Dogs have the reputation as being man’s best friend, and rightfully so. The humane society estimated that approximately 39 percent of households own a dog, but why? Dogs provide companionship, friendship, and entertainment. They don’t pass judgment and are always happy to see you when you come home, which is especially uplifting if you’ve had a tough day at work. Dogs can also help teach your children about responsibility, and can even help your children develop stronger immune systems.
If you’re on the fence about adding a dog to your family, True Homes, the largest homebuilder in Charlotte, NC, has put together a list of the top five reasons you should own a dog.
Dogs are good for your health
Studies have long shown that dog ownership is associated with a number of positive health benefits, including: reduced stress, lower blood pressure, reduced risk of dying from any cardiac disease, increased physical fitness,
Dogs are entertaining
Whether you plan on training your dog to perform funny tricks, play fetch, or simply want another personality in the household, dogs are a constant source of entertainment.
Dogs help teach your children responsibility
Dogs are a wonderful way to start teaching your children responsibility. By giving your children certain responsibilities for you dog, such as feeding, walking, or grooming the dog, you can start to teach them the importance of being responsible. Since the responsibility of the dog is ultimately up to the adults of the household, you can teach your children consequences by taking away privileges if their duties are not kept up with. Dogs also teach your children the importance of being kind and respectful to animals.
Dogs make your children healthier
According to several researchers, infants who grow up in a household with a dog go on to live a healthier life. In particular, one study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that children who grew up with dogs were 31 percent less likely to contract respiratory tract infections and 44 percent less likely to suffer from ear infections. While this may seem counterintuitive, since dogs are known to have a number of allergens and track in dirt and debris from outside, it is the exposure to these contaminants that help your children develop strong immune systems.
Dogs help keep you and your family safe
 Dogs are very loyal companions and part of their companionship means protecting their masters. One of the most common examples is when dogs bark to alert you if someone is approaching your home, or if one of your family members is in distress. Other ways that dogs keep your family safe depends on the particular breed of dog. For example, herding dogs will keep the family pack together no matter what, which can help keep your children from wandering off.
There you have it, True Homes’ top five reasons to add a dog to your family. If you are thinking about getting a dog, you should consider adopting. By adopting, you’ll save a life, money, and feel better about your decision to get a pet. Adopted dogs appreciate you rescuing them, and make one of the most loyal companions you’ll ever have.
True Homes has a number of new home developments in Charlotte, NC marketed to young families (many of which are dog owners). To learn more about True Homes, visit us online at www.truehomesusa.com or get in touch with us directly on the phone at 704-271-1191 today. 
Raising a family is a full time job, and everyone deserves a night off sometime. Leaving the kids at home gives you a chance to spend time with your wife, and escape the realities that wait at home. However, finding someone that you can entrust your kids with while you spend a night on the town can be a difficult process. How do you know they are responsible? Will they make sure your kids are safe? True Homes has put together a list of resources that you can use to help you find a good babysitter for your kids.
Ask Your Friends
One of the benefits of living in a new home community full of other young families is that some of your neighbors may have already scouted a reliable babysitter you can use. Be warned though, with good sitters becoming increasingly hard to come by, some neighbors are reluctant to share their resources.
Another option to finding a babysitter for your kids is barter with your friends, sort of like someone being the designated driver for the night. One weekend, you’ll watch their kids over at your place while your friends go out, and the next weekend they’ll reciprocate. This arrangement can be especially good since you won’t have to pay extra for a sitter, or worry about having a stranger in your house while you’re away. Many areas are also starting babysitter co-ops, which is a more organized community of the barter agreement described above. Instead of paying with money, the co-op works on a point system to ensure that everyone has to give in what they take out.
Online
 There are a number of online resources available to help you locate a good babysitter for your kids. More general websites like Craigslist and Angie’s List have very active communities, and a lot of people report having found a good sitter through these sites. Be careful though, when selecting any sitter, you’ll want to do some basic background checking on them and meet with them well before you need them to get a sense of the type of sitter they are.
Other online options like Care.com and Sittercity.com focus specifically on connecting parents with babysitters across the country. Manny of these sitter-centric websites charge some sort of membership or usage fee in exchange for doing a lot of the heavy lifting, e.g., prescreening babysitters and handling the payments.
Everyone deserves a break from the normal routine every now and again, but you want to make sure your kids are safe while you’re out having fun. The most important advice of all when selecting any babysitter to watch your kids is to meet with them first, do a little background research on them. Even if you don’t want to pay for a full background check, you can easily ask your prospective sitter to provide you with several references and speak with them about their experiences with that sitter.
