Fulton Homes Named 2015 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year

carousel_quote_v2We’re proud at Fulton Homes that we have been named 2015 ENERGY STAR partner of the year.

Why is Fulton Homes committed to building only ENERGY STAR certified new homes? Because this certification ensures that you get a better house.

When we apply rigorous ENERGY STAR requirements to our new homes, the result is a home that is constructed better from the ground up, providing you with better durability, better comfort, as well as substantially-reduced utility and maintenance costs (up to 30% savings compared to a typical new home). This makes an ENERGY STAR certified home your logical choice for energy efficiency.

carousel_supergirl_3Building in Benefits for You

The fully-integrated approach to design and construction that is required to receive ENERGY STAR certification makes a difference you can see, feel, and hear. We apply these tried-and-true best building practices are applied to every ENERGY STAR certified new home, giving you the following plusses:

Reduced Leaks and Drafts: We minimize warm and cold spots through comprehensive air sealing, quality-installed insulation, and high performance windows and doors.

More Consistent Temperatures: With the installation of a high-efficiency heating and cooling system, designed for optimal performance you will experience better comfort in every room, year round.

Better Durability:With the comprehensive water management system built into your home, including flashing, moisture barriers, and heavy-duty membranes, roofs, walls and foundations are protected from moisture damage.

Improved Indoor Air: To keep your indoor fresh and refreshing, your ventilation system includes a fresh-air system that introduces a controlled amount of outdoor air. Combined with a high-performance filter, this improves air quality while reducing the dust, pollen and other allergens we experience here in the desert.

Peace of Mind: ENERGY STAR certification requires independent inspections and testing by trained and certified professionals, so you can sleep well knowing things were done right.

The average ENERGY STAR certified new home saves its families about $300 each year. And compared to other new homes, these homes reduce greenhouse gases by about 3,700 pounds per year, equivalent to the emissions absorbed through planting 43 trees. At Fulton Homes, we hope you will join our homeowners and over 1.5 million others across the United States and make the choice to purchase only an ENERGY STAR certified home.

Do You want a Fulton Home Right Now?

Inventory_home_montage-webMaybe you’ve just moved to our area and have fallen love with Fulton Homes. Or maybe you’re just ready to move into a new home before summer’s heat hits us. If for whatever reason you want to move into a brand new Fulton Home without a delay, why not check out our inventory of almost-finished homes?

Here at Fulton Homes, we know that there are customers who find it difficult to wait through the entire construction process to move into their new home. We have a selection of inventory homes waiting for you to explore. With a variety of layouts and finish choices, you may find the home that would be perfect for your family. These homes are almost move-in ready, making it easy for us to help you into your home with minimal delays.

If you want to see the choices available, we invite you to call or visit our sales offices for the community you’re considering. A member of our sales team can help you discover the homes available so that you can determine which one will be perfect for your new home.

This home, located in our Ironwood Crossing community, is just one of our inventory homes. With its completed kitchen, front-yard landscaping, and lighting, it will be perfect for some home buyer. Our design team makes the finish decisions, ensuring that every inventory home has an inviting and unique look.

We look forward to showing you our selection of homes – built with you in mind.

Your New Indoor airPLUS Home

Inventory-Home-130-webOne advantage to a Fulton Home that you don’t see immediately comes from your home’s construction. We design and build all of our homes to be both Indoor airPLUS and ENERGY STAR Certified for improved indoor air quality as well as energy efficiency.

If you have concerns about mold, radon, carbon monoxide and other toxic chemicals in your home, you can trust that we share your concerns and build our homes with these issues in mind. Poor indoor air quality can cause serious problems for you and your family, including eye irritation, headaches, allergies, respiratory problems such as asthma and other serious health issues.

Indoor airPLUS construction specifications are designed to help improve indoor air quality (IAQ) in new homes compared with homes built to minimum code. However, these features alone cannot prevent all IAQ problems. Occupant behavior is also important for IAQ. For example, products used in the home after occupancy and smoking inside the home may both negatively impact the home’s IAQ and the performance of the specified Indoor airPLUS features.

Indoor airPLUS home features include:

  • Mold and Moisture Control
  • Radon Control
  • Combustion Pollutant Control
  • Pest Barriers
  • Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
  • Building Materials

At Fulton Homes we are committed to creating better environments both inside and out. We are proud to offer new homes that have earned both the Indoor airPLUS and ENERGY STAR Certified Home labels because it means your home has been designed and built to standards well above most other homes on the market today.

 

What’s Stopping You from Buying a New Fulton Home?

