Building Your Own Piece of the American Dream — Happy 250th, America

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Two hundred and fifty years ago, people built something from nothing. They had a vision, a piece of land, and the will to make it real. That’s not so different from what we watch happen every single day at Rosewood Homes & Real Estate.

Every time a family sits down with us and says, “This is what we want our home to look like” — that’s their version of planting a flag. It’s personal. It’s theirs. And there is nothing ordinary about it.

On this 250th Independence Day, we’re thinking about what it means to build — really build — something that lasts.

It Starts With a Piece of Ground in Sioux Falls

South Dakota is a great place to put down roots right now. Sioux Falls is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Midwest, land is still available, and if you’ve been thinking about building a custom home or finally tackling that remodel you’ve been putting off — summer is the time to move.

We work with families all over the Sioux Falls area who are done settling for someone else’s floor plan. They want their home to fit their life — the way they cook, the way they entertain, how many kids are running through the house, whether they need a shop out back or a mudroom that actually functions.

That’s exactly what we do.

Sioux Falls Is Celebrating Big This July 4th

If you’re local, there’s a lot happening this weekend. The Sioux Falls Independence Day Parade kicks off at 10 AM on Phillips Avenue — this year it’s part of America’s official 250th anniversary celebration. Fireworks at the W.H. Lyon Sioux Empire Fairgrounds start at 10 PM, with gates opening at 6 PM. There’s also the Levitt at Falls Park 250th Special Program at 6 PM and food trucks, live music, and more throughout the day.

Get the full event list at siouxfalls.gov — it’s worth checking before you head out.

What It Actually Looks Like to Build With Rosewood

A lot of people don’t know what the custom home building process looks like from start to finish — and that’s fair. It’s not something most people do more than once or twice in a lifetime.

Here’s the short version: We start with your wish list and your budget, then we design your home with you — not hand you a catalog and tell you to pick. Every plan is drawn specifically for your lot and your life. From there, the team handles the build while we stay in communication with you every step of the way.

You can read more about our full process here: How We Build

Summer is our busiest planning season — families want to be in by the holidays or break ground before fall. If that’s you, now is the time to start the conversation, not wait until August.

Not Ready to Build New? Remodeling Is Its Own Kind of Fresh Start

Maybe you love your neighborhood. Maybe the kids are in a great school and moving isn’t on the table. But the kitchen hasn’t been updated since 2004 and the basement is still unfinished.

A remodel can completely change how you feel about a home you’ve been living in for years. Same address. Completely different life.

We design and build remodels the same way we approach new construction — with your input at every stage, no surprises, and work you’re proud to show off.

See What Remodeling Looks Like

See It Before It’s Built

One of the things that sets us apart is that you don’t have to guess what your home is going to look like. We do in-house design and 3D walkthroughs so you can see your home — room by room — before a single wall goes up.

It removes a lot of the anxiety that comes with making a big decision. You’re not signing off on blueprints and hoping for the best. You’re walking through your future home on screen and saying yes — or asking us to move a wall.

Explore Our Design Process

Looking for Land or Selling First?

Sometimes the first step is finding the right lot — or selling the home you’re in before you can build the next one. We’re a licensed real estate brokerage, so we handle both sides of that. We know what lots work well for custom builds, what to watch for, and how to position your current home to sell well in this market.

Real Estate With a Builder’s Eye

Here’s to 250 More Years of Building Something Worth Leaving Behind

We are so grateful to do this work in this community. Helping a family build their home — from the first sketch to the day they get the keys — is something we never take for granted.

Happy 250th, America. Happy Independence Day from our family to yours.

— Rachael & Larry Weissenburger, Rosewood Homes & Real Estate

Ready to start your build or remodel? We’d love to talk. Reach out here — we’re local, we’re hands-on, and we build like it’s our own home.

Buying Land to Build On: What to Evaluate Before You Make an Offer

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Buying a piece of land feels exciting. Open space, a blank slate, the home you’ve been planning in your head finally starting to take shape.

But land is not a blank slate. Every piece of ground comes with its own set of conditions, limitations, and costs — most of which never show up in the listing.

After 23 years of building custom homes in the Sioux Falls area, we’ve seen families fall in love with a piece of property, make an offer, and then discover three months later that what they thought was a $50,000 lot was actually a $120,000 problem. Not because they did anything wrong. Because no one walked them through what to look for before they signed.

This post is that walk-through.

1. Utilities: What’s Already There, and What Isn’t

This is the question that changes the math faster than anything else.

In established neighborhoods and city lots, utilities — water, sewer, gas, electric, and increasingly fiber — are already stubbed to the property line. You’re paying a connection fee, not an installation. That’s a very different number.

On acreage or rural land, the situation is more complicated:

  • Water: Is there municipal water, or does this lot require a well? A residential well in South Dakota can run $8,000–$20,000+, depending on depth and drilling conditions.
  • Sewer: City sewer or septic system? A modern mound septic system can add $15,000–$30,000 to your build cost. And not every piece of land percs — meaning the soil may not support a conventional septic system at all.
  • Electric: How far is the nearest utility line? Running electric to a remote building site is charged by the foot.
  • Gas: Propane vs. natural gas changes your mechanical systems, your equipment costs, and your long-term operating expenses.
  • Internet: In 2026, fiber access is no longer a luxury for remote workers, smart home systems, and security. Ask specifically — not just “does the area have internet,” but what provider and what speed.

What to do: Before making an offer, contact the county or city and ask what utilities are available at the parcel address. Then get a rough cost estimate from a builder before you sign anything.

