The value of Boerne, Texas, real estate continues to increase, making homes at Cordillera Ranch even more appealing. Texas is at the top of the list when it comes to the addition of jobs over the last six years nationally. In Texas, the Hill Country region has been less affected by the most recent recession than most areas both nationwide and within. Texas is actually responsible for half of the new jobs created in the United States.

If that information isn’t convincing enough, the Eagle Ford Shale has also made Boerne, Texas real estate extremely attractive. The Eagle Ford Shale is an enormous deposit of oil and natural gas and is fast becoming one of the world’s most productive areas for natural resources. This makes property in the Texas Hill Country even more valuable as area landowners are staking their claim on the potential wealth of the land. One of the most exclusive housing communities in the Texas Hill Country area just happens to be Cordillera Ranch, impressing newcomers to the Boerne, Texas area.

Due to the growing violence and community disruption of South Texas and Northern Mexico, families looking for safety and stability are moving to the Texas Hill Country, making Cordillera Ranch an ideal place to settle down. If you are looking for the best in Boerne, Texas real estate, look no further than Cordillera Ranch. Living in the Texas Hill Country is safe, smart and offers impressive stability and economic advantages that are among the best in the country.

Schedule a personal viewing of Cordillera Ranch by calling (877) 571-3286 or fill out the form below and a representative will assist you!

There are additional benefits of owning a Texas Hill Country home in the Cordillera Ranch community. They include…

…variety in homesites. Cordillera Ranch offers lot sizes from 1 to over 10 acres, giving you the room to build your dream home.

…luxury villas on ¼ to acre lots where you can easily stroll over to the amazing Clubs of Cordillera Ranch.

…location, location location. Cordillera Ranch is only 16 miles from San Antonio and shopping that fills any want or need. The Shops of La Cantera house Nordstrom, Burberry, Brooks Brothers, Neiman Marcus, Tiffany & Co. and many more.

…the REAL outdoors. Cordillera Ranch is proud to offer constant and consistent interactions with wildlife, placing the highest value on the conservation of their property. Swimmers, kayakers and floaters also love the five miles of Guadalupe River flowing through Cordillera Ranch.

…better tax benefits. Boasting some of the lowest property taxes in the country, Texas Hill Country homes are just as easy on your wallet as they are your eyes.

…no hassle home building. You can instantly enjoy Cordillera Ranch by buying a home now, or purchase your land now and build whenever you’re ready.

…some of the best public and private schools in Texas. This is not only great for students in the Texas Hill Country area, but for property value as well.

…a great property developer. Cordillera Ranch is proud to work with a strong developer with long history of financial stability & sustained growth.

To set up an appointment to secure your dream Texas Hill Country home, call 877.271.9399 today or fill out the form below!

It always seems to amaze people when they see the construction activity going on in Cordillera Ranch in the midst of this downturn – particularly considering that of the 30 homes under construction, only one is a spec home (which just recently started because the home builder, Burdick and Christofilis, sold its previous spec home half-way through construction).  However, after learning more about the lifestyle of Cordillera Ranch, the uniquely spectacular views and landscape and the unparalleled seven Clubs of Cordillera Ranch, you quickly understand why so many people are flocking to Cordillera Ranch.

A few other noteworthy tidbits about 2011 by the numbers:

• Average sales price was up from $202/SF in 2010 to $204/SF in 2011.  Sales ranged from $147/SF to $345/SF in 2011.
• Overall average home sales price was $986k in 2011, up 11% from $890k in 2010.  The number of homes sold increased from 18 in 2010 and 20 in 2011.
• Clubs of Cordillera Ranch has sold 25 or more NET NEW MEMBERSHIPS in each of 2009, 2010 and 2011 (net of resignations and refunds).  Considering the difficult private club environment, this is something we’re very proud of and is definitely a reflection on the tremendous value offered under our seven different clubs with one membership.

What are you waiting for? Contact us today.

