Biltmore Homes Blog

So Tell Me About Your Weather in Raleigh and the Triangle?

2010-02-15T14:06:00.000-05:00

Weather seems to be a hot topic these days! Or should we say cold topic because the other day the news said that 49 of the 50 US states has snow on the ground. With the amount of snow piled up in much of the country this winter weather is indeed a popular topic of conversation.

Anytime we spend on-site weather always seem to be a top 3 reason why out of town people want to move to North Carolina and the Triangle. So let us try to answer your "What is the weather like here in the Triangle?" question:

There are many different sites you can look at and here are just a couple that will give you a good overview of the weather history:

The average temperature in the winter months is never below freezing. That is good news because it means we do not get a lot of snow. There will be the occasional snowstorm like we had a couple weeks ago but overall the snow storms here are small and few and far between.
Check out the spring and fall average temperatures because you will like them. Those 2 seasons make a couple cold weeks in the winter and a couple hot weeks in the summer totally worth it!
Yes the summer can get hot and humid but then again so does Chicago and we don't have to deal with the snow they get. Not to mention the Triangle is close to some of the best beaches in the entire country. So when the heat wave comes we say hit the beach!
Raleigh average annual rainfall is 44.7 inches per year.
Raleigh average annual snowfall is 2.4 inches per year.
Raleigh average temperature is 59.8 degrees F.
The average low temperature is 47 degrees F.
The average high temperature is 70 degrees F.

We love the weather here. We get the change of seasons but we don't get any season too hard or long. So if you are moving from out of town we are confident you will love our North Carolina weather. And when you are looking to move let Biltmore Homes build you that perfect new home in one of our five new home communities!

Built For Life!

- Team Biltmore

Importance of Interest rates!

2010-02-03T11:22:00.001-05:00

So by now we have all heard a lot about the record low interest rates. And we all want the recession to end soon so that the economy starts growing again but the low interest rates caused by the recession do make it a great time to buy a new home.

In doing some research we found a good article on About.com on why interest rates are so important to the economy. Here are some highlights from the article that well help us all learn more about interest rates:

"Interest rates control the flow of money in the economy. High interest rates curb inflation, but also slow down the economy. Low interest rates stimulate the economy, but could lead to inflation. Therefore, you need to know not only whether rates are increasing or decreasing, but what other economic indicators are saying.

The most direct impact interest rates have is on your home mortgage. If interest rates are relatively high, your loan payments will be greater. If you are buying a home, this means you can afford a less expensive home. Even if you are not in the market, your home value will not rise and could even decline during times of high interest rates.

On the other hand, high interest rates curb inflation. This means the price of other goods like food and gasoline will stay low, and your paycheck will go further. If you were smart enough to lock in a fixed-interest loan at a low rate, your income will stretch even more."

If you want to learn more about interest rates or speak with a Biltmore preferred lender please contact us and we can put you in touch. If you are thinking about purchasing a new home then the current low interest rate situation makes it a great time to buy!

Built For Life!

- Team Biltmore

Do Not Under Estimate The Features and Benefits of Energy Star Certified Homes!

2010-01-12T11:06:00.000-05:00

The benefits of Energy Star are very important in today's home buying process. Biltmore is very proud to be an Energy Star certified builder so we can't stress enough the features and benefits of building an Energy Star home. With every dollar being more important then ever why see some of those dollars being wasted in your homes heating, cooling and overall energy costs.

Biltmore has great energy star information on our website ready to help answer your questions and provide more information. Visit here to see a series of Biltmore Energy Star videos that was completed with the help of Southern Energy Management expert Dan McFarland. Visit here for a complete list of features and benefits on why Energy Star homes are better.

The other great benefit of Energy Star homes right now are the Federal Tax credits available. Visit here for more details on what energy efficient features in your new home are available for a federal tax credit.

If you are in the market for a new home or thinking about building in the near future do not underestimate the power of Energy Star and be sure to find a home or builder that is Energy Star certified. If you are interested in buying a Biltmore Home then please contact us - we would love to work with you and promise to take good care of you!

- Built For Life!

Team Biltmore

Biltmore Homes Introduces New Ranch Floor Plan - The Hillandale!

2010-01-06T10:55:00.002-05:00

Happy 2010! If you were like us then you were glad to put 2009 to bed and welcome with open arms 2010. We are very excited for 2010, the optimism in the market and the opportunities to build homes for great clients in desirable Triangle neighborhoods!

One of the exciting new additions to the Biltmore floor plans in 2010 is the new Hillandale plan. This award winning ranch plan is already proving to be very popular and fits many of the features and layouts that our ranch customers have been asking for:

Master Bedroom in the back of the house.
Open kitchen with big island
Open living space
Good size master closet
Affordable plan
Under 2000 square feet
Great curb appeal
Rocking chair front porch
Option for a 2nd floor bonus room
Energy Star certified

The Hillandale plan is available for pre sale in all five of Biltmore's current neighborhoods. To learn more about this great new plan or to request a copy of the floor plan please contact Biltmore and one of our builder representatives will be happy to help you.

2010 presents many great opportunities to build the Hillandale or any other available custom Biltmore floor plan so don't miss out. Now truly is a great time to build a home with Biltmore Homes!

Built For Life!

- Team Biltmore

Breaking News - The Holiday Season Is Flying By But Not Too Late To Say Thank You!

2009-12-23T16:10:00.000-05:00

Somebody please tell us where the month of December went? I mean is it really December 23? Two days before Christmas? We know we have been building starting new homes but seriously this cannot be the case.

Well it is true and from all of us at Biltmore Homes we want to wish all our homeowners, suppliers, real estate partners, Realtors, friends and family a very happy holidays! Although 2009 has been a challenging year to say the least we all still have a lot to be thankful for. This list could go on and on but Thank You to the following:

Our homeowners who have chosen Biltmore to provide them with one of the single most important item we all own in life - A home!
Our real estate partners - From developers to onsite sales agents to the buyers agents we meet throughout the year. We know that any real estate transaction is a true team effort!
Our suppliers - Sure we would of all loved to have been busier this year but we survived and are confident that much better days are ahead of us!

Biltmore Homes looks forward to 2010 and the exciting opportunities that exist. What opportunities you ask? Well how about great new home prices, awesome new floor plans (more info on our new Hillandale plan coming soon), record low interest rates, popular new home neighborhoods and a builder that is ready and able to customize any house to fit your needs and price point!

We hope you and your entire family have a very safe and happy holiday season!

Cheers -

Team Biltmore

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T08:11:00.000-05:00

From all of us here at Biltmore Homes we want to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving! Although this past year has been a challenging time for a lot of us we all have a lot to be thankful for. Every year we like to remind everyone of the story of Thanksgiving. We hope you enjoy it and have a great holiday!

Cheers -

Team Biltmore

Most stories of Thanksgiving history start with the harvest celebration of the pilgrims and the indians that took place in the autumn of 1621. Although they did have a three-day feast in celebration of a good harvest, and the local indians did participate, this "first Thanksgiving" was not a holiday, simply a gathering. There is little evidence that this feast of thanks led directly to our modern Thanksgiving Day holiday. Thanksgiving can, however, be traced back to 1863 when Pres. Lincoln became the first president to proclaim Thanksgiving Day. The holiday has been a fixture of late November ever since.

However, since most school children are taught that the first Thanksgiving was held in 1621 with the pilgrims and indians, let us take a closer look at just what took place leading up to that event, and then what happened in the centuries afterward that finally gave us our modern Thanksgiving.

The Pilgrims who sailed to this country aboard the Mayflower were originally members of the English Separatist Church (a Puritan sect). They had earlier fled their home in England and sailed to Holland (The Netherlands) to escape religious persecution. There, they enjoyed more religious tolerance, but they eventually became disenchanted with the Dutch way of life, thinking it ungodly. Seeking a better life, the Separatists negotiated with a London stock company to finance a pilgrimage to America. Most of those making the trip aboard the Mayflower were non-Separatists, but were hired to protect the company's interests. Only about one-third of the original colonists were Separatists.

The Pilgrims set ground at Plymouth Rock on December 11, 1620. Their first winter was devastating. At the beginning of the following fall, they had lost 46 of the original 102 who sailed on the Mayflower. But the harvest of 1621 was a bountiful one. And the remaining colonists decided to celebrate with a feast -- including 91 Indians who had helped the Pilgrims survive their first year. It is believed that the Pilgrims would not have made it through the year without the help of the natives. The feast was more of a traditional English harvest festival than a true "thanksgiving" observance. It lasted three days.

Governor William Bradford sent "four men fowling" after wild ducks and geese. It is not certain that wild turkey was part of their feast. However, it is certain that they had venison. The term "turkey" was used by the Pilgrims to mean any sort of wild fowl.

Another modern staple at almost every Thanksgiving table ispumpkin pie. But it is unlikely that the first feast included that treat. The supply of flour had been long diminished, so there was no bread or pastries of any kind. However, they did eat boiled pumpkin, and they produced a type of fried bread from their corn crop. There was also no milk, cider, potatoes, or butter. There was no domestic cattle for dairy products, and the newly-discovered potato was still considered by many Europeans to be poisonous. But the feast did include fish, berries, watercress, lobster, dried fruit, clams, venison, and plums.

This "thanksgiving" feast was not repeated the following year. Many years passed before the event was repeated. It wasn't until June of 1676 that another Day of thanksgiving was proclaimed. On June 20 of that year the governing council of Charlestown, Massachusetts, held a meeting to determine how best to express thanks for the good fortune that had seen their community securely established. By unanimous vote they instructed Edward Rawson, the clerk, to proclaim June 29 as a day of thanksgiving. It is notable that this thanksgiving celebration probably did not include the Indians, as the celebration was meant partly to be in recognition of the colonists' recent victory over the "heathen natives," (see the proclamation).

A hundred years later, in October of 1777 all 13 colonies joined in a thanksgiving celebration. It also commemorated the patriotic victory over the British at Saratoga. But it was a one-time affair.

George Washington proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789, although some were opposed to it. There was discord among the colonies, many feeling the hardships of a few pilgrims did not warrant a national holiday. And later, President Thomas Jefferson opposed the idea of having a day of thanksgiving.

It was Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor, whose efforts eventually led to what we recognize as Thanksgiving. Hale wrote many editorials championing her cause in her Boston Ladies' Magazine, and later, in Godey's Lady's Book. Finally, after a 40-year campaign of writing editorials and letters to governors and presidents, Hale's obsession became a reality when, in 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving was proclaimed by every president after Lincoln. The date was changed a couple of times, most recently by Franklin Roosevelt, who set it up one week to the next-to-last Thursday in order to create a longer Christmas shopping season. Public uproar against this decision caused the president to move Thanksgiving back to its original date two years later. And in 1941, Thanksgiving was finally sanctioned by Congress as a legal holiday, as the fourth Thursday in November.

