True Homes In The News!

It's one thing for us to tell you why True Homes are so popular. It's another to report the facts which show that True Homes is the largest new home builder in the Charlotte area. However, nothing means more to the team at True Homes, than to have our hard work and dedication noticed and recognized by an objective third party.

The Charlotte Observer did just that in this lovely feature about our Riley home. If you are looking for a new home in the Charlotte area, you'll certainly want to take a look at the article. You'll see for yourself, that when we promise you True Quality, True Style, True Space, we mean it. It is our top priority to build you a home that fits your needs, because we are committed to making each new home buyer a True Believer.

Of course we start with the basics, but then we offer you the opportunity to make modifications, upgrades, room choices, add-ons, and more. Better yet, we offer a fully upgraded home for less than $300K. This may include custom kitchen backsplashes, perhaps an extra garage, granite in the bathroom and more. Our standard Riley home (40% more energy efficient than comparable existing homes) which includes 4-5 bedrooms and nearly 3,000 square feet begins at just $210K.

For information about Riley homes available, including Quick Move In options, visit our website at www.truehomesusa.com or contact a sales agent at 704-271-1191.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/05/23/4059764/welcome-to-the-typical-suburban.html#.UaPhY4_k8as.email#storylink=cpy

Home for Sale in Charlotte Offering you Extreme Bliss

Home is where one finds peace, tranquillity and the company of one’s loved ones all under one roof. It is a place that binds, nurtures and nourishes the relationships and family bonds. Charlotte is a very lively city of North Carolina, and is a perfect family vacation destination with its number of amusement parks, museums and a plethora of other fun attractions to indulge in. The demand for homes for sale in Charlotte is on an astronomical rise. Charlotte is one of the largest cities of the US and is also considered as an important financial hub. 

North Carolina is one of the opulent places to reside in Charlotte. Blessed with a low cost of living, a vibrant economy along with wide options for educational institutes makes Charlotte a fantastic place to raise your family. Moreover, this city has experienced a passive growth over the past 20 years and this trend is expected to continue further. These days, the new homes in North Carolina built by True Homes are attracting a huge number of people. These homes specifically understand the importance of helping the buyers to live a life they have always imagined of. 

Alexander Brack, an extraordinary project by the True Homes offers you spectacular homes for sale in Charlotte. This small community consists of four Quick Move In inventory homes. Situated at a prime location, this property maintains a close proximity with Elizabeth Lane Elementary School, South Charlotte Middle School, Providence High School, and Area 51. 

Offering a premium lifestyle to its residents, Alexander Brack is the only destination in Charlotte to live with your loved ones. These homes for sale in Charlotte will offer you extreme tranquillity and a great pleasure of living with your loved ones. Hence, people searching for a perfect home, come and dwell in these new homes in North Carolina.

Why Indoor Air Quality Is Important To Your Family's Health

Even though you may feel as if you’re family is always on the go, the average American spends more than half their life indoors. Whether it’s sleeping, eating, or simply enjoying quality time with one another, the air that you’re breathing inside your home has a major impact on your overall health. As leaders in building green, family friendly homes in Charlotte, North Carolina, True Homes would like to share a few helpful tips for how to further improve the air quality in your new home.

Learn About Pollutants

Have you ever noticed your child sneezing when they aren’t sick? Or maybe

you’ve heard complaints of sore eyes, headaches, and an itchy throat without being able to pinpoint a cause? The issue at hand could very well be a result of poor indoor air quality and pollutants affecting your health. Pollutants like radon, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide could be seeping into your home without you ever knowing, as they are all colorless and odorless gasses that can wreak havoc on your health. To make sure you’re not exposing your loved ones to such harsh pollutants, it’s a great idea to purchase home alarms that can detect the gasses mentioned above as well as air purifiers.

Improving Your Air

One of the best ways to improve the air quality in your home is to pinpoint the source of pollution and control or reduce the emissions which can be accomplished in a few easy ways, including:

a. Ventilation
By increasing the amount of fresh and healthy air brought into your home, you can help dilute and remove any negative indoor pollutants. To accomplish this, try opening your windows for a couple of extra hours each day. Of course, if you live in an urban environment, or next to a busy roadway, the outdoor air may not be any better than your indoor air. Thus, you need to take additional measures to improve your home’s overall indoor air quality.

