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Infinite HD — Experienced Home Remodeling

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Rob Howard got his start in the flooring business 35 years ago as a teenager, when he was working at a grocery store and his manager asked if he could finish the store’s floors when a contractor failed to show.

Rob agreed to help, discovered that he enjoyed the work, and has been in the flooring business ever since.

Experienced partners at Infinite HD, Jarred Howard (left), Rob Howard and David Rodriguez.

Over the years, Rob has expanded his skills to include painting, tile work and other skills needed for home improvements, and today works in both remodeling/restorations and new construction.

In 2014, Rob added new partners — his son, Jarred Howard, and longtime colleague, David Rodriguez. The men named their new business Infinite Home Designs, which they abbreviated to Infinite HD.

Infinite HD has grown into a full-service home repair and installation company, with a focus on bathroom and kitchen remodeling, as well as flooring.

A recent trend that Rob has observed is that many people are calling about back porch installations.

“It makes sense. People who are off for the summer, or working from home, want a relaxing spot to unwind. Plus, with it being summertime with mosquitoes and gnats running around crazy, having a back porch makes your summer experience much more enjoyable,” said Rob.

Home repair shows, such as “Fixer Upper,” often inspire people to do their own home repairs, but David Rodriguez stresses the importance of hiring a licensed professional for most home repair needs.

“We have a saying in the business — ‘Cheap labor isn’t skilled, and skilled labor isn’t cheap,’” said David. “It truly matters who you hire.”

Infinite HD has seen its share of cases where people try to do their own home repairs, or hire unqualified people, and end up having Infinite HD finish the job.

“Those clients end up spending more money, time and stress by trying to do it on their own,” said David.

Infinite HD recently moved its office to Odessa to keep up with the company’s growth. The location is convenient to its customer base in Hillsborough and Pasco counties. Rob is excited to watch his company continue to grow and expand.

Infinite HD continues to operate as a family business, which Rob is reminded of every time he steps into the office, because his grandchildren helped install its floor. Having both his son, Jarred, and daughter, Janann, work for him is something Rob deeply treasures – a sentiment his son, Jarred, shares.

“It’s always nice to make those memories with my dad,” said Jarred.

For more information, or to book a free estimate with Infinite HD, call (813) 309-5211.

By Kelli Carmack

Published June 24, 2020

New Daikin Fit HVAC System Offers Maximum Comfort

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With the beginning of Florida’s hot summer months, and so many people working from home these days, there has never been more of a need for a dependable and efficient air conditioning system.

The condenser on a Daikin Fit A/C system is half the size of a traditional condenser, which makes it perfect for patio areas.

“Many families are upgrading their A/C system, either because their existing unit is unreliable and costing too much to maintain, or their unit is so inefficient that it uses an increasing amount of energy that results in hundreds of dollars in utility bills,” said Dana Spears, president of Cornerstone Pros in Land O’ Lakes.

Cornerstone Pros is proud to offer homeowners the Daikin Fit series — one of the most innovative, versatile air conditioning systems ever built for consumers. Available only since February, the Daikin Fit features exceptionally cool comfort, a small footprint and high energy efficiency ratings.

Cornerstone Service Manager Gary Beurmann explains the many advantages of a Daikin Fit system.

  1. Home Feels Cooler

Your home feels cooler and more comfortable, because Daikin’s inverter/smart system technology is highly effective at maintaining desired humidity levels.

  1. Half The Size

The outdoor unit is half the size of a traditional condenser, which makes it perfect for pool and patios areas, allowing more space for outdoor living. It also is great for homes with narrow lot lines.

  1. Exceptionally Quiet

It is so quiet that it can be installed outside a bedroom window and not be heard inside. This makes it great for sleeping, for both kids and adults, because you don’t hear a compressor kicking on and off during the night. It is so quiet, you can be standing right next to it and wonder if the unit is even running.

  1. Energy Efficient

The Daikin Fit has an energy efficiency rating of 16 SEER and above, which means it consumes less energy to cool your home. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio — the higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the cooling equipment is.

  1. Affordability

Until now, A/C systems with inverter technology were very costly. Pricing on the Daikin Fit allows homeowners to get the best inverter technology available at a price comparable to lower competitor two-stage systems.

