School is back in session and if you’re not careful, you could soon be drowning in a sea of paper. Before that happens, it’s important to establish some ground rules to maintain order in your house.
The first thing you can do is establish one central location for papers and mail so everyone in your home knows where to find certain items. Next, decide what you’re going to keep and what you can get rid of.
Children bring home lots of papers from school, so determine what percentage will get saved. As much as you’d like to keep all of their school work, it’s just not realistic to do so. Instead, display the most important or memorable papers on the refrigerator or on a bulletin board. Then, take a picture or scan the rest so you can save them electronically, minimizing clutter. You can also store school papers in a 3-ring binder, a file folder in a drawer, or a storage box.
When shopping for a new home, you naturally want to get the best deal you can for the money. After all, buying a home is one of the biggest investments you’ll probably ever make. But sometimes what may seem like a good deal at first, can wind up costing you more in the long run.
How many times have you bought an item “on sale” only to find out the price was actually marked up before the store decided to lower the price? So, what seemed like a bargain at the time really wasn’t – since the “sale” price was actually higher than the normal price of the same item at another store.
Unfortunately, some home builders and contractors use this same tactic. They will lowball you to get the job and then come up with every opportunity they can to charge you extra, so you wind up paying much more than if you had gone with someone else.
You may also come across two homes with the same square footage and same number of bedrooms and baths in two adjoining neighborhoods. However, one is more expensive than the other. Does that automatically mean the cheaper home is the best value? Not necessarily.
Looking for a new job? Look no further than Collin County and Rockwall County near Dallas, TX. Money Magazine rated the two counties among the top 25 places in the country for job growth.
Rockwall County, a former commuter county in rural Texas, has seen an influx of new shops and restaurants, combined with large employers like L-3 Communications, to spur job growth in the area. In addition, manufacturing jobs at several long standing aluminum plants remain the backbone of the county’s economy.
Collin County has a high-tech industrial base, featuring such well-known employers as Texas Instruments, Raytheon, Electronic Data Systems (EDS) and other software, Internet and telecom companies. County officials work closely with the area’s municipal EDCs (Economic Development Corporations) to provide a variety of incentives to businesses relocating here.
Four of Collin County’s five largest cities – Frisco, McKinney, Plano and Allen – are nationally ranked in the top 100 wealthiest cities. That’s more than any other urban area in Texas and the Southwest, according to a survey – U.S. Wealth Centers — by Portfolio.com.
Once you find employment in the Dallas area, Landon Homes can help you find a place to live. We have new home communities in Frisco and McKinney, and all of our locations are within driving distance of Rockwall County. Our homes are better built by design, with eco-friendly and energy-saving features that respect both the environment and your budget.
For more information, contact Tanya Smith anytime by phone at 214-707-0347 or just click on our LIVE CHAT feature throughout the Landon Homes website for speedy answers to all your new home questions.
10 Reasons Why Not to Buy a Short Sale or Foreclosure Home
Buying a short sale or foreclosure may be tempting if you’re in the market for a new home. After all, the low prices are very attractive. And you can get a great “deal” if it works out. But that’s a big IF. There are a lot of challenges, frustrations and difficulties that can occur during the buying process.
Landon Homes, one of the most respected and successful home builders in Dallas, has put together a list of 10 reasons why you should think twice about buying this type of home:
Lengthy Buying Process. The bank has to approve the sale and many of them are backlogged 6 – 9 months on approvals. In addition, some lenders can renegotiate the terms of a short sale at the last minute.
“As Is” Condition. You will be required to take the property “as is.” If no one is taking care of the home, it can go downhill fast and sustain damage.
Costly Repairs Needed. Foreclosure homes are often gutted by the previous owner and can have serious damage, requiring additional costs for repair.
Need for Temporary Housing. During the waiting process for approval, the buyer may have to find alternate or temporary housing if the buyer’s home has already sold or rented.
No Guaranteed Closing. Multiple buyers may compete for one short sale and there is no guarantee you won’t get outbid. Plus, a lender may decide to foreclose on a short sale and put it up for auction even after an offer has been made.
