RGV New Homes Guide | Issue 30 Vol. 4 | November-December 2022-January 2023

HOME SPACES

Big Tiles – Big Impact

Make a big, bold statement with large-format tiles. Add depth and visual interest in a big way. Discover how you can make a small space appear larger.

HOMEBUYING TIPS

Avoid Cyber Fraud

Learn how you can protect yourself from a very real threat that can destroy your dream of owning a home and leave you financially devasted, as well.

FINANCING

Home Financing Made Easy

Yes. There is an easier way to finance your home than the conventional way that requires two loans and two closings. It’s called the One-Time Construction Loan. Find out how it will save you time, money, and worry.

Ready to Buy a Home?

Here’s some practical advice that will help you decide if you are ready to buy a home. Buying a home will most likely be the largest investment you will make in your lifetime. Take the time to prepare for this huge commitment.

COVER (PHOTO BY JUAN MENDEZ)

WALDO HOMES – WINNING AWARDS AND HEARTS IS WHAT THEY DO BEST.

Waldo Homes has won more awards in local Parade competitions than any other builder. But their goal was winning their buyers’ hearts. The awards just followed. (See pages 6 & 7)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Know This Before Buying a Home

The things you will read about in this article are not commonly what people think about when they are shopping for a home–but they should be. Don’t be blinded by the bling. The most important things you should focus on cannot be seen.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

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

New Domain Development Communities

Bank of South Texas Hosts Grand Opening

New SPEER Code Manager: Randy Plumlee

Local Veteran Gets Mortgage-Free Home

Finally Home partners with local sponsors and

PUBLISHER

Across Media Marketing, LLC

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Jose Vielma

SENIOR EDITOR Barbara Zapffe

SALES MANAGER Jose R. Vielma

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Gary Owen

ADVERTISING SALES Ken Sabe

IT SPECIALIST Nadine Sabe DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Ken (Bobo) Sabe, Jr.

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 78539

PROFESSIONAL HOME ENERGY RATERS

Carroll’s Inspection Services

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

Certifications: Home Energy Rater; ENERGY STAR® and BUILT TO SAVE® Certifications; ICC Energy Code Ambassador; EPA Indoor airPLUS; Level 1 Thermographer; TREC Property Inspector; RESNET Member; RESNET Green Rater; Building America Partner, DOE Zero Ready Verifier, Fortified Evaluator, Mold Assessment Consultant, & Insured/ Qualified 45L Tax Credit Certifier.

TREC license #7061 | RESNET license #0003953 TDRL license #MAC1689 | ICC #8194682

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

Certifications:

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.

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

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

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.

Breatheindoorhealthy air

with a high-performance home

has no bleeds/ wrong proportions

BUILT TO SAVE® high-performance certified homes are tightly sealed to prevent infiltration of outdoor contaminants and allergens. The BUILT TO SAVE® program’s requirements also include a properly sized air-conditioning unit to ensure controlled humidity and whole-house comfort with superior indoor air quality.

Ask your builder if your home is BUILT TO SAVE® certified.

See page 10-11 for a list of BUILT TO SAVE® builder members or scan the QR code to visit www.BuiltToSave.org

Waldo Homes

INNING HEARTS AND AWARDS

Waldo Homes constructs stunningly beautiful, high-quality homes that win both hearts and awards.

In fact, since 2014, the company has won an award every year in which they participated and has earned substantially more awards than any other participant in the annual Rio Grande Valley Builders Association (RGVBA) Parade of Homes—including two consecutive Best of Show awards. Let’s take a look at Waldo Homes’ history of recognition from their peers for excellence in construction. If there’s one factor that impresses Parade judges and visitors the most, it’s the “Waldo Wow Factor.” Discover why this term so aptly describes the effect of seeing Waldo Homes’ work.

Although the Waldo Homes team is proud of the awards they have received for their homes, what gives the team the most satisfaction is winning the customers’ hearts with their work first. The awards naturally follow. The company really lives up to their slogan: “Award-winning custom homes that impress the soul.”

Waldo Homes began receiving Parade of Homes awards from the start with their first entry in 2014. That year, the company was recognized with the Best Model Home award in the over $350K category for a Mediterranean/Tuscan home with a dramatic Corinthian column facade. In the 2016 Parade of Homes, an attractive four-bedroom home earned the company both the Best Model Home ($400K-$500K) and Best Curb Appeal awards. A year later, Waldo Homes repeated their Best Model Home win in the $201K-$300K category with a fabulous stucco-and-stone Mediterranean design.

But it was in the 2019 Parade of Homes that the “Waldo Wow Factor” was born with a gorgeous, two-story Mediterranean home. Its many features—from the stucco walls to the majestic interior cupola and breathtaking kitchen—earned Waldo Homes six awards. The foremost of them was the prestigious Best of Show award. The company also won the Best Model Home (Over $400K), Best Architectural Design, Best Kitchen, Best Master and Bath, and Best Curb Appeal categories.

