Home Building Buzz

Answers to your Financing FAQ

2011-11-12T11:51:00.001-07:00

Thinking about purchasing a new home, but unsure about the financing process? Scott Smith of Primary Residential Mortgage answers several of your FAQ including:
How do I apply for a home loan?
What do I need to apply for a loan?
How long will it take to get approved?
How are interest rates determined?
What is the difference between "locking" and "floating" an interest rate?

Rockwell Howl-O-Ween 5k at Stonebridge this Saturday

2011-10-25T08:40:00.000-06:00

The Rockwell Cheer Squad is hosting a fundraiser 5k this Saturday. The event will start and end at Rockwell High School, right across the street from McArthur Homes' beautiful model home in Stonebridge at The Ranches. There is even a FREE Kids 1/4 Mile Race that includes a pancake breakfast. Check out the event details below!

October 29, 2011

Cost: $20/Adults; $15/Students

Registration will continue to be accepted up to and on the day of the race at $25/Adults and $20/Students. Shirts are not guaranteed after Oct 19th.

Event Highlights:

- All Participants Receive an Event T-shirt (if registered before Oct. 19th)

- Racing Shirts to Top 3 Finishers (Male & Female)

- Best Costume Award (Must be Present)

- Free Pancake Breakfast to All Participants ($1 for non-participants)

- Kids Fun 1/4 Mile Race (Receive FREE Breakfast) No Registration Necessary

When: Saturday, October 29, 2011

Starting Location: Rockwell Charter High School

(3435 E Stonebridge Ln, Eagle Mtn)

Starting Time: 8:30 a.m.

Check-in: 7:00 a.m. - 8 a.m.

More information available online at http://www.rockwellhowloween5k.com/

Winter Curb Appeal

2011-10-22T15:12:00.000-06:00

In Utah, trying to sell your home in winter can sometime be more challenging. One difficulty is showing off your home's exterior during these cold, snowy months. Here are some tips from Realtor magazine for improving your home's curb appeal during the winter:

Use evergreens and tall grasses, such as fountain grasses, to add splashes of green to your landscape.
Make the front door a focal point with a large wreath adorned with a colorful ribbon. You can also place large planters full of evergreens beside the front door.
Transform an unused bird bath or fountain into a seasonal display by adding twigs with red barries, sparkly baubles and/or winter greenery. For extra sparkle, roll twigs in glitter!
Use clear floor spotlights to focus on the home's architecture. Keep exterior lights clean and clear of snow.
Shovel your backyard deck or patio and leave your grill uncovered so that the buyers can envision themselves in that space.
Set up outdoor tables and chairs as you would during the summer months. (Just during showings.)
Keep your front walkways and driveway clear of snow!

In addition, display pictures of your home and landscaping as they are during the summer months. This will help show prospective buyers the value of your landscaping and get you on your way to owning your new home by McArthur Homes.

Photo Source: etsy.com via Heather on Pinterest

Contest Winners!

2011-10-18T14:11:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to all of our finalists in the "Beautiful Homes, Beautiful Neighborhoods" landscaping competition. We loved all of the homes and had a very hard time choosing a winner. In fact, we decided to announce two winners for this year's competition.

We chose Home #2 as the landscaping winner because of it's beautiful flower gardens. The homeowners have only been in their home a few months and their hard work this summer transformed this home into a stand-out in it's neighborhood. We are proud to have this home as one of the first completed homes in Herriman Towne Center.

Home #4 garnered the most votes, so we decided to announce a second award for "Most Enthusiastic Fans." This beautiful home is located in our Stonebridge community and is definitely one of our favorites for it's architecture and clean look.

Congratulations again to all of our finalists and to our winners. We love having homeowners like you who show pride in your home and make your neighborhoods beautiful! Thank you from everyone at McArthur Homes!

Beautiful Homes, Beautiful Neighborhood Finalists

2011-10-13T12:03:00.000-06:00

McArthur Homes is proud to announce the finalists of our "Beautiful Homes, Beautiful Neighborhoods" contest. The finalists include homes from five different McArthur Homes neighborhoods, with 6 different floorplans in a variety of architectural styles. These homeowners have put a lot of work into their yards and homes, and it shows! Which one is your favorite?

Home #1

Home #2

Home #3

Home #4

Home #5

Home #6

Herriman Pumpkin Festival this Weekend

2011-10-12T15:34:00.000-06:00

There will be some frightful fun at the Pumpkin Festival in Herriman this weekend. Free activities for all ages will include candy, scavenger hunt, toy walk, inflatable slide, music, refreshments and a costume contest! Come find out why Herriman is such a great place to live, then come see our beautiful new homes at Herriman Towne Center by McArthur Homes.

Pumpkin Festival
Saturday, October 15th
5:00-7:00pm
Butterfield Park (6212 W. 14200 S.)

Fall Home Maintenance To Do List

2011-09-30T08:30:00.003-06:00

Fall is definitely in the air here in Utah! Before you get out your holiday decorations, spend a Saturday afternoon checking on your home and taking care of the yard. Here are a few "To Dos" to get you started:

Inside Your Home

Change your furnace air filter and stock up on air filters for the rest of the winter (change them monthly).
Check the weather stripping on your doors and caulking around your windows to ensure maximum heating efficiency.
Review fire safety precautions for your home and replace fire extinguishers if necessary.
Change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

Outside Your Home

Inspect your gutters and clear out any leaves or other blockage. Make sure that downspouts are directing water away from the foundation of your home.
Rake leaves off your lawn and sweep off your deck or patio.
Clean, pack and store any patio furniture that will not handle the coming winter weather.
Disconnect garden hose and use your indoor valve to shut off and drain water from all outdoor pipes.
Empty any unused fuel from gas-powered equipment from lawn mowers. Sediment can build up and clog fuel lines.
Test your emergency generator if applicable.

Now your new home in Utah is ready for winter! Do you have other fall or winter tips for taking care of your home? I'd love for you to share them in the comments.

Salt Lake City One of the "New Big Boom Towns" According to Forbes

2011-09-21T09:49:00.001-06:00

Forbes magazine recently ranked 52 of the largest metro areas in the country according to which cities are most likely to grow and prosper in the coming years. Salt Lake City ranked among the Top 20, coming in at #12. Why did Salt Lake do so well? Here's a look at how Forbes judged the cities:

We started with job growth, not only looking at performance over the past decade but also focusing on growth in the past two years, to account for the possible long-term effects of the Great Recession. That accounted for roughly one-third of the score. The other two-thirds were made up of a a broad range of demographic factors, all weighted equally. These included rates of family formation (percentage growth in children 5-17), growth in educated migration, population growth and, finally, a broad measurement of attractiveness to immigrants — as places to settle, make money and start businesses.

Forbes discovered what most of us already know; the Salt Lake City area is a great place to live and work! The best news is that as the Salt Lake metro area's economy prospers, home values will likely continue to rise, making now a great time to own a new home near Salt Lake City!

Using Art to Add Personality to Your Home

2011-09-19T10:46:00.013-06:00

Adding art pieces to your home can be the perfect way to add a spark of personality to your space. Art can create drama, unify a color scheme or even add humor to a room.

We used many beautiful art pieces in our Award-Winning Parade of Homes entry. One of my favorites was the statement piece we used in the family room. It adds so much color to the space! Click here to see more images from our Parade home.

I noticed an abundance of artwork used in the recent 2011 Salt Lake Parade of Homes. Here are some of my favorite pieces:

And here's a fun way to inspire your own little artists- display their artwork in a playroom!

Traditional Hardwood or Engineered?

2011-09-15T10:44:00.001-06:00

Who doesn't love a beautiful hardwood in a home? Woods are warm, inviting, interesting and come in a huge variety of finishes. They are so popular, that almost every home buyer I worked with in the last year has chosen some kind of wood-like finish on the floors of their new home (laminate, engineered or traditional). The question EVERYONE asked was "Which is better? Engineered or Traditional Hardwood?" Well, the answer depends on what you are looking for in your floor, but here are some tips from our Award-Winning Design Studio:

Traditional Hardwood

Source: houzz.com via Meghan on Pinterest

When I say "Traditional Hardwood," I mean the wood comes unfinished and is installed in your home, then stained and finished. Each plank is one solid piece of wood, not layers or veneers. Usually this wood is given a smooth finish, but it can be given a hand-scraped finish on the edges.

The major key to traditional hardwood is that you can refinish over and over and over again. The process is a little messy, but it can save you tons of money in the long run because you won't have to replace your floors.
Sanding and finishing the wood on site means that you can get a nice, tight floor with little to no gaps between boards. This helps keep dirt and water from getting in between the floor and causing problems down the line. I also personally love the look of a smooth, shining wood floor.
Staining the wood on site means you can get the exact color stain that you want. This is a perk that is not always available in engineered woods.
One downside of traditional hardwood is that they may be more prone to shifting and warping. A home humidifier system can minimize some of the shrinking and warping.

Engineered Wood

Source: exoticfloorsdirect.com via roserobert on Pinterest

Each plank of engineered wood usually has a veneer of more expensive wood on top and then subsequent layers of a more affordable wood below. The layers are laid cross-grain so that on the first layer the grain runs lengthwise, then the next layer is crosswise and so on. The number of layers varies depending on quality and price. Each piece is prefinished and then installed on site, usually as a floating floor.

Often, you can get a wider plank or more expensive type of wood for less money when you choose engineered over natural hardwood, making it a budget friendly choice.
The cross-grain layers of engineered wood make it more warp resistant. This can be especially beneficial in climates that have hot summers and cold winters because the climate change may cause wood to shift and expand.
Most engineered woods have the popular hand-scraped look or some kind of bevel at the edges of the wood. This is done to help hide any flaws in installation. This is a pro for more people, who love the look, but you should keep in mind that those crevices may gather dirt and liquids.
Engineered woods are prefinished with an aluminum oxide finish. Usually the more expensive the wood, the more layers of finish. This will help minimize scraping and staining, but these woods will show wear especially in high traffic areas. Some homeowners have found that their finish has taken on a scuffed, dirty look over the years. Some engineered woods can be refinished but usually only once. If the wood has the hand-scraped look it can be more difficult to refinish.
The popularity of engineered woods means that they are now available in a wide range of wood types and stains. However, you will have to choose from the options that are available as you cannot mix and match stains like you could with natural hardwood.

For more information on wood types and styles, visit our Award-Winning Design Studio and browse the thousands of products available for your new home from McArthur Homes.

Simple DIY Wall Treatment

2011-09-10T17:20:00.004-06:00

Thanks to the recent Salt Lake Parade of Homes, our Herriman Towne Center model home received TONS of traffic and positive feedback. Most people's favorite decor detail in this new home was the wall treatment in the second bedroom.

Achieving this fun look at home is even easier than it seems. Simply attach ribbon in a diagonal grid pattern using thumbtacks. Place the thumbtacks at the corners where the ribbons intersect. Next hot glue flowers onto each thumbtack. You're done! This look can work with any color scheme. Just change up the colors of the ribbons and flowers. You could even try it in a boys room using a different decorative element in place of the flowers.

What To Make of The Headlines

2011-08-29T07:47:00.000-06:00

The past month has been packed with Headlines which will be written about in the history books. Here are some of the headlines:

Debt Ceiling Deal Reached To Avert Default: The Huffington Post recapped the news that congress had passed a deal to raise our debt limit. This is like your credit card company increasing your credit limit allowing you to go deeper in debt. But at least you can meet your short term needs. This also included a plan to reduce spending by $2 Trillion...depending on who you ask. Apparently the S&P missed their estimates by about $2 Trillion. But haven't we all misplaced a trillion dollars here or there?

News of the debt ceiling was quickly replaced by news that S&P had downgraded the US credit rating for the first time in history. This is big news because the rate at which the US borrows money could increase. Ever have a credit card company increase your rate because you made a late payment on a different account?

What does all of this mean? In the short term all of the added uneasiness has lead to a rash of investors retreating to mortgage bonds, as investments, lowering long term mortgage rates. Here is a graph showing the improvement in mortgage bonds. These bonds work inversely to mortgage rates. So, as the graph increases, mortgage rates decrease.

It's certainly an understatement to say that mortgage rates are great right now. What's more important is that your purchasing power is greater than it has ever been. You know the stories our parent's tell of 18% mortgages, well the payment on a $100,000 loan at 18% is $1,507.09, while the payment on the same size loan at 4% is $477.42. What does this mean? Buying power at today's interest rates is approximately three times greater than it was in the early eighties. And you don't have to put up with the brown and yellow painted cabinets, shag carpet that requires raking, or faux wood wall paneling in your basement that they were opting for back then.

So, don't let the news or the headlines prevent you from making a great investment on a home for your family. It is still possible to get financing with zero down payment, and there is help for those with past credit challenges.

Contact kristi@mcarthurhomes.com for information on available homes, check out www.mcarthurhomes.com for neighborhoods where McArthur is building, or go to www.scottutah.com for more information on financing your new home.

Buying Cheaper Than Renting in Most US Cities

2011-08-16T20:39:00.000-06:00

According to a recent article on CNN Money, buying is now cheaper than renting in most U.S. cities, making now an excellent time to get out of your old rental and into a brand new home. The study, conducted by Trulia found that "buying was cheaper than renting in 74% of the country's 50 largest cities in July."

Cities where rent remains the cheaper choice included New York City, Seattle and San Francisco. For most of us however, low housing prices, low interest rates and great tax benefits add up to real value in home ownership. For instance, you can own your own beautiful new home in Eagle Mountain, Utah starting at just $170,900.

"It's a personal decision, of course. But if you have a steady job and you are planning to stay for seven years or more and have enough cash to put 20% down and enough left over for seven or eight months of expenses, you're better off buying in most places," said Daisy Kong, a spokeswoman for Trulia. (Read the rest of the article here.)

If you're still renting and would like more information on how owning a brand new home might work for you, visit a McArthur Homes neighborhood or email kristi@mcarthurhomes.com.

Creating a Spa-Like Master Bathroom Inspired by the Parade of Homes

2011-08-12T19:13:00.002-06:00

The best way to create a spa-like bathroom is to start with a clean, fresh color palette. Of course I love the simple white and green palette of the McArthur Homes Award-Winning Parade Home, the Cordova. The white octagon tile caused quite a debate. People either loved it or hated it. I'm on the love-it side myself. :) The cultured marble shower and garden soaker tub (a must for a spa-like bathroom) are included at McArthur Homes, making this an affordable and stylish bathroom.

This luxurious bathroom is right up my alley also! Here, the details combine to create a spa-like experience. Want to add a touch of day-spa to your own bathroom? Add rolled white towels on a shelf or tucked underneath a bench. I tried this in my master bath and LOVE it! Other details include a small makeup mirror, sconces flanking the mirrors for ideal lighting and plenty of candles.

Excuse me while I just drool over these white marble countertops. Marble is probably the thing I love most in the world of interior design. Yum!

The tub shown below is another favorite detail. I can't imagine bathing my kids in it, but I guess that is what makes it feel even more relaxing!

And here's one more simple way to transform your bathroom into a spa-like sanctuary. Just add a couple of towel hooks and two white robes. I feel more relaxed already! :)

$2 Tuesdays at Thanksgiving Point

2011-08-05T18:01:00.000-06:00

For all of our Lehi homeowners in Thanksgiving Meadows and Thanksgiving Village, here is a great deal from Thanksgiving Point:

TWO BUCK TUESDAYS
$2 for Any Venue (including Museum of Ancient Life, Gardens and Farm Country)
Every Tuesday in August
Visit their Website for More Information

If you don't already own a McArthur Homes home in Lehi, stop by our Award-Wining Parade Home (now open to the public) while you are in the area. Thanksgiving Meadows is located just minutes from Thanksgiving Point and offers townhomes from the $140s and single family homes under $200k.

Salt Lake Valley Parade of Homes 2011

2011-08-03T17:16:00.000-06:00

If you've heard anything about the Salt Lake Parade of Homes this year, you've probably heard about the "Up" house at Herriman Towne Center. It's a life-size replica of the home in Disney's movie "Up," complete with a Carl and Ellie mailbox!

To celebrate all of the fun that the "Up" house has brought to Herriman, McArthur Homes is offering FREE Ice Cream to those who visit McArthur Homes at Herriman Towne Center during the Parade of Homes. Come visit us 11:00am-9:00pm Monday-Saturday to see our beautiful model home and find out about all the amazing things that will be coming to Herriman Towne Center over the next few years.

And while you're here, be sure to visit the "Up" house and check out the Parade of Homes.
Salt Lake Parade of Homes
July 29th-August 14th
11:00am-9:00pm
http://www.saltlakeparade.com/

Cute & Easy Storage Ideas for your Laundry/Craft Room

2011-07-25T09:02:00.004-06:00

I L.O.V.E. spending time in my craft/laundry room! For me it is such a casual, creative space with lots of storage. Here's a few ideas that you may want to incorporate into the laundry or craft room in your new home.

This area of the room is where I do my sewing and crafting. I put up magnetic boards from Ikea where I can showcase my daughter's artwork along with inspirational photos and fun ideas for me. It's so easy to switch out artwork or add a new idea to the board. For the photos, I attached magnetic strips to the back so that the board wouldn't be so cluttered with magnets. You can buy a roll of magnetic "tape" from any craft store.

