10% rise in new home starts expected for the Greater Austin area in 2012

Eldon Rude, director of the Austin market for Metrostudy delivered his projections at the fourth annual housing forecast for the Austin area.   Rude predicts that new home construction starts will be between 6,400 and 6,700 homes.  This will mark a second straight year of growth for new home builders.  Demand for new homes is coming from continued job growth and migration in the Central Texas states Rude.  To read the full article click Austin area home starts.

 

Pacesetter Homes is recognized in the Austin Business Journal for second year

Pacesetter Homes move up to #9 on the volume builder list features in the Austin Business Journal in the September issue.  The list is based on sales volume for 2010 and shows that Pacesetter Homes, in a short time, is having success in the Greater Austin area since it entered the market in 2008. Pacesetter Homes has achieved this recognition by developing homes for all stages in life.   Their Courtyard Collection, priced from the $140’s, in the community of Blanco Vista is ideal for young married and active adults.  The Portico Collection features stylish and affordable homes, for first time homebuyers, starting in the $90’s and less than 12 miles from downtown Austin in the Chaparral Crossing neighborhood.  In Several neighborhoods from Hutto to Kyle TX homebuyers will find the Courtyard Collection priced between the $90’s and $180’s, ideal for growing and mature families in addition to first time homebuyers.   For the homebuyer who is looking to move up in size or move down in size, in a more upscale stylish look, Pacesetter Homes features the Resort Series in Star Ranch, the golf course community in Hutto, and in the Cedar Park neighborhood called Palomino Park.  These homes, priced between $190K and $300K are loaded with style and design.

I invite you to visit one of the Pacesetter Homes neighborhoods today and see why Pacesetter Homes in climbing the latter of success in Austin Texas.

Home Loans as Low as 3.875%

Pacesetter Homes, for a limited time, is offering a *3.875% interest rate on completed homes!  What this mean to you, the homebuyer, is lower monthly payments or more buying power.  Monthly payments on a $150,000 home for example, would be reduced by approximately $35 per month, or the lower interest rate can provide you with $4000-$5000 more in purchasing power.

This rate is being offered on home loans that can close in 30 days and is subject to homebuyers with a mid-FICO score of 640 or greater.  The interest rate is based on current market conditions and is subject to change at any time. Pacesetter Homes has several completed homes throughout the Greater Austin area that you can take advantage of this low interest rate. For more information on qualified homes contact Nianne Van Bibber, our On-line Concierge, at 512-323-6420 or click on the Live Chat button on the Pacesetter Homes Website.

*For this rate the loan must originate thru Laurie Lampert at First American Mortgage.  Laurie can still process loans below 640, but the cost increases for the rate buy down.  You can contact Laurie at 512-231-9500 or click on Apply Now and fill out the Long Loan Application form to see if you can qualify. The loan application is free.

Interest rate shown is 3.875%/ 4.061% APR for FHA and 3.875%/ 4.080% APR for USDA, varies based on sales price, closing costs, credits, etc. Loan program available with mortgage.  This is not an advertisement to extend consumer credit as defined by section 226.2 of Regulation Z. mortgage is providing this information for general guidance only. Licensed by Texas Department of Saving and Mortgage Lending 67345. All rights reserved.

New Law Takes Effect for Property Tax Homestead Exemption Applications

(AUSTIN) — Under a law passed by the Texas Legislature homeowners who apply for a new property tax homestead exemption beginning Sept. 1 must provide proof to the county appraisal district that they live in the house they claim as their principal residence.

House Bill 252 requires a copy of the homeowner’s Texas driver’s license or state identification card and the homeowner’s vehicle registration receipt be sent with the homestead exemption application. If the homeowner does not own a vehicle they can send a current utility bill showing name and address, along with an affidavit provided in the application indicating non-ownership of a vehicle.

The new requirement affects only new applications for exemptions sent to appraisal districts. It does not apply to homeowners who already have homestead exemptions. .

“As Comptroller, we implement laws passed by the legislature” said Texas Comptroller Susan Combs. “The homestead exemption is intended to help relieve the tax burden of Texas full-time residents. This new legislation ensures that the system is working fairly and legally.”  The homestead exemption application form for property owners and county appraisal districts is available online. To see full article click on New Homestead Exemption Law.

Pacesetter Homes believes customer service is something to “Chat” about

Most homebuyers today’s start their search for a new home in the comfort of their home via the internet. At times a request for information from the builder may take hours or days before a response is received.  To help provide answers in a quick and easy format Pacesetter Homes has launched “Live Chat” on its websites that allows the customer to communicate via the internet, in real time, in a text message format, to Nianne, their On-Line Concierge.

Nianne is there to help provide homebuyers with answers to their questions about Pacesetter Homes, their neighborhoods, home financing and special promotions.  Customers who are searching on the Pacesetter Homes website can click on the Live Chat button and instantly communicate with Nianne to get their questions answered.  Out of town homebuyer can even ask Nianne for information about the Greater Austin area. Now thats customer service. Try it today!

Affordable New Homes

 Pacesetter Homes offers today’s homebuyers several neighborhoods throughout the Greater Austin Area that features affordable prices, financing assistance and free upgrades.

Pacesetter Homes Bell Farms community in Manor Texas is a hometown neighborhood with lots of charm. Just a short drive from Austin and priced from the low $100’s, homebuyers can receive free upgrades like a full appliance package, window treatments and finance assistance to help save you money. Monthly payments start as low as $963.

East of Austin Pacesetter Homes offers two affordable communities. Austin’s Colony, located just 11 miles from downtown Austin along the Colorado River features acres of greenbelt with nature trails, a community center, swimming complex, basketball courts, and riverside parks where you can access the Colorado River. Priced from the low $100 homebuyers can take advantage of the USDA zero down finance program and get a washer, dryer, refrigerator and window treatments. Payments in Austin’s Colony start below $750 per month.

