Gains in Home Values Nationally Lead to a Promising Housing Market in 2013

Great article from Bloombery News on the housing recovering. Last year alone higher property values added about a trillion dollars to household recovery according to Rayn Wang, an economist with HSBC Securities USA Inc. in New York. This combined with record low interest rates, improvement in the economy and increasing optimism among consumers are helping to spur the housing recovery as we head into 2013.


See article from Bloomberg:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-26/home-price-gains-accelerate-as-u-s-real-estate-market-rebounds.html

Christmas Parade of Homes Benefitting Lawton Food For Kids

We had a great time during our Christmas Parade of homes in The Oaks last weekend! In just 3 hours we raised nearly $1,300 for Lawton Food for Kids! That's enough money to provide 6 children with backpacks full of nuturtious food every weekend for an entire school year!

Nearly 250 people had the opportunity to take a rare look inside 3 luxury residences in Oak Ridge plus one Christmas Dream Home staged by Scott's House of Flowers. Guests were able to enjoy 15 themed Christmas trees ranging from a Waterford crystal tree to a rusitc French country tree.

                                                                                                                                                              The first stop on the tour was the residence of Brent and Becky Copeland. The Copeland residence, also known as The Grand Lexington Manor, was our 2010 Dream Home. The Copeland home showcased 7 themed  trees thorughout including a 14 foot blown glass tree in the great room, icicle tree in master bedroom, pink pricess trees in ganddaughters room, train tree in grandsons room, family heirloom tree in home theater, travel tree in day room and fashion tree in the study.

 

The second home in the tour was the home of builder Ron Nance and wife Susan. This home was our 2009 Dream Home, The Cypress Villa. From the stone cast dining room ceiling to the travertine and wood inlaid floor in the study the home in itself is a showpiece! The Cyrpess Villa showcased a stunning 18 foot designer tree in the great room, ecclectic family heirloom tree in the family room and a Halmark tree upstairs.

The third home home on the tour is the residence of Adam and Whitney Perry. Just competled in October the Perry residence is the latest addition to Oak Ridge. Visitors were able to enjoy a Waterford crystal tree in the dining room showcasing Whitney's collection of Waterford and Bacaraat crystal ornaments. The study showcased a patriotic tree featuring a collection of annual ornaments from the White House historical assocition and the great room showcased a beautiful eccelectic designer tree.

The fourth home on the tour was The Oaks Development Company's Christmas Dream Home, The Grand Bellissimo. This beautif

ul French Country style home is avaiable for purchase in The Oaks. Scott's House of Flowers did a magnificent job turning this home into a rustic winter wonderland. The rustic style tree featured branches and red robin ornaments thorughout.

In addition to touring the homes guests also had the opprotunity to take a horse and wagon ride through Oak Pointe to view the lights. The wagon strolled past the lighted gazebo on Oak Pointe Lake and down the mignificently lit Oak Pointe Blvd.

Santa Claus himself even made the event! Children and adult alike were able to enjoy pictures with Santa and the story of the true meaning of Chrismtas presented by Santa.

Over the past 4 years The Oaks Development Company has raised over $21,000 for Lawton Food for Kids from events ranging from their Dream Homes to the Christmas Parade of Homes. Food for Kids is a wonderful program that provides chronically hungry elementary aged school children with backpacks full of nutritious food to take home over the weekends and school holidays. Without this program many of these children would have little or nothing to eat. The proceeds raised over the last 4 years is enough to provide over 100 children wtih backpacks full of nutrious food every weekend for an entire school years.

