$2500 for Teachers

SUWANEE – Touchstone Homes continues to show its appreciation into 2011 for the everyday heroes that contribute to our communities by expanding its Community Leader Program.  Firefighters, police officers, EMTs, teachers, active/retired military, and public servants are eligible to receive $2,500 off the list price of any inventory home. But now, not only do these community leaders reap the benefits offered by Touchstone Homes, we have expanded the program to include Family Members as well.  If a Community Leader refers a family member to a Touchstone Community, they will receive a $500 referral bonus when their family member closes on their new home!

Police & Fire Discount

“We want to show our gratitude to the men and women in our communities that are out there everyday making a difference,” said Mike Zambri, Sales Manager of Touchstone Homes. “These Community Leaders and their families sacrifice everyday to help and defend others and Touchstone Homes wants to reward them for their actions.”

Military personnel are also being recognized and have the opportunity to benefit as first time or repeat homebuyers with the extension of the Military Tax Credit.  Those who served on official duty outside of the United States for 90 days or more are eligible for an extended homebuyer tax credit provided contract is written prior to April 30, 2011 and home must close by September 30, 2011.  In order to qualify, you must be a member of the uniformed services of the United States military, a member of the Foreign Service of the United States or an employee of the intelligence community.  Visit www.FederalHousingTaxCredit.com/service_mem.php for additional information or consult your tax advisor for details. The Military Tax Credit allows $8,000 for first time buyers and $6,500 for repeat buyers.

Military Discounts!

Touchstone Homes has been developing and building in some of Atlanta’s finest communities since 1994.  Over the years, as one of Atlanta’s premier new home builders, Touchstone Homes has built new homes in Barrow, Gwinnett, Forsyth, Fulton, Hall, Cobb, and Douglas Counties.  Touchstone Homes’ experienced new home builders and on-site professionals are well versed in assisting homebuyers throughout the entire home building process to ensure all your expectations are met.  From the time you select your home and make all of your selections in our Design Studio to the day you move into your new home-we’re with you every step of the way.

Touchstone Homes has received numerous Professionalism Awards from the Greater Atlanta Homebuilder’s Association, and the company has earned the coveted Certified Professional Home Builder designation.  Touchstone Homes has also received the national award of America’s Best Builder for 2007 by Builder Magazine and 2008 Management of Excellence Award from the Lee Evans Group.

Stay in touch with Touchstone Homes through its social media marketing and the company blog site www.TouchstoneHomesBlog.com .  Be the first to know by becoming a “fan” on Facebook, follow on Twitter, and view on YouTube.  For more information on Touchstone Homes call the Corporate Office at 770-945-5228 or visit www.touchstonehomes.com.

Why Rent? BUY NOW!

Freaked by the housing market , more would-be home buyers are opting for rentals – driving rents up along the way. But it’s not just rising rents that new renters have to worry about. A handful of new costs could make renting less than the bargain it appears.

The average national vacancy rate for rentals fell 17% last year to 6.6%, according to Reis, Inc., which tracks rental performance data. And as renting has gotten more popular, prices have jumped. The average monthly rent, including studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments is now $986, based on Reis data. Before the recession, the average was just $930. And in some markets, it’s far worse: In New York, rents are up 9% on average in the last five years; in San Jose, they’re up 8%.

The Washington, Lot 5J

Touchstone Homes would like to introduce a new “Home of the Week” program.  Every week one home will be chosen and discounted to SELL fast.  This home is ready to close and welcomes it’s new family.  This week’s Home of the Week is located in Sterling on the Lake.  The Washington Plan on homesite 5J is a 4 bedroom, 3 bath home on a full daylight basement.  The home features a large family room open to the kitchen, separate dining room and large bonus room upstairs.  The bonus room could be used as a playroom, media room or storage space – it is truly a flexible space on the second floor.  The home has one guest bedroom and bath downstairs as well. The home is Energy Star Certified, thus providing the Homeowner with a savings of up to 15% in annual energy costs.  To see the benefits of owning an Energy Star Certified home, please visit the web site for more information.

Sterling on the Lake is an award winning Master Planned Community by Newland Communities.  This lake community also features top notch amenities including swim, tennis, clubhouse with movie theater and exercise facilities, walking trails, sidewalks, playground and a kids treehouse.  Sterling on the Lake is located 985North exit 12 – Spout Springs Road.  Turn right and continue approximately 3 miles, entrance to Sterling on the Lake will be on the right.  Follow the signs to the model home at 7364 Bird Song Place.

This home is reduced from $299,900 to $284,900 for ONE WEEK ONLY.  Plus the Builder will pay up to $5,000 in Closing Costs with our Preferred Lender.  Contract must be written by Sunday, February 13, 2011 and cannot be combined with any other offer or incentives.  Call Jeff Barnes at 770-965-7816 for a VIP Tour of this home in Flowery Branch, Georgia.

To read more, click here.

Supra Sweepstakes ends Dec 10th

Touchstone Homes is building some great new Energy Star Certified craftsman style homes in Flowery Branch from the $140s.  There are currently two homes available for sale, two very different floorplans – the Campbell & the Clearwater.  These homes feature 3-4 bedrooms and 3 baths, 2-story homes on a slab (basement homes available on pre-sales, 32 homesites to choose from!!!), master up with huge master baths & closets!  Unbelievable layout and space in this price range.

