Menu
As the kids are heading back to school, it is time to start pulling out the fall decorations and autumn activities. Autumn allows for beautiful displays of lavish earthy tones, pumpkins, gourds and an abundance of outdoor activities. This season also offers the perfect opportunity to spice up your décor with the help from the kids in their spare time.
As the leaves begin to change and fall, you can run outside to pick the best colors and bring them inside for a fun project. Mod podge them to a Mason jar and tie a hemp or mesh ribbon around the neck for a festive candle jar or pencil holder for the school room.
Once things start to cool down, it is always fun to visit the pumpkin patch to get ready for the annual carving contest. You can even pick some little pumpkins and gourds to bring home for the center of your table. If you’re not one for having real pumpkins as your centerpiece, you could create your own pumpkins using aluminum dryer vents. You simply coil them in a circle and spray paint them orange. Add a cinnamon stick to the center and you have a great looking centerpiece.
If you are looking for another fun outdoor activity, this time of year is perfect for visiting apple orchards with your family. Homestead Orchard in Maple Plain is a family farm which features 8,000 apple trees, strawberry and raspberry patches, pumpkin patches and a petting zoo. Applewood Orchard in Lakeville is also a lively apple-picking destination on the southern side of the metro.
Minnetonka Orchards is another great spot for apple picking as well as corn mazes and your furry friends are welcome to join. There are so many fun activities to enjoy! Once you find your way out of the maze, you can stop by the Brat house, Donut Hut, Caramel Apple House or even the petting zoo.
Enjoy the beautiful cool weather and have some fun bringing harvest time home with you. Fall being a short season gives us all the more reason to enjoy it to its full potential. So enjoy the sights, smells and aromas that come along with this beautiful season.
A collection of three-story, single-family homes by Village Builders is coming to the new west Houston community of Upland Preserve, a luxury urban retreat just north of Interstate 10 minutes west of the Sam Houston Parkway.
Located at 1415 Oak Steam Drive, Upland Preserve offers 53 home sites in a gated setting featuring the new Bella Fleur collection by Village Builders.
Plans for this urban collection of new homes feature rooftop terraces with first and third-floor bedrooms including an inviting master suite with en suite master bathroom. Ranging from 1,937 – 2,900 square feet, these detached, single-family homes also feature second-floor gourmet island kitchen, breakfast room, spacious family room, study and other living spaces with eleven-foot ceilings.
Its signature rooftop terrace, typically found in urban settings, is ideal for a morning cup of coffee or for entertaining at night.
“The community is ideal for buyers seeking a luxury, lifestyle home in an urban setting just minutes from CityCentre, fine dining, shopping and entertainment,” says Lenore Kimmel, director of sales for Village Builders. “Plus, it offers easy access to I-10 and is in close proximity to the Memorial Hermann – Memorial City Medical Center and other major employers.”
A new Upland Preserve model home by Village Builders is expected to open in the fall.
In the meantime, those interested in learning more about new homes by Village Builders in west Houston’s Upland Preserve can call 888-671-8175 or go to http://www.villagebuilders.com/houston/upland-preserve-bella-fleur-collection.
Village Builders is part of Lennar Corp., established in 1954 as one of the nation’s leading homebuilders.
Lennar has expanded its presence in the Tomball area community of Woodtrace where the award-winning homebuilder will add new homes starting in the $280’s.
Single and two-story plans from Lennar’s Camden Collection, the homebuilder’s newest home designs suitable for all lifestyles, range from 2,034 – 3,175 square feet with features including gourmet island kitchen, open-concept family room with corner fireplace, spacious secondary bedrooms and inviting master suite with large, walk-in closet and en suite bath.
Its two-story model home at 549 Rolling Rock is a four-bedroom, three-bath showcase spanning 2,941 square feet. The impressive Broadway plan features an inviting front porch and entry foyer, island kitchen with adjoining dining room, generous family room, master suite, four spacious bedrooms, walk-in utility room, game room and relaxing covered patio.
Lennar’s new Woodtrace model is open daily: Monday, noon – 7 p.m.; Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, noon – 7 pm. Move-in ready homes by Lennar also are available.
