Why should I buy, instead of rent?

Answer: A home is an investment. When you rent, you write your monthly check and that money is gone forever. But when you own your home, you can deduct the cost of your mortgage loan interest from your federal income taxes, and usually from your state taxes. This will save you a lot each year, because the interest you pay will make up most of your monthly payment for most of the years of your mortgage. You can also deduct the property taxes you pay as a homeowner. In addition, the value of your home may go up over the years. Finally, you’ll enjoy having something that’s all yours – a home where your own personal style will tell the world who you are.

How much money will I have to come up with to buy a home?

Answer: Well, that depends on a number of factors, including the cost of the house and the type of mortgage you get. In general, you need to come up with enough money to cover three costs: earnest money – the deposit you make on the home when you submit your offer, to prove to the seller that you are serious about wanting to buy the house; the down payment, a percentage of the cost of the home that you must pay when you go to settlement; and closing costs, the costs associated with processing the paperwork to buy a house.

The more money you can put into your down payment, the lower your mortgage payments will be. Some types of loans require 10-20% of the purchase price. That’s why many first-time homebuyers turn to FHA for help. FHA loans require only 3% down – and sometimes less.

Closing costs – which you will pay at settlement – average 3-4% of the price of your home. These costs cover various fees your lender charges and other processing expenses. When you apply for your loan, your lender will give you an estimate of the closing costs, so you won’t be caught by surprise.

How do I know if I can get a loan?

Answer: Use our simple mortgage calculators to see how much mortgage you could pay – that’s a good start.

In addition to the mortgage payment, what other costs do I need to consider?

Answer: Well, of course you’ll have your monthly utilities. In addition, you might have homeowner association dues. You’ll definitely have property taxes, and you also may have city or county taxes. Taxes normally are rolled into your mortgage payment. Again, your broker will be able to help you anticipate these costs.

So what will my mortgage cover?

Answer: Most loans have 4 parts: principal: the repayment of the amount you actually borrowed; interest: payment to the lender for the money you’ve borrowed; homeowners insurance: a monthly amount to insure the property against loss from fire, smoke, theft, and other hazards required by most lenders; and property taxes: the annual city/county taxes assessed on your property, divided by the number of mortgage payments you make in a year. Most loans are for 30 years, although 15 year loans are available, too. During the life of the loan, you’ll pay far more in interest than you will in principal – sometimes two or three times more! Because of the way loans are structured, in the first years you’ll be paying mostly interest in your monthly payments. In the final years, you’ll be paying mostly principal.

What do I need to take with me when I apply for a mortgage?

Answer: Good question! If you have everything with you when you visit your lender, you’ll save a good deal of time. You should have:

• social security numbers for both you and your spouse, if both of you are applying for the loan;
• copies of your checking and savings account statements for the past 6 months;
• evidence of any other assets like bonds or stocks;
• a recent paycheck stub detailing your earnings;
• a list of all credit card accounts and the approximate monthly amounts owed on each;
• a list of account numbers and balances due on outstanding loans, such as car loans;
• copies of your last 2 years’ income tax statements; and
• the name and address of someone who can verify your employment.

Depending on your lender, you may be asked for other information.

I know there are lots of types of mortgages – how do I know which one is best for me?

Answer: You’re right – there are many types of mortgages, and the more you know about them before you start, the better. Most people use a fixed-rate mortgage. In a fixed rate mortgage, your interest rate stays the same for the term of the mortgage, which normally is 30 years. The advantage of a fixed-rate mortgage is that you always know exactly how much your mortgage payment will be, and you can plan for it. There are several government mortgage programs,including the Veteran’s Administration’s programs and the Department of Agriculture’s programs. Most people have heard of FHA mortgages. FHA doesn’t actually make loans. Instead, it insures loans so that if buyers default for some reason, the lenders will get their money.

[Information provided by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  For addional information and answers to other frequently asked questions click here.]

 The loan process flew by. I am still amazed at the teamwork with which you work. No matter with whom I spoke, I was always addressed by my name, with eye contact, a sincere smile, and in a respectful tone. I felt like I was the most important person in that office at that time. Thank you for the promptness with which you returned my phone calls and for your support, expertise, and wisdom.

 The walk-through was just as top notch as the loan process. Never have I done a walk-through and found nothing to be done, at least not until this walk-through. No question was too trivial and, again, I felt like I was the most important person at that moment.

