2012 Showing Solid New Housing Starts

According to the U.S. Commerce Department, the building of new single family homes and apartments increased 1.5% to an annual rate of almost 700,000 units in January of 2012, which is the second best performance of housing production since October 2008.

Barry Rutenberg, chairman for the National Association of Home Builders , said that “Today’s solid housing starts report indicates that builders are putting more of their crews back to work, and adds to the growing field of evidence that the overall housing market is gradually but consistently moving in the right direction,”

The South posted the biggest gain in housing starts in January with an 18.3 percent increase and the largest gain in permits issued, with a 10.1 percent increase. This does not mean we are out of the woods yet, but it does appear that we have finally hit bottom and are starting to dig our way out. Buyers and builders are starting to get their confidence back and buyers are starting to recognized the great opportunity there is today in purchasing a new home. Interest rates are at fifty year lows and construction prices are still relatively low making it an extremely great time to purchase a new home.

American Housing Builders, Inc. is a builder of affordable new homes in the Tampa bay area, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, The Tampa Bay Rays and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Located in the Pinellas Park area of St Petersburg, Florida, American Housing Builders is a custom and design builder of new homes and offers our buyers the opportunity to modify any of our many floor plans, or we can design and build a new home from conception to completion.

The owners of American Housing have been building new homes and room additions in the Pinellas County area for over thirty years and are members of the Tampa Bay Builders Association (TBBA,) the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB,) the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI,) the Better Business Bureau and the local Chambers of Commerce.

For more information, contact Lee Kretzer, an owner of American Housing at 727-546-6611, email us at info@amhousing.com, or go to the “Contact Us” page of our web site and send us a request for information. We look forward to hearing from you.

Click here to read entire article.

MULTIGENERATIONAL HOMES

There is a new kind of home that is becoming more and more popular these days and it is being marketed to multigenerational households. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, these new multigenerational homes have increased by 30% from 2000 to 2010. Whether kids are moving back in with parents or parents moving in with their kids, an estimated 51 million Americans now live in homes with at least two generations of adults.

Many of these multigenerational homes offer a second master bedroom, a kitchenette and sometimes even a separate entrance. According to some, this is a niche that appears to be growing in popularity, and with the American economy still struggling, it makes this type of home very practical. While duplexes, granny flats and guest houses have had a long history of popularity over the years, the two homes in one multigenerational home is a fairly new concept and has become very popular over the past few years.

American Housing Builders, Inc. is very aware of this phenomenon and we are very busy designing new floor plans to accommodate this lifestyle. Call us for more details regarding this new trend and allow us to help you design a new multigenerational home for you and your family. American Housing is located in the Tampa Bay area of Florida and you can contact us at 727-546-6611.

3 New Building Lots Available Now!

Pinellas Park Lots!

We have just added 3 new lots to our inventory. These are nice, clean, and good sized lots located in Pinellas Park. This is not a flood zone and they are ready to build on. These lots are located in an area of nice homes, many of them being American Housing homes built only a few years ago. These lots are close to shopping with easy access to the beaches and Interstate 275.

These lots are a true find and in fact, we will be starting an American Housing spec home soon on one of these lots very soon, so now would be a great time to select a lot for your own customized new American Housing home. Lots are located at 70th Ave North and 76th Street in Pinellas Park, Florida.

For more information on these lots, and other available building lots, please call us at 727-546-6611.

The Evolution of New Homes in Pinellas County

Because of the housing situation over the past several years, there have been very few new homes built over the past years, but there does seem to be some light at the end of the tunnel and times have changed. The few new homes that are finally being built again in the Pinellas County and Tampa Bay area have changed considerably from new homes that were built just a couple of years ago. New homes being built today are smaller, more efficient and more affordable.

According to data provided by the NAHB, the new homes that are being built today are not only about 10% smaller than homes built just a few years ago, but they include kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms that have become more compact and more functional. We are seeing fewer and fewer formal living rooms and we are seeing a lot less wasted space.

You are still likely to find a double sink, recessed lighting, and a table space for eating in the kitchen, but because people are buying more foods in bulk, you may also find a walk-in pantry. You are also more likely to find a single walk-in closet in the master bedroom, double vanities and a linen closet in the bathrooms.