Biltmore Homes Energy Star Video #2 - Testing and 3rd Party Verification

2009-11-10T13:17:00.000-05:00

Welcome to another round of Biltmore Homes Energy Star videos. We again would like to thank Dan McFarland and Southern Energy Management for their time and great insight.

Today's featured Energy Star video shows you an example of the blow a door test which is one of the important tests that every Biltmore Home has to go through in order to be Energy Star certified. Having 3rd party verification gives every Biltmore homeowner peace of mind that our houses exceed the standards in quality each and every time!

Biltmore is very proud to be an Energy Star builder. If you would like to see a Biltmore Energy Star home or learn more about pre sale opportunities please contact us. The Biltmore sales team would love to show you around and help you take that first step in building your next dream home!

Built For Life!

- Team Biltmore

Dig deep and bring out the best in yourself!

2009-11-03T10:13:00.003-05:00

There is no doubt that we are in a challenging real estate market. The good news is that we are hopefully at the end of this challenging journey. Signs continue to point towards growth and recovery. We here in the Triangle are lucky because compared to the rest of the country we have fared pretty well!

A real estate agent recently shared the below clip with Team Biltmore and it was a good reminder during these challenging times. Rather then quit or walk around defeated it is times like these that you need to dig deep and bring out the absolute best in yourself.

This clip is somewhat long but we wanted to share with you and hope that it inspires you to keep battling and challenge yourself to be the very best during these hard times.

Built For Life and Ready To Battle!

- Team Biltmore

An Inside Energy Star Look At A Biltmore Home

2009-10-27T15:05:00.009-04:00

Biltmore Homes is very proud to be an Energy Star certified builder. We strongly believe in the features and benefits of Energy Star and are homeowners have appreciated it as well. You can read all about the features and benefits of Energy Star here on our website. We also wanted to tell a visual story about Energy Star so we are thankful to have partnered with Southern Energy Management to create a video series on everything Energy Star.

Dan McFarland from Southern Energy Management was kind enough to lend some hours and lots of good information recently that we have made into short videos. We look forward to bringing you these short videos through our website, blog, You Tube Channel and social media sites like Facebook and Twitter and hope you find them helpful.

Today we will start with a behind the scenes Energy Star look at a Biltmore Home.

If you have any questions about a Biltmore Energy Star home or would like to review one in person please contact us.

Built For Life!

- Team Biltmore

Biltmore Homes Featured Plan of the Month - The Whitley Ranch Floor Plan

2009-10-21T21:42:00.005-04:00

The Whitley ranch floor plan is one of Biltmore's most popular floor plans. No matter what Biltmore neighborhood we build the Whitley in, chances are it will not only sell but sell quick!

The standard Whitley at 2261 square feet features three bedrooms all located on the first floor, 2 full baths, bonus room, screened in porch, large inviting front porch, 2 car garage and lots of unfinished space. The large master bedroom is located in the back of the house and we have recently redesigned the master closet so there are 3 different layout options all increasing the amount of space available. The master bathroom features a shower, large corner tub layout and private water closet.

The two front bedrooms make for great secondary bedrooms or can be converted to an office. The open living room, kitchen and breakfast nook layout will ensure lots of room and space for entertaining or family living. The huge upstairs bonus room is the perfect space for your favorite games, media room or a hobby room. Off the bonus room is a lot of unfinished space that is great for storage or future expansion. And remember that the Whitley like all Biltmore houses are Energy Star certified.

With the growing popularity of ranch floor plans, the Whitley will continue to be a top selling floor plan. We have many different layouts, elevations, custom features and upgrades so don't worry because no two Whitley's are ever alike! Best of all the Whitley is between the very popular $250k - $300k price point.

If you would like to tour a Whitley please contact us and we would be glad to show you around. You can also view and download the Whitley floor plan here.

Biltmore Homes is committed to bringing you over 30 great floor plans that will fit any living style and needs.

- Built For Life!

Team Biltmore

Things are busy at Heritage Wake Forest and We Know Why!

2009-10-13T12:08:00.007-04:00

By far the busiest neighborhood we have seen during this years Wake County Parade of Homes has been Heritage Wake Forest. Our Heritage Knoll section has been hopping all parade long and that is a great thing! A lot of the people ask us "Why is Heritage so populal?" Well for those who are local and live in or near Heritage the answer is self explanatory. For those of you who may be following along from out of town and are thinking about relocating let us provide some answers!

Beauty - Drive around Heritage and you instantly get a feel for how beautiful it is. From the well done entrances to the landscaping you know that this is a neighborhood everyone is very proud of!
Homes - Heritage features many of the best local and national builders in all of the Triangle. You drive up and down the streets of Heritage and every home is a thing of beauty. Biltmore is very proud to be part of such a great builder team.
Location - Wake Forest is one of the Triangle's fastest growing communities. Only minutes away from Downtown Raleigh and Research Triangle Park, Heritage sits in a ideal location.
Golf - Heritage features one of the Triangle's best golf courses. The golf course has won numerous awards and is not only beautiful but a great challenge!
Swim, Tennis and Fishing - Along with the golf Heritage features 2 community pools, tennis courts and a fishing pond that keeps the entire family happy especially in the summer!
Schools - Heritage is lucky to have day cares, private schools and public schools located all with-in the community. To learn more about all the school options please click here.
Retail - You won't have to go far to shop or eat when you live in Heritage. Heritage features everything from local coffee shops and restaurants to large grocery stores and pharmacies.
To learn more about the many things Heritage Wake Forest has to offer please visit their website.

To see what is currently available by Biltmore at Heritage please click here. Along with current available homes and new homes coming out of the ground Biltmore has great pre-sale opportunities available on some of the neighborhoods best lots! Biltmore Homes and the Heritage New Home Sales Team would love the opportunity to show you around Heritage Wake Forest and our Knoll section so please contact us to set up a time for a personal tour.

We look forward to seeing you at Heritage Wake Forest!

Built For Life!

- Team Biltmore

Bring On Those Baby Boomers!

2009-10-07T13:58:00.004-04:00

Biltmore had a great first weekend of traffic at all our 2009 Parade Homes and there was one dominant theme that we all noticed - the baby boomers were out in full force and they know what they want! To make sure we are all on the same page a Baby Boomer was born between the years 1946 and 1964. The economic upturn after World War II during those years saw a tremendous increase in birth rates which brought on all the baby boomers!

Here are some fascinating stats and info from a 2008 National Association of Home Builder's study regarding Baby Boomer's:

55+ households now account for almost 21% of new homes purchased in the US.
Important to build within an hour's drive of major urban areas.
Proximity to restaurants, retail areas, golf courses and medical facilities.
And we have learned first hand being on site that weather plays a big role in where Baby Boomers want to settle down. Although they don't seem to mind the change of seasons they want that change in temperature to not be to drastic!

Biltmore knows how important a new home is to Baby Boomers and we continue to listen to their needs. We have added award winning ranch plans like the Whitley, Torrington, Williamston I and II, Berkley and the Shelton. Not to mention the many first floor masters Biltmore has available. Click here to see all our floor plans! Biltmore is also researching new ranch floor plans and hope to introduce some more in the near future.

The Triangle continues to win numerous awards as the countries best places to live and that includes hitting all the wants and needs of the baby boomers. The Triangle features warm weather the majority of the year. Our hospitals are some of the countries best. Golf courses are around every corner. There are many award winning master planned communities that have the amenities that baby boomers are looking for. (Biltmore is proud to be building in two of the best in Heritage Wake Forest and South Lakes.) Lastly downtown Raleigh, Durham and the rest of the Triangle cities have been transformed the past couple of years into vibrant hot spots with great selections of restaurants. shopping and events!

Biltmore is ready to serve the needs of Baby Boomers as they look to move into new homes. Contact us and let us show you the floor plans and communities that we think will be a perfect fit for your needs!

Built For Life!

- Team Biltmore

Biltmore Homes 2009 Parade of Homes Special

2009-09-29T14:27:00.005-04:00

Parade week has arrived and we are very excited to get started on Saturday. Click here to see all the Biltmore Parade Homes around the Triangle from the Wake HBA Website. We are excited to have in Heritage Knoll at Heritage Wake Forest a Whitley, Dayton and Magnolia featured. In South Lakes we are excited to have a Whitley featured. All of these homes feature Biltmore's quality craftsmanship and are Energy Star certified.

Purchase any Biltmore Homes Pre-Sale or Spec-Home by November 30, 2009 and receive the following incentives:

Appliance Package - Washer, Dryer and S/S Refrigerator
42 Inch Flat Screen High Definition Television
$3000 in Closing Costs with Approved Lender and Attorney

Parade of Homes will take place on October 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18 from the hours of 12-5:00pm. Biltmore looks forward to seeing you at the 2009 Parade of Homes!

- Built For Life!

Team Biltmore

2009 Wake County Parade of Homes - Like Christmas For Builders!

2009-09-21T14:53:00.005-04:00

Did you ever realize that Christmas for builders really comes every October? That is right Parade of Homes is like Christmas time for builders around the Triangle and that is no different here at Biltmore Homes!

Instead of being busy hanging stockings we are hanging trim and windows. Instead of waiting for Santa and his cute reindeer's we eagerly await the Parade of Homes judges who we also leave cookies and milk out for! Instead of the last minute wrapping of presents we builders are frantically unwrapping light fixtures. Finally instead of putting up a tree inside we like to decorate the outside with landscaping of new trees and bushes. Very much like Christmas we are rushing against the clock to have everything done!

This year's 2009 Wake County Parade of Homes will be held: October 3-4, 9-11 & 16-18. All homes will be open from 12-5:00pm. The county wide Open House is a great opportunity to see the latest floor plans, features and benefits that builders have to offer.

Biltmore Homes is proud to have Parade Homes in both the Heritage Knoll and South Lakes neighborhoods. Please mark your calendars so that you can come out and see our beautiful custom built Energy Star homes. Along with touring our Parade Homes you will have the opportunity to meet the builders, enter to win contests, learn about the benefits of Energy Star and take advantage of our 2009 Parade Special incentives. There is no better time to buy then during Parade of Homes!

The 2009 Wake County Parade of Homes is always a great event and Biltmore Homes is glad to be participating once again. Please contact us for more information or to set up your own personal viewing. We look forward to meeting you at the 2009 Parade of Homes!

And one last thing - Merry Christmas.....I mean Happy Parade of Homes!

- Built For Life

Team Biltmore

Biltmore Loves Writing Checks To REALTOR's!

2009-09-01T13:38:00.003-04:00

So did this blog title make you do a double take? No that is not a typo. Biltmore loves to present checks to REALTOR's because it means we are not only selling homes but more importantly building relationships.

Real Estate is very local so building long term relationships with local REALTOR's is something we put a lot of focus into. Whether it be the buyers agent or our on-site new home agents, Biltmore is lucky to have worked with so many great REALTORS over the years.

