Create Curb Appeal with 10 Instant Fixes

When it comes to selling houses, there are some quick and easy things that you can do to create maximum curb appeal to get a sale.  One of the first things a potential customer sees when they pull up to take a look at the house is the front yard. Having a great looking lawn is something that every home owner desires, but it’s not the easiest thing in the world to maintain.  Depending on where you live, your lawn could become too dry or leaves could make it look unsightly.  Debris is the worst thing you can have on your lawn.  Certainly having a green lawn is of utmost priority in the curb appeal of a property for sale. As with anything, it will require a little TLC.  Here are some quick things that you can do to it to get the most out of the yard’s value:

• Plant some seasonal flowers – choose flowers that thrive in your climate
• Maintain and plant shrubs – and keep them trimmed
• Install a walkway – either brick or stone is beautiful
• Install a birdbath or lawn ornaments
• Clean up debris, leaves and other unsightly junk

Many quick fixes can be done without costing a lot, except perhaps the walkway.  Fortunately, the installation will be a one-time expense and not recurring.  The enhancement will be worthwhile and could deliver a big return on your investment. Building a walkway to the front door and planting some shrubs will open the yard up and present a clear path to your home. It will make the potential buyers feel good as they approach the home.

However, the front of the home is only part of the equation. Getting the exterior of your home is equally important to create curb appeal. Some of the easy and quick possibilities can include:

• Updating windows or washing them to make them easy to see in and out
• Pressure wash the dirt and grime off the side of the house
• New paint or touch ups
• Shiny new doors or locks
• Clean up

Just making sure that the house is spotless when homebuyers drive by is the smartest and most cost effective thing you can do when trying to sell a home. Beyond that, a quick touch up on the paint couldn’t hurt. If the locks look old or have tarnish on them, it may be a minimal investment to get new brass or antiquated locks.  This simple trick will cost less than $100 dollars and will also add security value to your home. If you have the resources, installing a new front door would look good to the buyers, as well. If your home has any windows that have cracks in them, or if they are simply getting old and are hard to open, then getting new ones will go a long way in getting your home sold.  Some people let dirt from rain, snow or just fingerprints and dust accumulate on the windows, making them look filthy. Clean them up and make your home gleam!

Remember that first impressions are usually what make the buyers bite on a particular home. It may not have anything to do with the overall value of the home, but rather how the home makes them feel.

When you are ready to purchase that new home, check out our division pages:
Florida – Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne, Tampa
Texas – Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston
Carolinas – Charlotte

How to Choose a Home Builder you can Trust

Getting a home built should be a lucrative investment and pleasant experience for you if things are done correctly.  When it comes to getting your home built correctly, there are some steps you can take to get a home builder you can trust.

The first thing you should do is figure out what kind of home you want to build and a have a clear vision of how you want to go about it. Once you have this down, the next step is to research builders that can meet your ideas and expectations.  Some home builders and contractors are bossy and have a certain way to go about doing things.  It’s important to find someone you like and who listens to you.  After all, you’re the one who will be living in the new home, not the builder.

One thing you need to keep in mind is that every builder has a niche or a style that is a hallmark of their company.  Some excel at certain things – like spacious interiors, high ceilings or curvy stairways – while others just hurry through the job as fast as possible to get paid.  For example; one builder may really good at building townhouses and not so good at modular homes, or vice versa. The reason for this varies, but often it can be the comfort level of how they learned in construction.  Or it could be that custom homes are very unique and modular homes are usually done the same way over and over again.

So, how do you find the right builder for the job you have in mind? First, pull several builders in from the area and look through their portfolios.  Ask friends or colleagues, chances are somebody within your circle of influence has built a home within the last five years.  Study the work they have done.  Maybe even ask for a few names of other families whom they have built homes for.  Call a couple of past customers and ask how happy they are with their newly constructed home.

Next, call the National Association of Home Builders and get some names and numbers of more builders that you like and cross reference them with one that you already interviewed.  Never pick the first one – shop around!

Once you have narrowed down the home builders that you like the best, go through their credentials and look for information that you like and dislike. One important step that you can do to protect yourself from shady builders is to cross reference the names of the contractors with the Better Business Bureau database to reveal any past problems. If you see no problems, then the prognosis should be okay.  Look over the contract with a fine-tooth comb.  You could even seek legal advice to make sure you are protected from any injustices.