 The warranty program and website are wonderfully user-friendly. Although I have used the website only once, the response time left me laughing. I submitted my claim and was on the way to the car when the phone rang. It was LGI Homes wanting to schedule the workmen….that day!

 As a visitor to Creekside Village, I was drawn to the tidiness of each construction site, both inside and out. The quality of workmanship and attention to detail was evident. After moving in, I realized this pride in one’s workplace is a perk for new residents as well. Never did I feel inconvenienced by construction all around me. The streets were easy to navigate and free of debris. The job sites were quiet and the workmen were courteous. Their attention to the job at hand was that of craftsmen.

 My beautiful home accommodates my love for the outdoors and my pets. The flow of the house is delightful. It accommodates many guests and yet it is warm and cozy for one. My first energy bill was a pleasant surprise, and cleaning is a breeze.

 I could go on and on, but finally I must tell you why I made a decision to buy a home. Over the last decade I have been without. Coincidently, my health has been failing. Medication hadn’t done its job. It was my decision that what I needed was a home with a yard that was easy to maintain and affordable. Little did I know I would end up with my dream home.”

- Jane, LGI Homes Homeowner in Spring, Texas

How much do you spend on rent? If you are spending more than $700 a month, you could purchase your new home for less than you spend renting. Currently, payments are as low as $679 a month at all LGI Homes locations. Stop throwing your money away and get into your very own home.

LGI Homes features beautiful brick single family homes for No Money Down.  These three, four and five bedroom homes are only minutes from fantastic shopping, dining and outdoor recreation.  Some of the great features included in all new LGI Homes are brand new top of the line appliances, custom cabinetry, landscaping and more. 

Don’t throw away another penny on rent! Owning is easier than you think. Call or visit one of our beautiful new home communities today.  If you live in the Houston, San Antonio or DFW area LGI Homes has the perfect new home for you. 

Canyon Crossing – San Antonio, TX | Deer Creek – S Fort Worth, TX | Chisholm Springs – N Fort Worth, TX | Creekside Village – N Houston, TX | Sunrise Meadow – S Houston, TX

At LGI Homes we are actively acquiring and looking for sales representatives in Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Antonio. Construction and Administrative jobs are also available.

Since 2003, LGI Homes has become one of the fastest growing home builders in Texas and was recognized by Builder Magazine as the only builder in the United States to increase closing in 2006, 2007, and 2008. Recently LGI Homes was recently recognized as the best for Overall Quality for Houston New Homes.

Employee Benefits

• Health & Dental Insurance
• 401(K) Plan with Company Match
• Long & Short-term Disability Insurance
• Extensive Training Opportunities
• Vacation, Holiday, & Sick Pay
• New Home Discount

Jumpstart your sales career today! Apply online at Work ForLGIHomes.com

The downturn of the housing market—along with intensified competition for a very limited pool of home buyers—has reinforced the importance of customer focus for new-home builders,” said Dale Haines, senior director of the real estate and construction industries practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “In this buyers’ market, builders that are attentive to customer needs and focus on relationship building stand the best chance of enduring through the market recovery.”

2010 New-Home Quality Study

The J.D. Power and Associates New-Home Quality Study, now in its fourth year, measures the occurance and impact of construction problems experienced by new-home owners in 17 markets.  The study utilizes an index that measures problems in 41 categories for the following aspects: bathroom; drywall; electrical/appliances; flooring/stairs; home exterior; interior paint; kitchen; windows/doors; and other significant problems.

LGI Homes ranks highest in new-home quality in the Houston market. Home quality in the Houston market has improved from 2009, averaging 850 in 2010—up by 18 points from the previous year.

To be included in the studies, Houston-area builders must have closed 150 or more homes in the market in 2009. The new homes are located in the following counties: Brazoria, Ft. Bend, Galveston, Harris and Montgomery.

These studies are based on responses from more than 16,400 buyers of newly built single-family homes who provided feedback after living in their home from four to 18 months, on average. There were 2,273 respondents in the Houston market. For more comprehensive builder rankings for all 17 U.S. markets, visit www.jdpower.com/homes.

For more information, read an article, watch a video or view new-home builder customer satisfaction ratings on JDPower.com.

