Sterling Custom Homes helping make wishes with $2,500 donation to Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Central and South Texas

For Sterling Custom Homes’ employees, being supported by management means more than just being able to take time off or receiving appropriate health or dental benefits; it’s also about being supported in the employee’s efforts to make an impact in the community. This was recently demonstrated when the Austin home builder made a $2,500 donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Central and South Texas, a nonprofit that grants wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions. The $2,500 was a matching donation by one of the company’s employees, Gary Grambley, the company’s Sales and Marketing Director.

Gary is training for November’s Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon and when he approached Duke McDowell, Sterling Custom Homes’ President, about the Austin luxury real estate company supporting his efforts, Gary was pleasantly surprised to learn that the company would be more than willing to support him.

Gary initially asked for $1,000 to help jumpstart his fundraising efforts and was instead told that the company would match the first $2,500 that he was able to raise. Since then, Gary hasn’t had much trouble convincing his friends and associates to join in on the giving and help him reach his goal.

After learning of Sterling’s willingness to match their donations, people were eager to help. To date, Gary has raised $5,740 and will continue fundraising until the Marathon this November.

To help Gary in his fundraising efforts, visit https://secure.wish.org/ourfriends/031-000/garygrambley.htm.

For more information about Sterling Custom Homes, visit the website.

Austin Texas Named Top Real Estate Boomtown by ProximityOne

What’s your favorite part about living in Austin, Texas? Is it the city’s unique festivals such as South by Southwest and Austin City Limits? Maybe it’s the city’s rich culture and history? Or, is it Austin’s flourishing job market and Austin luxury real estate that piques your interest? For ProximityOne, it’s all of the above. Recently, ProximityOne named Austin, Texas one of the “Top 10 real estate boomtowns:

2020.” “Austin, Texas is an alluring location because of its sophisticated style and taste,” said Duke McDowell, president of Sterling Custom Homes. “We strive to provide custom homes that match each of our client’s individual preferences as well as the city’s unique charm.”

Those interested in being a part of this amazing location should give Sterling Custom Homes a call. For more than 20 years, Sterling has been one of the top home builders in Texas with its cutting-edge designs and unique floor plans that fit every buyer’s needs.

Plus, buyers will find the builder’s new homes in Austin’s premier custom home, private gated and resort golf communities including Lakeway, Village of the Hills, Rough Hollow, Caslano, Seven Oaks, Barton Creek, Mirador Drive, River Place, Spanish Oaks and The Reserve at Lake Travis.

So, if you’re ready to be a part of Austin’s excitement and opportunities, then contact Sterling Custom Homes today to begin designing the home of your dreams.

Second Sterling Custom Home Foundation Poured in The Reserve at Lake Travis

With more than 20 years of Austin luxury real estate expertise and unfailing attention to detail, Sterling Custom Homes is quickly becoming the builder of choice for property owners at The Reserve at Lake Travis. Recently, the Austin builder poured the foundation for its second custom home at luxury community developed by the Hal Jones Development Group.

When completed, the new custom home located on Ruffian Heights Cove will be the embodiment of luxury. Set atop a cliff, the home will boast breathtaking Lake Travis views.

The Reserve at Lake Travis is nestled along 3.5 miles of shoreline along the south banks of Lake Travis, making this the perfect location for those looking for a primary residents as well as buyers interested in a secondary home. Composed of 310 acres of rolling Texas Hill Country, the community has no shortage of gorgeous views or green space. Buyers may choose from waterfront home sites prices from $199,000 or maintenance-free villas with metal rooftops, expansive outdoor living spaces and spacious interiors priced from the $500,000s.

Plus, residents enjoy resort-style amenities including a full-service equestrian center, lazy river pool with swim up bar, world-class marina and a private Cypress Club Pavilion. What a great way to spend your summer

Sterling Custom Homes is one of the area’s top Austin home builders. For more information, call 512-263-2214 or visit the Sterling Custom Homes website to start designing the custom home of your dreams at The Reserve at Lake Travis.

Help Sterling Custom Homes and Gary Make a Wish Come True

Sterling Custom Homes’ sales director Gary Grambley is committed to making a difference in the Austin community as well as the lives of children suffering from life-threatening diseases.

