New Home Spotlight

There are always a few homes each month that we build which really stand out to me in terms of design. The Boogaard family did a fantastic job of designing their home and I can't wait to see it once they've put their finishing touches on everything. Here is what they had to say about building and designing a new home:

What is your favorite feature or aspect of your new home?
We love the open floor plan. Having the kitchen open to the family room all with vaulted ceilings make the space feel large, but still intimate and welcoming.


What was the best part about designing your new home?
The ability to make specific product choices that work for us. We got to pick the cabinets and flooring we have always wanted, making our home custom to our lifestyle.


How did you decide on your color scheme?
We chose the cabinets and worked around them.


What plans do you have to enhance your home once you move in?
We hope to add accent colors to some of the spaces to tie in our decorating style.

What advice would you give to other new home owners who are designing their homes?
Put you upgrade money into things that will make the most difference. For us that meant the kitchen, flooring, and bathrooms. We felt that those are things that will really hold their value and be appealing to other buyers should we sell in the future.


Thanks Jordan & Ereka for letting me spotlight your home. You did a fantastic job contrasting the creme cabinets with rich floors and counter tops. I hope you enjoy your beautiful new home!

Fresh Looks for your Home

As the Design Consultant for McArthur Homes, I work with many future home owners who just don't know where to start when designing their brand new home. I suggest that they look at websites, magazines, and friends' homes to see what they like and what they don't. With that thought in mind, here are a few images that I have gathered together. Take a look and see if anything fits your personal style. In the future, I'd like to do groups of images focusing on just one style: contemporary, rustic, old world etc.

I'd love to feature your images, so send me your favorite home looks at kristi@mcarthurhomes.com

Mortgage Calculators

Lately I have heard from a lot of people that they don't know if they can qualify for a loan, or they want to know what their payment would be for a new home or refi. Well, I found a handy tool that features many different mortgage calculators. The best answers will always come from a professional loan officer, but this can get you started:

Related Resource: Refinance & Mortgage Rates. Calculator © MortgageLoan.com.

For more answers on financing, contact Scott Smith.

The Scoop on Interest Rates

With so many changes in interest rates, goverment and the economy lately, I sought out some information on what is really going on with mortgage rates. Here is the scoop from Scott Smith of Flagstar Bank:

"As many of you know, mortgage rates have improved significantly over the past 45 days. We saw extreme volatility in rates during the fourth quarter of 2008, where 30 year fixed rates ranged from 5.75% to nearly 7% within a short period of time. Thankfully they are now in the 5% range, largely due to actions by Ben Bernanke and the Federal Reserve.

On December 30 the Fed announced that they would invest nearly $500 Billion dollars between January and June of 2009 to purchase Mortgage Backed Securities from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae. Banks and mortgage companies issue loans to home owners, they then pool multiple loans together, securitize them, and resell these Mortgage Backed Securites (MBS) as investments that most of us own through our 401k's and other investment accounts. The demand and purchase of these MBS dictate what home loan rates are. So the Fed's commitment to purchase these MBS has is a direct way for the government to lower mortgage rates and make housing more affordable and stimulate further selling of new and existing homes."

Feel free to call Scott if you have any questions about interest rates, what's going on with the Fed, how to qualify for a loan, or anything else that is mortgage related.

Scott Smith
Loan Officer

Office: (801) 676-5531
Cell: (801) 209-3850
Scott.Smith@flagstar.com

McArthur Homes' Sales Up in 2008!

McArthur Homes had a fantastic year in 2008. Home closings increased by 64% between 2007 and 2008. This was due in part to our great locations:

Amberley, an affordable town home community in West Jordan
Lone Tree, a single family community nestled between hills at the Ranches in Eagle Mountain
& Thanksgiving Village, a golf course community at the Thanksgiving Point Golf Course (pictured below)


Coming up in 2009 we are looking forward to the GRAND OPENING of our newest community, Thanksgiving Meadows. This neighborhood will feature manor homes and single family homes, an amazing community clubhouse with swimming pool and great proximity to Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. Look for more info on our Grand Opening, coming up February 7-14th.

Best of South Jordan Award

This year we were awarded a 2008 Best of South Jordan Award! The following is from a press release announcing our achievement:

"McArthur Homes has been selected for the 2008 Best of South Jordan Award in the Home Builders category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA).

The USLBA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community."

Please visit our website for more information on this and the many other awards that we have received.