Vistar is proud to announce that we closed on our 100th home on October 12. We are excited that we have been able to be part of helping 100 families create their place to call home, and we look forward to many, many more!
Lois Hartzell, Vistar Homes, Inc., became one of the more than 650 professional builders nationwide to attain a Graduate Master Builder (GMB) designation, identifying her as one of the building industry’s top professionals. Administered by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) University of Housing, the GMB program is sponsored locally by the Home
Builders Association of Lincoln. Lois is one of three people in Nebraska who have earned the Graduate Master Builder Designation.
About the GMB
The Graduate Master Builder (GMB) designation is the ultimate symbol of the building professional. Before beginning the GMB designation process, you must have the CGB designation, the CGR
designation, or the CGA designation with five years of buildingexperience, or ten years of building experience and have completed three CGB/CGR/CGA courses. GMB courses are more advanced with
in-depth instruction geared for experienced building professionals.GMB graduates complete an intensive series of five, six-hour courses on business management techniques, and the newest trends and technology in the building industry.
Hartzell Receives Affordable Housing Award
Lois Hartzell, Vistar Homes, was named the 2008 recipient of the Dan Peterson Affordable Housing Award. Given in memory of their son, Bob and Joan Peterson presented the award to Hartzell at HBAL's 59th annual installation and awards banquet January 12.
"The Dan Peterson award is thought of as the most valuable award that someone in our local industry can receive, because it is one from the heart," Hartzell said. "I am so very honored to receive such an award."
Hartzell and Rod Hornby formed Vistar Homes in 2004 to bring in a line of homes to meet the affordable housing market. They continue to keep this as their primary focus and goal.
Why Buy a New Home
Buying a new home is a major decision. If you are in the market for a home, chances are you have wondered whether you should buy an existing or new home.
There are advantages to buying a new home.
Low-maintenance. Homes constructed today offer better overall construction, as well as more advanced, longer lasting materials.
There are no surprises: You already know what you’re really getting, from the start. If you have done your research and viewed a variety of homes by a builder, you are able to see the quality of construction and materials that went into building the home.
Overall, newly constructed homes are healthier, more comfortable, more energy-efficient, and even more appealing to the eye. Newer homes offer better indoor air quality, due to advances in heating and air conditioning systems. Insulation quality is also vastly improved over the homes of yesteryear.
Unlike older homes, new homes offer a new home warranty. Your builder provides some type of warranty, so if something breaks or doesn’t work, it can be replaced with little or no cost to you.
Community – when you purchase a new home in a new development, all of your neighbors are starting fresh in the neighborhood just like you. Unlike an established neighborhood with a large diversity of homes and families at different stages in their homeowning life, in new neighborhoods you have the opportunity to build the neighborhood together. Often, children grow up together and families share and bond over time.
There has been a lot of talk in the media recently about mortgage rates and the dismal home market. While there have been some fluctuations nationally, the reality is that real estate remains the best investment available.
The average home purchased five years ago has appreciated 49%. Even with the recent 2.2% decline in the median home price, this still equates to a more than 45% return on investment for the average homeowner. Media reports of a vast market decline are deceiving, and consumers will benefit from purchasing a home now before prices begin to rise once again.
According to Forbes magazine (using U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development statistics), U.S. real estate sale prices increased more than 56% from the beginning of 1999 to the end of 2004. The S&P 500 index dipped nearly 6% during that same period.
While year-to-year fluctuations are normal, real estate remains one of the best performing and consistent long-term investments. Median existing U.S. home sale prices have increased on average 6.5% each year from 1972 through 2005, and 88.5% over the last 10 years combined. For consumers looking for long-term and stable growth rates, real estate is still their number one choice.
According to the National Association of REALTORS®, the latest economic forecasts suggest that the real estate market correction is coming to an end, offering consumers a once-in-a-lifetime buying opportunity.
The time for prospective buyers to enter the market is right now!
If buying a new home is in your future, we hope you will consider one of the many new plans from Vistar Homes.
Some information courtesy of the National Association of REALTORS®
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