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Sometimes the hassle of making reservations, rushing through traffic and sitting in crowded restaurants can be overwhelming. This Valentine’s Day, why not try something new and less-stressful? Celebrating the day at home is an intimate, cost-efficient and thoughtful alternative. Here are some ways you can make the holiday of love just as special in the comfort of your new Lennar home.
Bring your spouse’s favorite dish to them without leaving the house by ordering from the plethora of food delivery apps that bring you food from local restaurants. To make the delivery wait fun and exciting, plan a scavenger hunt around the house. Instead of having one large gift, buy or make your spouse a few smaller gifts that are meaningful and hide them around the house with notes. Each note can lead to the next gift until they get to the final one!
If you prefer to cook on Valentine’s Day, try a food subscription box and cook a new meal together with your spouse. The food subscription box could also double as an ongoing Valentine’s Day gift.
Create a cozy bar and spend the evening with other couples in the neighborhood creating custom cocktails or “mocktails” with friends. Another option is to ask couples to bring their favorite bottle of wine and have an in-house wine tasting. Paired with a nice charcuterie platter, your neighbors and your spouse will be happy they didn’t have to leave the neighborhood!
Kids feel the joy of Valentine’s Day just as much as their parents, if not more. Valentine’s Day is not only a time to celebrate romantic love, but to value other loved ones as well. If you can’t find a baby-sitter to go out on the town, do an activity that the whole family can enjoy. Spend time in your spacious kitchen baking cookies and have a cookie decorating contest using icing, sprinkles, edible hearts and other sweet treats.
After the cookie decorating contest, have a movie night where the whole family gets to enjoy all of the cookies and other snacks you made together.
These ideas for a stay-in Valentine’s Day could spark a new tradition for you and your spouse, your family, and maybe even the whole neighborhood. This year, start thinking outside of the box by staying inside of your beautiful Lennar home to enjoy the holiday.
Model home tours, decorating tips and model home furniture discounts
Las Vegas, Nev. – February 2018 – Lennar Las Vegas is excited to host another cookie decorating party with Freed’s Bakery on Saturday, February 10 at their Olympia Ridge community in the Southern Highlands masterplan. The event is open to the public. Friends and family of community members are encouraged to attend for cookie decorating advice from the pros and the opportunity to get a 20% off voucher for model home furniture from Ambrosia Home’s new Henderson-based location.
“We are super excited to host another cookie decorating event with Freed’s Bakery, after the initial Christmas event we had was such a great success and so much fun,” said Ashley Max, Marketing Manager for Lennar Las Vegas. “Everyone is invited to attend this free event and it’s the perfect opportunity to explore Olympia Ridge or for residents to show off their new neighborhood to friends and family. While touring the models, you can decorate a gourmet cookie to give to your Valentine!”
The event is a great opportunity to also take a tour of Olympia Ridge’s luxury model homes. Olympia Ridge is an upscale Lennar new home community that offers a stunning collection of eight spacious floorplans that range in size approximately from 4,111 to 6,234 square feet. Attendees will also get to experience Lennar’s signature Everything’s Included® program with home automation that’s showcased in the models.
Additionally, representatives from Ambrosia Home will be at the event offering vouchers for 20% off previously used model home furniture available at their new Henderson-based showroom location. Ambrosia is a highly-respected interior design firm used by many leading homebuilders in the new home industry, including Lennar.
The event is open to the public but attendees and guests are encouraged to RSVP for easier gate access.
Olympia Ridge is located in the Southern Highlands masterplanned community at
8 Olympia Chase Drive in Las Vegas. More information can be found by visiting www.lennar.com/lasvegas or calling 702-821-4850.
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. Lennar has a longstanding history of building homes of enduring quality in only the most well planned and desirable locations throughout the country.
Nestled in the scenic countryside of Chester Springs, Byers Station is conveniently located off the beaten path in the beautiful Brandywine Valley, yet minutes from major travel roads and within an hour’s commute of Philadelphia.
Byers Station offers three townhome designs and five single-family home designs to choose from. Townhomes highlight three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, one- to two-car garages and up to 2,498 sq. ft. of living space. Byers Station has released its final townhome building with walk-out basements. These townhomes are nestled right on the countryside and back up to woodlands to offer peace and privacy.
Single-family homes feature four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, two-car garages and up to 3,969 sq. ft. of living space. Open concept floorplans can be customized by adding first-floor owners’ suites, open second floor lofts and outdoor kitchens. All homes are designed under Lennar’s Everything’s Included mantra, providing features that are options from other builders as standard equipment in every home.
