Pennsylvania and Maryland Homebuilder Supports Nonprofits

Homebuilders change the lives of people every day by providing them with a place to live. Homebuyers trust in their builder to create a home that is not only a solid investment, but somewhere they will enjoy living and creating memories for years to come. However, some builders are working to change more than just the lives of their residents, as many also donate their time and skills to helping the less fortunate through charities such as Habitat for Humanity and Homes for Hope.

One Pennsylvania and Maryland homebuilder that has gone above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to giving back is Keystone Custom Homes. Not only does this company donate a percentage of every home sale to Homes for Hope, a nonprofit organization that builds homes nationwide to raise money for HOPE International, but they also run campaigns at least once or twice a year to help with fundraising efforts.

The latest campaign from Keystone Custom Homes is entitled "People of Hope." During this campaign, the builder is shedding light on the various partner companies who donate their time and efforts to Homes for Hope, including builders, suppliers, subcontractors and consultants through blog posts and updates on its social media outlets. Keystone Custom Homes is also encouraging people to donate directly to Homes for Hope through a special landing page created on their Facebook page.

To meet the People of Hope and to find out how you can make a difference, visit www.KeystoneCustomHome.com/Blog.

Homebuilder Launches Social Media Campaign to Benefit Those in Need

As much as Santa Claus has become a holiday tradition, so has the spirit of giving. In fact, according to statistics from Charity Navigator, non-profits nationwide raise 30 to 40 percent of their annual income during the last few weeks of the year and the average person makes 24 percent of their annual donations between Thanksgiving and New Year's.

To capitalize on this season of giving, Pennsylvania and Maryland homebuilder Keystone Custom Homes has launched a social media campaign aimed at raising money for a non-profit near and dear to its heart, Homes for Hope.

Through a series of blog posts and social media updates, Keystone Custom Homes will share the stories of the people of Homes for Hope, which builds homes across the nation on a mostly pro bono basis. This includes builders, subcontractors, consultants and suppliers who all contribute their time and money to build homes that generate revenue for HOPE International, a Christian microfinance organization. The goal of the campaign is to not only raise awareness for both organizations, but also to encourage people to donate whatever they can afford.

Keystone Custom Homes has previously successfully launched social media campaigns promoting Homes for Hope during the holiday season. Last year their campaign focused on the theme of "Giving HOPE,"  and the builder donated one dollar to HOPE International for every new like they received during the month of December for a total of $338. The campaign also included links for people to donate directly to the organization.

If you're looking for a worthy cause to donate your time and/or money to this holiday season or all year long, visit the Keystone Custom Homes blog to meet the People of Hope.

Final Home Selling at Traton Homes' Old Canton Pines Community

Old Canton Pines in East Cobb has been a popular Traton Homes community due to its desirable location and quality homes. The community's first 16 homes have sold in record time, meaning that buyers now have one last opportunity to purchase before Old Canton Pines is officially sold out.

The final home, which features the builder's award-winning Inglewood plan, is under construction now. With five bedrooms, four bathrooms and a basement for $620,000, this home is a dream opportunity for any family looking for plenty of space to relax and entertain. Features of the first floor include an open  layout with a foyer that is flanked by formal living and dining rooms, a gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances including a double oven and large island is open to the breakfast nook and fireside family room with coffered ceilings, a guest suite and a mudroom off of the three-car garage. Upstairs, there are three spacious secondary bedrooms and a luxurious owner's suite with sitting area, his and her walk-in closets and a spa bathroom.

Homeowners at Old Canton Pines will find everything they need just minutes from their doorsteps. Marietta Square, Town Center Mall, the Avenues at East Cobb, Fullers Park, Atlanta Country Club and East Cobb Park are just a small sampling of the nearby shopping, dining, entertainment and recreation.

In addition, the community's youngest residents will also attend top notch schools, including the nationally ranked Wheeler High, Eats Cobb Middle and Eastvalley Elementary.

Interested buyers are encouraged to act quickly on this final opportunity at Old Canton Pines before it's too late!

To learn about this home or to schedule a tour, please call Kerri Briant at 404-314-4158. For more on Traton Homes' other East Cobb communities, visit www.TratonHomes.com.

Excellent Schools Near Cherokee County Homes for Sale

The Cherokee County School District was recently ranked among the four highest counties in the metro Atlanta area for its graduation rate. With a 78 percent graduation rate, the county school system exceeds the state average by 6.5 percentage points.

As the largest and fastest growing builder of Cherokee County homes for sale, Smith Douglas Communities is proud to offer its buyers a beautiful selection of homes near such outstanding schools.

Here's a breakdown of which of the Atlanta home builder's communities are districted for each school:

River Ridge High School-84.5 Percent

• Cornerstone Estates: Now in its final opportunities, this community is the best selling community in Cherokee County. Only a few Woodstock GA homes priced from the high $190,000s to $200,000s remain. Community amenities include private green space, walking trails, a pool with cabana and tennis courts
• Woodstock Village: The model home is now open and these homes are selling fast! This quaint community located off of Highway 92 is minutes from downtown Woodstock with five unique home designs priced from the $150,000s.

Woodstock High School-80.3 percent

• The Glen at River Park: Enjoy a live, work, play location with these homes in Woodstock. In addition to five different two-story plans priced from the $130,000s, residents benefit from an amenities package including a clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis courts, fitness center, basketball courts, a playground and a park.

Sequoyah High School-77.3 percent

• Cherokee Reserve: Located in Canton, this community of homes is now pre-selling. A wooded environment provides a lush oasis just minutes from shops, restaurants, entertainment and parks. Buyers may choose from five two-story plans priced from the $190,000s.

