Flower Mound Christmas Parade

Every year Flower Mound has an awesome Christmas parade. Newport Homebuilders had a a float in the parade last year and we are very excited about having a "float" in the 2008 parade as well. I put float in quotations because we just use our LiveGreen Machine in some sort of costume and pass out LiveGreen bracelets. Those seem to be a big hit with people of all ages. There were over 75 floats in the parade this year and many of them were very cool. Of course, Santa also made an appearance which was pretty awesome. If you have never been, please check it out next year. It will certainly be worth it. Also, look for the LiveGreen machine because we will definitely be in the parade again next year.



This Happy News Brought To You By:
Newport Homebuilders
www.newporthomebuilders.com
469.854.6640

Toys For Tots

Newport Homebuilders is proud to announce that we will participate in the Toys for Tots toy drive again this year. We have really enjoyed gathering toys in the past and are excited to again provide drop off points for toys. Please visit one of our model homes to drop off your new, unwrapped toy. We have been very fortunate this year and there are many that were less fortunate than us that need our help. So please help us in this great cause. The collection date will be Dec. 7th, so please bring your toys to our models before then. Thank you for your help.

With your help, our boxes could look like this. Imagine how happy the kids will be.



This Happy News Brought To You By:
Newport Homebuilders
www.newporthomebuilders.com
469.854.6640

Mortgage Plan Promises Relief To North Texans

Federal mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are expediting a new plan that would help many people near foreclosure. The plan is designed to help those who have lost a job or can prove economic hardship. Those who are approved will be able to have lower interest rates or a lower principal. This is great news for those in the DFW area who are struggling with the mortgage payment and are in danger of losing their homes.

The article says "to apply, homeowners should contact their mortgage servicer and provide: the household's monthly gross income, any association dues or fees, and the "hardship" that explains why they got behind." Good luck. Let us all work together to keep the DFW economy strong and vibrant.

Here is the article with more details:
Mortgage Plan


This Happy News Brought To You By:
Newport Homebuilders
www.newporthomebuilders.com
469.854.6640

DFW Homes Holding Value

Homes are one of the greatest investments you can make. But, just like many other investments, home values fluctuate with the market. One major concern for homebuyers is the return they will get on their investment. Are they going to end up owing more on their house than it is worth? Will the market go up or down in the next few years? Both of these questions are important, completely valid, and need to be asked.

That is why it was refreshing to read that homes in DFW are holding their value, even in this "down market". You probably already know that the DFW housing market is in better shape than markets in other states, but you may be surprised to hear that not only are the home values not dropping dramatically, but most homes in DFW will increase in value over the next four years leaving homeowners with an average of $80,000 in equity! That is excellent news for those buying homes this year. Now, go spread the word and let everyone know home values are staying put.

The article:
DFW Homes Will Hold Their Value



This Happy News Brought To You By:
Newport Homebuilders
www.newporthomebuilders.com
469.854.6640

DFW Sells More Pre-Owned Homes

Everyone who is in the market for a home, or at least follows the news, knows that 2008 has definitely been a buyer's market. This is mostly good news for people in the market. But, because most people who buy a new home also have a home to sell, a buyer's market may be a bad thing, at least until your house sells. But, in September the DFW pre-owned housing market saw a 2% increase in sales. That is the first such increase in one year. That is glorious news for those who need to sell a home before they can buy their dream home. So, let's get those houses on the market and sold!

As always, here is the link:
Pre-Owned Home Sales Increase 2%

This Happy News Brought To You By:
Newport Homebuilders
www.newporthomebuilders.com
469.854.6640

Prosper Arts And Music Festival

Today, the town of Prosper had its annual Arts and Music Festival. There was a great turnout as people came from all over to witness the great art, delicious food, and live music (just a side note: Newport Homebuilders' own Davis Buescher was one of the musical acts and he knocked it out of the park with his catchy, often humorous country music). There were also plenty of games and jumphouses for the kids to enjoy. A fun time was had by all.



This Happy News Brought To You By:
Newport Homebuilders
www.newporthomebuilders.com
469.854.6640

Boon Elementary School PTA Meeting

Tonight, Boon Elementary had a PTA meeting at the school. While the parents were in the auditorium learning what will be going on during the school year, the students and their siblings got to go into the cafeteria for a "green" learning experience. Newport Homebuilders was fortunate to have a booth along with the Allen Water and Conservation Dept., the Heard Museum, and others. At the Newport booth, we talked about water usage and recycling. The kids were able to participate in hands-on demonstrations that showed them how much trash we throw away in a day/month/year etc. A fun time was had by all, especially at the Heard Museum booth. They had live snakes and lizards!


This Happy News Brought To You By:
Newport Homebuilders
www.newporthomebuilders.com
469.854.6640

Staging To Sell

If you have ever tried to sell a home, whether you are a home builder, a real estate agent, or have sold a personal home, you know that the trickiest part (and the most important part) is setting your home apart from the others on the market. Setting your home apart from the others is never as important as when the market is slower than the booming days of the past. One of the easy ways to set your home apart from the others out there is staging.

What is staging? Staging is setting up your home so that anyone who walks into the home can envision themselves living there. For example, removing clutter and family photos, opening blinds, rearranging furniture to show off the size and usefulness of the rooms, etc.

Because it can be tricky to stage a home, there are professionals out there to help us. Here is an article about what professional stagers do and how they help you sell your home, and sell it fast.
How To Stage Your Home To Sell Fast

Here is an example, for all you visual people out there, of what staging can do for a home. On the left is a room and on the right is the same room, staged to sell. Even though the home or decor may not be your particular style, you can still see what proper staging can do to a room. Which is more enticing to you?

This Happy News Brought To You By:
Newport Homebuilders
www.newporthomebuilders.com
469.854.6640

Supply and Demand In Good Balance In Dallas Housing Market

With the bad news about the housing market so pervasive in the media today, it was refreshing to read a report that the home prices in the DFW area are not dropping. People are still expecting, and getting, a good price for their homes. This is good news for anyone who needs to sell their home. Home prices are staying high and the average time on market is 87 days, fifth lowest in the nation. Homes are selling, inventory is staying about the same, and prices are not dropping. Happy selling!

Here is a link to the article.
Dallas Home Sellers Still Expecting Top Dollar


This Happy News Brought To You By:
Newport Homebuilders
www.newporthomebuilders.com
469.854.6640