Also coming to Woodtrace is Lennar’s The Home Within a Home, two homes under one roof combining a luxury home with a full private suite featuring separate and private front entry, bedroom, bathroom, optional laundry area, kitchenette and living area. The Home Within a Home plans in Woodtrace include Lennar’s top-selling Westbrook plan, complete with private garage just off the suite.
To reach Woodtrace, take State Highway 249 north, go one mile north of Decker Prairie Road/Hardin Store Road and turn left on Woodtrace Boulevard into Woodtrace.
Lennar is part of Lennar Corp., established in 1954 as one of the nation’s leading homebuilders.
To learn more about Lennar’s new homes in Woodtrace and other top-selling Houston communities, go to www.lennar.com. Also, follow Lennar at www.facebook.com/Lennar.Houston.
19% of people who bought or sold a home in the past year made a bid on a home before viewing it in person, according to a recent survey conducted by Redfin. Could this be the start of a new trend in the way people buy their homes? Find out more about this type of home buying in this recent Redfin article by Alina Ptaszynski.
When Jason Wooten decided to buy a home in Denver, he knew it might be an atypical experience. Jason lives in Alaska. Knowing that Denver is one of the most competitive real estate markets in the country, Jason was prepared to move quickly when a property he liked hit the market. He realized that he likely wouldn’t be able to see homes in person before making an offer.
“If I wanted to see every property in person, it might take days to arrange for travel there and the property would be gone by then,” said Wooten. “When my condo came on the market, the seller provided good photos and I did a tour via Facetime with my Redfin agent. I felt comfortable with everything and had an offer in that day.”
Jason was under contract that evening. He closed on his home last week and will see his home for the first time when he flies into town this week.
Buyers of high-end homes were almost twice as likely to have made offers on homes sight unseen. Thirty-nine percent of people who bought homes for more than $750,000 made offers without seeing homes in person.
For overseas or out-of-state buyers like Jason, bidding sight unseen is the only option. But offer deadlines and competition from other buyers are additional factors that can drive blind bids. Investors who purchase multiple distressed or foreclosed properties as an investment often do so without seeing homes first.
When possible, many buyers will send a friend or family member to tour the home in their place before making an offer. Karla advises having an inspection and including an inspection contingency in the offer, if possible. The agent or inspector can video stream the inspection so that the buyer can follow along and ask questions and feel confident that they know about any issues or problems with the home. The inspection contingency and other contingencies provide an “out” for buyers should they find something out about the home that makes them not want to move forward with the purchase.
[Read the full article here]
Las Vegas, Nev. – August 2016 – In an effort to make buying your dream home easier for customers, Lennar has created a new VIP program that gives priority to buyers who show interest in a new Lennar home on a first come, first serve basis.
“We are thrilled to be offering this new program to our prospective buyers,” said Ashley Max, Marketing Manager for Lennar Las Vegas. “We’ve heard from our buyers that buying a new home is a much less stressful and more fulfilling process when they know that the home they want, they are going to get!”
The new program is being enacted at all of their new communities and they encourage interested homebuyers to act fast when they see a home in a community that might be their perfect fit. As a VIP, homebuyers are allowed to reserve their favorite homesite in the community of their choice prior to the home coming onto the market.
Once a home is released, Lennar Las Vegas will give notification to the VIPs in priority order. They then have 24 hours to accept the position. A $1,000 deposit is required to join the program, but will later count toward the purchase of a home.
The Canyons, a brand new gated community located in a prestigious area of Green Valley in Henderson is already building up its VIP list. This community is highly desirable, not just for it’s prime location, but also for the contemporary architecture that has not yet been built in this area. The Canyons will offer two-story homes that range from approximately 3,194 to 3,628 square feet. More details are available for customers who inquire.
Rose Ridge is another brand new community coming soon to Henderson and also offers the convenient VIP program. Rose Ridge is gated and features a large community pool and modern outdoor pavilion with barbeque areas. Homes at Rose Ridge will range from approximately 1,699 to 3,128 square feet and will have single- and two-story floorplans to choose from.
Anyone interested in the program is encouraged to visit www.lennar.com/lasvegas or call (855) 857-9304.
With hundreds of communities nationwide and homes designed for first-time, move-up and luxury homebuyers, Lennar has grown to become one of the nation’s leading and most respected homebuilders and proudly remains steadfast in their commitment toward quality, value and integrity. Lennar has a longstanding history of building exceptional homes in only the most well planned and desirable locations throughout the country.
