If you’re searching for new homes for sale in Ladson, look no further than Crescent Homes!  Our Bellwood community has been wildly popular and we’re starting to close up opportunities to live in this great neighborhood!  Why’s it so great?  We’re glad you asked!

First of which, it’s optimally located between Ladson and Trolley Road, and if you know about the highly acclaimed school districts, you’ll be delighted to hear that we’re within boundaries of award winning Dorchester Two School District.  Your children will be well-educated and ready to tackle life with the memories they’ve made after spending their years at Joseph R Pye Elementary, Oakbrook Middle, and Ahsleey Ridge High School.

Bellwood is also only 3 miles away from the hustle and bustle of Summerville’s Center, meaning it’s still peaceful, but close enough to easily access I-26 whenever you need to!  Catching a flight?  You’re within 10 minutes of the airport!  Downtown Charlestown is only 20 minutes away, and if you’re ready to spend your afternoon at the beach, it’s only a half hour away.  

Crescent Homes has built quality floor plan designs that feature functionality and openness in each and every new home.  Homes range from 3-5 bedrooms depending on your need, and there are plenty of customizable features and options you can choose from to upgrade and make it wholly your own dream home.  In addition, Crescent Homes guarantees that we use the latest and most efficient material and appliances in the industry.  All of these save you money in the long run, so what’s not to love?

Take a look through the Newport floor plan for a better idea as to the quality custom features Crescent Homes has to offer you!

Ready to move today?  Bellwood community is ready to offer 192 Withers Lane as your new home! This is a 2 story home featuring 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms within 2,649 square feet.  A cozy 2 car garage doubles as additional storage space whenever you need it, and we seriously can’t get over the giant game room!  This home is fully HERS certified and energy efficient, whether it’s cooling, heating, gas, electricity, or whatever you need.  You won’t be sorry when it comes to this home!  Check it out today!

Brohn Homes is ready to offer you your dream home in Austin, Texas!  Located within RimRock in North Austin, you’ll find the tranquil and easy-going Dripping Springs community.  All water metaphors aside, it really shouldn’t be missed!

RimRock is proud to be one of the most prestigious communities throughout Texas Hill Country – and that’s saying something.  It’s a treat to wake up every single morning and be surrounded by wondrous natural beauty, whether or not you wake up in time to actually watch the sun rise.  Spend your weekends leisurely wandering through streets bordered by mature trees, feeling safe and secure in the privacy of your neighborhood community.  Fancy a bike ride?  There are up to 6 miles’ worth of trails winding throughout the green belts.  Dripping Springs is far enough removed from downtown Austin where you not only can actually see the stars at night, but actually enjoy them as well.  That being said, you’re also close enough to Downtown Austin to see some stars of the popular city nightlife.  It’s just a short drive away to experience live music and spectacular entertainment.

Dripping Springs new homes are built by Brohn Homes, who specialize in “creating estate homes in Rimrock.”  Consider 1151 Hawthorne Loop, a currently available new home for sale in Dripping Springs.  This home offers 3436 square feet of living space, including 4 bedrooms and 4 and a half bathrooms, 2 living rooms, and a study.

Brohn Homes is proud to build in one of the fastest-growing cities in Austin.  RimRock communities are starting to fill up due to their immense popularity and obvious living benefits, so don’t wait too long to give Brohn Homes a call about making your Texas Hill Country living dream a reality!

Custom homebuilders have enjoyed 2013 as a great year for the housing market. In this post we’ll take a look at what made 2013 a great year for builders, what potential roadblocks the market will encounter in 2014, and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) predicts numbers for the coming year.

There are several factors that have helped make 2013 a prosperous year for custom homebuilders. As the economy continues to recover from the recession, the market is able to support a necessary increase in new home prices. College graduates and young adults, forced to move back in with family or find roommates, are finally able to afford a mortgage. The market had been producing 1.4 million units at its height, but fell to a low of 500,000 during the recession.

NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe explains, “The cards are in play for a decent and fairly strong recovery in 2014 and particularly in 2015. From the standpoint of GDP growth, housing has been a plus, growing at two, three and four times the rate of the rest of the economy in recent quarters.”

However, the 18% increase in housing starts custom builders have experienced this year have not come without struggles. First, the announcement in July of an increase in mortgage rates slowed sales for the time period following the announcement. Credit conditions have also been made more strict, making it more difficult to qualify for a mortgage in the first place; as of January 10, however, the Ability-to-Repay rule will lessen these tight conditions.

Due to the recent increase in sales, the supply of available new houses has decreased. Scarcity of labor and a low supply of building materials have made it tougher for companies to start counteracting the currently low inventory. This has also led to an increase in new home prices for both single-family and multi-family units.