2. Zoning, Setbacks, and What You’re Actually Allowed to Build

Zoning tells you what can legally be built on a piece of land. Setbacks tell you how close to the property lines you can build. Both matter enormously for your floor plan.

A parcel might be zoned agricultural, residential, mixed-use, or something else entirely. Agricultural zoning doesn’t automatically prevent a residential build — but it may require a conditional use permit, restrict outbuildings, or limit lot splits if you ever want to subdivide.

Setbacks are equally important. A lot that looks generous on paper might have 30-foot front setbacks, 10-foot side setbacks, and easements running through the middle — leaving you less buildable area than you realized. If you have your heart set on a specific footprint, check setbacks first.

What to do: Pull the parcel information from the county GIS website or ask the listing agent for the zoning designation. Then run your rough floor plan idea by a builder to see if it physically fits within the buildable envelope.

3. Topography: Flat Is Not Always Better

Most buyers want flat land. Flat means simple. But “flat” is relative — and even modest grade changes can add significant cost.

A lot with a 4-foot slope across the building site may require:

  • Additional excavation and grading
  • A more complex foundation (walk-out basement vs. slab)
  • Retaining walls
  • Engineered drainage

That said, topography can also create opportunity. A sloped lot might allow for a walk-out lower level that adds finished square footage at a lower cost per square foot than above-grade construction. A rise in the land might create a view corridor you wouldn’t have on a flat lot.

What to do: Walk the land, not just look at it from the road. What looks level from a car window is not always level when you’re standing on it. Bring a builder.

4. Soil and Ground Conditions

Soil type affects everything from foundation design to drainage to septic suitability. Clay-heavy soils expand and contract with moisture cycles, which requires specific foundation engineering. Sandy or loose soils may require deeper footings. High water tables can rule out basements entirely.

In the Sioux Falls area, soil conditions vary considerably — especially as you move from in-town lots to rural acreage. What’s standard in one part of the county may require significant engineering elsewhere.

What to do: For any acreage purchase intended for a custom build, a soil investigation (perc test and soil report) is worth completing before closing, not after. This is standard practice in any builder-guided land purchase.

5. Drainage and Flood Zones

Does water run onto this property, through it, or off it — and where does it go?

Standing water after a heavy rain is a warning sign. So is a low-lying area adjacent to a drainage ditch, creek, or natural waterway. Properties in or near a FEMA-designated flood zone require flood insurance, can restrict what you build and where, and may impact financing.

Even outside official flood zones, poor site drainage creates long-term problems: wet basements, foundation pressure, landscaping issues, and potential structural damage over time.

What to do: Look up the FEMA Flood Map Service (msc.fema.gov) and enter the parcel address. Then look at the land itself — particularly after rain — before closing.

6. Access, Road Frontage, and Easements

How do you get there — and is that access permanent?

Some rural parcels have road frontage on a public road. Others are landlocked and accessed via a private easement across a neighbor’s property. Easements can work fine, but they need to be documented, recorded, and clearly understood before you buy.

Road quality matters too. A beautiful piece of ground at the end of a seasonal dirt road is a very different daily experience than a property on a maintained county road. If you’re building a custom home there, consider what it means for concrete trucks, framers, and delivery vehicles during construction — and for your family every day after.

What to do: Ask specifically: Is this parcel accessible by public road? If there’s an easement, request the recorded document and have an attorney review it.

7. Deed Restrictions, HOAs, and Covenants

Even without a homeowner’s association, land can come with deed restrictions or covenants that run with the property — meaning they transfer to every future owner.

Common restrictions on acreage and rural lots include:

  • Minimum square footage requirements
  • Restrictions on outbuildings, shop buildings, or livestock
  • Architectural approval requirements
  • Limits on subdivision or lot splits

Some of these are perfectly reasonable. Others may conflict directly with your building plans. Find out before you’re bound by them.

What to do: Request a title search and ask the title company specifically about any recorded covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) on the parcel.

What It Looks Like When a Builder Walks the Land With You

Recently, a family called us about a piece of acreage they were considering outside Sioux Falls. Before they made any decisions, we drove out there with them — walked the property, assessed the grade, talked through utility access, and shot drone footage so they could look at the land again from home before committing.

Sound familiar? These are the kitchens we see every week in Sioux Falls — honey oak cabinets, laminate counters, white appliances, tile floors. Functional, but dated. And every one of them represents $45,000–$85,000 in remodel work before you’re living in a kitchen you actually love.

Outdated kitchens in Sioux Falls homes — remodeling cost $45K-$85K

That cost doesn’t show up in the listing price. It shows up later — after you’ve already bought the house.

That visit changed the conversation in ways no listing photo could have. The view from the road looked like a clean, flat, open field. Standing on it, we could see a natural drainage swale running through the buildable area — one that would need to be addressed in the site plan. We could also see that the natural grade of the lot created an opportunity for a walk-out lower level that would add significant value to the home.

None of that shows up in a listing. It shows up when you walk it with someone who knows what to look for.

The Bottom Line

Buying land is not like buying a house. A house is a finished product. Land is a starting point — and what it costs to build on that starting point depends entirely on what’s already there and what isn’t.

The right piece of ground, evaluated carefully before you commit, is one of the best investments a family can make. The wrong piece of ground, purchased without due diligence, is an expensive lesson.

Before you make an offer on any lot or acreage — especially if you’re planning to build — have a builder walk it with you. Not after you’re under contract. Before.

Larry and Rachael have been building custom homes in Sioux Falls and the Sioux Empire since 2004. If you’re evaluating land and want a builder’s perspective before you commit, call or text anytime.

