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One of the best parts of being a homeowner is decorating your space to reflect your personal style. Whether you like the classic farmhouse look, sleek modern design, or an eclectic mix decorating your home is a form of self-expression and a fun and creative opportunity.
While we know we can trust the classic home furnishing companies for many items in our homes, sometimes a space calls for something special. If you’re looking for a one of a kind antique, a handmade piece of furniture, local art, or an internationally sourced rug for your home in Atlanta – here are five home stores we love and recommend:
There are only a handful of Room & Boards across the US, and we’re lucky enough to have one in our backyard, here in Atlanta! This furniture store is located in the Westside Provisions District in a beautifully remodeled 1910-era meatpacking building. There are three floors filled with modern furniture and home decor for you to explore. Room & Board isn’t just a store – it’s an experience. Bring the kiddos and even your pets and enjoy Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams on the patio and watch the miniature trains under the footbridge. You’ll leave with a satisfied sweet tooth, inspiration, and hopefully some new, modern furniture for your home!
The furniture, rugs, art, lighting, and fashion at Westside Market’s Toco Hill and Midtown locations are truly one of a kind. What started in 2013 as a 10,000 sq feet space and a few merchants is now the largest market of its kind in Atlanta. Here you can find unique antiques, home accessories, authentic textiles, original art, Oushak, ikat, and Herati rugs, and so much more. We especially love this reclaimed vintage wood stool, this tufted wood ottoman, and this navy and red Herati rug which is currently on sale!
Located just a short drive outside of downtown Atlanta, in Smyrna, is a historic little house and a quaint chapel-turned-shop called The Bird & Bee. The home is called Gautchey House, and it was built in the 1890s. You’ll find that it’s now filled with women’s apparel, local jewelry, shoes, home decor, and gifts. In the chapel in the back of the Gautchey House shop, you’ll find plants, local art, repurposed lighting, and painted furniture. The Bird & Bee is worth a little day trip if you’re looking for unique and carefully restored furniture. You can even peek into the barn to see a painting job in progress.
If you’re in the market for something with local Atlanta pride, look no further than The Collective, a quaint little historic cottage turned gift shop in Inman Park. Here you can find southern succulents, antiques, collectibles, jewelry, local gourmet foods, baby gifts, quilts, pillows, pottery and more. The Collective is proud to produce products made by local artisans, craftspeople and entrepreneurs. Whether you’re welcoming someone to the neighborhood, want to display some Atlanta pride in your home, or give a little slice of home to a friend who’s moved away – The Collective is the place to go.
This gorgeous warehouse is your one-stop-shop for all things interiors. Their interior designer approved collection offers everything from antique home furnishings to sleek and contemporary lighting. You’ll be thrilled to find that the warehouse is filled wall to wall with a carefully curated collection of lighting, art, decor, and furnishings. There’s something for everyone at Interiors Market, and new inventory arrives daily. A Saturday spent wandering around the Interiors Market will leave you feeling inspired, and likely with a few new unique pieces for your home.
Show your local Atlanta pride, support the local economy and your neighboring makers, entrepreneurs, creatives, and dealers and have fun wandering through these historic little shops around your home city. Let your home tell your story with a collection of meaningful and carefully curated items you LOVE!
We’ve Got Your Back to Get You Back to Reality.
The home is trashed. The kids are stir-crazy with all their new gifts and school break still going. The tree’s still up, and that’s bringing you down. Welcome to the post-holiday blues. That’s actually a thing—seriously, do not go to #BackToWorkBlues on Twitter.
Fortunately, Lennar offers several antidotes to relieve the sugar crash after all those butter cookies and babka and the crush of family, friends, food, shopping, parties … Good times.
Did you know that January happens to be the best time to buy a new home? That’s according to a Dallas Business Journal. Additionally, Lennar’s ringing in the New Year with a slew of new communities opening soon with new homes for sale in Dallas, TX.
We’ll get to those in a moment. First, experts recommend several steps to beat that wiped out feel during the holidays’ wind-down:
And wouldn’t you know, new Lennar communities are coming soon all around the sports complex in Irving? Within 35 miles, you’ll find three: Bridgewater, with new homes for sale in Princeton, TX; Preserve at Honey Creek, with new homes for sale in McKinney, TX; and Fireside Park, with new homes for sale in Denton, TX.
There are plenty more new homes where those came from, with at least eight new communities soon joining the family of 82 Lennar communities throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, with Everything’s Included® in new homes. Talk about making you feel better!
