Allow me to introduce myself as the new editor of the McKee Builders blog. My name is Frank McKee, Jr. and I am thrilled to be taking over for my sister Jenni. As you may have noticed it has been a while since this blog was updated. I’m pleased to report the reason is because Jenni McKee is a proud new Mom to a beautiful baby girl!
Some other exciting information I want to share with you is in regards to the new Move-up Buyer Tax Credit. This allows homeowners who have lived in their current residence for at least 5 of the past 8 years the opportunity to receive up to $6,500 in tax credits.
Single taxpayers earning up to $145,000, and married couples who earn up to $245,000 are eligible for a partial to full credit. This credit applies to sales contracts entered into by April 30, 2010 and closed by June 30 2010, so the time to act is now! There will not be an extension of this program so head out to one of our Award-Winning McKee communities and ask your Sales Counselor for more details on how you can benefit from this program.
Happy Holidays to all.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Goings-on at McKee
I was at the Courtyards at Brandywine this morning with our fabulous photographer, John Martinelli. Seeing the models through his camera lens is amazing and made me focus in on details that I haven't quite seen through the big picture before. John likes to focus on entrances and first impressions. These models in particular each have a stunning entrance, but all in very different ways. Of course, I especially love the Shannon because the open family room - kitchen design was my plan! Will post pictures just as soon as I have them.
I have been very busy with a program at Neshaminy Falls to bring in some new homes there for the first time in many years. We have about 7 new homes available currently and about 5 different floor plans. I truly think we are delighting folks with the opportunity to buy new construction for as low as $89,000. We also have the Turnbridge model from Nittany Glen (click here to see a floorplan) with a beautiful cherry kitchen.
I have been very busy with a program at Neshaminy Falls to bring in some new homes there for the first time in many years. We have about 7 new homes available currently and about 5 different floor plans. I truly think we are delighting folks with the opportunity to buy new construction for as low as $89,000. We also have the Turnbridge model from Nittany Glen (click here to see a floorplan) with a beautiful cherry kitchen.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Selling My Home
Hello All,
I am so sorry that it has been so long since I have last written. I have a great story to share with you however that should make up for it.
Early this summer my husband and I decided that it was time to leave our beautiful neighborhood of Queen Village in Philadelphia and move closer to work. I prepped myself for the drama and adventure that I was certain to experience with selling our home in a "down" market.
So, we got to work.
For three days, we pre-packed and cleaned. Tabletops covered with picture frames became tabletops with one or two interesting glass pieces. The books on the bookshelves got packed away leaving a tidy bookshelf with a few books neatly arranged with a vase or two. I went through each closet and pre-packed leaving what I thought I might want for the next 3 to 5 months (that is how long I thought it would take to sell!). A neighbor came by when everything was finished and gave me the advice that homes sell better if you pack your personal photos away. When I showed her that even my closets were staged, she maybe thought that I went a little too far!
We also hired some folks to do some cosmetic work as well. When we had a window leak a year ago we obviously had the windo fixed right away, however, we had lived with the stain and bubbling on the drywall and couldn't expect new buyers to.
Next we discussed pricing with our realtor. In the end we followed the professional's advice and priced our home not at what we wanted the home to be worth, but at what he knew it to be worth based on real-time comps in our neighborhood.
The house went on the market and we had two offers in 7 days!
Now we just have to buy a new house. As I walk from room to room from house to house I cannot believe the range of effort I have seen sellers put into readying their homes.
A few ideas for staging your home that you might not have already thought of:
Pre-pack
Packing up seasonal decor, uncommonly used items, collections and personal mementos will not only help buyers envision living in your home it will also make every room and appear larger AND save you packing time once your home is actually sold. It is also a great time to simply get rid of things.
Extra Rooms
Ask your adult children to come over and remove their childhood belongings from the home. Buyers do not need to see their 15 year old posters of Cindy Crawford and wrestling trophies on the wall. Keep unoccupied bedrooms imple so that the buyer might imagine that room as a home office or nursery.
Get a Second Opinion
Take a very hard look at your home. Possibly even ask a neighbor to do it for you if you think you might not be critical enough. If not, your home could sit on the market for months before anyone tells you that there is a stain on the ceiling that you just do not notice anymore or a pet smell that you have never considered.
Hire Professionals
Make sure that you hire professionals for the hardest of jobs. You might be very happy with our own handiwork, but unless you have experience, a buyer might not be.
