When it comes to building a new home in Balmoral, you probably have questions. If not, you probably should. The best person to answer them is your builder’s sales representative. What should you ask? Here are a few questions to get you started.

Advantages of Buying New

How does buying new allow for a more stress-free home-buying experience?

What are the hidden costs of buying a resale home as opposed to a new home?

Will buying a new home lower your maintenance costs compared to purchasing a resale home?

Floor Plans and Customization

What floor plans are available?

Are there options for customization?

Can I make structural changes to the home during the construction process?

Standard Features and Upgrades

What are the standard features included in the base price of the home?

What upgrades are available, and what is the cost for each?

Are there any promotions or incentives currently being offered?

How much do your customers typically spend at the design center?

What upgrades are featured in the model home?

What are your most popular upgrades?

Timeline and Completion

What is the estimated timeline for the completion?

How does the construction process typically unfold, and what are the key milestones?

Are there any potential delays I should be aware of?

Will I receive updates?

Who handles construction questions or concerns?

Energy Efficiency and Smart Home Packages

How energy-efficient are the homes, and what features contribute to this efficiency?

Can you provide information on the HVAC system, insulation and other energy-related aspects of the home?

Do your homes include smart home packages?

What smart home devices are included, and which are upgrades?

Financing and Payment Structure

What financing options are available, and do you have preferred lenders?

How is the payment structure organized throughout the construction process?

Warranty and After-Sales Service

What kind of warranty is offered and what does it cover?

How is the after-sales service handled?

What is the process for addressing issues after move-in?

Builder’s Reputation

Can you provide references from homeowners who have purchased from you?

What is your reputation in terms of quality and customer satisfaction?

How do you measure customer satisfaction?

What steps do you take to ensure that your customers feel valued and supported?

Speak With Our Builder Representatives Today

Ten outstanding builders offer homes in Balmoral. Visit their model homes and be sure to bring your questions. Their representatives will be happy to answer them.

Holiday travel with your family can be a rewarding but hectic experience. Living less than 10 minutes away from Bush Intercontinental Airport like Balmoral residents do can help. Don’t live near an airport? Here are some tips for a successful and stress-free holiday travel with your family.

Try to Plan Ahead

Impulse travel during the holidays isn’t a good idea. Plan your trip well in advance, including booking a hotel if you need one, flight arrangements and a list of things you want to do when you get to your destination.

Create a Packing List

Make a packing list for each family member and check it off as you go. Most airlines enforce weight or suitcase limits. Be sure you know what the limits are so you can plan accordingly. Don’t forget essential items like medications, diapers and favorite comfort items for children. If it’s a gift-giving holiday, consider mailing them ahead of time so there is more room in your luggage.

Choose Family-Friendly Accommodations

If you won’t be stating with relatives, book a hotel that caters to families. Vacation rentals and suites are excellent options. Hotels should feature amenities such as pools, cafes and play areas. If you will be staying longer than a few days, consider renting accommodations with a kitchen or kitchenette, which can be a lifesaver for preparing meals and snacks.

Build in Extra Time

If you are flying, plan to arrive at the airport well in advance of your flight. During the holidays, security lines and check-in counters can be crowded, so arriving at least 2 to 3 hours before your domestic flight and 3 to 4 hours before an international flight is a good idea. You can also check the security wait times at your airport. For Bush IAH, see wait times on the airport’s website. This can help you plan your arrival time.

Choose Alternative Transportation

Construction on Terminal E at Bush Intercontinental may cause additional delays. That means jam-packed parking. Consider calling a shuttle or ride sharing service instead. If you must drive, consider reserving a space. Follow Bush IAH traffic updates here. Also check construction updates, and allow for extra time, if needed.

Plan for Inclement Weather

Search the weather forecast for both your departure and arrival destinations. Winter weather can affect travel plans, so be prepared for potential delays and cancellations.

Have a backup plan for activities or dining options in case things don’t go as expected.

Use Mobile Check and TSA PreCheck

Many airlines offer mobile check-in services, which allow you to check in and get your boarding pass on your smartphone. If you frequently travel, consider enrolling in TSA PreCheck to expedite security screening. It can help you bypass long lines and keep your shoes and jackets on during the screening process — which can be a big help of you are traveling with toddlers.

Keep Kids EntertainedBring a variety of entertainment options for your children,such as books, coloring books, tablets and their favorite toys. Headphones can be handy to keep noise levels down. Download movies, apps and games to keep kids engaged during travel. Allow for downtime in your schedule to rest and relax, especially for younger children who may need naps.

Don’t Forget Snacks

Pack a selection of snacks. Carry an empty reusable water bottle to fill up after passing through security. Having familiar and healthy snacks on hand can help avoid hunger-related meltdowns. Be mindful of any dietary restrictions or allergies within your family.

Be Safe

Ensure car seats and booster seats are properly installed and secured for young children. Follow all safety regulations. Teach your children basic travel safety rules and establish a meeting point in case anyone gets separated. Prioritize your family’s health by packing any necessary medications and first-aid supplies.

