news/blog

Tropicana Properties awarded two residents today with over $60,000 in scholarships to attend Western Tech College. The recipients, Michael Gonzalez, resident at Castner Palms and Richard Oquendo, resident at Patriot Palms, were each presented with their checks by Bobby Bowling IV and Randy Bowling, owners of Tropicana Properties. The company announced it will additionally award four more scholarships in 2023.

As an apartment management company, Tropicana knows firsthand the importance of having skilled individuals that can maintain, troubleshoot, and repair the units on their properties. The scholarships are offered to help educate the community and address the shortage of skilled technicians in the industry, while also providing opportunities to residents to pursue careers as a pathway to self-sustainability and personal success. The scholarships include full certifications in areas including Advanced Welding Technology and Refrigeration & HVAC Technology.

To qualify for these scholarships, Tropicana Properties residents are required to submit an online application, 2 letters of recommendation and a 300-word essay. The dates for the upcoming 2023 scholarship submission deadlines will be announced at the Tropicana Properties website soon at www.tropicanaproperties.org

About the Scholarship Recipients

Michael Gonzalez from Castner Palms will be attending the welding program. He is a single parent of three ranging in ages from 12-17 yrs. Mr. Gonzalez has been an active and stable parental figure for his children and would like to show them that it is never too late in life to fulfill your dreams.

Richard Oquendo from Patriot Palms is a positive community member for last 14 years. His aspirations are to become a homeowner and is currently receiving homebuyer financial coaching. His perseverance and ambitions have helped him improve his financial foundation and lead him to receiving this scholarship opportunity.

About Tropicana Properties

Since 2001, Tropicana Properties has become one of the largest and most successful apartment development/ownership/management family of companies in the country. With 42 complexes and over 3,900 units properties throughout the El Paso community by the end of 2025, Tropicana Properties’ mission is to place current residents on the path of homeownership as demonstrated by their motto, “Let Tropicana Properties put you in a Tropicana Home.”

https://www.elpasoinc.com/news/local_news/far-northeast-residential-community-backed-by-paul-foster-announces-homebuilder-lineup/article_19e4e25e-2327-11ed-9305-eff0ab2846aa.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

By Amaris Richardson / El Paso Inc. digital editor

Aug 23, 2022

Franklin Mountain Communities, a company led by El Paso investor Paul Foster, has announced the homebuilders that will construct thousands of houses in its planned Campo del Sol community. Classic American Homes, Desert View Homes, Edwards Homes and Tropicana Homes have been selected to build the houses in the master-planned community, which will be developed on 2,300 acres of vacant land in far Northeast El Paso. In Phase 1 of the project, they will build more than 2,500 houses with prices that begin in the low $200,000s. Franklin Mountain Communities has partnered with Dallas-based Scarborough Lane Development to take Campo del Sol from conception to completion. “These homebuilders maintain sterling reputations of homebuilding excellence throughout the El Paso real estate market, and we are excited to partner with them as we build El Paso’s first true master-planned community,” James Feagin, CEO of Scarborough Lane Development, said in a news release. Construction will take place off I-54, near the eastern slope of the Franklin Mountains and Painted Dunes Golf Course. When finished, Campo del Sol will include 9,500 homes, an elementary and middle school, 135 acres of recreational land with trails and parks, and 300 acres of commercial development. Described in marketing materials as “Like a vacay every day!” the community will have resort-style amenities, according to a news release, including a four-acre outdoor aquatic center with a lazy river, a children’s splash pad, swimming pool, grass areas and a food truck park. An activity director will organize special events and activities for the community’s residents. Floorplans from the homebuilders will be available online soon, according to the news release. For more information, visit CampoDelSol.com.

El Pasoans Bobby and Randy Bowling, who own Tropicana Homes and its related entities, announce today the formation of a new company called “The Tropicana Tax Credit Investment Fund, LLC.” The purpose of the new company will be to invest in Tropicana’s own Low Income Housing Tax Credits, as well as to make other strategic investments in Low Income Housing Tax Credits, primarily throughout El Paso County. Tropicana Building, also owned by Bobby and Randy Bowling, has brought over $300 million in federal tax credit funding to the El Paso region as well as over $500 million in apartment construction work to their hometown since 2001. During that time frame (since 2001) Tropicana has been the most successful applicant in the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program in the state of Texas, winning at least one competitive funding award each year since 2001, with 38 total funding awards. “Randy and I are pleased to continue to grow our portfolio.” said Bobby Bowling IV, “Overall, what this means for the El Paso community is more affordable housing for hard-working families, job creation and tax revenues that have helped to improve the neighborhoods where we all live.”

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For more information, or to schedule an interview with Bobby Bowling IV, please call Maria Schneider at (915) 321-3550 ext. 109 or e-mail at m.schneider@tropicanahomes.com

Tropicana Building announced today that on July 28th, the Board of Governors of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, unanimously approved an award of $11 million in low-income housing tax credits for their proposed Fiesta Palms Apartments. The $16 million development will be constructed at 1080 Horizon Boulevard in Socorro, Texas, near North Loop Drive, and is expected to be completed and ready for occupancy sometime in 2024. The construction will provide jobs for over 200 El Paso area workers, and housing for 80 low-income families, as well as providing much needed property tax revenue, sales tax revenues and other fees to the city of Socorro, that has worked in partnership with Tropicana to help bring these much-needed units to the area.

The award is Tropicana’s 38th competitive 9% tax credit award since 2001—the most in the state of Texas during that time frame. Tropicana Building is owned by Bobby and Randy Bowling and has brought over $300 million in funding through federal tax credits to the El Paso region as well as over $500 million in apartment construction work to their hometown since 2001.

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Tropicana Homes has contributed $25,000 towards the construction of the Socorro Veterans Memorial which will honor veterans from Socorro that have served bravely from World War I to present.

On June 16th, Randy Bowling, President and Owner of Tropicana Homes presented the check to Socorro City Council. “We are happy to support the construction of this new monument honoring the Socorro residents that have a long history of service to our country.” Mr. Bowling said. “This memorial will pay tribute to their sacrifice and bravery.”

On March 8, 2022, Tropicana Properties announced their partnership with Western Technical College (WTC) to offer a full tuition scholarship to two (2) residents that reside in their properties. Interested residents were required to apply and submit an essay.

As an apartment management company, Tropicana knows firsthand the importance of having skilled individuals that can maintain, troubleshoot, and repair the units on their properties. The decision to partner with Western Technical College was made because of the programs that are offered and shortage of technicians in the industry. “Tropicana Properties is proud to be locally owned and fully operated here in El Paso.” says Bobby Bowling IV, Owner of Tropicana Properties. “We hope by setting this example, others will be motivated to consider similar investments in education to benefit El Paso”, Bowling mentioned.

Brad Kuykendall, CEO of Western Technical College commented, “We are honored and excited to partner with Tropicana Properties and fully appreciate and commend them for the support they are showing to their residents and the difference they are trying to make by impacting and educating our El Paso community”. “We encourage other organizations in the El Paso community to offer financial assistance to individuals looking to better their future and keep skilled talent in our Sun City”.

Joseph Meza is the first recipient receiving the full scholarship. Mr. Meza expressed in his essay that the Refrigeration and HVAC industry was a career he always wanted to pursue since high school. He took the first steps a few years ago and started looking into enrolling. However, he was faced with several obstacles that forced his goals to be put on hold. In addition to his family’s financial struggles, he also has a medical condition. With the world facing a pandemic, he was hesitant and leery about going to school while Covid-19 cases were at their peak.

Now with the financial assistance and fewer cases, Joseph is now ready to start his education. Joseph has selected to attend WTC and enroll in the HVAC program. “Thank you so much for this scholarship. I’ve been working with an HVAC company, and I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to continue learning and receiving the appropriate training to further my career,” commented Meza.

Mr. Bowling stated, “Our community is rich in talent including Mr. Meza, who has shown exceptional potential and through this scholarship, we know we are investing not only in him, but also in the future of our city”.

Join us in this celebratory award ceremony where Joseph will be receiving a check from Tropicana Properties for the full tuition and signing his enrollment agreement to start his education at WTC. The festivities will take place at 1:30pm on May 12, 2022, at 2505 Missouri Street.

About Tropicana Properties Since 2001, Tropicana properties has become one of the largest and most successful apartment development/ownership/management family of companies in the country. With 37 properties in the El Paso community and two more under construction, Tropicana Properties’ mission is to place current residents on the path of homeownership as demonstrated by their motto, “Let Tropicana Properties put you in a Tropicana Home.”

About Western Technical College Founded in 1970, Western Technical College has been a family-owned and operated nationally accredited institution of higher education for four generations in El Paso, Texas. Western Tech is committed to supporting its students from the time of enrollment, throughout the program of study and through graduation and employment. Western Tech’s mission is to provide quality training and education in a caring, professional environment that prepares new students and working adults with the skills they need to succeed and advance in their chosen careers.

Did you know that since 2009, the number of employees working from home has increased by 159%?

Working from home is brilliant until your neighbor fires up the lawnmower right outside your ‘home office’ window, the children have a rumble, and the cats are having their serenade, all during a video call!

You can quickly become your own greatest enemy if you’re distracted by family activities. Having no coworkers around means letting go and expressing yourself without fear of reprisal. Even down to the necessity of dressing up! So how do you get increased productivity at your home office?

It’s no secret that remote work has been rising in recent years! Click here to turn your home office into a productive haven!

Get Increased Productivity While Working From Home

Many people who work long hours in an office yearn for a landscaped view or a corner office where you can put your head down and concentrate on work. This can be achieved at your home office with some planning.

Choose a Dedicated Space and Set Up Properly

While sitting on the sofa with your laptop on your lap may seem comfortable, your back and shoulders will quickly become a nuisance. The correct setup is vital when working from home. This is true whether you’re using a spare room or a designated area in your home for your home office.

Even though you’re working from home, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be concerned with the ergonomics of your workspace.

Keep Distractions to a Minimum

Try to ignore your neighbor’s workshop noises or the traffic outside your window you cannot control. Instead, look for things you can control, like:

• list text hereTurning your phone to voicemail to avoid chatting with friends and relatives
• list text hereKeep a clean and organized desk

Look for options; if that same motorbike comes thundering down the road many times, try using earplugs or headphones to diminish the background noise.

Establish Some Rules

It’s not always easy to balance work and personal life when you live with family or housemates. This is why it’s a good idea to keep your work area in a separate room, as it sets up a physical separating barrier that shows you’re working.

You may also need to set some basic rules to avoid distractions during your working hours. For example:

Let your family know of any upcoming meetings and that they should not disturb you Perhaps set a timetable of working hours so that family can see when you are busy Be honest and upfront with your work colleagues regarding possible disturbances that may occur Give yourself a break! Keep in mind that working from home effectively necessitates everybody’s cooperation.

Do Not Over-Do It

It is tempting to, over time, when at home. When you don’t give yourself time to relax or talk to your loved ones, you’re more likely to experience burnout. Stick to your work timetable.

You may believe that maintaining a good work-life balance is more manageable when working from home. However, not only must you consider your family, but you must also set time limits for when you are accessible to coworkers, clients, and managers.

Balance Is the Key!

We hope that the above work-from-home suggestions will help you make the most of your time and give increased productivity.

Try them out and see if working from home is as productive as working in an office. Setting clear boundaries may help you appreciate your work more!

Are you looking to build a new home in El Paso? Perhaps with that extra home office? Then, contact us; our new housing reflects our attention to detail and our interest in making the lifestyle you desire affordable.

You can also find all floorplans here.

Prepping Your Home for Spring/Summer

Spring is finally here and as we prepare for the warmer El Paso months, what better time to revisit the summer checklist to prep our home for the upcoming seasons. Follow some of the simple steps below to keep your home up-to-date and repair costs down.

Roof and Drains

• list text hereCheck for missing, damaged or warped shingles and replace as necessary to prevent leaks.
• list text hereReseal all seals around pipes, skylights, and penetrations in your roofing cement and caulking gun to prevent future leaks that can be from materials freezing.
• list text hereCheck for deteriorated flashing at the chimney, walls and skylights and around vent pipes. Seal joints where water could penetrate, using roofing cement and a caulking gun.
• list text hereEnsure all vents, eaves, and openings are covered to prevent insects, birds and rodents from nesting. Clean leaves and debris from courtyard and any exterior rock wall drains to prevent blockages.

Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning

• list text hereReplace the air filter in your furnace/AC for maximum efficiency and improved indoor air quality.
• list text hereCheck that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order (replace batteries if necessary).
• list text herePrograms thermostat to save on cooling costs. Raise temperature 1 degree for every hour you’re gone up to 5 degrees (never turn air conditioner off!). This will help save money on your bill and keep from overworking your compressor to re-cool your home when you return.
• list text hereMake sure fans are switched to proper or counter-clockwise position, which will force room air down to give a wind chill effect. Flush hot water heater tanks to remove sediment, and check the pressure relief valve to make sure it’s in proper working order. Lower temperature to save on energy and accommodate hot summer conditions.
• list text hereExamine exposed ducts in the attic, and crawl spaces, and use a sealant to plug up any leaks.
• list text hereRemove lint from dryer exhaust vent with long flexible brush.

Windows, doors and exterior

• list text hereCheck all the weather-stripping around windows and door-frames for leaks to prevent cool air loss and replace if necessary
• list text hereExamine window frames and all exterior wood materials, stucco, and mortar for signs of deterioration. Repair, replace, re-caulk or repaint to maintain integrity and appearance.
• list text hereCheck for drafts around windows and doors. Caulk inside and out, where necessary, to keep cool air from escaping.
• list text hereInspect windows for cracks, broken glass or gaps. Repair or replace in needed.
• list text hereDuring the middle of the day close shades on windows facing south and west to minimize heat from sunlight.

Lawn, Garden and Deck/Balcony

• list text hereTrim overgrown branches back from the house and electrical wires to prevent wind-swept branches from causing property damage or a power problem.
• list text hereEnsure rain drains away from the house to avoid foundation problems. The dirt grade – around the exterior of you home – should slope away from the house. Add extra dirt to low areas, as necessary.
• list text hereInspect decks or balcony for splintering and treat, if needed, to prevent further deterioration over the winter.
• list text hereInspect outdoor lighting around the property.
• list text hereCheck exterior handrails to make sure they’re well secured.

Done? Congratulations! You’re officially ready for summer.

El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation announced the second donation of $25,000 from Tropicana Homes to El Paso Children’s Hospital. The donation continues Tropicana Homes longstanding support for the hospital and its mission of providing pediatric specialty care to children within the El Paso community.

Tropicana’s donation is part of a well-established relationship the homebuilder has with El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation. In less than four and a half years, Tropicana Homes has gifted over $60,000 to help with pediatric service line growth in our community. In 2017, a room on the oncology floor of the hospital was named for Tropicana Homes in honor of its commitment to the health of children in the region.

“On behalf of the over 150,000 patients served by El Paso Children’s Hospital, I would like to thank Tropicana Homes, Bobby Bowling, IV and Randy Bowling for their steadfast commitment to helping children faced with healthcare challenges in the borderplex region,” said Cindy Stout, President and CEO of El Paso Children’s Hospital. “It is because of community support we have worked to limit the number of children having to leave town.”

“Since coming to lead the El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation, I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of corporations in our community who want to help the Foundation in our effort to help expand specialized pediatric services in our region,” said Dr. B. Abigail Tarango, Executive Director of the El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Tropicana Homes and their team have no only donated dollars but also hours of their time to ensure children and their families can recover right here at home.”

“Tropicana Homes is honored to continue our support of this very important cause,” said Randy Bowling, President of Tropicana Homes. “El Paso Children’s Hospital is doing great work in providing comprehensive care for children in our community, and we are proud to contribute to their mission.”

About Tropicana Homes- Locally owned and established in 1950, Tropicana Homes is one of the largest and most trusted homebuilders in El Paso. Awarded “Builder of the Year” four times by the El Paso Association of Builders; named 2009 “Texas Developer of the Year” and “Builder of the Year” in 2003, 2013 and 2015 by the Texas Association of Builders.

About EPCH: El Paso Children’s Hospital is the only separately licensed, Joint Commission certified, pediatric hospital in El Paso solely dedicated to pediatric care.

About EPCHF: El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation (EPCHF) is the designated 501(c) (3) charitable organization for El Paso Children’s Hospital (EPCH) and Children’s Miracle Network (CMN). To learn more about the El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation, contact Taylor Moreno, 915-479-9623, taylor.moreno@elpasochildrens.org

Check out as our very own Bobby Bowling IV spotlights El Paso in his in-depth interview with “Yield PRO TV presents NAHB Power Hitters”. Host Linda Hoffman talks with Bobby about the economy, housing market in El Paso, as well as the history of Tropicana Homes, and growth of Tropicana Properties and Tropicana Building. Watch or listen here: https://yieldpro.com/2021/12/nahb-power-hitters-with-bobby-bowling-iv/

It’s the countdown before the official countdown! The holidays are here and your family and friends are coming to town. Everyone wants to see your new home and you want to show-off your kitchen and cooking skills.

Impress your friends and family with some delicious food that is quick and easy to make!

We put together a few recipes that will make your kitchen smell amazing and with our spacious open concept floorplans, your house and guests will feel merry and festive.

Sausage Pinwheels

Need to prepare some crowd-pleasing appetizers? Sausage pinwheels are perfect for sitting around the living room, talking, and having a few snacks. File this one away for need-to-make Christmas recipes.

You’ll want to get a tube of crescent rolls and unroll the dough onto a floured surface. Make the dough into 1 continuous piece by pressing the perforations.

Now spread half a pound of uncooked pork sausage across, and then sprinkle the top with some chives. Roll up the dough and cut it into 12 pinwheels.

Bake the pinwheels at 375 degrees for approximately 15 minutes, or until they’re golden brown.

Recipe inspired by Taste of Home

Cider-Glazed Ham

For easy dinner recipes, there’s nothing better than cider-glazed ham. It’ll feed lots of guests and will be low effort to make, so there’s not much cooking to do in the kitchen.

