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We understand that you have many questions before deciding on the home that is perfect for you. We hope this will be of help while considering your home investment choices. Choose from a topic of interest to the right.
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Building a Home
Financing
New vs. Used
About Our Communities
Moving
Support
Building a Home
How can I obtain a list of recent customer references?
Please contact us and we can send you a list.
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I'm interested in building a home. What should I do next?
Please fill out the form and we can send you some information.
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How quickly can I move into an American Heartland home?
The average time to build a new home is six months from preconstruction to final walk-through. If waiting isn't an option, we have several homes that are ready for quick move in.
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How will I be able to customize the home I build?
Your new home will be built according to your personality and style. Personalized choices include floor plan, elevation, roof shingles, siding, brick work, windows, cabinetry, countertops, wall colors, faucets, plus many more! And
you won’t be on your own. Your Design Consultant will guide you
through the process. You’ll find top brand names and lots of samples to help make building your dream home a pleasant experience.
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Where can I find information about the home building industry and additional information about American Heartland?
The National Association of Homebuilders is a reputable third party source for valuable information regarding the homebuilding industry. Also look to independent organizations such as Professional Builder Magazine and JD Power and Associates. These resources rank the reputation of builders based on reviews of hundreds of new residents.
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What should I bring to closing?
Valid picture identification, cashier’s check for down payment and closing costs, other documentation and proof of homeowners’ insurance.
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Should I choose a home model first or a lot?
Your community consultant can help you best with the process, however, it is usually easier to choose which model you like first and then move to lot selection. Different communities offer different models and it is important to know which model you desire before deciding which lot works best for you and the model you’ve chosen. Nevertheless, if you have your heart set on a particular lot you should move quickly to secure it.
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How do I choose a lot?
Think about your lifestyle, surrounding lots, pricing and the type of home that will be built on the lot.
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Can I build a home on a lot I already have?
Yes! You've found the perfect location, let us help you pick the perfect house. You can choose any of the innovative, quality built designs offered by American Heartland, while still receiving our 10-year warranty.
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What materials does American Heartland use when building a home?
With names like Merillat, Sherwin-Williams, Lennox, Mohawk, GE Appliances, Mannington, Owen Corning, Rubbermaid, Delta, Georgia-Pacific, WatchDog, Fox Bros, Overhead Door, NAPCO, Atlas Roofing and Tuff-N-Dri you can be assured that we only use quality building materials and products.
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Do I need a real estate agent to buy a new American Heartland home?
No, you do not need a real estate agent to purchase a new residence. Our experienced sales staff can assist you throughout the home buying process.
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Once I choose a floor plan model, do I have any other options?
Every floor plan has several different options so that the home we build for you is customized to meet your needs.Yes! There are several other options that are available to you to personalize your home. At time of contract, you will be asked to make your structural selections. These are items that will effect your foundation such as room extensions, fireplaces, and ceiling vaults. Shortly after that, you will have the opportunity to make your color and interior selections including, but not limited to, flooring and cabinets. No matter what, a Home Consultantl will be there to assist you through all of these selections.
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How much money will I need at closing?
Your closing costs will depend upon the sale price, the amount of your down payment and the various fees connected with the purchase of your home. Closing costs and escrow items include mortgage insurance, prepaid taxes, attorney’s fees, title insurance, etc.
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What kind of warranty will I receive with my new home?
Your new home comes with a 10-year warranty. If anything ever fails to meet your expectations, one quick call to our in-house service department will fix it!
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Financing
How much of a difference does a large down payment make?
The amount of down payment will affect your monthly payment and the type of loan product that will best meet your needs. Please try the American Heartland Mortgage Calculator, with varying down payments, to determine the monthly payment that works best for your financial situation.
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What are the pros and cons of getting an adjustable rate mortgage?
Pros: If your ARM has a quick reacting index, you can take full advantage of dropping interest rates. An Adjustable Mortgage can lower your payments during the first year so you can use the money to make home improvements. If you don't plan to own your homes for an extended period you could take advantage of the lower interest rate. Instead of agreeing to a fixed interest rate, you would pay interest rates as they fluctuate in the market. This type of mortgage works out very well if interest rates drop during your mortgage period.
Cons: Consider the ARM risk factor; your second year may have much higher interest rates than your first if the market goes up. Instead of agreeing to a fixed interest rate, you would pay interest rates as they fluctuate in the market. If interest rates rise, then you could end up paying more than you would with a Fixed Mortgage. However, lenders do limit how much your interest rate can rise. Generally, lenders limit the increase potential to two points a year, and six points total for the lifetime of the loan.
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Do I have a choice of points or no points?
