Why Relocating to McKinney TX is a Smart Move

Posted on May 24, 2013 by admin

7015813_mlAre you relocating to McKinney, TX?  You couldn’t have picked a better location. McKinney was voted the second best place to live in the country by Money Magazine in 2012. It’s easy to see why. Located just 30 miles north of Dallas, McKinney’s rolling hills, tree-lined neighborhoods, historic downtown and beautiful parks give the city a small-town feel, unlike the bustling urban sprawl of the Metroplex.

McKinney is also one of the fastest-growing cities in America, but it continues to deliver a high quality of life to its residents, providing outstanding choices in housing, top-rated schools and a healthy business climate. Residents of McKinney enjoy a wide variety of shopping and dining venues, as well as ample opportunities to enjoy sports, music, theater, parks and outdoor relaxation.

One of the highlights of relocating to McKinney TX is getting an opportunity to explore the city’s historic downtown square. Residents can visit more than 120 unique shops and more than a dozen restaurants featuring everything from upscale dining to sandwich shops and neighborhood pubs. The downtown area also offers a variety of art galleries featuring works by local artists, furniture stores, outstanding antique collections, gift shops and apparel boutiques.

McKinney enjoys low taxes and a diverse economic base, with a mix of retail, office and manufacturing employers including Raytheon, Encore Wire, McKinney Medical Center, Timber Blind Manuacturing and Orthofix. The city is also at the forefront of the environmentally sustainable development movement, with offices using green building techniques. It’s home to one of the nation’s two green Walmart Supercenters, as well as the Pat Lob Toyota dealership – the nation’s first dealership to earn LEED certification.

Residents of McKinney not only work hard, they play hard too – enjoying downtown festivals like Oktoberfest and Dickens of a Christmas, a host of parades and community galas. The city also hosts the annual Mickey Mantle World Series of Baseball for youth aged 16 and under. There are numerous sports leagues for children and adults to participate in, as well as golf courses, tennis courts and ice skating at the Dr. Pepper Star Center.

When you’re looking for a new home to buy in McKinney, come see what’s available at Shiloh Lakes. This quiet Landon Homes community features a wide variety of high quality homes with all the amenities you could ask for. Choose from 3, 4 or 5 bedroom homes on generously sized lots, surrounded by rolling hills, expansive open spaces, and miles of bike and hike trails. Contact our Internet Sales Manager Tanya Ryan for more information about Shiloh Lakes and relocating to McKinney TX.

Posted in Design Tips, Featured Community, Home Buyer FAQ, Homes Sales in Dallas, McKinney Tx, Selling Tips, Things to Do | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Creative Decorating Ideas for a Kids’ Room in Your New Home in Frisco, TX

Posted on May 15, 2013 by admin

iStock_000007100960XSmallMoving into a new home in Frisco, TX can be stressful for some children. To make the transition easier, here are some fun and creative ways to decorate your kids’ rooms so they will feel right at home.

Wall murals – Add some pizzazz to a room by putting up a mural that reflects your kids’ interests. Murals come in a variety of themes, including nature, sports or magic, so there’s bound to be one to please even the choosiest child. Limit color and pattern on other areas to keep focus on the mural.

Bring the outdoors in – Planning a nature-themed bedroom? Incorporate wall art, sheets and comforters to the design, as well as the beds themselves. Landon Homes has designed a unique kids’ room for its 865 collection model home at Richwoods Country. The corners of the twin beds at this new home in Frisco, TX are attached to the ceiling with a thick rope to match the outdoor theme of the room.

Painted pattern – If you’re handy with paint and a level, you can create visual interest in your child’s bedroom by painting geometric shapes on the wall in different colors. Just let each section dry first before starting on a new color.

Chair canopy – Create a cozy hideaway for reading in a child’s room by hanging a canopy over a comfy chair.

Creative corner – Set up a dedicated area for art projects in your new home in Frisco, TX. Just make sure to cover the floor or carpeting with a throw rug or other protective surface to be safe.

Curtained bed – Make your child feel snug as a bug in a larger room by draping curtains around the bed.

Boy’s Play – Add a masculine touch to a boy’s room with rugged pieces, like industrial shelving units painted a bright color.