FOR YOUR HEALTH
•    Researchers have found that eating chocolate causes the brain to release endorphins that make us feel happy and relaxed.
•    Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants (nearly 8 times the amount in strawberries!)
•    Some studies have found increased health benefits for red wine over white wine. Red wine contains more polyphenols than white wine, offering significant antioxidant protection against cardiovascular disease and various forms of cancer.
•    Resveratrol, the most powerful polyphenol, neutralizes free radicals that intend to wreak havoc on critical cellular functions. Of special note, Pinot Noir contains several times the amount of other red wines such as Syrah or Merlot, which already contain about 10 times the amount of resveratrol as white wines.

FOR YOUR PLEASURE
Chocolate boosts serotonin, our brain’s antidepressant, along with stimulating the secretion of endorphins. The natural chemical compound, Phenylethylamine (PEA),releases mood-elevating and pleasure-inducing endorphins in your brain and is released when people are falling in love. It is no small wonder that we consume so much chocolate and we shower each other with chocolate at different holidays and celebrations. Perhaps this helps to explain why chocolate and Valentine’s Day are so closely linked!

WINE AND CHOCOLATE ARE NATURAL COMPANIONS
Both wine and chocolate blend complex flavors and notes exhibiting similar components and nuances. Wine pairings follow the same kind of process as a wine or chocolate tasting, except that you taste each together. Flavors are released in stages. You will notice the fruity, nutty, spicy and/or woody notes. Let’s examine each….

Chocolate has amazing complexities and levels of flavor. You will find unique attributes for every chocolate you taste. Every chocolate has distinct flavor notes, textures and finishes; it can be said that each chocolate has its own personality. Like fine wine, each represents unique blends, percentages of cocoa, country of origin, terroir, roasting, timing and drying processes. The taste of the cocoa bean, like a wine varietal, depends on the soil, growing conditions and type of plant from a particular place. Harvesting and fermentation also affect flavor.

MATCHING FLAVOR NUANCES
When pairing wines with chocolate, your best bet is to match lighter, more elegant flavored chocolates with lighter-bodied wines; likewise, the stronger the chocolate, the more full-bodied the wine should be. For example, a bittersweet chocolate tends to pair well with an intense, in-your-face California Zinfandel or even a tannin-driven Cabernet Sauvignon. The darker the chocolate the more tannins it will display. However when you pair this darker chocolate up with a wine that has stout tannins, the chocolate will often overshadow or cancel out the wine’s tannins on the palate and allow more fruit to show through. Similar to “formal” wine tasting, start with a more subtle white chocolate and end on a dark or bittersweet chocolate.

PORTS
True Port wine comes only from the Douro Valley in Portugal. Port wine is typically richer, sweeter, heavier and possesses a higher alcohol content than most other wines. This is caused by the addition of distilled grape spirits (similar to brandy) to fortify the wine and halt fermentation before all the sugar is converted to alcohol and results in a wine that is usually either 19.5% or 20% alcohol.

Port is commonly served after meals as a dessert wine, often with cheese; commonly stilton. White and tawny ports are often served as an aperitif.

While we spoke of the mood elevating effects of the chocolate and the health benefits of wine, there are no similar reasons to consume port other than to simply enjoy it! Additionally, leftover Port wine is fabulous in sauces and is especially handy in perking up culinary creations. So Bon Appétit!

SPECIAL NOTE:
While the healthy aspects of dark chocolate are packed with antioxidants with all the benefits that dark veggies give you, beware, NOT ALL chocolates are created equal.

To obtain all the benefits that chocolate has to offer, we need the right kind – at least 70% cold pressed cocoa made with unprocessed, un-alkalized cacao and natural unprocessed sweeteners (we want the benefits – not the fat and calories)!

Forget about milk chocolate and never, ever eat white chocolate as it is actually not even chocolate, it is just butter with sugars and artificial flavors.

