Home Creations and American Heart Association

Home Creations continually gives back to the communities in which they serve. Home Creations also gives to non profit organizations like the American Heart Association.

This year, to date, Home Creations has raised over $6,700 for the American Heart Association’s heart walk.   They have done this through activities such as; a talent auction, where employees volunteered their services and other employees were allowed to bid on them, participating in the AHA Heart Walk, and “Casual for a Cause,” where a donation allowed employees to dress casual for a week at the office.

Participating in the Heart Walk, was not only a heart healthy activity, but is always fun and rewarding.  Employees walked, to show their support for the American Heart Association, and burned a few calories as well!

Encourage your place of business to participate in activities like these for the American heart Association.

- Amy T

Local Builder Remains Strong

BUILDER, the leading media brand for the home building industry, this week unveiled the BUILDER 100, its annual ranking of the 100 largest home building companies. Home Creations remains the largest locally owned and operated home builder in Oklahoma at #60 nationwide.

“We aim to build homes that make sense for home buyers and their lifestyle, and for our environment,” said MJ Farzaneh, Home Creations’ Construction Director. With their experience building energy efficient homes and a 2011 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award winner, Home Creations has identified the best way to build an energy efficient home while keeping in mind Oklahoma’s climate and environment.

In addition, since 1999 Home Creations has included three tornado safety elements as standard features in their homes, making them more resistant to tornadic winds and earth movements in Oklahoma. These safety features have provided a great peace of mind to homeowners.

As the housing market recovers in the nation, Home Creations remains true to their construction methodologies and continues to help Oklahomans realize their dream of homeownership. With their participating lenders, Home Creations has helped thousands of homeowners through the financing process by offering an array of loan programs that fit the unique needs of each home buyer.

With low interest rate and affordable prices, homeownership makes sense now more than ever. Home Creations wants to make the home buying process easy!

- Anita Brown, Sales and Marketing Director

An opportunity to help!

Sometimes you encounter people in life who are especially kind, helpful and generous to others. It has been my privilege the past ten years, to know a couple who has helped hundreds of Home Creations home owners obtain insurance at a reasonable cost and more importantly, when a hail storm, or car accident occurred, they were there with concern, advice, and prompt response on an insurance claim. They are more than insurance salesmen, they help people.

Now they need our help. Their beautiful little girl, Riley, has a rare food disease called an Eosinophilic Disorder. Due to the rarity of this condition, there is a limited amount of medical knowledge and research funding for these types of disorders. This condition makes Riley’s little body allergic to most foods – nuts, eggs, milk, beef, wheat, rice, pork, green beans, fish, cheese, oats; the list goes on and on. But, to know how it affects Riley and her family is an amazing tale.

I visited with her dad recently, and he told me of the constant care and attention necessary to maintain Riley’s life. Constant medications, feeding tubes, and supervision are a part of their daily routine. Every Thanksgiving, for the past three years, they have had two people missing from their Thanksgiving table. Riley is not there, because she can not eat the food, and an adult plays with Riley during the Thanksgiving holiday meal time. This Halloween, her neighborhood, knowing of her food condition, provided small toys at their homes, so Riley could Trick or Treat. Riley rarely sleeps past 2:00 or 3:00 a.m. due to her acid reflux and tummy discomfort. This is just a small glimpse into the many details this family, and many others who have children with this eating disorder, deal with every day. As demanding as this situation is, Riley is a happy little girl who is very loved by her supportive and devoted parents.

At this time, there is no known cause and unfortunately no cure for Eosinophilic Disorders. However, on June 16, 2012, the Oakdale community is hosting the first-annual Riley’s Run for APFED. They hope to raise money and awareness for the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders, which is the organization leading the charge in helping Eosinophilic families by funding research to find a cure. Home Creations is asking their home owners to support this cause. It is a worthy one.

For more information about Riley and her life with an Eosinophilic Disorder, please click here. or to help Riley and the growing number of children just like her, please donate now. All proceeds support the research, awareness, and education of Eosinophilic Disorders.

