New Midtown Apartment Complex Construction Underway

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uptown charlotte

Lennar has begun construction on a new apartment complex located in midtown Charlotte. The new mixed-use development will feature 261 units and approximately 7,700 square feet of retail space.

Lennar Multifamily Investors, the apartment division of Lennar Corporation, is constructing the new complex on South Kings Drive across from the Metropolitan development. The 2.5-acre site, which is bounded by South Kings Drive, Charlottetown Avenue, Cherry Street and East Third Street, was purchased last year for $8.25 million.

The complex will wrap around a five-story parking deck and feature five levels of residential living along the East Third Street side. On the Charlottetown Avenue side, there will be six levels with the bottom level consisting of retail shops.

With its location near uptown, two major hospitals and the Metropolitan, Lennar is gearing the floor plans in the complex towards the expected market. One bedroom and studio units will make up 70 percent of the apartments in the new, as-yet unnamed building.

“We think having a grocery and a variety of dining and shopping across the street is one of the most exciting things about the location,” says John Gray, director of Lennar Multifamily Investors in Charlotte.

The luxury apartments will include granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, and the outstanding amenities that will be available to residents will consist of a pool, yoga room, fitness center, spin room, dog spa and a coffee-shop area for residents who work from home.

The first units in the new complex are expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Starkey Mortgage Launches New National Builder Division with Great Success

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Starkey LogoWhile new home sales and buyer confidence begin to rise again after the market downturn, Starkey Mortgage (WR Starkey Mortgage, LLP NMLSR# 2146) has created a new division devoted entirely to helping home builders drive traffic to their communities by utilizing the most successful marketing, advertising and promotions.

The Texas-based mortgage company has aligned with community home builders and homebuyers through the economic downfall and understands that many home builders do not have the in-house resources or marketing departments required to help them effectively market their communities. Starkey Mortgage’s southeastern U.S. division developed the unique and innovative Builder Services program in response to this unfulfilled niche, which offers professional marketing assistance to small to mid-sized builders.

As a mortgage banker, Starkey Mortgage originates, processes, underwrites, closes and funds residential mortgage loans in the Starkey Mortgage name. This is an advantage over mortgage brokers who must rely on their investors to underwrite and close loans. Another benefit is the operations and underwriting is located in the branches with the loan officers. This “in-house” authority provides the company with increased control over the mortgage process, which results in superior customer service.

Debra Watt, Senior Vice President and East Regional Manager, explained, “The extensive support from the Builder Services Division allows our loan officers to focus on the homebuyers, resulting in a smoother sales cycle and a positive partnership between all parties for the long term.”

After a successful first year in the southeast region, the Builder Services Division has expanded nationally, developing and servicing relationships in North and South Carolina, Virginia, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

Randee Black with Starkey Mortgage

To spearhead this division, the company recruited Randee Black in early summer 2012. With a background in marketing, graphic design and social media, paired with her mortgage-business expertise, she has been a tremendous asset to Starkey Mortgage’s success. “Being able to offer the tools and resources needed to successfully market to home builders allows us to become a part of the builder’s sales force through customized, co-branded solutions, on-site coverage and training to help generate traffic to the new home communities we service,” said Black. The Builder Services division has since grown, and provides full, in-house graphic design, communications and social media support.

With branch offices across multiple regions, the National Builder Division is able to facilitate clients locally, providing regional depth, area knowledge and consistent availability. With the uptick in housing starts, home values and employment growth, the Builder Services team continues to focus its efforts in North and South Carolina, and has built strong relationships with several builders primarily within the Triad, Raleigh, Charlotte, Columbia and Charleston markets.

Through the use of effective social media, digital and print marketing efforts, the National Builder Division strives to capture the builder’s message and help to transform it into a clear, concise message to homebuyers and real estate agents. Services include marketing, brand strategy, digital/online presence, media and press campaigns and marketing collateral with financing scenarios.

For more information on Starkey Mortgage’s Builder Services Division, please contact Randee Black at rblack@starkeymtg.com, 678-350-9041 or visit www.starkeybuilderservices.com.

Equal Housing Lender. Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee. 7000 Central Pkwy. NE, Suite 1440, Atlanta, GA 30328.

StrucSure Home Warranty Presents Platinum Builder Award to O’Dwyer Homes

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Cindy Huber and Dan O'Dwyer

Cindy Huber and Dan O'Dwyer

StrucSure Home Warranty is proud to announce it has presented Dan O’Dwyer, President of O’Dwyer Homes, with its Platinum Builder Award. This award represents a mark of excellence and designates O’Dwyer Homes among the top builder members in the country. Obtaining a Platinum Builder designation with StrucSure Home Warranty is an accolade that is presented to builders who have maintained a high level of customer satisfaction and have shown exemplary building practices and strong industry involvement.

Dan O’Dwyer is a licensed home builder in the state of Georgia, is a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (GAHBA) and is a member of the prestigious Certified Professional Home Builders Program (CPHB). In 2006, O’Dwyer Homes was recognized by its peers with a Builder of the Year award from the GAHBA at the annual OBIE Awards. Dan O’Dwyer gives back to his community by maintaining an active roll with HomeAid Atlanta, a non-profit organization that provides shelter to homeless women and their children.

