Finally, there is news to report regarding the Atlanta real estate market; but unfortunately, it’s not good news for sellers. Since November, the median price of homes in Atlanta has dropped a stunning 5% (as the Yahoo! Snapshot below indicates). As for new homes, though, prices have stayed the same. Take a look at the official Atlanta real estate market conditions for December 2010:

Listing Type              Number      Median Price     Price Change

Homes for Sale           9,356          $189,900           -5.0%

New Homes                 23              $244,900             0.0%

Foreclosures               4,849          $134,000            +2.3%

However, there is good news if you’re a buyer – really good news! After all, a 5% drop in price is definitely a perk for buyers on a budget. Plus, those interested in Atlanta new homes can rest assured that prices (predictably) haven’t climbed. And there is good news for one sector of the selling population: foreclosure investors. It appears that if you’re in the business of buying up Atlanta foreclosures, you can make a pretty profit this holiday season.

Of course, Atlanta real estate market conditions for December 2010 can morph into greater improvements in the new year. So, stay tuned for news that may be bigger and better in January!

Whether you’re a seasoned Las Vegas resident looking to make the move to a new home, or an out of state transplant hoping to escape the cold by heading south, there’s one Vegas neighborhood that’s sure to meet your family’s changing needs: Northern Terrace in Providence.

Here, buyers can enjoy the unique benefit of resort caliber amenities in a classic, all-American community. The multi-million dollar recreational complex offers a comprehensive fitness center, three pools, a spa, outdoor/indoor play areas, a gourmet kitchen, a great room for entertaining, an outdoor BBQ, and shaded patio areas. It’s the perfect way to treat yourself to a little piece of luxury; and best of all, it’s available to you permanently, year round to the residents of the new homes at Northern Terrace in Providence.

Actually, it does get better; we haven’t told you about the price! Northern Terrace in Providence sounds like it would be among the priciest real estate in town – but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, buyers can have everything this great community offers starting at the accessible price of the mid-$100,000's. Need any more reasons to schedule a viewing? We didn’t think so! Contact Warmington Residences at (702) 248-4883 to inquire about Northern Terrace in Providence.

Sure, you love the convenience of a townhome – but like many buyers, you may be wary of the often unappealing design aesthetic that condos and townhomes are known for. Enter Buttercup Creek Townhomes in Cedar Park, TX, where the colonial style of the buildings and interiors are all part of the enticing, affordable package available to buyers on a budget.

Colonial townhomes? It’s true: These two and three bedroom townhomes are framed by an exterior stone veneer construction, and interiors that boast classic features throughout. Features like framed wood cabinets, colonial style wood baseboards and trim, colonial style raised panel interior doors, and cultured marble vanity counters in the bathrooms (not to mention stylish elongated commodes and Moen bathroom fixtures) are likely to make you forget you’re not living in a single family home. Really; does this sound like your run of the mill townhome? Hardly!

It’s just one more attraction that sets the new townhomes at Buttercup Creek apart from the rest: a home you can not only feel comfortable in, but also be proud to show family and friends. If this is what you’re looking for, stop in to see Buttercup Creek Townhomes at 401 Buttercup Creek Blvd., Cedar Park, Texas 78613 – or, call (512) 331-4836 for details.

Most buyers crave the opportunity to get the most for their money; and in today’s economy, there couldn’t be a smarter way to go. For those who long for luxury, but want to resist risk as much as possible, one community of Carlsbad new homes offers an attractive deal for the new year. This is Dolcetto, and it’s the final phase of La Costa Ridge in North County. the new homes at Dolcetto at La Costa Ridge is located within a stone’s throw of the La Costa Resort and Spa, in addition to the gorgeous coastline and other attractions that make this the place to live in Southern California.

So, what’s the attractive deal? The Dolcetto new homes are priced in the $600,000 range; but for a community that offers resort-style services like concierge, that’s practically unheard of! For those who are on the verge of luxury homebuying but have some reservations, this offer may be instrumental in the decision making process.

Understandably, you may want more information. If so, contact the City Ventures sales office at (760) 744-0866 to inquire about the Carlsbad new homes in Dolcetto at La Costa Ridge.