Byers Station is home to an array of onsite amenities that make it a great place to raise families and make lifelong friendships. Residents can take advantage of resort-style amenities such as two clubhouses (Sunderland and Station), two outdoor swimming pools, a fitness center, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, a playground, tot lot and so much more.
Commuters can enjoy easy access to Philadelphia by public transportation via SEPTA and Amtrak, or an hour drive through Chester County’s main roads. Chester Springs is part of the award-winning Owen J. Roberts School District, and is close to a number of outstanding private schools. Chester Springs is home to multiple shopping centers, restaurants and many other services, as well as walking and biking trails. Marsh Creek State Park is a short distance away offering swimming, boating and other water sports.
Come home to Byers Station today. Call 609-349-8258 or visit www.lennar.com/byers-station.
When it comes to buying a home, understanding the terminology is essential for simplifying the entire process. That is why we are providing a quick glossary of common terms and their definitions – we want your path to homeownership to be a smooth and enjoyable one.
The APR shows the cost of a mortgage loan by expressing it in terms of a yearly interest rate. The APR is often slightly higher than the published interest rate because it takes into account the financing of closing costs or pre-paid percentage points.
A professional appraiser’s estimate of the market value of a property. Appraisals take into account the local market conditions and the characteristics of a property. They are required by most lenders.
An increase in a property’s value due to market changes, home improvements, or other factors.
The official transfer of property ownership from seller to buyer. It usually happens in the form of a formal meeting between the buyer, seller, and settlement agent. At closing, the buyer will sign the mortgage, the seller will receive payment for the property, and the buyer will pay the closing costs. Also referred to as Settlement.
The total costs of completing the transfer of ownership of the property, other than the purchase price. Closing Costs usually include fees for loan origination, home appraisal, survey and real estate agent’s commission. They may also include prepayment of taxes and insurance, and real estate transfer taxes. Closing Costs usually amount to about 2 to 4 percent of the purchase price of the home.
A real estate evaluation that estimates the current market value of a home by comparing it with recently sold homes in the same area.
Any condition that must be met before a contract becomes binding. For example, an agreement can be contingent on the sale of the buyer’s current home.
A response to a purchase offer that rejects all or part of the original offer but keeps the negotiations open in hopes of reaching an agreement.
A credit-reporting agency that gives financial information about potential borrowers to lenders. Currently, there are three companies that maintain national credit-reporting databases: Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union.
A report provided by credit bureaus containing information about a borrower’s credit history. Your credit report is like a report card of how you’ve paid your credit card debt and other loans over the years (as well as how much debt you currently have).
A computer-generated score used to determine how likely a person is to repay a loan. Your credit score is based on your credit report. Lenders use this score to analyze your credit report and to determine your credit worthiness.
Ratio Also known as debt-to-earnings ratio. A ratio (expressed as a percentage) calculated by dividing gross monthly debt by gross monthly income. Debt-to-income is one of the key factors lenders will look at when considering your credit worthiness.
A written document that shows ownership of property. Includes the signatures of current owners and a legal description of the property. Also known as a Title.
Information provided about a property for sale. “Full disclosure” refers to the seller’s responsibility to provide any and all information they know about the property.
The money paid by the buyer to the lender at the time of the closing. Because it’s paid in advance, the down payment is not part of the mortgage loan. Smaller down payments (those less than the standard 20 percent) usually require mortgage insurance.
The value of a property, usually calculated by subtracting the remaining amount owed on the mortgage from the fair market value of the property.
Also “escrow account.” Funds set aside and held by a neutral third party, usually for payment of taxes and insurance.
A complete “top to bottom” inspection of a home’s physical condition. Home Inspections should be conducted by a professional, licensed home inspector and should cover all major systems and structural elements of the property. Home inspection fees are typically paid by the buyer.
Insurance that protects the homeowner’s property against damage from fire, storms and other hazards. Most lenders require homeowner’s insurance before they will let you close on the home. Also known as Hazard Insurance.
A written guarantee from a lender that the buyer will receive a specific interest rate for a specific period of time. Also known as Rate Lock and Rate Lock-In.
The amount that a seller may expect to obtain in the open market, based on current market conditions and recent comparable sales. An appraised value is an estimate of the current fair market value.
A financial agreement between a lender and a buyer in which the property is used as collateral for the loan. A mortgage gives the lender the right to collect payments on the loan (and to foreclose on the property if those payments are not made).
A detailed, written document that makes an offer to purchase a property. When the offer is signed by all parties involved, it becomes a legally binding contract. Also known as the Offer or Contract.