605-310-4475 | builtbyrosewood.com/buying-selling-properties

Three Clients. Three Different Paths. This Is What We Actually Do.

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I want to tell you about three families we’re working with right now.

No names. Just the stories. Because I think these three, taken together, explain better than any tagline or list of services why Larry and I built Rosewood the way we did — and why staying small and personal isn’t a compromise. It’s the whole point.

The First Family: They Thought They Wanted to Buy.

When they came to us, the plan seemed simple. Find land. Something with space, room to breathe, room to build something that actually felt like theirs.

We spent six weeks with them. We drove to properties. We walked ground. We talked through lot layouts, setbacks, utility access, drainage, covenants. We showed them everything worth seeing in the area — including a lot we have listed ourselves.

I want to be clear about that part, because it matters.

When you work with us, our listings don’t come first. Our clients come first. Always. If the right piece of ground isn’t ours to sell, we will walk you straight to it anyway. That is not a line we put in a brochure. That is just how we operate — and it’s something we will never compromise on.

Six weeks in, they found it. The right lot. Under contract now, closing later this month.

What made the difference wasn’t luck. It was asking the right questions at the very beginning — about how they actually live, what they need ten years from now, what kind of home belongs on what kind of land. Nobody had taken the time to ask those questions before.

We did.

The Second Family: Six Months of Dead Ends.

This one stays with me.

They spent six months searching. Six months of showings, of hope, of driving through neighborhoods and walking through houses that were so close — but never quite right. Every conversation started and ended in the same place:

Here are the houses for sale. Does any of them work?

None of them did.

By the time they came to us, they were worn down. Not from lack of effort — from lack of options. Six months of being shown the same narrow set of answers to a question nobody had fully thought to ask.

That first conversation with us looked different. We asked about the neighborhood they kept coming back to — and why. We asked about square footage, not as a search filter, but as a starting point for understanding what they actually needed. We asked about the things that kept falling short in every house they’d seen.

And slowly, a different picture started to emerge.

What if the home they were picturing doesn’t exist yet — but could? What if an addition to something they already own turns an 80% right house into exactly right? What if a targeted remodel changes everything? What if starting fresh on the right lot is actually the most straightforward path forward?

Six months of searching in one direction. One conversation to open all of it back up.

That is what changes when you have a builder in the room.

The Third Family: Still Figuring It Out. And That’s Exactly Okay.

These clients aren’t in a hurry. They’ve previewed homes. They’ve watched the market. They’ve driven out to look at land. We’ve sat together and sketched ideas — rough ones, early ones, the kind you draw out before anyone calls them a floor plan.

Nothing is decided yet. And honestly? That’s exactly where they should be right now.

There is no pressure from us. No timeline we’re pushing. No listing we’re steering them toward. Just an ongoing conversation about what their life looks like, what they want it to look like, and which path — buy, build, remodel, add on — actually gets them there.

Some clients need six weeks. Some need six months. Some need a year of checking in before the right answer clicks. We are here for all of it. However long it takes.

Why We’re Built This Way.

Larry and I have 56 years of combined experience in residential construction and real estate between us. Custom homes, remodels, additions, buyer representation, listing and selling — we have done all of it, for a long time, in this community.

That breadth is not accidental. It exists because the right answer for your family is almost never simple. Sometimes it takes a real conversation — an honest one, a patient one — before the right path becomes clear.

We don’t chase numbers. We don’t work at volume. We take on clients we can genuinely serve, and we stay with them until the right solution comes into focus — no matter which direction that turns out to be.

Are you exploring your options right now? Have you been searching for months and hitting dead ends? Are you still just wondering if a build, a remodel, or an addition might make more sense than buying again?

We’d love to have that conversation.

605-310-4475 | builtbyrosewood.com

Rachael & Larry Weissenburger | Rosewood Homes & Real Estate, Inc. | Serving the Sioux Empire since 2004

You Noticed the Signs. Now What?

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You Said It Again Last Weekend

“If only this house had…”

A bigger kitchen. A mudroom that actually works. A garage your car can fit in. A bathroom that doesn’t make you close your eyes and pretend you’re somewhere else.

You’ve been saying it for a while now. Maybe you’ve even started driving through new neighborhoods on Sundays — not going anywhere in particular, just looking. Just wondering.

That’s not a bad thing. That’s a signal. And it means you’re ready for a real conversation about what comes next.

Three Paths — and They’re All Valid

When families come to us, they usually fall into one of three categories. And the first thing we tell every single one of them is: we don’t steer you. We explore every option with you and help you figure out which one actually makes sense for your life, your budget, and your timeline.

Path 1: Remodel what you have. You love your lot. You love your neighborhood. Your kids are in the right school district. The bones are good — but the layout isn’t working anymore. A remodel or addition can completely transform how your home functions without uprooting your life. We’ve taken homes from 1,200 square feet to over 4,000 — same address, completely different life.

Path 2: Build from scratch. Maybe you’ve outgrown the house and the neighborhood. Maybe you’ve had your eye on a piece of land. Maybe you want something that’s designed around the way you live right now — not the way you lived ten years ago when you bought this place. A custom build means every wall, every room, every detail is yours from day one.

Path 3: Buy move-in ready. Sometimes the right home is already out there. You just need someone who knows construction walking through it with you — someone who can see past the staging and tell you what’s solid, what needs work, and what it’ll actually cost to make it yours. We do that too. We’re licensed REALTORS who happen to also be builders.

What the First Conversation Actually Looks Like

People put off calling a builder because they think they need to have it all figured out first. You don’t.