b. Filter Changes
Even if you have green appliances in your home, heaters and air conditioners

are still known to trap a ton of dust and debris. To ensure the best air quality in your home, make sure to check and change your air conditioning and heater filter on a regular basis. Air filters are graded on a system known as MERV, which stands for Minimum Efficiency Rating Value. The higher the MERV rating, the more efficient a filter is at removing particles. While you may think to install the highest rated filter possible, these filters can be prohibitively expensive and your system may not even be able to handle pulling air through them. Thus, you should look for air filters with a MERV rating between 8 and 12.

c. Humidity Adjustments
Did you know that too much humidity in your home can cause mold? If you’re beginning to notice a humid environment inside your house, try purchasing a dehumidifier to run in the large family areas of your home.

d. Air Purifiers
Air purifiers can significantly enhance the overall air quality inside your home. Many filters are equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters that can remove the smallest particles suspended in the air. Higher end models may also include activated carbon to remove unwanted odors from the air, or UV lights that kill any bacteria and germs inside your home. Air purifiers are graded according to their CADR rating, which measures the amount of air they can purify in a given time. The higher the CADR rating, the more efficient the filter is at circulating air. Air purifiers can be expensive, so when considering a particular model you should be mindful of how expensive and how often filters need to be changed. You should also look for filters that offer the highest CADR rating/dollar.

At True Homes USA in Charlotte, we understand the importance of green, healthy homes that families can thrive in both physically and mentally. If you’re curious about the benefits of living in a True Homes community, please call (704) 271-1191 to speak with a sales representative today about our various housing options. Additionally, we invite you to browse our website for more information at: www.truehomesusa.com.

Health Benefits of Living in a Green Home

With multiple communities in Charlotte, North Carolina and Charleston, South Carolina, the team at True Homes more than understands the importance and necessity of providing families with a safe, affordable, and most significantly, a healthy home. By providing green homes for our residents, True Homes is able to bring much more than just lower electric bills—you’ll enjoy real health benefits to help provide you and your family with a long and healthy life.

Reduction of Toxic Materials

For a lot of people, building and living in a new home comes with an almost unavoidable consequence of being exposed to harsh chemicals used in flooring, paint, and other construction materials. In today’s world, many non-green homes are comprised of compressed wood products that have been treated with preservatives such as formaldehyde; carpeting, which contains petroleum; and even countertops that may release trace amounts of uranium once they begin to decay. Life in a True Homes green home is designed with the health of your family in mind—meaning a healthy home contains almost no volatile organic compounds (VOC). In a green home, toxic materials are not used—allowing residents to see an immediate improvement in the safety, air quality, and overall health of all residing in their home. Of course, there are also numerous benefits associated with living in a home built with sustainable, eco-friendly materials and reduced electric bills.

Water Quality
Water is most essential to our everyday lives. Without water, or without properly filtered water, your risks of contracting contaminants like chlorine metals, VOC’s, and pesticides are greatly increased. Water quality isn’t only important for the water that you drink, you’re also using water brought in through your home to shower in, use to wash your laundry, and clean your dishes with. In a green home, a whole-house filtration system means that more than 99% of pollutants are removed from your water. Whole-house water filtration systems are easy to retrofit into an existing home, but can be even easier to install in a new construction home. Better water quality has been shown to greatly reduce the risk of you and your loved ones of developing respiratory problems, serious bacterial infections, and the onset of allergies.

Natural Light

Green homes are equipped with large, open, beautiful windows that allow much more natural light than traditional houses. Natural light not only brings down the cost of your electrical bills, but also brings improved psychological stimulation to you and your family that can result in increased happiness and natural vitamin D intake.

The benefits that come with living in a True Homes green home don’t just stop with this list—you’ll also enjoy the many perks of a vibrant, family oriented, blooming new community. To learn more about life with True Homes in Charleston and Charlotte as well as the steps we’ve taken to build some of the greenest homes on the market today, give us a call at (704) 937-2307 to speak with one of our representatives directly, or visit us online at www.truehomesusa.com.

5 Important Lessons to Teach Your Children

At True Homes in Charlotte, we understand that raising children comes with ups, downs, and everything in between. However, teaching your children important values while they’re in their formative years will pave the way for an easier parenting future and help ensure the success of your kids. Below are five of the cornerstone principles you can instill in your children as they grow into mature and successful adults.

Responsibility

When raising children, one of the most important and staple lessons you can teach your child is responsibility. Depending on your style of parenting, there are several ways you can teach your child responsibility, though a common theme involves always sticking to your word. Teach your child that if he or she commits to doing something, then they must do it regardless of circumstance. If a child commits to a sports team for instance, and they end up deciding that they may not like the sport mid-way through the season, you can teach your child others are now relying on their presence and they cannot let their team members down.

