Welcome Carl!
Congratulations on your new home! I agree, for a "builder's landscaping" you came out ahead! Having had a "new built" home as well (a long time ago however) my husband and I found that the trees/bushes actually were all too large for the area when they started to mature; some where transplanted to other gardens we made or eventually tossed out as we redesigned our garden after approx. 5 years.
I know with the help of the NGA folks, good gardening idea books, AND your local nurseries, you will come up with a beautiful garden/yard that no other neighbor will have!! Remember one important thing. It will not happen over night unless of course, money is of no object!