While it may not be the easiest to pick up and move to a new, bigger home, sometimes it could be a good solution to consider when you and your family have outgrown your home. This recent Market Watch article by Brooke Niemeyer, shares 6 things to consider if your family has outgrown your home.
What will your commute to the office be like?
It’s important to think about what affect your move will impose on your commute to work. Wacksman recommends asking yourself how long you are willing to spend on your commute and if there are good public transportation alternatives you can consider. In addition to how long you’ll spend going to and from the office, you may want to think about the cost of your commute and see if it fits into your budget.
What will your budget allow?
Your commute may cost more or less, depending on where it is in relation to the office, but that’s not your only expense. Of course, if you’re looking for a new home to accommodate your growing family, it’s likely going to cost you more money. Review your budget — including what bills and loans you have to pay — and get an idea of what you have left to pay for a new home. To help, you can use this tool to discover how much house you may really be able to afford.
How’s your credit?
Your credit is a determining factor in what mortgage you get, including the interest rate terms and additional charges that may accompany your home loan. It’s a good idea to look at your credit before you apply for a mortgage so you have an idea of where you stand and if you should do any work to improve your credit before applying so you can get better terms and conditions. You can get a copy of your free annual credit reports from each of the major credit bureaus — Equifax EFX, +0.37% , Experian EXPN, -0.85% and TransUnion — by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com. You can also see two of your credit scores for free, updated each month, on Credit.com.
What new amenities do you need?
As you consider your home upgrade, decide what the ideal scenario looks like and what the absolute essentials are. “From additional bedrooms or bathrooms, to a larger yard or kitchen for entertaining, make sure to have a list of what features you and your family need most,” Wacksman said.
[Read the full article here]
LAKE WYLIE, S.C. – Crescent Communities is excited to partner with two homebuilders, Fielding Homes and Lennar, for its Paddlers Cove residential community at Lake Wylie.
Fielding Homes will be the featured homebuilder at Paddlers Cove, which will total approximately 550 homes when fully built out, while Lennar will be the featured builder at the adjacent Summerhouse at Paddlers Cove neighborhood, which will total approximately 170 homes.
Fielding Homes, a homebuilding company launched by Crescent in early 2016, will begin selling homes at Paddlers Cove in October. Located in a section of the community called The Reserve, the homes will range in size from 2,700 to 3,700 square feet, with prices starting in the low $300,000’s. Early next year, Fielding Homes will offer homes for sale in The Enclave starting in the mid $200,000’s and ranging in size from 2,120 to 3,165 square feet.
Lennar, one of the leading homebuilders in the U.S., is actively selling homes at Summerhouse at Paddlers Cove and expects to start construction in late August. At Summerhouse Meadows, Lennar is offering homes that range in size from 1,436 to 2,762 square feet and priced from the low $200,000’s to the low $300,000’s. At Summerhouse Summit, the company is offering homes ranging in size from 2,041 to 3,619 square feet and priced from the high $200,000’s to the mid $300,000’s.
“We are excited to partner with Lennar and Fielding Homes to bring our vision for this community to life, and we look forward to welcoming our first residents to Paddlers Cove and Summerhouse in the near future,” said James Martin, a vice president with Crescent Communities.
With beautiful homes and natural amenities located near Lake Wylie, Paddlers Cove offers a thoughtfully planned community for today’s families. In addition to lake activities such as boating, canoeing and kayaking, Paddlers Cove will feature a well-appointed amenity center with a pool and playground, and the neighborhood is conveniently located next door to Crowders Creek Elementary School and within walking distance of the new Clover Aquatic Center.
About Crescent Communities:
Crescent Communities, LLC is a leading real estate investment and operating firm creating long-term value by developing thoughtful, sustainable communities that improve people’s lives. Founded in 1963, Crescent’s original mandate as a land management company continues to inform its commitment to the wise stewardship of natural resources. The company finances, plans and develops residential, multifamily, mixed-used and commercial properties and land assets, valued in total at $1.2 billion. Crescent is recognized for its innovative approach to development, robust capital deployment, seasoned leadership team, and proven model of sustainability. For more information about Crescent Communities visit www.crescentcommunities.com.
