Town & Country Homes is excited to announce big savings on our full collection of quick delivery homes around Chicagoland. Choose from 39 stylish homes – all with an array of professionally coordinated colors, fixtures and finished already built in so that you can save thousands. These home are all ready to move in – right now!

Hurry! The $10.6 Million Sprint For Savings Event runs from March 8th – March 21st only!

Our Quick Delivery Single-Family Homes start under $220,000!

Our Quick Delivery Townhomes start  under $140,000!

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by, stop in to a sales center today. Our sales centers are open daily from 11:00am – 6:00 pm. For more models, floorplans, sales center directions and happy homeowners’ stories, visit www.TownAndCountryHomes.com.

Are your groceries, household items, and entertainment costs more than you want to spend? Would you like to learn how to get the best deals, including freebies, for your household needs? If so, this money-saving workshop is for you!

Town & Country Homes invites you to join the residents of Churchill Club to attend the free BeCentsAble Workshop at their clubhouse. Meet some of Churchill Club’s current residents and have the opportunity to ask them if they like their new Town & Country home. Then visit the sales office next door and see how affordable it is to live in this great clubhouse community!

When: Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 2:00 PM
Where: Churchill Club Clubhouse
273 Bluegrass Parkway
Oswego, IL 60543
Cost: Free
BONUS: Receive at least $5 in coupons after you attend!

Bring a friend and share the knowledge!
Knowledge is power… Educate yourself!

Please call (630) 551-4332 if you’d like to attend so we may notify the clubhouse.

Visit the My Chicago Mommy website, to find out more information and for upcoming workshop dates. You’ll also find great deals, coupons, coupon matching, product reviews, freebies, and giveaways on the My Chicago Mommy website. Be sure to subscribe to keep-up-to date on all the latest news!

Please join Town & Country Homes for the Wonder Home Workshop Series!

Town & Country Homes puts great pride in our Building Science techniques and how we construct our homes. We would like to show you first hand how we build our homes from the inside out and why Town & Country Homes should be your builder of choice.

Come Join Town & Country Homes on the following dates at the locations below:

Saturday, March 13th     Providence in Elgin
Saturday, March 13th     Hunt Club in Oswego
Saturday, March 27th     Churchill Club in Oswego

As part of our Wonder Home Workshop, one of our experienced Construction Managers will walk you through a home under construction. On this tour you will see:

• The new exclusive waterproofing material used on our foundations that’s guaranteed against leaks for 10 years
• The various insulation techniques we use throughout the home for energy efficiency and to prevent mildew
• The layout of plumbing throughout the home to prevent frozen pipes
• The special way we secure drywall to avoid nail pops and avoid corner cracks
• How we install our windows and prevent leaks into your home
• Special LP smart trim on the outside of the home allowing for less maintenance for the homeowner
• How we draft stop our homes and make them energy efficient

Hours are 11:30 am – 2 pm with workshops held at Noon and 1:00.

You will be touring a home that is under construction, so please wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

Lunch will be provided at the sales office. While you are there, tour our professionally decorated model homes!

Special Savings for those who attend the workshop IN ADDITION to current sales incentives if you reserve a homesite that weekend! See New Home Specialist for Details.

RISMedia has recently posted an article announcing strong gains in existing-home sales were the predominant pattern in most states during the fourth quarter, with many more metro areas seeing prices rise from a year earlier, according to the latest survey by the National Association of Realtors®.

Sales increased from the third quarter in 48 states and the District of Columbia; 32 states saw double-digit gains. Year-over-year sales were higher in 49 states and D.C.; all but three states had double-digit annual increases.

Total state existing-home sales, including single-family homes and condos, jumped 13.9% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.03 million in the fourth quarter from 5.29 million in the third quarter, and are 27.2% above the 4.74 million-unit level in the fourth quarter of 2008. Distressed property accounted for 32% of fourth quarter transactions, down from 37% a year earlier.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the first-time home buyer tax credit was the dominant factor. “The surge in home sales was driven by buyers responding strongly to the tax credit combined with record low mortgage interest rates,” he said. “With inventory levels trending down over the past 18 months, we expect broadly balanced housing market conditions in much of the country by late spring with more areas showing higher prices.”

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate on a 30-year conventional fixed-rate mortgage fell to a record low 4.92% in the fourth quarter from 5.16% in the third quarter; it was 5.86% in the fourth quarter of 2008.

In the fourth quarter, 67 out of 151 metropolitan statistical areas reported higher median existing single-family home prices in comparison with the fourth quarter of 2008, including 16 with double-digit increases; one was unchanged and 84 metros had price declines. In the third quarter only 30 MSAs showed annual price increases and 123 areas were down.