Author: Cordillera Ranch

From Our Magazine: Cordillera Ranch Living

In this life, we are sometimes afforded the rare occasion to cross paths with a genuinely good person. Even less frequently, we are given the opportunity to sit down and talk with one, eager for the chance to take a peek inside his or her universe and understand what makes them tick. Because people of excellence naturally radiate good energy, they are the kind of people you want to be around, the kind you unexplainably gravitate towards and enjoy the company of. Phil Lane is such a person.

It may be his personal philosophies, professional leadership style or dedication to family that sets Phil apart from the rest. Perhaps it’s his unbridled passion for creating beautiful art and collecting artifacts. Or maybe, just maybe, he is the personification of what sadly seems to be a dying breed –the quintessential Southern gentleman. All the same, Phil is a man of many accomplishments and noteworthy successes, but more than anything, he’s the kind of guy you’d like to have over for dinner and a glass of wine.

Even though Phil has only been in Texas a short while, the long-time South Carolina resident says he already feels right at home. Phil, wife Beth and their 15-year-old son Christopher made the trek from the Palmetto State at the beginning of August when Phil was brought on board as the new general manager and vice president of KSAT-12 in San Antonio. The Lanes moved into their Cordillera home in October and have been busy getting accustomed to all the things that come with embracing a new life.

Phil jokes that while he and Beth are still unpacking boxes, he has already been officially initiated as Texas Hill Country resident. “I hit my first deer a couple of weeks ago. From what I am told, this is a common occurrence around here!”

According to Phil, the Hill Country is not very different than the area where the Lanes are from. “I see the same values, the same caring people and the same cultural and physical landscapes,” Phil said. “This is still the South and while my accent might be a little different, I’m from the South and I enjoy Southern living.”

When asked how they landed in Cordillera, Beth explained, “We got to San Antonio and when I went house hunting, I just kept driving west on I-10. This area reminded me so much of the Greenville-Spartanburg area in South Carolina, which is where we’re from, I knew we had found our new home. We are the second owners of this house, but it is perfect for us. We had a pool put in and did some landscaping and we just love it.”

Phil agreed, “We just said, let’s get out of the suburbs and do something different for a change. The Texas Hill Country reminds us so much of the foothills in South Carolina. I like the idea that we are close to a metropolitan city, but far enough away to enjoy life in the country. I don’t mind the commute into San Antonio when I have this to come home to.”

In addition to the many happy years the Lanes spent in South Carolina, Phil’s job has taken them all over the southern part of the United States in years past –Florida, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina and all places in between. Despite his love of travel, however, Phil says he has found the place where he and Beth will ultimately settle. “I definitely plan to retire here,” he said.

Since his meager beginnings more than 20 years ago as a sales associate with ABC, Phil has managed to make quite a name for himself. After more than 18 years with the same company, Phil decided to switch companies and is now what many call KSAT-12’s new “top dog,” replacing longtime KSAT-12 General Manager Jim Joslyn. Phil says he is particularly fond of KSAT-12 because they are a well-established TV station that dominates the market with their news coverage.

As the new GM, Phil currently oversees more than 145 staff members, a position he says he enjoys tremendously. “I just enjoy people. I like to be around them, talk to them and find out what they are all about. I believe a work environment should have a fun and enjoyable atmosphere, one that encourages people to be their best simply because they love their job. I am a firm believer that happy people are productive people.”

Even though he is a motivated career man, it’s not work that drives Phil; it’s family. “Family is more important than everything else,” he said. “Work doesn’t come first –family does. I make sure and tell that to my team at KSAT. When things are not okay at home, it’s human nature to bring that junk to work. The home is supposed to be a place of sanctuary and when it isn’t, it can negatively affect every other area of life. If something is wrong on the home front, I encourage people to take time off to get everything back in balance.”

Phil and Beth, an interior designer, have been married more than twenty-one years, adopting Christopher after seven years of wedded bliss. “Our son spent the first part of his life in a children’s shelter,” Phil said of Christopher, who became part of the Lane family around the age of two. “The process of adopting Christopher opened our eyes to the plight of so many children in the U.S. and we have never been the same since. There are so many kids out there trapped in wonderful and caring children’s shelters, but yet have never lived in a home.”

