Your Building Blog for the Rochester Area

If you’re considering building a new home in the Rochester area, you’ve no doubt heard the real estate mantra: “Location, location, location!” Where you build your home is as important as the style of home you build and choosing the right floor plan. But there’s much more to choosing your home’s location than just the physical coordinates on a map. Finding a community that feels like home is a big factor for many homeowners. So how do you find great new home communities in the Rochester, NY area?

What Makes a Great Rochester area Community?

When we at Gerber choose the locations in which we’d develop communities, we looked for towns and areas that would enhance the lives of the people living there. We chose locations that show a promising future for growth and development. Here’s a post that talks a bit more about the importance of a good community.

A Few Examples

Here are a few examples of local areas we reviewed before deciding that they were great candidates for developing communities.

• Webster, NY has a vibrant Chamber of Commerce that carefully invites businesses that they feel will enhance the quality of life of the overall community. In addition, they created Town Center shopping as a place for the community to come together. Visitors from as far away as Toronto, Canada stop by Town Center on the bus to shop while on their way to the Finger Lakes region. But the townsfolk of Webster didn't stop there. The town earned the rank of Sports Town USA, boasting more ball fields per capita than any town around.  The addition of their Aquatic Center, Hockey Rink, Marching Band, and proximity to water recreation makes Webster a fun and inviting place to live. 

• Canandaigua, NY and Victor, NY both offer so much to new residents.  They are both vibrant, growing communities that are close to businesses and shopping opportunities.  That eliminates long commutes—a real plus for quality of life.  And when it’s time for residents to relax, they have easy access to great areas such as Canandaigua Lake and the Wine Region not far from their doorsteps.

At Gerber Homes, we have been building new homes for more than 50 years.  But we do more than just construction. We study trends and patterns so that we have a pretty good idea where a new community will really blossom.  Among other things, we look for communities where people can:

• Have the easiest commute to work
• Live in a home that is tailor-made to fit their needs
• Enjoy their leisure time with great access to outdoor activities and the amenities that make life comfortable and enjoyable

That’s why we’ve built in great New York communities such as:

Click here for more information about these communities and for individual home sites.  You can also click here to take a look at just some of the floor plans that are available in these communities—whether you’re looking for a Colonial style home; a home with a first floor Master Bedroom; a patio home, or a home that features an in-law suite. Or, if you prefer, simply pick up the phone and call us at (888) 437-2373 with any questions you have.

Where you choose to live is important. And with Gerber, you have plenty of options regarding which community—and which kind of floor plan best fits your needs.

What makes a custom home truly custom? Often people think of luxury features. But a custom home is more than just luxury. Some people think of high-end appliances or top-of-the-line finishes. Those are nice things, but they don’t necessarily make a home a custom home. Here’s your guide to building truly custom in the Fingerlakes region.

Customize What’s Important For You and Your Lifestyle

A custom home is really about comfort, convenience, and design that are customized for the way your family lives. Your family isn’t like every other family in the neighborhood. Your home doesn’t have to be like every other home in the neighborhood, either. There are numerous ways you can customize your Fingerlakes region home, but here are some of the key areas you might want to tackle first. Some homeowners find it helpful to look over existing floor plans to get an idea of the flow they want in their homes. We offer a wide variety of floor plans that are ideal for that purpose. You can customize these plans, or you can simply use them as a starting point to create a completely custom plan.

Floor Plans

Every great custom home begins with a great floor plan. A floor plan helps you organize all the various parts of your home in a way that makes the most sense for you. That includes the size of your home (how many square feet you’ll have); the arrangement of the rooms (do you want sleeping quarters upstairs for peace and quiet or are you after single-level living); and it get’s down to the specific design of individual rooms. Here’s a helpful, short video that can help you pick the right floor plan for your home.

Once you have your general plan in mind, you can begin to focus on specific rooms or areas within your home. Let’s take a look at some of the most important rooms to consider.

Kitchen

Here’s a picture of a kitchen in a home we recently built. You’ll notice it’s very open and provides a lot of natural light—and lots of space for entertaining, cooking, and even casual family meals at the island. Is that the right design and style for you? That depends on your needs and tastes. And that’s the beauty of a custom home.