In 2020, Waldo Homes made RGVBA Parade history with back-to-back awards in the previous year’s categories and added the coveted People’s Choice award to their list with a stunning Mediterranean masterpiece in the $450K-$500K range, which received seven awards. During the same Parade event, a contemporary Cantera-andwhite-stucco Waldo home won the Best Model Home ($251K-$300K) category,

© Photograph RGV

© Photograph RGV

© Jose Mendez Photography

showcasing the company’s versatility and bringing their total award count for the 2020 Parade to eight. Waldo Homes set a record for the RGVBA Parade of Homes events that has yet to be surpassed.

The company’s success continued in 2021 despite some challenges. Covidrelated material shortages and the Parade event dates didn’t give the Waldo team enough time to build the larger homes they usually build for the Parade of Homes events. So, the team opted to construct two smaller homes—a red brick contemporary Farmhouse and a Spanish Mediterranean home. Both received the Best Home award in their respective categories. Both homes were certified as BUILT TO SAVE® high-performance homes, and the Mediterranean home also received the Most Energy Efficient Home award.

This year, in 2022, Waldo Homes won the Best Model Home award in the $451K-$500K category with a striking modern Farmhouse design. The exterior, with eco-friendly clay roof tiles and large front-facing windows, catches the eye. The windows provide plenty of natural light for the open-concept floorplan, luxuriously illuminating the elegant wood beams and the kitchen’s exotic black granite countertops. The home—located in the private gated community of James Court in Edinburg, TX, at the corner of South McColl and Canton Roads—justifiedly received the award. It continues Waldo Homes’ reputation for consistently winning this particular award in its entry category.

It’s obvious when others attempt to copy Waldo Homes’ designs, they think it will bring them equal success. But what makes Waldo Homes successful can’t be copied. The love and passion the Waldo team puts into their homes are central to their

success. This family-owned company— headed by founder Luis Waldo and his wife Teresa—operates with total synergy. In addition to Luis and Teresa, the Waldo team includes their daughter Karen, their son Danny, and his wife Allison. Pooling the individual talents of each team member allows them to continuously build unique homes that impress the soul with beauty, style, design, and rich details.

Secondly—and most importantly—as a family-owned business, Waldo Homes knows the importance of treating customers like family. Homebuyers are happily welcomed to become a part of the Waldo Homes family. Whether the team is building a Mediterranean or Contemporary home, no matter the size, it will include the same eye-catching details and thoughtful master-crafted extras you’d expect from Waldo Homes.

The awards for excellence in construction that Waldo Homes has received speak for themselves. The company’s dedication to homebuyer satisfaction has also consistently secured a years-long leading role in transforming the quality of life for Valley residents. The Waldo team welcomes you to contact them and discuss your plans for a custom home that truly stands out. The company builds from $250K and up and will build on your lot or theirs anywhere in the Valley. Give them a call and prepare to be impressed.

Waldo Team L-R: Karen Waldo, Juan Garza, Allison Cavazos, Luis Daniel Waldo, Teresa Waldo, Luis Waldo, Heaven Waldo.

© Photograph RGV

© Jose Mendez Photography

©Jose Mendez Photography

© Photograph RGV

BIG TILES, BIG IMPACT

Large-format tiles have been a growing trend in home building for the past decade— and they’re only getting more popular. Designers, builders, and homeowners alike rely on large tiles to create homes that make a big, bold visual impact. Versatile, gorgeous large-format tile products from Materiales El Valle not only enhance a home’s beauty, but their almost seamless continuity makes rooms look larger.

Materiales El Valle, founded in 1986 by Rosalio Espinosa, has been the Rio Grande Valley’s premier tile and natural stone products supplier for decades. Award-winning builders in the Valley are among the company’s customers for a good reason. Thanks to its long history of working with major Latin American manufacturers, Materiales El Valle offers trending first-to-market products at lower prices—including large-format tiles.

In addition to using the right cutting tools, industry standards from the Tile Council of North America recommend the use of a leveling system to ensure proper large-format tile installation. Because of this, Materiales El Valle

carries high-quality leveling systems, like RUBI/USA, and offers free advice and consultation on how to properly install their products.

Large tiles are worth the effort, though. They are an increasingly popular material for adding depth and visual interest to walls and floors. Available as squares or rectangles in a wide range of materials—from porcelain to ceramic and stone—there’s a suitable tile for every home. These elegant tiles are available in a variety of popular sizes including 2’ x 4’, 4’ x 4’, and even as large as 4’ x 8’.

Large-format tiles give surfaces a clean, modern, and seamless look. They have minimal grout lines, which makes walls and floors look like

large, pristine surfaces, increasing a room’s visual appeal. It’s possible to further enhance this effect with grout that matches the tile’s color. Such continuous textures produce a dramatic effect that elevates a home’s look and provides beauty that can be enjoyed for a lifetime.

