stoneacorn

The 1911 Group: SMU's premier business The Premier Networking Organization for SMU Alumni

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 04:27:24 GMT

We’re honored to see our founder, Benjamin Lavine (BBA ’98, SMU Cox School of Business), featured by SMU’s 1911 Group in a recent SMU Stories interview.

From a NASA internship to investment banking and ultimately custom homebuilding, Benjamin shares how financial discipline, cash flow management, and risk analysis became the foundation for scaling Stone Acorn Builders through multiple market cycles.

Founded in Houston, Stone Acorn Builders transitioned from speculative to custom homebuilding during the 2007–2008 financial crisis, later expanding to Austin in 2019 and Dallas in 2025. The conversation offers insight into how finance principles can meaningfully shape construction, growth strategy, and long-term resilience.

A thoughtful discussion on career pivots, entrepreneurship, and building enduring businesses.

Tune in to this week’s episode of SMU Stories, available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

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Why You Should Move from Los Angeles to Austin, TX

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 05:14:10 GMT

If you’re considering a move from Los Angeles, you’re not alone. Every year, thousands of Californians are packing up and heading to Texas, and Austin has become one of the top destinations. With its booming economy, lower cost of living, and vibrant culture, Austin offers many benefits that make it an attractive alternative to LA. Here’s why you should consider making the move.

1. Lower Cost of Living

Los Angeles is known for its high cost of living, with expensive housing, taxes, and everyday expenses. In contrast, Austin offers a much more affordable lifestyle. While home prices have risen in Austin, they still pale in comparison to LA’s sky-high real estate market. Plus, Texas has no state income tax, which means you get to keep more of your hard-earned money.

2. Thriving Job Market and Business Opportunities

Austin is a tech and business hub, often called “Silicon Hills” because of its growing number of tech companies and startups. Major corporations like Tesla, Apple, and Oracle have expanded their presence in the city, creating high-paying job opportunities. If you’re an entrepreneur, Austin’s business-friendly environment and lower operating costs make it a great place to start or expand a business.

3. A Great Place for Families

If you’re looking for a safe, family-friendly environment, Austin is an excellent choice. The city boasts top-rated schools, beautiful parks, and plenty of activities for kids and parents alike. With less congestion and a strong sense of community, Austin provides a great environment to raise a family.

4. Amazing Food and Live Music Scene

Austin is world-famous for its live music and food culture. Whether you’re into barbecue, Tex-Mex, or farm-to-table dining, you’ll find incredible restaurants and food trucks all over the city. Plus, Austin is known as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” with venues hosting performances every night of the week. You won’t miss LA’s entertainment scene when you experience Austin’s vibrant nightlife.

5. Outdoor Lifestyle and Green Spaces

Austin is perfect for those who love the outdoors. With beautiful lakes, hiking trails, and parks, there’s no shortage of ways to stay active. Popular spots like Barton Springs, Lady Bird Lake, and the Greenbelt offer opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, and biking. Compared to LA’s crowded beaches and traffic-clogged streets, Austin’s outdoor scene feels more accessible and enjoyable.

6. Less Traffic and a More Relaxed Lifestyle

Anyone who has lived in LA knows how stressful the traffic can be. While Austin has experienced some growing pains with congestion, it’s still far better than LA’s gridlock. The city’s relaxed atmosphere, friendly community, and slower pace of life can be a refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles.

7. A Booming Real Estate Market

For those looking to buy a home, Austin’s real estate market offers more space and better value for your money compared to LA. Whether you’re interested in new construction, a modern downtown condo, or a spacious home in the suburbs, there are plenty of great options available. Working with a trusted home builder like Stone Acorn Builders can help you find or build the perfect home in Austin.

Ready to Make the Move?

Moving from Los Angeles to Austin is a big decision, but the benefits speak for themselves. With a lower cost of living, excellent job opportunities, a fantastic cultural scene, and a welcoming community, Austin is a city where you can truly thrive. If you’re considering building a new home or remodeling in Austin, Stone Acorn Builders is here to help make your transition seamless. Contact us today to start planning your dream home in Austin!

Stone Acorn Builders’ 2018 Southern Living Showcase Home

Mon, 09 Jul 2018 15:41:09 GMT

What:
Stone Acorn Builders’ 2018 Southern Living “Beyond the Storm” Showcase Home includes daily chef, gardening and interior design demos. Proceeds from tour admissions will go toward the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s mission to improve the quality of life for Houstonians of all ages through the power of literacy, assisting on programs such as My Home Library, the Curiosity Cruiser and more.

