Speculative Custom Home Development
Project Type: Custom single-family residence (speculative development)
Location: Schaffer's Mill Golf Community, Truckee, California
Project Size: 4,313 square feet | 6 bedrooms | 5 bathrooms
My Role: Land acquisition, development planning, design coordination, general contractor, construction management, and finish selection.
Project Overview
I developed and constructed a 4,313 square foot custom home within the Schaffer's Mill golf community in Truckee, California. The projectwas undertaken as a speculative development, with the home currently on the market for sale. I acquired the lot in 2021 after specifically selecting it for its privacy and setting. The property is located on a quiet cul-de-sac, backs directly to open space, and provides immediate access to the adjacent national forest trail system for hiking, biking, OHV use, and year-round outdoor recreation. I led the project through design, approvals, construction, and final completion. The objective was to deliver a high-quality custom residence aligned with the architectural standards, lifestyle expectations, and market demand of a premier mountain golf community.
The Challenge
Developing a custom home in a mountain community presents a distinct set of challenges, including architectural review requirements, environmental and site constraints, weather-related construction limitations, and the coordination of multiple trades within a defined building season.
As a speculative project, the home required careful balancing of design ambition, construction cost, and market appeal, with all decisions made prior to securing an end buyer. The design intent was to meet the expectations of a typical Bay Area or Southern California vacation-home buyer seeking a turn-key mountain property.
My Approach
I began by assembling and managing the professional team, working closely with the architect and engineers to develop a design that met community guidelines while remaining efficient and buildable. Plans were approved in 2023 following architectural and jurisdictional review.
I managed all pre-construction planning and scheduling, and served as the general contractor for the project. In that role, I subcontracted the work to qualified trade contractors and coordinated all aspects of construction, quality control, sequencing, and site management.
Design specifications, material selections, finishes, and fixtures were selected by my wife, Heather, with selective consulting support from an interior design professional. Our goal was to balance durability, comfort, and refined aesthetics appropriate for a high-quality mountain vacation home. We also oversaw furniture selection and staging to present the home appropriately for the market.
The Solution
Construction commenced in May 2024 following approvals and pre-construction planning. By maintaining direct oversight as general contractor, I was able to manage schedule, costs, and quality in real time, addressing issues as they arose and keeping the project moving efficiently through a challenging mountain build environment.
The home was designed with functionality for extended family use and shared vacations. Two downstairs primary suites allow for multi-generational occupancy or two families vacationing together, while the upper level includes a secondary, kid-friendly family room with an adjacent bunk room. This layout supports flexibility without compromising privacy or comfort.
The project was completed in September 2025, delivering a fully constructed and staged custom home ready for sale.
Design & Experience
The home was intentionally designed as a mountain-modern retreat aligned with the expectations of Bay Area and Southern California vacation-home buyers seeking a turn-key Truckee property. Large expanses of glass and carefully oriented living spaces create a strong connection to the surrounding forested setting and natural light, reinforcing the indoor–outdoor lifestyle central to Schaffer's Mill.
Interior and exterior design selections were completed by my wife, Heather, with selective consulting support from an interior design professional. Materials, finishes, and fixtures were chosen to balance durability, comfort, and refined aesthetics appropriate for a high-quality second home.
The layout supports flexible use for extended families and guests, while outdoor living areas were designed to extend the home’s functionality across seasons. A buyer-focused video was produced to visually and narratively communicate the home’s spatial qualities, finishes, and lifestyle experience, providing prospective buyers with a clear sense of how the home lives and feels.
The Outcome
The result is a high-quality, market-ready custom residence within one of Truckee’s premier communities. The home reflects careful attention to design, craftsmanship, and execution, supported by disciplined project management from land acquisition through completion.
Why This Matters
This project demonstrates hands-on development and construction leadership across the full lifecycle of a residential project. From speculative land acquisition and design through acting as general contractor and overseeing final presentation, I bring an owner’s perspective and accountability to every phase of development.
“Successful projects require disciplined planning, consistent execution, and attention to detail at every stage.”