Thanks to everyone who came out and had fun with us while helping to support a wonderful cause.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from The Oaks Development Company!

www.TheOaksDevelopmentCo.com

The Oaks Development Company raises nearly $1,300 for kids - KSWO, Lawton, OK- Wichita Falls, TX: News, Weather, Sports. ABC, 24/7, Telemundo -

The Oaks Development Company raises nearly $1,300 for kids - KSWO, Lawton, OK- Wichita Falls, TX: News, Weather, Sports. ABC, 24/7, Telemundo -

Fall Block Party / Tour of Homes in The Oaks

We had a great time last weekend at our Fall Block Party and tour of homes! We would like to thank everyone who came out to join us for a buffalo hamburger and hot dog! We had all 13 of our homes open in The Oaks for touring including our two homes in Oak Ridge which are normally shown on an appointment only basis. We had the Grand Opening for TheSunrise Valencia in conjunction with the tour. Many people loved the two master suites showcased in this home. The weekend was a great success! Many visitors came out and The LakeView Rialto sold after just two weeks on the market!
The Lakeview Rialto
The Sunrise Valencia

Ron Nance Earns Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist Educational Designation

Lawton, August 29, 2012 – Ron Nance CEO of The Oaks Development Company is now one of the select group of professionals nationwide to earn the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation, identifying him as a builder with the skills and knowledge necessary to build a home to meet the unique needs of aging home owners, disabled owners or their visitors.

The National Association of Home Builders, in partnership with the AARP and NAHB Research Center, created the CAPS program, which includes training and education on the technical, business management and customer service skills essential to compete in the ever growing market of baby boomer home buyers.

The Oaks Development Company is the builder/developer of a community known as “The Oaks” and consists of two neighborhoods in Southwest Lawton, Oak Pointe and Oak Ridge. Many homes in The Oaks are designed with the concept “downsizing space while upgrading amenities”. This is a concept appealing to many people looking for a smaller home with less maintenance but don’t want to give up the nicer amenities.

CAPS graduates include builders, designers, architects, occupational therapists and others who help homeowners create a space where they can remain in their homes safely, independently and comfortably as they age.

In three days of coursework, the CAPS curriculum provides education on the latest ideas, products and building techniques that enable the homeowner to stay in their own home.

CAPS program graduates are required to maintain their designation by attending continuing education programs and/or participating in community service projects.

“My goal is to build a home where the home owner is able to live for a long, long time and truly make the golden year’s golden.” said Nance.

For more information about The Oaks Development Company visit www.TheOaksDevelopmentCo.com or call 580-248-4411.

Welcome Jerry and Nita Knight!

We had a great closing this week with Jerry and Nita Knight! It is wonderful to be a part of a community where neighbors know each other and are excited about the addition of new neighbors! The Knights choose a beautiful home with a great view of Oak Ridge buffalo pasture and Oak Ridge lake which is taking shape. They are a great couple and we are excited to have them as a part of the neighborhood! The Knights have given us a wonderful testimonial which we would like to share:

“The process of buying a new home in The Oaks has been wonderful! We recommend The Oaks to all of our friends looking at homes. The Oaks team of professionals has been there to assist us throughout the entire process. We have been looking at homes out here for several years. We loved our old home but began to wonder if we will still want to take care of a huge yard and pool in 10 years. We found a completed home in The Oaks that we love and Ron and Whitney made the process so easy. In less than 30 days we were moving into our new home because Ron took our old house as a trade. We didn’t have to go through the hassle of putting our house on the market and waiting for it to sell. The convenience was unbeatable!  On top of that, we were able to lock in the lowest interest rate we have ever seen! Now we are able to look forward to many years of enjoying the things we truly enjoy in life!”

-Jerry and Nita Knight

IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK:

SINKING MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES SPUR LOCAL REAL ESTATE MARKET!

National media attention has focused on record low mortgage interest rates this week. Local mortgage companies report rates as low as 3.25% for a 30 year fixed rate loan! Buyers everywhere are taking advantage of record low rates and upgrading to new homes. Stop and ask yourself this question, Are you happy with your current home? Is it up to date with the latest finishes? Is it on par with new ENERGY STAR compliant codes? Is it in the neighborhood you want to stay ………… Is it the place you imagine yourself living 10 years from now? If you answered no to any of above then NOW is the time to take advantage of incredibly low interest rates and invest in as much home as you can! When rates go back up you won’t be able to buy half as much home as you can today! Homes in The Oaks offer the latest styles and finishes, are extremely energy efficient, are located in a beautiful, quiet lakeside community and are designed with luxury finishes and amenities that will accommodate your lifestyle well into the future. Don’t fall into the trap of staying put or refinancing. TODAY is the day to get what you really want! Come out to The Oaks today and let us show you just how easy investing in the home of your dreams can be!

