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You’ve done it! You are buying a new home. It’s the American Dream – having a place to call home, a place to keep your most prized possessions. Buying your very first home is an exciting time and as you know it doesn’t just happen overnight. The homebuying process may start at least a year in advance, usually the first time you catch sight of a place that you can imagine yourself and your family living in. This is then followed by months of scrutiny on various styles of architecture, sizes of yards and qualities of school zones. Soon enough, you zone in on the perfect neighborhood, with the perfect home for you and your family. Then, comes the financial process, here are some financial tips and hacks for first time home buyers.
1. Get your financial home in order, the sooner the better. This will help you (and your potential lenders) know exactly how much home you can comfortably afford. Prepare a Net Worth Statement – a comprehensive report listing all your assets and debts. This will show you not only how much you can afford to put down, but equally importantly how much you can afford to pay each month.
2. Establish a monthly budget – a comprehensive report listing in precise detail all your current monthly expenses (credit cards, utilities, gas, food, etc.) Leave nothing out and label the first column “before.” Then in a second column list new or increased expenses, for example: your electric bill will likely be higher, and you should add things like property tax, utilities, homeowner fees, lawn care, maintenance, pest control, and other new needs and wants.
3. Know your credit score, because that’s how potential lenders are evaluating your creditworthiness. Potential lenders are looking for confirmation of your steady income, that you have the cash reserves for a down payment and that you have a good credit history. Start right away by pulling your FREE CREDIT REPORT from the major credit agencies (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian) and by identifying and updating any items listed incorrectly. Work with the credit agencies as well as the vendor in dispute to resolve each issue. And at least for the year or so that you are in the process of buying a home, consider one of the paid credit monitoring services to keep an even closer look.
• Credit Karma
• Identity Guard
• LifeLock
4. Be realistic with your expenses and plan for your future. Remember the commitment you are making with your new home loan is typically 20 to 30 years. So, spend careful time identifying your long-term goals such as travel, education, and retirement. Have a solid 20-year financial plan illustrating where you are, where you want to go and how you will get there. Check out the many reputable online resources for free financial advice, such as NerdWallet.
Whether you are just beginning your new home financing process, or you are closing tomorrow – stay on top of your financials to ensure security and happiness for you and your family for years to come. Stay tuned to Lennar’s Open Door Blog for more apps and hacks that will simplify your homeownership experience.
Congrats, you own a home! Your dream of being a homeowner is finally a reality. But lurking just beneath the euphoria is the realization that you’re on your own now. No building superintendent to fix a leak. No landlord to repair the air conditioner. Home maintenance and repairs are now your responsibility.
Maybe you have a homeowner’s warranty that protects you from major problems — but it’s not going to replace light bulbs or clean your gutters.
Here are five common problems new homeowners have (and how to solve them):
Your home might be made up of wood, metal, and fabric, but your yard is a living thing that requires your attention. If you’re starting from bare ground, you have to consider seeding or sodding and what grass and plants work best for your location. If your lawn is established, you have to think about watering (how often and how much?). Then there’s fertilizing (what kind and when?), spraying herbicide, (pre-emergent, post-emergent — what does that mean?), and mowing (how short, how tall?) Your first decision is whether to hire a lawn care professional or take on the work yourself. If you choose the latter, you’re in for a crash course on lawn care — and a trip to the store for a lawnmower, edger, fertilizer spreader, and weed whacker.
Water overflow occurs when your drain or toilet gets clogged. Whether the drain was clogged by hair or an entire roll of paper your 4-year-old flushed down the toilet, the first priority should be to stop the water immediately. Most sinks, lavatories, and toilets have a water cut-off valve on the wall where the water lines come in. If cutting that off doesn’t work, you will have to shut off the water at the meter in the yard. This involves a special key, available at home centers. While you’re there, arm yourself with a plunger, a can of drain cleaner, and a snake (a flexible rod that clears minor obstructions that you will eventually need). If you are not able to fix the problem, call a plumbing company and let the pros take care of it.
If your entire home goes dark during a storm, you’ll have to wait it out until the power company does its thing. But if the power goes out in just part of the home, a circuit breaker has tripped. This may be because you plugged too many things into a single circuit or because you have a power fluctuation or short circuit in your system. Every home has an electrical panel containing fuses or circuit breakers. Know where yours is located and which fuses or switches control each circuit. If your problem is a simple overload, the fuse has burned out or the switch for that circuit will have flipped itself to the off position. Unplug some appliances from the circuit and replace the fuse or flip the switch on again. If it goes out again, you may have a bigger problem. Call an electrician. Caution: You do not want to attempt any electrical work without killing the circuit.
