In fact, 19 of the 30 largest metro areas in the country have already hit bottom, or will by the end of this year. The report also indicates that overall national home values have had their biggest monthly gain in nearly 6 years, increasing 0.5 percent from February to March 2012. In addition, the Zillow Home Value Forecast predicts certain markets to experience significant home value gains over the next year. Specifically, a 2.5 percent increase in the Tampa area and a 0.8 percent increase in Orlando.

What does this mean for potential homebuyers in these two markets? Zillow Chief Economist, Dr. Stan Humphries, says, “For people who have been waiting to time their home purchases close to the market bottom, it’s time to start shopping.”

If you’re ready to purchase a new home before prices begin to rise, then give us a call. As a top Tampa and Orlando home builder, we have new homes to fit every buyer’s needs. We offer three to five bedroom homes priced from the low-$100,000s, and qualified buyers can move into their dream homes for only $99 out of pocket. Plus, with new home prices on the rise, you can be confident that our homes are the best investment you will make in your future.

For more information about Highland Homes, visit our website.

Not only did our home win first place in its category, but it also received a special Merit Award for its luxury master bedroom suite. The special Merit Awards are presented by unanimous vote for the feature that the judges found particularly spectacular in the homes in each category.

The Winston II is an amazing new home that features four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a spacious 2,350 square feet and a two-car garage. This split floor plan offers a double-door front entry, 9-foot 4-inch flat ceilings, comfortable family room and spacious covered lanai.

This home is perfect for entertaining. The formal living and dining rooms are great for when you’re hosting an elegant dinner party; and with a kitchen that flows into the family room, you can keep the conversation going even when you have to go check on the progress of dinner in the oven.

The home’s spectacular master suite that received recognition from the parade of homes’ judges boasts tray ceilings, access to the lanai, a walk-in closet and luxury bath with dual vanities, garden tub and tiled shower.

As a top Central Florida home builder, the Winston II is just one of the more than 40 fabulous floor plans that we have to offer.

For more information about this and our other floor plans, visit the Highland Homes website.

The Highland Homes Selection Studio is currently offering five popular colors of granite: Giallo Ornamental, Santa Cecilia, Uba Tuba, Tan Brown and Black Pearl. These colors fit a variety of personal styles and complement our cabinet and flooring selections. Our granite comes in a 3 centimeter thickness with three included edges to choose from, as well as two optional edge finishes. When granite is selected, the price includes a stainless steel under mount sink and Delta stainless steel four-hole faucet. As with our other countertop choices, you can select different colors of granite between your kitchen and bathrooms.

Granite is relatively easy to maintain. You can clean it with mild soap and water, or you can get special granite cleaner that will provide a thin protective film. Our granite is sealed at installation to prevent dirt and moisture from penetrating the surface. Granite is very durable and strong and doesn’t scratch easily, and is a favorite of chefs because it is cool to the touch so it makes a perfect working area to roll out dough.

Our Design Studio consultants are excited to help you decorate your home and select the right granite to coordinate with the rest of your finishes in your Central Florida new homes. Granite can be a wonderful addition to your new kitchen or bathroom space, and will add a unique, natural beauty.

For more information about our Highland Homes designs and Personal Selection Studio, visit our website.

According to a recent Housing Zone article, prices bottomed out in January and now there is no place to go but up. In fact, the article goes on to report that Orlando home prices are up 6.3 percent over this time last year. This information comes from the Trulia Price Monitor, which follows housing prices from the nation’s major markets.

With prices on the rise, new home shoppers can rest assured that our Central Florida new homes are one of the best investments they can make in their futures.

We offer three to five bedroom new homes priced from the low-$100,000s with special incentives such as our $99 Moves You In offer for qualified buyers. Plus, those interested in the Orlando area can take advantage of all the entertainment and employment opportunities right around the corner at Disney World, Legoland Florida and other nearby amusement destinations.

For more information about our Orlando new homes, visit the Highland Homes website.

According to a recent article in Time Moneyland, one of the most affordable metro regions in the country is Lakeland, Fla. In fact, in metro areas where the population is half a million or more, Lakeland blew the competition away in affordability. In this metro area, families who earn a median income can purchase an incredible 92.5 percent of the homes that sold in the third quarter of 2011. This isn’t limited to just older homes.

Did you know that we are a Lakeland-Winter Haven home builder with new homes priced from the low-$100,000s? Plus, qualified buyers can move in to their new homes for just $99 out of pocket. And, you don’t even have to sacrifice all the bells and whistles. Our homes boast many popular features including garden tubs, covered lanais, walk-in closets and more!

You can even personalize our new homes at our Personal Selection Studio with the help of our highly-qualified design studio consultants.

For more information about our new homes and communities, visit the Highland Homes website. And make sure to take a tour of our website’s new Locate It page.

We recently purchased 24 of the 28 home sites at Tower Grove Estates. An intimate enclave of spacious lots ranging from half an acre to almost a full acre in size, the community will feature both ranch and two story homes. With three to five bedrooms, two to three bathrooms and up to 3,000 square feet of living space, these homes are perfect for first-time buyers and empty-nesters, as well as growing families.

In addition to offering spacious new homes and homesites, Tower Grove Estates is located near major thoroughfares such as CR 39 and SR 60, giving residents an easy commute to Tampa. We will soon start construction on Tower Grove Estates’ model home, the Williamson II, so make sure to check back often for updates and join our VIP list.

