TreeTops Model Homes For Sale

TreeTops by Lennar is a gated "Active Adult" community in Lancaster, SC.  Set in rustic surroundings on property that was once a summer camp, the community is "inspired by nature" and has the feel of a mountain retreat.  Featuring a beautiful amphitheater that overlooks a large lake, TreeTops​ offers tennis, pickleball, a fitness center​, ​hiking trails, a lovely graduated entry swimming pool​, and cabins for a variety of activities and classes​.​  Lennar’s "Everything’s Included" homes have many upgraded features, including Home Automation and Outdoor Living packages. 

While Lennar still has some great inventory and discounted "quick sale" homes available at this time, the supply has dropped considerably this summer. It is anticipated that more will become available at the end of the year.

I have a great working knowledge of TreeTops and am happy to answer any questions you have about the community. 

 
Remember that it is always in your best interest to have your own representation when buying from a builder. The sales staff works for the builder, not you. When visiting new construction for the first time, you should always have your agent with you or, if this is not possible, be sure to have your agent's card with you. As an Accredited Buyers Representative, I am committed to taking care of your best interests. Please call me before visiting new construction homes. 

Please contact me for a pdf version of this inventory list.

11/18/19 
MODEL HOME UPDATE
The following model homes are still available for sale:
Dover, Fairview and Delight

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OCTOBER 28, 2019
MODEL HOMES NOW AVAILABLE!!

Effective 10/28/19, Treetops is listing the Gorgeous Model homes across from the Putting Green with wooded/no home behind view for sale!  These have a lot of extras like tankless water heaters, irrigation, security system and beautiful window treatments!  And they are all on slab foundations.  They are for NOVEMBER closings and LEASE BACK!  Please contact me if you are interested. 

TTM 335 DOVER  Sales Price $413,680

http://vrtour.virtualsinc.com/company/lennar/2570

TTM 336 CAMBRIDGE Sales Price $389,743 - SOLD

http://vrtour.virtualsinc.com/company/lennar/2569

TTM 337 BLISS Sales Price $361,658 - SOLD

 http://vrtour.virtualsinc.com/company/lennar/2568

TTG 338 FAIRLANE Sales Price $328,520 - SOLD

http://vrtour.virtualsinc.com/company/lennar/2571

OCTOBER 22, 2019
FIRST OF MODEL HOMES AVAILABLE FOR SALE

TTM 333 DELIGHT
List price $396,756
Reduced List Price $363,999
Next Gen Video:  https://lennar.box.com/s/d8f6ce86jixmd9qve0c9leewx832jhma

TTS 334 FAIRVIEW
List Price $450.369
Reduced List Price $415,999
Tree Tops Grove – Fairview:  http://vrtour.virtualsinc.com/company/lennar/2572

5 Reasons to Consider Living in a Multigenerational Home

Article Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters/The KCM Blog

Did you know that 1 in 6 Americans currently live in a multigenerational household?

According to Generations United, the number of multigenerational households rose from 42.4 million in 2000 to 64 million in 2016. The 2018 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers from the National Association of Realtors shows that 12% of all buyers have a multigenerational household.

Why Are Many Americans Choosing to Live in a Multigenerational Household?

The benefits to multigenerational living are significant. According to Toll Brothers,

“In recent years, there’s been a steady rise in the number of multigenerational homes in America. Homeowners and their families are discovering new ways to get the most out of home with choices that fit the many facets of their lives.”

The piece continues to explain the top 5 benefits of multigenerational living. Here is the list, and a small excerpt from their article:

1. Shared Expenses

“…Maintaining two households is undeniably costlier and more rigorous than sharing the responsibilities of one. By bringing family members and resources together under one roof, families can collectively address their expenses and allocate finances accordingly.”

2. Shared Responsibilities
“Distributing chores and age-appropriate responsibilities amongst family members is a tremendous way of ensuring that everyone does their part. For younger, more able-bodied members, physical work such as mowing the lawn or moving furniture is a nice trade-off so that the older generation can focus on less physically demanding tasks.”

3. Strengthened Family Bond

“While most families come together on special occasions, multigenerational families have the luxury of seeing each other every day. By living under one roof, these families develop a high level of attachment and closeness.”

4. Ensured Family Safety

“With multiple generations under one roof, a home is rarely ever left unoccupied for long, and living with other family members increases the chances that someone is present to assist elderly family members should they have an accident.”

5. Privacy

“One of the primary trepidations families face when shifting their lifestyle is the fear of losing privacy. With so many heads under one roof, it can feel like there’s no place to turn for solitude. Yet, these floor plans are designed to ensure that every family member can have quiet time… [and] allow for complete separation between the generations within the household.”

