1. Clear the clutter. A room free of excess clutter helps create a more tranquil feeling to your home spa.

2. Paint the walls. Create that spa feeling by painting the walls with cool, relaxing colors such as sky blue and sea green.

3. Add room accents. Place decorative baskets on the counter to hold hand towels and washcloths. Accent them with decorative soaps, scented lotions, loofahs and other spa tools.

4. Create a relaxing scent. Use essential oils, such as lavender, reed diffusers and candles to make you feel relaxed and comfortable in your home spa.

5. Add simple decorations. Accent the area with items that make you feel relaxed such as fresh flowers, potted plants or photos of the ocean. 

6. Choose appropriate lighting.  Add dimmer switches, recessed lighting and/or wall sconces to create soft, diffuse light that promotes relaxation. To mimic a skylight, add light panels to the wall or ceiling that feature large, partially-opaque rectangles of plastic to cover the light bulbs – diffusing the light for even, soft coverage.

Landon Homes builds high quality, affordable green homes for sale in Frisco, TX in a variety of floor plans to suit your style and taste. Visit our website or contact Tanya Ryan at 866-898-3603 to schedule a model home tour.

Some common uses for a bonus room are a media room, home office, children’s play area, oversized game room, or a craft room.  A media room allows homeowners to feel like they are going to the movies, while still enjoying the comforts of home. Studies or home offices have become popular as more people work from home, but need a separate space that doesn’t interfere with their normal living space.  

A bonus room can be located virtually anywhere in the house. Some builders tuck them behind a covered porch or atop a two- or three-car garage. The goal is to give the home owner options, so they will be satisfied with their purchase.

Here are a few decorating ideas to spruce up your bonus room:

Media room – Dark walls, ceiling, furniture and/or flooring are essential – but that doesn’t mean black! Consider a rich navy blue or chocolate brown color instead. And add patterned carpeting for visual interest.

Office – Use bright lamps, such as a floor fixture to create a nicely lit space.  Wood finishes are appropriate for furniture. You can find stylish desks and chairs that are both functional and comfortable. Add some plants for visual interest. (Studies say they’re good for reducing stress!)

Craft room – Paint the walls with a white or off-white color to provide a neutral background for all of your art supplies, fabrics and paper. Select a table that is counter height and fit it with casters so that you can roll it to the middle of the room when needed.  Store supplies on shelves or in stackable bins.

If you’d like more information about North Dallas new homes for sale, and the types of bonus rooms offered by Landon Homes, visit our website at www.landonhomesusa.com.

Today, it’s not as easy. Some of the best-looking houses on the block could be in foreclosure. So, how can you determine whether a neighborhood has the features you like, and more importantly, will hold its value until you’re ready to sell?

Here are a few tips to consider in your search for the perfect neighborhood and new home for you and your family.

1. Imagine your dream neighborhood.  Most people have a dream home in mind, but don’t put as much thought into the neighborhood. Spend time thinking about what features are important to you. Do you want to walk to stores? Do you prefer a historic neighborhood or a family-oriented environment? Compile a list to refer to as you begin your search.

2. Examine public services.  Many towns and cities are cutting back on services they offer due to declining property taxes. Take a drive through a potential neighborhood and town to look for clues of financial trouble. Are the streets clean? Are the parks in good shape? Has the local library cut its hours? Read the local paper for clues.

3. Evaluate the schools.  One of the most important decisions a parent makes is what school their child will attend. Even if you don’t have a family, school quality matters because when it comes time to sell, there’s an excellent chance your buyers will have children. Use online sources like GreatSchools.org to research local schools. Or take in a PTA meeting and talk with local parents to get the real scoop on how well or poorly the schools are doing.

4. Watch for clues. Does the neighborhood have a lot of For Sale signs, or cheap apartments for rent? Do you see many vacant store fronts? Those are signs an area might be in decline. Imagine yourself living in the neighborhood. If you run or bike, are the roads safe? Visit the area at different times of the day and night to listen for highway or airport noise. 

5. Talk to the residents.  Take time to meet your potential neighbors. Ask them how they like living there. If they’re not friendly or receptive to your questions, factor that into your decision process. If you buy, you could be living near them for years. You can always make improvements to a house, but you can’t change your neighbors.

Doing research and legwork on a potential neighborhood at the beginning of your new home search will pay off in the long run.  If you’re in the market for new homes in Frisco, Texas check out the affordable, energy efficient models that North Dallas home builder Landon Homes has to offer. Visit the Landon Homes website to see the homes for sale at Greyhawk Estates, the Village at Willow Bay, or Austin Ridge at Lone Star Ranch.

