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.
 For True Homes, nothing could be more important than creating a healthy living environment. Green, energy-efficient homebuilding is at the core of what we do, and establishing new green homes throughout North Carolina and South Carolina continues to be one of our central goals.
Green Building and Home Design
No longer is green a trend, it’s a necessity. With the high cost of energy, the demand for green, energy-efficient homes is on the rise. True Homes is answering the call, providing homebuyers with affordable green-building options that can work with any budget.
Every True Home is more than 40% more energy efficient and environmentally friendly than most average homes, bringing customers much delight in the enormous savings their “green investments” have provided. Through well-designed green construction and energy conservation efforts, most green-home buyers watch dinosaur utility bills shrink to a much more manageable and affordable size. Green Tested and CertifiedGreen homes built by True Homes are all third-party tested and certified through the Home Energy Rating System (HERS Score), which is determined by a RESNET certified building inspector who provides standard evaluations of efficiency usage for every True Home's customer. The score compares the amount of energy used in the inspected home to a typical new or existing home. Lower scores mean greater efficiency and, greater savings. In addition to the energy score and certification, True Homes also provides homeowners with Pre-drywall Energy Inspections and Air Leakage testing. As a final step, customers receive a written estimation of all anticipated savings. Go Green!
As a mark of true distinction from other new homebuilding companies in North and South Carolina, True Homes has walked away with what can truly be considered a medal of honor. Designated the “ Highest Distinction in Customer Satisfaction”, the Builder Partnership Achievement Award (BPAA) was presented by homebuilding and research management firm, Woodland, O’Brien and Scott on February 7, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. Based on a survey of homebuilder customers, the award recognizes homebuilders whose customers both recommend and enthusiastically support the homebuilding company, taking into consideration both the quality of construction and the home buying experience. This coveted honor knows only a select few, and True Homes is proud to be a 2012 recipient. True Homes, with over 60 years of experience in the building industry, is known throughout the Charlotte Area for building superiorly crafted homes for everyone from first time buyers to retirees. True Homes is a quality homebuilder that always puts its customers front and center. Congratulations True Homes! www.truehomesusa.com704-908-3077
White, sandy beaches, pristine golf courses and architectural beauty are just a little of what you’ll get living in Charleston, South Carolina. According to Travel Leisure, the annual survey of America’s Favorite Cities voted Charleston No. 1 for friendliest cities in the U.S. Conde’ Nast Traveler named Charleston the Top U.S. City at the magazine’s 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards, and there’s more. A major military and tourist town, Charleston is thriving with luxury hotels, bed and breakfast inns, and a large number of award-winning restaurants and top-of-the-line shopping outlets. The port town is also considered a prime location for information technology careers and businesses, and it boasts a vibrant art scene that annually hosts the Spoleto Festival USA, a major world festival for the performing arts. So, aside from all of its designations as a top spot, what is it that makes this popular destination such an ideal place to live? Besides its elegant coastal charm and proud history of southern hospitality, it could be said that Charleston’s unique mix of culture and community is what captivates and draws home buyers from both near and far. Real Estate and Home Sales in Charleston, South CarolinaWith month over month improvements in the real estate sector, Charleston continues to present itself as a strong homebuyers market for new home sales in South Carolina. This momentum caught our attention here at True Homes, and we have since opened a new sales office in Charleston, with new home developments in the delightful community of White Gables.For more information on new home sales in Charleston, South Carolina, contact us at (843) 200-2275 or visit us online at www.truehomesusa.com
Location: Lancaster, South Carolina Home Main Features: ● 3 BR/3BA ● 2,686 sq. ft. ● 2 Car Garage with Full Driveway ● Lake Front Boat Docking Lot ● 9' First Floor Ceilings ● Luxury Master ● Butler's Pantry ● Second Level Guest Suite ● Master Sitting Room ● Great Room Fireplace ● Lanai Designer Package includes: ● Stainless Steel Appliance Package ● Granite Countertops (kitchen and baths) ● 36" Kitchen Cabinets ● Hardwood Flooring (kitchen and foyer) ● Ceramic Tile Bath Flooring Edgewater – The Montcrest: Property Highlights A stunning resort-style community resting on the beautiful shores of 3,300-acre Fishing Creek Lake, offers home owners a rich lifestyle of activities at an unprecedented value. The sparkling community is equipped with an 18-hole golf course and features such amazing amenities as: ● Social Center ● Golf Clubhouse ● Lakeside Park ● Miles of Walking Trails ● Lake Club ● Water Park ● Equestrian Program ● Tennis and Athletic Club ● Boat Club ● Public Marina The immaculate community of Edgewater – Montcrest is ideally located only minutes from Columbia and Charlotte, and just a few short hours from Myrtle Beach, Charleston and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Tribute Homes, by True Homes, builds in three Edgewater neighborhoods, The Cottages, The Reserves and The Links, with prices ranging from the $100’s to the mid $200s. For more information visit: www.truehomesusa.com
