10 Places Where Americans Are Moving

There's a reason St. George continues to be the "place" to live year after year...

 "Nestled in a picturesque valley surrounded by red sandstone cliffs, this Southern Utah city has drawn nearly 50,000 new residents in the past decade with its pleasant weather, scenic golf courses and small-town feel. Although St. George is often thought of as a popular retirement spot, the area attracts all age groups."  Among the 366 metropolitan areas tracked by the U.S. Census Bureau, St. George was one of these 10 areas that grew the fastest over the past decade."

http://www.frontdoor.com/buy/10-places-where-americans-are-moving/pictures/pg133

Photo by Russell Behrmann

Organization = Focus

Researchers at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute published the results of a study they conducted relating directly to organized living. In short, the results state:  When your environment is cluttered & disorganized, the chaos restricts your ability to focus and limits your brain’s ability to process information.

Clutter makes you distracted and unable to process information as well as you do in an uncluttered, organized, and serene environment. This research shows that you will be less irritable, more productive, distracted less often, and able to process information better with an uncluttered and organized home and office.

At American Heritage Homes, our goal is to build homes for our clients that will add to the value of their life, and organized living is one way to accomplish this goal.

Check out our latest home where laundry room organization was an important goal of this happy homeowner.

www.americanheritagehomes.com

HOMEOWNER QUESTION ANSWERED...

After our "March Maintenance" blog, we received questions about the importance of changing air filters regularly – questions which we hope to answer here...

In Southern Utah, Spring is knocking at the door!  Before we know it, it will be that time of year again – the time to flip your air conditioner "on" to prepare for those HOT SUMMER DAYS.  Since we're pretty sure we have said goodbye to winter, it would be a great idea to check your filter before your HVAC system starts to move large amounts of air through your ducts and into your home again.

During the upcoming months, changing your furnace filters regularly is going to be extremely important in order to keep the air quality in your home safe and healthy. 

How often should you replace your air filters?

It’s important you at least inspect them once a month and change them every three months. Remember: this is at minimum – you may need to change them as often as once a month.

Why do you need to change your filters so often?

Did you know that your air filters actually have a pretty major effect on not only your indoor air quality but also on the way your furnace operates?  It’s important you keep on top of changing your air filters for a number of reasons.

As your filter collects various bits of dust, pet dander, pollen, etc., it starts to get clogged. Over time, the clog can build up and make it much more difficult for air to pass through. This causes the blower to work harder, increasing your energy bill and eventually causing the blower motor to overheat and burn out.

In addition, the reduction in airflow means it will take longer to heat and cool your home. If the filters get too stopped up and your airflow gets too bad, there’s a chance many rooms farther away from the HVAC system won’t get any air at all!

Changing your furnace filters regularly – at least every three months but preferably every month – is the best thing you can do to ensure proper furnace operation all winter long. Don’t let dirty filters harm your indoor air quality and your furnace components – change your filters often.  Replacement filters are available
through most hardware stores.

2011 Numbers Are In...and GUESS WHAT??

Utah year-end home sales are the highest they've been in

3 years!!

“We’re seeing higher sales because of increased homebuyer confidence, affordable home prices, stronger employment and record-low interest rates,” said Lori Chapman, president of the Utah Association of Realtors.

"For the year as a whole, sales gains were particularly strong in several counties. Among the more populated areas, sales increases were in the double digits - Washington County up 11.9..."

“Based on these figures and recent forecasts, we expect the trend of rising sales to continue into this year,” Chapman said.

 “A new report from Fiserv and Moody’s Analytics predicts Utah home prices will have increased by the end of summer, with the state having the seventh-highest appreciation in the country.”

So...what does this mean to you?

RIGHT "NOW" IS THE TIME TO BUILD YOUR NEW

DREAM HOME...

We would be honored to build this dream for YOU!!

Read the full story at:

http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20120307/BUSINESS/120307003/Washington-County-home-sales-up-11-9-percent-2011?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage

It's Official..

It's official, today we became members of the Southern Utah Home Builders Association...


