Here at Tennessee’s Magnolia Homes, building a house is done in several stages with precision and care. These seven phases include:

1) Foundation: All good things start with a strong foundation, including houses. Here heavy industrial tractors compact the soil to reduce settling or moving soil. This step is often overlooked by builders or developers but is essential to the strength and stability of the home and if not done properly can later show only after several years.

2) Slab: The “slab” is the first foundational element typically composed of concrete and steel. Here at Magnolia Homes, houses are built upon slabs with extra steel to strengthen the integrity of the slab and reduce cracks from earthly vibrations. Similarly, to avoid drainage issues, these slabs are built sixteen inches off the ground.

3) Aesthetics: Instead of allowing for muddy roads and construction site signage, Magnolia prides itself on immediately offering lux landscaping based on the needs and development of the community. Other elements like bridges, trails, and pools are also constructed well before a family is ready to move into their new home.

4) Step-by-Step Supervision: Both Karen and Reggie Garner–figure heads of Magnolia Homes—closely supervise the finishing process, where Karen oversees lighting and colors on non-custom and custom homes, as well as personally inspecting walls for any imperfections.

5) Warranty and Accountability: All new homes builders with Magnolia custom Homes are offered a ten year warranty. Here Karen and Reggie also personally handle all issues with new home buyers within their first year. In addition, MH offers a PWC 10-year warranty with every home. For more PWC info, click here.

6) Financing: Whether a new home buyer or moving into another house, MH consultants will set you up with the right program that best suits your needs. For more details, find your financial consultant below:

Gary Luzader
Regions Mortgage
6200 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN, 38119
PH: 901-580-5653

Jake Scott
Iberia Mortgage
7465 Poplar Avenue
Germantown, TN 38138
PH: 901-757-7179

Ryan Guess
Triumph Mortgage
5384 Poplar Avenue, Ste. 201
Memphis, TN, 38119
PH: 901-461-7215

7) Contacting Your HM Consultant: Magnolia custom homes possesses skilled real-estate professionals throughout the Memphis area that know what set our luxury homes apart. Get started on your dream home search today!

Rouse Chamberlin Homes has been building high quality custom homes in Pennsylvania since 1978. They work incredibly hard to provide beautiful new homes and neighborhoods for their homebuyers. Their reputation precedes them as very trustworthy and devoted builders. With thirty-five years of experience under their belts, you can be assured that Rouse Chamberlin builders are at the top of their field.

Rouse Chamberlin currently builds in The Woods at Clarelyn, The Links at Raven’s Claw, Parkesburg Knoll, Cowan Estates, Brandywine Hill, Century Oak, Franklin Chase, and The Enclave on Upper Gulph. They also have a community called Penn Manor at Sandy Run, coming soon to the Fort Washington area.

Their Links at Raven’s Claw community is an exquisite golf course community. Membership for the course is totally optional, but either way you will get breathtaking views complete with professionally maintained golf greens. There are a wide variety of plans available ranging from 1,874 to 3,214 square feet of personalized living space.

Springton, the largest of their Raven’s Claw models, sits on a spacious 3,214 square feet. It comes complete with four bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, and a two-car garage. One of the perks of choosing this neighborhood, is that your homeowner’s association covers lawn care and snow removal right up to your front door!

Your children will be in great hands attending the Spring-Ford School District. With Evans Elementary, 5/6-7-8-9 Grade Centers, and Spring-For Senior High School, you can rest assured knowing your kids are receiving an excellent education.

One happy Rouse Chamberlin Homeowner said, “We went from living in a townhouse to owning our first single family home. We love it. Everyone did such a great job starting with Ellen at the Sales Office, Danielle at the Design Center and the Project Manager. Walkthrough with the project manager was very informative. He went over everything with us, and even impressed our Realtor who has been in the business for 20-years. Our Realtor said that was the best walkthrough he had ever been on.”

National Association of Home Builders and Builder Magazine named Rouse Chamberlin America’s Best Home Builder. Professional Builder Magazine also named them National Builder of the Year.

