The Best Time to Plant an Oak Tree Was 20 Years Ago…

I learned the value of a roadmap the hard way.

In 1996 I bought my first lot — five wooded acres at 10,000 feet on a Colorado mountain. After I closed, the county called and asked if there were 5–6 wells on the property. I told them no, it was raw land. They informed me I had set the record for the most money ever paid for a lot on Conifer Mountain.

I've been building custom luxury homes since 1991, and that purchase taught me what no salesperson will: set two budgets before you do anything else — one for land, one for the home. The Process Timeline below is what I wish I'd had then. Walk through it before you sign anything.

— Mark Jermano, Principal, Honka USA

There's a rewarding journey between buying land and stepping into your dream log home — and it's easier when you know the right path. Our Process Timeline lays out each step in order, helping you avoid costly mistakes and move forward with confidence. The best time to plant an oak tree was 20 years ago… The next best time is now.