Happy Holidays from Biltmore Homes!

From all of us at Biltmore Homes we wish you and your family a very Happy Holidays!  We have enjoyed welcoming many new families as Biltmore homeowners in 2008 and are glad they are now part of the Biltmore Homes family.

As we turn the page on 2008 we look forward to everyone having a very prosperous 2009. When it comes to the real estate market we are confident 2009 will be a rebound year as the perfect storm of government action, low interest rates, Raleigh/the Triangle being one of the countries #1 places to live and amazing deals on new homes in award-winning communities will hopefully make 2009 the year to buy that new dream home!  When you do decide to build a new home, whether it is on your own lot or in one of the current Biltmore neighborhoods, we do hope you will consider Biltmore Homes!

Again Happy Holidays and Cheers to 2009!

- The Biltmore Homes Team 

Raleigh-Cary Named Best Large City To Do Business!

In today's challenging economic times don't you want to live in a place that is recognized as the top place to do business?  Well of course you do...we all do!  A top business environment means many things including good jobs, good entrepreneurial spirit, good growth of people moving into the area, a good local economy, good innovation, good networking and good culture to name just a few "good" things that go along with a great place to do business!

Well Raleigh-Cary is considered to be "the best large city in the U.S. to do business, according to newgeography.com, a Web site devoted to analyzing and discussing places where people live and work."   This latest honor is another reason why Raleigh and the surrounding Triangle is a great place to live, work and play.  

Here is an excerpt from the article from newgeography.com - 

Here Come the Carolinas

"The other big winners this year are concentrated in the Carolinas. Like Texas, these two states are being fed by varied economies. Certainly, technology companies have been a factor here, many of them in Raleigh-Cary, N.C., which ranked No. 1, up six places, on our list of largest metro areas. Finance has played a large part, too, with Charlotte (No. 5), up 18 places, emerging as the big but low-cost, family-friendly alternative to the New York financial center.

Demographics are a big part of the story here. Our analysis from Praxis Strategy Group shows that Raleigh and Charlotte, are among the biggest magnets for young, educated workers, particularly those in their late 20s and early 30s.

"People are coming here for basic reasons and taking their families with them," observes Sociologist John D. Kasarda, director of the Kenan Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "They are coming for jobs, particularly from the Northeast, and an affordable quality of life."

All this "good" news in this great area means that this buyers market will not last forever so take advantage of the amazing real estate prices and low interest rates while you can.

 

Click here  to read the WRAL story about Raleigh-Cary being the best large city to do business in!

Don't Miss Out On Biltmore Holiday Pricing At South Lakes

Biltmore Homes has 5 amazing homes currently available at special holiday pricing at South Lakes - but hurry because the holiday special pricing only lasts until January 15, 2009.  If you are in the market for a home then now is a great time to take advantage of low interest rates and amazing home prices at South Lakes.  

Biltmore currently has 5 showcase inventory homes available at holiday special pricing.  Homes included are:

• The Williamston   Lot 9
• The Irlington   Lot 10
• The Whitley   Lot 17
• The Williamston   Lot 30
• The Whitley Lot 33

All these Biltmore Homes can be viewed in detail on the Biltmore website and remember all these homes are Energy Star Certified and come with a 6 year North Carolina RWC warranty! South Lakes is Fuquay Varina's first master planned community.  South Lakes combines small town charm combined with all the amenities of today's active lifestyle.  South Lakes is situated amid 5 stocked lakes and 120 acres of open space and greenway.  South Lakes is conveniently located only 15 miles from Downtown Raleigh off US 401.  Biltmore Homes offers 20 great floor plans priced from the $240's to $300's at South Lakes.  Great inventory and pre-sale opportunities are available so contact Biltmore Homes today and let us personally show you around this great neighborhood and our homes!

Why Buy Energy Star Homes?

Biltmore Homes is proud to be an Energy Star certified builder.  Not familiar to Energy Star homes?  Well here is some basic information on why you need to make sure the next home you buy is Energy Star certified!