Although Phil hasn’t yet had the chance to pursue his favorite philanthropies since arriving in the Hill Country, it’s definitely on his agenda when things settle down a bit. Phil takes pleasure by engaging in charity work and is enthusiastic about getting out in the community to see where he can make a difference. In addition to being of service to the Chamber of Commerce and United Way, Phil delights in being of service at children’s homes.

“Beth and I are doing what we can to make sure Christopher grows up to be happy and have a good life. We want him to know he can accomplish anything he puts his mind to,” Phil said. “To have the chance to make a difference in the life of a kid, well –it doesn’t get much better than that. It’s tough to think about how many kids grow up without a family. It’s just awful”

Christopher is currently attending Winston School in San Antonio, a private school that provides personalized, college preparatory education for students who have high learning potential. “I like my school,” said Chris, a junior varsity basketball player. “So far all the kids have been really nice and friendly to me.”

Phil and Christopher seem to have a very special father-son bond, the kind of closeness every guy wants from his dad. The two love fly-fishing together and hitting the occasional round of golf.

“We’re more into fly-fishing than anything else. It gives us the chance to be guys and just talk about stuff. That’s pretty evident when you take a look around our house,” Phil joked, speaking of the dazzling artwork that decks the halls of the Lane house, chronicling his fishing trips with Christopher.

Because Beth is a fabulous interior designer, her unique flair has really turned their house into something spectacular. Think bold animal prints and furniture of all textures with wildly shaped, and incredibly comfortable, high back chairs to sit in. To say the least, their great room is a valiant expression of positive energy with vivid color splashed all over the walls as proof positive a family of creatives lives there.

The first thing anyone would notice upon entering the Lanes’ dream home is the striking pictorials that don the walls –sunflowers, fish, landscapes, fish. Explaining the significance of the paintings, Phil explains, “We fish on a catch and release program so I started making Christopher paintings of the fish we would catch. We would take a picture before we let it go and then I would come home and paint it. I really enjoy painting as a hobby. It is a true stress release after a hectic day.”

Phil’s love of acrylic and pastel paint is evident in every brushstroke of his work. A proud Furman University graduate, Phil holds a Bachelor’s in History with a Minor in Fine Arts. It was in college, macho football player though he was, where he discovered his seemingly innate artistic abilities. “After taking art classes to bring up my grades, I found that I was good at making art and I really enjoyed it. I even received an art scholarship.”

Phil jokes that there must be some kind of artists’ gene passed down.“Creativity really runs in my family so it’s no surprise I would love painting.” Phil would one day like to put his work in a gallery. “Over the years, I have auctioned pieces at Trout Unlimited charity events. It’s cool to think my work is hanging in someone’s living room.”

Another of Phil’s hobbies is collecting ancient artifacts. He proudly displays Native American pieces in a case in the front of the house. Arrowheads and other crudely manmade tools are among the items he has found. Phil is especially proud of one artifact in particular –a soapstone bowl that probably dates back more than 3,000 years, one that early Americans used to boil water in.

Phil says he, Beth and Christopher feel blessed to be a part of the Cordillera family living in the gorgeous Texas Hill Country. “In the months to come, we look forward to meeting our neighbors and venturing into town more. Beth and I plan to get involved in the Episcopal church in Boerne and other nonprofits in the area.”

Ever the optimist, Phil is looking expectantly to the New Year. “I think 2012 is going to be a great year for us all.”

Besides kayaking in the summer and getting away to their second home – an 1861 log cabin in Tryon, North Carolina –Phil says the family is just looking forward to taking advantage of all the fine services Cordillera has to offer and settling into their new lives in the Lone Star State.

Phil signs off by saying, “You only get one life. Let’s make it a fun adventure; experience it and enjoy it!”

