FINAL HOMES AND MODELS NOW SELLING AT GATED BRIO IN LA HABRA

LA HABRA, CA – Only a few of the exceptionally stylish single-family homes remain at the intimate, gated new home community of Brio by TRI Pointe Homes, including the beautifully fully furnished and designer landscaped models.  Located in the desirable, conveniently located town of La Habra in Orange County, Brio offers a priceless value and unmatched opportunity but home buyers need to act fast before they are sold out.  Visit today and see why 82 homes have sold since March of this year with attractive pricing on the final remaining homes from the low $500,000s and the models being in the mid $500,000s.

Distinctive two story open floor plans range from 1,744 to 2,246 square feet. Offering three to five bedrooms and up to three baths, discover lifestyle-enhancing features such as gourmet island kitchens and family-friendly great rooms. Home shoppers will appreciate extras in select plans such as tech center, loft, optional office and optional bedrooms.

A host of impressive refinements include granite kitchen countertops, European-style white Thermofoil cabinets and Whirlpool® stainless steel appliances. Master suites make luxury an everyday experience with walk-in closets, extra-deep soaking tubs and separate showers with clear glass enclosures and frameless door.

Discover the latest innovation in today’s technology with advanced wiring including RG6 and CAT5e cables for high-speed computer connections as well as cable TV and telephone. In addition, forced-air heating and climate-controlled air conditioning are regulated by digital set-back thermostats.

Maximum energy efficiency and lower utility bills are ensured by tankless water heater, radiant barrier roof sheathing, Energy Star dishwasher, Low-E window glass and numerous other environmentally friendly features.

The superb location of Brio is directly across the street from La Habra’s Portola Park with three baseball diamonds, 12 lighted tennis courts, two daycare centers with playground facilities, the Children’s Museum at La Habra and the La Habra Depot Theater, which presents community productions throughout the year.

For more information about Brio visit www.TRIPointeHomes.com.

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THE TRUE LIFE COMPANIES CONTROLS OVER 7,000 LOTS IN JUST 18 MONTHS.

SAN RAMON, CA – Real estate continues to gain momentum in major metro markets across the country with sales and prices continuing their positive rise. Foreseeing this trend since 2009, The True Life Companies (TTLC) has positioned itself for success with a keen focus on acquiring prime real estate in targeted metro areas where they can fulfill the accelerating demand experienced by both home builders and retail consumers.

That demand has been heightened by several positive indicators, according to recent data provided by S&P Dow Jones for its S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, the leading measure of U.S. home prices, showing that the 10-City and 20-City Composites posted year-over-year gains of 13.6%, the highest gain since February 2006. The West continues to lead the housing recovery with top rankings in: San Francisco at 24.6%, Los Angeles at 22.2%, and San Diego at 19.7%, followed by Phoenix at 19%. Denver, another key market for TTLC in the top 20, is also looking strong at 9.5%.

Anticipating those trends, over the past 18 months, TTLC has aggressively cultivated prime residential land opportunities offering premier locations for homebuilders intent on satisfying the increasing demand in key metro markets in the Western U.S.  Since their most aggressive push began 18 months ago, TTLC has now grown their portfolio to over 7,000 lots sited on more than 8,000 acres. To continue its robust acquisition strategy, the company is working with private equity sources raising additional capital as it works to build their operation as the premier provider of lots and land to America’s top homebuilders.

In the realm of residential development opportunities, the company is targeting raw land and partially entitled land and lots, all of which can be developed into final mapped or platted lots, or finished lots ready for “just in time” delivery to home builders. The latest example of their success is Rancho Vistoso, a partially completed master plan in Oro Valley (NW Tucson), Arizona. The company acquired the majority of the final acreage available for development within the master plan, just under 200 acres, in August of 2012 and sold 123 acres of this prime infill residential property to Maracay Homes (Weyerhauser) in October 2013. This property is considered one of the best homebuilding opportunities in the region and attracted numerous offers from builders upon the initial acquisition by TTLC. “The sale to Maracay Homes is an excellent example of how TTLC has become a strong and important supplier of land to a major home builder.  Both TTLC and Maracay worked in concert to create a thoughtful acquisition structure for Maracay and jointly entitle the property to set the stage for what will be one of the area’s most exciting and creative new communities,” stated Taber Anderson, Chief Investment Officer of TTLC.

“The leadership team at The True Life Companies has created a fully integrated business platform that is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the tremendous opportunity that exists today in the residential land acquisition, entitlement and development field,” stated Scott Clark, CEO of TTLC. “We have a talented team of experienced professionals, an existing portfolio of properties acquired on very attractive terms, and a robust pipeline of new opportunities in escrow or under contract. Those advantages make The True Life Companies an ideal strategic partner for capital or investment firms seeking optimum ROI while gaining prime access to the single-family residential sector of the real estate industry.”