Cherokee High School-71.9 percent

• River Brooke: Phase two of this Canton community will break ground soon. Buyers enjoy a mix of ranch and two-story plans with up to five bedrooms and pricing from the $150,000s. Community amenities include a playground and swimming pool with cabana.
• Station at Prominence: Smith Douglas Communities is bring new homes in Atlanta to this established Canton community. Priced from the $150,000s, these ranch and two story homes are a spacious 1,400 to 2,500 square feet.

To learn more about all of the builder's homes for sale in Cherokee County, click here.

Prime Location Makes Active Adult Community Popular with Home Buyers

The Orchards Group, an active adult home builder in North Atlanta, builds quality homes in outstanding communities that are complete with state-of-the-art amenities. But what makes the The Orchards Groups’ communities so popular with active adult home buyers? According to many of the residents, the location and local amenities are one of the primary factors that helped them decide to live in an Orchards Group community.

“Many of the large active adult builders in metro Atlanta choose locations that are much further out,” said Mitch Block, sales and marketing director for The Orchards Group. “But, at The Orchards Group, we prefer to build smaller, more intimate communities that provide a more convenient location for our residents.”

The Orchards of East Cherokee is located central to four downtown areas that include Roswell, Woodstock, Alpharetta and Canton. This convenient location provides homeowners with an easy community to an abundance of local shopping, entertainment and dining destinations.

One of the newest attractions that has been drawing residents to The Orchards of East Cherokee is the Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta. This outstanding outlet mall is just minutes away from the community and includes a multitude of popular retailers, such as J. Crew, Columbia Sportswear, Journeys, Nike, Brooks Brothers, Yankee Candle, Le Creuset and much more.

At The Orchards of East Cherokee, prospective home buyers will find two distinct villages that each have their own unique blend of home designs. The Gallery features two to four bedroom single-family homes while the Southern Heritage collection includes two to four bedroom ranch condominium homes. Each of the homes offers residents low-maintenance living, which allows them extra time to enjoy their carefree, active adult lifestyle.

For more information on the new active adult homes that are available at The Orchards of East Cherokee, contact the sales center at 770-345-5409 or visit www.OrchardsGroup.com. 

First Building of Suwanee Townhomes at Brynfield Sold Out

Since announcing their new Suwanee townhomes at Brynfield just a few short weeks ago, buyers have been flocking to the Smith Douglas community to reserve their spot. In fact, the Atlanta home builder has had such a high demand that the first building is already sold out!

These new townhomes in Suwanee are affordably priced from the $160,000s. Buyers can choose from two different three bedroom floor plans with just over 1,600 square feet, the Pierce and the Suwanee. The Pierce features a large family room off of the foyer that is open to the kitchen with eat-in dining area and a back patio; upstairs is an owner's suite with trey ceiling and walk-in closets, two secondary bedrooms and a laundry room. The Suwanee also features all three bedrooms and the laundry room on the second level, but the kitchen and dining area are off of the foyer on the main level.

Brynfield is an exclusive gated community of Gwinnett County homes and townhomes. Community amenities are conducive to family fun, and include a neighborhood pool with mushroom water feature, cabana and a playground.

Situated in the heart of Gwinnett, this community of Atlanta new homes is convenient to I-85, Discover Mills, the Mall of Georgia, Coolray Field, the Arena at Gwinnett Center and downtown Suwanee. Plus, Suwanee has been rated as one of the top places to live, one of the best towns for families and one of the greatest cities to raise kids by multiple publications.

These new Suwanee townhomes won't last too much longer, so secure your spot today by visiting the sales center at 42 Reynoldston Court in Suwanee or calling 678-731-7066.

Keystone Custom Homes Offers New Home Savings for the Holidays

Does your holiday gift list this year include a beautiful new home? If so and you're a buyer in the Pennsylvania or Maryland area, you may have just hit the holiday jackpot! Local builder Keystone Custom Homes has 26 move-in ready homes that come with an extra special gift, a 2.75 percent interest rate*!

Keystone Custom Homes' quick delivery homes are sure to meet all of the needs on your wish list. Features and finishes of these homes include master on the main and master upstairs floor plans, formal living and dining spaces, spacious family rooms, gourmet kitchens, large bedrooms and much more all starting from the $200,000s. All of these homes are in today's most desirable locations, including Palmyra, Lancaster, Marietta, York, Douglassville, Harrisburg, Glen Rock, North East and more, you can guarantee there will be a community where you want to live.

Plus, thanks to the money you'll be saving on the mortgage of your new home, you'll be able to spend a little bit more to get your friends and family what they really want this year.

These new homes and this special pricing won't last long, so visit www.KeystoneCustomHome.com to view their inventory of quick delivery homes before they're gone!

*The rate is based on an FHA thirty year, 5/1 ARM. The minimum down payment is 3.5 percent of the purchase price. The loan will be adjustable yearly after the initial fixed term of five years. The maximum increase per year is once percent. Seller is contributing a maximum of two points to buy down the current rate of 3.5 percent. The APR is 4.790 percent. Rates may be higher if customer does not meet underwriting criteria. Loans provided by Seller’s preferred lenders; buyer must use one of Seller’s preferred lenders and title company. Buyers must settle by December 18, 2013. Offer only available on Quick Delivery Homes. Offer subject to change without notice. Other financing available.

Smith Douglas Communities Offers Atlanta Real Estate Faster

When it comes to moving into a brand new home, the waiting game is oftentimes the most excruciating part. You've picked out your community, your floor plan and even finishes, but once that's all said and done, your new home certainly won't be built in a day (or two). However, when you choose one of Smith Douglas' Atlanta homes for sale, you can move into your new metro Atlanta home a whole lot faster thanks to their decreased build time of just 48 days or less!

Using a combination of state-of-the-art software technology and good scheduling, Smith Douglas is able to make sure all of the materials needed to build your new home arrive on site in a timely manner. Plus, thanks to the experience of their project management team, the home building process is streamlined to reduce disruptions and to make changes quickly when problems do arise.