True Homes is the largest homebuilder in Charlotte, NC and has a number of new home communities geared for young families. If you’re looking to relocate to Charlotte, or are looking for a new home in the area, we hope you’ll consider one of our fabulous communities. One of the benefits of living in a new home development is you’ll be surrounded with like-minded neighbors. For example, you’ll most likely all have young children and can start your own neighborhood babysitting co-op. For more information, visit us online at www.truehomesusa.com or call us on the phone at 704-271-1191. We look forward to hearing from you soon. 
One of the most expensive aspects of raising a family is paying for your child's education. With college tuitions on the rise, and the pressure to graduate from college growing, it’s more important now than ever to start saving for your child’s education. To help get you started, True Homes has put together a list of helpful guideposts to keep in mind when planning for your child’s education.
Save Early, and Save Often
The more time you have to save for your child’s education, the more money you’ll have available when the time comes. The power of compounded interest helps your education savings snowball into much more than you’d think. For example, if you start setting aside $200 per month when your child is born, those contributions will grow to almost $70,000 by the time your child turns 18 (assuming a 5 percent annualized return). A good way to make keep up with your child’s education savings is to have a set amount deducted from your paycheck every month. Consider Special Tax-Deferred Education Accounts
There are a couple of special, tax-deferred education accounts that can help you get the most out of your education savings. Two popular education savings accounts are: 529 College Plans, and Roth IRAs.
529 Plans are state-sponsored investment vehicles; similar to your employer-sponsored 401-K. 529 Plans are set up by the parent, who always retains control of the account. The main benefit of 529 Plans is that the account owner (parent) doesn’t pay income taxes on the account’s earnings, meaning your investments can grow tax-deferred much like an IRA. Contributions made to the 529 Plan are after-tax dollars, and qualified withdrawals for education expenses are tax-free. Additionally, there are no income restrictions, so anyone can open (and contribute to) a 529 Plan. And if your child decides not to go to college, you can always transfer the account to another beneficiary. FinAid.org has a comprehensive page detailing the pros and cons associated with 529 Plans.
Roth IRAs are another popular type of account to start saving for your child’s education; however, they are much more limited in terms of who can contribute to them and how much. Roth IRAs must be opened in your child’s name, and there may be minimum opening deposits and/or annual contributions. Roth IRAs also have income cutoffs, and must be opened at least five years before you plan to start withdrawing money for education expenses. Furthermore, any profits withdrawn from Roth IRAs are taxable. The upsides to Roth IRAs is that any unused money can be used to jumpstart your child’s retirement savings, and they are much more flexible in terms of investment options.
Prepaid Tuition
A number of states and private universities offer prepaid tuition programs that can help you save for your child’s education while protecting against tuition inflation. Basically, once you start the plan, you’ll be locked into that year’s prevailing tuition rates. For example, can prepay for a year of college tuition while your child is still in elementary school. Monies paid into prepaid tuition programs are generally transferable if your child decided to go somewhere else; however, the dollars may not stretch as far since you’ll be paying then-current tuition costs. A number of private universities also offer prepaid tuition programs. You can learn more about private college 529 Plans here.
Talk To Your Kids about Their Education Expenses
Another aspect of saving for your child’s education is educating them about the reality of college expenses. If you’ve been saving for your child’s education, use it to motivate them to do better in school. Giving your children a sense of ownership in their education savings account lets them know that doing good in school and receiving scholarships potentially means more money in their pocket.
If you have specific questions about saving for your child’s education, you should meet with a qualified financial advisor who will be able to assess your individual situation and help you develop a plan that best suits your needs.
As the largest home builder in Charlotte, NC, True Homes understands that your family’s future is important. We offer a number of new home communities marketed towards new families with floor plans for every budget. To learn more about True Homes, visit us online at www.truehomesusa.com or call us on the phone at 704-271-1191.
