Archive for Normandy Heights
Florida Real Estate Without Compromise
Posted by on April 5, 2011 | Comments
Recently, it has been debated whether first-time buyers are too picky when it comes to choosing a home, or if they’re just mirroring the current market situation. With low interests rates, great prices on new Florida real estate and a good selection of homes on the market, first-time buyers are looking past the “fixer-upers” and choosing to search for homes that match their preferences completely.
The Washington Post decided to investigate this topic in a piece titled, “Picky First-Time Buyers Losing Out on Great Housing Deals.” The article noted that a Coldwell Banker Real Estate survey found that 87 percent of the 300 first-time buyers questioned said that a move-in ready home (one without the need for remodeling or upgrading) is important. The article goes on to mention that some real estate agents suggest that it is unlikely to find a move-in ready starter home free of imperfections. Read More→
Don’t Be So Quick to Say No to an ARM Loan. Still a Great Option For Many Buyers
Posted by on March 28, 2011 | Comments
With memories of the housing crisis and the negative perception many people have of the words “Adjustable Rate Mortgage,” buyers of Central Florida new homes have been afraid to consider adjustable rate mortgages, with many opting for the predictable 30-year fixed-rate mortgage.
Indeed, when the housing market started its down turn, using an ARM didn’t make much sense since the adjustable rates weren’t much lower than the fixed-rate options. But today, the rate spread between the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and the 5-year ARM has widened to historic levels, some say.
As rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages began increasing in October, “ARMs have not moved nearly as much,” said Leif Thomsen, CEO of Mortgage Master Inc., a mortgage lender based in Walpole, Mass.
Assuming a $160,000 loan amount, a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at 4.875% means a monthly payment of $846.73. Interest paid after five years: $37,468.
Compare that to a 5/1 hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage at 3.125%. For the first five years, the monthly payment would be $685.40, and you’d pay $23,697 in interest over those five years.
So, for a borrower who plans on moving within five years anyway, they’d save as much as $13,771 by financing with an ARM. Read More→
Wear Green, Get Green, Save Green on Upgrades
Posted by on March 7, 2011 | Comments
Usually, wearing green will save you from getting pinched during the month of March. At Highland Homes, wearing green gets you green so that you can save green on Green Upgrades for your new Florida home! OK, you don’t have to wear green to save; but, you do have to stop by a Highland Homes community to take advantage of the Free Green Package or $3,500 towards Green Upgrades that we’re offering until March 31 in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.
The energy-saving Green Package will help you go green while putting more green back into your pocket. Valued at approximately $5,800, the Green Package includes Foam Injected Wall Block, Radiant Barrier, Double Pane Windows and Level 1 Mohawk® recycled carpet. Read More→
Closeout Sale, Only Five Homes Remain
Posted by on February 10, 2011 | Comments
Do you love to get the best deals on everything you purchase? Are you shopping for a new home? If so, you’ll be excited to know that Florida new home builder Highland Homes is closing out last year’s stock with huge savings on Ready-to-Own homes. However, you must act fast if you want to take advantage of this deal. You only have until March 1, 2011 to make one of the five remaining homes your own.
Do you need a home that is large enough to accommodate your growing family? If so, you should visit the model home at Wind Meadows in Bartow. Featuring the Sherwood floor plan, this home is a spacious 2,278 square feet with four bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. You can now purchase this home at $198,900; that’s $25,000 off original pricing.
If you’re looking for an open floorplan, then you should visit the inventory home at Lakeside Landings in Winter Haven. Conveniently located off SR 544 just west of Hwy. 27, this home features our popular three bedroom, two bathroom Casa Key II floor plan. Buyers will be attracted to the community’s professionally designed model home with beautiful double glass doors, gourmet kitchen and screened lanai. Now priced at $139,900, this home represents a savings of more than $65,000. Read More→
Closeout Pricing, Amazing Deals on Florida New Homes
Posted by on January 24, 2011 | Comments
If you’ve been waiting to make that new home purchase, now is the time. We’re closing out last year’s stock with huge price reductions. From now until March 1, 2011, you can enjoy special closeout pricing on two of our Ready-to-Own Winter Haven new homes at Lakeside Landings and Normandy Heights.
Located in our Normandy Heights community, the Winston II floorplan is perfect for a household looking to increase their living space. You’ll enjoy four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a spacious 2,350 square feet of open living space. Perfect for entertaining, this home features a large kitchen that opens up to an oversized family room. The master Read More→
If Your Family is a Zoo, SmartStrand Carpet is for You
Posted by on December 29, 2010 | Comments
Does it sometimes feel like you have a zoo living in your home? Between children, pets, visitors, spills and spouses, it can sometimes make you feel like you have a house full of animals. Although your whole home might suffer the impact, you may find that your carpet experiences the bulk of the trauma. However, there’s still hope. Florida home builder, Highland Homes, can help you can keep your home looking fresh and clean for years to come by upgrading the carpet in your new abode to Mohawk SmartStrand® carpet with Dupont™ Sorona® (SmartStrand).
To help demonstrate the durability and resiliency of SmartStrand carpet, Mohawk recently introduced the SmartStrand Zoo Challenge at the Dallas Zoo in Texas. Ten animals had their enclosures carpeted for two solid weeks last October. During that time, they were allowed to live freely and make messes. In the end, SmartStrand won the test of durability. The carpets were cleaned using only hot water extraction and Mohawk FloorCare Essentials Carpet Stain Remover. The result was brand new looking carpets. To view the video, visit the SmartStrand Challenge website.
Mohawk’s SmartStrand is the perfect carpet to complement any of Highland Read More→
If the Elves Can’t Build It We Can!
Posted by on December 22, 2010 | Comments
The elves have been so busy getting all the toys ready for Christmas eve, that they haven’t had time to build any new homes this year. But never fear, even if the elves can’t build your new home, we can! If you are looking for a new home for the holidays, Highland Homes can move you in for as little as $99 down.
We are busy fulfilling holiday wishes for new homes all over central Florida. Talk about the perfect Christmas wish! With payments from $587 a month, your new home will be a gift that lasts year-round. Our financing options on starter homes mean you can literally own for less than renting!
Highland Homes has been Central Florida’s value leader for over a decade. Read More→