Because energy costs are continuing to rise, most of the few new homes being built today are including low-e windows, a programmable thermostat, more efficient insulation and Energy Star appliances and equipment throughout the home. It is not necessarily a “green” thing; it is just common sense. A more energy efficient home will save a homeowner money for many years to come. It is never easy to anticipate exactly what a new home buyer is looking for in a new home, but American Housing Builders, Inc. continues to research the market and tries to stay just ahead of the curve in trying to make our homes more practical, more energy efficient and more affordable.

Mick McKenzie, the builder and one of the owner’s of American Housing Builders, Inc. has been building new homes in the Pinellas County area for over thirty years and comes from a family of builders. Along with Mick and his partners, American Housing has the experience, the knowledge and the professionalism it takes to make the new home buying experience a pleasurable one. American Housing usually has homes that are ready to move in, or will build you a new home on your lot or on one of our many available lots. American Housing has many new home floor plans to select from, will modify any one of our plans to suit your lifestyle or we will design you a new home from scratch if you have a design in mind.

For more information on new homes by American Housing Builders, Inc., please contact Lee Kretzer at 727-546-6611 or email him at Lee@amhousing.com. Lee is also an owner of American Housing and will make sure that you will be given the attention you deserve in your new home buying experience.

Finally, Some Good News For Home Buyers

According to the Department of Commerce, home sales jumped 32% and new home sales rose 11.1% in March of 2011. Although this does not mean we are out of the woods yet, it is a very good indication that things may be starting to improve.

To add more good news on top of that, Fortune magazine just named the Tampa Bay area the fifth best area to buy a home in the country. Fortune magazine stated that even with the glut of foreclosures, it is cheaper to own a home in the Tampa Bay area than it is to rent the same house. Fortune magazine went on to say that retiring baby boomers flocking to Florida will help resurrect the housing market in the Sunshine State, putting it in the unique position of helping to lead the country out of the depressed market it has been in for the past few years.

So, with all of this good news, those seeking to buy a new home in the Tampa Bay area have a unique opportunity to buy now at prices that were unattainable just a few short years ago.  If you have been considering buying a new home or have been patiently waiting on the sidelines to see what the market will do, now is the time to act.

So, without further hesitation, please contact American Housing Builders at 727-546-6611 or visit us at 6580 72 Ave N in Pinellas Park, FL 33781, for information on our quality, yet affordable, new homes and let us help put your home buying dream into high gear.

Home Sales jump 32% in Tampa Bay area

New Home Sales rise 11.1% in Tampa Bay area

Tampa Bay area the fifth best place to buy a new home

Avoid The Money Pit!

There are many advantages to purchasing a newly built home rather than buying an existing 20 to 50 year old home.

It is easy for a buyer to think he, or she, is getting a deal when purchasing a existing home, but there can be many hidden defects one might not see, such as repairs that could start costing money as soon as you move in.  It can become a money pit, draining you and your family of precious dollars. On the other hand a new home is like a new car; you get a home with a new home warranty including you’re a/c and other mechanicals. Not only do we cover most everything for the first year living in the home, you also get a 10 year structural home warranty for peace of mind. After all, you have more to do with your life then to be a slave to your home.  American Housing Builders makes it easy for you to own a new home allowing you to go do the things that you and your family enjoy. Now is the time to buy a new home because prices are low and with prices this low, the only way prices can go from here is up.  Call us now for great prices and great rates and own a new home now. Call American Housing at 727-546-6611 for more information on how to own a new home today.

We Have Just Broken Ground on a New Home!

We have just started construction on a new 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1 car garage home at 8363 58 Way N. in Pinellas Park.

This American Housing new energy saving block home includes Low-e energy saving windows, Energy Star appliances and Heat Pump and is conveniently located in an area that is close to schools, shopping, and the beaches.

This cute New Home is priced to sell at an affordable $169,900.

For more information on this home and other available American Housing homes, please call Lee Kretzer at 727-546-6611.

Heritage Model

MLS #7430036

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Buying A New Home vs Renting in Today’s Unusual Market

There are many advantages to buying a new home today and that includes having a home with many energy saving features such as Energy Star appliances, an Energy Star heat pump and thermostat, and low-e Energy Saving windows.  And these are just a few of the many new energy saving items included in all our American Housing new homes. Best of all, these are all things that will save you money year round.