Respect

The second lesson on our list is respect. Teach your child that each person deserves to be treated equally and in their own right. Respect is something that should be given at all times to everyone, whether the person they are interacting with is a man or woman, older, younger or the same age. Teaching your child respect while they’re still young will allow them to better understand the imperative value as an adult.

Financial Responsibility

As with most childhood lessons, learning important values at a young age tends to transcend into our adult lives, and the importance of financial responsibility is no exception. When a child is given an allowance, putting a portion of the money into a piggy bank or another means of savings will allow the child to learn how to set monetary goals for themselves. This allows the child to form a thought process that becomes adult philosophy.

Education

Crucial lesson number four is the importance of education. Not only is it essential to provide your child with a stable understanding of schoolwork, but giving your child the freedom to educate themselves in something they are interested in teaches them that they can succeed in choices of their own. Whether your child enjoys art, the piano, sports, science or history, enable them to become educated further in a topic of their choosing.

Self-confidence

In today’s society, it has never been more important for children to be confident in themselves. Letting them know that if they are secure and strong in who they are and what they know and believe in; there is no need to feel disabled by others. An important part of developing self-confidence is to also let children know that throughout life, everyone will have different opinions, and it’s imperative to always stick to your own ideas.

Now that we’ve shared several cornerstone morals to be sure to teach your children, we encourage you to take a few minutes to visit our website to discover the values of True Homes in Charleston and Charlotte. For more information regarding our new family communities, visit us online at www.truehomesusa.com or contact one of our representatives directly at (704) 937-2307. We look forward to welcoming you to your new home.

Have you considered adding a dog to your family? 5 reasons why owning a dog is a good idea

Dogs have the reputation as being man’s best friend, and rightfully so. The humane society estimated that approximately 39 percent of households own a dog, but why? Dogs provide companionship, friendship, and entertainment. They don’t pass judgment and are always happy to see you when you come home, which is especially uplifting if you’ve had a tough day at work. Dogs can also help teach your children about responsibility, and can even help your children develop stronger immune systems.

If you’re on the fence about adding a dog to your family, True Homes, the largest homebuilder in Charlotte, NC, has put together a list of the top five reasons you should own a dog.

Dogs are good for your health

Studies have long shown that dog ownership is associated with a number of positive health benefits, including: reduced stress, lower blood pressure, reduced risk of dying from any cardiac disease, increased physical fitness, 

Dogs are entertaining

Whether you plan on training your dog to perform funny tricks, play fetch, or simply want another personality in the household, dogs are a constant source of entertainment. 

Dogs help teach your children responsibility

Dogs are a wonderful way to start teaching your children responsibility. By giving your children certain responsibilities for you dog, such as feeding, walking, or grooming the dog, you can start to teach them the importance of being responsible. Since the responsibility of the dog is ultimately up to the adults of the household, you can teach your children consequences by taking away privileges if their duties are not kept up with. Dogs also teach your children the importance of being kind and respectful to animals.

Dogs make your children healthier

According to several researchers, infants who grow up in a household with a dog go on to live a healthier life. In particular, one study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that children who grew up with dogs were 31 percent less likely to contract respiratory tract infections and 44 percent less likely to suffer from ear infections. While this may seem counterintuitive, since dogs are known to have a number of allergens and track in dirt and debris from outside, it is the exposure to these contaminants that help your children develop strong immune systems.

Dogs help keep you and your family safe

Dogs are very loyal companions and part of their companionship means protecting their masters. One of the most common examples is when dogs bark to alert you if someone is approaching your home, or if one of your family members is in distress. Other ways that dogs keep your family safe depends on the particular breed of dog. For example, herding dogs will keep the family pack together no matter what, which can help keep your children from wandering off.

There you have it, True Homes’ top five reasons to add a dog to your family. If you are thinking about getting a dog, you should consider adopting. By adopting, you’ll save a life, money, and feel better about your decision to get a pet. Adopted dogs appreciate you rescuing them, and make one of the most loyal companions you’ll ever have.

True Homes has a number of new home developments in Charlotte, NC marketed to young families (many of which are dog owners). To learn more about True Homes, visit us online at www.truehomesusa.com or get in touch with us directly on the phone at 704-271-1191 today.

How to find a good babysitter for your kids

Raising a family is a full time job, and everyone deserves a night off sometime. Leaving the kids at home gives you a chance to spend time with your wife, and escape the realities that wait at home. However, finding someone that you can entrust your kids with while you spend a night on the town can be a difficult process. How do you know they are responsible? Will they make sure your kids are safe? True Homes has put together a list of resources that you can use to help you find a good babysitter for your kids.

