A home with a BUILT TO SAVE® certificate allows homeowners to relax without worrying about high energy bills, unverified construction, and poor indoor comfort. A BUILT TO SAVE® certificate gives homeowners (1) the confidence in knowing their home was inspected, tested and verified by an independent licensed home energy Rater, and (2) the happiness in knowing their home is “above code” and of superior energy efficiency and high-performance construction.
Don’t take anyone’s word that your new home is of superior energy efficieny. Ask to see the BUILT TO SAVE® certificate!
• Lower Utility Bills
• Increased Home Comfort
• Better Indoor Air Quality
• Tighter Construction
• Less Maintenance
• Higher Market Value
• Third-Party Inspections & Testing
• Compliance with current Energy Codes
• “Above-Code” Compliance
• More Durability
• BUILT TO SAVE® Certificate
• LastingPeaceofMind
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
Ken Sabe, Jr.
Six Key Things You Must Know
You will live in your new home for 10, 20, 30 years or more. Here are some important things you should know before buying or building a home.
The Art of Touring Model Homes
You should know how to tour a model home to get the most out of your visit. Learn some essential things to keep in mind as you tour a model home.
Eight Tips for Finding the Right Builder
If you plan to build, know that the quality of your home will be as good as your builder. Learn about what to look for to make a good choice.
Spend Your Home Shopping Time Wisely
Don’t rush into buying a home–it’s a huge investment. These helpful tips will show you how to use your home shopping time wisely and efficiently.
Here’s a simple guide to borrowing money to finance the purchase or construction of a new home. Follow these easy steps to achieve your dream of owning a home.
SNEAK PREVIEW OF THE 2023
RIO GRANDE VALLEY BUILDERS ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL PARADE OF HOMES - JUNE 3-4 / 10-11
See what’s coming and start planning your touring vists. (Pages 6 & 7)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
2023 Leading Energy Efficient Builders
Read about local builders leading the industry in the Rio Grande Valley in the construction of highperformance homes.
BUILT TO SAVE® Builder Members
The builders listed here are active members of the BUILT TO SAVE® High-Performance Home Program and use licensed, third-party independent home energy Rater to verify their home’s energy efficiency.
HERS® INDEX TRAINING PRESENTATION
Texas House Bill 3215 recoginizes the Home Energy Rating System as a new pathway for energy code compliance in the State of Texas.
NEW HOME COMMUNITIES
New Home Community Map
Color-coded maps with the most up-to-date listings of new home communities in the area. Communities with one or more Parade entries are marked with a gold star for easy reference.
New Home Communities
At-a-glance information on everything you need to know about some of the finest new home communities in the Rio Grande Valley. Go online to rgvNewHomesGuide.com to download lot sheets and brochures or to contact the developer or builder.
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
Mailing Address: 3000 Melinda Drive, Edinburg, Tx 78539
FOR ADVERTISING RATES AND INFORMATION:
(956) 778-3590
www.RgvNewHomesGuide.com
/rgvnewhomesguide
@rgvnewhomes
@rgvnhg
Being told that your home is energy efficient is not the same as getting written verification from a home energy Rater licensed by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). Home Energy Raters are trained home energy inspectors who use specialized equipment and software to inspect, test, and verify that a home has met the requirements of high-performance home programs like BUILT TO SAVE®.
ASK YOUR BUILDER IF YOUR NEW HOME HAS BEEN VERIFIED
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 2 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: Home Energy Rater; ENERGY STAR® and BUILT TO SAVE® Certifications; HERS Rating for City Code Testing: Blower Door & Duct Leakage; Certificate of Occupancy (C of O); HVAC Heat Load Calculations for Manual J, D, & F; Valley-wide Service. RESNET license #2431025
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. BSI # 5298930
The Blower Door Test and the Duct Blaster Test are used to calculate a home’s Energy Rating Index (ERI—also referred to as the HERS score). Like miles per gallon (MPG) which measure the fuel efficiency of a car, an ERI (or HERS) score is an excellent predictor of a home’s energy efficiency—the lower the score, the higher the efficiency
BLOWER DOOR TESTS measure the leakiness of the home’s envelope— how much air comes in and goes out through the roof, windows, doors, and other openings in the home.
Required by code after Sept. 1, 2016.
DUCT BLASTER TESTS measure leaks in the joints and seams of the ductwork in the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system.
Required by code after Sept. 1, 2016 unless in conditioned space.
THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY BUILDERS ASSOCIATION BRINGS YOU A PREVIEW OF THE 2023 PARADE OF HOMES SCHEDULED FOR THE WEEKENDS OF JUNE 3-4 AND 10-11.
DURING THESE TWO WEEKENDS, SOME OF THE VALLEY’S FINEST BUILDERS WILL OPEN THEIR HOMES TO THE PUBLIC FOR VIEWING WITH NO ADMISSION FEE FROM 10AM TO 6PM DURING THE PARADE DATES.