Bottom Line

The trend of multigenerational living is growing, and the benefits to families who choose this option are significant. If you’re considering a multigenerational home, reach out to a local real estate professional to learn more about the options available in your area.

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On a personal note, my children grew up in a multigenerational home and, while I must admit to some personal challenges during those years, I shall remain forever grateful that my children were so fortunate to have the love and wisdom of their maternal grandmother during the most formative years of their lives.  My husband and I shared our home with my mother, who was legally blind, for the first 20 years of our marriage.  In addition to having my mother live with us, on weekends my aunt and uncle would stay with us so they could help her in her store.  Even when we moved to Arizona, they would come to stay with us for extended periods to be with her and to give me a little break.  My sister, who had a family of her own in Ohio, would bring Mom to her home for a few weeks in the summer and would sometimes come to stay with mom when our family took a little vacation.  It's been many years since mom passed, but sometimes it feels like just yesterday that she was such a integral part of our lives.  I believe those years were a gift to all of us. To this day, my children (now grown men) still remember their Nana with great fondness and treasure the time they spent with her.  I can't help but feel that those years taught them great lessons about respect, empathy, and love of family.

Multigeneraltional Model Home Now Available at TreeTops

Delight

It's so interesting that the above article about multigenerational homes by Keeping Current Matters appeared in my inbox at about the same time as news that Lennar's multigenerational "Delight" model home at TreeTops is now available for sale.  This newest model home is being sold "as is" and must close before November 15th to qualify for the special pricing.  The price includes homesite premium (beautiful wooded view) and all of those model extras like custom paint, window treatments, security wiring, and irrigation! Furniture and decor are NOT included.  Contact me if you would like to receive the MLS listing report for this home.
NEXT GEN - THE HOME WITHIN A HOME
List price $396,756
Reduced List Price $363,999

Remember that it is always in your best interest to have your own representation when buying from a builder. The sales staff works for the builder, not you. When visiting new construction for the first time, you should always have your agent with you or, if this is not possible, be sure to have your agent's card with you. As an Accredited Buyers Representative, I am committed to taking care of your best interests. Please call me before visiting new construction homes.

TreeTops Update

Lennar Photo

Please click HERE for the latest update on inventory homes and lots available at TreeTops by Lennar.

Autumn Has Finally Arrived!

Bear Mountain NY / Photo by Mike Sacca

I grew up in the beautiful Hudson River Valley in New York... the southern end... Ossining, to be exact, in Westchester County.  My dad was a turkey farmer and our home was on about 7 acres on the outskirts of town.  It was an idyllic place to grow up and I loved the beauty of the area.  My fondest memories of the farm are tied to the seasons... each one with its own special memories.  Autumn was my favorite season then and remains so today.

Some of my farm memories are of a very young tree-climbing, exploring me... some are of the older me, taking on the responsibilities of a maturing adolescent.  

Winter was always cold and white.  Radiator heat.  Frost on the windows.  Lots of snow and shoveling.  Snow forts.  Ice skating on nearby lakes.

The emergence of pale green leaves and early buds and flowers announced the arrival of spring and the promise of warmer days.  Crocuses... forsythia... daffodils... lilacs.

Summer was long, lazy and relaxed.  Fishing, nightcrawling (catching those big worms for fishing), fireflies, swimming, riding my old bike with the big tires, wildflowers, homegrown corn and tomatoes, an occasional trip to Jones Beach, and my beloved New York Yankees (the REAL Yankees of the 1960s).  

But, without doubt, the most special time for me was autumn.  Oh, those magnificent maples!  The colors and smells of fall are forever with me.  Raking, burning (no longer politically correct, but necessary on a farm), picking apples from the tree I loved to climb, long walks, and collecting beautiful treasures that were gifts of the season.

Following those special years on the farm and some additional years living in the area as a college student, wife, elementary school educator, and mother, my husband and I moved to Arizona.  We left the magnificent Hudson River Valley for the beautiful (though very different) Sonoran Desert in Arizona.  I'm one of those people who adjusts easily to a new environment and quickly learns to appreciate the beauty of new surroundings, but, I have to admit, for 38 years my internal clock always knew when it was fall and craved the crisp autumn air and the changing leaves of my youth.  The magical changes of the seasons always called to me.  So, when we decided to move back to the East Coast, one of the biggest draws for me (aside from being closer to family) was getting to experience the changing of seasons again.  Especially, fall.

So, pardon my long introduction, as I walked myself down Memory Lane, but I wanted to share my passion for the beauty of autumn, as I share some information about where to go to enjoy the season in this area.  Here are some links to help you see what's going on in the Carolinas...