There are many homes on the market today that seem too good to be true. Well, in most cases they are. The advantages of buying a new home rather than an existing home or a foreclosed home is that everything you get is new and they come with warranties. Let’s face it. Everyone loves warranties. If the A/C stops working, all you have to do is call. If the roof leaks, all you have to do is call. If the toilet is running, all you have to do is call.  So, keep in mind that you will now be living in a new home and it is highly unlikely that any of these things will happen, but if something does happen, remember, all you have to do is call.

There are also other things to consider. For example, you won’t have to worry about the next hurricane heading our way. With the hurricane features provided in all of our new homes, including impact windows, impact shutters and reinforced garage doors, all you have to do is batten down the hatches and wait out the storm. Ahhh. The many advantages of owning a new home.

American Housing has many floor plans to choose from or you may have one of your own. We can even take one of ours and customize it to suit your own personal lifestyle. We can build you your new home on your own lot or on one of our many available lots. So, what are you waiting for? Maybe things aren’t all that bad after all. Prices are down, interest rates are down and there are many incentives available to new home buyers today that were unheard of only a couple of years ago. Now is not a time of procrastination. Now is the time to act.

For more information on our new homes, you can talk to Lee Kretzer at American Housing Builders. Find out why today makes more sense than ever to buy that new home. 

You can contact Lee at 727-546-6611.

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“How New Construction Has Changed!”

The typical new home being built today is actually quite different from homes built just a couple of years ago. In the last few years, some of the extravagant extras that were once being taken for granted by homebuyers, are disappearing and many new homes are reverting back to the basics. After all, when it comes right down to it, your home does not really have to be a real “castle,” it just has to be your home.

The size of new homes has gotten smaller and because of this, homes are being redesigned to make homes more functional by taking advantage of the smaller living areas. Being more practical in designing a new home allows you to get much more use out of your home with less square footage. This concept seems to be a win / win for everyone.

Cutting back on the type of materials being used is another change that has taken place. Instead of using so much tile and wood as flooring, vinyl is making a comeback. Instead of using granite, mica countertops have returned. Instead of 10 and 12 foot ceilings, 8 foot ceilings seem to be more in fashion. This does not mean that new home builders are cutting corners, it just means they are replacing higher cost products with good quality alternatives, including materials that are just a little less expensive than some of the higher line products.

Also, more and more “green” technologies are being incorporated into the design of new homes. Products such as low-e windows, energy saving fixtures and appliances, such as “Energy Star” dishwashers, light fixtures and “Energy Star” heat pumps are becoming more and more common. These products, along with many other products and energy saving design changes are making homes much more energy efficient, saving the homeowner money in the operation and the maintenance of their home.

Another area of change in today’s homes are changes that were made because of the many new building codes that have taken effect. It is certainly true in the State of Florida, where many code changes have been made because of the storms and hurricanes that Floridians have witnessed over the years.  Homes now have to meet demanding wind load designs that are obtained by adding either impact windows and doors or by adding window and door protections over the openings, more stringent nailing and strapping of the roof, garage doors designed and installed to withstand high winds and other safeguards that help a home endure severe weather.

Values have pretty much hit bottom and with the changes that have been implemented over the past few years, along with the lower costs and lower interest rates, you can rest assured that now is one of the best times in history to buy a new home. Along with low interest rates that are available, there is also an FHA program that requires only 3.5% down payment, and even lower if you have your own lot, making it an even better time to buy. So, if you have been considering buying a new home but have been holding off to see what the economy will do, now may be the perfect time to take that plunge. Only you can make that call, but with costs where they are, it is certainly time to consider making that move.

For more information on our new homes and what type of financing is available, including a 3.5% down payment FHA program, contact American Housing Builders, Inc. at 727-546-6611 and we will provide you with the information you need to decide if the time is right for you and your family.

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Selecting your New Home Floor Plan Can Actually be Fun!

One of the most exciting parts of building your own home is selecting and designing the floor plan. You may want to start from a stock plan and modify it to suit you and your family’s needs, or you may prefer to start from scratch with nothing more than a blank sheet of paper and a pencil.

Looking through home magazines and walking through model homes are a great way to come up with new and innovative ideas to help you with your designing process. Talk to friends, family and co-workers and pick their brain for ideas. You will be surprised at some of the things they will come up with. You will probably get some really “good” and you will definitely get some really “not so good” ideas. You can then sift through their thoughts and suggestions and come away with pretty good ideas of your own.

