25 Year Anniversary Memories with Jimmy Jacobs Homes

Gayle Vokes  (10 years)
Sales Professional at Heritage Oaks
The look on the families’ faces when the Extreme Home Makeover bus was moved for the family to see their new home. It was very emotional.

Another time is when we gave a Texas Traditions (1st Active Adult Community) home to a lady that lost her old mobile home to a horrible wind and the company built her a new home. She was given money to buy furniture for the new home and she gave the money to a worthy charity instead.  She passed it on to another that was in need. 

Justin Cox (6 years)
VP of Operations
Being a part of the partnerships with Helping a Hero and Operation Finally Home for the wounded warrior donation houses we built and donated as a company. The Read, Malin and Ryan families each have changed lives due to the generosity and good-will of our company along with the donations provided by our trade partners. Having the opportunity to help in the projects was something that I will always cherish, to know that we worked as a team for a greater cause than anything we do in our everyday positions. 

Top 10 Reasons Home Buyers Prefer New vs. Used

 

Today’s new homes offer more benefits than ever before. Here’s a quick list of the Top 10 reasons why so many home buyers prefer new homes to used houses:

1) Design Your Dream Home Your Way: Why settle for someone else’s choices when you can select your favorite cabinets, countertops, appliances, carpets and flooring? While you’re at it, you can choose gorgeous bath and kitchen fixtures, lighting and other options that you love. Your new home will reflect your style, not someone else’s taste. 

2) Choose a Floorplan and Room Layout that Meets Your Needs: Want a master bedroom on the first floor? It’s yours. With massive his and her’s walk-in closets? Done! Want high ceilings and a luxurious, resort-style master bath? Perhaps you’d like a sitting room with a fireplace in your owner’s suite or French doors that open to your private patio or the pool? It’s easy, when you build your master suite your way. 

3) All New, Under Warranty: A used home likely has tired products that may soon need replacing. Your new home — and the products that comprise it — are brand-new and under warranty. What’s the cost to replace a roof, appliances, countertops or a water heater on a used home? Those components of your new home feature the latest designs and building materials and should offer you years of comfort and enjoyment before needing replacement. 

4) Energy and Cost Savings: Today’s new homes are far more energy efficient than homes built just five years ago. Versus homes built ten or 20 years ago, it’s game over, advantage new.Why settle for drafty, energy-wasting single-pane windows in a used home? Many new homes offer double or even triple-pane windows. Special window coatings and inert gases between the layers of glass are often available, saving you even more energy and money in both heating and cooling season. 

5) Comfort and Indoor Air Quality: Today’s new homes meet stringent energy standards and codes not in place in the past. They combine high-performance energy efficiency with state-of-the-art ventilation and air filtration. The result is year-round, draft-free comfort and higher indoor air quality. 

6) Low Maintenance: New cars today are computer-designed and computer-equipped. That’s why they perform much more reliably than a car that’s 15 or 20 years old. Homes are the same. Today’s new homes have open floorplans and high ceilings that reflect the way we live today. They’re also made of cutting-edge building products that require less care and maintenance. Another plus? The latest building systems and components are designed and engineered to work together. 

7) Community Amenities: Many new homes are built in lavish master-planned communities with resort-style community centers, pools and clubhouses. Many new home communities also feature hiking trails, protected open lands and some of the best new schools and shopping near (or even within) your new home community. 

8) Advanced Technology and Design: It’s possible to replace all of the single-pane windows in a resale home with today’s high-performance windows. It’s also possible to add insulation to a used home. However, it’s very expensive to replace dated appliances, cabinets and countertops in a used home — and you still won’t have the high ceilings you dream of on the first floor of an older two-story home. All are reasons to build your new home your way, to reflect the way you live today. 

9) Safety: State-of-the-art circuit breakers. Electric garage door openers with infrared beams that stop if a tricycle or child is too near. High-efficiency furnaces and air conditioners that use the latest environmentally-friendly coolants. Cabinets, carpets and paints that use fewer volatile organic compounds, so that you and your family can breathe easier. 