The National Association of Home Builders predicts that the end of 2013 will mark 924,000 total housing starts, up 18% from 2012’s 783,000 units. Housing starts for multi-family units are predicted to increase by 20% for the year, with single-family starts coming in at 17%.  According to NAHB projections, we can expect to see an additional 31% increase in 2014, which is excellent news for custom builders across the United States.

Yesterday, Spanish Oaks, one of the most exclusive luxury new home communities in Austin, announced the grand opening of their premier Estates Collection.

This collection of custom homes will feature 29 homesites with expansive and highly sought-after Texas Hill Country views.  The homesites are in demand and are selling quickly.  Since the grand opening where they first opened the sales, only 22 of the 29 still remain.  Scott Michaels is not at all surprised by this surge, “We’re excited to offer The Estates Collection to individuals who are looking for the perfect location to build the custom home of their dreams…ensuring the ultimate in privacy and peaceful living.”

Private homesites in Spanish Oaks range from 1/2 acres to 4 1/2 acres of lush greenery and natural beauty of the Hill Country.  Special Estate Collection features include:

• Unequaled panoramic Hill Country views
• Homesites from .75 acres to 2.93 acres
• Community design features a 3.5 acre hilltop park and two cul-de-sacs for privacy
• Priced from $475,000 to $1.1 million

Spanish Oaks is known for the resort-like lifestyle it offers and features nationally recognized private golf club and green; it’s been named one of the best locations in the United States by Golf Digest.  It’s a private 18-hole Bobby Weed-designed course that Texan golfers rave about, and residents of the community experience “impeccable service, fine cuisine, and personal attention” as members of the Spanish Oaks Golf Club.  The Pool Pavilion expands over 18,000 square feet, and is a treasured place of fun and relaxation for Spanish Oaks residents.  Interested in fishing?  There’s a “Fish Camp” that is the perfect place to cast your line at the fishing dock and fully stocked lake.  Many families also spend time exploring the 900 acres of natural beauty along the miles of biking and walking trails and enjoying their spacious backyards.  There is something for everyone at Spanish Oaks!

This Austin luxury home community can be found at Highway 71 West and Bee Caves Road.  All homesites within the Estates Collection are available to be viewed by appointment only.  To schedule a private tour of this luxurious Austin new home community, Spanish Oaks Realty can be reached at (512) 533-2300, or you can register online at SpanishOaks.com.

Homebuyers take note: There are only a limited number of new homes and sites available for purchase in Milestone’s Southpark Meadows!

South Austin’s home to spectacular views of Texas Hill Country, and My Milestone Community Builders take full advantage of the fact.  Each new home and villa has been exquisitely designed to fit in with the lush surroundings and offer new home buyers in Austin the home of their dreams!  Even better, My Milestone offers “distinctly designed South Austin homes from the low $200s.”  At this rate, you better not wait too long – there are only 5 homes left in South Park Meadows, one of the finest new home communities Milestone has to offer.

Southpark Meadows is one of the newest in its collection of “uniquely designed South Austin homes,” featuring garden home architecture that will inspire and delight you and your family.  These designs automatically offer a more relaxed lifestyle due to the low-maintenance landscaping and other outdoor spaces.  My Milestone will take care of that for you, so you’ll know you’ll have an enviable and beautiful lawn.

New garden villas in Southpark Meadows offer a modern, sleek design featuring stone and stucco exteriors.  With high ceilings and gourmet kitchens, your home is already ready to entertain your most beloved guests and loved ones.  Live in luxury at an affordable price in South Austin!  Choose from popular one- and two-story homes with multiple opportunities to customize according to your needs and preferences.  Each floor plan design can include as few as two bedrooms and as many as 4.

My Milestone Community Builder’s Southpark Meadows can be found within just a few minutes of downtown Austin via I-35.  This easy and quick commute opens up the doors to a variety of benefits and opportunities, such as incredible job options and employers, easy access to fine and casual dining, fantastic retail and shopping, and the nightlife that everybody raves about.  Additionally, homeowners who choose Southpark Meadows will love the area’s schools and parks and raising their families in this environment.

Choose Southpark Meadows and its villas as the place you call home!  Don’t delay, since this South Austin community is nearly sold out.  Call today!

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports that new home sales of single-family units are up 7.9 percent for the month of August, 2013. This figure translates to a seasonally-adjusted rate of 421,000 units in August, which is great news for production and custom builders alike.

These new figures come from the Department of Housing and Urban Development in conjunction with the US Census Bureau. August’s sales increase partially offsets a dip in sales from July, as homebuyers reacted to the new increase in mortgage rates.