Use this Sneak Preview to plan your visits to tour some of the finest homes in the Valley. See the latest in interior and exterior designs, including trending building materials and décor. You'll find homes of all sizes, architectural styles, designs, and budgets in popular new home communities in the Rio Grande Valley—covering McAllen, Mission, Edinburg, San Juan, and Progreso.
If you are ready to buy a new home or planning to buy one in the future, take advantage of the opportunity to speak individually with the builders and get a personal tour of their homes. At many of the homes, you will also be able to meet on-site mortgage lenders who will help answer questions and provide valuable financing information.
With so many homes to see, this Parade of Homes Sneak Preview will allow you to plan your visits more efficiently to find the home that best meets your needs.
Remember to go to www.RGVBA.org to get the latest information since more homes may have been added since this Preview went to press. You'll find driving directions to each home with accurate GPS coordinates since many of the homes’ addresses are new and may not appear correctly on Google and Apple maps.
Be sure and read the articles on pages 12 & 32 that offer advice on new home shopping and how to tour a model home to make sure you make the most of this once-a-year event. The RGVBA is proud to present this year's Parade entries. Check out the next page and start planning your Parade visits now!
For more information, visit www.RGVBA.org or call (956)686-2932.
Look for these official Parade of Homes feather flags & signs when driving around to find a Parade home entry.
Who doesn’t love spending a weekend peeking into newly constructed houses and getting a firsthand look and feel of what it would be like to move into that perfect home? There is nothing like walking into a freshly painted and decorated new home that is up for sale and picturing yourself coming home. But are you judging the home logically? Read these 6 valuable tips before you decide to build or buy your new home.
Although a home may feel perfect when you walk through on a tour, you are only scratching its surface. It is like going on a first date—the home looks good on the outside, but what is it like on the inside? Don’t be too quick to decide what is truly right for you based on the first glance of a seemingly attractive new home. Remember, you will live in your dream home for 10, 20, 30 years or more. It is well worth your time to put serious thought into it.
If you are shopping for your dream home, here are some key things to consider before getting emotionally serious about building or buying.
can you afford to buy?
Nothing is more depressing than touring a fantastic home you know you can’t afford. That just eats away at the soul.
Visit your mortgage lender and find out how big of a loan you can qualify for. If you can, get prequalified. Knowing how much you can afford to pay solves a lot of problems and shows sellers and builders you are serious about a new home. But remember— just because you qualify for a certain loan, that doesn’t mean that amount should be the price of a home you can afford. Work out a budget and include all the other hidden costs of buying and owning a home. Only then will you have a realistic idea of the home price range you should be looking at.
Remember, you will live in your new home for a long time. You should balance common sense and what you can afford when choosing the location of your home. If your job is in Edinburg but you begin looking in the mid-Valley, there can be problems ahead. And if you like the North McAllen neighborhoods but look south of Highway 83, again, you are defeating yourself. Do your homework. Visit your choice locations during peak traffic hours to experience what it would be like to live there, or after a heavy rain storm to see if the area floods.
Any “Joe Schmoe” can build a home. There have also been “builders” out there who were there one day and gone another. Find a builder who has been around for a while and who has a great reputation with both customers and suppliers (such as lumber companies and building supply stores). Suppliers are just as important because you can tell a lot about a company by the way it treats its vendors.
This RGV New Homes Guide magazine is a perfect place to start your search. We only promote builders who are active members of the BUILT TO SAVE® program— a high-performance home certification program designed to differentiate builders who voluntarily build energy-efficient, high-performance homes that surpass minimum code standards. Visit www.BuiltToSave.org for a list of registered builder members.
constructed homes. On June 3-4 and June 10-11, 2023, the Rio Grande Valley Builders Association (RGVBA) will host its annual Parade of Homes event. This is the perfect opportunity for driving around and looking at some of the finest model homes in the Rio Grande Valley. Go to www.rgvba.org for more information on the homes in the RGVBA 2023 Parade. Make sure you check out the Parade Preview on pages 6 & 7 to see the participants in this year’s Parade of Homes.
And remember, don’t be blinded by a home’s bling. Ask about what’s behind the walls and what you should expect in terms of energy efficiency and home comfort. The only way to know for sure that you are getting a high-performance home with superior quality and energy efficiency is to ask if the home is cont’d on pg.
certified in the BUILT TO SAVE® or ENERGY STAR® programs. Don’t settle for a home built to minimum code standards.
5
Ask builders for a custom-built home. When you look at a builder’s new home for sale, remember that it may be only a model for you. For example, that builder’s new home you see in McAllen can possibly be custom built for you in the area of your choice anywhere in the Valley. All the builders listed in our magazine would be happy to work with you in choosing a neighborhood and lot, assist with architectural design options, or find a home that matches your budget, needs, and desires. You are not limited to what you see in a model home. You CAN design your home and have it custom built to your needs!
