We’ve been getting a lot of action in the neighborhood of Sophies South in Andover these days. Here at Accent Homes, we firmly believe it’s because of our fabulous designs. In truth, it’s probably a combination of that and the fact that we’re on the home stretch of the $8,000 Federal Housing Tax Credit for first-time homebuyers.

That could explain why we have sold two homes there prior to being completed. And we met with another couple just yesterday about a home under construction in the same neighborhood. I think the housing market is beginning to heat up.

If you’re not familiar with the federal stimulus tax credit, here’s how it works…

A tax credit of up to $8,000 is available for first-time home buyers purchasing before April 30, 2010. In cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify.

But what about repeat homebuyers? Accent Homes has properties that appeal to second- and third-time homeowners, too. Although the cap is somewhat less, it may be just what you need to help you make your final decision — especially if you don’t have a home to sell.

A tax credit of up to $6,500 is available for repeat home buyers who have owned a home for five consecutive years out of the prior eight years. The repeat homebuyer tax credit applies to houses sold before April 30, 2010. In cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify.

If you’re thinking about making a move, we’d be happy to tell you more. Visit Accent Homes website>>

And if you want to take advantage of the tax credit, give one of our New Home Sales Consultants a call at 763.784.6013

Special Note: You know the third buyer mentioned at the beginning of this article? They signed a purchase agreement, too!

Stop by our Sophies South model during the Parade of Homes Spring Preview March 5 – 28 and discover why all of these buyers are so attracted to Accent Homes. For home details and driving directions, go to>>

For more information about the Federal Tax Credit, Go to>>

Source of Tax Credit Information: National Association of Home Builders

As parents of a 2 ½-year-old, Tom and Laura had been searching for the perfect neighborhood where there would be lots of children. They have long been fans of the Lakes of Blaine and the Parade of Homes and when they began touring homes during the Fall Parade of ’09, they quickly became fans of Accent Homes.

“We had been looking at a lot of ramblers,” says Tom. “But when we stepped inside Accent’s model, we finally found a home that met all of our needs.”



Inviting Entrance

Tom and Laura were impressed from the moment they pulled up to the home. “The outside of the house is extremely attractive,” says Tom. “And the lot backs up to a wooded area, which really appealed to us.” Then they stepped inside. “The designers really nailed the openness of the floor plan,” continues Tom. “The living room, dining room and kitchen are like one, and we immediately envisioned entertaining guests and family holidays.”

Entertaining Space

The couple met Jim Kuiken, Accent’s lead design consultant and Ed Dropps, company vice president that day and discovered more attractive features, particularly in the areas of energy savings, with their MNGreenStar distinction. “There’s in-floor radiant heating in the lower-level entertainment area,” says Tom. “All of the duct work and pipes are wrapped to make the house cleaner and warmer. And we found we don’t even have to turn up the heat on the main floor, it stays so comfortable.” But there’s one feature Tom loves to talk about most. “The underground sprinkler system is tuned into the national weather service, so it’s programmed to come on when we need rain,” laughs Tom. “Everyone gets a kick out of that feature … but it makes so much sense.”

Lower Level Family Room

Tom and Laura really enjoyed working with Ed Dropps and Jim Kuiken on the purchase of their new home. “Jim is fantastic,” concludes Tom. “He added a mantle over the fireplace for us because it seemed a little too modern for our tastes. And they worked with us in other areas to make sure we were really happy.”

There’s no question the new homeowners are delighted with their new Accent Home at the Lakes in Blaine. They’ve been smiling since the day they moved in.

For more information about Accent Homes, visit our website>>

Or contact Ed Dropps at 763.784.6013

Click here for details and directions to Accent’s new model, which will be open during the Parade of Homes Spring Preview>>

A Striking Exterior

When last we visited Brunn’s remodeling project in Edina, the home was all studs and joists and beams and trusses and we had to use our imaginations to figure out what was going in where.