Good luck!
I am so sorry that it has been so long since I have last written. I have a great story to share with you however that should make up for it.
Early this summer my husband and I decided that it was time to leave our beautiful neighborhood of Queen Village in Philadelphia and move closer to work. I prepped myself for the drama and adventure that I was certain to experience with selling our home in a "down" market.
So, we got to work.
For three days, we pre-packed and cleaned. Tabletops covered with picture frames became tabletops with one or two interesting glass pieces. The books on the bookshelves got packed away leaving a tidy bookshelf with a few books neatly arranged with a vase or two. I went through each closet and pre-packed leaving what I thought I might want for the next 3 to 5 months (that is how long I thought it would take to sell!). A neighbor came by when everything was finished and gave me the advice that homes sell better if you pack your personal photos away. When I showed her that even my closets were staged, she maybe thought that I went a little too far!
We also hired some folks to do some cosmetic work as well. When we had a window leak a year ago we obviously had the windo fixed right away, however, we had lived with the stain and bubbling on the drywall and couldn't expect new buyers to.
Next we discussed pricing with our realtor. In the end we followed the professional's advice and priced our home not at what we wanted the home to be worth, but at what he knew it to be worth based on real-time comps in our neighborhood.
The house went on the market and we had two offers in 7 days!
Now we just have to buy a new house. As I walk from room to room from house to house I cannot believe the range of effort I have seen sellers put into readying their homes.
A few ideas for staging your home that you might not have already thought of:
Pre-pack
Packing up seasonal decor, uncommonly used items, collections and personal mementos will not only help buyers envision living in your home it will also make every room and appear larger AND save you packing time once your home is actually sold. It is also a great time to simply get rid of things.
Extra Rooms
Ask your adult children to come over and remove their childhood belongings from the home. Buyers do not need to see their 15 year old posters of Cindy Crawford and wrestling trophies on the wall. Keep unoccupied bedrooms imple so that the buyer might imagine that room as a home office or nursery.
Get a Second Opinion
Take a very hard look at your home. Possibly even ask a neighbor to do it for you if you think you might not be critical enough. If not, your home could sit on the market for months before anyone tells you that there is a stain on the ceiling that you just do not notice anymore or a pet smell that you have never considered.
Hire Professionals
Make sure that you hire professionals for the hardest of jobs. You might be very happy with our own handiwork, but unless you have experience, a buyer might not be.
Good luck!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Golfing!
Golfing comes to McKee Builders! This weekend is the grand opening of The Links at Foxfield. The Links are a challenging, 6-hole golf course designed by Ian Scott-Taylor in the Scottish form. Good luck to all of the golfers!
Flex Dollars!
I am so excited to tell you about our current promotions at Spring Arbor, Foxfield, Champions Club and our newest community, Brandywine.
The Flex Dollars program gives you money to customize your new home purchase your way. Receive $30,000 on homes at Brandywine and all single family homes throughout, $15,000 on all carriage homes and $10,000 off of the Villas at Foxfield.
Call your sales counselor for more details.
The Flex Dollars program gives you money to customize your new home purchase your way. Receive $30,000 on homes at Brandywine and all single family homes throughout, $15,000 on all carriage homes and $10,000 off of the Villas at Foxfield.
Call your sales counselor for more details.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
FREE basements
For a limited time only, we are offering FREE finished basements on select homesites at The Courtyards at Brandywine!!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Models at Brandywine
We recently performed a framing walk-thru at The Courtyards at Brandywine. The Product Development team, interior designers, Director of Construction, Project Manager and President pore through every inch of every model before they are drywalled. That is a lot of hard hats!
We pay great attention to how each space feels. There are many, many considerations and each walk takes hours. Just a few of the questions we ask ourselves: Does each room translate properly from blueprints to frame? Do the kitchen and bathroom layouts make sense? Are the closets big enough?
We did two walk-thrus on the three models at Brandywine and are more excited than ever for the customers that have waited patiently for the job to open. We made minor changes but overall they are moving ahead with construction. I am eager to return to see the changes that were made: a prettier, grander statement staircase in one, an extra linen closet in another, extra soffits and dramatic doors and doorways, and possibly a media room in one of the basements!
We pay great attention to how each space feels. There are many, many considerations and each walk takes hours. Just a few of the questions we ask ourselves: Does each room translate properly from blueprints to frame? Do the kitchen and bathroom layouts make sense? Are the closets big enough?