6
Ask for a highperformance certificate.
Be prepared. No builder will say that their home is NOT a highperformance home. The question is whether the home is VERIFIED as a high-performance home. Homes verified by BUILT TO SAVE® or ENERGY STAR® receive an official certificate which will be invaluable for your peace of mind and if you decide to sell your home in the future. It will be difficult to convince potential buyers of your home’s high performance if all you have to show for it is the builder’s word.
Both BUILT TO SAVE® and ENERGY STAR® programs require third-party inspections and testing to verify that your home provides you with higher energy efficiency, better comfort, healthier indoor
air, and lower utility bills—more so than a similar home built only to minimum building code standards ever could. A highperformance home certificate also means that the home’s construction complies with the current International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Even homes built to minimum code standards should comply with the IECC. That would be another question to ask your builder, because not all municipalities enforce this law mandated by the State of Texas.
Knowing these 6 key things can get you on your way to a “Happy Ever After” in your new home. With the right information, the right choices, and the right people, building or buying a new home can be a wonderfully enjoyable and life-changing experience.
Everybody loves taking a peek at new model homes! The 2023 Rio Grande Valley Builders Association (RGVBA)
Parade of Homes, on June 3-4 and June 10-11, is a perfect opportunity to go tour the latest model home masterpieces by Valley builders. But touring a model home is not as simple as you might think—it is an art of its own. You should know how to tour a home to get the most out of your visit. Keep reading to learn the most essential things about model home touring.
A model home is a fully constructed house that you can tour in person, rather than just online. This allows you to walk through the actual floorplan offered by the homebuilder and evaluate the beauty and quality of their work with your own eyes.
When you arrive at a model home, a sales agent and perhaps even the builder may greet you at the door. If so, they will be available to answer your questions about the home’s layout and features. They can take you through every room and show you what everything looks like. As you tour the home, the sales agent will likely explain to you various options you can choose if you decide to have the home built for yourself—such as changes in floorplans, color schemes, appliances, and more. The model home will very likely be furnished and decorated to show potential buyers what living in it could be like.
Here are a few ideas on how to use your time wisely while touring model homes.
Make a Checklist and Take It with You: Are there features you must have in your future home? For example, if natural gas is important to you, find out whether the community offers natural gas. Perhaps you need four bedrooms or lots of storage space. Make a list of the must-haves and take it with you to compare it against any homes you tour.
Determine Your Price Range: Work with a mortgage counselor before you tour a model home to find out how much you can afford to pay. Be sure to only tour those houses that fit within your budget.
Ask Permission to Take Photos: It would be nice to take photos, but before shooting photos or video, it is best to first ask for permission. Not every sales agent or builder is open to the idea. It’s a simple courtesy and your host will greatly appreciate your tact.
Take Notes: If you tour more than two model homes, you should take notes about what you like and dislike in each. Often it’s easiest to pick up a brochure as you walk in and make your notes on it. This will make your decision later much easier.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions: The sales agent or builder is there to help you gather the information you need in order to make the right decision for you and your family. Be sure to take advantage of their knowledge by asking any questions you may have. You may even want to ask them if there was something you forgot to bring up during the tour that would be important to know.
Drive Around the Community: Is the community a place in which you’d enjoy living? Does it have a playground for your kids? Nice landscaping? Are there schools and supermarkets close by? Before you leave the neighborhood, drive around to check whether you can find everything you want and need.
Have Fun: Touring model homes and dreaming about your future house should be enjoyable. So, most of all, remember to have fun!
With these things in mind, you will be well-equipped to start perfecting the art of touring model homes. Why not go put your skills to the test at the Parade of Homes? One of the model homes might just be what you’ve always been looking for!
These are all helpful points to review as you tour model homes. But be sure to also gather information about each builder. In particular, ask builders if their homes comply with the State of Texas building code that requires a blower door test and a duct leakage test, and then ask to see the results. These tests are great for predicting the home’s energy performance. If you get lucky and discover your home has a BUILT TO SAVE® certificate, you don’t have to question the builder any further. The home has been verified by an independent home energy Rater to meet the high-performance requirements of the BUILT TO SAVE® program. Buying a new home certified as BUILT TO SAVE® is not just about saving money on utilities—it’s about improved comfort, indoor air quality, durability, and a good resale value if you ever decide to sell.
You’ll want to make several copies of this checklist and fill one out for each home you tour. Then, comparing your ratings later will be easy.