You can also look to see if a particular builder has any special certificates or awards within their industry.  Awards can be a good sign that the builder takes pride in their work and is competitive.  Also check if they are members of any professional associations.

Following these guidelines are never a guarantee, but they will minimize the chances for contracting mishaps and will also let the home builder know that you are serious about getting your home constructed exactly the way you want it and with as few problems as possible.  Finding a good contactor that you can trust will be one way to enjoy your home for a long time.

Ready to see why Mercedes Homes was ranked one of the top builders in the U.S.?  Click below to find homes in your area:

Florida – Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne, Tampa
Texas – Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston
Carolinas – Charlotte

With Mercedes Homes, It may be the Perfect Time to Move South

Given the current state of affairs in the real estate market, it seems like many people are moving. Foreclosure rates in many states have reached their peak, with banks and homeowners struggling to come to terms; many are forced to move elsewhere. However, it seems that hope is on the horizon, and some smart homebuyers are taking advantage of the new affordable rates and incentives that are available to those who have waited to jump at the chance to buy a new home.

Dreams of moving South are just for snowbirds and retirees, right? Maybe not. While some states have more homeowners moving away, perhaps back to their cold Northern hometown cities or to places where the job markets are more appealing, this could mean that the time has never been better for those people who have dreamed of owning a home in a warmer state. North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Texas are four Southern states with appealing home buying markets. And of course, the temperate climates are attractive, as well.

Mercedes Homes has inventories of beautiful and affordable homes in all four of these states. Shop for a home in Florida and live the dream of being right next to the beach. Or find an affordable home in North Carolina, nestled in the hills of a charming town. Locate a home in South Carolina with its pristine golf courses. Discover the hospitality of the Texan crowd if you buy a home in Texas. Any of these four states offer plenty of sunshine and plenty of really nice homes for sale in the South.

In addition to the appeal of more sunshine, Mercedes Homes gives new home buyers many reasons to choose a home in the South. Not only do they cater to these four states specifically, Mercedes Homes helps home buyers choose the right home at the right price and right design to meet the needs of their whole family. Mercedes Homes works with banks on behalf of their buyers to ensure maximum savings with interest by matching the homebuyers to a bank that suits their needs.

Moving South has never been more enticing to those home shoppers who are considering a move. With homes available in North and South Carolina, Florida and Texas, Mercedes Home may be just the perfect fit for real estate buyers who desire to head south!

Visit our Mercedes Homes Division pages for more information:

Florida – Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne, Tampa
Texas – Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston
Carolinas – Charlotte

Create a Minimalist Interior Décor for Your Laid-Back Personality

Regarding home décor, there is no right or wrong way to do things.  However, there is always a better way to bring the best out of your home.  Depending on what kind of personality you have should dictate how you decorate your home. For example, if you’re a laid back type of person, you should consider a minimalistic type of setting. Minimal, by definition means; “Smallest in amount or degree.” However, when it comes to your home décor you are not actually making everything small. What you are doing is taking a way of viewing your world and manifesting a new way of thinking.

Minimal home design often leaves you with a contemporary feel, but it truly leans on home decorating from the past, as well. Minimal interior décor is about broadening the appeal of your home without being too flashy. Some of the approach to minimal home decorating involves open areas and rounded furnishings. The objective to minimal design is to leave an open-ended feeling and to get rid of clutter that creates chaos. You don’t have to strip everything down to bare minimum. What minimal interior decorating does demand is that you divide your floor plans up to have spacious decorating that includes clean lines.

When you want a minimal color scheme to go with your minimalist interior décor, you must not use any colors that create drama. You need to use soft, yet pleasing colors such as light brown or velvet yellows; or even the purist of whites. These are just basic color schemes, but you can really get in-depth with them if you choose.

Another cool way to minimalist your home décor is to get rid it of textured surfaces. Creating this smooth and rounded surfacing throughout your home is essential to creating the minimal flow from one room to the next. That doesn’t mean you have to completely get rid of all your textured surfaces. After all, you still need textured surfaces in certain areas like say, your shower floor. Just make the majority of your surface areas look smooth.