 It’s no secret that Charlotte is a wonderful place to live. With a low cost of living, wide selection of educational options, and a vibrant economy, Charlotte is also a fantastic place to raise a family. Hence, new homes in Charlotte are high in demand. To help you understand exactly what makes Charlotte so great, True Homes has put together list of the standout reasons why you should raise your family in Charlotte. Low Cost of Living With a cost of living index of 94, Charlotte, NC is significantly more affordable than most cities in the United States (the average is 100). A lower cost of living means that your paycheck goes further and you’ll have more disposable income to save for your children’s education, your own retirement, or to simply enjoy many of the activities Charlotte has to offer. Stable Economy Charlotte has seen explosive growth over the past 20 years, and this trend is expected to continue. As one of the largest financial centers in the country (second behind New York), Charlotte has many high paying jobs and opportunities for career advancement. Charlotte’s robust economy has also helped stabilize housing prices, which makes it an ideal area to invest in a new home for you and your family. Education Choices The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School district ranks as the second largest in the North Carolina and the 20th largest in the United States. In addition to having a number of excellent public schools, Charlotte is also home to several outstanding private schools further adding to your options for your children’s education. Additionally, North Carolina is home to a number of nationally ranked universities including Wake Forest, University of North Carolina, Davidson, Elon, and Duke University (to name a few). Activities Abounding Charlotte has a wide variety of activities you can enjoy with your family. Whether you like spending time outdoors or at developed attractions, Charlotte has something for everyone. Some of the notable attractions in and around Charlotte include: the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, which is home to many outdoor concerts throughout the year; the US National Whitewater Center, which is the largest man-made recirculating river in the country; the McDowell Natural Center and Preserve; the Charlotte Motor Speedway; and a number of beautiful parks and historic sites. With so many choices, you’ll never run out of things to do with the family. The points discussed above are just some of the reasons that make Charlotte such a great place to raise a family. It is the crowning glory of North Carolina real estate. In addition to area-wide considerations, another important aspect of raising a family is living in a neighborhood with like-minded families. To help create the ideal environment for your family, True Homes has developed several of new home communities in and around Charlotte specifically marketed for new families. To learn more about True Homes in Charlotte, North Carolina, visit us online at http://www.truehomesusa.com or give us a call on the phone at 704-937-2307. We look forward to welcoming you home.
 With energy conservation and environmental awareness common topics of everyday conversation, green lingo is everywhere. Practically a language of its own, echo-savvy talk requires a bit of education and explanation when it comes to understanding those green terms. Here is a list of the most popular green lingo out there. Adaptive Reuse - Renovation of a building or site to include elements that allows a particular use or uses to occupy a space that originally was intended for a different use. Alternative Energy - Energy from a source other than the conventional fossil-fuel sources of oil, natural gas and coal (i.e., wind, running water, the sun). Also referred to as "alternative fuel." Biodegradable - Waste material composed primarily of constituent parts that occur naturally, are able to be decomposed by bacteria or fungi, and are absorbed into the ecosystem. Wood, for example, is biodegradable, while plastics are not. Biosphere - The part of the earth and its atmosphere in which living organisms exist or that is capable of supporting life. The ecosystem composed of the earth and the living organisms inhabiting it. Carbon Footprint - A measure of impact on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide. Climate Change - The term "climate change" is sometimes used to refer to all forms of climatic inconsistency, but because the earth's climate is never static, the term is more properly used to imply a significant change from one climatic condition to another. In some cases, "climate change" has been used synonymously with the term "global warming"; scientists, however, tend to use the term in the wider sense to also include natural changes in climate. Also referred to as "global climate change." Also see "Global Warming." Compost - Process whereby organic wastes, including food wastes, paper and yard wastes, decompose naturally, resulting in a product rich in minerals and ideal for gardening and farming as a soil conditioner, mulch, resurfacing material or landfill cover. Conservation - Preserving and renewing, when possible, human and natural resources. The use, protection and improvement of natural resources according to principles that will ensure their highest economic or social benefits. Energy Efficiency - Principles and technology that reduce electricity or fuel usage while doing the same work, such as keeping a house warm using less energy. Energy Vampires - This term refers to electric appliances such as televisions, chargers, and clock radios that use energy even when turned off. The energy they use is also called a “phantom load.” Environmental Impact - Any change to the environment, whether positive or negative, resulting from human activity, industry or natural disasters. Global Warming - A process that raises the air temperature in the lower atmosphere due to heat trapped by greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, CFCs and ozone. It can occur as the result of natural influences, but most often is a direct result of human activities (i.e., car and factory emissions, cigarette smoke) Green Design – Design that adheres and conforms to environmentally sound principles of building, material and energy use. A green building, for example, might make use of solar panels, skylights