nd It’s Only the Beginning
Over the last 40 years, the organization saw several name changes and mergers, with the most recentPUBLISHER name change to Acrossof Media LLC Affordable Homes SouthMarketing, Texas, Inc. (AHSTI) occurring in 2008, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF along with an expansion to provide Jose Vielma assistance to other cities in Hidalgo and Cameron Counties.
FEB / MAR 2016 VOLUME 24 ISSUE 2
& INCOME
06 AHSTI 40TH ANNIVERSARY
SENIOR EDITOR
Affordable Homes of South Texas celebrates 40Also duringBarbara the last 40 years, the Zapffe
began expanding the years of making the dream of home ownership organization a
06 A 40
MATTER
reality for thePresent Rio Grande Valley’s economically Day disadvantaged.
type of services offered. Originally ADVERTISING MANAGER offering only home Jose R.rehabilitation Vielma assistance, soon new construction Ken Sabe was added along with homebuyer education classes. CREATIVE DIRECTOR
‘‘
OUR CLIEN MADE AHS INCOME & DEBT MATTER Don’t just wonder how much10 home Erika Sanchez Fast forward to 2016 and AHSTI WHAT IT YOU CAN AFFORD!Understanding your debt-to-income ratio can help has becomeGRAPHICS one of the leading / PHOTOGRAPHY TODAY. W you calculate how much home you can afford and community Laura development Soria organizations in the Rio Grande required by your lender to qualify you for WOULD N YEAR LEGACY... what’s Valley and across the nation. a home loan. Currently, AHSTI offers services BE WHER Let’ s be friends! in homebuyer development counseling and education, lending, WE ARE IF 14 BUILT TO SAVE™ CERTIFIED HOMESnew home construction, and home /rgvnewhomesguide WEREN’ Find out the difference between a home built torehabilitation. /rgvnhg FOR THE code and a Built To Save ™ home certified to beAdding to those services are two
And It’s Only the Beginning
community programs that AHSTI -Robert “Bobby” Cal /rgvnewhomes AHSTI’s Executive Dir coordinates for the benefit of Valley residents. The Home Buyer’s ny businesses or organizations are able the city and prompted a survey to determine the event dedicated 24 RGVBA ANNOUNCES AWARDEES Fair is an annual ebrate their 40th anniversary, but in 2016 extent of substandard housing in McAllen. The THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY AREA NEW HOMES to prospective homeowners and publication of Across GUIDE (NHG) is a bimonthly non-profit organization has achieved that survey revealed that over 1,700 homes were without The Rio Grande Valley Builders Association Media Marketing, and is provided to its offers free admission, freeLLC. credit Affordable Homes of South Texas, Inc., indoor plumbing, and over 1,300 structures needed readers free of charge. Unless otherwise noted, all reports, andphotography, free bilingual seminars announces Infinity Homes as Builder of the artwork, and editorial content printed been dedicated to improving the lives substantial repairs to be considered livable. on how to buy a home. The Home in NHG are copyrighted material and may not be through home rehabilitation and the Year and McCoy’s Building Supply as AssociateBuyer’s Fairduplicated or reprinted without express written is held twice a year. new homeownership opportunities, is In response, prominent business and community permission. NHG and Across Media Marketing, Member LLC. are not responsible for typographical g their 40-year legacy all year long. members began raising funds to address these of the Year for 2015. Congratulations! or production errors, or for the accuracy of The other program is the Volunteer issues and convinced the City of McAllen to match provided by the advertisers. Opinions Income Tax information Assistance Program can media publicity that identified expressed by writers and contributors do not dverse their fundraising goal of $100,000 if it was met. The INCOME (VITA) thatTo offers freerepresent income tax ge necessarily the opinions of the publisher. The Built Save™ Program for highX, as the city with the worst substandard goal was met and matched, thus creating McAllen the right to refuse preparationNHG andreserves electronic filing for any advertising need to comfort of consistent temperatures from room itions in America was a wakeup call for Housing Services inthe 1976. which we deem unsuitable for our publication. performance homes requires families making $54,000 a year that or each TI) ratio. dividing all of these expenses by your gross to room without having one room hot and the EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY less. This program is operational home undergo these two tests, performed monthly income. BUILDER I n d u s t r y N e w s ation All real estate advertising in this magazine is • Front-End 28% during the tax season every year. otherRatio: cold is a huge benefit made possible by
a high performance home.
