Oak Creek Homes – Hurricane Harvey Update

Thankfully, we are OK and are working to get back on our feet! Oak Creek Homes is a League City- based company (just south of Houston), and extreme weather is nothing new to us. Hurricane Harvey, however, is truly unprecedented in its strength.

The safety of our employees is a top priority. All are safe and accounted for, though many have been kept away temporarily due to flooding. To any customers in the coastal areas, we are wishing you the best and are happy to help in any way.

Our Texas manufacturing plants are located just south of Dallas and in Fort Worth. They are unharmed by Harvey and are operating at their regular production rate. This leaves us prepared for our usual role in the Government’s storm-recovery programs.

We have already been told by a number of suppliers that prices are about to increase due to storm demand. Whatever window we have at buying materials (and selling homes) at existing prices may close quickly. This is an unfortunate reality after any major storm.

Business in non-storm affected areas is normal. Our operations in the rest of Texas as well as Oklahoma are selling and delivering homes as usual. We are day-to-day in coastal Texas and South Louisiana.

Oak Creek Homes appreciates your business and patience! We will keep you posted on our progress and wish you all the best. From our 47 years in business, we know that you can’t keep Texas (or Texans) down!

[Original Image Credit: kut.org]

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Add Heavy Value To Your Home by Painting Your Bathroom Blue

Years ago, we were told by industry experts that neutral color paint was the way to go when marketing your home. The idea was that using beige and white colors would appeal to the mass of potential buyers. But recent data points to painting your home using bold colors to maximize your home’s value.

Namely, it’s the bathrooms where bolder colors produce the most value. According to Zillow.com, homes with bathrooms painted in light shades of blue, such as sky blue and powder blue, sold for more money…an average of $5,440 more. Interestingly, Zillow found homes with white/neutral bathrooms sold for over $4,000 less.

Other blue-clad rooms get a good response from buyers, too. According to an article in Money, buyers pay, on average, $1,856 more for homes with blue colored bedrooms. Further, homes with dining/family rooms in shades of slate and navy blue sold for about $2,000 more.

The best part is, painting is cheap and easy. You can call in pros, or do it yourself. Either way, you’ll likely realize more money at the closing table with a bold, yet cost effective, color choice!

Check Out the Oak Creek Homes Design Center for new ideas!

The post Add $5,000 in Home Value by Painting Your Bathroom This Color… appeared first on Oak Creek Homes.

Add Heavy Value To Your Home by Painting Your Bathroom Blue

Years ago, we were told by industry experts that neutral color paint was the way to go when marketing your home. The idea was that using beige and white colors would appeal to the mass of potential buyers. But recent data points to painting your home using bold colors to maximize your home’s value.

Namely, it’s the bathrooms where bolder colors produce the most value. According to Zillow.com, homes with bathrooms painted in light shades of blue, such as sky blue and powder blue, sold for more money…an average of $5,440 more. Interestingly, Zillow found homes with white/neutral bathrooms sold for over $4,000 less.

Other blue-clad rooms get a good response from buyers, too. According to an article in Money, buyers pay, on average, $1,856 more for homes with blue colored bedrooms. Further, homes with dining/family rooms in shades of slate and navy blue sold for about $2,000 more.

The best part is, painting is cheap and easy. You can call in pros, or do it yourself. Either way, you’ll likely realize more money at the closing table with a bold, yet cost effective, color choice!

Check Out the Oak Creek Homes Design Center for new ideas!

The post Add $5,000 in Home Value by Painting Your Bathroom This Color… appeared first on Oak Creek Homes.

High Lumber Costs are about to Get Higher

If you’ve got your heart set on a new home, prepare to pay more (an average of $1,236 more according to an estimate from the National Association of Home Builders). The soaring lumber cost and widespread labor shortages are impacting the residential construction market. Lumber prices, already at record-high levels, are on their way up.