Capture the Memories

Encourage your family to document the trip through photos, journaling or a travel blog. It’s a great way to reminisce and share the experiences later. Consider letting your children keep a travel journal to record their thoughts and impressions.

The advantage of purchasing a new home in a community like Balmoral is the number of homebuilders available. More homebuilders mean more opportunities to craft a home that truly suits your preferences and lifestyle. Here are some other perks:

Diverse Architectural Styles

No one wants a cookie-cutter home. More homebuilders mean more variety in architectural styles. Whether you’re into modern, traditional, colonial or any other style, you can find a home that truly resonates with your aesthetic tastes.

More Options

Having a variety of builders to choose from means more choices when it comes to floor plans, interior finishes and other design elements. Different builders work with different design companies so you can create a home that’s tailored to your needs and desires.

Competitive Pricing

With multiple builders, there’s healthy competition, which can result in better pricing and value for buyers. Builders may offer incentives and promotions to attract customers, potentially saving you money in the process.

More Innovation

Different builders may incorporate varying levels of innovation and technology in their homes. Having options allows you to select a builder that integrates the latest smart home features and energy-efficient designs, which can save you money on utilities in the long run.

Better Resale Value

If you must move, a community featuring homes built by different companies can often have better resale value, as the diversity can attract a broader range of potential buyers.

Choose Your Balmoral Builder

Nine builders — including Brightland Homes, Chesmar Homes, CastleRock Communities, Colina Homes, Hamilton Thomas Homes, K Hovanian Homes, Lennar, Long Lake Ltd., and Westin Homes — make their home in Balmoral. Visit us and choose one today.

Ready to dig out your favorite fall sweater? We are. We’re also ready to turn on the oven. Sweater weather is the perfect time to enjoy hearty and flavorful dishes that fill your home with inviting aromas. Here are some of our favorite recipes.

Hearty Breakfasts

Fall is the perfect time to get out the waffle iron to make these hearty pumpkin spice waffles. Pick your own apples? Keep a batch of these apple cider doughnuts on hand for an easy breakfast. A savory school day option is individual sausage casseroles. Got a busy Saturday planned? Start with baked pumpkin oatmeal.

Filling Soups

Sweater weather is soup weather, so start the season off right with a bowl of pumpkin soup. Use your slow cooker to whip up some corn chowder. This lentil soup can easily be transported to a potluck dinner or tailgate party. Wow dinner guests with something unusual like this pecan soup.

It’s ‘Chili’ in Here

Who doesn’t love a steaming bowl of beef chili in the fall? For those that prefer a non-tomato-based chili, try this one made with chicken and white beans. Warm up with beef stew instead of chili. A little heat can spice up your fall meal, so serve up some red beans and rice.

Warming Main Dishes

You get all the flavors of fall when you make chipotle-maple chicken thighs with candied acorn squash. Chicken pot pie is an essential fall recipe made easier with refrigerated pie crust. Use your Instant Pot to get a roast on the table in record time. Chicken sausage with fennel and apples? We’re in love.

Steaming Drinks

Iced tea season is over. Time for a pumpkin spice tea latte. Spice up hot chocolate to feel toasty inside and out. Grownups will love this spiked apple cider. Ditch the classic hot toddy in favor of one made with apple brandy.

Delicious Desserts

The best desserts are fall desserts. Change up your crisp act by using pears instead of apples. Do you know what we’re thinking? Pumpkin bars. Kids will love these baked apples. End an elegant dinner with this sophisticated pumpkin-gingersnap tiramisu.

It’s finally fall which means it’s finally pumpkin spice season. That means pumpkin spice lattes, of course, but there is so much more you can do with this tasty combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Here are some of our residents’ favorite fall recipes:

Spice Up Breakfast

Start your morning with these pumpkin sticky buns. How about a slice of warm pumpkin bread to get those creative juices going? Your kids will devour these pumpkin spice pancakes. Not a pancake person? Treat yourself to this pumpkin pie French toast bake.

Spicy Cookies

Skip the gingerbread and bake a batch of these pumpkin spice cookies for your next party. Love cheesecake but don’t want to put the work in? Let us introduce you to pumpkin cheesecake cookies. Of course you could also go the brownie route. You’ll want to dip these biscotti cookies in your coffee all season long.

Savory Spice and Everything Nice

Who says you need to be sweet on pumpkin spice? It works well in savory dishes like Moroccan chicken with couscous. Add some warmth to this beefy butternut squash chili. Pumpkin hummus? Trust us — it’s good. Substitute pumpkin spice in your jerk chicken recipe.

Non-coffee Drinks

Skip the latte and try pumpkin juice instead. Pumpkin spice milk is great for kids. Hosting an adult party? Break out boozy pumpkin white hot chocolate. This milkshake is worth baking a pie for.

Just Dessert

Let them eat pumpkin layer cake! Wow your dinner guests with this pumpkin spice trifle. Skip the pumpkin pie and serve cheesecake instead. Or don’t skip it. Just add a little booze.