10
oney ns are hly debt ER nder S. to u sign
OS DTIs 40% e out
w
his ing y at cted owner es, er’s
2. Back-End of Total Debt Ratio: For this ratio, your lender will look at all of your debt, not just that related to the house. This will include every item in the Housing Ratio as well as student loans, credit card debt, alimony and child support, auto loans, and so on. This larger debt amount will then be divided by your gross monthly income. Studies suggest that people who have a Total Debt Ratio of 43% or lower are more likely to be able to make good on all their debts. When the ratio is higher than 43%, people often run into financial trouble. However, 43% is generally the highest most lenders will go. Ideally, you want your debtto-income limits to be no higher than the following:
14
• Back-End Ratio: 36%
THEinsulation RIO GRANDEand VALLEY BUILDERS making sure the duct work ASSOCIATION
and the Amendments Act of 1988 which makes
completed toit illegal insure that the of to advertise “anyleakiness preference, limitation
HOW TO USE YOUR installed and thePRESENTS or discrimination based on race, color, religion, are properly heating, the home is sex, within thefamilial acceptable handicap, status, or national origin, DEBT-TO-INCOME RATIOS TO or an intention to make any such preference, and cooling unit is not too CALCULATEventilation, HOW MUCH qualifying range. limitation or discrimination.” This magazine will not Awardssized for 2015 HOME YOUbig CAN knowingly accept any advertising for real estate or AFFORD too small but properly to which is in violation of the law. Our readers are Home lenders use front-end your home’s exact needs. Knowing hereby informed thatINSPECTION all dwellings advertised& in www.mccoys.com www.InfinityHomesRGV.com • THERMAL BYPASS and back-end ratios to determine this magazine are available on an equal opportunity that your family is breathing clean, basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD tollCONSTRUCTION CHECKLIST. whether to grant you a mortgage. free at 1-800-669-9777 or contact HUD’s regional pollutant-free air has to top the So before you start to shopindoor for office in Ft.for Worth, at (817) In order to qualify theTexas Built To 885-5521. Save™ The telephone number for the hearing impaired is homes, itlist canof bebenefits very helpful to a Built To Save™ from certification,1-800-927-9275. a home must earn a HERS estimate what monthly mortgage designed to control how and how much home score of 76 or The lower theHomes HERS Theless. Rio Grande Valley New Guide payment is safe for you. is published bimonthly by: air To moves insimply and out of for your do so, look a house. score, the more energy efficient the home Across Media Marketing, LLC. debt-to-income ratio calculator will be. A Built To Save home must 1601 N. 8th St. • McAllen, Tx 78501 (LtoR): Leroy Garza, Regional Manager; Manny Gonzalez, Pharr Store Manager; online. Input different mortgage Pictured (LtoR): Mario Peña and Eddie Garza, Founders and Joe Rodriguez, Commercial Sales Manager also pass a thermal bypass inspection FOR ADVERTISING RATES AND INFORMATION: amounts to figure out how much he Rio Grande Valley Builders Association (RGVBA) cCoy’s Building Supply was honored at the annual (956) 971-9700 • www.rgvnewhomesguide.com when the home is in framing to make presented its 2015 Builder of the Year Award to Christmas Party of the Rio Grande Builders you can safely afford.
“Builder of the Year” and A “ ssociate Member of the Year” HOMES
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WHY DOESN’T EVERY BUILDER BUILD A T HIGH-PERFORMANCE HOME?
