I recently had the opportunity to do a short question and answer series with Keystone Custom Home New Home Advisor Mike Klaips. I bring this information to you because I think it is very beneficial to find all the opportunities available in this market. Sometimes when you cannot find the perfect home out there on the market for you, a new home can be your best option. Mike works in two communities in Strasburg and one on Oregon Pike north of Lancaster City. As you can see he is experienced, successful, and provides the consumer with good insight. As always, contact me if you are interested in learning more about buying or selling Real Estate in Lancaster, PA.
1. Tell me about yourself and your background in real estate. How did you get started in the industry and how did you end up at Keystone? I have been involved in real estate for over 10 years now. Prior to my current position as a New Home Advisor for Keystone Custom Homes, I spent many years as a loan officer and manager in residential and commercial real estate finance. I was blessed with opportunities to travel and lend in almost all fifty states. My finance background has allowed me to transition into my current role well and is a value added service for my clients who are often intimidated by the ever-changing underwriting requirements of today’s highly regulated mortgage lenders. After spending time in both Philadelphia and Dallas, I made the decision to relocate back to Lancaster to be closer to my family. I decided at that time that it would be exciting to try something new that would still benefit from my previous experience and started looking at different opportunities. I read an ad in the Newspaper about the New Home Advisor position with Keystone Custom Homes and received strong positive feedback from family and friends after inquiring about the company. As someone who enjoys serving with those less fortunate, I especially appreciated Keystone’s interest in improving the lives of others through it’s sister microfinance entity Hope International. As a non-profit operating in some of the most dangerous and impoverished areas of the world, it spoke loudly to the mission and integrity of the company. Hope currently supports well over 250,000 clients in 14 different countries.
2. Why should a homeowner consider new construction? With new construction, you are given the opportunity to build a beautiful home that is entirely fit to your personal tastes and style. You are offered builder and manufacturer warranties that provide peace of mind not typically found in the re-sale market. More importantly though, with building code changes enacted in December of 2009, new construction standards require homes to be built with many safety features not included in construction previous to this date. You can sleep sound at night knowing that your family is protected from harm in a secure, well built home.
3. Why should they choose Keystone Custom Home as their builder of choice? With over 28 communities to choose from, Keystone has a location that is convenient for everyone. No one matches the selection of floor plans, elevations, and options available to you as a Keystone customer. Keystone Custom Home was the first builder to earn America’s Best Builder award 3 times, is a National Housing Quality Award winner and recently ranked among the top 110 builders in the country. With the construction industry feeling the impact of the shaky global economy, it’s important to have confidence in the viability of the builder that you are considering partnering with to build your family’s dream home. Choosing the right builder is an essential first step in ensuring a positive experience and delivery of a well built home. Having a strong presence in the local market place going on 19 years now, Keystone customers have confidence that we will be there to see their project through completion.
4. What sets Keystone apart from other builders? Keystone Custom Home offers an industry leading 20 year limited structural warranty. Our exclusive Key Choices Design program allows you to choose options and features that are most important to you and your family. With an assigned username and password, these selections can be made from the comfort of your own home computer. Our state of the art design center and experienced design staff offer you added confidence that you have made the right choices. Lastly, our Equity Promise program definitely provides our buyers with a key advantage when having the added factor of a home to sell.
5. What exactly is Equity Promise? How does the program work? Very simply put, Equity Promise allows someone to utilize the equity in their existing home to start building a new home right away. With the program, you will never have to make two mortgage payments and are guaranteed the highest market value for your home. An added benefit to the program is that you will never have to move into temporary housing, even if your existing home goes under contract.
6. What communities do you currently manage? Can you tell me about each?
I currently manage three communities for Keystone.
The Trails of Strasburg is a prestigious community within easy walking distance of the quaint historic town of Strasburg. The community is served by the Lampeter Strasburg School District and includes many upgraded features not often included in new home communities. The home sites back up to 3 nature preserves and parks yet you find yourself just minutes from shopping, restaurants, Route 30, 222 and the PA Turnpike. Single-family floor plans in this community currently start in the $250’s with Keystones current May incentive of 20% off.
Worthington at Township Square is an exciting new mixed-use development located within the Manheim Township School District. We are currently constructing single-family homes and are excited to include twin and townhomes as well in a future phase. Amenities will include a paved and landscaped hike and bike trail, parks with fountains and gazebos, and sidewalks and street lighting throughout. The homes range from 1700 to 2800 sq feet and start in the $240’s with Keystones current May incentive of 20% off. The commercial component will include a Turkey Hill convenience store, a bank, restaurants, and professional/retail space.
The Falls at Olde Mill is just now entering the exciting stage of closing out. With only five home sites remaining, a few lucky homebuyers are going to have to act fast in order to join this mature community. The Falls is served by Conestoga Valley School District and is convenient to Route 30, Lancaster City, and the Outlets. Single family home plans range from 1600 up to over 3200 square feet and start in the $210’s with Keystones current May incentive of 20% off.
I hope you found this informative and engaging. If you want to contact Mike you can email him at Mike_Klaips@keystonecustomhome.com If you would like to contact me about any questions regarding this article or Real Estate in general please give me a call at 717-983-8331 or email me at rutt.ben@gmail.com
Comments(3)