Tag Archives: builder

Meet Stone Creek Custom Homes’ Brad Ynostrosa

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If you call or visit Stone Creek Custom Homes, the first person you’re likely to meet is Brad Ynostrosa, our Director of Sales. Brad has been with us since 2004. He relocated from Dallas to work with Jesse and Jason, but it was a long, adventurous road to get here.

Brad and Jesse have known each other for over twenty years and were actually roommates in Dallas at one time, and he has been friends with Jason for over ten years now. Brad was enrolled at Texas State when he decided he wanted to go into the Fire Service.

Brad:  I wanted to be a firefighter, so I went back to Dallas from San Marcos in an effort to get into the fire academy and EMT school. It’s not an easy career path to get into. At the time they only accepted 21 candidates out of approximately 600 applicants per year. I was blessed enough to make it in and graduate.  A short time later, a good friend approached me with a very attractive opportunity to work for a home builder and I couldn’t pass it up. I wish I could have done both – I have a great deal of respect for firefighters.

One thing led to another and before long Brad had experience, not only building homes, but working with concrete, real estate, and building material sales. Fulfilling his desire to return to the Texas Hill Country, he and his wife took a leap of faith and moved to SA.  His vast knowledge makes him an asset to Stone Creek. He goes above and beyond to help clients find the ideal land for their home and devise a truly custom floor plan that suits their lifestyle, including design needs and budget parameters.

Brad:  I love it when our clients don’t already have land picked out. It puts me in action! I’m eager to offer up any assistance to those in need of land. It’s a difficult task for those don’t know what to look for. It’s my job to look at land and know what it means from a cost standpoint and provide honest feedback to our customers.

When it comes to his personal life, Brad is a proud husband and father of three girls, including twins that aren’t identical but look identical.

Brad:  We love the outdoors! As for me, my three favorite things I like to do are hunting, fishing and golf. As a family, I would say anything to do with the water or outdoors. The kids love the beach. We go to the Seaside area of Florida each summer. They also love staying at my Dad’s ranch. There’s no place they’d rather be than at the beach or what they call, “Poppi’s Cow Farm,” even though my dad no longer has cows. I know I am blessed to have a job I love, three beautiful daughters and an amazing wife that supports me in all I do (including my outdoor adventures that can sometimes take me away from home for more than a few days at a time!).

Brad also enjoys offshore fishing and is gearing up for the annual guy’s trip to Port Mansfield in July. If you’re looking to meet Poppi, Brad’s father moved to San Antonio part-time to be closer to his granddaughters and opened up a traditional barbershop called RY Barbershop, just outside of Timberwood Park. Come by for great conversation and an old-school shave and haircut!

For Brad’s exceptional guidance on your next home, call him anytime at 210-494-5400.

West Texas Summer Excursion

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From the Lost Mine Trail at Big Bend

From the Lost Mine Trail at Big Bend

If you haven’t figured out yet where to go for a summer vacation, we’d like to recommend a trip to picturesque West Texas. It’s a region of our state that’s often overlooked for more flashy allures such as the beach, Dallas or Houston.

The Gage Hotel

From San Antonio, if you drive along scenic Interstate 90, it’ll take you a little under six hours to get to Marathon, Texas. For couples especially, a one or two night stay at the Gage Hotel is a must. This charming historic hotel, which was built in 1927, is quite literally a desert oasis.

If you’re a history buff, stay in the main hotel, but for access to the gorgeous courtyard, stay in one of the Portales. There’s nothing quite like sitting outside with a couple glasses of wine and enjoying the beautiful night sky. Dinner at their upscale yet casual 12 Gage Restaurant may just be the best thing you eat on your trip, and as if this place wasn’t great enough, just a few blocks from the property they have a private 27-acre manicured garden that you might mistake for Eden.

Big Bend National Park

Big Bend is truly the gem of West Texas. Home to the largest protected area of the Chihuahuan Desert in the United State, the park consists of about a million acres of pristine land that is as untouched as it has been for millions of years.

The park offers over 150 mountain, desert and river hikes and access to a variety of camping sites, canyons and a natural spring. We highly recommend camping, but if that’s just not your thing, the park is home to the Chisos Mountains Lodge, which also has a pretty decent restaurant. Just make sure to book as far in advance as possible. Hotels in this part of the state are hard to come by.