• Square footage
• Number of bedrooms
• Number of baths
• Practicality of floorplan
• Closet/storage space
• Fireplace
• Internet
• Kitchen area
• Laundry area
• Exterior appearance, swimming pool
• Lawn/yard space
• Fence
• Patio/outdoor amenities
• Garage
• Energy efficiency certifications
• Flooring
• Ceilings
• Age/condition
• Reputation
• Quality of teachers
• Achievement test scores
• Play areas
• Curriculum
• Class size
• Busing distance
• Appearance/condition of nearby homes/businesses
• Traffic
• Noise Level
• Safety/security
• Perimeter fence/gated
• Number of children
• Pet restrictions
• Parking
• Zoning regulations
• Neighborhood restrictions/ covenants
• Fire protection
• Police
• Common areas
• Garbage service
• Supermarket
• Schools
• Work
• Shopping
• Child care
• Hospitals
• Doctor/dentist
• Recreation parks
• Restaurants/entertainment
• Church/synagogue
• Airport
• Highways
• Public transportation Source: HUD; New Homes Guide.
(956) 800-8889 | rosendo@villanuevahomes.com
www.VillanuevaHomes.com
Villanueva Construction, founded in 1985 by Martin Villanueva, has almost four decades of excellent home-building experience. Since joining the BUILT TO SAVE® high-performance home program in 2016, the company has been at the forefront of building energyefficient homes. For the sixth year in a row, Villanueva Construction was honored with the Outstanding Achievement Award: “Most Homes Certified in the BUILT TO SAVE® Program.”
Divine Custom Homes
(956) 467-1111 | olga@divinecustomhomes.com
www.DivineCustomHomes.net
DIVINE Custom Homes is supremely committed to energy efficiency. Founder Olga Treviño offers homebuyers high-performance homes that provide comfort, safety, and healthy indoor air. DIVINE Custom Homes is the only builder in the Valley whose homes qualify for the EPA Indoor airPLUS program. All homes Olga Treviño builds qualify for the ENERGY STAR® program, and she adds BUILT TO SAVE® certifications in Magic Valley Energy Cooperative communities. The company can build in any price range and in any architectural style, anywhere in the Valley.
(956) 687-6263 | info@ahsti.org
www.ahsti.org
For decades, Affordable Homes of South Texas, Inc. (AHSTI) has provided affordable, energy-efficient homes to the low-income residents of the Rio Grande Valley. 100% of AHSTI’s homes comply with the requirements of ENERGY STAR®, and in Magic Valley Electric Cooperative communities are also certified as BUILT TO SAVE®. By building energy-saving high-performance homes, AHSTI makes maintaining homeownership truly more affordable for their homebuyers.
(956) 222-0721 | bellissimobuilders@gmail.com
www.BellissimoBuilders.com
Clemente Gonzalez and Rick Garza of Bellissimo Builders are innovative, quality-focused custom builders that embrace the core principles of the BUILT TO SAVE® high-performance home program. The two partners construct homes that are notable for their attention to detail—especially when it comes to energy efficiency, durable construction, and overall comfort. The company has earned a reputation for excellence in every aspect of the construction process.
LTR Construction
(956) 453-6689 | ltrperez956@gmail.com www.LTRrgv.com
LTR Construction is devoted to satisfying clients with beautiful, master-crafted homes. The company was recognized with multiple awards including the Most Energy-Efficient Home, Best Home in the $251,000 to $300,000 Division, and Best Master Bed & Bath in the 2022 Rio Grande Valley Builders Association (RGVBA) Parade of Homes. Owner and builder Roy Perez is passionate about providing individually focused, one-onone service. LTR Construction’s culture reflects Roy’s desire to be the best at everything he does.
Monarch Custom Homes
(956) 250-7737 | info@monarchhomesrgv.com www.MonarchHomesRGV.com
Monarch Custom Homes has earned a reputation for excellence in customer satisfaction by building verified energy-efficient homes individualized to each homebuyer’s vision. Founder Gustavo Garcia and his daughters, D’Ann and Melinda, create timeless architectural designs and elegant finishing details that set the standard for ultimate sophistication in construction. Monarch Custom Homes makes building beautiful high-quality BUILT TO SAVE® homes an easy, enjoyable, and memorable experience for their clients.
These builders represent a small, select group of professionals leading today’s energy-efficient construction by building high-performance homes in the BUILT TO SAVE® and other high-performance home programs. Learn more about BUILT TO SAVE® at www.BuiltToSave.org.
At the top of the list of reasons for 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.
Materiales El Valle has always been there for us to meet our needs. Their vast inventory of some of the finest trending products on the market today plays a key role in inspiring our creative designs. But what we value most is their proven integrity because it reflects ours. We insist on using quality products in our homes — and Materiales El Valle is our go-to place for quality flooring, tile, and natural stone products.
- FELIX AND ALEXIS HERNANDEZ
Directory
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.
