Part 3, Do Builders get enough respect?

I told you that part 3 of this blog "working with a builder" we would be talking about what buyers can expect. Well I think I need to change that for just one blog. There is something I need to share with you first.

I want to talk more about the builder, as you all know new home sales, housing starts are a main economic indicator in today's economy and I am here to tell you that home's don't build themselves. I ask that queston are we giving today's builders the respect they deserve? the answer is not really, that banks are scared of the FED and only want to loan on a sure bet , a pre-sale where the buyer has been approved by their lendor or they have to have two pre-sales to give a loan for one spec.

Do you know how many people get employed with just one home being built, from who builds the bulldozer that clears the lot to the title company that closes the loan. To name a few, building supervisor, lot clearing people, pad builders (in our area we build mostly on slabs), concrete for footers, plumbers, concrete mixer drivers, and we havne't even started framing yet. I ask again instead of trying to break the builders lets work with them so that they can keep bulding and keep people working , and giving the rest of us new quality homes.

Larry Hoffman, Broker
Whitworth Buildes Realty, Inc
850-862-6861

Part 2 Working for a Builder

Mr. W. has been building for 44+ years and with the changes that have gone on in construction he is still on top of what buyers are looking for, I have never seen anyone work as hard on anything as Mr W. he's reading magazines, he is listening to buyers and to what the sales agents are telling him, He puts this all together and keeps producing the product the buyer is looking for.

When Mr. W. is making these changes he has to look at how does this change the house plans, how is this going to effect the bottom line? Because you must remember the builder today has to be able to make a profit even in today's economy. As I speak of this the other day we had a buyer come into one of our Models and she stated that whatever she purchased from us she wanted to make sure to "break the builder", this was before she had even seen our homes, let's just say she didn't buy one of our homes. Part 3 of this blog Working for a Builder we will start talking about what the buyer can expect when they visit our models and look at our homes.

TO VISIT OUR PLANS AND THE HOMES WE HAVE TO OFFER GO TO: www.whitworthbuilders.com

Larry Hoffman, Broker
Whitworth Builders Realty, Inc.
Office: 850-862-6861
Email: larry@whitworthbuilders.com

Working with a builder.

I have been working for Whitworth Builders for over 2 years, and I know that a builders who has been building homes for over 44 years should have this down to a science, but has it been an eye opening experience to find out that is not the case. To learn what it takes to be a builder today please follow this blog as we go step by step as I see building from my perspective a Real Estate Broker who is working for a builder that is doing everything his 44 + years of experience to keep a company in the black and going forward.

To learn the types of homes we build visit;

http://www.whitworthbuilders.com/ find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and of course here htt://whitworthbuilders.blogspot.com

Larry Hoffman, Broker

Whitworth Builders Realty, Inc.

New Golf Course in Mossy Head Florida

My Wife and I played a round of golf at BLACKSTONE GOLF COURSE and what an unexpected surprise, you are playing over large ravines, up hills, around trees including Magnolias, Oaks, and a lot of pines, views and vistas on every hole. You will enjoy the fox squirrels who seem to be laughing at you when you duff and if you don't duff they are laughing watching us chase a white ball up and down the hills and when we catch it we hit it again...

We had a great time and at the 8th hole we ordered club sandwiches and we actually had a sandwich that had plenty of meat and was satisfying with a great pickle. I hear you need to make a tee time and we had, I don't think there was and empty start time all day. Click on Logo above to go to the website and click on the clubhouse to go to there photo gallery.

Crestview to Blackstone in Mossy Head is approximately 15 miles.

From Eglin Airport (VPS) to Blackstone Golf course is 31 miles if you take 85 North and 90 West, or take Hwy 285 North and save about 6 miles and a lot less stop lights.

Larry Hoffman, Broker / Marketing Director

Whitworth Builders Realty Inc.

Video of our newest plan at Whitworth Builders Inc. St. Tropez II

Please check out our newest plan ST. TROPEZ III this one offers not only three car garage but we have the walk-in shower and large pantry. We are in the drywall stage please stay tuned for updated video's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npbBKcn3ty0

Here is Market Watch’s Top Ten Things Buyers are looking for in a new home, do You Agree?

