Thinking of making your home in Marvida? When you do, you’ll be making your home in one of the top 20 master-planned communities in the nation.

How do we know? Housing research firm Robert Charles Lesser & Co. (RCLCO) recently released their annual mid-year list of the top 50 best-selling master-planned communities in the United States. We tied for the No. 20 after being open for less than one year!

Communities are ranked based on new-home sales from January through June. Builders in Marvida sold 320 new homes.

It’s an honor to be on the list. To make the top 20? Wow. There are many reasons home buyers choose Marvida. First, they have a huge choice of new home options by 16 award-winning builders. One-story, two-story, three bedrooms or five — you’ll find a floor plan that fits your lifestyle and budget.

Second, there are our amenities. With access to the many amenities available at sister communities Miramesa, Bridge Creek and Canyon Lakes West, you can take a break from those moving boxes and play right away.

That’s not all. The Island Amenity Village in Marvida will offer a resort-style pool, lazy river splash pad, clubhouse, playgrounds, dog park, fitness facility, sports courts, shade pavilion and event lawn.

Great homes, amazing amenities? Yep. It’s all coming together. Plan your visit to Marvida today, so you can start building your home tomorrow.

A beautiful home tailored to your needs that fits your budget? Is it a dream? Not if you purchase from Devon Street Homes in Marvida.

Devon Street Homes knows what homebuyers want out of their homes and is dedicated to giving it. That includes energy efficiency. They are committed to building homes that meet or exceed the standards set by the Environments for Living program. These rigorous requirements ensure a more comfortable home that saves you money on your energy bills.

Buyers also want choices so their homes fit their aesthetic and their needs. Devon Street Homes understands. Each of the six floor plans the builder offers in Marvida features numerous options. Most builders allow you to add a covered patio, but Devon Street Homes offers up to three patio choices. If you work from home, you can add a study. Don’t need a large study? Most floor plans boast pocket offices as a standard feature.

Other standard features include large family rooms game rooms, luxurious primary suites with beautiful baths, two-car garages and more.

The best part of all this is the price. Devon Street Homes in Marvida are priced from the $260s to the $340s. Designs range from 1,500 to 2,582 square feet. Visit us today to meet with a Devon Street Homes sales representative to start building your dream home.

You walk into a model home, open the pantry door and you can just imagine how orderly your canned goods, snacks and other items would look on the pantry shelves.

And then you go home and see just how crowded your current pantry is — ugh!

There is hope, though. You could — of course — buy a new home with that pristine pantry and all that comes with it. Or you could make a few smart purchases and devote an afternoon to perfecting your pantry. Either way, you’ll be happy you did!

So whether you’re starting with a brand new pantry or taking everything out of the old one and starting fresh, here are some tips to get you going:

Sorting

After you’ve taken everything out of your pantry and given it a good scrub (unless you’re lucky enough to be moving into a new home in Marvida), sort your items. Your very first criteria is to see if an item is out-of-date, which can be very likely for items stuck way back into a pantry corner. Then put like items together — snacks, baking items, canned goods, vinegars and oils, grains, etc. When you put your food items back into the pantry, put the newest in the back and the oldest up front to make sure you use items before they expire.

Planning

Before you can start loading up the pantry shelves, you’ll want to plan out your pantry if you haven’t done that already. Decide which items are likely to be accessed by little hands and which you definitely want to stay away from the kiddos. If you’re a big baker, you’ll want flour, baking soda, sugar, baking powder and other necessities readily available. Bake only during the holidays? Devote that prime pantry real estate to something you use on a more regular basis. Also consider putting little-used appliances on the hard-to-reach top shelves, although you may want to keep the heaviest appliances on the floor — we’re talking to you, KitchenAid stand mixer!

Containing

After you have your pantry planned out, consider what kinds of containers you’d like to use. Containers do more than just flavor your pantry with style, they are also functional. Instead of unwieldly boxes, open baskets can store snacks. And unless you use a lot of flour on a regular basis, you don’t want to keep them in their original containers. Why? Two words — flour beetles.

A few tips on containers — make sure the ones for flour and other items you might measure have openings that are wide enough for a measuring spoon. You’ll, of course, want clear containers so you can see what’s inside. And make the containers stackable. Do still consider adding labels, however, if only to put the expiration date on the label.

Shelving

For the items you aren’t putting in a container, consider purchasing tiered shelves so you can easily see everything you’re storing. Another solution would be to use a pull-out wire shelf or to even turn your shelves into drawers. Nothing will ever get lost in a corner if you use lazy Susans in your pantry — an easy solution for bottles of vinegar, oils and other liquids. And while this isn’t technically a shelf, you can add hanging storage to the back of your pantry door to further expand your storage capabilities.

