Pacesetter Homes targets primarily young families and empty nesters with its attractively priced homes ranging from the low $100's to the mid-$200's, according to President Tom Lynch. The homebuilder is a division of the Qualico Group, a Canadian company that has been building quality homes in that country's Western Provinces for over a half century.

Pacesetter Homes Courtyard Collection

When Pacesetter Homes entered the Austin market in 2007, it set about to create an entirely new product that would help differentiate it from other Texas builders. Lynch recruited The Harder Organization, a highly regarded architectural firm with deep roots in the area. "The Harder Organization worked with us hand-in-hand to understand our buyer," Lynch explains.

Owner/Architect Wesley Harder says the goal of the new Pacesetter Homes product line is to change people's minds about sustainable lifestyles, and present them with alternatives to the brick elevations that are so prevalent in the region. It's one reason why he incorporates James Hardie into his projects. First and foremost, "it is environmentally friendly," he notes. It also gives designers and developers "a better palate for architectural true design—as far as exterior elevation selection—like English Tudor, Country French and Italianate. It just gives you better versatility."

Good Design Gets Noticed

Pacesetter Homes uses HardiePlank®, HardieShingle®, HardieTrim®, HardieSoffit® and HardiePanel® in combination with materials such as stone and stucco to create a variety of appealing facades. Lynch believes this combination—along with the imaginative use of architectural elements such as entry courtyards and window boxes—gives the homebuilder an exceptional competitive edge.

Pacesetter Homes Craftsman Collection

"We put the Hardie, in varying degrees, on all the product lines," Lynch says. He praises the material for both for its low maintenance characteristics and the unique look it brings to his homes. "We prefer the Hardie material mainly because of its durability—it's easy to sell the value of it." Moreover, "it's an affordable way to bring out the architectural features that people seem to desire."

The impressive exteriors get homebuyers "out of their car and into the model homes," he says. Prospects routinely comment that they like the differentiation of the design, or they've never seen such pretty homes in such an affordable price range.

The designs are making such an emotional connection with buyers that Lynch reports he's already sold five 'to-be-built' homes at Pacesetter's new Knollwood on the Colorado project. "It's been a good success," he says, and a strong vote of confidence for their product lineup, especially given today's economic environment.

For more information on Pacesetter Homes, visit http://www.pacesetterhomestexas.com/

Contact The Harder Organization at: wharder@harderorg.com

Streetscapes Online, Volume 37 <