We did two walk-thrus on the three models at Brandywine and are more excited than ever for the customers that have waited patiently for the job to open. We made minor changes but overall they are moving ahead with construction. I am eager to return to see the changes that were made: a prettier, grander statement staircase in one, an extra linen closet in another, extra soffits and dramatic doors and doorways, and possibly a media room in one of the basements!
Monday, April 6, 2009
MVP
Every quarter, the New Homes Division awards an MVP award to a subcontractor. This subcontractor goes above and beyond to offer the very best in customer service to our homeowners.
Pictured above is Bob Conover of Young Lumber. Young Lumber is McKee's MVP for both the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2008. Thank you, Young Lumber!!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Everyday Goings-On
Last week the Product Development team did a framing walk-thru of the new models at The Courtyards at Brandywine. So exciting! They look great! Sign up on the main page to receive updates.
Below is a picture of the rainbow that appeared today at Nittany Glen. Enjoy!
Below is a picture of the rainbow that appeared today at Nittany Glen. Enjoy!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Facebook and McKee
I have recently started using Facebook to advertise one of our communities. By now I am sure you either have a Facebook account or know someone who does. Facebook is a social networking site that has connected users of all ages from all across the globe. The Facebook advertising campaign allows one to advertise based on INTERESTS of its users. This is truly amazing.
The Village of Nittany Glen is an all-ages clubhouse community in State College, PA. Because of the draw of living near a university (especially one's alma mater), it makes sense to advertise in a space where people routinely "gather" to catch up with old friends and to discuss common interests.
Facebook Ads allows me to target users who are Penn State alums living in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania. It also allows me to target users who have listed Penn State Football as an interest. Pretty neat!
The Village of Nittany Glen is an all-ages clubhouse community in State College, PA. Because of the draw of living near a university (especially one's alma mater), it makes sense to advertise in a space where people routinely "gather" to catch up with old friends and to discuss common interests.
Facebook Ads allows me to target users who are Penn State alums living in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania. It also allows me to target users who have listed Penn State Football as an interest. Pretty neat!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
More Target Shopping
It has been a while since I obsessed over the deals at Target, so here it goes!
These chairs are so, so great. I don't even know what to say. I love them. One of these in a master or guest bedroom or a couple in a living room, loft or office could be just that splash of color, fun, modernity, newness that you have been looking for. I cannot pick my favorite, but I would love one in my guest room/office. At $299, they aren't cheap, but they are certainly a good price.
Check them out here.
Do It Yourself Projects
In a make-believe world, I am very crafty. In reality, I am not very crafty, however, I can manage to pull off something very crafty every once in a while.
For example, I recently got a puppy. I made her a superlong fleece tug of war toy. She is no longer that interested in it but when guests come over I pull it out as if it were her favorite toy and proudly declare, "I made that."
For those of you that pretend you are crafty (like me) and those if you who are actually crafty, here is a nifty website for you to dream about.
http://www.diyideas.com/
For example, I recently got a puppy. I made her a superlong fleece tug of war toy. She is no longer that interested in it but when guests come over I pull it out as if it were her favorite toy and proudly declare, "I made that."
For those of you that pretend you are crafty (like me) and those if you who are actually crafty, here is a nifty website for you to dream about.
http://www.diyideas.com/
Friday, February 6, 2009
The Courtyards at Brandywine are Open!
I am so excited to announce that The Courtyards at Brandywine are officially open. Located on Route 202 in Delaware just south of the Pennsylvania border, The Courtyards at Brandywine is a showstopper of a community.
I personally worked on the brand new floorplans with our Product Development Team for this community. Six beautifully appointed designs mean that there is a home for EVERYONE. A home to match your lifestyle which you so richly deserve!
The Sales Center will be located at Foxfield (click here for directions) until the new models are built at Brandywine. The Sales Center boasts a virtual tour display so that you can "walk" and "feel" each design. Get in early on this community. Now is the time!
Click here to begin your journey!
I personally worked on the brand new floorplans with our Product Development Team for this community. Six beautifully appointed designs mean that there is a home for EVERYONE. A home to match your lifestyle which you so richly deserve!
The Sales Center will be located at Foxfield (click here for directions) until the new models are built at Brandywine. The Sales Center boasts a virtual tour display so that you can "walk" and "feel" each design. Get in early on this community. Now is the time!
Click here to begin your journey!
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