Infinity Homes during the Association’s annual Christmas Party in December at the McAllen Country Club. Eddie Garza and Mario Peña, founders of Infinity Homes, were honored for their generous contributions of time and resources in support of the Builders Association. The Builder of the Year Award is presented annually by the RGVBA to a builder member (individual or business)
want to be faced with missing a mortgage payment, so try to keep your ratios as low as possible
D
want to consider a smaller house necessary. wdetailing your debt payments. You may Thealso short answer: not buying enough people ask ifbuilders for them because they
24.2 2016 www.rgvnewhomesguide.com 2 ratherVolume guidelines than pushing the limits, you’ll thank yourself later.
r
by a licensed home rater, the home is subject to the Federalafter Fair Housing Act of 1968
(956) 971-9700
don’t know the difference from a home built to code. The long answer is that as long
M
Association (RGVBA) with the Lester Miles Associate of the Year Award. The award is the highest award an Associate member can receive from the RGVBA and is presented every year to an individual or company that has gone above and beyond in support of the organization throughout the year.
sure the insulation is properly installed and to ensure that air and thermal barriers are consistent
And It’s Only the Beginning
Present Day
1975
A 40 YEAR LEGACY...
And It’s Only the Beginning N
ot many businesses or organizations are able to celebrate their 40th anniversary, but in 2016 one Valley non-profit organization has achieved that milestone. Affordable Homes of South Texas, Inc., which has been dedicated to improving the lives of families through home rehabilitation and the creation of new homeownership opportunities, is celebrating their 40-year legacy all year long. In 1975, adverse media publicity that identified McAllen, TX, as the city with the worst substandard living conditions in America was a wakeup call for
6
Volume 24.2 2016
www.rgvnewhomesguide.com
(956) 971-9700
the city and prompted a survey to determine the extent of substandard housing in McAllen. The survey revealed that over 1,700 homes were without indoor plumbing, and over 1,300 structures needed substantial repairs to be considered livable. In response, prominent business and community members began raising funds to address these issues and convinced the City of McAllen to match their fundraising goal of $100,000 if it was met. The goal was met and matched, thus creating McAllen Housing Services in 1976.
Over the last 40 years, the organization saw several name changes and mergers, with the most recent name change to Affordable Homes of South Texas, Inc. (AHSTI) occurring in 2008, along with an expansion to provide assistance to other cities in Hidalgo and Cameron Counties. Also during the last 40 years, the organization began expanding the type of services offered. Originally offering only home rehabilitation assistance, soon new construction was added along with homebuyer education classes. Fast forward to 2016 and AHSTI has become one of the leading community development organizations in the Rio Grande Valley and across the nation. Currently, AHSTI offers services in homebuyer development counseling and education, lending, new home construction, and home rehabilitation. Adding to those services are two community programs that AHSTI coordinates for the benefit of Valley residents. The Home Buyer’s Fair is an annual event dedicated to prospective homeowners and offers free admission, free credit reports, and free bilingual seminars on how to buy a home. The Home Buyer’s Fair is held twice a year. The other program is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) that offers free income tax preparation and electronic filing for families making $54,000 a year or less. This program is operational during the tax season every year.
‘‘
OUR CLIENTS MADE AHSTI WHAT IT IS TODAY. WE WOULD NOT BE WHERE WE ARE IF IT WEREN’T FOR THEM.
’’
-Robert “Bobby” Calvillo, AHSTI’s Executive Director
In an effort to continue its core mission for another 40 years and more, AHSTI has become a next generation non-profit organization by launching unique social enterprises in realty, property management, new home construction, insurance, and even a submarine sandwich shop. These new subsidiaries are designed to provide a revenue stream back to the organization to help offset financial losses during times when grant funding is limited. Throughout 2016, AHSTI will be celebrating in unique ways with the focus being on the homeowners. These events include a new frame home giveaway for an elderly or disabled family, funding for the new AHSTI training house (a learning lab that teaches homeowners maintenance and repair skills), a mortgage-free year for one eligible AHSTI homeowner (up to $10,000), and a mortgage-free month for 12 AHSTI homeowners (up to $600). “We could not think of a better way to celebrate AHSTI’s 40th anniversary than to give back to our clients,” says Robert “Bobby” Calvillo, AHSTI’s Executive Director who is also celebrating his 20th year with the organization this year. “Our clients made AHSTI what it is today. We would not be where we are if it weren’t for them.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
www.ahsti.org (956) 687-6263 NMLS # 346848
Affordable Homes of South Texas, Inc. 500 S.15th // McAllen, TX 78501
Volume 24.2 2016
7
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FEATURING RESIDENCES
& INCOME MATTER
Don’t just wonder how much home YOU CAN AFFORD!