  1. Tech Conveniences

The Daikin Fit has all the bells and whistles – including Wi-Fi connectivity and thermostat controls that are accessible from your phone, pad and laptop. Its super-intelligent, user-friendly system controllers allow you to orchestrate and monitor mode, temperature, time, airflow volume and more across your entire system, at the touch of button. Daikin’s smart system provides so much more technology than other products offer at this price point.

  1. 12-Year Factory Warranty

The Daikin Fit is covered by one of the best warranties in the industry, with a 12-year parts and labor warranty included in the price of the unit.

  1. Great Financing

Daikin has some of the best financing terms and rebates available in the industry, plus Cornerstone Pros works with local utility companies to qualify customers for additional rebates for installing energy efficient A/C systems.

“The new Daikin Fit system has so many more benefits than other systems —  there is nothing out there that compares,” said Beurmann. “Cornerstone has never worked with a system that has so much to offer, and at a price point most people can afford.”

Most air conditioning systems need to be replaced at 10 to 12 years, while builder grade systems often need replacement after five years, when their warranty expires.

“Your air conditioning system is an appliance, just like your refrigerator, and does not last forever,” said Beurmann. “But, before we recommend that an A/C system be replaced, we give customers several options to consider, with realistic costs and expectations.”

Beurmann adds that Cornerstone technicians are paid hourly, so customers never have to worry about being pressured to buy a new or upgraded A/C system. “Our only motive is to do what is best for our customers,” he says.

Cornerstone Pros offers 24-hour heating and cooling assistance to residents of Land O’ Lakes, Lutz, Trinity, Odessa, Wesley Chapel, New Port Richey and other communities in Pasco, Hernando and Hillsborough counties. Its phones are answered 24/7, and technicians are available weekends and holidays. Call (813) 990-0561 anytime, day or night.  For more information, visit the website at CornerstonePros.com.

Published May 27, 2020

New Manufactured Homes At Shadow Wood Village

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It’s not too late to discover the fabulous new homes at Shadow Wood Village in Hudson, located just 30 minutes from Land O’ Lakes, and less than two miles from the Gulf of Mexico.

In the three months since this manufactured home community began selling new homes priced in the low $90s, 14 out of 20 inventory homes have sold. There are just six homes left, and these are expected to sell quickly to those age 55 years and older.

The community’s new homes are spacious — up to 1,456 square feet — and boast front porches, great rooms for living and dining, two or three bedrooms, den, and two full baths. Floor plans are open and contemporary with the latest in home design trends. Kitchens feature lots of cabinets and a large island for bar stools and conversation, and in some models, with the kitchen sink inset in the island. Quality blinds and appliances are provided, including a refrigerator and a washer/dryer.

Every home has an inviting front porch (some as large as 10 X 12), a covered carport with a large, secure storage area, and steps leading from the driveway to the back of the home for convenient unloading of groceries and easy access to the laundry area.

Currently, two-bedroom and three-bedroom floor plans are ready now.

Shadow Wood Village offers residents an array of amenities, including a heated pool. Call Community Manager Pennye Roses for more information at (877) 360-1124, or email .

Published May 27, 2020

Why Live at Club Wildwood?

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Adults age 55-plus are discovering Club Wildwood in Hudson as a perfect community to live because of  its beautiful manufactured homes, first-class amenities (including an 85,000-gallon pool), and fabulous location just 30 minutes from Land O’ Lakes and 5 minutes from the beach.

At 478 homes, Club Wildwood is the largest retirement community in north Pasco County.  With so many residents, there is always something going on for folks to enjoy, from water aerobics in its Olympic-size swimming pool, to twice-a-week bingo and weekly happy hours. Residents are friendly and welcome newcomers to activities and clubs.

This exceptionally maintained park has re-sale homes priced from $20,000 to $85,000. New homes also are available for sale or lease, and begin in the low $90s. All homes are double-wide, and offer two or three bedrooms, two baths and an attached carport and storage area. Most existing homes have been updated with the latest design styles, and are a tremendous value for a single-family home in terms of cost, amenities and location.

Many of the community’s newest residents are moving from Land O’ Lakes and Lutz, which are just 30 minutes away, because living at Club Wildwood with all its fabulous lifestyle costs less than renting an apartment, and its location on U.S. 19 makes it easy to get to work and close to so many things to do.

Call Community Manager Sean Terris for more information at (866) 799-6707, or email .

Published May 27, 2020

New Charter School Ready For Students at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel

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Pasco County’s newest charter school, Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, is on track to open later this summer with 652 students in kindergarten through sixth grades.