The national median existing single-family price was $172,900, which is 4.1% below the fourth quarter of 2008; the median is where half sold for more and half sold for less. “This is the smallest price decline in over two years, with the most recent monthly data showing a broad stabilization in home prices,” Yun said.

“Because buyers are taking on long-term fixed rate mortgages, avoiding adjustable-rate products, and trying to stay well within their budgets, the price recovery process appears durable,” Yun said.

NAR President Vicki Cox Golder, owner of Vicki L. Cox & Associates in Tucson, Ariz., said near-term market conditions will remain favorable. “Mortgage interest rates are expected to trend up later this year, but right now we have very good conditions with steadying home prices and favorable inventory in most areas, especially in the higher price ranges,” she said.

“The biggest issue is for repeat buyers, who will have to accelerate their buying plans if they want the expanded tax credit. Since you must have a contract in place by the end of April, the best advice is to consult a Realtor now about qualification criteria and options in your area,” Golder said. Repeat buyers do not have to sell their existing home, but all buyers must occupy the property they purchase as a primary residence to qualify for the tax credit. Buyers who have a contract in place by April 30, 2010, have until June 30, 2010, to finalize the transaction to get a credit of up to $8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for repeat buyers.

In the condo sector, metro area condominium and cooperative prices–covering changes in 54 metro areas–showed the national median existing-condo price was $177,300 in the fourth quarter, down 4.8% from the fourth quarter of 2008. Eleven metros showed increases in the median condo price from a year earlier and 43 areas had declines; in the third quarter only four metros experienced annual price gains.

Midwest
In the Midwest, existing-home sales jumped 14.5% in the fourth quarter to a pace of 1.38 million and are 29.9% above a year ago. The median existing single-family home price in the Midwest rose 1.1% to $141,100 in the fourth quarter from the same period in 2008, with the region accounting for the majority of metro areas experiencing double-digit gains.

Yun said markets with high unemployment rates in Ohio and Michigan experienced large price swings. “Big price gains in many Midwestern areas are due to a more normal range of home sales in contrast with predominately foreclosed sales a year ago,” he said.

To read this article in its entirety, please click here.

Recently, the Shine offered 8 tips for first-time home buyers to help smooth the buying process:

1. Double-check your credit report. The mortgage industry meltdown means the best deals go to buyers with spotless credit. People with damaged credit might not be able to get a home loan at all, or may face high interest rates. “Before starting house-hunting, check your credit report to be sure it does not show any incorrect information,” says Ethan Ewing of Bills.com. “If it has an error, dispute it immediately and make copies of evidence regarding the error to discuss with your mortgage lender.” Knowing your credit report information can make a huge difference when you’re buying a home.
2. Talk to mortgage lenders. Ask friends and relatives for references to reliable mortgage lenders. Be sure the lender you choose has the appropriate state licenses. Before you buy a new house, check rates and offers from several mortgage professionals. Credit scores do not decline if multiple similar credit report requests are submitted within a close time period (usually a few weeks), so it pays to shop around
3. Buy a home while house prices are still low. Home prices have increased slightly since the beginning of 2009, but they are still about 13 percent lower than they were a year ago. That means now is an excellent time for first time home buyers to invest in real estate.
4. Buy a new house when interest rates good. Mortgage interest rates have dropped again this fall, to about 5 percent annually for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. Again, this means it’s an excellent time for first time home buyers to invest in property.
5. Make sure you have enough in savings. A down payment is essential today. Ideally, first time home buyers will put down 20 percent of the purchase price. If not, ask the mortgage lender about options before buying a new house.
6. Know the costs of home ownership. The principal and interest on a mortgage payment is only the beginning. Escrow payments – money set aside by the mortgage holder to pay insurance and taxes – and private mortgage insurance, if it is required, can add a few hundred dollars or more per month to a mortgage payment. In addition, home owners must pay for repairs and maintenance. A rule of thumb is to budget 1 percent of the home’s purchase price per year for upkeep.
7. Be wary of “bargains.” To make owning a home easier, remember that some bargains on houses today are “fixer-uppers” or homes sold “as is” because of foreclosure. Invest in a home inspection (about $400) before buying a new house. The inspection will highlight any faults in the home and help estimate the cost to remedy those problems.
8. Be wary of “short sales.” A short sale is a home sale where the owner must sell the home for less than is owed on the current mortgage. Because the bank must approve any such sale, a “short-sale” home may have a sales and negotiation process that is too lengthy to be completed before the tax-credit deadline. Additionally, short sales are usually “as is,” which may carry more risk than makes sense for many first-time buyers.

“Home ownership remains a good investment and a big part of the American dream,” says Ewing. “You may be able to save thousands on your piece of that dream by buying a house this year — but you must act quickly.”

An article recently run in Yahoo! Finance predicts that new homes will be built more compact and energy-efficient.

