As the green movement continues to grow more and more popular, confusion within the real estate marketplace has continued to grow due to unclear definitions of what makes a home “green.”

The National Association of Home Builders lists guidelines for homeowners, which explain that “a green home pays attention to energy efficiency, water resource conservation, the use of sustainable or recycled products, and measures to protect indoor air quality.”

For homeowners in Crown Community Developments looking to join the green movement, being environmentally conscious is the first step. Then by integrating these …

When you purchase your new home in the beautiful WaterGrass community, the waiting time between contract and closing will be filled with excitement and the hustle and bustle of moving.  It’s time to pack up your old house and move all your cherished items to your new home. Where do you start? Fortunately, Standard Pacific Homes, a builder featured in the WaterGrass community, has provided these helpful moving tips to keep the packing process moving along and end with a successful move:
One Month Before Moving

Schedule the mover
Arrange for transportation of …

We know when you are planning a move, your child’s education is a high priority. We’re proud that middle school students who live in the WaterGrass community attend Thomas E. Weightman Middle School. The school’s vision is to offer a nurturing and safe environment that values diversity, provides academic focus, and challenges all students to achieve their potential.
And the learning doesn’t stop when school ends. This summer students have participated in the Summer Reading Challenge, an innovative program to keep kids involved with their education over the summer. Students are …

As summer heats up, many are coordinating their housing decor to warm up as well. Often in the winter, homes become bland and “wintery.” Let the light in with some of these easy ways from the Chicago Tribune to “summerize” your home!

Use Lots of colors. Turquoise and yellow are two great colors for summer, especially when paired with gray or brown.
Change your throw pillows. Simply switching your throw pillows …

When decorating your home, one important place to keep in mind is your home’s high spaces. The extra space that is above tall bookcases, kitchen cabinets, and built-in ledges are often overlooked; however, these high spaces, if decorated properly, can add additional warmth and dimension to your home. We’ve summarized this article from tampabay.com to help you do the most with those hard to reach nooks.
Layering. One way to add visual interest to your home’s decor is to use the layering technique. Above furniture like bookcases, secretaries, hutches, and armoires, layer …

Love swimming? Love just hanging with friends? WaterGrass is the place for you
The future gathering place will be designed with your lifestyle in mind. The facility will provide the perfect setting for relaxation and casual gatherings among family and friends.
At WaterGrass, nearly 250-acres of the 998-acre property will be preserved as woods and wetlands, and enhanced as parks and playgrounds. The future dedicated bike lanes will invite you to enjoy the entire community at your leisure.
Set up an appointment to visit and learn more …

The kitchen is often the hub of your home—whether your family sits together to eat at meals or everyone just grazes, odds are it’s a central meeting spot several times a day. In addition to family, invited guests may spend much time standing around the countertops or table, enjoying each other’s company while you eat and drink. As such an important part of your home, special care should be taken in choosing selections, designing your kitchen, or remodeling. To maximize your enjoyment of the space you have, we’ve put together …

Searching for and buying a new home can be an extremely overwhelming experience. So we’ve outlined a step-by-step checklist to get you started on your way to finding the perfect home for you.
1. Find an agent you can trust. Your real estate agent is the pro. The agent finds people homes for a living, and has gone through this process many times before. Although you may do your own research, the agent’s job is to know the market, know the process, and know how to find you your best deal. …

According to a recent news article, value is now the top item on homebuyers agendas, filling a slot that once belonged to location. While location is still high up on the list of considerations, the article points out that value and affordable pricing is top of mind.
This new “smart shopping” means that buyers are considering the pocketbook more closely instead of just opting to buy the biggest house on the block. Energy efficiency and utility bills are some of the things affecting these considerations.  As Deborah Beaver, vice president of …

Seven Oaks in Wesley Chapel has been an extremely sought after community, and it’s no wonder—24 neighborhoods of beautiful landscaping, community parks, a 17-acre SportsCore and Club with incredible pools, great schools, and best of all, an overwhelming sense of community. With so much living and activity happening at Seven Oaks, it’s hard to believe that there’s still a chance to join in. Which is why we’re sure you’ll be pleased to find out that lots are now available in our newest neighborhoods, Stonecreek and Watermark.
Stonecreek sits at the northernmost …