With a custom home, you don’t have to settle for the same thing you’ll find in every other home.  You’ll have the ability to create a kitchen that fits your lifestyle and personality. So what is your kitchen personality? Here’s a great post that shows you how to determine your kitchen personality and match your kitchen to your persona! Whether you're a gourmet cook or like to host casual parties, you can create what you want.

Bathroom

Your guests may never see your master bathroom, but it’s a very special—and important place. When you build a custom home, you can add the features that are most important to you. That might be an oversized walk-in shower. Or it could include dual sinks to make getting ready for your day easier and more comfortable. You might even want to include a nice soaking tub for “de-stressing” at the end of the day. It’s up to you! Here’s an article that talks about the advantage of showers or tubs in the bathroom. But you might want both! With a custom plan, you can design your bathroom the way you want—including things such as cabinets, flooring, and even storage.

Family Room

Next to your kitchen, your family room may be one of the most important social rooms for your family and your guests. The family room you see in this custom home is open to the kitchen and the dining room. Open floor plans remain extremely popular (and here’s an article that looks at some of the reasons why that’s still true). In this particular family room, the customization even extends to the ceiling. Not only is the woodwork on the ceiling striking, but it also helps define and set apart the family room—something that’s really important in homes with an open floor plan.

Master Bedroom

The master bedroom in your home is a place of retreat and privacy. It's a very personal room. When building a custom home you have the ability to have this room create an atmosphere that's calm, relaxing, and inviting. You can build in elements that are both visually and physically comfortable and relaxing. That can include anything from windows that let in a lot of natural light, to flooring, or a reading space, or even a space for a television that tucks away when it's not in use. You’ll even want to consider where to locate your master bedroom to create the kind of room you want. Here’s a look at some pros and cons of different options.

Outdoor Living

Sometimes the space just outside your walls is just as important as the space inside your walls. We’ve observed a trend over the past few years that has homeowners taking advantage of outdoor space as an extension of their indoor living space. Here’s an article that explores that a bit more in depth. When you build a custom home, you can customize your deck as well. You don’t have to settle for a simple rectangle where you can set up a few chairs. You might choose to put a roof over your deck (or part of it as seen in this custom home we built). You might want to build an outdoor kitchen with gas range, refrigerator, and dining space. Or you might want to build a deck that allows you to soak in a hot tub whenever you want.

Those are just a few of the ways you can create a custom home that meets your wants, needs, and desires. Other options might include a media room for watching movies, sports, or for gaming. Perhaps you want to build in a fully functional home office. Maybe a dedicated craft room or a home gym is what you want. Or you might want a garage that has space for a workshop. All of these things are what makes a custom home unique. You can build your home around your needs, your interests, and your lifestyle.

Anybody considering building a new home in the Rochester area will want to arm themselves with as many ideas and inspirations as possible before jumping into the homebuilding process. Attending Homerama in Rochester, NY is a great way to gather that information and inspiration. And while perusing the properties for ideas may be great, the more prepared you are, the more you’ll benefit from the experience.

Here are a few tips to ensure you maximize your time and come away with knowledge that will help you find the perfect Rochester home for your family.

Do a Little Homework

It’s important that your new home fits your lifestyle. Before you begin to look at homes, take some time to think about how you’ll use your home. You’ll want to consider what size home fits your family’s needs. How many bedrooms will you need? How do you entertain? Will you need a larger family room in which to interact with guests? What about your kitchen? Will you use your kitchen for entertaining? Or do you hope to use it for gourmet cooking? Here’s a post that helps you match your new Rochester kitchen to your specific personality.

Think About Floor Plans

Reviewing some potential floor plans before you look at a finished model home can be helpful. Do you prefer an open style floor plan? Are you looking for a plan that has bedrooms on one level and common spaces on a separate level? Or are you considering something that offers single-level living? Take a look at the floor plans Gerber offers to see what appeals to you. Then you can head over to Homerama and see what a plan like that looks and feels like in real life.

First-time Buyers

If you’re looking to build/buy your first home it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the options. You’ll want to focus on what’s really important for you and your family at this point in time. That being said, you’ll also want to keep in mind what your family’s needs may look like down the road a few years. Here’s a helpful post that highlights some of the essentials that first-time homebuyers look for.