Grambley has been fundraising for his upcoming participation in the San Antonio Rock & Roll Marathon for the Make-A-Wish Foundation®, and one of the area’s top Austin home builders, Sterling Custom Homes, has pledged to match his fundraising efforts up to $2,500!

Earlier this year, Sterling Custom Homes donated $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Central and South Texas for every new Facebook “Like” the builder received on its fan page (http://www.facebook.com/sterlingcustomhomes), up to 300 total fans.

Grambley aims to raise $5,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Central and South Texas. This amount is the monetary donation it takes to grant one of the children’s wishes. “Training for a marathon is a long, difficult endeavor,” said Grambley. “Knowing that my efforts will benefit a child in need will provide me with an added incentive when I hit the road for the 16, 18 and 20 plus mile training runs.”

The Make-A-Wish Foundation® (http://www.wish.org/) has been granting wishes to enhance the lives of children suffering from life-threatening medical conditions. Nearly 25,000 volunteers help make the foundation’s work possible and enable the non-profit to grant a child’s wish every 40 minutes.

If you would like to help Grambley reach his goal, donations can be made online at https://secure.wish.org/ourfriends/031-000/garygrambley.htm.

Sterling Custom Homes is one of the area’s top builders of Austin luxury real estate. For more information, visit http://www.sterlingcustomhomes.com.

Sterling Custom Homes Offers Move-In Ready Home with Reduced Pricing

Are you overwhelmed by the amount of work your home needs to transform it from an ugly duckling to your dream home? If you find that tackling your home improvements is turning into an insurmountable task, then we have some great news for you. Sterling Custom Homes has just reduced the pricing on its Austin luxury real estate at Escavera at Flintrock Falls to $998,780. Now, you can own your dream home at a fraction of the blood, sweat and tears that were about to go into your home improvement project.

The completed, move-in ready Sterling home at Escavera at Flintrock Falls is spacious enough to accommodate any buyer. The 3,905 square foot, one-story floor plan boasts four bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms and a three-car garage.

Those who enjoy entertaining family and friends will appreciate the large, covered outdoor living space with breathtaking golf course views and the convenient Guest Casita for overnight visitors.

When you’re ready to get out of your home for a breath of fresh air, the Jack Nicklaus designed Flintrock Falls golf course makes a perfect escape.

But don’t take our word for it. Come and see for yourself what makes Sterling Custom Homes one of the area’s top Austin home builders.

For more information or to schedule a tour of the Escavera at Flintrock Falls community, visit the Sterling Custom Homes website or call 512-263-2214.

Luxury New Homes in Thriving City

While other cities still struggle to regain their footing after the economic downturn, one city remains stable and is actually thriving despite recent hardships. Austin, Texas is still doing well. In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that the city has grown since 2000 and the Bureau of Labor Statistics report that Austin’s unemployment rate is under the national average, making the city a viable location for buyers searching for Austin luxury real estate.

Not only is the city flourishing economically, but it is also a cultural hotspot known for its unique local art and music scenes, rich history and beautiful landscapes.

If you’re in the market for a new home, then you should consider Austin home builders, Sterling Custom Homes.

For more than 20 years, the builder has been known for its cutting-edge custom home designs and unique floor plans. Currently, Sterling is offering a rare opportunity to purchase a completed home at Escavera at Flintrock Falls in Lakeway. The home features an elegant 3,905 square foot one-story floor plan with four bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, a three-car garage and Guest Casita.

In addition to Escavera at Flintrock Falls, Sterling builds in other new home communities throughout the Austin area including Lakeway, Village of the Hills, Rough Hollow, Caslano, Seven Oaks, Barton Creek, Mirador Drive, River Place and Spanish Oaks.

For more information about Sterling Custom Homes, visit the website.

Sterling Enhances Driveway Application

Always thinking of ways to improve its home building process and please buyers, Sterling Custom Homes is improving its rap-“pour”-t again! This Austin home builder has come up with a new application that gives driveways of their luxury Austin homes a unified finishing touch.

“So many times it doesn’t cost any more to implement a change like the driveway/garage apron improvement,” said Vick Pope, vice president of construction at Sterling Custom Homes. “It only requires the desire to constantly improve, and the mindset that never accepts things as the way they’ve always been done.”

