Posted by Tod on July 21, 2010 | 
Housing in San Marcos, California – Buy New!
In today’s highly competitive market there is a vast array of choices to be made when deciding between purchasing a new home or used home, which is called re-sale. One of the primary advantages of buying a new home is the ability to personalize and decorate your home from the beginning exactly the way you want. In a new home, you can pick your own exterior elevation, color scheme, kitchen cabinets, appliances, flooring, custom wiring for TV’s and computers as well as have more upgrade options. Modern features like media rooms, lofts, extra-large closets, large bathrooms and tubs are also more attainable in new construction.
Often, new homes in Southern California will have more modern conveniences, better insulation and can be more energy efficient. Insulation in ceilings, walls and floors is often substandard or nonexistent in an old home and old-style widows waste heat almost as badly as if they were open. New home builders use modern materials such as dual-glazed (Low E2) windows, energy-star appliances, radiant barrier roof sheathing, thicker insulation and other technology that will lower future energy costs for the owner.
New homes bring safety and piece of mind to your family. Builders have to follow very strict guidelines in new homes, especially in California, where earthquake safety standards must be observed. New construction also comes with a builders’ warranty.
Affordability and appreciation are also concerns for buyers today. There can be investment advantages in purchasing a new home. It is simply a function of supply and demand, and the economic realities of the real estate market. The short-term savings you may see in a used home are lost over time when repairs, renovations, pest control and lower appreciation are taken into account. These issues are much less likely to concern new home buyers.
For more information about viewing these model homes or about other North San Diego New Homes, please contact FieldStone Homes.
Posted by Tod on July 13, 2010 |
Rancho Santalina, a new home community in San Marcos has a very unique program for their buyers called Pick-a-Lot. Not only can you choose a great home that fits perfectly for your family’s lifestyle from the six floor plans offered, but also choose the home site you prefer from the current phase.
Here’s how it works….
You are looking for a new home, you have been through many models and nothing is quite right, until you reach Rancho Santalina. After touring the beautiful modern and spacious models, you feel, “this one is perfect”! The Sales Counselor shows you which home sites are available and you get to pick the lot you would like Fieldstone to build your new home on. You also get to choose the exterior elevation from Spanish style, California Ranch or Italiante style and also choose the matching exterior color scheme from six different color boards in each style.
Now that is choice!
There isn’t any pre-selected anything at Rancho Santalina.
Posted by Tod on July 8, 2010 |
When buying a newly constructed home in a development or community, sign on the dotted line as soon as possible. Purchasing a new home in Southern California early allows you more choices, not only in the room configurations but also cabinets, counter-tops, appliances, lighting, fixtures and color selections.
This expands your decorating options and eliminates the expense of replacing those materials later; you know, the ones you would have never chosen. Buyers don’t like pre-selected options. Decorating the interior of a new home can be a daunting task, but also fun to get the whole family involved while watching your new home being constructed.
The challenge of decorating what effectively is a blank canvas in the easiest and most cost-effective way can be met with a few simple steps.
- First choose the theme or style you want your home to portray. Select paint colors for the interior walls. Painting the rooms of your new home is the quickest and least expensive way to give it personality and style. The color scheme throughout your home should be consistent with your visual aesthetic and compliment your possessions. A general rule of thumb is the lighter the shade of color, the more open and airy the room will feel; the darker the shade, the cozier it will seem. It’s a good idea to plan a couple days between your escrow closing and moving in to your new home to paint. It’s much easier to paint before your furniture is in place.
- Define your family’s lifestyle. Build on furniture you already own. When purchasing upholstered furniture for your new home, the simplest yet most forward-thinking thing you can do is to choose timeless pieces that fit into your color scheme. By doing this, you will ensure that the furniture will not become outdated quickly.
- Last, don’t forget the accessories! Unlike furniture, they do not have to be user friendly. Rugs, artwork, vases, draperies and the like are objects with which you may be your most creative. If you love it, use it. The most important principal of decorating a new home is to reflect the true you.
Posted by Tod on July 6, 2010 |
When purchasing a new home, most builders such as Rancho Santalina Homes, include front yard landscaping, but what about your back yard. Designing your rear yard can become time consuming and expensive. Here are some tips to help you with your landscape designing;
Drive around your neighborhood and take pictures of yards and plants you like.
Decide your budget and how much hardscape, planters and grass you want. It’s important to think of how you are going to be using your yard space. Do you do a lot of entertaining? Do you have children, pets?
Trees & Shrubs
The biggest and most important things added to your landscape are trees and shrubs. It’s important to do your research to see what trees grow best in your area and also see if there are any restrictions in the community CC&R’s from the homeowners association if there is one. Pick out trees you like and that you will enjoy watching grow over the years. Keep in mind how big the trees will get and make sure not to plant them too close to your home. The roots can travel and damage your foundation if planted to close to the house.
Perennials are great to plant in your flower garden. You can have plants that bloom every season if you plan it just right. Bulbs are also easy, low maintenance and attractive for your flower beds.
Finally, seek help from someone you know that has experience in landscaping or that has done their own yard or an avid gardener. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or call your local garden shop, they are usually glad to help. You will be surprised at some of the great ideas you will get from them.
Good luck and happy gardening!
