Arizona Homebuilder Offers Tremendous Values to Canadian Homebuyers

Canadians are currently buying more homes in the Valley of the Sun than homebuyers from California, according to the Information Market, a Phoenix real-estate data firm. Fulton Homes of Arizona sees a great match between Canada and the Phoenix Metro area.

Douglas Fulton, CEO of Fulton Homes, is adjusting marketing efforts, and creating opportunities to make the Phoenix Metro area more attractive to Canadians. “Phoenix is an amazing market for a second home with prices that are the lowest in twenty years,” he said. “There is no better cold weather escape than the Southwest with its expansive desert, great neighborhoods and amenities like resort style pools and community centers.”

He pointed out that some of his new three bedroom homes start at $116,000 or at about $504 per month. And Canadians are noticing.

Art Ferguson, Sales Associate at Ironwood Crossing in Queen Creek, AZ has witnessed an influx of Canadian buyers at the growing east valley community, many lured by the warm weather, as well as fantastic golf courses in the neighborhood. “We started seeing a lot of Canadian buyers starting last winter,” notes Ferguson. “Our homes offer a tremendous value and they give homeowners the flexibility of being able to play a lot of golf courses in nearby proximity, rather than being locked in to one golf course community. I’m finding that most of my Canadian buyers want inexpensive homes in a quality neighborhood where they can come and go as they please – a beautiful home base for travel, golf and site-seeing around the Southwest.”

Ironwood Crossing, located at Ironwood and Ocotillo Road in Queen Creek, AZ, is quickly becoming one of the east valley’s premier communities with their fully warranted, Energy Star qualified homes. The community also features a $2.4 million aquatic center, complete with splash pad, 6,800 square foot pool, shade screens and community clubhouse. There are also 20 parks – nearly one park for every 100 homes – to enhance the area along with playground equipment, basketball courts, ramadas, barbeques and shade structures.

Tom and Jill Rea from Calgary Alberta purchased a home in Ironwood Crossing – and they were soon joined by four other couples from Canada. “The community pool was the big attraction for us,” notes Jill Rea, an international real estate agent, licensed in Utah and Alberta. “Fulton Homes has created a beautifully landscaped, manicured community that’s close to amenities like shopping malls, theaters and restaurants. We visited Arizona about four times, and when we saw Ironwood, we knew it was it. Fulton has a great reputation as a builder, the sales people were friendly, and we found a great community that will maintain its quality and integrity for life.”

As a Realtor herself, Rea would advise other Canadians to not go anywhere near short sales, foreclosures or even condominiums, as the HOA and special assessment fees associated with those type of properties often make them tough to re-sell to locals should the need arise.

“They don’t do short sales in Canada and most people don’t have any idea how frustrating the time-consuming process can be,” relates Rea. “With a new home from a quality builder like Fulton Homes in a beautiful community such as Ironwood Crossing, you don’t have to worry,” adds Rea.

Rea even shares one of her secrets from the people of Calgary, noting that the flight from Great Falls Montana to Williams Gateway Airport in Mesa can be very inexpensive on carriers such as Allegiant Air. “It’s about a four and a half hour drive to Great Falls,” smiles Rea, “and that way, you don’t have to clear international customs.” If you do fly into Sky Harbor Airport, however, Phoenix’s main hub, Rea observes that it’s still only about a 35 minute drive out to Ironwood Crossing.

Most Canadian buyers are paying cash for their Arizona homes.

“They are putting down a large down payment in cash or getting lines of credit in Canada,” explains Phyllis A. Casillas, Branch Sales Manager for Fulton Homes Mortgage. Rea readily agrees: “Sometimes you can get financing on your Canadian credit through U.S. affiliates of Canadian Banks such as Harris Bank, Bank of Montreal and The Royal Bank of Canada, but for the most part, Canadian buyers obtain a line of credit on their Canadian home, and then use that as cash to buy their Arizona home.”

Fulton Homes was founded in 1975 and grew to be one of the top homebuilders and family owned businesses in Arizona. During the past year, in the face of one of the worst housing markets in US history, Fulton Homes soldiered on in a market devastated by foreclosures and short sales. Fulton Homes, which offers many homes in the $116,500- $140,000 range, was the first homebuilder to highlight the downside of foreclosures in an informational advertising campaign. The online tool ForeclosureCostCalculator.com can be customized to fit the parameters of any foreclosed property, and analyze such factors as exterior paint, cabinets, and termites.

Ask professional designers what they use for inspiration, and many will answer, “Everything!” when you’re making your design plans, keep your eyes open for colors and concepts that appeal to you. Most home designers will suggest reviewing magazines for ideas, and that’s good advice. But the opportunity to create a unique room for your home means looking beyond the obvious and taking some chances.

This eye-catching bathroom had an unusual start – a mom noticed the colors coming from the oversized bubbles her children were creating in the backyard. Her 5-year came over, leaned on her, sighed and said, “I wish we could have bubbles all the time, and she suddenly remembered the boring guest bath that needed a redo. She grabbed her camera and took some close-up photos and got to work.