A Final Pantry Point

If you do happen to be purchasing a new home — hopefully in Marvida! — talk to your builder about customizing your pantry. Storing a large bag of dog food? Perhaps a shelf can be raised to accommodate the bag. Going to place heavy appliances on a shelf? See if it can be reinforced or maybe even extended a little. An advantage to building a home is you can have your pantry constructed exactly the way you want!

 

The name Westin Homes has been synonymous with luxury, beauty and function for more than two decades.

Dedicated to providing affordable sophistication, Westin Homes’ designs offer unique architecture, such as their signature triple-tiered rotunda, sweeping staircases and floor-to-ceiling bay windows. And that’s only the start.

Westin Homes’ kitchens are spacious with ample cabinet and counter space. Islands are large enough to serve multiple functions, including food preparation, working from home, studying and entertaining. In the family room, a cathedral ceiling and wall of windows create a home that is airy, bright and beautiful.

Westin also stays on trend, equipping homes with convenient smart home features that allow you to turn on lights with your voice or close the garage door via an app. Westin also utilizes state-of-the-art building practices to ensure your energy bills are low.

Westin offers 11 designs in Marvida. Homes range from 2,995 to 3,267 square feet and are priced from the $560,000s. Homes include island kitchens, game rooms, covered porches and patios, mud rooms and two-car garages. Some floor plans feature media rooms and wet bars. Available options include indoor and outdoor fireplaces, additional bedrooms and studies.

Visit Marvida today to learn how Westin Homes can beautify your life.

Houseplants are a simple, yet effective, way to breathe new life into your home’s décor. They add color, texture and focus to any room. As a bonus, plants provide health benefits in the form of increased oxygen and stress relief. You don’t even need a green thumb. If you are ready to bring the outdoors inside your new Marvida home, here are a few botanical tips.

Remember, It’s Alive

Plants are living things. They require more upkeep than a throw pillow. Evaluate your lifestyle. Make sure you have time to water and fertilize your plants. Evaluate your space for sunlight, temperature and functionality. You want your plants to thrive.

Start Small and Easy

If you’ve never owned a houseplant, it’s best to start small. Purchase a few low-maintenance plants and build from there. Check with experts at your local gardening center who can help you choose the right plants. Favorites with beginners include ZZ plant, snake plant, spider plants, pothos, any succulent and bamboo.

A Plant for Every Room

Match your plants with your room. Bathrooms tend to be humid so fill them with ferns or orchids. Some plants prefer the shade. If you have a dark corner in your game room, brighten it up with dark-leaved plants such as calatheas or nerve plants. If you don’t use your study very often but want a little green, fill the shelves with cactus plants.

Create Contrast

A plant by itself looks lonely and sad. A group of plants looks lush and inviting. Place plants of varying heights and leaf shapes around seating areas to encourage guests to sit and relax. Group the plants in odd numbers as studies have shown people find that more pleasing than even numbers.

Go Big in Your Home

Plants make great focal points. If you have a corner that needs a little extra something, consider an ornamental tree. As an alternative, place a medium-sized plant placed on a plant stand.

What About Windowsills?

If you are lucky enough to have box windows (check with your Marvida builder to see if you can add one), you have the perfect frame for medium plants. Sun-loving, tall plants contrast nicely with the outside view. Keep in mind that the temperature around windows fluctuate more than the rest of your home. Remove plants during cold snaps and heat waves.

Pretty Pots

The containers you use to display your plants should fit with your decorating style. They should also be functional, allowing you to care for your plants properly. Terracotta offers the best drainage, but if you aren’t into the rustic look, you can find more modern pots and stands at gardening centers.

Add a Dash of Color

Dot your spaces with flowering plants to add a dash of color to your burgeoning jungle. Favorites include African violets, bromeliads, kalanchoe, and begonia.

Go Vertical

Small spaces shine with the addition of hanging plants. Plants can be hung from the ceiling in macrame holders. You can also craft a living wall utilizing various materials that allow you to hang plants on a vertical surface.

Fill In Shelves

Even the most devoted bibliophile has to admit, the monotony of rows and rows of books could use a little breaking up. Use plants to partition books or simply to fill shelves. They provide contrast and color.

 

A new home is your future. It’s where you will make memories. It’s where you will entertain the neighbors. It’s an investment. When it comes to building that future, you need a name you can trust. You need D.R. Horton.

Founded in Fort Worth, D.R. Horton has been America’s builder since 1978. They are the nation’s largest homebuilder by volume with thousands of happy customers. Since 2002, more homebuyers have chosen D.R. Horton than any other national builder.

D.R. Horton has one guiding principle — they believe in a value-first dedication to the individual needs of each and every homebuyer. Only the highest quality building materials are used so you can be sure your home will stand the test of time. But D.R. Horton doesn’t stop there. They back the homes they build with a robust 10-year limited home warranty.

