Spring is the time for fresh starts, and what could be more inspiring to the spirit or uplifting to the soul than starting a search for your brand-new home? The best place to start is by figuring out the sort of community that you would most like to call home. To help you, we’ve assembled this checklist of priorities that can help you identify the perfect community in which you would like to live.

You can print out copies of this checklist to share with other decision-makers in your household, as a starting point for discussion on what your priorities are, what sort of community meets your needs and desires, and why.

1. Getting to Work. How long should it take?

□ I definitely want the shortest commute possible
□ I don’t mind a mid-range commute (less than one hour)
□ I don’t mind a long commute (greater than one hour)
□ Undecided
□ Depends upon the home and community amenities

2. Getting to Have Fun. What nearby amenities are a necessity for you? Check all that apply.

□ Retail Shopping
□ Dining
□ Entertainment (sports, movies, etc.)
□ Cultural Hotspots (theaters, music venues, etc.)
□ Leisure Activities (golf, fishing, etc.)
□ Athletic and Fitness (bowling, gyms, hiking trails, biking routes, parks, etc.)
□ Hobbies and Interests (gardening groups, knitting circles, book clubs)

3. Getting Things Done. What nearby practical amenities are important to your household?

□ Grocery shopping
□ Medical facilities
□ Travel facilities (e.g., major airports, rail lines)
□ Schools

4. Getting There. What level of walkability are you looking for?

□ I prefer driving everywhere.
□ I don’t mind short drives to work, leisure activities and practical amenities.
□ I want to walk or bike to most places.
□ I want to walk or bike mostly for leisure or fitness.

5. Getting Comfortable. What sort of community feel do you want?

□ I want a community in which people mostly keep to themselves.
□ I want a community in which I can meet other residents at communal facilities like pools, parks, etc.
□ I want a community that has very active community groups and gathers together frequently.

6. Getting To Know People. What would the ideal make-up of your community be? Check all that apply.

□ Lots of different households spanning different age groups.
□ Lots of families with children
□ Young single and married professionals
□ Mature and retired residents

7. Getting In Tune with Your Surroundings. What sort kind of community do you prefer?

□ Very urban, with homes set closely together and arranged near amenities
□ Suburban, with larger lots, organized neighborhoods and central community amenities
□ Rural, with huge tracts of land between homes, and little-to-no amenities
□ Apartment-style housing with little common space
□ Condominium or townhouse style housing with some common spaces

8. Making the Big Decisions. Of course, it can be impossible to find a single community that meets every need or desire for your family. Thinking over the questions you just answered, rank the following community characteristics according to how important they are to you (1-6).

□ Commute length
□ Proximity to leisure and recreation
□ Proximity to practical amenities
□ Walkability
□ Neighbors
□ Housing density

Mortgage-Bond Investigation

A broad investigation is underway into the Wall Street mortgage-bond system that added to the financial crisis. The securities regulator of Massachusetts is looking into how banks misled buyers in multi-billion dollar deals.
The first action stemming from the inquiry is a fine handed down to State Street corp. regarding the role it played as investment manager for a deal known as Carina. This deal was a more than $1.5 billion collateralized debt obligation from 2006, involving CDOs (deals based on pools of subprime mortgages and other loans, chunks of which are sold to investors).
The issue is that State Street did not inform investors that hedge fund firm Magnetar Capital had aided in setting up the deal, while wagering against more than $140 million of the underlying assets. It’s purported that State Street was aware that Magnetar was shorting at least some of the portfolio but allowing the hedge fund to participate in meetings to discuss composition and to recommend assets.
When Carina fell at the end of ’07, resulting in losses to investors totaling around $4′/a million, Magnetar benefited bountifully from its net short position on the deal. State Street agreed to pay $5 million to settle the civil securities fraud charges, but says it neither admits to nor denies the regulator’s findings.
The action by the regulator’s enforcement is based on a template used by the Securities and Exchange Commission for a number of actions over similar mortgage-bond deals.
Magnetar, for its part has not been accused of any wrongdoing. Its role, however, in a handful of mortgage-bond deals has been examined by the SEC. The hedge fund’s position is that it was not betting against the market and didn’t opt for assets in the CDOs in which it invested.

Refinishing the wood trim around your house can add a ton of curb appeal.