Chalk it up – Let your little artists write on the walls all they want as long as they do it on a designated wall covered in chalkboard paint.

Transfer Art – Let your children decorate their own room with removable “wall tattoos.” These colorful wall transfers come in a range of patterns and styles, and can be easily removed as the child grows up.

Need more decorating ideas for your new home in Frisco, TX? Browse the Landon Homes website to view the various model home galleries. Or come out to the communities in Austin Ridge and Richwoods to see our new homes in person, and learn why a Landon home is better built, by design.

Posted in About Landon Homes, Dallas Communities, Design Tips, Energy Efficient Homes, Holiday Tips, Landon Homes Services, Landon news, Lifestyle, Quick MoveIn Homes, Things to Do, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Creative Pet Spaces for Your New Home in McKinney TX

Posted on April 30, 2013 by admin

mixed breed dog and old long-haired dachshund dogIt’s no secret that Americans are pet lovers. If you’re building a new home in McKinney, TX, there’s a good chance that a dog, cat, or both will be moving in with you. According to the American Pet Products Association, roughly 62 percent of U.S. households have a pet, with dogs favored by a majority, followed by cats. There’s even a holiday dedicated to them – National Pet Day on April 11.

Here are a few creative ways to accommodate the family pet in your new home in McKinney TX:

Denhaus specializes in creating designer crates for dogs made out of fiberglass, metal and wood. These attractive crates can double as night stands in your bedroom, or as an end table in your living room. In a similar fashion, The Refined Feline makes cat furniture, including cat towers, beds and shelves.  They even feature attractive wood litter boxes!

You might talk with the builder for your McKinney TX new home about installing pet doors, a cat archway, or built-in benches and racks in entryways to store dog leashes, pet toys and supplies. Other options to consider include installing heavy duty screening on windows and doors to prevent damage from pets. Wood floors and high end linoleum for flooring will make it easier to clean up after pet accidents. You can also install stain-resistant carpeting as well.

When choosing cabinets for your new home in McKinney TX, take into account what size containers you use for pet food storage, and make sure the cabinets will be large enough to accommodate them. Also, think about installing a mop sink (low profile floor sink) in the garage for dog bathing. Dog owners might also want to install a chain link kennel in a garage that connects to an exterior dog run. If you plan to install a security system, ask your supplier whether you can have pet immune motion sensors.

No matter what type of pet you own, the professional design center staff at Landon Homes can help you choose the right type of flooring, cabinetry and wall treatments to meet your family’s needs. Contact our Internet Sales Manager Tanya Smith today to schedule a design center tour and see what the Landon Homes difference is all about.

Posted in Design Tips, Home Buyer FAQ, Lifestyle, Outdoor Tips, Pet Tips, Things to Do | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why Buying a New Home in Dallas TX Makes Sense in a Seller’s Market

Posted on April 26, 2013 by admin

agent_shaking_handsIf you want to sell your current home in order to buy a new home in Dallas TX, you have picked an opportune time. There is a shortage of houses for sale in many neighborhoods, which has created a seller’s market. As a result, homeowners can entertain multiple bids for their property from interested buyers, so they are assured of getting their asking price, if not more.

The Real Estate Center says the number of homes on the market in the Dallas-Fort Worth area is at its lowest level in more than 20 years. The pace of home sales in north Texas has quickened too. It took only 65 days to sell a house in March, about a quarter less time than it took a year ago.

Real estate agents had expected home listings to increase because of the stronger market, low interest rates and rising prices.  One reason many homeowners appear reluctant to put their homes up for sale is because they refinanced at near record low mortgage rates. As a result, their costs of owning their current house have fallen.

New home construction is on the rise, though, giving prospective buyers additional housing options from which to choose. Buying a new home has some financial advantages over a pre-owned home. Home builders frequently offer incentives to buy, and mortgage rates are still at record lows, so financing a new home in Dallas TX is affordable. Plus, new homes feature improved energy efficiency standards, so you’ll likely save more money on utility bills than you would with a pre-owned home.

