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.
Landon Homes is running a 2/1 buy down promotion through August 31 on select new homes that are financed through its preferred lender, Flagstone Lending. Under the promotion, the interest rate on the loan would begin at a very low rate, then increase gradually over the next two years, before settling at a permanent rate for the remainder of the 30-year loan.
For instance, if the current interest rate is 4.5 percent, the interest rate for the buy down would begin at 2.5 percent the first year, increase to 3.5 percent the second year, and then rise to 4.5 percent the third year, where it would stay throughout the remainder of the loan’s 30-year term. The title policy is included in the promotion, and there are no loan origination fees.
As an added incentive, Landon says every customer that purchases one of the special 2/1 buy down homes will go into a drawing for a brand new Nintendo WII family gaming console package.
If for some reason you don’t need to take advantage of the extra-low interest rate buy down being offered by Landon, Flagstone loan officer Patrick Iglinsky says he can mold the promotion into something that will be beneficial for you.
The mortgage process may not be easy to navigate these days, but Iglinsky says he works closely with the Landon team and the title company to manage the flow of information for the home buyer. As a result, Iglinsky says he helps ensure that the approval process goes smoothly from the day the contract is signed to the day of closing.
For more information about Landon Homes’ 2/1 buy down promotion, visit our website at www.landonshomesusa.com or contact Tanya Smith at 214-707-0347.
If you love living near water and enjoy small-town charm, Little Elm, Texas is the place for you. This Landon Homes community just outside of Dallas is all “wet,” thanks to the fact that 23 miles of its corporate town limits are the shoreline of Lewisville Lake. Little Elm is conveniently located within minutes of Dallas-Fort Worth Airport and features exemplary rated Frisco schools.
Landon Homes is proud to feature the Villages at Lakeview a new home community in Little Elm. Whether you’re shopping for your first home or an empty nester looking to downsize, Landon has your perfect home.
The Enclave at Lakeview offers some of the best prices in the Frisco Independent School District. This master-planned community includes four amenity centers, with pools, parks, trails and more. If you have a growing family that needs a bigger backyard and more space, consider the Reserve at Lakeview. This community offers estate-sized homesites – 74’ and 84’ wide and 3-car garages. In the middle of those two neighborhoods you’ll find The Dominion at Lakeview. It’s conveniently located just east of Lewisville Lake and is served by the area’s newest and best schools. Panther Creek Parkway leads directly into the Lakeview location from the Tollway.
Should you rent or buy a home in the Dallas/Fort Worth area?
There is no easy answer to that question because everyone’s financial situation is unique.
When you rent, you have little or no maintenance to worry about, and it’s easier to move when you want. But you don’t get any tax benefits, you don’t have any equity build-up or control over rent increases. And there’s the possibility of eviction.
On the other hand, there are quite a few benefits to owning a home.
For one thing, home buying costs tend to be fairly stable. Fixed-rate loans don’t go up (although taxes and maintenance costs can.) The amount of money typically spent on rent can be about the same or less than a monthly mortgage payment. But once you factor in the tax benefit for homeowners, the savings can be significant.
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 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.
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. 