Tucson, Ariz. – September 2016 – Lennar will be hosting a special event on Wednesday, September 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. beginning at one of their communities located in Marana, Signatures at Tortolita Reserve, which is down to its last final few homes for sale. Prospective buyers are invited to come learn about the final opportunity to live in a great neighborhood, and from Signatures at Tortolita Reserve, attend an exclusive sneak peak of Lennar’s Eagles Summit community, located in Oro Valley, before the official grand opening event.
“We are so excited to show the community what we have to offer them,” said Tom Gansheimer, Division President for Lennar Tucson. “This event is intended to show the public what one of our nearly completed great communities has to offer and get a sneak peek at a brand new one.”
At Signatures at Tortolita Reserve, a few homes remain including the Aurora plan. This home provides approximately 2,856 square feet of living space in a great single-story design. With four bedrooms, a game room, three bathrooms and a split three-bay garage, this home provides a great layout with enough room for every member of the family. This home is priced from the $300,000’s
At Eagles Summit, attendees are invited to go a “Dusty Shoe” model tour, giving them a sneak peek at the progress of the model homes being built. This is a great opportunity to preview this beautiful new community before the grand opening later this fall.
Eagles Summit is set within the 7,600-acre masterplanned Rancho Vistoso community that offers great recreational amenities from parks, to playgrounds, basketball and volleyball courts, trails and much more. Lennar’s Eagles Summit offers four distinctive floorplans with homes ranging in size from approximately 2,594 to 3,173 square feet, up to four bedrooms and three bathrooms.
Save the date for Wednesday, September 21 from 4 to 7 p.m. for this special event. Beginning at Signatures at Tortolita Reserve, the “Dusty Shoe” tour at Eagles Summit will take place at 6 p.m. Interested parties should RSVP to Jill jones at either jill.jones@lennar.com or by calling (520) 631-5912.
For more information on these communities or new homes in the Tucson area, visit www.lennar.com/tucson.
With hundreds of communities nationwide and homes designed for first-time, move-up and luxury homebuyers, Lennar has grown to become one of the nation’s leading and most respected homebuilders and proudly remains steadfast in their commitment toward quality, value and integrity. Lennar has a longstanding history of building exceptional homes in only the most well planned and desirable locations throughout the country.
As summer comes to an end and fall approaches, it’s not just the weather that changes. The real estate market changes just as the seasons do, possibly providing you with a perfect opportunity to buy a new home. Find out the benefits that come when buying a home during the fall season, according to this recent Trulia article by Laura Agadoni.
Fall real estate can be more of a buyer’s market
A buyer’s market means you, as a buyer, are in the driver’s seat. That’s good news if you’re home-hunting in the fall: There are typically fewer buyers after Labor Day. “This, of course, is dependent upon local market cycles,” says Michael Kelczewski, a Pennsylvania and Delaware agent. “But typically, families need to be settled into a home by the start of the school year.” And the date school starts can’t be moved. “This results in plenty of ‘fun’ conversations between spouses, as there’s no negotiating when they need to be in the house,” Connecticut agent Scott Elwell says.
Vacation-home sellers see action
Summertime is prime vacation season. Even Congress breaks for the entire month of August. After you’ve had a particularly lovely time at your summer getaway spot, you might consider buying a place in the area and going back every year. “If you start looking for a vacation home in the fall, you can have it purchased and furnished by spring,” says Tammy Berry, director of sales and marketing for Heritage Harbor Ottawa resort in Illinois. By purchasing in the fall, you can see what the area has to offer in the off-season.
Winter is also a popular vacation time, particularly for skiers and people who love ice-skating and snow tubing. If you buy at a ski resort in the fall, you can enjoy the resort yourself or earn some serious dollars renting the place to winter-wonderland enthusiasts. “Resort communities, like in Colorado and the Rocky Mountains, offer robust winter rentals,” says Tricia Mccaffrey Hyon, a Colorado agent. “Purchasing in the fall allows a buyer to see immediate rental income from their property during peak holiday times.”
Home prices, like leaves, fall
Many people list their home for sale during what they think will be the best time to sell: summer. And it often is. “Summer is peak selling season,” Mccaffrey Hyon says. But not everyone is successful. “When a property hasn’t sold by Labor Day, sellers will reevaluate asking prices, creating greater room for negotiation.”
[Read the full article here]