American Heritage Homes was excited to join this association because "SUHBA MEMBERS DON'T JUST LIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY....THEY VOLUNTEER & MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO BETTER OUR COMMUNITY!"

Check out how SUHBA members care about their community...here is just a small sample of the many contributions that have been made to better our community.

• Fundraising and Building of the Doctors' Free Clinic
• Help Build Habitat for Humanity Homes, Fundraising Efforts, & Donations
• Extensive Involvement in the 2005 Flood Relief Efforts
• Built the Fire Safety Training House
• Help Build the Childrens' Justice Center
• Improvements to the DOVE Center
• Remodeled St. George Musical Theater
• Home Remodels and Improvements to Help the Disabled
• Construction Career Days to Promote Industry to High School Students
• Built Play Houses and Dog Houses to Benefit Habitat for Humanity
• Annual Food Drive for Dixie Care & Share at Christmas Banquet

At American Heritage Homes, we are excited to be apart of an organization that who has a mission of "building communities - contributing to the growth, prosperity and quality of life these exceptional communities have come to enjoy."

Interested in learning more about SUHBA?

Check out their site at:  http://www.suhba.com/

OPTIMISM...OPTIMISM...OPTIMISM...

What a powerful word....."OPTIMISM."


Defined as:


optimism [ˈɒptɪˌmɪzəm]

n

1. the tendency to expect the best and see the best in all things

2. hopefulness; confidence

The 22nd Annual St. George Area Parade of Homes was a SUCCESS!  At American Heritage Homes, we visited with hundreds of people over the course of 10 days...it was terrific to meet old and new friends alike.


Organizers with the parade state:  "the mood was the best it had been since the onset of the Great Recession, with builders reporting good crowds and parade-goers expressing more interest in buying."


This is fantastic news for Washington County...


Check out the full story at:  


http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20120227/NEWS01/202270313/Optimism-apparent-during-St-George-Area-Parade-Homes?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage

"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be 
much use being anything else."            

~ Winston Churchill

March Maintenance

"March Maintenance" Is In The Air!

Spring is in the air!  (Well, at least in Southern Utah it is) and the month of March is the perfect time to check out all those little things that you haven't thought much about during the winter months.

At American Heritage Homes, we feel that a maintained home is a great way to protect one of your largest financial investments.

Here's a quick list of "March Maintenance" items that we recommend...

• Change out your HVAC filter
• Test your Smoke Detector
• Gutters & Roofing
• Clean your gutters and make sure your downspouts are clear & water flows freely
• Clean any debris off your roof, especially the valleys and ridge vents. While you are up there check your roof for any missing or damaged shingles/tar/tile, cracked or missing chunks of tar, rubber or silicone and make any small roof repairs required now
• Clean and inspect your decks for damage or rot – now is a great time of year to re-stain your deck
• Check all the hand rails and steps to make sure they are clean, safe, and secure 
• While you are still outside, check the siding and doors – caulk & install new weather stripping as needed 
• Get your AC system serviced either later this month or early April, so that when it is needed it works This is also a good time to review and see if a new unit would be a good option (make sure to double check with your accountant on any tax credits available for doing this)
• For those with Basement’s....
• Check your basement for cracks or leaks, and get them repaired
• If you have a sump pump, test, clean and lubricate it

Whew!  This may seem like an overwhelming list, but remember...

A HAPPY Home = A HAPPY Homeowner (you!)  

As always, please stay safe; if you feel uncomfortable, do not understand how to complete a task, etc… please call in a professional. We at American Heritage Homes do not want to see or hear that you have been hurt or injured. If you are in need of a point in the right direction, we have many professionals within our team, ready to help you, so feel free to give us a call. 

PS...On a different note, here are some fun "March 1st" facts for you (just in case you are ever selected to be on a game show and they ask you "Name one thing that happened on March 1st.".....

• March 1, 1803 - Ohio becomes 17th state
• March 1, 1872 - Yellowstone National Park is established as the world's first national park
• March 1, 1961 - The Peace Corps is established by US President John F. Kennedy
• March 1, 1962 - K-Mart opens it doors

Make it a great day!!
http://www.americanheritagehomesut.com/