Principal Aimee Mielke reports there are still openings for students in all grades, and encourages interested families to explore the school’s website and complete its application as soon as possible. Information and the application form are at PinecrestWesleyChapel.com.

The school, which is located on State Road 54 about three miles east of I-75, will have several sections at every grade level, with kindergarten having the most.

“We’re looking at opening with between six and eight kindergarten classes, and four classrooms each for first and second grades,” said Mielke. “It is very rewarding to be a new school that is flexible and able to offer the number of classrooms per grade that our community needs.” Grades three through six will have two and three sections.

Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel is a tuition-free public charter school situated at the community entrance of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. It is the first Pinecrest Academy in Tampa Bay, and will be expanding to add seventh and eighth grades in subsequent years.

With 16 schools nationwide, Pinecrest Academy Inc. has made a name for itself in the education community. It offers advanced programs, including a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum, and a dual English/Spanish language program. With the STEM program, Pinecrest students will learn about new technologies, such as robotics, and will have fully functioning STEM labs in all grades — something most schools do not offer.

Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel also will have self-contained classrooms for gifted students, where pacing will be faster and performance tests much more in-depth, to allow gifted students to flourish in their education.

“All Pinecrest schools have an emphasis on high-quality instruction. We’ll continuously be monitoring the data so we know what each student needs, and have many different programs available to focus on the needs of the individual student,” says Mielke.

Everything designed and purchased for the classroom was chosen for student engagement, Mielke explains, and technology is an essential component of the new school. Laptops are being provided for every student in grades two through six, as are iPads for first-graders and kindergartners.

Each classroom will have a 70-inch Clear Touch Interactive Board mounted on the wall that will be used to pull up textbooks and other teaching aids. Teachers and students will be able to work on the screen, much like a giant, touch-screen white board.

The inviting furniture Meikle’s team selected for their classrooms was chosen to give students a feeling like they are walking into their living room, not a traditional school classroom.

The modern architecture of Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel gives students and faculty stunning lake and conservation views.

“There is a lot of research that proves that children have different learning styles, and we want our classrooms to be flexible and versatile so kids can break up into small groups to work together most effectively,” said Mielke.

The Principal is especially excited about a large whiteboard table in every classroom that children can work directly on, and which the teach can then elevate and flip up to create a large white board for the entire classroom to see. Plus, every chair and table is on wheels, so they can be easily moved around the classroom for small group learning.

The furniture and technology will begin to arrive at the school in mid-June, and Mielke hopes to open the school’s doors for tour to families and teachers in July. The school schedule is tied to that of the Pasco County Public School system, which is expecting schools to open August 10.

Mielke has hired most of the school’s 27 teachers, including classroom, art, music, Spanish and physical education, as well as an instructional coach and office staff.

“We have a nice combination of experienced teachers from both public and charter schools, with seven teachers at more than 20 years of experience. Plus, we have two brand-new teachers who I am very excited about,” said Mielke, who adds that over half of her teaching staff have master’s degrees.

Blue and green colors brilliantly burst along the hallways of the modern building that has 49 large classrooms, oversized art and music rooms, and high-tech science labs. The school is visually notable with unusual windows in the shape of half-moons, circles and squares that give students and faculty stunning lake and conservation views.

“There’s no question that Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel is a visually stunning architectural masterpiece,” said Miekle.

Pinecrest is offering before and after care for their students, which will start at 6 a.m., and end at 6 p.m. It will be fee-based, but Mielke ensures it will be affordable. Pinecrest also will be providing a fee-based private Pre-K program for siblings of Pinecrest students; to be considered for the Pre-K program, a child must be 4 years old by Sept. 1.

Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel is one of the most important elements of the goal to build a brand-new town in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, says Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing and community relations for the Avalon Park Group. Lerret noted that the developer’s goal is to have the very best school in the entire state.

“Our residents are ecstatic to now have the option to send their children to one of the top charter school operators in Florida,” said Lerret.

Published May 27, 2020

Affordable Homes That Inspire Community Connections

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With tree-lined streets winding around sparkling lakes and flower-filled parks, Avalon Park Wesley Chapel exemplifies small-town America. Avex Homes, a premier builder in this award-winning community, combines this small town charm with innovative floor plans to bring affordable single-family homes and townhomes to area homebuyers.

