Families looking for new homes have plenty of options around the Valley

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Tilia at Temperance is the latest offering from long-time Valley builder Wathen Castanos. The model homes, located at Griffith and Temperance, are open to the public on Saturday but some folks took in a VIP preview.

"I think that there is movement going on both with first time home buyers, the move-up buyers, and also people who have decided now they are empty nesters and they're moving down," said Peter Castanos, VP Marketing.

During the recession, Wathen Castanos became a niche builder and looked for distressed properties. But an improved economy has changed the Valley landscape and spurred new home construction.

"So now you're seeing more builders come into the area and start to turn dirt and develop land again and get back into the market that way," said Freddie Logue, Wathen-Castanos VP Construction.

If you drive through the Fresno-Clovis area you will notice new developments popping up in between established neighborhoods. Deyoung Properties has been active as well.

"Kind of nice that things are getting filled in that way and you're not getting all the developments going into the rural areas," said Logue.

For families who have more to spend and want more space Whisper Creek by Granville Homes is offering large homes on three-fourths of an acre at Teague and Fowler-- they start at $700,000.