Spring Tour of Homes Weekend in The Oaks!

We had an wonderful tour of homes and block party in The Oaks last weekend! Thanks to everyone who came out!  Check out pictures from our block party below and video of our latest home, The Boulevard Palazzo!

The Boulevard Palazzovard Palazzo

Record Low Interest Rates and Increased VA Loan Limits

With interest rates at record lows the home of your dreams may be closer within reach than you realize. In 2012 the VA Jumbo loan limit was increased to $1million for qualifying veterans. A jumbo loan is defined as any loan greater than $417,000. Part of the great news is that down payments are minimal on these loans and interest rates are below 4%! For any VA loan up to $417,000 VA guarantees the entire amount and $0 down is required. For any amount over $417,000 the borrower is only required to put down 25% on the amount over $417,000. For example, on the Lakeside Chateau valued at $562,021, the down payment would only be $36,255. If you have this amount in cash, investment or home equity you are good to go! At 3.75% interest on a 30 year fixed loan the monthly principle and interest payment would only be $2,434. Imagine living in this Mediterranean Castle directly on a lake for such a low monthly investment. We will probably never see interest rates this low again in our lifetime! Now is a once in a lifetime opportunity to lock in a payment as low as it will ever be on the home of your dreams in The Oaks. Think 10 years from now, what will you wish you had done today? Don’t settle for less, come out today and join the many other families who are living their dream in The Oaks!

*Rates subject to changes in market conditions, other fees man apply, w.a.c.

Dream Home Tour Raises Thousands of Dollars for Hungry Children - KSWO, Lawton, OK- Wichita Falls, TX: News, Weather, Sports. ABC, 24/7, Telemundo -

Dream Home Tour Raises Thousands of Dollars for Hungry Children - KSWO, Lawton, OK- Wichita Falls, TX: News, Weather, Sports. ABC, 24/7, Telemundo -

4th annual Lawton dream home tour is this weekend - KSWO, Lawton, OK- Wichita Falls, TX: News, Weather, Sports. ABC, 24/7, Telemundo -

4th annual Lawton dream home tour is this weekend - KSWO, Lawton, OK- Wichita Falls, TX: News, Weather, Sports. ABC, 24/7, Telemundo -

Dream Home Benefiting Lawton Food 4 Kids Opens End of March!

Lawton, OK (March 7, 2012) – The Oaks Development Company’s fourth annual dream home will open at the end of this month, March 31 and April 1st. All proceeds from the $5 admission charge will go directly to The Lawton Food 4 Kids. The home is located at 6333 SW Red Oak Blvd. and will be open on Saturday, March 31 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday, April 1 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

The Villa Style home is located in Oak Ridge Addition, south on 67th street past Lee Blvd., left into Oak Ridge.

Food 4 Kids is a wonderful program that provides chronically hungry elementary school children in Lawton Public School’s with backpacks full of nutritious food to take home over the weekends and on school holidays. Without this program many of these children would have little or nothing to eat aside from the free meals they receive at school.

Over the past three years, The Oaks Development Company has raised nearly $18,000 for Food 4 Kids through their Dream Home tours. The proceeds were able to supply many backpacks worth of weekend nutritious food for chronically hungry children.

The name of this year’s home is Villa DaVinci. This nearly 4,000 square foot luxury home will be fully furnished and staged by Darby’s Big Furniture. Visitors can view a fully equipped chef’s gourmet kitchen, an outdoor living room featuring a full service outdoor kitchen, fireplace and entertainment center, fully staged state of the art sound insulated home theater and all of the latest styles in home design.

Builder Ron Nance explains that he is excited to “give people the opportunity to see something they’ve never seen before in Lawton while supporting a truly worthy cause.” Nance continues to give back to the community as the builder of the Westbrook project for ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition and recipient of Lawton Homebuilders “Builder of the Year” two years in a row.

