National Builders

National Builders

NEW HOMES GROUP

NEW HOMES GROUP

The New Homes Group Real Estate Specialists of Northern Virginia assists both New Homes Buyers & our New Homes Builder Community. We are a group of Realtors with a combined 20 years of experiance as New Homes Sales Mangers for National, Regional and local builders in Northern Virginia. We sevice Fairfax, Loudon, Prince William, Stafford, Fredericksburg, King George and Spotsylvania Country. We all come from Military backgrounds and families, so we have first hand experiance in military and corporate relocations.

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Thursday, August 12, 2010

TOP 5 CITIES FOR WORK MOMS

Work and Family
Full List: America's Top 50 U.S. Cities For Working Mothers
Meghan Casserly, 07.26.10, 09:00 AM EDT
A look at how the 50 largest cities rank for working moms, based on women's earnings, unemployment rates, crime levels, school systems, health care and cost of living.




Rank City Women's Income Living Cost Pediatricians Unemployment Violent Crimes1 Spending Per Pupil2
1 Minneapolis-St. Paul 11 34 12 2 1 13
2 Washington, D.C. 1 48 23 1 22 8
3 Boston 4 45 4 14 32 4
4 Pittsburgh 20 10 20 20 11 9
5 Baltimore-Towson, Md. 2 39 7 9 43 11
6 Denver 13 27 15 12 9 28
7 Hartford, Conn. 3 40 42 24 4 3
8 New York Metro 14 41 1 21 25 2
9 Seattle-Tacoma, Wash. 12 43 9 19 13 18
10 Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y. 14 17 48 10 23 1
11 Atlanta 23 18 6 32 24 24
12 Richmond, Va. 17 32 46 10 8 23
13 Milwaukee 26 29 27 14 31 5
13 San Diego 5 46 16 34 17 26
15 Phoenix 19 24 10 21 20 47
16 San Jose-Sunnyvale, Calif. 5 49 18 42 5 29
17 Columbus, Ohio 32 14 26 21 14 19
18 Cleveland 32 26 14 27 18 12
18 Indianapolis 31 3 25 24 38 14
18 Virginia Beach-Norfolk, Va. 17 36 37 8 16 34
21 Chicago 24 38 2 38 25 17
22 Providence, R.I. 16 42 34 47 10 7
23 Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas 37 6 11 13 21 35
23 Portland, Ore. 25 33 35 36 3 16
23 San Francisco 5 50 17 34 30 22
26 Cincinnati 32 16 21 31 12 26
27 Austin, Texas 37 11 40 4 6 31
28 Los Angeles 5 47 3 44 36 32
29 St. Louis 37 4 13 28 29 25
30 Detroit 22 28 8 48 50 10
31 Salt Lake City 36 25 32 5 7 50
32 Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif. 5 35 27 49 19 43
33 Raleigh, N.C. 37 23 22 14 2 45
34 Houston 37 9 5 17 41 38
35 Sacramento, Calif. 5 37 32 46 28 37
36 Philadelphia 20 44 41 29 42 6
37 San Antonio 37 18 29 7 33 30
38 Louisville, Ky. 49 1 43 32 15 15
39 Kansas City, Mo. 37 21 38 17 25 21
40 Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla. 27 13 24 45 39 33
41 Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 27 31 19 42 44 20
42 New Orleans 47 22 30 5 37 44
43 Nashville, Tenn. 45 2 31 26 45 42
44 Jacksonville, Fla. 27 8 44 39 47 46
45 Oklahoma City 49 12 49 3 34 49
45 Orlando, Fla. 27 20 39 41 46 41
47 Birmingham, Ala. 48 7 47 30 35 40
48 Charlotte, N.C. 37 15 36 40 40 39
49 Memphis, Tenn. 45 5 45 36 49 48
50 Las Vegas 32 30 50 50 48 36

1Per 100,000
2Including pre-K through 12th grade
Sources: ACCRA; Bureau of Labor Statistics; Cities: Ranked & Rated, by Bert Sperling and Peter Sander, Second Edition, Frommer's (2007);
U.S. Census Bureau; U.S. Department of Justice; healthgrades.com.
Click here to read the full story.

Video: Top Three Cities For Working Moms

TOP 5 CITIES FOR WORK

Work and Family
Full List: America's Top 50 U.S. Cities For Working Mothers
Meghan Casserly, 07.26.10, 09:00 AM EDT
A look at how the 50 largest cities rank for working moms, based on women's earnings, unemployment rates, crime levels, school systems, health care and cost of living.




