biggest Red with Most Spots:

1st Place: Caltia Construction

2nd Place: Southpoint Systems

1st Place Stringer; 2nd Place Biggest Red (Calcutta); 2nd Place Trout (Calcutta) TNB Mortgage Team L-R: Esther Guerra, Valerie Cardenas, Vicky & Ruben Hinojosa.

1st Place Biggest Red with Most Spots: Caltia Construction L-R: Raul Perez, Sandra Martinez, Rene Barrera.

2nd Place Stringer: Burch Outdoors L-R: Ruben Abrego, Sean & Gary Burch, Heath Holloway.

3rd Place Stringer: True Builders (#17); 1st Place Biggest Trout (Calcutta); True Builders

RGVBA’s 2022 Annual Fishing Tournament South Padre Island, Texas

Heaviest Red (1st Place) & Redfish w/ Most Spots (2nd Place) L-R: Emily Antolak, Karl Antolak, Brian Schazenbach, Paco Vielma

Life unfolds more memorably in a High-Performance or ENERGY STAR® certified new home. Advanced construction improves indoor air quality while reducing your energy bill. And high-efficiency equipment, like air-source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and smart thermostats, saves you even more. Enjoy greater comfort and energy savings of 20 to 30% more than typical new homes. Now, that’s living.

a homebuilder at SouthTXSaves.com

BEAUTIFUL TILED SHOWERS WITH SUPERIOR MOISTURE PROTECTION AND PEACE OF MIND

A common misconception about tiled showers is that the tile and grout joints are waterproof. They are not. They are water resistant at best, and if not installed along with a waterproofing system, the chances of water damage will increase, as well as the efflorescence and mold growth on the supporting subfloor and walls. This deterioration can be a few months or a few years, but it is only a matter of time. And if a shower is on the second floor of a home, well, you can see how the problem will be more serious. Here’s how you can avoid moisture and vapor damage in your tiled shower.

First, you should know that there are two ways that tiled showers are constructed: 1) the Traditional Tiled Shower System, also referred to as the water in/water out system; and 2) the Sealed System. It should be obvious by their names which of these will give you the protection you need, but let’s explore their differences for a better understanding of what’s important to know.

Schluter®-Shower System

THE TRADITIONAL TILED SHOWER SYSTEM FOR TILED SHOWERS

The Traditional Tiled Shower System is the most used system, not only in the Valley, but across the country. Why? Three reasons may surprise you. First is the natural inclination among contractors to do things the way they’ve always done them. It’s what they know and have learned to do efficiently, and fast, so they stick with that. Second, there’s a fear of the unknown— especially if it involves learning something new. Third, and most important, contractors and builders have the misconception that the second system—the sealed system— will be more expensive and take longer to install. They are wrong, so let’s compare the two to see why.

The traditional water in/water out system, if done properly, is effective, but it is labor intensive and requires days to install. It requires a mortar bed on the floor of the shower to be sloped properly to the drain. A waterproof pan liner is placed over the mortar bed and clamped to the drain. Since the pan liners do not allow for the application of tile, a second mortar bed must be installed to provide a bonding surface for the tile. Remember, grout is not waterproof, so it’s inevitable that water and vapor will go between the grout joints, even if they are treated with a sealant. The moisture and vapor pass through to the mortar bed and to the pan liner, which should direct the water to the drain.

Now think about this. We use the shower almost every day, sometimes more than once. And every time we do, we use about 30 or more gallons of water. That’s the equivalent of 1,000 inches of rain a year, so that shower floor will have more water fall on it than your roof. A lot more.

The mortar bed will begin to retain moisture and become saturated by never having a chance to dry out completely. A variety of problems can make matters worse, for example: if the mortar bed slope was done improperly or not at all; or accidentally nailing through the pan liner; or not ensuring leakproof corners; or obstructions to the weep holes in the drain.

Lastly, from the foundation to the whole structure of a new home, everything moves, even if it is slightly over time. Since the tile is directly attached to the mortar and the mortar to the structure of the home, cracks in the tile or grout are inevitable.