Inventory-Home-143webIn our last blog we talked about some of the concerns that may keep you from thinking you can buy a Fulton Home. Let’s take a look at some other issues you may be facing or questions you may have.

If you are upside down on your mortgage, you may still have an option to buy:

Our Guaranteed Lease Program allows you to lease your existing home and buy a new Fulton home with that income. If you’re not sure how to handle renting out your property, this program lets you get a guaranteed three-year lease on your current home. Any of our salespeople can provide details on this choice.

If you think that renting is cheaper than buying:

Think again. Buying a new home is still a better choice in most situations. Our large selection of homes is designed to fit a number of budgets and lifestyles. Visit one or more of our communities and compare your current rent to the monthly payment using our mortgage calculator. With the tax benefits you may be surprised at the affordability of buying.

If you’re worried that new homes are too far away from the center of things:

We build many beautiful communities in established areas of the Valley such as Chandler and Gilbert. You’ll find they are close to shopping, restaurants and jobs. On-site amenities such as aquatic centers, parks and trail systems, tot-lots and green spaces help make your home community a great place to spend your leisure time. And our communities are known to stand the test of time.

If you’re not sure that single family homes are right for you:

You might want to check out our homes designed for the “lock and leave” lifestyle. Homes at The Reserve at Fulton Ranch and Cooley Station are not your traditional single family homes. And you still get the benefit of lush common areas, community pools and other amenities you normally see at resorts.

If you have other concerns, talk to us. Contact us online or visit one of our sales offices and give us a chance to help – odds are we can, no matter what your issues are!

What’s Stopping You From Buying a Home?

Inventory-Home-092

If you love our Fulton Homes but you aren’t sure you can make the purchase at this point, let us help you explore your options. We have some great solutions – solutions that may surprise you.

If your credit is less than perfect:

With three preferred lenders, we can offer access to a variety of mortgage products that provide flexibility and affordability. Our lenders will work with you if your credit is not perfect, and can help you understand what you need to do to repair your credit so that you will be able to buy a Fulton Home. Over 20,000 people have been successful and we can help you too. But you’ll never move forward if you don’t get started.

If you experienced a short sale, foreclosure or bankruptcy recently:

Most people have heard that they won’t be able to buy another home for anywhere from three to as many as seven years. The good news is that mortgage programs and lending standards are lightening up, and you may be surprised at your eligibility. One of our preferred lenders can help you determine what will work for your situation.

If you’re concerned that you may not have enough cash for a down payment:

Some of our mortgage programs require only 3% or 5% down, or possibly even zero down! And with some of the changes in government mortgage insurance (PMI) programs, you can still end up with a low monthly payment.

If you have an existing home that needs repairs or updates:

The Fulton Homes Trade-In Program™ some of the top resale agents and brokers in Arizona can provide advice on everything from home renovations to staging. They’ll help you get the most from your current home.

If you’re upside down or have no equity in your current home:

Are you sure about that? Home prices are going up again in this area. Our Trade-In Program™ helps you understand your home’s value and maximize your resale price, all with reduced commissions.

Decorate Using the Four Elements: Water

water-3-cropped-webWhen decorating a pool area, it’s natural to lean toward the element of water in your design decisions. You already have the blue from the pool, and sand tones or grey bring a natural look to the space. Blue and white also make a great combination for a water-themed space. In this photo, the light hardscaping is the color of driftwood, which makes the area feel a bit beach-like.

water-cropped-webYou don’t actually need water to have a water-themed area. Take a look at this butler’s pantry to the left. The natural stone backing combined with the countertop creates the feeling of water running down the wall and across the counter into the small sink. This mood is enhanced by the clear glasses along with gold and silver metallic accessories. The water theme makes this spot the perfect place to serve drinks to family and friends.

water-2-cropped-webA bathroom is the most logical place to carry through a water theme. Once again, even without the blue-green color scheme that is common to water spaces, the sensation of water can come by using ultra-shiny tile in a vertical display, as the photo on the right shows. In both smaller photos, placing a light above the wall so that it shines across the surface helps create that feeling of water flowing.

Whether you use this concept outside by a pool or water feature, or inside near a sink or bathroom, expanding the water theme beyond the function of a space into the design allows you to enhance your home décor. All photos are from Fulton’s Legacy community.

Decorate Using the Four Elements: Fire

fire-3-cropped-sized-webThe power of fire first shows in a room with color choice. Look for red, rust, maroon, orange and gold. A fire room reflects the flames of an open fire either with the main color or in accents. Notice how this room brings rust tones into the living area through curtains, furniture, dining chairs, throw pillows and the tabletop décor.