The builder is always searching for ways to improve your lifestyle. That’s why they offer a Home Is Connected® home automation package in every home. The package provides the smart home features families want most, including a Honeywell smart thermostat, Amazon Echo Dot, Kwikset front door lock, smart light switch and Skybell smart doorbell.

The true secret of the builder’s success is the value they provide. D.R. Horton homes are affordable, making it easier for you to achieve the American Dream.

D.R. Horton offers six new home designs in Marvida. Homes range from 2,460 to 3,171 square feet and are priced from the mid $400,000s. Standard features include four bedrooms, three full baths, studies, formal dining rooms, island kitchens with pantries, covered patios and two-car garages.

Build your future with D.R. Horton and Marvida today.

Chesmar Homes has a passion for building born out of a belief that customers like you are part of the Chesmar family. As part of that family, Chesmar team members will do everything they can to craft your dream home in Marvida.

Family members don’t try to upsell you on options and upgrades you don’t need, and neither will Chesmar. They take a “no smoke and mirrors” approach to designing your home. The Chesmar model home isn’t loaded with fancy options you will need to pay more to get. It’s as close to the base level as possible. Does that mean it’s boring? Not all. Many of the features some other builders consider upgrades are standard in a Chesmar home, features such as stainless-steel appliances, granite countertops, 2-inch white faux wood blinds in all windows and more. In the bathrooms, tile extends to the ceiling. Your Marvida home will sport walk-in closets in all bedrooms, a covered patio and an island kitchen.

Of course, there are options and upgrades available if you want them. You don’t even have to go to a distant design center because the Chesmar model home is the design center. Once you’ve toured the model you can speak with a non-commissioned design expert who can tell you on the spot how much your desired upgrades will cost, allowing you to make an informed buying decision.

Chesmar doesn’t want you to stress out over your new home purchase either. That’s why they have partnered with CLM Mortgage and N-Title to provide everything from pre-approval to closing. It’s one-stop shopping at its finest.

Chesmar Homes offers 10 floor plans in Marvida. Designs range from 2,366 to 2,988 square feet and are priced from the $430,000s. Many designs boast studies, game rooms and three-car garages.

Visit Marvida and talk with a Chesmar Homes sales representative today. You both have something in common — a passion for building your new home.

Ready to buy your first home? Not without a loan. What type of loan? First-time buyers often have unique needs. Maybe you don’t have the usual 20 percent down payment. Maybe your credit score is less than stellar. That doesn’t mean your new home dreams can’t become reality. It just means you will need to do a little shopping around. Here are some tips so you can get moving on your new home in Marvida.

What is a First-time Buyer?

The term “first-time buyer” conjures images of a young couple eagerly searching for a small starter home. While that is true, it isn’t the only definition used by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

To qualify as a first-time buyer for loans, HUD says you must be:

  • An individual who has not owned a principal residence for three years. If you had a home but sold it and moved into an apartment more than three years ago, you qualify as a first-time buyer. If you have a home but your spouse has not owned one for three years, you qualify together.
  • A single parent who has only owned a home with a former spouse while married.
  • A displaced homemaker who has only owned with a spouse.
  • An individual who has only owned a principal residence not permanently affixed to a permanent foundation in accordance with applicable regulations. A manufactured home might qualify, for example.
  • An individual who has only owned a property that was not in compliance with state, local, or model building codes — and that cannot be brought into compliance for less than the cost of constructing a permanent structure.

What Are Your Best Bets for Loans?

There are six types of loans that tend to work best for first-time buyers. These loans often require a smaller down payment or have looser credit rating requirements. There is no guarantee that you will be approved for any of these loans. Work with a qualified lender who can help you decide which is best suited to your needs.

FHA Loans – These loans are guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration. First-time buyers are eligible for down payments as low as 3.5 percent. A 20 percent down payment on a $200,000 home would be $40,000. With an FHA loan it would only be $7,000. To qualify, you can have a credit score as low as 580. Ten percent down lowers it to 500. You will have to purchase mortgage insurance to ensure the lender is protected in case you default. This comes as an upfront fee at closing and then an annual mortgage insurance premium, which is spread out across your monthly payments. The upfront fee can be sizable — $3,500 on a $200,000 loan.

Conventional 97 Loan – If your credit rating is good and you would rather not be locked into monthly insurance payments for the life of your loan, a conventional 97 loan might be right for you. This loan only requires 3 percent down. However, you need a credit rating of 620 or above. You will have to purchase mortgage insurance but there is no upfront fee, and you can cancel the insurance after you’ve gained enough equity in your home.

Fannie Mae HomeReady and Freddie Mac Home Possible – Two other loan types that allow you to put as little as 3 percent down are offered by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Like the Conventional 97 you can cancel your mortgage insurance when you have gained enough equity. You need a credit score of 620 to qualify. The Home Possible loan allows you to use gift funds for up to 100 percent of the down payment. With a HomeReady loan, you can include a co-signer’s income and any income from a roommate or boarder. However, your income cannot exceed more than 80 percent of the median income in your area.

