If you’re on the hunt for that perfect new place, be sure to take a look at Ivy Ridge, a great new neighborhood in Harrisburg by Keystone Custom Homes.

This community features inviting single-family homes with 3 to 4 bedrooms and 2 to 3 baths. Homes showcase the classic colonial style and give the neighborhood a classic yet comfortable look. Prices start in the $190,000 range.

Nearby residents will find the PA Turnpike, Harrisburg Mall, shopping, employment, dining, and more. Children living in this community will attend Central Dauphin Schools in Dauphin County, including Central Dauphin High School, home to the PIAA-4A State Football Champs of 2011!

To get to this area, take I-83 S to the Paxton Street exit and take a left. Make a right onto Friendship Drive, followed by a left on to Harrisburg Street. Turn right on to Orchard Drive and Ivy Ridge will be on your right.

Builder Keystone Custom Homes has been ranked by the industry’s leading trade journal, Builder Magazine, as one of the top 100 home builders in the nation. They are also proud to be the first builder to be named America’s Best Builder three times by Builder Magazine of more than 200,000 home builder companies. With a reputation for outstanding quality, let Keystone Custom Homes build your new home at Ivy Ridge.

If you’re hunting for the perfect home in Cedar Park, Texas, be sure to check out Caballo Ranch, an amazing new community by custom builder Jimmy Jacobs Homes.

This beautiful neighborhood is encompassed by two creeks, many trees, and with scenic hill landscapes. Residents can select either 60 or 70 foot home sites, and have the luxury of choosing a greenbelt or creekside view.

Residents enjoy a community swimming pool, covered pavilion, and bath house. A recently completed amenity center will serve as the hub for neighborhood activity and will provide entertainment for community members of all ages. Seclusion and privacy are bountiful in this heavily wooded neighborhood, but residents are just minutes away from grocery shopping, retail centers, hospitals, major roadways, and many other conveniences.

This new community features a special collection of one-story and two-story plans, with models open 7 days a week.

Homes in this neighborhood start in the $270,000 price range.

Jimmy Jacobs Custom Homes has been building homes in Texas for nearly 25 years. They are proud to be the recipient of the 2008 Number One Custom Home Builder in Central Texas, according to the Austin Business Journal. Their dedication to integrity, customer service, and design make them a great choice for a new home in Austin. Caballo Ranch can be your new neighborhood today.

If you’re contemplating building a custom home, there are several key factors to review before choosing a builder.

Be sure to ask around for references and recommendations for builders and remodelers. Family, friends, and acquaintances can be a great resource, especially if they have first-hand experience; an even better place to check would be with your local home builders association.

You can also check to see if a respective builder has a permanent location for their business and is in good standing with suppliers and area banks. The Better Business Bureau is another good source to review for any complaints against a particular builder.

Most custom builders take 5 or more years to truly establish their presence in the market and to gain financial stability. This is important for any warranties they promise on a home because if the company goes bankrupt before the warranty is up, they may not be able to follow through on the guarantee. You will want to check to see if they have liability insurance to cover any accidents that may occur on site.

You can ask a builder to provide you with names previous clients; be cautious if they decline, and if they do give you names try to contact them to discuss their experience with the builder. It’s also a good idea to ask to see a current project site the builder is working on; check for safety issues and material quality.

Get to know your potential builder. Make sure you feel comfortable with them and try to get a feel for how effective their communication skills are. Research their website a bit and try to get a feel for what kind of work they have the most experience with; some builders specialize in a particular architectural style.

Once you’re ready to compare contracts and looking to accept a bid, there are a few more considerations to keep in mind. Make sure any contract you are asked to sign is written clearly and is free of grammatical errors and review the home warranty and homeowner manual as well. Cross-reference these documents to ensure consistency. If a builder offers you an unusually low bid, take caution; if they are unable to buy the appropriate materials and cover the cost of labor, you will end up with sub-par work.

Though the task of choosing the perfect builder for your custom home may seem daunting, these simple guidelines will help you make that tough decision. Your ideal dream home is absolutely possible with the right custom builder.

For more information regarding this issue, check out the NAHB Builder Checklist.