If you and your family are thinking deciding on a new homebuilder in Pennsylvania, look no further than Rouse Chamberlin. Contact them today to get started building the home of your dreams!

JP Orleans is a custom homebuilder who currently builds in Philadelphia, PA, Woolwich Township, NJ, Richmond, VA, and Charlotte, NC. Jeffrey P. Orleans, the Chief Executive Officer, is an accomplished third-generation homebuilder. His grandfather, Alfred P. Orleans founded the company more than ninety years ago with an exceptional level of quality and craftsmanship.

JP Orleans builds in the Lexington Mews, Spring Oak, and Scammell’s Corner communities in Philadelphia, the Summer Lake, Stonehurst, Grey Oaks, and Tarrington communities in Richmond, and the Abbington and Peach Orchard Estates communities in Charlotte.

The Stonehurst community, out of Richmond, is considered an elite west end community. It is small and upscale, and located in the Short Pump area close to Innsbrook, downtown Richmond, and Chesterfield County. They offer one-acre-plus home sites, flexible personalization options, a variety of distinguished all-brick exteriors, and much more.

You can send your kids off to school in the top notch Henrico County School District. The Stonehurst Community feeds into Kaechele Elementary, Short Pump Middle, and Deep Run High School.

JP Orleans homes come with exquisite details and amenities that your family will be sure to love. Their homes feature items like three car garages, dual staircases, second floor laundry, chef’s kitchen, tiled bath and laundry rooms, and much more. Their custom houses always offer beautiful craftsmanship and the highest level of quality.

JP Orleans has developed a great eleven step building process:

1.  Home Site Reservation
2.  Agreement of Sale with Earnest Money Deposit
3.  Design Selections
4.  Mortgage Application
5.  Your Team Preparing “Behind the Scenes”
6.  Construction Begins: Pre-Construction Review
7.  Prey-Drywall Review
8.  Pre-Settlement Review
9.  Closing and Move-In!
10.  Post Closing-Count On Us
11.  Enjoy Your New Home

When you and your family decide to build a new home in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, or North Carolina, JP Orleans is the builder for you. Whether you are looking for a bigger home for your growing family or a smaller space for the empty nesters, you will be sure to find a perfect fit. Contact them today to get started building the home of your dreams.

With 2014 right around the corner, predictions are being made as to the year’s trends in home design. The Voice of Color has announced the color of the year for 2014 as “Turning Oakleaf.” It is described, “like a butter cream, this color has a fullness to it, while remaining light enough to act as a neutral.”

Along with this pastel yellow shade, complimenting bright colors are going to be seen more often next year. Neil Kelly Design Consultant, Suzie Atkin, says cobalt blue is a particularly hot color. Paint is something easily changed, so don’t be afraid to go bold and paint that spare bedroom in a stunning red, or a dreamy turquoise.

While design trends for 2014 are leaning towards embellished showers and away from standard tubs, this might be one to reconsider. Go ahead and install that dual headed or waterfall shower into your new home, but consider installing a bathtub strictly for resale appeal.

Kitchen islands tend to draw everyone in while hosting events, and now is the time to install a bigger island. A grander kitchen island will guarantee plenty of room for cooking, while an attached bar makes room for entertaining guests.

The year 2013 geared more towards modern design, but this year it will head back in a more classic and relaxed direction. Neil Kelly says while stone, metal, and wood will still be popular, expect a more relaxed feel and rounded designs with earth shades and raw metal finishes. To accompany these more comfortable and warmer (literally) homes, are dual-sided fireplaces. Not only as a way to bring heat to multiple rooms in cold, winter months, but also as a way to open up adjoining spaces.

While building your new home in 2014, don’t forget that small additions can make big improvements to your overall home satisfaction. Having hidden storage benches line the wall, or adding U-Sockets that allow USB chargers to plug right into your wall socket will be helpful. Also consider adding a kitchen-like island into your master walk in closet. It offers plenty of drawer space, along with a convenient flat counter top for folding clothes or accessory storage.