Rick Judson, NAHB chairman and North Carolina homebuilder, further explained the chain of events. “Consumers are adjusting to the reality of today’s higher rates following a period of record-setting lows, and today’s sales report provides evidence of that.”

Judson continued, “We expect to see more buyers coming back to the market as the psychological effects of the rate gains continue to wear off, particularly since, even after the recent spike, mortgage rates remain exceptionally favorable on a historic basis.”

In August, NAHB reported that new home sales plummeted by 13.4% for the month of July, due to the recently-announced increase in mortgage rates. While rates continue to remain historically low, homebuyers are still getting comfortable with the new rate announcement in July. August’s nearly 8% increase in sales reflects a growing homebuyer confidence.

“Sales of new homes bounced partway back in August from an unusual low in July,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. Crowe furthered, “That said, we are only about halfway back to what would be considered a sustainable level of activity in a normal economy, and the ongoing housing recovery continues to be slowed by consumers’ concerns about interest rates, as well as weak job growth and uncertainty about what’s happening in Washington.”

The Midwest posted a sales increase of 19.6 percent, the South gained at 15.3 percent, and the Northeast posted gains of 8.8 percent. The West, as an exception to the rule, posted a 14.6 percent decline.

Custom builders should breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to the news of August’s sales increase. The overall new single-family home supply decreased by 5.0% in August, and builders can safely continue to construct new homes without worrying whether they’ll sell. NAHB reports that many metro markets are improving across the country as well.

Crescent Homes is a new home builder in Charleston, James Island, Summerville, and a number of other beautiful South Carolina communities, including Riverland Park.

Crescent Homes in Riverland Park community offers new home owners high quality construction in addition to convenient locations and access to Charleston, Folly Beach, and other local amenities.  Residents have every opportunity to play at the City of Charleston Golf Course, and Riverland Park is actually within 5 minutes from the downtown areas of Charleston.  One of the finest dog parks in the area (James Island County Park) is within walking distance of your front door, perfect for quick trips for play and exercise.

Riverland Park was built to incorporate large-sized homesites and a fair number of superior floor plan designs to choose from.  These begin in the low $300,000s and range from 1,996 to 2,900 square feet in size.  Many of these feature open air layouts in a 2 story set-up, double porches, bonus room options, crown molding, trey ceilings and potential for homes to include up to 5 bedrooms.  With so many customizable options, it’s no wonder why Crescent Homes has been consistently recognized as a premier homebuilder in Charleston and James Island.  In addition, each Crescent Home in Riverland Park is specifically built to higher energy standards than most builders in the area.  Every single new home can boast the latest energy efficient upgrades and “earth friendly features, materials, and appliances, for a healthier home that reduces your impact on the environment.”

Families with children who choose Riverland Park will be elated to know that Charleston County District 3 will welcome their little ones with open arms.  Your students will learn, grow, and make life-long memories of their time attending Murray LaSaine Elementary School, James Island Middle School, and James Island Charter High School.

Interested in stopping by and taking an in-person tour?  It’s really quite easy to get to!  Take Exit 221-A from I-26 East and merge onto US 17 South (Crosstown) as if you were going to Savannah.  Keep driving along US 17 South until you can veer a little to the left onto Folly Road Boulevard.  This access will be made evident by the signs for SC-700 Folly Beach.  Continue over the Wappoo Bridge and stay in the right lane.  When you see Maybank Highway, turn right.  Riverland Drive will be to your left, followed by the entrance to Riverland Park itself.

Melissa Strickland is the Riverland Park Sales Representative.  Give her a call today at (843) 343-8689.

Brohn Homes is a well-known new home builder throughout Central Texas, particularly in Austin and San Antonio, but not many know that they actually build custom homes as well!  This venture started when a number of custom estate homes had been requested, and Brohn Homes saw the importance of custom home construction in not only the Central Texas market, but the immense difference it made for the homebuyer’s life when their dreams were finally realized.  This kind of superior quality home building didn’t need to cost exorbitant amounts of money, especially since Brohn Homes had cultivated over 40 years of combined building and development experience.  It was time to take the leap!

Custom home building, by its very nature, is not a “one size fits all” experience or process.  Every new home buyer has different needs and desires, and it is the goal of Brohn Homes to exceed those throughout planning, designing, construction, and closing on that brand new home in Austin or San Antonio.  One of the greatest assets Brohn Homes has is the House to Home Design Studio, to bring each design decision to life as driven by the customer and directed by one of their professional designers.