Check out the latest photos and update from Andy Brunn…

Gourmet Kitchen in the Making

“We are currently installing the cabinets, enameling the millwork, installing the siding, painting and staining and preparing for the floor to be installed,” says Andy.  “Since the last update, we’ve installed the stone, finished the drywall, installed all the trim, applied the basecoat of paint on all the walls and installed the siding on the rear and sides of the home.”

Bathroom Vanity

With the Remodelers Showcase a little more than three weeks away, it’s looking like we’re right on schedule to open our doors to the public.  Mark your calendars for March 26^th–28^th. Visit the Remodelers Showcase Website for home details and directions>>

Check out the crown molding above each doorway

Do you love your home and neighborhood but need an update, more space or a finished lower level? Visit our website to preview some of our work>> Or give us a call at 763-780-0323 and we’d be happy to come out and take a look.

Join Jeremy Skogquest and Troy Bednarz

at Our Parade of Homes Model

6369 Merrimac Lane in Prominence Creek

in Maple Grove as we talk about …

Kitchen Cabinets

Cabinet Designs for the Kitchen and Bath

Saturday, March 13^th from 2:00-5:00pm

Bathroom Cabinet Designs

Materials and Finishes—What’s New in Cabinets?

Sunday, March 21^st from 2:00-5:00pm

For more information about NIH Homes or a personal tour of our Prominence Creek model, call Jeremy Skogquist at 612-282-7094 and be sure and visit our website to preview other popular NIH neighborhoods>>

Tour Custom One Homes During the Parade of Homes

Spring Preview March 5 – 28

Be sure and add these two Woodbury addresses to your Spring Preview “must see” list:

• 1591 Deephaven Drive in Dancing Waters>>
• 3430 Windmill Curve in Stonemill Farms>>

And Don’t Miss These Four Custom One Homes Events Created Especially for You:

FASCINATING, INFORMATIVE AND  FREE!

Interior Design Updates

Saturday, March 14^th from 1–4pm

1591 Deephaven Drive in Woodbury

Discover the latest in home decorating and staging. Our woman-centric interior designer will be here to answer questions and introduce ideas to improve the look and feel of your home.

“New Home Guarantee” Webinar

Thursday, March 18^th from 7–8pm (online seminar- webinar)

Discover how you can purchase the new Custom One home of your dreams without the stress of selling your current home. You can get more information on our Guaranteed New Home program and registration details by clicking on this link>>

Architectural Design for Today

Sunday, March 21^st from 1–4pm

3430 Windmill Curve in Woodbury

Layout is everything! If you’re looking for our ideas for your next home, our architectural designer will be on site to sit down with you. We’ll show you how your home should flow based on your needs. You never knew there were so many floor plan options that make so much sense. This is a great- no cost- opportunity to get professional design suggestions!

Cabinet Design Trends

Sunday, March 28th from 1-4pm

1591 Deephaven Drive in Woodbury

What finishes are the best-dressed cabinets wearing today? Our cabinet designer will be offering advice and answering questions on the latest in cabinetry. Come and see the latest in cabinet designs and finishes that will help you create the kitchen and bath appointments you’ve always wanted.

Want to learn more about Custom One Homes?

Visit our neighborhoods and models by clicking here>> or for more information, call Cheryl Mann at 651-459-1972, ext. 12 or email Cheryl by clicking here>>.

The Parade of Homes is a service mark of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities and used with permission.

At Home in Everwood

Leigh had read about Custom One Homes’ Women-Centric designs in the Star Tribune and was intrigued. She and her husband, Paul, had been contemplating a move, so they toured a model in Woodbury during the Parade of Homes. Although they found the home very impressive, it was a two-story and they needed a rambler.

Leigh has a sister with special needs who will move in with the couple some day and the two wanted to build a home they would love that would be handicap accessible for Paula. Rob Fritz, Custom One Homes’ New Home Specialist suggested Leigh and Paul take a look at one of their rambler models in Everwood in Cottage Grove>> and they not only loved the model, they found a wooded homesite there that was perfect. So they began to make plans.