A new year means a new opportunity to make your life what you want it to be. For many, that means living in a European-inspired villa…for others, purchasing a home on the golf course…and for some, relocating to a prestigious California community. Fortunately, Crosby Villas offers all of these to an elite caliber of homebuyers.

This exclusive neighborhood of Rancho Santa Fe new homes is a gated and privately guarded luxury golf resort community – and, the homes are indeed inspired by coveted European architecture. Inside, the elegant living areas and gourmet kitchens of Crosby Villas new homes creates the perfect atmosphere for family living and entertaining alike. These Rancho Santa Fe new homes are ideal for those who want to have a secure family estate and a place to wine and dine friends or colleagues. They’re perfect for a number of buyers, making Crosby Villas an ideally diverse upscale neighborhood.

This is true class – but priced from the high $700,000’s, it’s only available to a fortunate few. If these sound like the kind of Rancho Santa Fe new homes that interest you, contact the California West Communities sales office for Crosby Villas at (858) 759-7911 Monday noon to 5 pm, or Tuesday through Sunday 10 am to 5 pm to request a private, scheduled viewing.

1. Find a home you can REALLY afford.
To find out what you can a afford in a new home, check out the various mortgage calculators that are available online and even can be downloaded as apps on your Smart Phone. The general rule of thumb is to buy a home that is about 2 ½ times your annual salary.

2.  Work on your credit.
More likely than not, you will need to obtain a mortgage to buy a new home. So, a few months before you start house hunting, get copies of your credit report and make sure the facts are correct.  This allows you time to fix any discrepancies you discover and allows you to sure your credit history is as clean as possible.

3. Get pre-approved BEFORE you house hunt.
Not only will getting pre-approved before you begin your house hunt, show you what price range you can qualify for, but it will also place you in a better position to make a serious offer when you do find the right home. Pre-approval (unlike pre-qualification, which is based on a brief review of your finances) is based on your actual income, debt and credit history.

4. Don’t have the down payment… don’t sweat!
If you cannot put down the usual 20%, you may still be able to qualify for a home loan. There are several government mortgage programs that will pay your down payment for you. Check with your local lender to see what programs you qualify for. Not to mention, during these tough economic times, some lenders offer low-interest mortgages that require a down payment as small as 3% of the purchase price of the home!

5. Look for a home within great school districts.
This advice is not just for home buyers with children. Why? If you do not have school-age children and it comes time to sell, you'll learn that having a home in a strong school district boosts resale property value. 

6. Commitment to the community.
If you cannot commit to stay in one place for at least 3 years, then owning property may not be for you. With the high costs of buying and selling a home, you can end up losing money if you sell your home within two years of purchase, even in a rising market.

7. Points vs. Rate
When picking a mortgage, you will have the option of paying either additional points (a portion of the interest that you pay at closing) in exchange for gaining a lower interest rate. If you are planning to stay in the home for an extended period, three to five plus years, it is usually a better arrangement to take the points.

8. Do your homework before placing a down payment.
Make sure you have basic knowledge of the sales trends for similar neighborhoods in the area. Consider sales of similar homes in the last three months to make sure you are paying a fair price.

9. Location
Ok this tip for buying a new home in the New Year is an obvious one, however it is also one of the most important. Make sure you look for a new home that is near shopping, freeways, and the grocery store.

10. Have the home inspected.
You should hire your own home inspector that has experience inspecting homes in the area where you are buying. The home inspector will point out potential problems that could require costly repairs down the road. Knowing any potential problems before you buy a home will allow you to make a smart investment.

Can you believe it? The final phase of Monteluz at 4S Ranch is only one month old – and yet, only five homes remain? It’s true! And, these San Diego new homes are some of the largest home sites in the 4s Ranch division, so that makes them all the more special.

What else makes them special? The Spanish, Tuscan, and Monterey design influences, outstanding floor plans whether you choose one story or two, and incredible range of space, three to six bedrooms, and up to four and one-half baths with interior square foot ranges of 2,566 to 3,949. Plus, Monteluz at 4s Ranch new homes are designed with the amenities that upscale buyers value – not to mention the customizing options today's discerning homebuyers are looking for.