In addition to a ham, you’ll also need:

• Apple cider vinegar

• Brown sugar

• Apple juice

• Some fresh thyme

• Apple cider

• Mustard

Combine the first 4 ingredients together in a saucepan and stir over medium heat until the sugar’s dissolved. Then, boil it until you’ve reduced it by half.

Strain this mixture and stir in some mustard. Let it cool off.

Now place your hand in a roasting pan and brush the glaze all over. Bake it for 40 minutes at 425 degrees. Take the ham out, turn it over, and brush it again with the glaze.

Bake the ham for another 15 minutes and serve after you let it stand for 10 minutes.

Recipe inspired by Taste

Family Friendly Punch

If you need to serve up Christmas drinks or New Year’s drinks, then this family friendly punch recipe works for both!

You’ll need:

• Cranberry juice

• Orange juice

• Pineapple juice

• Sparkling apple juice or cider

• Ginger ale

To decrease sugar intake, substitute the sparkling apple juice or cider with sparkling water or sugar-free lemonade. Just mix all these ingredients together in a large bowl gently and the punch is ready!

You can add some orange slices, pomegranates seeds, cherries, and/or cranberries in glasses so people can just ladle in the punch and have some delicious garnishes ready to go. This goes amazingly well with cupcakes and other dessert dishes!

Recipe inspired by Nat’s article “Non-Alcoholic Christmas Punch For The Holidays” from “The Mindful Mocktail” website.

Serve up These Christmas and New Year’s Recipes

Now you have a great collection of quick and easy Christmas and New Year’s recipes. If you’ve got guests coming over soon, then have peace of mind knowing you can whip up these recipes in no time and impress your guests too! You’ll be able to be a fantastic host with minimal effort.

If buying a new home is part of your New Year’s resolution, then get in touch with us now! We have amazing floorplans and wonderful communities throughout El Paso and Socorro, Tx.

Are you thinking about purchasing a home? Many homebuyers find themselves deciding between building a new home or buying a resale.

Whether it’s your first home or you’re looking to move on to a new address, the process is always a bit daunting to think about. You save your hard-earned money to invest in a property, only to be faced with a massive decision on whether to buy a new build or a house that was previously owned.

But don’t worry we know how important this decision is, so we’re going to give you some items to review. Today, we’re going to talk about some practical considerations on the new home vs. resale debate. Continue reading and by the end of this blog you’ll have enough information to make a decision.

The Benefits of Buying a New Home

There are many perks to benefit from when you build a new home. From having more design options to greater energy efficiency, new builds are equipped with all that you need to help you feel reassured with your decision.

Up-to-Date Floorplans

When you purchase new builds, you can rest easy knowing that you’re getting a current floorplan. Designs change all the time, and resale homes leave you at the mercy of home trends that are sometimes decades old. When you’re looking to build a Tropicana Home you can select from different styles. Many of our floorplans offer modern or traditional designs!

You’re the First Owner

You’ll be the first owner of your newly built home, so it won’t have that “lived-in” sensation that you get with resales. With older homes, especially ones that have had multiple owners over many years, you just don’t know the condition it’s in until you’re living in it. In this sense, you’re going into homeownership blind, even if you do a pre-home sale inspection.

Choose Your Style

When you set out to build a new home, you get to customize the interior design to suit your personal style. Choosing specific colors, floors, and tiles makes such a difference in making your house feel like a home.

Check out this article for tips on how to choose colors for the inside of your Tropicana home and the for outside as well.

Potential Savings on Electricity

Older homes tend to lack the energy efficiency that newer builds have. Not only is this going to help you reduce your carbon footprint, but your actual energy bills are going to stay lower. Older homes may need upgraded appliances or window treatments later on. Some of these expenses can get quite costly and they are not reflected in the original sales price. Therefore, if you are still inclined to purchasing a used home, consider future expenses like these.

More Amenities for Everyone to Enjoy

When you build in a new home subdivision these days, you get to experience loads of community-wide amenities. Many of these communities include walking trails, green spaces, playgrounds, and outdoor recreational areas.

That’s not to say that you can’t find these things in older neighborhood homes, but new home communities are built with community in mind. If you are looking for a new neighborhood we have plenty of well-situated locations throughout El Paso and Socorro, Tx.

Making the Best Choice

There are two main reasons why you’d buy a resale home: cost and convenience. On the one hand, you can hire a realtor and try to find a house that checks off all of the boxes and on the other hand, cost-wise, you’ll end up investing more in a resale house in the long run.

Buying a new home provides you with everything you could possibly need when you move in. Not to mention, you’ll get to choose a floorplan that suits you and customize it with your favorite colors and tiles.

If you want new construction homes with the perfect balance of quality and luxury, you’ve come to the right place. Buying a new home is easier when you choose El Paso’s most trusted home builder, Tropicana Homes. Take the first step and contact us for more information.

‘Tis the season for apple pie, crisp mornings, and warm sweaters. As the temperature changes, so does the aesthetic. Here we can show you how to make your home decor match the cozy outdoor ambiance.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your crafting tools, light up your favorite pumpkin spice candle, and keep reading for some DIY projects that can turn your home into an autumn wonderland.

Address Pumpkin Topiary

If you are looking to add some autumn decor to your outdoor area, you will love this project. All you’ll need is:

• Fake white pumpkins (get one for each digit of your home number)
• Plastic house numbers (you can find these at a crafts store or hardware store)
• Flowerpot (diameter should be slightly bigger than the fake pumpkins)
• Newspaper
• Spanish moss
• Wooden dowel (should be the size of the fake pumpkins stacked, plus the flowerpot)
• Rocks or bricks
• Knife
• Hot glue gun
• Screwdriver

The Process:

1. Place the wooden dowel inside the flowerpot and secure it in the middle using rocks or bricks.
2. Wrinkle newspaper sheets, and place them tightly inside the flowerpot, leaving about 2-3 inches of space at the top.
3. Cut off the stems of all the pumpkins except the top one.
4. Using the hot glue gun and/or screws, place one number on each pumpkin.
5. Cut holes on the bottom of every pumpkin and stack them along the secured wooden dowel so that the first digit of your home number ends up on top.
6. Cover the visible newspaper with Spanish moss.
7. Place outside your Tropicana Home to display!

Credits to Vanessa Hunt author of “At the Picket Fence”.

Yarn Hanging Art

You will absolutely love this wall art decor. This is one of those DIY projects that are really easy to make, and really versatile. This is what you’ll need:

• Yarn of different colors (you should use autumn-themed colors like orange and cream so that they match the rest of the decor during all your fall festivities)
• Scissors
• Glue gun
• A wooden stick or steady tree branch
• Fake flowers (optional)

The Process:

1. Cut pieces of the yarn (should be approximately one yard long, but you can play around with sizes and see what you like best).
2. Take about 10-15 pieces of the same color yarn and assemble them around the wooden stick or branch with a loop.
3. Repeat the same process with different color yarn and create a pattern that you like.
4. If you choose to, once all the yarn strands are assembled on the stick, glue gun some fake flowers on one of the ends of the branch.

Voila! Now you have a beautiful yarn hanging that you can put up in any room.

Project inspired by Amaryllis’s blog “Oh Oh Deco”.

Mason Jar Flower Vases

This next DIY project looks beautiful as a centerpiece for your Thanksgiving dinner table. All you will need is:

• Empty mason jars
• Spray paint (use orange, gold, brown, and cream shades)
• Cardboard or plastic cover
• Flowers (real or fake, up to you!)

The Process:

1. Wash your mason jars and remove any labels or stickers.
2. Place them upside down over the cardboard or plastic cover.
3. Cover the outside of the mason jars using about 2-3 coats of spray paint (if you can, it is better to do this outside).
4. Let dry.
5. Place your chosen flowers into the painted jars.

Project inspired by Claire Gallam’s article “A Simple Step-by-Step DIY Guide to Spray-Painting Mason Jars” from the “She Knows” website.

That’s it! Now you have fall-inspired flower vases that will bring your autumn home decor to the next level! These look especially gorgeous as indoor table decorations.

Fall-Inspired DIY Projects

Making fall-inspired DIY projects is a fantastic way to spruce up your home decor and make everything look more festive. After all, loving your home and everything within it is the most important thing!

Finding that home is easier with Tropicana Homes. View our variety of beautiful floorplans and various locations throughout El Paso. See why we are El Paso’s most trusted home builder since 1950, contact any of our agents today for more information.

Thinking about buying a house? You’re not alone. In fact, 2020 welcomed over 2.38 million first-time homebuyers into the world of homeownership.

However, there are many factors that can hinder your ability to buy the home you want, and your credit score is certainly one of them. So, what is a good credit score and what does it mean for homebuyers? Glad you asked.

What Is Considered A Good Credit Score?

Let’s run through this very quickly. Your credit score is a combination of a lot of things. It involves your length of credit, your credit card utilization, number of lines of credit, and most importantly, your payment history. There are other factors that play a minor role like hard inquiries, but these are the important ones.

Your score falls somewhere between 300 and 850. In a nutshell, you want your score to be as high as possible. Will it ever get to 850? Almost definitely not, so don’t worry about that.

Basically, if your score is below 579, it is considered to be a poor credit score. It will be more challenging to find a lender that will opt to do business with you. If your score is between 580 and 669, you may be able to secure a high-interest mortgage or loan, but it will be challenging. 670 to 739 is considered to be a good score range, but it could use improvement. The national credit score average, as of February 2021 and according to Equifax, is 698.

740 to 799 is seen as a very good range. Anything above 800 is considered to be an excellent score and finding a loan will be very easy. Overall, once you pass 700, you have a pretty decent credit score and good chances of securing a loan.

How A Good Score Will Help You Buy A Home

Having a credit score in a healthy range or better will help you with buying your home and it will have positive financial effects for the entire time you have your mortgage. Not only that, it will even maximize your profit if you choose to sell or rent it out!

Help With Buying

Having a good credit score will help you secure a loan, which also means you will have an easier time getting pre-approved for a loan. Being pre-approved gives you leverage over other buyers and makes the steps to purchasing a home much easier. Luckily our agents can help you get preapproved with our preferred lender! Just set up an appointment with the agent in your community of interest and they will assist you with this step.

Having the ability to make an offer as soon as possible within your maximum loan offer range puts you in the best position, especially when you can show that you are able to pay almost immediately.

It will also give you benefits when it comes to shopping around for a loan. More lenders will be willing to approve you, giving you the ability to find the best offers from various lenders. For example, if you choose our preferred lender, Patriot Mortgage, the homebuying process will seem seamless since there is direct communication between the skilled Loan Officers and our knowledgeable team of agents.

Long-Term Benefits

The obvious long-term benefit of buying a home with a good credit score is that you will ultimately be paying less for your loan than you would with a lower score.

A lower interest rate may not seem like a big deal at first glance. After all, you are paying it off over 30 years or so. However, the difference between 3% and 6% on a $300,000 house is still $9,000. Would you want to pay an extra $9,000 on a car? Avoiding this and preparing your finances are the keys to a successful real estate purchase.

Boost Your Score

If the housing market isn’t for you right now, it’s not a bad idea to wait it out and boost your score before buying. Having a good credit score ultimately saves you money and gives you more freedom when purchasing a home.

Sometimes starting can be the hardest part, but don’t worry, we are here to help! Contact any of our highly accomplished agents for more information today. With over 70 years of experience, we are El Paso’s most trusted homebuilder.

Performing regular roof maintenance is important to prevent severe damage to your home.

By performing roof maintenance, you can prevent small problems from becoming major issues that allow leaks and other types of damage to occur.

Here’s a quick guide on what you can do to perform roof maintenance and the types of roof damage that can occur.

Performing Roof Maintenance

Performing regular roof maintenance helps extend the lifespan of your roof and protects your home.

Here are some tips to look out for that can help maintain your roof:

• Use a ladder or find a high vantage point to do a visual check, especially after storms
• Keep an eye on your ceiling for any signs of staining or sagging
• Clean off any dirt and debris using a leaf blower
• Regularly clean and remove any blockages from the drains and gutters

All of this may sound simple enough to do yourself but we highly recommend hiring a licensed professional to assist you. Doing this yourself may be dangerous or it could be a reason for insurance companies to deny claims. A professional has the necessary equipment and safety training to work on high or flat roofs.

It is recommended to get flat roof maintenance twice a year, typically after the winter and summer seasons. This is also the case for shingles or clay tile roofs.

Maintenance for Splitting

Splitting is when the material covering the roof cracks or tears. When this occurs, water may leak through the cracks and cause damage to your ceiling.

It is especially important to keep an eye out for splitting if you are doing flat roof maintenance, as this is a common issue in such roofs.

Causes for splitting include:

• Exposure to the elements
• Stress and pressure on the material
• Water
• Freeze-thawing

To repair a splitting roof, ask your roofer to remove the damaged area. Once removed, the revealed section underneath needs to be cleaned and dried. Applying a bitumen adhesive or roofing cement to the area then laying a new matching material over it will solve this problem.

Maintenance for Ponding

Ponding is when large puddles of water start to collect on your roof. This can damage the material of your roof and cause it to develop deep, sinking indents. As the ponding continues, water may seep through the roof into the interior of your home, causing stains and watermarks.

Ponding is often caused by clogs in your roof’s drainage system, so sometimes, just clearing your house’s drains and gutters is enough to prevent further damage.

If ponding is still an issue after cleaning your roof’s drainage system, you may want to consider adding additional gutters and drains to it. You may also benefit from using automatic pumps, or you can have your roof re-laid in a way that creates a greater slope to aid in water run-off.

Maintenance for Blistering

Blistering is typically caused by excessive heat.

Blistering occurs when air is trapped between the layers of roofing material. As the air warms up, air pockets may start to form, causing bubbles in the material.

Once these air pockets form, they will expand and contract with any changes in temperature. After a while, the air pockets will burst and cause a tear in the material.

Even before the air pockets burst, the bubbling of the material can still allow moisture to seep into the interior of your house and cause potential water damage.

To fix blistering, cut along the bubbled material until it has gone flat. Ensure the damaged area is dry before applying adhesive. Press the previously cut segments onto the adhesive, then apply another layer of material on top.

Maintaining Your Roof

Proper roof maintenance is important to prevent severe damage to your home.

Though there are some simple ways you can maintain your house on your own, it is recommended that you hire a professional to handle any tasks that you think may be beyond your ability to perform.

At Tropicana Homes we use only the best roofing materials to ensure that your home will protect you and yours from the elements. If you are a Tropicana Homeowner you can refer to your warranty packet for more maintenance tips or log into your Homeowners Portal to download these files. We have been building homes in El Paso, Tx since 1950, our experience is unmatched! Call us today for more information, we are happy to assist you.

Building your own home from the ground up takes a great deal of dedication and a lot of patience. That is why when the opportunity to buy the home of the dreams knocks, you answer with a home builder that will do all the hard work for you.

The fun starts as soon as you pick the interior and exterior colors of your home. The design is where you will let your personality shine.

Maybe you consider yourself a minimalist or you are more of a transitionalist. Regardless of what interior design styles you enjoy, Tropicana Homes has a variety of floorplans to meet your need.

The Tactful Transitionalist

Interior design styles that lean more on the transitional style are often described as elegant and charming. Neutral color schemes including light creams and blues are perfect for these spaces.

This universal trend is the perfect combination between traditional and contemporary. This style can fit any home!

Keeping your colors as neutral as possible make any space feeling clean and tranquil, go for vanilla, taupe, or tan tones.

Find furniture that is comfortable and that consists of straight lines as well as some with more organic shapes. Do not fill the room with accessories, similar to the minimalist design, less is more. With fewer accessories you keep the focus on the furniture and carefully placed statement pieces.

Lighting can be simple using clean designs with lines or curves. If you want to add a little pizzazz add a chandelier to the foyer or dining room. Remember, this is your home, so you make the rules!

A great floorplan for the transitional trend is the Tori traditional. The high ceiling adds a grand feel which will balance out with the transitional furniture. The natural lighting in this floorplan also helps make the design feel more welcoming.

The Fun-Loving Farmhouse

Kick it up a notch by incorporating the popular Farmhouse style that is at the top of everyone’s interior design style list. This popular style commonly marries distressed wood and linens. Mix these elements with beige walls and accent colors like turquoise and yellow to create a comforting home everyone will enjoy.

Cute accessories that include plants (faux or real), iron work, phrases, and pastel artwork make this trend a visual representation of “home sweet home”.

Don’t be afraid to add leather with warm tones to get the country feel!

The spacious 3,046 square foot Bianka floorplan is perfect for a home that wants to bring the family together for special occasions and holidays. You can easily add a home office space in the living room downstairs or in the loft on the second floor.

The Modern Minimalist

Break free from clutter and relax in the ultra-clean space of minimalistic design. One of the advantages of using this trend in your home is using only the essentials which means it is easier to clean and there is more space.

Solid colors with monochrome schemes set this style apart and offer you a timeless aesthetic.

The decor is limited making what you do display stand out and command attention. The trick is combining materials and colors to create a welcoming look without adding unnecessary items. Try mixing woods with warm tones and comfortable furniture pieces.

Bring your modern, open concept floor plan to life with this elegant styling. Let your space inspire you by offering a blank canvas free from clutter, chaos, and distraction. You won’t regret this decision.

The 1350 square foot Pearl floorplan is a great option for your minimalist heart.

The Stylish Scandinavian

This chic Nordic interior design style is understated and full of intentionality. Each piece serves a function without compromise form and elegance.

Open spaces, light colors, and lots of natural light characterize this design style. Avoid over cluttering and accessorize with purposeful pieces to bring the best of “Scandinavian hygge” to your home.

Clean lines, mid-century designs, and soft hues are the staples of this interior design trend. With the increased purchasing of plants, the color and natural elements, bring a pop to the neutral tones in Scandinavian style homes.

Any of our floorplans would work wonderfully with this trend!

The Glamourous Hollywood Regency

This interior style is a cultural icon. Captivate with the distinctive lines and shapes of classic Art Deco. Characterized by stark lines and sharp contrasts, the glitz and glamour live on with framed photographs and iconography.

Color walls in strong blacks and whites with bright pops of red and gold. Support stacks of crisp magazine prints and photo books with shiny glass and metal side tables.