The wrapping paper station was made from two super cheap (I think about $5) drapery rods from Ikea. I also attached a magnetic bar from Ikea to keep my scissors handy but out of reach of my kids.

This is the newest, and probably my favorite, part of the room. I have gotten back into sewing and enjoy making little skirts or dresses for my daughter along with a few home improvement projects. I used to store all my fabric in bins under the laundry sink, but I got tired of sorting through it all the time. Instead, I was inspired by this blogger to hang my fabric up. The rod is from Ikea (surprised?) and so are the hangers. The whole project cost about $12. I love the convenience and also the color it adds to this space.

These photos show a few more quick storage solutions. I love the fold out clothes rack and iron holder, both from Ikea. The rolling TV stand (Ikea) is perfect for my papers and printers and my daughter loves having her own creative space too.

Finally, anything that's not used often (or isn't very pretty) goes in the cabinets! I hope you've gotten a few ideas for your own home. I'd love to see the storage solutions that you've come up with. Feel free to leave a link in the comments below, or email me at kristi@mcarthurhomes.com.

Lighting Trends from the 2011 Utah Valley Parade of Homes

2011-07-21T16:26:00.002-06:00

This year at the Parade of Homes there were some definite trends in lighting for new homes. The first I noticed was paper or linen shades. They were everywhere! I especially loved this dramatic fixture hanging above a contemporary great room.

Here is a more subdued version that we used in the master bedroom of the McArthur Homes model home.

Pendants hung on either side of the bed were a popular choice in place of traditional lamps.

This long kitchen nook pendant has the same shade style as others I saw throughout the Parade of Homes.

I also liked this fun fan fixture for an exercise room. It's practical and cute!

There were also many examples of fixtures that mixed crystal or glass with metal. This chandelier was actually in a girl's bedroom. Very chic!

Besides the trends I highlighted above, there were a wide range of lighting fixtures to fit EVERY style. From traditional to very modern. What style of fixtures would you like to see in your new home?

How To: Stenciling Take 2

2011-07-18T14:29:00.003-06:00

When I stenciled our master bedroom wall I swore I would never stencil again (so tedious!) but I saw this amazing stencil online and suddenly had to have it for our powder bathroom. I found the stencil online here.

At first, I tried using the same technique I had used in the master only to discover it did NOT work with this type of stencil. My new stencil was higher quality (thicker) and very detailed so the roller brush would not get paint into the crevices. Then, if I pushed really hard to get the paint in, it bled all around the letters and looked horrible. Here's a pic of my first attempts:

So, I learned how to stencil a new way. Here's what to do if you have a detailed stencil and need perfect results. This is also a great technique when you have a high contrast stencil which shows imperfections much more than the tone on tone stencil I did in my master bedroom. The letters turned out perfectly crisp:

Step One
Use spray adhesive to attach the stencil to the wall. I used a light coat each time I applied the stencil to a new part of the wall. Make sure you put the stencil on top of a drop cloth before you spray it because that adhesive will get everywhere!

Step Two

Use a small bristled brush to apply the paint. They sell special (expensive) stenciling brushes but I got perfect results using plastic brushes from my daughter's art drawer. I think we bought a pack of 20 at Walmart for a couple bucks.
First dip the brush in a bit of paint then get most of the paint off on a paper towel. Make small circular motions with the brush as you work the paint into the stencil. You may need to do more than one coat so wait for the paint to dry (just a couple minutes) before removing the stencil. That way you can see which areas need a bit more paint layered on.

Step Three
Remove the stencil, repsray lightly with adhesive and apply to the next area.

This process really is so easy that my 3 year old was able to help me apply the paint, but it is also time consuming! My tiny 9' by 9' wall took me about 4 hours to paint. Yikes! If you are willing to spend the time, I think that stenciling is an excellent way to personalize and add interest to your new home.

For me, it is totally work it each time I walk down the hallway and peek into the powder room. Have you done any stenciling projects? I'd love to hear about them and see the results! Post a link in the comments or email kristi@mcarthurhomes.com Thanks!

Movie in the Park at Herriman Towne Center

2011-07-14T09:26:00.001-06:00

Come see Disney's "Up" movie across from a real life replica of the "Up" house. Your kids will love it! The home and the park are located in Herriman Towne Center, the best new neighborhood in Herriman!

Saturday, July 16th
7:30pm-10:00pm
Herriman Towne Center Park
12600 South 5300 West
Herriman, Utah

Herriman Towne Center is a brand new community across from the JL Sorensen Recreation Center and new Herriman City Library. The neighborhood will include beautiful new homes, parks, churches, restaurants and small shops, schools and the new Herriman City Hall. McArthur Homes is building new homes now starting in the low $200s. See our website for more information on these new homes in Herriman.

DIY (So Affordable) Drapery Rods

2011-07-11T10:07:00.001-06:00

Here's a great trick for getting super affordable drapery hardware for your new home. Simply go to your local Home Depot/Lowes type store and ask for electrical conduit.

For the master bedroom in our new home, I needed a FIFTEEN FOOT drapery rod. Those can be SO expensive! I read online about someone who used 1/2" electrical conduit instead so I decided to try it out. The total cost for the rod was less than $5! The electrical conduit was sold in 10' segments so I bought two and had them cut down into 7' 6" pieces for me at the store. I also purchased a "Set Screw Coupling" which I used to secure the two pieces together.

If you need a rod that is 10' or less in length then you won't need the coupling piece. Just have your conduit cut to the exact size you need and you are done.

To hang my drapery rods I used some left over brackets from an Ikea set. However, you could even make your own brackets using a few other items from the hardware store. Check that out here.

Here are a few ways you could dress up these drapery rods:

Attach cabinet hardware or door knobs to each end as finials
Paint the conduit with Rustoleum Spray Paint to match your decor (white, black, navy etc.)
Use copper plumbing pipe instead (more expensive but beautiful)
Choose a wider size such as 2" conduit for a heavier look

I will use this technique again in my dining room, but I think I'll try adding finials and spray painting the whole thing a dark navy. (I am kind of obsessed with navy right now. Anyone else loving it too?)

DIY Upholstered Headboard Inspired by the Parade of Homes

2011-07-06T14:23:00.000-06:00

I am so excited about how this project turned out! I have been wanting a headboard for my master bedroom ever since we moved into our new home in Lehi but I didn't want to spend $500-2,000 for a new headboard. There are tons of great tutorials online on how to make your own, so finally I decided to take a chance and try it. I am happy to say that I love my new headboard AND it only cost about $75.

Here's the inspiration headboard.

(You may recognize it from the McArthur Homes house that I showcased from the 2011 Utah Valley Parade of Homes. I love the nailhead trim and the clean, simple lines.)

Here is my version.

And here's how I did it.

I mostly followed this fabulous tutorial from Isabella and Max Rooms but with a few changes. The biggest change was that I downsized the headboard quite a bit because I still wanted to show off all that stenciling work I did in the master! I also changed the way I mounted the headboard to the wall. (See Step Six.)

Materials:
1/4" sheet of plywood
3- 2x4s
LOTS (about 400 pieces) of nailhead trim that I bought online here.
3 yards batting
3 yards home decor or other wide width fabric
2 large pieces of 3" high density foam from JoAnns or Hobby Lobby (use coupons!)
scrap piece of mdf or other sturdy wood

Step One
Create the frame for your headborad by cutting down the length of the plywood sheet to fit the length of your bed. I made mine for my (future) king size bed so I needed 80" width. Then cut down the 2x4s and screw onto the plywood to create a border.

Step Two
Cut down your foam to fill the space between the 2x4s. I like to use an electric carving knife to cut foam. You can use spray adhesive to attach the foam if you'd like. Mine is held in place by the batting and fabric.

Step Three
Lay batting and fabric over the top of the frame. Have a friend/hubby help you make sure the fabric is straight. The fabric can be the biggest expense of this project, but I actually found mine for only $6/yard in the remnants section of JoAnns home decor fabric. It was the perfect gray color with a slight hounds tooth texture. LOVE it!

Step Four
Starting at the top center of the headboard, attach the nailhead trim by hammering it in along the edge of the 2x4. I would suggest using a nailhead trim spacer, which you can find online. I was impatient and did mine freehand so there are some imperfections. This is the hardest and most tedious part of the process. Luckily, my husband helped some so things went a little faster. Make sure your fabric is pulled tight as you go and that it is straight.

Once the top of the headboard was done, I pulled my fabric tight and stapled it to the bottom. This helped keep things nice and tight as I continued down the sides.

Another thing I learned about nailhead trim is that it can be difficult to hammer into the wood where there are knots or other imperfections. I bent MANY nailheads trying to force them in. After awhile I figured out that I could get a nice hole started by hammering in a small nail first, then removing the nail and hammering in the nailhead trim piece. I only did this in difficult areas, but it really helped!

Step Five
After all the trim was installed I simply stapled the fabric and batting to the back of the headboard, pulling tightly. At the corners, I made a small fold, which is hardly noticeable at all.

Step Six
To install the headboard you could add legs and attach it to your bedframe, but I wanted mine mounted on the wall. The tutorial I followed suggested gluing the headboard to the wall, but I wanted mine to be removal so that if (when) I want to change up the decor I won't have to rip a hole in the drywall to remove the headboard. An EASY way to do this is by cutting a 45 degree angle into two pieces of wood. Screw one to the headboard and one to the studs in the wall, as shown. Then just lift your headboard up onto the wall so that the wood pieces fit into each other. It only took a few minutes and it is sturdy as can be! (Thanks to my friend, Roger for cutting the angles for me. I still don't have a table saw...)

That's it! If you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them in the notes and I'll respond as best I can. Good luck!

Playful Kids Room Decor Ideas

2011-06-21T14:48:00.000-06:00

Don't you love visiting the Parade of Homes to find decorating inspiration? This year, McArthur Homes' Utah Valley Parade of Homes entry gave me SO many great ideas for decorating my home. I have already copied the upholstered headboard from the master bedroom (post coming next week) and I plan to recreate the fun flower pillow and french script drapes soon! Here are a few kids space ideas from the Utah Valley Parade of Homes. Which is your favorite look?

One of the most popular spots on our McArthur Homes "Cordova" home was this fun study loft. It is the perfect space for kids to do their homework and stay organized. That awesome world map is from Ikea!

Below are a few highlights of the girl's and boy's room in the home. The boys room was a fun bug/explorer theme. This was a great idea because there are so many things you can use to accessorize: toy bugs, magnifying glasses, binoculars, maps, books etc. The girls room had this awesome vignette that combined a tough-looking black leather chair and a super sweet pink pillow with an adorable pink, green and yellow lamp. I love those unexpected combinations!

The boys room also had this Periodic Table of Elements and EVERYONE wanted to know where it came from. It is actually a vinyl sticker from Scribble on Everything, and you can buy it online here.

The Utah Valley Parade of Homes offered plenty of other inspiration. Here are some of my favorite looks from this year's homes.

Inexpensive plastic pennants are perfect wall decor for this colorful sports-themed room.

I love the idea of hanging pendant lights on each side of a bed!

This simple Kid Zone was created in a basement stairway. It was decorated with only vinyl circles, a small rug and table but was still a huge hit with my kids. Definitely a project anyone could complete quickly and for hardly any cost.

The white painted trees in this nursery are adorable and really highlight the tall ceilings, making this small room feel a lot bigger.

I LOVE these "By Order of the Management" signs to remind kids about the rules of the house! So cute and clever. Even better, I found out they are very reasonably priced. Check them out here on Etsy.

This bright turquoise and orange combo would be fun for a little kid or a preteen. It is so refreshing!

This may be a bit over the top for most of us, but I still love this playhouse built into an upstairs playroom. I love the funky style of the buildings and how it works in so well with the sloped ceiling.

The best part? The "Kidz 4 Sale" sign. Who doesn't feel like posting a sign on their door just like this every now and then? :)

I hope you enjoyed these kids space ideas. Did you see these homes at the Utah Valley Parade of Homes? Which one was your favorite? I'd love to hear what you think!

If you want more inspiration, come visit our Cordova home in Lehi near Thanksgiving Point, now open to the public!

Beautiful Homes, Beautiful Neighborhood! McArthur Homes Landscaping Competition

2011-06-17T08:52:00.003-06:00

We've noticed some BEAUTIFUL landscaping in our McArthur Homes neighborhoods and we'd like to reward our homeowners for all your hard work! Enter our Beautiful Homes, Beautiful Neighborhood Competition today to show off your home and for a chance to win up to $550 in Home Depot Gift Cards. Check out the details below:

TO ENTER: Email us a photo or photos of the exterior of your home. Please include at least one shot showing the entire front of the home. Email photos to kristi@mcarthurhomes.com. Please include your contact information and address with your entry. All entries must be received by June 30, 2011.

FINALISTS: McArthur Homes will choose six or more finalists. Each finalist will receive a $50 Gift Card to Home Depot. McArthur Homes will professionally photograph each finalist's home exterior. These photos will be posted on Facebook for you to share with your friends and family. Facebook comments will be taken into consideration when choosing our Grand Prize Winner, but will not be the sole deciding factor.

WINNERS: One Grand Prize Winner will be chosen by McArthur Homes based on overall look of the landscaping and home, with some consideration given to comments received on Facebook and/or our blog. Grand Prize Winner will be announced July 15, 2011.

PRIZES: Grand Prize Winner will receive a $500 Gift Card to Home Depot.
All finalists will receive a $50 Gift Card to Home Depot.

Competition open to all current McArthur Homes homeowners.
McArthur Homes retains the rights to use all submitted video, images and written material for promotional purposes.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

Why Forbes Magazine says NOW is the Time to Buy

2011-06-15T15:47:00.001-06:00

Forbes Magazine recently published an article outlining 9 reasons that now may be the best time ever to buy a new home. We all see signs of the economy improving, but it's always great to hear good news from a reliable source like Forbes. Check out their reasons-to-buy which include:

Interest Rates at a 50-Year Low
Rates Expected to Increase
Low Down Payment Mortgages Available
Lowest Home Prices in Years

Read the full article by Forbes Magazine HERE.
Then check out a McArthur Homes new home community near you!

WINNER Best Exterior

2011-06-14T15:47:00.000-06:00

McArthur Homes is pleased to announce that our new Cordova home was awarded Best Exterior by the 2011 Utah Valley Parade of Homes. This gorgeous new home is available in three exterior styles, Craftsman, French Rustic and New American. For more information, see this new home design on our website.

Final Photos- Utah Valley Parade of Homes 2011

2011-06-04T10:08:00.001-06:00

The 2011 Utah Valley Parade of Homes is underway and we couldn't be more excited to show off our new Cordova home! Yesterday I spent opening day at the Parade home and the response was unbelievable. People LOVE the decor, the layout and all of the thoughtful details that went into this home. A big thanks to all of our trade partners who participated in building this home!

So here are some things that people couldn't stop commenting on yesterday... we'd love to hear what you think too!

The small "drop zone" cabinetry between the mudroom and the kitchen was very popular. The space is perfect for a laptop, cell phone charger and bill pay area. It's the simple details like this that can make your new home fit perfectly with your lifestyle. There's also a nearby powder room featuring a great spring green that people have really responded to.

The family room makes a huge impression with it's large size and open feeling. People have said that they could really see themselves entertaining or just relaxing with family in this comfortable space. (I personally L-O-V-E those blue and white upholstered chairs and the playful drapery fabric!)

The kitchen has also been very popular and people are surprised to hear that the cabinetry and flooring are both affordable options from our McArthur Homes Design Studio. The cabinetry is Beech with an Espresso stain (an included finish for McArthur Homes homeowners) and the flooring is a beautiful engineered Birch in a Driftwood finish. The countertops are also a huge hit in a White Ivory granite.

The area that has received the MOST comments in the home is this clever reading nook tucked into the stairwell. Designed by our very own, Roger Bess, this window seat and open shelving turns a previously "wasted space" into a highlight of the home.

At the top of the stairs is another clever nook designed as a homework area for the kids. I love the idea of giving the kids an area to do their homework while still being open to the rest of the home.

The master suite is especially impressive with its large size, vaulted ceilings and adjacent nook (see next pic). People have loved the open feeling and details such as the fresh fabric choice for the drapes and accents.

As part of the master suite, this is the PERFECT place to get some peace and quiet, a little sanctuary all your own. To me, those chairs seem to be begging for someone to curl up on them and enjoy a good book!

The master bath also turned out beautifully! It has a clean, refreshing look with white tile and that same spring green in the accents and drapery. The white octagon tile from DAL tile has a lot of people talking. They either LOVE it or they don't, but I'm definitely a fan.

The front living room (which can also be converted to an office) has a slightly more formal look than the rest of the home. It stays fresh and playful with white paneling and fun details like the furry white pillow on the sofa. The paneling look shown here and in the mudroom has been a huge hit. For directions, see our "how to" post here.

To see the rest of the home, visit us at the Parade of Homes through June 18th. You can buy tickets online here, or purchase them at the Cordova home in Thanksgiving Meadows, Lehi.

Here's one last photo that I think sums up the style of the home. The chair is tailored and elegant, the pillow adds a pop of color while the numbered boxes and gumball machine add a touch of whimsy. I think Emily from HGTV would call this Tailored Whimsical Elegance... or something like that. :)

Here are some links if you'd like more information on this home design or the home builder, McArthur Homes. Enjoy!