To start, she looked for circles to echo a bubble’s shape. She found the perfect mirror, and a sink that looked like half of a

bubble. Paint, glass tile, towels and flowers mirror the rich sun-drenched shades that moved through the bubbles. Staying with glossy finishes and shiny chrome fixtures helped the room glow.

With a little effort, this mom captured an ephemeral moment and her son’s wish with a bathroom that stand

s alone. What kind of decorating is in your future? How about letting your imagination and special moments inspire your design plans?

Arizona’s Largest Privately Owned Homebuilder Built 16.8 % of all Energy Star Qualified New Homes in Phoenix During the Past Year

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced its Energy Star rankings for homebuilders in the Phoenix metropolitan market and Fulton Homes ranked second highest on the list. From July 2009 to June 2010, Fulton Homes closed 544 Energy Star Qualified homes, 16.8% of all Energy Star homes in the Valley of the Sun. Only the combined companies of Pulte, Del Webb and Centex built more.

To earn the Energy Star qualification, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the EPA, making them 20 to 30% more energy efficient than standard homes. Homes achieve this level of performance through a combination of energy-efficient improvement, including efficient insulation systems, high-performance windows, tight construction and ducts, efficient heating and cooling equipment, and Energy Star Qualified lighting and appliances. To ensure that a home meets Energy Star guidelines, third-party verification by a certified Home Energy Rater (or equivalent) is required. This energy specialist works closely with builders like Fulton Homes throughout the construction process to help determine the needed energy-saving equipment and required construction techniques. They also conduct on-site diagnostic testing and inspections to document that the home is eligible to earn the Energy Star label.

“We’re proud of this designation; helping our community save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and technologies, while incorporating the latest building practices” remarked Dennis Webb, Vice President of Operations for Fulton Homes. “Our customers want more energy efficient homes and through our contemporary designs and work with our trade partners, we’ve designed homes that meet the strict criteria of the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy. All of the homes in our new communities are 100% Energy Star Qualified homes. ”

In addition to helping consumers save money on heating and cooling costs, according to the EPA, Energy Star Qualified homes built nationally in 2009 are the equivalent of:

• Eliminating emissions from 52,132 vehicles
• Saving 315,345,888 pounds of coal
• Planting 86,178 acres of trees
• Saving the environment 618,456,696 pounds of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)

Do you find arranging furniture difficult? You’re not alone. Many find that the most frustrating part of moving. The following suggestions may help you determine the best arrangement for your living or family room.

Start by determining the room’s focal point. A fireplace or dramatic view makes the decision easy. If you’re planning to have an entertainment center, that becomes a natural focal point. Arrange the seating so that it opens up the room for people to automatically see and pay attention to your focal point. For example, put the sofa across from a fireplace, or arrange your sofa on one side of the fireplace and two chairs on the other side so the fireplace stands out in the middle. Try to keep seating within an eight-foot area to encourage conversation.

Use tape or string to lay out the natural traffic patterns in the room. People will want to walk in a straight line from one end to the other without having to pause to walk around furniture. If possible, set those paths two to three feet wide.

Place coffee and side tables within reach of your seating. For a coffee table, think between a foot and a foot and a half in front of a sofa or chairs and at the same height as the seat or a few inches lower. Side tables should be no more than a foot away from seating and within two inches of height in either direction from the closest chair or sofa arm.

These suggestions are not written in stone. They provide a good starting point, but the final arrangement will depend upon your living room space and your furniture. Don’t hesitate to move things around until you find the arrangement you like – both from a design and a functional standpoint.

Fulton Homes Renews Commitment to Honoring Educators with ‘Teacher of the Week’ Initiative

Arizona’s Largest Privately Owned Homebuilder Set to Kick-Off 11^th Year of Popular Program

With another new school year back in full swing, students across the valley are being asked to recognize the teacher that’s made a difference in their lives with the 11^th Annual Fulton Homes Teacher of the Week program, run in partnership with http://www.knixcountry.com/main.html. The popular program, which serves to honor outstanding educators, will kick off by honoring its first weekly winner on Friday, Sept. 17, during the Ben and Matt Show on KNIX.

Every week, students are asked to nominate their favorite teacher for the chance to win a prize package that includes $300 in cash plus prizes from Fulton Homes and the Dairy Council of Arizona. The winning teacher is surprised by KNIX radio personality, Carolyn Coffey, who presents the award. The winning teacher will also be spotlighted on the KNIX Morning Show with Ben and Matt, where they will receive special recognition on their Friday show between 6:20 – 7:20 a.m.

At the end of the school year, in June of 2011, the 34 winning teachers will be honored at a special luncheon, where one outstanding teacher will be chosen as the Fulton Homes “Teacher of the Year.”

“Teacher of the Week is an outstanding way to honor educators, who mostly go unrecognized for all of the hard work and time they put into their job,” said Douglas Fulton, CEO of Fulton Homes. “With teacher layoffs at a high, and our economy still suffering through record lows, our teachers and schools need our continuing support, now more than ever.”

