Your Building Blog for the Rochester Area

Webster

You’ve got to love a place where the official town motto is, “Where life is worth living.” Many homeowners are attracted to the natural beauty of the place—including great views of Lake Ontario. The town itself is committed to protecting that natural beauty and not long ago purchase more than 1,000 acres that are dedicated to outdoor activities such as hiking trails. That open space is also complemented by multiple parks within the city.

Great education is also important for parents of school-aged children. Webster has a lot to offer in that regard as well and the Webster Central School District is an outstanding public school district located in Webster, NY with more than 8,000 students in grades PK, K-12 and a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1.

And while Webster is a quiet and comfortable town, it’s only a 15-25 minute drive down State Route 104 to downtown Rochester, and to the Greater Rochester International Airport.

Briarwood Estates is an exciting new community in Webster, located on the left side of Salt Road, just south of Lake Road.  Bordered on two sides by Webster Green Space, the community is a mix of rolling hills, mature trees, and sunny open spaces. Click here for additional information about Briarwood Estates, including images of one of our model homes and lot availability.

Canandaigua

If the idea of small-town living in the Finger Lakes Region appeals to you, you may want to check out Canandaigua. You can enjoy small-town living and lots of activities at the same time. Here’s a post that highlights some of what Canandaigua has to offer. Residents of our Fox Ridge and Old Brookside communities in Canandaigua enjoy a tranquil location that includes a mix of rolling hills, mature trees, and breathtaking views of Lake Canandaigua. Click here for available homesites in Fox Ridge or check out the last remaining homesite in Old Brookside!

Ontario

Residents of Ontario the abundant parks, above-average public schools, and access to outstanding healthcare. They are also close to numerous wineries and vineyards. And yet, downtown Rochester is only 25 minutes away.

Our Summer Lake community offers tranquil views of Lake Ontario from many of the home sites (the lots are roughly 1/2 acres in size.  sites. The community has the feel of a nature preserve with an incredible location just minutes to some of Ontario's best shopping and dining. Click here to see available lots and to view images of one of our models. There are also a number of lake-view properties available in our Centennial Village, Holly Meadows community.

Perinton

Twice, the Town of Perinton has been named one of the Best Places to Live in America. That probably has to do with this family-oriented community’s pristine environment that includes access to numerous great parks, great public schools, exceptional healthcare, and superior employment opportunities. The area also has weekly farmer's markets, seasonal festivals, and a wide variety of shopping and dining options. That’s part of the reason that there are relatively few available lots remaining in our Magnolia Manor and Copper Beech Run communities. Click here to see availability and for images of the community.

Victor

Nestled in the foothills of the Finger Lakes is the town of Victor. it offers residents, businesses, and visitors a peaceful, small-town setting within minutes of the Cities of Rochester and Canandaigua. If you’re looking for a larger lot with plenty of shade, there are still two 1-acre wooded lots available in our Scout Reserve community in Victor.

Sodus

If golf course living is something you’ve always dreamed about, you may want to check out our Fairways community in Sodus. There are home sites available along the prestigious Sodus Bay Heights Golf Course. Plus, it’s an excellent location that’s close to all of the fun at Lake Ontario.

The Town of Sodus is actually divided into two villages: The Village of Sodus and the Village of Sodus Point. Sodus offers a family-friendly atmosphere with ample public parks, excellent schools, and year-round recreational activities. Residents enjoy all of the local marinas, waterfront restaurants, as well as the breathtaking beaches of Sodus Bay. Click here for images of the community and to check out available home sites.

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.

Most of us know that when you’re looking at an iceberg, what’s below the surface matters more than what you see above the surface. It’s the hidden danger that presents the real problems.  The same principle holds true when you’re planning a new home in Canandaigua. Sometimes little things can have a big impact on your building experience—and on your enjoyment of your new home.

Let’s take a look at three things that may not seem that big at first, but which can have pretty serious ramifications down the road.

1. Setting an Unrealistic Budget.Setting a budget for your new home may not be the most fun part about building a new home in Canandaigua, but there’s no denying its importance. The thing is, there are actually two ways this small choice can have a big impact. If you plan on more home than you can really afford, it can cause a lot of stress. Some of that can come during the building process when you want to make some relatively minor modifications that would make your home more comfortable. If you’re maxed out to the last dime you won’t be able to make adaptations. Or you may not be able to handle unexpected expenses that come up. On the other hand, if you try to cut corners on a home (when you can realistically afford it) you may get the “bargain” you were after, but you’ll very likely be unhappy with the features of the home. And if you make changes later (to get what you really wanted) it will actually cost you more.

2. Selecting a Floor Plan That Doesn’t Fit: Make sue the floor plan you choose really fits your lifestyle—and will continue to meet your lifestyle for years to come. As you look at plans (and we have plenty of options from which to choose) take into consideration how you like to entertain. Think about how your family may change in five years or so. And keep in mind that it’s not just the amount of square footage that matters, but how the rooms are configured. If you want a home that offers you the option for main level living down the road, plan ahead for that now.

3. Settling for the Wrong Builder.Not all floor plans are created the same and not all builders are the same. You want to deal with a builder that has experience, a good reputation, and who has built the kind of home you want. Perhaps the most important thing you want to look for is a builder you can trust. Obviously, you’ll want to see examples of what your prospective builder has done and you’ll want to check references. But trust is built on more than that. In many ways, trust is built by knowing that you have a builder that will listen to you and take your ideas, dreams, and questions to heart. Here’s a helpful post that talks about the importance of finding a builder who will earn your trust by listening to you.

Those three things may not seem monumental when you’re beginning to plan your new Canandaigua home, but ignoring them can have a huge impact on the home you’re planning to live in for years to come.

A lot of people love to visit the Finger Lakes region because it has so much to offer. But if you live here, you can take advantage of so much more — anytime you like. So what is it that people love about the Finger Lakes region? Here’s just a small taste.

Wineries 

Speaking of taste, the area is known for producing some great wines. You can tour wineries in Cayuga Lake, Skaneateles-Syracuse, Canandaigua Lake, Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake, among others.

Theater

There are many opportunities to take in great shows around the area. You can check out the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Auburn, catch a show at the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca or explore options at the Rochester Broadway Theatre League.

Art 

Want to expand your artistic horizons? The Corning Museum of Glass marries art with theater as gaffers (otherwise known as glassblowers) explain their craft while creating beautiful works of art. Or you can visit the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film or the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn.

Dining

There are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat — whether you’re looking for fine dining or casual fare. Two Canandaigua favorites are Nolan's on Canandaigua Lake and The Inn on the Lake.

Boat Tours

It would be ridiculous to talk about the Finger Lakes without mentioning getting out on the water.  There are a wide variety of options ranging from one-hour general sightseeing cruises to wine cruises and even full-course dinner cruises for you and your family.

Of course, you may just want to drive around and take in the sights, like the Eagle Cliff Falls at Havana Glen (pictured above)!

It’s no wonder people love to visit the Finger Lakes region! Some people, however, are lucky enough to call this area home. And if you’d like to make it your home, we build beautiful homes in several communities in the area. Why just visit when you could actually live here?