Minimalist designs often incorporate the use of clean and organized boxes to stow magazines and unsightly knick-knacks.  Simple is the key, so hiding everything you are not using by using creative wicker, baskets and storage will help to keep everything out of sight.  Use these methods and your home décor will certainly look a whole lot better.

Ready to check out what Mercedes Homes has done with our interior design?  Check out the model homes in your area:

Florida – Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne, Tampa
Texas – Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston
Carolinas – Charlotte

A few years ago, it seemed like everyone was on a refinancing kick. These days, it is much more difficult to get refinanced and some have realized that it can be dangerous to their financial health. Many people were fooled into sketchy refinancing loans and found out after a year that their interest rates were doomed to implode.

As of 2010, the mortgage rate for a 30 year fixed rate mortgage has hit its lowest point since the 1950s, due to an amazing 4.69% low mortgage rate. Does this mean it’s time to refinance? In today’s housing market it is wise to be more cautious.  You should consider this decision with the utmost scrutiny. There are lots of factors to take into consideration when dealing with refinancing. Here are some to think about:

• Look at the overall deal and think about what you are trying to accomplish by refinancing. What’s your goal behind the move?
• Figure out what the refinancing deal really says. Before you sign on the dotted line, read every line of the paperwork to see if they have any surprises in store.
• Review your budget to see if you will actually save money on the overall deal or if it will end up costing you more in the long haul.  The goal is to save money on the monthly mortgage payment, not to acquire more debt.
• Decide which type of terms you would prefer. Does opting for a longer mortgage payment make sense?

One of the smartest things you could do to help yourself is to hire an attorney to be present before you sign any paperwork that will have you stuck in a payment that you cannot afford. Another good tip that will help you in your evaluation process is to determine whether refinancing will improve your family’s well-being.  Go over your monthly budget and assess how much you are spending and how much the lower mortgage payment will benefit you.

Use a mortgage calculator. There is a certain formula that you can go by to give you exact numbers that should help you get a good idea if this is a good move or not.  First, take your original interest rate and the amount that you had originally borrowed from the bank.  Then, figure out how many years that you have left on the loan.  Crunch the numbers on the mortgage calculator and see what you come up with. Do the same for the new interest rate of your new mortgage payment.  This is the amount that you would be borrowing against and the new 30 year term. If the numbers haven’t made you faint, then maybe this will be a good move for you. If not, than you should look at some other avenues of getting more money into your account.

Ready to speak to one of our qualified representatives?  Choose your area and find your new home today:

Florida – Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne, Tampa
Texas – Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston
Carolinas – Charlotte

When is Buying a Home Better Than Renting?

We have all heard that “It’s better to own a home than to rent.” But is this really true?

Going by the numbers presented by the federal government, you have to say that it does make more sense to buy, even in today’s uncertain real estate climate. On average, a person making $30 – $50,000 dollars (according to the Federal Reserve board) will save nearly $11,000 each year by owning their own home as opposed to renting. Obviously, the more money that you earn – in theory – the more money you are going to save.

According to the government figures, there are two ways you will save by buying a home. One way is the savings you will accrue by paying down a mortgage.  Of course, this is all contingent on your debt to income ratio; which is something you need to be wary of. Some home buyers get in over their head, which makes them unable to pay timely and hence defeats the purpose of any savings.

The other way that buying is a better option is through appreciation of the home’s worth. The rise in value as time goes by only makes your home even more of a precious entity.  Instead of paying someone else’s mortgage by renting, over time you are building equity with your own property.  There are many cases of people who purchased a home 20+ years ago in an undeveloped area, and over time the malls pop up and the roads stretch wider to accommodate a growing population.  This brings the value of the home up significantly, making it a real investment that no Wall Street broker could even predict.

The reality of renting is that you will never get ahead of the game unless you are extremely cautious and fiscally steady.  You will have to save over a prolonged period of time and then make your move. Ask anyone who has rented for a long time, and they will tell you that it becomes a near impossibility.   While it’s not impossible to rent and save money, the question becomes how long you want to give your money to something that will never be yours. Everyone in the housing industry will tell you that the most important thing you need to consider when buying a home is whether you can keep up on your mortgage payments. Falling behind on mortgage payments is a big problem in the country and is one reason for the near collapse of the housing market.  It will certainly not get you any further behind and you will become like the rat spinning the wheel that can’t get off.