For more information regarding TTLC visit www.thetruelifecompanies.com or www.facebook.com/thetruelifecompanies.            

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COLOR TREND: RADIANT ORCHID IS THE 2014 COLOR OF THE YEAR

The design world waits every December for Pantone to announce the color of the next year. The hue that is chosen is supposed to embody emerging trends in the creative arts and capture the global imagination. Drum roll please…the news was released today that the color for 2014 is Radiant Orchid.  A magical color that promotes creativity and innovation.

To be sure, every year the color that is selected initially feels like a head scratcher for the design community because it isn’t a color they have been working with. Over the course of the year, the color seems to gain footing and we can’t imagine never having appreciated it before.

I’m looking at you 2013 Emerald. This coming year we will be working with a soft muted purple which means it won’t feel too girly. It will look deep and rich with your the whites and greys that typically dominate modern interiors as well as brown leathers and wood furniture. Don’t rule out pairing it with some subtle orange or green accents, its compliments on the color wheel (image via Design Decor).

So how can use Radiant Orchid in your modern interior?  The most obvious is to paint an accent wall or a portion thereof like the fireplace only (image via  Apartment Therapy).

Read the full article at Woodside Homes' Blog, Better by Design

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TRI POINTE HOMES AND KOVACH MARKETING RECEIVE SILVER AWARD FROM THE NATIONALS FOR ALTANA AT CIVITA IN SAN DIEGO

NEWPORT BEACH, CA – The Nationals, now in its 33^rd year, pays tribute to superior sales and marketing achievements in the building industry, presented by the National Sales and Marketing Council (NSMC), a council of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).  TRI Pointe Homes and Kovach Marketing, the marketing agency for the builder, received a Silver Award for Best Logo Design for Altana at Civita in San Diego, California. As one of the top vote recipients in the category, they are a finalist for the Gold Award to be presented at the awards ceremony on February 4, 2014 in Las Vegas.

“We are extremely excited to be among the five top logo designs chosen from across the nation,” said Dana Kovach, president and CEO of Kovach Marketing.  ““I want to congratulate TRI Pointe Homes on this exciting award and look forward to attending the awards ceremony in February. We thoroughly enjoy being part of their team and are thrilled for TRI Pointe Homes.”

Dana Kovach’s dedication to the building industry was recently exemplified by receipt of the  prestigious B.J. Stewart Women’s Achievement Award at the So Cal Awards 2013, attesting to .  her expertise in the building industry and a career spanning more than two decades. Kovach Marketing is a group of multidimensional, multi-talented professionals who have been providing effective marketing solutions for clients since 1990. Their “creative intelligence” processes of listening to clients, analyzing market trends and developing comprehensive programs to fully achieve the clients’ marketing objectives have garnered success for a long list of clients.  For more information please call (949) 757-2870 or visit them at www.KovachMarketing.com or at www.facebook.com/kovachmarketing.

TRI Pointe Homes is building communities throughout California and has now introduced the company’s first community outside California: The Debut Collection at Terrain in Castle Rock, Colorado.  TRI Pointe Homes demands insightful thinking anticipating and encompassing all the events and needs of the individuals and families who will live in a TRI Pointe Home. An ability to inspire the hundreds of experts who are involved in building our communities to take pride and care in their craftsmanship is essential to satisfying every homeowner's highest expectations. TRI Pointe Homes' core values of quality, integrity and excellence are the driving forces behind innovative designs that connect with the individual.  For more information, visit www.tripointehomes.com.

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KTGY GROUP AND KOVACH MARKETING SHARE BUYING MOTIVATIONS OF NEW HOME SHOPPERS AT IHAVE5QUESTIONS COFFEE SYMPOSIUM

IRVINE, CA- New home sales represent under 7% of all homes sold this year – a figure significantly below historic levels of 16-17% newly-built.  Despite that low number, consumer research company, iHave5Questions, says that now more than ever homebuilders need to listen to what new home shoppers are saying.  That's because their latest research of 67,000 new home shoppers surveyed in 150 cities across the nation reveals that 90% of people visiting new homes today are actually on a mission to buy.  This makes the motivators behind their purchase decision all the more important to understand.

iHave5Questions released their 2013 Homeshoppers' Survey, which delve into buying patterns including international buyers, age-qualified and multi-generational housing trends, condo conversion and luxury rental predictions as well as other basic consumer demands in home function and design. 

"Our research shows buyers gravitating to builders based on brand loyalty," said David Harding, chief research officer of iHave5Questions. "This is a surprising primary motivator as it has grown 5 times since last year's report. Brands that garner this support do not necessarily build the highest cost homes.  Consumers are saying that great brand loyalty is possible at every price of a new home."