Rank City Women's Income Living Cost Pediatricians Unemployment Violent Crimes1 Spending Per Pupil2
1 Minneapolis-St. Paul 11 34 12 2 1 13
2 Washington, D.C. 1 48 23 1 22 8
3 Boston 4 45 4 14 32 4
4 Pittsburgh 20 10 20 20 11 9
5 Baltimore-Towson, Md. 2 39 7 9 43 11
6 Denver 13 27 15 12 9 28
7 Hartford, Conn. 3 40 42 24 4 3
8 New York Metro 14 41 1 21 25 2
9 Seattle-Tacoma, Wash. 12 43 9 19 13 18
10 Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y. 14 17 48 10 23 1
11 Atlanta 23 18 6 32 24 24
12 Richmond, Va. 17 32 46 10 8 23
13 Milwaukee 26 29 27 14 31 5
13 San Diego 5 46 16 34 17 26
15 Phoenix 19 24 10 21 20 47
16 San Jose-Sunnyvale, Calif. 5 49 18 42 5 29
17 Columbus, Ohio 32 14 26 21 14 19
18 Cleveland 32 26 14 27 18 12
18 Indianapolis 31 3 25 24 38 14
18 Virginia Beach-Norfolk, Va. 17 36 37 8 16 34
21 Chicago 24 38 2 38 25 17
22 Providence, R.I. 16 42 34 47 10 7
23 Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas 37 6 11 13 21 35
23 Portland, Ore. 25 33 35 36 3 16
23 San Francisco 5 50 17 34 30 22
26 Cincinnati 32 16 21 31 12 26
27 Austin, Texas 37 11 40 4 6 31
28 Los Angeles 5 47 3 44 36 32
29 St. Louis 37 4 13 28 29 25
30 Detroit 22 28 8 48 50 10
31 Salt Lake City 36 25 32 5 7 50
32 Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif. 5 35 27 49 19 43
33 Raleigh, N.C. 37 23 22 14 2 45
34 Houston 37 9 5 17 41 38
35 Sacramento, Calif. 5 37 32 46 28 37
36 Philadelphia 20 44 41 29 42 6
37 San Antonio 37 18 29 7 33 30
38 Louisville, Ky. 49 1 43 32 15 15
39 Kansas City, Mo. 37 21 38 17 25 21
40 Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla. 27 13 24 45 39 33
41 Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 27 31 19 42 44 20
42 New Orleans 47 22 30 5 37 44
43 Nashville, Tenn. 45 2 31 26 45 42
44 Jacksonville, Fla. 27 8 44 39 47 46
45 Oklahoma City 49 12 49 3 34 49
45 Orlando, Fla. 27 20 39 41 46 41
47 Birmingham, Ala. 48 7 47 30 35 40
48 Charlotte, N.C. 37 15 36 40 40 39
49 Memphis, Tenn. 45 5 45 36 49 48
50 Las Vegas 32 30 50 50 48 36

1Per 100,000
2Including pre-K through 12th grade
Sources: ACCRA; Bureau of Labor Statistics; Cities: Ranked & Rated, by Bert Sperling and Peter Sander, Second Edition, Frommer's (2007);
U.S. Census Bureau; U.S. Department of Justice; healthgrades.com.
Click here to read the full story.

Video: Top Three Cities For Working Moms

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

New Homes vs. Pre- Owned

August 5, 2010 | For New Homes Guide | Cindy James REALTOR® CSP | Century21 New Millennium | New Homes Group

It’s one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make! Do you buy a “new home,” or do you select a “pre-owned” home? There are many things you should consider before making your decision. A used home is typically in an established neighborhood with mature trees, shopping centers, and can be close to schools. It is often priced lower than a new construction home, and it may have the character or charm that you are looking to purchase. Unlike an older home, a “new home” is built with the latest energy saving materials and the newest technologies, also following the current building codes. Your new home offers you a clean palette so that you may design your home just the way you want it. Here are some of the things to think about when purchasing a new home vs. purchasing a pre-owned home.
Advantages of a buying a new home:
1. Newest architectural designs provide floor plans for today’s life-styles.
2. Enhanced energy efficiency will make your home more comfortable in summer and winter while lowering your energy bills. The National Association of REALTORS® poll from June 2010 found that 70% of home buyers are looking for “green” built homes.
3. A customized home reflects your personal tastes and desires.
4. Extended builder’s warranty usually provide a 10 year structural warranty, 2 year manufacturer’s warranty on appliances, and a one year walk through with repairs done by the builder.
5. Builders’ incentives typically offer free or reduced price options and/or special financing.
6. Your choice: you select the location of a new home community, a builder, a home site, and a floor plan that best meets your housing needs.
7. It is the simplest way to get what you want because you start with a clean slate.
8. You can personalize landscaping for your life-style.
9. There are added amenities such as parks, walking trails, swimming pools, tennis courts, and golf courses that provide a great venue for socializing, exercise and more.
10. You get additional peace of mind from knowing that no one else has lived in your home before you and your family and there’s just something about moving into a brand new home!