How To: Stenciled Wall Treatment

2011-05-31T21:40:00.002-06:00

Stenciling is an inexpensive and easy (although not necessarily quick) way to add a fun design element to your new home. With stencils you can create a custom "wallpaper" look using any colors of your choice and for a fraction of the cost of real designer wallpaper. Here are some easy tips I learned while trying out this project over Memorial Day Weekend.

Choose a matte or eggshell finish for your base coat. These finishes absorb the second layer of paint better, reducing smears and making the project move along faster. My base coast is Piper by KWAL Paint in an eggshell finish.
You can be more creative with your top coat (the one you use when stenciling). I chose a Metallic Masters paint called Smoke. I love that the sheen looks different when viewed from different angles and in different light. It looks especially AMAZING in the evening and morning. It also dried surprisingly quickly.
If you want a "wallpaper" look, make sure you choose a stencil that is designed for that type of use. They come with registration marks: little triangle holes in the corners so that you can make marks and line up each subsequent stencil. I picked mine up at the local craft store but you can find hundreds of options online too. I chose a damask-look for my stencil. I tried to find one that wasn't too girly since this room is for my husband too. (I think the dark grey colors also made it appear a little more masculine.)

The instructions say to start in the top left corner of your room. However, this was my very first time stenciling so I started somewhere less visible (the area of the room that is covered up by my bed and future headboard).
Make sure that your first stencil is perfectly level. All your other stencils will be based on this, so go for perfectly level. When I was starting I checked the level on each subsequent stencil, but realized that as long as I line up my registration marks, this was really unnecessary.
In order to avoid smudging the design, I worked in a random pattern, not a straight line. I didn't want to tape right over the area that I had just painted, but I also didn't want to wait several minutes between each stencil. This worked fine as long as I remember to mark the registration points and line them up with each new stencil.

And my two biggest tips for stenciling a wall...

Accept that your stenciling will NOT BE PERFECT but that it will still look AMAZING. There were plenty of times when my stencils didn't line up exactly or I had to fudge around the edges. However, the overall wall still looks perfectly amazing. With all that's going on, you really can't tell where the mistakes are, so don't sweat it!
Expect to spend A LOT OF TIME on this project. I did a fairly large, vaulted wall and I planned on spending several hours on this project. Unfortunately I was way off base. My small pattern and large wall added up to a total of about 8 hours just doing the stencil (not counting the base coat, clean up etc). About 3/4 of the way through I really did just want to quit and leave it half done. Luckily I stuck with it and now LOVE the results (and you will too if you try it for yourself!)

Here's my completed wall. My total cost was under $40! The overall design of the room is still only about half way done. My next big project is a large upholstered headboard. If that goes well I'll post it here in a few weeks! Then I'll be searching for new nightstands and wall sconces.

So happy stenciling. And to any of you stenciling pros out there... I'd love to hear your tips and tricks or see your work! Email me at kristi@mcarthurhomes.com

10 "To-Dos" That Will Help Your Home Sell Faster

2011-05-28T09:00:00.004-06:00

So you've found the perfect home builder in Utah and you can't wait to get started building your new home. What's the hold up? For many people, it's selling your current home.

Many new homeowners that I've worked with at McArthur Homes need to sell their old home and they want it to sell quickly for as much money as possible. What they aren't sure of is how much they should spend getting it ready to sell. Here are some great tips that our preferred lender, Scott Smith found:

From an advice piece in the Wall Street Journal, we learn of 10 basic home improvement projects that will help your home have better showings. The advice requires almost no technical skills, and the projects can be tackled in a weekend.
The theme? Handle your home's delayed maintenance.

Repair or remove screen doors with holes and tears
Pressure wash windows, sidewalks, and siding
Paint your front door and polish the doorknob
Pull weeds, seed bare spots, and lay down mulch
Touch up holes, dings and cracks in paint
Clean grout and re-caulk sinks, bathtubs and showers
Buy new cabinet hardware
Fix leaky faucets and toilets
Spray lubricant on squeaky doors
Get clutter into storage and out of the way

Now, you'll notice that none of these projects can be considered "major". By contrast, each is minor; they're the items you'd add to your to-do list for work on "another day". However, they're extremely important for a home that's about to be listed.

Here's why. A prospective buyer doesn't notice that the above repairs were made. He only notices if they weren't made. When a buyer sees ripped screens or chipped paint in your home, it makes him wonder what else hasn't been cared for. This is the why you should also hire an exterminator prior to selling your home. If a buyer spots a trail of ants in your home, it's unlikely you'll get an offer.
You don't need to spend big bucks to get your home ready for sale, but you may have to apply elbow grease. The good news is that time spent up-front can be worth it in the end. Homes that show better tend to sell faster, and at higher prices.

If you have questions about this post, or you would like to be pre-approved for a new home, please visit my site, my online loan application, or call Scott Smith at 801-209-3850 for a quick phone consultation.

Happy fixing!

Scott

2011 Home Sales Up 360% at McArthur Homes

2011-05-19T23:57:00.000-06:00

At McArthur Homes, sales in the first four months of 2011 have increased 360% over the previous four months! And that's not all...

In February we completely sold out of homes at our Thanksgiving Village neighborhood!
From March to April, Herriman Towne Center had a record breaking 14 new sales, making it our fastest selling new neighborhood!
In April, McArthur Homes had a total of 15 new home sales, our best selling month in over a year!
Our newest neighborhood, Point Lookout was just announced and already has had 4 new home sales without having a model home on site!

So why the sudden increase? We attribute our success to increased buyer confidence and beautiful neighborhoods including, Point Lookout in Eagle Mountain and Herriman Towne Center.

INCREASED BUYER CONFIDENCE
Now really is a fantastic time to buy a new home in Utah, and we're not the only ones who think that. Buyer confidence has increased as the economy and housing market have stabilized. Plus, increasing interest rates on the horizon mean that your buying power will probably never be greater than it is right now. Many new homeowners are taking this opportunity to build a beautiful new home, and they're choosing McArthur Homes as their new home builder in Utah.

NEW NEIGHBORHOODS
Many of these new homeowners have fallen in love with our newest neighborhoods. Point Lookout, in The Ranches of Eagle Mountain, features large, deep homesites that are perfect for entertaining or play space for the kids. Plus, affordable home prices mean that you could own your brand new home at Point Lookout for as little as $164,000. Click here for mortgage calculators to estimate your monthly payment.

Herriman Towne Center is another brand new community that features unbelievable amenities such as the largest recreation center in the State, JL Sorensen Recreation Center, the brand new Herriman City Library, new schools, the future Herriman City Hall plus planned local shopping and dining options. Homes in this beautiful neighborhood start in the low $200s. Click here for mortgage calculators to estimate your monthly payment.

McArthur Homes Receives 2011 GuildQuality Award for Outstanding Customer Satisfaction

2011-05-19T09:41:00.002-06:00

For the third consecutive year, McArthur Homes has been recognized as a Guildmaster by GuildQuality, Inc., the leading firm offering customer satisfaction surveying and measurement to the home building industry. Only 154 home builders, remodelers, developers and contractors throughout North America received this award which recognizes businesses for their exceptional customer satisfaction.

See what our homeowners are saying about McArthur Homes!

The GuildQuality Guildmaster Awards celebrate service excellence among home builders, remodelers, developers, property managers, home services contractors, and real estate professionals. Once a year, GuildQuality bestows upon a handful of its members an award for exemplary quality and customer service. Award winners differ in their types of work and price ranges, but all have a lengthy track record of exceptional customer feedback. In granting awards, GuildQuality considers two primary metrics for each candidate: the percentage of customers who would recommend and the percentage of customers who responded.

Upon being notified of the award, Dave McArthur remarked, "We would like to thank all of our homeowners for participating in the GuildQuality surveys. We couldn't have achieved this great recognition without your help. We are so proud to hear our homeowners say time and time again that they would recommend us to their friends and family. We couldn't ask for a better award or recognition than that!"

McArthur Homes is a local, family-owned home builder in Utah with neighborhoods in Eagle Mountain, Lehi and Herriman. For more information, visit our website www.mcarthurhomes.com or email kristi@mcarthurhomes.com.

More Parade Pics

2011-05-16T22:07:00.001-06:00

The Parade of Homes is getting closer and we can't wait for you to see our Cordova home. Here are a few pics from the recent cabinet installation. These cabinets are beech with an espresso stain in a shaker-style panel called "Ashton." I love the clean lines. What do you think?

Oh, and I can't forget to show you the great built-ins in the stair landing. You are not going to believe all the storage we fit into this new home! More pics coming soon...

Photo Update- Parade of Homes 2011

2011-05-06T11:09:00.001-06:00

Our Utah Valley Parade of Homes entry is coming along beautifully! I hope you will all be joining us in June to see the completed home. In the meantime, here are some more fun pictures of the progress.

This new home is our new Cordova design, which was designed specifically with our McArthur Homes homeowners in mind. For instance, check out this great mud room. Wouldn't you love to have a place to keep all your kids' stuff that is tucked away from the rest of the house?

I am loving the fun wall paneling. The best part is, this is something easy you can do in your own new home! Check out this post with how-to instructions.

Below, you can see the open great room. The new hardwood floors are covered with protective paper, but let me tell you... they are amazing. Plus, they are only a level 3 hardwood at the McArthur Homes Design Studio. So affordable!

This master suite features a separate retreat area. What would you do with this space? I imagine it as a cozy reading nook, or maybe a place for my spin bike... hmmmm....

What do you think of this octagonal tile in the master bathroom? I can't wait to see how it looks with the cabinets installed and the white cultured marble on the tub and shower.

Here's one final picture for now. Isn't this a fun tile treatment for the laundry room? I love how the Cordova plan has an upstairs laundry room so you don't have to haul big baskets of dirty clothes up and down the stairs!

Well, that's it for our Parade of Homes tour for today. Next week... cabinets get installed!

Still want more info? Click here to view this new home design on our website. The Cordova is available at ALL of our new home neighborhoods so you can also visit any of our model homes to find out more.

A New Home Perfect for a Growing Family

2011-04-29T17:20:00.001-06:00

Our newest floorplan, the Cordova is perfect for a growing family. When designing this home, we took into account all the things our homeowners tell us they want:

Large bedrooms with walk-in closets (up to 4 bedrooms upstairs)
Fabulous kitchen with an island for casual dining, plus a huge pantry
An open concept with great flow between the family room, kitchen and eating area
A separate office or formal room (perfect for a piano, visitors, etc)
Handy mudroom with cubbies to corral clutter
Upstairs laundry room (no more hauling laundry up and down the stairs)
And plenty of storage mixed in throughout the home!

The first Cordova home is now being built at Thanksgiving Meadows in Lehi. Here is a sneak peak at the main floor of this awesome floorplan...

Click here to see the floorplan for this new home in Utah.

Make a Monogram Wreath for Less Than $15

2011-04-25T17:38:00.002-06:00

I was inspired by Miss Mustard Seed's post on HGTV where she created a fun spring time monogram. It was such a cute, fun addition to her spring decor. I decided to take the idea one step further and create a giant monogram "wreath" to go on the front door of my new home in Utah.

It is difficult to find a large, affordable letter for this project, so I used a 12" x 36" piece of Styrofoam. Lucky for me, Hobby Lobby is currently running a 50% off sale on Styrofoam and moss! (Check with your local Hobby Lobby, but I think this deal is still going on. If not, you can always go to any craft store and use their weekly 40% off coupons.) The foam cost $6 and three bags of moss cost $7.50 each for a grand total of $13.50. I also used some ribbon that I already had, but you could buy 1/4 yard of any ribbon.

To make my letter, I cut the foam in half, temporarily taped it together and sketched out a large letter A. After many different attempts, I found that a plain old paring knife worked best to cut out the letter. If you have a special foam-cutting tool use that, if not don't spend the money when a knife works just fine. Warning- cutting Styrofoam makes quite a mess, as does gluing on the moss. Make sure you do this in your craft room or even out in the garage.

Once I had the letter cut out, I attached the pieces to each other using toothpicks and a glue gun. Then I began putting hot glue on a 3"x3" area and carefully pressing the moss into the glue. I worked all the way around my letter. At first, I was super skeptical. My lovely wreath looked like a sad piece of Stryofoam with random pieces of moss stuck to it. I was beginning to think this project was one of those things that seems good in theory, or on someone else's blog, but doesn't work in real life.

Happily. the monogrammed wreath turned out great! I love how fresh and simple it looks. Plus, I love that no one else has a wreath just like this.

The "McArthur Homes Snob" -Kipp & Chelsea

2011-04-23T00:35:00.001-06:00

We were lucky enough to build our very first home in the McArthur Homes Legacy Ranch community. It is a beautiful community with many amenities. It was in the Legacy Ranch clubhouse workout room that I started to run off my baby weight after having our first child. It was in the clubhouse pool that our child had his first taste of swimming. It was on the trails that go throughout the neighborhood that I have run on to try to get rid of the baby weight from child number two (and who am I kidding, I am still trying to lose the weight from child number one!). It is in the several parks/playgrounds in the neighborhood that we spend our afternoons playing and picnicking. We have loved every aspect of our McArthur home!

As our family continues to grow, we have considered several times to look for a new home, but being spoiled and being able to build a beautiful home just the way we want it in a great neighborhood has kept us right in our place! In fact, the only time we REALLY get serious about moving is when we find another McArthur Home neighborhood that is going up! My husband has absolutely become a McArthur Home snob! He will not even entertain the idea of building with another company! We have been so excited and impressed by the great quality of our home, the great people that work for McArthur Homes, and the ease of the building process. I have spoken to other people that have built their homes who have nightmare stories about their home, the builder etc. who have built with other companies. They say to me, “Don’t you think the building process was so stressful? I never want to do it again!” I had quite the opposite experience! I would do it over and over again!

I remember one of the small things that really impressed me was how excited the company was for me to move into my new home. The gentleman that did our final walk-through with us was so excited for us. He gave us a ton of tips of how to take care of our new home. Then he left us with something that really impressed me-a simple tool box with a couple small containers of colors of paint that were in our home, so that we could do touch-ups throughout the years. You can tell that they take pride in their homes, and want us to do the same. And we certainly do!

Where ever the road may take us (which will most likely be another McArthur neighborhood, because of previously stated reasons. Aka-my husband, and really myself as well) we will never forget our beautiful McArthur home.

Bang for Your Buck -The Strain Family

2011-04-23T00:34:00.005-06:00

After searching extensively for over 6 months for our first home we decided to go with McArthur Homes. Our choice was simple, they offered us the most bang for our buck and we were extremely impressed with the craftsmanship of their homes.

We were eager to start the process of building our home and the staff at McArthur Homes was ready to guide us through the entire process and answer even the silliest of questions or concerns we had.
We were overwhelmed with excitement to preview the endless possibilities in the design studio. There were so many options in all price ranges that we really could personalize our home just the way we wanted, on the budget we had set for ourselves.

Week after week was just as exciting to go to our homesite and watch the progress of our new home. We couldn’t wait to get into our new home, so much that we moved in at 11pm on a day that our child had the flu! We just passed our 1 year anniversary this month and couldn’t be more happy with the choices we made and our experience with McArthur Homes. Superb customer service!

Complete & Secure -Mickelson Family

2011-04-23T00:34:00.004-06:00

My boyfriend works in construction. For the longest time ever I thought he was working with McArthur Homes. I didn’t know that he was going to the Lehi location so much because he was trying to buy a home. We have been together for 6 years and have two kids, every time we shopped for a home the deal never happened.

Well one day he wanted to show me a home, so I started to walk though the place having no idea that in the master bedroom he had a giant bouquet of flowers and a card. The place had no carpet yet, so I had no idea that he had bought the home. I got really excited because I thought he was proposing Marriage!!!!! But he was not, he was letting me know, he had got the home and we were moving in about a week later. I was so confused. I thought he was joking with me.

We love our home so much because of this story, we have been living here almost a year now and we love having the pool so close to our home for our kids. We love our open living room area, with the high ceiling. We customized a built-in platform bed in our master bedroom, where I can relax while looking out the window and see the beautiful mountain views. We love the amount of extra storage, the nice real wood cabinets and more. We love all the families around us and we are finally going to get married this year. By getting this home everything in our life is complete and secure, so we feel ready for MARRIAGE…… yeah! Thank you McArthurs.

Building Family Memories -The Mangelson Family

2011-04-23T00:34:00.003-06:00

We have been married for 8 years and lived in our McArthur Home for the last four years. Before we built our home with you, we had moved from place to place. We moved 11 times in four years searching for a place we could call home.

When we were looking to build, we looked everywhere. When we walked into the McArthur model home, in Legacy Ranch… we Loved it! We drove around the neighborhood and thought it was a place we would love to settle. When we worked with Doug, our Commmunity Sales Manager, to find the floor plan and the lot we were very happy with the choices. Though there were many great models, the one we chose is so perfect for our family. We love our floor plan! Our experience with the design personnel was great. Kristi, the Design Studio Consultant, knew how to help us build a home we love.
When we were in the process of building our home, we loved all the attention that was given. The many emails and pictures with updates, and the willingness to change what we wanted throughout the process. It all came together very well.