Wet-sand the hardened drips of paint using water-resistant sandpaper on a hand-sanding block and a spray bottle. Continue to mist the surface as you sand and use a hose to rinse nearby siding so that runoff won’t tint and stain the siding. For larger areas, use a random-orbit sander and paint-stripping sandpaper. Be sure to empty the sander’s dust bag often.

For areas that are really bad off, stripping may save you more time than sanding. Don’t forget to protect nearby siding using painter’s tape (masking tape is not appropriate for painting jobs). Spreading drop cloths on pavements and over shrubs will protect them from falling paint or other debris. Although using stripper is essential, you’ll need to scrape softened paint off curved surfaces and out of corners – a set of flat and contoured scrapers will be useful for the job.

Don’t make the same mistake as many non-professionals, who overlook the need to neutralize and rinse a stripped surface after the stripping is done. If this isn’t done, the residual chemicals can discolor the paint and interfere with its bond.

After the work is done, find out the best way to dispose of the gunk that you stripped off the trim. The likelihood that the paint you stripped contains lead varies based on the area of Houston you live in, and the age of your home. However, stripped paint may still be categorized as a hazardous waste, depending on the area of Houston that you reside.

Put home maintenance on the back burner with a new home in Houston from leading Houston home builder – LGI Homes.

See also:
Home safety equipment
New homes in Houston under $200k
How to prevent heat loss in the winter

Take a moment to read the following interview advice.

1. Send the follow-up note. Always take the opportunity to leverage social grace into an influence in your favor. In this case, it is proper form and high etiquette to send along a note to the person who interviewed you, thanking them for their time and for giving you consideration as a candidate. Sent within a day or two after the interview, this note shows that you have strong social skills, and make an effort for politeness—yet it also gives you an opportunity to remind the interviewer about your conversation, highlighting your strong points as a candidate and keeping your name on their brain.

2. Follow up with listed references. If your interviewer asked for references, you can contact them after your interview, giving them a heads-up that they may get a phone call. Touching base with your references is a great time to remind them of your experiences together, and to help them frame their reference in a way suitable for the job to which you are applying. For instance, if you worked with one of your references on a corporate website, and are now applying for a web design position, you can talk with your reference about the applicable experiences you gained in your former job, and how they will help you in this potential new one.

3. Reach out to contacts. These days, it’s not unusual for interviewees to have other contacts at a company where they’ve interviewed. An old acquaintance or professional colleague may have recommended them as a candidate for a job opening, and may have passed along their resume to the appropriate parties. After an interview is a great time for a potential hire to reach out to those contacts, letting them know how the interview went, and getting a sense of the hiring process at the company. You never know what valuable advice or kind word they may have that makes the difference in you getting hired, or being shown the door!

See also:
Privatization of the housing market
Austin new homes under $130k
New homes in Dallas under $200k

Blanco is an LGI Homes' floorplan available at the builder's Austin new home community - Sonterra.
Click to learn more.

Sonterra: Sonterra is a wonderful community that takes your familial interests to heart. Situated near downtown Austin, close to many of the great amenities you would expect, this housing community boasts the Blanco floor plan by LGI Homes. LGI Homes is one of the premier home builders in Austin, offering many inclusions and amenities you won’t find provided by other builders. The Blanco is an Austin new home with three bedroom, two bath home with an attached two-car garage featuring thousands of dollars worth of designer upgrades, such as custom cabinetry, vaulted ceilings, granite countertops, a homeowner’s warranty and more. This gorgeous Spanish-styled home starts at $125,900 and it is very affordable with monthly payments starting at $669.

Austin’s Colony: Austin’s Colony is a beautiful single-family-home community located in the heart of the Austin shopping district. Pacesetter Homes has truly outdone themselves with the newest floor plan, Bexar. This home sports three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and an attached two car garage. At Austin’s Colony, you are within walking distance of some of the most beautiful downtown shops selling vintage clothing, art, gifts, and other wares. These homes are priced reasonably, starting at under $124,000 for the Bexar.

Parkside at Harris Branch: Parkside at Harris Branch is a luxurious single family home community. Built by KB Home, the floor plan W-1340 M is a great way to spend the rest of your days living in spacious peace. This floor plan is host to three bedrooms, two full baths, and a two-car garage. Parkside at Harris Branch is the perfect answer for those with small children. There are fenced-in areas around each yard, and a park where the children can play. These homes are a steal at just $125,995. To experience true comfortable living, check out the W-1340 M by KB Home at Parkside at Harris Branch.

Come see what Texas has to offer you. You will love the ease of getting around downtown during the day, as well as the great nightlife the city has to offer. Come see what you have been missing!

See also:
Restore the Peace and Quiet, Put a Stop to Noises in the Home
Dallas new homes under $200k
New homes in Texas Hill Country

New home for sale at Blackberry Crossing from
Ryland Homes in Montgomery, IL.

Lakewood Crossing Village Homes are located In Hampshire, IL. This community includes a clubhouse with party room, swimming pool, tennis and volleyball courts and playground area. Conveniently located near major highways, Lakewood Crossing is within minutes of numerous recreational activities such as nature preserves, and major shopping districts. Lakewood Crossing also provides a family community environment in a beautiful country setting. Homes in this community range from 1,614 to 2,713 square feet with 3 and 4 bedrooms, 2-2.5 bathrooms and 2 car garages. Homes at Lakewood Crossing start in the low $200s.

Blackberry Crossing West in Montgomery, Illinois provides potential homebuyers convenient location, quiet setting, 17 acres of park sites, 3 natural wetlands and over 4 miles of bike trails. Blackberry Crossing offers some of the largest home sites in the area, with plans starting at 10,000 square feet—providing plenty of outdoor space. The homes have floor plans ranging from 1,572 to 2,456 square feet. With 3 and 4 bedrooms, 2 to 2.5 baths and 2 car garages these homes offer plenty of living space. Prices begin in the high $100s.

Patriot Place is another Ryland Homes community, located in Bolingbrook, IL. These suburban Chicago new homes are luxurious villas, set adjacent to a golf course, and are conveniently located just minutes from major highways. The community also offers easy access to Metra commuter stations. The Bolingbrook community has many recreational amenities, including an award-winning park district, shopping, dining and entertainment. Patriot Place offers homes ranging between 1,702 and 2,099 square feet, with 2 and 3 bedroom homes that have 2.5 baths and 2-car garages. Prices for homes at Patriot Place run from $210,000 to $262,000.

See also:
Neighborhoods in Dallas under $200k
New homes in Pickerington, OH
Houston new homes under $200,000

If you live in an old home, you likely experience creeking and banging noises from time to time.
Image source: Lavoview

First of all, what’s causing the problem? Well, a common cause is water hammer, wherein you’ll hear a loud bang in the plumbing when the faucet is shutoff – or when the solenoid closes on a dishwasher or a washing machine (although other sources exist). After the bang, you hear the pipes rattle and squeak.

To solve the problem, install a water hammer arrestor. This is a fitting that acts as a shock absorber to temper the impact of water slamming into plumbing. The arrestor is either soldered into copper pipes or, as in the case of a clothes washer, it simply threads on. Some homes are equipped with a pressure regulator on the incoming water line; you may need to adjust the regulator to reduce incoming pressure.

Another cause of pipe rattling can be loose hanger straps, pipe hooks and supports. Perhaps the installation was less than professional, but more often than not the pipe simply worked itself loose. A problem when this occurs is that it happens in an area that is not accessible. If you can track the noise to an area where the pipe is exposed, however, you can sometimes refasten the pipe or install new hangers.

If the job calls for major remodeling, you may consider a pipe mounting system that consists of a plastic pipe hanger that has a noise-insulating sleeve into which the pipe mounts.

Avoid old house noises by buying a new home in Houston from leading home builder in Texas, LGI Homes.

See also:
Prevent heat loss
Home safety equipment
What have you resolved?

If you feel a chill in your home, you may be losing heat through a loosely sealed door or window.

First, you’ll need to pinpoint where heat is escaping. Leaks can occur around poorly sealed doors and windows. Infrared energy that moves away from baseboard radiators or radiant tubing in the floor can pass directly through badly insulated walls, ceilings and floors. Some building components are prone to heat-loss for the following reasons:

1. They are poor insulators, containing a high mass and large surface area relative to a cold surface.

2. They conduct heat directly to outside air or ground.

You may choose to employ the services of a professional in this field who specializes in improving the way a building uses energy. The work will begin with a thorough inspection to identify areas that heat may be escaping. They will make suggestions on how to correct the problem or do the work themselves.

In addition to simply improving your home’s energy-efficiency, these specialists can ensure that building materials and your home won’t degrade prematurely. For example, by correcting air leaks that may have been causing condensation to form in wall cavities, these components will last instead of giving out.

One of the best tools used by these specialists is an infrared camera that gathers images of the house from inside and out to locate where temperature changes occur. Colors such as purple and black identify cold spots in your home where a leak may be dampening a wall.

For information on new homes for sale and home builders, visit NewHomesSection.com.

See also:
Privatization of Housing Market Not Forthcoming
Home safety equipment
Property tax help

Oak Hollow, a new home community in Dallas, Texas provided by LGI Homes.
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR DETAILS

Oak Hollow: Oak Hollow is located in Dallas and features homes by the outstanding Texas home builder LGI Homes. Oak Hollow is considered one of the finest neighborhoods in North Dallas, featuring greenbelt areas, a playground and pool for all community members to enjoy, and walking trails—all with the charm and uniqueness of a small town. LGI Homes features thousands of upgrades in each of their five floor plans featured in Oak Hollow. Among their featured floor plans is their Cypress model. The Cypress floor plan is a two-story, single-family home with four bedrooms and two and a half baths. The home includes custom-built cabinets, rounded corners, brushed nickel hardware and fixtures, raised six-panel doors, front yard landscaping, back yard fencing, and vaulted ceilings. Features that make the home something special include a utility room, formal dining room, living room and two-car garage. The master bedroom is exquisitely planned and located downstairs, featuring an oversized bath with a walk-in closet, bay window and garden tub. The Cypress is priced from $784 per month and features 2,085 sq. ft. of living space.

Ridgeview Villas: Ridgeview Villas are another fine new development and one that offers the modern conveniences of city life along with the security of a family-oriented neighborhood ideal for all generations. The private community park allows residents to enjoy a game of Frisbee or a peaceful stroll. Ryland Homes is the builder in the community, and they offer a combination of high-quality style and modern amenities for a comfortable lifestyle. Among the floor plans featured is the Willow floor plan, which is a two-story, single-family home with three bedrooms and two and a half baths. The home features a beautiful kitchen and dining room, as well as a living room. The exterior of the home is brick, and inside residents enjoy 1856 sq. ft. of fabulous home, complete with a two car garage. The Willow floor plan is priced from $214,246.

Mountain Creek: Mountain Creek is a Gehan Homes subdivision offering scenic views and rolling hills. The builder features eight different floor plans, each of which includes many upgrades. Among homes featured in the neighborhood is the Laurel floor plan, a beautiful one-story, single-family home with three bedrooms, two baths and 2,020 sq. ft. of living space. The home has a beautiful, open floor plan with a gourmet kitchen (with Whirlpool stainless steel appliances), an exquisite master suite with a garden tub, two dining rooms, two living rooms, a two-car garage and a study. The Laurel is priced from $158,900.

Fox Glen is a new home community from M/I Homes located in Pickerington, OH featuring new 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom homes from the $170s.
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR DETAILS

Community name: Fox Glen
Location: Pickerington, Fairfield County, Ohio
Price range: $170s – $260s
Builder: M/I Homes

# of floor plans: 20
Bedrooms (range): 2 – 4
Bathrooms (range): 2 – 2.5
Garage(s): 2 – 3
Square Footage: 1,414 – 3,820

Community highlights: Fox Glen is a community filled with natural wonders, dotted with parks, ponds, and natural reserves. This private yet easily accessible community is located near shopping and schooling, and boasts 100% Energy Star Certified homes.

Community description: 70 acres of ponds and reserves, giving a rustic appeal that pairs well with community amenities like streetlights and full underground utilities. Family homes in Fox Glen are oversized and are guaranteed to have a 100% Energy Star® Certification and a 30-year structural warranty. The community is easily accessible to Hidden Lakes Winery and various shopping and dining options, and can be easily reached via Routes 256, 33 and I-70.

Nearby amenities: Fox Glenn amenities include Sycamore Park, Downtown Columbus, Green Space and Hidden Lakes Winery. The nearby shopping and dining areas, and the Pickerington schools add to resident convenience.

Sales office address: 108 North Corkwood Court, Pickerington, OH [map & directions]
Phone #: (614) 834-0715
Office Hours: Mon & Tues: 11am-7pm; Wed & Thurs: By Appointment; Fri & Sat: 10am-5pm; Sun: 12pm-6pm

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Visit Fox Glen | M/I Homes

See Also:
Privatization of Housing Market Not Forthcoming
3 Great Options When Shopping New Homes in Houston
Ohio new home communities