Thursday, December 13, 2012
This blog post comes to us from our Lexington Sales Team Leader Mike Wheatley. He invited a very special guest to the monthly Lexington area sales meeting this morning.
For our monthly sales meeting this week, I invited Brady Lane and his driver, Meredith Lane to demonstrate, in person, the value of a positive attitude and how it can impact everyone around us. Brady is a 10 month old yellow lab with enthusiasm and energy to burn. As I was preparing for our meeting, and trying to think of someone who always demonstrated a positive attitude, dogs-rather than people-came to mind for some reason, so I shot Brady a text to see if would be available to join us.
When I think of Brady’s life, he has many reasons not to rejoice daily: he eats off the floor; he has to go outside to use the bathroom; he bathes with his tongue; he is unwelcome in virtually every business in Lexington; if Meredith doesn’t fill his water bowl, he drinks from the toilet. Despite all this, he wakes up every day with a dog smile, wagging his tail, and bursting with enthusiasm thinking about what the day might bring.
When I sent Brady the invitation text, he didn’t say the meeting was too early, or complain that he hates office meetings, didn’t ask if it pays (although he did ask if there would be snacks). Brady was simply jumping with excitement at the prospect of meeting a room full of strangers and getting to spend time with them.
Why is Brady a great role model for us, as salespeople? Number one is his positive attitude and non-stop enthusiasm, and his firm belief that everyone he meets is a serious buyer for what he is selling. He doesn’t pre-judge the “prospects” he meets based on the car they are driving, the clothes they are wearing, or any other superficial issues. He simply delivers the same great service to everyone he meets.
One of the few things we control each and every day is our attitude. That is a conscious decision we all make and control every single day, and despite all of the outside factors that we allow to impact our attitudes, it really is in our control. The power of positive thinking is well documented in many different situations and case studies…it really does work, but we can easily dismiss it because it’s so simple. My goal for 2013 is simply to be more like Brady.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Smart Buyers can save money in energy and maintenance costs by choosing newly constructed homes, even over homes that are just a few years old.
Today’s new can peform as much as 50% better than the average existing home, which means lower monthly utility bills. Energy Smart Ball Homes are better insulated, more tightly constructed, and more efficiently heated and cooled than older homes.
New Ball Homes include warranties that protect the buyer from unexpected maintenance bills. Existing homes can come with hidden costs, like a roof or furnace replacement in the first few years of ownership, or a major appliance replacement.
These days, good design is value-conscious. New Ball Homes offer better use of space, with more finished area over the garage, less empty second story space, and better overall value than designs from just a few years ago.
Buyers who choose a newly constructed Ball home get the advantage of the most popular floorplans and options on the market today, and a professionally selected décor. Buyers of existing homes get the colors and products chosen to suit the taste of the previous owners.
Newly constructed Ball Homes have a brand new, never-been-lived in kind of clean and freshness (especially in the tubs, showers, appliances, and carpet) that a home that has been lived for years can’t match.
Colors and design trends come and go, and newly constructed Ball Homes offer the benefits of today’s preferences in colors, textures, and design. Older homes often have dated color schemes, designs that have gone out of style, or a mismatch of styles from being updated over time.
The luxury options available in all price ranges of new homes far exceed what was being built even ten years ago, especially when it comes to kitchens and master baths.
Extra storage, flexible use rooms, and downstairs guest suite options are all on the list of preferred features these days. Kitchen islands and breakfast counters are popular, as are built-ins like bookcases, desks, and TV connections above fireplaces. Outdoor living spaces like covered porches and patios are in high demand. New Ball Homes have the advantage of these preferred features, which most older homes just can’t offer.
Buyers of new Ball Homes have the advantage of being able to move into a home that is just the way they want it. By contrast, buyers of existing homes often face a long process of updating an older home while trying to live in it, which can be time-consuming, inconvenient, and full of unknown expenses.