This information is crucial for homebuilders as they look to draw in new buyers and perhaps change their traditional approach of leading with location, neighborhood size and amenities. In age-targeted communities especially, over 20% are primarily motivated to purchase because of a builder's brand and reputation, but are told more about the pools and the views. Consumers seldom care.  These findings present homebuilders the ability to focus their efforts into areas considered important by their consumers.

In addition to their direct consumer research, iHave5Questions has dug deep into homebuilding industry reports to pinpoint compelling trends.  These trends have a definite impact on the way that homebuilders plan for new potential buyers and broaden their understanding of market potential – especially as it relates to the international new homebuyer.  Key findings show that nationwide average sales price per owner-occupied residential breaks down as follows:

• $220,000 (American)
• $425,000 (Chinese nationals)
• $300,000 (Indian nationals)

"Homebuilders have long focused on buyers from China," says Harding.  "With this data, there is a huge opportunity to attract buyers from India – the world's largest democracy with an economy that is growing at twice the American clip and with buyers who cite California as their favorite state and greater Los Angeles as their top city to own a home and live in America.  The growing entrepreneur and middle class, from a country soon to be the world's most populous, can be a gold mine to those ready to properly serve this segment." 

Additional Findings

iHave5Questions is a consumer research company that specializes in quick, conversational lines of questioning  designed to reveal accurate and immediately-useable results to clients.   Homebuilders are able to gauge consumer reaction in real time, even while home shoppers are still at the models.

Additional findings from the 2013 Homeshoppers' Survey include:

• 90% of consumers surveyed did not say location was their primary motivator for buying a new home.
• 87% of ALL shoppers are more motivated by factors OTHER THAN the "deal" of price, interest rates, investment value, etc.
• Consumers are looking to buy bigger homes, not necessarily with more rooms, but with bigger rooms. Buyers want a more efficient space, which luckily is more efficient for builders too and can help lower construction costs.
• Over 70% of surveyed renters in luxury apartments have a pet. This statistic is interesting for builders who may add rental apartments to their business. As well, it empowers homebuilders to deliver pet-friendly amenities and regulations to compete with the luxury apartments also vying for this customer pool.
• 29% of these same renters said that wood floors are the most important attribute of their existing residence. To entice them to move to a new home, not having wood floors would be a deal breaker.

Because of the quick and accurate consumer data and feedback, iHave5Questions is delivering a powerful new tool to new homebuilders who typically rely upon consumer research that is 4 or more years old – half the duration of a typical business cycle.  By having this information so quickly at their fingertips, they can plan more efficiently and more importantly, be relevant to the ever-changing demands and interests of new home shoppers.

The findings from the report were revealed at the fourth annual iHave5Questions Coffee Symposium where a select group of opinion leaders and lead marketers in the new homebuilding industry received the critical data about new home buying trends.  The event was presented in conjunction with Kovach Marketing and KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture + Planning.

A bench of experts crafts questions customized to solve each client's burning issues.  This person-to-person approach garners some of the industry's highest capture ratios. Its proprietary, real-time download of results allow clients to respond to today's consumers...today and in real time.  Visit www.iHave5QsCoffee.com for more information.

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Discover New Luxury at Shea Homes’ Sausalito in Irvine, CA

IRVINE, CA – Situated in an artistic enclave amidst lush landscaping, Sausalito in the Village of Stonegate offers a superior address with a sense of place and community unlike any other. The exceptional, central location provides a sought after Irvine school district and the convenience of close proximity to world class dining, entertainment and employment.

The Irvine Unified School District consistently ranks among the finest educational systems in the nation. Irvine schools offer innovative educational programs, open-style classrooms, team-teaching, some schools with year-round terms, and excellent community involvement. Irvine students consistently lead Orange County in SAT test scores.

“Shea Homes invites families searching for a new luxury home to visit Sausalito and to fully appreciate these innovative, remarkable homes,” said Janet Benavidez, vice president of sales and marketing.  “Careful attention has been paid to every detail in these homes so every day moments can be something to remember.”

 

The elegant new home collection at Sausalito exemplifies graceful luxury living of the highest caliber. Innovative designs include exceptional amenities, gourmet kitchens, expansive great rooms and  outdoor retreats that invites lavish entertaining or simple get-togethers. The open, stylish homes with approximately 3,533 to 4,188 interior square feet, four to five bedrooms and up to five and a half baths offer a host of options to personalize your home including home management centers, Chef’s kitchens, play rooms, additional bedrooms and guest suites.  Pricing starts in the mid one millions.