One of the obligations of homeownership is changing the filter on your HVAC system. Although your air conditioner compressor is outside, your main unit is in a utility closet, basement, or attic and that’s where the filter is. The filter keeps dust and other gunk from being sucked into your blower fan, and if it’s not changed regularly, you’ll develop HVAC problems. Different units need different sized filters, and you’ll find them at home improvement centers. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on how often to change the filter — usually monthly or quarterly.
Even if your home is brand new, you’ll face handyman chores from hanging pictures to tightening knobs on kitchen cabinets. Start building your toolbox with the essentials right away.
Your starter toolbox should contain:
Most tools can be purchased online, and whether you need a common torque wrench or a specific type of drill press, there are plenty of buying guides on the internet to help you get the best tool. Your toolbox will get bigger as new needs come along.
Homeownership comes with challenges, but you’ll get the hang of it. Besides, investing a little elbow grease and sweat will put your personal stamp on your home.
Roselyn Jenkins is a real estate agent who spends much of her time fixing up and flipping old homes. Her specialty is creating eye-catching landscapes.
Hanford, Calif. – August 2019 – Lennar Central Valley is excited to announce the first handful of homes for sale at Ironsides from the Chateau Series and Skye Series will be released on Friday, September 6. Home shoppers are encouraged to get prequalified prior to the release for their best opportunity to purchase.
“We are so excited to release the very first homes for sale at Ironsides at the upcoming event,” said Susan Wilke, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Lennar Central Valley. “Both the Chateau and Skye series of home designs include a distinctive Next Gen® – The Home Within A Home® plan for multigenerational living.”
The Chateau Series at Ironsides offers five distinctive floorplans to choose from that range in size from approximately 1,787 to 3,167 square feet of living space. The homes feature three to five bedrooms and two to four bathrooms. Next Gen® is available in the Chateau Series in the Camelot home design.
The Skye Series at Ironsides presents four unique floorplans, all single-story, that range in size from approximately 2,029 to 2,570 square feet of living space. This collection of homes provides three to four bedrooms and two to three bathrooms, with Next Gen® available in the Solstice plan.
Lennar’s line of Next Gen® home designs was created for multigenerational households. Each one features an attached private suite complete with its own separate entrance, living room, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette.
Each new Lennar home at Ironsides also showcases the homebuilder’s signature Everything’s Included® program, which outfits every residence with popular features as standard. Notable items include stainless steel appliances, granite or quartz kitchen countertops, integrated home automation, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ designs for whole-home connectivity and more at no additional cost.
Homebuyers interested in the Chateau Series are encouraged to tour model homes at our Vistas community in Visalia. To tour the Skye Series model homes, visit our Gossamer Grove Community at 7th Standard and Collaway.”
Visit our Legacy Welcome Home Center to have a face to face with Joe Narvaro or Maria Parada for pricing information and to reserve your homesite at Ironsides! This community will sell fast, call today at 559-554-1147 or visit www.lennar.com/fresno.
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.
A new month is beginning, and that means new opportunities to meet people and make the most of living in Tampa Bay! This blog is your guide to making the most of your September and soaking up the lifestyle that living in Tampa has to offer. From book clubs to boat shows, the city of Tampa has a kind of culture that’ll encourage every type of person to participate.
September 4th – Mayor’s Food Truck Fiesta
Kick-off the new month and expand your palate with this food truck rally in downtown Tampa! Choose from a wide variety of local trucks serving all sorts of culinary crafts in Lykes Gaslight Square Park. This event occurs the first Wednesday of each month, so gather up a gang of friends and make yourselves regulars!
September 6th – Tampa Bay Boat Show
For boaters in the Tampa Bay area, the Progressive Insurance Tampa Boat show has become a can’t-miss event. Whether you’re looking for a slow-moving watercraft to fish from or a boat with a little more kick to tow your wakeboarders behind, the Tampa Boat Show has a vessel for every lifestyle, activity, and budget. Come to the Tampa Convention Center and see everything from personal watercraft on the floor of the hall to luxury yachts in the water just outside.
September 10th – Oxford Exchange Book Club
If you’re the type of person to talk your friends’ ears off after finishing a good book, Oxford Exchange hosts a number of book club nights every month where you and other bookworms can come talk about what you’re reading. On September 10th, the Oxford Exchange Book Club will be diving into We Love Anderson Cooper, a collection of short stories by author R.L. Maizes. Pick up a copy here and get ready to talk about your new favorite page-turners!
September 13th – 5th Annual Beer & Bow Ties
Armature Works is hosting an upscale event as a fundraiser for suicide prevention, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. Come spend the night enjoying complimentary offerings from some of Tampa Bay’s most premier dining, local craft brewers, and premium liquor brands. Enjoy live entertainment and art shows while you support a great cause and enjoy your night as you become a part of something bigger than yourself.