Author: Bethany Heinesh

From Our Magazine: Cordillera Ranch Living

Local flavors are in Chef Webb’s blood.

Dwight Webb, Executive Chef at the Clubs of Cordillera Ranch can cook anything, that’s no secret. His passion for cooking indigenous foods, however, is what made him such a great catch. Pun intended.

Chef Webb’s familiarity with Texas fare not only comes from being a Texan, but also because he grew up fishing and hunting in this bountiful state.

What kind of creations can you expect to see from our talented Executive Chef?

How about Shortstack of Cold-smoked Trout and Potato, Fennel and Leek Pancakes with TexasChèvre, apple Cider-Mustard seed reduction and Dill Oil. Not your thing? Then try his Dove and Dumplings. No matter your palette, you can be confident that Chef Webb will expand your horizons of food with a familiar dish or something found in your back yard. Literally.

Read more about the culinary offerings of Cordillera Ranch

A new year has arrived bringing about new goals, aspirations, and desired self improvement. The Spa and Athletic Club of Cordillera Ranch offers amenities that can assist in fulfilling these desires. In 2012, we are now offering expanded massage treatments, a professional grade pedicure chair, a new esthetician and our very own Pilates Studio! We are very excited for the new offerings and encourage everyone to give it a try; you will then be well on your way to those New Year resolutions!

Karen Walton, the Club’s massage therapist, is an extremely talented therapist skilled in many forms of massage, including her newest offerings: full body wraps, facials, golf massage and a sinus soothing treatment.

Karen offers massages Tuesdays – Sundays, during normal Club operating hours, including holidays. Simply contact her directly at 210.363.6194 to set up an appointment or to discuss how her services may be able to help your unique needs.

Another amenity offered at the Club’s Spa is nail treatments. Contact Tammy Stone and enjoy an array of services from our new spa pedicures to Shellac nail polish, a revolutionary zero dry time, mirror finish polish that lasts up to fourteen days! Tammy is available by appointment Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays by calling or texting 210.833.0083.

Looking and feeling healthy is a priority that all of us should aspire to, however stresses of daily life can often pay a toll on our skin and over all look. In 2012, good skin care and maintenance is a great goal to focus on. In an effort to create a one stop shop where all your health and beauty needs can be met, the Club welcomes Esthetician Lois Garber.

Lois brings 20 years of experience in skin care to Cordillera Ranch with access to Bioelements Professional Skin Care Line. All of Lois’ facials feature a de-stressing eye treatment, hydrating hand wrap, scalp massage, customized aromatherapy, nourishing lip treatment and microdermabrasion and micro-current as needed. Lois is available by appointment by calling 210-415-1771, simply contact her directly with any questions you may have, to set up an appointment, or to purchase Bioelements Skin Care products.

The Clubs is proud to introduce our new Pilates Studio hosted by Martha Miehe-Rendard, a certified Pilates teacher and licensed massage therapist.

Pilates, a system of exercises that balance your body by increasing your core strength, flexibility, coordination and muscle tone is the perfect way to kickstart 2012. Pilates goes hand in hand with all sports, thus, many golfers and tennis players have benefited from the optimal range of motion achieved through this training method.

Martha will not only assist you with her knowledgeable Pilates instruction, she is also a licensed massage therapist which allows her to use therapeutic and sports massage techniques to complement and further encourage the benefits associated with Pilates work. By contacting Martha directly at 830.446.1140 or marthamiehe@hotmail.com she can introduce you to the wonderful world of Pilates. Below are a few reminders and tips when interested in services:
•    All services are available by appointment only and can be booked by calling the professionals listed above or at cordilleraranch.com. If you are interested in hosting a party or a group gathering, Lindsey Minarcik can assist with the coordinating by calling 830.336.9000 ext 241 or by email at lminarcik@cordilleraranch.com.
•    We encourage members to bring friends and family in for any and all spa services.
•    If you need to cancel an appointment, please notify the Service Provider directly with 24 hours notice.
•    Day Use Guest Lockers are located in the Women’s Locker Room and are available by visiting the Reception Desk in the Main Clubhouse to obtain a key.
•    Fitness Lockers are available to rent in the Fitness Center for $8 a month by contacting Lindsey Minarcik at 830.336.9000 ext 241 or lminarcik@cordilleraranch.com.