In standard methods other builders use, driveway material is poured up to the exterior of the garage apron, leaving an exposed meeting place between the home’s driveway and foundation. The driveway and foundation are often two different materials or finishes, and this discontinuity can be seen by residents and visitors alike.

However, Sterling Custom Homes has bettered this process, and buyers can now have a seamless flow from the driveway to the foundation of their Austin luxury real estate. The new process involves Sterling dropping the foundation at the garage’s apron, which allows the driveway to end at the point where the garage door meets the concrete. This simple process provides a seamless flow from the driveway to the garage with a professionally finished look.

Sterling Custom Homes demonstrates this dedication to detail in other aspects of their home building as well. For more information, visit the Sterling Custom Homes website today.

Design Trends for New Homes in Austin

Sterling Custom Homes has been helping its Austin area clients design unique floor plans for more than 20 years. By adding several different types of custom home features, the luxury home builder can customize each home to fit individual needs. Whether you need more space to accommodate a growing family or want to create a home that will blow your friends and family away with that wow factor, you’ll love what Sterling can do.

Homebuyers who need extra play space for their children (or for themselves) will love the versatile combination media and game room. By combining both rooms, homeowners can entertain freely with more public and social access to a large viewing screen.

One of the most popular rooms in the new homes in Austin built by Sterling Custom Homes is the outdoor living space. Temperature can be regulated by misters and heaters; and it provides an area where homeowners can relax, enjoy beautiful weather or entertain.

However, if you really want to impress your friends and family, then you should consider the addition of a disappearing glass wall. An interlocking glass door system that pockets into the wall, it creates a seamless flow from inside of your home to an outdoor living area that usually features breathtaking views of Austin’s Hill Country or lake views.

These are just some of the many custom home options offered by Sterling Custom Homes. For more information, visit the home builder’s website.

Sterling Offers Buyers a Rare Opportunity

Sterling Custom Homes has a rare prospect that is so extraordinary; you may never see one like it ever again in your lifetime. The new home builder in Austin is offering buyers a completed home at Escavera at Flintrock Falls.

Located in Lakeway in a private golf course community, this home showcases the craftsmanship that you’ve come to expect from Sterling Custom Homes. The Escavera house features breathtaking golf course views that will make a wonderful backdrop for entertaining and impress your family and friends. Priced at $1,059,780 and spanning 3,905 square feet, the one-story floor plan boasts four bedrooms and 4.5 baths. And, buyers will love its unique details such as a three-car garage, Guest Casita and large, covered outdoor living area.

Not only will you enjoy this luxurious home built by luxury home builder Sterling Custom Homes, you’ll love living at Escavera at Flintrock Falls. The community is an intimate enclave of only 20 estate-sized lots and features 1/3 to 3/4 acre home sites with golf course or scenic Hill Country views priced from the mid- to high-$200,000s.

Just imagine hours of fun perfecting your golf swing on the community’s focal point, the Jack Nicklaus designed Flintrock Falls golf course.

This home is a must-see. Come and visit Escavera at Flintrock Falls today to tour this once in a lifetime opportunity.

For more information, visit the Sterling Custom Homes website.

Escavera at Flintrock Falls, A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity

Just Once in a Lifetime....Escavera at Flintrock Falls.

Luxury home builder Sterling Custom Homes is offering a rare prospect to purchase a completed home at Escavera at Flintrock Falls located in Lakeway. Opportunities this special come along just once in a lifetime, and you must act fast because it won’t last long.

Priced at $1,059,780, this beautiful home showcases the craftsmanship of new homes builder in Austin Sterling Custom Homes. Boasting an elegant one-story floor plan and spanning 3,905 square feet, the home features four bedrooms, 4.5 baths, a three-car garage and the popular Guest Casita. With a large, outdoor living area and breathtaking golf course views, this home is perfect for those who love to entertain.

The home is nestled in Escavera at Flintrock Falls; an intimate enclave of 20 estate-sized home sites positioned around the Jack Nicklaus designed Flintrock Falls golf course community. All lots range from 1/3 to 1/4 acre and provide scenic Hill Country or golf course views.