Look next for some sort of open flame, or a close representation. In this room the two-tier chandelier holds electrified versions of candles. You may even find a candle-abra with actual candles in some fire rooms.

Accessories are often glass, formed when sand meets fire, in vivid colors. Notice the large glass bowl on the coffee table, colored like the flames that created it.

fire-2-cropped-webKitchens are effective rooms to introduce a fire theme because of their focus on cooking food. This amazing range and hood from Bertazzoni perfectly represents fire, with its style patterned on the company’s original wood stove design, enameled in this fire-inspired dark red.

fire-1-cropped-webTake a look at this cozy breakfast nook. Once again the lighting
sends a fire message. You can imagine real candles in those glass shades. The rich metallic tile on the built-in breakfront brings fire colors to your attention, supported by orange and rust tones in accessories and the tablescape. A smoky wall color finishes up the look.

Fireplaces and outdoor fire pits always help create a fire-driven mood. On cold nights, everyone will feel warmer in a room designed with fire in mind. All photos are from Fulton’s Legacy community.

Decorate Using the Four Elements: Air

air photoAs we mentioned in our last blog, it’s interesting to take the long-ago perspective that the universe is made up of only four elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water.  Today, let’s take a look at what a room would look like if it had an Air focus.

Vaulted ceilings, skylights and large windows fit this image. The ceiling is definitely a star in this photo. The coffered inlay is highlighted by the white trim and sunlight that creates magic shadows against the far wall. Silver and glass accessories suit air, as well as the subtle shades of grey that make up the color palette.

Notice the number of curves in the space, just as air curves as it passes buildings and trees. Even the plant in the back has an airy flow to it.

air 3This photo celebrates air, with the collage of planes in the background. Clearly this room was designed with air in mind. Again the color scheme reflects grey with soft lavender highlighted on the wall. A ceiling fan is a natural addition to an air-focused room. Skylights and clerestory windows also reflect the air feeling. Both photos are from the model homes at Legacy.

If you’re always looking up at the sky and enjoy having everything light and bright in your home, then maybe a focus on air is right for you.

In our next two blogs, we’ll look at what fire and water designs feel like.

Decorate Using the Four Elements: Earth

Mediterranean at Ironwood Crossing EarthLong before the science of chemistry came into existence, ancient philosophers and scientists thought the universe consisted of only four elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. And even though we know better now, it’s still fun to use these concepts to decorate your home. Let’s take a look at a room with an emphasis on earth.

The colors start the analysis. Earth tones predominate in this space. Notice the dark brown wood, brown sofas and beige and brown chairs. Brown and rust drapes complete the color scheme. There are a few touches of red and green – in the plants and the arrangement on the dining table. The deep blue of the throw pillows isn’t normally thought of as an earth tone, but against the brown sofas and combined with pillows that include that shade of blue along with earth-tone stripes, it works.

Next, let’s look at materials. Stone predominates, with the strong stone facing on the fireplace and porcelain tile in the dining area. Notice also the  pottery accessories on the coffee table. The clay that produced these three pieces is the ultimate earth material.

Choosing a warm wall color and the warm-toned shade of the table lamp at the back of this photo also echoes the feeling of the Earth element.

Are you the most comfortable in an Earth-focused family room? What other elements make a room feel like it’s connected to the earth for you?

Ottoman Coffee Table Designed for Comfort

fulton family roomThis family room spells comfort. One reason is the choice of an ottoman coffee table. It practically begs you to put your feet up and relax. When you’re planning your family room, style has value, but be sure to build in comfort too. Let’s take a look at some of the ways this room makes everyone who enters it feel at home.

Softness: Yes, a sofa is standard equipment for a family room, but this one has oversized cushions and plenty of throw pillows. It’s big enough for everyone to spread out and relax. When you choose a sofa, make sure it invites people to sit and get comfortable.

Ottoman Coffee Table: This choice is so much more inviting than a hard surface. The tray works well when people need to set down food or drinks, but there is still room for resting your feet. This oversized ottoman suits the sectional, but the graceful legs and space under the cushion keeps it from feeling too heavy.

Curves: This room offers a wealth of curves to keep everything soft and flowing. From the circular tray centered on the ottoman to the wavy lines of the table lamps and oval dinette chairs, this room shows a soft line. There are even curves above several doorways.

Gentle Colors: Grey and cream with just a touch of rosy pink keeps the room on a soothing plane. Most of the light is tempered by shades and the dark floor provides just enough contrast to keep the space interesting.

When you design your family room, don’t let comfort stop with an ottoman coffee table. Instead, build coziness into every space along with style and you will have a home that everyone will enjoy.