Preview these homes between December 1-10 and your SupraKey will automatically enter your name in a drawing for a $100 gas card.  All you have to do is visit, on your own time, lockbox access to both homes and you will qualify!!!  Tell your friends & bring your buyers back!  3% co-op commission, Move In Package through December 31 includes washer/dryer, blinds and garage door opener.  Contracts must be written by 12/31/10 and close by 1/31/11 in order to qualify.

Come see what Touchstone Homes has to offer at Clarkstone Village!  Driving Directionsm take 985 north to Exit 12 (Spout Springs Rd), turn left off exit, go approximately 1/4 mile and turn right onto Thurmon-Tanner Parkway.  Go approximately 3/4 mile and turn left onto Cantrell Road.  Entrance to Clarkstone Village will be on your right.  Located convenient to 985, commercial shopping at exit 12 includes Home Depot, Target, Kohl’s and Publix.

Touchstone Homes was awarded OBIE awards for two of our newest floorplans at Village Grove and Riverdance townhomes both located in Suwanee, Georgia.

Huntingdon - Gold Award Winner

The Huntingdon floorplan won a GOLD OBIE award for it’s innovative floorplan and technologies used within the home.  The home is Energy Star Certified and is located within a Master Planned Community featuring larger estate homes, cottage style homes and townhomes as well as swim, tennis, parks and open space.  The Decorated Model at Village Grove has been used over the past year to demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of this fabulous floorplan.  This plan features an open family room/kitchen/breakfast room with large kitchen island, granite countertops, butler’s pantry, separate dining room, a flex room downstairs that could be used as an office, playroom, or library.  The upper floor showcases a fabulous master suite with lots of natural light, two large secondary bedrooms and two baths.  On the front of the house is a community friendly front porch and a rear entry garage served by alleyway.  This home features Z-Wave technology to control the interior lighting, wired for security system, Johns Manville Spider insulation – blown into the home to create a more energy efficient home and James Hardie Color Plus siding.  The Huntingdon at Village Grove starts in the $250,000s.  You can reach the agent for details on this home by calling 770-831-6883.

Halifax & Guilford at Riverdance

The second GOLD Award Winner of the night for Touchstone Homes is the Halifax townhome plan at Riverdance.  The Halifax plan features an open family room, dining room and kitchen on the main level and two master suites on the upper level.  The Halifax is also Energy Star Certified with the blown insulation and a rear entry one-car garage.  These townhomes start in the $140,000s and are located in Suwanee.  You can reach the agent at Riverdance for more information or for a VIP tour by calling 770-476-7374.

Touchstone Homes is very proud to be the recipient of two such prestigious awards in the Home Building Industry.  It just goes to show that even in a slow real estate market,  Builders can continue to thrive and improve home plans to be competitive.  Touchstone Homes has spent the past 3 years value engineering and coming up with new, more economical plans for today’s home buyer.  Our newest community, Clarkstone Village, located in Flowery Branch starts in the $140s for single family detached homes with 3-4 bedrooms, 2-car garages, and Energy Star Certified as well.  The energy star certification can save you as a homeowner up to 15% in overall utility costs due to better and more tight construction practices.  Energy Star Certified is provided by a Third Party Inspection Company and gives each home a rating based on numerous tests they perform on the home throughout the construction process.

Touchstone Homes is also building Energy Star certified homes in Ivey Chase, Sterling on the Lake, and Southgate Village at Windermere.  Visit our web site for available homes and locations across Metro Atlanta or call 770-945-5228.

Thumbs Up to Touchstone Homes!

Touchstone Homes has available homes that have been reduced to sell and are ready to move in immediately.  By working with our Preferred Lenders, Suntrust & MetLife Home Loans, we can assure you the best of customer service on your home financing and closing experience.  By using our Preferred Lenders, Touchstone Homes will cover up anywhere from $3,000  to $5,000 in Closing Costs (depending on community).  We are offering Short Sales and Foreclosure Pricing without the hassle of going through that lengthy process with the Bank!  No headaches, no waiting – just Buy and it’s yours!

We are offering another incentive for purchasing in November and December – we call it a Move In Package.  Included in the Move In Package is a GE washer & dryer set, garage door opener and faux wood blinds throughout the home.    Contracts must be written by 12/31/10 and must close by 1/31/11.

Touchstone Homes also has lots available for Pre-Sale Homes in Ivey Chase, Village Grove, Clarkstone Village and Sterling on the Lake.  Your new home can be built for you in 60 days – with our new building process, and without sacrificing quality at the same time.

Visit our web site for Available Homes, Locations and Pricing.

Touchstone Homes, D.R. Horton & Peachtree Residential will have model home tours throughout the community where you can register to win an Apple Ipad!  There will also be mortgage consultants on site, cooking demonstrations and Fall Interior Design Professionals as well. 

Will be a GREAT and FUN day for everyone at Sterling on the Lake!  Most activities will take place at the Village Center will activities also taking place at the model homes.  All proceeds go to local charities and Sterling Life.

Sure, maybe there’s more pain to come in the housing market. But when Time magazine starts running covers that declare “Owning a home may no longer make economic sense,” it’s time to say: Enough is enough. This is what “capitulation” looks like. Everyone has given up.

After all, at the peak of the bubble five years ago, Time had a different take. “Home Sweet Home,” declared its cover then, as it celebrated the boom and asked: “Will your house make you rich?”

But it’s not enough just to be contrarian. So here are 10 reasons why it’s good to buy a home.  Read more….