Pioneer Homes News

As Florida’s high-velocity wind zone continues to move further inland, Pioneer has been proactive by installing impact-resistant windows and doors in all of our new home construction.  As opposed to the minimum building code alternative requiring the homeowner to store and install plywood, panels or shutters, Pioneer gives 24-hour hurricane protection without the hassle.

Impact-resistance glass is defined as two separate panels bonded with an extremely durable polymer core, which complies with the latest hurricane codes.  All of our windows are put to the test by withstanding the impact of a wooden 2x4 at the rate of 50 feet per second without allowing penetration into the home. In addition to the piece of mind from wind and debris, impact glass has many other advantages to the homeowner:

1. Theft security from unwanted guests
2. UV protection for drapes & carpet
3. Sound barrier to outside noise
4. Lower insurance & energy costs
5. Opens up storage without the need of plywood or panels

With building codes constantly changing on our Gulf coast, Pioneer is dedicated to keep in front of our requirements and truly excited to offer a home with worry-free protection combined with energy-star efficiency.

Pioneer homes has proven to be part of the upward trend happening in the housing market. This year Pioneer Homes has built 7 new homes and spring has just begun!

"This spring will be the litmus test for housing demand," says Steven Ricchiuto, chief economist for Mizuho Securities USA. The spring season typically runs March through June but may have started early this year because of unseasonably warm weather.

While last year was dismal for existing home sales, this year is looking better. Existing home sales in February were up 9% from the same time a year ago, as was the Pending Home Sale Index, which reflects signed contracts leading to sales, says the National Association of Realtors.

Meanwhile, Realtors' confidence in the single-family home market is the highest in four years, according to a late February NAR survey of 4,300 agents. Coldwell Banker says its website's traffic was up 47% in February from last year.

This spring season "will be the best in four or five years," says economist Paul Dales of Capital Economics.

USA Today Money 

Buying is more affordable than renting in 98 out of the nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas -- even in New York, Los Angeles and Boston, according to real estate company Trulia's rent vs. buy index.

The index is based on asking prices for rental units and homes for sale on the company's website between Dec. 1, 2011, and Feb. 29. But as they turn to renting, the influx of demand squeezes the nation's rental supply, pushing monthly rents higher.

The nation's median rent stands at $712 per month -- well above the average monthly mortgage cost of $647, Paul Dales, senior economist at Capital Economics, recently found. He estimated decreased vacancies in the home-rental market will push average rental rates up as much as 5 percent by early 2013, compared to 2.4 percent in January.

By Justin T. Hilley

 

Florida is pretty amazing. People by the millions come to Florida on spring break from around the world for a slice of sunshine. There are lots of sights and activities that deserve your attention. If you have never been to Florida imagine all the places you haven't seen yet. Below are just a few places and events that make Florida the eclectic place it is. There is so much to do for visitors and residents!


Beach Party at Honeymoon Island

One of the world's most beautiful beaches is close to home, and part of the reason Caladesi Island has remained so lovely is that it is only accessible by water. Start your excursion by taking the causeway from Dunedin to Honeymoon Island State Park in north Pinellas County. You can skimboard, bird watch, fish, snorkel, picnic or just catch some rays. From Honeymoon, catch the ferry to Caladesi. Island!
Bring your pup, too, because there's a dog park on the south beach. Animals are also allowed on the marked trails and in the picnic area. For more information visit floridastateparks.org/honeymoonisland.

Seats at the Spring Training Baseball Game

The warm spring weather is prime baseball training conditions. The Tampa Bay area is home of The Phillies and Blue Jays spring training grounds. They practice and play at their own local training stadiums! At Clearwater’s Bright House field The Phillies play teams like The Ray’s, Red Sox, Yankees, The Braves, and much more! The Phillies have been training in Clearwater, Florida since 1948. Carpenter Field, which was built in 1967, is used in Spring Training by the Phillies' major league and Minor League players, along with teams in the Florida State League, Gulf Coast Rookie League and the Florida Instructional League. For more ballpark information visit www. philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com.

Tubing Down Rainbow River

Float along glass-clear water on the Rainbow River, two hours north of Tampa, with your legs dangling over an inner tube and your rear end in the water. It's sweet relief in the sticky summer, for sure, and a taste of Florida country. Bring your own tube or rent one at K.P. Hole Park in Dunnellon in Marion County. For more information go to www.kphole.com.

For more things to do in this beautiful state visit www.tampabaytimes.com

Builders often refer to the exterior of a home as the "envelope" or the "shell." Sealing the envelope or shell against air infiltration (air leaking into the house from outside) and air exfiltration (air leaking from inside the house to the outside) helps reduce your energy expenditure for space heating and cooling. Besides, no one likes to live in a drafty house.