Additionally, the traditional water in/water out system requires installing a moisture retarder behind the backer boards on the walls of the shower and lapped over the pan liner to divert that moisture into the pan. If not done, this will allow moisture and vapor to penetrate to the wood studs and other moisturesensitive building materials in the home. The take-away message about the water in/water out system in your shower is that it is not guaranteed to be waterproof.

THE SEALED SYSTEM – The Schluter®-Shower System

For a tiled shower to be truly waterproof, it should be installed using the Sealed System. And the best of sealed systems is produced by Schluter®-Systems, a global company providing an extensive line of reliable products and systems for ceramic and stone tile installations. Schluter’s integrated family of products offers everything you need for a guaranteed waterproof tiled shower and more.

The Schluter®-Shower System’s integrated products create a fully bonded waterproof and vapor-tight shower assembly ready for tile installation. These Schluter products eliminate leaks and water damage, and reduce the potential for efflorescence and mold growth in the system. More impressively, using Schluter products reduces installation time and provides the flexibility for customization within the shower space. The company also offers several Schluter®-KERDI Shower Kits that include everything you need for an efficient and easy shower install.

The Schluter products are specifically engineered for ceramic and stone tile installations and help eliminate many of the problems and challenges encountered when building with tile. The polyethylene material that the products are made of is designed to provide the waterproofing layer that protects the water and vapor- sensitive substrates like gypsum and other backings.

Go to www.schluter.com for information and videos on Schluter products. Contact Materiales El Valle for a person al consultation on your project needs (see back cover). Visit www.materialeselvalle.com to see their tile products. Photos © Schluter®Systems.

The first component of the Schluter® Shower System is the Schluter® KERDI, a pliable, lightweight waterproofing membrane that is applied to the mortar bed on a shower floor. The Schluter® KERDI waterproofing membrane is also used over solid backings like gypsum board or cement board for the shower walls by using thin-set mortar. The sheets of Schluter® KERDI can be cut to size and overlapped or abutted using KERDI-BAND waterproofing strips centered over the joints to provide the required 2” overlap for a tight seal. Schluter accessories include KERDI-SEALs for penetrations and protrusions like the shower head and hardware, and KERDI-KERECK corners to provide waterproofing in those sensitive areas and customizable curbs to fit the shower space.

The company offers a line of prefabricated shower trays with point and linear drain options for a more stylish look, and these are pre-sloped for proper water flow to the drain to keep the subfloors safe from water damage. Additionally, pre-sloped load bearing shower benches are available in various sizes and can be easily cut and customized to fit any space to remove the need for wood bench frames in a water environment.

Not only does the Schluter® Shower System offer the best water and vapor protection for a shower, it also substantially reduces the amount of time it takes to install the tile application. And, to top it all off: when considering the cost of labor and figuring in the potential cost of expensive water damage repairs or call backs, the system will cost less than a traditional water in/water out system.

Now here is the incredible news: while Schluter products may be sold elsewhere, what you may not find there are all the products and accessories you will need, not to mention the valuable expertise on how to use these products. Whether you are a builder, a contractor, or a DIY weekend warrior, you can now go to Materiales El Valle stores here in South Texas to find out more about Schluter’s products. Materiales El Valle has in-house Schluter product specialists who will provide all the expert advice and information you need for your project. And while you are there, you will want to check out their largest inventory of tile products in the Rio Grande Valley because you will need beautiful tile with quality that stands out to match the superior quality of your Schluter shower.

See the back cover for Materiales El Valle store locations in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas.

For advertising call (956) 778-3590 |

POWER Magic Valley Electric Co-op

Marketing from INCENTIVES for DEVELOPERS & BUILDERS

MAGIC VALLEY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE (MVEC) is committed to reducing energy usage and utility costs to ensure reliable and affordable electricity for its member-owners. It strives to improve the quality of life for residents of the Rio Grande Valley by providing incentives and marketing assistance to builders and developers selling homes or lots in MVEC new home communities. Take advantage of these effective and beneficial marketing opportunities.