10) That New Home Feel: A used home was someone else’s dream, not yours. It reflects their choices and family memories. You may learn to love avocado-green appliances (and you may be willing to scrub stained countertops or grease-encrusted ovens and cooktops) but more and more people prefer that never lived-in feel. 

After all, when was the last time you went to a department store and selected used clothes? Or visited a car dealer and paid more for a used car than a new car? 

New homes offer the latest designs, style, comfort and quality. They provide a care-free lifestyle so that you can enjoy your home, not work on it. Start shopping now on NewHomeSource.com, the world’s largest and most complete new home website. You’ll be glad you did.

Jay McKenzie heads up content and social media for NewHomeSource.com and Builders Digital Experience.

Top 5 Things to Consider When Deciding to Build Your First Custom Home

by Justin Cox, VP of Purchasing

If you are new to the home building market, those first few steps can seem rather daunting. I’ve gone through the home building process with my own home – and I know how overwhelming that beginning phase can be. After going through it myself and working with dozens of prospective builders, I’ve put together a list of the most important things you should consider when deciding to build your first custom home.

1.    Commitment

Make sure you choose a builder you can trust and see yourself working with for the long haul. Be wary of builders and developers who overly assure you that it is an easy process. Building your own home takes time, patience, and engagement; however if you prepare yourself for the challenge it can be a very rewarding experience.

2.    Budget

Next, you should take a very pragmatic look at what it will take to build your new home. From the get-go, you should determine what you can and cannot afford and stick to it. It is highly recommended to allow for some wiggle room – about 10% of your overall budget, as issues will arise.

3.    Lifestyle

After you have committed and laid out your budget, the next step will be to figure out what you expect from your new home. Walk through your current home and make a list of everything that works well, as well as the things you wish you had. From there, organize your list starting with the necessities down to the desires with extreme prejudice!

4.    Location

When you begin looking for where to build your home there are a few things to keep in mind: One, here in the Texas Hill Country, keep your eyes out for a flat site as this will help to eliminate many headaches during the planning process. Also, consider the costs paying the city for permits, adding power and sewer hookups, and any excavation and landscaping that must be completed as part of the building process. Get to know your lot thoroughly to identify any potential problems.

5.    Planning

Once you have figured out what you need vs. what you want, as well as what you can afford, it is time to start planning. Communicate heavily with your builder, contractor, and designer to find a plan that best fits your envisioned lifestyle. Be clear and be honest – make sure your build partner knows what it is you want and that they are committed to making you happy.

Summer-proof your home with these 6 easy tips

by Kelly CunninghamVice President of Construction at Jimmy Jacobs Custom Homes

Hot summer days are here! Jimmy Jacobs Custom Homes knows how important it is for you to have a home that can withstand the central Texas heat.

There are many ways to maximize the energy efficiency of your own home during the summer, and here are 6 tips to summer-proof your home and keep your house cool and safe.

1.       Seal off any gaps inside and outside your home

It’s important to ensure all your doors are properly weather stripped and adjusted to maintain a tight fit when closed in order to keep cool air from escaping. This can also help prevent water from seeping in when it rains. It’s also important to seal any cracks on your home’s exterior, including around windows, doors, water lines and around your air conditioning unit.

2.       Keep your soil consistent in drought conditions

In order to avoid extremes in your soil during the hot summer months, keep the moisture content of soils consistent around the foundation of your home, especially during drought conditions. This will help protect the integrity of the foundation.

3.       Add proper insulation to your attic and walls

This can be the priciest way to ensure your home stays cool in the summer, but insulating your home will provide the best results. Spraying the attic deck with open cell foam insulation and a fiberglass bib insulation package on the exterior walls is an extremely air tight, upgraded insulation package and provides for a well-insulated home. Another less expensive upgrade option is to use R-38 blown in the attic with fiberglass bib insulation on the exterior walls. Couple either of these insulation packages with vinyl windows and you will have a very good thermal envelope.

4.       Block out the heat with energy efficient windows

The best solution is to replace your old, thin windows with vinyl windows with Low E tinted, double pane glass. If this option is over your budget, applying window film to your existing windows can reflect much of the sun’s heat.

