Buyers who intend to use the place as a second home will pay the same rate as they would pay for a primary residence. If they intend to rent the property out until they retire and they need the rental income to qualify for the mortgage, lenders will consider that an investment property and charge a half to a full percentage point more.

Still, the idea remains “pretty compelling,” says Justin Krane, a certified financial planner in Los Angeles.

Source: Money Magazine, Sarah Max (11/02/2010)

 The entries will be posted on our Facebook, Twitter, and our blog.  The two entries that receive the highest number of comments and likes will each a bouquet of flowers sent to their favorite mom.  It’s our way of recognizing all the wonderful women who call themselves mothers.

Kolter Homes is calling it the “Grande Savings Weekend” at their luxury townhome community of Grande Oaks at Heathrow – an opportunity to save as much as $50,000 on a 2- or 3-story townhome. And some even come with free elevators!

Marc Friedman, Sales Director for Kolter Homes, said the special pricing starts at $229,900 and mortgages are available with interest rates as low as 3.125%. The Grande Savings Weekend is next Saturday and Sunday, April 10 and 11. But models and tours are available throughout the week.

“We’re encouraging everyone to come out early and see our furnished models and our townhomes that are ready for immediate occupancy,” Friedman said. “We designed these townhomes to feel like plush custom homes, in keeping with the luxury and style of the Heathrow-Markham Woods area. The interiors are full of luxury appointments, especially in the master suites and kitchens.”

Friedman said more than 50 townhomes are now occupied at Grande Oaks, and most residents have come from surrounding neighborhoods in the area. Many are empty nesters or single people who appreciate the benefits of the Heathrow location and want a high-end townhome environment.

There’s a variety of floor plans in both 2- and 3-story designs, with almost 2,500 square feet of living space. Friedman said Kolter recently offered 5 townhomes with free elevators and already 2 have sold.

Grande Oaks at Heathrow is a gated community and features a long list of luxury amenities, including a Residents-only Clubhouse, a fully-equipped Fitness Center and a lakeside swimming pool.

• The community also is located in one of the most enviable addresses in Lake Mary, with easy access to:
  Colonial TownPark, just one minute away, with shops, restaurants (Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Shula’s 347 Grill, among others) and a 12-screen movie theater.
• Colonial Center, home of AAA international headquarters and many other major offices, is just 2 minutes away.
•  Seminole Towne Center Mall, 5 minutes.
•  A variety of recreation, including 5 championship golf courses within 10 minutes, the Wekiva River and the Cross Seminole Bicycle Trail.
• 1 minute to the I-4 exit/entrance ramps and 30 minutes to New Smyrna Beach.

“The lifestyle in the area is some of the finest in all of Florida. Everything is convenient – for living, working and playing,” Friedman said.

To visit Grande Oaks at Heathrow, take I-4 to Exit 101A (H.E. Thomas Parkway). Go west ½-mile and Grande Oaks is on the right. Call 407-829-8961 or log on to www.KolterHomes.com/GrandeOaks.

Grande Oaks at Heathrow

Proudly built by Kolter Homes, Grande Oaks at Heathrow appeals to discerning homebuyers with a gated entry, spacious townhome floorplans, two-car garages and an amenity-rich clubhouse.

Located in Lake Mary, Florida, which was rated #4 on Money® Magazines Best Places to Live, Grande Oaks is located within walking distance of the Colonial TownPark shopping center. Colonial TownPark has shopping, outdoor dining and entertainment and much more. You can view the latest blockbuster at the theater, have a gourmet feast at an outdoor café and wind down the evening at the cigar bar all within a short walk from your front door.

The gated community is completely maintenance free and features two- and three-story townhomes.

Amenities include an innovatively designed lakefront recreation center with a fitness area, meeting rooms, kitchen, pool area with spa and tot lot. Beautiful oaks enhance the property creating natural beauty and bringing serenity to the landscape. Grande Oaks at Heathrow offers quaint pocket parks, opportunities for biking along the numerous bike path routes as well as other local outdoor pursuits such as jogging and fishing.

Kolter Homes Facebook Contest

• Share funniest face on our Wall and you are entered!
  • Once you’ve become a Fan, you can enter the contest by searching your computer for the silliest, goofiest, funniest face you can find & post your “Funny Face” picture to our Facebook Page for the world to see and to enter our contest for a chance to win. We want to SEE what you got! To thank you for sharing your pictures, Kolter will randomly choose one entry to win a Flip Ultra HD™ camcorder!

• One grand prize winner will be selected to win a Flip Ultra HD™ camcorder!
• Email info@koltercontest.com with any questions.
• You may enter as many times as you like, as long as each entry is unique.
• Entries will be accepted through October 15, 2009.
• Offers are subject to change without notice. Details available online.
• The winning entry will be posted on Kolter Homes’ page on Facebook and KolterHomes.com on or near October 20th, 2009.