- Anita Brown

You Really Do GET MORE with Home Creations…Really!!!!

When we say you get “Get More” with a Home Creations…we mean it. Before I came to Home Creations, I did my homework. If there is one thing I learned in the years I’ve been selling new homes in the Tulsa area, it’s this- I love selling new homes, I loathe selling upgrades! I wanted to find a builder who TRULY has it all…included!

When I found Home Creations and toured their model home, I was so excited to see things like- granite countertops, travertine backsplash, tile floors, frieze carpet, double master marble sinks with a raised vanity, ceiling fan in the living and the master, 10 foot ceilings, brick exterior on 3 sides, coach lights, covered patios on many of the plans, tornado safety features warranties galore, whirlpool appliances, pull down ladder attic access, alarm systems with two key pads, rubbed bronze fixtures, staggered custom cabinets- all of this is INCLUDED in the home….and in the community I was in, homes started in the $120s! Imagine getting ALL that at a price buyers can afford!

Then I began digging deeper, with Low E .35 U factor tilt in windows, stud walls every 16″ inches, R19 blow in insulation in exterior walls, R30 in the attic, lifetime shingles, 14 SEER A/C unit, 93% furnace Lennox brand, Rebar reinforced slab, tornado straps, metal wind bracing, anchor bolts, 100 year brick, moisture barrier wrap, Kelly Moore paint, 10 year structural warranty, OSB sheathing around the entire structure of the home…I was in a new home salesperson’s heaven! I had finally found a builder who had it all- great quality homes with amazing included features at prices buyers can afford!

To top it all off- Home Creations has been building homes for 30 plus years, they are a family owned business, they are Oklahomas largest home builder, ranked in the Builder 100, Energy Star Partner of the Year in 2011, A+ rating with the BBB, featured on HGTV in 2011 and the list goes on and on. It was clear to me this builder has clout!

When buyers come through my door, almost always they have shopped the “other guys” and instead of cringing I jump for joy at the opportunity to show them apples to apples- we are the better builder and like magic they see- wow- they really do get more with us! They feel exactly how I felt when I found Home Creations…eager to be a part of something great!

Now all that being said…go buy that new home…Home Creations home!

Stronger Home. Safer Home.

Since 2001, Home Creations has been building homes with tornado safety features. These features have become the deciding factor for many buyers in selecting a builder for their new home. Home Creations has found that the added structural integrity of tornado safety features, has not only made our homes safer in high winds, but reduced warranty issues as well.

The sturdiness of the home ensures stable walls. These walls do not move as much, due to high winds or earthquakes. This stability keeps the windows secure and protects your walls from nail pops and texture cracks. These building practices go beyond city codes. Home Creations includes these features within the sales price on every home. They provide not only peace of mind to a home owner, but help our sales team sell with confidence. We know we have done everything we can to build the sturdiest home possible in Oklahoma.

Three tornado safety features are:

Anchor Bolts. The name says it all – anchor bolts, also called J bolts due to their shape, anchor the bottom plate of your home to the stem wall.  The benefit comes from sinking them eight inches into the concrete of your stem wall, and the J shape locks them in place.

Tornado Straps. Some parts of the country call them hurricane straps, but the benefit is the same anywhere.  Tornado straps anchor the top plate of the home to the rafters, keeping your roof more secure in high winds.

OSB Sheathing. OSB stands for Oriented Strand Board, which is a super strong sheathing that gets its strength from the alternating orientation of  the layers of wood that compose it. We put OSB rather than flimsy foam board around the entire perimeter of our homes.

Fun-Raising

Company wide meetings at Home Creations are fun! But more than the laughter and camaraderie, this week we raised $800 in an auction for The American Heart Association.