* Based on comparison of an actual 2586sf home built to 2012 Energy Smart standards with a HERS score of 83 and estimated annual energy costs of $1477. Compared to a simulated 2586sf home built to typical 2000 standards with a HERS score of 138, with an estimated annual energy cost of $2185. Annual savings of $708 over 5 years total $3,540. **Material and labor estimate for shingled roof replacement on a 2500sf home as estimated by area building professional. ***Based on estimate by area HVAC professional for a 2500sf home with two units, using existing ductwork and efficiency standards comparable to new homes.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Today's blog comes from Michelle Schnell-Gammons, a Realtor and Ball Homes Specialist with Prudential Parks & Weisburg in Louisville.
Ball Homes’ newest model home in Louisville is the Hudson Plan, which is part of the Traditions floor plans. This model home is located in the Notting Hill subdivision. Notting Hill is located just off Shelbyville Road in Eastern Jefferson County bordering the Shelby County line, in close proximity to some of Kentucky’s beautiful horse farms. Notting Hill features larger lots than other subdivisions and all brick homes.
The Hudson model is a 3,410 sq. ft. home with a soaring great room complete with a stone to ceiling fireplace with book shelves, all of which open into the kitchen, featuring a large, island and walk-in pantry. This home has a first floor guest suite, with private bath access, perfect for an out of town guest. The second floor has an open loft area for extra TV space or relaxing, 2 other bedrooms in addition to the Grand Master Suite complete with a sitting area, 2 separate walk-in closets, large walk-in shower and a garden tub for soaking the day away.
The model home is open Monday through Thursday from 2pm-5pm and Saturday-Sunday 1pm-5pm. Stop by the Hudson model home to speak with a Ball Homes Sales Representative today!
Monday, October 29, 2012
With Halloween just a few days away, decorate a perfect looking pumpkin with the help of these step-by-step instructions!
1. Pick out a pumpkin.
Examine the rind. It should be firm, uniform in color, and free of cuts, bruises, and blemishes. Make sure that the stem doesn’t look brown and dry. And don’t use the stem as a handle, since even a healthy one can break off. Pick up a pumpkin by its base instead. Give the pumpkin a knock. A thumping sound means the pumpkin is solid, with no internal defects, rot, or soft spots. You should try to have an idea of what you want to do with your pumpkin before you pick it out. If you want to carve an intricate design in your pumpkin, it may be easier to carve on a flatter surfaced pumpkin.
2. Carve your pumpkin.
Make sure you don’t carve your pumpkin too early! Once a pumpkin is cut, they usually last 4-5 days before they start to rot. With a serrated knife, carefully cut an opening around the stem of the pumpkin, leaving a small notch on the back. It will be easier to put the top back on the pumpkin when you’re finished.
3. Scoop out the goop.
Use a large spoon to remove the pulp and scrape the sides clean of stringy pieces. Separate the seeds from the pulp for a tasty treat later. Make sure you don’t put anything down your garbage disposal. It will clog up the drain and be a big hassle!
4. Start drawing.
Use a marker to start drawing a face on your pumpkin. If you aren’t an artist, you can use a free pumpkin stencil like the ones shown here or here.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Many factors go into deciding whether or not to purchase a home. But, if you are able to buy, it’s been proven to be the cheaper route. Trulia.com announced two weeks ago that in America’s 100 largest metropolitan areas, buying a home is more affordable than renting.
Asking home prices have risen by 2.3% year over year, however, rents have risen more (4.7%). This means that home prices are lower relative to rents than they were a year ago.
Mortgage rates have also fallen. The best rates this summer have been around 3.5%, while last summer rates were closer to 4.5%. With rates that low, it makes home buying a powerful option.
There are several other factors to take into consideration when making these calculations, such as tax deductions and the length of time that you plan to remain in your home. You get the best savings by staying in your home seven years or longer. Seven years is the average amount of time a homeowner remains in their property, so for most people, this cost savings will be high.
The decision to rent or buy a home is very personal. There’s a strong emotional component: some people want the security of homeownership and others want the footloose freedom of renting. Affordability is at an all-time high and renting is no longer viable as the cheaper option. If you are able to buy a home, now is the time to do it!