Establish the Essentials

It’s not just first-time buyers who should consider the essentials. Before you get too far into the process, you may want to establish what’s essential in your new home so that you’ll be happy with it for years to come. Consider making a list that’s divided into three categories: “Must-Have” features; “Nice-to-Have” features; and “Splurge” features.

Consider Your Budget

Thinking about your budget ahead of time is really smart. You’ll want to have a realistic budget in mind before you begin choosing plans. It really doesn’t make sense to look at a $400,000 home if what you really need is a $250,000 home. Here’s a look at how to create a realistic budget for your Rochester-area home. You may also want to visit a reputable lender to see what kind of a loan you qualify for. That can help you set realistic parameters before you get into the details of floor plans, finishes, and upgrades.

Educate Yourself About the Basics

As builders, we’re often asked a lot of basic questions about home design. We think that’s a good thing! That’s why we created a free Home Design Guide eBook that you can download for free. It provides basic information about how to design key rooms in your home such as your kitchen, bathroom, living room, and master bedroom. This guide goes beyond style and talks about the importance of function in good design.

If you’re looking for a great place to live in the Rochester area, the town of Perinton really should be on your shortlist. You’ll find it just minutes from the Village of Fairport—so it’s easy to pop in for their Farmer’s Market. There’s easy access to the New York State Thruway (Exit 45 is only 15 minutes away), and it’s close to Eastview Mall, which puts great shopping within easy reach. Twice the town of Perinton has been selected as “The Best Place to Live in America.”

Our newest community, The Magnolia Manor Community, located in between Route 31F and Whitney Road just east of Wakeman Road in Perinton, builds on that reputation. Residents can enjoy walking trails, plentiful sidewalks for strolling, and open park spaces. Nearby Center Park provides great entertainment during the summer months.

Of course, a great community deserves a great floor plan. That’s exactly what you’ll find with the Ellington located in Magnolia Manor. This 4- Bedroom, 3-1/2 Bath home offers 2210 square feet of comfortable living that includes:

• A partially finished walkout lower level w/ full bath
• 9’ Ceilings on the main level
• A spacious 3-Car Garage
• Wood/Laminate & Ceramic Tile Floors plus Granite Countertops
• Heat Pump / Air Conditioning
• Fireplace
• Luxury Bath with Tile Shower & His / Her Sinks

Click here for a larger and more detailed look at the floor plan.

If you’re after comfort and convenience, this home has them in abundance. Enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning room off of the open kitchen. You can then move easily to the adjoining Great room where you can enjoy a warm fire in the colder months. There’s also a study on the main level that makes a great home office in case you want to work from home.

The upstairs of this model is spacious and comfortable as well. The Master Bedroom has it’s own bathroom with a tile shower and dual sinks and walk-in closets that make getting ready for the day a convenient pleasure. There are three additional bedrooms on the upper level. There is also a laundry room on the upper level so that you don’t have to haul clothes and bed linens up and down the stairs.

In short, this home provides all the comfort and space that you can imagine. What’s even better is that you don’t have to imagine it. You can visit this completed model and check out all the amenities for yourself! It’s open weekends from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Contact us to set up an appointment so you can check it out for yourself. Or, if you want a preview, click here for a virtual tour!

Magnolia Manor in Perinton offers you a great family-friendly floor plan in a great community. Come and see it for yourself! We’d be delighted to show you around!

Years ago, families used to gather around their television sets to watch a show about what we now call a “multi-generational” family that lived together in rural Virginia during the Great Depression. At the time, the show was a reminder of the times when several generations would occupy a single house. Today, that practice is becoming a reality again as increasing numbers of families are once again living together under one roof—even right here in the greater Rochester area. Here’s what to know about Rochester area in-law homes.

Things have changed a bit since the days of the fictional Waltons (who were actually based on a real Virginia family).  Today’s demands of two-career households coupled with economic strains have motivated more families to bring different generations under one roof. You can add to that the increasingly high costs of retirement homes and assisted living facilities. On top of that, many maturing adults simply prefer to be with their families.