Marfa, Texas

For a day trip, Marfa is a fun little town that’s not far from Big Bend and has earned a reputation as a hub for art and film. Art aficionados or those who appreciate architecture will enjoy the Chinati Foundation, which houses one of the most unique art exhibits as well as pieces from dozens of visiting artists.

As for accommodations, the historic Hotel Paisano is a lovely option and your best bet for any luxury in these parts. They also have a great bar and dining area. It’s nice place to stop for an afternoon cocktail. However, f you’re up for something a little more exotic, check out El Cosmico, where you can slumber in a teepee or a yurt. Yes, a yurt!

If you’re only there for the day, make sure to check out the pop-up restaurant known as Capri Kitchen. This unassuming eatery isn’t easy to come by but it’s well worth it. They make THE most amazing fried chicken you’ll ever eat!

Kids and adults alike will want to check out the Marfa lights, although there’s still no proof they even exist or why!

The McDonald Observatory

You cannot or at least should not visit West Texas without checking out The McDonald Observatory, an astronomical observatory run by UT Austin. Up in the hills in the middle of nowhere in the town of Fort Davis, is an opportunity to have your mind blown. The weekly star parties and twilight programs the observatory hosts are a chance to see the universe from a whole new perspective, quite literally. Last time we were there we got to see Venus and Saturn up close.

You can be sure returning to San Antonio after a trip through this serene and utterly magnificent part of Texas will be a little jolting to your senses, but no doubt, you’ll be happy to be home! Please share pics on our Facebook if you do go.

 

 

Shed No More Tears for Your Abandoned Toolshed

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Do you have an eyesore, otherwise known as an abandoned shed,  sitting in the back of your yard, full of old tools, a lifeless lawnmower from the 80’s, and an assorted collection of items you discarded years ago – all collecting dust? You probably hate opening it for fear of what creatures might be nesting there. If this sounds familiar, we’ve got good news for you! With a little TLC, you can turn that ugly shed into a haven of relaxation and enjoyment, what they’re now calling He-Sheds and She-Sheds.

She-Sheds

She-sheds having been growing in popularity in Europe, and are just starting to catch on in the U.S. Women who do everything for their families and their jobs, who can never seem to find a moment’s peace, will vastly appreciate this creative little retreat. There’s actually many different ways you can transform your shed into the ultimate she-shed. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Basic Retreat:  With a few coats of paint, a couple of windows, reclaimed furniture, rug, potted flowers, cozy throw and an electric teapot (just like the Brits), you can create a beautiful little space that’s ideal for unwinding with a good book or taking an afternoon nap.

Yoga Studio: Sure, it’s not a lot of space, but just for you or you and your BFF, it’s all you need. Consider removing the front door(s) and creating a trellis you can cover with ivy. Cover the inside with long flowing wall hangings in colorful prints, then put down laminate wood flooring, and roll out your yoga mat. Don’t forget to hang some sweet sounding wind chimes to help complete your OM space.

The Greenhouse:  If you’re feeling extremely motivated, you can turn an old wood shed into an exceptional spot to grow ornamental or edible plants. This is no easy feat and so we encourage you do your research before launching into this home project. Still with the right plan that includes details like temperature controls and a transparent roof, you will be the envy of your neighborhood.

He-Sheds

He-Sheds are more traditional then their female counterpart. The toolshed’s always been a place where the man of the house can escape for a few beers and to catch the game, but the question is, is your shed living up to its fullest potential?

Ultimate Man Cave: Instead of watching the game on the old throwaway TV, invest in a nice flat-screen that you can mount on the wall. With a few comfy lounge chairs, framed retro posters and a chic fridge stocked with your favorite refreshment, you can relax in style.

Pub-Sheds:  Like the She-Sheds, Pub-Sheds are becoming all the rage overseas. Your shed will be the hot new hang-out spot for all of your friends once they realize they can chill at the bar without paying the exorbitant prices. For the interior, build shelves to store liquor bottles and necessary accouterments and decorate to your liking – English pub-style, speakeasy-esque, whatever you like. You can even up your game by putting in a few taps. Next, build double-doors and a small counter into the front-facing wall that can easily open up to reveal your “pub.” Pull up a few stools outside and, voila, drinks are served!