Impressive interiors offer an array of exceptional amenities including a gourmet kitchen with island, granite countertops and top-of-the-line stainless steel built-in appliances.  Some plans feature a butler’s pantry and every kitchen provides abundant storage with under cooktop drawers and upgraded glide mechanisms.  Ideal for relaxation, sumptuous master suites feature large, walk-in closets and spa-inspired showers with large format ceramic tile surrounds and frameless heavy plate clear glass enclosures. Balconies are offered on select plans as well as free standing tub options. You’ll find distinctive European recessed panel hardwood maple cabinets throughout, five inch decorator baseboards and complimentary door casings, cozy gas-burning fireplace with glass media,  and so much more.

State-of-the-art whole house energy savings can be found in the insulation, central heating and dual air conditioning system with programmable thermostat to maintain year-round comfort and reduce utility bills.  Meeting the needs of large families, Rheem tankless water heaters provide buttons at the kitchen sink and master bathroom, and vinyl dual pane windows with Low-E glass retains warmth in winter and cool air in the summer.

 The Village of Stonegate, within the Villages of Irvine®, offers residents a distinctive and charming lifestyle which includes intimate neighborhood enclaves unlike any in the region.  Families enjoy four different parks that include a Junior Olympic pool with a spa and wading pool, a softball/youth baseball field with soccer overlay, basketball courts, sand volleyball, tot lot, barbecues and picnic tables. Three additional parks are planned bringing the total number of community pools to four when complete.  Close to the region’s premier shopping, dining and entertainment, these homes are also within walking distance to the Stonegate Park, the Jeffrey Open Space Trail and Woodbury™ Town Center.  Also within walking distance is Stonegate Elementary School which has a high 2013 Academic Performance Index score of 962. The Irvine Unified School District consistently ranks among the finest educational systems in the nation and lead Orange County in SAT test scores.

 To reach Sausalito from the 5 Freeway exit Sand Canyon Avenue and head north.  Turn left onto Spring Meadow and turn right onto Medallion.  Follow the signs to our models at 70 Fenway, Irvine, CA 92620. For additional information, call (949) 861-2194 or visit http://www.SheaHomes.com and http://www.VillagesofIrvine.com.

 Shea Homes Southern California is a division of Shea Homes Limited Partnership, one of America’s largest privately held homebuilders. As a member of the Shea family of companies, which is celebrating its 132^nd anniversary in 2013, Shea Homes has won numerous prestigious awards for quality, integrity, innovation and customer satisfaction. Shea Homes’ pursuit of excellence is typified by Shea Superiology, the art and science of designing and constructing homes that offer homeowners superior value by maximizing their quality of life, minimizing their costs and making a positive contribution to the environment. For more information, please visit the company's website at http://www.SheaHomes.com.

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Move-In Ready Homes at Palazzo by Woodside Homes in Indio, CA

Private gated luxury offering a high-quality desert lifestyle awaits you at Palazzo in North Indio, offering a wonderful sunny climate year-round.  Enhanced by the desert’s stunning natural beauty and convenient to both desert and mountain recreation areas, Indio is still a place where residents can find the home of their dreams.

Remarkably priced from under the $300,000s, homes are now available for year-end move-ins with designer flooring packages, on select homes.  The impressive, award-winning and highly energy-efficient designed homes are in a prime location with low HOA fees, adjacent to Shadow Hills Golf Club with three or four bedrooms and two-and-one-half baths.

Distinctive exterior architecture offers front porches and covered outdoor living spaces optimize enjoyment of the fabulous weather year round.  Families will love Woodside Homes’ abundant spaciousness and sought-after features exceeding all expectations including great rooms and conversational kitchens with nook or breakfast bar, over-sized gourmet islands for food preparation and storage, granite countertops and GE® stainless steel appliances.

Choose among many options to fit perfectly with your lifestyle such as a home office, study, guest suite and formal dining.  The Plan 3 offers a host of additional options including a flexible living room, optional fifth bedroom and third bath, formal living and formal dining.  You’ll also discover luxurious master suites with spacious walk-in closets and private water closets, nice sized secondary bedrooms and two- or three-car garages.

Residents will love the central air conditioning and designer choices for cabinetry and flooring including 18” x 18” tile or wood.  Woodside Homes offers a smart approach to how your home is designed and built to provide a lifetime of savings and comfort that is energy efficient and environmentally kind.

There’s a wonderful diversity of things to do and see in Indio and the surrounding areas of the Coachella Valley.  Palazzo is next to Shadow Hills Golf Club and golf enthusiasts will find numerous outstanding courses close to home including Heritage Palms, Indian Springs Golf Club and Shadow Ridge. The popular Palm Springs area and Aerial Tramway are a short drive away.

Palazzo may be reached by traveling the 10 Freeway towards Indio and exit Monroe. Go north one-half mile to Villa Palazzo and turn left into the gate.  For more information, call 760-347-8658 or visit http://www.WoodsideHomes.com/SouthernCalifornia.  The models are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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