Biltmore also believes that REALTOR's need to rewarded for their hard work. Just in the past 2 weeks we proudly presented checks to REALTOR's who took advantage of our get paid 1/2 of your commission upfront on newly signed contracts. It was a win-win situation because Biltmore sold homes in Snow Hill Preserve and South Lakes and the REALTOR received a check immediatley even though the closing is still a couple weeks out.

We welcome the opportunity to meet and work with as many REALTOR's as possible in the Triangle. If you are interested in learning more about Biltmore Homes and the neighborhoods we build in then lets set up one of the following:

Personal Neighborhood Tour - Let one of our Biltmore builder reps give you a personal tour of the neighborhoods we build in. This is a great way to learn more about the neighborhood price points, home styles, amenities and the local area.
Biltmore Building 101 - Let one of the Biltmore owners or project managers walk you through a home to go over the overall construction, quality, craftsmanship and Energy Star features. This is a great way to get behind the scenes insight on the construction process so that you can better educate your clients on new construction.
Office Presentation - Let the Biltmore crew come present to your office so that all the office REALTORS can learn more about Biltmore, our story, neighborhoods, floor plans and service. We can even bring breakfast or lunch!

If you have already sold a Biltmore Home then we appreciate your business and look forward to working together again. If you are new to working with Biltmore then lets schedule a time to get together so that you can learn more about Biltmore and how we can help you and your clients. And we look forward to writing you a check in the near future!

Contact Biltmore Homes to set up a Personal Tour, Builder 1o1 or Office Presentation in the near future!

Built For Life!

- The Biltmore Crew

Why do builders want Congress to extend the tax credit?

2009-08-17T13:18:00.002-04:00

It should come as no surprise that builders are urging (urging is putting it lightly) Congress to extend the tax credit that has helped first time home buyers get into a new home in 2009. What currently is being proposed is that Congress extend the home buyer tax credit through November 2010 and make it available to ALL buyers of main residences. That ALL part is the key. What if every home buyer could receive a tax credit when buying a home - Think that would get some people excited about moving into a new home? The answer is yes. If you look at how important the "Cash for Clunkers" deal has been to the car industry then you can now see how important this could be for the real estate and building industry. It could jump start the housing market and create jobs! Don't just take our word for it - read some of the specifics from the latest NAHB information:

“If Congress acts to extend the tax credit program, it would spur 383,000 additional home sales, including 80,000 housing starts, creating nearly 350,000 jobs over the coming year,” said NAHB Chairman Joe Robson, a home builder from Tulsa, Okla. “That’s good for the economy and good for America.”

NAHB also does a great job laying out the other issues that need to be addressed with local and federal law makers regarding the housing industry:

Correct a faulty appraisal process. The inappropriate use of distressed and foreclosed sales as comps in determining home values is hurting home values and killing home sales.
Improve housing credit conditions. Since there can be no meaningful economic recovery until the flow of credit is restored to housing, NAHB is calling on Congress to urge regulators and the banking industry to end the stranglehold on acquisition, development and construction (AD&C) loans that has emerged as a major impediment to the housing recovery.

Biltmore Homes is glad that we are part of an industry with such strong leadership and support but it is up to all of us as builders, real estate agents and even home owners to contact our government leadership and let them know that fixing the housing market should be a top priority!

Contact Biltmore Homes if you need any additional information or want to learn more on how to take advantage of the current first time home buyers tax credit or great home pricing.

Built For Life!

- Team Biltmore

The Awards Keep On Coming For The Triangle!

2009-07-14T22:40:00.004-04:00

Let's say there is a restaurant in town that always wins the award for the best burger in town. Every time you read the local newspaper or website it talks about how great this place is and how everyone is going there. Guess what? You wind up going there because you want to see what all the fuss is about!

Well sorry to toot our own horn but that is how we feel about the Triangle and we have the awards, honors and reviews to back it up. People continue to relocate to the Triangle at a record pace and there are many good reasons why. The list is long (and this is probably only half the list from the past 2 years) but from jobs to food, from schools and businesses the Triangle continues to be the place to relocate to. Don't just take our word for it - see the long list of awards and honors the Triangle has compiled lately:

Triangle 2009 Awards
#10 Best City of 2009 (Raleigh-Cary) Kiplinger's Personal Finance, May 2009
#1 City Where Americans Are Relocating (Raleigh-Cary) Forbes.com May 2009
#5 Top City for Designers and Artists (Raleigh-Cary) ArtBistro.com, May 2009
50 Best Burgers (Raleigh Times Bar, Raleigh) Food Network, May 2009
#1 City with Best Economic Potential (Raleigh) fDi Magazine, April 2009
#1 City Where Americans Are Relocating (Raleigh) Forbes.com, April 2009
50 Best New U.S. Restaurants (The Pit, Raleigh) Travel + Leisure, April 2009
#24 Top Arts Destination among Mid-Size Cities (Raleigh) AmericanStyle Magazine, April 2009
Ultimate Hyatt Place Hotel (Hyatt Place Raleigh-Durham Airport, Morrisvile) Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, March 2009
#1 Best Place for Business and Careers (Raleigh-Cary) Forbes.com, March 2009
#1 Fastest-Growing Metropolitan Area in the Country (Raleigh-Cary) U.S. Census Bureau, March 2009
Tree City USA recognition (Cary, Raleigh, Wendell and Zebulon) Arbor Day Foundation, March 2009
2nd Best State to Do Business In (North Carolina) Chief Executive Magazine, March 2009
#6 Healthiest Housing Market (Raleigh) Builderonline.com, February 2009
#18 MSA with Highest Rate of House Price Appreciation (Raleigh-Cary) Federal Housing Finance Agency, February 2009
#1 Top City for Small Business (Raleigh, NC) Bizjournals and portfolio.com, February 2009
Award of Excellence (Greater Raleigh CVB) SportsEvents Magazine, February 2009
Mobil Five-Star Award (The Umstead Hotel and Spa, Cary) Mobil Travel Guide, January 2009
Mobil Four-Star Award (The Umstead Spa and Herons at the Umstead Hotel and Spa, Cary) Mobil Travel Guide, January 2009
10 Great Cities for Salary Growth (Raleigh-Cary) Yahoo! Hotjobs, January 2009
#3 Most Visited Attraction in North Carolina (N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh) Carolina Publishing Associates, January 2009
#10 Most Visited Attraction in North Carolina (N.C. Museum of History, Raleigh)
Carolina Publishing Associates, January 2009
#22 Most Visited Attraction in North Carolina (N.C. Museum of Art, Raleigh) Carolina Publishing Associates, January 2009
Midtown Diamond Award for Best Martini (The Red Room Tapas Lounge, Raleigh) Midtown Magazine, January 2009
#2 Splurge Worthy Restaurant in Readers’ Choice Awards (Angus Barn, Raleigh) Southern Living, January 2009
#2 Best Festival or Fair in Readers’ Choice Awards (North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh) Southern Living, January 2009
#6 Best Value Public College for 2009 (North Carolina State University, Raleigh) USA Today, January 2009
#4 among America’s Best Cities for Dating (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) Sperling’s BestPlaces, January 2009
Raleigh-Cary strongest metro in N.C. Brookings Report, June 2009
The Raleigh-Durham area has finished on top in a study designed to determine how several prominent Southeastern cities compare to each other. Triangle Business Journal, June 2009
Top 10 boom town offering solid employment opportunities and the talent to create new, well-paying positions Kiplingers, May 2009
#2 on their list of Cities on the Rebound The Today Show, May 2009

Triangle Previous Awards

Okay you get the idea. The Triangle is a great place to live. Contact Biltmore Homes and let us us help you find a new home in the award winning Triangle!!

Built For Life!

- Team Biltmore

So What Is The New Home Building Process?

2009-07-07T16:10:00.004-04:00

We run into many home shoppers that would like to build a new home but many times are hesitant of the actual building process. They would love the outcome of a brand new home built customized with all their personal wants and needs but are "scared" of the process.

Well we here at Biltmore have taken the "scary" out of the process. Be more scared of what the inspection report will tell you about purchasing an old home rather then building a brand new home!

Here is a quick rundown of the building process:

Pre-Construction Meetings and Planning
Selection
Foundation and Framing
Electrical Walk Through
Electrical and Plumbing
Exterior Painting
Flooring
Drywall
Interior Trim/ Cabinetry/ Fixtures
Interior Finishing
Final Touches
Move In!

For a more in depth description on the above steps please visit our website to learn more about the step by step process! Contact Biltmore Homes as we would enjoy the opportunity to sit down with you and answer any questions you have about building a brand new home!

Built For Life!

Team Biltmore

Biltmore Appreciates Our Homeowners!

2009-06-30T13:36:00.004-04:00

When building a house we realize it is more then just a house. It truly is a home where memories are made, holidays are celebrated, where kids mark the walls through the years to track how tall they are and where parents see their kids grow up and then move out (hopefully right)!

Biltmore has been honored to build homes for so many special people (over 350 in the Triangle) through the years as many times we gain new friends as we get to know them and their families. The ultimate compliment is when a homeowner sells their current Biltmore Home to move into another. Bottom line is we appreciate our homeowners and know that without them we would just be building houses rather then a home!

We appreciate our homeowners who provide us with testimonials because they are the best sales and marketing people that we have. Cynthia Crummey who recently moved into a new home in Snow Hill Preserve said, "I chose a Biltmore Home's because they take great pride in their craftsmanship which is readily apparent when you walk into any of their homes. Working with Biltmore to construct my new home was such a pleasure! They were more than willing to work with me to customize my plans. I love my home and would recommend Biltmore to my family and friends with confidence." Thank you for that Cynthia because we appreciate the kind words. To read more Biltmore homeowner testimonials please click here.

At Biltmore we do not claim to be perfect as no one ever is but we do promise to be honest and work with our homeowners the best we can to keep them happy Biltmore customers for years to come, whether it be their first Biltmore Home or their third!

Please contact us and let us know how we can help you build memories in a new home!

Built For Life!

- Team Biltmore

The Factory is just another reason to live in Heritage Wake Forest!

2009-06-23T11:49:00.004-04:00

How would you like to live right down the street from a place that's tag line is Eat, Shop, Play? Sounds like the perfect place to be! Well if you live in Heritage Wake Forest then such a place is right down the street at The Factory!

The Factory is a place that is perfect for the entire family. Just take a look at some of the many activities The Factory has to offer (taken from The Factory website):

The Polar Ice House, featuring twin ice sheets, full service snack bar, and birthday party rooms.
The MVP Sports Center indoor soccer facility hosting leagues, camps, and instruction.
The Factory Ballpark baseball/softball complex comprised of six fields and a large field house. Operated by Capital City Baseball.
YMCA at The Factory.
Klok's School of Martial Arts, Destiny Dance Institute, indoor batting cages and basketball at MVP Sports Center, Works of Clay pottery painting, and Progressive Music Center.
Delicious Skateboard Shop and The Factory Skateboard Park, a huge indoor/outdoor skate park with all the trimmings.
Great local restaurants including Village Deli, Las Palmas, and Sweet Loralee Pastries.
Shopping for the entire family at retail locations Silly Goose, Planetary Nutrition, Victory Trophies & Gifts, Lily Mae's Jewelry & Gifts, and the Factory Pro Shop.
Three Oaks photography to take care of all your photography needs.
Seasonal events such as Breakfast with Santa, Ice Cream with the Easter Bunny, the Boys and Girls Club art contest, and the Factory 5k.
Spacious common areas both indoor and out with big screen televisions to catch great sporting events and free wi-fi internet access.

