For All the Procrastinators: Only 2 Days Left for Federal Tax Credits!

I have always been one to put off things to the very last minute. So, if you're a procrastinator like me, and you've been thinking about purchasing a new home to take advantage of the $8,000 or $6,500 Federal Tax Credits....

Now is the time!!!! You still have the opportunity to find a home and get under contract by April 30th (this Friday). The great news is that you don't have to close on the home until June 30th, 2010. So if you find a new home that's nearly completed, you've got the time to wait until construction is complete. In addition, many builders are offering special incentives now, like McArthur Homes' 110% Guarantee of the Federal Tax Credit. 

If you'd like additional information on the credit and who is eligible, email me at kristi@mcarthurhomes.com or go to www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com.

To view some beautiful McArthur Homes that will be ready for the Federal Tax Credits, click here!

More Energy Saving Tips- Save Water, Gas & Money

Happy Earth Day!

Here are some simple tips for saving water, gas and (as a bonus!) money. If you're lucky enough to be building a new home, you can start with a more energy efficient home by installing 90% efficient furnaces, blown-in or fiberglass insulation, and Energy Star Appliances, among other things. McArthur Homes offers a wide range of green-friendly products for your new home in our Personal Selections Catalog, available online.




If you're already in your new home or you own an older home, here are some things you can do to save water and lower your bills:

• Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too.
• Install a low-flow showerhead. They don't cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.
• Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.
• Plant drought-tolerant native plants in your garden. Many plants need minimal watering. Find out which occur naturally in your area.

You can also help the Earth and save money by conserving gas:

• Walk or bike to work. This saves on gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity.
• Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving such as speeding, rapid acceleration and braking wastes gasoline. You can lower your highway gas mileage by 33% and city mileage by 5%!
• Replace clogged air filters to improve gas mileage by as much as 10% and protect your engine.

 

Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival

This week my husband and I took our two-year old to visit the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. We all loved it! The blooms were amazing, the weather was perfect and there were fun things for everyone to do. The Tulip Festival continues until May 1st, so if you live in the Lehi area (or even if you don't), check it out!

Tulip Festival
Thanksgiving Point Gardens
April 16th-May 1st
Closed Sundays
10am-8pm
$10/adult
$8/child
2 and under FREE
Click here for $2/off COUPON (you may have to enter your email address)
More Information: http://www.thanksgivingpoint.com/calendar/events/tulipfestival/index.html


If you go:

• The biggest hit for most of the kids there seemed to be the giant grass hill that you see right as you enter the gardens, there were tons of kids rolling down the hill and running back up. It's a great place to let your kids get their energy out!
• Make sure you walk up behind the waterfalls, from above you can look down and see two nesting birds- a goose and an owl! Each has built a little nest in the rocks near the waterfalls. According to a guide we talked to, they are there pretty much 24 hours a day with short breaks to stretch and get food.
• There are concessions, but I would recommend a picnic lunch or dinner. Perfect for a romantic date or a family outing!
• You may want to bring a ball and glove or frisbee. With so much open space, there were tons of kids (and adults) playing catch and just enjoying the outdoors after a long winter.
• On Friday evenings and Saturdays they have live entertainment. Check out the website (above) for more information. One of the days I saw there would be strolling bagpipers- that's something you don't see every day. :)
• While you're in the area, stop by one of our nearby McArthur Homes neighborhoods. View our model homes and see how you could own a brand new home just a few minutes walk from this amazing venue!

Thanksgiving Meadows
Homes starting at $220s
Townhomes starting in the mid $100s
 3779 N. Meadow Springs Lane
801-766-4462

Thanksgiving Village
Golf course homes starting in $250s
2802 W. Crooked Stick Drive
801-768-2910

Go Green- Save Energy & Money in Your Home

With Earth Day coming up this month, I've seen a lot of helpful tips for being more Earth friendly. Here are some tips for saving energy in your home, that will also save you money!

• Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out. They last longer and use 75% less energy!
• Unplug appliances when you're not using them. Or, use a "smart" power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use. You can also plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips then turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use. TVs and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power.
• Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85% of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.
• Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying.
• Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle.
• Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120 degrees F.
• Turn off kitchen, bath and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you are done cooking or bathing. 

New Home Construction with Jared Berry

McArthur Homes' own, Jared Berry, was recently featured in a youtube video about building a new home. Check him out below!



The video was filmed at our Thanksgiving Point model home. For more information on this golf course neighborhood, or our beautiful model home, click here.

Building a New Home- Part 3, Closing

The final step in building your new home involves getting ready to move and "closing" on your new home. Here are a few tips:

Preparing for Closing
Once your home is nearing completion and you're busy packing and dreaming about your decorating plans, don't forget to set up your utilities! While your builder will physically connect most utilities during construction, it is your responsibility to arrange for service to be provided.
Here is a quick checklist of services you'll want to contact:

Electrical- Rocky Mountain Power: 1-888-221-7070 or City Government
Gas- Questar: 801-324-5111
Telephone- Qwest: 1-800-244-1111 or other local provider
Water- City Government (maybe included in HOA)
Garbage- City Government (maybe included in HOA)
Sewer- City Government (maybe included in HOA)
Local Cable or Satellite Company

At this time you should also touch base with your lender for permanent financing and make certain your lender is ready to close your loan.
Confirm that your lender:
1. Has all personal selection choices and that the total price is correct
2. Has all information from you required by underwriting
3. Has made contact with your title company

Closing
“Closing” (sometimes called settlement) actually refers to a variety of activities that must occur to transfer Ownership of the property to you. It involves the following:
1. Your lender prepares and delivers all necessary documents to your title company
2. Buyers (you) sign documents at title company office
3. Buyers (your) provide down payment to title company- this should be in the form of a Cashier's Check
4. Any lender insurance such as FHA may require paperwork to be completed. This is also coordinated by you through your lender.
5. Your lender must fund the loan; meaning the money must be sent to and received by your title company
6. Sellers (your builder) sign closing documents provided by title company
7. When all of the above are completed, your title company personnel will personally visit the County Recorder’s office and “record” the deed conveying title to you.

Only when all these have been completed, is the transfer of Ownership complete. Although you can sign all of the documents in just an hour or two, it usually takes until the next business day for the loan to fund and recording to occur. So if all goes smoothly, you will usually receive the keys to your new home the business day following your visit to the title company.

Now comes the fun work of moving in and setting up your new home! Congratulations!

For more details on the home closing process, visit McArthur Homes website by clicking here.