Raymus Homes, Inc

It's All About the Colors

2012-02-06T13:52:00.000-08:00

So you just bought your new Raymus home; now what? Do you just start moving your stuff in or are you ready to make your home your new sanctuary? Do you want to be welcomed by all the warm and fuzzy feelings when you come home or just want to grab a snack out of the fridge and plop down on the sofa and watch TV? Although at times you may need a night to just veg out wouldn’t it be great to have that feeling of “Home Sweet Home” and actually mean it? One of the ways to achieve this sense of euphoria is through colors used in your home. Talk about the total customized emotional experience, adding specific colors to your home will not only create an extension of your personality but will also cater to your emotions.

How you ask? By first finding out what personality type you are and take our “Finally About You” quiz. Next is discovering the meaning or emotions of the colors. According to Sherwin-Williams they have categorized colors in 4 groups that are expected to be popular in 2012. Those groups are the Reds, Blues, Greens and the Neutrals. The Reds are the bold colors of the group. They make a statement. Red is considered the color of love and stirs emotions of passion but also of softness (depending on the shade).

The Blues are often considered the calming or tranquil colors. Blues are sometimes used to give a “Fresh” new look to an existing or boring wall. Greens are next on the list. For 2012 the focus is more on greens that are lush, moody and complex. This would include forest or leafy motifs or more organic lick algae, moss or seaweed. Topping off the list is the Neutral colors. When thinking about Neutral colors think of raw materials such as woods, linen or unfired porcelain. These neutral colors are forecast to be popular this year and years to come. Certain grays also make the Neutral group. These neutral colors can give a sense of balance in the home amongst the other colors added. To find out more, visit http://www.raymushomes.com/.

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It's the little things...

2011-12-06T16:37:00.001-08:00

It's the little things that go into building a home the really make the home. Often times customers focus on the big picture and forget about all the wonderful items that added to make your home the best home it can be.
Take for example cabinet bumpers. Look back at when you bought your home or if you are planning to buy and think if you even consider this to be an issue. Did you think that you needed something to dampen the sound of slamming cabinet doors and drawers? Did you consider that with a bumper your cabinet is protected far more and less likely to incur damage from slamming or closing of said door. Of course not, who thinks about cabinet bumpers? Well...we do!

Just another example of the many great things that goes into building your new Raymus Home.

For more information about Raymus Homes and products we us call us at 209-887-2172 or better yet, purchase your very own and see the difference first hand.

Safety Tips for Decorating this Christmas

2011-11-29T11:36:00.001-08:00

If you are excited about putting up your Christmas decorations this year it is important to remember "Safety First" when decorating. Be sure to use appropriate power cords that are meant for outside use and don't set up decorations by yourself are just a few examples. By following a few safety tips at the link below you'll be sure to have a safe holiday season. Last but not least be sure to leave a clean and clear path for Santa. You wouldn't want him to pass you by. Happy Holidays.

Safety Checklist for Holiday Decorating

Newly Added Safety Feature!

2011-11-19T11:14:00.001-08:00

Growing with the tradition of constantly improving, Raymus Homes adds a new feature to the mix. With an ever growing importance to safety, we have added the security of a lock box medicine cabinet. This allows you to lock up potentially harmful medication and keep out of the hands of children. Imagine how secure you'll feel knowing that your medication or any items you place in the box are safe and secure.

Here are some of the specifications for you to review.

• Mounting: Recessed

• Overall Size: 16-1/4" x 26" x 4-1/2

• Wall Opening Size: 14" x 24" x 3-1/2"

• Painted steel body

• 2 Adjustable painted steel shelves

• Piano hinge

• Chrome framed exterior mirror

• Removable painted steel lockbox with a keyed lock

• Reversible for left or right hand opening

Nutone Lockbox

We're Moving!

2011-10-25T16:20:00.000-07:00

As we come to closeout stage of Country Faire in Linden we are moving out of the Sales Trailer and into one of the homes. This gives us the opportunity to offer the corner home site where the trailer was located. That site offers over 10,250 sq ft and has landscaping in the back yard that we expect to be able to keep. With mature trees and bushes lining the back and sides this site offers great space and an almost complete back yard. There is still time to decide what plan you'd like on this site but hurry as time is running out. Thanks to all the families of Country Faire for making this such a wonderful neighborhood. For more information on how you can become part of the Country Faire family please contact 209-887-2172.

California Housing Market Sees August Boom | Buying | Real Estate | Mainstreet

2011-09-20T17:19:00.000-07:00

California Housing Market Sees August Boom Buying Real Estate Mainstreet

What type of Woman are You! Find out here...

2011-07-11T15:21:00.000-07:00

Woman-Centric Background (worth sharing again for those who may have missed this)

At first glance, this idea of Woman-Centric might seem to be just a creative marketing scheme. However, you will see that it is not just a new way of building a more useful, relaxing home, but it is also new way of providing the best customer service possible.

In 2005, it was reported at the National Association of Home Builders that “Women are the sole or primary decision makers in 91% of new home purchases.” After conducting 1000’s of hours of research, in 2006 Merillat, America’s largest cabinetry brand proclaimed “Women are the target market for home builders.”

America’s largest residential design firm, Design Basics, has been specifically researching women homebuyers’ preferences in home designs since 2003. During the previous decade, the majority of their firm’s research had been with men. But an article in FORBES magazine, attributing Lowes success against their bigger rival Home Depot was due to Lowes’ recognition that “she” was the key decision maker, encouraged Design Basics seek the input from female homebuyers. Women from all parts of the country, with differing backgrounds and varying levels of financial resources have participated in their research, which continues today.

In addition to being asked to critique the company’s home designs and describe their dream home, women identified what they were frustrated with in their current homes. Design Basics used focus groups, online and telephone surveys, model home interviews and spent time with women in their current homes observing aspects of design. All to better understand how these women wanted their homes to “live”. Paul Foresman with Design Basics points out, “I’ve been married 27 years and thought I knew what women wanted in a new home. But our research findings continue to amaze me. Flat out, many of my assumptions were wrong. And as guys, we simply overlooked design amenities that we’ve learned are very important to women.”

At Raymus Homes, we believe the woman-centric approach is better. The home designs are better because they truly focus on how the home “lives”. We’ve developed a new appreciation for the products included in our homes—again based on women’s feedback. And all of our buyers benefit from our emphasis on delivering a great customer experience.

If you have any questions about the Woman-Centric Matters approach or want to see what we've been up to, please contact us at 887-2172 or Anthony@RaymusHomes.com.

You can take our Woman-Centric personality quiz on our website at http://www.raymushomes.com/whywomen.php

Keep it Dry, Keep it Clean

2011-06-07T13:20:00.000-07:00

Considering the fact that we are in June already and the sun is shining, birds chirping kids playing...oh wait that must be a different year, June so far has been rather dank and wet. That being said with all the rain lately you may want to consider a few things to help prevent mold in your new home. You may think to yourself, "I shouldn't have mold in my brand new home."

The reality is that new homes are not immune to mold. Quite the contrary in fact. With all the new energy efficient products in the home, your home is now sealed up tighter than ever. Meaning less air gaps in your windows and doors and so on which helps for ventilation but can hurt your wallet when it comes to paying your utilities bills. So whats the answer, use the products built into your home to combat this plus a few helpful tips to keep mold away.

Some of these tips may seem obvious, ok they are extremely obvious, but often times the obvious gets overlooked. We all know one person in our family that likes to take the long showers that seem to fill the bathroom with thick steam clouds reminiscent of London fog, but such steam and moisture seeps into the walls and can quickly result in mold forming.

Another example is the cloths dryer. This is probably one that gets overlooked because its not as obvious. Its important to connect the venting tube properly so the from the dryer vents out of the home and out of laundry room in particular. Such moisture can build up on the walls and leave sticky residue and can soon become and ideal habitat for mold.

