A SPECIAL PUBLICATION CREATED BY REPUBLIC MEDIA CUSTOM PUBLISHING FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2013
New Homes is a monthly section dedicated to new home communities Look for New Homes on the first Friday of each month!
Each month, New Homes brings you the latest news about new home communities so that we can help you find a new home just-right for your family, with the amenities you’re looking for, near what’s important to you. We’ll arm you with information to help you make smart decisions and choices by discussing what types of homes builders are building, design considerations, what’s the latest when it comes to financing, and more. To suggest a topic, contact editor Paula Hubbs Cohen at Paula.Cohen@cox.net.
“Boot camps” help buyers kick up credit scores
Some homebuilders offer help for those in need of credit repair BY DOLORES TROPIANO
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hoever said it was tough getting a home loan lately hasn’t watched Arizona’s new homebuilders in action. Just ask Mary Ortega, who started out looking at model homes for decorating ideas and ended up buying a new home. “I always wanted a new home, but didn’t think I could [purchase a home] because past personal issues really hurt my credit,” said Ortega, 42, of Goodyear.
“Boot camps” to the rescue
Over the last few years, qualifying for a loan has definitely become more stringent, but some builders have helped potential buyers reconstruct credit scores through financial “boot camps.” These services offer potential homeowners the possibility of upping their credit scores and obtaining a home loan at today’s record-low interest rates. One recipient of homebuilder help is Ortega, who moved into a 2,400-squarefoot home in August after getting help with her credit from Taylor Morrison homes. “It [her home] is beautiful,” Ortega said. “I never thought I could qualify. Taylor Morrison helped me every step of the way.” P.J. Saturno, assistant vice president for Taylor Morrison Home Funding in Scottsdale, said the program is designed for qualification improvement. “It helps strengthen the overall credit profile,” he said.
Help is available
Another builder who offers help is Pulte Homes, which has a mortgage advisor program with hands-on, seven-day-aweek mortgage financial advisors who will meet with a customer in person or over the phone. Meanwhile, Taylor Morrison’s program is called ARO, which stands for “able, ready, own”. Currently, 98 people are enrolled, with ARO counselors helping buyers execute the best strategies to improve their credit and qualification profile. To date, 185 customers have graduated from the program with the ability to qualify for home financing. “Many times, people don’t know how to improve their credit score,” Saturno said. “There are many individualized things they can do. We are not a credit repair company, we simply assist people with improving their qualifications.”
Conflict of interest?
Some consumer experts see these programs as a conflict of interest, but Saturno disagrees. “We don’t require them to purchase a home to enter our program, nor do they have to write up a contract,” Saturno said. “Our ultimate goal is to help them obtain a home.” Resources: Pulte Homes: pultehomes.com Taylor Morrison: taylormorrison.com
ESTRELLA
Masterplanned communities
Plans focus on building neighborhoods as well as homes BY ELISE RILEY
M
asterplanned developers consider every aspect of your future lifestyle, from schools to grocery stores to community amenities and public spaces. Here’s a glimpse at what’s offered at just a few of the Valley’s numerous masterplanned communities.
Anthem Parkside at Merrill Ranch: Florence
VISTANCIA
Eastmark: Mesa
“To create a place where people live and raise their children is a privilege,” said Jacque Petroulakis, who works in corporate communications for the Pulte Group. “We take it seriously and place importance on the planning of every community we build.” Set in Florence, the community is part of a master plan that includes the age-qualified Sun City Anthem at Merrill Ranch. Amenities include a 60-acre park with a lake as well as a water park and a community center that features everything from a rockclimbing wall to workout facilities. “When you have amenities in your community and a team onsite that’s dedicated to facilitating clubs and groups and outings,” Petroulakis said, “it really connects you to the greater community.”
DMB Associates has its focus fixed on this five-square-mile Mesa property that is the former home of the General Motors Desert Proving Ground. Although still in the early development stages, Eastmark is getting ready to make its public debut. Seven builders have signed on for Phase 1, and the community center is slated for a grand opening this May. Eastmark’s signature feature will be a 100-acre park connecting the plan’s neighborhoods, each of which will have its own unique park. The community will also have an amphitheater, lake, splash pad and more.
Estrella: Goodyear
“Estrella feels like a small town within the greater metropolitan area,” said Greg Bielli, Western region president for Newland Real Estate Group, which develops Estrella.
Gearing up for its 25th anniversary, the heart of the community is the Starpointe Residents Club, where folks can gather, relax and snag a boat to sail on the community’s lakes. There are nearly 4,000 homes already in Estrella, and Bielli estimates that number will top 20,000 upon completion. Prospective buyers’ choices range from single-family homes to custom homesites, as well as CantaMia, an active-adult community that includes duplexes and singlefamily properties.
Robson Ranch: Sun Lakes
Located almost equidistant between Phoenix and Tucson, Robson Ranch offers a resort lifestyle for the 55-plus crowd. “Buyers love the location,” said Lyndsay Higgins, director of marketing for Robson Communities. (continued on page NH4)
WHAT’S INSIDE PAGE 1 & 4
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Masterplanned communities
Financial “boot camps” for buyers
Developments of the Month
New Homes Locator Map
We provide a glimpse at what’s offered at just a few of the Valley’s numerous masterplanned communities.
Some builders are helping potential buyers reconstruct credit scores through financial “boot camps.”
Check out some of the Valley’s hottest developments.
Discover where new homes are being built, what’s nearby and what price ranges are available.
If you have a new-home-related topic you’d like us to research, please write to editor: Paula Hubbs Cohen, Paula.Cohen@cox.net.
There’s a moment when you realize, the New Year is filled with opportunities. Make 2013 your year. Stop by one of our 20 Phoenix-area communities today.
MakeThisYourPhxMoment.com *Additional Restrictions Apply. See Sales Associate for complete details. Taylor Morrison/Arizona, Inc., ROC # 179178B. © December, 2012, TM Homes of Arizona, Inc., AZ DRE # CO535669000. All rights reserved.
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