Its been an exceptionally busy week for the builders participating in the 31st Annual HBA Parade of Homes and theyre looking forward to a strong finish with homes open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Sunday.

Since location is one of the most important decisions people make when shopping for a new home, its important to compare them as carefully as you compare houses. Sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Northwest Indiana, this years scattered site event featuring 37 homes allows you to see and compare whats new in some of the most dynamic cities and towns throughout the region.

Along with touring different areas where you will have the opportunity to meet some of the neighbors, learn more about the local government, public service, education and day care, police and fire protection, parks and recreation, medical facilities and places of worship, as well as get a feel for the distance to work, schools and shopping,

The parade is also the perfect opportunity to ask the experts about other locations suitable for the new home of your dreams. All of the participating builders have experience in multiple locations, with many offering homes in a variety of locations as well as the opportunity to build on the site of your choice.

When it comes to making your new home your own, building from the ground up allows you to make it your own every step of the way from site selection to choosing the contemporary floor plan and finishes that work best for you. If youre hoping to move a bit sooner than the timetable for building from scratch allows, you can still enjoy all the benefits of new construction, starting with a home where no one has ever lived before you. Everything is clean and brand newfrom state-of-the-art building technologies and materials that offer better-than-ever long-term quality and energy efficiency (youll be saving money from day one on utility bills)to the peace of mind as you settle in thanks to a new home and product warranties that protect you during the first year and beyond.

Visit the Parade of Homes builders this weekend to see all your new homes options from new homes that are complete and ready to move in to new homes in various stages of construction that offer some opportunities for personalization and the ability to move sooner than building from the ground up, which allows you to work closely with the builder to create every aspect of your new space. Whichever way you choose, you can rest assured there will be no unexpected surprises when you choose a builder who you feel comfortable with and keeps you informed every step of the way!

Look for these Parade of Homes builders in new home communities throughout the following cities and towns:

Cedar Lake

McFarland Homes

Monastery Woods - Summit paired ranch home

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Last chance to tour and discover the ideal location for your new home

Meet Custom home builders Quakertown PA Pros 215-768-2303 Custom Homes Pa
Vist http://casadontihomes.com - See how Casadonti Custom Home builders tackle building projects with detail.Creating a custom home to fit your needs.

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Meet Custom home builders Quakertown PA Pros 215-768-2303 Custom Homes Pa - Video

The spacious interior of the House of the Year. Photo: supplied

A stunning custom-built home in Forrest with a timeless design and the Garangula Gallery in Harden have taken out top honours in the association's excellence awards for 2014.

Canberra builder Manteena Construction won the prestigious Project of the Year award for the iconic gallery, which was designed by Fender Katsalidis Mirams to house the clients collection of indigenous art.

The judges said the project was a perfect example of how a close collaboration between client and architects could deliver a unique building with minimal impact on the environment.

Papas Property Group, Architects Ring and Associates and Archertec Interiors won House of the Year. Photo: supplied

The gallery, which is about 20 kilometres from Harden, was built in sympathy with the local surroundings with stone and earth excavated on site for thebuilding's walls.

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Substantial quantities of recycled timber from the old Hornibrook Bridge in Queensland were used as well as patinated Corten steel.

The result is a gallery which is most striking when first viewed against its natural landscape and continues to impress, even after detailed study, the judges said.

Canberra builder Manteena Construction won the Project of the Year for the Garangula Gallery in Harden. Photo: supplied

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Forrest home wins Project of the Year at MBA awards

A La Jolla house, called "Clean Living" due to its low-energy consumption, won a grand award at the Gold Nuggets contest at this year's Pacific Coast Builders Conference in San Francisco. Jim Brady Architectural Photography

A La Jolla house, called "Clean Living" due to its low-energy consumption, won a grand award at the Gold Nuggets contest at this year's Pacific Coast Builders Conference in San Francisco.