That’s certainly the case with the houses built by Landon Homes. The premier Dallas homebuilder understands the importance of saving energy costs and being good stewards of the environment. That’s why it incorporates energy efficient building methods such as 2×6 exterior wall construction, Dow styrofoam sheathing behind brick and siding, and high rated ceiling and wall insulation in every Landon home. Visit our website to see why so many people choose to buy a new home in Dallas TX from Landon Homes.

Posted in Dallas Communities, Home Buyer FAQ, Homes Sales in Dallas, Market Reports, Selling Tips, Things to Do | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

6 Creative Ways to Use Curtain Rods in Your New Home in Richwoods

Posted on April 22, 2013 by admin

Living roomMost people think curtain rods are for one thing and one thing only – to hang curtains. But this practical household tool can do more than that in your new home in Richwoods. In fact, the only limit on what a curtain rod can do is your imagination.

You can see one example of a creative use for a rod in the 865 Collection model home at Richwoods Landing. Landon Homes used a curtain rod in the fitness room of the model home to hang fitness bands and yoga mats. Storing your fitness equipment in this way keeps the items handy until you need them. And it frees up closet space for other items.

Another way you might use a curtain rod in your new home in Richwoods is in the utility room. You could mount a couple of rods on a wall and store rolls of wrapping paper and ribbon to make them easy and accessible. You could also use a curtain rod in your laundry room to dry clothes that need to be hung up to dry, rather than placed in your clothes dryer.

Curtain rods can also be used in place of a headboard, when hung on a wall behind your bed. Choose from various colors and patterns of panels to decoratively hang on the rods.  Curtain rods can also be used to hang panels or curtains in doorways to divide or section off a room during special occasions. They’re also handy to hide pantry shelves or cluttered nooks.

Hanging murals in your new home in Richwoods can sometimes be a challenge. A curtain rod will come in handy here too. Hang murals, collages, specialty paper or paper wall hangings. Craft stores sell decorative papers that can be attached to valances and hung on a curtain rod as wall art. You can swap these out as your mood changes, or to reflect different seasons.

If you’re looking for the best in gated master planned living, consider buying a new home in Richwoods Landing. You’ll be able to choose from a variety of floor plans on 84’ x 130’ homesites. Landon Homes specializes in building attractive, energy efficient homes that start with using 2×6 wall construction. Contact us today to schedule a model home tour, and see the Landon difference for yourself.

Posted in About Landon Homes, Design Tips, Lifestyle, Richwoods, Things to Do | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fun Things to Do in Frisco TX

Posted on April 12, 2013 by admin

Young boy on merry-go-roundLooking for some fun things to do in Frisco TX? There’s always something going on in this family-friendly community, from sporting events to music and the arts. Each winter, Frisco residents can catch basketball and hockey action at the Dr. Pepper Arena.  Frisco is home to the Texas Legends, an NBA minor league team, and the Texas Tornado, 2012 Robertson Cup National Champions.

During the spring and summer months, sports fans can enjoy major league baseball and soccer games. Frisco is home to the FC Dallas soccer team and the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. Fans can catch RoughRiders games at the Dr. Pepper Ballpark from April – August.

There are other things to do in Frisco TX besides watching sports. Music fans look forward to the annual EdgeFest concert featuring 17 top rock bands. The all-day lineup includes an author tent featuring renowned authors of teen fiction from all over the country. The Downtown Frisco StrEATS Festival gives locals a chance to sample specialties from over a dozen gourmet food trucks, and enjoy music and entertainment. The festival also features a children’s area, video game truck and a classic car show.

Other family-friendly things to do in Frisco TX include the Trampoline & Tumbling 2013 Elite Challenge in May. This three day event showcases the USA’s best in men’s and women’s trampoline, tumbling, synchronized trampoline and double mini-trampoline. Every 4th of July, thousands of families head to FC Dallas Stadium and Simpson Plaza for the annual Frisco Freedom Fest. This patriotic party features food, music, a children’s expo with rock climbing wall and bounce house, and of course, one of the largest fireworks finales in all of North Texas.