Employees gave of their time and talents with items to auction, such as: tennis lessons, golf lessons, a customized home made cake, lawn services, baby sitting, etc. The fun came in the bidding. We had special “guests” Anita ( the Anita from the 70’s), and Duh- Nita (Anita’s fictional twin sister), who gave bidders and the audience plenty of kidding and added comments to spice up the event. The employees really got in to the activity and it proved to be another “Team” effort by a generous staff to raise monies for a worthy cause. People paid way more than items were actually worth, knowing that their contribution to The American Heart Association would save lives.

Home Creations employees are participating in two upcoming events for The American Heart Association; The Heart Walk and the Go Red luncheon for women. If you would like to participate or contribute to either of these events, contact a Home Creations employee and we can help you know where to send your donation or how to attend.

Thanks to all Home Creations employees who gave of their talents and time and all those who contributed.

- Anita Brown

Which is cheaper – Owning or Renting?

As a New Home Consultant, one of the greatest feelings is selling a home to someone who has rented an apartment or house their entire adult life. While some buyers rent because they think it is cheaper (in most cases it is not), a lot of them are misled to think that buying and owning a new home is out of their reach. In this day and age, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

In addition to building equity, the savings on energy costs, and the tax benefits from your mortgage interest deduction can easily amount to $200  or more in your pocket monthly.

CNN Money released a great article explaining how buying is actually more affordable than renting. Please read the article below and if you still aren’t convinced, give me a call at 1-800-277-7121 and I will be happy to convince you of the benefits of homeownership!

Last but not least, you can register to attend a FREE Home Buyer Seminar and learn about the value of owning a home, the process of buying a new home, financing options available, and more.

- Ashley Bryant, Online New Home Consultant

“No Money Down” Loan Alive and Well

Information Compliments of
Jason Karn  |  Mortgage Loan Consultant
First United Bank  NMLS# 469129

I like sharing the good news in the housing industry so let’s talk no money down loans! Guess what? No $ down loans are still alive and well! For many people who don’t have the required 3.5% down for an FHA loan, RD/USDA loans have allowed those buyers to purchase new homes without a down payment. Interest rates are low and a credit score of 640 is required by most lenders. There are income guidelines that vary but the norm is a household income of $73k or less. Buyers do pay a small premium mortgage insurance (PMI) the average $150k home will have PMI of $30-40/ mo. Home Creations has three communities in the Tulsa metro area that are located in the RD loan eligible areas:

• Ashbury Park in Collinsville, OK
• Villas at Willow Gorge in Verdigris, OK
• Evergreen in Keifer, OK

Call (918) 832-0999 to talk to any Home Creations New Home Consultants in the Tulsa metro area today!

New FHA Guidelines

Information Compliments of
Sam Bursch
Cornerstone Home Lending
Sr. Loan Officer
PHONE: (405) 445-0538
FAX: (866) 259-8670
SBursch@HouseLoan.com
NMLS #194158

The U.S. Department of Housing andUrban Development (HUD) announced Fen 27 an upcoming increase to both their upfront mortgage insurance premium, as well as their monthly insurance premium, on all FHA loans effect for applications on or after April 1st, 2012.

How will it affect 30-year FHA loans?

Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium 
Old Rate – 1.0%
New Rate – 1.75%
Monthly Mortgage Insurance Premium
Old Rate – 1.15%
New Rate – 1.25%

As much as we ever hate to see an increase in costs, this move was a necessity for HUD, as they have been operating well below their reserve requirement issued by Congress for quite some time now, with really no sign of that changing soon.  This will give HUD additional much needed funds, to help replenish their reserves and avoid having to go to Congress for any kind of a bailout.

Just for reference, below is a rough calculation of how much payments would go up on certain loan sizes:

Purchase Price  $150,000
Old Principal + PMI Payment  -  $839
New Principal + PMI Payment  -  $851
Change  +$12

Purchase Price  $225,000
Old Principal + PMI Payment  -  $1,257
New Principal + PMI Payment  -  $1,278
Change  +$21

FHA Case Numbers will be issued for all of our FHA clients that have a contract in place prior to April 1st.  The Case Number is good for four months plus we can extend it for new construction completion.