Of course, housing opportunities have changed as well.  Today we tend to preserve our privacy a bit more than in days gone by—and housing designs reflect that. There are floor plans that allow older family members to have their own private space (bedrooms, sitting rooms or family rooms, and even their own bathroom facilities). Some plans even include a kitchen or kitchenette so that older family members can prepare their own meals if they want—and still join the rest of the family at other times.

In some cases, families opt to remodel an existing home or put on an addition to accommodate their extended families. That option often includes having a separate entryway allowing extended family to come and go at their leisure without disturbing other members of the family.

Sherrie and Brenda are clients of ours who were looking for a home that would meet their needs and also provide a safe and comfortable living space for Mom and Dad. Click here to hear them describe their experience with having Gerber build a home for them that included an in-law suite.

One of the things they loved about the particular plan they picked was that the in-law suite (which contains a bedroom, a living room, a kitchen nook, and its own bathroom) was on the main level. That meant they didn't have to worry about navigating stairs. The floor plan also provides ample space on the upper level where you'll find a master bedroom and bath along with two additional bedrooms and a second bath. There is also an optional Bonus room that can be added.

Even if you’re not considering space for aging parents, an in-law suite such as this is ideal if you have older children who need a place to live while they are pursuing their careers.

Because of the increased demand for homes with in-law suites, Gerber has additional floor plans in our In-Law Layouts section. Click here to take a look at the various option to create a home that’s just right for your multi-generational family!

We’re approaching that time around Rochester when the ice begins to give way to the first blossoms. Officially, the first day of spring is March 20^th this year (and the long-range forecast for Rochester on that day calls for a high of only 33 degrees—not very spring-like!). Still, if you’re thinking about building in the Rochester area you may want to take a spring road trip!

Why take a road trip this time of year if you’re planning to build a new home? Choosing where you want to build is an extremely important part of the homebuilding process. In fact, you could argue that where you choose to live is as important as the floor plan you choose for your home. And while you can look at floor plans online, it's a bit more difficult to get a sense of what a community is like just from online images.

We build homes in communities all across the greater Rochester area, including Webster, Perinton, Victor, Ontario, and Canandaigua—just to name a few. You can read descriptions about the communities (click on the links shown here) and their amenities. You can even check out photos of what the town looks like. But there’s nothing quite like visiting the communities themselves to get a feel for what it actually feels like.

A short road trip will let you see for yourself what traffic is like, where the stores are, how far it is to schools and work. You can get a feel for the general lifestyle of the community and see if you think it’s a good fit. Another thing to consider is that a description (or even a picture) of a lot doesn’t really tell you much about what that piece of property is like.

That doesn't mean you can't do a little homework ahead of time to narrow down your search a bit. We invite you to check out the communities where we’re currently building. Simply click on the name of the community and you'll see sitemaps and photos of the area. Then if you see some communities that appeal to your family, you can head off for a first-hand look. If you can't find what you're looking for in any of those communities, you can also search for property (or houses) by zip code.

But once you’ve done some preliminary research, there’s just no substitute for seeing a community for yourself to see if it feels like a good match for your family’s needs and lifestyle. And doing that now can put you a step ahead in the process of building your new home when the weather is no longer a factor.

Perhaps only in the greater Rochester area would anyone think to mention winter and Summer Lake in the same sentence!  Still, if you've ever dreamed of owning a home on the lake in the Ontario area, winter is the perfect time to be thinking about Summer Lake! 

Just a mile and a half from Webster, you’ll find Summer Lake, our newest quality community. If you’re looking for room to spread out, you’ll enjoy up to half-acre home sites that are available now and ready for building. Add to that beautiful views (most sites have a view of nearby Lake Ontario), a quick 10-minute drive to great shopping, and delightful lake breezes in the summer, and it’s hard to imagine a better, more tranquil spot to build an affordable new home.

The town of Ontario, on the south bank of Lake Ontario, dates back to 1807. Its modest population of about 10,000 residents captures and retains that small town feel that so many families are looking for. Ontario is a close-knit community with top-notch academic opportunities for students in grades K–12.