Here’s what happens when you reach out to us: we sit down — usually at your kitchen table or ours — and we just talk. No blueprints. No contracts. No pressure. We ask questions like:

How do you actually use your home? What rooms do you avoid? What’s the one thing that drives you crazy every single day? What does your family look like in three years? Five years? Are you staying in Sioux Falls or considering the surrounding areas?

From there, we can start sketching — literally, on graph paper — what a solution might look like. Whether that’s knocking out a wall, adding a garage, or starting fresh on a new lot.

60+ Pages Before We Ever Break Ground

Here’s something most people don’t know about how we work — and it’s probably the single biggest thing that separates us from most builders in the area.

Before we ever dig a foundation, we produce a full set of construction documents. We’re talking 60+ pages for a major project. Floor plans — existing, demolition, new construction, and finished. Elevations from every side. Foundation plans. Framing schedules. Casework drawings for every built-in cabinet, shelf, and closet. Plumbing layouts. Mechanical systems. Electrical plans. Lighting plans. Reflected ceiling plans. Room-by-room finish schedules. Door and window schedules. Appliance schedules.

Every measurement. Every material. Every connection point — documented before construction starts.

Why does this matter to you? Because when we give you an estimate, it’s not a guess. It’s not a ballpark with allowances tacked on and a prayer that it holds. It’s a firm number backed by 60+ pages of exactly what’s being built, exactly how it’s being built, and exactly what every piece costs. Your budget is locked before we break ground. No allowances. No surprises.

Rosewood Homes construction documents flipping through 60+ pages of detailed plans, elevations, and schedules

Here’s the truth about building a custom home: the more people involved, the more chances something gets lost along the way. That’s just how it works when design, estimating, and construction are handled by different companies in different offices.

We chose to do it differently. We design every floor plan, produce every construction document, and manage every detail of the build — all under one roof. The same team that draws the plans is the same team that swings the hammer. Nothing gets lost in translation. Nothing gets handed off to someone who wasn’t in the room when the decisions were made.

That’s not just efficient — it’s how you build a home right.

The Summer Advantage

June is actually one of the smartest times to start this conversation. Here’s why:

The Sioux Falls market is active right now. Median home prices are sitting around $345K, pending sales have doubled year over year, and new home permits are tracking right in line with 2025 numbers. Inventory is tight — down over 33% — which means if you’re thinking about selling your current home to fund a build, your timing is strong.

And if you’re leaning toward a remodel, starting the design process now means we can get construction documents buttoned up over summer and potentially break ground before the snow flies.

Either way, the earlier you start the conversation, the more options you have. Waiting until you “know what you want” is the number one reason people end up rushing decisions they shouldn’t rush.

Whether you’re exploring a custom home build, a whole-home remodel, or thinking about buying or selling — summer is a great time to start the conversation.

Where You’ll Find Us

If you’re looking for us, you’ll probably find us on a jobsite. That’s where we’re happiest. That’s where the real work happens.

We’ve been in residential construction for over 35 years, and we’re still obsessed with the details — the kind that reduce mistakes before they happen and make sure every home is built right. Every floor plan starts with hand sketches on graph paper before it ever touches a computer. Every construction document is produced in-house. Every project is managed personally.

Together, we started Rosewood in 2004. We’re not a big production builder. We don’t have a model home you walk through and pick finishes off a board. We don’t hire out what we can do ourselves. Every home we design is designed for the family that’s going to live in it. Every line. Every room. Every dollar accounted for before we break ground.

And we don’t do it alone. From the crews who pour the foundation to the teams who run the water lines — from picking and securing selections to the final walkthrough — every Rosewood home is built by people we trust and are proud to work alongside.

Our marketing isn’t flashy. Our work is. And that’s where we put our energy — into the homes, into the families, and into getting it right.

Happy Father’s Day

Before we wrap up — Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. The ones building homes, building families, building something that matters. The ones who show up early, stay late, and make it look easy even when it’s not.

We’re parents to two fine young men and a new pretty little kitty named Jetta. We’ve been building homes since 2004 and building a family right alongside every one of them. This weekend, we hope every dad gets a moment to step back, look around, and appreciate what they’ve built — not just the walls and the rooflines, but the life inside them.

Happy Father’s Day from our family to yours.

If Any of This Sounds Familiar

If your garage has become a storage unit… if you’re avoiding a room in your own house… if you keep driving through neighborhoods on Sunday… if the kids need their own space… or if you’ve said “if only this house had…” one too many times —

You don’t have to keep wondering. You just have to start a conversation.

Let’s Talk The Rosewood Way

— Larry & Rachael Weissenburger
Sioux Falls Custom Home Builder + Remodeler + Designer + REALTOR® — Everything Under One Roof
builtbyrosewood.com | 605-310-4475

Custom Homes | 3D Home Design | Remodeling | Buying & Selling
Sioux Falls | Brandon | Tea | Harrisburg | Dell Rapids | Hartford

What Truly Custom Home Building Actually Looks Like

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Every Home We Build Has a Name. And It’s Never Ours.

Let me say that again.

Every home we build has a name. The family’s name. Not a model name from a catalog. Not a floor plan pulled off a shelf. Not “The Madison” or “The Brookfield” or whatever sounds good on a brochure.

Your home. Your name. Your life — designed and built around the way you actually live.

That’s what truly custom means. And this week, we’re showing you exactly what that process looks like from start to finish.

It Starts at the Table

Before anything gets drawn, before any software gets opened, before we ever talk about square footage or budgets — we sit down at the table and we listen.