Buying a home is probably the biggest purchase most people will ever make, so it is beneficial to do your own ground work, learn from the experience of others and avoid making some common mistakes to make a smarter purchase. Here are some tips worth being aware of if you are home shopping for the first time. Weigh the Benefits In the yesteryears renting an apartment was cheaper than owning a new home. With changing times and record low interest rates currently, there are a lot of instances where new homes cost less per month than a rented apartment. Renting does not let you build equity, give you tax benefits and guard against rent increases. So owning a new home comes with a lot of benefits. Paying a mortgage helps build equity, which is an investment. Last, but not the least, you have the freedom to decorate and make the home uniquely yours. Identify the Search Parameters Yes, buying a home is intimidating and there are five critical factors one should consider – budget, location, floorplan, features and home site. Use these parameters to help you narrow down your search for a new home. If you think you cannot handle this on your own, a broker or agent will work with you to help you make the necessary decisions. Credit of the Loan goes to the ‘Credit’ Score A home buying loan is inevitable these days. The credit score and the credit history are a direct reflection of your financial capability to repay the loan. Hence it is very important when applying for a loan, as it will tell the financial institution about your loan repaying capacity and will also affect the interest rate. There are three major credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union who can provide you with your credit report. Here Comes the Loan You can either go for a fixed rate mortgage or an adjustable rate mortgage. A fixed rate mortgage provides fixed payments over the loan duration. Advantages include predictable payment and housing costs are unaffected by interest rate changes and inflation. On the other hand, adjustable rate mortgages involve increasing or decreasing payments subject to pre-determined limits. Advantages include the possibility for payments to go down in the future and normally start with lower initial interest rates than fixed rate mortgages. Know about FHA and Down Payment Amount The (FHA) Federal Housing Administration is an agency within the HUD. By providing private lenders with mortgage insurance, the FHA gives first time home buyers who might not be able to qualify for conventional loans, the financial security. In case of down payment, it depends on the type of loan one applies for. In case of a FHA loan, at least 3.5% of the purchase price of the home as a down payment is the norm. A conventional loan requires a minimum of 5% of the purchase price of the home. See the Points of Discount Discount points lower your interest rate. They are essentially prepared interest, with each point equalling 1% of the total loan amount. Generally, for each point paid on a 30-year mortgage, the interest rate is reduced by 1/8 (or.125) of a percentage point. When shopping for your loan ask the lender for an interest rate with 0 points and then see how much the rate decreases with each point paid. All in Good Faith The good faith estimate lists all the fees paid before closing - all closing costs, and any escrow costs involved. The lender must supply it within three business days of your application so that you can make accurate judgments when shopping for a loan. There are several costs associated with the closing of your mortgage. Fees range from attorney fees, property taxes, loan origination, title insurance, loan discount points, appraisal fee, credit report, document preparation fees and more. If you have any further questions visit us at truehomesusa.com or contact one of our True Advisors at 704-209-7559. True Advisors are highly trained professionals who will work with you to make the decisions necessary to design and build your perfect dream home.
Visit - http://www.truehomesusa.com/
If you haven’t yet entered our $200 Target gift card sweepstakes, now’s your chance. We, at True Homes, are giving the card away to some lucky Facebook fan, and it could be you! And, who couldn’t use a few extra bucks to help spruce up their new, True Home?
To become a “liker” and enter the sweepstakes, just visit the True Homes Facebook fan page, click on the Like button, and submit your information to play. Participants must be at least 18 years of age to enter the contest.
True Homes is the largest, private new home builder in Charlotte, North Carolina with over 60 years of home-building experience. From townhomes to luxury estates, True Homes offers four unique home style collections to satisfy homebuyers of all ages.
Good luck! Enter to win your True Homes $200 Target Gift Card by visiting:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/True-Homes-USA/147186671985119 For more information on new home building by True Homes, visit our website: www.truehomesusa.com.
STUNNING SPEC HOME Location: Waxhaw, North Carolina, Lot: #4, Union County Home Main Features: - Traditions Collection – Signature Series
- 5BR/3.5BA
- 3.581 sq. ft.
- 3 Car Courtyard Garage
- Butler Pantry
- Luxury Dining Room
- Master Suite with walk-in closets
- Breakfast Bar
- Gorgeous Patio
- Office/Study
- Exercise Room
This week’s Featured Home by True Homes is an outstanding 5 Bedroom - 3.5 Bath model home located in the beautiful Hazel Ridge neighborhood of Waxhaw, North Carolina. The stunning Traditions Collection- Signature Series home is currently being offered at a modest discount price of $289,900 . Nestled within the greenery of Union County, the Riley in Hazel Ridge offers a unique opportunity to own the home you always dreamed of having but didn’t think you could afford. The picturesque community offers outstanding architecture coupled with strong feature levels and a variety of designer choices - and is located just minutes from the excellent shopping centers and charming downtown Waxhaw. Featured Amenities: The home is situated in outstanding Union County and offers unique value for the even the most demanding homebuyer: - Close to shopping and dining in Weddington/Ballantyne
- Easy access to major freeways - Hwy 16 (Providence Rd.) and I-485 Interstate
- Low Union County Tax Rate
- Near desirable Union County Schools - New Town Elementary School, Cuthbertson Middle School and Cuthbertson High School
Designer Options: Homes in Hazel Ridge offer exclusive designer options, allowing homebuyers to exercise their personal creativity in developing their dream house. Some of the options include: - 32" Great Room Fireplace
- 42" Castled Kitchen Cabinets
- Stainless Steel Appliance Package
- Granite Countertops (kitchen and bath)
- Beamed Kitchen Ceiling
- Ceramic Tile Bath Flooring
- Powder Room (Bead Board Trim & Framed Mirror)
- 1st Floor Hardwood Flooring
With such amazing features at extraordinarily low prices, True Homes offers an unmatched opportunity to own a spacious new home with many great finishes. This is truly one home you should not miss seeing! For more information, contact one of our True Advisors at 704-209-7559 or visit www.truehomesusa.com
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