The fun continues right into the fall, as the USA Ultimate National Championships come back to Texas for the first time in 17 years. October also features the LoneStar Storytelling Festival, a two-day family event with storytellers, concerts, puppet shows, folks arts and crafts. History buffs will enjoy Shawnee Trail Cowboy Day at the Frisco Heritage Museum. Visitors can take a stagecoach ride, witness authentic gun fights performed by the Legends of Texas and enjoy armadillo races, a petting zoo and pony rides. After Thanksgiving, residents and visitors alike flock to Christmas in the Square to enjoy holiday lights, music, carriage rides and a model train display.

If you’re looking to buy a new home in Frisco this year, visit the Landon Homes website to see the wide variety of floor plans and new home communities we have available. As one of the premier home builders in Texas, Landon builds high quality, energy efficient homes that are both beautiful and eco-friendly.

Posted in Frisco TX, Special Occasions, Things to Do | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

7 Safety Tips to Remember when Moving to a New Home in Little Elm

Posted on March 29, 2013 by admin

Smiling parents with children at homePlanning to buy a new home in Little Elm this year? You couldn’t have picked a better location. Little Elm was recently named the safest city in Texas and the 18th safest city in the U.S. according to the FBI. Little Elm’s police chief credited the good report on the pride homeowners have in their neighborhoods, resulting in reliable reporting of criminal or suspicious activity, as well as the dedicated and highly-trained police force.

Moving into a new neighborhood is a good time to review safety tips with your children. Settling into a new house represents a big change for everyone in the family. It’s an exciting time, but it can also be stressful and cause confusion for children. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind:

1. Make sure your children learn the phone number and address for their new home in Little Elm as soon as possible. Help them locate their new school and take time to visit it before they start classes.

2. If your children ride a bus to school, visit the bus stop and learn the bus number. Remind them to always stay with other children and report any unusual or confusing incidents to you.

3. Take your children with you to meet your neighbors. This will be a good chance to meet other children in the neighborhood.

4. List emergency phone numbers by your telephone shortly after moving into your new home in Little Elm. Determine who can be available for your children to contact should they need assistance while you’re away from home.

5. Take a walking tour of the neighborhood with your children and hel
p them learn the surrounding streets and main roads by name and landmark. Caution your children about taking shortcuts. Remind them to always stay on the main roads.

6. Remind your children that they must check with you first before going anywhere with new friends they make in the neighborhood. This includes accepting rides from new neighbors or going into their homes.

 

7. Go over safety rules with your children about what to do when they’re home alone. Remind them to keep doors and windows locked and never open the door for someone they don’t know. They should also check with you first before opening the door when you are home.

 

As you search for a new home in Little Elm, consider the Lakeview communities by Landon Homes. The Enclave at Lakeview offers some of the best prices for sale in the area, while the Reserve has some of the largest homesites. No matter which neighborhood you choose, the homes built by Landon are beautiful and eco-friendly, with energy-saving features that save you money 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call Landon at 866-898-3603 to learn how you can become a proud homeowner in Little Elm.

 

 

 

Posted in About Landon Homes, Dallas Communities, Design Tips, Featured Community, Frisco TX, Landon Homes Services, Landon news, Lifestyle, Little Elm TX, McKinney Tx, Quick MoveIn Homes, Richwoods, Special Promotions, Things to Do, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Creative Ways to Use Chalkboard Paint in Your New McKinney TX Home

Posted on March 25, 2013 by admin

Chalkboard roomHave you wanted a unique way to showcase your creative flair in your McKinney TX new home? Try using chalkboard paint! It’s not just for schools anymore. Chalkboard paint can be applied to walls, furniture, accessories, etc. The possibilities are endless and limited only by your imagination.

One application for chalkboard paint is in your kitchen. Apply the paint to a pantry door or cabinets to have a place to start a shopping list, display recipes, or weekly dinner plans. You could also apply the paint to the side of your kitchen island.  If you have any old mirrors, refurbish them with chalkboard paint and write your favorite quote on it to display on the wall in your living room or dining room. You can also paint part of a wall with chalkboard paint and apply a vintage picture frame over the space to create a unique art piece.

Love to play games? Here’s a cool idea for your new home in McKinney TX. Apply chalkboard paint to a coffee table so you can easily keep score on game night! An old window frame that features multiple panes can be applied to a wall of chalkboard paint to create an instant calendar for your office. Or skip the frame altogether and create a calendar on your wall by mixing in varying shares of white chalkboard paint to create lighter squares for the different days of the week.