At Whitworth Builders we are batting 9 for 10 on this list, and the only one we are missing is #9 except for Brooke Estates in Crestview Florida where we have a pool and tennis courts so I guess we hit 10 for 10 there. For more information on how we meet these 10 top things buyers are looking for contact one of our Real Estate New Home Consolers at our Models.
1. Large Kitchens, With an Island
2. Energy-Efficient Appliances, High-Efficiency Insulation and High Window Efficiency
3. Home Office/Study
4. Main-Floor Master Suite
5. Outdoor Living Room Covered Porch or Lanai
6. Ceiling Fans
7. Master Suite Soaker Tubs
8. Stone and Brick Exteriors
9. Community Landscaping, With Walking Paths and Playgrounds
10. Two-Car Garages Minimum (three car preferred)
This top ten was taken from Market Watch,

Is now the time TO Buy or NOT to Buy?

We ask ourselves is now the time to buy a home? Then, should "I buy new or a resale?" I sold resales for many years and whats positive about a resale is that the things have been added, fence, sprinkler system, fully sodded yard, usually the sellers have updated the appliances since they lived there. This was good.

Now since I have been working with new home sales I have to tell you that a new home is the way to go, because our new homes have, new appliances, sprinkler systems, sodded yards, and everything else is new and on top of all that Whitworth Builders pays closing costs with one of our approved lenders and you can find that list under Resources at http://www.whitworthbuilders.com/. Closing costs are a very negotiable item with private sellers.
That was reason 1.
Reason 2, the interest rates are still hovering around 5% and we don't know how long that will last.
Reason 3, the TAX CREDIT IS STILL a GO, for more information please check out the previous blog see you soon.

Larry Hoffman, Broker / Marketing Director
Whitworth Builders Realty, Inc.

Ready To Move-In Holley by the Sea

This is a new listing that I thought you might be interested in. It has just been completed and is move in ready. It is being built in Holley by the Sea, Navarre FL. You can get more details online. View more pictures below.

Feel free to call me at (850) 543-8617 or e-mail me at beth@whitworthbuilders.com.
Bethany Little, Realtor
Whitworth Builders Realty, Inc.

Whitworth Builders, Inc. is currently building in Holley by the Sea Subdivision in Navarre, FL. I am a Realtor for Whitworth Builders Realty, Inc. and I work exclusively in this neighborhood, selling new construction. Our model home is located at 1824 Sunrise Drive in Holley by the Sea.

Holley by the Sea is a unique private residential neighborhood, located off of Highway 98 in Navarre, FL.

It is about 5 miles west of the Navarre Beach Bridge and State Road 87 in Santa Rosa County and about 20 miles south of Interstate 10.


Holley by the Sea encompasses approximately four square miles of land with most of its lots being an "estate sized" half-acre. There are many areas of dedicated Greenbelt that preserve nature within the community. There is also a fire station located within Holley by the Sea that provides protection through the Holley-Navarre fire department.

It is convenient to Eglin and Hurlburt Air Force Bases and the Pensacola Naval Air Station. Located just minutes from the famous white sands and emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Holley by the Sea truly offers an affordable "beach" lifestyle

Some of the many advantages to living in Holley by the Sea are its attractive combination of well designed homes and landscaped open spaces. Holley by the Sea is a covenanted community with architectural standards. A 48-acre park with access to Santa Rosa Sound includes the HBTS Recreation Center. The Rec Center has a workout gym, three swimming pools, eight lighted clay tennis courts, basketball courts, handball courts, a baseball field, game room, aerobics room and sauna, as well as a large meeting room. Activities offered include aerobic classes, water aerobics, swimming lessons, competitive tennis and swimming teams, plus many social events. The park features four picnic pavilions, nine campsites, playground, fishing pier and private beach.

Come by and see me. I would be glad to take you on a tour of Holley by the Sea. Also, visit my Holley by the Sea website at www.thinkbeth.com.

Bethany Little, Realtor

Whitworth Builders Realty, Inc.

Holley by the Sea Subdivision

(850) 939-8018

Homebuyer Tax Credit has a caveat for the Military who have served overseas.

Did you know that the current Homebuyer Tax Credit has a caveat for military and some federal employees that allows an extra year of eligibility?

Under the Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act, which was signed in November 2009, individuals or their spouses who serve on qualified official extended-duty service outside the country for at least 90 days between Jan2, 2009 and April 30th, 2010 have an additional year of eligibility. Given the amount of Local Military Heroes, this could extend the credit for many in our community and others. I have tried to give you a link that you could just go to and read but because bill H.R.3548 is a suppliment for another bill created a year before all you get is the changes so the link below gives you the base information. Click the link First Time Homebuyer Credit then click First Time Homebuyer Credit under the credit bullet.

This information comes to us from:

Pam Woodall, President

Beach Community Mortgage

850.315.4102

Toll Free: 888.864.2946

Regards,

http://http//www.irs.gov/publications/p3/ar02.html#en_US_publink1000238079