September 21st – Plant City Strawberry Classic Cruise-In
McCall Park and both sides of the railroad tracks in Historic Downtown Plant City are lined with over 300 awesome classic cars and trucks. Come enjoy fantastic live music and check out some of the mouth-watering food trucks that have been keeping the residents of Tampa Bay looking forward to the third Saturday of the month for 22 years!
Whether it’s classic cars or charity events, you’re sure to find a group of people you resonate with when you live in Tampa Bay. By following this blog, you’ll be sure to stay active all month long. When you meet people at these events, be sure to mention that you heard about it through The Open Door! You may even meet your neighbors. For more ways to stay connected, be sure to Like us on Facebook.
Woods Cross, Utah – August 2019 – Lennar’s Shamrock Village is a new community that’s selling quickly in Wood Cross and just released six new homes for sale. Each single-family home comes complete with the Everything’s Included® program, providing highly sought-after features and upgrades at no additional cost.
“We have had such great success at this community so far with each phase release selling out quickly,” said Dave Prolo, Division President for Lennar Utah. “I suspect these homes will be no different, so interested homebuyers should act fast for their best opportunity to purchase.”
Shamrock Village is a new community by Lennar that offers two distinctive collections of single-family home designs for sale in Woods Cross. Shamrock Village Estates features three floorplans that range in size from approximately 2,120 to 3,102 square feet. Shamrock Village Cottages offers two floorplans, which range from approximately 2,564 to 2,607 square feet.
Every home also comes with added value thanks to Lennar’s signature Everything’s Included® program. These residences come filled with thousands of dollars in upgrades and features, such as integrated home automation, stainless steel appliances (including refrigerator), quartz countertops, LED recessed lighting, and more – all at no additional cost. The community also enjoys a great location close to downtown Salt Lake for commuters.
The homes at Shamrock Village are priced starting from the low $400,000s. For more information visit www.lennar.com/utah.
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
Lennar Launches Pre-grand Opening Sales for Winchester at Harmony Grove Village on Saturday, August 31
ESCONDIDO, CA, – August 2019 – Lennar, one of the nation’s leading homebuilders, will release the first homes for sale from Winchester at Harmony Grove Village this Saturday, August 31. Winchester presents a new collection of ranch-style and two-story home designs boasting spacious floorplans, ground-floor master bedroom suites, state-of-the-art technology, and a simplified homebuying process through Lennar’s Everything’s Included® program. Models will Grand Open on Saturday, September 21.
“Just 40 minutes from downtown San Diego, but with a more relaxed country feel in the hills of Escondido, Winchester at Harmony Grove Village delivers what homebuyers in this market crave: spacious homes thoughtfully designed within a community that caters to active outdoor lifestyles,” said Bill Ostrem, Lennar’s San Diego Division President. “In addition to the ground-floor master bedroom suites in each model, Winchester offers Lennar’s Next Gen® The Home Within a Home® floorplan, enables multi-generational living without sacrificing comfort or privacy.”
Winchester at Harmony Grove Village’s 63 new homes range from 3,743 to 4,243 square feet with four to five bedrooms and 3-1/2 to 5-1/2 bathrooms with three-bay tandem garages. Situated on large homesites, all models feature state-of-the-art rooftop solar power, spacious living areas, modern kitchens with oversized islands and generous ground-floor master suites and office spaces. The Next Gen model features a separate living suite with kitchenette, sitting area, bedroom, bath, and laundry to better meet the growing trend of multi-generational living.
All homes include Lennar’s signature Everything’s Included® program, which ensures that today’s most desired new-home features are offered to residents in one package, at no extra cost. Among these is the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ Home Design package, green building features such as Energy Star® appliances and WaterSense® faucets, luxury designs and finishes, and extended services that simplify the home buying and owning experience.
Neighborhood amenities at Harmony Village will include a community swimming pool with spa barbeque area and fireplace as well as seven community parks and two miles of scenic multi-use trails with plans for an equestrian area, dog park and village center with local shops. Just 15 minutes from the world-famous San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Winchester at Harmony Village is even closer to neighborhood shopping, dining, and other services in Escondido.
For more on Winchester at Harmony Village, visit https://www.lennar.com/new-homes/california/san-diego/escondido/harmony-grove-village/winchester or call 760-273-5751.
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
Sparks, Nev. – August 2019 – Lennar’s newest development in Sparks, Merano at D’Andrea, opened its doors to the public on August 24th and was met with huge success. Hundreds of home shoppers came out to enjoy the festivities and tour the professionally-decorated model homes that showcase innovative designs and Everything’s Included® features. If you’re interested in this new community in Sparks but missed the event, you can now stop by the Welcome Home Center to tour the models and learn more.
“We could not be happier with the turnout for the Grand Opening of Merano at D’Andrea,” said Dustin Barker, Division President for Lennar Reno. “The community was well received with many home shoppers loving its great location in Sparks, incredible views of the city and the high level of Everything’s Included® features that come at no extra cost. If you’re on the lookout for a new home in Northern Nevada, stop by Merano and see for yourself why this community is perfect for you!”
