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Greater Rochester Area Custom Home Building Blog

Upstate NY Custom Home Building Blog

John Graziose

Recent Posts

How to Design a Family-Friendly Custom Home

Posted by John Graziose on Tue, Aug 5, 2025 @ 11:08 AM

What if you could give yourself the gift of a thoughtful, personalized future? Designing a family-friendly custom home means so much more than tacking on extra bedrooms or picking stain-resistant carpet. You're building a space that evolves with your lifestyle, to see you through the days of juggling toddlers to managing teens, and perhaps one day accommodating multiple generations under one roof.

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Topics: Custom homes, Building a New Home

10 Reasons to Build Your Next Home in Canandaigua

Posted by John Graziose on Thu, Jul 17, 2025 @ 12:07 PM

It's a privilege to live in the northern tip of one of the most scenic lakes in the Finger Lakes region. Canandaigua, NY offers a rare blend of natural beauty, small-town charm, and big-city accessibility. Whether you're drawn to lakeside serenity, top-tier schools, or quick access to Rochester’s thriving job market, Canandaigua delivers a lifestyle few places in Upstate New York can match.

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Topics: Custom homes, Canandaigua NY, Finger Lakes Living

A Guide to Building Your Forever Home in the Greater Rochester Area

Posted by John Graziose on Tue, Jun 3, 2025 @ 10:06 AM

Close your eyes and picture your forever home. You’re envisioning a place where holidays are celebrated, grandkids run through the yard, and each room adapts to your life’s evolving chapters. For many families across Upstate New York, the Finger Lakes offer the ideal backdrop for making that long-term vision a reality.

Between its small-town charm, access to top-tier healthcare, award-winning school districts, and a growing array of outdoor amenities, the Greater Rochester Area is increasingly seen as a smart place to build a custom family home. Gerber Homes has been building custom homes in this area for decades, and we’re happy to walk you through everything you need to know, from choosing the right community and home design to incorporating universal design features and planning for future needs. If you’ve ever wondered what makes a perfect family home or the best tips when building a house, this one’s for you.

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Topics: Custom homes, aging in place, Building a New Home, Home Design

Understanding the Early Steps in Rochester Area Home Building: Permits, Approvals, and Site Prep

Posted by John Graziose on Fri, May 9, 2025 @ 16:05 PM

Starting your custom home journey is a unique thrill, but the early stages can feel like a waiting game. You’ve made the decision to build your dream home, but before the walls go up, there are crucial steps that happen behind the scenes. Permits, municipal approvals, and site preparation all play a vital role in setting your project up for success.

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Topics: Custom homes, Building a New Home

Should I Buy a Spec Home or Build a Custom Home This Year?

Posted by John Graziose on Mon, Apr 7, 2025 @ 10:04 AM

If your current home no longer meets your family’s needs, you might be ready to move to a new home. One question you might be asking yourself is, “Should I buy a spec home or build a custom home this year?” Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons you’ll want to consider—and whether the coming year is a good time to make a move such as this.

As custom home builders in upstate New York, we obviously think that custom homes are worthwhile endeavors, but we also understand that they're not for everyone. Here at Gerber Homes, we want everyone to find the perfect new home for their situation, and we're happy to use our experience to help you decide between spec and custom new residential construction by comparing the pros and cons of a custom vs. spec new home. Let's dig into the details together!

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Topics: Custom homes, Building a New Home, Home Building Tips