Author: CODESM Support

South Texas is warm. The climate in the Rio Grande Valley is scorching. It is no place for poorly ventilated, box-type houses. For most of the year, it is damp and sweltering. Hence, homes in this climate need to be breezy and well-lit. But more than anything, they need to be energy efficient otherwise the air conditioning, ventilation, insulation, and all fixtures are going to get overworked and given to wear and tear quickly.  What home buyers need in this part of the country are uniform air circulation, natural light, and fewer walls. In short, all the perks offered by open floor plans. They are cool in summer and cozy in winter, reducing your energy bills all through the year.

So here is 5 ways how open floor plans affect energy efficiency in the RGV climate:

1. Open floors provide uniform ventilation

What happens with regular floor plans is these houses develop uneven temperature corners – hot and cold rooms. This puts additional pressure on the HVAC and other equipment. Summers are unforgiving in South Texas, causing the air conditioning to work extra hard. Similarly, fans and coolers get well-worn.  Winters are short but they are cold and dry. So, in winters, the heating system goes into full gear since closed rooms suffer from a lack of warmth. What you get handed with is poor comfort levels but high energy bills.

Now let’s see what an open floor plan does. These homes do not have a lot of full-height walls and partitions. As a result, there are fewer obstructions to the indoor air current. What this means is the rooms are well-ventilated and fresh. That sorts your summer days. In winter, the heating system is able to warm up the space uniformly.  There is less heat loss due to the opening or closing of the many doors and windows of a closed, traditional floor plan. Your heating system can function optimally, avoiding burnouts.

Hence, open floors help cut down on household energy consumption and bring down energy bills.

2. Open floors let in more natural light

Sunlit rooms are boring said no one ever. If you have fewer partitions, you can enjoy daylight longer. But if your builder has put up a lot of walls, you’ll have a tough time lighting them all up. One flip side of a traditional floor design is you have fewer choices when it comes to enjoying natural lighting. For instance, if you want a brightly lit living room, the kitchen falls in the darkness and needs artificial lighting, and so on. Worse, you might even need to keep the lights on in the daytime.

But with open spaces and straight lines, the light from your windows flows right in and fills every corner. Without interior walls and screens, your spaces look brightly lit. You don’t need to turn on artificial lighting during the say. That helps you save up on bills and prolongs the shelf life of your fixtures. Besides, natural light is beneficial for health. It helps the body adjust better and gives you a good night’s sleep. It relieves stress and cools your eyes. So that’s double relaxation – low bills and high comfort. That’s what open floors do – they give you a feeling of living in inexpensive luxury.

3.  Open floor plans reduce overuse of home cleaning equipment

It doesn’t take long to realize that walled spaces need more rigorous cleaning than open ones. The former also needs more frequent cleaning. The reason is not hard to guess. A walled-in area is more likely to be susceptible to dust and dirt. These particles tend to settle in corners and gaps.  Another downside is rot. Closed-off spaces dry slower and unevenly. With a humid climate in the valley area for most of the year, the problem only compounds. You have mildew. It damages your furniture and brings a flurry of illnesses. This means you are using your cleaning appliances more to keep these areas hygienic. And you are spending a lot of time and effort doing these regularly. Imagine moving furniture in closed spaces.

Now, let’s see what an open floor does for your family. First, there are no enclosed spaces except bedrooms and bathrooms. The living room, dining, and kitchen merge into one another. You can call for more customization. An open floor is not just about an open walking space. All features of the house come together to make it free-flowing, fluid.  These spaces are easier to maintain – vacuum, mop, wipe, spray and wash.

These areas are also quick to dry. Your air conditioning system or ceiling fan is not put through overuse. There are no damp or moldy areas due to poor drying or stale air. You spend less time and energy, not to mention less effort in daily or weekly cleanup. What you are rewarded with are fewer allergies and a cool indoor atmosphere.

4. Open floors reduce the home footprint

Are traditional floor plans less ‘green’? It would seem so. In a home where there are lots of walls and closed-up spaces, there are more electric fixtures like lights and fans, and more sockets. There is also a lot of wiring around the house. You run these fixtures more and many of them run at the same time in different rooms used by different family members. Energy consumption is multiplied many times over, every day, every month, and all year round. That’s a big dent in your savings if you think about it.

Apart from flooding the house with bright, natural light and fresh air, open floors help homeowners reduce their carbon emissions in and around the house. Owing to its spaciousness and unbroken lines of vision, open floors use less material in insulation and ventilation.

Another useful benefit to homeowners is these homes do not need as many electric fixtures as traditional ones. You save up on the cost of buying these fixtures and using these utilities. You use less wiring too. Furthermore, you are free to install fewer power suppliers. All these help you reduce your expenses. So, open floors are not just energy-efficient, but they are cost-effective too. They make the interiors and exteriors of your house more eco-friendly and raise your ‘green’ quotient. You are using more sustainable, affordable, and effective home set-ups.

The bottom line?

Open floor plans enable houses to lower their energy consumption to a considerable extent. Homeowners receive healthy, natural light and can reduce their dependence on artificial indoor lighting. They enjoy the fresh air and uniform ventilation, thereby lowering HVAC bills. So cut down on the use of cleaning equipment, achieve a low indoor footprint and move towards an eco-friendly home in the RGV. Plus, your builder will be able to maximize the square footage and give you a ‘bigger’ home within the same budget and time constraints.

Get a local home builder

To know more about the benefits of open floor designs, particularly in the RGV climate, connect with a local home builder near you. They should be able to suggest only the most suitable floor plans for your next home but also incorporate customization. Whether you want a sprawling open space for a large family with young children or unique aesthetic reasons, this style of home design is here to stay. The right builder in the RGV will be able to show you a wide variety of floor plans and space usage.

Your home should be your haven. It’s the place you go to escape stress and pressure, and be with the people you love. A new home should feature details that enhance your life and surround you in luxury! These are some of the best new home features for homes in the Rio Grande Valley.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is much more than just saving money on an electric bill! An energy efficient home utilizes energy star appliances, energy efficient heat and air conditioners, programmable thermostats, modern windows, and energy efficient insulation.

Energy efficient windows alone can cut heating and cooling costs by up to 12 percent! Energy star-certified appliances may save you up to $200 per appliance during the appliance’s lifetime.

However, the benefits are more than just monetary! Overall, an efficient home is also a healthy environment for your family. You will be protecting the environment, as well, by using fewer natural resources. Modern home owners recognize all the benefits of energy efficiency, and want to conserve resources in their day-to-day lives.

Outdoor Living Spaces

Backyards are not just for pets and kids! Modern home owners look for an outdoor space to relax and entertain. Enjoy evening barbecues cooked in an outdoor kitchen. Many new homes include a pool area. Take the time for a swim, or to relax poolside.

Entertain friends and family in a spacious outdoor dining or seating area, whether it is a patio or deck. Utilizing the outdoors means increasing space for enjoyment!

Attractive landscaping is also a part of the package. To many new homeowners, a well-groomed yard, and professional landscaping is a must. Add outdoor lighting to make a safe, welcoming environment.

Open Concept Living

Open floor plans have been around for a while. However, today’s homeowners truly value a wide, open living space! Studies have found that an open concept home increases social interactions within the home. Open floor plans also allow for easy transitions from one space to the next.

Home Cinema

A dedicated home theater, complete with a big screen, theater seating, and a state-of-the art sound system should be on every new homeowners wish list! Whether you are a movie connoisseur, a sports enthusiast, a serious gamer, or a family looking to unwind, a home cinema is the perfect way to enhance your lifestyle.

A home cinema should be cohesive with the design of the home. Extra insulation and sound-proofing are a great way to make sure the theater is not disruptive to the rest of the home. Add custom lighting, and you have a great space to increase enjoyment and value in your home.

Villa Homes offers a state of the art, customizable home theater option in all our new homes!

Walk-in Pantry

Limited kitchen storage is a thing of the past! Most new, luxury homes come with fully equipped kitchens, including a walk-in pantry. This type of pantry allows for easy access to food, equipment, and appliances while keeping the kitchen clutter-free.