Don’t miss your opportunity to own an Austin Custom Home at Escavera at Flintrock Falls. For more information, visit the Sterling Custom Homes website.

Sterling Begins Construction on Second Home at Steiner Ranch

Sterling Custom Homes, a new home builder in Austin, has just begun construction on its second home at Steiner Ranch; an award-winning master-planned community, just 15 minutes west of downtown Austin.

The new home will be built at the custom home section of Steiner Ranch, The Bluffs. Composed of approximately 4,600 acres, The Bluffs is composed of estate home sites that range from 3/4 to 1.5 acres.

Sterling's newest project at Steiner Ranch is a unique, ranch floor plan that spans more than 5,300 square feet of custom living space. The home also features a spacious six-car garage.

Buyers who are in the market for true luxury will love the bevy of resort-style amenities offered at Steiner Ranch. The centerpiece of the luxurious, master-planned community is the prestigious Uiversity of Texas Golf Club. Other amenities include three community centers with swimming pools, changing rooms, shower and restroom facilities, lighted tennis courts, picnic and playground areas, basketball court and volleyball area and scenic nature trails for biking and hiking.

Adding to the luxury at Steiner Ranch is a Lake Club on Lake Austin with day use boat docks, lighted pavilion, barbecue pits and playground.

If Steiner Ranch sounds like the luxurious community for you, visit the website to find out more.

Sterling Custom Homes is a luxury home builder that uses its more than 20 years of experience to design custom homes that fit clients’ individual needs. For more information, visit the Sterling Custom Homes website.

Open Up Your Floorplan With a Disappearing Glass Door

Are you searching for new homes in Austin, but can't find a floorplan that is open enough to accommodate your lifestyle? Sterling Custom Homes has the solution for you. The builder is known for its innovative and custom designs that create a seamless flow throughout the home. One of Sterling’s most popular innovative designs is the 20-foot disappearing glass wall.

The disappearing glass wall is built into your custom home’s wall cavities. When installed, this door system typically flows into a large, covered outdoor living space. Not only does a disappearing glass door create an easy flow throughout your home, it also creates a dramatic effect that is amplified when placed in an area of the home that overlooks a lake or Hill Country view.

This is the perfect door system for homeowners who enjoy entertaining family and friends. When opened, a disappearing glass door opens your home so that guests can mingle comfortable both inside and outside.

Texas custom home builder Sterling Custom Homes has installed more than 30 disappearing glass doors since 2004. For more information, visit the Sterling Custom Homes website.

Sterling Custom Homes Now Incorporating Pool Construction Into Home Building

Luxury home buyers in Austin frequently add a pool as part of their outdoor landscaping, and Austin custom builder, Sterling Custom Homes, understands the benefit of having your home-builder manage pool construction during the build of your home. Through completing the home and pool together, home buyers truly have a custom design for both, and avoid obstacles that often occur if the pool is built after the home, which can save money as well.

The warm climate of Austin encourages home buyers to design their custom homes with outdoor living spaces, including swimming pools. As the newest designs for pools become popular, it's truly valuable to be sure the materials for the pool and outdoor areas compliment the home. If the buyer desires a rocky oasis, a lap pool stretching 50 feet, or a luxurious infinity pool, the best solution is to have the new home and pool completed together. In the situation that the home has already been built, and you would then like to add a pool area, it is much more difficult to accomplish for the builders, and costly for you.

This also provides easier access to the home and pool areas for Sterling Custom Homes to construct both, instead of trying to work around a home and fencing already being present. Because the sites are easier to access, this saves money for the home buyer on pool construction, and by having Sterling Custom Homes handle the whole custom home building process, the buyer can be assured they have a quality builder with reliable industry partners for supplies. In addition, the buyer will know they have a company that has centralized project responsibility for both indoor and outdoor components, reducing miscommunication and possible and costly delays.

For more information on Sterling Custom Homes, visit the website.

Escavara Home Nearing Completion at Flintrock Falls

The exciting sound of construction can be heard each day as the beautiful home built by Austin custom homebuilder, Sterling Custom Homes, nears completion. This home is being prepared as a quick-delivery home, so there is still time for the interested home buyer to personalize all the finishing touches.