Let’s not forget that getting out of the house is another proven way to lose those blues. Since January/winter really is the best time to purchase a new home, drop by Lennar’s Welcome Centers, contact the Dallas-Fort Worth Internet New Home team at (866) 314-4477 and visit our website.
Lennar Utah is excited to announce The Grove, a new community of upscale townhomes in Herriman is now pre-selling. Set in a prime location close to the Mountain View Corridor, this community will be a great opportunity for families looking to move into a low-maintenance home complete with Everything’s Included® features at no additional cost.
“We are thrilled to announce this new community of contemporary townhomes has released its first homes for sale,” said Dave Prolo, Divison President of Lennar Utah. “It’s a great location with easy access to Salt Lake and Lehi and homeowners will also benefit from wonderful community amenities.”
The Grove offers a collection of new attached townhomes for sale available in two spacious floorplans. Home sizes provide approximately 1,890 to 1,956 square feet of living space with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Prices are anticipated to start from the high $200,000s.
Every home showcases Lennar’s signature Everything’s Included® program which provides high-end features and upgrades at no additional cost. Items include quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, luxury vinyl plank flooring and integrated home automation products as standard.
Once completed, homeowners will also have exclusive access to amenities such as a clubhouse and swimming pool to keep cool during the warmer months. The VIP interest list for this community is now forming. Models are expected to open later this fall.
Join the VIP List for your best chance to purchase during the first sales release. To learn more visit www.lennar.com/utah or call (801) 960-2751.
About Lennar Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation’s leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar’s Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title insurance and closing services for both buyers of Lennar’s homes and others. Lennar’s Rialto segment is a vertically integrated asset management platform focused on investing throughout the commercial real estate capital structure. Lennar’s Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. Previous press releases and further information about Lennar may be obtained at the “Investor Relations” section of Lennar’s website, www.lennar.com.
Whether you’re a recent college graduate considering homeownership or a long-time renter who’s been whittling away at your student debt, there’s a lot to consider in regard to your student loans and how they may affect your ability to buy real estate.
How Student Loans Affect Your Credit
When you take out student loans, your loan balance (or the amount of student loans you have) doesn’t affect your credit score. Instead, what causes your score to go up or down is whether you’re making payments on time or missing payments.
If you’ve missed any payments, now is the time to create a budget to ensure that you make regular payments on your school loan. Keep in mind that it can take up to seven years for that missed payment to come off of your credit report.
Student Loans and Buying a Home
When you apply for a mortgage loan, your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is one of the main factors that lenders take into consideration. DTI compares your total recurring monthly debt with your total monthly income. Making timely payments on your student loans strengthens your FICO® score, which makes you more likely to be approved for your mortgage loan.
In order to calculate your DTI, add up your recurring monthly debt and divide it by your gross monthly income.
In general, lenders want to see a DTI of 43% or less before they approve a loan. However, some lenders will look for a DTI as low as 36% before they consider lending.
More than half of non-homeowners say their DTI keeps them from qualifying for a mortgage. To keep this from happening from you, create a financial plan that allows you to chip away at your loans at a pace you can handle. You may surprise yourself at how much of a dent you can make in your loans by making regular payments.
By understanding the way student loans affect credit, you can act on that knowledge and work toward getting approved for a mortgage loan, even with student debt on your credit report.
To help young professionals, including those burdened by student loan debt, better understand the homebuying process, Lennar has launched new workshop series called Make Your Move. Click here to learn more about this innovative program and RSVP for the next event today!
Lennar, the nation’s largest homebuilder, is thrilled to offer a diverse collection of home designs for sale in the Spring Hill area. Sawgrass is a brand new community featuring the Classic Collection of homes, and is NOW SELLING five distinctive home designs. Sizes range from 1,800 to over 2,500 square feet or living space, with up to four bedrooms, and three bathrooms. Prices start from the high $200s.
Spring Hill is a serene, and quickly growing city located about 30 miles south of Nashville. Spring Hill is in HIGH demand, and you will find a wide range of parks and outdoor recreation, festivals, events, and a rich history. For those looking for a small town feel with the conveniences of a city, then new homes in Spring Hill are perfect!
Every new home Lennar builds is part of their signature Everything’s Included® program and showcases a high level of standard features that come at no additional cost. The new residences feature Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ home designs for whole-home internet coverage, stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, integrated home automation products and more – all as standard.
Model homes are open for Sawgrass seven days a week at the Welcome Home Center, located at 109 Southwind Run in Spring Hill – directly off Tom Lunn Road. For more information, visit www.lennar.com/new-homes/tennessee/nashville/spring-hill/sawgrass/classic-collection, and call our Internet Sales Consultant, Erin, to schedule your tour at (615) 236-8076.