Southwind in Gibsonton is conveniently located just off Interstate 75 and Gibsonton Drive, making the commute to north, south or downtown Tampa a breeze. This community’s location offers easy access to the Alafia River, Hillsborough Bay and Brandon Town Center Mall, as well as other shopping destinations and conveniences. Buyers will find three to five bedrooms homes and premium lakefront home sites. More information on plans and pricing will be coming soon, so check back on our website or join our VIP list for the latest.

As always, qualified buyers can purchase our Florida new homes for just $99 out-of-pocket. Plus, we offer new homes priced from the low-$100,000s, making us Central Florida’s value leader.

For more information about Highland Homes, visit our website.

Steve Witmer recently took over as our New Home Specialist at Meadow Oaks. Steve has been in real estate since 1992 and new home sales since 1995, and we are excited for him to utilize his real estate expertise to help new home buyers at Meadow Oaks.

We also recently lowered pricing on some of our most popular floor plans, plus for a limited time are offering a special upgrade package on ALL floor plans at this golf course community in Hudson. The upgrade package includes Foam Injected Wall Block, Architectural Shingles, Low-E Windows, Coach Lights and FloCrete, and is available on Florida new homes purchased through May 31, 2012.

Meadow Oaks is located off SR 52 in Hudson and is the perfect new home for the golf and sports enthusiast with a golf course and pro shop, clubhouse with fitness center, restaurant, pool, tennis courts, basketballs courts, shuffleboard and more.

Stop by and meet Steve and learn more about the community and our new pricing and upgrade package. Our fully decorated mode home is open Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

For more information about Meadow Oaks and Highland Homes, visit our website.

Open House visitors will receive fabulous incentives on their home purchase including $0 Closing Costs and $99 Down payment; and, as our housewarming gift, a FREE 46” Plasma TV when you close on your home.

Visit us this Sunday, April 22, at our Open Houses at:

Lakeland

• 8451 Adele Rd., Lakeland  ~  4 bed, 2.5 bath, 2428 sq. ft.  $159,900
• 8762 Fort Socrum Village Way, Lakeland  ~  5 bed, 3 bath, 2479 sq. ft.  $159,900

Winter Haven

• 4723 Mandolin Loop, Winter Haven  ~  4 bed, 2.5 bath, 1844 sq. ft.  $164,867
• 4976 Mandolin Ct., Winter Haven  ~  3 bed, 2 bath, 1488 sq. ft.  $164,900
• 1858 Emily Dr., Winter Haven  ~  4 bed, 2.5 bath, 2836 sq. ft.  $153,900
• 4848 Osprey Way, Winter Haven  ~  3 bed, 2 bath, 1250 sq. ft.  $124,900

Tampa Bay

• 413 Laguna Mill Dr., Ruskin  ~  3 bed, 2 bath, 1467 sq. ft.  $129,900
• 3206 Evansbrook Dr., Zephyrhills   ~  3 bed, 2 bath. 1509 sq. ft.  $170,170
• 10764 Carloway Hills Dr., Wimauma  ~  Former model home! 4 bed, 2 bath, 1858 sq. ft.  $189,900
• 10766 Carloway Hills Dr., Wimauma  ~  Former model home! 4 bed, 2 bath, 2350 sq. ft.  $195,900

For more information or directions to the Open Houses, call (863) 529-5628 or Click Here to email us.

To learn more about Highland Homes, visit our website.

A faithful employee in our Accounts Payable Department for more than 15 years, Joann was the heartbeat of the Highland Homes corporate office. She was the smallest of all employees, but had the biggest voice.

Joann set the tone for all other employees as she was the first one to arrive at the office, and was always seen working. She wasn’t one for idle chatter or office gossip – although, she loved telling stories about her daughter, Jenny, and seemed to get excited about her life through Jenny’s accomplishments.

Joann was always finding and resolving errors on paperwork. She was detailed to a T, and was not afraid to stand her ground on her point of view or in correcting errors.

When Joann was diagnosed with cancer, she embraced it as just another challenge. She found a new lease on life with her new wig, loving how much “new” hair she had. Her laughter and vivacity always made us smile, and will surely be missed.

Highland Homes will celebrate her life and her dedication to the company. She will be missed by all.

Thank you, Joann, for the life, laughter and love you brought to all of our lives. Visit the Whidden-McLean Funeral Home website to read Joann Hogeback’s obituary.

The article references an American Housing Survey with findings that showed 26 percent of all homeowners spend $100 a month or more on home maintenance expenses while only 11 percent of new homeowners spend that much. In fact, 73 percent of new homeowners spend $25 or less a month on repairs according to the article.

It doesn’t stop with home maintenance either: the same holds true for energy efficiency. Today’s homes are built to be more energy efficient than homes built just 5 years ago. Homeowners spend 78 cents per square foot a year on electricity while new homeowners spend just 65 cents per square foot annually. Also, owners of homes with piped gas average 53 cents per square foot annually, and new homeowners spend 38 cents per square foot a year.

If you want to put some money back in your pocket by purchasing a new home, then give us a call. We build energy efficient Central Florida new homes designed for you. No need to make renovations or repairs and no surprises. We work with you every stop of the way to make sure that you’re getting the home of your dreams.

For more information about Highland Homes, visit our website.