Then the fun begins. There will be many questions you will need to ask yourself in order to get started, but you have to start somewhere. So, to start, here are a few questions to consider:

Do you want a one or two story home?

Do you want a block or frame house?

How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you want?

Will you need a one or two car garage, or possibly even a three car garage?

How many square feet of living area do you think you will need?

Do you want your kitchen to open up to the living area or would you rather have a galley type kitchen?

Simple questions maybe, but they will need to be answered. Remember, the list will just seem to go on and on, but even knowing that, don’t let it intimidate you. A lot of the questions will just sort of answer themselves as you go along. The most important thing is to do is to just get started.

To help you in this process, American Housing has an in-house staff that can not only help assist you in the design phase, but can also help you in your product and color selections. From there, with your input of course, our in-house CAD department can then take your design sketches, notes and selections, and convert them to actual working drawings.

Once the plans are complete and the selections are made, American Housing will start the process of building your new home. We will prepare plans for permitting, secure the building permit and then build your new home with the plans and design you have selected.

When you decide to build a new home, the type of house you want influences what type of building company you select. Careful consideration in choosing a builder can assure that the amount of time, emotion and money you will invest in a new home will result in a comfortable home that you can enjoy for years.

There are basically three types of builders: production builders, semi-custom builders and custom builders.  Production builders are organized for higher volume construction. Having a standardized list of choices for floor coverings, tiles, countertops, light fixtures, cabinets and exterior finishes means it’s faster and easier to make selections. Through repetition, the production builder has worked any bugs out of floor plans and the time to build is usually shorter.

Semi-custom builders work with existing plans, but are flexible regarding changes. Some home buyers feel more comfortable starting with a plan, rather than developing their own.

Custom builders specialize in starting with a blank sheet of paper and creating a unique home. They have experience with a wide variety of finishes, unusual treatments and design details. Because each house is one-of-a-kind, home buyers can expect significant initial investment in time and dollars for design development and the creation of working blueprints and specifications.

There are several different sources for finding the builder. Potential home buyers can check newspaper advertising and real estate agents…

When you meet the builder, ask about things that are important to you and get a sense of the company’s personality. You will be spending considerable time with the builder and his employees; you will want to find a company with whom you are compatible. Ask to meet the person who would be in charge of building your home. What experience does he or she have?

Throughout the selection stage, your explorations and conversations will no doubt lead you to the same names again and again. Comparing one detail after the next, you will probably keep coming back to the same builder. When the price range is in line with your budget, and you feel more excited than ever to get started, you have probably found the right builder.

Click here to read the entire article on the FHBA website.

According to a recent article written by Martin Crutsinger and Alan Zibel on Builder Online, the economic recovery is gaining strength with the biggest rise in construction spending in nearly a decade.

“The recovery is still on track,” said Brian Bethune, a senior economist at IHS Global Insight. While Europe’s troubles will put a drag on profits at U.S. companies that do business overseas, Bethune said, “it’s not going to be a show-stopper.”

The burst in April construction spending reported by the Commerce Department sent a promising signal for an industry that was among the hardest hit during the recession. The 2.7 percent increase was spread across all major sectors. But temporary government incentives fueled gains in two of three major categories. The economy will eventually have to manage with less government support.

John Silvia, chief economist at Wells Fargo, said: “It does look like there’s sustainable economic growth in the U.S. for the time being.”

Luxury homebuilder Toll Brothers Inc. last week reported a narrower loss in its latest quarter but said it had seen a surge in orders. The company said the strength in orders was holding up in May even though the tax credits had ended. “It appears our business has finally emerged from the tunnel and into a bit of daylight,” CEO Robert Toll said. Still, he cautioned, “We don’t expect housing to roar back right away.”

PulteGroup Inc., the nation’s largest homebuilder, reported in early May that it was able to reduce its loss for the first quarter and expected to be profitable this year. That would mark a key turning point for the company, which has posted losses in 14 consecutive quarters.

American Housing Builders, Inc. has noted more activity and are looking for things to continue to improve throughout the rest of the year. You can contact American Housing at 727-546-6611 or go to the “Contact Us” page and send a request for more information.

Click here to read entire article written at Builderonline.com.