In this article, we'll show you a variety of ways you can seal leaks and improve insulation to make your home cozier and more energy efficient. Once you've sealed and insulated the weak areas, the work doesn't stop there. We'll show you how routine cleaning and water conservation can increase energy efficiency and save you even more money on your energy bills.

Begin the improvement process with the following basic sealing guidelines to help you secure your home's exterior.

• Testing for Leaks
• Checking Exterior Sheathing
• Filling Holes Around Lines
• Caulking the Exterior
• Securing the Perimeter
• Baseboards and Floors
• Gaskets Can Block Drafts
• Attics and the Stack Effect
• Door Sweeps and Adjustable Thresholds
• The Garage and House Interface
• Sealing Leaks

For detailed, step by step instructions, and to veiw this full article visit www.howstuffworks.com. 

The numbers have proven a continuing increase in the building and sales of homes in the United States. Also, the supply of homes on the market has plunged to 2.3 million, the lowest level the US has seen in 6 years. Fewer homes on the market could help bolster prices over time, another reason for buyers who are in the market for a home to act now.

“The rise in existing home sales in recent months adds to the indication from housing starts, building permits, and homebuilder sentiment that the sector has improved modestly since the middle of 2011,” said John Ryding, an economist at RDQ economics.

These trends are obviously upward. Single-family home sales rose 3.8 percent in January, also a positive sign. And the number of first-time buyers, who are critical to a housing recovery, increased slightly to make up 33 percent of all sales (New York Times).
Home sales have risen close to 13% over the last six months. The turn around of the housing market is not going to happen over night but statistics have proven a continuous and consistent improvement in the sales and building of new homes in the US.

The U.S. housing market will begin to mount a turnaround this year, building toward a solid recovery in 2013, according to a forecast issued Wednesday by the chief economist of a homebuilding industry trade group.

The outlook by National Association of Home Builders chief economist David Crowe calls for U.S. sales of new homes and single-family home construction to improve this year compared to 2011, when they hit record lows. "I'm looking at 2012 as sort of a ramping event to get a much more solid recovery in 2013," Crowe said in a telephone interview.

The economist, who presented his forecast at the trade association's annual conference in Orlando, sees sales of new, single-family homes climbing 19 percent this year to 360,000, up from 303,000 last year.

Next year, he expects those sales to rise by a whopping 40 percent to 505,000 www.TampaBayTimes.com.

Pioneer Homes has built a showcase home for those looking to move right away. Did you just sell your home and only have 30 days to move? Is your lease up soon and are you done throwing your money away on rent? This week’s featured town home is perfect for you! 
                
This two story Willow Home is located at one of Palm Harbor’s premier communities. Harbor Ridge is close to boat ramps, restaurants, golf courses, and shopping. The brand new kitchen comes with 42 inch wood cabinets, granite countertops, a clean steel and black appliances package, and ceramic tile floors throughout. This home is also in a great location facing the communities pond. All of our town homes come with a garage, security alarm system, energy star certification, plus a builder warranty that you would not get with a re-sold home.

 

 

Purchase this home and you will no longer have to worry about cutting the grass or cleaning the pool. Plus, our HOA fees include basic cable, water, and sewer. This featured home can simply be described as convenient, fresh, and affordable. The price of this home is $189,605. For a limited time we will offer 8,000 dollars off the already low price making the Willow showcase only $181,605. For more information on this quick move in home go to http://www.pioneerhomesfla.com/communities/harbor-ridge-townhomes.

 

                                       

 

There are many signs based off the growth of the housing market that Florida’s economy is improving.

The inventory of homes for sale has fallen to levels not seen for years. This means the lower the supply of homes the stronger the market. Realtors are noticing more people wanting to put their homes on the market and not because they have to but because they want to. These homeowners are not in distress which means their home are not neglected and will sell faster. "It's opening a whole new category of buyers," Chadwick said. "These people have been on the sidelines for four years waiting to sell. This is exciting." To read more on this upward trend visit www.Tampa Bay.com.

In addition to lower inventory and qualified buyers, interest rates are at an all time low. When it’s time to sell it’s time to buy! All signs point to a positive year for Florida’s economy. "It's a clear indication that we have felt the bottom of the market," said Kevin Chadwick, a 30-year Realtor and owner of six Keller Williams offices with more than 400 agents in Tampa Bay. "The market is in the process of turning. We're right at the change point," he said. "There's a lot of positive signs that we're pushing further away from the bottom." Tampa Bay Times.

There’s only one place to go from here and that’s up! The worst may be over for Tampa Bay's housing market.