Karen Garner is a woman builder in a male-dominated industry, a distinction that already sets Magnolia Homes apart from other homebuilders in the Memphis, TN area. Starting Magnolia Homes in 1987 as a single mom, Karen was committed from day one to creating quality custom homes with perseverance and positivity. Today, she is well known in the area for creating outstanding floor plans and creating lasing friendships with her homeowners.

Magnolia Homes has been building throughout the Memphis area since its inception more than 25 years ago. Having grown up on Beale Street, Karen is familiar with the area and knows all the perks that come with owning a home in Memphis. In fact, she has an entire page on her website dedicated to showcasing all the great things about living in the area.

For instance, Memphis has been named one of the most fun cities in the U.S. and is known to have a lower-than-average cost of living. Recently, Memphis has been noted by Fortune magazine and Clear Capital as one of the top cities in the nation for its housing market. It’s also a great city for young professionals and, of course, the music culture can’t be beat.

If you’d like to find out more about Magnolia Homes and the beautiful custom work Karen Garner is doing in Memphis, TN, visit her online at www.yourmagnoliahome.com.

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.

Manuel Builders builds custom homes in Lafayette while providing clients with open communication, trust, collaboration, and continuous innovation. With an emphasis on human connection, Manuel Builders are proud to take care of their clients by providing excellent customer service throughout the building process.

Manuel Builders offers a Design Build process to their clients, which they smartly call “one stop shopping.” The only “stop,” or agreement, you’ll have to make is one with the builder. Other homebuilders will have you sign contracts with architects, interior designers, and more, but Manuel believes it’s in their clients’ best interest to limit the contracts to one.

In addition, you’re signing up for a truly custom home, not just a floor plan with slight modifications. Their in-house architect will help you create a layout that works for your lifestyle and their interior design consultant will help you add final decorative touches once your home is completed. If you are ready to get started on the home of your dreams, why not start a folder on Manuel’s site? Click here!

If you’re interested in a move-in ready home, they have plenty of floor plans to choose from in several communities throughout Lafayette Parish.

Located in Carencro, Louisiana, Brock Pointe is an affordable community with some impressive conveniences. This fast-growing neighborhood is home to many modern niceties, including: shopping, dining, schools, employment, and hospitals. Homes here are situated on quarter-acre lots and the entire community is securely fenced and gated. Children living here will attend Lafayette Parish School System, including Ossun Elementary, Carencro Middle, and Carencro High schools, with the option to attend Lafayette Christian Academy.

Summerfield in New Iberia is located close to Main Street and offers its residents plenty of cozy charm. These homes are generously spaced and have lots of curb appeal. Children living here will attend The New Iberia Parish School District, including Daspit Elementary, Belle Place Middle, Westgate High, or Catholic High schools. Homes here range from 1,250 to 1,900 square feet and start at $150,000.

The Gardens in Abbeville features thoughtfully constructed homes with many distinct construction details. These homes qualify for 100% financing and include a Home Owner’s Association, landscaped yard, wood and brick accented front facade, fenced private yard with a gate, and are built away from the flood zone. Available homes start at $134,900 and can be viewed here.

Clients are happy with the homes that Manuel Builders in Lafayette Parish offer. One happy customer commended the company on their professionalism, saying, “We love our home! Your staff was very professional and patient during stressful situations. We would like to thank you for making our Dream come true.”

To get started on your new home, contact Manuel Builders today!

Since 2002, Summit Custom Homes has built nearly 700 homes in the Kansas City area. Their top-ranked status allows them to continue to bring the best craftsmen and personnel in to keep bringing you homes of high quality with elegant design. In addition to beautiful architecture and impressive fixtures and features, every Summit home is constructed to Green Build Advantage standards. These standards bring you an average of 30% more energy efficiency than a home built to 2006 energy efficiency standards. This translates into a healthier, cleaner, greener home for you–the difference is absolutely tangible!

Summit Custom Homes’ site provides plenty of information about their business and the process for getting your residence built. For a list of the steps in their building process, check out their link here. They list all of their brand partners so you can take a look at their fixture, flooring, and insulation selections.

In addition to business information, they’ve accumulated a number of glowing testimonials from present and past clients. One satisfied customer explained, “We heard horror stories relating to building a custom home, and this experience was anything but. My husband & I enjoyed every aspect of the building process […] We look forward to getting home nightly and enjoying our new, beautiful home.”

Summit Homes takes care of you not only before and during your home’s construction but also as a new homeowner. Whether you have questions about your warranty or simply need to log in to the Homeowner’s Portal to keep in touch, they’ve got you covered.

