20214 | Parade of Homes | 2021 Thank you Parade of Homes sponsors! Branch Manager | Mortgage Banker | NMLS 491032021 | Parade of Homes | 5 contents 10 Ripping out a historic home’s traditional interior may lower its value 18 Planting native plants benefits the environment and brings a pop of color to your home 26 Pandemic-era employees revamp home offices for comfort and efficiency 34 Galvestonian gets the ball rolling and livens up her backyard 39 Smart home technology adds security and convenience at your fingertips 44 Waiving inspections can be risky business 51 Top 5 hottest home building trends 52 Tips for first-time real estate investors 55 5 outdoor projects that add value 57 Planned communities designed with lifestyle in mind 58 Simple ways to cut mortgage costs 59 The average timelines for popular renovation projects 61 Advertisers index on the cover 2021 10 26 An interior shot of the Westin Homes model home located in Lago Mar in Texas City. Photo courtesy of Lago Mar6 | Parade of Homes | 2021 Our concrete coatings provide a custom, finished look while adding functionality to your existing concrete surface. At Garage Force, our ultimate goal is to achieve 100% customer satisfaction. We want you to be absolutely thrilled with your project. Offering a full range of products, Garage Force is a leader in floor coating installation across the country. Our coating systems provide a durable finished floor that is both easy to maintain and adds value to your home. Concrete Coating Options That Are A Force To Be Reckoned With. www.LeagueCity.GarageForce.com 832-596-7978 © Copyright: Parade of Homes is published by The Daily News. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without written permission of the publisher. Editorial content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher of this magazine. Editorial and advertising does not constitute advice but is considered informative. PUBLISHER Leonard Woolsey DESIGN EDITOR Liz Davis ONLINE EDITOR Mike Rode PHOTOGRAPHERS Jennifer Reynolds Stuart Villanueva CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Shannon Caldwell Barbara Canetti Kathryn Eastburn ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Maureen Beans Catherine Boudoin Jana Knoell John Nagy Kristi Neal Kristi Quigley Donna Rhoades CONSULTANT Kimberly Greenwell MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 1838 Texas City, TX 77592 ADVERTISING INQUIRIES 409.683.5305 WEBSITE www.galvnews.com/paradeofhomes Parade of Homes Tour Dates Sept. 25-26 & Oct. 2-3 The Daily News’ Parade of Homes event will be a unique one-of-a-kind opportunity for home enthusiasts to tour a variety of homes in Galveston County. Event-goers will meet local builders and real estate agents, see the latest in home construction and design, plus have one-on-one conversations with home-related experts. Scan the QR code or visit www.galvnews.com/ paradeofhomes/tickets. Buy tickets now!“My exceptional Galveston team is marketing premier properties from the beaches to the bay — from historic treasures to high-rise condos!” WE ARE YOUR REALTOR ® ! Proudly marketing for almost 15 years! Contact me with all your Real Estate needs. Jim Rosenfeld BROKER ASSOCIATE Circle of Excellence Award Winner Hall of Fame Member Texas Monthly Magazine Five Star Realtor 2012-2021 Trulia and Zillow Five Star Rating Certified SIRVA Relocation Specialist 713.854.1303 | Jim.Rosenfeld@sir.com Galveston’s Premier Custom Home Builder Stellar new construction homes exhibiting impressive craftsmanship enhanced by superlative and cutting-edge construction quality. Ensconced in idyllic settings boasting sought after water, golf course and nature preserve vistas in the island’s most coveted neighborhoods. Epicurean island kitchens. Grand primary suites. Expansive screened verandas. Strikingly innovative plans designed to capture your tastes and preferences. Priced from the $400’s. Nothing Compares.YOUR GALVESTON REAL ESTATE EXPERTS 409.977.HOME Come Meet The Gaido Group! Sept. 25th, 26th & Oct. 1st // 11a –1p at the Diamond Beach Resort!PREMIER SPONSORS OF THIS YEAR’S PARADE OF HOMES & PROUD MEMBERS OF GALVESTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THEGAIDOGROUP.COM About Anastasia Gaido Anastasia is excited to be a founding member in the Nan Properties Christies’s International Real Estate expansion into Galveston. As part of the Gaido restaurant family, a local trusted name in Galveston and Houston for over a century, Anastasia has deep connections within the Galveston community. She is committed to helping you find the home that fits your family’s unique story, traditions, and values. A licensed real estate agent in the state of Texas, Anastasia specializes in luxury residential real estate and second homes. Additionally, Anastasia offers representation for those looking for a second home or investment property in Hawaii, one of the most diverse and fastest growing real estate markets in the region. At Nan and Company, Gaido has access to a worldwide network of 138 affiliates across 940 offices in 48 countries thanks to their exclusive affiliation with Christie’s International Real Estate. “Galveston has enormous potential and endless possibilities,” says Gaido. “I help my clients identify properties that fulfill their needs, dreams and expectations.”Next >