When we talk to many of the homeowners who move to Heritage Wake Forest they mention that being so close to The Factory was a main reason and we can see why!

Biltmore Homes is proud to be building in the Heritage Knoll section so if you are interested in living so close to a family fun place like The Factory please contact us and let us show you what is available or what we can build you!

Hope to see you at The Factory - look for us in the batting cages as we love to get our swings in!

Built For Life!

- Team Biltmore

Information on First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit

2009-06-16T13:29:00.008-04:00

Anywhere the Biltmore crew goes these days it seems the number 1 question we get asked is about the First Time Homebuyers Tax credit especially since the December 1, 2009 deadline looms closer. Again here are the details on the tax credit:

$8,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance

The tax credit is for first-time home buyers only. For the tax credit program, the IRS defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.
The tax credit does not have to be repaid.
The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.
The credit is available for homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.
Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

Biltmore has some great floor plans that are priced right for the first time homebuyers in all five of our neighborhoods but the tax credit is only available until December 1 so don't miss out on this great opportunity. The best resource to learn more is the Federal Housing Tax Credit website so go there to learn more or contact Biltmore Homes as we would be happy to assist you!

Built For Life!

- Team Biltmore

Neighborhood Feature - Snow Hill Preserve

2009-06-09T13:50:00.003-04:00

How would a new home neighborhood sound that was tucked back into the woods surrounded by natures beauty but yet only minutes away from Downtown Durham, Duke and Research Triangle Park? Well look no further then Snow Hill Preserve! Biltmore Homes is proud to be the exclusive builder of Snow Hill Preserve located in North Durham. Snow Hill Preserve features awesome Biltmore Energy Star certified floor plans priced from the low $200's to the mid $300's.

Just across the road from Little River Reservoir, Snow Hill Preserve offers quiet country living in a peaceful, natural setting. In the vicinity, Historic Southern homes and working farms dot the countryside. The nearby Little River provides a natural habitat for several species of wildlife while the reservoir serves as a gathering place for visitors to get out and enjoy nature. On both sides of the river there are rich forests, meadows and wide-open spaces that give this area a distinct rural feel, though in reality the best part of this neighborhood is that it is only minutes from Duke and downtown Durham.

Snow Hill currently has the Irlington inventory home available and then it will be down to only 10 lots left to pick out your home site, floor plan, selections and build the house of your dreams! To learn more about Snow Hill Preserve please click here and for a personal tour of Snow Hill Preserve please contact us as we would enjoy the opportunity to show you around this great neighborhood.

Built For Life!

- Team Biltmore

Yes You Save Money With An Energy Star Home - And Here Is How!

2009-06-01T13:38:00.006-04:00

As more and more home buyers are getting familiar with Energy Star and its features and benefits, the biggest question Biltmore gets asked is "how does it actually save me money"? Well here is a good breakdown that shows an example of how an Energy Star home priced at $300,000 lowers your monthly costs!

Through better construction techniques and the use of energy efficient features, your Energy Star home offers lower total monthly costs (mortgage plus utility bills) than typical new homes of the same and even lower sale prices.

This is correct, lower monthly costs than a lower priced home!

Standard New Home Energy Star Home
$300,000 Base Sales Price $300,000
$0 Energy Upgrades $5,000
$1796 Monthly Mortgage* $1826
$214 Monthly Utilities* $160
$2010 Total Monthly Housing Costs $1986
$0 Yearly Savings $288

Total Mortgage Life Savings $8,640
* = 30 YEAR 10% DOWN 7% APR * Utility costs based on current prices

So yes you do get lower total monthly housing costs & along with the below benefits of an Energy Star Home:

More Comfortable and Quieter
Higher Resale Value
Third Party Quality Verification
Healthier Indoor Air Quality
Lower Maintenance
Helps Protect the Environment

Before you buy your next home consider your Total Monthly Costs and we feel certain you will see the benefits of owning a Biltmore certified Energy Star Home!

Biltmore Homes is proud to be an Energy Star certified builder as please contact Biltmore for a personal tour of one of our homes to see the features of Energy Star up close and personal.

Built For Life!

- Team Biltmore

Biltmore Homes Featured Home Spotlight:The Irlington in South Lakes

2009-05-26T14:57:00.005-04:00

Biltmore likes to refer to our inventory homes as featured homes as that is what they are loaded with - Awesome FEATURES!

This week's featured home is the beautiful open Irlington floor plan located at South Lakes in Fuquay Varina, NC. The Irlington is a popular first floor master with an additional 4 bedrooms and a bonus loft upstairs. At 2457 square feet the Irlington is the perfect house for the entire family. The Irlington features hardwoods floors, trey ceiling, tile master bathroom, granite countertops, upgraded cabinets and and stainless steel appliances.

The best part of the home very well may be the HUGE screened in porch perfect for those beautiful North Carolina spring, summer and fall nights! This house is a must see - start be viewing the below video tour and then contact Biltmore Homes to set up your very own personal tour.

This Energy Star Certified home priced under $300,000 is ready for move in so that you can be enjoying the pool and lakes of South Lakes this summer!

Biltmore is proud to bring you this featured house and looks forward to seeing it come to life as someones home in the near future!

Built For Life!

- Team Biltmore

Great Video On The First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit

2009-05-18T16:14:00.003-04:00

One of the biggest questions floating around the real estate market right now is exactly how does this first time homebuyers tax credit work? It seems that most first time homebuyers or those who are eligible for the tax credit know that now is the time to buy but are not 100% sure how the details work. Here is a great video from the NAHB that explains and answers questions about the first time homebuyers tax credit.

Biltmore Homes has home prices and floor plans in selected neighborhoods that are a great fit for first time homebuyers so please contact us and let us know how we can help making homeownership a reality!

- Team Biltmore

Heritage Wake Forest is the place to be in the spring time!

2009-05-11T10:17:00.003-04:00

Nothing beats spring time here in the Triangle and especially at Heritage Wake Forest. Why you ask? Well it is because of the awesome amenities that Heritage has to offer. Many of our new Biltmore homeowners in the Heritage Knoll always talk about being drawn to the many amenities that Heritage has to offer and no time are these amenities more featured then during the spring and summer!

Once that spring daylight savings time kicks in then it means more hours to play a round of golf, swim in the pools, play tennis, walk the many trails, fish in the pond, play at the soccer field or just sit on the back porch at the 1250 Heritage restaurant and enjoy a cocktail with friends. Yes these are all things you can do without ever leaving Heritage Wake Forest.

Biltmore Homes has over 20 award winning floor plans priced in the $300-$400's in our Heritage Knoll section. Weather you want to pick your own lot and customize your very own floor plan or move into one of our showcased inventory homes, Biltmore will take care of your home needs and Heritage Wake Forest will take care of all your fun needs for the entire family!

Contact Biltmore Homes today and let us show you around the homes of Heritage Knoll and the amenities of Heritage Wake Forest!

- Team Biltmore

Biltmore Homes Builds Energy Star Certified Homes - What Does That Mean Though?

2009-05-04T14:00:00.004-04:00

The popularity of Energy Star is growing as many home buyers are asking for it by name when researching new homes but at the same time too many home buyers are not aware of the actual benefits. Whenever the Biltmore team is on site one of the most popular questions we get asked is "What are the benefits of an Energy Star home?" Let us help try to answer that as the www.energystar.gov website has a lot of great information. Here are just a few of the specific benefits they point out:

LOWER OWNERSHIP COST
Compared with standard homes, ENERGY STAR qualified homes use substantially less energy for heating, cooling, and water heating-delivering $200 to $400 in annual savings. Over the average 7 to 8 years you may live in your home, this adds up to thousands of dollars saved on utility bills. Additional savings on maintenance can also be substantial. Financing your home purchase using an energy efficient mortgage can also lead to savings.

BETTER PERFORMANCE
Properly installed energy-efficient improvements deliver better protection against cold, heat, drafts, moisture, pollution, and noise. An energy-efficient home helps ensure consistent temperatures between and across rooms, improved indoor air quality, and greater durability.

SMART INVESTMENT
To date, more than 6,500 home builders (including Biltmore Homes) have partnered with EPA to construct nearly 940,000 ENERGY STAR qualified homes. The trend is clear. By choosing a home with the ENERGY STAR label, you can be confident that it will have an increasingly valued feature when the time comes to sell.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Did you know that your home can be a greater source of pollution than your car? In fact, 16 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are generated from the energy used in houses nationwide.

Energy used in our homes often comes from the burning of fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and global warming. Simply put, the less energy we use in our homes, the less air pollution we generate.

If you would like to learn even more additional benefits then visit our Biltmore Energy Star section or contact us as we would enjoy the opportunity to meet with you locally and show you some of the many great Energy Star features!

Biltmore Homes are not only Energy Star certified but Built For Life! Thanks for reading!

- Team Biltmore

PS - Come out to a Biltmore model home, mention this blog and get a free Biltmore Homes t-shirt!

New Home Inventory Continues To Fall

2009-04-27T11:31:00.004-04:00

We could spend days and even weeks blogging about the past challenges of the real estate market (who wants to live in the past though) but one of the simplest reasons for the problems was the supply vs demand factor. When the housing market was booming demand was high so supply kept getting pumped out. Well when that demand stops you obviously get to a point where there is just to much supply.

Well a recent April 24 press release from the National Association of Home Builders told us that we are going in the right direction as new home inventory continues to dwindle which is a good sign for builders and the overall real estate market. Below is an excerpt from the release that shows some of the figures:

-The number of newly built, single-family homes on the market declined for a 23rd consecutive month in March as builders focused on winnowing down their inventories of unsold units, according to new-home sales data reported by the U.S. Commerce Department today. Inventory shrank to 311,000 units, which is a 10.7-month supply at the current sales pace.

“Builders are doing a great job of thinning the supply of unsold homes and positioning themselves for a slow but steady housing recovery,” noted NAHB Chairman Joe Robson, a home builder from Tulsa, Okla. “Today’s numbers are a welcome sign that the market is stabilizing as some of the best home buying conditions in a lifetime are drawing consumers off the fence and back into the market.”-

Biltmore has some great inventory homes available as click here to view all our homes that are ready for move in today! Overall we are very excited about the pick up the market has seen the past 30 days and are gearing up for growth the rest of 2009 and into 2010!

If you are in the market for a new home now is the time to buy so contact us and let us know how we can help you get into your next dream home!

Built For Life!

- Team Biltmore

Live Where Growth Happens!