Merano at D’Andrea presents new homes for sale in Sparks starting from the low $400s. Choose from thoughtful single and two-story designs ranging from approximately 2,616 to 3,336 square feet with three to four bedrooms and two and one-half to three bathrooms. Designs showcase bright and open layouts that make entertaining a breeze, gourmet kitchens, outdoor living areas, sophisticated master suites, spacious secondary bedrooms for the kids and flexible spaces per plan.
Additionally, Lennar’s signature Everything’s Included® program has reimagined the homebuying process by including the market’s most desirable features and upgrades as standard. Enjoy stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, high-quality cabinetry, energy-efficient technology, home automation, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ Home Designs and much more at no extra cost.
Boasting breathtaking views of the city and surrounded by scenic mountains, Merano at D’Andrea is a spectacular place to call home. Plus, everything you want is just a short distance from here, including excellent schools, popular entertainment and exciting recreation such as Shadow Mountain Park and Pah Rah Mountain Park.
Interested buyers may now stop by the Welcome Home Center to tour the model homes located at 2939 Vecchio Drive in Sparks, NV 89434. For more information, visit www.Lennar.com/Reno or call 877-828-1331.
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.
Fresno, Calif. – August 2019 – Home shoppers in search of a beautiful new home in the Fresno area will find a great selection from Lennar’s Chateau Series at Carriage House. Offering five distinctive floorplans, including one Next Gen® – The Home Within A Home® design, homebuyers are encouraged to visit the community to tour the models and find their dream home just in time for the holidays.
“Carriage House is a fantastic community set in a great location with easy access to major employers and schools in Fresno,” said Susan Wilke, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Lennar Central Valley. “With a variety of great designs for families to choose from, our Duke and Duchess plans provide a great opportunity to own new from the low $300,000s.”
The Chateau Series at Carriage House offers five distinctive floorplans that range in size approximately 1,787 to 3,167 square feet of living space with three to five bedrooms and two to four bathrooms. Both the Duke and Duchess designs showcase single-story layouts with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, open-concept living areas, gourmet kitchens, and luxe master suites.
The Camelot plan at Carriage House is one of Lennar’s innovative Next Gen® – The Home Within A Home® designs. Created with multigenerational families in mind, it includes an attached private suite complete with its own separate entrance, living room, kitchenette, bedroom, and full bathroom.
Each home at Carriage House comes with added value thanks to Lennar’s signature Everything’s Included® program. The program outfits every home they build with popular features and upgrades, such as stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, integrated home automation, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ designs for whole-home connectivity and more, all at no additional cost.
The Carriage House Welcome Home Center is open seven days a week, located off of Temperance and Dakota in Fresno. Follow the Lennar Central Valley Facebook page to stay connected. Don’t miss out on Carriage House-homesites are selling fast! To reserve your homesite or to schedule a walk-through, visit www.lennar.com/fresno or call today at (559) 554-1147.
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.
Florida living is known for year-round sunshine, warmth, and swaying palms, but an unfortunate downside is the yearly threat of hurricane season. However, we’ve put together a checklist of items so that you can make sure you’re ready long before the next storm hits!
Have a plan in place. Make sure you and your family have a plan in case you lose access to basic services such as power and water. The Florida Department of Emergency Management provides an interactive online tool, called Get a Plan!, which helps families and business stay prepared. You can also track the progress of a storm through the National Hurricane Center’s website, which provides the most up-to-date information on weather developments.
Make an emergency kit. It’s important to know what items are essential to your family’s needs in case of an emergency. The Florida Division of Emergency Management recommends that you maintain a well-stocked disaster supply kit to last you and your family for a minimum of seven days. While each individual or family’s kit differs based on personal needs, here are a few suggestions to get you started:
Secure your home. Knowing how to secure your home in preparation for a storm is very helpful and can protect against damaging winds and storm surges. Here are a few suggestions for ways to prepare your home:
Have a place to stay. In case a situation arises where you need to leave your home, it is important to know of a nearby place of safety or shelter. While you may have friends and family that you can stay with during a storm, it is helpful to know of a local shelter just in case. The Florida Division of Emergency Management maintains a list of open shelters on their website. If you have a disability or special needs such as a medical condition, you should register with your local emergency management office.
Follow updates. It is important to stay connected during a severe weather emergency so that you can follow all the latest updates. The State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) is a toll-free hotline that is activated to provide up-to-date information on emergency situations in the state of Florida. The SAIL hotline number is 1-800-342-3557. You can also monitor hurricanes using FEMA’s app which is available for mobile or follow social hashtags such as #HurricanePrep.
Now that you’re all prepared, it’s time to sit back, relax and keep enjoying that Florida sunshine. Fingers crossed for no hurricanes this season!