Large-format tiles can be used for both floors and walls. Their expansive surfaces create a feeling of spaciousness by eliminating the visual clutter of countless grout lines you’d see with smaller tiles. The sleek, uninterrupted surface texture is perfect for residential and commercial use to help create a stunning tailor-made statement, both indoors and outdoors.

Large tiles aren’t just beautiful, but also affordable when you consider the installation process.

These tiles are faster and simpler to install than small ones. With little grout and big, smooth surfaces, it’s easier and cheaper to maintain the durable tiles’ original clean look. Additionally, they have a high thermal mass, allowing them to absorb heat and reduce heating and cooling costs.

Another significant benefit of large tiles is better indoor air quality. They’re easy to clean, moistureresistant, and don’t harbor dust, all factors that significantly improve the quality of indoor air. Last, but not least, natural stone, porcelain, and ceramic tiles are highly sustainable.

As a versatile product, largeformat tiles are a fantastic choice for creative surface solutions in practically any room. They are one of the current top trends for walls and floors in living rooms. Bathrooms are another popular spot for incorporating large tiles due to easy cleaning and the fact that one or two tiles can make up an entire shower wall. But homeowners’ favorite place for large tiles is the kitchen. The tiles offer contrast to appliances and make for easily maintainable backsplashes, floors, and side paneling for kitchen islands or bars.

Materiales El Valle’s large tile products are on display locally at their expansive showrooms with thousands of square feet filled with gorgeous, full-size samples of tiles in a dizzying range of striking designs. The company constantly updates the showrooms to stock the most trendy materials with the best quality and designs in the Valley. Their knowledgeable sales consultants will suggest innovative tile solutions. Best of all, you can see, touch, and experience the tiles in person.

Experience Materiales El Valle’s gorgeous large-format tile products. Contact them for a personal consultation on your project needs. For more information and store locations, visit www.MaterialesElValleinc.com. See back cover.

Mr. Rosalio Espinoza, founder of Materiales El Valle, the Rio Grande Valley’s leading supplier of tile and natural stone products for both indoor and outdoor walls, floors, countertops, and much more since opening in 1986.

BUILDERS

BUILT TO SAVE® is an energy efficiency certification program that identifies new homes that are built to outperform minimum code building requirements. The builders who certify their homes in the BUILT TO SAVE® program voluntarily go above and beyond for their homebuyers.

WEBSITE / EMAIL

AFFORDABLE HOMES OF SOUTH TEXAS m (956) 687-6263

VILLANUEVA CONSTRUCTION m (956) 800-8889

TREASURE BUILDERS m (956) 874-3686

www.AHSTI.org info@ahsti.org

www.VillanuevaHomes.com stephanie@villanuevahomes.com

www.TreasureBuildersllc.com treasurebuilders@att.net

www.DivineCustomHomes.net olga@divinecustomhomes.net WALDO HOMES m (956) 466-8590

DIVINE CUSTOM HOMES m (956) 467-1111

www.WaldoHomesRGV.com luiswaldo@yahoo.com CASA CORDOVA m (956) 472-5946

BRITO CONSTRUCTION m (956) 668-7307

www.CasaCordova.llc casacordova.llc@gmail.com

www.BritoConstruction.com info@britoconstruction.com LTR CONSTRUCTION m (956) 453-6689

www.ltrrgv.com ltrperez956@gmail.com

566-2838

www.monarchhomesrgv.com info@monarchhomesrgv.com

BELLO CONSTRUCTION (956) 605-1817

BLACK WOLF CONSTRUCTION (956) 970-2444

BELLISSIMO BUILDERS (956) 222-0721

Oznerol Homes (956) 500-1435

RAMITA HOMES (956) 537-7360

belloconstruction@outlook.com

blackwolfconstruction@hotmail.com bellissimobuilders@gmail.com oznerolhomes@gmail.com lunatvnews@gmail.com

Before Buying a Home Know This

Why would you add 30% to your monthly electricity, heating, and cooling bills? If you’re not in a certified energy-efficient home, you may be wasting money on energy costs you shouldn’t have to pay, often without even knowing it.

Many home shoppers fall in love with how the home looks when what they should be equally focused on is how the home will perform. Think about it this way. The home’s beauty will not give you the things that should be most important to a homebuyer: comfort, a healthy environment, and energy savings.

THE THINGS YOU CAN’T SEE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT

Unfortunately, you won’t experience a home’s comfort, air quality, or know how high your utility bill will be until you buy it and move in. If you are unhappy with any of these things, by then it will be too late to do anything about it. For example, if the cooling and heating unit in the home is too big for the size of the home, the unit will cycle on, cool the home quickly, and turn off before it has a chance to remove all the humidity in the rooms. This will create an uncomfortable, clammy living environment and in the long run will result in higher energy bills, potential moisture issues, and require more frequent repairs on your unit.

