Jone's Ray Services Contractor, Fort Worth, TX 76101, US

"We're experiencing a great amount of activity in such areas as Aledo and Willow Park, and on the western side of Tarrant County. An extra 10 to 15 minute drive is well worth it for the lifestyle our buyers are finding there. This parallels the same trend that has made northeast Tarrant County neighborhoods so desirable. Now, the resurgence of commercial construction in the city of Fort Worth and revival of the downtown business sector have prompted people to explore the west side of Tarrant County as a new alternative that provides the lifestyle advantages of a small town atmosphere, while not being too far away from the city" said Trey Bliss, co-owner of JB Homes. "For example, from Deer Creek Estates, near Aledo, Interstate 20 connects to Interstate 30 to get you to downtown Fort Worth in about 15 minutes. The driving is all highway. To get to Dallas, you have a choice of I-20 or I-30. Also, the future expansion of Highway 121 will provide an easy access from western Tarrant and Parker counties to the Mid-Cities area." Robert Joslin, Trey's partner in JB Homes, added, "Surprisingly, it's not people moving out of Fort Worth who make up the primary buyers in Parker County. We are attracting out-of-state buyers who are comparing the area to Dallas, northeast Tarrant County, the city of Fort Worth...virtually every corner of the Metroplex, and deciding that the west side is truly the answer to their needs. I think the availability of land and the fact that traffic on this side is so much lighter makes the area a true escape, while its accessibility is excellent." Robert and Trey came to know each other when they were both hired to work as builders for the custom home division of Youngblood Homes. Primarily, they were responsible for meeting the needs of customers who wanted to build on their own sites, away from the neighborhood developments where the company offered production homes. The custom home division also allowed buyers to customize home plans. When Bill Youngblood retired, Robert and Trey applied the same family-business principles they had learned from their experience with Youngblood, and formed JB Homes. "Trey and I represent two young families helping other families to build homes that are designed and built to meet their needs, " said Robert. Truly, JB Homes is a family business. Robert's wife, Sally holds an interior design degree and provides design services for JB Homes' clients. Barbara, Trey's wife, helps the company with marketing. What has made JB Homes a success through the struggling economy of the late '80s into the more prosperous '90s are the qualities of product and service. "Our buyers have the advantage of being able to bring in their own sketches and ideas for a home. We start from scratch, and help them design a home to meet their lifestyle. Whether the home being built is in the $200, 000 or $400, 000 price range, they get the same level of attention, " explained Robert.