Contents

PUBLISHER

Across Media Marketing, LLC

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Jose Vielma

SENIOR EDITOR

Barbara Zapffe

SALES MANAGER

Jose R. Vielma

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Bobo Adanwen

ADVERTISING SALES

Ken Sabe

IT SPECIALIST

Nadine Sabe

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Trained to Verify High-Performance

Independent third-party inspectors are the key to verifying the energy efficiency of BUILT TO SAVE® and ENERGY STAR® homes.

2023 Leading Energy Efficient Builders

Meet an elite group of builders who certify their homes in the BUILT TO SAVE® and/or the ENERGY STAR® High-Performance Home Programs. Their commitment to superior construction is exemplary.

4 Steps to Acheiving BUILT TO SAVE®

See an illustrated view of the steps to a BUILT TO SAVE® High-Performance Home Certification.

AEP Texas Honors 3 Local Builders

AEP Texas recognizes the top performers in its HighPerformance Homes Program for superior energyefficient construction in the Rio Grande Valley.

Insulation Basics–What You Should Know

Find out why choosing the right insulation contractor is as important as choosing the right insulation.

7 Reasons for a BUILT TO SAVE® Home

How can you be sure your home is energy-efficient? It’s easy. Read this and you will know.

Cover Feature

THE 2023 MARKET LEADERS IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY CONSTRUCTION. Meet the builders leading the industry in building superior homes that outperform homes built to minimum code. (See page 8)

Homebuying Tips

Homebuyer Checklist for 2023

Check all the boxes and you’ll be on your way to your dream of a new home in the new year.

FINANCING

Shopping for a Home Mortgage FAQs

Find answers to common questions about home loans to help you compare loans and get the best deals.

BUILDER INDUSTRY NEWS

Sierra Title Annual Tamalada

Sierra’s 41st annual Tamalada continues its tradition after a pandemic-induced pause.

Matt’s Building Materials Groundbreaking

The Rio Grande Valley’s oldest lumberyard rebuilds after a devastating fire on New Year’s day in 2022.

Texas Energy Code HERS Index Workshop

RESNET, Texas Association of Builders, and the Rio Grande Valley Builders Association present a class on House Bill 3215.

Affordable Homes of South Texas Fairs

Attend AHSTI’s Home Buyer Fairs offering bi-lingual education and countless exhibits.

NEW HOME COMMUNITIES

New Home Community Map

Color-coded maps with the most up-to-date listings of 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

FOR ADVERTISING RATES AND INFORMATION: (956) 778-3590 www.RgvNewHomesGuide.com /rgvnewhomesguide @rgvnhg @rgvnewhomes VOL.31 ISSUE 1 — FEB / MARCH / APRIL 2023 2023L eading ENERGY-EFFICIENTBuilders 8 13 38 2

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.