The Zoey floorplan would look amazing with this design! The high ceilings, elongated master bedroom, fanned staircase, and ample living spaces give way to larger-than-life accessories.

Interior Design Styles That Impress

Do not forget that you can select from a variety of tile flooring for your bathrooms and kitchens. Just be sure to select your colors before the slab stage to guarantee you have tile that will fit your home’s interior design style. If you need more inspiration, you can visit the design centers located inside the model homes.

Regardless of your specific interior design styles, you’ll find the home of your dream with Tropicana Homes. Contact us today for more information on our floorplans and communities throughout El Paso and Socorro, Tx.

Did you just purchase a new home? What can you expect to pay each month in addition to your mortgage payment?

Owning a home means more than paying back your mortgage loan. You have insurance, state property tax, county property tax, interest on the loan, and maintenance, to name a few of the expenses that go along with homeownership.

What is property tax and how is it calculated? Keep reading to learn what all homeowners should know.

Property Tax Defined

When you own a home or property, local governments collect a tax based on the value of your property. It’s a tax you pay to your city or town for owning property. Rates vary from state to state, county to county.

The money generated from property taxes pays for public services like schools, emergency services, the police department, infrastructure, and the sanitation department.

How to Calculate Property Tax

Understanding how property tax is calculated is important so that you can be sure you’re not being overcharged. Let’s look at what determines your property tax bill:

• The assessed value of your home or property
• The assessed value of all the other homes in your tax jurisdiction
• Your local government’s annual budget for your city, town, or county

Once you have the assessed value of your property, it is multiplied by the local tax rate or mill rate. One mill is equal to one-tenth of one cent or $1 for every $1,000 of the property’s value.

Different localities have different mill rates, so check to see what it is in your area. This number comes from dividing the money needed for local services by the assessed property value of a home in the area.

How Do Property Taxes Work?

The homeowner chooses whether to pay the property taxes annually or semi-annually or pay toward the taxes each month through a mortgage escrow account.

If you use a free escrow account, an estimate of the yearly property tax is divided into monthly payments. That amount is added to your mortgage payment. When taxes are due, they’re paid automatically.

If you’d like to know about your taxes online, visit the City of El Paso’s website.

Looking for a New Home?

Learning all you can about property tax and other aspects of homeownership is a good plan before you jump into buying your first home, upgrading your current home, or buying a new construction home.

Our preferred lender, Patriot Mortgage, can assist you with tax, payments, and loan questions. If you are working directly with a Tropicana Homes agent they can also assist you with questions regarding the neighborhood tax rates and estimated payments for your future home.

At Tropicana Homes, we are committed to building top quality homes for you and your family. We are the largest and most trusted home builder in El Paso with over 70 years of experience. Contact us today for more information about our floorplans and communities.

Giving back to our community is an integral part of the Tropicana Homes’ corporate mission.

For over 70 years, we have enjoyed building dream homes for thousands of families in El Paso- and for many being part of the first achievement of owning a first home. We also love giving back to a community that has helped us grow into a leading home builder in El Paso. As such, we take our corporate social responsibility seriously – and make an impact within the community we live.

Tropicana Homes is proud to build the best homes in the city, but we work just as hard for people, giving back to the community in a variety of ways. From sponsoring corporate events to supporting local first responders, we are dedicated to making El Paso a better place to live.

Why Giving Back to the Community Matters

Tropicana Homes is in the business of building homes…and our community. Why is giving back important to us? We live here and believe it is the best way to help those who have supported us for over 70 years.

Recent Community Endeavors

The past year has been one of the most challenging in our lifetimes. COVID-19 left its mark in so many ways, but El Pasoans are strong. We are fighting back and taking care of the most vulnerable and heroic in our community.

Take a look at four of our recent projects.

1. El Pasoans Fighting Hunger

The El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank helps struggling families throughout the city. They partner with over 130 organizations and businesses throughout El Paso, Culberson, and Hudspeth counties

Along with Tropicana Properties, Tropicana Homes donated meals to help over 150 vulnerable families residing at various Tropicana Properties complexes at the height of the COVID-19 crisis. We were able to deliver essential pantry items such as milk, bread, frozen chicken, and vegetables.

Visit their website to make a donation: https://elpasoansfightinghunger.org/donate

2. Blue Star Over El Paso

Last November, our community recognized the brave members of our local law enforcement, with the “Blue Star Over El Paso” campaign. The event included turning El Paso’s iconic Star on the Mountain the color blue for the entire month.

Tropicana Homes, along with our affiliated companies, Tropicana Building, Tropicana Properties, and Patriot Mortgage, sponsored the commemoration. This was only a small token of appreciation in comparison to everything our local law enforcement keeps us safe. There is a reason why we are the 5th safest large city in the US (Advisor Smith, June 9, 2020).

3. Make-A-Wish Fundraisers

We were proud to participate in the Annual Walk for Wishes as well as previous Wish Night Fundraisers. These are annual community-wide events that serve as fundraisers for Make-A-Wish El Paso. These events raise more than $180,000 every year.

The organization’s mission is to grant the wishes of critically ill children in our community. The staff and volunteers of Make-A-Wish El Paso have helped write dozens of inspirational stories for children battling serious illness every day.

Visit their website to make a donation: Make-A-Wish donation

Star.Wish.Org

4. Project Vida

Project Vida provides a variety of services and programs for people in need. The organization provides healthcare to disadvantaged families, education services, affordable housing aid, and wellness programs, among other things.

In addition to these, Tropicana Homes has worked on several projects, providing funds and sponsorship for community events and outreach. We know what is takes to be a successful local business and we want to help local start-ups strive.

Visit their website to make a donation: https://www.pvida.net/new-page

In the Business of Giving Back

A business is only as good as its reputation. Tropicana Homes is proud to serve El Paso. These events are just a few of the ways we are giving back to our great community.

We’re also here to help individuals and residential communities build the best homes where dreams can grow. If you are in the market for a new home, contact us for more information. We are always happy to assist you!

The demand for new home construction in El Paso has grown dramatically in the past year. With the construction of a new home comes a host of decisions to be made.

Choosing exterior palettes for your home, especially considering the climate in El Paso. is just one of these tough decisions to be made. With a multitude of colors to choose from, how do you even begin to narrow down a palette?

That’s why we’re going to dive into three tips for finding the perfect exterior palettes in our beautiful city. Explore some of our best advice for finding great colors you’ll love.

Exterior Palettes for Your Home Need Serious Consideration

You’ve selected the floorplan for your new house. The neighborhood is perfect, and you can’t wait to move in.

But you’re still hung up on the color scheme. Selecting the color can be an arduous task.

If selling your home is in your future, neutral color schemes are generally the palettes to seek out. Grays, whites, tans, and other earthy tones are suitable for a range of different house types.

But if you are getting ready to choose the paint for your first home, a place you’ll be living for a while, consider these three tips before you land on a final color scheme.

Consider Your Environment

Exterior palettes in El Paso are different from palettes in other parts of the country for a couple of different reasons.

First, the dry environment of El Paso reflects a certain color scheme; lots of beige, brown, and tan. Looking to your environment for exterior palette inspiration is one of the easiest ways to pick some colors.

Another incredibly important reason to consider your environment when choosing paint or vinyl colors is the heat of El Paso. The dry, desert conditions of the city are not suitable for darker colors. Dark paints and siding can lead to an increase in home temperature, as well as reflect warping and fading from the sun.

Consider Your Floorplans

It’s important to think about your Tropicana Homes floor plan when considering color schemes. This will help you identify which areas will be receiving which colors. The areas to consider are the following:

The trim consists of the finish materials on the exterior of your home. Not much color goes here, but this is useful as small accents for the stucco. Trim can go around the windows, doors, or niches. It all depends on the floorplan you are purchasing.

The fascia board is the long, straight board that runs along the lower edge of the roof.

Stucco is the textured element on the exterior of your home. This is most of the exterior wall where the concentration of color will be.

For example, we have two floorplans that have different styles to consider.

The traditional Alexa floorplan has a tried-and-true aesthetic and is the perfect fit for a neutral palette.

The modern Brooks floorplan, on the other hand, has a sleeker design and would look stunning with a modern palette.

Luckily, each of our model homes have their own design centers where you can look at all of the options you’d like to include in your new home, including exterior palettes. To make the task easier we have booklets with predetermined exterior colors that specify the stucco, trim, and fascia. *

This is only one of the many ways we make your home buying experience a pleasant journey!

Consider the Trends

Trends go in and out of style for a reason, but the long-lasting ones stand the test of time.

Grays, taupe, ivories, and browns have become the go-to colors for neutral palettes. A classical palette features nice, light browns, tans, beiges, and creamy whites. A modern palette plays with sharply contrasting colors like dark grays and bright whites. Just remember about the sun! The more predominant the darker color, the more maintenance will be required in the long run.

If you are stumped, look to the trends for inspiration.

Have Fun!

Exterior palettes for your home are a great way to express yourself.

If you already have a color scheme in mind, look at our floorplans and choose your favorite! Call any of our agents for more information on the floorplan you like in their area.

*If you are currently building a Tropicana Home and need assistance with your current color selection please speak with your agent to review the construction stage and options available.

Ah, winter. There’s no better time to curl up with a good book, drink hot chocolate, sit by the fire, and maybe even plan some home improvements.

Unfortunately, nothing ruins those idyllic goals like frozen and bursting plumbing.

While we’re not prone to deep freezes here in El Paso, preparing your home for winter is no less important than it is up north.

If you’re not sure how to protect your pipes from freezing, you’re certainly not alone! We’ve put together a helpful guide to get area homeowners started on their winter preparation, well before the first cold snaps set in. Here’s what you need to know.

1.- Insulate Your Pipes

Based on our scorching summers, you’d think our winters might be mild. But cold temperatures can take you by surprise, and insulating your pipes is important for winter and beyond.

If you haven’t already done so, invest in some quality foam padding or heat tape for your pipes. Make sure any areas with exposed pipes are properly insulated, especially in your garage and shed. Seal up any holes or openings with caulk or expandable foam.

You may even want to add some heat cables, which automatically sense a pipe’s temperatures and turn on to warm them up when necessary. These are easy to find online and at most major home improvement stores.

2.-Turn Off Outdoor Faucets

Now that we’re past the time when most homeowners are considering spring and summer landscaping, you may want to take care of your outdoor faucets. Even if you opt not to do this now, it’s important to do it anytime we see temperatures dip toward freezing.

Open any outdoor faucets and drain the water from the pipes to keep them from freezing. Disconnect your hose and store it in your garage or in a shed. Consider buying some inexpensive insulated hose bibs to help slow heat loss as well.

3.-Check Pipes During Cold Snaps

Even if you’ve taken the steps above to prepare your home for winter, you’ll still need to check on your pipes when the cold weather comes. In general, water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but most indoor pipes will start to freeze once the outside temperature dips toward 20 degrees.

Let water drip from your taps when freezing temperatures set in, as this can help you avoid having to deal with freezing pipes. Know the signs of frozen pipes, and have a plumber’s contact info at the ready just in case. If you have just purchased your Tropicana Home then give our award-winning warranty office a call or access our Homeowners Portal to find the emergency contacts for plumbers in your area.

Start Preparing Your Home for Winter

There’s no time like the present when it comes to preparing your home for winter. Following some basic best practices before the cold weather sets in can keep you from seeking out expensive repairs on one of the coldest nights of the year. Make sure you and your family are protected this winter!

Not only do we offer you the best tips to prepare for the harsh winter weather, our dedicated and award-winning agents are here to assist you. Call any of our agents today to receive more information on our homes and availability. Close out the year with a beautiful Tropicana Home!

Tropicana Homes, along with Tropicana Properties and Patriot Mortgage are proud to be the sponsors of the “Blue Star Over El Paso” – a commemoration to our local law enforcement for their hard work and dedication to the El Paso region. For the entire month of November, El Paso’s iconic star on the mountain will be lit up in blue in honor of El Paso’s law enforcement.

The idea for “Blue Star Over El Paso” was initiated by Precinct 4 County Commissioner Carl Robinson who contacted Bobby Bowling IV, President of Tropicana Building, and co-owner of the Tropicana companies- to consider the sponsorship. “When Commissioner Robinson called- we did not hesitate to show our support,” stated Bobby Bowling IV, “it’s a great way to honor the officers that work so hard to help maintain the great quality of life we enjoy in El Paso.”

Randy Bowling, President of Tropicana Homes and Patriot Mortgage, added of the tribute “Every time El Pasoans in the law enforcement profession answer a call, they are literally putting their lives in danger, and we should all remember that and thank them for their courage and sacrifice.”

“This is our small way of thanking, paying tribute and showing our immense respect to the fine men and women in law enforcement that keep us all safe in these trying times we are dealing with.” stated Demetrio Jimenez, President of Tropicana Properties.

The star on the mountain will be lit up in blue from November 1st through November 30th.

Ah, winter. There’s no better time to curl up with a good book, drink hot chocolate, sit by the fire, and maybe even plan some home improvements.

Unfortunately, nothing ruins those idyllic goals like frozen and bursting plumbing.

While we’re not prone to deep freezes here in El Paso, preparing your home for winter is no less important than it is up north.

If you’re not sure how to protect your pipes from freezing, you’re certainly not alone! We’ve put together a helpful guide to get area homeowners started on their winter preparation, well before the first cold snaps set in. Here’s what you need to know.

1.- Insulate Your Pipes

Based on our scorching summers, you’d think our winters might be mild. But cold temperatures can take you by surprise, and insulating your pipes is important for winter and beyond.

If you haven’t already done so, invest in some quality foam padding or heat tape for your pipes. Make sure any areas with exposed pipes are properly insulated, especially in your garage and shed. Seal up any holes or openings with caulk or expandable foam.

You may even want to add some heat cables, which automatically sense a pipe’s temperatures and turn on to warm them up when necessary. These are easy to find online and at most major home improvement stores.

2.- Turn Off Outdoor Faucets

Now that we’re past the time when most homeowners are considering spring and summer landscaping, you may want to take care of your outdoor faucets. Even if you opt not to do this now, it’s important to do it anytime we see temperatures dip toward freezing.

Open any outdoor faucets and drain the water from the pipes to keep them from freezing. Disconnect your hose and store it in your garage or in a shed. Consider buying some inexpensive insulated hose bibs to help slow heat loss as well.

3.-Check Pipes During Cold Snaps

Even if you’ve taken the steps above to prepare your home for winter, you’ll still need to check on your pipes when the cold weather comes. In general, water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but most indoor pipes will start to freeze once the outside temperature dips toward 20 degrees.

Let water drip from your taps when freezing temperatures set in, as this can help you avoid having to deal with freezing pipes. Know the signs of frozen pipes, and have a plumber’s contact info at the ready just in case. If you have just purchased your Tropicana Home then give our award-winning warranty office a call or access our Homeowners Portal to find the emergency contacts for plumbers in your area.

Start Preparing Your Home for Winter

There’s no time like the present when it comes to preparing your home for winter. Following some basic best practices before the cold weather sets in can keep you from seeking out expensive repairs on one of the coldest nights of the year. Make sure you and your family are protected this winter!

Not only do we offer you the best tips to prepare for the harsh winter weather, our dedicated and award-winning agents are here to assist you. Call any of our agents today to receive more information on our homes and availability. Close out the year with a beautiful Tropicana Home!

Planning a home-purchase is exciting, especially if it’s your first time doing so. There are more costs than what the listing says online. As you pursue homeownership, consider planning your finances around the holiday season.

After all, you’re probably planning on spending some money on gifts. Here’s what you need to consider when planning your finances around purchasing a home during the holiday season.

Attaining a Mortgage

Purchasing a home comes with a number of costs, not just what’s on the listing page. For most homeowner’s you’ll need a mortgage. To get a mortgage, you’ll have to reach out to lenders, such as a bank or lending company. Luckily our preferred lender Patriot Mortgage works hand-in-hand with us, so the process is smooth and simple.

These lenders will issue an interest rate depending on your work history, debt-to-income ratio, and credit score. Having consistent work, low-to-zero debt, and a high credit score will mean you get a low-interest rate.

That’s good! The lower the interest rate, the less you’ll pay month-to-month on a home. Once a lender pre-approves you, you can know what they’re willing to lend you for a mortgage. However, this pre-approval is subject to change depending on your credit score. If it falls during the home-buying process, a lender can back-out, causing you to lose the contract. It is always advised to not make any large purchases such as buying a new car during the home purchasing process, the less debt the better!

The Additional Costs of Home Ownership

Now that you’ve found a house and are interested in buying it. Here are some of the variables that go into the final cost of a home:

• Down-payment on the home

• Home insurance (paid monthly or annually)

• Closing costs

• Inspection fees

• Mortgage insurance (if your down payment is below 20% of the home’s purchase price)

• Any immediate maintenance required to make the home livable

Now that you’ve calculated that, how much liquid income will you have on move-in day? Liquid income is the amount of cash you have saved, money that is available to you at any given moment.

Ideally, you should have a healthy emergency fund available, roughly three to six months’ worth of income depending on your family situation. If you have less than this, factoring in the cost of your new mortgage, start saving immediately.

If you don’t have an emergency fund after the purchase of a home, you may want to consider purchasing a less-expensive home. Homes often come with unexpected bills right off the bat such as, higher utility bills, internet bills, one-time installation fees, and maintenance services. Good thing that all Tropicana Homes come with a 1-year fully covered warranty. Our award-winning warranty team will walk you through all the items that are covered and give you the time frame for structural warranties.

Planning Your Finances for the Holiday Season

Purchasing a home around the holiday season introduces more costs.

Do you purchase presents for your extended family? How much are you willing to spend?

There are several ways to limit holiday spending, but the best place to start is by evaluating how much you’re willing and able to spend.

With your new monthly costs in mind, compare them to your monthly sources of income. How much can you reasonably spend this year? Do not dip into emergency funds.

Happy Holidays and Happy Homebuying!

Homeownership requires planning your finances so that you have a safety net in case something drastic happens. If your monthly costs do not outweigh what you’re making each month, you could be ready for homeownership.