Title Problems. It may be difficult to get a clear title, since it could be tagged with judgments for an unpaid second mortgage or home improvement loan. The judgments could also include late fees and other fines.
Evictions. As a buyer, you have to determine if the homeowner or tenants are out of the property or double-check to see if the homeowner still has personal property, like furniture on the premises.
Pay Extra Commission. Lenders may want to pay reduced commissions to real estate agents involved in the transaction. If you agreed to pay your agent a certain percentage under a buyer broker agreement, you could be liable for the difference between what the lender will pay and what your contract stipulates.
Pay Extra Costs. If you want specific inspections performed, you will probably have to pay for them yourself. You may also have to pay standard seller closing costs such as transfer taxes because some lenders will refuse to pay them.
Sellers Disappear! Sellers who have little to lose and feel hopeless about their situation have been known to disappear – so the sale cannot be completed. If the buyer’s deposit is in escrow, it can be tough to get it back. There is a process, but it takes time and can be very frustrating.
All new Landon homes come with a clean title, are fully warranted, and any small repairs can be handled immediately. In addition, the energy-saving features in a Landon home enable you to save money on utility costs compared to comparable homes in the area. For more information, visit LandonHomesUSA.com or call 214-707-0347.
Landon Homes welcomes Dean Liter as the new sales manager at Austin Ridge, its brand new home community in southwest Frisco, TX. Austin Ridge is part of Lone Star Ranch, a master planned community featuring rolling hills, hike and bike trails, streams, lakes, fountains, open spaces and thousands of trees.
As a resident of Lone Star Ranch, Liter knows first hand about the terrific amenities that will be available to Austin Ridge residents. The community has a three-tiered, resort-style swimming pool with waterfalls, a large clubhouse that can be rented, and a fitness center loaded with state of the art equipment. Plus, Austin Ridge is close to the North Dallas Tollway and Highway 121, making it convenient for commuting.
Liter has a unique history with Landon Homes and its president, John Landon. Dean built his first home with John, and enjoyed the process so much, that he asked to come to work for Landon.
When asked why someone should buy a Landon home, Liter says no other builder in the area is doing what Landon does in terms of energy efficiency. The homes in Austin Ridge feature the latest energy efficient technologies, including thicker lumber that holds 57% more insulation than traditional homes, a radiant heat barrier to reduce attic temperatures, and air conditioning systems that exceed Energy Star standards. These features help to significantly reduce the monthly utility bills for a Landon homeowner.
The first models in Austin Ridge are expected to be ready in about three months. Until then, visitors are welcome to stop by our sales trailer and view our floorplan designs and under construction inventory.
If you’d like to schedule a tour of Austin Ridge, contact Tanya Smith at 214-707-0347 or visit the website at Landonhomesusa.com for more information.
May 24, 2010 – Even though the home buyer tax credit expired on April 30 and won’t be renewed, there may never be a better time to buy a home than today, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Many outstanding opportunities still exist for home buyers, but they may not be around forever.
“The home buyer tax credit was just one of many factors motivating Americans to buy homes,” said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones, a builder and developer in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. “But buyers can still take advantage of today’s low interest rates and competitive prices to get a home they may not have been able to purchase just a few years ago.”
Besides mortgage interest rates that have been hovering at near-record lows, homes in many markets have become more affordable. Prices have moderated from the highs of the housing boom that occurred in most of the country, especially in major markets where they had increased significantly.
Landon Homes welcomes Leonard McManaman as the new onsite sales manager for its brand new home community of Shiloh Ranch in McKinney. Shiloh Ranch celebrates its grand opening this week with a new model opening, showcasing its outstanding design.
McManaman says that the homes in Shiloh Ranch are built with quality materials to provide the highest level of energy efficiency. They are the first homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to feature 2 x 6 exterior wall construction in a production building environment. This thicker lumber holds 57% more insulation to reduce unwanted heat loss or gain, decreasing the energy demand on your home.
