I have a confession to make. My name is MC and I am a house junkie. This is hardly a new development. In fact, my own mom pinpointed this “problem” when I was seven years old and she caught me talking about floorplans. However, this addiction reached another level recently when I found myself touring homes in my spare time – and as a mother of a four-year-old and twin two-year-olds, spare time is rare.
But, alas there I was on a Saturday in my sparse free time on the Fort Worth, TX Magazine Dream Home Tour, ooohing and ahhing over crown molding, arched walkways and built-ins designed by Flynn + Watson Architects and built by AG Custom Home Builders – two of my favorites in the biz.
The next week was when I really discovered my problem when I found myself on the Fort Worth, TX Magazine Kitchen Tour – and I don’t cook. But, that didn’t stop me from oogling over gas-ranges and granite counters. I walked through the kitchens of six different Rivercrest homes taking note of the beauty, form and function, all while putting tons of images in my idea bank to share with clients.
One of my favorite parts of being a Fort Worth Realtor is sharing advice on remodeled and new-construction homes. And, lucky me, I currently have clients building all over the area.
I’m currently working with a family building a 3,000-square-foot house in the Parks of Aledo development with Village Homes (formerly HD Homes). Upon completion, they will have a customized dream home in a beautiful, well-appointed new neighborhood zoned for highly coveted Aledo schools.
Yet another client is building a large home with the esteemed V Fine Homes in a small, gated community in west Fort Worth, called Westworth Park. Fun tidbit, this is the same neighborhood where Nolan Ryan lives – just in case you want to stop by and give him your thoughts on his recent departure from the Texas Rangers, or play a game of catch?
And perhaps what I’m most excited about is several friends and clients building in River Hills, part of the new Edwards Ranch development in 76109, that will be home to nearly 300 new Fort Worth residences. An added bonus – this new neighborhood will also be deliciously close to Fort Worth’s first Whole Foods store. I love the River Hills location and the idea of having a “new old home” with a modern floor plan, layout and amenities, but all while maintaining the look and charm of old-world classic architecture. To me, it’s the perfect marriage of the two concepts and an option my own family might consider one day.
The first step with my new-build clients is connecting them with my favorite builders and architects. It’s my way of building a dream team for their dream home. Some of my notable picks for builders, architects and designers who are a joy to work with and whose creations I always admire:
V Fine Homes
HGC Development
Clarity Homes/Bannister & Co.
Maxben Homes
University Homes
Castor Homes
Hull Historical
Period Homes
Glendarroch Homes
N.H. Southern
Village Homes
Collison Custom Designs
Dobbins+Crow Architects
If you’re considering building a home, I recommend both of the aforementioned home tours. It’s a great way to get ideas and determine whose work and design eye is most compatible with yours. And, an added bonus – a portion of the proceeds go to charity! But please give me a call first; I’d like to tag along.
Mary Carolyn Gatzke, Realtor. 