2009-04-20T13:53:00.004-04:00

Maybe this economic recession has got you down and you are looking for a place to go where "growth happens"! Well look no further then Raleigh and the Triangle as Forbes magazine just named it the fastest growing metro area in the nation!

If you are looking to relocate to Raleigh and the Triangle then Biltmore Homes would enjoy working with you on your next dream home. As a local custom builder we have the knowledge, passion, quality and floor plans to deliver the house you want at the value you need. Whether it be a showcase inventory home or you want us to build exactly the home you want we are ready to deliver on those new home dreams!

Contact Biltmore and let us know how we can help as we look forward to you being part of the fastest growing metro area!

Built For Life!

- Team Biltmore

Here is an excerpt form the recent Forbes article:

Despite the overall economic slowdown, some parts of the country keep on moving ahead, attracting more and more newcomers--even if it's at a slower pace than in more sound economic times. These places still offer a semblance of stability, as well as great weather, cultural life and, in many cases, affordability.

Behind the Numbers

To determine the fastest-growing metro areas in the country, we used 2008 population estimates for metropolitan statistical areas with a population over 1 million, released March 19, 2009, by the U.S. Census Bureau. MSAs are geographic entities defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget for use by federal agencies in collecting, tabulating and publishing federal statistics.

We then compared the 2008 population estimates to the previous year's data to see which areas had grown the most, percentage-wise.

Nine places fared even better than Denver, though they share similar qualities: more business opportunities, better weather and more affordable housing. The top three areas according to the data are Raleigh, N.C., ranking first, which jumped 4.29% to nearly 1.9 million; Austin, Texas, which came in second, with a 3.77% increase to almost 1.7 million; and Charlotte, N.C., which moved up 3.36% to 1.7 million.

To read the entire article click here.

Wake Forest Meet in the Street Festival - May 2, 2009

2009-04-13T13:03:00.003-04:00

If you live in Heritage Wake Forest then you will want to mark May 2 on your calendars for the 29th Annual Meet in the Street Festival. And if you don't live in Wake Forest then make it a Wake Forest type of day - start by touring some of Biltmore's inventory homes at the Heritage Knoll section of Heritage Wake Forest and then head over to the Meet in the Street Festival. Come by the Biltmore Homes Southhampton model and be sure to let us know you read the blog and you will receive a free Biltmore t-shirt!

Below are the details on the 29th Annual Meet in the Street Festival taking place in Downtown Wake Forest. Put it on your calendars as Biltmore looks forward to you coming by our Heritage Knoll model that weekend!

Date: May 2, 2009

Time: 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM

29th Annual Meet in the Street® Festival - A Celebration of Art and Artisans

For 28 years, people in the Wake Forest community have gathered to enjoy one of the largest family-friendly festivals in the region. A crowd of more than 10,000 is expected to descend upon the historic business district of Downtown Wake Forest for the 29th Annual Meet In The Street® on Saturday, May 2nd. The event is held from 10:00am-4:00pm and is free and open to the public.

While there, visitors will have the chance to acquire some wonderful hand-made arts and crafts. Approximately 100 vendors from all over the Southeast proudly show off their handiwork at Meet In The Street®. You can find beautiful paintings, jewelry and home décor, as well as many unique handcrafted items that make this annual event a celebration of local art and artisans.

Be sure to stop by the Children’s Village. There you will find games and activities. Come with an appetite, as the Food Village will be stocked with all of your festival favories.

The entire family will be entertained by local dancers, singers and musicians on two performance stages. As always, you can meet up with some of the Triangle’s favorite mascots.

Meet In The Street® is sponsored by WakeMed. The annual festival is organized by the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce and made possible by the volunteer efforts of Chamber members. Special thanks to The Wake Weekly for their media sponsorship.

http://www.wakeforestchamber.org/calendar.asp

Live Where National Champions Play!

2009-04-09T21:37:00.003-04:00

Okay this post is geared towards those out of towners who are thinking about relocating to the Triangle. For those of us who already live here then we already "get" how passionate this area is for our college basketball. And let it also be known that the author of the Biltmore blog is a die hard Tarheel fan so that means I get to scream, yell and gloat that the North Carolina Tarheels are the 2009 College Basketball National Champions. Team Biltmore is made up of some Wake Forest fans, a Wisconsin Badger fan and some Wolfpackers from NC State but today we celebrate my Tarheels!

So listen up all you potential re-locaters - nothing beats college basketball here in the Triangle. The first thing you need to do when you move here is pledge your allegiance to one of the Triangle schools - UNC, NC State or Duke. Then once you pick a team get ready to brush up on a lot of history and get ready for a battle. Nothing beats rivalry game day - whether it be Duke/Carolina or State/Carolina or Duke/State you can feel the buzz and tension in the air or should we say the sports radio airwaves from the early morning and it lasts with the winning team fan base bragging well into the next day. The games themselves are great but what is even better is the battle of the fans. It has been known to get heated but never ugly as everyone who lives in the Triangle deep down is very thankful and lucky to live in the best place in the entire country for college basketball.

So congratulations to the Tarheels and their fans as they currently have all the bragging rights but every new season brings a whole new set of hopes and dreams for all the passionate fans. So remember the first thing you need to do after moving into your new Biltmore Homes is sit down and pledge your allegiance to one of the Triangle college basketball teams - but choose wisely as who you choose will say a lot about who you are, where you come from and what your Triangle experience will be like!

Built For Life!

Team Biltmore

PS - We have been busy building all through March Madness as the real estate market is picking up so hurry up and get to the Triangle today!

Biltmore was proud to be part of the "Spare Some For Autism" sponsor team that helped raise $25,000 for Autism.

2009-03-31T15:50:00.002-04:00

Biltmore Homes was proud to be part of the "Spare Some For Autism" sponsor team that recently helped raise $25,000 for Autism as this is a great cause. For those of you living in Heritage Knoll you probably witnessed Tony building the kids house that was up for auction - lucky for the kids Tony got the roof on just in time before the rain came!

Spare Some for Autism was recently founded in Raleigh, NC, by a local CEO and mother of an autistic daughter, Beth Jarvis. Very familiar with giving back to her community, working with celebrities, and running a highly successful charity event, as the founder and former Tournament Director of the Jimmy V Celebrity Junior Golf Classic, Beth decided it was time to turn her attention to a cause that hits a little closer to home…

Five years ago, Beth’s daughter, Cameron, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). As a twin, Cameron was always a few steps behind her sister, Carly, and even though the mental and physical gap has lessened over the years through special attention and training, the differences are still apparent. Determined to get some answers, Spare Some for Autism is the result of Cameron’s loving spirit, Beth’s will to provide a better life for her daughter and other children with autism, and the entire autism advocacy community’s journey to provide answers and, ultimately, a cure, for this devastating disorder.

Get involved with Spare Some For Autism as a sponsor or as a volunteer. To learn more about how to get involved or to donate to this great cause please visit http://www.sparesomeforautism.org/donate

If you wait for the bottom you will probably wait too long!

2009-03-23T12:36:00.003-04:00

If you work in the real estate market as a realtor, mortgage loan officer, builder, appraiser, etc then you have no doubt had a conversation in the last 3 months about "when will we see a bottom?" and the good news is that many signs are pointing to that answer being right now - especially here in North Carolina!

One of the Biltmore preferred lenders sent us an email today with some news that we wanted to share as the quote to start the newsletter said it all - "IF A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY APPEARS, DON'T PULL DOWN THE SHADE." Tom Peters.

On Wednesday, the Fed announced that over the course of 2009, they will purchase an additional $750 Billion of Mortgage Backed Securities, as well as $300 Billion in long-term Treasuries, primarily to help shore up the housing market and keep home loan rates low. It's important to understand that while their actions may keep a lid on rates moving higher, they may not cause them to move dramatically lower.
While we know there is little inflation at the present time, the chatter of future inflation could have a negative impact on Bonds and home loan rates, or at least stifle any improvements.
Housing Starts for February came in better than expected and actually increased for the first time in eight months. In addition, Fed Chairman Bernanke stated the recession should end in 2009 and that he is confident of the long-term outlook for the US economy.

Although the media is already spinning it differently, this is not a time to stay on the fence, hoping and waiting for lower rates. Home loan rates remain within inches of all-time historic lows, but may not necessarily move significantly lower based on this purchasing plan - waiting is a very risky move.

Biltmore Homes has great inventory and pre-sale opportunities in our new home communities so contact us as we look forward to working with you!

Built For Life!

- Team Biltmore

A special thanks to Denise Beatty at Wells Fargo for sharing the great above information.

Fix It Up...Sell It Faster!

2009-03-09T15:03:00.007-04:00

There is know doubt that today's market is challenging but with any challenge there is always a solution. Here at Biltmore we like solutions and one solution that we love to provide is remodeling & additions!

A lot of folks these days want to buy a new home but they get overwhelmed with how much work needs to be done to their current house in order to have in tip top shape, get noticed and get sold! Deciding to take advantage of this buyers market and low interest rates is where you come in - getting your house in great condition to sell is where we come in!

Biltmore recently went into a house (see pictures) that had been on the market for over a year and updated the kitchen, bathrooms, master closet and finished it off with a fresh coat of paint and already showings and those important 2nd showings have increased. The real estate agent we worked with is confident the house will soon be sold.

If your house is currently on the market or if you are thinking about putting it on the market then consider making a small investment to get your house remodeled and ready to make a great first impression on buyers! Please visit our website to learn more about Biltmore's Remodeling division as we can not only build your new dream home but we can help get your old one sold!

Built For Life!

- Team Biltmore

Snow Day in March but Spring is Coming!

2009-03-03T12:42:00.006-05:00

For those of you who love snow and are thinking about moving to North Carolina then don't worry - snow days do happen - but usually not in March. But yesterday the Triangle was blanketed with about 3-5 inches of snow depending on where you live. Schools were closed, many businesses were shut down which meant that kids and parents alike were given a surprise Monday off to enjoy the day either inside or outside. Much of the Biltmore team used the day to catch up on much needed office work!

Driving around though the Biltmore team did take notice that the neighborhoods looked very pretty and peaceful with a blanket of snow (melting snow by the end of the day) covering them. Here you will see pictures of snow covering many sections of Biltmore's Heritage Knoll.

The moral of the story is that if you love snow then North Carolina does get that occasional snow storm that will fill your needs. If you are like many of us though who move to North Carolina to get away from the snow then don't worry as we only get 1 or 2 snowstorms every couple of years. And best of all it melts quick as for example this weekend is supposed to be up into the 70's. And there is no better feeling living in a great place like North Carolina on a 70 degree day in early March while you watch much of the rest of the country still freezing and dreading at least 4 more weeks of winter!

Now is a great time to relocate to the Triangle region of North Carolina and when you do so please keep Biltmore Homes in mind as we have great inventory homes available for immediate move in or can build your new dream home specifically for you!

Happy Snow...and Happy Spring all in the same week!

