News & Events

Archive for 2010

Wednesday, December 29th, 2010

Happy New Year From Mid-Atlantic Builders

New Years is a special time. It is a time to remember the last twelve months—both for its ups and downs—and an opportunity to look toward the future. What will 2011 be the year of?

For Mid-Atlantic Builders I look forward to a year of continued recovery in the housing market and an opportunity for our company to begin to grow again. I am excited to see our newest community, the Villages of Savannah in Brandywine get off to a great start. We now have 12
families who will be bringing in the New Year  in their new Mid-Atlantic Builders homes in Savannah. At BeechTree in Upper Marlboro we will be opening a new section of homesites on a private cul-de-sac. I am also excited to add three new communities to our portfolio in 2011. Keep an eye out in the spring for Enterprise Estates, a small new community in Mitchellville, Md.

Whatever the New Year has in store, I look forward to working with our wonderful employees, contractors and suppliers to continue to provide our purchasers with homes of personalized luxury, style and design.

Overall we continue to see signs of economic improvement in the Washington D.C. area for the New Year. Local economists expect continued job growth, slow but steady increases in housing demand and increases in property appreciation. These are all encouraging signs for a recovering housing market, and I am eager to begin a productive 2011

From all of us in the Mid-Atlantic Builders family, I wish you and your family a happy and healthy New Year.

Posted in News
Posted by Stephen Paul Executive Vice President of Home Building Operations
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Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

Energy$mart Means Cleaner Air

As was discussed in a few earlier posts, Mid-Atlantic Builders is striving to be an industry leader in building the greenest, most energy efficient homes available. With the rollout of our Energy$mart program, we have made great strides toward that goal. One of the features standard with Mid-Atlantic Builders’ Energy$mart program is our indoor air quality package.

Mid-Atlantic Builders has always been about building homes with the highest degree of comfort possible. From luxurious spa bathrooms to your own gourmet wonderland, we have always looked for ways to make our homes stand out.

Sometimes, though, comfort goes beyond sight. Mid-Atlantic’s indoor air package insures that your home has cleaner and healthier airflow. By using high quality building materials we are able to reduce sources of pollutants and improve air quality in our homes. Additionally, our heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems are top of the line resulting in more efficient air circulation and lower monthly utility costs. Your home is safer, too. With moisture control features and a combustion-venting system your home will have fewer harmful pollutants like mold and combustibles.

Start breathing cleaner air and join our green movement. Stop in to any one of Mid-Atlantic Builders’ five communities in Southern Maryland to find out more about our Energy$mart program. Visit us at Beechtree in Upper Marlboro, Woodmore North in Mitchellville or our new Villages of Savannah in Brandywine.


Posted in Energy$mart
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Posted by Mid-Atlantic Builders
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Monday, December 20th, 2010

A Customer Care Moment: Replacing Air Filters and Cleaning Condensation Lines

Posted in Customer Care Videos
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Posted by Customer Care Video Blogs
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Thursday, December 16th, 2010

Cooking in the Modern Kitchen

In most households the kitchen is the heart of the home. More than a cafeteria for serving and consuming food, the kitchen is often a gathering place, an office and a homework station. Whether you are building a new home, remodeling your kitchen or just upgrading your appliances, your plans should  fit your personality and needs.

The first decisions made about a new kitchen’s design are the appliances. I have a very simple rule for this: buy the highest quality available.

Homeowners usually recuperate between 50 to 90 percent of the investment they spend on kitchen projects so purchasing quality appliances will pay off while you are enjoying them, and also help maintain your resale value should you decide to move later in life.

Drawer appliances, like French door refrigerators, are becoming more popular because they are easier to operate. Drawer microwaves that are installed at counter height are more accessible for children and are growing in popularity.  While all of Mid-Atlantic Builders’ homes come standard with Energy Star appliances as a part of our Energy$mart program, I suggest investing in the higher quality appliances if you are updating your kitchen. A lot of states have rebates available and the higher efficiency appliances cut down on monthly energy costs.

Because your kitchen is not just a cooking space, consider functionality too. A built-in desk with storage for books, a mail sorting area and a place for charging your electronics will allow you to organize yourself and family. Just make sure this area is far enough away from the food/prep area so as to not disturb your cooking. Work surfaces with varying heights will also ensure everyone in your household—children and adults—has accessibly to the kitchen. A cabinet and pantry organization system also maximizes food storage possibilities.

Since so much of your time is spent in the kitchen, consider adding a couple of special features to set your home apart. A glass tile backsplash, under cabinet lights or a couple of glass doors will not break the bank. They do however go a long way to help make a visual impact. You may also consider accessories typically associated with commercial kitchens. Wine refrigerators, pot fillers, 6-burner cook tops with indoor grills and ice makers are becoming more commonplace in American homes.

Posted in Home Design Tips
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Posted by Vanessa Pereira Interior Design Consultant
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Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

In Washington D.C. National Housing Headlines Don’t Apply

A few headlines with a potentially powerful impact on the sale of new homes in our area grabbed my attention recently.

The Washington Business Journal reported earlier this month that the National Association of Realtors’ monthly index of pending sales on existing homes spiked to 10.4 percent in October. NAR chief economist Frank Nothaft is pleased to see the index’s double-digit percentage gain but recognizes the upturn as only the beginning of a housing recovery. “The improving job market and consequential boost to household formation will help the recovery process going into 2011,” he said.

Nothaft is absolutely correct to say the housing market, and the rest of the economy for that matter, won’t improve until unemployment levels drop significantly. Fortunately those figures, too, are moving in the right direction.

In November the Department of Labor reported the fewest filings for unemployment since July 2008 even as national unemployment reached 9.8 percent. But, as I’ve expressed in earlier posts, statistics about the housing market can be misleading if only national averages are considered. Here in the Washington area unemployment has hovered around five and a half percent—we are the only metropolitan area below six percent.

Because of our stable employment, Washington D.C. is witnessing a positive swing in housing prices well before the rest of the country. According to Clear Capital’s monthly Home Date Index Market Report, Washington D.C. has seen a two percent increase in home prices. This while the national trend continues to experience price decreases—prices have continued to slip five percent quarter-over-quarter.

For Washingtonians these headlines mean one thing: delaying the purchase of a new home purchase may not be prudent. With a shortage of new homes, I expect prices will continue to rise in the future.

Posted in News
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Posted by Stephen Paul Executive Vice President of Home Building Operations
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Friday, December 10th, 2010

Mid-Atlantic Builders is a true Energy Star

Beginning this year, all Mid-Atlantic Builders’ homes started receiving an Energy Star certification. But with the launch of our new Energy$mart program every home we build goes well beyond this certification, achieving an efficiency level rarely matched by our competition.

To qualify as an Energy Star partner, homes must be at least 15 percent more efficient than the current energy code. Mid-Atlantic Builders exceeds these standards, achieving an average efficiency of up to 30 percent.

Twice during the construction of each home, our Home Energy Rating System (HERS) certified heating contractor inspects and evaluates the efficiency of each home—once before drywall is installed to ensure proper placement of insulation and again just before  the homeowner closing to perform an air leak test.

Advancements in home heating and insulation technology have made our products more energy efficient, saving you on your monthly energy bill and keeping you warmer. We are proud to be able to provide a more environmentally friendly home. Our R-38 cellulose attic insulation contains more than 75% recycled materials and helps reduce heat loss, and an included R-42 sealed attic access panel provides superior insulation with minimal air leakage.

So join our green movement. Stop in to any one of Mid-Atlantic Builders’ five communities in Southern Maryland to find out more about our Energy$mart program. Visit us at Beechtree in Upper Marlboro, Woodmore North in Mitchellville or our new Villages of Savannah in Brandywine.

Posted in Energy$mart
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Posted by John Lavery New Homes Sales Director
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Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

Mid-Atlantic Builders’ Fireplaces Keep You Warm This Winter

There are very few respites from the cold of winter. Other than a steaming mug of hot chocolate, I can’t think of a better way to melt away the chills of winter than by snuggling up next to a roaring fireplace. At Mid-Atlantic Builders a ready-to-light gas fireplace comes standard in all of our homes. Most other builders can’t say the same.

Many other local builders are cutting building costs by turning once-standard features into a la carte add-ons. At Mid-Atlantic, though, a home just isn’t a home without a fireplace.

Even as a standard feature, our fireplaces are larger (42”) than the optional (33”) fireplaces offered by our competition. And because each unit is entirely gas operated they are safer to use, easily started (just a flick of a switch) and can be a cheaper way to stay warm this season.