This Kansas City custom homebuilding company is invested in giving back to their community. Their St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Dream Home participation has helped raise over $2.9 million for the hospital. For 2013, Summit hopes to raise over $1,000,000 for this event. They sell raffle tickets for $100, with 17 prizes awarded in total. The grand prize for this raffle is a custom built home; other prizes include dry cleaning for one year, $1,000 gift certificates to various home accessory and fixture companies, a Chevrolet Sonic, and more. Learn more about this wonderful Kansas City philanthropy partnership on their page here.

Summit Custom Homes has won more than 60 awards, including the American Dream Award, Pick of the Parade, and the Distinctive Plan and Design Award from the Greater KC Home Builders Association. They’ve build homes in many of the leading communities in Kansas City, Missouri; Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Lenexa, Kansas; and Olathe, Kansas, among other areas.

Their floor plans start in the $184,950  price range, not including the homesite, and come standard with 2 to 5 bedrooms and 2 or 3 garage stalls. With over 45 floor plans to choose from, you’re sure to find and design your dream place with Summit Custom Homes in Kansas City. To get in touch with this homebuilder, contact them here.

For more than 40 years, Shaddock Homes has been building quality new homes in the Dallas area. Their commitment to building impressive homes is a shared responsibility, divided among their designers, contractors, suppliers, and everyone else at Shaddock. They take as much pride in creating your home as you will owning it. Each home they build is backed by the Bonded Builders Warranty Group, so you will be protected. Shaddock Homes builds around Dallas in Allen, Celina, Frisco, Murphy, and Parker. Check out a few of their beautiful communities below.

Located in Murphy, Rolling Ridge IV showcases elegant architecture, smart style, and expert construction in a rural-type location make this a desirable community for homebuyers. Murphy is close to recreational facilities, lakes and golf courses, shopping, restaurants, and major highways. Homes here range from $430,000 to $618,000 and include 5 bedrooms. Children living at Rolling Ridge IV will attend Martha Hunt Elementary, McMillen High, and Plano East Senior High schools.

Available homes at The Village of Stonelake Estates start in the high $400,000’s, with 5 bedrooms and 4 or 4.5 bathrooms. This community is located off 121 North and McKinney. Children living here will attend Ashley Elementary, Sam & Ann Roach Middle, and Heritage High schools. Standard features in this neighborhood’s homes include a master suite, Energy Star appliances, and gourmet kitchens. The Village of Stonelake Estates is located in Frisco.

Park Place Estates in Frisco features gorgeous homes in a sought after location. Children living here will attend the highly recommended William and Nichols Elementary, Pioneer Heritage Middle, and Frisco High schools. Park Place features a 2 acre park with a gazebo, impressive landscaping, and a community-wide “tree scape” to give the neighborhood a more established look. Homes here range from $495,000 to $588,800. Sales demands here are high, thanks to the neighborhood’s proximity to area shopping and dining, protected value of the properties over time, and large lots with a diverse floor plan selection.

There’s more than just their communities that makes Shaddock Homes stand out above the rest. Inside their homes are plenty of important features. Each house is Energy Star compliant, includes dow sheathing for the right level of insulation, a tankless hot water system, energy seal on all insulation areas, and so much more. Their homes aren’t just built to completion, they’re built to perfection; with plenty of special details unique to you, you’ll understand why Shaddock is the right choice for your custom home near Dallas.

Shaddock Homes is proud to have been voted as one of D Magazine’s Top Custom Builders from 2008-2013. A builder throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, they are renowned for their customer service and superior quality construction. Their pride in designing and building your home and hope you enjoy living there as much as they enjoyed creating it for you. Contact them today to get started on your dream home in Dallas.

Sun Custom Homes has worked hard to earn their reputation as a top custom homebuilder in the Oklahoma City area. Known for their French Country, Classical American, and Old World European building styles, Sun Custom has found their design niche. However, they are happy to branch out into other styles, and have enjoyed working on projects that utilized Tuscan, Mediterranean, and Southwest design elements as well. Many of their customers are referrals from past clients, creating a network of satisfied homeowners in Oklahoma City. Get to know Sun Custom better by learning about some of the communities where they build.

Lake Woods is set on 106 gorgeous acres with a landscaped entry to the 15 acres of common space, making it clear why this Moore neighborhood is incredibly popular. Features like a waterfall, private 10 acre natural lake, walking trails, and quick, convenient access to Moore schools, entertainment, shopping, dining, Oklahoma City, and Norman. If you’re looking for a place to call home without sacrificing nearby conveniences, make Lake Woods your community.

Located in Oklahoma City, Canterbury presents the old world charm Sun Custom Homes is known for. Their drive to provide people with the best value for their budget has helped set the new standard for homes in the price range available at Canterbury. A short drive via I-40 to downtown, this neighborhood’s desirable location is near to restaurants, banks, OKC metro, entertainment, shopping, and more. Those fond of the outdoors will enjoy the community’s walking and biking trails, recreation fields, and playscape. Low taxes, a great school system, and many wonderful amenities make Canterbury the place to make your own.