How do you live? Where do you spend your mornings? Do your kids do homework at the kitchen counter or in their rooms? Do you need a mudroom that can handle three kids and a dog, or a quiet home office where you can close the door? Is the garage a parking spot or a workshop?

These aren’t small questions. They’re the questions that determine whether your home actually works for your life — or whether you’re just living inside someone else’s idea of what a home should be.

Larry and I aren’t salespeople. We don’t sit across from you with a pitch deck. We sit across from you with graph paper and a pencil.

From Sketch to Re-Sketch

Here’s something most people don’t realize about custom home design: the first sketch is never the final sketch.

We start on graph paper. Literally. Pencil, eraser, scale ruler. We sketch your layout based on everything you told us — how you live, what you need, what keeps you up at night about this decision. And then we look at it together.

And you say “what if the pantry was over here” or “could we flip the master to the other side” or “I didn’t think about where the dog crate would go.”

So we re-sketch. And sometimes we re-sketch again. Because this is YOUR home — and getting the layout right before we ever open the computer is how we make sure your money gets spent on the right design. Not a rushed one. Not a “close enough” one. The right one.

Detailed Construction Documents

Once the hand sketches are dialed in, we move into the full construction document set. This is where your home goes from pencil lines to detailed, construction-ready plans.

Every wall. Every window. Every door swing. Every cabinet. Every outlet location. Every beam, every header, every connection point — documented and dimensioned before we ever dig a foundation.

This isn’t a napkin sketch that gets handed to a framing crew with a “figure it out.” This is a full set of construction plans drawn by our team, in-house, so the people who designed it are the same people who build it.

That matters more than most people realize. When the same team that draws the plans also swings the hammer, nothing gets lost in translation.

3D Dollhouse Walkthroughs

This is the part that changes everything for our clients.

Watch the dollhouse design come to life — from 3D floor plan to full rendering in seconds.

Before a single wall goes up, you walk through your home in 3D. Not a flat rendering. Not a still image. A full dollhouse-style visualization where you can see every room, every sightline, every corner.

You see how natural light hits the kitchen in the morning. You see the view from the living room to the backyard. You see whether that hallway feels too narrow or that closet is big enough. You catch the things that are impossible to see on paper.

And you make changes when changes are free — not after the drywall is hung and the tile is set and someone says “I wish we had…”

We’ve been doing this for over two decades, and the 3D walkthrough is the single most valuable step in the process. Every time. Because it turns “I think I’ll like it” into “I know this is exactly what I want.”

Built on the Lot of YOUR Choice

We don’t steer you to our subdivision. We don’t push you toward lots we already own. We don’t limit your options to make our life easier.

You pick the lot. Your lot. The one YOU fell in love with — whether it’s in town, out in the country, in a development, or on a piece of family land that’s been waiting for the right time.

And we build your custom-designed home right there. On your terms. On your timeline. On your budget — locked in before we ever break ground.

Your budget — every cabinet, every faucet, every square foot — is set before we dig. No allowances. None. Your money matters and we spend it like it’s our own.

This Is What We Mean by The Rosewood Way

Envisioning. Sketching on graph paper. Re-sketching until it’s right. Detailed construction documents — 60+ pages. 3D dollhouse visualization walkthroughs. And then building it — hands on, tool bags on, Larry and I on the jobsite managing every trade from framing to trim to finish work.

That’s the process. That’s what truly custom actually looks like. Not a catalog. Not a model home you walk through and hope it fits your life. A home that was designed around you from day one.

We explore ALL options with every family we work with — build, remodel, or buy move-in ready. We don’t steer. We listen. We serve who our Creator opens doors to — every family, every budget, every story.

Two people with drive who met in 2003. Built a family. Built many homes for others. 23 years and counting.

A wise man once said… you don’t start what you can’t finish.

Watch the Full Process

We put together a short video that walks through every step — from first vision to finished home. If you’ve ever wondered what truly custom looks like, this is it.

Ready to Start the Conversation?

Whether you’re thinking about building from the ground up, remodeling the home you’re in, or you’re not sure which direction makes the most sense — it starts with a conversation. No pressure. No pitch. Just an honest discussion about what’s possible, what it costs, and how long it takes.

That’s The Rosewood Way.

— Larry & Rachael Weissenburger
Rosewood Homes & Real Estate | Since 2004
builtbyrosewood.com | 605-310-4475

Custom Homes | 3D Home Design | Remodeling | Buying & Selling
Sioux Falls | Brandon | Tea | Dell Rapids | Garretson

Confidence and Opportunity in Today’s Market

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A Weekend for Gratitude🎈 2026

Before anything else — thank you.

Thank you to every man and woman who has served this country. Memorial Day isn’t a sales event or just a long weekend. It’s a day to remember the people who gave everything so the rest of us could have days like the ones ahead of us this weekend.

Days spent with family. Days watching your kids grow up. Days where you get to sit in your driveway, look at your home, and know it’s yours.

That freedom started with someone else’s sacrifice. We don’t take that lightly.

Congratulations, Class of 2026

To every graduate walking across the stage this weekend — including our Harrisburg Tigers — congratulations. Whether it’s high school, college, or trade school, you did the work and you earned this.

This one’s personal for us. Our son Wyatt celebrated with his crew at the car show last weekend, and watching his friends show up for him — literally pick him up because he’s the biggest kid in the group — was one of those moments that sticks with you.

Wyatt and his friends celebrating at the Rosewood Homes Car and Vendor Showcase in Sioux Falls

To every parent watching your kid take the next step: it goes fast. Enjoy this weekend.