Additionally, Mid-Atlantic Builders allows customer’s to add several fireplaces throughout their home. Enjoy a romantic evening in your Owner’s Suite while the blazing embers set the mood, or relax with a book in the lower level Recreation Room while warming your toes in front of glowing logs. With the largest selection of mantels and surrounds of any builder in town, there are plenty of choices as to how you want your fireplace to look.

With fewer hours of daylight and cold and icy weather ahead, finding joy in the small comforts of your home shouldn’t be about costing more, it should be about enjoying more.

Learn how you can stay warm this winter. Stop in to any one of Mid-Atlantic Builders’ five communities in Southern Maryland. Come in to one of our models to discuss our current promotions, from a free Finished Rec Room to a contribution of $10,000 toward closing costs. Stop by Beechtree in Upper Marlboro, Woodmore North in Mitchellville or our new Villages of Savannah in Brandywine.

Posted in Prince George's County Luxury Homes
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Posted by John Lavery New Homes Sales Director
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Thursday, December 2nd, 2010

A Customer Care Moment: Locating Property Markers

Posted in Customer Care Videos
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Posted by Customer Care Video Blogs
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Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Exceeding Energy Standards: Energy$mart by Mid-Atlantic Builders

Mid-Atlantic Builders has always strived to be ahead of the curve. We are the industry leader for allowing our customers to customize their floor plans and we have been recognized for our innovative spa bath suites.

Our new Energy$mart program is just another example of Mid-Atlantic Builders rising above the rest. The program consists of three components, which together result in greater energy efficiency, significant savings and a cleaner and more comfortable home.

As an Energy Star partner, our Energy$mart program offers the most effective insulation available, efficient energy appliances and high performance low-E windows. This translates to noteworthy savings. Every home built by Mid-Atlantic Builders receives a third-party Energy Star verification so you know you are buying a quality product.

Another feature of the Energy$mart program is the Environmental Protection Agency Indoor airPLUS package. The standard package included by Mid-Atlantic Builders ensures that your home’s air is cleaner and healthier, and that your home is as comfortable as possible.

Finally, all of Mid-Atlantic Builders’ homes are Green Certified by the National Association of Home Builders. This means lower operating costs, improved resource efficiencies and all around a more environmentally friendly home.

Mid-Atlantic’s new homes meet or exceed the U.S. EPA’s highest standards for efficiency under the Energy Star guidelines. Our Energy$mart program means our homes are quieter, have lower utility bills and help protect the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Become a part of our green movement and stop in one of our communities in Southern Maryland.

Posted in Energy$mart
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Posted by John Lavery New Homes Sales Director
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Friday, November 26th, 2010

Mid-Atlantic Builders Sees a Brighter Tomorrow

Mid-Atlantic Builders was recognized recently by Lindsey Robbins at the Gazette for our positive outlook on the current recession. The tipping point for our sign of good faith was the launch of our new 577-unit community, the Villages of Savannah, near the Brandywine Crossing shopping center.

In the story, Robbins uses Mid-Atlantic Builders to demonstrate a growing sense that this  recession has seen its lowest dip. And while no one has a crystal ball, there are three reasons why I believe the Washington area has seen the worst it’s going to see.

First, with the Federal Government in and around the D.C. area, the local economy is more stable than almost all other U.S. metropolitan areas.

A recent jobs forecast by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments predicts that the region will gain 660,377 new jobs in the greater Washington D.C. area by the year 2020. That predicted job growth will create a steady increase in demand for housing and will stimulate the housing industry to increase the current housing stock.

Finally, the D.C. region continues to be subjected to severe growth limits by its surrounding jurisdictions, thereby limiting the supply of new homes.  The good news is this has prevented the industry from overbuilding its inventories during economic downturns. However, in an expanding economy, these limits will create a squeeze on supply and this means property value appreciation and increased prices for new homes.

Mid-Atlantic Builders has five communities in Southern Maryland. Come in to one of our models to discuss our current promotions, from a free finished Rec Room to a contribution of $10,000 toward closing costs. Stop byBeechtree in Upper Marlboro or our new Villages of Savannah in Brandywine.

Posted in News, The Villages of Savannah
Posted by Stephen Paul Executive Vice President of Home Building Operations
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