When we moved into our home just under four years ago, we had one child, a little girl. Happy to say we have three children now, we added two boys! We are happy to call this our home… we are building many memories here and plan to stay forever! We love the friendships we have made and are happy to have a clean and safe neighborhood. One of our favorite places to be is on our front porch. Hanging out while the kids play! We just added a basketball standard and love to play hoops with the kids.
We love sharing our home with friends and family, we try to make our home a place all would like to be. It is easy to do with our beautiful and welcoming floor plan.

Thank you for taking pride in your work, so we can take pride in our beautiful home!

Every Step, Every Minute -Matt & Bendi

2011-04-23T00:34:00.002-06:00

I can't say I have just one favorite experience when it came to building our home. For me and my husband, each step in the processing was exciting. This is our first single family home, so to be able to have it built was an amazing experience.

We loved going to the design center (I went a lot) to pick out our colors, fixtures, carpets, upgrades etc. I loved that I could take carpet samples and put them beside tile samples to see how the colors went together or I could take a counter sample and put it by my cabinets to see if I liked the look. I loved that I was able to choose a different counter top in each of my bathrooms or different floors (I didn't, but I love that I had that option). I loved that I was able to pick out my double ovens (which I love).

Then came the building experience. I remember the day my husband called and told me that they had dug our hole. We were so excited, it finally felt real. We were going to have a home of our own, one that where we got to choose everything. Then to see the foundation poured. My husband happened to come by just as they were pouring our foundation so he filmed it on his cell phone for me so I could see it when I got off work. Yes, we came out everyday to see the progress of our home. By the time the outside framing was done, Chet (our superintendent) knew us by name. I also loved that everyday Tim (our Community Sales Manager) would email us pictures of the progress of our house, even though we had come out and taken our own pictures.

I have to admit, though, my absolute favorite thing about my home building experience was doing the final walk through with Ben (the Warranty Manager). I know you are probably thinking I am crazy, but for me, it meant my dream had finally come true. My new home, one that I had picked out and no one else had ever lived in, was finally done and in just a few days I was going to get to move it. I didn't sleep the first night we moved in, I just sat in bed loving the smell of new carpet and paint.

So in short, we loved every step, every minute of the home building experience and never plan on moving out of our home.

"It's ALL Good!" -Al & Sue Hyer

2011-04-23T00:34:00.001-06:00

It is difficult to choose which moment of our home building process was our favorite, because the whole experience was so very positive. We had many great experiences starting with the very first moment we walked into the model home and spoke with Andra, the Community Sales Manager. Our questions were answered right up front and everyone was always so cheerful and helpful.

We loved the fact that there was a Design Studio that we could actually see and compare different options for carpet, flooring, cabinets, tile, lighting, colors, etc. McArthur really has home buying and building down to a science.

To be able to meet with Roger, the Purchasing Manager, and go over all of our plans and make any adjustments was such a positive and exciting moment. It was obvious that Roger had our best interest as his main goal, and that he wanted us to be completely satisfied before moving forward.

We had a bit of a tight schedule, so the fact that McArthur was able to have our home ready for us within 5 months of the time we started the process was a real blessing.

The walk through after our home was framed and wired was great and the fact that McArthur anticipated some wiring additions and some extra lighting was a big bonus. They seemed to know just what we needed even before we knew. Adam, our Superintendent, was so courteous, helpful and professional.

I am a pilot and to be able to fly over and watch the home being built and the progress that was made each week was truly an exhilarating experience!

To have Ben, the Warranty Manager, do our final walk through and catch every little detail to make sure our home was just perfect was truly the icing on the cake. Then to have Ben present us with a toolbox and shovel, and Andra to present us with a Scentsy candle at closing truly put an exclamation point to the whole process. Not to mention that any repairs were completed within days.

As if all of the above was not enough, McArthur provided us with a truck to help with our move. They really know how to make the home buying experience perfect.

Our first family dinner after we were all moved in and settled, was wonderful. We were in our dream home and we had the room for all of our children to visit and feel the warmth and love that this gorgeous home holds.

Our experience with McArthur Homes has been nothing short of fantastic. We cannot say enough about what a positive and rewarding time it has been for us. We truly have our dream home and we recommend McArthur Homes to anyone and everyone. As you can see for us, all of the interactions with McArthur Homes and their people, from start to finish, were wonderful! It is impossible for us to pick our favorite. As they say, it is all GOOD!

Our 2nd Home by McArthur Homes -Craig & Beckah Greenwood

2011-04-23T00:34:00.000-06:00

My wife and I were living in the Britney Townhomes by McArthur Homes in a Dover model 2bed/1bath. It was great for us as a couple, but we wanted to grow our family in a larger place. We learned that McArthur was building a community in Herriman and we liked our experience at Britany so much that we checked out Legacy Ranch North.

The Community Sales Manager there was very outgoing and friendly and we signed papers that day to take advantage of a discount on the house’s site. I don’t know why there was a discount because it has a great location in the neighborhood, with one of the best views of the Wasatch Mountains!

We have since had two happy and healthy children. The community is always clean and our neighbors are wonderful. We are very happy with McArthur Homes and we would recommend them to all our family and friends (and we often do) and we would absolutely buy another home from McArthur if the need ever arises.

Best Built Home of All -Rod & Lorraine

2011-04-23T00:33:00.002-06:00

We have had two homes built previous to McArthur Homes and this was by far the best built home of all. We were living in Pennsylvania and planning to move to Utah when we discovered McArthur Homes online. We sent our son to see the property in Lone Tree Eagle Mountain. Our son met with Andra, the Community Sales Manager, and they made a conference call to us where we settled on the Sarena model by viewing 3" X 5" photos of the house and a small floor plan photo. The Sarena turned out to be the best fit for my wife and I with its generous floor plan.

The building schedule was maintained and we were enjoying our new home in September of 2010. The house has been economical for utilities and built tight and rock solid. The experience of building was hassle free while working with the exceptional employees of McArthur Homes. McArthur Homes has been responsive to our requests for the few warranty items that arose.

All in all working with McArthur Homes has been a great experience. I would recommend them to anyone building a new home.

Above & Beyond -Rich & Laura

2011-04-23T00:33:00.001-06:00

When we started looking for our first home, we wanted to get it absolutely right. You can only build your first home once, right? We went through many different models of different builders and had decided on the house that we wanted. We even put our money down. On our way out, we noticed a sign for McArthur Homes and decided to check it out.

The instant I walked through the front door of the McArthur model, I could tell that I was in a better home than I'd walked through in the past. The quality and the details of the home were above and beyond what we'd seen for homes in the same and even higher price ranges. We didn't choose our house because it was the best deal, it was the same price as the other homes we'd seen. We chose the house because it was the best quality and best house that we could find. From our personal advice in the Design Center to the many questions we asked the builders, to receiving our keys and opening the door of our beautiful new house for the first time, every step that we took was effortless and wonderful. And I know that I have McArthur Homes to thank for that.

Five years later, I don't regret my choice. I've heard so many different horror stories from my friends and their first time home building experiences and I'm so glad I built with McArthur Homes!

Confident & Comfortable -Adam & Marie Bjornberg

2011-04-23T00:33:00.000-06:00

“It will just feel right.” “You will just know.” These were two common phrases of advice given to us as we began our search for our new home. I didn’t fully understand what that meant until I stepped into a model of my future McArthur home.

One of our favorite experiences in building our home was visiting the design center. We had so much fun choosing design elements and upgrades. We were impressed and excited again and again as we found multiple ways to add “dream” elements to our home while staying within our budget.

As builders, we faced a challenge. We had our home in Utah built for us while we were living across country in Maryland! The McArthur team really shined and made us feel confident and comfortable every step of the way. They worked so well with our realtor and sent detailed pictures of the building process as often as we asked. They answered any questions we had through regular emails, and even conducted a walk through over the phone. When we left for Maryland, we had a freshly poured basement that we affectionately called “our hole”. On our next visit, 3 months later, we had a beautifully finished home. The house was completed on schedule and the closing process went smoothly.

We have since made our new house into a home. We look forward to continually opening our home to family and friends, and creating lasting memories, as we watch our young family grow in the years to come. We love our home, sweet McArthur home!

Local Utah Easter Activities for Your Family

2011-04-22T13:53:00.000-06:00

Easter Sunday is this weekend! I hope you are looking forward to a wonderful holiday weekend with your family. If you haven't finalized your plans for the weekend, here are a few local Easter activities going on near McArthur Homes' new home neighborhoods in Utah.

Lehi, Utah
My new home is near Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah so we'll be celebrating at the Thanksgiving Point Easter Eggstreme this Saturday. The event includes an Easter egg hunt (grouped according to age) that starts at 11:00am. There will also be other great activities like a bean bag toss, Easter crafts, bounce house, face painting, relays and more. Plus, the Easter Bunny himself will make an appearance. Cost is $8 for adults and $3 for kids.
Click here for more info on this fun activity at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah.

Eagle Mountain, Utah
McArthur Homes also has two beautiful new home neighborhoods at The Ranches of Eagle Mountain. If you live in the Eagle Mountain area, be sure to check out the Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday at 10:30am. This egg hunt is sponsored by the Eagle Mountain City Fire Department Association and will includes lots of eggs, candy and even prizes!
Click here for more info on this Easter Egg Hunt at The Ranches of Eagle Mountain, Utah.

Herriman, Utah
Herriman Towne Center is McArthur Homes' newest neighborhood, located at the heart of Herriman. This year, the annual Herriman City Easter Egg Hunt will take place at 10:00am at WM Butterfield Park. Be sure to arrive early to get a good spot!
Click here for more information on the Herriman, Utah Easter Egg Hunt.

Happy Easter!!!

Lawn Tips- Is Your Lawn Water Wise

2011-04-20T17:19:00.006-06:00

Local Utah landscaping expert, Chris Jensen shared his tips for keeping your new home's lawn looking beautiful. Thanks Chris for sharing your expertise with our homeowners!

Lawn Tips- Is Your Lawn Water Wise?

Don’t Kill it with Kindness

During the heat of the summer, your lawn only needs to be watered about twice a week.

Water in cycles

By dividing your watering time into three shorter cycles with time in between, water has more time to penetrate the soil and reach the root zone. This means run-off is minimized and more water gets to the roots.

Mow high-3"+

When grass is allowed to grow higher, roots have a chance to grow deeper. Deep roots help your lawn withstand changes in temperatures, even the extremes. Deep roots also need less water. Mowing high also means you get to mow less often.

Recycle your Grass

Leave grass clipping on the lawn to provide nutrients and to keep the soil cool. It also helps in reducing waste at the landfill.

Let the air in

Roots need air, too. Aerating your lawn helps compacted soils loosen up, and increases the

transfer of air into the soil so roots can breathe deep.

Go on a less-lawn diet

If the only time you’re on the lawn is when you mow it, think of replacing part of the lawn with

low-water, low-maintenance ground covers, or even a patio or deck with a raised fire pit.

Monthly Watering Schedule

Start-up until April 30 Once every 7-10 days

May Once every 4-7 days

June, July, August Once every 2-4 days

September Once every 7-10 days

October to shutdown Once every 7-14 days

You may need to water less or more depending on the weather.

If it rains or is windy, remember to turn off your automatic system or add a rain clicker to turn off the system automatically.

All photos are of projects by Chris Jensen Landscaping

How Does Your Real Estate Tax Bill Compare To Other Parts Of The Country?

2011-04-15T16:35:00.002-06:00

Mortgage rates may be a function of free markets, but real estate taxes are a function of government. And, depending on where you live, your annual real estate tax bill could be high, low, or practically non-existent.
Compiling data from the 2009 American Community Survey, the Tax Foundation, a non-partisan educational organization in Washington D.C., published property taxes paid by owner-occupied households, county-by-county.
The report shows huge disparity in annual property taxes by region, and by state.
As a percentage of home valuation, Southeast homeowners tend to pay the fewest property taxes overall, while Northeast homeowners tend to pay the most. But statistics like that aren't especially helpful. What's more useful is to know how local real estate taxes stack up as compared to local, median household incomes.
Not surprisingly, real estate taxes are least affordable to homeowners in the New York Metro area. The 10 U.S. counties with the highest tax-to-income ratios physically surround New York City's 5 boroughs. The areas with the lowest tax-to-income, by contrast, are predominantly in southern Louisiana.
A sampling from the Tax Foundation list, here is how select counties rank in terms of taxes as a percentage of median income:

#1 : Passaic County (NJ) : 9.7% of median income
#6 : Nassau County (NY) : 8.6% of median income
#15 : Lake County (IL) : 7.2% of median income
#18 : Cheshire County (NH) : 7.1% of median income
#70 : Travis County (TX) : 5.0% of median income
#90 : Marin County (CA) : 4.6% of median income
#110 : Middlesex County (MA) : 4.4% of median income
#181 : Sarasota County (FL) : 3.9% of median income
#481 : Douglas County (CO) : 2.4% of median income
#716 : Maui County (HI) : 1.3% of median income

The U.S. national average is 3.0 percent.
The complete, sortable list of U.S. counties is available at the Tax Foundation website. For specific tax information in your neighborhood or block, give me a call 801-209-3850.

Sneak Peak at New Moen Faucet

2011-04-13T18:30:00.007-06:00

Last week I attended the Utah Builders Conference in Layton. Between seminars, I got to browse through some great new products from local and national suppliers. There was one thing I saw that anyone who is building a new home in Utah will want to know about... the new Brantford kitchen faucet by Moen.

I usually don't get this excited about faucets, but I'm telling you, it is awesome. Anyone who has had a pull down faucet knows that even the best ones come with some hiccups. I love my Aberdeen faucet by Moen, but when I'm done using it I have to push it back up into place and make sure it settles in. I've tried every faucet from all of the national brands, and even Delta's "famous" magnetic faucet catch can't compare to the new Brantford faucet by Moen.

This faucet pulls out SO SMOOTHLY. It twists and turns easily in your hand and when you're done, let go and the faucet retracts itself perfectly. If you don't believe me, check out this video. I sampled all of the national brand faucets, and the new Moen Brantford faucet was last. Notice how it just slides into place. Amazing!!!

This brand new faucet is not even on the market yet, but in May you can see it at the McArthur Homes Design Studio. We have an Award-Winning Design Studio where you can choose everything from faucets to flooring for your new home in Utah!

Habitat for Humanity with McArthur Homes

2011-04-11T16:43:00.002-06:00

McArthur Homes, and many of our contractors and suppliers, helped complete the Habitat for Humanity home this year with the Salt Lake Home Builders Association. Last week, we turned over the new home in Utah to the new owners, the Yussuf Family.

The home was approximately 2000 SF, 6 bedrooms, 4 baths, and built entirely with donated materials and labor from HBA member suppliers and contractors. It is amazing that even in these difficult times, commonly called the Great Recession, that so many people and organizations are still willing to donate so much to help others. It really is amazing! Seeing the joy in the faces of the family – especially the kids – made all the effort worth it, many times over.

Spruce Up Your Home for Spring

2011-04-04T10:59:00.000-06:00

I don't know about you, but spring cleaning is in full swing at my house. I've been hard at work indoors while my husband has been fixing up the yard for spring. (It seems I may have gotten the short end of the stick, cleaning indoors with all the beautiful weather we've had!) I love the feeling of everything in the house looking fresh and new. Here are some "to do" items for spring to help you get started on your own home. Is there anything else you like to do to get ready for spring? Leave a comment with your ideas!

Indoor Cleaning Projects:

Wash windows and repair screens
Vacuum dusty drapes and window treatments (You can send really dirty drapes to the cleaners!)
Defrost the freezer and dust refrigerator coils
Remove grime and grease buildup on the kitchen exhaust fan
Clean out the basement, giving away or discarding any unwanted items or clothing (My pile has made it to the garage, but I still need to take my donations to DI and discard anything unusable.)
Shampoo carpets and rugs
Steam clean upholstery
Dust corners and ceilings
Wash baseboards, doorjambs, windowsils doors and walls
Wipe ceiling fans
Clean oven
Wipe refrigerator clean
Clean out office files

Indoor Maintenance Items

Check Air Conditioning Unit
Inspect caulking around tubs, showers and sinks
Reseal grout on tile floors
Test GFCI outlets (Press the "Test" button, which should trip the outlet. Then press the "Reset" button to restore the connection."
Tighten garbage disposal drain, connections and fasteners
Change furnace filters
Change batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
Lubricate door hings and hardware
Update first-aid and emergency kits
Replace leaky faucet washers
Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-saving lighting

Outdoor Cleaning Tasks

Clean and de-clutter your garage
Wash outdoor furniture
Clean your grill and check for dead insects clogging the gas line
Pressure-wash decks
Scrub porch ceilings and walls
Clean umbrellas and awnings
Clean light fixture covers

Outdoor Maintenance Must-Dos

Inspect and repair or replace damaged roof shingles
Inspect and reseal roof flashing if necessary
Pressure-wash driveway and walkway
Clean and inspect gutters and downspouts
Check the oil and air filter on your lawn mower
Trim branches and shrubs that touch your home (They provide a pathway for bugs or excess moisture to enter your home.)
Check ironwork for rust spots
Reseal deck
Seal drafty doors and windows

Phew! That's quite a list (and a lot of work!). You can find more information on many of these and other home maintenance items in McArthur Homes' new home guide. The best part about spring cleaning is that if you get it all done now, you can relax and enjoy the warm summer weather that is on its way! Happy cleaning!