Built For Life!

- The Biltmore Homes Team

Details On The First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit

2009-02-22T16:03:00.005-05:00

There have been a lot of questions regarding the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit that was part of the newly passed stimulus package. There is a good website - www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/2009/faq.php - that answers many questions regarding the tax credit and below is a recap of the most important information.

If you are a first time home buyer then now is the time to buy as you have the benefits of low interest rates, the new tax credit and buyers market pricing. Biltmore Homes has many great houses, floor plans and prices that are perfect for first time home buyers so let us know how we can help make your first home buying experience a great one.

Tax Credit for Home buyers

First-time home buyers who purchase homes from the start of the year until the end of November 2009 may be eligible for the lower of an $8,000 or 10% of the value of the home tax credit. Remember a tax credit is very different than a tax deduction – a tax credit is equivalent to money in your hand, as opposed to a tax deduction which only reduces your taxable income.
The tax credit starts phasing out for couples with incomes above $150,000 and single filers with incomes above $75,000. Buyers will have to repay the credit if they sell their homes within three years.

Tax Credit Versus Tax Deduction

It’s important to remember that the $8,000 tax credit is just that… a tax credit. The benefit of a tax credit is that it’s a dollar-for-dollar tax reduction, rather than a reduction in a tax liability that would only save you $1,000 to $1,500 when all was said and done. So, if a home buyer were to owe $8,000 in income taxes and would qualify for the $8,000 tax credit, they would owe nothing.   Better still, the tax credit is refundable, which means the home buyer can receive a check for the credit if he or she has little income tax liability. For example, if a home buyer is liable for $4,000 in income tax, he can offset that $4,000 with half of the tax credit… and still receive a check for the remaining $4,000!

Phaseout Examples

According to the plan, the tax credit starts phasing out for couples with incomes above $150,000 and single filers with incomes above $75,000.  To break down what this phaseout means to home buyers who are over those amounts, the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) offers the following examples:  Example 1: Assume that a married couple has a modified adjusted gross income of $160,000. The applicable phaseout to qualify for the tax credit is $150,000, and the couple is $10,000 over this amount. Dividing $10,000 by $20,000 yields 0.5. When you subtract 0.5 from 1.0, the result is 0.5. To determine the amount of the partial first-time home buyer tax credit that is available to this couple, multiply $8,000 by 0.5. The result is $4,000.  Example 2: Assume that an individual home buyer has a modified adjusted gross income of $88,000. The buyer’s income exceeds $75,000 by $13,000. Dividing $13,000 by $20,000 yields 0.65. When you subtract 0.65 from 1.0, the result is 0.35. Multiplying $8,000 by 0.35 shows that the buyer is eligible for a partial tax credit of $2,800.  Remember, these are general examples. You should always consult your tax advisor for information relating to your specific circumstances.

Homes that Qualify

The tax credit is applicable to any home that will be used as a principle residence. Based on that guideline, qualifying homes include single-family detached homes, as well as attached homes such as townhouses and condominiums. In addition, manufactured or homes and houseboats used for principle residence also qualify.

South Lakes Is Available for 100% Financing Through USDA Loan

2009-02-16T12:07:00.006-05:00

South Lakes which is Fuquay Varina's first master planned community is eligible for the USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Loan Program which offers 100% financing! This is GREAT news for home buyers looking to make owning a Biltmore house at South Lakes a reality this year! The Guaranteed Rural Housing program was designed to bridge the gap between

government and private mortgage lending which has existed in many rural areas.

With over 2,000 lenders currently participating, this private/public partnership is a proven success story. This program fills a tremendous need for thousands of rural North Carolina families that have the income but lack the down payment ability.

If meeting the down payment requirements of conventional lending has prohibited you from purchasing a home, the USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Loan Program might be just what you need. Through this program you may now be able to purchase your dream home through Biltmore Homes at South Lakes.

Here are some quick details on the loan program but for more information or to speak with one of Biltmore Homes preffered lenders then please contact us.

No down payment
No private mortgage insurance
Up to 102% financing
No minimum or maximum loan amount
No limit on seller's contribution to closing costs
Closing costs and/or repairs can be financed into loan amount up to the appraised value

First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit From The State of North Carolina

2009-02-07T11:45:00.004-05:00

We all know by now that there has been a lot of talk about tax credits in order to get the housing market moving again. And it looks as if the new federal stimulus will include some sort of tax credit for home buyers. Well did you know that the State of North Carolina has already passed a tax credit for first time home buyers? See the below article posted on February 5, 2009 on WRAL that talks about the new incentive.

If you are first time home buyer then NOW truly is the time to buy. Biltmore Homes has numerous floor plans at price points that are great for first time home buyers so let us know how we can help you take advantage of these historical buying opportunities!

Home buyers' tax credit can add money to your paycheck
Posted: Feb. 5, 2009, WRAL.com

RALEIGH, N.C. — The down economy has made it a good time to buy a house, but economic fears keep many from taking the plunge. Federal, state and local authorities are offering loans and tax credits to help allay those fears and get the home market moving again.

State adds new tax credit for first-time home buyers "There is a misconception that lenders don't have money to lend, and that is not reality," said Sharon Drewyor, director of home-ownership lending for the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency.

On Thursday, Gov. Bev Perdue approved a measure that might help first-time home buyers even more – the Mortgage Certificate Credit, an annual credit of up to $2,000. "This is actually a true tax credit. It's not a loan," Drewyor said. The MCC allows home buyers to take a tax credit of 20 percent of interest paid on their mortgage – up to $2,000 – each year. Buyers can adjust the exemptions listed on the W-4 they file with their employer, and less money will be withheld from their paycheck. "You would see that additional income in your paycheck every month before you make that housing payment," Drewyor said.

Take a typical case: You take out a mortgage of $180,000 with a 5.5 percent fixed interest rate. During the first year, you would probably pay roughly $10,000 in interest on the loan.
Take away $2,000 of that interest and put an equal amount back into your wallet monthly: That's an extra $166 a month.

State government officials said they are excited about the potential of this tax credit to help jump-start the housing market and, more broadly, the economy. "The MCC will help stimulate the housing market, which in integral to the recovery of our state's economy," Perdue said. "This is just the type of innovation from a state government agency that will help spur our economic recovery." "With tax credits like this, it's a perfect time for first-time home buyers to enter the market," Drewyor said.

For information on the MCC, other tax credits and participating lenders, visit The N.C. Housing Finance Agency's Web site or call the agency at 919-877-5700 or toll-free at 800-393-0988.

Heritage Wake Forest Wins National Sales Team Of The Year!

2009-01-29T12:38:00.004-05:00

Heritage Wake Forest won the 2008 Gold Award for Best Sales Team in the United States from the National Home Builders Association. The Heritage team, which consists of Ann Gowarty, Ashley Wilson, Brenda Simpson and Jenn Nowalk, received the prestigious award during the National Home Builders Convention held in Las Vegas, Nevada in mid-January.

“We are pleased and honored that Heritage Wake Forest has been recognized for its achievements on a national level by the National Home Builder’s Association,” said Andy Ammons, President of Heritage Wake Forest developer Ammons Development Group. “Earning the Gold award confirms that by combining a strong sales team with a highly desirable community that offers enduring value is a winning formula for success.”

Heritage Wake Forest was the 2008 Regional and Silver Award winner in the ‘Sales Team of the Year’ category, qualifying the team as a finalist for the Gold Sales Team Award.

Biltmore Homes In Heritage Knoll

Biltmore Homes congratulates the Ammons Development Team, HPW Builder Services and the Heritage Sales Team on this prestigious award! Biltmore Homes is currently building in Herit age Knoll at Heritage Wake Forest. Biltmore Homes in the Heritage Knoll offers over 20 great floor plans in the $300-$400's price range. Heritage Knoll currently has 4 available inventory homes and many great lots available for pre sales!

Heritage Wake Forest offers a wide variety of recreational amenities including an award-winning golf course, expansive tennis and swim club, walking and biking trails, greenways, playgrounds and a fully stocked fishing pond. The community was named as one of the Top 100 Amenity Communities by Ideal Living Magazine, and the golf course was awarded an enviable 4.5 rating by Golf Digest Magazine.

Biltmore Homeowner Spotlight - The Butler's

2009-01-27T12:05:00.004-05:00

Biltmore always takes great pride in welcoming our homeowners into the Biltmore family! It is hard to believe that today's homeowner spotlight features a family that moved into a Biltmore Home only a little more then 1 year ago as it seems they have been friends of Biltmore for a long time.

The Butler's - Kevin, Suzanne, Colin and their golden retriever Copper - moved into the Whitley floor plan at South Lakes in Fuquay Varina a little over 1 year ago. They were the first Biltmore homeowners at South Lakes and being the first Kevin is the proclaimed "Mayor" of South Lakes. They have seen the neighborhood grow in a short period of time as they have enjoyed welcoming all the new neighbors into the community.

When the Butler's were making their move from Florida back up to North Carolina they knew they wanted a quality custom built house that would fit all their family needs, be energy star certified and in a neighborhood that would offer fun amenities for the entire family. They found everything they wanted in Biltmore and at South Lakes.

"We have built and purchased several houses in the past 10 years and the experience with Biltmore Homes has been by far the easiest and most enjoyable we have had. Biltmore Homes is a first class organization with quality people that range from the owners to the sales professionals and superintendents. This experience and the quality of construction
has made our house a home that we will enjoy for many years. We would highly recommend Biltmore Homes to anyone looking for their perfect home. "- Kevin and Suzanne Butler

When not working - Kevin is in sales and Suzanne is a teacher at one of the area schools - the Butler's enjoy cooking out with neighbors, hitting the close NC beaches, coaching Colin's baseball team and watching the Patriots every Sunday during football season!

Biltmore is proud to have the Butler's living in a Biltmore Home and we appreciate them sharing some of their story for our homeowners spotlight! Look for the Butler's at South Lakes as the "Mayor" is always around to welcome you from his big inviting front porch!

Home Tips For Surviving Winter!

2009-01-21T12:38:00.004-05:00

We have been asked numerous times over the last few week on tips for outdoor winterizing of your home . Unfortunately this information was probably needed weeks ago especially since the Triangle's first snow storm hit yesterday. That is right we did get about 4 to 6 inches of snow yesterday . By the way if you are relocating to the Triangle or thinking about relocating to the Triangle then you can look at the snow 2 ways - If you like snow then yes we do get the occasional fun snow storm that shuts down schools and businesses. If you don't like snow then don't worry as historically we do not get a lot of snow as a storm like yesterday only happens once in a while and usually melts quickly!

Okay back to some outdoor winterizing tips!

Prevent Plumbing Freezes

Make sure you know the location of your water main in the event you need to shut it off in an emergency.
Drain all garden hoses.
Insulate exposed plumbing pipes.
Drain air conditioner pipes and, if your AC has a water shut-off valve, turn it off.
If you go on vacation during the winter, leave the heat on and set it to at least 55 degrees.