USDA Loan – If you’ve found a home you love in a small town or rural area, you might qualify for a USDA loan. You can find out if the property you are interested qualifies here. If it does, you won’t have to put any money down. You will have to buy mortgage insurance, but the cost will be very low. Your interest rate will be much lower, as well.

VA Loan – If you or a spouse are or were in the military, this may be your best option. No down payment is required. There is no ongoing mortgage insurance. Lower credit scores are allowed. Borrowers do pay an upfront VA funding fee.

Good Neighbor Next Door Loan – If you are a teacher (pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade), firefighter, law enforcement officer or emergency medical technician, you may qualify for this loan offered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. There is no income requirement, but you must commit to buying a home listed for sale by HUD in a “revitalization” zone. You must also live in the home for a minimum of 36 months.

Programs You Should Know About

There are state- and county-level programs that can help you step into a new home. The

Texas Homebuyer Program offers flexible down payment assistance programs, a Mortgage Tax Credit Program (MCC) and support from an experienced network of mortgage and real estate professionals. In Harris County, where Marvida is located, the Downpayment Assistance Program (DAP) can provide financial assistance.

 

 

As if amenities you can use the day you move in and access to highly regarded Cypress-Fairbanks ISD schools aren’t enough, Marvida’s great Cypress location provides access to convenient one-stop shopping at major retailers. Look at what’s around the corner.

Everything, All at Once

Walmart Supercenter

26270 Northwest Freeway
Cypress, TX 77429
281-256-8038

Target

25901 Highway 290
Cypress, TX 77429
281-256-8116

Costco

26960 Northwest Freeway
Cypress, TX 77433
832-653-4576

Groceries

Kroger

17455 Spring Cypress Road
Cypress, TX 77429
281-304-0859

H-E-B

24224 Northwest Freeway
Cypress, TX 77429
281-758-1100

For Your Home

Home Goods

28820 Northwest Freeway
Cypress, TX 77433
281-758-0102

Bed, Bath & Beyond

25839 Highway 290
Cypress, TX 77433
281-373-5687

At Home

24340 Northwest Freeway
Cypress, TX 77429
346-254-6424

Best Buy

25525 Highway 290
Cypress, TX 77429
281-758-0892

Clothes and More

Marshall’s

28820 Northwest Freeway
Cypress, TX 77433
281-758-0102

T.J Maxx

25891 Highway 290
Cypress, TX 77429
281-256-8332

Hardware

The Home Depot

17928 Spring Cypress Road
Cypress, TX 77429
281-304-1956

Sports

Academy Sports & Outdoors

28616 Highway 290
Cypress, TX 77433
832-773-6300

Arts & Crafts

Michael’s

25715 Northwest Freeway
Cypress, TX 77429
281-758-0014

Fur Babies 

PetSmart

25829 Northwest Freeway
Cypress, TX 77429
281-256-2760

Home Office

Office Depot

25821 Highway 290
Cypress, TX 77429
281-304-1579

Traditional building companies move over — CastleRock Communities is the future of homebuying. Why? Because CastleRock offers more than the traditional homebuying experience, innovating in ways that only a younger company can.

CastleRock has been building homes for less than 20 years, but the company is already considered one of the top 50 in the nation. More than 13,000 families across Texas are currently making memories in CastleRock homes. The builder emphasizes partnerships with their customers, employees, contractors and suppliers. These partnerships ensure a happy, healthy home.

You can see that partnership every time you enter a CastleRock Communities model home or talk to a CastleRock employee. You don’t even have to do it in person. How? CastleRock makes it easy for you to purchase a home with just a few clicks.

The builder’s online homebuying program is a convenient way to view models, speak with sales representatives and sign all that new home paperwork. Community web pages show available floor plans, move-in-ready homes and virtual model homes. You can even take digital tours.

If you find a home you like, an online sales consultant can guide you along your new home journey. They can even schedule a virtual appointment if you can’t come in person. During that meeting, you can easily discuss the surrounding community, floor plans, design options and pricing all from the comfort of your home. Once you’ve found the perfect home, you can sign the purchase agreement online. Simple, huh?

Another innovation is the builder’s Free Credit Repair Enrollment program. The program puts you in touch with the builder’s team of experienced mortgage specialists who can help you raise your credit score so you can qualify to purchase a beautiful new CastleRock home.

Ready to start your homebuying journey with CastleRock Communities in Marvida? The builder will soon offer eight floor plans from its popular Silver Series. Homes range from 1,651 to 2,959 square feet and feature up to four bedrooms, covered patios, upscale kitchens, studies, formal dining rooms, game rooms and two-car garages.