REBATES FOR BUILT TO SAVE® HIGH-PERFORMANCE HOMES For Builders

As sponsors of BUILT TO SAVE®, a regional high-performance home program, MVEC has helped to improve the quality of new home construction with its rebate program for builders who build verified energy efficient homes.

The BUILT TO SAVE® program for new home builders is a voluntary program that awards “high-performance” certificates to new homes built to energy-saving standards that are above the minimum building code standards required by law. MVEC provides a variety of monetary incentives paid directly to builders of BUILT TO SAVE® verified homes based on the energy efficiency HERS rating of their homes. Each BUILT TO SAVE® home is inspected during construction and tested upon completion by an independent RESNET licensed Home Energy Rater to verify that the home meets the strict requirements of the program in order to qualify for the BUILT TO SAVE® certificate. For more information, email: info@builttosave.org.

L to R: Johnathan Sloss: MVEC Business Development Representative; Michael Aaron Cantu: Alpha / Maverick Development

DISCOUNTS FOR CO-OP ADVERTISING IN RGV NEW HOMES GUIDE For Developers

RGV New Homes Guide, a quarterly printed and digital magazine in the Rio Grande Valley, provides marketing opportunities for developers of new home communities in MVEC’s territory.

1) RGV NEW HOMES GUIDE COMMUNITY ADS

Developers with a community located in MVEC’s territory qualify for a rebate of $75 on their community ad in the RGV New Homes Guide. Community ads are ¼ page horizontal ads that provide an “at a glance” look at all of a community’s important information and provide traffic and sales leads.

QUALIFYING FOR MVEC OFFERS

To qualify for all of the offers shown here, builders and developers must be building or developing in a MVEC community. All offers are on a “funds available” basis and require pre-approval. See below for additional conditions.

BUILT TO SAVE® REBATES – The BUILT TO SAVE® program is responsible for determining the eligibility of builder rebates. The rebate amounts are determined by the home’s HERS score as documented and verified by the builder’s third-party Home Energy Rater.

RGV NEW HOMES GUIDE ADS – Co-op marketing rebates for advertising in the New Homes Guide requires branding with the “Powered by MVEC” logo. Artwork fees are not included.

DRONE VIDEOS – This is a one-time offer for new home communities that are under development or newly developed and includes the cost of production. Drone videos are to be produced by Across Media Marketing, LLC and branded with the “Powered by MVEC” logo. Existing new home communities must have 80% of lots still available for construction to qualify.

2) RGV NEW HOMES GUIDE DISPLAY ADS

Developers advertising their MVEC community may qualify for a $300 rebate on their display ad available in half-page and full-page sizes. Distribution includes a digital and printed mazagine as well as social media promotions on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. Visit rgvNewHomesGuide.com /magazine for a look at the RGV New Homes Guide. Email: info@acrossmediamarketing.com for advertising information.

3) DRONE VIDEOS FOR MVEC COMMUNITIES

Drone videos will give potential buyers a bird’s eye view of a community and its surrounding area. These videos will capture the look and feel of a community, thus giving viewers a comprehensive view of the “lay of the land” and nearby attractions. MVEC will provide a complimentary drone video for qualifying communities located in MVEC’s territory.

SIGNAGE – Artwork for community sign to be provided by MVEC in collaboration with Across Media Marketing, LLC. MVEC will provide a pre-determined amount based on the sign’s specifications to help cover the art fee. Installation of signage is the developer’s responsibility. Signage is required to be branded with the “Powered by MVEC” logo.

289-4055

4) SIGNAGE FOR MVEC COMMUNITIES

A community sign will make it easier to find a community and will assist by providing a 24/7 sales tool offering sales and contact information. MVEC offers assistance in producing entrance signage for communities in MVEC’s territory. Call for details.

LOWER UTILITIES BETTER AIR QUALITY MORE COMFORT

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LTR CONSTRUCTION

Affordable Homes of South Texas (956) 687-6263 | info@ahsti.org www.ahsti.org

Affordable Homes of South Texas, Inc. (AHSTI), a nonprofit organization, builds 100% of its homes to comply with the requirements of both the ENERGY STAR® and the BUILT TO SAVE® programs in Magic Valley Electric Coop communities. AHSTI has been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a “Leadership in Housing” award for its commitment to the ENERGY STAR® program.

ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDERS

These builders represent a small, select group of professionals leading today’s energy efficient construction by building high-performance homes in the BUILT TO SAVE® program. Learn more about the program at www.builttosave.org.

Villanueva Construction (956) 800-8889 | rosendo@villanuevahomes.com www.VillanuevaHomes.com

Villanueva Construction, founded in 1985 by Martin Villanueva, has almost four decades of home-building experience—excellent home building experience. Since joining the BUILT TO SAVE® Program for certified highperformance homes in 2016, the company has been at the forefront of building energy efficient homes. More specifically, Villanueva Construction leads the industry in the Rio Grande Valley—and continues to do so every year since they became a BUILT TO SAVE® builder member.

Divine Custom Homes (956) 467-1111 | olga@divinecustomhomes.net www.DivineCustomHomes.net

DIVINE Custom Homes is one of only two builders in the Rio Grande Valley who constructs ENERGY STAR® qualified homes— and the only builder whose homes qualify for the EPA’s Indoor airPLUS Program by meeting its strict criteria for healthy and clean indoor air quality. Olga’s passion for building homes right is matched only by her compassion for her homebuyers and doing what is right for them.

AFFORDABLE HOMES of SOUTH TEXAS, Inc.

Treasure Builders

Treasure Builders’ owners, Felix Hernandez and his son Alexis, represent two generations of builders bound by their dedication to creating homes of superior quality and craftsmanship. With almost twenty years of designing and constructing residential and commercial projects in the Rio Grande Valley, Treasure Builders still values quality over quantity—and most importantly, the type of quality you can trust with a BUILT TO SAVE® certificate from third-party inspectors.

Homes

Since 2004, Waldo Homes has earned an outstanding reputation for building exceptional luxury custom homes in the Rio Grande Valley. And while the exterior beauty of a Waldo home is visible, what isn’t visible is the beauty of energy-efficient construction behind the walls. In 2021 the company was recognized with the RGVBA’s award for “The Most Energy Efficient Home”—a testament to Waldo Home’s superior high-performance construction.

Villa Homes

Villa Homes is a family business that treats customers like they are part of the family. With decades of building experience, Villa Homes is recognized as a premier award-winning builder of luxury custom homes in the Rio Grande Valley. Villa Homes offers BUILT TO SAVE® homes of superior energy efficiency and whole-house comfort that will reduce energy bills and increase the extraordinary home-building experience for each and every customer.

MCALLEN

Auburn Estates 129 H-8

Auburn Hills 100 H-8

Cascada at Tres Lagos 122 C-5

Cobblestone 111 H-6

Coronado Estates 121 P-7

Ensenada at Tres Lagos 103 C-6

Escondido at Tres Lagos 104 C-6 Hibiscus 117 G-7

Highland Oaks 131 J-7

La Estancia at Tres Lagos.............. 105 ... C-6

La Floresta Phase I & II 125 F-8

Marbella 108 M-6

North Pointe 102 G-8

Northwood Trails ................. 107 .. F-7

Orangewood North 109 G-9

Quail Crossing 116 F-8

Silver Creek 120 J-7

Silverado Trail on Auburn Hill 124 H-6

Sorrento Trail on Northgate 106 G-9

Spanish Oaks 114 G-9 Stoneridge Estates .............. 123 .. G-8

The Embers 126 H-9

The Gardens at Trinity Oaks 110 E-7

The Medici 132 I-6

The Vineyards 127 D-7

Trinity Oaks 112 F-7

Vendome 130 C-7

Villagio 119 G-9

Villanueva Estates at Trinity Oaks 118 F-7

Villas at La Vista 113 L-9

Villas De Santiago 115 I-8

Villas on Freddy 101 F-8 Westwood One ........................ 128.... H-7

EDINBURG

Alberta Village 218 I-12

Bentley Estates 226 I-10 Camden Village 200 G-9 Canton Heights 228 G-12 Canton Village 216 G-11

