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Greater Rochester Area Custom Home Building Blog

Upstate NY Custom Home Building Blog

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

Designing a Custom Home for Entertaining

Posted by John Graziose on Wed, Mar 12, 2025 @ 16:03 PM

There’s something magical about welcoming friends and family into your home—whether it’s an impromptu wine night in the kitchen, a lively game night in the living room, or a summer barbecue that spills onto the patio. A home built for entertaining isn’t just about having space; it’s about creating an effortless experience where guests feel comfortable, conversations flow freely, and hosting feels less like work and more like fun. If you love the idea of being the go-to host but want to avoid the pitfalls of a poorly designed layout (hello, kitchen bottlenecks and awkward seating!), then designing your custom home for entertaining with intention is key. Let’s discuss what makes the ultimate home for entertaining, starting with one of the most important decisions—your floor plan.

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Topics: Home Design, Custom Home Features

Smart Home Features for Your Custom Home in 2024

Posted by John Graziose on Mon, Dec 4, 2023 @ 12:12 PM

While designing and planning your custom home, don’t forget to consider smart features that are designed to simplify your routines, make entertaining a breeze, and add a much-needed sense of security. Smart home features are available in every room of the home as well as outdoors. What smart features should you ask your designer about during your consultation and design meetings?

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Topics: Home Design, Custom Home Features

The Top 2024 Trends for Your Custom Home

Posted by John Graziose on Wed, Nov 29, 2023 @ 12:11 PM

Choosing the features, finishes and appliances for your home is one of the most enjoyable parts of building a new home. Unfortunately, the process can also be a little overwhelming at times. Taking a look at the latest trends can provide a little inspiration and make your decisions easier. These seven trends are expected to be popular in the Rochester area in 2024.

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Topics: Home Design, Home Building Tips

Building an Energy-Efficient New Home in Upstate NY

Posted by John Graziose on Wed, Oct 4, 2023 @ 09:10 AM

Building your sustainable custom home in Rochester, NY area or the Finger Lakes Area is more than just a dream realized. It also allows you to align your selections with existing tax credits. Luckily, current construction-related tax incentives favor green/energy-efficient options, which are popular with consumers for their low-environmental income. We're also one of the most trusted custom home builders in Ontario, where the incentives to build green is also embedded in tax incentives.

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Topics: Building a New Home, Home Design, Home Building Tips