Tag Archives: new homes in dallas

Rent or Own? Home Ownership Has Many Benefits

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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. 

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Money Magazine Rates Rockwall & Collin Counties Excellent For Job Growth

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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.

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Buyer Beware: Perils and Pitfalls of Short Sales & Foreclosures

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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:

  1. 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.
  2. “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.
  3. Costly Repairs Needed. Foreclosure homes are often gutted by the previous owner and can have serious damage, requiring additional costs for repair.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.

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Landon Welcomes New Sales Manager at Austin Ridge

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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.

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Plenty of Reasons to Buy a Home Even After the Tax Credit

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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.

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Building Green Homes in Dallas- Better Built By Design

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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.

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New Homes in Dallas, McKinney, Frisco Selling Fast!

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It seems like every time you turn on the news, there’s more gloom and doom coming out of Washington regarding the nation’s housing market. 

It’s true that some areas of the country have been hard hit by the mortgage crisis, but that’s not the case in the Dallas/Fort Worth market. 

Metrostudy housing analyst David Brown expects first quarter housing starts in the area to be up at least 50 percent from last year. 

That’s good news for Texas home builders, including John Landon, whose company Landon Homes is selling homes in the North Dallas area.  Landon is a visionary builder offering homes that respect both the environment and the home buyer’s budget.  The company continually strives to build homes with lasting value and quality in exceptional neighborhoods. 

Landon also understands families since the company is comprised of family members. Many employees and subcontractors have worked with Landon for decades and are second-generation members of its team. 

With a repertoire of more than 40,000 homes, the Landon team offers an unmatched wealth of talent, expertise, and enthusiasm. 

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.

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Landon Opens New Home Community in McKinney, TX

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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.

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Passion for Selling New Homes in Dallas

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If there’s one thing Dan McManaman is passionate about, it’s selling homes. And he’s had plenty of experience doing just that.  He’s been in real estate sales since 1983, and has spent the last 14 years working for John Landon. 

McManaman has sold hundreds of homes during his career, and has won several sales awards recognizing his achievements.  He’s proud of his relationship with Landon Homes, and the fact that president John Landon has been able to hire the top builders in the industry, ensuring that the quality of a Landon home is top-notch.

As Onsite Manager for Grayhawk Estates, Dan strives to make sure home buyers get the best value for the money and are thrilled with the home buying experience.

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Time Running Out on Tax Credit

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You’ve only got a few weeks left to take advantage of the federal tax credits for home buyers. 

April 30 is the deadline for both the $8,000 first-time home buyer credit, and the $6,500 existing homeowner credit. You can take until June 30th to close, as long as you have a signed contract by the end of April. 

Who qualifies for these tax credits? 

For the $8,000 tax credit, you must be a first time home buyer or you haven’t owned a principal residence during the past three years.

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