Florida Homebuilder Centerline Homes | Real Estate Blog

Buying a new home has many advantages over purchasing a resale. Whether it's added flexibility, efficiency or modern conveniences, there are many reasons that being the first owner of a home makes more sense than ever.

Ease of Home Maintenance
Thanks to vast improvements in the efficiency and durability of building materials, new homes don't require as much upkeep as older homes. Many home buyers discover they'd rather spend valuable weekend time with family and friends, instead of performing home repair. Do-it-yourself maintenance is not for everyone.

Home Customization
For many new home buyers, the thought of making their home truly reflect their tastes and lifestyle is the greatest appeal of all. There is no substitute for living in a home that mirrors your preferences in color, fixtures, floor coverings, appliances and finishing touches. A new home allows the owner to plan the relationship between indoor and outdoor living, the flow of one room to the next and the flexibility of the rooms themselves. Whether you want to create a theme space for your favorite hobby, the gourmet kitchen of your dreams, or the game room your family will enjoy for years, being in the captain's seat of your home's construction is a truly exciting process.

New Home Floor Plan for Today
Buying a resale home typically means you're stuck with the layout of a home that was appropriate for the decade in which it was built, unless you have the funds handy for major renovations.  Today's homes emphasize flexible space and flexible usage, which let the homeowners tailor the living area to their evolving needs. Larger kitchens with state-of-the-art equipment and custom items from wine refrigerators to wood-burning ovens, family rooms with built-in multi-media options, closets equipped with built-in storage systems, modular walls, shared children's rooms with lofts or partitions, and outdoor rooms with indoor accoutrements are all possibilities.  MyHomeIdeas.com offers loads of ways to customize your space.

Going Green
In general, newer homes offer an array of greener options for greater efficiency and comfort. The materials used in today's home are far more effective at reducing energy costs than those found in resale homes. The savings provided in utility bills can quickly offset the price of a new home. Roof-top catchment for rainwater, gray water systems to recycle wash water, solar panels, tankless water heaters and better indoor air filtration systems are just a few options that save money and the environment. Today's new home can be customized to be more cost-effective and environmentally sound than ever before.  Visit the U.S. Green Building Council, BuildingGreen.com, and EarthCraft House for exciting details about the types of green building options available.

New Home Technology
Retrofitting older homes with today's technology can be an exercise in frustration and futility. It is much easier to add modern convenience to a home, such as wiring for surround-sound speakers, additional cable jacks and electrical outlets, ports for electronic equipment, and wireless internet access, while it's being framed. The new home has endless "smart" options, including increased automation and computerized systems, for temperature, lighting, entertainment and security than ever before.

Home Safety
In addition to the use of less energy efficient materials, older homes have often been constructed using hazardous substances such as asbestos and lead-based paint or have wiring and plumbing that does not meet today's codes. A new home is subject to the current building codes that require more stringent safety requirements regarding materials and internal systems.

Home Warranties & Customer Service
new homes will often come with a complete warranty that covers everything on the house, inside and out. While warranties are available for resale homes, they're typically for one year from the purchase date and only cover specific items in the home. A new home can have a much longer warranty that will provide more options when something goes wrong.

Community
A community of new homes allows for the planned development of the lifestyle within it. Whether it is active adults, families with young children or golf and tennis enthusiasts, new home buyers know they'll have something in common with their neighbors when they move in. Being a founding member of your neighborhood provides exciting opportunities for involvement and a chance to experience community growth with those around you.

Whatever your location or price-range, this is an excellent time to look into buying a new home. There's nothing quite like the excitement of choosing your home's details, inside and out, and being the first one to put the key in the lock.

www.centerlinehomes.com

Turf Wars – Just Say No!

Springtime is in the air. If you can’t tell by the smell of the flowers or the chirping of the birds, the increased advertising schedules of Lowes, Home Deport and now Sears, are a sure indication that winter is over. Plants, lawn movers and garden implements of all kinds are being featured prominently in the advertising.