And to the graduates — the world is wide open. Whether your next chapter is here in Sioux Falls or somewhere new, we’re proud of all of you.

Our First Car Show — Thank You, Sioux Falls

Last Saturday, we hosted our first-ever Car & Vendor Showcase here in the Sioux Falls area. We honestly didn’t know what to expect.

Would people show up? Would it feel right?

They showed up. It felt right. And it was one of the best days we’ve had as a business and as a family.

Classic cars, hot rods, trucks, local vendors — and one very photogenic pup who stole the entire show.

Puppy with pink bandana in front of a classic blue hot rod at the Rosewood Homes Car Show in Sioux Falls

Thank you to every car owner who brought their ride, every vendor who set up a booth, and every person who just came out to enjoy the day. You reminded us why we love doing business in this community.

We’re already planning the next one. Stay tuned.

Let’s Talk About the Market — Honestly

We’re not going to sugarcoat it. The resale housing market in Sioux Falls has slowed down. If you’ve been watching the news or scrolling listings and feeling like things are… quiet, you’re not imagining it.

Here’s what we’re seeing:

The median sale price in Sioux Falls hit $322,550 in April — up 8.8% from last year. Prices are still climbing, but inventory is down over 34%. That combination means fewer homes on the market and buyers being more selective.

For sellers, that can feel discouraging. For buyers, it can feel overwhelming.

But here’s what 36 years of residential construction experience and over 200 homes have taught us: a slow market is not a bad market. It’s actually one of the best times to make a move — if you know what you’re looking at.

Why a Slow Market Can Work in Your Favor

If you’re buying a resale home: Less competition means more negotiating room. Sellers are more willing to talk. And when you tour homes with someone who actually builds them, you see things other buyers miss — foundation issues, roof age, mechanical systems that are about to become expensive. We don’t just help you find a home. We help you understand what you’re buying. And remember — you marry the house, you date the rate. Buy at today’s price, refinance when rates drop. The people waiting for perfect conditions will be competing against a flood of other buyers when rates finally come down.

If you’re selling: A slower resale market rewards preparation. The listings that sell are the ones priced with precision — not emotion — and presented with professional photography, smart staging, and honest pre-list improvements. That’s exactly how we approach every listing. Our selling process starts with a construction-backed valuation, not just comps.

If you’re thinking about remodeling: Remodeling is happening right now — and for good reason. Maybe you love your neighborhood but the kitchen hasn’t been touched since 2003. Remodeling lets you stay where you are and make the home fit how you actually live. And here’s the reality: material costs and labor rates go up every single year. Inflation doesn’t wait. The project you’re considering today will only cost more tomorrow.

If you’re thinking about building: Custom home building is alive and well — and the people building now are making a smart long-term decision. Land is still available in some great areas around Tea, Brandon, Harrisburg, Dell Rapids, Hartford, and the south, east, west and northern parts of Sioux Falls. Custom building means you’re designing your home around your life, your lot, and your budget — not settling for what someone else built. And with our 3D home design process, you’ll walk through every room before a single nail is driven. The truth is, nothing in construction gets cheaper. Materials, labor, land — it all goes up with time. Those who act now will look back and be glad they did. Whether you’re paying cash or financing, today’s buyers and builders are in a strong position — lock in today’s prices, and when rates come down, refinance. If you wait for lower rates, you’ll be competing with everyone else who waited too, and that demand drives prices up even more.

Exploring All Your Options — That’s the Point

Most agents can only help you with one piece of the puzzle. You want to buy? They’ll show you houses. You want to sell? They’ll write a listing.

But what if the answer isn’t that simple?

What if the right move is to sell your current home, remodel the next one, and use a builder’s eye to make sure you’re not inheriting someone else’s problems? What if you tour 20 houses and nothing fits — and the real answer is to build exactly what you need?

That’s why we built Rosewood the way we did. Three paths to the right home — buy, build, or remodel — all under one roof. One team. One conversation. No getting handed off to strangers.

Larry brings 36 years of residential construction experience. Together, we’ve been doing this since 2004. We’re licensed REALTORS®, custom home builders, remodelers, and designers. That’s not a pitch — it’s just how we work.

Sometimes just talking it through helps. You might not need a different house. You might need a different lens.

Search Homes on Your Terms

If you’re in browsing mode, we get it. Not every search has to start with a phone call. We have live MLS listings on our site — updated daily, searchable by area, price, and size. Browse on your own time. When you’re ready to talk, we’re here.

You can also set up property alerts so new listings hit your inbox before they show up on the big sites. No pressure. No algorithms. Just a real person sending you homes that actually match what you’re looking for.

What We’re Grateful For

This Memorial Day, we’re grateful for a lot.

For 23 years of building homes and relationships in the Sioux Falls area. For a son whose friends show up and literally carry him. For a community that came out to a car show on a Saturday and reminded us why we do this. For clients who trust us with the biggest investment of their lives. And for the men and women who made all of it possible.

If you’re spending this Memorial Day weekend with family — enjoy every second.

If you’re thinking about your next move — whether that’s buying, selling, building, or remodeling — we’re here when you’re ready. No rush. No pressure. Just a conversation.

Happy Memorial Day, Sioux Falls.

— Larry & Rachael Weissenburger
Rosewood Homes & Real Estate | Since 2004
builtbyrosewood.com | 605-310-4475

Custom Homes | 3D Home Design | Remodeling | Buying & Selling
Sioux Falls | Harrisburg | Brandon | Dell Rapids | Hartford

Download Our Free Guide

Not sure where to start? Our free guide walks you through the entire process — from first conversation to closing day.