Ask Your Friends

One of the benefits of living in a new home community full of other young families is that some of your neighbors may have already scouted a reliable babysitter you can use.  Be warned though, with good sitters becoming increasingly hard to come by, some neighbors are reluctant to share their resources.

Another option to finding a babysitter for your kids is barter with your friends, sort of like someone being the designated driver for the night. One weekend, you’ll watch their kids over at your place while your friends go out, and the next weekend they’ll reciprocate. This arrangement can be especially good since you won’t have to pay extra for a sitter, or worry about having a stranger in your house while you’re away. Many areas are also starting babysitter co-ops, which is a more organized community of the barter agreement described above. Instead of paying with money, the co-op works on a point system to ensure that everyone has to give in what they take out.

Online

There are a number of online resources available to help you locate a good babysitter for your kids. More general websites like Craigslist and Angie’s List have very active communities, and a lot of people report having found a good sitter through these sites. Be careful though, when selecting any sitter, you’ll want to do some basic background checking on them and meet with them well before you need them to get a sense of the type of sitter they are.

Other online options like Care.com and Sittercity.com focus specifically on connecting parents with babysitters across the country. Manny of these sitter-centric websites charge some sort of membership or usage fee in exchange for doing a lot of the heavy lifting, e.g., prescreening babysitters and handling the payments.

Everyone deserves a break from the normal routine every now and again, but you want to make sure your kids are safe while you’re out having fun. The most important advice of all when selecting any babysitter to watch your kids is to meet with them first, do a little background research on them. Even if you don’t want to pay for a full background check, you can easily ask your prospective sitter to provide you with several references and speak with them about their experiences with that sitter.

True Homes is the largest homebuilder in Charlotte, NC and has a number of new home communities geared for young families.  If you’re looking to relocate to Charlotte, or are looking for a new home in the area, we hope you’ll consider one of our fabulous communities. One of the benefits of living in a new home development is you’ll be surrounded with like-minded neighbors. For example, you’ll most likely all have young children and can start your own neighborhood babysitting co-op. For more information, visit us online at www.truehomesusa.com or call us on the phone at 704-271-1191. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Bathtub Ideas for Your New Home

Just not a standard rectangular dwelling anymore, bathrooms have become a place of escape - a world of their own that offers a tranquil space to unwind, relax and rinse away the cares of the day. It’s no small wonder, then, that the bathtub rates high on the home-owner list of important features.

Style

Just like houses, bathtubs come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles. From round to square, jets and jetless, antique and contemporary, choosing the style of bathtub you long to sink into is all about personal pampering preference. Here are a few of the most popular bathtub styles to consider:
       
* Garden Tubs

Considered the spa treatment of bathtubs, garden tubs provide the ultimate in luxury relaxation. Deep and roomy, these popular tubs often come equipped with jets and are typically situated in view of the outdoors for a true get-away feeling. 

* Antique (Free-standing)

The nostalgic shape of the free-standing tub is reminiscent of the deep metal tubs they bathed in long before bathrooms were even heard of. Elegant, with their exposed piping and beautifully clawed feet, free-standing bathtubs offer the old world, colonial feel with its traditional beauty and warmth.

* Walk-in
Widely popular among the handicapped and the elderly, these tubs offer safety and simplicity with easy access and customizable options such as seating, handrails and Whirpool jets.

Material and Colors

Bathtubs are available in a wide range are available in materials that range from porcelain on to ceramic. Since different materials have different installation requirements, be sure to inquire about any costs your may incur.
Choosing the colors for your bathroom can be invigorating and exciting. There is nothing more thrilling than placing your own personal stamp on your dream bathroom. Tub colors are of particular importance. Since the majority of your time will be spent relaxing in your dream tub, picking a color that provides the right atmosphere when bathing is important.

Showrooms can offer enormous help in getting a feel for a bathroom based on style, material and color. The key is to sample different styles to personally experience and see what best fits your idea of bathroom paradise.

True Homes is the largest home builder in Charlotte, North Carolina, with new communities in Charleston, South Carolina. For more information on building your True dream home, visit www.truehomesusa.com or contact us at 704-937-2307

Building an Affordable Dream Home in the Carolinas

Building a dream home in one of the most coveted places to live does not have to be a budget-buster. With proper planning and a home builder who offers the most bang for your buck when it comes to features and options, building an affordable dream home in your desired Carolina community can easily become a reality.