Avex homes are solidly built in a variety of classic designs, each rich with architectural detail and a traditional focus on the front porch. Its single-family homes start in the mid-$200s, and are available on a variety of lots, including conservation and water views.

The builder offers buyers eight floor plans to choose from, ranging in size from 1,585 square feet to 2,856 square feet in one- and two-story plans. Four inventory homes are available for families looking to move this summer. All are one-story homes, with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a 2-car garage. Prices range from $259,000 to $296,092.

Avex also offers maintenance-free townhomes with two-car garages in the rear. Three floor plans are available, ranging from 1,608 square feet to 1,834 square feet, each with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths.

Homes are built with distinctive exteriors and open floor plans. Each home has a front porch, covered lanai or private breezeway that connects to the garage.

“Our townhomes are beautifully designed with upscale custom finishes, and offer buyers a tremendous value for the Wesley Chapel area,” said Cheryl Gonzalez, sales representative for Avex Homes. “Plus, every home comes with a 2-car garage — something you rarely find in townhomes that begin in the low $200,000s.”

Three inventory townhomes are available now, all affordably priced between $232,761 to $247,688.

“Buyers love our townhomes’ cozy feel and old-fashioned, traditional look,” said Gonzalez. “People always comment on how spacious they feel because of our open floor plans and standard 9-foot ceilings on both the first and second floors.”

If building from scratch, homebuyers can upgrade their townhome’s finishes to their individual lifestyle and design preferences — from moving electrical outlets, to upgrading cabinets and flooring, to choosing colors that best show off their individual taste. The most popular upgrades are quartz countertops and luxury vinyl flooring.

Beazer Homes is closing out its sales in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, and is selling its model home. The Cypress Pointe is a two-story home at 2,254 square feet with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a 2-car garage. This home is loaded with designer upgrades, including a spacious master suite, covered lanai and luxurious pool. The home is available now, and the price is $389,000.

Amenities
Few communities offer the recreational activities found at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, thoughtfully created for residents of all ages. New in 2019 was an expansive second amenity center with a zero-entry pool, splash pad, spa and picnic area. Avalon Park families also enjoy a wide array of other amenities, including another swimming pool, tot lot, basketball courts, pocket parks with mini-libraries, dog park, and trails and walkways that will interconnect with its planned downtown.

Published May 27, 2020

ICI Homes Opens New Wesley Chapel Models With 2.75% Financing

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Sometimes the most difficult of times, such as the challenges presented by COVID-19, also create unexpected opportunities.

This is true for buyers of ICI Homes in Pasco and Hillsborough counties. This premium builder has 12 inventory homes available now or in the next few months, including four cottage-style homes in its first Wesley Chapel neighborhood, Persimmon Park.

The two-story Primrose model is light and bright with lots of windows and exemplifies Florida’s casual lifestyle.

Not only does ICI Homes have a larger than usual inventory of unique one- and two-story homes, it is also selling homes in the high $200s for the first time in Tampa Bay.

“We are known as a premier, semi-custom builder, and typically build homes from the $400s to over $1 million. So to come into Wesley Chapel with moderately priced floor plans is very exciting for us, and more importantly for our customers who want our quality and craftsmanship in a smaller, more affordable home,” said Paula Spitler, Tampa sales manager for ICI Homes.

Almost as important as the quality and pricing of its homes, ICI Homes also is offering an exceptionally low interest rate of just 2.75% on 30-year mortgages, when using the builder’s preferred lenders.

“We call this our buy-down program, because a lower interest allows our buyers to increase their spending power, and more quickly build equity in their homes,” said Spitler.

“There are only a limited number of these special loans being allocated across our 20-plus communities in Florida, so please don’t wait. It’s first-come, first-served, and once these loans are gone, they’re gone,” said Spitler.

Many families are drawn to Persimmon Park because of its desirable Wesley Chapel location, and also because its students are zoned to the area’s highest rated schools — Wiregrass Elementary, Dr. John Long Middle and Wiregrass Ranch High.

“One of Persimmon Park’s biggest draws is the schools our students are zoned to attend,” said Spitler. “We have families moving from nearby subdivisions, such as Seven Oaks, that were recently rezoned to other schools. Many families want to keep their children enrolled in the schools they have traditionally attended or have been assigned to attend.”

Persimmon Park is located within the master-planned development of Wiregrass Ranch —located off Bruce B. Downs and Chancey Road, directly behind The Shops at Wiregrass and AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. Wiregrass Ranch is a 5,000-acre, walkable community with trails that lead to parks, schools, entertainment, recreation and top-notch medical facilities.