San Diego architect Joseph Wong's design for a Hyatt Regency Hotel in Shanghai won top honors at the Gold Nuggets awards program at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference in San Francisco.

A La Jolla project and San Diego architect struck gold at this year's Gold Nuggets awards, announced Thursday at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference in San Francisco.

San Diego projects also won 11 merit awards in the contest that drew nearly 600 entries, primarily from builders, developers and architects in western states but also extending to countries bordering the Pacific Ocean.

The local grand awards went to:

Among the 11 merit awards was Arterro La Costa, a housing project by Davidson Communities in Carlsbad, a runnerup as residential project of the year. It was designed by R. Douglas Mansfield and planned by Hunsaker & Associates with the interior by Design Line Interiors. The project also won a merit award for best single-family tract home of more than 4,000 square feet.

The other nine merit awards went to:

The contest judges were Amy Albert, design editor of Builder magazine and editor in chief of Custom Home magazine; San Francisco architect David Baker; Tom Doucette, president of Doucette Homes in Tucson, Ariz.; Florida architect Phil Kean; Boyce Thomson, author of "The New, New Home"; and Laguna Beach architect Bob White.

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LJ house, Shanghai hotel: Gold

CARROLLTON, Texas, June 25, 2014 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Custom fence and deck builder, Mike McGuinness, of North Texas Fence and Deck http://www.ntfencedeck.com/ suggests that homeowners opt for a custom wooden gate. It will be far less expensive than custom upgrades to the entire fence and it will still to show off their personal style.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140625/121661

Custom wooden gates are just that: custom. You choose the style to compliment your own personal style. With details that only you can imagine. A reputable Carrollton fence builder will offer several designs to choose from so that you can easily find a design that you will love and will appeal to you. From gates with small windows to handmade lattice work, the choices are limitless. If you don't see the design that is perfect for your home, our designers will work with you to come up with a design that you have envisioned for your home.

All our wooden gates are not only beautiful but are also made to last. All gates are made of the best materials. This ensures that your new gate will withstand the harsh elements. Whether it is the brutal Texas sun, wind, rain or the occasional snow and ice storm, our gates will withstand and be able to provide visual enjoyment for years to come. Your home is your castle and only the best will do for your home.

When looking for someone to provide you with your custom wooden gate, make sure that you use a company with years of experience and one that offers workers who specialize in the design and building of your new gate. You also need a company that will listen and will share the vision you have for the entire project: deck, fence, and gate. You also need a company that will make sure no detail is overlooked and you new custom wooden gate is perfect.

Whether you are looking for a gate for your new fence or a privacy gate for your driveway, we have exactly what you have envisioned for your home. With detail work, custom craftsmanship and only the best materials, North Texas Fence and Deck can provide the custom gate that will not only add to but also enhance your home.

About North Texas Fence and Deck:

North Texas Fence and Deck is an acclaimed fence, deck and arbour building and repairing service provider offering top notch service throughout the North Dallas, Plano, Texas region since the year 1996. The company has has built decks and fences in Carrollton, Frisco, Plano, Rowlett, Garland, Richardson, Allen, McKinney, Princeton, Lowry Crossing, Lucas, Parker, Wylie, Murphy, Sachse and surrounding areas. The company offers free quotes.

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North Texas Fence and Deck

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Should You Ask Your Carrollton TX Fence Builder to Add a Custom Wooden Gate?

Tuesday, June 24, 10:56 AM EDT

By Carole Hawkins, Staff Writer

He wondered if he could do that with Portofino a 23-unit upscale townhome development planned for Jacksonvilles Intracoastal area and how expensive it would be.

Gonzales, a managing partner at Urban Partners Construction, would eventually include smartphone-controlled light switches, thermostats, door looks and garage-door openers as standard features in his design. Thats for homes starting in the high $200,000s.

Its crazy for me not to use it, Gonzales said. Were in the 21st century. I dont want to build a 19th or 20th-century home. Why other people arent doing this, I have no idea.