About J.D. Power and Associates

Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, Web intelligence and customer satisfaction. The company’s quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on home building and home improvement; car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a global information and education company providing knowledge, insights and analysis in the financial, education and business information sectors through leading brands including Standard & Poor’s, McGraw-Hill Education, Platts, and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2009 were $5.95 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/.

[View the entire Press Release]

In celebration of Memorial Day, LGI Homes is offering huge savings this Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday only! Come out this weekend to a LGI Homes community and receive $5,000 off the purchase price of a new home at the LGI Homes Memorial Day Sale.

With mortgage interest rates at historic 52 year lows there has never been a better time to purchase a new home. LGI Homes has new homes available and ready for immediate move in. Purchase this weekend at the LGI Homes Memorial Day Sale and you could be moving into your brand new beautiful home in 30 days or less.

Call today to set your appointment to come see the great deals offered this weekend at the LGI Homes Memorial Day Sale.

Canyon Crossing – San Antonio, TX | Deer Creek – S Fort Worth, TX | Chisholm Springs – N Fort Worth, TX | Creekside Village – N Houston, TX | Sunrise Meadow – S Houston, TX

For the past 5 years, LGI Homes has been recognized by Builder Magazine as one of the top home builders in the United States.  Moving up 11 places from 2008, LGI Homes was recently ranked No. 57 on Builder Magazine’s 2009 Builder 100 List.  This list determined based on closings and is made up of both private and public builders.  LGI Homes continues to stand out year after year by providing quality homes at affordable prices to new homebuyers. 

LGI Homes features three, four and five bedroom floor plans with two bathrooms on over-sized lots. Every home comes with quality appliances, custom cabinets, a fenced backyard, front yard landscaping and a homeowner warranty.

In addition, all LGI Homes are built with thousands of dollars worth of upgrades already included at no extra cost to you in desirable locations that are perfect to fit the needs and desired lifestyle you dream for your family. 

Call or visit one of our beautiful LGI Homes communities today and see how you can own a new home for as little as $629* a month with no down payment required.

Canyon Crossing – San Antonio, TX | Deer Creek – S Fort Worth, TX | Chisholm Springs – N Fort Worth, TX | Creekside Village – N Houston, TX | Sunrise Meadow – S Houston, TX

Did you know the government is giving away $8,000 to all First Time Homebuyers who purchase a new home by April 30th? That is right the government will give you $8,000 to purchase a new home but this is your final weekend to buy. Time is running out! Don’t miss out on this opportunity.

If you are considering the purchase of a new home, the time to act is now!  LGI Homes has the perfect home available so you and your family can take advantage of this great opportunity. Make your appointment today to see the great new floor plans and upgrades we now offer in each and every one of our beautiful new homes.

As you can see there has never been a better time to buy a new home. Call today and you too can own a brand new home for as low as $629 a month with no down payment required. Call today and make your appointment to come out this weekend to take advantage of the $8,000 First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit before it expires on April 30, 2010.

Take these steps on the Spring Checklist provided by LGI Homes to keep your new home in tiptop shape and to freshen it up each Spring:

SPRING CHECKLIST

• Change Furnace Filter (Monthly)
• Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
• Clean Aerators on Faucets and Shower Heads
• Inspect Air-Conditioning Unit for Proper Operation
• Inspect Backsplash Caulking and Re-Caulk as Needed
• Inspect Shower and Tub Caulking and Re-Caulk as Needed
• Test GFCI receptacles
• Inspect Exterior Paint, Stain or Siding, Putty & Caulking
• Clean Fins on Outside AC Condensing Unit
• Check Drainage Swales for Proper Rain Water Flow
• Check for Evidence of Termites
• Inspect the Roof and Roof Vents
• Re-Seal Wood Fences

Time is running out. Don’t miss your last chance for the $8,000 home buyer tax credit. If you are considering the purchase of a new home, the time to act is now!

LGI Homes is the leader in affordable housing for First-Time Homebuyers.  With over 100 homes currently in inventory in the Houston, San Antonio, and Fort Worth areas, LGI Homes has the perfect home, move-in ready, so you can take advantage of this great opportunity.

You have a limited time to take advantage of this Tax Credit. Take the first step towards homeownership and visit one of the beautiful LGI Homes communities today. 

Don’t Miss Out!  Take advantage of this limited time offer.