Guidelines used by lenders to determine if a borrower can qualify for a mortgage. The lender will consider the borrower’s income and current debt, as well as the size of loan the borrower is trying to obtain.
A written document that shows ownership of property. Includes the signatures of current owners and a legal description of the property. Also known as a Deed.
A critical step in obtaining a mortgage, underwriting is the lender’s process of analyzing a loan application to determine the amount of risk involved in making the loan. It includes a comprehensive review of the borrower’s credit history and a judgment of the property’s real value.
In the case of the “final walk-through,” this is a final inspection of the property by the buyer and the seller. The final walk-through normally takes place a day or two before closing / settlement. The purpose of this walkthrough is to ensure that any repairs agreed upon in advance have been made, and that no other issues have arisen.
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, what better way for couples to celebrate a future together than looking for a new home? Right now, a home search could even lead to a romantic escape for two at Château Élan Winery & Resort. Visit any Lennar Community by February 11 and ask your Lennar New Home Consultant about entering for your chance to win this exciting Valentine’s getaway.
From Cumming to Fayettville and in between, Lennar Homes has outstanding communities all over the Atlanta area, so people are sure to find the home and the location they want. They’ll also discover that Lennar homes come with everything they need already included in the home, even Wi-Fi, a fact that’s already gotten a lot of love from new homeowners.
With the Valentine’s promotion, Lennar is hoping to turn the new home search into a fun and rewarding adventure. The more homes couples visit, the more chances they will have to win the escape to Château Élan.
For those who haven’t already enjoyed the luxury of spending time at Château Élan, this will be a truly amazing escape. Just 40 minutes from Atlanta, the resort resembles a French chateau, surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards. Guests can enjoy sweeping panoramas of the North Georgia foothills while they enjoy wine tastings and tours, golf, a European health spa, world-class cuisine and outstanding accommodations. Needless to say, it’s the ultimate romantic getaway.
So, get out there and start exploring your next home. Whether it’s a single-family home or townhome, close to the city or connected to small-town living, you’re sure to find a Lennar community that has what you want. When you arrive, just ask your Lennar New Home Consultant about entering the special Valentine promotion. Happy searching.
For more information about Lennar communities, visit www.lennar.com/Atlanta.
* NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Open only to legal residents of GA, 21 or older. Begins at 10 am ET on 2/6/18 and ends at 6 pm ET on 2/11/18. Entries must be received on or before 6:00pm ET on 2/11/18 to be eligible. To enter, during Sweepstakes Period, visit the Welcome Home Center at a participating Lennar Atlanta community during open business hours and fill out a registration form. Limit of one entry per household. One prize: Prize is a gift card for one (1) night accommodations for two guests (double occupancy) at Chateau Elan, including dinner and breakfast for two (certain restrictions apply) (ARV: $399). Gift card terms and conditions apply. Room accommodation and reservations are subject to dates of availability. Prize drawing to occur on or about 2/14/18 from all eligible entries received. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries. Subject to official rules. Void where prohibited by law. Complete winner’s list (after 2/14/18) and official rules available at participating Lennar Atlanta communities or by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to Sponsor. Sponsor: Lennar Georgia, Inc., 1000 Holcomb Woods Parkway, Suite 200, Roswell, GA 30076.
Urbana, Lennar’s premier community of Luxury Condos and Townhome Residences, located in the center of it all. A community where residents will live in the heart of Downtown Doral, a prestigious and dynamic neighborhood where nearly everything is within walking distance of your residence. Learn more about these luxurious condominiums in this BizJournals.com article by Brian Bandell.
Lennar Corp. has broken ground and launched sales at two communities in Miami-Dade County: Urbana at Downtown Doral and Portovita in Homestead.
The Miami-based company (NYSE: LEN) is South Florida’s largest homebuilder. Lennar is set to become the largest homebuilder in the nation in February, once it completes the acquisition of CalAtlantic Homes.
Downtown Doral is a mixed-use project by Lennar and Codina Partners that includes residential, office, retail, restaurants, a charter school and civic space.
Lennar’s Urbana will have 837 homes in the first phase, with a mix of mid-rise condos, and two- and three-story townhomes. The condos are priced from the mid-$300,000s to the mid-$400,000s. The townhomes are priced from the upper $400,000s to the low $700,000s.
Located on the southwest corner of Southwest 320th Street and Southwest 152nd Avenue in Homestead, Portovita will have 247 single-family homes. These homes will range from 1,982 square feet with three bedrooms to 3,105 square feet with five bedrooms. They’re priced from $319,900 to $389,900.