Home automation, for decades the province of wealthy consumers purchasing custom systems for $10,000 to $100,000 and more, is now finding its way into middle America.

Armed with a cellphone and Wi-Fi connection, homeowners can automate air conditioning, lights, locks, cameras, garage doors and electrical outlets by purchasing off-the-shelf products or paying a monthly service contract from a home automation vendor.

This used to be a very expensive platform, Gonzales said. Now because of apps, you can download for free. Its a very efficient and cost-effective way of getting the same technology.

In the Jacksonville area, cable and telecom companies Comcast and AT&T offer basic smart home systems. Also, some security companies like ADT offer home automation as an add-on service.

Builders, too, are starting to preinstall home automation.

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Home automation systems no longer limited to luxury homes

Preferred Builders Inc. of Old Greenwich has been awarded a Housing Innovation Award by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

The Housing Innovation Awards recognize elite builders who design and create high-performance, energy-efficient homes.

Housing Innovation Award winners are leading a major housing industry transformation to zero energy ready homes. This level of performance is the home of the future because it improves the way Americans live by substantially reducing or eliminating utility bills, ensuring engineered comfort way beyond traditional homes, protecting health with a comprehensive package of indoor air quality measures, and helping maximize the largest investment of a lifetime, DOE Building Technologies Office Chief Architect Sam Rashkin said in a statement.

Sustainability is a growing concern for the U.S. housing industry, prompting the DOE to celebrate those who push the boundaries of standard design to create zero energy-ready homes. Preferred Builders was chosen as the grand winner in the custom category of the 2013 Housing Innovation Awards for a house completed in 2012.

That home was just the second in the country to earn Challenge Home certification, and was awarded LEED Platnium and National Green Building Standard Emerald level certifications as well. The 2,700 neo-colonial house is fitted with a solor PV system on the roof.

Preferred Builders Inc. of Old Greenwich, was selected as the grand winner in the Custom Builder category. Completed in October 2012, the home was the second in the country to earn Challenge Home certification and has also earned other green building awards including LEED Platinum and National Green Building Standard Emerald level certifications. The 2,700-square-foot Neo-Colonial earned a home energy rating (HERS) Index score of 20. The projected annual utility costs for the home is just $910 when the projected $1,509 annual revenue from the solar PV system is taken into account.

Preferred Builders owner Peter Fusaro, claims that the gas bill for the property from November through January was only $292, while the electric bill showed a credit of $558.

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Preferred Builders Inc. receives prestigious housing award

St. Johns, Florida (PRWEB) June 24, 2014

Pricing for Oxford Estates, a new community in St. Johns with homes built by MasterCraft Builder Group, was released to a VIP list on Friday, June 13 before being released publicly. The semi-custom homes in this community will range in size from 2,700-4,000+ square feet with prices starting in the mid $300s.

Buyers have the option of choosing between five custom home floor plans, each featuring a three-car garage, with three elevation options (exterior front facade designs) for each plan. Depending on the elevation chosen, stone, stucco, brick or a combination of the three is used to accentuate the fine design details in each home. The team at MasterCraft Builder Group will work with buyers to choose the best floor plan and customize the interior to meet individual needs, design aesthetic and budget to truly make each home one of a kind.

This luxury-gated community is sure to be one of the most enviable addresses in St. Johns. Oxford Estates is nestled on more than 90 acres on Longleaf Pine Parkway north of Greenbriar Road. Phase One, currently under construction, will have 132 quarter-acre home sites, most of which back to preserved land, a lake or a combination of both. Oxford Estates provides its residents with many amenities, including environmentally-friendly natural gas, close proximity to the St. Johns River, no CDD fees and top performing public schools in Cunningham Creek Elementary, Switzerland Point Middle School and Bartram Trail High School. Gas lanterns adorning a lushly landscaped stone entry will add a touch of elegance to the community. A step above the rest, Oxford Estates will be the place youll love to call home.

