Lower Inventories Require Savvier Home Shopping this Spring

The spring buying season may have you in high home shopping gear, but you may find as you get out there that the options aren’t as plentiful as you had hoped. That is because across the nation, inventories are shrinking while demand is increasing. The market still isn’t perfect for buyers or sellers, so navigating this spring’s home sale market could require more effort, patience and money than you might have thought.

To prepare yourself, the experts at Equifax recently published an article, “Low Inventories May Hurt Spring Real Estate Market,” which provides tips on getting the best deal and finding the best home in the current market.

Some of the tips include:

Final Opportunities at East Cobb County Homes Community

Craftsman-style homes with elegant interiors and inviting streetscapes are the signature style of Atlanta home builder, Brock Built. This life + style formula has served them well since the company's conception more than 25 years ago. One of their more recent community success stories is that of their East Cobb County homes at Piedmont Crossing, which is down to its final opportunities.

Only two homes remain in this quaint community. Both homes, which are backed by extensive warranties, offer four bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms and are priced affordably for the area at $399,900.

Inside the homes, buyers will love the gleaming hardwood floors and nine to 10-foot ceilings on the main level, wood burning fireplaces, gourmet kitchens with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, extensive trim packages and spacious bedrooms. The outsides are just as lovely with a mix of Fox Mountain stone, Boral brick and James Hardie shake and siding.

Located in East Cobb, Piedmont Crossing off of East Piedmont Road in Marietta is just minutes away from restaurants, shops, parks, community centers, entertainment and more. Major roadways such as Roswell Road, Sandy Plains Road and I-75 are all also easily accessible.

Time is running out at this community of homes in Marietta, so be sure to stop by today for a tour or call 770-597-2549 for more information.

Boone Homes Experiences Increase in Home Sales at Coach Homes of Kinloch

The Richmond housing market is making a comeback as local builders have seen an increase in home sales. Boone Homes specifically has noticed a resurgence of empty nesters and has sold more homes in the first quarter of 2013 at Coach Homes of Kinloch than the last three years combined. With spacious maintenance free homes designed for one level living, homes at Kinloch are ideal for empty nesters. 

Facebook -- More Than Just Posting

There are lots of ways that homebuilders can use Facebook to market their homes. Most builders do a good job of covering the basics by posting news a couple of times a week and interacting with the potential customers that "Like" them.

Some builders run contests, promotions and incentives on Facebook and use these campaigns to collect consumer names and emails. These offer a great way to reach new consumers and engage with them.

Facebook advertising is another way to attract new page "Likes" and promote Grand Openings of new communities and incentives. This can be accomplished effectively for as little at $250 a month.

One savvy builder, Keystone Custom Homes has recently added apps for browsing their quick move-ins and communities—right from their Facebook page!
To search for their quick move-in homes, click on the tab at the top right. Then, scroll until you find the

Phoenix Homebuilder Offers First and Last Opportunities at Two Communities

Phoenix homebuilder Wilson Parker Homes truly believes that when one door closes, another one opens. This is especially true with two of their communities, Villagio Estates, which is just getting started and Saratoga Springs, which is winding down.

Construction on the first new homes and the model home is now underway at Villagio Estates. Located just one mile from the 60 freeway, this community offers five distinct home designs, a community pool and awe-inspiring views of the Superstition Mountains.

Priced from the $150,000s, all five floor plans offer three or four bedrooms, two or two-and-a-half bathrooms and 1,300 to 2,000 square feet. Open floor plans dominated by luxurious master suites, spacious bedrooms and elegant finishes make these homes a real treat.

Sales Center Address: 2841 West 18th Avenue, East Valley, Arizona , 85119

Only 15 new homes in Phoenix remain at their Saratoga Springs community located just minutes from the shops, restaurants, parks and entertainment in downtown Phoenix.

Also priced from the $150,000s, these homes come in two beautiful floor plans. The Madison spans 1,600 square feet with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms. Buyers will love this home's open floor plan, spacious bedrooms and covered patio. The second plan, the Crestview, spans 1,500 square feet with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms. Popular features of this home include open living areas, second floor laundry room and a luxurious master suite. Residents at Saratoga Springs also benefit from a community pool.

Sales Center Address: 10225 W. Camelback Road #25, Phoenix, AZ, 85037

No matter which community you choose to move into, you are sure to love your new Wilson Parker Home.

15 Active Adult Homes Under Construction at Brannon Oak Farm

With sold signs and new homes popping up every day across the metro Atlanta area, it is safe to say that the housing market is finally looking up. For The Orchards Group, the market has come back with a vengeance, and to keep up, they are now building 15 new homes, half of which are already sold, at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm in Cumming.

"With the sales pace we have been maintaining over the last several months and the new construction activity, we anticipate to be built and sold out of this community by the end of 2013. Any active adults in the area who have been thinking about buying are highly encouraged to visit our sales center today to see what everyone has been raving about," said Mitch Block, Director of Sales and Marketing for The Orchards Group.

Those looking for master on the main villas have three opportunities coming soon. At the end of August, buyers will have the option of a Dogwood home on a basement for $349,900 or a Cypress home on a basement for $389,900. A month later, another Cypress home will be ready for $355,500.

Three new ranch condominiums are also under construction and still for sale. A Charleston home with a bonus room and sunroom for $309,900 will be ready in mid June. Two additional homes, an Ashewood with sunroom and walk-up attic storage for $269,900 and an Ellijay with screened-in porch and bonus room for $319,900, will be ready by the end of August.

Finally, we have a Piedmont plan single family home with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and loads of upgrades will be ready in mid July for $296,950.

All three home types offer low maintenance exteriors in addition to exquisite features and finishes both inside and out.

In order to fully take advantage of the active adult lifestyle, our residents can enjoy a wealth of amenities including a grand clubhouse, two swimming pools, a firepit, barbeque grill and lawn area.

The community’s Cumming location is ideal for dining out, shopping, entertainment, recreation and travel via major roadways including GA 400.

For more information, visit www.OrchardsGroup.com or call 678-513-8879.

How to Buy your First Home

Figuring out the ins and outs of buying your first home can be difficult. After all, you have never done it before and we all know practice makes perfect. However, few homebuyers have the chance to practice selecting the perfect home and the perfect mortgage, so it is important to have a good education on what to and what not to do before you get started.

Central Pennsylvania homebuilder, Keystone Custom Homes makes the process a little bit easier for its buyers by offering a FREE first time homebuyer seminar. The next seminar will be on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at the Park Inn by Radisson, 5401 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, Pa., from 10 a.m. to noon.

This is a great opportunity to learn from others with experience how to purchase a home with a responsible financing plan, how to improve credit scores and how to avoid making mistakes. A new home purchase is