Hacienda San Roman .............. 214 .... D-15

Jackson Heights 201 G-10 James Court 210 G-10

Johh Closner 229 I-13

Las Villas 225 D-7

Los Lagos Golf Club 202 G-13

Lumen at Los Lagos Golf Club 203 G-13 Madison Park 222 H-10 Rio Vega Ranches 204 D-14

Russell Park 205 C-11

Santa Cruz at La Sienna 224 B-12

Santa Cruz Estates Phase 2 230 B-13

Sonador Coves 227 D-12

Sonador Trails 223 C-11

Sugar Oaks 206 H-10

Summerfield Manor 207 I-11

Summerset Estates 208 I-11

Taylor Ridge 217 G-11

The Coves at La Sienna 211 B-12

The Heights on Wisconsin ............ 220 ... H-12

The Hills at Chapin 212 D-11

The Montecito 215 B-10

Villas de Santa Cruz II 209 A-13

Villas las Fuentes 213 G-10

Windsor Estates 221 C-10

MISSION

Crystal Estates III 316 L-2

Del Oro at Bentsen Palm 300 O-2

Glasscock Hills 302 L-5

Las Villas Del Rio Groves/Shary 312 I-6

Las Villas at Lago Sharyland Plantation 320 P-6

Magnolia Park 319 L-5

Martha’s Vineyard 311 J-6

Mirabelle 303 O-5

Mission Valley 301 K-6

Shary Oaks

310.... K-5

Sommerset Court Estates 304 L-5 Spring Valley 307 L-5

Tanglewood at Bentsen Palm 315 P-1

Villas de San Gabriel 313 N-6

PHARR

Brentwood Estates 405 O-11 Country Gardens ..................... 400 ... P-10

Maria Elise Estates 403 J-11

West Oak Manor 401 J-11

West Ridge Estates 402 J-11

SAN JUAN

Garden Ridge Subdivision 600 N-13

ALTON

Alton Pointe 501 H-3

PALMHURST

Hidden Pond 526 I-5

WESLACO

King Estates 701 O-18

Mira Vista 702 P-19

Tierra Santa 703 Q-16

BROWNSVILLE

Palo Alto Groves 950 L-14

shown

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MissionMcAllen

NORTHWOOD TRAILS

Coming Soon! Northwood Trails, under development, will be McAllen’s newest private gated community and will feature large half-acre lots. Enjoy a countryside setting with the convenience of easy access to major streets. Feel secure knowing your home is in an exclusive community. Home requirements include a minimum of 2,000 sq. ft. living area with additional architectural controls to ensure community beauty. Reserve your choice lot today with only a $2,500 non-refundable deposit.

STONERIDGE

your family has been looking for the perfect place to build your new home in McAllen - look no further! Stoneridge Estates, located in the heart of North McAllen, offers the best of uptown living, yet remains quietly nestled in a central location minutes from major shopping and dining. Also only blocks from top-rated schools, a new baseball park, and a police sub-station! Only a limited number of lots are available. Reserve

choice lot in this gas-friendly community or ask about ready-formove-in homes from True Builders!

CALLEN

community at the

Bentsen, is now open. This gated community features spacious

ranging from 60’ X 120’ to 112’ X 132’ in the city of McAllen and is part of the Sharyland School District--one of the best in the Valley. Residents can walk to the nearby elementary and jr. high school, plus enjoy the community’s convenient access to shopping, dining, and everything else. Visit www.theMediciMcAllen.com for an interactive look

available

Select and reserve your lot online and let True

home.

from

need, then Magnolia Park, a newly opened gated community in the heart of Mission’s Sharyland ISD, is for you. This new community offers a great location, great school district, great value per square foot, and best-in-class homes from Villa Homes: an award-winning luxury home builder for over 20 years (see cover feature). Magnolia Park is just a short drive away—and an even shorter drive to your dream of a

home! Come see.

Buddy Owens