As for location, commuters love that these California West Communities homes offer easy access to the 15, 56 and 5 freeways; parents love that they’re located within the reputable Poway School District – and everyone loves that Sea World and the sunny San Diego beaches are just a stone’s throw away. If this sounds like your kind of community, contact Monteluz at 4s Ranch by calling (858) 705-6031. Or better yet, stop in to take a look at these final opportunity homes at 7721 Hunters Ridge Road, San Diego, CA – while you still have the chance!

Generous 10,000 square foot lots, situated among scenic rolling hills that preserve the best of Southern California in the town of Vista…does this sound like your ideal location? If so, Madison Lane may be for you. These Vista new homes continue to create buzz among North County San Diego homebuyers, thanks to their near-perfect location, outstanding craftsmanship, and exceptionally designed floor plans.

What kind of floor plans are the new homes at Madison Lane providing? Buyers have their choice of three plans, ranging from 2,785 to 3,338 square feet with 3 to 6 bedrooms, 2.5 to 4 baths, and 3-car garages. That’s right: Plenty of room, but cozy enough to feel like home. Could it get any better? Believe it or not, it does. Madison Lane is conveniently located minutes from coastal beaches (isn’t that why you live in San Diego in the first place?), not to mention popular shopping and recreational areas – and perhaps best of all, many key San Diego employers (because who wants to commute away from this fantastic area?).

This is the best of all possible worlds – and if you’re in the market for high end Vista new homes, it’s available to you. For more information on the community of Madison Lane, contact the community sales office at (760) 724-6030, or visit the neighborhood in person at 1057 Stratton Drive, Vista, CA.

The newly popular trend of building “Green” homes has become this year’s light of hope in home sales. As one of few things that went right for a number of production home builders in 2010 was their strategic embrace of energy efficient homes accompanied by an attractive price tag.

The strategic sale of energy efficient or “Green” homes makes sense for most home builders during these tough economic times. Think about it, you can build a home that materially differs from your competitors, plus you can offer your consumers ongoing savings on their utility bill. What better way to compete in these horrific economic times when your consumers are finding below market deals on the courthouse steps. 

Energy Star certification is one way home builders are gaining a competitive edge. However, Energy Star is raising the bar on compliances for 2011. As new home builders begin preparation for the new Energy Star’s Version 3.0 guidelines, that will become effective Jan. 1, 2012, many are having to rethink whether they will be able to afford building “Green” homes with the newly established restrictive guidelines.

Fortunately, the EPA, which oversees the Energy Star brand for materials, homes and products has been receiving input from subcontractors, and home builders for a fair amount of time on the Energy Star transition Version 2.5 that they have had available for months now in preparation for Version 3.0.

The sad fact is, now that home builders see improvement in sales with the development of energy efficient homes, they are once again faced with a new checklist of requirements and new standards in Version 2.5; which will greatly impact what home builders will be able to build starting in the New Year.

Jonathan Passe, Energy Star’s new homes program communications coordinator says,  “We are not unsympathetic to the companies’ concerns when it comes to the greater costs involved to meet these new standards, but that’s part of the brand’s promise to consumers, that Energy Star means significantly more energy efficient. We are by definition an above-code program” according to Housing Crises.com.

Since the Energy Star new home program has achieved 25% market share with new home construction, Passe comments that it’s time to make the hurdles higher.

Just in time for the holidays…at Andalusia at 4s Ranch, seven beautiful new homes are being offered in Phase 6 of the community! These are no leftover homes that the builder couldn’t sell; by contrast, these San Diego new homes were released to the public just one month ago. That means that buyers can be assured they are of the highest caliber in terms of careful planning, top notch design, and quality craftsmanship. 

Best of all, California West Communities didn’t skimp on space here either. With ranges of 6,400 to 10,196 square feet per lot and 2,222-3,486 square feet per home, Andalusia at 4s Ranch provides plenty of room inside and out for families of all sizes. What about style? Glad you asked! When touring the models (all of which are two stories), you’ll immediately notice the Spanish, Cottage and Craftsman influences – popular, yet elite styles that appeal to the most finicky of buyers. 

As you know, new homes like these aren’t nearly as plentiful as they were in years past. With that in mind, interested buyers should definitely inquire about this exclusive, rare opportunity to purchase such an exceptional home. If you’re one of those buyers, visit Andalusia at 4s Ranch new homes at 10510 Black Opal Road in San Diego; or, contact the community sales office at (858) 312-6850.