Your new home is equipped with products to combat this. We all know of cracking open a window or using the fan in the bathroom when showering but did you also know that we can installed timer fans to shut off automatically after 10,20,30 or even 50 minutes? Perfect tool for those long shower takers. Also same concept for the laundry room but more advanced is the fan that will automatically circulate air and given periods throughout the day without you having to do anything.

For more information feel free to contact Raymus Homes at 209-887-2172 or view our website at www.RaymusHomes.com

Rent vs Buy

2011-05-23T17:26:00.000-07:00

There are many advantages for buying a new home vs renting a home, especially since home prices are far more affordable then years past.

You've all heard before the tax benefits or the how buying a home builds equity into your future but one thing that is often overlooked is Freedom. That is your freedom to do what you'd like in the home. You are the king or queen of your castle and if you want to decorate the wall with pink paint and rhinestones, who can tell you otherwise? On a side note though your friends may not come over to the pink rhinestone house, just saying.

What a liberating feeling it is to decide what you do to your home. You can change things, rearrange things & add things as you see fit without the input of a landlord to say otherwise. It's the difference between a house and a home. It's an extension of you and your style and how you live your life. With many loan programs that offer fixed rates you wont have to worry about rent increases as the cost of living rises. Your loan payment remains the same. So what are you waiting for. Find out if buying makes since to you by checking out the link below.

As always you can contact us to explore opportunities available to you at 209-887-2172.

http://www.ginniemae.gov/rent_vs_buy/Rent_vs_buy.asp?subTitle=YPTH

Housing Bottom Near?

2011-05-20T13:33:00.000-07:00

Experts are claiming we are nearing the bottom of the housing market indicating this is a great time to purchase. There is a downside however, that is mortgage rates are expected to rise.

"Mortgage interest rates should rise gradually to 5.5 percent by the end of the year and average 6.0 by 2012..."

For the full story read below...

Realty Times - Stockton, California Real Estate Market Conditions

Local Linden H.S. Student gets scholarship...

2011-05-16T13:38:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to local Linden H.S. student Melanie Vieira. For full story see below.

County seniors awarded scholarships to pursue training as future teachers Recordnet.com

Happy Anniversary to Country Faire!

2011-05-09T16:13:00.000-07:00

RED DAY

2011-05-03T12:26:00.000-07:00

Red Day? No its not a Sci-Fi movie but a wonderful community involvment program by Keller Williams. May 12th Keller Williams will be getting involved throughout the Nation with Red Day. At the local level in Stockton they will be "Re-Beautifing" the Boggs Tract Community Center located at 533 S. Los Angeles St in Stockton.
We at Raymus Homes are encouraged by such involvement in the community and will be joining Keller Williams on the 12th to help in their efforts to give back to their neighborhood. Please join us and help for such a great cause. For more information you can contact Alisa Simmerman at 209-200-0336. See you there.

Open House

2011-04-29T15:14:00.001-07:00

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Top 10 Reasons to Buy a New Home!

2011-04-15T15:58:00.000-07:00

Do you really need any more reasons to buy a new home? Just in case you do here are 10 more reasons...

10. MORE SPACE: Seems like a logical reason doesn't it? Maybe you decided to have more kids or your first child, maybe you've taken on new hobbies or better yet, maybe the in-laws are going to live with you:-)

9. ENERGY AND RESOURCE EFFICIENCY: Today's new homes are increasingly energy-efficient and are constructed with resource conserving materials and techniques to save you money.

8. AMENITIES: Gourmet kitchen, spa bath, dual shower heads, laundry chute...Buying new lets you personalize your home, your way!

7. WARRANTY: Buying a new home takes the nervousness out of having to rebuild, replace, inspect or bring up to code. With a new home those worries are a thing of the past.

6. INTEREST RATES: Currently still historically low with extended builder rate lock programs available allowing you to lock your rate for up to 6 months.

5. SAFETY: Old homes can sometimes have hidden hazards asbestos, lead-based paint, leaking gas lines or faulty wiring. In addition they may only up to the standards of that year and would require many code updates.

4. GREAT SELECTION: With Raymus Homes there are choices. With several different floor plans, each with a unique design the selections are limitless.

3. MORE FOR YOUR MONEY: Often times you can save big with builder incentives or just by the simple fact that you wont have to fix anything in the home. A new home provides "Move in Ready" conditions.

2. PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP: It's your home, if you want to paint your walls on the inside purple, who's going stop you.

1. IT'S A BUYER'S MARKET: No question about it. Great opportunities await you. Call us at 209-887-2172 to find out more information.

Construction Process-Timeline

2011-04-01T15:47:00.000-07:00

Being that we are building more homes for more happy families, we thought it would be a great idea to discuss the construction process. Many people often have a misunderstanding of what is actually involved with building a home. It’s not like TV where a home is built in only 7 days but instead there is some great planning and coordinating behind the scenes. So lets take a look at what goes on with building a new Raymus Home.

Lets begin with assuming the lot is ready for building. This would include the proper grading to ensure suitable building condition. That brings us to the foundation.

Foundation-key points in the foundation process.
• Home is laid out per plot plan
• Rough plumbing installed and then inspected by city/county inspector
• Pre treat slab for termites
• Once main home foundation poured, inspection is done
• Garage and porch foundation are then poured

Next we move to the framing part of building. Key points to note are as follows
• Delivery of lumber (kind of important)
• Walls laid out and stood up
• Electrical panel is set and utility trench is dug
• Panel inspected by city/county
• Trusses are then delivered and set
• Roof is sheeted and inspected

At this point it begins to look like an actual home. We keep going and move to interior and exterior rough. This brings us to the following items…
• Electrical, plumbing and HVAC rough in
• Windows installed
• Exterior doors are delivered and set
• Fascia boards are painted with first coat
• Sheet metal applied to roof
• Roof installed.

Around this time you will be contacted to do a frame inspection. This is to make sure everyone is on the same page before the point of no return.
After framing we then do the following…
• Insulation installed then inspected
• Sheetrock installed then inspected
• First coat of stucco applied
• Ceiling insulated
• Garage door installed
• Wall texture completed

Time for the interior…
• Stair rails installed (if applicable)
• Cabinets installed
• Stucco color added to outside
• Tile/Vinyl flooring installed as well as countertops
• Fixtures/electrical plates installed
• Mirrors and shower doors installed

Then it’s off to the final touches stage…
• Carpet install
• Appliances installed
• Door hardware
• Landscape in front
• Any touch up paint needed
• Final clean up

About a week before the big smile comes on your face and keys in your hand we do a home orientation with you in your new home. We review the products and go over warranties in place. If we missed something, which can happen, we then correct the issue quickly so that by the time you are ready for keys, your home is ready too.
Raymus Homes…Your Home, Your Way!

2011-03-04T12:17:00.001-08:00

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Going Green: Marketing Genius or Valid Concern?

2011-03-01T11:58:00.000-08:00

You’ve all heard the term “Going Green” but when it comes to new homes, what does that actually mean? You may argue “Going Green” is just another way to market a product or attract customers, that may be true but one thing we can all agree on is SAVING MONEY!

In building a New Raymus Homes, “Going Green” means providing quality products that conserve energy which translates into monthly savings.

So how does it work exactly?
By installing products that are designed to be far more efficient then its predecessors such and Energy Star Whirlpool appliances, Dual glazed windows with low E glass, radiant barrier sheathing etc… Raymus Homes has helped save home buyers money.

By now you are probably thinking “yeah right Raymus Homes is saving me money, prove it!”
Well ok, we will. The California Energy Commission rates home efficiency with a program called HERS (Home Energy Rating System). The program provides a reliable way to estimate and compare the energy efficiency of California homes. The rating ranges from 0 to250 with the best energy performance home getting close to zero. The average home rates around the 155 mark and even homes built in 2008 rate around 100. The new Raymus Homes built now receive a HERS rating from 78-84. That means if your older home costs around $155 a month in utility costs it now will costs you around $80. That’s $75 a month in savings just in utilities. The great thing about the extra savings is that with Raymus Homes it’s a built in savings! You don’t have to pay extra for an energy efficient home, that’s just how we do it.