The New Year brings about a great time to pick up some new habits and continue the ones you’ve already developed, the Spa and Athletic Club help you on your way to a healthier, happier you!

Author: Lindsey Minarcik – lminarcik@cordilleraranch.com

From Our Magazine: Cordillera Ranch Living

South Texas PGA ties up the overall series with a win

In November 2011, Cordillera Ranch was proud to host the 31st installment of the Joe Black Cup. The tournament, named after Texas native and former President of the PGA of America, is the most anticipated competitive event in the Northern and Southern Texas sections of the PGA. In 2010, the South Texas team won the tournament, tying the overall series 15-15-1. Captained by Cordillera Ranch head golf pro Marc DeWall, the 2011 South Texas team consisted of many San Antonio area PGA professionals.

The tournament was held on our own Jack Nicklaus Signature course, ranked as the #4 golf course in Texas. We are proud to host such events as the Joe Black Cup and thank everyone involved for their participation and support.

Read more about the Joe Black Cup

From www.mysanantonio.com

YEAR IN REVIEW
First, I’d like to welcome the 51 new families that made Cordillera Ranch their new home in 2011 and the 49 new members that joined the club last year! As usual the year flew by too fast, and it’s hard to believe we are entering our 16th year as a community. After the slowdown from 2008-2010, it was nice to bounce back to such a positive year of real estate and membership sales and new home construction. Just driving around the 40 miles of roads in the neighborhood you can see for yourself the significant increase in construction activity from a year and two years ago. As of the time this went to print, there were 30 homes under construction (none of which are specs) in Cordillera Ranch and another 20 in design review and planning. That’s a pretty staggering figure and a great testament to the activity in the neighborhood. Based on the new lot sales activity in 2011, that number is only expected to climb in 2012. Through November 2011 overall lot sales volume was up 18% to $9.6MM (resales and developer lots) and average lot sales price was $266k, also an 18% increase from in 2010.

“IN TEXAS, WE ARE ALL IN THE ENERGY BUSINESS”
What’s driving the activity? There is no doubt that all of San Antonio is benefitting from the enormous economic impact of the Eagle Ford Shale exploration and development- and it’s only just begun. We’ve seen a noticeable uptick in traffic in the last 18 months from families relocating to the area in conjunction with the Eagle Ford.  Many of our sales in the last two years have been either directly or indirectly related to people associated with the energy industries.  Whether it’s an engineer at a drilling firm, an executive at a refinery or pipeline company, or some other business professional who’s company does business with these oil and gas companies, we’re definitely feeling the positive impact of the Eagle Ford. There has also been some sales activity from people who owned ranches in the Eagle Ford Shale and with lease prices as high as $20k+/acre some of them are cashing out and moving to the Hill Country. A few of the energy companies whose employees or owners have bought property in Cordillera Ranch are EOG, Howard Energy Partners, Pioneer, SRX Group and Pioneer Natural Resources. After nearly 40 years in the real estate business in Texas, Cordillera Ranch Development President, David Hill, is emphatic in saying, “In Texas, whether you’re a lawyer, a carpenter, a jeweler, a real estate developer or just about any other trade, we’re really all in the energy business, for better or worse.” Considering the national economic recession, the timing of this oil and gas find could not have been better for San Antonio.