The current 132 estate-sized home sites are scheduled as one of several phases of development. The entire community of Oxford Estates, once completed, will total a couple hundred home sites. Additional amenities are in the plans as the community progresses.

The area is primed for growth with other new communities in the planning stages as well as the growing communities of Durbin and Aberdeen, and, with several other phases still in the planning stages, Oxford Estates is set to flourish with the area.

For more information on Oxford Estates or to schedule a site visit, please email info(at)mastercraftbuildergroup.com or call Brad Shee at 904-263-5090.

About MasterCraft Builder Group

MasterCraft Builder Group was founded by three close friends who combined have more than 40 years of experience in the home building industry. A shared passion for building quality homes matched with the desire to use more innovative building practices has propelled MasterCraft Builder Group to be one of the premier home builders in Northeast Florida. Whether youre looking for your next home or want to give your home a refresh by remodeling one room or the entire home, MasterCraft Builder Group can help. For more information about MasterCraft Builder Group, please visit MasterCraftBuilderGroup.com.

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Pricing Released for Oxford Estates, a Community of New Homes Constructed by MasterCraft Builder Group

BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Wounded Heroes Fund is nearly ready to hand over the keys for a brand new home to Lance Corporal Jeremiah Thein. Thein is a double amputee, losing his legs in an I.E.D. explosion while serving in Afghanistan. Thanks to community donations, he will soon be able to move into a custom house, designed just for him and his family.

Thein and his family have been staying in military housing in San Diego while his home is being built. He's eager to come home to Bakersfield. He has no clue about the details of the house waiting for him.

"I don't know if he is going to be able to process this, honestly," said Wendy Porter, Wounded Heroes Fund Executive Director.

Porter had been working on making the home a reality for nearly two years when she learned of Jeremiah's brave actions in Afghanistan.

The non-profit built a home for Wesley Barrientos, who lost his legs in Iraq several years ago.

Just down the road from Wesley's home, on September 11th, Jeremiah helped break ground on his home. Today, it's nearly done.

There are huge closets, a roll-in shower, room under the kitchen counters for a wheelchair, every door is widened, and it's all built with community donations.

"To be able to do something like that for somebody who has paid such a high price is incredibly rewarding," said Jim Ward of Northwest Builders who donated his services.

"We are such a patriotic and supportive community, and this really was done on the community's shoulders. Without everyone's support we would not have been able to accomplish this. So, it means a lot," said Porter.

Finishing touches are being made. The pool and barbecue still need to be done. But on July 4th, all will be ready to welcome a hero to his home.

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A home for a hero

Midlands dramatic construction growth in recent years allowed Tony Hinton to retire at 45.

The native Midlander, however, wasnt a real estate broker, developer, contractor or even a private investor. Instead, he was a firefighter and paramedic for more than two decades with a small business on the side.

After eight years, Hintons business Spyglass Home Inspections, finally picked up enough to allow him to retire last year.

While the Tall Citys dramatic increase in housing construction opened new doors for Hinton, it also has put a thorn in the side of some Midland homebuyers. There still is a lack of options for buyers, and several consumers complain about the quality of new homes.

It wasnt until about two years ago that Hintons home inspection business provided enough work to sustain him and his family. Business has tripled since 2012, he said, meaning he no longer has to put his life in harms way working for the Odessa Fire Department and Medical Center Hospital.

I get to be my own boss; I get to make my own schedule and I dont face near the potential dangers, he said.

The growth in Hintons business reflects the overall increase of construction in Midland. In fact, the city issued 732 new residential permits last year -- more than three times the number issued in 2002, as reported last week.

Rise of production homes

More permits have been issued in recent years to help combat the regions severe housing shortage. Most of the residential permits approved are for production home development.

Production builders are kind of a new phenomenon to Midland, said Steve Thorpe, the citys building official.

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Labor turnover problematic for new home construction