Your new home search is drawing to a close. It’s been an exciting and educational journey. If you have put significant time into the process, you are ahead of the masses. Home buyer studies show people spend more time researching flat screen televisions than they do the purchase of their homes.

You are at the point your selections are narrowed down to two homes. Price, size, amenities and location are all ideal, but you just can’t determine THE winner. Will it be the two-story new home with the gorgeous master suite or the new three-car garage home with the chef’s kitchen? 

Try this simple, old-fashioned neighborly suggestion, and it may help you commit to the new home address that will find you instantly thrilled with your new home and the families residing nearest to yours.

Knock on the doors of the families located around the homes you’re considering. Introduce yourself and ask them about the community. What was their experience working with the builder before and after the sale? Ask about the homeowner’s association. Ask how they feel about their existing neighbors.

Observe the aesthetics of their property. What’s the outward appearance of their home? Does it have attractive curb appeal, or does the yard need a landscaping miracle? Are there several cars parked on the property? What about boats or RVs? Is their front porch an unsightly storage spot? If you feel uncomfortable with their upkeep, select a different home site.

When you meet the people who may be your new neighbors, you lay the foundation for positive interaction, if you choose to live next door. Evaluate your encounters and ask yourself what neighbors you prefer. Let those answers assist you with your final home.

In this age of ever-changing technology and high-tech communication, knowing your neighbors is often an uncommon experience. Introducing yourself and extending a handshake prior to your new home purchase may be the smartest neighborly thing you’ll ever do.

For more suggestions on the new home selection process contact Ideal Homes at www.ideal-homes.com or call 405.364.1152.

Our Ideal Homes team immensely enjoyed the United Way Norman Day of Caring 2011. Our fearless group leader, Kent Dahl, rallied a crew of volunteers to assist with construction projects at the Center for Children and Families (CCFI). Kent Dahl and Dan Rice finished the demolition of a closet in the play therapy / observation room. This dynamic duo then rebuilt the closet to house a special two way mirror.

Joe Ochoa, Jeannie Hitchcock and Jenny Juvera constructed hospital light fixtures for the play rooms. They used the same design as the fixtures built by Ideal volunteers in 2010. The final product is a great example of what teamwork can accomplish in a short amount of time.

The final project included resizing an existing wooden stage platform with a hiding space and shelving. The stage was then placed back in the play therapy / observation room and painted. Joe Shore, Mark Vander Wal, Beckie Neff and I all worked on this project.

The projects allowed us to work closely together as a team, while helping support a wonderful organization. It was my first visit to the center. The CCFI staff was welcoming and appreciative. They repeatedly expressed their gratitude. Their explanations let us know how much of an impact these projects would have on the families who came to them for help.

To see a few photographs visit our Facebook page. There are also photographs from many other Ideal Homes events available to view.

Often times an older home seems like a great deal. You walk in look around and see just a few “little” things you think you want to change. Some costs are bigger than others, but they all add up. Sometimes, when we don’t do the math, we just see the deal and get blindsided by the numbers later.

It’s pretty typical in an old, out dated home to see six areas that we want to change right off the bat. Bathrooms, kitchens, light fixtures, landscaping, painting and flooring.

Bathrooms – You walk into an outdated bathroom and say, “well, we can change out the tiles.” A typical bathroom remodel for a bathroom can be anywhere from $5000 – $10,000 or more. Prices can go up from there easily if your toilets and tubs are pink, baby blue, or goldenrod.

Kitchen Cabinets and Counter Tops – You walk into an outdated kitchen and say, “The layout is okay, but I don’t like the cabinets and this counter top needs to go.” In a 10×10 kitchen the cabinets and counter tops alone can vary from $10,000 – $25,000 or more depending on style and materials.

Lighting Fixtures – You walk into every room and say, “wow I hate that outdated brass lighting, I really like the new brushed nickel look, and nicer fixtures.” If you were to pull out the main lights and fans in a home you are looking at anywhere from a $2000-$5000 or more expense in replacing all your lighting.

Landscaping – You walk up to the front of the house and you say, “This has potential, we just need to plant some grass, and some flowers and a few nice shrubs. Maybe fix the pavers.” Landscaping can add $2000 or more depending on how elaborate you get with your “freshen up” of the landscape.

Carpet – You walk into certain rooms and see old worn multicolored carpet and you say, “Yikes this carpet has got to go!” Then becomes the question, how much, and what do we replace it with. New carpet per room including pulling up old carpet can start from about $1000 per 12×12 room and go up from there. Putting down hardwood can start around $1700 or so per 12×12 room and go up from there.

Painting – You walk into a room with huge floral wallpaper and say, “Well that has to come down.” On a do it yourself budget to remove wallpaper in a 12×15 room it will cost about $100 a day of work for materials and equipment rental. If you pay a professional, an easy removal could cost about $250 – $450 per 12×15 room. And if there are complications it could cost $500-$1000. Paint – if you do it yourself, it could costs about $80- $100 per room for primer, paint, brushes, trays rollers etc., or about $200-$400 per room if you pay a professional.