But why think about Summer Lake in the middle of winter? Building your new home isn’t just an activity—it’s a process. The cold winter months are a great time to think through exactly what you want in your new home and to look over designs and plans to settle on the floor plan that fits your specific taste and lifestyle. Starting to think about that process now gives you more time to ask your builder questions and to make sure that you and your builder are on the same page. That will make the construction part of the process go that much more smoothly.

Even if lakefront living isn't your dream, winter is still a great time to start planning a home in other nearby areas such as Brighton, Greece, Henrietta, Irondequoit, Pittsford, or Rush. Others in the area may be dreaming about a new home, but they probably won't pursue that dream in earnest until the weather gets warmer. You can really get a jump on things by getting started with the process now. That will enable you to move in earlier—and enjoy your new home in the spring and summer months.

Of course, you’ve still got to make it through the upstate New York winter! Here are a few tips that can help you do that.

Winters in the Rochester area are really no big deal—unless you actually happen to live here! While folks around Rochester are used to pretty harsh winter conditions, if you’re new to the area, you may be in for a bit of a rude awakening! The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (NYSDHSES) recommends that residents have the following home emergency supplies ready in the event of a severe winter storm and/or power outage.

• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• Emergency non-perishable foods that do not require refrigeration
• Non-electric can opener
• Bottled water
• One week supply of essential medicines
• Extra blankets and sleeping bags
• First aid kit and manual
• Fire extinguisher
• Emergency heating equipment used properly

The NYSDHSES also suggests that homeowners wrap pipes in insulation—or layers of old newspapers covered in plastic to help keep out moisture—to keep the pipes from freezing. And when temperatures drop well below freezing, they recommend letting faucets drip just a bit for the same reason. And just in case, they advise that you know how to shut off the water valves in your home so that if you do have a break, you can avoid water damage.

Keeping warm in the event of a power outage can be a challenge and NYSDHSES cautions residents to only use safe sources of alternative heat such as a fireplace, small, well-vented wood or coal stove or portable space heaters. And always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

If you’re thinking about a new home, start planning and doing your research now. Then when you make it through this winter, you’ll be in a position to jump on your new home more quickly. And that means being able to enjoy your new home this spring and summer. And when the snow starts flying next winter, you’ll be able to enjoy the improved comfort, convenience, and security of your new home.

One choice you’ll face when choosing a floor plan for your new Rochester-area home is how many stories your home will have. You can chose from a wide variety of different floor plans that include one-story, two-story, and one-and-a-half-story homes. In addition to impacting your lifestyle now and potentially inthe future, the number of stories your house has can impact the cost of your home.

The fact of the matter is that it’s not just the number of stories (of floor levels) that impact a home’s cost. The overall size of the home, of course, plays a big role.

For instance, if you build a 2,000 square foot 2-story home and a 2,000 square foot single-story home, the one-level home will almost always be more expensive to construct. But being happy with your home is about more than just square footage—or a slight difference in cost. What you really want is a plan that meets your needs and makes you feel comfortable. The simple fact of the matter is that one-floorplan won't fit the needs of every individual.

These days, we find that many of our clients prefer open floor plans for their common rooms (kitchens, dining areas, family rooms). A ranch-style home in the range of 1,600 to 1,800 generally allows us to build a home that offers everything they want, such as a first-floor master bedroom, and easy access to everything. The cost for that is generally less than it would be for a similarly designed two-story home. That's because the two-story home will generally need to be a bit larger to include the features you want on the main level—and still have rooms upstairs.

So what about the cost for a one-and-a-half-story home? Prospective homeowners are frequently surprised to discover that this is generally the most expensive option. Part of the reason for that is that a one-and-a-half-story home usually has a good-sized first floor and a rather small amount of space in the upstairs. The dimensions of that small second floor prevent us from using standard trusses, and have to build flooring and other structural elements out of what we call “stick frame.” Unfortunately, that’s a more expensive process—and that makes the home cost more.

As I mentioned earlier, being happy with your home depends on more than square footage and cost. A much bigger factor is finding a floor plan that fits your needs (and your budget).

We Americans love to have our choices. If you don’t believe me, just take a look at the cereal aisle in the grocery store! That same affinity for options holds true when it’s time to build a home in the greater Rochester area. That’s one reason we offer so many different choices of floor plans. If you glance through our plans you find Colonial homes, first-floor master homes, patio homes, ranch style home, Cape homes, and even homes that offer in-law layouts.