So if you are thinking about purchasing a new home and “Going Green” or saving money is important to you, ask “What’s the HERS rating?”

For more information about HERS rating please check out The California Energy Commission Link below.
http://www.energy.ca.gov/HERS/booklet.html

2011-01-28T14:16:00.000-08:00

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New Neighborhood Coming Soon!

2011-01-21T13:22:00.000-08:00

We are excited to be opening a new neighborhood in Oakdale, CA called Liberty. The community will consist of 49 homes, some of which will have alley access. Located in the beautiful Bridle Ridge Master Planned Neighborhood, Liberty will have 3 Woman-Centric Designs ranging from 1,553 sq ft to over 2,000 sq ft. Being that Raymus Homes has always tried to take the input of our homeowners we feel Liberty will be no different. We'd like to ask some questions about the design in the coming weeks and would appreciate any insightful comments so that we can continue to build a quality home with wonderful features. Thank you in advance for your participation.
To comment on topics please check our Facebook page.

First-time homebuyers have 'opportunity of a lifetime'

2011-01-04T12:50:00.000-08:00

There is not doubt you can feel the economy bouncing back. More jobs have been added and the stock market is getting hot. So what does this mean for the First Time Home Buyer? Now is the time to jump in no doubt about it. Right now prices are down on homes but we have had 3 to 4 months in a row where prices have increased in value and not decreased. The Daily Breeze agrees that now is the time for first time home buyers to jump into the market.

INDUSTRY ADVICE

PRUDENTIAL CALIFORNIA REALTY

First-time homebuyers now have the

opportunity of a lifetime

Mortgage rates in early December stood near lows last seen during the Truman administration, while home prices were well off their peaks of previous years. This combination made housing affordability, as measured by the National Association of Realtors, the highest since NAR launched its Affordability Index in 1973.

Housing inventory is also abundant in many markets, enabling first-timers to secure good homes and pave the way to their financial futures. Indeed, homes and their long-term virtues of shelter, wealth-building and personal and civic pride are available at bargain-basement prices that won't, or can't, last.

Naturally, first-timers have many questions about home buying, starting with costs.

With research and the services of a licensed real estate professional, these consumers can demystify the process and place themselves on the fast track to homeownership.

Knowledge is power. Nine out of every 10 home searches today begin on the Internet.

With just a few mouse clicks, you can peruse neighborhoods, search countless online listings and take virtual tours packed with detailed photographs. The process gives you working knowledge of home availability and pricing in your local markets, so by the time you sit down with your real estate sales professional you're well on your way.

Also visit informative websites such as www.ginniemae.gov, www.realtor.com and prudential.com, and check the local newspaper for homebuyer seminars.

Affordability: Costs involved in the purchase of a home - mortgage, down payment and closing expenditures - can be overwhelming to first-time homebuyers. By looking at your income and debt ratio, your real estate professional can help you calculate how much you can afford each month in mortgage payments. But before determining your price range, you should also take into consideration other factors that will affect your monthly budget once you are a homeowner, such as property taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance. And if your down payment is less than 20 percent of the cost of the home, you will be responsible for private mortgage insurance.

Mortgage payment: In today's buyer's market, you may face competition for your dream home. To establish your spending limit and gain the ability to move quickly on a home, get pre-approved for a loan before you start looking. The fact that your loan has already been approved is of great value to the seller because it shortens the purchase process, and there is less of a chance that the buyer will back out of the sale. This process will also help you identify any credit challenges you must address prior to your purchase.

If you don't have a specific mortgage lender in mind, ask your sales professional for a recommendation.

Down payment: The down payment amount varies depending on the value of the home you choose and your mortgage lender. First-time homebuyers may also qualify for down-payment assistance programs and grants available through their states and municipalities. Contact your state housing finance authority, county housing and community development office for an application.

Closing costs must be factored in as well. These include origination fees charged by the lender, title and settlement fees, taxes and prepaid items such as homeowners insurance or homeowner association fees. All told, buyers should spend no more than 28 percent of their income on housing costs, according to Fannie Mae. Your real estate professional will be able to explain your options.

Making offers: Make sure you visit several different homes to get a feel for the marketplace. Visit the ones you like again to see things you might have missed. Work with your real estate professional to get all of your questions answered before making an offer. And remember, there are no silly questions. Make sure you understand and are comfortable with every aspect of the transaction.

Indeed, home ownership remains a sound financial decision for most and a key component of long-term financial planning. First-time buyers who seek homes for all the right reasons - a place to raise a family, build for the future and face life's opportunities and challenges - can secure their dreams and build for their futures at some of the most attractive values in years.

Jane Lau can be reached at (310) 774-1666. Prudential California Realty is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Newly Listed!

2010-12-28T16:28:00.000-08:00

Linden Schools produce 2nd most graduates in S.J. County.

2010-12-14T13:01:00.001-08:00

A look at the S.J. County education systems shows Linden Schools produce a high number of graduates. Experts now looking to those schools for answers.

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101213/A_NEWS/12130315/-1/A_NEWS04

Homeowner's Future

2010-12-12T14:12:00.000-08:00

David Crowe states in an article linked below that homeownership is still a great way to attain wealth. How so you ask? Think of it in the most simplest of ways. The normal mortgage term is based on 30 years. If you were to rent for 30 years where would you be? Now ask if the same question as a homeowner; where would you be in 30 years of paying your mortgage? The first question is simple to respond to. Answer: you'd still be paying rent. The answer to the second question is you would be debt free. That is to say you no longer have to make a home payment. Imagine not having to pay to live in a home each month. All the money you contributed towards living in a home has paid off and has not been wasted. Think of it as paying yourself. Lets assume for the sake of argument that your rent is $1000 a month. Lets also assume that your full morgage payment (including taxes, insurance, principle and interest) is also $1000 a month. After 30 years of paying this you have now spent $360,000 in either rent or mortgage payment. With that in mind think about that as a renter you have just paid for someone else's home whereas a homeowner can recoup much of this investment depending on market conditions. In reality it's like paying yourself to live.
The author goes on to say there are social benefits to homeownership as well. Check out the link below for the full story.

Link to the story
http://www.builderonline.com/business/homeownerships-future.aspx#

California; 3rd best housing market?

2010-11-22T11:42:00.000-08:00

Calif. ranked 3rd best U.S. home market california, home, market - Business - The Orange County Register

Linden teachers get mini-grants | Recordnet.com

2010-11-01T12:58:00.000-07:00

Linden teachers get mini-grants Recordnet.com

Featured Home

2010-10-25T15:26:00.000-07:00

The Cottage is our Featured Home this month. Located at 5383 N Catherin Lane in Linden, CA this home invites all walks of life. Call 209-887-2172 to find out the great financing options and opportunities available for you to become a new Raymus Homeowner.

New Site Coming Soon!

2010-08-31T15:58:00.000-07:00

As usual here at Raymus Homes we are always looking for ways to improve ourselves and to continue to move forward. Recently we have sold 9 homes at our Country Faire neighborhood in Linden, CA and have our Semi-custom home listed for sale at our Ken Hill Estates Neighborhood in Manteca, CA. Part of the reason has been great financing opportunities available but also the unique "Women Centric" designs of our homes (more on our Women Centric to follow). That being said we are also refreshing our web site. We continue to strive for excellence and we feel our web site will soon share the same commitment as the Raymus Homes family. We welcome you to our site as it will be up within the next few days. Please feel free to comment or make an suggestions as we are open to new ideas and continuation of excellence.
Thank you
Raymus Homes
www.RaymusHomes.com

NAHB: Home Buyer Information: "Opportunity Knocks" Brochure 2010

2010-05-28T13:43:00.000-07:00

NAHB: Home Buyer Information: "Opportunity Knocks" Brochure 2010

2010 Tax Credit for New Home / First-Time Buyer Frequently Asked Questions

2010-05-09T11:07:00.000-07:00

Find out about the New Tax Credit.

http://www.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/New_Home_Credit_FAQs.shtml

Wanted: Single Women Home Buyers

2010-04-30T14:20:00.000-07:00

Wanted: Single Women Home Buyers

New Custom Home in Manteca at Ken Hill Estates!

