Moving soon? Make sure you’re prepared with the right supplies

Moving can be a real headache. In addition to having to pack your life into boxes and live in a state of limbo until the move is complete, moving can also be expensive—even if you decide to do it yourself. To help make sure you’re prepared for your next move, True Homes, a leading new home builder based in Charlotte, North Caroline, has put together a list of supplies you’ll need as well as some helpful tips to save you money and ensure your move goes as smoothly as possible.

Recommended Moving Supplies

Moving Boxes. Whether you’re planning to move yourself or hire professionals, you’ll need plenty of moving boxes to pack your belongings into. It’s always better to have more boxes than you think you’ll need as certain items will inevitably take up a lot more space than you planned for. Buying new boxes can get expensive, but you can save a lot of money getting creative here. Supermarkets and liquor stores have more boxes than they know what to do with, and are usually happy to give you a few extras. 

Bubble Wrap/Packing Paper. You’ll want to make sure your items arrive at your new home undamaged, so be sure to wrap everything up in bubble wrap or packing paper. Packaging peanuts are also good at protecting your valuables, but they can be messy to deal with. To save money on these packing supplies, start saving old newspapers before your move. You can also ask friends and family to save their old newspapers for you too. Unless you know someone who moved recently, you’ll probably have to spend some money on bubble wrap to protect your fragile items like glassware and china, but you save a lot of money by repurposing old materials.

Packaging Tape. Packaging tape is essential for keeping your boxes closed, and securing items with multiple pieces. Clear box tape is strong enough to make sure the bottom of your boxes don’t fall out, but isn’t ideal for taping things together. If you need to keep things together during the move, masking tape is your best bet since it won’t leave a sticky mess for you to clean while unpacking. 

Carpet Film. Carpet film is a great way to protect your floors during the move. Different than saran wrap, which can be good for protecting sofas and other upholstered furniture, carpet film is stick on one side. Before your move, plan out which areas of your home will be used as moving corridors, and put some film in place. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure here, and picking up carpet film is a lot easier than having to shampoo your carpet or deal with unsightly scuffmarks on your hard floors.  

Moving Tips

Moving is going to take a lot longer than you think, so it’s a good idea to start preparing for your move at least two months before your scheduled move-out date. 

Get Moving Estimates

If you’re going to hire a professional mover, you can start getting estimates before hand to get a better idea of the cost of moving. Also, booking a mover early will ensure that one is available when you need them. And if you’re going to move yourself, you should also shop around for a moving truck before the move. Locking in rates early will help you better budget for your move.

Pack Early

Whether you’re hiring a professional or are going to move yourself, you should start packing well in advance of your move-out date. Packing early takes a lot of the stress out of moving as you can do it at your leisure, instead of being rushed all at the last minute. For example, you can pack up all your out of season clothes without sacrificing any creature comforts in the mean time. Books, and decorative items are also good candidates to pack early.

Do Some Spring Cleaning

Moving provides you with an excellent chance to get rid of some unwanted clutter. When going through your belongings, decide if it’s something you really want to take with you. You can also have a garage sale before the move to help offset the costs. Craigslist and eBay are also great places to sell your unwanted items. You can also donate all the items that you’re unable to sell.  

While every move is a little different, the above list of supplies and tips are applicable to almost every type of move. Before you move-out, you’ll also need to update your address at the post office and let friends and family your new address. Likewise, be sure to transfer your utility accounts to your new address so you don’t move into a house without electricity or water.

If you’re planning to move into a new home in Charlotte, North Caroline or Charleston, South Carolina, why not consider a True Home? Our newest community in Charleston, South Carolina offers a range of affordable, environmentally friendly new home designs. For more information on building your True dream home, visit www.truehomesusa.com or contact us at 704-937-2307.

Fun for the Family in Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte, North Carolina is a great place to work and live. And with plenty of activities to do year round, Charlotte has enough to fulfill even the most demanding family entertainment needs. Whether you’re already a resident of Charlotte, or are planning to buy a new home in Charlotte, True Homes has put together a list of some of the top family activities that Charlotte has to offer.

Biltmore Estate

Located just outside Charlotte, in Asheville, the Biltmore Estate is the perfect getaway for you and your family. Originally built by George Vanderbilt in the late 1800s, the Biltmore estate remains the largest private estate in the United States. The entire estate consists of over 10 square miles, and offers activities for every type of visitor. While the main house is the primary attraction at the estate, there are also lots of other activities you can do, including: horseback riding, bicycling, fly fishing, get lost in the garden maze, visit the farmyard animals, and more. Best of all, children under 9 years old get to visit the estate free. 