If you’re currently looking for a home in the El Paso area, contact us. We have several communities and floorplans available to suit all home buyers. And if you do buy, consider the home an amazing present to yourself, a present that will last for generations

Feeling stressed about moving? It’s not surprising since it’s considered one of the most stressful events in a person’s life. Still, nearly 40 million people move to a new place every year. The stress of hauling your stuff across town or even across the country can dull the excitement of finally finding your new perfect home. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Here’s seven great tips and tricks to take all of the stress out of moving to a new house.

1. Out With the Old, Move in With the New

Don’t bring your old baggage to your new place. Purge your home of all of the clutter and junk that it’s accumulated over the years. Before moving, go through everything and make piles to save, donate, or throw away. Start life in your new place with a clean slate.

2. Tackle Paperwork

There’s going to be some paperwork involved when moving to a new home. Things like utilities and change of address need to be taken care of as soon as possible. Luckily, we are here to make this part of the process easy by providing the contact info you need to switch utilities to your name. We provide a 10 day grace period which gives new homeowners enough time to get everything lined up.

3. Walk-Through Your New Home

Our award-winning warranty department wants to make sure you’re satisfied. Before closing, you’ll do a thorough walk-through and certify your new home is just right. After you move in, you can provide a 30-day and one-year check-up sheet for any needed touch-ups. Contacting the warranty department is easy, just email them at warranty@tropicanahomes.com.
When you’re done closing don’t forget to check the folder you received. There you will have important documents such as the check-up sheets, emergency warranty numbers, and checklists to prepare your home for the seasons. You can also find all of these documents in a digital format on our Homeowners page. Just sign up and you’re done!

4. Research Movers

Hiring movers? Do your homework and shop around to make sure you get the best deal. Your first choice might not be available when you need to move if it’s during the busy season. Research different companies to get the best deal at a time that works for you. Be sure to check their reviews, and to talk to them before hiring their services. You want to make sure they will protect your items throughout the moving process.

5. Pack a “First Day” Box

Imagine your everyday essentials packed up and tucked away in a mountain of boxes. Don’t make moving more stressful; pack a “first day” box with everything you need. On top of packing a box full of your most immediate essentials, pack a second box with emergency paperwork, too. These are things you can’t afford to lose, like birth certificates or medicine, and need to have on hand if catastrophe strikes. Keep these with you, either on the plane ride or car drive. Just in case the movers arrive later, you’ll have your back up ready.

6. Organize Your Boxes

When packing your boxes, make it easier on yourself and the movers. Follow these tips to make sure your move goes as smoothly as possible:

• Put heavy stuff on bottom, lighter stuff on top

• Fill gaps with sheets, pillows, or other soft and light material

• Group heavier objects in smaller boxes to keep them manageable

Label each box with what room it needs to go to

This method makes packing and unpacking that much easier!

7. Get to Know Your New Neighborhood

Moving to a beautiful place like El Paso, Clint, or Socorro can be exciting. Don’t wait to move in before you explore.

Check out all that your new location has to offer. Be friendly and introduce yourself to your new neighbors. If you are new to the city read one of our previous blogs to learn how to find the best school that is nearby your new home.

Make Moving to a New House Easy

Moving to a new house doesn’t have to be stressful. Focus on what’s fun with these easy moving tips and tricks.

Looking for a new place to call home? Reach out to us today and we’ll help you find your new neighborhood!

Before we start building a home we make sure every detail is just right, this will give us the unbeatable results that have made our homes stay strong for 70 years. One of the major factors that need taking into account is the solid type classification- creating a strong foundation for your home. There are many different types of soil, and they will have an impact on construction in different areas of El Paso. That is why it is of absolute importance that we do a study of the soil before starting construction. And until we have the right conditions do we start with the building process. In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of soil found in El Paso, and the impact that this will have on construction.

Why Is Soil So Significant?

Wherever we are building, the type of soil beneath your home is of the utmost significance. The wrong soil could be catastrophic for the building process. Before we start to lay the groundwork, soil samples can be taken to see how the soil shifts or changes shape. Importantly, it needs to be able to bear the weight of the building. Soils, clay, or sand that are unstable could lead to cracked foundations. All soil will vary. When deciding where to build, soil type is an important variable.

What Are the Different Types of Soil?

There are two main types of soil. There is a granular soil that is made up of a mix of gravel, sand, and other particles. There is also fine soil which is made up of clay and silt. Type C soils are granular and can be a challenge to build on because the particles don’t stick together. On its own, it will have low compressive strength. The challenges that you will find with fine soil center around the fact that it can be difficult to build on when wet.

What Different Types of Soil Are Present in El Paso?

The soil in El Paso will vary depending on the area of the city in which you are looking to build. In all, soil samples in the area are of the silt and clay variety. There will be variations of this soil type throughout the El Paso area and construction companies should take soil samples before commencing any building projects.

How Can These Soils Be Built Upon?

The types of soil may present challenges with regards to their ability to hold the weight of the construction above, and in ensuring the best drainage design is present. Just because there are silt and clay soil types throughout the El Paso area, it doesn’t mean that building the home of your dreams is impossible. By using an aggregate in the soil, it will be possible to increase retention and pore space. This will help construction companies to create better conditions to build on.

Carrying Out Soil Samples in El Paso

Before we carry out the building project for your new home, we will make sure to get samples of the different types of soil so that your foundations are laid on suitable land. All the building work will be carried out after we have made sure that the land is ready to be built on. We have been building homes in since 1950, and we have been doing so throughout El Paso. So our experience in construction and soil will ensure a quality-built home with strong foundations for you and for generations. View our communities page for more information on our current locations throughout the El Paso and Socorro area and our available floorplans.

View our Tori II virtual tour here

Is there anything more satisfying than a perfectly landscaped garden that suits the layout and aesthetic of a home?

To any homebuyer, this can be a very appeasing addition to their home. Not only does landscaping add to the value of your home, but it helps you to feel more at home, too. To learn more about the many benefits of landscaping by a pro, this article outlines what you need to know.

Take advantage of the sunny warm days to enjoy the outdoors and to spruce up your home to give it a new Spring/ Summer and forever look.

The Benefits Of Landscaping: Transform The Look And Feel Of Your Yard

If your front or back yard has been neglected for some time, this is the perfect opportunity to give it the TLC it needs. Landscaping doesn’t have to cost a fortune either – a good place to start is with general weeding, cleaning and a few fresh pots of flowers. But if you’re looking to hire the expertise of a landscaping professional, here’s how it can completely transform your home:

1.- Increase The Privacy Of Your Home

A great way to create a home oasis is with strategic landscaping. This can be created with the addition of trees and larger landscape plants along your garden wall. This landscaping also doubles as a natural sound barrier between your home and the street, blocking out neighbor disturbances, road traffic, and more.

2.- Lower Monthly Energy Costs

By planting larger landscape plants and trees this adds to the shade surrounding your home, too. This is a great benefit to your outdoor air conditioning units which won’t have to work overtime in the blazing sun to cool your home down. As a result, this extra shade not only keeps your home cool but lowers your internal energy consumption and energy costs.

3.- Add To The Nature Of Your Neighborhood

By having your yard professionally landscaped and adding new trees, bushes, flowers, and other foliage, this adds to the overall landscape of your local neighborhood. In other words, it encourages the fresh flourish of nature in your area through preservation endeavors. Where possible, try to include local/indigenous plant life to encourage the conservation of these species. In turn, this could bring with it new species of birds and bees, which are essential in the life cycle of certain plants.
If you need ideas for Texas native plants to compliment your home read our previous blog here.

4.- Add To The Serenity Of Your Home

It’s no secret that a well-landscaped yard that’s lush, green, and full of blossoms is a beautiful, peaceful place to spend your time. Landscaping is a great way to add a touch of your own character to your home, too. You have the chance to turn your yard into an inviting place for not only your family but your friends, too. This only adds to the selling point of your home.

5.- Increase The Overall Value Of Your Home

Professional landscaping can actually boost the resale value of your home by as much as 20 percent. This is a great option if you’re looking to sell your home and make a decent amount of profit. Taking the time to turn your garden into something that’s beautiful, rather than neglected can make all-the-difference, whether you’re looking to sell or stay put.

Build Your Dream Home With Tropicana Homes

We hope this blog on the benefits of landscaping has left you with some inspiration on how to transform your home and its value. If you’re looking to build the home you’ve always dreamed about, Tropicana Homes is your go-to in the El Paso region. With over 70 years’ experience in the industry and many building accolades to our name, we are here to bring your dream to life.

Browse our range of floorplans for new home inspiration.

At this time that we have been home more than ever, it is crucial to consider energy usage and conservation to help curb overall home maintenance costs. Whether you are a long time homeowner, or only starting now, owning a house is a unique blend of creative expression of your personal space and responsibility for keeping it maintained.

It can be exhausting but rewarding when you can enjoy the home you have made for yourself. There are ways to curb that exhaustion and save some money while doing it! Conserving energy is a great way to keep your home happy and your finances healthy.

These energy conservation techniques are simple and potent, leaving you with more money and time to enjoy the little things. To assist our customers, Tropicana Homes provides Winter and Summer checklists via our customer portal at https://tropicanahomes.com/customers/sign_in that guides them through many of processes to ensure the best energy conservation as well as extending the life of many systems throughout the home overall.

5 Unique Energy Conservation Techniques for Your Home

Between the impacts on the environment to the impacts on your finances, energy conservation is a big topic these days. While big impacts don’t come from a single home, there are still plenty of ways to shore up your energy usage.

Consider these 5 tips when looking at a few changes around the home.

1. Sealing the Cracks in Your Home Cracks in your walls and foundation are not only a bad look but they can be a major source of energy loss. Any cooling or heating can escape through these cracks, meaning wasted energy as your unit pushes harder to keep your house even. Small cracks are easy to fill. Gaps in your doorways may require a professional to realign, but cracks in your walls can be a simple case of spackle.

2. Revisit Your HVAC Unit Speaking of cooling and heating, the efficiency of your HVAC unit is often the key factor in your energy costs. Your HVAC unit can lag and be inefficient for a lot of reasons. Dust and grime can clog the filters or simple age can start to wear on it. Cleaning and regular checkups from an HVAC professional can help to keep your HVAC system good. When it does come time for replacement, look at energy efficient HVAC units.

3. Watching the Hot Water Hot water can contribute to a lot of energy loss in your home. Start by using less hot water. You can also turn the overall thermometer on your hot water heater. You can also insulate your hot water heater. You can do this by wrapping your hot water heater and the first six feet of hot and cold water pipes.

4. Combat Energy Loss Outside of Use The most simple of energy saving tips is to consider what happens when you don’t use something. It is a small difference that can add up over time. Shutting off lights and electronics when not in use is a huge start. Shutting down may not be enough, though! Even when electronics are off, they can be major drains on your energy bills through phantom loads. Smart power strips can help with this!

5. Checking Your Insulation Check on the insulation in your walls. Proper insulation can keep in heat and keep out cold, saving you lots in energy bills later on. Tropicana Homes are equipped with R-19 insulation for exterior walls and R-38 insulation for ceilings of finished living areas. Your walls, floor between stories, and any crawlspace are prime insulation targets.

Getting the Most From Your Home

With these energy conservation techniques on your side, you can shift your home bit by bit toward an energy-efficient machine, saving you money and peace of mind. Whether you already have a house here in El Paso or are looking at joining the community, we here at Tropicana homes are here to help. These tips were only the beginning. For more information on how we can help you, contact us today!

At Tropicana, we are taking measures to ensure we follow the requirements and guidelines for COVID-19 exposure prevention at our construction sites.

Some of the measures are highlighted in this video—Including compliance with Social Distancing by keeping 6 feet of distance.

We’ve installed onsite handwashing stations and we ask workers to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before beginning work, after removing gloves, before and after the use of shared items such as tools and multi-user devices, before and after meal or restroom breaks and after a worker’s shift or work time ends.

We provide mandatory rest breaks of at least 15 minutes for every 4 hours worked so workers may follow the hygiene guidelines.

Tropicana is committed to protecting the health and safety of our employees, customers, partners and community. #elpasostrong

View our video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1yPFqN4r8E

Are you a military family considering moving to El Paso so you can relocate for Fort Bliss? The Tres Sueños community is exactly what you’re looking for!

If you’re thinking of moving to Texas, there are a few essential things you should prepare yourself for.

Texas is the second-largest state by land mass and population, with nearly 30 million Americans calling Texas home.

One of the biggest cities in the state is El Paso, a bustling mid-size metropolis filled with a fantastic community, culture, and of course, world-famous Tex-Mex food. In 2018 El Paso was ranked 7th in the top 10 best cities to live in by real estate company AreaVibes.

For military families Tropicana Homes created the beautiful Tres Sueños community, a quick drive away from Fort Bliss, so that moving to El Paso really means coming home.

What will living in your new El Paso, Texas home look like? Let’s talk about it!

Peaceful Living in the Wild West

El Paso, Texas is consistently ranked one of the safest cities in America. It’s known for being a family-friendly city with that unmistakable Southern Charm. Many El Paso residents say that it’s a city with a small-town feel.

Built for military families, Tres Sueños is near some of the best schools in the city like Hurshel Antwine Elementary, and the top-rated El Dorado High, so you can be sure that your kids will have every chance to excel.

A beautiful home, convenient commute and the city of El Paso at your doorstep, we’ve created Tres Sueños to offer you everything you need to live your best Texas life!

**Don’t Let Life El Paso You By! **

While El Paso offers safe and peaceful living for families, it’s also filled with fun and unique attractions that you do not want to miss out on. Whatever you’re in the mood for, El Paso has it. Try heading out for a hike to explore the wilderness of the Franklin Mountains State Park where you can take a trip on the tramway to soak in the view. After enjoying the natural beauty of New Mexico you can head downtown to catch a show at the historic Plaza Theatre.

Not only are you minutes away from El Paso’s best attractions, the Fort Bliss MWR offers family-friendly programming from community events to arts and crafts classes.

Moving to El Paso: The Easy Way

Tropicana Homes has been creating beautiful communities for military families all over our beautiful city for over 70 years. Tres Sueños, was custom built for the life you live. We’ve made sure that we have floorplans to match every families needs. Whether you’re looking for a 3 bedroom traditional home like the Alexa, or a larger space to grow your family in, we have the perfect home waiting for you in Tres Sueños. If you are looking for a move-in ready home then we have beautiful inventory waiting for you!

Take a look at 581 Cabrini Cir., 79932, this is our 2,772 Sq. Ft. Brooks floorplan. It has 4 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, a spacious kitchen with a large granite countertop island, a huge back yard great for a swimming pool or even an RV, an upstairs loft perfect for movie nights, and an entrance with a ceiling that will stun you and your guests.

We are constantly building new homes, so please feel free to call Carla Smith at (915) 603-7713 for more information on our available, move-in ready inventory and pricing. We can also build any of our floorplans (shown here) on our open lots. Any questions you may have, we are happy to assist you!

Tropicana Homes has worked hard to make moving to El Paso a breeze. The neighborhood is filled with wonderful people, schools and all the basic amenities are a stone’s throw away, not to mention it’s growing quickly! There’s a reason our Tres Sueños motto is “As Close to Bliss As It Gets.” We offer beautiful houses that you’ll be happy to call home.

Find Your Dream Home in Tres Sueños

We named our community Tres Sueños, which means three dreams in Spanish because Tropicana Homes believes in helping military families follow their dreams.

So if you’re interested in moving to El Paso you can contact us to learn about how we can help you find your perfect home!

AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Association of Builders installed Randy Bowling as President on Thursday, November 21, during the TAB Excellence in Leadership Dinner at The Line Hotel in Austin, Tx. Randy Bowling, a native of El Paso, is President and Majority Owner of Tropicana Homes, Co-Owner of Tropicana Properties, Tropicana Building, and Patriot Mortgage all of which are El Paso owned and operated.

Randy has served at the Texas Association of Builders (TAB) as a member of the Board of Directors) since 2004, Chairman of TAB’s Government Relations Committee, HOMEPAC Trustees, Codes & Standards Committee, and served on the Executive Committee as Vice President in 2019. In 2016, Randy was named a Life Director of TAB. Among numerous awards and honors, Tropicana Homes has been recognized by TAB as Developer of the Year and twice as Builder of the Year.

“We are honored to have Randy Bowling serve as our 2020 President of the Texas Association of Builders,” said Texas Association of Builders Executive Director Scott Norman. “Randy and his family have been instrumental in the residential construction industry at the local, state and national levels for decades. His experience, work ethic and ability to relate to people are recognized by his peers as evidenced by their choice of electing him to serve our 10,000 plus members and their companies in this very important leadership position for the coming year.” Randy is the fifth El Pasoan to serve as President of TAB, including his brother and business partner, Bobby Bowling IV, who served as President in 2004. Other previous El Pasoans who served as Presidents of TAB include William J. Elliott in 1954, Willis G. Schoemaker in 1973, and John R. Schatzman in 1980.

“We are very proud of Randy’s election as the 75th President of TAB,” says Bobby Bowling, coowner of the Tropicana family of companies and Randy’s brother. “Randy’s voluntary contributions of time and resources to the Texas Association of Builders will really benefit Tropicana Homes, El Paso and the entire state of Texas. Randy will be speaking for and representing the entire homebuilding industry, and his specific knowledge and background will translate into producing more quality affordable housing for El Paso and the entire state of Texas. I couldn’t be prouder of my brother.”

Founded in 1946, the Texas Association of Builders (TAB) is an affiliate of the National Association of Home Builders and has 27 local associations and almost 11,000 builder, remodeler, developer and associate members across the state. Representing over 723,058 jobs and more than $67.5 billion annually in the Texas economy, the state and local associations play a crucial role in providing housing for Texans.

The office of President of the Texas Association of Builders is one that carries the highest honor, as well as the greatest responsibility. The President’s duties require commitment, energy, enthusiasm, and a willingness to expand one’s leadership abilities. The senior officers are the core leaders of TAB. They are charged with upholding the bylaws and policies of the association.