Grand Opening of JL Sorensen Recreation Center at Herriman Towne Center this Saturday

2011-03-18T09:35:00.002-06:00

This Saturday is the Grand Opening of the unbelievable new JL Sorensen Recreation Center, the largest rec center in the county! There will be some amazing events going on all day, Saturday March 19th. (See schedule below) While you're there, be sure to visit the McArthur Homes new model home across the street for your chance to win an iPad!

The JL Sorensen Recreation Center is part of Herriman Towne Center, the best new neighborhood in Salt Lake County! In addition to the new rec center, Herriman Towne Center boasts a brand new library, new elementary school and beautiful new homes by McArthur Homes! The community will continue to grow to include local dining and shopping options, churches, schools and more than 10 acres of parks.

Herriman Towne Center, Centered around YOUR life.

13158 S. Herriman Rose Boulevard (5400 W.)
Model Home Open 11am-7pm

New Homes from 2500-3500 s.f.
Starting at $216k

Grand Opening Event Schedule at JL Sorensen Recreation Center

9:00am: Breakfast Eats (breakfast eats available – while they last) 9am-4pm: Bounce House Boxing and Obstacle Course
9:30am: Family 1-mile run/walk – On Track (all finishers receive a prize)10:00am: Zumba Class Demo – In Group Fitness (watch or participate)
10:30am: JL Kids on the Move Demo (ages 3-10 watch or participate)11:00am: Basketball Shootout (prizes)
11:00am: Cycling Class Demo – In Cycling Studio (watch or participate) 11:00am: Lunchtime Eats and Drinks – while they last
11am-1pm: Party Room walk throughs – sample of something delicious 11am-1pm: Personal Trainers on hand – to answer questions.
11am-2pm: Adventure Learning Preschool –Open House in Childcare 11am-2pm: Infinite Cycle – bike tuning, maintenance seminar, QandA, prizes
11:30am: Royal Ballet Demo – children’s ballet class demo in gym 11:30am: JL Kids on the Move Demo (ages 3-10 watch or participate)
12:00pm: SWIMMING POOL GRAND OPENING
Important: See Pool Session Schedule Below
12-2pm: Mechanical Bull Riding
12:00pm: Adult Self Defense Demo – HapKiDo martial arts demo
12:30pm: Ace All Star Cheerleading Demo – children’s cheer demo
1:00pm: Circuit/Boot Camp Class Demo - (watch or participate)
1:00pm: Bailey’s Gymnastics Demo – children’s gymnastics demo
1:30pm: All Star Karate Class Demo – children’s karate class demo
2:00pm: Performance Academy Demo – children’s musical theater
2:30pm: Hip Dance Company Demo – children’s dance class demo

SWIMMING POOL GRAND OPENING

- 4 Sessions
Due to occupancy load restrictions in the swimming pool area, Saturday's swimming pool Grand Opening will happen in four sessions:

12:00-1:30pm Splash and Swim: Gold Coin Dive at 1:00pm
1:45–3:15pm Splash and Swim: Gold Coin Dive at 2:30pm
3:30–5:00pm Splash and Swim: Gold Coin Dive at 4:00pm
6:00–7:30pm Splash and Swim: No Gold Coin Dive

Patron attendance to each session will be capped once we reach max pool occupancy load. Pools will be cleared at the conclusion of each session for the preparation of the next session.

Meet Jazz Player CJ Miles at Herriman Towne Center this Friday

2011-03-16T21:32:00.000-06:00

Get ready to meet one of your favorite Jazz players while visiting THE coolest new neighborhood in Salt Lake! Herriman Towne Center invites you to come meet CJ Miles this Friday from 3:00 to 5:00 as we celebrate the McArthur Homes’ Grand Opening -- at 5400 West and 130^th South in Herriman. There will be free Papa John’s pizza, coke products and a raffle for 2 lower bowl Jazz tickets.

(Photo from the Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.tribblogs.com/tribphoto/2008/12/cj-miles/)

Herriman Towne Center already hosts the county’s largest recreation center, a new state of the art library, and new elementary school. Future plans include more parks, retail and office space, and a transit center all right within the community!…. But most importantly, brand new homes are being built from the low 200’s.

So stop by this Friday from 3:00-5:00 to meet CJ Miles at Herriman Town Center and tour McArthur Homes new Model! It’s all happening at 5400 West and 130^th South, in Herriman.

Herriman Towne Center, Centered around YOUR life.

13158 S. Herriman Rose Boulevard (5400 W.)
Model Home Open 11am-7pm

Meet CJ Miles from 3:00-5:00pm Friday, March 18th

Tell Us Your McArthur Homes Story and Win Big!

2011-03-12T15:40:00.003-07:00

In nearly two decades, McArthur Homes has built over 2,000 homes for happy families like yours. We sincerely hope you enjoyed the building experience, really love your new home, and have created great memories with your family and friends.

We’d like to take this opportunity to celebrate your stories. Please take a few minutes to tell us about your home or building experience. What was your favorite moment during the homebuilding process? Choosing your selections at the Design Studio? Seeing your home framed for the first time? Walking through the door and into your brand new home? What do you love about your home or neighborhood? Swimming at the clubhouse? Relaxing on your front porch? Entertaining friends and family from your beautiful new kitchen?

(Photo by Abbey Kyhl)

Simply submit your story and you could win a professional family photo shoot from AK Studio Design and one winner will receive a $500 Shopping Spree with a VISA Debit Gift Card.

Why you REALLY want to be a Finalist:

All of our TEN FINALISTS will receive a professional family photo shoot by Abbey Kyhl, owner of AK Studio & Design. Abbey is an expert at capturing those bright, fresh, candid moments that show the ones we love as they really are. She says, "My number one goal at every session is to capture a real glimpse of that perfect "moment". Whether it be a father and son chasing each other, a mother snuggling her newborn baby, the first kiss of a newly married couple, or just kids out being kids! So be yourself! Have fun! Enjoy the moment!"

I have hired Abbey to do my family photos many times over the last few years and the results are always EXCEPTIONAL. You will love your photos! You can view Abbey’s work on her blog www.akstudiodesign.com/blog. The photo on the left is actually one of our cute McArthur Homes homeowner families! Congrats Rich & Laura Dibble!

Abbey is also offering a 10% discount to go along with this special contest. See her coupon at the bottom of this post!

Contest Guidelines:

Two Ways to Enter:

Submit a short paragraph telling us about your McArthur Homes home, your experience building, or your favorite thing about your home. Include a photo of your family and your home.

Submit a short video of your home. Be sure to tell us why you love your McArthur Homes home or your experience building your home.

How to Submit Entries:

Email to kristi@mcarthurhomes.com

OR mail to

McArthur Homes

9962 S. Redwood Road

South Jordan, UT 84095

Deadline for entries is March 31, 2011 at 7pm MST.

Selection of Winners:

McArthur Homes will choose 10 finalists to represent a wide range of buyers from different communities. Finalists will be announced on April 1, 2011.

Each of the 10 finalists will win a professional family photo shoot by Abbey Kyhl, owner of AK Studio & Design. Photo shoot will include one 11X14 print and 10 edited images on CD. Retail value of $215.

We will post the family pictures for each finalist, along with a short video telling their McArthur Homes story, to the McArthur Homes blog and Facebook. Then, entries will be open for voting for 2 weeks, beginning April 25th. The finalist with the most votes will win a $500 VISA Debit Gift Card! (So you’ll want to make sure all your friends and family check out your photos & video and vote!)

McArthur Homes retains the rights to use all submitted video, images and written material for promotional purposes.

All photos in this post are by Abbey Kyhl, AK Studio Design.

The Life of a "Parade of Homes" House

2011-03-07T12:16:00.001-07:00

Like many of you, I LOVE the Parade of Homes! It is an exciting opportunity to see what is going on in the world of interior design and new homes. I always end up with tons of notes and photos of things I want to try in my own home.

Well... McArthur Homes is excited to announce that we will be participating in the Utah County Parade of Homes this June! For all you Parade of Homes lovers, we will document the construction and design process of our entry home. We'll give you an inside look at what goes into building a stunning model home for the Parade of Homes, and give you ideas for your own home along the way!

Our Parade of Homes entry will feature a BRAND NEW 2-Story Home Design in our popular Thanksgiving Meadows neighborhood. This new Cordova design is so flexible and perfect for growing families. Our model will feature a large master bedroom with bonus master retreat, two extra bedrooms upstairs and a handy loft/study area for the kids to do homework. On the main floor their are fun features such as a mud room with "drop zone" cabinetry for mail, keys etc. and plenty of built in cubbies for backpacks and coats! (Floorplan pics coming soon.)

Our interior design experts from Pace Interiors are getting started on the interior selections for our Parade of Homes house. Here's a sneak peak at what they've been working on at our Award Winning New Home Design Studio.

Coming up, we'll share their recommendations for top styles and products for your home. In the meantime, we'd love to hear your opinions! What's your favorite part of attending the Parade of Homes? Is there a home or feature that was so impressive that you still remember when you saw it at a Parade of Homes entry? Leave a comment, or share with us on Facebook!

USDA Rural Housing Loans

2011-02-18T15:49:00.003-07:00

Highlights of the USDA Guaranteed
Rural Housing Loan Program
1. Loans may be for up to 100 percent (or greater if the guarantee fee is included in the loan) of appraised value or for the acquisition cost, whichever is less. No down payment is required;
2. Mortgages are 30-year fixed rate at market interest rates;
3. Loans may include funds for closing costs, the guarantee fee, legal fees, title services, cost of establishing an escrow account and other prepaid items, if the appraised value is higher than sales price;
4. Sellers may contribute to the buyer’s closing costs;
5. Buyers must personally occupy the dwelling following the purchase;
6. For purchase loans, a one-time guarantee fee is charged. The charge for refinance loans is 0.5 percent. After the one-time fee is paid, there is no recurring monthly expense charged for guaranteeing the loan;
7. Guaranteed loans are subject to the provisions of the Civil Rights statutes, including the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.

To be eligible, applicants must:
1. Have an adequate and dependable income;
2. Be a U.S. citizen, qualified alien, or be legally admitted to the United States for permanent residence;
3. Have an adjusted annual household income that does not exceed the moderate income limit established for the area. A family’s income includes the total gross income of the applicant, co-applicant and any other adults in the household. Applicants may be eligible to make certain adjustments to gross income— such as annual child care expenses and $480 for each minor child—in order to qualify. You can use this site to see if your income qualifies.
4. Have a credit history that indicates a reasonable willingness to meet obligations as they become due;
5. Have repayment ability based on the following ratios: Principle, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance(PITI) divided by gross monthly income must be equal to or less than 29 percent. Total debt divided by gross monthly income must be equal to, or less than, 41 percent.

Homes That Qualify:
1. Guaranteed loans can be made on either new or existing homes;
2. Existing homes must be structurally sound, functionally adequate, and in good repair;
3. There are no restrictions on the size or design of the home financed;
4. The home must not be used for income-producing purposes;
5. Homes must be located in rural areas. Rural areas include open country and places with a population of 10,000 or less and—under certain conditions—towns and cities with between 10,000 and 25,000 residents. As your loan officer, I can help you determine eligible areas.

If you would like more information or would like to apply for a USDA Rural Housing loan please call Scott Smith 801-209-3850.

Helpful Resources:
McArthur's Move-in Ready Homes

Mortgage Tools

Herriman Towne Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

2011-02-17T23:14:00.001-07:00

McArthur Homes is celebrating the Grand Opening of the new Herriman Towne Center community. We kicked things off with an official ribbon ceremony with Mayor Mills of Herriman City. Do you know what I learned? They don't actually cut the ribbon at a ribbon cutting ceremony. I also learned that Herriman Towne Center will include not just new homes, but fabulous local shopping & dining options, a 5.5 acre park, the new JL Sorensen Count Recreation Center, the new Herriman Library, several churches and even new schools! You can find more information on Herriman Towne Center at our website.

Help Out a Family in Need

2011-02-10T09:14:00.000-07:00

Do you have extra items you would like to donate to a good cause? McArthur Homes can help! There is a yard sale this Saturday, February 12th to benefit the Ceran Family in their efforts to raise the needed funds to adopt 3 orphan siblings from Ukraine. McArthur Homes is donating the use of their moving van to collect these items from your home and take it to the yard sale!

Just let us know where you live and we'll stop by and pick it up on Friday. You can leave a comment here, email kristi@mcarthurhomes.com or call the main office at 801-253-9910. This is a great opportunity to get rid of some of those extra items and help a great cause.

You can also come by and check out the huge indoor yard sale, February 12, 2011 at 10:00 am at Rockwell Charter High School in Eagle Mountain – 3435 E. Stonebridge Lane. Just across the street from McArthur Homes' Stonebridge Model Home.

Check out these websites for more information:
http://www.ukrainianmiracle.com/
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700081908/Utah-family-hopes-to-adopt-Ukrainian-orphans.html

Dress up the Bathroom

2011-01-31T11:27:00.001-07:00

When building my new home, I purposely stuck with neutral colors in my paint, cabinetry, countertops, flooring etc. I did this so that I could later add color through furniture, accessories and accent paint. When I feel like changing things up, I can easily switch out a few items instead of needing to demo my whole bathroom.

I have finally gotten started on adding some color and interest to the kids' bathroom. This is going to be a long process, so today I'm posting on how to dress up your towels. Look for future posts on adding beadboard and a fun art project!

I purchased very plain hand towels at Target for about $4/each. I know, I could possibly have gotten them for less if I'd shopped stores like TJ Maxx, Ross, etc. but I was in a hurry and these were the perfect color to go with the shower curtain.

After I got the shower curtain and towels home I was found leftover ribbon in my craft room that matched the dark blue color of the shower curtain perfectly. I cut a length of ribbon that was slightly longer than my towel. Measuring as I went, I pinned the ribbon in place about 3" from the bottom of the towel. Then I tucked the ends around the edge of the towel and pinned those too.

I sewed along the edge of the ribbon with a straight stitch. You could also use a decorative stitch in a contrasting thread, especially if you choose a plain ribbon.

Ta da! The finished towel ties in nicely with the design scheme and cost a fraction of a fancy designer towel.

Here's one more idea for dressing up your towels. This is from our McArthur Homes model home in Herriman. I love how simple and elegant the flowers look.

Obviously, this isn't practical if you use the towels on your towel rack, which my kids do. I think this is perfect for a guest bathroom though. I love to have a stack of fresh white towels ready for guests, while still keeping the decorative towels hanging in the bathroom. Imagine how impressive this would be if you used fresh flowers for special guests!

What have you seen or done to dress up your bathroom decor? I'd love to hear your suggestions!

Utah Housing Loans

2011-01-28T09:20:00.004-07:00

The Utah Housing Corporation provides low cost, low down payment financing to Utah homebuyers. They are able to provide financing by utilizing tax-exempt and taxable bonds, federal and state income tax shelters, conventional lending, federal and state grants, low-interest loans, and other forms of debt and equity.

Who would use a Utah Housing Loan?

Are you a first time buyer* with a 3.5% down payment?
FIRST HOME loans are geared to first-time homebuyers who have access to personal or family financial resources to pay all of their down payment and closing costs. FirstHome loans may also be used to purchase homes in Targeted Areas of Utah.

Are you a first time buyer* with no down payment?
FIRSTHOME PLUS offers financial assistance for first-time homebuyers who do not have personal or family finances with which to pay their down payment and closing costs. These costs generally average 5% - 6% of the home purchase price. Applicants can borrow up to 6% of the amount of their first mortgage to cover this 5% - 6%.

Are you a Veteran?
VEP-FirstHome PLUS offers financial assistance for Veteran homebuyers who do not have personal or family finances with which to pay their down payment and closing costs. These costs generally average 5% - 6% of the home purchase price. Veterans can borrow up to 6% of the amount of their first mortgage.

Are you a single parent?
SINGLE PARENT FirstHome PLUS loans assist single parents who have previously owned or co-owned their own residence and have primary custody of at least one minor dependent. These applicants need to borrow funds from UHC to pay all or a part of their down payment and closing costs.

Not a first time buyer or single parent but still want low cost financing?
Utah Housing provides financing for move up buyers withing its targeted** areas.

Scott Smith at Academy Mortgage has been providing Utah Housing Loans for many years; helping Utah first time homebuyers to purchase new homes. If you are interested in more information or to apply today, call Scott 801-209-3850.

Here are some helpful links:
McArthur Homes Available Homes
Utah Housing Income Limits
Utah Housing Purchase Price Limits
Homebuyer Counseling and Training

*The federal government classifies a first time buyer as someone that has not owned or co-owned a home in the previous three years.

**The federal government has designated certain neighborhoods as Targeted Areas. There are two advantages to buying a home in a Targeted Area:
1) There are no restrictions on former home ownership.
2) Higher income limits are accepted.

Quick & Easy Ways to Personalize Your Child's Room

2011-01-27T11:25:00.001-07:00

Children's rooms are the perfect place to take design risks. Use bright colors. Try something creative! Whether you're jumping in with a fresh start in your new home, or just want to add some pizazz to what you already have, here are 3 easy projects that will help you personalize your child's room:

Art Gallery
You can create a custom art gallery wall for your child's room at almost no cost.

I started with some frames I had in the basement. You could find inexpensive frames at garage sales or thrift stores. Remove the glass, then paint them all the same color for a cohesive look.

Next use scrapbook paper or plain colored card stock to fill the frames. Choose colors to coordinate with your overall decorating scheme.

