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Tag: Louisville builder

Top 3 New Year's Resolutions


Tonight, everyone will be celebrating the end of 2012 and look forward to 2013. For many people, the new year means a fresh start and a new outlook. For a majority of people, a new year means new resolutions: pledges to make a change in the upcoming year for a better life. We’ve narrowed down a list of the three most common New Year’s resolutions and included some tips on how to help you stay focused in 2013.

1. Get In Shape
There’s no doubt that Get In Shape/Get Fit/Lose Weight/Get Healthy is one of the top New Year’s resolution on many people’s list. Why not let your home help you keep your resolution? Losing weight starts with being more active! Use the bonus room in your new Ball Home to put a treadmill or weight machine. Take advantage of the many walking trails and parks around your subdivision, like Chilesburg or Notting Hill. Getting out and getting active around your community is a step in the right direction to leading a healthier life!
2. Get Organized
Many of our popular floor plans offer sizable closet spaces, attic areas, and storage options; make the most of them! Install space saving shelving in your garage so that everything has a place. Use large plastic bins to store holiday decorations, sports equipment, and out of season clothing items. Reorganize your bedroom closet to make sure you aren’t keeping clothing you never wear. If you haven’t worn an item in the last 6 months, chances are you probably don’t need it. For tips on how to organize your kitchen, read our previous blog post.
3. Save More/Get out of Debt
Saving more money throughout the year starts with changing small habits, and the best place to start is by cutting energy use in your home. To save on your utility bills, lower your thermostat before you leave for work. Install compact florescent bulbs in your lamps. Switch off your electronics and lights when they aren’t in use. Utilize your fireplace instead of turning up the heat a few degrees. If you really want to take a big chunk out of your debt this year, why not look into refinancing your home? With mortgage rates at historic lows, now is the time to refinance and save money on your mortgage payment. Contact a loan officer at Walden Mortgage for more information on your refinancing options.

From all of us at Ball Homes, we wish you a very happy New Year and we look forward to what 2013 has in store!

New Louisville location: Urton Woods



New homesites are now available in our new subdivision in Louisville, Urton Woods, a great east end location offering good access to Shelbyville Road and the Gene Snyder. Urton Woods includes beautiful preserved open spaces bordering Popes Lick Creek.

Homes will range from 1,894 square feet to over 3,500 square feet, with basement options available on suitable homesites. These plans include several larger ranch styles and our largest two-story homes, all of which have three or more bedrooms, two or more baths, and a two car garage. These fexible plans can be customized from a variety of layout options and upscale amenities. 

A Hartford II model is planned for this location. For more information, please contact a Ball Homes Specialist at Prudential Parks and Weisberg for more information.

Realtor Profile: Michelle Schnell-Gammons

Ball Homes is proud to have a group of Realtors who specialize in making the Ball Homes experience one that is smooth and worry-free. Each month, we will be highlighting one of our Top real estate agents in the Lexington, Louisville, or Knoxville areas, recognizing the hard work they do for Ball Homes and the people we serve.
As a Realtor and Ball Homes Specialist, Michelle Schnell-Gammons was the Top Producer for the Louisville market. Based out of Prudential Parks & Weisberg, Michelle has been a full-time Realtor for almost 3 years. She prides herself on keeping well-informed on current market trends and going the extra mile for her clients. “The real estate market is a moving target. We as agents must be flexible and adapt with the current market and with technology in order to be knowledgeable enough to educate our sellers and meet our buyers' needs. Today's buyers and sellers are tech savvy; most of them have already done their "homework" on the internet before they contact me. As a Realtor, I have to offer them something that they don't have access to on the internet”
Prior to becoming a Realtor, Michelle worked as a New Construction Sales Person for a local home builder. She worked as a kitchen and bath designer/ sales person, focusing on new construction for 12 years. Having that previous experience has made her a valuable resource for her clients. “I feel like my knowledge of kitchen and bath designs in terms of New Construction have enabled me to help my buyers and sellers focus on these areas since they are the "selling points" of a home.”
Michelle keeps a full schedule. She and her husband have 6 kids and things can get hectic, but she says that organization is the key to keeping her work life and personal life balanced. “I really try hard to schedule everything, including family events. Scheduling EVERYTHING and having it in front of you when you are scheduling in your client appointments helps to avoid "overbooking” yourself.” In the end, Michelle says her family is what keeps her motivated to stay focused in her career. “It's important for me to be a good role model in providing for my children so they can learn from that and continue the path for their children.”

Michelle is a strong asset to the Ball Homes sales team and we are so thankful for her hard work and dedication she brings to our office. To contact Michelle about how she can help you with your home needs, visit our website today!

Smart Buyers Choose New Homes

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.


Smart Buyers also get today’s designs, plus a comfortable and beautiful interior décor, all in a brand new home.


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.

Louisville's Newest Model Home

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!