Maintain Your Outdoors

Trim trees if branches hang too close to the house or electrical wires.
Ask a landscaper when your trees should be pruned to prevent winter injury.
Plant spring flower bulbs and lift bulbs that will not last through winter.
Seal driveways, brick patios and wood decks.
Don't automatically remove dead vegetation from gardens as some provide attractive scenery in an otherwise dreary, snow-drenched yard.
Move sensitive potted plants indoors or to a sheltered area.

Hopefully this information can help you maintain your home this winter and get ready for the warm spring weather that will be here before you know it.

Built For Life!

- The Biltmore Homes Team

Will builders benefit from next stimulus package?

2009-01-13T10:16:00.004-05:00

With Congress getting back to work, builders (both big and small) from around the nation are on Capital Hill making a hard push for the housing market to be a major part of the next economic stimulus package.

The three main items that are being discussed to get the wheels of the housing market greased again are home buyer tax credits, below market interest rates on 30 year fixed mortgages and continued assistance on preventing foreclosures.

NAHB President and CEO Jerry Howard said the “The message we are sending to Congress — there are no large builders, no small builders, no low-income builders, no suppliers and no manufacturers,” he said. “We’re all in this together and we are all focused on the stimulus package. We are talking to our members

of Congress about a proposal crafted over the past several months that will fix both the supply and demand side of housing.”

There is no doubt that the housing industry is vital to our overall economy and will quickly benefit many Americans at all levels. Just listen to these #'s provided by NAHB Chief Economist Dave Crowe in a recent article on the NAHB website:

The plan would result in 200,000 additional new home sales
1 million more existing home sales
A boost in expected housing starts from 649,000 to 908,000, on par with last year’s level
The plan this year would create more than 539,000 jobs, generating $26 billion in wages and salaries, $21 billion in business income and $28 billion in federal, state and local tax revenues.

With figures like that it is indeed time for Congress to act as those types of incentives and benefits would have a positive effect on both homeowners, buyers, sellers, builders, workers and suppliers a like!

Here in the Triangle, where we are better off then many in the country but still in need of a kick start, this hopefully means that a busy housing market is right around the corner. Contact your local Congress and Senate representative to let them know you want to see some action on housing as it is clear the time is now and the benefits are great!

Learn more about the fix housing first plan at http://www.fixhousingfirst.com/

Is Your Glass Half Empty or Half Full?

2009-01-09T12:16:00.005-05:00

That seems to be a question a lot of people are asking these days. We all know by now that YES we are facing very challenging times as a country. The question is how will you deal with these challenges? Is your glass half empty or half full? That is the choice you have to make and we at Biltmore Homes no doubt have chosen half full! With challenges comes opportunity and we know that in this current real estate market in the Triangle there is indeed opportunity.

If you are in the market for a new home in the Triangle then here are just a few reasons why your glass is indeed half full:

Record Low Interest Rates - Mortgage rates are at record lows which allows you to save money or even better get more house for your money. You should be considering ways to take advantage of these low rates while they last!
Amazing Home Prices - You know the old saying "buy low and sell high" right? Well now is the time to buy as home prices are very competitive and the chance to get once in a lifetime prices and incentives will not last forever!
A Great Place To Live - Raleigh and the surrounding Triangle area continues to be one of the Nation's #1 places to live. From business to social life, to jobs and cost of living the Triangle continues to be honored nationally as a place you want to live. If you already live here then be thankful to live in such a great area....if you are thinking of moving here then now is the time as we look forward to your arrival!
Energy Star Homes - With the amount of buzz and importance being placed on "Green" going forward then there is no doubt you want to live in a home that is Energy Star certified. Whether it be lower utility bills, better air quality, energy discounts or better resale value to name a few, the benefits of a Energy Star home are worth taking advantage of!
Great Neighborhoods - The Triangle is fortunate to have many great new home neighborhoods to live in and Biltmore is proud to be building in five of them. Two of our most popular neighborhoods - Heritage Wake Forest and South Lakes - are award winning master planned communities that offer a lifestyle and amenities that will be sure to keep the whole family happy!

Our list could go on and on but you get the point - these challenging times are presenting great opportunities, especially when it comes to buying a new home. Biltmore Homes looks forward to not participating in the negativity of 2009 as we will instead focus on finding solutions and helping homeowners build their next dream home. We hope you join us in enjoying your half full cup as contact us and let us know how we can help.

Built For Life!

- The Biltmore Homes Team

2009 FHA Loan Changes

2009-01-02T21:32:00.000-05:00

Well with 2009 right around the corner that means there will be some new changes with FHA loans in 2009. Here are some of the local details for Wake, Johnston and Durham Counties:

3.5% down payment is required and the seller can still pay up to 6% of sales price in closing costs and pre paids
2009 loan limit for Wake County and Johnston County is $271,050 which is lower than 2008 limit of $295,000.
2009 loan limit for Durham County is $334,650 which is higher than the 2008 limit of $331,250

To learn more about some of the new FHA loans or to speak with one of Biltmore Homes preferred lenders please contact us as we can help you take advantage of the FHA loan program to buy a new home in 2009!

Happy Holidays from Biltmore Homes!

2008-12-26T21:34:00.003-05:00

From all of us at Biltmore Homes we wish you and your family a very Happy Holidays! We have enjoyed welcoming many new families as Biltmore homeowners in 2008 and are glad they are now part of the Biltmore Homes family.

As we turn the page on 2008 we look forward to everyone having a very prosperous 2009. When it comes to the real estate market we are confident 2009 will be a rebound year as the perfect storm of government action, low interest rates, Raleigh/the Triangle being one of the countries #1 places to live and amazing deals on new homes in award-winning communities will hopefully make 2009 the year to buy that new dream home! When you do decide to build a new home, whether it is on your own lot or in one of the current Biltmore neighborhoods, we do hope you will consider Biltmore Homes!

Again Happy Holidays and Cheers to 2009!

- The Biltmore Homes Team

Raleigh-Cary Named Best Large City To Do Business!

2008-12-16T23:15:00.009-05:00

In today's challenging economic times don't you want to live in a place that is recognized as the top place to do business? Well of course you do...we all do! A top business environment means many things including good jobs, good entrepreneurial spirit, good growth of people moving into the area, a good local economy, good innovation, good networking and good culture to name just a few "good" things that go along with a great place to do business!

Well Raleigh-Cary is considered to be "the best large city in the U.S. to do business, according to newgeography.com, a Web site devoted to analyzing and discussing places where people live and work." This latest honor is another reason why Raleigh and the surrounding Triangle is a great place to live, work and play.

Here is an excerpt from the article from newgeography.com -

Here Come the Carolinas

"The other big winners this year are concentrated in the Carolinas. Like Texas, these two states are being fed by varied economies. Certainly, technology companies have been a factor here, many of them in Raleigh-Cary, N.C., which ranked No. 1, up six places, on our list of largest metro areas. Finance has played a large part, too, with Charlotte (No. 5), up 18 places, emerging as the big but low-cost, family-friendly alternative to the New York financial center.

Demographics are a big part of the story here. Our analysis from Praxis Strategy Group shows that Raleigh and Charlotte, are among the biggest magnets for young, educated workers, particularly those in their late 20s and early 30s.

"People are coming here for basic reasons and taking their families with them," observes Sociologist John D. Kasarda, director of the Kenan Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "They are coming for jobs, particularly from the Northeast, and an affordable quality of life."

All this "good" news in this great area means that this buyers market will not last forever so take advantage of the amazing real estate prices and low interest rates while you can.

Click here to read the WRAL story about Raleigh-Cary being the best large city to do business in!

Don't Miss Out On Biltmore Holiday Pricing At South Lakes

2008-12-09T12:07:00.005-05:00

Biltmore Homes has 5 amazing homes currently available at special holiday pricing at South Lakes - but hurry because the holiday special pricing only lasts until January 15, 2009. If you are in the market for a home then now is a great time to take advantage of low interest rates and amazing home prices at South Lakes.

Biltmore currently has 5 showcase inventory homes available at holiday special pricing. Homes included are:

All these Biltmore Homes can be viewed in detail on the Biltmore website and remember all these homes are Energy Star Certified and come with a 6 year North Carolina RWC warranty! South Lakes is Fuquay Varina's first master planned community. South Lakes combines small town charm combined with all the amenities of today's active lifestyle. South Lakes is situated amid 5 stocked lakes and 120 acres of open space and greenway. South Lakes is conveniently located only 15 miles from Downtown Raleigh off US 401. Biltmore Homes offers 20 great floor plans priced from the $240's to $300's at South Lakes. Great inventory and pre-sale opportunities are available so contact Biltmore Homes today and let us personally show you around this great neighborhood and our homes!

Why Buy Energy Star Homes?

2008-12-03T13:19:00.009-05:00

Biltmore Homes is proud to be an Energy Star certified builder. Not familiar to Energy Star homes? Well here is some basic information on why you need to make sure the next home you buy is Energy Star certified!

Energy Star homes reduce utility bills as save 15% or more on your monthly utility bills. Plus Progress Energy and Duke Power reward Energy Star homeowners with an additional 5% discount off all your electric bills!
Energy Star homes offer a low maintenance home with advantages like energy efficient windows and tight construction.
Energy Star home are likely to have higher resale values regardless of how long you own your home. A recent EPA study revealed that the savings you get with an Energy Star home can add $8,400 to the market value of your home.
Energy Star homes have healthier indoor air quality and help the environment.
Energy Star homes are more comfortable and quieter because of better insulated walls, sealed ducts and properly sized mechanical systems.
All Biltmore Energy Star Certified homes are inspected and tested by Southern Energy Management so you can be certain that your home meets all the requirements through an objective party.

Today's News and Observer business section has a great article on Energy Star homes as Click Here to read and learn more about the benefits of an Energy Star home.

WOW This truly is a great place to live!

2008-11-26T21:39:00.010-05:00

Well for those of us who already live in this great area we are familiar (and biased) on why Raleigh and the sourrounding Research Traingle Park is such an amazing place to live. Well don't just take our word for it as look at all these honors this area has won.