2010-03-09T11:48:00.001-08:00

Raymus Homes announces the start of a new custom home in Manteca at Ken Hill Estates! We are very excited about building our first Woman-Centric home in Manteca. Features: 2196 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, drop zone, formal dining room and 11 foot ceilings in the main living areas.

Call us today for information on how to purchase this home!

2010-02-23T16:26:00.000-08:00

(New!)

How to Help Expand Waste Recycling Programs

Using tips and resources from the experts, work with local government to expand waste recycling programs in your community. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Raymus joining Little League Hall of Fame

2010-02-20T13:53:00.000-08:00

Our company Vice President, Bob Raymus, will be inducted into the Little League Hall of Fame...see article below from the Manteca Bulletin....

Bob Raymus, better known as “Coach Bob” around the ball fields at Lincoln Park, is being inducted as the first coach for the Manteca Little League Hall of Fame.

Joining him will be Al Nunes who was one of the key people in starting the league more than 25 years ago as well as Los Angeles Dodgers organization player Matt Berezay who got his start in Manteca Little League.

Raymus, Berezay, and Nunes will be inducted during a dinner dance on Saturday, Feb. 27, at 6 p.m. at the MRPS Hall. Tickets are $30 per person.

Raymus started the Farm Division in 1995 and coached his son from 1995-2000 in Manteca Little League. Then moved to Manteca Babe Ruth for the 2001 through 2003 seasons, again coaching his son. However, Raymus could not stop coaching youth. In 2004, he coached youth baseball in Ripon and in 2005-2006 coached in Manteca Babe Ruth. In 2007, Manteca Little League was short Major Division coaches and outreached to Raymus for help. Not only did he coach in 2007, he also coached in 2008 and 2009.

Raymus was very accomplished as a Little League coach, leading his team to division championships in 1998 and 2000. Both teams made very successful Tournament of Champion runs. In both 1997 and 1999, he was selected by the Little League Board of Directors to be the All-Star Team coach and both teams made very successful All-Star runs.

Raymus’ caring and passion could always be noticed at practice and on the game field. He got the most out of his players and helped teach and mentor young people to be better people both on and off the field. He would always help his players with rides to and from practice and games if needed, Raymus always put his player’s well-being first and foremost.

Raymus really stepped up to help Manteca Little League in its time of need in 2007 when the league did not have enough coaches. Manteca Little League has always been able to count on Raymus whether it was coaching, sponsoring, or making the league schedules.

Congratulations Bob!

The New Color for 2010 is.....?

2010-02-08T10:58:00.000-08:00

Pantone is pleased to announce PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, an inviting, luminous hue, as the Color of the Year for 2010.

View the story here: Pantone

Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise inspires thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a comforting escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing.

In many cultures, Turquoise is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that to many people, Turquoise represents an escape, taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting – even if it is only a fantasy.

Whether envisioned as a tranquil ocean surrounding a tropical island or a protective stone warding off evil spirits, Turquoise is a color that most people respond to positively. It is universally flattering, has appeal for men and women, and translates easily to fashion and interiors. With both warm and cool undertones, Turquoise pairs nicely with any other color in the spectrum. Turquoise adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, complements reds and pinks, creates a classic maritime look with deep blues, livens up all other greens, and is especially trend-setting with yellow-greens.

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Cooking Extravaganza - A Huge Success!

2010-02-06T12:40:00.000-08:00

Chef John Hitchcock of Del Rio Country Club put on a great show for our visitors last Sunday. The food he prepared was FANTASTIC! That being said, if you would like a copy of the recipes, please contact me!

Country Faire Sales Office

209-887-2172

Do you want a well-built home?

2010-02-01T15:06:00.000-08:00

If so, then it's a must that you purchase one of our homes at Country Faire in Linden! We utilize the services of a third-party independent inspector from Quality Built.

We understand the importance of quality workmanship when it comes to building your home. That is why the inspectors from Quality Built inspect each home three times during the build process. Their goal is to make sure the quality meets building standards, not just code.

Take a look at our Country Faire floor plans online at: http://www.raymushomes.com/countryfaire.html

Cooking Extravaganza JAN 31st 1:00-3:00

2010-01-19T13:05:00.000-08:00

Woman-Centric Background

2010-01-12T09:38:00.000-08:00

I thought that since our first Woman-Centric floor plan will soon be under construction in Linden, it might be good to give some insight into what it all really means. At first glance, this idea of Woman-Centric might seem to be just a creative marketing scheme. However, you will see that it is not just a new way of building a more useful, relaxing home, but it is also new way of providing the best customer service possible.

In 2005, it was reported at the National Association of Home Builders that “Women are the sole or primary decision makers in 91% of new home purchases.” After conducting 1000’s of hours of research, in 2006 Merillat, America’s largest cabinetry brand proclaimed “Women are the target market for home builders.”

America’s largest residential design firm, Design Basics, has been specifically researching women homebuyers’ preferences in home designs since 2003. During the previous decade, the majority of their firm’s research had been with men. But an article in FORBES magazine, attributing Lowes success against their bigger rival Home Depot was due to Lowes’ recognition that “she” was the key decision maker, encouraged Design Basics seek the input from female homebuyers. Women from all parts of the country, with differing backgrounds and varying levels of financial resources have participated in their research, which continues today.

In addition to being asked to critique the company’s home designs and describe their dream home, women identified what they were frustrated with in their current homes. Design Basics used focus groups, online and telephone surveys, model home interviews and spent time with women in their current homes observing aspects of design. All to better understand how these women wanted their homes to “live”. Paul Foresman with Design Basics points out, “I’ve been married 27 years and thought I knew what women wanted in a new home. But our research findings continue to amaze me. Flat out, many of my assumptions were wrong. And as guys, we simply overlooked design amenities that we’ve learned are very important to women.”

At Raymus Homes, we believe the woman-centric approach is better. The home designs are better because they truly focus on how the home “lives”. We’ve developed a new appreciation for the products included in our homes—again based on women’s feedback. And all of our buyers benefit from our emphasis on delivering a great customer experience.

If you have any questions about the Woman-Centric Matters approach or want to see what we've been up to, please contact us at 887-2172 or ryan@raymushomes.com.

You can take our Woman-Centric personality quiz on our website at www.raymushomes.com

New Year's Resolutions Guide

2010-01-09T11:38:00.000-08:00

Now that we are well into the New Year, here is something I found to be useful in helping us all keep our New Year's resolutions....

New Year's Resolutions Guide

2009-12-19T11:37:00.000-08:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

FROM RAYMUS HOMES!

Raymus Homes, Inc is now a Woman-Centric Homebuilder

2009-11-15T13:26:00.000-08:00

Find out what makes us a Woman-Centric Homebuilder
http://www.raymushomes.com/whywomancentric.html

Take the 'Finally About Me' quiz here - find out what type of home fits your personality
http://fam.quantabasics.com/quiz.aspx?client=raymus

Raymus Homes can HELP!

2009-11-15T11:41:00.000-08:00

Click image to enlarge.....

