Our weather couldn’t be better to start touring new homes!  We’re keeping our fingers crossed that any snow that falls decides to do so before March 3!

The Spring Preview Parade of Homes begins March 3 through April 1. Once again the hours will be Thursday - Sunday from 12:00 noon - 6:00 pm.  Our Parade Home # is 166.

This is our Oasis model home and it was also featured in the Fall Parade, however it has been a big hit amongst all; children and adults! This home is ready for move in, fully landscaped and superbly finished, and price just reduced to $484,900! Whether you’ve been to the neighborhood or not, be sure to visit!

It is a place to call home!

Here is a checklist to get your house ready for winter, even if you’re not!

Exterior Preparation:

1. If you haven’t yet, be sure to unhook garden hoses & turn off the water to sill cocks.
2. Empty windowsill flower boxes; this will prevent damage caused by excessive weight as snow piles up.
3. Rake leaves away from your foundation and keep garage doors closed; this will keep mice from moving in during the winter.
4. Clean out gutters & downspouts to prevent back ups when the snow & ice melt.
5. Cover Air Conditioning unit and shut off the breaker.
6. The use of ice melt or other chemicals may damage your concrete.  A good alternative is sand; it can be washed off with a hose and won’t damage your lawn either!

Inside Prep:

1. Turn on humidifier and change your water panel.
2. Check furnace filter.
3. Change batteries in your smoke detectors.
4. Take out all interior screens & open window coverings during the day to keep moisture from building up on your windows.
5. Vacuum out air exchanger filters or you can wash them in the dishwasher.

Now that your jobs are complete, maybe we’ll have a White Christmas!!  There’s still hope!

Click here to learn more about Jason

Are we still building new homes? The answer is yes! The media changes daily and the statistics jump up and down but at Mega Homes, we have experienced steady numbers. It certainly hasn’t been an easy hill to climb, but combining our experience; with the ability to change we are continuing to build new homes for families that only want NEW!

We have worked towards developing unique strategies to help our customers sell their existing homes, setting realistic expectations and offering options and competitive pricing on their new homes. We do this in order to keep the momentum going in our neighborhoods.

On Friday we closed a home for a very happy couple who were terrific to work with. We worked together to design a custom rambler based on their desire for one level living in addition to the need to make it wheelchair accessible. “It is our dream; our family can now live comfortably in one home! We truly appreciate what you and your staff have done for our family!”  ~Marks Family November 2011

We also have two custom homes under construction in Nature’s Crossing. Every family has their own unique story which is what makes our job more challenging, but also more rewarding! Jill and Jeff will be moving into their new home in December.

“Building with Mega Homes has been an exceptional experience!  It’s so refreshing to work with a team of competent, efficient, pleasant and professional people that make the process of building easy, seamless and enjoyable.  Mega Homes is dedicated to superior quality workmanship, they pay attention to detail, and consistently strive to focus on their customer.  They truly care about you and your home. “

~ Jeff & Jill Forsberg 11-7-11

The article here stresses the reasons some consumers are still choosing to buy new homes over purchasing from the existing market. Check it out, the 9 Reasons are very well said! Click here to read full article.

Dear “Parade of Homes” friends, 
We want to thank you for taking the time to visit our Spring Parade of Homes model during the past few weeks.  With over 300 homes to choose from, we are delighted you included Mega Homes in your tour.  With the Parade behind us, we have many reasons for you to come back to Nature’s Crossing:

• Just Reduced! Special low prices on all home sites! Up to $40,000 off lots on Elm Creek Park Reserve!
• Take advantage of a $20,000 price reduction on our Parade Model #260, the New Haven, and move in immediately to enjoy Elm Creek Park Reserve all summer long! This brand new plan has drawn much excitement and the results have all been ”thumbs up”!
• Or choose from many distinctively different floorplans to build, all available in complete packages starting in the $400’s in Natures Crossing.  Also, packages starting in the low $300’s on our last 3 Champlin/Dayton lots!! We don’t build “vanilla” homes.  With distinctive architecture, we individualize these plans to meet YOUR family’s needs. We will also build on YOUR lot!  
• You will work directly with the owner, Meg Dehn during the design and build process.  Meg has been building new homes in the Maple Grove, Dayton, and Champlin area for over 18 years and you will love her!  We have our own Design Studio and strive to make the building process enjoyable and worry-free!
• We offer a “Homeowner Assurance Program” with a guaranteed lowest price to sell your existing home!! We partner with Gary Luke of Luke Team Real Estate, with over 50 years experience, Tim & Gary will provide you with a free market analysis on your present home now! Education is key!
• There has never been a better time to buy! Most likely, your home will sell for less than it would have four years ago, but your new Mega Home will be built for thousands less; and with interest rates at a 50 year low, under 5%; NOW is the time to move.

 Click here for pictures & more info about this incredible model home.