Charlotte Motor Speedway

Located just 13 miles outside of Charlotte, in Concord North Carolina, the Charlotte Motor Speedway is one of the top motorsport complexes in the country. In addition to NASCAR events held year round, the Speedway is also home to the semi-annual Food Lion Auto Fair —one of the nation’s largest car shows. Even if car races aren’t your thing, the Charlotte Motor Speedway attracts thousands visitors every year for Speedway Christmas, which is heralded as “the area’s premier holiday lights extravaganza.”

Dan Nicholas Park

Dan Nichols Park is an amusement park geared for families with younger children. With a number of attractions including a carousel, water plaza, petting zoo, nature center, train station, aquarium, gem mine, mini golf, and paddle boat rentals, Dan Nicholas Park has enough to keep you and your family busy all day. And if you get too tired to make the drive home, you can even stay overnight at the park campgrounds.

Schiele Museum

The Schiele Museum of Natural History is located in Gastonia, NC, about 20 miles outside of Charlotte. The museum features the largest collection of mammal specimens in the Southeast. With five permanent galleries, and a number of special exhibits throughout the year, the Schiele Museum is both a fun and education way to spend the day with your family. 

Reed Gold Mine

Reed Gold Mine is home to the first documented gold discovery in the United States. Today, the site serves as one of North Carolina’s most valuable historical assets. Portions of the mine have been restored, and the center offers guided tours of some of the old gold shafts. You can even try your hand at panning for gold, and hope to strike it rich!

North Carolina Zoo

The NC Zoo has over 500 acres of exhibits that are home to 1,600 animals and 52,000 plants, making it one of the largest natural habitat zoos in the United States. Some of the standout animals at the zoo include Elephants, Rhinoceros, Chimpanzees, and exotic birds from around the world. The zoo experience involves a walk along a five mile shaded pathway, so be prepared for a little bit of exercise. The official website expects tours to last between 4 and 6 hours. The list of family activities listed above doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the variety of entertainment Charlotte has to offer. If you’re looking to purchase a new home in Charlotte, we hope you’ll consider True Homes. True Homes offers a number of environmentally friendly new home communities that are perfect for you and your family. For more information, visit our website at www.truehomesusa.com or call us directly at 704-937-2307.

Green Homes Construction on the Rise

There is a definite shift taking place in the market as green practices spring to the forefront. According to a recent Smart Market Report on home construction, green and sustainable homes developments are expected to skyrocket over the next several years to a staggering 29 to 38 percent by 2016.

Those interested in purchasing new homes in Charlotte are looking for green homes as they area a long-term saver and also known to be more high quality construction. Visit True Green Homes

Other factors are also driving green home construction growth. Nearly two-thirds of builders and remodelers said more and more new home buyers in Charlotte are requesting green homes and green, sustainable projects, many of them seeking out lower energy costs.

The higher costs of building green are less of a factor now than they were several years ago. With ample supply of green home products, prices have become more competitive with traditional green home projects.

 

The report also found that more than 80percent report that energy efficiency is making today's homes far more green compared to two years ago. Use of energy-efficient features is commonplace in the market and has become the top practice by nearly all builders and remodelers.

 

Also tops in consideration are indoor air quality, with 95 percent of high volume home builders including these features, and durable materials being emphasized by remodelers.

 

“These findings confirm the shift we've seen in the market,” says Jim Halter, Vice President, Construction Solutions for Waste Management. “Builders and remodelers are placing more emphasis on energy efficiency, increases in sustainability focused waste management practices and more products made from post-consumer materials. These important factors are pushing our industry forward.”

 

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.

Charlotte, North Carolina in Top 3 Percent of US Metros for Energy Jobs

It’s no small secret that Charlotte, North Carolina has been a strong contender for energy jobs. However, that momentum has increased significantly over the last few years. The 16-county Charlotte region counts more than 200 organizations and more than 20,000 employees performing the important daily work of the energy industry.  So much so, that it is now considered America’s new energy capital.

A Lean, Green Workforce

This continued spawning of green, clean Charlotte companies and the vocations they offer is one of the main attractions for buyers of new homes in Charlotte. Combined with fantastic schools and universities offering learning opportunities and degrees in energy efficiency and sustainability, Charlotte’s work force has been identified as a major competitive advantage, and the influx of young energy leaders with diverse experiences has emerged as a significant resource for energy and engineering firms.

The plan to foster an energy hub in the Charlotte region is kicking into high gear, with a number of organizations playing key roles in the initiative. Major energy players in Charlotte include AREVA, Babcock and Wilcox, Duke Energy, Electric Power Research Institute, Fluor, Metso Power, Piedmont Natural Gas, Siemens Energy, Shaw Group, Toshiba, URS Corp., and Westinghouse. Leaders representing businesses of every size, local and state government, educational institutions and civic organizations have put Charlotte on the energy map.

