Zachary's blog

That may be our headline, but it's not our story; according to the June 16, 2010 print edition of the San Antonio Business Journal, McMillin Homes ranks as the number one San Antonio green residential builder. It's based on the overall number of green homes built in 2009 (we built more than 250, for those keeping score).

Normally, we don't toot our own horn too loudly, as we prefer to let our accomplishments and homes speak for themselves. But in this case, we saw an opportunity to make a couple of important points about McMillin's commitment to environmentally sustainable practices as part of doing what's right for our communities and homeowners.

We don't shy away from talking about our strengths and capabilities, and that doesn't begin and end with the homes we build. In fact, we're not the only ones talking; if you take a look at some of the awards we've received in recent years, you might notice that this very website has scooped up a couple of Summit Awards from the Greater San Antonio Builders Association and a Star Award from the Sunbelt Builders Association.

And since we're never content to rest on our laurels, McMillin Homes is happy to announce two significant additions to mcmillinhomes.com that give users greater access and an even better home-buying experience.

Contrary to popular belief, Thomas Edison didn't invent the light bulb; many historians actually credit Sir Humphry Davy with producing the first incandescent bulb almost 70 years earlier than Edison. That's not to take away from ol' Tom, of course, since his improvements to the design and construction, plus his own power distribution system, made the product commercially viable.

If there's one thing that's likely to shape how the Texas Hill Country and San Antonio areas grow and change in the next few decades, it's water—or access to it, at least. Water has, for all intents and purposes, supplanted oil as the South Texas version of liquid gold, and we're already seeing the effects of over-development and excessive use on local water tables and the Edwards Aquifer.

One month ago, I made the prediction that lingering Spring comfort would soon give way to hot summer South Texas temperatures; today, I'm sad to report that my powers of prognostication were correct. We're already stretching into the mid-90s here in San Antonio, and hopes for one, last cold snap are quickly fading.

At last glance, San Antonio was a pretty big place. Almost 1.5 million people make this area their home, and new residents continue to pour in to enjoy the warm weather and vibrant Hill Country culture. That translates to a pretty good-sized need for housing.

Well, a quick glance up Highway 281 or Interstate 10 gives you plenty of options; it seems like new developments pop up at a rate on par with the spring bluebonnets. But how do you choose? What do those communities have that turn you from a browser to a buyer? Let's face it: a lot of these places look the same.

They're not, of course, and McMillin communities tend to stand out more than the competition. One of the biggest reasons is that McMillin hires local designers and architects to create our homes and communities, which means they tend to better complement the natural beauty of the area. But that's not it.

Not too long ago, I found myself surrounded by fabric samples and paint swatches, preparing a nursery in expectation of the latest addition to my family. Normally, I'm the kind of guy who takes notice of wall colors and other details of home decoration. I admit to tuning out on this project, however, as I knew my role would be limited to manual labor—that is, until my wife shook me from my stupor with this comment:

"Remember, we'll need to check with the paint store to make sure they have low-VOC paint."

After having a hand in constructing almost 30,000 homes, 16 mixed-use master-planned communities, more than 20 parks, schools, and even military residences, McMillin Homes knows a thing or two about building a quality product. Since 1960, we've exercised the same level of care and scrutiny in every project we've undertaken; the quality of our homes and communities are a reflection of that attention to detail.

That said, we don't want you to just take our word for it. In fact, part of the McMillin reputation has been built on our practice of having each new home checked head-to-toe by a licensed, third-party inspector.

There's no denying that San Antonio is a unique place; in fact, the entire Texas Hill Country, from Austin to Pleasanton (let's not argue about the boundaries), is almost a world unto itself. That means it's often an inspiring place to live and work, and that's particularly true if you're in a business that is influenced by local culture.

In the case of McMillin Homes, one of our goals is to capture the best of our area's natural beauty and culture for use inside and outside our homes and communities. That's no small task, given the variety we have in South Texas, but it's a challenge we're willing to tackle for our homeowners.

It's April already, which means that the three-week spring temperatures South Texas gets every year will soon make way for the brutal heat of summer. Air conditioners are required to work overtime in our neck of the woods, which typically means hefty electric bills. Thankfully, we all know a few ways to cut back on electricity use; every McMillin home even has a number of energy-efficient features built in.