What makes Shiloh Ranch unique, according to McManaman, is its excellent home site selection. The community offers oversize cul-de-sac home sites with beautiful landscaping, a brick wall enclosure and an impressive stone entrance, providing the best value for the money in the area. There are also many common areas, a pond, and a future planned playground for the kids. Plus, Shiloh Ranch is located right next door to the exemplary rated J.R. Wilmeth Elementary School. Floor plans range from 2,100 to 3,800 sq ft and are priced from the $180’s.
McManaman says McKinney’s motto is “unique by nature”. And the proof of that is in their policy of requiring businesses to maintain high quality curb appeal, and encouraging neighborhoods to have lots of trees and landscaping. The city of McKinney features rolling hills, lush trees and a historic downtown square and ranked 9th among the top 25 best places to move according to Forbes Magazine.
With more than 10 years new home sales experience, McManaman says he’s happy to be with a company that has a lot of home building experience, knowledge, and works together as a team. The family atmosphere at Landon hits close to home for Leonard. His father, Dan, is the sales manager for Landon’s Grayhawk Estates community.
If you’d like to schedule a tour of the new model home at Shiloh Ranch, contact Tanya Smith at 214-707-0347 or visit the website at LandonHomesUSA.com for more information.
Landon Homes is launching a new development of affordably-priced, energy-efficient homes in the North Dallas area.
Austin Ridge will be part of Lone Star Ranch, a master planned community situated in southwest Frisco, Texas among rolling hills with hike and bike trails, streams, lakes, fountains, open spaces and thousands of trees.
The community includes an amenity center featuring a three-tiered resort-style swimming pool with waterfalls, a large clubhouse that can be rented for private events and a fitness center loaded with equipment.
Austin Ridge will have the perfect combination of:
>Competitively priced homes starting from the mid $200s
>Superb quality of life
>Highly rated schools (Frisco Independent School District)
>Strategic Frisco location with easy access to the North Dallas Tollway and Highway 121.
For more information about Austin Ridge or our other new homes in North Dallas, visit our website at LandonHomesUSA.com or contact Tanya Smith anytime by phone at 214-707-0347.
Landon Homes prides itself on the fact that its homes are “better built by design.” What does that mean to a prospective home buyer? It means a Landon home has lower operating costs, a greener footprint and great value – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
John Landon, president of the North Dallas homebuilder, uses the latest energy efficient technologies in every Landon home to minimize monthly utility expenses. Landon also helps contribute to a greener way of life by using eco-friendly fly ash concrete foundations. As a result, each Landon home prevents more than 3 metric tons of carbon dioxide from contributing to global warming.
To learn more about what makes a Landon Home “green,” watch our new video
If you’d like to visit one of our better built, affordable, energy efficient models for yourself, contact Tanya Smith anytime by phone at 214-707-0347 or just click on our LIVE CHAT feature throughout the Landon Homes website.
Landon Homes announces the grand opening of its exciting new home community Shiloh Ranch in McKinney. Shiloh Ranch is a 100 plus acre community situated off Custer Road and Virginia Parkway. This community offers the customer oversized homesites, easy access to Hwys 121 and 380 and an exemplary onsite elementary school.
Landon Homes has created the ultimate in energy efficiency as the first major builder in DFW using 2 x 6 exterior wall construction in a production building environment. This type of construction offers up to 60% more insulation than industry standard, and the huge savings being passed on to their customers is incredible. With a wealth of experience, attention to detail and amazing design features, Landon Homes has created the ultimate value equation for the customer.
Shiloh Ranch in McKinney is surrounded by beautiful landscaping, a brick wall enclosure and an impressive stone entrance that gives the feeling of home. It offers many common areas, a future planned playground area for the kids, a pond, cul-de-sac homesites and a new onsite elementary school. Floor plans range from 2,100 to 3,800 sq ft and are priced from the $170’s.
School is back in session and if you’re not careful, you could soon be drowning in a sea of paper. Before that happens, it’s important to establish some ground rules to maintain order in your house. 