New Haven model!

Mega Homes would also like to thank all who make the Parade of Homes such a success, specifically the “Builders Association of the Twin Cites”, Parade of Homes committees and our partner, Prime Advertising. 

We also thank our trade contractors who work diligently to deliver our homes with the same philosophy and craftsmanship that has continued to build our strong reputation, completely unique to Mega Homes!

We look forward to seeing you again very soon!

by Meg Dehn

The Home Building industry…  what is the first word that comes to my mind when discussing our industry? Challenge! It has been a challenge for many years now; many more than most of us dreamed. However, being somewhat of an optimist, with 2011 on the horizon, I made a decision to search for the light.  So I squeezed our budget and a few staff members and I went to Orlando for the International Builders’ Show in January; searching for the light!

This was a great opportunity for all of us. We heard many enlightening ideas and had a chance to talk to other building professionals from several areas of the world. Jason, Ty and I attended many educational sessions covering various topics in our industry.  We learned about technology, new products, business efficiencies, and customer relations; just to name a few.

In addition, the show floor which offered products from 1,137 exhibiting companies, was impressive! It covered everything from windows, to plumbing fixtures, electronics, exterior products, the list really was endless. It was reiterated by many that the upswing we are waiting for will be slow but sure, that our economy has a long way to go and quite frankly, we will probably never see activity in the housing industry like we experienced 6-10 years ago.

However, in my eyes, that’s not all together bad! Those of us who have struggled to perservere and improve, by changing our operations, listening to our customers and searching for best practices, are still here. And we plan on staying. The Builders’ Show was attended by 47,000 housing professionals, all in search of some kind of inspiration. I feel fortunate because we were inspired!  The trip gave us 4 days to learn, to open our minds a little wider, to see new products and innovations in our industry, and to spend valuable time with our team.

We came back refreshed and ready to excel in this “challenging” yet rewarding industry.  And yes, we are still ready to “fight”!

See our Spring Preview Model for a sneak peek at some new Innovative Products!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Meg Dehn

Our gift to you!!! This Beautiful Model Home at Only $475,000!!!

Our Edgewood II Model Home has been reduced…  and the lower level has been finished which now equates to almost 4000 sq ft finished, 5 bedrooms & 4 bathrooms!

All of this in Nature’s Crossing, one of the most sought after neighborhoods in the Twin Cities!!  We are ready to sell our model home and welcome you to come take a look, even if you have been in before.  The lower level offers a private bedroom and bath for guests or older children and a very flexible Recreational & Media space! 

Newly decorated for Christmas; a quick tour will allow you to visualize your family moving right in! Call Meg for a private showing at 612-518-1105 or feel free to take a look during our model home hours;

• Mon/Thurs/Fri 2-6pm or
• Sat/Sun 12noon -5 pm. 

See pictures below….

Be prepared this year and let us help you!  Following is a list of items to review and perform in order to keep your home and yard safe, maintained and well-groomed, as we quickly approach the winter season.  The forecast looks sunny and warm through next week so use this weekend to run through the list!  Hope it proves to be helpful.

Home Care

• Check fireplace and chimney; service or clean if needed
• Clean range hood filter
• Check and clean air exchanger
• Clean or replace furnace filter 
• Do safety checks: smoke detector, fire escape routes, fire extinguisher, door and window locks
• Adjust thermostat for season change, check humidity levels to prevent excessive moisture
• Inspect pressure and temperature valve on water heater 
• Clean dryer vent 
• Clear air intakes, exhaust vents and meters of debris, nests, etc.
• Test and change batteries in smoke detectors as needed
• Check roofing and flashing for signs of wear or damage
• Check roof and soffit vents
• Check adjustment of door thresholds
• Check garage floor for cracks; seal & caulk as needed

Lawn & Garden Care – tips from Gary Anderson of Gary Anderson Landscaping

• Cover roses with leaves and protective cones which can be purchased at the box stores or garden centers
• Water your evergreen trees thoroughly in late fall.  Evergreens will continue to drink water late into fall and early winter
• Turn off your outside spigots to avoid freezing
• Make sure your sump pump line is running out into your yard to prevent water backing up into house
• Make sure gutters and downspouts are clean of any debris to prevent ice dams over winter
• Fall is the time of year to trim trees and shrubs.  Just don’t prune your Azaleas and Rhododendrons because you will be trimming off the spring flowers
• Give your evergreen shrubs a shot of Miracid.  Yews, Arborvitae, Azaleas, Rhododendrons, and Hydrangea love the acidic soils.  
• Wrap your young trees (if planted within the last 5 years) with a tree wrap you can pick up from the box stores, garden centers, or hardware stores.  This will prevent “sun scald” and deer and rabbits chewing at the bark of the tree which could kill your tree.
• Fall is a great time to help out those birds still around with some bird seed.  Expect a squirel or two to show up to the buffet as well.
• Fall fertilizer for your lawn or “winter fertilizer” can be a great idea for a green lawn in the spring
• If you haven’t done so already, make sure your underground sprinkler system has been winterized by a certified contractor
• Maintain proper grades for drainage throughout property

Gary works with Mega Homes and our customers on landscape design and installation.  His strong business ethics, reputation and landscape creativity continues to impress us!  For more information about Gary Anderson, click to view his website  Gary Anderson Landscaping

Soon our homes will be glistening with Snow!

Not necessarily new, but concrete countertops are becoming more and more popular in all areas of the home! Kitchens are definitely the core of the home and designing concrete countertops into your kitchen allows much versatility, creativity and function. Form and function, being equally important, make concrete countertops an appealing choice.

Versatility seems to be the biggest advantage with concrete countertops. You can integrate color, decorative objects, concrete sinks and drain boards… essentially the sky is the limit. Those of us who love choices will enjoy the opportunity to custom design a countertop to meet the personalities of our families. However, those who like the look but want limited choices can be guided accordingly.

At Mega Homes, we recently selected concrete countertops in all areas of a custom designed home. We included two different textures and designs in a kitchen. We incorporated concrete tops into a master bath and a children’s bath; one was more subtle and the latter was quite playful. We also designed a charcoal stained, exposed aggregate top into the laundry room.

We worked with Living Stone Concrete Design. Eric Mayne, President, expands on his business:

“Living Stone Concrete Design specializes in concrete countertops. We hand make pre-cast concrete items such as countertops, sinks, fireplace mantels, bar tops, furniture and many other related products.

Our custom designed concrete offers timeless design and versatility for home, office or retail use. Concrete’s immense adaptability allows you to express your personal style through the use of near limitless colors, texture and physical designs. Our molding and finishing techniques ensure a fully customized high quality product.

When you hire Living Stone Concrete Design we will partner together, with you as the art director, to help bring your concrete vision to life.”

See pictures below and click on Eric’s link for more information. You may want to consider concrete countertops in your new home!

 

“Historically, interest rates are at an all-time low right now, and typically Mega Homes’ clients are move-up buyers, so the low interest rates benefit them even more,” says mortgage industry expert Aaron McClay of Fairway Financial. “The savings are tremendous on a 30-year mortgage, but if a buyer is able to work with a 15-year mortgage, the savings multiply immediately because less interest is being paid.”

When interest rates are low there are a number of benefits for you as a home buyer. A potential home buyer can obtain a mortgage more cheaply than they normally would, which translates into much lower payments over the life of the loan.

Even a slight decrease in interest rates makes a huge difference in payments and also in purchase power. Not only do lower monthly payments allow you to purchase more home for your dollar, more money is going to the purchase price of the home rather than toward interest. Mega Homes brings upscale features and distinction to the interior and exterior of your home.

Call Aaron at 612-987-2761 or email him for more information. For your convenience, here’s a link to a great mortgage calculator.

by Meg Dehn

Pictures speak 1000 words…. In March, I was fortunate enough to experience my first Mission Trip.  My 11 year old daughter, Angela accompanied me and 6 others on a trip to Reynosa, Mexico.  The group was coordinated by a friend/Mega Homes’ homeowner.  Di Anna has been on many mission trips to this area of Mexico throughout her life and with the help of “Border of Hope” missionaries, she planned a trip of a lifetime for all of us.

We slept in Texas and worked in Mexico for 5 days.  Our days consisted of prayer time, crossing the border, and working with wonderful Mexican adults and children at a church and the pastor’s family home.  We painted the ceiling and walls of the church.  The youth in our group painted the church pews and we assisted in building an addition on the pastor’s home. 

The gracious people of the community where we worked made us an authentic Mexican lunch on our last day, which we truly enjoyed. We relaxed in conversation; while watching the American and Mexican children (and some adults) play a heated game of soccer.

We definitely made an impact by putting the finishing touches on a church where the community was already gathering in praise and we were able to help the Pastor and his family by enlarging their home. 

However, the impact was really on the eight of us, who were fortunate enough to be taught the big lessons of life; acceptance, humility, graciousness and real love!  Those who have less… truly seem to have more.

We came back home; to our families, our work and our schools and life does go on.  However, three months later and I continue to see the angelic faces of our new friends, very clearly in my mind.  I won’t forget the beauty we witnessed in some pretty ugly situations, the wonderful Kincaid family who gave up their life in Chicago to start “Border of Hope” missionary group and our group of 8 who went on this journey with open hearts and open minds…  only to be changed, spiritually, for a lifetime.

Stay tuned as we hope to plan another trip to help with more construction projects in the very near future.  It is a border worth crossing!

Click on the link below for more information about “Border of Hope”.  

Border of Hope