The only problem with having so many choices is that at some point you actually have to make a choice. But how do you pick the right floor plan for your family’s specific needs? Here are a few things to keep in mind as you select the plan for your new Rochester home.

What Makes a Good Fit?

When it comes to plans for your home, one size (or style) doesn’t fit all. Before you fall in love with a floor plan because it looks nice, you’ll want to consider your lifestyle. Do you like to entertain? What kinds of activities does your family enjoy? What about your kitchen? Will the kitchen in the house you build match your personality?

How Flexible Are Your Plans?

What do you do when you find a floor plan that’s almost right? Are you locked into it, or can you change it? Some builders simply don’t allow for changes. What you see in the plan is what you’re going to get. That’s not a criticism. It’s just the way their business model works. At Gerber, we take a slightly different approach. We’ll work with you to make modifications and adjustments. In fact, even though we offer dozens of great plans, we’ll will also work with a plan you bring us to make sure you get what you want and need.

Planning for the Future

Your home is a long-term investment. Chances are you’re going to be in your home for a while. That means your needs (and even your tastes) will change. It’s easy to overlook the fact that small children, who can easily share a bedroom when they’re little, will grow into teens and adolescents who will want their own space. Then there are your own needs to consider. Stairs may not be a concern to you at all right now—but what about five or 10 years from now? You may want to consider a single-level home or a home with the Master Suite on the first floor.

I like to tell prospective homeowners that the floor plans are really a starting point. The important thing is to create a home that meets your needs, satisfies your sense of style, and fits your budget. That may take a bit of work and time—but we think it’s the best way to get a great home that you’ll love for years to come.

I invite you to check out this short and informative video in which I explain a bit about how our process for choosing the right floor plan works.  Instead of having to adapt your lifestyle to the floor plan you chose, we think your floor plan should adapt to your desires and lifestyle!

The motto for the town of Greece is, “Discover the Promise.” There is plenty of promise in this town of about 96,000 located just five miles northwest of Rochester.  And while it’s just one of many areas where Gerber Homes builds, it's definitely worth its own look!

The town’s history goes back to 1822 when it was originally established as Northampton and was part of the town of Gates. The French explorer LaSalle visited the area originally inhabited by the Seneca Indians, in 1669, and the first permanent settlement was established in 1792. The town’s name was changed to Greece in support of the Greeks who were fighting for independence from Turkish rule.

In the early 1800s, trade from the Great Lakes made the community a transportation hub and a major supplier of farm produce to the new and growing nation. Agriculture remained the dominant enterprise in Greece for many years, until the Eastman Kodak Company emerged as the region’s largest employer.

Today, as a residential community, it still holds plenty of promise for residents. There is an abundance of recreation in the area and much of it takes advantage of the large expanse of undeveloped land and the more than 8 miles of shoreline along Lake Ontario. There are a number of bike trails in town. The town's bike trail extends from the Canal to Lake Ontario.  There are also trails along the New York State Erie Canal.

The Town also maintains 17 park areas. Of the 764 acres that make up these parks, only 189 acres are developed areas that contain 13 baseball diamonds, 10 soccer fields, 3 combination football/soccer fields, 8 basketball courts, 20 tennis courts, 2 volleyball courts 16 playgrounds, a skate park, 2 disc golf courses, and several nature trails. The remaining lands are used for passive recreation.

Greece is also home to a very popular public library that receives more than 500,000 visits annually. A new main library facility was completed in 2000 and provides 35,000 square feet of space for books and other media used by the library patrons.

The town hosts numerous special events including  Concerts at the Greece Town Hall.There are great things to do in the area as well, such as taking a Finger Lakes Wine Tour with a professional driver.  Or you can head to Rochester and take a tour of the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House.

If you’re thinking about building in or around Greece, you’ll want to check out the many floor plans Gerber Homes offers that can be built in the area. Whether you’re looking for a patio home, a ranch home, a Cape-style home or something with a 1^st-floor master suite—you'll find it here.

Photo from www.greceny.gov