San Antonio Real Estate Market Update – Summer 2015

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It’s hard to believe we’re midway through the year! Here’s a look at where San Antonio stands in terms of the current real estate and economic market:

Even with the significant rainfall slowing construction of new homes and commercial buildings, everywhere you go it’s easy to see the growth that’s taking place in the city, particularly downtown, with condos, apartments and hotels sprouting up faster than weeds.

According to the San Antonio Business Journal, the West side of SA is also seeing a lot of growth with mixed-use developments becoming the “new frontier.” Just last month, KFW Engineers & Surveying, a local civil engineering firm, announced they will be building a multimillion-dollar headquarters off of Loop 1604.

According to Zillow, the median home value in San Antonio is now $153,600, which means our home values have gone up 8.7% over the past year and predictions indicate they will rise another 2.8% within the next year. Already the median price of homes currently listed is $189,900.

Some may view this growth as a negative, particularly if you’re wanting to buy and miss the cheap rates of just a few years ago. However, you can also look at it as San Antonio is finally rising to its potential.

Bexar County added almost 5,000 new jobs last year with another 4,000 likely to be added by the end of this year. Forecasters are claiming the city’s “new energy economy” is responsible for this significant growth.

In particular, CPS Energy’s New Energy Economy Initiative has been a primary catalyst – they’ve brought in seven new companies into the Alamo city, which translates into 1,000 new jobs and an estimated income of more than $40 million.

If this kind of growth in the tech / energy industries continues, San Antonio will be put on the map for more than just the Spurs and River Walk. At Stone Creek Custom Homes, we’re excited to see the bar being raised and are more than ready to meet the challenge!

We believe there’s no better time to consider building a custom home than right now. For more information, please call us today at 210-494-5400.

 

 

 

Get to Know the Guys Behind Stone Creek Custom Homes

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Jason with his family

Jesse family

Jesse with his family

Life can often seem random, but sometimes those chance occurrences are the ones that stick – as is the case with Stone Creek Custom Homes’ two founders, Jason Gale and Jesse Pigott. We thought you might like to learn a little bit more about these two gentlemen, as they’re not the kind of guys that talk much about themselves. They’re usually far more interested in their clients, the work they’re doing, and of course, their families.

They first met over a decade ago when Jason was selling land, and Jesse bought a lot from him out in Timberwood Park. Both born and raised in San Antonio – Jason went to Castle Hills First Baptist High School while Jesse attended Clark High School – they also shared (and still do!) a mutual appreciation for hunting and fishing.

Jason:  I was building my house with another friend of mine, and it wasn’t going as well as I thought it could have. At the same time, Jesse was building his own home with another of friend of his. I had a lot in Timberwood so I approached him about building a spec house, which we sold before we were even done framing.

Jesse:  It happened by chance, but one project led to another and it snowballed. That’s basically how this whole thing got going.

Jesse originally worked in sales in a completely different industry, but had aspirations of owning his own company.

Jesse:  We love making someone else’s dreams a reality. Seeing something start from a scratch pad design and evolve into something you’re living in is pretty cool.

As for home life, Jason and Jesse are very family-oriented and love spending time with their families. Jason balances his love for flying, fishing and hunting and family time. He has a passion for showing the kids his love for the outdoors. With a lovely wife, a daughter and two sons, life is busy. Some of their favorite memories are at the beach in Florida and Port Aransas.

If Jason and the boys had it their way, they would spend every moment at the ranch or fishing in Port Mansfield, hopefully catching swordfish. Fishing usually means catch and release, but the family gets super excited when it’s served on the dinner table. As the youngest says, “I like that swordfish chicken!”

Jason’s family also run two fireworks stands around the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve.

Jason:  It’s more of a hobby. My daughter loves it. She takes charge, helps with inventory, pricing, and sales. It’s a great way for her to learn how to run a business for herself. She basically does it all, and I’m just there to help.

Jesse, who remarried a year ago to a beautiful lady, now has a family of five kids. Jesse also enjoys hunting and shares that passion with his kids. His family loves to spend time together at their home away from home at lake LBJ, swimming, riding jet skis and just relaxing.

Jesse:  We go there to eat, drink and listen to good music. It’s one of our favorite spots.

If you want to get to know these guys even better, give them a call at 210-494-5400 and let them build your ultimate dream home!