As you walk through a bargain home envisioning all the possibilities, ask yourself, are you really a DIY’er or are you going to end up hiring someone to do the work for you? Some people convince themselves that if people can do it on HGTV they can too. And when faced with the reality of the skill and time it takes to complete a project they realize it’s more than they really wanted to do. After all on TV it looks like it only takes about a half hour.

Start adding up the prices to just these “small” projects and the value of a new home starts to make sense. Wouldn’t it be nice to just walk into a new home that already has all the details you want, and begin your life?

Image source: ©PhotoXpress.com

Ideal Homes was ranked #10 on the Best Places to Work in OK 2011 roster. okcBIZ was a wonderful host nearly two months ago at the Skirvin Hilton June 16 during the awards dinner. okcBIZ and Best Places to Work OK began collaboration several years ago to select and honor those companies who provide exceptional workplaces for their employees. It is still a program both business owners and employees enthusiastically support. I have only been with Ideal for a little over half a year and am proud to unabashedly tout the outstanding company culture.

This post is an opportunity to share highlights which are not easily summed up by external sources. Those who know me well know my propensity to buck the system on occasion. A company in which creative solutions are encouraged and strategy is supported has the ability to even tame my spirit. Even as I was typing this, one of the owners came into my office to offer compliments on performance and feedback from people he knows. That courteousness causes me to work even harder.

It is a humbling experience to work as a respected professional next to leadership who practices everything they ask of employees. Ideal Homes believes in personal and professional growth. There is no harassment, no flagrant gossiping, no condescension and no disrespect. There is support, encouragement, appreciation and respect. The mission, vision and core values of Ideal are consistently put into practice.

Cumulatively Ideal Homes is involved in over 65 unique charitable organizations. The organizations range from American Cancer Society to OK Ethics Consortium to ReTHREAD OKC. Over $300,000 is reinvested in the community on an annual basis.  That is roughly $1,000 per home sold. This does not take into account individual donations given by the owners and employees.

“Inspired leaders and inspired organizations regardless of their size, regardless of their industry all think, act and communicate from the inside out.” Simon Sinek stated this in September 2009 during his ted talk. Ideal Homes is an inspired organization and the organization is run by inspired leaders. In turn they inspire employees, contractors, home buyers and other builders to remain accountable and energized. Thankfully they saw value in me and chose to add me to their team.

Ideal Homes has recently piloted an education program which is an extension of the current Oklahoma Real Estate Commission regulated CEC course Tony Marbell promotes and Vernon McKown presents. The Home Ownership Forum is a panel style session tailored to fit corporate environments. Ideal Homes provides lunch and the attendees are encouraged to ask questions during the forum; questions may also be submitted in advance. Those in attendance have access to industry experts in a format that encourages interaction.

Steve Shoemaker is the Ideal Homes Marketing Director and Moderator for the Home Ownership Forum. He states, “The single largest investment people make is their home. The decision making process for a home purchase evokes positive and negative emotions. We look to educate to help reduce stress. When a buyer is able to make informed decisions, the well being of that home buyer is affected positively. A majority of our success is a healthy market; we also look to educate buyers to ensure they understand the market and how it is affected by relative choices.”

There are many questions asked of our experts and one recurring question is, “How do I know it is the right time to buy?” It is usually asked out of those concerned about the real estate market. According to Oklahoma Mortgage Bankers Association (OMBA) the following is true about Oklahoma housing:

• Oklahoma’s economy continues to show signs of strength
• State tax receipts are up 15% over the past year as of June
• Statewide unemployment dropped to 5.3%, decreasing in all 77 counties
• Unemployment  in Oklahoma City is 4.5% – lowest in the nation of major cities
• Since 4^th Quarter of 2009, Oklahoma’s personal income growth  is 2^nd highest nationally
• Oklahoma is one of a few states with significant inward migration
• Market values on most homes have remained stable
• Lenders and borrowers remember the Oil Bust and have remained conservative

The above points are an example of information shared during the Home Ownership Forum and the Real Estate CEC Classes. If you have additional questions or are interested in holding a forum or CEC Class, contact Kristy Boone – kboone@ideal-homes.com.

The idea of decorating your new home can be daunting, but our Model Home Designer, Michael Ridge, gave me some easy tips on how to decorate your home to reflect your personal style without breaking the bank.

According to Michael, whether you build from the ground up or select a completed home, your Ideal Home can be viewed as a “blank canvas” with endless possibilities.

1. Find a common theme with fabric. Michael says she gets her creative inspiration by visiting fabric stores. Once she settles on a fabric, she then “ties in” the colors from the fabric to the walls.

2. Build on what you already have. If you already own a piece of furniture like a couch or dining set but feel it doesn’t quite fit the look you are going for in your new home, try changing the appearance with new pillows or accessories. Michael re-used the red couch and created an entirely different mood from the previous red, black and white color palate.

3. Make it your own. Just because you bought pre-packaged bedding or drapes doesn’t mean your room has to look like it was ripped straight from the page of a catalog. Michael believes that adding your own personal touch can be as easy as finding accent ribbon to tie curtains/towels and the right shade of paint to pull it all together.