The insulation, which is hidden behind the walls, is typically another unknown but extremely important to your comfort, air quality, and utility bills. You must trust that it is the right type, used in the proper areas, and was installed correctly unless you were there to verify, assuming you knew what to look for.

A home that is certified as a high-performance home, such as a BUILT TO SAVE® home, addresses the sizing of the airconditioning unit by using a third-party energy Rater who reviews the unit’s heating and cooling loads to ensure it is sized correctly.

WOULD YOU BUY A CAR WITHOUT KNOWING ITS TRUE COST OF OWNERSHIP?

The true cost of a home is not only its list price. It should include the cost of owning that home. Yet you would be surprised that most people do not know how much electricity will be consumed by their new home. It’s like buying a car without knowing how many miles you will get per gallon. Until recently, there was no way to know how much energy a home would consume until you moved in. As a result, you had to cross your fingers and hope you purchased an energy-saving property. Often, people are blinded by what they see—beauty—and fail to ask about the most important features of a home: comfort, energy performance, healthy indoor air, and durability.

No more. Today, thanks to energy efficiency programs such as BUILT TO SAVE®, you can buy a home with the peace of mind that an independent, third-party energy home Rater verified that the home met the strict requirements of a high-performance home certification. By using special software and the home’s specifications, the Rater can predict how much energy the home will consume before it is built. The Rater also inspects the home during construction to verify proper insulation installation and other areas that impact the home’s envelope. Lastly, the Rater performs a blower door test and duct leakage test once the home is completed. This final inspection produces a Home Energy Rating Score (HERS) that is widely accepted as the best indicator of how well the home will perform when it comes to energy usage.

The State of Texas requires that every new home built after August 1, 2016, have a blower door and duct leakage test. The blower door test is performed to find out how much air comes in and goes out through the home’s roof, windows, doors, and walls to measure the leakiness of the home’s envelope. The duct blaster test measures leaks in the ductwork of the HVAC system. This ensures heating and cooling systems aren’t wasting energy.

ASK FOR A BUILT TO SAVE® HIGH-PERFORMANCE VERIFIED HOME

The goal of our BUILT TO SAVE® program is to offer an option to homebuyers who want more than a home built to minimum code standards. It also provides builders a way to differentiate themselves from those who are satisfied building to bare minimum standards. More importantly, the RESNET-certified Raters doing the inspections and testing for the BUILT TO SAVE® program are key in providing the proof of high performance. The BUILT TO SAVE® certificate that the homebuyers receive will be invaluable if they decide to sell the home in the future. Studies have shown that certified high-performance homes demand a higher resale value and sell faster.

BUY WITH CONFIDENCE AND PEACE OF MIND. BUY A HOME FROM A BUILDER MEMBER OF THE BUILT TO SAVE® PROGRAM.

The BUILT TO SAVE® program is voluntary, which is how you know you’ve found a builder that cares about the quality of their homes. These builders are leaders in energy-efficient construction because they recognize the benefits that energy-efficient homes offer homeowners and are willing to go above and beyond what is required by minimum code. So, when looking for a company to construct your new home, be sure to seek out a builder that has made a commitment to investing in high-performance homes. You can trust that they will use the most energy-efficient building systems to ensure you save money and enjoy your new home more. And it’s not just the builder saying that. It’s a licensed, independent home energy Rater who verifies it with a BUILT TO SAVE® certificate.

Find a BUILT TO SAVE® Builder

See pages 10-11 for a list of buiders who have certified homes in the program. Visit BuiltToSave.org to see a complete list of builder members and for more information about the program.

Find a HERS Rater

Builders can consult any of the HERS Raters listed on page 4 in this publication to find out more about how to build a home to BUILT TO SAVE® standards, or visit BuiltToSave.org.

Magic Valley Electric Cooperative

The Magic Valley Electric Cooperative (MVEC) is a proud sponsor of the BUILT TO SAVE® Program and offers marketing incentives and financial benefits to builders who complete BUILT TO SAVE® certification requirements. By supporting the building of high-performance BUILT TO SAVE® homes, MVEC is able to lower the costs of electricity for their members.

Avoid Cyber Fraud When Buying a Home

Buying your new home can involve many risks— including fraud. Online real estate fraud has exploded over the past couple of years. Knowing how common scams work can help you avoid falling for them. Let’s peek into the seedy world of con artists and find out how criminals might try to fool you.

Wire Transfer Fraud

Imagine you’re about to close on your new home. Your title company emails you, asking you to wire your down payment to a certain bank account. Not wanting to cause any delays, you pay the money. But when you call your title agent, they say they never sent you an email or received any funds. You’ve just fallen victim to wire transfer fraud.

Incidents of wire transfer fraud are skyrocketing. First-time homebuyers can be particularly vulnerable to bogus payment requests. But the worst part is that there’s no compensation or protection for fraud victims. Law enforcement or your bank’s fraud coverage may recover a fraction of the money but this is unlikely. This is why you must be cautious of wire transfer fraud.