GOOD NEWS HOME BUYERS! FEDERAL TAX CREDIT EXTENDED

2009-11-07T14:15:00.000-08:00

2009-2010 Home Buyer Federal Tax Credit Fact Sheet

Who is Eligible

•First-time home buyers, who are defined by the law as buyers who have not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase, may be eligible for up to an $8,000 tax credit.
•Existing home owners who have been residing in their principal residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight and are purchasing a home to be their principal residence (“repeat buyer”), may be eligible for up to a $6,500 tax credit.
•All U.S. citizens who file taxes are eligible to participate in the program.
Income Limits

•Home buyers who file as single or head-of-household taxpayers can claim the full credit ($8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for repeat buyers) if their modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is less than $125,000.
•For married couples filing a joint return, the combined income limit is $225,000.
•Single or head-of-household taxpayers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000, and married couples who earn between $225,000 and $245,000 are eligible to receive a partial credit.
•The credit is not available for single taxpayers whose MAGI is greater than $145,000 and married couples with a MAGI that exceeds $245,000.
Effective Dates

•The eligibility period for the tax credit is for homes purchased after Nov. 6, 2009, and before May 1, 2010. However, home purchases subject to a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010, will qualify for the tax credit provided closing occurs prior to July 1, 2010.
Types of Homes that Qualify

•All homes with a purchase price of less than $800,000 qualify, including newly-constructed or resale, and single-family detached, townhomes or condominiums, provided that the home will be used as their principal residence. Vacation home and rental property purchases do NOT qualify.
Tax Credit is Refundable

•A refundable credit means that if the amount of income taxes you owe is less than the credit amount you qualify for, the government will send you a check for the difference.
•For example:
◦A first-time buyer who qualifies for the full $8,000 credit who owes $5,000 in federal income taxes would pay nothing to the IRS and receive a $3,000 payment from the government. If you are due to receive a $1,000 refund, you would receive $9,000 ($1,000 plus the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit).
◦A repeat buyer who owes $5,000 would pay nothing to the IRS and receive $1,500 back from the government. If you are due to get a $1,000 refund, you would get $7,500 ($1,000 plus the $6,500 repeat buyer tax credit).
•All qualified home buyers can take the tax credit on their 2009 or 2010 income tax return.
Payback Provisions

•The tax credit is a true credit. It does not have to be repaid unless the home owner sells or stops using the home as their principal residence within three years after the purchase.
The www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com site is being updated. Please check the site next week for more detailed information on the new tax credit!

Raymus Homes has joined the HELP Program administered by the Rainy Day Foundation

2009-09-28T12:08:00.000-07:00

Raymus Homes wants to provide a financially stable home life for all of our home buyers. To fulfill this mission, we have partnered with the Rainy Day Foundation to provide our homeowners with financial protection should they experience unforeseen financial difficulty in the first two years of home ownership. The HELP program, administered by the Rainy Day Foundation, offers educational and financial programs to properly assist homeowners when faced with the unexpected. Each time we sell a Raymus-built home, we will enroll the home buyer in the HELP program. Should our homeowners become involuntarily unemployed during the first 24 months of home ownership the program may pay their mortgage for up to six months (up to $1,800 per month). If the homeowner experiences any other type of financial difficulty, the program may be able to assist with that too. It’s our way to help improve the challenges that unfortunately many Americans face today. To find out more about the program, please contact Ryan Bray at (209) 887-2172.

Currently, Raymus Homes, Inc is building a new neighborhood in Linden, aptly named Country Faire. Our sales office is located at 5545 Giovanni Court in Linden and is open Friday through Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To reach Country Faire from Stockton, take Highway 99 north to Highway 26 and head east. Then turn left on Duncan Road, follow the signs to Monte Vista Drive and turn right onto Giovanni Court. For more information, please phone (209) 887-2172 or visit www.raymushomes.com

Based in Manteca, Raymus Homes is a home builder focused on first-time and move-up homebuyers in San Joaquin County. The company offers more than 40 years of experience and utilizes top-quality craftsmen and materials. Raymus Homes chooses to build just 120 homes per year to allow families the opportunity to personalize their residences. Every home is built with uncompromising integrity and attention to detail, customized to the unique needs and lifestyles of each homeowner.

Mortgage Rates Drop to Three-Month Low

2009-08-20T10:51:00.000-07:00

According to a survey conducted by Freddy Mac, 30-year-fixed-rate mortgage rates were 5.12% during the week ending August 20th. Freddie Mac's previous survey had indicated that rates were 5.29% for the prior week.

Low rates, coupled with the tax credit for first-time homebuyers are making it a great time to purchase a new home. But you must HURRY! The tax credit is only available on homes purchased before December 1st.

If you are looking for a new home in a GREAT location, come see us in Linden!

http://www.raymushomes.com/countryfaire.html

Good News! New Home Sales Rise 11% in June!

2009-07-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

The AP is reporting that new home sales rose 11% in June, more than any month in the past eight years! Read the article below....

http://tinyurl.com/elevenpercent

New Service Request Page Online

2009-07-03T10:48:00.000-07:00

We at Raymus Homes have been busy making our website more useful and easier to navigate. Among other changes, we have recently updated our Service Request page. You can now download a service request form directly from our website. (http://raymushomes.com/serviceRequest.html)

In addition, we have laid out the service request process, included time frames when possible and provided multiple methods for contacting our customer service department.

Our goal is to make the process as simple as possible. If you feel that we've left something out, please contact us. We are always looking for ways to improve your home ownership experience.

Oh and by-the-way, keep those referrals coming! Through the years, your referrals have been a huge part of our success!
THANK YOU!

100% FINANCING EXISTS IN LINDEN

2009-05-02T15:51:00.000-07:00

LINDEN Qualifies For USDA Rural Housing Loan Program
(United States Department of Agriculture)

The USDA Rural Housing Loan Program is designed for buyers to finance properties located in rural areas. Rural is defined as any town of 25,000 or less that is not adjacent to a large city or that is not part of a continuous urban area

· Up to 102% Financing available requiring no down payment
· Program is not limited to First Time Home Buyers
· Owner Occupied Residences only of SFR’s, Condominiums, PUD’s, and 1/2 of a duplex
· No Principal Mortgage Insurance (P.M.I.)
· Conventional 30 year fixed program with no pre-payment penalty
· Mid FICO Scores below 620 require a manual underwrite with the lender
· No Bankruptcies within the last 36 months
· No more than 1 payment being 30 days late within the last 12 months
· Non traditional credit allowed
· Income and geographical limitations will apply
· No assets/reserves required
· Escrows/impounds are required
· Max Debt to Income Ratio is 29%/41% however exceptions can be made
· Home buyer education is required for First Time Home Buyers only
· Maximum of 6% seller contributions towards buyers RNRCC costs

Is it possible that waiting for prices to fall could price you out of a home?

2009-04-05T14:39:00.000-07:00

See this blog post by Ted C. Jones, PhD, Senior Vice President—Chief Economist, Stewart Title Guaranty Company.

http://blog.stewart.com/?p=68

Loan Rates - Where do you get your information?

2009-04-03T14:41:00.000-07:00

If you are in the market for a new home and waiting for interest rates to fall, you may want to read the article below. We all want to get the 'best' deal. That said, no one ever knows when the 'best' deal might come. Could we lose more than we gain by waiting? Perhaps. Read on.....

By The Time You Read About Low Mortgage Rates, It Was Already Too Late To Get Them
Thursday morning, homeowners in different parts of the country awoke to find similar-sounding newspaper headlines:

Rates on 30-year mortgages sink to 4.78%, a new low (LA Times)
Mortgage rates at record low for 2nd week (Miami Herald)
Mortgages hit another record low (San Francisco)

The underlying story was that Freddie Mac's weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey showed the lowest, average 30-year fixed rate mortgage in its 38-year, rate-tracking history.
Once again, however, the headlines came too late for homeowners.

Prior to Thursday's market open, mortgage markets had already worsened from their record-setting levels. Slowly at first, and then with momentum. The shift pressured rates higher so that when lenders issued their Thursday morning rate sheets, most showed an 1/8 increase from Wednesday's close.

The negative momentum carried into the afternoon, too, forcing a second increase of an 1/8 percent.

The Freddie Mac survey may have been accurate when the sun came up Thursday, but by the time the sun went down, it wasn't even close. It's why you can't do your rate shopping by watching newspaper headlines. Mortgage markets are volatile and rates often change without notice.

Thursday, they did it twice.

Thanks to Daniel Sosa at PMZ Home Loans for the article
Daniel Sosa (209) 298-8017 dsosa@pmzhomeloans.com

Look What We've Been Up To!

2009-03-27T11:42:00.000-07:00

We just completed our newest model, The Villa. This 3 bedroom, 2 bath home is just the right size at 1372 square feet. This model sits on one of our average-sized home sites which is approximately 7500 square feet. This is country living!