Record Low Interest Rates and Increased VA Loan Limits

With interest rates at record lows the home of your dreams may be closer within reach than you realize. In 2012 the VA Jumbo loan limit was increased to $1million for qualifying veterans. A jumbo loan is defined as any loan greater than $417,000. Part of the great news is that down payments are minimal on these loans and interest rates are below 4%! For any VA loan up to $417,000 VA guarantees the entire amount and $0 down is required. For any amount over $417,000 the borrower is only required to put down 25% on the amount over $417,000. For example, on the Lakeside Chateau valued at $562,021, the down payment would only be $36,255. If you have this amount in cash, investment or home equity you are good to go! At 3.75% interest on a 30 year fixed loan the monthly principle and interest payment would only be $2,434. Imagine living in this Mediterranean Castle directly on a lake for such a low monthly investment. We will probably never see interest rates this low again in our lifetime! Now is a once in a lifetime opportunity to lock in a payment as low as it will ever be on the home of your dreams in The Oaks. Think 10 years from now, what will you wish you had done today? Don’t settle for less, come out today and join the many other families who are living their dream in The Oaks!

A message from Builder Ron Nance

"From saving for retirement to planning our children’s college education to booking our dream vacation, we plan for our future in many ways. But at the end of the day the question is this, do we plan adequately for our housing needs? The main reason many Americans can’t stay in their own homes in the later years of life is because their homes become inaccessible and no longer meet their needs. I’ve been working on a designation from the National Home Builders Association on Aging in Pace. That simply means I am up to date on all the latest ideas, products and techniques that will enable you to stay in your own home ad make the ‘golden years’ truly the golden years. Think about it, where would you rather be during the golden years of our life….spending thousands of dollars a month on a retirement community or staying in the comfort of your own home? Come talk to us about building a home with this very important but often forgotten element that we all need in our homes. “

Terminology: Construction Industry Terms

Many times our buyers of our custom homes would like to know more about construction methods and terms. I prepared the following to help understand some common terms. Ron

Terminology: Construction Industry Terms


Arc fault interrupter circuits (AFIC) - When an electrical short occurs, the AFIC interrupts the flow of current to electrical devices.

Door hardware: locksets, hinges, stops, and latches - Door knobs of various types: privacy (e.g., for bathrooms), passage (e.g., for closet or other areas not requiring privacy), dummies (e.g., for closets), and entry (usually operable by a key, sometimes with two locks).

Electrical devices: single pole and three pole switches (3 way) - Single pole switches are used to operate a device from only one place; three or triple pole switches permit turning on or off from more than one location.

Ground fault interrupter circuit (GFIC) - GFICs provide instantaneous stoppage of current flow. They are required by code for kitchens, baths, garages, and other places where water may be near electrical devices.

Header - A header is a horizontal load carrying member over wall, window, or door openings.

HVAC grills and registers - Heating, ventilation, and air conditiO:ning registers are typically openings that furnish air into rooms; grills are openings for return airs.

Jamb- A jamb is the side or top frame of a door or window.

Joist (floor & ceiling) - A joist is a horizontal structural member, often at 16" on center.

Load and non-load bearing walls - Load bearing walls are those present where there is occupied area above and over which structural members break or are spliced. These walls require additional structure if openings are made or enlarged. Non-load bearing walls can be interrupted without the need for shoring or adding structural members.

Plumb- Plumb is a term to mean "perfectly vertical."

Plumbing: supply, waste and vent lines - Supply lines are those carrying hot and cold water; waste lines are for sewage; and vent pipes are oriented vertically to allow downward flow of sewage.

Studs (jacks, trimmers, kings, cripples, plates) - A stud is a vertical wall board.

Subfloor and underlayment - A subfloor is a structural component of the flooring system designed to assist in carrying loads; underlayment is typically a leveling and/or smoothing layer. They are horizontal members typically glued and fastened to floor joists.

Threshold - The threshold is the bottom portion of a doorway, the member against which the door blank closes.