W
ant to make sure you can manage your mortgage payments? Then you need to understand your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. WHAT IS DTI? It’s a quick calculation of your gross monthly income (the money you earn before taxes and deductions are subtracted) compared to your monthly debt payments. With this information, a lender can estimate whether you’ll be able to afford a certain mortgage before you sign on the dotted line. TYPES OF DEBT-TO-INCOME RATIOS There are generally two types of DTIs used by lenders when trying to figure out your eligibility for a mortgage: 1. Front-End or Housing Ratio: In this calculation, your lender will look only at home-related debt. It includes expected monthly mortgage payments, homeowner association (HOA) fees, property taxes, mortgage insurance, and homeowner’s insurance. The ratio is calculated by
INCOME
dividing all of these expenses by your gross monthly income. 2. Back-End of Total Debt Ratio: For this ratio, your lender will look at all of your debt, not just that related to the house. This will include every item in the Housing Ratio as well as student loans, credit card debt, alimony and child support, auto loans, and so on. This larger debt amount will then be divided by your gross monthly income. Studies suggest that people who have a Total Debt Ratio of 43% or lower are more likely to be able to make good on all their debts. When the ratio is higher than 43%, people often run into financial trouble. However, 43% is generally the highest most lenders will go. Ideally, you want your debtto-income limits to be no higher than the following:
• Front-End Ratio: 28% • Back-End Ratio: 36% HOW TO USE YOUR DEBT-TO-INCOME RATIOS TO CALCULATE HOW MUCH HOME YOU CAN AFFORD Home lenders use front-end and back-end ratios to determine whether to grant you a mortgage. So before you start to shop for homes, it can be very helpful to estimate what monthly mortgage payment is safe for you. To do so, simply look for a debt-to-income ratio calculator online. Input different mortgage amounts to figure out how much you can safely afford.
Remember: You never want to be faced with missing a mortgage payment, so try to keep your ratios as low as possible and be thorough when detailing your debt payments. You may also want to consider buying a smaller house if necessary. By sticking to the ratio guidelines rather than pushing the limits, you’ll thank yourself later.
MORTGAGE CALCULATOR: www.rgvnewhomesguide.com/mortgagecalculator/ SHOPPING FOR A HOME LOAN? Call for a FREE QUALIFICATION:
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Volume 24.2 2016
Inter National Bank: (956) 664-8401
NEW HOMEBUYER 411 | BUILT TO SAVE™
THIS ARTICLE WILL SERIOUSLY CHANGE
qZ
Y
WAY YOU SHOP FOR A NEW HOME
W
ould you buy a car based only on its price and how pretty It looks? Of course
not! You’d want to know things like its fuel efficiency—how many miles to the
gallon you can expect to get—and you’d most likely try to find out if the interior is comfortable by sitting in the driver’s seat, turning on the radio, and checking out how the air conditioner works. Ideally, you would want to test drive the car in city traffic and in high-speed traffic to see how it performs. Car buyers generally do all of the above to make sure they are making the right decision—one they will be happy with and won’t regret. Yet, when making the biggest purchase of their lives, buying a home, many
people still base their buying decision on the price of a home and how pretty it looks.
S
These “holes” allow moisture and dust into your home, increasing the chance of condensation, mold, and mildew. More importantly, these leaks can cause up to 40% extra in heating and cooling costs. So how do you know if the new home you are getting ready to buy is leaky?