Persimmon Park is Wiregrass Ranch’s newest new home community, with ICI Homes committed to building 97 homes in this unique subdivision.

“Persimmon Park gives our residents immediate access to all that Wiregrass Ranch and Wesley Chapel have to offer,” said Spitler. “Plus, our amenities are everything a family wants without going overboard — a unique T-shaped pool and cabana, outdoor grilling, interconnecting trails, and dog parks for small and large breeds.”

ICI Homes is introducing its first neo-traditional homes in Persimmon Park, featuring open floor plans with front porches, and garages at the back of the home. The first phase has 40 homes on 40-foot home sites, and ICI is premiering five new floor plans with prices beginning at $292,900.

“Light and bright with lots of windows,” is how Spitler describes these floor plans, having a cottage look and feel that are open, airy, and exemplifies Florida’s casual lifestyle.

“These homes have been designed for people wanting to simplify their life, who want less square footage to clean and maintain, yet want all the upscale finishes and details offered by ICI Homes,” said Spitler.

Two beautifully furnished model homes are available for tour at Persimmon Park. The one-story Lantana model is the craftsman elevation and, at 1,793 square feet, features three bedrooms and two baths, with an open kitchen and unique breezeway for outdoor living.

The two-story Primrose model is the coastal elevation and, at 2,434 square feet, offers the master bedroom downstairs, and a game room and three additional bedrooms upstairs.

“Families love the rear-load design because it gives the home a very nice front elevation with no garage blocking the home’s curb appeal,” said Spitler. “Plus, rear garages make for easier access to the kitchen when it’s time to unload groceries, and also creates more backyard privacy with covered breezeways and summer kitchens.”

Model homes are open daily for tour, with or without an appointment. Sales staff strictly follow COVID-19 safety protocols and always make sure families tour models by themselves, without other people in the model.

Families also can tour the homes virtually, via video, at icihomes.com.

“Our 3D virtual tours allow you to view and walk through our homes at your own pace, right from your couch,” said Spitler. “You can move from point to point for a complete 360° view to get a sense of the home’s space, finishes, floor plan and measurements. It’s truly the next best thing to being there.”

Published April 29, 2020

Every Townhome Has A 2-Car Garage At Avalon Park Wesley Chapel

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Maintenance free townhomes with two-car garages in the rear with a private alley are now open for tour and purchase at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

“Our townhomes are beautifully designed with upscale custom finishes, and offer buyers a tremendous value for the Wesley Chapel area,” said Cheryl Gonzalez, sales representative for Avex Homes. “Plus, every home comes with a two-car garage — something you rarely find in townhomes that begin at $225,000.”

Beautiful inventory townhomes are now available at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. Every home has a two-car garage, and all feature unique architectural elements, including front porches, sweeping kitchen islands, covered breezeways and grass courtyards.

Three floor plans are available, ranging from 1,608 square feet to 1,834 square feet, each with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Homes are solidly built with families in mind, and rich in architectural design with distinctive exteriors and open floor plans. Each home has a front porch, covered lanai or private breezeway that connects to the garage.

“Buyers love our townhomes’ cozy feel and old-fashioned, traditional look,” said Gonzalez.

“People always comment on how spacious they feel because of our open floor plans and standard 9-foot ceilings on both the first and second floors.”

Homebuyers can upgrade their home’s finishes to their individual lifestyle and design preferences — from moving electrical outlets, to upgrading cabinets and flooring, to choosing colors that best show off their individual taste. The most popular upgrades are quartz countertops and luxury vinyl flooring.

“Folks really appreciate that they can select the finishes they want, including flooring, cabinetry, countertops and lighting,” said Gonzalez. “Unlike most townhomes in this price range, our buyers can choose the colors and finishes that are best for them. These are not cookie-cutter homes.”

Families also choose the townhome lifestyle because it offers carefree, maintenance-free living.

“Our HOA covers all exterior painting and maintenance, including the roof, and all lawn and landscaping services,” said Gonzalez. “People are busy and love not having to worry about these chores.”

The first five Avalon Park Wesley Chapel townhomes have recently been completed, and three are available now as inventory homes. A second building with six townhomes is underway, with completion and move-ins planned for the end of the year.