4. Break it up. Alternate colors on different walls to define each space. Since several Ideal plans feature kitchens that are open to the living area, don’t be afraid to use a contrasting color from one room to the next as long as it blends with your color scheme.

5. Shop for bargains. Believe it or not, Michael finds the majority of model home accessories and bedding at places like Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, TJ Maxx and Ross! She shops around and keeps her eyes open for good deals that will ultimately complete the design of a room.

6. Don’t be afraid of color. Paint is an inexpensive way to give your room personality. Michael recommends taking your fabric samples to the paint store and holding them up to paint swatches to make your own color board and better visualize how everything will come together.

Have you applied any of these steps to your new Ideal Home? Send us photos that show how you personalized your favorite room.

As a mom, I’m always looking for new, fun places to take my son to burn off energy. Ideal Homes has developed some amazing playgrounds within our communities. Here are a few of my favorites.

1. Valencia in Edmond:

Kids love this towering pirate ship and its huge slide. This is only one of several playgrounds in Valencia’s 30 acres of parks and open spaces. Valencia is located between May and Penn, just north of 178^th.

2. Red Canyon Ranch in Norman:

There is a lot to love about this playground. It’s located on one of the highest points in Norman and has great panoramic views. Your kids will love the swings and the nearby nature trail. Red Canyon Ranch is located on E. Tecumseh, just west of 12 Ave NE (Sooner Road) in Norman.

3. Featherstone in Moore:

The playground in Featherstone is located beside the large pond in the center of the community. Featherstone is south of SW 149th Street on Western Ave.

What are your favorite parks in the OKC metro?

Langley Floorplan - 2,024 SQ FT.

Ideal’s Design Center manager, Dari Roberts, and her team design interiors for the company’s beautiful model homes. This summer, Dari will blog about quick ideas that you can incorporate into your summer makeover plans. First up: a study nook or home office.

“We took advantage of a hallway alcove to create a study area for kids in the Country Place model at 2340 SW 135^th. This home already had a beautiful home office, but we thought this alcove made a great place to do homework. You could do something similar in a closet or the corner of a bedroom. We used painted cabinets, but you could use a file cabinet with a painted hollow core door for the top. Add a chair and lamp, and you’re in business.

The chair and wall art look custom, but we found a chair that we loved and matching pillows. We stapled the pillow fabric around stretcher strips for an instant custom look.”

Dari’s Tip: This fabric has a bold striped pattern, so you should select your paint color after you select furniture and accessories. It’s a lot easier to match paint to fabric than the other way around.

Realtors have many new home construction options for their buyers, so what makes Ideal Homes a great fit for them and their clients? Wendy Foreman and Charlotte Greganti, Realtors at Keller Williams in South Oklahoma City, share their positive Ideal experience.

Charlotte says that Ideal Homes treats her new home buyers like royalty, and she’s a big fan of the company’s “awesome systems for the process.”  She adds that Ideal’s energy efficient homes and customer service set them apart from other builders.

“They care,” Charlotte said.

Wendy appreciates Ideal’s company structure, their respect for Realtors and customers and their outstanding customer care department.

“I think the best thing about Ideal Homes is their desire to continue to be better,” Wendy continues. “They are always stepping up to improve their products by building greener, more efficient, and healthier homes while continuing to be competitive in their pricing. When you look at the country overall, Oklahoma is cutting edge as far as efficiency and green building, and I know it is in large part because of Ideal. The other companies follow suit.”

Charlotte says her Ideal buyers love their new home communities and the service after the sale. Wendy’s buyers, who frequently choose to build another Ideal home when moving up or down, love the monthly energy bill savings due to the home’s well-built construction.

An Ideal homeowner since 2005, Wendy summarizes her admiration for the company. “All you need to know about this company can be found in the Extreme Makeover Home Edition house they recently built,” she says. “They care about their employees, they care about the environment, they care about their community, they care about customers, they care about the product they put out and stand behind it, and they care about the real estate community as a whole.”

During our monthly staff meetings, I am reminded how much this company cares about customers and employees. We start our meetings with deposits. ‘Deposits’ are accolades given to one another to show appreciation for going above and beyond scope of responsibilities. It is enjoyable to hear how the different departments both relate to one another and respect the work accomplished by individuals within the departments.

This month one of my deposits given was to our Customer Care team. There is a woman, Angie, who called me and stated she had been unable to open one of her bedroom windows since she purchased her home over 15 years ago. Her daughter’s window became impossible to open as well. Angie mentioned her home is located in an Ideal Homes community.

I sent an email to Customer Care. They researched the address and found the home to have been built by another builder in 1997. Our Director of Customer Care still elected to dispatch someone from the team to look into the issue.  They were able to use Teflon spray and dislodge both windows, which now work fine.  Angie was thrilled and I felt proud of our team.

Ideal Homes Core Values are Integrity, Quality, Leadership and Relationships. This instance as well as the deposit routine at the open of all staff meetings are examples of how Ideal Homes enforces their Core Value of Relationships. Not only do they treat every home buyer the same, they extend courtesy and responsiveness to vendors, employees and individuals in the community.

Email any positive stories you may have about an Ideal Homes experience to kboone@ideal-homes.com. We can blog about it!