BUILDERS WHO HAVE CERTIFIED HOMES IN THE BUILT TO SAVE® PROGRAM IN 2022/23 (Sorted by Quantity of Certified Homes. Visit www.builttosave.org for full details)
PHONE NUMBERWEBSITE / EMAIL BUILDERS
VILLANUEVA CONSTRUCTION www.VillanuevaHomes.com m (956) 800-8889 stephanie@villanuevahomes.com
AFFORDABLE HOMES OF SOUTH TEXAS www.AHSTI.org m (956) 687-6263 ................................................info@ahsti.org
DIVINE CUSTOM HOMES www.DivineCustomHomes.net m (956) 467-1111 ...................................................olga@divinecustomhomes.net
MONARCH HOMES .............................................www.monarchhomesrgv.com m (956) 566-2838 ................................................info@monarchhomesrgv.com
BELLISSIMO BUILDERS www.bellissimobuilders.com m (956) 222-0721..................................................bellissimobuilders@gmail.com
LTR CONSTRUCTION www.ltrrgv.com m (956) 453-6689 ................................................ltrperez956@gmail.com
EB LUXURY HOMES www.ebluxuryliving.com m (956) 429-1069 .................................................ebconstructionllc@yahoo.com
RAMITA HOMES m (956) 537-7360 .................................................lunatvnews@gmail.com
A GUIDE TO THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY’S ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOME BUILDERS MAGIC VALLEY ELECTRIC COOP IS
PROUD SPONSOR OF THE
TO SAVE® PROGRAM.
To become a BUILT TO SAVE® Builder Member, go to https://www.builttosave.org/registration/builder
OZNEROL
VILLA HOMES
WALDO
Do you dream of building your own custom home?
Then you must find the right builder who can turn your dream into reality. You shouldn’t work with just anyone, and the worst thing you can do—especially when building a new home—is to assume. The quality of your new home will only be as good as the builder and the people who work for them. Follow each of these key pieces of advice to find a builder who is right for you and your family.
1
While it’s totally feasible for a high-end builder to build a lowerprice home, you should be wary of the opposite situation. A low-end builder offering to construct a highend home with no prior experience should make you skeptical. Narrow your options by determining your home shopping budget and focus on builders that have a proven record of building the types of homes you want within your price range. Consider the four home types—custom homes, semi-custom homes, production/tract homes, and spec homes. Choose which one suits you best and look for potential builders that specialize in your choice and budget limitations.
2 3
Do not skip doing research. Even a builder who has only ever built a single home has a reputation. While finding a builder with a dissatisfied customer or two is not uncommon, it should be a big red flag if negative feedback is a common occurrence. Ask around about your builder and look for online reviews on Google and social media. Talk to previous customers, friends, and industry professionals—especially vendors and contractors. You can tell a lot about a builder by the way they treat the people who work for them. If the builder pays vendors and contractors on time and treats them with respect, honesty, integrity, and fairness, they will likely treat their customers the same way.
See whether the builder has had any complaints with the Better Business Bureau. Also, find out if the builder has operated under any other names in the past, as this might reveal former bankruptcies, lawsuits, and questionable business practices. Check whether your builder is a member of a trade association, such as the National Association of Home Builders, the Texas Association of Home Builders, or the Rio Grande Valley Builders Association.
By the time you meet the builder in person, you should have already done your research and know more about them than they know about you. If you walk out of the first meeting and the situation hasn’t changed, look for another builder. It means the builder did not do a good job of listening and asking questions that would determine if you are a good fit for their company.
This first meeting should be a job interview—their job interview. Prepare a list of questions that are important to you and pay attention to how the builder responds to
Builders are only required to build homes to minimum building code, with “minimum” being the key word. To put it bluntly, “minimum code” means “the bare minimum standards” a builder must meet to be legal.
Every homebuyer should know that the State of Texas requires all new homes built after August 1, 2016, to be tested upon completion with a blower door test and a duct leakage test to make sure the home meets the current International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) requirements. Does your builder comply with the State law?
If you are not satisfied with bare minimum standards (and you shouldn’t be), ask your builder if they build “above code” homes verified by high-performance home programs, like BUILT TO SAVE® (BuiltToSave.org) or ENERGY STAR®
them. They should never make you feel like you asked a silly question. Remember, you are not the one in the homebuilding industry—they are. The most important thing to keep in mind in this initial meeting is that you are trying to establish a connection. You are trying to decide if the builder is someone you can trust—someone who can become your partner and will have your best interests at heart. Make sure you pick someone you like because you will be working closely with them for 6 to 8 months, depending on the size of your project.
(EnergyStar.gov). Homes verified in these programs are inspected during construction and tested upon completion by an independent, licensed home energy Rater who verifies them as high-performance homes. The certification will be invaluable when or if you decide to sell your home.
Those gorgeous granite countertops, designer ceilings, fabulous building materials, or spacious open floorplans might be what you want, but they will not give you what you really need. They offer great bling to look at, but none of them affects the most important things—home comfort, healthy indoor air quality, utmost energy efficiency, savings on utility bills, and durable construction. All of these items and more are key elements of BUILT TO SAVE® and other high-performance home programs. The bling is a bonus.
Just like the small things in a home’s construction— like sizing the air conditioning unit properly or making sure the insulation was installed appropriately—it’s the little things about how the builder treats you as a customer that you should focus on. For example, do they return your calls in a timely manner or at all? Not responding to texts or phone calls is too common in today’s business world. It is a sign of disrespect, but also a good way to measure how much a person really values your relationship. If this happens when you are thinking of hiring a builder, you can expect more of the same afterward—especially if you have a problem with your home. So be aware of how the builder you are considering hiring responds to you. If all goes well and the two of you make a connection as you plan your custom dream home together, then you can be sure you have selected the right builder.
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
Want to become a homeowner? You’re not alone. Owning a home is the American dream for most people—but getting financing is a challenge for many of them. The good news is that with the right approach, you can overcome this challenge. Here’s a a simple guide to borrowing money to finance your dream home.
Start by getting pre-approved. Pre-approval for a loan is crucial because it allows you to start talking seriously with a real estate agent or a builder. After all, you can’t sign a purchase agreement for a new home until a lender or a bank says they’ll lend you money to finalize the sale.
But how does pre-approval work?
When you receive a loan preapproval, you get a letter that says you have been pre-approved for a certain loan amount. This letter will note your interest rate and how much money you can spend to pay for a new home. Yet, you should shop for a home with a sticker price that falls below the pre-approved loan amount—just to be safe. There will be additional costs that will add to the total sum you pay. You don’t want to find out that the final price of the home goes above the loan amount.
In order to become preapproved, the lender you have chosen will require several things:
You must have a good credit history and a good credit score.
Getting pre-approved is just the first step on your journey to homeownership. There are many more obstacles on the way to getting the funding you need to own property, but we’ll walk you through them all so that you know in which direction to go.
You must have a job and proof of a steady income.
You must have money in the bank to use as a down payment on a home.
With a pre-approval letter in hand, you can spend some serious time shopping for the perfect property. This is where the fun begins!
A)INITIAL STAGE: This is the stage during which you’ll get preapproved. Being pre-approved will let you know how big a home you can buy and what features you can afford. Once pre-approved, you are in a secure position to make an offer. Now you can shop and see what homes are available and within your budget. Factor in all the other homeownership costs to know what you can truly afford.
Don’t use the amount you were approved for as your guide.
B)APPLICATION: Once you’ve selected your dream home, you will fill out an actual full mortgage application based on the price you’ve agreed on with the builder or seller. You will need to provide many documents to your lender, including:
Government-issued photo ID Proof of bank account balances, retirement savings, property holdings, and investments
Monthly debt payments
Income verification (with W-2s, pay stubs, and IRS tax returns)
There are likely other documents you must hand over to the lender as well. They will help you with the full checklist.
C)FINAL APPROVAL: At this stage, your lender will provide a binding approval for the loan you have requested. They will also offer you a set of terms that outline how many years your mortgage will cover, your monthly payments, your interest rate, and so on.
D)MOVE IN: When you have everything done, you can close on your home and move in if the home is built and ready.
But what if you want to have a builder construct something brand new instead of purchasing a pre-built home? In this case, the process is a little different. When building a new home, you generally don’t need to complete a full mortgage approval before the construction starts. This is because there’s no way to know the actual cost of a newly-built home before it is complete.
Instead, you will likely need to obtain a short-term interim loan. This type of loan lets you borrow money from a lender to pay the home builder and cover costs such as materials and labor. In most cases, you need to pay your interim loan back within 18 months of receiving it. Depending on the type of interim loan you get (see the sidebar), your bank will either roll your interim loan into your permanent mortgage or require that you go through two separate approval processes.
Sound easy enough? Start today by getting pre-approved for your mortgage. Most lenders offer this as a free service. Your dream home could be closer than you think!
With a one-time close construction loan, you only have to go through the loan approval process one time. Your interim loan gets converted into a permanent mortgage once construction is complete. This method will allow you to lock in your interest rate and reduce your closing costs.
This loan option means you must complete the interim loan approval process before construction begins. Then once construction is complete, you will go through another approval process in order to get a permanent mortgage. This is a great option if you can put down less than 20% of the home’s final price as a down payment.
On April 5, 2023, the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), the Texas Association of Builders (TAB), and the Rio Grande Valley Builders Association hosted an energy code training class for local code officials, builders, and other building industry professionals. The event addressed House Bill 3215 and how it will affect their compliance with the State’s energy code.