3 Inventory Homes:

Cambridge: 1,608 sq. ft., with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Tile floors, two-tone expresso cabinets, private lanai, huge master suite. $233,144 (base price $224,990)

Montgomery: 1,834 sq. ft., with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Front porch, flex room/den, large island kitchen, tile floors, grass courtyard. Two units available. $234,190 and $248,581 (base price $238,990)

The kitchen in the Bellevue boasts premium white cabinets and a large kitchen island with quartz countertops.

Bellevue Model Home: 1,820 sq. ft., with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, end unit, master on first floor. Premium white cabinets, large kitchen island with quartz countertop, luxury vinyl flooring, private breezeway/lanai, huge master suite. Large loft upstairs with 2 bedrooms, and bath with double vanities. (base price $243,990)

Avex Homes and Beazer Homes are builders in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, a 1,650-acre master-planned community located on State Road 54, three miles east of I-75. In addition to its new townhomes, Avex Homes also builds single-family homes in the development’s two neighborhoods — Cypress Village and Hawthorne Village.

“It is very rewarding to offer local residents affordable homes for first-time homebuyers, as well as luxurious, move-up homes for families wanting a larger home in a community like ours that offers great schools and so much to do,” said Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing for Avalon Park Group.

Single-family homes in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel start in the mid-$200s, and are built on a variety of lot styles, including conservation, corner and pond view. Avex Homes currently is selling its model home the original Cypress Village, and has four inventory homes that will be ready this summer in its new Hawthorne Village.

“There is still time to make your personal design and color selection on these inventory homes, if you move fast,” said Gonzalez.

Already, 1,500 people call Avalon Park Wesley Chapel home, and over 800 homes have been sold since it opened in 2012. The community will continue to grow over the next several years and, at build out, will be home to 10,000 residents residing in 4,400 single and multifamily homes.

Avex Homes is open daily for tour, with or without an appointment. Sales staff strictly follow COVID-19 safety protocols and always make sure families tour models by themselves, without other people in the model. For more information, stop by the model center at 5216 Autumn Ridge Drive, Wesley Chapel, 33545. To schedule an appointment, call Todd Simon at (407) 590-3501.

Amenities And Schools
Families enjoy an array of amenities at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. This includes a recently opened second amenity center with a zero-entry pool, splash pad, spa and picnic area. Other amenities include the original swimming pool, tot lot, basketball courts, pocket parks with mini-libraries, dog park, and trails and walkways that will interconnect with the community’s downtown.

Nearing completion is a new charter school at the community’ entrance, Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, which will open for the 2020-2021 school year with 650 students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Pinecrest Wesley Chapel will offer a core curriculum of English/language arts, mathematics, social science, science and electives, such as performing and fine arts, and world languages. For more information, go to the website, PinecrestWesleyChapel.com.

Downtown Center
Avalon Park Wesley Chapel also will offer residents places to shop and work when its downtown center is completed. Infrastructure construction has begun on the first phase, which will include two office buildings, two mixed use retail/residential buildings and a community park.

“We will be building beautiful, multi-story buildings with commercial space designed for businesses our residents want close to home — restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, bars and entertainment, hair and nail salons, as well as activities like dance, gymnastic and karate studios,” said Lerret.

In addition to shops and markets, the community’s downtown area will have over 500,000 square feet of commercial space.

“We are not just developers— we are building a brand new town with family events all year-long,” said Lerret. “We’re bringing together everything a family needs to enjoy life today, and in the future.”

Daytona Beach Newest Avalon Park Community
Avalon Park Group, the Orlando-based developer of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, has announced its next master-planned community will be in Daytona Beach.

Avalon Park Daytona Beach will be built on undeveloped land located west of I-95 along State Road 40. The proposed new town that will include 730,000 square feet of retail space, 270,000 square feet of office space, 5,000 multi-family units, 1,650 single-family attached units and 3,350 single-family detached units.

“Building a town of this magnitude allows us to build in a compact and contiguous manner that discourages urban sprawl and has a much lighter environmental impact than typical suburban development,” says Beat Kahli, chief executive officer of Avalon Park Group.

All communities developed by Avalon Park Group incorporate a walkable, mixed-use and interconnected community that achieves efficient use of land and infrastructure costs. Additionally, its master plans preserve large contiguous space for conservation lands and incorporate a network of streets to reduce automobile trips. Together, this creates walkable neighborhoods that are centrally located around a downtown commercial center for all ages to live, learn, work and play.