• Energy Star homes reduce utility bills as save 15% or more on your monthly utility bills. Plus Progress Energy and Duke Power reward Energy Star homeowners with an additional 5% discount off all your electric bills!
• Energy Star homes offer a low maintenance home with advantages like energy efficient windows and tight construction.
• Energy Star home are likely to have higher resale values regardless of how long you own your home.  A recent EPA study revealed that the savings you get with an Energy Star home can add $8,400 to the market value of your home.
• Energy Star homes have healthier indoor air quality and help the environment.
• Energy Star homes are more comfortable and quieter because of better insulated walls, sealed ducts and properly sized mechanical systems.  
• All Biltmore Energy Star Certified homes are inspected and tested by Southern Energy Management so you can be certain that your home meets all the requirements through an objective party.

Today's News and Observer business section has a great article on Energy Star homes as Click Here to read and learn more about the benefits of an Energy Star home. 

WOW This truly is a great place to live!

Well for those of us who already live in this great area we are familiar (and biased) on why Raleigh and the sourrounding Research Traingle Park is such an amazing place to live.  Well don't just take our word for it as look at all these honors this area has won.  

Take a look below at some of this region’s most recent accolades* from the November issue of Neighborhood Builder - The official magazine of the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County:

#1 Pro-Business State (North Carolina)
Pollina.com, June 2008
#1 Best Place to Live in the U.S. (Raleigh, N.C.)
msnbc, June 2008
#1 Best Place for Young Adults (Raleigh, N.C.)
Bizjournals, May 2008
The Best American City for Singles (Raleigh, N.C.)
Every Day with Rachael Ray, January 2008
#1 Healthiest City for Men (Raleigh, N.C.)
Men’s Health, January 2008
Top Research Science Park (North Carolina State University -
Centennial Campus)
The Association of University Research Parks, November 2007
#1 Top Business Climate (North Carolina)
Site Selection, November 2007
“Fast City” for Research and Development
(Raleigh-Durham, N.C.)
Fast Company, July 2007
#1 Seller’s Market-Residential (Raleigh, N.C.)
Forbes.com, June 1007
#1 Best Place for Business and Careers (Raleigh, N.C.)
Forbes, April 2007
#1 Best Place for Business and Careers (Raleigh, N.C.)
Forbes.com, March 2008
#1 Best U.S. City for Jobs (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Forbes.com, February 2007
#1 School District in the Nation for Certified Teachers
(Wake County)
National Board of Certified Teachers, January 2007
Gold Rating (Wake County Schools)
Expansion Management’sEducation Quotient, January 2007
#2 State with the Best Business Climate (North Carolina)
Development Counselors International, July 2008
#2 Best City to Live, Work and Play (Raleigh, N.C.)
Kiplinger’s, July 2008
#2 Best City for Bargain House-Hunters (Raleigh, N.C.)
Forbes.com, February 2008
#3 Most Educated Workforce (Raleigh, N.C.)
Business Facilities, July 2008
#3 Most Romantic City for Baby Boomers (Raleigh-Durham-
Chapel Hill, N.C.)
Sperling’s BestPlaces, March 2008
#3 Most Wired City (Raleigh, N.C.)
Forbes.com, January 2008
#3 Economic Development Hot Spot (Wake County, N.C.)
National Policy Research Council, September 2007
#3 Techiest City in America (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 (Data released September 2007)
#3 5-Star Business Opportunity Metros (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Expansion Management, August 2007
#3 Best City for Relocating Families - Medium Markets
(Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Worldwide ERC and Primacy Relocation, 2007 Report
#3 Metro for College Educated Workers (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
#3 America’s Best Jobs in the Hottest Cities (Raleigh-
Durham, N.C.)
Business 2.0, May 2007
#3 Best City for African Americans (Raleigh, N.C.)
Black Enterprise, May 2007
#4 Hottest Job Market for Young Adults (Raleigh, N.C.)
Bizjournals, April 2007
#4 Best State for Business (North Carolina)
Forbes.com, July 2008
#4 MSA With Highest Concentration of Employment - Drugs
and Pharmaceuticals (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Business Facilities, July 2008
#4 Major Market in the South (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Southern Business & Development, Winter 2008
#5 Best Medium-Sized City for Families with Children