About Lennar
Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation’s leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar’s Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title insurance, and closing services for both buyers of Lennar’s homes and others. Lennar’s Rialto segment is a vertically integrated asset management platform focused on investing throughout the commercial real estate capital structure. Lennar’s Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. Previous press releases and further information about Lennar may be obtained at the “Investor Relations” section of Lennar’s website, www.lennar.com
The wait is almost over! Lennar Reno will be Grand Opening their Arvada and Peavine Trails collections at Stonefield on Saturday, January 18th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public is invited to come out and tour the professionally decorated models, which showcase innovative home designs fit for every stage of life, as well as an array of Everything’s Included® features that come standard. Plus, enjoy complimentary bites from 12 to 2 p.m., a live radio, and fun atmosphere as you explore these new homes for sale in Reno.
“Beautifully situated in the North Valleys, the Stonefield masterplan is a wonderful place to call home and raise a family, which is why we’re so excited to Grand Open two new collections,” said Dustin Barker, Division President for Lennar Reno. “So round up the family and come tour the models and discover your dream home only minutes from freeways, shopping centers, well-regarded schools and dining opportunities.”
With two collections, families of every type can find their perfect Lennar home at Stonefield. Arvada offers two designs ranging from approximately 1,614 to 1,823 square feet, including three bedrooms, two and one-half bathrooms and two-bay garages. Peavine Trails offers four designs ranging from approximately 2,021 to 2,590 square feet of living space, including up to three to four bedrooms, two and one-half bathrooms to three bathrooms and two-bay garages.
Floorplans will check every box on your dream home checklist. Experience open living areas that were designed for entertaining, upscale kitchens, sophisticated master suites and flexible bonus rooms per plan. Additionally, every new home enjoys Lennar’s signature Everything’s Included® program, where desirable features and upgrades come as standard, meaning no extra cost. Enjoy stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, home automation, energy-efficient technology and much more.
Life in Northern Nevada is unlike anything else. Surrounded by beautiful scenery, the great outdoors and an abundance of shopping and entertainment, there’s something here for everyone. And from Stonefield, countless of these desirable amenities are just a short drive away. Explore a plethora of local parks nearby or escape the city for a few days and visit the scenic Lake Tahoe. What makes Reno such as a great place to call home is its perfect balance of a live-work-play lifestyle.
To attend the event, please visit the Welcome Home Center located at 8969 Wolf River Drive in Reno, Nev. 89506. For more information, go to www.Lennar.com/Reno.
Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation’s leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar’s Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title insurance and closing services for both buyers of Lennar’s homes and others. Lennar’s Rialto segment is a vertically integrated asset management platform focused on investing throughout the commercial real estate capital structure. Lennar’s Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. Previous press releases and further information about Lennar may be obtained at the “Investor Relations” section of Lennar’s website, www.lennar.com.
Lennar Seattle is thrilled to announce three new communities will Grand Open later this month in Marysville, Fife and Black Diamond. Each event will offer attendees the first opportunity to tour model homes, enjoy complimentary bites and explore incredible new home opportunities.
“We are so excited to present these three upcoming communities this month and start off 2020 with a bang,” said Bill Salvesen, Division President for Lennar Seattle. “With several different collections of home designs and a variety of price points, these are great opportunities for home shoppers at different stages of life.”
Autumn Vista in Marysville will be the first Grand Opening and take place on Saturday, January 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees will enjoy complimentary food from a local food truck and tour two new model homes. It will be the first Lennar Grand Opening and community in the city of Marysville.
Carrington in Fife will Grand Open the following weekend on Saturday, January 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees will enjoy complimentary sweet treats from a mini doughnut food truck and the tours of two brand-new model homes.
Grand Opening the same weekend on Saturday, January 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. is the Storybook Cottages at the Ten Trails masterplan in Black Diamond. There will be a complimentary coffee truck, fresh baked cookies and four model homes from the brand-new collections. Home shoppers will be able to tour the brand-new models along with models from the other collections Lennar offers within the masterplan.
Each home Lennar builds comes complete with the homebuilder’s signature Everything’s Included® program, providing upgrades and features at no additional cost. Notable items include granite or quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ designs for whole-home coverage.
To learn more about these communities and to see locations for each event, visit www.lennar.com/seattle.