In most cases, the scammer starts by hacking an email account involved in the home sale. They get login details by using malicious software or phishing emails— fake emails where they pretend to be someone you trust. The breach can happen at any link in the communication chain. The hacker won’t care whether the account belongs to you, the title company, a real estate agent, or the home’s owner. What matters is that they can now track your communications and jump in when you’re preparing to put money down.

The scammer will generally send you an email instructing you to wire your down payment to their bank account. This email won’t be an easily identifiable spam message. With potentially hundreds of thousands on the line, wire transfer scammers will go to great lengths to fool you. Their fake emails can appear deceptively authentic by mimicking your title company’s email addresses and graphic designs. Particularly detailoriented fraudsters may copy entire websites and set up fake phone lines.

Title Fraud

You may also run into title or deed fraud. Luckily, this kind of scam is rare, but you should still be aware of it. In a title fraud, the criminal first steals an actual homeowner’s identity, acquiring their SSN, birth date, and other details. With this information, they forge a title to a house and open new bank accounts and phone numbers. They’ll likely also make a fake driver’s license with their picture to “prove” their identity.

With the fake title, the criminal will try to sell you the property through a seemingly normal process. Of course, a deal with the scammer won’t make you the home’s owner. If you fall for this fraud, you may get a nasty surprise when the house’s actual owner asks why you’re trying to carry furniture into their home.

Protect Yourself from Hackers

Fortunately, you can avoid these scams with basic cyber security practices. Here are six things you can do to protect yourself from fraud:

1. Secure your email and devices. Set strong passwords and regularly update your firewall, antivirus, and other security software.

2. Keep your eyes open for suspicious details. Compare the email addresses and phone numbers that have contacted you to those of your title company. You may be able to spot differences that reveal the scammer.

3. Confirm all payment details. Call every agent or company asking you to wire money and confirm the payment instructions by talking to a real person.

4. Never email sensitive details. Share financial and personal information over the phone or, preferably, face-to-face.

5. Trust your gut. If something feels off, contact another reliable party to check whether everything is as it should be.

6. Get title insurance. Title insurance agencies can protect your ownership rights by ensuring you’re buying from the legal owners, making it less likely you’ll fall for fraud. They can also discover outstanding taxes, liens, or other liabilities with the house.

For reliable title insurance in the Rio Grande Valley, contact:

• Sierra Title, www.sierratitle.com

• Valley Land Title Company, www.valleylandtitleco.com

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.

Find a homebuilder at SouthTXSaves.com

Home Financing Made Easy

5 Reasons To Get A One-Time Construction Loan

Finding the right financing when building a custom home can be a challenge. Traditionally, you would go for a standard two-loan option. This means qualifying for a short-term loan to finance construction and a separate long-term loan for the mortgage.

You can make home financing much easier with a one-time construction loan—one lender, one appraisal, one loan qualification, one closing. This loan streamlines the entire process and brings you the amazing benefits below.

1

You Only Need to Qualify Once

A one-time construction loan has one lender finance both your building costs and mortgage. Rather than qualifying for two loans, this all-in-one financing option saves you time and effort as you need to fill out the paperwork and qualify only once. Plus, it helps eliminate duplicate fees, as well as future worries, should your financial status change before your home is completed.

2

One Loan Reduces Your Closing Costs

Since one lender finances the entire loan, you only need to pay closing costs once. Overall, you’re looking at thousands of dollars worth of savings by not paying twice for loan origination fees, appraisals, title searches, and title insurance. You can use the money you save to pay for other home ownership costs

that qualifies for a high-performance certificate from a recognized certification program like BUILT TO SAVE®.

3Enjoy Peace of Mind with Permanent Financing

Knowing that you’ve qualified for the one-time construction loan drastically reduces the stress of dealing with unexpected events. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, building a home can take up to a year. A lot can change in the meantime — you may lose your job, see a significant drop in your income, or incur sudden expenses. With a standard two-loan option, such events may prevent you from qualifying for the permanent mortgage loan. You could even lose your home in foreclosure.

When you qualify for a onetime construction loan, you’re automatically approved for both the construction loan and the permanent mortgage loan. You can focus on the building stage without worrying about potential obstacles down the road that would prevent you from moving into your new home.

4One Appraisal Involves Fewer Risks

As a borrower, one of your biggest worries will be passing the appraisal after your home is complete. If the finished home is appraised at the same value or higher than the original amount, you’re all set. But if the property value is appraised below the original loan, you must pay the difference— and that’s on top of paying the second appraisal fee.

With a one-time construction loan, you need just one appraisal. Not only does this mean that you pay the fee once, but it also reduces the risk of hidden costs if the finished property is valued too low.

5 You Have Plenty of Options to Choose From

One-time close loan options are available for any type of construction mortgage you may need, from conforming to jumbo loans. They are also applicable to governmentbacked mortgages. And if you can qualify for a VA or USDA loan, you can even enjoy the perks of a zero down payment.