and recycled building materials. View True Homes Green Homes LEED™ Rating System - LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a self-assessing system designed to rate commercial and residential buildings. The system evaluates environmental performance over a building's life cycle, determining the true “green” of the building and what is required to bring it up to energy and environmental standards. Renewable Energy – Energy that comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, and geothermal heat and is naturally replenished. Recycling - The process by which waste materials are collected, processed and returned to the economic mainstream to be reused in the form of raw materials or finished goods. Sustainability - Practices that ensure the continued viability of a product or practice well into the future. True Homes is the largest home builder in Charlotte, North Carolina, with new communities in Charleston, South Carolina. For more information on building your True dream home, visit www.truehomesusa.com or contact us at 704-937-2307
Multi-generational living spaces and unique color combinations top the list in home design. It’s All in the Family While it has been a long, rough real estate road in the last few years, home design remains hotter than ever. However, things are not what they used to be when it comes to floorplans and design. A tight economy has forced people to adjust their living arrangements and lifestyles as more and more families living together are multi-generational. With grandma and teenager under the same roof comes the need for individual living spaces that provide conveniences and “space” for each member of the family. One of the most popular developments multi-generational living has brought back to life is the in-law suite. Often detached or semi-detached from the main house, this suite is just like its own little home, commonly equipped with a kitchen, bathroom and private living quarters. Vertical Gardens With the growth of urban sprawl, smaller homes and less acreage, vertical gardens have become all the rage these days. These living walls, as they are often called, help reduce air toxins, regulate moisture, reflect light and heat, and provide a peaceful, warming effect on cooler city dwellings. Lean and Green We can’t mention garden without going green. Today’s hottest home designs take energy efficiency and conversation into consideration on nearly every level, from light bulbs to solar panels. As home owners consider remaining in their homes for longer periods of time, green investments offer both long- and short-term benefits for home buyers and owners. Color Me “Greige”? It’s no home design secret that “greige” is all the rage when it comes to color. A warm tone gray that looks either taupe or beige, it mimics a winning combination of gray and beige, and looks delightful when accented with the still-loved golden tones of yesteryear. Dramatic Floors When it comes to wood floors, light is out, dark is in. Dark wood is far more dramatic and accented with golden browns or lighter colors, makes for a floor worth stepping on. If carpet is your style, lighter is most definitely the top pick. Furniture and Flatscreens Big furniture has been replaced by smaller pieces, and bulk is a thing of the past. Large, fluffy sectionals, forget ‘em. Heavy armoires and buffets, not so much. Large projector TV’s, not in here. Smaller sized furniture with sleek designs is the hands down leader in home furnishings. Flatscreens are now wall-mounts or, more interesting still, custom framed to look like a piece of art. Ultimately, home design is subjective and all about what you want in your home. And, as well all know, trends change all the time. A good rule of thumb when designing your home is to always consider the added resale value of the design or investment. True Homes is the largest home builder in Charlotte, North Carolina, with new communities in Charleston, South Carolina. For more information on building your True dream home, visit www.truehomesusa.com or contact us at 704-937-2307.
Investment properties and vacation homes account for huge home sales, nearly 65 percent last year alone. North and South Carolina, offering homes and communities for everyone from singles to families to retirees, are two of the most popular destinations for new home buyers. View new homes in the Carolinas Visit 55+ Active Adult Living Communities Welcome to the Carolina’s ! For years, the sister states of North Carolina and South Carolina have been home buying hotspots, typically reeling in resort-style living retirees with their southern charm, golf courses and beaches. However, with the change in the tech sector leading to expansions into key southern towns such as Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham, the Carolina’s have seen an influx of graduates, along with newly-weds and families looking for a home that offers safety, affordability, cultural diversity and steady employment opportunities. With over 60 locations throughout Charlotte and Charleston, new home builder, True Homes, is intimately familiar with new home buyers moving to the Carolina’s. Housing demand requires a little something for everyone, and from townhomes to resort-style paradises, True Homes has continued to supply new home buyers with quality homes and affordable prices. View Our Floor Plan Options With excellent prices and historically low mortgage rates, now is a great time to buy a home in North or South Carolina. Combined with generous state tax incentives and discounts, the appeal to live in the southern states becomes even stronger, as the numbers show steady increases in people moving into the Carolina’s from other states. The Carolina’s consistently make Top 10 lists of best states to live in. Cities and towns such as Fort Mills, South Carolina, a budding Charlotte suburb rated in the Top 10 Best Towns for Families by Family Circle, is one example of such a place. If quality of life, affordability, excellent schools, a sense of community and job growth are on the list of places for you to call home, the Carolina’s just may be the place for you! True Homes is the largest home builder in Charlotte, North Carolina, with new communities in Charleston, South Carolina. For more information on building your True dream home, visit www.truehomesusa.com or contact us at 704-937-2307.