(Raleigh, N.C.)
Who’s Your City?, May 2008
#5 Recession-proof City (Raleigh, N.C.)
Forbes.com, April 2008
Top Five Strongest Real Estate Market (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Veros.com, January 2008
5-Star Public Education Metro (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Expansion Management, December 2007
Top 5 Cities for Young Singles (Raleigh, N.C.)
Kiplinger’sBest Cities for Every Stage of Your Life list,
June 2007
5-Star Knowledge Worker Metro (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Expansion Management, April 2007
#5 Best Place to Find a Mate (Raleigh, N.C.)
Men’s Health, March 2007
#6 Largest Concentration of Drug and Pharmaceutical Jobs
(Raleigh-Durham, N.C.)
Technology, Talent and Capital: State Bioscience Initiatives
2008, June 2008
#6 Medium-Sized Metro (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Site Selection, March 2008
#7 Top Appreciating Metro Area (Raleigh, N.C.)
Money, December 2007
#7 Business Boomtown (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Inc., May 2007
#8 Best City for Recent College Grads
(Raleigh-Durham, N.C.)
Forbes.com, June 2008
#8 Fastest Growing Large City (Cary, N.C.)
U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 (Data released 2007)
#8 Fastest Growing Metro in the Nation (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
U.S. Census Bureau, April 2007
#8 County for Business Recruitment and Attraction
(Wake County)
Expansion Management, May/June 2007
#9 Market in the South for Advanced Manufacturing
(Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Southern Business & Development, Winter 2008
#9 Best City for Jobs (Raleigh, N.C.)
Forbes.com, January 2008
#10 U.S. City with the Largest Numerical Increase
(Raleigh, N.C.)
U.S. Census Bureau, July 2008
Top 10 Great Innovation Market in the South
(Raleigh-Cary-Durham, N.C.)
Southern Business & Development, Winter 2008
#10 Least Miserable Airport (Raleigh-Durham International)
U.S. News & World Report, February 2008
#10 Economic Development Hot Spot
(Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, N.C.)
National Policy Research Council, September 2007
#10 Large Metro for Business Recruitment & Attraction
(Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, N.C.)
Expansion Management, May/June 2007
Top 10 Places in the South for the Creative Class (Raleigh-
Durham, N.C.)
Southern Business and Development, Winter 2007
Top 10 Tech Town (Raleigh-Durham, N.C.)
Wired Magazine, January 2007
#12 Highest Concentration of Tech Workers (Raleigh, N.C.)
AeA’s Cybercities 2008, June 2008
#12 Most Affordable Real Estate Market in the Nation
(Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Forbes.com, August 2007
#12 Best Market for Female Execs and Women Business
Owners (Raleigh, N.C.)
Bizjournals, August 2007
#14 Best Place to Live (Apex, N.C.)
Money, July 2007
Top 15 Place for Cultured Retirement (Raleigh, N.C.)
Smithsonian.com, April 2008
#15 Most Educated Workforce (Raleigh, N.C.)
Business Facilities, July 2007
#15 Fastest Growing Large City (Raleigh, N.C.)
U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 (Data released 2007)
#16 Top Real Estate Market (Raleigh, N.C.)
Expansion Management, October 2007
#18 Fastest Growing Suburb in America (Holly Springs, N.C.)
Forbes.com, August 2007
#20 Fastest Growing Suburb in America (Wake Forest, N.C.)
Forbes.com, August 2007
#20 Best Place to Live and Launch (Raleigh, N.C.)
CNNMoney.com, March 2008
#22 Best Place to Live (Holly Springs, N.C.)
Money, July 2007
Top 25 Places for Retirement Jobs (Raleigh-Durham, N.C.)
MarketWatch, November 2007
#63 Fastest Growing Suburb in America (Apex, N.C.)
Forbes.com, August 2007
Top 50 Hottest Cities for Expanding and Relocating
Companies (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Expansion Management, February 2007
* Information provided by the Wake County Economic
Development Center.

Remodeling and Additions May Be Your Solution

We meet a lot of homeowners who love their house, neighbors and location but need more space or want an updated look.  Well remodeling and/or an addition may be the perfect solution for you.  Maybe you want to remake or enlarge your kitchen or finish off that 3rd floor bonus room or basement.  Popular exterior renovations include garages, sun rooms, decks, porches, fences and patios.  Another common thing we hear these days is that they need to add an in-law suite to a house or property for parents moving into the area.

Regardless of what your remodeling or addition needs are it is many times a great solution.