I wanted to share some of the interior photos of this new Villa. I will post exterior photos in the days to come.

What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week

2009-03-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine in the mortgage industry sends me updates to his blog, where he posts about daily mortgage rates and financial news.

Below is today's update, which I found quite interesting. I thought it was necessary to share with others!

Mortgage markets scored big gains last week, sparked by the Federal Reserves pledge to buy $750 billion more mortgage-backed bonds in 2009. Conforming mortgage rates fell on the week, overall. But Federal Reserve intervention wasn't the only good news for rate shoppers last week. New evidence showed -- for the time being, at least -- that the U.S. economy may be reversing direction:

Homebuilders are breaking ground on new homes again http://tinyurl.com/dd2bvw
First-time jobless claims are falling http://tinyurl.com/d2pnep
Inflation is present and, therefore, deflation is not http://tinyurl.com/dyo3nq

Should the economy continue trend stronger through the summer, it will likely fuel stock market gains, drawing cash away from mortgage bonds. This would lead mortgage rates higher -- perhaps for good. Today's levels are artificially low, after all, supported by government intervention more than economic fundamentals. After the Fed's Wednesday afternoon announcement, rates fell to all-time lows before recovering sharply into the weekend on economic optimism and fears of inflation. This week, the trend higher may continue….

You can read his full blog post at http://www.loanapproval411.com/info_01/page_1.rad
If you have any loan questions please call Daniel Sosa at PMZ Home Loans, (209) 298-8017

Information on the $8,000 Federal Tax Credit

2009-03-21T13:04:00.000-07:00

We're Buying Loan Rates Down To 4.00% on 30 Year Fixed Loans

2009-03-19T12:10:00.000-07:00

Promotion is valid on new contracts written between 3/1/09 and 3/31/09 on select homes. Promotion available to owner-occupants and is subject to availability, qualification using full documentation and a minimum FICO score of 620. Raymus Homes, Inc reserves the right to change or cancel promotion at anytime, without notice. Funds are limited and based on a first-come, first-serve basis. Promotion must be mentioned at the of contract. (4.601% APR)

2009-03-16T13:00:00.000-07:00

New Tax Credits Announced

2009-02-20T11:34:00.000-08:00

NEW FEDERAL TAX CREDIT
See below for exciting news from http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/:

"A tax credit of up to $8,000 is now available for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. Unlike the tax credit enacted in 2008, the new credit does not have to be repaid."

This is REAL money! Take advantage today

NEW STATE TAX CREDIT
In addition to the Federal Tax Credit, our state of California is also providing a tax break for those that purchase a NEWLY CONSTRUCTED, PREVIOUSLY UNOCCUPIED HOME

From the California Building Industry Association's website: http://tinyurl.com/bam3m8

"The Assembly passed SB 15XX by Sen. Roy Ashburn, R-Bakersfield, which establishes a tax credit of $10,000 or 5 percent of the purchase price of a newly built home sold between March 1 of this year and March 2010, or when funding is exhausted, whichever comes first."

New home prices have been cut nearly in half, interest rates are at their lowest levels in years, and the government has stepped up with REAL tax credits!

NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY

And the winner is.....

2008-12-28T10:07:00.000-08:00

We would like to first give a special thank you to all four competitors in this year's Christmas tree decorating contest at Country Faire. Each entry deserved to be winners in their own right. However, when the votes were tallied there was one clear winner.

The results....

1st Place: Linden High School Associated Student Body $500

2nd Place: Linden Community Garden Club $300

3rd Place: SJ County Sheriff's S.T.A.R.S Volunteers $200

4th Place: Linden-Peters Fire Department Family Auxiliary $100

Happy Holidays From Raymus Homes

2008-12-22T11:21:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays from all of us at Raymus Homes

Recent NY Times Article

2008-12-18T14:17:00.000-08:00

As some of you may know, mortgage interest rates are near all time lows. Conventional, 30 year fixed loans can be found between 4.875% and 5.05% depending on credit scores and the loan-to-value ratio.

This article from the NY Times provides some compelling information on why TODAY is the right time make your new home purchase. See the article at the link below:

http://tinyurl.com/3j5att

2008 CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATING CONTEST

2008-12-13T14:38:00.000-08:00

The second annual Christmas tree decorating contest is underway at Country Faire. Four local community groups have decorated their trees in hopes of winning the top prize of $500.

If you are in the area, stop by and vote for your favorite tree.

Holiday Safety Tips

2008-12-05T10:49:00.000-08:00

The holiday season is upon us once again. I recently received a list of safety tips from the County Information Security Officer of San Joaquin County, courtesy of the Department of Homeland Security. While shopping, we tend to forget elementary safety precautions. This list will serve as a refresher! Have a happy holiday and BE SAFE!

Be alert and aware of your surroundings
Carry only the amount of cash or number of credit cards necessary to make your purchases. Using debit or credit cards is much safer than carrying a lot of cash. However, if you must carry a large sum of money, divide the cash between your purse, pockets, and wallet.
When using a credit card, be certain that you get yours back, as well as any and all copies of the receipt.
Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a personal check.
Carry your purse close to your body with the flap turned into your body. Never wrap the strap around your body.
Keep your wallet in the breast pocket of your jacket or in your side pants pocket. The rear pants pocket is the easiest to pick.
Never leave presents on display in your car. Lock them in the trunk.
Don’t leave belongings unattended. Do not hang your purse over the back of your chair in a restaurant; keep it on your lap.

CANNED FOOD DRIVE

2008-11-17T11:10:00.000-08:00

SECOND HARVEST

CANNED FOOD DRIVE

COUNTRY FAIRE

Your canned food items are greatly needed this year.

You can donate canned food items at our Country Faire office

Thursday - Monday

10:00 - 5:00

5455 Giovanni Ct, Linden, CA

You can find out more about Second Harvest Food Bank online at

http://localfoodbank.org/

The Home Building Process...post #4

2008-11-15T11:54:00.000-08:00

As you can see, the windows have been installed, along with the sliding glass door. Next up will be HVAC duct work, plumbing top-out (running water lines through the home), electrical top-out and door installation.
Stay tuned for the next update!

The Home Building Process...post #3

2008-11-08T12:52:00.000-08:00

It's that time again! We've been hard at work building this home (The Cottage) and two others. The roof panels have been installed, along with the LP TechShield radiant barrier. We've had county inspections cmopleted for the roof and sheer wall, as well as an inspection for the electric panel that will house all of the circuit breakers. Here are some photos...

Upcoming Activities at Country Faire in Linden

2008-11-06T11:51:00.000-08:00

November
· 1st: Canned food drive begins
· 24th: Children’s craft faire from 2p.m.—4p.m.
· 27th: Toys for Tots – donation center

December
· 5th & 6th: Tree Decorating Contest begins
· 13th: Children's ornament decorating 2p.m.—4p.m.
· 13th & 14th: Christmas tree voting
· 20th & 21st: Christmas tree voting

We're Making Progress ...

2008-10-31T11:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!! As I type, our team is hoisting the roof trusses into place. We have made good progress in just a few days. The walls are framed and the roof trusses will be completed by the end of the day. Monday they will complete the installation of any remaining shear wall panels.

More to come soon!

The Home Building Process.....post #1

2008-10-24T15:23:00.000-07:00

The home we are building on this site is a 1571 square foot, single story. The home site is approximately 7700 square feet.

Looks can be deceiving! At this point, all you see is a concrete slab foundation. This seems to be the beginning of the process. However, there are a few very important things that have to happen before we get to this 'beginning' stage.

Let's take a step back in time.....
First, the ground has to contain the right amount of moisture. So our team soaks the home site. Once there is proper moisture, the concrete company will chalk and trench the home's footprint. After that, they will set the necessary forms for the upcoming concrete pour. In the meantime, the plumbers must complete all of the pre-plumbing items such as trenching for plumbing lines, installing drains and water lines, etc. Once the rough plumb items are complete, we need an inspection from the county.