Tropicana Homes and its affiliates have been building homes and apartments in El Paso since 1950, and have built over 10,000 residences since that time. After spending the last 23 years building residential properties, Randy has become an expert on land acquisition and development, residential construction in Texas and New Mexico, residential lending, and assisting his brother with navigating the ever-changing complexities of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program. Randy launched and currently oversees the benchmark initiative across all Tropicana companies “Let Tropicana Properties Put you in a Tropicana Home” which assists families to fulfill what otherwise may have felt overwhelming or unimaginable to achieve the dream of homeownership. The initiative has assisted 50 families who started out as tenants in Tropicana’s low-income rental housing communities in the past 2 years alone, with dozens more in the process as the program grows.

View the KVIA News Article here: https://kvia.com/news/business-technology/2019/11/25/83169/

View the El Paso Herald Post article here: https://elpasoheraldpost.com/randy-bowling-installed-as-75th-president-of-the-texas-association-of-builders/

Buying a home can be a lot to take in—especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer. There is a whole glossary of terms that you’ll come across when you’re buying your first home. Things like escrow, down payment, principal, and much more. One of the most important things to consider though is mortgage interest. You might hear your realtor explain that you should wait to apply for your mortgage because interest rates are dropping, or that you need to get your rate locked in. But what does this all mean?  Read on to have the most frequently asked questions about mortgage interest explained!

What Is Mortgage Interest?

When you take out a loan, you don’t only pay back the amount that you borrowed. If you take out a $100,000 mortgage, you will pay back more than $100,000 over the life of the loan. When a lender gives out money, they do so with the hopes of making more than they lent out. In order to make the loan profitable, they add interest to the loan. This interest is a percentage of the loan amount that is added to your monthly payments. 

What Factors Affect Interest Rate?

The interest on a mortgage is determined by a wide variety of factors. The average interest rate is in flux all the time and is largely affected by the eagerness of investors to purchase mortgages from lenders.  The interest rate of your specific mortgage may be higher or lower than the average depending on your financial situation. The interest rate offered to you will change depending on a number of factors, such as: • your credit score • the amount of your down payment • your debt-income ratio • the location of the property • assets • type of loan And more. Your mortgage officer will be able to help prepare your finances for the best interest rate possible for your situation.

Fixed-Rate vs. Adjustable-Rate

When discussing interest rates, there are two important terms to know: fixed-rate and adjustable-rate. Fixed-rate mortgages establish an interest rate at the origination of the loan. That interest rate stays the same through the life of the loan. In most fixed-rate mortgages, the total amount of the interest is added to the total loan amount. Even if you pay your mortgage off early, the total amount stays the same. In an adjustable-rate mortgage, the interest rate fluctuates with the market. This can be a great option if mortgage rates are high when you buy your house. If interest rates drop, so does your monthly payment. However, that’s true for if they rise too.

What Is Escrow?

When you pay your mortgage, you might notice that your payment is broken up into three categories: principal, interest, and escrow. In addition to your mortgage, you also have to pay for things like property taxes and home insurance. Instead of paying these things yourself, many mortgage lenders will add those fees into your monthly mortgage payment. That money is then put into an escrow account, which the lender holds. When those fees are due, the mortgage holder pays it for you.

Your Questions About Mortgage Interest Explained

Buying your first house brings a whole mess of confusing financial terms that you’ve probably never heard before. But with the help of our preferred lender Patriot Mortgage and our knowledgeable team of sales agents you can sort through it without issue.  If you’re looking for your forever home in the El Paso area, contact us at Tropicana Homes. See all of our beautiful floorplans and amazing model homes, and make your dream home a reality!

Buying a home in a new community can be exciting, but finding the perfect place may be a little more difficult. There are a lot of factors you want to consider before you’re ready to close the deal. Our new community called Hidden Village may have everything you’re looking for. If you want a prime spot in Northeast El Paso, a great starting price, and functional floorplans, you won’t want to miss these opportunities. Find out more about the homes in Hidden Village below and see if they may be a good fit for you.

  Location of Hidden Village

One of the best things about Hidden Village is it’s located in the northeast part of El Paso. Many people appreciate that it’s close to the military base Fort Bliss as well. The community is away from the highly trafficked areas of the city. This means you can enjoy the benefits of the area without having to deal with a large amount of commuters or even noisy neighbors. You’re close to Dyer Street, which is a popular area. You’ll have many great restaurant to dine at and local stores you can visit. Even though Dyer is one of the main streets in the Northeast, Hidden Village is in an area that’s still very quaint and desirable.  Starting Price The starting price for homes at Hidden Village is in the mid $160,000s. With prices like this, finding you new dream home is easier than ever. With the help of our agents, you’ll be able to find the perfect home that will fit all of your qualifications in no time.

Floorplan Options

There are several options for floorplan designs in Hidden Village.  If you’re looking for a 3 or 4-bedroom home, we have availabilities! We also have homes over 1,000 square feet through 2,500 square feet and beyond.  Two new floorplans are available through the Hidden Village community as well. These are the Virginia and Katharine floorplans. Virginia Floorplan This floorplan is approximately 2,336 square feet. Homes with this floorplan have 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. Virginia properties have a 2-car garage, front porch, and a covered patio. Katharine Floorplan The Katharine floorplan is a little larger than the Virginia floorplan at 2,588 square feet. These properties, like the Virginia properties, have 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. This property has a 2-car garage, front porch, covered patio, and a second-floor balcony. This is our current model home, so stop by anytime to see this beautiful home in person!

Benefits of the Location

As mentioned previously, there are many attractions around this location that make it desirable for families. For one, the schools in this area are wonderful. There’s a new park in the middle of Hidden Village that’s great for kids and families to spend their days or to go and enjoy the cooler evenings . You’ll also have excellent views of the Franklin Mountains, which houses the Franklin Mountains State Park. Plenty of local businesses and restaurants are near these homes as well, meaning you can get out and experience the city of El Paso, but have a nice place to come home to relax.

Ready to Check out New Homes in Northeast El Paso, TX?

When you’re searching for new homes in El Paso, TX, you don’t want to miss the homes at Hidden Village. There are plenty of options available for buyers and we can find something to match your wants and needs. If you have further questions, feel free to contact our sales agent Angela Feathers at (915) 588-9133. She’ll be more than happy to fill you in on more details and give you the information you’re looking for or visit out Hidden Village community website here: https://tropicanahomes.com/hidden-village.

Did you just purchase a new Tropicana home? Now that all the paperwork is out of the way, it’s time to add some personal touches! Deciding where and how to place your furniture and art is exciting, but choosing a color scheme for each room can be a process. Selecting interior colors doesn’t have to be stressful. It can even be the fun part of your home makeover! Here are some things to consider.

Examine External Factors

To optimize your color design, you’ll have to take a lot of things into consideration, like the size of the space, the furniture you want to place in the room, and how much light the area receives. The colors you choose for your home are likely going to be what you look at for the next several years. To be sure that you’re choosing the right color scheme for your home, try putting different paint swatches on your walls and furniture in the room to see how they look throughout the day. You can even use color matching software to create custom paint colors to get the perfect color for your room!

Gain Inspiration from Your Furniture

You likely already have furniture or ideas about what you want in your house. If you’ve decided on which furniture you want to place in each room, you can gather some similarly-colored items and pieces that complement them.  When it comes to painting the room, choose a statement piece you want to accentuate and build your color palette around that.

Create a Mood

You can select an aesthetic and design your room based on the feeling you want it to evoke. Colors can affect our mood, so be strategic and pick a color that makes sense for the function of the room. Blues have a calming effect that will help you relax in your living room. Yellows are welcoming and cheerful, perfect for entryways and bedrooms. Neutrals can bring warmth and elegance to any office or bathroom.

Interior Colors You’ll Love for Years to Come

It’s important to remember you don’t have to be bound by any rules or established color schemes. When deciding on interior colors, pick something you like that you think is a good fit for the space you are working with. You can always change it up if you decide it’s not the look you wanted.

A Colorful Tropicana Home

We want your new Tropicana house will feel like a home, and we’re sure it will once you’ve chosen interior colors that work for you! If you’ve put some thought into the color scheme for your home, but still haven’t decided on a house, take a look at our floorplans! We build beautiful new homes throughout El Paso, Texas and you’re bound to find something you love! For additional information on our floorplans and communities, contact one of our sales professionals.

Did you know that this summer, over a third of Americans are planning to go on a vacay? What’s more, their summer holiday plans include a budget of around $2,373! That said, if you haven’t made your own summer plans yet, now’s the best time to. After all, vacations can do wonders to our mental health and well-being. Also, you don’t have to worry much about the stress of planning, especially if you opt for a staycation. Ready to make the most out of your summer in your own Tropicana home? Then let’s get this list of the best staycation ideas started!

Take Your Family to a “World Food Tour”

Take advantage of your Tropicana Home’s energy-efficient, stainless steel appliances! With these, you can whip up delicious and tasty meals for the entire family. You’ve already saved cash on not booking flights and accommodations, so you can splurge a bit.   To make it even more exciting, prepare meals from different countries. This way, you can have your family on a world food tour without even leaving your home.

Make Your Staycation an Everyday Spa Day

Turn your already spacious and comfy Tropicana Home’s bathroom into a luxury spa. All you need are some bath oils, bubble bath, and DIY facial treatments. To make it even more relaxing, light some candles and play your favorite soothing tunes.

Have a Fam Picnic on Your Own Outdoor Living Space

Were you aware that on average, Americans spend a shocking 90% of their time indoors? That’s why you should use staycations as a chance to spend some time outdoors. One idea is to hold a family picnic on your own garden filled with pretty Texas native plants. For yourself and your partner, get a few bottles of wine, some fancy cheese, crackers, and fruits. For the kids, prepare healthy, tasty snacks in your beautiful Tropicana Home kitchen.

Read a Book or Simply Chill Out on Your Tropicana Home’s Garden

Another of the best outdoor staycation tips is to designate a lounge spot in your garden. All you need are some comfy outdoor furniture, like a table, chairs, and a large patio umbrella. Use this space to take a nap, relax, meditate, or finally read that book you bought ages ago! By extending your living space outdoors, you can get your Zen on during your time off from work. You can also have a BBQ or even host dinner with friends on your outdoor space!

Start Planning Your Unforgettable Staycation in Your Very Own Tropicana Home

As you can see, a staycation can be as (or even more) awesome as one outside the city or the country. What’s more, you only need a few days of prep work and then it’s all fun and games after. Besides, your Tropicana Home is already cozy, comfortable, and filled with great amenities. All these may even make you prefer staycations over road trips or long-distance trips! Ready for more tips to enjoy your home this summer? Then be sure to check out our guide on summer monsoon protection for your home! Please feel free to get in touch with us too if there’s anything we can do to help you further enjoy your Tropicana home.

Do you live in the El Paso area? Worried about the rainy summer season, and what it could possibly do to your home? Well, this time of the year can be serious with its hail and flash flooding, but it’s not too bad if you properly prepare!

How to Protect Your Home from Heavy Rain

Are you looking for the ins-and-outs of protecting your home against summer monsoons? In this article, the experts at Tropicana Homes are sharing the best tips and tricks on handling heavy rain season. So, you can relax knowing you’re ready for whatever the season throws at you.

Inspect the Trees on Your Property

Do you have any big beautiful trees on your property? Well, you may want to trim them! Heavy branches can easily snap and cause damage to your home or family, and strong wind can even cause them to collapse. It’s best to take a tour of your property and take note of any trees in need of trimming. By thinning them, you can reduce their risk of blowing too much in the wind. Be sure to pay special attention to the trees closest to your house or driveway.

Check on Your Roof

July and August are most known for their heavy rain and heat. And the average rainfall in El Paso is 1.55 inches in July and 2.01 inches in August. So, it’s best to take precaution to make sure your roof is ready for a little extra rain. If you find any holes or cracks, call up a professional to help with your repairs or if you want to make it a DIY project then you can buy roof sealer at any home improvement retail company for a reasonable price.

Waterproof Your Entryways

Whether you have an old home or a brand new one, you should always be taking steps to keep your property as weatherproof as possible. It’s best to weatherproof your entryways every year, as the protections will wear down with every rain season. So, make sure to replace your weather strips regularly, and seal your floors if possible to prevent indoor flooding from excess water.

Award-Winning Warranty Service

If you have a Tropicana Home, you should know you have more than expert craftsmanship on your side. Tropicana Homes offers an outstanding warranty department and service. This means you’re in good hands no matter what our extreme desert weather may bring. Tropicana Homes has won a multitude of prestigious awards, including the 2018 Real Texas Builders Award for best Volume Builder. Everything you need to know about this award-winning warranty service can be found in your closing package. And if you can’t find your documents log into your Homeowners Portal where you can find all of the files that you need to keep you home in the best of conditions. Don’t forget to ask your agent how to sign up!

Is Your Home Ready for the Rain?

By following these simple tips you can prepare your home the best way possible. So if you’re looking for a home in the El Paso area and you’re not sure where to start your search? Then you can take the first step by visiting our floorplans and communities to see what home and location is perfect for you. Contact us to find your dream home today!

Buying a new home is an exciting experience, and it’s not over as soon as you get your keys. The fun part comes when it’s time to make your home yours and unique. One great wat to achieve that is by creating it’s own front yard landscaping. This will give you new home a personality of it’s own. Tropicana Homes and Patriot Mortgage are here to share with you some helpful tips on how to create a beautiful front yard for your new home with plants that can withstand our desert weather. Everyone can appreciate a well-kept garden. But keeping one up to shape and looking lively all year long can become quite the challenge, especially in an area like Texas. With high heat and drought-like conditions being the norm for many months out of the year, there are certain plants native to Texas which are better suited for a local garden than other plants.  Not only can Texas native plants spruce up your garden but they can help attract some interesting birds as well. Read on, and we’ll walk you through which plants and flowers will work best in your Texas garden!

Consider These Texas Native Plants

Plants native to Texas are typically drought-tolerant, flood-tolerant, or both. They are often able to withstand extreme heat, but this also means they probably will require full sun.

Black-Eyed Susan 

Photo by: darkmoon1968 / Pixabay.com

The Black-eyed Susan is a popular perennial coneflower native to Texas. This plant blooms throughout the summer and features vibrant golden flowers with a black center. These are great drought-resistant plants and make excellent cut flowers with large blooms up to 5 inches wide. 

Texas Lantana

Courtesy: AustinNativeLandscaping

The Texas Lantana is another great native perennial. Not only is it drought tolerant but it is salt tolerant as well. This Lantana’s orange to yellow flowers is well-known for attracting butterflies. It too blooms throughout the summer and needs full sun.

Prickly Pear Cactus

Place of the Prickly Pear Cactus/ BY WOS on September 8, 2014

The state plant of Texas, this attractive variety of cactus bears edible fruit and can be planted anytime. There are around 20 species of the Prickly Pear Cactus native to Texas. It often bears yellow flowers and also requires full sun.

Agarita

Austin Native Landscaping

The Agarita is a fun native Texas shrub that features yellow flowers and bears red berries. It typically blooms between February and April. This drought-resistant plant also has prickly leaves so be careful where you decide to plant it.  It is recommended that you plant Agarita in either early fall or early spring. Keep in mind that they typically grow between 3 and 6 feet high. This shrub does great in all regions of Texas. 

Gulf Coast Muhly

©2019 David Rolston Landscape Architects

Gulf Coast Muhly is a strong native perennial grass with airy seed heads during the fall which produces magnificent colors. It is best to plant these in early fall or early spring. It is also recommended that the Gulf Coast Muhly gets full sun although it will be okay with some shade. This grass can grow to be around 2 feet high with a spread of 2 to 3 feet. Gulf Coast Muhly needs to be cut back each year. Many gardeners tend to focus just on flowers but combining them with native grass is an excellent way to add variety to your garden. 

Texas Frogfruit

Texas Frogfruit is one of the Texas native plants which helps prevent soil erosion. This groundcover spreads quickly and is known as a good host for butterfly larvae.  It requires very little water but should not be moved while blooming. It typically only grows to around 5 inches tall and blooms between May and October.  It bears white flowers with 5 petals and spreads to 3 feet. The plant can also handle drought conditions as well as flooding, making it very versatile. Texas Frogfruit is also deer resistant. 

The Perfect Home for the Perfect Garden

When working on your perfect garden featuring those Texas native plants, you want to make sure that it is complementing your perfect El Paso home.  We at Tropicana Homes want to help you get there. We build new homes throughout El Paso and have been named ”Builder of the Year” 3 times by the Texas Association of Builders including “Best Volume Builder for the Year 2018”. And you can get up to 6% contribution when you use our preferred lender, Patriot Mortgage.You can even use a portion of that contribution as landscaping allowance and get a head start on that garden! Contact us today to get started on your next dream home!

There will be approximately 5.7 million homes sold this year in the US. And, most home buyers will be looking for ways to cut costs. Buying a new home is an extremely exciting process. Whether it’s your first home or you are looking to upgrade your home, it’s one of the most important investments you’ll make. This is the reason why many homeowners like to time their purchase. Seasonality can have a huge impact on home sales. Knowing when it is the right time can help you save a lot of money. Tax return season is a prime example. In this article, we’ll go over the definition of tax returns. We’ll also explain why this is the best time to buy a home.

Benefits of Purchasing a New Home

At Tropicana Homes, we focus on building new houses in El Paso. We also work with our sister company Patriot Mortgage that provides full service mortgage company services. Every day, we witness the benefits that folks enjoy when buying their own home. Having your own home provides a feeling of stability. Your family can return to a home that’s yours at the end of every day. Real estate is also a great financial investment. In most cases, property doesn’t lose value. And, if you take care of it, you may even turn a profit when it’s time to resell. This is even truer if you decide to build a new house. Read our two articles on how to take care of your home during the harsh El Paso winter and the heat of our summers! Additionally, owning a house can bring great tax benefits. And, by timing your purchase right, you can save a significant amount of money.

What Is a Tax Return?

The tax return process defines how much money you have to pay in taxes. You have to make an annual statement that includes all income and expenses. It can also include exceptions and deductions that ultimately lower your taxes.

Why is Tax Return Season the Best Time to Buy a Home?

As the name suggests, tax return season is the time of the year to fill out this paperwork. What’s more, this is one of the best times to buy a home as well. Here are some reasons why:

Allows You to Deduce Mortgage Points

Mortgage points are tax deductible. The earlier you start these payments, the more money you’ll save.