Portovita will include a lake, clubhouse, park and pool. Lennar acquired the 77.3-acre development site for $10.75 million in 2017. It’s directly south of three other Lennar communities: Atlantis at Oasis, Capri at Oasis and Barbados at Oasis.
Congratulations! You have decided to start the process of buying a new home. Whether you are a first-time buyer or you have already owned several homes, we understand the process of home buying can sometimes be overwhelming. Lennar is here to offer support, some insider tips and provide you a step-by-step guide to simplify your path to homeownership.
Now that you have made the decision to buy a home, the first step is to begin researching what type of home you are interested in purchasing – attached, detached, single-story or multi-level – and what location you prefer. You will also want to consider the overall area including community amenities, schools, parks, shopping and recreation, low crime rates and your daily commute. Most of this initial research can be done online.
City websites and Chamber of Commerce websites are great sources for information.
You will also need to decide whether you will work with a real estate agent or if you prefer to research and tour the homes on your own.
New homes are built with more recent code requirements and energy efficient technology. Some of the additional benefits of buying new are:
Choosing to purchase a foreclosed property can oftentimes lead to frustration and disappointment. A foreclosed or bank-owned home has several disadvantages including:
Buying your own home provides the pride of ownership and the independence and financial rewards that renting doesn’t, for example:
INSIDER TIP: Research neighborhoods that interest you. Go to websites such as move.com or NewHomeSource.com to find out the median price of homes in those neighborhoods.
Find your dream home in a Lennar Community in your desired location.
San Antonio, TX. – January 2018 – Lennar is thrilled to announce the official Grand Opening event for their newest Northeast Crossing collection, the Cottage series on Saturday, January 27. Prospective home shoppers are invited to attend the event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to tour the professionally-decorated model home and attend a special ribbon cutting ceremony at 12 p.m. Guests are also invited to enjoy Bad to the Bone food truck, face painting for the little ones, giveaways and a live radio broadcast.
Located just outside Loop 410 on Woodlake Parkway in Northeast San Antonio, new homes in this community are priced starting from the $130,000s. The community is also conveniently situated near IH-35, Ft. Sam Houston, Randolph AFB, SAMMC and Rackspace.
“We’re so excited to present these new homes to the public, which offer affordable living at a very convenient location,” said Tony Cerna, Director of Sales and Marketing of Lennar San Antonio. “The Grand Opening event is a great time to discover how Lennar is making homeownership possible and we encourage everyone to attend this weekend.”
Northeast Crossing Cottage offers homeshoppers eight unique floorplans to choose from, with sizes that range from approximately 1,004 to 1,950 square feet, two to four bedrooms with one to two and one-half bathrooms.
Lennar’s signature Everything’s Included® package provides today’s popular features and upgrades into all their new homes as standard, meaning at no additional cost to the buyer. At Northeast Crossing, homeowners will enjoy features such as GE Energy Star® appliances, tankless water heaters and so much more.
The event will take place at the Welcome Home Center located at 7039 Cozy Run in San Antonio. For more information or complete directions, visit www.lennar.com/NortheastCrossing or call (210) 247-6343.
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. Lennar has a longstanding history of building homes of enduring quality in only the most well planned and desirable locations throughout the country.
Curb appeal is your home’s version of a first impression. Building and maintaining good curb appeal can help create a welcoming environment for guests or for your everyday living.
The possibilities are limitless when creating curb appeal, from fountains and decorative walkways to a front porch swing. For simpler solutions, here are four inexpensive ways to build curb appeal that don’t involve much too much work:
The front door is your guests’ first greeting when they visit your home. These simple enhancements can give your home an extra boost of curb appeal:
Pressure washing the exterior surfaces of your home is a cost-effective method to clean and maintain those features. A pressure washer can be used on your deck, fence, patio or driveway. Surfaces that are tile, vinyl or brick are also suitable materials to pressure wash.
Planting flowers, trees, shrubs and other plants can add a fresh, natural look to your home’s landscape and will boost your curb appeal if maintained properly.
Consider creating a flowerbed that runs along the base of your house. If you’re in a warmer climate, crotons or hibiscus are low-maintenance plants that thrive all year and are easy to maintain. Potted plants and window boxes are an easy alternative to a flowerbed.
It’s easy to build curb appeal in your Lennar home, as most come with a professional front yard landscape, with grass, shrubs, plants and an irrigation system.
Preserving curb appeal can be difficult if your home isn’t maintained properly. If you have outdoor plants, set a reminder to water your plants or create a year-long schedule for outdoor cosmetic maintenance, which includes touching up your home’s exterior paint, cleaning your gutters and the outsides of windows, or laying down fertilizer for a lush green lawn.