Attach clips to the top of the frames using a hot glue gun. You can use either bulldog clips or binder clips.

Hang the frames and display your child's favorite art projects. Rotate the art regularly to keep the look fresh and show your child how much you love their creative art projects!

Personalized Wall
Create this bold, personalized wall display with just a few tools. For my letters, I used left over bead board. You could also use 1/4" plywood.

First trace the letters of your child's name onto the beadboard or plywood. Then use a jigsaw to cut the letters. Don't worry about being perfect. Sand out any rough spots then paint to match your child's room.

To create a 3D look, I cut 3/4" pieces off an extra 2X4 and painted them the color of the wall. I nailed those to the wall, then nailed my letters to the 2X4 pieces. This made the letters "pop" off the wall.

Dress Up Station
My daughter loves to dress up, so I created a special dress up area in her room. It was so easy!

Just buy the brushed nickel hooks from 3M, they stick to the wall and then pull away easily. Place several hooks on a wall at child's height. I actually attached them to my daughter's bed to create this little niche.

The final touch is a child sized mirror leaned up against the wall. You can get them cheap if you look for discounts or garage sales. Remember, almost any mirror can become a beautiful, unique statement piece by painting the frame.

Invest in a New Home

2011-01-22T11:52:00.000-07:00

It seems that ever since the housing market turned downward several years ago, there have been people telling us that it is turning around. For those who have been waiting for the "perfect time" to invest in a new home, here's something you may want to hear. It's an article by Chris Mayer, quoting John Paulson, a big time investing guru. Here's what he had to say:

01/10/11 Gaithersburg, Maryland – Investment ideas are cyclical. They go dormant for a while, then revive, like fashions or cicadas – obeying their own curious rhythms. During the past few years, rare was the investment thinker who said you should buy a house. Housing was in a bubble that was deflating.
But the investment seasons turn. Today some smart investors are once again saying you should a buy house. John Paulson is one of them.
You may know him as the man who turned the greatest trade of all time. Betting against the housing market, he netted a cool billion dollars for himself in 2007. One fund he managed rose 590% that year. Today, he is one of the richest men in America.
His advice today is very different. “If you don’t own a home, buy one,” Paulson said.

You can read the rest of the article here, http://dailyreckoning.com/buy-a-house-then-buy-another/. Then take a look at some beautiful new homes in Utah by McArthur Homes.

Thanksgiving Point Theater Expanding in Lehi

2011-01-20T08:01:00.000-07:00

According to KSL.com, the Megaplex Theater at Thanksgiving Point will be expanding over the next year, growing from 8 screens to 17. The new theater will offer local Lehi, Utah residents 113,000 square feet of theaters and new amenities. That's over 4 times the size of the current theater! State-of-the-art additions will include drive-up automated ticket kiosks and synchronized motion seats. The expansion should be completed by fall 2011.

This is great news for local McArthur Homes homeowners, who live just minutes from Thanksgiving Point. McArthur Homes is currently building new homes in Lehi, Utah near Thanksgiving Point.

Some Advice for the Newlyweds

2011-01-12T20:41:00.000-07:00

McArthur Homes is being featured at the upcoming Thanksgiving Point Bridal Expo, this Saturday, January 15th from 10am-6pm. In honor of those brides-to-be, we put together the Top 5 Reasons Buying Now is Better than Renting. Here they are:

#1 It’s Yours (& No One Else’s)
The best part of owning your home vs. renting is that it is yours. With a new home you get to choose your favorite home design and then personalize it to fit your style. You’ll choose everything from flooring to fixtures. As your family grows, you can continue to style your new home to fit your needs, like painting the baby’s room any color you want! Plus, no more dealing with whatever the last tenants left behind. Your new home comes sparkling clean without any bad history, gunk in the tub or nail clippings in the carpet. Yuck!

#2 Mortgage Payments as Low as Rent
You could own a beautiful, brand new 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom McArthur Homes townhome for around $800/month P&I. That’s comparable to many cramped, old apartment rental units. Owning just makes sense!

#3 Interest Rates are Low
Over the last year we have seen some of the lowest interest rates in 50 years, creating the chance of a lifetime for young new homeowners! As of just two years ago, interest rates were up to 6.3%. Compare that to today’s low rates around 4.5% and you save nearly 20% on your monthly payment! That means by buying now you can own more home for your growing family while spending less than you will when interest rates rise again.

#4 Your Home 1s a Great Savings Account
The part of your mortgage payment that goes to principal repayment isn’t a cost. You’re just paying yourself by building equity. This creates monthly savings that really adds up. On the other hand, when you pay your rent, none of that money comes back to you. You might as well be pouring your money down that dirty drain. (Plus, you can deduct mortgage interest from your income taxes, a savings you won’t see if you are renting.)

#5 Invest in Your Future
Just like marriage is an investment in your relationship, home ownership is an investment in your financial future. Over the long term, housing increases in value, helping happy homeowners to build equity and protect themselves against inflation.

View McArthur Homes neighborhoods and new homes in Utah.

Thanksgiving Meadows Driving Tour

2011-01-10T17:55:00.002-07:00

Visit Thanksgiving Meadows, located just minutes from the I-15 Alpine/Highland Exit and Thanksgiving Point. This gorgeous new neighborhood offers brand new homes in Lehi, Utah starting in the low $200s, and townhomes in the $140s. The community features a beautiful clubhouse with exercise facilities and party room, swimming pool, large sun lounging and BBQ areas plus basketball, children's playground and even a putting green!

Video Tour of new Herriman Library

2011-01-05T17:54:00.000-07:00

Have you checked out the new Herriman Library yet? I did a quick video tour of the new library, which features a fun kids play area. So, grab the kids and go check it out! While you're out, stop by our new McArthur Homes neighborhood, Herriman Towne Center. With brand new homes in the mid $200s and a view of the surrounding mountains, plus the new library, elementary school and recreation center.

Where NOT to Save Money on Your New Home

2010-12-29T12:06:00.002-07:00

Sounds strange doesn't it? Why would you not want to save money? Well, let me tell you...

The best place to spend money on your new home is when choosing your lot and location. Everyone knows the saying, "location, location, location." Choosing a good location both in the area you choose to live and in the exact location of your home within the community is a big deal. Think about it. Why would you choose a location just because its "cheaper?" You want the best for your new home and that means finding the right location for you. Whether that means something family friendly, urban cool or just a great location for your commute. The bottom line is, where you live matters to you, and when you go to sell your home location will play a big part in the price you can get for your home.

For instance, McArthur Homes is building beautiful new homes in a brand new neighborhood at a fantastic location. Herriman Towne Center, located at the heart of Herriman, is across the street from the Herriman City Library, elementary school and brand new Recreation Center. Your children could be a minute's walk from picking up a new book at the library and you could be only moments away from taking the whole family for a swim at the Recreation Center. Plus the new Legacy Highway is being built about 5 minutes away, creating an easy commute. Check out Herriman Towne Center in person to see all that this beautiful new neighborhood has to offer.
13158 S. Herriman Rose Boulevard, Herriman
or call Jared at 801-662-0156

#1 Home Building Mistake

2010-12-28T12:06:00.000-07:00

What is the number one mistake you can make when looking to build your new home? According to Best Home Design, the biggest mistake you can make is not taking the time to find a "Home Builder with Passion." Sounds a little funny, but what does it mean to be a passionate Home Builder?

When you first meet a “Home Builder with Passion”, you will notice their charm, and keen listening skills. They are very similar to a great doctor. Their focus will be entirely on listening to the patient, or you the homebuyer. They will have many questions, which will help them diagnose or determine your needs.

Once they understand your needs and desires… Hang On. They will begin a presentation of ideas and possibilities that will astound you. You are now sensing that they are more than just a Home Builder...

When first meeting with the Home Builder, listen to their story. How are they different from the other Home Builders in the area? How do they capture trends in New Home Building Construction Ideas?

Important – do not make your decision on the lowest bid. Almost anyone can make various cuts to lower their final estimate.

A Home Builder with Passion is a builder who will listen to what you want in a new home and can offer you the opportunity to make your dreams a reality. They are on the cutting edge of what is relevant in home building today. Most importantly, they feel passionately about home building and providing you, the home buyer with an excellent experience.

McArthur Homes is a family-owned company with a passion for helping other families to enjoy the dream of home ownership. Each of us is interested in helping you, the home buyer by understanding what you want in your new home and helping you to achieve it. Customer satisfaction is so important to us that we survey each home owner after closing using a 3rd party company, and we have found that over 97% of our home owners would recommend us to their friends and family! What do they say they love about McArthur Homes? Read comments for happy new home owners here.

2010 Home Design Trends

2010-12-26T12:49:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick video on some trends we've seen this year in home decor. Use these tips and tricks to decorate your new home. Happy Decorating!

2010 Home Design Trends

Happy Holidays from McArthur Homes

2010-12-21T22:24:00.002-07:00

McArthur Homes would like to wish you and yours all the best at this holiday season. We hope you are enjoying time with loved ones during this special time.

To celebrate the season, McArthur Homes is offering you up to $15,000 to use towards your new home. Use this money towards closing costs and/or options in the Design Studio such as granite countertops, hardwood floors, designer lighting or tile flooring.

Take a look at our brand new communities and move-in ready homes. Or check out all of our neighborhoods and floorplans on www.mcarthurhomes.com and start the process of building and personalizing your brand new home. Hurry, this holiday offer ends December 31, 2010.

Up to $15,000 in incentives to be used for either Design Studio options or closing costs.
Up to $15,000 on base home prices above $250,000.
Up to $12,000 on base home prices above $200,000.
Up to $9,000 on base home prices below $200,000.
Closing cost option is limited by maximum seller loan contribution limits.

Click here to email me for more information on $15,000 incentive, or for any questions regarding building a new McArthur Home.

Holiday Lights at Thanksgiving Point

2010-12-06T12:31:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving Point is a great place for family activities, especially during the Holiday Season. This year the Holiday Lights Display is more than a mile long and features over a million twinkling lights. You can ride in a carriage, wagon, trolley or your own car through the winding display of Christmas cheer.

While you're in the area, be sure to stop by McArthur Homes' Thanksgiving Meadows neighborhood. Located just north of Thanksgiving Point, this fantastic neighborhood has a warm, family-friendly feel and is just off I-15 for easy access to Salt Lake and Utah Counties.

Here's all the Information on Thanksgiving Point's Holiday Lights 2010:

When

November 26 - Dec 27, 2010
(closed Sundays and Christmas day)
6-10 pm
*6-8 pm, December 24

Where

Electric Park
view Property map>

Admission

$8/car (1/2 price for Thanksgiving Point Members)
$2/trolley (per person, 25 person maximum) - $50/reserved trolley
$3/wagon (per person, 35 person maximum)- $90/reserved wagon
$30/carriage (up to 4 adults)
$25/bus

Herriman Recreation Center

2010-11-30T14:57:00.000-07:00

The largest recreation center in Salt Lake County is under construction, directly across from McArthur Homes' newest community, Herriman Towne Center. Check out this Fox13 News video from the groundbreaking this summer. The recreation center is set to open March 2011 and is now selling memberships at a discounted rate! So, go check it out now, and don't forget to stop by our beautiful new model home and find out more about Herriman Towne Center by McArthur Homes!

Industry Leading Customer Satisfaction

2010-11-30T14:27:00.001-07:00

In 2010, McArthur Homes has once again proven that a commitment to customer satisfaction isn't just something we talk about. We survey all of our homeowners after closing using a 3rd party company, and they have found that 97% of McArthur Homes homeowners would recommend us to their friends and family! That's way above industry standards and leading competitors.

So why are McArthur Homes homeowners so happy? Here's what a few recent home owners have said:

The McArthurs are great people who take pride in their business.

McArthur Homes stood out above and beyond all the other builders we looked at. We wished to move sooner but decided buying a used home and settling on features wasn't what we wanted. McArthur Homes presented beautiful homes and plenty of upgrade options to suit our needs, and most importantly our budget! We love our new home and can't wait to raise our son in it, and all other future children!

We love McArthur Homes! We looked at every builder and had determined that building was just too expensive for us. Then we stumbled upon McArhtur Homes. The home was so affordable, and huge! We got the home of our dreams and we were able to design parts of it. Our home buying experience was better then we dreamed, and we owe it all to McArthur Homes.

The kindness that was displayed and the patience. They helped me decided everything and they were so helpful.

The entire process was exceptional! However, if I had to choose the one I was most satisfied with was the fact of how patient they were with us. They never ceased to show patience in regards to our issues and helped us every step of the way to understand and resolve them. Exceptional customer service!

To read more comments from happy McArthur Homes homeowners visit our website, or our Guild Quality Survey page.

MSN's 10 Reasons You Should Buy a Home Now

2010-11-28T14:40:00.000-07:00

MSN.com released a list of the top 10 reasons that buying a home now is a great idea. Their top 10 include:

Mortgage are cheap (As in, interest rates are low!)

You'll save on taxes

You'll get a better home

You can get a good deal

It offers some inflation protection

It's risk capital "Equity in a home is another way of linking part of your portfolio to the long-term growth of the economy -- if it happens -- and still managing to sleep at night."

It's forced savings

And one of my favorites:

It'll be yours
When you own, you can have the kitchen and bathrooms you want. You can move the walls, build an extension -- zoning permitted -- or paint everything bright orange. Few landlords are so indulgent; for renters, these types of changes are often impossible.
Also, you'll feel better about your home if you own it. Many years ago, when I was working for a political campaign in England, I toured a working-class northern town. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher had just begun selling off public housing to the tenants.
"You can tell the ones that have been bought," said my local guide. "They've painted the front door. It's the first thing people do when they buy."
It was a small sign that said something big.

You can check out the full article here, http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomeFinancing/10-reasons-you-should-buy-a-home-now.aspx?cp-documentid=25948264

Utah- This is the Place

2010-11-19T14:26:00.001-07:00

Here is some great information about Utah from the Deseret News. What an awesome place to live!

Utah has claimed the top spot in Forbes magazine's annual ranking of "The Best States for Business and Careers." Deseret News

The magazine's "Best States" ranking measures six categories for business, including costs, current economic climate, growth prospects, labor supply, quality of life and regulatory environment. Forbes noted that while states across the nation have suffered as a result of the national economic downturn, some states, like Utah, have weathered the downturn better than others.

Deseret News
Promised Land- How Utah became the new economic Zion. Newsweek Nov 8, 2010
While nearly every local economy succumbed to the frozen credit markets, failing to grow much during the last two years, Utah has flourished. It set its own records for new companies (more than 40) and capital investment (nearly $2 billion). That has helped sustain an average of 3.5 percent annual growth during the last five years, more than any state other than energy-rich North Dakota.

The 75-mile corridor stretching from Ogden in the north to Provo in the south, has absorbed massive new data centers for eBay, Twitter, and Oracle; splashy new offices for Disney Interactive, EA Sports and a commitment from Adobe—the makers of Flash and Acrobat—to build a thousand-person software-development campus, where the minimum average salary will be $60,000.

The University of Utah recently tied MIT for creating the most companies out of its patented research: more than 80 since 2005. Provo has the most high-growth companies per capita in the country, according to Inc. magazine.

Expressing a shared sentiment among many business people who go to Utah these days, Sequoia Capital venture capitalist Michael Goguen said “We’re noticing.” Compelling sales pitch. It includes facts like cheap energy, low taxes, and top billing from list makers like Forbes. But the close is almost bumper-sticker simple: cheaper than Washington, cooler than Texas, as outdoorsy as Colorado … and not California. Gov. Gary Herbert touts how he is “making the state business-friendly while California is doing the opposite.”

Utah's biggest potential liability—its conservative, religious populous becomes an indisputable strength. Utah's people are, indeed, an employer’s dream. They are healthy, hard workers (pouring in 48 hours a week on average), and exceedingly stable, with the highest birthrates in the nation. The large number of young Mormons who spend two years on a conversion mission also means a huge swath of the population earned its sales stripes in hostile terrain.

Utah Notables & National Rank:
Employment & Income:
*           #1 "Best State for Business and Careers" & "Most Fiscally Fit State" Forbes
*           #1 "Expected Economic Recovery" & "Economic Outlook" American Legislative Exchange Council
*           #1 "Number of Research Produced Business Start Ups" University of Utah
*           #1 "5% Annual Household Income Increase"

*           #2 "3.5% annual economy expansion"

*           #4 "1.5% employment increase"

*           #5 or Better "1950 to 2009 Percent of Change Non-Farm Employment"

*           #8 or Better "AAA Bond Rating"
*           "Decrease of corporate tax rate from 7 percent to 5 percent" Deseret News

*           "Energy Costs 35% below National Average" & "45% World Export Increase"

Who has Taken Notice:
*           7000 Jobs Construction
*           1000 Jobs Adobe
*           800 Jobs ATK Aerospace Systems
*           700 Jobs Goldman Sachs
*           300 Jobs National Security Agency
*           300 Jobs MediConnect Global
*           250 Jobs Royal Bank of Scotland
*           200 Jobs ebay
*           Oracle, Proctor & Gamble, Boeing, Janicki industries & Twitter

Population & Demographics:
*           #1 "Household Size","Households Defined as Families" & "Median Age"
*           #1 "Population Growth" U.S. Census Bureau
*           #1 "Birth Rate" National Center for Health Statistics
*           #3 "Life Expectancy"
*           #7 "Healthiest Population"
*           "80% of Population Speaks a Second Language"
*           "16,000 Estimated New Households in 2010"

Supply & Affordability:
*           "Unoccupied Home Inventory Dropped from 3000+ in 2007 to 1000+ in 2009"
*           "Interest Rates have never been lower & home prices are lowest in a decade"
*           "Interest on a $200k mortgage at 4% -vs- Interest at 8% increases monthly payment over $500"
*           #9 or Better "Economic Confidence" Gallup
*Information collected from the 2010 Ivory Institute.

