When is the best time to move?

Take all factors (jobs, schools, weather, vacation) into consideration when deciding on the best time to move. As a rule, the busiest times for professional moving companies are during the summer months, May – September. So if you are hiring a moving company, you’ll have to plan about six to eight weeks ahead.

Do you need to hire professional movers?

Moving may appear easy, but there are benefits to having someone experienced handle delicate or heavy items, pack them properly and transport them safely. Also, it may not be worth the risk of injury to attempt to haul heavy or bulky items yourself.

How do you select a moving company?

Ask your neighbors, friends, coworkers and family members if they can make recommendations. Investigate each of the movers with the Better Business Bureau.

When should you begin contacting moving companies for estimates?

Try to provide the moving company with as much notice as possible, especially if you are moving during the busy season noted above. Six weeks from the actual move date is not too early for estimators to come to your home to complete a visual survey of your belongings.

What happens when the estimator/consultant comes to your home?

Once the visual survey is completed, the estimator/consultant will calculate the weight, packing cost and any other charges related to your move. Remember that the consultant must clearly see what you are moving in order to provide you with an accurate estimate. Crawl spaces, attics and closets can be deceiving, so organize your house BEFORE the consultant arrives. He or she must be able to see what is moving and needs packing. If you know of items that are out of view, point them out. If there are items you will be eliminating, point them out.

What packing supplies will you need?

Moving boxes, packing tape, trash bags, scissors, permanent markers and bubble wrap.

Can you pack and move plants?

Most moving companies will not take plants because the stress and heat of being inside the moving trailer can cause them to die.

Can you move pets?

Pets cannot be carried in the moving truck. Dogs, cats, birds, etc. should be transported in your car. If this isn’t convenient, your moving company may be able to suggest alternate ways to ship your pets safely.

Homes by DHR is a new home builder in Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, OK. Contact info@homesbydhr.com or call 405-888-5430 for more information.

American Country Estates is a beautiful subdivision and we took precautions to keep it that way. The “Restrictions and Protective Covenants” were recorded to keep your community as it was intended, a beautiful and safe community for you and your family. Your home is a major investment, and your community should be protected from becoming your neighbor’s junk yard, or petting zoo!

The minimum home size is 1,300 square feet, and the minimum lot size is .7/acre. We have paved roads, and concrete driveways. Improved lots with homes must have front yard landscaping, and brick mailboxes. We have restricted noxious, illegal, and offensive trade, or activity. We have defined the permitted animals allowed for pets in both type and quantity. Maintenance of each home site is required, and easement and water drainage is protected.

These are really tough issues, and they will have a huge impact on you and your family. Very few home buyers ever ask about restrictions and protective covenants. Maybe, you should?

Homes by DHR is a new home builder in Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, OK. Contact info@homesbydhr.com or call 405-888-5430 for more information.

Customize your backyard to suit your style, the same way you’d customize the inside of your home! It’s always best to have a plan, so do some research, gather ideas, look at photos, and sketch out a design before jumping into a backyard renovation.

Some style inspirations…

• Japanese Garden: If you’re looking for Zen and relaxation, this is the perfect style for you! Designed to reflect the philosophical life outlook, your backyard would include stone gardens, traditional Japanese plants and maybe even a small fishpond, not for your children to play in of course.

• Southern Charm Backyard: Quickly becoming all of the rage, string lights and Mason jar candles, mugs, etc. are the perfect way to add that romantic magic to your backyard. Landscaping, we can’t forget the landscaping. To add that perfect touch, delicate landscaping (forget-me-nots, tulips, a willow tree if you can find a spare) is a must.

• Ultimate Playground: If you’ve got kids running around, the best way to have them not make a mess is outside of the house! What better way to spend time with your kids than in your own backyard? Try to plot out a place for a bonfire to roast s’mores, finding a hefty branch to harness a tire swing, or even creating an outdoor lounge to read, create and relax with your kids. All of these DIY projects are as quick and easy as A,B,C!

• Green on Green: Ever heard of farm to table? Well what about backyard to table? Growing your own fruits, veggies & herbs is easier than you think! A sunny spot and good soil are the basic necessities. (You don’t even need a lot of space. You can use containers!) Then you just need to figure out whether you want to grow tomatoes and cucumbers, or raspberries and melons, or basil and thyme… Or maybe all of them!

Whatever your aesthetic, be sure to turn your backyard into a place where you and your family want to be! Stepping out your door should mean stepping into a retreat of your own, whether it be to relax in a hammock, refresh your green thumb or be a kid again – be sure to be outside this summer!

Homes by DHR is a new home builder in Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, OK. Contact info@homesbydhr.com or call 405-888-5430 for more information.

At American Country Estates, you get both a great home and a great value! You will not find a better value than our homes. What others charge extra for, we include as standard. Ask questions, make your lists, and shop for both a great home, and a great value!