Don’t want to use the traditional black chalkboard? Liven things up by making your own colored paint. Combine one cup of flat paint with 2 tablespoons of unsanded grout and voila! You have your own homemade chalkboard paint.

If you’d like to see an example of how chalkboard paint can be used in a new home, visit the Bellagio model home in Austin Ridge. Landon Homes applied the paint above the chair rail in this McKinney TX new home model to create a unique child’s bedroom space. Visit the Landon  Homes website and click on our Live Chat feature for speedy answers to all your new home questions.

 

Posted in About Landon Homes, Dallas Communities, Design Tips, Foreclosed Homes, Frisco TX, Home Buyer FAQ, Homes Sales in Dallas, Landon Homes Services, Lifestyle, Little Elm TX, McKinney Tx, Things to Do | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

5 Ways to Turn Your New Frisco TX Home into a Staycation Resort

Posted on March 22, 2013 by admin

iStock_000014092864XSmall

Vacations are a great way to relax and enjoy a change of scenery. But if travel is not in the cards for you this year, here are a few ways to turn your new home in Frisco, TX into a staycation resort. Continue reading “5 Ways to Turn Your New Frisco TX Home into a Staycation Resort” »

Posted in About Landon Homes, Bathroom Tips, Dallas Communities, Design Tips, Energy Efficient Homes, Featured Community, Frisco TX, Homes Sales in Dallas, Quick MoveIn Homes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Green Cleaning Solutions for Your New Home in Richwoods

Posted on March 13, 2013 by admin

12378863_s

Buying a new home in Richwoods? Congratulations! It’s a wonderful feeling moving into a brand new home. Once you settle in, the chore of keeping it clean begins. If you don’t want your sensitive skin or your children’s skin to come into contact with commercial cleansers, there are plenty of green solutions out there that will do the job just as well. Here are a few of the top natural cleaners and their uses:

Vinegar – One of the best overall green cleansers, vinegar is great for cleaning mirrors, bathtubs and shower heads. Mix it with hot water to clean your floors and kitchen cabinets. You can even fill a spray bottle with plain white vinegar to use as a cleaning spray. Spritz some of the solution on your plastic shower curtain after a shower to keep mildew at bay. Vinegar is also useful for cleaning out coffee pots.

Rubbing Alcohol – Keep the faucets in your new home in Richwoods looking sparkling new by wiping them down with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. Attach a sprayer to a new bottle of rubbing alcohol and spray your shower lightly after each use to cut down on germs, and make the tile easier to clean. You can also apply a 50/50 solution of rubbing alcohol and water to your granite counter tops to keep them looking shiny and new every time you clean.

Lemon – Lemon oil is useful for removing hard water stains from your shower door and chrome. Apply a drop of lemon oil to a cotton ball to clean any sticky surfaces. You can also simply rub a lemon rind over the surface too, since that’s where the oil comes from. Instead of using harsh cleaners on your pots and pans, spray the pan with water, sprinkle some salt on it and then scrub with half a lemon. You’ll be amazed at how clean your pan gets. Plus, it smells great too!

Baking Soda – Use this household staple in your new home in Richwoods instead of bleach to clean your tub, toilet and sink. There are no harsh fumes and it’s easy on your hands. It’s also handy for cleaning the grease off the stove, and will clean stainless steel items wtihout damage. Just make a paste of baking soda and water, rub it on and wipe away the mess. Combine baking soda with vinegar to clean your shower tiles, and to unclog the tub drain. Pour ½ cup baking soda down the drain first, then add ½ cup of vinegar. Cover the drain with a small glass dish and let it sit overnight. In the morning, flush with hot water to clear the pipes.

Landon Homes specializes in building energy efficient homes that are both beautiful and eco-friendly. If you are in the market for a new home, Richwoods Glen and Richwoods Landing have quick move-in homes ready for sale now. Or you can visit the Landon Homes website to view the different floorplans that are available to build in these beautiful gated communities.

Posted in About Landon Homes, Bathroom Tips, Design Tips, Lifestyle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment