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From Backyards to Dream Abodes, Escondido is Buying, Building and Booming

Throughout the nation, people have been using the stay-at-home orders to re-evaluate their living spaces. Many are moving, or improving their homes, and this trend has found its way to Escondido as well.

“In Southern California, supply hasn’t been able to keep up with demand,” said Mike Strong, Escondido’s Director of Community Development. “Escondido is on the forefront of streamlining the residential construction permitting process to help reduce the delivery times so we can support getting housing built as quickly as possible in our City.”

The Community Development Department offers a full range of services related to urban planning and building.  Strong and his team are working with these Escondido companies that are helping residents find new homes or customize their existing ones to their needs.

A Vibrant Community for Every Home Buyer

New homes in Canopy Grove.

Lennar has been building homes across America since 1954 and its Canopy Grove development in Escondido is a uniquely created master plan development with 380 homes, ranging from 1,500 square feet to 3,200 square feet with prices starting in the low $600,000’s to the mid $800,000’s. 

“Our buyer profiles from the first-time buyer all the way up to the luxury buyer in one setting,” said Ryan Green, Lennar’s division president for the San Diego division.

What makes this development stand out is that it provides 14 different floor plans and homes for every lifestyle, he said. “At Canopy Grove, we placed an emphasis on creating spacious floor plans with thoughtful design details to meet the needs and desires of today’s most discerning home shoppers,” said Green.

These homes offer something for couples with or without children, pets, growing families and extended families who need separate spaces while living with the family. It’s rare to have such a wide selection in one area, and the Escondido location adds to the exceptional appeal these homes have for homebuyers. 

“It’s a great location,” added Green. “We have trails, parks, and close proximity to the 15 and 78 for commuters. It’s a great community for a family looking to put down roots and thrive in an unparalleled Southern California location.”

Within Canopy Grove, residents enjoy access to parks, playgrounds, picnic pavilions with barbeques, a private recreation center, pools, a spa, and a fitness center. As the development grows, plans for commercial spaces will also be included giving residents a live, shop, and play environment.

Inside the homes, homebuyers will feel all their design needs and desires are being met. “Lennar prides itself on a signature program called, Everything’s Included ®,” said Green. This provides high-end features and popular upgrades, such as slab-quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and integrated home automation features all at no additional cost.

These features include state-of-the-art technologies and materials which make these homes feel custom. Some of the trends Green has seen include healthy home features such as purification and air scrub systems, security monitoring, and energy-efficient materials.

While COVID-19 has made home shopping a bit more difficult, Lennar has introduced a safe and simple way to buy a home. Virtual and self-guided tours allow potential buyers to experience the homes from the comfort of their computer or in-person. This gives them time to look at details, see themselves in the home, yet still have the ability to ask a sales associate questions after they have completed their tour. 

Currently, 66 homeowners are residing in Canopy Grove and an additional 77 homes have been sold. Despite the pandemic, Green said now is a great time to buy a home and Escondido is a prime spot.

When asked if Lennar would be building more communities in Escondido, Green responded, “stay tuned.” For more information about Canopy Grove email Canopygrove@lennar.com or call ‪760-313-0613.

Making Custom Building Attainable

Since buying an existing house during the pandemic has gotten tough, inventory in San Diego is down and prices have skyrocketed,  Escondido-based Buildable offers homebuyers a solution - custom home building. 

“Most people feel they don’t have an alternative to buying an existing home and that a custom home is unattainable,” said Nick Parisi, Co-Founder and CEO.  

Buildable Director of Real Estate, Ross Godwin, and co-founders Michelle Pettycord and Nick Parisi.

Buildable is changing that perspective. With Co-Founder and President Michelle Pettycord, the team created a business model that helps buyers through every process of homebuilding from envisioning their dream home to finding the land, to the build and design process, all of which takes place in a span of about 12-to-18 months.

Pettycord, who has been building houses in San Diego for 30 years, realized the need for this type of business.  “I could see there was this major disconnect between people who wanted to build a house and people who wanted a general contractor. There was no support for what happens in between,” she said.

Building a home should be seen as just as feasible as buying an existing home.  Many home buyers have come to realize for nearly the same budget, they can build a custom home. “Everyone has a vision for their perfect home,” Parisi said. “We can take that vision, understand their lifestyle, and give them creative opportunities to make that perfect home.”

A luxurious custom Escondido home.

Most projects start near a $1 million budget, including the land purchase which is typically 15%-to-35% of the budget. 

“We are very good at guiding our customer through the process and giving them the most we can offer within their budget,” said Pettycord, whose expertise comes in her attention to details, including building for the future. “Sometimes we can prep for the client’s future dreams.” This includes laying piping or electricity for bathroom or kitchen upgrades at a future date. 

Trends they are seeing in building include technology-enhanced homes and pet-friendly homes. When asked if white kitchens are still the fad, Pettycord answered, “a white kitchen is like a black dress -it’s always going to work.”

A custom-designed kitchen complete with modern technologies.

Another detail home buyers might not realize when choosing to build a custom home is that they create instant equity.   “Most custom homes I’ve built in the last 10 years have instant equity from the day the homeowner turns the key,” said Pettycord.

She also added that Escondido provides more land and value to the buyer who is looking to build a custom home. Parisi and Pettycord both live in Escondido and have seen the homes they are building in the City increase in value too. They attribute that to the fact that Escondido is such a great place to live.

 “There are a lot of great things about Escondido,” Parisi said. “It’s convenient for a lot of tech companies, there is easy freeway access, and if you're an outdoors person you have all these great trails and amenities.”

With Buildable, Parisi and Pettycord want to provide their clients with a personal touch throughout their building experience. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, we are about creating that compelling experience,” said Parisi.

For more information about Buildable email, nick@simplybuildable.com or call 858-412-7121.‬

A Dream Backyard

JW Lumber Storefront.

JW Lumber is the place in Escondido for all your backyard needs.

“Fun fact:  Our location was actually an old private airport,” said Brian Gonzalez, JW Lumber’s CEO. “Next time you’re driving the 78 junction, look down and you’ll see the airport hangar; that’s our building.”  

The Jennings family has owned and run the lumber and outdoor building materials company since the 1950s and has been an Escondido staple tucked under the 78 and 15 freeways since 1982. Open to both builders and do-it-yourselfers, JW Lumber is a one-stop-shop for backyard needs from patios to decks to garden materials, lighting, and fencing. They also have siding for the house.  

“We have all the materials you need to build your backyard dream,” said Gonzalez.

For builders concerned about sustainability, Gonzalez added, “Lumber is a sustainable renewable resource that is responsibly harvested, and once it reaches the end of its life cycle lumber naturally decomposes back into the earth.”

JW Lumber CEO Brian Gonzalez in the warehouse.

Like other forms of construction that have seen an uptick in home improvement business, JW Lumber has also noticed more people are focusing on outdoor improvements too.  “Since people were staying home more during the pandemic, we’re definitely seeing people expanding their usable space outdoors,” said Gonzalez.

Trends Gonzalez is seeing in backyard design are low maintenance yards such as composite decking and aluminum patio covers. He also said black hardware is very popular because with the wood, it creates a very modern look.

He also said Trex composite decking is made from 95% recycled products including grocery bags and recycled wood. This upcycling product also has a long and durable lifespan. 

JW Lumber showroom features an array of decking options.

With Escondido’s hilly and rocky terrain, people are getting creative, building decks and adding shade to their slopes or rolling backyards. Even local restaurants have found their way to JW Lumber. As outdoor dining became the only option during the pandemic, many restaurant owners purchased picnic tables or framed patios and shade to help build out their outdoor eating areas.

“We definitely have the right materials that are going to endure the outdoors,” Gonzalez said. 

JW Lumber is located at 1179 W. Washington Avenue. For more information call 760-745-6800. 

Escondido’s Future

As the Southern California housing market continues to boom, Strong said the future continues to look bright for housing options in Escondido. “Escondido has a tradition of service, performance, and efficiency.  This is what makes our City a great place to do business. It is about continuing to support the partnership with the building and construction community,” he said.

He added, “In the current market environment, home builder confidence is at near record highs.  Years 2021 and 2022 look promising to have a diverse selection of homes for sale and rent in Escondido.”