Behind the Walls in Today’s Smart Homes

Since more of us than you’d think might have difficulty figuring out why we should want to remotely activate our washing machine via a command from our smart phone, let’s take a look behind the scenes at what makes smart homes, well, smart. We see you, all you folks who …

‘Pet-Friendly’ a Big Consideration for Millennial Home Buyers

According to a recent National Association of Realtors report, millennials — defined by the report as adults age 36 or younger — comprise the largest group of today’s U.S. home buyers, at 34 percent.

Test Your Smart Home IQ: What You Should Know

Let’s talk about smart homes. Having one can make everyday life just a little — or a lot — easier and more efficient, especially for busy homeowners. Confirming via a mobile-phone app that indeed, you turned off the iron, can be a sweet thing as you rush to the airport. …

Go ‘Green’ at FishHawk Ranch

Finding that new custom Florida home can take time. Given the choice, most of us prefer to slow down the process and research our options. Some of us, however, aren’t as lucky. We’re the ones who must make expedited moving decisions due to jobs, family issues or even retirement sneaking …

Area Real Estate Markets Expected to Remain Strong

Rosemary Messina, vice president for marketing at ICI Homes, said judging by the activity from the company’s online sales center, there is continued enthusiasm for new homes. We’re seeing the same enthusiasm throughout all our divisions. The strong real estate market is expected to continue in spite of hurricane season. …

Why You Want a New Energy-Efficient Home

If the walls of a new custom Florida home could talk, they wouldn’t tell you about their satiny shades of paint, or that the fun family-room mural was commissioned from a local artist. No, they’d describe the thickness of the superior-grade insulation behind them, or how their precise construction produces …

This study or home office at the Isabella at Browns Landing is a great example of using a flex room practically.

Five Different Ways to Customize a Flex Room

A home that matches your household’s lifestyle is perhaps the top reason to build a new custom Florida home. You get the floorplan, lot and neighborhood that’s right for you and your family, no matter if they’re kindergartners or elderly parents digging their new in-law suite. One way to do this …

Beautiful and Functional kitchen at the Egret V model home in Tamaya

Awesome Tips for Designing Your New Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of today’s home, so it hosts more activities than mere cooking and dining. Massive islands serve as perches for kids to do homework and for friends to gather for cocktails. Built-in desks and shelves make the kitchen a part-time office, and TV nooks keep the …

A family stands in their new custom home being built.

Four Good Reasons to Build a Custom Home

When you’re in the market for a new home, you usually have three choices: a resale, a “spec” home (we’ll explain) and a custom home built just for you and your household. Hmmm. Which would you prefer? A resale means you’re buying a home someone else is selling, usually not …

This summer kitchen at the Victoria in Tamaya is a great use of outdoor space

Six Reasons You Should Have a Summer Kitchen

One perk of living in the Sunshine State is that you can enjoy outdoor living year-round. Only the chilliest winter day (we do occasionally have one) may make you hesitate at the front or back door. Otherwise, it’s nearly always a good idea to jump in the pool, settle on …

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