Phew...a lot has happened so far....and we still aren't ready to pour the foundation you see in the photo. We still need to grade and water the area, complete a moisture test, install rebar and electric risers.....still with me? Almost there...we just need to pre-treat the slab area for termites and get an inspection by the county inspector.

NOW WE POUR! Rejoice! You are now caught up....the foundation is in place and we are ready to get started.

Let's build a home.....

2008-10-24T15:06:00.000-07:00

Over the course of the next five months, I will detail the home building process that takes place at Country Faire in Linden. The events will be described from my perspective and not as an authoritative figure. I've never personally built a home, so I am NOT an authority. However, having been with Raymus Homes for nearly three years, I have picked up bits and pieces of the process. And they should know...the Raymus family has been building homes in the Central Valley since the 1940s.

With each post, I will provide photos or videos of recent activity with a description of the work that has transpired. I'll document the process from foundation to completion...also known as moving day!

So let's get started!!

FREE PUMPKINS - Come out TODAY and get your free pumpkin

2008-10-18T12:30:00.000-07:00

Hey Everybody!

I wanted to let you know that we are giving away free pumpkins! Look at all those pumpkins....

Thanks to Jason for bringing the kids by. I'm sure they'll have a blast carving them. Come see us at Country Faire in Linden to get your free pumpkins.

While supplies last....so you'd better hurry!

Call for directions: 209.887.2172

FREE PUMPKINS! October 16th - 31st

2008-10-04T13:37:00.000-07:00

Mortgage Rates Fall Below 6%

2008-09-13T14:10:00.000-07:00

NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY!!!

The interest rate on 30 year mortgages fell below 6% on Thursday. It has been nearly four months since we saw loan rates this low. Many credit analysts feel that this decrease in rates can be attributed to the Fed's take over of Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac.

If you have been on the fence, waiting for prices to fall even further, now is the time to buy. A reduction in interest rate will affect the overall payment more so than a price reduction. To see how much the rate change affects your payment.

For a personalized loan payment review, please give us a call today at 209.887.2172

Save with the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

2008-08-03T10:59:00.000-07:00

If you are a first-time homebuyer, then TODAY is the day to jump into home ownership.

Take advantage of today's low interest rates and motivated pricing at Country Faire in Linden.

For a limited time, the the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 will provide first-time home buyers with a $7,500 tax credit. For details regarding the tax credit, give us a call TODAY!

Housing Starts up 9.1% in June

2008-07-26T10:59:00.000-07:00

According to the the U.S. Census Bureau News Press Release from July 17th, housing starts were up 9.1% over May. In the July 18th issue of the Gartman Letter L.C., Dennis Gartman provides a correlation between housing starts and past recessions. An excerpt has been provided below.

"Looking at the data, we note that U.S. housing starts rose a shocking 9.1% in June compared to May, for an annualised starts figure of 1.09 million. Historically, recessions in U.S. housing end when annualised starts dip below 1.0 million and then turn higher. Indeed the consistency with which this happens from recession to recession is really quite extraordinary. From the 70's onward, each "official" recession ended shortly after housing starts began to turn up swiftly from their previous plunge...always after having fallen below the psychologically important 1.0 million figure. Looking back at those recessions, we note that starts fell to approximately 0.8 million in early '75, almost coextensive with the huge recession that had begun in late '73. In the short, but nonetheless very serious recession of '80, starts fell to about .85 million before turning higher and during the recession of '80-'82, starts fell towards .75 million but then turned higher...swiftly. Jumping forward to the recession of '90-'91, housing starts fell to .75 million and turned higher..which brings us to where we stand this morning. Having risen to 1.75 million annual home starts back in mid -'05, and having risen relentlessly from the last recession-bounded low noted just above, "starts" broke their uptrend line and have been falling ever since...until these past two months. Does that mean the worst of the housing market is behind us? Yes, that is what it means."

http://www.thegartmanletter.com/

2008 Block Party

2008-06-29T16:08:00.000-07:00

This year's block party was great fun!

Thanks to Mark and Maribel Candido for the great Tri-Tip and Hot Dogs, Relic for some great music, and L & L Bouncers for the entertaining 5-1 jumper for the kids. It was great seeing all of the families at the block party. Thanks for joining us!

See you next year!

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LINDEN CHERRY FESTIVAL MAY 17th

2008-05-12T11:52:00.000-07:00

Please join us this Saturday, May 17th for the Linden Cherry Festival. This is a great community event. There will be a parade, car show, fire fighter demonstrations, great food and of course, CHERRIES!!

Visit our booth for kids games...each child that plays will receive a free Shaved Ice from the SNOW ZONE! If that's not enough, tour our model homes and you have a chance to win the much sought after Nintendo Wii gaming system...something the whole family can enjoy together!

WIN A Wii!!!

Raymus Homes sponsors golf tourney to help SJ County Sheriff's K-9 Pack

2008-04-18T16:01:00.000-07:00

San Joaquin Sheriff's deputies needing canine partners must pay between $6,000 and $7,000 out of their own pocket for the dogs.

To help defray that cost, Raymus Homes is sponsoring the first annual San Joaquin County Sheriff Canine Pack Golf Classic.

To help buy quality police dogs, the Sheriff Department's canine handlers established a non-profit organization, the San Joaquin County Deputy Sheriff Canine Pack.

How did Raymus Homes become involved? Raymus Homes President Toni Raymus explained.

"A Sheriff's officer living in Linden's Country Faire talked to us about the canine situation and we definitely wanted to help. This is a unique opportunity and we took advantage of it to help the Sheriff's department."

She added, "our Company supports law enforcement because it goes hand in hand with our neighborhoods' well being."

The tournament will be held at The Reserve at Spanos Park on Monday, April 21, with all proceeds going to help pay the dog costs.

In addition to the Raymus Homes sponsored golf tournament, other revenue generating activities include a canine competition and direct donation sponsorships by individuals

Spokesman Sgt. Steve Walker, in charge of the canine unit and a dog handler since 1997, said the price of a dog 11 years ago was about $3,500 and with the increase in the cost of a qualified, certified and thoroughly tested dog now in the $7,000 range, Raymus' assistance is "greatly appreciated."

"The great commitment by our officer-handlers is being helped significantly by Raymus Homes and we are certainly thankful for Raymus sponsoring this fundraising golf tournament," Walker said, adding, "This is our first golf tournament benefit."

He said Sheriff Steve Moore "is supporting us and he'll be out there with his team of golfers." Walker added that the Sheriff's Department is working on ways to have the county purchase the dogs instead of their individual handlers having to do so.

RAYMUS HOMES DONATES MULTI-USE PLAYGROUND BUILDING TO LIONS PRIDE PRESCHOOL

2008-04-11T09:50:00.000-07:00

Raymus Homes wanted to help Lions Pride Preschool in Linden and Sue Cammisa, the school’s director, working with Ryan Bray of Raymus came up with the idea for the Lions Den, a small, colorful structure that serves as a tunnel for racing Big Wheels and a storage shed for the vehicles and other kids’ toys.

Toni Raymus, president of Raymus Homes headquartered in Manteca, said the storage shed/Big Wheels tunnel is part of the Raymus overall plan of commitment to the Central Valley and the communities in which the company’s projects are located.

“We’ve contributed to the Boys and Girls Club, the Child Abuse Prevention Council, homeless shelters and the French Camp Haven of Peace for Woman,” Raymus said. “We’ve also helped the other preschool in Linden.”

Why help such a wide variety of local services? “We love it. Doing this makes it worth being in business and it gives all of us at Raymus Homes a feeling of satisfaction,” she said, also noting that such projects are the result of the company’s interest and commitment to education and preschools.

Built by a Raymus construction crew supervised by Country Faire superintendent Henry Naciemento, the brightly painted blue, red and yellow barn-shaped shed resides at the open end of a cement racecourse “U” in the school’s back yard.

With doors at both ends open, the shed is transformed into a large, colorful tunnel through which the preschoolers rocket on their Big Wheels provided by the school, pedaling madly, racing around and around, never tiring of the thrill of zipping through the tunnel.