The Foyer

“Rob immediately started asking questions so he could understand how we envisioned our future and how we wanted our life to be,” says Leigh. “We began with Custom One’s Summit design>> and began modifying the plans to better suit our needs.”

Paul and Leigh felt a little intimidated at the thought of building their first home, but their anxieties didn’t last long. “Custom One Homes’ process is so good and so well-organized that we never felt overwhelmed,” says Leigh. “The decisions we had to make didn’t happen all at once, and it all came together quite nicely.”

“Working with Custom One Homes president, Mike Rygh, was a truly great experience,” says Paul. “He stays very involved, is detail oriented and always has the big picture in mind.”

Paul and Leigh appreciated Mike’s practical side and he seemed to always have their best interests in mind. “Whenever Mike encountered a problem, he immediately set out to resolve it,” says Paul. “He also called it to our attention rather than have us discover it ourselves. We really admired him for that.”

Building a handicap-accessible home means anticipating every possible obstacle. “Mike noticed a threshold in the shower that would have been a barrier,” says Paul. “He took it out.” He also made suggestions that the couple hadn’t considered. “We have a finished lower level,” says Leigh. “Mike recommended we add a large closet on the lower level that matched the same square footage on the main floor. He said an elevator could be easily added to that space in the future if my sister is confined to a wheelchair.” Whenever they had a plan review he would bring things up and make suggestions.

The Kitchen

Paul and Leigh’s confidence in Custom One Homes was confirmed by the subcontractors who worked on their home. “Everyone we met talked about how much they enjoyed working for Mike,” says Paul. “That certainly says a lot about his integrity.”

Even the closing of their new home worked in Paul and Leigh’s favor. “We were given a move-in date and they stepped it up so that we could get in even earlier,” says Paul. “They even arranged to have the closing at their office for our convenience. We couldn’t be happier.”

If you’d like more information about Custom One Homes, visit our website>>

Or contact Rob Fritz — the New Home Specialist at 651-248-5491

Fred and Heidi

Fred and Heidi weren’t exactly in the market for a new home when they fell in love during the Parade of Homes Spring Preview in 2009 — at least not a home of this size and floor plan.  Instead they were contemplating downsizing, without a deadline in mind. One of their two sons is already in college and the second is graduating high school this spring. There was no real hurry.

“We came out to the Parade on a whim,” Heidi says with a laugh. “When we came through Custom One Homes Raleigh model>>, we knew we were doomed from the start.” Fred is quick to agree. “Heidi fell head over heels —but  I was afraid we’d be in over our heads.”

Grand Entrance

“When we walked around this house, we suddenly realized we weren’t ready for less square footage,” says Heidi. “The layout was perfect for us! Not too small when the boys are home — and not too large when we’re alone. I was hooked.”

Being a practical man, Fred decided they needed to see more homes to compare. “The problem was,” says Fred, “nothing else we saw measured up to a Custom One Home.”

They were both so impressed by the quality construction and attention to detail. “It’s the little things in this house that, once you discover them, you see every other house as imperfect,” says Fred.

Because their current home wasn’t even on the market, Fred and Heidi met with Custom One Homes Specialist, Jeremiah Rygh about their New Home Guarantee>> — a plan where the builder buys your home if it isn’t sold by the time the new home closes. “The New Home Guarantee really made the process worry-free,” says Heidi. “Just knowing our move-in date made everything less stressful.”

Foyer and Stairway

Heidi and Fred also have nothing but good things to say about living in the community of Stonemill Farms. “I wish we had come here earlier, when the boys were younger,” says Heidi. “We love the walking paths, the gym and other amenities I know we’ll use this summer. There’s such a great sense of community here.”