Steadily Rising Costs

Random Lengths is a subscriber-based, independent organization that provides weekly reports on wood products pricing. According to the April 28 report, the cost of oriented strand board (OSB) lumber – used extensively in residential construction – reached four-year highs. The current FOB mill composite price (the price directly from the mill, without any added freight costs) is $426…up $68 from the same period last year.

The report also noted that the April 28, 2017 framing lumber cost (spruce, pine, fir) was up significantly from April 28, 2016. Analysts speculate that lumber prices jumped 22% during the first quarter of 2017 based on just the anticipation of a tariff on imported lumber. Now that the tariff is a reality, prices are expected to soar for the foreseeable future.

Trump Administration Cracks Down on Canadian Imports

Lumber imported into the United States from Canada accounts for about 30% of the softwood lumber used to build U.S. houses. On April 24, the Trump administration announced it would impose tariffs averaging 20% on those imports – to be collected retroactively 90 days prior to that date. These taxes are expected to increase lumber costs and, consequently, housing costs.

As industry analysts, builders, and lumber suppliers on both sides of the border come to terms with this new reality, it’s too early to accurately predict how the tax will affect long term lumber prices. One thing is certain, though. Lumber prices for the foreseeable future will increase. As they do, builders will have little choice but to pass those increases on to consumers.

Now What?

The recent tariff increase should be a reality check for potential home-buyers who have been on the fence, hoping that prices of new inventory will decline. On the contrary, the reality is that lumber costs will likely increase in the near term. How much prices will increase and how long they’ll remain elevated should become clearer in the coming months. For now, though, the sooner home buyers lock in a price, the better.

The post Lumber Cost On The Rise. appeared first on Oak Creek Homes.

A new manufactured home sits on a home site in Bryan, Texas.

Top 5 Manufactured Home Myths

“Home sweet home” comes in all sizes, locations, and budgets: urban brownstones, modern high-rise apartments with sweeping city views, rambling suburban ranch homes, rustic farmhouses, manufactured homes … That’s right. For many people, the perfect home is a manufactured home. If that surprises you, you may be buying into the following common (false) manufactured home myths. We’d like to set the record straight!

Myth 1: Manufactured homes are unsafe.

Modern day (post-1994) manufactured homes must meet the same U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) safety standards as stationary homes built on permanent sites. That means manufactured homes meet the same construction quality, strength, and fire / wind-resistant requirements as site-built homes. In fact, manufactured homes must meet higher building-code standards than site-built homes.

Myth 2: The value of a manufactured home won’t appreciate.

As a blanket statement, that’s false. Like site-built homes, appreciation or depreciation occurs on a home by home basis. Manufactured homes can gain equity and increase in value, primarily if the home’s owner also owns the land on which the home sits, they’re well maintained and cared for, attached to a foundation, and have been updated with additions or attached garages. The more desirable the location of the home, the greater the appreciation potential.

Myth 3: Manufactured home communities are tacky.

Sure, you’ll find rundown “trailer parks” throughout the United States – just as you’ll find rundown site-built-home subdivisions with cars parked on the lawns and knee-high weedy yards. But just as you’ll find exclusive gated communities with upscale stick-built homes, you’ll find luxurious manufactured home communities with resort-style pools, million-dollar views, and famous residents.

Myth 4: Manufactured homes all look the same.

Granite, hardwoods, gourmet kitchens with islands, fireplaces, soaking tubs, custom window treatments, spacious porches, media rooms, walk-in closets, skylights, master suites … these are just some of the amenities available in manufactured homes!

Myth 5: It’s tough to find financing for a manufactured home.

It’s no tougher to secure financing for a manufactured home than for a traditional home. When you finance a manufactured home as real property, VA, FHA, USDA and conventional financing is available with terms up to 30 years.

If you’re in the market for a new home, don’t underestimate the benefits of manufactured homes. For significantly less money than you’d spend on a site-built home, you can purchase a manufactured home that has all of the amenities on your wish list. You’ll get the home sweet home you’ve dreamed of – with far less debt and far more flexibility.

The post Top 5 Manufactured Home Myths appeared first on Oak Creek Homes.

Manufactured Home Myths BUSTED!

“Home sweet home” comes in all sizes, locations, and budgets: urban brownstones, modern high-rise apartments, suburban ranch homes, rustic farmhouses, manufactured homes … That’s right. A manufactured home is the perfect option for many. If that surprises you, you may be buying into the following common (false) manufactured home myths. So, let’s set the record straight!

Myth 1: Manufactured homes are unsafe.

Modern day (post-1994) manufactured homes must meet the same U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) safety standards as site built homes. That means manufactured homes meet the same construction quality, strength, and fire / wind-resistant requirements as site-built homes. In fact, manufactured homes must meet higher building-code standards than site-built homes.

Myth 2: The value of a manufactured home won’t appreciate.

As a blanket statement, that’s false. Like site-built homes, a rise or drop in value occurs on a home by home basis. Manufactured homes can drop in value, just like site built homes…but manufactured homes can also gain equity and increase in value! This is primarily true if:

• The home’s owner also owns the land on which the home sits.
• The house is well maintained.
• The structure is attached to a foundation.
• The home has been updated with additions or attached garages.

Also, location is important. Potential for a rise in home value increases with desirable land location.

Myth 3: Manufactured home communities are tacky.

It is true that you’ll find rundown “trailer parks” throughout the United States. You’ll also find rundown site-built-home subdivisions. But just as you’ll find exclusive gated communities with upscale homes, you’ll find luxurious manufactured home communities with resort-style pools, million-dollar views, and famous residents.

Myth 4: Manufactured homes all look the same.

Granite, hardwoods, gourmet kitchens with islands, fireplaces, soaking tubs, custom window treatments, spacious porches, media rooms, walk-in closets, skylights, master suites … manufactured homes have these amenities, and many more.

Myth 5: It’s tough to find financing for a manufactured home.

It’s no tougher to secure financing for a manufactured home than for a traditional home. When you finance a manufactured home as real property, VA, FHA, USDA and conventional financing is available with terms up to 30 years.

So, consider the benefits of manufactured homes. For significantly less money than you’d spend on a site-built home, you can purchase a manufactured home that has all of the amenities on your wish list. You just might get the home sweet home of your dreams.

The post Top 5 Manufactured Home Myths appeared first on Oak Creek Homes.

Manufactured Home Myths BUSTED!

“Home sweet home” comes in all sizes, locations, and budgets: urban brownstones, modern high-rise apartments, suburban ranch homes, rustic farmhouses, manufactured homes … That’s right. A manufactured home is the perfect option for many. If that surprises you, you may be buying into the following common (false) manufactured home myths. So, let’s set the record straight!

Myth 1: Manufactured homes are unsafe.

Modern day (post-1994) manufactured homes must meet the same U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) safety standards as site built homes. That means manufactured homes meet the same construction quality, strength, and fire / wind-resistant requirements as site-built homes. In fact, manufactured homes must meet higher building-code standards than site-built homes.

Myth 2: The value of a manufactured home won’t appreciate.

As a blanket statement, that’s false. Like site-built homes, a rise or drop in value occurs on a home by home basis. Manufactured homes can drop in value, just like site built homes…but manufactured homes can also gain equity and increase in value! This is primarily true if:

• The home’s owner also owns the land on which the home sits.
• The house is well maintained.
• The structure is attached to a foundation.
• The home has been updated with additions or attached garages.

Also, location is important. Potential for a rise in home value increases with desirable land location.

Myth 3: Manufactured home communities are tacky.

It is true that you’ll find rundown “trailer parks” throughout the United States. You’ll also find rundown site-built-home subdivisions. But just as you’ll find exclusive gated communities with upscale homes, you’ll find luxurious manufactured home communities with resort-style pools, million-dollar views, and famous residents.

Myth 4: Manufactured homes all look the same.

Granite, hardwoods, gourmet kitchens with islands, fireplaces, soaking tubs, custom window treatments, spacious porches, media rooms, walk-in closets, skylights, master suites … manufactured homes have these amenities, and many more.

Myth 5: It’s tough to find financing for a manufactured home.

It’s no tougher to secure financing for a manufactured home than for a traditional home. When you finance a manufactured home as real property, VA, FHA, USDA and conventional financing is available with terms up to 30 years.

So, consider the benefits of manufactured homes. For significantly less money than you’d spend on a site-built home, you can purchase a manufactured home that has all of the amenities on your wish list. You just might get the home sweet home of your dreams.

The post Top 5 Manufactured Home Myths appeared first on Oak Creek Homes.

When in the market for a new home, many people are looking toward the attractive, low cost option of manufactured homes. Lending for these factory-built dwellings is different in some ways that a traditional mortgage for a house built on site. According to CFED, “financing manufactured home purchases and refinances can be a viable and effective community development activity for credit unions”. Thus, more and more credit unions have stepped up to answer the call, offering lending for manufactured houses.

1. Credit Unions prefer helping members over making profit.

Credit Unions have a fundamental approach to building wealth by building their local community. Unlike banks, which lend money near and far for the sole purpose of turning a profit on each transaction, credit unions believe that their growth depends largely on the growth of their local community. What is good for the neighborhood is good for the credit union. Thus, if manufactured houses are in demand in an area, local credit unions want to offer loan products to meet those needs.

1. Manufactured Home Loans address the demand for smaller home loans.

Ever since the financial crisis in 2008, consumers are demanding access to smaller, more affordable home loans. According to an article published by Wired, housing experts confess that “a family that makes $100,000 can’t afford to buy a house” in many cities. The new ‘Duty to Serve’ rule from the FHFA has allowed for more affordable originations of smaller loans, namely manufactured homes, opening the door to answer consumer demands for affordable home loan solutions.

1. Manufactured Home Loans Diversify the Credit Union’s portfolio.

Although Credit Unions are not-for-profit, they also cannot operate at a loss. This means investment diversity matters to them, too. A diverse lending portfolio is the best strategy to mitigating risk and raising profits for credit unions, and manufactured home lending provides a nice alternative loan product to traditional mortgages.

The post Why Are Credit Unions Offering Loans for Manufactured Housing? appeared first on Oak Creek Homes.

When you’ve built homes as long as Oak Creek (45 years!), you hear a lot of common reasons for customers not falling in love with a particular model.  Often, the heart of the home is great, but the rest is just not quite right.  By the heart of the home, I’m talking about the kitchen, living room and master suite.

With the new Magnificent Seven model of Oak Creek Homes, this problem becomes a thing of the past!  You see, all seven floorplans that constitute the Magnificent Seven have the same core of kitchen, living room and master suite…literally identical.  What’s different with each is the size and additional bedroom and living room configurations.

Need a fourth bedroom?  No problem.  Need a second living area?  Gotcha covered.  You want a 3^rd bath?  It ain’t nuthin’ but a thing.  And with Oak Creek’s amazing 3D touring software, you’ll feel like you’re inside of any of the seven configurations while viewing the one at your local dealership.  Call or email today and set an appointment to see the amazing new Magnificent Seven at Oak Creek Homes!

The post The Magnificent Seven – The home that’s 7 floorplans in one! appeared first on Oak Creek Homes.

Sometimes when our housing consultants greet new customers, their apprehension and fear are apparent.  They are weary of interacting because they just had a terrible experience at one of our competitors.  Sadly, we are often told of hour-long inquisitions and full credit reviews before a person is even allowed to see a home.  Then, after finally reviewing the homes, a parade of salespeople and managers take turns trying to extract money from the customer, often for a home they don’t really like.  At Oak Creek, we take a very different approach…we take time to LISTEN.  We want to know what your needs are, and then we save you time by only showing you the homes that fit these needs.  Our experience is a true consultation because we work for YOU.  Tell us what your specific needs are and, if we have it, we will tell you everything you want to know.   If we don’t, we’ll shake hands and part friends.  Come try a professional approach to business at Oak Creek Homes.

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