Green City, Green Homes

The Charlotte energy hub also brings with it the demand for green homes. For True Homes, being green isn’t just the latest trend or buzz word; green building is at the core of our business philosophy. It is a commitment to green home design and green construction. Our True Green building program flows directly out of that desire.

At True, we believe we have a responsibility to our customers and communities, as well as the environment. We achieve this through GREEN BUILDING and CONSERVATION. These two areas allow us and True Home green living home owners to reduce the impact on our environment, create healthier green living environments, conserve energy, as well as save money.  

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.

Charlotte Home Sale Closings Up 22 Percent from Last Year

According to a recent report by the Charlotte Regional Realtor® Association, residential real estate activity for August 2012 continues the good news from the previous month of July: home sales closings have gone up again in Charlotte. Along with that, home sale prices have also increased to an average of $207,380.

Strong Gains Seven Months Straight

Strong gains in new home sales and new home prices last month were preceded by steady gains over the last several months. Although average list prices have taken a slight dip, sellers are now receiving more of their asking price, which is up a staggering 89.7 percent from last July. With six months ahead of it, August makes the seventh straight month of gainful real estate activity in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

August also saw homes spending fewer days on the market from listing to close, decreasing two weeks compared to 2011. Distressed foreclosure properties, which tend to sell fastest, actually decreased, with the number of active foreclosures at its lowest level since January 2008. However, they also saw the largest year-over-year median price gain of 6.7 percent. The number of active short sales was also at its lowest level since April 2009.

A Popular Destination for Relocation

Charlotte is fast rising in relocations, welcoming transplants by the hundreds. Baby boomers, retirees, young tech-savvy hipsters and green energy professionals are moving into the southern city for work, creating an increased demand to buy new homes in Charlotte. That fact, combined with historically low interest rates, affordable home prices, and being a great overall place to live, Charlotte becomes pretty irresistible to new home buyers looking for a home in the Carolinas.

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.

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

Popular Baby Boomer Home Designs

Born between 1946 and 1964, there are 77 million Baby Boomers that represent 26 percent of the population. Boomers make up 45 percent of the work force and control the largest amount of discretionary income in history. Home builders and architects are continuously adapting their floorplans and home designs to accommodate the ever-changing needs and demands of this generation that plans on being around for a long time to come.

“Right-size” Me

Sophisticated, savvy, and active, when it comes to home design, baby boomers are looking for comfort and convenience, multi-functionality, and a place they can live out their golden years. They are far are less interested in scaling back than they are in having a home that is the right fit.

Considered “rightsizing”, it simply means that their homes fit their needs and their budgets without interfering with their lifestyles. Gone are the super-size days of bigger is better. When it comes to home design, boomers want a home that custom-caters to their lifestyle, both present and future.

Flex Spaces

Whether large or small, rooms need to have a purpose; a logical functionality. Flex spaces that can be used for multiple activities is one prime example. These living areas are flexible in that they can easily adapt to the homeowner’s needs, from guest rooms to offices and studies. Multi-purpose flex rooms are high on the list for active boomers who love entertainment and the room to enjoy it.

Large Masters +

Another home design hot button is the master bedroom suites. Boomers won’t tolerate shy on anything that makes for the most comfortable sleeping arrangements, including a master bath with dual sinks and separate stalls. Garden tubs are nearly a must, with whirlpool jets and separate showers for the grandest bathroom escapes.

Easy Access, Open Feel

Most baby boomers desire single-story homes over split-levels. As they age, this choice becomes even more important, with easy, low-risk access to the entire home all on one floor. Boomers also like an open feel to their homes. They opt for fewer walls where rooms merge together to create a feeling of expanse and openness.

Designer Kitchens

And we don’t just mean looks, either. Baby boomers are very particular about their kitchens, as entertaining is often high on these active adults’ list. Pull out all of the stops when it comes to stainless and steel and granite, and don’t forget the amenities. Oh, and did we mention, amenities? Boomers like them, and they like a lot of them. From built-in wine racks, to custom cabinetry, entertainment media and jumbo dishwashers, kitchens should come stocked with every appliance necessary for convenience and ease of living.

Indoor/Outdoor Entertainment Areas

Fun, vibrant, safe and convenient is how baby boomers see their entertainment areas. As prolific hosts of social events and activities, boomers love space indoor/outdoor spaces that accommodate both formal and informal gatherings and affairs, from hosting an elegant dinner party to throwing a blazing backyard BBQ.

All Baby Boomers have their own ideas about the homes they wish to live in after retirement. Although these are the top home design requests for the boomer generation, creating the right home environment is your own personal journey. Enjoy!

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.