One of the first places to visit on your shopping trip in Frisco should be the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, IKEA. The popular store features a supervised children’s area where your family can play while you leisurely browse through 50 different room settings for décor ideas. 

IKEA is located along what’s called “The New Furniture Row.” This corner of Parkwood Blvd. and State Highway 121 features other leading furniture and home décor retailers including Ashley Furniture, Haverty’s, Rooms to Go and many more.

There are plenty of smaller boutique shops in the area too – from Frisco Square and Main Street to Lebanon Road. At these individually owned and operated stores, you’ll find designer-made home décor items not found anywhere else in Frisco. 

Another popular Frisco destination is Sam Moon Trading Co. This retailer, known for offering the latest handbags and accessories at wholesale prices, recently opened a Home Accessory store right next door. Good deals on home décor can also be found at the Centre at Preston Ridge, which features more than 100 shops and restaurants including Kirklands, Stein Mart and Marshalls.

If you’re interested in buying a new home in Frisco, visit the Landon Homes website at LandonHomesUSA.com for information on the better built, affordable green homes for sale in Austin Ridge, Grayhawk Estates or The Villages at Willow Bay.

Why should you buy a quick move-in home versus a resale? There are several reasons. 

1. Builders Warranty – A brand new home comes with a warranty from the home builder, so you have peace of mind should anything break down in the house. With a resale, you’re dependent upon how well the previous owners maintained the property. Even when you have a home inspection performed before the purchase, there’s a chance for problems to be missed.  
2. Upgrades – A move-in ready home often includes options and upgrades that are appealing to new home buyers. Plus, the builder often includes features that have been popular with existing home buyers, so you know the design has been tested by families like yours. 
3. Pricing – Builders typically include large incentives on move-in ready homes, so you could get a better deal on a brand new home than you would on a resale.  
4. Energy Efficiency – A new home includes the most up-to-date energy saving features and construction techniques, enabling buyers to save money on utility bills and insurance premiums compared to an older home.  

If you’d like information on the available move-in ready homes for sale in North Dallas, contact Landon Homes at 866-898-3603. Landon Homes is rated among the best Dallas area home builders. Our better built by design, affordable green homes are ready now in premier neighborhoods.

When you buy a home in Austin Ridge, you’re getting great value for the money in the highly sought-after Frisco School System. Our Premier Series homes are priced from the $250s to the $290s, starting at 2,877 sq. ft. up to 3,802 sq. ft. These homes are available in one or two-story models, offer stone elevations, granite in the kitchen, a rear entry garage, and generous designer upgrade allowances.

Our Executive Series homes are exclusive gems within our community, with oversized home sites of 80’ x 125’ that back up to an extensive greenbelt space. Only 34 of these sites will be available among the 260 homes Landon plans to construct in Austin Ridge, and the first sites have all been purchased. A waiting list of families has been started for the next 3-5 homes that will be released in the Spring of 2011.

Step inside our new model and you’ll be able to see first hand the energy efficient features that Landon Homes is known for. Our “Better Built by Design” philosophy provides state of the art materials in home energy saving features such as 2’ x 6’ exterior wall construction, tankless water heaters, radiant attic barriers and Low-E windows that block a significant amount of the sun’s heat and harmful UV rays.

If that’s not enough to convince you, Lone Star Ranch provides an exceptional amenity center, featuring a three-tiered resort-style swimming pool with waterfalls, a large clubhouse that can be rented for private events, as well as a fitness center loaded with equipment. Located minutes away from Lake Lewisville, there are an array of golf courses and shopping centers, as well as a variety of entertainment options including Dr. Pepper Ball Park, Pizza Hut Soccer/Events Stadium and Stonebriar Mall.  Plus, Cinemark is opening a brand new, state of the art movie theater across from Pizza Hut Stadium, with all of the latest in HD and sound technology.

To schedule a tour of Landon’s new model home in Austin Ridge, visit our website at LandonHomesUSA.com or contact Tanya Smith anytime by phone at 214-707-0347.

Landon Homes in Frisco, Texas EXPLODING with New Buyers in Austin Ridge

Who is curious about the newest Frisco Homes to hit the Market in DFW?  Not Landon Homes.

The newest builder on the block is absolutely taking the city by storm.  The Austin Ridge Community could be the most sought after community in DFW.  They are selling homes like crazy and are having to take a waiting list on homes on their smaller lots!  What other builder in Frisco has a waiting list? 