Because of the economic downturn within the last couple of years, you can now find some gems on the real estate market, like that of Mercedes Homes.  Astounding prices make this an attractive time to buy a home.  You can also buy a house with a low interest rate bracket. Right now is the perfect time to buy a house instead of renting. But don’t wait too long; because when the economy gets back on its feet, the price for a house will go up.  So too, will the interest rates.

Visit our website to learn more about purchasing an affordable home today:

Florida – Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne, Tampa
Texas – Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston
Carolinas – Charlotte

Everything you need to know about buying a vacation home

Every year you plan a vacation, and like so many people you pay hotel or accommodation fees, rental home fees or have to deal with timeshare schedules.  Wouldn’t it be nice to go on vacation to a “home away from home”?   Maybe it’s time to look into buying a vacation home. It’s a buyer’s market right now, so not only can you save money on the purchase of a vacation home; you can actually make your money back and still have a nice place to stay when you finally get to take that much deserved vacation.

Even still, there are some guidelines that you must follow if you want to have a successful vacation home buying experience. One of the first things you need to consider when buying a vacation home is how much you can afford.  Knowing your limit will not only predicate where you choose to live, but it will also help to determine if buying a vacation home is better than renting one.  At this point, you will have to dig deep and be honest with yourself about the extra monthly payment or how much of a lump sum you can afford to part with.  Getting this step right is essential to the overall success in getting the perfect vacation home that doesn’t mess up your finances.

One you have your financial outlook in the right perspective, you can now go out begin vacation home shopping within those price ranges to find homes you like. When you are looking for a vacation home, the second thing you should be mindful of is the ability to buy vacation property that can be rented out to trusting tenants.  After all, you won’t be there year round; just on your ‘holiday’ breaks.  Renting your vacation home out the rest of the year is a smart idea. For one thing, having a renter(s) staying on the property when you’re not staying there is helpful on the upkeep. To top it off, you will have a steady flow of money and it will keep the vacation home less prone to break-ins if someone is staying there most of the time.

Consider that renting your vacation home will also help to pay for your extra mortgage. This is where your math skills will come in handy. Calculate what time of the year – whether it is a few days, weeks or months – that you want to be in your vacation home and for how long. Then add up how much money you will make by renting it out.  If the cost of your yearly mortgage payment is higher than the income you will pull in, then it means you are either staying on your property for an extended period or you’re not charging enough money for the vacation rental;  or the third possibility that the home is simply out of your price range. These are just some of the ways you can help to protect yourself in determining when, where and how to find the right vacation home for you.

Ready to take the next step to owning your piece of paradise?  Click below to choose your area and find out why thousands have chosen Mercedes for their next vacation home:

Florida – Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne, Tampa
Texas – Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston
Carolinas – Charlotte

Top 7 Tips for First-Time Home Buyers

If you are thinking about purchasing your first home, there are some things that you can do to make it a “smooth ride”. While using traditional methods like a real estate agent is a good way to look for new homes, there are many alternative means of searching without having to sacrifice neither time nor energy.  That way, you can avoid being “oversold” by someone who may not have your best interests at heart.  Here are 7 tips to consider:

Make sure that you have a dollar amount in mind of a house that you can afford. That includes not only the cost of your mortgage, but also the taxes and insurance. When you have crunched some numbers on realistic housing costs, you should stick to that amount and not even waste time looking at houses out of your range.

Get prequalified by your lender ahead of time to avoid delays in closing costs – or worse yet – disappointments in case the bank says “No” after you already have your heart set on a home you want to try to buy.  This saves a lot of days waiting for closing, also. Check out Guaranty Mortgage for your pre-qualification.

Use the internet to narrow down properties.  Then you won’t have to even leave your home to browse though tens of thousands of homes. Looking for a home online can give you more angles, like aerial views and views of the neighborhood.  You can narrow down some selections before ever stepping out the door.  Sometimes real estate brokers show homes you may like and within your price range; only to get to the neighborhood and find it is undesirable – with too much traffic or next to railroad tracks, etc.  Some online showings even present a 360 view of the home’s interior.