Chaparral Crossing located just 12 miles east of Austin is a unique garden home community that offers a low maintenance lifestyle. Garden front yards and alleyway parking adds to the street appeal. Residence can relax in the neighborhood park visiting with family and friends or enjoy a walk along the landscaped boulevard.   Priced from the low $80’s homebuyers can take advantage of the USDA zero down finance program and get a washer, dryer, refrigerator and window treatments. Monthly payments in Chaparral Crossing start as low as $615 and all you need is $925 up front to purchase one of these garden homes.

If you want to get closer to downtown Austin but can’t afford the high priced condos, take a look at Pacesetter Homes Knollwood on the Colorado River. Just 4 miles from downtown, Knollwood on the Colorado River features a 20 acre passive park along the Colorado River banks with homes priced from the $140’s. Monthly payments start below $1150 and homebuyers can take advantage of free builder upgrades including a washer, dryer, refrigerator and window treatments.

South of Austin is the Bunton Creek neighborhood. Located in Kyle and priced from the low $100’s homebuyers can enjoy the summer days in the community park that features a pool, playscapes, basketball court, park pavilion and acres of parkland.  Monthly payments start below $800 and homebuyers can receive free upgrades including a full appliance package, window treatments and granite countertops.

I invite you to visit one of these great neighborhoods and see what Pacesetter Homes has to offer. For more information call 512-323-6420 or visit Pacesetter Homes.

New Models: GRAND OPENING… By the River!

Pacesetter Homes announces the opening of two new model homes in the master planned community of Blanco Vista in San Marcos. 

“Life by the River” is exactly what you will find in Blanco Vista, a new Central Texas neighborhood adjacent to the Blanco River and Five Mile Dam Park. This 2,000 home master-planned community located in San Marcos, the gateway to the Texas Hill Country, promises an abundance of exciting amenities from a fun-filled water park and fishing pond to an onsite elementary school.

Pacesetter Homes Chandler I model  is a 1670 Sq. Ft. one story with three bedrooms with a study that can convert to a fourth bedroom.  The open free flowing kitchen/family room with a center island makes this home informal and inviting.  The accent boxed-out windows and the master bedroom window seat add a depth and style to the each of the bedrooms. The Chandler I is priced at $173,900.

 The Faber a 2098 Sq. Ft. two story model features the master bedroom downstairs and three bedrooms upstairs with an optional game/media room. The decorative art niches and boxed out windows and window seats will impress all who enter. The kitchen with a two story ceiling opens to the family room and features an entertaining bar which makes this home ideal for entertaining. The Faber is priced at $194,900.

Whether you are a young married, growing family or an empty nester, you will find what you want in a new Pacesetter home in Blanco Vista. Priced from the $140’s.  Call 512-323-6420 for more information.

New Homes in Bell Farms to Utilize a New Cost Effective Foundation Technology Engineeered by Slab Tek ™

 Just like the name implies, Pacesetter Homes LLC is “setting the pace” for residential foundations with a state of the art foundation design known as “Slab Tek”.  This patented design virtually eliminates the potential for future soil /foundation movement by literally “suspending” the slab above the soil.  This is accomplished by first drilling concrete piers into the stable soil and then the slab is poured on top of the ground and then raised six inches or more above the soils with the use of engineered lifting mechanisms. Pacesetter Homes is using the Slab Tek design in Bell Farms their newest neighborhood in Manor Texas.

This type of structurally suspended slab has always been considered to be unquestionably the best foundation system that a builder can provide for their new homes. Until now this approach has been very costly, limiting its use to more expensive homes.

Pacesetter Homes is now an Energy Star Qualified Homebuilder

 

• Tight Construction and Ducts
• Effective Insulation Systems
• Efficient heating and Cooling Equipment
• High Performance Windows
• Efficient Products
• Independent Performance Testing

 All Pacesetter Homes released to construction after April 1, will be an Energy Star qualified new home.  Compared with standard construction, Energy Star qualified homes use substantially less energy for heating, cooling, and water heating – delivering $200 to $400 in annual savings. 

Home buying is complex enough without having to know all the details of energy-efficient construction. Instead, look for the Pacesetter home of your dreams and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that, under the Energy Star program, your new home meets the energy efficiency guidelines set by EPA.  

Long after unpacking, you’ll appreciate the comfort and lower utility bills of your new Pacesetter Home. Visit a Pacesetter Homes neighborhood today. 

For more information on the Energy Star program visit www.energystar.gov

The Governments newly unveiled housing finance plan made the future for borrowers starkly clear:

It’s going to cost more to get a home loan:

Interest rates on mortgages have increased in recent weeks, as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac began adding risk fees to almost all of the loans they sponsor. Average rates on 30-year fixed rate-loans have already moved from 4.4 percent in November to 5.2 percent now, according to Mortgage Marvel, a loan comparison web site.

In a much-awaited government report released Friday, the called for higher down payments, a lower cap on the amount of mortgage that could be guaranteed and another increase in the fees Freddie and Fannie charge in the short term. All of those measures are likely to steepen the cost of securing a home mortgage.

“Rates are probably on the rise, due to the increases in fees,” said Keith Gumbinger of HSH Associates, a mortgage research firm. Rates are also likely to rise as the economy improves and the rock-bottom interest rates that have been protected by the Federal Reserve Board edge up. The rising credit market rates will have a bigger effect on mortgages than the winding down of Freddie and Fannie, said Scott Happ, president of Mortgagebot, a company that builds and runs mortgage web sites. 

If you have been thinking about purchasing a new home, do it now and save yourself thousands of dollars in your monthly mortgage payments.

Click here to read the full article

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