Including one or several of these items into your new home will not only keep you on trend next year, but also increase the entire atmosphere of your custom home.

If you’re planning on adding extra beauty to your custom home and interested in stone veneer, you absolutely want to talk Canyon Stone. This Kansas City manufacturer of artificial stone offers an amazing selection of unsurpassed beauty and high quality stone veneer across the United States and Canada.

Safe for exterior and interior use, Canyon Stone is there for you whether you’re aiming for brand new walls around your custom home or to add some amazing detail to lintels and window sills. Add drama to your fireplace or further enhance curb appeal. Whether your custom home has a pleasantly rustic or ultra-contemporary feel there’s matching stone veneer available with just the right look. And you have the upmost assurance of quality: Canyon Stone is proud to say that all of their products are ICC certified.

You also don’t need to worry about climate. Their stone veneer is durable enough to withstand everything, no matter where your custom home is built: from the coldest temperature up in Canada to the high heat and humidity down south in Florida.

Affordably priced, this stone veneer is also very easy to install – perfect for a weekend renovation project. The elegance and incredible style available will upgrade the look of your home and provide extra beauty for years to come. Are you looking for a traditional brick? A modern style strip ledge? There’s a wide variety and Canyon Stone is constantly innovating new products.

Custom homeowners are raving about their stone veneer remodeling. “I was very pleased with the quality, price, and appearance of the stone veneer,” one homeowner wrote. “My greatest concern was the authentic look of the stone, and I was extremely pleased. The stone looks great!!! I installed it on three full walls on the exterior of my garage and it looks wonderful. It went up easy and everyone loves the way it looks. I would recommend this product to anyone. Thanks again!”

There is also very positive review for the incredible workers at Canyon Stone themselves. “Just a quick note to let all of you at Canyon Stone know how impressed with your company we are,” one reviewer wrote in. “From the ladies in the office that showed us around your showroom, to the gentleman that installed the stone, EVERYONE was super helpful & very professional. Your product looks wonderful and we tell everyone that comments on it about your company. Great product, great price, & great people!”

For more information about Canyon Stone’s stone veneer for custom homes contact them here. Canyon Stone is actually just one of the resources for custom home owners and custom home builders and we have available on the website, and we’ll be talking more about them soon!

As a custom home builder, you’re in close contact with your home owners and your prospective home buyers. Have you heard about Lasso CRM? Their home builder software is designed exclusively for real estate sales and marketing professionals, delivering all the tools you need to manage your leads, build lasting client relationships, and convert more prospects to purchasers.

Lasso’s system comes with plenty of benefits, including a pay-as-you go system that includes free weekly updates, a strong training and support team, free webinars, and, of course, major returns on you investment. Their home builder software has five major features:

Lead Management: As a custom homebuilder, you’re investing a lot of money into marketing to generate interest and leads. Use Lasso and you won’t have to worry about losing those leads, and it makes managing them almost effortless. You can capture, distribute, and track every lead from your web registration page, model home kiosk, iPads and other tablets, as well as online directories. Every online lead will automatically receive a personal, themed email acknowledging their interest. And a notification is sent to your sales agent. With such fast and personal follow-up, you’ve the beginnings of a relationship.

The agent’s dashboard is designed uniquely for real estate selling: new leads by project, prospects by rating category, and there are auto alerts to prompt the day’s (and future’s) to-do’s. With Lasso you can focus on your home buyers and sales without worrying about the ‘administrivia’.

Convert Prospects: With Lasso you can schedule systematic follow-up process, including automatic alerts. The net result is more appointments and so more conversions. Prospect profiles are comprehensive and easily updated with all contact history and notes. Quick reference is available wherever you go, at the office or on the road.

Lead Intelligence: Lasso’s special Lead Intelligence program provides critical information into the unique buying interests and preferences of your leads. Sales agents are also instantly alerted whenever prospects return to your website; follow-up is timely, personal, and tailored to their most recent interests. Lasso will pinpoint which media is delivering the best leads by source and publication. That way you can gauge the results of campaigns and media spending, moving around your budget to best maximize ROI.