Interests and Property Tax are Also Deductible

The same logic applies to interest. Interest rates are a deductible expense. Same goes for property tax, so starting early on means saving more money.

Build Your Dream Home Today

Buying a house is in most people’s life plan. That said, knowing when the best time to buy a home is can help you cut costs. Tax return season offers a great opportunity for potential buyers, so make sure you take advantage of it this year. You can learn more about building a new house by contacting us today. Our team  of knowledgable sales professionals will be happy to assist you and find your ideal home. View our available floorplans and communities for more information.

Receive Up To 6% Contributions with Patriot Mortgage

In order to offer you the best home-buying experience Tropicana Homes’ recommends their preferred lender, Patriot Mortgage to assist customers with their home financing needs. Patriot Mortgage is a full-service mortgage company assisting El Paso families for over 20 years to purchase their home and is locally owned and operated.  When buying a Tropicana Home and financing through Patriot Mortgage you can obtain up to 6 percent of the home purchase price towards your closing costs. This can be used towards a combination of costs including closing costs, loan origination fees, as well as interest rate buy down, which can help lower your monthly mortgage.  Our sales professionals along with the team at Patriot Mortgage will work closely with you to ensure you apply the contribution based on what best fits your particular needs.

Are you looking for a new home in El Paso? You’re in good company! El Paso was one of the top five hottest real estate markets last year. And in 2017 it was one of the year’s best places to live. Building or buying a new home is an overwhelming process. You have to choose a style and a floor plan. You have to look at neighborhoods, school zones, and commute times. And you have to decide on a realtor and a building company. Wouldn’t it be easy if you could just choose the best? Tropicana Homes has many bests under its tool belt. Find out what awards we’ve won recently and historically.

2018 Real Texas Builder Awards

The El Paso Association of Builders recently celebrated their Real Texas Builder Awards. The association is affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders and the Texas Association of Builders. Tropicana Homes and Tropicana Properties were the big winners. With 11 real estate award wins, more than any other builder, we edged out the competition in media, sales, and design. The awards were recently featured in the El Paso Times. View the article here.

Media

Tropicana took home the prize for media, both electronic and traditional. Our crisp, graphic print ad campaign and brochures were recognized for excellence. So was our electronic media ad. We also received accolades for our clean, high-resolution website. It’s easy to navigate, informative, and nice to look at. Our front elevation drawings are a classic and contemporary way to showcase floorplans.

Sales

Carla Smith won the award for best salesperson for her work in the Tres Sueños subdivision in East El Paso. Her warm rapport with clients and a sharp eye for the right fit makes Carla stand out. The Realtor of the Year award went to our very own Mollie Stopani. Professional and hardworking, Mollie goes the extra mile for her customers. Mollie works primarily in La Puesta del Sol in West El Paso, a prime location near the Outlet Shoppes and new West Towne Marketplace with plenty of biking, hiking, and parks. Whether you’re in East or West El Paso, we’ve got an award-winning realtor near you.

Design

As builders with a commitment to quality, the best awards to win are the ones that speak to that. Tropicana won the award for Best Volume Home Builder. For Tropicana Properties, we also collected a handful of design awards for our Dyer Palms property in Northeast El Paso, including Best Architectural Design, Community Space Design, Urban Multi-Family Design, and best Community Club House.

History of Accolades

This year was a banner year for awards, but Tropicana Homes has a history of achievement. With a steady habit of winning Builder of the Year from more than one building association, and even Texas Developer of the Year in 2009. We pride ourselves on our relationship to the El Paso community. We’ve also been on The City Magazine’s Best Of list as the Best Homebuilder of 2012.

Choose the Multiple Award Winning Tropicana Homes

If you could choose the best, why wouldn’t you? Tropicana Homes has the best of everything, from design to sales to marketing materials. If you’re looking for your dream home, contact one of our sales professionals to make the dream come true. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with the latest from Tropicana.


What are your plans for 2019?

Many families are hoping that 2019 will be the year they finally become homeowners, and we can help. If home ownership is one of your 2019 goals, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to tell you why so many people in El Paso, Texas have become homeowners thanks to the knowledgeable sales team and excellent customer service only Tropicana Homes offers.

“2018 was a great year for Tropicana Homes. Now it’s time to start a new chapter and for many that may mean a new start in a new home. We are here to help you make your new home, new year resolution possible. With almost 70 years building homes in El Paso we can assure you that you will experience great service with quality construction. We look forward having the opportunity to serve you and your family in 2019.” Randy Bowling, President, Tropicana Homes  

Why We Can Help You Get The New Home Of Your Dreams

People have their pick of realtors and finance experts when they want to buy a home. But if you want to ensure that you get a well-built home that fits your needs, you should visit Tropicana Homes. Curious about why we stand out among the competition? Once you read this blog, you’ll understand why we are El Paso’s most trusted homebuilder since 1950, that’s almost 70 years!  

Find The Exact Home You Need

When you’re looking to purchase a home with traditional listings, a lot of buyers may have a variety of choices but there may also be an array of hidden issues. There may be repairs, you may lack additional rooms, and you could need to carry out other changes to make the home truly yours. That isn’t the case with Tropicana Homes. Just tell us the kind of house you want and we’ll help you find a new home that fits all of your needs from an array of available floorplans available.  How many bedrooms are you looking for? What amount of square footage do you require to make your home feel comfortable for you and your family? All you need to do is choose what you want from our home floorplans, and we’ll help you find your perfect home. Read our previous blog to see why buying a newly constructed and move-in ready home is the right choice.  

Choice Communities 

Location is one of the most important factors when it comes to picking new homes, especially for families. All Tropicana Homes’ communities are conveniently located near great schools, shopping centers, restaurants, and local businesses- most are also located with easy access to the larger traffic corridors- including I-10 and Loop 375. We have many in the El Paso (East and West) area including Horizon City, Socorro, and Clint. When you visit any of our model homes you’ll see why our communities and homes are a great way to start this new year.  

Receive Up To 6% Contributions with Patriot Mortgage

In order to offer you the best home-buying experience Tropicana Homes’ recommends their preferred lender, Patriot Mortgage to assist customers with their home financing needs. Patriot Mortgage is a full-service mortgage company assisting El Paso families for over 20 years to purchase their home and is locally owned and operated.  When buying a Tropicana Home and financing through Patriot Mortgage you can obtain up to 6 percent of the home purchase price towards your closing costs. This can be used towards a combination of costs including closing costs, loan origination fees, as well as interest rate buy down, which can help lower your monthly mortgage.  Our sales professionals along with the team at Patriot Mortgage will work closely with you to ensure you apply the contribution based on what best fits your particular needs.  

Next Steps

Now that you know where to find your new home, it’s time to find the house that you and your family will love. We’re here to help you every step of the way. Contact us today so you can receive more information about any of our available floorplans, move-in ready homes, communities, and sales professionals. If you want to learn more about our finance options, check out the website for Patriot Mortgage.

“The Holidays are a season to surround yourself with family and friends. That’s why at Tropicana Homes we design and build every home with that welcoming feeling everyone enjoys. We are excited to see so many new families moving into their Tropicana Homes before the holidays, and are proud to know that we will be a part of their family holiday tradition.” - Randy Bowling, President, Tropicana Homes

  A recent study found the average homeowner spent an additional average of $6,649 on home improvement projects after buying a resale home. If you are looking to buy a new home, you know costs can add up rather quickly.  How would you like to buy your home and not have to worry about any extra renovation costs?

  Get Started in Your New Location Immediately

No need to worry about how to fix up a few things when you move into one of our move-in ready homes it’s all done for you! It can be difficult to figure out how to get some things done especially when you are in a new community or a new part of town. With a home that doesn’t need any extra maintenance you can now focus your time on getting acquainted with your new community and enjoying the many amenities any of our communities have to offer.  You don’t have to worry about any construction schedules or waiting for something to get done. Your home is waiting for you!

  Know Exactly What You Get

Every Tropicana move-in ready Home is clean, energy efficient, and includes stainless steel appliances. There are no guesses what it will look like after you upgrade the kitchen or bathroom. What you see is what you get or an even better feature, with our current Holiday incentive you’ll have the chance to apply $500 towards any upgrade of your choice. That means you’ll have a beautiful home just in time for the Holidays!

  Fewer Big Investments with Little Maintenance

Minimal maintenance is nice but there could be more costs in addition to maintenance that add up rather quickly. Our new move-in ready homes are built to have lower maintenance with energy-efficient appliances, the newest flooring, and the latest construction materials. If you need to do major updates like electric, new furnace, or plumbing, you could have to spend extra thousands of dollars. Your budget will thank you for buying a move-in ready home!

  Personalize Immediately

Because you don’t have to worry about costly upgrades or repairs, you can spend money personalizing your new home immediately. If there is a wall you’d like to paint or shutters you’d like to have on the windows, we can help you get those upgrades with our Holiday Incentive. That way your new home will have your personal touch. All you need to do now is to bring in your furniture and accessories. You can stop by any of our model homes to get some ideas on how to decorate!

  Enjoy it Now

Imagine just getting the keys and walking into your dream home. Add your furniture and your personal items and you are done. Sounds like a nice holiday gift doesn’t it? Buying in a new community gives you several homes to choose from. You can find open floor plans, two-story homes, or even homes with a three car garage. Enjoy the home you have always wanted immediately without the “what if.”

  About Tropicana Homes

Now finding your dream home is easy! We have communities in Horizon City, Socorro, East and West El Paso, and Clint, Texas to meet the needs of all buyers. Whether you want a country vibe, in the middle of it all, or near Fort Bliss, there is a community for you. Check out our floorplans to help you find the move-in ready home of your dreams. Find the plan in the community you want with the right amount of space for you and your family.

  Ready for Your Move-In Home?

You work hard and deserve to live in a community that you and your family can enjoy for years.  Not to mention, Tropicana Homes is offering a $500 towards any upgrade on your new dream home! We have a variety of floor plans to meet your family’s needs. Our communities are close to it all-shopping, restaurants, highways, and great schools. Contact us today to find your new home!


The weather is starting to cool down, the days are getting shorter, and sweaters have been taken out of storage. This could only mean one thing: the Holiday season is coming! Many potential homeowners wonder, “when is it a good time to buy a home?” Read on to learn why the holiday season is the best time to buy a house.

*“THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS MEANT TO BE SPENT WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, AS WELL AS TO MAKING MEMORIES THAT WILL ONE DAY BE GREATLY CHERISHED. THAT’S WHY OUR COMMITMENT TO BUILDING YOUR TROPICANA HOME WITH ONLY THE BEST IS OUR PRIORITY. WE WANT YOU TO SPEND THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, AND EVERY SEASON IN A HOME YOU WILL LOVE AND ENJOY.” - RANDY BOWLING, PRESIDENT, TROPICANA HOMES *

Sales, Sales, Sales

One of the best things about the holiday season is the sales. You can get the best prices on everything you need for your new home by shopping during the holiday season. Whether you need kitchenware or decor items, the holiday season offers you excellent savings so you can furnish your home for less. Two great things that Tropicana Homes provides can also help you settle in even faster during the holidays are the stainless steel GE appliances that are incorporated into every home and select finished homes that include furniture in the living and dining rooms! This means that your home will be Holiday ready as soon as you walk through the door.

Move-in Ready Homes

One of the best things about moving into a brand new build is that it is move-in ready. Just unlock the front door and bring in your things. You’ll be able to enjoy the holidays at home without organizing renovations or repairs. Tropicana Homes offers a variety of available inventory in our different communities. Feel free to ask any of our knowledgable sales professionals for the move-in ready homes that are in their communities and find your dream home in no time! Do you prefer to have an open floor plan? Or do you love the idea of a great room that features both a dining room and living room? Do you want a one or two story home? You can have exactly what you’ve always dreamed of when you buy a new build. Just turn the key and you’re home! Take a look at our array of floorplans that range from 1,150 Sq. Ft. to 3,430 Sq. Ft. Plus, we have 12 communities throughout the El Paso area including, Horizon City, Socorro, Texas or Clint, Texas. Read about how to find the right neighborhood for you.

Tax Benefits

Closing on a house during the holiday season could give you a major tax advantage for the upcoming year, especially if you are buying a house as an investment property. You might be able to deduct property taxes and the interest rate on your new mortgage on this year’s taxes. The more your house costs, the higher the property taxes. Then, during tax season, the higher the deductions you’ll enjoy. Our preferred lender, Patriot Mortgage, is happy to help you make getting your mortgage simple and straightforward. You’ll also receive up to 6% closings costs when going through Patriot Mortgage. Everyone’s financial situation is different so buying a home during the holidays might not help you pay fewer taxes. We recommend you speak to your tax accountant to find out if a tax saving applies to you.

New Year, New Term

Starting at a new school once the school year has started, especially at the start of a term, is ideal. For one thing, the kids will easily develop friendships by the time summer vacation arrives. When those long, hot days of summer come around, your kids will have many school friends they can call on to enjoy the sunshine together. Every Tropicana Homes community is conveniently located near great schools that range from Preschool to High School. View our previous blog to learn on how to find the perfect school for your children while you find the Tropicana Home of your dreams! For adults, moving over the holidays means starting off the new year right. Whether you have new years resolutions or want a fresh start at something in your life, your new home can help get you going.

Enjoy the Holiday Season

We hope you found this post on moving during the holiday season helpful. We want everyone to find the home of their dreams during any season. Moving into a new home is a rewarding feeling but finding the right time to do so can be intimidating, but that’s why our amazing sales professionals and us are here to help you no matter if it’s a sunny summer day or a cloudy winter afternoon. Call us or visit any of our amazing model homes for more information on how to become a Tropicana Homes owner today!

Finding your dream home can seem like an overwhelming task. Those looking to find the perfect house, you want to have it all. This means the right size, the right community, the right price and of course, the right schools for your children. Luckily, all of this is within your reach. With just a little bit of research savvy and the right kind of help, you’ll be able to find your dream home in no time at all! At Tropicana Homes we’ll help you find the perfect home, with location, quality and floorplan in mind.

  “BUILDING HOMES AT TROPICANA MEANS BUILDING MEMORIES FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. EL PASO IS A GREAT CITY THAT IS CONSTANTLY GROWING, AND WE HAVE OUR YOUTH TO THANK FOR IT. AS OUR COMMUNITY GROWS, AND GENERATIONS PASS, OUR PRIORITY IS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE BUILD QUALITY, ENERGY EFFICIENT HOMES IN GREAT COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT EL PASO. WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY’S FUTURE IN MIND”. - RANDY BOWLING, PRESIDENT, TROPICANA HOMES 

  Consider Your Needs

  This should always be your starting point, as listing your needs will accelerate your house hunting journey, so you can be all settled in your perfect home as soon as possible. Stop for a second and think; “what does my perfect home look like?”. It’s all about asking yourself the right questions. How long do you want your commute to be? Do you need a guest bedroom? How much garage space do you want? And to help answer these questions, you can visit our variety of floorplans to help you find exactly what you need with a few clicks.  Once you have your wishlist in place, you’ll be able to work with your realtor to find the right place in the shortest possible time. Luckily we have communities in El Paso, Horizon City, Socorro, and Clint, Texas which suit the needs of every type of buyer! For those looking for a more countryside feel with close links to the city, Rio Bravo can provide your family with those relaxing country vibes. Alternatively, if you’d rather be in the middle of the action, Mesquite Trails or Aviator Trails are close to the heart of the bustling Zaragoza district, with plenty of top-notch schools nearby. If you are looking for something in Horizon City, we have Horizon Hills with a great elementary school nearby! Or if you are working nearby or in Fort Bliss and have you children go to the school that is closest to the base we also have our Tres Sueños community that offers quick access to Loop 375 and Montana Ave.  On the Westside of El Paso we have La Puesta del Sol that is in the Canutillo School District with Canutillo High School only a short drive away. And if you’re looking to settle down on the Eastside we have Emerald Park, Mission ridge, and Painted Desert at Mission Ridge with great schools all a convenient drive away! Once you know what you want, we can help you take care of the rest.

  Find Your Dream Home for Your Kids

  When people ask how to find a home for them, the children are naturally at the top of everyone’s mind. When buyers say “I want to find my dream home”, they also mean they want the dream schools. You’ll want to ensure wherever you move can provide the best possible future for your kids, so don’t be afraid to make this clear. As always, do your research! Check a school’s ratings online for the peace of mind you deserve and don’t forget to make the time to visit schools in the communities that you’re considering, as this is the best way to learn. There’s no shortage of high-performing schools across the region, with the Americas Estates being in close proximity to some of the best schools in the state. All of our communities are located close to acclaimed and highly rated elementary, middle and high schools, so you really will have many options to choose from. You can see the nearest schools in our community webpages as well, not only that but we also give you an extensive list of nearby attractions, family entertainment, popular restaurants, and local businesses that will help you settle in faster into your new neighborhood! Don’t hesitate to shop around to find the school that you think is right for your children.

  Learn More

  At Tropicana Homes we offer great locations, boast an exceptional quality of craftsmanship and customer service, and a hugely diverse range of homes for everybody’s taste, budget, and needs. If you want to find your dream home and ensure your child gets the best education available, get in touch today and let us help you make your dream home a reality.

Every homebuyer knows the frustration of struggling to find exactly what they want and where they want it. Fitting your budget, your space needs, and your ideal location all at once is no small feat. If you’re feeling that pain, perhaps it’s time to try something new. Painted Desert- At Mission Ridge is a brand new community that has opened in the far east of El Paso, TX. It offers a variety of great benefits that make it worth a closer look if you’re ready to buy a home.