Since Petrohawk drilled the first successful well in the Eagle Ford in 2008, the other major oil and gas exploration and servicing firms have surged to the region, including Anadarko, Apache, Atlas, EOG, Pioneer, Marathon Oil, Schlumberger, Halliburton, and XTO just to name a few. These unprecedented new investments in the Eagle Ford and relocations to the San Antonio area are just the beginning according to many of the economists.  A UTSA study predicts the Eagle Ford will create 68,000 new jobs by 2020, of which an estimate 6,000 may be in San Antonio.  This is about double the impact of the Toyota manufacturing plant in San Antonio. By all estimates, this new Spindletop covering 24 counties has real staying power. EOG CEO, Mark Papa, recently said, “I continue to believe EOG’s Eagle Ford position is the highest rate of return, large-scale hydrocarbon play in all of North America, onshore or offshore. I also continue to believe this is the largest oil company — oil discovery net to any one company in the last 40 years in the U.S.” That’s a pretty staggering statement from an oil and gas veteran and head of a Fortune 500 company. With tens of billions of dollars of planned investment in this burgeoning energy play in the next few years, it sure appears that most of the industry heavyweights agree with him.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR CORDILLERA RANCH?
In spite of the fact that Eagle Ford itself is located south of San Antonio, a significant amount of the energy companies have offices on the north and northwest sides of town Tesoro, EOG and Valero. NuStar is expected to complete its new headquarters for nearly 1,000 employees in 2012 just north of the Rim on I-10 (15-20 minutes from Cordillera Ranch). With all of this continuing job growth on the north side of San Antonio, we are planning two new sections of lots to be opened in 2012 (on top of the two sections that were delivered with successful sales in 2011).

One of the new planned sections for 2012 includes the addition of Phase 2 of the Di Lusso Villas, which will offer the first golf-frontage villa lots in Cordillera Ranch. In addition, Phase 2 will offer at least one new villa floor plan customized to meet the unique terrain and views fronting hole #3. Additionally, in 2012 we plan to break ground on the first sections of lots across FM 3351. The beauty of the 2,300 acres of land across FM 3351 perfectly complements the areas developed to date and there are also some new features that will be incorporated. These new areas will include some stunning 1 to 2+ acre lots along a bluff overlooking Panther Creek and a planned additional property owners park and new trail system. Balancing out the 1 to 2 acre product will be another section of lots ranging from 2/3rd to ¾-acre estate lots with a land plan that is modeled after the “Cluster Land Planning” approach which minimizes the area of land the homeowner needs to maintain while preserving native landscapes in common areas around the enclave of lots. The intent is to preserve the beautiful hill country vegetation in community areas so the homeowner does not have to. Stay tuned in the next issue of Cordillera Ranch Living for more details on these exciting new developments for 2012!

Author: Cordillera Ranch

From Our Magazine: Cordillera Ranch Living

The Rules Of Bidding

There are no “rules of bidding” of course – you’re the client, therefore you can choose how you’d like to engage suitors, but I’d like to take this opportunity to share some thoughts on the construction bidding process that may benefit you in your search for the right homebuilder.

The weakened economy has benefitted those desiring to build a new home in several ways.  Firstly, the abundance of builders from only 3-4 years ago has been thinned as the “wheat has been separated from the chaff” – that is, many builders haven’t survived the times.  The wiser, more reputable builders have remained, and the risk of contracting with someone less qualified for the task has been diminished.  Secondly, the competitive nature of the bidding process has been ignited, as opportunities are fewer, resulting in aggressive proposals and tightened margins.  And thirdly, those builders who once had waiting lists may now be available on a moment’s notice, with reduced workloads leading to more concentration on fewer simultaneous jobs.  But the bidding process is still a delicate one that isn’t to be taken lightly.

In times like these it’s only natural for consumers to take advantage of the competitive market and stretch their dollar to the limits.  We compare prices, quality, warranty and service.  We pit one vendor or shop against another, knowing that someone out there wants the sale worse than the next guy.  But this approach may not always be best when it comes to building a custom home, as this purchase is significantly different than most.  Building a home may likely be one of the largest investments you make in your lifetime – financially and emotionally; it requires a year or two for planning and construction; it requires multiple years of follow through service; and it requires a mutual, trusting relationship – one that will demand much interaction for an extended period of time, before and after construction.

