There's No Reason Your First Home Can't Be a New Home: Overview of the Integrity Collections

Just because you're buying your first home, doesn't mean that you should have to sacrifice quality. True Homes, the largest new home builder in North Carolina builds energy efficient homes designed to fit any budget. For first time home buyers, our Integrity Collection has been designed specifically with you in mind. 

With prices beginning in the $80Ks, our Integrity collection offers 12 practical, but exceptionally designed floor plans to meet your needs. Available in 16 different North Carolina communities, our Integrity Collection of homes boast living spaces ranging from 1,200 to 2,800 square feet. For custom upgrades to an Integrity home, we offer designer packages as well. 

Integrity Collection Homes by True Homes are perfect for your young family, as it continues to grow. Moreover, because we design all of our homes to be 40% more energy efficient than existing comparable homes, you'll find that you save big on utility bills in your brand new home.

Our goal in creating the Integrity Collection was to make homeownership as stress-free as possible, so that you can enjoy the perks of owning a new home with smart dimensions, on a budget that you can afford. 

If you're looking to buy a new home in North Carolina, we invite you to contact us today about our renowned Integrity Collection of homes. The contemporary details found within will make buying your first home a memorable one. Contact us today at www.truehomeusa.com or call 704-271-1191.

Tips for Reducing Your Energy Bill This Summer

When you buy a True Home, you know that you're getting a home that is automatically 40% more energy efficient than an existing home. But if you're looking to save even more money and more energy during the hot North Carolina summers, there are easy ways to do so. Here are five ways you can conserve energy and money this summer even as temperatures increase.

1. Turn Off the Daytime Lights
   With extended daylight hours, you're offered the opportunity to let the natural sunlight fill your home until later in the evening. For extra savings, make sure your blinds are open until the sun goes down. Turning off all lights during the day will keep your home cool, and help you save on your electricity bill. 
   
   
2. Set Your AC on Energy Saver Option
   Using the energy saving option on your air conditioner rather than turning your air conditioner on when you're home and off while you're gone, will save you money on your electricity bill. It works by keeping your home cool while you're not home. The reason is simple. When you turn your air conditioner off when you leave for work, your house warms up. The air conditioner must work extra hard then when you return, to cool the house down. By keeping your air conditioner set on the energy saving mode, the house remains cool, so that you don't have to expend extra energy cooling it down when you get home. 
   
   
3. Give Fans a Whirl
   Using fans to keep cool in the summer will pay off when it comes to your electric bill. Ceiling fans in particular, help many homeowners to avoid using their air conditioners in the summer. 
   
   
4. Forgo The Dryer
   Your clothes dryer may actually use the greatest amount of energy of all of your appliances. That's not to mention the fact that using them generates hot air, which then warms your house. This summer, take advantage of the extended daylight hours and opt for line drying your close. You'll be glad you did when your energy bill comes. 

True Homes are 40% more energy efficient than existing homes. With our True Green philosophy, we are setting the eco-friendly standard as the largest builder of new homes in North Carolina. For more information on how we help you to help the environment, and realize energy savings contact us today at www.truehomeusa.com or call 704-271-1191.

Selling Your Home? Tips for DIY Home Staging

If you're planning to sell your home this summer, regardless of whether you'll sell it yourself, or utilize the expertise of a REALTOR®, you'll need to showcase your home in its best possible light. Sprucing up your home for potential buyers is known as home staging. Staging can be done to both the exterior and interior of your home, and while there are professional home stagers, many people prefer to do it themselves.

Here are five DIY ways to stage your home to attract potential buyers.

1. Store, De-Clutter, and Simplify.
   Clutter in a home detracts from the home's inherent attributes. From items left lying around to a poorly organized pantry, messy closets and cluttered cupboards; when it comes to home staging, less is truly more. Pack up extra pots, pans, clothes, books and store them for the time being. The same goes for extra furniture. Don't let a cluttered living space detract from the home's natural beauty.
   
   
2. Let There Be Light
   Make the most of your home's windows and views, while also ensuring your home looks like and bright. Heavy curtains or blinds drawn inside your home will make your home appear dark, and often smaller. Open all blinds and curtains (making sure the windows and sills are clean), to give your home an airy and spacious feel. 
   
   
3. Clean and clean again
   Chances are, if you've been looking for a new home, you've seen homes that are extraordinarily clean, and those that are not. Chances are even greater that a messy or dirty home didn't exactly make your heart flutter. Clean homes show that the home has been cared for, and home buyers want a well maintained home. 
   
   
   If you don't have the time or inclination to clean your home yourself, it's probably worth the investment to have professionals come and clean the house. Remember that you're trying to show the house in its best possible light, so cleanliness is of utmost importance. 
   
   
4. Showcase Storage Space
   Potential buyers need to know that there is enough room in your home to store all of their personal items. Organizing your closets and storage areas is one way to ensure that they can see how much space your home has to offer. That's why it's also smart to minimize the number of items in your kitchen cabinets, pantry, and coat closets. Store items you won't need for the next several weeks, so that potential buyers can accurately assess the amount of storage in your home. 
   
   
5. Add a Bit of Loveliness
   Subtle touches of color and pleasant smells can help make your rooms "pop." Consider scented candles in your bathrooms. Add a fresh fruit bowl to your dining room table. Leave some potpourri in a pretty bowl near your front door. Put a healthy green plant on your front porch. A little effort to excite the senses will go a long way. 

Summer is the perfect time to sell your home and buy a new home. True Homes are available in dozens of communities throughout North Carolina. True Homes are energy efficient, and made with only the finest quality products. For information on buying a True Home this summer contact us today at www.truehomeusa.com or call 704-271-1191.

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.

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.