Download The Rosewood Way — 7 Steps to Your Custom Home

How We Build Your Home Before We Build Your Home

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  • A builder who understands People ask us all the time what makes Rosewood different from other custom home builders in Sioux Falls. And we understand the question — from the outside, most builders probably sound pretty similar. Everyone says they do quality work. Everyone says they care about your budget. Everyone says they’ll stay in touch.

But here’s where it changes for us: by the time we break ground on your home, we’ve already built it.

Not a rough sketch. Not a concept drawing on a napkin. A full, working model of your home — every wall, every window, every material selection — built on screen before a single board is ordered or a spoonful of dirt is moved.

We call it building it twice. Once on the computer. Once on your lot.

(Watch the video below to see exactly what that looks like.)

It Starts with a Sketch

Every Rosewood home starts the same way: a conversation at the kitchen table with Rachael. Not a sales pitch. Not a form to fill out. A real conversation about how your family lives, what matters to you, and what you’ve been envisioning for your home.

From that conversation, Rachael sketches. She’s been building homes alongside Larry for 23 years — she doesn’t need a separate architect to interpret your ideas. She was sitting right there when you described them. She selects every material, inside and out, before anything gets built.

That sketch becomes a set of plans. And those plans become something most builders in the Sioux Falls market simply don’t offer: a complete 3D model that lets you walk through your home before construction ever starts.h

Why the Model Changes Everything

Think about what typically happens when you build a custom home. You pick a floor plan — maybe from a catalog, maybe from an architect you’ve met once or twice. You get an estimate based on general assumptions. Construction starts, and somewhere around month three, you start hearing phrases like “we ran into something” or “that’s going to be a change order.”

The National Association of Home Builders consistently reports that budget overruns remain one of the top concerns for families building custom homes. And in our experience across Sioux Falls, Brandon, Dell Rapids, Garretson, and the surrounding communities, the reason is almost always the same: not enough detail at the start.

That’s the problem the model solves.

When Larry builds your home on screen, he isn’t just creating something that looks nice in a presentation. He’s identifying and counting every material — from your foundation to your finish selections. Every cabinet. Every trim piece. Every square foot of flooring. Forty separate schedules tracking every component of your home.

That means accurate numbers from day one, not a rough estimate that shifts mid-build.

The Question You Should Be Asking

If you’re exploring custom home builders in Sioux Falls right now, you’re probably comparing websites, reading reviews, and trying to figure out who to trust with the biggest investment of your life. That’s smart. Take your time.

But here’s a question worth asking every builder you talk to: How detailed is your estimate before you break ground?

Because there’s a real difference between a builder who gives you a ballpark based on price-per-square-foot and a builder who has counted every material in your home before construction starts. One of those approaches leads to surprises. The other one doesn’t.

And When You Call, We Already Know the Answer

Here’s something our clients tell us they didn’t expect: when they call with a question during construction — “What tile did we pick for the master bath?” or “How wide is the pantry?” — we already have the answer. It’s in the model.

That’s not a small thing. When you’re building a home, uncertainty creates stress. Every unanswered question feels bigger than it is. Having a builder who can pull up your home on screen and walk you through the answer in real time — that changes the entire experience.

It’s also why Larry is reachable. When everything is documented and organized from the start, there’s no scrambling. No “let me get back to you.” No weeks of silence. The design-build approach we’ve developed over two decades at Rosewood was built specifically to eliminate those gaps.

What This Looks Like in Practice

Rachael leads the vision — the conversation, the materials, every selection inside and out. Larry takes everything she designs and builds it on screen. Then together, they build it on your lot. Same two people, every step.

No handoff to a stranger. No lost-in-translation moments between your designer, your architect, and your contractor — because at Rosewood, those are the same people. That’s what everything under one roof actually means.

We’ve been building custom homes across the greater Sioux Falls area since 2004. Every home we build goes through this same process — whether it’s a first home in Brandon, a forever home on your family acreage outside Tea, or a custom build on a rural lot where you can finally see the horizon from your own front porch. We’re not just city builders. Larry and Rachael travel to your land, walk your property, and design for the way you actually want to live — right there on the ground where your home will stand. The model. The schedules. The accurate counts. It’s how we work.

Ready to See How It Works?

If you’ve been thinking about building a custom home — whether it’s in town, on an acreage, or on the family farm — we’d love to show you exactly how this process works for your project. No pressure. No pitch. Just the roadmap.

Start with a conversation: Contact Rosewood Homes or call Rachael directly at 605-310-4475.

Not ready to talk yet? Start with our free guide: The Rosewood Way — 7 Steps to Your Custom Home

Larry and Rachael Weissenburger have been building custom homes in Sioux Falls, South Dakota since 2004. Rosewood Homes & Real Estate offers custom home building, home remodeling, 3D home design, and real estate services — everything under one roof. Licensed in South Dakota. Serving Sioux Falls, Brandon, Tea, Dell Rapids, Renner, Garretson, Hartford, Canton, Baltic, Crooks, Renner, and acreages throughout the greater Sioux Empire.

Introducing The Rosewood Way — A Free 7-Step Guide From Someday to Day One

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After more than two decades together, we finally wrote it down.

For over two decades, Larry and I have walked clients through the biggest home decisions of their lives — building from scratch, remodeling what they have, buying a home with a builder’s eye, or selling when a season changes. Every conversation starts the same way: someone calls us confused about where to start, and we spend an hour helping them figure out what path actually fits their situation.

So we decided to put all of it — every first conversation, every hard-earned lesson, every “wait, did anyone tell you this?” — into a single free guide.