• BLOWER DOOR TEST & DUCT BLASTER TEST. There are two tests using specialized equipment and software that identify how leaky your home is. One is a Blower Door Test that measures the leakiness of the home’s envelope—how much air comes in and goes out through the home’s roof, windows, doors, and other openings throughout the home. The second is called a Duct Blaster Test and is designed to measure leaks in the joints and seams of the ductwork in the heating,
INTRODUCING THE BUILT TO SAVE™ CERTIFIED HIGH-PERFORMANCE HOMES PROGRAM.
ventilation, and air-conditioning DUCT BLASTER TEST
Built To Save™ is a certification awarded to new homes that have met certain
construction requirements designed to save
• A TYPICAL HOME CAN HAVE OVER ½ MILE OF CRACKS & CREVICES.
homeowners money on utilities with
tighter construction and better efficiency than a similar home built to meet only basic code requirements. Contractors will most certainly always state that their home is built
(HVAC) system. Both are performed by licensed Home
Energy Raters. The results from these two tests are entered into special software that measures how leaky a home is and calculates what is called
to be energy efficient. You won’t know if that’s the truth until you move in and by then,
a HERS Score—a Home Energy System
independent third-party home energy rater who gives you a guarantee that the home is more energy efficient than a similar home built to code. The home energy
indicator of how a home will perform with
it’s too late. With a Built To Save™ certified home, it’s not the contractor but rather an
rater also performs inspections and testing during construction and after completion
A HERS Score is an excellent predictor of a home’s energy efficiency and projected performance during its life. (See inside cover for a list of licensed HERS Raters).
to provide homeowners with a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Score.
g
IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE MONEY SAVED.
Sure, the money saved on utilities is huge, especially if
(HERS) Score. The HERS Score is a good regard to the consumption of energy. It is even possible to predict a home’s energy efficiency before it is built by using similar software and information from its blueprints. The obvious advantage is that modifications can be made to the blueprints to insure that the targeted HERS
BLOWER DOOR TEST
you consider that the savings will extend over the life of the
score will be met. For
home. But the money saved with a Built To Save™ certified
example, the size of windows, the number of
home isn’t the most important thing. Being able to enjoy
windows, and the direction they face all have an impact on the HERS score.
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Volume 24.2 2016
The Built To Save™ Program for highthe comfort of consistent temperatures from room
performance homes requires that each
to room without having one room hot and the
home undergo these two tests, performed
other cold is a huge benefit made possible by making sure the insulation and duct work
by a licensed home rater, after the home is completed to insure that the leakiness of
are properly installed and the heating,
the home is within the acceptable
ventilation, and cooling unit is not too
qualifying range.
big or too small but properly sized to your home’s exact needs. Knowing
that your
family is breathing clean, pollutant-free indoor air has to top the list of benefits from a Built To Save™ home designed to control how and how much air moves in and out of your house.
WHY DOESN’T EVERY BUILDER BUILD A HIGH-PERFORMANCE HOME?
D
• THERMAL BYPASS INSPECTION & CONSTRUCTION CHECKLIST. In order to qualify for the Built To Save™ certification, a home must earn a HERS score of 76 or less. The lower the HERS score, the more energy efficient the home will be. A Built To Save home must also pass a thermal bypass inspection when the home is in framing to make sure the insulation is properly installed and to ensure that air and
The short answer: not enough people ask builders for them because they
don’t know the difference from a home built to code. The long answer is that as long
thermal barriers are consistent
as home buyers are not asking for a high performance home, there isn’t any urgency
throughout the structure,
for a builder to do more than what is required by code—especially if it may mean
blocking the flow of air into
raising prices a little, re-training contractors, more planning, additional inspections,
THERMAL INSPECTION
and having his or her work held to a higher standard. Built To
Save™ builders who do certify their homes as Built To Save™ high performance homes build homes with a sense of ownership—they build their homes as if they and their
air conditioned. Additionally, an extensive list of items is required in areas pertaining to the home’s construction,
family are going to live in them. That in itself says a lot about the quality and care that
Y
goes into their homes.
or out of spaces that are not
INSULATION INSPECTION
WHO ARE THE BUILT TO SAVE™ BUILDERS?
Built To Save™ builders are leaders in the conservation of energy and make an extra effort and investment in building homes that will provide lasting savings and benefits long after they hand over the keys to homebuyers. They should be commended for their commitment to building a better home than is required by current building codes. If you want a guarantee that your new home will be energy efficient, don’t just take someone’s word—turn to a Built To Save™ builder whose homes have been inspected, tested, and guaranteed to be high-performance homes by an independent thirdparty licensed by RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network), America’s leading home energy efficiency network. Visit www.BuiltToSave.org to view a list of Built to Save™ builders.
such as walls, ceilings, floors, insulation, and HVAC systems.