The kids love it,” commented Sue Cammisa, Lion’s Pride Preschool director. “The idea of a multi-functional shed is a very good one.” She operates the Lion’s Pride Preschool with the help of her four-person staff.

As many of the 30 preschool children skidded, collided and continued on their madcap racing around the “U” and through the tunnel, Cammisa pointed out the many facets of the school located at the East end of the Linden High School campus along Hwy 26 in room 36 donated by the Linden Unified School District.

The large oak in the backyard play area shades a sizeable sandbox filled with toys; a huge plastic train is a fun crawl-through; a safe plastic jungle gym “climbing unit” is off to one side and toys are scattered across the large grassy yard.

Picnic tables along with the Lions Den shed for the children are also available on the cement patio area.

The school is funded by a number of organizations working together, including the Charter House Center for Families (which approved the grant Cammisa wrote to provide funding for the preschool), the First Five program (which funded the grant) and the YMCA which also helps with the program.

The school debuted in November 2006 and is funded through June 2009. Because it is on the high school campus R.O.P. students help out during the week.

“We’re trying to reach as many kids in Linden as we can,” said Cammisa. “We have a bilingual aide in the classroom and we have some kids who’ve actually developed their bilingual skills in class here.”

She added that open enrollment begins in June.

Ryan Bray, CSP sales consultant for Country Faire, said, “The energy level here is incredible. We’re happy to contribute to the preschool program for Linden’s kids and this shed and the racing it encourages will probably wear them out a bit.”

“It’s a lot of fun and this is a really cool program for the children,” Cammisa said.

Lion’s Pride Preschool’s hours are 7a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information call (209) 887-2710.

What is the Nehemiah Gift Program?

2008-03-31T13:55:00.000-07:00

Watch this informative video to learn more on how the Nehemiah Gift program works.

Coach's Corner: Spring Tune-Up

2008-03-29T11:02:00.000-07:00

Spring is here and I'm sure you're all planning your first BBQ of the new year! Before the big day, review my Spring maintenance tips. These are common items that may get overlooked until you have a problem. It's always better to be PRO-active than RE-active!

• Clean and test smoke alarms.

• Test and reset ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) breakers.

• Change or clean the furnace filter.

• Operate your air conditioning system. If service is needed it will be much easier to get a technician out to your home before the summer season

• Adjust registers and confirm that cold air returns are clear of furniture or draperies.

• Make certain the air conditioner compressor is level and clear of debris.

• Drain sediment from the bottom of the water heater per the manufacturer's instructions.

• Inspect grout around tile (floor or wall) and touch up.

• Wash windows and screens, clean weep holes, and lubricate the window tracks.

• Check caulking, inside and out, and touch up.

• Check garage overhead door, tighten bolts as needed, and lubricate springs with motor oil. Have other repairs done by professionals.

• Start and adjust sprinkler system. Test exterior faucets for broken pipes.

• Clean gutters and confirm that downspouts or splash blocks drain away from the house.

• Check foundation, concrete, and yard for settling; fill in as needed for positive drainage.

• Check exterior paint and stain surfaces (especially stained doors) and refinish as needed.

Coach's Corner - Home Maintenance Tips

2008-03-27T13:15:00.000-07:00

I'd like to introduce you to Bill Bassi. He is our Customer Service Manager and has been with us for seven years. As an active Northgate Little League coach, Bill dulls out plenty of advice to Manteca's future big league players. He's done so for 15 years. Over time, Coach Bill has put together an extensive list of home maintenance tips and suggestions. We would like to use some of this space to share his valuable tips with you.

Going forward, Coach Bill will be in charge of our periodic updates regarding home maintenance tips. Home maintenance is vital to the longevity of your home and can help increase its value. So be sure to check back often for updates and reminders.

HURRY! ZERO DOWN ON SELECT HOMES

2008-03-24T15:42:00.000-07:00

SAVE BIG with FHA Nehemiah

2008-03-16T14:49:00.000-07:00

For a short time, buyers at Country Faire can take advantage of builder paid closing costs and a 3% gift used as a down payment. What does this all mean?? It means you can buy a brand new Energy Star Certified home with no money out of pocket!! This is a potential savings of nearly $30,000.

Act now, as this special only applies to select homes. Get in while rates are good and prices are low.

NEW FHA LIMITS HAVE ARRIVED!

2008-03-07T13:17:00.000-08:00

In order to help stimulate the housing market the Fair Housing Administration's loan limits have been increased, making it easier for people in San Joaquin County to qualify for a home purchase. The new FHA limit is $488,750 up from 362,790. According to the National Association of Realtors President, Dick Gaylord, this loan limit increase will help an additional 138,000 Americans buy a home. FHA loans were used heavily during a recession in the 80's to help stabilize falling prices and help people get the necessary financing. If that holds true, as more and more people take advantage of the current market conditions, home prices will gradually rise once again. So, if you are on the fence waiting, now is the time to buy.

If you are interested in a new Raymus home, give me a call or come visit us in Linden.

Why Linden?

2008-03-01T11:31:00.000-08:00

Hello Sunshine! I am grateful for the rain that is essential in producing the food that nourishes us; however, I am also a native Californian...so bring on the sun!

On my daily trek from Manteca to our new home neighborhood in Linden, I prefer to travel the country roads. The ride seems so much more peaceful than the optional route: Highway 99. Perhaps it's the almond trees in full bloom, the lush fields of green, or the majestic views of the snow-capped Sierras. As I was driving out this morning, I asked myself, "why Linden?" What is it that draws people to this small country town known for its cherries and walnuts? From what I have seen, the reasons are numerous, yet they all converge at some point and an underlying theme emerges. Linden embodies that community feeling that people are familiar with from years past. People in the community know your name, what you do for a living, your children, their children's teachers, their children's friends and parents. This type of community is hard to find in our area. The San Joaquin valley has grown quite a bit in the past several years. It seems as if communities popped up over night and have become solitary and sterile; perhaps it's a byproduct of the commuter culture. Most of the people I've come into contact with here in Linden work within a 20 mile radius. Perhaps this gives them more time to enjoy their home, family and community as opposed to being stuck in traffic on I-205 or 580. I think Linden is one of the last communities in our area that has not succumbed to the pressures of growth. And I think it is fair to say that this town will remain a close knit community for years to come.

Cherry Jubilee was a Huge Success!

2008-02-29T10:51:00.000-08:00

What a gorgeous day we had! The weather could not have been any better. Our Cherry Jubilee was enjoyed by locals as well as those from out of town. Attendees enjoyed fantastic BBQ tri-tip sandwiches and hot dogs from Mark and Maribel Candido of M&M catering. And to top it all off, they were able to take home a marvelous cherry pie from Kandies Pies of Tracy. Next up...The Linden Cherry Festival!!

2008 Cherry Jubilee!

2008-02-09T14:51:00.000-08:00

Friends and Family Referral Program

2008-02-02T22:06:00.000-08:00

We can give you 2500 reasons to refer you friends and family members to Country Faire in Linden. When your friend or family member closes on a new home at Country Faire, we will give you $2,500. It's easy money....and we appreciate the referrals!

2008-02-01T16:25:00.000-08:00

Come see our new neighborhood located in lovely Linden, CA. This charming small town, drenched in rich agricultural history, is the perfect place for raising a family. Come on, take a drive out to Linden, the central valley's best kept secret when it comes to raising a family.

5455 Giovanni Ct, Linden, CA 95236

Raymus Homes, Inc

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Let's build a home.....

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2008 Block Party

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Raymus Homes sponsors golf tourney to help SJ County Sheriff's K-9 Pack

RAYMUS HOMES DONATES MULTI-USE PLAYGROUND BUILDING TO LIONS PRIDE PRESCHOOL

What is the Nehemiah Gift Program?

Coach's Corner: Spring Tune-Up

Coach's Corner - Home Maintenance Tips

HURRY! ZERO DOWN ON SELECT HOMES

SAVE BIG with FHA Nehemiah