Offering a fresh twist on quick-delivery custom homes, 111 Escavara Cove showcases stunning one-level living with a casita, gourmet kitchen and deep outdoor living space. The home's footprint extends nearly 4,000 square feet and is more expansive with a large outdoor living area. A casita is the perfect guest space or home for a household employee. The casita features private access and a one-car garage.

Two kitchens, one indoor and one outdoor, offer plenty of space for food preparation and storing all of the culinary gadgets that make meal prep fun.

The flow of this home's plan is perfect for entertaining and everyday living alike. Construction is expected to be complete by September 30, so interested buyers need to act fast to customize their dream home.

Beautiful Austin Custom Home on Lake Travis

Lake Travis is a wonderful place to spend the weekend, but what if you had your own custom home there? Better yet, what if your home was so well integrated with the outdoors that the transition from inside to out is seamless?

This Austin custom home could be yours. Sterling Custom Homes has built a beautiful cliff-side home at The Reserve at Lake Travis. The contemporary-style home is priced at $2,998,780 and features five bedrooms, five bathrooms and two half baths. This home is perfect for relaxing with the family or entertaining multiple guests.

This home is outdoor living is at its finest, with a vanishing edge pool with beach and spa, covered firepit area and large outdoor covered living space. Other luxury features in this home include a gourmet kitchent, 5-car garage, 2-story walls of glass, sunken wet bar, exercise room with meditation court and specialty garage with wet bar.

Walls of glass showcase unbelievable views in this home and create harmony between the indoor and outdoor living spaces. The home features dual pocketing Fleetwood sliding glass doors which opens an entire wing to outdoor living areas. For more information on this beautiful home, visit the Sterling Custom Homes website.

Austin Custom Home Builder Hosts Party at Escavera

Sterling Custom Homes builds premier Austin custom homes in beautiful locations. Normally, they only build custom homes, but a speculative home was recently erected in Escavera at Flintrock Falls to showcase their talents to the fullest. This home was recently toured by clients and real estate agents at a preview party for the community, where only 15 lots remain.

Escavera is surrounded by the Jack Nicklaus designed Flintrock Falls golf course. The homesites in this community are perfect for taking in the view of the Texas hillside. Guests at Sterling's event were able to see the beautiful completed home, a custom home in the framing stages and a "quick delivery" available home with a newly poured slab.

Catered by the Hills Country Club, the event was a success as past clients and real estate agents learned about this unique property. The homesites are aggressively priced between $265,000 and $295,000 and are sure to move fast.

Sterling even agreed to the terms on the sale of lot 14 at the event!

Five Tips for a Success Home Remodel

Spring is the season for home remodeling, and to help make sure your project is turning out exactly the way you had anticipated, the National Association of Home Builders has released a list of five tips for a successful home remodel:

1. Compile a list of home remodeling ideas and draft a budget for the work.
2. Look for a professional remodeler to help plan the project.
3. Check the references and background of the remodeler.
4. Agree on a contract.
5. Take advantage of the energy efficiency tax credits.

It's absolutely true that these five little steps will help ensure your remodeling project runs smoothly with as little stress and hassle as possible. When it comes to professional remodelers in the Austin area, look to Sterling Custom Homes. The custom home builder encourages clients to check references and their professional background, confident you will be pleased with what you find. After learning of all the professional designations, awards, recognitions and honors, as well as the rave reviews from previous clients, you are sure to settle on Sterling as your professional remodeler.

As part of their business model, Sterling always sits down with the client to walk through the construction process. They have a unique costs and specifications sheet that will help detail all costs throughout the project so that you aren't stuck with any surprises two weeks from completion.

As for the energy efficient tax credits, Sterling Custom Homes has three Certified Green Professionals on staff and remains up-to-date with the latest green building technologies and products. They can suggest different energy-efficient features to incorporate into your home renovations, and then guide you through claiming the different tax credits.

This list from the NAHB for a successful home remodel is spot-on, and it seems like Sterling Custom Homes meets each point. So, for those Austin area remodelers out there, turn to Sterling Custom Homes as your professional remodeler.