 You get to stay in your current house and location but get to update your home which many times turns out to be a good long term investment.  Although known for building new homes around the Triangle, Biltmore can help with all your remodeling and addition needs.  Biltmore Homes brings the same high quality craftsmanship and service we are known for with our custom built new homes  to our Remodeling division.  Just contact Biltmore to set up a free estimate meeting so we can discuss your wants, needs and budget.  Biltmore will then put together a design and quote for your project.  Home owners can rest assured that their home enhancement will be executed with the same craftsmanship, attention to detail and professionalism which Biltmore has built its reputation on.  

Fall in love with your home again with remodeling or additions!

South Lakes Event - Saturday November 15, 2008

South Lakes, which is Fuquay Varina's first master planned community, will have a meet the builder event this Saturday November 15 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm.  Biltmore Homes owners and representatives will be on site to meet with home buyers and be ready to get deals done on the spot!  

This is a great opportunity for home buyers to meet Biltmore representatives, ask questions, get immediate answers, speak with mortgage loan specialists and nail down a great deal on one of the showcase inventory Biltmore Homes now available. Biltmore Homes currently has  6 inventory homes priced from $279,900 to $385,000 that are available for immediate move in. All Biltmore Homes are Energy Star certified and come with a 6 year NC RWC warranty.  

Finally, this will be the last weekend to take advantage of the Biltmore Homes 2008 Parade Special where you can use up to $21,500 of incentives on all Biltmore inventory and pre-s

ale homes.  Now is a great time to buy so be sure to visit South Lakes this Saturday as we look forward to seeing you there!

To learn more about South Lakes and to review inventory homes please click here.

Look for the good news - Raleigh has good news!

Hard to believe that we are going to FINALLY elect a new President this week.  It seems that this years contenders have been running for years...well that is because they have been!  The good news is that regardless of who we select as our next President the country can get focused again on the future and creating good news!

Raleigh and the surrounding area is lucky because good news does exist when it comes to the real estate market.  Speaking of voting, Raleigh and the Triangle continues to be voted as one of the best places to live for many different reasons.  So combine one of the top places to live along with good news that according to Smart Money - view article here - the Raleigh market has seemed to get a "free pass" when it comes to the housing market slump.  There is no doubt that the past 12 months have presented some major challenges but the point is that GOOD NEWS does exist! If you are in the market for a new home then the time is now to take advantage of a great buyers market because the good news we have here in Raleigh is bound to turn into great news in the near future!   Biltmore Homes has great incentives on inventory homes all around the Triangle some come out as we promise to give you some good news as well!

$7500 Tax Credit For First Time Homebuyers

If you are a first time home buyer then the time is now to purchase a new home thanks to a first-time home tax credit. Here is the general overview of how the tax credit works.

• The tax credit is available for first-time home buyers only.
•  The maximum credit amount is $7,500.
• The credit is available for homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009.
• Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.
• The tax credit works like an interest-free loan and must be repaid over 15-year period.

This tax credit is a another great incentive, along with impressive builder incentives and low interest rates, for first time home buyers to take advantage of.  For more detailed information on the $7,500 first time home buyer tax credit please visit www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com

Biltmore Homes has 5 great neighborhoods with plans like the Middleton and Granton (pictured below) that are perfect for first time home buyers so let us know how we can help you take advantage of this tax credit as remember the credit is only valid on houses purchased by July 1, 2009.

The Granton II The Middleton III

  

Welcome To The Biltmore Homes Blog

We welcome you to the Biltmore Homes Blog.  In between banging nails for our high quality Energy Star certified custom homes we thought we would join the blog revolution!  We figured what a great place to talk about the latest and greatest in home building, real estate, lending, remodeling, construction, the communities we build in, Energy Star and general facts, fun stuff and happenings in and around Raleigh and the entire Triangle area.  Whether you are a current Biltmore homeowner, thinking about building with Biltmore, in the market for a new home or relocating to the Triangle from out of the state we hope that you find this blog fun and helpful. We are here to serve you as Biltmore Homes looks forward to building your next home or just sharing some information with you.  And as always we welcome your feedback so feel free to email us at builtforlife@biltmorehomes.net or leave comments here on the blog!

Happy Homebuilding!

 - Biltmore Homes