In simple terms there are two basic approaches:  The Team Approach and the Competitive Bid Approach.  The Team Approach consists of an owner, designer/architect, builder and other support members, i.e. engineering consultants, interior designers, and other specialists.  These parties work together as a team from the onset towards the mutual goal of maximizing form, function, finances, creativity, and joy of building a new home.  In contrast, the Competitive Bid Approach separates the builder and his or her support specialists from the initial processes of plan development.  Once design and architecture is complete, multiple builders are identified, each being provided with a complete set of plans and specifications and asked to prepare and submit a proposal by a predetermined deadline.

Favoring the Competitive Bid Approach over the Team Approach may lead to great frustration, and establishing a level playing field among bidders can be extremely difficult.  Plans and specification documents, if well executed, can define angles, thicknesses, materials and allowances, but rarely are they so complete that all competing bidders actually interpret them the same.  Each competing builder will introduce a host of subcontractors and vendors in the process of bid compilation, with each minor (or major) interpretation inconsistency increasing the difference among final proposals.  To be sure, a grey area in the plans or specifications will oftentimes be manipulated by a bidding party to increase the chances of successful bid, rather than bidding per the ideal desire or intent of the owner.  Another common mistake is made when comparing markedly different builders and respective proposals.  Executive support and interaction, supervisory staff, total experience, interior design services, skill levels, capacity, warranty procedures, company goals and values differ tremendously from one builder to the next.  There is no right or wrong of course, but there is most likely a mix that best suits your personal style and temperament.

So if not competitive bids then what?  My preference and recommendation is the Team Approach.  Narrowing down the field of builder candidates can be tough, but I always recommend several things:  a) stay local, b) identify Builders who are working (or have worked frequently) in the vicinity of your lot, c) conduct personal interviews, d) inspect a job(s) currently under construction, e) apply your own personal “gut check” and f) check references, check references, check references.  Stay local because a local builder will likely subcontract with local subs, which increases accountability and the likelihood of improved performance by all.  Identify builders who are building in the vicinity because they’ll spend more time supervising your job, and less time staring at their windshield in cross-county treks.  Conduct personal interviews because it may reveal a characteristic, methodology or business practice that you admire.  Inspect current jobs to see the cleanliness, fit and finish.  And check references because there’s nothing that compares to a well satisfied client.  Check references of current clients, former clients, local contractors, bankers and businesspeople – don’t simply rely on hand-picked references, but do a little digging along the way.

Once you’ve done these things you’re ready to move forward with your first choice as if it’s “theirs to lose” – that is, if the builder invests his time, provides good counsel, treats with respect, makes a thorough presentation and puts his best foot forward then he will most likely earn the actual job of constructing your new home.  This will likely include a site meeting(s) at your lot, multiple design meetings with the designer or architect, Architectural Review Committee meetings, a mid-design estimate, the development of full specifications to accompany the completed plans, and a thorough and final proposal.  One very significant yet intangible benefit of this approach is the opportunity to establish a mutual and trusting relationship well in advance, that is, prior to the execution of a construction contract. With expanded relationships comes increased accountability, the opportunity to communicate, the ability to empathize and the hope for like-minded goals.  The ultimate goal of which is an increased focus on value and satisfaction of investment.  By this time the Builder has a vested interest, and if after months of team effort the proposal doesn’t line up with prior estimates or the relationship simply doesn’t feel right then it would be good and appropriate to seek a second opinion and/or alternate bids.

So ask me and I say build a relationship first, and then build the house.  As a founding member of the Cordillera Ranch Preferred Builder Group I would be happy to visit in person about your needs and can be reached at office 830.249.3646 or robert@rsthornton.com.  Some builders may request a fee or a contractual relationship to proceed with this Team Approach whereas others may not, but if so the terms may be negotiable – after all, it is a highly competitive market.

Author: Robert Thornton – Great Homes L.P.

From Our Magazine: Cordillera Ranch Living