To find out more about One-Time Construction Loans, contact Andrew Riddle / Thrive Mortgage at 956-279-7320 (see inside cover), and you’ll be ONE step closer to building your dream home.

Thrive Mortgage is an Equal Housing Lender Branch NMLS# 1900816 / RMLO NMLS#1469914.

SPONSORED BY MATERIALES EL VALLE, INC.

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 whether 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.

(956) 429-1069 www.EBluxuryliving.com ebconstructionllc@yahoo.com k @EB_LuxuryHomes Q EB Luxury Homes E

Jesus Espino - Builder / Owner

- JESUS ESPINO

DOMAIN DEVELOPMENT’S NEWEST COMMUNITIES

Domain Development is a highly reputable land developer in the Rio Grande Valley. Since 2013, the company has developed 30+ residential communities and 27+ shopping centers in McAllen, Pharr, Edinburg, Mission (Sharyland), and San Juan. Three of their newest communities are featured here— Brentwood Manor, Atwood Estates, and Falcons Cove.

Brentwood Manor, at the corner of N. McColl Rd. and Freddy Gonzalez Dr., is ready for the construction of your dream home. This high-end gated community of 104 lots is centrally located with easy access to all areas in Edinburg and McAllen. You’ll live minutes from everything you need including primary schools and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), medical care, shopping, exercise, restaurants, and entertainment. Brentwood Manor’s large lots are affordably priced and accommodate one-story (min. 1,800 sq. ft./liv) and two-story homes (min. 2,000 sq. ft./liv), with home prices expected to start in the $350K range. A key feature of Brentwood is the availability of natural gas which offers convenience if the power goes out, savings on utility bills, and efficiency in the kitchen.

will feature one-story (min. 1,550 sq. ft./liv) and two-story homes (min. 1,900 sq. ft./liv) from fine custom builders in the Valley. Atwood Estates is now complete with homes under construction. It offers 115 spacious residential lots with prices starting from $60K’s for 6,300 sq. ft. to $81K’s for 8,455 sq. ft. homesites, including many choice cul-de-sac lots. Lot reservations are now available—with several already booked. Home prices are expected to start in the $290K’s.

Atwood Estates , at the corner of Hoehn Drive and Schunior Street in Edinburg, is a private, gated 25-acre community in a highly sought-after area. It has easy access to business districts, shopping, and great schools, including Harvest Christian Academy, Texas A&M, and UTRGV. The community

Falcons Cove is a perfect location for your new McAllen home. The community, with 143 single-family lots, is currently under development. It will be North McAllen’s newest high-end gated community. Located at the southwest corner of Freddy Gonzalez Dr. and N. 23rd, Falcons Cove provides quick and easy access to McAllen, Edinburg, and Mission. Tucked away in a quiet part of McAllen, it’s close to primary schools, UTRGV, and business districts. The community is now open for lot reservations and features estate-sized homesites in sizes from .25 acres to 1 acre with lot prices ranging from $69K to $109K.

To reserve your dream homesite in one of these new communities, visit www.domain- development.com or call (956) 227-0283. See page 37 for more information and download community brochures at www.rgvNewHomes Guide.com.

BANK OF SOUTH TEXAS OPENS NEW BRANCH IN EDINBURG

Bank of South Texas has been serving the Rio Grande Valley community since 2006. The bank’s rapid expansion in the Valley is due to a well-deserved reputation for excellence in customer service. When you combine their friendly and individual-focused attention with the service and commitment of Bank of South Texas’ staff, it’s easy to understand why the Valley’s residents have come to rely on them.

The bank provides personal, business, and loan products and services, offering personalized financial solutions according to the unique needs of their customers. The quick construction loans and high approval rates that have made Bank of South Texas the preferred lender for many builders and mortgage lenders in South Texas will be available at the new Edinburg location. Bank of South Texas invites everyone to stop by and experience why

RANDY PLUMLEE: NEW SPEER ENERGY CODE PROGRAM MANAGER

Energy

After earning an AAS degree in Residential Building Performance and receiving his International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and RESNET Home Energy Rating System (HERS) certifications, he worked as a Comfort Specialist doing energy audits, energy modeling, and field inspections for one of the largest third-party energy raters in North Texas. In the following years, Randy continued to expand his knowledge of the industry, earning additional certifications in above-code programs.

SPEER is a non-profit regional (Texas and Oklahoma) energy efficiency organization whose goal is to facilitate and accelerate the adoption of advanced building systems and energy-efficient products and services by providing training and other resources to building industry professionals.

Visit www.eepartnership.org to become a member of SPEER or for more information.

A Grand Opening for the newest Bank of South Texas branch in Edinburg, Texas, was held on September 15. The new Edinburg branch, at 320 East University, brings the total number of the bank’s locations in the Rio Grande Valley to four. Other Bank of South Texas locations include McAllen, Pharr, and Mission, with two additional locations outside the Valley in Kingsville and Hebbronville.

they have become a trusted name in banking, building long-lasting customer relationships. For more information, see www.BankOfSouthTexas.com. Call or visit the new branch location at 320 East University, Edinburg, Texas.