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Update as of March 14

Hello Friends,

Last week, HUD came out with three major changes this week for FHA loans with case numbers ordered April 1 2012 and afterward.   This does not mean that the loan must be closed by April 1, 2012 but a contract must be executed and the FHA case number ordered through their system by that date.   It is also important to note that a case number cannot be ordered until the contract is executed.   Because April 1 is on a Sunday, technically this case number must be ordered by Friday March 30 at 5 PM.

The first change relates to cost of the FHA Mortgage insurance, which is not that significant.  However, the two other changes affect qualifying for a loan, and it is possible that you might have a borrower who currently qualifies, however will not qualify under the new FHA Guidelines if they contract in April.  Below are the two changes:
·         Disputed Credit Accounts Must be Paid if over Cumulative $1000

·         Collections Accounts Must be Paid if over Cumulative $1000

There is really not too much that you or I can do to change these guidelines…they are coming, and coming soon. However, as your preferred lender, we are going to be proactive and do our best to identify any borrowers who might no longer qualify if they do not contract by Friday March 30th.

Over the next week, we will be going through the credit reports of all buyers that we have talked to in the last 90 days that are in the process of looking for a home.   At this point, pre-qualification letters written may not be able to be honored if collections exceed cumulative $1000.  We will do our best to identify any of these potential files now, and let you know in advance.   If you have any FHA borrowers who are more than 90 days out since originally applying with us, it might be best to send us an email so we can double check and make sure there are no concerns.

Thank you, Sam Bursch

Knock, knock … Anyone online?

When the internet age first came to be, Gen Xers thought that dial up AOL and chat was the best thing since Nintendo. Little did we know the best was yet to come. Now in 2012, you can shop for everything imaginable via the world wide web—from clothes to cars to even new homes!

According to the 2010 National Association of Realtors® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 88% of all home buyers used the Internet as an information source. By using it wisely, a home buyer is better informed about the biggest investment decision they will ever make.

Recently, Home Creations added Ashley Bryant, an Online New Home Consultant, to our team. Ashley’s father and brother are builders—one is a home builder and one is a commercial builder. Ashley was born, raised and still resides in Skiatook, Oklahoma and says, “I am a small town girl with BIG dreams!”  The following describes her “online” passion.

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Ashley Bryant • Home Creations Online New Home Consultant

I have the amazing task of connecting with online home shoppers and fitting them perfectly with the right floor plan, price, features and community. The magic happens when they are converted from an online browser to a home buyer. In my years of experience as an online sales consultant I have experienced the magic in as little as six hours to sometimes six weeks. While this task may seem daunting or even cumbersome it is far from it.

I am not just a sales person who sits with a laptop or iPad® waiting for the next online chat or the next “request more info” submission—I make it SOCIAL! With wonderful social media tools like Facebook, Twitter and the Blogosphere, I am able to connect with a wider range of potential home buyers! I have sold a home by merely posting a market update on Facebook about interest rates dropping. I get the conversation started, then people who are at home shopping come out of the woodwork to chime in, and I sell them on new Home Creations homes!

My job doesn’t stop there, I am also a New Home Consultant at one of Home Creations community. I love being able to see customers in the virtual light and up close and personal in the model home. It keeps me constantly in touch with the ever changing buyer’s market. Helping others better their lives and find affordable, safe, energy efficient homes is truly what dreams are made of.  Whatever part I play in that process—be it via the world wide web or model home, I am truly living the “American Dream”.

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At Home Creations, we believe home buying can be a stressful process if you are not empowered with the right information.
Be an educated home buyer. Here’s a quick checklist for beginning your journey towards homeownership:

• Research online and narrow down your desired communities and floor plans.
• Model homes open daily. Visit with our New Home Consultants at one of our communities.
• Chat with Ashley online to ask her any questions you may have. If she is offline, simply call 1-877-277-7121
• Attend the FREE Home Buyer Seminar for information on investing in a new Home Creations home.