• LONG TERM BENEFITS TO OWNERS OF BUILT TO SAVE™ HOMES. The requirements of the Built To Save™ Program focus on building a home using a building science that will control the flow of air into and out of the home to provide for substantial savings in energy and to provide comfortable, consistent temperatures from room to room as well as improved indoor air quality.
FIND A HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUILDER AT: www.BuiltToSave.org
A Built To Save™ home will receive a Built To Save™ Certificate stating its HERS Score as proof of its energy efficiency—a proof that may become very helpful in increasing the home’s resale value in the years to come.
Volume 24.2 2016
15
BUILDER Industry News
CALTIA CONSTRUCTION GETS RECOGNIZED WITH “HIGHEST KWH SAVINGS FOR A SINGLE HOME” AWARD
Pictured (LtoR): Melissa Proske (AEP Texas); Raul Perez (Caltia Construction); Garrett Dorsey III (ICFI - Administrator to the AEP Texas High-Performance & ENERGY STAR Program).
AEP Texas honored Caltia Construction for participating in its High-Performance and ENERGY STAR Certified Program for 2015. Caltia Construction received the “Highest kWh Savings for a Single Home” award by qualifying with the lowest HERS score of “52.” Low HERS scores, like the ones achieved by Caltia Construction, are the best predictors of how well a home will perform with regard to energy consumption and are a testament to a home’s superior construction. Congratulations!
www.caltiaconstruction.com (956) 522-7918
WESTWIND HOMES RGV GETS RECOGNIZED WITH “HIGHEST CUMULATIVE KWH SAVINGS” AWARD
Pictured (LtoR): Melissa Proske (AEP Texas); Luis Gonzalez (Westwind Production Manager); Edward Garcia (RGV Division Sales Manager); Garrett Dorsey (ICFI - Administrator to the AEP High-Performance and ENERGY STAR Program).
AEP Texas honored WestWind Homes Rio Grande Valley for participating in its High-Performance and ENERGY STAR Certified Program for 2015. Westwind Homes, which has a large selection of homes in a variety of communities across the lower Valley, received the award for the “Highest Cumulative kWh Savings for 2015,” an award given to the builder who has constructed the most number of energy efficient homes in the Rio Grande Valley during the year. Congratulations!
www.westwindhomes.com (956) 261-9023.
(956) 971-9700
www.rgvnewhomesguide.com
Volume 24.2 2016
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Volume 24.2 2016
www.rgvnewhomesguide.com
(956) 971-9700
Because Your List is Long Enough Juggling work, after school activities, and family means that you are constantly on the go. Affordable Homes of South Texas, Inc. is a one-stop-shop that provides the resources and information for home buying right at your fingertips. As a community-building nonprofit, we keep your best interest at heart and streamline the process - allowing you to cross more items off your list and get back to your family.
Powered by NeighborWorks
®
Start looking at neighborhoods
www.ahsti.org
(956) 687-6263
(956) 971-9700
www.rgvnewhomesguide.com
NMLS# 346848
Volume 24.2 2016
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(956) 971-9700
locally owned. proud of it.
Since 1969, matt’s building materials has provided the valley with Quality products; everything you need for your next remodel or diy project. stop by and see why matt’s building materials is the longest running building materials supplier in the rgv. paint Doors fixtures Flooring windows & More
PHarr • san benito • palmview (956) 971-9700
www.rgvnewhomesguide.com
Volume 24.2 2016
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FACEBOOK FAN FAVORITE
Awarded to LIONGATE BUILDERS
It’s a well-known fact that the kitchen is one of the most popular rooms with home shoppers, and the tremendous interest in The New Homes Guide’s recent Fabulous Kitchen competition on Facebook underlines that fact. Congratulations to Liongate Builders who accumulated the most votes for its entry. Liongate Builders’ kitchen featured the contrast of old English country manor with flashes of contemporary stainless and glass. The dark wood cabinetry with carved pilasters, separate pantry, and black and white mosaic tile backsplash is very reminiscent of an English country kitchen while the shining porcelain tile flooring, granite countertops, designer-inspired lighting, sunny yellow walls, and ultra-modern stainless appliances introduce a contemporary flair. These two very different styles come together in the use of colors, materials, and textures that create a Fabulous Kitchen.