Yes, you do have a choice. The primary idea of points is to pay a fee at closing in order to lower your interest rate. Depending upon how long you keep your loan, you may save substantially more money over the life of the loan. Your mortgage professional can help you decide whether you should chose to pay points.
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What mortgage expenses are associated with buying a home?
Your loan counselor will provide you with a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) after you have applied for a loan. This disclosure outlines all costs associated with the loan closing. Many lenders charge an origination fee and a processing fee. Other fees associated with a loan closing may include, but are not limited to, your attorney’s fees, filing fees, mortgage taxes, title search and title insurance. You may also be asked to pay real estate taxes and/or establish escrow accounts for real estate taxes and homeowner’s insurance.
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Should I wait to buy a home if I currently have debt?
No. There are four major factors when considering an application: your employment and income, your assets, your credit record, and the value of the home you wish to purchase. All these factors are considered when making a credit decision. Please don't hesitate to apply.
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How much money will I need at closing?
Your closing costs will depend upon the sale price, the amount of your down payment and the various fees connected with the purchase of your home. Closing costs and escrow items include mortgage insurance, prepaid taxes, attorney’s fees, title insurance, etc.
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New vs. Used
Are new homes built better than older homes?
According to the National Association of Home Builders, yes. Because of better windows, more efficient heating and cooling equipment, better control of air infiltration, and greater use of insulation, new homes consume half as much energy as homes built prior to 1980. Old homes tend to be drafty and less comfortable. Also, frost and condensation are more likely to appear on windows of older homes, drip down, and cause deterioration of wood trim and walls.
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Do newer homes have a better resale value?
According to the National Association of Home Builders, yes. Occupants of new homes are much less likely to die from fire than occupants of older homes. New homes have hard-wired smoke detectors that operate even when the power goes out. Space heaters and wood stoves, the second leading cause of fire deaths, are not needed in new homes because of more efficient central heating systems and better insulation.
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What other points should I consider when deciding?
Price: Older homes usually cost less per square foot but at a sacrifice of layout and function. Fewer bathrooms, smaller rooms, less storage space and floorplans that aren't open are all hallmarks of older homes. Deciding to remodel an existing home is costly and will end up costing more per square foot than a new home. New-construction homes employ more efficient, innovative uses of square footage and property.
Location: Older homes are located in a town's center which may or may not be a nice area. New houses are located in communities that have newer schools and shopping areas and are away from the noise of bustling traffic.
Customization: In a new house, you can pick your own color schemes, flooring, kitchen cabinets, appliances, custom wiring for TV's, computers, phones and speakers, etc., as well as have more upgrade options. Modern features like media rooms, extra-large closets and extra-large bathrooms and tubs are also more attainable in ground-up construction. In a used home, you rely largely on the previous resident's tastes and technological whims, unless you plan to spend thousands in remodeling and rewiring costs.
Neighborhood amenities: New home developments offer centrally located swimming pools, playgrounds, bike and jogging trails, neighborhood clubhouses and picnic venues for residents, older homes offer none of these ammenities.
Safety: Builders have to follow very strict guidelines in new-homes and additions. In general, new homes are usually more fire-safe and better accommodating of new security and garage-door systems.
Energy Efficiency: Bear in mind that your renovations may never meet the energy-saving standards of today's new homes.Considerable advancements in building materials and technology have freed present-day architects. New-home designers can use new building materials such as glazed Energy Star windows, thicker insulation and other technology that will lower future energy costs for the owner. Most states now have minimum energy-efficiency requirements for new construction. Kitchens and laundry areas in new homes are designed to house more efficient energy-saving appliances. Older homes, unless they have undergone an energy retrofit, usually cost much more per square foot to air-condition and heat.
Maintenance: Our homes come with a 10-year warranty for the repair of any major problems that develop as the house settles into its foundation. In older homes, the quality of construction depends on the virtue of a long-gone builder. The charm of an older home often goes hand in hand with increased maintenance, especially if the previous owners were not vigilant in upkeep. Building materials may be harder to replace or match in an expansion or remodeling.
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About Our Communities
How often does American Heartland open new communities?
We generally open 2 or more new communities a year.
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What cities are your communities located in?
We are located in Kannapolis, Midland and South Charlotte
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What school districts are your communities located in?
Cabarrus County,
Providence
and
Kannapolis
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How much is an American Heartland home?
With starting prices at only $250,00 there are homes for every budget.
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Moving
Do I need a real estate agent to buy a new American Heartland home?
No, you do not need a real estate agent to purchase a new residence. Our experienced sales staff can assist you throughout the home buying process.
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Should I sell my home before or after I find a new home?
You can select a model and lot and choose all your options. The home and options will set on provisional and when your old home sells, you can move right in!
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Support
How do I request a service call?
You can email us here
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