BLOG: The Story

No matter what stage of life you are in, or where you live, your home should be your sanctuary; a destination you want to retreat to over and over again. This episode of the Welcome Home podcast is for everyone who has big dreams to turn their home into a relaxing oasis, but isn't quite sure where to begin. We bring in home organization experts, Erika and Ginny from The Girl For That, to give answers and tips on how to organize a space and create the home oasis you've always dreamed of. Whether it's a functional home office or an organized play room for the kiddos, home organization is a great place to start!

here are many roads to becoming a Happy Homeowner and we are so excited to share this couples' journey of becoming one with John Houston Homes! Our episode guests, Paul and Cinnamon Wolfe, share their adventure of visiting the Waco area, finding the perfect community to build in, and the experience they've had through the home building process. From a community that had everything they wanted, to navigating supply shortages, and the strong relationships they built with their sales and construction team, they share it all! If you have dreams about building your perfect home, but have a lot questions about what that process looks like, the Wolfe Family's story is exactly what you need to hear!

As the Texas heat ramps up and outdoor living is in full swing, we are all dreaming of that first dip into a refreshing pool! If you're a new homeowner or starting the process of buying a home, you've probably thought about the big question - Is my lot big enough for a pool?? On this episode, owner of Bright Pools, Justin Bright, joins us to answer common questions like how much square footage is actually needed for a backyard pool and breaks down the different criteria a lot has to meet in order for a pool to be installed.

There's a lot to choose from when it comes to selecting upgrades and features for your new home. Picking out the "fun" features like engineered wood floors or that kitchen back splash you've been drooling over can take center stage, but what about the not-so-fun selections like gutters?! They may not be glamorous, but could be essential to protecting the foundation of your home, and on this episode we bring in the expert to tell you why. Michael Rich, owner of M&M Gutters, walks us through the importance of having gutters, how to maintain them and its many benefits, especially in this rainy spring season. If you're on the fence about adding gutters to your home and want to learn more, this is the episode for you!

For many homeowners who aren't gifted with the green thumb, the task of gardening and landscaping in their own yard can seem pretty intimidating. Where do you even start?? What landscaping options do you have and what kind of maintenance does it require? We bring in the gardening experts from Ellis County Master Gardner's Association, Pam and Scott, to share their vast knowledge on gardening and how to make the most of your landscape whether you have a small or large lot. They also talk about the many ways Master Gardner's contributes to the community, volunteer opportunities, and the 2022 Lawn and Garden Expo happening this Saturday!

Everyone's Home building or buying journey looks a little different, and at John Houston Homes, we want to provide the perfect home for our customers no matter what stage of life they're in or the timeline they have to get into a new home. On this episode, we share everything you need to know about our Inventory homes and why a Move-In Ready home might be the right choice for you. Whether you're relocating for a Job, want to be in a different school district, or simply don't want to go through the process of building from the ground up, we believe one of our Inventory homes is a great option that can meet all of your needs and more!

Everyone's Home building or buying journey looks a little different, and at John Houston Homes, we want to provide the perfect home for our customers no matter what stage of life they're in or the timeline they have to get into a new home. On this episode, we share everything you need to know about our Inventory homes and why a Move-In Ready home might be the right choice for you. Whether you're relocating for a Job, want to be in a different school district, or simply don't want to go through the process of building from the ground up, we believe one of our Inventory homes is a great option that can meet all of your needs and more!

We're back with the first episode of Season 3, and we are kicking it off with another great talk with CEO and Founder, John Houston, and Terry Trayvick, Chief Strategy Officer! Listen in as they talk about what we have learned over the past 2 years, what obstacles we have faced and navigated through, and of course what is ahead for John Houston Homes and the JH Family of Companies.

When beginning the search for a new home, our customers are looking for more than just the perfect elevation, floor plan, or community to live in. They are also looking for the perfect Sales Manager that will listen to their needs and guide them every step of the way to finding the home of their dreams. On this episode, we bring in the two more happy homeowners, the Thompson family, to tell us all about their John Houston Homes experience. They share with us about the ultimate customer care they received from the sales managers and loan officers, and how that played an integral part in helping them find their way home.. not just once, but twice!

On this episode, we dive into the real and raw truths of what the home buying journey can look like with John Houston homeowners, Terris and Latoshia Carter. For some it can be a quick and seamless process filled with joy and excitement, from that first meeting with a sales manager to the day they are handed the sacred keys. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case for everyone, and Terris and Latoshia prove that as they share the highs and lows of their experience and the journey that brought them to be happy homeowners today. If you are in process of buying or building a new home or about to begin your journey to home ownership, this episode is for you!

As a first time homebuyer or builder, it can be very easy to get whisked away in the euphoria of it all, and as a result, a few important details can be missed.. Including a big one; Functionality! That's why we bring you today's episode to discuss key components of a functional home, like adding USB plugs to your outlets or built-in spice racks in your kitchen cabinets. There are small upgrades that can be added to make life a whole lot easier as well as boost the resale value of your home, so listen in and take some notes to bring to your next design studio appointment.

So you found a home builder.. but what about all the other parts?? What title company do you choose? Who will be your mortgage lender? When you begin the journey of home ownership, there's already so much to coordinate and think about. As a Family of Companies, we have a solution to this! On this episode, we bring in long-time employee of the JH Family of Companies, Danny Tutt, to introduce the Smart Move Experience. Listen in as Danny shares how working with the JH Family of Companies creates a seamless process from start to finish and provides peace of mind to you as a new homeowner, from home financing all the way to closing.

Today we take you behind the scenes of the John Houston Homes building process. A lot of moving parts and people work together to make a home happen, and it certainly wouldn't be possible without the vendors we partner with; from concrete and landscaping to plumbing and countertops, the list is long. On this episode, our very own Director of Purchasing, OT Posadas, reveals how John Houston Homes continues to maintain great relationships with our vendors, even through the challenges of the industry, and what that process of working with our trade partners looks like to make your dream home a reality.

When building a new home, selling it is likely the last thing on your mind. But it is something to consider – especially if you know that this home may not be your forever home.

It's time for your design studio appointment and decisions have to be made.. what kind of backsplash do you choose?? Should you go with carpet or wood flooring?? On this episode we bring in the experts from Southwestern Interiors - our flooring and backsplash suppliers for over 12 years! President Bob Burton and Sales and Account Manager Jim McCaddon share their wealth of knowledge about these products as they give advice on what things really need to be considered before choosing the flooring and backsplash product that's right for your new home.

Whether you are currently building a new home or looking to start that process soon, we know you have questions! Build timelines in the current market is a hot topic, so we bring you today's episode to make sure our listeners stay informed and in the loop. You'll hear from our guests Danielle Depot and Jason Dodson, Regional Vice Presidents of Sales and Construction, who join us to demystify the big questions around build time - "How long will it take to build my house?", "What things impact the build timeline?", "What's with all the delays?" and "Why are other homes being built quicker than mine? "