5.       Add passive design strategies to your outdoors

Passive design allows you to reduce the energy demand in your home without having to add new technology. You can lighten the load on your AC by designing your home with plenty of shade trees, overhangs and covered patios. All of these options will promote shade and protection from the elements. If you are considering building your own custom home, placing your home on the lot with the least amount of window square footage exposed to the west will help reduce cooling costs. Investing in solar screens and blinds are things that can be done too.

6.       Keep your air conditioner maintained

You want your air conditioner to run at its peak efficiency during the hottest summer months, so it’s a good idea to have your HVAC inspected annually in the spring in order to ensure proper coolant levels are maintained. Of course you always want to make sure that your HVAC filters are replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Apply these summer-proofing tips to your home and you can beat the Texas heat, plus save big on your energy bills!

The Malin Family Receives the Keys to Their New JJCH Home

Last Wednesday, October 17, we presented Staff Sergeant (SSGT) Kyle Malin with the keys to his custom-build, Made in America, mortgage-free home. As Texas custom home builders, we were proud to spend the day in New Braunfels with our partners at HelpingaHero.org for a Welcome Home Ceremony that was attended by friends, retired military, members of the community and the media to truly give the Malin family the homecoming they deserved.

Kyle, wife Alicia and sons Kalib and Cy were able to see the inside of their house for the first time, and Alicia squealed with excitement as they first unlocked the door. Roger Clemens, Major League baseball legend, was there to present the key, as he is a supporter of HelpingaHero.org and has helped raise money for the organization in the past.

We built the entire house with SSGT Malin in mind. This veteran lost both of his legs while serving in his fourth tour in Afghanistan, after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED). The handicapped accessible home is 2,983 square feet and includes 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Some of the features we were able to include for SSGT Malin were making all doorways wheelchair accessible and specially designing the shower so he can fit his chair. We put these features into the home so SSGT Malin can become more independent and more comfortable as he starts this new chapter in his life.

We have built New Braunfels homes in Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard and knew it would be the perfect location for the Malin Home. This master-planned community offers homesites in both gated and non-gated neighborhoods. We wanted the Malin family to enjoy hill country living in a place with access to great schools, city conveniences and recreational activities such as the multi-pool water park that their sons are sure to enjoy.

The Malin home is also special to our hearts for a few other reasons. Not only were we able to surprise the family with their groundbreaking ceremony during filming of an episode for ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition that will air in December, but the home also is part of our Made in America program. We were able to build the home using 70% American-made materials, which helped create/save five jobs in the U.S. economy. The Made in America program is our way of not only giving back to Texas but to our country, and we are so glad we could use it as a way to thank SSGT Malin for his service that was his way of giving back to our country.

Along with our staff, HelpingaHero.org and Major League baseball legend Roger Clemens, we were joined by the New Braunfels High School Junior ROTC members, retired General Robert Clark, retired Staff Sergeant Shilo Harris and Justin Horne of KSAT 12 who filmed the Malin family as they unlocked the door to their home. You can see the whole story on the KSAT 12 website, here.

Malin Family- Welcome Home Ceremony

New Braunfels, TX – October 17, 2012 – Jimmy Jacobs Custom Homes is proud to welcome home Staff Sergeant (SSGT) Kyle Malin of the United States Army. Construction has been completed on the custom-built, mortgage-free home that was built in partnership with HelpingaHero.org. The Malin family will receive the keys at a Welcome Home Ceremony on October 17, with a ceremony and home dedication.

Jimmy Jacobs Custom Homes was revealed to SSGT Malin and his family – wife Alicia and two sons, Kalib and Cy – as their homebuilder during filming of an episode for ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition that will air in December. The Malin’s were surprised with a groundbreaking on their lot, where a 2,983 square foot home now sits. The handicapped accessible 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom custom home is located in Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard, a masterplanned community located in New Braunfels. It was built using 70% American-made materials.

SSGT Kyle Malin joined the Army after graduating from high school and served four tours in Afghanistan, the last beginning in 2010. While on a rescue mission for men in his unit, he stepped directly on a pressure-activated improvised explosive device (IED) that was pointed upward. This resulted in his injuries, including a bilateral above-the-knee amputation. He spent time at Walter Reed before being transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, where he received specialized physical therapy and occupational therapy.