Turn Your Master Bath into an Oasis

One of the best things about purchasing a new home in this day and age is that it will most certainly come with a "luxury spa bath" in the owner's suite. Typically this means a double vanity, garden tub with separate stand-up shower and a different, secluded area for the commode. There are other features and finishes that can help make these master baths truly luxurious, but these are the basic elements.

Unfortunately, if you have recently purchased a re-sale home or own a home that is 20 years old or more, your master bath is probably extremely small with a shower/tub combo and one tiny vanity. Why not turn your your small master bath into a luxurious oasis where you love to spend time?

Sterling Custom Homes can help you transform your current bathroom into a luxury spa bath. The Austin custom home builder will work closely with you, listening to your desires and needs, to create the bathroom of your dreams. If you have no idea which features are important to you or even available, the expert staff at Sterling will be able to offer suggestions and help guide you through the creative process.

They have created luxurious master baths that feature over-sized showers with multiple shower head, two-person jacuzzi tubs, custom cabinets, televisions, custom tile work, marble floors and more. The options to create your own personal oasis are endless. Call Sterling Custom Homes at 512-263-2214 to begin your bath remodeling project.

2010 Kitchen and Bath Design Trends

The 2010 International Builder Show took place last month in Las Vegas, and the Austin custom home builder Sterling Custom Homes was in attendance. They never miss this industry trade show as it is a prime opportunity to learn about new design trends and the latest technologies available in the home building industry. While they were able to gain more knowledge about building green and selling homes, some of the most beneficial knowledge came from perusing the exhibit floor. Here Sterling was able to scope out the newest innovations for the kitchen and bath industry as well as keep current on the most popular design trends.

Some of the most interesting trends for kitchens in 2010 include:

• Under-counter refrigerator - We love this idea! While most homes still use one large appliance, it is becoming more and more popular to use refrigerator drawers and other under-counter options. They are convenient, aesthetically pleasing and allow you to have different degrees of refrigeration for different items. Currently, the most common under-counter refrigeration is a wine cooler, but feel free to think outside the box and try using these under-counter options for anything you can think of.
  
• Flexible faucets - It is no longer common practice to have only one faucet in the kitchen. Instead, you are more likely to see a faucet in the island, along the countertop, near the stove and anywhere else it may be convenient. The pot filler at the stove is specifically designed to fill a pot with hot water so that it doesn't take so long to boil. These different faucets help make cooking a bit more efficient.
  
• Dishwasher drawers - Similar to the under-counter refrigeration, these dishwasher drawers allow you to run smaller loads, which saves water and electricity.

If you are planning a custom kitchen renovation, keep these three things in mind. If you live in the Austin, TX area, be sure to give Sterling Custom Homes a call as we would love to help you design the kitchen of your dreams. Be sure to ask us what other new trends are making their way into the kitchen.

Austin Remodelers Can Build a Cozy Keeping Room

Even though winter only officially began yesterday, cities all over the nation have already been experiencing harsh winter temperatures. Even Austin, TX has had snow flurries! Considering Austin is typically known for a more mild climate that doesn't often reach freezing or below freezing temperatures, it may make perfect sense that your home is without a fireplace, or only has one fireplace. Well, now is definitely time to start re-thinking  your home's layout and invest in some Austin remodeling services.

Sterling Custom Homes is an expert at creating ideal indoor living areas that can even be part of the kitchen. Maybe your formal living room is a little too formal for you to completely relax and unwind, so why not let Sterling Custom Homes create a cozy keeping room off of your kitchen fully equipped with a fireplace. The convenient location off of the kitchen means that whoever is preparing a meal can still be included in whatever conversations and fun are taking place in the keeping room, and those relaxing in the keeping room are always close to refreshments and snacks.

Sterling's keen attention to detail and unique features will ensure that your keeping room is exactly what you envisioned when you started the project. They can also incorporate a myriad of energy-efficient features, giving you the opportunity to take advantage of some tax credits.

And just because it isn't your formal living room doesn't mean that the keeping room won't be filled with fine finishes. Some of Sterling's signature features include curved walls of windows, stacked stone fireplaces, unique ceilings, built-in bookshelves, custom flooring, elegant lighting and more. No matter what your taste or style, Sterling can create the perfect living room directly off of your kitchen.