According to a Wall Street blog written in April of this year, nearly three quarters of Americans feel that now is a good time to buy a house. Is that really the case? Proponents for “buy now” state several reasons for 2012 being a great time to buy a home, citing historically low mortgage rates and fast inflating rental prices which have already seen significant spike throughout the year. As Fannie Mae chief economist Doug Duncan stated, “Conditions are coming together to encourage people to want to buy homes.” According to a recent article on fiscaltimes.com, since the wild ride of big ticket home prices in the mid 2000’s, mortgage rates have been driven down and home prices have deeply declined making housing affordability the best it’s been in two decades. In short, housing affordability is at levels not seen since prior to the early 1990s and is almost twice the level that it was in April 2006, the peak month for house price levels, when housing was the least affordable. With all the elements in place making it an ideal time to buy a home, there is still one component to the bubble era that remains: bidding wars. As the number of available inventory decreases due to demand, there are fewer homes for sale in markets that were screaming for buyers. Perhaps a pain-in-the-neck challenge, but another key indicator that buying now is good, as availability becomes less and less. So, what’s making up a strong percentage of these property snap-ups? Rental investments and vacation homes are a large part of sales. Second homes that offer close proximity to work, as well as getaways are high on the list of real estate investments, making up 65 percent of home sales in 2011. Visit True Homes in North and South Carolina. With all of the key indicators in place, a little homework and bidding muscle, if you have cash to buy or the credit to obtain a home, now seems the perfect time, indeed. True Homes is the largest new home builder in Charlotte, North Carolina and Charleston, South Carolina with homes in over 60 stunning communities throughout the region. For more information on building a new Carolina home, visit www.truehomesusa.com or contact them at 704-937-2307.
A quaint little town nestled in the suburbs of Charlotte, fast-growing Fort Mill, South Carolina, with it’s excellent schools, comfortable population, low-crime rate and small-town charm, now resides in Family Circle’s list of Top 10 Best Towns for Families. A sprawling city located just 20 miles from Charlotte, Fort Mill offers a safe and peaceful environment for raising a family. Promoting low-crime and goodwill, the local police department oversees the Do the Right Thing program where parents and children alike are encouraged to participate in good deeds, community development and charity organizations. Stellar schools abound with some of the best and brightest students being taught and led by some of the best and brightest teachers around. The town of Fort Mill tends to give off an easy-going vibe with a southern-style charm. Considered a fast growing suburban town, the city offers a family-feel with rich roots in community and business. Culture, diversity, art and worship join to form an eclectic mix of lifestyles and interests. With homes available in five different locations throughout Fort Mill, South Carolina, True Homes offers a variety of family living styles and floor plans to choose from. Visit our properties in Fort Mills. For more information on homes for sale in Fort Mill, South Carolina contact True Homes at 704-937-2307. True Homes is the largest new home builder in the Carolinas. For more information on building your True dream home, visit www.truehomesusa.com.
Single and looking for a home to buy in North or South Carolina? True Homes offers a wide variety of homes and floor plans to choose from.In today’s world, singles are fast climbing the charts in percentage of first-time home buyers. No longer just a family purchase, singles make up for nearly 30 percent of home buyers in today’s market. So, if you are single and wanting to buy that first house, have no fear, there are plenty out there for you, and plenty of financing options to boot. At True Homes, we pride ourselves on offering a range of new homes for single home buyers. With prices starting in the mid 100’s, single folks can easily find something well within their home buying budget. With over 60 locations on Charlotte and new homes popping up in Charleston, True Homes is a leading home builder of the south offering spacious designer floor plans that appeal to all personalities and lifestyles. View True Homes Floor Plans in Charlotte View True Homes Floor Plans in CharlestonQuick Move-in HomesIf expedient occupancy is what you are after, True Homes also offers a large selection of homes that are ready for immediate or near future move-in. Quick move-in homes are available throughout Charlotte and Charleston and also come with a variety of spacious designer floor plans to choose from. Green HomesIf green is your thing and an energy-efficient home is what you are after, True Homes has the place for you. All True Homes are green homes that are independently tested and certified for energy efficiency, making them 40 percent more energy efficient than a typical existing home. Read more about True Homes Green HomesFour Different Home CollectionsTrue Homes is committed to leaving no one out when it comes to finding the home of their dreams. That is why we offer four different home collections - from sassy townhomes to elegant luxury homes - so you can find what fits your personality, lifestyle and budget. Our unique combination of True Space and True Style ensures you get the most house for your money – and one that fits your own personal taste and style. So, single and looking for a great home? Visit True Homes today to find yours! True Homes is the largest home builder in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a new market in Charleston, South Carolina. For more information on building your True dream home, visit www.truehomesusa.com or contact us at 704.271.1191.
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