As the population ages due to the baby boomers, smaller homes may be in greater demand. Empty-nesters need one spare bedroom for visiting grandchildren, not four bedrooms for growing teenagers. Smaller homes are also cheaper and easier to maintain and should be less costly to heat and cool.

An NAHB report, “Home of the Future,” states that the size of new single-family homes reached a 35-year record of more than 2,400 square feet in 2006. But that growth spurt isn’t expected to continue into this decade. Instead, the average size of a new home will range from about 2,300 to 2,500 square feet in 2015.

Dowell Myers, a professor of urban planning and demography at the University of Southern California School of Policy, Planning and Development in Los Angeles, says new houses will be more compact, more efficiently designed in their use of space and richer in amenities inside the home and nearby in the neighborhood. These trends are seen as another likely result of an aging population and the push toward more efficient land use.

“The new house will be an efficient house that’s easy to live in for one or two people only and may be located in more dense configuration, so people can walk to nearby amenities,” he says.

New homes also will be more energy-efficient in terms of windows, doors, insulation and even site planning due to concerns about climate change and the need to reduce energy consumption and emissions.

Homebuyers generally are willing to pay about 2 percent to 2.5 percent of the purchase price of the home for greater energy efficiency, says Steve Melman, director of economic services at the National Association of Home Builders, or NAHB, in Washington, D.C. After that, the willingness to pay more for green-built features wanes.

That desire for energy-efficiency doesn’t necessarily mean current homeowners should invest heavily in such upgrades in 2010. Instead, Myers suggests, homeowners should study up on new technologies and be ready to adopt them when the time — and the price — seems right.

“I don’t think there is a big rush because the technology keeps evolving,” he says.

Buyers also might start to think more about utility and transportation costs when they purchase a home, Melman suggests.

“If you look at prices and interest rates, affordability has never been better for a long time. But people are also looking at the operating costs and energy efficiency of a home. You want to make sure you can afford the mortgage payment, but you also don’t want to have $1,000-a-month utility bills,” he says.

First-time buyers and others who are looking for the space and privacy of a detached single-family home plus new special pricing starting at $195,995 should make Hunt Club in Oswego a “must-see” destination.

Hunt Club, a 476-acre community, is being developed by Town and Country Homes, a respected Chicagoland builder for more than 50 years.  Town and Country Homes is part of K. Hovnanian ™, a major builder on the national scene.

The new Hamilton Series includes seven two-story plans ideal for active families.  The homes range from 2,052 to 3,238 square feet, with three or four bedrooms, 2 ½ baths and two- and three-car attached garages.

“We are striving to make home ownership as affordable as possible for first-time buyers and the many others who are watching their budgets,” said Brian Murphy, vice president of operations.  “The new plans at Hunt Club expand the possibilities in floorplans and offer space and quality at value-oriented prices.  In addition, Hunt Club provides a country setting near the Fox River and several regional bike paths, important neighborhood recreational and educational amenities and an address in one of the most desirable communities in the southwest suburbs.”

The homesites at Hunt Club range from one-fourth to one acre, set along winding streets with several cul-de-sacs. Many sites overlook green space and preserved wetlands.  An Oswego School District 308 K through 5  elementary school opened this past fall in the Hunt Club neighborhood, and an Oswegoland Park District park adds to the family-oriented environment.

The Clayburn, a 2,052-square-foot home with three bedrooms and a second-floor bonus room, is a good example of the expansive space in the Hamilton Series homes.  The Clayburn is the most affordable of the homes at Hunt Club.

The main floor features a foyer that opens to the living room.  Beyond the living room is a large open area consisting of the great room, breakfast room with sliding glass doors to the yard and kitchen with pantry.  Columns separate the living room from the great room, and buyers may opt for a half wall or decorative arch.

Adjacent to the kitchen is a powder room, utility area and access to the two-car garage.  Extra storage is located under the staircase.

The master suite is a highlight of the second floor, and is appointed with an extra-large walk-in closet, private bath and optional tray ceiling.  Two other bedrooms and the spacious bonus room are served by a hall bath and a second-floor laundry room is a popular step-saving feature.

Those who are seeking a very large home with 3,238 square feet may want to consider the Foxwood, a four-bedroom home with a three-car garage.

The Foxwood includes a formal living room and dining room, a spacious open informal living space with a family room, breakfast nook with sliding glass doors and kitchen with large walk-in pantry.  A first-floor den is secluded in a corner of the home, and a powder room and access to the three-car garage are also located in this quiet area.

Upstairs, a huge bonus room adds more flexibility for a busy family and a second-floor laundry adds convenience. The master suite includes two-extra-large walk-in closets and a private bath.  Buyers may opt for a tray ceiling in the master bedroom.  Three other bedrooms ensure privacy for every member of the family, and two of the bedrooms have walk-in closets.