About Lennar Corporation Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation’s leading builders of quality homes for all generations. The Company builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar’s Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title and closing services primarily for buyers of the Company’s homes and, through Rialto Mortgage Finance, originates mortgage loans secured primarily by commercial real estate properties throughout the United States. Lennar’s Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. Lennar Ventures drives Lennar Corporation’s technology and innovation strategies. For more information about Lennar, please visit www.lennar.com.
January 10th is National Cut Your Energy Costs Day, a holiday dedicated to conserving energy, a practice that protects the planet and saves you money. While you’re surely in love with Lennar’s elegant design features, you might not be aware that the inside of the home is filled with modern energy-efficient features that add value to your home and keep money in your pocket.
Don’t Touch the Thermostat
While you may be used to manually changing the temperature in your home with the time of day and the seasons, a programmable thermostat allows you to set temperatures based on the home’s activity level, like your family being asleep or everybody being out at work or school.
Each Lennar Tampa home comes equipped with a Honeywell Lyric Round® Wi-Fi thermostat that connects to your device, which saves energy while you’re away and turns the HVAC on when you’re pulling into the driveway.
Energy-Efficient Appliances
When you’re moving into a new home, it’s important to keep in mind the cost that big appliances like refrigerators, washers, and dryers will bring. In addition to the up-front cost, these appliances can be big energy drains over time.
To combat this, Lennar Tampa homes come standard with GE® ENERGY STAR® appliances. Aside from being state-of-the-art, aesthetically pleasing additions to your home, ENERGY STAR® appliances use up to 50% less energy than standard models, saving you money both up front and in the long run.
WaterSense® Makes Sense
In addition to energy-efficient appliances throughout your home, the faucets in your kitchen and bathroom will also come standard with Moen® Eco-Performance faucets. A WaterSense® certification ensures that your faucets will be using up to 32% less water when compared to standard models.
When you use a WaterSense® certified product, you’re ensuring that you’re not only reducing your environmental impact, but your out-of-pocket cost each month as well.
From shutting off the air conditioning when you aren’t home to making sure every drop of water has a purpose, Lennar homes are full of features that ensure you’re stretching every dollar as far as possible while drastically reducing your environmental impact. For more information on the benefits of living in a Lennar home, be sure to Like Lennar on Facebook.
You may have heard about the recent decluttering trend in homes, but have you put a plan of your own into motion? If 2019 brought an abundance of extra items into your living space, then 2020 is all about getting rid of what you don’t need — and keeping the things that serve a purpose in your life.
With a brand new home that’s as clean as you need it to be, you can sit back, relax, and take in the best things that life has to offer. Take a look at our favorite tips and tricks to declutter your stuff.
Decide What to Store: Before you start, it’s a good idea to “assess your mess” and make a smart decision about how much storage you may want to buy. Go through each room and envision the bins you’ll need to keep everything clean and tidy, whether it’s fabric bins for a playroom or plastic bins for a food pantry.
Use Your Doors: Don’t underestimate the versatility of doors! The back of a door can be a life-saver. For instance, if your child’s room is becoming tight, an over-the-door shoe organizer will free up space that can be used for other things like sports or activities bags, hobby equipment, and more.
Clean Your Closet: First things first, ask yourself: “do I really need it?” Donate items you don’t wear or that don’t make you feel great, and keep the ones you love. You’ll be amazed at how much easier (and more enjoyable) it is to step into a clean, organized closet that only holds the things you love.
Free Up Your Fridge: It’s so easy for a refrigerator to become cluttered with food, no matter how big or small your family is. Because boxes, containers, and bags that hold leftovers take up so much space, put your food in your own tupperware and label them with the date you took the food home.
Stay Trendy: A beautiful storage ottoman is not only a comfortable seat in your master bedroom, it’s a great way to keep items off the floor. Similarly, functional and stylish ladder shelves are perfect for picture frames, candles, succulents, watches and jewelry, books, and so much more.
Organize Recipes: We all grow attached to our favorite recipes, but that doesn’t mean we need the whole cookbook. One way to free up extra space in your kitchen is to scan the recipes you use and love from cookbooks, cut out your favorites from magazines, and organize them into clear pages in a binder.
Start Small: If you’re ever feeling overwhelmed, a great way to destress is to do simple tasks like making your bed. A few quick ways to clear your home (and your head) are to fluff up and organize the pillows on your couch, straighten up your rugs, dust off counters and windows, and wipe down tables.
At Lennar Philly Metro, we have a good feeling that 2020 is going to be your best year yet. With a little decluttering in your spacious and comfortable home, you have the chance to start off every day with a breath of fresh air. We hope you have a wonderful start to the new year!