I have seen many builders in the area and how they build, and have never been as impressed as I am with Landon Homes.  They have created an unbelievable bar for other builders in energy efficiency as one of the first major builders in DFW that use 2 x 6′s instead of 2 X 4′s.  This helps with the insulation issue by providing up to 60% more insulation than the new home builder standard, and the huge savings being passed on to their customers makes Landon Homes a incredible buy for the price.

John Landon has the experience, beautiful open floorplans that make sense, and has created the ultimate value for the middle of the road buyer, or the buyer that wants one step below custom!

Call me today at (469) 733-2723 to take advantage of the newest builder on the block in DFW, Landon Homes in Austin Ridge, and I promise you will not be disappointed in these Frisco homes! 

Brad Holden

Holden New Homes

http://www.holdennewhomes.com

It is important to know where the candidates stand on the issues. So do your homework now, and don’t worry about it again until Election Day when it’s time to make your vote count. Remember that politics is a soap opera that will always involve drama. Waiting for election cycles to be over just delays the enjoyment you could be having in your new home! 

There are some great deals to be had right now in the housing market. Prices are affordable, mortgage rates are at record lows, and the new homes that are built today are much more energy efficient than those built 5-10 years ago. That means you’ll be able to save a good deal of money on utility bills.  Plus, a new home comes with a full builder’s warranty, so you don’t have to worry about making repairs.

At Landon Homes, we keep you in the loop all through the construction phase, so you know how your home is progressing. We offer a pre-construction meeting, a pre-drywall inspection, and a final inspection to ensure your satisfaction during all points of the building process.

With a repertoire of more than 40,000 homes built over the last 20 years, the Landon team offers an unmatched wealth of talent, expertise and enthusiasm. Call us today at  866-898-3603 to schedule a tour of one of our model homes in the Dallas-Forth Worth area.

U.S. News and World Report recently pointed out 9 reasons to buy a new home over a resale.  One of the benefits the article cited is the ability to design your home the way you want it, inside and out.  With new construction, you can choose your floor plan, select cabinets and countertops, paint colors and finishes, and landscaping. With an existing home, you have to live with the previous owner’s style, or spend money to change things you don’t like, such as wall colors and appliances. 

Another major advantage to buying a new home is that it will be more energy efficient than a resale home. Energy conservation codes get updated every 3 years, so a new home features the latest requirements like higher-efficiency insulation, doors and windows. Landon Homes takes these requirements a step further by doing 2”x 6” exterior walls that hold up to 50% more insulation than industry standard, tankless water heaters and highly rated appliances and water-saving faucets and shower heads that minimize utility bills.  A resale home usually has to be retrofitted with these features, at an additional cost. 

Home repairs and maintenance costs also play a role in the home buying process. An existing home or a foreclosure may need major repairs if the owner didn’t take care of it properly. That could put a big dent in your wallet.  A new home is covered by a builder’s warranty for at least a year, while other major components are usually warrantied for extended periods. 

Home builders may also be able to offer more financing options due to their relationships with lenders. As a result, you could get a deal on closing costs, a buy down of your interest rate, or even special upgrade financing. Fewer individual sellers have room to negotiate on these terms, so a new home might be your best option if financing is important to you.

If you’re looking for a new home in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, visit Landon Homes to learn about our better built by design, energy-efficient homes that respect both the environment and your budget.

Landon has come a long way in just two short years.  The company has built and sold more than 250 new energy efficient homes throughout Little Elm, Frisco, McKinney and North Dallas, TX. It’s a significant achievement in two short years, considering that John Landon started this company in the midst of an economic downturn. However, the president of Landon Homes saw the economy as an opportunity, rather than an obstacle.   

Landon realized that lumber, land, and labor prices had fallen considerably, making it more affordable to build homes. And he knew that if people were in a position to buy now, they would have an exciting opportunity to get a lot of high quality at a very good price. Landon says, “If we build the right product, at the right price, in the right location, we’ll do OK, even in this environment.” “We call it our Value Equation.” 

Landon has the experience to back up his beliefs. He created Legacy Homes in 1987, when the economy was in the midst of another recession. “We were profitable in five months,” says Landon. And Legacy Homes eventually grew from a single community in Dallas to become the 12^th largest builder in the nation. 

The Landon team brings an unmatched wealth of talent, expertise and enthusiasm to every home they build. Our energy experts work hand-in-hand with our architects to create a home that is both beautiful and eco-friendly. Our goal is to build homes with lasting value and quality – creating the very best home for you in exceptional neighborhoods with highly acclaimed school systems. 

For more information about Landon Homes’ birthday promotion, visit our website at www.landonshomesusa.com or contact Tanya Smith at 214-707-0347.