For more information, call Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing and community relations, at (407) 427-6073, or email .

Published April 29, 2020

New Daikin Fit HVAC System Offers Maximum Comfort

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With so many people working from home due to COVID-19, and the hot summer months quickly approaching, the need for a dependable and efficient air conditioning system has never been more important.

“We strongly recommend that you call now for your spring service and maintenance, and to get information and quotes if you’re considering replacing an older system,” said Gary Beurmann, air conditioning manager at Cornerstone Pros in Land O’ Lakes. “If you call now, we can schedule an appointment and get you prepared for the hottest months of the year.”

The trade services provided by Cornerstone Pros — air conditioning, plumbing and electrical — are all essential services that remain open during the Stay At Home order from Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“Our crews are working, and we’ve adopted COVID-19 safety protocols to protect customers and employees,” said Dana Spears, president of Cornerstone Pros. “Because our employees wear extra safety gear, and most of our work is performed outside or in remote areas of a home, we greatly limit exposure for everyone.”

With afternoon temperatures already in the 90s, A/C services are very much in demand right now.

“Many families are upgrading their A/C system, either because their existing unit is unreliable and is costing too much to maintain, or their unit is inefficient and uses an increasing amount of energy that results in hundreds of dollars in utility bills. Plus, we have great financing terms and rebates to offer from Daikin and utility companies,” said Spears.

Most air conditioning systems need to be replaced at 10 to 12 years, while builder grade systems often need replacement after five years, when their warranty expires.

“Your air conditioning system is an appliance, just like your refrigerator, and does not last forever,” said Beurmann. “But, before we recommend that an A/C system be replaced, my team of over 20 technicians and installers give customers several options to consider, with realistic costs and expectations.”

Beurmann explains that sometimes replacement is the best solution if an A/C is out of warranty, and the cost to repair it is better spent on a new system. “In addition, an energy-efficient new unit typically saves a family hundreds of dollars a year in lower utility costs.”

Beurmann adds that his team is all paid hourly, so customers never have a 100% commission tech pressuring for sales of new or upgraded A/C systems. “Our only motive is to do what is best for our customers,” he says.

Cornerstone is an Elite Daikin Fit dealer that offers local homeowners one of the best A/C systems ever made. Available only since February, the Daikin Fit features exceptionally cool comfort, a small footprint and high energy efficiency ratings.

“The new Daikin Fit system has so many more benefits than other systems in the market — there is nothing out there that compares,” said Beurmann. “Several of our customers were a Daikin Fit homeowner test site for the past two years, and they have been very pleased with the product and new technology the system offers. Cornerstone has never worked with a system that has so much to offer, and at a price point most people can afford.”

Cornerstone Pros offers 24-hour heating and cooling assistance to residents of Land O’ Lakes, Lutz, Trinity, Odessa, Wesley Chapel, New Port Richey and other communities in Pasco, Hernando and Hillsborough counties. Its phones are answered 24/7, and technicians are available weekends and holidays. Call (813) 990-0561 anytime, day or night.  For more information, visit their website at CornerstonePros.com.

Gary Beurmann

Daikin Fit Unique Advantages
Gary Beurmann, A/C service manager at Cornerstone Pros, explains the many advantages of a Daikin Fit system.

Home Feels Cooler
Your home will feel cooler and more comfortable because the system is highly effective at maintaining desired humidity levels because of its invertor/smart system technology.

Half The Size
The outdoor unit is half the size of a traditional condenser, which makes it perfect for pool and patios areas, allowing more space for outdoor living. It is also great for homes with narrow lot lines.

Exceptionally Quiet
It is so quiet that it can be installed outside a bedroom window and not be heard inside. This makes it great for sleeping for both kids and adults, because you don’t hear a compressor kicking on and off during the night. “It is so quiet, you can be standing right next to it and wonder if the unit is even running — it’s that quiet,” said Beurmann.

Energy Efficient
The Daikin Fit has an energy efficiency rating of 16 SEER and above, which means it consumes less energy to cool your home. SEER stands for  Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio — the higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the cooling equipment is.

Affordability
Until now, A/C systems with inverter technology  where very costly. Pricing on the Daikin Fit allows homeowners to get the best invertor technology on the market at a price comparable to lower competitor two-stage systems.  Its smart system provides so much more technology than other products offer at its price points.