We call it The Rosewood Way.

What’s inside

Seven steps. From “someday, maybe” to “here are the keys.” Written for anyone thinking about:

  • Building a custom home — whether you already own land or need help finding a lot
  • Remodeling the home you love in the neighborhood you love
  • Buying or selling with a REALTOR® who can actually tell you what a wall costs to move

No pressure. No pitch. No forms to fill out. Just the roadmap we’ve been giving clients in person for two decades, now in a format you can read at your kitchen table, share with your spouse, and come back to whenever you’re ready.

Why now?

Honestly? Because we’re in a season where more people are asking us questions than ever before. Empty nesters planning to right-size. Young families thinking about building their forever home in 2027 or 2028. Folks who love their location but not their layout. Homeowners wondering whether to remodel or sell. Everyone asking variations of the same question: “Where do I even start?”

This guide is where you start.

How to get it

Scan the QR code (if you have it) or visit the link below. Enter your name and email below and we’ll take you straight to the guide. No pressure, no sales call, no spam — just the roadmap.

builtbyrosewood.com/the-rosewood-way

If you read it and have questions — or you want to talk about your specific situation — call or text us anytime:

  • Rachael: 605-310-4475
  • Larry: 605-359-8503

We’re still who we’ve always been — not a corporate office, not a sales team. Just two people who’ve spent 22+ years building homes and relationships across Sioux Falls and the surrounding area, and we’d love to help with yours when the time is right.

— Rachael & Larry Weissenburger
Rosewood Homes & Real Estate, Inc.
Hands-on from first sketch to final key.

Custom Built in Mydland Estates — 910 S Johnson Creek Court, Harrisburg SD

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FEATURED CUSTOM BUILD | ROSEWOOD HOMES & REAL ESTATE

910 S Johnson Creek Court, Harrisburg, SD 57032
MLS #22600809 | $618,900

This Is What Happens When the Same Team Designs AND Builds Your Home

Every Rosewood home starts with a conversation. We sit down with you, listen to how your family actually lives, and design your home in-house, in 3D. You walk through your home before a single nail is driven. No outsourced architects. No cookie-cutter plans. YOUR home, built around YOUR life — and no two are ever the same.

910 S Johnson Creek Court is a perfect example of what’s possible. Five oversized bedrooms, three bathrooms, a fully finished lower level with family room, fireplace, and flex space — all sitting on a garden-level lot with views that are hard to come by. Custom built. Move-in ready. Priced at $618,900.

Your Next Chapter Has Options

Here’s the thing — today’s post isn’t just about one home. It’s about what’s possible when you have a builder, designer, and broker in your back pocket.

Dreaming about building custom? Picture waking up to pond views every morning from a home designed around YOUR life. We’ve got a brand new street open with just a handful of lots remaining along the water — and once they’re gone, they’re gone. Secure yours today. Or let’s talk about building in Sioux Falls, Harrisburg, or surrounding communities. Your lot, your vision.

Not sure building is the right fit? We totally get it. Let’s explore all the move-in ready possibilities together — we’re a licensed REALTOR® team and we’ll walk you through every option out there.

Love your home but wish it worked better? We renovate too. Same team, same quality, same attention to detail.

23+ Years. One Team. Everything Under One Roof.

We’ve been building custom homes for over 23 years. We’ve lived in one of our own homes for 20 of those years. That’s not a sales pitch — it’s how confident we are in the quality and longevity of what we build.

All things are possible. Let’s have a conversation about what fits YOUR life.

Ready to explore your options?

Explore Custom Homes | Browse All Listings | Contact Us

605-310-4475
info@builtbyrosewood.com
builtbyrosewood.com

Rosewood Homes & Real Estate, Inc.
Custom Home Builder + Remodeler + Designer + REALTOR®
Everything Under One Roof.

Just Listed: 2.33 Wooded Acres in Canterbury Heights — Your Blank Canvas Awaits

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Your HOME is your biggest investment — it should work for how you live, not the other way around.

 

That’s exactly what this lot is all about. We just listed 2.33 wooded acres in one of Sioux Falls’ most desirable subdivisions — Canterbury Heights.

Located at 5500 E York Circle, this property is a true blank canvas. The moment you step onto this land, you’re surrounded by mature trees that give you the kind of privacy and natural beauty that most lots simply can’t offer. This isn’t a cookie-cutter subdivision pad — this is 2.33 acres of possibility.

 

At $430,000, this is your opportunity to build something custom from the ground up in a location that checks every box — space, trees, privacy, and a Sioux Falls address.

 

Here at Rosewood Homes & Real Estate, this is exactly what we do. We bring 3D design, construction, and real estate together in one conversation. No runaround. No guesswork. Just a hands-on team with a listening ear and decades of proving it.

 

Whether you want to custom build from a blank canvas, remodel your existing home, or buy something move-in ready — your next chapter in Sioux Falls or surrounding areas has options. We handle it all under one roof.

 

Canterbury Heights is a community that speaks for itself. Beautiful homes, established lots, and the kind of neighborhood where you know your neighbors.

 

While you’re here, search all available Sioux Falls homes, land, and acreages right from our website. Save your favorites, set up listing alerts, and never miss a new property!

 

If this lot has your name on it — or if you know someone who’s ready for their next chapter — we’d love to connect.

 

Browse all listings at builtbyrosewood.com

605-310-4475

 

Larry & Rachael Weissenburger

Rosewood Homes & Real Estate

Custom Home Builder + Designer + REALTOR®

Everything Under One Roof.