When building a brand new home in Austin or anywhere else in central Texas, for that matter, Brohn Homes invites home buyers to experience the design process firsthand by visiting the design studio.  From here, they are able to consider and look through “limitless combinations from a variety of architectural styles ranging from Urban, to American Classic, to European Country.
While most home builders offer options to upgrade, Brohn Homes is the only Central Texas homebuilder that provides the high quality finishes typically found in a custom home as ‘standard’ finishes that entail no upgrade fee.”  Every single detail, exterior to interior and floor to ceiling, is specifically chosen and informed by your personal preferences and unique lifestyle.  After all, it’s your home!

Brohn Homes offers two design studios – one in Austin and one in San Antonio – for the convenience of their customers:

Austin House to Home Design Studio
Floor King Showroom North
10961 Research Boulevard
Austin, TX 78759
(512) 346-7034

San Antonio House to Home Design Studio
Stone Oak Crossing Shopping Center
19141 Sone Oak Parkway, Suite 607
San Antonio, Texas 78258

Stop by anytime for insightful tips, and friendly and informative customer service.  Brohn Homes is just as excited as you are to build your custom dream home in central Texas!

According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) on September 9, a record high of 291 metro areas were listed in the Improving Markets Index, or IMI. This shows a gain of 44 markets since August and is an all-time high for the IMI’s list since it was first used 2 years ago.

As a custom builder, what does this mean for you?

First, it means things are going well. The Improving Markets Index only includes metro areas whose markets have shown at least 6 months increase in each of the following categories: housing prices, housing permits issued, and employment growth. These figures are collected from Freddie Mac, the US Census Bureau, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, respectively.

Increased employment means individuals will have more income and perhaps be able to finally afford a custom home. Increased housing prices shows that homebuyers’ wallets are healthier and can afford custom. More housing permits means more development, and it’s a safe time to be expanding your builder business.

“Just over 80 percent of the 361 metros tracked by our index are showing consistent growth in three key measures of housing market strength – prices, permits and employment,” said National Association of Home Builders’ Chairman Rick Judson. Judson, a homebuilder himself, continued, “While there is still plenty of room for growth, this is an excellent indication of how the housing recovery has begun to take hold across more geographic areas.”

Indeed, the number of improving markets increased not in a single geographic isolated area, but across the country in cities like St. Cloud, Minnesota; Spokane, Washington; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Brownsville, Texas. Custom builders across the country can expect to see a continuation of the already-strong housing market.

“The dramatic increase in markets qualifying for the IMI in September was partly due to a recent improvement in the way that Freddie Mac measures home prices, which resulted in stronger gains than previously reported,” explained NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “Even so, the broadened list of metros on the IMI continues to demonstrate the slow but steady gains that individual housing markets are making to bolster the national outlook.”

A full list of the 291 improving markets can be viewed here.

What makes luxury living possible?  Is it the location?  Is it simply the fact that the the builder has been asked to customize certain features of this new home?  What makes a custom home worth the cost and time it takes to fully construct one?  There are many different reasons homebuyers opt for custom built homes, and there are just as many reasons why Austin new home buyers specifically seek out Spanish Oaks as their perfect community.

Spanish Oaks is located in Bee Cave, a much smaller area than Austin itself is, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that Bee Cave has minimal amenities.  On the contrary!  Spanish Oaks community makes it possible to enjoy relaxing on a daily basis as well as continually providing access to all your modern conveniences and necessities, including recreation, shopping, and fine and casual dining options.  If you’re interested in heading into downtown Austin for an afternoon or evening, it’s only a half hour away.  Additionally, the Bee Cave is stunning.  There are so many lakes and creeks nestled along the rolling landscape of Texas Hill Country.  It’s as rustic and natural and stunning as you could only imagine.  In short, the location for a custom home is definitely worth considering!

And yes, the builders have a lot to do with making a home luxurious as well.  Spanish Oaks golf course community only extends the invitation to build within its grounds to the most reliable and talented homebuilders in the area.  Time and time again they have proven themselves capable of producing extraordinary homes.  While custom generally does mean that essentially every part of the home has been meticulously designed to fit the buyer’s individual preferences, there are many inspired houses being built by these same homebuilders on a whole other scale.  They are just as high quality and renowned as that of their custom counterparts, but sometimes buyers don’t have time to wait for their home to be built.  This is how Spanish Oaks invites families to resort style living on a spacious homesite, even in a time crunch.

The finest in luxury homes in Austin are proudly being built in Spanish Oaks community.  The neighborhood itself has been master-planned as if it was a custom home itself, designed with the exact featured amenities that inspire serenity and tranquility without being dull.  World class golf courses, tennis courts, and pools are certainly available to each resident and their families, but you really have to see it in person to believe it!  Spanish Oaks invites you to schedule a personal tour at (512) 533-2300.