Summer Home Preview
????The bad news has many buyers sitting on the sidelines. But, experts say, “waiting for the bottom” may mean missing an incredible opportunity.
????First, predicting a bottom is impossible. The National Association of Realtors says it’s just around the corner. Economists offer mixed forecasts, with some saying the bottom has arrived and others saying it’s perhaps a year out.
????The fact is, every market is different. And in growth markets like Orlando, waiting for the absolute bottom to hit before buying puts you at risk of missing it and getting caught up in the inevitable upswing.?
????Even during downturns, there’s often a cost for waiting to buy in the most highly desirable neighborhoods. If home prices slip further, you might end up in a bidding war, erasing the savings you thought you had achieved by remaining on the sidelines.
????Often, finance pros say, people become so obsessed with getting the lowest possible price that they forget just how little difference an extra $10,000 means when a monthly mortgage payment is calculated.
????For example, assuming a buyer pays $300,000 rather than $310,000 on a 5.7 percent, 30-year loan with $30,000 down, he or she would be paying $1,575 a month rather than $1,634.
????Of course, there are some people who are better off waiting. In particular, people who bought their current home in the past couple of years, during the huge price run-up.
????But if you’ve been in your home five years or longer and plan to move to a place where you’ll stay at least another five years, you’re likely going to do well despite the market as it is now.?
????On the following pages are selected builders and developers who are making the buying decision easier with new models, new communities and new incentives. Have a look at what they’re offering and then visit.
ABD Development is opening three new models this summer at Providence, an amenity-rich master-planned community in Polk County.?
????The Bristol includes four bedrooms, four bathrooms and a wood-burning fireplace. The Courtyard also has four bedrooms and four bathrooms as well as an extra half-bathroom and a courtyard. The Manchester boasts a spacious 5,089 square feet of living area with six bedrooms, five bathrooms and a study. All three models include a bonus room, a loft and a lanai.?
????ABD is also celebrating the grand opening of Providence’s new Residents Community Club House, a family-oriented fitness and aquatic center featuring state-of-the-art exercise equipment and flat-screen TVs as well as a resort-style heated pool with two slides and a lap pool.
Lighted tennis courts are also available and there’s a constant schedule of community activities on tap. Incentives include $7,500 towards closing costs.
Ashton Woods Homes is opening two new models this summer at The Enclave at Berkshire Park, located in prestigious Windermere.?
????The Wicklow and Newcastle models include upgraded finshes, energy-efficient construction and a community pool. Prices start in the $250s.?
????Four new models are also opening at the company’s Savannah Park at Heathrow community in Seminole County. The two-story townhomes feature an optional master bedroom on the first floor, courtyards, rear-entry garages, balconies and covered lanais. Amenities include a pool and clubhouse with homes priced from $209,900.
????As an added incentive for new-home shoppers this summer, all Ashton Woods’ homes are built for energy efficiency through the company’s new Environments for Living Gold Level Program.
Two new models are opening this summer at Baldwin Park in Orlando, a popular traditional neighborhood development near downtown Orlando.?
????The Villa Florentine by Derrick Builders is an elegant 5,048-square-foot, Mediterranean-inspired courtyard home featuring two downstairs master suites, elaborate ceilings, custom built-ins throughout and a pool and spa. Located on beautiful Union Park, the home is priced at $1,985,000.?
????The Charleston by Goehring & Morgan Construction is a 5,407-square-foot classic traditional home with an expansive outdoor living room, media room, study and recreation area. Located along magestic New Broad Street Park, the home is priced at $2,370,130.
????This summer Baldwin Park is also debuting Harbor Park, a public park surrounding Lake Baldwin featuring a two-and-a-half mile trail system, a wooden waterwalk and gazebos at the Baldwin Park Village Center.
Centex Homes is opening new models and debuting several new communities this summer.?
????Sutton Place, a new community in bustling Altamonte Springs, features 60 townhomes and a location convenient to shopping, dining, entertainment, employment centers and major thoroughfares. The Greenwich at Sutton Place is a three-story townhome with a two-car garage and second-story balcony.
????Another new community, Fountain Park in Polk City, features floorplans ranging in size from 1,433 to 3,254 square feet with three to six bedrooms. Prices start from the $150s and two decorated models are now open to tour.?
????The Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Dante models in the Emerson Park neighborhood in Apopka are two-story townhomes with garages while The Canyon and Durango models at Sullivan Ranch feature a paired-villa, single-story design.
David Weekley Homes is opening a lavish new model in Baldwin Park this summer and offering an interest-rate incentive for buyers in several of its other communities.?
????The Harpeth features a formal living room and a sweeping staircase with wrought-iron spindles leading to three secondary bedrooms and a wonderful retreat area.?
????Downstairs is a formal dining room, an open kitchen and a family room perfect for entertaining with access to the outdoor patio and stone fireplace through French doors.
????David Weekley is also providing an enticing incentive for homebuyers this summer. Now through June 15, when you buy and close a home in the communities of Wekiva Run, Victoria Park, Lake Heiniger or Palm Coast, you may take advantage of a starting interest rate of 3.75 percent and FHA financing.
DeLuca Homes is opening new models in two of its communities this summer.?