Things to consider in purchasing a pre-owned home:
1. Your home will have the previous owner’s design choices to include flooring, lighting, wall covering, appliances, plumbing, counter tops and finishes.
2. You might be lucky and not need to worry about the cost of window coverings, landscaping, etc., but they may not be what you would have chosen.
3. Some home owners are not conscientious about maintaining their homes, so maintenance issues may be costly.
4. Unlike some new construction choices, in an established neighborhood, you most likely will not be living with ongoing construction.
5. Many established neighborhoods have mature trees, so you won’t have to wait 20 years for your new home’s trees to grow. However, large trees overhanging the home may cause their own set of problems.
6. Typically a “pre-owned” home is priced lower then a new construction home, so you can use the savings to renovate.
7. You can consider buying a short sale or foreclosure home. The saving may be substantial; however, you are buying “as-is” with many unknowns.
8. Typically “pre-owned” homes are closer to town , which may mean less commuting time. New communities tend to be farther out but have more and newer community amenities.
The choice is yours, but do your research! Learn how builders today use the most current building designs, follow current building codes and offer modern design features. You can make your new home not only the best value compared to a used home, but also maintenance and worry free for years to come!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

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Thursday, July 22, 2010

NEW RECORD LOW FOR MORTGAGE RATES

Mortgage rates hit new record low

Source: Associated Press/AP Online
Publication date: July 22, 2010

NEW YORK - Mortgage rates fell to a new record low for the fourth time in five weeks. But low rates haven't been enough to lift a struggling housing market.
The average rate for 30-year fixed loans this week was 4.56 percent, down from 4.57 last week, mortgage company Freddie Mac said Thursday. That's the lowest since Freddie Mac began tracking rates in 1971.

The last time home loan rates were lower was during the 1950s, when most mortgages lasted just 20 or 25 years.

The rate on the 15-year fixed loan dropped to 4.03 percent, down from 4.06 percent last week and the lowest on records dating back to 1991.

Rates have fallen since the spring. Investors worried about the European debt crisis have shifted money into the safety of Treasury bonds. That has forced those yields down. Mortgage rates tend to track yields on Treasury debt.

However, low rates have yet to spark home sales and refinancing activity remains moderate.

Sales of previously occupied homes fell in June and are expected to keep sinking. The National Association of Realtors said Thursday that last month's sales fell 5.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.37 million.

The housing market stalled after federal tax credits for homebuyers expired at the end of April. Home sales have dropped off, homebuilder confidence has waned and consumer sentiment is in the dumps.

It's unlikely low mortgage rates will bolster housing. Rates have hovered near historic lows for more than a year, so many people have already taken advantage of them to buy or refinance a home.

And many of those who haven't wouldn't qualify for a loan. They either owe more than their homes are worth, have shaky credit or have lost their jobs.

To calculate the national average, Freddie Mac collects mortgage rates on Monday through Wednesday of each week from lenders around the country. Rates often fluctuate significantly, even within a given day.

Rates on five-year adjustable-rate mortgages averaged 3.79 percent, down from 3.85 percent a week earlier. Rates on one-year adjustable-rate mortgages fell to an average of 3.70 percent from 3.74 percent.

The rates do not include add-on fees known as points. One point is equal to 1 percent of the total loan amount. The nationwide fee for loans in Freddie Mac's survey averaged 0.7 a point for 30-year, 15-year and 1-year loans. The average fee for 5-year loans was 0.6 of a point.

NVR POSTS PROFITS

NVR Reports $71 Million Profit

Source: BIG BUILDER News
Publication date: July 22, 2010

By BB Staff

NVR Inc., Reston, Va. (NYSE:NVR) early Thursday reported a profit of $71.2 million for the second quarter ended June 30, of $71.3 million ($11.13 per diluted share), an increase of 72% over last year's second quarter, beating handily the consensus Wall Street estimate of $8.62.

Revenues for the quarter totaled $964.5 million, a 54% increase from the comparable 2009 quarter.

NVR was the first public builder to report this earnings season, and although the company neither provides earnings commentary nor guidance to investors, the news, along with a general updraft in the markets, appeared to touch off a small rally in the builder stocks pre-open. NVR shares were up 2.6% at $650.18 in early trading on the NYSE.

Closings skyrocketed 63% from last year's quarter to 3,345 units as buyers got in under the June 30 deadline for qualification for the home-buyer tax credit. The average settlement price fell 5.2% to $283,000.

New orders decreased 6% from last year's second quarter to 2,559 units this quarter. The average new-order price, however, increased 5% to $309,600.

Backlog was down 16% to 3,766 units and backlog value down 11% to $1.19 billion when compared to the same period last year. The average backlog price also increased, from $296,200 last year to $315,300 at quarter's end 2010.

Community count increased to 373 from 356 at the same time last year. Lot count also increased, from 44,300 at June's end, 2009 to 47,500 at the close of this year's quarter.

Home building revenues totaled $947 million, 55% ahead of the year-earlier period. Gross profit margins decreased to 18.5% in the 2010 second quarter compared to 19.3% for the same period in 2009. SG&A was up 26.3% to$69.1 million.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010


Fulgor Milano Launches Italian Appliance Line In The United States
Backed by Parent Company Meneghetti, Fulgor Milano Introduces Sexy Line of Designer Cooktops and Wall Ovens to U.S. Market. You now have a new choice for adding beauty and cooking prowess to the kitchen, with the inauguration of the Fulgor Milano line of genuine Italian-designed cooktops and wall ovens built specifically for the American market. Italy is famed for its traditions of family, cooking, and design, and all of these elements are harmoniously united in the elegant and beautiful Fulgor Milano products—and all backed by the quality and reputation of parent company Meneghetti S.p.A., which brings over 50 years of experience as the maker of more than 1,000 high-end kitchen appliances for the world's top brands.