Randy Plumlee, IECC, HERS, RESNET QAD, LEED GR, LEED QAD, was recently appointed as the new South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource (SPEER)

Code Program Manager. Randy, a native of North Texas, has over 25 years of experience in the fields of energy efficiency and sustainable building practices.

Randy’s career includes working for seven years as the Regional Field Manager for Dallas-Fort Worth: hiring, training, and mentoring field team members to facilitate their understanding of the IECC and how to apply the code to their inspection processes. Randy’s extensive experience in the industry and his obvious passion for anything related to energy-efficient construction make him uniquely qualified for his new position and a valuable asset to the SPEER team.

©Codesem

Local Veteran Honored with Mortgage-Free Home

On October 21, 2022, U.S. Army Specialist Jacob Sanchez and his family were honored with a mortgage-free home from Operation Finally Home. The home, located in Nebraska Heights in Alamo, Texas, was made possible by the support of the organization’s sponsors—H-E-B, Courtesy Custom Homes, and McCoy’s Building Supply—and with help from local contractors, suppliers, and donors. The brother-sister team of Carlos and Rosita Juvera, owners of Courtesy Custom Homes, gen erously donated the two lots needed for the large home. They also do nated their time and labor to make the home a reality for Jacob (Jake), his wife Samantha (Sam), and their six children: Jacob (10), Jason (9), Jackson (6), Scarlett (7), Penelope (4), and Aubriela (2).

Specialist Jacob Sanchez joined the Army in 2009 as a Cavalry Scout, initially stationed in Ft. Knox, Kentucky. He deployed to Afghanistan, and on July 5, 2011, insurgents attacked his unit with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire. Sanchez, the gunner for his lead truck crew, immediately returned fire, but his gun jammed. He knew his crew’s lives depended on him so—without hesitation—he jumped on the truck. While exposed to enemy fire, he was able to fix his weapon. A second jam soon occurred, but this time he was not able to repair the weapon because of intense enemy fire from all sides. In the end, he was able to help his crew survive the attack, but Sanchez’ friend, a truck commander in a neighboring vehicle, did not—a solemn reminder of the ultimate sacrifice many of our veterans make.

During his service in Iraq, Sanchez suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and, as a result of his many missions, currently suffers from post-traumatic stress and migraine headaches. He was medically re tired with an honorable discharge in 2013 and received several service awards, including a Combat Action Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.

The Sanchez family was touched by the outpouring of support from the community and feels truly blessed to receive the mortgage-free home. Despite all they have been through, the members of the Sanchez family remain strong in their faith and are grateful for their extended family, friends, and the organizations that helped them realize their dream of owning a home.

Operation Finally Home is a national nonpartisan, non-profit organi zation that provides custom-built mortgage-free homes and home modifications to injured veterans, first responders, and the families of the fallen. Since its founding in 2015 by Dan Wallrath, Operation Finally Home has been “Honoring Heroes with Homes,” impacting the lives of more than 400 families in 34 states. To date, Operation Finally Home has completed:

• 206 new homes (59 being planned or constructed)

• 85 home modifications (53 being planned or constructed)

• 5 tiny homes (39 being planned or constructed)

The organization provides communities, builders, and suppliers oppor tunities to do what they’ve always wanted to do—give back to veterans and others who have sacrificed so much for us. Together with Opera tion Finally Home, they all help put a roof over the heads of heroes and their families who do not have that ability because of the injuries they sustained as a result of serving us.

If

Specialist Jacob Sanchez thanking the home’s builders, Carlos and Rosita Juvera (standing), the brother-sister company of Courtesy Custom Homes. (bottom L-R:) Operation Finally Home founder, Dan Wallrath; Lee Kirgan /OPFH Construction Manager; (back:) Brian McCoy / McCoy’s Building Supply Board Chairman. For more photos, visit rgvNewHomesGuide.com/OPFH Sanchez Home.

U.S. Army Specialist Jacob Sanchez in Afghanistan 2011 serving in 6th Squadron, 4th Calvary Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division.

THE SANCHEZ FAMILY: Jacob (Jake) and Samantha (Sam) with their six children: Jacob, Jason, Jackson, Scarlett, and Penelope in front of their new 5 bedroom/3 bath mortgage-free home.

you would like to help Operation Finally Home with its mission, visit www.operationfinallyhome.org/donate

Photo courtesy of H-E-B

Ready to buy a home?

If you can answer “yes” to the questions below, you’re ready to buy your own home:

Once you finish your mortgage payments, you’ll own a home that you can sell or pass along to loved ones after your death. Along the way, you may enjoy tax benefits.

But it’s a big responsibility. When you own a home, you pay for repairs, along with any property taxes, insurance, and Homeowner Association dues that apply. If you want to move, you normally try to sell your home first before buying another one.