????The Pasadena and Del Rey models at Sawgrass Bay in Orlando" target="_blank">Lake County feature lofts and playrooms. At Bella Vista in Seminole County, the Firenza and Verona models include media rooms, whole-house music and theater packages and an excellent feature for summer new-home shoppers—summer kitchens.?
????Visit DeLuca models this summer to find upgraded electrical packages for music, home theater, intercom and security systems.
KB Home is debuting several new models across the region this summer.? On the east coast in Volusia County, the 1636B at Bayberry Lakes and the 1931B and 2235B models at Cypress Place feature numerous Energy-Star rated options including Low-E, double-pane windows, low-flow faucets, radiant barriers and energy-efficient blinds.?
????The 1676C and 2206B models at Hammock Tails in Kissimmee boast gourmet kitchens, converted dens and vaulted ceilings. At the Isles of Sugar Mill the company is unveiling the 2173C model complete with a deluxe master bathroom and covered patio.?
????All KB Home communities now feature Energy-Star appliances.?
????The company is also celebrating the grand public opening of Hammock Trails, Cypress Place and Bayberry Lakes this summer as well as a new community pet park at Blackstone in Osceola County.
The eco-friendly Town of Harmony in Osceola County will welcome an array of additions this summer, including new amenities and a new on-site school.?
????The Central Bark Pet Park opens near Harmony Town Square while the community’s Welcome Center has received a major face-lift and has been renamed the Sales and Information Gallery.
The Harmony Lakeshore Park Sports Garden near Buck Lake on Schoolhouse Road is opening with a new full-size basketball court, sand volleyball court and soccer field. Formerly known as the 19th Hole, the new Harmony Town Tavern offers $2 draft beers, a dart league and a diverse selection of food and beverages.?
????The 105,000-square-foot Harmony Community School, which opens in August, features natural lighting in all classrooms and an environmentally-intelligent design.?
????The oversized conservation-area homesites at The Estates at Harmony offer a unique setting within walking distance of the new school, dog parks, boating and Lakeshore Park. Home prices range from the $700s to more than $1 million with homesites now available starting in the $140s.
Kolter Homes is opening The Juniper model this summer at Grande Oaks at Heathrow in Seminole County.?
????The two-story townhome features up to 2,571 square feet of living space with a den/office or fourth bedroom option on the first floor. The model also boasts coffer ceilings, a large master suite with his-and-her closets and a master bath with two vanities, a Jacuzzi tub and a large walk-in shower. The kitchen is highlighted by granite countertops.?
????Kolter Homes is also debuting a new design center on the first floor of The Cypress model, also located in Grande Oaks, and a new sales center at the Grande Oaks’ clubhouse.?
????As an incentive for buyers this summer, now through July 30 the company is offering a free Samsung plasma TV with the purchase of a ready-to-move-in home.
Lifeway Homes is opening a new model this summer at Bridgeford Crossing in Polk County and is debuting a new community in Oviedo called Brooks Landing.?
????The Windward model at Bridgeford Crossing is a spacious six-bedroom home featuring almost 3,500 square feet of living area with four full bathrooms, two half-bathrooms, an indoor game room and a pool and spa.?
????Lifeway Homes is also celebrating the grand opening of Brooks Landing in Oviedo. The Seminole County community features 30-foot-wide townhomes ranging in size from 1,884 to 2,273 square feet of living space and boasting two-car garages and brick-paver driveways.
????As an added incentive for early buyers this summer, Lifeway Homes is offering $25,000 to $30,000 in options and upgrades depending upon the model purchased.
Builders are offering new floorplans and exciting incentives at Southeast Orlando’s prestigious Lake Nona this summer.?
????DiVosta Homes is unveiling five new models at VillageWalk at Lake Nona featuring larger homes ranging in size from 1,700 to 3,400 square feet.?
????Also new to VillageWalk is the 26,000-square-foot Town Center and clubhouse, which includes a formal gathering room, heated resort-style swimming pool, state-of-the-art exercise facility and lighted tennis courts.
????There’s also a convenient service station, neighborhood post office and tot-lot. An on-site activities director makes certain that there’s always something interesting to do.?
????DiVosta homes are also newly equipped with granite countertops, 42-inch maple cabinets and stainless-steel appliances. New pricing has been introduced with the builder covering up to $8,000 in closing costs.?
????At Waters Edge at Lake Nona, Park Square Homes has debuted The Lancaster II. This 3,122-square-foot home boasts four bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, an office and a bonus room.
Park Square has also opened a boat ramp to Lake Nona at Waters Edge as well as a new boat dock and storage facility. As an incentive, for a limited time the builder will cover up to $10,000 in closing costs.
Castle & Cooke is opening three new models at Oakland Park, the first Central Florida community to be green-certified by the Florida Green Building Coalition.
????Built in Colonial Revival style, The Delaney Park boasts a large formal dining room with a butler’s pantry in the kitchen while The Ivanhoe Park features front porches on the first and second floors. Inside both models, large double-hung windows fill the living areas with natural light while two-story brick fireplaces and chimneys lend a 1940s-era charm.?
????Built in Florida Vernacular style, The Audubon Park features a wrap-around front porch as well as a rear porch and sitting room outside the master bedroom.?
????All three models offer an additional bedroom and bath above the detached, two-car garage.
????The 258-acre community sits on a bluff overlooking Lake Apopka and features pedestrian-friendly streetscapes and traditional architecture.?