Jimmy Jacobs Custom Homes continually shares their passion for the central Texas community. They previously donated two homes to wounded veterans through Operation FINALLY HOME . The Welcome Home Ceremony will take place on October 17 at 11 a.m. at the Malin residence, located at 2196 Appellation, in the Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard community in New Braunfels.

Jimmy Jacobs Custom Homes Earns Statewide Recognition for Home Design

 

 

 

 

 

Jimmy Jacobs Custom Homes received the 2012 Star Award from The Texas Association of Builders during the Sunbelt Builders Show. Representing builders from Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma, the Star Award is the premier building industry awards program throughout the Southwest.

Jimmy Jacobs Custom Homes received the award for Best Product Design –$300K – $399K for their Fort Davis home. Additionally they were finalists for Best Sales Brochure, Best Interior Merchandising – $300K – $399K and Best Interior Merchandising – $400K – $499K. The 2012 Star Award adds to their two 2011 Star awards and caps off a year of recognition for excellence in home building including six MAX Awards from the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Austin and the honor of ‘Number One Custom Home Builder’ by the Austin Business Journal, an award they also received in both 2009 and 2010.

Jimmy Jacobs Custom Homes’ Fort Davis home is a 2,621 square foot custom home in New Braunfels. Available to tour by appointment, this former hill country model home is an earthy, bungalow style with 1920s touches. Recently, Jimmy Jacobs Custom Homes has been busy not only with homes in five Austin-area subdivisions, but also has expanded to San Antonio, New Braunfels other parts of central Texas.

 

Jimmy Jacobs’ Unveils the Reserve at Heritage Oaks with Weekend Event

Jimmy Jacobs Custom Homes is excited to announce the grand opening of The Reserve at Heritage Oaks, a brand new neighborhood to Heritage Oaks, one of best-selling 55+ age-restricted, custom home communities in Georgetown.

Heritage Oaks, in Georgetown, is a quiet garden home community for those 55 and better.   In a location known for its exceptional 55+ age-restricted communities, Heritage Oaks finds itself in a league of its own, providing a refreshing alternative to those are unwilling to sacrifice the quality of a home they deserve.   Homes at Heritage Oaks are built with convenience in mind, lending life in Heritage Oaks to a peaceful, low-maintenance style of living. The serene scenes of Heritage Oaks create the illusion of being miles away from civilization, while still maintaining close proximity to conveniences in the nearby shopping centers, medical facilities, first class golf courses and in Georgetown’s historic town square.

Residents at Heritage Oaks enjoy fitness, fun and fellowship in the many activities provided in the community’s Clubhouse which is, not surprisingly, the heart of this lively neighborhood. Complete with a fitness center, grand ballroom, hobby room, billiard room, library and wrap-around porch, Heritage Oaks is the perfect place to maintain an active social calendar. Many residents take advantage of the range of classes offered in the community like yoga, dancing, art and cooking and have likewise formed several clubs based on particular hobbies and interests.

Known for inviting rooms, interesting angles and expansive living spaces, Jimmy Jacobs Custom Homes offers fifteen floor plans at Heritage Oaks, which range from 1,427 to 2,557 square feet, priced from the $210’s.  All Jimmy Jacobs’ homes are completely custom, so they can be constructed for any individual style or need, including handicap accessibility. These floor plans are perfect for those who are looking to downsize but wish to maintain exceptional style and craftsmanship.

Visit Heritage Oaks, located at 4805 Big Bend Trail in Georgetown, Texas.  Travel north on I-35 to Exit 261A, go approximately 4 miles west on Williams Drive (FM 2338) to Shell Road, turn right on Shell, left on Verde Vista , right on Heritage Oaks Bend, and then left on Big Bend Trail; models are on your left.  For more information, call 512-930-4005 or visit http://www.jacobshomes.com.