Gourmet Kitchen

Heidi beams as she talks about their new Custom One Home by Mike Rygh. “I can’t imagine not living in a Mike Rygh home now,” says Heidi. “Everything is taken care of. It would be really hard to go back to a lesser built home.”  Fred agrees that their new home is a dream come true. “Heidi says, ‘I keep thinking someone is going to wake us up and ask for their home back,’” laughs Fred. “But it’s our home, and we’re here to stay.”

For more information on Custom One Homes by Mike Rygh, visit our website>> Or call Jeremiah Rygh, New Home Specialist, at 651-592-6211

The Groundbreaking

When talking with Mary about constructing a new home with her husband, Michael, and their almost two-year-old twins, one can’t help but be excited with them and for them. Her enthusiasm about working with Jeremy Skogquist and NIH Homes is contagious. Here’s their story…

Mary and Michael had been living in their Champlin townhome since ’06 and, when their boy/girl twins were born, they naturally started thinking about school districts and family neighborhoods. “We wanted a rambler in a family friendly community and we wanted the Wayzata school district,” begins Mary. “Prominence Creek seemed like the perfect neighborhood, so we began interviewing builders there.”

Mary had talked to three other builders in other developments as well as in Prominence Creek before meeting the Skogquist family of builders. “When we met Jeremy and his dad, I liked them immediately,” says Mary. “Jeremy is so calm and laid back — not at all pushy. And because he put more of a focus on what WE wanted rather than on himself and his company, choosing NIH Homes was an easy decision.”

“I’ve got a real good gut instinct with people and

when we met Jeremy Skogquist,

I knew immediately he’d be our builder.”

– Mary

Jeremy invited Mary to take the Woman-Centric quiz to discover her design personality, which she thought was a fun and fascinating part of the experience. “I am a Claire through and through,” says Mary. “I love the details and I love the process.”  Needless to say, she is jumping in with both feet.

Mary and Michael began looking at floor plans. They wanted all of the bedrooms to be on the main floor and, although Mary initially wanted the children to be right next to their master suite, Michael convinced her that as they grew older, they wouldn’t need to be so close-by. Now the kids’ bedrooms are on the opposite side of the house and each have their own full bath. “When you think of it as building a forever house,” says Mary, “the future lays out differently.”

Right now Mary and Michael are thinking of the future more in terms of their move-in date. They’ve been living in an 1100 square foot apartment since November 12^th and are getting a little stir-crazy. “I told Jeremy that I want him to tell us that they built our house faster than any other,” says Mary. Right now they’re planning for May 14^th or even earlier.

Visit our model in Prominence Creek and see what attracted Mary and Michael to the neighborhood and NIH Homes. Click here for details and directions>>

What is your design personality? Click here to take our fun Woman-Centric quiz right now>>

“How to Get Top Dollar When Selling Your Home in a Tough Market”

Have you reached a stall in selling your home?

Do you know how to attract buyers in this economy?

Are you presenting your home in the best light?

Today’s real estate market is a challenging one for sure. Competing with so many other homes for sale requires that you get up to speed on all of the latest methods for pricing, marketing and showing your home to ensure you get the greatest return on your investment.

Join us on Sunday, February 21^st from 2:00 – 4:00 pm

for an inspiring, innovative seminar presented by

NIH Homes and our Real Estate Partners at:

6369 Merrimac Lane in Prominence Creek

Maple Grove

NIH Homes Prominence Creek Model

Click here to view Prominence Creek>> and for driving directions

Presenting:

• Realtor® Tips: “Top 10 for Top Dollar” starring Alan and Jennifer Kortan
• Home Staging Tips: Introduced by Julie Davis and Amy Blank of Rediscovered Interiors
• NIH Homes Guaranteed Sale Program: Presented by Jeremy Skogquist

See it and Sell it!

For more information, call

Jeremy Skogquist
Office: 763. 441 .1945
Cell: 612 .282 .7094
Email: jeremy@nihhomes.com