Tech Conveniences
The Daikin Fit has all the bells and whistles – including Wi-Fi connectivity and thermostat controls that are accessible from your phone, pad and laptop. Daikin’s super-intelligent, user-friendly system controllers allow you to orchestrate and monitor mode, temperature, time, airflow volume and more across your entire system, at the touch of button.

12-Year Factory Warranty
The Daikin Fit is covered by one of the best warranties in the industry, with a 12-year parts and labor warranty included in the price of the unit.

Published April 29, 2020

Why mortgage rates have been on a roller coaster

By

As a mortgage company, we receive a lot of inquiries regarding mortgage rates, refinancing and, most recently, “about that 0% mortgage the FED is offering.”

Sadly, there is no 0% mortgage, and the FED doesn’t set mortgage rates. But, people should still inquire as to whether they have an opportunity for savings.

What has happened over the last 45 days is a literal roller coaster in both mortgage rates and mortgage qualification requirements. What caused this see-saw?

Earlier this year financial markets and investors started to get concerned about the global impact of COVID-19. This caused investors to move to “safer” investments, such as U.S. Treasuries and Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS). The resulting demand for MBS created a drop in mortgage rates to “the lowest level in its nearly 50-year history,” according to Freddie Mac’s chief economist.

The seven days between Feb. 26 and Mar. 4 were the busiest days in the business for just about every mortgage professional I know. And, the weeks following the resulting massive spike in applications also saw a huge spike in mortgage rates.

In some cases, mortgage rates changed up to 2% in a single day for consumers! While the causes are complicated, the two major reasons why we saw this volatility was because lenders were unprepared for the huge spike in loan volume, and consequently had to increase rates to SLOW DOWN applications, so they could catch up.

The underlying MBS was changing rapidly, and there was a glut of product being offered, which lowered the value of the individual offerings (supply and demand). A number of lenders stopped accepting refinance applications altogether, as they focused on a more sustainable “purchase money mortgage” business model.

The concerns related to COVID-19 expanded as businesses started to close down and workers were laid off due to government mandates related to social distancing. Investors had new concerns as they worried about how mortgage payments would be made when homeowners didn’t have jobs.

Financial markets in the U.S. started to crash, and so the Federal Reserve Bank (FED) jumped in with an influx of liquidity and a couple of reductions to the federal funds rate. A second wave of refinance inquiries hit as borrowers called their loan officers again about taking advantage of this 0% FED rate being offered.

It was left to loan offices to explain that the federal funds rate is the rate at which the FED lends short-term funds to banks. Mortgage rates were actually still on the rise after those announcements, because with so many loans being refinanced, the value of servicing rights that lenders earn started to shrink drastically, and they realized they wouldn’t hit their break-even point on an increasing percentage of their holdings.

The mortgage market, as a whole, has seen a number of changes due to the impacts of the coronavirus. There has been a major tightening of requirements as secondary markets have dried up, or set significantly more restrictive requirements lending requirements.

This tightening caused many well-established lenders to stop accepting new loan applications, some other to cancel loans that were in process prior to funding them, and others to close their doors entirely. The impact was, and is wide-reaching, including some Florida-based banks and credit unions.

While the impacts of COVID-19 are still creating change in the mortgage industry, there is an opportunity for borrowers who can meet updated requirements like multiple checks to verify employment and requiring clients to certify that their income/earnings have not been impacted. Borrowers with lower credit scores also have more requirements placed on them, as lenders are adding guideline requirements to government-insured loans (FHA, VA and USDA).

In 2019, there were significant reductions to the cost of mortgage insurance, so if your loan still has mortgage insurance and your rate is in the high 3% to 4%, you might still save significantly by refinancing your mortgage. Mortgage rates are stabilizing, and while not as low as they were back in late February, there is a major opportunity for individuals to save, including some ridiculously low mortgage rates on 15-year loans.

These are the kind of rates that may not be available again. So, if you are interested in a new or refinanced mortgage, reach out to a mortgage broker who will shop the markets for you. Generally, you’ll find that an experienced mortgage broker has more options available to you than your local bank, because of their independence and desire to ensure you get the best mortgage for your situation.

By Gilbert Bennett
My Easy Mortgage, LLC
Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator
Certified Military Loan Specialist

813-513-9846 (office)
504-931-7555 (cell)
MyEasyMortgage.com

NMLS # 1177528 | CO NMLS # 1268485

Published April 29, 2020