However, if 48 days is too long to wait, the Atlanta home builder also has a fantastic selection of homes available for quick move-in in many of their communities. This means you could be taking the for sale sign out of the yard of your new home in metro Atlanta in less than 30 days!

With affordable Atlanta new homes in Cherokee, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Henry and Paulding Counties, Smith Douglas Communities is bound to have a community where you want to live. All of their Atlanta homes for sale are built to meet the needs of today's buyers without having to pay a fortune.

To see and learn more about all of their communities, visit www.SmithDouglas.com. 

Increased Efforts Lead to Huge Payoff for Pennsylvania Home Builder

Even though many builders were hit hard during the recession, now that the market is booming again, these same builders are once again positioning themselves to once again become powerhouses in the industry. One example of such a builder is Pennsylvania and Maryland home builder Keystone Custom Homes.

Keystone Custom Homes has always been dedicated to improving lives. Whether it's improving someone's life by building them a new home or helping those in other countries since a percentage of each home sale is donated to HOPE International, it's safe to say that the builder has done just that.

However, Keystone has done more than just improve lives, it has also improved its business tremendously in the past few years. At the beginning of the recession, the builder had just 18 communities, and today they are building and marketing homes in 48 communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Not only that, but they have also increased the type of homes they offered, introduced five new collections of homes in the past year alone and have continually refreshed their designs to meet buyers' changing needs.

These efforts have paid off in a big way. The builder has been named "America's Best Builder" an unprecedented three times, it has been the area's largest privately owned builder for six straight years and now they've once again topped the Central Pennsylvania Business Journal's Top 100 Private Companies and Top 100 Performing Builders lists.

With 250 homes already closed this year, Keystone CustomHomes is well on their way to exceeding the 300 home sold mark, which they last reached in 2008. Even with the local housing market making great improvements in the past year, these tremendous sales numbers are a true testament to what this local builder is doing for the community.

If you would like to learn more about Keystone Custom Homes and its central Pennsylvania and northwestern Maryland new home communities, give them a call at 877-513-0385.

Eight Active Adult Homes Closed by The Orchards Group in September

With the recent growth of the Atlanta real estate market, it comes as no surprise that builders all over the metro area are reporting record sales this year. The Orchards Group is one of those builders currently experiencing amazing sales in 2013, and the month of September was no exception. Together, they closed on eight new homes at their two active adult communities!

The Orchards of East Cherokee and The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm each saw four homes close last month. Of the eight home closings, six of those new home buyers were already metro Atlanta residents, providing further proof the market has drastically improved over the last 18 to 24 months. An added benefit of the improved real estate market for The Orchards Group is that they are now experiencing an increased ability to sell their active adult homes, because their target market is finally able to sell their current homes.

“When we were in the depths of the recession, 75 percent of our new homeowners were moving in from out of state,” said Mitch Block, director of sales and marketing for The Orchards Group. “The local prospective buyers simply could not sell their existing homes, which was necessary for them to be able to buy new homes.”

Each of The Orchards Group communities have outstanding amenities that complement the active adult lifestyle, including a sparkling swimming pool, barbeque grilling area and a grand clubhouse that is complete with card and game rooms, fitness center and a gourmet kitchen. At The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm, you will also find a community lawn, fire pit and a gentlemen’s den with a fireplace in the clubhouse. 

Residents at The Orchards of East Cherokee will enjoy a beautiful waterfall sitting plaza next to the pool.

The Orchards Group allows residents to spend even more time enjoying the community amenities, thanks to a maintenance-free lifestyle. Regular landscaping, including weekly cutting, mulch replacement, irrigation and chemical treatments is included by the homeowner’s association.

To find out more information about the active adult homes from The Orchards Group, contact the community sales center at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm at 678-513-8879 or call The Orchards of East Cherokee at 770-345-5409. You can also visit www.OrchardsGroup.com. 

Smith Douglas Communities Introduces New Suwanee Townhomes at Brynfield

Smith Douglas Communities is delighted to announce that they are now offering a new product of townhomes at their popular Brynfield community. This community has already experienced great success with its single-family homes, and now the Atlanta home builder hopes to continue with their new townhomes.

These new maintenance-free Suwanee townhomes will offer spacious floor plans with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms. Interior features will include gourmet kitchens with granite countertops and Frigidaire appliances, large master suites and spacious secondary bedrooms. Right now, buyers can also take advantage of pre-construction pricing from the $160,000s.

In addition to saving with low pricing, homeowners will also save thanks to energy efficient features and designs, including 50 gallon electric water heaters, two-zoned HVAC systems with thermostats on each floor, high-quality insulation, house wrap, insulated low E windows and more.

This exclusive gated community also offers luxurious amenities such as a neighborhood pool with mushroom, a cabana and playground. This means your whole family and all of your new friends and neighbors can enjoy spending time together right inside of the community.

Outside of the Suwanee townhome community, homeowners are just minutes away from popular restaurants, shopping, entertainment and recreation. Top local attractions include the Mall of Georgia, Discover Mills, Coolray Field, downtown Suwanee, Suwanee Creek Park, Rock Springs Park and the Collins Hill Golf Club.

In addition, the community's youngest residents will attend Walnut Grove Elementary, Creekland Middle and Collins Hill High schools in Gwinnett County.

To learn more about the fantastic opportunity to own these new Gwinnett County homes for sale, call 678-731-7066. Or, drop by the model home located at 42 Reynoldston Court Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. or on Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m.

Get into the Halloween Spirit Near Cobb County Real Estate

With October officially underway, children of all ages are preparing for another spooktacular Halloween season. This year, residents of Brock Built's Cobb County homes at Cloverhurst can get an extra special treat a little early during the final night of Kennesaw's Outdoor Movie Series at Swift-Cantrell Park.

Swift-Cantrell Park is the area's largest park with two paved and lighted trails, acres of open space, playground, picnic pavilions, plaza, Frank Boone dog park and Skate Spot skate park. Because the park has so much open area, it is the perfect place for gatherings or events of any size.

One of the park's most popular events is the annual Outdoor Movie Series. This year's series will conclude with a celebration of Fall-O-Ween on Saturday, October 12. The park will be transformed into Spook-Central Park as families, who are encouraged to dress in their best Halloween costume, come out to enjoy hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins, scarecrow displays, a trackless train, Trick-or-Treat trail, children's crafts, carnival games and inflatables. At 7:30, the evening's festivities will continue with a free screening of Hotel Transylvania on the lawn.

Brock Built's Cobb County real estate at Cloverhurst is located less than 10 minutes away from Swift-Cantrell Park, and is convenient to other local amenities and attractions, including Marietta Country Club, Smith-Gilbert Gardens, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield, Town Center Mall and Lake Allatoona.

Only a few of these boo-tiful new homes priced from the high $300,000s remain, so interested buyers need to act quickly to secure their spot within this 15 home community.

To learn more about this community or to schedule an appoint, please call Lorrie Collie at 770-853-1088.

New Active Adult Homes Under Construction in Cherokee County

The Orchards Group is pleased to announce that they have begun construction on 19 new active adult homes, 10 of which are already sold, at The Orchards of East Cherokee. Thanks to an incredible sales year so far, this community is now more than 60 percent sold out, and the new construction is being started to keep up with buyer demand.

The new construction at The Orchards of East Cherokee will feature a combination of ranch condominiums and single-family homes. The first construction will be of a ranch condominium building that will be move-in ready by mid-January, and it will consist of four new homes from the Southern Heritage Collection.

The first home will feature the Beaumont plan, a popular two bedroom, two bath home that has an upstairs activities suite. Featuring more than 2,000 total square feet of living space in an open floor plan, this home is priced at $232,000. In addition to the activities suite, highlights of the Beaumont plan include a fireside living room, dining room, breakfast area and a kitchen with a spacious bar.

Two of the homes in the ranch condominium building will consist of the Ashewood plan. Priced at $238,500, the two bedroom and three bathroom plan features 1,700 square feet of living space on the main floor. Both of the bedrooms, a fireside living room, sunroom, dining room and large kitchen make up the main living space of these homes. In addition, the two Ashewood homes have an additional 400 square feet of space in an upstairs activity suite and full bath.

The final home in the ranch building will feature the Charleston plan. Priced at $240,000, this spacious two bedroom, two bathroom home includes a private den, which can be turned into a third bedroom or office space. The Charleston plan features a kitchen with a large bar area, formal dining room, breakfast area and a living room with a fireplace. The home is complete with an extra storage area located above the two-car garage.

All of the gorgeous new homes from The Orchards Group offer residents a low-maintenance lifestyle, which gives them plenty of time to enjoy a host of other activities. Regular landscaping, including weekly cutting, chemical treatments, mulch replacement and an irrigation system are included  the homeowner’s association.

Just a sampling of the other amenities and activities that residents will get to enjoy are the swimming pool, barbeque grilling area, waterfall sitting plaza and the grand clubhouse that is complete with a gourmet kitchen, fitness center and card and game rooms.

The new Cherokee County homes from The Orchards Group are located just minutes away from I-75, I-575, the Cherokee County Library, Sequoyah Park and plenty of dining, retail and recreation venues.

For more information on the new Cherokee County active adult homes from The Orchards Group, visit www.OrchardsGroup.com or contact the sales center at The Orchards of East Cherokee at 770-345-5409.

Referrals Still Prevalent in the New Home Buying Process

When it comes to buying a new home, what do you turn to first? For many of today's buyer the first and most common answer to this question may be the Internet. But, even with today's technology, many buyers still seek advice from their friends, family and even their Realtor.

Realtors are still a staple in today's home buying process with 87 percent of buyers enlisting the help of an agent. And, these agents have a huge say in what homes buyers are likely to see. While buyers may have a good idea of the communities they want to live in based on their online research, their Realtor can help them narrow down their research to a few builders that they know they can trust.

A good reputation among co-op Realtors is a key ingredient to success for any builder, which is why many builders offer special Realtor-only incentives or events. However, one Pennsylvania and Maryland home builder is taking their Realtor marketing a step further with the launch of their new blog, Keystone Rewards Realtors.

The builder has already earned the trust and respect of hundreds of local agents. In fact, more than 90 percent of Realtors say they would refer the builder to family and friends, and this new blog will only help to maintain this strong relationship.

The Keystone Rewards Realtors blog is the go-to source for any real estate interested in working with or selling Keystone Custom Homes. Here, agents will find the information on special incentives, events and contests, as well as updates on the builder's communities and the local real estate market. As an added bonus, Realtors are also able to register their buyers with the builder, connect with Keystone Custom Homes on all of their social media channels and find out more information about their Ambassador Program.

If you're an agent in the Pennsylvania or Maryland markets where Keystone Custom Homes is building, be sure to visit your new Realtor-only blog and subscribe to the email updates at www.KCHRealtors.com.

Homes For Every Lifestyle at Village Walk in Smyrna

Whether you're a young professional looking for new home community with easy access to downtown Atlanta, a growing family looking for convenience or someone looking for a little adventure, Traton Homes' new offerings at Village Walk in Smyrna are sure to appeal to your lifestyle. This townhome and single family community offers accessibility, adventure and artistry that is sure to appeal to all types of buyers.

If an easy commute to downtown and the surrounding area is what you're after, Village Walk will place you in the heart of it all with easy accessibility down I-75 or I-285 to downtown, Midtown, Buckhead and Vinings.

Those looking for convenience will love the community's location next door to the future Belmont mixed-use development and within walking distance of the Smyrna Market Village, which offers restaurants, shops and entertainment. Plus, the community's youngest residents will attend the new LEED-certified Smyrna Elementary School, as well as Campbell Middle and High schools.

If you're up for a little adventure, TratonHomes has you covered. The community itself will offer an amenity center including a courtyard with pergola and pavilion with beautiful stone fireplace. Outside the community, Kennesaw Mountain and the Silver Comet Trail await.

When complete, Village Walk will offer 20 luxury townhomes, and with the first building already sold out and the second building currently under construction, they won't last long. These three-story townhomes feature spacious floor plans with three bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms, two-car garages, gourmet kitchens with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, site-finished hardwoods throughout the main level, oversized owner's suites with walk-in closets and much more with pricing from the mid $200,000s.

In addition to townhomes, Traton Homes is now offering eight single family homes in this wonderful community. These homes will offer four to five bedrooms and three to four bedrooms with interior standard features including hardwood flooring, fireplaces, tiled bathrooms, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and more. Priced from the $360,000s, these homes' exteriors will also feature three-sides architectural details, architectural roof shingles and carriage-style garage doors.

To learn more about the new home opportunities and incentives at Village Walk, please call Amy Kessler at 678-873-9263 or visit www.TratonHomes.com.

Forsyth County Active Adult Homes Almost Sold Out

If you take a drive through The Orchards Group's Brannon Oak Farms community, chances are you'll notice plenty of happy active adult homeowners out enjoying the beautiful weather and amenities. In fact, this Forsyth County community has seen a record number of homes sold so far this year; so much so that the community is almost sold out.

With 15 homes sold in the past eight weeks and 40 new home sales total in 2013, The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farms won't have "for sale" signs for much longer. Deborah Reahm, remarked sales associate for the builder claims that sales have been increasingly rapidly due to the almost sold out status. “Urgency compels people to buy. As we run out of incredible product, the urgency does nothing but increase. We will definitely be sold out before December."

“Due to this incredible surge in sales, we find ourselves having to quote delivery dates well into late winter or early spring of 2014,” said Mitch Block, director of sales and marketing for The Orchards Group. “It’s a great chance for folks to buy their new home and have at least a month or two to make their decorating selections.”

Currently, only 14 master-on-the-main townhome villas, six ranch condominium homes and just one single-family home priced from the $270,000s to $350,000s remain.

The largest and most unique of all of The Orchards Group's communities, Brannon Oak Farm offers an unparalleled amenities package with a grand clubhouse, swimming pool, barbecue grilling area, community lawn and fire pit.

Homeowners enjoy a convenient location close to GA 400, seven golf courses, Lake Lanier, downtown Cumming, St. Josephs, Northside Hospital and North Point Mall.

For more information on the final homes at this community, please visit www.OrchardsGroup.com or call 678-513-8879.

New Berks County Communities Offer Abundant Recreation Opportunities

Keystone Custom Homes is proud to announce their two newest communities, Middle Creek Farms and Buckingham Preserve, which bring the Pennsylvania home builder to the beautiful Berks County for the first time. In addition to offering an amazing selection of new homes complete with high end features and finishes, these communities also provide easy access to an abundance of year-round recreation opportunities.

Middle Creek Farms in Oley offers homebuyers just what they've been looking for with new single-family homes priced from the $230,000s. Residents are located in the Oley Valley school district just minutes from Route 422, as well as numerous recreation areas, including:

• Pleasantville park and Pleasantville covered bridge
• Oley Valley park
• Earl Township park
• Evergreen Country Club

Keystone Custom Homes' second new Berks County homes community, Buckingham Preserve, is also the perfect place for families to call home with new homes priced from just the $190,000s. This community, located in the Daniel Boone school district, also has a prime location minutes from Route 422 and the following recreation areas:

• Blackwood golf course
• French Creek State Park
• Conventry Woods preserve
• St. Peter's Village hiking and horse trails

Keystone Custom Homes will open a third Berks County community, Penn Hills, in the near future.

After spending your days exploring all that mother nature has to offer in Berks County, imagine coming home to a cozy abode filled with a chef's kitchen, large living areas, spacious bedrooms and plenty of storage. With the new homes and communities from Keystone Custom Homes, you can do just that!

To learn more about these new opportunities from Keystone Custom Homes, click here. Home buyers are also invited to visit the Welcome Center and tour the new model home at Buckingham Preserve. Please call Barb DiBrito at 717-368-9831 to schedule an appointment.

What’s Going On In Real Estate Right Now?

In the recent Equifax Finance blog article, “Buying a Home? What’s Happening in Today’s Real Estate Market,” industry experts shared their thoughts and insights on what’s going on in real estate right now.

Mortgage interest rates are low, but creeping up: According to Amy Crews Cutts, chief economist for Equifax, today’s interest rates are the best you’ll get, and if you have a low rate, lock it in now. While she can’t predict how far and how fast rates will rise, she doesn’t expect rates to hit 6 percent for years. 

New Single-Family Homes Selling Fast at The Orchards of East Cherokee

Premiere Atlanta active adult builder, The Orchards Group, has seen a drastic increase in home sales over the first six months of the year. To keep up with demand, they recently released six single-family basement home sites, two of which have already sold! With one additional site being used to build an inventory home, this means that there are only three basement sites left at The Orchards of East Cherokee. In fact, they expect the community to be completely sold out of single-family homes by the end of the year.

The inventory home, a Piedmont, is currently under construction with an expected mid-November completion date. This plan offers two bedrooms, two bathrooms and the option to turn the den into a third bedroom. The home features a spacious kitchen overlooking the large family room, a formal dining room, oversized master suite with double vanities and a large walk-in closet, as well as a relaxing screened porch. The homeowner will have the opportunity to complete the basement during construction, which would double the square footage of the home and additional storage space, a media room or even more bedrooms.

In addition to the three basement home sites, there are also three non-basement homes available at The Orchards of East Cherokee. Homebuyers will have the opportunity to select the floor plan of their choice, with non-basement homes priced from the mid to high $200,000s and basement homes priced from the low to mid $300,000s. Just like the popular ranch condominiums offered from The Orchards Group, the single-family homes offer homeowners low-maintenance living with regular landscaping and an irrigation system that is paid for by the homeowner’s association. All of the remaining single-family home sites also have beautifully wooded, private back yards.

The Orchards of East Cherokee’s residents enjoy an active lifestyle with an amazing amenities package, including the grand clubhouse with a fireplace, gourmet kitchen, fitness center and card and game room; barbeque grill; community swimming pool and waterfall sitting plaza.

The Orchards of East Cherokee is located in Woodstock near the Cherokee County library, Sequoyah Park, health centers, shops and restaurants. Homeowners also have easy access to major roadways, including I-75 and I-575.

For more information on the new single-family active adult homes at The Orchards of East Cherokee, call 770-345-5409 or visit their website at www.OrchardsGroup.com. 

Keystone Custom Homes Announces Pin-N-Win Sweepstakes Winner

Keystone Custom Homes is excited to announce that the winner of their Pin-N-Win Sweepstakes is Maggie McDermott. Maggie pinned several inspiring images to her My KCH Dream Home board including photos of their multi-function rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, master bathrooms, kids bedrooms, family rooms, home office and more, and with her prize he plans to purchase a modular home-office system.

“I learned about the sweepstakes on Keystone’s website,” explained McDermott. “We are re-locating to Harrisburg, Pa. in September, and I found Keystone in my Google search. When I saw the contest, I thought to myself, ‘Hey, you never know.’ Plus, I was already looking at their homes on Pinterest anyways.”

The Pin-N-Win Sweepstakes from Keystone Custom Homes asked participants to create a My KCH Dream Home board on Pinterest, and then fill it with images from the Keystone Custom Homes Pinterest account. The contest ran from the end of May through early July, and attracted more than 120 entries with one winner receiving the grand prize of a $500 Pottery Barn gift card.

“The Pin-N-Win sweepstakes was a huge success in many ways,” stated Janette Hawkins, Vice President of Marketing and Information Technology with Keystone Custom Homes. “We were able to spread our brand on Pinterest and interact with its followers along with gaining more attention on Facebook and other social media sites with our updates about the sweepstakes. Also, contestants moving to the areas in which we build, such as Maggie, were able to gain a new vision on what we have to offer.”

This campaign is the perfect example of how companies today can use social media to increase brand recognition, putting their name at the forefront of potential homebuyers' minds. With just a simple, fun campaign, Keystone Custom Homes was not only able to increase their followers on Pinterest and other social media sites, but also make sure that buyers associated their company with their own "dream home."

To learn more about Keystone Custom Homes' communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland, visit www.KeystoneCustomHome.com.

When Can You Buy a Home After a Foreclosure

Many Americans were forced into a foreclosure or short sale over the past few years due to job loss, decreased incomes and declining home values. The market is recovering now and homeowners who did fall victim to foreclosure or short sale may now be wondering when they will be able to purchase a home. The real estate pros at the Equifax Finance blog addressed this question in the recent article, “Can I Buy a Home After a Short Sale or Foreclosure?”

According to the article, when is the right question, not if. Homeownership is a smart idea but buyers will have to demonstrate the ability to pay for a mortgage with proof of sufficient and stable income, the willingness to pay based on credit ratings and the ability to provide a sufficient down payment. But when depends on individual circumstances. In order to buy a home again, “you must focus diligently on improving your credit and saving money.” There are five variables that go into your ability to secure financing on a home:

1. Duration of delinquency – the longer your short sale or foreclosure proceedings took, the worse
2. Deficiency judgments  - how much unpaid negative debt you were left with on your credit ratings after your short sale or foreclosure

Have a Blast Near Woodstock GA Homes This Summer

Have you completed everything on your summer bucket list, and need a little inspiration to keep the family entertained until school starts back? Brock Built has a few Woodstock events that will help your whole family have a blast during these last few weeks of summer vacation!

•  Saturday Mornings- Pick up fresh, local produce at the Woodstock Farmers Market, which is located at the Woodstock City Center parking lot at Towne Lake Parkway and Main Street. Presented by Cherokee Bank, the market is open from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. each Saturday through October 256.
• Wednesday, July 17- Get a sneak peek at Atlanta's newest shopping destination, the Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta, with their VIP Red Carpet Preview event benefitting Elm Street Cultural Arts Village. Beginning at 6 p.m., you'll be able to peruse all of the new stores, and receive exclusive discounts totaling more than $300. Tickets are $10, and concierge tickets with admittance for two plus access to the Elm Street Lounge are $100.
• Wednesday, July 24- Celebrate Christmas in July at The Place Bar & Grille Towne Lake (1105 Parkside Lane). Bring a new toy donation for Toys for Tots, and enjoy a night of dining and dancing with DJ Santa.
• Through Thursday, July 25- Watch a tale as old as time unfold with Elm Street Cultural Arts Village's presentation of Beauty and the Beat. Shows are at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 17 and July 24, and at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, July 20 and 21. Tickets are $10 for those ages two and up.
• Saturday, July 27- Cherokee's Got Talent showcases the best local talent for the chance to win $500, and benefits the Cherokee Association of REALTORS, Habitat for Humanity and the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village. The doors will open at 5 p.m. for a silent auction and refreshments, and the first act will go on at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door and kids five and under are free.
• Friday, August 2- Friday Night Live takes Woodstock residents back to the "Summer of Love." Celebrating the history of the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival, this Friday Night Live will include a Hippie Costume Contest in addition to late-night dining and shopping on Main Street from 6 to 9 p.m.
• Tuesday, August 6- The National Night Out is aimed at heightening crime prevention awareness, generating local support for anti-crime programs, strengthening neighborhood police partnerships and neighborhood spirit and sending a message to criminals that our neighborhood is organized. Join Woodstock and Cherokee County police as they celebrate this event's 30th year with fun and education at The Park at City Center (101 Arnold Mill Road) from 6 to 9 p.m.

With all of these fun summer events and more all year long, Woodstock is the place to be! Make this city your home with Brock Built's brand new Woodstock GA homes priced from the high $200,000s at Oakhurst.

The first of these gorgeous Cherokee County new homes are under construction now, so stop by today to see all of their amazing floor plan options, features and finishes and community amenities, including a clubhouse, playground and junior Olympic pool.

To learn more, please call Lorrie Collie at 770-853-1088.

Easy Home Improvement Projects with the Best Return on Investment

Looking to make some updates to your home without breaking the bank? Many people are putting their homes on the market right now and making improvements to make their homes more attractive to buyers, but even if you aren’t planning to sell in the immediate future, it can still pay off to make some of the cost-effective, easy home updates suggested in the recent Equifax Finance blog article “Inexpensive Ways to Increase Your Home Value.”

• Update the bathroom: Buyers today expect updated bathrooms, both master baths and powder rooms. Creating the true spa experience by installing a steam shower or built-in sauna is probably out of the budget, but you can easily update the bathroom with new tile. Choose a large tile for the floor (small floor tiles are outdated). Small tiles do work in the shower. Many home improvement retailers offer how-to classes on tile setting, so this is something you could save money on by doing yourself after getting some experience in a DIY class. Then, paint the bathroom walls to give the room a pop. If you do the tile installation yourself, you could do new paint and tile in a powder room for less than $200 and in a standard sized bathroom for less than $400.  The article suggests finding substitutes for popular, expensive tiles like Carrera marble with tiles that look like the more expensive types but are half the cost.   
• Update the basement: Buyers are looking for basements that they can use for more than just storage – they want a gathering space for children, friends and family members that they can be comfortable in. Warm up your basement with wood-look tile or luxury vinyl plank flooring, which both start at under $2 per square foot. These too could be done yourself after taking a DIY class. Then, finish off the update with a new coat of paint, new lighting fixtures and attractive furnishings.

Get the rest of the cost-effective home improvement tips on the Equifax Finance blog, where you can find more advice on real estate and personal finance, from saving money, budgeting, investment, insurance, taxes, credit rating know-how and tips for preventing identity theft.

Home Builder Uses Pinterest to Attract Female Buyers

With women making the majority of all home buying decisions, it should come as no surprise that more home builders are concentrating their efforts on attracting the female demographic to their doorstep. In fact, Pennsylvania homebuilder Keystone Custom Homes is taking a female-centric approach to marketing with their latest Pin-N-Win sweepstakes.

While Pinterest's users are 30 percent male, we can all agree that the site predominately appeals to women. And, along the same line, 11 percent of all Pinterest boards are in the home decor category, making it the number one category for pinboards overall.

These factors are just a few reasons why Keystone Custom Homes has seen such great success with their sweepstakes. Since launching on May 29, the builder has attracted nearly 100 entrants, 140 new followers and more than 500 Facebook likes.

Now through July 5, you too can enter to win a $500 Pottery Barn gift card from Keystone Custom Homes. To enter, follow these simple steps:

• Follow Keystone Custom Homes on Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/kchhomes.

• Name a new pin board “My KCH Dream Home.”

• Re-pin the sweepstakes image located at www.pinterest.com/kchomes/my-kch-dream-home to the board.

• Repin at least five images from Keystone Custom Homes’ boards. Images should vary and include exteriors, kitchens, family rooms and master bedrooms.

•  Include #mykchdreamhome in the description of each pin.

• Once the “My KCH Dream Home” board is complete, post a comment with the link to it under the pin located at www.pinterest.com/kchomes/my-kch-dream-home.

To learn more, visit www.KeystoneCustomHome.com or call 877-513-0385.

Traton Homes Opens Model Home at Great Oaks Estates

Traton Homes recently opened the new model home at their Great Oaks Estates community in Acworth. Featuring the popular Glenstone floor plan, the full-furnished model home provides buyers with firsthand look into life at Great Oaks Estates.

The Orchards Group Maintains Customer Service for Atlanta Active Adult Homes

The Orchards Group, an active adult homebuilder in Atlanta, prides themselves on maintaining top-notch customer service and high quality. One of the primary ways that they have continued to achieve a 99.4 percent satisfaction score is through continually using many of the same key subcontractors, including the framing crew, foundation and concrete team, drywall team, and paint and trim teams, that have been working with the company since its founding in 1998.

The loyalty both to and from the subcontractors that The Orchards Group works with has enabled them to maintain a level of quality and service that cannot be matched in the market. This has also meant that even though they are sometimes light on inventory, they will not hire any more contractors just to build more homes.

"We may have lost a few possible sales due to our sometimes not having quite enough inventory, but we are willing to take that chance, as it has taken us many years to build up our brand name; we have no intention of letting a few extra sales potentially degrade our reputation," said Mitch Block, Director of Sales & Marketing for the company.

The Orchards Group is currently building two active adult communities with wonderful homes that you will enjoy for years to come, The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm in Cumming and The Orchards of East Cherokee in Woodstock.

The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm features zero-to-low maintenance single-family detached homes with ranch or master on the main plans, master on the main villas and ranch condominiums. All of these plans are priced from the mid $200,000s, and include ample living space, entertaining space and multiple amenities. The community showcases two large swimming pools, fire pit, barbecue grilling area and a grand clubhouse. Brannon Oak Farm also has regular community activities planned by the Activities Director, as well as neighbor-friendly streetscapes.

Homeowners at Brannon Oak Farm will also benefit from a location that is central to Lake Lanier, shops, restaurants, recreation, entertainment, healthcare facilities, and more.

The second community, The Orchards of East Cherokee, features two villages with either ranch condominiums plans or single-family homes. All of the homes in East Cherokee are zero-to-low maintenance, and have large covered porches and beautiful master suites. Community amenities include a large swimming pool; waterfall with sitting plaza; barbeque grilling area; planned resident activities and  a grand clubhouse with fitness center, game and card rooms, gourmet kitchen and a fireplace.

East Cherokee is located in historic Hickory Flat, provides convenient access to Roswell, Canton and Woodstock. It is also offers plenty of retail, entertainment, recreation and healthcare options nearby.

For more information on both communities, please visit www.OrchardsGroup.com.  

Noteworthy Changes in Mortgage Standards

Poorly documented mortgages were key players in the housing crash of 2006 and 2007. Many of those mortgages should not have been approved and led to four million foreclosures, devastating families and lowering value by over 50 percent in some communities. Since then, the loaning protocols have seen drastically increasing standards for credit, abilities to repay and better documentation. The Equifax Finance Blog explores how this can affect you in the new article, "Buying a Home? Mortgage Standards You’ll Need to Consider."

These changes threw the market for a loop - many who could once qualify for a mortgage could no longer do so. Approximately 40 percent of residential loans went to homebuyers with credit scores over 740. According to Economists at the National Association of Realtors, 500,000 to 700,000 home sales could be made if credit conditions would return to the prior levels. These statistics serve as reason for many who believe the new standards have been set too high.

Popular Hidden Creek Community Offers New Homes in Augusta from Wilson Parker

Those seeking new homes in Augusta in one of Columbia County's premier planned communities will be delighted to know that Wilson Parker Homes is building their final phase of traditional and Craftsman style homes in the Grovetown community of Hidden Creek.

Homebuyers can select any of their 25-plus floor plans priced from the $180,000s. Whether you are looking for one, two or three-story living, there is a home designed just for you. You'll enjoy spacious floor plans with 2,200 to more than 6,000 square feet with sun rooms, in-law suites, additional bedrooms, bonus rooms, basements and three-car garages.

Outside your home, the fun continues at the community's wealth of amenities including a two-story clubhouse, walking loop, playground and junior Olympic pool with water feature.

At Hidden Creek, you'll never be far from work, school or play. The community is centrally located just minutes from Fort Gordon, I-20, Patriot's Park, the new Steiner Branch YMCA and more.

Children attend top schools all located on the same street as the community including the state-of-the-art Grovetown High, new Middle School to open for the 2013 school year and one-year-old Bakers Place Elementary.

The final phase of homes from Wilson Parker is now underway in this community of homes near Fort Gordon, so stop by today for a tour. The sales office and model homes are open daily. For more information, call 706-863-8438.

Cobb County Home Builder Announces New Community Coming Soon

Traton Homes is excited to announce that they will soon offer luxury townhomes at Village Walk in Smyrna. A Cobb County home builder for more than 40 years, Traton Homes is known for building beautiful homes in the best locations. Homes at Village Walk will be priced from the mid-$200,000s. 

Prioritizing What is Really Important in your Home Search

Looking for your dream Atlanta home or townhome? Look for the home you need at the price you can afford, suggests the experts at the Equifax Finance blog. In their recent article, “What Kind of Mortgage Can You Afford?” buyers are encouraged to assess what is really important in a home (not just their “likes” or “nice-to-haves” but necessities) and go from there. Think about amenities and features. Is a pool a must? How about parking? Proximity to parks? How many bedrooms? How large of a yard is necessary? Also think about the total costs involved with a home; not just the monthly mortgage payment, but utilities and transportation costs. Utilities in a larger home will be higher. Transportation costs in a home farther from work will be higher.

Woodbridge Farms Opens in York

York County, Penn. is a historic city named for the Duke of York The county is a popular tourist destination due to its German influence. When you think Pennsylvania Dutch, you are pretty much thinking York County in Central Pennsylvania. Of course, it is more than just a neat place to visit, it is a great place to live.

Affordable homes are easy to find thanks to home builder Keystone Custom Homes. In fact, the popular builder has opened a new community in the area,  Woodbridge Farms. The community has a gorgeous model home that features the Windsor floor plan and is price from the low $200,000s.  With interior appointments such as an  inviting foyer, formal dining room, study, spacious family room and gourmet kitchen with large island and breakfast area, you might not even look at another home before you buy!

The home has a very open, livable floorplan with a large owner’s suite with oversized walk-in closet and private bath with dual vanities, walk-in shower and garden tub.

This month only buyers can save 20 percent on all homes in Woodbridge Farms! Act now because April is almost over! For more information, visit www.KeystoneCustomHome.com.

How to Decorate your Home with Second-Hand Treasures

Get your Atlanta home or townhome ready to impress without breaking the bank by second-hand shopping. The top interior designers are always singing the praises of yard sale and thrift store shopping because they can add a one-of-a-kind (and wallet-friendly!) touch to a space.  Have you always thought second-hand shopping isn’t for you?

Check out this recent article on the Equifax Finance blog, “Shop Second-Hand Stores and Garage Sales Like a Pro,” which explains the pros of shopping second-hand and gives some tips for those of us who tend to stay away from second-hand shopping.

Many prefer to buy items new because the thought of using someone else’s “used” items makes them squeamish; but as the article explains, just about everything (there are a few exceptions) can be washed, cleaned and disinfected or sanitized. Think about a lamp you might buy new. After using it for one day, it’s technically used. But you don’t throw it out, do you? You use it for as long as it works for you. The same is true for a lamp you might buy at a yard sale or thrift store.