Our homes feature granite countertops throughout…and, not just the kitchen, but the bathrooms and laundry room. Speaking of laundry rooms, we have full custom cabinetry, sinks, and faucets. You will be hard pressed to find a better looking laundry room!

At American Country Estates, you will find upgraded door hardware, cabinet knobs, lighting, and plumbing fixtures. We have custom tile backsplashes in the kitchen, and tub/shower surrounds in the master bath. We have open floor plans, rounded corners, and crown molding all included in the listing price. The carpet, padding, and floor tile has all been upgraded.

Outside the home we have concrete driveways, and garage storm shelters. We included automatic garage door openers, and gutters above the entry way. We installed dual pane, low-e windows to improve efficiency. Our homes are covered by a 10-yr limited structural warranty from Residential Warranty Corporation.

We are confident, that there is no better value than the homes at American Country Estates!

Homes by DHR is a new home builder in Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, OK. Contact info@homesbydhr.com or call 405-888-5430 for more information.

Everyone wonders if they’re ready to take the plunge. No, not marriage… Homeownership! There are dozens of reasons to own your own home rather than rent, and most of them come down to freedom. Freedom from a landlord. Freedom from décor you didn’t choose. Freedom from rent that earns you nothing.

Why choose the “independence” of homeownership?

1. No more random rules about pets, guests, or noise from a cranky landlord. Your house… your rules!

2. No more arbitrary rent hikes or eviction notices from that same cranky landlord. A fixed rate mortgage is FIXED! And your home is YOURS!

3. When you own your home, you can have the kitchen you want. You can move walls, buy brand new appliances, or paint everything whatever colors you want. These types of changes are not possible for renters.

4. One-story or two? Three bedrooms or four? Basement or front porch? Many builders have lots of inventory to choose from, so you’re sure to find what you want. And these new models are energy efficient, and more affordable to own. That means great choices, as well as great prices.

5. You’ll save on taxes. You can deduct the mortgage interest rate from your income taxes and get a tax break on capital gains when you sell.

6. Rent is a down payment on nothing – except lining your landlord’s pockets. Owning your own home is a great investment in yourself. One that gives you a tremendous sense of freedom.

7. Assuming your home is priced right, the economy will reward you with a great return on your investment. Your home isn’t the stock market and you shouldn’t view it as a way to get rich, but as the economy grows, real estate prices grow, too.

Embrace your independence! Choose the freedom of homeownership!

Homes by DHR is a new home builder in Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, OK. Contact info@homesbydhr.com or call 405-888-5430 for more information.

Country living? Huh? I’ve heard that a few times when people have talked about our subdivision. I’ve also heard things like…”I don’t want to live that far out of town.” I remember when living in the country meant driving several hours on dirt roads to the middle of nowhere! Where Chickens (and everything else) roamed free, and everyone piled their junk next to their barn!

American Country Estates is located less than 6 miles from I40, the Shawnee Mall, and the New Shawnee Marketplace. We are located on E1070 road, ½ mile west of Kickapoo Street. Our subdivision streets are paved, and we have concrete driveways. The only dirt road you will encounter is the half mile on County Road E1070, and we have a verbal commitment from the County to pave E1070. American Country Estates is less than 10 minutes from the main freeway, the area’s largest indoor mall, movie theater, and the new outdoor shopping center. We are in the North Rock Creek school district, and you can choose which high school you would like to attend.

It’s easy to imagine the charm of living in the country at American Country Estates. Our location is in the center of everything Shawnee has to offer, while still providing you with the intimacy and privacy of a country neighborhood. We have beautiful rolling hills, ¾ acre home sites, and a very quiet access road (E1070). It’s both beautiful and peaceful. We have recorded subdivision restrictions and protective covenants to keep it that way! As you sit on your covered front porch, you may forget you’re less than 10 minutes from shopping and the Interstate, 30 minutes to Tinker and Oklahoma City. But, then again….isn’t that why you want a home at American Country Estates?

Homes by DHR is a new home builder in Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, OK. Contact info@homesbydhr.com or call 405-888-5430 for more information.

The days of giving Dad an ugly tie or boring aftershave are long gone. You could still give him a tie, but why… when there are so many more interesting options out there! A recent trip across the internet revealed an astonishing range of gift ideas – from wooden iPhone cases to silver lighters, $9,000 custom-made surf boards to a $75,000 Babe Ruth-signed baseball!

Here’s a rundown of some more realistic ideas:

1. The Latest Tech – iPad Air, Roku media player, Bluetooth headphones, FitBit… If Dad’s a gadget guy, the list is endless.

2. Accessories Make The Man – Hipster shades, Mad Men-inspired everything – hip flask, money clip, shaving kit. Everything old is new again.

3. Major Monogramming – From cufflinks to beer mugs & pitchers, you can get almost anything with Dad’s name or initials on it!