Ample Closet Space

Storage is key! A spacious, well-appointed closet makes all the difference between organization and chaos. Most new home owners are looking for lots of closet space, including walk-in closets in the bedrooms.

At Villa Homes, we recognize the need for ample closet space. Beautifully designed bedroom closets include shelves, rods, and drawers for all your clothing storage needs. There are many other spacious storage options throughout each floorplan.

Panoramic Views with Natural Light

Let the outdoors in! Large windows allow for sunlight year round. It’s an added bonus if the windows allow for a countryside view! Many new homes, especially new homes on spacious lots, include large windows with a panoramic view of the landscape.

Formal Dining Areas

Formal dining areas were considered old fashioned, but they are trending again! A formal dining room should feel polished and elegant. It is a special place where loved ones can gather to share a meal.

Modern dining rooms don’t feel old-fashioned and stuffy. They feature impressive lighting, bold colors, and statement furniture. They are a space to entertain guests in style!

At Villa Homes, we offer all of these amenities and more! Contact us today! We’d love to help you on your journey to the home of your dreams.

Are you looking for a new home in southern Texas with excellent living conditions and a pleasant climate? Let us tell you that you should start looking at McAllen.

McAllen is the largest city in the Hidalgo County of Texas, located very close to the US- Mexico border. It is a unique city with a long history and close connections with the Mexican city of Reynosa, serving as a major tourist, cultural and commercial center in the region. Here are some reasons you need to consider making this City of Palms your home.

Perfect For First-Time Home Buyers

First-time home buyers tend to look for a house that they can finally call their own in their limited budget and can have better price appreciation. According to Zillow, the median value of homes for sale in McAllen is around $153,165, with a predicted increase of 7.9% for next year. Which is comparatively cheaper, given the quality of life and essential amenities available in McAllen.

The properties in McAllen are also experiencing a steady rise in value appreciation, with a total appreciation of 65.80% in the last 20 years with an average annual rate of 2.50%. All the real estate data points to McAllen being a hot growing location that would be perfect for a first-time buyer

McAllen has got some of the best schools in all of South Texas and has quality educational institutions at all levels. The healthcare system and all the necessary facilities are well kept and continue to get better.

Raising a family in McAllen will be a delightful adventure as it has safe and friendly neighborhoods.

Safety

McAllen has been consistently ranked as one of the top safest cities in the whole of Texas by the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Annual crime report and the FBI’s annual reports. Despite its growing population that counts to about 143,268, there were zero murders reported in the year 2018.

Booming Commerce And Trade Center

There are just so many opportunities for growth and business at McAllen. It has been ranked as the 10th biggest boomtown in America. It is well connected with highways, provides mass transit public transportation services, houses an international airport and a downtown bus terminal. The average commute time around the city is around 20 minutes due to the satisfactory transport services available.

McAllen maintains close trade relations with the nearby Mexican city Reynosa and is the first inland foreign-trade zone in the country. It has several sanctions and provisions under the foreign trade zone (FTZ) designations and thus provides better facilities for manufacturing industries.

There are around 40 shopping centers, and the retail business in McAllen is quite huge, essentially driving the economy to greater heights every year.

Better Quality Of Life At Low Cost

McAllen is a booming city with all the necessary facilities, amenities, and infrastructure support, all coming at an affordable cost. The average cost of a McAllen home was considered to be the third least expensive as of 2012. The cost of living is estimated to be around 16.2% cheaper than the national average. It also has low property taxes.

And the best part of living in McAllen is that despite the low cost of living, it has a comparatively high quality of life. It is ranked as the third best city to live in based on US News and World Report, which took several factors like crime rate, health care availability, quality of education, average commute time, and the job market into consideration.

It is a vibrant metro area with a very low cost of living as people in McAllen are spending way less than the national median sale price on home purchases, food, transportation, and healthcare.

Vibrant And Happening City

McAllen is no boring suburb that takes hours to get some entertainment. Fun things are always by your reach. The city is filled with several recreational and cultural centers like movie theaters, new businesses, and tourist destinations that attract people from the nearby Rio Grande Valley. New structures like the McAllen Performing Arts Center and the McAllen Convention Center are few more reasons to stay put at your McAllen home and get easy access to world-class acts.