Vizcaya includes 71 home sites on 1/2 to full acre lots in Oklahoma City. One mile north of the Kilpatrick Turnpike and west of the Quail Springs Mall, this neighborhood is near to OKC’s best dining and entertainment. Homes here start at 2,400 square feet and common areas are maintained and landscaped. Waterfront and creekside lots are available and children will attend Edmond public schools.

Situated on one of the highest elevations in the Oklahoma City area, Pikes Pointe homes by Sun Custom is a one-of-a-kind community. Streets leisurely wind around the 93 oversized lots in this rugged neighborhood. Residents come home to an entrance located between two bubbling streams with a welcoming log sign in the median of the street. Located at NW 87th and County Line Road, this community is sure to fit the needs of those who are looking for quiet in a natural area.

With over 50 years of combined experience, you can count on Sun Custom Homes to deliver only the best. Whether you’re wanting a home with 1,500 or 10,000 square feet with a budget at $150,000 or above $2.5 million, they can build you a gorgeous home that is guaranteed to fit your budget and lifestyle.

If you’re contemplating building or buying a new home, be sure to get in touch with JayMarc Homes, a quality home builder in Seattle.

JayMarc Homes is known for their three trademarks: spectacular floor plans, attention to detail and a luxurious finish, and top-notch customer service. Their aptitude for green building means you’ll have an energy efficient, environmentally-friendly home built to withstand time.

Those looking for a custom home will take comfort in the easy, three-step process laid out by the company. Design, construction, and service & warranty highlight the three major stages of custom home building, and their dedication to customer service means you won’t be left out of any step of the process.

If you’re interested in a move-in ready place, they have several wonderful Seattle neighborhood sites, including locations in Mercer Island, Bellevue, and Forest Lane.

Whether you’re looking for a custom home builder or simply want a move-in ready home in a great community, JayMarc Homes can help you build the perfect home of your dreams.

So you’ve created the perfect website, and are ready for the sales to roll in. Are you looking to increase those website leads? We should be – the question is how.

It starts with your analytics.  A critical component of any successful website initiative is an ongoing analysis of your analytics.  You may be finding that you’re getting good traffic, but then not converting that traffic into leads. It’s an important part of your custom home builder internet marketing strategy.

A good rule of thumb is that for every 1,000 visits to your site, you should be converting twenty leads.  If you aren’t getting that, think about creating funnels on your site.  A funnel is nothing more than a process where you maneuver your prospective buyer to give you their email address in return for more information about your homes or communities.  Sounds easy enough, right? And mutually beneficial!

A couple best practices are the ‘download brochure’ and ‘print plan options’ offers.  For example: you have a prospective buyer who is looking at the details for one of your communities. They’re checking out your custom home offers, and you’ve given them just enough to get them interested. The next step is offering them more information.  Maybe it’s community features, or lot information, or floor plan ideas.  You want to give them the information they’re looking for – you just need an email address for them so you can email them the printable brochure, or whatever collateral you have to offer. They fill in a quick, convenient form right there on the page. And while you’re emailing the information to the prospective buyer, you’re also emailing your online sales counselor.  A follow up call is initiated, and the sales process begins.

These quick steps are fantastic for creating sales. You just need the right design and programming backbone to make them happen. Make sure your site provides an easy way for a potential home buyer to contact you, and for you to contact them back. What are you doing to funnel those sales?

Are you looking for a Midlothian home builder? Creative Homes is well known as one of the premier custom home builders in the Midlothian area. They are building custom homes in Ovilla Parc.

Ovilla Parc is a subdivision in Ovilla, a quiet country town in north Ellis County. A short distance south of downtown Dallas, Ovilla Parc offers the advantages of small town living – like friendly neighbors and excellent schools – without sacrificing city amenities. City sewer systems along with natural gas are all available in this wooded neighborhood. Part of the Midlothian school district, Ovilla Parc is zoned for Longbranch Elementary, Walnut Grove Middle, and Midlothian High School. 1/3 to 1/2 acre lots are available with homes from the $220’s.

To reach Ovilla Parc from 1-35, Go west on Ovilla Road 4.5 miles to Shiloh Road. Go right on Shiloh .5 miles to Ovilla Parc. From Highway 67, go south on Joe Wilson 6.6 miles to Shiloh. Go left on Shiloh for 2 miles to Ovilla Parc. Taking Highway 287, go north on Walnut Grove 4 miles to Shiloh, and go right on Shiloh for 2.5 miles to Ovilla Parc.

Creative Homes has been building in Ellis County for more than ten years. They focus on innovative design, distinctive quality, and impressive value; whether you’re looking for a move up home or the ultimate lifestyle, they have a community for you. They have houses available for immediate move in as well as creating creative custom homes.