Over the past 20-plus years, O’Dwyer Homes has built more than 1,000 homes in the Atlanta metro area. Each home has been constructed with careful attention to detail, quality construction and the latest trends in building practices. As a builder who is focused on energy efficiency, every home built by O’Dwyer Homes is Energy Star certified by a third-party. O’Dwyer Homes’ customer satisfaction program represents the epitome of excellence recognized by the StrucSure Home Warranty Platinum Builder program.

O’Dwyer Homes goes above and beyond in ensuring their customers are satisfied and protected with third-party, insurance-backed structural warranty coverage from StrucSure Home Warranty. “In a competitive housing market, this is a must have to attract buyers and close the sale,” said Donna Steakley, Director of Marketing for O’Dwyer Homes.  “The entire O’Dwyer Homes team always focuses on putting the customer first while demonstrating the highest level of integrity and providing exceptional customer service from the beginning to end of the buying process,” commented Steakley.

“Our relationship with StrucSure is very important in today’s home buying environment,” commented Dan O’Dwyer. “The additional comfort in having warranty protection from StrucSure Home Warranty when buying a home is an added benefit to our homebuyers.”

“Having O’Dwyer Homes as one of our select Platinum home builders is an honor. Dan has weathered the downturn in the market by applying smart business and risk management practices. We work closely with him to ensure that each new homeowner has a positive customer experience,” said Cindy Huber, V.P. of Sales for the Eastern Division of StrucSure Home Warranty.

About StrucSure Home Warranty

For more than 16 years, StrucSure Home Warranty has been providing builders, remodelers and contractors with warranty products that deliver peace of mind. Our warranties protect our clients from expensive claims, liabilities and legal fees, and offers their clients peace of mind through third-party, insurance- backed warranty protection. Just like any risk management product, the hope is that you’ll never need it, but when a problem emerges, you’ll be glad you’re covered!

For more information, call Cindy Huber, Vice President of Sales, Eastern Division, at 770-363-7823, email chuber@strucsure.com or visit www.strucsure.com.

Do I Need Identity Theft Insurance?

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Faster recovery with identity theft protection

Faster recovery with identity theft protection

You’ve probably seen advertisements for identity theft insurance. Have you wondered what it really is and if it’s something you need?

The insurance pros over at the Equifax Finance blog recently covered the topic of identity theft insurance in the article, “

Do I need Identity Theft Insurance?”

Here’s the rundown: Identity theft insurance is niche insurance, for those people who are concerned about the costs involved with repairing their identity should a theft ever occur. Recovering from identity theft can be costly in time and in money. Identity theft insurance can’t actually stop a theft, of course. It just helps reimburse individuals for the costs of restoring their identity, like phone bills, lost wages, notary costs, certified mail costs, and possible even attorney’s fees. The insurance also usually provides access to services that can also help. If you are interested in purchasing identity theft insurance, be sure you know what you are buying. Get all the details on policies from several different companies, comparing price, coverage, limits and deductibles.

If you have been a victim of identity theft, call one of the three major credit reporting agencies to request a fraud alert (whichever agency you contact will alert the other two agencies, so you only need to call one). Order a copy of your

credit report so you can see what is going on.

Get more identity theft protection information at the Equifax Finance blog.

When Can You Buy a Home After a Foreclosure

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By recovering your credit ratings after foreclosure, you can become a homeowner again.

By recovering your credit ratings after foreclosure, you can become a homeowner again.

Many Americans were forced into a foreclosure or short sale over the past few years due to job loss, decreased incomes and declining home values. The market is recovering now and homeowners who did fall victim to foreclosure or short sale may now be wondering when they will be able to purchase a home. The real estate pros at the Equifax Finance blog addressed this question in the recent article, “

Can I Buy a Home After a Short Sale or Foreclosure?”

According to the article, when is the right question, not if. Homeownership is a smart idea but buyers will have to demonstrate the ability to pay for a mortgage with proof of sufficient and stable income, the willingness to pay based on credit ratings and the ability to provide a sufficient down payment. But when depends on individual circumstances. In order to buy a home again, “you must focus diligently on improving your credit and saving money.” There are five variables that go into your ability to secure financing on a home:

  • Duration of delinquency – the longer your short sale or foreclosure proceedings took, the worse
  • Deficiency judgments – how much unpaid negative debt you were left with on your

    credit ratings after your short sale or foreclosure

  • Interest rate – a lower credit score may mean a higher interest rate, which can make a big difference on a major purchase like a home; waiting until you can get a better interest rate can save you thousands of dollars
  • Down payment – a higher down payment may be required; some rules require down payments of up to 20 percent (saving that much will take some time)
  • Waiting period – many major investors and mortgage insurers have set rules on how long a borrower has to wait after a foreclosure or other housing problem, from two to seven years, depending on your situation

Get the full article on the Equifax Finance blog, and while you’re there, get more personal finance advice on topics like retirement, taxes, credit and more.