Code officials from McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr, San Juan, Donna, Palmview, and Alton attended the training class. The event was held at Edwards Abstract and Title Co. in Edinburg, who sponsored the luncheon, along with BUILT TO SAVE®, Magic Valley Electric Cooperative, and AEP Texas.
Governor Greg Abbott signed Texas House Bill 3215 into law on June 13, 2021, recognizing the Home Energy Rating System (HERS®) Index as a standalone compliance pathway. This Bill
allows builders in Texas to use the HERS® Index (in addition to 2018 IECC mandatory backstops) in lieu of the State’s energy code or any stretch code adopted by municipalities for energy code compliance. From September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2025, the required HERS score for compliance using this new pathway is 59 (or less) for Climate Zone 2, which is where the Rio Grande Valley is located.
The HERS® Index is the nationally recognized standard for inspecting, testing, and rating a home’s energy efficiency. A lower HERS® Index Score means the home will consume less energy. More importantly, the new HERS® Index pathway can potentially reduce construction costs compared to other options, like the prescriptive pathway.
The State of Texas has led the country in the number of HERS® rated homes for the third year in a row. The quality of homes in the Rio Grande Valley is in large part due to the commitment of our local building code officials and builders who make it a point to stay abreast of new code regulations. Contact info@ resnet.us or visit www.resnet. us/builder/hb3215 for more information.
Edinburg’s Mayor, Ramiro Garza welcomed attendees and the guest speakers. L-R: Elva Garza (Edwards Abstract and Title Co.); Marcy Alamia (RGVBA); Valerie Briggs (RESNET Communications Director) L-R: Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza; Marcy Alamia (RGVBA); Eddie Garza (RGVBA President); Robert Pegues (US-EcoLogic); and Elva Garza (Edwards Abstract and Title Co.) Garrett Dorsey III, Senior Account Manager, AEP Texas High-Performance Home Program. Valerie Briggs (RESNET) spoke to attendees about the new HERS® rating pathway for energy code compliance. Robert Pegues (US-EcoLogic) was the co-presenter for the RESNET/ TAB/RGVBA training. Code officials and building industry professionalss gathered for training on the HERS® rating law adopted by the State of Texas.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: Johnathan Sloss MVEC Business Development Representative (956) 289-4055 / email jsloss@magicvalley.coop
For more information on BUILT TO SAVE® contact: Jose Vielma / Program Director (956) 971-9700 / email info@BuiltToSave.org www.BuiltToSave.org
Time is money when looking for a new home to buy. If you don’t take the time to get informed about the home, the builder, the lender, and the type of loan you need, you may make hasty decisions and end up paying a mortgage for a very long time for a subpar home. Buying a new home should be a happy and exciting experience— so don’t rush this huge purchase. These helpful tips will teach you how to use your home shopping time wisely and efficiently.
Your home search should take more than a weekend or two. This is an incredibly large and important purchase—one you don’t want to end up regretting! It’s definitely not a good idea to buy a home on a whim or off the cuff. Take months, not weeks, to search for a home and do research.
Begin with some thorough soul-searching to see if your finances and credit history are in order. Then, go shopping for a mortgage company. You’ll need to research which type of loan is the best for you and whether you qualify. Getting pre-approved for a loan by a mortgage company or bank is highly recommended. A pre-approval letter not only gives you a good idea of the price of the home you should be shopping for—it also lets sellers know that you are a serious shopper.
Once you’re pre-approved for a loan, the fun begins. Sit down and make two lists. The first list should be titled “Wants” and the other should be titled “Needs.” Never, ever confuse the two—they’re not always the same
Here are some things you may want to consider adding to your list:
Single-level or multi-level home
The right number of bedrooms and baths
Homeowners Association
Verification of energy efficiency
Home in a gated community
thing. For instance, you may want the kind of mansion you’ve seen in design magazines or articles about celebrity homes. But what you need is three bedrooms, at least two baths, and a neighborhood that’s near good schools for your kids.
Home in a masterplanned community
Home in a natural gas community
Homesite on a cul-de-sac
Swimming pool
Spare room for a home office
Guest room
Certain style of architecture
Specific neighborhood
Large kitchen
Formal dining room
Large backyard
Privacy fence
Nicely landscaped exterior
Two-car or larger garage
Electrical vehicle charging station
Lots of closet and storage space
Relaxing and spacious main bath
Once you’ve figured out what you want and need, it’s time to draft one more list, titled “Don’t Want.” Maybe the thought of a home that needs lots of fixing or remodeling puts you off, you don’t want a location near a busy street, highway, or landfill, or you need a floor plan for a certain lifestyle. In other words, jot down what your deal breakers are. Take your time making the lists. When you’re absolutely sure that you’ve thought of everything, then you’re ready to start looking at homes.