• Blue Ridge Parkway
• Visit North Carolina
• Asheville/Parkway
• 10 Best Places to See Fall Colors in NC
• Charlotte on the Cheap - Haunted Trails, Corn Mazes, Pumpkin Patches, Hayrides
• Fall at Biltmore
  
• Things to Do in South Carolina

 

My boy, Rudy.

Take the time to enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of autumn!  

• Find a cider mill and enjoy some real homemade cider!  
• Eat some freshly made apple cider or pumpkin donuts! 
• Visit a pumpkin patch! 
• Carve a pumpkin! 
• Walk through a corn maze!
• Live the experiences that makes the season so special!

3 Reasons to Use a Real Estate Pro in a Complex Digital World

Article Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters/the KCM Blog

Here are 3 top reasons why using a real estate professional in addition to a digital search is key:

1. There’s More to Real Estate Than Finding a Home Online. It’s a lonely and complicated trek around the web if you don’t have a real estate professional to also help you through the 230 possible steps you’ll face as you navigate through a real estate transaction. That’s a pretty staggering number! Determining your price, submitting an offer, and successful negotiation are just a few of these key steps in the sequence. You’ll definitely want someone who has been there before to help you through it.
2. You Need a Skilled Negotiator. In today’s market, hiring a talented negotiator could save you thousands, maybe even tens of thousands of dollars. From the original offer to the appraisal and the inspection, many of the intricate steps can get complicated and confusing. You need someone who can keep the deal together until it closes.
3. It Is Crucial to Make a Competitive and Compelling Offer. There is so much information out there in the news and on the Internet about home sales, prices, and mortgage rates. How do you know what’s specifically going on in your area? How do you know what to offer on your dream home without paying too much or offending the seller with a lowball offer?
Dave Ramsey, the financial guru, advises:

“When getting help with money, whether it’s insurance, real estate or investments, you should always look for someone with the heart of a teacher, not the heart of a salesman.”

Hiring a real estate professional who has his or her finger on the pulse of the market will make your buying experience an informed and educated one. You need someone who is going to tell you the truth, not just what they think you want to hear.

Bottom Line

If you’re ready to start your search online, don’t skip over the support of an educated and informed real estate professional. You’ll want someone at your side who can answer your questions and guide you through a process that can be complex and confusing if you go at it with the Internet alone.

What FICO® Score Do You Need to Qualify for a Mortgage?

Article courtesy of Keeping Current Matters/The KCM Blog

While a recent announcement from CNBC shares that the average national FICO® score has reached an all-time high of 706, the good news for potential buyers is that you don’t need a score that high to qualify for a mortgage. Let’s unpack the credit score myth so you can to become a homeowner sooner than you may think.

With today’s low interest rates, many believe now is a great time to buy – and rightfully so! Fannie Mae recently noted that 58% of Americans surveyed say it is a good time to buy. Similarly, the Q3 2019 HOME Survey by the National Association of Realtors said 63% of people believe now is a good time to buy a home. Unfortunately, fear and misinformation often hold qualified and motivated buyers back from taking the leap into homeownership.
According to the same CNBC article,

“For the first time, the average national credit score has reached 706, according to FICO®, the developer of one of the most commonly used scores by lenders.”

This is great news, as it means Americans are improving their credit scores and building toward a stronger financial future, especially after the market tumbled during the previous decade. With today’s strong economy and increasing wages, many Americans have had the opportunity to improve their credit over the past few years, driving this national average up.

Since Americans with stronger credit are now entering the housing market, we are seeing an increase in the FICO® Score Distribution of Closed Loans (see graph below) 

But hang on – don’t forget that this does not mean you need a FICO® score over 700 to qualify for a mortgage. Here’s what Experian, the global leader in consumer and business credit reporting, says:

FHA Loan: “FHA loans are ideal for those who have less-than-perfect credit and may not be able to qualify for a conventional mortgage loan. The size of your required down payment for an FHA loan depends on the state of your credit score: If your credit score is between 500 and 579, you must put 10% down. If your credit score is 580 or above, you can put as little as 3.5% down (but you can put down more if you want to).”

Conventional Loan: “It’s possible to get approved for a conforming conventional loan with a credit score as low as 620, although some lenders may look for a score of 660 or better.”

USDA Loan: “While the USDA doesn’t have a set credit score requirement, most lenders offering USDA-guaranteed mortgages require a score of at least 640.”

VA Loan: “As with income levels, lenders set their own minimum credit requirements for VA loan borrowers. Lenders are likely to check credit scores as part of their screening process, and most will set a minimum score, or cutoff, that loan applicants must exceed to be considered.”

Bottom Line

As you can see, plenty of loans are granted to buyers with a FICO® score that is below the national average. If you’d like to understand the next steps to take when determining your credit score, reach out to a trusted advisor to learn more.