Meridiana knows that families come in all shapes and sizes, and often include family members with four legs. Getting outdoors and enjoying the return of springtime is always more fun with a pooch at your side. To celebrate the wonderful spring season, Meridiana has gone to the dogs with a terrific Easter Celebration called Paws on the Parkway on April 20th from 11 am to 2 pm. Gather your family and friends and join in the fun as Meridiana hosts an Easter Egg Hunt, a dog adoption event, and a disc dog show. There will be live music, family fun, and food trucks for all to enjoy.

It’s the perfect opportunity to visit the model homes and the Welcome Center to see all that Meridiana has to offer. The amenities and monthly calendar of events are sure to impress. With the work of the country’s top builders represented such as Shea Homes and David Weekly Homes, you’ll find the home of your dreams that meets your needs and suits your budget. Homes start in the 200,000’s and can be as traditional or as opulent as you wish. With so many options, the friendly staff at The Welcome Center will help to narrow your interests and pinpoint the homes that best meet your needs.

You’ll find Meridiana in the perfect location just off the 288, 10 minutes south of Pearland. Meridiana offers easy access to downtown Houston, Galveston, Sugarland, the airport, and Texas Medical Center. 

Bring your favorite dog or come adopt your new best friend and enjoy a day of springtime fun courtesy of Meridiana. To gain more information about purchasing a new Houston home, stop by the Meridiana info center located at 4003 Meridiana Parkway, Iowa Colony, TX 77583. 

Carneros Ranch in lovely Leander, TX offers new home buyers a terrific location, great amenities, and stunning homes by the Austin top builders such as Lennar and Wilshire Homes. Situated in the Hill Country near Austin, Leander boasts a wide array of recreational options due to the surrounding waterways and the parks system. Nearby shopping centers and state-of-the-art medical facilities add to the appeal.

Lennar Homes has built a reputation around their “everything is included” concept, affording families the look and feel of upgrades without having to expand on costs. Enjoy upscale flooring, granite countertops, open concept living spaces, and designer cabinetry throughout your new Lennar home. Energy saving features have been built into the design to make your home even more comfortable and affordable. 

Wilshire Homes’ decades of design excellence offers families classic and contemporary styles that fulfill the wish list you've worked on for years. Gorgeous light-filled spaces with fine finishes, chef-inspired kitchens, unique gathering areas, and lavish bathrooms are the rule, not the exception. Wilshire's "Built Around You" philosophy allows buyers to customize floor plans and create a truly unique home. LEED for Homes certification energy-efficient standards will pay off for years.

The Carneros Ranch Amenity Center keeps families engaged and involved. Cool off in the Jr. Olympic-sized pool or the tot-sized splash zone, host a get-together in the party room or relax at the pavilion. Come out to Carneros ranch, just 28 miles from downtown Austin, and see why Leander has been named the “best small town for families.” Learn more about purchasing a new Austin home in this top Austin community.

As the weather is beginning to warm up, so are those home sales. There’s nothing worse than attempting to purchase your first home without prior knowledge of what steps to take. Grab your wishlist and use these five tips to help you prepare to buy your new home this spring.

1. Get rid of your debt and clean up your credit 

The number one thing you need to do in preparation for purchasing your first home is to clear up your debt. You’ll find it much easier to save money toward your new home as you pay down your debt. You’ll also find that you’ll have better buying options with less debt and a better credit rating.

2. Make a wishlist that’s realistic

You probably have a list already made up of all the must-have features and amenities that you just can’t live without in your new house.  The gourmet kitchen and spa-like bathroom you’ve seen on television may not exactly come in your budget or be in the neighborhood you’ve got your eyes set on. Make sure to do your research on both what you can afford and what the areas you’d like to live in have to offer. Think about revising your wishlist and compromising in some areas. The home you select may not come with granite countertops or hardwood floors, but you can make it a DIY project and save a few dollars along the way.

3. Hire a licensed real estate agent

Whether it’s your first time around searching for a home, or you are in need of an upgrade for your growing family, hiring a licensed real estate agent is always your best bet.  Do your research and find the best realtor for your needs. They are more equipped than you will be when it comes to tackling the hard stuff during the buying process.

It is also a plus to hire an agent that is a neighborhood specialist. When you have an idea of the specific area that you would like to move to, an agent that specializes there is truly beneficial when choosing the perfect home for you and your family. 

4. Get preapproved by a local lender

To ensure that you have a smooth loan process, make it a point to get preapproved by a local lender. Avoid applying for loans with online lenders or lenders outside of your local area. Offers that are received from a local lender will most likely get preference when purchasing a new home. This will also help in having a timely closing and smooth process. Local lenders have a better reputation for closing on time. They will also ensure that they give you the best service because they want you to refer their business to others within the local community.

5. Don’t hold off too long on making a bid

Making a bid on your first home can be a difficult decision. If you come across the perfect home during your search, try not to hesitate too long to make an offer. Your dream home may not be available for long. Home prices typically begin to rise during the warmer months, so there would be little chance of the home you want decreasing in price.

As you take the steps to prepare to buy your first home, take these tips into consideration and always do your research as well as seek professional help to ensure that you’re making the best decisions for your investment.  

April's realtor of the month is Karen Peyton, associate broker of Buyer Broker AZ. Karen provides the monthly market updates for Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, and Gilbert, AZ. Karen began her journey in real estate in 1997 when assisting a friend of hers with the purchase of her first home. She has received an award from the City of Chandler for "Neighborhood Leader of the Year" in 2014 and also volunteers at St. Vincent de Paul. 

At Buyer Broker AZ, Karen offers the ability to give her clients a live search using the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service. This allows them access to the same subscription service that is used by Arizona Realtors so that more accurate listings are available. 

Karen believes in offering the highest level of skill and expertise to her clientele. She listens to her client’s needs in order to create a sure-fire strategy specific to their personal situation to tackle the home buying process. Whether it is your first time purchasing a new home in Phoenix, or if you are a seasoned veteran, be sure to give Karen with Buyer Broker AZ a call.  You’ll be in good hands.