Check Out This Credit Repair Video

2010-10-30T10:58:00.005-06:00

Remember, McArthur Homes is offering FREE Credit Repair from Nitro Credit from those who purchase a new home. For more information, email kristi@mcarthurhomes.com.

The Low Down on Credit Scores

2010-10-28T10:48:00.001-06:00

Credit scores can be confusing and frustrating. The good news is that once you understand how to build your credit, your credit score can be your best friend. Check out the table below to see how building good credit can save you thousands of dollars on your new home. I've also posted some information on how your credit is calculated. Thanks to Nitro Credit for all the helpful info. They are experts at credit repair!

Want to learn even more about building your credit? Join McArthur Homes and Nitro Credit for a FREE Credit Repair Seminar on November 6th at 10:00am. Located at the Thanksgiving Meadows Clubhouse, 3790 N. Bluegrass Blvd, Lehi Utah. For more information email jesse@mcarthurhomes.com

Our lives revolve around credit and FICO scores but sadly some people never realize it until it is too late. The chart below shows how much more someone with a lower credit score would pay over the term of a 30-year conventional mortgage loan for $200,000.
(5/2009)

Credit Score	Interest Rate	Cost of Your Credit
720-850	4.75%	$0.00
700-719	5.125%	$16,668.00
640-699	5.67%	$41,392.80
600-639	6.5%	$79,506.00

Your credit score is calculated based on credit-related information contained in your credit file. This information is analyzed in five different ways to produce a three-digit FICO score.

Payment History:
35% of your score is based on paying your credit related accounts. Late payments and other negative marks drop your score quickly.
Credit Utilization:
30% of your score is based on how much credit you have and how are you using it. If you are close to utilizing the maximum amount of credit limit provided you, this can reflect negatively on your score.
Length of Credit History:
15% of your score is based on good payment history over a period of time.
New Credit Inquiries:
10% of your score is based on the number of inquires coming from creditors.
Types of Credit:
10% of your score is based on having different types of credit accounts such as home mortgage, vehicle, credit cards, etc.

New Herriman Library Opens Across from Herriman Towne Center

2010-10-27T11:13:00.001-06:00

The brand new Herriman Library has just opened up across the street from McArthur Homes' Herriman Towne Center homes. The library's Grand Opening was Saturday, October 23rd. Local families flocked to the library to celebrate this exciting event, the start of many new facilities opening up at the heart of Herriman. The beautiful new library is located next to the new Herriman Recreation Center, which is currently under construction. The address is 5380 West Main Street. Click here for more information on the library, including upcoming events.

Come check out the beautiful new library, and while you're there, stop across the street to view McArthur Homes' newest community, Herriman Towne Center. Our model home is under construction and will open soon at this amazing location! For more information, email kristi@mcarthurhomes.com

Tips for Keeping Good Credit

2010-10-27T10:18:00.000-06:00

Working in the home building industry, I have seen many people who have been held up from building their dream home, simply because their credit scores were too low. McArthur Homes has recently teamed up with Nitro Credit to help our homebuyers improve their credit scores. We are offering FREE CREDIT REPAIR to those who purchase a new McArthur Home.

Here are a few tips from Nitro Credit on how to keep good credit. I'll also be posting tips and ideas for building and repairing credit, so check back!

It is very imperative that you continue to work to keep your credit scores high. A lot of people work hard with credit restoration companies and are able to get their terrible credit back in a place where they want it to be.

The trouble happens when the customer falls back in to their bad habits. They don’t maintain the good credit that they achieved through credit restoration. This can be very frustrating, especially to customers that really worked hard to achieve credit restoration. Here are some tips for helping maintain good credit once you restore it.

1. Stay on top of the amount of debt you have. Your credit card balance needs to stay 25% below the limit ideally. It is a good rule of thumb to remember to only charge what you can pay off every month.

2. Take advantage of bills that have the automatic pay option. This allows the deductions to come out right after you receive your paycheck. That way you aren’t late, and you know you have the money to cover the bill.

3. Don’t put up a lot of credit inquiries. Keep it down to a minimum. You may be used to applying for a few different lines, but stop that habit now. Only apply for lines that are essential and that you know you can pay off.

4. Pay your bills on time. You know this is important, but make a plan to get it to happen. Set up the automatic pay option, mentioned above, or make notes on your calendar when your bills are due. If you are forgetful, set up multiple alarms throughout the day so you don’t forget.

5. Don’t accept every credit offer that comes your way. Be picky about what lines you use. You want to be sure that you actually need it and know you will be able to afford it and pay it back.

6. Be smart and safe about your credit. Credit can quickly be ruined by others through identity theft. Be sure to have identity theft protection measures to prevent this from easily happening.

Why all the Buzz about Interest Rates?

2010-09-02T09:55:00.001-06:00

So if you haven't heard everyone talking about LOW INTEREST RATES, you may be living in a cave. Interest rates are down as low as 4.375%. Compared to average rates of 7% that is a huge savings and compared to the 18% interest rates that my parents got on their first home in the 80s it seems downright unbelievable!

But what does that really mean to you? Interest rates can seem kind of obscure and not totally relevant to your bottom line. Here are some hard numbers to show you just how big a deal this really is:

$119,531 ... That's the amount of money you could save on a $200,000 loan over the life of the loan with a 4.375% Interest Rate vs. the historical average of 7%. (A bigger loan amount would mean even bigger savings.)

$14,232 ... That's the additional yearly income you would need to qualify for the SAME LOAN with 7% interest rates instead of today's low 4.375%.

$332.03 ... That's the bottom line savings in your monthly payment with a 4.375% rate vs. a 7% rate on a $200,000 loan.

So if you're waiting for the "perfect time" to purchase your new home, THINK ABOUT THIS: Buying now means you can get MORE HOUSE FOR LESS MONEY per month and you will SAVE MONEY ON EVERY MONTH OF EVERY YEAR on your payments until you pay off your home loan. Is there a $14K raise in your near future? Do you have an extra $120,000 that you'd like to throw away on interest payments? If not, now may be the perfect time for you to invest in a new home.

Thanks to Pierre Alley, McArthur Homes' preferred lender for his help in putting together this information. Click here to find out more about Pierre and financing your new home.

Here's all the math for you detail oriented people:
Parameters: $250,000 purchase price, Loan Amount: $200,000 or 20% down
Conventional, 30 year fixed rate
Rate of 4.375%, APR = 4.526%, P&I payment = $998.57, Total over 30 years = $359,485
Approximate monthly income need to qualify = $4278 (based on a conservative 28% ratio) or $51,335 or borrower needs to make $24.68 per hour
Same loan parameters
Rate of 7.00%, APR = 7.177%, P&I payment = $1330.60, Total over 30 years = $479,016
Approximate income needed to qualify = $5464 or $65,568 or borrower needs to make $31.52 per hour.

Saving with the lower rate = $332.03 per month or $199,531 over the term
Additional monthly income needed to qualify at the higher rate = $1186
All number based OAC.

New Golf Course Community- Stonebridge at The Ranches

2010-08-28T17:56:00.000-06:00

This morning I dropped by McArthur Homes' newest community, Stonebridge. This new neighborhood is located near the entrance of The Ranches of Eagle Mountain, right on The Ranches Golf Course and across from the charter high school, Rockwell. Could the location be any better? The views from these large estate home sites are gorgeous too, so I pulled out my camera and snapped a few pictures of this prime location. With homes starting in the high $100s, golf course living is affordable now! Follow this link for floorplans and pricing on these golf course homes.

Our new model home is now open! Monday-Saturday, 11am-7pm

VA Loans

2010-08-12T23:48:00.000-06:00

We have recently had several McArthur Homes homeowners who have financed their home using a VA loan. This is a unique program available to veterans which allows for 100% financing and competitive interest rates. Below I have provided some basics of VA loans, which were provided by one of McArthur Homes' preferred lenders, Scott Smith.

Down Payment & Mortgage Insurance Not Required

The VA Loan allows Veterans 100% financing without private mortgage insurance or a needing to obtain a 20% second mortgage. The guarantee of a VA Guaranteed Home Loan means the lender is protected against loss if you fail to repay the loan. Because the guaranty replaces the protection that the lender normally receives by requiring a down payment or mortgage insurance, qualified borrowers are allowed to obtain favorable financing terms without a down payment.

Assumability

A VA loan can be assumable. For VA Loans committed on or after March 1, 1988, you may sell your home to someone who agrees to assume your loan if the creditworthiness of the new borrower is approved. This can be a significant selling point when it comes time to sell your home.

Interest Rate

VA loans rates offered to VA borrowers can sometimes be lower than interest rates offered to the same borrowers for conventional loans.

No Prepayment Penalty

You are able to repay your VA loan at any time with no penalty. Often loans with prepayment penalties require an additional amount be paid to the lender if the loan is repaid within the first two or three years. Your VA benefit provides this extra peace of mind.

Late Payment Guidelines

One of the requirements for the servicing company of a VA Home Loan is that there be no late charge unless payment is more than 15 days overdue. Any late charge may not exceed 4 percent of payment amount. In addition, financial counseling is available from the VA in case of temporary financial difficulties.

Streamline Program

The VA Streamline Refinance allows qualified VA mortgage holders to refinance at a lower interest rate and/or term without having to re-qualify and in some cases obtain another appraisal. This is provided to those who have remained current on their VA loans.

For more information contact Scott Smith of Prime Lending at 801-209-3850 or visit www.McArthurHomes.com.

The (Negative) Power of Pink

2010-08-09T09:31:00.001-06:00

Recently I was reading an article on SmartMoney.com about the psychology of sales in real estate. The article sighted several interesting studies. One study showed that buyers were significantly less likely to buy a home where the living room was painted pink. This surprised me because it would take buyers only a few cans of paint to redo the room, but it still impacted their decision to purchase. So, if you're looking to sell your home, don't underestimate the power of staging your home and using neutral colors.

On the other hand, if you do repaint your home to make it more appealing to buyers, DON'T mention that on your listing. According to the article, listings that mentioned new paint sold, on average, for slightly less than those that did not. Apparently buyers feel that advertising new paint means that something had to be covered up.

Click here for more tips on selling your home.

Check out the article here, to read more about the psychology of real estate.

Do It Yourself Firepit & Flagstone Patio

2010-07-16T09:11:00.000-06:00

Here's a fun summer project that can improve the value of your home by adding more entertaining space in your backyard. The project took my husband and I one long weekend plus a few evenings. The cost is relatively minimal if you take the time to find a good deal on flagstone. We got ours on ksl.com for a fraction of the price that it would have cost us at a stone distributor.

Supplies:

Firepit Kit from Lehi Block Company- This includes the stones for the firepit and also the metal ring. You can choose one with or without grates for barbecuing. www.lehiblock.com
Flagstone or pavers for the patio area- We used about a 1-1/2 tons of 2" thick flagstone to cover our 10X12 area.
Concrete sand- We used about 3/4 of a cubic yard. You can purchase this by the bag at Home Depot/Lowes etc. or get it loose from Lehi Block or similar companies.
2X4 for leveling sand
Shovel
Wheelbarrow for hauling dirt in and out
Level
Rubber Mallet
Masonry Adhesive (We used Liquid Nails brand from Home Depot)

Step One
Check with your city and neighborhood regulations to be sure firepits are allowed. Many cities have requirements that dictate how far your firepit must be from your home or other buildings.

Step Two
Clear the area where you will build your firepit and patio. Then dig the entire area down at least 3-4". You will need to dig deeper if your flagstone is very thick or if you are using thick pavers for the patio surrounding the firepit.

Step Three
Use your firepit ring to determine exactly where the firepit will be located. Be sure to allow space for people to sit and gather around the fire without sitting too close to the flames. Fill the area in and around the ring with 1-2" of concrete sand. Use the 2X4 to compact, smooth and level the sand.

Step Four
Place the first stone against the ring and use a rubber mallet to pound the stone tightly into the sand. Make sure the stone is level in every direction. You will probably have to add or remove little bits of sand. It helps to wet the sand slightly with a watering can or hose. -You can see my husband's cute pink watering can in the background of this picture. :)

Step Five
Continue setting stones around the firepit to create the first layer of stone. Make sure each stone is level to the next and not tilted in any direction. Spending extra time on this first row of stones will ensure that the next layers go smoothly. It took us about 3 hours just to create this first layer of stone, but the next 3 layers took only 20 minutes total.

Step Six
Once your first layer of stone is complete you can remove the fire ring and continue adding layers of stone until your firepit is the desired height. Make sure to offset the stones so that the seems do not line up. Use masonry adhesive to bond the top 3 layers to each other. Adhesive is not necessary on the lower levels as the weight of the stones will hold everything in place. Check to make sure each layer is level as you continue.

Step Seven
When all layers are complete, reinsert the metal fire ring and fill your firepit with sand and/or gravel to 1-2" above the bottom of the ring.

Step Eight
If you will be laying flagstone, first spread out and level more concrete sand. Next lay out your flagstone in the pattern you would like. Take the time to arrange the stones tightly, like a puzzle. Set each stone using a rubber mallet and level, adding or removing sand as needed. When all stones are set, fill the gaps with more sand or use fill dirt if you will be planting moss in the cracks of the patio. Click here for more detailed instructions on building a flagstone patio from American Stone.

Finally, invite over your friends and family and enjoy!

Interest Rates as Low as 4.375%

2010-07-09T14:38:00.000-06:00

Interest rates as low as 4.375% have been announced by several of McArthur Homes' preferred lenders, but will they stay this low for long? Here's what Pierre Alley had to say about current interest rates:

Okay, so everyone was holding their breath anticipating where LeBron James would end up playing basketball. This topic has been discussed for months. But, the more important question for all of us is have we seen the bottom for interest rates? My guess is YES. The week started out with the European Banks showing a stronger position. French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde stated that after “stress” tests, European Banks are “solid and healthy. You may recall after the U.S. Banks went through their tests, the positive results helped boost stocks nearly 40%. A jump in our stock prices will most likely cause bond prices to fall. Claims for unemployment benefits were lower this week as well. Bonds have been priced for perfection and so any misstep in economic news provides a good reason to take out profits, which we have seen the last couple of days. I believe bonds have been overbought and so there could be a dark cloud hovering in the near future. This morning an executive board member on the European Central Bank stated, “the worst of the sovereign debt crisis seems to be over.” The jury is still out as Italy might be the next country to reveal debt problems. But for now enjoy these historic low interest rates.

Pierre Alley

Utah Mortgage

Work: 801-561-4700 Fax: 801-561-8585 Cell: 706-9763

Pierre@utahmortgageloan.net / www.utahmortgageloan.net

Senate votes to extend US home tax credit deadline

2010-06-16T13:33:00.001-06:00

WASHINGTON June 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate voted on Wednesday to give homebuyers another three months to settle on their contracts and take advantage of a popular tax credit that sparked a rush of activity in the housing market.
The Senate, with a vote of 60-37, accepted an amendment by Democratic Leader Harry Reid that extends the closing deadline to Sept. 30 for buyers who met the April 30 deadline to have a signed contract.
The current deadline requires buyers to close by June 30 to get the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers. Existing homeowners buying a new primary residence are eligible for a $6,500 credit.
Reid offered the measure as an amendment to a bill that would extend some popular business tax breaks and extend unemployment insurance benefits for jobless workers.
The proposal would not have a significant impact on future home sales as the extension would be only for home buyers who already had a contract in hand by April 30.
The popularity of the tax credit has caused some anxiety because settlement offices are inundated with buyers trying to close on transactions by the end of this month to get the tax break. (Reporting by Donna Smith; Editing by John O'Callaghan)

For All the Procrastinators: Only 2 Days Left for Federal Tax Credits!

2010-04-28T08:00:00.000-06:00

I have always been one to put off things to the very last minute. So, if you're a procrastinator like me, and you've been thinking about purchasing a new home to take advantage of the $8,000 or $6,500 Federal Tax Credits....

Now is the time!!!! You still have the opportunity to find a home and get under contract by April 30th (this Friday). The great news is that you don't have to close on the home until June 30th, 2010. So if you find a new home that's nearly completed, you've got the time to wait until construction is complete. In addition, many builders are offering special incentives now, like McArthur Homes' 110% Guarantee of the Federal Tax Credit.

If you'd like additional information on the credit and who is eligible, email me at kristi@mcarthurhomes.com or go to www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com.

To view some beautiful McArthur Homes that will be ready for the Federal Tax Credits, click here!

More Energy Saving Tips- Save Water, Gas & Money

2010-04-22T08:47:00.001-06:00

Happy Earth Day!

Here are some simple tips for saving water, gas and (as a bonus!) money. If you're lucky enough to be building a new home, you can start with a more energy efficient home by installing 90% efficient furnaces, blown-in or fiberglass insulation, and Energy Star Appliances, among other things. McArthur Homes offers a wide range of green-friendly products for your new home in our Personal Selections Catalog, available online.