The 6,076-square-foot three-story open floor plan includes five bedrooms, five bathrooms, media room, game room, with the dining room and breakfast area all centered by a fabulous gourmet kitchen. Bringing the outdoors in, the family room’s multi-slide doors open onto the back porch featuring a summer kitchen. The showcase home includes a large family library and multiple reading nooks throughout. Interior design managed by Lindsey Herod Interiors and Meg Lonergan Interiors, members of the Southern Living Designer Network.

When:
September 15-16, 22-23 and 29-30, 2018
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where:
3758 Drummond in Braes Heights

Admission:
$15 at the door

Our Thoughts and Prayers for Those Recovering from Harvey

Mon, 25 Sep 2017 15:42:32 GMT

Bellaire New Home Showcase – Winners of 4 Awards

Thu, 27 Jul 2017 15:44:49 GMT

Stone Acorn Builders Won 4 Awards in the Bellaire New Home Showcase of 2017

Best Landscape

Best Overall Design

People’s Choice

Best of Show

Stone Acorn Builders is a premier custom builder in Houston that specializes in design/build new homes in Bellaire, West University Place, South Side Place, and Houston.

We would love to build your next home.

Call us with your questions. (713) 838.8808

Creative Outdoor Spaces and Great Reasons to Cook Out

Wed, 21 Jun 2017 15:54:07 GMT

Above see our recently built award-winning home in Bellaire with attractive folding patio doors that create a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, along with electric drop screens outside for an inviting bug-free atmosphere after twilight.

Below see ten fantastic reasons to cook out, BBQ and eat outdoors this summer from our guest-blogger friends at Houzz.

10 Reasons to Cook and Eat Outdoors This Summer

The scent of dinner sizzling on the grill and the joy of eating in the open air — cooking and dining outdoors are simple summer pleasures that deserve to be enjoyed more often. Here are 10 reasons to bring your crew outside for dinner (or breakfast or lunch) more often this season and beyond.

1. Preparing dinner becomes a social event. When you’re cooking outside, preparing dinner is part of the fun instead of a chore that keeps you holed up in the kitchen alone. Family and friends can easily hang out and chat with whoever is stationed at the grill, and can pitch in by prepping sides or gathering plates.

2. You can host a party without cleaning the house. If you’d love to invite people over more often but hate the time it takes to get the house presentable, outdoor dinner parties may be the ideal solution. Put a fresh tablecloth on the outdoor table, turn on some twinkle lights and you’re good to go.

3. Cooking outside keeps your kitchen cool. On the hottest, muggiest days of summer, just the thought of turning on the oven can be horrifying. Keep your cool by cooking and serving dinner outdoors instead.

4. And you can skip the kitchen cleanup. Not only does eating outdoors mean less kitchen prep, it means less cleanup too — and who doesn’t want that? Whether you’re cooking for a big crowd or just family, having a night off from messy pots and pans can be a big relief.

5. Dining outdoors works for breakfast and lunch too. If the weather is pleasant, why not bring your breakfast or lunch outdoors, where you can enjoy it in the fresh air? If you don’t feel like turning on the stove at all, make like you’re camping and cook up some French toast in a cast iron skillet on the grill, or roast hot dogs for lunch on a lazy Saturday.

6. Grilling is a crowd-pleaser. When some folks in your group are vegetarian, some are vegan, some are gluten-free and others are mega meat eaters, it can seem impossible to please everyone. But when you’re grilling, customizing each diner’s plate is fairly simple — especially if you ask everyone to bring something they would like to eat to contribute to the grill.

7. Grill cooking tends to be quick. With slow-cooked barbecue being the (rather delicious) exception, most cooking on the grill tends to fall into the quick-cooking category. Think grilled veggies, kabobs and burgers — it’s so easy, there’s no reason you couldn’t cook dinner on the grill most weeknights, especially if you have a quick-to-heat gas grill.

8. Grilling makes even a weeknight dinner feel special. There’s something about cooking and eating outdoors that can make any old dinner feel more like vacation. And if you have kids, eating outside also means that they’re more likely to run off and play outside when they finish the meal, rather than beg for screen time, so it’s a win-win.