4. The Traditional Bottle – High-end bourbons & whiskeys are hot! Get Dad some of the good stuff – and then sit down and enjoy it with him.

5. Experiences – Give Dad some time with you or time for himself! Tickets to a ball game, a round of golf at the club he likes, cooking classes, helicopter flight lessons, a race car driving session. If there’s something he’s wanted to try, chances are you can find it!

Homes by DHR is a new home builder in Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, OK. Contact info@homesbydhr.com or call 405-888-5430 for more information.

After the record rainfall we experienced in May, I’ve been asking myself if we should have built an Ark instead of three beautiful homes! With all this water, it’s a great opportunity to ask some tough questions as you shop for a new home. I have been was surprised to see just how many homes have been built many feet below the adjacent street!

Our subdivision, American Country Estates, was professional engineered. We engineered both the site (civil engineer and soils engineer), and the homes (structural engineer, mechanical engineer). We have a comprehensive drainage plan, and performed soils analysis and soils compaction testing to confirm that we had the right approach. We used engineered post-tensioned foundations to minimize the shifting effects of the clay soil on our homes. Post-tensioned foundations use high-strength steel to actively reinforce residential foundations (and are designed to act as a single unit to minimize a portion of the slab from settling) to minimize cracking and resist soil movement.

Our homes incorporate hold down straps and hurricane clips, and 30-yr laminated roof shingles. We installed gutters at the front of the homes, and we have storm shelters in the garage. We have paved the streets in our subdivision, and installed concrete driveways. We have a comprehensive drainage plan, and the water is designed to move away from all of our homes. We have a 10-yr limited structural warranty on each home issued and guaranteed by Residential Warranty Corporation.

When you shop for a new home, you can’t see a post tensioned foundation, or a drainage plan. You can’t tell if your streets were compacted and tested before they were paved, and no one asks about the drainage plan, structural and mechanical engineering. But, then again, maybe you should?

Homes by DHR is a new home builder in Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, OK. Contact info@homesbydhr.com or call 405-888-5430 for more information.

The United States Department of Agriculture celebrates National Homeownership Month every June, marking their ongoing mission of helping residents of America’s small towns and cities purchase homes in rural areas. Throughout the month of June, USDA celebrates events across America, demonstrating their commitment to providing access to affordable housing for low-and moderate-income rural residents.

“Owning a home is one of the best ways American families enter the middle class,” says Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “USDA has helped provide homeownership for rural Americans for more than six decades. This year, we are marking the 50th anniversary of USDA’s Mutual Self-Help program, and are celebrating the 50,000th home built through it.”

Homeownership provides a strong foundation to help build household wealth, start a business or fund education through home equity. Since the creation of USDA’s single-family housing programs in 1949, USDA has helped more than 3 million rural residents access the American dream of homeownership. Since 2009, the USDA has invested more than $117 billion to support rural homeownership. In 2014 alone, USDA invested more than $19.9 billion to help nearly 140,000 rural families buy and maintain homes.

Rural Development programs that support rural homeownership include:

• Direct home loans for low- and very-low-income applicants. Payment assistance is provided that can lower the loan interest rate to as low as one percent.
• Loan guarantees for moderate-income families. The agency works with private-sector lenders to back the lenders’ loans.
• Home repair loans and grants to help rural homeowners make improvements or repairs. (E,g, making homes accessible for people with disabilities, or removing hazards such as poor wiring or plumbing.)

To learn more about National Homeownership Month, please visit https://www.facebook.com/USDA.

Homes by DHR is a new home builder in Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, OK. Contact info@homesbydhr.com or call 405-888-5430 for more information.

Our mothers are so special, one day isn’t nearly enough to recognize their role in our lives. (As more than one mother has opined, shouldn’t EVERY DAY be Mother’s Day?) This year, on the day set aside to remind us how much we love them, we have a couple of ways to make your mom feel special!

1. Going out for breakfast/brunch is nice, but staying in and cooking for her is even better. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Just make what she likes!

2. Flowers are a classic, but always a mom-pleaser. A huge bunch of her favorites will make her smile. If she’s a gardener, a live plant will be a huge hit!

3. Do something she really wants to do. Take her someplace she’s always wanted to go but never had the time. It’s an opportunity to hang out together and learn something new about her!

4. Find a unique gift that embodies what she loves, whether it’s cooking, reading, gardening, crafts, music, sewing, dancing, etc. She’ll appreciate the effort you put into it.

5. Mother’s Day is the perfect excuse for families that may be spread out to spend the day together – whether you stay home and bake cookies, or head out to the zoo.

6. If you have the time and/or money, take her away for the weekend to a spa, hotel or bed and breakfast. Let someone else pamper her with luxurious surroundings and good food.

No matter what you do for you mother on her special day, make sure to thank her for all of the love and care that she gives to you – everyday!