What’s Unique about Painted Desert at Mission Ridge in El Paso? Painted Desert at Mission Ridge aims to bring a great new option to homebuyers in El Paso by combining all these great features:

“WE ARE PROUD TO INTRODUCE PAINTED DESERT AT MISSION RIDGE AS THE NEWEST ADDITION TO OUR TROPICANA HOMES COMMUNITIES, AND ARE ALSO EXCITED TO SHOW EL PASO TWO OF OUR NEWEST FLOORPLANS AS MODEL HOMES, THE FRIDA AND THE BROOKS. WE ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP EL PASO’S FAMILIES FIND AND BECOME OWNERS OF THEIR DREAM HOMES.” - RANDY BOWLING, PRESIDENT, TROPICANA HOMES

Affordable Options

Homes in Painted Desert at Mission Ridge start at just $150,000, making them accessible to nearly any budget. While most homes in this price range are older and may have countless hidden problems, this price is a rare bargain for new construction. If you’re looking for something more high-end or more spacious, Painted Desert at Mission Ridge also features over a dozen different floor plans ranging up to four bedrooms.

Exclusively Flat Roof or Clay Tile

Painted Desert at Mission Ridge has covenants that require all homes to be built exclusively with a flat or clay tile roof. Keeping all the homes in the community under a similar esthetic. This gives the neighborhood a welcoming and aesthetically pleasing presence. Just another great reason and amenity for you and you family to buy one of our beautiful homes!

Vibrant Neighborhood

For your property values and your own enjoyment, everyone wants to buy their home in an up-and-coming neighborhood. Painted Desert at Mission Ridge is located in the rising East Side of El Paso. This area has plenty of community events and new businesses coming in every day: the perfect environment for a new homeowner.

Eligible for USDA Financing

A great asset to Painted Desert at Mission Ridge is that it is within the eligible area for USDA benefits! A USDA mortgage loan does not require any down payment: an extremely unique advantage. These loans also have very low-interest rates. Depending on your income, your loan may be provided by a local lender and guaranteed by the USDA. Or, the loan may be provided by the USDA themselves. To qualify for a USDA loan, your new home needs to fit specific requirements based on the qualifications specified by the USDA program. Painted Desert at Mission Ridge fits these requirements, as do several of Tropicana Homes’ communities, including Horizon Hills, Aviator Trails, Emerald Park, and Mission Ridge. We also work with our preferred lender, Patriot Mortgage, who are already experienced in and able to assist with USDA loans. This gives you an easier, faster home buying process. They also offer up to 6% in closing costs when buying a Tropicana Home. 

Easy to Reach

No one wants to buy a new home that’s a struggle to access or take on a difficult commute. One of Painted Desert at Mission Ridge’s most convenient features is that it has easy access to the I-10 freeway and Loop 375. Find you new home between two important streets, Eastlake Blvd. that will give you quick access to the I-10 freeway and Pellicano Dr. that is only a short drive away from Loop 375. 

Backed by a Reputable Company

Some homeowners are hesitant to buy into a new community. Painted Desert at Mission Ridge, however, is backed by the long-standing and reputable company Tropicana Homes. Tropicana Homes has been building in El Paso since 1950 and is proud to have a reputation for success and boasts of excellent customer service reviews. You can rest assured that your new home was built with the best of quality materials and craftsmanship.

How to Tour Painted Desert

All the qualities above make Painted Desert at Mission Ridge a great place for your new home, and a great way to get into East El Paso while it’s on the rise! If you want to learn more or tour a home at Painted Desert at Mission Ridge, Israel Dominguez at (915) 494-8001 or via email at israeldomingue@gmail.com. 

By David Crowder / El Paso Inc. staff writer Jul 16, 2018

Tropicana Homes of El Paso saw a 93-percent jump in closings from 2015 to 2017, landing the company in the No. 3 spot on Builder Magazine’s latest list of “fastest-growing, up and coming” builders. In 2015, Tropicana’s sold 180 single-family homes, townhouses and condominiums. In 2017, the company sold 347, and sales hit $59 million. “We’re proud to live and work in the El Paso community,” said Randy Bowling, president of Tropicana Homes. “The growth we’ve seen is a great indicator of our dedication and pride we take in our homes and the service we provide.”

Tropicana isn’t the only El Paso company to find a favorable place this year in one of Builder Magazine’s rankings. Desert View, Saratoga Homes and Carefree homes are El Paso’s biggest homebuilders, according to the magazine. Desert View’s had 866 closings in 2017, representing $213 million in sales. Saratoga sold 540 homes, with $107 million in sales. And Carefree closed 407 homes, with sales of $75 million. But it was Tropicana Homes’ 92.78-percent increase in closings – from 180 closings to 347 over two years that put the company in third place on the up-and-comers list. Tropicana builds and sells homes that range from $120,000 to $400,000 in 12 subdivisions throughout El Paso, with most in Far East neighborhoods, including Horizon, Clint and Socorro. In another line of business, Tropicana Building is a known leader here and across the state for apartment projects that provide subsidized housing for low- and moderate-income residents.“We do townhome condo-type apartments and quadraplexes, and in the last 12 months, we built 352 apartments – three complexes with no second story units – a huge increase for us,” said Bobby Bowling IV, president of Tropicana Building. Financed with federal tax credits that attract investors, those complexes went up on Dyer in Northeast, on Pebble Hills on the Eastside and in Montana Vista. “I love this program, and can talk about it all day,” Bowling said. “Let’s say you’re in an entry-level job making $25,000 a year. You qualify for a three-bedroom apartment with your wife and two kids. But say you do a great job and get a raise to $40,000. In the Section 8 and all the HUD programs, they kick you out because you make too much,” he explained. But in the tax credit program, he said, the only year that matters is the renter’s first year, which means they keep their subsidized apartment as their income goes up – and can save for a down payment. “The coolest thing is we’ve sold houses to some of those people,” Bowling said. Tropicana offers free, on-site financial counseling courses to its renters to help them save money for education or a home. They also provide GED courses and social services, including English language instruction. “We have seven homes under contract right now, and we’ll probably close 15 to 20 this year,” Randy Bowling said. “We’ve sold over 50 homes to former renters. Lawmakers love that story. That was the intent of the program at its inception.” Bobby Bowling regularly testifies about the tax credit program before the Texas Legislature. “They hate hand-out programs, and always think that’s what the tax credit program is,” he said. “Then, when I tell them about it and share anecdotes from people who went from nothing to home ownership, they love that.” Bowling describes the El Paso market as solid.

“It’s steady growth, not boom and bust, and that is very good for us when we’re doing $20-million projects, because we need to forecast out for two years in advance,” Bobby Bowling said. Tropicana collects about $2 million a month in rents, he said, and does $30 million to $50 million in apartment construction a year. Single-family home sales typically run about $40 million a year, and Tropicana’s mortgage company, Patriot Mortgage, does about $65 million a year in originations with the help of Tropicana Realty’s agents. Those home and apartment building projects go up on the city’s fringes. Both Bowlings see long-term, hard-to-solve problems for the aging neighborhoods in the heart of El Paso. The city’s two major school districts, El Paso and Ysleta, are struggling with student shortages while the Canutillo district on the Westside and Socorro on the city’s Far Eastside are having trouble keeping up with the growth. “You have to go where there’s a neighborhood with 200 homes that are old, and somebody has to buy all of them, bulldoze it and start from scratch,” Bobby Bowling said. “We need at least 50 acres to make the economies of scale work for single family homes.”

Article extracted from the El Paso Inc. website. View the article on their website here: http://www.elpasoinc.com/news/local_news/tropicana-homes-grows-gets-noticed/article_2a962e90-8872-11e8-8c9a-6b7ee4932660.html

Many soldiers move to El Paso each year because of the famous military base, Fort Bliss. If  you are going to relocate your entire family, you’ll need to choose a community in El Paso that they will be comfortable in. You also need to choose the perfect home or apartment to suit all your family’s needs. That’s where Tropicana Homes and Tropicana Properties comes in. Read on to find out more about how Tropicana is perfect for families relocating to the El Paso area.

  What El Paso Has to Offer

Aside from its strong military presence, El Paso, Texas, is packed with activities for all the family to enjoy. The county offers a variety of cultural events and festivals. It also boasts a diverse climate and landscape. Switching between hot and cold desert climates, El Paso is perfect for hiking, swimming, and you may see a little snow too. You’ll also experience some of the most amazing sunsets Texas can offer. Plus, if all the above isn’t enough, El Paso City is the second safest city in the US.  

Tropicana Homes/Tropicana Properties/Patriot Mortgage- Military Offerings

  “EL PASO IS ONE OF THE GREATEST PLACES TO LIVE AND RAISE A FAMILY. WITH TROPICANA, WE PROVE THAT EVERY DAY.” - RANDY BOWLING, PRESIDENT, TROPICANA HOMES  

If you’re relocating to El Paso, Tropicana Homes and Tropicana Properties can help you! Here is a little bit about us and where you can find us:  

Tropicana Properties- Apartments in El Paso

If your relocation in El Paso won’t be long enough to purchase a home, our sister company, Tropicana Properties, manages more than 29 apartment buildings in El Paso. Like Tropicana Homes, Tropicana Properties has apartment complexes all over the city of El Paso including Horizon City, Socorro, San Elizario, and Clint Texas. Every apartment includes washer and dryer, tiled floor throughout, clubhouses, playgrounds, free monthly activities for all the tenants, and military incentives. Visit the Tropicana Properties website for more information on their locations and incentives at www.tropicanaproperties.org.  

Tropicana Homes Communities:  

La Puesta Del Sol- West El Paso

If you want to be close to the city but still have mountain views, our Puesta Del Sol community is perfect for you. This community is located on the Westside of El Paso. All our homes are only a short drive away from shopping centers, a great outlet mall, the local casino, and a brand new hospital campus. You can enjoy this upper valley living from $180k. Take Transmountain to enjoy a scenic drive through the middle of the Franklin Mountains before you get to Fort Bliss. Contact Mollie Stopani for more information here: M.Stopani@tropicanahomes.com.  

Mesquite Trails and Aviator Trails- East El Paso

Our homes in Mesquite Trails and Aviator Trails start at $150k. It’s perfect if you like taking family outings to the shops and restaurants. It also has quick access to the I-10 freeway that can take you straight to Fort Bliss. Plus, it has some great schools in the area, ranging from elementary to high school. This community also boasts some of the most beautiful parks in El Paso. Contact Sylvia Sandoval for more information here: sylviashomes@gmail.com.  

Emerald Park, Painted Desert, and Mission Ridge- Far East El Paso

For an area with a bit more peace and quiet, check out our Emerald Park, Mission Ridge, and Painted Desert communities. They range from $150k to $300k and are only minutes away from great schools as well as the popular Horizon City golf course. These communities are all located in the growing area of the far Eastside of El Paso. Everyday new restaurants and shops are opening their doors making these communities part of the the future of our great city! Contact Israel Dominguez for more information here: israeldomingue@gmail.com.  

Horizon Hills and Cielo Del Rio- Far East El Paso

For a rural rush with some great area schools, you may want to check out our Horizon Hills community. Houses start at $140k and you’re only a short drive from the I-10 freeway, giving you quick access to the road that will take you wherever you and your family need to go for shopping, dining, or Fort Bliss. Located on the other side of I-10 and our Horizon Hills community is Cielo Del Rio. Find this quiet and tight knit community in Socorro, Texas.  t’s perfect if you want some peace and quiet without feeling alienated from the hustle and bustle of the city. There are dozens of floor plans to choose from and homes start at $130k. Contact Michelle Mata for more information here: michellem@elp.rr.com.  

Tres Sueños- East El Paso- just minutes from Ft. Bliss

The best way to make your commute shorter is by living in our Tres Sueños community. Only a few minutes away from Fort Bliss will make your days easier and travels faster. Located off of Montana Ave. your new home will be on one of the most important streets in El Paso. Montana will take you from your front door all the way down to the historic district of El Paso, while passing by hundreds of restaurants and shopping centers. With homes starting in the $170k contact Carla Smith for more information here: realtorcarlasmith@gmail.com.  

Rio Bravo

Our homes in Rio Bravo are surrounded by miles of farmland but only minutes away from El Paso city. You can find your ideal home for as little as $120k. Rio Bravo is located in the historic city of Clint, Texas. Find buildings that are built like in the times of cowboys and pioneers. Amazing starry nights and acres of crops growing throughout the year. Contact Manuel Gardea for more information here: gardea.m1969@gmail.com.   

Find Out More About Loans and Incentives

If you like the look of one of the Tropicana Homes, we also work closely with our preferred lender, Patriot Mortgage. Patriot can help you with every step of the mortgage process so that you have a stress-free experience buying your new family home. If you are relocating to El Paso with your family, why not reach out to one of our agents? They can give you a ton of information on our various military incentives and help you choose your dream family home.  

We are proud to say that many men and women of the military and their families have chosen us throughout the years. Here at Tropicana Homes and Tropicana Properties, we are committed to helping you find the right place for you to call your new home away from home. And above all, we are very thankful for your services to making this country a safe and wonderful nation. Now let us help you find the perfect place to rest your head after a long day.

With winter out of the way and summer rapidly approaching, you’re probably ready to pull out your swimsuit and start planning an amazing summer. But before you do that, it’s important to get your home ready for the summer. Not sure how to get your home ready for summer? Tropicana Homes is here to help! We’ve put together this handy checklist to help keep energy costs low, prevent costly repairs, and keep your home looking stylish all season.

Tropicana Homes’ Ready for Summer Checklist

Getting your home ready for summer involves more than just breaking out the patio umbrella and laying out lawn chairs. Here are some tips that will help all homeowners, whether you’re an experienced home buyer or a new buyer living in one of our eleven communities through El Paso, Horizon, Socorro, and Clint.

Bug-Proof Your Home

Summer in El Paso is amazing. Don’t let pesky bugs ruin it. When preparing your home for summer, take a few extra steps to protect your home from insect invaders. Check out your windows and doors for any gaps or cracks, and make sure to seal them. You may also want to consult with a pest control expert and have your home fumigated with insecticide. If you don’t want to hire a professional, there are many cheap pest control products for purchase.

Get Your Air Conditioner Up and Running

Summers in El Paso get hot, so one of the first things you should do is make sure your air conditioner is in great working condition. If your air conditioner isn’t working properly, reach out to an HVAC professional who can inspect your unit for leaks or defects, and then repair it. And while you’re at it, you may want to consider installing a smart thermostat, which can help you cut down on cooling costs and save energy. Here are a few thing you should look at when preparing your ventilating and air conditioning:

• Replace the air filter in your furnace/AC for maximum efficiency and improved indoor air quality.
• Check that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order (replace batteries if necessary).
• Program thermostat to save on cooling costs. Raise temperature 1 degree for every hour you’re gone, up to 5 degrees (never turn your air conditioner off!).
• Make sure fans are switched to proper or counter-clockwise position, which will force room air down to give a wind chill effect.
• Flash hot water tanks to remove sediment, and check the pressure relief valve to make sure it’s in proper working order. Lower temperature to save on energy and accommodate hot summer conditions.
• Examine exposed ducts in the attic and crawl spaces, and use a sealant to plug any leaks.
• Remove lint from dryer exhaust vent with long flexible brush.

Spruce Up Your Outdoor Space

With the weather warming up, it’s time to take care of your lawn, garden, and deck areas. Here are some to-dos from our summer home checklist that will get your home summer ready.

• Trim any overgrown branches back from the house and electrical wires to prevent wind-swept branches and causing property damage or a power problem.
• Ensure rain drains away from the house to avoid foundation problems. The dirt grade — around the exterior of your home — should slope away from the house. Add extra dirt if necessary
• Inspect your deck or balcony for splintering and treat, if needed, to prevent further deterioration over the winter
• Make sure your exterior handrails are well secured
• Inspect your outdoor lighting We also suggest you spruce up your flower beds by removing weeds and redefining bed edges with a spade. And while you’re at it why not fill in your grass and plant some beautiful and fragrant flowers to make sure your home looks even more beautiful.

Check Windows, Doors & Exteriors

Do you want to keep your home cool, prevent leaks, and keep the exterior of your home in tip-top shape? Here are some things to do:

• Check for missing, damaged or warped shingles and replace as necessary to prevent leaks.
• Reseal all seals around pipes, skylights, and penetrations in your roof with a roofing cement and caulking gun to prevent future leaks that can be cause from materials freezing.
• Check for deteriorated flashing at the chimney, walls, skylights, and around vent pipes. Seal joints where water could penetrate, using roofing cement and a caulking gun.
• Ensure all vents, eaves, and openings are covered to prevent insects, birds, and rodents from nesting.
• Clean leaves and debris from courtyard and any exterior rock wall drains to prevent blockages.
• Check the weather-stripping around your door-frames and windows for leaks to prevent cool air loss, and replace if needed
• Examine window frames and all exterior wood materials; stucco and mortar for signs of deterioration. Repair, replace, re-caulk or repaint to maintain integrity and appearance.
• Check for drafts around doors and windows. Caulk inside and out, where necessary, to keep cool air from escaping.
• Inspect your windows for cracks, gaps, or broken glass, and repair or replace if needed
• Keep your shades closed during the middle of the day to minimize heat from sunlight These simple steps will keep your Tropicana Home in pristine condition all summer season.

Tropicana Home’s Ready for Summer Checklist: Final Thoughts

“I’m looking forward to spending some quality time outside with my family this summer. Home owner maintenance is vital as our rainy season approaches. As the temperature fluctuates, hairline cracks will form in the tar around your roof penetrations and in the caulking of your doors and windows. I will also be showing my family how to prepare our house by sealing all of our exterior penetrations, especially our roof penetrations.  Much like a car, proper maintenance of a house will ensure greater value!” - *Randy Bowling, President *

Summer’s a wonderful time of year. Don’t spoil it by not prepping your home for the season. By summer-prepping your home, you can have time to enjoy Tropicana Home’s amazing amenities like community parks, sand volleyball courts, and easy access to parks and trails.

Are you looking to live in an exciting new community? Contact us at www.tropicanahomes.com to learn all about Tropicana Home’s communities. And click here to print out our Summer Home Checklist.

There are over five million homes sold every year. That means you have a pretty good chance of finding one you like. However, knowing how to buy your first home is the difficult part. First time home buyers face lots of obstacles. Before you run back to an apartment, know that there are also a lot of great perks to owning your Tropicana Home. Some of these include tax breaks, control over your living environment, and an investment into your future. The obstacles, on the other hand, can all be overcome by learning the details and working with experts. Here are three important things to do in order to buy your very first Tropicana Home.