22
Liongate Builders is a custom builder providing quality construction and remodeling services Valleywide, with a majority of homes built within Edinburg, McAllen, Mission, Sharyland and surrounding communities. Call for an accurate estimate on your next project and see how Liongate Builders can build you a home you can take pride in. Visit www.liongatebuilders.com for more information on Liongate Builders, LLC, and to see a gallery of previous projects.
(956) 688-0875 www.facebook.com/lgbuildersllc
Want to see more Fabulous Kitchens?
Volume 24.2 2016
Visit www.rgvnewhomesguide.com to view videos.
(956) 971-9700
www.rgvnewhomesguide.com
Volume 24.2 2016
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BUILDER I n d u s t r y N e w s
THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY BUILDERS ASSOCIATION PRESENTS
“Builder of the Year” and A “ ssociate Member of the Year” Awards for 2015
www.mccoys.com
www.InfinityHomesRGV.com HOMES
Pictured (LtoR): Mario Peña and Eddie Garza, Founders
T
he Rio Grande Valley Builders Association (RGVBA) presented its 2015 Builder of the Year Award to Infinity Homes during the Association’s annual Christmas Party in December at the McAllen Country Club. Eddie Garza and Mario Peña, founders of Infinity Homes, were honored for their generous contributions of time and resources in support of the Builders Association. The Builder of the Year Award is presented annually by the RGVBA to a builder member (individual or business) who earns the recognition by providing outstanding support to the Association and its many functions throughout the year. Infinity Homes has been an active builder member, participating consistently in fundraisers, workshops, meetings, and other RGVBA events. The company is an annual participant in the Parade of Homes, the Association’s most important fundraiser of the year. Eddie Garza is individually committed to helping the RGVBA, as he is currently serving on the Board of Directors. Under Eddie and Mario’s leadership, Infinity Homes has established itself as a respectable builder of quality homes. The company has enjoyed great success as a builder and is currently in the process of developing its first subdivision, Sugar Oaks, at Sugar Road and Wisconsin Road in Edinburg. The RGVBA is proud to recognize Infinity Homes as Builder of the Year.
(LtoR): Leroy Garza, Regional Manager; Manny Gonzalez, Pharr Store Manager; and Joe Rodriguez, Commercial Sales Manager
M
cCoy’s Building Supply was honored at the annual Christmas Party of the Rio Grande Builders Association (RGVBA) with the Lester Miles Associate of the Year Award. The award is the highest award an Associate member can receive from the RGVBA and is presented every year to an individual or company that has gone above and beyond in support of the organization throughout the year. McCoy’s Building Supply has been a member of the RGVBA for over 5 years and through the many years has been an active, loyal, and supportive member of the Association and its activities. Joe Rodriguez and his staff can always be counted on to help with donations of door prizes, sponsorships, and help with fundraisers. McCoy’s employees and managers have consistently volunteered help when it is needed by the RGVBA and are very active in attending meetings and other RGVBA functions. Because the RGVBA is a non-profit organization with limited staff and resources, it relies on its membership’s generosity to meet day-to-day needs. The Associate Member of the Year Award recognizes members like McCoy’s Building Supply who form the backbone of a successful organization. McCoy’s Building Supply is a Texas family owned full line hardware and building supply center with locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley, and is a part of 86 McCoy’s Building Supply locations and two McCoy’s Millworks facilities in five states.
Rio Grande Valley Builders Associaton • 419 Nolana Ste. C, McAllen, TX 78504 • (956) 686-2932 • www.RGVBA.org
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(956) 971-9700
(956) 971-9700
www.rgvnewhomesguide.com
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+
FURNISHED
MODEL HOMES There is nothing like actually walking through a home. These builders have their homes furnished and ready for you to tour. Stop by and see which one FEELS like home.
WWW.RGVNEWHOMESGUIDE.COM BUILT TO SAVE™ & ENERGY STAR® Certifications represent homes with lower ownership costs, & require less energy for heating and cooling.
