Design-Build, Project Management & Real Estate Development in State College, PA 

Parra Design & Build is a full-service design-build firm and real estate development company based in State College, Pennsylvania, founded by husband-and-wife team Josh and Lizzie Parra. With backgrounds in architecture-inspired design, residential construction, real estate brokerage, and property development, they bring a uniquely integrated approach to home renovation and investment projects throughout Centre County and Central Pennsylvania.

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Josh and Lizzie met in State College in 2003 while Lizzie was completing her Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts at Penn State University and Josh had just completed four honorable years of service in the United States Marine Corps Infantry. A State College native, Lizzie relocated to Boston with Josh in 2004, where the two began building their careers as entrepreneurs.

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While living in Boston, they became deeply involved in the real estate and residential services industries. In 2008, they founded a real estate brokerage, successfully brokering millions of dollars in residential real estate transactions. In 2010, they launched a pet care company that quickly became one of the city’s most respected, earning the Boston A-List Awards for Best Dog Walker and Best Pet Sitter every year the company was in operation.

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Throughout this time, Josh and Lizzie continued working closely with real estate clients—supporting home purchases, property sales, decluttering, staging, and interior design services. This hands-on experience with how people live in their homes helped shape their philosophy: great design must be both functional and personal.

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In 2014, the couple welcomed their son, Ignacio, and set their sights on returning to State College, Pennsylvania to be closer to family. During this transition, Josh apprenticed with a local real estate developer before being recruited as an Acquisitions Manager, where he worked directly with distressed homeowners, negotiated property sales, and collaborated with development teams throughout all phases of residential renovation and construction projects. At the same time, Lizzie continued overseeing daily operations of their Boston-based pet care business. After years of growth, they successfully marketed and sold their company, allowing them to return to State College full-time.

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Josh maintains an active Real Estate Broker License in Massachusetts and has earned his Associate Broker License in Pennsylvania. He also brought eXp Realty to Central Pennsylvania, expanding opportunities for buyers, sellers, and developers while supporting Parra Design & Build’s own investment and renovation projects.

Today, Parra Design & Build specializes in:

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• Whole-house renovations

• Single-family gut remodels

• Home additions

• Interior design and space planning

• Investment property acquisition and redevelopment

• Construction project management​

 

By combining design, construction, and real estate expertise under one roof, Parra Design & Build delivers cohesive, high-quality results for homeowners and investors throughout State College, Centre County, and surrounding Central Pennsylvania communities.