Although he applied for his first job in the real estate development business on a whim, Rod Broussard soon learned that he had found his niche. While working for one of the largest land developers in the country, he developed several subdivisions in the area, including Indigo Lake Estates, Sendera Lake Estates, Sendera Ranch and White Oak Estates.

"I have heard people talk about musicians who can hear the song before they write the song. Painters see the picture before they paint the picture," Rod said. "I see the development before we ever put the roads in. I see how the roads are laid out. I see the entryway. I see how homes will be placed on lots. I can see children playing in the front yards.”

With such vision, it seemed only natural for Rod to form his own business so that he could put his own "thumbprint” on developments. So in 2000, Rod formed Broussard Properties and began developing Hilltop Ranch, an acreage subdivision located on F.M. 2854 near Montgomery. Hilltop Ranch is now sold out, but shortly thereafter, Rod began developing Old Kentucky Farms, another acreage subdivision, as well as The French Quarter on Lake Conroe and Lake Breeze, which are lakefront subdivisions. Later, he began developing an acreage subdivision near Centerville.

Rod grew up in Montgomery County and has no plans to leave, so he makes sure each community will enhance the area and will be one that his new neighbors will be proud of. One of the ways Rod accomplishes this is by envisioning new subdivisions through the eyes of buyers.

"If I am going to live here with my family, how would I want the roads to look? How would I want the lots to be laid out? It's not all about concrete and steel and wood," he said. "It's about families.”

When developing subdivisions. Rod works with technical experts to ensure that subdivisions have both sound engineering and esthetic appeal. He refuses to rush through the development of subdivisions, but prefers instead to take the time to do the job right. Even after a subdivision is sold out, Rod makes every effort to ensure it remains one that landowners will want to call home. He remains on property owners' associations as an ad hoc member if requested and always takes the calls of landowners.

"They all have my cell phone number," Rod said, "and my home phone number is listed.”

What Rod has discovered from these calls-and from prospective landowners who confess that they've "checked him out" -is that he enjoys a good reputation in Montgomery County's real estate development community. Although some homeowners might want all subdivision amenities to magically appear overnight, most residents are glad that Rod takes the time to do them right.

A perfect example is the new clubhouse at The French Quarter on Lake Conroe, Broussard Properties' gated luxury home development on Lake Conroe. The recently completed clubhouse features plantation-style; architecture; the adjacent swimming pool has a disappearing edge that makes the pool seem to blend into the waters of Lake Conroe. The clubhouse is so impressive, Broussard Properties has had several requests to rent it out for weddings. It is, however, for the sole use of the residents of The French Quarter on Lake Conroe.

Broussard Properties develops both lakefront and acreage subdivisions, specializing in communities where buyers can select their lots, then build their dream homes on them.