Planning, Preparation and Patience

When it comes to the development of your new home, patient planning and careful consideration are the critical building blocks of success. Take the time to exercise due diligence for all phases of the planning stage, from choosing the right neighborhood, to floor plans and future needs. Be sure to leave no stone unturned in this critical stage or it could come back to haunt you – and your new home.

Pre-packaged vs. Custom Home Designs

This is one area that can truly save you a lot of money – and time. For cost and affordability purposes, selecting pre-packaged plan options from a builder is typically the most frugal way to go. Although building custom may seem ideal, it does require hiring an architect to draw out floor plans and develop blueprints. All of that work does not come cheap, and it takes a considerably more amount of time to complete than if you were to select a pre-packaged plan.

Lots and Land

Where you build can make a huge difference in the cost of your new home development. Beware of cheaper lots that can actually end up being more expensive in the end. Choose a place that is in close proximity to electric, gas and public water lines. Also, consider lots that require less removal of debris, such as rocks and trees. All of this can add up to big bucks so remember step one and do your land homework.

Keep It Compact

Compact homes are far less expensive to both build and maintain. Although lifestyle and future needs (raising a family or retiring) will dictate whether you have a split-level versus a flat ranch home, for all intents and purposes, the more compact - smaller and taller - the more cost effective. Also worth considering is the shape of the home itself. Funky shapes with intriguing lines will cost far more to build than square or rectangular floor plans.

Pay Only for Livable Space

During your search for a new home builder be sure to find out exactly how they calculate the cost of the space you are paying for. Attics, basements, walls, stairs, garages and other “phantom” (non-livable) space are considered differently per builder. Knowing how area and volume are measured can make a huge difference in the cost of your new home building project.

Check the Recycle Bin

One of the best ways to cut building costs is to use recycled materials. Not only do they save money, the earth and environment will thank you for it. You may also want to consider a trip to the architectural salvage warehouses that house hundreds of items such as wrought iron fencing, doorknobs and light fixtures. Although a bit more laborious in terms of the salvage shopping, this option can drastically reduce home building costs.

Energy Efficient, Energy Star

While a bit more costly to install than non-efficient items, in the long run, going energy efficient will save a great deal of money over time. Green homes equipped with items such as solar panels and Energy Star appliances will greatly reduce utility bills, leading to significant savings for many years to come.

True Homes is a new home builder with locations in Charlotte, North Carolina and Charleston, South Carolina. To learn more about building your dream home in our more than 60 True Homes communities across the Carolinas, visit our website at www.truehomesusa.com or give us a call at 704-271-1191.

True Homes to Charm Charleston Residents

The True Homes’ building team is celebrating the construction start of their first Charleston area homes.  The homes are being built in the established community of White Gables in Summerville.  The homes in White Gables feature traditional architectural design elements with rear garages and beautiful streetscapes.

Ground breaking of the True Homes occurred in January, and home completions are scheduled for March.Frank Finlaw is the Managing Partner of True Homes in Charleston.  Frank is a recognized leader in the Charleston home building industry and has served as President of the Charleston Home Builders Association.  “Our vision is ‘to give people the opportunity for more life.’  Home building is a noble vocation – as builders, we have a unique opportunity to enrich the lives of our customers and those who build their homes.”

True Homes is one of the largest private home builders in the Carolinas and has been serving the York and Lancaster County areas of South Carolina since it was founded in 2007.  According to Finlaw, “We will continue to focus on what makes any home builder successful…satisfying one customer at a time.  We accomplish this by having a great team with high character, competency and commitment.  The vision and values of True Homes are embraced by all of our team members and each of us is committed to giving our best every day.”

True Homes will offer a variety of home designs at White Gables ranging from the 140’s to the 200’s.  The homes offered will include True Style and Designer Packages that are on the leading edge of trends in new home design.  Included in every home are ‘True Extras’ – 20 standard features such as Ceramic Tile Kitchen Backsplashes, Designer Lighting, Dual Zone HVAC, 30 year Architectural Shingles – all included standard.  “We are hopeful that Charleston area home buyers will have a positive response to our home designs and value.  The early response has already been very encouraging.”

True Homes is committed to green home design and construction.  True Homes believes that we have a stewardship responsibility to our customers, our communities, as well as the environment.  We achieve this through GREEN BUILDING, ENERGY EFFICIENCY and INDEPENDENT TESTING.  Each home True Homes builds receives a certified Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score from an independent RESNET certified inspector.

True Homes is a Carolinas owned company with over 60 new home locations in North and South Carolina.  True Homes focuses on building new homes for their customers that are unmatched in space, value, style, quality and ‘green building’.

Visit - http://www.truehomesusa.com/