While you wait for your home purchase to go though, pack early to avoid last minute scrambling. One of the last things you want to do when you are moving into a new home is hurry. This is when things get lost somehow, creating stress and frantic measures.  Have a yard sale weeks ahead of time and put things in storage if you want to keep them until the purchase of your new home goes through. This should make your move a seamless one.

Another great step in getting your first home is to scout the surrounding areas of the desired home to shop for comparable prices.  You can do a search yourself of comparable MLS Listings and that will ensure that you are not paying too much for a home that is in a neighborhood of low value.

Check your credit long ahead of time.  You never know when some last minute snag could hold up the process from a debt that rears its ugly face, or if some mysterious bill that never got paid shows up, which can bring down your points and lead to a hassle with mortgage financing options.

Speaking of credit reports, there may be a lot of other paperwork to fill out.  Get paperwork organized in advance.  Things you need to gather may include bank statements, profit/loss statement, tax returns (at least 3 years in some cases), credit card and debt figures, paycheck stubs, identification, and more.  Have this ready and on hand in case they ask for it!

Being prepared will make the purchase of your new home a seamless transition, even though there may be frustrations along the way. Doing your homework can save you a lot of headaches and heartbreak.  Make your first home purchase one to remember by following these great tips.

Ready to purchase?  Find some great, affordable options on our website:

Florida – Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne, Tampa
Texas – Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston
Carolinas – Charlotte

Going Green for Life with Mercedes Homes

What does it mean for Mercedes Homes going Green for life? With so many companies searching for ways to make smart decisions that reflect environmental responsibility, it is more important than ever to choose an energy conscious home builder like Mercedes Homes. They have become home industry leaders in residential eco-friendly homes.

The Green for Life program at Mercedes Homes combines a multitude of innovative earth friendly technologies. Designing homes that use less energy and less wastefulness of water and utilities is just one facet of the Green for Life program. The benefit to homeowners reflects in an increased savings on utility bills while being part of the revolution to eradicate the wastefulness that has unfortunately become a mainstay in our society.

What are some of the Green for Life qualities? Keeping the home safe, sound and environmentally friendly poses a challenge for many home builders, but Mercedes Homes has developed several key features that select communities can take part in to improve the atmosphere in which they live in. Some of those elements include:

Indoor Air Quality- Specially engineered Mercedes Home green building projects make a conscious effort to choose paints, sealants and air conditioning units that are designed to create better air flow while wasting less energy.

Energy Efficient Building- Using better quality insulations, DuPont sealants, improved window and door cavities, and advanced heating and air conditioning units can save the average homeowner hundreds of dollars each year with Mercedes Homes energy efficient installations.

Water Saving Elements- Believe it or not, homeowners can save thousands of dollars over the course of time they live in a home just by having energy efficient appliances. Mercedes Homes installs eco-friendly dishwashers, washers, toilets and water-saving aerator kits with optimized showerheads that use less water and save money on water bills.

Clever Home Designs- Everything from the faucets, insulation, air vents, adhesives and sealants used; to the carpets made of recycled fibers can improve the quality of living for Mercedes Homes discriminating homebuyers.

These Green for Life qualities mean more to homeowners and to Mercedes Homes because they make a difference not only in the cost savings to residents; but to the earth we live in. It is a responsibility for everyone who owns a home to dedicate a better living environment to their families and to our habitat. By choosing Mercedes Homes, home buyers are also choosing Green for Life and choosing to making the quality of life much cleaner, safer and more enjoyable in their homes.

Visit our Green For Life webpage to watch our video and for more information:
http://www.mercedeshomes.com/about/greenforlife.shtml

Ready to learn more about owning your own Green home?  Check out Mercedes Homes in your area:

Florida – Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne, Tampa
Texas – Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston
Carolinas – Charlotte

According to the Freddie Mac mortgage agency, today the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to the lowest rate ever, 3.94%. The average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 3.26%, also a record.

Mortgage rates could fall even further now that the Federal Reserve plans to reshuffle it’s portfolio of securities in effort to lower long-term rates.

For those who can qualify for these historically low rates, this is an extraordinary opportunity to buy a new home.

To read the full article, click here: http://nyti.ms/pXTs7c