Set up monitoring service to protect your FICO Score

Balance and protect your FICO score to make
sure you can make big purchases like real estate. 

With the halfway mark for 2012 nearly here, it’s time to think about your FICO Score and how your purchases in the first half of the year have affected it.  You can do this for free, though a once-a-year check may not be enough for those that are serious about improving or protecting their credit. The Equifax Finance Blog explains more ways to protect your credit in the article, “HaveYou Pulled Your Credit Report Yet?”

While you can get a free report once a year from each of the three credit reporting agencies, analysis and checking for mistakes is up to you. Even if you space your requests out to one agency every four months, you may want to keep a closer eye on your credit if you are considering a large purchase in the next year or two, like purchasing real estate.

Residents of Habersham Grove Enjoy Lake Lanier Outing

Grilled burgers and franks with fresh greens and delicious desserts were on the menu at The Orchards of Habersham Grove’s outing to Lake Lanier. Built by The Orchards Group, the sold out active adult community has a tradition of making group day trips to local attractions and parks. Last month, residents enjoyed the sun and good company while grilling out on the lake.

Hosted by the community’s Men Club, the picnic kicked off the summer season with more than 60 homeowners and their families. This is the second year of the group has visit Lake Lanier, and residents spent their time talking, eating, boating and playing with their children and grandchildren.

If you're looking for an active adult community that offers great events and activities, be sure to check out what The Orchards Group has to offer. They are still building in two wonderful communities, TheOrchards of Brannon Oak Farm in Cumming and TheOrchards of East Cherokee in Woodstock. These communities offer zero to low maintenance lifestyles and gorgeous homes, amazing amenities and fantastic locations.

For more information on The Orchards at Brannon Oak Farm, please call 678-513-8879. For more information on The Orchards of East Cherokee, call 770-345-5409. Or, visit them online at www.OrchardsGroup.com. For more information on Atlanta realestate, check out Atlanta Real Estate Forum.

Boone Homes Enjoys Best Start in Four Years

While some builders are still struggling against the downturn of the housing market, Boone Homes is seeing an uptick in Richmond real estate sales in several of its new home communities. In fact, new home sales are ahead of where they were last year.

“The no maintenance, one-level buyer is now starting to actively look and purchase homes, especially in Richmond’s popular West End district,” said David Owen, president of Boone Homes. “The strength of the stock market is returning, restoring optimism for these buyers.”

Some of the builder’s most active communities include those with Richmond nomaintenance homes such as Bellingham in Twin Hickory, Grey Oaks Villas and Coach Homes of Kinloch. Homes in these communities are priced form the $350,000s and boast convenient one-level living with additional bedrooms on the second floor. Homes range from two to four bedrooms, 2.5 to 4.5 bathrooms and up to 4,415 square feet. Each community also offers the luxury of a maintenance free lifestyle with services that include lawn maintenance, seasonal treatment and aerating, irrigation, exterior painting, gutter cleaning, snow removal and trash service.

Boone Homes’ communities of luxury estate homes are also seeing a rise in sales including Wescott at Grey Oaks. Located in Henrico County, this community features new homes priced from the $699,950s. Homes at Wescott at Grey Oaks offer three to five bedrooms, 3.5 to 4.5 bathrooms and up to 5,072 square feet of living space. The community’s floor plans boast award-winning designs with many popular features including two-story foyers, gourmet kitchens, deluxe mudrooms, hardwood floors, extensive trim and more. Also, residents at Wescott at Grey Oaks enjoy community amenities including a pool, tennis courts and sidewalks.

Boone Homes constructs new homes in five no maintenance and two estate home communities throughout Richmond. Boone Homes’ neighborhoods are found in both master-planned communities where residents have the luxury of enjoying amazing amenities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, walking trails, parks and playgrounds and in rural settings where residents enjoy picturesque views and quiet privacy. Homes boast classic American architecture in brick or stone with complementary home styles and colors that are matched by professional landscaping.

For more information about these communities, visit http://www.boonehomes.net.

About Boone Homes:

Boone Homes (www.boonehomes.net) is an award-winning Virginia new home builder with offices in Richmond. With 30 years of experience, Boone Homes builds traditionally styled homes with livable designs in luxury and maintenance free neighborhoods in the best locations. For more information, call our Richmond office at 804-784-6192. 