Do you have at least two years of regular, steady income?

Is your income reliable?

Save for a down payment Most lenders won’t lend you the full price of a home. They want you to come up with some of the money yourself. That money is called a down payment.

Do you have good credit?

Do you have just a few long-term debts, like car payments?

Saving up for a down payment can be difficult. But a large down payment can help you get a mortgage and reduce the interest rate you pay.

pdf out of proportion need correct bleeds

Have you saved money for a down payment?

Can you pay a mortgage every month?

Can you pay other costs, like insurance and taxes?

Can you set aside money for home ownership costs, like moving, new furniture, and home maintenance?

The amount of the down payment depends on the type of loan. Making a 20% down payment increases your chances of getting approved for a loan. But you might qualify for a loan program that requires only a low down payment, or no down payment at all.

For example, imagine you want to buy a home worth $200,000: • 20% down payment is $40,000

• 5% down payment is $10,000

• 3.5% down payment is $7,000

If you can’t afford a down payment of 20%, your lender may make you pay for mortgage insurance. That increases your monthly costs.

Learn more at www.consumerfinance.gov

Source: Consumer Finance Protection Bureau

Owning a home can give you stability, security, and protection from rising housing costs.

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 take 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, the mortar bed slope may have been done improperly or not at all, the builder may have accidentally nailed through the pan liner, the corners may not be leak-proofed properly, or the weep holes in the drain may be obstructed. 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 takeaway 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 are 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.materialeselvalleinc.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.

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.

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 magazine 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. For more information about rebates, contact:

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

ENJOY

BUILT TO SAVE® high-performance home requirements are designed to ensure that the home’s construction provides energy efficiency and quality that will be superior to homes built only to minimum code requirements.

A home that receives a BUILT TO SAVE® certificate has been modeled, inspected, and tested by an independent licensed Home Energy Rater to verify that the home has complied with the requirements of the program.

LTR CONSTRUCTION - Most Energy Efficient Home Award 2022

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

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

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.

Builders (956)

| treasurebuilders@att.net www.TreasureBuildersllc.com Waldo Homes (956) 466-8590 | luiswaldo@yahoo.com www.WaldoHomesRGV.com Villa Homes (956) 431-0376

Treasure

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 20 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.

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.

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

AFFORDABLE HOMES of SOUTH TEXAS, Inc.

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

Atwood Estates 231 D-8

Bentley Estates 226 I-10

Brentwood Manor 232 F-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

ALAMO

Nebraska Heights ................ 050.. M-15

PALMHURST

Hidden Pond 526 I-5

WESLACO

King Estates 701 O-18

Mira Vista 702 P-19

Tierra Santa 703 Q-16

MAP LISTING NUMBER

PRICES & PROPERTIES FOR SALE

CITY COLOR CODE

Mission McAllen

NEBRASKA HEIGHTS ALAMO

Nebraska Heights is a cozy, one-street community of 24 build-ready and affordably priced lots and homes. It is in a quiet area of Alamo, yet is close to Expressway 83 for quick travel to anywhere in the Valley. This is a perfect opportunity to own a home from Courtesy Custom Homes, a premier builder in the Valley since 1993. Their friendly and courteous customer service, along with their excellence in construction, will make your home-building experience memorable and happy. Nebraska Heights features a Homeowners Association and owner financing.

Contact: Carlos Juvera (956) 778-3750/702-0063 | carlos@courtesycustomhomes.com

ISD: PSJA - (956) 354-2150 | Elem: Santos Livas | Mid: Alamo | High School: PSJA Memorial Early College

BRENTWOOD MANOR

Brentwood Manor is a high-end gated community of 104 lots located at N. McColl Rd. and Freddy Gonzalez Dr. in Edinburg, with easy access to areas in Edinburg and McAllen. It is minutes from UTRGV, hospitals, and shopping centers, and is across the street from an H-E-B grocery store. The community’s affordably priced lots are perfect for one-story (min. 1,800 sq. ft./liv) and two-story homes (min. 2,000 sq. ft./liv). Brentwood Manor also features natural gas, offering convenience if the power goes out, savings, and better cooking control in the kitchen.

www.Domain-Development.com

Contact: Dan Cantu (956) 227-0505 | dan@aurielinvestments.com

ISD: Edinburg - (956) 289-2300 | Elem: Canterbury | Mid: BL Garza | High School: Robert Vela

Estates, is a new private gated community in Edinburg’s most sought-after residential area. This beautiful community with two access points is located 1 block from N. 10th St and 107, and minutes away from shopping centers and excellent schools, including Harvest Christian Academy, Texas A&M, and UTRGV. The 115 spacious lots—available for 1-story (min. 1,550 sq. ft./liv) and 2-story homes (min. 1,900 sq. ft./liv)—are open for reservations. The community also has several choice cul-de-sac lots. Don’t delay. Book your lot today.

EDINBURG