1. Understand the Finances

Luckily, you won’t have to pay the price of the house upfront. Otherwise, it would be incredibly difficult to buy anything. In fact, when you work with Tropicana Homes and our preferred lender, Patriot Mortgage, we cover up to 6% of your closing costs. The bank lends you money so that you can pay for the house. In return, you promise to pay back the bank’s portion of the home over time. This is called mortgage payments. In order to use the bank’s money, they require that you pay them back interest. The higher the interest percentage, the more money you’ll have to pay to the bank. Some loans, such as a USDA loan, which are available in specific areas of El Paso County, do not require any down payment on your home. There are many different types of mortgage loans, and bond money. Our preferred lender Patriot Mortgage works with these programs, such as VA, FHA, USDA as well as conventional loans and offers TSAHC bond program. They will help you assess your options to find one that best suits your needs. We offer plenty of options, so you can find what works best with you. At Tropicana Homes, we work with Patriot Mortgage to make your home buying experience as easy as possible.

2. Work with a Trustworthy Representative/Realtor

Not only is a good mortgage lender important, but so is a good realtor or builder representative. If you’re a first-time homeowner, you’ll definitely want someone who has been through the process a couple of times to help you out. Luckily, we have an amazing team that are always here to assist you. Our team has access to wide variety of resources and connections. As a result, they can get you into one of our move-in ready homes or find the perfect lot at any of our available communities to build one of the many floorplans that we offer. They can also be great advisors and guide you through the entire homebuying process. Needless to say, we know what it takes to be a good realtor. Find someone who will show you how to buy your first home with ease. Our team of realtors know all of our homes by heart and can guide you through the home complete buying process, whether it’s buying a move-in ready home, or building one.

3. Pick the Right Location

Here’s how to pick the right neighborhood. Tropicana Homes offers 11 communities throughout El Paso, Horizon, Socorro, and Clint, Texas. Each community has different price ranges and floorplans to offer. This is an important step to set down roots in your new home. Also, check these communities before buying your dream property.

Learning How to Buy Your First Home

If it’s time for you to buy your first home, know that you’re not alone. Your parents, grandparents, and others all learned how to navigate this tricky landscape, and you will too. Tropicana Homes is the largest and most trusted homebuilder in El Paso. After 68 years, that’s something we are very proud of. Four times, we have been awarded “Builder of the Year” by the El Paso Association of Builders; in 2009, we were named “Texas Developer of the Year” and “Builder of the Year” in 2003, 2013 and 2015 by the Texas Association of Builders. In their Best of 2012 list, The City Magazine had Tropicana earning the honor of Best Homebuilder. Led by Randy Bowling, president and co-owner, Tropicana Homes has been in existence across three generations of the Bowling family. It has been our privilege to build over 10,000 homes in this city.

“OUR COMMITMENT TO GIVING EL PASOANS THE HIGHEST QUALITY POSSIBLE HAS ONLY INTENSIFIED. WE’RE JUST GETTING STARTED.” Randy Bowling, President

In case you’re still apprehensive and don’t know where to start you can contact us! We’ll help you get started on the process right away.

With temperatures beginning to drop and the Holidays getting closer, you’ve probably already switched the heat on and pulled your winter coat out of storage. Making sure your home is prepared for winter is a good way to keep energy costs low and help prevent costly repairs. Tropicana Homes put together a checklist to help you get your home ready for winter.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

• Clean or replace the air filter in your furnace, it will improve the air quality and maximize the efficiency.
• Check all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are in working order.
• Program the thermostat to save on energy costs.
• Switch ceiling fans to reverse/clockwise position, which will blow the warm air down to the floor.
• Examine exposed ducts in the attic or crawl space and plug any leaks with sealant.
• Flush hot water tanks to remove sediment and check the pressure relief valve to ensure it’s functioning properly.

Lawn, Garden and Deck/Balcony

• Trim branches that interfere with electrical wires or are too close to the home, it will prevent iced-over or wind-blown branches from causing power outages or damage to the home.
• Ensure rain and snow drain away from the home to avoid foundation issues. The dirt grade should slope away from the house. Add extra dirt to low areas as necessary.
• Remove hoses from outdoor faucets and shut off exterior faucets, outdoor pipes, valves and sprinkler heads to avoid pipe bursts.
• Inspect deck or balcony for splintering and treat, if needed, to prevent further deterioration over the winter.

Windows, Doors and Exterior

• Check the weather-stripping around all windows and doors to locate leaks, replace if necessary to prevent heat loss.
• Check for drafts around windows and doors, caulk inside and out if necessary, to keep heat from escaping.
• Examine window frames and exterior wood, stucco and mortar for signs of deterioration. Repair as necessary to maintain integrity and appearance.
• Inspect windows for cracks and gaps, replace as needed.

Roofs and Drains

• Check for missing or damaged shingles and replace as necessary.
• Reseal all seals around pipes, skylights and penetrations in your roof.
• Ensure all vents, eaves and openings are covered to prevent unwanted creatures from attempting to nest in a warm place.
• Clean leaves and debris from any exterior drains to prevent blockages.
• Check for deteriorated flashing at the chimney, walls, skylights and around vent pipes. Seal joints where water could penetrate, using roofing cement and a caulking gun.

This list isn’t exhaustive and your home may have special features that need additional attention, but this will get you started on preparing your home for winter. Periodic checks will help you identify areas that need attention and help prevent costly repairs or emergency maintenance.

In your search for a new home, you’ve looked for a community that helps you accomplish specific goals like shortening the commute to work and school or moving closer to family. Now that you’ve found the perfect community, it’s time to start thinking about the floor plan that best fits your lifestyle, family dynamic and future plans.

Tropicana Homes offers a variety of floor plans within each community to best fit the varied needs and family dynamic of each prospective homeowner. These family dynamics range from growing families to empty-nesters to multi-generational households.

We looked through the numerous floor plans offered by Tropicana Homes and considered which features might be beneficial for different family lifestyles. We outlined some of our favorites and why we think they would benefit each family dynamic.

If you have young children or hope to expand your family in the future, floor plans that keep the master bedroom on the same floor as the other bedrooms will allow you to keep a close eye on your babies. Though teaching your children to share their space is a crucial lesson, choosing a floor plan with an extra bedroom or living room will help accommodate your growing family. Some of our favorite growing family oriented floor plans are the Apollo, the Bianka and the Tori 2.

• The Apollo is a two-story home with approximately 2,223 square feet. All four bedrooms are on the second floor, allowing you to walk down the hall to tuck in your children and chase away bad dreams. The open kitchen, dining and family room area on the main level will allow you to easily entertain guests. The Apollo is currently available in La Puesta Del Sol, Tres Sueños, Emerald Park and Sandstone Ranch.
• The Bianka is also a two-story home with approximately 3,393 square feet. The additional footage accommodates an upstairs loft, that would serve perfectly as a playroom. There are three bedrooms upstairs and an extra room that can be used as an office, playroom or additional bedroom. The Bianka is currently available in La Puesta Del Sol.
• The Tori 2 is a two-story home with approximately 2,197 square feet. With four bedrooms and an upstairs loft, there is plenty of room for children to play and grow. The large family room and living room provide abundant space for family time. The Tori is currently available in La Puesta Del Sol, Mesquite Trails, Tres Sueños and Sandstone Ranch.

If you’re an empty-nester, you may be looking to downsize now that your children have moved out to follow their dreams. You may want to keep a guest room for visits, but you can convert an extra bedroom into a hobby room or home office. Some of our favorite downsizing options are the Marcos Modern and the Noel A.

• The Marcos Modern is a single-story home with approximately 1,148 square feet. This three bedroom floor plan provides ample space for an empty-nester, but is still easy to clean and maintain. The Marcos Modern is currently available in Rio Bravo and Tres Sueños.
• The Noel A is also a single-story home with approximately 1,295 square feet. The open kitchen and dining room are connected to the living room, making entertaining a breeze. The bedroom at the front of the home gives a view of the front yard and street, perfect for use as a home office. The Noel A is currently available in Tres Sueños.

With a multi-generational family living in one home, there’s a variety of needs to accommodate. Elderly parents may still be capable of independence but don’t want to navigate stairs and children may be growing toward independence. Some of our favorite options for multi-generational families are the Everidge, the Tuscany and the Janis 5.

• The Everidge is a two-story home with approximately 3,419 square feet. The third garage and main floor bedroom including its own bathroom are perfect for the independent older parent living with their child. The remaining four bedrooms are on the second floor. The home features a balcony and covered patio, providing the opportunity to enjoy an El Paso sunset. The Everidge is currently available in Mesquite Trails, Sandstone Ranch and La Puesta Del Sol.
• The Tuscany is also a two-story home with approximately 2,976 square feet. The home includes a spare bedroom on the main floor allowing the elderly parent to avoid the stairs. The three car garage allows your teenager to park their vehicle or gives you space to store your outdoor/sporting equipment. The four upstairs bedrooms can accommodate a large family or be converted into a playroom or office. The Tuscany is currently available in Mesquite Trails.
• The Janis 5 is a two-story home with approximately 2,486 square feet. Elderly parents will appreciate the master bedroom and bathroom on the main floor that is set apart from the living room, providing a quieter space. The second floor features a second master bedroom and bathroom, two bedrooms and a loft that can serve as a playroom or second living room. The Janis 5 is currently available in Tres Sueños, Mesquite Trails and Sandstone Ranch.

The floor plans listed above are only a fraction of what Tropicana Homes offers. Visit tropicanahomes.com/floorplans to view additional floor plans and learn about the availability of the floor plan in each community. In addition to having a variety of layouts, Tropicana Homes gives homeowners the opportunity to choose from different façades (also known as “elevations”): modern, standard and Mediterranean. Contact Tropicana Homes to learn more about the building process. With Tropicana Homes, you’ve found the ideal community, let us help you find your dream home.

Whether you’re moving from across town or across the country, finding a new house starts with locating the best neighborhood. The ideal neighborhood for one buyer may not be quite so perfect for another, due to variations in lifestyle and life goals. At Tropicana Homes, we’ve invested in communities throughout the El Paso region, within the city limits and beyond. We know there’s a perfect spot waiting for you in one of our communities.

To help you narrow down your search, we put together a list of essential questions you could consider as you search for the best community for you and your family:

• Does the community include any amenities?
• Are there any nearby attractions or entertainment options?
• What schools are nearby?
• How close are the highways?
• How close are certain areas of town?
• Where is the nearest emergency room, dentist, etc.?

Using the list above, we took a closer look at a few of the Tropicana Homes communities.

Emerald Park (near Horizon City)

Emerald Park is a beautiful community just outside of El Paso, giving you a break from the hustle of the city and an opportunity to enjoy a rural hush.

• Amenities: Community park, including a basketball court and sand volleyball court.
• Nearby attractions: Horizon Golf Club, Emerald Springs Golf Course and Socorro Independent School District Aquatic Center.
• Nearby schools: Eastlake High School, Mission Ridge Elementary, Horizon Heights Elementary and Col. John Ensor Middle School.
• Loop 375/I-10 Interchange: Less than five miles from the community.
• Commuting: 30 minutes to Fort Bliss, 25 minutes to Downtown El Paso, 15 minutes to Montana Ave., 12 minutes to Lee Trevino Dr., 10 minutes to George Dieter Dr.
• Healthcare: Two minutes to Las Palmas Urgent Care Center, three minutes to Sierra Providence Medical Partners, two minutes to Keep Smilin’ Family Dental, six minutes to Easy Dental.

Horizon Hills (near Horizon City)

Horizon Hills offers an escape from the busyness of the city without forfeiting the convenience of city features.

• Amenities: Community park, including a basketball court and sun-shielded playground.
• Nearby attractions: Horizon Golf Club, Emerald Springs Golf Course and Socorro Independent School District Aquatic Center.
• Nearby schools: Eastlake High School, Mission Ridge Elementary, Horizon Heights Elementary and Col. John Ensor Middle School.
• Loop 375/I-10 Interchange: Less than three miles from the community.
• Commuting: 25 minutes to Fort Bliss, 25 minutes to Downtown El Paso, 10 minutes to Lee Trevino Dr., eight minutes to George Dieter Dr., 15 minutes to Montana Ave.
• Healthcare: 10 minutes to Las Palmas Urgent Care Center, Sierra Providence Medical Partners, Keep Smilin’ Family Dental, and Easy Dental.

La Puesta Del Sol (West El Paso)

Residents of La Puesta Del Sol have enviable views of the sunsets, access to parks and trails, and an easy drive to the Outlet Shoppes.

• Amenities: Community park and playground.
• Nearby attractions: Outlet Shoppes, Sunland Park Mall, Sunland Park Race Track and Casino, Wet and Wild Water World, and more.
• Nearby schools: Jose Damian Elementary, Canutillo Middle School, and Canutillo High School.
• Woodrow Bean Trans-Mountain Dr.: Less than two miles from the community.
• I-10: Less than a mile from the community.
• Commuting: 25 minutes to Fort Bliss, 15 minutes to Downtown El Paso, 20 minutes to UTEP, 20 minutes to the Northeast, 30 minutes to George Dieter Dr.
• Healthcare: less than 10 minutes to Upper Valley Urgent Care, Complete Emergency Care and El Paso Quality Dentistry.

Rio Bravo (Clint, TX)

Nestled in the agricultural area of Clint, Texas, Rio Bravo offers residents a quiet community filled with history and surrounded by beautiful farmland. Less than thirty minutes from El Paso, the community gives residents the chance to enjoy the country.

• Nearby attractions: Cattleman’s Steakhouse, Old El Paso County Jail Museum and El Paso Motor Plex.
• Nearby schools: William D. Surratt Elementary, Clint Junior High School and Clint High School.
• I-10: Less than five miles from the community.
• Loop 375/I-10 Interchange: 13 miles from the community.
• Commuting: 15 minutes to Socorro, 10 minutes to Fabens and San Elizario.
• Healthcare: 10 minutes to University Medical Center Fabens Clinic, 10 minutes to Texas Kids Dental Care of Fabens, 15 minutes to Rio Grande Family Dental.

The list isn’t exhaustive, but it will get you thinking about your priorities for your new community, benefits you’d like to have and things that you’re indifferent about. For example, if your children are fully grown, you’d have little concern for proximity to schools, but you might care about how close the airport is to go visit grandchildren. Visit http://tropicanahomes.com/communities to learn more about the available communities and the contact information for the communities’ sales agents.

Since 1950, Tropicana Homes has been committed to providing El Pasoans with homes that complement their lifestyles through quality, comfort-focused design and exceptional value. Over the years, countless memories have been made at thousands of Tropicana Homes, and continue to be made as each new generation begins creating their own.

Keeping these new generations in mind, Tropicana Homes takes pride in continuing to provide quality, comfort and value to our customers as we work to provide solutions to the demand for cleaner and more sustainable energy within our homes and communities. Energy efficiency is the focus of several ongoing federal initiatives, as well as state and local energy code mandates including efficiency requirements for new residential construction.

Any new home that was not permitted before September 1, 2016, must be built to the stringent standards of the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). These initiatives and mandates will positively impact the environment, but also result in increased construction costs.

Fortunately, homeowners have the opportunity to educate themselves on the new efficiency measures, learn how to properly maintain the related systems and exercise responsible energy use, which could lead to lower energy costs over the life of their home. The following list highlights the potential benefits of energy efficiency:

• Increased comfortability and better quality atmosphere throughout the home. Minimum standards help ensure the efficiency of materials used and how they are installed. Examples of this include properly installed ductwork, improved insulation, LED lighting, higher efficiency windows and ventilation fans. When maintained properly, these measures will create a more air tight living space within the home, thereby reducing energy costs.

• Potential long-term cost savings for homeowners. With appropriate maintenance and consumer use, there is a potential savings for residents through the reduction of electrical, water and gas utility usage. One expert believes, “Homeowners could save themselves roughly $300 annually on their utility bills compared to the 2012 EICC, and $850 annually compared to homes built to the 2006 IECC.” Visit http://www.builderonline.com/building/code for additional information on this topic. (Meres, Ryan. “2015 IECC: What you Need to Know” Builder Online, 18 Nov. 2013. Web. 8 Aug. 2016)

• Overall benefit to the environment. Investing in efficiency measures will lead to a decrease in pollution and wasted energy and natural gas. This benefits not only current generations but also future generations.

Although there is an initial increase in price, the potential savings could negate the initial cost of implementation. As energy prices rise and resources diminish, new homeowners will continue to reap the benefits of a more energy efficient home, including competitive resale values compared to older, less efficient homes. As always, Tropicana Homes is committed to quality homes and the proper installation of mandated systems and features. We’re here to answer any questions regarding energy efficiency or any other topic related to purchasing your new home. For additional information on energy efficiency tips and tools, please visit the State Energy Conservation Office’s website at www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us.

El Paso, Texas- Mollie Stopani, sales professional for Tropicana Homes in El Paso, was named the 2016 “Rookie Sales Professional of the Year” at the Texas Association of Builders (TAB) Star Awards held in Grapevine, Texas on August 4, 2016. The annual awards are a statewide tribute to excellence in the home building industry, showcasing the outstanding work of professionals within the industry. The association is an affiliate of the National Association of Home Builders and is comprised of 28 local Texas home builders.

Mollie Stopani, a native of El Paso, began her career as a sales agent at Tropicana Homes in January 2014 at the Tres Sueños community development in East El Paso and is currently over the Sunset Terrace community in West El Paso. “Being a recipient of the TAB Star Awards is a great accomplishment,” said Randall Bowling, President of Tropicana Homes, “Mollie is an exceptional sales professional - we are proud of her achievements and contribution to Tropicana Homes and our community.” As an award recipient, Mollie Stopani will be featured along with other TAB 2016 Star Award winners in the September/October issue of Texas Builder magazine.

Tropicana Homes has also been recognized by the Texas Association of Builders in past years; in 2003, 2013 and 2015 the association awarded Tropicana Homes “Builder of the Year” and in 2009 “Developer of the Year”. Currently, Tropicana Homes has seven living communities available throughout El Paso County, and continues to grow with a new community development in the Northeast area which will be available in 2016.