Live and Play in Spring Branch, TX

Here at Jimmy Jacobs Homes, we’ve just celebrated the model home grand opening event for our new community of garden homes on River Crossing Club & Golf Course, the Fairways at River Crossing, located in beautiful Spring Branch, Texas. Being new in town, we wanted to get to know the area, so we’ve done our research and hunted down the top area attractions available to residents of Spring Branch. We hope this round-up of activities is useful for the residents who will soon start to move into the 45 home sites available in our new community, and also those Spring Branch natives looking for something new to try.

Golf Galore

We’ve spent a lot of time around the River Crossing Club and must admit it was definitely a factor in our decision to move into the community. For you soon-to-be-residents who like to watch golf in your spare time, make sure to choose the option of fairway views for your home site – and direct golf cart access to the River Crossing Club doesn’t hurt either, it just gets you out to your game faster.

After a long day out on the fairway (or just a long day), escape to the relaxing clubhouse locker rooms, complete with fireplaces and televisions. Once you’re fully relaxed, grab your family and enjoy additional activities in the Family Activity Center. Enjoy a clear Texas day at the pool and outdoor café or exercise together in the fitness center – and be sure to ask about the schedule of classes for members throughout the week.

New Braunfels

For families looking for more time in the water, you can head from the pool in Spring Branch to water slides in New Braunfels (to the southeast). To beat the heat in the summertime, residents can head to Schlitterbahn Water Park, which offers more than 65 acres of rides and attractions for some one million guests each year.

San Antonio

San Antonio (directly south) is a short car-ride away, and a great place to go for a getaway, whether it is a family-friendly day of fun or romantic weekend. Your kids (or the young at heart) will love the San Antonio Zoo, Sea World and Six Flags Fiesta Texas.

For those looking for a more relaxing day, take a stroll along the famous San Antonio River Walk, which offers great shopping, restaurants and hotels and is a short walk away from the Alamo. Sports fans that are looking for something to do after the PGA Tour ends can head to the Alamodome to catch the San Antonio Spurs play during the NBA season.

Local Information

The Bulverde Spring Branch Chamber of Commerce is also an excellent resource for local events and attractions. They are located at 30450 Cougar Bend, Bulverde, TX 78163.

Here at Jimmy Jacobs Homes, we are thrilled to be able to provide central Texas residents with an affordable option in country club living in our new community. With so many community activities and nearby local attractions, we just couldn’t resist Spring Branch. We look forward to helping our residents truly make this town their home.

For more information on purchasing a home in the Fairways at River Crossing, visit www.jacobshomes.com or call 830.885.6559.

 

Jimmy Jacobs’ Unveils New Golf, Garden Home Community with Grand Opening Event

Jimmy Jacobs Homes invites the public out to celebrate North San Antonio’s new golf course, garden home community, The Fairways at River Crossing, with a grand opening event on August 11^th and 12^th.  Jimmy Jacobs’ will be serving wine and hor d’oeuvres while guests tour through the model home, take a golf cart tour of the community or try a swing at their portable putting green.  All guests can register to win a “River Crossing Member for a Day”, which includes a free round of golf and lunch for four.

The Fairways at River Crossing is a unique garden home community encompassing country club lifestyle with unbelievable affordability.  Situated on the greens of River Crossing Club, the Fairways at River Crossing is a small, gated community of 45 home sites with both fairway and non-fairway views, and direct golf cart access to River Crossing’s private, member based golf course.  The garden homes, starting from the 190’s, provide an excellent alternative for those who are looking to downsize, but still want the high-end craftsmanship that Jimmy Jacobs’ is known for.  All homes are situated on comfortably sized home sites and the community maintains landscaping. 

There is a world of activities located in the backyard of the Fairways at River Crossing with the premier River Crossing Club.  The club features its award-winning, 18-hole championship golf course and clubhouse with Golf Shop, luxurious locker rooms with fireplaces and TV’s, and a private dining room. The Club’s recently added Family Activity Center provides abundant entertainment for all ages, featuring a resort-style pool with grotto, outdoor café, a fully equipped weight room, a fitness center that holds a variety of weekly classes for members.  Jimmy Jacobs will be giving away a free, all-inclusive membership with every home they sell during the grand opening.

For more information about the community or the grand opening event, call 830-885-6559 or visit www.jacobshomes.com.