GreenBuilt RGV Certification represents homes that are built using products, technologies, and environmentally-friendly building practices.
McAllen
cAMI NO REA L
ADDRESS:
ADDRESS:
HOURS:
HOURS:
Hidden Cove 3600 N. 42nd St. McAllen, TX
La Puerta 13813 N 33rd McAllen, TX
Monday - Friday 9:00am to 6:30pm
www.caminorealbuilders.com \\
See ad on page 11.
SALES: Carlos Andreu: (956) 992-9501 caminorealbuilders@yahoo.com
Saturday 11:00am to 3:00pm
OFFICE:
Monday - Friday 8:30am to 6:00pm
www.caminorealbuilders.com \\
See ad on page 11.
SALES: Hector Franco: (956) 239-1618 hectorfranco@gmail.com
OFFICE: (956) 992-9501
ADDRESS:
ADDRESS:
HOURS:
HOURS:
Plantation Gap 7018 N. 44th Lane McAllen, TX
Tanglewood at Bentsen Palm 3611 Oriole Dr. Mission, TX
Monday - Friday 10:00am to 7:00pm
www.westwindhomes.com \\
See ad on page 16.
SALES: Sam Rangel: (956) 688-8321 srangel@westwindhomes.com
Saturday 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Sunday
www.divinecustomhomes.net \\
See ad on page 21.
SALES: Olga Treviño: (956) 467-1111 olga@divinecustomhomes.net
ADDRESS:
Retama Village at Bentsen Palm 2204 Seagull Lane Mission, TX
Tanglewood at Bentsen Palm 1920 Seagull Lane Mission, TX
Active Adult Community 55+
HOURS:
HOURS:
Tuesday - Saturday 10:00am to 6:00pm
Monday - Saturday 9:00am to 5:00pm
See ad on page 8.
SALES: Eddie Sligh: (956) 874-8676 eddie@mlrhodes.com
Sunday 1:00pm to 5:00pm
OFFICE:
www.bentsenpalm.com \\
See ad on page 8.
OFFICE:
SALES: Juan Pacheco: (956) 369-2456 juan@mlrhodes.com
(956) 380-6500 *See habla Español
HOMES
ADDRESS:
ADDRESS:
Tanglewood at Bentsen Palm 3701 Oriole Dr. Mission, TX
Summerfield Manor 4912 Juno Dr. Edinburg, TX
HOURS:
HOURS:
Monday - Friday 10:00am to 7:00pm
www.westwindhomes.com \\
See ad on page 16.
SALES: Eddie Sligh: (956) 874-8676 eddie@mlrhodes.com
28
Sunday & Monday Closed
Volume 24.2 2016
www.rgvnewhomesguide.com
Saturday 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Sunday Closed
(956) 971-9700
www.infinityhomesrgv.com \\ SALES: Eddie Garza: (956) 460-3290 Mario Peña: (956) 534-2353 info@infinityhomesrgv.com
See ad on page 25.
Monday - Saturday 10:00am to 6:00pm Sunday 11:00am to 5:00pm
OFFICE: (956) 460-3290
Edinburg
Mission
(956) 380-6500
Mission
Mission
Closed
Call for a personal tour.
ADDRESS:
www.westwindhomes.com \\
Saturday 10:00am to 3:00pm
Mission
McAllen
(956) 992-9501
McAllen
cAMI NO REA L
Edinburg
Midpoint Manor 1408 Mulberry Weslaco, TX
Summerset Estates 1412 Maravilla Dr. Edinburg, TX
HOURS:
Monday - Friday 10:00am to 7:00pm
HOURS: www.dhconstructionrgv.com \\
See ad on page 5.
SALES: Daniel Hernandez - (956) 778-0212
wa n t t o l i s t
your home? Call (956) 971-9700.
Daily Monday - Sunday 10:00am to 6:00pm
www.westwindhomes.com \\ SALES: Pete Lopez: (956) 969-2500 plopez@westwindhomes.com
See ad on page 16.
Saturday 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Sunday Closed
Weslaco
ADDRESS: ADDRESS: