June 3, 2013 – During National Homeownership Month in June, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is telling young people that the time is right to buy a home, and the nation’s builders are building the homes they want.

“As the economy recovers and young people who had to live at home with their parents move forward with their lives and achieve their dreams of homeownership, home builders are delivering homes that cater to the floor plans, features and affordability that this generation desires,” said NAHB Chairman Rick Judson, a home builder and developer from Charlotte, N.C.

More than 80 percent of Generation Y home buyers—people born in 1977 or later—said in NAHB’s 2012 consumer preference survey they prefer a highly energy efficient home that results in lower utility bills during the home’s lifetime over a lower-priced home without energy efficient features. Today’s new homes feature ENERGY STAR-rated appliances; windows, doors and insulation that better control the home’s interior climate; and other modern components such as tankless water heaters and HVAC systems that save costs on utility bills.

And cost-conscious young buyers will be happy to hear that a new home actually costs less to maintain than an older home. An NAHB study found that homes built before 1960 have average maintenance costs of $564 a year, while a home built after 2008 averages $241. Plus, mortgage rates are still very low, bolstering affordability for home buyers.

Generation Y buyers favor media and game rooms more than any other specialty rooms for their next home. New homes today not only contain these spaces, they are outfitted with the state-of-the-art electronic and wiring components that can accommodate high-definition televisions, full-house sound systems, hard-wired fire and security alarms and more.

Young buyers can check out many of the outstanding designs and features being included in homes built by NAHB members at our social media communities facebook.com/homebuildrs, pinterest.com/nahbhome and google.com/+nahb. They can also access home buying and home building information and resources on NAHB’s website at nahb.org/forconsumers.

“The time has never been better for young people to become home owners, whether it be a new home or existing,” said Judson. “There are outstanding opportunities in the current market, with near record low interest rates, competitive prices and new homes being built that include open layouts, energy efficient components and other features that cater to young buyers.”

New Home Specialist, Kathy McClelland, was particularly intrigued and wanted to know move about the property.  She reached out to the The Old North State Detectorists metal detecting club, who was very interested in checking out the community.  The Old North State Detectorists is an association of metal detecting hobbyists who work wtih individuals and groups to find lost items and uncover relics, so the land surrounding the old farmhouse was particularly appealing for them.

A dig was scheduled for May 11th.  Eastwood Homes provided refreshments to participants and onlookers.  Twenty-five members spent two hours at Castlegate, and numerous artifiacts were uncovered.  The most notable pieces included a sterling silver broach with emerald setting discovered by Bill Bookout, a colonial flat button and a Civil War era rifle trigger guard.

If you would like to see the Castlegate Community for yourself, it is located at  at 2317 Gordon Road in High Point.  Who knows what you might find??!  Perhaps you will even leave the property with a new Eastwood Home!

High Point, NC- February 25, 2013 – On Tuesday, February 19th, Eastwood Homes had the pleasure of hosting a luncheon event referred to as “Open Your Heart, Open Your Home,” in support of Go Red for Women.   More than 60 people attended the educational luncheon, which was co-sponsored by Wells Fargo.  A very special catered “Red” lunch was provided.  Topics of discussion focused on minimizing health risks by promoting healthier lifestyles, and understanding the typical warning signs of a cardiac arrest episode.

Julia Sims

All “Go Red” luncheon guests were asked to wear red to commemorate the event, which was held in the Eastwood Homes Barrington Oaks Model Home in High Point.  “Go Red” themed door prizes were given to many of the guests, but the highlight of the luncheon was a presentation by guest speaker, Julia Sims.  An ambassador for the American Heart Association, Julia is also the office manager for Prudential Yost and Little, a busy Real Estate office in the Triad area.  Julia shared the frightening story of her own cardiac arrest in 2011.  She was near death for more than 45 minutes before being revived by the EMT’s use of a defibrillator.  Miraculously, the attack had no residual effects to heart, liver, kidneys, or brain.  Not everyone is as fortunate as Julia when it comes to heart-related illnesses, and she is on a mission to educate others on the risks and warning signs of a heart attack.

February is American Heart Month. According to the American Heart Association, heart-related illness is the leading cause of death in the U.S., with one in every three deaths resulting from heart disease or stroke.  On February 14, 2013, a bipartisan group of women from the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate joined the American Heart association to “Go Red” in support of the 43 million women who are living with heart disease. The event was held to remind people that heart disease is not just a “man’s disease.”

To follow up on the education provided at the Go Red for Women luncheon, a CPR class will be offered in April at the Barrington Oaks model home.  The date and time has yet to be determined.

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 Eastwood Homes offers townhomes and single-family homes in the Triad area from the low $100k’s to the mid $200’s.  For more information on Eastwood Homes, please visit www.eastwoodhomes.com.

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Introducing Color Of The Year – Aloe SW6464

Go funky or glamorous with our 2013 color of the year, Aloe.  This pastel can bring the relaxing sense of a spa to walls and décor or pair it with blacks, whites or grays for that retro feel. Aloe soothes souls and brings an unexpected harmony to any area.

“Aloe is highly adaptable, making it a perfect pick for everyday spaces such as a breezy sunroom or a well-dressed living room,” says Jackie Jordan, Sherwin-Williams director of color marketing.

With a hint of mint and lots of moxie, this subtle color is hard to beat. Accessorize with pillows, bedspreads and tabletop accessories in this elegant hue. For a tranquil aesthetic, couple Aloe with natural textiles, aged metals or warm wood tones in light to medium finishes. For a more energized look, combine Aloe with vintage chartreuse, floral lilacs and vivid corals.

Check it out. Paint a space Aloe (SW 6464) with our Color Visualizer.

When Mom and/or Dad Move in with Adult Children

As the baby-boomer generation gracefully ages, many families may find the most convenient option for keeping an eye out for their older family members is to welcome them to move in.  Elderly parents will still want their own private space in the house, and will likely need ample closet space after accumulating a lifetime’s worth of odds and ends.  A dual-master plan is the perfect solution!

Mom and Dad might be invited to move in not because they need to be looked after, but instead help care for their grandchildren!  A live-in grandparent who is busy tending to toddlers all day certainly deserves the quiet respite of their own master bedroom suite!

When an Adult Child Moves BACK In

In the last decade, an increased number of adult children moved back in with their parents after college.  The decade presented a challenging time to find a solid entry-level job.  Many parents are more than happy to invite their kids back home, but privacy can be a concern.  A dual master provides the solitude that Mom and Dad need from their independent adult children living in the home!

When it Makes Sense to Split the Mortgage

It can be very lucrative for a homeowner to rent a room out.  The rented space can make up for a significant portion of the mortgage payment.  But private living area is especially important when sharing a home with a non-family member.  Renters need their own space, including a bathroom.  A dual master plan allows privacy for both parties in the home!

When Your Spouse Saws Logs

It sure is nice to have your own space when your spouse is a snorer.  Who wants to give up the comforts of a private master bedroom when your spouse is keeping you up at night?  A dual master provides comfort and privacy to both partners!  Maybe snoring isn’t an issue, but perhaps you and your spouse work very different hours.  You need to be up early, but your spouse comes home late.  Having your own private master bedroom can help provide much needed uninterrupted sleep.

Want to know more about dual-masters and other great floor plan options offered by Eastwood Homes?  Visit our website to find the perfect floor plan and a community that is Right Where You Belong.

Winter. For many of us, the season means holiday shopping, hot chocolate, and time spent with friends and family. For those of us who love saving energy, the winter season also means that there are many ways to save money by conserving energy. Check out these top 10 tips below:

1. Air seal and insulate your home: you can prevent heat from escaping or cold from entering your home – lowering your heating bills – by insulating and air sealing your home.
2. Use a programmable thermostat: you can reduce your waste heat by using a programmable thermostat that can reduce the heat at a specific time when you’re away from the home and increase the heat before you get back for dinner.
3. Install ENERGY STAR doors and windows: doors and windows are places where cold/warm air can easily come through, so by installing energy efficient doors and windows, you can save energy and money with their better quality insulation.
4. Use LED holiday lights: Light emitting diodes, or LEDs, are at least 75% more efficient and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent lights. By using LED holiday lights, you can be at ease knowing that you won’t be spending a bundle to keep those lights on.
5. Turn off the lights: If you’re out on vacation this winter, you can save energy by making sure the lights are turned off.  Find out more on when to turn off the lights.
6. Use lighting controls: you can save additional money on your electricity bill by using motion sensor and timer controls.
7. Lower the water heater: one significant way to reduce energy consumption if you’re away on vacation is to simply lower the water heater. If you’ll be gone three or more consecutive days, set the water heater to the lowest or ‘vacation’ setting if there is one.
8. Unplug electronics: when you are away, unplug those kitchen appliances, DVDs, TVs, and computers to save energy and money. These electronics, when plugged in, use up energy even when they are turned off.
9. Use a power strip: if the idea of running around the home to unplug everything is a bit too much, use power strips to plug in multiple appliances, and then turn it all off with the flip of the power strip switch.
10. Adjust the blinds and curtains: last but not least, another useful way to conserve energy while on vacation is to lower the blinds and curtains. Close your curtains and shades at night to protect against cold drafts; open them during the day to let in warming sunlight.

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A new Eastwood Home comes equipped with many energy saving features, including low-e windows, insulated house wrap, programmable thermostats, and Energy Star-rated appliances.  Homeowners can save more that $560 annually on energy bills by owning a new home!  Find out more at http://www.eastwoodhomes.com/green.

Congratulations to the winners of our 2012 Holiday Card Contest!

First Place goes to TORI BLAKE, daughter of Laverne “Bird” Blake!

Our Second Place Winner is HARMONY BORDNER, daughter of Amanda Bordner!

Third Place goes to JUSTIN GUTIERREZ, son of Nate Daniel!

Tori Blake – 1st Place Winner!

Harmony Bordner – Second Place Winner!

Justin Gutierrez – Third Place Winner!

The winners will be featured on our 2012 Holiday cards.  GREAT JOB EVERYONE!

There are dozens of not-so-obvious reasons why a NEW home is better than a USED home as well.  Although these factors aren’t easily seen, they can play a huge role in your level of happiness as a home owner.  Consider what is INSIDE the walls of a new home versus a USED home. 

1. Insulation – In many areas of the country, once upon a time, there wasn’t a code requirement to put insulation in exterior walls.  If you are considering a nice 1950’s brick ranch, you can be pretty certain that your walls aren’t insulated.  With a pair of heavy boots, you might be able to kick right through the walls of your home and view the great outdoors. 
2. Electrical Wiring – If you are considering a home that has been through any sort of unpermitted remodel, there is a chance that electrical wires were buried in the wall.  My husband and I experienced this exact problem when tearing into a wall of our kitchen.  We found a junction box buried under the ceramic tile.  A huge fire risk was lurking under that white shiny backsplash.  Furthermore, if you are considering a home that was built before code required grounded outlets, you may have electrical overload issues to deal with. 
3. Stud Placement –Prior to the enforcement of building codes and regulations, there were no rules for stud placement.   You may find that the studs in an older home are placed at random increments.  Placement was completely arbitrary, so your walls in an older home may not be as sturdy as you would expect.

In addition, Eastwood Homes places one more important component inside the walls of each new home.  Taexx is a built-in pest control piping system that is included with each new Eastwood Home.  It keeps pest on the outside of the home, and keeps any potentially harmful components out of the comfort of your living space.   These lines are perforated and connected to locked service ports on the outside walls. This allows a HomeTeam technician to apply pest control materials inside the walls from outside the home.  According to HomeTeam, this service is so effective  because pest control materials hit bugs where they hide – inside the walls. Materials remain effective longer because they are not exposed to sunlight.  And after the initial service, you don’t need to be home when our technician treats your house. TUBES IN THE WALL service minimizes exposure for family and pets, maximizes effectiveness and costs about the same as standard pest control service.

To find out about all the other great reasons to buy a NEW Eastwood Home, visit www.eastwoodhomes.com.

There are even owl options for the do-it-yourself-er.  If you would prefer to create your OWN owl fashions and décor, you can visit HGTV’s website for crafty owl ideas. 

This latest craze can be seen in fashion, home décor, and even on the music scene.  I recently attended the Midtown Music Festival in Atlanta, GA.  All marketing materials were adorned with a lovely bespectacled Owl.  His big blue feathered face loomed high above the crowd of music lovers.

As with most trends (like white cabinets…see my previous post) all things old are new again!  And with the renewed popularity of owls, I could not be happier!

Owls have had a special place in my heart since I was a little girl. My mother collected owls of every shape and size.  Her collection of glass, wood, and ceramic owls stretched across the fireplace mantle and throughout the house in artwork, coffee mugs, stuffed animals, and other various knick knacks.  I have vivid memories of her 1970’s owl necklaces and pendants.  I find the new design trend to be heart-warming, partially because of my own fond childhood memories.   

Although Eastwood Homes will not likely be incorporating any feathered options in our Design Center offerings, you are likely to find owls in a few of our latest merchandised model homes.  I hope you like them!

To find the Eastwood Model Home nearest you, visit www.eastwoodhomes.com

-By Eastwood Homes Charlotte Design Center Manager