The Estates of Fernwood Creek Boasts New Cherokee County Home

Traton Homes is excited to announce the opening of the new decorated model home at The Estates of Fernwood Creek in Woodstock near Roswell. Ready to be toured, this Traton Homes best-selling Providence plan model home offers an abundance of windows and warm tones in the interior that fit nicely into the community’s natural, calm setting. In addition, Traton Homes will soon release the final phase of 30 new Cherokee County home sites at The Estates of Fernwood Creek.

With five bedrooms and four bathrooms, this Providence model home features three-sides brick with elegant stone accents, as well as a beautiful front porch, three-car garage and basement. Residents can enjoy the stacked stone fireplace with enhanced vaulted ceiling in the large great room, as well as a perfect guest suite with full bath and formal dining room on the main floor. Traveling up the bold staircase, a spacious owner’s suite, media room and three bedrooms can be found.

Priced from the $340,000s, The Estates of Fernwood Creek offers luxury Traton homes surrounded by picturesque green space, creeks and streams. Community amenities include a junior Olympic pool, two lighted tennis courts, pavilion with outdoor fireplace, playground and community sidewalks. In addition, homebuyers have easy access to Interstate 575, GA 400, Alpharetta, Roswell, parks, schools and a variety of shopping choices.

Children at The Estates of Fernwood Creek attend Arnold Mill Elementary, Mill Creek Middle and River Ridge High schools.

For more information on The Estates of Fernwood Creek, contact the new homes specialist at 770-924-3120 or visit www.TratonHomes.com to register for the community’s VIP list.

Traton Homes Introduces New Community of Cobb County Luxury Homes

Atlanta home builder, Traton Homes, is excited to introduce a new community of Cobb County luxury homes, The Preserve at Lost Mill Trace. Located in East Cobb County near excellent schools, shopping, recreation and dining, this community is perfect for families trying to find their niche in the metro-area.

Residents will love these new homes with four-sides brick, cedar shake and/or stone exteriors, four to six bedrooms and up to four-and-a-half bathrooms. Interiors also boast both two-story and master-on-the-main floor plans with gourmet kitchens and lavish owner’s suites.

“East Cobb County is a popular location near excellent schools, shopping, dining and recreation destinations,” said Kimberly Garwood, marketing manager at Traton Homes. “We are excited to offer an outstanding opportunity to own a new Traton home in the Walton High School district.”

Families can also enjoy great amounts of green space offered in the community including walking trails and a private community soccer field.

The community is also located in the perfect location when it comes to schools. Children will attend highly acclaimed East Side Elementary, Dodgen Middle and Walton High Schools.

Traton Homes is thrilled for the opening of The Preserve at Lost Mill Trace. Those interested in the community should contact new home specialist, Steve Lee at 678-858-1984 or visit www.tratonhomes.com to sign up for the community VIP list. 

One Finished Courtyard Home Available in East Cherokee

Are you ready to move in to your dream home? Now, is your chance! The Orchards of East Cherokee, an active adult Woodstock community built by the Orchards Group, has one single family home ready for move-in.

The Orchards Group is quickly adding more homes to its inventory, but these homes will not be ready until August. In the mean time, there is one gorgeous courtyard home ready immediately in this highly sought-after community.

This one-story courtyard home with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a den or optional third bedroom is priced at $259,900. Located on lot 99, the Belmont home has almost 1,900 square feet of living space with site finished hardwoods throughout the main living areas. With a spacious breakfast nook that can double as an informal dining room, and a spacious master suite featuring a large walk-in closet and a luxurious bathroom, this home will is perfect for any homeowner. The home also features walk-up attic storage as well as covered and uncovered patio spaces.

Community amenities include a grand clubhouse, sparkling pool, waterfall sitting area and barbeque grilling space.

The Orchards of East Cherokee, a maintenance-free community, is just a short drive from downtown Woodstock, Canton, Roswell and Alpharetta. In addition, the area's best shops, restaurants, parks, entertainment venues and healthcare centers are all conveniently located just minutes away!

For more information, please visit www.OrchardsGroup.com or call 770-345-5409.

For more Atlanta real estate news, visit Atlanta Real Estate Forum.