The subtropical climate is pleasant and provides ample time for you to enjoy a lot of outdoor activities. There are many sports and recreational centers like the Daffodil Park, State Farm Arena, and more that will keep your days fun and nights bright.

The annual festivals and events like the Palmfest International Folklife celebration, parades, the outdoor artisan market, and the annual sports events are all some exceptional events that make McAllen all the more lovable and enjoyable.

McAllen has got it all. Exceptional weather throughout the year, a bustling economy, excellent schools, healthcare, mass transit, entertainment centers, quality infrastructure, and best of all – a very low cost of living.

So, wait more, and get started with your house hunting journey. If you need any help or are feeling too overwhelmed with the task, we are here to help. Contact us now.

Buying a new home calls for a combination of patience, luck and finding the right builder. Before you sign the dotted line, there are a few things you must look for.

Do you have enough room to personalize the plan?

Before construction can begin buyers usually ask for certain features and fixtures to be included in the home design like the choice of kitchen sinks, marbled floor, exposed brick walls and so on.

The best builders will pay attention to the details you ask for, for example, colour schemes or conversion of a spare room into a home-office. Interior designers on their team work with clients to come up with design options that reflect the family’s personality besides fulfilling the practical needs. Ask for different looks and combination of elements until you find one that’s suitable for you.

It is best to confirm these changes before the building begins so you don’t need to pay extra for alterations later. Make sure all such changes are recorded in the final design.

Are your finances in order?

And it’s not only about your savings and credit score. While it is true that many builders would shy away from a less-than-impressive credit history, a few would go the extra mile to help you get pre-qualified for mortgages. They often have a preferred lender and help manage your mortgage requirements smoothly. In addition, they have in-house consultants who streamline pre-construction steps like surveying of your lot (if you already possess one) and obtaining permits. If you don’t have a location, ask your builder for inputs on site selection.

Can you visit the actual construction site?

To minimize the mishaps of your home ending up quite differently from the one you paid for, it’s important to visit the construction site regularly. Ask your builder for dates. Seeing the house coming together right in front of your eyes is a sight to remember. And while you are at it, check out if the construction is consistent with the specifics of the plan. This is also the time to let your builder know of variations.

This is an excellent time to ask for wiring, roofing, plumbing, and drywall details. Make sure the exterior structure is built according to the plan. Also check the quality of fixtures and HVAC. Always be in touch with your point of contact throughout the construction phase and beyond that, after you’ve moved in.

Can you monitor the stages of construction from home?

Site visits are not the only ways of following the various phases of home building. Make sure your contractor has a dedicated portal with a complete detail of your home – preferences, timeframe and stages, date of final delivery and photos of everything. You must be able to access every aspect of the building from offline and maintain a transparent communication with your Project Manager though mails, calls or texts.

Is your Purchase Agreement ready?

When you are satisfied with the floor plan, location and accessibility of the house, it is time to put a ring on it. A down-payment that is. A token amount is usually needed to finalize the deal with your builder. This also helps you stick to your budget irrespective of market fluctuations. So make sure all the specifications are just right. This piece of document is important for getting a loan approved for the house.

Does your builder provide a final walk-through?

A final tour of the house is essential before you gain possession and move in. This is the time to ask your builder about all the installations in the house and how they function together as a unit. At this point, you should ask your builder about the maintenance and upkeep of your property. They would also inform you how to safeguard the warranty on fixtures and structures and how you can maximize the energy efficiency of the house.

A final walk-through is your final chance to find out if all the conditions of the construction agreement have been met.

What happens at the closing?

Your house is ready for possession. Ideally at this stage, your builder should hand over the keys, along with the possessions document to you and collect from you the balance payment on the property. You may be invited to the builder’s office for this purpose.

Now that you have this handy checklist, it’s time to begin house-hunting. The thing to remember is that there is no perfect house but any house can be perfected to your preferences and budget if you work with the right builder.

To get on with your dream home construction, get in touch with us today.