Heritage Wake Forest Wins National Sales Team Of The Year!

Heritage Wake Forest won the 2008 Gold Award for Best Sales Team in the United States from the National Home Builders Association. The Heritage team, which consists of Ann Gowarty, Ashley Wilson, Brenda Simpson and Jenn Nowalk, received the prestigious award during the National Home Builders Convention held in Las Vegas, Nevada in mid-January.

“We are pleased and honored that Heritage Wake Forest has been recognized for its achievements on a national level by the National Home Builder’s Association,” said Andy Ammons, President of Heritage Wake Forest developer Ammons Development Group. “Earning the Gold award confirms that by combining a strong sales team with a highly desirable community that offers enduring value is a winning formula for success.”

Heritage Wake Forest was the 2008 Regional and Silver Award winner in the ‘Sales Team of the Year’ category, qualifying the team as a finalist for the Gold Sales Team Award.

Biltmore Homes In Heritage Knoll

Biltmore Homes congratulates the Ammons Development Team, HPW Builder Services and the Heritage Sales Team on this prestigious award! Biltmore Homes is currently building in Heritage Knoll at Heritage Wake Forest.  Biltmore Homes in the Heritage Knoll offers over 20 great floor plans in the $300-$400's price range.  Heritage Knoll currently has 4 available inventory homes and many great lots available for pre sales!

Heritage Wake Forest offers a wide variety of recreational amenities including an award-winning golf course, expansive tennis and swim club, walking and biking trails, greenways, playgrounds and a fully stocked fishing pond. The community was named as one of the Top 100 Amenity Communities by Ideal Living Magazine, and the golf course was awarded an enviable 4.5 rating by Golf Digest Magazine.

Biltmore Homeowner Spotlight - The Butler's

Biltmore always takes great pride in welcoming our homeowners into the Biltmore family!  It is hard to believe that today's homeowner spotlight features a family that moved into a Biltmore Home only a little more then 1 year ago as it seems they have been friends of Biltmore for a long time.

The Butler's - Kevin, Suzanne, Colin and their golden retriever Copper - moved into the Whitley floor plan at South Lakes in Fuquay Varina a little over 1 year ago.  They were the first Biltmore homeowners at South Lakes and being the first Kevin is the proclaimed "Mayor" of South Lakes.  They have seen the neighborhood grow in a short period of time as they have enjoyed welcoming all the new neighbors into the community.

When the Butler's were making their move from Florida back up to North Carolina they knew they wanted a quality custom built house that would fit all their family needs, be energy star certified and in a neighborhood that would offer fun amenities for the entire family.  They found everything they wanted in Biltmore and at South Lakes.

"We have built and purchased several houses in the past 10 years and the experience with Biltmore Homes has been by far the easiest and most enjoyable we have had. Biltmore Homes is a first class organization with quality people that range from the owners to the sales professionals and superintendents. This experience and the quality of construction
has made our house a home that we will enjoy for many years. We would highly recommend Biltmore Homes to anyone looking for their perfect home. "- Kevin and Suzanne Butler

When not working - Kevin is in sales and Suzanne is a teacher at one of the area schools - the Butler's enjoy cooking out with neighbors, hitting the close NC beaches, coaching Colin's baseball team and watching the Patriots every Sunday during football season!  

Biltmore is proud to have the Butler's living in a Biltmore Home and we appreciate them sharing some of their story for our homeowners spotlight!  Look for the Butler's at South Lakes as the "Mayor" is always around to welcome you from his big inviting front porch!

Home Tips For Surviving Winter!

We have been asked numerous times over the last few week on tips for outdoor winterizing of your home .  Unfortunately this information was probably needed weeks ago especially since the Triangle's first snow storm hit yesterday.  That is right we did get about 4 to 6 inches of snow yesterday . By the way if you are relocating to the Triangle or thinking about relocating to the Triangle then you can look at the snow 2 ways - If you like snow then yes we do get the occasional fun snow storm that shuts down schools and businesses.  If you don't like snow then don't worry as historically we do not get a lot of snow as a storm like yesterday only happens once in a while and usually melts quickly!

Okay back to some outdoor winterizing tips!

Prevent Plumbing Freezes

• Make sure you know the location of your water main in the event you need to shut it off in an emergency.
• Drain all garden hoses.
• Insulate exposed plumbing pipes.
• Drain air conditioner pipes and, if your AC has a water shut-off valve, turn it off.
• If you go on vacation during the winter, leave the heat on and set it to at least 55 degrees.

Maintain Your Outdoors

• Trim trees if branches hang too close to the house or electrical wires.
• Ask a landscaper when your trees should be pruned to prevent winter injury.
• Plant spring flower bulbs and lift bulbs that will not last through winter.
• Seal driveways, brick patios and wood decks.
• Don't automatically remove dead vegetation from gardens as some provide attractive scenery in an otherwise dreary, snow-drenched yard.
• Move sensitive potted plants indoors or to a sheltered area.