The Hamilton Series boasts quality included features as well as a wide array of optional features with which buyers can personalize their homes.

In addition to the Hamilton Series, the Middleburg Series includes five floorplans, including a ranch plan with 2,300 square feet of space, two bedrooms and a den, two full baths, basement and two-car attached garages. Two model homes are open for viewing, with two new models due to open in late March.

Ladies and Gentlemen pamper yourself with a complementary mini-massage from Town & Country Homes at our Churchill Club community in Oswego. Massage provided by Massage Envy. This event will take place on Saturday, February 13th from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Churchill Clubhouse.

Churchill Clubhouse
273 Bluegrass Parkway
Oswego, IL
60543

Please call our sales office today to make a reservation (630) 551-4332 and receive an extra $1,000 off options– good through March 31st, 2010.

Pre-qualify prior to visit with K. Hovnanian Mortgage and receive a free microwave oven upon purchase.

We hope to see you there!

Churchill Club, a family-focused clubhouse community in nearby Oswego, Illinois, has new homes and new neighbors awaiting your arrival. For more information, please contact us at (630) 551-4332 or for driving directions, click here.

Town and Country Homes has long been a leader in providing home buyers with value-added construction features as well as exciting architecture and finishing innovations.

Now, new home buyers will enjoy the benefits and advantages of a new waterproofing system that will eliminate one of homeowners’ greatest nightmares – the leaky basement.

Called the DELTAR–MS Membrane System, this foundation waterproofing membrane is a highly effective system based on a uniquely formed air gap membrane.  The main component is the plastic (HOPE) membrane that is formed in a dimple pattern to create an air gap at the foundation wall.  The unique design allows any water getting past the dimpled plastic sheet to fall freely into the footer drain, a double line of defense against moisture.

The membrane is impermeable to water, water vapor as well as acids and other agents, and it is durable and resilient with a 50-year expected service life.  The membrane is designed to be used with masonry and poured concrete foundations.

“The DELTAR–MS Membrane System is environmentally-friendly and offers a level of protection that is greater than conventional methods of waterproofing,” said Rich Ackman, senior vice president of purchasing. “It is an important way of making the basements in our homes healthier and more carefree environments whether the homeowner finishes the space or uses it for storage.”

The system is a safe, non-toxic, non-polluting product that forms an independent skin around the basement, keeping all types of moisture out.  It requires no maintenance, and includes a 10-year warranty against foundation leaks.

“The DELTAR–MS Membrane System is more costly to install than typical builder damp-proofing applications yet Town and Country Homes believes that the benefits for our home buyers far outweigh the additional cost,” Ackman said.  “They can be assured that Town and Country is continually seeking new technologies to offer them better quality homes as well as homes that are enjoyable to live in.”

Recently, Yahoo! Real Estate ran an article titled “Real Estate Outlook: Sobering News?“. The article discussed how you might have read the headlines about an unexpected drop in housing start and how you might thought that this is not the direction we should be heading in during a rebounding economy.

But what does that really mean for the real estate industry in 2010?

In order to find out what is really going on, you must peel below the headlines.

Yes, the Commerce Department reported that starts on new homes in December dropped by 4 percent, and that 2009 as a whole was the worst year for starts in decades.

But the Commerce Department also reported a number that puts 2010 in a very different light: Builders pulled 11 percent more permits for new home starts than the prior month.

To put this another way: Builders see a much more favorable climate for housing construction and sales in 2010 – in large part because they expect the overall economy to get better and for unemployment to begin declining.

Joe Robson, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders and a builder himself in Texas, said his industry “acted prudently” during 2009 by scaling back sharply on new production – given a weak economy and high inventories of unsold houses during the first three quarters of the year.

But now they’ve sold off a lot of that inventory, and they see rising demand.

As a result, says Robson, “we’re seeing an increase in permits as builders understand they need to ramp up production.” How fast a ramp up? Economists at the home builders association forecast a 38 percent increase in housing starts for the year.

The homebuilders aren’t the only real estate group that sees positive economic signs ahead: Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, says he expects national economic growth rates to range between two and a half percent and three percent in the next couple of quarters.

Those are solid numbers coming out of a recession where GDP (gross domestic product) was stuck in negative territory for 18 months.

On a somewhat more sobering side, Yun says unemployment will begin to edge downward into the high single digits as the year progresses, and mortgage rates are likely to rise to an average 5.7 percent by mid year.

Maybe home buyers are beginning to hear some of these predictions about higher rates as the economy bounces back. Applications for new loans to buy houses jumped by 10 percent last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Rates hovered just above 5 percent for thirty year fixed loans and in the mid 4′s for 15 year mortgages.