Take a look below at some of this region’s most recent accolades* from the November issue of Neighborhood Builder - The official magazine of the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County:

#1 Pro-Business State (North Carolina)
Pollina.com, June 2008
#1 Best Place to Live in the U.S. (Raleigh, N.C.)
msnbc, June 2008
#1 Best Place for Young Adults (Raleigh, N.C.)
Bizjournals, May 2008
The Best American City for Singles (Raleigh, N.C.)
Every Day with Rachael Ray, January 2008
#1 Healthiest City for Men (Raleigh, N.C.)
Men’s Health, January 2008
Top Research Science Park (North Carolina State University -
Centennial Campus)
The Association of University Research Parks, November 2007
#1 Top Business Climate (North Carolina)
Site Selection, November 2007
“Fast City” for Research and Development
(Raleigh-Durham, N.C.)
Fast Company, July 2007
#1 Seller’s Market-Residential (Raleigh, N.C.)
Forbes.com, June 1007
#1 Best Place for Business and Careers (Raleigh, N.C.)
Forbes, April 2007
#1 Best Place for Business and Careers (Raleigh, N.C.)
Forbes.com, March 2008
#1 Best U.S. City for Jobs (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Forbes.com, February 2007
#1 School District in the Nation for Certified Teachers
(Wake County)
National Board of Certified Teachers, January 2007
Gold Rating (Wake County Schools)
Expansion Management’sEducation Quotient, January 2007
#2 State with the Best Business Climate (North Carolina)
Development Counselors International, July 2008
#2 Best City to Live, Work and Play (Raleigh, N.C.)
Kiplinger’s, July 2008
#2 Best City for Bargain House-Hunters (Raleigh, N.C.)
Forbes.com, February 2008
#3 Most Educated Workforce (Raleigh, N.C.)
Business Facilities, July 2008
#3 Most Romantic City for Baby Boomers (Raleigh-Durham-
Chapel Hill, N.C.)
Sperling’s BestPlaces, March 2008
#3 Most Wired City (Raleigh, N.C.)
Forbes.com, January 2008
#3 Economic Development Hot Spot (Wake County, N.C.)
National Policy Research Council, September 2007
#3 Techiest City in America (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 (Data released September 2007)
#3 5-Star Business Opportunity Metros (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Expansion Management, August 2007
#3 Best City for Relocating Families - Medium Markets
(Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Worldwide ERC and Primacy Relocation, 2007 Report
#3 Metro for College Educated Workers (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
#3 America’s Best Jobs in the Hottest Cities (Raleigh-
Durham, N.C.)
Business 2.0, May 2007
#3 Best City for African Americans (Raleigh, N.C.)
Black Enterprise, May 2007
#4 Hottest Job Market for Young Adults (Raleigh, N.C.)
Bizjournals, April 2007
#4 Best State for Business (North Carolina)
Forbes.com, July 2008
#4 MSA With Highest Concentration of Employment - Drugs
and Pharmaceuticals (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Business Facilities, July 2008
#4 Major Market in the South (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Southern Business & Development, Winter 2008
#5 Best Medium-Sized City for Families with Children
(Raleigh, N.C.)
Who’s Your City?, May 2008
#5 Recession-proof City (Raleigh, N.C.)
Forbes.com, April 2008
Top Five Strongest Real Estate Market (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Veros.com, January 2008
5-Star Public Education Metro (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Expansion Management, December 2007
Top 5 Cities for Young Singles (Raleigh, N.C.)
Kiplinger’sBest Cities for Every Stage of Your Life list,
June 2007
5-Star Knowledge Worker Metro (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Expansion Management, April 2007
#5 Best Place to Find a Mate (Raleigh, N.C.)
Men’s Health, March 2007
#6 Largest Concentration of Drug and Pharmaceutical Jobs
(Raleigh-Durham, N.C.)
Technology, Talent and Capital: State Bioscience Initiatives
2008, June 2008
#6 Medium-Sized Metro (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Site Selection, March 2008
#7 Top Appreciating Metro Area (Raleigh, N.C.)
Money, December 2007
#7 Business Boomtown (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Inc., May 2007
#8 Best City for Recent College Grads
(Raleigh-Durham, N.C.)
Forbes.com, June 2008
#8 Fastest Growing Large City (Cary, N.C.)
U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 (Data released 2007)
#8 Fastest Growing Metro in the Nation (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
U.S. Census Bureau, April 2007
#8 County for Business Recruitment and Attraction
(Wake County)
Expansion Management, May/June 2007
#9 Market in the South for Advanced Manufacturing
(Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Southern Business & Development, Winter 2008
#9 Best City for Jobs (Raleigh, N.C.)
Forbes.com, January 2008
#10 U.S. City with the Largest Numerical Increase
(Raleigh, N.C.)
U.S. Census Bureau, July 2008
Top 10 Great Innovation Market in the South
(Raleigh-Cary-Durham, N.C.)
Southern Business & Development, Winter 2008
#10 Least Miserable Airport (Raleigh-Durham International)
U.S. News & World Report, February 2008
#10 Economic Development Hot Spot
(Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, N.C.)
National Policy Research Council, September 2007
#10 Large Metro for Business Recruitment & Attraction
(Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, N.C.)
Expansion Management, May/June 2007
Top 10 Places in the South for the Creative Class (Raleigh-
Durham, N.C.)
Southern Business and Development, Winter 2007
Top 10 Tech Town (Raleigh-Durham, N.C.)
Wired Magazine, January 2007
#12 Highest Concentration of Tech Workers (Raleigh, N.C.)
AeA’s Cybercities 2008, June 2008
#12 Most Affordable Real Estate Market in the Nation
(Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Forbes.com, August 2007
#12 Best Market for Female Execs and Women Business
Owners (Raleigh, N.C.)
Bizjournals, August 2007
#14 Best Place to Live (Apex, N.C.)
Money, July 2007
Top 15 Place for Cultured Retirement (Raleigh, N.C.)
Smithsonian.com, April 2008
#15 Most Educated Workforce (Raleigh, N.C.)
Business Facilities, July 2007
#15 Fastest Growing Large City (Raleigh, N.C.)
U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 (Data released 2007)
#16 Top Real Estate Market (Raleigh, N.C.)
Expansion Management, October 2007
#18 Fastest Growing Suburb in America (Holly Springs, N.C.)
Forbes.com, August 2007
#20 Fastest Growing Suburb in America (Wake Forest, N.C.)
Forbes.com, August 2007
#20 Best Place to Live and Launch (Raleigh, N.C.)
CNNMoney.com, March 2008
#22 Best Place to Live (Holly Springs, N.C.)
Money, July 2007
Top 25 Places for Retirement Jobs (Raleigh-Durham, N.C.)
MarketWatch, November 2007
#63 Fastest Growing Suburb in America (Apex, N.C.)
Forbes.com, August 2007
Top 50 Hottest Cities for Expanding and Relocating
Companies (Raleigh-Cary, N.C.)
Expansion Management, February 2007
* Information provided by the Wake County Economic
Development Center.

Remodeling and Additions May Be Your Solution

2008-11-17T11:08:00.008-05:00

We meet a lot of homeowners who love their house, neighbors and location but need more space or want an updated look. Well remodeling and/or an addition may be the perfect solution for you. Maybe you want to remake or enlarge your kitchen or finish off that 3rd floor bonus room or basement. Popular exterior renovations include garages, sun rooms, decks, porches, fences and patios. Another common thing we hear these days is that they need to add an in-law suite to a house or property for parents moving into the area.

Regardless of what your remodeling or addition needs are it is many times a great solution.

You get to stay in your current house and location but get to update your home which many times turns out to be a good long term investment. Although known for building new homes around the Triangle, Biltmore can help with all your remodeling and addition needs. Biltmore Homes brings the same high quality craftsmanship and service we are known for with our custom built new homes to our Remodeling division. Just contact Biltmore to set up a free estimate meeting so we can discuss your wants, needs and budget. Biltmore will then put together a design and quote for your project. Home owners can rest assured that their home enhancement will be executed with the same craftsmanship, attention to detail and professionalism which Biltmore has built its reputation on.

Fall in love with your home again with remodeling or additions!

South Lakes Event - Saturday November 15, 2008

2008-11-11T14:15:00.006-05:00

South Lakes, which is Fuquay Varina's first master planned community, will have a meet the builder event this Saturday November 15 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. Biltmore Homes owners and representatives will be on site to meet with home buyers and be ready to get deals done on the spot!

This is a great opportunity for home buyers to meet Biltmore representatives, ask questions, get immediate answers, speak with mortgage loan specialists and nail down a great deal on one of the showcase inventory Biltmore Homes now available. Biltmore Homes currently has 6 inventory homes priced from $279,900 to $385,000 that are available for immediate move in. All Biltmore Homes are Energy Star certified and come with a 6 year NC RWC warranty.

Finally, this will be the last weekend to take advantage of the Biltmore Homes 2008 Parade Special where you can use up to $21,500 of incentives on all Biltmore inventory and pre-s

ale homes. Now is a great time to buy so be sure to visit South Lakes this Saturday as we look forward to seeing you there!

To learn more about South Lakes and to review inventory homes please click here.

Look for the good news - Raleigh has good news!

2008-11-03T10:25:00.008-05:00

Hard to believe that we are going to FINALLY elect a new President this week. It seems that this years contenders have been running for years...well that is because they have been! The good news is that regardless of who we select as our next President the country can get focused again on the future and creating good news!

Raleigh and the surrounding area is lucky because good news does exist when it comes to the real estate market. Speaking of voting, Raleigh and the Triangle continues to be voted as one of the best places to live for many different reasons. So combine one of the top places to live along with good news that according to Smart Money - view article here - the Raleigh market has seemed to get a "free pass" when it comes to the housing market slump. There is no doubt that the past 12 months have presented some major challenges but the point is that GOOD NEWS does exist! If you are in the market for a new home then the time is now to take advantage of a great buyers market because the good news we have here in Raleigh is bound to turn into great news in the near future! Biltmore Homes has great incentives on inventory homes all around the Triangle some come out as we promise to give you some good news as well!

$7500 Tax Credit For First Time Homebuyers

2008-10-28T11:29:00.011-04:00

If you are a first time home buyer then the time is now to purchase a new home thanks to a first-time home tax credit. Here is the general overview of how the tax credit works.

The tax credit is available for first-time home buyers only.
The maximum credit amount is $7,500.
The credit is available for homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009.
Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.
The tax credit works like an interest-free loan and must be repaid over 15-year period.

This tax credit is a another great incentive, along with impressive builder incentives and low interest rates, for first time home buyers to take advantage of. For more detailed information on the $7,500 first time home buyer tax credit please visit www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com

Biltmore Homes has 5 great neighborhoods with plans like the Middleton and Granton (pictured below) that are perfect for first time home buyers so let us know how we can help you take advantage of this tax credit as remember the credit is only valid on houses purchased by July 1, 2009.

The Granton II The Middleton III

Welcome To The Biltmore Homes Blog

2008-10-26T17:45:00.004-04:00

We welcome you to the Biltmore Homes Blog. In between banging nails for our high quality Energy Star certified custom homes we thought we would join the blog revolution! We figured what a great place to talk about the latest and greatest in home building, real estate, lending, remodeling, construction, the communities we build in, Energy Star and general facts, fun stuff and happenings in and around Raleigh and the entire Triangle area. Whether you are a current Biltmore homeowner, thinking about building with Biltmore, in the market for a new home or relocating to the Triangle from out of the state we hope that you find this blog fun and helpful. We are here to serve you as Biltmore Homes looks forward to building your next home or just sharing some information with you. And as always we welcome your feedback so feel free to email us at builtforlife@biltmorehomes.net or leave comments here on the blog!

Happy Homebuilding!

- Biltmore Homes