9. You can host a larger group than you could indoors. Even if your house is small or doesn’t have the right flow for entertaining a crowd, chances are that more can fit comfortably outdoors. And when you consider that people like to stand around the grill, you probably don’t even need as many seats as you would if you hosted the same number of folks indoors.

10. Food tastes better outside. Is it some ancestral memory of cooking on the fire? Is it the fresh air? Whatever the reason, food eaten outdoors always seems to taste better, and who’s going to argue with that?

Every Custom Home Has a Story | Bellaire, TX

Sat, 03 Jun 2017 15:55:53 GMT

B ack in the USA

New Home Design in Bellaire, Houston

Every custom home we build is accompanied with a touching story. We are always honored to be a part of a family’s dream fulfilled.

See the full home tour in the short video below. For best results set the video to full-screen.

Motorized Patio Screens – Bellaire New Home Showcase

Mon, 22 May 2017 16:00:57 GMT

The 2017 Bellaire Spring New Home Showcase featured one of our beautiful new homes. Below see a Facebook post showing the Phantom motorized patio screens that allow the summer fun to continue even when the bugs come out.

Additional Photos Coming Soon…

The results are in for the 2017 Bellaire New Home Showcase:

People’s Choice – Stone Acorn
Best Overall Design (Exterior as well as floorplan design) – Stone Acorn
Best Landscape – Stone Acorn
Best of Show – Stone Acorn

Over $15,000 from ticket proceeds will go to the Friends of the Bellaire Library.

Stone Acorn Builders is a premier custom builder in Houston that specializes in design/build new homes in Bellaire, West University Place, South Side Place, and Houston. Call us to learn about our home building process. (713) 838.8808

Why We Use Marvin Windows and Doors

Sat, 06 May 2017 15:18:32 GMT

In a positive sign for the overall U.S. economy, new home sales unexpectedly jumped in March rising 5.8 percent continuing a 3-month upward trend to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 621,000 homes sold. This beats the expected figure of 590,000 and now reaches an 8-month high according to the Department of Commerce. Overall new home sales are 12 percent higher in the first quarter of 2017 than during the same period last year.

The NAHB reports, “The March sales numbers are the second highest on record since the Great Recession, which is especially encouraging considering the poor weather conditions throughout many parts of the country,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “With tight existing home inventory, rising household formations and continued job creation, we can expect further growth in new home sales moving forward.”

“Homebuilding helps to feed growth across the economy. Housing starts and new-home sales are climbing amid a shortage of existing homes on the market, generating gains in construction jobs and sales of building materials” reports ABC News.

“Existing home sales, as reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), surged 4.4% in March to the highest pace in ten years.

At the current sales rate, the March unsold inventory represents a 3.8-month supply, unchanged from February. March existing sales were up 5.9% from the same month a year ago, and reached a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.71 million compared to a downwardly revised 5.47 million in February. Total existing home sales include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops.” according to NAHB Eye on Housing blog.

Recent New Home Built by Stone Acorn Builders in Houston and sold in December 2016. This “Modern Farmhouse” styled home has 4 beds 3.5 baths 4,708 sq ft on a 7,215 sq ft lot

New and Existing Home Sales Continue To Rise Across the Nation

Wed, 26 Apr 2017 15:24:13 GMT

Video: Principals of Stone Acorn Builders Benjamin Lavine and Sarah Lavine-Kass discuss why they partner with Marvin Windows and Doors through the Southern Living Custom Builder Network for their premier custom new homes. Above see the gallery of the finished home.

Breathtaking Staircase by Stone Acorn Builders

Sat, 22 Apr 2017 15:27:12 GMT

This is one of our favorite staircases. Where does it lead to? Flip through the pictures on Instagram to find out!

Adventure Pointe Theme Park Granted Building Permits

Tue, 11 Apr 2017 15:35:26 GMT

Officials of Texas City approved permits for the first two buildings of Adventure Pointe Theme Park being built off of Interstate 45 between Houston and Galveston. KTRK ABC 13 Reports:

According to the Houston Business Journal , “Construction work has been approved for Adventure Pointe’s Main Street building, which serves as the entrance to the park, as well as the Pirate Ship building, according to Texas City officials. Attractions planned for the theme park include a miniature railroad, go-karts, an outdoor ice skating rink, a pirate ride, a boardwalk and an outdoor entertainment venue with seating for up to 1,200 people.

Infrastructure work on the theme park began in summer 2015, and site work began a year later in August 2016, according to Texas City officials.”