You have the right—actually, the responsibility—to ask questions. Sometimes people feel embarrassed to ask certain questions for fear of offending the builder or the seller, but do it. Don’t assume you know the answer. For example, you may assume that the home you are buying is energy efficient. It is normal to think that, and no builder or seller will tell you that it is not. Don’t be afraid to ask for proof. Ask if the home was certified by a highperformance home program like BUILT TO SAVE® or ENERGY STAR®.
And know this—some sellers might say the home passed all of its inspections, but they are probably referring to city code inspections. This probably means the home was built to minimum code standards. Again, even for those inspections, ask for proof.
Another important question should be: “What is the Home Energy Rating Score (HERS) for the home?” If the home was built in compliance with the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) mandated by the State of Texas, it will have a HERS score. If it doesn’t have one, then the home was not tested as required by Texas law.
In this magazine, there is a sneak preview of the Rio Grande Valley’s Annual Parade of Homes scheduled for the weekends of June 10-11 (see pages 6-7). This is an excellent opportunity to tour homes in various price categories and sizes located in amazing new home communities in the area. In addition to the opportunity to meet with the builder or the company staff, you will find mortgage representatives on-site at some of the Parade homes. They can help answer any questions you may have about financing.
comfort, which is directly related to installing an appropriately sized heating and cooling system; quality construction; and energy efficiency, to name a few. “Know what you are buying” is the best advice when shopping for a new home.
Taking photos is a good way to keep details in mind and have verification about certain things for later. But before you start snapping photos or shooting videos, it is best to ask for permission first since not every seller or builder is open to the idea. It’s a simple courtesy that your host will greatly appreciate.
Although not required by Parade of Homes rules, most builders would be happy to meet with you between the Parade dates to schedule a private tour.
With all of the beautiful building materials and interior design products available on the market today, it is easy to get blinded by a home’s elegant looks. But remember that the exotic granite countertop, the luxurious flooring, or every finishing detail that you may fall in love with are not going to make you truly happy in the long term. There are vital things you can’t see. These include home
If you visit several model homes in one day, you may have trouble remembering which home had which features. This will certainly happen during the Parade of Homes visits. Take detailed notes of each home to jog your memory later. Note what you like—or don’t like—about each home for easy reference later. Ask the sales consultants for brochures or floorplans, which will be extremely helpful in remembering the model homes you visited and will help you compare them. Use or modify the lists you made earlier based on your notes.
Happy home hunting!
Get directions to a new home community at: www.rgvNewHomesGuide.com/All-Communities
To add a New Community on this map, call (956) 778-3590
MCALLEN
Aqualina at Tres Lagos .................133 ....C-5
Auburn Estates ........................129....H-8
Auburn Hills .............................100 ...H-8
Cascada at Tres Lagos ..................122....C-5
Cobblestone ............................111 .....H-6
Coronado Estates ....................121 ....O-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 Allende .....................134 ....L-6
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
Oak Hill ....................................235 ...D-8
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
Silos at La Sienna .........................234 ...B-12
EDINBURG (Con’t)
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 Heights on Trenton ...............233 ...H-13
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
Crown Point .............................323 ...M-5
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
Sendero at Bentsen Palm ..............322 ...N-2
Magnolia Park .....................319 ..L-5
Mayberry Ranch ..................321 ..J-4
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
ALTON
Imperio Heights .......................501 ...G-3
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
Sioux Coves .............................601 ...L-13
ALAMO
Nebraska Heights ....................050...M-15
WESLACO
Mira Vista.................................702 ...O-15
Tierra Santa .............................703 ...P-12
PROGRESO
Los Ranchitos ..........................800...Q-13
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If you like privacy and exclusive living but don’t want to live miles from everything you need, then Magnolia Park, a newly opened gated community in the heart of Mission’s Sharyland ISD, is for you. This new community offers a great location, excellent school district, super value per square foot, and best-in-class homes from Villa Homes: an awardwinning luxury home builder for over 20 years. Magnolia Park is just a short drive away—and an even shorter drive to your dream of a luxury home! Come see.
Welcome to Mayberry Ranch! This upcoming exclusive gated community in Palmhurst, Texas, located on Mayberry Rd just south of Mile 3 (Buddy Owens Blvd), will feature 21 spacious one-acre lots. The community, estimated to be completed in the Spring of 2023, is conveniently located just minutes away from schools, restaurants, and grocery stores. Mayberry Ranch, since it is located in Palmhurst, Texas, will provide the added benefit of NO city taxes. You won’t want to miss out on this opportunity! Special pre-development prices are available for a limited time. Call now— ask about multiple-lot prices or to place your deposit today!!!
Developer: STX Land Investments, LLC
Contact: J.C. Love (956) 821-0547 | jc@loweinvestment.com www.RGVSP.com
ISD: Mission - (956) 323-5500 | Elem: Midkiff | Mid: Cantu | High School: Veterans Memorial