Students can nominate their favorite teacher for Fulton Homes’ Teacher of the Week by submitting a brief form at any Fulton Homes location or online at fultonhomes.com or knixcountry.com. Winners are chosen based on their commitment to education, career achievements and impact on students’ lives.

For more information about Fulton Homes Teacher of the Week, visit www.fultonhomes.com and click on the Fulton Foundation link, or visit knixcountry.com, keyword “Teacher.”

Join us in celebrating our newest achievement in energy efficiecy. Fulton Homes is the first and only builder in Arizona to earn a ENERGY STAR version 3 rating on all new-built floorplans at all of our Valley communities.


Q: What is Energy Star?

A: Energy Star is a joint program of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. Fulton Homes is proud that 100% of our new-built homes are certified compliant with Energy Star version 3.

Q: What does a Fulton Homes Energy Star v3 Certified Home mean to me?

A: A Fulton Homes Energy Star Certified Home means you can rest assured that you are doing the most to protect the environment and your pocketbook.  An Energy Star Certified Home uses the latest building practices and technologies to ensure that your new home is energy efficient and comfortable. Fulton Homes Energy Star v3 Certified Homes include:

Lousiana Pacific Tech Shield Radiant Barrier – deflects heat away from attic High-performance Vinyl Windows (minimum of .35 & .25) – reduces UV rays from entering home 14 SEER Carrier Air Conditioner – excellent cooling and energy efficiency Merv 6 Return Air Filters – helps A/C unit run more smoothly Outside Air Exchange Fan – tight construction requires precise fresh air exchange Drywall Caulking at Top Plate – further seals and insulates home Minimum 10% Bulbs to be CFL – longer lasting and saves electricity Foam Seal on All Exterior Doors – reduces air leakage Gas Water Heater with .58 to .62 Efficiency Rating – saves on water heating costs For more information about the energy saving features in our homes, please contact a Fulton Homes sales associate or visit one of our exciting Valley Communities.

In traditional Japanese homes, floors are kept cleaner and more protected because family and guests never wear their shoes in the house. Instead, the entryway has a selection of traditional slippers, which guests change into upon arriving. Some people in the United States would like to follow this practice, but aren’t sure how to go about it. By following these suggestions, anyone can create a no shoes approach for family and friends.

Start with planning for the transition. Pick up a selection of machine-washable slippers in various sizes for both men and women for those people who don’t want to walk around in just socks. Set up a shelf to store the slippers by size, along with a basket or bin for holding the worn slippers for laundering. You may also want to pick up a shoe cubby to store your guest’s shoes without scuffing. Finally, look for a comfortable bench or chair to provide a place to make the change.

If possible, let your guests know about the change in visitor requirements when you invite them. This allows them to plan their footwear accordingly. Be sure to mention that while they are welcome to wear their socks or bring their own slippers, you have a good selection of in-house options for them.

Make sure that your family follows the same requirements. It may be difficult at the start, but soon everyone will be used to taking their shoes off at the door. Be sure no one in your family wears shoes at your parties – if your guests follow a requirement, you and your family should also.

Make sure to thank your guests when they leave for their tolerance of your request. Although the choice is reasonable, it is also uncommon and you want to acknowledge that.

Consider giving this approach a try. Once you instigate this change, you will find that your flooring needs to be cleaned much less often, and your home will stay cleaner in general.

Wood floors and carpets can have a hard time when the weather turns wet and/or wintery. The following multi-step approach will help you protect your floors throughout the seasons.

One doormat alone is not enough to protect your floors. Plan on two or even three steps to addressing the dirt and wet shoes headed your way. Step one is a good outdoor mat. Look for a large one with dual functionality. It should be rough enough to allow guests to scrape off any water, sand, sleet or mud, and absorbent for the wet that comes with the weather. You may love that cute printed doormat, but leave it in the store – a pretty inside floor is more important.

Once inside, add another mat just under the door. There are a number of low-nap, high-absorbency rugs made for this job. This will take the next layer of dirt and wet off your guest’s footwear.

Finally, you may want to add a third machine-washable rug at the entryway to your nice floors. Looking at the amount of dirt that rug collects will help you realize that the third step makes a big difference for your wood or carpeting.

Be sure to take the same approach to every entryway in your home, and your floors will look great all year long!

Do you prefer a casual style in your home décor but long for wood floors? Well, wood works very well in a casual space. To make the design consistent, here are a few style suggestions as you choose your type of wood floor.

If you want relaxed, light woods provide a simpler and more low-key look. A floor such as the one in the photo provides a lovely foundation for this room with a country slant. The light tones work very well with the wicker dining chairs and the basket accessories.

Another element that creates a casual feel involves the variety of wood tones in the floor. A single-tone floor seems more formal and planned. Using a mix of tones makes the floor feel casual, while allowing a variety of furniture materials characteristic of a relaxed decorating style.

The new hand scraped wood floors fit that handmade profile, with each plank having its own personality. A floor with more visible grain and wider planks also sends a casual message. So don’t hesitate to pick wood if your taste is laid-back; just choose the right floor for your design goals.