If you're already in your new home or you own an older home, here are some things you can do to save water and lower your bills:

Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too.
Install a low-flow showerhead. They don't cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.
Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.
Plant drought-tolerant native plants in your garden. Many plants need minimal watering. Find out which occur naturally in your area.

You can also help the Earth and save money by conserving gas:

Walk or bike to work. This saves on gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity.
Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving such as speeding, rapid acceleration and braking wastes gasoline. You can lower your highway gas mileage by 33% and city mileage by 5%!
Replace clogged air filters to improve gas mileage by as much as 10% and protect your engine.

Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival

2010-04-21T09:32:00.000-06:00

This week my husband and I took our two-year old to visit the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. We all loved it! The blooms were amazing, the weather was perfect and there were fun things for everyone to do. The Tulip Festival continues until May 1st, so if you live in the Lehi area (or even if you don't), check it out!

Tulip Festival
Thanksgiving Point Gardens
April 16th-May 1st
Closed Sundays
10am-8pm
$10/adult
$8/child
2 and under FREE
Click here for $2/off COUPON (you may have to enter your email address)
More Information: http://www.thanksgivingpoint.com/calendar/events/tulipfestival/index.html

If you go:

The biggest hit for most of the kids there seemed to be the giant grass hill that you see right as you enter the gardens, there were tons of kids rolling down the hill and running back up. It's a great place to let your kids get their energy out!
Make sure you walk up behind the waterfalls, from above you can look down and see two nesting birds- a goose and an owl! Each has built a little nest in the rocks near the waterfalls. According to a guide we talked to, they are there pretty much 24 hours a day with short breaks to stretch and get food.
There are concessions, but I would recommend a picnic lunch or dinner. Perfect for a romantic date or a family outing!
You may want to bring a ball and glove or frisbee. With so much open space, there were tons of kids (and adults) playing catch and just enjoying the outdoors after a long winter.
On Friday evenings and Saturdays they have live entertainment. Check out the website (above) for more information. One of the days I saw there would be strolling bagpipers- that's something you don't see every day. :)
While you're in the area, stop by one of our nearby McArthur Homes neighborhoods. View our model homes and see how you could own a brand new home just a few minutes walk from this amazing venue!

Thanksgiving Meadows
Homes starting at $220s
Townhomes starting in the mid $100s
3779 N. Meadow Springs Lane
801-766-4462

Thanksgiving Village
Golf course homes starting in $250s
2802 W. Crooked Stick Drive
801-768-2910

Go Green- Save Energy & Money in Your Home

2010-04-17T08:33:00.001-06:00

With Earth Day coming up this month, I've seen a lot of helpful tips for being more Earth friendly. Here are some tips for saving energy in your home, that will also save you money!

Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out. They last longer and use 75% less energy!
Unplug appliances when you're not using them. Or, use a "smart" power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use. You can also plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips then turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use. TVs and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power.
Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85% of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.
Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying.
Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle.
Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120 degrees F.
Turn off kitchen, bath and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you are done cooking or bathing.

New Home Construction with Jared Berry

2010-04-14T08:41:00.005-06:00

McArthur Homes' own, Jared Berry, was recently featured in a youtube video about building a new home. Check him out below!

The video was filmed at our Thanksgiving Point model home. For more information on this golf course neighborhood, or our beautiful model home, click here.

Building a New Home- Part 3, Closing

2010-04-10T13:36:00.001-06:00

The final step in building your new home involves getting ready to move and "closing" on your new home. Here are a few tips:

Preparing for Closing
Once your home is nearing completion and you're busy packing and dreaming about your decorating plans, don't forget to set up your utilities! While your builder will physically connect most utilities during construction, it is your responsibility to arrange for service to be provided.
Here is a quick checklist of services you'll want to contact:

Electrical- Rocky Mountain Power: 1-888-221-7070 or City Government
Gas- Questar: 801-324-5111
Telephone- Qwest: 1-800-244-1111 or other local provider
Water- City Government (maybe included in HOA)
Garbage- City Government (maybe included in HOA)
Sewer- City Government (maybe included in HOA)
Local Cable or Satellite Company

At this time you should also touch base with your lender for permanent financing and make certain your lender is ready to close your loan.
Confirm that your lender:
1. Has all personal selection choices and that the total price is correct
2. Has all information from you required by underwriting
3. Has made contact with your title company

Closing
“Closing” (sometimes called settlement) actually refers to a variety of activities that must occur to transfer Ownership of the property to you. It involves the following:
1. Your lender prepares and delivers all necessary documents to your title company
2. Buyers (you) sign documents at title company office
3. Buyers (your) provide down payment to title company- this should be in the form of a Cashier's Check
4. Any lender insurance such as FHA may require paperwork to be completed. This is also coordinated by you through your lender.
5. Your lender must fund the loan; meaning the money must be sent to and received by your title company
6. Sellers (your builder) sign closing documents provided by title company
7. When all of the above are completed, your title company personnel will personally visit the County Recorder’s office and “record” the deed conveying title to you.

Only when all these have been completed, is the transfer of Ownership complete. Although you can sign all of the documents in just an hour or two, it usually takes until the next business day for the loan to fund and recording to occur. So if all goes smoothly, you will usually receive the keys to your new home the business day following your visit to the title company.

Now comes the fun work of moving in and setting up your new home! Congratulations!

For more details on the home closing process, visit McArthur Homes website by clicking here.

Spring Maintenance Tips for your Home & Garden

2010-03-28T15:53:00.002-06:00

Here are some fantastic tips on maintaining your home from HGTV.com

OUTDOOR MAINTENANCE

Divert Water

Gutters do their job best when clean. Check yours for foliage build-up, particularly if trees hover over the roof. The rainy season is a prime time to ensure all drainage areas remain unblocked by leaves and/or debris. Trapped moisture can leave a house susceptible to moss and mildew and cause major damage to your roof and walls. While you’re at it, make sure the downspout is clean and pointing 2-2-1/2 feet away from foundation walls.

Retain the Roof

It’s easy to take for granted the one thing that shields you from the elements. But doing so could cost you unnecessary repair costs. Be diligent about roof maintenance. After the next rainy day, inspect your ceiling for wet spots. Ask a licensed professional to inspect your roof for wear and tear. "If the shingles are curling, buckling or crackling, it’s time to replace the roof," according to Dan Cornwell, president of CC&L Roofing in Portland, Ore.

Check Your Paint Job

Look for chipped, cracked paint along the exterior of your home. "The worse thing you can do is leave wood exposed, because that’s when it will begin to rot," says Brian Gummel, president of The Painting Company in Edgewater, Md. Scrape off any failing paint. Sand it down so there are no rough edges, prime the bare wood surface and paint it with a high quality paint product. Don’t wait until siding accumulates too much dirt. Brighten up the house with a good power washing.

Cut Shrubs and Trees

Trim overgrown trees and hedges away from your home to discourage the growth of mildew and moisture. Branches should be at least 7 feet away from the exterior of your house to prolong the life of your siding and roof. Get rid of out-of-control vines, as they can help crack siding and allow moisture and pests entry into your home.

Love Your Lawn

Rake up the excess leaves you didn’t get around to last fall. Too many can suffocate your grass and stop it from growing. "Pull up weeds, and remove foilage from the lawn, shrubs and any plants," says Neal Julien, landscaping expert with Neal Works Landscaping in Capitol Heights, Md. Pull up dead flowers and replace them with a low-maintenance variety such as pansies, begonias or mums.

INDOOR MAINTENANCE

Keep the Air Fresh

With warm, sticky days ahead, do yourself a favor and give your air conditioning unit a little TLC. Not only does it cool you down, but an efficient air conditioner removes moisture and humidity from your home, which in excess, can damage its foundation. So if you aren’t changing air filters monthly, start now. A unit free of dust and dirt runs more efficiently, saving you money on your energy bill. While you’re there, check hose connections for leaks. Make sure the drain pans are draining freely. If you suspect a problem, contact a certified technician.

Watch Windows and Doors

Investigate all doors and windows for leaks and drafts, particularly near the corners. Look for peeling and chipping paint, which can signal water intrusion. Seal any open areas between the frame and the wall to keep out water, which can deteriorate building materials. Neglecting these tasks can open up potential for environmental hazards like mold growth, experts say.

Control Pests

Keep garbage and debris under control around the exterior of your home. "Do what you would do inside, and get rid of junk," says Genma Holmes, owner of Holmes Pest Control in Hermitage, Tenn. Inside, check the house for entrances and gaps where mice and insects may be tempted to come through. Seal up cracks, even if you just did so in the winter. Mulching the yard this spring? Use a liner underneath. "It’s good to keep a barrier between your mulch and your home," she says.

Take a Peek at the Plumbing

Except for a coffee maker, anything dripping in your house is a bad sign. Check for leaking faucets or sweating pipes, clogged drains and faulty water drainage systems. On laundry day, look at the washing machine hoses for bulges, cracks or dampness. Check under the kitchen sink for leaks, and make note of wetness around the dishwasher. Inspect your water heater for leaks and corrosion.

Tackle the Tiles

While you’re in spring-cleaning mode, pay attention to worn grout between floor tiles in the bathroom or kitchen. A small crack in the grout or caulk can lead to an expensive repair later. If necessary, re-seal as soon as possible. For the bath, get into the habit of wiping down shower walls and tub after each use to eliminate soap and scum build-up.

McArthur Homes Receives 2010 ENERGY STAR Leadership in Housing Award

2010-03-27T21:37:00.003-06:00

McArthur Homes earns award for building new homes that protect the environment through energy efficiency

South Jordan, Utah – McArthur Homes is pleased to announce that it has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a 2010 ENERGY STAR Leadership in Housing Award. This award recognizes the important contribution McArthur Homes has made to energy-efficient construction and environmental protection by building more than 75 ENERGY STAR qualified homes last year. Collectively, these homes will save our customers approximately $33,078 on utility bills each year.

The environmental benefits of these ENERGY STAR qualified homes are equal to the equivalent of:

Eliminating the emissions from 36 vehicles;
Saving 219,336 lbs of coal;
Planting 60 acres of trees; or
Saving the environment 430,162 pounds of CO2 per year.

To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.

ENERGY STAR qualified homes offer homebuyers all the features they want in a new home, plus energy-saving features like effective insulation systems, high performance windows, tight construction and ducts, properly-sized and installed efficient heating and cooling equipment, efficient products, and third-party verification of energy performance.

“Most homebuyers focus on what's outside the walls,” said Sam Rashkin, National Director for EPA's ENERGY STAR Homes Program, “but they also need to look behind the walls for the energy-efficient features found in ENERGY STAR qualified homes that help ensure comfort, quiet, improved indoor air quality, and low utility bills for years to come.”

More than one million ENERGY STAR homes have been built in the United States since the program first began labeling homes in 1995. Thanks to the dedication of our partners, families living in ENERGY STAR qualified homes will save more than $270 million this year on their utility bills, while avoiding greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 370,000 vehicles.

About McArthur Homes

McArthur Homes is a local homebuilder that builds single family homes in Salt Lake and Utah counties. Currently they are building in neighborhoods in West Jordan, Lehi and Eagle Mountain. They will soon break ground at the new Herriman Town Center. McArthur Homes offers brand new attached single family homes priced at the mid 100’s and detached single family homes starting in the high 100’s. They have built over 1700 new homes since 1993 and were awarded Best of State 2009 for residential construction. For more information on the company or currently available neighborhoods, visit their website at www.McArthurHomes.com

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 17,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

A Sleek, Modern Transformation

2010-03-27T21:13:00.002-06:00

These amazing before and after photos show how just changing the color of your cabinets can completely transform the look of your kitchen.

Before, this kitchen's basic knotted alder cabinets are nice, but too traditional for homeowners Ty & Kumari. Vinyl floors and laminate countertops blend into this brown & black color scheme.

After, sleek white cabinets now contrast with the existing countertops and floors. The black, white and stainless steel color combination is cool and modern. Ty & Kumari transformed the cabinets themselves with paint, a rented sprayer and lots & lots of hard work. I don't recommend this do-it-yourself project for everyone. Getting results like this take lots of skill and hard work. Consider hiring a professional, or even better, build a brand new home and choose cabinets that fit your style from the start.

For those of you who (like me) love Ty & Kumari's clean, modern style- here's a few more shots of their beautiful home. Notice how they took a basic background of neutral flooring and paint then made it pop with contemporary furnishings, lighting and cool accents like the wall paper treatment below.

For more information on how you can personalize your new home, click here to visit the McArthur Homes Design Studio on the web.

Thinking about loan modification?

2010-03-22T22:08:00.000-06:00

Have you seen those loan modification billboards up all over the valley? They show examples of monthly loan payments lowered from something like $4500 to $1800. I always wonder two things. First of all, who has a $4500 monthly payment? (Holy cow!) Second, what's the catch with these loan modification programs?

From a recent article in the Salt Lake Tribune, I learned more about these financing programs, which are part of the Obama administration's "Making Homes Affordable" program. It sounds like the program can help to lower a homeowner's payment, but it comes with a price. These programs can dramatically lower your credit score, making it much more difficult to obtain financing in the future. However, for those facing foreclosure, loan modification may be a viable option.

Check out the article for more information, http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_14711988.

Or to get financing and home loan advice from top local mortgage experts, check out McArthur Homes' preferred Utah lenders.

Home Building Buzz

Answers to your Financing FAQ

Rockwell Howl-O-Ween 5k at Stonebridge this Saturday

Winter Curb Appeal

Contest Winners!

Beautiful Homes, Beautiful Neighborhood Finalists

Herriman Pumpkin Festival this Weekend

Fall Home Maintenance To Do List

Salt Lake City One of the "New Big Boom Towns" According to Forbes

Using Art to Add Personality to Your Home

Traditional Hardwood or Engineered?

Simple DIY Wall Treatment

What To Make of The Headlines

Buying Cheaper Than Renting in Most US Cities

Creating a Spa-Like Master Bathroom Inspired by the Parade of Homes

$2 Tuesdays at Thanksgiving Point

Salt Lake Valley Parade of Homes 2011

Cute & Easy Storage Ideas for your Laundry/Craft Room

Lighting Trends from the 2011 Utah Valley Parade of Homes

How To: Stenciling Take 2

Movie in the Park at Herriman Towne Center

DIY (So Affordable) Drapery Rods

DIY Upholstered Headboard Inspired by the Parade of Homes

Playful Kids Room Decor Ideas

Beautiful Homes, Beautiful Neighborhood! McArthur Homes Landscaping Competition

Why Forbes Magazine says NOW is the Time to Buy

WINNER Best Exterior

Final Photos- Utah Valley Parade of Homes 2011

How To: Stenciled Wall Treatment

10 "To-Dos" That Will Help Your Home Sell Faster

2011 Home Sales Up 360% at McArthur Homes

McArthur Homes Receives 2011 GuildQuality Award for Outstanding Customer Satisfaction

More Parade Pics

Photo Update- Parade of Homes 2011

A New Home Perfect for a Growing Family

Make a Monogram Wreath for Less Than $15

The "McArthur Homes Snob" -Kipp & Chelsea

Bang for Your Buck -The Strain Family

Complete & Secure -Mickelson Family

Building Family Memories -The Mangelson Family

Every Step, Every Minute -Matt & Bendi

"It's ALL Good!" -Al & Sue Hyer

Our 2nd Home by McArthur Homes -Craig & Beckah Greenwood

Best Built Home of All -Rod & Lorraine

Above & Beyond -Rich & Laura

Confident & Comfortable -Adam & Marie Bjornberg

Local Utah Easter Activities for Your Family

Lawn Tips- Is Your Lawn Water Wise

How Does Your Real Estate Tax Bill Compare To Other Parts Of The Country?

Sneak Peak at New Moen Faucet

Habitat for Humanity with McArthur Homes

Spruce Up Your Home for Spring

Grand Opening of JL Sorensen Recreation Center at Herriman Towne Center this Saturday

Herriman Towne Center, Centered around YOUR life.13158 S. Herriman Rose Boulevard (5400 W.) Model Home Open 11am-7pm

New Homes from 2500-3500 s.f.Starting at $216k

Grand Opening Event Schedule at JL Sorensen Recreation Center

SWIMMING POOL GRAND OPENING

Meet Jazz Player CJ Miles at Herriman Towne Center this Friday

Tell Us Your McArthur Homes Story and Win Big!

The Life of a "Parade of Homes" House

USDA Rural Housing Loans

Herriman Towne Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Help Out a Family in Need

Dress up the Bathroom

Utah Housing Loans

Quick & Easy Ways to Personalize Your Child's Room

Invest in a New Home

Thanksgiving Point Theater Expanding in Lehi

Some Advice for the Newlyweds

Thanksgiving Meadows Driving Tour

Video Tour of new Herriman Library

Where NOT to Save Money on Your New Home

#1 Home Building Mistake

2010 Home Design Trends

Happy Holidays from McArthur Homes

Holiday Lights at Thanksgiving Point

When

Where

Admission

Herriman Recreation Center

Herriman Towne Center, Centered around YOUR life.

13158 S. Herriman Rose Boulevard (5400 W.)
Model Home Open 11am-7pm

New Homes from 2500-3500 s.f.
Starting at $216k