Centerline Homes understands that, with leisure time being at a premium, not everyone wants the responsibility of lawn care. In fact, all four Centerline townhome communities, from Oviedo to Parkland, feature a maintenance-free lifestyle. Priced from $159,900 to $285,900 every townhome model features Centerline Homes’ legendary value and commitment to quality.  Each community also includes a variety of Green-related features. From zoned irrigation systems with rain sensors, to the use of drought-resistant native species, specifically-located shade trees and low nitrogen fertilizers, you can relax knowing that you’re being environmentally conscious – as you watch the basketball play-offs. 

To find out more about Centerline Homes’ townhome communities visit www.CenterlineHome.com or call (407)278-0356 for Eagle Creek (priced from $159,900) in Orlando’s Lake Nona area, (407) 278-0350 for Builder Close-out savings at The Isles of Oviedo (priced from $199,900), (954)282-6101 for Briella (priced from $179,900) in West Boynton Beach or (954)282-6114 for Parkland Reserve (priced from $259,900) in Parkland

Additional Spring Maintenance Tips for Your Home

Spring time is a great time to get out and address your homes needs before the heat and rain of a hot Florida summer hit the max.  Here area few additional tips that you should consider during your home check up.

• Replace your  AC/furnace filter
• Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter
• Check your electrical system
• Always have a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible.
• Make sure the light bulbs in all your fixtures are the correct wattage
• Review your fire escape plan with your family
• Ensure your homes gutters are free from debris
• Consider installing a lightning protection system on your home
• Protect all your electrical appliances from power surges and lightning
• Have a professional air conditioning contractor inspect and maintain your system as recommended by the manufacturer
• Check for damage to your roof
• Run through a severe-weather/Hurricane drill with your family
• Repair all cracked, broken or uneven driveways and walks to help provide a level walking surface
• Protect your home from sewer or drain back-up losses
• Check all the fascia and trim for deterioration
• Check your water heater
• Check the shutoff valve at each plumbing fixture to make sure they function
• Clean clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper, and space under the dryer
• Replace all extension cords that have become brittle, worn or damaged
• Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

www.centerlinehomes.com

Spring Cleaning Tips to Help You Streamline and Protect You and Your Home

Use this as your jump start checklist to accomplish all your spring cleaning needs.

• Tour the whole house exterior and yard and look for any damage or signs of insects and make a list of any needed seasonal maintenance you locate.
• Inspect the roof for loose, missing or broken shingles or tiles. Arrange for any needed repairs early; roofing contractors can be hard to find during summer or if bad weather strikes.  Hurricane season isn't that far off!
• A garage clean-out will help organize all your fun summer thats been packed away. Clean off the sporting goods, camping equipment, start the recreational vehicles, and dust off the garden tools.
• Clean and repair any outdoor furniture that has been packed away. 
• Make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear of any debris and they are firmly attached to your home.  The rainy season is right around the corner!
• Cleanout your grill and check hoses and parts for signs of damage and wear.
• Scrape or powerwash peeling paint on stucco, trim or woodwork and then prime and paint it. You'll protect the materials against the heat and moisture a Florida summer is sure to bring.
• Clear away any dead foliage or debris from beds and lawn. Spread new mulch to help retain moisture during hot dry days and reduce weeds from spreading.  Any new plants will also be protected from disease and insects.
• Start the spring landscaping projects. Spring's usually a good time to put in shrubs and trees, but check with your local experts for specific plants/planting recommendations for your area.

Household Heating Systems

Although several different types of fuels are available to heat our homes, more than half of us use natural gas.  Heating and cooling your home uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other system in your home. Typically, 43% of your utility bill goes for heating and cooling. What's more, heating and cooling systems in the United States together emit 150 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year, adding to global climate change. They also generate about 12% of the nation's sulfur dioxide and 4% of the nitrogen oxides, the chief ingredients in acid rain.

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