Hopefully this information can help you maintain your home this winter and get ready for the warm spring weather that will be here before you know it.

 Built For Life!

 - The Biltmore Homes Team

Will builders benefit from next stimulus package?

With Congress getting back to work, builders (both big and small) from around the nation are on Capital Hill making a hard push for the housing market to be a major part of the next economic stimulus package.

The three main items that are being discussed to get the wheels of the housing market greased again are home buyer tax credits, below market interest rates on 30 year fixed mortgages and continued assistance on preventing foreclosures.  

NAHB President and CEO Jerry Howard said the  “The message we are sending to Congress — there are no large builders, no small builders, no low-income builders, no suppliers and no manufacturers,” he said. “We’re all in this together and we are all focused on the stimulus package. We are talking to our members

 of Congress about a proposal crafted over the past several months that will fix both the supply and demand side of housing.”

There is no doubt that the housing industry is vital to our overall economy and will quickly benefit many Americans at all levels.  Just listen to these #'s provided by NAHB Chief Economist Dave Crowe in a recent article on the NAHB website:

• The plan would result in 200,000 additional new home sales
• 1 million more existing home sales
• A boost in expected housing starts from 649,000 to 908,000, on par with last year’s level
• The plan this year would create more than 539,000 jobs, generating $26 billion in wages and salaries, $21 billion in business income and $28 billion in federal, state and local tax revenues.

With figures like that it is indeed time for Congress to act as those types of incentives and benefits would have a positive effect on both homeowners, buyers, sellers, builders, workers and suppliers a like!  

Here in the Triangle, where we are better off then many in the country but still in need of a kick start, this hopefully means that a busy housing market is right around the corner.  Contact your local Congress and Senate representative to let them know you want to see some action on housing as it is clear the time is now and the benefits are great! 

Learn more about the fix housing first plan at http://www.fixhousingfirst.com/

Is Your Glass Half Empty or Half Full?

That seems to be a question a lot of people are asking these days.  We all know by now that YES we are facing very challenging times as a country.  The question is how will you deal with these challenges?  Is your glass half empty or half full?  That is the choice you have to make and we at Biltmore Homes no doubt have chosen half full!  With challenges comes opportunity and we know that in this current real estate market in the Triangle there is indeed opportunity.

If you are in the market for a new home in the Triangle then here are just a few reasons why your glass is indeed half full:

• Record Low Interest Rates - Mortgage rates are at record lows which allows you to save money or even better get more house for your money.  You should be considering ways to  take advantage of these low rates while they last!
• Amazing Home Prices - You know the old saying "buy low and sell high" right?  Well now is the time to buy as home prices are very competitive and the chance to get once in a lifetime prices and incentives will not last forever! 
• A Great Place To Live - Raleigh and the surrounding Triangle area continues to be one of the Nation's #1 places to live.  From business to social life, to jobs and cost of living the Triangle continues to be honored nationally as a place you want to live.  If you already live here then be thankful to live in such a great area....if you are thinking of moving here then now is the time as we look forward to your arrival!
• Energy Star Homes - With the amount of buzz and importance being placed on "Green" going forward then there is no doubt you want to live in a home that is Energy Star certified.  Whether it be lower utility bills, better air quality, energy discounts or better resale value to name a few, the benefits of a Energy Star home are worth taking advantage of!
• Great Neighborhoods - The Triangle is fortunate to have many great new home neighborhoods to live in and Biltmore is proud to be building in five of them.  Two of our most popular neighborhoods - Heritage Wake Forest  and South Lakes - are award winning master planned communities that offer a lifestyle and amenities that will be sure to keep the whole family happy!

Our list could go on and on but you get the point - these challenging times are presenting great opportunities, especially when it comes to buying a new home.  Biltmore Homes looks forward to not participating in the negativity of 2009 as we will instead focus on finding solutions and helping homeowners build their next dream home.  We hope you join us in enjoying your half full cup as contact us and let us know how we can help.  

Built For Life!

- The Biltmore Homes Team

2009 FHA Loan Changes

Well with 2009 right around the corner that means there will be some new changes with FHA loans in 2009.  Here are some of the local details for Wake, Johnston and Durham Counties:

• 3.5% down payment is required and the seller can still pay up to 6% of sales price in closing costs and pre paids
  
• 2009 loan limit for Wake County and Johnston County is $271,050 which is lower than 2008 limit of $295,000.
  
• 2009 loan limit for Durham County is $334,650 which is higher than the 2008 limit of $331,250
  

To learn more about some of the new FHA loans or to speak with one of Biltmore Homes preferred lenders please contact us as we can help you take advantage of the FHA loan program to buy a new home in 2009!