Email Marketing: Naturally email marketing is built right into Lasso’s CRM. You can easily create and send professional mass mail campaigns to potential homebuyers and realtors, without the cost of external email providers. Target your email campaigns with any desired criteria, like sales rating or last visit. Lasso offers industry-specific templates to convey your project identity, home features, plan types, and more. Their system will even let you confirm RSVP’s and allow registrants to update their profile online. There’s real-time reporting on open rates, click-throughs, and forwards; effortlessly resend to all those who didn’t view the prior mailing.

Realtor Communications:  Do external realtors and brokers play a significant role in connecting home buyers to your new projects? With Lasso you can maintain the same level of communication with them as you would potential home buyers. With their realtor database you can track and manage your brokers, and alert them to upcoming project launches, open houses, and community events. It’s also a great tool to pinpoint the top performing external brokers.

Purchaser Tracker: Tired of spreadsheets? Reduce costly errors and save time and money with a single CRM database to view and track everything: all deal activity, inventory, pricing, and contracts. You can also prepare purchaser activity, broker assignments, deposits due, escrow amounts, and payment information. Use Lasso’s home builder software to automatically populate professional contracts to present to purchasers. It’s an easy way to create options and upgrade packages, plus will keep important documents in one place for easy reference. You’ll have digital storage of contracts, galleries, and floor plan ideas to offer your custom home buyer.

Reporting:  Lasso’s system has a variety of comprehensive reports: standard traffic, sales activity, purchaser and financial reports. All can be personalized to your vernacular and downloaded for presentations or offline analysis. They also design and develop custom reports for your unique operations. All of this information is easily available for informed decision making. Lasso supports industry standards like CSV and XML, so data can be easily exported for external reporting or integration requirements.

For a full list of Lasso’s home builder software features, check here.

As a custom home builder, you deserve custom software – programs adapted to your exact needs that empower you to turn potential custom home buyers into happy home owners. Lasso’s home builder software can make that happen.

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.

April is New Homes Month! Record-low interest rates and competitive prices make the custom home market an attractive potential for many families. But many people are also still keeping an eye on their budget. Custom homebuilders are creating energy efficient and space efficient homes, with multipurpose rooms, that offer beauty and comfort while keeping costs trim.

For example, spaces are being reworked. Custom homebuilders are designing common areas like kitchens for maximum family interaction, while buyers are less interested in little-used rooms such as formal dens. Rather than a large home office, custom homes can offer “pocket offices”, small spaces for home management. Other corners of space, like window seats, provide cozy alcoves for a private area while not taking up precious square feet.

If the property is smaller to begin with, custom homebuilders can offer increased amenities as compensation. Libraries are becoming more and more common, in addition to the long-popular media room. Cost efficiency for space may include a redesign of exteriors. Multiple roof lines take up interior volume, so rectangular designs are more cost effective. A new custom home can include architectural details that take advantage of that redesign. Consider what you could add to this modern look, such as mixed materials, and large windows for additional light. Offering keen selections as a custom homebuilder helps your homebuyer research the exact look they are dreaming of. Remember that 9 out of 10 people find a custom builder by website, so having those selections and floorplans posted for viewing is very beneficial.

Because of budget concerns and changing cultural diversity, many families are now living together in multiple generation homes. A custom homebuilder can offer “shadow” units, separate living units alongside the the main floorplan. Offering two master suites, especially one on a ground floor so as to be accessible for elderly occupants, may interest many of your homebuyers. A custom home is of course dedicated to the unique style and needs of the family buying it, so consider the different options you want to offer for all types of family blends. Custom homebuilders are especially talented at and suited for creating custom homes for complex or special arrangements.

These changes in home design are exciting to see. For more information about house design in the new year, check out this NAHB article. We at Custom Builders hope you have a great New Homes Month in April.